WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.200 towards her groom, towards her husband. 00:00:03.220 --> 00:00:07.640 And the statement is this, and this is my friend. 00:00:08.759 --> 00:00:10.380 And this is my friend. 00:00:11.300 --> 00:00:14.660 You know, the title of the next few weeks we're going to be looking at here 00:00:14.660 --> 00:00:16.559 is married but not best friends. 00:00:17.839 --> 00:00:22.559 You know, because we're going to see here the importance of it 00:00:22.559 --> 00:00:25.940 because can you honestly say that your spouse is your friend? 00:00:25.940 --> 00:00:30.179 You know, if you're married, you ought to be able to look at your spouse 00:00:30.179 --> 00:00:34.039 and say that person is my friend. 00:00:36.299 --> 00:00:39.160 Friendship is a foundational element of marriage. 00:00:40.219 --> 00:00:42.600 If you're going to spend that much time with somebody, 00:00:42.680 --> 00:00:44.280 I'll give you a little clue, you'd better like them. 00:00:47.700 --> 00:00:51.040 You know, you ought to enjoy hanging out with them 00:00:51.040 --> 00:00:53.780 because when it comes to marriage 00:00:53.780 --> 00:00:57.320 and our spouse ought to be your best friend 00:00:57.320 --> 00:01:00.859 because God joins two into one flesh. 00:01:00.899 --> 00:01:03.539 That means much more than just becoming lovers. 00:01:03.700 --> 00:01:07.019 It means joining our hearts, joining our dreams, joining our thoughts. 00:01:07.400 --> 00:01:09.719 It means being best friends. 00:01:11.560 --> 00:01:14.079 You know, take a look over into the New Testament for a moment. 00:01:14.180 --> 00:01:15.579 Look over to Titus chapter 2. 00:01:16.280 --> 00:01:20.480 Titus chapter 2, down here in verse 4. 00:01:20.480 --> 00:01:23.939 Titus chapter 2 and verse 4. 00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:28.460 And we're going to look here because notice what the Apostle Paul encourages 00:01:28.460 --> 00:01:32.480 the older women to teach the younger women. 00:01:34.240 --> 00:01:37.040 Because that's really the other part of God's process 00:01:37.040 --> 00:01:38.880 is those with experience 00:01:38.880 --> 00:01:42.880 help those who are inexperienced to get experience 00:01:42.880 --> 00:01:45.140 and to do the right things that are going to benefit them. 00:01:46.100 --> 00:01:47.880 And we're going to see here, notice what it says, 00:01:47.879 --> 00:01:50.259 that they may teach the young women to be sober. 00:01:50.819 --> 00:01:52.119 That's to think right. 00:01:52.920 --> 00:01:55.280 Because if you're not thinking right about marriage, 00:01:55.439 --> 00:01:57.039 it's going to hinder the marriage. 00:01:58.399 --> 00:02:00.519 But notice that next phrase we're going to look at, 00:02:00.560 --> 00:02:04.060 to love their husbands and to love their children. 00:02:04.799 --> 00:02:09.159 Now the word love here is philandros, which means friendship. 00:02:09.379 --> 00:02:11.879 This is not an erotic type of love. 00:02:11.960 --> 00:02:13.319 It's not anything like that. 00:02:13.319 --> 00:02:16.699 It's a friendship type love to teach the women to love, 00:02:16.699 --> 00:02:19.000 to be friends with their husbands. 00:02:21.340 --> 00:02:23.459 This is important that we're going to look at, 00:02:23.519 --> 00:02:25.039 this essential building block, 00:02:25.139 --> 00:02:28.219 because today there's a lot of marriages fail 00:02:28.219 --> 00:02:31.659 because the husband and wife fail to be friends. 00:02:33.259 --> 00:02:35.319 Or they may have once been friends 00:02:35.319 --> 00:02:39.019 and they let that friendship slip away. 00:02:39.020 --> 00:02:44.800 And so we need to grab a hold of the importance of this, 00:02:44.860 --> 00:02:46.120 those things that connect. 00:02:46.300 --> 00:02:49.100 And we're going to see this because this is, 00:02:49.260 --> 00:02:52.740 we're not talking about romantic love, 00:02:52.820 --> 00:02:54.379 but a friendship kind of love. 00:02:54.960 --> 00:02:56.260 You might say that we could, 00:02:56.600 --> 00:02:58.700 the Bible translators could have said this, 00:02:58.780 --> 00:03:00.420 wives be friends with your husbands. 00:03:01.420 --> 00:03:01.760 You know? 00:03:02.160 --> 00:03:04.160 To be friends with them because it's important. 00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:05.319 You know? 00:03:05.900 --> 00:03:08.219 Because when you understand that connection, 00:03:08.719 --> 00:03:11.500 Ephesians 5 verse 29 tells us this. 00:03:11.939 --> 00:03:12.240 It says, 00:03:12.439 --> 00:03:16.300 So no man ever yet hateth his own flesh, 00:03:16.319 --> 00:03:17.780 but nourisheth it and cherisheth it, 00:03:17.819 --> 00:03:20.020 even as the Lord, the church. 00:03:20.419 --> 00:03:22.579 You know, the word cherish here means to delight. 00:03:23.259 --> 00:03:24.919 Cherish means to delight in, 00:03:24.960 --> 00:03:26.379 to hold one another dear. 00:03:27.060 --> 00:03:27.340 You know? 00:03:27.579 --> 00:03:28.620 Literally to keep, 00:03:28.719 --> 00:03:30.519 to hold closely to keep warm. 00:03:30.620 --> 00:03:30.759 You know? 00:03:31.079 --> 00:03:32.819 Your spouse ought to be somebody 00:03:32.819 --> 00:03:34.099 that you keep warm with. 00:03:35.939 --> 00:03:38.579 That's literally what the Bible's telling us here. 00:03:38.879 --> 00:03:41.560 In this, it's talking about friendship. 00:03:42.500 --> 00:03:44.919 Now, oftentimes in today's society, 00:03:44.919 --> 00:03:45.900 there's people who say, 00:03:46.039 --> 00:03:47.959 well, I can't marry somebody I'm friends with. 00:03:48.439 --> 00:03:49.799 That's a wrong thinking. 00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:53.120 Because if you can't be good friends, 00:03:53.599 --> 00:03:54.799 you can't be married. 00:03:54.859 --> 00:03:56.379 At least you're not going to be married very long. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:03:59.859 Because there's going to be a problem come up. 00:03:59.860 --> 00:04:03.700 There's going to be some issues that come up in the relationship 00:04:03.700 --> 00:04:06.360 because you don't have that friendship 00:04:06.360 --> 00:04:09.600 and that foundation that's built. 00:04:10.040 --> 00:04:11.820 You know, I want you to understand, 00:04:12.020 --> 00:04:14.520 marriage is the highest level of relationship 00:04:14.520 --> 00:04:17.420 created by God between human beings. 00:04:19.600 --> 00:04:22.080 Sometimes today people say it's the mother-child. 00:04:22.199 --> 00:04:24.960 I tell you, God created husband and wife first. 00:04:24.959 --> 00:04:28.419 The best thing, ladies, you can do for your children 00:04:28.419 --> 00:04:30.799 is to love your husband and your husband to love you. 00:04:32.979 --> 00:04:35.479 That's the greatest thing you can do for your children. 00:04:36.919 --> 00:04:39.219 Because if you two together love your children, 00:04:39.339 --> 00:04:40.359 they'll have what they need. 00:04:41.439 --> 00:04:45.179 When they see a strong relationship in their parents, 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:47.799 you know, that high level of relationship, 00:04:48.019 --> 00:04:51.079 so the friendship ought to reach its very zenith 00:04:51.079 --> 00:04:53.240 in the context of a marriage relationship. 00:04:54.240 --> 00:04:55.599 You know, but oftentimes today, 00:04:55.699 --> 00:04:56.620 I want you to understand, 00:04:56.699 --> 00:04:59.359 and we're going to talk to ladies and men here today, 00:05:00.019 --> 00:05:02.000 but ladies, sometimes it's easy 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:03.519 for you to be drawn away 00:05:03.519 --> 00:05:05.199 from a relationship with your husband. 00:05:06.979 --> 00:05:08.500 Ladies, I want to encourage you 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:11.419 that no relationship you have with any other person 00:05:11.419 --> 00:05:13.079 should come as close to the relationship 00:05:13.620 --> 00:05:14.879 you have with your husband. 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:18.540 Not even your children, 00:05:18.959 --> 00:05:20.040 not another lady, 00:05:20.159 --> 00:05:21.480 and certainly not another man. 00:05:23.620 --> 00:05:25.620 You need to guard those things. 00:05:26.040 --> 00:05:27.699 Men, the same thing is for us. 00:05:29.100 --> 00:05:31.500 There ought to be no buddy that supersedes your wife. 00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:32.659 There ought to be no co-worker 00:05:32.659 --> 00:05:34.040 that supersedes your wife. 00:05:34.439 --> 00:05:36.659 There ought to be no hunting partner 00:05:36.659 --> 00:05:40.000 or no secret treehouse fort buddy 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:41.500 or whatever place you want to put them. 00:05:41.500 --> 00:05:45.540 I mean, nothing else should hinder that relationship 00:05:45.540 --> 00:05:50.199 because God has joined you together. 00:05:52.519 --> 00:05:53.879 You are put together. 00:05:55.120 --> 00:05:56.959 You know, couples ought to be best friends. 00:05:57.060 --> 00:05:58.860 It's by no means a sure thing, though, 00:05:59.600 --> 00:06:02.160 because all of us quickly learn in life 00:06:02.160 --> 00:06:04.259 friendships don't happen by accident. 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:09.879 Friendships that are maintained take work. 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:12.159 They take effort. 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:14.379 They take things to be involved. 00:06:15.040 --> 00:06:16.779 You know, when we understand 00:06:16.779 --> 00:06:20.659 that just because you made vows to one another, 00:06:21.379 --> 00:06:24.219 you know, just because you trade rings with one another, 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:29.199 you know, just because somebody declared you 00:06:29.199 --> 00:06:34.100 a husband and wife doesn't make you friends. 00:06:34.100 --> 00:06:38.200 I want you to understand that matter of fact, 00:06:38.260 --> 00:06:42.300 I believe true friendship is often strangely absent 00:06:42.300 --> 00:06:43.640 from a lot of marriages today. 