tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25861859583364342232024-03-04T23:17:33.003-06:00Tisha Blaylock - Learning Faithtishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-90035484674863641092015-07-07T07:35:00.002-05:002015-07-07T07:40:47.306-05:00Confessions of a Rule Lover<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px; white-space: normal;">Col 2:16-3 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+2%3A16-3%3A25&version=NIV</pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Segoe UI, Segoe UI Web Regular, Segoe UI Symbol, Helvetica Neue, BBAlpha Sans, S60 Sans, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px; white-space: normal;">I've always liked rules. I love to follow them, be it a diet, fitness program, work process, math formula, etc. Even in my spiritual life I notice I make little rules not only to try to keep myself from sin and indulgence, but also subconsciously about other seemingly good things. For example I read my bible in the morning every day at the same time. This is a great habit, but I feel guilty if I don't do it, which indicates to me that it perhaps has become an inappropriate regulation in my life. I also struggle (like I assume most people do!) with food and drink and this one really consumes me sometimes. I get obsessed with diet or lack of and don't even get me started on the guilt level I can reach if I feel like I had too much to drink on an occasion, and I'm not talking about being totally drunk, I don't do that anymore PTL, but even having some socially.</span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Segoe UI, Segoe UI Web Regular, Segoe UI Symbol, Helvetica Neue, BBAlpha Sans, S60 Sans, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px; white-space: normal;">
</span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Segoe UI, Segoe UI Web Regular, Segoe UI Symbol, Helvetica Neue, BBAlpha Sans, S60 Sans, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px; white-space: normal;">The problem with rules, even good ones, is they lead to spiritual legalism and keep us from living in the freedom Christ died to give us. They make us feel a false sense of righteousness when we follow them correctly and a false sense of guilt if we break them. God really impressed this on my heart this morning while reading the verses referenced above:</span></span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px; white-space: normal;"><span style="line-height: 21.2999992370605px;">
</span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px; white-space: normal;"><span style="line-height: 21.2999992370605px;"><i>We will never successfully combat fleshly desires & indulgence with restrictions and rules but only when we are truly led by the spirit and our minds are focused on things of above rather than here, being prayerful at all times and thankful. </i></span></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px; white-space: normal;">I've had head knowledge of this but really feel it home today. The trouble is keeping that focus level! I'd love to but really struggle to! I believe my personal restrictions/rules go into effect because I know I'll fail at always keeping correct focus, but my rules always fail. I am unable to keep them perfectly, so this is a flawed circle I'm always running around! Focus on the spiritual will always lead us down the correct path and we will never be fully successfully on this earth, but we will have much more success and much more joy and less falsehood and guilt if we will set our hearts on Christ and on things above, chase after those things, and the rest will follow. </pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px; white-space: normal;"></pre>
<pre style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web Regular', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Helvetica Neue', 'BBAlpha Sans', 'S60 Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21.2999992370605px; white-space: normal;">We are chosen and dearly loved and have the permission and capacity to have a strong relationship with our savior Jesus Christ who will lead us down the path of freedom and help us choose correctly when we set our mind on Him and on spiritual things rather than trying to follow man-made rules and regulations that will never win. I am choosing today to set my focus on Him. I know it will take effort to change my habitual thinking, but it is the only way to win the battle and get to path He has for me.</pre>
tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-32985382740407152332015-06-15T08:22:00.000-05:002015-06-15T08:22:12.548-05:00The Call<br />
John 1:35-2:12 & Luke 5:1-12<br />
<br />
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+1%3A35-2%3A12&version=NIV<br />
<br />
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+5%3A1-12&version=NIV<br />
<br />
I always thought when Jesus called the 1st disciples, Simon & Andrew, they didn't know him very well. However these verses reveal they were already disciples of John the Baptist, had not only met Jesus before but stayed with Him, and were at the wedding where Jesus turned the water to wine. They already knew about Him and were devoted and active believers. The call when they were fishing though was that of permanence and 100% devotion. They left immediately and left everything behind...like they were just waiting for it. What they did before was good, but this was completely different and better. More intense.<br />
<br />
It just makes me wonder if ever during their ministry before did they hope for something more significant. Did they ever look at what they were doing, which was in God's plan, and feel like it wasn't enough? Did they long for a greater purpose even while walking in God's path? It makes me think they did since they left so abruptly, like they were just waiting for the call.<br />
<br />
These are the ones who got to meet Jesus in the flesh and spend the most time with Him while He walked this earth. They were found doing God's work where they were and were called to something greater. It encourages me to continue doing God's work, no matter how insignificant it seems or when it doesn't feel like I'm making much progress or difference.<br />
<br />
Keep working God's plan and be expectant for the greater calling! I pray when it comes we have the faith to immediately leave everything behind and go as they did!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-29033614066002229722015-02-20T08:01:00.000-06:002015-02-20T08:01:23.587-06:00Binding and Loosing<div class="MsoNormal">
These scriptures are in context where Jesus is telling Peter
that he would be the rock of the church. And He tells Peter:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Matt 16:19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of
heaven; whatever you bind (Strongs: tie, knot; in another form: need) on earth will
be bound in heaven & whatever you loose (Strongs: break up, destroy) on
earth will be loosed on heaven.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I see binding as right
spiritual thinking and living, following Christ fully. These are the things we
“wrap up” in our mind that are true, that we need, that we hold onto and are
gifts we offer God. Picture these tied up
neatly, wrapped tight, not to be undone. As we embrace
these things and be an example of these things to those around us, the kingdom
of heaven is let loose to multiply them in ways we can’t imagine and reach more
people than we ever could by ourselves.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In retrospect, whatever we loose (break, destroy) – examples
are immorality, complacency, negative thinking, evil, etc., is loosed in heaven. As we loose these
things, break free from bad habits or destructive lifestyles/thought patterns,
as we stand for Christ against evil, the Kingdom of Heaven is going wild,
released to do the same on earth. I can picture an army of angelic warriors, heaving
on the battle line, just waiting to go as soon we start breaking these things
down. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 Cor 2:5 shows these ideas in action: “We are destroying
speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God <i>(loosing)</i> and we are taking every
thought captive to the obedience of Christ <i>(binding)</i>.” </div>
tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-52252475916761272562015-01-15T07:25:00.003-06:002015-01-15T07:25:34.674-06:00Exercising Freedom<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">I’m speaking out because I think it’s important we take a stand. When media outlets are more concerned with terror acts causing “Islamophobia” than they are about the reality of what’s happening we’re getting it backwards. The truth is we cannot be friends with everybody. There are groups that would rather see us dead than let us mind our own business and live our life in freedom. Meanwhile, in our own country, we are fighting against Christians publicly displaying religion a</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">nd preaching tolerance toward Muslim religion. We are electing Muslim leaders to our government and ignoring Christians and other religious groups being persecuted worldwide by Islam. We must speak out. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">I recently had a very minor, but personal, experience with a Muslim while returning from Zimbabwe by myself last month. I was on a British Airways flight from London to DFW and the man did not want me to sit on his row. He had the aisle seat, there was a young man in the middle seat (who was ex US military, returning from the embassy in Afganastan, which definitely made me much more comfortable!) and I had the window. They were both seated and the Muslim man refused to let me sit down. The line was backing up behind me as I was blocking the row during our confrontation until finally the guy in the middle elbowed him and basically forced him to get up so I could sit down. When the meal came I considered not ordering the free wine so as not to offend the Muslim man, but then I thought, “I am on a British owned airplane flying to the United States, I will have a glass of wine if I want to”. So I ordered it and he leaned forward and stared at me. Afterward, every drink I took he leaned forward and stared at me. Later I took my jacket off and as I took it he leaned forward and stared at me. It was very uncomfortable but it made me realize how important our freedoms are. I have never been so determined to exercise my free will. And it makes me realize if we continue to turn our heads and let this religion take roots and take leadership roles in our country we are headed for oppression. Not only that, but increased and unspeakable violence, which is already happening worldwide. We’ve got to take a stand for our freedom and quit trying to quiet those who are exercising their rights and support them and condemn openly not only the acts of terror but the stripping away of our rights to practice our religion openly.</span>tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-49034922844895635662015-01-09T07:27:00.000-06:002015-01-09T07:27:03.784-06:00David (and Bathsheba)<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">David, Bethlemite, youngest son of Jesse, s</span><span style="font-size: 15px;">hepherd</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. When David was out tending sheep while living in his father's house, Samuel came to anoint one of
Jesse’s sons as King of Israel. His brothers all passed before Samuel, but none
were chosen. Samuel asked Jesse if this were all his sons and Jesse told him
the youngest was out tending sheep. They sent for him, and when he came in
Samuel anointed him. Saul was still king and David did not take over
immediately. In fact, he was anointed without Saul knowing that the anointing
had taken place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">He was then summoned to play the harp by Saul, who was tortured by
an evil spirit. Saul loved David and made him armor bearer. David continued to
play for him as well, and when he did the evil spirit that terrorized Saul
would depart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">The Philistines came against Israel and David’s three oldest
brothers went to battle. Jesse sent David to them with food and to check on
them. While he was there, David saw and heard the giant Goliath taunting
Israel. David asked, “What will 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 taunt the armies of the living God?” 1Samuel 17:26.
Eliab, his older brother, burned with anger toward David and questioned his
motives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Saul heard of David’s questions and sent for him. David tells him
he will fight the Philistine. At first, Saul tells him he cannot fight and
would never win against such an experienced warrior. But David defends his
position, telling Saul of killing a lion and a bear while watching his father’s
sheep and that as the Lord delivered him from the attacks of wild animals He
will deliver him from the hand of the Philistine. David’s heart and his passion
for fighting for God’s people convinced Saul that he could go and he gave him
his clothes and put armor on him. David had not worn armor before and told Saul
he couldn’t use it. He went against Goliath with his shepherd’s tools and full
confidence that God would deliver him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">As he approached the Philistine, Goliath saw that David was just a
youth and not dressed for battle. He was offended that Israel would send a kid and
cursed and mocked David and Israel. David said to him, “You come to me with a
sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of
hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted. This day the
Lord will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove
your dead from you. I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines
this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the earth that all the
earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may
know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the
Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.” 1 Sam 17:45-47. So Goliath began to approach and David went
out to meet him. He took a stone from his bag, put it in his sling and slung
it. The stone struck Goliath in the forehead and he fell to the ground. David
ran to him, took out Goliath’s sword, and cut off his head. The Philistines saw
their champion was dead and fled. Israel and Judea pursued them and killed many
and plundered their camps. David took Goliath’s head to Jerusalem but put his
weapons in his tent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Saul inquires about David, for he did not know who he was. David
was brought before him and tells him he is the son of Jesse, the Bethlehemite.
Saul took him into his house that day and did not let him return home. It was
at this time that Jonathan, Saul’s son and heir to the throne, saw David and
the scripture says of them, “the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of
David, and Jonathan loved him as himself” 1 Sam 18:1 Jonathan made a covenant
with David and gave him his robe and armor, including his bow and belt. I
believe this signified that Jonathan was willing to give up his right to the
throne and at least had an idea or possibly a revelation from God that David
was the next anointed king and Jonathan remained loyal to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Saul began to send David out to fight and everywhere he went he
prospered and Saul put him over the men of war (1 Sam 18:5). It happened that
after David killed Goliath, women came out singing and dancing and playing
music. They sang, “Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands” 1 Sam
18:7. This made Saul angry and he did not trust David from this point forward.
The next day, an evil spirit came over Saul and while David was playing his
harp Saul hurled a spear at him in hopes to pin him to the wall. David escaped
from a situation like this twice, and Saul became afraid of him because he
realized the Lord was with David and had left him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Saul put David over a thousand fighting men and sent him off
(mainly to get him out of his presence), and David again prospered. Saul hated
it, but he could do nothing against David because all of Israel and Judah loved
him. Saul gave his oldest daughter Merab to David in marriage, but David was
humble before Saul and said he could not take her, for who was he to marry into
the royal family. Michal, another daughter, loved David, and when it was told
to Saul he schemed to give her to him in order to set a trap for him. He sent
his servants to talk David into it, for he was still disagreeable to marrying
into the royal family. The servants told him the king would not require a dowry
except for 100 foreskins of the Philistines. This pleased David and he agreed.
