Monday SHINE.....
Reading Plan for the week of 7/15-7/21:
- Monday 7/15. 1 Samuel 23, 24
- Tuesday 7/16. 1 Samuel 25, 26
- Wednesday 7/17. 1 Samuel 27, 28
- Thursday 7/18. 1 Samuel 29, 30
- Friday 7/19. 1 Samuel 31
- Saturday 7/20. Ephesians 1:1-14
- Sunday 7/21. Ephesians 1:15-23
Happy Monday, SHINE girls!
Welcome to a new week in the book of 1 Samuel! Can you believe we are almost finished with this book of the Bible? Ephesians begins this weekend.
I'm a little sad to be exiting this part of our reading. However, we will return to 2 Samuel in September.
It's just the way this reading plan flows. Jumps around a bit, but it's all good stuff, so no worries. ;)
Over the weekend, Johnathan entered the picture. Hello, who doesn't want and need a friend like Johnathan?
Somehow, the Lord gave Johnathan the wisdom to honor both David and his own father, Saul. It would have been so easy for Johnathan to betray his father {and rightfully so}, or to betray David to please his father.
Talk about a sticky situation.
4 Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly. 5 He took his life in his hands when he killed the Philistine. The Lord won a great victory for all Israel, and you saw it and were glad. Why then would you do wrong to an innocent man like David by killing him for no reason?”
Johnathan was able to make peace with the both of them, and make a way in a seemingly impossible situation.
Johnathan was wise beyond his young years. Don't we all want that kind of wisdom?
Don't we all want this kind of friend?
A friend that looks out for us. A friend that wants what is best for us. A friend that speaks highly of us to others when we are not even around. A friend that is truthful. A friend that will encourage, uplift, and honor you. A friend that is loyal...at all times.
Johnathan was a rare gem in David's life. It would have been easy for Johnathan to be jealous of David. I mean, David seemed to have it all. He was strong, handsome, loved by everyone, courageous, and had the Lord on his side.
Why was Johnathan so loyal to David?
I think it's because he loved him so much. Johnathan knew that God was in David, and it drew Johnathan to him.
I mean, WOW. Can we just stop here for a second?
As women, isn't it kind of hard to have that kind of friendship?
I mean, jealousy can rear it's ugly head in the greatest of friendships. Right?
We can learn a lot from our friend, Johnathan. I cannot imagine how different David's life would have been without this friendship. God used Johnathan to further His Kingdom....in a BIG way.
Although it seems that David gets all the credit, and all the glory....you know there was that part with the big ol' giant and all.....
However, Johnathan holds a major part in this whole amazing piece of our history.
Many of you may not have even heard of Johnathan before reading this chapter. You may have skimmed right over him if you have read this passage of scripture before.
Oh, but let this sink in.
Let's think about our own friendships. Are we being a Johnathan to those around us?
Or, are we having a hard time being in the shadow of certain friends.
Ouch. This one stings a bit, doesn't it? I mean, who hasn't felt this way at times.
I sure have.
This brings us to our Monday Memory Verse:
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| "The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense" Proverbs 27:9 |
How about we work on living out this verse.
Is our presence and counsel as "sweet as perfume and incense" to our friends?
Or are we a fair-weather, not really wanting the best for them, and a little on the jealous side--kind of friend.
Listen real closely....
God may be using you as a Johnathan in someone's life, and you may have no idea the impact you are having on making Kingdom History.
Be a Johnathan today.
inhaling the sweet aroma of friendship,
jill
