Listening to the Word

2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalms 68; Matthew 17   “Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah. David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, ‘How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?’” 2 Samuel 6:8, 9 David, as a descendant of Perez, knew the many stories of God’s ‘breakthrough’ presence and anointing. At the death of Uzzah, David grew in healthy fear of the Lord. He understood God’s presence would never be a good luck charm or amulet to ward off evil. David’s anger was initially directed at God; however, after several months he realized it was his own disobedience in not following God’s ways which brought judgment. Those who fear the Lord, value and learn his ways so they can walk in the anointing of God’s presence. It’s God’s presence that brings the ‘breakthrough’. Those seeking a ‘breakthrough’, or breakout, of the presence of the Lord in their lives, their families, their local church, or th

2 Samuel 4-5; Psalms 139; Matthew 16 “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. ‘This shall never happen to you!’ Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but the things of men.’ Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”   Matthew 16:22—24 The cost of laying down your life for the will of the Father was offensive to Peter, and it’s offensive to us. Why would Christ require that we, too, die? Isn’t his death enough? If we make more money, we have more to give away. If we have more education, we have more capacity to serve God. If we have a husband or wife, we can serve God more effectively, and the list of our potential rationalizations goes on. Once we have surrendered all resources and our capacity to earn them, all our relationships, and every area of our life to God, he is able to u

2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15   “Jesus replied, ‘And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?...Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’” Matthew 15:3, 6-9 Our religious traditions can have a powerful influence on our life. The way we worship, where we worship, how we observe communion, the ways in which we organize local churches, our practices of governance can all become more important than knowing and following Jesus. We know it’s time to examine our hearts when clinging to our traditions causes us to break fellowship with other followers of Jesus. The Pharisees had many man-made rules for every command God gave. Some have called Evangelicals, the modern Pharisees. Our security cannot be in our traditions, teachings,

2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalms 142; Matthew 14 “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matthew 14:13, 14 Where do we go when we need time and space to process events in our lives? Jesus looked for solitude after he heard of the execution of his cousin John the Baptist. If there was ever a time he could justify ignoring the demands and needs of the crowds that followed him, this was that time.   How did Jesus respond? He had compassion for them and healed their sick. Christ’s compassion was stronger than his need for alone time. Who we are when our margins are tight and our reserves are thin is a good measure of our maturity and character. Jesus bled compassion.   When pushed to our limits, what do we bleed? Processing is healthy and alone time is essential if we are to be healthy.

2 Samuel 1; Psalms 140; Matthew 13   “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found if, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46 The Gospel is often described primarily as what God as done for us in Christ. An essential aspect of the Gospel is the cost for those who accept it. The treasure and fine pearl is Christ. We don’t just accept Christ’s mercy, forgiveness, and grace as additional jewels in our collection. Jesus tells us that those who find the kingdom of heaven sell all they have and surrender all they are and have for this treasure. The cost to Jesus was everything; the cost to those who would receive him is everything. Have we experienced this full exchange, or do we believe like some, that this costly Gospel applies only to mi

1 Samuel 30-31; 1 Chronicles 10; Matthew 12   “But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.” Matthew 12:28, 29 The principles of spiritual battle include recognizing that a stronghold exists in our lives (a repetitive sin pattern), repentance (turning away from that sin), resistance (binding the strong man – lust, anger, addictions, fear), and renewal (agreeing with the truth of God’s Word to replace the lies of the enemy). Once the house is cleaned out, we can be filled with the Spirit of God. The degree to which we yield to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit affects our capacity to drive unclean spirits out of those who are in bondage. The Holy Spirit will resist and oppose strongholds of sin in our lives, our communities, and our nations. The kingdom of God advances as we yield to the

1 Samuel 28-29; Psalms 109; Matthew 11   “…I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children…no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:25, 27, 28 Rest for our soul and every part of our being comes from relationship with our Creator, the Lord of heaven and earth. The restlessness of our soul is rooted in our independence, pride, and rebellion against God. Jesus invites us to come to him and he will reveal the Father to us. The attitude of seeking rest and revelation is that of little children coming to their Father and climbing on his lap. Where else have we gone with our weariness and burdens? Will we accept Jesus’ offer today and come to him? “Lord Jesus, thank you for inviting me to come. Reveal the Father to me as I seek your face and surrender my weighty

1 Samuel 27; Psalms 141; 1 Chronicles 9; Matthew 10   “But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge – do not give me over to death. Keep me safe from the snares they have laid for me, from the traps set by evildoers. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.” Psalm 141:8-10 David believed that his primary place of safety was in God’s presence. It was God who ultimately controlled whether he lived or died. Do we believe that? If we do, how should that belief in God’s sovereignty and power affect how we live? Who do we look to for protection, for wisdom, and for provision? When we focus on the traps, snares, and nets, we get distracted and fearful. When we fix our eyes on the Lord, he exposes the schemes of the enemy and we are delivered. David caused much heartache and pain by relying on his own strategies when he detoured to Gath and Ziglag. Through this experience, David learned the presence of the Lord was better than the tents of the

1 Samuel 25-26; Psalms 63; Matthew 9   “You God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water…your love is better than life…my soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods…” Psalm 63:1, 3, 5 What satisfies us at the core of our being? Many pleasures provide temporary enjoyment but then leave us empty and wanting more. David’s discovery of God’s presence and love in the hardest, desert-like season of his life points us in another direction. Rather than seeking instant gratification or a quick fix, God invites us to seek him. He invites us to take our thirsts to him and experience the refreshing streams of his Holy Spirit within us. God desires to pour out his love in our hearts through the Holy Spirit that he has given us. God desires to fully satisfy us like a really good meal. God allows the deserts to expose our thirst and our need for him. Will we express our longing for love and relationship

1 Samuel 24; Psalms 57-58; 1 Chronicles 8; Matthew 8   “I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaching to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.” Psalm 57:9-11 David’s vision was for the nations to know and experience God’s love, faithfulness, and glory. Despite his rural upbringing and Israel’s unique covenant with God, David had a heart for other nations. Why? David’s heart went to the nations because that was God’s heart and David was a man after God’s own heart. After healing the Roman centurion’s servant, Jesus said that “many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11). Jesus declared himself to be the “Root and the offspring of David” (Revelation 22:16). David’s desire to see the nations experiencing and acknowledging t

  1 Samuel 23; Psalms 31, 54; Matthew 7 “How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.” Psalm 31:19 The reward of living with the healthy fear of the Lord, with submission to God’s authority, and in obedience to His Word, ways, and will is abundance both now and for all eternity. God stores up his goodness for those who fear him and take refuge in a relationship with him. God delights in pouring out his abundant goodness on his children in ways that others can see so they can recognize that he is good. Living with God’s love, joy, peace, and hope is a daily witness to all around us, that walking with God is a better way to live. We take refuge in the Lord because fear, anger, and control do not deliver the quality of life that God offers. What is the public witness our life is giving to our source of life? “Father God, thank you for your abundant goodness to me. Thank you for pouring ou

  1 Samuel 22; Psalms 17, 35; Matthew 6 “David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam…All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.” 1 Samuel 22:1, 2 When we are discontented, we look for other discontented people with whom to commiserate. In the west this is sometimes referred to as “Church planting” . David’s conflict with Saul was not his fault, but he was still responsible for the consequences it brought on his family. Leading our families and others through conflict is a tiring task. David’s prayer journal during this period was filled with declarations of complete dependency on the Lord to deliver him. Where do we go with our pain? Misery loves company, but servants of the Lord would rather pour out their hearts to him, than defile the hearts of others with their grievances. When our circumstances feel like a dark cave, God invites us into the light of his presence to pour

