On Godly Friendships: David & Jonathan - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) August 27, 2024

I have learned over the years that not everyone who smiles in my face can be trusted. I've also discovered that not everyone who treats me nicely is actually a nice person. In some cases, the Lord has graciously allowed me to learn these lessons from a distance. By this I mean I got to see things play out in another person's situation. Nonetheless, I've had experiences where I discovered the significance of letting God determine who my friends are and create the rules for these relationships.

In understanding friendship, the Lord has consistently pointed me to His word in Proverbs 18:24 - One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Notice that a friend can either be unreliable, and thus lead a person to destruction, or so loyal that they become more than just a friend. The latter will not lead a person to ruin but will instead bless the other person in the short and long term.

This sort of relationship is exemplified through David and Jonathan's friendship. The Bible introduces us to their relationship in 1 Samuel 18:1-4 - After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

Jonathan was the king's son, while David was a young man whose family rejected him. He'd been relegated to caring for his father's sheep, a job his father's servants could have handled. If you recall, when Prophet Samuel came to David's house and asked for the sons of the house to be presented, his father, Jesse, didn't think to have David called back from the pasture until God informed the prophet that a son was not present (1 Samuel 16). His older brother even called him conceited and wicked when he inquired as to what the reward would be for killing Goliath (1 Samuel 17). This is to show how others saw David.

Yet, none of that mattered when he met the king's son. By this time, David was known as the giant slayer and Jonathan instantly knew that David would be more than a friend but a brother to him. So much so that the Bible states on two occasions that Jonathan loved David as he loved himself (1 Samuel 18:1 & 3). And to illustrate this, Jonathan took the very hallmarks of his princely rank - his robe, sword, bow, and belt - and gave them to David. He gave his friend the things that identified him as a prince of the kingdom. Whatever status David once had in his family was changed. Plus, when David's life was in danger because the king was jealous and wanted him dead, Jonathan went against his father. When he discovered the conspiracy, he informed his friend of his father's wicked plans and protected him from falling into the trap.

This is the sort of loving care that is absent from romantic relationships. Yet, it was on full display in the Bible between two friends. And it didn't end when Jonathan died. Instead, when David was king, he remembered his covenant with his friend. It became the basis upon which Jonathan's only surviving child, Mephibosheth, rose from poverty to become a member of the king's household years later. And when the remaining descendants of Saul were to be killed because of a curse their forefather had brought upon the land, Mephibosheth was spared.

Godly friendships carry a lot more weight than you realize. When the Lord brings a friend who sticks closer than a brother or sister in your life, that person must be treated well. They must be treated the way you would like to be treated. You must realize that such a friend is not defined by whether they can bring you more social clout and influence. They are not to be defined by whether they will confirm your biases and say whatever you want to hear. A true friend from God will consider your best interest at all times. And because they are subject to the Lord, they will speak God's wisdom to you even when it hurts. They will make sacrifices for you out of the fear of the Lord. They will even go against their family to support you if need be. Such a person loves you and will step into the physical and spiritual battles of life with you. For this reason, they leave the realm of friendship to enter the realm of family. Both parties will surely benefit and it won't be a one-sided relationship.

However, you have to let God pick and send these people into your life. You can't decide who they are on your own and then go seeking them out. Instead, you should fast and pray for God to send God-fearing people whom He has chosen to walk on the journey of life with you. Not just as friends but as brothers and sisters in Christ. That He may be glorified and that your friends and yourself may be blessed. And, you must pray to be this very type of person to the ones He has called you to befriend as well.

See you at Noon EST for fellowship.

To learn more, please read:

On Godly Friendships: Jesus & the Disciples

Godly Contentment - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) August 23, 2024

It's hard to be content nowadays. Constant marketing encourages us to crave what's next and stay on trend. Upgrade your clothes. Upgrade your home. Upgrade your car. Upgrade your friends and even your spouse. Materialism is so out of control, that it has humanity barreling downhill like a rolling stone.

None of this was God's design. He wanted people to live in contentment. He wanted human beings to appreciate what He gave and lean on Him for whatever else they wanted, knowing He would not leave them without. This is why Psalm 23:1 announces "the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." Sheep are well cared for. They are led to verdant pastures where they have their fill and are guided to still waters to drink and rest. Their Shepherd wrestles the bears and lions that seek to snatch them away, keeping His flock safe from attack.

Sadly, most do not understand the relationship between a Shepherd and His sheep. The idea of such contentment and security is foreign because eyes are blind, ears are deaf and minds are closed to the reality that it is God's job to satisfy us. This applies to non-believers and believers, who must also be weaned from that erroneous mindset. Thankfully, God is more than able.

He wants His own to step into godly contentment. Such contentment is wrapped in the assurance and knowledge that God is steering His children to what He has for them at His appointed time. It means that those who belong to the Lord know that the fat of the land shall be theirs as they continue walking with Him. They therefore do not despise their current state, knowing that it is merely a rung on the ladder to the more He has apportioned for them. Zechariah 4:10 - Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” (The seven lamps represent the eyes of the LORD that search all around the world.)

