Do you seek out others to serve? 2 Samuel 5-9

2 Samuel 9:1 (NASBStr)

 Then David said, “Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

In Ephesians 2:8-10 we learn from the pen of Paul that we have been saved by grace through faith.   That saving faith states that we have been saved to do "good works" which God "before ordained that would should walk in them."   The truth given to us by Paul is that not only did God save us by faith but by faith we are to seek out "good works" to do for God.  God actually "created" or "ordained" the good works prior to our salvation and even prior to our lives.    The question is not "if" we have good works to do, but "when" will we do them?   We all tend to wait for something to happen to do a good work for God.  Or, we wait for a certain day to do them (like Sunday).   Yet, we have a great example in the life of David to look at for our own lives.   David "sought out" someone to show kindness to!!!  David had subdued his enemies (the enemies of God).   David had sought out the building of the temple was even now organizing the construction project.   David was leading an entire nation.   And, yet, David took time to seek out someone to show God's kindness.   In Proverbs 3:27 and James 4:17 we have principles of God's Word mentioned that support David's action.  We are to "seek" out people to show kindness.  We are not to passively look around and "if" something pops up we are to serve.  We are to seek opportunities.  The odd thing is if we just open our eyes we have opportunities.   But, to have make a conscious effort to find someone to love and bestow kindness is what God does for us.  God seeks us out and saves us.   We, too, out to seek out others to show God's kindness.  

Are people hearing from you what God is doing in you? Exodus 17-20

Exodus 18:10-11 (NASBStr)

So Jethro said, “ Blessed be the Lord who delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of Pharaoh, and who delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods; indeed, it was proven when they dealt proudly against the people.”

"Now I know that The Lord is greater than all the gods."    Oh, that all men would say these words as Jethro did in this passage.   Man i lost and looking for the answer to the hole in their heart.  It is ONLY filled with the God of the universe who is better than all the other gods they seek out to fill it.   Gold, pleasure, the chase, the view, the experience are all little gods who we try to use to fill the void in our hearts.  But, Jethro, after many years of searching finally was able to say, "Know I know ..."!   Why?   If we read the verse before this the answer is plan.   Moses, when we left to confront Pharaoh, left his wife and children with his father-in-law to be safe.  Upon his arrival back, Moses, the non-talker of the family, enlightened his father-in-law about all that God did.     He told of the victory over the Egyptians, the Red Sea thing, and the most recent "water out of the rock" miracle and the victory over the Amalikites.    Once Jethro "heard" of these things, he believed.   Non-believers need to hear for them to have faith.   In Romans 10 we see this developed more by Paul ... men need to hear God's Word because faith comes from hearing God's Word.    Yet, how shall the hear without a preacher?   Moses was the preacher in Jethro's life.    We tend to think of the preacher as the pulpit thumping variety.   Yet, every day believers are the real preachers.   When we tell others what God is doing in our lives they can hear and believe.   However, if Jethro would have stumbled on the Israelites when they were complaining about not enough water, would he have stopped to believe and say, "Now I know?"   No, people need to hear the way God has lead us through the trials, tribulations and struggles of life and they will, too, praise our God.   Let's not hide what God is doing in our lives under a bushel basket.  Let's shine the light.  

Are trials of life God's Seminary for MInistry? 2 Corinthians 1-3

2 Corinthians 1:4 (NASBStr)

...  comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

We seldom think about the sufferings we are going through as being beneficial to those around us.   It is a foreign concept to think my ill-health and subsequent victory through it is intended for some benefit of believers I may know, or may not know.  But, yet, that is what Paul is telling us here in the first chapter.   Our trials and tribulations, according to God, are for the purpose of preparing us to minister to others.   We don't think of "trials" as "seminary" training.   But, if we, by faith, approach our trials as God showing us HIs comfort so we can show others that some comfort, we will, by God's grace see the ministry expand.   God has intended the Body of Christ to minister to the Body of Christ.   Note in the above verse that we are told that once we experience the comfort of God through the minister of the Spirit we will be able to comfort those who are in "any" affliction.   We tend to forget that God is preparing us and therefore He can use us in any way.   Like Moses of old, we ought not fear God's mission, as though we don't have the equipment to complete the mission.  God made the tongue, He told Moses, so therefore Moses can speak for God.  God comfort us and that equips us to comfort others, no matter the level of their trial or tribulation.   Let's not relegate "counseling" or "ministry" to the professionals.  Professionalism is based upon training and preparation.   God is using your trial today to prepare you and train for you ministry tomorrow.  

