Our God has a great plan for our lives! n I vividly remember as a young man having great doubts about what life would bring for me. There is no certainty

Our God has a great plan for our lives!Our God has a great plan for our lives!

I vividly remember as a young man having I vividly remember as a young man having great doubts about what life would bring for great doubts about what life would bring for me. There is no certainty without God. me. There is no certainty without God. (Ps 90:10-12)(Ps 90:10-12)


Psalm 90:10-12Psalm 90:10-12 - The days of our lives - The days of our lives are are seventy years; And if by reason of seventy years; And if by reason of strength strength they are they are eighty years, Yet their eighty years, Yet their boast boast is is only labor and sorrow; only labor and sorrow; For it is For it is soon cut off, and we fly awaysoon cut off, and we fly away. … 12 . … 12 So So teach teach us us to number our daysto number our days, That we may , That we may gain gain a heart of wisdoma heart of wisdom..


Much of my thinking was short term.Much of my thinking was short term.

Our God has a great plan for our Our God has a great plan for our lives!lives!

Much of my thinking was short term.Much of my thinking was short term. Much of my worry surrounded the dating Much of my worry surrounded the dating

game and seeking a mate.game and seeking a mate.



game and seeking a mate.game and seeking a mate. There were other very important There were other very important

relationships that my God provided me relationships that my God provided me that were critical in my future that were critical in my future

relationships.relationships.



game and seeking a mate.game and seeking a mate. There were other very important relationships There were other very important relationships

that my God provided me that my God provided me that were that were critical in my future relationships.critical in my future relationships.

My God answered prayers and provided My God answered prayers and provided wonderful people in my life.wonderful people in my life.


In becoming a Christian it changed my In becoming a Christian it changed my relationships over time.relationships over time.


In becoming a Christian it changed my In becoming a Christian it changed my relationships over time.relationships over time.

I cannot give enough thanks to God for I cannot give enough thanks to God for those who wanted to be a part of my walk those who wanted to be a part of my walk of faith. Jesus promised this would be so! of faith. Jesus promised this would be so! (Mk 10:28-30)(Mk 10:28-30)


Mark 10:28-30Mark 10:28-30 28 Then Peter began to 28 Then Peter began to say to Him, "See, say to Him, "See, we have left all and we have left all and followed Youfollowed You." 29 So Jesus answered and ." 29 So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or one who has left house or brothers or sisters brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or childrenor father or mother or wife or children or or lands, for lands, for My sake and the gospel'sMy sake and the gospel's, ,


30 "who shall not receive a 30 "who shall not receive a hundredfold hundredfold now in this timenow in this time -- houses and -- houses and brothers and brothers and sisters and mothers and childrensisters and mothers and children and lands, and lands, with persecutionswith persecutions -- and in the age to come, -- and in the age to come, eternal lifeeternal life..


I found that as I became closer to God that I found that as I became closer to God that my relationships changed!my relationships changed!


I found that as I became closer to God that I found that as I became closer to God that my relationships changed!my relationships changed!

Let us look at scripture and then our lives Let us look at scripture and then our lives and see the direction of our lives.and see the direction of our lives.

The priorities of our The priorities of our relationshipsrelationships

Jesus knew that one of the greatest tests will Jesus knew that one of the greatest tests will be in relationships.be in relationships.


Jesus knew that one of the greatest tests will Jesus knew that one of the greatest tests will be in relationships.be in relationships.

Does Jesus come first before all Does Jesus come first before all relationships? relationships? (Lk 14:26-27)(Lk 14:26-27)


Luke 14:26-27Luke 14:26-27 - "If anyone comes to Me - "If anyone comes to Me and does not and does not hate his father and mother, hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life alsoand his own life also, he , he cannot be My cannot be My discipledisciple. 27 "And whoever does not bear . 27 "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.disciple.


If that is not the case we will find out in a If that is not the case we will find out in a hurry.hurry.


Some have found ways to be in good Some have found ways to be in good standing with brethren and with those that standing with brethren and with those that hate and oppose strong Christians! hate and oppose strong Christians! (Lk 6:26)(Lk 6:26)


Luke 6:26Luke 6:26 - Woe to you when - Woe to you when all men all men speak well of youspeak well of you, For so did their fathers to , For so did their fathers to the false prophets.the false prophets.


Some will abandon you because you Some will abandon you because you correctly stand on a doctrinal issue that is correctly stand on a doctrinal issue that is not popular with some brethren! (Ex. not popular with some brethren! (Ex. Dancing) Dancing) (Gal 6:12)(Gal 6:12)


Galatians 6:12Galatians 6:12 - As many as desire to - As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these make a good showing in the flesh, these would would compel you to be circumcised, only compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christcross of Christ..


