Psalm 119:143 “As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.”
Observation
There is joy in God’s Word.David turned to the word of God when he was stressed and worried and found his solution in the Word of God.
I will experience times of pressure and stress.It is common in life.Circumstances, people, finances, etc. will cause me stress.Life will have its pressures but God’s word remains true.God is faithful.I can go to God’s word and find joy in the midst of life’s troubles.
Application
Make God’s Word a part of my day everyday.Love it.Learn it.Live it.God’s word will bring me joy in the midst of life’s troubles.
Prayer
Father I ask that you make your word real to me.I ask that my life will be filled with joy because of the fruit your word is producing in me.
Psalm 119: 103-106 “How sweet are your words to my taste; they are sweeter than honey.Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise again; I will obey your wonderful laws.”
Observation
God’s word is to be loved.It must be life to me.God’s word is to be eaten. I devour His word.It is food for my spirit.It is words to live by.It is the light to my path.It shines on the next place my foot is to go.It gives me immediate direction.It is a light for my path.It also gives me vision for my life.It shines upon the long view of my life. This is a wonderful truth.Light for my path gives me vision for my life.Lamp for my feet shines on the next step I am to take.For God’s Word to be effective; it must be obeyed.Knowing God’s word is essential but incomplete.I must know, obey it, and live it.When I do this; it will give me the direction I need in life.
Application
Do I really believe this?Do I believe that God’s Word will provide me a vision for living and direction for life?Or is this something I give service to but when life gets hard I try to figure everything out on my own?I must love God’s Word.I must love it, learn it, and live it.When I do this, God will direct my path.He will show me the way to go.He will give me wisdom in the decisions I have to make.God’s Word is the source of wisdom and knowledge.
Prayer
I love your Word.It is honey to my lips.It is sweet to my taste.I want to learn your word.I want to know its meaning and application for my life.I want to live your word.I want it to be my moral compass.I want it to be my standard for living.I want it to be my light.Father, teach me your word.Give me the faith and courage to live by it.Make my ways successful.
John 17: 3 “And this is the way to have eternal life- to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ the one you sent to earth.”
Observation
The great debate today is, “Is there only one way to heaven?”People want to believe that there are many roads to heaven and it doesn’t matter which one you take.It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe sincerely.The Bible does not teach this.If you believe the Bible to be true, then you have to believe there is only one path to heaven.In this verse Jesus makes it very clear.The way to eternal life is to know the Father and to know Jesus.That is the only way.Earlier in John, Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father except through me.”The teachings of Jesus are not vague.They are clear.Faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven.
Application
I must hold onto truth even when it is unpopular.The truth that Jesus is the only way to heaven is unpopular and out of the mainstream but it is true.I cannot compromise truth.I cannot give in on something so important.Eternity is at stake.If I really believe that the only way people can get to heaven it through Jesus, then for me to proclaim anything else would be cruel.I love them enough to speak the truth even if it causes me persecution and sorrow.The world must know the truth.
The good news is that the way to heaven is available to everyone.Jesus died for all the world.Jesus is exclusive but he is also universal.He is the only way but that way is open to everyone.I must continue to do missions.The whole world must know.Everyone deserves an opportunity.The way to heaven is available to them.
Prayer
I ask that the name of Jesus be preached on every continent, every nation, to every people group.I ask that the good news of Jesus Christ be preached in every language of the world.May the whole world know of Jesus.I ask that every person who lives in HendersonCounty will receive a clear presentation of the good news of Jesus.I ask that each of them will have an opportunity to receive Christ.In Jesus name.
2 Samuel 12:11- 14 “Because of what you have done, I, the Lord, will cause your own household to rebel against you.I will give your wives to another man, and he will go to bed with them in public view.You did it secretly, but I will do this to you openly in the sight of all Israel.Then David confessed to Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord.Nathan replied, yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.But you have given the enemies of the Lord great opportunity to despise and blaspheme him, so your child will die.”