Do you move when the Spirit speaks to you to move? Mark 13-14

Mark 14:13-16 (NASBStr)

And He *sent two of His disciples and *said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him; and wherever he enters, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ And he himself will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; prepare for us there.” The disciples went out and came to the city, and found it just as He had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

Have you ever had an unction from the Holy Spirit and you didn't know why?   Think of this story the next time you sense that urging.   Someone, a man, who is never identified by Christ, has been moved by the Spirit to prepare an upper room setting for the Savior and the disciples to enjoy the Passover meal. (Perhaps another lesson for us is the comparison of this man non-notoriety mentioned here and the story of the women mentioned earlier in the chapter who poured expensive oil on Christ.  She is said to have a reputation forever and this man doesn't have his name mentioned.)   Whoever this gentlemen is, we have this wonderful story of his work allowing the ministry of Christ to continue.   It is in this room we have the wonderful narrative of John 14-17.  It is in this room we hear the message of Peter's denial and Judas' betrayal.  It is in this room we hear the pain of His death but the hope of His resurrection.  It is in this room we are given the blessing of the Lord's Table and the Lord's Return.  Whoever this was, he obeyed the quiet and still unction of the Holy Spirit.   It is doubtful, at the time, he had any idea what he was doing.  He simply would have felt like a puzzle piece being moved from one place on the table to the other.  It is only after the narrative of the gospel is complete that we see the beauty of his obedience and the necessity of his follow-through.  So, too, with our work for Christ today.  We may never know, this side of Glory, the reason for our obedience to the moving of the Spirit to do this or that.  But, we can be assured God will use it for His glory and His ministry to mankind.  

Do you know what it means to "know God?" Jeremiah 22-26

Jeremiah 22:15-16 (NASBStr)

“Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar?

Did not your father eat and drink

And do justice and righteousness?

Then it was well with him.

 “He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy;

Then it was well.

 Is not that what it means to know Me?”

Declares the Lord.

There is a lot of talk in our religious world and in our churches about "knowing God."   The pursuit of God and knowledge of Him is at the center of our thoughts.  We, believers, want to know Him.   Paul stated he wanted to "know Him and the power of His resurrection" (Philippians 3:10).  Knowing God is, or should be, our highest pursuit.   The great Christian writer A.W. Tozer wrote one of the most compelling books on this subject early in the last century entitled, "The Pursuit of God."    However, the problem with most of our pursuit is that we fail to comprehend the real meaning of "knowing God."   Here, in the above verses, Give gives Jeremiah, who gives to us, one of the most direct definitions of what it means to "know God."   In God's definition "knowing" Him involves a covenant to "act like Him."   Knowledge of God is not in the framework of information ... although it can include that aspect.   But, a true "relationship-knowing" of God involves God working through us for the point of practicing justice, mercy and righteousness with those around us.   God created us and redeemed us because it was in His nature to do so.   If we "know" God we will become like Him in that same pursuit of reaching out to others in grace and mercy ... we can't help doing that if we "know" God.   Jeremiah is speaking to the nation and talking about the ruler, the King, of the nation.  He is saying that being a "king" is not just building a palace.  It is practicing godliness.   Knowing God is an action not a passive information gathering function.  The next time you want to "know" God, remember the definition God gave Jeremiah.   

Do you know "how" to counsel others? Job 32-34

Job 33:12 (NASBStr)

“Behold, let me tell you, you are not right in this,

For God is greater than man.

You are wrong!   Many would call those fighting words.   Many would tell us that in our counseling we should be careful to not declare right and wrong ... there "just is!"    However, Elihu is frustrated with Job and his three friends (32:1-6).   He is about to let Job know what he thinks of Job's self-righteous behavior and response to his friends.    Elihu is not afraid to say what is truth.  He is no "feeler" here in his counseling.   He is about to unfold a logical argument meant to put Job in the right place and open up the doors for God's voice to come next (Chapter 35 and on).  In all the talking of his friends, God did not follow with His voice.  Only after Elihu.   But, before we understand and praise Elihu's direct approach to Job we have to notice that he first sets the scene properly.  Elihu has just struck a cord of empathy and sympathy for Job.  Elihu has just told Job that he has nothing to fear from the counsel he was about to give him.    We should take notice of how balanced Elihu is in his approach.  He makes sure that Job can be safe and then gives him the truth.   When Paul told us to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15) he might have been reading this chapter of Job prior to writing that thought.   The Holy Spirit obviously knows this pure example of that much needed principal.   Elihu didn't mind making sure Job was comfortable, but he also didn't mind telling Job he was wrong.   That balance in how we talk to others is so imperative if we want to see God's intervention ... which comes after Elihu's wise counsel and wise approach.   We need to be as good at how we approach speaking to our wounded and painful brother as we are committed to speaking.  Elihu was not afraid to set the table and then deliver the meal.   One without the other is just a waste of good intentions.   When approaching others, make them feel safe and then make sure they hear the truth.  

Do you find your worship of Him satisfying in you? Psalm 48-50

Psalms 50:15 (NASBStr)

Call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.”

In the middle of this worship Psalm of Asaph we have a wonderful declaration of God to those who worship Him.   He so wants us to lift Him in praise because it is then, and only then, that we are most satisfied.   John Piper has a great quote that fits this entire Psalm:  God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him.  That is what is happening in this Psalm.   God wants us to come to Him to worship Him.  But, He doesn't need our offering (see verse 10 ... all the cattle of the field are His).   God wants us to worship Him so that we are finding our satisfaction in Him.  Note the above verse.  When we "call" upon Him we are worshiping Him.   He will then rescue us and that gives us the ability further "honor" Him.   As we worship Him we are finding our satisfaction in Him.  Our deliverance is not for our benefit ... but, that we will further give honor to Him.   When I first read this verse I read that He will rescue us when we call on Him and WE will be honored.   But, that is not what it says.  When we call on Him and He rescues us, HE will be honored.   God is most honored when He rescues me out of trouble and I give honor to Him for His work in me.   We can only be satisfied when are glorifying God.    We can only be glorifying God when we find our satisfaction in His deliverance.  

