marriage

I Do

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , ,

“Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So, you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:3-6

A Christian marriage is life-long. Two people bound together in a covenant of love and faithfulness until death. A beautiful way of life for raising a family and learning God’s way of life in the process. The agreement is not for immature children. But two people who honor each other. Serve each other. And fight through their personal demons to become one. There are only a few Biblical reasons to end it.

On that wedding day, standing before family and friends, the couple state their vows. The minister most often will read passages from the Bible. These usually are from 1 Corinthians 13 and Ephesians 5. They may also include words like “whether richer or poorer, through health or sickness.” The aim is to acknowledge they are bound together till death. No matter what the couple faces in the future together.

A sacred and special moment for both with ideals and hopes laid before them. In many ways, in hindsight, not a clue of what is in store before them.

Are not our relationship and commitment with Jesus the same? Has HE not already proposed to us (Luke 9:23)? If we accept HIS offer to follow HIM, do we really know the path where the relationship is going to take us?

Like marriage, it is a commitment. We stand before God, others, and self with our vows, and state “I do” to each. As new babes in Christ, we have hopes and dreams of the future. But then real-world catastrophe occurs. Things don’t go according to plans. Financial challenges. Health challenges. Relationship challenges. Your demons may not even be on the list. But they know you and attack you on a regular basis.

The “I Do” is only three letters. But the power of a commitment behind it is strong. It is what separates winners from losers. Those who pursue life from those who run away. The “I Do” built on enduring love and faithfulness is a weapon for victory. These are the character traits Jesus lives by and empowers us to live by.

A healthy marriage gives us a taste of how Jesus lives with Father and Spirit. This is the relationship HE wants with you and me. Two people becoming one. In marriage two people find ways to work out the obstacles before them. Their lifelong commitment is to make the marriage work. So does Jesus do with us.

The “I DO” is only the start of a journey for life. What comes next is the process of growing in the grace, wisdom, and knowledge of our Lord unto eternity. It involves maturing as a people. It is learning to trust God with all our being. It is learning to partner with the invisible God who loves us more than we realize. He wants what is best for us for the long term. Not immediate gratification. But a future full of favor and success before HIM and those around you.


It all begins with “I Do.” Then it requires the commitment to hang in there and trust Jesus in the process.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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What Does the Bible Reveal About Marriage?

Dr. Mike 2025 , ,

Let marriage be held in honor among all…   Heb 13:4

Marriage is more than a human institution. The Bible indicates that marriage portrays God’s relationship with humanity. In marriage, we taste life as God intends life to be. Two people becoming one in purpose, mind, and soul.

The entire theme in the Bible portrays marriage as a God-ordained institution. In Genesis 2, God made woman as a partner for Adam. HIS instructions were that man leave his parents and cling to his wife and become one.

The Ten Commandments emphasize the importance of having a good relationship with others. For example, father and mother (5th) are to be honored for the sake of the family. One also needs to refrain from adultery(7th). And one ought not covet their neighbor’s spouse(10th).

The prophets often spoke about the marriage relationship between God and Israel. How God will divorce Israel for her unfaithfulness. Yet HE continues to restore the relationship every time it fractured.

Jesus spoke often of marriage. His parables included marriage scenarios. The apostle Paul wrote about marriage. He outlined practical advice in his letters to the Corinthians, Timothy, and Ephesians. He explained the challenges and the blessings of marriage living in the end times.

The apostle John highlighted marriage in the Book of Revelation. The resurrection is the marriage fulfillment between Jesus and HIS fiancé the Church.

From beginning to end, the value of marriage is emphasized throughout the Bible.

There is no problem with the marriage institution. The problem is with people who are broken. People who have seen marriage failures rather relationship bliss. People who are afraid to make a lifetime commitment with another. People who focus on the downside risk rather than the upside purpose.

Without God, marriage could easily become a boxing match between two strong-willed people. When one’s desires are not satisfied, one blames the other. When one’s life is falling apart, they blame the other rather than look inward.

