Life Plan Devotion #42 [F.I.R.S.T. Place, Part III)

Hi, Everyone.
Today's devotion is part 3 of F.I.R.S.T. Place. May it speak to you, as it did to me. As always, I enjoy hearing from you. What's God doing in your life?

Life Plan Devotion #42 [F.I.R.S.T. Place, Part III]

     The past several days, we've been looking at the first 2 areas of life, Finances and Interests, to see, individually, if God has first place in your life. Today, we'll look at the third area.
     Relationships--Think about your relationships, how you interact with your spouse, children, family, your friends, boss, coworkers, pastor, brothers and sisters in Christ. When a scribe asked Jesus Christ, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" Jesus answered, "The most important commandment is this: 'Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these" (Mark 12:28-31). Putting God first in your relationships means that you think, speak, act, and react the way He wants you to, according to His Word. Is God first in your relationships?

I Peter 3:8-9
"...Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will bless you for it."

What this has to do with weight loss:  There's nothing like a pre-WLS diet or a post-surgery hormonal shake-up to drive even the sweetest person to spout surly sayings. The road to weight loss can seem like a battlefield. Just make sure that when the war's over, you don't look back to see the ground littered with wounded, bleeding, or battle scarred friends, family, and fellow workers.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I'm involved in many relationships, with varying connections and commitments. You have called me to love each person with whom I come in contact. Help me to think, speak, act, and react out of love and love alone. I admit that sometimes it's so hard to do that, but I want to, Lord. Help me to be sympathetic, humble, and when I'm insulted, help me to react with love and kindness. I pray in the Name of Jesus who said, 'If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also' (Matthew 5:39). Amen."

Go forth today, putting God first in your relationships.

Blessings,
Mary

Thank you Mary, for your devotional.

I remember learning a "trick" that helps me in relationships at times.  It's not really a trick at all, but a proven method.  When I am struggling to like someone, or to see the good in the person, I have found that if I pray and ask God to help me see what good HE sees in the person, that God always answers that prayer.  Once I can see the good trait, I am often able to let go of my own biases or opinions and make the relationship workable.  If there is a trick here at all, it is getting me to humble myself to ask.

My hope is that others will also ask God to show them my good traits too, as I'm sure I've been on the wrong end of those personality conflicts as well.  =)

Have a wonderful day,
Vickie

That's wonderful, Vickie! Someone once said, "There's good in the worst of us and bad in the best of us." There's always something good in people, and God will honor the prayer to help you see it. Thanks for reading and replying. Have a wonderful day.
Blessings,
Mary