Relationships

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. - Proverbs 18:24

Your next friendship could start this Sunday.

Who in your life are you praying for right now?

A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. - 2 Timothy 2:24

Conflict is easy. Peace takes effort. We’re called to make peace.

Don’t miss these opportunities to witness… 1. Your coworker mentioned they were going through something difficult… 2. Your neighbor asked why you seem so calm about everything… 3. Your friend calls you in crisis at 2am… 4. Small moments like these happen all the time. Don’t miss them.

What's one practical way you try to put others first in your daily life?

1. That person who frustrates you most? 2. God put them in your life on purpose. 3. Not to punish you. 4. Not to test your patience alone. 5. To form something in you that comfort never could.

Perfect marriages aren’t actually perfect… 1. Even the best marriages have hard conversations. 2. They require apologies that require difficult forgiveness. 3. There are seasons where love is a decision more than a feeling. 4. Often one carries more of the burden while the other recovers from a hard season. 5. Strong marriages aren’t perfect. But they are fought for.

1: The way you respond matters. 2: You must all be quick to listen, 3: slow to speak, 4: and slow to get angry. - James 1:19 5: Wisdom listens first. Humility pauses before responding. A Spirit-led person refuses to let anger lead the conversation.

1: Think holding that grudge is only hurting them? Here's who it's really hurting... 2: Your peace. You haven't had a full night of rest since it happened. 3: Your relationships. Bitterness toward one person leaks out on everyone else. 4: Your prayers. Scripture says unforgiveness creates a ceiling on your prayer life. 5: Your joy. You can't fully enjoy today when you're still living in that moment. 6: Your testimony. People are watching how you handle the hard things. 7: The cost of unforgiveness is too high. It's time to let it go.

A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention. - Proverbs 15:18

Love and Living: Building relationships that bring life.

Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. - Philippians 2:2

Inviting a Friend to Church

Don't walk alone

It doesn't matter if they apologized. Forgive them anyways.

1: Isolation doesn't always look like being alone. 2: It's not replying to text or calls. 3: It's staying quiet in a room full of people. 4: It's not sharing what's really going on. 5: It's pulling away when life is overwhelming. 6: Isolation might feel comfortable, but it's slowly disconnecting you. 7: But this is your reminder, we weren't meant to do life alone. God created us for community and relationships.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. - Proverbs 27:17

1: How to make room for others at church 2: Notice the unnoticed. Be aware of people standing by themselves. 3: Start a conversation. A simple introduction can go a long way. 4: Think beyond your circle. Community grows when we invite people into it. 5: Act in kindness. People may forget words, but they remember how they felt.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. - Ephesians 4:3