Stumbling Blocks (Part 2)

The other day, I was reading an article entitled “Being Too Busy For Friends Won’t Help Your Career” by Neal J. Roese, a Professor of Marketing at Northwestern’s School of Management. The article was all about how friendships can not only help enhance one’s life but they can also help advance one’s career. For the most part, I agreed with the contents of the article. But one part in particular caught my attention and gave me pause.

Towards the end of the article, Professor Roese presents 5 pieces of advice to make friendships more meaningful. One of those pieces of advice was to “ask for your friends’ perspectives.”

None of those pieces of advice included asking for God’s perspective FIRST (or at all).

This is a hugely important omission because we see examples in the Bible where folks in close relationship with others can steer them astray. Eve enticed Adam to sin (husband-wife relationship). Delilah masterminded Sampson’s demise (boyfriend-girlfriend relationship). Rebecca conspired with Jacob to steal Esau’s inheritance (mother-son relationship). And Jesus had at least two of his disciples (Peter and Judas) challenge Him to abandon his purpose (mentor/friendship relationship).

At the end of the day, we need to be careful who we listen to. Just because someone is close to you doesn’t mean they know what’s best for you. Likewise, just because someone wants what’s best for you doesn’t mean they know what’s best for you.

Seek God’s perspective FIRST. Your friends may either confirm it or contradict it, but at least you’ll be clear what the proper perspective is.

God bless,
J.W.

A Blessing To Others

"After Job prayed for his friends the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." ~ Job 42:10

In the book of Job, we learn that Job received blessings only after "he prayed for his friends."

God wants us to be a blessing to others. Only then will your breakthrough come.

God bless,
Rev. Janis Barnes

Wonderful Counselor

"And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." ~ Isaiah 9:6

Often times, when we find ourselves in sticky situations, we run to people for advice - our parents, our siblings, our friends, television talk show hosts (see Dr. Phil).

Sometimes, in these situations, we won't even have to run to others - the advice flows freely without solicitation.

But the fact of the matter is there's only One who has all the answers to our problems.  There's only One who is the Ultimate Problem Solver. Like Isaiah 9:6 says, He's called Wonderful Counselor.

Seek His answers today!

God bless,
J.W.

Front Row Seat

"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?... Therefore 'come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." ~ 2 Corinthians 6:14, 17-18

After receiving this email from a friend the other day, I knew I had to share this with you. It's very straight forward and to the point, so I don't want to say too much.

But as you read, remember the following:

1. You are the company you keep. So, choose your friends wisely.

2. There may be people in your life right now who are simply not meant to go where you are going. They are toxic and will only hinder your progress. LET THEM GO! NOW! God can only give you ALL that He has in store for you when you realize this. Not everyone is meant to travel with you on your journey.

God bless,

J.W.

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Everyone Can't Be in Your Front Row

Life is a theater – invite your audience carefully.

Not everyone is spiritually healthy and mature 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!

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 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?

The more you seek growth, peace of mind, love and truth, 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.

You cannot change the people around you... but you can change the people you are around!

Just because no one has shown up who can love you on your level, doesn't mean you sink to theirs!

Ask God for godly wisdom and discernment and choose wisely the people who sit in the front row of your life.