00:06:45.180 --> 00:06:48.439 And it causes severe problems with not only within the marriage, 00:06:48.540 --> 00:06:49.480 but also our culture. 00:06:50.379 --> 00:06:53.840 Because they're thinking about marriage is a problem. 00:06:53.939 --> 00:06:57.379 Because remember, remember what it says in Song of Solomon? 00:06:57.540 --> 00:06:59.100 This is my friend. 00:06:59.939 --> 00:07:01.320 She was speaking of her husband. 00:07:01.319 --> 00:07:05.740 She knew that that was a place of friendship, 00:07:05.899 --> 00:07:06.939 a place of security. 00:07:08.620 --> 00:07:10.219 You know, when we understand, 00:07:10.519 --> 00:07:13.420 we can cultivate a wonderful friendship within our marriage. 00:07:14.060 --> 00:07:15.600 You know, there's many, many reasons 00:07:15.600 --> 00:07:17.159 why marriages lack friendship. 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:20.740 You know, friendship is often lacked. 00:07:21.459 --> 00:07:23.560 And this morning, we're going to look at the first one 00:07:23.560 --> 00:07:26.199 as we go through this here this morning, 00:07:26.279 --> 00:07:27.860 because we're going to look at this for a few weeks, 00:07:27.860 --> 00:07:30.280 because there's a lot to cover in this. 00:07:30.340 --> 00:07:32.980 But I think it'll be beneficial for you. 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:36.520 You know, when we understand that whether you're young or old, 00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:38.860 married or single or even widowed, 00:07:38.920 --> 00:07:40.780 you can learn or help somebody else 00:07:40.780 --> 00:07:45.420 by understanding, encouraging them in this truth. 00:07:46.120 --> 00:07:47.259 But we're going to look here. 00:07:47.319 --> 00:07:49.660 One of the things that I find today in relationships, 00:07:49.660 --> 00:07:53.319 a major cause of a lack of friendship in marriage 00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:55.939 is couples focus on physical contact 00:07:55.939 --> 00:07:57.420 in their dating relationship. 00:07:58.939 --> 00:08:04.500 Physical contact prior to friendship becomes a problem, 00:08:04.819 --> 00:08:08.319 because you're building everything backwards. 00:08:09.379 --> 00:08:11.959 And when the physical takes priority 00:08:11.959 --> 00:08:14.680 in a romantic dating relationship, 00:08:14.899 --> 00:08:17.240 the friendship automatically stops growing. 00:08:19.399 --> 00:08:21.600 Now, let's give you a little illustration, 00:08:21.800 --> 00:08:22.879 because we're going to give you an illustration 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:25.019 from an ice cream sundae, okay? 00:08:25.019 --> 00:08:28.259 Because I want you to understand, 00:08:28.419 --> 00:08:30.620 the bowl is that intellectual union. 00:08:31.379 --> 00:08:33.019 The bowl is the intellectual union. 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:37.259 That's the friendship that you have with one another, 00:08:37.899 --> 00:08:39.120 to have that connection. 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:41.840 You know, a bowl in an ice cream sundae, 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:42.819 if you don't have the bowl, 00:08:42.899 --> 00:08:44.120 what happens to everything inside? 00:08:46.199 --> 00:08:47.519 It's hard to keep it together. 00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:52.199 That is that intellectual union. 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:56.059 You might say the ice cream is that emotional union. 00:08:57.379 --> 00:08:58.899 You know, that's the sweet part. 00:08:58.980 --> 00:09:00.919 You know, the big like, it turns to love, 00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:03.519 and you're all excited, you know, and all the things. 00:09:03.620 --> 00:09:05.319 And then you have the toppings. 00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:06.960 That's the spiritual union. 00:09:08.019 --> 00:09:10.679 You know, the shared goals and shared dreams, 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:11.639 shared direction. 00:09:13.039 --> 00:09:14.279 You know, when you get married, 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:16.100 you need to be moving in the same direction. 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:21.960 Especially when it comes to the things of God. 00:09:23.899 --> 00:09:27.779 If you're marrying somebody going in an opposite direction from God, 00:09:27.960 --> 00:09:28.800 you let them go. 00:09:30.700 --> 00:09:32.700 Because you're not moving in the same direction. 00:09:32.700 --> 00:09:40.400 The whipped cream is that physical union after marriage. 00:09:42.300 --> 00:09:43.600 Now, here's the danger. 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:46.560 If you enter into a physical relationship before marriage, 00:09:46.660 --> 00:09:49.160 the other three parts stop growing immediately. 00:09:50.440 --> 00:09:53.100 Because God has them in an order for a reason. 00:09:53.100 --> 00:09:57.120 God has established those things for a reason. 00:09:58.360 --> 00:10:01.720 You know, because if you're dating and you skip to the last, 00:10:01.820 --> 00:10:03.200 all you have is whipped cream. 00:10:05.100 --> 00:10:07.879 You miss all the other things that are going to be beneficial 00:10:07.879 --> 00:10:10.360 that maintain the relationship. 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:12.240 You know? 00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:16.000 If you find yourself saying, 00:10:16.139 --> 00:10:18.139 I was physically attracted to this person, 00:10:18.220 --> 00:10:20.139 but I really don't know if I like them, 00:10:20.860 --> 00:10:22.539 there's a problem. 00:10:25.139 --> 00:10:26.799 You know, if you don't at least like them, 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:27.539 you're in trouble. 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:32.120 It's going to be a long road. 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:37.919 I want you to understand the importance as we look at this, 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:40.659 because if you never grow together intellectually, 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:42.100 emotion, or spiritually, 00:10:42.539 --> 00:10:45.799 you'll stand there with nothing but a handful of whipped cream. 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:47.259 And I'll tell you what, 00:10:47.560 --> 00:10:50.000 whipped cream gets old really fast. 00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:56.379 If you have any questions, 00:10:56.500 --> 00:10:57.539 you can talk to some of the people. 00:10:57.639 --> 00:10:59.980 We used to have VBS offerings up here 00:10:59.980 --> 00:11:01.419 with the penny offerings, 00:11:01.419 --> 00:11:02.059 and the losers, 00:11:02.179 --> 00:11:03.639 we had a tradition of giving the other one 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:05.360 a whipped cream pie in the face. 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:07.740 And most of the time, 00:11:07.839 --> 00:11:09.860 about 20 minutes after the whipped cream hits you, 00:11:09.919 --> 00:11:10.279 you're going, 00:11:11.819 --> 00:11:12.279 eww. 00:11:13.539 --> 00:11:15.339 Because whipped cream by itself, 00:11:15.479 --> 00:11:16.579 without the rest of it, 00:11:17.240 --> 00:11:18.240 just isn't the same. 00:11:20.819 --> 00:11:22.479 It destroys very quickly 00:11:22.479 --> 00:11:25.259 instead of being a benefit to it. 00:11:26.159 --> 00:11:26.399 You know? 00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:29.019 I believe it's a major contributing cause 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:30.799 of a lack of marital friendship 00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:32.939 because premarital relations 00:11:32.939 --> 00:11:34.899 so commonly accepted and practiced 00:11:34.899 --> 00:11:37.219 and is rampant within our society. 00:11:37.339 --> 00:11:38.039 The problem is, 00:11:38.319 --> 00:11:40.859 this is practiced and accepted amongst believers. 00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:45.779 they say, 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:47.039 I have faith in God, 00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:47.600 but you know what? 00:11:47.620 --> 00:11:49.120 They don't trust what God said. 00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:53.340 God gave us the directions for a reason. 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:57.379 And if we follow His order of things, 00:11:57.419 --> 00:11:58.639 it will benefit you 00:11:58.639 --> 00:12:00.519 when we trust Him. 00:12:00.560 --> 00:12:01.080 Do you have something, Gene? 00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:01.780 Yeah. 00:12:02.040 --> 00:12:03.600 Most young people, 00:12:04.120 --> 00:12:06.300 they're afraid of moving the person 00:12:06.300 --> 00:12:07.080 or dating 00:12:07.080 --> 00:12:09.660 that will never get anybody else, 00:12:10.060 --> 00:12:11.560 but they don't realize 00:12:11.560 --> 00:12:13.540 God has a plan for them. 00:12:14.180 --> 00:12:14.420 Yep. 00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:15.900 If you wait on the Lord, 00:12:16.200 --> 00:12:17.220 He'll bring the right one. 00:12:18.340 --> 00:12:18.600 You know? 00:12:19.460 --> 00:12:21.180 Good to hear the Martins, 00:12:21.259 --> 00:12:21.400 you know, 00:12:21.440 --> 00:12:22.080 meeting in church, 00:12:22.139 --> 00:12:23.100 that's a good place to meet. 00:12:23.460 --> 00:12:24.240 I like that. 00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:24.660 That's a, 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:25.280 you know, 00:12:25.340 --> 00:12:26.800 I often tell parents that too, 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:27.100 you know? 00:12:27.820 --> 00:12:29.300 Your kids meeting somebody 00:12:29.300 --> 00:12:30.320 at church camp 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:31.120 or at church 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:32.620 or a church activity, 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:33.920 there's a lot worse places 00:12:33.920 --> 00:12:35.259 to be shopping for a spouse 00:12:35.259 --> 00:12:36.200 than those locations. 