2009-11-20T09:33:36-05:00 GCI info@gospel.com http://www.gospel.com/feeds/topics/your+relationships http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-relationships/sharp-edges-5963 2009-11-20T09:33:36-05:00 Gentle treatment of people - especially when we're feeling tired, or tense, or frustrated - doesn't necessarily come naturally. God describes it as a "fruit of the Spirit." It's a characteristic Jesus has that He can produce in you through His Holy Spirit who lives in you. But you have to reach the point where, first of all, you're willing to see those sharp edges that you have and repent of them as part of the sinful old you that's all dark and ugly. http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-relationships/your-no-vacancy-sign-5959 2009-11-12T09:13:04-05:00 Don't make your child, your husband or your wife feel shut out of your life by your invisible but very real "no vacancy" sign. Just always have room for them even if it means sacrifice. People who know they're loved and important and listened to don't have to start looking somewhere else for what you didn't give them - somewhere that could scar their life and break your heart. http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-relationships/waiting-for-your-father-5951 2009-11-02T09:23:19-05:00 The problem is that God is sinless and holy totally perfect. And you and I, on the other hand, have a lifetime of sinning; of doing it our way instead of God's way. You can't get into His family unless something is done about your sin, and something has been done. In fact, God did it. That's how much He loves you and He does not want to lose you. http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-relationships/the-avalanche-zone-5947 2009-10-27T09:11:33-05:00 The ultimate outcome of our sin will inevitably be death, the death of our self-respect, of relationships, of people's trust, our reputation, but worst of all, our eternal separation from our God in a place Jesus called hell. But the dying for your sin has already been done by Jesus Christ. http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-relationships/climate-control-5940 2009-10-16T13:25:57-05:00 You're a leader. You're setting a climate, whether you realize it or not. And the interesting thing is that you end up reaping the climate you sow. So make the place where you are feel like it would if Jesus were there. He is. http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-relationships/bad-stuff-in-your-tank-5939 2009-10-15T09:07:12-05:00 It's getting harder and harder to go on, isn't it, with that stalling and with the setbacks you're experiencing. And you're running out of gas. Today, would you finally turn and face Jesus; finally face how your sin has been hurting your Savior. Come to the foot of Jesus' cross. Abandon that sin at the place where Jesus died for it, and pick up His overcoming power to beat what has beaten you for so long. http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-relationships/holy-hunger-5937 2009-10-13T09:07:09-05:00 ince you're farther along the line than most of the people with you, you've stopped where you are. But there is so much more God wants to serve you than you have ever sampled before. Don't be satisfied with where you are now. You go after food when you're physically hungry. Ask God to stir up that holy hunger in your soul that goes after the rest of His righteousness. http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-relationships/heavy-on-the-healthy-stuff-5936 2009-10-12T09:31:29-05:00 Crushing Satan under your feet; that's a war on two fronts. You have to be against what's bad getting into your system, but that isn't enough. You have to take daily opportunities to become smarter about what is innocent. Cut the damaging stuff out of your heart-diet and go heavy on the healthy stuff! http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-relationships/verbal-vomit-2546 2009-10-02T10:19:42-05:00 If people bled physically every time we wounded them verbally, I wonder what kind of a trail some of us would leave? It's time to listen to ourselves; to face the hypocrisy between our spiritual image and our private trash talk; to seek the forgiveness of the people we've hurt; to make our mouth the new frontier for the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Maybe then what comes out of our mouth will not only make us feel better, it will make them feel better too. http://hutchcraft.com/a-word-with-you/your-relationships/avoid-spankings-2549 2009-10-02T10:15:43-05:00 You will ultimately submit to God's way sooner or later, after a little pain, or a lot of pain. Now, take advantage of my friend's scientific thinking, why not eliminate any more pain? Why not do what God said to do, now! It's the road you were made for anyway. Is your way really worth all this pain?