It’s All About Relationship

If any of you have ever been in a good relationship, be it with a friend, spouse, child, parent, cousin, or neighbor etc., you already know what a blessing it can be.  To have someone that cares for you as much as you care for them, can be a positive force in your life that keeps you moving forward.

There is one relationship I would love to see all people come to know because I love people, and that is the all-important relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.  I can’t imagine the direction my life might have gone without the Lord.  I can’t sit here and say life has always been easy. No. I’ve been through my share of difficult times.  I don’t think a person can live here on the earth and not go through some challenges.  The thing I do know is, I have hope for a better tomorrow and an eternal future so wonderful, I’m like a child waiting for Christmas morning.  I have to say, even though I’ve been through some things, my life has been pretty good.  I have had wonderful relationships, and I have been blessed in many, many ways. I give all the glory to God.

I do believe being in a relationship with the Lord, has shielded me from many adverse situations and consequences.  I have a peace and a deep joy inside of me that can only come from the Lord and His Holy Spirit.

I have several Bible verses that I love but this one tells me I am heard, seen and loved by God.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

A hope and a future, isn’t that what we all want? Here are a few points that I feel the Lord wants us all to focus on.

• Don’t let bitterness and anger steal, kill and destroy you. Ask the Lord to help you forgive. Ephesians 4:31-32
• Don’t let complaining become a habit, it’s one of the most negative things we can do, and the Lord despises it. Philippians 2:14, Numbers 11:1
• Walk through life with the Lord, through His Holy Spirit. Learn to fully lean on the Holy Spirit daily. He will help you navigate your life in ways you could never imagine or do on your own. This relationship will also help keep you safe, and make it possible for you to enjoy your life.  John 14:26, Acts 2:38, Acts 20:23, 1 Corinthians 6:19
• Always know to call on the name of Jesus, even on your death bed. He loves us all more than we can comprehend and He wants that none should perish.   John 3:16-17, I John 3:1, 2 Peter 3:9
• I can’t forget the ever-important Bible verse my Mom told me over and over. You know why?  Because it made a huge difference in all my relationships.  It made me stop and think about how I would want to be treated if I were in someone else’s shoes.  Especially in the case of my step children, but it has helped me have more love and compassion for everyone.  The world would be a wonderful place if everyone knew it, and lived by it.  The Golden Rule, Mom’s rule.  God bless you in heaven Mom! Thank you!

Matthew 7:12 NIV So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

So, in this last blog, I want to challenge all of us, me included, to reevaluate our lives and habits.  May we put a mirror up to our lives to see the good, bad and the ugly. Let us not let one more day go by without bringing it all before the Lord in prayer.  Psalm 121:1-2 I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.  May we all strive to live a positive spirit filled life that pleases the Lord and greatly benefits others, ourselves and our world.

You know what?  Even though I, like most people, have things to work on, I would not be the person I am today without the guidance of my loving parents, who were led by the Lord Jesus Christ.  This is how we move goodness and light into each generation, then into the world. We have to be the example by living out our faith every day, then talking about it.  We need to teach all these things to our children and grandchildren, just like my Mother did.

Please be a Christian because you want to give love and receive love.  Don’t be anything but real.  Be able to admit to yourself, that you are a work in progress. God hates arrogance and pride.  The most love you will ever receive will come from the Lord and because of that love, you will be able to have some of the best relationships this side of heaven.  You just have to want it and choose it.

“Remember we all stumble, every one of us.  That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.”  Emily Kimbrough, An American Author & Journalist 1899-1989

Prayer

Lord, help me make strong, fulfilling relationships that last the test of time.  Help me love others the way you love.  Help me forgive others the way you forgive too, Lord.  Bless each step that I take to bring your light and goodness into this world.  Forgive me when I stumble Lord, pick me up, dust me off, and send me on my way with more love and wisdom than I had before. Every day Lord, create in me a clean heart and renew a right Spirit within me. Thank you, Lord, In Jesus’ name, amen.

Thank you for reading my blogs and leaving me comments these last two years.  Those comments, were a blessing that kept me writing.  I praise God for the ability to write what I feel He lays on my heart because I always pray first.  I hope these blogs have encouraged your walk with the Lord, and strengthened your relationships in some way.  It’s been my pleasure to serve you in this manner.

When the website goes down, you can still order my books through most all internet sites that sell books, search for Sally Stierhoff books, here are a few:

Walmart.com

Amazon.com

Barnesandnoble.com

Christianbook.com

Thriftbooks.com

Ebay.com    

God Bless, love to all

Sincerely,

Sally Stierhoff