by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Samuel 23-24
First in this passage we encounter a listing of the Mighty Men of David. Just a reminder as to where these men came from – they were those who were in debt, in distress, and discontented when they came to David. The Lord has truly been with them as they have grown in their ability and position.
Then we come to something very interesting. David counts the people.
In this day and age, it seems that counting the people would be a valid request to make. Yet with David, this was a sin. Why would that be?
Joab has the answer to that question when he says, “Now may the Lord your God add to the people a hundred times as many as they are.” In other words, when God is leading the army of David, a few can do what hundreds could do in the natural.
Throughout the Bible we see small numbers – or seemingly insignificant people – being chosen by God to do great things for Him. The reason: He shows that with Him all things ar possible. Natural limitations are not there when God is involved.
That’s our Father’s way. He loves to prove Himself to His people in many different ways.
In our lives today, He is the same. If we really trust Him and believe in Him, we will see many impossible situations turn possible. We will see “impossible” people turn their lives to Him and change. We will see “impossible” diseases healed. We will see “impossible” accidents deliver no harm. And on and on.
Our God is limitless in His power. The limit is in our faith.
I want to count on Him to do a lot with a little, don’t you? My focus is not in the numbers or natural abilities; it’s in my Father’s mighty power.
Luke 19:1-27
We each have our talents. We each have our place in God’s kingdom – and our purpose designed by Him.
It’s so easy to look around and think that we are not important. In this day of celebrity mania, with many sitting in the bleachers watching others live their lives, that “unimportant” tag seems to beckon us.
However, our Creator sees it differently. He sees who He created us to be – an important part of His kingdom, and He wants us to develop who we are. We are all significant in His eyes.
So what part do you play? Only you and God can settle that for sure, but you do have a part. So whatever that part is, it should be played to the fullest.
In the church, all of the gifts are needed. There are exhorters and encouragers, teachers, those good at hospitality, or maintenance, or cleaning. When everyone is making their contribution, there’s a flow to the work.
Or maybe your part is played to the community as a whole – in leadership or as a volunteer.
Let’s develop our gifts and be found faithful using them – all as our Father designed.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Samuel 21-22
David gives his God all the praise for his victories.
You could contrast David’s attitude with Saul’s and you realize why David is called a “man after God’s own heart.” When David wins a battle, he never seems to take the glory for himself. He knows that without God, he is nothing.
Yet, with God, he can do anything. He can “run through a troop and leap over a wall.”(v.30)
Now in our day, Jesus has come, and we are born again of Him. We have God’s Spirit living inside of us.
We are still taking a Promised Land, but that land is the land of promises given through Jesus. It includes blessings for our families, our health, provision, and victory over demonic forces who try to hinder us.
Still He is our rock and our deliverer. When forces come against us at work, He is our shield. When we are misunderstood and falsely accused, He is our fortress.
Our Father is the One to whom we run in times of trouble. He “draws us out of many waters, and delivers us from our strong enemy.”(V.18)
I am so thankful that we have such a wonderful God. He is all-powerful and all-knowing. Nothing catches Him by surprise. He is perfect.
Yet, this perfect God, who has all power and might, and knows everything, is also a God of love. He loves us with a love which cannot truly be comprehended. That love is greater than our minds can understand.
Oh, I praise Him today. I praise Him for delivering me from myself. I praise Him for taking my sin and nailing it to the cross.
He is my Rock, my Deliverer, and my Salvation.
Luke 18:24-43
As we read the scriptures, there are times when we come upon something so powerful, so far above our understanding, that we just pass over it – as if it weren’t there.
Verses 29 and 30 are like that. They say that if anyone has left anything for Jesus, he will receive many times as much in this life. In fact, this same incident is even elaborated on more in Mark 10:31. His account says, “100 times as much.”
There are times when following the Lord costs people. Perhaps they are called to a foreign land, and they have to leave their families for years at a time. That’s hard.
Then there are times when people are called to leave good jobs to follow the Lord’s leading. That can be hard, too.
The promise the Lord has, however, is extremely great. He says that those who have to leave something in following Him, will receive many times as much – or one hundred times as much – in this lifetime.
Many times I think that with the families, the return is in a greater relationship with those families – even though they had to be left geographically. Then too those families have greater blessing because of one person’s obedience.
