Title: Three Short Subjects / Topic: Christian Life

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 2; 1 Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2 Thessalonians 1

#1 Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:5-6
5 for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD ?"
6 Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king's work gave willingly.

#1 Observation/Application: The challenge from David to the people regarding the building of the temple resonates with me. David is passionate about the temple and has set the example by amassing huge supplies of gold, silver, and all the materials needed. Then he gives this challenge: "Now, who is willing to consecrate himself today to the Lord?" And people responded. And they responded gladly. Listen to the challenge from the Lord and respond.

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#2 Scripture: Psalm 95:6-7
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture...

#2 Observation/Application: This is the only correct response to God, once we understand that he is our maker (i.e. the creator). We must bow and worship and kneel before him. We must submit ourselves to him. Worship is the natural response to a correct understanding of God.

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#3 Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4, 11
3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. 4 Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.

#3 Observation/Application: I just love the description of a growing, healthy, vibrant church family. They are growing in every way, in spite of (or maybe because of) persecutions and trials. And I thought verse 11 was interesting that God would fulfill our every purpose and act, provided they are prompted by faith.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the great calling that you have given to your people. May we walk in your ways and experience your fullness.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Here We Go Again / Topic: Inattentive Leadership

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 1; 1 Chronicles 28; Psalm 91; 1 Thessalonians 5

Scripture: 1 Kings 1:65-6
5 Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, "I will be king." So he got chariots and horses ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him. 6 (His father had never interfered with him by asking, "Why do you behave as you do?" He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.)

Observation: David, for all his great strengths, has one glaring weakness: he has a blind spot when it comes to his sons. Here is Adonijah pulling an Absalom. And David does nothing (once again). And once again great tragedy for David's family will result.

Application: The confusion we see in this story is the result of a lack of strong, attentive, decisive leadership. It is not ok to ignore festering problems, either hoping they go away or unaware that they are there. There is an explicit responsibility of leadership to know what's going on. Solomon wrote, "Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations." (Proverbs 27:23-24) Perhaps he had the shortcomings of his father in mind when he wrote these words. The bottom line for leaders is that we must be attentive to the responsibilities that the Lord has given us. This includes employing others to help be our eyes and ears to assist us in this regard.

Prayer: Lord, help me to pay attention to the areas of my stewardship. Give me wisdom to act in good time to avert problems before they become significant. May I be a wonderful leader, like You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Sold Out / Topic: Life Purpose

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 22; 1 Chronicles 23; 1 Chronicles 24; 1 Thessalonians 3

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 22:1, 5, 17, 19
1 Then David said, "The house of the LORD God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel."...
5 David said, "My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the LORD should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it." So David made extensive preparations before his death...
17 Then David ordered all the leaders of Israel to help his son Solomon...
19 "Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD."

Observation: What caught my attention is David -- he is in the grip of this task: preparing for the temple construction. He wanted to build it himself but God said no. Instead Solomon will build it. But David has this vision of a great and wonderful edifice to honor God. So he dedicates himself and goes to great lengths to do all he can to make sure Solomon has every opportunity to succeed. David is doing so much to prepare for something he will never see or experience. He is a dedicated man.

Application: This level of dedication is challenging to me. Am I so gripped with the call of God and with a great purpose that I would spend my life and my treasure to promote the success of something that would not be accomplished in my lifetime. I think that each person who belongs to God must have a sense of call and destiny that exceeds his lifetime.

Prayer: Lord, I want to be in the grip of Your dream for me. Whether or not it is fulfilled in my lifetime or afterward. I choose to be sold out for You and Your purpose in my life. Strengthen me in this purpose.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Pay Attention / Topic: Responsibility

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 15; 2 Samuel 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25

Scripture: 2 Samuel 15:1, 6-9
1 In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him...
6 Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 At the end of four years, Absalom said to the king, "Let me go to Hebron and fulfill a vow I made to the LORD. 8 While your servant was living at Geshur in Aram, I made this vow: 'If the LORD takes me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the LORD in Hebron.' "
9 The king said to him, "Go in peace." So he went to Hebron.

Observation: Absalom is openly involved in a mutinous campaign to establish himself as king, replacing his own father, David. The first six verses of chapter 15 detail all the activities that were a part of this strategy. He did this day after day after day. Verse 7 jolted me: "at the end of four years..." FOUR YEARS! Absalom did this openly right under David's nose for four long years. David no doubt had plenty of people warning him -- after all, he had so many loyal subjects and many wise advisors. But David must have dismissed all their concerns. He had a huge blind spot in the area of family -- and disaster ensued. The results were ruinous on so many levels. David's lack of attention to this obvious threat was so irresponsible as to be virtually criminal.

