Greg Boyd delivers another stinging zinger to challenge our views….
Tag Archives: Bible Study
Where is God? Part 3: Overcoming Our Evil With His Good (Choice)
This is our 3rd Sermon of 6 on Where is God. In Part 3, we discuss our choice illustrated by Joseph et al. Please share your thoughts.
Where is God? Part 2: No Where Else To Go (CREATOR)
During our 6 week series titled: Where is God? We will be exploring 6 C’s of Evil and Suffering: Connection, Creator, Choice, Cross, Compassion, and Conclusions.
Part 2 addressed the Creator by looking at the Book of Job.
- Why ask Why? It is ok to ask why in times of suffering.
- Friends or Fiends? Job’s friends had it right the first time when the comforted Job with not trying to answer why but being present with him. The most honest answer may be: I don’t know, or as C.S. Lewis responded to a theologian friend of his when his wife, Joy, died, “It’s just a bloody mess!”
- The God of our misunderstanding. Job’s heart was right, but his theology was wrong. When we go through a dark time, we often turn to our false understanding of God. I turned to my understanding of God–a distant God who told me that I was not enough. Our times of suffering are defining times because we will either run away from a false god of our own making, or we will finally see the true God who is closer than we could ever imagine and who is whispering in our ear, “you are enough! You are my beloved child!”
- Why to Who. Finally we turn away from the why and focus on the Who.
Not A Copy But An Image: Thoughts from The Shack
In his amazing book: The Shack, Paul Young writes a parable with a dialogue between a guy named Mack and the Trinity: Jesus, Papa aka God, and Sarayu aka The Holy Spirit. Here is a section that explains the Christian walk beautifully and helped me to refocus and better understand my Christian walk.
Jesus says, “Mack, just like love, submission is not something that you can do, especially not on your own. Apart from my life inside of you, you can’t submit to Nan, or your children, or anyone else in your life, including Papa.”
“You mean…that I can’t just ask, ‘What Would Jesus Do’?”
Jesus says, “Good intentions, bad idea…my life was not meant to be an example to copy. Being my follower is not trying to ‘be like Jesus,’ it means for your independence to be killed. I came to give you life, real life, my life. We will come and live our life inside of you, so that you begin to see with our eyes, and hear with out ears, and touch with our hands, and think like we do…”
Mack says, “This must be the dying daily that Sarayu was talking about…”
“I have been crucified with Christ. I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”-Galatians 2: 20
Part #3: Burdens, Rest, and Meekness: Matthew and The Pursuit of God
Part 3 Pretense and Little Children
Tozer proceeds to share another of our burdens: Pretense.
“Then also he will get deliverance from the burden of pretense. By this I mean not hypocrisy, but the common human desire to put the best foot forward and hide from the world our real inward poverty. For sin has played many evil tricks upon us, and one has been the infusing into us a false sense of shame. There is hardly a man or woman who dares to be just what he or she is without doctoring up the impression. The fear of being found out gnaws like rodents within their hearts. The man of culture is haunted by the fear that he will some day come upon a man more cultured than himself. The learned man fears to meet a man more learned than he. The rich man sweats under the fear that his clothes or his car or his house will sometime be made to look cheap by comparison with those of another rich man. So-called `society’ runs by a motivation not higher than this, and the poorer classes on their level are little better.”
Tozer then points the solution to our pretense. The way of the child.
“Let no one smile this off. These burdens are real, and little by little they kill the victims of this evil and unnatural way of life. And the psychology created by years of this kind of thing makes true meekness seem as unreal as a dream, as aloof as a star. To all the victims of the gnawing disease Jesus says, `Ye must become as little children.’ For little children do not compare; they receive direct enjoyment from what they have without relating it to something else or someone else. Only as they get older and sin begins to stir within their hearts do jealousy and envy appear. Then they are unable to enjoy what they have if someone else has something larger or better. At that early age does the galling burden come down upon their tender souls, and it never leaves them till Jesus sets them free.”
Men on the Path 2010
Why bother? It is so EARLY? I would rather be sleeping. Church on Sunday is enough.
Really? I would agree….10 years ago. But then…I had no friends that really knew me, that I could share my deepest fears and joys with…I had a marriage that was ok…I was lonely, anxious….
