Monday, March 31, 2014

DON'T FORGET WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:1-5 ESV)

A young minister was about to deliver his first sermon, and asked a retired minister-friend for advice on how to capture the congregation's attention. "Start with an opening line that's certain to grab them," the older man said. "For example: 'Some of the best years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman who was not my wife.'" He smiled at the younger man's shocked expression before adding, "She was my mother." The next Sunday the young preacher nervously clutched the pulpit. Finally he said, "Some of the best years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman." He was pleased at the instant reaction—then became panic-stricken. "But for the life of me, I can't remember who she was!"

Have you ever forgot something really important? I know I have - just ask my wife.  I can't find my keys half of the time.

In this passage - we are encouraged to "forget not" what God has done for you.  In fact, in Deuteronomy 8 - to forget God is equated with going after other gods, or ignoring His commands. To forget God is to live in fear, to doubt His goodness. If we are to avoid forgetfulness, remembering to praise is important. What does that praise look like? What should we never forget? In verses 3-5 we see three particular things that we should not forget.

THREE THINGS WE SHOULD NEVER FORGET

1. Don't Forget That God Has Forgiven Your Sins - v.3

Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, (Psalm 103:3 ESV)

This is foundational to all the rest. Before we discuss anything else God has done in our lives, we must consider that the barrier between God and us due to sin is completely removed. The trouble is that when we forget forgiveness, praise will never be uttered. There can be no joy, no worship, and no excitement about life unless we know that that which separates us from God is once and finally removed. There is nothing more debilitating than guilt, and nothing more deadly than shame.

What does forgiveness mean?

The Hebrew word salah is only ever used of God’s pardoning the sinner and restoring the ruined relationship, and never of people forgiving each other. We understand forgiveness only by a poor analogy, for when I forgive, I merely decide to no longer hold another person’s offense against them. When God forgives, He alone is able to permanently change the person’s status.

When you or I forgive, it is for the moment, but God’s forgiveness does not fluctuate from bitterness to forgiveness and back to bitterness.

What is the extent God’s forgiveness of us?

The word describing the extent is simple but powerful: all. It is not that God forgives certain sins but not others, some sins but not all, or sins before coming to Christ but not after.

2- Don't Forget That God Has Healed You - v.3

Who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, (Psalm 103:3 ESV)

We must see the relationship between disease and sin, forgiveness and wholeness. Remember, disease is a product of sin: not individual sin, but the sin from our forefather, Adam. The Fall meant death and dying are a part of life. But the second Adam, Jesus Christ, changed all that. So, should we expect healing? Yes, in Christ all our diseases are healed – in the resurrection.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)

He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. (Psalm 107:20 ESV)

3. Don't Forget The Price God Has Paid For You

Who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, (Psalm 103:4 ESV)

With the first benefit of sins forgiven, and of our lives being made whole, we can have the confidence that our status has changed, and that God’s working in our life is to preserve us, not destroy us. God has reached down, and pulled us out of the pit, out of the mouth of destruction. This comes at a cost; there is a price paid as we are purchased. Forgiveness for us is free, but it is never cheap.

The word redeem points to a rich picture in the Old Testament of the kinsmen redeemer, one who would ensure the safety of a family member, and who would purchase their freedom from slavery. For God to pull you out of the clutches of hell, God descended to earth, to suffer and die.

God paid for our sins once and for all!

THE RESULT OF NOT FORGETTING

If you are able to remember the above three things - notice what the result will be in your life.  It is found in v.5...

Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:5 ESV)

 In Christ we have all the satisfaction we need. If we forget anything above, we are left with discontented and disgruntled lives.

The word "satisfy" here describes the response to a delicious meal. Think back to after a fine Thanksgiving feast when the turkey is no longer stuffed but you are. That sense of belt loosening, couch potato napping satisfaction – what God gives us is an infinitely greater contentment. Rather than a promise of getting all you want, this is a promise that what God gives is good.

Are you satisfied in God today?

Saturday, March 29, 2014

HOW IS YOUR ALONE TIME WITH GOD?

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1:35 ESV)

I don't know if it is DNA driven or if it is a discipline that one learns, but I have always been an early morning person and have always used the first part of the morning for private devotions and prayer.  I know plenty of people who are morning people and plenty of people who are night owls.  I don't think it is an "either or" situation - whatever fits for you - then do it.  Having said that - what is your devotional life like?

As you study the Bible - you will note that great men of God were noted for engaging in private devotions:
  • Isaac meditated in the field at evening - Genesis 24:3
  • David prayed three daily, meditated on his bed at night  - Ps 55:17; 63:6
  • Daniel's custom was to pray three times daily - Dan 6:10
Jesus sought solitary places in the early morning and late at night - Mk 1:35; Lk 6:12.  He also counseled His disciples to pray in secret - Mt 6:6.

You may faithfully attend public worship with God's people, but do you also take the time to engage in daily, private devotions...?

WHY HAVE PRIVATE DEVOTIONS?

You might ask - "Why have private devotions?"  The answer is simply "to draw near to God."  God is found by those who seek Him.

 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8 ESV)

Do you want a closer walk with God - then spend time with Him everyday. Do you want to grow spiritually - then spend time in His Word everyday.

Strength in God and spiritual grow takes place as we devote ourselves to seeking God's presence in our lives.

But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4 ESV)

We cannot thrive on physical food alone.  We need spiritual food that nourishes the soul.

We live in a world filled with pitfalls and troubles. God's Word keeps us from falling - Ps 119:105,165.

Do you want inner peace and outer stability - Then make your time with God a priority. More than ever, we need to take the time to draw near to God, to receive spiritual nourishment, to find peace and stability.  The habit of daily, private devotions can go a long way...]

HOW TO HAVE PERSONAL DEVOTIONS

A. FIND A TIME AND PLACE...
     1. The time may vary for different individuals
         a. For "night owls", the best time may be late at night, after the children are in bed
         b. For "morning larks", early morning before the children wake up might be better
         c. The key is to find a quiet time, free from worldly distractions
      2. The place may also vary for different people
         a. Some may prefer a place outside, following the example of Jesus - cf. Mk 1:35
         b. Some may prefer a place inside, following the teaching of Jesus - cf. Mt 6:6
         c. The key is to find a solitary place, free from worldly distraction
         d. To develop a habit, the time and place should be the same each day

 B. ENGAGE IN PRAYER, MEDITATION, AND PRAISE...
      1. Approach God in prayer
         a. Thank Him for your blessings - cf. Col 4:2
         b. Confess your sins - cf. 1Jn 1:9
         c. Make supplication for your needs - cf. Php 4:6
         d. Intercede on behalf of others - cf. 1Ti 2:1-2
      2. Spend time in meditation - contemplate on such things as:
         a. The Lord Himself (His character) - Ps 63:6
         b. His wonderful Works (both creative and redemptive) - cf. Psa
            77:12
         c. His revealed Word - Ps 119:15,23,48,97-99,148
         d. Things that are wholesome and praiseworthy - cf. Php 4:8
      3. Praise God in song - perhaps aided by recorded hymns
         a. A natural response to joy in the heart - cf. Jm 5:13
         b. Making melody in your heart - cf. Ep 5:19
             -- Talk with God through prayer, praise; listen to Him by contemplating His Word

Living in world filled with sin, there is much that would fill our lives with stress and anxiety and pulls us away from God and things that are good. Making room for private devotions in our lives, will help greatly you to draw closer to God and will give you the strength of heart and peace of mind in doing His will.

If David, a man after God's own heart, and Jesus, the Son of God Himself, found it needful to spend time alone with God, how much more do we...!

"I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I hope in Your word. My eyes are awake through the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word."   - Ps 119:147-148

Friday, March 28, 2014

THAT THE NEXT GENERATION MIGHT KNOW

Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God. (Psalm 78:1-8 ESV)

I pulled some old pictures out of my desk yesterday of a ministry trip I took to Jamaica some 40 years or so.  In a number of the pictures I was standing with a number of children and interacting with them  - which got me thinking about where these children were today.  Did they have good lives?  Did they follow God?  Did I have some impact on them while I was there?  What is the impact that I have on children even now and what more can I do for this upcoming generation?

