July 2008
How to Build a Godly Relationship
What characteristics do we see in others that cause us to want to become involved with each other? What type of chemistry does it take to form a Godly relationship? Do we have what it takes to have a relationship with someone? Of course we do, but is it according to how we think or how God thinks it should be.
We all are in some type of relationship with our families, friends, a marriage, as parents, every relationship takes work for it to be successful. Lets’ begin to think about what traits do we look for in someone that we want a relationship with. Now as you are thinking about what you want, remember this- relationships are not one-sided. What do you mean Elder Bonner? Well, I am glad you asked. Relationships have two sides (1) what are you looking for and (2) what are you bringing into it.
If you are looking for a friend, are you friendly, if you are looking for someone you can trust, are you trustworthy, if you are looking for someone to love, are you a loving person? Let that sink in a moment, ponder on it, wow, sometimes we want it but it is also about what we bring into it.
If you need some direction on “How to Build a Godly Relationship”, I encourage you to read the “How to Manual on Relationships”. It’s on the best sellers list you can find it all over the world. It’s the Bible. The bible has examples, step by step instructions on what it takes to build Godly bonds. Get your bibles, pen and paper and let’s go into the Word and see what God has to say about some traits that are needed to build Godly Relationship.
Trust: In 2nd Cor 1:9 (fill in the blanks) It tells us not to put trust in ___________ but in ________.
Go to Pro 3:5-6 here it tells us to _____ __ ___ ____ with all thine _____ and ____ not to thine own _____________ (choose the right word) acknowledge him, and he shall ______ ____ path.
When you put your trust in Jesus you will be able to trust and trustworthy.
Faith: A central concept of Christianity- to have a right relationship with God you have to believe that God is and that God has revealed himself in Christ. You must have faith in God for Heb 11:6 says But __________ _________ it is _________ to please _______ for he that cometh to __________ must ___________ that he is a rewarder of them that ____________seek him.
As you read Heb 11:6 you see there are some benefits for having faith in God.
Friend: To have a friend you must be a friend. Jesus in John 15:15 tells us that he is a friend and why he considers you as his friend. For __________ _________ that I have heard of my ______ I have made ________ unto you.
John 15:15b says Jesus is a friend who shares and cares.
Love: This is the tie that binds us together. Love is unselfish, unconditional. 1st Cor 13:1-13 talks about taking a love walk. In verse 2b of this chapter it says without Love (Charity) we are nothing. Throughout these verses it tells what love is not. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, not self-seeking, is not easily angered, does not delight in evil (vs 4-6). But it says that love is patient love is kind, love rejoices in truth, always hopes, always preserves (vs 4-7) it never fails (vs 8)
John 3:16, a powerful scripture that describes a love that was shown to all men in order for us to build a Godly Relationship first with him then with others. Here a father gives up his only son to die for a whole world that a right relationship can be put in place and a son who willingly gave his life to make t all possible. Matt 27:33-66, Mark 15:33-37, Luke 23:44-56, John 19:28-30.
Now that is Love!
We work hard at building relationships in the natural but what about in the spiritual. We strive to please man, what about God? He wants a relationship with us. God comes with trust, faith, being friendly, love and so much more. When we meet him with our part, we then have the traits necessary to build a Godly relationship with others. Matt 6:33 says for us to seek, look to God first then everything we need will be added.
June 2008
Spiritual Harvest- Fruitfulness
vs.
Harvest of Sin-Unfruitfulness
Man was created in the image of God (Gen 1:26). He had a place all set up for man (Gen 1:8) to dwell where everything was perfect. Everything that man need was there. Food, water, and a wife. Every seedling for every herb and every tree was provided (Gen 1:29-36). Man’s job was to tend the garden, take care of the things in it and live a peaceful, productive life. Can you imagine a life of no problems, no worries, no sin?
All of that changed when the enemy came in with deception and with one bite from the forbidden fruit sin came into the world (Gen 3:6-7). This wasn’t God’s plan. Now we are in a spiritual battle, good (spiritual nature) vs. evil (sinful nature). Each trying to convince the other that their way is the best way. It’s a tug of war- sinful nature trying to pull back those who have come to Christ and the spiritual nature trying to pull those who are yet unsaved. In the sinful nature, seeds of adultery, fornication, sexual immorality, impure thoughts, idolatry, witchcraft, anger, jealousy, selfishness, division, are planted (Gal 5:19-21). There are many more but, I only named a few! What type of fruit would you expect to grow from these seeds? Would they produce a harvest that you would want to reap? For every action there is a reaction. So, if you plant lies and iniquity, you will reap deceit (Hos. 10:13). Matt 7:17, explains that good seed brings good fruit, but if you cause strife, deceit, or confusion you are going to reap evil fruit of corruption. What is lacking in the lives of those in the sinful nature is the Holy Spirit. You cannot live a productive life and reap a fruitful harvest without Him. For in God, Gal. 6:7-8 says what is sown will be reaped.
