Read 1 Peter 3
8-12Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless—that's your job, to bless. You'll be a blessing and also get a blessing. (The Message)
As I have been reading through 1 Peter I keep coming back to these few versus and think that I need to find some way of incorporating them into every wedding that I do from now on. Relationships are difficult, there is no other way about it. Even in a marriage (maybe especially in a marriage) there are all kinds of needs and wants that are not even spoken if they are even understood. But Peter provides the basis for a marriage relationship to work. In fact not just to work but to flourish!
Faith is demonstrated by the way we interact with those around us, especially those closest to us. When our spouse, children, and parents experience us a mean spirited, sarcastic, selfish, belligerent, or anything other than Christlike we miss out on an opportunity that only we can control. That is the opportunity to bring Christ to life in the most personal of settings. The great thing about living out the words of 1 Peter is that it is completely up to you. It really doesn't matter how the other person responds or what they do. You are the one who gets to decide each moment if you are going to be a blessing or a curse to those God has brought into your life. Not because they have earned or deserve your blessing but because you are going to choose to live that way.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
Faith is demonstrated by the way we interact with those around us, especially those closest to us. When our spouse, children, and parents experience us a mean spirited, sarcastic, selfish, belligerent, or anything other than Christlike we miss out on an opportunity that only we can control. That is the opportunity to bring Christ to life in the most personal of settings. The great thing about living out the words of 1 Peter is that it is completely up to you. It really doesn't matter how the other person responds or what they do. You are the one who gets to decide each moment if you are going to be a blessing or a curse to those God has brought into your life. Not because they have earned or deserve your blessing but because you are going to choose to live that way.
Some thoughts to ponder and share with others:
- What does it feel like to be around people who are mean spirited, sarcastic, selfish, belligerent, and more? Why do you think they choose to live this way?
- If they were being completely honest how do you think your family would classify you in relation to Peter's encouragement?
- How do you thing Jesus would want you to relate to your family?
- What one thing can you do today to be a blessing to someone close to you?
Prayer Focus:
- Pray that those who are looking for a community of faith that they might come to New Ground and find it here.
- Pray for wisdom that the Leadership Board might make wise decisions about the place New Ground should be located.
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