Think about the children in your home or in your neighborhood.  What and who are influencing them right now?  Is it TV?  Is it other kids?  Is it school?  Is it the parents or some other adult?

This passage encourages us to connect with this generation both the good and the bad that we ourselves have seen.  He says, "I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us.  We will not hide them from our children..."

Paul, in teaching the Corinthians tells them "You are my letter, your lives speak of what I have taught  you."  My dad and mom were letters to me and I'm a letter to the next generation.  Our children and youth are a letters of what we have taught them.

According to Psalm 78 what is it that we need to communicate to our kids?

1- Tell of His mighty deeds. Look closely at Psalms 78:4-5.

“...we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD his power, and the wonders he has done.”

Our kids and young people need to hear the Bible stories that talk about God’s faithfulness to His people. But they also need to hear our stories about how God has been faithful to us. I think it is a wonderful thing if we can tell our children stories about His faithfulness to our parents and their parents.

I believe children need to learn American history with an understanding of God’s faithfulness to the forefathers of this country.

Why do you think the ungodly oppose that so much? The spirit driving them knows the significance of kids whose worldview is shaped by a reality filled with God.

Here’s something else our kids need. They need to walk through life experiences with us and experience the faithfulness of God themselves. That... as you are praising God for your new home, for your job, for your safety - they are coming alongside you and expereriencing that themselves.

2. They also need to know the will of God. 

Psalm 78:5 - “He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children” 

Life is to be lived in the boundaries of God’s commandments. Every child and young person  should know the Ten Commandments as a foundation for good decisions in life.

When the world robs kids of biblical absolutes it robs them of their security and direction in life. Some principles are absolute because they come from an absolute God--One Who never changes Who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

There is a promise in this passage of those who pour these principles into their children.  It is found in vv. 7-9...

Psalm 78:7-9 ESV - So that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God. 

I am often surrounded by children and youth -  whether it be at church or at our school or out in the public.  It is not unusual for me to be walking at the mall and some child will run up to me and give me a big hug.  Often, I will get down on my knees and look them straight in the eye and let them how much I love them. I so want to have influence with this next generation.

My mind is obsessesed in a good way about one word - legacy.  What type of legacy am I going to leave for my own children and my grandchildren?  What type of legacy am I leaving for the children and the youth of our church?  Am I passing on the principles and foundational truths to the next generation in a way that will outlast me and my lifetime?  We have an urgency and a responsibility to reach out and connect with children and young people of all ages.  Their destinies and eternities are depending on it!  If God has graced you with a level of influence to young people and children - I pray that you will see that as one of the highest callings and responsibilities a person can ever have.  Ask God to show and help you on what you can do and the lives that you can touch.  As a result - you will be greatly rewarded, if not in this life, but in heaven.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

WHY DOES GOD ALLOW US TO STRUGGLE?

Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, (Psalm 49:5 ESV)

I was sitting and thinking the other day when a saying came to my mind that I heard a number of years ago - "Don't doubt in the dark what you've been taught in the light." This is so true and everyone of us needs to put this memory.

We all face troble and storms in life.  At times they are intense times with a lot of drama and then there are also those times of peace.

When we're in the storms - sometimes God calms the storms.  Sometimes God calms His children.

Have you ever asked, “Why does God allow us to struggle?”

My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O Lord —how long? (Psalm 6:3 ESV)

Have you ever felt like David?  It is not only the depth of struggles – it is the length of struggles that gets tough.

Have you ever wondered - Why does God let us struggle?

We spend billions of dollars every year addressing this situation.  We try to dull it.  Minimize it.  Remove it. Mask it.  Ignore it.  Run from it.  And even medicate it.

But one thing you can’t run from is that struggles will be in the life of each and every one of us.

In fact… our life begins in struggle.  Some of you remember the difficulty of labor with some of your children.  (And it didn’t stop there.)

I hear people say – “Wouldn’t life be great without these struggles?”  Are you sure?  I’m finding that there is no growth without struggles.  There is no character without struggles. If you take the struggles out of life – ask yourself what is left.

Isn’t it true  - that the times we grow the most – is not on the mountain tops?  Isn’t it in the valleys that we grow the most. It is in the valleys that the water flows.

It's a fact: You can't have miracles unless you have some problems.  It is the vehicle which allows us to call out to God for a miracle.

Life is full of struggles.  In fact… if you read the Bible – you will find that struggle is the crucible in which many heroes of faith were developed.

Look at MOSES -  he struggled 40 years on the back side of the dessert. But it was there that he found who he was.  What his commission was.  What his purpose was. It was there that he built the character necessary to sustain that assignment – to lead a whole nation out of bondage.

DAVID – was anointed king – but it wasn’t until about 20 chapters later that he actually took the throne.  What happened in between?  He struggled.  He ran from Saul.  He ran for his life.  But it was then that he learned to trust in God.  It was there that he learned that God is always with him to bring the wisdom needed.

Let’s look at a little glimmer of what PAUL had to say about struggling from 2 Corinthians 9.

In fact… when Paul was first called to follow God – it was out of a horrible life of persecuting and murdering Christians. He was on the road to Damascus and God sent a bright light which blinded him.  He was knocked off a horse and took him to a house.

God brought another man – Ananias –to pray for Paul.  Ananias didn’t want to because he had heard that Paul was murdering the Christians.  God told Ananias that He had a plan for Paul and that He would show him the things that he must suffer to accomplish that plan.

For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” (Acts 9:16 ESV)

It’s interesting… there are struggles that he will have to go through in order to prepare him for what God wants him to do.

You know the rest.  Paul went on to greatly influence the church and even penned almost half of the New Testament.

So… in 2 Corinthians Paul reminisces about these things especially about his struggles.

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. (2 Corinthians 12:7 ESV)

In other words – the suffering that has placed in his life is in order that pride wouldn’t enter into his heart. God was building character in his life in order to fulfill the assignment given to him by the Lord.

We don’t know what this messenger of Satan was.  Some say it was his health and others have said that it was just persecution.

It’s almost as if God was saying, “In order for you to do what I want you to do – these are the character qualities that you will need to have,  and these are the struggles that you will need in order to be able to finish the race.”

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:8, 9 ESV)

Paul tells us that he’d rather talk about the struggles and the exchange that is taking place in his life – that the power of God would be exchanged for our weakness.

That God’s humility would be exchanged for my pride.  That God’s grace would be exchanged for my impatience

My weakness is then exchanged for God’s power.

Paul is saying that the process is as important as the end product.

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV)

I need to have character in order to sustain any successes in my life.  Without character – I become arrogant and prideful. I won’t be able to sustain what God has for my life.  This comes through the building of character in my life.

Can you imagine what type of person we would be if God just took care of all our problems just like that. We wouldn’t have any backbone at all.  We’d have no character.

God knows what’s best for me. The Bible calls Jesus the “author and finisher of my faith.”  God is at the beginning.  He is here with me now.  He will be with me to the end. He will be with me step by step – even in the rough times.

SO… WHY DOES GOD ALLOW US TO STRUGGLE?

To build character in us to help us fulfill His destiny for our lives.  Because He loves us

THE GREATEST GEMS IN YOUR LIFE WON’T BE FOUND ON THE SURFACE.  IT WILL ONLY HAPPEN WHEN YOU DIG DEEP.

When I dig deep – not only will I find a beautiful gem – I will find a quality of perseverance and character.  I will find endurance.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

HOW TO FIND YOUR JOY TODAY

As you read through the Psalms there is a constant tension from David of being absolutely stressed and in turmoil and then all of a sudden he makes statements of how much he trusts in God.

He models to us that life isn't perfect and that there are going to be days filled with stress and anxiety but he also shows us that joy can be found if you make the right choices and place your dependency on God.

If you've lost your joy - look at this passage and let it guide you back to the place of being filled with God's great joy today:

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11 ESV)

WHAT IS JOY? The Old Testament word for joy speaks of gladness, dancing, leaping or spinning around in pleasure/intense motion. So it’s not just a deep feeling of joy deep down on the inside – it’s going to come out! But some of you would say, “Well, that’s a little bit too radical for me - Leaping? Twirling? That’s not very dignified!” That’s the idea! Who said anything about joy being dignified? Now what is joy? Joy in the New Testament speaks of a celebration.