Do you use Scripture for your own profit? 2 Samuel 1-4

2 Samuel 3:18 (NASBStr)

Now then, do it! For the Lord has spoken of David, saying, ‘ By the hand of My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies. ’”

This section of 2 Samuel is about the struggle between Saul's decedents and David's royal claims to the throne of Israel.  Once Saul died David became a king over Judah, but the leader of Saul's army (Abner) and decided to make Saul's son the leader over the rest of Israel.  Note the following:

2 Samuel 2:8-9 (NASBStr)

 But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, had taken Ish- bosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. He made him king over Gilead, over the Ashurites, over Jezreel, over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, even over all Israel.

Abner is an interesting character in this section.   He rises to power when Saul dies and becomes the "king-maker" for Israel.  He shows "loyalty" to Saul's family by backing Ishbosheth, Saul's son, king.   Yet, we later read in chapter three that he sleeps with one of Saul's remaining concubines, which is a clear indication of his disrespect Ishbosheth and his own desire to reign.   When Ishbosheth objects to the sexual affair with Saul's concubine, Abner decides that his loyalties would be better rewarded if he simply switched allegiance to David, over Ishbotsheth.   In the process we see him quote Samuel the prophet that it was David's destiny to rule Israel (Note 3:18 above).   IF Abner, through this quote of Scripture, thought David was to be the ruler over Israel, why did he make Ishbosheth the king in the first place?   We might mistakenly read this passage with the understanding that Abner was this Spirit filled military leader who was looking out for God's will in the affairs of the leaders.  However, what we actually see is a self-serving warrior who's remaining war was his own self-promtion.  He simply USED Scripture to validate his new direction in life.   Our lesson here is simple: "Be cautious of people who use God's Word to simply accomplish their own plans for life!"   Abner was quick to quote Samuel's prophecy when it was convenient for him.  However, if he thought God's Word was important, why not make David king initially?  We tend to like to use God's Word when it is comfortable and for our best interest but neglect it when we still have another possible play.   David later rewards Abner in death because of how he died (at the vengeful hands of Joab).  However, we see here that Abner uses Scripture after his first two attempts to get his way in the kingdom failed (a straw king and sleep over with the queen).  

Why your bad circumstances? Exodus 13-16

Exodus 14:3-4 (NASBStr)

For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, ‘They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in. ’ Thus I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” And they did so.

When our enemy (or, those who simply don't like us or think they are better than us) sees us wandering it is not good.   In the case above, Pharaoh has been humiliated.  He has allow the nation of Israel to leave their slavery and he has lost his first born son.   Instead of God marching Israel right toward the Promise Land, God takes them through the wilderness and makes is appear as though they are aimlessly lost on their own.   Why does God sometimes allow His children to look foolish and helpless.   Remember, from Israel's point of view this is not even a good thing.  Note what the people of Israel will soon say to Moses:

Exodus 14:10-11 (NASBStr)

As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord. Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt?

God was allowing this to happen to them so that He would be honored and glorified in this situation.   In 14:4 He says, "I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am The Lord."   God will, at times, allow tough times for his children so that He can be honored in the eyes of those who are not His children.   God had prepared Pharaoh for just this time (Romans 10).   God wanted to bring glory to Himself and the way to do that was to put His people into a predicament that only God could bring them out.  They would not later be able to say, "We fought against Pharaoh and won."   Remember when David killed Goliath that even though David honored God in the victory, because he killed the giant in a conventional manner (sling and a sword) the people began to sing David's praise.  In fact the Philistines were afraid of David because of that incident, not God.   In the case before us, here, God wanted to make sure that everyone gave Him the honor.  Whatever circumstance you are fighting or working through or living, remember that God wants to use it for His honor and His glory.  So that you will know His power and that the world would know His power.   

What makes you strong in Christ? 1 Corinthians 15-16

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NASBStr)

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

In the books of Habakuk, Romans, Galatians and Hebrews each author quotes the same phrase at the hand of the Holy Spirit:  "The just shale LIVE by faith."   In this statement we have an indication of how God expects us to live our life after we are justified.  He is telling us that not only are we justified by FAITH, but our daily sanctification (living a holy life) is by FAITH.   Nothing is in the flesh.   My faith that God will justify me makes me a child of God.   My faith that God will sanctify me makes me act like a child of God.   Faith is at the beginning and throughout our walk with God.   Note what the Bible says about Faith:We can only please God by faith (Hebrews 11:6); we stand by faith (1 Corinthians 16:13); we walk by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7); we live by faith (Galatians 2:20); we fight by faith (Ephesians 6:16).   There is no work done in the flesh that will please God.   When we have faith in God He gives us the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit then begins to produce fruit in our lives.   So, our ability to 'stand firm" (see above) is by faith.  Our standing is done on the knees of faith.   We can act like men because we come to God in faith as infants.   We can be strong because we are strong in faith.  Don't expect to be justified by works.  You can only be justified by faith.   Don't expect to be sanctified (be alert, stand firm, act like men) by works.   You can only be sanctified by faith.  