Saul was hoping he would fall by the hands of the Philistines, but instead he
brought Saul 200 foreskins. This reinforced to Saul that the Lord was with
David and he knew that Michal loved David, which made him even more afraid of
him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Saul became so afraid of David he goes to Jonathan and all his
servants and commands them to put David to death. Jonathan tells David his
father’s plans and suggested he hide himself while he talks to his father to
see if he can convince him otherwise. Jonathan reminds Saul of all the good
David has done for him and the nation of Israel and talks him into not killing
innocent blood, so David returns to Saul’s household. However, it isn’t long
before David is sent back into war where he again has a great slaughter and
Saul once again tries to kill him with his spear as he is playing the harp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">David escapes that night to his home where his wife Michal comes
to his aide. She helps him flee and hides an idol in the bed so the servants of
Saul will think he was sleeping. When they asked for him, Michal tells them he
is sick so they report to Saul and he instructed them to bring David to him on
his bed so he can put him to death. When they realize it is only an idol in the
bed, Saul asks Michal why she deceived him. She lies and tells him David
threatened her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">So David now flees to Samuel at Ramah and tells him all that Saul
has done to him. Samuel takes him to Naioth where the prophets are. Saul finds
out he is there and sends messengers three different times and each time they are
overcome by the Spirit of God and do not harm David but began prophesying with
them. Saul finally goes himself, but he too is overtaken by the Holy Spirit. In
1 Samuel 19:23-24 the bible says Saul stripped his clothes and lay down naked
all day. My bible commentary mentions this humbling of Saul signifies God’s
rejection of him as King of Israel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">David flees from Naioth to Jonathan and tells him about Saul.
Jonathan is hesitant to believe that his father would go after David,
especially without telling him of it. Once again he tells David to hide in the
field while he goes find out. When he realizes Saul is indeed trying to kill
David he becomes angry, and Saul throws a spear at him for defending David. He
leaves the banquet and goes and tells David to flee. After a heartfelt goodbye
and pledge of loyalty to each other and each other’s families David leaves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">He goes to Nob to the priest Ahimelech and asks for bread and
weapons, telling him he is on a secret mission for the king. The only bread
available is the consecrated bread and the only sword is the one of Goliath,
but the priest gives these to David. Doeg the Edomite witnesses the whole thing
and eventually tells Saul. David then flees to the king of Gath, but becomes
afraid and escapes from there by acting like a madman. After this, Saul is
inquires of his men about David and Doeg tells him what he saw. Saul brings the
priests of Nob in front of him and confronts them. They stand for David and say
they knew nothing of the conspiracy. Saul has Doeg the Edomite, who was the
only servant of Saul willing to kill the priests, kill them all. He kills 85
men as well as women, children, and animals. One priest, Abiathar, escapes to
David and tells him what happened. David tells him to stay with him for
protection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">During this time, David takes refuge in the cave of Adullam and
his brothers and fathers, along with many men who were described as in distress
or discontented came to David’s side and he becomes leader over them (approximately
400 men). David takes his parents to Mizpah, king of Moab, and asks him to
shelter them until he knows what God’s plan for him is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Soon after, David hears of the Phlisitines attacking Keilah, a
city in the western foothills of Judah about 3 miles SE of Adullam. He inquires
of the Lord who tells him to go up against the Philistines and they do,
although his men were afraid. They defeated them and escaped Keilah as Saul was
on his way to pursue him there. Saul continues to pursue David in the
wilderness of Horesh where he and his men are hiding, but the Lord allows them
an escape and they move to the strongholds of Engedi, an oasis on the western
shore of the Dead Sea which provided good hiding places.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">David’s location is again given up to Saul who pursues him with
three thousand men. Saul unknowingly goes into the cave where David is hiding
to relieve himself and David’s men tell him to kill Saul, that the Lord had
delivered him into his hands. David only cuts a corner off his robe though,
unwilling to kill the Lord’s anointed. Afterward when Saul has left the cave,
David cries out to him and shows him the piece of the garment. He asks that the
Lord judge between the two of them, that he spared Saul’s life while Saul
determined to take his, chasing after a “dead dog, a single flea”. Saul
recognizes that David acted righteously and that his own actions toward David
were wicked. He admitted David would have the kingdom of Israel and David made
covenant with him to not cut his family off when that time came. Saul left but
was not about to hand over the kingdom to David yet. David and his men returned
to the strongholds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Samuel passed away and all of Israel gathered for his funeral.
David and his men went to the wilderness of Maon, where lived a wealthy man
named Nabal. David sent some of his servants to Nabal to ask for provisions
expecting Nabal to cooperate since David had kept some of his servants safe and
provided for them as they watched Nabal’s sheep. Nabal refused and the servants
returned to David and told him. This angered David and he had the men gird
their swords and they headed out to strike Nabal and his household. Abigail,
Nabal’s wife, heard of it and rushed to prepare provisions and bring them to
David. She told him her husband was a fool and to please accept her gift. David
did and spared their household. When she returned, Nabal was throwing a feast
and was quite drunk so she waited and told him what happened in the morning.
When he heard, Nabal’s heart turned to stone and he was unable to move. Ten
days later he passed away. When David heard of it he requested Abigail’s hand
in marriage and she accepted, becoming his third wife. His other wives were
Ahinoam or Jezreel, and Michal, Saul’s daughter, although in David’s absence
Saul had given Michal to another man, Phalti, of Gallim.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Saul once again went searching for David in the wilderness along
with 3,000 of his men. David and Abishai snuck into his camp at night and took
the spear and water jug from next to Saul’s head. Abishai asked David if he
could kill Saul for him but David said no, he would not stretch his hand out
against the Lord’s anointed. In 1 Samuel 26:10 David tells him “As the Lord
lives, surely the Lord will strike him, or his day will come that he dies or he
will go down into battle and perish.” David’s trust in the Lord kept him
innocent of Saul’s death. So when they left the camp and went a distance, he
called out and Saul recognized it was David and that he again had spared his
life. Saul admitted again he had sinned by going after David and asked David to
come back to him. David responded that the Lord would repay each of them for
what they had done and stated the Lord would deliver him from distress. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">After this bold move, David begins to believe that Saul will
surely capture him and kill him so he goes to the Philistines and convinces the
king of Gath, Achish, that he is on their side. He even is granted a request
for an area in Gath’s territory for he and his men to live, which was called
Ziklag. David and his men began attacking portions of the land, all the way to
Egypt, while telling the king of Gath that they were attacking the Israelites
instead. They would kill everyone, women and children included, so that there
was no one left to tell the king what they were really doing. Achish became
comfortable with David because of this, thinking he was making himself hated in
Israel when really he was attacking the enemies of Israel instead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">During this time, the Philistines came against Israel in war and
Achish made David his personal body guard. Saul was terrified, and although he
had previously removed all the spiritists and mediums from the land he had his
servants find him one. They found a woman in Endor, which was a Philistine held
territory (according to my commentary) and so he disguised himself and went to
her. She was afraid, but he encouraged her and she called up Samuel, who was
deceased. The spirit of Samuel told Saul that as he had said when he was alive
the kingdom would be given to David and because of his disobedience to God,
specifically referencing Amalek (see 1 Sam 15), Saul was about to lose
everything. He and his sons would be killed the next day and Israel would be
given over to the Philistines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Saul was devastated and weak. He lay on the ground afraid and with
no strength. He had not eaten all day or night, and finally gave in to the
woman and his servants and ate bread and a fattened calf. He and his men then
went away in the night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Meanwhile the Philistines gathered their armies and began to move,
with David and his men accompanying Achish in the back. Achish trusted David
completely, but the lords of the Philistine army would not fight with him. They
knew of his reputation of being a valiant warrior, of killing many Philistines
and of having favor with the Lord. They feared he would turn against them. So
Achish, although he disagreed, sent David and his men back to Ziklag while
their army proceeded to Jezreel, a well known battleground approximately 56
miles north of Jerusalem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">When David and his men arrived at Ziklag, they found that the Amalakites
had burned it and had taken all of their possessions and their wives and
children. The men were furious with David and contemplated stoning him. But it
says in 1 Sam 30:6 that David “strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” He asked for the ephod and inquired of the
Lord and the Lord told him he would be victorious if he went after the
Amalakites. So David and 600 men pursued them. 200 men became tired and stayed
behind with the belongings. The other 400 carried on with David. They came upon
an Amalakite’s Egyptian servant who had been left behind, sick and starving in
the desert. They gave him food and water and promised to not turn him over to
the Amalakites if in return the Egyptian slave showed them where the Amalakites
were. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">The Amalakites were spread out, dancing and enjoying the spoils
they had gained when David and his men attacked. They slaughtered them, all but
400 Amalakites who had retreated on camels. They recovered all of their
belongings and all of their women and children, not one thing was missing. So
they brought all of their livestock, families, and belongings and returned to
the camp of the 200 that had stayed behind. The text then says, “Then all the
worthless and wicked men among those who had went with David said, ‘Because
they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have
recovered, except to every man his wife and children, that they may lead them
away.’”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">David was not pleased with this action against the ones that
stayed behind and he pointed out that what the Lord had given them and
delivered to them would be shared, and he made a statute to that effect that
day. When he came to Ziklag, he also gave some of the spoils to the elders of
Judah and to his friends in many areas of Judah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">At this time, the Philistines were fighting against Israel. Saul’s
sons, including Jonathan, were killed and he was injured so badly he took his
own life by falling on his spear. The next day, the Philistines found them
slain and cut off Saul’s head and sent their dead bodies throughout the land of
the Philistines to carry the good news. They then fastened their bodies to the
wall of Beth-shan (in the Jordan Valley approx 16 miles south of the Sea of
Galilee). When the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard, a group of valiant men
walked all night and came to the wall and removed the bodies of Saul and his
son and honored them by burning them in Jabesh and burying their bodies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">On the third day after David returned to Ziklag, an Amalakite
messenger came to him with Saul’s crown and bracelet and told him the news of
the Israelites defeat and the deaths of Saul and his sons. The messenger took
credit for killing Saul, saying he saw him in distress and did so to help him,
but as previously stated Saul took his own life, so the messenger was being
deceitful, probably to win the favor of David since he knew David would be the
next king. However, David greatly mourned the deaths of all of them and
Israel’s defeat. He asked the messenger what right he thought he had to kill
the Lord’s anointed and then had him killed. He wrote a song of lament and
honor about Saul and his sons that is recorded in the book of Jashar, a poetic
collection of Israel’s wars which commemorated great men. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Then David asked of the Lord if he should go down to Judah and the
Lord instructed him to go to Hebron. So he did, and there the men of Judah
anointed him King of Judah. Abner, the son of Ner and a cousin of Saul, made
Saul’s surviving son Ish-Bosheth king over Israel. Abner was the general of
Israel’s army and was a much strong leader than Ish-Bosheth act. He actually
had more influence over Israel than Ish-Bosheth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Abner went to the pool at Gibeon with the servants of Ish-Bosheth
where he met and challenged David’s men (lead by David’s military leader Joab,
who was his nephew) to a competition in which twelve men from each side stood
together, drew their swords and thrust it into each others’ sides, killing all
involved. This started a civil war. Abner fled but Joab’s brother Asahel, who
was very swift, chased him. Abner was a stronger fighter however and he tried
to convince Asahel to turn back but he wouldn’t so Abner really had no choice
but to kill him. Abner continued to flee but Joab and his other brother Abishai
pursued him. They came to a halt and agreed to part. The battle that day took
the lives of 360 Israelites and only 19 men of Judah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">When Abner returned to Israel the conflict between Judah and
Israel grew stronger and Abner grew stronger in the house of Saul as well.
During this time, Ish-Bosheth confronted him about having an affair with Saul’s
concubine, which in that day is making a statement that he is after the throne.
It doesn’t say clearly if Abner did what he was accused of, but it enrages him
and he tells Ish-Bosheth that he will deflect to David. Ish-Bosheth is
terrified for he knows how powerful Abner is and that Abner truly is the one
with influence and leadership over Israel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Abner makes good on his word and goes to see David and agrees with
David to bring Israel over to his side. David makes agreement with him and
sends him off in peace. Joab returns
from a raid and hears that David has trusted Abner. He maliciously sends
messengers to have Abner return and in vengeance of his brother kills him.
David mourns in front of all of Israel and the people are pleased with him to
see that his hands are clean and he is not guilty or associated with the death
of Abner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">After Abner dies the commanders of bands in Ish-bosheth’s kingdom
Rechab and Baanah, kill him and bring his head to David. Once again, David is
not pleased and has the men killed, reminding them of what he did in Ziklag to
the man who brought him news of Saul’s death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Then all the tribes of Israel made David king. He had ruled over
Judah at Hebron for 7 years and 6 months and he will rule over all of Israel
and Judah in Jerusalem for 33 years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Once made king, David went out against the Jebusites who were in
control of Jerusalem at that time. He captured Jerualem and made it his city,
Zion or City of David. He became greater and greater for God was with him. The
king of Tyre sent him cedar trees and carpenters and stonemasons and built a
house for him and David realized the Lord had indeed established him as king.
