Message by Pastor Bisi
Text: Psalm 1:1–3
Introduction
God’s ultimate plan for our relationships and marriage is that we thrive.
He desires that we flourish, blossom, and grow, just like a tree planted by streams of water.
God does not want the “leaf” of your marriage to wither.
A thriving marriage requires intentionality.
It cannot be left to chance or handled casually.
A Foundational Truth
Children are a blessing, but they are not the foundation of your marriage.
One day, they will grow and leave.
The question is, what will be left between you and your spouse?
Your marriage must be built to last beyond every season.
Principles for a Thriving Marriage
🎯 Prioritize Appropriately
Your priorities determine the health of your marriage.
- God first
- Your spouse next
- Then children, career, and everything else
(Matthew 6:21)
When you prioritize your spouse, your heart naturally follows.
Be intentional.
Invest your time, energy, and attention into your relationship.
🎯 Connect Daily
A thriving marriage is built on consistent, daily connection.
⏩ Communicate
Do not go a full day without meaningful communication.
Stay involved in each other’s lives.
⏩ Physical Affection
Create moments for touch, warmth, and closeness.
⏩ Build a Positive Mindset
Marriage is not “give and take.”
It is “give and give.”
Be intentional about friendship, fun, and shared experiences.
🎯 Be Vulnerable and Empathetic
Vulnerability builds intimacy.
Your spouse should be your first point of contact in difficult moments.
Avoid creating emotional bonds outside your marriage that should belong within it.
Empathy creates safety.
If it matters to your spouse, it should matter to you.
🎯 Give Each Other Grace
No one is perfect.
A thriving marriage is sustained by mercy and forgiveness.
↪️ Forgive Readily
(Matthew 18:23–35)
Extend the same mercy God shows you.
↪️ Do Not Keep Score
(Psalm 103:12, 1 Corinthians 13:5)
Love does not keep a record of wrongs.
Bringing up past mistakes weakens the relationship.
Allow room for growth and change.
🎯 Love Deeply
Choose agape love daily.
Romantic feelings alone are not enough for the long journey.
Sustaining love is intentional, unconditional, and God-like.
(1 Corinthians 13:4–8)
Be patient.
Be kind.
Be willing to compromise.
Challenges will come, but decide ahead of time not to give up on each other.
Final Charge
A thriving marriage does not happen by accident.
It is built daily through intentional choices, love, grace, and commitment.
Choose to invest in your marriage.
Choose to grow together.
Choose to thrive.
Closing
Happy Sunday 💛