Do we focus on the size of the gift, or the heart of the giver? Mark 11-12

Mark 12:43-44 (NASBStr)

Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”

We tend to think that the wealthy and those in the highest positions, matter most in our society.  They can give more, do more, impact more.   Yet, Jesus, in one small observation, teaches the disciples so much more.     In this passage we see that Jesus shows the disciples He doesn't value what is in the offering plate but what is in the heart.   The heart can be bigger than the gift and often is.   This poor widow had a heart bigger than all and yet a gift smaller than any.   But, God is not looking at where the decimal point is in your gift but where your heart is pointing.  The condition of our heart is open to God and He can see how and why we offer.  Others are often looking at what we offer and if we offer.   When we start offering from the heart God will see this and be glorified in the gift, whatever the size.  

Where do you find encouragement? Jeremiah 17-21

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NASBStr)

“ Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord

And whose trust is the Lord.

 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,

That extends its roots by a stream

And will not fear when the heat comes;

But its leaves will be green,

And it will not be anxious in a year of drought

Nor cease to yield fruit.

There is an aspect of God's Word I don't fully understand.  I am amazed that when I read Scripture I am strengthened.  I can come in the morning to read while being consumed by the world's problems and my own difficult path.   Yet, as I read the Holy Bible, God does something within me.   I am, despite my circumstances, strengthen by might in the inner man (Ephesians 3:16:  "... that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,")  The Spirit uses God's Word to strengthen us.   I would say it is, "magical", yet, that would diminish what is actually taking place.   Somehow God is using His Word to strengthen His child.   We have some example of this taking place in our lives.   You see the small child discouraged by some small incident in life and the father or mother says an encouraging word and they are no longer overcome by the circumstances.   Yet, with God's Word, something is much bigger and much more valid.   The above couple of verses are meant to be that way for Jeremiah (and for us).  Jeremiah is in a bad place.  He is about to be beaten for delivering God's message (see chapter 20).   He is giving a message he, himself, doesn't want to hear.    Yet, God promises him that if he will but trust in The Lord, he will be, not only safe, but fruitful.    Jeremiah is promised, in the verse, that he will be IN the heat.   Yet, the roots that God's plants for him will be the conduit from the stream.   So, before the heat comes the servant already has been given a source of strength and refreshment.   God's Word is our refreshment.  Jeremiah is encouraged by God's Word.  God gives him these promises to allow him to do the work God calls him to do.   We will not be taken out of the heat.   We will, however, be sustained through the heat by the Word of His Power.   We will yield fruit during hot times because God has said we will.  

Do you have a healthy Fear of God? Job 31

Job 31:23 (NASBStr)

“For calamity from God is a terror to me,

And because of His majesty I can do nothing.

In this chapter we have the reasonings of a painful man.  His accusers are telling him that the reason for his calamity and pain is because of the great sin in his life (see the last 30 chapters).   However, Job simply knows that is not true.  He goes on and on claiming he hasn't withheld from those who need help, he hasn't trusted in his wealth, he hasn't promoted himself in pride, and on and on.   When reading this chapter we have to remember what God said about Job, Himself, in Job 1:8 ... Job is more righteous than anyone.   It was God who put Job on the stage as an example to Satan and boasted of his pure life.   So, we can understand Job's "venting" that his friends were wrong.   As he unfolds his "pure" life, however, he does give us some understanding as to his mindset for living a life for God.   In the above verse we read that Job had a healthy "fear of The Lord" in his life which motivated him to live a pure life.   Proverbs, of course, is full of the phrase "Fear of The Lord."    That book tells us that when we have a reverent fear of God we can be assured of a good life.   Job says that he lived in fear of God because he knew that God can bring calamity into our lives.   It was a terror to him.   That is the first line of the above verse.    Yet, truthfully, he was in a calamity despite living in a state of fearing God!!   But, Job also knew that God was a great God and His majesty was always paramount in what God does and allows.   Job knew that God is sovereign and whatever He does is majestic.   Job knew that he "can do nothing" unless God allows it.   So, here he sits justifying himself to his friends but honoring God in his beliefs.   He did think he was "pure" in man's eyes, but he also knew that in God's eyes he was whatever God wanted him to be.   He lived his life in fear of The Lord, but also with a deep understanding that God was pure and holy in all His actions.   

In the midst of the storm where do you run for cover? Psalm 45-47

Psalms 46:1-3 (NASBStr)

 God is our refuge and strength,

 A very present help in trouble.

 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change

And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;

 Though its waters roar and foam,

Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.

Selah.

The fact that we will have storms is an obvious turn in the roads we travel.   No road is perfectly straight and smooth.  We will have crisis.  We will have many crisis.   The question is not whether we will have a crisis but if we know what to do in the crisis.   As we read the above set of Scripture from the pen of David we have to remember that he had many, many crisis in his life.   We tend to remember only his giant killing, or, maybe his sin with a warrior's wife.   David spent many of his middle years on the run from King Saul and spent much time hiding out in the mountains.  The mountains were his "hiding" place.   So, when we read David telling us that even though the mountains may slip into the seas, all will still be well, we should take it to heart.    Our help can't be in the mountains or shelters we have made for ourselves.   We might think we stand secure in the mountain of our possessions, our positions, our professions, or our power.  However, unless our refuge is in God, through the Person of Christ, we are all but lost.   In the time of trouble, only Christ loves us unconditionally.  At the time that the earth is shaking below our feet, only Christ is solid.   At the time the waters roar and foam from the disturbance of the storm, only Christ can walk on the water and rescue us.   At the end of this Psalm David ends with the word, "Selah."   Although there are many different interpretations of this word the general consensus is that Selah means to stop and take time to reflect.    Reflection in the midst of the storm is tough.  When you are swimming so hard to escape the alligators you don't stop to work on your stroke.   However, David is telling us to stop and reflect in the midst of the storm.    Despite the noise, the fear, the lack of knowing, God is our refuge.   Find your strength in Him.  