He took more concubines and conquered more nations, including the Philistines.
He always asked the Lord for direction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">When the Philistines heard of him all his success, they went out
against him in the valley of Rephaim. David asked the Lord if he should go out
and fight them. The Lord told him to go, but not directly up. He said to circle
around behind them and come from in front of the balsam trees. He told David to
wait and listen for the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees and
then move quickly for this was the Lord going out before him. So David did as
he was instructed and conquered the Philistines. 1 Sam 5:17-25<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">David gathered 30,000 men and went to get the ark of God and bring
it back to Jerusalem. They went to the house of Abinadab where it was and
placed it on a cart to carry it back. They celebrated before the Lord as they
made their journey. On the way, the oxen pulling it caused it to shift, and
Uzzah, a descendant of Abinadab, reached out to steady it. God struck him down
for his irreverence and David became angry because of this. He was afraid of
the Lord and left the ark with Obed-edom, a Gittite, where it stayed for three
months.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">It came about that David heard how blessed Obed-edom had been and
he went to get the ark, only this time he followed the instructions given by
the Lord on how to carry it and was successful. He came into Jerusalem dancing
and leaping before the Lord. His wife Michal, the daughter of Saul, was
embarrassed by his display and despised him for it. David blessed all of the
people who came by giving them food and when he went to bless his own
household, Michal confronted him. David stood his ground and proclaimed he
would celebrate before the Lord, who had made him king over her father and
would be humble, regardless of how he looked to her. She remained barren the
rest of her life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">David defeated many nations including Philistine, Moab, Zobah,
Aram, and Edom. He took the plunder from these nations and dedicated it to the
Lord and many of them became his servants. It is mentioned in 2 Samuel 8 twice
that the Lord helped David wherever he went. He became a respected and
successful leader.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">David asked if there was anyone left in the house of Saul that he
may show kindness for the sake of Jonathan. He found Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s
son, who was crippled in both feet and his servant Ziba. David called to
Mephibosheth and invited him to eat at his table regularly and he gave him back
all of Saul’s land and asked Ziba (who had 15 sons and 20 servants) to help
watch over it and cultivate the land. And so it was that Mephibosheth ate
regularly at David’s table and he was greatly humble and thankful toward David.
Note Mephibosheth has a son Mica. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Afterwards, David heard the king of the Ammonites, Nahash, died so
he sent some of his servants to greet his son, Hanun, and show kindness to him.
However, when they got there the servants of Hanun convinced him David’s men
were there to spy on him and he humiliated them by cutting off half their
beards and cutting their garments off at hip level. David heard of this and met
his men on their way back. He had them stay in Jericho until their beards grew
back and then return. When the sons of Ammon saw that David was now against
them they hired Arameans and men of Tob and the king of Maacah to go against
Israel with them. Joab led the Isreali army against them telling them in chapt
10, verse 12 to “Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake
of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what is good
in His sight.” The Arameans were defeated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">The Arameans regrouped and Hadadezer (leader of Arameans in Zobah)
came back to Helam. When David heard of this he lead his troops there and
killed 700 charioteers, 40,000 horsemen and Shobach, the commander of
Hadadezer’s army. The Arameans realized they were defeated and made peace with
Israel and served them. They feared Israel and would not help the sons of Ammon
going forward.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Later in the spring, when kings typically go out to war, David
stayed in Israel. He went out on his roof and saw a beautiful woman bathing. He
inquired about her and learned she was Bathsheba, wife of Uriah, one of his
mighty men. This did not stop David from requesting her, so he sent for her and
slept with her. She became pregnant and sent word to him. In an attempt to hide
his sin, he sent for Uriah so that maybe while he was home he would lay with
his wife and believe she was pregnant by him. Uriah traveled from the
battlefield and David suggested he go home and spend time with his wife. But
Uriah wouldn’t go out of loyalty to his brothers in battle fighting so he slept
at the door of David’s house. The next day David asked him why he wouldn’t go,
to which he responded that it wasn’t fair for him to come home and enjoy his
wife while the ark and men of Israel and Judah were out fighting. So, the next
day David had him dine with him and made him drunk, hoping he would go home and
sleep with his wife, however again Uriah did not go home to his wife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab, the commander of his
army, sent by the hand of Uriah calling for his death. Joab sent Uriah to the
front of the battle near the city wall, which was known to be dangerous and is
usually avoided. Uriah, along with several other warriors, was killed. Word
came to David and he sent word to Joab not to be concerned over it. He called
for Bathsheba and took her as his wife. All of this was evil in the sight of
the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Nathan the prophet came in and by parable made David see the wrong
he had done. He rebuked David for his actions and told him he had sinned
against the Lord. David realized it and showed remorse. Nathan assured him that
the Lord had forgiven him but because of the evil he had done the child born by
Bathsheba would die. As Nathan had warned, the child was born but was very
sick. David prayed and fasted over him for seven days. On the seventh day of
his life the child died. The servants were afraid to tell David of the death
for he had not eaten the entire time the child was with him but when he heard
of the death he got up, washed and anointed himself, and went in to worship.
Then he came inside and ate. His servants were confused by this change in him
and he explained that while the child was alive there was hope, for God may
have been gracious and allowed the child to live, but now that he was dead there
was nothing he could do and that he would go to him some day in death. He went
in to comfort his wife Bathsheba who again became pregnant. This time she gave
birth to Solomon, who the Lord loved and named Jedidiah (beloved of the Lord).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Meanwhile, Joab was still fighting against Rabbah of the sons of
Ammon (the same people against which Uriah was fighting) and was close to
capturing the royal city. He sent for David to give him opportunity to claim
it. So David came and captured the royal city and took a valuable crown and
much spoil. He imposed hard labor on the Ammonites and killed many of them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Afterwards, one of David’s sons Amnon lusted after his beautiful
half sister Tamar. Under the counsel of his cousin Jonadab, Amnon tricked her
into coming in his room to care for him while he was sick so he could rape her.
He raped her and then burned with hate toward her. Her full brother Absalom
killed Amnon for his violation of Tamar by inviting all his brothers and
sisters to his house and having his servants put him to death after he had
drank a lot of wine. Absalom fled to he and Tamar’s grandfather Ammihud, the
king of Geshur, and David mourned for him and wished to go out to him but he
did not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Joab saw that David mourned for Absalom so he had a wise woman
from Tekoa go to David and pretend to mourn over her own sons who had gotten
into a quarrel and one killed the other. She told David that now the men
requested the life of the one remaining and David promised to spare him. When
he told her this, she asked why he would save her son whom he does not know,
but not reconcile with Absalom. David recognized Joab had concocted this story
but he agreed to let Absalom return on the conditions that he would not live
with him or see his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Absalom returned and did not see David’s face for two years. He sent
for Joab twice and asked to see the king but was denied, so to get the
attention he desired he set Joab’s field on fire. Joab went to him and asked
why, to which he responded if he would not be allowed to see David he should
have never left Geshur. So David agreed to see him and Absalom came before him
and prostrated himself before him and David kissed him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">After this, Absalom began conspiring against David. He gathered
for himself chariots and horses and fifty men, including Ahithophel, one of
David’s advisors. He started going out to the city gate where men came for
trial and empathizing with everyone and speaking against David so that he won
the hearts of the men of Israel and rose up against David, causing David and
his servants to flee. Zadok and Abiathar the priests followed him with the ark
of God but he had them return. David went up on the Mount of Olives and wept
and prayed to God to make Ahithophel’s counsel foolish. At that time David’s
friend Hushai the Archite met him and was also mourning. He committed to David
to return to Absalom acting as one of his followers to thwart the counsel of
Ahithophel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">David ran into more trouble – Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth
who tricked him into giving him Mephibosheth’s belongings based on the lie that
Mephibosheth was disloyal to him and Shimei who cursed him as he passed through
Bahurim. Meanwhile Absalom, following Ahithophel’s advice, went into David’s
palace and had sexual relations with the remaining concubines on the roof in
front of all of Israel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">During this time, David’s friend Hushai gained the trust of
Absalom and was able to advise him to take time to gather a large army and lead
them in to battle, compared to Ahithophel’s better plan to take a smaller group
of 12,000 men immediately and surprise David and his men. Absalom took Hushai’s
advice, which allowed time for him to notify to priests Zadok and Abiathar, who
then warned David of the coming attack. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">David was prepared when Absalom attacked. He had set three
commanders over thousands of troops – Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, and he went out
with his people and defeated the people of Israel. During the confrontation,
Absalom was killed by Joab even though David had asked his commanders to spare
him. David was grief stricken and admonished for being so by Joab since the
people were so loyal to him in fighting against Absalom and Israel. He prodded
David to rise and speak to his people. So he did and he was restored as king. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Shimei, who cursed him, came to him and admitted his sin and David
forgave him. Mephibosheth came to him and told him of Ziba’s deception and
David restored half of his land and belongings back to him. Others came forward
and declared loyalty to David and Judea and Israel fought over which one of
them was closer to David. Judah stated they had closer ties to him by blood and
Israel replied they were ten tribes compared to Judah as one and therefore had
more right to David. They felt that Judah had kidnapped him since they were the
only ones who went out with David when he fled. This led to a revolt as a
Benjamite named Sheba called Israel to him saying they had no part in David.
Israel followed him and David had his army pursue him as he would cause more
harm than Absalom had in dividing the people. The revolt was stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Famine struck the land of Israel for three years until David
inquired of the Lord and he told him it was due to Saul’s “bloody house” that
put the Gibeonites to death despite a covenant made with them 400 years before.
