Quote from Forum Archives on November 8, 2002, 3:03 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

I like to observe things around me, both in my home, my church,
my community, and in the various other circles I find myself in.
In each of those circles, I run into situations where some people
demonstrate a genuine love, while others seem more interested in
proving that they're right than they are about building strong
relationships. It's easy to fall into that kind of trap,
particularly in times when we place a higher priority on some
kind of event or achievement than we do on the people around us.

Today's message is about just that, putting relationships ahead
of achievements. This message establishes when relationships
come first, and where appropriate boundaries in those
relationships should be set.

I pray that the Spirit of God will take the scripture of the
apostle Paul and the sound teaching of Neil Anderson and use it
to work in our hearts, for God's eternal honor and glory, and for
our strengthening and encouragement.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

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N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L
from Freedom in Christ Ministries

November 8, 2002

RELATIONSHIPS FIRST

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who
loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law (Romans 13:8).

Many people demonstrate that their need to win when trying to
resolve conflicts with others is greater than their regard for
relationships. Why is winning so important to us? Why must we
always be right? The person who is driven to win, to be right, or
to be first is insecure. Insecure people are driven to perform.

Security comes from relationships, not achievements. A secure
person is a person who is comfortable with himself and others. It
is easy to communicate with a secure person, but you often end up
clashing with a driven person. Would you rather be a lover or an
achiever? Which would you prefer your spouse, children, coworkers
and friends to be?

Relationships are more important than achievements to God. Jesus
declared that the two greatest commandments are to love God and
love people (Matthew 22:36-40). The purpose of the Word of God
is to govern our relationships with God and man. If our
achievements in life don't enhance our relationships with God,
our spouse and children, and others, then we are not fulfilling
God's commandments.

Is there ever a time when we need to assert ourselves in
conflicts? Yes, we need to stand our ground on moral issues. But
we never have the right to violate the fruit of the Spirit in
doing so. If what you do can't be done in love and self-control,
then maybe it's better left undone. And remember: Your authority
does not increase with the volume of your voice. When you resort
to shouting in conflict, you are reacting in the flesh. You have
lost control of the only person you can control: yourself.

Anyone who accomplishes something at the expense of people or
elevates tasks over relationships will sow the seeds of their
own destruction and the destruction of those around them.
Governments, institutions and organizations exist for the cause
and needs of people. The Sabbath was made for man, not man for
the Sabbath. How easy it is to turn our priorities upside down.

Gracious Lord, help me today to love people and use things, and
not to love things and use people.

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=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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