You have heard it before that today is first day of the rest of your life. Your life will take you through many ups and downs. What is important to remember is that you have each other and both of you have God! No matter what comes your way, together, you can handle it.

(Eccl 4:9-12 NASB) Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. {10} For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. {11} Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? {12} And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

You married each other because you each needed something that the other supplied. You are a team. Walk as a team, talk as a team, work as a team, grow as a team, succeed as a team!

You are here to glorify God.
(Rom 15:6 NASB) that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

You are here to keep His commandments.
(Eccl 12:13-14 NASB) The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. {14} For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

As Christians, obeying God, must above everything else, come first! You are not your own, your belong to Him.
(Job 33:6 NASB) "Behold, I belong to God like you; I too have been formed out of the clay.
(Acts 27:23 NASB) "For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me,

In everything you do, and in everything you say, Glorify God. And you will have no lack of gain.
(James 1:12 NASB) Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

So, what does it mean to work as a team for the Lord? It means, in a nut shell......Be a positive example to those around you! This requires a winning attitude, perseverance, dedication to "THE GOAL", energy, and thankfulness to God for giving you and opportunity to glorify Him, serve Him, and set an example for others in obedience to Him.

• Divorce is not an option!
  
  (Mal 2:16 NASB) "For I hate divorce," says the LORD, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with wrong," says the LORD of hosts. "So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously."
  
  (Mat 19:4-6 NASB) And He answered and said, "Have you not read, that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, {5} and said, 'FOR THIS CAUSE A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND SHALL CLEAVE TO HIS WIFE; AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'? {6} "Consequently they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."
  
• A joyous married couple
  
  How many truly happy married couples do you suppose are in the world today? What do you think is most important, success in the world, or success at home? Which do you think will have the most impact after you die?
  
  

  EXAMPLE: Teach others about God by the way you live. Diligently nurture your relationship and polish it. Let it be a light that shines so bright, that it attracts others.

  
  
• 3. Raise Christian children.
  
  What is it that will change the world the most? What kind of children do you want to have tending you in your old age? Godly children, (those trained by God with a desire to do His will) Worldly children (those trained by the world, often times, self centered , disrespectful, perhaps uncaring?
  
  (Eph 6:1-4 NASB) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. {2} HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), {3} THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH. {4} And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
  
  (Psa 78:5-8 NASB) For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should teach them to their children, {6} That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children, {7} That they should put their confidence in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments, {8} And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart, And whose spirit was not faithful to God. (Prov 6:20-23 NASB) My son, observe the commandment of your father, And do not forsake the teaching of your mother; {21} Bind them continually on your heart; Tie them around your neck. {22} When you walk about, they will guide you; When you sleep, they will watch over you; And when you awake, they will talk to you. {23} For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life,
  
  
• Be a team, together.
  
  Share everything equally, as best you can. Diapers, Dishes, financial responsibilities, yard work, errands, decisions, PLAY and REST.
  
  

  EXAMPLE: It all stems from home! What is going on at home, sooner or later oozes into the eyes and ears of EVERYBODY ELSE! Energy is energy.... You can use it positively or negatively! When it's gone and you sit down tired, surveying what you've accomplished...Will you like what you see, what you have produced?

  
  
  (Phil 2:1-4 NASB) If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, {2} make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. {3} Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; {4} do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
  
  
• Look around you and see what is needed. Volunteer ! Suggest!
  
  Do your children need social activities? Create some!
  Let your community see some wholesome activities established by Christians. Let your brethren see that to sit and complain that the church does not offer things for their children to do, is nothing more than laziness on the part of the parents!
  
  (Prov 10:26 NASB) Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy one to those who send him.
  
  Do the leaders of your government rule according to God?
  If not make noise, write letters, vote, vote , vote... encourage others to do the same thing! Your ACTIVITY will stir up others!
  
  (Rom 13:5-7 NASB) Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. {6} For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. {7} Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
  
  Do you know someone that you could have over for a Bible class? Invite!
  What are you afraid of? Do you want to teach others to be afraid? Example Example Example
  
  (2 Th 3:9 NASB) not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, that you might follow our example.
  
  Do you know some one who is in need?
  Organize something that will help! Don't wait trying to figure out if someone else has done something.
  
  (Mat 25:37-40 NASB) "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You drink? {38} 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? {39} 'And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' {40} "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'
  
  Do you know of someone who seems alone?
  Could they benefit from a get together with other people? Think about new converts, new people showing up at church, new people in your neighborhood. Can you in anyway be a catalyst to connect others to each other and/or Christ?
  
  

  EXAMPLE: Now more than ever, you have something to offer to others... A piece of yourself! If you hide, your talent for God will hide with you. "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine!"

  
  
• Be strong when trials come. Pray, stay busy, use God's word to pull you through
  
  (Eph 6:18 NASB) With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, (James 5:16 NASB) Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
  
• Be each others cheering section.
  
  You are not you own anymore, but rather you belong to each other. By cheering each other on, someone will be successful, maybe and probably both. (Prov 31:23-31 NASB) Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. {24} She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen. {25} Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. {26} She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. {27} She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. {28} Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: {29} "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all." {30} Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. {31} Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
  
• Teach others that God commands you to love each other more than yourself
  
  Love is sacrificial. (2 Cor 5:14-15 NASB) For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; {15} and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
  
• Teach others that you understand that God is in control.
  
  

  EXAMPLE: Greet each day with thankfulness. What ever is going on, there is a reason for it. Where God slung it, leave it lay (Carol Burnett's Grandmother).

  
  
  (Phil 4:4-8 NASB) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! {5} Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. {6} Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. {7} And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. {8} Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
  
  There is peace and comfort in knowing that God is in control, show the peace in your life.
  
• Teach others that God gives you strength.
  
  (Exo 6:29-30 NASB) that the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "I am the LORD; speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I speak to you." {30} But Moses said before the LORD, "Behold, I am unskilled in speech; how then will Pharaoh listen to me?"
  (Exo 7:1 NASB) Then the LORD said to Moses, "See, I make you as God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet.
  (Phil 4:13 NASB) I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
  
  

  EXAMPLE: What in the Church needs doing? Take it on! Raise your hand and volunteer. You have to know at the very least, you will do a better job than no one!

  
  
  

  LOVE IN CHRIST - Roy and Patty Barker