You Are The Man! Awwww..... Man!

It’s so human for us to see the character flaws of people all around us, and at times it’s so easy for us to point the finger at the other person, so as not to draw attention to ourselves. For me personally, I’m often quick to point out how others are “not minding God” only to be reminded of “when’s the last time I went to the hospital to visit the sick”, or take your pick. No, I admit that I am not perfect, and I apologize for criticizing others too.

David’s life had quickly become very complicated. He had slept with another man’s wife, who had consequently become pregnant. To cover it up, he had her honorable husband Uriah killed in battle so that he would never find out of the king’s treacherous dealings. As for the people finding out, I imagine that David quickly took Bathsheba as his wife – kind of “shotgun wedding” style to cover up the obvious of her being pregnant. Maybe David felt like he had all the bases covered and that he could try and melt back into mediocrity. No way. God would not give him peace while he was in sin. God wanted to wake him up and show him the error of his ways. God sent his prophet Nathan to talk to him.

Nathan started talking about this other worthless character, about how this rich man who had all he wanted, and lacked nothing, wanted more. Even though this rich man was blessed with abundance, desired what someone else had. The rich man took the only possession that this poor man had, a single lamb who this man raised from a baby, treating it as one of his own children. Even though the rich man had more than enough, he stole from the poor man, the only lamb he had to make a feast for a traveler. Back again to seeing the character flaws in others, God spoke through Nathan this story in a way that would convict David. In fact, in a way that David would convict himself. David was furious to hear this supposedly true story from Nathan and said, [2 Samuel 12:5] “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely die! [6] And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity.” Then Nathan said to David those dreaded words, “You are the man!”

Nathan then went on to remind David all the good things that God had already done for him like, anointing him king over Israel, delivering him from the hands of King Saul who was out to kill him, giving David king Saul’s house and all his possessions after Saul killed himself in battle, and by giving David to be king over all of Israel, and then all of Judah. And finally, by reminding David that if that hadn’t been enough, God would have blessed him more, according to his will…. What a knuckle-head, right? I mean who in their right minds would have given up all of that for a fleeting moment with another man’s wife. But, I am only speaking sarcastically. A very big lesson to be learned is that God put this detailed story in here for a reason. Think about all the great things that David had done, and how many of them are only mentioned briefly…. Then think about this story and realize that it is spelled out in great detail and is put there as a warning for every man. We all must be careful on what we do, and where we are, and what consequences will follow.

David’s character had been tarnished. His sin had been exposed to him, and his kingdom, and the nations around him. How humbling this was for David. What happened after this shows the character of David that God loved. The repentant character, the humbled character, and the deeply wounded character that God desires when we sin. It’s quickly summed up in the story told in 2 Samuel by this verse, [2 Samuel 12:13] So David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." But it’s not until you read over in Psalms 32 or Psalms 51 the true depths that David went through before finding God’s forgiveness.

In Psalms 32, David is praising God for his forgiveness, and for covering or hiding his sins. David admits in this Psalm, the struggle and guilt that he felt before his sins were confessed, before his sins were admitted. David says that he felt terrible, he was burdened with sin, and he was pressed and could not move because of his guilt. The moment he admitted his sins to God, God lifted his hand from him, and blessed him with his mercies.

In Psalms 51, David calls out for God’s mercy, loving-kindness, and tender mercies. David begs God to blot out, or cover over his transgressions so that God will not see them any longer. David begs God to wash him and cleanse him so that he will be found pure in his sight. David admits his sin to God. Even though David had affected the lives of Bathsheba, of Uriah, and of the child who died from Bathsheba, and even the punishment of sin which would be borne in his own household, David admits that to God and God alone has he sinned. David continues by asking God to bless him with joy and gladness so that he may rejoice. David asks for a clean heart and for a renewed and steadfast spirit within him. David asks God not to depart from him, not to take his Holy Spirit away from him. God finally uses David to teach us through the Holy Spirit what God desires most of all from us in these situations: [Psalms 51:16] “For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart-- These, O God, You will not despise.”

Yes, I find myself to be like David in the fact that I am not perfect, though I have not sinned in this same way as this story is told. I certainly am a sinner who is forgiven. My prayer is that I will remember David’s character and if I am convicted of sin, when I have come to my senses that I too will pour out myself like David did, and be forgiven by God our creator.

I’m forgiven and you can be too.

Am I listening to what God is saying in His word?