I Samuel 20-21; Psalms 34, Matthew 5   “But the priest answered David,…’there is some consecrated bread here – provided the men have kept themselves from women.’ David replied, ‘Indeed women have been kept from us, as usual whenever I set out. The men’s things are holy even on missions that are not holy. How much more so today!’” 1 Samuel 21:4, 5 David was offered consecrated bread because he professed a consecrated body. His statement that the men’s bodies were holy, even on missions that are not holy, took the subject of consecration to another level. God begins with people before tasks. Offering our lives to God through the surrender of our wills and all that we are sets us apart for God’s purposes. Then, everything we do becomes an opportunity to bring glory to God. When we are holy, our mission becomes the enjoyment of God’s presence and pleasure, both in our leisure and our work. To be holy is to be set apart for the purposes of God, which include knowing him and making him known

1 Samuel 19: 1 Chronicles 7; Psalms 59, Matthew 4   “The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:3, 4 In responding to Satan’s temptations, Jesus responded with Scriptures related to the nature of God. Jesus knew his Father. Knowing God, who he is, and what he does, is an inoculation against the substitute offerings of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Jesus knew his Father’s voice through the Holy Spirit, and that communication with his Father fed him at a deeper level than any bread this world could offer. Jesus knew that his Father’s protection was not something to misuse for personal gain through any spectacle at the temple. He also knew that worshipping the Father, rather than receiving worship himself, was the key to freedom from the seduction of money and power. Do we know the Father’s provision

1 Samuel 18; 1 Chronicles 6; Psalms 11, Matthew 3 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:11, 12 The water baptism of repentance and the Spirit baptism of cleansing and empowerment are both essential for discipleship and living on mission with Jesus. Just as we are immersed in water, so we are to be immersed, or filled, with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit disciples us into the ways of God and opposes all sin. The fire of the Holy Spirit is cleansing and refining for Jesus’ followers, but judgment for unbelievers. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Those filled with the Spirit will be burdened and grieved within by sin and its consequences. Do

1 Samuel 17; Psalms 9; Matthew 2 “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lords and he will give all of you into our hands. As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.” 1 Samuel 17:47, 48 Everyone faces challenges and battles; but, not everyone runs quickly toward the battle and the enemy to engage with them. David was drawn to the battle by the Spirit of God within him. He knew the Lord saved and that the battle was the Lord’s Do we know those same truths? Knowing who God is and what he does helps us understand who we are and what we should do. David ran quickly toward a giant because he knew the Lord and what God wanted to do in that encounter. We face giants of fear, lust, anger, bitterness, and pride every day. Are we running toward the enemy to confront him, or are we cowering in fear? Those around us also face the same giants. Our response in resisting the

1 Samuel 15-16; 1 Chronicles 5; Matthew 1     “The people of the half tribe of Manassah were numerous…They were brave warriors, famous men and heads of their families. But they were unfaithful to the God of their fathers and prostituted themselves to the gods of the peoples of the land whom God had destroyed before them…” 1 Chronicles 5:23-25 The size of our crowds and the bravery and fame of our leaders are all irrelevant if we are unfaithful to God. More than that; if our numbers, names, and fame cause us to walk in pride so that we worship these outward signs of success, we must humble ourselves and repent. When the blessing of the first born went to Manassah and the blessing was used to prostitute themselves to other gods, they provided an example to every other doubly blessed part of God’s kingdom, those who also thought their numbers, wealth, fame, or leadership excused them from faithfulness and obedience to the Word and ways of God. God still judges sin with consequences. In th

1 Samuel 14; 1 Chronicles 4; 2 Corinthians 13 “Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, ’I gave birth to him in pain.’ Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory”! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.” 1 Chronicles 4:9, 10 Jabez’ audacious prayer was that the blessing of God would replace the curse of sin in his life. Pain at childbirth was the curse of sin stemming back to the Garden of Eden. Jabez was named for that pain, yet he asked God for a different heritage, a better inheritance. Will we cry out to God for the cycles of sin in our lives and families to be broken? Will we cry out to God, in faith, for the enlargement of our territory or field of responsibility in the kingdom of God? In Psalm 2:8, God invites us to ask him for nations as our inheritance. Will we ask God for his gracious hand on our lives? God’s hand