Application: Pay attention. A stitch in time saves nine. Warnings must be heeded -- especially by those who are in positions of leadership. And action must be taken, even if the offenders are close family members or friends. Delaying or ignoring can result in disaster. Pay attention -- listen to good advice.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be attentive and responsible in my life and ministry. Keep me safe from foolish inaction. And give me good advisors who can watch over the blind spots in my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Got Good Counsel? / Topic: Wrong Friends

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 13; 2 Samuel 14; Matthew 24

Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:1-3
1 In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David.
2 Amnon became frustrated to the point of illness on account of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her.
3 Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man. 4 He asked Amnon, "Why do you, the king's son, look so haggard morning after morning? Won't you tell me?"

Observation: Amnon has a sick obsession. He has fallen "in love" with his half-sister, Tamar. In truth he has a lustful incestuous fixation for her. It actually becomes so captivating that it makes him physically sick. Unfortunately, Amnon has another unhealthy aspect of his life, he has an evil confidant, his cousin, Jonadab. And this wicked man gives Amnon horribly evil counsel, playing to Amnon's sin sickness. Of course, the emotionally unstable Amnon latches onto this terrible advice, creating a ruse that gives him the opportunity to rape Tamar which is tragically what happens. Eventually, this evil counsel ends up sowing murder and destructive strife in David's family.

Application: Be careful picking your friends. There may be a time when your judgment is impaired and the character of your counselors will make the difference between life and death. Select Godly people of excellence of character.

Prayer: Lord, give me a multitude of wonderful counselors who reflect the Wonderful Counselor.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: What Might Have Been / Topic: Choices and Consequences

Author's Note: It has been several days since my last post. I have not been neglecting my time with the Lord, just my blog. Did you miss me? Please post a comment if you appreciate this blog. I post to initiate a discussion. If no discussion happens, then my purpose in unfulfilled and I don't see the point in posting. That's what I'm thinking. What are your thoughts?

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 11; 2 Samuel 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23

Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.

Observation: It is the time for kings to go off to war. David is a king. But David stays home. And what ensues is the whole sordid tale of David's lustful encounter with Bathsheba and the subsequent treacherous conspiracy and murder of Bathsheba's loyal husband Uriah. If only David had simply gone where he was supposed to go. What a difference it would have made in so many lives. A simple decision to not do what he should have done had extreme and dire consequences for all eternity.

Application: Don't put yourself in the wrong place. Be where you are supposed to be. The papers are filled with stories of innocent individuals who got hurt or killed because they were at the wrong party or at the wrong person's house or waiting for a friend outside the wrong club. Just be where you are supposed to be.

Prayer: Lord, keep me in the right places to be and do what you want. I do not ask you to keep me safe because being a true witness for you is not safe. Obedience has cost many of your witnesses their lives and they died because they were where you wanted them to be and they took a righteous stand. I do ask for you to keep me in your will. Keep me from places I should not go. May I do your will.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Innocent But Dead / Topic: Leadership Responsibility

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17

Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:6-7
6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. 7 The LORD's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside the ark of God.

Observation: This scripture always sobers me. The fact that Uzzah died because of a decision that David made does it. Uzzah innocently attempted to do something good, but it violated a sacred taboo. The ark was not to be handled. It was to be carefully moved on poles held by the Levites. Even the decision to move it by cart wasn't a willfully sinful act. It was an act of ignorance. It was careless. But Uzzah was dead, just the same.

Application: This should give every leader pause. It is possible to act with good intentions and bring damage to others. Good intentions are not enough. This is one story where David did not inquire of the Lord. He just got the idea in his head and acted. And Uzzah lost his life as a result. As a leader, I must seek God's will at all times. I must act carefully, thoughtfully and prudently. People's lives are in the balance.

