Spiritual relationship help &
Building self esteem
Chicken Soup for the Soul cocreators Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen with Chris Karcher
ABC's Dr. Timothy Johnson,
Finding God in the Questions, and Chris
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Lee Strobel, The Case for a Creator, and Chris Karcher
Spiritual relationship help &
Building self esteem
Spiritual relationship help &
Building self esteem
Develop a heart for God
When asked which commandment is greatest, Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” [i]
Notice that loving God comes first. This is not for God’s sake; it is for ours. When we love God, we experience a transformation of the heart. Only with a changed heart, one that has been molded for God, do we have any hope for loving others.
The Golden Rule calls us to consider the impact of our behavior on other people. I cannot do this on my own, but if I seek that which is greater than me, God will help. Self-responsibility is important, but I am not the only one at work. This involves taking a moment to pause, ask, and listen. Pause to remember God. Ask for guidance and a heart open to grace. And listen for God’s reply.
Grace allows you to rest a little if you lean on God. When you ask Him to help, God will give you the grace you need.
Graceful living involves seeking God everywhere—in ordinary daily events, in our interactions with other people, and during times of conflict. Our only hope of loving our neighbors as ourselves is to receive God’s grace and allow His grace to flow through us to other people.
We are continually called to open our hearts to grace. Our need for grace is much like our need for water—our survival depends on it, and it is not enough to drink only once.
Receiving grace is a choice that must be made from moment to moment.
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Copyright © 2003 by Christine N. Karcher. Chris Karcher is the author of Relationships of Grace, Amazing Things I Know About You, and Relationships of Grace Workbook. To order books and tapes, schedule Chris for speaking engagements, or subscribe to Chris’ newsletter, visit www.relationshipsofgrace.com, email order@relationshipsofgrace.com, or call 1-877-GET-GRACE (1-877-438-4722).