TOPIC: Worship
SCRIPTURE: "David was dancing and celebrating before the LORD with ALL his might"...(2 Sam.6:14 ; I Chron.13:8)
OBSERVATION: King David was leaping and dancing and celebrating before the Lord and all the people because the Ark of the Lord was being brought into the City of David.
APPLICATION: As I read this, I couldn't help but think about David Crowder's song that references a verse from this chapter. The song focuses on the part in which David is talking to Michal the daughter of Saul who despised him in her heart. David responds to her criticism and says, what I did "was before the Lord," and just to let you know "I will become even more undignified than that."
Have you ever done that?
Have you ever worshipped God that way?
With ALL your might?
There have been times in which I have lifted weights with ALL my might. There have been times at work where I was called upon to excert ALL of my strength in order to complete a task.
BUT
Can I actually think of a time, in which I worshipped the LORD with ALL my might?
Sadly not many.
What about you?
PRAYER: Father God, help me not to care about what people think, when it comes worshipping you! Thank you for David's example, help me to begin to follow it and never turn back.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Your Chair
TOPIC: Submission
SCRIPTURE: "...lead me in the everlasting way." (Ps.139:24)
OBSERVATION: In spite of the fact that David was King, he still saw the need for submission. David was a great leader because he was first and foremost a great follower.
APPLICATION: Ask any musician his or her goal in life. What’s the reply going to be? Oh, I really want to be second-chair violin someday. Yeah, right. The hardest job in an orchestra is playing second fiddle. You're always overshadowed by the first fiddler, but without a second fiddler, there's no orchestra.
Let me ask you a question.
Are you willing to become a servant?
Phillipians 2:5-8 says, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross!"
Matthew 20:28 says that, "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
I’m called to be a servant
and
so are you.
PRAYER: Father God, it blows me away that Jesus truly lived a life of submission. Help me to submit to The Holy Spirit in the same way He did.
SCRIPTURE: "...lead me in the everlasting way." (Ps.139:24)
OBSERVATION: In spite of the fact that David was King, he still saw the need for submission. David was a great leader because he was first and foremost a great follower.
APPLICATION: Ask any musician his or her goal in life. What’s the reply going to be? Oh, I really want to be second-chair violin someday. Yeah, right. The hardest job in an orchestra is playing second fiddle. You're always overshadowed by the first fiddler, but without a second fiddler, there's no orchestra.
Let me ask you a question.
Are you willing to become a servant?
Phillipians 2:5-8 says, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death even death on a cross!"
Jesus played the ultimate second fiddle
Luke 4:1 says, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit...was LED around by the Spirit
John 5:19&30 sheds even more light on our 2nd chair leader/follower
"Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He see the Father doing, for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner." (v.19) Jesus goes on to say in verse 30 that, He "can do nothing on His own initiative...He seeks only the will of Him who sent Him."
Matthew 20:28 says that, "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
I’m called to be a servant
and
so are you.
PRAYER: Father God, it blows me away that Jesus truly lived a life of submission. Help me to submit to The Holy Spirit in the same way He did.
Monday, April 28, 2008
You Have It!
TOPIC: Courage
SCRIPTURE: "...there came over to David in the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of VALOR, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear, and whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains."
(I Chronicles 12:8)
OBSERVATION: From my reading today I noticed something that was repeated over and over again. In verses 1 & 4 we read the words. "the mighty men" in verses 8, 21, & 25 it reads, "might men of VALOR". Later in verses 28 & 30 it reads "mighty of VALOR" and "men of VALOR"
We see with God's help that David was able to surround himself with great warriors. We see their qualities all throughout this chapter:
1.) Continually perfected their skills
(with bow, sling, and spear 12:2,8,24,33)
2.) Mentally tough and determined
("fierce as lions" 12:8)
3.) Physically in shape
("as swift as deer" 12:8)
4.) Dedicated to serving God and David
( "with an undivided heart to make David King" 12:33;38)
APPLICATION: Valor = courage, especially that shown in war or battle
Courage = the ability to face danger, difficulty, uncertainty, or pain without being overcome by fear or being deflected from a chosen course of action. As I read this definition of courage my mind went straight to Joshua chapter 1. The Lord spoke to Joshua and said:
1.) "Be strong and courageous" (v.6)
2.) "Only be strong and very courageous" (v.7)
3.) "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! DO NOT tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (v.9)
Remember, "God has NOT given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power and love and self-discipline." (2 Tim.1:7)
Make the choice to believe God. He has given you EVERYTHING you need (2 Peter 1:3) to make it through any and every challenge. You simple need to use what HE has already given you.