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:38.259 There's no guarantee 00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:39.220 you're going to get a good one, 00:12:39.300 --> 00:12:40.379 but there are a lot better odds. 00:12:41.639 --> 00:12:42.139 You know? 00:12:42.340 --> 00:12:43.320 I'll just put it that way. 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:45.519 There's still a lot of other elements in it, 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:46.180 but you know what? 00:12:46.200 --> 00:12:47.159 If you want the best, 00:12:47.200 --> 00:12:48.519 you need to shop where the best are. 00:12:50.340 --> 00:12:50.820 You know? 00:12:51.660 --> 00:12:53.160 You don't look for quality 00:12:53.160 --> 00:12:54.940 at the discount store. 00:12:54.940 --> 00:12:57.100 You know, 00:12:57.160 --> 00:12:58.180 you expect what you get 00:12:58.180 --> 00:12:59.200 from the discount store. 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:00.540 You know, 00:13:00.580 --> 00:13:01.340 if you use it once 00:13:01.340 --> 00:13:02.120 and it falls apart, 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:02.480 you're like, 00:13:02.560 --> 00:13:02.700 okay, 00:13:02.760 --> 00:13:03.620 it's a discount store. 00:13:05.400 --> 00:13:06.540 You ought to seek, 00:13:06.700 --> 00:13:07.660 especially in marriage, 00:13:07.800 --> 00:13:09.060 to be shopping in the places 00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:09.640 that are going to have 00:13:09.640 --> 00:13:12.560 a premium spouse for you. 00:13:13.160 --> 00:13:15.640 That availability that is there. 00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:16.760 We'll move on from that one. 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:18.580 But to the couple 00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:19.700 sitting here right now 00:13:19.700 --> 00:13:20.900 who know God is speaking 00:13:20.900 --> 00:13:22.020 to them in this matter, 00:13:22.540 --> 00:13:24.220 I hope it encourages you 00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:26.259 because not only is there a problem, 00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:27.259 but there's a solution. 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:31.000 Maybe the cause I just listed 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:31.860 applies to you. 00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:33.180 Maybe it's a lack of friendship 00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:34.500 because of something else. 00:13:34.920 --> 00:13:35.960 It doesn't matter. 00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:36.639 There's hope. 00:13:36.800 --> 00:13:38.540 God doesn't want to punish you 00:13:38.540 --> 00:13:40.420 throughout the life of your marriage 00:13:40.420 --> 00:13:41.899 because you made some mistakes 00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:42.740 along the way. 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:44.420 God says those things 00:13:44.420 --> 00:13:45.200 can be corrected 00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:46.120 when they're dealt with 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:46.860 in God's way. 00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:49.440 To rebuild those things 00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:50.320 in God's way 00:13:50.320 --> 00:13:51.120 and the way God 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:52.879 put those things together. 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:54.240 because the word 00:13:54.240 --> 00:13:54.980 we're going to look at 00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:55.720 here this morning 00:13:55.720 --> 00:13:56.580 for a few moments 00:13:56.580 --> 00:13:57.919 is a key word 00:13:57.919 --> 00:13:58.799 to focus on 00:13:58.799 --> 00:14:00.259 and that's companionship. 00:14:02.500 --> 00:14:02.980 Companionship 00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:04.200 is directly connected 00:14:04.200 --> 00:14:05.720 with friendship. 00:14:07.480 --> 00:14:07.960 Companionship. 00:14:08.019 --> 00:14:09.519 What's meant by companionship? 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:13.019 Well, let me share 00:14:13.019 --> 00:14:13.899 a story with you. 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:19.159 A guy and a girl meet 00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:20.379 and the guy likes to golf 00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:21.340 and the girlfriend likes 00:14:21.340 --> 00:14:21.980 to work out. 00:14:22.899 --> 00:14:24.299 But they like each other 00:14:24.299 --> 00:14:25.860 so they try each other's interests. 00:14:26.500 --> 00:14:27.519 They golf together 00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:28.639 and have a lot of fun 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:30.259 and he tries to teach her the sport 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:32.519 and she makes an extra effort to try 00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:34.740 and sometimes they go work out together 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:36.480 even though it's not as fun 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:37.320 to him as golf. 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:39.799 But still, he's with her 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:41.039 and that's what makes it great. 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:42.759 So they get married 00:14:42.759 --> 00:14:44.919 and they start to take each other 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:45.460 for granted 00:14:45.460 --> 00:14:46.639 and they fail to realize 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:48.379 the importance of companionship 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:50.259 after they get married. 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:52.340 They forget about the friendship, 00:14:52.580 --> 00:14:53.279 the courtship 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:55.000 and that the way 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:57.039 that you get them 00:14:57.039 --> 00:14:58.259 is the way you keep them. 00:14:58.679 --> 00:15:00.179 So girls start telling the guy 00:15:00.179 --> 00:15:01.340 to go do his thing 00:15:01.340 --> 00:15:03.080 while he's on the golf course. 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:04.059 She'll go work out. 00:15:04.539 --> 00:15:05.320 So now the guy 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:06.659 is going to the one direction 00:15:06.659 --> 00:15:07.620 and the girl another. 00:15:08.179 --> 00:15:09.039 But after a while 00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:10.399 the guy meets another girl 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:11.179 at the golf course. 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:12.159 She's a good golfer. 00:15:12.519 --> 00:15:13.700 She really appreciates 00:15:13.700 --> 00:15:14.779 his love for the sport 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:15.659 and wow, 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:16.919 they have a common interest. 00:15:16.919 --> 00:15:17.879 Meanwhile, 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:19.199 a girl meets another guy 00:15:19.199 --> 00:15:19.719 at the gym 00:15:19.719 --> 00:15:20.779 and he's a real gentleman. 00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:23.059 Almost reminds her 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:24.379 of the kind way 00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:25.019 she was treated 00:15:25.019 --> 00:15:25.799 by her husband 00:15:25.799 --> 00:15:26.679 when they were dating. 00:15:27.179 --> 00:15:28.139 And would you spot me 00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:28.899 on this machine? 00:15:29.059 --> 00:15:29.719 And the guy says, 00:15:29.819 --> 00:15:30.039 sure. 00:15:30.439 --> 00:15:31.719 And what you have now, 00:15:31.819 --> 00:15:32.479 guys and girls 00:15:32.479 --> 00:15:34.199 are both cultivating relationships 00:15:34.199 --> 00:15:35.719 with other guys 00:15:35.719 --> 00:15:36.500 and other girls 00:15:36.500 --> 00:15:37.459 and deciding maybe 00:15:37.459 --> 00:15:38.539 they like them better 00:15:38.539 --> 00:15:39.339 than their spouse. 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:41.579 One thing leads to another. 00:15:42.079 --> 00:15:43.139 It's all the devil's 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:43.899 great design 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:45.500 until finally something happens. 00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:46.639 The breakup ensues 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:48.000 and it's all because 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:49.759 the lack of companionship 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:51.559 left them looking elsewhere 00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:52.740 for something more 00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:54.000 than what they could do 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:56.419 and what do they look, 00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:57.899 what they looked for. 00:15:58.799 --> 00:15:59.019 You know, 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:00.379 someone 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:01.539 they cannot 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:03.120 only be married to 00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.519 but will also be what? 