David did as they asked and handed over seven descendents of Saul, but sparing
Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan. (2 Sam 21)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Israel again went to war with the Philistines and David went out
with them. He became tired though and after almost being killed the men of David
asked him to care for himself and not go out to battle with them in order to
save the “lamp of Israel”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">At one point during David’s reign (my commentary says
approximately 20 years after Joab defeated Rabbah and David took the crown from
their king, David took a census. This is found in 2 Sam 24 and 1 Chron 21. The text
says that the Lord’s anger burned against Israel and Satan stood up against it
and moved David to number the people. At this time, numbering people was for
military purposes and even Joab advised against it, but David went ahead. David
realized afterward that he had sinned and the Lord gave him three consequences
for his sin, told to him by Gad the prophet: 1) seven years of famine 2) three
months being pursued by enemies 3) three days pestilence. David chose three
days of pestilence, stating he would rather fall into the hands of God than the
hands of men. Seventy thousand men died, but when the angel stretched his hand
toward Jerusalem God stopped him. David cried out to the Lord and asked that
the harm to Israel be stopped and be done to him instead. Gad came back to
David and told him to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the
Jebusite. So David bought it from him and did as Gad instructed. The Lord was
moved by prayer and the plague was held back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">When King David was old, he anointed Solomon as king over Israel
and charged him to keep the commandments of the Lord and walk in His ways. David would have liked to build a temple to
the Lord but the Lord said he would rise up his descendant (Solomon) to build
His house and the Lord made a covenant with David at that time that his throne
would be established forever. David was amazed at His words and started to
prepare for Solomon the things needed for the building of the temple (1 Chron
22). David reigned in Israel forty years, seven in Hebron and thirty three in
Jerusalem. And Solomon sat on the throne of David and his kingdom was firmly
established (1 Kings 10-12). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">David’s Psalm of Deliverance is found in 2 Samuel 22 and his last
words of David are recorded in 2 Samuel 23. David wrote many of the psalms as
his heart reached out to God. Psalm 51 is one of my favorites. I loved reading
his song of deliverance as well. I’ve copied it and his last words below. There
is so much truth and strength in his words. An imperfect man determined to
follow God regardless of setbacks. Spoken of by God Himself as “a man after His
own heart” (1 Sam 13:14 & Acts 13:22).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 15.0pt;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 18.5pt; font-weight: normal;">David’s
Psalm of Deliverance</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 18.5pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<div class="chapter-2" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span class="chapternum"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">22 </span></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And
David spoke</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the
words of this song to the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in the
day that the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">delivered him from the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8604a" title="See footnote a"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt;">a</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hand of
all his enemies and from the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8604b" title="See footnote b"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt;">b</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hand of
Saul.</span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">2 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He
said,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="line" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“The</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is my</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8605c" title="See footnote c"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">c</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">rock and my fortress and my deliverer;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">3 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8606d" title="See footnote d"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">d</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">My</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">shield and</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">my refuge;</span><br />
<span class="text">My savior, You save me from violence.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">4 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I call upon the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">who is worthy to be praised,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And I am saved from my enemies.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">5 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“For</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the waves of
death encompassed me;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">The torrents of</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8608e" title="See footnote e"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">e</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">destruction</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8608f" title="See footnote f"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">f</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">overwhelmed me;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">6 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cords of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8609g" title="See footnote g"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">g</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sheol surrounded me;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">The snares of death confronted me.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">7 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“In my distress I called upon the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">Yes, I</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8610h" title="See footnote h"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">h</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cried to my God;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And from His temple He heard my voice,</span><br />
<span class="text">And my cry for help</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><i>came</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">into His ears.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">8 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Then</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the earth
shook and quaked,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">The foundations of heaven were trembling</span><br />
<span class="text">And were shaken, because He was angry.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">9 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Smoke went up</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8612i" title="See footnote i"><span style="color: #b34b2c;">i</span></a>]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">out of His nostrils,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">Fire from His mouth devoured;</span><br />
<span class="text">Coals were kindled by it.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">10 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“He bowed the heavens also, and came down</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">With</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">thick darkness under His feet.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">11 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“And He rode on a cherub and flew;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And He</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8614j" title="See footnote j"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">j</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">appeared on</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the wings of the wind.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">12 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“And He made darkness</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8615k" title="See footnote k"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">k</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">canopies around Him,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">A mass of waters, thick clouds of the sky.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">13 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“From the brightness before Him</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">Coals of fire were kindled.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">14 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“The</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">thundered
from heaven,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And the Most High uttered His voice.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">15 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“And He sent out arrows, and scattered them,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">Lightning, and</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8618l" title="See footnote l"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">l</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">routed them.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">16 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Then the channels of the sea appeared,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">The foundations of the world were</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8619m" title="See footnote m"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">m</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">laid bare</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">By the rebuke of the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">,</span><br />
<span class="text">At the blast of the breath of His nostrils.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">17 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“He sent from on high, He took me;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">He drew me out of many waters.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">18 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“He delivered me from my strong enemy,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">From those who hated me, for they were too strong for me.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">19 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“They confronted me in the day of my calamity,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">But the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">was my support.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">20 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“He also brought me forth into a broad place;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">He rescued me,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">because He delighted in me.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">21 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“The</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">has rewarded
me according to my righteousness;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">22 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“For I have kept the ways of the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And have not acted wickedly against my God.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">23 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“For all His ordinances</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">were</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">before me,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><i>as for</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">His statutes, I did not depart from</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8626n" title="See footnote n"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">n</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">them.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">24 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I was also</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8627o" title="See footnote o"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">o</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">blameless toward Him,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And I kept myself from my iniquity.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">25 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Therefore the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">has
recompensed me according to my righteousness,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">According to my cleanness before His eyes.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">26 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“With the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8629p" title="See footnote p"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">p</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">kind You show Yourself</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8629q" title="See footnote q"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">q</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">kind,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">With the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8629r" title="See footnote r"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">r</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">blameless You show Yourself</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8629s" title="See footnote s"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">s</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">blameless;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">27 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the pure You show Yourself pure,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And with the perverted You show Yourself</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8630t" title="See footnote t"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">t</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">astute.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">28 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“And You save an afflicted people;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">But Your eyes are on the haughty</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><i>whom</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">You abase.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">29 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“For You are my lamp, O</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">illumines my
darkness.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">30 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“For by You I can</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8633u" title="See footnote u"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">u</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">run upon a troop;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">By my God I can leap over a wall.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">31 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“As for God, His way is</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8634v" title="See footnote v"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">v</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">blameless;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">The word of the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">is tested;</span><br />
<span class="text">He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">32 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“For who is God, besides the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">?</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And who is a rock, besides our God?</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">33 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“God is my strong fortress;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And He</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8636w" title="See footnote w"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">w</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">sets the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8636x" title="See footnote x"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">x</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">blameless in</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8636y" title="See footnote y"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">y</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His way.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">34 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“He makes</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8637z" title="See footnote z"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">z</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">my feet like hinds’</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">feet</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And sets me on my high places.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">35 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“He trains my hands for battle,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">36 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You have also given me</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the shield of Your salvation,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And Your</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8639aa" title="See footnote aa"><span style="color: #b34b2c;">aa</span></a>]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">help makes me great.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">37 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You enlarge my steps under me,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And my</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8640ab" title="See footnote ab"><span style="color: #b34b2c;">ab</span></a>]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">feet have not slipped.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">38 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I pursued my enemies and</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">destroyed them,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And I did not turn back until they were consumed.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">39 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“And I have devoured them and shattered them, so that they did not
rise;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">they fell under my feet.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">40 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“For You have girded me with strength for battle;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">You have</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8643ac" title="See footnote ac"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">ac</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">subdued under me</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">those who rose up against me.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">41 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You have also</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">made my
enemies turn</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">their</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">backs to me,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And I</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8644ad" title="See footnote ad"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">ad</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">destroyed those who hated me.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">42 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“They looked, but there was none to save;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text"><i>Even</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">to the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">, but He did not answer them.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">43 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Then I pulverized them as the dust of the earth;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">I crushed</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text"><i>and</i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">stamped them as the mire of the streets.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">44 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“You have also delivered me from the contentions of my people;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">You have kept me as head of the nations;</span><br />
<span class="text">A people whom I have not known serve me.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">45 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Foreigners pretend obedience to me;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">As soon as they hear, they obey me.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">46 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Foreigners</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8649ae" title="See footnote ae"><span style="color: #b34b2c;">ae</span></a>]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">lose heart,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8649af" title="See footnote af"><span style="color: #b34b2c;">af</span></a>]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">come trembling out of their</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8649ag" title="See footnote ag"><span style="color: #b34b2c;">ag</span></a>]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">fortresses.</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">47 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“The</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">lives, and
