Welcome!
Today: Let nothing hinder your prayers!
Passage: 1 Peter 3
7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. (1 Peter 3, NIV 84) –emphasis added
Relationship with God and relationship with people are very connected. You love God? You love your fellow human being also. That’s what “the book” says
The other day, I was in an Indian store. An elderly lady was telling her husband: “If you can cut and clean it, buy it; if not, don’t buy”!
Peter’s writing resembles that of Paul very much, even though they were not on the same page always. That’s the beauty of the scripture. It is God-breathed!
Preachers may have differences, but if all preach the same gospel, that will be great. Instead, if I speak “my” gospel and you speak yours, it’s no longer God-spell!
God instituted marriage; He also gave us the instructions to live by
If we follow the manual, we will do good. Peter (as well as Paul) tells basically the same thing: If you are in disagreement with your spouse, your prayers will be affected (applies only to people who take time to pray)
Adam and Eve agreed together, even as they sinned (For some reason, there is more agreement to do other things than in doing God-things!)
Satan has crookedly wiped out times when family comes together to pray. It is dangerous and costly. We pay the cost somewhere down the line. We better restore our personal and family times with God, before it is too late
One of the themes of an upcoming youth discussion is about understanding and confirming to the will and purpose of God. It is not easy; there is so much to give up, to confirm to God’s will. It was not easy for Abraham, Moses or even Jesus!
In the family, things can become difficult if the husband/wife feels that a certain things is God’s will and the other persons thinks differently. In most cases, we don’t worry much about God’s will and so we don’t have much problems (!)
It is not the best thing to ignore God’s will and go ahead.
When we get things done quickly, it may look “good” for now, but there could be a long-term (negative) effect later
It’s not very easy to keep the unity and warmth in the family; it needs to be worked out on a daily basis. To break it, all it takes may be just one second or one incident!
God will help us to be meet God’s expectations on us. God will be so delighted to see the man and the woman He joined, living happily. Satan simply hates it!
God bless your family
BG
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your love and care, not only in our personal lives, but in our family as well. It’s only because you are working in our lives that we are able to enjoy your blessings. Thank you so much. In Jesus’ name; Amen
“All things are good, when God is in it”