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Take My Relationships

    Today I am continuing to go over some of the basic areas in our life that we should concentrate on sacrificing to Jesus, as He sacrificed Himself for us.

Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (ESV)


Relationships 

    When we think of giving it all up to God, relationships do not often come to mind. Yet, they belong to him too. Every interaction we have on a daily basis is preordained and purposeful. What do you do with those interactions? Do you think of them as irrelevant or do you seek out His purposes when you meet someone?

    We should always be asking Jesus what He wants from our relationships. And when I say "relationships" I mean anyone we have an interaction with--acquaintances, classmates, colleagues, friends, family, significant others, neighbors, etc. Jesus should be the center of it all. We should be seeking Him in others always. What can we say to point others to Jesus?

    Is this person in my life for me to learn from? Am I supposed to minister to them? Is this my opportunity to test my unconditional love and patience? Is this relationship taking place of Jesus in my life? Is this relationship unfruitful? Nothing is meaningless in the Kingdom of God and you never know how you are affecting others or how they will affect you. Give up your relationships with others to Jesus and watch them become healthy and fruitful. Seek His wisdom on the nature of your relationships and how to act accordingly, and He will surely answer.

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (ESV)

Romans 12:9-10 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. (ESV)

    We should also be especially conscious of how we treat others for sake of Jesus' reputation. If we are looking to help someone know Jesus, they will be looking at the way we live our lives. If you're fighting with your family and yelling at your waiter how good are you making Jesus look? How appealing is Christianity looking from someone looking from the outside? Words are meaningless without action.

Colossians 3:20 Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. (NLT)

1 Timothy 3:2-5 So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church? (NLT)

James 2:17-18 faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. (NIV)

    Lastly, all meaning in any relationship stems from first having a good relationship with Jesus Himself. He is the most important One in our lives. Our true best friend and Father in Heaven all in one. He should mean more to us than our relationships with anyone else. If we are truly focused on Him and bringing all things back to glorify Him, we cannot go wrong!

Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (NASB)

Luke 10:27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (NIV)

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