Iron sharpens iron even as a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
-Proverbs 27:17

Friendship is sometimes hard to come by.  For others, it's easy. For me... well... I have one close friend beside my mom and dad. But I'm alright with it.

Most of you have heard the "old saying": Quality over quantity. I keep proving it true over and over again. I've had a lot of friends in my life, and a lot more acquaintances, but a real true friend will stick closer than a brother. (Or sister.)

God designed us after His own heart, which means that He needs what we do, and we need what He does.  He
wanted a Father-son/daughter relationship with us, so we were made with a need for companionship. I personally feel comfortable as a loner, and every party I've gone to with peers, I've always stuck out. Now put me in a room of adults, and I can relate. Even put me in a room of babies, children (I'm still a kid at 17, but I mean 5 and 8-year-olds) or even a room of elders.  Everything's fine until... peers.

One thing to always remember is friendship knows no age.
If you and that person are mentally or spiritually on the same level, and get along, that's all that matters. The most important thing I've found about friendship is that it never comes from where you think it will. My best friend is a 13-year-old (whom I met when she was freshly turned 12) who came to us via the DCFS system. (We are a foster/safe house.)

Anyone who can talk to you about the things of God or even things you both are interested in will most likely serve as a great friend. (Especially if there's a definite show of respect on both sides. It's give and take.) And if this person is Godly, that's where the real fun starts. To talk forever about the moves of God is an awesome (and I literally mean, it can bring you to a state of awe) and it is what the Bible calls "Iron sharpening iron." If the Sword of God is the Bible, and a natural sword is sharpened usually by sliding it against another sword-like metal, then what do you think you're doing when you discuss the Holy Sword back and forth? ...You're honing your knowledge, while learning from your best friend.

God is amazing. He has someone out there like that for you!

Love you all soooo much,
-Kiana ♥ : )

 If they’ve escaped from the slum of sin by
experiencing our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ, and then slid back into that
same old life again, they’re worse than if they had never left. Better not to
have started out on the straight road to God than to start out and then turn
back, repudiating the experience and the holy command. They prove the point of
the proverbs, “A dog goes back to its own vomit” and “A scrubbed-up pig heads
for the mud.”   
                                                                                   -2 Peter 2:19-22

Have you ever had a friend who you've let in so close to your heart, they feel like family?  Or have you had a family member you love like a best friend?  Has that person ever hurt you? 

In a case like this, sometimes it feels like it would have been better if you had never even known that person.  Likewise, our walk with God should be something we're committed to, not something we turn our backs on. 

If you sincerely have a desire to be a friend of God, you're on the right path-- even if you still feel like a sinner, or commit sins.

So long as you have the desire to please God, and so long as you're still alive, there is hope for a strong relationship with Jesus.  The important thing is that you seek light.  Even if you've noticed you haven't wanted to look for it as much as you used to, it's okay. 

Why do I feel this way? 
A "low tide" is what I call it when you aren't feeling as "good" about your faith "relationship status".  When you feel like you can't hear Him, but you aren't actually backslidden, think about what you already know.  If God's given you an answer to a question once, He won't give you a new answer.  He has no blan B's.  So, is He being quiet because He doesn't need to add to what He's said, or are you just not listening?  If you're still seeking His friendship, then don't worry.  Just keep hungry for Him.

Backsliding
Is when you notice you aren't as close to God as you were, but you're alright with that.  Backsliding is when you stop caring every time you catch yourself sinning or doing something against God's will.  Backsliding is NOT when you catch yourself and feel badly for doing wrong, then make a choice to make things right.  That's just called "life" and a simple "oops moment".  : )  


In Conclusion  
If you've truly asked yourself whether you're just in a low tide or are backslidden, think on this:  The verse I mentioned in the beginning states that it would be better not to even start a walk with God if you're going to backslide.  But that doesn't mean that because you've backslidden you should just give up hope and go all-out into the world.  If you've CAUGHT yourself backsliding, it's not too late!  The scripture reference means it's message like this-- if you backslide, and stay backslidden it's going to be harder and harder for you to live a Godly life.  Not because God makes it harder, but because you give up.  Don't ever give up  : ) 

It is worth it to "fight the good fight of Faith". Trust me ; )   


Much love and encouragement!!
-Kiana ; ) <3

When you go, it shall lead you; when you sleep, it shall watch over you; and when you wake, it shall talk with you.
                                                        Proverbs 6:22

 

God desires more than just a “religious” relationship with us.  More than just a “come to church, go home the same”.

A personal relationship with anyone requires work from both sides.  The work He requires from our end is very little compared to what His end is.  God gave us sonship through the redeeming blood of Jesus, and by His Spirit.

He guides us, protects us, loves us, teaches us, feeds us, takes care of us, and the list goes on and on.  Everything a father should be, He is—and far more!  

He killed Jesus (whom He loved very, very much) for us.  Could you imagine the pain in His heart, seeing His own son ripped to shreds?  Bleeding, with His flesh being torn from His bones.  God felt that pain!  But He knew the outcome would be tremendous, and would return to Him His lost sons.

(Us.  We were taken out of His perfect will when Adam and Eve fell into the trap of sin.  I will be writing a follow-up post on what His “Perfect Will” is and why we aren’t automatically living in it.)

Our part to play is to respect Him. 1  To love him back. 2  To keep separate from the darkness. 3 And to listen to His Spirit.4       

1. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect for Your statutes continually.

Psalm 119:117

2.And he answering said, ‘you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself’.

Luke 10:27

3. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

1 Thessalonians 5:5

4. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Romans 8:14

A father can be a responsible parent, and your friend.  Though God does correct us sometimes, He also wants to show us the good times in life.  Every day is different, and every day is beautiful in its’ own way.  Trust me, I’ve had bad days before.  If I really really think about it, I can find at least one thing that God has made good for me that day.

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done in your life.  My Lord desires a sincere, personal relationship with you.  Choose today to at the very least, accept the invitation to know Him better. =)

With love.

-Kiana ♥ :)