Some thoughts friendships, renewing one's mind, 2011
- Thread starter sidney
- Start date
PinkPebbles
Well-Known Member
Sidney - thank you for sharing this encouraging post.
You are really in my head! This topic has been a concerned in my own personal life. For the past few days I have been in prayer about a friendship. And God has renewed my mind and gave me spiritual insight on some things that have taken place.
I agree that it's important to have edifying friendships. It's a beautiful thing to be able to share your journey with a friend that will celebrate, support, encourage, and tell you the truth in love. Like you stated, "you are filled up."
I have friends from all walks of life and I know that the Lord joined us together. I see purpose in each one of us and it brings me joy knowing this.
Great post!
sidney
New Member
That is a testament to your prayers, God is faithful when we invite him in these areas! Some people give up on friendships but I believe that god-ordained friendships are instrumental to reaching God's purpose. Could David become King without Jonathan? Would "Ruth" be book in the bible without Naomi? But like all things, we must invite him in this area to accomplish HIS purpose for our lives and the lives of those we are connected to.
PinkPebbles
Well-Known Member
Sidney - you have shared a mouthful; a mouth full of wisdom!
Yes, god-ordained friendships are indeed instrumental to reaching God's purpose! God uses people to be His hands, loving arms, foot-steps, and mouth-piece!
If we look at god-ordained friendships in the bible such as Jonathan and David; Ruth and Naomi and study their character, we would see that they were kind, supportive, giving, loving, encouraging, merciful, gracious, which are the characteristics of God Himself.
My point is that you attract who you are! And if you have the love of God dwelling inside of you then you would draw the people that God has already predestined for your life, which ultimately fulfills God's purpose.
Prudent1
Well-Known Member
Sidney,
Excellent post! I started praying about my friendships etc a few years back once I got the revelation on being equally yoked and seeking God in that area too. I just wanted some friends of like precious faith sooo bad IRL. Before then all of my friends were all male. I thought they were easier to get along with and that was just the way I was
. I had to learn the true value of sisterhood. I had to learn that I was unbalanced by having only male friends. God answered my prayers too
. There is no part of our lives too small that we should exclude God from it. After all it was through prayer that I found LHCF.
Excellent post! I started praying about my friendships etc a few years back once I got the revelation on being equally yoked and seeking God in that area too. I just wanted some friends of like precious faith sooo bad IRL. Before then all of my friends were all male. I thought they were easier to get along with and that was just the way I was
. I had to learn the true value of sisterhood. I had to learn that I was unbalanced by having only male friends. God answered my prayers too. There is no part of our lives too small that we should exclude God from it. After all it was through prayer that I found LHCF.
LovingLady
Well-Known Member
Thank you for the post Sidney, I have been praying about this for a while now.
phynestone
Well-Known Member
Sidney,
This is something I think about from time to time. While I have some acquaintances that are nice, lovely people, I find some are not edifying and I try to limit my interaction with them. I've been praying for a Godly husband and Godly friends for quite some time now. Even though I don't have a lot of people around me, I know that the few I do have truly have my best interests at heart and will uplift me in prayer.
This is something I think about from time to time. While I have some acquaintances that are nice, lovely people, I find some are not edifying and I try to limit my interaction with them. I've been praying for a Godly husband and Godly friends for quite some time now. Even though I don't have a lot of people around me, I know that the few I do have truly have my best interests at heart and will uplift me in prayer.
sidney
New Member
Pink Pebbles I agree,
. Just thinking about all the times God used the ladies in the CF to speak a word to me in the time of need.....you are very right! Thank God for the CF, we have many people here to offer caring words and words of advice. The CF is god-ordained....
sidney
New Member
Sidney,
Excellent post! I started praying about my friendships etc a few years back once I got the revelation on being equally yoked and seeking God in that area too. I just wanted some friends of like precious faith sooo bad IRL. Before then all of my friends were all male. I thought they were easier to get along with and that was just the way I was
I love that you mention balance. It seems that when it comes to God's will and purpose, balance is key. We have to be connected to christ, connected to the body, and connected to godly men and women, and connected to seasoned saints that are older (and wiser) than we are. If not, things can just be *off* and we may never know that we may be missing a source of spiritual guidance that may be needed. I've always known that you have to pray for spiritual friends, but for whatever reason....for a season....I didn't want to be bothered with making new friends because friendship requires work
( I know bad, but sometimes you have to be honest) but when I first met this girl, I *knew* we would be friends, eventually I did pray(again bad), and not long after that we ended up in the same circle of friends, and now we're tight lol. So I know that you have to pray for God's will to come to pass. Thanks Prudent!
