marriage

Promises, Promises

Posted on by Shannon

Promises don’t impress us these days. Politicians all over North America seem to be promising all sorts of things. One says they’ll get the deficit under control in a few years, another says they’ll have the economy booming in a few more, and yet another says he will build an impossibly long wall between countries. We’ve witnessed so many failed promises, we are skeptical of new ones.

People getting married promise to love and care for each other for the rest of their lives, yet almost 50% of all marriages fail. What happened to their promises? Sadly, people make them about as often as they break them.

God tells us in Galatians 3:22 that all men are saved through a promise of God. “But the Scripture has shut up all men under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” In verse 29 he said, “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” While salvation is by faith, it is described as a “promise” in this chapter because we must have faith when a promise is given. In this case our faith is well founded, for who is more reliable than God? Abraham trusted God to fulfil his promise, and that is what we must do as well.

What does this teach us about our own promises? If we trust God to fulfil His, shouldn’t we have the character to also do what we say we will? In this same book, faithfulness is listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit (5:22). We are to be faithful to fulfil promises. People should feel they can trust us. “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbour, for we are members one of another.” (Eph.4:25)

Promises, promises. Are you making good on yours?

– Tim Johnson

Don’t Let This Happen to You!

Posted on by Shannon

It’s human nature that whatever a person’s environment happens to be, he or she becomes accustomed to it in a surprisingly short time. If you were left a million dollars you would become accustomed to wealth quickly. We are told that a person in prison soon finds life routine and takes confinement for granted.

The same thing happens in many marriages. It is a natural kind of thing and the unwary don’t guard against it. They forget to remind themselves that when they married their mates, they were their entire world. But as the months and years go by, they begin to take each other for granted.

Taking one another for granted is one of the greatest mistakes a couple can make – letting the luster fade from the one person on earth from whom it should never fade. It is so easy to develop a reluctance to tell each other how great he or she is and how much they are loved and admired.

One writer said that many married couples are ignorant. They haven’t got enough brains to keep the best thing in their lives alive. They shut off the supply of nourishment to the most important plant on earth.

To pay attention to the needs of our marriages on a daily basis could keep them as bright as the northern star. With proper care a marriage can live in rich abundance for a lifetime.

– David Johnson

A Taste of What’s to Come

Posted on by Shannon

Over the last two weekends we’ve enjoyed some lovely special events. Last week was Young Adult Weekend, with 30-40 energetic guests among us, and a special speaker (Jay Manimtim). There was close fellowship, challenging lessons, enthusiastic singing, and good food. This weekend we witnessed the wedding of two Christians who are very dear to us. Their two families came together with good wishes for the marriage of their children. Many of their friends and brothers and sisters in the Lord were present to make it a special day. And this morning we are very happy to have Shawn Redding preach the sermon. Shawn and Donna, of course, are loved by the entire congregation. Continue reading →