108 2 Samuel 003 – 005; 1 Corinthians 007
This is the nitty gritty of life and therefore of Scripture. The Bible does not run from people's flaws, it seems to run to them. Revenge. sex, stealthy dealings, and other miscellaneous sin's of the human being are front and center in these few chapters. In the book of Corinthians you will find the same stuff, such as sex, drunkenness at the Lord's Table, jealousy, and one-up-manship. Some see these human flaws as an affirmation of their lifestyle. The thought process of: If they could do it so can I. These stories are here to reveal how God deals with people when they follow after Him and when they don't. People get disciplined by God when they fall off the beaten path. People wind up with a lot of unnecessary pain.
Read Corinthians 7 very carefully for it has answers for people in and out of relationships of the opposite sex.
Follow hard after God--fix your thoughts on, focus on, and follow Jesus.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
107 Friday, April 17, 2009
107 2 Samuel 001 – 002; 1 Corinthians 006
The heart is evil above all things, who can know it? As you have been reading the O.T. about the people of God and the atrocities that they committed it should give you some insight into what evil, people in general can do.
Grief is a funny thing, for we all do it differently and for different reasons. I understand grief to some degree, since that is some of my business, but I did not ever see David grieving like this for Saul. David wrote a song about Saul's death. In other words he was not faking it. It would seem a song of celebration would of been more appropriate. Saul had tried to kill David, multiple times he had tried to snuff him out.
After the grieving was over, David then went to prayer to ask God where he should move. If you watch David's life you will see he prayed, sought out God's advice; he was a man after God's heart. Ask yourself as you read about David, "how did he end up an adulterer and murderer?" Life has to be about finishing well. It is not enough to have some very bright moments. Start well, go hard in the middle, and even harder at the end. How are you doing in your spiritual life? No better time to change than now.
Christians should not be taking each other to court. Christians should not be abusive nor abuse themselves. Christians should have a different view on sex than the world. Christians are to be DIFFERENT!!!!!!! The Corinthians really struggled to understand this concept. We are not to be weird but we are to be imitators of Christ. Go for it!
The heart is evil above all things, who can know it? As you have been reading the O.T. about the people of God and the atrocities that they committed it should give you some insight into what evil, people in general can do.
Grief is a funny thing, for we all do it differently and for different reasons. I understand grief to some degree, since that is some of my business, but I did not ever see David grieving like this for Saul. David wrote a song about Saul's death. In other words he was not faking it. It would seem a song of celebration would of been more appropriate. Saul had tried to kill David, multiple times he had tried to snuff him out.
After the grieving was over, David then went to prayer to ask God where he should move. If you watch David's life you will see he prayed, sought out God's advice; he was a man after God's heart. Ask yourself as you read about David, "how did he end up an adulterer and murderer?" Life has to be about finishing well. It is not enough to have some very bright moments. Start well, go hard in the middle, and even harder at the end. How are you doing in your spiritual life? No better time to change than now.
Christians should not be taking each other to court. Christians should not be abusive nor abuse themselves. Christians should have a different view on sex than the world. Christians are to be DIFFERENT!!!!!!! The Corinthians really struggled to understand this concept. We are not to be weird but we are to be imitators of Christ. Go for it!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
106 Thursday, April 16, 2009
106 1 Samuel 028 – 031; 1 Corinthians 005
When God doesn't answer where do you turn? There are going to be times that God does not answer. That is God's business, our business is not to mess when it appears that God has abandoned us. Saul could not find an answer from God so he turns to spiritualism. Not a good thing. Saul and his good and great son Jonathan died in battle.
In the mean time David is faced with the capture of two of his wives (the whole village was captured) and he seeks God. These are great words, listen carefully, "David strengthened himself with trust in his God." If you are to pump yourself up, it is in this way: look to God and build your trust in God. Try it today. Let yourself get crazy and take God at his word.