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:06.039 Their friend. 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.460 You know, 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:09.519 we find friendship 00:16:09.519 --> 00:16:11.080 is important. 00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:12.240 You know, 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:14.419 to be a best friend, 00:16:14.539 --> 00:16:14.740 you know, 00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:15.700 and men likewise. 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:16.779 You know, 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:17.779 let's consider a few 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:19.580 scriptures here this morning. 00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:21.799 Proverbs 18.24. 00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:23.399 Can you look that one up 00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.000 for me, Daryl, 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:24.440 if you would? 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:26.539 Proverbs 18.24. 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.220 And then I need 00:16:29.220 --> 00:16:30.879 Proverbs 27.9. 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:32.060 Proverbs 27.9. 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:32.500 Can you get that one 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.740 for me, Matt, 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:34.299 if you would? 00:16:35.019 --> 00:16:35.820 The Matt up front, 00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:36.700 not the Matt in the back. 00:16:36.700 --> 00:16:39.700 And then 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:42.840 so Proverbs 27.17. 00:16:43.140 --> 00:16:43.600 So if you can get 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:45.040 verse 9 and verse 17. 00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:46.320 And then 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:48.980 Acts 27 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:50.320 in verse 3. 00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:51.200 You got that one, Gene? 00:16:51.300 --> 00:16:52.600 Acts 27, verse 3. 00:16:52.700 --> 00:16:53.820 So let's read that. 00:16:53.920 --> 00:16:55.200 Proverbs 18.24. 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:56.200 Okay. 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:07.980 How about Proverbs 27.9? 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:17.240 Okay. 00:17:17.340 --> 00:17:18.440 And then verse 17. 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:23.680 Okay. 00:17:23.680 --> 00:17:24.880 How about Acts 27 00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:25.560 in verse 3? 00:17:33.560 --> 00:17:33.960 Okay. 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:39.039 So the one thing 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:40.259 we find in these verses 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:41.620 that connects with friends 00:17:41.620 --> 00:17:45.220 is friends spend time together. 00:17:46.620 --> 00:17:46.820 You know? 00:17:47.340 --> 00:17:48.700 Friends spend time together. 00:17:49.360 --> 00:17:50.460 If you're going to be friends, 00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:51.740 you need to spend time together. 00:17:51.900 --> 00:17:53.560 Now, let's take a moment here 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:54.339 because all of us 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:55.200 probably have people 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:56.319 that we call our friends 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:57.319 but we're not as close to 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:58.179 as we once were. 00:17:58.419 --> 00:17:59.500 And why are we not 00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.220 as close to them 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:00.980 as we once were? 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:05.240 We're not spending time. 00:18:07.440 --> 00:18:08.279 Time with them 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.220 makes a difference. 00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:10.299 You know? 00:18:10.859 --> 00:18:13.039 Because when we get together, 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:15.259 when friends spend time together 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:16.500 and want to be together, 00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:18.399 they grow fond, 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.599 they stay connected, 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.579 they have fun together, 00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:21.579 they talk together. 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:21.599 They talk together. 00:18:22.159 --> 00:18:22.919 But you know, 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:24.220 those things come about 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:25.240 when how do you spend 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:26.539 your leisure time 00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:27.960 going in different directions 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:28.960 is always a problem. 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:30.199 You know, 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:31.399 a lot of marriages today, 00:18:31.519 --> 00:18:32.000 we have people 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:33.319 that do two different things 00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:34.919 and they have nothing 00:18:34.919 --> 00:18:36.679 that they do together. 00:18:37.679 --> 00:18:39.599 They have that common connection 00:18:39.599 --> 00:18:40.460 with one another. 00:18:41.319 --> 00:18:41.599 You know? 00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:43.480 As much as possible, 00:18:44.119 --> 00:18:45.839 we should do things together. 00:18:46.639 --> 00:18:46.960 You know? 00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:47.900 Now, 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:48.860 I want you to understand 00:18:48.860 --> 00:18:50.200 what we're talking about here 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.519 because there ought to be 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:53.000 some things in your life. 00:18:53.400 --> 00:18:53.539 Now, 00:18:53.579 --> 00:18:54.779 I know there's guys that hunt, 00:18:54.860 --> 00:18:55.059 you know, 00:18:55.100 --> 00:18:55.420 and it's like, 00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:55.539 well, 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:56.480 my wife doesn't hunt. 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:56.640 Well, 00:18:56.660 --> 00:18:57.259 that's okay. 00:18:57.900 --> 00:18:59.140 Didn't say you can't go hunting. 00:18:59.319 --> 00:18:59.860 It's just the fact 00:18:59.860 --> 00:19:00.420 you need to make sure 00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:01.240 you have something 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:04.019 that you both do together 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:07.039 that's not centered 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:08.079 around your children. 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:11.860 Because let me give you 00:19:11.860 --> 00:19:12.559 a little advice. 00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:13.840 Your children will one day 00:19:13.840 --> 00:19:14.980 grow up and leave home. 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:18.759 They're going to depart 00:19:18.759 --> 00:19:19.480 out of the scene 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:21.860 and you're going to have 00:19:21.860 --> 00:19:22.599 an empty house. 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:23.980 That's the cause 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:24.900 of the great divorce. 00:19:25.620 --> 00:19:26.720 Because they don't have 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:28.140 a relationship with each other. 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:29.660 They concentrate on their kids. 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:30.740 When the kids leave, 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:31.940 there's no basis 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:33.200 for them to come together. 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:33.819 Yep. 00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:34.720 Yep. 00:19:35.160 --> 00:19:36.880 That's exactly the dynamic. 00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:37.299 I mean, 00:19:37.380 --> 00:19:37.660 it's a, 00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:39.120 but you see it play out. 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:41.940 You see it play out what? 00:19:42.019 --> 00:19:43.120 Time and time again 00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:44.200 in people's relationships. 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:46.960 And it doesn't matter 00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:47.860 whether they're even 00:19:47.860 --> 00:19:48.960 in church sometimes. 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.460 You say, 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:53.220 how does that happen? 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:54.299 I've seen pastors 00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:55.360 that get divorces. 