Prayer: Lord, give me your wisdom and keep me focused on the proper application of your word and your principles as I exercise the privilege of leadership. Keep me from presumptive folly.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The First Stumble / Topic: Following God

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 4; 2 Samuel 5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-23
21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"
23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

Observation: Peter has just declared Jesus to be the Christ (Messiah), and Son of God. And Jesus begins to tell them of his impending death and resurrection. Peter rebukes Jesus. It makes no sense to him. A dead Messiah is nonsense. He tries to straighten Jesus out but Jesus will have no part of it. He rebukes him as Satan. What caught my eye was the term "stumbling block." This is the same term that Paul uses to describe how Jews consider the idea of "Christ crucified" that is, a crucified Messiah.
1 Corinthians 1:23 "but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness..."
The Jews react just as Peter (as a Jew) did. It is nonsense to them. (Interestingly, Muslims also do not accept the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. They do not believe God could allow a great prophet to suffer in this way so they teach that God took Jesus up alive to heaven.) So it is a stumbling block and Peter had the first stumble on it. He also became a stumbling block to Jesus by undercutting his mission and trying to dissuade Jesus from doing what he was destined to do. So Jesus rejects him in the strongest of terms.

Application: There are a couple of possible applications, although I wrote on this primarily because I found the parallel terminology interesting. First, the fact that in doing what is right and Godly, there will be people who will simply be unable to accept it or follow it. Second, even your most trusted and closet supporters can be used of the enemy to undercut your Godly direction and it may be necessary to speak strong words to stay the course and not allow yourself to be turned away from the course God is leading you on.

Prayer: Lord, I want to stick with you. You are always faithful and you keep me safe and protected if I will abide in the shadow of your wings. Keep me there, Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Fierce Helpers / Topic: The Army Of God

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 12:22 Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God.

Observation: David's mighty men were some of the toughest warriors of history. These were fierce and skilled fighters each of whom could defeat scores or hundreds or even thousands of enemies. I noticed this verse because it likens David's army, which had his mighty men as its core, to "the army of God."

Application: What I love about this is that "the army of God" is the angelic host which battles on behalf of the saints and the kingdom of God. God is the Lord of hosts (or commander of the army) and he directs their actions for our benefit and the advancement of his objectives. Paul told us that our struggle is not against human forces but is against spiritual forces of wickedness in high places. While that is sobering, we can take great encouragement from the fact that God has a mighty army with fierce and skilled warriors who can push back and defeat any enemy. That's cause for rejoicing. And it should also draw us into prayer because that is one of the most effective means of calling "the army of God" into action. I want those fierce fighters battling on my behalf and I want to support them in their efforts.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your mighty army that fights for me in the invisible realm. Draw me into a greater understanding of way that I may partner with them to see your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Make me a mighty warrior along with them.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Got Good Soil? / Topic: Listening

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13

Scripture: Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23
3 ..."A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 He who has ears, let him hear."
18 "Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

Observation: I just love this parable. It portrays a basic truth about people. Everybody might hear the words -- but not everybody does something with the words. Some don't respond at all, others respond positively at first but then get sidetracked. Only one fourth of the listeners in the parable actually come to a good result over time.

Application: To me there are two basic applications. First, don't expect everybody to get it. If you can get 25 percent, that's about right. And don't be surprised when people who start out by saying, "I love it! That's great!" end up washing out. The second application is a personal one. I think that every person needs to realize that we all have areas of the differing soils in our own hearts and minds. We have some hard areas, rocky areas, weedy areas, and fertile areas. The challenge for me is to always be cultivating the soil of my heart so that the word will find a wonderful place to grow and bring forth good fruit in abundance.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for speaking through Jesus in these wonderful parables that help us to understand so much. May we be effective in proclaiming your word clearly -- in sowing good seed -- so that there may be a good harvest. And may I be increasing in the preparedness and fruitfulness of my own heart so that your word will produce a wonderful harvest of righteousness in my own life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Where To Turn In Desperate Times / Topic: Trusting God

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 30; 1 Samuel 31; 1 Chronicles 10; Matthew 12

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:3-8
3 When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4 So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. 5 David's two wives had been captured—Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.
7 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." Abiathar brought it to him, 8 and David inquired of the LORD...

Observation: This is a picture of a really bad day. To start with, you've been running for your life from the king's army for years and you've had to move to a foreign country to escape the threat. Then, as you're coming home after getting a big no-confidence rejection, you discover that your town has been raided and all your stuff taken and your family kidnapped. Plus they burned down your whole town. In the deepest moment of grief and shock, your friends start blaming you for the whole mess and are discussing killing you. This is definitely a bad day. But I love what it says about David: "David found strength in the Lord his God." This is the characteristic of David's life that was totally different from Saul. David turned to God in moments of difficulty. Saul panicked and turned to his own wits in tough situations. And then David stops and takes time to seek God's direction. He is seeking the heart of God -- which is why he is "the man (seeking) after God's own heart."

