TOPIC: HOW TO FIND THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT YOU NEED IN YOUR LIFE 5
BIBLE REF: Luke 15:11-32, Ephesians 1:5
Family Relationships
Family relationships can bring up a lot of emotions. Whether you have a great relationship with your family or whether you have strained relationships with them, every family will experience conflict at some point, and that’s okay!
We see all sorts of dysfunctional families in Scripture. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. Cain killed his brother Abel. King David’s son, Absalom, tries to overthrow his dad—just to name a few examples that can help put your family drama into perspective.
In Luke 15, Jesus tells a parable about another family—a father and his two sons. He describes how the younger son demands his inheritance and runs off to live a rebellious life, leaving his family behind.
After spending all his money, the son retreats home in hopes of begging his father to hire him as a servant. When his father sees him from far off, he runs to greet him.
But enter more family drama.
When the other son—the one who has been working the fields for his father this entire time— *hears that his brother has returned and is celebrated, he becomes jealous and angry. But the father kindly explains to him,*
“‘... we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” Luke 15:32 NIV
Even if you don’t find yourself in a family that would welcome you home as warmly as the father in this parable, know that God does. He shows us a perfect parent-child relationship through His son, Jesus. And because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can have the same relationship with our heavenly Father.
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesians 1:5 NLT
As you begin learning how to navigate your family relationships—especially if you’ve recently moved away, graduated, or started your own family—know that how you interact may change, but why you interact remains the same.
*If necessary, set some boundaries and seek healing. And above all else, remember that you are a part of God’s family, and He loves you perfectly.*
Pray: Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us a perfect parent-child relationship between You and Jesus. Give me the strength to love my family well, knowing that You were intentional about the people You entrusted me with. Show me my next step in navigating a relationship with my family. In Jesus’ name, amen.
*Challenge*: _What is the first word that comes to mind when you think about your family? Spend five minutes journaling to God, sharing why you picked that specific word and considering how you could invest in your family relationships._
.. Please Stay Tuned For Continuation
MARRIAGE HEALING DEVOTIONAL, SERIES 12 PART 6
TOPIC: *HOW TO FIND THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT YOU NEED IN YOUR LIFE 6*
BIBLE REF: Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-37, Matthew 25:34-40
*Purposeful Relationships*
Most of us want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. We all want to make a difference and do something significant with our lives. But what if that starts with relationships?
We read in Scripture that each of us are equipped with unique gifts and talents that can help us love God and our neighbors.
However, for the Body of Christ to excel, each part needs to do its part. The same is true of us in our communities. *We love and serve those in our communities best when each of us use our unique gifts together.*
Just look at the believers in the early Church:
All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Acts 2:44-45 NIV
Two chapters later, we see how their work together, plus the power of God, changed their community.
... And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them ... Acts 4:33-34 NIV
Think about your community. What would it look like for poverty to be eradicated? What would it look like if your community were flourishing?
*The relationships in your life have the power to change the way your community looks.*
_So, what can you do to give your relationships purpose? How could you come together to serve others and to use your God-given gifts to make a difference in the world around you?_
*The best relationships you will have are the ones you make on purpose, to fulfil God’s purpose.*
*Pray:* _Heavenly Father, thank You for community. Give me eyes to see the needs of those around me, and then give me the courage to do something about it. I know that when I am serving others, I am also serving You. In Jesus’ name, amen._
*Challenge:* _How can your friendships impact the community around you? Write a list of three things you can do with friends to serve those around you—and then go do it!_
... Please Stay Tuned For Continuation
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