Marriage: The Power of Partnership

Marriage is the deepest connection people experience—a relationship grounded in love, respect, and unshakable support. When two people say “I do,” they’re not just exchanging vows; they’re starting a shared adventure. They promise to face life’s peaks and valleys side by side, building something together that neither could achieve alone.

William Barclay, in DSB: The Letters to the Corinthians, puts it perfectly: “Marriage is a partnership. The husband cannot act independently of the wife, nor the wife of the husband. They must always act together.” 

Barclay’s words cut through the reality of modern life, reminding us that marriage isn’t a solo performance—it’s a duet. Marriage flourishes when both husband and wife move in sync, and not when one overshadows the other.

A Countercultural Commitment

In a culture that glorifies independence and self-reliance, we’re constantly told: “Be your own hero. You don’t need anyone else.” And while there’s truth in developing your individual character and potential, marriage reminds us there is more to the story.

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Marriage is not about what one person can achieve alone—it is about what two can accomplish together. A marriage built on one partner’s efforts is like a house with half a foundation; it might stand for a while, but it won’t weather the storms.

What Partnership Really Looks Like

So, what does real partnership look like? 

It’s in the daily grind of responsibilities and plans that require making decisions as a team. These decisions involve money, kids, decorations, gifts, and vacations. It is found in lifting each other up when life gets heavy—cheering the victories of one another and cushioning the inevitable falls. This partnership is seen in sharing the load, from the daily chores to accomplishing dreams, knowing the strength of “us” hinges is greater than the strength of the individual.

But this partnership runs deeper than practicalities. It is also about respect—truly listening to each other, even when there is a disagreement. It’s about vulnerability—opening up with your heart, hoping the other person sees you for who you are. 

Picture a marriage where both the wife and the husband hear each other out, able to speak honestly, and wrestle through the hard stuff together. That is not just a relationship; that is life at its best.

Not Roommates, But Teammates

Barclay’s wisdom isn’t some outdated ideal—it’s a challenge. 

Marriage isn’t two people living separate lives under one roof, acting more like roommates than a loving husband and wife. It’s about weaving those two lives into something tougher, richer, and more life-giving. For those who follow Jesus this includes weaving into the marriage the third strand of God. When couples embrace this—uniting as a team, valuing each other’s voices, sharing the burden, and living by faith—they don’t just endure. They shine.

The Takeaway

A great marriage isn’t built by one superstar and a sidekick. It’s forged by two partners, equally invested, equally committed, and equally surrendered to Jesus.

Love isn’t the finish line—it’s the fuel. And with it, you can create a marriage that doesn’t just last, but lights up the world around you.

Making the Most of our Moments

 We all have dreams. I dream of writing books, preaching great sermons, traveling to faraway places, and building a strong, loving family. But as I look at my life, I realize that time is always moving forward, and many of those dreams feel like they’re slipping away. Life, quite literally, is passing me by.

Maybe you feel the same way. Your dreams might be different, but deep down, you want your life to count for something. You long to be part of something meaningful. And yet, with each passing day, those dreams seem further out of reach. You look up and wonder, Where did the time go?

Why Does Life Seem to Slip Away?

I believe the answer lies in the choices we make—not just between good and evil, but between using our time wisely and wasting it. Erwin McManus puts it this way:

“This may sound too simple, but the abundant life that Jesus promises is ushered in through the choices we make in the ordinary moments of life” (Seizing Your Divine Moment, p. 35).

Each day, we are given time to use at our discretion. Yes, we have responsibilities—laundry needs to be washed, meals need to be prepared, work needs to be done, and family needs our love and attention. But even with all of that, we still find time for TV, social media, and entertainment. Our culture wears busyness like a badge of honor, yet we often fail to recognize just how much time we let slip through our fingers.

The real question is: When we have free moments, how do we use them?

