Saturday, May 9, 2020

May 9

You will be rejected; it’s more about who you are, and less about how you are. David had taken up residence among the Philistines, and was headed out to help them in a battle against Israel. Even though he had been kind to Achish, the commanders of the Philistine army made him send David and his men away, and wouldn’t allow them to fight with them in case David decided to turn on them. I’m sure this was God orchestrated, because David shouldn’t have been readied to fight against Israel. God had saved David from becoming a stench among his own people. When you feel the sting of rejection, analyze it carefully, which is what we all do anyway, but look at it through the eyes of God. What is he protecting you from? Is it designed to push you forward into other pursuits? Is this rejection saving you from future heartache? Don’t look at it with a “woe is me” attitude; even though it still hurts, know that because you are chosen by God, he is protecting you and guiding you for his purposes. David was to become King, and had he killed even one Israelite, his future would have been ruined. Without God protecting David, our future would have been destroyed, because David was the set up for our own future King, Jesus!

And Achish answered David and said, “I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God. Nevertheless, the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.’ 1 Samuel 29:9

Friday, May 8, 2020

May 8

Is it a setup? Many times the Bible mentions that we should stay away from fortune tellers, astrology, tarot cards, palm readings, and other such influencers. What do you think happens when we delve into such as this? Do they really tell us what is going to happen in our lives, or is it a setup to put into motion the devil's plan? 

Saul was so afraid to fight against the Philistines; he inquired of God to see what he should do, but got no answer. Saul knew the ways of the righteous, because he had gotten all the psychics and mediums out of the land; but when he didn’t hear back from the Lord, he decided to seek the services of a medium and conjure up Samuel who had died, and it worked! However, we have to ask, was it Samuel or was it the devil in disguise? Bible scholars have differing opinions about this, but when you thresh it out with the help of other portions of scripture, you get a good answer. When God tells us not to seek out psychics or mediums, there is a reason; it opens us up to demonic influences. Remember, Paul told us that the devil will disguise himself as an angel of light. After hearing what the medium told him, he lost all hope, because, “Samuel” said that tomorrow he and his sons would be with him. During the battle with the Philistines, he killed himself, because he had been injured and didn’t want to be killed by the uncircumcised. Would he have lived? Who knows, but his sons and his armor bearer died that day too. 

The lesson: don’t read astrology, seek the services of a psychic, have your palm read, get a tarot card reading, or any other such things; they are products of the devil and may influence you in his ways, and send you down a path of destruction.


Moreover, the LORD will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The LORD will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 28:19

Thursday, May 7, 2020

May 7

At the beginning of the Coronavirus outbreak, and before wearing a mask had become popular, I began making masks for my neighbors, and my family. One such receiver of my gift, made me a little regretful of my compassion for them. After giving these people special PPEs, and kindly leaving it at their door, I get a call complaining that it didn’t fit, and that it was too small. This same design had fit every person that I had given it to, and this person’s head wasn’t any bigger. I hurried and made another one, extending the length, only to find out that they had put it on upside down. It made me think of the saying, “no good deed goes unpunished”! Even though these same people continue to be harsh, I will reach out to them, as the Holy Spirit leads.

David had a few regretful moments, one of them for guarding Nabal’s shepherds, and keeping them safe while they were in the wilderness. After this kindness, David sent his men to get food from Nabal, but he turned them away, and treated them harshly. Thankfully, Nabal’s wife Abigail, heard what he had done, and gathered food for David and his men. After Abigail told Nabal what she had done to save them, he had heart failure, and died ten days later. The Lord had avenged David and his men, then he made Abigail his wife. 

The lesson: if you have been treated badly, don’t take the matter into your own hands, the Lord will avenge you.