Observation
David committed adultery with Bathsheba and then had her husband killed.David then covered up the sin for around nine months.God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David concerning his sin.Here are some lessons:
1) God gave David grace.The punishment for adultery was death.Even in Jesus’ day they wanted to stone the woman caught in adultery.Yet God did not take David’s life, he spared him.God gave David grace.
2) David did have to pay the consequences of his sin.Just because God gave David grace did not mean David would not reap what he sowed.A few days later David’s son that was conceived in sin died.Later another one of David’s sons, Absalom, rebelled against David and slept with David’s wives in a tent on the roof of the palace, in front of all Israel.What David did in secret, God judged in public.This is a reminder that there are consequences to sin.Just because God forgives us does not mean He will remove the consequences.You will reap what you sow.Will God forgive you?Yes.Will you go to heaven?Yes.Will you reap what you sow?Most likely, yes.God’s grace is free but it is not cheap.And remember God will not be mocked.
3) David’s sin was primarily against God.All sin is against God and is serious in the sight of God.Did David sin against man?Yes, he sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah.But primarily David sinned against God.The prophet Nathan said you gave the enemies of the Lord great opportunity to despise and blaspheme God’s name.
Application
1) I must remember that all sin is serious and wickedness.Sin is against God.There is no such thing as little and big sins.They all cause shame on God’s name.
2) I must remember that I will reap what I sow.There are consequences to my actions.Sin has a cost.There will be a penalty when I sin against God.
3) I must remember that God is a God of grace.Forgiveness is available.Most likely, I will pay the price for my sins but God will still love me.I am still His.He will keep me.He will never forsake me. I may deserve death but He gives life.
Prayer
Father, I want to be pleasing to you.I want to become more like Jesus.Transform me.Make me more like you.Renew my mind.Reprogram the way I think.Change me.Mold me.Make me who you want me to be.Forgive me.Have mercy on me.Give me grace not the judgment I deserve.I come to you with my sins, failures, and faults.I ask that you cleanse and purify me.I love you. Keep me from evil.Lead me not into temptation.I want to be holy.I want to please you.I want to cause you to smile.
John 15: 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.For apart from me you can do nothing.”
Observation
I believe this is one of the key verses in the Bible.This verse describes to us how the Christian life is to be lived.Jesus said he is the vine.He is the source of spiritual life.I am a branch.I receive all the nutrients for spiritual life from Jesus.If I remain in Him and He remains in me means connection.I must be continually connected to Jesus.As I receive spiritual life from my relationships with Jesus, I will bear much fruit.The key is connection.The key is relationship.
Application
I am to be continually connected to Jesus through prayer, Bible study, solitude, service, celebration, giving, etc.The spiritual disciplines are not a means unto themselves.They are a means to an end.The purpose of spiritual disciplines is connection.They enable me to remain, abide, and live in Christ.Prayer does not earn me anything. It provides a means of building my relationship with God.I stay connected to the Father through spiritual disciplines.
I remain in Christ by training my mind to think on Christ.I can stay aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence all day long.I do not just pray in the morning and then go on with the day all alone.He is with me continually and I can be aware of His presence, voice, guidance, and help.Jesus is Emanuel, God with us.Jesus is with me all day long and I can turn to him at anytime and be aware of him at all times.
Prayer
Father I desire to remain in you.I want to be continually connected to my source of spiritual life.I want to be constantly aware of your presence, hear your voice, and obey your guidance.I want to know you.I want the motive of the time I spend with you not to be to earn your favor but to build our relationship.I want to be transformed into the image of Christ and I want to remain in you.
Had a great time with family today. My parents, Cathy's brother, sister and her family came for lunch. I grilled some chicken breast. They were good if I have to say so myself. We enjoyed it. Today is Memorial Day and I am especially grateful for my freedom and family. Thank God that I live in a country where I can worship God freely. Thank God for my wonderful family. Thank God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us. I am a blessed person. I have more than I could ever deserve. God is good. He has been good to me. What a great weekend. I am thankful.