I Samuel 13; I Chronicles 2-3; 2 Corinthians 12   “The sins of Perez: Hezron and Hamul…The sons born to Hezron were: Jerahmeel, Ram and Caleb…Ram was the father of Amminadab…the father of Nahshon, the leader of the people of Judah. Nahshon was the father of Salmon the father of Boaz…the father of Jesse…” 1 Chronicles 2:5, 9, 10-12 The spiritual lineage and heritage of a family matter. God’s heart is to redeem, restore, and renew his covenant with his people. Some families live in covenant with God. The spiritual heritage they pass on to their children is a blessing to many. Perez means breakthrough, or breakout. From this one man came a long line of spiritual breakthroughs in Israel’s history. Caleb had a different spirit and followed God wholeheartedly, even defeating giants in his old age. Nashan, leader of Judah, had a son Salmon who married Rahab, the Jericho prostitute. Through an act of redemption a home was built, the home in which Boaz was raised. He didn’t marry until later in

  I Samuel 11-12; 1 Chronicles 1; 2 Corinthians 11   “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve….in danger from false brothers.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, 26 Satan’s scheme was to divide and discredit the early Church by sending false apostles and false brothers into the Church disguised as genuine believers. Has Satan changed his tactics? Jesus said that we would know people by their fruit. The desire for power and influence, the unwillingness to humble ourselves in relationships, and the misuse of sign gifts for personal gain rather than the fruit of the Spirit, can all be indicators of either   immaturity or at worst, deception. Paul warns Timothy not to be hasty in laying hands on people and calling new believers into leadership. Our character a

1 Samuel 8-10; 2 Corinthians 10   “…When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigns to us, a field that reaches even to you.” 2 Corinthians 10:12, 13 When we surrender our will and our inheritance to God, he gives us his inheritance and his purpose for our lives. God assigns to each of us a field of ministry, with boundaries. The Greek word “metron” is translated “measure”, the basis for which we determine if something is acceptable or unacceptable. Are we fully engaged in the field God has assigned to us, or are we comparing ourselves to others?   “But to each one of us, grace has been given as Christ apportioned it…” (Ephesians 4:7). Jesus is the one who assigns our field of service and graces us with the measure of gifting needed to fulfill our calling. Jesus is our standard of measurement and our source. Let us take our e

  1 Samuel 6-7; Psalms 72; 2 Corinthians 9   “He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice…He will defend the afflicted…and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor…He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth…he will deliver the needy who cry out…take pity on the weak…Praise be to the Lord God…who alone does marvelous deeds.” Psalm 72:2. 4, 8, 12, 13, 18 This Psalm of coronation for Solomon is also a prophetic word for the coming Christ, and through Christ, the rule of Christ’s kingdom. God promises his anointed one authority, resources, and protection, in exchange for good governance, compassionate authority, and warfare on behalf of the afflicted. These are prophetic promises and costly convictions for those in the Church who steward authority and have been given the key of David. Are we stewarding resources, our authority, and Gods’ anointing for the most vulnerable and afflicted ? Are we exercising our

1 Samuel 3-5; Psalms 77; 2 Corinthians 8   “…we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches…they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability…see that you also excel in this grace of giving…For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor…” 2 Corinthians 8:1, 3, 7, 9 When charitable giving is reduced to a tithing obligation in exchange for a tax receipt, we have completely missed God’s heart. Biblical stewardship of resources is rooted in grace. Everything we have is an expression of God’s grace, his unmerited favor toward us. When we give back to the Lord, we are recognizing that he is our source. Our giving becomes our grateful response to God’s grace to us. Giving is not based on how well the preacher speaks, or how well our Church takes care of us, or whether we like the missionary or mission. Giving is not payment for services rendered. Giving is an act of grace, in response

  1 Samuel 1-2; Psalms 66; 2 Corinthians 7 “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1 The living God has initiated relationship with us through Jesus Christ and invites us to be his sons and daughters. However, God is holy. To relate with intimacy with our Holy Father, God, we require Christ’s righteousness in our lives. We also require the surrender of our will to God, so that we choose to purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit. This daily cleansing through repentance and receiving the grace of God keeps our conscience clear before him. We don’t have to live with condemnation for sins for which we’ve repented. However, stubborn, willful sin will contaminate us and interfere with our intimacy with God. If we “cherish” sin (Psalm 66:18), God will not listen to us. In which areas of our life are we being invited to new l

