1. This Week’s Quiet Times: May 7-11, 2012
CLOSER RELATIONSHIPS
MONDAY
It has been said that shared crisis is a slow drying glue in a relationship. In the
midst of the crisis the glue is being applied and afterward it begins to dry and bond
together those who shared in the experience. This is a spiritual truth. Shared crisis
or suffering bonds us to the Lord and to each other. Read Philippians 3. What
was Paul’s greatest desire? What do you learn about fellowship from verse 10?
Can you really know Jesus without suffering? What was Paul’s attitude toward
sharing in Christ’s sufferings? In verse 17, Paul challenges the church to imitate
his attitude. Are you eager to be bonded closer to Jesus? Are you willing to share
in His sufferings in order to do this? Write Philippians 3:10-11 on an index card
and meditate on them. Pray to God to bless you with the right attitude and insight
toward suffering and the privilege of being with Jesus!!
TUESDAY
Read Acts 4. What happened to Peter and John? Why? Take note of the response
to suffering as you read verses 23-36. Where did they go immediately after their
release from prison? What did this shared crisis do to those who were there?
Notice how it drove them nearer to God as evidenced by their powerful prayer!
What happened after that (see verses 32-36)? How does verse 32 describe the
relationship of the believers who were suffering together? Do you see how
beneficial suffering in Christ is? Think of examples of shared crisis in your life.
What have the results of your suffering been? Read Acts 5 and notice how the
church continued to benefit and grow through suffering. Continue to pray that the
Lord bless you with a pleasing attitude toward the suffering you endure. Know
that God turns everything upside down and that situations that the world considers
as only tragic the Lord turns into blessing for each of us!!
WEDNESDAY
In previous weeks we read about the relationship of Jonathan and David. Today
we will look at it in light of the effect shared crisis had on it. Read 1 Samuel 20.
Put yourself in Jonathan’s shoes as you read verses 24-33. What crisis was he
faced with? How would you feel if you were in Jonathan’s position? What did he
stand to gain if he obeyed his father Saul (see v.31)? What did he choose to do and
why? What was the effect on David and Jonathan’s relationship as they went
through this? What verses clarify this for you? They had in common everything
that matters in life: they had in common a wholehearted faith and devotion to the
Lord!! You may be more familiar with the faith David showed in the Lord even as
a boy. Read 1 Samuel 14 and see the faith that Jonathan had. Do you see what
they shared? At the center of their relationship and every holy relationship is an

2. awesome faith in the Lord God Almighty!!! What are your relationships based
on? Pray to have great and holy relationships like David and Jonathan shared!!
THURSDAY
Read 1 Thessalonians in its entirety. Pray that God will teach you and make you
more loving as you read and apply what you learn in His Word!! As you read,
consider the following: What was Paul’s time with the Thessalonians like? Was it
trouble free or filled with trouble? What kind of relationship did they have with
the brethren? Was it a lukewarm relationship or an intense loving relationship?
What verses give you this impression? How did they feel when they were apart
(see 2:17 -3:11)? How did Paul develop the discipleship and love that he shared
with the Thessalonians through their difficult times (see 2:6-12)? Take a moment
to look at Chapter 4 verse 9. Bear in mind how these disciples went through a lot
of suffering together! What was it that God taught them through this? They had
learned so much about suffering that Paul felt no need to write anymore about it;
rather he encouraged them to do more of it! Now you can understand why the
Thessalonians served as a model for all the believers!! Praise the Lord for the
suffering you endure! Allow Him to make you more loving as a result of it! What a
BLESSING!!
FRIDAY
With the right focus we can realize that our sufferings are a blessing. Shared crisis
(the slow drying glue) bonds us to the Lord and to one another if we persevere
(give the glue time to dry and bond us). If we do not have the right focus then our
sufferings produce all negative emotions within us which can destroy our
relationships and break the bonds we share. Our brother Paul endured much
suffering (see 2Cor.11:21ff). Yet he learned the secret to “being content (happy)
in any and every situation...” What was it that the Lord had taught him? How did
he overcome the negative emotions that most commonly accompany suffering or
crisis situations? Read Philippians 4 carefully. The keys to happiness are here!! If
you are counting on people, places or things to make you happy you heading for
failure! In verse 9, Paul tells us how we can have the God of peace with us! What
must we do? Happiness and peace are a byproduct (result) of what we do!! If we
serve the Lord and one another we will find happiness!! Get down on your knees
and thank the Lord for salvation! Also, ask Him not to remove the trials from your
life, but rather, ask Him to see you through the trials; that you may gain a closer
walk with Him and those around you! God bless you!