When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Blessed be the LORD who has avenged the insult I received at the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from wrongdoing. The LORD has returned the evil of Nabal on his own head.” Then David sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her as his wife. 1 Samuel 25:39

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

May 6

I’ve been writing this devotional for several years. When I began, I made a commitment to post a scripture each day; then scriptures on pictures. Once I got comfortable with that, I included a short commentary on what God had shown me, and it grew from there. He even gave me the ability to publish a couple of books. There are days that I feel empty, and don’t know what to write, but God, in his compassion for me, will give me words to help me along. Sometimes I will write a sentence, and use words that I don’t know the meaning; this is how great he is, and how I know he is helping me. The reason I’m telling you all of this is because if God can do this for me, he will do this for you, but it may not look the same because we all have different spiritual gifts. It doesn’t happen all at once as you can see from my own progression, but if you will be faithful and commit to a small thing, he will bless you, and give you increase. I get very emotional when I think of how he has trusted me to feed his sheep; it is the most fulfilling part of my life, and I couldn’t be more grateful that he allows me to serve him. The Holy Spirit has something for you; today, ask him to show you what it is.

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. Luke 16:10

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

May 5

Growing up in a Southern Baptist church, our services were quite mild. Everyone sang the songs from the hymnal, and then quietly sat and listened to the message. No one got out of control, or raised their hands in praise, no one answered back to the preacher, other than an occasional “amen.” One time I was invited to go to church with my friend, who was a Pentecostal, boy was that an eye opener! I was struck with fear because I had never seen anything like it. There were people running up and down the isles, others speaking in tongues, and I even saw someone healed! I was young, so I didn’t know what to think about it. As an adult thinking back on that experience, I rationalized that it wasn’t real, and it certainly couldn’t be biblical! I was wrong! After studying the word of God over the years, I realized that the move of the Spirit is real; falling out is real, speaking in tongues is real, and healing is real, and it’s biblical. Don’t get me wrong, there will be fakers, and those seeking to impress others by their “spirituality,” but repentance is due from them because of their lies.

Saul had sent his messengers to capture David, and bring him in to be killed. David was hiding in a town of prophets, and when they came to get him, they fell under the control of the Spirit, and they prophesied. It happened several times, until Saul came himself, but, he fell under the Spirit too, and David was able to escape. You may say, “oh, this is Old Testament teaching,” don’t kid yourself, it's in the New Testament too. You would know these things to be true, if you read your Bible, especially when you read it with a surrendered heart. Surrender, so God will open your heart to the truth.

And he went there to Naioth in Ramah. And the Spirit of God came upon him also, and as he went he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. And he too stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay naked all that day and all that night. Thus it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 1 Samuel 19:23-24

Monday, May 4, 2020

May 4

The story of David and Jonathan, and the friendship they had, was not only beautiful, and something to emulate, but it was also a divine appointment by God. What was more important than the friendship, was the act that took place that sealed the deal for David’s future. Jonathan loved David, and as an act of kindness he stripped himself, and passed on to him his robe, armor, belt, bow, and sword; by doing this he made a covenant with him, and paved the way for David to become king. Jonathan was in line for kingship, but he unknowingly gave it up to David in this act of love.  

In our daily lives, we sometimes do or say things that become a prophecy, and set the stage for our future. One example is, as a youth, I remember saying to myself that I was only going to have one child; I couldn’t be happier, but I could almost hear God laughing when I said it. Though I only gave birth to one child, I raised six others to adulthood. The reason I’m telling you this is so you will be careful with your thoughts, and the things you speak over yourself; just as Jonathan, you may be setting the stage for your future. Watch your words and actions, there may be consequences for them.

Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. 1 Samuel 18:3-4

Sunday, May 3, 2020

May 3

The story of David and Goliath gives all of us hope. When we face the challenges of life that seem bigger than we are, it’s nice to refer back to the story of a warrior, who relied on the power of God to defeat the likes of a 9 1/2 foot giant! Though what you are facing may seem insurmountable, nothing is impossible with God. With all challenges, there will be pessimist who will try to defeat you before you even get started, just like David’s older brother who was harassing him for being on the battlefield. If David had listened to him, and not gone on to defeat Goliath, all of Israel would have become the slaves of the Philistines, and David wouldn’t have become the superhero that he was. It’s nice to have such a person to emulate when facing our own battles, and someone to look to as an example as we place our faith in God when we go on to defeat our own enemies. Today, as you face life’s challenges, remember David and Goliath, and put your faith in the Almighty, just as he did.

This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds 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 that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hand.” 1 Samuel 17:46-47