Today's reading: I Kings 1, 2, 3; Psalm 10, 40, 70, 100, 130; Proverbs 10
I Kings 1:1-2, "Now king David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat. Wherefore his servants said unto him, Let there be sought for my lord the king a young virgin: and let her stand before the king, and let her cherish him, and let her lie in thy bosom, that my lord the king may get heat."
Tomorrow morning I will teach the teen Sunday School class. I am so excited for the opportunity! I was glad to come across this verse today as I was reading. Daily Bible reading is so important as God speaks through His Word. I will use this verse as I talk to them about different things. One thing I will mention is proper relationships with members of the opposite sex. This is needed today desperately! Just look around and you can see that.
May I add that it is not only for the teenagers; but, for the adults. I know that the teens in our Church are a great bunch of young people. A large portion of them are the Pastor's children; but, they too need to be reminded of how to have a proper relationship with the opposite sex.
Notice that the young virgin was only to help the king get heat. She was there to serve the king in what capacity she could serve him. This was to simply lay in bed and allow the heat that her body produced naturally warm the king who could no longer produce enough heat of his own.
What is the product of the relationships that you and I enjoy each day? Is it godly? I hope so. Men we need to be careful at how we show attention to the fairer sex. Ladies we need to be careful how we speak to and dress around the other sex. We need to protect one another from falling to temptation. We owe it to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
How are your relationships?
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
April 9, 2010
Today's reading: II Samuel 22, 23, 24; Psalm 9, 39, 69, 99, 129; Proverbs 9
II Samuel 24:24, "And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."
Today I went and visited a neighbor to get some advice on fishing line. I know that he fishes in tournaments and I figured that he would have a great amount of experience to draw from. While I was there he offered me great advice and I appreciated it so very much. He also gave me a brand new tackle box and put a lot of spinner baits, crank baits and plastic worms. Wow! I was humbled at his gift. Words were not adequate to say, "Thank you!" You see all of this great equipment (it is far better than just "stuff") was a gift. It was free. It cost me absolutely nothing. Thank you Jesus! All that my neighbor asked me is that when I catch a really good fish with my new equipment that I take a picture and send it to him. I can do that. Now all I need is for someone to call me and invite me to go fishing.
In our passage of Scripture today we see that David wanted to offer a sacrifice to the Lord to stop the judgment that was upon them. He came to the place where he wanted to offer the sacrifice; but, it belonged to someone else. The owner; a man named Araunah owned the property. When he heard that the king wanted to offer a sacrifice to the Lord he offered to give the king everything he needed to make the offering. What a giving man. I love the words of David, "neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing."
How often do you and I just give to God our leftovers? If we do it at all we do it far too often. I know that I am guilty of giving God seconds. Lord, forgive me for giving to you anything less than my very best.
What are you giving to God?
II Samuel 24:24, "And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."
Today I went and visited a neighbor to get some advice on fishing line. I know that he fishes in tournaments and I figured that he would have a great amount of experience to draw from. While I was there he offered me great advice and I appreciated it so very much. He also gave me a brand new tackle box and put a lot of spinner baits, crank baits and plastic worms. Wow! I was humbled at his gift. Words were not adequate to say, "Thank you!" You see all of this great equipment (it is far better than just "stuff") was a gift. It was free. It cost me absolutely nothing. Thank you Jesus! All that my neighbor asked me is that when I catch a really good fish with my new equipment that I take a picture and send it to him. I can do that. Now all I need is for someone to call me and invite me to go fishing.
In our passage of Scripture today we see that David wanted to offer a sacrifice to the Lord to stop the judgment that was upon them. He came to the place where he wanted to offer the sacrifice; but, it belonged to someone else. The owner; a man named Araunah owned the property. When he heard that the king wanted to offer a sacrifice to the Lord he offered to give the king everything he needed to make the offering. What a giving man. I love the words of David, "neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing."
How often do you and I just give to God our leftovers? If we do it at all we do it far too often. I know that I am guilty of giving God seconds. Lord, forgive me for giving to you anything less than my very best.
What are you giving to God?
Thursday, April 8, 2010
April 8, 2010
Today's reading: II Samuel 19, 20, 21; Psalm 8, 38, 68, 98, 128; Proverbs 8
II Samuel 21:8-9, "But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite: And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest."