sidney
New Member
sidney
New Member
I think that's the tricky part....because some people you have to limit your interaction with and some may be there because God wants you to minister to them. I love your last line, having friends that will lift you up in prayer means a lot, there's nothing greater we can do than pray for those we care about.
delitefulmane
Well-Known Member
@bolded: Sidney, how do you know the difference between these two? I have found in this past year, after graduating, that I am loosing more and more friends. I am not bother by this at all. Its just I can't figure out which friendships are ones worth preserving?
PinkPebbles
Well-Known Member
Hi Delitefulmane - I know this question was directed towards Sidney and I know that Sidney will chime in. I experienced something this week in regards to your question that I'd like to share.
This week I was in limbo of whether or not I should end a friendship. This friend has been speaking negatively towards people and allowing herself to be in conflict with others. It has been going on for several months and I had become drained and no longer wanted to associate with her.
I prayed and asked God what He wants me to do. My inward feelings were telling me not to end our friendship but I was still uneasy.
Well, the other night this same friend called me and poured her heart out. She told me everything and revealed where all this negativity and drama was coming from. I had a better understanding and was able to minister the word of God and be a friend.
She listened and received what I had to say. She felt better and made some changes to end the conflict and drama she had with others.
I knew that was all God, God was in the midst.
To answer your question, ask God to show you which friends are worth preserving. A true friend will listen and take heed of godly advice. A true friend will admit when they are wrong, and humble themselves to make changes.
phynestone
Well-Known Member
I struggle with that balance of ministering and cutting off un-Godly influences. I pray about it as well, but in the past, I have been burned by the same people I was trying to help. Self-preservation and my tendency to nurture and assist those in need are things I constantly need to seek Godly wisdom.
Laela
Sidestepping the "lynch mob"
@ the bolded, there is the assumption that all friendships are God-ordained or a Kingdom connection and I know this not to be true. Therefore, there are times God will tell us to let go of a relationship that's not instrumental to reaching His purpose for US (or is even hindering us), yet it had served a purpose for that person at some point.
To explain:
When Paul addressed the Corinthians about divisions in the church, he said:
I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. (1 Corin 3:6)
So I agree with PinkPebbles, that seeking God in earnest about a relationship is really the first thing to do, so we know how far we can go or how much God can use us in someone's life. It is He who sees the big picture, so why not just ask Him? IF a certain relationship starts to bother us, it's time for prayer. We may only be needed to plant the seed and not to water it..or we can be tasked to plant, water and grow the seed. Are relationships for a reason, a season or a lifetime? That's all something I believe only God can determine for our lives.
I'd go further to say a relationship could hinder God's purpose for us if we take it upon ourselves and suffer the consequences (disobedience? I've learned this the hard way). So, ITA w/ Phynestone.. it's a healthy spiritual balance that can be achieved. What does Love have to do with all of this? Everything! Because God is Love. Therefore, I don't really believe there is such a thing as a "failed" relationship. A parent who lets a child learning to walk fall so they can learn to get back up on their own Loves that child. Hope I'm making sense w/ this analogy.
Eccl 3 says there is a season for everything and I believe this applies to relationships as well.
To explain:
When Paul addressed the Corinthians about divisions in the church, he said:
I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. (1 Corin 3:6)
So I agree with PinkPebbles, that seeking God in earnest about a relationship is really the first thing to do, so we know how far we can go or how much God can use us in someone's life. It is He who sees the big picture, so why not just ask Him? IF a certain relationship starts to bother us, it's time for prayer. We may only be needed to plant the seed and not to water it..or we can be tasked to plant, water and grow the seed. Are relationships for a reason, a season or a lifetime? That's all something I believe only God can determine for our lives.
