Day 159

Day 159
Biblical Principle - Absolute truth from God’s Word:
God is bigger than any giant is.  David ran right at Goliath know God is giving the victory because it was the right thing.  David’s confidence was not in the sling and stone but in the Lord.  The death of the giant was complete with the head being removed.  No chance of resuscitation to come with the head removed.  Do not stop when killing the giants in your life until you know the head is gone. 

1Sa 17:40-51 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.

And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands.

And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.

Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

Practical - Works that apply Biblical Principle:

This section is for you to find a way to apply the truth in your life. I will try to give only one as example; there may be other practical ways. This is what makes the Christian walk so important and makes it important to have a deliberate purpose in everything we do.

David did not put Saul’s armor on when he went up against Goliath, but he did put the Lord’s armor on. 

Ephesians 6:10-20 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Day 158

Day 158

Biblical Principle - Absolute truth from God’s Word:

David was a true servant both to the Lord, his father and to Saul the king.  David though knowing he was the anointed one to be king submitted to the authorities with no question. 

David a true servant to all obeyed no matter the task in front of him.  David kept the sheep as ordered and fought off a lion and bear because that was what he was told to do.  David took food to brothers because that was the given instructions.  David saw a clear cause to kill Goliath because the instructions were given by God to destroy those who blasphemed the True and Living God. No hesitation to serve if you are a true servant.

1Sa 17:14-37 And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul.

 But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

 And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.

 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp of thy brethren;

 And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.

 Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.

 And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.

 For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army.

 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.

 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.

 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.

 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.

 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.

 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.

 And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.

 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

Practical - Works that apply Biblical Principle:

This section is for you to find a way to apply the truth in your life. I will try to give only one as example; there may be other practical ways. This is what makes the Christian walk so important and makes it important to have a deliberate purpose in everything we do.

We are all servants whether we want to be or not.  The question is, Whose servant are you ?

Romans 6:16-18 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Day 157

Day 157

Biblical Principle - Absolute truth from God’s Word:

Truth:  When God is not present in your life, evil will trouble you in your mind, in your emotions, and in your decision-making.  This could appear as an angry bitter person with emotional reactions. 

            When music from a Godly source enters your life, it affects your mind, emotions and decision-making.  This could appear as happiness and peace with emotional reactions.  Music is powerful.

1Samuel 16:15-23 And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.

And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.

Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.

And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.

And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.

And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.

And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

Practical - Works that apply Biblical Principle:

This section is for you to find a way to apply the truth in your life. I will try to give only one as example; there may be other practical ways. This is what makes the Christian walk so important and makes it important to have a deliberate purpose in everything we do.

A Godly spirit will always lead to Godly music. Peace in your spirit results from Godly music.  Godly wisdom, teaching will result in admonishing each other with Godly music. 

If your music is not coming from a Spirit filled life, or it is not coming from Godly wisdom and teaching that results in peace then the music is not from God.

Ephesians 5:18-21 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Colosians 3:15-16 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Day 156

Day 156

Biblical Principle - Absolute truth from God’s Word

The Spirit of the Lord was put on David to do the work of the Lord.  The Spirit of the Lord was taken from Saul leaving Saul with an “evil spirit” and a “troubled” spirit.  Without God’s presence our mind will run to evil thoughts and fear of not knowing will always bring trouble. 

1Samuel 16:13-14 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.

Practical - Works that apply Biblical Principle:

This section is for you to find a way to apply the truth in your life. I will try to give only one as example; there may be other practical ways. This is what makes the Christian walk so important and makes it important to have a deliberate purpose in everything we do.

God is love.  This is evident when He dwells in us because there is not fear and evil spirit.  Saul did not obey therefore no love… evil spirit.  David obeyed the Lord which showed love and God’s Spirit was upon him.   What kind of spirit do you have?

1John 4:16-19 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We love him, because he first loved us.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Day 155

Day 155

Biblical Principle - Absolute truth from God’s Word:

The Lord promised Samuel that He was looking for a king that was after His heart.  So it should have not come as a surprise to Samuel when the Lord said He was looking at the heart.  The heart of humility, love, compassion, obedience was in David’s heart a direct contrast to Saul. 

1Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Practical - Works that apply Biblical Principle:

This section is for you to find a way to apply the truth in your life. I will try to give only one as example; there may be other practical ways. This is what makes the Christian walk so important and makes it important to have a deliberate purpose in everything we do.