How can we experience the joy of the Lord in our lives? The three things this Scripture tells us we need to do are:  (1) Pick the pathway of life, (2) Pursue the presence of joy, and (3) Participate in rivers of pleasure!

1. PICK THE PATHWAY OF LIFE:

“You make known to me the path of life…” (Psalm 16:11).

What is the pathway of LIFE? Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10). 

The thing that we need to understand as we’re living life here on Planet Earth is that we have an enemy, the enemy of our souls, who wants to steal, kill and destroy in our lives, but Jesus has come so that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. If you read through the Scriptures and do a study on the topic of joy, every time you see it, it is accompanied with adjectives – great joy, exceeding joy, joy unspeakable and full of glory. It’s fullness of joy that God wants us to have! But in order to experience the joy, we must pick the pathway of life. Now what is the pathway of life?

God said, “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments…I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life.” (Deut. 30:15-19). 

What does it mean to choose life, and pick the pathway of life? It means to choose the Bible, to live our lives according to the Word of God.

Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11). 

There are two main ways that the devil tries to steal our joy from us. 

The first way the devil tries to steal our joy from us is through sin. When we choose to disobey God and His commandments, we lose our joy.

In Psalm 32:3-4, David said, “When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.” 

Because of the unconfessed sin in his life, he lost his joy. But look what happened when he came to his senses in verse 5...

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” 

After David confesses his sin, his joy returned! “So rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!”

The second way the devil tries to steal our joy from us is through unresolved conflict.

The Bible says, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” (Hebrews 12:14-15). 

When we get hurt or offended by someone, and we choose to hang onto that offence, that unforgiveness is something that can steal our joy. So we need to choose to forgive!

If you have a relationship where there’s unresolved conflict, where you’ve been hanging onto a grudge, let it go. Is it worth losing your joy over? Now conflict is going to happen in our lives. Jesus said that offences will come, and we can’t stop that.

We can’t stop people from hurting us. But once we’re hurt, we can choose what we’re going to do with that hurt. We can either choose to hang onto it, and let a root of bitterness spring up, or we can choose to let it go, and forgive. Choose joy!

2. PURSUE THE PRESENCE OF JOY: 

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11 ESV)

The Bible says that fullness of joy is found in God’s presence. That tells me that if I want to experience joy, I need to get into God’s presence. But the question is – how do I get there? The answer is found in another Scripture:

But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3). 

Do you want to know where God’s presence is? It’s in praise and worship. When we praise and worship God, it brings us into God’s presence.

Isn’t this what Psalm 100:4 says? “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.” 

As we worship God, we walk through the doorway into the presence of God, and in His presence, there is fullness of joy. Now why is this joy so important? Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

3. PARTICIPATE IN RIVERS OF PLEASURE!

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11b).

God wants you to be satisfied in abundance of blessing and joy today.  As we choose the right path and pursue the presence of joy - we will participate in the rivers of pleasure.

"Father, right now I thank you for those reading these words. You see the need for joy and freedom and victory, and those who are going through difficult trials in their lives, and need the joy of the Lord. God, I pray for a breakthrough of joy, that there would not be one sour-puss faced, miserable, depressed, downcast person. Pour out your joy upon those reading this today, in Jesus’ name, amen!"

Lift up your hands right now and say, “I want the joy!” Shout for joy right now! Dance for joy right now! Receive it!

(Thoughts gleaned from a sermon by Pastor Chris Jordan)

Monday, March 24, 2014

WHAT TYPE OF BIRD ARE YOU?

(Isaiah 40:31 ESV) But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

When I lived in the State of Washington I used to fish from an old boat that I bought from my neighbor - and periodically I would go out by myself or with friends.  Sometimes we did really well and sometimes not so well.  I remember one time when the fishing wasn't that great and I was kind of frustrated when all of a sudden an eagle came out of the sky and landed right by my boat and scooped up a nice sized trout and flew off on his merry way.  What an insult that was.

I have always been fascinated by eagles in life.  There are many species of birds on earth but the eagle always  seems to be set apart and in a class all by himself.

Stay with me on this - but I think there are similarities between birds and Christians.  Let me give you an example of some of the types of birds out there and see if it relates to the type of Christian you might be.

The Chicken

The chicken is generally afraid of life; selfdom flies or reaches its potential. The chicken is content with mediocrity. It is a fat, lazy bird usually spending most of its time scratching around the chicken yard for grubs and worms.  They live inside the confines of a fence and are satisfied to do so. When a storm arises, the first thing they do is RUN for the chicken house to huddle in fear with all the other chickens.

The Magpie

This is an overly aggressive bully who swoops down and harasses other animals and people.  This is the type of Christian who is abusive to others.  He is selfish, arrogant and self-centered to the point of rudeness. This type of person is disrespectful and causes much harm in the body of Christ.

The Kookaburra

The Kookaburra is from Australia.  He is loud and makes a call that sounds even human.  It almost sounds like he’s laughing. They live around 20 years.  It doesn’t drink water as it gets enough water from the food it eats.  This is like the Christian who thinks life is one big party – one big joke. This person takes nothing seriously and laughs at everything, even when it is totally inappropriate. This person is a big clown.  A coarse jester who wounds, hurts, and offends.  He is not sensitive to people at all.

The Vulture/ Buzzard

This bird is a scavenging bird that rarely attacks and eats live animals.  It feeds mostly on the carcasses of dead animals. This bird enjoys the filth of life – everything corrupt, rotten, and stinking.
Some Christians are like this bird.  They come to church, carry their Bible but continue to be attracted to the filth of life.  They are attracted to people with problems.  They love to “rip people apart” or “tear them to pieces” with their mouth. They love to spread rumors and don’t think anything of destroying a person or a ministry. They have the smell of death around them.

The Parrot/ Cockatoos

There are 353 varieties of parrots or Cockatoos. These are the talkers of the bird kingdom. These are the super spiritual Christian who can talk the talk, but not walk the walk. Everything they have learned, they learned it “parrot fashion,” mimicking someone else. They have the head knowledge and no experience.  They are all noise and no action.

The Cuckoo

This bird does not like to work and is happy to “sponge” off someone else.  It does not even want to build a nest, but looks for one that is already finished by someone else. It lays its eggs there, and then leaves the other bird to raise it babies.

There are “cuckoos” in the church today: they exist on handouts.  They do not want to work. Sometimes they are not even born again but they operate under a religious spirit.  They live by hints or straight out requests for handouts – but not faith.

The Peacock

He is the “flashy, showy” bird. This is the Christian who is overly ambitious, worldly and full of pride.  He is very much in love with and impressed with himself. He feels superior to everyone else.  He loves to strut his “stuff” – clothes, cars, jewelry, but they do little or nothing for anyone else in need. They have huge egos that need to be stroked a lot.

The Pelican

This big, old, fat, jolly bird is only interested in eating – seeking whatever he can find to fill his belly.
As a Christian – if he would turn this ravenous appetite toward the Word of God – He would then become a spiritual giant. But he is happy to back with a pack of beer and a smoke and the “little lady” of the house be the spiritual leader.

The Crow

This bird is also a dirty bird of life.  This bird enjoys destroying the young of other species. It is like the Christian who enjoy tearing down other churches. This bird loves to rip and maim; he is out for himself.  Nothing or anyone else matters in life – only his own selfish desires.  This bird thinks nothing of ruining someone else’s reputation or ripping apart a church. This bird is one of the most cunning and dangerous birds in the kingdom.  It’s interesting… THE CROW SPENDS A GREAT DEAL OF TIME PESTERING THE EAGLE!!

Sparrows and Finches

These birds fritter about from place to place chattering away, rarely having anything to say worth listening to.  They are a constant social whirl. They can hop from church to church without ever settling anywhere.   Rarely do these birds grown in the Lord. They rely on their loud chatter to gain recognition. Canaries and other caged birds These are beautiful birds which a lot of potential – but they are content to spend the rest of their lives locked behind the bars of a cage – whatever the cage might be: religious tradition; inferiority, insecurity, an unsuccessful marriage, or an unhappy childhood. They birds live and die behind the bars of their cage without ever really having lived.