A Lesson On Being Forgiven

The story of David is such an interesting one to me. From just a very young man, he was chosen by God. One story is told found in 1 Samuel 16 when God told the prophet Samuel that He had rejected Saul as being king over Israel. He told Samuel to go and anoint a new king over Israel that would be found among the sons of Jesse - but He didn't tell him who it would be. Upon seeing Jesse's first son, a strong and handsome man, Samuel was sure that God's anointed was before him. God told him no, (v.7) "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him (them - all of Jesse's sons except David, the youngest). For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." And what a heart God saw in David. I believe it is a big reason why the story of David takes up a good amount of the Bible. His story is so important. David's life was a world-wind of ups and downs, blessings and curses, right decisions and wrong decisions, full of joy and pain. The character that I'd like to focus on is David's heart. We are all like David in the aspect that at times in our life, we made a bad decision. A decision that haunts us in the future. A decision that keeps pestering us and will not go away. It's how David handles those situations that I find interesting - and sometimes hard to put in practice.

It's good to remember that God removed king Saul because Saul chose not to obey God. We should always allow ourselves to be used by God for good - not for bad. David had the right attitude from the beginning, a servant attitude, willing to take risk for better gain - remember his servant attitude in bringing supplies to his brothers at the war camp, only to allow God to work through him by taking the risk of facing Goliath. God strengthened David, and enabled him to speak these words to a giant: 1 Samuel 17:45 Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with 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 defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands."

Several years later in king David's life, David heart was not right. David was not acting as he should. In a time where David should have been with his army in battle, he stayed behind. Sometimes, finding ourselves in the wrong spot and in the wrong time can definitely lead us into trouble. In fact, I'd like to offer you a link to one of the best articles I've read on this same topic. Please be sure and visit this link later for a wake-up call by clicking here:

Places You Never Dreamed You'd Go.

The story of David's fall with Bathsheba is one that reminds me of a snowball rolling downhill. Once David got started, he couldn't stop and things went from bad to worse. David shouldn't have been there to begin with, but he should have been elsewhere with his army. He was probably bored with nothing to do - Idleness brings about destruction. David looked, and he saw a beautiful woman. "Whoops" he said, "let me run back inside and get that image out of my mind while I find something more productive to do". No, David didn't say that. In fact, he sent his own messengers to her house - her husband by the way was gone out to war with the rest of the guys. David is actively pursuing this encounter - he's the king after all, and he can have and do anything he wants - right? After the sinful deed was done, he / they then find out that she became pregnant - the snowball's getting bigger and bigger.... David hatches a plan to bring Bathsheba's husband back for a little R & R. Well, this backfires. Uriah was an honorable man, and chose not to even stay with his wife while the rest of the army's still out there fighting. He stayed and watched guard over king David with the rest of the people. David still tries to persuade him a few more times. Even drunk, Uriah stands firm for what is right. Finally, David writes a notice to Joab to place Uriah in the front of the battle, and retreat from him - so that he may be killed. What a cover up! He's in the clear now, and he can have Uriah's wife and child. Well, no. God would not allow this to happen unchallenged.

Check back later for a continuation to this story and find out how David was restored back into good graces with God and his people.

Am I listening to what God is Saying In His Word?

Nothing...

I have been at a loss for words for several days. I haven't been focused. I haven't been able to say what I feel, because I don't know what I feel right now. In just a few days, my wife and oldest son and myself will be taking a very long trip to Crownpoint, NM to share the gospel with some Navajo people. We've never been there, and we don't know what to expect. Also, this is so much out of my character, out of my comfort level that I'm completely beside myself. Or more accurately, not myself. I wrestle with my insecurities, and then knowing that I need to put my trust in God and let Him take control. I fear the unexpected and I dread the unknown. Yes, I feel Satan is having his way with me right now, and dropping little hints in my ear like, "what in the world did I sign up for", or "wow, I'm sure gonna miss my own bed".

Nothing. My mind is as blank as a deserted road. No one for miles and miles. Just me.

Dear God, I pray that you will fill me with your spirit. That you will be with us all on this trip we are about to take. That you will watch over us, and guide us, and show us that you are with us. Help to calm our nerves, and give us courage and strength to stand up to such a task as this. Bless our efforts. Reveal yourself to us and give us words to speak. Allow your Holy Spirit to work through us so that we might share your message of hope, joy and peace with others who do not know you. Help us to encourage those who do know you, who need encouraging. Allow them to encourage us and may we help to strengthen each other. Thank you for blessing those people who have already helped by supporting this trip. Bless us all and watch over us and may your kingdom continue to grow. In Jesus holy name, Amen.

Watch out for traps

Psalms 142:3 When I grow weak, you know what I'm going through. In the path where I walk, people have hidden a trap to catch me.