blessed be my rock;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And exalted be</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup></span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8650ah" title="See footnote ah"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">ah</span></sup></a><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God, the rock of my salvation,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">48 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The God who executes vengeance for me,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And brings down peoples under me,</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">49 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who also brings me out from my enemies;</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">You even lift me above</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">those who rise up
against me;</span><br />
<span class="text">You rescue me from the violent man.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">50 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Therefore I will give thanks to You, O</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, among the nations,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And I will sing praises to Your name.</span><br />
</span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">51 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“<i>He</i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">is a tower
of</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8654ai" title="See footnote ai"><span style="color: #b34b2c;">ai</span></a>]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">deliverance to His king,</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="text">And</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">shows lovingkindness to His anointed,</span><br />
<span class="text">To David and his</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="text"><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+22&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8654aj" title="See footnote aj"><span style="color: #b34b2c;">aj</span></a>]</span></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">descendants forever.”</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 18.5pt;">David’s Last Song</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 18.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt;">23 </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now these are the last words of David.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">David the son of
Jesse declares,<br />
The man who was raised on high declares,<br />
The anointed of the God of Jacob,<br />
And the sweet psalmist of Israel,<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">2 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“The Spirit of the <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> spoke
by me,<br />
And His word was on my tongue.<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">3 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“The God of Israel said,<br />
The Rock of Israel spoke to me,<br />
‘He who rules over men righteously,<br />
Who rules in the fear of God,<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">4 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Is as the light of the morning <i>when</i> the
sun rises,<br />
A morning without clouds,<br />
<i>When</i> the tender grass <i>springs</i> out of the earth,<br />
Through sunshine after rain.’<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">5 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Truly is not my house so with God?<br />
For He has made an everlasting covenant with me,<br />
Ordered in all things, and secured;<br />
For all my salvation and all <i>my</i> desire,<br />
Will He not indeed make <i>it</i> grow?<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">6 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“But the worthless, every one of them will be thrust
away like thorns,<br />
Because they cannot be taken in hand;<br />
</span><b><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">7 </span></sup></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">But the man who touches them<br />
Must be </span><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+23&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8661a" title="See footnote a"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">a</span></sup></a><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">armed with iron
and the shaft of a spear,<br />
And they will be completely burned with fire in <i>their</i> </span><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">[</span></sup><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+samuel+23&version=NASB#fen-NASB-8661b" title="See footnote b"><sup><span style="color: #b34b2c; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">b</span></sup></a><sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt;">]</span></sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-57340972535737004882015-01-05T07:10:00.000-06:002015-01-05T07:10:00.105-06:00Happy New Year Just a quick one to say Happy New Year!! <div>
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It's been a while since I have posted. Once again I got sidetracked during David in the genealogy. But, I am almost done and plan to start posting it again soon!</div>
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Hope you had a great holiday season! I guess its the time of year that we resolve to do things better or new going forward and reflect on the past year. Here are a couple things I learned last year....</div>
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- Sometimes even through tears you can realize you truly are stronger than you were.</div>
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- Strength is not being hard and calloused but being vulnerable and remaining open to others. It's important to guard our heart, but if we protect it by keeping it from others it grows cold.</div>
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- Apple cider vinegar is good for just about anything - mix it with equal parts water and use as an astringent for acne, mix it with equal parts honey and take several times a day for a cold/sore throat (I did this last week as soon as symptoms started and never got very sick), make marinades and dressings with it, etc. I wish I would have known this a long time ago!</div>
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My biggest resolutions are to pursue Christ with all my heart and enjoy the life He has blessed me with by living more in the moment - paying more attention to those I love and to the time He has given.</div>
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Be blessed in the new year! </div>
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tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-78833611006932999652014-07-11T07:49:00.000-05:002014-07-11T07:49:21.494-05:00InheritancePsalms 16 has been on my mind for a couple weeks. I read it and was moved by it and although I usually do not memorize scripture I memorized this chapter and have been meditating on it. If you are not in the habit of memorizing scripture I hope you will try it. Like I said I usually do not, but I found it very helpful to truly meditate and receive God's word and understand more fully. I struggle with negative thoughts like I would imagine most people do, but as I have memorized this scripture I apply 2 Corinthians 10:5 which says to take every thought captive and make it obedient to God. So in memorizing, when I start to have negative thoughts, worry, etc., I will recite Psalms 16 in my head or aloud if I can instead and it has really helped me overcome some of the critical thinking.<br />
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But what I want to share today has to do with our inheritance. Psalms 16:5-6 says "The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; <b>Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.</b>" As I memorized this scripture I thought of how true this was in my life. My father in law recently was honored for 40 years leading his boy scout troop. My husband and his brother have come to lead along with him for the last 8-9 years. They started going to scouts as soon as they were able stay somewhere without their mom, as now my boys and their cousins do. Many lives have been changed through this troop, as sharing the gospel and worship have always been a huge part of it. A slide show was presented that showed the last 40 years which included pictures of young "Grandpa" investing in these boys and teaching them valuable lessons, my husband and his brother as kids through the present time, and my kids - dirty faced and loving every minute! What a sweet heritage and example the patriarch of our family has given us! I am so blessed to be part of it and glad for my children.<br />
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My in laws have been giving of their time and resources for a long time. Their genuineness in service and caring for others and sharing goes beyond expectations and beyond what I ever imagined anyone would do. My mother in law is one of the most kind and faithful, supportive women I have ever met, if not the most!<br />
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In addition, my parents have always been there for me and continue to invest time and resources into my children's lives as well as mine and my husbands. They serve with loving hearts. My mom has served children and women for a long time and is a truly devoted to all of her family. My dad is a master electrician/ac and owning his business has served widows and the elderly, fixing their air conditioning on smoldering hot TX days without charge or without collecting bad debts from them when he knows they really can't pay.<br />
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We have been given an incredible heritage with family and faith at the center of it. No doubt. However God opened my eyes to something bigger this morning. I was reading Acts 7, Stephen's address to the Sanhedrin when charged with blasphemy. He answered them by indicting them with not following the Holy Spirit and persecuting the prophets, giving an account of the prophets lives leading up to Jesus. The story of the prophets really made an impression on me. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, leading to Jesus. Stephen, who was killed for his devotion after his testimony, condensed their stories into a single chapter in a summary that was captivating to me as I read about the patriarchs of the Christian faith, the strength of their faith and God's providence in their lives. It occurred to me, "this is my heritage". As a follower of Christ we are Abraham's children and our inheritance is Christ. <b>"Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me."</b> These verses sank deep within my spirit. Words seem inadequate to describe the beauty of our heritage in Jesus Christ, who gave His life for us and shares His inheritance with us even though we don't deserve it. We have been given the scriptures to us to show us where we came from and give us examples of faith and show us truth. I encourage you to read these verses, meditate on scripture where you are led to and let them captivate you as you realize and become grateful for your inheritance in Jesus Christ and the heritage passed down through the prophets.<br />
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Psalms 16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalms+16&version=NASB<br />
Acts 7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts+7&version=NASB<br />
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<br />tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-3024993228688626262014-06-23T07:49:00.000-05:002014-07-07T12:28:43.493-05:00To Drink or Not to Drink...and Responding to Other Lusts of the Flesh (Modified)<span style="color: blue;">I felt a need to modify to be fully disclosing and true. So the part I modified is colored blue.</span><br />
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Ok, let me begin by saying this is not a deposition on convincing you what is right or wrong or arguing a case for one way or the other about drinking, but rather a personal inspection of the Spirit within each of us as individuals and listening to it, especially when it is something that is not called out as a black and white sin in the Word. That said, just so you can see this is not an attack on those who drink in moderation, I do not believe drinking is forbidden in the Bible. I did a study a while back on the subject where I looked up every verse from the concordance that had to do with drinking, wine, drunkenness, etc. looking for whether it is right or wrong and I never found anything that forbid it. Drunkenness no question is spoken against several times, but even when Noah got drunk and was found in his nakedness I was surprised that it seemed God reprimanded his family's treatment of him more in scripture than Noah's act of getting drunk.<br />
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However, I am using drinking as an example because it has always been an area of contention for me. Please think on this substituting anything that may be a struggle for you. A quick background. I did the party thing in high school and college. I drank to get drunk and enjoyed it. Long story short, God took hold of my heart and truly changed me, I was humbled and ashamed of my behavior and totally enamored with God and grateful for the change He made in my life. I spent about a year completely abstaining from alcohol and I truly believe this was necessary for me in order to change.<br />
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I did start having a drink here and there but only in "safe" situations - only with family present or my husband, <span style="color: blue;">occasionally with a close girl friend.</span> I have spent the past four or five years living that way and being very careful with drinking. The past year however there have been a few times when I felt guilty. And I'm not talking about guilt because I was completely hammered, just a nagging feeling that maybe it wasn't right for me. I dismissed it, even thinking on that scripture that says to put away the old self. I used to think that applied and meant to completely abstain, but then started to view it as how differently I approached alcohol. I truly wasn't my old self. I despised the thought of getting drunk. That's certainly a change from my old self. So I continued, even recently. But not with peace.<br />
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I look around and I see people enjoying having drinks in moderation and even now I truly do not think this is a sin. Yet the thought is on my mind a lot,<span style="color: blue;"> and lately I've realized it is stealing my peace. I know a few things are true about me that makes me that makes moderation hard. I am highly habitual, with anything. For example, if I start eating a turkey sandwich for a few days at lunch, I will go months eating a turkey sandwich every day for lunch and enjoy it! I also struggle with indulgence. If I really like something, I want a lot of it! So I know these areas that I am prone to and know because of them that alcohol is potentially dangerous to me. And to be completely honest, while truly in these last few years I have maintained a level of control, I have had a couple times when I did have too much and felt terrible about it and also times when I felt I had made it too regular of a habit, even in moderation. So I know the nagging in my spirit was a warning that I should have given heed to. </span><br />
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1 Peter 2:11-beginning of 12 - Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep you behavior excellent...<br />
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My purpose in this post is not really to visit specific sins or opinions about what is right and wrong, but to think on the personal issues in life that steal our peace, even if it something that is not explicitly forbidden in scripture. <span style="color: blue;">If there is something in your life that steals your peace get rid of it! Wage war against it!</span> My bible commentary on this verse says - "War - to carry on a military campaign. Fleshly lusts are personified as if they were an army of rebels or guerrillas who incessantly search out and try to destroy the Christian's joy, peace, and usefulness."<br />
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I agree with the commentary and add that fleshly lusts are not only personified in the verse but also very personal. What steals my peace may not be a problem for you at all. What you struggle with I may never even think twice about. We all need to look at what hinders us personally. If something is stealing our peace its not right for us. These things are war against our spirit and do destroy our peace and joy. When we should be free but instead are bound by questions and guilt, something needs to addressed. And I agree with the thought that these things steal our usefulness too. If we have something in our life that brings guilt, how much more likely we are to feel we are not fit for service. We need to know we are redeemed and fully equipped by God to run full speed in service to Him, but when we are pulled down by guilt or questions about our behavior, we will be more likely to hesitate or separate ourselves from His kingdom work.<br />
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And the scripture says abstain from these things, not toy with them.<br />
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Let's live life free. Regardless of what anyone says, if it doesn't line up with what God wants in our life, if it causes guilt and questions, I encourage us to at least try abstaining and see if it doesn't bring a freedom and and increase joy and peace in our lives. God is a very personal God. He has plans for you and I individually in His grand scheme. Let us keep our hearts free so He can fill them.<br />
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1 Peter 4:19 Therefore, those who also suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.<br />
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Who better to entrust our souls to than our very Creator? Is He asking you to do something right today? Trust Him, even if it is hard or makes you a have a little different viewpoint than most He will honor your obedience and bring a freedom and joy that is truly worth it.tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-34685808467156586272014-06-11T07:09:00.002-05:002014-06-11T07:09:38.677-05:00Not InsignificantI was reading in 1 Samuel 17 about David and Goliath and was so impressed by David's refusal to let what others think discourage him. In verses 28-30 David's has a typical brotherly conversation where he was asking about Goliath, seeming interested in taking him on and wondering why no Israelite had taken the challenge yet. His brother basically told him to go on, that he was just there to see the battle and dismissed his questions. David responds like the little brother would and goes on to ask the crowd what he had done wrong and their perspective about his questioning. They agreed with his brother....David was insignificant against the giant and was just talking foolishly, perhaps even arrogantly. Their doubt did not deter him though, and David goes on to slay the giant and later to become one of the greatest kings of Israel.<br />
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How many times if faced with discouragement and doubt do we in turn doubt ourselves as well? Or, if we don't doubt our own ability we get frustrated with others lack of belief or support and walk away, leaving them to fend for themselves when we had the ability to overcome the situation. David relied on God, which is something we cannot overlook, he didn't run out there alone but he kept his faith and did what God asked unaffected by what the others thought of him or the size of the giant. When we face our own "Goliaths" we need to remember to keep our heads up and keep pushing forward if we know God is with us, no matter what kind of doubt from others or feeling of insignificance we might face.<br />
