Cast Your Cares On Him

• Posted by Rev. Marilyn J. Hart July 14, 2009 - 1,180 views

   

   

  Cast Your Cares On Him

   

  When problems crop up, couples with an idealistic view of what constitutes a "good" marriage are quick to think, "We can never be that good!  The chasm between where they are and where they think they should be seems hopelessly uncrossable.

  Here's the good news:  The great gulf is an illusion.  A perfect marriage is impossible, and a great marriage is much easier than you think.  Couples can begin getting back on track by cultivating and intimate relationship with God, depending on him for strengh, comfort and courage.  But spouses in habitual conflict tend to abandon any spiritual life.  If this decribes your marriage, get started again by each writing down three personal prayer request, then swapping lists.  Pray for each other three times a day.

  After a few weeks, try a month of praying aloud in front of each other daily, thanking God for one specific character quality or blessing you see in each other.

  Eventually, try asking your spouse, "What would you like me to pray for about myself?" which is an invitation for  constructive criticism.  But after thirty days of hearing how and why your spouse loves you, you'll know he or she is on your side.

  * Does conflict ever stop you from praying for your spouse?  How could you  get started again?

  * Create a list of thirty of your spouse's positive character qualities, then use it in prayers of thanksgiving.

  1 Peter 5:1-14

   

  To Elders and Young Men

   ¹To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: ²Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; ³not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

   ⁵Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
     "God opposes the proud
        but gives grace to the humble."^{[a] 6}Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

   ⁸Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

   ¹⁰And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

  Final Greetings

   ¹²With the help of Silas,^[b] whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. ¹³She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. ¹⁴Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

   

  Psalms 37: 3-7

  Isaiah 58:11-14

   

   ¹¹ The LORD will guide you always;
         he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
         and will strengthen your frame.
         You will be like a well-watered garden,
         like a spring whose waters never fail.

   ¹² Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
         and will raise up the age-old foundations;
         you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
         Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

   ¹³ "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
         and from doing as you please on my holy day,
         if you call the Sabbath a delight
         and the LORD's holy day honorable,
         and if you honor it by not going your own way
         and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

   ¹⁴ then you will find your joy in the LORD,
         and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
         and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."
         The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

   ³ Trust in the LORD and do good;
         dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

   ⁴ Delight yourself in the LORD
         and he will give you the desires of your heart.

   ⁵ Commit your way to the LORD;
         trust in him and he will do this:

   ⁶ He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
         the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

   ⁷ Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
         do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
         when they carry out their wicked schemes.