2 Samuel 7: 18-23, 25 “Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed, “Who am I, O Sovereign lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?And now, Sovereign Lord, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving me a lasting dynasty!Do you deal with everyone this way, O Sovereign Lord?What more can I say?You know what I am really like, Sovereign Lord.For the sake of your promise and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have shown them to me.How great you are, O Sovereign Lord!There is no one like you- there is no other God.We have never even heard of another god like you!What other nation, O God, have you redeemed from slavery to be your own people?And now, O Lord God, do as you have promised concerning me and my family.Confirm it as a promise that will last forever.
Observation
This is David’s response after the prophet Nathan told him God said he would make David’s family a lasting dynasty and that his son Solomon would be the one to build the temple.David’s response to God’s promise is a classic example of who we should respond to God.
1) Humility.David asked who am I.David asked who is my family?David acknowledged that God has already done more than he deserved.David said I do not deserve such a blessing.
2) He acknowledged God’s greatness.Throughout this passage David comments on how great God is.He even goes back to when God delivered Israel from Egypt.He acknowledges that God took David, a nobody with no royal lineage, and made him king.David acknowledged how great God is.
3) He acknowledged God’s Sovereignty.Even though David was not worthy of such a blessing, he acknowledged God’s right to do it.God is the ultimate decision maker.God can bless whom he chooses, simply because he is God.
4) David asked God to fulfill his promise.David said I do not deserve it but God since it is your will fulfill it.God you said you would do it and I ask that you will do what you promised.
Application
This is how I should respond to the promises of God.I accept them humbly.I do not deserve and cannot earn God’ blessings.I acknowledge how great God is.He can do what He says He will do.I acknowledge God’s sovereignty.He has the right to do whatever he chooses to do.And I stand on God’s promises.He will do what He says He will do.
Prayer
Father I ask that you will fulfill Your promises over my life.I have received many words of knowledge and prophetic words concerning my ministry and First Assembly.I ask that you will do what you said you would do.I do not deserve them.I am nobody.I know that but you are great and mighty.Your promises are yes and amen.You are a God who keeps His word to the end.I thank you.I praise you.I am excited about what you are going to do.I am thankful for what you have done.
We had a greet time in Saint Louis. It was a quick turn around but worth it. Friday night we celebrated Cathy's birthday at a downtown pizza place. You get Saint Louis style pizza. It is really good. Then at our hotel the swimming pool and a sitting area is on the roof. It was the 30th floor! You had a great view of the downtown. It was right across the street from the arch. Saturday we went to the Cardinals game. They won. The weather was great and the seats were not bad. It was most enjoyable because the whole family was together.
John 12: 24-26 “The truth is, a kernel of wheat must be planted in the soil.Unless it dies it will be alone- a single seed.But its death will produce many new kernels- a plentiful harvest of new lives.Those who love their life in this world will lose it.Those who despise their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.All those who want to be my disciples must come and follow me, because my servants must be where I am.And if they follow me, the Father will honor them.”
Observation
This is one of the tough sayings of Jesus.When I read it, I am tempted to make it say something other than what it does. I am tempted to water it down and make it easier to believe and follow but I must not do that.I must take Jesus’ words at face value.I do not adjust the Word to fit me, I adjust to fit it.Let’s look at what Jesus said.
1) Jesus is speaking of his death.When he died it produced a plentiful harvest of new lives.His death and resurrection produced new life in me and millions more.
2) I must die to myself.I must crucify pride, selfish ambition, and the desire for power and control.I must lose the life my flesh wants.I crucify the flesh.I walk in the Spirit.This is the key to discipleship.It is my choice.I can do it.
3) This does not mean that we are not to enjoy life or do anything pleasurable.One of the fruits of the Spirit is joy.God wants us to be full of joy.In fact living a joyless life is sin.Jesus said he wanted our joy to be complete.Jesus said he came that we may be fully alive.