Application: It's an inspiration to all of us. I've had some bad days, but none of them compare to David's experience here. So, do what David did -- find strength in God and ask God what to do next. It is a recipe for success.

Prayer: Lord, you are always there and I'm so glad and so blessed that you are. May I be like David, finding my strength in You at even the toughest moments.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Merciful Judgment / Topic: Loving God

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 28; 1 Samuel 29; Psalm 109; Matthew 11

Scripture: 1 Samuel 28:15, 19
15 Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?... 19 The LORD will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me..."

Observation: Saul has slipped farther and farther from the godly king that he could have been. Here he has gone to a witch to try to communicate with the Samuel from beyond the grave. Surprisingly, even to the witch, Samuel shows up and delivers a message of judgment on Saul. I have read this passage many times but what caught my eye for the first time today is the mercy we find here for Samuel tells Saul that he and his sons will die in battle but indicates that they will not go to a place of torment: "...tommorrow you and your sons will be with me..." Saul and his sons will be in the same place as Samuel, which I presume is not a fearful place. I'm not saying that Saul is in line for some great reward, for surely he will reap what he has sown, but it is clear that he is not getting sent away to damnation.

Application: I just love the mercy of God, even in the face of failure. Saul had so many struggles that I can identify with. I believe that I will meet him in heaven some day. As he left this earth, his battles were over. We will all experience this same thing some day.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your great mercy. I depend on it. Your strength is made perfect in weakness which makes me a great candidate for your perfect strength. May I allow you to live your beautiful life through me.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Who Do You Love? / Topic: Following Jesus

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 27; Psalm 141; 1 Chronicles 9; Matthew 10

Scripture: Matthew 10:37-39
37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

Observation: These words of Jesus always stir me. He speaks to anyone who would follow him and he tells them that they have a choice. It is a choice about love -- who they will love and how much.

Application: It's a choice for me and you. Who do I love? Do I put Jesus first? It's easy to say "yes" but not so easy to actually do it. The biggest problem I see is not the tendency to put a family member ahead of God but to put myself ahead of God. I do that in little ways where I allow myself indulgences in laziness or lack of focus that I know are not what the Lord wants of me but I do it anyway. The Lord is calling me to a sold-out kind of spiritual walk. Putting Jesus first is essential.

Prayer: Lord, I will to put You in the first place in my life. Assist me to allow You to live Your life through me in the power of Your Spirit. I don't want to be striving in the flesh to live the life of the Spirit. That is a recipe for failure and frustration. Help me to rest in You and allow You to be my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Dial G-O-D For Help / Topic: God's Purpose

Today's Reading:1 Samuel 24; Psalm 57; Psalm 58; 1 Chronicles 8; Matthew 8

Scripture: Psalm 57: 2 I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me.

Observation: God has a purpose, his purpose for my life. David says that he cries out to God. I think that this means that David wants God's purpose for his life and he knows that as he cries out for God's help for living, God purpose comes out through his life.

Application: I want God's purpose for me to be fulfilled. And where my purpose does not line up with God's purpose, I want God's purpose to prevail. Like David, I need to cry out to God, to be consistently calling on God for help, empowerment and insight.

Prayer: Lord, I do want your purpose for my life fulfilled. Help me to look to you always and to call on you for help.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

Title: Unappreciated / Topic: Serving God

Today's Reading: 1 Samuel 23; Psalm 31; Psalm 54; Matthew 7

Scripture: 1 Samuel 23:12 Again David asked, "Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?" And the LORD said, "They will."

Observation: After saving the people of Keilah from certain defeat at the hands of the Philistines, Saul has heard of David's whereabouts and is coming after him. Here, David asks the Lord if the people will hand him over to Saul and the Lord says, "They will."

Application: No good deed goes unpunished. Sometimes the people you help the most can turn on you. But we can learn to trust only in God, and to do all that we do for His approval only and not for the approval of others. This is far preferable to getting cynical against people or just deciding not to help people for fear of being burned. David did the right thing. The people of Keilah did not do the right thing. Keep on doing the right thing.

Prayer: Lord help me to do everything as unto you. And may I not worry about those who do not appreciate the care and assistance that I have given to them in Your name. May I continue to do right whether or not it is appreciated.
This I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

Title: The False Bargain / Topic: Lies Of The Enemy

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:8-10, 50-52
8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us." 10 Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other..."
50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
51 ...When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. 52 Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath and to the gates of Ekron. Their dead were strewn along the Shaaraim road to Gath and Ekron.

