Family and Friends – April 19, 2009

Family And Friends

1 Samuel 22:2-3

Jim Stephens

04-19-09

 

Scripture:

 

3 Later David went to Mizpeh in Moab, where he asked the king, “Please allow my father and mother to live here with you until I know what God is going to do for me.” 4 So David’s parents stayed in Moab with the king during the entire time David was living in his stronghold. (1 Samuel 22:3-4 NLT)

 

When Saul began his “David Eradication Program” it soon became clear that not only David, but anyone remotely involved with him was at risk.  Saul destroyed the entire city of the priests and slaughtered men, women, and children.

 

David needed a safe place for his aging parents.  He went to the king of Moab and asked him to keep them safe “until I know what God is going to do for me.”  This was a wise and natural move, because David’s father, Jesse, was the grandson of Ruth of Moab and Boaz of Bethlehem.

 

God’s been speaking to me very consistently about my relationships.  The message for me today is “Friends and Family.”  On the one hand, those close to us can suffer the consequences of our actions and situations.  On the other hand family relationships and friendships are a source of security.

 

When Saul slaughtered the priests, David took the survivor Abiathar under his care.  When David was at risk, the crown prince, his friend Jonathan tried to help him.  When David’s family was at risk he went to a distant family member for help.

 

Never abandon a friend—either yours or your father’s. Then in your time of need, you won’t have to ask your relatives for assistance. It is better to go to a neighbor than to a relative who lives far away. (Proverbs 27:10 NLT)

 

Invest in building your relationships in the everydayness of life and they’ll be there to help when the roof falls in!

 

Prayer:

 

Father, help me to cultivate strong, healthy relationships both in my family and among my friends so that when things get tough, I can help them and they can help me.  Amen.

 

Friendship – April 18, 2009

Friendship

1 Samuel 20:16-17

Jim Stephens

04-18-09

 

Scripture:

 

16 So Jonathan made a covenant with David, saying, “May the Lord destroy all your enemies!” 17 And Jonathan made David reaffirm his vow of friendship again, for Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself.  (1 Samuel 20:16-17 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

When David and Jonathan met, David was already a threat to Jonathan’s career and future.  As Saul’s oldest son, Jonathan was crown prince of Israel.  Samuel had already anointed David as Israel’s future king.  Now every feat of courage and every military victory on David’s part moved them one day closer to the time David would rule on the throne Jonathan should have inherited.

 

But Jonathan loved David as much as he loved himself!  I’ve been sitting here thinking about Jonathan and my admiration for him grows with every thought.  Jonathan was noble, loyal, and was willing to lay down his throne and his life for his friend David.

 

Application:

 

I’m learning to value friendship more.  For years I’ve kept so busy I’ve not invested as deeply as I should in my friendships.  In margin-less lives, friendships starve.  I’m determined to feed my friendships better.

 

I suspect that some of my friends are better friends to me than I am to them, measured by the care and concern they show to me and I to them.

 

Do you have a friend like Jonathan?  Are you a friend like Jonathan?  I recommend that you ask God to help you develop a handful of real, rich friendships.  It will cost time, money, effort, and might possibly cost you some achievement.  When you’re looking back on your life, I’m pretty sure you’ll have no regrets.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I purpose to be a better friend to my friends.  I’m open to new friendships and I will do my best to be a good steward of the friendship gifts you give me.  I’m going to feed my friendships with time and effort so they will be healthy and strong.  Amen.

 

David’s Friend – April 16, 2009

David’s Friend

1 Samuel 18:1-4

Jim Stephens

04-16-09

 

Scripture:

 

1 After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond of love between them, and they became the best of friends. 2 From that day on Saul kept David with him at the palace and wouldn’t let him return home. 3 And Jonathan made a special vow to be David’s friend, 4 and he sealed the pact by giving him his robe, tunic, sword, bow, and belt. (1 Samuel 18:1-4 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Jonathan, the heir to Saul’s throne, loved David and became his friend and his number one advocate.  However, Saul feared David’s popularity and success and quickly came to hate David.

 

It’s interesting that Jonathan, the man who had the most to lose if David became successful, loved and protected David.  What a great guy!

 

I read today in Matthew 3 that John the Baptist, at the very peak of his popularity, told his followers that Jesus was the one to hear and follow.  What a great guy!

 

Application:

 

Thank God for men and women who recognize their place in God’s plan and also recognize the role others are destined to play.  Thank God for those who will put their own ambitions aside and become advocates for other gifted servants so the work of God can go forward.  Thank God for those who are committed to developing and releasing the next generation of Christ-following leaders.  They are truly citizens and advocates of God’s Kingdom.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, help me to recognize the gifts and potential in others and become a friend and advocate of their success and development.  It’s not about me, it’s about your kingdom.  Amen.

