Unity in Relationships

Do you believe that Christ can spiritually influence any person to change through your unconditional kindness and respect? God’s Word repeatedly promises that when we treat an opponent with consistent kindness and respect, we can have a positive impact on them. Note the positive relational effects God promises you in the following Bible verses if you remain proper in your responses.  Proverbs 15:1 says that if you give a gentle answer to a person who is angry with you, then you will reduce their wrath. Proverbs 16:21 says that if you speak kind and sweet, then you will be more persuasive. Proverbs 15:2 says that if you possess wisdom, then your knowledge and advice will be easier to accept and more attractive to embrace. Proverbs 16:7 says that if you please God in the way you treat and relate with others, then even those who do not like you will be at peace with you. There was a pastor who honked his horn in irritation at a slowpoke driver in the middle of rush...

When you look at your spouse what do you see? I remember the first day I saw my wife. I was standing on the stage at our church and there she was, in all her beauty and peacefulness, sitting in the second row in the overflow seating. I began to interact with her and the more I saw the more I found myself “head over heels.” The more I saw, the more I desired. I was loving by sight. I perceived no flaw in her. The words of Solomon toward his lover echoed my own thoughts, “You are altogether beautiful, my darling.” (SOS 4:7) But what about when what your spouse is not easy to love? Almost every couple I have counseled, whether in conflict or engaged have a view of their partner that is unrealistically flawless. But, the truth is, he or she, like you, is a person with desires, limitations, and tendencies that sooner or later will disappoint. The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 20:9 that no one can say, "I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin." Allow specific bib...

by David Roupe (Counselor at Lowcountry Biblical Counseling Center) When I grew up in Southwestern Pennsylvania, my father always had a garden. Since he grew up in a family of 12, the garden was an essential part of the family sustenance. It was so important that all 12 members worked in it to maintain and ensure a successful harvest. That mindset carried over to our family so that participation in the family garden was mandatory. Marriage is much like a garden. There are several components necessary for a successful marriage, and all need to participate in order to make it work well. The Bible instructs us in the practices necessary to produce a glorious harvest! Any couple who will work at it can reap the reward of a vigorous and healthy marriage. The first principle of a healthy marriage garden is found in Galatians 6:7, which says, “whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” It stands to reason that if you sow kernels of corn in a row, you should not expect tomato ...

https://youtu.be/wEcYGm8KPKI Tim Bryant, director of the Lowcountry Biblical Counseling Center, leads this second session in the Relationship Workshop. Have you ever considered the relationship between loving sincerity and overflowing with thankfulness? Learn how to need people less so you can love them more through thankfulness. You will learn a strategy for handling disappointments in your relationships by letting thankfulness before God keep your heart quiet and content, so you can remain loving when disappointed in relationships.

Forgiving sins against us can be very difficult. Below are three truths to "hear" daily and four commitments to exercise in order to find the power to forgive. For each section look up the verses cited and write a prayer to the Father confessing where you have struggled to believe His perspective or apply His instructions toward the person to whom has sinned against you. Ask him for help in believing His Word and doing His will in the pain you are suffering. Ask him for his forgiveness as you commit to moving forward in forgiveness. Hide in your heart daily for the next month key verses from this study. Choose verses that best remind you to affirm and put into action what the Holy Spirit has revealed to you about biblical forgiveness. Move away from bitter thoughts by rehearsing specific verses below and taking specific steps of obedience by faith. A. REHEARSE THE TRUTH - Renew Your Faith Daily In Three Biblical, Faith-Affirmations 1. God Is My Sovereign Father - Rom 8:28-...

by Tim Bryant , Director of Lowcountry Biblical Counseling 1. Do I have the facts right?   (Prov 18:13) Sometimes what we think is sin against us is just “possible” sin. We must be sure we are dealing with the facts, not our own interpretation. If you are in doubt, BE CAREFUL! You may not need to share your concern at all; in fact, your view may be so inaccurate that to go forward would be exercising presumption (Prov 13:10) and contention (Prov 26:21). If this is the case, you must learn to humbly examine your interpretations in light of other reasonable interpretations (Prov 18:2). If after honest evaluation you still think you need to go and share your concern, go, but ask the offender appropriate, clarifying (not accusatory) questions. Then listen very objectively to the explanation, knowing that you may not have had all the information. Let them know that if your understanding of the situation is not accurate, you want to understand it better from their perspective (Prov...