1 Chronicles _10

Scripture - What stood out?

 

1 Chronicles 10:13-14 13 So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it; 14 And enquired not of the Lord: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.

 

Observation - What does it say?

 

The chronicler gives a factual step by step account of how Saul and his sons die. The chapter then ends, with this juicy morsel that gives a very straightforward analysis of Saul’s death.

 

Understanding - What does it mean?

 

Saul died because he sinned against the Lord. He did not keep God’s word and even sought the counsel of a different spirit.

 

I am the first to admit I have a soft spot for King Saul. He had such an amazing beginning, didn’t he? He was called and anointed by God through the prophet Samuel. He was even given step by step instructions by God on how to achieve success during some of the most trying moments of his life. 

 

But for Saul, God’s word wasn’t enough.

 

He chose not to trust God.

 

And his penalty was death. 

 

Life Application - How can I apply this to my life today?

 

King Saul reminds me of me. Do you sometimes hear God calling you - follow Me. Listen to Me. And you don’t. I didn’t for many years. King Saul died because he chose not to listen to God. Just like I haven’t. He died because he couldn’t trust God.

 

Just like I couldn’t.

 

The penalty of sin is death and I know I am no better than King Saul. And so in this moment I am grateful to Jesus. I am grateful to the Father. And I am grateful to the Holy Spirit.

 

When You speak, may I listen. When You instruct, may I obey. And when You call, may I follow.I love you Lord. In the name of Jesus do I pray. Amen.

 

-Kenneth Lee

Proverbs__17

Scripture

 

Proverbs 17:22

 

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

 

Observation

 

King Solomon continues his “sayings of the wise,” which encapsulates not only different aspects of life but different actions for a successful one. Additionally, he places an emphasis on eating with dignity and a sound mind.

 

Understanding

 

Enter with a happy heart.

 

As kids, whenever Ethan and I had a bad attitude about something or were sad about a certain situation my mom and dad would make us say the words “I have a happy heart.” Whether in the heat of the moment we did or not, they made us repeat it until we calmed down. If that wasn’t enough we are reminded to “enter with a happy heart” because a sign saying just that hangs outside our door. For my whole life this has been a constant mantra for me to live by, but it wasn’t until reading this passage that it just clicked. 

 

We can go through life simply repeating something even if we don’t believe it. Sometimes we repeat to believe it, or we repeat it to make someone else think we believe it (as the case when Ethan and I would say it to my parents sometimes). Life throws some pretty wild seasons at us, and change is only inevitable. However, where one door closes another always opens (as cheesy as it sounds), and we can enter that new doorway with a happy heart or a dried up spirit as Solomon points out.

 

Matthew 7:7

Ask and it will given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

 

When we change our heart about certain circumstances our perspective makes a 180 as well, and the extra effort makes it worth it. It takes effort though… happiness is a choice and joy is an outward representation of an inward feeling. If I am to radiate the goodness of the Father I am called to enter every new season with a cheerful heart, not an angry one. I want the Father to receive my whole spirit too, not some broken crushed one (that wouldn’t be the best way to spend eternity).

 

Life Application

 

Have a happy heart!

 

Even if you takes you having to repeat to yourself an ungodly amount of times, make happiness a reality. It sounds easier said than done, but the extra effort makes it worth it. Steps to being happier always includes:

1. Spending time with God and understanding His heart more.
2. Understanding the calling on your own life and taking hold of it.
3. Serving others with humility and grace (I promise it comes back around and is never only one-sided).

 

-Allison Khan

1 Thessalonians 5

Scripture

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:10-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Observation-What does it say?

Paul is encouraging the church on how to live as a healthy Body of Christ. Paul states the reason Christ died for us, which is so that we could live TOGETHER with Him. We were not meant to live as an island and go through this journey of faith alone. We were meant to live TOGETHER in and with Christ. 

Understanding- What does it mean?

There is no such thing as a solitary Christian.

 

No Christian was meant to exist alone. Adam had perfect fellowship with the Father before Eve came along, but God still said it was not good for man to be alone. I don't think God was only implying that to relate to marriage. 

Christ died so that we would love Him, yes, but He also died so that we would love each other in regular fellowship and meeting together. He gave several instructions on what we were to do when we met together:

1. Encourage one another and build each other up.
2. Acknowledge those who work hard for us, care for us and admonish us in the Lord (aka our Pastors/Ministry Leaders).
3. Live in peace with each other.
4. Warn the idle and disruptive. 
5. Encourage the disheartened and help the weak. 
6. Be patient with everyone and don’t pay back wrong for wrong, but always do good to each other.
7. Pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances together.

Life Application

Choose 2 things from the above list to put into practice this week towards our brothers and sisters at DSC. 

During this July month of rest, even though we are scaling back from mission and ministry, let us not pull back from the family of God. Instead, let’s take the opportunity to draw closer to each other. I think it’s interesting that Paul’s exhortation to the church was focused on how to relate to and treat one another, beyond just ministering alongside each other. 

Dear Lord, thank you for our family at DSC. I pray that we would seek to operate as a healthy body of Christ and may it begin with me. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi