Faith as the Foundation: Building Stronger Relationships Through God

 

In a world that often feels disconnected, many of us yearn for deeper, more meaningful relationships. Whether it’s in our marriages, friendships, or ministry partnerships, the secret to truly flourishing relationships lies in one unchanging truth: faith must be the foundation.

At the heart of this principle is a simple but profound idea—our relationship with God serves as a blueprint for how we connect with others. When our faith is strong, our relationships are infused with the qualities that reflect God’s love: trust, patience, forgiveness, and grace.

I did not always remember to do this in many of my relationships and so I've struggled with a lot of pain caused by this emptiness brought on by a lack of spiritual undergirding in my relationships. 

Faith Strengthens Marriages

Marriage is one of the most intimate relationships designed by God, and faith plays a critical role in keeping it strong. When both partners prioritize their relationship with God, they create a shared foundation of values, purpose, and love.

Pastor Rick Greene teaches that praying together, studying Scripture, and seeking God’s guidance as a couple can transform a marriage. These practices create unity, foster understanding, and provide the tools to navigate challenges with grace.

Faith Builds Ministry Partnerships

In ministry, strong partnerships are essential for advancing God’s kingdom. But just like any relationship, ministry partnerships require trust, collaboration, and a shared mission.

Pastor Rick emphasizes that faith brings clarity and purpose to these relationships. When ministry leaders keep God at the center, they are empowered to work together harmoniously, support one another, and remain steadfast even in difficult times.

How Faith Transforms Relationships

Faith is not just a private, spiritual practice—it’s a way of life that influences how we treat others. Pastor Rick often shares these Bible-based principles to help individuals strengthen their relationships:

1. Love Unconditionally
   “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). God’s love is unconditional, and as His children, we’re called to show that same love to others. This kind of love creates a safe space for trust and growth.

2. Practice Forgiveness
   Relationships are not perfect, but faith teaches us to forgive as God forgives us. Pastor Rick reminds us that forgiveness is not about forgetting but about letting go of resentment and seeking reconciliation.

3. Walk in Humility
   Faith humbles us, reminding us that we are all works in progress. By embracing humility, we can approach our relationships with a servant’s heart, putting others before ourselves.

4. Seek God’s Wisdom
   Scripture provides timeless wisdom for navigating relational challenges. Pastor Rick encourages individuals to turn to God’s Word for guidance, praying for discernment in every relationship.

Encouragement from Pastor Rick

Pastor Rick Greene’s mission is to help individuals deepen their connection with God, using that relationship as a guide for building bonds that last. Through practical advice and heartfelt encouragement, he shows how faith can heal wounds, strengthen connections, and lead to lasting joy.

Whether you’re seeking to improve your marriage, build stronger ministry partnerships, or simply become a better friend, start by focusing on your faith. When you allow God to be the foundation of your relationships, you’ll discover a love and strength that endures through every season.

The Power of Setting Standards in Your Relationship

 The Power of Setting Standards in Your Relationship: Meeting Your Needs for a Fulfilling Partnership

Welcome to an intense discussion about the importance of setting standards in your relationship for a truly fulfilling partnership. It's crucial to establish clear expectations and boundaries to ensure a healthy and satisfying connection with your partner. Let's dive deeper into this topic with boldness and conviction.

Recognize Your Worth:

You are deserving of love, respect, and happiness in your relationship. Know your self-worth and refuse to settle for anything less than what you deserve. Value yourself and prioritize your needs and desires within the partnership.

Showing your man how to make you happy!

Showing your man how to make you happy!

One of the hardest things for men to know is actually how to please their wives. However, when you think about it, you would think that it would be one of the easiest things to do. After all, you two spend years together and you should know each other's moods and habits. This is true however the "knowing" is not enough to sustain a great relationship.

There are a lot of dynamics to any relationship. Some of them are rarely if ever addressed. But they are a constant on the mind of most individuals. 

Concerns like; Am I good enough? Do I provide enough? and Do I physically please her; are just some of the concerns that men deal with in silence.

Ladies make it easy for you the man in your life. Tell him what you want. Tell him what you need. Show him what pleases you. Don't assume he should know or that he can figure it out. 

Most men are clueless when it comes to relationship matters so make it easy for him to be the man of your dreams, tell him how you feel and show him what you want.

Understand that as you do this you must not express yourself in a way that is going to wound his spirit and cause him to feel like a failure.

If you don't know already, even to most macho man can be easily broken by the thought of not being "man enough" to satisfy the woman that he loves.

And while you are seeking to teach him what pleases you, here are a few tips that you can do to make him feel loved and appreciated too!

• Compliment him.
• Tell him you appreciate what he does for you and your family.
• Make time for things to get hot in the bedroom.
• Be supportive of his alone time.
• Put down your phone.
• When you get something for yourself, get something for him, too.
• Look him in the eyes.

Something Important

Something profound came over me awhile back as I was sitting at my desk and praying.

I came to realize just how important the work that I am doing really is. I have been giving life and relationship counseling for over a decade to individuals and couples, and had been focusing on helping couples and marriages to reach a place of peace and to build a loving happy relationship.

What occurred to me was that it is far more important than that. For every couple I help; there is a family that is saved! And for every family that is saved there are usually children which will grow up with both parents instead of one!

And we all know that children in homes with both parents are far more likely to stay out of trouble and succeed than those in single parent homes.

So I would encourage you to explore my Life & Relationships website and discover some tips on how to strengthen your relationship to be rock solid, not only for yourself but for your children and ultimately to build up a better, safer environment for all... for we all know that as the family goes, so goes the nation!

Understanding Your Husband's Relational Sexual Needs

Understanding Your Husband's 

Relational Sexual Needs

In this issue we look at a hormone called Oxytocin. Have you heard about it?  Probably not. Did you know that it is actually the hormone which causes us to feel closer to one another? It is actually sometimes referred to as the “cuddle hormone”. And this hormone is far more stronger in women that in men because of the higher levels of estrogen in a woman’s body.

Not Surprisingly this hormone skyrockets during pregnancy, labor, and breastfeeding which explains the overwhelming maternal love and desire new moms have for their babies. It is a key in the bonding process of any relationship. It causes us to feel closer and connected to each other. 

Now what IS somewhat surprising, is that there is only one time when Oxytocin levels spike in men. And that is immediately after lovemaking. Thats right, men are biologically predisposed to feel more emotionally connected, caring, and loving, after intimacy with their wives. 

He will be more attentive, patient, giving, and altruistic to his partner. Perhaps this is why God tell us through the writings of Paul ...Deprive not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your lack of self-control.  

Each week Pastor Rick Greene talks in detail about Dating, Love, Marriage, Sex, and Divorce so that you can be armed with all of the insight you need to have the optimum relationship which God intended you to have. How to build up and not tear down. How to strengthen and not destroy. How to have great a Relationship with the man or woman in your life. If you would like to be a guest call 862-888-8238. If you would like to ask a question email them to relationships@metrochristianmedia.com. Or if you would like to listen to the live show Saturdays at 11pm call 646-652-2581.