Do you know that God's love will cast out all fear? 1 Samuel 26-31

1 Samuel 26:25 - 27:1 (NASBStr)

Then Saul said to David, “ Blessed are you, my son David; you will both accomplish much and surely prevail.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned to his place.

1 Samuel 27:1

 Then David said to himself, “Now I will perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape into the land of the Philistines. Saul then will despair of searching for me anymore in all the territory of Israel, and I will escape from his hand.”

Where does the first verse in chapter 27 come from, especially after you read the events of chapter 26 ... particularly the last verse of 26?   David had a chance to kill Saul in chapter 26.  It was his second chance to do so.  Yet, out of Fear of The Lord, he did not.  He spared Saul.  He makes a statement to Saul to remind the king that he could have, again, taken his life.    Saul then makes the statement we read above that David will be blessed and will "prevail."   Saul then departs to his place and we have no further interaction between the two.  Yet, David is overwhelmed with fear in chapter 27.   That inward fear that all men have when they fail to focus on God's power.   David focused on Saul's evilness rather than God's sustaining protection.   The only reason David could sneak in and steal away Saul's sword and water jug and be in a place to make the decision to NOT kill Saul, was because God put a deep sleep on Saul (26:12).   Yet, despite God's protection and sustaining work in David's life, David allowed his emotions to carry the day.   He once again fell into fear and doesn't come out to pursue God and seek God until we read again in chapter 30.   Maintaining control over our emotions (especially fear) is one of the toughest aspects of the Believer's life.   We read in the NT that "perfect love casts out all fear:"

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

The connection between knowing God's perfect love for us (which means whatever is happening to us is exactly what God plans) and peace is amazing.   David had just asked God to bless him for not killing Saul (see 1 Samuel 26:24).   Yet, he didn't have faith in God's perfect love, that God would protect him and bless him.  Instead he fell into fear.   Knowing God loves us casts fear out of the equation.   David went from faith in God to fear of man because he failed to remember that God loved him and would only allow what God allows to touch David.  We must not make the same mistake.  Have faith in God's love for you.  

Do you believe in the blood? Exodus 9-12

Exodus 12:13 (NASBStr)

The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

Imagine the faith they had to believe they would be protected by the mere blood of the lamb!   God had just performed in front of them countless miracles of destruction.  He had protected them from most of the plaques, but they still had to believe to assure that the angel of death would passover them.  They had to "work" by putting the blood around the door, but it was not their work that they had faith in for their salvation.  It was faith in the promise of God that He would see the blood and passover them.  This was an act of faith.   We too, as believers in the blood of Christ, must believe that God will pass over us when it comes to judgement on this earth.   God has made a promise that His Son's Blood will cleanse us from all sin (Hebrews 9:17).   We look at the blood on the cross and believe that by faith in the promises of God He will no longer punish us for our sins (Romans 8:1).   The Blood was a sign to them and the blood is a sign to us.   But, the blood points to the promises of God.   Our salvation is a based upon God's promising to pass over us if we believe in the blood of Christ.   No plague will befall us because of His shed blood.   He had to die a death in which His blood was spilled.   Our faith in that blood is fundamental to our salvation.   It is not our works that save us but the blood of Christ.  

Do you have the right gift? 1 Corinthians 12-14

1 Corinthians 12:11 (NASBStr)

But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

God gives gifts.  God give gifts to believers in the body so that they can edify the body.  He, and He alone, decides who gets what gifts.   We might be failing in the exercise of "giftedness" by saying this or that is "my" gift.    Is it possible, since gifts are given by God, for Him to change the gifts He gives you?   Perhaps for one season you might have the gift of teaching, but for another season the gift of helps.   Where does it state that I am to find my gift, seize it and claim it as my own?   As God puts the body together He distributes the gifts, "individually, just as He wills."    Yet, what if the needs of the body change?  Does that mean that God can also "redistribute" them as "He wills?"   The key to remember is that we are always in possession of giftedness from the Spirit and we are to use that gift, whatever it is, to serve the body and edify the body.   Paul instructs us to earnestly desire spiritual gifts.   Our goal in life ought not to be locked into a manner (particular giftedness) in which we are serving, but rather serve, believing by faith that God will provide the gifts I need for the task set out for me to do.  Too many people use the excuse that "that service project isn't my giftedness" and don't participate in the service.   They believe since they don't have the gift of "teaching" they can teach when the task before them is teaching.   Yet, can't God, via our faith in Him, provide that gift to us to complete the act of service laid before us?  Why do we limit our service to our gift?  Shouldn't we expand our service believing God can provide the gift I need to serve where He wants me to serve?  That is living by faith.  

What do you hold onto that is greater than Christ? Mark 9-10

Mark 10:28-31 (NASBStr)

Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.” Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.”

