David king of Israel was facing a severe crisis. The land was plagued by a famine that would not abate. Scripture says in 2 Samuel 21 that David sought the Lord for a solution.
Seeking the Lord I believe is the answer to all our problems. While sometimes the answer comes via natural wisdom, commonsense, or the advice of friends, ultimately it is the Lord who orchestrates all affairs. However there will be times such as in this Davidic famine experience that defies natural wisdom, and we simply must seek the Lord for an answer.
What does it means to seek the Lord ? Is it just that we ask God pertaining a request, and simply hope for the best. What if we don`t receive a definite answer, do we simply move on proceeding with our own best judgement ?
Seeking the Lord is best answered in the context of David`s life. At other times when in crisis David would inquire of God via a prophet, priest, or the ephod (divine articles of clothing). In these instances a clear, understandable message was elicited from the Lord, and then acted upon. Whenever David sought the Lord, he waited for God`s word before proceeding. Thus in our narrative here David seeks the Lord concerning a prolonged famine. Think about it. If you had a severe problem spanning three months, would you really be able to wait for an answer from God, or would you lose hope, and relegate the non response simply as God`s ultimate will ? What place does perseverance have in your thinking as you seek the Lord for certain issues ? What is mind boggling is that David didn`t seek the Lord for 3 days, 3 weeks or even 3 months. He sought the Lord consistently, determinedly and perseveringly for 3 long years. I can imagine that these 3 years were full of pain, frustration, numerous complaints from his subjects and myriads of interwoven issues. Yet David did not give up, he simply sought the Lord as he had done at other times.
Amazingly the answer finally came. It was not something easy, but it was clearly divine. David executed God`s dictated command, and the famine relented. Thus ultimately was because he sought the Lord. As you move forward this year in kingdom mandates and pursuits, decide to seek the Lord always. Purpose in your heart that this is the only way, and be immobile at the thoughts and temptations to accommodate to natural directives rather than God`s word.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
None can match the spirit`s power.
David is a fugitive, running for his life, with Saul, the king in heavy pursuit. We read about this in 1 Samuel 18-20. How does one individual outwit a king who is obsessed with destroying him? Simple. It is by the power of the spirit. We are told that the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul. This indicates he was vulnerable, defenceless to the whims and dictates of his flesh. No wonder David cries out in Psalms 51:11 `take not thy Holy Spirit from me`. Where would we be without the Spirit? We would literally be up a creek like Saul was. To further compound his problem, Saul was given an evil spirit from the Lord. He was practically a raving lunatic, obsessed with only one thought – the death of David.
Our hero David represents what it is to be possessed of the Spirit. It seemed as Saul lost the presence of God, David gained more of the Spirit, and he continued to play his melodious harp. The more Saul lost grace with God, the more David gained favour with God and with people. God was with David wherever he went. When the Spirit is with you he delivers you from the throes of death itself. David is able to repeatedly escape from the murderous intents of his commander and king, Saul.
One standoff related to us in this narrative is that of Saul and the prophets. David escapes to Samuel, who hides him in the place where the prophets gathered. Saul sends multiple companies of men to retrieve David, but he grossly underestimated the power of the Spirit, for the soldiers overcome by the spirit began to prophesy. Finally Saul himself comes for David, the Spirit overcomes Saul, who rips off his own clothes, and lay on the ground prophesying. The mighty king was felled by the dynamic Spirit of God.
Don`t you long to be like David. I do. Encompassed by the spirit, driven by the whims of God, anointed for ministry. I tell you the Spirit will make you supra-normal. You will do things that you cannot do in your own might. Men and women will be astounded by the remarkable godliness that marks your life. But what do you have to do. Very simple. Do what David did. Live to please God. Say no to your flesh. Don`t retaliate against your enemies. Worship God like David did on his harp, but most importantly keep a soft and open heart to the Lord. This means surrender. Allow him to lead you wherever, whenever to do whatever. You know when he speaks to you don`t you? I believe you do. It`s soft, sensitive, persistent. Not in your ear, but in your heart. That knowing assurance that God is with you. Yes, that is the voice of the Spirit, may you heed it and be blessed.
Our hero David represents what it is to be possessed of the Spirit. It seemed as Saul lost the presence of God, David gained more of the Spirit, and he continued to play his melodious harp. The more Saul lost grace with God, the more David gained favour with God and with people. God was with David wherever he went. When the Spirit is with you he delivers you from the throes of death itself. David is able to repeatedly escape from the murderous intents of his commander and king, Saul.
One standoff related to us in this narrative is that of Saul and the prophets. David escapes to Samuel, who hides him in the place where the prophets gathered. Saul sends multiple companies of men to retrieve David, but he grossly underestimated the power of the Spirit, for the soldiers overcome by the spirit began to prophesy. Finally Saul himself comes for David, the Spirit overcomes Saul, who rips off his own clothes, and lay on the ground prophesying. The mighty king was felled by the dynamic Spirit of God.
Don`t you long to be like David. I do. Encompassed by the spirit, driven by the whims of God, anointed for ministry. I tell you the Spirit will make you supra-normal. You will do things that you cannot do in your own might. Men and women will be astounded by the remarkable godliness that marks your life. But what do you have to do. Very simple. Do what David did. Live to please God. Say no to your flesh. Don`t retaliate against your enemies. Worship God like David did on his harp, but most importantly keep a soft and open heart to the Lord. This means surrender. Allow him to lead you wherever, whenever to do whatever. You know when he speaks to you don`t you? I believe you do. It`s soft, sensitive, persistent. Not in your ear, but in your heart. That knowing assurance that God is with you. Yes, that is the voice of the Spirit, may you heed it and be blessed.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Risen Disciples, Rescuing a Generation
Ever wondered why on earth you are here? I have news for you, God knows and has revealed it in scripture. It is to do the works of Christ. Our first call of course is to know God, to be worshippers of Christ, to be true children of God. (John 6:28-29). When you got born again, you achieved your eternal destiny. Your light was no longer darkness, confusion vanished, clarity was restored, you became a child of God. However God left you and I here on earth to complete a job. He rescued us, woke us up and calls us as risen disciples to rescue this generation. This is why we get together as a group of young adults. Our mission is to raise up a generation of believers, that are discipled and released to serve, sacrificing radically in order to transform our culture and community by providing justice for the spiritually and socially oppressed within the city of Toronto.
Thus we don’t live for ourselves anymore, we live through God for others. We are believing to raise up a movement of young adults who believe the same we do. Living in purity for God, sacrificing radically and loving passionately. As we demonstrate our zeal for God through much ministry activity and community fellowships we are focused on our specific goals for 2009.
*To see 290 young adults coming together in our monthly services
*To see our cell groups multiply to 20 by the end of 2009
The months ahead promise lots of prayer, toil, labour, and tears, but its all for the master, it’s all for him. I beg you to jump on board. Find your niche in the ministry, reach out, do something great and you will be glad you did.
Thus we don’t live for ourselves anymore, we live through God for others. We are believing to raise up a movement of young adults who believe the same we do. Living in purity for God, sacrificing radically and loving passionately. As we demonstrate our zeal for God through much ministry activity and community fellowships we are focused on our specific goals for 2009.
*To see 290 young adults coming together in our monthly services
*To see our cell groups multiply to 20 by the end of 2009
The months ahead promise lots of prayer, toil, labour, and tears, but its all for the master, it’s all for him. I beg you to jump on board. Find your niche in the ministry, reach out, do something great and you will be glad you did.
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