1 Sam 17:40 (KJV)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.
I often wonder if Samuel knew the debate, speculation, and theological discourse that his comment ‘5 smooth stones’ would launch. Over the years I have heard the favorites (5) stones meant J.E.S.U.S. and numerically in the bible (5) stood for grace, while others say ‘it’s just 5 rocks and means nothing”. I ask a friend of mine about adding another theory to the discourse and he said “What’s another?, go for it”, so hear I go.
David was a worshipper. He spent hours in the lonely shepherd's field singing and worshipping God. The sheep heard David’s serenades to God every night. The powerful thing about a worshipper is, a worshipper receives divine revelation that others don’t receive. So when David arrived to visit his brothers, he probably had a better understanding of God than even the king (Saul).
Here is a revelation of God that David may have had. God’s prepares battles for us to fight. These battles are not for our loss but for our good. When God puts us in these battles, he responds in (2) ways. Either he will intervene and fight the battle for us, or he prepares us beforehand and lets us fight the battle on our own. For (40) years the children of Israel lived on manna (heavenly bread), but on the brink of Canaan the bible says “and the manna ceased”. God was telling them 'I’ve prepared you, now go fight your battles'. When David walk to the stream that day, his mind could have been saying 'I know God can intervene, but this might be one of those battles I have to fight on my own'. God had already prepared him (Remember: the lion and the bear <OH MY>). Could it be that David thought 'I might be alone on this one. So I better get as much ammo as possible'.
Battles in your life are surely going to come. Live with the determination ‘If God intervenes, glory to God, but if he chooses for me to fight on my own I’m fully armed and ready to stand.
Eph 6:13 (KJV)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
Monday, February 21, 2011
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Life Is A Vapor
James 4:14 (KJV)Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away
Yesterday, I attended a homegoing service for a great man, Dave McGee. While he never preached a conference or campmeeting he still had a great impact on many preacher's life. Dave had the ability to make you feel like a million bucks. If he heard you preach, that was the best message he'd ever heard. He was a giving and compassionate man, and I will miss him.
As I sat in that beautiful service, I was reminded how fledding life is. Our bodies have the curse of sin on them and that puts a time limit on them. David said "Let me number my days", he understood that his days were numbered. Let us remember to do the important stuff!
Here is a poem that we studied in high school "Gather ye rosebuds, while ye may". It was written during a part of litery time referred to as 'Carpe Diem' (latin for seize the day). It was a warning not to put off the things we desire to do. To make haste and do them today. So we should have a 'carpe diem' on our life. Use everyday to tell your family that you love them, make an impact on the world, TODAY! Don't leave a job undone. Let God do great things in you NOW!
Today, I rejoice with my friend. Heaven is now his reward, but I want to thank him for reminding me, life is but a vapour. I must work while it is day. I must tell the ones I love that "I love them". Then when it's time for us to exit off life's stage, we can say "I'm finished".
2 Tim 4:7-8 (KJV)I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Yesterday, I attended a homegoing service for a great man, Dave McGee. While he never preached a conference or campmeeting he still had a great impact on many preacher's life. Dave had the ability to make you feel like a million bucks. If he heard you preach, that was the best message he'd ever heard. He was a giving and compassionate man, and I will miss him.
As I sat in that beautiful service, I was reminded how fledding life is. Our bodies have the curse of sin on them and that puts a time limit on them. David said "Let me number my days", he understood that his days were numbered. Let us remember to do the important stuff!
Here is a poem that we studied in high school "Gather ye rosebuds, while ye may". It was written during a part of litery time referred to as 'Carpe Diem' (latin for seize the day). It was a warning not to put off the things we desire to do. To make haste and do them today. So we should have a 'carpe diem' on our life. Use everyday to tell your family that you love them, make an impact on the world, TODAY! Don't leave a job undone. Let God do great things in you NOW!
Today, I rejoice with my friend. Heaven is now his reward, but I want to thank him for reminding me, life is but a vapour. I must work while it is day. I must tell the ones I love that "I love them". Then when it's time for us to exit off life's stage, we can say "I'm finished".
2 Tim 4:7-8 (KJV)I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Being A 'Black Friday' Christian
Acts 19:34 (KJV) But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
This year, I had the privilege(?) of being a part of Black Friday. For those that live in a cave, Black Friday is the day after thanksgiving when stores open at 12am, 3am, and 5am. This is when you can find the best deals on toys and electronics. At midnight we stood by a pallet and waited for someone to say it was time to grab our item. Then I stood in line with 500 people, to get my GPS, and 'Oh the joy that filled my soul!!!!'
The attitude and pyschology of black Friday shoppers is AMAZING! We watched as a small clammer began when someone opened the Wii games too early and security had to earn it's pay. As I stood in line, I thought, all these people 'me included' are standing here at 3am for things that don't really matter. I then caught myself saying "What am I doing?"