As for houses and land, I personally think that it’s a matter of faith. These things can be brushed aside and ignored, or they can be pursued.
Anything that Jesus says is true. If we don’t see it happening, there’s another reason for it. It’s not because He missed it.
I want to be like the woman with the issue of blood. I want to reach out and touch the hem of His garment for every promise He has made – for myself and my children and my children’s children.
How about you?
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Samuel 19-20
The king returns to Jerusalem. Yet it’s a mixed day for God’s people.
Since the rebellion of Absalom, there had been much confusion. Many had sided with Absalom – just because he seemed to be the victor. Now they find themselves in trouble.
David has to have a gift of merc! As he is returning, men come out to meet him and give their excuses as to why they chose to stay with Absalom. Even Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son who had been so lavishly treated by David, had stayed – and he had his excuse.
Mercy to all of them. That’s David’s way. He wants the bloodshed to stop and for there to be peace in Israel.
However, there can’t be true peace as long as someone is still in rebellion. So Sheba, the son of Bichri who is causing the Israelites to rebel, has to be dealt with.
The armies are sent – and Joab brings down the rebellion. He’s now over the whole army of Israel – Israel and Judah.
It’s interesting to see that there seems to be a root of division which continues to develop between Israel and Judah. ( Israel is larger, with ten tribes and Judah has only two). Watch for this as we proceed.
It seems like a “root of bitterness” which can spring back up.
In our personal lives, in our families and churches, it’s so important to keep the roots of bitterness plucked up. If these roots are allowed to stay – with just the fruit dealt with – eventually they will spring up again and cause great division.
I pray that all of us will allow the Father to pluck up those roots. To eradicate them completely from the soil of our hearts. We want God’s best – which comes with an honest and good heart – free from strife.
Let’s forgive, forgive, and forgive again.
Luke 18:1-27
There is such a fine line between self-righteousness and true righteousness.
We stand righteous before God today if we are born again. He has given us that wonderful gift. We didn’t earn it – and we don’t deserve it. It’s a gift, because of His great love for us.
Just as Mephibosheth was allowed to come to the king’s table, so are we invited to our King’s table. And the fare there is good, indeed.
The flip side of this is that we don’t come because of our own works. That’s what the Pharisee tries to do.(v.10-14).
He comes to the Lord bragging on his own goodness. He fasts twice a week, pays his tithes, and isn’t a swindler or an adulterer. Yet that works mentality isn’t what causes us to receive from our God.
We receive from Him when we come humbly, realizing that in ourselves, without Jesus, we don’t have anything to offer. It’s the sacrifice of Jesus which has caused us to be made righteous.
Now do we want our lives to be holy and pure? Of course we do. When we are in love with Jesus and when we allow ourselves to be led by Him, we want to please Him in every respect.
But that still is not where our righteousness comes from. It’s still an undeserved gift we receive through faith.
In this story of the pharisee and the publican, Jesus had not yet gone to the cross. There had been no sacrifice for sin. They were operating under the old covenant.
Jesus was still pointing to the new, however, as he describes these two. True repentance is necessary to receive the work of the cross.
We die to self and live to Him. And the gifts we receive in Him are truly incredible.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Samuel 14-15
You will hear ministers talk about the “Absalom spirit” in the church. As you read these passages, you will see why that spirit is so detrimental to God’s plans.
Absalom has nothing really to offer the people but a big ego. Yet he stands at the gate and tries to lure them into following him. “The king doesn’t really care for you like I do,” is the jist of what he would say. Seduction personified. “Your life will be better if you follow me.”
Many church splits have occurred with this spirit dominating the action. Someone gets lifted up in pride, thinking that they can do a better job than the current leader. Usually when someone is in such pride, they don’t make good leaders at all – and the outcome is devastating.
So as Absalom leads a rebellion against David, the king quickly leaves town, entrusting himself to God. Of course, he is hurt over his son’s attempted overthrow, but his attitude is one of complete trust.