So
BE
COURAGEOUS!
PRAYER: Father God, Help me to live in this reality, that you truly have ALREADY provided everything I need for any and every circumstance.
You're so awesome!!!
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
SCRIPTURE: "...there came over to David in the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of VALOR, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear, and whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains."
(I Chronicles 12:8)
OBSERVATION: From my reading today I noticed something that was repeated over and over again. In verses 1 & 4 we read the words. "the mighty men" in verses 8, 21, & 25 it reads, "might men of VALOR". Later in verses 28 & 30 it reads "mighty of VALOR" and "men of VALOR"
We see with God's help that David was able to surround himself with great warriors. We see their qualities all throughout this chapter:
1.) Continually perfected their skills
(with bow, sling, and spear 12:2,8,24,33)
2.) Mentally tough and determined
("fierce as lions" 12:8)
3.) Physically in shape
("as swift as deer" 12:8)
4.) Dedicated to serving God and David
( "with an undivided heart to make David King" 12:33;38)
APPLICATION: Valor = courage, especially that shown in war or battle
Courage = the ability to face danger, difficulty, uncertainty, or pain without being overcome by fear or being deflected from a chosen course of action. As I read this definition of courage my mind went straight to Joshua chapter 1. The Lord spoke to Joshua and said:
1.) "Be strong and courageous" (v.6)
2.) "Only be strong and very courageous" (v.7)
3.) "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! DO NOT tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (v.9)
Remember, "God has NOT given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power and love and self-discipline." (2 Tim.1:7)
Make the choice to believe God. He has given you EVERYTHING you need (2 Peter 1:3) to make it through any and every challenge. You simple need to use what HE has already given you.
So
BE
COURAGEOUS!
PRAYER: Father God, Help me to live in this reality, that you truly have ALREADY provided everything I need for any and every circumstance.
You're so awesome!!!
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
HE Knows!
SCRIPTURE: "When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, YOU KNEW my path, In the way where I walk..."(Ps.142:3)
OBSERVATION: In this verse we see that David comes to the realization that God knew all along how things were really going.
APPLICATION: As I read this verse a song that we sing at church came to mind.
The song includes these words:
HE knows my name
HE knows my every thought
HE sees each tear that falls and
HE hears me when I call.
O yes, HE hears me when I call.
In light of this truth, help me to respond differently the next time I enter a challenging time.
PRAYER: Father God, Thanks for reminding me that you really do know what I'm going through. It means sooooo much!
I love you Lord!
OBSERVATION: In this verse we see that David comes to the realization that God knew all along how things were really going.
APPLICATION: As I read this verse a song that we sing at church came to mind.
The song includes these words:
HE knows my name
HE knows my every thought
HE sees each tear that falls and
HE hears me when I call.
O yes, HE hears me when I call.
In light of this truth, help me to respond differently the next time I enter a challenging time.
PRAYER: Father God, Thanks for reminding me that you really do know what I'm going through. It means sooooo much!
I love you Lord!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Hoping Your In
TOPIC: Genuine Faith
SCRIPTURE: "Jesus will send forth His angels,
and they will gather OUT OF His kingdom all stumbling blocks... (Matthew 13:41) the angels will come forth and TAKE OUT the wicked from among the righteous (Matthew 13:49)
OBSERVATION: We see from these verses that there are true and false believers in church. As I read today, I was reminded of yesterday's reading in Matthew 12:33 which says,
"..for the tree is known by its fruit."
That led my mind straight to Matthew 7:15-23 "Beware of the false prophets, whom come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. So then you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. MANY will say to Me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not do all these things in your name? And then I will declare to them, depart from me for "I NEVER KNEW YOU"
APPLICATION: Imagine with me for a minute...
Imagine being there on that day and hearing those words spoken to you?
