Wednesday, April 14, 2010
JOURNEY TO DESTINY II
Today’s reflection comes from 1 Samuel 23. We will continue to unearth divine principles from the life of David that will help us as we continue our JOURNEY TO DESTINY. Principle Four is the Prayer. One should never start an endeavor without first seeking God’s direction, will, and permission to proceed in that endeavor.
1 Sam. 23:1-4 It was reported to David that the Philistines were raiding Keilah and looting the grain. David went in prayer to God: "Should I go after these Philistines and teach them a lesson?" God said, "Go. Attack the Philistines and save Keilah." But David's men said, "We live in fear of our lives right here in Judah. How can you think of going to Keilah in the thick of the Philistines?" So David went back to God in prayer. God said, "Get going. Head for Keilah. I'm placing the Philistines in your hands." (MSS)
These verses tells us that David got a disturbing report about the Philistines and his first response was to seek God’s will. He did not use his own judgment or what appeared to be commonsense. He sought God. Sometimes what appears to be the obvious is not always the case. Prayer should be our first posture when starting a new endeavor.
Principle Five: Confirmation. This principle is also found in these verses, when those we lead are resistant, afraid, or reluctant; it’s okay to get confirmation from God. David went back to God in Prayer. God Confirmed His directions to David. Not only did he confirm His directions, he gave David a promise. David then had the assurance to lead the people where God would have them go. Without this type of assurance, I know that I would doubt if I were doing the right thing, and in the heat of the battle, second guessing your decision, remove from you the ability to engage in the moment and give it your all.
Principle Six: Dealing With the Attack from Those in Leadership over You. After a victory, expect your enemy to attack. When the enemy uses one who is in leadership over you, how do you deal with it? Verses 7-27 show how Saul, king over David was used by the enemy and pursued David doggedly. The Message Bible said that “David was in full retreat, running, with Saul and his men closing in, about to get him.” Sometimes our best posture is running. There is a major difference between running to save your life and running to avoid submission to authority. When we run to save our lives, we are not running away from responsibility, consequences of our behavior, or from embarrassment; we are simply running for our life, and/or running to avoid confronting those in authority in an inappropriate manner. God will allow us opportunities to confront power with truth; however, this apparently was not the time.
Lord Jesus, help me to remember to always pray and seek your face before embarking upon a new endeavor. Oh God when those you have given me to lead are resistant, afraid, and/or reluctant; give me patience with them and the wisdom to seek you to confirm your will. And oh Lord, when those in leadership over me are the instruments used to attack me give me the grace to run in humility. In Jesus name, AMEN
1 Sam. 23:1-4 It was reported to David that the Philistines were raiding Keilah and looting the grain. David went in prayer to God: "Should I go after these Philistines and teach them a lesson?" God said, "Go. Attack the Philistines and save Keilah." But David's men said, "We live in fear of our lives right here in Judah. How can you think of going to Keilah in the thick of the Philistines?" So David went back to God in prayer. God said, "Get going. Head for Keilah. I'm placing the Philistines in your hands." (MSS)
These verses tells us that David got a disturbing report about the Philistines and his first response was to seek God’s will. He did not use his own judgment or what appeared to be commonsense. He sought God. Sometimes what appears to be the obvious is not always the case. Prayer should be our first posture when starting a new endeavor.
Principle Five: Confirmation. This principle is also found in these verses, when those we lead are resistant, afraid, or reluctant; it’s okay to get confirmation from God. David went back to God in Prayer. God Confirmed His directions to David. Not only did he confirm His directions, he gave David a promise. David then had the assurance to lead the people where God would have them go. Without this type of assurance, I know that I would doubt if I were doing the right thing, and in the heat of the battle, second guessing your decision, remove from you the ability to engage in the moment and give it your all.
Principle Six: Dealing With the Attack from Those in Leadership over You. After a victory, expect your enemy to attack. When the enemy uses one who is in leadership over you, how do you deal with it? Verses 7-27 show how Saul, king over David was used by the enemy and pursued David doggedly. The Message Bible said that “David was in full retreat, running, with Saul and his men closing in, about to get him.” Sometimes our best posture is running. There is a major difference between running to save your life and running to avoid submission to authority. When we run to save our lives, we are not running away from responsibility, consequences of our behavior, or from embarrassment; we are simply running for our life, and/or running to avoid confronting those in authority in an inappropriate manner. God will allow us opportunities to confront power with truth; however, this apparently was not the time.
Lord Jesus, help me to remember to always pray and seek your face before embarking upon a new endeavor. Oh God when those you have given me to lead are resistant, afraid, and/or reluctant; give me patience with them and the wisdom to seek you to confirm your will. And oh Lord, when those in leadership over me are the instruments used to attack me give me the grace to run in humility. In Jesus name, AMEN
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
JOURNEY TO DESTINY
In my morning devotions there were several things that stood out to me as I read 1 Samuel chapters 22-24. As a pastor desiring to reach the destiny that God has for me, I struggle with the process or journey to get there. But this morning God began to galvanize together some principles that I know and have applied individually into a succinct JOURNEY TO DESTINY. I believe that God will continue to show principles as I continue to read and study the life of David.
Today Principle One, "Leadership Always Manifest”, is found in 1 Samuel 22:1-2 "So David got away and escaped to the Cave of Adullam. When his brothers and others associated with his family heard where he was, they came down and joined him. Not only that, but all who were down on their luck came around—losers and vagrants and misfits of all sorts. David became their leader. There were about four hundred in all." If God has called you to leadership, then there will be people following you even before you reach your destiny. David is hiding in the Cave of Adullam, and his family, family associates, people who were down and out, losers, vagrants, and misfits were led by David. David led about four hundred people. As a pastor of a growing church, I would love to lead a congregation of four hundred.
Principle Two, "Lead Well Whom God Sends", David's initial followers were not the "crème de la crème" of society. They are the persons that many choose to over look and prefer not to deal with: our family, down and outers, losers, vagrants, and misfits. Or to put it into today's vernacular, the project folk, Beebe’s kids, Pukie, Shaniqua, and NaNa and nem. It is my opinions that this is one of the areas that would make or break David as the Leader of Israel. God gave David a little; both in number and in societal value, but David took what God gave him and developed it into a force to be reckoned with. He led, by influence, training, example, and precept.
Principle Three, "Obey the Voice of God", Verse 5 says "The prophet Gad told David, "Don't go back to the cave. Go to Judah." David did what he told him. He went to the forest of Hereth." Whenever God give directions, obey the voice of God. God placed leadership, to give guidance to David. God supplies the wisdom that we need, even when it may not be resident in us, to get us where we He has designed for us to be. Listen and Obey.
There were many other principles found in those three chapters, but theses particularly spoke to my heart this morning.
Lord help me to be like David, to walk in the manifest leadership that you have given me, to lead well those you send to me, and to listen and obey your voice in those you have sent to give directions to me to assist me on my "Journey To Destiny, AMEN.
Today Principle One, "Leadership Always Manifest”, is found in 1 Samuel 22:1-2 "So David got away and escaped to the Cave of Adullam. When his brothers and others associated with his family heard where he was, they came down and joined him. Not only that, but all who were down on their luck came around—losers and vagrants and misfits of all sorts. David became their leader. There were about four hundred in all." If God has called you to leadership, then there will be people following you even before you reach your destiny. David is hiding in the Cave of Adullam, and his family, family associates, people who were down and out, losers, vagrants, and misfits were led by David. David led about four hundred people. As a pastor of a growing church, I would love to lead a congregation of four hundred.
Principle Two, "Lead Well Whom God Sends", David's initial followers were not the "crème de la crème" of society. They are the persons that many choose to over look and prefer not to deal with: our family, down and outers, losers, vagrants, and misfits. Or to put it into today's vernacular, the project folk, Beebe’s kids, Pukie, Shaniqua, and NaNa and nem. It is my opinions that this is one of the areas that would make or break David as the Leader of Israel. God gave David a little; both in number and in societal value, but David took what God gave him and developed it into a force to be reckoned with. He led, by influence, training, example, and precept.
Principle Three, "Obey the Voice of God", Verse 5 says "The prophet Gad told David, "Don't go back to the cave. Go to Judah." David did what he told him. He went to the forest of Hereth." Whenever God give directions, obey the voice of God. God placed leadership, to give guidance to David. God supplies the wisdom that we need, even when it may not be resident in us, to get us where we He has designed for us to be. Listen and Obey.
There were many other principles found in those three chapters, but theses particularly spoke to my heart this morning.
Lord help me to be like David, to walk in the manifest leadership that you have given me, to lead well those you send to me, and to listen and obey your voice in those you have sent to give directions to me to assist me on my "Journey To Destiny, AMEN.
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