He says, “If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, then He will bring me back again…But if He should say thus, ‘I have no delight in you,’ behold, here I am. Let Him do to me as seems good to Him.”(15:25-26)
There is a book entitled A Tale Of Three Kings, in which author, Gene Edwards contrasts the attitudes of Saul, David, and Absalom. Interestingly, the king who trusts himself to God’s hand when Saul is chasing him, also entrusts himself to God when his son is overthrowing him.
David’s humility when under attack is the key to his victory. In each situation, as others are exalting themselves, he is throwing himself on God’s mercy.
Such godly character! Such a role model for any in leadership today.
When God exalts you, you stay exalted. We’ll see the outcome tomorrow!
Luke 17:1-19
“If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea;’ and it would obey you.”(v.6)
The rewards of great faith are promised us, but Jesus gives an unusual illustration concerning the slave just “performing his duty.” After the performance of duties, just say, “we have done only that which we ought to have done.”(v.10)
One time, as I had just received a tremendous answer to prayer, I was rejoicing greatly. In fact, I was sharing with many people the results of my victory.
As I was sharing, the Lord began to speak to me. He said, “It’s not your great faith; it’s your faith in a great God.”
Ouch! I began to see that I was being prideful, as if my faith had brought the results.
When we see our Father the right way, we don’t think of ourselves as high in any way. He is the One who is high. He is the One who answers our prayers. He is the One who can accomplish all things for us.
All you and I are doing is believing in the great God Who was and is and is to come. All glory goes to Him.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Samuel 11-13
Never let your guard down, and never get lazy, or you’ll get into trouble. That’s the root of the lowest point in David’s life.
After all of those years of running from Saul, and still honoring him, and after all those years of fighting with his men, David takes a rest. He takes a rest from fighting, but it seems that he also takes a rest from his honor. He must have taken a rest from attention to his God.
Not only does he violate Uriah’s wife, but he has the man killed. Unbelievable evil coming from our man, David.
Yet, he recovers his honesty and decency when Nathan the prophet brings David the word from the Lord.
So often, when people are caught in violations, they harden their hearts against any kind of repentance. They deny any wrong doing.
Not David. When Nathan says to him, “You are the man,”(12:7) David snaps to his senses and takes responsibility. He says, “I have sinned against the Lord,”(12:13) and begins fasting and praying.
So David recovers – even from that horrible sin – but sin runs rampant through his house. His sons are out of control as one rapes a sister and then gets killed by another.
Shame comes to the house of David. Shame and sorrow.
When David opens the gate of his house to the devil by committing his sin, demonic forces try to take over. His sin is adultery and murder; his sons’ sins are incest and murder. Not things which we would expect from David’s house.
David’s repentance closes the gate for himself, but the sons continue on their lawless paths.
I want to have a holy life – not only for myself and for my God, but for my children and grandchildren. I want them to have lives free from the heartache that comes with sin. I will keep that gate closed to Satan and his imps.
How about you?
Luke 16
Jesus continues to pound away at the deceitfulness of riches. There are other passages which show that our Father wants to bless us with finances, but the true blessing of God adds no sorrow. Worshiping Mammon brings great sorrow.
When men worship their money instead of God, they become very self-centered and proud. Instead of allowing the Lord to lead them in the handling of their finances, they lavish themselves with their riches. Or sometimes, they hoard the finances, worshiping their treasure.
People whose hearts are allowed to go in that direction are in for a big surprise. They may think that they are on top of things, but not so. This life on earth is only a dot compared to eternity. To live selfishly here is a big mistake. It only leads to sorrow in the end.
Consider the beggar, Lazarus, in the parable. His poor condition is not what allows him into heaven; there is no glory in being poor. His heart must be right before God. He must have tried to live according to God’s plan as much as possible. His life after death is the greater.
At the end of this parable, Jesus makes a very poignant statement. He says, “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they listen if someone rises from the dead.”(v.37)
What is He saying? He is saying that if the Jews don’t believe the Word they have from God, they won’t believe another Word from Him. The same applies today. If we don’t believe the Word which we have in hand, we can’t believe other Words which may be spoken to us from God.
The Word, the Bible, is the basis for everything we believe. If we hear something else, another gospel, and we can’t see it in the Word, then it isn’t so. We must reject it.
My prayer is that we – and others of our generation – will rise up to be keepers of the truth. We will not only listen to the Word, but we will believe it and hold that higher than any other word we hear.