In the spiritual nature, the Holy Spirit reigns. He guides and instructs us on how to live and what type of seeds to plant so that we can reap a fruitful harvest. Gal. 5:22-23 talks about the fruit that can be harvested.
Love: If you give it you shall receive it. Without love you can’t survive. In order to bear this fruit Eph. 3:17 gives the instruction on what to do.
Joy: A song writer penned these words “This joy that I have, the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away.” This is someone who had a understanding about the joy God gives. In joy you learn to go through rough times because God will give you strength to endure (Neh 8:11)
Faith: Planting the seed of trust and belief reaps the fruit of Faith. I Colossians 1:23 advises us to be grounded and settled in faith. Eph 6:16 tell us that with faith we will be able to stand when the enemy attacks.
Kindness: The seeds of forgiveness will produce the fruit of kindness (Eph 4:32). Kindness shows a steadfast love that helps to maintain relationship (Rom 12:10) between your brother and sister. Not being selfish but ready to give a word, is a good deed for some in need (Luke 10:33).
Meekness: A seed of gentleness and humility produces meekness that is exemplified by God (Ps 18:35) Jesus encourages us to learn of him who was meek and lowly. (Matt 11:29).
Humility: Not thinking of ourselves as more than we are (Rom 11:20), II Tim 3:4-5, turn away from those who are “heady” do not show meekness.
Love is the main fruit, without it you can’t survive. In order to have Christ in your life, you have to be rooted and grounded in love (Eph 3:17) No greater love was shown to man, than by God who gave his only begotten son (John 3:16). In the gospels, Jesus displayed love by going to Calvary (Matt 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19). Love can’t be kept to yourselves it must be given away. In order to reap a bountiful harvest of love you have to plant seeds of love. Unselfishness, loyalty, patience, kindness, peace , joy, faith, meekness, goodness.
How do you plant these seeds? I’m glad you asked. It’s how you treat others and what you do for them. It’s a kind word spoken to someone, a hug given when someone is down. How you love your family and friends.
What type of harvest are you reaping? What type of seeds are you planting? Will you reap a fruitful harvest? Or will you reap an unfruitful harvest? Are you living in a sinful nature, or are you living in a spiritual one?
May 2008
The month of May has set aside a time for us to honor the special women in our lives. Mothers who have paved the way for their children, mothers who have gone through struggles, who has scrimped and saved in order for their children to have. Mothers are special for when everyone else has turned on you, mom will be by your side.
God had a plan. After he created the world, he decided to create someone to take care of what he had made. So in Gen.1:26 he created man, male and female. Then he gave the decree for them to be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 1:27). Over in Gen.2:21 he (God) caused a sleep to come over Adam, took a rib and formed Eve. This was the beginning of motherhood.
As we read the scriptures we find many stories about mothers and their children. Some of the stories we know very well and some maybe not so well. We have heard of Eve, Mary the mother of Jesus, but, you heard of Reumah, Meshullemeth, Matred or who their children are?
Let’s take a journey through the scriptures and find out some interesting facts about the mothers and their children in the Bible.
Get your bibles, paper and pens and let's get started.
These are some trivia questions about mothers and their children. They all have played an important part in the writings of the bible. When answering these questions give the name of the mother, the child, and the scripture where found. If you have any question while looking for the answers or after you have finished the trivia please leave a comment on our forum page. Let us know what you think. We appreciate your feedback.
Questions:
1. This mother had a son who became a king at the age of twenty five. His father was Ahaz.
2. Her sons names began with the letter J, one was a shepherd and the other was a musician.
3. This mother was married to a famous king and her son was the best friend of a king.
4. She was an Egyptian, her husband started in a pit. She gave birth to two sons.
5. This mother was the fifth wife to a king, but the mother of his fourth child.
6. She was childless for many years, but after much prayer, the Lord answered. Who was her son?
7. She was married to a king but her son was an ungodly king and he ruled for fifty five years.
8. Her name means coral. She was the second wife of Elkanah. She was unkind to his present wife.
9. She was not the chosen one, but she had six sons by her husband.
10. She was of lowly statue, but highly favored by God. Her son was quiet in manner, helpful to
everyone, loved by some, hated by others. When he spoke things happened.
11. This mother was the daughter of Levi, her son became a deliverer of a nation.
12. A story that tells of two women in court, one is trying to get a split decision the other wants the whole
truth.
