COUPLES MINISTRY OF MARLBORO MEADOWS BAPTIST CHURCH

Strengthening Marriages In Christ

A Christ-centered, Holy Spirit empowered, purpose driven ministry that equips, strengthens and supports marriages by teaching Godly principles and biblical precepts for application today. We assist marriages in becoming “COUPLES.”

C COVENANT WITH GOD AND ONE ANOTHER TO LIVE A LIFE TOGETHER THAT DEMONSTRATES GOD’S COVENANT WITH THE CHURCH

O OPERATE AS ONE, UTILIZING GOD’S WORD

U UNCONDITIONALLY GIVE OF THEMSELVES TO THEIR SPOUSES AND OTHERS

P PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER AT ALL TIMES

L LOVE EACH OTHER GOD’S WAY

E ENRICH THEIR MARRIAGES THROUGH ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE INTIMACY, ROMANCE, AND ACTS OF KINDNESS

S SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH OTHER COUPLES, TELLING THEM WHAT GOD CAN DO FOR THEIR MARRIAGE BY USING THEIR TESTIMONY

We will be meeting every 1st Friday of the month at Marlboro Meadow's Baptist Church. 7:30p.m. - approx. 9:00p.m.

Marlboro Meadows Baptist Church
8329 Old Marlboro Pike Unit B-7
Upper Marlboro, MD 20772
(301) 568-1404
Pastor Marcellous A. Buckner; Senior Pastor

Directions:
From the beltway take exit 11A –Pennsylvania Ave
Take the Ramp to Rt. 4 [Pennsylvania Ave] towards MD-4 South Upper Marlboro
Keep to the RIGHT and take the first RIGHT onto Old Marlboro Pike
Take the first (RIGHT) after the fire house into Penn Belt industrial park
Drive down to 8329 Unit B-7 which will be on your (LEFT)
There is a sign on the building that says Marlboro Meadows Baptist Church.

Marlboro Meadows Baptist Church!!!
Steady Faith = Victorious Living
Statement Of Purpose: "To Seek and To Save the Lost"
Mission Statement: Grow Circumspectly, Go Constantly, Glow Continuously



http://www.victory-lifecenter.org/

Embrace God's attitude about marriage and divorce

The Bible says that when two are joined together in marriage, they are no longer two, but one (Genesis 2:23-24; Mark 10:8), and that God hates divorce. You and your spouse are "one" no matter how poorly your marriage is functioning. Divorce, in God's eyes, is not an option except in specific situations--and even then, forgiveness and rebuilding are usually best.

Study these Scriptures to see just how serious the Lord is about divorce:

"I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel (Malachi 2:16).

What God has joined together, let man not separate ... I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery (Matthew 19:6, 9).

Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery (Mark 10:11-12).

If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him (1 Corinthians 7:12-13).

Unscriptural divorce always brings painful consequences. Not only do you distance yourself from God when you divorce, you also damage your spouse, wound your children, injure other family members, hurt friends, set the stage for future pain for yourself and bring shame upon the name of Christ.

When you do things God's way, things work out best. On the other hand, when you disobey God, problems eventually come. If you divorce for unscriptural reasons, the odds are high that you will regret it before you die. You are certain to regret it when you stand before God.

Although the Bible stresses the importance and permanence of marriage, it permits divorce in two circumstances.

Put your seat belts on....

1. Divorce is allowed for sexual immorality.

Jesus said you may divorce if your spouse is sexually unfaithful. Notice, however, that he did not command you to divorce. He just said it is permissible. Study the life of Hosea.

I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife(spouse), except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman(or man) commits adultery (Matthew 19:9).

Jesus said God only allowed divorce in the Old Testament because of the hardness of our hearts (Matthew 19:8). Some people think this means Christians never should divorce since Jesus took away our hard hearts when we were born again. However, this contradicts what Jesus said in Matthew 19:9. He would not have given an exception unless he meant it.

However, it is usually better to rebuild a marriage than divorce.

There are many marriages in which the offender asked for forgiveness, the betrayed partner forgave and the two successfully rebuilt their relationship. The process was painful and involved hard work, but the results were worth the effort. God was glorified and they ended up with great marriages.


2. Divorce is allowed if an unbeliever leaves.

If you are married to an unbeliever, it is God's desire for you to stay married (1 Corinthians 7:12-14, 16; 1 Peter 3:1-6). However, if your unbelieving spouse leaves, you "are not bound."

To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances (1 Corinthians 7:12-15).


What is not a good excuse? I'm glad you asked.

Divorce is not permitted for "emotional desertion."

Some say the previous verses justify divorce even if their spouse does not physically leave home. They state they are free to divorce if their mate has been unpleasant, financially irresponsible, sexually unavailable, emotionally removed or physically violent. How do they come to such a conclusion? By saying that their spouse "left" or "deserted" them emotionally.

Such logic twists the clear meaning of the above passage, not to mention God's commands throughout the New Testament. Paul was writing about leaving physically. We all are married to imperfect spouses and at one time or another could justify divorce because of "emotional desertion."

In the case of physical abuse "separate and report" as soon as posible. Note: I did not say divorce. God can recover the offending spouse and repair the marriage if given the chance. It will be a long process but God is able.

Praise the Lord for the many resources that he has given us to improve our marriage relationship. 

                                       Prayer Changes Things!!!!!!

1. All marriages
2. Pastor & First Lady
3. Marriage Ministry
4. All engaged couples
5. All those considering Marriage
6. The "M" family
7. The "E" family
8. The "W" famly
9. The "W2" family
10. The "P" family
11. The "B" family
12. The "T" family
13. The "F" family
14. The "G" family
15. Your family
16. Javon 
17. Min. Brown
18. Bro. Forman & Family

African American Graphics
Myspace Comments

New Years Fellowship 
Movies Date night TBD
Couples $1 Theater TBD
Horseback riding TBD
Dinner Theater TBD
Picnic TBD

Dave & Buster's restaurant TBD

Cookout TBD

Game Night  TBD

Christmas Fellowship 12/ /11
Sporting Event (Basketball Game, football Games, etc.)  TBD

Evangelism Dates (Hand out Couples Tracts - Feed the homeless) TBD

Date Nights TBD

Spades Tournament  TBD

Happily Married Graphics


Divorce Hurts Us All ----- Every 45 seconds in the United States a family is torn apart by divorce.*
Divorce and family fragmentation costs U.S. taxpayers $112 billion each year.**

You can make a difference. Learn more about our ministry here at MMBC above to see how you can help.

If you have a happy and fruitful marriage you are removing one number from the count and if you share the tools you have gained from your marriage with other married people you will remove even more. Slow down the clock with us as we build marriages and build lives.

We are committed to reducing the divorce rate.<\/b>

African American Graphics
Myspace Comments

Ec 9:9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.
Mt 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

Mt 19:7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?
8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.
9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

Mr 10:9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
10 And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.
11 And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.
12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

1Co 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

1Co 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
10 ¶ And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. {to peace: Gr. in peace}
16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?


Eph 5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Col 3:18 ¶ Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.


Marriage! - slideshow maker"

Game time fun!! :-)