If you’re feeling windswept even in the basic relationships and wondering how to win friends and influence people, today’s chapter shows how long-term friends are gained and kept as a real asset…
READ 1 Kings 5 (If you prefer a different language option, click the dropdown for another version, or choose the sound icon for the audio) Be sure to make notes of what stands out for you, then feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
In a busy world it’s hard to find time for gaining or maintaining new friendships. If I use my own personality as an example, I have the positives of a Melancholy but the negatives of a Sanguine. The problem with my Sanguine side, is that it makes me more of a “flutterer” and too busy to find the time to go deep to begin with. True relationships, are long-term and can straddle generations.
Today’s chapter, played out on Life’s stage about 3200 years ago, is the result of a long-term friendship that began with King David of Israel, Solomon’s father – a man who knew how to win friends and influence people. [v1]
The chemistry between the two countries (modernday Israel & Syria) had been strong in David’s day.[a] This pathed the way for a good long-lasting relationship for Solomon. Having put out his hand, Hiram, King of Tyre, learns of Solomon’s inner-character – what makes him tick; his life ambitions; his current hopes and dreams, and how Solomon wanted his neighbour to be part of that life-story. [v3-6] Hiram was elated in more ways than one. [v7] His old friend David was “still alive” as the warm relationship continued on with his son next door. Read More? …CLICK on “05 June – Additional Notes”
But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.
Wanting to speak directly with the God of Relationship? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[b]
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
1. Praise: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven …”
Every day I’ll bless You, Lord. I’ll praise Your Name forever and ever. Great are You, Lord, and highly to be praised. Your greatness is unsearchable. [Psalm 145:2-3]
2. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
The World: Pray for the people of Greece[c]
Your Country: The modern slave trade
Yourself: Faithfulness with your Talents
Your concerns for today
When I ask for things, O God, help me remember how blessed is the person who finds wisdom and who gains understanding. The profit found is better than the profit of silver. The gain better than fine gold. [Proverbs 3:13-14]
3. Admit: “…Forgive us our sin as we forgive those who sin against us…”
Let Your ear now be attentive, Father God, and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant. I’m praying before You now, day and night, Lord, on behalf of Your servants. I’m confessing the sins of the whole nation which we’ve sinned against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned. [Nehemiah 1:6]
4. Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”
This hope I have as an anchor for my soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for me. He has become my great high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. [Hebrews 6:19-20]
“For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory now and forever. Amen!”
When Jesus was questioned, tested, tricked or in His hour of great need, He always spoke things that were previously written in God’s Word.[d] Following these memory verses from ten topics, will help you learn 52 verses from the bible in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: Using our Gifting
“The things you have heard me say, in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” [2 Timothy 2:2]
[a] 2 Samuel 5:11-12
[b] Matthew 6:5-15
[c] http://www.operationworld.org/country/gree/owtext.html
[d] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31