Men’s Group has rescued and transformed my life: I have friends that KNOW me…that I share my fears and joys with…who help guide me…who make me a better husband and a better father. I have a marriage that is filled with joy. I have men who have surrounded me with love, prayer, and fellowship and who have rescued me.
What is the trick? Just show up. Yes. It is that easy. Join us.
We are starting up again and going to have an exciting study from the Biblical book of Timothy with an emphasis on Leadership.
- WHEN: Wednesday’s from 6:45am-8:00am
- STARTING: January 5, 2010
- WHAT: 1 Timothy
- WHERE: North Park Community Center (NOTE: It is best to enter the housing complex off of Portola Parkway because then when you go through the gate the club house where we are meeting is straight ahead of you.
View North Park Community Center in a larger map
Men’s Group: Why show up? What is in it for me? The storms will come.
We had a football quiz to kick off our fall series: Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy (The Bible Study), and then we spent some time talking. Mostly small talk….but we also spoke of the importance of being in a men’s group. Do you ever wonder why? Do you worry about not fitting in? Do you have ‘better’ things to do with your time? I don’t blame you. I understand. I had those thoughts myself, but I took a risk and started to show up and my life has never been the same. The men in my life have rescued me.
We discussed Matthew 14:22-33. Jesus calms the storm. 75% or more of men in America don’t have a friend that they can turn to in a ‘storm’. I am reminded of 2 men who shared with me that they knew each other very well and were close friends, but when we started going deep under the surface, it became clear very quickly that they didn’t truly ‘know’ each other much at all. This is the norm. We walk through life completely alone with the facade of knowing each other.
10 years ago, I jumped out of the boat by sharing with a friend one of my deeply held ‘secrets’, and little by little we continued to grow closer and closer knowing everything about each other, our past, present, and future struggles, fears, and dreams. I have never felt so free, peace filled, and truly alive knowing that there is someone that I can turn to with ALL my fears.
Then the storms came….and I had a friend who was there with me when I was drowning, suffocating, and had no where else to go….he held onto me and kept me from drowning when the waves were crashing over me.
I don’t know any other way to tell you. One day, I decided to just show up to a men’s group even when I really ‘couldn’t’–too busy, bad time of the day, too early, etc. By showing up, my life has been transformed–my marriage, my family, EVERYTHING–I now have friends that know more about me than I know about myself. Join us! AND bring a friend along for the adventure of a lifetime.
The storms will come. Who will be there for you? How will you survive?
“But what if your heart be right with God, and yet you are pressed down with a load of earthly trouble? What if the fear of poverty is tossing you to and fro, and seems likely to overwhelm you? What if pain of body be racking you to distraction day after day? What if you are suddenly laid aside from active usefulness and compelled by infirmity to sit still and do nothing? What if death has come into your home, and taken away your Rachel or Joseph or Benjamin and left you alone, crushed to the ground with sorrow? What if all this has happened? Still there is comfort in Christ. He can speak peace to wounded hearts as easily as calm troubled seas. He can rebuke rebellious wills as powerfully as raging winds. He can make storms of sorrow abate, and silence tumultuous passions, as surely as He stopped the Galilean storm. He can say to the heaviest anxiety, “Peace, be still!” The floods of care and tribulation may be mighty, but Jesus sits upon the waterfloods, and is mightier than the waves of the sea (Ps. 93:4). The winds of trouble may howl fiercely round you, but Jesus holds them in His hand, and can stay them when He lists. Oh, if any reader of this message is broken-hearted and care-worn and sorrowful, let him go to Jesus Christ, and cry to Him and he shall be refreshed. “Come unto Me,” He says, “all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).”-excerpt from Holiness by J.C. Ryle
Men of Pathways: Get in the Game!
Join us this Wednesday as we open God’s word and learn from Super Bowl winning Head Coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Tony Dungy, as we go on a six week journey to becoming the men that God created us to be. Come join us and connect with other men in authentic ways and find your answers to the six questions that men often deal with…..
1. What is my Game plan?
2.Where’s my security?
3. What’s my strength?
4. What’s my significance?
5. What’s success?
6. What’s my legacy?
Wed. mornings from 7-8 at the Northpark Club House (10 Meadow Valley, Irvine, 92602)
Please RSVP so I can have a study book ready for you.
