The most important relationship you will ever have is your relationship with God. Your relationship with God is more important than your relationship with your spouse. Your relationship with God is more important than your relationships with your children. Your relationship with God is more important than your relationships with your friends and your coworkers. If we seek God first…if we draw near to Him…if we strengthen our walk with our Father, our other relationships will also be improved. I want to be a godly father. When I am close to God, I am a better dad. I want to be a good husband. When I have a close walk with God, I am a better husband. I want to be a reliable friend. When I have a strong relationship with God, I am a better friend. Closeness with God makes me a better person.

We need to remember the importance of our walk with God. God is worthy. He is worthy of every second you devote to Him. He is worthy of every dollar you give Him. He is worthy of every temptation you resist because of Him. He is worthy of every word you speak on His behalf. He is worthy of every trial and struggle you endure. He is worthy of your strength and energy. He is worthy of your devotion. We know all of this to be true. Yet we still struggle in our relationship with God. How can we build a stronger relationship with God? What can we do to strengthen this eternally important relationship? God provides us direction. Let’s take a look at God’s plan to strengthening our relationship with Him.

1. Obey God—In John 14:15 Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep My commandments.” Do you love God? Do you love Jesus? We know the right answer to these questions. What are our actions saying? We prove our love to God by obeying Him. The religious world has created a chasm between love and obedience as if they were mutually exclusive of each other. We like to hear the word “love.” We often cringe when we hear the word “obey.” Love and obedience go hand in hand. They are not mutually exclusive. It is impossible to show God we love Him without obedience. We cannot have a relationship with God without obedience.
2. Stand Up for God—There are some things worth fighting for. Fight for truth (John 17:17). Fight for your soul (Matthew 16:24-26). Fight for the souls of others (2 Corinthians 5:11). Fight for your purity (Ephesians 5:3). Fight for your family (Ephesians 6:4). Paul fought for God. He fought the good fight! Paul considered himself an ambassador for Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5, he challenged the church at Corinth to take up this same fight. Satan has many ambassadors in our world today. Our world is full of people representing the interests of Satan. Who is fighting for God? Who is representing God?
3. Seek God First—God’s expectations are made very clear in His Word. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Jesus spoke these words to people who were worried about the basic necessities of life. Jesus challenged them to trust God. He challenged them to seek God first. There is a big difference between first and second place. It will always be easy to put God first tomorrow. Tomorrow’s life may be too late. Live for God today.
4. Talk About God—“Witness” and “testify” are Biblical words. John the Baptizer came as a witness for Jesus. Paul was called to be a witness for Jesus. In 1 John 4:14 John writes, “We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.” If you know why you became a Christian and how you became a Christian, you have a story to share. Our world needs to know the Father has sent the Son to be their Savior! Talk to others about God.

Relationships are challenging. Relationships are tough. Relationships are also a tremendous blessing. The most important relationship we have is our relationship with God. Take time to strengthen your relationship with God. He is worthy of your time. He is worthy of your effort. He is worthy of your devotion.

What do you consider to be an act of courage? A fireman rushing into a burning home or building to rescue someone is certainly courageous. Individuals valiantly battling diseases such as cancer are courageous. Is a person revealing he or she is living a sinful lifestyle an act of courage?

God shows us what true courage looks like. God gives us pictures of courage in Joshua 1. God is speaking directly to Joshua. God needs Joshua to lead His people into the Promised Land. As God addresses Joshua, he encourages him on several occasions to be strong and courageous. The first picture of courage God presents to us is found in verse 6. “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” Joshua was responsible for leading millions of people. God needed a courageous leader to accomplish this task. It takes courage to lead people God’s direction.

Another picture of courage is found in verse 7. “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.” It takes courage to follow God’s Will. God commands Joshua to follow His law carefully. He tells Him to not turn from His law to the right or to the left. God spoke to Joshua. He shared directions for Joshua’s life. God has spoken to us. He has revealed His Law to us. It takes courage to follow God’s Will which brings us back to Jason Collins.

Is a person revealing he is living a sinful lifestyle an act of courage? Not according to God. God has a plan for our lives. There are things He needs us to do such as telling others about Jesus. There are things He has told us to avoid. In Romans 1:26-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and 1 Timothy 1:8-11 God reveals some practices that are sinful. Included in these verses are behaviors and actions we need to avoid. Found in each of these lists is homosexuality. God has revealed His will to us just as He did for Joshua. God has spoken on the subject of homosexuality.

