DEVOTIONAL
DEVOTIONAL
FEBRUARY 27 & 28, 2016
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in Life Together, “The more genuine and the deeper our community becomes, the more will everything else between us recede, the more clearly and purely will Jesus Christ and His work become the one and only thing that is vital between us.” God made for us to exist and thrive in community with Him and with others. We all have a desire to know others and be fully known. We long for people to understand us, to get us. Thankfully, we have a God who knows all things about us and is always ready and willing to listen to us. But, isn’t it just a glimmer of heaven when we can confide in someone, share a prayer request in our small group or with some friends, or when we can be there for someone who is going through a difficult situation? 1 Peter 3:8 reminds us, “Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.” In 1624, the British poet, John Donne wrote the poem, No Man is An Island. No man is an island, Entire of itself. Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manor of thy friend’s Or of thine own were. Any man’s death diminishes me, Because I am involved in mankind. And therefore, never send to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee. This poem is a reminder of the truth plastered throughout Scripture. The most important connections that we can have are with God and other believers. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” ALL BIBLE REFERENCES FROM NLT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. © CONNECTION POINTE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 2016
1
SERMONS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT CONNECTIONPOINTE.ORG/SERMONS
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
DEVOTIONAL
The band Tenth Avenue North illustrated this poem in a song that was released in 2014 entitled, No Man is an Island. No man is an island, we can be found. No man is an island, let your guard down. You don’t have to fight, I am for you. We’re not meant to live this life alone. Are you living life on an island? Christ-centered community provides us with the opportunity for accountability, so life is no longer lived on an island of isolation. •Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” •1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” Do you have someone in your life that can hold you accountable? An accountability relationship is one that can help you foster health into other areas of your life. Perhaps you are looking for accountability to follow through on your spiritual goals, physical health, emotional health or eliminating bad habits. Here are four tips for your relationship with your accountability partner: 1. Pick someone of the same gender. 2. Talk regularly. 3. Be honest. 4. Prepare to share. 5. Listen. We are created for community. No man or woman should be an island. REFLECTION & RESPONSE | Reflect on this week’s devotional. •What did this teach me about God? •What did it show me about myself? •What is, at least, one way I respond and apply this teaching to my life? •How will I pray about this during the week? NEXT STEPS | some suggested personal steps for this week You are created for community. One of the ways that we worship Jesus is by meeting in small groups during the week. We would love to help you get connected with a small group. If you would like more information or are interested in joining a small group, please visit our website: connectionpointe.org/smallgroups/
ALL BIBLE REFERENCES FROM NLT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. © CONNECTION POINTE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 2016
2
SERMONS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT CONNECTIONPOINTE.ORG/SERMONS
FEBRUARY 27 & 28, 2016
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in Life Together, “The more genuine and the deeper our community becomes, the more will everything else between us recede, the more clearly and purely will Jesus Christ and His work become the one and only thing that is vital between us.” God made for us to exist and thrive in community with Him and with others. We all have a desire to know others and be fully known. We long for people to understand us, to get us. Thankfully, we have a God who knows all things about us and is always ready and willing to listen to us. But, isn’t it just a glimmer of heaven when we can confide in someone, share a prayer request in our small group or with some friends, or when we can be there for someone who is going through a difficult situation? 1 Peter 3:8 reminds us, “Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.” In 1624, the British poet, John Donne wrote the poem, No Man is An Island. No man is an island, Entire of itself. Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manor of thy friend’s Or of thine own were. Any man’s death diminishes me, Because I am involved in mankind. And therefore, never send to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee. This poem is a reminder of the truth plastered throughout Scripture. The most important connections that we can have are with God and other believers. Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” ALL BIBLE REFERENCES FROM NLT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. © CONNECTION POINTE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 2016
1
SERMONS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT CONNECTIONPOINTE.ORG/SERMONS
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
DEVOTIONAL
The band Tenth Avenue North illustrated this poem in a song that was released in 2014 entitled, No Man is an Island. No man is an island, we can be found. No man is an island, let your guard down. You don’t have to fight, I am for you. We’re not meant to live this life alone. Are you living life on an island? Christ-centered community provides us with the opportunity for accountability, so life is no longer lived on an island of isolation. •Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend” •1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” Do you have someone in your life that can hold you accountable? An accountability relationship is one that can help you foster health into other areas of your life. Perhaps you are looking for accountability to follow through on your spiritual goals, physical health, emotional health or eliminating bad habits. Here are four tips for your relationship with your accountability partner: 1. Pick someone of the same gender. 2. Talk regularly. 3. Be honest. 4. Prepare to share. 5. Listen. We are created for community. No man or woman should be an island. REFLECTION & RESPONSE | Reflect on this week’s devotional. •What did this teach me about God? •What did it show me about myself? •What is, at least, one way I respond and apply this teaching to my life? •How will I pray about this during the week? NEXT STEPS | some suggested personal steps for this week You are created for community. One of the ways that we worship Jesus is by meeting in small groups during the week. We would love to help you get connected with a small group. If you would like more information or are interested in joining a small group, please visit our website: connectionpointe.org/smallgroups/
ALL BIBLE REFERENCES FROM NLT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. © CONNECTION POINTE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 2016
2
SERMONS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT CONNECTIONPOINTE.ORG/SERMONS
