Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home1/heartof6/public_html/blog/wp-content/themes/responsive-mobile/includes/functions-extentions.php on line 35
Home › Posts tagged friendship

friendship

Keeping Godly Unity

Posted on by

In order to keep the cultivation of unity and anointing flowing we must continue to stay in fellowship with God as well as each other. For when we stand in unity there can be nothing to tear us apart

1 Corinthians 1:10

10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Communicate With Each Other – Hebrews 13:16

16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Be Transparent To Each Other – James 5:16

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Support Each Others Obedience – 1 Corinthians 14:26

26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

Worship Together – Ephesians 5:19

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Help Those Among You In Need – 1 Peter 4:9-11

9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Give What You Can To Help Each Other – Romans 12:13

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Remember The Importance of Coming Together – Job 4:3-4

3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

Help Those Who Are Hurting – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Help Our Neighbor First – Romans 15:2

2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

Seek To Benefit Your Neighbor – 1 Corinthians 10:24

24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

Five Actions To Keep Your Relationships Alive

Posted on by

God has been dealing with me as to how we as human beings must continue to fight for those whom we hold dear. For without the efforts to keep love stirred between others the relationship begins to dwindle to a state of weakness, therefore leaving room for the enemy to intervene with the most foolish of dramatic events/rumors/jealousies/envyings/etc.

Here are five actions we must all learn to perform towards others (that’s right, towards others):

1) To sharpen mental integrity by sound counsel 

Proverbs 27:17 – Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

If you want to be a true friend to another person you must learn to share things in honesty spoken with love. God wants us to continually reveal the truth to each other, even when we find that it hurts. If you know of others that benefit from your counsel then take the time to share the things God has given you to speak. Holding the knowledge within hurts all parties; for it was given to be given and by that obedience to give it you are blessed and favored amongst many. The more of a sound spiritual counsel can be spoken the less the devil overcomes in peoples weakness. So if people around you are important, remember to speak what you know and have learned through Christ!

2) To learn how to agree and disagree 

Amos 3:3 – Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Should you hope to have an honest friendship you must both be willing to accept the fact that you may never agree on specific details (doctrine, scripture, teaching, opinions, etc.). If you can learn to reason in a peaceful manner then I believe that an open and honest discussion of things helps both parties to grow in not only communicating to each other but to also learn more about how they can be a stronger brother/sister in God.

3) To be willing to sacrifice things for the benefit of another

John 15:13 – Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

If you are the kind of person that only helps others when it benefits you then you need to strongly reconsider your outlook. God does not bless us with anything just for us to keep it and reap it. God uses his children in the principle of reciprocity (what do you give for what you get). When you begin to become the kind of person that will spend more time to help others than yourself (when it calls for it) then you will begin to reap the blessings of God. Do not always expect an exact return for exact obedience. What you may do to bless someone may never be done exactly to you but this does not mean that you do not get an equal or exceeding blessing either. Sometimes God blesses your need and the want (as it falls in His will). Learn to give up time, money and resources for the greater good of others. It is of far greater benefit to sow more to others; for you will reap more as a friend to them and as an obedient vessel to Christ.

4) To encourage action in others that will bring good thinking and love

Hebrews 10:24-25 – And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Sometimes words are simply not enough to help someone. You may have to show up in person to get your message across. Having someone call you and tell you that you need to get up and go run is not as significant as having them knock on your door! Texting someone and telling them that you are praying for them (while worthwhile) is not as powerful as calling and praying on the phone or praying with the individual in person. To provoke is an active action to bring forth an action. Take that action for someone else and just see how blessed that you can truly be.

5) To be compassionate to the tribulations of another

Ruth 1:17 – Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, [if ought] but death part thee and me.

At last…this is the one I feel like is most lacking in friendships. Take the time to say “I’m sorry” when someone unloads on you. Offer to pray and be an ear to hear and shoulder to cry upon. When people do not exhibit compassion towards others than they are not a very presentable place for someone to lay their trust in. As ambassadors of God we must be God-like to the capacity of helping others to openly communicate their struggles. As we listen and gain understanding of their struggle we then should exhibit equal or greater compassion. Compassion is the greatest weapon to tear down the walls of fear and doubt, yet is one of the least used weapons of God’s people. Jesus walked, breathed and obeyed out of compassion. We have salvation because Jesus paid the price. Compassion is everything for a Christian and for those whom they encounter in a struggle. Learn to use this virtue in a greater way and see how God can begin to bloom out of others the blessings that will begin to bless you.

What To Do When Everyone Stops Listening? Pray! God Hears!

Posted on by

There is a specific phase of life that we all go through at some point; for this specific case I will call it the “no one listens to me” phase. I have been in this place before and have some thoughts I would like to share in relevance to this topic.