Blessings Bucky
Men on the Path: Men’s Group on Wednesday’s
We are starting up again and going to have an exciting study from Dungy’s Book.
- WHEN: Wednesday’s from 6:45am-8:00am
- STARTING: September 23, 2009
- WHAT: Dungy Bible Study
- WHERE: North Park Community Center (NOTE: It is best to enter the housing complex off of Portola Parkway because then when you go through the gate the club house where we are meeting is straight ahead of you.
View North Park Community Center in a larger map
Guy’s Night Out: Mobster’s Story
Monte has invited all men who can make it to a Mariners Church event:
Gentlemen,
We have been invited to participate with a special Mariners Church event on Sunday evening, the 13th of September.
This is what the event is about….Guys, you won’t want to miss this BBQ dinner from Newport Rib Company and music by three-time Grammy Award winner, Brent Lamb!
After dinner, you’ll hear the unbelievable story of former mobster, Michael Franzese – a story of hope and redemption. You may have heard him before and now your friends need to hear Michael’s story as he paints a picture of his former life and his life today.
Cost: $20pp or $150 for a table of 8.
Please let me know who is interested and we will coordinate. I know I am going, and I believe Pastor Bucky is as well.
Pastor Monte
What about those grey areas?
Many believe that the Bible teaches us that all moral choices are black and white when in reality, the Bible teaches the reality that life is hard, correct moral choices are challenging, and there are plenty of grey areas.
Mike Erre teaches from a passage of 1 Corinthians that helps us to be able to navigate through those moral grey area choices that we ponder every day.
Is the Bible filled with contradictions?
Bart Ehrman is a New Testament critic and an agnostic who is doing his best to disprove the Bible’s authenticity. This is a 1 hour clip from Stand to Reason podcast in which a true New Testament scholar (Ben Witherington) refutes (very easily, I might add) Bart’s attempts at “Jesus Interrupted” (Bart’s newest book title).
Comments? Questions?
How can YAHWEH be perfectly good and just and yet command extermination?
What is up with the Old Testament God? He seems so different than the God of the New Testament (i.e. Jesus)? Or does He? I have been told that Jesus mentions hell more? And Jesus certainly showed righteous indignation (turning over the money changer’s tables in the temple) not to mention His clear disapproval of hypocrisy (i.e. Pharisee’s behavior).
Recently the topic of OT vs. NT God has come up. There are 2 articles written by Paul Copan (a philosopher who is able to distill down knowledge better than most of his peers). These 2 articles and this brief summary by Ken Samples hopefully will shed some light on the topic.
1. Is Yahweh a moral monster? by Paul Copan
2. Yahweh wars and the Canaanites by Paul Copan
3. How can Yahweh be perfectly good and just and yet command extermination? by Ken Samples
HOW CAN YAHWEH BE PERFECTLY GOOD AND JUST AND YET COMMAND EXTERMINATION?
Kenneth Richard Samples
Richard Dawkins, the world’s most famous atheist, asserts that the God of the Old Testament is “a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser.”1
Yahweh, the Hebrew name of the personal God of Israel in the Judeo-Christian Scriptures, reveals himself to be the Creator of heaven and earth. As the one true Lord, he is an infinite, eternal, and morally perfect personal deity. Historic Christianity identifies Yahweh as none other than the Triune God who is more specifically unveiled in the New Testament as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Tension arises when examining the Scriptures. The Bible reveals God to be perfectly good (Psalm 145:8-9) and perfectly just (Deuteronomy 32:4) in the very nature of his being. However, the Old Testament states that God personally commanded the army of the Hebrews to destroy the Canaanite nations.
During the conquest of Canaan, God commanded the following to the Hebrews:
“When the LORD [Yahweh] your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy” (Deuteronomy 7:2).
“However, in the cities of the nations the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes” (Deuteronomy 20:16).
In response to this frightening divine command, the Hebrew army carried out the following:
“They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys” (Joshua 6:21).
How can this seemingly brutal genocidal command be reconciled with God’s perfect goodness and justice?
