“Two thousand years ago, in the midst of a marriage, Jesus met an impossible need with His supernatural intervention. Today, the scene is set again with you and the one you have promised your life to. The couple, the need—the miracle.” (Ron Hutchcraft)

Being in marriage ministry, Cindy and I find it very interesting that Jesus chose to perform His first miracle at a wedding—He revealed His glory in a marriage. If you’re not familiar with this story, go to the Gospel of John, chapter two and read verses 1-11.

We wanted to write about Marriage Miracles this week (even though we used some of this information previously) because we’ve received so many emails from couples who have expressed great needs in their marriages. We’ve also been blessed this week to receive hundreds of requests to receive this weekly Marriage Message from various countries in Africa.

God has given us a special love for Africans because our son, David and his wife, Kristina, spend so much time in Kenya (He’s an Archaeologist). When we were there 3 years ago we met so many wonderful Believers and our hearts were drawn to be able to minister there. This week God opened the door even wider for us to be able to work with Him to bring healing and hope and to “Put the Heart of Christ Back into Marriage” on the African continent. We Praise Him for this opportunity to serve!

We believe that in all of our marriages there are times we need a miraculous touch from God. I (Steve) can tell you from personal experience that had we not “invited Christ” into our marriage back in 1974 there would be no Marriage Missions ministry today—at least not with Steve and Cindy Wright. And, in all likelihood, Cindy and I would have become just another sad divorce statistic. We’ve also come to realize that even today, 30 years later, we still need Jesus’ intervention in our marriage if it’s going to remain strong.

In his book, Start Your Trip With A Full Tank, Ron Hutchcraft (which is no longer in print) talks about “Marriage Miracles” and we thought his words would be an encouragement for all of us:

Maybe your marriage could use a miracle right now. That day in Cana there was a change that no man or woman could make. Nobody can change water into wine, but Jesus did. Maybe right now some change is urgently needed in your home. There is a need that must be met if your relationship is going to be what it needs to be.

Maybe it is time for Cana revisited—a marriage miracle. Right now there’s strain, distance, resentment, and frustration. Maybe there are thoughts of bitterness, and giving up.

Have you been to your knees yet? Have you prayed—pouring out your mess, your pain, and your dark feelings to the Lord—crying out together for Jesus healing in your marriage? The less you feel like doing it, the more you need to. And if your partner absolutely will not, don’t let that stop you.

This passage in John 2, says Jesus had been invited to this wedding, to this marriage. If you’ve not do so before, why not invite Him into your marriage? Close the door on leaving or quitting. Ask God to show you the hope factors you can build on. You have looked at the hopeless factors long enough. Can you pray this? “Lord, we can’t make it work, and I/we don’t know how You would, but we beg You to do what we can’t in this marriage.”

We’d also like to add some comments relating to this from Fred and Florence Littauer in their book, Daily Marriage Builders For Couples (Word Publishing). These thoughts come from the chapter, Curing Marriage Problems— Believe That God Can Help You:

Is there any hope? Is there any possibility that change can be affected in our lives and in a way we treat one another? Can you change the way you react to your mate when something unkind or cutting is said to you?

Somehow on our own we are not able to control our own reactions to what we perceive to be hurtful negatives. Ah, but the Bible tells me I can do all things! Yes, we can do all things, but we must complete the verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

There lies the answer. All my own resolutions will probably go for naught, but when I enlist the Lord Jesus to help me, to do what I cannot do on my own, amazing and rewarding changes can take place. We must not, however, forget the first part of that verse. It still says, “I can do all things.” We are not directed to let Christ do it for us. We must do it ourselves BUT with Him—with His help.”

Oswald Chambers wrote:

“We cannot do what God does and… God will not do what we can do. We cannot save ourselves nor sanctify ourselves, God does that; but God will not give us good habits, He will not give us character, He will not make us walk aright. We have to get into the habit of hearkening to God about everything, to form the habit of finding out what God says. If when a crisis comes, we instinctively turn to God, we know that the habit has been formed.”

If this weeks message has spoken to you about a problem or issue in your marriage, then this closing prayer from the Littauer’s book may provide comfort and hope for you as well:

“Lord. I ask you to strengthen my faith. Help me, O Lord, to believe. Help me to trust You more with each passing day. Help me, O Lord, I pray, to come to you with every need that is in my heart. Help me to remember to bring every hurt and issue to You before my tongue reacts to the feelings that are going on inside of me.

Lord Jesus, give me self-control until all the pains and struggles are washed away. Lord, I don’t want to rely any longer solely on my own abilities. I want to learn to rely on You. I want to become so Christ-centered that being and serving as You would serve will come naturally to me. I will try, Lord. I will do all that I am able, but I am grateful to You that I do not have to do it alone. Thank You, my Lord and my God. In Your Name I pray. Amen.”

We want you to know it’s a blessing for Cindy and me to be able to serve you and your marriage. We pray that God will strengthen you this week and perform the miracle you need in your own relationship.

Steve and Cindy Wright