4) The key to being fully alive is allowing Jesus to live His life through us.Here is the point of the teaching.If we live the life our flesh craves, it will end in disaster, disappointment, and hurt.If we allow Jesus to live His life through us, our lives will exhibit joy, life, peace, love, etc.
5) So I must lose the fleshly life and live by the spirit.When I do that the Father will honor me with His life.
Application
This is backward from the way the world teaches me to live.The world says get all you can, run over others to get to the top, do it your way, look out for yourself above others, etc.Jesus said to serve others, lose your life, allow the Holy Spirit to control you, give and it shall be given, etc.The Christian life is a backwards life.It is anti-establishment.It is cutting edge.I must live my life backwards from the way the world teaches.
Prayer
Father I ask that you live through me.I die to the way the world lives.I crucify my flesh and its worldly cravings.I want to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.I want to walk in the Spirit.I want to live a spirit filled, led, and empowered life.I want to be full of joy, peace, and love.I want to know you and please you above all.I love you.In Jesus
Tomorrow the family is going to Saint Louis for an overnight trip. Friday night we are going to celebrate Cathy's birthday and Saturday we are watching a Cardinal's game. Charles is meeting us, so the whole family will be together. It should be a fun weekend. I will try to keep the daily devotionals updated but no promises.
1 Samuel 30: 6 "David was now in serious trouble because his men were very bitter about losing their wives and children, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God."
Observation
David's life was at stake. His soldiers were ready to turn on him. They were talking of killing David because their wives and children had been kidnapped. David had no one to turn to. Rather David had no human being to turn to. David could and did turn to God. David knew how to find strength in the Lord. David understood how to refresh and renew himself in God. Application This verse goes right along with what I am going to preach Sunday morning. One of the works of the Holy Spirit is to "quicken" us. The word quicken means to rejuvenate, refresh, or renew. It means that when we are weak we can find strength in God. This is something that every believer can do. We can do to God when we are weak and weary and find life and strength in the presence of God. Prayer Father I ask for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit today. Give me the power to accomplish your will Rejuvenate me and refresh my spirit. I need a fresh touch from you. In Jesus Name.
John 10: 27 “My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Observation
A) God knows me.Jesus said he knows his sheep.He knows me completely, intimately.He knows my past, present, and future.He knows my thoughts, dreams, and fears.He knows my strengths, weaknesses, and failings.He knows everything about me.
B) Jesus’ sheep recognize His voice.Not only does God completely know me, I know him well enough to recognize his voice.I know when God is speaking to me.I can discern His guidance and care.It is hard to explain how this works, but the Bible is true.I can hear and recognize the voice of God.I can know the leading of the Holy Spirit.
C) Because I can recognize His voice, I must obey.I follow my shepherd.I have no excuses.Following my shepherd is the key to success in life.He leads me down the righteous path or the right path for me.He knows where he is going and all I have to do is follow him.I do not follow where my friends are going.I do not follow where culture is leading me.I do not follow religion.I follow the voice of God.
Application
I must seek God, so I can hear him.Once I hear him, I obey.I follow the leading of the Holy Spirit in my life.The cycle of success is: depend on God, seek God, hear from God, obey God, persist in obedience, achieve by God’s power, give God all the glory.The key is to hear from God and obey him.I follow the Good Shepherd.He will lead me to the right place at the right time, every time.
Prayer
Father I acknowledge my total dependence on you.You are my Good Shepherd.I want to hear your voice.I want to know your purpose and will for my life, family, and First A/G.I seek your face.I seek to know you and to hear from you.Give me the love, faith, and courage to obey you.I need you today.Give me a fresh filling of your Holy Spirit.I love you.