Truth, grace, mercy, peace, is always God’s plan.  Walk in truth, love others, this is what the Lord is still looking for in leaders.

2John 1:2-6 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.

 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

Day 154

Day 154

Biblical Principle - Absolute truth from God’s Word:

When God set down authorities, He always has another in place.  We are not to worry about the outgoing nor the incoming; this is God’s business not ours. 

1Samuel 16:1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

Practical - Works that apply Biblical Principle:

This section is for you to find a way to apply the truth in your life. I will try to give only one as example; there may be other practical ways. This is what makes the Christian walk so important and makes it important to have a deliberate purpose in everything we do.

Even with Jesus sending the Holy Spirit established that the Lord will not leave us with out the authorities we need which includes himself.  So why would he leave us with out protection from Satan by not providing us all that we need.

John 14:16-21 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

"Fear of Man bringeth a snare"

In Spring of 1982 Life Action Ministries from Niles Michigan came to my church to hold a two week crusade.  This was a critical part growth as a Christian.  Though the ministry would remind us that they do not bring revival in their boxes and buses, they did bring the Word of God and the truth that gives the answers to having our lives revived toward God.  The founder and preacher that week was Del Fehsenfeld Jr.  His dedication to preaching the truth of God’s Word and praying for lives to be changed was evident.  It was during this time where the Lord touched my heart about the true reality of God and His message.  The Word of God, living for God, and committing to the truth of the Word of God became real to me, it became mine not just my parents religion.  I grew up hearing men of God who knew God and it was evident in their lives.  I was brought up to see these men of God as heroes and not worldly people.  Del Fehsenfeld was a spiritual hero of mine.  Yes, he is just a man. No, he was not perfect.  Yes, we should follow God.  However, the Bible does teach us we can follow men as they follow God.  We need more men following God so we can teach our children to follow them as they follow God.  Del went to be with the Lord in 1989 a year before I graduated from college.  The Lord took him home by way of brain cancer.  He was a young man in our earthly eyes, whose death came way too soon.  However, God’s ways are not our ways.  We may not know why the Lord took him when He did but we know that God always does right. 

Two months before Del died, he preached one last message.  I believe he knew the end was close, even though I believe Del truly believed that God by way of miracle could heal him.  I have attached a link of that message that at the time of this publication is active.  I encourage particularly pastors to take the time to watch this message, while everyone can benefit from this message.  Please make sure you have at least an hour and half to prayerful listen to what the Lord is teaching.   Remember as you watch that Del is in his last days here on earth.  He is sharing a truth from God’s Word by way of testimony of his life.  Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.  The passage he preached from was truly an accumulation of the lessons learned in his life of God’s leadership.  This message shows why to me he was a hero of mine.

Quote from the message is a definition of Insecurity.

“The only thing that I remember from that staff meeting was the definition of insecurity: that it is the result of placing my confidence and trust in people or things that can be taken away from me.”

“We also discovered that security, unlike insecurity, is placing our faith and confidence and trust in that which cannot be taken away from us and that there are only two things on this earth that cannot be taken away: one is our relationship to the Living Word, Jesus Christ, and the other is our relationship to the written Word, the Bible.”

http://vimeo.com/57870764

Day 153

Day 153

Biblical Principle - Absolute truth from God’s Word:

Truth:

1. The Lord set up Saul as king; The Lord sets up all authorities
2. The Lord gives commands to authorities to fulfill
3. Listening to the people is a sign of a week authority
4. Partial disobedience is full disobedience.
5. Obedience is better than any outward appearing religious act.
6. The Lord sets down authorities that He set up.

1Samuel 15:1-3 Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD.

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.

Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass

1Sanuel 15:7-11 And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.

And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.

 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,

It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

1Samuel 15:13-15 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.

And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?

And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.

1Samuel 15:19-23 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?

And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Practical - Works that apply Biblical Principle:

This section is for you to find a way to apply the truth in your life. I will try to give only one as example; there may be other practical ways. This is what makes the Christian walk so important and makes it important to have a deliberate purpose in everything we do.

Humility and leadership go hand in hand.  All those who function in the body of Christ must walk with humility to God’s plan and be subject to all God given authorities.

Colossians 2:18-23 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.