Relationships

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 

7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

The world's concept of love is different from God's. Love is more than a feeling it is a choice, a decision and it is a sacrifice. I challenge you to replace your name or the name of your loved ones with the word love. For example, Crystal is patient etc. The foundation and entirety of healthy relationships can be found in this scripture.

Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life. 

Proverbs 4:23

It is important to always show respect and love to everyone. It is important to know what God is saying to you so that you do not become led astray by others. Yes, they may have good intentions, but their will may not be God's. Be respectful and always be obedient to God. 

There is an account where a young prophet is killed by a lion because he disobeyed God and listed to an older prophet instead of God's direction (1 Kings 13:11-25).  Stay safe and guard your mind and heart from too many opinions of what you should or should not do, talk to God and find out His will for you. These opinions can be from others or even yourself. 

Allow God to have the finial say. 

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

We aren't perfect and neither are others. To have healthy relationships it requires ALOT of forgiveness. The same grace and forgiveness God gives to us He requires we give it to others. 

How many times should you forgive?

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Matthew 18:21-22

This is figurate, don't actually count and see if you have forgiven the exactly 490 times. Be forgiving just like your father is forgiving.

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. 

Matthew 5:23-24

It is important to restore relationships. The relationship may not be exactly how it was previously however we don't want to carry bitterness and unforgiveness.

20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?  

1 John 4:20

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what [communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?  

2 Corinthians 6: 14-15

Again, prayer for God's direction on everything that you do and He will guide you. 

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

Let's love, pray, obey and respect our leaders. God has placed great leaders among us and remember they are human and make mistakes to so be merciful and show grace. Even if you have a bad leader you are still called to respect and honor them. Obey God's Word even if it means setting boundaries with leaders. 

 4 David’s men said to David, “See, this is the day the Lord told you, ‘See, I am about to give the one who hates you into your hand. You will do to him what you think is best.’” Then David got up and cut off a piece of Saul’s clothing in secret. 5 After this, David felt guilty in his heart because he had cut off a piece of Saul’s clothing. 6 So he said to his men, “May the Lord not let me put out my hand against my leader, for he is the Lord’s chosen one.” 7 David stopped his men with these words. He did not let them go against Saul. So Saul stood up and left the cave, and went on his way. 

1 Samuel 24:4-7

In this account Saul the King had been trying to kill David. Saul made multiple attempts to kill David before this AND after this as well. David had the opportunity to kill Saul but he did not take it. When Saul tried to kill him AGAIN David spared Saul's life.

8 Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t strike him twice.”

9 But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless? 10 As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “the Lord himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11 But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let’s go.”

1 Samuel 26:8-11

Allow God to deal with the leaders He has put and allow to be in a position Himself. If you have the opportunity to repay what harm they did to you do not take it, allow God to deal with the situation. 

10 As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “the Lord himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.

1 Samuel 26:10

1 Timothy 5 talks about widows, parents, children, grandchildren etc. 

God allows us to have family and we should cherish them whether that be relatives, extended family, husband or wives.

3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.  

1 Timothy 5:3-4

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,

    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. 

Proverbs 18:24

Friends are important so pray and ask God to provide good healthy friendships for you.

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Luke 10:36-37

Your neighbor isn't just those who live next door. Your neighbor is every other human. In Luke 10 we see a Samaritan help a Jew. 

Show God's love to everyone even those you do not know.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 

Matthew 5:43-44

Yup! God calls us to love our enemies. Why would He request such a bizarre thing?

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 

Luke 6:32-36