Wednesday 30 March 2011

David

(1Sa 17:37)  And David said, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!"

(1Sa 17:45)  Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and 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.

(1Sa 17:46)  This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel,

(1Sa 17:47) and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hand."

Message:

(1Sa 17:47)  And everyone gathered here will learn that GOD doesn't save by means of sword or spear. The battle belongs to GOD--he's handing you to us on a platter!"

David VS Goliath

There is so much that one can use in the life of David. David believed and trusted God in a childlike manner. The history behind the clash of David and the Philistine warrior Goliath is amazing on its own, but what is truly striking is the way David approached this fight and how that directly impacted on the result.

David made it clear right from the beginning that the glory of this victory will be God’s glory and that the victory will be God’s victory:

“The battle belongs to GOD--he's handing you to us on a platter!"

This is the type of faith that we should seek. If we can trust God without any doubts, He will also hand the victory to us on a platter. But again we must seek to glorify God in every moment.

“Too often I try to be the captain of my ship and the master of my fate, but it is not God’s will for me to do this “life thing” alone. He created me in the beginning and waits to greet me at the end and in between He desires a partnership with me in all I do and in the good times as well as the bad.”

Make this your thoughts for today:

Psalm 23

A Psalm of David.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Monday 28 March 2011

Samson

(Jdg 15:14)  As he approached Lehi, the Philistines came to meet him, shouting in triumph. And then the Spirit of GOD came on him with great power. The ropes on his arms fell apart like flax on fire; the thongs slipped off his hands.

(Jdg 15:15)  He spotted a fresh donkey jawbone, reached down and grabbed it, and with it killed the whole company.

Other translations of Judges 15 verse 14 (Highlighted)

And then the Spirit of GOD came on him with great power (Message)

Then the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him (English Standard version)

Suddenly the power of the LORD made him strong (Good news Bible)

And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily on him (Hebrew names version)

And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him (King James)

Highlights from Samson’s life

1.    The Israelites was under the hand of the Philistines for 40 years

2.    Samson’s mother and father could not have children

3.    An angel appeared and told them they will have a child and he will deliver them from the Philistine oppression.

4.    Samson married a Philistine wife

5.    Killed the lion

6.    From the eater came something to eat, from the strong came something sweet

7.    Killed 30 men for their garments

8.    300 jackals

9.    Avenged his wife and killed many of the Philistines

10.  Samson handed to Philistines – killed a 1000

11.  Delilah

12.  Philistines gave praise to their god for capturing Samson (3000 Philistines died)

Remember

1.    God is always with you

2.    He is and will give you the strength you need when faced with challenges

3.    Nothing is impossible to God

In our daily lives we face a number of battles. It is in these battles where Satan needs us to try and stand alone, because then we are vulnerable.  It is only when we trust and seek God that Satan will have no chance. It is by faith that we should face each obstacle and allow God to be our guide and saviour. When we trust Him we can fear nothing – In God I find my strength.

Hebrew 13 verse 5 – 6

(Heb 13:5)  Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

(Heb 13:6)  So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"

Friday 25 March 2011 - Power Message

Psalm 91

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting Him.

14 The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.

15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them.

16 I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation."

When facing your challenges remember God will answer you, He will come to your rescue and He will protect you.

Wednesday 23 March 2011

Our daily battles – Fight or Flight

The angel of GOD appeared to him and said, "GOD is with you, O mighty warrior!" (Judges 6 verse 12)

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers 

over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12) 

For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2Co 5:7)

In our daily life’s we are constantly at war with circumstances. We are always in conflict with doing right or allowing the wrong to be acceptable. It is funny how we are always trying to face these challenges in our life on our own.

I would like to take you back to Gideon. Now he was an everyday man, the least in his family. And what is worse is that even after God confirmed he would be victorious, he still questioned it.

A few things are important to remember when we look at Gideon:

- The angel addressed him as “Mighty Warrior” when he was just an everyday man.

- In unbelief he tested the Angel with the food on the rock.

- God made him destroy the altar of Baal en build a new one for God.

- God told him that he will defeat the Medianites.

- He asked for confirmation again with the sheep skin and the dew.

- God decreased Gideon’s army twice. From 22000 to 10000, and then from 10000 to 300.

- God gave Gideon victory even before he attacked.

It is all about trust. No matter what our circumstances, our situation or whatever it is that we face today. God will give you victory and He will do it in a way that He will be glorified by it and that you know it was Him that intervened.

God is always with you, He is not a distant God but one who continuously involves Himself in your life so that you can have everything you need to face the challenge.

He wants you to trust Him, because you are a mighty warrior when your trust is in God and you live by faith and not by sight.

Wednesday - 16 March 2011

The current everyday me VS the me God needs me to be

We are continuously faced with the battle of who we are and who we should be. It is God's desire that you will grow in your relationship with Him to a level where praising Him is natural.

I believe the answer is simple. Everything in your life is designed by God. Sometimes we don't feel this way due to bad things (interruptions) that happened.

We can never understand His work or His thoughts, because we look in small pictures while God is painting on a canvass much bigger than that. And to make things worse we want God to explain Himself to us.

If your life up to this stage was designed by God, placed in position by God, and you give your heart and fears to Him. You will find purpose. Purpose designed by God.

You are in constant conflict with your sinful nature and what the Holy Spirit desires. Let the Holy Spirit be your Guide and grow in your relationship with God, because the closer you get to Him, the closer you will get to who you should be.

Paul gave us nice guidelines that you will find in Romans 12 from verse 9 - 21:

9 Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of  the good.

10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

11 Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.

12 Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful.

13 When God's children are in need, be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night.

14 If people persecute you because you are a Christian, don't curse them; pray that God will bless them.

15 When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow.

16 Live in harmony with each other. Don't try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!

17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.

18 Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.

19 Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, "I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it," says the Lord.

20 Instead, do what the Scriptures say: "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you."

21 Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Monday 14 March 2011

Jesus gave only two rules:

1. Love the Lord your God with your whole heart, soul and mind

2. Love your neighbour as you love yourself

We have been talking the last couple of weeks about our purpose in this world. Your main purpose is to glorify God in everthing you do.

Our main verse this week is Psalm 121. Enjoy.

I lift up my eyes to the hills- Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.He will not let your foot slip -
He who watches over you will not slumber;Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.The LORD watches over you
The LORD is your shade at your right hand;
The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm -
He will watch over your life;The LORD will watch over your coming and going
Both now and forevermore.