00:19:57.920 --> 00:19:58.480 Why? 00:19:58.640 --> 00:20:00.480 Because there's a problem 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.900 in companionship. 00:20:02.900 --> 00:20:04.400 They're not in it together. 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:05.519 You know? 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:07.599 I want you to understand 00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:08.339 it doesn't mean 00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:10.140 that she loves going antiquing, 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:11.140 you know, 00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:13.780 and you despise it. 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:14.440 You know, 00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:15.020 if you don't like 00:20:15.020 --> 00:20:15.880 antiquing, 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:16.420 then you're probably 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:17.140 a normal guy. 00:20:19.759 --> 00:20:20.420 But sometimes 00:20:20.420 --> 00:20:20.820 there's things 00:20:20.820 --> 00:20:21.500 you need to do. 00:20:28.020 --> 00:20:29.700 She doesn't take me 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:30.420 when they go shopping. 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:31.420 I just... 00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:37.840 Shopping is not 00:20:37.840 --> 00:20:38.720 our companionship, 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.360 let me tell you that. 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.840 We learned our processes 00:20:42.840 --> 00:20:43.340 right away. 00:20:43.380 --> 00:20:44.240 I'm a guy shopper. 00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:45.420 I'm like a hunter. 00:20:45.840 --> 00:20:46.820 This is where it's located 00:20:46.820 --> 00:20:47.460 in the store. 00:20:47.560 --> 00:20:48.320 We're going in the store. 00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:49.000 We're getting this. 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:49.700 You know, 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.700 unless you go to a really 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.340 cool store, 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:52.140 like a tool store, 00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:52.560 and then that's 00:20:52.560 --> 00:20:53.080 a different store. 00:20:53.079 --> 00:20:58.939 You know? 00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.720 If you go to Sheels, 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:01.519 that's an exception, 00:21:01.659 --> 00:21:01.879 okay? 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.500 But the nice thing 00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:04.000 about Sheels, 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:04.659 you can send them 00:21:04.659 --> 00:21:05.199 downstairs 00:21:05.199 --> 00:21:06.099 and you can go upstairs. 00:21:06.179 --> 00:21:06.299 Amen? 00:21:07.839 --> 00:21:08.720 Go look at the fish. 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.279 But you know, 00:21:13.379 --> 00:21:15.159 I want you to understand 00:21:15.159 --> 00:21:15.879 that you can 00:21:15.879 --> 00:21:17.339 go do those things, 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:18.419 but it ought not 00:21:18.419 --> 00:21:19.759 to be to the exclusion 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:20.839 of spending time 00:21:20.839 --> 00:21:21.480 with one another. 00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:23.660 You ought not 00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:24.539 to exclude 00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:25.140 or make that 00:21:25.140 --> 00:21:26.019 such a priority. 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:27.019 It excludes 00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:27.720 that connection 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:29.460 with one another 00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:31.440 because that connection 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.319 is important. 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:33.299 That's the reason 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:33.799 the Scripture 00:21:33.799 --> 00:21:34.819 makes it clear 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:35.599 in there, 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.860 this is my friend. 00:21:36.960 --> 00:21:38.480 That was a declarative 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.200 statement 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:41.019 that was a foundation 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:42.039 of the relationship. 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:44.319 To understand 00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:45.579 that dynamic 00:21:45.579 --> 00:21:46.400 of friendship, 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:47.500 you know, 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.759 it's talking about 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:50.079 oftentimes 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:50.960 that we need 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:51.220 to, 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:53.299 as men, 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:53.900 we don't want 00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:54.240 to do, 00:21:54.840 --> 00:21:55.759 men who do 00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.340 what they want 00:21:56.340 --> 00:21:56.660 to do 00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:57.480 at the exclusion 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:58.600 of their wives 00:21:58.600 --> 00:22:00.220 will have a problem 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:01.059 because when we do 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:02.860 things that separate 00:22:02.860 --> 00:22:03.940 us apart, 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.779 instead of draw us 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:06.279 together, 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.039 there's going to be 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.600 a disconnect. 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:10.100 We need to be careful 00:22:10.100 --> 00:22:11.180 of that a healthy 00:22:11.180 --> 00:22:12.579 marriage cannot 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:13.980 operate that way. 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:14.920 You know, 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:15.799 this is the reason 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:17.460 companionship 00:22:17.460 --> 00:22:18.360 is so important. 00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:19.679 Now, 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.500 number one there, 00:22:20.699 --> 00:22:21.219 because it's, 00:22:21.419 --> 00:22:22.959 why is companionship 00:22:22.959 --> 00:22:23.519 so important? 00:22:23.619 --> 00:22:24.059 Number one, 00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:25.039 because it's unhealthy 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:26.279 for a married person 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:27.719 to spend the most 00:22:27.719 --> 00:22:28.779 enjoyable moments 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:29.419 of their life 00:22:29.419 --> 00:22:30.139 in the company 00:22:30.139 --> 00:22:31.079 of somebody else. 00:22:33.979 --> 00:22:35.459 As a married person, 00:22:35.459 --> 00:22:36.319 you should be able 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:37.779 to enjoy the company 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:39.679 of your spouse 00:22:39.679 --> 00:22:41.279 and enjoy those 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.199 moments of life, 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:42.899 the things that you 00:22:42.899 --> 00:22:43.759 enjoy together. 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:45.240 You know, 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:48.680 oftentimes we can 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:49.579 get drawn away 00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:50.700 with different things. 00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:51.779 You know, 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.519 and sometimes we can 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.039 ask, you know, 00:22:53.160 --> 00:22:54.039 why did somebody 00:22:54.039 --> 00:22:54.960 even get married, 00:22:55.119 --> 00:22:55.339 you know, 00:22:55.379 --> 00:22:56.480 when the guy just 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:57.259 wants to hang out 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.140 with the boys all 00:22:58.140 --> 00:22:59.579 the time or sit 00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.319 and play on the 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:00.759 computer? 00:23:01.379 --> 00:23:02.119 And, you know, 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:03.000 why did they get 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.339 married? 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:04.180 Sometimes the same 00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:04.720 for ladies. 00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:05.480 Why do they talk 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.200 with their friends 00:23:06.200 --> 00:23:07.759 for hours on in 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.400 and shop? 