Mark 10:2-9
“Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” “What did Moses command you?” he replied. They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.” “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Additional Scripture References: Proverbs 11:14, Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 15:22, Mark 6:31, James 1:19, Ephesians 4:32
It’s no secret that relationships don’t always go as planned. We might start with the best of intentions yet find ourselves far away from the path as time goes on. Whether you’re single, dating, divorced, or right on the brink of throwing in the towel, there are key principles we can take from scripture and apply to our current relationship journey. There are steps to take before calling it quits.
God takes our most painful moments and writes the most beautiful story
“I’ll figure it out myself” are the dying words of every relationship – this phrase limits us to our own wisdom when God has placed wise counsel all around us. While God’s word is what we should reach for first, there are additional resources available. Mentors, Christian therapists, books, conferences, or even retreats with our partner are great resources for adding wise counsel to our lives. Whatever we’re walking through, we can trust that God has given us what we need to overcome.
One of the most important things we can do in our relationships is to learn to communicate. The power of life and death lies in the tongue – but it’s not only what we say, it’s how we say it. There are right and wrong ways to share what’s on our mind and in our heart. Do our words build our partner up? Does our tone cut them down? What are we saying with our actions? No matter our relationship status, the way we communicate makes all the difference in building relationships that go the distance.
Marriage is not about solving one problem, it’s about two people resolving to solve problem after problem together. Before we throw in the towel, it’s worth considering the consequences of our decision – like a row of dominos, one choice impacts hundreds that follow. In a world that’s quick to call it quits, we can consecrate our marriage to God, putting our relationship in His hands. He takes the most painful moments and writes the most beautiful story.
No matter where you are on the journey of maturing in relationships, take some time this week to pray this prayer. Declare this truth over yourself, your spouse, your family, and your future with confidence, knowing that God is with you.
“Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.” – Saint Patrick
All of you that are already in our database will receive a text this upcoming Thursday from our new text platform. It isn’t spam, it’s really us! This will become a primary way for us to resource, equip, and update you. We encourage you to save this number and opt in for more updates.
VOUS High is youth community of VOUS and we are creating a space for middle schoolers to gather for service every Sunday.
Students will start with worship in the main auditorium and then be dismissed to their junior high space. This will be a moment to connect with other students, hear a message, and then discuss in small groups.
For more information and to RSVP your student, click here
Join us at the annual ILMC Thanksgiving Bash to distribute meal kits and turkeys. Also, bring a chair and cheer on your favorite team at our annual VOUS Bowl.
To serve, click here
Date: Saturday, November 23rd
Time: 9:00AM - 12:30PM
Location: Charles Hadley Park
1350 NW 50th St
Miami, FL 33142
Ready to kick off Thanksgiving with a burst of energy and community? Join us bright and early at Peacock Park for the VOUS 10K Turkey Trot! Whether you're a runner, a walker, or somewhere in between, this is a chance to start your day with some fresh air, great friends, and all-around fun! See you at the starting line!
To sign up for the Turkey Trot, click here
Date: Thursday, November 28th
Time: 6:00AM
Location: Peacock Park
2820 McFarlane Rd.
Miami, FL 33133
On Sunday, December 1st we're bringing our annual Tree Lighting tradition to both our SoMi and Miami Gardens Locations! Sign up to serve and join us for a night of fun! Invite your friends and let's welcome the Christmas season together!
Please note: There will not be a 6PM service at VOUS City. Instead, join us at VOUS Miami Gardens for the 6PM service, followed by the tree lighting celebration.
Date: December 1st
Time: 7:30PM
Location:
VOUS Miami Gardens
17801 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33169
VOUS SoMi
6767 Sunset Dr
South Miami, FL 33143
To serve, click here
VOUS SoMi
8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
10:30AM / 12:30PM
VOUS Design District
10:30AM / 12:30PM
Church Online
10AM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack