21 May Hopes & Habits (Because you can’t have uphill hopes and downhill habits) Part 31

Posted at 18:04h in Uncategorized by

Let’s review before we jump in.

Over the last few weeks we have shared with you “Four Biblical Habits” that will radically change your life:

  1. Focus on firsts (Matt. 6:33).
  2. Foster new thoughts (Rom. 12:2).
  3. Find your purpose (Eph. 2:10)
  4. Further your relationship (Prov. 12:26 NKJ)

Last week we began with: “Four Righteous Relationship Choices”:

  1. Nurture your most important relationships (Prov. 14:19).  

Relationships are much like our stomachs:  big in…big out!  

Remember this:  If the grass is greener on the other side, they have a higher water bill!

This week we continue with…

2. Restore some broken relationships (Eph. 4:32)

You can’t always restore that which is broken and there are times we must love from a distance (see Rom. 12:17-18).  That being said, there are some relationships that can be restored by a little forgiveness.

Please allow me to share these Forgiveness Facets:

  1. Forgiveness is the ability to let go of the vengeance without letting go of the justice.  In other words, you must let go of the desire to hurt those who have hurt you.  Our God is a forgiving God but He is also a God who is just. For example, if your child has been abused by a person you must forgive that person and let go of vengeance.  However it does not mean that the abuser shouldn’t be put in jail…that is justice!
  2. Unforgiveness is like lighting yourself on fire and hoping the offender dies of smoke inhalation!

Now let’s continue on with…

3. Sever  harmful relationships (I Cor. 15:33)

I recently heard a true story of a husband and wife who were both flirting with other people on Facebook.  After a while, both husband and wife decided to physically meet up with the two people they were flirting with.  Unbeknownst to them, the two people that they were flirting with was actually each other! When they met they were shocked and livid and eventually got divorced.  It did not end up like the movie “You’ve Got Mail”!

There are some relationships in our lives that are absolutely toxic…sever them!

Join us next week as we continue our series…