Daily Devotional
Are You a Selfless Friend?
“Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”
1 Samuel 18:1
November 5, 2021
Ponder This
Jonathan loved David as Jonathan loved his own soul. That tells me, to begin with, that I cannot love anybody unless I first love me. Now some of us have been told that we’re not supposed to love ourselves. Of course, we’re supposed to love ourselves. Jesus said we’re to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. If I hate me, then what am I going to do to you? As a matter of fact, it is not until I have a healthy self-conception and I am secure in the Lord that I am free to love somebody else. No longer do I feel vulnerable. No longer am I afraid to give up something in me. I can share me because I love me and, therefore, I can love someone else. As we have a healthy view of ourselves, we are free to show selfless love to others. Jonathan loved David as he loved his own soul. Their friendship was a selfless friendship, and it was an unconditional friendship.
- Who is the most selfless friend you know?
- How does selflessness contribute to a good friendship? How might you act selflessly for others this week?
Practice This
Do something selfless for a friend. Consider something that is of no direct benefit to you but will bless another person greatly.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