When you choose to follow someone or something you also choose to not follow or be attached to something else.   When Elisha ask Elijah if he could follow him, Elisha had to first burn the ox cart and sacrifice the oxen before he could follow Elijah and God.   When Peter was called he had to leave his nets.  We see later, after the death of Christ, that Peter didn't actually leave his nets and boat, but rather returned to them.   Unlike Elisha, he never burnt the boats.   Matthew had to leave the wealth and prestige of being a tax collector (although despised by the community he was honored by the authority).   So, when we read these verses we have to remember the awesome costs to following Christ.   We have to literally be willing to leave those we love.  Children, parents, brothers and sisters and all of our belongings.   We must ask ourselves each day, "I'm I willing to let 'this' go, or am I holding onto something so dear I can't follow Him?"   Do I so need the companionship, the affirmation, the security or the indulgence of something more than Christ.   Jesus is telling us that we should not allow anything to come between us and our relationship with Him.   Jesus actually tells us that if we leave all for Him we can be assured of more than what we leave in return.  In our society we often talk about our "return on investment."   Christ guarantees that we have more than a good return on our investment.  

What do you do when you think you are losing the fight? Jeremiah 12-16

Jeremiah 15:20 (NASBStr)

“Then I will make you to this people

A fortified wall of bronze;

And though they fight against you,

They will not prevail over you;

For I am with you to save you

And deliver you,” declares the Lord.

In this section of Jeremiah, the prophet is complaining to God about his "ministry" and how he is being treated by his "audience."   In Jeremiah 15:15-21 we read Jeremiah's complaint to God that he was being persecuted by those listening to his message.  He was telling God that he did not sit with the evil men of the day to make merry but had been a faithful devourer of God's Word and kept himself pure and separate from the world (see 15:16-17).   Yet, he was still being tormented.   He wanted God's protection.   He was falling into a state where his emotions were stealing his heart for God and his endurance in God.   God responds and tells him to "repent" ... in 15:19 he tells him to "return" to God.   That means these feelings of fear and self-pity were sinful and God is expecting Jeremiah to turn to God, again, in Faith and allow God do be His protector and deliverer.   God states in the above verse that if Jeremiah will return to Him, God will make him like a bronze wall and will protect him "in" the fight.  He doesn't say He will remove the fight from Jeremiah, only that He will make Jeremiah stronger.   We tend to ask God to remove the fight and God wants us to return to Him so He can bring us through the fight by making us stronger in Him.   Paul discovered this lesson and stated that when he was weak, than he was strong because it was only when he realized he was weak that Christ would be his only strength (2 Corinthians 12:10).  Jeremiah, in chapter 15, shows us his weakness.  God gives him the same answer He wants us to learn:  Cast your fear of weakness on Him and He will sustain you.  He may not remove the fight but He can make you the stronger in the fight. 

Are you living in a "Chapter 30" of life? Job 29-30

Job 30:31 (NASBStr)

“Therefore my harp is turned to mourning,

And my flute to the sound of those who weep.

We all have "great expectations."   We all dream of great things for ourselves.  We all desire wonderful things for us and ours.   Yet, that may not be God's plan for us.  In chapters 29 and 30 we see such a contrast between how it was, how we wanted it to be and how it actually is.   Job, in his mind, is living in the past.  However, in his body, he is living in the present with much pain and sorrow.   We, too, can make the same mistake.  We live in the present, with all the pain and suffering, but we want to compare it to the memories of our past or future.   There are times in life when our harp will play mourning and our flute the sound of weeping.   What enables us to endure such a sound?   It is faith in the fact that even though we are in pain we will be redeemed (Job 19:25).   If we only read these two chapters of Job we might be left with the wrong impression of his view point of life.  We take a snapshot here and it is not a good one.   But, there are snapshots of our lives that are not good.  God does not hide that from us in the book, or in the Bible.   God does not promise to keep us from the famine but to carry us through the famine (Psalm 33:19).  There will be a chapter 30 in all of our lives.   That is what faith brings us through.  If we were to stop reading her we would miss the end of the book and God restoring Job to his former glory (like he was in chapter 29).   We tend to stop in the chapter 30s of our lives when our harps and flutes turn to dissonance.   Through faith, hold on to the One who redeems.   He carries us through chapter 30s.  

Are you satisfied with your hope ONLY in God? Psalm 42-44

Psalms 43:5 (NASBStr)

Why are you in despair, O my soul?

And why are you disturbed within me?

 Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him,

The help of my countenance and my God.

The above verse is the same as in Psalm 42:11, the Psalm just before this one.   The theme in these three Psalms is that God is the only One who can deliver us and there is therefore no reason to hope in anything else.   The theme in this section is that God is our hope.   When we find our hope in God He is glorified in us.   Recently, in reading a message by John Piper, I came by a statement that I have posted on my calendar to appear every morning.    Piper states that his preaching and understanding of God is boiled down to this statement: "God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him."  I think the above verse sets the tone for a life wrapped up in that statement.   When I "hope" in God I am being satisfied in what He is doing in my life.   I must be content with His countenance being my countenance. We only ask,  "Why is my soul in despair?", when we fail to remember that God has orchestrated the circumstances of our lives.  We are satisfied in God when our hope is in God.   When our hope is in our plans, our needs being meet, or our expectations realized, we fail to have our hope in God and can't be satisfied in Him and therefore can't glorify Him.   Rejoice in the God who holds your hand and your circumstances and hope in Him.  Then, and only then, will you be satisfied in Him and glorify Him.  

