Are You Building A Wall With Jesus?

Any little sin that we commit starts to build a wall between us and Christ.

Grace of Jesus

Insight Into Scripture - 1 Samuel 25-27

I found Chapter 28 very interesting. I would encourage you to read it. Saul broke his own rule by visiting a medium. Mediums at the time were used to circumvent YAHWEH, so needless to say, this was against YAHWEH's rules. But, Saul felt he had no other choice, since YAHWEH was not speaking to him.

The part that I found interesting is that the medium did contact Samuel, and Samuel did talk to Saul and predicted Saul's death. My thoughts are that is proves YAHWEH has control over all; Good, bad, and the satanic, HE controls EVERYTHING!

Mount Gilboa

This is a picture of Mount Gilboa. It is on the southeastern side of the Jezreel Valley. This is where King Saul committed suicide after certain death by the Philistines. (1 Samuel 31) After Jonathan and King Saul were killed, David cursed Mount Gilboa: "O mountains of Gilboa, may you have neither dew nor rain, nor fields that yield offerings" (2 Sam 1:21).

Scripture Reading

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. - 1 Samuel 30:6

3 The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers. 4 Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me." But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. 5 And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him. 6 Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together. - 1 Samuel 31:3-6

Think n Grow

King David had a wonderful relationship with YAHWEH. Again, so much,that YAHWEH called David; "A man after GOD's own heart." While we are reading about David I am going to be pointing out some of his characteristics. In the above passage notice that David was in fear of his life, the only place that he found peace was in the LORD.

In the second passage I really felt sorry for King Saul. After all, Saul was chosen by YAHWEH to be king, he did not ask for the job, YAHWEH saw something in Saul that the Israelites would identify with.

But, Saul did have free will. YAHWEH did not force Saul to make the wrong choices and be disobedient. Saul's disobedience cost him a relationship with YAHWEH (15:26-28) and his kingship. (16:14)

I am so glad that through YAHWEH's grace we can approach YAHWEH through Christ and be forgiven for our disobedience. But, even though we are forgiven we can still live a life of disobedience and sin. Any little sin that we commit starts to build a wall between us and Christ. We must strive very hard to live a life pleasing to Him. I have lived a cursed life that started with one little sin, and I am living a Blessed life right now. Living a holy life that is pleasing to Christ is the most amazing experience you will ever feel.

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus

Thank You Father for your love and forgiveness. Father I pray that everyday I will strive to be closer to You and to be more like You and less like me. I pray Father that I will see Your many Divine appointments and that I will slow down and not be too busy for them. Thank You Father for Your words that teach me how to be more obedient.

I love You and I pray in Your Name,

Amen.

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Is Getting Revenge OK With God?

What do you do when someone has hurt you or has it out for you? 

Insight Into Scripture - 1 Samuel 13-16

Israel wanted a king like all the other nations, which displeased YAHWEH, but HE gave them what they were asking for; Saul. Saul displeased YAHWEH when he was disobedient (13:13) eventually YAHWEH had enough of Saul and rejected him as king (Chapter 15)

David is anointed king (Chapter 16) but, Saul is still acting king. As YAHWEH's spirit enters into David and leaves Saul, Saul is filled with hatred toward David and has tried to kill him several times. Here is where we will pick up the story.

This is a picture of the Judean Wilderness. Through most of history it has been uninhabited due to the lack of water and good traveling routes. This made it an ideal place for David to hide from Saul. This is the wilderness where David spared Saul's life while he was sleeping (Chapter 26) 

Scripture Reading

32 And David said to Abigail, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! 33 Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from avenging myself with my own hand! 34 For as surely as the LORD the God of Israel lives, who has restrained me from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, truly by morning there had not been left to Nabal so much as one male." - 1 Samuel 25:32-34

9 But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD's anointed and be guiltless?" 10 And David said, "As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. 11 The LORD forbid that I should put out my hand against the LORD's anointed. But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go." 12 So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul's head, and they went away. No man saw it or knew it, nor did any awake, for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from the LORD had fallen upon them. - 1 Samuel 26:9-12

Think n Grow

David is known as "A man after GOD's own heart" As you will read, David had this intense, loving relationship with YAHWEH. What was important to YAHWEH, was important to David. Here we see one of David's traits displayed. In the first reading, David is angered, and is on his way to kill Nabal and all his men. David had been protecting Nabal and when David asked Nabal for food, Nabal refused. But, on his revengful way to kill Nabal, Abigail; a discerning and intelligent women wisely steps in and saves the day. David, after listening to Abigail releases his anger and gives his revengeful feelings to YAHWEH. As you will read, YAHWEH did take care of Nabal.

