Jesus Christ Apostolic Ministries International "Brother's" Forum

[Bishop_Coats]

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Bricks That Build a Marriage

Bricks for Wives
The Brick Entitled "Behavior"


In 1Peter3: 1-2, Peter paints a familiar scene. Ornery husband, raspy
response, irritable temperament But even though the guy is tough to live
with, he isn't blind! He cannot ignore the behavior of his godly wife as he
"sees" her.

Interesting term, "sees." It is the Greek word for a careful observation,-a
close look like sports fans watching an instant replay of some close call.
That's what a husband ultimately does when his wife's "purity and reverence"
are consistently on display. And that's what ultimately "wins" him, not
through little notes pinned to his pillow or elbow nudges in church. It's
what one man calls "the silent preaching of a lovely life."



The Brick Labelled "Appearance"



In verses 3-4 Peter's : point is clear. You are warned against going
overboard, patching up the extemals if your internals are pitifully lacking.
But on the other hand, this doesn't mean there shouldn't be something on the
outside that isn't worth looking at It's just encouraging you to keep it in
balance. All day long husbands encounter well dressed and appealing women,
and what do they see when they walk in the kitchen at 5:30 p.m.? The totaled
woman Your appearance is a significant "brick' that helps build a marriage.



The Brick Called "Attitude"


In verse 4 Peter mentions specifically the important attitude of "the
unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" What a beautiful expression!
And he adds that it is "of great worth in God's sight" The words "great
worth" are from the same Greek term Peter used earlier when referring to a
faith "of greater worth than gold" (1:7). Wives, your attitude is that
important. Don't misunderstand! This doesn't mean being a female doormat
Actually these are terms that speak of strength of character, strong self
control a person of quiet elegance and dignity. This kind of wife isn't
chuming within or restless without.

I want to add that it only takes a little while to doll up the externals, but
cultivating your "inner self" is a lifetime process.



The Brick Designated "Response"



Before your feathers get ruffled by what verse 6 says of Sarah ("obeyed"), it
will help you to realize the Greek verb means "to pay close attention to"
someone. A positive, helpful response is written between these lines.

Wives, please listen closely If you are the energetic type, your tendency
will be to dash all over the globe, responding to the needs of people
everywhere. Some of you have become far more concerned about responding to
other's needs outside the home than to the one individual most important to
you within the home.

God will honor your loving and supportive response, ladies. He won't allow
your mate to stomp all over your graciousness. It's a brick, remember. It
hurts when you stomp on bricks.


********************
Bricks for Men
Now, let's see what God says to the man of the house. It's equally potent.

A First Brick

The first one is obvious: "Live with your wives" (verse 7). "Hey I do! Come
home every night We eat at the same table, sleep in the same bed, and even
use the same bathroom." But that's not all The term translated "live" means
"to dwell down with," being closely aligned, being completely at home with.
The little word "with" calls for close companionship, deep-down togetherness.

Many a husband looks to the wife to maintain this. "My job's the office, her
job's the home. I earn the bucks, she handles the bills " That may be the way
you were raised, my friend, but it isn't the way God originally designed it
for husbands. No way. We are the ones who should be cultivating an in-depth
partnership with our mates. We are to initiate the action, encourage the
process.

A Second Brick


A second "brick" for husbands could be put in these words: Know your wife.
Literally the expression in verse 7 means "dwell together according to
knowledge." The success of your dwelling with your wife will be in direct
proportion to your knowledge of her.


Knowing your wife includes those things that others don't and won't know. Her
deep fears and cares. Her disappointments as well as her expectations. Her
scars and secrets and also her thoughts and dreams. It calls for a sensitive
spirit, a willingness to be involved, to listen, to communicate, to care.


Husbands—this will do as much to heal her hurts and calm the storm as
anything I could suggest Your wife longs to be understood and to know what
you desire.


A Third Brick


The term "treat" (verse 7) means "to assign," and here the husband assigns
her a place of honor. It's quite likely you genuinely view her as a precious
treasure, a person you esteem, you honor. Does she know it? We tend to assume
our wives know how much they mean to us But there is nothing like telling
her. Sometimes with well-chosen words. Other times with flowers. Or with a
surprise weekend trip to offer undeniable proof that she is significant to
you. On the way back home, believe me, your wife won't have as much
difficulty believing that you really want to be close to her, to know her, to
honor her.


To both of you—handling bricks is a skill that has to be learned, you know.
But once you get the hang of it, no substitute will do. So watch out for
cheap substitutes. Fake bricks are never as attractive or valuable as the
real thing.

