JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is devotion.
Romans 12:10 encourages us to “be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
We were made for relationships. Devoted love here is an affection love based on friendship. Our relationships have opportunity to thrive when we think beyond our own self-interests and look to the interests of others. In relationships, we can learn together, grow together, and build godly character in each other.
There is joy in friendships where affectionate love exists, where mutual respect is shared, and where each person thoroughly enjoys the companionship of the other.
Devotion is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Relationship-Building Principle comes from Micah 6:8.
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Following this good path will guide us into relationships that bring honor to God.
To act justly means that we treat people with fairness and without partiality. We speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. We stand for the truth and refuse to be influenced by bribes. Acting justly flows out of a commitment to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.
Loving mercy means that it gives us great delight to offer a helping hand to those in needy places, like the Good Samaritan who aided a man on the side of the road beaten by robbers. Loving mercy also means being gracious and patient with people who have stumbled into sin. The love of Jesus fills us with compassion for the condition of their soul.
Walking humbly with God means that we acknowledge the authority of Jesus over us and follow Him day-by-day, step by step.
Doing what is good in the eyes of the Lord is a vital relationship-building principle to take to heart in the Year of Connection.
JOHN SHIRK – God’s people are called to live in community. The evidence of that can be found in the “One another” statements of the Bible. This week’s relationship-building principles have been taking a look at some of these “one another” statements to better understand how God wants us to relate with other members of God’s family.
First John 3:11 says, “This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.”
Love is at the heart of the “one another” commands in the Bible. These specific commands scattered throughout the New Testament include: “Encourage one another, serve one another, forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another, accept one another as Christ accepted you, spur one another on toward love and good deeds, honor one another above yourselves, live in harmony with one another, offer hospitality to one another without grumbling, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, instruct one another. Be kind and compassionate to one another.
These specific “one another” statements are useful to help us examine whether or not we are walking in love as God calls us to love.
Loving God’s family with a godly attitude is a vital relationship-building principles to take to heart in the Year of Connection.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the prize of a champion.
The Apostle Paul occasionally referred to the ancient Olympic games and compared them to the Christian life.
He said in First Corinthians 9:25, “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
Just as an Olympic athlete competes to the best of their ability for the gold medal, so the Apostle Paul is saying that he wanted to serve Jesus in a way that represented His great name. Such a mission has meaningful purpose, with eternal impact.
The crowning honor of an Olympic athlete is to stand at the platform, with the gold medal, representing their country while their national anthem plays. The crowning honor of Christ’s followers is to hear our Master say “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That is the applause of heaven in response to our faithful service for the glory of our King.
The prize of God’s applause is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