Observation: Goliath proposes a way to settle the dispute and avoid total war. But when David takes him up on it and wins the personal combat, notice that the Philistines have no intention of keeping their end of the bargain by becoming the subjects of the Israelites. No they retreat and there is total war anyway.

Application: The enemy is a liar by nature and will usually offer "deals" that are really false bargains. The offer usually says, make a compromise and get a benefit. For example, to Eve the enemy said, "eat of the fruit, you won't die and you will gain wisdom and become like God." A pack of lies it was. Why did the army of Israel listen in the first place? Never let the enemy dictate terms of engagement. First of all, they are based on lies, and secondly, the enemy won't follow them anyway. Follow God's agenda.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You tell the truth. You are the source of truth. Help Your servants to see the enemy's lies as lies and give us the wisdom not to listen to them. May we be dictating terms to the enemy and not the other way around. Make us strong and wise.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Fake Obedience / Topic: Self Will vs. God's Will

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 15; 1 Samuel 16; 1 Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:8-9
8 He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. 9 But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

Observation: Saul had been instructed to completely annihilate the Amalekites -- not sparing or taking anything at all. (Today we cringe at such a thought, but let's just focus on the story.) They attacked and destroyed them, but notice that they did not carry out the full destruction that God had specifically instructed. Instead, they used their own personal preferences to determine what to destroy and what to keep. And notice that the things that they considered "despised and weak", these things they "totally destroyed." So I hear the tinge of them carrying out their own hatred or bigotry or prejudice here. Things they despised they destroyed. Not as an agent of God's judgment, but at their own personal wrecking crews.

Application: I find today that people can here what God has instructed and then rationalize their way out of full obedience into a kind of self-directed facsimile of obedience. From the outside, it looks very much like following God, but on the inside, it is borne of the person's own will, modifying and molding God's principles in a way that suits them.

Bottom line: I must hear and obey. It is not my place to argue with God or change His explicit instruction to suit my tastes or desires. He is Lord. I am servant.

Prayer: Lord, we need more people who understand their place before You. Help me to be a leader who follows You with such careful and joyful obedience that others will see and want to follow my example. I want to do Your will and not my own. Help me Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Compelling Conviction / Topic: Faith

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 14; 1 Chronicles 4; 2 Corinthians 13

Scripture: 1 Samuel 14:6 Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, "Come, let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few."

Observation: I love Jonathan. His statement of the conviction of his heart concerning God is great! Notice that he does not presume to claim that God will act for them no matter what. He says "perhaps." (In the verses following this one, he proposes two options -- one where God will help them.) And he knows one thing for sure: "Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few."

Application: I want to let this inspire me. Jonathan was facing ridiculously overwhelming odds. But he saw God as so much bigger than any enemy he could face. Think about that. It is truly remarkable that Jonathan is able to disregard the obviously-visible overwhelming, threatening force of the Philistines with their chariots, swords, spears, and large numbers, and to see his invisible God as more powerful, more reliable, and he is willing to lay his life on the line with this invisible God against the powerful army standing before him. How much must I choose to trust in God for my every need and against my every obstacle? I must with every fiber of my being.

Prayer: Lord, You are great. Forgive me for my lack of faith. Thank You for Jonathan and his great example for me. Inspire me to greater and greater faith. I know You will be there for me as I act with conviction and trust in You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Let's Do Something / Topic: Leadership

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 13; 1 Chronicles 2; 1 Chronicles 3; 2 Corinthians 12

Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:11-12
11 "What have you done?" asked Samuel.
Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, 12 I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD's favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering."

Observation: Saul is hard pressed as he and his army are vastly outnumbered and the enemy has chariots, swords, spears, and shields while Saul's army has no weapons, only agricultural implements like shovels, rakes, and hoes! And to make matters worse, Samuel is late in arriving. His men are melting away in fear. Saul has to do something! And he makes a fateful decision: he decides to take matters into his own hands by performing the burnt offering himself -- something that only the priest was supposed to do.

Application: This is a common tendency for leaders, particularly young leaders. "Nothing seems to be happening. Let's do something! Let's make something happen." Saul had self-limited his options. "Either wait for Samuel to offer the sacrifice, or do it myself." He viewed the sacrifice as the thing -- a kind of gimmick event to hold his troops together. In reality, the sacrifice is not an event, it is worship of God expressing dependence upon Him. When Saul took it upon himself to do the sacrifice, he expressed self-dependence and violated the very spirit of the sacrifice. It is hard for young leaders to wait on the Lord -- to be patient and wait and have faith that He will do what needs to be done in His time. (At no time did Saul simply ask God for guidance or help or confirmation.)