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<span class="versenum" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 20px; vertical-align: 4px;"><a class="foreground_black" href="http://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=1sa%2017:28&t1=en_nas&sr=1" style="color: #781f66; text-decoration: none;" tooltip="Click to study this verse" tooltipenable="true">28</a></span><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 20px;"> Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger burned 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 insolence and the wickedness of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle."</span><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 20px;"> </span><span class="scripture" ref="1sa 17:29" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 20px;"></span><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 20px;"></span><span class="versenum" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 20px; vertical-align: 4px;"><a class="foreground_black" href="http://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=1sa%2017:29&t1=en_nas&sr=1" style="color: #781f66; text-decoration: none;" title="Click to study this verse">29</a></span><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 20px;"> But David said, "What have I done now? Was it not just a question </span><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 20px;">?"</span><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 20px;"> </span><span class="scripture" ref="1sa 17:30" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 20px;"></span><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 20px;"></span><span class="versenum" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 20px; vertical-align: 4px;"><a class="foreground_black" href="http://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=1sa%2017:30&t1=en_nas&sr=1" style="color: #781f66; text-decoration: none;" tooltip="Click to study this verse" tooltipenable="true">30</a></span><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 20px;"> Then he turned away </span><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 20px;">from him to another and said the same thing; and the people answered the same thing as before </span><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 20px;">.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 20px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">http://www.studylight.org/desk/index.cgi?sr=1&old_q=1sa+17%3A56&search_form_type=general&q1=1+Samuel+17&s=0&t1=en_nas&ns=0</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 19.5px; text-indent: 20px;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-73667239545649869102014-06-03T07:31:00.000-05:002014-06-03T08:28:55.209-05:00Don't Give UpI was reading in 2 Samuel 6 this morning when David decided to bring back the ark of God. The first time he went to get it he did not follow the guidelines the Lord had set about how to handle the ark. Although he retrieved it and the people with him (30,000 men) celebrated greatly before the Lord, the Lord was angered that he did not do as the Lord said. When one in his company, Uzzah, reached out to steady it on their way back, the Lord's anger burned against him for his irreverence and he struck him down right there.<br />
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The Lord's judgement angered David initially. Then he was fearful and he left the ark behind with a Gittite named Obed-edom. It stayed there three months until David heard how blessed the household of Obed-edom had been. So he went back to get it, this time in full reverence and obedience to God's way. He was successful this time, and he celebrated greatly before the Lord.<br />
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I realized this morning how much my attitude mimics this sometimes. Especially when I am hurt or offended. I can be quick in my anger or fear to decide I will have nothing to do with the person or the situation going forward. I can over-react pretty easily and decide to shut out certain things or people who may actually be a great blessing to me if I would approach them or it correctly.<br />
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Just to clarify what I'm trying to say here are some examples:<br />
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- Disengaging from the church or an organization that shares our beliefs because of a disagreement or idea/thought that doesn't align with our opinion instead of finding a way to stay involved or working with the people who differ to come to a compromise.<br />
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- Giving up completely on a friendship because of a hurt or annoyance instead of giving grace or confronting if necessary.<br />
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- Quitting a job because of a difficulty instead of working through it.<br />
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- Giving up on a dream or goal because of a failure instead of hanging in and improving or finding a different approach.<br />
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- Giving up on growing in Christ because our plan didn't work the way we thought or because the sin we are trying to overcome crept back in.<br />
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David initially gave up on what he knew would be a tremendous blessing. Once he heard of what a blessing it was actually being though, he went back for it with complete dedication and resolve. Let us realize this and live this out in our lives. Don't give up on something just because the first attempt failed. Follow God's word completely, not half halfheartedly, and go after the goal 100%! We can chase after the right thing in the wrong way, so let's be open to look at where we may need to change or adjust our attitude or approach in order to be successful.<br />
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<br />tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-11070550706938265572014-05-21T07:42:00.000-05:002014-05-21T07:42:09.760-05:00Sin JustificationI was reading in Luke 4 when Satan tempted Jesus this morning when something really stood out to me. See verses 5-7 below.<br />
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<div class="heading passage-class-0" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
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<span style="color: blue;">Luke 4:5-7</span></h3>
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<div class="heading passage-class-0" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
<div class="txt-sm" style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="color: blue;">New American Standard Bible (NASB)</span></div>
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<div class="passage version-NASB result-text-style-normal text-html " style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span class="text Luke-4-5" id="en-NASB-25069"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">5 </span><span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-25069A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span>And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of <span class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NASB-25069a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+4%3A5-7&version=NASB#fen-NASB-25069a" style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span><span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-25069B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span>the world in a moment of time.</span><span class="text Luke-4-6" id="en-NASB-25070"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and <span class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NASB-25070b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+4%3A5-7&version=NASB#fen-NASB-25070b" style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span>its glory; <span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-25070C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span>for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.</span> <span class="text Luke-4-7" id="en-NASB-25071"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>Therefore if You <span class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NASB-25071c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+4%3A5-7&version=NASB#fen-NASB-25071c" style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</span>worship before me, it shall all be Yours.”</span></span></div>
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<div class="passage version-NIV result-text-style-normal text-html " style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text Luke-4-6"><br /></span>
<span class="text Luke-4-6">It occurred to me when I read this how easily our human nature could justify this deal with devil. How we might think, "if I did take over these kingdoms, look how much good I could do, look how great an influence I will have and how I will be able to reach people for God." Jesus of course made no deal with the devil, He knew better. He was sure in His calling and true to follow God's will.</span><br />
<span class="text Luke-4-6"><br /></span>
<span class="text Luke-4-6">We should learn from this. Even though the deal looks good and looks like we will be able to serve God through it, if it sin, if it making a deal with the devil, no matter how great the good we need to walk away from it. If we have to take matters in our own hands and go outside what God has asked of us, its not the right thing, no matter how easily it is justified.</span></div>
tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-83925290021728559482014-05-13T06:40:00.004-05:002014-05-13T06:40:51.327-05:00ProvisionOur Sunday School lesson this Sunday was over Jesus feeding the 5,000 in John 6. A crowd had followed Jesus to the Sea of Galilee and Jesus was asking his disciples how they were to feed all of them. A young boy had five loaves of bread and two fish and Jesus had everyone sit on the ground. He gave thanks and distributed the food to the group and when they were finished the disciples picked up twelve baskets of pieces left over.<div>
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After this the people are amazed and Jesus perceives they want to make Him king. His disciples had already left in a boat to go to the other side of the sea and Jesus walked on water to join them. At first they were afraid, but he told them to not be scared, so they took him into the boat and immediately they were at the place where they were going.</div>
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Three miracles in one afternoon. The crowd was obviously amazed and went to find Him at the other side of the sea. When the crowd found Him and asked Him when He had gotten there he responded v26, "...you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal."</div>
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The people followed Jesus for what He could do for them physically. They were seeking to fill their stomachs but He was yearning to give them so much more. It made me think about how many times we seek God for our provision - be it food or finance or health or some other basic or physical need. And we should. But how much grander things God has for us if we will seek Him and believe Jesus Christ for everything He is. I want to live in such a state that I am relying on God for everything, not only earthly needs - for courage in approaching someone or something He may be calling me to, faith to not try to plan all the details, confidence, love when I don't feel like I have it for someone or something that might be difficult to love, wisdom and insight to follow His will fully, strength to move forward even if it seems impossible, belief - I want to believe everything about God, what He has said and promised, everything about who Jesus is and was has done and is going to do. </div>
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I admit, I struggle with having faith for finances and other earthly provision. But, I want to get to the point where these are the last of my worries. These are basic needs and God promises in several places to take care of these, such as in Matt 6:25-34 where God tells us not to worry about what we will eat or drink or wear.</div>
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God has so much more for us than these basic things and He promises to take care of them for us so let's move on to greater things. Let's set our minds on things above (col 3:2) and not be so focused on earthly things. John 6:33 - For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world. v35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst"</div>
tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-73870192963400721152014-04-29T16:49:00.003-05:002014-04-29T17:29:46.730-05:00High PlacesI can be consumed with worry and anxiety sometimes. Everything can be going fine, and suddenly a wave of insecurity will hit or I will not be able to see how something is going to work out and I start to panic. Being a planner, I like to have things under control and I like to know what is happening next. Which is exactly what I've been struggling with today. I get a thought in my head sometimes and its all I can think about. I fret and worry and try to figure out how its all going to pan out. And the subject of the worry can be real, it can be something true, or it can be something that may or may not ever happen.<br />
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What I have been worried over today is something that comes up periodically and I have the same reaction every time. What if.... And my mind goes into the worst case scenarios complete with imaginary conversations about what I will say if it does happen and the first steps I will take to move forward from it. I do pray, but my mind is working so fast I can't hear what God has to say and I certainly am unable to stop the flow of thoughts long enough to pay attention. WHY!? Why do I do that to myself over something that hasn't even happened?<br />
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So I came home today and prayed to the Lord to help me, to bring me some peace and to let me see how to handle the situation and I listened for where God wanted me to read and came to Habakkuk. I read the whole book, kind of wondering when God was going to speak because honestly it seemed a little inapplicable. I read through the last chapter, got up to see if the bus was coming, and the light came on. The last verses of the last chapter of the book were the exact words I needed to hear. A little background, Habakkuk had just heard of the mass destruction that was to come on the Israelite people. He was frightened, but he had resolve. See below:<br />
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text Hab-3-16" id="en-KJV-22785"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">16 </span>When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Hab-3-17" id="en-KJV-22786"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">17 </span>Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Hab-3-18" id="en-KJV-22787"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">18 </span>Yet I will rejoice in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, I will joy in the God of my salvation.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text Hab-3-19" id="en-KJV-22788"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">19 </span>The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and <u>he will make me to walk upon mine high places.</u> To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.</span></span></div>
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What Habakkuk was hearing was awful, more awful than any situation I have been in myself. Yet Habakkuk proclaims that he will find his strength in the Lord and he will still have joy. That is a promise I want to claim for myself, that I can walk in strength and joy even in rough times. But even that is not the biggest point that struck me. Notice the underlined section..."he will make me to walk upon mine high places"....I immediately thought of the high places as in the books of Kings, where God instructed kings in particular to take down the high places, which in that day were places of pagan worship. And the thought occurred to me that I was putting the worry, anxiety and fear, this thought as my high place. My mind was set on worry and I set the thoughts in my mind above the place where God could reach them. Not that He couldn't, I had just elevated them to a point where I couldn't focus on Him, I couldn't focus on truth. So when I read that verse it said to me that God not only could reach my anxiety, He would strengthen me so that I may not only overcome it, I will walk all over the top of it. Stomp it down. Tear it down just as the righteous kings in ancient Israel did to the high places of worship. I hope that speaks to you as much as it did to me. There is victory, peace, strength and joy even in our worst moments. I pasted one of the examples of high places from 2 Kings below just so you could see. (I also looked in Strongs and though there are several meanings for high places, the one in 2 Kings is the same as the one in Habakkuk). <i>What are the high places in your life that you need to walk on, trample, and tear down? </i><br />
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<div class="chapter-2" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="text 2Kgs-18-1" id="en-KJV-10026"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: -0.1em; font-size: 1.25em; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; line-height: 0.8em; position: relative;">18 </span>Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text 2Kgs-18-2" id="en-KJV-10027"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text 2Kgs-18-3" id="en-KJV-10028"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>And he did that which was right in the sight of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, according to all that David his father did.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text 2Kgs-18-4" id="en-KJV-10029"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.</span></span></div>
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<span class="text 2Kgs-18-5" id="en-KJV-10030"><span style="color: blue;"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>He trusted in the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.</span></span></div>
tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-29193958424365502842014-04-26T18:49:00.003-05:002014-04-26T18:49:54.254-05:00Who's Speaking to UsOne of the most important things we can do is choose our friends wisely. I want to fill my life with people who are encouraging and who push me to follow God's will in my life. I am grateful for the people who have spoken encouragement and God's Word to me and have been an example for me. The best way that I can think of to repay them is to reciprocate and to find other people to invest in and encourage. Who are we listening to and what are we speaking into others' lives?tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-78201430609975512542014-04-23T07:34:00.002-05:002014-04-23T07:34:13.816-05:00Short & SweetHad a thought this morning during my prayer time I thought I'd share:<br />
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Peace will not come until Christ is first. Ask Him concerning every step. Insecurity comes from walking on your own.<br />
<br />tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-47943871010561111592014-04-21T07:10:00.000-05:002014-04-21T07:10:01.561-05:00Women Relationships - 2I saw this posted on facebook by a friend and thought it went well with the previous post.<br />
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<br />tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-69117357560724159952014-04-18T15:46:00.000-05:002014-04-21T07:30:25.502-05:00Women FriendshipsI read a devotional by Lisa Bevere about women in which the main idea was to question why we as a gender seem to rise against each other so much of the time. It has made me really look at my past and evaluate my attitude toward women and the experiences I have had. You can see her devotional at:<br />
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http://messengerinternational.org/blog/devotional/whats-wrong-women/<br />
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This thought started long before today. I think God began impressing on me the importance of having faithful women in my life several years ago when I first truly sought to make Jesus my life. I regrettably admit that I was one of those who was proud to have more guy friends than girl friends and for a long time toted the mantra that I just didn't get along with women. In reality this was just a cover up for the ineptitude I felt toward my inability to make solid relationships with women. Before I get into that though, I want to say I have had a handful of really close women friends and I want to make sure in writing this if they were to read it they know I am grateful for them and certainly do love them- from high school, college, early marriage, to now. But it does seem I have always struggled in this area of women friendships and I want to look at that struggle.<br />
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I think it began early in life when I first tasted rejection. I was way too skinny, I had huge coke bottle glasses and curly frizzy hair and I can recall the first day of kindergarten going in excitedly and then just being crushed! Kids made fun of me and I struggled even at this young age to make friends and I can remember feeling that first sting of rejection which I have held on to for way too long.<br />
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Life moved on and I went through several stages. Looking back I usually had at least one really good girl friend through each stage so I am thankful God provided me with these friends, but it seems there was usually a time of separation. I would have one really close friend for several years and then a falling out or drifting away, then another close friend for several years, then a falling out or drifting away, etc. And each time there was a falling out it truly hurt my heart and I really didn't know what to do with it or how to fix it. That's when I decided I would rather not be involved with girl friends. I was so lost in this area and highly insecure. I realized it must be something with me because everyone else seemed to have plenty of friends but I couldn't figure out what it was, so to shield my heart I decided to not try with women friends.<br />
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Then faith happened. I walked past the mirror one day and literally did not recognize myself. I was not who I had planned to be and I was far from the person I wanted to be and the person God called me to be. God put an urgency in my heart right then to change and I have been changing ever since.<br />
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So fast forward to now, my thoughts are much different than they used to be on many things, but certainly toward women. I have a few really close girl friends that I am so thankful for and I am open to friendships with women. Unlike before I guard my heart differently. Yes, I guard my heart but I'm striving not to be so guarded myself. To explain - Before I was guarded in that I was closed off and closed minded about who my friends would be and the minute a hurt set in I was out, I would run from the friendship. Now, over several years, I've started to realize that true friends will hurt you sometimes but that doesn't mean the friendship is over and it doesn't mean you have to hold on to the feelings of rejection. This may seem like a simple concept but it is one I am just embracing. In addition, I've realized that its ok to go through rough patches or even just periods of drifting from friends, this also does not mean the end of the friendship. I've learned to patiently wait for the relationship to circle back around, to pray over it, and sometimes to set it free. In setting it free we are still there for our friend but we give them the freedom to move on without resentment. This is hard and is something I am really trying to work on. And I have realized that sometimes if we are patient and if we are willing to let go, it is just a cycle as people and their circumstances change and sometimes that relationship returns even stronger.<br />