If we would make that unwavering If we would make that unwavering commitment to love God with all that we commitment to love God with all that we have, then the pain of lost relationships have, then the pain of lost relationships will be bearable.will be bearable.


Committing yourself wholly to God will Committing yourself wholly to God will always bring great changes.always bring great changes.


Committing yourself wholly to God will Committing yourself wholly to God will always bring great changes.always bring great changes.

Look at the life of Joseph in its entirety! Look at the life of Joseph in its entirety! (Gen 50:20)(Gen 50:20)


Genesis 50:20Genesis 50:20 - "But as for you, you meant - "But as for you, you meant evil against me; evil against me; but but God meant it for goodGod meant it for good, , in order to bring it about as in order to bring it about as it is it is this day, to this day, to save many people alive.save many people alive.


At the first this is hard to see. Here At the first this is hard to see. Here knowledge of God and His promises will knowledge of God and His promises will sustain us. sustain us. (1 Pt 3:12-14)(1 Pt 3:12-14)


1 Peter 3:12-141 Peter 3:12-14 - For - For the eyes of the LORD the eyes of the LORD are are on the righteouson the righteous, And , And His ears His ears are open are open to to their prayerstheir prayers; But the face of the LORD ; But the face of the LORD is is against those who do evil." 13 And who against those who do evil." 13 And who is is he he who will harm you if you become followers of who will harm you if you become followers of what is goodwhat is good? 14 But even if you should ? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, suffer for righteousness' sake, you are you are blessed. blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.“troubled.“


David pointed this out in many ways! David pointed this out in many ways! (Ps 37:23-25)(Ps 37:23-25)


Psalm 37:23-25Psalm 37:23-25 - - The steps of a The steps of a good good man man are ordered by the LORDare ordered by the LORD, And , And He delights He delights in his wayin his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not . 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For be utterly cast down; For the LORD the LORD upholds upholds him with him with His handHis hand. 25 I have been . 25 I have been young, and young, and now now am old; Yet am old; Yet I have not seen I have not seen the righteous forsakenthe righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants , Nor his descendants begging bread.begging bread.


The greatest associations you will ever find The greatest associations you will ever find are among the people of God who have are among the people of God who have stood and suffered. stood and suffered. (Heb 10:32-33; 11:24-26)(Heb 10:32-33; 11:24-26)


Hebrews 10:32-34Hebrews 10:32-34 - But recall the former - But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured you endured a great struggle with a great struggle with sufferingssufferings: 33 partly while you were made : 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulationstribulations, and partly while you became , and partly while you became companions of those who were so treatedcompanions of those who were so treated; ;


It is not uncommon for weak Christians to It is not uncommon for weak Christians to distance themselves from strong Christians distance themselves from strong Christians and in some cases even persecute them. and in some cases even persecute them.


Paul talked about the danger of being Paul talked about the danger of being ashamed of him. ashamed of him. (2 Tim 1:8, 16)(2 Tim 1:8, 16)


2 Timothy 1:82 Timothy 1:8 - Therefore do not be - Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lordashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor , nor of me His prisonerof me His prisoner, but share with me in the , but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,power of God,


2 Timothy 1:162 Timothy 1:16 - The Lord grant mercy to - The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my was not ashamed of my chainchain;;


I will never forget the little church in I will never forget the little church in Abbeville, Alabama or the brethren that I Abbeville, Alabama or the brethren that I met in Charlottesville, Virginia.met in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The direction of our relationshipsThe direction of our relationships

You can definitely see your spiritual You can definitely see your spiritual direction by your relationships.direction by your relationships.


You can definitely see your spiritual You can definitely see your spiritual direction by your relationships.direction by your relationships.

Peter made a series of bad decisions that led Peter made a series of bad decisions that led him into a place where he would fall. him into a place where he would fall. (Lk 22:54)(Lk 22:54)


Luke 22:54Luke 22:54 - Having arrested Him, they led - Having arrested Him, they led Him Him and brought Him into the high priest's and brought Him into the high priest's house. But house. But Peter followed at a distancePeter followed at a distance..


Paul was encouraged to know he had Paul was encouraged to know he had brethren that would stand with him! brethren that would stand with him! (Acts 18:9-11)(Acts 18:9-11)


Acts 18:9-11Acts 18:9-11 - Now the Lord spoke to Paul - Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silentbut speak, and do not keep silent; 10 "for I ; 10 "for I am with you, and no one will attack you to am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for hurt you; for I have many people in this I have many people in this citycity." 11 And he continued ." 11 And he continued there there a year and a year and six months, teaching the word of God six months, teaching the word of God among them.among them.