I'd go further to say a relationship could hinder God's purpose for us if we take it upon ourselves and suffer the consequences (disobedience? I've learned this the hard way). So, ITA w/ Phynestone.. it's a healthy spiritual balance that can be achieved. What does Love have to do with all of this? Everything! Because God is Love. Therefore, I don't really believe there is such a thing as a "failed" relationship. A parent who lets a child learning to walk fall so they can learn to get back up on their own Loves that child. Hope I'm making sense w/ this analogy.
Eccl 3 says there is a season for everything and I believe this applies to relationships as well.
sidney
New Member
Great question, I believe Pink Pebbles and Laela hit at this already but the answer is always prayer to begin with. In the natural, you can also look at the fruit of the relationship. My general rule of thumb is that if God is behind something, it will bear fruit. We all came to Christ because someone ministered to us, and we received what they shared....so it was a fruitful connection. Someone planted the seed, it was watered, received, etc etc as Laela mentioned. If the person is growing it will be clear that God is using you to witness to them because the fruit of the relationship will be evident. If the person more of a spiritual hindrance than you can be as a witness to them, then I would consider that unfruitful....but still confim the purpose of it with God. This is what I have seen from personal experience, if someone else has seen anything different please share.
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sidney
New Member
@ the bolded, there is the assumption that all friendships are God-ordained or a Kingdom connection and I know this not to be true. Therefore, there are times God will tell us to let go of a relationship that's not instrumental to reaching His purpose for US (or is even hindering us), yet it had served a purpose for that person at some point.
To explain:
When Paul addressed the Corinthians about divisions in the church, he said:
I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. (1 Corin 3:6)
So I agree with PinkPebbles, that seeking God in earnest about a relationship is really the first thing to do, so we know how far we can go or how much God can use us in someone's life. It is He who sees the big picture, so why not just ask Him? IF a certain relationship starts to bother us, it's time for prayer. We may only be needed to plant the seed and not to water it..or we can be tasked to plant, water and grow the seed. Are relationships for a reason, a season or a lifetime? That's all something I believe only God can determine for our lives.
I'd go further to say a relationship could hinder God's purpose for us if we take it upon ourselves and suffer the consequences (disobedience? I've learned this the hard way). So, ITA w/ Phynestone.. it's a healthy spiritual balance that can be achieved. What does Love have to do with all of this? Everything! Because God is Love. Therefore, I don't really believe there is such a thing as a "failed" relationship. A parent who lets a child learning to walk fall so they can learn to get back up on their own Loves that child. Hope I'm making sense w/ this analogy.
Eccl 3 says there is a season for everything and I believe this applies to relationships as well.
Laela I agree 1000%. I didn't mean to convey that people shouldn't let go of some friendships, i was talking about people giving up on having friendships at all (those that choose to go through this christian journey alone). Yes, some friendships are seasonal. Which is why we have to be tuned into God at all times, he will weave relationships into your life at the appropriate time and weave relationships out as well. The more you grow in the Lord, you will find that you will need some people that will help sharpen you for this journey and encourge you to run this race! You will find that when things get tough, some people will not hang in there. Remember Demas left Paul and the ministry for the world. So not all people will be able to make the journey with you.
Thank you for pointing that out, excellent post Laela, we should always remember that.
sidney
New Member
@ the bolded, there is the assumption that all friendships are God-ordained or a Kingdom connection and I know this not to be true. Therefore, there are times God will tell us to let go of a relationship that's not instrumental to reaching His purpose for US (or is even hindering us), yet it had served a purpose for that person at some point.
To explain:
When Paul addressed the Corinthians about divisions in the church, he said:
I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. (1 Corin 3:6)
So I agree with PinkPebbles, that seeking God in earnest about a relationship is really the first thing to do, so we know how far we can go or how much God can use us in someone's life. It is He who sees the big picture, so why not just ask Him? IF a certain relationship starts to bother us, it's time for prayer. We may only be needed to plant the seed and not to water it..or we can be tasked to plant, water and grow the seed. Are relationships for a reason, a season or a lifetime? That's all something I believe only God can determine for our lives.
I'd go further to say a relationship could hinder God's purpose for us if we take it upon ourselves and suffer the consequences (disobedience? I've learned this the hard way). So, ITA w/ Phynestone.. it's a healthy spiritual balance that can be achieved. What does Love have to do with all of this? Everything! Because God is Love. Therefore, I don't really believe there is such a thing as a "failed" relationship. A parent who lets a child learning to walk fall so they can learn to get back up on their own Loves that child. Hope I'm making sense w/ this analogy.
