A Love Hate Thing

1 And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David. 2 And Jonathan told David, “Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a secret place and hide yourself. 3 And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you. And if I learn anything I will tell you.” 4 And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you. 5 For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the Lord worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?” 6 And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. Saul swore, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death.” 7 And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan reported to him all these things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence as before (1 Samuel 19:1-7, ESV).  

There are numerous life lessons we could learn from the story line of King Saul and David.  Here we have just a snapshot.  Just before this, David took down Goliath and King Saul set him in charge of the men at war, all was good in the sight of the people and Saul’s servants (1 Samuel 18:5).  But oh, how quickly things changed! David began to receive more more accolades than King Saul and jealousy kicked in.  The king now saw David as a threat to the kingdom.  Suddenly, David went from being Saul’s main man to his main target, and now on the opposite end of the hurling spear.  It didn’t take long before the love has now turned to hate, and there began the dance of their relationship, a love hate thing.  

One of the things that’s most interesting in this story, is that cognitively King Saul knew full well, he was attacking David for unjust reasons.  In this conversation between Saul and his son, Jonathan points out the obvious.  For starters, David has only brought good to the king, he had not sinned against him and David’s victory over the Philistine was the work of the LORD, Saul saw it and rejoiced!  So Jonathan asks, “Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?”  

Although Saul swore, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death,” it was a promise he couldn’t keep.  We see here in the wee beginning stages of this ongoing war, Saul’s emotions overrode all sense of reason.  

8 And there was war again. And David went out and fought with the Philistines and struck them with a great blow, so that they fled before him. 9 Then a harmful spirit from the Lord came upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear in his hand. And David was playing the lyre. 10 And Saul sought to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he eluded Saul, so that he struck the spear into the wall. And David fled and escaped that night (1 Samuel 19:8-10, ESV).  

Truth is, Saul was in jeopardy of losing the kingdom, actually he had already lost it, but it wasn’t David’s doing.  Back in 1 Samuel 15, Samuel told Saul, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and had given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.  And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that should have regret” (1 Samuel 15:28-29), all because Saul rejected the word of the LORD.  God would not give His glory to another!  Truth is, Saul’s actions were unjust against David, and he knew it.  All the king’s scrutiny against David would fail, because he was fighting God.  Saul may not have been able to keep the promise, but God always keeps His!

Like the battle against Goliath, David found himself in yet another battle that belonged to the LORD (1 Samuel 17:47).  However this time, I wonder if he was as prepared.  This time it seemed more like stepping into a hornet’s nest and he didn’t see it coming.  

Prayer:  

Lord, partial repentance won’t do.  Truth is, You may let us get away with it for a long time, maybe even years, but there comes a day when you say enough, and our full repentance is required.  It’s time to stop rejecting Your word, to stop living lives our own way, and to stop seeking our own glory.  It’s time to come into obedience with You.

Lord, I pray we bring our emotions to You, that we deal with those destructive emotions like jealousy, resentment, and bitterness.  Show us any unjust way we may be fighting against one another and lead us to deal with it honestly and openly before You and the others involved.  Lord, Your word says, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).  So I pray we would humble ourselves, we would pray and seek You, we turn from any wicked ways, that You would hear, forgive us our sin, and I pray You would heal our land; our homes and our churches.  In Jesus Name, Amen. 

Getting Caught

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God” (John 3:16-21, ESV).  

John 3:16 is one of the most foundational verses of our salvation.  Beginning with God’s love for His people, and the sacrifice of His son paying the penalty for sin giving eternal salvation for those who believe.  In a nutshell, verse 16 clearly defines the gospel, because of God’s love we are sinners saved by grace through Jesus.  So then why do so many believers struggle knowing God loves them?  

God has given women, especially mothers a particular set of skills.  One of them being the mom stare.  You know the mom stare, when our kids think they can get away with something, mom just stares at her kid and it penetrates right through.  The kids may try to cover or mask it, but then comes the first sign of guilt - the laugh!  It’s that very second they know they just got caught!!  Many of my fellow moms know exactly what I’m talking about. 

Realize God’s penetrating light goes much deeper than any mom stare.  Jesus is the Light that shines through any darkness and nothing is hidden from Him. The Light shines through any mask or pretense we present to others around us.  The Light reaches to the deepest darkest secrets of the soul that are kept hidden for fear of exposure.  We may think we can get away with it, but before the eyes of God, each and every single one of us have been caught.  Ignoring it or pretending it doesn’t exist, doesn’t change the fact that God knows. When we avoid God or present to Him some mask or pretense, how can we truly know we are loved by Him?  

However, when we truly come into the light with God and others, His work is clearly seen and evident in our lives. It’s in those very moments, we have been completely exposed before Him and we know He loves us without condemnation, then we can authentically receive the depth of His love.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love and sending Jesus that we would not be condemned but saved through Him.  May You shine light into the darkness in our hearts, in our lives, and bring us into the Light, so that Your works may be clearly seen.  In Jesus Name, Amen.  