I am speaking of relationships where we I am speaking of relationships where we depend on others and let our guard down depend on others and let our guard down around others.around others.


I am speaking of relationships where we I am speaking of relationships where we depend on others and let our guard down depend on others and let our guard down around others.around others.

Our relationships change over time. How Our relationships change over time. How are they changing?are they changing?


Are you moving away from zealous, Are you moving away from zealous, faithful Christians? faithful Christians? (Ps 1:1-3)(Ps 1:1-3)


Psalm 1:1-3Psalm 1:1-3 - Blessed - Blessed is is the man Who the man Who walkswalks not in the counsel of the not in the counsel of the ungodlyungodly, Nor , Nor standsstands in in the path of the path of sinnerssinners, Nor , Nor sits in the seatsits in the seat of the of the scornfuscornful; 2 But his delight l; 2 But his delight is is in the law of the in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And And whatever he does shall prosperwhatever he does shall prosper..


You can move to those in the world or to You can move to those in the world or to worldly Christians, both will work against worldly Christians, both will work against your spiritual life. your spiritual life. (Prov 13:20)(Prov 13:20)


Proverbs 13:20Proverbs 13:20 - He who walks with wise - He who walks with wise men men will be wise, But will be wise, But the companion of the companion of fools will be destroyedfools will be destroyed..


Some have what is called a “toxic faith.” Some have what is called a “toxic faith.” They are scoffers and pull you into a pool They are scoffers and pull you into a pool of poison. of poison. (1 Cor 15:33)(1 Cor 15:33)


1 Corinthians 15:331 Corinthians 15:33 - Do not be deceived: - Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits.“"Evil company corrupts good habits.“


When you are drifting doctrinally this also When you are drifting doctrinally this also happens. happens. (Gal 4:16-17)(Gal 4:16-17)


Galatians 4:16-17Galatians 4:16-17 - Have I therefore - Have I therefore become your enemybecome your enemy because I tell you the because I tell you the truth? 17 truth? 17 They zealously court youThey zealously court you, , but but for for no good; yes, no good; yes, they want to exclude youthey want to exclude you, that , that you may be zealous for themyou may be zealous for them..


You must fight and escape such You must fight and escape such relationships! I have known of some relationships! I have known of some respected preachers like this. respected preachers like this. (Heb 12:15)(Heb 12:15)


Hebrews 12:15Hebrews 12:15 - looking carefully lest - looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any any root of bitterness springing uproot of bitterness springing up cause cause trouble, and trouble, and by this many become defiledby this many become defiled;;


What a blessing to have “crazy” friends that What a blessing to have “crazy” friends that love to talk about the word of God and of love to talk about the word of God and of saving souls! saving souls! (Ps 119:63: Mal 3:16-18)(Ps 119:63: Mal 3:16-18)


Psalm 119:63Psalm 119:63 - I - I am am a companion of all a companion of all who fear Youwho fear You, And of those who , And of those who keep Your keep Your preceptsprecepts..


Malachi 3:16-18Malachi 3:16-18 - Then - Then those who feared those who feared the LORD spoke to one anotherthe LORD spoke to one another, And , And the the LORD listened and heard LORD listened and heard themthem; ; So a So a book book of remembrance was written before Himof remembrance was written before Him For those who For those who fear the LORDfear the LORD And who And who meditate on His namemeditate on His name. .


17 "17 "They shall be MineThey shall be Mine," says the LORD of ," says the LORD of hosts, "On the day that hosts, "On the day that I make them My I make them My jewelsjewels. And I will spare them As a man . And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him." 18 spares his own son who serves him." 18 Then you shall again Then you shall again discern Between the discern Between the righteous and the wickedrighteous and the wicked, Between , Between one who one who serves God And one who does not serve serves God And one who does not serve HimHim. .

Wisdom in our relationshipsWisdom in our relationships

Be the kind of friend you would want to Be the kind of friend you would want to have! have! (Ruth 3:11)(Ruth 3:11)


Ruth 3:11Ruth 3:11 - "And now, my daughter, do - "And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for request, for all the people of my town know all the people of my town know that you that you are are a virtuous womana virtuous woman..


How did David and Jonathan become How did David and Jonathan become friends? friends? (1 Sam 18:1-3)(1 Sam 18:1-3)


1 Samuel 18:1-31 Samuel 18:1-3 Now when he had Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, finished speaking to Saul, the soul of the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of DavidJonathan was knit to the soul of David, and , and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 Saul Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 Saul took him that day, and would not let him go took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father's house anymore. 3 Then home to his father's house anymore. 3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, Jonathan and David made a covenant, because because he loved him as his own soulhe loved him as his own soul..


