WHAT'S A FRIEND? WHO IS YOUR FRIEND?

Team:

Do you have a close Friend?

Sometimes we feel all alone don't we?

WHAT'S A FRIEND? WHO IS YOUR FRIEND?
Sometimes we feel like the world is out to get us. When people take advantage of us it is hard to Trust anyone.

Let's face it, all of us have disappointed and been disappointed by our friends at some point in our lives.

So how do we make friends? How do we keep from being disappointed? Who is your Friend?

WHAT'S A FRIEND? WHO IS YOUR FRIEND?

How do we keep from hiding out and being secluded from everyone? How do we keep ourselves from disappointment?

Here is what Solomon said:

"A person who has friends must themselves be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Proverbs 18:24

How do we be the first to be Friendly?

- Initiate the Friendship

- Have a Servant Attitude

- Ask questions about them

- Talk about Good News

- Don't buy into Pessimism/Negativity

- Be Confident but Humble and Real

- Be Friendly

When we Act first people respond the way they see us.

I learned this approach from a friend of mine, Gregg Jackson.

No matter what the situation is, Gregg has the gift of lighting up a room and turning things around.

So yesterday I went to fix a problem at UCLA Med Center. The Doctor and Staff were very upset and frustrated at a situation with our company.

I THOUGHT WHAT WOULD GREGG DO?

I walked in with Good News and a Smile on my face. I took the Initiative. I was Confident with a Servant Attitude.

WHAT'S A FRIEND? WHO IS YOUR FRIEND?
I took Control of the Situation with a Smile and a Servant Attitude. I asked them questions about their Situation. I provided a Solution that was Satisfactory and agreed upon by both of us.

Finally, I reminded them of the great service they had before this particular event.

When I left I had 3 New Friends including the very angry Doctor that Transitioned into a very Happy Doctor.

You see they Responded to what they saw in me.

"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care!"
Zig Zigler

(By the way, this was 6pm on a Friday night. Most sales people are surfing by 12pm on Friday).

I THOUGHT WHAT WOULD GREGG DO?

With every Problem there is an Opportunity!

The Key is to take Control of the Situation with a Smile, Confidence and a Humble Servant Attitude.

WHAT'S A FRIEND? WHO IS YOUR FRIEND?
OK, so how do we keep from being burned and hurt by someone? How do we Control Situations when we are taken advantage of?

We can't!

However, Jesus told us to Pray for those that hurt you.

WHAT'S A FRIEND? WHO IS YOUR FRIEND?
Does that mean we let people walk all over us? No! It means that we are Proactive and Actually take Control of the Situation in a Positive way by giving it to God.

WHAT'S A FRIEND? WHO IS YOUR FRIEND?
In Hebrews, Paul tells us to beware that we don't let Bitterness get a hold of us. Bitterness becomes a Deep Root that Strangles us.

Buddha said, "don't do to others what you don't want done to you."

Jesus said, "do unto others what you would have them do to you."

Buddha had it wrong. Buddha's approach was Negative and Defensive. Buddha's approach left an open door for Bitterness to get in.

Jesus turned Buddha's Negative approach into a Positive Approach. The Approach Jesus takes actually Closes the Door to Bitterness.

Buddha said, "Don't!"

Jesus said, "Do!"

Buddha Confused people with a Defensive Secluded Approach.

WHAT'S A FRIEND? WHO IS YOUR FRIEND?
The way Jesus Approach's a situation is found in Revelation.

Jesus stands at the door and says,

"what's up bro? I'm standing here knocking at your door. Open it up brother. Let's have some dinner and hang out together. Let's work this thing out together and put together a Winning Strategy."

Jesus Initiates Communication.

Friends, Anger, Bitterness and Revenge will Strangle us. The Lord said, "Vengence or Revenge is Mine not yours."

Use the Power of Delegation!

Jesus wants us to Delegate our Vengence and Burdens to Him. He said when we do this we will get Rest in our Souls and that Motor of Fear in our mind will STOP!

"but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother or sister."
Proverbs 18:24b

WHAT'S A FRIEND? WHO IS YOUR FRIEND?
Who is this Friend? A Bottle? A Joint? Xanex, a Career, a Relationship ect..?

No, this Friend is your Creator. His name is Jesus Christ.

He Created you with a Purpose and a Plan for your life. The Enemy wants to stop you and get you Confused with Bitterness and Fear.

The Word says, "Perfect Love casts out all fear!"

Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay his life down for a friend."

WHAT'S A FRIEND? WHO IS YOUR FRIEND?
Just Go! Win The Day!

Rick