Are you aware that God is protecting you? 1 Samuel 21-25

1 Samuel 23:14 (NASBStr)

David stayed in the wilderness in the strongholds, and remained in the hill country in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand.

When you are on the run and living in the hills and wilderness you think you are at the end of your rope.   You believe that everyone is out to get you.   You believe your life is in your own hands and only by your cunning and running are you alive.  Yet, in this is exactly where we find David and the writer gives us some great insight into his dilemma.    David may have been led to believe that his ability to escape Saul was due to his knowledge of the hill country and the wilderness (remember; he tended sheep most of his young life.  He would have know the wilderness and hills of Judah).   However, what he may not have realized is God's watching over his life.   Note the end of the above verse.   Even though Saul sought him every day the reason Saul didn't find David was due to God's sovereign watching over David's life.    God could have, at any time, delivered David into Saul's hands.   Saul tossed a spear at David on two occasions.  On both attempts he missed.  Why?   Because God didn't allow it.   God is watching over His children and He allows what He desires in their lives for His glory and they good.   As we are satisfied with God and His rule in our lives (direction, provision, interests) He is glorified by us.   Our chief end is to glorify God and the only way we can do that is to be satisfied by His intervention in our lives.  We may not even know He is protecting us.  We may think our great driving skill drove us through the storm.  Or, we may think our wise ability to save money gave us a raining day fund when the storm hit.   But, in truth, it was God's sovereign rule in our lives.   God is in complete control and watching over us.  If He doesn't want the Evil One or evil person to touch us, they won't.  If He has a plan and it calls for allowing evil to afflict us, we are to embrace God's control in that world.  

Why did God punish Pharaoh? Exodus 5-8

Exodus 6:6 (NASBStr)

Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, ‘ I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.

God had sent Moses to the Egyptians to demonstrate His great power in their eye-sight.   He wanted to discredit their own gods (all the plagues respond and correlate with a god of Egypt) and make His Name known to them.  Pharaoh had boasted in chapter six that he didn't know this God of Israel.  God wanted to let him know who He was and is.   Yet, it wasn't only the Egyptians who needed a reminder.  Israel was as equally dull and blind to the power and character of God.   Israel, a believing and chosen nation, needed to see God's power, as well.   Isn't it shameful that believers often need as much convincing as the unsaved world in regard to God's omnipotence?   God actually has to harden Pharaoh's heart to make sure the point get's across to the Israel, as well has Pharaoh.   Don't miss the point.   The unsaved world endures affliction, at times, because they, as well us we, need to see the hand of God.   When we fail to see or believe the hand of God in the world God shows us.  He wants us to know His power.   Paul prayed that he wanted to "know" the power of His resurrection (Philippians 3:10).   God is in the process, each day, of letting us "know" His power.   We are often impressed with man's power; often seen in military conquests or weapons.   Yet, it is God's everyday power that we need to be aware of and fully conscious.   God is doing acts in this world to get the world's attention.  Does He need to get ours, as well? 

Should we wear a covering in church? 1 Corinthians 11

1 Corinthians 11:3 (NASBStr)

But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.

Should a man wear a head covering while he is praying or prophesying?   Should a women be required to wear a head covering during worship, or praying or prophesying during a church service?  These are the questions that Paul addresses in the first part of chapter eleven.   Last year I made a point on this discussion of how trivial a matter like this should be to the entire church doctrine.   Paul seems to be diverted from the major theme of Christ resurrection by handling such a topic.   Yet, when we see the above verse that Paul is not arguing for men to be uncovered and women to be covered from a social or community tradition point of view.   (NOTE:  whatever  you argue is the interpretation of this argument Paul has explicitly stated it is in regard to praying or prophesying in a church service.)  In the above verse Paul states the first phase of his argument as pertaining to the nature of the Trinity and the nature of Creation.   You and I and the church may not like the practical implications of head covering in the church but Paul is not giving us an oral argument based upon his "customs" or "customs of Corinth" at the time.   Paul is telling us that covering in the church is based upon the fact that by "function" (not nature") Christ is subjective to God; and the women by "function" (not by "nature") is subjective to man.   His argument seems to be that since this is true, than in the church service, the women should be wearing some sign of the subjection when we she is praying or prophesying (NOTE: the fact that he makes this argument means women can't be "silent" in the church all the time ... 1 Corinthians 14:34.)   It seems plain that Paul is telling us that the covering of the head is a picture of our submissiveness to Christ and to each other.   Women, by nature, are on the same level as men.  Christianity did that.  However, by function in the church (and the home) to be submissive to the man.  The man, is to be submissive to the women since she is part of the Body of Christ and we are to submit ourselves to each other.   The "covering" in the church is a symbol of that submission.  If we refuse, for practical reasons, to wear a real covering (should we refuse?) than we ought to at least make sure we follow the spirit of chapter eleven, if not the letter of Paul's instruction.  It is based upon the function of the trinity and the order of creation ... not the whim of an unmarried male-teacher named Paul.  

