Thursday prayer & verses (13 05 2010)

Thought for the day

A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment.

The next week, the man realized that he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight to Chicago. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (AND LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, "Please wake me at 5:00 AM."

The next morning the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and that he had missed his flight.

Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't awakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, "It is 5:00 AM. Wake up."

Communication -- such a vital part of keeping marriages healthy! Show me a married couple having problems and I'll show you a couple that's having difficulty communicating. The greatest of problems can be solved with good communication. Even the smallest of problems can be insurmountable without it!

Remember when you were dating? You spent a lot of time talking to each other. You could spend hours on the phone at a time, sharing your opinions and your preferences, or just talking about what's going on. But then you get married, you get to know each other and you tend to quit talking and quit listening (especially husbands!).

Strong families communicate often. They talk about anything and everything. They also listen to each other. If a member of the family isn't communicating, they find out why. "What's the problem? Let's talk it out, let's solve the difficulty."

Be willing to talk. Be willing to listen. And, perhaps most importantly, make time for both. In our hectic world where everybody is running in different directions all at the same time, we need to make time to be with each other and communicate.

"Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones." (Proverbs 16:24)

Verses

Mark 11:23

I promise you, if anyone says to this mountain, Remove, and be cast into the sea, and has no hesitation in his heart, but is sure that what he says is to come about, his wish will be granted him.

James 4:7

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Galatians 6:7

Make no mistake about this: God is not to be fooled; a man reaps what he sows.

Matthew 6:5

"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Proverbs 13:21

Curses chase sinners, while blessings chase the righteous!

Prayer

Father, we’re told to do everything without complaining or arguing, so that we shine like stars in the universe. We know that people are drawn to light where brightness is present and warmth is extended. Help our conversation to be full of grace, tenderness, light, and truth so that we will positively affect those around us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.