Marriage is for the mature childlike believer who knows God is doing a work in them. They understand marriage is the safe harbor with a trusting mate. Someone who has made the same commitment to carry each other over the finish line. They know marriage is also the framework for God to complete HIS work in us. To chisel away the destructive attitudes and habits which enslave us to ourselves.

As we practice the Triune way, the new creation becomes real. As we mutually submit and encourage one another, marriage becomes heaven on earth. We begin to experience life the way God does. HIS love, joy, and peace become real within the bonds of marriage. Two people are becoming one patterned after their God. Like their elderly brother Jesus, they are learning the Way. The way God created life to be.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Sexual Immorality

Dr. Mike 2024 , , ,

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.   1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

Sex on my left. Sex on my right. Sex in front of me and behind. Sex through my eyes, and through my ears. Whichever way I look or hear, sex is shoved into my mind.

What was once sacred between two people is now irresponsibly available for anyone to enjoy. The life-long benefits of a committed two-person relationship are being destroyed. The victims include families, children, and society at large.

What God designed as an intimate, private matter between a married couple is now mass distributed via the airwaves. What God intended to bind two people together into one flesh has become an overindulged, cheapen commodity sold in the marketplace.

God created sex for the marriage bed (Heb.13:4). Humanity though, like most of God’s gifts from creation, has overly satiated their carnal desires into a destructive addiction. Rather than bath in the holiness of God, carnal nature tramples itself into a lustful state of passionate extreme. The result is a soul darken without joyous love and restful peace.

God wants what is best for humanity. He designed the human spirit for purpose and meaning. HE created life to be enjoyed. But humanity does not want to believe the Triune God. The carnal heart is spoiled with self-aggrandizement. Human nature wants to decide for themselves what is good and evil apart from God. The fruit identifies the health of a tree. And God’s design for sex when exercised within HIS boundaries leads to a healthy relationship between two people who are committed to a life-long marriage.

Your sexual habits are a strong indicator of your heart with God.

When the Acts 15 conference was settled, sexual immorality was one of the four foundations the Gentiles were to follow rather than the Jewish law. Those who practice sexual immorality are placing themselves outside of God’s sanctuary city (Rev. 22:14-15). They are excluded from inheriting God’s Kingdom (Eph 5:5). Rather than bath themselves in holiness, they saturate their carnal desire. Their soul lies empty. Rather than fill the hole with God’s Spirit, they seek out worldly gods to please them. The result only produces transient relationships. An artificial facade which quickly cracks and breaks. The pain is real. The soul again cries for help. But the heart is stubborn. Rather than change their perspective about God, they indulge themselves into another carnal passion. Sex makes them feel good for a few moments. But soon the emptiness grows. The soul again cries for godliness, but the pride fights the call for repentance.   

Sex without lifelong commitment and faithfulness to one person is idolatry in God’s eye.  God made a commitment to you. He wants the same in return. When we do, we experience life the way God intended one to live. When another god comes between you and HIM, we lose out of fully experiencing the love and joy HE provides. God created sex for procreation. He wants to resurrect humanity into a heavenly family. But HE also designed it for mutual pleasure between a husband and wife. Two people learning to love and care for one another while raising a family. Healthy families lead to healthy societies. When sex is used outside the marriage bed, it depletes and cheapens marriage. When marriage is destroyed, so is the family structure. All this leads to more turmoil and the unbinding of social structures. Eventually you have a world in chaos where transgressions grow and evil abounds. Not a pleasant place to live.

Flee sexual immorality are wise words ( 1 Corinthians 6:18). Both for yourself. The other person. And for society. Instead, let God’s Spirit fill you. Since we are HIS temple the church, let’s make holiness the aim. For holiness opens the door to experience the fruit of HIS Spirit and the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This is the life God created for us to enjoy. And with sex reserved within marriage, the life-long bond between two people with a Christ-centered focus makes life even more enriching!   

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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