VIA Times – May 2014 Issue Vital News, Vibrant VIews for Asian Americans in Chicago & Midwest
By: Richard Mirpuri
Who are the seven most influential people in your life? Let me ask that question a bit differently. . .who are the seven most positive and influential people in your life. . .that you interact with on a daily basis? Have you seriously thought about the kind of influence they’re exerting in your life? What do they add to your life. . .your goals. . .your dreams? In June of 2011, I posted a “Friendship Evaluator” where I asked people answer truthfully about the seven people closest to them. Here are the four questions I posed.
1) What does this person add to my life?
2) What’s the greatest negative influence this person has on my life?
3) What’s the last positive idea, scripture or thought this person shared with me?
4) Does this person motivate me to be all I can be in Him? It might be time to ask those same questions again. In fact, I encourage you to create the list. . .even if you did it two and one-half years ago. Now let me clarify something right now. I’m talking about the people you choose to be a part of your life. I’m not talking about the boss, the workplace bully, the guy or gal who’s been assigned to your team and needs a lot of ‘help.” They all have their place but that’s a different teaching. I’m talking the people who are your friends. Growing up, we used to tell our children that real friendship is a mutually positive give and take where both people come out a winner. However, in this teaching, I’m going to share with you the seven people you need in your life.
1. Paul, a mentor
Yes, you need someone who can speak wisdom into your life. . someone who keeps you on the cutting edge. . .someone who has a depth of knowledge and understanding beyond your own. In short, you need a Paul. . someone who be an encourage, exhort and edify you. . .to be and to become what God intended you to be. What are the qualifications of a mentor? Someone who has been there. . .done that. . .knows what you need to do and what you should avoid. 2 Timothy 4:6-7 in the Amplified Bible says: “For I am already about to be sacrificed [my life is about to be poured out as a drink offering]; the time of my [spirit’s] release [from the body] is at hand and I will soon go free. I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.” Paul definitely qualified as a mentor for Timothy and others. . .but through his writings. . .a Paul is definitely someone we need in our lives. Additionally, in your circle of friends (seven) you need to have a mentor. As I’ve often said. . .if you’re the smartest person in your circle of seven. . .you need some new friends. Here are ten strategies for finding a mentor. . .who may be outside your current circle. 1. dentify what area you need mentoring in; 2. Create a list of possible mentors; 3. Start with the big dog or top cat and work down; 4. Write down everything you know about that person; 5. Research; 6. Who do you know who knows them? 7. Prepare to contact them; 8. Make contact; 9. Follow up with a thank you note; 10. If at first you don’t succeed, try the next one.
2. Timothy, a protégé
Are there people in your circle of friends. . .who look to you for advice. . .instruction and direction? Perhaps a more important question. . .is whether or not they’re open to your thoughts and perspective. In our circle. . we need a protégé like Timothy. Acts 16:1-2 in the New Living Translation says: “Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 Timothy was well thought of by the believers[a] in Lystra and Iconium.”
3. Barnabus, an encourager
Everyone. . .no matter how self-motivated or focused. . .needs an encourager in their lives. . .someone like Barnabus. Acts 4:36 in the New Living Translation says: “For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus.” What qualities should we look for in an encourager? Acts 11:24 in the Amplified Bible says: “For he was a good man [good in himself and also at once for the good and the advantage of other people], full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit and full of faith (of his belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through Whom we obtain eternal salvation). And a large company was added to the Lord.” There are seven qualities in Barnabas that we should look for in encouragers who are in our circle of friends. First, they must be good. . .a good man. . .a good woman. Second, they must be good on the inside. . .as well as. . .on the outside. Their goodness needs to be real. Third, the encourager must desire to improve the quality of life for others. Fourth, they must be wrapped up, tangled up and full of the Holy Spirit. Fifth, the faith of an encourager must be clearly evident to everyone. . .saint or sinner. Sixth, by their nature. . .encouragers will bring increase to everyone who comes in contact with them. Finally, seventh, an encourager gives without a hidden agenda. just as Barnabus did when he gave money to the apostles.