13. This mother found her situation funny, but she knew that God would do as he promised.
14. These two women influenced the life of this young man. He became a mighty church leader. His
unfeigned faith that he showed was in these women. Who were they?
15. She named the two sons her handmaid had by her husband. She then had two sons by her husband,
but died in childbirth with the second son.
16. This woman bore two sons, one was a keeper of sheep, the other a tiller of the ground.
17. Her father was a king, she lost her five sons because of revenge set against her father.
18. Her son was an author. He wrote one of the gospels.
19. She intervened for her sons to have a special place with the king.
20. She died as a leper; her son became a godly king.
21. Her husband was a dancer. She bore this king his third son. Later on this son tried to kill his father.
22. She married the father of many nations and had six sons.
23. Her name means "a piece of brass". She and her son went into captivity in Babylon together. Who are they?
24. Her daughter was defiled by the son of a Hivite. Her brothers took care of the matter in a deadly way.
25. A woman from Canaan came to Jesus, asking for mercy on her daughter. What was her daughter's problem?
Answers to the Study Questions
Mother Child Scripture
1. Abi or Abijah Hezekiah 2 Chron.29: 1
2. Adah Jabal & Jubal Gen 4: 19-23
3. Ahinoam Jonathan I Sam 14: 49-50
4. Asenath Manasseh & Ephraim Gen 41: 45, 51
5. Haggith Adonijah II Sam 3: 4
I Kings 1: 5, 11
2: 13
6. Hannah Samuel 2 Sam 2: 1, 21
7. Hephzibah Manasseh 2 Kings 21: 1
8. Peinnah 1 Sam 1: 2, 6
9. Leah Gen 29-30,35
2: 13, 17, 19
10. Mary Jesus Matt 1: 6, 2:11
Luke 1:27, 46
John 19: 25
11. Jochebed Moses Num 26: 59
12. I Kings 3:17-27
13. Sarah Isaac Gen 18: 21
Gen 21: 2-3
14. Lois & Eunice 2 Tim 5
15. Rachel Gen 30: 6-8
Gen 35: 16-18
16. Eve Cain & Able Gen 4: 1-2
17. Michal II Sam 21: 8-9
18. Mary John Mark Acts 12: 12
19. Salome Matt 20: 24
20. II Kings 15: 33
21. Maacha I Chron 3: 2
22. Keturah Gen 25: 1-6
23. Nehushta Jehorakem 2 Kings 24: 8-15
24. Leah Dinah Gen 34: 1-31
25. Matt 15: 22-28
April 2008
Self -esteem.
How do you feel about yourself? How does what others think of you affect you? Self-esteem plays a major role in our lives. It determines how high we hold our head or how low. Should what others think about us matter? No, it should not, but for some it certainly does.
What type of self-esteem do you possess? Are you one who tears down or one who builds up? Genesis 1:26-7 tells us that we all were created in His image and in His likeness and that everything He made was good (Gen. 1:30).
There are three basic emotional needs connected with self-esteem:
1. Belonging- a need to feel loved unconditionally, to feel accepted.
2. Worthiness- a need to feel acceptable, internal “wholeness”, good feeling about you, has value.
3. Competence- a need to feel adequate, confidant.
Along with these basic needs we have to be careful that we maintain a healthy self-esteem concept.
In low self-esteem we open up ourselves to bad situations, we are critical of others, and at times belittle ourselves.
Philippians 2:3 advises us not to count others better than ourselves. In God’s sight we are His creation. We are to value ourselves and others, but we need to be careful that we don’t become boasters of ourselves. For whatever value we have within was given to us by God-II Corinthians 10:7-13.
If by chance God has blessed you with substance beyond measure, such as material things, looks, financial blessings, or whatever you feel you have, do not look down on others. Don’t act as if you have arrived or have achieved more than someone else for Romans 12:3 and Galatians 6:1-3 gives us advice on how we should react. Romans 12:3 says for us to not think of ourselves more highly than we should, but to think soberly (humbly) and to remember what we have is from God.
Galatians 6:3 says that if we think we are something, when we are nothing, we deceive ourselves. This scripture is saying we are only something when we have Christ. For without him we are nothing. Proverbs 16:19 says “It is so much better to be humble than to be proud”.
Let us remember that everybody is special in God’s sight, that no one should belittle others or themselves. We are to be builders of our sisters and brothers. We must realize that God loves us all (John 15:12, I John 4:10). Know that we are valuable in His sight. Healthy self-esteem is what we all are to have. Know who you are in Christ, have confidence in God and He will build your self-esteem.
