And David Prayed...
Friday, July 16, 2010, 10:59 AM
II Samuel 5:6, 7, 10-12, 17-25 In this passage of scripture, we see the Philistine army amassed against David and the people of Israel; David was now King over the combined tribes of Israel and Judah. Saul's son, Ishbosheth, was the leader of the Northern ten tribes, referred to as Israel, until his death, then David was anointed king over both Judah and Israel, thus reuniting all 12 tribes (vs. 12).
When the Philistines became aware that David was king over both the North and the South, they decided to invade Israel. They felt the combined strength would be a threat (vs. 17a). So the Philistines came up to seek David...
David and his people were facing quite a challenge. The Philistines were not to be underestimated. They were a sizable and formidable army - a force to be dealt with.
You see, David's enemies filled the entire valley--they were everywhere--north, south, east and west...everywhere he looked there was a Philistine soldier ready to attack. You might say, "Pastor , that's exactly how I feel , up against what looks to be impossible odds. Listen, God knew about David's dilemma, and He knows about yours and mine. God had a plan in David's case. The truth is God always has a plan to resolve any issue in our lives. What did David do? He did the same thing we're to do, he prayed. The Bible says, "And David enquired of the Lord." And David prayed.
Trouble and trials never come at a good time. We have so many people hurting in our church. Many times in our services, I have felt God leading me to call the hurting to the altar for prayer and have people who would pray over them. This is a very moving moment for me in the presence of God. You see that is His service not mine and He can change it any time He wants to without asking. Thank Jesus I just get in on it.
The timing of the assault on David was not good. Notice it was following his Accomplishment. In (vs. 7), it says, David took the strong hold of Zion. The Jebusites were the enemies of Israel. For centuries they had controlled this area. Judah and Benjamin had once attempted to take the city, but failed in their effort: In Joshua 15:63, it says, “As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out."
But then along comes David, the slayer of giants. It says in (vs. 10b), “And the Lord God of hosts was with him.” This so important to remember, anytime we are faced with trouble, we want to know that God is on our side. The Bible says, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" If you are facing a problem, and you are saved, don't worry about it, He's on your side. He'll help you do what needs to be done. Let your faith remain constant.
Because of his faith, David accomplished what others had failed to do, he defeated the Jebusites. And wouldn't you know it, immediately following this tremendous victory, the ol' devil sends an army against him.
Here is the point, anytime you accomplish something significant in your life, you can be certain trouble is ahead. As a matter of fact, just prepare yourself--be ready for the assault. Ephesians 6:10-11, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Following David’s achievement, we read in (v.12), “And David perceived that the Lord had established him King over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.” In (vs. 17), it says, “But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David."
When, like David, you've accomplished something significant, or have been rewarded because you have achieved in a certain area...maybe you have grown closer to the Lord, maybe you've had a major breakthrough in your spiritual life, that's the very time the assault will begin. Be on guard! And by the way, if you are experiencing that kind of trouble in your life, keep in mind, maybe like David; God is getting ready to promote you in some way. Some have said "Great trials seem to be a necessary preparation for great duties."
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( 2.8 / 6 )What's Your Excuse?
Thursday, July 15, 2010, 11:51 AM
From the Albuquerque Public School System, here are a few of the actual written excuses given by parents of children (actual spelling included):1. My son is under a doctor’s care and should not take P.E. today. Please execute him.
2. Please excuse Lisa for being absent. She was sick and I had her shot.
3. Dear School: Please ekscuse John being absent on Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33.
4. Please excuse Roland from P.E. for a few days. Yesterday he fell out of a tree and misplaced his hip.
5. John has been absent because he has two teeth taken out of his face.
6. Chris will not be in school cus he has an acre in his side.
7. Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday, we thought it was Sunday.
8. MY FAVORITE: Please excuse Tommy for being absent yesterday. He had diarrhea and his boots leak.
Life is filled with choices and we have to take responsibility for the choices that we make. We are the greatest at putting the blame on somebody or something else for not making the right choices.
In Scripture, when God calls Moses, Joshua, Gideon, or Esther to do something great for him, the single greatest obstacle that stands in the way is fear. But even no decision is a decision. We have got to accept responsibility for the choice that we have made or not made! God holds us responsible. You can't kid him! He knows your thoughts and the intents of your heart!