DEPART FROM ME FOR
I NEVER KNEW YOU
I don't know about you
BUT I believe
It's time for a test!!!
2 Corinthians 13:5 says "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! OR do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ IS IN YOU - unless indeed you fail the test?
Is your tree producing the right fruit?
Here's how you know...
Galatians 5:22 says. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfullness, gentleness, and self-control..."
2 Peter 2:8 says, "for if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the TRUE knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
PRAYER: You may want to pray to begin your relationship with Jesus right now. Here's a sample prayer.
Lord Jesus,
I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross
for my sins. I open the door of my life, and
receive You as my Savior and Lord. Take control
of my life, and make me the kind of person
You want me to be. AMEN
SCRIPTURE: "Jesus will send forth His angels,
and they will gather OUT OF His kingdom all stumbling blocks... (Matthew 13:41) the angels will come forth and TAKE OUT the wicked from among the righteous (Matthew 13:49)
OBSERVATION: We see from these verses that there are true and false believers in church. As I read today, I was reminded of yesterday's reading in Matthew 12:33 which says,
"..for the tree is known by its fruit."
That led my mind straight to Matthew 7:15-23 "Beware of the false prophets, whom come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. So then you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. MANY will say to Me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not do all these things in your name? And then I will declare to them, depart from me for "I NEVER KNEW YOU"
APPLICATION: Imagine with me for a minute...
Imagine being there on that day and hearing those words spoken to you?
DEPART FROM ME FOR
I NEVER KNEW YOU
I don't know about you
BUT I believe
It's time for a test!!!
2 Corinthians 13:5 says "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! OR do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ IS IN YOU - unless indeed you fail the test?
Is your tree producing the right fruit?
Here's how you know...
Galatians 5:22 says. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfullness, gentleness, and self-control..."
2 Peter 2:8 says, "for if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the TRUE knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
PRAYER: You may want to pray to begin your relationship with Jesus right now. Here's a sample prayer.
Lord Jesus,
I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross
for my sins. I open the door of my life, and
receive You as my Savior and Lord. Take control
of my life, and make me the kind of person
You want me to be. AMEN
Friday, April 25, 2008
Simply obey!
SCRIPTURE: "Then Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand!" He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other.
(Matthew 12:13)
OBSERVATION: We see Jesus entering a synagogue and extending an invitation to a man with a withered hand. Jesus says "Stretch out your hand!" The man responds accordingly, and as a result of simply obeying, his withered hand is restored to normal.
APPLICATION: Whenever the Lord speaks, we need to simply obey!
Has the Lord recently spoken to you?
If so, have you simply obeyed?
If not, what are you waiting on?
PRAYER: Father God, please help me to be like the man with the withered hand. Anytime you say anything to me, help me to simply obey!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
What "state" are you in?
TOPIC: Prayer
SCRIPTURE: "...but I am in prayer." (Ps. 109:4)
OBSERVATION: Inspite of seemingly everything coming against David, when he could have been in a state of denial, fear, or hoplessness, he makes a choice to enter into a conversation with the One who sees and knows every, single, little detail surrounding the situation in which he finds himself.
APPLICATION: David did not consider prayer to be an avenue to simply come and dump all his junk. For him, it surely wasn't a one way street. If you will recall our reading from Sunday (I Sam. 23), you will get a glimpse of what David had in mind when it comes to prayer. In verse 2 we see him inquiring of the Lord and the Lord answering, and in verse 4 he inquires of the Lord and the Lord answered. Later in verse 10, David once again speaks to the Lord and again the Lord answers him. It appears that for David, prayer was an ongoing conversation with a trusted friend. For him prayer was a lifestyle, not an event.
I have three wonderful little girls and they have a tendency to ask me A LOT of questions.
Guess what?
They actually expect me to answer them, and if I don't they are so bold that they ask again. Because there's a real relationship.
Question: Could your current practices of talking to God be used with any other person in your life resulting in a healthy relationship?
PRAYER: Father God, thank you, that David's example of a lifestyle of prayer can be mine. And thank you so very much for the way you've used my three little girls to teach me about prayer! Help me to daily follow their example, by talking to you at least as much as they talk to me. Help me to live in their state of expectancy knowing that you not only want to speak to me but you do.
