🎵🤎 Let’s begin this morning’s devotional by looking at the first verse of one of my love songs titled “Marriage Ever-New”:
“Your marriage can be ever new, if you will tend it every day;
Your romance can be ever fresh, if you do the things you ought to do!”
The 26-word verse above can help your marriage remain sweet and exhilarating year after year — if you understand it and joyfully apply its simple instructions. Now, let’s break it down.
🎵🤎 1. “YOUR MARRIAGE CAN BE EVER NEW!”
Absolutely! Your union can remain new and retain all its essential qualities, despite the appearance of gray hairs and other signs of aging on your and your spouse’s bodies. Why? Because even though marriage makes you and your spouse “one flesh,” marriage is not your flesh. Marriage is safely encapsulated in your love — and love is ageless. That is why your marriage can be ever-new, irrespective of the physical changes that come with time.
The truth is this: The success of your marriage is not dependent on the vigor of youth. Rather, it depends on your consistent, robust, and mutual love for each other.
🎵🤎 2. “IF YOU WILL TEND IT EVERY DAY”
The verse begins with the encouraging truth that your relationship can always be new. It then reveals the secret to keeping it that way: tending your union every day.
To “tend” means to care for, cultivate, nurture, manage, and look after. This means you must daily prioritize caring for each other. You need to cultivate your relationship by courting one another anew every day. You must nurture your bond by nourishing each other emotionally, spiritually, socially, physically, and sexually.
Tending your marriage also involves managing and looking after your union — overseeing the overall welfare of your relationship. This responsibility does not rest on the husband alone; both of you have the duty of tending your marriage. As you faithfully and diligently do so, your marriage will remain fresh and new year after year.
🎵🤎 3. “YOUR ROMANCE CAN BE EVER FRESH”
When we speak of romance at Maximum Marriage Ministries, we are referring to the state of a husband and wife falling in love, being in love, staying in love, and growing in love. This state of heart is evidenced by peace and cordiality between spouses, as well as open displays of affection. This beautiful state can — and should — be fresh every day.
God’s design for marriage is for husbands and wives to be in romantic love continually, not seasonally or occasionally. He wants you and your mate to be in love all the time.
🎵🤎 4. “IF YOU DO THE THINGS YOU OUGHT TO DO”
Here is the key to keeping your romance ever-fresh: Do the things you ought to do!
There are specific actions that ignite feelings of love, connection, bliss, and desire. For instance, when you go out of your way to adore your mate, humbly serve them, and minister to their emotional and amorous needs without being asked, they feel cherished. Do these things — and more — even if your mate is not yet reciprocating. Sometimes, you are the one with the immediate insight; act on it and watch your romantic life bloom.
Of course, do not forget the “core seeds” of romance: small kisses, big kisses, long embraces, making time to dance together in the evening, visiting a favorite eatery, and engaging in non-sexual physical touch. These are among the “things you ought to do.” Doing them is like a baker adding the necessary ingredients to ensure the final product is perfect.
Finally, remember that one of the most important “things you ought to do” is forgiving one another. You and your spouse are human and imperfect. Despite your best intentions, there will be times when you miss the mark. When you realize you are at fault, humble yourself and confess to your partner. If you are the offended party, be gracious and promptly forgive. Do not let malice take root.
💕 Tonight’s Bedroom Assignment:
Reread this devotional together just before bedtime and discuss it with an open and sincere heart.
📚 Quotes For Reflection:
“The widespread saying that ‘Marriage is to be enjoyed and not endured’ isn’t completely true. It’s a bit of truth mixed with a dangerous fallacy. Such ideas are not only wrong but can be lethal to a relationship.”
(Anselm Ahman, Lovebirds’ Devotional, April 10, 2024)
✝️ Altar Call:
Jesus Christ is calling you! Come to Him today and be saved!
🌡️ Scientific Info To Boost Your Marriage:
“Because the clitoris is the primary source of sexual pleasure for most women, regular stimulation by the husband can increase nerve sensitivity, lead to faster arousal, and produce more intense or multiple orgasms.”
🎸 Anointed Music Section