Marriage Monday ~ Was Jesus invited to your wedding?

Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."

And the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.

He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. 

Then he called the bridegroom aside and said,

"Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

John 2:9,10

I recently read a story about a little boy who was interviewed by Johnny Carson. Mr. Carson realized the little boy was a Christian so he asked the boy what he was learning in Sunday School.

The boy answered by telling him the most recent lesson was when Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding. The audience laughed and enjoyed his response. Mr Carson followed by asking what he had learned from the story. The boy thought a moment and answered, "If your going to have a wedding, make sure to invite Jesus!"

John 2:1-11 tells the story of Jesus' first miracle when he turned water into wine. The wine was so good that when the master of the banquet tasted it he didn't know it had come from the water used for ceremonial cleaning. The master thought it was the best wine and was amazed that the bridegroom would serve it early.

The Jews' of that time believed that a person became symbolically unclean by touching objects of everyday life. The ceremonial water was used before a meal to cleanse the hands of the Jew of anything that made them unclean. 

In today's world we are faced with obstacles and influences that can make our marriages unclean. Daily we face temptations, stress from financial issues, work issues, family turmoil and influences from the world's view of what a marriage should be. 

But, Jesus can cleanse our marriage. He can take an empty, cold as stone marriage and fill it with fresh, living water. He can bring it to new life giving you the best now!

Was Jesus invited to your wedding? Is He a part of your marriage? Are you living the "best", "choice" marriage now? 

If not, what do you need to give over to Jesus today in order for him to fill the cistern of your marriage with fresh living water? What objects from your everyday life do you need to be cleansed from?

May we take advice from a little boy and invite Jesus into our marriages everyday!

I'm linked today with Women Living Well Wednesdays

In His Calm,

Mary

Marriage Mondays ~ Legacy

This weekend Jeff & I attended LifeWay's Festival of Marriage. We have been planning the trip for several months but thought in light of all that has been going on with our daughter we would not be going. But God worked things out so that we were able to attended. We received wonderful results from her tests last week and my Mom encouraged us to go saying she would love to watch the kids. This weekend was a blessing for Mom & the kids to run around and have fun and it was a time for me and Jeff to reconnect. I wanted to share with you today some of the things God taught us this weekend. Next week I will continue the Wives of the Bible series.

"'O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?' declares the Lord, 'Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.'" Jeremiah 18:6

Legacy

When you think of the word legacy what comes to your mind? Dictionary.com defines legacy as something handed down from an ancestor or something from the past. 

Have you ever thought about what kind of legacy you are leaving your children? When you think of your legacy do you think more about personal possessions like - money, houses, collections- tangible things? 

Do you ever stop to think about the legacy of marriage you will hand down to your children?

If that is something new to you, think about the marriage of your parents? Was it a kind, loving, God-filled marriage or was it a bitter, hurtful, cold marriage? 

Take a few minutes and really look at your own marriage. What parts of your marriage are like your parent's marriage - both good & bad? Now, are they aspects of a marriage you want your children to have in their own marriage?

Our children watch us closely. We may not realize it but they see how we treat each other. They pick up on the tone we use with each other. The way we behave in our marriage may be the very same way our children will treat their spouse. Do you want them to behave like you do in your marriage?

If your answer is no don't be discouraged! 

A quote I heard this weekend was 

"The best time to plant a tree was 10 years ago. The next best time to plant a tree is today."

Guess what? 

You have the choice to break the cycle handed down to you.

Today you can change the Legacy you leave your children! God is ready to help you change your marriage.  He is the potter... ready to mold your marriage... your family... your house... into one that you will be proud to hand down to your children.

Change will take time but with God's help your marriage can be turned into one your children are proud to say "My marriage is my parent's legacy to me." 

You can begin turning your marriage over to God by taking a 30 day challenge.

• Pray everyday for your husband and your marriage. 
• If you feel comfortable pray with your husband. If not, start by praying for him.
• Read one verse together everyday. 
• A good place to start is Proverbs. You can read a chapter a day or just a verse. Whatever works for you.
• Encourage your husband everyday.
• Find something positive to say to him each day.

  Are you ready to break the cycle handed down to you? What kind of legacy do you want to hand down to your children?

Please leave me a comment and let me know how I can be praying for you and your marriage.

 I am linked today with Julie at Come Have a Peace.
In His Calm,

Mary