The best thing that happened that night was the Lord inspired me to think "We should put this much effort into living for God". The Ephesians in Acts 19 had a 2 hour non-stop worship service for a FALSE god. They exerted great effort for something that wouldn't last. While there are moments when we get bored with worship to the REAL God long before 2 hours. I would like to dedicate myself today to be a Black Friday Christian. I will rise early, I will do whatever it takes, No sacrifice is too great, I will pay the price. I hope you make this commitment. If you do we will change the world!
1 Cor 9:25 (KJV)And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
This year, I had the privilege(?) of being a part of Black Friday. For those that live in a cave, Black Friday is the day after thanksgiving when stores open at 12am, 3am, and 5am. This is when you can find the best deals on toys and electronics. At midnight we stood by a pallet and waited for someone to say it was time to grab our item. Then I stood in line with 500 people, to get my GPS, and 'Oh the joy that filled my soul!!!!'
The attitude and pyschology of black Friday shoppers is AMAZING! We watched as a small clammer began when someone opened the Wii games too early and security had to earn it's pay. As I stood in line, I thought, all these people 'me included' are standing here at 3am for things that don't really matter. I then caught myself saying "What am I doing?"
The best thing that happened that night was the Lord inspired me to think "We should put this much effort into living for God". The Ephesians in Acts 19 had a 2 hour non-stop worship service for a FALSE god. They exerted great effort for something that wouldn't last. While there are moments when we get bored with worship to the REAL God long before 2 hours. I would like to dedicate myself today to be a Black Friday Christian. I will rise early, I will do whatever it takes, No sacrifice is too great, I will pay the price. I hope you make this commitment. If you do we will change the world!
1 Cor 9:25 (KJV)And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Let Your Prison Make You Famous
If your education took you beyond the 9th grade, then you've heard of Dante. His 3 act play takes you through hell, purgatory, and heaven. Many have been inspired by his work. The mantra "Dante's inferno" has been placed on books, movie titles, and video games. But most don't know the position that afforded Dante the opportunity to write this literary master piece.
Dante grew up in a influential family in Florence in the 1300s. That city fell into control of the Holy Roman Empire. Dante fought against them and won 3 decisive battles. He then became a prior (city counsel member). This only lasted a little while until the Empire again gained control. Dante was exiled for 20 years from his birth place. The exile to Dante felt 'like hell'. He then begin to write about his experiences. Today most literary professionals agree, had Dante never been exiled he never would have written his master piece.
Dante reminds me of John the revelation writer. He was exiled to a prison island called Patmos. He still mustered the courage to 'get in the spirit on the Lord's day', and write 22 chapters that still mesmerizes us today. If your situation in life has left you feeling 'exiled' then say within yourself "This is going to make me better and stronger"!
Gen 50:20 (KJV)But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive
Dante grew up in a influential family in Florence in the 1300s. That city fell into control of the Holy Roman Empire. Dante fought against them and won 3 decisive battles. He then became a prior (city counsel member). This only lasted a little while until the Empire again gained control. Dante was exiled for 20 years from his birth place. The exile to Dante felt 'like hell'. He then begin to write about his experiences. Today most literary professionals agree, had Dante never been exiled he never would have written his master piece.
Dante reminds me of John the revelation writer. He was exiled to a prison island called Patmos. He still mustered the courage to 'get in the spirit on the Lord's day', and write 22 chapters that still mesmerizes us today. If your situation in life has left you feeling 'exiled' then say within yourself "This is going to make me better and stronger"!
Gen 50:20 (KJV)But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Starting a brand new blog
My good friend, Chad McQueen, has been writing a blog, and I got the bug.
There are so many amazing things that have happened to me and the church over the last few months. Too many healings and blessings to even count. As I set here, I am awe struck by the power of God and His amazing grace. All I can say is, God is awesome.
Have you ever watched mythbusters. If you have, you know that they try to 'proof/debunk' myths. One that I love, they proved that you can't 'really' have your socks blown off. There trusty dummy 'Buster' went through many explosions to prove it. I thought "man, that stink, I love that saying". However, I have come to realize that that statement is still true about God. He 'blows my socks off', with His power, mercy, and the things that He does. As I think about this week (sorry mythbusters) my socks have been blown off.
There are so many amazing things that have happened to me and the church over the last few months. Too many healings and blessings to even count. As I set here, I am awe struck by the power of God and His amazing grace. All I can say is, God is awesome.
Have you ever watched mythbusters. If you have, you know that they try to 'proof/debunk' myths. One that I love, they proved that you can't 'really' have your socks blown off. There trusty dummy 'Buster' went through many explosions to prove it. I thought "man, that stink, I love that saying". However, I have come to realize that that statement is still true about God. He 'blows my socks off', with His power, mercy, and the things that He does. As I think about this week (sorry mythbusters) my socks have been blown off.
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