*Theme : Marriage is a lifetime venture.

Text :Deut. 5:9-10

Int.
→ Do not just wake up one day and decide that you want to break it up
→ You must resolve to make your marriage work at all cost
→ You must delibrately invest in your marriage

★ Deuteronomy 5:9-10 → "you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy
to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." [NKJV]

★ Isaiah 59:21 →"As for Me,” says the Lord, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I
have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your
descendants’ descendants,” says the Lord, “from this time and forevermore.” [NKJV]

* You can choose to be a source of blessing to your children up to a thousand generation

→ You may also choose to be a curse to your children to the 4th generation

 * Your present lifestyle will determine your children's blessings

 * Today, Satan is waging war against godly marriages

⇒ This explains the rise of divorces, domestic marriages and stained relationships

 * If you get it right by sowing the right seeds, your children will also get it right when their time comes

 * Your relationship with God will definitely affect your relationship with your spouse

 * Once you are disconnected from God, you will invariably be disconnected from your spouse

 * Do not be bold to stand before people to minister God's Word when your "home Church" is in disarray

 * You can pretend to believers outside, but you cannot successfully pretends to his family!
* Ensure that your family worship is vibrant and that your spouse and children are connected to God
→ This affects your children in a positive way

* You must ensure that you pass on the Word of God as a legacy to your children
→ this solidifies the foundation of having a thousand godly generations

* Whatever spirit you are carrying is also what will be obtainable in your kids
→ Children learn alot by watching & emulating their parents

* NOTE: Consciously or otherwise, there is something that somebody around you is learning from your life
* Your relationship with God will definitely affect your relationship with your spouse

* Your values will be passed on to your children

→ Ensure that your values are based on the Word of God
* Do all it takes to make your marriage work

* There are so many couples who need you to encourage them. Do not disaapoint them; do not disappoint God!  

★ Matthew 13:44-45 → ''Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy
over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price “Again, the kingdom of heaven is
like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls."

* If your family is valuable to you, you will make all the required sacrifices to make it work

* You must make up your mind to make heaven TOGETHER with your spouse!
→ You must not do it all alone. It is a partnership
→ Read God's Word TOGETHER, Pray TOGETHER, attend Church TOGETHER, do everything TOGETHER. This is the secret of
success in marriage!
★Ecclesiastes 9:8-10 →"Let your garments always be white, And let your head lack no oil. Live joyfully with the wife whom
you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life,
and in the labor which you perform under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or
device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going."

☆ 3 Levels God wants You to Maintain in your Life:

1. Personal Holiness (verse 8)
→ Make sure there is no sin in your life
→ You must spend time with God
→ The anointing must never be lacking in your life

2. Your Family (verse 9)
→ Ensure that their is an unbreakable bond of friendship between you and your spouse
→ Friendship is what makes marriage enjoyable
→ Enjoy each other: decide together, plan together, talk together, play together, sleep in the same room and  on the same bed
together

* Marriage is the bridge you must cross into outside ministry

→ If your marriage is not correct, your ministry outside is futile

* When you are not united with your spouse, your children will divide and rule you
→ Issues of discipline must be approached from the same perspective by both spouses
→ It is disastrous for spouses to antagonize themselves on the issue of discipline of their children

3. Outside Work (verse 10)

→ Crossing the first two bridges successfully empowers you to excel outside