Well, the series SET ME FREE is officially completed. The last message was on the problem of loneliness using the life of the Apostle Paul in II Timothy as the example of how to get on the road to recovery. Loneliness is an age old problem. God saw that it was not good for Adam to be alone, and therefore, He created a helper for him. (Genesis 2:18). I think that the world at large and the church specifically have people who are crying out that they are lonely. Lonely people can be married or single, educated or uneducated, rich or poor, mature or immature. In other words, the lonely people come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. I guess we must also realize that loneliness can be a short-lived problem or it can be, with some people, a life-long issue.

As we learned with a study of the Apostle Paul, lonely people are faced with a decision to either rise above the loneliness or give in to it. Paul rose above it by drawing near to God and drawing near to others. We also learned from a study of II Timothy 1:16-18, that we all have the responsibility of reaching out to those who are hurting and lonely to refresh them and minister to them. We need to be like Onesiphorus. We need to join the Onesiphorus Club to search for those who we can come along side and help brace them up when they feel abandoned, deserted and alone.

Now, here are my questions for you. First, what can we do, if we are lonely, to get on the road to recovery? What has worked for you or people in your life that have found freedom from loneliness? Secondly, what can we do to help those people who are experiencing loneliness? How can we help them to realize that even if they are lonely – they are not alone?

I read recently that a person was talking to a preacher and said, “Forgiveness is a whole lot harder than any sermon makes it out to be.” That is true! Forgiveness is costly. It cost Christ His very life so that we might have forgiveness from our wrongdoings, rebellion and sin. It costs us to forgive as well. We give up our first impulse for revenge – we give up making a person pay for what they did to us.

However, forgiveness begins a process that leads to healing and restoration. Forgiveness will give us the freedom to be true worshippers, to be givers not takers, to be happy and peaceful, to get on with our life and work at reconciliation. Forgiveness is freeing.

What has helped you obey the Lord in forgiving others?

Let’s face it – sometimes we experience dark times. People let us down or even worse they do things that hurt and harm us. How do we keep from drifting into despair and becoming bitter? What paths can we take spiritually, emotionally and intellectually to handle the dark times more like Joseph did in the book of Genesis? Sold and imprisoned, yet never do we see him bitter.

Conflict in life is inevitable for even followers of Christ. We must learn how to deal with conflict appropriately and in a healthy way so that God is glorified and and His will be accomplished. Unresolved conflicts can put us into prison emotionally, spiritually and relationally. We should all want to be set free-to have the chains loosed so that we can honor God and enjoy the life He has given to us. What ideas do you have for handling conflict in a constructive way? Let’s help each other.

This week we looked at Joshua 3, as the Israelites prepared and crossed the Jordan River. As we approach the new year, we also need to prepare and take the steps that God has planned for us. This is our personal responsibility. Will you take the step of consecration (complete dedication and setting yourself apart for Him)? Will you also take the step of obedience (doing what God, in His Word, has commanded you)?

We also need to believe that God has the ability to do great things. As Joshua told the people of Israel, “…the Lord will do amazing things among you” (Joshua 3:5). Do you believe that? That God wants to do amazing things in your life this year and in the life of our church. What are you asking God to do in your life this coming year? What do you want to see Him do? Are you aware of what He is already doing?

I recently read about a woman who frantically bought a box of 50 identical Christmas cards so she could get them in the mail quickly before Christmas. She hastily opened each card and signed her name without even bothering to read what was printed inside. Several days after they had been mailed, she came across a leftover card and discovered to her dismay that the inside had these words:”THIS CARD IS JUST TO SAY, A SPECIAL GIFT IS ON THE WAY!”

Giving at Christmas time should be from the heart to make people know that they matter. God clearly demonstrated how much we matter to Him when He sent His only begotten Son to die for us. The first Christmas happened in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago because we all matter to God.

Question – How do we demonstrate to people around us that they Matter to Us because they Matter to God? You know that it isn’t aways about monetary gifts. We all could use some ideas.

Speaking on Maximizing Your Relationships has spoken to my heart. God never lets the speaker off the hook. I think it must be scary to many people to look at themselves. It is much easier to look at others and point out what they need to do to change. The important question that I raised in the last message was taken from John 5:6, “Do you want to get well?” How committed are we to improving our relationships and to bring healing to some of them? Are we really willing to look at ourselves? Are we willing to confess to God and others our own short-comings and sins? Are we willing to forgive instead of holding on to our hurts? Are we willing to make a commitment to God and others that we are going to put the factors discussed in the messages into practice-at home, at the workplace, at church? Why is it so hard and what can we do to take what we learned and know to the next level?

The whole issue of personal relationships is a key factor in living successful lives. It is difficult to understand how anyone could live a fulfilling life without being able to develop and maintain healthy relationships. At the heart of most problems brought to counselors there is the issue of relationships that have gone awry. Even a quick look at books in any bookstore demonstrates the need for correcting unhealthy relationships and strengthening those that are functioning. Bottom line-RELATIONSHIPS COUNT! They are really important. That is why we are taking four weeks to look at what the Bible has to say to us about improving our relationships.

Now, the points I have been making are simple but powerful. The points might be easy to understand but difficult to put into practice. God has the answers to our problems and we need to look to Him to help us put them into street-level practice. My question to you is this – - What have you found helpful in your own life to have well-functioning relationships at home, at the workplace, in your neighborhood and at church? Let’s help each other.