Eccl 3 says there is a season for everything and I believe this applies to relationships as well.
Preach! I learned the hard way as well....some christians take the scripture about longsuffering to the extreme
PinkPebbles
Well-Known Member
Sidney - I keep coming back to this thread! Sorry ladies but this thread was for me...you have no idea how Sidney is all in my head!
I had to highlight and enlarge the bolded b/c it is the TRUTH!!!
Let me stop right there b/c I have to get ready for watch night and get my praise on...
crwnandglory
New Member
The above is very important to remember, I do not believe that we are meant to take this journey on our own/in isolation... I do not believe that every nice person should be a friend, nor do I believe that every God ordained relationship will involve two believers
I personally do not filter who I have in my close circle based on faith and salvation. I have some close friends that I KNOW are important to my purpose/destiny but they were not believers when we met. Over the course of our relationship God has used my salvation, trials, tribulations and walk to bring some of my friends closer to Him. In fact, I also was not saved when I met some of my closest friends but today we are prayer partners and sisters in Christ
. On the flip side, I've had some friendships with good people who love God but they should not have been in my close circle. God MADE me distance myself from these individuals.
In the past I did not pray about friendships until God disciplined me over and over again through bad friendships. Just as we pray about our romantic partners/relationships we should also remember to pray about the people we allow into our lives as friends. A friend outside of God's will can be just as much of a distraction and detour from your purpose as a romantic relationship that is outside of God's will.
crwnandglory
New Member
Sidney- I have a slightly different experience that I would like to share.
In my above post I shared that I was not saved when I met some of my closest friends. In fact I wasn't saved when I met all but one of my closest friends. I remember during my Sophomore year of college I started to really go to war spiritually. My flesh was pulling me one way but something else in me wanted to break away from sin. I was not raised in church and was cynical about organized religion especially Christianity because of the judgmental, hypocritical church folk that I've crossed paths with. I thought I was better off not going to church or participating in religion because they had poorer morals than I (God has really disciplined me and humbled me since then). During this time I would discuss various topics with my friends/roommates, whenever I had an opinion that differed from their opinion they would pull out a bible scripture to support their belief. I despised that...even though I wasn't a believer I knew I couldn't argue against the bible. What really hindered me spiritually was when God led me turn away from my sinful nature I stopped drinking and partying but I would see them drink and party all Saturday night and go to church the next day. At one point, I told them that I wanted to be celibate until marriage and they laughed and told me I was crazy and that they would never consider being celibate. I was so discouraged. One minute I was being fed bible scriptures and the next the same believers disclosed that they did not plan to fully follow what was in the bible. I was so close to giving my life to God and joining the body of believers but that made me reconsider.
To make a long story short, I got saved that year. I embraced celibacy immediately afterward. What I really praise God for was that just a few weeks after I got saved and turned away from my flesh I was able to share my testimony with one of my roommates that previously discouraged me and that week she rededicated her life to Christ. We are still encouraging and supporting each other to this day
Great post Sidney!
sidney
New Member
Yes ma'am we are on one accord! Thanks for all you have shared PinkPebbles!
sidney
New Member
Sidney.... this is one of the most awesom'est awesome messages that I've ever read.
Thank YOU Shimmie for all the awesome messages you have in the CF, I'm glad God ordaine you to be here
sidney
New Member
Sidney- I have a slightly different experience that I would like to share.
In my above post I shared that I was not saved when I met some of my closest friends. In fact I wasn't saved when I met all but one of my closest friends. I remember during my Sophomore year of college I started to really go to war spiritually. My flesh was pulling me one way but something else in me wanted to break away from sin. I was not raised in church and was cynical about organized religion especially Christianity because of the judgmental, hypocritical church folk that I've crossed paths with. I thought I was better off not going to church or participating in religion because they had poorer morals than I (God has really disciplined me and humbled me since then). During this time I would discuss various topics with my friends/roommates, whenever I had an opinion that differed from their opinion they would pull out a bible scripture to support their belief. I despised that...even though I wasn't a believer I knew I couldn't argue against the bible. What really hindered me spiritually was when God led me turn away from my sinful nature I stopped drinking and partying but I would see them drink and party all Saturday night and go to church the next day. At one point, I told them that I wanted to be celibate until marriage and they laughed and told me I was crazy and that they would never consider being celibate. I was so discouraged. One minute I was being fed bible scriptures and the next the same believers disclosed that they did not plan to fully follow what was in the bible. I was so close to giving my life to God and joining the body of believers but that made me reconsider.