The EAGLE

There are some eagle Christians.  They are bold, strong, and fiercly devoted. This magnificent bird understands the “thermal currents” of the Holy Spirit.  He understands the moving of the Spirit and how to flow effortlessly and easily. The eagle is committed, a reliable mate, and a devoted parent. God has chosen this bird to liken us to so He can motivate us to strive and rise to our potential in life.
The eagle is confident to stand alone in life against the storms and spread its wings, soaring above the clouds of destruction. This bird dwells on the rock in the high places of the earth. It’s interesting – a eagle cannot hang around with chickens, crows, and peacocks and not eventually start acting like them!

IT’S TIME TO COME UP HIGHER!

Ask yourself about what type of Christian are you today?  What kind of Christian do you want to become?  What types of friends do you have?  What type of an influence are you with them?   What type of bird are you today?  I pray that we all strive to be Eagles.

.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

GETTING PAST YOUR PAST

Joshua 2 gives us a story of a woman names Rahab who needed to get beyond her past.
  • She was the talk of the town, but nobody talked to her. 
  • She was lovely to look at, but she was unloved. 
  • She had a reputation in the community for “loose living.” 
  • Women despised and shunned her. 
  • Men leered at, joked about and visited her. 
Her name was Rahab.   She was a street-walking hooker living in the town of Jericho nearly four thousand years ago. Of all the people you’d least expect God to use in a significant way it was this woman, Rahab – because of her rather unseemly past. By all standards of decency she was a tainted woman. Yet her life proves a truth that needs to be shouted for all to hear, especially in our modern times: Your past does not determine your future, your choices do. 


Many of you today know what it’s like not to be able to get past your past. You daily live with the constant ache of regret. Thoughts of your previous mistakes and sins still haunt you and you say to yourself over and over…, "If only …" "If only I’d done this. If only I hadn’t done that. Life would be as I have always dreamed." 

Because you can’t get past your past you suffer from depression and fear. You have a constant sense of failure. You lack joy or an awareness of purpose. Emotionally you often feel numb. Spiritually, you’re cold. Worst of all is this nagging sensation that your life is on hold and you’re waiting to really live.


If any of those descriptions are true of you today… get ready to see how you can get past your past. Rahab did it. She found that your past does not determine your future, but your choices do. Godly decision-making is the key. Rahab made some decisions that changed her life and moved her past her past.

HOW RAHAB MOVED PAST HER PAST…

1. She Went With The GOD MOMENT. (2:1-7)

Read Joshua 2:1-7.  Every person in this room faces “God moments” in their lives. It is when God “intersects” our lives and meets us where we are.They’re interruptions of our daily routine. They’re people or events that shake us out of life as usual. 
Rahab’s life was dramatically interrupted by a God moment. Two foreigners appeared at her door asking for lodging. They’re clothes are different. Their language is different. She recognizes them as Israelites. Something in her spirit told Rahab that this was a God moment.


God plans these God moments so that we’ll turn and respond in faith. That’s what Rahab did. She took a risk on God.

When the king ordered Rahab to bring out spies it wasn’t a request (v.3).  He wasn’t offering a reward for their capture. He wanted them dead. Anyone who aided them was guilty of treason as well. Rahab hid those men at the risk of her own life.

She decided to go with the "God moment" and it helped her to get past her past. 

I don’t know what your "God moments" are right now, but you do. If you sense God calling you from the routine, from your comfort zone, from your safe life to a place that’s unfamiliar and dangerous … go with it. Take the risk. It’s a wake-up call from God.

Recognize it today and respond to his invitation. "God moments" always push you into the future and never leave you desiring for the past.

There’s another thing that must happen to get past your past.


2. Confess the reality of your situation. (2:8-11)


Let’s see how Rahab did this. Here, we’ll also see how she understood what God was doing.

 Read: Joshua 2:8-11. Basically... she denounces her old religion and past and puts her faith in the God of the Israelites.


3. Shift your focus. (2:11-13)


Her focus used to be on herself and now it turns to her family.  She recognizes the Hebrew God "Yahweh" and immediately is concerned about the welfare of her family. Her lifestyle was formerly "self-centered" and now it is "God-centered." When you get right down to it… living in the past is selfish. You can’t serve anybody because you’re too busy nursing your old wounds. There’s no such thing as meeting other’s needs if you’re caught up in your own. To get past your past you’ve got to make the decision shift your focus onto others and off yourself.


4. Dare to dream again. (2:14-16)


Don’t you imagine that Rahab had lost the ability to dream? We can get so bogged down by our past and the pain it’s causing us in the present that we stop envisioning a better future.

The good news is that you can dream again!
 A new start, a new community, life with the people of God, these were the things Rahab dreamed. A life that had been relegated to finding the next "John" suddenly took on fresh and exciting possibilities. She dared to dream that it could be better. She could be a woman respected rather than rebuked. She could have a family. She could grow in her relationship with God. This former prostitute dreamed big.

Thought: A dream without God is A NIGHTMARE!


5. Act On Your Dream. (2:17-21)


It’s not enough just to dream it. You’ve got to embark on achieving it. Rahab did exactly that.  If you want to get past your past you’ve got to start right were you are with what you have to pursue your dream.

There are things you can do to get out of the rut you’re in.  There are also people who can help, encourage and advise you along the way. You have to make the decision to never go back to the way it was and keep moving forward to the way you want it to be. No matter the cost, no matter the pain, no matter the fear, keep pursuing the life God has for you.

Remember that your past does not determine your future, your choices do. 



Question: What's past your past? (2:22-24)

Let’s look at what happened when Rahab made it past her past.



1.  A New Life
  • Not only did she survive the battle of Jericho, Rahab became a member of the Israelite community. 
  • She packed up and moved on with the people of God. 
  • She started completely over. 
  • The Bible informs us that she later married a nice Jewish boy named Salmon and raised a family of her own. 
  • She gained respect in the community and in her new nation because of her choices.

2. A Godly Lineage


Rahab also established a godly lineage. The first chapter of the book of Matthew chronicles the ancestors of Jesus Christ.  Guess who’s in that list? Rahab.  Her descendants became the kings of Israel and Judah. Jesus Himself…  was of a former prostitute’s lineage. Why? Because of her choices. 


3.  A Legacy Of Faith


Jewish tradition holds that Rahab was one of the four most beautiful women who ever lived.

She’s renowned as a hero of Israel even today. She even made it into the New Testament. The eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews lists men and women set apart for their great faith.



Hebrews 11:31 (ESV) 31  By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. 

Remember: Your past does not determine your future, your choices do.

How many of you are ready to get past your past?



Wednesday, March 19, 2014

ARE YOU IN THE GAME OF LIFE OR JUST A SPECTATOR?

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV)

In my observations of many Christians I have come to understand that many are just spectators of Christianity and not really in the game.  When they need prayer - they ask someone else to pray for them.  When they are entering into spiritual warfare - they run and don't participate.  To them, Christianity is something you watch from the sides but not something that they particpate in themselves.

Christians today need to realize that, like it or not, they are in the game of life. A battle is being fought and you are on the front lines. If you are not up and ready for battle then you are in danger of being overcome. We need to put our faith into action and get involved in the spiritual battle that is taking place around us.

Ephesias 6 tells us about the battle that we are all in - it's not a physical battle but a spiritual battle and Satan is our adversary.

Ephesians 6:11 - "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."

Ephesians 6:12 - "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. "

With Satan as our adversary we need to remember that it was he who was the opponent of Jesus Himself - Luke 4.  Satan is real and we need to be prepared to fight him.

Here's the good news: God gave you the weapons to defend yourself and oppose Satan and his wiles.  Now it's up to you whether you are going to stay on the bench and observe or your are going to get up and get "into the game of life."  The only way to battle Satan and win is with The Full Armor of God. Leaving off any part leaves us with a hole in our defenses.

THE CHRISTIANS ARMOR

1- The Belt Of Truth

The warrior used the belt to keep the uniform and armor together and in the right place. Truth and honesty when dealing with oneself and with God helps keep the whole package together. Any weakness must not be denied or covered up, but dealt with openly and truthfully.

2- The Breastplate of Righteousness. vs. 14

The breastplate was used to protect the warriors vital organs from being pierce with an arrow or other object. Righteousness is doing right in the sight of God or doing God’s will.

“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.”1 John 3:7

3- Feet Fitted with Readiness vs. 15

The warrior wore shoes or sandals that ensured a proper footing and protection since he must be able to stand sure footed while engaging in battle. An unsure footing would cause him to fall easily.  Our sure footing comes from the gospel of peace.

4 - The Shield of Faith vs. 16

The shield was used to defend against arrows and other thrown objects. The shield of faith is more than a simple belief in Jesus, it is active.

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17

5- The Helmet of Salvation vs. 17

The helmet of the warrior protected his head so that he could hold his head up and face the enemy in order to see which direction he was coming from. Putting on the helmet of salvation means that the Christian can hold his head high with confidence and face Satan without fear.

6- The Sword of the Spirit vs. 17

The sword was the soldiers only offensive weapon. The spirit gave us the sword (the word. It is both the wisdom and the power of God.  To any assault by the devil it is the only, yet all sufficient weapon.

7- Pray in the Spirit vs. 18

No amount of armor or weapons can make a man into a good soldier, it takes courage and strength. We have no strength ourselves, the Christian can only succeed in his battle with Satan with help from God.

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Phil. 4:13

It takes the FULL ARMOR OF GOD to battle with Satan. We must be active in this battle and pursue the way God has provided to defend ourselves.  Don't be caugth unaware or unprepared.  And, by all means - get into the game!

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

HOW TO OVERCOME DISCOURAGEMENT

And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. David’s two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. (1 Samuel 30:3-6 ESV)

One of the issues I've had to deal with over my lifetime is discouragement.  Things can be going really well it takes just one negative thing to push me toward that dark place.  I've learned over the years to manage that but it still likes to pop its head up in my life every once in a while.  In fact, I've come to look at discouragement as a friend because it is during those seasons that I draw very close to God.

I look at life and what people are going through these days and I understand the difficulty and the discouragments that many face.  There are pressures of finance, family, friends, health, relationships, marriages and the list could go on and on.

It is a fact that iscouragement is a feeling that comes upon many people at different times in their lives. Discouragement is not a sin. It is not even a sign that you are in a place of sin.

How we handle discouragement, however, can affect our spiritual life and growth.  John Wesley in his famous sermon called "Satan’s Devices" states that Satan has three main methods of discouraging the believer. He tries to...
      - Damp our joy
      - Attack our peace
       - Targets us especially in times of sickness and pain.

Satan tries to bring discouragement upon us in order to bring us down and rob us of life and power.  To this, we must learn to overcome.

In 1 Samuel 30:3-6 - we see that David was discouraged.  Things weren't going his way.  His family had been taken captive and his home and that of his men was burned to the ground.  His men were angry with him and were talking about deserting him.  All of these factors led to a man that was dealing with discouragement and depression.

HOW DID DAVID OVERCOME HIS DISCOURAGEMENT?

1.  David Got Into The Presence Of God.

To overcome this discouragement - David did what each of us should do - get into the presence of God! V.6 says that "he encouraged himself in The Lord."

2. David Reaached Out To The People Of God

And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought the ephod to David. (1 Samuel 30:7 ESV)

David reached out to God’s people. He went to see Abiathar the priest. There is great strength in sharing joys and sorrows with other believers.  Don't be afraid to ask help from God's people.

3. David Was Urgent In Prayer

And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.” (1 Samuel 30:8 ESV)

The devil uses discouragement as a device to turn us away from God. We can see it as something to turn us towards God and his resources.

4. David Relied On The Promises Of God 

David sought the Lord urgently in 1 Sam 30:8  and was promised success.He believed the promise and saw success come.

Believing God’s promises is an antidote for discouragement so we need to get to know them.David went through and came out of a time of great personal difficulty and discouragement. With God’s help so can you...

1. Get Into The Presence Of God
2. Reach Out To God's People
3. Be Urgent In Prayer
4. Rely On The Promises Of God

Monday, March 17, 2014

FINDING GOD IN THE WILDERNESS

One of the places of great interest to me is the wilderness of Judah in Israel.  I've been there a number of times and am always amazed at just how barren this area can be. There are no trees and very little vegetation.  The topography is rough and difficult to traverse in many places.  Other than flashfloods that come during the very short rainy season - it gets no water at all.  A few years ago I was there and it was probably 115 degrees in heat and miserable.  It is a true wilderness.  

Yet, this is the place where David finds himself as he was fleeing his son Absolam and other enemies - in the wilderness, alone and away from those he loved.  It was the place of  hiding with those who surrounded him.

What is interesting is this - he didn't lose his faith just because his life was falling apart.  He didn't stop worshipping just because he was in a wilderness experience. David stuck to his disciplines and worshipped God in spite of his circumstances.  In fact, the place where he found his life drew him even more to find God in the midst of his trial.

The wilderness is often the place where most of us find God.  Moses, Elijah, David, Paul and many others found God in the wilderness.  It is where you also will end at some point in your life.  God tells us in His Word that He is found in the dark places, the places of trial and the place of difficulty.

In the midst of this wilderness experience David called out to God and found that He was very near.  Psalm 63 records that experience of David.

Notice the use of the word "soul" in this Psalm.  It helps one to understand the divisions of the Psalm and what was going on in David's heart.

  • Psalm 63:1-4 My soul THIRSTS for God

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. (Psalm 63:1-4 ESV)

In the midst of the wilderness experience - David was thirsty for God.  Just as he was thirsty for water in the wilderness - he was also thirsty for God's presence in the wilderness of his soul.

  • Psalm 63:5-7 My soul is SATISFIED in God

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. (Psalm 63:5-7 ESV)

Somehow David found great joy and satisfaction at being in the presence of God.  He knew that he was safe in the arms of his God.

  • Psalm 63:8 My soul CLINGS HARD after God

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:8 ESV)

David determined to "cling to God" - that he would hold on no matter what he was going through.

I pray that all reading this would find peace in whatever wilderness you find yourself in.  God has not left you but is ever present to answer those who call out to Him.  Worship Him even when things are not going your way.  Your God loves you so much and wants to hide and protect you "under His wing."

Saturday, March 15, 2014

HANDLING THE CURRENTS OF LIFE

A few years ago Denise and I went on a much needed Sabbatical - away from the church and ministry.  We needed both rest and a time to reflect on the direction of our lives.  As a result, we ended up at a facility designed for pastors called Sonscape Ministries in Colorado. This time together with some wonderful and gifted leaders became the turning point for our lives and ministry.

One of the first things that was taught to us was a lesson on "Handling The Currents Of Life." We were told of how trout work their way up stream and if they stayed in the current for long periods of time they would tire and die. To be able to maintain their strength there were three things that they needed to do in order to survive: 1) Find a rock and rest behind it  2) Find a quiet pool, or 3) Dive deep.

It is no different with each of us in dealing with the currents of life. We have to find respite in the midst of the stream or we will wither up spiritually and physically.  We must: 1) Get behind THE ROCK - Jesus Christ, 2) Find a quiet place to recharge our batteries or, 3) We must learn to dive deep into God's Word.  The way we manage those currents will make all the difference to our lives and ministry.

There are many currents that we are dealing with in life - finances, health, relationships, school, work, busyness, stress, expectations, etc.  The list could go on and on.

How did Jesus live in the current?

If you read Mark 1:21-39 you will experience a day in the life of Christ and see the "currents" that Jesus was dealt with in one day.

- Vv. 21-22 - Jesus taught.  Believe me - teaching makes one tired. After teaching all day on Sunday - I'm wiped out.

- Vv. 23-28 - Jesus dealt with the spirit world where someone needed deliverance.  This is definitely an energy drainer.

- Vv. 29-31 - Jesus heals Simons mother-in-law.

- Vv. 32-34 - He then healed many people and delivered them.

This all happened in just ONE DAY! WHEW! And you thought your life was filled with stress.

All of these items are exhausting items.  Notice what Jesus does – he goes to pray.  He found that "quiet pool" and spent time there alone.

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1:35 ESV)

He knew that His strength to deal with all the currents of life around Him was in solitude and in prayers.  It is the same with us - your strength comes from spending time with God and in His Word on a daily basis.

As I'm writing this I'm also reflecting on one more lesson taught to us while were at that pastor's retreat center.  It was this: there were no guarantees that the current would diminish or stop when we got home.  In fact, we were told, it could get worse.  But our ability to navigate the strong currents of life would be in direct proportion to our time spent with our Heavenly Father who would give us the strength to face whatever we were going through.

The lesson for all of us is this: Whatever you are going through today - your strength to do so is found at the feet of Jesus who will be your strength no matter what life is throwing your way.  I pray that God would fill your heart with His presence and peace to whatever you are going through and that you would come out on the other side with great victory because you have found the source of life for your current or situation.

Friday, March 14, 2014

DEALING WITH ANGER

Have  you ever done something you wished you would have never done or said?  Has your anger taken a hold of your heart and made you do things that you've regretted?I think that everyone of us has times and seasons where anger comes upon us and we end up making dumb decisions and doing things that we wish we hadn't done.  I know I have.

David is no different.  1 Samuel 25 is a story that shows how David was about to make a really rash decision and ends up being rescued by someone with a cooler head.

The story begins with David sending his servants to Nabal asking him to share from his bounty since it is sheep-shearing time (verses 5-8). He sends his compliments and reminds Nabal that his men had protected Nabal’s flocks and his servants even though Nabal hadn’t asked for his help. Later in the chapter (verses 15-16) one of Nabal’s servants verifies that this was true and says that David’s men were like a wall of protection against bandits who might have attacked them. While his servants are speaking with Nabal, David is out in the field building a fire. He’s expecting to have lamb chops tonight. But there will be no feast tonight.

Nabal’s response is worth noting in full:

Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?” (I Samuel 25:10-11).

This is just plain stupid. Nabal earns his name (fool) with these comments. Here’s a basic principle to remember: You don’t mess around with a man who’s going to be king someday. Proverbs 20:2 says, “A king’s wrath is like the roar of a lion; he who angers him forfeits his life.” Nabal is about to learn the truth of those words. He has made two mistakes: 1) He refused to show kindness to David and his men, 2) He insulted David and his father Jesse. That last part was a big mistake. David was not the kind of man to overlook something like this.

We can see David’s response to Nabal’s harshness in verse 13: “David said to his men, ‘Put on your swords!’ So they put on their swords, and David put on his. About four hundred men went up with David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.” He was hot under the collar and determined to teach this miserable muck-worm a lesson. After all, you don’t put on swords to have a discussion. The odds are now 400 to 1 in favor of David. It’s like killing a roach with a shotgun.

David had good reason to be angry but he had no right to seek revenge. He would have been better off saying, “This guy’s a jerk. Just forget about him and let’s move on.” But he didn’t.  The shock is how quickly uncontrolled anger has turned David into a killer.

With the stage thus set for a bloody massacre, Abigail enters the picture. For what she does and what she says, and the courage and grace she shows under pressure, for her quick thinking and her wise intercession, she deserves to be numbered among the great women of the Bible.

Knowing that David’s men were hot, tired, and hungry, she whips up a meal for 400 angry men. The feast includes bread, wine, lamb, grain, raisins and figs. It was an early version of Meals on Wheels. She intends to intercept David’s men, feed them, and talk David out of killing her husband.

She offers three reasons why David should spare her foolish husband: (These are also Three Lessons We Need To Learn).

#1: God sent me to protect you from making a foolish mistake - 1 Samuel 25:26-28

#2: God is the avenger of the wicked - 1 Samuel 25:29

#3: You will never regret it later - 1 Samuel 25:30-31

Once Abigail finishes her speech the story quickly comes to a climax. In verses 32-35 David agrees with Abigail and gives thanks to God that she saved him from a huge mistake - 1 Samuel 25:32-35.

As for Nabal, he comes to a sad end. While Abigail is saving his life, he’s home having a party. When she finally arrives at home, he is drunk. The next morning when she tells him how close he and his men came to being massacred, the news gives him a heart attack. He became “like a stone” (meaning he was in a coma) and died ten days later. David responded to the news by giving God thanks for keeping him from killing Nabal and for bringing Nabal to justice in his own way and in his own time (verse 39).

That should be end of the story. But there is one loose detail that needs to be wrapped up. Now that Nabal is dead, Abigail is a single woman again. David realizes what a tremendous woman she is and sends his servants to ask her to become his wife - 1 Samuel 25:41-42.

Had David taken matters into his own hands and not waited for God to work it out -  he would have had the blood of Nabal upon his conscience and mind.  God had a bigger plan and David needed to pray and wait for God to work out the details.  If you are dealing with anger today - stop and pray and wait.  It is then that you will see the salvation of The Lord on your behalf.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

PSALMS OF DISTRESS

In reading and meditating through the Psalms one begins to realize how many of the Psalms dealt with the distress that David was going through - being chased by Saul and his soldiers and the discontent of the people he was leading.  Over and over David calls out for deliverance and help from God and it seems that one moment he is overwhelmed and the next moment he has complete confidence in God.  It is much like what most of us experience in our lives - the ups and downs of faith and frustration.  We often feel like we're the only ones that go through conflict and stress but in reality it is something that happens to all of us.

Read through the following Psalms and you will see some of what David was feeling and experiencing in his life - Palsm 7, 27, 31, 34, 52, 56, 120, 140, 141 & 142.

Notice some of these highlight about the stress and distress that David was going through...

O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me, lest like a lion they tear my soul apart, rending it in pieces, with none to deliver. (Psalm 7:1, 2 ESV)

When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. (Psalm 27:2 ESV)

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. (Psalm 31:9 ESV)

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. (Psalm 34:19 ESV)

Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day. Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue. But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah (Psalm 52:1-5 ESV)

Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; (Psalm 56:1 ESV)

In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. (Psalm 120:1, 2 ESV)

Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually. They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s, and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from violent men, who have planned to trip up my feet. (Psalm 140:1-4 ESV)

But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless! Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers! Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely. (Psalm 141:8-10 ESV)

Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me! Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me. (Psalm 142:6, 7 ESV)

These are just a sampling of the prayers that David prayed.  He identifies the difficulty over and over but is never far from the fact that God is near and ready to bring the needed help and deliverance.

With confidence David can say:

You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? (Psalm 56:8 ESV)

God knows exactly what you are going through and will bring the need help for those who cry out to Him.  Whatever your stress or distress is today - turn it over to Jesus and call out to Him.  He is willing and ready to bring you the needed help you need for your life.

Monday, March 10, 2014

HE RESTORES MY SOUL

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:1-6 ESV)

Perhaps there is no other passage that stirs our soul as Psalm 23 does.  It is probably the most read of passages and most requested of those who are going through troubling time.

In Phillip Keller's book "A Shepherd Looks At the 23rd Psalm" he helps us understand the life of sheep through the eyes of a shepherd.  The book is a classic and one that I've referred back to many times in my journey as a pastor.

One phrase that always jumps out to me is "He restores my soul."  Phillip Keller comments on a "cast" or "cast down" sheep. A cast sheep is one that has turned over on its back and is unable to get up again by itself. This condition is not uncommon among pregnant sheep. Unless the shepherd keeps diligent watch over his flock, a cast sheep will die or fall victim to predators. The shepherd must "restore" such sheep. He must help the cast sheep to get back on its feet again and regain its equilibrium.

This is not unlike many of us - we have found our lives topsy turvy and and upside down.  We have gotten off track and are helpless to do anything about it.  We need our shepherd/ our God to come and pick us up and place us on our feet again.

Someone might wonder how we would get in that position in the first place.  It could be because of sin but also it could be just because of the wear and tear of life.  We find ourselves weary and worn and in need of the comforting hands of our shepherd.

Read through these verses and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your soul...

Jeremiah 30:17 ESV For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord, because they have called you an outcast: ‘It is Zion, for whom no one cares!’