Too often, I find myself wasting time—reading blogs, watching movies, scrolling through my phone—rather than doing something meaningful. I let precious moments slip away, moments that could be used to build something lasting for God’s Kingdom.

The Power of a Moment

A moment may not seem like much, but a single moment has the power to change everything. McManus describes this beautifully:

“The present moment is where the past and the future collide, and within a moment, there is monumental potential. That’s the mystery of a moment. It is small enough to ignore and big enough to change your life forever. Life is the sum total of what you do with the moments given to you” (Seizing Your Divine Moment, p. 18).

When we consistently choose the path of least resistance—whether that’s laziness, distractions, or simply avoiding hard work—we miss out on the life God desires for us. If we aren’t intentional, we’ll wake up one day and ask, Where has my life gone?

Making Wise Choices

Paul gives us this warning in Ephesians 5:15-17 (CSB):

“Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk — not as unwise people but as wise — making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Living carefully isn’t just about avoiding physical danger; it’s about being intentional with how we use our time. Time is more valuable than money because we can never get it back. The choices we make with our moments shape the direction of our lives.

So here’s the challenge: Are you being careful with how you use your time?

It’s never too late to start. Take inventory of your days. Identify where you’re wasting time and replace those habits with actions that bring you closer to your dreams and calling. Set realistic goals. Make a plan. Surround yourself with people who encourage you to become who God created you to be.

The abundant life Jesus promised isn’t reserved for a select few—it’s available to anyone willing to make wise choices with their time. Every moment is an opportunity to grow, serve, and make a difference.

Don’t wait for someday to arrive. Seize your divine moment. Make the most of the time you’ve been given. Your dreams are within reach—but it takes intentional effort to make them a reality.

The time is now. So make it count.

Transformed by Grace: Guarding the Truth

Imagine someone selling industrial bleach as a miracle cure—promising it could heal everything from COVID-19 to cancer. It sounds outrageous, but that’s exactly what Mark Grenon and his sons did. Under the banner of a fake church called the “Genesis II Church of Health and Healing,” they made over a million dollars selling this toxic substance, cloaked in spiritual-sounding language. Despite government warnings, they kept going, leaving behind hospitalized victims and grieving families.

It’s a disturbing story, but it reveals an important truth: deception is often dressed in religious language. What promises healing can instead bring destruction. And while most of us won’t fall for a bleach-based cure, we are vulnerable to a different kind of danger—spiritual deception. False teachers, just like the Grenons, peddle false ideas wrapped in religious packaging. The consequences are just as serious: broken faith, disrupted communities, and spiritual harm.

That’s the challenge Paul addresses in Titus 1:10–16. Writing to his trusted companion Titus, Paul warns about the danger false teachers posed to the young churches on the island of Crete. These weren’t abstract theological threats—they were real people teaching real lies, causing real damage.

Recognizing the Threat (Titus 1:10–11)

Paul pulls no punches. He describes these teachers as “insubordinate, empty talkers, and deceivers,” especially those pushing Old Covenant legalism. They didn’t just have bad theology; they were rebellious (refusing to submit to the authority of the Scripture or the Apostles), spreading confusion, and motivated by greed. Their teaching lacked substance, offered false hope, and created division—upsetting entire households, perhaps even dismantling house churches.

Paul’s command is clear: “They must be silenced.” Not through violence or censorship, but through strong, sound teaching that exposes error and explains Scripture. Truth must be louder than deception.

Application: Our world is full of spiritual noise. Not every podcast, sermon clip, or viral quote is rooted in truth. Some voices are driven by money, influence, or ego, not the gospel. Discernment begins with Scripture. A healthy skepticism isn’t a lack of faith—it’s a shield of wisdom in a world full of false promises.

Confronting Error with Courage (Titus 1:12–14)

To drive home his point, Paul quotes a Cretan poet who called his own people “liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” Paul doesn’t shy away from cultural critique—he uses it to illustrate just how urgent the problem is. These false teachers were promoting “Jewish myths” and human commands instead of God’s Word. They weren’t just off-base; they were pulling people away from Jesus.

Paul tells Titus to “rebuke them sharply.” That might sound harsh, but it’s a form of loving correction. Titus wasn’t picking fights over small differences—he was protecting the church from teachings that distorted the gospel and undermined grace.

Application: Confronting error is an act of love. Truth matters, and when someone teaches a gospel that leads people away from Jesus, we can’t afford to stay silent. But we must correct with humility, not arrogance. As Paul says in Ephesians 4:15, we “speak the truth in love.”

Exposing False Faith (Titus 1:15–16)

Paul contrasts authentic faith with the hypocrisy of the false teachers. “To the pure, all things are pure,” he writes, “but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure.” He’s pointing to the obsession some had with purity laws and religious rituals. Instead of resting in the cleansing power of Christ, they clung to rules, judging others and separating themselves from those they deemed “unclean.”

The irony? Their actions betrayed their message. “They profess to know God,” Paul writes, “but they deny him by their works.” Their lives were marked by greed, disobedience, and corruption—not the grace they claimed to preach.

Application: Right doctrine must lead to right living. What we believe should be evident in how we live. If our lives don’t reflect the love, purity, and truth of Jesus, then we’ve missed the heart of the gospel. As Jesus said, a tree is known by its fruit.


Guarding the Truth by Grace

How do we stay grounded in truth in a world so full of noise and deception? Paul’s words offer us a few practical ways to remain faithful:

1. Have a trusted teacher.

God gives the church pastors and elders to shepherd His people. Know who you’re learning from. I approach the Bible with three principles: (1) The Bible is for us but not written to us—so I study commentaries to gain understanding about the original context. (2) I interpret Scripture through the lens of God’s covenants. (3) The Kingdom of God is the heartbeat of the gospel. Knowing your teacher’s approach builds trust.

2. Watch how Scripture is handled.

If someone cherry-picks verses without context, be cautious. A good teacher explains not just a verse but the whole passage—what it meant then and what it means now.

3. Consider the focus of the message. 

Are they always telling personal stories but rarely digging into doctrine or Scripture? Are their messages more about themselves than about Jesus? That’s a red flag.

4. Test every “revelation.”

Some teachers constantly claim direct revelations from God, using phrases like “God told me…” as conversation stoppers. But Scripture tells us to test the spirits (1 John 4:1). God’s Word is the standard, not someone’s feelings or visions.


Final Thoughts: Truth in the Fog

In 2016, The Economist published a cover story titled “Yes, I’d Lie to You: The Post-Truth World.” It explained how modern censorship doesn’t always come through suppression—but through distraction. Some governments flood social media with so much noise that truth gets buried under an avalanche of nonsense.

That’s our spiritual challenge, too. In a world full of TikTok theology and algorithm-approved preachers, truth can get lost in the shuffle. But here’s the good news: grace gives us clarity. The gospel shines like a lighthouse through the fog. God has given us His Word, His Spirit, and His people to guide us.

So let’s guard the truth—not just in what we believe, but in how we live. Let’s be people who speak with clarity, live with integrity, and shine with grace. In a post-truth world, that’s what it means to follow the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Big Idea: Grace transforms us to love the truth and reject lies.

Challenge: Practice reading Scripture with discernment. Try the COMA method:

Context – What’s happening around this passage?

Observation – What stands out?

Meaning – What does it teach us about God and His people?

Application – How should it change us?


Need help? I’d love to walk through Scripture with you.

Let’s be people who not only know the truth—but who live it for the glory of King Jesus.

Sunday Prayer: Putting on the Character of Jesus

Father in Heaven, 

Thank You for choosing us—broken as we are—to be Your holy and beloved people. Help us live into that calling by putting on the character of Christ. Clothe our hearts with mercy when we would rather be harsh, with kindness when we feel irritated, with humility when pride rises up, with gentleness when we want control, and with patience when we grow weary of others.

