Countdown to DeploymentSample

Top Ten Keys to a Lasting (Military) Marriage

For the past nine days of encouragement we have looked at how to make preparations and plans with your spouse in order to launch successfully into this season of deployment. These are things you can do.

But that’s only part of the story, because according to the truth shared by the beloved theologian and WWI chaplain, Oswald Chambers, it’s not all about “doing” but about “being.”.

“The great thing to do is to be a believer in Jesus,” wrote Chambers. “With Jesus it is never ‘Do, do,’ but ‘Be, be and I will do through you.’”

So in order to see how Jesus wants us to be, study Colossians 3:12-15. Word by word the Apostle Paul spells out truths we call the “Top Ten Keys to a Lasting Marriage.” 

These verses call on Christian believers to be like Christ in ten ways:

• Be compassionate.
• Be kind.
• Be humble.
• Be gentle.
• Be patient.
• Be supportive.
• Be forgiving.
• Be loving.
• Be peace-filled.
• Be thankful.

Can you imagine how your deployment would go if you both demonstrated these ten qualities? That is only possible with the life-saving decision to give your heart to Jesus Christ. When that choice is made (Romans 10:9-10), the top ten keys are possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Take this timely opportunity, while facing deployment, to settle the matter of who Jesus Christ is to you and where you will spend eternity, by going to this website on how to know God personally. 

Then remember Chambers’ words that “The greatest thing to do is to be a believer in Jesus Christ.” 

Amen.

1. Hold hands with your spouse and pray together for God to protect your marriage during this deployment.

2. Pray to God that you will grow closer to each other as you grow closer to Him.

Looking for help and hope for your marriage and family? FamilyLife offers marriage getaways, a daily radio program, and other resources to help you.