Psalms_80

Scripture

Psalm 80:17-18 (NKJV)17 Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself.18 Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name. 

Observation

David crying out once again. Feeling as though he’s on the outs with God and seeking, crying out for restoration. He recounts that they were set apart – pulled out of Egypt. Acknowledges the “wins” provided by God (v 9-11)…but then asks why God has now turned away and asks Him to return.

Understanding

Just like last week…this verse speaks to me because I feel it’s representative of our church and, in this particular case, of PG’s heart. He’s been so open and honest with us about his own crying out and how God has restored his hope and confirmed His word, His vision that He gave to PG long ago. And, perhaps, now we are in the time where God is resting His hand upon the leaders that He’s raised up in our church. He’s reviving us, breathing life into dry bones and we are calling on His name.

Life Application

As I read today, it came heavy on my heart to be praying for the leaders within our church. We are so crazy blessed with dedicated, solid, talented leaders – prayer warriors, passionate speakers and worshipers with their ears turned to God who exemplify the Christian walk. Let’s lift them up. Cover them. Bless them. God has cast a mighty vision over His people and over THIS church…so, of course, the enemy is eager to steal, kill and destroy that plan – whether through temptations or distraction or whatever else he may attempt. We know God is all powerful, but the human flesh is week. May we lift each other and all those on the “front lines” up.God, thank you for your covering over your children. Thank you that you love us enough to call us out, set us apart, gift us, empower us…all for Your honor and Your glory. Put Your hedge of protection around us, rest Your hand upon us and help to reorient our focus to you as many times as it takes…so that Your will be done in the areas of influence where you’ve placed us.  In Your Name, I pray. Rei

1 Samuel_24

Scripture 

 

1 Samuel 24:6-7

So he said to his men, “Far be it from me because of the Lord that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, since he is the Lord’s anointed.” David persuaded his men with these words and did not allow them to rise up against Saul. And Saul arose, left the cave, and went on his way.

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

Saul has been on a tirade for some time now. He has been pursuing David with the intention to kill him. During this pursuit, David is hiding in a cave with his closest companions, when Saul unwittingly walks in to “drop the kids off at the pool.” While Saul is indisposed, he is completely vulnerable to David. But David demonstrates his righteousness and submission to God’s will through humbly sparing the life of a ruler anointed by God. David was already anointed King, and would have been seen as justified if he decided to take the life of Saul. It would have been seen as his right as the future king. But, David was submitted to the king.

 

Understanding-What does it mean? 

 

I sat there having a conversation with my father-in-law about slow-pitch softball and some of my recent exploits where I nearly got kicked out of another game. That’s when he said, “The umpire is ALWAYS right.” As I presented my counter argument of, “what if he makes the wrong call?” He reaffirmed what he was saying, “The umpire is ALWAYS right.” It took me a little while to realize he wasn’t saying that the umpire never makes a bad call, but what is important in the game is submitting to the authority that the umpire holds. He was saying my attitude and character are more important than whether or not I was actually safe. My dad and my father-in-law are on two completely different ends of the spectrum when it comes to dealing with sports officials. During sports matches, my dad was more like John McEnroe. It was the worst when he was a coach. I watched this as a kid and started to develop my own attitude toward the officials, screaming and yelling when they made the wrong call… when I didn’t get my way. I started screaming and yelling at the guy who cut me off in traffic. I act this way because I feel like I am right, like I have justification and the right to do it. I act as though I am sovereign unto myself. If I were to take ques from David, I would see more clearly God as being king over creation and the one who places those in authority over me. I could learn to submit to God’s sovereignty in my life, and humbly give up “my rights” in favor of showing a Christ like love to others. Later in scripture, Paul tells us to pray for rulers, so that we may live quiet lives (1 Timothy 2:1-2). To the Philippians he writes, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (2:3-4).

 

Life Application 

 

Jesus, help me to continually be filled with the Holy Spirit. Help me to invite him in everyday so that I can more closely resemble you. Remind me to be humble, and realize that I make some of the same mistakes that others do. Jesus, I want to live a quiet life. Guide our leaders, for you have placed them in their roles for your will to be completed.

 

 -Tyler Galloway

 

1 Samuel_23

Scripture 1 Samuel 234 Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.”13 So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place.16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.Observation - What does it say?David heard the Philistines were bullying Keilah, a city in the lowlands of Judah, and needed to be stopped. So David asked the Lord if he would give the Philistines into his hand, God said yes, and he did some major damage to the Philistines. They even left with the livestock (bbq items to celebrate the victory I guess). Soon after he gets word that Saul is coming for his life... again :(Understanding - What does it mean?Celebrate your victory, keep moving toward God’s promises, and surround yourself with godly people who believe God’s word for you! Isn't that so how it is! We have this incredible victory in our lives that God totally gave to us then the enemy is right there to let us know he's still coming for us! I mean WhatTheHeck! I was victorious! I just did a 28 day fast with my church and the Holy Spirit came, amazing things were happening in my family, strongholds were broken and lives were changed and...here comes the enemy sending word that he's got us on his radar and he's coming for us :(  to top it off, the people in the city David just fought for, Keilah, were going to turn him over to Saul! ShakingMyHead...You do the right thing and still it seems you come out the loser. But David kept moving, It could have been so easy for him to stop,get down on himself, and let the enemy have his way but he kept moving in the direction of what the Lord had spoke over his life, to be king of Israel. And just when he needed it here comes Jonathan to lift up his Spirit! Yes, Thank you! I think God sent Jonathan to him. 1 Samuel 23:17 “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” 18 The two of them made a covenant before the Lord. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.Jonathan, a loyal friend came to remind him of his future because God said it and no matter what...it was going to be so! He encouraged David to have faith, to stay strong, and to keep going. Life Application - How can I apply this today?We will have victories! We will be sought after by the enemy...BUT God has plans for us with a hope and a future, to prosper us and not to harm us!We must keep moving toward His word and His promises. Keep reading our bible, keep cranking up that worship music, keep clinging to Him in the midst of adversity!And… Here is where some of the best magic happens...Let ourselves be surrounded by the body of Christ. Let godly people that God has brought to us, (hint: DSC), speak life to us, encourage us, sharpen us, and remind us of God's promises in our lives.

Father, thank you for the victories, be with us in our difficult times, strengthen us to keep moving toward your word for us, and direct us to build godly relationships where we can cheer each other on toward the prize and run the race together! In Jesus’s name Amen!