Teach us to make space for one another’s flaws. Soften our hearts to forgive, not once or twice, but again and again—just as You have graciously forgiven us in Jesus. Root out bitterness and resentment, and replace them with the healing power of love.

Let love be our covering and our calling, uniting us in true harmony. May the peace of Christ—not our preferences or opinions—be the ruling force in our hearts. Shape our community into one body, knit together by Your grace and guided by Your Spirit.

And in all things, Lord, may gratitude rise in us like the morning sun. Let thankfulness be the rhythm of our lives, a daily reminder that every good thing comes from You.

In the name of Jesus, who clothes us in righteousness and peace,

Amen.

The Life We Imagine vs. The Life God Offers

We all carry a picture in our minds of what life should be. 

For some, it’s a sprawling mansion on a hill, bank accounts overflowing with millions, and every desire within reach. 

For others, it’s simpler—a cozy two-story home, a white picket fence, and a loving family to share it with. 

Still others envision a life of comfort and freedom, with just enough resources to live on their own terms. 

Every now and then, we catch a glimpse of that ideal, a fleeting moment where we sigh and say, “Now this is the life.”

But how often do we actually live the life we’ve imagined? And for those rare few who do, does it ever truly measure up to the dream?

For many of us, the life we are living feels like a letdown. It is not the life we imagined, and the gap between our reality and our dreams breeds frustration. To cope, we tell ourselves this is just how life is supposed to be and that life will always be a grind. We clench our fists, grit our teeth, and mutter, “Life is hard. It is full of disappointments and struggle. That’s just the way it is.” 

There is some truth in this thought—hardship is real—but I can’t help but wonder if that mindset sets us up to miss something bigger, something better: the life God actually created us to experience.

I’m not saying a life with God erases difficulties. Struggles will always be part of the journey. 

Imagine for a moment: What if there’s a kind of life that doesn’t just endure those challenges, but actually redeems them?

The Apostle John offers us an insight into what a life with God is like:

“So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us” (1 John 2:24-25, NLT).

Two crucial truths stand out in this passage, and they’re as relevant today as they were two millennia ago.

First: Life flows from obedience. Do you want to experience the life God has for you? It starts with following Jesus. Real life isn’t unlocked by believing the right doctrines or checking spiritual boxes—it’s discovered in trusting Jesus. Loving God, loving our neighbors, serving sacrificially, and giving generously—these aren’t just nice ideas. This is what true life looks like. Bible studies and church gatherings are vital, but they’re only the beginning. The life God promises takes shape when we take what we’ve learned and put it into practice.

Second: Life is fellowship with God. Without Jesus—and by extension, without the Father—true life remains out of reach. It’s in abiding with Him that we find it. John ties fellowship directly to obedience. How we live determines whether we’re walking with God or drifting away. Make the decision align your life with Scripture, and you’ll find yourself in step with your Creator. If you choose to chase selfish desires, and you’ll stumble into emptiness.

John calls this type of life “eternal life.” The idea of “eternal life” deserves a closer look. Too often, we reduce “eternal” to a matter of time—life that stretches on forever. A long life isn’t inherently good. A mediocre or miserable life isn’t made wonderful simply by adding time to it. I believe “eternal life” isn’t just about duration—it’s about quality. It’s the richest, fullest, most meaningful life possible, and it’s only found in relationship with God.

I revised this post from one I wrote in 2006, nearly two decades ago, and I’m struck by how timeless and universal this tension feels. We are still dreaming of “the good life,” still experiencing the disappointment caused by sin, and still overlooking the redeemed life God has for his people. 

But God’s invitation hasn’t changed. The life He offers—true, redeemed, eternal—is still ours to step into. It’s not a fantasy on a hill or a fenced-in ideal. It’s a reality rooted in obedience and relationship, ready to transform even our hardest days.

So, what’s your picture of life? And how does it stack up to the one God’s holding out to you?