What is courage? God tells us. Courage is leading people God’s direction. Courage is following God’s Will. We can’t rely on our world to define courage for us. Our world is far away from God. In fact, our society has drifted so far from God that it actually takes courage to write an article like this.

Life ultimately is about time. You can run out of money and still be alive. You can run out of possessions and still be alive. You can reach a point when life ceases to be fun, yet still be alive. Life is time. When you run out of time, you run out of life. Life’s most precious commodity is time. It is more valuable than diamonds and gold and oil and money. The Queen of England on her death bed said, “Millions of money for an inch of time.” What are you doing with your life? What are you doing with your time?

Life is about time. James, the brother of Jesus, addresses a group of Christians who had let this fact slip from their minds. He attempts to bring this truth back to their remembrance with these words found in James 4. Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Our life is about time…and our time is short. It’s about time we prioritized our soul. It’s about time we built up godly families. It’s about time we told others about the Christ. It’s about time we do the good we know we should do. It’s about time we lived in view of eternity. It’s about time we lived our lives on God’s timing. It’s about time!

God does not see things from our point of view. The view from above is very different. If you’ve ever stood on the top of a mountain top, or scanned the horizon from the top of a skyscraper, or looked out the window of an airplane, you’ve experienced this fact. The view from above is very different. Can you imagine what God sees as He looks down on His creation? I am not God. God is omnipotent…I am not. God is omniscient…I am not. God is omnipresent…I am not. God alone is God. Knowing the power of God, we would be wise to turn to God for help. Knowing the understanding of God, it would make sense to rely on Him for guidance. Knowing the greatness of God, shouldn’t we turn to Him for our every need?

God is not silent. God has spoken to us. He shows us what it takes to follow Him. Religion is saturated with questions. What does it mean to be a Christian? How does one become a Christian? How should I live as a Christian? What is my purpose as a Christian? How should I worship God as His follower? What is pleasing in the eyes of God? These are just some of the many questions facing our religious world today. Hundreds of religious groups have been organized to promote the divergent opinions individuals hold of God’s requirements for the Christian life. A look at the subjects of baptism and worship demonstrate the varying “opinions” humanity holds today. In the recent mini-series The Bible the producers showed baptism as a burial, a pouring, and an immersion of the head only. Baptism didn’t change from the time John the Baptizer was immersing to the moment Saul was baptized by Ananias. Baptism did not change from the time Jesus was immersed in the Jordan River to the moment Peter baptized Cornelius. We should be thankful we do not have to choose from human opinions. God has spoken. He tells us what it means to be a Christian (Luke 9:23). God shows us how we become a Christian (John 8:24, Luke 13:3, Matthew 10:32-33, Mark 16:15-16, Revelation 2:10). God has revealed to us our purpose (Matthew 28:19). God has spoken on the subject of worship (John 4:23-24). God shows us what is pleasing in His eyes (Matthew 7:21-23).

God does not see things from our point of view. The view from above is very different. The words of Proverbs 14:12 describe many people. It would be in our best interest to follow the words of Proverbs 3:5. Take a look at these two Proverbs. Which one best describes your life? Remember…the view from above is very different.

• On the women’s side I predict another championship for the Lady Huskies of Connecticut. Notre Dame has beaten Connecticut three times this year. Connecticut will win the most important matchup between the two teams this Sunday, and will claim another championship next Tuesday night.

One Truth:
And now for one truth…God expects parents to lead their families spiritually. Parenting is tough. Parents have been given many important responsibilities. Moms and dads must take care of their children physically. They also must nurture the emotional needs of their children. Most importantly, parents have the job of leading their children spiritually. Deuteronomy is the second giving of God’s Law. Moses shares with the Israelites what they need to do in order to be successful in the Promised Land. Moses gives them a specific blue print for success directly from God. This plan included instructions for parents. Moses’s words to the Israelites are needed today. His words to the Israelite parents can help you be a godly parent. “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Moses challenges the Israelites to teach their children about God. Teach your children there is only one God. Teach your children to love God with all of their heart. Teach them to love God with all of their soul. Teach them to love God with all of their might. Be diligent in teaching your children these things. Teach them about God in the morning. Teach them about God in the afternoon. Teach them about God in the evening. Moses emphasized to the Israelites again and again the urgency of teaching their children about God. We would be wise to follow these same instructions. Our children need to know there is but one God. Our children need to learn how to love God. We must be diligent in providing spiritual leadership for our children.

