Relationships are important to God. In fact, one of the first things God did was create a relationship for Adam. He gave him Eve. But as Adam soon discovered, relationships aren’t always easy. Here are some steps for improving the relationships in your life:
Examine Your Relationships
The purpose of dating for a Christian should be to find a life partner to marry. It should by no means be taken lightly or casually.
As such, it is important to approach dating prayerfully and with wisdom. With such an important life decision before you, seeking counsel from strong Christians—including parents, friends and pastors—will enable you to make that decision with confidence.
The decision about whether to change churches is an important one. God has a plan for your life, and being in the right church is a vital part of that plan. So, your decision should be made prayerfully, seeking the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 37:23; John 16:13).
“Husbands…[give] honor to the wife.” –1 Peter 3:7 (NKJV)
“Let the wife see that she respects her husband.” –Ephesians 5:33 (ESV)
It can be difficult to deal with a spouse who is unloving. You want them to change first, and you certainly don’t feel like showing honor and love to someone so unlovable!
However…
In John 13:34, Jesus commanded us to “love each other.” He wasn’t commanding us to have a feeling. He was commanding us to make the right CHOICE.
In 1 Peter 2:18, God commands us to give due respect and honor to our masters—or our employers. In 1 Timothy 6:1, we see this again, “All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against” (NASB). That is the purpose of honor—to stand out as God’s children among those in the world. There are plenty of people who show dishonor to employers, but we shine His light when we honor and submit to those in authority over us.
In Exodus 34:14 we read, “You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.”
That’s pretty plain. The Bible boldly not only declares that God is jealous, but also that one of His names is Jealous!
Not only can you have meaningful friendships, but God desires them for you. He is interested in every aspect of your life. He desires the very best for you. Your heavenly Father sent His best—Jesus—to the cross on your behalf so that you might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). Your Lord and Saviour is the friend that sticks closer than a brother—One who has promised to never leave you nor forsake you.
There is great power in agreement and a spirit of unity. That’s why the devil tries to bring strife into the homes of believers. But you don’t have to tolerate it! You can keep your home strife-free and filled with victory when you do these things.
It has become increasingly difficult to protect children from unwholesome media, but it is not impossible! God has charged us as parents to raise our children “with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4) and to train them up in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). As a parent, your involvement in the types of media your children consume is of the utmost importance.
You can help guard their hearts and minds in the following ways:
First of all, you must start being moved by faith. You can’t get anything accomplished as long as you allow fear and worry to dominate your thinking. Stop the negative flow by starting to think and talk what the Word of God says about your children instead of dwelling on the problems you see in their lives.
John 14:13-14 says, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (NIV).
Since it is God’s will that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9), it is important that we intercede for those who are lost, even if they say they refuse to receive Jesus. There are many testimonies of those who are the most stubborn coming to Christ and being saved! So be encouraged and keep praying.
