Mutually Beneficial Relationships
Message Summary:
God’s Word is very clear that one of the primary ways that He will bless you is through the associations, or relationships, in your life. The old saying is true: “Show me your friends, and I will show you your future.” Your future is tied to the relationships in your life. God wants to sow divine connections and associations into your life that will steer you toward your destiny. It is important to remember that people can and will rub off on you. That is the nature of the law of association. You need to be careful who you allow access to your life. Negative people can have a negative influence on your life. But positive people can have a positive influence. The good in them can get on you, too!
That is why you need to surround yourself with the right people – people who will move you toward your destiny and not away from it. If you recognize needs in your life, ask yourself who you need to connect with. Is there someone around you who could help you grow in the areas where you are weak? You need to walk with people who know how to love if you need to learn how to love. You need to partner with people who are good with money if you need to learn how to be good with money. You need to spend time with people who know how to pray if you want to learn how to pray.
Relationships occupy space. You only have so much relational real estate in your life. Stop wasting the relational space of your life with people who do not benefit you. Not everyone deserves space in your life. The space a person occupies in your life should be based on God’s calling on your own life and the level of trust they have earned. People have to earn the spaces they fill in our lives. Don’t be afraid to release the relationships that no longer fit who you are. Who you do relationship with can determine the course of your life. So, be more careful with the relationships you entertain.
Scriptures:
[Psalm 1:1-2 NKJV] 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.
[Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 NKJV] 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?
[Matthew 18:19-20 NKJV] 19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
Discussion Questions:
What is the underlying meaning of this phrase: “Show me your friends, and I will show you your future?”
Why do we need other people?
But why do we need to be careful who we give access to our lives?
What is the power behind mutually beneficial relationships?
How can we help one another to grow?
Life Application:
Over the next week, as you study the key scriptures, ask yourself the following question: If you look at your relationships, do you feel you have the right relationships? Do you feel these relationships are moving you toward your destiny? Surround yourself with people who will stand with you in trials, who will help you to grow through weakness, and who will celebrate with you in victory. Link arms together with people who walk with you toward your God-given calling. If you don’t feel you have those people in your life right now, ask the Lord to bring them to you. And just wait and see what God does! Before you know it, they will cross your path. Be ready when they do!