Every one of us has to make the decision on how to choose our friends.  Who will we hang with?  Are there people from our past we need to let go?  This morning, my devotional was entitled "Stay Focused."  The key verse is "Forgetting the past" (Philippians 3:13, New Living Translation). Here are five types of people the writer says we will encounter in our relationships with others:

1. Refreshers: people who strengthen your faith and energize you.
2. Refiners: People who sharpen you and clarify your vision.
3. Reflectors: People who mirror your energy.
4. Reducers: People who try to diminish your goals and efforts to their comfort level.
5. Rejectors: People who don't understand you or what God called you to do.

The writer states, "With God's help we can focus on the first three and let him handle the last two.  Remain focused and you will stay grounded; the praise of others is less likely to go to your head, and the negative impact of your critics will be minimized."

Have a great Monday!  Blessings, Pastor Bob

Source: The Word for You Today April 14, 2008