Bottom Line: Resist the temptation to act for action's sake. Wait patiently on the Lord. When there are road blocks, seek Him first. Granted, there are times for bold action (as when Jonathan attacked the Philistines), but we must submit everything before God. In our leadership, we must not get ahead of God.

Prayer: Lord, following You is the essence of what I want my life to be about. Thinking Your thoughts, walking in Your ways, doing what You do, saying what You say. Help me to do these things consistently. I believe in You. I have trust in You.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Aggressively Protective / Topic: Responsible Leadership

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 11; 1 Samuel 12; 1 Chronicles 1; 2 Corinthians 11

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about.

Observation: Paul is on a tear. He is taking on outsiders who have come into the Corinthian church, presenting themselves as "apostles," even using the term "super apostles." Paul considers them dangerous interlopers and does everything he can to convince the church not to follow these impostors. What I notice is how aggressive Paul is. He doesn't shade his words -- it's black and white to him.

Application: This is encouraging to me. I have had situations in my leadership where some have come in or risen up to rival my leadership in the lives of people who are under my care. My first response is to be defensive of the sheep -- not of myself or my position. Sometimes I have been attacked for this. But Paul, who did the exact same thing and even more, tells me that I am right on.

Bottom Line: Spiritual leadership must be aggressively protective for their people because subversive religious-appearing fakes will always appear to do damage to a church. The pastor must be vigilant and aggressive in neutralizing those who come in with less-than-holy motivations. (Some of these people may be unaware of their bad motivations.)

Prayer: Lord, help me to have discernment as I lead. Give me strength and wisdom to protect those whom You have given me the privilege to care for.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: The Zap Of God / Topic: Life Change

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 8; 1 Samuel 9; 1 Samuel 10; 2 Corinthians 10

Scripture: 1 Samuel 10:6 The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person.

Observation: Samuel is prophesying to Saul about the immediate future. Among all the details of lost donkeys, and goats, and bread, and wine, and musicians is this amazing verse. What I particularly love about this is that it affirms the fact that a person can undergo a radical life change in an instant by God's power. Typically we tend to think that change can only happen over time with prayer, sweat, counseling, 12 steps, accountability, support, etc. (And of course, this is the way that change generally happens.)

Application: Be open to God's power to change you. He has the power to do in an instant what an army of psychiatrists cannot do over years. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't get help or make effort to do the things that will support the changes we seek. But I'd rather have God zap me than spend three years in counseling!

Prayer: Lord, please work Your supernatural change in my life. I know You have already and I look for more to come. Make me over in You image.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Rich In Every Way / Topic: God's Blessings

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 6; 1 Samuel 7; Psalm 72; 2 Corinthians 9

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:10-11
10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Observation: This is a great scripture about the principle of sowing and reaping and the place of faith in prosperity. God is the ultimate source -- Paul uses the phrases "he who supplies seed to the sower and bread and food" -- a great description of Jehovah Jireh. Relying upon God as the source results in one thing: richness! Look how Paul pours it on: "Supply and increase," "enlarge the harvest," "rich in every way." But this is not just about money -- no, it is also about character: "righteousness" and "generosity" are also hugely prominent in these verses. It is quite clear that the person who submits to God in trust and faith not only will be blessed in finances, but also in character and as Paul says, "rich in every way."

Application: These are incentives enough for anyone to serve the Lord. But when you add the fact of God's great love and the desperate need of humans for redemption from our own brokenness, why would anyone not lay it all down for God?

Prayer: Lord, You are great. May I serve You in such a way that I am blessed and "rich in every way."
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: A Pastor's Fantasy / Topic: Great Giving

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 3; 1 Samuel 4; 1 Samuel 5; Psalm 77; 2 Corinthians 8

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:2-5
2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

Observation: Paul is writing about the Macedonian churches. He describes their amazingly great giving. These Christians literally begged to give, considering it a privilege! (Unfortunately, this attitude is almost unseen today.) And their giving came from hearts of submission to God, with a priority on pleasing Him first and allowing their giving to be guided by God's will for them. The result was giving beyond a level that Paul even thought possible of them.

Application: I have entitled this post A Pastor's Fantasy because the attitude of these Macedonian Christians is what any pastor would love to have in the people he leads. Not just the generosity in the area of finance (although that would be mightily refreshing), but the giving of themselves first to the Lord. What a blessing to have a group people who have made God the first priority in their lives not just in word, but in deed as well.