First Timothy 6:6 is real to those with godly contentment - But godliness with contentment is great gain. It turns them away from the path of complaining and grumbling, ushering them into praise and worship even in dire circumstances.

Further, it prevents God's children from bowing to the spirit of Mammon, which pushes others to seek wealth nonstop though and they never arrive at satisfaction. This endless quest for riches brings destruction into their lives and the lives of those around them. Hence, the Bible warns, "Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction" (1 Timothy 6:9). Since God doesn't want this for His own, He builds them so He can usher them into the more when they are well-trained to withstand the temptations that will surely come.

We can never arrive at a point of godly contentment that blesses us and others till we are in a committed relationship with God. This requires a desire to know Him intimately and to grow in His word. Until God becomes enough, nothing will ever satisfy. For those in this category, personal and spiritual fulfillment will always evade them. Their lives will lack that one thing they desire. They don't realize that the one thing they need is the Lord Almighty. He alone is the source of true and lasting contentment. He wants everyone to experience godly contentment and the comfort and security that stem from it. He is willing to give and when you pray for it, you will not be denied if you are willing to receive.

Please join us at Noon EST when we shall give God glory and pray for other people before we ask to be filled with godly contentment. God bless you.

To learn more, kindly read

1. Contentment

Flee Conspiracies - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) August 20, 2024

The climate around us is emotionally charged right now. Many around the world feel unsafe causing them to speculate about one thing or another. Commentators predict impending attacks and speak doom. Movies and television shows prognosticate that the worst rapidly approaches. All these do is foster a collective sense of fear and insecurity. The scared go searching for the like-minded. They gather to discuss conspiracies and other ideas that further increase their fright and suspicion.

None of this is accidental. It is satan's plan to keep people focused on the problems instead of the one who has the solutions - God. It is also part of the enemy's design to cause individuals to sin against God.

In this case, the fact that people - believer's inclusive - submit to fear leads to them sinning. We've previously learned that to submit to this is to be rebellious to God because He has repeatedly instructed His children to fear only Him. Another related sin occurs when God's children dwell on conspiracy theories. Sadly, many do not realize that the Lord warns about this issue. Isaiah 8:11-12 - This is what the LORD says to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people: “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. In His mercy, God has granted us the opportunity to understand His expectations on this matter of conspiracies.

As a child of God, there is no need to meditate on them or the other things that cause unbelievers to live in dread. Jesus prayed for everyone who would believe in Him saying, "sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth" in John 17:17. When we know God's word, we will realize that everything we see that is contrary to that word is a lie that does not deserve our attention. And that is why the Bible teaches that when others say there is a casting down, the believer can say that for themselves, there is a lifting up (Job 22:29). Since the Kingdom of God is not about mere talk but about power per 1 Corinthians 4:20, those who declare this in faith see the word of God work for them in all areas of their lives.

When the believer is not in error as were those whom Christ chastised for being ignorant of God's word and His power, the word of God is indeed a living and moving thing (Mark 12:24). Hebrews 4:12 -For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Suddenly, the things that stop others don't factor into the believer's life. God's child watches doors open and experiences the fullness of life that is promised in John 10:10. The desire to dwell on conspiracy, gossip, and lies disappear because they realize that God is walking them in the promise as He escorts them to their promised land, a land of milk and honey (Numbers 14).

To get there, however, the believer has to shirk the spirit of fear that produces anxiety and leads them into the arms of conspiracy theories. Yes, there will be wars and rumors of wars but Jesus taught that we are not to be alarmed by these things (Matthew 24:6). This is the same reason He told Jairus to not be afraid but to instead believe that His daughter was not dead when witnesses testified to her passing. God wants us to stare down what looks bad but is nothing but a Gibeonite Deception- a well-packaged lie crafted by the devil to rob us of faith and drown us in terror.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we cannot continue to live this way, feeding on conspiracy pie and large plates filled with fright. We need to arm ourselves with the weapons of our warfare which are powerful by the grace of the Lord (2 Corinthians 10:4). We have to resist satan with God's word, our testimony as God's witnesses and our worship. We have to kick into fasting, interceding and boldly proclaiming the scriptures. We must remember that the devil is a liar intent on stealing from us, killing us, and destroying us (John 10:10). We need to focus on God's promise that His plans for us are good. We have to believe that He is doing the exceedingly and abundantly more for us and our prayer subjects. We can't take satan's abuse lying down, we must stand in our Kingdom Identity as the righteous and royal priesthood God selected to execute His will in the earth. All of this requires putting our faith to work.

There's no other way. Yes, it will feel like a dogfight but get scrappy because through the special grace of the Lord, we are well equipped to withstand and overcome the enemy of our souls. He has given us Jesus Christ, His Holy Spirit, and His teachings to ensure our success. All that is required is our cooperation. When you believed in Christ and submitted to His authority, you were seated in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). This is why Apostle Paul wrote "You have overcome the evil one" (1 John 2:13-14). Don't let satan punk you into forgetting who you are and what God says about you by dwelling on conspiracies and living in fear.

The good Lord bless you. Come back to fellowship at Noon EST today. We'll honor the God who made us for great exploits and pray for others that they come to know the same before covering ourselves in prayers as well.