The Power of Positive Relationships

God created us for friendship—with Himself and with others. And there is nothing more satisfying than a healthy relationship with not only the Divine, but with another human being. Jesus Himself told His disciples, “I no longer call you servants but friends.” He didn’t want merely their spiritual service, but their friendship. Why? Because friends share dreams; and not only dreams, but difficulties, challenges, and of course, fun times. Lots of them.

It is said that a true friend is someone who can know everything about you and still be your friend. They stick with you—closer than a brother, as King Solomon put it. They encourage and support you. They celebrate you. Their counsel is sweet, even when it’s not what you want to hear, but you know it’s right. They don’t abandon you, slander you, or whisper behind your back. A friend loves at all times (Prov. 17:17).

Medical science shows that friendships are important--that social support brings down our blood pressure and signals our adrenal glands to stop pumping out corticosteroids so that we feel less anxious, less overwrought, less overwhelmed. Strong friendships are one of the most important stress-fighters we have, helping us to live longer, more fulfilled lives.

Think about what friendships you have that need to be strengthened and cultivated, or what new ones need to be made. If you've been hurt in past relationships, forgive and move forward in the friendships God has for you now. Don't let the past hold back your present. Also, real relationships aren’t built over-night or through info-bit exchanges on social networking sites. In our busy lives, we need to make time for friends: prioritize face time, schedule get-togethers, and honor those commitments.

To have friends, you must be a friend. Begin with being a friend with God—sharing His dreams, prioritizing face-to-face time with Him, sharing joyful experiences in His presence. But don’t stop there—call someone; invite them to coffee, dinner, or a movie. Have them over for a game night. Exit your busy schedule for a few minutes to build positive relationships. Relationships are like plants—you need to tend them and keep them if you want them to grow.

Life is meant to be shared. Share it with someone today.


J. Nicole – Abba’s Daughter

The Other Side of the Door: Keys of Access

I’m so grateful for how our Abba Father wants us to understand His world, and what He has given us access to as His children. While Jesus alone holds the keys to death and hell, there are two specific sets of keys that we have been given in Him, specifically: keys of knowledge and the keys of the Kingdom of heaven (Luke 11:52; Matt. 16:19).

Think about it for a moment—those are incredible and strategic rights of admission into vast realms of supernatural dynamics and divine presence! A key gives us access into a room through a door that is otherwise closed and locked. There are rooms in God and His Kingdom that are locked to the unbelieving. But in Christ, we have free access to go in and get what supply, experience, and encounter we need or desire. Yes, desire. Godly desires. They are waiting on the other side of the door. The rooms are infinite and diverse and include: healing, joy, peace, wisdom, deliverance, and glory….to name just a few.

I was thinking about this the other day when our daughter came over for a visit. As an adult she doesn’t live with us anymore, but she has a key to come and go anytime she wants. She has an open access to anything here in our home, the right of entry into a place that is closed and locked to everyone else. But she has a key, because she is family.

Hebrews 2:3 encourages us who are family with God, to not neglect (ignore, overlook, forget) what we’ve been given in Christ. We’ve been given everything we need for life and godliness—for a life of wholeness, power, authority, and fruitfulness in our calling. If you look at the picture above, what do you notice? Whatever room or realm is on the other side of that door, it only becomes available when the key becomes “one” (intimate) with the door. Scripture calls Jesus the Door, and everything in our Father’s Kingdom is offered when we go through the Door. We have the key—the key of access through intimacy with Christ.

Don’t stand outside. Go into Father’s house. He’s waiting for you with open arms. What do you need? Whatever it is, He has it. Put your key of faith in Christ, walk into God’s presence boldly, and receive freely what He has for you.

"The Lord bless you and keep you, and cause His face to shine on you.”

J. Nicole – Abba’s daughter
pic by 42longroadchildrensfilm10blogspot.com