To make a long story short, I got saved that year. I embraced celibacy immediately afterward. What I really praise God for was that just a few weeks after I got saved and turned away from my flesh I was able to share my testimony with one of my roommates that previously discouraged me and that week she rededicated her life to Christ. We are still encouraging and supporting each other to this day
Great post Sidney!
Wow, look what God can do! I can tell Go was busy all along from every thing you shared here. Even though they weren't doing right, God was still able to plant the seed of his word in your heart from the scriptures they shared. No matter what they were doing, his word was still incorruptable! Excellent post crwnanglory! Thank you for sharing your experience here and I am glad that you all are still supporting eachother.
sidney
New Member
The above is very important to remember, I do not believe that we are meant to take this journey on our own/in isolation... I do not believe that every nice person should be a friend, nor do I believe that every God ordained relationship will involve two believers
I personally do not filter who I have in my close circle based on faith and salvation. I have some close friends that I KNOW are important to my purpose/destiny but they were not believers when we met. Over the course of our relationship God has used my salvation, trials, tribulations and walk to bring some of my friends closer to Him. In fact, I also was not saved when I met some of my closest friends but today we are prayer partners and sisters in Christ
On the flip side, I've had some friendships with good people who love God but they should not have been in my close circle. God MADE me distance myself from these individuals.
In the past I did not pray about friendships until God disciplined me over and over again through bad friendships. Just as we pray about our romantic partners/relationships we should also remember to pray about the people we allow into our lives as friends. A friend outside of God's will can be just as much of a distraction and detour from your purpose as a romantic relationship that is outside of God's will.
Amen, I agree with much of what you have said. And the part about befriending nonbelievers, i believe you have to tread carefully there. I believe the goal has to be to witness to them and it shouln't be confused with a friendship where the two are yoked together in friendship. God will never contradict his word. Our closest, most intimate frienships should be with believers. In fact God tells us not to even sit an eat with someone who calls themself a christian but lives immorally (1 Corinthians 5:11). Who we hang around can affect our destiny and God will not place anyone in your life who will be a mouthpiece for things countrary to his word.
Psalms 1–41 1 Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.
ETA:
It seems that your relationships have been very fruitful and it shows that God was at work behind the scenes. Even if everyone wasn't saved initially God had a plan which is why we must always be prayerful. But I don't think God would yoke two together as one that way....a yoke was a device that bound two oxen, if one strayed then the other would stray too so we always have to be careful when we witness to unbelievers and not be yoked with them.
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Prudent1
Well-Known Member
Here's an old poem this thread made me think of:
Author: Unknown
Everyone Can't be in your front row
Author: Unknown
Life is a theater so invite your audiences carefully. Not everyone is holy enough and healthy enough to have a FRONT ROW seat in our lives.
There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance.
It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go, or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going-anywhere relationships, friendships, fellowships and family!
Everyone Can't be in Your FRONT ROW.
Observe the relationships around you. Pay attention to: Which ones lift and which ones lean?
Which ones encourage and which ones discourage?
Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are just going downhill?
When you leave certain people, do you feel better or feel worse?
Which ones always have drama or don't really understand, know and appreciate you and the gift that lies within you?
Everyone Can't be in Your FRONT ROW.
The more you seek God and the things of God, the more you seek quality, the more you seek not just the hand of God but the face of God, the more you seek things honorable, the more you seek growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you, the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the FRONT ROW and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.
Everyone Can't be in Your FRONT ROW.
You cannot change the people around you...but you can change the people you are around!
Ask God for wisdom and discernment and choose wisely the people who sit in the FRONT ROW of your life.
Remember that FRONT ROW seats are for special and deserving people and those who sit in your FRONT ROW should be chosen carefully.