1 Samuel 23:16 “Jonathon went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God.”
Observation
This scripture goes right along with the yesterday’s sermon.We are responsible to encourage others.Jonathon’s father Saul was out to kill David.Ironically Saul was trying to preserve Jonathon’s right to the throne.As Saul’s oldest son, he was next in line to be king but God had rejected Saul and anointing David as the next king.Saul was out to murder David and preserve his family’s right to the throne.Of all the people to encourage David, Jonathon seemed the most unlikely.Yet Jonathon and David had developed a deep friendship.They were “best friends.”When Jonathon saw that David was going through a difficult time, he went to his friend to help.Jonathon encouraged David to stay strong in his faith in God.Never forget that the battle is over your faith.Satan wants to discourage you and cause you to quit the faith, or to give up on God.You must stay strong in your faith.
Application
Don’t give up.Keep your faith in God.Hold onto hope.Things will get better.It will not always be as it is today.Keep the faith.
Watch over your faith.Cultivate your faith.Faith grows by hearing the Word of God.Stay in the Word.Read it.Meditate on it.Memorize it, but keep it in your mind and heart.
Look this week to encourage someone else.The best way to climb out of your valley is to help someone out of theirs.You both will be going up.Write a note.Make a call.Pay a visit.Put an arm around someone.Say an encouraging word.Do something.Who is there this week that you can encourage?Everyone needs a Jonathon and everybody can be a Jonathon.It just takes a little thought and effort.
Prayer
Father, help me to encourage someone this week.I want to take my eyes off myself and my problems and to be aware of the needs and hurts of others.I do not want to be self-centered by other-centered.Give me a word that someone needs to hear.Give me an opportunity to add value to people.Enable me to be a builder and not a person who tears others down.
I also ask that you keep guard on my faith.I choose to grow and cultivate my faith in you.I know you are faithful and your promises are true.I place my trust in you today.
Proverbs 15:17 “A bowl of soup with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.
Observation
I love how practical the Bible is!As I read through the One Year Bible some of the scriptures amaze me.This is one of those passages.It basically says spend your time with people you like.We all connect with different people.We all have different interest.We all have different personality types.We enjoy spending time with different people.When people ask me what is the key to finding a mentor, I respond by saying find someone you enjoy spending time with.You will never be discipled or disciple someone you do not like being with.Sooner or later you will bail out of the experience.It will become a time you dread and even if you learn a little, you will not want to do it.You will regret the arrangement.Find someone you like.Find someone you enjoy spending time with.Find someone who enjoys doing the things you enjoy doing.
Application
I need to continue my accountability relationship with Lewis.The lunches we have together are something I look forward to.I enjoy our internship program because it gives me the opportunity to share with Tyler what I have learned over the years.Hopefully he will not make some of the bonehead mistakes I have.I will continue to search for people that I have a natural connection with to help me grow in my relationship with Christ.
Prayer
Father give me people that pour into me, that hold me accountable, and that I can pour into them.Give me people I enjoy spending time with.Give Cathy and I friends that we can share life with.
1 Samuel 18:5-9 “Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully.So Saul made him a commander in his army, an appointment that was applauded by the fighting men and officers alike.But something happened when the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed Goliath.Women came out from all the towns along the way to celebrate and to cheer for King Saul, and they sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals.This was their song:Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!This made Saul very angry.What is this? He said.They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands.Next they’ll be making him their king!So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.”
Observation
Jealousy is a dangerous thing.Saul eventually on two occasions tried to take David’s life.Jealousy led him to attempted murder.Jealousy also cost Saul a loyal friend and officer.David was not out to get Saul.David was faithful to Saul and a great warrior but Saul’s jealousy would not allow him to accept David.It drove him away.It drove him to irrational thinking.The scripture says the women came to celebrate and cheer for King Saul.In their songs they give David the credit he was due, but they came for Saul.Saul was so insecure that he could not allow one of his subordinates to receive more praise than him.This is bad leadership.Good leaders want the best people around them and allow them to achieve.They rejoice at the success of those who follow them.Saul could have praised David and David would have given Saul more success.This was a great failure of leadership.
