Precious Moments That Count For EternitySample

Positive Relationships

The subject of positive relationships is very close to my heart, because God has provided me with such good friends. It’s amazing to see how God places the right people in your life. I have friends who help bring out the best in me. These are the people who challenge me to do more for the Lord. My friends love me, but they certainly aren’t content to let me stay as I am! If they spot sins in my life or see something I could do better, they say so.
Paul gave relationships high priority too. The apostle surrounded himself with people who could help him achieve two things: fulfillment of his God-given mission and conformity to Christ likeness. While Paul was pouring himself into the lives of others, he was being built up and strengthened by his fellow believers. That, in brief, is the Lord’s plan for every one of His children.
Let’s take a moment to introspect. Do we have relationships that motivate us to pursue God more fervently? The phrase ‘stir up one another’ means to call out and challenge one another to love and do good. Mutual accountability is about sharing with each other how we’re doing, and also helping each other to do better. If we want to effectively stir one another up to step up their Christian walk, we ought to prayerfully consider how best to do it.
It does matter whom we allow to influence our lives. True Christian friends will always love you. There’s no room for jealousy or competition or envy. In fact, God equips our brothers and sisters to invest in us, to encourage us and to pray for us. Good relationships with people who build each other up, can help believers fulfill God’s plan for their lives.

Prayer
Lord, help me to build right relationships so that I can accomplish the plans You have for my life, with the strength that You provide, and the encouragement of my friends. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.