The second reading, David sneaks into Saul's camp. He and Abishai stand over Saul while everyone is sleeping. It would be so easy to kill Saul (Who has been trying to kill him) but, David again gives his revenge to YAHWEH.

Twice David puts his personal feelings aside and gives them to the LORD. What do you do when someone has hurt you or has it out for you? Do you look for ways to get revenge? Does it consume you? Do you find that you are spending more and more time thinking about the situation and how to get that person? Revenge is a consuming emotion.

If you are there or the next time revenge turns it's head towards your way, give it to the LORD. HE has promised that HE will fight your fights, and promises that revenge is HIS. I know that you will feel a weight lifted off of you, and GOD will honor the fact that you trusted HIM to take care of your problem.

Closing Prayer

Dear Jesus

Father thank You for the fresh air You provide for us to breath. The trees that sway in the wind a make a beautiful relaxing noise. Father I pray today that the ones that come into my life that I struggle with, I pray that You will show me Your ways and not mine. I pray Father that I can handle things with a loving heart and not an angry one. Father thank You for the so many blessings that You so lovingly give.

I love You and I pray in Your Name,

Amen

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1 Samuel 28-31

Insight Into Scripture
I found Chapter 28 very interesting. I would encourage you to read it. Saul broke his own rule by visiting a medium. Mediums at the time were used to circumvent YAHWEH, so needless to say, this was against YAHWEH's rules. But, Saul felt he had no other choice, since YAHWEH was not speaking to him.
The part that I found interesting is that the medium did contact Samuel, and Samuel did talk to Saul and predicted Saul's death. My thoughts are that is proves YAHWEH has control over all; Good, bad, and the satanic, HE controls EVERYTHING!

This is a picture of Mount Gilboa. It is on the southeastern side of the Jezreel Valley. This is where King Saul committed suicide after certain death by the Philistines. (1 Samuel 31) After Jonathan and King Saul were killed, David cursed Mount Gilboa: "O mountains of Gilboa, may you have neither dew nor rain, nor fields that yield offerings" (2 Sam 1:21).

Scripture Reading
David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. - 1 Samuel 30:6
3 The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers. 4 Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me." But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. 5 And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him. 6 Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together. - 1 Samuel 31:3-6

Thought for the Day
King David had a wonderful relationship with YAHWEH. Again, so much,that YAHWEH called David; "A man after GOD's own heart." While we are reading about David I am going to be pointing out some of his characteristics. In the above passage notice that David was in fear of his life, the only place that he found peace was in the LORD.

In the second passage I really felt sorry for King Saul. After all, Saul was chosen by YAHWEH to be king, he did not ask for the job, YAHWEH saw something in Saul that the Israelites would identify with.


But, Saul did have free will. YAHWEH did not force Saul to make the wrong choices and be disobedient. Saul's disobedience cost him a relationship with YAHWEH (15:26-28) and his kingship. (16:14)

I am so glad that through YAHWEH's grace we can approach YAHWEH through Christ and be forgiven for our disobedience. But, even though we are forgiven we can still live a life of disobedience and sin. Any little sin that we commit starts to build a wall between us and Christ. We must strive very hard to live a life pleasing to Him. I have lived a cursed life that started with one little sin, and I am living a Blessed life right now. Living a holy life that is pleasing to Christ is the most amazing experience you will ever feel.

Closing Prayer
Dear Jesus
Thank You Father for your love and forgiveness. Father I pray that everyday I will strive to be closer to You and to be more like You and less like me. I pray Father that I will see Your many Divine appointments and that I will slow down and not be too busy for them. Thank You Father for Your words that teach me how to be more obedient.
I love You and I pray in Your Name,
Amen.

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