The church in Corinth was a mess. The church in Corinth was the church. A man was having sex with his stepmother--yuck! Paul has to remind the church that they have a responsibility to not enable this situation but to deal with it (the awkward conversation that no one wanted to have, but that everyone was talking about.) Talking to each other about someone else's problem never helps the person being talked about. Do you need to have an awkward conversation with someone--go for it. Pray. Love. Be kind. Speak softly. Try not to use the “you” message.
When God doesn't answer where do you turn? There are going to be times that God does not answer. That is God's business, our business is not to mess when it appears that God has abandoned us. Saul could not find an answer from God so he turns to spiritualism. Not a good thing. Saul and his good and great son Jonathan died in battle.
In the mean time David is faced with the capture of two of his wives (the whole village was captured) and he seeks God. These are great words, listen carefully, "David strengthened himself with trust in his God." If you are to pump yourself up, it is in this way: look to God and build your trust in God. Try it today. Let yourself get crazy and take God at his word.
The church in Corinth was a mess. The church in Corinth was the church. A man was having sex with his stepmother--yuck! Paul has to remind the church that they have a responsibility to not enable this situation but to deal with it (the awkward conversation that no one wanted to have, but that everyone was talking about.) Talking to each other about someone else's problem never helps the person being talked about. Do you need to have an awkward conversation with someone--go for it. Pray. Love. Be kind. Speak softly. Try not to use the “you” message.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
104 Tuesday, April 14, 2009
104 1 Samuel 025 – 027; 1 Corinthians 004
There are not many men like Samuel. The whole country grieved his death. Samuel is one of the leaders who started well and finished well. Study him, emulate him, and recognize he was not special, it was His God who was special.
This is one wise--street wise woman, this Abigail lady. She goes to David to beg for her husband’s life, saved David from evil acts, and got more than she bargained for. Her husband ends up dying of a heart attack and when David hears of this, he sends for Abigail to be his wife. She accepts David’s proposal.
Paul in the book of Corinthians has to remind them that we are not to rank the saints down here on this earth. It is not our job. Our job is to make sure we can be useful to the Lord. Our main thing is to make sure we are obeying the Lord. The Corinthians had to be reminded of this truth because Paul wants them to grow up and not to act immature. Be ruthless in eradicating immature thoughts and actions from your life. Be brutally honest and let God take you to new heights in your growth pattern. Immaturity will not get you there.
There are not many men like Samuel. The whole country grieved his death. Samuel is one of the leaders who started well and finished well. Study him, emulate him, and recognize he was not special, it was His God who was special.
This is one wise--street wise woman, this Abigail lady. She goes to David to beg for her husband’s life, saved David from evil acts, and got more than she bargained for. Her husband ends up dying of a heart attack and when David hears of this, he sends for Abigail to be his wife. She accepts David’s proposal.
Paul in the book of Corinthians has to remind them that we are not to rank the saints down here on this earth. It is not our job. Our job is to make sure we can be useful to the Lord. Our main thing is to make sure we are obeying the Lord. The Corinthians had to be reminded of this truth because Paul wants them to grow up and not to act immature. Be ruthless in eradicating immature thoughts and actions from your life. Be brutally honest and let God take you to new heights in your growth pattern. Immaturity will not get you there.
Monday, April 13, 2009
103 Monday, April 13, 2009
103 1 Samuel 022 – 024; 1 Corinthians 003
Faith. Faith is being certain about the things unseen. David has been anointed king of Israel. David is living in caves, the forests, and sees no end in sight of being on the run from Saul. Faith. David it seems never questions God’s plan for him. Yet, the circumstances would seem to suggest that he is doomed to be the king that never ruled. There is no explicit Scripture that would show the following to be true but it seems worth exploring. The running from Saul, leading the misfits seems to be perfect training for ruling over Israel.
When you look back over your life is there something that God has been preparing you for. Is God putting a ministry, a mission, or a stronger sense of His calling on your heart?
God did not waste His time with David when he was on the run.