Moral Justification for God’s Command
The following seven points help provide the moral context and justification for Yahweh’s command to destroy the Canaanites:
- While God doesn’t always reveal all the details concerning his sovereign decisions, Scripture indicates that God’s moral will flows from his perfectly good and just nature. Therefore God has morally sufficient grounds for his commands even if those reasons are not fully revealed to humankind. However, in this specific case some of those reasons are evident.
- God’s command to destroy the Canaanites was motivated by his intention to preserve Israel from the deep moral corruption that would have inevitably resulted through cultural assimilation with the pagan nations. God’s wrathful justice upon the Canaanites resulted in an act of mercy (protection) upon the Israelites. Therefore God’s command to destroy an entire people group nevertheless constituted a moral good.
- The Canaanites were a morally decadent and reprobate people. Archaeological discoveries have revealed that they practiced such moral abominations as temple prostitution, child sacrifice, and bestiality.2 And for hundreds of years they consistently ignored God’s call to repent of their wicked ways (Genesis 15:16). In God’s eyes they were beyond moral rehabilitation.
- Life in the ancient Near-Eastern world was extremely brutal. And the Canaanite nations viewed the Israelites as their enemies. In this context of warfare among nations God’s command to destroy the pagan peoples was a necessary act of war.
- God, as the sovereign creator and sustainer of life, has the prerogative to take life at his just discretion (Deuteronomy 32:39; Job 1:21). Because the cosmos belongs to the Lord, he has the ontological right to do as he wishes with his creatures. His only constraint is his moral nature. God is therefore in a different moral category of being than his creatures. He is the ultimate judge of all things. As Christian philosopher Paul Copan notes: “Like Narnia’s Aslan, Yahweh, though gracious and compassionate … is not to be trifled with.”3
- God’s order to exterminate the Canaanites was not a command to murder (to take human life without just cause). Rather, it constituted a command of capital punishment on a grand scale and therefore reflected a retributive form of justice (the punishment matched the crime).
- The divine command for the Hebrew army to destroy the Canaanites took place in a unique historical and biblical context. This was not a common or normative event in the life of God’s people. Yahweh is compassionate and patient and remains, in spite of this act, a God of mercy (Exodus 34:6).
Why Such Utter Devastation?
Yet while God had just cause to destroy the Canaanites for their wicked ways, was it necessary to kill all life? Couldn’t the innocent children have been preserved?
Unfortunately, the abominable evil of the Canaanite society had polluted the children as well.4 God, who knows the thoughts and intentions of people (Hebrews 4:12), knew that if these children had been allowed to live they would have inevitably infected God’s people with terrible iniquity. The Hebrews had to be “preserved” because they were the very people from which the Messiah would emerge. Additionally, it may be that God took mercy upon these children and granted them divine acceptance in the next life. God’s compassion is deep and wide even in the midst of temporal judgment.
An important lesson to be learned from this great and terrible event is that God loves his people and he will take extreme measures to protect them from moral and spiritual ruin (Romans 8:28).
References:
1. Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion (New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2006), 31.
2. Gleason L. Archer Jr., A Survey of Old Testament Introduction (Chicago: Moody, 1964), 261.
3. Paul Copan, “Is Yahweh a Moral Monster?” Philosophia Christi 10, no. 1 (Summer 2008), 31.
4. Ronald A. Iwasko, “God of War,” in Christianity for the Tough-Minded, ed. John Warwick Montgomery (Minneapolis: Bethany, 1973), 99-107.
Men’s Group: March 25, 2009 What is your favorite book to read?