Joel 2:25-26 ESV I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.

Psalm 51:12 ESV Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Perhaps you are in need of restoration in your life today.  Then, allow God to reach down and minister His grace to you and be healed in your mind, body and soul.

I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40:1-3 ESV)

Saturday, March 8, 2014

TRUE INGREDIENTS OF WORSHIP

It is Saturday morning.  It has been a hectic and busy week.  There have been some highs and even some lows.  I'm in my office at home thinking, praying, studying for tomorrow.  Worship music is filling the room - "I Need You More."  My heart is swelling with worship and praise.  My heart is being drawn to God and what He is speaking to my heart.  My soul is hungry for God - "more than the air I breath."

The Lord said to Moses, “Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (of each shall there be an equal part), and make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. You shall beat some of it very small, and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting where I shall meet with you. It shall be most holy for you. And the incense that you shall make according to its composition, you shall not make for yourselves. It shall be for you holy to the Lord. (Exodus 30:34-37 ESV)

As we worship - we must bring the right ingredients as part of worship to God.  This comes in two parts: The first three ingredients that make up the holy incense speaks of our contribution to worship.  The last ingredient speaks of God’s contribution.

1 - OUR PART IN WORSHIP – (Three ingredients)

       A.  True Worship Must Be Spontaneous - Stacte

Stacte is a gum resin that oozes spontaneously from the bark of the storax and opobalsumum trees of the Palestinian region.  This speaks of spontaneity in worship.  As we spend time in the Lord in prayer and in His word, or hearts will “ooze spontaneously in worship.”

B. True Worship Must Come From Within Our Hearts - Onycha

Onycha is a substance which is obtained from the “closing flaps” of a certain deep sea mollusks.

They had to go to the depths of the sea to get this creature.  This is the same way  that God wants our worship to come from deep within our innermost being.  It was a lack of depth that Israel came to God.

And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men - (Isaiah 29:13 ESV)

We must come from open hearts

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV)

“Unveiled face” speaks of a whole hearted, unhidden, honest communication with God the Father. Our worship should invite Him to examine us, cleanse us, and transform us into the image of His Son.

C. Our Worship Proceeds From Brokenness - Galbanum

Galbanum is a amber colored substance gathered by breaking the stem of a certain local plant and by collecting the substance that oozes from the break.

Fig trees, milkweed, and dandelions all produce a milk like this.This speaks of the brokenness God desires in our worship.

Psalm 34:18 (NLT) The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. 

Psalm 51:17 (NLT) The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. 


God asks that you and I bring an open hearted spontaneity which comes from deep within a broken and contrite heart.

These THREE ITEMS are our part in spiritual worship!

2.  GOD'S PART IN WORSHIP – (Frankincense)

A. Jesus Worships With Us

Frankincense is much like Galbanum.  It is a medicinal plant.  It is a greasy, sticky granulated resin with a strong odor. Frankincense is pure white and is obtained in the same way as galbanum.

Frankincense represents two things:

1) Purity

2) Brokenness 


Only Jesus can be described in these terms.  He was the perfect spotless lamb of God, whose body was broken to take away the sins of the world.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV)

My heart is in anticipation to join many of you tomorrow in worship.  Why don't you gather your ingredients and join me or in the place that you worship and let's bring glory to Jesus for all that He has done and will do in your life?  Come with expectation!

Friday, March 7, 2014

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GODLY WOMAN

In a few hours I will be doing a memorial service for one of of the dearest persons one would ever meet - Helen Olvera.  She and her husband were elders at New Life Chapel and have a been a great source of blessing to many people - myself included.

As I was preparing for today's message I began to look at her life through 3 different passages of scripture -
1- 1 Timothy 3:1-7 - As an elder
2- Proverbs 31:10-31 - As a wife and an mother
3 - Psalm 23 - As a devoted follower of Jesus

I would like to share my thoughts to you from Proverbs 31 about THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GODLY WOMAN

Proverbs 31:10 – “If you can find a truly good woman, she is worth more than precious gems.”

“Good/ virtuous” – The Hebrew word is "chayil"  – meaning -  strong in moral and mental qualities.

1. She has a good relationship with her husband – v.11-12; 28b

    Prov 31:11  Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. 

    Prov 31:28 Her husband praises her: 

2. She has a good relationship with her children – v.28

    Prov 31:28  Her children stand and bless her… 

3. She has a good relationship with others – v.20

    Prov 31:20  She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. 

4. She has a good relationship with herself
  • She is not lazy – v.17-18; v.27
          Prov 31:17  She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.

          Prov 31:18  She watches for bargains; her lights burn late into the night. 
  • She has confidence (even in the hard times) – vv.21-22
          Prov 31:21  She has no fear of winter for her household because all of them have warm 
          clothes.
  • She has an inner joy – v.25
          Prov 31:25  She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 
  • She is wise – v.26
  • She is kind – v.26
          Prov 31:26  She speaks wise words and teaches others to be kind. 

5.  She  has a good relationship the Lord – v.30

     Prov 31:30  Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will    
     be greatly praised. (NLT)



Thursday, March 6, 2014

LEADING THE HURT AND WOUNDED

David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men. (1 Samuel 22:1, 2 ESV)

Perhaps nothing describes the life of ministry more than this verse.  It is a picture of many of the people who followed David in the Bible and who have followed me in my 40+ years of ministry.  And, as we describe it in our  Celebrate Recovery - it is those with hurts, habits and hangups.

These are people who come at their lowest point in their life and with nowhere else to go. It is the broken and wounded with no hope for the future.  Interestingly enough -  it is to these that I'm given the opportunity to speak into their lives and bring healing to their desperate situations. Hopefully, I am able shape and mold them into trained and mighty men and women for God.  The 400 men that showed up with David had no hope for their future and yet they were turned into the mightiest of warriors alongside of David.

Notice some of their astounding exploits from 2 Samuel 23...

- Adino slew 800 men with a spear in one battle - 23:8

- Eleazar struck down the enemy until his hand clung to his sword - 23:9-10

- Shammah defended a plot of ground against an enemy army - 23:11-12

- Three of these men snuck behind enemy lines just to get David a drink of water from a well in Bethlehem - 23:15-17

While David attracted men like him - souls in distress, He also reproduced men like him - warriors and conquerors.  When the down and out come your way - don't look at what they appear to be but look (through your spirit) at what they could become.

Go and build disciples!

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

DEALING WITH THOSE WHO DON'T LIKE YOU

Very few of us experience the type of enemies that David faced - where they actually want to kill you.  But most of us would admit that there are people who absolutely grind against us and rub us the wrong way - or is it that you grind against them and rub them the wrong way.  Either way - it makes life a little difficult at times.

Saul had sent an armed guard to his house that they might seize and kill him. Notice how David describes how Saul is treating him.

Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me; deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men. (Psalm 59:1, 2 ESV)

How did David handle this situation? 

1- David prays for deliverance from "those who work evil' and from "bloodthirsty men" - v.1.

2- David prays for help from a faithful God - vv. 9-10

O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress. My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies. (Psalm 59:9, 10 ESV)

He expects God to rise up on his behalf.  He has a faith that God would be his fortress.

3- David praises God for God's strength and love - v. 16.

But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love. (Psalm 59:16, 17 ESV)

This was in reference to God's power and mercy.  He/you/I need God's strength to get through some of the trials we face.  We also need God's mercy to get us through this trial.  And, quite honestly, we need to pray for God's mercy for the people who are treating us in an evil way.  Without the mercy of God - where would any of us be?

4- He would praise him because he had been his defense and fortress many times before - v.17.

God brings his people into trouble, that they may experience his power and mercy in protecting and sheltering them, and may have occasion to praise him.

V. 17 shows us HOW DAVID PRAISED GOD.  It is also an example of how we should praise God in the midst of the trial that surrounds us.

1- He sang- This is a natural expression of joy.

2- He sang aloud

3- He sang in the morning - when his spirits were most fresh and alive.  God's compassions are "new every morning."  It is the fitting way to start your day.

4- He sang unto unto God - v.17 - to honor and glorify God.

