A New Year, A New Chapter – Part 3: New and Improved Relationships!
January 22, 2023[1] New and improved relationships happen by –
Assessing and improving our relational !
Matthew 5:48 (NIV)
Be perfect, therefore, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Psalms 139:23,24 (GW)
Examine me, O God, and know my mind. Test me, and know my thoughts. 24 See whether I am on an evil/destructive path. Then lead me on the everlasting path.
Prayer request #1 – me!
1 Corinthians 11:28 (MSG)
Examine your motives …
2 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT)
Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine.
Galatians 6:4 (GW)
Each of you must examine your own actions. Then you can be proud of your own accomplishments without comparing yourself to others.
Self-examination questions:
- What are my actions and reactions producing?
- Do my actions/reactions reveal a growing/developing life in Christ or a stuck, mediocre, half-way spiritual life?
- How well do I understand the “real” me?
Recommended book – The Real You — Dr. Kevin Leman
Prayer request #2 — me!
James 1:2-4 (MSG)
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. 3 You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. 4 So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
Prayer request #3: me!
John 16:13 (TLB)
When the Holy Spirit, who is truth, comes, he shall guide you into all truth,
[2] New and improved relationships happen by –
Choosing and practicing great relational !
Destructive Habit #1 — Contempt!
Destructive Habit #2 — Chronic and harsh criticism!
Destructive Habit #3 — Defensiveness!
Destructive Habit #4 — Checking Out!
Relationship-improving habit #1 – !
Romans 12:10 (NLT)
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
Relationship-improving habit #2 – !
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Relationship-improving habit #3 – !
James 1:19 (NLT)
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
Relationship-improving habit #4 – !
Matthew 6:12 (MSG)
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.