Wednesday, May 6, 2015

The Purpose Driven Life: Loss of Connection - May 6, 2015

Connections and relationships are always worth preserving and restoring. God has provided each and every person the gift of restoration. The New Testament is devoted to teaching us how to conduct ourselves and how to connect with others.

2 Corinthians 5:18     All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

Romans 5:10     For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Ephesians 2:16      and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

Biblical steps to help restore:
1)      Talk with God before you engage the person

James 4:1     What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?

2)      Always be proactive

Matthew 5:23-24      "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.…

3)      Empathize with feelings

Philippians 2:3-4     …Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.    

4)      Confession

Matthew 7:4-6     …"Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

5)      Get aggressive with the problem not the person

Psalm 73:21 – 22     When my heart was embittered And I was pierced within, Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You.…

Proverbs 15:1-2     A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly.…

6)      Be Cooperative

Romans 12: 17 – 19     …Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord.…

7)      Seek to reconcile not resolution

Matthew 5:8-10     …"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.…

1 Peter 3:10 -12     …For, "THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. "HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT. "FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL."…



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