Application
I must guard my heart against jealousy.It destroys the heart.It destroys relationships.It destroys good judgment.When I hear of God blessing someone else, I should rejoice.I should be happy for the success of others.Even if they are “under me” in position, I should desire their success above my own.The root of jealousy is pride.You want to receive the praise.You want to experience the success.You want the results and when it goes to someone else, you can’t handle it.It eats at you.It destroys God’s work in you and eventually everything and one around you.Jealousy is a cancer of the spirit like unforgiveness and bitterness.
As a leader I need to desire the success of those I lead even if they get the praise and I don’t.Good leaders are stewards and put the success of the organization first.If someone under my leadership succeeds, that is good for the church.I must develop an environment and culture of success.That begins with me wanting those around me to succeed and to be rewarded.My reward will come.God knows the end from the beginning.Good leaders enable those around them to achieve great results.Jealousy will destroy good leaders.
Prayer
Father, root jealousy out of my spirit.Those negative thoughts and feelings I have when I hear of others success is evil.It is wickedness.God I repent of those thoughts and feelings.I want to rejoice when another church in town is blessed.I want to rejoice when another pastor in our community is acknowledged.But I admit that is not always my reaction.I may put on a good face but inside I have a negative reaction.Forgive me and cleanse me.I hate that within me.Jealousy will destroy me.Pride is it’s beginning.I repent of pride.I repent of the desire for recognition.I repent of the desire for fame.I repent of selfish ambition.I want to love others as God loves them.Father, give me a fresh baptism of love.Fill me with your love that I may love people as you do.Jesus loved us so much that he became our servant.I want to love others so much that I am willing to serve anyone at anytime.I am not there yet.God, break me.Mold me into your shape.Make me more like Jesus.
1 Samuel 17: 45-47 “David shouted in reply, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty- the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!And everyone will know that the Lord does not need weapons to rescue his people.It is his battle, not ours.The Lord will give you to us!”
Observation
David acted in great faith.Goliath towered over him.Goliath was a much more experienced soldier.Yet David had God on his side.The most important thing was David knew he had God on his side.Because David knew God was with him, David had faith.David ran to the giant knowing that victory was assured.David knew he would conquer Goliath and that Israel would experience victory.
Application
Many times I know how big my circumstances are.I am aware of how big the giant is.What is important is that I remember how big my God is and that He is with me.I do not face my giants alone.I do not battle in my own strength.I do not have to figure out the best battle plan.I act in faith.I go with God.I obey his leading.I trust in him.The battle is not mine.The battle is God’s.He has already provided my victory at the cross.I am on the winning side.The devil has been defeated.Jesus has all authority in heaven and in earth.Satan, know matter how loud he may roar, cannot defeat me.I have been washed with the blood of Jesus.I belong to him. I can live a victorious life.God has given me the victory.
Prayer
Father, I place my trust in you.You are victorious.You have defeated Satan.My victory is assured. The battle belongs to you.I do not fight in my own strength or ability.I trust in you.I place my faith in you. I will be victorious today.God is on my side.Hallelujah!Thank you, Jesus.I will be fully alive today.
This Sunday we will begin a new teaching series. I will begin the series "Overcoming Discouragement." The next three weeks we will identify the three weapons Satan most commonly uses to discourage us and how the Bible says we can defeat them. The three weapons are: loneliness, weariness, and worry. Satan wants you to lose heart and give up on the faith. God wants you to stand strong in the faith. There is a battle and the battleground is your faith. Come this Sunday and begin winning the war over discouragement.
1 Samuel 15:10 “Then the Lord said to Samuel, I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has again refused to obey me.Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night.”
Observation
1) It is an incredible statement that God was sorry that He did something.How can an all knowing God be sorry for a decision he made?Didn’t he know that Saul would fail ahead of time?I am not sure there are answers to these types of questions.God is a mystery.What is interesting is what made God sorry.Saul was not loyal and he disobeyed.Of all the things I can do for God, what God wants the most is my loyalty and obedience.This is pretty simple, but also pretty profound.
