Tag: relationships
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One Rests Content
23The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.–Proverbs 19 “I [Jesus]have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) You may have troubles in this life. People may reject…
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Foster Love
9Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.–Proverbs 17 Relationships thrive where grace is present. Grace is always undeserved or unmerited. Relationships suffer where bitterness is present. Bitterness repeats the past and never shows grace. There is a need for confession and owning your wrongs. But there…
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If You Love One Another
34“A new command I [Jesus] give you [Peter and crew]: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”–John 13 In this context, Jesus was talking to Peter and the original apostles. Jesus commanded them to…
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Pay Attention to Yourselves!
3Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”–Luke 17 It’s very tempting to picture forgiveness as an unconditional matter. I will admit, it does…
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Kind, Tenderhearted, Forgiving
32Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.–Ephesians 4 There are almost 60 “one another” verses in the New Testament. These provide wonderful homework assignments for the married couples that I counsel. Today’s verse is a famous one. The key reminder is your forgiveness by Jesus. Since Jesus…
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Saul and Jonathan
33Ner was the father of Kish, Kish of Saul, Saul of Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab and Eshbaal; 34and the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal; and Merib-baal was the father of Micah.–1 Chronicles 8 Today’s genealogy focuses on the family line of Saul, the first king of Israel. As usual, I am highlighting a couple of names and…
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One of the Hardest Lessons
25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”–Mark 11 When is the last time you stood as you prayed? What resentment do you currently hold against anyone? Think of the people who harmed you most. Think of your jealousies,…
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The Yoke of Compromise
14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?–2 Corinthians 6 Come to me [Jesus], all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in…
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Loving Confrontation
15“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17If they still…