[Disclaimer: I want to make it clear that I, like every pastor, have some people in my flock that are like these Macedonians. What makes this group A Pastor's Fantasy, is the fact that the entire church was characterized by this wonderful commitment. That is unheard of among pastors I have met or churches I know of.]

Prayer: Lord, I pray that there would be more and more of Your people who are like these Macedonian believers. Guide me so that I can inspire people to greater and greater levels of intimacy and commitment to You as the #1 thing in their lives.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Broken Covenant / Topic: God's Promises

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 1; 1 Samuel 2; Psalm 66; 2 Corinthians 7

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:29-30
29 Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?'
30 "Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and your father's house would minister before me forever.' But now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.

Observation: God rebukes Eli for his sons' misdeeds. Their abuse of the priesthood has caused God to retract the covenant that He made with Levi. Because Eli does not deal with his sons decisively, God tells him that He is scorning the sacrifice and honoring his sons more than God. (True, Eli rebuked them for their actions, but he himself took no action against them. They continued to flaunt their evil while Eli did nothing.) Notice that in verse 30 God says that He is going back on the promise He made because of their failure to honor God. The phrase, "far be it from me," indicates that it is not at all God's nature to make unconditional promises. When He makes a promise, it is dependant upon the obedience of the one receiving the promise.

Application: We can break God's covenant and lose His promised blessing, including our salvation. "Far be it from me," God says, to keep a promise with anyone who is abusing people in the name of God or living a lie that brings dishonor to God. Those who intentionally and habitually dishonor God have no reason to think that they will get anything but judgment from the Lord.

Bottom line: Stay close to God, seeking Him with humility. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Prayer: Lord, I want to be a keeper of Your covenant. Empower me by Your Spirit to walk in humble obedience to You always.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: A Life Of Contrasts / Topic: Discipleship

Today’s Reading: Ruth 3; Ruth 4; Psalm 64; Psalm 65; 2 Corinthians 6

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Observation: The contrasts of life for the disciple of Jesus are amazing. Here Paul lists some.
1. There is sorrow mixed with rejoicing. Sorrow for those who are hurting, lost, suffering because of bad choices, etc. There is sorrow and pain because of those who hurl attacks against the disciple. But there is rejoicing in the Lord as He sustains the disciple and the joy of sharing in the sufferings of Jesus.
2. Poor and rich at the same time. Poor because the disciple does not focus on the amassing of wealth. Poor because the disciple considers everything he has to belong to God and not to him. Poor because the disciple gives away much to help others. Yet rich because of the blessings of God and because of the truth that all of what belongs to God also belongs to the disciple as a joint heir with Jesus. Also rich because of the multiple blessings of God poured out on the life of the disciple.

Application: The life of the disciple is full of contradictions and contrasts. If I am to live this life, I must be content to live in the middle of this tension. It is a good tension because it reminds me that though I am richly blessed of God, I have not yet realized the fullness of the blessing. And this tension keeps me focused on Jesus and looking forward to the day of fulfillment, the blessed coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ when all things will be made complete.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You lead us forward even in this life of contrasts and contradictions. I know that You have given me everything I need, even though I sometimes don't see it. Help me to live by faith and not by sight.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: God's Kindness Revealed / Topic: Godly Character

Today’s Reading: Ruth 1; Ruth 2; Psalm 53

Scripture: Ruth 2:10-12
10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?"
11 Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."

Observation: This is a touching exchange between Ruth and Boaz. The respect that each expresses for the other is wonderful. Boaz was an honorable and kind man and though Ruth was an alien to Israel, he treats her with dignity and gentleness. And I love what he says in verse 12: "May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." It is the Lord that we come to for refuge, but it is often good people that the Lord uses to bring us the blessings of the trust we put in God.

Application: I want to be a person whom the Lord uses to bless others. I want to be an extension of God and His blessing as Boaz was to Ruth. She learned about the goodness of God by seeing the goodness of Boaz. He put flesh and blood to the goodness of the invisible God. That's what I want my life to be all about.