2) I love Samuel’s response.When he heard that God was going to remove Saul as king, he did not rejoice or have a secret perverted pleasure.Samuel mourned for Saul.Saul was a bad king.Saul had many hang-ups.Saul disobeyed God.Most people probably rejoiced that Saul was being removed.Samuel was a different kind of man.He was deeply moved.He cried out to God all night.What a friend Samuel was to Saul.Unfortunately Saul never realized it.
Application
I have to be loyal and obedient to God.Later in this chapter God said he loved obedience more than sacrifice.Man loves sacrifice.We love to prove our love for God by what we give up or surrender.It makes us look good in our own eyes and to others.God simply wants us to obey.He does not need us to go beyond that.Just do what God says.Then he wants me to be loyal.This is a matter of the heart.Faithfulness is more important than outward acts.God wants me to love him enough that I want to please Him, so I obey Him.Again, that is really simple but also profound.Obedience and loyalty is the pathway of pleasing God.
2) I want to have the right spirit when others fail or go through difficult times.I do not want to have that perverse pleasure of rejoicing the downfall of someone else.I want to mourn and pray for those who fail.I want to lift them out of their sin.I have to admit there have been times when I have been secretly glad that someone failed.What is there inside of me that makes me feel that way?Does it make me look better?Do I have unforgiveness in my heart?I desire a pure heart that responds correctly when others fall.I want to be a Samuel.I want to be an intercessor.
Prayer
Father purify my heart.Enable me to rejoice when others rejoice and to mourn when others mourn.Remove the perversion from me.Mold me into an intercessor that lifts others up and not tears them down.I also ask that you develop loyalty and obedience in me.Holy Spirit increase my love for the Father.Enable me to experience all of God’s love for me.I want to love enough that I will obey at all times.I do not want to be a Saul.I want to be a Samuel.I want to please you.I want to bring you pleasure.I want to cause you to smile.
Tonight is our annual Honor Star Ceremony. The Missionettes honor girls each year that have qualified to be an honor star. It is a lot of work and I am really proud of the girls. I believe all of them are becoming the woman of God they were purposed to be. I hope everyone is able to attend. The Honor Star Crowning is one of my favorite services of the year. Our family dinner begins at 5:30 and the ceremony begins at 7:00 p.m.
1 Samuel 14:24-26 “Now the men of Israel were worn out that day, because Saul had made them take an oath, saying, Let a curse fall on anyone who eats before evening- before I have full revenge on my enemies.So no one ate a thing all day, even though they found honeycomb on the ground in the forest.They didn’t even touch the honey because they all feared the oath they had taken.”
Observation
This was a rash statement by Saul.They were in the middle of a battle.His men needed to eat to be strong and to be able to fight longer.This hurt their stamina.Saul was not thinking or he was only thinking about himself.He blurts out this statement and forbids his men to eat.The problem was Saul’s son Jonathon did not hear Saul’s command and he ate some of the honey.When Saul discovered what Jonathon did, he was willing to kill his own son.The others soldiers saved Jonathon’s life because he led Israel in victory over the Philistines.I believe that Saul’s men lost a lot of respect for Saul that day.They disobeyed a direct order.Saul lost some of authority.Saul’s rash statement cost him.
Application
I get myself in trouble when I speak before I think.When I blurt something out without taking time to think it through, I usually regret it.Rash statements are usually bad statements.The tongue is a powerful thing and the Bible says it is difficult to control but I have to learn to control my tongue.I have to learn to think before I speak.I have to bring my tongue into subjection to the Lordship of Christ.The Holy Spirit has to be in control of my words.One of my spiritual formation goals is for the Holy Spirit to be in be in command of my tongue.I want to be so full of the Holy Spirit, I want to walk in the Spirit to the point that my tongue is in submission.I know rash statements get me in trouble.
