Relationships

Some relationships, though not many, go along smoothly over time. It may be that the people involved share views, values, lifestyles, or whatever, making them very compatible. Unfortunately, most of us struggle in relationships. Quarrels come and go, problems arise, and tempers flare. We want our relationships with others to succeed and be mutually satisfying, but we are sometimes at a loss about how to do that.

Hebrews 12:14 says, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” God made us to have two fruitful relationships, the vertical one with Him and the horizontal one with other people. These relationships are fruitful when we live in peace with others and we live in the holiness of God’s presence, neither of which can be accomplished without the abiding presence and power of God’s Spirit in our lives. Only by God’s wisdom and strength can we live in peace with people and in holiness in God’s presence.

Finishing Well

Have you ever started something with the best of intentions and full of energy only to get tired, bored or frustrated and not finish what you started? Boy, I sure have. I see myself as an innovator but the follow through is someone else’s job. But important things need to be finished, not just started.

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Train your heart and mind for endurance in doing good and rejecting evil. Just like for Jesus, the rewards will be great.

Two Amazing Things

I find that two types of events occur that bring me joy and touch my heart. The first happens when someone is rewarded for a job well done. It is fun to watch someone enjoy the fruit of their labors. Secondly, it is thoroughly pleasing to watch a miracle happen for someone, especially someone who really needs something beyond what our hearts can expect.

Psalm 90:16-17 says, “Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” As we go through life few things are as rewarding as seeing God work in our lives, as well as the lives of others, and seeing God bear fruit through our service for Him and for others. Let’s open our hearts and minds to be attuned to what God is doing in our lives and for others.

Long Days

Some days seem to skip along nicely and end all too quickly. While other days seem to never end and drag on forever. Our days are filled with all kinds of stresses, pressures and distractions. How can we make each day count for something, while not adding additional stress to an already packed calendar?

Psalm 90:12 says, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” When we live each day according to the understanding of God’s purpose for us in each day, we can find wisdom and fulfillment. Let’s ask God to show us what He has designed specifically for us to do each day. Let’s ask Him to teach us how to live according to His purpose for the day ahead. Let’s set aside the distractions and pressures. Then let’s make the concerted effort to follow Him as He leads us to fulfilling His purpose for the day.

Always Here For You

A local urgent care medical group has several billboards around town proclaiming “Always Here for You.” This is a nice and good sentiment, but not quite true. If “always” only means between eight in the morning until five in the evening on weekdays, then their statement is true. We often do the same thing with friends and relatives, proclaiming that we will always be there for them. But suddenly a significant event occurs in the life of the other person, and we are otherwise occupied or absent.

Psalm 90:1-2 says, “Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” God is eternal. He has never and will never change, because He has always been perfect. He has never and will never learn anything, because He already possesses all knowledge. His love has never and will never fail, because He is love. He has never and will never fail to keep a promise, because He is always faithful. God is the friend that we can count on to be there when we need Him, as He is eternally available to us.