Running with a Team

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV).  

In middle school, both of my kids ran Cross Country.  The coach encouraged them to run the course trying to beat their own time, not to compare themselves to others.  Although they were running individually, they were not running alone.  They were part of a team.  At the first meet I ever attended, my heart melted as I watched the kids who finished first run back down the sideline, cheering on and running alongside the other kids from their school until the last one came in.  

The author of Hebrews compares our walk in faith to running a race.  Just before this in chapter 11, we have a list of others who have already ran their race, commonly referred to as “Faith Heros.”  In spite of their sin and life circumstances, by faith they finished well.  Most importantly we have Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, for the joy set before Him, He made the way,  so that we could be in the race.  

19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 6:19-20, ESV).

He endured the cross, despised its shame, and now sits at the right hand of the Father.  Saving to the uttermost, He now intercedes for those still on the race to finish well to eternal life.   

25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25, ESV).

As believers in Christ, each one of us are running our own race.  We carry around our weight of sin and other life stuff that drags us down, and sometimes it makes the journey hard to endure.  Individually we have our differences, however, we also have many similarities.  

The other day, I was listening to a message from Dr. Henry Cloud.  The message was on the Power of the Other, the importance of having “true community” in our lives.  Our first and foremost community is with God, but it is also vitally important to have real connected relationships with others.   Having true community in our lives, not only helps us endure through the hard times, but overall it increases our well being emotionally and physically.  Although our walk in faith is compared to a race we run individually, it’s a race we were never meant to run alone.  Having true community, having a team is extremely important as we continue on our faith journey.  There is great encouragement of being surrounded by witnesses, those who ran before us and (might I add) those who run alongside of us, all because Jesus made the way for us.  

Are you running the right race, knowing that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the only way to the Father? (John 14:6)

Are you running with a team that challenges and encourages you to finish well?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for sending Jesus to endure the cross, despising its shame, and His joy of providing the Way for us.  We thank You for the examples of others who by faith ran ahead of us, and Lord we thank you for those who continue to run the race alongside of us.  I pray Lord, we would remember as believers in Christ, we aren’t running alone, but on a team headed for the same final destination - salvation!  May we encourage and strengthen each other to finish well!  In Jesus Name, Amen.  

Calling all Servants

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:35-38, ESV).  

Throughout the years I have always helped with Kids Church or Sunday School.  For the past twenty plus years of my Christian walk, what I have noticed is that is usually the same few servants serving year after year.  As the years go by, there’s a new person that steps up and then they like many other servants begin trying to fill every need that arises.  Please realize it’s not just in kids ministry.  Often God is calling people to move on to another area of ministry than the one they are in, but because of there is no one to take their place they stay.  The result - burnout!  Many of my fellow servants know exactly what I mean.  

Currently this is exactly what we are experiencing, the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.  As our church has grown and now branched out into three locations, we are in need of workers throughout our current ministries, starting with nursery workers all the way up.

The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  That’s what Jesus told His disciples. However, He didn’t blindly send them to work.  The work was for a harvest.  The harvest was the people that Jesus had compassion for because they were harassed and helpless, like a sheep without a shepherd.  Jesus gave the disciples a purpose, a purpose that was greater than themselves - compassion for others!  

At this point, they had spent some time with Jesus as He went throughout teaching and healing.  However, the disciples were still in the early stages of following Him.  I think it’s safe to say they were still bordering clueless on Jesus’ mission until now, hence the fact they still didn’t understand it at the last supper.  Nonetheless, He called his twelve and sent them out.

5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  7 And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’ (Matthew 10:5-7, ESV).  

When Jesus commissioned them to go out it was for a greater cause, the Kingdom of Heaven at hand.  Not only did Jesus give them a purpose greater than themselves and others, but an eternal purpose!  

Just like the disciples, God uses us before we got it all together, good thing or else we’d all be disqualified.  Sometimes I think we can get so hung up in our “little worlds.”  We get caught up in our daily living, our plans and agendas.  Juggling busy schedules of work, family, and friends.  Even our personal devastation (hurts, grief, etc).  We can be so entangled with our own stuff, we lose sight of having a purpose in life.  I know this well, I’ve been there!  But I will also tell you, that when people have a hope, a feeling of purpose in their lives, it in return is very healthy and healing to the soul!  After all, that was God’s plan for His people.  

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV).  

