Growing with Others

Always think the Best of others, God does.

Don’t judge someone else’s heart or motives, that is God’s Domain, not ours.
Don’t react to someone’s reaction. It just adds fuel to the fire.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

We have been called to be dispensers of the 2 most powerful forces on earth: GRACE & LOVE

Freely you have been given Grace, freely give it. (Even when someone doesn’t deserve it, that’s why it’s called Grace).

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

Love never fails. Therefore, use it extravagantly.

My words are incredibly powerful to build up or to destroy. I get to chose.

“The tongue has the power of life and death” Proverbs 18:21

Speaking words of Encouragement release people from the lies of the enemy and helps shape them into who God has intended.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29

Questions to Ponder

Once Jesus was at a pharisee’s house for dinner when a woman who “had lived a sinful life” came in and washed His feet with her tears (Luke 7). The pharisee was appalled. Jesus, knowing that the pharisee noticed her, asked him a much deeper question, “Do you see this woman?”.

Why is it so hard to “see” others as God sees them, in need of love (especially when they are in conflict with us)? Ask God for “eyes to see”.

When have you reacted to someone’s reaction? How did it go? When have you used a “gentle answer”? How did it go?

Besides Jesus, has someone extended grace to you when you did not deserve it? How did it make you feel? Who in your circle of relationships needs you to extend grace to; the ultimate “pay it forward”?

How have you been built up or crushed by the words of others? How have your words built up or crushed others? Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to build up those around you.

Activity

Make several postcards with the words “LOVE never fails. Therefore use it extravagantly”. Put these in places to be reminded of God’s powerful forces of Grace & Love. Journal how you can use the 3 layer cake example in a relationship. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you act in God’s domain (LOVE) instead of the enemy’s (Anger).

Scripture Memory Verse:

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1