A Message from God’s Heart for You

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor?…” Malachi 1:6

“If I am your Father, where is My honor? From the moment I saw you in trouble and distress, I quickly came to your rescue, and at the sound of your cry, I delivered you from the hand of your enemies. When you had nothing, I provided for you and caused you to be made full. When others left you, I stood by your side and watched over you as you slept, comforted you as you wept, and kept you when you didn’t want to be kept, and now, I ask you, My daughter, where is My honor? Didn’t I keep My promise to you? Didn’t I turn it all around? Didn’t I keep My word and set you free from bondage, and guilt and shame? So where is My honor? I want you to honor Me with your life. Honor me with your tithe and the first fruit of your increase. Honor Me with the giving of your time and greater attention to My Word. Honor Me by honoring those who serve Me. Honor Me by waiting patiently for Me to do what only I can do. Honor Me by forgiving those who have hurt you. Honor Me by letting go of the past and moving forward. Honor Me by letting Me use you to the fullest extent, and following Me wherever I lead you. Honor Me by obeying My still small voice that speaks to you. This is how you honor Me, and when you honor Me, I will surely honor you. Says the Lord.”

(Scripture references: Proverbs 3:9; Psalms 91:14-16; 1 John 4:20-21; Malachi 3:10; 1 Kings 19:12; 2 Timothy 1:9; 1 Peter 2:17)

A Real Friend is a Mirror

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern], but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda]” Proverbs 27:6, Amplified.

A real friend will tell you when your breath stinks, when you have something in your nose, when your dress is too tight, and when you have lipstick on your teeth. They will caution you when you’re about to marry the wrong guy, when you are headed down the wrong path, and when you need to slow down and enjoy your life. A real friend is a mirror.

Just as some women try to avoid real mirrors, some women avoid deep friendships because they are too afraid of seeing the truth about themselves. But here’s what the devil doesn’t tell us, friendships not only reveal our weaknesses, they also reveal our strengths. Like a mirror, a real friend will tell you, “Girl, you need to lose some weight,” but in the same breath will say, “You have a beautiful smile and look at those eyes!” They will tell you that you are being messy with how you are handling a situation, and in the same breath tell you how much they love you and how awesome you are.

Beware of anyone who only tells you the good things about yourself. Also, beware of anyone who only wants to criticize you and talk about your flaws. That is not a real mirror, and that is not a true friend. Be a mirror that is both truthful and encouraging, and let others be a mirror for you.

Prayer: Father God, thank for your wisdom. Help me to be a mirror in the lives of friends. Help me to be both truthful and encouraging, and Lord help me to allow others to be a mirror for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

(Read Ephesians 4:15)