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:10.619 And why do they 00:23:10.619 --> 00:23:11.339 even want a guy 00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:12.220 around when that's 00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:13.180 all they want to do? 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:17.920 You know, 00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:18.720 if the only time 00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.640 you have fun 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.180 is when they're 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:20.960 not around, 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:21.680 then how in the 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.180 world will you 00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:22.660 ever have a 00:23:22.660 --> 00:23:23.420 friendship together? 00:23:24.859 --> 00:23:25.599 You ought to have 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:26.140 things that you 00:23:26.140 --> 00:23:27.299 enjoy together. 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:29.879 Find things that 00:23:29.879 --> 00:23:31.299 you do together. 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:33.779 Maybe it's finding 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:34.660 something different 00:23:34.660 --> 00:23:35.379 than either one of 00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:36.099 you think you like 00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:36.599 and go do it 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:36.960 together. 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:40.359 Do something 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:40.879 together. 00:23:41.879 --> 00:23:42.039 You know, 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:43.140 companionship 00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:44.759 is important. 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.400 It forms 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:46.100 closeness 00:23:46.100 --> 00:23:47.560 in a relationship. 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.120 Some may say 00:23:49.120 --> 00:23:49.660 we don't have 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:50.600 common interest. 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:51.980 God made us 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.420 different. 00:23:54.020 --> 00:23:54.620 Well, I'll bet 00:23:54.620 --> 00:23:55.300 if you just pray 00:23:55.300 --> 00:23:55.759 about it, 00:23:55.840 --> 00:23:56.680 God will give you 00:23:56.680 --> 00:23:57.400 something you can 00:23:57.400 --> 00:23:58.720 both enjoy together. 00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:00.560 You know, 00:24:00.600 --> 00:24:01.640 you need to have 00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.360 that connection. 00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:04.340 That connection 00:24:04.340 --> 00:24:05.220 in marriage is 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:05.940 what builds 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:07.480 lasting marriages. 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:09.380 you know. 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:12.920 We need to 00:24:12.920 --> 00:24:13.660 understand 00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:15.220 to not give up, 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.319 but sometimes 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:16.640 you're going to 00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:17.339 have to swallow 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:18.079 your pride, 00:24:18.220 --> 00:24:18.700 push away 00:24:18.700 --> 00:24:19.539 selfishness, 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.819 and pray that 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:21.539 God would give 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.000 you something 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.900 you can do 00:24:22.900 --> 00:24:23.779 together. 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:25.339 Companionship 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:25.980 is important 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.860 because anything 00:24:26.860 --> 00:24:28.599 less is unhealthy 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:30.079 in the relationship. 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:32.559 Number two, 00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:33.880 companionship 00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:34.480 is important 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:35.440 because pursuing 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:36.759 your own self-interest 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:37.900 without your spouse 00:24:37.900 --> 00:24:40.100 demonstrates selfishness. 00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:42.100 You know, 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:44.420 it's really sad 00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:44.860 when people 00:24:44.860 --> 00:24:45.380 who are supposed 00:24:45.380 --> 00:24:46.120 to be adults 00:24:46.120 --> 00:24:47.059 act like kids. 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:48.980 When they say, 00:24:49.100 --> 00:24:49.880 if I can't do it 00:24:49.880 --> 00:24:50.440 my way 00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:51.440 when I want to do it, 00:24:51.620 --> 00:24:52.519 I'm going to pick up 00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:53.740 my toys and go home. 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:55.480 You know, 00:24:55.880 --> 00:24:57.100 selfishness 00:24:57.100 --> 00:25:00.500 causes an unhealthy 00:25:00.500 --> 00:25:01.299 relationship 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:02.240 because it doesn't 00:25:02.240 --> 00:25:03.980 help companionship. 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:05.960 because it becomes 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:06.980 one-sided 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:09.640 in the relationship. 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.200 Gene? 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:13.000 When I was first married, 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:15.539 I was first strong 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:17.500 and very selfish. 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.779 It took me about 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:19.500 10 years 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.180 to get older. 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:22.279 I prayed and asked 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:22.799 the Lord, 00:25:23.360 --> 00:25:24.299 but when I realized 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.380 what I was doing, 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:28.380 I guess it makes me 00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:29.299 more receptive 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:30.960 to my wife's teeth. 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:33.019 I saw 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:33.779 and I said, 00:25:33.840 --> 00:25:34.299 that's the way 00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:34.860 we're going 00:25:34.860 --> 00:25:38.059 and God did that. 00:25:39.059 --> 00:25:39.579 Amen. 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:39.700 Amen. 00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:41.600 You know, 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:43.120 and that's a testimony 00:25:43.120 --> 00:25:43.640 sitting there. 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.299 You know, 00:25:45.340 --> 00:25:46.079 that God can work 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:46.720 through those things, 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:47.079 can't He? 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:48.539 You know, 00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:49.100 if we're willing 00:25:49.100 --> 00:25:49.860 to let Him 00:25:49.860 --> 00:25:50.500 and let Him 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:52.000 do those things 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:53.180 and you'll find 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:54.920 that that is important, 00:25:55.100 --> 00:25:56.079 but companionship 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:57.120 is also important 00:25:57.120 --> 00:25:58.440 because it will lead 00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.820 to a fulfilling marriage. 00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:01.120 You know, 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:03.299 you're either looking, 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:03.980 are you looking 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:05.360 to just fulfill yourself 00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:05.779 or to have 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:07.460 a fulfilling marriage? 00:26:07.580 --> 00:26:08.700 You'll never be happier 00:26:08.700 --> 00:26:10.039 than when you strive 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:10.940 to be a giver 00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:11.900 and not a taker. 00:26:12.340 --> 00:26:13.539 When you give more, 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:15.100 it will make them 00:26:15.100 --> 00:26:16.140 want to be a giver 00:26:16.140 --> 00:26:18.299 which benefits you naturally 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:19.820 and it all snowballs 00:26:19.820 --> 00:26:21.000 from there. 