Prayer: Lord, You are so good. I want to reflect Your goodness to others and to live boldly proclaiming Your name, Your will, and Your ways to anyone who is paying attention. Give me boldness and effectiveness in this pursuit, Lord.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Death And Life / Topic: Resurrection Power

Today’s Reading: Judges 19; Judges 20; Judges 21; 2 Corinthians 4

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:10-11, 16-18
10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body...
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Observation: I love these verses! This is the week we remember Jesus' death and celebrate His resurrection. And here, Paul explains that we undergo this death and resurrection experience in an ongoing way. We experience death through trials and struggles -- sometimes almost ready to give up. The frustration of our own weakness and inconsistency causes us great consternation, but also drives us to God and the throne of grace where we are lifted up through His divine power and His life is revealed where all we saw was death. The contrast between the death and renewal of life keeps reminding us that we are following in the footsteps of Jesus. We live because He lived. We die because He died. We are raised again because He was raised again. And I especially love verse 17 which describes our travail as "light and momentary troubles" but explains the wonderful truth that these troubles have the purpose of "achieving for us an eternal glory." Because of this, we have every reason to hang on to hope and look for the eternal payoff. We will ultimately be raised even from death to the perfection of God. Hallelujah!

Application: Keep on keeping on!

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You are producing something beautiful in my life. I am so bless to be the recipient of Your grace and glory. May I walk in resurrection power every day as I love and long for Your appearing.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: Celebrating Garbage / Topic: Depraved Culture

Today’s Reading: Judges 17; Judges 18; Psalm 89; 2 Corinthians 3

Scripture: Judges 17:1-2
1 Now a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim 2 said to his mother, "The eleven hundred shekels of silver that were taken from you and about which I heard you utter a curse—I have that silver with me; I took it."
Then his mother said, "The LORD bless you, my son!"

Observation: This is the beginning of a very bizarre story. What I notice is that this mother is proud of her son for coming clean about stealing her money. There is no thought about the fact that he has bad character, being a thief who steals from his own mother, only that he admitted to stealing.

Application: I think it is a mark of a depraved culture where people take things that are shameful, or should be shameful, and elevate them as if they are good. And by that measure, we live in a depraved culture. Today, the lifestyles that are celebrated, the sins that are paraded, the bizarre that is normalized is remarkable. Just consider all the focus and frenzy about the recent death of a former centerfold model and the glamorizing of her sad and abused life as something worthy of celebration. Or the parades in various cities in which homosexuals demonstrate their pride in themselves and their practices in grotesque and unrestrained revelry. The mocking of purity, modesty, and virtue is another indication of the fallen society in which we live.

The bottom line is that we must not identify with this culture of sensuality and permissiveness. It is our duty to portray a distinctive holiness and purity that stands in sharp contrast to the popular culture.

Prayer: Lord help us to be beacons of purity in this dark world. May Your people portray your nobility through the way we live.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: He Believed Her / Topic: Trust

Today’s Reading: Judges 13; Judges 14; Judges 15; Judges 16; 2 Corinthians 2

Scripture: Judges 13:6 Then the woman went to her husband and told him, "A man of God came to me. He looked like an angel of God, very awesome. I didn't ask him where he came from, and he didn't tell me his name... 8 Then Manoah prayed to the LORD : "O LORD, I beg you, let the man of God you sent to us come again to teach us how to bring up the boy who is to be born."

Observation: I love the fact that Manoah did not doubt his wife's words, even though the story she told would have been hard to believe. Throughout this story we see that Manoah's wife is a spiritual, but levelheaded woman. She had earned Manoah's trust by being trustworthy. Because he believed her, he prayed for another visitation for further instruction in raising the child of promise and he got it.

Application: This has everything to do with trustworthiness and trust. I must conduct myself in such a way as to give others reasons to believe in what I say. And I should be willing to believe others who have likewise proven themselves as well. God does speak to people. Let's listen to what others share about His communications to them. And let us tune our ears to the Lord to hear Him and share it with others.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You speak to people. Help me to hear you. And help me to earn the trust of others with honorable and honest living and words.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Title: What A Deal! / Topic: Rewards

Today’s Reading: Judges 11; Judges 12; Psalm 50; 2 Corinthians 1

Scripture: Psalm 50:23 "He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me,
and he prepares the way
so that I may show him the salvation of God."

Observation: Talk about your good investment! Invest in God by bringing thank offerings and honoring God and that "prepares the way" for God's intervention and salvation. What a great deal!

Application: This is such a no brainer! Serve God, love God, worship God, honor God. And God works on your behalf. It's that simple.

Prayer: Lord, I do desire to honor You with my whole being. I ask for Your help and blessing on my life and my loved ones and my work. Pour out a blessing upon me and multiply my effectiveness and my fruitfulness.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.