Tag Archives: relationship

Christian

A Man After God’s Own Heart

If you want to become a man after God’s own heart you have to examine the men in the Bible whom God both chose and loved and then imitate them.

David was a man after God’s own heart. How did he live his life? David meditated on God’s word. We know that from the Psalms. He was courageous as evidenced by his fight against Goliath. He was unafraid to confess his sin and ask for forgiveness when confronted by it. 1 Kings 15:5 KJV says, Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

Job was also a man after God’s own heart. Job 1:1 KJV tells us, There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

Paul was chosen to preach God’s word to the Gentiles. His zeal was evidenced by the trials he went through. He was stoned, beaten with stripes, ship wrecked, yet he didn’t give up. He didn’t waver. He kept preaching and teaching the Word of God.

This is by no means an exclusive list of the men God loved and chose to do his work and keep his word. Nor is it an exclusive list of things you should do if you want to follow the Lord.

Read the Bible regularly, pray for wisdom and understanding, and live out God’s word as you learn it. Just as women should dress conservatively I believe men should dress conservatively. As a man do not cover your head when you pray to the Lord. Don’t be effeminate. These are just a few nuggets from Church tradition and the Bible on how to become a man after God’s own heart. Another key way is to build a personal relationship with God. Keep his commandments. Read the Bible. Pray. Attend Church. Living out these things will become easier as you go and God himself will help. Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. James 4:7-8.

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Christian

Know Boundaries

There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of books about establishing boundaries in relationships.

From reading almost any of these books you will see that healthy boundaries in every relationship come from a deep sense of true love. God has established boundaries or conditions for his children. Likewise people establish boundaries with one another to make their bonds stronger and keep their relationships healthy.

The first condition of Christianity is found in John 3:16 – whosoever believeth – believe. Additionally he created ten commonly known rules for his children to follow – encouraging his children to behave and get along with each other. These are the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20 or Deuteronomy 5.

While unconditional love is a whimsical fantasy, love with conditions or boundaries is lasting. It hopes for reciprocity. It produces a stronger, safer bond once there is reciprocity.

If you have any doubts, pick up your Holy Bible and know God’s boundaries. If you are not familiar with the importance of boundaries in personal relationships,  whether with spouse, family, or friends pick up one or more of the self help establishing boundaries books that can be found on any search engine.

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Christian, Inspirational

Without Condition

Why do people seek unconditional love? Why do they look for it from others and even expect it from God? Is the answer as simple as what can I get away with in this relationship?

I want love with honesty and trust. I want friends and family that care about me. If they love me, they care what I do. They care how I treat them and others.

Love without condition is either pure desperation or lust without any real emotional connection. It’s not something to hope for or desire.

God places conditions on his love, if you hope to be with him forever. The first condition is John 3:16 – believe. The second condition is John 14:15 – behave.

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Christian

A Closer Walk

It’s not about going to Church. It’s not about following a set of rules. It’s about having that personal relationship with Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Have you heard this before? The above is a direct quote from the television show, 7 Brides Who Portray the Bride of Christ, Christ in Prophecy. Sadly it’s nothing new. I’ve heard it before.

Do you desire a relationship with Jesus?

A few ways you can actually build a relationship with Jesus:

  • Go to Church – to learn, to sing, to fellowship with Jesus and other believers.
  • Follow God’s set of rules. In John 14:15, Jesus said, If you love me, keep my Commandments. A good place to start is Exodus 20, with the Ten Commandments you’ve heard your whole life.

Relationships take time, but just as in any relationship, be careful where and from whom you get your advice.

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Christian

They/Them

They say Christianity isn’t about following rules. That’s religion not relationship.

They say Christianity isn’t about attending Church services. That’s religion not relationship.

They say Christianity isn’t about doing good deeds. That’s religion not relationship.

They redefine religion, so millenials and Gen Z can feel more comfortable doing what they desire.

