Our God is a God that desires to have a relationship and fellowship with his people. The purpose of the creation of mankind by God, is for fellowship with God to be established here on Earth. When a deep relationship with God is developed and maintained, the outpouring of our relationship with God, will also be evidenced in our families, marriages, workplaces and friendships. However, when sin and the works of the flesh enters into the picture, the core of our relationships is no longer Christ, but rather Self.

Looking at Genesis 3:8 that mentions "And they heard the sound of the Lord God, walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves..." , is a reflection on what occurs when we lose our connection with Jesus Christ, as the intention of God is fellowship, but the agenda of the sinful man is Self. When Self is at the centre of our relationship, this is where we get disobedience, rebellion, unfaithfulness, dishonour, impatience and more acts of the flesh, which can also be showcased in our relationships with parents, children, spouses, friends and work colleagues.

In the parable of the prodigal son, the bible highlights that, before the prodigal son returned back to the father, the bible used this terminology: "He came to himself" (Luke 15:17) which signified repentance, from Self.

Our God is faithful and just to forgive us, and to re-establish a relationship with us, when we repent. In Romans 8:15 the bible tells us that we received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba Father", meaning that by the Spirit of God, we can call on the Heavenly Father to intervene in our relationship with Him, but also get direction with our relationships with others. It is only when Christ is at the centre, that we are able to rightly display the Love of God and submission in the institution of marriage, but also the love of God in families, friendships and workplaces.

Key Prayer points:

• Lord I repent for all the times I have acted out of self in my family, marriage, friendships and workplace, instead of your love and grace and help me to be aligned to your will.
• Lord give direction in navigating relationships with my wife, my husband, families, parents, children and friendships, and mend any relationships that were not supposed to end up according to your will.