Ethics & Religion
March 29, 2020
Column #2,016
Use Covid-19 To Deepen Your Marriage
By Mike McManus
This morning before our daily activities began, I read Scripture and a
commentary about it to my wife. With millions of moms and pops at home
due to Covid-19, I suggest they consider a similar strategy of using
this new time together to study and discuss the Bible.
It will enrich your lives - and certainly, your marriage.
The commentary I read is taken from a quarterly publication, Encounter
With God. published by Scripture Union. It is called "A guide for
meeting God daily in his word."
In a time of uncertainty, with new hours couples suddenly have together
- it is easy to become irritated with one another.
My church and most others have shut down at the request of government.
That leaves church members - indeed, all of us - with more time on our
hands. The question is how can that time best be used? I am suggesting
that you consider going to
https://scriptureunion.org for a daily 10-12 verses
of Scripture combined with a commentary about those verses.
The good news is that this is free!
You don't even need a Bible - only your I-phone.
For example, the reading for March 24 was I Peter 3:8-22. Its headline
is "Suffering for Doing Good." Peter writes, "All of you be like-minded,
be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not
repay evil with evil, or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil
with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a
blessing...
"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? Always be
prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason
for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
Scripture Union offers a commentary on these verses: "Peter tells us
exiles how we are to relate to other in general. How we behave and speak
does matter - for our own happiness and for our public witness. The five
qualities we are to live out - to be like-minded, sympathetic, loving,
compassionate and humble are like five fingers connected to each other
and radiated out from the palm of God's grace, given freely to us."
With the extra time we have, we can become annoyed with each other.
However, by setting aside only ten minutes a day to explore core
biblical ideas, we can grow together toward the Lord.
Peter suggests how we exiles should relate to others in general. How we
behave and speak does matter-for our own happiness and for our public
witness. The ?ve qualities we are to live out-to be like-minded,
sympathetic, loving, compassionate and humble-are like ?ve ?ngers
connected to each other and radiated out from the palm of God's grace,
given freely to us
The ?rst, "like-minded," is variously also translated "live in harmony
with each other" and "be agreeable." It seems particularly addressed to
our relationships as brothers and sisters in the church. The others
could also apply at work or home or in the general community. They
illustrate the nature of the God who is remaking us into his image.
The psalms are useful reminders that, even when we enjoy God's favor,
life will not always work out comfortably for us. Jesus is the model,
and we are reminded that, although doing things the way the Creator
planned works for our good, it may also include suffering Our baptism is
a reminder that we identify with the risen Lord and receive his
continued attention and support.
Peter wrote, "Whoever would love life and see good days, must keep his
tongue from evil, and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from
evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the
Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
Blessing others should be a way of life for Christians. As you see
someone approach you today or you get a message from them, silently pray
God's blessing on them.
Why not use the new time we have with each other to deepen our walk with
the Lord? You might even build in time to share core Scripture and
commentary from Scripture Union with your children.
I would close with this prayer: "Lord, Your people are grati?ed to be
reminded that Your eyes are upon us and Your ears are open to our
prayers."
__________________________
Copyright (c) 2019 Michael J. McManus, President of Marriage Savers and
a syndicated columnist. To read past columns, go to
www.ethicsandreligion.comm. Hit
Search for any topic.
|
|
Since 1981...
2000+ Columns |
|
LATEST ARTICLE |
|
Februrary
23, 2021: Column 2063: RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE |
|
Recent Columns |
|
Observing Lent |
|
Celebrating Marriage Week |
|
A Case for Pro-Life
|
|
End
The Death Penalty? |
|
Christian Choices Matter |
|
2020 Was A Terrible Year |
|
Suicides Rates Are Rising |
|
The Biblical Sexual Standard |
|
How to Cut the Divorce Rate in Half |
|
Divorce Rate Is Falling |
|
How To Save Marriages |
|
55 Years of Marriage |
|
How To Cut America's Divorce Rate |
|
Suicide Rate Rising |
|
Overcoming Porn Addiction |
|
The Devastation of Pornography |
|
Marriages Are Falling - But Improving |
|
Divorce Rates Are Falling |
|
Cohabitation: the Enemy of Marriage
|
|
How To Reduce Suicide |
|
How To Stop Drug Addiction |
|
Cut Federal Funds for Planned Parenthood |
|
The Horror of Soaring Suicides |
|
Make
Adoption More Appealing |
|
The Addictive Nature of Pornography |
|
Abortion Becoming Illegal |
|
Protecting Girls from Suicide |
|
The Worst Valentine:
Cohabitation |
|
Pornography: A Public Health Hazard |
|
Sextortion Kills Teens |
|
Cohabitation: A Risky Business |
|
Recent Searches |
|
gun control,
euthanasia,
cohabitation,
sexting,
sextortion,
alcoholism,
prayer,
guns,
same sex marriage,
abortion,
depression,
islam,
divorce,
polygamy,
religious liberty,
health care,
pornography,
teen sex,
abortion and infanticide,
Roe+v+Wade,
supreme court,
marriage,
movies,
violence,
celibacy,
living+together,
cohabitation,
ethics+and+religion,
pornography,
adultery,
divorce,
saving+marriages |
|