Praise Makes the Difference

Saul did some really stupid stuff, and as a result, lost God's blessing and the kingdom. A little while later, Samuel anointed David as the next king. After all this went down, a darkness started plaguing Saul. It was so awful, that his servants suggested that they find, "a man who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well." (1 Samuel 16:16b) By God's hand, David was that man. "And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Soul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him." (1 Samuel 16:23)

He liked him...the boy. He did. He was strong, courageous, charming. A man of valor. A man of God. There was no reason for him not to like this boy.

But he didn't. Not anymore.

Nevertheless, he needed the kid. Things had changed between him and the Lord. Tension as thick as a horse's hide. The spirit was tormenting him. Worse. Reminding him that he was in the darkness. However, when David played, the darkness didn't suffocate him. He felt a small part of his soul calling out to him, reaching for him, begging him to come back.

David looked up from the lyre and smiled. He looked so peaceful, so free. Saul frowned. When was the last time he had felt free? When was the last time one of the Lord's melodies had come to him? Now the great king had to rely on a former shepherd to give him faint glimpses of his former glory. David the musician. David the Philistine slayer. David, the Lord's chosen one. He hated him, and all he represented!

With a snarl, Saul jumped up from his chair. The melodies died out. "Go on," He barked. "Keep playing." The strumming started again as Saul paced back and forth. His heart was racing. He needed to stop, to listen to the music, to spend time with God, but he ignored the urging in his heart. He stalked to the other side of the room, where a rack of spears awaited. Gently, he reached out and touched one. Kill David. It was the darkness, but for once, the darkness made a lot of sense. It would be so easy. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw David's head bowed, eyes closed, hands focused on making music to God. Kill David. He wrapped his hand around the spear and spun, using his momentum to hurl the spear towards David, and kill all of his problems.

This story was loosely based on 1 Samuel 18:6-11

David has always been known a worshiper of God. With his lyre, songs, and dance, David always gave Him praise. When Saul first called upon David's playing, the music helped him. But the more Saul strayed, the less the the music helped.

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre." Psalm 92:1-3

"The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever;" Psalm 92:6-7

David was the one giving God praise, morning and night. Saul ended up the one who could not understand. He was the stupid man, the fool, and ended up in destruction.

My point is: are we giving praise to God, singing and making melodies in our hearts to Him? Are we letting His joy sustain us? Are we in His presence? You don't want to wander. You don't want to start relying on your own might. That leads to darkness, destruction, and worse of all, separation from God. In 1 Samuel 16:14 it says that the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul. I don't even want to imagine what that's really like for someone. How awful, bleak, and empty! I really believe that David's one-on-one time, praising God is what made the difference. Because he understood. He knew Who was first. He knew it was good to give God praise. So he did. And so should we.

"His Guarantee"

And He taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Harken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow. And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side. Some fell on stony ground. Some fell among thorns, and other fell on good ground. Mark 4:2-8

I know that the parable of the sower has a lot to teach us about the various soil conditions or rather the condition of our hearts but today I would like to make mention of something that the Lord brought to my attention. It is just a really simple thought. One that I'm sure you know already but it is also the thought that I haven't been able to set aside for about a week now, so here I am, sharing it with you.

It is a thought about the seed. The same seed was sown in all four types of soil. The same seed that fell by the way side was also sown in the stony ground. It was also the same seed that was sown in the thorns and in the good soil. In all four ground types the seed did what seeds do. It got planted. It started to germinate and grow even if it was only for a little while. It did what seeds do until it was stolen away, beat up, choked, or allowed to fulfill its whole purpose of producing fruit. It was the same seed and it automatically did what seeds do because that is how it works!

When asked by His disciples to explain this parable Jesus told them that the seed was the Word of God. So, what I think is that today, He would have us remember, that His Word works! It will always, always, always, ALWAYS automatically work if we will just plant it! Just so you know, it isn't my opinion but His! Matter of fact He even guarantees it!  
                           
                                    His Guarantee
For as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11

The Lion in the Shadows

I don't know how many of you are familiar with The Little Mermaid, but that was one of my favorite movies when I was little. For those of you who are not up to date on your mermaid trivia, this is all you need to know. For today at least.

Ursula knew about Ariel's forbidden love for Eric, a human. She used that to her advantage. She tempted Ariel with a deal, and did everything in her power to make Ariel fail, so that her father would come to her rescue. You see, that was what Ursula wanted all along. She wanted to take the power for herself. Ariel was just a stepping stone. Her action had negative consequences which affected others.

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

Ursula and the devil have some stuff in common. Their lust for power has overcome them. They will use and destroy anyone in their evil rampage for power. 

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, the devil was badgering Him continuously. After Jesus had defeated him, I suppose the devil said, "Well, I guess I'll just go." No! It says, "And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time." Luke 4:13

The devil was lying in wait, so that he could take down Jesus. He wanted Jesus to sin and die. He believed that would destroy God's plan of salvation and eternal life. Thus completing his revenge on God. 