Matthew 6:13 Keep us from falling into sin when we are tempted. Save us from the evil one.

Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray. Then you won't fall into sin when you are tempted. The spirit is willing. But the body is weak."

1 Peter 5:8 Control yourselves. Be on your guard. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to chew up and swallow.

1 Corinthians 10:13 You are tempted in the same way all other human beings are. God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted any more than you can take. But when you are tempted, God will give you a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Isn't God great!!! And, I'm so glad that God loves me in spite of my sinful nature. But to be more clear, God loves me, but hates my sin. God also knows just how hard it is for me to walk with him - and be perfect. In fact, he knows that I'm not perfect, but loves me in spite of myself. That was the reason He sent His son - Jesus. Jesus was the only way that made it possible for me to even be able to stand in front of Him. Through Jesus, God looks at me, and sees Jesus' blood and He recognizes who I am.

Again, God knows how difficult my Christian walk is, because He saw what it was that His son Jesus went through. After Jesus was baptized, He was lead by the Spirit to the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. Can you imagine, being face to face with Satan? Who could stand up against that? Also, Jesus was constantly followed around by the Pharisees, who were intent on trapping him, who constantly tried to snare Him in His words. Jesus prevailed, and I can too with His help.

I must use the resources that are available to me in Christ in order to prevail. I am not saying that I never fall or stumble. I do. I am a sinner. But I must remain focused and press on toward my goal of walking with Him.

Heavenly Father, I pray that you will always watch over me. You know that I am unworthy of your gift, and that on my own, I am nothing. Thank you for loving me and caring for me. I pray that you will remind me each time I am weak, of the life you lived, and of the terrible punishment that you went through on my behalf. Help me to feel guilty when I sin and to be sorry. Forgive me when I sin. Help me to get back up and continue my walk with you. I also pray for my friends, that they too might be made strong when we are apart. Help us to strive to be together and be united in You. Help me to love my brothers, and care for them the same way you cared for me. I love you. I make this prayer and petition through your most holy and righteous son - Jesus. Amen.

The Great Copy-cat

The Mockingbird is the most widely-known songbird in America. It is the state bird of Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi, and Texas. It is best known for its singing abilities. Not only can it perform songs from 39 other species of birds, but it also can mimic sounds such as that of a barking dog, squeaky hinges, notes from a piano and even a cackling hen, so expertly that even an electronic analysis could not tell the difference between the mockingbird and the original. These birds have extraordinarily diverse repertoires acquired through imitating the calls, songs and parts of songs of other birds, other animals such as dogs and cats, humans, mechanical sounds, and even the sounds of other mockingbirds. Males typically sing more than females and un-mated males usually sing more than mated males. Un-mated male Mockingbirds can often be heard singing all night long if they are roosting next to street lights.

I'd like to read one verse that would be the focus of this study. It is:

1 Corinthians 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

I understand that I should not pick out one single verse to make a point. So, I must first give a little background. The apostle Paul is warning the Corinthians that they too should imitate him. In fact, apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:27 "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." And in the following chapter, Paul further explains that they have many distractions that they must avoid. He talks about how God was displease with His people whom he led out of Egypt. How that they soon forgot about how God destroyed Pharaoh's army, and led them through the Red Sea. They soon began to please themselves by becoming lustful and desired sinful things. How that they also created idols to serve like the Egyptians did. How that they also grumbled against God and tempted Him and sinned. Paul warns them in verse 6 of chapter 10 that "these things became our examples," and again in verse 11 "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition," It is once again here, that I'm reminded of my friendly Mockingbirds. They are able to observe others, to listen to others and duplicate. They can learn from others. Like us, we can learn from others. We can learn by other's examples and be admonished or provoked to do better than they did. We can learn from other peoples mistakes. It is a very large reason why we have the Bible as we know it today. God, in his supreme wisdom allowed us to know how he dealt with others - in both good and bad circumstances. God speaks to us today through His word - through His Spirit. And we can copy or duplicate that same spirit - or not.

I am amazed at every thing God has given to us. For us to be able to learn such simple little truths as that of the Mockingbird can teach us is truly inspiring. Please take the time to look around and observe His creation. Allow Him to teach you through His world. Most of all, as apostle Paul said it best, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1

Am I Listening to what God is Saying in His Word?

Stay Focused

Psalms 5:8 Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face.

Proverbs 4:25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,

Ecclesiastes 1:15 What is crooked cannot be made straight,

Isaiah 45:2 I will go before you And make the crooked places straight;

Luke 3:4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.

