TITLE:  NURTURING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS IS ESSENTIAL

TITLE:  NURTURING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS IS ESSENTIAL

SCRIPTURE:

“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”   (1 Peter 5:5-11 NIV)

OBSERVATION:

The Apostle Peter address the issue of relationship withing memebers of the church.  All relationship are subject to the attack of the enemy.  In all relationships submission to one another, and between the different age groups, are to be handle with a certain kind of attitude.

       The issue of submitting to one another no matter how difficult it is must be the responsibility of all believers.  Peter gave some important keys to make relationship work. 

1.   Submit to one another.  To submit is to learn how to hear each other out and learn skills that will help the relationship grow.

2.  Clothe yourself with humility toward one another.  Just simple be humble one self before each other.

3.  Don’t be proud.  God opposes the proud but shows favor toward those who are humble.

4.  Humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, in due time he will life us up.  Sometimes believers lift themselves up and are brought down by their pride.  God has a time that all things will workout.  Pride destroys a life, but humility receives the favor of the Lord.

5.  Cast all our cares on God for he cares for us.

6.  Be alert and sober minded.  Self awareness is important to any relationship.  Having the right mindset in everything is essential to healthy relationships.

7.  Be aware of the work of the devil in our lives.  People are not our enemies.  Peter said, be aware of your enemy the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion looking for people to devour.  Some of the things that happened that broke up relationships are the work of the devil. 

8.  Learn to resist and stand firm in faith.  The enemy of our relationship with God and others is working not only against us but against all believers around the world.

9.  And lastly, know that the God of all grace will restore you, will make you strong, firm and steadfast. 

How powerful is this reminder to all of us who loves the Lord.  I am so blessed to see how God does not leave us alone to face the challenges of life alone.  God will restore and make us strong, firm and steadfast no matter what the enemy throws at us in our relationship with one another and our Heavenly Father. 

APPLICATION:

       Today I am grateful for the relationship I have had with so many of my fellow heirs in the faith.  God has been good to me by blessing me with so many wonderful relationships that I have in the body of Christ.  I will continue to work to deepen and strengthens the relationship that God has blessed me with.  I am beyond grateful.

PRAYER:

       Heavenly Father, I thank you for blessing me with the many healthy relationships that I have with your church.  Thank you for always blessing me with those who help me grow and learn more of you.  I will continue to look to you as you bless my life with my relationship with you and with your church.  In Jesus name, Amen!