I was caught by the phrase, "and they fell all seven together". Last week I went to the city and participated in some training for firemen. It was awesome to say the least. One group of men went into the training house to put out the fire that had been set for them. They worked together as one. Then one of the men began to run out of air. At this time they began to get out of the house. The problem was that they left their captain behind. Three men went in and only two came out. When one of the instructors saw the two leave the captain he took the captain by the shoulder and told him to set tight (his air was not running out) and wait for them to come get him when they figured out he was not with them. When they came out of the house they received a stern chewing out from the instructors outside and rightly so.
When you work as a team you have to stay together. I love the saying that became so popular after September 11, 2001: "Everyone goes home." This is how we must operate as a team. Remember there is no "I" in team. If someone on your team is hurting then the whole team needs to go to that member and see what needs to be done to heal or help them.
In the realm of the Church and Christianity it should be the same way. Far too often we tend to "shoot the wounded" so to speak. This ought not to be.
Remember, "Everyone goes home". We also must be like the Marines, "Semper Fi".
How are you doing?
II Samuel 21:8-9, "But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite: And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of barley harvest."
I was caught by the phrase, "and they fell all seven together". Last week I went to the city and participated in some training for firemen. It was awesome to say the least. One group of men went into the training house to put out the fire that had been set for them. They worked together as one. Then one of the men began to run out of air. At this time they began to get out of the house. The problem was that they left their captain behind. Three men went in and only two came out. When one of the instructors saw the two leave the captain he took the captain by the shoulder and told him to set tight (his air was not running out) and wait for them to come get him when they figured out he was not with them. When they came out of the house they received a stern chewing out from the instructors outside and rightly so.
When you work as a team you have to stay together. I love the saying that became so popular after September 11, 2001: "Everyone goes home." This is how we must operate as a team. Remember there is no "I" in team. If someone on your team is hurting then the whole team needs to go to that member and see what needs to be done to heal or help them.
In the realm of the Church and Christianity it should be the same way. Far too often we tend to "shoot the wounded" so to speak. This ought not to be.
Remember, "Everyone goes home". We also must be like the Marines, "Semper Fi".
How are you doing?
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
April 7, 2010
Today's reading: II Samuel 16, 17, 18; Psalm 7, 37, 67, 97, 127; Proverbs 7
II Samuel 17:23, "And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father."
Our topic for today is not something that anyone wants to really talk about. Unfortunately, it needs to be discussed. As I was reading our Scripture today I could not help but be drawn to the fact of Ahithophel taking his own life. This is so sad. I hope you do not think that I am being unkind or anything as I discuss this important topic.
There are so many families that have been touched by this tragedy. I call it a tragedy because it is a permanent solution to a problem that is more than likely temporary. I do not know what drives people to take their own life. I thought of two tragic situations where people that I knew took their own lives. As I think about it I begin to weep all over again.
One instance, a man who was in a position of leadership in the community took a gun and put it to his own head and sealed his own destiny with the trigger pull. I remember it like it was yesterday. His young children found him. I do not know how you can make it through a situation like this if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Saviour.
The second instance is one that is very close to me. A cousin to be exact. Nobody on this side of eternity knows "why". From this unfortunate instance there has come a book, "Suicide: how God sustained a family". You should read it (yes, I am prejudice as I know the author).
Parents, you need to talk with your children about this. We need to know our children so well that we see the signs. We need to pray for our children that God will protect them from this. It is not the unpardonable sin to commit suicide. It is tragic, however. We need to teach our children to delight in the Lord and His ways. Look at Psalm 37:23, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way."
I hope this tragedy never strikes your family; but, if it does I know that Jesus Christ will be there for you if you will lean on Him.
How are you doing?
II Samuel 17:23, "And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father."
Our topic for today is not something that anyone wants to really talk about. Unfortunately, it needs to be discussed. As I was reading our Scripture today I could not help but be drawn to the fact of Ahithophel taking his own life. This is so sad. I hope you do not think that I am being unkind or anything as I discuss this important topic.
There are so many families that have been touched by this tragedy. I call it a tragedy because it is a permanent solution to a problem that is more than likely temporary. I do not know what drives people to take their own life. I thought of two tragic situations where people that I knew took their own lives. As I think about it I begin to weep all over again.