Enjoy Dave’s insights about our latest men’s group:
Robby and Bucky teamed up at last Wednesday’s Men of the Path to cover the subject matter of one of the most difficult sessions we’ve had. It was on the value to us, as men, of one book. That book is sometimes called by names such as, The Book of Books, The Owner’s Manual for Life, the Good Book, or Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. Of course we are talking about the Bible. No matter what name we use, one thing is clear; the Bible is the Word of God. The icebreaker last week was, “What is your favorite book to read?” It stumped most of us; heck, we’re men, we don’t read unless it has to do with sports or work, right? I don’t know why, but I was stumped on how to answer this question. I knew what the answer “should be,” but it wasn’t the truth; at least I was not comfortable saying the “should” answer. For some reason my tongue was tied. I’ve read a lot of books. In the approximately 12 months I was at Taft, I read more than 36. {If you are wondering what “Taft” is, then go to Drew’s website, www.uberlumen.com, and listen to my testimony, among the many great things for men.} I read some great books; being a new Christian I absorbed them like a sponge. Books like, “Mere Christianity,” “The Screwtape Letters,” the entire “Left Behind” series, “Wild at Heart” and, of course, the Bible. I’m convinced I was tongue-tied on an answer to the “favorite book” question because of the lack of time I spend today in God’s Word. What many of us did was start naming our favorite book of the Bible. It was sad, but at the same time, that fit right into what Robby and Bucky wanted to talk about. Robby and Bucky used Psalm 119:9-16 to stress that the amount of time we spend reading and meditating on the Bible is “serious business.” Please take a moment to read Psalm 119:9-16. Every line talks about God’s Word, doesn’t it? These eight lines say so much. Even though most of us didn’t have answers to that icebreaker we all had answers for the other questions, “What does the Word of God mean to your life?,” Why is the Word of God a useful tool for us as men?” and “How does the Word of God make us more like Jesus? Bucky closed with some “shoulds.” He said the Bible “should” ignite a fire under our bellies. Bucky said the Bible “should” be the final authority in your life (it “should” be the book you consult for everything in your life). Bucky said we “should” spend at least 30 minutes a day in God’s Word. Five minutes a day is not enough for us in the OC; it is like a snack. Here in the OC we need a meal. I’d like to ask that you spend some time “feasting” on the Psalm 119: 9-16 and the preceding questions. Email your thoughts to Bucky and/or Robby. These guys put a lot of time into Wednesday mornings and would love to hear from you. It would be great if those of you that cannot attend take some time to email your comments to Bucky and/or Robby. Their addresses are on this email. Enjoy your time with God and His Word this week.
Men’s Group Psalm 145, February 4, 2009
Message from Dave from Men on the Path last week:
Sometimes God speaks to you subtly and other times He makes it obvious because He doesn’t want you to miss it. Sometimes it takes me a while to write these summaries because either I am not listening for God’s voice or He is being subtle and I just don’t realize it. Anyway, between Wednesday and this morning (Friday) God made it easy for me. I am attempting double duty this year. In addition to journaling by writing my letter to God each evening, last month I purchased a Daily Devotional where I read a passage of scripture and then it gives a few words as if they are being spoken by God. I do not know what to make of that yet. I am pretty rigid when to comes to religion and politics. I am working on it but I am not there by any means. I am sure I can find arguments for both sides; those that say it is okay and those that say it is blasphemy. In any event, I believe my answer came in the last few days and the answer is quite interesting. But before we get to that…
On Wednesday Robbie lead the Men of the Path session. We read Psalm 145 (please take some time and read it before going further – it will help – wish I could put the Final Jeopardy Theme in here so you could hear that music in the background as we pause 🙂 So now you know what we talked about, praising God. Psalm 145 is a song of praise; yes, praise, and lots of it. When you read that Psalm look at all of the words David uses for praising his Lord – great, mighty, majesty, power, awesome, righteous, good, compassion, and the list goes on. David certainly knew who his Lord and Savior was, didn’t he? How could David pour out such praise? Well, think of it this way; you cannot praise someone if you don’t have a relationship with them, can you? So that is where the praise begins, on your knees, spending alone time with Him and listening for His voice. It begins by acknowledging God for who He is and realizing it is about Him and not you. You must believe that God is a sovereign God and that God is good. You must submit to the fact that God knows best and that God’s word is the final authority in your life. We know from reading and journaling the Psalms during January that David knew these things. Believe me, it is one thing to write those words and another thing to live by them. I like what Jan Gilbert said at our table on Wednesday morning; “It is difficult for me to praise God in the bad times. For instance when I get a flat tire on the way to work, do I say “Yes, thank You, God?” No, I do not. Or, I may say it, but do I really mean it? No, probably not” Jan was being realistic, wasn’t he? Then Jan gave us another story about when God delayed a family travel plan. The outcome was amazing. I encourage you to ask Jan about it when you see him.
