Loving God, may Your gift of faith, hope, and love be with this dear reader. I ask this in Jesus' Name, amen.
We're into week three of the sermon series, "Let's Go to The Movies," and we looked at a limited release movie called, "Not Easily Broken." When we selected the movies we did it only by title and perceived theme. We were right with both in this case, but never considered it might not play here in Harlingen. The local theatre said to call them next week and ask again if they were going to show it. I highly doubt it. I wanted to see this but if I really want to see it I'll have to travel to San Antonio or Corpus Christi. The theme is about handling crisis in a marriage and that was the theme of my sermon. For the text I used an OT and NT text. Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12: "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil... And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken." 1 Corinthians 4-8b, 13: Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends...And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love."
For the illustration I bought three different colored cords and had my daughters weave them into a threefold cord. Each color represented what Paul mentions in verse 13, and I made the point that all marriages, families, and relationships are blessed when they place their faith, hope, and love in God. With such a foundation, nothing can tear those marriages, families or relationships apart.
Jesus mentions something in Matthew 19:6 that begs our attention: "So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." During the first part of the sermon I called up those who had married in January and presented them with Bible markers made with smaller versions of the threefold cord, but I also asked them about their vows and whether they were more in love today than the day they married. I'll just say interesting answers. But as the couples are declared "husband and wife" in today's wedding ceremony, what Jesus says in the above passage is declared: "Those whom God has joined together, let no one tear asunder" or the modern equivalent. Marriages are meant to be strong. It is in the marriage that society either teaches each other how to be a better person and citizen, or it fails and helps society become weaker. The message for the Christian church is to strengthen marriages and to help families instill those values and beliefs that can make each person a true believer and follower of Christ Jesus.
What's in your marriage?
PRAYER: Loving God of love and marriage, bring your blessings upon my marriage, family, or relationships. I stand in need of being a more loving person, a person of more faith, and one who can share a message of hope in all situations. I ask this in Christ Jesus' precious Name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Study Guide for today: Matthew 19:6 mentions the solid bonds of marriage. Please find that passage and see what it says to you about your marriage or the marriage of close loved ones. Pray for them this day.