Over and over in the Bible we see men who were being attacked or were under severe persecution (Jehoshaphat/ David/ Paul/ Job, etc)  They were up against a wall or in a situation that was beyond them and their abilities to get out.  What did they do - they began to praise God.  They looked to God for their strength.  They surrendered their situation to the God of mercy and strength - they looked to God for their help.

Perhaps you are dealing with a person or persons who are making life uncomfortable for you right now.  Surrender to God.  Give Him praise for helping you in the past. Trust Him to bring resolution.  Give Him glory for answering your prayer.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

TWO MEN - TWO CHOICES!

As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments. And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” And Saul eyed David from that day on. (1 Samuel 18:6-9 ESV)

In chapter 17 of 1 Samuel we see a story of two men facing the same difficult problem - a man named Goliath.  On the one hand there is Saul who is the commander of the army of Israel - a seasoned warrior.  On the other hand is David - a young shepherd who was just delivering supplies to his brothers.  To Saul, Goliath was an obstacle that he couldn't overcome.  But to David, Goliath was just a bump in the road to victory.

While Saul was cowering with his men and retreating from battle - David was sizing up the situation and determining the type of weapon to use to defeat Goliath. To Saul, Goliath was a huge obstacle that struck fear in his heart causing him to try and give his leadership away by bribery and gifts.  David saw Goliath as a giant that needed to be slain.

Look at how David viewed Goliath...

But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”  (1 Samuel 17:34-37 ESV)

Throughout the Bible we are given many illustrations of people who were given the same obstacle's in life.  To choose one way would mean defeat, and to choose another way would mean victory.

Look at these examples:

- Joshua and Caleb vs. the 10 spies.  Joshua and Caleb didn't see the problems of the giants - they saw the potential for victory.
- Moses vs. Joshua - Moses saw the problems of the people and was not allowed into the Promised Land whereas Joshua followed fully after The Lord and was allowed to enter the Promised Land.  Same problems - different viewpoints.
- Peter vs. the disciples while the storm was on the water.  Peter saw Jesus in the midst of the story and decided to walk on water (in faith) to Jesus while the disciples stayed back on the boat.
- Etc, Etc, Etc.

We will all face obstacles in life and we will all experience giants of daunting proportions.  The answer lies in who do you see going with you into battle.  Saul was paralyzed and couldn't engage the giant before him while David knew that The Lord would go with him and help him defeat Goliath.

What is your Goliath today?  What is hindering you from moving forward?  What is stopping you from stepping out and walking in faith?  Your Goliath is nothing more than a big giant that needs to be stopped and defeated.  You don't have to do battle today - trust God to go with you and let Him do the battle for you.  Side note:  He always wins!

Monday, March 3, 2014

ARE YOU CALLED OF GOD INTO MINISTRY?

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him...” (2 Chronicles 16:9 ESV)

Are you called of God into ministry?  Are you following the Call of God in your life? Are you realizing the potential of the purpose for which you were created? The scriptures tell us that God is searching for people that He can use and fulfill His mission on earth.  Is it possible that person could be you?

To help us understand this - let's look at the calling of a man named Saul from 1 Samuel 9 (Thoughts gleaned from a sermon by Mark Hiehle)

UNDERSTANDING THE CALL OF GOD ON YOUR LIFE

1 Samuel 9:1-7 unfolds to us that Saul, the son of Kish had been sent to recover donkeys that had wandered away from home.  It was during this journey to find the lost donkeys that The Lord intervenes into the everyday mundane life of Saul to place a call upon him. Notice:

1. God Uses Ordinary People And he Calls Them In The Midst Of The Ordinary Duties Of Life

It was during the mundane, non glamorous task of donkey duty that God invaded Saul’s life and set him on a path of divine design. The same is or will be true for you. It will be during the regular everyday of living that you will be called to undertake a God ordained mission.

Therefore, don’t become discouraged if you are in the midst of what you might consider donkey duty, but seek the Lord in the middle of your present tasks for His direction and leading.

2. God Moves Ahead Of Us, Setting The Stage, Preparing The Way

In verse 15 of chapter 9, we are told that the day before Saul was to meet Samuel the Prophet, the Lord had spoken to Samuel and revealed His plan concerning Saul. In the same way, the Lord is working even now with you in mind. It could be that an answer to prayer has not arrived because the time is not yet right, or the pieces of the divine puzzle have not yet been fully assembled. God’s timing is always perfect – never early and never late.

3. God Starts With A Vision And A Dream

It is fascinating to understand that as God is preparing to call us to take part in His plan; He first plants a dream into our heart and mind. Samuel told Saul that before he would let him return home, in the morning, “I will tell you all that is in your heart.” Before God harvests, he first plants a seed. The same is true in us. Has God given you a dream? Before a clear clarion call is realized, a whisper of a dream and vision is imagined in the heart. The vision becomes like a prairie fire that can not be contained. The spark that ignited the blaze however started in one person’s heart and mind. Is God speaking to you?

Has He given you a vision – a call to follow? His desire is that you will embrace that call, follow His lead and share the dream. In turn, He will open new doors and confirm His call to you.

4. God Will Confirm Your Call

When the Lord gives a call, He will also confirm that call in order for you to be encouraged. Think of all those in scripture that the Lord gave a call to and then continued to encourage them in that call. Examples would include, Moses, Jeremiah, David, Mary, the Disciples, and Paul. With each of them the Lord reaffirmed their call and He brought others along side them to stand with them and encourage them in their call.

Here too, the Lord confirmed His call to Saul in 1 Samuel 10:1-5. The call was confirmed in order for Saul to know that the call was real. As Saul followed the call, the Lord then changed him as well.

5. God Will Anoint You And Fulfill His Call

The key to success in fulfilling the call that the Lord gives is not found in your ability, gifts or talents, but God’s Spirit at work through you. In order for us to be effective for God’s service, we must be changed. That change only comes by the Lord’s touch on our lives.

In other words, we need Gods anointing because without it we will be powerless. It is the anointing that makes the difference. Once we are anointed, the Spirit of God will not only lead and guide us, but we will witness His hand going before us to open doors, breakdown strongholds and skillfully use us with power and effectiveness.

This is what took place with Saul in verse 9. It is important to also note that sometimes, it will still take time for the full promise of God to be realized. Saul was instructed in verse 8 to wait even though the promise was given. We too need to hold onto the dream while patiently waiting for the doors to open and the timing to be right. Even though Abraham was not perfect, he held onto the promise of a child and believed God would be faithful even in the midst of overwhelming odds.

6. There Will Be Opposition To The Call

Despite the working of God in Saul’s life, there was opposition to the call on his life, just as there will be for us too. Whenever a light is turned on in the dark, bugs are also drawn to the light. As Saul was swept along by the Spirit, scoffers ridiculed his transformation in verses 11-12.

There will be those who will listen to your God given dream and seek to kill that vision. They will be skeptical of the call and try to get you to give up the dream. When this happens, do not do what Saul did in verses 14-16 by not taking ownership of the call. Continue to speak of the dream and share your passion to follow it. If you do not, you will allow the opposition to intimidate you and then the thoughts of your past will paralyze you. The feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness will overwhelm you and you will run from your call.

For Saul, it was seen played out as he was found hiding among the baggage when it came time to answer the call publicly. When you have a call on your life, how can you follow that call in the midst of opposition?

7. Following The Call

As you desire to experience and embrace God’s call, follow these principles of scripture and “Go All Out.”

First, in 10:6 – Allow the call to change you. Wait for God’s timing and His anointing just as the disciples waited for the day of Pentecost. Once the anointing came, God’s power was evident and unstoppable.

Second, in 10:7 – Let the Lord Lead you. When you are following the call, the promise is that God will be with you, so be creative, bold and aggressive. Take steps of faith and be willing to risk it all as you pursue the dream. You will be amazed at the doors the Lord will open and the opportunities that will become available.

Thirdly, Leave the baggage. Leave the baggage of your past that weighs you down behind. It is a new day and the old you is gone. You are where you are for such a time as this, so learn from your past and move ahead with confidence in God’s forgiveness, power and provision. Go “ALL” out in following the call for no one can answer that call but you.