Let's be realistic, we don’t just place anyone anywhere. If we did it would end in failure.  We know God calls us individually according to the gifts given.  In 1 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul informs the pagan converts about the variety of gifts given by the Holy Spirit.  The church, the body of Christ, will function properly when everyone is working in their area of gifts and fully operating in love.  Without love we gain nothing! (1 Corinthians 13:3)

Jesus said, therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest; so let us pray earnestly:   

Lord, we thank You for the harvest You have put before us.  We pray now for the laborers You are calling out.  There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;  and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;  and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers all.  Lord we pray You would lay Your mighty hand upon those You have called and fan into flame the gift You haven given, You did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.  May we never be ashamed, but know You saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of Your own purpose and grace, which You gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.  In Jesus Name, Amen. 

The LORD is our Banner

Friday that just passed, was an interesting day for me.  It started off fine, but as the day continued, it progressively began to take a downward spiral.  There was just this overwhelming feeling of depression.  My husband wasn’t home, but called around 7 PM to check in.  I told him how I was feeling and he brought up the fact that it may be a spiritual attack from the enemy.  I felt it was confirmation, because that was exactly what I was already thinking.  

When I hung up the phone I was reminded.  Earlier that day while tending to some household duties, I had walked through the living room and looked at the cable box.  The time was 12:13 PM.  As I walked past, God said, look up Revelation 12:13.

13 And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child (Revelation 12:13, ESV).    

Immediately, I was reminded of a similar situation some years back.  I was awaken in the middle of the night with an overwhelming sense to pray against evil forces.  When I had finished praying, I looked at the cable box and the time said 12:12 (AM).  As I got back to bed, God said, “in the morning google 12:12.”  When morning came I googled it, the first thing that came up was Revelation 12:12.  

12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” (Revelation 12:12, ESV).

It was confirmation for sure!  The enemy is on the prowl against God’s chosen ones.  Last night driving home from youth group, God reminded me, the enemy knows his time is short!  After getting settled at home, I was doing some reading before bed and guess what it said.  Yep, the topic to engage in prayer because the enemy knows his time is short!  Wow!  I just love when God gets His point across and He delivers the same message from various places or people, don’t you?  

Anyway, last night as I was praying before bed and God reminded me of a conversation with a friend a couple weeks ago about the need of prayer for our church.  Last night God said, pray, pray for your church, pray in numbers, pray against the battle because the enemy knows his time is short!

Prayer:

Jehovah-Nissi, You Lord are our Banner!  Praise You LORD, You go before us; You fight our battles against the enemy, and You give victory.  By the blood of Jesus You have given us victory against the flesh, the world, and the devil.  Praise You LORD!  Today LORD, we are claiming Your Banner over our church, Your victory against the spiritual battles of the enemy!  

Lord, strengthen us with power through your Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith, that we would be rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that we may be filled with all the fullness of God.  Now to You who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to You be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

We thank you Lord, that we have pastors who preach sound doctrine.  You have anointed them for such a time as this to preach the good news at our church in all three locations.  Would You continue to give them wisdom and discernment in their preaching and shepherding the flock.  Continue to guide them to walk in manner which You are calling them.  Father we pray Your will be done here at our church, not our plans, but Your will be done in furthering Your Kingdom.  

We pray for the congregation.  Lord we pray, You awaken the people, giving them eyes to see and ears to hear.  We pray You raise up Your servants that have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Empower each of them in their given manifestations for the common good of the church.  Equip them for the works You have prepared for each and every single one of them.  

We pray for your protection over our pastors and leaders, their families, and their households as they continue to do the work You have called them to.  We pray for Your protection over the congregation, for all the families and households.  In Jesus Name and in His authority, we pray against the enemy in our church.  We pray against the lies he assails at us: against his deception, schemes, and plans.  We pray any evil workers would be cut off communicating with one another; that they be confused and weakened in their plans.  

Jehovah-Nissi, the LORD is our Banner!  Today Lord we are claiming Your victory over our church.  In Jesus Name, Amen.  

Sharing the Plunder

Verse:

But all the evil men and troublemakers among David's followers said, "Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered.  However, each man may take his wife and children and go."  David replied, "No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the LORD has given us.  He has protected us and handed over to us the forces that came against us…” (1 Samuel 30:22-23, NIV).  

Personal Thought:

A normal human response, it's deserved to us but not to them, and we will not share the plunder.  But David, says No and reminds them this is what the LORD has given them.  What is the plunder?  For us it includes salvation, love, forgiveness, etc. Do we share it with everyone or just who we think deserves it?

Prayer:

Dear Lord Father, Thank You for the great plunder You give us. Lord we don't want to be the evil men and troublemakers of the group.  Lord may we never decide who deserves what, but rather be like David.  Lord I pray, we would generously give to others what you have generously given to us.  Lord I pray you would reveal to us what we need to generously give to someone else today.  Father maybe it's sharing salvation, maybe we need to give kindness to someone, maybe we need to wholeheartedly forgive someone the way you forgive us, maybe we should express love to someone we haven't, or Lord if there is something else bring it to our mind.  Lord help us today, not to withhold what You have given us, may we generously share it to everyone.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.