'Relationships' Tagged Posts
The Bond of Peace
The Bond of Peace From Our Daily Bread June 15, 2017 Read: Ephesians 4:1–6 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.—Ephesians 4:3 After I confronted my friend by email over a matter on which we had differed, she didn’t respond. Had I overstepped? I didn’t want to worsen the situation by pestering her, but neither did I want to leave things unresolved before she went on a trip overseas. As she popped…
Reconciliation
Reconciliation By Billy Graham • June 7, 2017 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son . . . —Romans 5:10 The word “reconcile” means literally “bring into a changed relationship.” It means to bring together two parties who should have been together all along. The Bible speaks of the human race as enemies of God. You may say that you are no “enemy” of God, but according to Scripture we…
The Real You
The Real You By Billy Graham • March 9, 2017 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith . . . —Ephesians 3:17 Experts have told us that society is sick. Their solutions have treated human frailty with infusions of low-income housing, welfare payments, integrated education, and psychological conditioning. But we are learning that this is not the total answer. The world does need changing, society needs changing, the nation needs changing, but we never will change it until…
Tame Your Tongue
Tame Your Tongue By Billy Graham • February 19, 2017 “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. —James 1:26 The problems of the world could be solved overnight if men could get victory over their tongues. Suppose there was no anger, no profanity, no lying, no grumbling or complaining; suppose there were no dirty stories told, no unjust criticism—what a different world this…
Feeling the Hurts of Others
Feeling the Hurts of Others By Billy Graham • February 12, 2017 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light . . . —1 John 2:10 This age in which we live could hardly be described as conducive to a sensitiveness of the needs of others. We have developed a veneer of sophistication and hardness. Abraham Lincoln once said, characteristically, “I am sorry for the man who can’t feel the whip when it is laid on the other man’s…
The Giver of the Gift
The Giver of the Gift By Billy Graham • December 22, 2016 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not . . . freely give us all things? —Romans 8:32 God is the Giver of the gift. The capability of the donor usually gauges the value of the gift. We don’t usually think of a person as a gift, but actually interpersonal relationships are the most valued and cherished gifts…
Compassion for Others
Compassion for Others By Billy Graham • November 7, 2016 Let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. . . . And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also. —1 John 4:7,21 If you would know the measure of your love for God, just observe your love for your fellowman. Our compassion for others is an accurate gauge…
Prejudice Is Weakness
Prejudice Is Weakness By Billy Graham • October 24, 2016 Judge not, that ye be not judged. —Matthew 7:1 The word prejudice means “prejudging” or “making an estimate of others without knowing the facts.” Prejudice is a mark of weakness, not of strength. Prejudice is measured by computing the distance between our own biased opinions and the real truth. If we would all be perfectly honest before God, there would be no prejudice. Prayer for the day You love each…
Blessed Are Peacemakers
Blessed Are Peacemakers By Billy Graham • October 18, 2016 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. —Psalm 4:8 In a materialistic world which has tried to sever diplomatic relations with God, we have nowhere to retreat except within ourselves. We are like turtles in a traffic jam—the best we can do is to pull our heads into our shells and shut our eyes. But that’s a good…
Pure in Heart
Pure in Heart By Billy Graham • October 14, 2016 He that walketh righteously . . . shall dwell on high. —Isaiah 33:15,16 Being pure in conduct also includes honesty and integrity in dealing with our fellowmen. A Christian should be known in his neighborhood or place of business as an honest person, a person who can be trusted. Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Do you want to be happy? All right, apply this Beatitude to your…
The Power of Words
The Power of Words By Billy Graham • September 17, 2016 The tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do . . . —James 3:5 (TLB) There is a story of a woman in England who came to her vicar with a troubled conscience. The vicar knew her to be a habitual gossip—she had maligned nearly everyone in the village. “How can I make amends?” she pleaded. The vicar said, “If you want to make peace…
True Friendship
True Friendship By Billy Graham • September 14, 2016 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. —John 13:35 The human soul is a lonely thing. It must have the assurance of companionship. Left entirely to itself, it cannot enjoy anything. God said in the beginning, “It is not good that man should dwell alone” (Genesis 2:18). The creation of Eve was the beginning of human companionship. God’s people are…