Anyone who lives in a family of any kind knows that people will disappoint and huirt you. Colossians 3:13 states, “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” We need to understand that forgiveness is not a natural process. It seems to be more natural to carry a grudge, to record all wrongs on a legal pad in our minds. Yet the Bible is clear in its instruction. As we have experienced forgiveness from God, we are to forgive others. Families today are filled with people who desperately long for reconciliation. Some of us need to experience that kind of forgiveness from God. We need to remember that God has sent out His proof of forgiveness to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Romans 12;17-21 reminds us that God will deal with the sinful acts committed against us. We do not have to hold onto the memory or the emotion. We need to learn to place those things on the Lord Jesus Christ, and allow Him to deal with those things in His time and in His way.… READ MORE

Perhaps the easiest way to grow a healthy relationship is to offer encouragement. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” What are some simple and effective ways we can encourage others? First, we can encourage others by simply smiling at them. A smile not only increases your face value, but it warms the heart of those you give it to. Second, We can also do that by our words. Words are power in that they can do enormous harm and amazing good. Proverbs 25:11 reminds us that, ” A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Start today to look for the riches you have in others, and seek to bring encouragement into their lives. … READ MORE

Could it be the reason some of us are not experiencing the kind of relationship God wants us to have with us is that we do not have respect for him? And could it be that the reason some family relationships are not secure is because God is not respected. Proverbs 14:26 says, “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence and his children shall have a place of refuge. Another word for respect is honor. Romans 12:10 states that as followers of Christ we are to take delight in honoring each other. How can we show that we are honoring the people in our family relationships? Bu respecting each other’s property, but respecting each other’s privacy, or by respecting each other’s time. The people who have the most difficulty respecting others are those people with an inflated idea of their own importance. Remember Philippians 2:3 says, “Let nothing be one through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.” Respect is a necessary component of ALL relationships, without respect your relationships will die.… READ MORE