Relationships

June 13th – Philippians 1:4

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Philippians 1:4

Praying for others connects us deeply with their needs and aligns our hearts with God’s love and compassion. It transforms our focus from ourselves to the well-being of others, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose in the body of Christ. The act of intercession brings us joy because it allows us to partner with God in His work, witnessing the impact of His grace and mercy in the lives of those we pray for. Moreover, it cultivates gratitude and a positive perspective, as we see God’s faithfulness and goodness in answering prayers. This joy is not just about the outcomes but also about the process, knowing that our prayers are a powerful expression of love and support. It deepens our relationships, both with the people we pray for and with God, as we experience the intimacy of lifting others up to Him. Praying for others becomes a source of encouragement, as we share in their burdens and joys, strengthening the bonds of Christian fellowship and witnessing the transformative power of prayer.

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June 5th – Matthew 5:44

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Matthew 5:44

Of all the commands Jesus gives, the most radical must be to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Not easily done with our fleshly nature. But with Jesus we can put aside our old selves and respond instead with the Fruit of the Spirit. By showing love to our enemies, we demonstrate the selfless nature of Christ. Joy can fill our hearts when we choose reconciliation over retaliation, knowing we are following Jesus’ example. We create peace in our lives by replacing conflict with compassion. Practicing patience with those who oppose us allows room for transformation and understanding. Kindness and goodness shine through our actions, when we respond to hostility with generosity and care. Faithfulness in obeying Jesus’ commands, even when difficult, reflects our commitment to His teachings. Gentleness, helps soften hearts and break down barriers. And finally, self-control keeps us from reacting out of anger, instead responding with grace and love. Just as our Savior responds to us.

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October 28th – Psalm 11:1

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Psalm 11:1

Relationships take work. Whether it’s our relationship with God or others, they need a foundation of trust, honesty, love, and repentance to stand strong. Satan is in the business of tearing down, not building up. And he loves nothing more than to form cracks in those foundations through harsh words, misunderstandings, and unforgiving spirits. So when we flee from our problems instead of dealing with them head on, it opens the door for the Enemy to do his worst. When Nehemiah was facing an assignation threat, his friends advised him to hide out in the temple. But he replied, “Should a man like me flee?” (Neh. 6:11) David and Nehemiah both understood that as believers, instead of sinning against God by running away, we should always face every problem head on. Standing firm in the faith that the Lord abundantly upholds the righteous. And believing He will give us the power to confront each difficult time and person with courage and wisdom.

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August 24th – Colossians 3:3

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Colossians  3:3

“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

I am always blown away by God’s amazing grace. Even though I fail Him daily, He still loves me, wants me, and calls me His own. And when the world tells me otherwise, God tells me I am His valued treasure. For every one of His children are the jewels in God’s treasure chest. Each one uniquely precious, carefully crafted, and irreplaceably valued in His eyes. And just as a precious treasure is securely tucked away for safekeeping, our identities, hopes, and destinies are safeguarded within the embrace of Christ. What a beautiful picture of the close relationship we have with the Lord. This hiddenness in Christ offers a profound sense of security, as we find refuge from the storms of life in Jesus. And as we navigate through life, we can draw strength from the assurance that our true selves are known and cherished by our Savior. Our lives, enveloped in the mystery of Christ, are infused with purpose and hope, reminding us that our ultimate fulfillment is found in Him alone.

August 24th – Colossians 3:3 Read More »

July 25th – Proverbs 11:22

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Proverbs 11:22

“As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a beautiful women who lacks discretion.”

If there ever was a man who knew about women, it was Solomon. 1 Kings 11:3 tells us, “He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines”. Talk about a harem! And from his experiences he knew he had no use for a women lacking discretion. As unflattering as this proverb is, it reiterates the message found throughout the Bible. God wants our beauty to radiate from within. Physical beauty is overrated. And those who count on their looks to get through life will be sorely disappointed when those same looks are lost to old age. Better instead to develop the characteristics that time can not erase. Sharon Hodde Miller described it this way it, “A woman’s beauty might open some doors for her, but it is her character that will be her ultimate success. Beauty may attract a man, but faithfulness and respect is what will enable her dating relationships, and ultimately marriage, to last.”  Because no matter how you patch it, paint it, or plump it, a pretty face can never hide an ugly soul.