00:26:21.880 --> 00:26:22.120 You know, 00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:23.140 to do those things, 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:24.299 to be fulfilling, 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:24.700 you know, 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:27.700 sometimes it's a common problem 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:28.840 that sometimes we do 00:26:28.840 --> 00:26:30.580 have issues in life 00:26:30.580 --> 00:26:31.600 and things come up 00:26:31.600 --> 00:26:33.279 and we just deal 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:34.660 with all the negative things, 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:34.980 you know, 00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:36.039 instead of saying 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.600 what are things 00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:37.600 going to be beneficial? 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.120 Because, you know, 00:26:39.180 --> 00:26:39.700 oftentimes, 00:26:40.580 --> 00:26:42.400 and this is another 00:26:42.400 --> 00:26:43.420 common scenario, 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:45.480 a man has fun 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.559 with people at work 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:47.380 and he goes home 00:26:47.380 --> 00:26:49.180 to the washer is broken, 00:26:50.180 --> 00:26:51.980 the dog did his duty 00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:52.600 on the car, 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:54.680 you know, 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:55.740 you have a whole list 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.559 of things that hit you 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:57.859 at the door when you come in 00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:58.940 of all the things 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.460 that happen, 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.359 you know. 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:02.980 Then he spends his day off 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:03.960 doing something else 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:05.279 but only thinks his spouse 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:06.500 in terms of survival 00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:07.819 and by just getting by, 00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:09.879 if they never have fun together, 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:11.059 they'll always associate 00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:12.179 negative things 00:27:12.179 --> 00:27:13.539 with each other 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.899 while they associate 00:27:14.899 --> 00:27:16.200 fun times with others. 00:27:17.339 --> 00:27:17.720 You know, 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:19.419 you need to do fun things together. 00:27:19.740 --> 00:27:21.480 That's what builds companionship, 00:27:22.399 --> 00:27:22.720 you know. 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:24.559 to do things together. 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:24.980 You know, 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:26.220 God gives us a lot of things 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:26.799 you can do together. 00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:28.360 I know people that, 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:28.600 you know, 00:27:28.620 --> 00:27:30.180 do all sorts of different things 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:30.559 together. 00:27:31.319 --> 00:27:32.240 It might be going out 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:33.000 camping together, 00:27:33.360 --> 00:27:33.579 you know. 00:27:33.600 --> 00:27:34.960 It might be doing 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.640 different things, 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:35.819 you know. 00:27:35.819 --> 00:27:36.740 We like going out 00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.539 and adventure 00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:38.779 and we go hunt waterfalls 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:41.620 and go look at mountains 00:27:41.620 --> 00:27:43.880 and trees and things, 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.240 you know. 00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.960 And I have a philosophy 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.720 if it's worth going, 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.519 you can drive there. 00:27:49.579 --> 00:27:50.680 If you know what I drive, 00:27:50.759 --> 00:27:51.380 you'll understand. 00:27:51.380 --> 00:27:56.580 If my Jeep won't make it, 00:27:56.620 --> 00:27:57.600 it's probably not worth going. 00:27:59.880 --> 00:28:00.660 But that's just, 00:28:01.260 --> 00:28:01.460 you know, 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.700 we joke around about that, 00:28:02.760 --> 00:28:03.080 but you know, 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:04.180 it's something we do together. 00:28:04.300 --> 00:28:05.460 April and I do that together 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:07.540 and we do other things together. 00:28:07.620 --> 00:28:08.140 We need to do, 00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:09.620 have something in common 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:11.740 together that we do 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.980 and just to enjoy 00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:13.780 spending time 00:28:13.780 --> 00:28:14.420 with one another. 00:28:15.280 --> 00:28:15.720 You know, 00:28:15.740 --> 00:28:16.440 your relationship, 00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:17.660 you need to enjoy 00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:19.500 wanting to spend time 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:20.060 with the other 00:28:20.059 --> 00:28:21.819 because the other thing 00:28:21.819 --> 00:28:22.579 in this is that 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:24.000 companionship is important 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:26.220 because shared experiences 00:28:26.220 --> 00:28:27.879 lead to shared feelings. 00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:30.899 Shared experiences 00:28:30.899 --> 00:28:32.500 lead to shared feelings. 00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:36.139 Things you experience 00:28:36.139 --> 00:28:37.359 with somebody else 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:38.440 connects you. 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:41.359 You look back 00:28:41.359 --> 00:28:42.319 at those moments. 00:28:42.319 --> 00:28:45.339 if God made two into one, 00:28:45.419 --> 00:28:46.200 then it makes sense 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:47.000 that those two 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.619 will do 00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:49.079 one thing together. 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:50.559 You know, 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:52.619 think about this 00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:54.259 as the Bible 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:55.679 teach this. 00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:56.879 You know, 00:28:57.119 --> 00:28:58.319 consider what it tells us, 00:28:58.399 --> 00:28:59.619 Ephesians 5, 25. 00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:00.099 Husbands, 00:29:00.259 --> 00:29:00.939 love your wives, 00:29:01.000 --> 00:29:01.599 even as Christ 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:02.679 also loved the church 00:29:02.680 --> 00:29:04.200 and gave himself 00:29:04.200 --> 00:29:05.220 for it. 00:29:06.320 --> 00:29:07.080 Sacrificial love. 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:08.240 Nothing is so important 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:08.820 that you won't 00:29:08.820 --> 00:29:09.860 sacrifice it 00:29:09.860 --> 00:29:10.880 for her. 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:12.120 You know? 00:29:13.980 --> 00:29:14.420 Guys, 00:29:14.560 --> 00:29:15.320 our relationship 00:29:15.320 --> 00:29:16.440 with our wives 00:29:16.440 --> 00:29:17.759 is important 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.779 that we invest in. 00:29:20.360 --> 00:29:21.340 Got to invest 00:29:21.340 --> 00:29:22.180 in that connection. 00:29:23.120 --> 00:29:23.299 You know, 00:29:23.360 --> 00:29:23.980 the problem is, 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:24.620 I think oftentimes 00:29:24.620 --> 00:29:25.340 with guys, 00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.039 we get the idea 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:27.880 we keep a conquer mentality 00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:28.840 even after we're married. 00:29:30.100 --> 00:29:30.920 Because it's almost like 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:31.960 you spend a lot of effort 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.600 to win them. 00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:35.059 And then you've won them 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:35.539 and it's like, 00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:35.799 okay, 00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:36.700 I've got that trophy, 00:29:36.840 --> 00:29:37.579 put it on the shelf 00:29:37.579 --> 00:29:38.620 and let's go do something else. 00:29:39.680 --> 00:29:40.500 The problem is, 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:40.860 your wife, 00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:41.740 she's not a trophy, 00:29:42.640 --> 00:29:43.440 she's your wife. 00:29:44.779 --> 00:29:46.079 She's not an accomplishment, 00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:46.980 she's your wife. 00:29:48.380 --> 00:29:49.759 You need to keep building 00:29:49.759 --> 00:29:50.660 that relationship. 