SCRIPTURE: "...but I am in prayer." (Ps. 109:4)
OBSERVATION: Inspite of seemingly everything coming against David, when he could have been in a state of denial, fear, or hoplessness, he makes a choice to enter into a conversation with the One who sees and knows every, single, little detail surrounding the situation in which he finds himself.
APPLICATION: David did not consider prayer to be an avenue to simply come and dump all his junk. For him, it surely wasn't a one way street. If you will recall our reading from Sunday (I Sam. 23), you will get a glimpse of what David had in mind when it comes to prayer. In verse 2 we see him inquiring of the Lord and the Lord answering, and in verse 4 he inquires of the Lord and the Lord answered. Later in verse 10, David once again speaks to the Lord and again the Lord answers him. It appears that for David, prayer was an ongoing conversation with a trusted friend. For him prayer was a lifestyle, not an event.
I have three wonderful little girls and they have a tendency to ask me A LOT of questions.
Guess what?
They actually expect me to answer them, and if I don't they are so bold that they ask again. Because there's a real relationship.
Question: Could your current practices of talking to God be used with any other person in your life resulting in a healthy relationship?
PRAYER: Father God, thank you, that David's example of a lifestyle of prayer can be mine. And thank you so very much for the way you've used my three little girls to teach me about prayer! Help me to daily follow their example, by talking to you at least as much as they talk to me. Help me to live in their state of expectancy knowing that you not only want to speak to me but you do.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Potentially Deadly
SCRIPTURE: "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips." (Ps. 141:3)
OBSERVATION: We see David requesting something from God so that others will not be hurt. Evidently David needed some extra help with controlling his tongue. Thus, he cried out to only One who could truly make a difference ~ The Creator of the tongue.
APPLICATION: May we cry out to the Living God for help in this potentially deadly area. Because as Proverbs says, "Life and DEATH are in the power of the tongue and those who love it WILL eat its fruit."
PRAYER: Father God, please help me to be like David and be willing to cry out to you for help in this potentially deadly area. Lord, I don't want my words to be deadly, I want them to be life giving. Help me to fully submit to the guard you place over my mouth.
OBSERVATION: We see David requesting something from God so that others will not be hurt. Evidently David needed some extra help with controlling his tongue. Thus, he cried out to only One who could truly make a difference ~ The Creator of the tongue.
APPLICATION: May we cry out to the Living God for help in this potentially deadly area. Because as Proverbs says, "Life and DEATH are in the power of the tongue and those who love it WILL eat its fruit."
PRAYER: Father God, please help me to be like David and be willing to cry out to you for help in this potentially deadly area. Lord, I don't want my words to be deadly, I want them to be life giving. Help me to fully submit to the guard you place over my mouth.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
How's Yours?
Topic: Faith
Scripture: Seeing their faith... (Matthew 9)
Observation: In verses 2, 22, and 29 Jesus seems to be making a direct correlation between faith and healing. Specifically how one's faith can contribute to ones physical healing.
NOTE: I used the word can, not will always.
Application: These scriptures remind me that Jesus cares about those who are struggling with the issues of life and that He can and does actively get involved. It also shows me that we have a responsibility to partner with Him in the process. Our partnership involves our faith. Jesus said to the blind men "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" to which they said "Yes, Lord." Like the blind men we need to simply have faith that Jesus is able and knows best.
Prayer: Father God, help me to run to you first and foremost anytime I have need of anything. Like a child running to a parent may I absolutley have faith that you will do what is best for me.
Scripture: Seeing their faith... (Matthew 9)
Observation: In verses 2, 22, and 29 Jesus seems to be making a direct correlation between faith and healing. Specifically how one's faith can contribute to ones physical healing.
NOTE: I used the word can, not will always.
Application: These scriptures remind me that Jesus cares about those who are struggling with the issues of life and that He can and does actively get involved. It also shows me that we have a responsibility to partner with Him in the process. Our partnership involves our faith. Jesus said to the blind men "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" to which they said "Yes, Lord." Like the blind men we need to simply have faith that Jesus is able and knows best.
Prayer: Father God, help me to run to you first and foremost anytime I have need of anything. Like a child running to a parent may I absolutley have faith that you will do what is best for me.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