You may be one out there that cannot get anyone to hear you out when you are attempting to actively convey your feelings. Not only do you feel like your words fall on deaf ears but what was heard is heard is often misunderstood. Others out there may be looking for someone to volunteer to listen (like a friend or family member) but they are too busy or are never available for devoting attention. In this type of behavior people without being aware will begin to prolong their troubles, having no place to deal with the issues, resulting in an attempt to bottle everything up inside. This is not only a cut off an outlet for expression but oftentimes leads to a decline in joy, peace and rest.

There have been other moments in life where people would talk to me about getting upset that no one else asks about their well-being (especially in hard times) and how it would cause them to value their friendship/kinship to them. I have asked back before, “well, have you tried asking first” but am often cut off with “they should ask me first!” Needless to say its amazing at the type of behavior that can not only produce a lack of care but a receive-only attitude.

It would be impossible for me to list every scenario, but what is important is that in some way we all arrive to a feeling or notion that we are alone and not heard. I write this to you today for you to be made aware of one of the most vulnerable and used moments that the enemy takes advantage of you to draw you from God.

So the question is, What to do when everyone stops listening? Pray of course!

I am confident in these words: God hears you when you pray! By Christ’s sacrifice for our sins we can and do have access for asking on behalf of our troubles! What a wonderful pleasure that is found when you talk to God! Surrender your heart to the Lord and begin to communicate in prayer and this will be the beginning of change through faith and obedience. Trust me, when you feel the power of the comfort of God you will begin to understand that you do not need anyone to understand other than God. This will not only comfort you but will allow you to be the leader to someone else to help them deal with their cares of life.

I also want to add this: Being social is not the same as being concerned. Being social will not involve additional effort other than that which promotes the popularity of an individual. Being concerned does not care about social status or popularity and allows a venue to demonstrate the love of God towards another person.

Who’s In My Circle Of Friends?

Posted on by

THE WORD

Psalms 55:14 – We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

I Corinthians 5:11 – But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

There are many people that we have in our lives that we say are in our inner circle. These are the people that you communicate and reach out to when you are in trouble. When you have a flat tire on the road you may think of one of these people to call first before you even think of a towing company. Even though a towing company is more than able to help you it identifies the preference of trust that we have for others. Trust me, I love having people that I can count on. It is nice to have people in your life that will lend you a helping hand along the way!

One life lesson I have learned the hard way is that the power of people can only go so far. That person you try to call might not be available. Then, what? You feel alone without anyone. Let us go beyond the spare tire and consider our spiritual person. You could have a million contacts on your phone, thousands of friends on Facebook, and even roommates that live within feet of you! When it comes to your time of need people may (and will) eventually let you down. God should be first above our people, objects, and ideals. I encourage you to put God as the one you count on the most every day! If he is in your circle and the top priority in your life, anything that you ask in His name you can receive (bearing in mind that it is not something that is outside the will of God for us)! A friendship with God is the most important one! Remember that!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

Perform this task no matter where you are in a situation: simply close your eyes and pray for God to help you. It is a simple gateway into more humble prayers that will definitely draw you into the right-now spiritual blessing that will help you through!

God Understands

Posted on by

THE WORD

Luke 12:7 – But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Psalms 56:8 – Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

I have worked and lived in environments in the past where I dealt with people that had little or no concern for me or my life. At first people possessed compassion but over time motives reveal the true colors of love’s lack. Even when it comes to our own families you will find that people may let you down at some point. It is a hard life lesson to learn (especially when you need it to count) but when realized can be of the most benefit. Why you ask? Sure, it is good to have others that you love in your life help you, but depending on people in this world for your emotional needs and friendship may leave you feeling helpless.

When everyone else has stopped listening and begin to unknowingly neglect you there may be a moment where you feel like your life goes unnoticed. Do not be deceived by this! God understands! God is an all-seeing, all-knowing God! He will never leave you, nor forsake you! My interpretation of this is that in my hardest situations that God is the same regardless of the love from people. He is the only constant for humankind. We should always make full use of this certainty and lean on God instead of personal relationships. Do not get me wrong; for it is good to have people, but this is how God’s intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit is enjoyed. God is compassionate to all of your needs and wants to hear the cries and prayers of us all! So do not be afraid to call out today!

PUT INTO PRACTICE

It is always a good thing to improve our positive faithful thinking before God. One way to begin to work this in full-time is to append words of faith to every negative thought that comes around to attack you. For example, “I know I do not feel the greatest right now BUT I know God will bring me through”. You would be surprised of the impact that this will have as you see some trials come to victory. You may just begin to believe what you say!