4. Stephen, a servant
Every circle of friends..need servants. There are so many examples in the scripture like Martha or Mary Magdalene. However, I was lead to Stephen. Stephen was born a Jew in Greece. He was a man of learning, educated, and refined who trained at the feet of the noted teacher, Gamaliel. Acts 6:1-7 in the Amplified Bible says: “So the Twelve [apostles] convened the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not seemly or desirable or right that we should have to give up or neglect [preaching] the Word of God in order to attend to serving at tables and superintending the distribution of food. What happens when you have people with a servant’s heart in your circle of friends? Acts 6:7 in the Amplified Bible says: “And the message of God kept on spreading, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; and [besides] a large number of the priests were obedient to the faith [in Jesus as the Messiah, through Whom is obtained eternal salvation in the kingdom of God].” Stephen was an humble man. . .even though he was far more educated than his accusers or most everyone else. Acts 6:59-60 in the Amplified Bible says: “And while they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, Lord Jesus, receive and accept and welcome my spirit!
5. Nathan, a friend who speaks the truth in love
A true friend is with you during the good times and the bad. If you’re doing something you shouldn’t be doing. . .getting off course. . .and away from the Word. . .a true friend will bring correction for redirection. A true friend does shy away from telling you the less than pleasant news. Nathan the Prophet, at God’s direction, did not hesitate to go to King David, his good friend, in 2 Samuel 7:1-17 to tell the King God didn’t want him to build the temple. I strongly encourage you to read the entire passage. . .it’s a beautiful message of re-direction for the King. . .who accepted Nathan’s word without questioning or criticizing what he had to say.
6. Ruth, a loyal friend
Without question. . .you should have a Ruth in your life. . .and, of course, they need to be of the appropriate gender. Throughout my life. . .I have learned the distinction between friends who are loyal and those who are along for the ride. Everybody needs a Ruth. Hey, I’ve got one. . .her name is Annie Ruth. . .and she’s my 85-year old anointed GOD’S ECONOMICS (The Biblical Principles of true prosperity) Rev. Richard Mirpuri mother. In your circle of friends you need someone who will be loyal to you. . .no matter what may happen. Let’s see what we can learn from Ruth. First, she married a foreigner instead of one of her Moabite home boys. Second, she was probably ostracized from her family. . .because she didn’t marry the one they picked. . .as would have been the custom. Third, her husband died and she was forced to live with her mother-in-law who according to the scripture was a bitter woman over the loss of her husband and sons. Fourth, widows with husbands and sons. . .were not the toast of the town. . .that’s why Jesus teaches us to care for the widows and the orphans. Fifth, now her mother-in-law is returning to her home where Ruth will be a foreigner. I could go on but I think the message is clear. . .Ruth was loyal and a woman of character and it showed. Ruth 3:11 in God’s Word translation says: “Don’t be afraid, my daughter. I will do whatever you say. The whole town knows that you are a woman who has strength of character.” Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi in the midst of adversity revealed her character. . .sealing her destiny and her place in Biblical history. It also changed her mother in law from bitter to joyful.
7. Andrew, a bringer (witness)
In your circle of friends, you need an Andrew. Now I take particular pleasure in this one as our youngest grand sugar is named Andrew. Andrew is mentioned three times of substance in the Bible other than being listed with the other disciples. All three times he was doing the same thing. . . bringing people to Jesus. First, Andrew brought his brother, Simon Peter to Jesus. John 1:40-42 in the Amplified Bible says: “One of the two who heard what John said and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first sought out and found his own brother Simon and said to him, We have found (discovered) the Messiah!— which translated is the Christ (the Anointed One). Andrew then led (brought) Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, You are Simon son of John. You shall be called Cephas—which translated is Peter [Stone].” Andrew was a follower of John the Baptist and he also followed Jesus. No doubt Peter was always the center of everything. . .in fact, he was probably the star quarterback in high school. . .okay, maybe not. But this much I do know to be true. . .Peter obviously respected his brother Andrew because he immediately followed him to meet Jesus. The second time Andrew was mentioned in substance was in John 6:5-13 in the New International Version which says: “Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9″Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” I can visualize Andrew walking through the crowed. . talking with the people. . .when he saw the little boy with the loaves and fishes. . . He brought the lad to Jesus. He was an observer. The final time. . .Andrew is mentioned is when some Greeks approached Philip wanting to see Jesus. . .who not knowing what to do went to Andrew. John 12:20-22 in the Amplified Bible says: “Now among those who went up to worship at the Feast were some Greeks. These came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and they made this request, Sir, we desire to see Jesus. Philip came and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip together [went] and told Jesus.” All three times, Andrew does the same thing. . .he brings people to Jesus. In our circle of friends, we need people who will bring ideas and opportunities. . .people who are loyal to our vision and calling. Andrew was a bringer. . .by the way, did I tell you that our grandson’s name is Andrew? ##
