A Place of Refuge Newnan - Marriage Ministry

08/31/2026

Mark your Calendars! 💍🌹👰🤵💑

08/15/2026

Standing firm in our faith & in our marriage Part 2
Fight the enemy, not each other

Round 1: Miscommunication
Opponent's Strategy: Create misunderstanding, assumptions, silence, and hurt feelings.
The opponent knows that conversations left unfinished become conflicts, and conflicts left unresolved become walls.
Defense:
Speak truth in love.
Listen before responding.
Seek understanding before being understood.
Refuse to let the sun go down on unresolved anger (Ephesians 4:26).

Round 2: Pride
Opponent's Strategy: Convince each spouse that winning the argument is more important than protecting the relationship.
Pride keeps couples from apologizing, forgiving, asking for help, or admitting mistakes.
Defense:
Walk in humility.
Be quick to repent.
Value restoration over being right.
Consider your spouse above yourself (Philippians 2:3-4).

Round 3: Unforgiveness
Opponent's Strategy: Turn today's offense into tomorrow's bitterness.
Bitterness slowly poisons affection, trust, and intimacy.
Defense:
Forgive as Christ forgave you.
Address offenses early.
Refuse to keep score.
Pray for one another consistently.

Round 4: Distraction
Opponent's Strategy: Fill life with so many good things that the marriage receives only what is left over.
Careers, ministry, finances, children, hobbies, entertainment, and social media can quietly replace intentional investment in the relationship.
Defense:
Protect time together.
Date your spouse.
Pray together.
Make your marriage a priority after God.

Round 5: Isolation
Opponent's Strategy: Separate spouses emotionally, spiritually, or physically.
Isolation makes couples vulnerable because they stop communicating, praying together, laughing together, and seeking wise counsel.
Defense:
Stay connected daily.
Worship together.
Build trusted relationships with mature believers.
Invite accountability when needed.

Round 6: Temptation
Opponent's Strategy: Present counterfeit satisfaction through emotional affairs, po*******hy, flirtation, unhealthy friendships, or other sinful desires.
Temptation often begins long before obvious failure.
Defense:
Establish healthy boundaries.
Guard your eyes, heart, and mind.
Remain transparent with your spouse.
Flee temptation rather than testing your strength.

Round 7: Fear and Anxiety
Opponent's Strategy: Convince couples they are fighting alone.
Financial pressure, health concerns, parenting challenges, and uncertainty can cause spouses to turn inward instead of toward each other.
Defense:
Pray together.
Trust God's promises.
Carry one another's burdens.
Remember God's faithfulness in previous battles.

Round 8: Spiritual Neglect
Opponent's Strategy: Remove God from the center of the marriage.
When prayer disappears, the Word becomes neglected, and worship becomes optional, the marriage gradually loses spiritual strength.
Defense:
Read Scripture together.
Pray daily.
Worship together.
Keep Christ at the center of every decision.

07/13/2026

Learned Spouses: Guarding the Covenant
Knowing Your Opponent. Defending Your Marriage.

Key Scriptures: Ephesians 6:10–18, 1 Peter 5:8–9, Mark 3:25, Ecclesiastes 4:12, Proverbs 4:23

Introduction

Every championship boxer studies the opponent before stepping into the ring. They learn the opponent's strengths, habits, weaknesses, and favorite combinations. A fighter who enters the ring unprepared is far more likely to be defeated.

Marriage is no different.

The greatest threat to a biblical marriage is not your spouse. Scripture teaches that our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). The real opponent seeks to divide what God has joined together. The enemy's strategy is to weaken the marriage from within until the covenant begins to unravel. (It takes time.)

As learned spouses, we understand that we are not standing in opposite corners of the ring; we are standing side by side in the same corner, facing a common opponent.

The Championship Strategy

Every successful boxing team has three things:

A Trainer: Jesus Christ, who teaches and strengthens us.

A Corner Team: The church, wise mentors, and Godly couples who encourage, correct, and pray.

Daily Training: Prayer, Scripture, forgiveness, communication, and intentional love.

Championship marriages are not built because they never face difficult opponents. They are built because husband and wife refuse to fight each other and instead stand shoulder to shoulder, relying on God, preparing faithfully, and defending the covenant He established.

Thank you for your time
APOR-Newnan Marriage Ministry

06/26/2026

06/25/2026

💐🎉 **Happy Birthday, First Lady Donna Cochran!** 🎉💐

Today, the Marriage Ministry joyfully celebrates an extraordinary woman of God whose life continues to help strengthen and inspire marriages.

First Lady Donna Cochran, thank you for sharing your wisdom, biblical knowledge, and life experiences with such grace and humility. As one of our Marriage Ministry teachers, your lessons are filled with truth, compassion, and practical guidance that encourage couples to build Christ-centered homes. Your gentle spirit, attentive ear, and heartfelt counsel have blessed countless families.

Your love for God and your passion for helping others grow in their relationships are evident in everything you do. We are grateful for your faithfulness, your encouragement, and the example you set as a godly wife, leader, and teacher.

On your special day, we pray that God pours out His richest blessings upon you. May He continue to give you strength, wisdom, peace, good health, and overflowing joy as you continue to impact lives for His glory. May this new year bring abundant favor, renewed strength, and every blessing your heart desires.

**Happy Birthday, First Lady Donna Cochran!** Thank you for teaching, encouraging, and loving so well. We love you, appreciate you, and thank God for the blessing you are to the Marriage Ministry and to our church family.

*"The wise woman builds her house..."* — Proverbs 14:1

With love and heartfelt appreciation,

**The Marriage Ministry** ❤️🎂🎈

06/19/2026

On behalf of the Marriage Ministry, we celebrate and honor you on your special day. Thank you for your faithful leadership, Godly wisdom, and unwavering commitment to strengthening marriages and families through the Word of God.

Your example of faith, love, and servant leadership continues to inspire couples to build Christ-centered marriages and homes. We are grateful for your prayers, guidance, and dedication to helping families grow stronger in their relationship with God and one another.

We pray that the Lord blesses you abundantly on your birthday and throughout the coming year. May He continue to grant you strength, wisdom, favor, and joy as you fulfill His purpose for your life and ministry.

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you." Numbers 6:24-25

With love and appreciation,
The Marriage Ministry ❤️🙏🎂🎈

06/13/2026

Jesus,
-Help us to love You and love each other according to Your commandment.
-Help us to be better spouses to each other because it is right according to Your Word.
-Help us to grow in love and understanding. What we do not know, You Lord will teach and reveal it to us.
-Help us to appreciate the life that You have blessed us with to manage together under Your Guidance.

A Place of Refuge Newnan Marriage Ministry

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

This Sunday only, service will begin at 9:15 a.m. on location and stream live at 9:45 a.m. We look forward to worshiping with you and your family!

06/07/2026

It's Family Month !!
Plan to spend time with your family.