Prayer
Father I submit my tongue to you.You are Lord over my words.Fill me with your Spirit today and take command of my tongue.I cannot do this on my own.My will power is not enough.I need divine power.I need supernatural intervention.Transform me to the point that my words are pleasing to you. I do not want to hurt others because of the words I say.I want my words to build up and not tear down.I want my words to bless and not curse.I want to speak words of praise.In Jesus Name
I Samuel 13:11-12 “Saul replied, I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn’t arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle.So I said, the Philistines are ready to march against us, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!So I felt obliged to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.”
Observation
This is one of the great self justification passages in all the Bible.Saul shows us what not to do.Here we see a downward slide that will always lead to disobedience.
1) I saw.Saul saw things falling apart.The Philistine army was coming against him and his army was running scared.Every day that passed, he was losing his soldiers and things were getting worse.
2) So I said.Sometimes the most important person that talks to you is you.It is called self talk.Saul said to himself that he better do something.Things are falling apart and if he just sits there things are going to get worse. Negative self talk is a huge contributor to disobedience.Rather than speaking the word of God to yourself, you focus on the negative circumstances.Faith is focusing on what God says.Fear focuses on what the devil says.Who will you listen to?The better question is what information are you feeding yourself.
3) So I felt.Your self talk will affect your emotions.You can talk yourself into positive emotions.You can talk yourself into negative emotions.Saul justified his disobedience because he reasoned within himself.He talked himself into rejecting God’s commandments.
4) You didn’t arrive.One last thing that I see here is that Saul refused to take responsibility for his actions.He even blamed Samuel.If you would have been prompt I wouldn’t be in this situation.My disobedience is your fault.This is why God took the kingdom from Saul.Saul never repented when confronted with his sin.David committed a much greater offense but when the prophet confronted him, David repented.He didn’t blame others.He took responsibility.
Application
I must keep my eyes on Jesus and fill my mind with His Word.My focus cannot be on the bad that might happen but on what God says will happen.I must train my mind to have positive self talk.I do not mean prideful talk.I mean to meditate on what God says about me and my circumstances.Paul says think on these things.Paul taught that we can bring every thought into captivity.I can control my self talk.If my self talk is right my emotions will follow.My emotions are controlled by my thought life.Lastly when I mess up and sin against God, I must take responsibility.Repentance is more than feeling bad for what I have done but confessing my actions as wickedness.Taking responsibility is not blaming others or deflecting blame.It is admitting my sin and willing to accept the consequences.
Prayer
Father, I ask you to forgive me for the times I get my eyes off of you and onto my circumstances.Teach me to control my self talk.Teach me to control my thoughts.Never allow me to blame others for my sins.Help me to be mature enough to accept responsibility and consequences for my actions.I do not want to deceive myself and justify my sins.I want to be clean and pure before you.I want to be pleasing to you.
Today I was reviewing the revival services we had last week. I loved them. My desire to seek after God has grown so much over the last year. I think I sense a greater dependency. I know that I can do nothing without him. My talents, skills, and abilities far way short. I need a fresh touch. I need a greater anointing. This is why I love revival It is a time that I set aside everything else and go for God. For three days God was my priority. I need times like that.
I am also hungry for the miraculous. I want to live in the Book of Acts. I desire signs and wonders. I have read of revivals in the past but I am ready to experience a move of God today. I want to see every church revived and Henderson, KY transformed. I believe revival is the only answer for our world today.
Finally I love the time I get to spend with Ken and Elaine. They are wonderful people who bless Cathy and I. They are down to earth, real people. Sometimes when I am with guest speakers they act like they are a step above and I get the impression they don't really want to spend time with you. Ken and Elaine are not like that. They are good people and I enjoy my time with them. It is refreshing and I learn a lot.
They are coming back in July for our annual tent revival. Hope you are able to make it to the services.
