When the problems come.....and they will!

Good morning! My name is Charlotte and I am writing to help us give our very first thoughts to the Lord.

Isaiah 1:16-17 CEASE TO DO EVIL, LEARN TO DO GOOD; SEEK JUSTICE, REBUKE THE OPPRESSOR.

This is from Our Daily Bread:

When my computer greeted me one morning with what is ominously referred to as 'the blue screen of death,' I knew it was broken, but I didn't know how to fix it. I read a little, tried a few things, but finally had to call an expert for help. Knowing that something was wrong was only a small part of the problem; I couldn't fix it because I didn't know the right thing to do.

The ordeal reminded me of the many reporters who appear on television news programs. All of them are 'experts' at proclaiming what's wrong, but most are clueless as to what is right.

This happens in relationships as well. In families, churches, and workplaces, nothing gets fixed because we get fixated on what's wrong. It doesn't take an expert to know that something is wrong when people quarrel and hurt each other with unkind words and behavior. But it does take an expert to know how to fix the problem.

God revealed to Israel's prophets not only what was wrong but also what was right: CEASE TO DO EVIL, LEARN TO DO GOOD; SEEK JUSTICE, REBUKE THE OPPRESSOR, DEFEND THE FATHERLESS, PLEAD FOR THE WIDOW.

Instead of focusing on what is wrong, let's obey the One who knows what is right.

Julie Ackerman Link

In I Corinthians 6 Paul talks about the believer married to an unbeliever and he ends up his sayings by this: FOR WHAT KNOWEST THOU, O WIFE, WHETHER THOU SHALT SAVE THEY HUSBAND? OR HOW KNOWEST THOU, O MAN, WHETHER THOU SHALT SAVE THEY WIFE? This would apply to believer with believer, also, as our attitudes and actions influence the people we live with whether believer or unbeliever.

I knew a lady one time who had been especially happily married for some 60 years. They were both very active people. I asked her one time what was the secret of her happy marriage. She replied that she always treated him like she just met him for the first time.

When you date someone, you are always on your best behavior. You are especially polite and your dark side is hidden. You go out of your way to not let your bad habits show, but after you are married, your shield comes down and you are who you are.

When things start going negative, we should always remember that loving our neighbor as ourselves applies to all relationship including husband/wife relationship. If you have a hard time loving whoever, put them in the neighbor category and love them like we are commanded to love our neighbor.

Husbands are commanded to love their wives. Wives are not commanded to love their husbands, but to submit to them. So, when the challenge comes, and it will, remember to just recategorize your spouse as your neighbor and CEASE FROM EVIL - LEARN TO DO GOOD - SEEK JUSTICE - REBUKE THE OPPRESSOR.

Lord, there is so much negative today. It is so hard to have good relationships because of all the stuff that happens. Help us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to cease from evil, learn to do good, seek justice and rebuke the oppressor. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Have a great day today!

Ms. Charlotte