My best friends have come in very obscure My best friends have come in very obscure places and circumstances. One thing they places and circumstances. One thing they all had in common was a service to the all had in common was a service to the Lord.Lord.



When we become people of integrity and When we become people of integrity and principle then we are becoming like God. principle then we are becoming like God. That kind of person will never forsake us.That kind of person will never forsake us.



When we become people of integrity and When we become people of integrity and principle then we are becoming like God. principle then we are becoming like God. That kind of person will never forsake us.That kind of person will never forsake us.

Can you find a mate like this?Can you find a mate like this?


Learn how to share burdens without Learn how to share burdens without becoming bitter.becoming bitter.


I have had to work with friends who were I have had to work with friends who were moving towards bitterness because moving towards bitterness because someone hurt me. Preachers who move someone hurt me. Preachers who move likely will face this scenario. likely will face this scenario.


Your friend nor you will be profited by Your friend nor you will be profited by sharing an uncontrolled anger. sharing an uncontrolled anger. (Eph 4:26-27; 1 Jn 3:15)(Eph 4:26-27; 1 Jn 3:15)


Ephesians 4:26-27Ephesians 4:26-27 - "Be angry, and do not - "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 wrath, 27 nor give place to the devilnor give place to the devil..


1 John 3:151 John 3:15 - Whoever - Whoever hates his brother is hates his brother is a murderera murderer, and you know that , and you know that no murderer no murderer has eternal life abiding in himhas eternal life abiding in him..


I need people who can understand and then I need people who can understand and then help me to move on!help me to move on!


Be around thankful people. Be around thankful people.


Do you have friend that can go on at length Do you have friend that can go on at length about how God has blessed them and about how God has blessed them and others?others?


Do you have friend that can go on at length Do you have friend that can go on at length about how God has blessed them and about how God has blessed them and others?others?

I need people to help me lift up my eyes I need people to help me lift up my eyes and see the eternal blessing given by our and see the eternal blessing given by our God! Are you with thankful men? God! Are you with thankful men? (Rom 1:21; Phil 4:6-8)(Rom 1:21; Phil 4:6-8)


Romans 1:21Romans 1:21 - because, although they - because, although they knew God, they did not glorify knew God, they did not glorify Him Him as God, as God, nor were thankfulnor were thankful, but became futile in their , but became futile in their thoughts, and thoughts, and their foolish hearts were their foolish hearts were darkeneddarkened..


Philippians 4:6-8Philippians 4:6-8 - Be anxious for - Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, supplication, with thanksgivingwith thanksgiving, let your , let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, understanding, will guard your hearts and will guard your hearts and mindsminds through Christ Jesus. through Christ Jesus.


8 Finally, brethren, 8 Finally, brethren, whatever thingswhatever things are are true, whatever things true, whatever things are are noble, noble, whatever whatever thingsthings are are just, just, whatever thingswhatever things are are pure, pure, whatever thingswhatever things are are lovely, lovely, whatever thingswhatever things are are of good report, if of good report, if there is there is any virtue and any virtue and if if there is there is anything praiseworthy -- anything praiseworthy -- meditate meditate on these thingson these things. .


What have you learned about yourself by What have you learned about yourself by looking at your relationships?looking at your relationships?


We need to help our students in this area! We need to help our students in this area! An old study found that the key in making it An old study found that the key in making it as a new convert was breaking 3 old as a new convert was breaking 3 old relationships and establishing 3 new.relationships and establishing 3 new.


We need to help our students in this area! We need to help our students in this area! An old study found that the key in making it An old study found that the key in making it as a new convert was breaking 3 old as a new convert was breaking 3 old relationships and establishing 3 new.relationships and establishing 3 new.

Parents, you can make a huge difference in Parents, you can make a huge difference in the relationships your children establish!the relationships your children establish!


Let us pray for our God to provide the Let us pray for our God to provide the wonderful gifts of relationships with wonderful gifts of relationships with faithful Christians! faithful Christians! (Heb 10:23-25)(Heb 10:23-25)


Hebrews 10:23-25Hebrews 10:23-25 - Let us hold fast the - Let us hold fast the confession of confession of our our hope without wavering, for hope without wavering, for He who promised He who promised is is faithful. 24 And let us faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love consider one another in order to stir up love and good worksand good works, 25 not forsaking the , 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as assembling of ourselves together, as is is the the manner of some, but manner of some, but exhorting exhorting one anotherone another, , and so much the more as you see the Day and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.approaching.

Documents

Our God has a great plan for our lives! n I vividly remember as a young man having great doubts about what life would bring for me. There is no certainty