“Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.” 
Proverbs 9:9

This summer my husband attended three classes in order to earn the required credits to renew his state teaching license. Many other professions such as doctors, nurses, plumbers, and pilots also require or encourage continuing education. These opportunities for additional learning help improve work-related skills, teach new technology, offer job security, and encourage and inspire us.

As summer winds down and back-to-school sales flourish in every store, I wistfully remember my own school days. While it has been a long time since I sat in a school desk, I am still learning.  I recently tried a new bread recipe and learned how to make a “sponge.” While reading one of my daughter’s library books, I learned about child movie stars in the 1940’s. I took an online writing course last summer, and learned how to use a Smart Board while substitute teaching this year. While I’m not earning a degree in any of these endeavors, I am growing in knowledge.

Are you a lifelong learner? What have you done recently to continue learning? One area in which we all need to continue to grow is our knowledge of God’s Word. Aren’t you glad that God does not require us to earn a certain number of credit hours before he renews our status as “God’s Children?” Jesus secured that status for us with his perfect life and redeeming death on the cross. Now God encourages us to be lifelong learners and lovers of his Word, which teaches and reminds us of this saving truth.

When was the last time you memorized a new passage from God’s Word, or relearned an old favorite? One day while I helped my daughter practice her “memory treasures” to recite for Lutheran elementary school, she asked me, “Why don’t you have to practice a Bible passage to recite?” I almost answered, “Because I already know them.” Then I thought better of it. Did I really know every passage in the Bible?  Hardly! So instead I said, “Good idea! I’m sure I should. I do know many of these, but it’s been a long time since I memorized a new one.”

I encourage you to continue your education in God’s Word in whatever way you can, whether by memorizing Scripture, reading through a section of your Bible each day, taking an online Bible study course (see www.wels.net/adult-discipleship), attending a Bible class at church, or perhaps taking a class through Martin Luther College or Wisconsin Lutheran College. Motivated by our Savior’s love for us, we take advantage of these opportunities for growth, trusting God’s promise that he will bless our efforts.

Our assignment: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me make it a priority to learn and love your Word. May I not only read and learn it, but also live it, with the help of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Written by Katrina Brohn
Reviewed by Professor Joel Gerlach

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.”
Psalm 127:1-2

God chose the precious gift of marriage to reflect the intimate love He has for us, but like His perfect creation, it is marred by sin. Rather than a reflection of God’s perfect love for His Bride (the church), we often times struggle in our marriages. The pressures of life pull at marriage partners and the demands family life can compound problems even more. So how do you build a marriage that can stand strong against the raging storms that come with a vengeance? It’s like building a house. It’s a long, complicated project that demands time, energy and resources if you want it to be built well. And it’s done best when we listen to the Lord’s encouragement to strengthen our marriages and be on guard against the attacks of Satan and our sinful flesh.

When you enter a beautiful, well-built home, you know that the builder used quality materials and utilized quality workmanship. The trim fits perfectly, the windows aren’t drafty, and the drawers glide smoothly. The foundation feels secure and the rafters are solid. The builder selected high grade lumber and took his time to build it right. So, what does the Lord use in building marriages? Quality materials and quality workmanship.

Quality materials. Did you laugh? Are you thinking about your husband and chuckling at the thought of describing him as “quality material”? You don’t have to be married very long to realize that your husband is far from perfect. But did you think about yourself? Are you “quality material”? No, you aren’t great stuff all the time either. It isn’t any wonder that there are frustrated people in marriages – because we’re all sinful, selfish people by nature. We often get stuck seeing each other with our tainted, human eyes. We see each other’s sins and failures. We see the ugliness and flaws in one another; and if you keep that focus, you won’t have a strong marriage because your building materials are sub-­-standard.

So what’s the solution? Different materials? No, our hope for a good marriage isn’t found in finding the perfect man, or trying harder to be the perfect wife by keeping an immaculate house, pursuing a perfect body shape or maintaining countless commitments at church. Hope is found in the perfect Savior that died for our sins. He is the one that has made us “quality material.” His precious blood was shed to cover your flaws, and your husband’s. His righteous life will stand strong in your stead, and with His eyes, we can see one another as He see us, redeemed children of God.

When you look at your husband, see him as Christ does, precious, purposeful and perfect! And when you look in the mirror, you should see the same thing, “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3)!

Equipped with God’s view of our husbands and ourselves we are reminded of and encouraged by His marvelous grace! Treat each other accordingly, with kindness and love; speak to one another with that focus in mind, with gentleness and respect. Forgive each other and be patient with one another because you are handling priceless building materials! As you’re working to build your marriage, appreciate the value of what you’re working with, remembering that “you were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:20). You don’t trash a beautiful, well built home; you take care of it and appreciate it. You invest in the upkeep and make the sacrifices to keep it strong because you value it and know it will appreciate over time. How much more can that be true of your marriage! Because Christ loved us first, we love and forgive one another. Because Christ made us holy and beautiful, we can respond in love toward Him and one another. Because we depend on the righteousness He won for us, we can also see our husbands as redeemed and precious! Keeping that view of your spouse will go a long way in building a great marriage.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have redeemed me and made me Your precious daughter. Thank you for your gifts of grace, forgiveness and perfect love. Allow me to bask in those gifts and let them permeate every part of my life. Strengthen me through Your Word to be the wife you desire me to be, that I could honor you in my life and marriage. Strengthen our marriage to be a reflection of Your perfect love—the radiance of grace and commitment that you have shown to us. Give me Your eyes to see others as precious souls for which you died; and give me Your heart to love in response to the intimate love you have poured out on me. Forgive me when I fail Lord. In my stumbling and sin call me to account and drive me to the cross. Find me there, comfort me with your salvation and guide me on the path of righteousness so that everything I do brings glory to Your name and light to a dark world. You are my Savior and my God, whom I love and proclaim. Amen.