RELATIONSHIP

STEP 11 RELATIONSHIP

We seek to deepen our relationship with God daily through Scripture reading and prayer and to solely depend on his power to do his will.

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3

WHAT does relationship mean?

The state of being connected by blood or marriage. Also the way in which two or more people or groups regard and behave toward each other is another definition of relationship.

[AS A QUICK REMINDER YOU WILL HEAR ME TALK ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER THAT YOU DO HAVE! RIGHT?]

I want to draw your attention to Proverbs 28 :13. IT SAYS:

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but when they confess, and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

I know for a long time you have been hearing me say this, and this never gets old, in my opinion.

To have a relationship with God first and foremost, we must seek forgiveness of sins.

This allows our relationship with God to grow and strengthen more and more every day.

To allow our relationships with others to grow, also has to have forgiveness of sins.

Then that relationship in and of itself, can grow more also because it is based on biblical principles.

In our relationships, you can’t live like God and the world at the same time.

A person who’s going to be used by God has to be clean both on the outside and the inside.

Cleansing your hands speaks of your outward actions and purifying.

Your heart speaks of the inner attitude and motives leading to simple actions.

(PAUSE)

People say they’re sorry for what they do wrong and then go out and do the same thing over and over again.

Is that how to build up relationships?

WE DO THIS TO GOD ALL THE TIME. (PAUSE)

When this happens clearly they weren’t sorry they sinned in the first place.

We must also be aware that we have a mortal enemy that does not want us to have a strong relationship with God.

Just as there is a real God, there’s also a real devil, and you must be aggressively determined to stand against him.

You must be firm, unyielding, and steadfast.

Dig your heels into the ground and brace yourself for a fight.

Cowardice never wins against the devil, only courage! Take your stand on the Word of God and watch the devil flee from you.

James 4:7-8 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify, your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.

It would be remiss of me to not share this part with you, as you seek to build relationships.

OBJECTIVES FOR GODLY RELATIONSHIPS

Does this relationship in and of itself glorify God?

Is this a fleshly relationship, or a spiritual relationship?

Can you forward think and see that this could turn into a codependency?

Would you continue your relationship if you knew that Jesus was right next to you physically watching you?

BIBLICAL WEAPONRY:

Bible

Accountability partner/sponsor/mentor

Prayer time daily, and consistently

This recovery/discipleship meeting weekly

Disengagement from those things that’s going to squander your ability to STRENGTHEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD

VERIFICATION ON YOUR RELATIONSHIP STATUS

WHEN DID YOU LAST TALK WITH YOUR ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER?

ARE YOU CARRYING AROUND UNCONFESSED SIN?

DO YOU MENTALLY EXAMINE YOUR SHORT LIST OF KNOWN SINS?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

1). WHAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, HAVE YOU HAD IN THE PAST?

2) WHAT IS STOPPING YOU FROM HAVING A REAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD NOW?