Ruth 3-4; Psalms 64-65; 2 Corinthians 6   “You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas…who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.” Psalm 65:5, 7 The nations are in turmoil today with wars, economic crises, and fear, building like waves. The wisest politicians and business leaders can’t predict or solve the world’s problems and fears. Who can calm the turmoil of the nations? – Jesus our Savior! - the hope of all who seek him , even to the ends of the earth. As we cry out to him for revival and spiritual awakening in our nations, he will answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness. There is no other hope for our generation, our nation, and all the ends of the earth. Jesus Christ, the Lord, called the storm and walked on water. He offers us his peace and righteousness today. Will we call on the Lord for our nation today? Will we call on him for re

  Ruth 1-2; Psalms 53, 61; 2 Corinthians 5   “We live by faith, not by sight…And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view…Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:7, 15-17 To be born again of the Spirit of God, is to enter a new life that is in Christ. If we reduce this new life to a solution to our sin problem, we have not yet experienced what Paul is describing. This new life is by faith. By definition, faith requires us to trust God for things we cannot see and have not yet experienced. We live by faith as if that were normal. As those who are born again by the Spirit, we no longer live for ourselves. We ask Jesus what would please him each day, all day. We now view others as deeply loved, eternal beings and are willing to give our lives for their salvation, just as Chris

Judges 19-21; 2 Corinthians 4   “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 The living presence of God through the Holy Spirit is the treasure and “all surpassing power” within the lives of Christ followers. The “jars of clay”, which are our bodies, become chipped, cracked, and   vulnerable to breaking. Like God’s intentional whittling down of Gideon’s army so they would not boast of their own strength, God’s power is revealed through the vulnerable, temptation-prone containers of human bodies, so that we would not boast nor rely on our own power. Are we valuing the treasure of God’s presence in our lives today by honoring and responding to his Spirit? Are we humbling ourselves before God, acknowledging our vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and utter dependency on him? God desires to reveal the life of Jesus through us today! “Lord Jesus, shine through me and being glory to your name.”

Judges 17-18; Psalms 89; 2 Corinthians 3   “…’I have bestowed strength on a warrior;…with my sacred oil I have anointed him. My hand will sustain him; surely my arm will strengthen him…I will crush his foes before him…My faithful love will be with him,…I will set his hand over the sea, his right hand over the rivers…I will also appoint him my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth.’” Psalm 89:19-21, 23-25, 27 God’s covenant with David was fulfilled in Christ, the “root and offspring of David” (Revelation 22:16). Through Christ, the Church inherits the promises made to David, the promises of “strength in the Lord” - the anointing of God’s Spirit, the hand of God on our lives, God’s protection and deliverance from evil, the defeat of Satan on the cross, the faithful love of God poured out through his Spirit, and the authority to bind and loose . We are the Church of the firstborn, chosen in Christ to rule and reign with him. Do we know our inheritance in Christ? Are we cla

  Judges 13-16; 2 Corinthians 2   “…she called a man to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him. Then she called, ‘Samson, the Philistines are upon you!’ He awoke from his sleep and thought, ‘I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.’ but he did not know that the Lord had left him.” Judges 16:19, 20 Samson broke his vows as a Nazirite and treated lightly the secret to his strength. His strength, rather than the presence of the Lord, became his focus, so he was unaware that the Lord had left him. Do we know our strength is in the Lord? Are we aware when we grieve the Spirit that the Lords’ presence is interfered with in our lives? When our focus is on the gifts of the Spirit and not the fruit of intimacy with the Spirit, we, too, can become distracted and unaware when the Lord’s presence leaves us. Jesus has promised to never leave us nor forsake us, but we can grieve him and wander away. When our relationship with the Lord is mor