Down the hatch or out of the heart? Mark 7-8

Mark 7:20-23 (NASBStr)

And He was saying, “ That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”

What's in the well comes up in the bucket!   If we are not careful, our society might lead us into the wrong direction in regard to spirituality and food intake.  In the Old Testament God had some tough regulations about what they could and could not eat.   Some of he laws had a real safety issue intertwine with them (due to a lack of refrigeration during that time).   God had commanded them NOT to eat certain food.  Today, our society is trying to regulate our consumption due to "spiritual" laws of their own.   And, although it is always right to eat healthy (who determines that definition?) Jesus here gives us a great lesson to learn.   He is telling us that it is not the intake that defiles us and disqualifies us for righteousness (which is what the Pharisees in the chapter were talking about).  Jesus is telling us that what comes out of our hearts defiles us.  Man's evilness is in his heart prior to what he eats.   Envy comes from a desire to have something we are not supposed to have and that simply in in our heart due to the sin of Adam being passed down to us.   We can get very Pharisaical by wanting to "check" what others eat or do.   We tend to put "spiritual" significance to their choices in life and want to condemn them as "unjust" for those choices (smoking, chewing, drinking, etc).   Yet, those actions (although deemed unhealthy by someone) do not disqualify the person to God.   Don't mistake good and healthy (?) decisions and life styles for a spiritual walk with God.   What comes out of our heart determines our spirituality and walk with God, not what goes into our mouth.  

Why to followers fall? Jeremiah 7-11

Jeremiah 10:21 (NASBStr)

For the shepherds have become stupid

And have not sought the Lord;

Therefore they have not prospered,

And all their flock is scattered.

When leadership has lost its bearing and the flock will follow!!   In this section of Jeremiah we read about God's indictment of their falling away from His ways.   Every line and verse shows their apostasy.  They desired to follow the gods they created and/or creation itself.  They worshipped the sun and moon.  They cut trees and shaped them into lifeless gods with gold earrings and silver necklaces.   Why?  How?  Where were the priest who should have kept them in check?  Where were the rulers who should have pointed out their sins, early in their seed?   The above verse answers these questions.   When the leader goes astray they will lead others.    This is why leaders are held to a greater form of justice.  They are held to a greater standard.   In Luke 12:48 we read, "... to whom much is given, much is required."    Leadership is held to a higher level of accountability because when they fail so, too, do the sheep that follow.  Follower-ship is responsible, as well.  But leadership takes them to the edge of disobedience by failing to lead.  

Do you have enough money to buy wisdom? Job 27-28

Job 28:28 (NASBStr)

“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;

And to depart from evil is understanding. ’”

God has hidden wisdom from man.  Although he has all the riches in the world and has sought out all types of gold, jewels, mining and wealth (Job 28:1-11) he can't find wisdom.   Although man has all types of wealth and wants to buy wisdom it can't be purchased.    Think of the amount of money in this country that is spent on education.  A quick google search puts the money spent on JUST K-12 education at $600 billion.   Another sight said that in 2010 the United States spent over $800 billion on education.   In all that money no wisdom could be purchased, however.   In all the corporate training in the U.S. was estimated at another $125 billion according to a 2010 report.   So, after almost one trillion dollars spent each year on the acquiring knowledge, according to Job (and God) no wisdom was actually acquired.   Of course, that means, if they didn't pursue wisdom with a desire to Fear The Lord.   Solomon must have read this chapter of Job when he penned the following words:

Proverbs 17:16

Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool

to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

What Solomon is saying to us is that you can have all kinds of money but if you have no heart for God you will never get wisdom.   We have millions of people who purchase "christian" education in our society and the student has no "heart" for wisdom.   Job, Solomon and the other Biblical writers are telling us that if you have no desire to come to God in faith you can't have wisdom.   You can accumulate facts.  You can stumble on wise thoughts.   But, you can "have" wisdom without the Fear of The Lord.   Dig all you want for riches.  But, they will never provide you with wisdom. 

Do you know the end of your life? Psalm 39-41

Psalms 39:4-5 (NASBStr)

“ Lord, make me to know my end

And what is the extent of my days;

Let me know how transient I am.

 “Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths,

And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight;

Surely every man at his best is a mere breath.

Selah.

We seldom like to think of the end of anything; unless it is bad.   We don't mind thinking of the end of sickness, or a test, or large set of work tasks.   But, we seldom want to know when the fun ends, or when the relationship ends; and certainly not when the life ends.   We put little thought into the end of our lives. Even though we have been told for years we should eat better to extend our life, we don't.   We are told to save better for the end of life, but we don't ... can't.   We are also encouraged to plan for the end in multiple ways and we don't.    So, in the above verses we see something unusual coming from man: A request to know his end.   What a great prayer to whisper each day.   We need God to remind us every day about the end of our life.   What is the extent of our days? The word "extent" is often used in regard to material measurement, such as clothe.   David is conscious of the fact that his days are measured; they are limited.   In Psalm 90:10 he will speak of this again and give exact measurement of man's days: 70 years.   Here God tells us that even at our best we are but a mere breath.   Look at all the history we have and the millions of names of people.  They lived but a mere puff as compared to eternity.   We each should ask God to make known the end of our days.  As short as they are we need to use them in a way to praise God through faith in His work.   Giving God the glory in this brief life gives the brevity meaning.   When we steal God's glory and use our life for ourselves it is not only short it is meaningless.   If you want the short time on this earth to matter make it a glory to God.