Tag: Jonathan

Posted in Life Inspiration

What are the Odds?

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on What are the Odds?

chick odds

One of my favorite characters in scripture is Jonathan, the son of Saul, friend of David, and most importantly man of God. What an illustration of friendship he is and an encouragement to the soul in days of days of doubt. As the son of a jealous, insecure and often disobedient to the will of God, King, Jonathan likely had many days of doubt; but he didn’t let it deter God’s purpose for his life. Through my years in the youth ministry I’ve stood amazed on more than one occasion how a young person of questionable upbringing managed to redirect their moral compass from that of their family. It is because of those living testimonies that I can ignore the statistics that would put the entire family on the prison bus, or hand them the keys to the poor house. I’ve witnessed “Jonathan’s” for myself and have often drawn strength from their stories when I have doubt in my own life and God’s purpose for me or others that I care for.

A telling scripture for the character of Jonathan is 1 Samuel 14:6

And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few.

A Decision in Doubt

Jonathan said to his armor bearer “Maybe the Lord will work for us,” casting doubt on his own decision making. He’d not told his father of his lone battle plan against the Philistine army, making me wonder if he’d doubted his father’s leadership early on which in turn created the root of his insecurity. I’m not a psychologist so I can’t tell you if that’s the case, I only know from my own experience that self-doubt used by God is called faith.

A Work in His Will

Jonathan may have doubted whether or not he should have gone off on his own but he didn’t doubt God’s ability to work. It is that faith that I’ve seen in children who have come out of some pretty rough situations, and it is that faith that I myself have had to rely on when dealing with self-doubt. Many people are in disbelief when I tell them of my lack of self-confidence and insecurities because on the surface I don’t appear to be that way. This is where faith changes the course in lives. The same insecurities that can cause someone to follow generational failure and poor decision making can also be the catapult for success with the realization that God is in control, and not us.

No Reason for Restraint

Faith. It’s the unexplainable explanation for success. “Just God.” There is no other way to explain why it happens. Jonathan said there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few. It’s not about me it’s what God can do through me. I believe that it’s what those who defy the odds tap into for strength and wisdom and it’s why I don’t ever look at where someone came from to determine there they might go. I know where I have been… and look what He’s done with me.

Jonathan and his armor bearer fought and won a battle with about twenty men. What are the odds? They’re great with God on our side!

CLICK BELOW TO FOLLOW OR MESSAGE ME ON FACEBOOK

chick encourage 2

Error: Contact form not found.

Posted in Christian Service, Church Unity, Leadership, Life Inspiration

Knitting Lessons

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Knitting Lessons

Every year our annual tent meeting has a different flavor. We’ve had years when the fires of Heaven came down and stirred out hearts, this past year it was a calming of the heart having just lost our Pastor of 20 years and facing an uncertain time. This year there seems to be a mending of the community for the Kingdom of Christ. Tears well up in my eyes and joy bubbles in my soul when I write those words this morning. I’ve desired it, I’ve dreamt about it… a time when saying the name of another church didn’t come attached to an emotion of frustration. We can’t worship with them because they don’t believe like us, dress like us, talk like us… Woah… I can feel the room getting quiet.

Hasn’t Satan won a mighty battle in the church when he has us at odds with one another? How many souls go out into Hell each year because they didn’t see Jesus in our testimony, just us? And believe me that won’t save anyone. We’ve spent more time telling the lost what’s wrong with the church rather than what’s right. They see no difference in the house of God than they do a social club because isn’t it really just another “click?” Your friends, your family, your four and no more? Harsh topic this morning and one that has the potential to create a ruckus, and that’s okay, I’m up for the fight.

The preacher of last night’s meeting brushed over one of my favorite bible stories; the story of two best friends, David and Jonathan. I love 1st Samuel 18:1 where it says “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” That’s a deep friendship, an example of Christ-like friendship. Jonathan was willing to betray his own father for the sake of David because he knew his father was wrong and that David was a chosen, anointed man of God. It was more important for Jonathan that he be right with God than right with man.

Which brings me to the question of doctrine. I’m not talking about linking up with churches who do not believe that Christ is the virgin born, Son of God, walked among men, crucified and risen the third day, sitting at the right hand of God, Redeemer.  That would make us accountable for sending souls to Hell if we linked ourselves with anything else. But I speak of born again Christians who believe Christ is Lord of all and Creator of the universe, but they do it a little different than I do. It’s not a different doctrine, but rather a different style that has most churches at odds. Doctrine is the foundation of truth, all else is the foundation of men. What are you standing on?

Christ sat down with sinners and we won’t even sit down with each other.

Colossians 2:19 says –

And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

If we hope to increase the Kingdom of God we need to do more knitting and less splitting. Whew! That’ll preach! You cannot detach yourself from another child of God without a disconnection of Christ at some point. Because God is the God of all. And if the “Head” of the church is not Christ, then the blood supply is shut off. Scary thought…

Christ said we needed to nourish one another, feed our souls on His goodness and then share it with everyone. I pray that this year’s tent meeting is the beginning of a knitting session with other Christ believers in our community. I love them…preach on preachers! Hope to see everyone at 7 tonight at Victory Baptist Church!