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:52.700 Keep investing 00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:53.680 in those things. 00:29:54.460 --> 00:29:54.720 You know, 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:56.299 those things together. 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:56.600 You know, 00:29:56.660 --> 00:29:57.299 you think about 00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:58.680 Ephesians 5, 00:29:58.740 --> 00:30:00.019 verse 26 says this, 00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:01.079 that he might sanctify 00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:01.680 and cleanse it 00:30:01.680 --> 00:30:02.259 with the washing 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:02.680 of the water 00:30:02.680 --> 00:30:03.259 by the word, 00:30:03.600 --> 00:30:04.400 that he might present 00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:04.940 it to himself 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:05.820 a glorious church, 00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:06.680 not having spot 00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:07.060 or wrinkle 00:30:07.060 --> 00:30:07.980 or any such thing, 00:30:08.320 --> 00:30:09.500 be holy 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.480 and without blemish. 00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:11.960 So men ought to love 00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:12.620 their wives 00:30:12.620 --> 00:30:13.620 as their own bodies 00:30:13.620 --> 00:30:14.460 and he that loveth 00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:15.100 his wife 00:30:15.100 --> 00:30:16.000 loveth himself. 00:30:17.140 --> 00:30:17.400 You know, 00:30:18.120 --> 00:30:20.900 if you're going 00:30:20.900 --> 00:30:22.019 to love your wife 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:23.860 and loving yourself 00:30:23.860 --> 00:30:24.940 need to be interconnected. 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:28.180 if you're one, 00:30:28.820 --> 00:30:29.840 to love her 00:30:29.840 --> 00:30:31.220 is to love yourself. 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:33.820 It's for your benefit. 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:35.559 It's for her benefit. 00:30:36.320 --> 00:30:36.480 You know, 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.940 it's a sanctifying love. 00:30:38.039 --> 00:30:39.200 It goes on in Ephesians 00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:39.900 in verse 29, 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:40.160 it says, 00:30:40.320 --> 00:30:40.860 for no man 00:30:40.860 --> 00:30:41.980 hath yet hated 00:30:41.980 --> 00:30:42.799 his own flesh 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:43.420 but nourished 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:44.059 and cherished it 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:44.880 even as the Lord 00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:46.080 the church. 00:30:46.580 --> 00:30:46.820 You know, 00:30:46.840 --> 00:30:47.500 when we understand 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.460 this idea 00:30:48.460 --> 00:30:49.980 of one flesh, 00:30:50.019 --> 00:30:50.700 of what God 00:30:50.700 --> 00:30:51.360 is doing. 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:52.200 You know, 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:53.620 that's a secure love 00:30:53.620 --> 00:30:54.840 and some people 00:30:54.840 --> 00:30:55.600 are insecure 00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:57.160 because they're not sure 00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:58.600 if their spouse 00:30:58.600 --> 00:30:59.880 really likes them 00:30:59.880 --> 00:31:00.960 as a friend. 00:31:02.360 --> 00:31:03.660 That friendship, 00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:05.120 that companionship 00:31:05.120 --> 00:31:07.680 is important 00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:08.700 and critical 00:31:08.700 --> 00:31:10.920 in a relationship 00:31:10.920 --> 00:31:12.539 in a marriage. 00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:14.340 To maintain 00:31:14.340 --> 00:31:15.200 those things, 00:31:15.279 --> 00:31:16.019 to enjoy 00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:17.039 time together 00:31:17.039 --> 00:31:19.160 because shared 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:19.940 experiences, 00:31:19.940 --> 00:31:21.320 shared connection 00:31:21.320 --> 00:31:23.900 build bonds. 00:31:24.860 --> 00:31:26.059 It's what connects 00:31:26.059 --> 00:31:27.340 people together 00:31:27.340 --> 00:31:28.220 and especially 00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:30.259 in marriage. 00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:32.059 And so we'll leave 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:32.480 off there 00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:33.000 before we get 00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:33.759 into the next point 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:34.320 next week. 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:35.799 But, you know, 00:31:35.860 --> 00:31:36.500 think about 00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:37.680 your companionship. 00:31:38.840 --> 00:31:39.039 You know, 00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:40.779 be observant, 00:31:40.840 --> 00:31:41.640 be thinking about 00:31:41.640 --> 00:31:42.519 those things 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:44.140 of how that connects 00:31:44.140 --> 00:31:44.759 and how that 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:46.420 importance of that 00:31:46.420 --> 00:31:48.620 in your relationship 00:31:48.619 --> 00:31:49.799 relationship 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:50.619 with your spouse. 00:31:51.139 --> 00:31:51.939 And if you're single, 00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:52.559 you can think 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:53.679 in context, 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:54.779 how does that play out? 00:31:54.839 --> 00:31:55.739 What am I doing 00:31:55.739 --> 00:31:58.039 to prepare myself 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:59.039 for that 00:31:59.039 --> 00:32:00.359 in the future? 00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:02.439 Because if you're 00:32:02.439 --> 00:32:03.039 going to get married, 00:32:03.219 --> 00:32:04.299 you'd best to be prepared 00:32:04.299 --> 00:32:05.119 before you get there. 00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:06.519 At least a little bit. 00:32:06.579 --> 00:32:07.399 You're still not prepared. 00:32:10.139 --> 00:32:11.239 Marriage is an adventure 00:32:11.239 --> 00:32:11.619 that you... 00:32:11.619 --> 00:32:14.819 Because you never know 00:32:14.819 --> 00:32:15.739 where it might take you 00:32:15.739 --> 00:32:16.579 or what's going to happen. 00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:18.179 But if you have 00:32:18.179 --> 00:32:19.199 the right foundation 00:32:19.199 --> 00:32:20.919 and the right connection 00:32:20.919 --> 00:32:22.000 and the right attitude, 00:32:22.159 --> 00:32:23.359 the right companionship 00:32:23.359 --> 00:32:24.699 with God, 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.739 you can go through 00:32:25.739 --> 00:32:27.519 anything 00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:29.379 that you face 00:32:29.379 --> 00:32:31.519 as you're together. 00:32:32.139 --> 00:32:32.659 Let's pray. 00:32:32.739 --> 00:32:33.219 Heavenly Father, 00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:34.039 as we come before you 00:32:34.039 --> 00:32:34.459 this morning, 00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:35.339 Lord, we just thank you 00:32:35.339 --> 00:32:35.839 and praise you 00:32:35.839 --> 00:32:36.479 for your word. 00:32:36.479 --> 00:32:37.219 And Lord, 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:38.159 even the reality 00:32:38.159 --> 00:32:40.079 of just our spouse 00:32:40.079 --> 00:32:41.079 being our friend 00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:42.539 and even our best friend, 00:32:42.659 --> 00:32:42.740 Lord, 00:32:42.799 --> 00:32:43.339 that you might 00:32:43.339 --> 00:32:44.559 just help us 00:32:44.559 --> 00:32:45.599 to always be mindful 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:47.439 of that essential nature 00:32:47.439 --> 00:32:49.559 of that connection there, 00:32:49.720 --> 00:32:49.839 Lord, 00:32:49.879 --> 00:32:50.439 that you might 00:32:50.439 --> 00:32:52.359 build those bonds 00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:53.720 with one another, 00:32:53.859 --> 00:32:54.019 Lord, 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:55.599 even in the relationships here, 00:32:55.699 --> 00:32:55.799 Lord, 00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:56.919 that we might be mindful 00:32:56.919 --> 00:32:58.539 of those things 00:32:58.539 --> 00:32:59.759 and the importance of it. 00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:01.299 And Lord, 00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:02.480 we just ask all these things 00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:03.480 in your precious name. 00:33:04.199 --> 00:33:04.460 Amen. 00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:05.539 All right. 00:33:05.599 --> 00:33:06.039 See everybody...