One instance, a man who was in a position of leadership in the community took a gun and put it to his own head and sealed his own destiny with the trigger pull. I remember it like it was yesterday. His young children found him. I do not know how you can make it through a situation like this if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Saviour.
The second instance is one that is very close to me. A cousin to be exact. Nobody on this side of eternity knows "why". From this unfortunate instance there has come a book, "Suicide: how God sustained a family". You should read it (yes, I am prejudice as I know the author).
Parents, you need to talk with your children about this. We need to know our children so well that we see the signs. We need to pray for our children that God will protect them from this. It is not the unpardonable sin to commit suicide. It is tragic, however. We need to teach our children to delight in the Lord and His ways. Look at Psalm 37:23, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way."
I hope this tragedy never strikes your family; but, if it does I know that Jesus Christ will be there for you if you will lean on Him.
How are you doing?
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
April 6, 2010
Today's reading: II Samuel 13, 14, 15; Psalm 6, 36, 66, 96, 126; Proverbs 6
Psalm 66:18-20, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me."
I often have people ask me to pray for them. I am humbled by this. To think that someone would stake important things on the fact that they think I can pray and have my prayers answered is very humbling to me. I have been asked to pray in some dire situations. The sad reality is that if I were to have sin in my life that had yet to be confessed this would have been an exercise in futility. It would have been worthless.
To regard iniquity is to approve it. We see every day iniquity abounding and people approving it. People are trying to get laws passed to legalize things that God calls an abomination (something that makes God want to vomit). If I approve of this God will not hear my prayers. Wow! You cannot have your prayers answered and be living against God. It just will not work that way. God is Holy and He cannot be touched by sin. Because of this, He cannot hear the prayers of someone who is not righteous. How do we become righteous? Confess and forsake sin and iniquity. Keep a short account with God and you can know that you will have access to Him at any moment. You never know when you might need to get in contact with God in an emergency situation and there is no time to confess sin.
Are you keeping short account?
Psalm 66:18-20, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me."
I often have people ask me to pray for them. I am humbled by this. To think that someone would stake important things on the fact that they think I can pray and have my prayers answered is very humbling to me. I have been asked to pray in some dire situations. The sad reality is that if I were to have sin in my life that had yet to be confessed this would have been an exercise in futility. It would have been worthless.
To regard iniquity is to approve it. We see every day iniquity abounding and people approving it. People are trying to get laws passed to legalize things that God calls an abomination (something that makes God want to vomit). If I approve of this God will not hear my prayers. Wow! You cannot have your prayers answered and be living against God. It just will not work that way. God is Holy and He cannot be touched by sin. Because of this, He cannot hear the prayers of someone who is not righteous. How do we become righteous? Confess and forsake sin and iniquity. Keep a short account with God and you can know that you will have access to Him at any moment. You never know when you might need to get in contact with God in an emergency situation and there is no time to confess sin.
Are you keeping short account?
Monday, April 5, 2010
April 5, 2010
Today's reading: II Samuel 10, 11, 12; Psalm 5, 35, 65, 95, 125; Proverbs 5
II Samuel 11:1-2, "And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon."
Some people have a misconception about sin. They think their sin will not have an impact upon other. This is wrong. Think of it like throwing a rock into a calm lake. When the rock hits the water it forms ripples and they go on and on and on. This is how sin works. It keeps having that ripple effect.
In our Scriptures today we see David committed a sin. He stayed home instead of going out to battle like he should. This seems like it could have been okay. He would not be killed in battle and other thing that might seem like good things. However, disobedience is never the right thing to do.
After David disobeyed by not going he was looking around and saw a woman and we all know about his great sin with Bathsheba. What a tragedy! As a result of this seemingly small sin of looking upon this woman as she was bathing, David got into deeper and deeper sin. He even involved other people too. He had Joab bring Uriah to him. When Uriah would not conform to his convoluted plan, David had him killed. David stooped from looking at a naked woman to committing murder and enlisting innocent people to do the "dirty work" for him.
Look at another result of David's sin. Look at II Samuel 12:22-23, "And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." Yes, she became pregnant and as a result of sin the child died. Sin has far reaching consequences and we need to remember that.
How are you doing?
II Samuel 11:1-2, "And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon."