Okay, back to the devotional. Here are the “God speaking” parts from the last two days:
“Do not resist Me or harden your heart. I take no pleasure in the affliction of My children. In love, I chasten to prevent the deeper suffering involved should I allow you to go on in a path of evil. But My heart is glad when you walk close, with your hand in Mine, and we talk over the day’s journey and activities so it becomes a happy way that we travel in mutual fellowship. So, pour out your praise to Me from a light heart and I will plan your path and we will go singing.”
“Praise Me. Lift your heart in gratitude. In your sleeping and your waking hours, My hand of protection and blessing is upon you. I have built a hedge around you. Even as was written concerning Job. It was not a false accusation of the devil to Job. I removed it to silence the enemy of his soul. But for the multitudes I have never removed the hedge. I am keeping you, My child for one purpose in particular – that you may be able to accomplish the task committed to you.”
Amazing, isn’t it? Out of the 365 days and writings in that devotional; those writings come now. There are no coincidences, are there? It is clear to me; Praise Him, in good times and in bad. Having the abundant life means you are at peace during trials and tribulations. Remember, if there is anyone we can pray for (including you), Pathways has a great prayer team. Contact Armando Barrios atbrisamar999@yahoo.com.
Men’s Group January 14, 2009 David’s ‘meekness’
Last Wednesday Bucky covered Psalm 37 and 1Samuel 24 (where David spares Saul’s life). Please take a few minutes and read both of those before you continue. Remember, your relationship with God is only as good as what you put into it. I like how Bucky has connected a Psalm each week to a part of David’s story. These two (now that you’ve read them) relate because David’s prayer in Psalm 37 revolves around not paying evil with evil but leaving the revenge to the Lord. And, as usual, David speaks from experience. David knows if we repay evil with evil, evil will come back to us (our moment of power will be short-lived). If we truly trust God then we will trust in the justice of God. Bucky made it clear this Psalm is about one-to-one situations; it generally does not apply to nations. In other words, we must turn the other check and pray for the person, not seek out our own vengeance. This applies to our families, work, neighbors, etc. Bucky really threw me when he said David showed meekness when Saul entered that cave to “relieve himself” giving David the chance to kill him (it is amazing the restraint David showed because his men were urging him to kill Saul – a sign of a true leader). The word meekness just didn’t seem to fit, you know, like,” themeek shall inherit the earth,” from the Beatitudes. I always thought of the meekas being the wimpy, quiet, nerdy types. Then Bucky gave the following definition of meekness: meekness is power and aggression under control and channeled in a different way. Wow! David was showing his controlled power by cutting Saul’s robe to let him know he could have killed him. He was channeling his aggression by pulling back and letting Saul know, “I am not the bad guy here.” Even though David was on the run from Saul; even though David lost everything (remember the five things he lost from Bucky’s message on Sunday – his job, his wife, his best friend, his spiritual leader and his self respect), David did not repay evil with evil when he had the chance. David left justice up to God, and even though Saul pulled back in tears this time, he still pursued David and David went through more gut-wrenching situations before God brought that justice. After all, it is in God’s time, not ours, right? Imagine if we lived this way in our jobs, with our families and in our neighborhoods.
Men’s Group January 7, 2009: What is your giant in 2009?
What is your giant in 2009? How can you make your giant into a dwarf?
We discussed David’s response to his giant-Goliath:
1. He relied on his past.
- Tool chest: God gives each of us a unique set of tools/gifts that we must use. David’s tools was his ability to fight lions and bears. With this unique skill, he was able to face his giant with confidence.
- God’s faithfulness: I know of some friends who keep a diary/journal logging all of God’s faithfulness in the peaks and pits of life so that they can look back on know that God is faithful.
2. He trusted God for his future. David fought his giant by trusting in God for the future.
3. Living in the present.
- my giant is FEAR. I fear the future.
- I can make my giant into a dwarf by living in His presence, trusting in God’s plan for the future, and praising God’s past faithfulness.
“But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him. “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine ” And Saul said to David, “Go, and may the LORD be with you.” Then Saul clothed David with his garments and put a bronze helmet on his head, and he clothed him with armor. David girded his sword over his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. So David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” And David took them off. He took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his pouch, and his sling was in his hand; and he approached the Philistine.”-1 Samuel 17:34-40
Insights from Dave:
Last Wednesday Bucky presented us with Psalm 20 and it’s “prequel,” the story of David and Goliath. Before going further please take a few moments and read both in that order.
