Tag Archives: God

Fellowship, Friendship

A New Lesson In Friendships!

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A few months ago, I started a series of messages on Friendship!  We focused on friendship with God and friendship with others!  I love and appreciate all of my friends, but realize that I have not and I do not always show this in the way that I should.  It’s not that I don’t care or that I am not interested.  It’s just that, if I am your friend, then I am your friend and nothing is going to change that on my part.  (This is how I think in my head and heart and feel that if you know me, then you should know this about me!)  What I am learning is that while I may have an expectation that my friends accept and believe that, some of my friends need continuing reassurance.  (They may know it, but not believe it or understand it!)

When I first began to realize this need that some of my friends had, my first thought was that they are not much of a friend if they don’t know me and believe me as I am.  (I have other friends that get it and it’s not a problem for them!)  And then I slowly began to realize that everybody has their on perception.  I should be able to expect that they would work to give me the benefit of the doubt, but if they don’t or won’t, then I still have the responsibility and obligation as a friend to try to help my friend see, know and experience the real me.  Some would say:  “They are not really your friend, if they have that attitude!”  But the issue is not their being my friend.  The issue is my being their friend.  I am not responsible for their actions or reactions!  I am responsible for my own.  And even when people who say they are friends are not friendly, I have a responsibility and obligation to continue to be friendly, because that’s what friends do!  (Many times all of us think we are being or doing, but we are fooling ourselves and that is why someone in the friendship has to be willing to go the extra mile or the friendship will die!)

God is our friend and we don’t always treat God the way that He should be treated, but He patiently gives us time, space, knowledge and wisdom to figure it out!  He does this because He is our friend and wants us to be a friend back!  So, before you write somebody off, make sure that you are doing your part as a friend.  It’s a blessing for you, them and everybody.  And the best part is that it brings glory to God when we get this right!  And it is really cool, when you get to travel that extra mile together!

Thank you for being my friend and for reading this blog!  I hope it challenges, encourages and blesses you!

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You Are Not Perfect And That’s Okay!

You read that right! You are not perfect and you do not have to be!  We waste a lot of energy trying to be something that we are not.  We waste a lot of time pretending to be something that we are not.  The truth, if we will admit it is simply this:  We are not perfect and we are probably not going to be any time soon!

Here’s the important question: Who said you had to be perfect anyway?  Let me show you from the Scripture why imperfection is an invitation for God to come in and do what you can’t!  2 Corinthians 12:9 says:  He said to me “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Really Good News! Is that not some of the most awesome news you have ever heard?  We don’t need perfection, We need GRACE and that is exactly what God has for us – and His grace is sufficient (all that we need and then some!)

The next part of the verse is really amazing! “His power is made perfect in  weakness!” If I am perfect, then I am not weak.  If I am not weak, then His power cannot be made perfect in me, because His power is made perfect in weakness.  My not being perfect allows God’s power to come into my life and grow to perfection.

Don’t Play The Game! Stop trying to be what you are not!  Stop pretending that you are something that you are not and instead admit your weakness, mess ups, sins, failures, mistakes and allow the power of God to grow in and through your honest life!

You Can Get This! Figure this one out and it will bring you to a place of amazing freedom!  I hope you get it!  God Bless, Press On and Give God Glory!

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What Do You Expect?

What Do You Expect?

Our expectations often determine our realities!  Expectations have the potential to limit or increase your blessing!  We usually get what we expect!  In Matthew 9:29, Jesus says: “According to your faith will it be done to you.” In other words if you expect things to be bad, then they will most likely be bad, but if you expect things to be good, then they will most likely turn out for good!

If you see the glass half empty, then you will always be focusing on what you don’t have and you will probably never have anything of substance.  If you see the glass half full, then you have learned to focus on the blessings in hand and you will probably see your life travel in the direction of more and greater blessing.

This does not mean that you don’t ever have any problems or challenges.  It just means that you have learned to look at them differently than the majority of the world.  God loves you and He has an amazing plan for your life and He has promised that He will use even the bad for good in the lives of those who love Him and who live according to His calling to fulfill His purpose!

If your expectations are messed up and in the wrong place, then change them up.  Start by taking some time to pray and ask for God’s help.  Next, spend some time letting the positive message of God’s Word to move in positive way through your life.  And finally challenge yourself every time you find the negative and low expectations creeping in!

You can do this – grow your expectations and Give God Glory!