Some people have a misconception about sin. They think their sin will not have an impact upon other. This is wrong. Think of it like throwing a rock into a calm lake. When the rock hits the water it forms ripples and they go on and on and on. This is how sin works. It keeps having that ripple effect.
In our Scriptures today we see David committed a sin. He stayed home instead of going out to battle like he should. This seems like it could have been okay. He would not be killed in battle and other thing that might seem like good things. However, disobedience is never the right thing to do.
After David disobeyed by not going he was looking around and saw a woman and we all know about his great sin with Bathsheba. What a tragedy! As a result of this seemingly small sin of looking upon this woman as she was bathing, David got into deeper and deeper sin. He even involved other people too. He had Joab bring Uriah to him. When Uriah would not conform to his convoluted plan, David had him killed. David stooped from looking at a naked woman to committing murder and enlisting innocent people to do the "dirty work" for him.
Look at another result of David's sin. Look at II Samuel 12:22-23, "And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." Yes, she became pregnant and as a result of sin the child died. Sin has far reaching consequences and we need to remember that.
How are you doing?
Sunday, April 4, 2010
April 4, 2010
Today's reading: II Samuel 7, 8, 9; Psalm 4, 34, 64, 94, 124; Proverbs 4
II Samuel 7:5, "Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?"
Psalm 4:4, "Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah."
It is so sad to me as I look around and see such irreverence and disdain for God. My wife played the piano for a wedding this weekend of someone whom we have known since she was a child. The bride was great with child and still wore a white dress. It was cut very low in the back also. Her brother who was an usher refused to take off his hat in the sanctuary. It was so sad to us. The really sad part was that these children grew up in a Christian home and know what it right. Now that they are young adults they seem to be rebelling against everything they have been taught. I was nearly in tears.
If you and I have a correct view of God it will cause us to do certain things. One thing this verse says it to "Stand in awe". Have you ever just thought about God and His goodness to us? If you seriously meditate on the Scriptures and think about God it will bring you to a place of awe. I hope so anyway. It also says that we are to "sin not". If we are in love with God the way we should be we will have a desire not to sin against Him.
Next we are told to "commune with your own heart upon your own bed". I think this is a good thing. Sometimes I cannot sleep at night so I pray for people that I know and love and I do some soul searching. This is a good time to do such activities. It is quiet and there are less distractions. You should try getting alone in the quiet and just let God speak to you. It is truly awesome!
Lastly we are told to "be still. Selah." This is something that we do not do. It relates to what I just said. We need to get alone and be still so that God can speak to us. I like the word "Selah". It means to pause. We need to be still and contemplate what God is telling us. We live in a world with instant technologies so that we can be bombarded with information every minute of every day and we need to leave some of this stuff and get alone with God. Try it, you might like it. I know I do.
So, how are you doing?
II Samuel 7:5, "Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in?"
Psalm 4:4, "Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah."
It is so sad to me as I look around and see such irreverence and disdain for God. My wife played the piano for a wedding this weekend of someone whom we have known since she was a child. The bride was great with child and still wore a white dress. It was cut very low in the back also. Her brother who was an usher refused to take off his hat in the sanctuary. It was so sad to us. The really sad part was that these children grew up in a Christian home and know what it right. Now that they are young adults they seem to be rebelling against everything they have been taught. I was nearly in tears.
If you and I have a correct view of God it will cause us to do certain things. One thing this verse says it to "Stand in awe". Have you ever just thought about God and His goodness to us? If you seriously meditate on the Scriptures and think about God it will bring you to a place of awe. I hope so anyway. It also says that we are to "sin not". If we are in love with God the way we should be we will have a desire not to sin against Him.
Next we are told to "commune with your own heart upon your own bed". I think this is a good thing. Sometimes I cannot sleep at night so I pray for people that I know and love and I do some soul searching. This is a good time to do such activities. It is quiet and there are less distractions. You should try getting alone in the quiet and just let God speak to you. It is truly awesome!
Lastly we are told to "be still. Selah." This is something that we do not do. It relates to what I just said. We need to get alone and be still so that God can speak to us. I like the word "Selah". It means to pause. We need to be still and contemplate what God is telling us. We live in a world with instant technologies so that we can be bombarded with information every minute of every day and we need to leave some of this stuff and get alone with God. Try it, you might like it. I know I do.
So, how are you doing?
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