Friday, November 29, 2013

Its Mine

Black Friday Revenge

You woke up at 4:30 AM to be at the store.  Your children will never be the same without "the toy".  It is the virtual deal of the century.  You arrive to sheer pandemonium.   You navigate through the masses, pushing, shoving and feeling good because the 4 cups of coffee and the monster drink are just now kicking in.  You arrive at the isle, and there it is,  and its the last one.  As you begin to pick up the pace, heart pounding, breathing fast and shallow...you notice out of the corner of your eye a sweet little gray haired grandma seemingly beating you to "THE TOY".  A  ethical, moral and spiritual delimna ensues.  She is old, has plenty of money and nothing but time on her hands so I will cut her off, run her over and if necessary punch her in the face.  Just a vulnerable old woman whose time will soon be over..right?   Yes...its my time to shine and get "the toy"...so look out grandma I am taking you out. Wow where did that thought come from! 

You know David faced a similar delimna.  He was the rightful heir to something that mattered.   But he refused to harm Saul.  All his men were saying kill him, its your right.  David even felt guilty about cutting off part of Sauls robe when he found him in a vulnerable position.

So go ahead run over who ever you need to today, and get what is rightfully yours.  I am sure God approves of that sweet, consume at all cost, attitude.

1 Samuel 24:4-8
And the men of David said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’” Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord ’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord ’s anointed.” So David persuaded his men with these words and did not permit them to attack Saul. And Saul rose up and left the cave and went on his way.  Afterward David also arose and went out of the cave, and called after Saul, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the earth and paid homage.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

The Enemy Pursues

Sela-hammahlekoth

Our God is our Sela-hammahlekoth!  Even when the enemy seeks us every day, God will not deliver us into His hand because we are held tightly in His hand.  The question of the day.  What is Sela-hammahlekoth and who are the characters involved?

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Whiter!

Now Thats White!

"...wash me and I will be whiter than snow."  Psa. 51:8

I dont know about you but I am overwhelmed with this great truth.  God took all my filth put it on his Son on the cross; and daily takes all my filth and washes it in the blood of His Son.  And poof....my filthy, nasty sin is whiter than snow!  I am undeserving but eternally grateful.

Friday, November 22, 2013

You've Got A Friend In Me

You've Got A Friend In Me

Friends are hard to find. They say blood is thicker than water but a real friend is even thicker, as in the case with Jonathan and David. They say real friends don't let thier friends drive drunk.  No, real friends don't let thier father kill thier friends, as in the case of Jonathan and David.   There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother Proverbs 18:24.  For humanity God is that kind of friend.  No other human being would give thier own Son to die in your place and that is exactly what the eternal God of the universe did for all mankind.

David said he was one step from death (I Samuel 20:3) knowing that Saul desired to kill him and had already attempted to do so. Jonathan loved David as he loved his own life. (I Samuel 20:17).  A lifetime covenant was made between Jonathan and David. 

An even greater eternal covenant was made by our best friend at the cross.  Do you have any friends?  Friends who would put thier life in the line for you?  Are you that kind of friend to anyone else?   To borrow a phrase from Toy Story "you've got a friend in me".  That is a phrase echoed from the cross.

Monday, November 18, 2013

I Hate My Job

When Your Boss Hates You

Have you ever been in an employment situation that was hoorible?  Did you ever feel like pulling your hair out and dreaded going to work?  You couldn't wait to leave Monday through Friday.  Just when you think you have it bad, somebody has it worse.  Davids boss tried to play pin the tail on the donkey and make a pin cushion out of him with a spear. So the moral of the story; it might be bad...but until your boss literally starts throwing spears at you...you've got it pretty good.  Hey its Monday, pray for your boss and your colleagues, put a smile on your face, suit up with some Kevlar and have a great day at work.

1 Samuel 18:11
And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.
1 Samuel 19:1, 10
And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.

Friday, November 15, 2013

The Bandwagon

The Bandwagon Leader

Everybody was afraid and chickenlivers until David showed up.  Not even the King had the gumption or Holy Spirit empowerment to go fight the big bad giant.  The giant huffed and puffed day after day, the mighty Israeli army ran with their tails tucked.  Then one little boy with a sling shot showed up and the gaint came tumbling down.  Then the army jumped on the band wagon and chased all the rest of the Philistines.   Moral of the story...be a band wagon leader.  Listen to the instructions of God and go,  even if you have to go alone.  The rest will catch on and join the band wagon; they just need a Godly, Holy Spirit filled, unashamed, fearless, anointed leader to lead the way. You might be little and the only thing you have is a sling shot and some stones, but in the hand of God those stones and that sling shot are mightier than any giant you will ever face.  So you go band wagon leader...you go!

1 Samuel 17:51-53
Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled. And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron. And the children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Rush The Enemy

Rush The Enemy Head On

Be bold when empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Dont sneak around, beat around the bush, hem and haw about what needs to be done.  Pick up the Word of God which is sharper than any two edged sword,  throw the book at that sorry old enemy and then when he falls down because you made a kill shot, chop off his head.  And then all the cohorts of the enemy will run.  Remember all your enemies are only as strong as the other enemies.  So when one goes down in defeat because you have relied on the right weaponry the rest of them tend to lose heart. 

James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Samuel 17:48-51
And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

He has your back!

Who has your back?

Run into the battle...the Almighty God of the universe has your back!  The battle belongs to Lord!  All the advanced weaponry in the world is no match for our God!  Bring it on Mr. Giant!

1 Samuel 17:45-48
Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's , and he will give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

Psalms 20:7
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Mouthy

The Mouthy Enemy

Have you ever met a "loud mouth"?  Yes you have; obnoxious, belligerent and down right rude.  The kind of person you just want to smack in the mouth.  You know exactly what I mean, we have all had that thought.  Or at least you wanted to stuff a big sock in thier mouth and duct tape it shut.  David had just that kind of experience as he faced the giant.  You see, the giant is always mouthy; taunting and degrading.  Sometimes just in your head the giant is screaming at you,  mocking you playing mind games.  Don't let the enemy get in your head, defeat him with the weapons of your warfare(Eph.6) and go whip him!

1 Samuel 17:41-44
And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.”

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Armor Checklist

Armor Checklist

Going to fight the giant today need:
1. Bazooka
2. 44 magnum
3. Shotgun
4. Kevlar
5. Bullet proof vest
6. Body armor
7. Ak47
8. 400 rounds of ammo

Better yet I will take...
1. Sling shot
2. Loin cloth
3. 5 stones

Duh David obviously you need the first list.  Dont be ridiculous and put yourself in danger.  After all use some common sense.   I have been fighting longer than you have so I know what is needed to fight giants.  Even though I am not willing to personally go fight him.  Everybody always has better ideas for your battles.  Thats not to say that others dont have wisdom that is helpful and insightful but you better be sure to get your marching orders and battle armor list from God who by the way will fight for you. 

2 Chronicles 32:8
"With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles...."

1 Samuel 17:38-40
And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail. And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Tenacity

Supernatural Tenacity

God has already empowered me to whip the lion and the bear so whats another big hairy creature.  That was young Davids attitude when the doubting "fearless" King Saul; who by the way stood head and shoulders above all Isreal(I Sam 9:3); was trying to discourage the young boy David from going after Goliath.   With supernatural tenacity there is no giant too big.  God has already proven himself in the past to you and has enabled you to whip the bear and the lion...now go take out the giant!

1 Samuel 17:31-37
And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him. And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Your More Than That

You Too Little and Insignificant

That is exactly what many have said.  "You dont have what it takes", "You will never survive, you dont have enough experience", "That is unheard of and has never been done before", "Impossible for you, you just dont have the skill set", "Nobody will listen to you"...I am glad David didnt listen to Saul and everyone else.  Young or old you are neither too young  or insignificant! Go slaughter that giant!

1 Samuel 17:33
And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.”

1 Timothy 4:12
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Be Still

I was reminded of this today and thought,  how simple yet profound.  I dont know who this is for but just remember...

Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God..."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgaHaioAjyg&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

What Were You Thinking?

YOU CANT DO THAT!

You would think that people would be excited, jubilant and ready to help when the Spirit of God wells up within you and directs you to accomplish a seemingly impossible task.  Not always the case.  Jealousy, pride, lack of faith and spiritual whimpiness takes over and they would  rather criticize the efforts that you know God has called you and empowered you by His Spirit to accomplish.   Do not be deterred by the nay sayers and spiritual whimpys.  There is no giant that should keep you from accomplishing what the God of the universe has called you to fulfill.  March into the battle even if your own family questions your motives.  That was Davids experience as he continued to follow God. 

1 Samuel 17:20-29
And David rose early in the morning and left the sheep with a keeper and took the provisions and went, as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the encampment as the host was going out to the battle line, shouting the war cry. And Israel and the Philistines drew up for battle, army against army. And David left the things in charge of the keeper of the baggage and ran to the ranks and went and greeted his brothers. As he talked with them, behold, the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, came up out of the ranks of the Philistines and spoke the same words as before. And David heard him.  All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid. And the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. And the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father’s house free in Israel.” And David said to the men who stood by him, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” And the people answered him in the same way, “So shall it be done to the man who kills him.”  Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” And David said, “What have I done now? Was it not but a word?”

Friday, November 1, 2013

The Big Enemy

The Biggest of Big Enemies

So there is the enemy, camped out in your backyard and ready to raid your life.  Thats bad enough but there is always that one big, huge, ginormous giant enemy that is your personal nemesis.   You know who he is, bigger than life, he has mocked you and beat you up several times in the past and you dread the fact he has returned.  There he stands yelling and screaming all your past failures and defeats.  He is even mocking your faith and your paralyzed.   That is where the children of Israel found themselves as the story continues.  Can you relate?

1 Samuel 17:3-11

And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. He had a helmet of bronze on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. And he had bronze armor on his legs, and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his spear’s head weighed six hundred shekels of iron. And his shield-bearer went before him. He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” And the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.” When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

The story continues tomorrow!