March 2008
Wait on God. Psalms 37:7-9
Have you ever wondered why it is so hard to wait? While waiting for your breakthrough, your answer from the Lord, do you ever experience any of these emotions: anger, frustration, confusion or anxiousness? Do you cry, become moody, discouraged or withdraw from loved ones and friends? These emotions get to the best of us, Christian or not. But the Christian has promises made to them for waiting on God.
Psa. 37 : 7-9 : Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. (vs.7).
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.( vs.8).
For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth (vs.9).
To wait on God is a command from Him. The attitude that we wait with determines how long the wait will be.
Let's look at the scripture and see what directions are given to those who are waiting on God. The first directive is to rest in the Lord. Exodus 14 :13 says to stand still and see what God is going to do, find comfort in the Lord, relax let go and let God, be patient and watch God work it out for you.
In verse 8 it advises us not to get angry because when anger comes in then sin will follow. In the New International Version it reads " refrain form anger and turn from wrath; do not fret- it leads only to evil. While waiting we have to have to keep our thoughts pure and on God. If and when we feel the spirit of anger coming upon us Hos. 12:6 tells us to" Therefore TURN to God, and WAIT on thy (your) God continually.
In verse 9, we are encouraged to WAIT ON THE LORD for if we do we will inherit the earth. this means that by waiting patiently on the Lord we will get all that God has for us. not only will we inherit the earth but Psa. 27:14 says that if we wait and be of good cheer God will strengthen our hearts.
When we learn how to wait on God for His timing is far better than ours, we will gain much. when we wait with a positive attitude and allow god to do what he needs to do in our lives we will be blessed, better than blessed. When we learn to wait without complaining and whining our wait time is shorten.
Isa.40:31says “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.” Let us know that by waiting and allowing God to work that we will gain spiritual renewal that's the strength to endure trials and tribulations and that the saint will be exalted.
By waiting on God we also let him know that we can't do nothing with out him, that we love him and that we need Him.
He never created us to be independent by ourselves, but He created us to be dependent solely on Him.
Wait on the Lord... Wait I say on the Lord (Psa. 27:14)
February 2008
"Temporal Blessings or Eternal Life?"
Matthew 19:16-22
What would you give up to follow Jesus? Would you give up that big screen T.V. that you worked so hard for? That brand new car you always wanted? Your dream house and everything in it? Or how about all of your hard earned cash? Think about selling everything you have and then think about giving it all away to follow Christ.
In Matthew 19:16 we find a rich young ruler who had it all. Silver, gold, land, unmentionable wealth! He came to Jesus to ask Him a question: "What good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" This young man possessed temporal, or material, blessings but he didn't have Spiritual insight.
Temporal blessings are those things that he had accumulated maybe through inheritance from his father or possibly even things that he had honestly earned by working for them. These possessions, or treasures, are earthly and will decay. When we pass on in death they will be left behind. Matthew 6:19 tells us about the dangers of building up treasures here on earth.
"Lay up not for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal."
The Spiritual insight that he lacked is what was necessary to obtain eternal life. This young ruler wanted to know what good deed or good thing he could do to get eternal life. There is nothing that we can do to earn eternal life. It is a gift from God.
After Jesus explained that he must keep the commandments, the young ruler, with a sincere heart but lacking Spiritual insight, asked which ones? Jesus answered him in verses 18 and 19.
"... Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
The young man replied that he had done all these things even from his youth. Was there still something he lacked?
He didn't realize that keeping the commandments wouldn't get him eternal life. Being a "good person" and doing good works can't acheive that reward. II Timothy 1:9 tells us that we are not saved according to our works but according to His (God's) own purpose and grace.
As Jesus looked upon the young ruler with love and compassion, He said "if you still want to know what you can do- go and sell all that you have and give it to the poor, and come and follow me. Then you shall have treasure in heaven." The young man, hearing these words, GO AND SELL ALL YOU HAVE, turned and left in sorrow. Why? Because he had many, many posessions, an abundance of temporal blessings, bu he could not bring himself to part with them.
Matthew 16:24 says that if any man will come after me (Jesus) let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Jesus).
"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:21
Jesus said in Matthew 19:29 that everyone who forsakes houses, brethren, sisters, father, mother, wives and children, even land for His name sake shall receive an hundredfold and shall inherit everlasting life.
Is it worth having it al to lose it all in the end?
"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Mark 8:36
Jesus has given each of us a choice just as he gave the rich young ruler. God the Father wants all of His children to prosper, but He doesn't want us to love earthly possessions more than Him.
What will you do? Will you choose the temporary blessings of this world, or will you choose eternal life?
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