[Bishop_Coats]

---

Bricks That Build a Marriage

Bricks for Wives
The Brick Entitled "Behavior"


In 1Peter3: 1-2, Peter paints a familiar scene. Ornery husband, raspy
response, irritable temperament But even though the guy is tough to live
with, he isn't blind! He cannot ignore the behavior of his godly wife as he
"sees" her.

Interesting term, "sees." It is the Greek word for a careful observation,-a
close look like sports fans watching an instant replay of some close call.
That's what a husband ultimately does when his wife's "purity and reverence"
are consistently on display. And that's what ultimately "wins" him, not
through little notes pinned to his pillow or elbow nudges in church. It's
what one man calls "the silent preaching of a lovely life."



The Brick Labelled "Appearance"



In verses 3-4 Peter's : point is clear. You are warned against going
overboard, patching up the extemals if your internals are pitifully lacking.
But on the other hand, this doesn't mean there shouldn't be something on the
outside that isn't worth looking at It's just encouraging you to keep it in
balance. All day long husbands encounter well dressed and appealing women,
and what do they see when they walk in the kitchen at 5:30 p.m.? The totaled
woman Your appearance is a significant "brick' that helps build a marriage.



The Brick Called "Attitude"


In verse 4 Peter mentions specifically the important attitude of "the
unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit" What a beautiful expression!
And he adds that it is "of great worth in God's sight" The words "great
worth" are from the same Greek term Peter used earlier when referring to a
faith "of greater worth than gold" (1:7). Wives, your attitude is that
important. Don't misunderstand! This doesn't mean being a female doormat
Actually these are terms that speak of strength of character, strong self
control a person of quiet elegance and dignity. This kind of wife isn't
chuming within or restless without.

I want to add that it only takes a little while to doll up the externals, but
cultivating your "inner self" is a lifetime process.



The Brick Designated "Response"



Before your feathers get ruffled by what verse 6 says of Sarah ("obeyed"), it
will help you to realize the Greek verb means "to pay close attention to"
someone. A positive, helpful response is written between these lines.

Wives, please listen closely If you are the energetic type, your tendency
will be to dash all over the globe, responding to the needs of people
everywhere. Some of you have become far more concerned about responding to
other's needs outside the home than to the one individual most important to
you within the home.

God will honor your loving and supportive response, ladies. He won't allow
your mate to stomp all over your graciousness. It's a brick, remember. It
hurts when you stomp on bricks.


********************
Bricks for Men
Now, let's see what God says to the man of the house. It's equally potent.

A First Brick

The first one is obvious: "Live with your wives" (verse 7). "Hey I do! Come
home every night We eat at the same table, sleep in the same bed, and even
use the same bathroom." But that's not all The term translated "live" means
"to dwell down with," being closely aligned, being completely at home with.
The little word "with" calls for close companionship, deep-down togetherness.

Many a husband looks to the wife to maintain this. "My job's the office, her
job's the home. I earn the bucks, she handles the bills " That may be the way
you were raised, my friend, but it isn't the way God originally designed it
for husbands. No way. We are the ones who should be cultivating an in-depth
partnership with our mates. We are to initiate the action, encourage the
process.

A Second Brick


A second "brick" for husbands could be put in these words: Know your wife.
Literally the expression in verse 7 means "dwell together according to
knowledge." The success of your dwelling with your wife will be in direct
proportion to your knowledge of her.


Knowing your wife includes those things that others don't and won't know. Her
deep fears and cares. Her disappointments as well as her expectations. Her
scars and secrets and also her thoughts and dreams. It calls for a sensitive
spirit, a willingness to be involved, to listen, to communicate, to care.


Husbands—this will do as much to heal her hurts and calm the storm as
anything I could suggest Your wife longs to be understood and to know what
you desire.


A Third Brick


The term "treat" (verse 7) means "to assign," and here the husband assigns
her a place of honor. It's quite likely you genuinely view her as a precious
treasure, a person you esteem, you honor. Does she know it? We tend to assume
our wives know how much they mean to us But there is nothing like telling
her. Sometimes with well-chosen words. Other times with flowers. Or with a
surprise weekend trip to offer undeniable proof that she is significant to
you. On the way back home, believe me, your wife won't have as much
difficulty believing that you really want to be close to her, to know her, to
honor her.


To both of you—handling bricks is a skill that has to be learned, you know.
But once you get the hang of it, no substitute will do. So watch out for
cheap substitutes. Fake bricks are never as attractive or valuable as the
real thing.

[Elder Johnny]

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Anen

[Elder Johnny]

---

Anen