Continuing on from Friday....
The purpose of my relationships is not my personal fulfillment. It is, instead, to be connected tightly to my God and other believers so I can be transformed and bring God glory.
When it comes to sharing our burdens with other believers, it isn't spiritual to be an island. Healthy relationships require openness and honesty.
I will be hurt and disappointed in my relationships. My heart will be tested.
When this happens I need to....
1) Be a good forgiver. If I can't forget about it, I need to talk about it
Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.
2) Get things out in the open
3) Be willing to make peace for the Kingdom
4) Check my thinking: is it true or twisted?
5) Forgive and maintain unity
Four H's to Evaluate Relationships
1) Is it helpful?
1 Corinthians 6:12 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything.
1 Corinthians 10:23
2) Is it healthy?
3) Does it hinder anyone?
1 Corinthians 8:13
4) Is it holy and honorable
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
Don't ask "is this wrong," but ask "is this wise?"
God is more than enough. Never give up.
James 5:11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
God wants me to have an abundant life.
John 10:10 The thief only comes to kill and steal and destroy. I came that they might have life and have it abundantly.
Our lives are a constant series of choices, therefore embrace these choices.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
* Do the sum of my choices all day long reflect that I am choosing life? Or death?
Recognize I am special in God's eyes, therefore revel in it
Ephesians 1:4-5 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
* I am a daughter of the King!
God is jealous for me. He is passionate about a relationship with me.
God loves me. Not for what I do, but for who I am.
Recognize your heart is your most valuable possession, therefore strengthen it.
When your heart becomes unguarded and casual it leads to carelessness. Carelessness leads to compromise, which then leads to catastrophe.
Your will to honor God should be stronger than your fleeting emotions.
When people around us leave, God is always still there. He is still faithful, even when we are not.
Psalm 105:12-15
When they were few in number,
of little account, and sojourners in it,
wandering from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another people,
he allowed no one to oppress them;
he rebuked kings on their account,
saying, "Touch not my anointed ones,
do my prophets no harm!"
Recognize life is not a spectator sport, therefore engage in it
Ephesians 3:20-4:1 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
Isn't Christ worth all your sacrifice?
to be continued.....
