The Resume of Relationships

So we're talking about relationships now on Wed. nights. I'm constantly learning the importance and need for others in our lives. As young people we get caught up in the idea and pattern of life and we start to attach ourselves to individuals without much thought. In the bible in Psalms 1:1 it says "Blessed is the person who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly." The crazy thing about this is during prayer and studying for this series God brought me to this verse and showed me the magnitude of what it's saying. You see Psalms is the largest book of the bible (150 chapters)- and to start off this massive book - the very first verse talks about relationships. I believe that if we as followers of Jesus determine in our lives to keep our counsel (our friendships) consistent with those of like faith (and there's a whole lot we can talk about with those who claim to be of "like faith") - then what we are doing is we are opening our lives up to allow God to bless us in ways we wouldn't otherwise experience.
You see, relationships are crucial- they're needed- YOU NEED FRIENDS!!!! If anyone tells you otherwise, well, sorry...but they're lying. In Genesis when God created Adam- he formed him and then walked with Adam, talked with Adam, engaged a relationship with Adam. He didn't form him and the say "yo Adam, good to form ya- gotta go make some more crazy creatures in heaven..text me sometime...peace." No, he stuck around and was involved with Adam's life- then he took another step and formed Eve (oh Jesus, help me- I don't have time to go there about the importance of a good wife) and said "i'm hangin' with Adam, but it's not enough, it's not good for him to be alone." So Eve comes about. We need other people, it's in our genes, in our existence as humans. The thing is, our relationships need to be founded in the idea that this person is a benefit to my life and i'm a benefit to them. We have too many surface relationships, I honestly believe we make friends too fast!!! Please pay attention to this next statment: "There is a process for friendships"- pals go through a process. Your friendship and what you have to offer someone is amazing, don't just give it and let anyone have it. Make sure they are going through a process where you evaluate there character, integrity, and most of all, their love for God. You need to ask youself this..."Since I've been friends with this person, am I closer to Jesus?" We need friends that challenge us, and hold us accountable to love God and walk in his ways. So..........do you love him more? And if not, then I would say there needs to be a healthy seperation. Paul and Mark were friends, both Christians, but they had a falling out on one of Paul's apostolic journeys and Mark took off under what I'd imagine weren't the greatest circumstances. Then you read at the closing of 2 Timothy in chapter 4- Paul says, "...and bring Mark to me, for he is a benefit to my ministry." Sometimes "Christian" friends need a seperation to make sure they are loving and following God whole heartedly in their own lives. Maybe there's some relationships you need to seperate from for a time. Becuase remember......your friendship is valuable.