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I guard my heart by remembering to give grace, teaching my heart to not take offense so easily and to not take everything so personally. I realize that true friendship requires forgiveness and grace from both sides, and prayer! I realize I have hurt others too and as I would hope they would be kind to forgive me, so I also want to be kind to forgive them and not hold something against them but give them the benefit of the doubt and give them grace. I've learned to look for friendship in different places and not set such unrealistic expectations, especially in this stage of life when we are all so busy. I've learned to take my hurts to God and ask Him for healing and restoration for myself and the friendship.<br />
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Another issue that I am starting to overcome (with God's help) is being who I am and secure in who God has made me to be. I will admit I still struggle with worrying about what others think, but I have committed to becoming someone who will be who I am and not try to fit the mold of someone else's expectations. I have found that it confuses the other person when we try to be who they want us to be instead of ourself. It may seem we are serving them by trying to do what they expect or want, but in reality we are hurting the relationship by not being truthful about who we are. Being true to who we are brings so much freedom and so much peace. And we should give our friends this freedom as well. They shouldn't have to be under our expectations or do things the way we think they should for us to support and encourage them. And God has given us all so much that we can bring by being ourself.<br />
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There are women all around us who are faith filled and praying women. We are all in this together and can be a collective strong voice for Christ and strong shoulder for each other. And we shouldn't discredit someone just because of their past or because we haven't talked to them about faith, or because we aren't sure they have faith. We never know what someones faith may truly be and we all change. There are precious women of faith all around us, we don't have to run this race alone, and it will benefit us all to support and encourage each other and be open to friendships with the women God has put in our paths. tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-53017345981793779652014-04-05T09:11:00.002-05:002014-04-05T10:04:17.668-05:00Procrastinate Please!The kids and I have had a busy week. My husband has been out of the country so I've been keeping up with everything on my own. We've had homework and tutoring and family visits from both sides, birthday parties and other obligations. Needless to say we've been busy.<br />
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I'm a list maker, a planner, a scheduler. Not that I've always got it all under control, far from. Many times I look at my to do lists and panic because there are so many things I'd like to get done and not enough time. It seems like I strive and strive in an effort to get to it all and many times fall short...or get it done at the expense of my sanity!</div>
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Yesterday was no exception. I got off work at 3 with my list of errands to run and the time I thought it would take on each one. Yes I did - I gave myself time frames so I could make sure I was staying on track because we had a lot of errands to do and limited time. My plan was to pick the boys up from school at 3:40, go get eggs from my friend's chicken coop (she is out of town), stop by the house and grab my son's shoes that needed to be returned, go to the greenhouse and get plants that I wanted to get planted before my husband gets home tomorrow, go to the sporting goods store to exchange the shoes and get my husband a birthday gift, grab dinner somewhere and then hit the grocery store. If all went as planned we would be home by 8-8:30.</div>
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But when I was on my way to get the boys I thought, "This is ridiculous! Yes, I'd love to get all of those things done but we're tired. We've had a long week with activities and homework and visitors and late or sleepless nights at times so let's just chill out and have some peace." I would have loved to get groceries so I wouldn't have errands to run in town later this weekend, but really they can wait. I decided to just do the things that would give us some fun things to do Saturday and cut the groceries. So we went and got chicken eggs, perused the shelves of the plant nursery and picked out flowers and a couple pepper and tomato plants, and then we went to the sporting goods store and returned my sons shoes and had a good time picking out a gift for my husband. Then we grabbed some burgers to go and headed home. We were here by 6:30 and we watch the 80s version of "The Paret Trap" and ate our burgers and relaxed, my little one in lap for the end of the movie.</div>
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The movie lasted until 10 and then the kids were off to bed. The evening was so much more peaceful and relaxed. We laughed and talked and watched the movie together. We still got several things done but did not push it to the point of stress and tiredness as would have happened if I would have dragged them through the grocery store at 7. </div>
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Then, when the kids went to bed I still had a couple things I wanted to get done before my husband got home. I contemplated cleaning the house - mopping, dusting, etc. I also thought about making his favorite chocolate chip cookies to welcome him home. But again, I thought about how much more relaxed I was when I didn't frantically push us to mark everything off our list, so I decided to make the cookies and I'd mop in the morning. I wouldn't be able to get the flower beds done before he got home, but I would have all afternoon Saturday and Sunday. I got the cookies made, read my book for a while and then went to bed. So nice!!</div>
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Now I'm up this morning and it's cold and windy outside. I wouldn't be working in the flower beds this morning even if I had gotten the house done last night! So the kids and I slept late and are having a relaxed morning. I will vacuum and mop now and then we will probably run to the grocery store before we pick my husband up at the airport around lunchtime. </div>
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The difference in our usual errand running days and this one has been amazing! We all had a good time, I was so much more patient with the kids, we got to browse and enjoy shopping instead of being focused on hurrying up and just getting in and out. I actually enjoyed it and so did they!</div>
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I hope I can continue to see that things will still get done and I can enjoy life, even the errands, and make it more fun and relaxed for me and my kids if I will quit trying to do things in such unreasonable time frames. We're busy and I bet you are too. I thought this might resonate with someone today. Life is too meaningful to live in a panic, constantly overloading our to do lists, ourselves, and our loved ones. I know sometimes chaos is inevitable and there may be things we simply cannot put off, and I am in no way promoting laziness! But, I do know that in this stage of my life I am more times than not in a rush to get more things done than will reasonably fit in the time I have. Some restructuring is definitely in order! I'd like to point out that the only thing I won't get done before my hubby gets back that I had planned to is the flower beds, and I couldn't work on them this morning anyway due to the weather, so had I pushed to get it all done my striving would have been for nothing! I'm so glad for the time I had with my kids yesterday and the peace I felt. I pray I continue on this path of less striving and more living!! It was fun and so worth it! </div>
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<span class="versetext" id="ec2-22" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; margin: 0px 3px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">Ecc 2:22-26</span> What has a man from <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1"></a>all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span><span class="versetext" id="ec2-23" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; margin: 0px 3px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">23</span>For <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="2"></a>all his days are full of sorrow, and his <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="3"></a>work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span><span class="versetext" id="ec2-24" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; margin: 0px 3px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">24</span> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="4"></a>There is nothing better for a person than that he should <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="5"></a>eat and drink and find enjoyment<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="a"></a> in his toil. This also, I saw, is <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="6"></a>from the hand of God, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span><span class="versetext" id="ec2-25" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; margin: 0px 3px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">25</span> for apart from him<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="b"></a> who can eat or who can have enjoyment? </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"></span><span class="versetext" id="ec2-26" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; margin: 0px 3px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">26</span> For to the one who pleases him <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="7"></a>God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="8"></a>the business of gathering and collecting,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="9"></a>only to give to one who pleases God. <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="10"></a>This also is vanity and a striving after wind.</span></div>
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Psalm 46:10</h3>
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<span class="text Ps-46-10" id="en-ASV-14625"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">10 </span>Be still, and know that I am God...</span></div>
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tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-69565224552228749842014-03-27T07:59:00.000-05:002014-03-27T07:59:09.811-05:00RelationshipLately I've been thinking a lot about coming into obedience to God and finding areas where I can serve Him and I read a piece of scripture today that really made me realize relationship and communication with God are key to everything else and is what He desires most. Seems so clear and makes so much sense - How can I be in obedience to God when I am not consistently asking Him what I am supposed to do?<br />
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David was beloved of God, a man "after His own heart" and David was in constant communication with Him. David talked so easily to God, and not only in generalities but specifically. In the scripture below he first asked if he should go to Judah. God answers yes. Notice that wasn't the end of the conversation, David then asked for specifics, "Where should I go?" And God told him Hebron. So he went.<br />
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David inquired of the Lord. Then he listened to him and obeyed. So simple, yet I seem to get it backwards and try to obey without first listening to what I'm supposed to do!<br />
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2 Samuel 2:1-2</h3>
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New International Version (NIV)</div>
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<span class="text 2Sam-2-1" id="en-NIV-8051">David Anointed King Over Judah</span></h3>
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<span class="text 2Sam-2-1"><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: -0.1em; font-size: 1.25em; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; line-height: 0.8em; position: relative;">2 </span>In the course of time, David inquired<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-8051A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span> of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked.</span></div>
<span class="text 2Sam-2-1">The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> said, “Go up.”</span><br />
<span class="text 2Sam-2-1">David asked, “Where shall I go?”</span><br />
<span class="text 2Sam-2-1">“To Hebron,”<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-8051B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span> the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> answered.</span><br />
<span class="text 2Sam-2-2" id="en-NIV-8052"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>So David went up there......</span></div>
tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-73655549167000629622014-03-23T14:42:00.000-05:002014-03-23T21:05:31.089-05:00Keep Your ExcitementThe past couple weeks I have felt a tug on my heart that I need to seek out where I am in rebellion and come in line with God's will and I am very excited about it. You know what I mean - that excitement you feel when you know God is making Himself known and the anticipation that He is about to move in your life. I can sense His stirring and directing and it is exciting, even if it means taking a hard look at my life and recognizing weaknesses and failings because ultimately that equates to opportunity and growth and new adventures.<br />
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This was what the sermon was on today - our calling and obedience, so I was waiting eagerly for the preacher to start when a memory came to me. It was during my high school basketball days. I remembered one game in particular when we were playing in our small hometown gym. The score was close, it was nearing the end of the game, I remember the crowd being loud and adrenaline high. The boys team was suited up and ready to go and they were all standing in front of their locker room right next to where I was getting into position. The buzzer was about to sound, it was the final seconds and the ball was passed to me. I remember hearing one of them yell "Shoot!", and I did, right as the buzzer rang. 3 points - swish! Game over, we won and I scored the final points! I was excited. I jumped in the air, thew my fist up and yelled. I began to run toward one of my friends to celebrate, only to see her look at me with wide eyes and say "OK" (the way you say it when you are making fun of someone who has done something weird). Obviously she was embarrassed at my open show of excitement. I shrunk about 4 feet I think. I will never forget that feeling of exhilaration diminished to shame in a matter of seconds.</div>
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See, this may not sound like anything big, but we were teenage high school girls from a small town, within an even small clique. We were supposed to maintain a level of coolness, not let it all go out in front of everyone. What was I thinking!? So the big game moment should have been something I shrugged off and walked away from, with a little swag of course, but not with an outburst! I should have known better! And please note I'm not picking on anyone here because I will admit I did this to others too, expected a certain behavior or attitude to be cool or part of the group or whatever you want to call it. </div>
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So, back to the present, I had the memory and immediately felt God speak to my spirit and say, <i>"Don't let anyone quell your excitement."</i> And it occurred to me, these times are not any different. People all around us have certain ideas of what we should do or not do, say or not say, how we should act, how we should spend our time and money, and the list goes on and on. Most of us want the people around us to join in our excitement for God but it's ultimately their choice and if they look down on us or shame us for it somehow, we cannot let it curb our enthusiasm. Obviously, certain situations and conversations require discretion and we should always think of how our words and actions affect others, but if we follow God there will be people who decide not to participate with us or accept us. They might think our excitement and the things we do are unintelligent, over the top, unqualified, uninspired or even wrong. But if we are truly following God and His Word, we can't let that stop us from fulfilling our purpose and living the exciting life God has for us. We simply can't let what someone else may think steal our joy and excitement. </div>
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I looked up the word "quell" because I thought it was interesting that God would use that. Sometimes I know its God speaking because its a word I'd never think of in my usual thinking! It means to quiet, to pacify, or reduce to submission. I certainly can see through that memory and can think of other circumstances in my life when I have felt like I have been reduced to submission, quieted or simply pacified at times, haven't you? It's an awful and oppressive feeling. So my prayer today is that I will follow God without reserve. It seems odd to pray for stubbornness but I prayed for a stubborn strong will and resolve to follow Him. And not to worry about what others think as long as I am obeying the Lord and truly following the path He has for me. I prayed for a "face set like flint". I have a long way to go, but I know with God's help I'm on my way there! I pray you are too! Let it all out, without holding back, unashamed! Follow God with grit, determination, and excitement expressed without reservation! That's freedom, and its ours if we will take it!</div>
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<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+50:7&version=NIV" style="color: #b37162; text-decoration: none;">Isaiah 50:7</a></strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><br />
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Because the Sovereign <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.</div>
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tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-73818089963741295672014-03-21T08:10:00.002-05:002014-03-21T09:09:39.562-05:00Get Your Feet Wet, Part 2Yesterday, my husband read the Get Your Feet Wet post and said he felt the post lead him to more confusion. He feels we (he and I and our family) have been waiting on the Lord for a while and haven't had a revelation of direction. And I agree, we have, we have discussed where we should be and where we should serve without getting a sense of direction for a long time. And to him, for me to say those verses could mean either move ahead and get started or wait for the Lord leads to further confusion. And I can see that. However, I think it is the perspective of "wait" that presents the confusion.<br />
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I really believe these thoughts are from the Lord. Yesterday, I prayed that God would lead my reading outside of my normal study, and Joshua 3:8-10 is where I ended up (see yesterday's post). Today, I prayed for guidance as well, and Luke 24 and Acts 1 and 2 validated to me the notes from yesterday.<br />
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After Christ was crucified and resurrected but before the Holy Spirit was given to the disciples, Christ instructed them to wait. In the "Great Commission" (see Luke 24:44-53) when the resurrected Christ appeared to the disciples, he said in verse 49 "And behold, I am upon you; but you are to <u>stay</u> in the city [Jerusalem] until you are clothed with power from on high." That underlined word "stay" in the KJV is "tarry", which according to Strongs (get ready this is interesting!) is an <i style="font-weight: bold;">active form </i>of the Greek word kathezomai, which means "sit down". The root word in kathezomai is kata, which denotes intensity. That could seem confusing as well - to actively and intensely sit down, but I think there is definitely meaning in that. The disciples were instructed to wait, but this was not an instruction to do nothing! In fact, it was a time of great intensity and activity as they worshiped and prayed and prepared for what the Lord was about to do, and we know this was a time when amazing and terrifying things began to happen for these Christians.<br />
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So, lets look at what the disciples did with that instruction to wait. In verses 52 and 53, this is right after Christ instructed them to wait and then ascended, it says about the disciples "And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising God." Skipping to Acts 1, verse 12 starts at the place with them returning to Jerusalem, where they were instructed to wait. And they did, but not passively. According to verse 14, they were of "one mind, continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers." So they prayed as a family and as a group of people all focused on Christ, I imagine very intensely. As the chapter moves on, they chose leadership, they discuss Old Testament prophecy and how it is fulfilled and they commission an additional member of their core group. This wasn't a time to do nothing! This was a time of getting ready.<br />