What we learned was Psalm 20 was a prayer David prayed as an intercessory prayer over his army before battle. In this prayer, David tells his army some “May God” items:
May the Lord answer…
May he send you help…
May he remember…
May he give you the desire…
Then, David tells his army that he knows the Lord saves his anointed and that they need to trust in the Lord, not in chariots and horses. David knew God wasn’t in the background but on the frontlines with him and his men.
How did David know these things? That is where the story of David and Goliath comes in. Couldn’t you say that David knew from experience that the Lord saves his anointed? There is so much to write about this story; like how the Lord was preparing David for that day through his sheparding of sheep (David was a “professional” with that slingshot), and how all of the Israelites judged Goliath by his outward appearance (Goliath was a giant); they didn’t realize God looks at the heart. David’s heart was in the right place because he had a relationship with God. His psalms are proof that David kept a journal and talked with God daily; David knew God was with him. When he decided to take on Goliath he wasn’t doing something careless. I believe he talked with God about it first; he prayed, meditated and listened for God’s voice.
Our discussion focused on two things – victories and giants. What victories has God given you in the past? What giants are you facing in the New Year? Take a few minutes and write down your thoughts on these two questions. If you have a journal you may want to record them there. Around our table, most folks talked about the economy as one of their giants. But, we were fortunate to have Patrick at our table; I like how God speaks to Patrick (and am thankful Patrick is listening for God’s voice). Patrick said God is probably smiling about our down economy because more people turn to God in tough times. So, financially, it may not be good for our nation, but in terms of salvation, it could be a booming time for God. This line has had me thinking the last few days. I thought, if I am thinking and worrying about the economy, I am selfishly thinking of myself and not the things of God; my trust is in horses and chariots and not in God. God takes care of His anointed – I need to put my focus on Him, not me; God has me covered.
Start the New Year with a Resolution: A Daily Devotional
Now is the time to start a yearly devotional. It is imperative to our walk with Christ to be in a devotional daily. The secret to the best devotionals? Reading the Bible (And if you do this every year, one way to motivate you to keep going is to read through the Bible in a different translation than one that you usually read e.g. New Living Translation, New American Standard, God’s Word, to name a few):
1. The Discipleship Journal has several options (I am doing this one this year) AND I am using a different Bible translation: Holman Christian Standard Bible AND I am reading the Bible using The Apologetics Study Bible which is excellent for those with a lot of questions.
2. A One Year Bible is a great way to go
A few GREAT options for those who want to do a daily devotion but not read through the Bible:
1. The One Year Book of Church History (I just finished this one, and it was AMAZING! I HIGHLY recommend it.)
2. Promises by Bill Bright (I did this one years ago. It is excellent, but I think it is out of print.)
3. Our Daily Bread: You can download it to your PDA, read it online, or order a paper copy. (I have done this one for years, and it is simple, concise and FREE! They will send you a free copy FOREVER–even tracked me down when I moved across the country!)
4. The One Year Book of Bible Prayer is another great option.
5. walkthru.org has a eDevotion that is sent to you via email, and they have some GREAT paper devotionals
(Their Daily Walk will walk you through the Bible in a year, and their Closer Walk will walk you through the New Testament in a year–both are excellent.)
Finally there are some GREAT audio options:
1. The Bible Experience (you can buy on itunes via audiobooks or at their website) I have bought the book of John and the Psalms and listened through it. They are VERY good.
2. The Bible Podcast is a FREE audio version of the Bible that is also excellent.
It doesn’t matter what you do as much as doing SOME form of daily devotion. Ideally you are reading the Bible daily.
If you had ONE word to describe Jesus what would it be?
During this CRAZY financial time, this is a GREAT message from my friend Bill’s newsletter:
One Word
Christian Soul Care Devotional
Bill Gaultiere
Some time ago I was meeting with Dallas Willard and in the course of our conversation he asked me, “If you had one word to describe Jesus what would it be?”
How would you answer that question? Close your eyes for a moment and consider this. Write down the first words that come to mind. If you could only use one word to describe Jesus what would it be?
Have you stopped reading this devotional so you can give your own answer?! Go ahead take a moment now….
