ASSOCIATION – PART 1
Dear Reader,
Welcome to this beautiful month of perfection. I pray that God will visit you and your family afresh in Jesus’ name! This month, we shall be examining Association.
Association is a relationship between an organised group of people who have the same or common interests and purpose. The association you keep as a teenager will not leave you in the same spot; it either adds value to you or erodes it from you. Therefore, the company you keep determines what accompanies you, and the association you keep either makes or mars you. The Word says: He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed (Proverbs 13:20). Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1).
We must realise that association is part of God’s intention for man because He is a God of relationships. The Bible says: And the LORD God said it is not good that the man should be alone… (Genesis 2: 18). Also, from creation, He created man to relate and worship him. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day… (Genesis 3:8).
God designed us to relate with one another because, at every point in time, we will always need someone. Therefore, as a teenager, your life counts the most when it impacts other people and contributes to the well-being of humanity.
However, since having a relationship is God’s intention for man, He has left us with the power to make choices. Though we cannot choose the family we were born into, all other kind or levels of relationship or association is by our decision and choices. The Word says: I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live (Deuteronomy 30:19). Therefore, as a teenager, you must know how to choose the right company.
How can I Choose my Friends?
Know Yourself. The journey in the discovery of self is the first step in choosing the rightassociation or friendship. Knowing who you are and God’s plan for your life is crucial before joining a group or person. But sadly, many young ones don’t see a need to discover or find out who they are. However, to know yourself, you can find out what God’s Word says about you.
Also, to discover yourself, you can ask, “Who Am I?” It will define your identity, purpose and potential. It will help you find your strength, weaknesses, values, temperament, behaviour, disposition, etc. It will also enable you deal with situations and relate well with people. A wise man once said, “He who knows others is learned; He who knows himself is wise.”
However, to discover who you are, you need the help of the Holy Spirit, as He is the custodian of God’s plan for your life. You can only receive the gift of the Holy Spirit by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. So if you are not born-again, please say this prayer of faith: Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner, and I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. From today, Lord Jesus, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I am born-again.
Congratulations! You are now born-again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave or forsake you. With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ name! Please write or call to share your testimonies with me through oyedepofaitha@gmail.com OR 08141320204 and 07026385437.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian Bookstores: Make Your Life Count, Single not Entangled and Singles with a Difference.
