Archive for the ‘ Relationship ’ Category
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 10:10, ESV
We can know that Jesus is Lord, but unless we believe in our innermost being and are willing to tell others, we are not saved and justified.
Move past mere head knowledge. Even Satan knows Jesus is the Son of God …
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 100:5, ESV
God did not need us.
But He created us, even knowing how we would treat Him.
But He told us in the Garden of Eden that He had a plan to save us, and one day He will make all things new.
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 John 3:1, ESV
Through Christ we are adopted into the family of God, for the Father sees His Son when He looks at believers. We know Him through the Holy Spirit who shows us the Son.
Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.
3 John 1:2, ESV
We should encourage each other and lift each other up.
Especially, we should encourage each other to strengthen our souls through reading Scripture, prayer, and communal worship.
Forgiveness is such an important topic and yet it is perhaps one of the hardest to not only grasp, but articulate. However, nearly two decades ago I heard a pastor being interviewed about a book he had written on forgiveness, and the interviewer asked “What is the primary way you know that you have totally forgiven someone?” The pastor replied simply “When you can sincerely wish them well and ask God to bless them.”
The moment I heard this, it’s as if I had just received a little treasure, for all of us have people who have hurt us, some very deeply, and it’s even more important for us to forgive, than it is for them to receive it. At that moment, I integrated that nugget of wisdom into my life and it has helped me on the path of forgiveness throughout the years. The Pastors’ name is R.T. Kendall and his book is called “Total Forgiveness.” It should be, in my opinion, required reading for every Christian.
Something I have encountered in life is that forgiving is particularly difficult when the hurt is perpetrated by someone who should know better, such as a pastor. They should know better, but clearly they do not, which is why Jesus said regarding the Jewish leaders who sneered at him upon the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Even though they should have known better, they did not, and regardless of the fact that they should have known better, Jesus still asked the Father to forgive them.
Some hurts are so painful that we have buried them deep down in our hearts so that we don’t feel the pain, but that doesn’t fix it. When you bury things in your heart, whether it’s unforgiveness, sin, emotions, etc., there is less and less room for Jesus. What have you buried in your heart? Who do you need to forgive?
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20, ESV
Who you spend time with matters. Bad company ruins good morals (1 Corinthians 5:20), but good company encourages the good.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:10, ESV
Serve others, give to others, encourage others. Especially those in the Church.
We are a brotherhood, a family, united in our Big Brother and God, Jesus.
Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Proverbs 27:5-6 ESV
It hurts more finding out others did not want to hurt your feelings rather than spare you difficulty and pain by correcting you.
Nip sin in the bud. Confront it in love, with gentleness, and sooner rather than later.
It hurts less than consequences.
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
Zephaniah 3:17, ESV
By the Holy Spirit Christ lives within us. We join in the celebration of the redeemed, basking in the glory of the One who saves and loves us with gladness and singing.
As my mother-in-law says, happy people sing. And our heavenly Father is happy to save!
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.
Proverbs 18:22, ESV
God is not saying to find the first person to marry.
Favor and blessings are only promised to those who seek His righteousness, and a good spouse is godly and willing to serve the other (both spouses!)
a simple man of God 