Each month I write weekly devotionals for the weeThink section of Think magazine. I write these devotionals to help parents study the Bible with their children. These devotionals are a great tool for parents to use to teach their children about God. The following devotional appeared in the March issue of Think magazine. Parents have a tough job. Our most important responsibility is to help our children make it to heaven. My hope is that these devotionals will help parents teach their families about God. You can find weekly devotionals similar to the one below each month in Think magazine.

Joseph & His Brothers

OBJECTIVE: To read and identify the relationship that existed between Joseph and his brothers.

Feasting on the Word:
Read Genesis 37 together as a family.

Family Discussion:
Describe a situation when you found it difficult to get along with somebody else.
How did you handle this situation?

Describe the relationship between Joseph and his father. What special thing did Jacob give his son Joseph?

Describe the relationship that existed between Joseph and his brothers. Why did Joseph’s brothers dislike him?

What two dreams did Joseph have concerning his brothers? How did Joseph’s brothers feel about these dreams?

What plan did Joseph’s brothers devise to get rid of Joseph? Which brother did not want to kill Joseph?

How did Jacob’s sons deceive him? How did Jacob react to this news?

In what country did Joseph end up in after being sold? Who purchased Joseph from the Ishmaelites/Midianites?

Family Challenge:
Read Matthew 5:43-44—Share one way you can show love towards someone that is difficult to get along with in your life.

Weekly Memorization Goal:
Genesis 37:5

Basketball is a great sport to play. March Madness is exciting to follow. Basketball pales in importance to our salvation. In fact, everything pales in importance to our salvation. There is nothing more important than salvation. Everything is small when compared to the salvation of our souls. God wants us to be confident in our salvation. God doesn’t want us to doubt our salvation. Salvation is much too important for someone to doubt. “On the bubble” should never be a phrase we use to describe our soul’s salvation. You don’t have to be on the bubble spiritually. You don’t to have doubts about your salvation. You don’t have to sit and wonder if you are going to make it to heaven. Peter writes about this subject in 2 Peter 1. “Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.” Peter is writing to Christians. Peter’s letter is sent to those who believe in Jesus Christ (John 8:24). The recipients of this letter have repented of their sins (Luke 13:3). These individuals have confessed the name of Jesus (Matthew 10:32-33). Those receiving this letter have been baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38). Peter is writing to Christians. He is writing to the saved. Peter did not want them to have doubts about their salvation. He wanted these Christians to be excited about going to heaven. He wanted them to be certain they were going to heaven.

God wants you to have this same certainty. You don’t have to be “on the bubble” spiritually. You can know “your entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.” “On the bubble” should be a phrase limited to March Madness. This phrase should never describe our thoughts about salvation and heaven!

Speaking of madness…the Bible is full of madness. Many tragic stories flow from the pages of God’s Word. The first tragedy was the careless sin of Adam and Eve. They were tempted surrounded by ideal conditions, the Garden of Eden, yet they still yielded to temptation. The second tragedy quickly follows in Genesis 4. This chapter contains the tragic murder of Abel by his brother Cain. Take a few minutes to read Genesis 4:1-9. Let me share some valuable lessons one can learn from this story.

1. God cares how He is worshipped.
There are many myths in religion today. One popular myth is this; God doesn’t care how He is worshipped as long as He is worshipped. This statement is false. This statement is often made to justify personal wants when it comes to worship. Humanity continually battles selfishness. It is not different concerning worship. We need to remember that God does care how He is worshipped. God accepted the worship of Abel. He rejected the worship of Cain. It matters how we worship God. I don’t have the right to decide what God likes and what He doesn’t like. I don’t have the right to decide what God wants and what God doesn’t want. God has not left it to His creation to decide these things. God has spoken. He has revealed His plan. Take a look at Jesus’s words in John 4:23-24. God has a plan for worship. God is the creator. I am the created. Humanity would do well to remember this fact.

2. Life is about choice.
Abel made a choice to bring a proper sacrifice to God. He brought his best. God provided instructions for both Cain and Abel on His expectations. God did not force either of these brothers to bring their best. Abel chose to do this. Cain made a different choice. He chose to short-change God. God was not pleased with Cain. He was not pleased with his worship. He rejected his offering. Immediately after having his offering rejected, Cain was faced with another choice. God describes the choice to Cain in Genesis 4:7. He could choose to do well or he could choose to not do well. We are faced with this same choice. Life is about choice. What are the most important choices a person will make in life? “Who will I marry? What will I do with my life? Will I become a Christian?” These are big choices. These are important choices. God wants you to choose Him, but He won’t force you to do it. Life is about choice.

3. Sin can multiply in a hurry.
Look at the progression of sin in Cain’s life. Cain sinned by bringing an inadequate sacrifice to God; a sin of selfishness. Then Cain killed his brother Abel; the sins of murder and jealousy. Next, Cain tried to deny any wrong doing; the sin of lying. It’s alarming how quickly sin can multiply in a person’s life. We see this in the life of Cain. We witness it in the life of David. We also have experienced this in our own life. What should be some components of a Christian’s day to day life? People ride along with cops to discover what they do on a “normal” day. Children go to work with their parents to see what they do on a “normal” day. What does a Christian’s day to day life look like? Jim Valvano led the North Carolina State Wolfpack to an unexpected basketball championship in 1983. A few short years later he was diagnosed with cancer. Coach Valvano became a spokesman for cancer research. In his last speech before succumbing to cancer, he encouraged the audience to live a meaningful life. He went on to challenge them to do three things every day: laugh, think and cry. What should Christians do every day? A Christian should pray every day. Take time to talk with God. A Christian should read God’s Word every day. Schedule this time; it won’t happen automatically. A Christian should talk about Jesus every day. Tell someone what Jesus has done for you. A Christian should repent every day. I sin too often. I need to always be willing to repent. Having a penitent heart will keep sin from multiplying in our life.

4. Faithfulness can endure for generations.
Abel lived a short life. His legacy lives on. The legacy of Abel is described in Hebrews 11:4. “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous. God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.” Teaching is an essential part of God’s plan. God’s plan is a teaching plan. God has spoken to His creation. There was a time when God spoke directly to His creation. God spoke directly to Cain and Abel. God later spoke to His people through prophets. God speaks to us today through His Son and through His Word. God has spoken. Now, He needs us to speak. Take time to teach your children. Take time to teach the lost. Live a life that will continue to teach after your life is over. Abel’s legacy lives on. His faith has endured for generations. Yours can endure as well. Live a life that continues to speak about God even after you’re gone!

Are the words that flow out of your mouth pleasing to God? James illustrates the potential destructive power of the tongue in James 3. Your words have the power to build up people to amazing heights. Your words also have the power to bring people down to depressing lows. This is most evident in a marriage relationship. Husbands and wives can speak words that build up each other in a way that nobody else can. The opposite is also true. Jesus tells us in Matthew 12 that “by your words we will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Does this make you take stock of the words you speak?

How can we transform our speech? How can we learn to speak words that are acceptable in God’s sight? God’s Word has the answer for us. Here are five Biblical principles to consider before your speak.

1. Use Caution—James 1:19-20
Take a minute to read James 1:19-20. These words can transform your relationships. Read these words slowly and carefully. Do you realize what God has given you? God gives you the formula to building strong relationships. Step 1—Be quick to hear. Step 2—Be slow to speak. Step 3—Be slow to anger. Compare your current communication patterns with these words from God. Most of us do just the opposite. We are too often slow to hear, quick to speak, and quick to anger…and then we wonder why our relationships are falling apart. You want to strengthen your marriage? Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. You want to improve your relationships with your children? Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger! God’s plan will work…if followed.

2. Listen Carefully—James 1:19-20
One of my favorite verses is Psalm 46:10. “Be still and know that I am God.” I love these words. I fall short in living them. Take time to listen to God. God has a plan for your life. Take time to listen to Him. God has a plan for your salvation. Take time to listen to Him. God has a plan for your future. Take time to listen to Him. The words of Psalm 46:10 can also help us in our other relationships. If you are too busy to listen to God…you are too busy. If you are too busy to listen to your spouse…you are too busy. If you are too busy to listen to your children…you are too busy.

3. Be Positive—Colossians 4:6
Researchers have studied the impact of negative comments on a person as compared to positive comments. All research consistently reveals it takes many positive comments to balance out the effect of one negative comment. Stanford researchers concluded it takes eleven positive comments to counter the effect of one negative comment. Silence will destroy relationships. Negativity will also destroy relationships. Be positive in your speech.

4. Speak the Truth—Ephesians 4:15
You can’t have relationship without trust. Lies destroy relationships. The strongest relationship you can ever have is with God. God is not capable of lying. You can fully trust God. He won’t mislead you. He won’t deceive you. He won’t lie to you. Honesty is an essential ingredient in relationships. When you are teaching others follow the words of Paul in Ephesians 4:15. “Speak the truth in love.” When you are communicating with your family follow the words of Paul in Ephesians 4:15. “Speak the truth in love.”

5. Express Kindness—Ephesians 4:29
Read Ephesians 4:29…Imagine what your home would be like if your family lived out these words. Are the communication patterns in your home mostly positive or negative? Are your communication patterns mostly positive or negative? People in your life need to be encouraged. People in your life need to be uplifted. People in your life need to hear words of kindness.

An examination of Jesus’s temptation in Luke 4 reveals some important lessons to us about our enemy. Let’s take a trip with Jesus to the Judean wilderness and get better acquainted with the tactics of our enemy.

In Luke 4 we learn the areas in which we will be tempted. Jesus faced three temptations in the wilderness. The lust of the flesh…Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread. The lust of the eyes…Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if He would just pledge His allegiance to Satan. The pride of life…Satan tempted Jesus with an opportunity to gain approval from the people of the day by jumping off the temple and being rescued by angels. Every temptation you will face falls into one of these three categories. Paul assures us in 1 Corinthians 10 “that no temptation has overtaken you but such as common to man.” You know the areas where you will be tempted. What are the two biggest temptations you are currently facing? What is the biggest temptation you are facing in your life? You will be tempted by the lust of the flesh. You will face physical temptation. It might come in the form of alcohol or drugs. Perhaps it will be a sexual temptation. You will be also be tempted by the lust of the eyes. Have you ever been tempted with pornography? This is a huge temptation many face today. You will be tempted by the pride of life. There are a myriad of temptations that fall into this category. One of the biggest temptations in this area is the desire to fit in with the crowd. Too often people would rather be popular with their friends than popular with God.

Satan is a master strategist. He knows the most opportune times when he has the greatest advantage. He will attack when we’re on a business trip away from our spouse. He will attack late at night when we are sitting at the computer all alone. He will attack at the conclusion of a long day. Satan knows when to attack and when to retreat. He knows when to speak and when to remain silent. He knows when to advance and when to withdraw. Satan tempted Jesus at an opportune time. He will do the same to us. Be prepared for the attack. Satan can be defeated. James ensures us that if we “resist the devil, he will flee from us.”

The story of Luke 4 can be described in the following way. Jesus faced temptation. He resisted. Jesus faced temptation. He resisted. Jesus faced temptation. He resisted. Today you will face temptation. Will you give in or resist?

In Genesis 6, God is grieved in His heart that He created man because of their egregious wickedness. The sinfulness of His creation caused God to grieve. In the midst of this evil generation arises Noah. God looked down at Noah and He was pleased with what He saw. “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” God describes Noah as righteous, blameless and one who walked with Him. Imagine God looking down at your life and describing you with these words and phrases. God rescued Noah and his family from the destructive flood. God saved Noah and his family.

Later in Genesis, we come across another story of God’s salvation. After the flood, evil is once again prevalent in the world. The wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah becomes so great that God decides to destroy these cities. Lot and his daughters are rescued from the fiery destruction. God saved Lot and his daughters.

In Exodus 3, God’s chosen people are suffering under the cruel hand of Pharaoh. The Israelites are desperate for help. Their cries and pleas reach God’s ears. God sets in motion a plan to deliver the Israelites from physical bondage. The Israelites were slaves. They were subject to harsh treatment and difficult labor. God sends Moses to Egypt to rescue His people. The story of the Exodus illustrates the power of God. This story also illustrates the compassion of God. God saved the Israelites.

God’s saving hand is active once again in 2 Kings 5. Naaman was a captain in the Aramean army. Naaman also had leprosy. Leprosy was and is a horrible disease. Elisha, the prophet of God, shared God’s prescription with Naaman. Naaman reluctantly followed the plan, and he was cleansed of this horrible disease. God provided salvation to Naaman.

In Daniel 6, Daniel is faced with a choice. The king of the land had been tricked into making a law that it made illegal for Daniel to pray to God. Anyone who broke this law would be thrown into the lion’s den. Daniel broke this man-made law. He continued to pray to God, and he was cast into the lion’s den. Miraculously, Daniel survived. God delivered Daniel from the lions. God saved Daniel.

Each of the above stories is a great example of God’s salvation. As great as these salvations are, they fail to measure up to the salvation God has made available to you and me. Paul writes about this glorious subject in Galatians 1. “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.” Did you catch what Paul wrote concerning Jesus? Read it again! Jesus gave Himself. He gave Himself for our sins. “He gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age.” Through Jesus you can be saved. We are helpless to save ourselves. I need Jesus. You need Jesus. Jesus saves us from our sin. He rescues us from the guilt, control and condemnation that accompany sinfulness. Jesus saves us from the clutches of Satan’s hand. God saved Noah and his family. God saved Lot and his daughters. God saved the Israelites. He saved Naaman and Daniel. God can also save you!