JOURNEY into “Better Relationships” Closeness Is Required

Journey into “better Relationships” TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS “JOURNEY” “U” MUST BE SPIRITUALLY PREPARED

Building Solid and Sure Our business is not to build quickly, but to build upon a right foundation, and right spirit. Life is more than a mere competition as between men and women; it is not who can work best; it is not who can rise highest in the shortest time, but who is working most patiently and lovingly in accordance with the designs of God.

TRIVIA QUESTION What aged prophetess, in Jerusalem, was a widow?

TRIVIA answer Who became a widow because of King David’s lust? “Bathsheba” 2 Sam. 11:26 “When Uriah's wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him”

Journey into “Better Relationships” Records you should never keep !!I’m gonna store this in my mind for some!! !!git back!! Holding on ‘til it sickens you Be sure and clear the account Why?... 1Cor. 13:5d “…love keeps no record of wrongs…” This stuff will try your resolve; so please make sure your savings account is “Zero Balance” Can’t keep records and forgive at the same time Eph. 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” Let the mess go and get closer to one another

Journey into “Better Relationships” Records you should never keep I.The Secret Ledger!!! A. The Problems created by keeping records of wrongs When we consistently store up those things that were done to us; these things become “resentment” that shows up in us as “bitterness” 1. Resentment causes us to be foolish Job 5:2a “Resentment kills a fool,…” The sum total of our resentment is “Nothing Gained”; no change in the situation, the person and “US”

Journey into “Better Relationships” Records you should never keep I.The Secret Ledger!!! A. The Problems created by keeping records of wrongs 2. Resentment prevents us from enjoying life Note the contrast in what occurs in: Job 21:23 “One man dies in full vigor, complete- ly secure and at ease” Job 21:25 “Another man dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good” a) You want to be able to experience this.. 1Tim. 6:17 ‘Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncer- tain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoy- ment”

Journey into “Better Relationships” Records you should never keep I.The Secret Ledger!!! B. The Prevention of keeping records of wrongs Why shouldn’t we! It’s a forgiveness thing!! Matt. 6:12 “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” 1. I must forgive because it proves I appreciate God’s forgiveness… Matt. 12:36 “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken” This means that when we misuse God’s name, say an unkind or mean word, gossip, say a vile, dirty word, or use a word to hurt people or tarnish God’s character, Jesus says one day we will be judged for it

Journey into “Better Relationships” Records you should never keep I.The Secret Ledger!!! B. The Prevention of keeping records of wrongs 2. I must forgive because it protects me from other sins… Instead of taking revenge—Do This…Rom. 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” 3. I must forgive because it Is a prerequisite to God’s forgiveness… (Act first in this area)…Matt. 6:14,15 “For if you for- give men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins”

Journey into “Better Relationships” Records you should never keep I.The Secret Ledger!!! C. The Practice of not keeping records of wrongs —Choose “right”; When you do choose!!— Why??... 1Pet. 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins” (powerful statement): Love does not forgive and forget!! Love remembers and still forgives!!

Journey into “Better Relationships” Records you should never keep Problem w/keeping records It makes me look at all the effort and energy I’ve put into storing up and logging in what someone has done to me and trying to figure out a “where and when” to get even; it’s time wasted and not well spent. It’s a lot easier simply to forgive & forget. Besides; I need what little mind space I have for better things

Journey into “Better Relationships” Records you should never keep THE PHRASE THAT PAYS!!!!!!!!!! MY FAITH WILL NEVER RISE ABOVE THE LEVEL OF MY CONFESSION

Journey into “Better Relationships” Records you should never keep B.asic I.nformation B.efore L.eaving E.arth

Journey into “Better Relationships” Records you should never keep WHAT IT SAYS This is my Bible, I am who my Bible say I am, I can do what my Bible say I can do. I have what my Bible say I have, my Bible teaches my spirit, my spirit teaches my mind, and my mind teaches my body. My Bible is full of promises and command- ments, my Bible has good and bad examp- les. How do I know my Bible is true? By comparing scripture with scripture and spiritual things with spiritual things. I study my Bible to show myself approved, rightly dividing the Word of God.

Journey into “Better Relationships” Records you should never keep Next Week!!!! how To Talk About Relationship problems