I Corinthians is a rich book. In chapter three Paul gives the glory to God about growth. Paul says, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow.” Credit is to go to God. God chooses the method of how to grow people. God’s method is to use people like Paul and Apollos. God has chosen to use you!!!! Let it be.
Faith. Faith is being certain about the things unseen. David has been anointed king of Israel. David is living in caves, the forests, and sees no end in sight of being on the run from Saul. Faith. David it seems never questions God’s plan for him. Yet, the circumstances would seem to suggest that he is doomed to be the king that never ruled. There is no explicit Scripture that would show the following to be true but it seems worth exploring. The running from Saul, leading the misfits seems to be perfect training for ruling over Israel.
When you look back over your life is there something that God has been preparing you for. Is God putting a ministry, a mission, or a stronger sense of His calling on your heart?
God did not waste His time with David when he was on the run.
I Corinthians is a rich book. In chapter three Paul gives the glory to God about growth. Paul says, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plants, but God made you grow.” Credit is to go to God. God chooses the method of how to grow people. God’s method is to use people like Paul and Apollos. God has chosen to use you!!!! Let it be.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
102 Sunday, April 12, 2009
May you have a great day as you reflect upon Christ’s victory over death. May your faith be deepened in the truth of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
102 1 Samuel 019 – 021; 1 Corinthians 002
There are times just to lock yourself away and sit with the Bible and say, "God speak, for your servant listens." If you have read Bible these last few days by just blowing through it then consider slowing down the pace of your life. These passages are some of the richest in Scripture. Put yourself in the place of David or Jonathan--maybe in Saul’s place--and it may help you sense more of what was happening in the story and what God could be saying to you.
Saul goes after David and I don't mean like he is upset with him, he wants to kill him. The king of Israel is trying to kill a national hero--a Godly one at that. You remember the story don't you? David never ever goes after Saul. He had opportunity to kill him and get away with it, but he feared God more than wanting sweet revenge.
It is always better to fear God more than anything you could want. It is always good to love God and to hate sin. The way David handled Saul is classic Godly character at work in a very difficult situation. Pray for more of this kind of character for you, your children, and your grandchildren.
In I Corinthians, chapter two, Paul is doing his best to explain to us that we are in over our heads. However, because we have the Spirit of God living inside of us we do have some inside information. God’s Spirit knows what God is doing and thinking and therefore we should concern ourselves with staying in tune with His Spirit. It is God’s Spirit that will help us to understand to a greater degree how Christ’s victory over death should transform our lives and even our culture. The wisdom of the age would say ‘no’ to Christ’s resurrection but God’s Spirit says ‘yes’ to this great miracle! We must say yes as well!
102 1 Samuel 019 – 021; 1 Corinthians 002
There are times just to lock yourself away and sit with the Bible and say, "God speak, for your servant listens." If you have read Bible these last few days by just blowing through it then consider slowing down the pace of your life. These passages are some of the richest in Scripture. Put yourself in the place of David or Jonathan--maybe in Saul’s place--and it may help you sense more of what was happening in the story and what God could be saying to you.
Saul goes after David and I don't mean like he is upset with him, he wants to kill him. The king of Israel is trying to kill a national hero--a Godly one at that. You remember the story don't you? David never ever goes after Saul. He had opportunity to kill him and get away with it, but he feared God more than wanting sweet revenge.
It is always better to fear God more than anything you could want. It is always good to love God and to hate sin. The way David handled Saul is classic Godly character at work in a very difficult situation. Pray for more of this kind of character for you, your children, and your grandchildren.
In I Corinthians, chapter two, Paul is doing his best to explain to us that we are in over our heads. However, because we have the Spirit of God living inside of us we do have some inside information. God’s Spirit knows what God is doing and thinking and therefore we should concern ourselves with staying in tune with His Spirit. It is God’s Spirit that will help us to understand to a greater degree how Christ’s victory over death should transform our lives and even our culture. The wisdom of the age would say ‘no’ to Christ’s resurrection but God’s Spirit says ‘yes’ to this great miracle! We must say yes as well!
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