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Then, in Acts 2, they were again together for Pentecost. The Passover was 50 days ago according to my commentary, so they have been waiting on the Lord for a while, but still devoted and focused on prayer and still connected. Starting verse 1 they are all together in one place and (verse 2-4) "Suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting....And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit..."<br />
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They didn't know when the Holy Spirit was coming or what it would direct them to do, but they devoted themselves to study and pray and worship until it was revealed, and the result was it was revealed mightily to them! This was the beginning of extraordinary purpose and duty for these people. From here, Peter, the denier, becomes the great preacher. They are given gifts to speak and to perform miracles. Others join their service, including Stephen, who was stoned to death and Saul, the killer of Christians who later becomes Paul who becomes a great missionary/preacher/church leader and who even writes numerous books of our bible. They continue to proclaim the gospel to all people, not just the Jews, and even though they are arrested, beaten and most of them martyred for the things they proclaim, they continue and ultimately set the path for Christianity.<br />
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So, I agree with my husband that it does seem confusing to say scripture said to either get started or wait, but in my opinion, to wait is to get started! It is to begin devoting ourselves to prayer, worship, and study and to start actively seeking Gods will for us, not passively waiting for something to just happen or appear when we are not looking for it.<br />
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Another interesting note is after Christ appears to the disciples and tells them to wait in Jerusalem and ascends, Acts 1:10-11 says "And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky?...." I think our problem is we have been waiting passively. Like the disciples, we have been just standing here "looking up into the sky". It's time quit standing here just gazing and begin to wait actively in intense prayer and worship and seeking of God - kathezomai!!tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-85288438873059409752014-03-20T08:02:00.004-05:002014-03-20T09:03:30.310-05:00Get Your Feet WetJoshua 3:8 - You shall, moreover, command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, 'When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.'<br />
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Are you facing a challenge? Looking for somewhere to serve? Have a problem you need to overcome? Seen an injustice that needs to be fixed?<br />
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Regardless of how insurmountable the things we face appear, God is able to overcome and ready to help us.<br />
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I found so much to glean from this verse:<br />
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<i>Sometimes we have to get our feet wet before we will see what God will do.</i> He may be calling us to something and we can't see the full picture, how it will play out or the exact direction we need to go; Or we may see a problem or injustice we need to fight against/overcome but it seems like it is too big and we don't know how we would ever really make a difference. It's times like these when God may be asking us to simply wade in. He sometimes requires a small step of faith, which may be to simply get started or to take a few steps into whatever our "Jordan River" may be and He's there waiting to show us the unimaginable things He will accomplish through us if we are obedient to take that step.<br />
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<i>Sometimes we need to be still and watch for God. </i>At times we might prefer to jump right in and solve a problem immediately but God may have different plans. He may be asking us to wait on Him to show us what He can really do. We can't overcome by our own strength. We shouldn't let our hopes and expectations be damaged because things aren't moving as quickly as we would like. We should take the steps necessary for obedience and watch and wait for God to work and to direct our next steps. Notice the command to the priests was to step in and stand still, it was not to run in and the forge their way across. He didn't require them to fight the strong waters of the Jordan or to carry all their baggage across and risk drowning. He asked them to step in first and then He would make a way for them. He would stop the waters and make the river bed dry so they could walk across. I'm sure if they contemplated methods of crossing before the revelation that He would do this, walking across the Jordan on dry land wasn't really an option they considered. God makes plans that we can't know or understand, sometimes we have to be patient and wait for them to be revealed without forcing our own solutions.<br />
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Another point to note is that the Jordan River was not the Israelites greatest obstacle. Once they crossed and came to the Promised Land, there would be established peoples they would have to conquer -the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. That's quite a list! God used the miracle of drying the Jordan River bed not only to get them closer to their destination, but also to show them He was there and He would assuredly make a way for them to overcome these people.<br />
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Verse 10, in reference to making the Jordan River bed dry - <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Joshua said, “By this you shall know that </span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-5904A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly </span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NASB-5904B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite.</span><br />
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God used the crossing of the Jordan to increase the faith of the Israelites so they would have confidence in His leadership and provision as they made their way through the Promised Land. What will we do with what God asks us to do? Will we respond in complete obedience or will we go our own way? I pray we learn to be obedient in every situation, whether it requires stepping in and moving forward or standing still and waiting on God. May our faith be increased by simple acts of obedience and the resulting miracles and breakthroughs provided by our all knowing and unimaginably creative and powerful God!<br />
<br />tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-88259546167989139102014-03-17T07:42:00.006-05:002014-03-17T08:48:34.121-05:00Lessons Learned - Chicken MoneyMy boys are determined to raise money to buy chickens. My husband built a coop for them and we have some friends that have chickens who have offered us eggs and their incubator. So, we saw this as an excellent opportunity to teach the boys about free enterprise! They are doing chores to raise money to buy the eggs and use the incubator to hatch them, and then will raise the chickens and sell the eggs. It will be their responsibility to take care of them, buy feed, etc., and they will be able to sell their eggs (it helps that Mimi and Granpa run a year round retreat center always in need of eggs!).<br />
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I learned a lot from one of my boys yesterday. Yesterday we made a list of chores and the amount of money each chore was worth. The oldest boy was gung ho about it! He wanted to raise all they money he needed to buy the chicken eggs yesterday, all of it! So he ran around, paranoid his younger brother would get to do a chore that would leave him out of chores and therefore short of money. Regardless of how many times I told him we could come up with more chores if they did all of those, he was in tears at times scared he wouldn't make enough. He was so concerned he tried to withhold chores from the younger one (who was uninterested anyways! That's another issue in itself! haha). He held so tightly to what he thought he needed to do to make money and didn't want to share, even though he said if he raised the money he would buy all the chickens for he and his younger brother. In his resolve to make sure he took care of it, he was panicked that he wouldn't make enough money or have the opportunity to make enough money to get the eggs.<br />
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I was thinking about this and how it relates to me and my relationship with God. If you knew me, you would probably know that I am pretty tight with money and get pretty panicky myself over it. My son was representing how God must see me sometimes. See, he has parents who want him to get chickens, who have plenty resources to get him the chickens, who would love to watch him be happy over them, who think they are good for him, and support him in that. Why he can't see hints of that when we built the coop for him anyways, I don't know! The chores were just a learning exercise. Not to mention, our friends would give them the eggs and let them use the incubator for free! We just want them to have fun learning how to manage money and have a fun way to gain some responsibility...because as parents we see the big picture and know this can be for their good!<br />
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How silly I must look to God, the creator and sustainer of the universe, when I worry He may not supply me with enough resources. He works for my good, He loves me, He has everything I could ever need. If I will trust Him and realize His vast resources, how much more peaceful and enjoyable life would be!<br />
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I was so blown away watching my son be paranoid for no reason, I couldn't understand why he wouldn't listen to me when I was telling him I had what he needed and he would get what he needed. Sounds so familiar!!<br />
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Philippians 4:19</h3>
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King James Version (KJV)</div>
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<span class="text Phil-4-19" id="en-KJV-29462"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">19 </span>But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.</span></div>
tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-86639303417172216022014-03-13T07:49:00.001-05:002014-03-13T07:49:31.343-05:00Call To RepentanceQuick note - I am still working on getting the genealogy finished, my notes were not as good as I might have hoped so its taking longer to type than planned, but I am still working on it.<br />
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Today though I felt led to Jeremiah 3. I was reading a book (Named by God by Kasey Van Norman) on our vacation this week and it made a statement that stuck with me. She was talking about maturing in Christ and she said, "This can't just be a side hobby or something we do when we have extra time, it must become our daily reason for living." So when I prayed this morning about where I should read and came to Jeremiah 3 I thought it really validated that statement.<br />
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Jeremiah 3:1 - God says, "If a husband divorces his wife and she goes from him and belongs to another man, will he still return to her? Will not that land be completely polluted? But you are a harlot with many lovers; Yet you turn to Me," declared the Lord.<br />
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That verse really spoke to me about splitting our loyalty between God and other things in our life. When we choose to go our own way and give into our selfish desires rather than following the Lord, we pollute ourselves. We are disloyal to God anytime we put anything above Him.<br />
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But there is a beautiful section of scripture following where God calls us to repentance. In Jeremiah 3:11-23, God proclaims that He is a gracious God and if we return to Him, acknowledge our sin and disloyalty, He will no longer be angry. He will accept us, and not only accept us but bless us. He is talking to Israel in these old testament scriptures, but God does not change and whatever was written before, is also written for us:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Romans 15:4</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Amplified Bible (AMP)</span></div>
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<span class="text Rom-15-4" id="en-AMP-28306"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>For whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by [our steadfast and patient] endurance and the encouragement [drawn] from the Scriptures we might hold fast to <i>and</i> cherish hope.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The blessings listed in Jeremiah for those who return to God are impressive and include the following:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- God will give us teachers who are after His own heart to feed us knowledge & understanding.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- His presence</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- Strength o overcome the stubbornness and evil in our own hearts</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- Unity with our brothers & sisters in Christ</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- Fellowship</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- Beautiful inheritance & land</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- Relationship with God as Father</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- Strong ties with God so we will not turn away</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- Healing for our faithlessness</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- Salvation</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So my prayer today is that we will rise up in humility and admit our disloyalties, bring them before the Father and start living in His blessing. God is a gracious and forgiving God, bring anything to Him and lay it at His feet and begin to live loyal to Him and be blessed beyond measure! </span></div>
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tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2586185958336434223.post-23856521947198606892014-02-03T08:30:00.004-06:002014-02-03T08:47:57.232-06:00Your CallingJust wanted to encourage anyone who may be looking for their purpose and what God's plan may be in your life. My husband and I have been seeking for that for a while and feeling like we weren't really getting it. Don't get me wrong, we do have some definite areas where we feel God has called us to serve, but we see friends and family that have such obvious calling in their lives and really have embraced their areas of service as part of their daily life, it's just what they live, and we want to find ours. We feel like there must be something more that we are called to do.<br />
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So we have been praying that for quite a while. Last week, I wasn't thinking in the context of our calling, but I came home from work several days with the thought that I needed to flip my loyalty or at least re-direct my efforts. I work so hard to improve my skill set and relationships at work and get home feeling spent. I felt like my family was getting a lower percentage of my best effort than my work was. Not that I think I need to not try hard at work, I just need to realize my priorities at home are worth much more and deserve my best as well. I wasn't thinking of this as God's calling on my life, but just kind of background awareness of where my efforts lie and where they should be improved on.<br />
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Then we went to the ranch this weekend with my husband's parents and I was praying as I was going to sleep that God would make apparent what He was wanting us to do in this time. I felt like surely He had something and had probably shown us, but I just wasn't getting it. I prayed He would just make it obvious because I hadn't picked up on the un-obvious apparently for quite a while now! I had a dream that night and all I remember was me serving food to my family. I woke up feeling I had gained some insight that my calling was right where I am, a Mom and a Wife. And this is a great and significant calling that deserves my attention and focus.<br />
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Then I was talking to my husband's mom the next day - she was talking about their calling (which is one of those that is so remarkable and visible) and I mentioned that we had been praying about our calling for a while and hadn't quite figured it out. She responded, "You have a most important calling right now - raising your family." I knew God was searing that into my mind.<br />
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I am so sure and at peace with the fact that in this stage of life, my calling is right before me. How I didn't see it before is crazy! I have a peace to quit striving so hard to find a purpose outside my home and embrace and invest in the gifts God has given me right here. I am so blessed and have such a significant task in encouraging and supporting my husband, raising my family and bringing up these little ones to be warriors for Christ! I pray that I will fully embrace this calling and run full force into it with Christ as my guide.<br />
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I just encourage you to look around at what may be fairly obvious if you are searching as well. I believe God gives us callings for all time periods of our lives. Don't ever think whatever stage you are in or whatever task you have been given is insignificant. It makes me think of the parable of the talents in Matthew (below) - Cultivate what God has given you and embrace your calling....even if its right in your home or not what you expected or not quite so visible to the rest of the world. If you are a Christian, there is something you are called to do right now in this moment. Don't let striving for something you see as greater or more significant keep you from doing what may be most important today....what God has entrusted you with TODAY.<br />
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Matthew 25:14-30</h3>
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New Living Translation (NLT)</div>
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<span class="text Matt-25-14" id="en-NLT-23996">Parable of the Three Servants</span></h3>
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<span class="text Matt-25-14"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">14 </span><span class="woj">“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.</span></span><span class="text Matt-25-15" id="en-NLT-23997"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">15 </span><span class="woj">He gave five bags of silver<span class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NLT-23997a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25:14-30&version=NLT#fen-NLT-23997a" style="color: #b37162; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span> to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip.</span></span></div>
<span class="text Matt-25-16" id="en-NLT-23998"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">16 </span><span class="woj">“The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-25-17" id="en-NLT-23999"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">17 </span><span class="woj">The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more.</span></span><span class="text Matt-25-18" id="en-NLT-24000"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">18 </span><span class="woj">But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-25-19" id="en-NLT-24001"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">19 </span><span class="woj">“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-25-20" id="en-NLT-24002"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">20 </span><span class="woj">The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-25-21" id="en-NLT-24003"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">21 </span><span class="woj">“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!<span class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NLT-24003b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25:14-30&version=NLT#fen-NLT-24003b" style="color: #b37162; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span>’</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-25-22" id="en-NLT-24004"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">22 </span><span class="woj">“The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-25-23" id="en-NLT-24005"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">23 </span><span class="woj">“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-25-24" id="en-NLT-24006"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">24 </span><span class="woj">“Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-25-25" id="en-NLT-24007"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">25 </span><span class="woj">I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-25-26" id="en-NLT-24008"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">26 </span><span class="woj">“But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate,</span></span> <span class="text Matt-25-27" id="en-NLT-24009"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">27 </span><span class="woj">why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’</span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-25-28" id="en-NLT-24010"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">28 </span><span class="woj">“Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-25-29" id="en-NLT-24011"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">29 </span><span class="woj">To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-25-30" id="en-NLT-24012"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">30 </span><span class="woj">Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’</span></span></div>
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<br />tishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331479392006583798noreply@blogger.com0