Luke 3:5 Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth;

Luke 9:57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, "Lord, I will follow You wherever You go." 58 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." 59 Then He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." 60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God." 61 And another also said, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house." 62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Okay, which way would you rather walk home, at night, in a rain storm, with lightning, on Halloween, with wild dogs running around? Okay scratch that last one - it can't ever be that bad could it? Point is, when the conditions are bad enough, and we're in a hurry, we'd prefer going the easy way, the clear way, the straight way, the way that has been cleared of all obstacles and nothing is in our way to hinder us or slow us down. Right? If we just had to make it home quickly, we would prefer not to be tripped up by anything.

Think of it this way. Have you ever lived in a part of town where you had to drive daily through a torn up street under construction? A few years ago, the city was widening the main street into our subdivision. This lasted for a few years too. First, one side was torn up, then the other. Part of the road was gravel, or dirt, the other part was partially paved. This was very inconvenient, dirty, bumpy and even confusing at times. Our travel was even hampered or restricted and we were caused to slow down through this part. Our way was "crooked" if you will. Then, one day, the day we had waited for for a few years, the road was finally finished. Ahhhhhh....... a nice smooth road to drive upon. I mean smooth, quiet, straight, fast and finished. It was perfect. No longer were we slowed down. We could come and go with ease, and make real good time.

The same thing is true in our spiritual lives. Without Christ, our way is hopelessly crooked. We can't even see the light at the end of the tunnel because of the turns in our way. We can't even focus on a goal, and reach our destination on our own. We have got to have additional help. We must have a Saviour. Someone to go before us, and give us focus. Someone who we can rely on to clear our way and make our way straight.

The last time I studied this passage was a year ago in bible class with a few friends. The point was made that if we have a goal, and we can focus on our goal - that mark way out in the distance, then as we're plowing, or driving, or walking, we can focus on that goal, and go straight toward it. Take a look again at the picture above. Nice and straight huh? How would you like to walk through that nice straight field on your way home from school like I did a few times when I was a kid. Man, that would be a piece of cake. So simple. Nothing in the way. If we can focus on the mark, don't turn around. Jesus implied that when you do, (he was talking to people who were very familiar with subsistence farming practices) when you do turn around and look behind you, you screw up. (remember Lot's wife) By the time you turn back around and look forward again, your row is now crooked - not straight. Whenever we turn around and look behind, we are worried and concerned with this life's problems. Jesus wants us to continue looking forward, to Him for our guidance. Keep God first in our lives, and focus on Him.

Am I listening to What God is Saying in His Word?

God: Creator, Artist, Provider, Father

Psalms 8:1 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! 2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. 3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: 7 all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field, 8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 9 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Matthew 6:28 Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Luke 11:11 "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Luke 11:9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

I fail in so many ways. I am reminded again and again that when I am proud of myself, or in myself, I will soon be humbled. I am imperfect. Please do not rely on me to keep my promises. I promise myself things, only to be disappointed. My intentions are on what's best, but I fail and fall flat on my face. My point? I am human. I am selfish. I often times love myself more than I do others. My other point? I have a God that is perfect. He humbles the proud, and lifts up the humble. He says what He means, and keeps His promises. He is God, He is awesome, He is loving, He is good, He is all knowing, He is forever. He is righteous, holy, perfect, kind, long suffering.. .. . this could go on and on.

God is definitely a glorious God. As I was driving to work early the other morning, I witnessed a beautiful sunrise over the river. Awesome. God reminds us that He is still here. There is so much in my life that I don't do well. But I try very hard to give God the glory for His beautiful creation. When I think of all the wonderful, beautiful things that I've seen in my life, I recognize that God created that for me. I take it as a reminder that God is my creator, and if he spent the time to create a beautiful flower, or butterfly for my enjoyment, how much more enjoyment does He get out of watching me? When I watch nature, and understand that God has set his creation in motion, as I witness the butterfly going from flower to flower, I understand that His creation praises Him. After God created His creation, he stepped back and said, "It is good". But, the things of this life, we must realize are temporary. They are not lasting. In their season, they will fail. He created us in the same way. But I try and remember, that if He took the time to make something so beautiful for me to enjoy, how much more will he also take care of me. Thank you dear God, dear Father for your blessing of this life. Thank you for the blessing that I don't even realize you've blessed us with. More than that, although in my human-ness it's easier for me to thank you for these physical blessings, thank you also for your spiritual blessings that are found in your Son. Thank you for your way in which you made available for all to come to you.

Am I listening to what God is saying in His word?