Building Relationships

Ptr. Peter’s message about Building the Relationships struck me straight through my heart. The message felt so close to me and felt the real need for it. The family is important. Families are God’s design for His Provisions and for our protection. It is God’s design for us to have Earthly families. Ptr. Peter also reminded us that a godly family will promote and foster Christianity.

5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 8 Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:5-9

How? Ptr. Peter simplified it in 3 letters: A.C.T.

First is AFFIRMATION. We need to choose our words always and have the goal to uplift every single member of your family with them. Words are powerful and we do need to practice affirming one another instead of pulling everybody down.

29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29

Second is COMMUNICATION. Both verbal and nonverbal communication are powerful in making a statement to our family. We need to learn and practice how to listen more than responding. Since we have two ears and 1 mouth, we are intended to listen more. The first duty of love is to listen. We must practice these phrases:
How did I hurt you?
How can I improve?
Will you forgive me?

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger[a] does not produce the righteousness[b] God desires. James 1-19-20

Lastly, TIME. Love is spelled TIME. You have no infinite time with your family. Invest in time with them. It is what life is all about.

14 Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles.[b] They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, Mark 3:14

Growing up in a religious family, I must say that my family did a great job making God’s love known to us. My mom, especially, deep-rooted fear of God on my mind and that there is hell for a sinful person. My mom taught me to read the Bible when I was young and I do see her read hers piously. I am thankful how I was brought up; the discipline, the values, and the love. I admit that I need to practice more of this A.C.T. and that I should really apply this every day. I hope I could influence my family the love I realized from God. I pray that someday, my family would look in the same direction as I am right now, celebrating the salvation given free by our Father. I also need to be reminded not to be afraid of modeling Christ’s love to them because I know that everything that I will do, as long as it will Glorify His name, nothing is impossible!

13 For I can do everything through Christ,[a] who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

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