Week #6: Relationships

Relationships. Ohhh..relationships. I came into this week kicking and screaming...of sorts. On the inside. I came to DTS with one intention..my honeymoon with Jesus; to know who this Father God is and to go deeper in my spiritual love walk. It has been such a beautiful, growing, learning season so far and I know this is just the beginning. The reality of it is God loves relationships, they are his heart and when they're walked out by His standard, they can be the most life giving thing we'll ever do.

"Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag

and is not arrogant, does not act becomingly; it does not seek its own, is not

provoked, does not take into acount a wrong suffered,

does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails." 

-1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

God calls us to live by the "1 Corinthians 13" standard. Carly is patient, Carly is kind...etc. After attemping to get through the first couple phrases I felt overwhelmed; that is was somewhat unattainable but this is the bare minimum we are called to live. It is not an unrealistic standard because we do not serve a God that sets us up to fail.

We cannot live by how we "feel" but be driven by God's will of truth and righteousness. Emotions are a gift from God but they cannot dictate and guide our lives. A human heart is swayed and often betrayed at the hand of emotion. "Don't follow your heart, lead it."As we abide with God, our natural response will be righteousness. When you engage your will instead of emotions, it produces self control. God must be the pivitol piece that holds all relationships together with everything else rotating around that piece; relationships are out of line when God is not the pinnacle.

Right and wrong cannot be determined from morality of society, we are responsible before the Lord to give account for our actions, no one else. I'm learning to walk in the fear of the Lord and letting my life be confronting; if it doesn't look different from unbelievers, something is wrong. Once you encounter Jesus, you will not remain the same because He holds you to a whole new, higher standard. We must know what our convictions are and what we believe because it will be tested. Must have a biblical worldview of our own, not living off of other peoples opinions.

It's now my responsibility to disciple others on a journey of righteousness and use the information and revelation I now have to make a difference. People can see something different when you walk in integrity and reflect the character of the living God. Choose well in your relationships and use discernment; God has your best interest at heart, He will not disappoint and it will all be worth it in the end.