Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 26:12‐27:34, Romans 4:13‐5:5, Psalm 14:1‐7, Proverbs 19:17

Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will repay him for his deed.

Observations:

• Generous to the poor = lends to the Lord
• Lend to the Lord = God will repay you for your deed

Proverbs are principals and not promises

Apply: I want to look for ways to be generous to the poor.

Have you ever been impacted by someone’s generosity to the poor?  Share the story.

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 24:1‐26:11, Romans 4:1‐12, Psalm 13:1‐6, Proverbs 19:15‐16

1 Chronicles 25:7 The number of them along with their brothers, who were trained in singing to the Lord, all who were skillful, was 288.

Observations:

• Context: David is organizing the worship for the temple.  This section is the musicians specifically. 
• They were trained in their craft – in this case, singing
• They were skilled at their craft

Most ministries allow untrained and unskilled people to lead just because they are nice people.  This is not the example that David sets for us as he organizes the temple worship.

Apply: I want to make sure I am placing the staff under me in roles that match their skill set.  I also need to give them the best training possible in their craft.

Have you ever been set up to fail by being asked to do something that you were not good at and/or had no training in?  What should you learn from that?

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 22:1‐23:32, Romans 3:9‐31, Psalm 12:1‐8, Proverbs 19:13‐14

1 Chronicles 22:16  Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed.

Observations:

• Context: Before David dies, he charges Solomon with building the temple.  Within this charge we read these words that he speaks directly to his son.
• If you are careful to observe the law = then you will prosper
• Be strong and courageous
• Fear not
• Do not be dismayed

I am seeking to speak intentionally into my daughter each day.  Currently we are reading the Jesus Storybook Bible – I highly recommend this for kids 5 and under.  Like my father did for me, each night I pray the Priestly Blessing over Anna (Numbers 6:23-27).  However, most of what I am teaching her in relation to her faith is not conditional. 

Apply: I want to look for ways to help Anna understand that part of receiving blessing in life (not salvation) is dependent on her obedience to the law.  I also want to speak the identity of courage and strength into her.

What resource (passage in scripture, talk, book, friend, etc.) has helped you understand the Biblical balance of saved by grace through faith and real faith is blessed because of its obedience?

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 19:1‐21:30, Romans 2:25‐3:8, Psalm 11:1‐7, Proverbs 19:10‐12

Proverbs 19:11 Good sense makes one slow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Today I talked with two different men that openly struggle with anger.  I pray that God will give them and me good sense that will slow our anger.  I also pray that I will learn how to overlook offenses that are not dishonoring to God or hurting someone.

Apply: I need to look for the offenses that God is calling me to overlook.

What relationships are the most difficult to overlook offenses in?

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 16:37‐18:17, Romans 2:1‐24, Psalm 10:16‐18, Proverbs 19:8‐9

I Chronicles 16:37-43 So David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister regularly before the ark as each day required…  to offer burnt offerings to the Lord on the altar of burnt offering regularly morning and evening, to do all that is written in the Law of the Lord that he commanded Israel…  and David went home to bless his household.

Observations:

• David put people in charge of worshiping the Lord
• David left them
• David went home to bless his household

David was able to delegate something extremely important – worshiping the Lord as was required and commanded.  David left as this was going on – trusting those he placed in charge to do it well.  David went home to bless his household – being with his family was a priority.

Apply:  I need to fully trust the ones that God has placed around me to lead the camp ministry.  I need to know that God wants me to leave at different times and go home to bless my family.

Is there anything you need to trust someone else to do so that you can go home and bless your family?

Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 15:1‐16:36, Romans 1:18‐32, Psalm 10:1‐15, Proverbs 19:6‐7

1 Chronicles 16:29  Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;

Observations:

• Context: David’s song of thanksgiving after the ark was brought to Jerusalem.  It is the first appointed song of thanksgiving.  The song is filled with passionate worship.
• Ascribe: yahab – give
• Offering – giving, is part of worship.  Part of expressing glory and honor to God
• Holiness: qodesh – set apart, consecrated or dedicated thing

Several years ago I attended a liturgical service.  After the offering was taken up, it was brought back to the front of the sanctuary in a worship procession and laid at the foot of the cross.  It was a powerful example for me of the posturing my heart needs to have when I give.

Apply:  I need to focus on worshiping God through my financial giving.  I cannot allow it to become mundane or meaningless.

Are you able to focus on worshiping God as you give?  Why or why not?

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?