Psalm 109 - 11.4.22

Scripture

Psalm 109:4

In return for my friendship they accuse me,
    but I am a man of prayer.

Observation – What does it say?

David is really struggling. Being hurt and betrayed by people you loved can be incredibly painful. Those he offered friendship and was good to have now paid him back with evil, saying hateful and hurtful things about him, and attacking him without reason.

In the middle of his venting about the situation, almost as a parenthetical statement that doesn’t seem to fit the flow of his thoughts, he says, “But I am a man of prayer.” Then he goes right back to how these people have betrayed him. This psalm, which is really a heartfelt prayer turned song, is evidence that in his moments of intense struggling he went to God.

David was a warrior, a king, an army commander, killer of giants. Yet rather than taking vengeance into his own hands he pours out his heart to God and asks God to take care of his enemies. What a powerful example!

Understanding – What does it mean?

What is your reflex response to pain? I can be tempted to retaliate and have often said things I now regret. Or I can isolate and have a pity party. Or sometimes I just want to turn on the tv or take a nap to escape.

But David shows us that the best reflex response to pain is to pray. Go to God. Share your pain. Then entrust the situation to him and trust him with the outcome.

Your repetition becomes your reputation. And David had repeated going to God in his moments of pain and struggle so many times it became a reflex habit for him. So much so that it became a part of his reputation and his identity, “I am a man of prayer.”

Life Application

God, please help me and help us to cultivate this reflex response to pain and struggle. May we run to you every time, sharing our hurts with you, asking for your help, and trusting you with the outcome. May it become our reputation and our identity to the point that we could say, “I am a man of prayer,” or “I am a woman of prayer.” Amen.

-Levi Thompson

Revelation 11- 11.03.22

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 11:3-4 NIV

“And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” They are “the two olive trees” and the two lampstands, and “they stand before the Lord of the earth.”

OBSERVATION:

Two Witnesses, clothed in sackcloth- are appointed by God and given divine Power as they Prophesy for three and half years. The times on earth are extremely dark and evil. The witnesses are referred to as “Olive Trees” and “Lampstands”. At the conclusion of three and half years the (Beast) Antichrist is given permission to kill the two witnesses and he puts their dead lifeless bodies on display with the evil world rejoicing. BUT-three and half days later, God’s Breath restores their life and they stand up on their feet—striking great fear and panic into everyone who watches (vs 11). AND then they are called up to heaven as their enemies watch. In that very hour an earthquake strikes collapsing a tenth of the city and killing 7,000. The remaining survivors are terrified and give glory to God recognizing His awesome Power (vs 13).

UNDERSTANDING:

We always say that we don’t Know the day OR hour when Jesus is coming back—BUT we DO Know He IS Coming Back! AND when Jesus comes back—

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, HE will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and HE will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.” (Matthew 25: 31-33 NIV)

The Two Witnesses are Clothed in sackcloth-a heavy coarse garment woven out of camel’s hair or mohair. It was worn as a sign of sorrow and great mourning. And so—these two witnesses of God stand in sackcloth—a sign of national, worldwide, personal mourning. The day is evil and they are FILLED with DEEP spiritual sorrow-- desiring that people would repent and come to God while there is still time. (Daniel 9:3-Daniel put on sackcloth when he confessed Israel’s sin)

Olive Trees- The Hebrew word for Olive Tree is “es shemen” which literally means “Tree of Oil”. The more primitive root word is “Shemesh” meaning Oil that Shines and is Brilliant-Brilliant like the SUN. So indicative of the Holy Spirit-

“Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:3, 6 NIV)

Lampstands-the place where Light is illuminated. These two witnesses speak God’s Truth and are LIGHT in the midst of the earth’s darkest hour.

“You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14a NIV)

LIFE APPLICATION:

Be a Witness for Christ-

The Two Witnesses are CALLED and APPOINTED as two LIGHTS from God, FILLED with the Holy Spirit, as they testify to the world of the work and truth of the LORD among mankind.

WE are CALLED and APPOINTED to be LIGHTS from God—Filled with the Holy Spirit from above TO Testify to the world of the work and Truth of the Lord among mankind.

“He saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” (2 Timothy 1:9 AMP)

I remember the popular saying, “Always preach the gospel and sometimes use words”. I used to think, “Great”! Because at the time I didn’t know how to share the gospel. But, the truth is—LIVING the gospel in such a way that our Lives Truly look different—is a much BIGGER challenge than it seems.

The world has a long laundry list of what is permissible and acceptable:

• The “ME” First mentality

• Questionable TV viewing-(Garbage in-Garbage out)

• Choice of words (Cussing)

• Gossip

• Unforgiveness

I am so very thankful that I am able to confidently and comfortably use words to share the gospel. But what effect will I have IF my life doesn’t seem any different/better than what the world is offering? I have to daily ask myself If I am living a Life that reflects Christ’s values OR am I looking just like the world except I go to church on Sundays?

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.” (Galatians 5:22-24 NLT)

LORD Jesus,

I pray we will all be seeking to Fulfill Your calling on our Lives. I pray we will see the world’s current state and be deeply moved to repentant prayer before you. I pray we will seek to Live an anointed Life—separated unto You-as a LIGHT in these times KNOWING that You placed us here in this season for this very purpose to be Your Witnesses. I ask your forgiveness for times I allow the temptations of the world to creep into my life. I pray for greater discipline and Thank You for Your Love and Holy Spirit to Give me my daily supply. May my life be holy and pleasing to You. I pray to be an effective witness for your kingdom. In Jesus Name I Pray, amen.

Tina L Kudelka

Esther 1-11.2.22

Scripture

Esther 1:17-18

“For the queen’s conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, ‘King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.’ This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen’s conduct will respond to all the king’s nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord.”

Observation-What does it say?

The King wanted his wife to make an appearance at the party because he was proud that she was his wife. Scripture said she was very beautiful and lovely to look at. Queen Vashti refused to come and it made the King angry. So, he banished her from his presence and took away her royal position.

Understanding-What does it mean?

Regardless of whether or not it was fair that Queen Vashti got banished from the kingdom, 2 lessons are learned here.

1. The King consulted with trusted advisers for wisdom. He didn't make the decision to banish her on his own.

2. One person's unwise choice can affect a whole kingdom. In Queen Vashti's case, she refused to submit and was disrespectful towards the authority of her husband. As a result, it was feared that there would be a spread of disrespect and discord in the kingdom because of Queen Vashti's example.

Life Application

We make decisions in community with other people, for one unwise decision can affect an entire family and church community.

Proverbs 12:15-The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs 15:22-Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Sin and foolish decisions usually occur independently of community. When we feel that it is our life and we can do whatever we want, we fall into the devil's trap of pride, which always "come before the fall." (Proverbs 16:8).

However, with the support of the Body, especially Spirit filled people we trust, we are able to stand firm on the path of righteousness.

Also, being transparent for a moment, there have been many days in my life where the Lord had to remind me that if I loved Him, I would submit (trust) the authorities He has placed over my life. I'm thankful for that protection. Learning to submit to authority, whether it is our parents, pastors, and/or spouses, helps us to submit to the Lord as well.  

Submit one to another in the fear of the Lord. Eph. 5:21

Dear Holy Spirit, help us to make wise instead of unwise decisions. Help us to submit to authority and take advice instead of dismiss it. May we be purposeful to pray for the trusted authorities You've placed over our lives. Just as unwise choices can affect a whole community, I pray that our wise choices would affect a whole community in an even greater way for Your glory alone. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi