Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 12:19‐14:17, Romans 1:1‐17, Psalm 9:13‐20, Proverbs 19:4‐5

1 Chronicles 14:14-16 And when David again inquired of God, God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; go around and come against them opposite the balsam trees…  And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer.

Hiking up the Gezer Tel

Observations:

• Context: This immediately follows an almost identical successful battle when David inquired of God and was told: “Go up, and I will give them into your hand.”  This time the instruction from God is: “You shall not go up after them, go around…”
• David continues to inquire of God.
• God tells David what to do – and this time it is different.
• David obeys.
• God works victory through David.

I need to remember to continue to inquire of God, even when I have seen him work in similar situations before.  In the camp ministry, each week has many repetitive battles.  I must enter every situation prayerfully and be ready for him to direct me differently than before.

Apply:  Lord, I inquire of you.  Show me if, what, where, and how you what me to fight today.  Don’t let me do anything out of habit.  Help me to hear your direction for every step.  Specifically, I lift of my morning talks

What battles do you need to be sure to inquire of God before you enter today?

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 11:1‐12:18, Acts 28:1‐31, Psalm 9:1‐12, Proverbs 19:1‐3

1 Chronicles 11:2 In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord your God said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.’

Observation:     

• Context: The people of Israel have gathered together and are communicating they are behind David saying: “Behold, we are your bone and flesh…”
• Even when Saul was king, David “led out and brought in Israel.”
• God spoke to David saying “You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.”

Two principles that are all over scripture jump off the page for me.  First, you don’t have to have the title to lead.  Second, God and not man places people in leadership roles.

Apply:  With a leadership title over God’s people, I need to embrace those under me that he calls to lead.  I also need to listen to his voice and be ready to take on new leadership roles that he calls me to.

Have you worked around a Saul and David leadership situation?  Was it evident to all who the real leader was?

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 9:1‐10:14, Acts 27:21‐44, Psalm 8:1‐9, Proverbs 18:23‐24

Acts 27:25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 

Observations:

• Context: The people on the ship with Paul are afraid that they will all die in a ship wreck.  An angel told Paul “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.”  So Paul tells the men on the boat this…
• What are the people to do?  Take heart – euthumeo – be of good cheer or take courage
• Why?  Paul has faith in God
• What is Paul believing God for? That it will be exactly as he has been told.

Apply:  It is a time of unknown for Rebecca and me.  Last week she gave me six notes filled with scripture that speak to our season in life.  I must TAKE HEART through FAITH in God that it will be EXACTLY as I have been told.

Where do you need to take heart through faith?

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 7:1‐8:40, Acts 27:1‐20, Psalm 7:1‐17, Proverbs 18:22

Psalm 7:12 If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword;
he has bent and readied his bow.

Observations:

• If we do not repent
• God will judge (v11)

Apply: Lord I repent of (turn away from) believing lies and placing unrealistic expectations on my wife. 

What do you need to repent of?

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 5:18‐6:81, Acts 26:1‐32, Psalm 6:1‐10, Proverbs 18:20‐21

Acts 26:17b-18  “…Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

Observation:

• Paul was the apostle sent to me and other non-Jews
• Sent to:
  • Open my eyes
  • Turn me from darkness to light
  • Show me how to receive forgiveness of sins
  • Give me a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Christ

Until this last year, I was concerned with how much easier and more applicable Paul’s letters were for me.  Now I know that God chose him to teach me.

Apply: I will feel more comfortable in choosing Paul’s letters to teach out of and to read myself.

Do you see Paul as God’s apostle to you – Gentile?

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 4:5‐5:17, Acts 25:1‐27, Psalm 5:1‐12, Proverbs 18:19

1 Chronicles 4:10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.

Context:

• In a long list of genealogies, the writer stops to talk about Jabez.
• Jabez’s prayer:
• Bless me
• Enlarge my border
• May your hand be with me
• Keep me from harm / pain
• God granted what he asked

What stands out to me most in the prayer is Jabez’s request to have his border enlarged.  This would not mean that life would be easier.  It would mean that he would have more influence.

Apply: “Lord, enlarge my boarders.  Use my life to influence more people for your glory.”

What is the difference between the “health and wealth” gospel and the prayer that Jabez prays?

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 2:18‐4:4, Acts 24:1‐27, Psalm 4:1‐8, Proverbs 18:16‐18

Proverbs 18:16 – A man’s gift* makes room for him
and brings him before the great.

*The word gift (mattan) here is a present and not a talent. 

Being a giver is good for your future.  It makes “room” for you and brings you “before the great.”

I am reminded of a man that I want to pattern my life after.  Recently, I was on a group trip with him and every evening he invited several people to his room and he would gift them with his time, tea and chocolate.  By the end of the trip, everyone sought time with him and felt loved by him.

Apply: I want to look for opportunities to give gifts.

What gifts have you been given recently that have blessed you?

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 1:1‐2:17, Acts 23:11‐35, Psalm 3:1‐8, Proverbs 18:14‐15

Psalm 3:3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.

Observations:

• God is:
  • A shield about me
  • My glory
  • The lifter of my head

Apply: I want to trust God, not man, to protect me and lift my head during hard times.

Have you ever felt God lift up your head?

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 23:31‐25:30, Acts 22:17‐23:10, Psalm 2:1‐12, Proverbs 18:13

Acts 23:1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”

Observations:

• Paul lived in incredible sin before Christ.  He murdered Christians
• Paul said he had lived his life before God in all good conscience
• We can have a good conscience with sin in our past if it is not part of our present

Apply: I want to live my life like Paul.  I want to allow him to totally transform my past and let me live my life before him in all good conscience.

Do you have a clear conscience?  Why or why not?

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 22:3‐23:30, Acts 21:37‐22:16, Psalm 1:1‐6, Proverbs 18:11‐12

2 Kings 23:2b-3 And he (Josiah) read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the Lord. And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant.

Observation:

• The word of God was read (Book of the Covenant – probably Deuteronomy)
• Josiah made a covenant before the Lord
• Covenant:
• Walk after the Lord
• Keep his commandments and his testimonies and statues
• Do this with all his heart and all his soul
• Perform the words of the covenant that were written in the book
• All the people joined Josiah in the covenant

Does the reading of the Word of God affect you this much?  Have you made a covenant with God to obey his commands with all you heart and soul?

Apply: I want to make a covenant to walk after the Lord with all my heart and soul. 

Prayer: Lord, tear down my idol worship and make me fully committed to obeying you.

What brings this kind of life transformation?