1 Kings 22-5.26.22
Scripture
1 Kings 22:4-5 NIV
“So he asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth Gilead?” Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the Lord.””
Observation
The King of Israel speaks to Jehoshaphat about war.
Understanding
The interesting thing to note here is that Jehoshaphat is more than willing to help fight, however despite his personal view about the conflict, he suggests to the King of Israel to come and seek counsel from God FIRST.
Life Application
It’s always easy to rush into the things we want to do or take action on the things we feel strongly about. What we need to realize is that God’s will is always first before ours, so before we rush into the fray set before us by life and its challenges, we need to take a step backward and seek God.
-Anakin Cerda
Philippians 4-5.25.22
Scripture
Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Observation-What does it say?
The book of Philippians is known as the book of joy. Why? Because the Apostle Paul wrote it, while in prison. Through a less than ideal circumstance, he was able to keep his faith, peace and joy in the Lord.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Joy is not dependent on our circumstances.
Paul suffered, not because he did anything wrong, but because of his faith in Jesus. Paul was unfairly imprisoned for his faith and could have easily felt victimized by his situation, but instead, he prayed and petitioned the Lord. He kept his focus on Christ Jesus.
Life Application
Who we put our focus on matters, especially in times when we don’t understand. The peace of God truly transcends understanding (vs. 7).
Most of us should have heard the news by now of the very horrific and tragic shooting yesterday at Robb Elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
I heard the news from Air1 radio while I was in the car driving to pick up my kids from school, after a kids church meeting with Joni! As a parent and teacher myself, I was (and still am) very heartbroken and I grieve with that community. : (
How can we find hope and peace in these types of situations that we don’t understand? Can grief and prayer/worship happen at the same time? Yes, it can. Paul’s example in his less than ideal and unfair imprisonment situation is proof of that because he kept his focus on Christ.
As Pastor Levi’s note said yesterday, “We must understand that Jesus is our only hope.”
We will be having a time of worship and prayer for our country tonight at 7pm. Please join us!
-Michelle Gaddi
Philippians 3-5.24.22
Scripture
Philippians 3:12-16
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Observation
In the beginning of chapter 3, Paul talks about how he is willing to give up everything in his pursuit of knowing Christ. “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” In verses 12-16, he acknowledges that he isn’t there yet, but he is willing to spend the rest of his life pursuing that goal.
Understanding
Paul is the ultimate example of a Christ follower and he encourages us to follow his example. He doesn’t say, “Look at me - I’ve arrived,” and rest on his many laurels. He says, “I must continue daily to press on to what God has called me to.” He uses the words straining and pressing on to win the prize. He means he is going to continue to put in the work.
Life Application
I too want to know Christ fully. I don’t want my zeal to only surface after a time of great worship or a strong sermon. I want to start each day, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what He has called me to. And that means daily disciplines of prayer, self-examination, reading scripture, and asking for His guidance. I want to know Him.
-Debbie Dunn