Galations 1 - 1.11.24

Scripture: Galatians 1:1, 10

“Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—”

“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”

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Observation:

Paul was secure in his calling and the one who called him.  This assurance helped him stay on course and keep going when things got rough. 

Application:

I want to focus more on God’s calling than people’s requests. I need to remember who God is, one that has power to raise the dead, and His specific calling on my life as I go through out my day. 

Prayer: Lord, Please help my heart’s desire to be you and your approval alone. So many things cry out for my attention, but there is one that matters most. Help me remember as I serve you, you will bring favor when necessary. At other times because I am doing your work there will be opposition as the enemy will be loosing ground.  Please give me clear direction as you did Paul and open my eyes to areas where I have gotten off the right path.  Amen

Cindy Howard

Psalms 52 - 01.11.24

SCRIPTURE -Psalms 52:8-9 ERV

“But I am like a green olive tree growing in God’s Temple. I will trust God’s faithful love forever and ever. God, I praise you forever for what you have done. I will speak your name before your followers because it is so good!”

OBSERVATION

This is basically David’s SOAP as a Psalm. David is writing about a personal experience when King Saul was chasing him with the Full force of his army—determined to kill him—out of severe jealousy. 

David ran from Saul with a small band of faithful men to the town of Nob to see Ahimelek the Priest for help and bread. The Priest questioned why one of Saul’s most effective military leaders in the King’s army wouldn’t have an army of men. (David “lied” saying he was on a “secret mission” for the King when actually he was “running away” from the King.) So Ahimelek helped David by giving him the ONLY bread that was available-the holy “consecrated” bread that had just been laid out as an offering before the Lord. 

David had no idea that Doeg, King Saul’s assistant was there at Nob and couldn’t wait to report everything back to the King.

This resulted in not only Ahimelek being executed as a traitor-but King Saul was so Angry he wanted every Priest, their families and livestock in Nob slaughtered. 

Only one son remained who had escaped to tell David what had happened.

APPLICATION 

Believing to Becoming 

In David’s Psalm you can feel the pain directed at Doeg as he “Observes” the circumstances of this vile act—the execution of the Priests, their Wives, and their innocent Children. Saul had ordered his army to carry out this execution order and they flat out refused. Only Doeg was evil enough to do such a vile act. 

As David says of Doeg—

“You love evil more than good..You love to destroy others with your words, you liar! 

But God will strike you down once and for all. He will pull you from your home and uproot you from the land of the living.”

(Psalms 52:3-5 NLT)

But the crowning glory of David’s SOAP is his “application”.

How he applies the Truth in his life of what He knows about God’s Character.

Believing to Becoming 

1.     I will always Trust in God’s unfailing Love.

2.     I will Praise You-Forever God-For what you HAVE Done.

3.      I will Trust in Your GOOD-Name—In the Presence of Your Faithful People.

To Trust in God’s unfailing Love requires that we sometimes see with the “eyes” of our heart and not always with our physical eyes. 

May God take us deeper and higher.

Remember what God has “already Done”. When I look back My mind is immediately flooded with memories of miracles. When we “remember” and Praise God for these—it builds our Faith in Knowing God’s Character and goodness AND encourages us for the future.

We can Trust in His Good Name in the Presence of His Faithful People.

Last Year Pastor Levi did an amazing series (Still available on our YouTube Channel) on a few of the meanings of God’s Name; Jehovah Rohi (Shepherd), Jehovah Nissi ( Banner), Jehovah Rapha (Healer), Jehovah Shalom (Peace), Jehovah Jireh (Provision). It’s so powerful to have greater understanding of HIS Name. God can reveal an aspect of His amazing nature to remind us, encourage us, and meet us right where we are at. 

PRAYER

JESUS,

Thank you for Your Word and for this Psalm.  Thank You for who You are. I will always Trust in Your unfailing Love. Draw us intimately close to Your Heart. Break any limitations we have. Bring fresh new revelation to us of ALL You desire to do IN Your Church. Whatever conditions there are presently in the world…it just doesn’t matter in terms of difficulty..it only matters how willing we are to be used by You and Your boundless and unfailing Love.

I will Praise You forever for what You have done. Your eyes are searching—always—looking for whose hearts are Truly Yours that YOU may Fully support them. Here I am Lord, Send me.

Tina L Kudelka

Zechariah 7 - 1.10.24

Scripture

“Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me—for Me?" (Zechariah 7:5, NKJV)

Observation

The people of Israel had a tradition of fasting during the fifth and seventh months of the year, while they were in exile. At this point, they were back from exile. They went to the priests to ask if they should continue to observe the fast during this particular month, as they had done during the last several years. The Lord responded by asking them what the real motive for their fast was. The Lord asks, "When you fasted..., did you really fast for Me-for Me?". Why did they fast? Were they fasting because that was their custom? Or did they really fast to seek God? The Lord looks at the motive of our heart, and desires obedience. In verse 9, the Lord reminds us of the obedience he desires from us - justice, mercy and compassion to each other, and kindness to the widow and the orphan.

Application

As we have entered our annual fasting of the new year, let us ask ourselves this question, "What is the true motive behind our fast?" Are we fasting to lose weight? Are we fasting because our friends are fasting? Or are we fasting to seek the Lord's face? Let's examine our hearts, and make sure that we have the right motive that pleases God.  Whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, let us do it all for the glory of God. (1 Cor 10:31)

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for giving us a new year, and another opportunity to fast and seek your face. Help us to fast in a way that honors you and gives you glory. Help us to be obedient to you. Along with the psalmist, I pray that you would see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalms 139:24). In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

- Asha Chacko George