'But why should he be put to death?' Jonathan asked his father. 'What has he done?' Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan, intending to kill him. So at last Jonathan realized that his father was really determined to kill David." v.30-33
Saul was still trying to secure his throne for future generations even though he had already been told his dynasty would end with him. Even worse, he was trying to do this by sinful human means because he knew he would get no help from God. Jonathan could have made a move to become the next king by killing his rival, his best friend, but he bypassed this opportunity because of his love for both God and David.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
1 Samuel 20
Monday, January 28, 2008
1 Samuel 18
When David and Jonathan met, they became close friends at once. Their friendship is one of the deepest and closest recorded in the Bible. Here is why:
1.) They based their friendship on a commitment to God, not just each other.
2.) They let nothing come between them, not a career or even family problems.
3.) They grew closer together when their friendship was tested.
4.) They remained friends to the end.
Jonathan, the prince of Israel, later realized that David, and not he, would be the next King. But that didn't weaken his love for David. Jonathan would much rather lose the throne of Israel than lose his closest friend.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
LOST - The Countdown is on!!!
1 Samuel 17:32-58
'Don’t be ridiculous!' Saul replied. 'There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.'
But David persisted. 'I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,' he said. 'When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The LORD who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!'
Saul finally consented. 'All right, go ahead,' he said. 'And may the LORD be with you!'" v.32-37
Criticism couldn't stop David. While the rest of the army stood around, he knew the importance of taking action. With God to fight for him, there was no reason to wait. People may try to discourage you with negative comments or mockery, but continue to do what you know is right. By doing what is right, you will be pleasing God, whose opinion matters most.
To fight like David we need David's kind of fearlessness. David had grown strong in his confidence by trusting God when he had encountered wild animals while guarding his father's sheep. When you face towering problems, recall how God has helped you in the past. Take heart because God gives you strength. Use the skills God has already given you and move forward.
Friday, January 25, 2008
1 Samuel 17:1-31
What a difference perspective can make. Most of the onlookers saw only a giant. David, however, saw a mortal man defying almighty God. Goliath was a target too big to miss. He knew he would not be alone when he faced Goliath; God would fight with him. He looked at his situation from God's point of view. Who or what are the "giants" you are facing? Viewing impossible situations from God's point of view helps us put giant problems in perspective. Once we see clearly, we can fight more effectively.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
1 Samuel 16
Saul was tall and handsome: he was an impressive looking man. Samuel may have been trying to find someone who looked like Saul to be Israel's next king, but God warned him against judging by appearance alone. When people judge by outward appearance, they may overlook quality individuals who lack the particular physical qualities society currently admires. Appearance doesn't reveal what people are really like or what their true value is.
Fortunately, God judges by faith and character, not by appearance. And because only God can see the inside, only He can accurately judge people. Most people spend hours each week maintaining their outward appearance: they should do even more to develop their inner character. While everyone can see your face, only you and God know what your heart really looks like. What steps am I taking to improve your heart's attitude?
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
1 Samuel 14:1-23
Jonathan and his armor bearer weren't much of a force to attack the huge Phillistine army. But while everyone else was afraid, they trusted God, knowing that the size of the enemy army would not restrict God's ability to help them. God honored the faith and brave action of these two men with tremendous victory.
Have you ever felt surround by the "enemy" or faced overwhelming odds? God is never intimidated by the size of the enemy or the complexity of a problem. With him, there are always enough resources to resist the pressures and win the battle. If God has called you to action, then bravely commit what resources you have to God, and rely upon him to lead you to victory.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
1 Samuel 10
Israel's true king was God, but the nation demanded another. Imagine wanting a human being instead of God as a guide and leader! Throughout history, men and women have rejected God, and they continue to do it today. Are you rejecting God by pushing him aside and acknowledging someone or something as your "king" or top priority? Learn from these stories of Israel's kings, and don't push God aside.
Monday, January 21, 2008
1 Samuel 9
"Why are you talking to me like this?" Saul's outburst reveals a problem he would face repeatedly - feeling inferior. Like a leaf tossed about by the wind. Saul vacillated between his feelings and his convictions. Everything he said and did was selfish. For example, Saul said his clan was "the least important" in the smallest tribe in Israel. But in v. 1 it says his father was "a wealthy, influential man."
Although Saul had been called by God and had a mission in life, he struggled constantly with jealousy, insecurity, arrogance, impulsiveness, and deceit. He did not decide to be wholeheartedly committed to God. Because Saul would not let God's love give rest to his heart, he never became God's man.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Weekend Review
Today we started a 6 week series on Sex!! Worship was great! Our Student Band has really taken our worship to another level. I think that MS actually went better than HS. I know I was worried more about sharing this topIc with them than HS. Here is the intro video we used to transition and set up the talk!
1 Samuel 8:6-22
Samuel carefully explained all the negative consequences of having a king, but the israelites refused to listen. Israel was called to be a holy nation, separate from and unique among all others. The Israelites' motive in asking for a king was to be like the nations around them. This was in total opposition to God's original plan. It was not their desire for a king that was wrong, but their reason for wanting a king.
Often we let others' values and actions dictate our attitudes and behavior. Have you ever made a wrong choice because you wanted to be like everyone else? Be careful that the values of your friends or "heroes" don't pull you away from what God sys is right. When God's people want to be like unbelievers, they are heading for spiritual disaster.
When you have an important decision to make, weigh the positives and negatives carefully, considering everyone who might be affected by your choice. When you want something badly enough, it is difficult to see the potential problems. But don't discount the negatives. Unless you have a plan to handle each one, they will cause you great difficulty later.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
1 Samuel 8:1-5
Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. ‘Look,’ they told him, ‘you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.’” v.1-5
As an old man, Samuel appointed his sons to be judges over Israel in his place. But they turned out to be corrupt, much like Eli’s sons (2:12). We don’t know why Samuel’s sons went wrong, but we do know that Eli was help was held responsible for his own sons’ corruption.
It is impossible to know if Samuel was a bad parent. His children were old enough to be on their own. We must be careful not to blame ourselves for the sins of our children. On the other hand, parenthood is an awesome responsibility, and nothing is more important than molding and shaping our children’s lives.
Friday, January 18, 2008
1 Samuel 3
Then Eli realized it was the LORD who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, ‘Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, LORD, your servant is listening.’ So Samuel went back to bed.” v.7-9
Although God had spoken directly and audibly with Moses and Joshua, his word became rare during the three centuries of rule by judges. By Eli’s time, no prophets were speaking God’s messages to Israel. Why? Look at the attitude of Eli’s sons. They either refused to listen to God or allowed greed to get in the way of any communication with them.
Eli had spent his entire life in service to God. His responsibility was to oversee all the worship in Israel. But in pursuing this great mission he neglected the responsibilities in his own home. Don’t let your desire to do God’s work cause you to neglect your family. If you do, your mission may degenerate into a quest for personal importance, and your family will suffer the consequences of your neglect.
Listening and responding is vital in a relationship with God. Although God does not always use the sound of a human voice, he always speaks through his Word! To receive his messages, we must be ready to say, “Here I am” when God calls us to action!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Mexico 2008
I just got back from my first trip to Mexico. The men and I from Grace Community Church linked up with a missions organization called Hero Makers. We spent a week building! Building houses, building relationships, building up orphan's with love and encouragement, building up each other which essential leads to building the Kingdom! It was awesome to see a group of men, men who were very committed to Christ, to men that were just beginning/struggling in their relationship with Christ, work together allowing God to stretch them and grow them spiritually. Each day was filled with a time of worship, prayer, direction, and work. The Mexican people are poor, but rich in spirit. I am excited to see how God will use our students to encourage and reach out to the young people there when we go back in July!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
1 Samuel 1
Be careful what you promise in prayer because God may take you up on it. Hannah so desperately wanted a child that she was willing to strike a bargain with God. God took her up on her promise, and to Hannah's credit, she did her part, even though it was painful.
Although we are not in a position to barter with God, He may still choose to answer a prayer that has an attached promise. When you pray, ask yourself, will I follow through on any promises I make to God if He grants my request? It is dishonest and dangerous to ignore a promise, especially to God. God keeps his promises, and He expects us to keep ours.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Ruth 4
Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. The neighbor women said, 'Now at last Naomi has a son again!' And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David." v13-17
To some, the book of Ruth may be just a nice story about a girl who was fortunate. But in reality, the events recorded in Ruth were part of Gods preparation for the births of David and of Jesus, the promised Messiah. Just as Ruth was unaware of this larger purpose in her life, we will not know the full purpose and importance of our lives until we are able to look back from the perspective of eternity. We must make our choices with God's eternal value in mind. Taking moral shortcuts and living for short-range pleasures are not good ways to move ahead. Because of Ruth's faithful obedience, her life and legacy were significant even though she couldn't see all the results. Live in faithfulness to God, knowing that the significance of life will extend beyond your lifetime. The rewards will outweigh any sacrifice you may have made.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Ruth 3
Ruth and Naomi have assumed that Boaz was their closest relative. Boaz, too, must have already considered marrying Ruth because his answer to her shows he had been thinking about it. He couldn't have considered marrying Namoi because she was probably too old to bear any more children. One man in the city was a nearer relative than Boaz, and this man had the first right to take Ruth as his wife. If he chose not to, then Boaz could marry Ruth.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Ruth 2
'Yes, I know,' Boaz replied. 'But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers.May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.'" v.10-12
Ruth's life exhibited admirable qualities: She was hard working, loving, kind, faithful, and brave. These qualities gained her a good reputation, but only because she displayed them consistently in all areas of her life whenever Ruth went or whatever she did, her character remained the same.
Your reputation is formed by the people who watch you at work, in town, at home, in church. A good reputation comes by consistently living out the qualities you believe in - no matter what group of people or surroundings you are in.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Ruth 1
Ruth was a Moabitess, but that didn't stop her from worshiping the true God, nor did it stop God from accepting her worship and blessing her greatly. The Jews were not only the people God loved, God chose the Jews to be the people through whom the rest of the world would come to know Him. This was fulfilled when Jesus Christ was born as a Jew. Through Him, the entire world can come to know God.
The book of Ruth is a perfect example of God's impartiality. Although Ruth belonged to a race often despised by Israel, she was blessed because of her faithfulness. She became the great-grandmother of King David and a direct ancestor of Jesus. No one should feel disqualified to serve God because of race, sex, or national background. And God can use every circumstance to build his Kingdom.
