INTRODUCTION

Like other callings of God, He prepares those He leads to marry. Obviously God prepares the heart, but He also prepares other areas for a strong home. When God created Adam, He could have immediately created Eve, but He chose otherwise. Perhaps there are other reasons, but Adam needed to be prepared for marriage. He needed to experience life without Eve. He needed to come to the place where he desired companionship. He needed to be alone before he could truly appreciate a wife. In addition to the preparation of Adam’s heart, the Lord gave him a job, a means by which he could provide for Eve (Genesis 2:8-9 [8] And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. [9] And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
See All..., 15). This preparation was necessary for a strong marriage.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Children who are lazy and don't consider the hard work done daily by their parents are often overwhelmed when they have a home and children of their own. Develop good work habits without complaining (Proverbs 6:6-11 [6] Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: [7] Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, [8] Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. [9] How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? [10] Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: [11] So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
  See All...; Proverbs 31:27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
  See All...b; Ecclesiastes 9:10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
  See All...a; Hebrews 6:12That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
  See All...a; Philippians 2:14For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
  See All...).
• Read Titus 2:3-5 [3] The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; [4] That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, [5] To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
  See All.... What are some areas in which a young lady ought to be prepared before she marries? How should she learn the things she needs in order to be prepared?
• Read Titus 2:6-8 [6] Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. [7] In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, [8] Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
  See All... and 1 Timothy 5:8But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
  See All.... What are some areas in which a young man needs preparation before he is ready to be responsible for a wife and children?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to give wisdom to those considering marriage.
• Ask God to prepare your children for a strong godly marriage.

HYMN

Have Thine Own Way, Lord!

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