Jesus is the Word of all words! His is the name above all names. He is so magnificent and multi-faceted how could we pin him down to just one word! And yet, I found this to be a very meaningful exercise. The words we pick and the ones we don’t pick may have something to say about our relationship with him.
Here are the words I thought of… Jesus is… Love… Holy… Lord… Teacher… Risen… Healer… (These areall good words to describe Jesus.)
Then Dallas looked into my eyes and shared with me his word. You need to know that this was a special moment for me. He’s my key mentor. I’ve read every book he’s written more than once. I’ve listened (many times) to every audio teaching series of his I can find. In the last six years he has discipled me to Jesus in ways that have impacted all that I am and everything that I do as a Christian, husband, father, friend, psychologist, minister, writer…
What one word would Dallas Willard use to describe Jesus? “Relaxed.”
Relaxed?
I would have never thought of that word! But ever since that conversation I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Jesus being relaxed.
Think about it. Jesus had far and away the most important and dangerous mission that any human being has ever had or ever will have. He had to wait 18 years to begin working on his calling and then he had just three years of public ministry to fulfill it. And yet Jesus was relaxed!
Jesus needed to convince a large number people that although he was merely a man he was also the unique Son of God. And his followers needed to be so confident in him as their Lord and Savior that they would give their lives to lead other people to know him – even to the point of torture and death. And yet Jesus was relaxed!
Jesus could only be in one location at a time. And when he left one city to go to another he left behind people that hadn’t been healed or discipled (Matthew 13:58). Most people – even his own family at first – rejected him and his message (Luke 4:28-30, Mark 3:20, 31-34). Many of the people he discipled deserted him (John 6:66). And even his faithful disciples didn’t understand who he was until after he rose from the dead (Mark 8:31-33)! And yet Jesus was relaxed!
The fate of all humankind – past, present, and future – depended on Jesus successfully completing his gospel mission! And yet Jesus remained relaxed!
When I have big responsibilities I start to feel overwhelmed… When I am stressed by situations anxious feelings rise up within me… When I am criticized or rejected I am tempted to react by feeling bad about myself or getting angry… When I have lots to do I tend to hurry…
How did Jesus remain at peace when he was under pressures much, much harder than I face? He practiced what he preached! He lived in the same “easy yoke” that he offers to us. Jesus was the first disciple: he apprenticed himself to the Father, learning to live out the things he would later teach (think of Jesus’ 18 hidden years from ages 12 to 30 as his discipleship training program).
Our sinless Lord “grew” (Luke 2:52); he “learned” (Hebrews 5:8) how to…
· Maintain moment-by-moment submission to God’s will, never saying or doing anything except as the Father directed him (John 6:38, 12:50).
· Pray without ceasing (John 11:42, 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
· Be so dependent upon the Holy Spirit as to be filled with his presence and power without limit (John 3:34).
· Bless those that cursed him (Luke 22:34).
In my discipleship to Jesus I am learning how to follow his example and walk with him in his “easy yoke,” his “unforced rhythms of grace” (Matthew 11:28, MSG). And so more and more I too am relaxed!
If Kristi or I can offer you counseling or spiritual direction call us at 949-262-3699.
Spiritual Secret
The famous missionary to inland China wrote a book titled: Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret.
Hudson Taylor had a difficult and amazing life. At one point in his life, he had become very depressed, even contemplating suicide due to so many frustrations in the mission field of China. He shared his frustrations and concerns with a friend who wrote to him in 1869 the words that forever transformed Hudson Taylor. Here are the words that describe Hudson Taylor’s spiritual ‘secret’:
“I seem as if the first glimmers of the dawn of a glorious day has risen upon me…I seem to have supped only that which can fully satisfy…To let my loving Saviour work in me His will…abiding, not striving or struggling; looking off unto Him; trusting Him for present power…resting in the love of an almighty Saviour in the joy of a complete salvation…Not striving to have faith, or to increase my faith but a looking at the faithful one seems all we need. A resting in the Loved One entirely, for time, for eternity. It does not appear to me as anything new, only formerly misunderstood.”-John McCarthy
Hudson Taylor had found his spiritual secret. It was the exchanged life–no longer I but Christ living in me.The One Year Christian History devotional, pg 497
“I have been crucified with Christ. I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”-Galatians 2:19-20