SERMON NOTES:

Prayer Requests

DEVOTION

Pray for the students graduating that they find hope and encouragement in their futures. For recovery of Karen Bakias father who had an accident and broke his left leg. Pray for Amy Moores friend Sharon Hines as she fights cancer. Pray for Troy Brodersens family (Joannes son-in-law) as his mother, Sheri, has passed away. Pray for John & Gloria Ivers daughter Karen Atkins who is starting treatment for cancer. Pray for Ben Simmer. He is running out of choices for treating his MS as he contracted a virus. Pray for a miracle cure and healing. Pray for Joshua Dochniaks step-mother Anne as she lost her mother. Pray for radical healing of cancer for John Leggate whos been fighting for several years. John Thiessens chemo treatments are completed. Praise God for strength and a measure of healing. Pray for Angelicas friend Ann, a friend and colleague, who is receiving treatment for breast cancer. Pray for persons and process involved in property purchase for COL.

This weeks devotion is a repeat of one that has been shared before. It was informed by a Bible Study by H. Michael Brewer on First Samuel. The Bible Study was meant to be study about male relationships, but I (Pastor Paul) have broadened it to include other relationships. This week well learn about relationships involving parenting, mentoring, friendship, and spiritual friendship. Well also learn about our own relationship with God and a qualityjealousythat can hinder our own relationship with God. Comments about the devotion can be e-mailed to pastor@colpres.org. Monday, June 18 Read 1 Samuel 1:12-28 Elkanah and Hannah dedicated their son Samuel to God as a Nazarite. The mean that Samuel was to abstain from alcohol, leave his hair uncut, and refrain from any contact with dead bodies. These were all outward symbols of the boys lifelong dedication to God. As parents we dedicate our kids to God. One way we do this is through baptism. In addition to baptism we parents are the prime authority for the development in faith for their children. In what ways are you encouraging her children to give their lives to God? If you dont have children or if your children are grown, you still are a spiritual parent to the children at Chain of Lakes. In what ways are you encouraging the children and youth at Chain of Lakes to give their lives to God? Your example and encouragement can make a significant difference in the life of a child. As you pray today, pray that you can be this example. Pray that the adults at Chain of Lakes can be spiritual parents to the rest of the children and youth in our congregation.

2
Tuesday, June 19 Read 1 Samuel 17:3-11, 32-37, 41-49 This is the familiar story of David and Goliath. Many of us learned this story in Sunday school. David was able to confront Goliath because he trusted God. In fact he was a friend of God. When Saul questioned whether David could go out to fight Goliath, David shared this response: The Lord, who saved me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:37 Trusting God is an example of spiritual friendship with God. On a scale of 1 10 with ten being the highest how well do you trust God? Do you believe that God is always looking out for your best interest? As you pray today, talk to God about your own trust in God. Pray that the people of Chain of Lakes Church will grow in trust of God. As we do this we will become even deeper friends of God. Wednesday, June 20 Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13 With Gods help, Samuel was able to see possibilities in David that no one else could see, not even David. A mentor is a person who sees another person as God sees that person. We see potential and possibilities that others cant see. We can only do this well if we have Gods help. God was working through Samuel to help see the qualities in David that were important to be the king of Israel. Who is a youth or child that you could mentor? Even if the task is to help that youth or child to see the potential and possibilities in his or her life that God seesthen you are being a mentor. As you pray today, pray about a youth or child at either Chain of Lakes Church or another youth or child for whom you could be a mentor. You dont necessarily have to meet with that person in a

3
disciplined schedule. But is you could help that youth or child see their potential and possibilities as God sees them, then you are providing wonderful help. Pray over this today. Thursday, June 21 Read 1 Samuel 18:6-19 This story takes place after the death of Goliath, when David has become a military leader of Israel. Davids success and popularity are a source of jealousy for Saul. This is the start of deep hostility that Saul had for David. Jealousy is not something that we talk about often in the church. Its a painful topic that is hard to talk about except with people with whom we are close. God knows our heart and is willing to listen to us pour out our thoughts and prayers with God. If we arent aware of our own jealousy, then it can prevent us from being the people God desires for us to be. It can also lead to tragedy. Saul was never able to recover from his jealousy of David. As you pray today, think about people towards whom you are jealous. What is it in that person are you jealous of? How do you think God views that person? Know that God accepts you where you are on your faith journey and is encouraging you to take steps towards wholeness. Friday, June 22 Read 1 Samuel 18:1-5 In this brief passage we see the portrait of a beautiful friendship. One mark of a friendship is that friends seek the good of one another. How do you see Jonathan and David seeking the good of each other in this story? Do you have a friend like this? If you dont, do you have a person about whom you could cultivate a friendship? Perhaps there is someone at Chain of Lakes who could be a deep friend.

4
Today as you pray, pray that you can develop a beautiful friendship like the one between David and Jonathan. Saturday, June 23 Read 1 Samuel 23:15-18 In addition to being friends, some people have made a covenant to be spiritual friends. A spiritual friend is a person whom you talk about what God is doing in your life; also you listen to what God is doing in that persons life. A spiritual friend can take many different forms. Spiritual friends can make a covenant with each othersimilar to the covenant that David and Jonathan made. One way to think about spiritual friends is to think about the one another passages that are in the Scriptures. Spiritual friends can make a covenant to: Love one another (John 13:34) Serve one another (Galatians 5:13) Honor one another (Romans 12:10) Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21) Bear one anothers burdens (Galatians 6:2) Pray for one another (James 5:16) Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32) Welcome one another (Romans 15:7) Encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24-25) Instruct one another (Romans 15:14) Do you have a spiritual friend? Would you like one? As you pray today, pray about who could be your spiritual friend. If you have a spiritual friend, pray that these one another passages can describe your spiritual friendship. Pray that our community at Chain of Lakes can be full of spiritual friendships.