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.
CLOSING PRAYER
Hallelujah to the King of kings! God You sit above and nobody can shift You from Your throne. Praise be to Your Holy and Wondrous Name!!!
Father, thank You so much for bringing us together once again to honor You with worship and intercession for others. Thank You for the grace that allowed this to happen. Where would we be without You?
Thank You God that we don't need to answer that question. Thank You for calling us to Yourself and making us the recipients of Your wisdom and so much more.
Help us all to take what we've learned today and put it into practice as we deal with others. Help us to stand firm in faith not allowing the box of fear to keep us from honoring You with our obedience. Lead us to godly people that we can have godly relationships with for Your glory. Thank You again and in advance for hearing and answering these prayers.
Hallelujah to our King. IJMN we have prayed, Amen.
From M22 - Thank you Father for the opportunity to learn about healthy friendships through David and Jonathan's story. I pray that you connect us with healthy and godly friendships that will draw us closer to you and honor you in every way possible. IJMN. I irys that you heal every past hurt we experienced from friendships and help us to move forward IJMN Amen
Give me chance oh
I want to praise my God!
Clear the road
I want to praise my God!
LAST 10 MINUTES
There are so many relationships that show true, genuine, and godly friendships in the Bible. These, like that of David and Jonathan, should inspire us to have such closeness with others. A closeness that blossoms because of God's hand upon the individuals involved. However, as we learned in today's message, it is crucial to allow God to create and steer such interactions. God orchestrated everything that led to David and Jonathan meeting and we must want the same level of God's participation in selecting our godly relationships.
So, let us pray for godly friendships that honor and glorify the Lord.
Father, thank You for teaching us through the story of David and Jonathan that it is possible to be one in spirit with another person. Lord, we pray to be one in spirit with the people You chose for us to have such a friendship with. We pray that as You send us the type of friend that becomes family, You will help us to be that very type of person for someone else. May we all walk with our friends under Your authority, led by You in all things so that You are glorified and we are blessed, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I thank you for sis @FFJ. I pray that you continue to take care of her and her loved ones. I pray that you continue to increase her in supernatural wisdom, favour, knowledge and understanding. I pray that you will continue to perfect her health beyond her expectations. May she experience in every way possible IjMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I commit my siblings into you living arms. I pray that you continue to take care of them and use them for your purpose and glory. I pray that you grant my baby sister as she writes her exams, I pray that she will perform excellently by your grace. I pray for my twin that you will help her navigate this new academic session and grant her success in her forthcoming candidacy exams. I pray Father that you didn't every obstacle that wants to hinder her in her academics and research IjMN. I pray for my brother Lord that you raise help for his flight fare to come back home. I trust you Father that you will supply every needs my siblings have laid at your feet. I pray most importantly that you help them to focus on you IjMN Amen
Glory be to God in the highest. King of kings. Lord of lords. He who fills mouths with rejoicing. Hallelujah!!
Isaiah 60:17 - Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler.
Lord, the wealth of this world is Yours to do with as You will. This despite the fact too many of the devil's acolytes seem to hold onto it.
However, You have declared that the wicked will hoard and You will disperse their wealth to those who are pleasing to You.
Therefore, Lord, let the wealth of nations come to Your own. Great Provider, open doors of provision for Your children. Provision that they understand as Yours to be used for Your purpose and not their desires, IJMN Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for people struggling with homelessness and poverty. I pray that you bless them with people and opportunities that will turn their lives around for the better. I pray you bless them with jobs, food, warm beds and long term wonderful accomodations IjMN. I pray that you protect them from harm and people that might want to take advantage of them under the guise of help IjMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for people in captivity. I pray that you scatter the camp of their captors and secure their release IjMN. I pray Father that you dismantle and expose every kidnapping rings across the world. We pray you expose people profiting from these schemes and enabling them in high places IJMN Amen
Heavenly Father, thank You for being the God whose dominion cannot be questioned. You rule over all. You are mighty and great. Nothing can challenge You and indeed woe to all who would strive with their Maker.
Lord, I pray today for those who are yet to experience a healthy and godly friendship. My God, the devil's plan is for people to be more familiar with chaos and dysfunction, instead of the type of relationships that are crafted and strengthened by You.
But God, there is nobody like You and You have all the power. So, it is to You I come with my prayer request.
Your word states in Proverbs 17:17 - A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. I pray for this to be the experience of Your children. That they will know what it means to have a friend who loves at all times. You literally do this for us and as people recognize this in You, may they see it in the people You bring around them. May they equally be the type that love and stand firm with the friends You give them even in the times of adversity. You have taught in Ecclesiastes 4:12 - Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Let these relationships be strengthened by Your Spirit. Made unbreakable despite the fiery darts of hell. That You will be glorified through these relationships and generations will be blessed.
IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for couples waiting on you for the fruit of the womb. I pray that you turn their waiting into fruitfulness. I pray as they wait, that you strengthen their faith, hearts and minds. Help them know they are not waiting in vain. Help them silence the noise from within and around them and help them focus on you and your plan for their lives IjMN Amen
From JIR - Lord, please look over all widows and orphans. Please turn their mourning and sorrow into joy and happiness. Please bless them with the strength and courage to keep pushing through and bless them with the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Please touch their hearts Lord to turn to You and rely on You for strength and guidance. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for people struggling mentally. I pray Father that you bless them with the spirit of power, of love and a sound mind. I pray that you uproot every form of confusion and blessings then with a sound discerning mind. Help them to know they have overcome and they are conquerors. Father I pray that you continue to guide them and walk by Faith every single day IJMN Amen
Father, I come before You today to pray for those who have not had the opportunity to encounter Jesus. There may be all sorts of forces at work to prevent them from meeting Your Son, our Savior.
Lord, Your word is that Jesus waits at the door and anyone who opens will get to sit with Him and with You (Revelation 3:20). It is my prayer that people will hear that knocking and will open the door to You.
Remember God, You also promised to pour out Your Spirit on all flesh (Acts 2:17). I pray that as You pour out Your Spirit, people will drink and be blessed. That they will not allow satan to choke out Your word from them or transform them from good soil into rocky soil or anything else that isn't conducive for Your presence, IJMN, Amen.
From JIR - I pray for those experiencing loss of anything that may be detrimental to them. Lord, I pray that You take them under Your wings and give them comfort. I pray that they lean on You for help with overcoming this difficult time and You pull them out of their current state. I pray that You give them hope and strength to continue on and bless them in abundance for their troubles as You did Job. IJMN. Amen.
Great and Mighty God. You are the everlasting God. The Beginning and the End. You are the great Judge and Vindicator.
Praise the Lord.
Father, I lift up this gathering and call on You for Your kind mercy to rest upon us. Lord, the devil wants us to think that we cannot access the mercy of our God. However, You are He who will have mercy upon whom You choose (Exodus 33).
And so I plead with You to consider us as recipients of Your blessed mercy. It is not because we are righteous. It is not because we pray enough or do good works. I call on You to be seated on Your mercy seat regarding the members of this fellowship based on Your holiness and Your kindness. You are the perfect Lord, and have instructed us to pray in accordance with Your word.
Thus, I lift up the words of Your servant David in Psalm 57:1 - Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
Please pour out Your mercy and forgiveness upon us for the sins we have committed against You. We repent for our sins, Lord. In Your loving kindness, overlook our iniquities as we seek Your forgiveness and mercy. IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for children across the world. I pray that you continue to shield and preserve them from harm, violence and abuse. I pray that you touch tht hearts and minds of their parents, guardians, teachers and caregivers to nourish and nurture them in your ways. I pray that you help them to fulfil their destinies and Godly purpose. I pray that you grant them the spirit of discernment, obedience and clarity IjMN Amen
PRAYER TIME
Take some time to pray for people, remembering that as Christians, we have an obligation to love others. One way of doing so is to lift petitions for our loved ones, colleagues, leaders, nations, etc.
We can also pray for complete strangers. The key is to pray for someone other than yourself over the next 25 minutes.
God bless you.
God, thank You!!!
The God who takes care of everything.
He who is faithful.
I worship You! The God who loves me and surrounds me with blessings and favor.
Your glory rises upon me and because of Your loving care, You have seated me in heavenly places!
Almighty King, I worship You!
From M22 - Father Lord I submit myself to you and ask that you take control of my life. I pray that you take charge of anything in my life that refuses to submit to you. I pray that you put an end to the mental and emotional struggles. I pray for strength to keep going . IjMN Amen
From JIR - “O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.”
Psalms 63:1 NLT
From M22 - Father Lord I pray that you remove every spiritual blockages from our lives. Help us to rest in your comfort and authority. Help us to walk by Faith and not by sight. Abba Father I pray that you continue to strengthen and renew our faith in you. IJMN Amen
Psalm 66:3-4 - 3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. 4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.”
Father, thank You for being awesome in all Your ways. Thank You for being so powerful that Your enemies cower, their knees melt in fear of You. The earth does to You and sings Your praises!
Glory be to You now and forever!
From M22 - Father Lord I thank you for breaking every siege and negative cycles in our lives. Thank you for setting us free and breaking every chain of bondage, captivity and torment in our lives. Father Lord I bless you for giving us that freedom that is much needed IjMN Amen
From BAB - Man I'm so thankful I've always had Christian friends. Even the most lukewarm ones never tempted me to do ungodly things. I know He looks out for me by the people I've become friends with.
