August 4 - 2 Samuel 4

You're reminded of the account in the first chapter of 2 Samuel when you read this chapter. And, David's response is the same.

But, remember that just because David did it doesn't mean he did the right thing. We know that David was not allowed to build the temple of God because he shed so much blood in all his killing. Yes, David was wise in his response to these murderers who cowardly killed a righteous man in his own home -- but, his response did not have to be to shed more blood.

How could he have responded to these men - in a different way?

August 3 - 2 Samuel 3

2 Sam 3:36 "...as everything that the king did pleased all the people."

David was not a people-pleaser but what he did pleased the people. Joab acted out of revenge and murdered Abner. When David interacted with Abner (a former foe) he was able to send Abner away in peace. He did not hold anything against him and far be it from him to act in judgment towards him.

David acted not to please himself but to please God. And it pleased God to forgive others and to accept them.

Simply, when you live to please God naturally people will be pleased with you as well.

If you pleased God in all your schoolwork, housework, relationship with family -- then your family, including your parents, will be pleased with you.

Please the Lord first - then the rest will follow.
"Seek first His kingdom..." Matt 6:33

August 2 - 2 Samuel 2

The throne is now empty - a new king must be enthroned. Saul's descendants are hard at work to seize the throne and so is David.

David has been waiting in a secret, safe place (Ziklag) and now makes a strategic move.

Do we seek after the things of God as David did?

What is God setting before you in your life? How will you pursue the things of the kingdom of Heaven that God has purposed for you?

August 1 - 2 Samuel 1

When we read 1 and 2 Samuel, we must read it as one book as it was originally just one book - books, chapters and verses added much later.

If you read 1 Samuel 31 quickly, you find that the account of Saul's death in 1 Sam 31 is different from the one in 2 Samuel 1. Most likely this is because the 1 Sam 31 is the true account and the 2 Samuel 1 is a story made up by this Amalekite in order to gain David's favor... instead of favor, this man gets punished for claiming to have killed one of the Lord's anointed.

We would all be surprised at David's response. Saul tried to kill David. David had opportunities to kill the man who was making his life a living hell.. and he did not take them but spared Saul's life. What is going on in David's head? How does he see Saul? What does he see in Saul?

David understands what it means to honor the Lord's anointed. Just because you're anointed doesn't mean you won't make mistakes. Moses was anointed. He murdered someone. Abraham was anointed. He was a cowardly liar. David was anointed. He murdered and committed adultery. Saul was anointed. His inner struggles eventually became his downfall.

And this is how David honors Saul. He mourns for Saul. He calls him beloved and lovely. He remembers the days of his great reign.

Why? Is David one to exalt himself over Saul? Nope. Not really.

Nor are we called to exalt ourselves over others in judgment.
No. We are called to honor.

June 15 - Acts 11:19-20

"And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians."

As a church they gathered together, shared their faith and grew as Christians.
Prophecies were also told at this time of a famine so they sent relief as they were able...
Christians don't come together in a church for no reason. The Holy Spirit brings them together. God leads Barnabas to find Saul and go to Tarsus. It is by the Holy Spirit that they are there for a year to teach the new Christians there and it is by the Holy Spirit that they are made aware of the famine.

How much credit do we give the Holy Spirit? He leads us. He makes everything happen. He opens our minds and hearts to understand the Word of God. He changes us. As He worked in the church at Antioch, He still works today.

June 14 - Acts 11:1-18

Remember Peter is a Jew who believes in Jesus... and this passage is about salvation for the Jews (the chosen ones) and the Gentiles. God is making it clear in this very strange vision that salvation is for all. The Gentiles are not "unclean".

We like to place labels on people and we like to keep certain types of people away.

The Jews had their own way of doing things, their own community, their God - and now they are being told to share this salvation with the Gentiles (people who they considered to be "unclean")

Who do we consider "unclean" today? What kind of people make us think.. "ewww..."?

Let's bring up a really controversial issue. What if a Jr. High student came "out" and said that he was gay? How would you respond? Would you be able to worship with a gay student next to you? Is being gay a greater sin than your sin of lying? Are you struggling with your sin of lying (for example) just as this student is struggling with this sin of homosexuality? How do you love those you are not comfortable with loving? How do you share the salvation of Jesus Christ with those that you consider "unclean" or even unworthy?

Think about it...

June 10 - Acts 8:4-40

Simon the Magician saw that the apostles had a special power and he wanted it. He even offered them money for it. But, he got it all wrong. Power for Simon meant the ability to attract and impress people. Power for a lot of people means the ability to control something.

Yet, Holy Spirit power has nothing to do with control. A Christian life is about surrender and we are given the Holy Spirit not so that we can become superhuman beings. We are given the Holy Spirit so that we can be a channel of God's power. We are not the actual power source. We are the power lines that transmit this power. And power lines don't
say when it is time to turn the power on or off.

Without the Holy Spirit we are like useless powerlines or cables just laying in the dirt.
what would you want to be? Connected or just a pile of unused cables?