Everyone Can't be in Your FRONT ROW
There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance.
It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go, or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going-anywhere relationships, friendships, fellowships and family!
Everyone Can't be in Your FRONT ROW.
Observe the relationships around you. Pay attention to: Which ones lift and which ones lean?
Which ones encourage and which ones discourage?
Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are just going downhill?
When you leave certain people, do you feel better or feel worse?
Which ones always have drama or don't really understand, know and appreciate you and the gift that lies within you?
Everyone Can't be in Your FRONT ROW.
The more you seek God and the things of God, the more you seek quality, the more you seek not just the hand of God but the face of God, the more you seek things honorable, the more you seek growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you, the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the FRONT ROW and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.
Everyone Can't be in Your FRONT ROW.
You cannot change the people around you...but you can change the people you are around!
Ask God for wisdom and discernment and choose wisely the people who sit in the FRONT ROW of your life.
Remember that FRONT ROW seats are for special and deserving people and those who sit in your FRONT ROW should be chosen carefully.
Everyone Can't be in Your FRONT ROW
sidney
New Member
Here's an old poem this thread made me think of:
Everyone Can't be in your front row
Author: Unknown
Life is a theater so invite your audiences carefully. Not everyone is holy enough and healthy enough to have a FRONT ROW seat in our lives.
There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance.
It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go, or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going-anywhere relationships, friendships, fellowships and family!
Everyone Can't be in Your FRONT ROW.
Observe the relationships around you. Pay attention to: Which ones lift and which ones lean?
Which ones encourage and which ones discourage?
Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are just going downhill?
When you leave certain people, do you feel better or feel worse?
Which ones always have drama or don't really understand, know and appreciate you and the gift that lies within you?
Everyone Can't be in Your FRONT ROW.
The more you seek God and the things of God, the more you seek quality, the more you seek not just the hand of God but the face of God, the more you seek things honorable, the more you seek growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you, the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the FRONT ROW and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.
Everyone Can't be in Your FRONT ROW.
You cannot change the people around you...but you can change the people you are around!
Ask God for wisdom and discernment and choose wisely the people who sit in the FRONT ROW of your life.
Remember that FRONT ROW seats are for special and deserving people and those who sit in your FRONT ROW should be chosen carefully.
Everyone Can't be in Your FRONT ROW
Thank you Prudent, I needed to read this!
The above is very important to remember, I do not believe that we are meant to take this journey on our own/in isolation... I do not believe that every nice person should be a friend, nor do I believe that every God ordained relationship will involve two believers
I personally do not filter who I have in my close circle based on faith and salvation.
I have some close friends that I KNOW are important to my purpose/destiny but they were not believers when we met. Over the course of our relationship God has used my salvation, trials, tribulations and walk to bring some of my friends closer to Him. In fact, I also was not saved when I met some of my closest friends but today we are prayer partners and sisters in Christ
On the flip side, I've had some friendships with good people who love God but they should not have been in my close circle. God MADE me distance myself from these individuals.
In the past I did not pray about friendships until God disciplined me over and over again through bad friendships. Just as we pray about our romantic partners/relationships we should also remember to pray about the people we allow into our lives as friends. A friend outside of God's will can be just as much of a distraction and detour from your purpose as a romantic relationship that is outside of God's will.
I have to agree with your post, that God ordains 'certain special' relationships between those saved and unsaved. Were it not for the love and prayers of my dearest friends and family members, I would not be saved and built up in the Word as God has so ordained. God had me covered...
sidney
New Member
Thank you ladies for the perspective you have shared. It's clear that God knows who are his and who belong to him. He knows how to put people in your life at just the right place and time. He begins a good work and he completes it. God knows how to use people to pull us in when we are not saved....an it's always fruitful, you can see his hand....
Just wanted to add that I did have a unfruitful situation before and I kinda "tried" God on this scripture, "be not deceived, bad company corrupts good character." Let's just say it was not fruitful at all, but I knew God was telling me he was not in it, but I let the friendship continue anyhow(sigh)....I was more spiritually hindered more than I ministered. I agree with these special situations, it's up to us believers to bring in the harvest. In anything we do if we remain prayerful everything will turn out in a way that gives God glory. Thank you for pointing this out. I agree with what you've said here 1000%....