A True Friend – December 18, 2008

A True Friend

John 3:27-30

Jim Stephens

12-18-08

 

Scripture:

 

27 John replied, “God in heaven appoints each man’s work. 28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you that I am not the Messiah. I am here to prepare the way for him – that is all. 29 The bride will go where the bridegroom is.  A bridegroom’s friend rejoices with him.  I am the bridegroom’s friend and I am filled with joy at his success. 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. (John 3:27-30 NLT)

 

Observation and Application:

 

John behaved as a true friend, one who rejoices when his friend is successful.

 

This made me think about levels of friendship:

 

·        Some friends are glad when they prosper and can do something good for their friend.  Men have egos and often would rather do something for another than receive help.

·        Some friends are glad when both they and their friend prosper.  That way it’s fair and equal.

·        John says a true friend rejoices when his friend prospers, even if it means he himself isn’t doing so well.

 

I wonder if I’m a true friend by John’s standard?

 

Prayer:

 

Father, I have so much to learn.  Thanks for the frequent values checks your daily word provides.  I want to do better.  Amen.

 

Priscilla And Aquila – December 3, 2008

Priscilla And Aquila

Romans 16:3-5

Jim Stephens

12-03-08

 

 

Scripture:

 

3 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. 4 In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. 5 Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ. (Romans 16:3-5 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

Paul had met Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth on his first visit to there (Acts 18:2-3).  They had been expelled from Rome along with all other Jews.  Paul lived in their home and they worked together both in ministry and in their trade of tent making.  Later they accompanied Paul to Ephesus and became the key elders-disciplers in the infant church there (Acts 18:18-28).  Priscilla and Aquila were instrumental in mentoring Apollos and preparing him for a powerfully effective ministry.  Now they were in Rome again, Jews having been allowed to return.  They would be expelled from Rome once more, when Christians were expelled from the city (see 2 Timothy 4:19).  Their home, as always, was a place of ministry, now the meeting place for one of the house churches in the vast Roman capital.

 

Priscilla and Aquila were a married couple ministry team.  That’s always meant a lot to me because that’s how God called Jean and me to serve – as a team.

 

Application:

 

Anyhow, the main thing that caught my attention this morning was thinking about the life-long friendship between Paul and Priscilla and Aquila.  They met in Corinth, served together in Ephesus, and now were staying in touch across the miles as the

 

Jean and I have some friendships like that.  We have friendships with couples in Jamaica, the UK, Uganda, and Malawi, as well as around the US.  Through the years we’ve drawn strength from those friendships and I know we’ve been an encouragement to them.

 

I am reminded of the value of those relationships and I purpose to make more effort to stay in contact with them – sharing in the blessing of encouragement to them and from them.

 

Prayer:

 

Father, today my heart is full of joy as I remember the ways we’ve mutually encouraged and been encouraged by Mike and Yvonne, Carl and Viv, Ian and Chris, Darryl and Martha, Paul and Joyce, Paul and Carole, Al and Melody, Neville and Hyacinth, Garris and Jan, Dusty and Twila, Greg and Jan, Don and Jean, David and Angela, George and Hazel, Nigel and Jan, Dan and Barbara, Rod and Sue, Hugh and Ronda, Ray and Ann, Ted and Sheila… And so many more.  Please bless them with the most appropriate blessings today.  Help me find wise and practical ways to keep the relationships alive and growing.  Amen.

Friends of God – December 1, 2008

Friends Of God

Romans 5:11

Jim Stephens

12-01-08

 

Scripture:

 

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.  (Romans 5:11 NLT)

 

Observation:

 

In today’s reading Paul addresses several kinds of relationship between us and God.  Gentiles were enemies of God.  Jews were God’s chosen people.  Christ-followers were servants of Master Jesus Christ.  Christ-followers were children adopted into God’s family.  Now Paul introduces a wonderful new relationship with God – friendship.

 

Application:

 

When I think of friendship, I usually think of a kind of co-equality.  God and I are not equals in our friendship.  He is still God and I am not.  He is master and I am servant.  He is father and I am his child.  He is king and I am his subject.  But I am a friend of God and he likes me!

 

Prayer:

 

Father, thanks for the amazing gift of friendship you have given me.  I have nothing to offer to make this a co-equal kind of friendship, but I thankfully receive the gift of friendship you offer through Jesus Christ.  Amen.