July 25th – Proverbs 11:22 Read More »

July 17th- Proverbs 18:21

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Proverbs 18:21

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”

We’ve all heard the old familiar saying, sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me. And we all know that isn’t true. Words hurt. And can wound deeper and longer than any physical injury. When used recklessly or maliciously, our words can damage, diminish, and scar others, leaving lasting effects. That’s why we have a great responsibility in choosing our words wisely. If we use our words to spread love, kindness, and positivity, we’ll experience the fruits of those words in our own lives. We’ll have healthy, good relationships, attracting similar positivity and goodwill from others. But if we use our tongue to spread negativity, gossip, or hurtful remarks, we will reap the consequences of those words as well. We may face strained relationships, misunderstandings, and a toxic atmosphere of negativity. So as followers of Jesus, let’s strive to use our words to uplift, encourage, and inspire. Because the power we hold in our tongues can shape the world around us, for good or bad.

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June 21st – Luke 23:34

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Luke 23:34

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

When we are wronged, betrayed, and hurt, we want swift and immediate justice. Yet in the words of Abraham Lincoln, “I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.” There isn’t anyone who was betrayed more than Jesus. Beat, tortured, spit upon, cursed, and hung on a cross of wood, Jesus could have called an army of angels to exact justice upon those who hurt Him. (Matt. 26:63) But despite being unjustly condemned, Jesus uttered the powerful words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” This act of forgiveness reveals Jesus’ boundless love and mercy. And it shows that forgiveness doesn’t depend on the actions or remorse of the wrongdoer. By extending forgiveness, we not only free ourselves from the burden of anger and pain but also create an environment of healing and restoration. Through Jesus’ example, we are reminded of the power of forgiveness over justice and its ability to foster love, compassion, and reconciliation in our relationships.

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April 2nd – 2 Corinthians 4:16

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2 Corinthians 4:16

Being personally chosen by Jesus to live and work with Him in His ministry was truly an honor. But it also came with it’s own dangers. Paul experienced beatings, imprisonment, scorn, and hate. Yet despite it all, Paul never gave in to despair. And he encourages us all to do the same. Even though Paul suffered physically for sharing the gospel, spiritually, he grew stronger everyday. How? Because of the renewing work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, as they seek to follow God’s will and live according to his commandments. From the moment we are born, our physical bodies begin to decay. But even though those bodies may age and deteriorate over time, our spiritual selves can continue to grow and develop as we deepen our relationship with God. We can be like Paul who encourages us to persevere in our faith despite the challenges and hardships we may face in life.

 

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December 3rd – Psalm 11:1

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Psalm 11:1

Relationships take work. Whether it’s our relationship with God or others, they need a foundation of trust, honesty, love, and repentance to stand strong. Satan is in the business of tearing down, not building up. And he loves nothing more than to form cracks in those foundations through harsh words, misunderstandings, and unforgiving spirits. So when we flee from our problems instead of dealing with them head on, it opens the door for the Enemy to do his worst. When Nehemiah was facing an assignation threat, his friends advised him to hide out in the temple. But he replied, “Should a man like me flee?” (Neh. 6:11) Nehemiah understood that as believers we should always face every problem head on. Standing firm in the faith that the Lord will uphold the righteous. And believing He will give us the power to confront each one in courage and wisdom!

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March 3rd – Jeremiah 29:12-13

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Jeremiah 29:12-13

When the Israelites were sent into exile from Jerusalem into Babylon, the prophet Jeremiah wrote a letter to them. In it he encouraged the people to be confident in the plans the Lord had for them. He wanted them to accept their circumstances, knowing they were temporary. God was still with them and would eventually return them to their homeland. Included in this letter was a promise that God would hear their prayers and have a relationship with them if they remembered to seek Him with all of their heart. What does it mean to do something “ with all of your heart”? It means to be passionate and fully invested. Investing our time, resources and attention. If that relationship is important, we will want to make those efforts. 

Intimacy is a very special bond, and God desires that intimate connection with us. And He promises that if we seek to know Him, He will be found. Our prayer life is our opportunity to spend time connecting with God. It doesn’t mean that our prayers need to be wordy or fancy or elaborate. They just need to be humble, honest and sincere. When our prayers come from the heart, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf and comforts our hearts in return. It’s the ultimate heart to heart connection….the connection we were designed for. 

Blessings, Becky

 

March 3rd – Jeremiah 29:12-13 Read More »