With every choice that we face there is a responsibility! Whether we accept the choice or reject it. God made a choice to invite us!
Acceptance or rejection of God is the consequence that He faces. As Guests we make a choice! Accept the invitation or reject it! It is either a whole hearted yes or it is a no! Your excuses don't hold water.
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( 3.1 / 7 )Don't slack up and don't back down
Wednesday, July 14, 2010, 08:00 AM
Some people say well I am saved by grace what difference does it make about my works? Well, your works are important because it will determine how you will enjoy heaven. Not everybody is going to enjoy heaven the same. Not everybody is going to have the capacity to enjoy heaven the same. We are going to be judged as we stand before Jesus by the life that we have built. I Corinthians 3, II Corinthians 5, Romans 10, Romans 14, tells us about that judgment one day. There can never be any coasting, there can never be any slacking, and there can never be any letting down. And some people just flat fear the price that has to be paid.Billy Sunday said this, "stopping at third base adds no more to the score than striking out." It matters how you finish. So don't stop now.
Don't quit on the church, don't quit on God, don't slack up and don't back down.
God is interested in you building a tower, building a life. No matter where you are in the process it is important.
Don't quit!
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( 2.7 / 6 )Passion to follow Jesus
Tuesday, July 13, 2010, 08:00 AM
When Heather Mercer and Dana Curry went to Afghanistan, the Taliban arrested them. They spent 128 days in a Taliban prison. They were about to be executed when the American marines came and rescued them from that prison. And just before they went there as relief workers all of their relatives discouraged them from going. Some of them thought they were crazy. All of them were concerned. The people they loved most said don't go. Don't go to that deprived, desert land, to those poor people. Don't risk your life; don't go that place where that cruel regime reigns, where you are not going to be safe. If you want to help people, go somewhere else, but don't go there.
But those two Baptist girls chose to go there because that is where God called them. And they had a passion for Jesus and that is where Jesus led them. Their passion for Jesus had to be greater than their passion for their loved ones. Their loved ones said don't go but Jesus gave them a higher calling and they had to obey Jesus rather than those who loved them on this earth.
You see there is a superior passion required. And some people cannot be His disciple because they fear that superior passion.
Do you have that kind of passion to follow Jesus?
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( 3 / 5 )You must forsake all, You must take up the cross
Monday, July 12, 2010, 08:47 AM
On March 15, 2004, five missionaries representing the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention were on a mission of mercy. Traveling by car to conduct relief efforts in Masul, Iraq when their vehicle was suddenly attacked by automatic weapon fire and rocket propelled grenades. The car was blasted apart as gunmen unleashed the barrage. Three of the missionaries were killed at the scene. David McDonald despite being mortally wounded helped his wife Nikki, who was shot at least 20 times; get to a hospital where she was rushed in to surgery. When she awakened some weeks later, she learned that her husband had not survived the attack.
Christians around the world launched a prayer vigil for her that she might live. Nikki, who is often identified as Carrie in the press because there is no equivalent for her name in the Iraqi language, did survive. In addition to her 28-year-old husband David, Larry Elliott, 60, and his wife Jean, 58, of Carrie, North Carolina and Karen Watson, 38, of Bakersfield, CA were also dead.
David her husband died while being transported by helicopter to a United States Military Hospital in Baghdad.
Nikki did survive and she stood and gave her testimony not long ago and said this, "My Jesus also wore scars upon His body from the violence He endured. How can I stand back and say it is too hard to serve Him." Miraculously an AK49 bullet that tore through her jaw did not damage her teeth or any nerves in her face. She does not center on her scars or her injuries.
Instead she focuses today on the need in Iraq for missionaries to take the gospel to the troubled nations.
She says I can't help but think that if we truly focused on Christ and pursue Him and delight in Him, if we burn in our hearts for Christ and focus on who He is, truly we will hear His call to go to people like the Iraqis and take the gospel to them. The Lord of the Harvest will have a field full of missionaries filled with the love of Christ to make His glory known among these people.
She said I pray that we will recklessly abandon our lives of ease and receive Christ and think about those who need Him, that our hearts would so be penetrated and our lives would be so full of Him that the world would see Christ and be glorified among the nations in our lives.
This is the kind of commitment that Jesus was talking about when He said that you must forsake all, you must take up the cross, you must deny your self and if you do not do this, you cannot be my disciples.
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