Godís two greatest commandments are love God and love others. There are no greater commandments than these. Upon them, the laws of the prophets were created and their teachings were secondary to these two commandments. Why is love so important you ask? Well, godly love found in relationships will give you an abundant life and it is where youíll find heavenly treasures. Itís all about relationships.

 

Itís amazing how much we can learn from children. They seem to have a better perspective of love and life. Catch this precious insight on the meaning of love from six-year old Mica: ìIf you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hateî. So young yet sheís captured the essence of love and relationships that mankind has yet to learn.

 

In a world filled with people there are a lot of lonely people who feel unloved. Theyíre alive, but not living the fulfilling life God designed for them. And loneliness is nothing new for it started at the beginning of time. ìThe Lord God said, itís not good for man to be alone...î(Gen.1:18) You see although Adam had everything at his disposal, he was lonely. So because God loved Adam so much, He created woman. And God wanted Adam and Eve to have the abundant life found in relationships.

 

ìThis is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends, if you do what I command you...[For] all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.î (Jn. 15:12-15)

 

The night before Jesus was crucified, He spent it with His disciples. He spoke words of hope and encouragement because He knew they needed to hear it. He conveyed the importance of relationships before departing from them. And this is what Jesus taught them about...

 

                                            Relationships

 

ìYou didnít choose Me, but I choose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Than the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  This is my command: Love each other.î(Jn.15:16,17) In other words, the Lord has a relationship with us and when youíre in a relationship with the Father and with others, thereís an abundance of life. God has reserved fruitfulness in the things we do being in a relationship with Him. We can be confident that Heíll answer prayers. How can life be better than this!

 

Well here are three godly gifts or treasures that we will find as we begin to unwrap gifts that are found in relationships. When involved in godly and healthy relationships, the first gift weíll find is that these our friendships willÖ

 

 

1.  DETERMINE OUR LIFESTYLE.

 

ìHe who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.î (Prv.13:20) Who we hang around or keep company with will affect our lifestyle and determine who weíll eventually become. ìDo not be deceived: ëBad company corrupts good morals.íî (Cor. 15:33) The Bible says to choose your circle of friends well. Why? Itís because their values, morals, and beliefs will bleed into our life and weíll be just like them.

 

When I first met Pastor Wayne, we were so different like night and day. So spending time with him over the next few years really influenced me in ways I couldnít help. People say Iíve changed since Iíve been with New Hope. In fact my wife says Iíve changed so much that I donít stop talking.

 

Q1) Describe the character of a friend you had before coming to Christ. Then, describe the character of a friend you now have. How has this changed you?

 

Finding healthy relationships in the world is not easy. Many times we waltz into relationships without thought to those weíre surrounding ourselves with. However, our criteria for choosing friends should be the same as searching for the right doctor or dentist. We wouldnít randomly choose any doctor or dentist.  So too we must be mindful in choosing our friends. We should passionately choose those who will understand us, who weíll feel comfortable with, and who would want Godís best for our lives.

 

Q2) What is your criterion in a friend? Do you have these criteria to be a friend to someone else?

 

So where can you find a friend who has the right priorities in life and able to give Godly counsel? Well, it should be someone that loves God first and you second. And you will find them in church called the body of Christ. These are people that love God first and love you next. Theyíll speak good counsel and correction into your life.

 

So look for friends who have right priorities. Thatís where youíll find the first treasure. Remember the quality of your lifestyle will be determined by whom you hang around with. Then when you have healthy relationships, youíll find another treasure because these friends will....

 

 

2. PROVIDE SUPPORT AND STRENGTH.

 

Each individual will need to be surrounded by others whoíll provide support when we fall. Itís not a matter if weíll fall but when. Being competent, capable, Christian, or non-Christian doesnít matter. However, the godly relationships we have will be the air bags that cushion our fall. Events such as an unforeseen health problem, loss of a job, being victim of a crime, or even a divorce may happen in our lives. Therefore, if we choose our circle of friends wisely, they will catch us when we fall. ìTwo are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!...Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.î (Ecc. 4:9-10 NIV) God did not intend for us to live alone neither did He intend for us to face problems by ourselves. The Bible tells us problems will arise and God is faithful to provide friends who will be our strength and support. They will help us to find our way out of darkness, and to remind us of Godís goodness. Theyíll point us back to the path and help us place our feet on solid ground. ìA friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.î (Prv. 17:17)

 

Q3) How has your care group/ministry helped you? In what ways do you serve them? 

 

At times, itíll be just a phone call away. This rang true for me when I found out that my dad passed away. At the time, I had just gone through a lengthy trial. Everyone in court was ready for closing arguments when my clerk handed me a note asking for a recess. I looked over at her saying, ìNoî. She wrote another note insisting for a recess. I answered no again. She passed me a final note that read, your dad just passed away.

 

I quickly called a recess. I went to my chambers, called my mom and found out my dad committed suicide. As I began driving to my momís house, the first person I called was Dan Shima. He was my friend, a good brother, and one that I could lean entirely on and place the whole weight of my life on his shoulders. At the hospital I prayed with my family while doctors were trying to revive my dad. As I exited the emergency room Dan Shima was standing outside waiting for me. You see I was part of a care group and the Levites ministry at the time. Our leader Craig Chong also showed up on such short notice. Every single person that I needed support and strength from was there, even my care group members. I canít tell you how much that meant to me in probably the darkest moment of my life.

 

Donít wait until thereís a phone call that needs to be answered to get into a relationship. Begin now. Look for people within the church circle who can be there to support in those dark times.

Youíll find eternal treasures within these relationships that not only determine your lifestyle, but also provide support. And finally along with these, good Godly relationships will begin to...

 

 

3. MOVE US TOWARD MATURITY.

 

You know for some reason, old people feel that theyíve been granted a license to do whatever they want and when they want. Once while visiting my 87 years old mom I noticed the front grill of her car smashed. So I asked her what happened. She said that she was behind a car at an intersection and when the light turned green, the driver in front of her didnít move forward. Laughingly, I replied, ìDid you kind of help him along?î

 

Now thereís a big difference between getting old and being matured in Christ. What the bible is asking us to do is to become mature in Him. So how do we go about this? ìWe must try to become mature and start thinking about more than just the basic things we were taught about Christ.  We shouldnít need to keep talking why we ought to turn from deeds that bring death and why we ought to have faith in God...Letís grow up.î (Heb. 6:1,3 CEV)