Our response to temptations can have a huge impact. The devil wants to take us down. But it's more then that, he wants to kill our ripple effect as well. If he takes you or I out, then the people we are called to minister to for God are left hanging. Sin has it's own ripple affect; it never affects just us.

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you many be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

There is a hungry lion in the shadows. He is waiting for opportune times in our lives. Ways to strike back at the King. We can either be selfish and stubborn, looking at the world through the clouded eyes of self-service, or we can know that the devil is on the hunt for us. And when he dangles a big piece of I-want in front of your face, know that God has already provided the way out of that situation. Know it, and take it. Don't succumb to the prowling lion. Be ever watchful.

"Think Of It - His Heart Revealed"

Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, "Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity." And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. Luke 13:10-13

Lord, I don't know how to share what I feel and see? How do I express with words that I feel your heart, not just for this poor woman, but for all those that are bound, waiting to be loosed from their infirmities. I'm sitting here crying for a woman you already healed!

I think, in this moment, that this is one of those times that it is important to put yourself in the position of being there. So to that end, I'm going to ask that you really participate in today's word. Think about your Sunday worship service. Think about what it would be like if you came this next Sunday and this scene played out before you. Think about someone in your congregation that has been battling for a while with their infirmity. Your Pastor is in the middle of his message when all of a sudden he stops mid sentence because he notices your infirm person sitting there, bound up in their struggle. He calls to them and tells them that they are loosed from their infirmity. He doesn't stop there he leaves the podium and goes to them, puts his hands on them and immediately they stand up straight and start glorifying God!

What would your response to such an event be? Would you like the Pharisee in this account be upset. He was angry because Jesus healed her on the Sabbath. He had his rules, his traditions. Would it matter more to you that the sermon or the traditions of your service were interrupted?  Or, because you know the extent of their struggle, would you instead be in tears, rejoicing and praising God that he had set your person free?

I have just spent the last three hours crying trying to write what He has shown me in this incredible account. He saw her! He called to her! It was his heart to set her free! He knew the extent of her struggle! Listen to His response to the Pharisees criticism. Pay close attention. See his heart!

"Hypocrites! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound-think of it-for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?"Luke 13:15-16

He calls them hypocrites with an exclamation point after it. He is talking with passion. He is totally serious about what He is saying. His heart towards this woman and her situation is exposed for all to see. After he tells them why they are hypocrites (the you take care of your animals thing) he makes sure they understand that if their animals deserve water so doesn't this woman who is a daughter of Abraham. His next statement reveals even more about his heart ...whom Satan has bound-think of it-for eighteen years...He is making this logical argument one minute about their compassion and care for their beasts and her heritage and therefore her right to be set free when He interrupts it with this... whom Satan has bound-think of it-for eighteen years emotional argument. When He said. "Think of it" it revealed His anguish, His compassion, for the extent of her suffering. Those three words communicate so much about His heart concerning her suffering. He didn't just say, "Think of it." He said it with passion, with conviction trying to motivate compassion and understanding in their hearts. "Think of it - for  eighteen  years!" His understanding of her years of  suffering were revealed by the anguish in his tone of voice, and the love in His eyes. The "Hasn't she suffered enough," question hanging, unspoken. It worked!

And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitudes rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him. Luke 13:17

You can't read this without seeing that it IS HIS HEART to set the captives free! If you are reading this today and you are struggling with an infirmity know that He sees your struggle. His word to you is, "You are loosed!" Receive His touch, stand up, look straight up to heaven and give Him praise!

Strong's definition of infirmity - feebleness(of body or mind) by impl. malady; frailty and it comes from a root word that means strength less(fig. or mor.) If this is you than know He sees you! It is his heart to touch you!

Givers of Grace

"The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, 'Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?'" John 8:3-5

Let's join the story...and we will call the woman, "Ray."

Ray attempted to spit out the dirt that coated the inside of her mouth from being thrown to the ground, and pushed herself onto her knees. A large crowd had gathered around her. They started at her with contempt, judgement, and blood-lust. A few of them were already holding stones!

"So what do you say?" said one gleeful looking Pharisees while the others nodded their agreement.

Ray's eyes met Jesus' for the first time. His eyes...they were filled with love and compassion, and something else. Was that pain? As if the sins she had committed had hurt Him. The emotion made her breath catch, and she ducked her head to avoid His gaze.

For the first time, in a very long time. Repentance and guilt squeezed her heart. But it was too late now. She was going to die in her sins.

"And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." John 8:7

Ray's head snapped up. What could that mean? Astonished she watched everyone leave, one by one. No one dared to say he was without sin. No one could! Soon it was just her and Jesus. She stared at Him, waiting. It felt like forever before he finally looked up from His writings in the dirt.

"Jesus stood up and said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.'" John 8:10-11

Ray gasped. Grace! Grace! She stared at Him. This was no ordinary man. With all her heart she knew this was the One who could have her condemned. Instead, He chose to give her grace. Grace she did not deserve.

Jesus has given us undeserved grace. "They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by you great power and by your strong hand." Nehemiah 1:10

We all know how it feels to have someone you love, wound your heart. We want to hold onto that anger, and leave that person with the punishment they deserve. But that is not the example we have been given.

Jesus is the only one Who has the right to condemn. He is the only one Who has the right to those stones. We need to drop our stones, and hold out our hands. We need to follow His example. There is a time and a place for judgement, but it has never been our right. We have been given undeserved grace, so our job, is to be givers of grace as well. Give what we have been given.

"Their Carcass Is Toast"

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. But there was no sword in the hand of David. 1 Samuel 17:50

David prevailed over the Philistine with something as simple as a sling and a stone for a very good reason. There was no sword in his hand. He had something else. The word of his testimony!
I'll show you what I mean starting in verse 23 it says that Goliath came out and gave his 'speech' according to the same words and it ends with this statement, "So David heard them." He also saw, 'And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid. verse 24. He heard and saw the same giant as every other man on that battlefield but these are the words he spoke in response to what he saw and heard. "For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

Next thing we see his brother is upset with him for making such statements of faith. He sends a couple of accusations David's way. David's response is, "What have I done now. Is there not a cause?" Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these answered him as the first ones did. verses 29-30 As David continued to speak word got back to Saul and he sent for him.

Then David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him, your servant will go fight this Philistine." 17:32  Saul takes one look at him and despite his words and his willingness to go fight he makes this statement, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight him; for you are but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. 17:33 The king, the authority took one look at him, judged him and spoke these words to him, "You are not able. Your too young. He is too good. You can't win." Did that stop David? No. The next words he spoke were not words of defeat. 17:34-37 He explained that he had experience killing big, bad, and scary and delivering the lamb from the jaws of death. He had dealt with the lion and bear and this Philistine would be no different. ..."The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear. He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." 17:37

Saul hears him and gives him permission. He then tries to give him his own armor and sword. David refuses and goes out to battle with what he knows. His staff in one hand. Some stones in a bag and a sling in his other hand. He steps out on the field. It says that Goliath took one look at David and he disdained him for he was but a youth. It says that he cursed him and threatened to feed his flesh to the birds and the beast. David isn't affected by the giants words. His response, "You come at me with a sword, 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. 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. 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." 17:45-47

And it was so, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David that he hastened and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. I think this is one of my favorite verses. He hastened and ran toward the army... He put action on the wings of the words he had just spoken. He ran towards the fulfillment of them fully believing in what was about to happen as he reached in that bag to take a stone.

From the moment David heard and saw Goliath defy the army of God it was in his heart to do something about it. His family, the king, and the giant himself all had words to say that could have discouraged him from accomplishing what was in his heart to do. The confession of his mouth, the word of his testimony, "The Lord God is with me, He will deliver me!"  The confession of his mouth was always one of faith. Don't let family, friends, authorities, or even the giants themselves steal the victory from you. Like David, you don't need a sword in your hand to slay giants. Do what David did tell them that their carcass is toast! Why? Because the battle is the Lord's!

The Forsaken Ones

A light breeze stirred him. Even before opening his eyes, he could see the pure light shining into the cave. With bloody fists and a whimper of anguish, he arose from his make-shift bed, and started to walk. His home was in the tombs. The home of the dead and forsaken. His home. Long ago, he had been driven from his people. They didn't want a monster living among them, and who could blame them? He was a monster now. Or at least that's what the voices told him.

He didn't know how it happened. He had never wanted this life, this weight crushing his soul and body. All he wanted was to be free. Free from them.

So today, he would fight them-even if it killed him. Today, He would meet the Healer. The one they called Jesus. The voices knew Him. They shrieked with outrage at the mention of His name. He didn't know if Jesus would help...no one else would...but if the voices were scared of Him, well, that was a good start...

"When Jesus stepped out on the land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?" For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.)" Luke 8:27-29

This man had been plagued by many demons for a long time. Then an amazing thing happened! Jesus delivered him! Drove those crazy demons out and into a herd of pigs. He was free at last! Good news...right?

"Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from who the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned." Luke 8:35-37

What stupid, stupid people! This man had been saved, healed, redeemed! He was no longer forsaken, and they told Jesus to get out like he was a traveling salesman toting miracle dust. This was the real deal, but they didn't want to see, least they be called to action.

Demons have adapted with us a little. They may not make every person thrash and foam at the mouth, but they are still around, spiritually tormenting people. They love to plague people. Do we, as those equipped to fight demons, step up for those people. Are they forsaken because we can't be bothered to help? Because we are too afraid?

Jesus took all those weights and so much more when He went to the cross. No one on this earth should be plagued by Satan's minions. They have the right to be free. Question is, do we do our part? Or do we leave them forsaken?