From M22 - Father Lord I thank you for breaking every siege and negative cycles in our lives. Thank you for setting us free and breaking every chain of bondage, captivity and torment in our lives. Father Lord I bless you for giving us that freedom that is much needed IjMN Amen
From JIR - Thank You for taking the lead in my life and opening my eyes to so much within the past months. Thank You for being with me every step of the way and giving me hope and a future. I put my faith in You and pray that the path You are setting me on will bring You glory. Thank You for guiding me, and teaching me. I’m learning slowly but surely. Thank You for Your patience and reassuring me that You have plans to prosper me, not harm me. I have dealt with a lot in my past and I thank You for giving me peace. You are good. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I thank you for today. I thank you for never letting me go even when I sometimes let myself go. I thank you for helping me go through each day even when I don't have the strength too. I am grateful I can be vulnerable in your presence. You see everything I go through, the good days and bad days, the wins, the losses. I thank you because even when I feel you are silent, you are still there with me. I pray that you help my heart to be more discerning so I can experiece you and hear your voice beyond studying your Word. IjMN Amen
Lord, I want to thank You for my friends. Thank You for bringing them into my life. Thank You for the grace You show them and the loving kindness You shower upon them.
Your mercies upon them are forever more.
Thank You God.
Great and mighty God, You are the One I fear and the One I dread. You alone are holy.
God take all the glory for what You have done, are doing, and will do in my life.
Thank You great and mighty One.
From the highest heights
to the earth below
There's no greater love I know
Holy
Only You are good
You are good
From JIR - My King, my Lord, my God, I bow at your feet in awe of Your almighty name. Your almighty presence. Your almighty power. I yearn to do what is pleasing in Your sight. I yearn to be Your obedient servant for Your glory. All glory is Yours my Lord. I worship You and submit myself to You. I put my trust in You. Do with me as You please my Lord. I am forever indebted to You. It is a privilege to serve You, to worship You, to glorify You. I can’t express my gratitude with words. Thank You Jesus. In Your Mighty Name. Amen.
Psalm 105:1-4 - 1 Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 2 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 4 Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Hallelujah!
PRAISE TIME
Give glory to the Lord for He is worthy of all the praise!
Don't waste another second - tell the Lord the reasons why you love Him and are grateful to Him.
Remember, your very life is a result of His goodness and mercy.
Give Him all the honor!
From JIR - Thank You Lord for breathing life into us today and blessing us to wake up this morning. Thank You Lord for blessing us to reconvene for fellowship today to praise You and pray for others. We Thank You for the grace and mercy that we receive from You day by day. Life is a gift and we do not take it for granted. Thank You Lord. IJMN. Amen.
Thank you @FFJ for today’s message. This is right on time. The Lord has been placing it in my heart to move out of my current living situation and out to a new state. He has let me know the state and has let me know it is something that needs to be done asap. I am making all of the arrangements to do so, however, I will not know anyone. Today’s message is insightful and gives me the understanding and equips me with the knowledge and tools I would need to build Godly friendships in my new location. May we all experience and create Godly friendships akin to a brother or sister like king David and Jonathan did. IJMN. Amen.
From UNCG - I appreciate this topic. A lot of people, including Christians, and especially women (my mother and her sisters being among them) act like having a close friend isn't important. Sometimes acting as if it's near about a sin to value relationships with anyone other than family. I've been very conscious of this because without my closest friends I may not even be alive today. I don't have any siblings, unfortunately. The scripture says, "closer than a brother." I am a witness to that.
From EC - Amen and good morning ladies!
Thank you God for this message. Funny enough I have been struggling with friendship lately and this is a timely message for me to study and apply into my life.
I appreciate the friendship that are like true siblings to me. That support, uplift, honor me, allow me to be my authentic self, prayer partners, and fill me with laughter.
I don’t take them for granted. I thank God for them daily.
Lord bless my true friends you provided to me and anyone who is not my friend, pls remove them from my life.
Thanks you for my P n P family. May you guide and protect them. Create genuine friendships in this family as we serve the lord weekly. Amen
From M22 - Thank you Heavenly Father for today. We give you all the glory and praise. Thank you for life, mobility, provision, protection and much more. We pray that you continue to work within us. We pray that we are capable vessels for your purpose and glory within us. IjMN Amen
Thank you for today's word sis @FFJ . I told myself this year that any friendship I want to have moving forward must have Jonathan and David's standard. I love how they were there for each other, no backstabbing or negative feelings towards each other. Jonathan was never intimidated by the fact that David was going to be King one day because he knew he was deserving. I also love how David never forgot Jonathan's household and took Mephishobeth as his own. I pray for God to grant us supernatural discernment to recognize the friends he has set aside for us, I write this because a lot of us have fallen into the trap of having counterfeit friends that even question God's work in our lives and scheme against us in their actions and behaviors. I just really pray that we equally grow to be people that will come in contact with those godly friends God is bringing our way. IjMN Amen