My relationship with Christ is built on things labeled religion. My relationship with Christ is keeping his Commandments. My relationship with Christ is fellowship and worship at a local Church. My relationship with Christ is good deeds and works. My relationship with Jesus is living out my Christianity. It is my religion.

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Christian

I Sense Much Fear

Why are people afraid of the word religion? Could it be they’re afraid of the word duty? Does replacing the word religion with the word relationship mean you get to define the relationship yourself rather than let God define it? Jesus said, if you love me keep my commandments. John 14:15.

The Bible also says in Luke 17:10 KJV So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Why do people want unconditional love? Could it be because they are afraid of consequences? Read John 3:16. It is the first condition of Christianity: Believe.

Heaven and Hell are real and we will all be judged.

Matthew 16:27 KJV
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

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Christian, Inspirational

We Can’t Begin This Way

Can you build a healthy relationship starting with a lie?

Today’s teachers say it’s not about religion it’s all about relationship. But the honest truth is Christianity is a religion. It is your relationship with God. Do you keep his Commandments? Do you read the Bible, attend Church, sing praises unto him? These are all acts of a healthy relationship with Jesus that are parts of a healthy Christian faith.

Telling millenials and Gen Z it’s about relationship not religion and that God loves unconditionally may gain more followers. It’s what they like to hear. It’s what they need to hear. But can you build a solid, strong relationship with our God based on a lie?

Isn’t it enough to ask millennials or anyone to follow the Lord Jesus, be baptized for the remission of sins, and teach them how to walk in the light? Preach John 3:16 and teach the whole gospel. God’s love is incredible, but it’s not unconditional. Heaven and Hell are both real. They are eventualities to how you live your life, i.e. how strong was your relationship with Jesus.

Once you’ve introduced someone to the love of God tell them how you live out your religion. Tell them about your own relationship with Jehovah, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Let the foundation be truth and the fruit Holy.

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Christian, Inspirational

Believe

Many preachers and teachers of the gospel claim God’s love is unconditional.

Why would you want a God who claims to love you, but doesn’t care what you do?

These teachers simply don’t understand love. Love says do better. It says stop doing things that harm both me and you. The gospel says that if you don’t keep his Commandments there will be consequences. His Commandments are established to make our lives better and as guidelines for a stronger, healthier relationship with God.

When you hear a preacher say, Christianity isn’t about reading the Bible, it isn’t about keeping rules and regulations, it isn’t even about attending Church, it’s about relationship. Run. Find a new congregation.

Relationship is reading the Holy Bible, it is keeping his Commandments, it’s about worship in his house and at home. Love is made of truth and honor. There is no such thing as unconditional love.

If you’re new to Christianity read John 3:16. It’s the first condition. Believe.

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Christian

Seeker

I have heard of late, on WayFM and from certain teachers of the Word: “God loves you”, “He loves you more than you know”, or “God adores you, he is pursuing you”. Again, we see someone speaking on God’s behalf. It may be true, but it might not be.

Don’t get me wrong, we are told God is love and that he sent Jesus to gain many sons and daughters. But, if we read the Holy Bible it appears God wants us to pursue him.

Jeremiah 29:13 KJV
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Matthew 6:31-33 KJV
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Love is truly a two way proposition. And if we want love, perhaps we should show love. Jesus said in John 14:15 KJV
If ye love me, keep my commandments.

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Christian, Inspirational

Synonyms

Religion and Relationship with God are synonymous. I am a Christian. It is my religion. How I follow Christ is my relationship with him, which is my religion.

When someone says we aren’t religious or we don’t believe in religion, we believe in relationship – often what they are really saying is we don’t believe in God’s rules. For them religion is synonymous with keeping the law and they want no part of God’s rules and regulations.

The truth is we must strive to keep the law if we want to make it to Heaven. Keeping the law is a critical part of our relationship with Jesus. Jesus said, if you love me keep my commandments. John 14:15.

He repeated it again in John 14:21 KJV: He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

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