Good Morning Friday.......
Father Thank You for this NEW Day. Please grant us TRUTH, WISDOM, DISCERNMENT, UNDERSTANDING, and KNOWLEDGE. Father we ask this so that we will not be conformed to this world, but TRANSFORMED by the renewing of our MINDS. In YESHUA, JESUS CHRIST'S Name. Amen. - David: The Anointed King of Israel (6) Patience Like David's: Imagine what it was like the day Samuel arrived in Bethlehem to anoint a new king from the House of Jesse. The Prophet Samuel was likely the most famous person in Israel at this time other than Saul, and Saul was fairly new to the scene while Samuel had been working for Our Father since a young child. Through Our Father, Samuel had become a mighty prophet and servant of God. Everyone knew him, knew the story of his divine conception, and knew the powerful works Our Father had used Samuel to accomplish. We can only imagine the Israelites of Bethlehem getting excited when he strolled into town with his entourage of younger prophets. They were either excited or fearful, because The Prophets of God sometimes brought Our Father's judgement. It was probably a little of both. Nonetheless, we can be sure everyone was talking about the event. As we know, Samuel went on to anoint David. The dirty shepherd boy who had just come out of the field, with all seven of his older brothers being passed over for the honor, was Anointed King of Israel. The youngest were commonly the more despised of the family by siblings. We see this very thing with Joseph in The Bible. If David's Brothers had any disdain for him before, which we get hints of, we can be sure they did now. We read about this in The Scriptures when David showed up at the battlefield while going to see his brothers, just before he faced off with Goliath. Let's take a look: “Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” I Samuel 17:28 Strange as it may sound, after David was anointed king, everything just went back to normal. Again, we don't know what Our Father was doing with David while he was out in the wilderness tending sheep, but David surely went back to doing just that after the dramatic anointing by The Prophet Samuel. He was patient. He continued learning from Our Father and honing his skills in many places. Some time would pass before David would go to play harp music to alleviate King Saul's distress. David was the only one who could comfort King Saul from the distressing spirit Our Father sent on him for disobedience. Do you think David was plotting his take over of The Kingdom of Israel while he was there? Of course not! He knew that Our Father had put Saul in power and he knew Our Father would take him out of power at the right time. Much later, after Saul would try to kill David, and David having multiple chances to exact his revenge, even then he respected Our Fathers decisions with an obedient and loving spirit. Saul hated David, but David loved Saul. Do you think David knew Yeshua, Jesus Christ? I do. After all, David was following one of His Commandments. He was blessing the man who persecuted him, and he prayed for Saul, his enemy. Sounds like he knew Our Messiah to me 🔥. David was patient and continued learning what Our Father was teaching him. David would continue in his patience until the right time. It was his patience, and waiting on Our Father to give His Command, that would prove to be David's saving grace again and again, until many years later when he would walk into the capital crowned...The Anointed King of Israel. Have we been practicing patience and waiting on Our Father to instruct us in our next move? Many times we can feel a strong calling on our lives, but lack the patience to wait and let Our Father accomplish these things for us and through us. Our Father gives us a strong picture of restraint and "submitting to our authorities" through David's life. There is a time to be patient, and a time to act, just as David's son Solomon would write about many many years later. Certainly Solomon was drawing, in part, from stories he had heard about his father David. Today's society, especially the younger generation, are being goaded into believing they can "take things into their own hands." Without Our Father and Savior's Blessing, we are merely practicing vanity. We cannot allow ourselves to accept this line of thinking. After all, who wants to end up like Saul? May we all strive to learn when Our Father wants us to act and when Our Father wants us to be patient. May we all wait on Him to work things out. May we all practice...Patience Like David's. God Bless Each and Every One of You On The Other Side of This Screen. Have a wonderful Father-and-Son-Led Day! In honor of Our Father's Holy Feast (Festival,Rehearsal) Passover, we will take a couple day break from the David series and look at some of the wonderful blessings Our Father has given us within Passover. Until tomorrow, May The Peace and Grace of Our Lord and Savior Yeshua, Jesus Christ, be with you all! 😃🙌🔥. The Word of The God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and... David: The Anointed King of Israel: “And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with The LORD (God, YHWH, Yahweh)and men.” I Samuel 2:26 “Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.” Genesis 37:5 “Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” I Peter 2:13-17 “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1-2 “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” I Corinthians 13:12 “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” II Corinthians 2:14
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Good Morning Thursday.......
Father thank You for this NEW day. As You walk with us today, keep us focused on Your TRUTHS, and continue to fill our HEARTS & MINDS with Your PEACE, so there's no room for fear or doubt! - Praising Like David Have you ever wondered what it was about David that made Our Father choose him? Of course we know he was "a man after God's own heart," and of course Our Father knows fathoms of things we don't, but what was it? What was David doing out in the wilderness as he tended sheep that caught God's attention? I would prepose there was much praise being lifted up to Our Father. As we will read today, David looked up at the sky from just outside Bethlehem and praised God. David defeated a lion and praised God. David defeated a bear and praised God. David woke up each morning and praised God. David praised Our Father relentlessly. Just as a young child will run around the playground at school saying "my dad can beat up your dad," David "boasted in The LORD" and it was pleasing to Our Father. The difference between David and the young child on the playground is, David was 100% correct. Evidence of this is when David showed up as a fifteen year old boy and defeated the mighty giant Goliath. He knew who God was and he proclaimed it. He knew that if God be for him, no one could stand against him. As we read psalm 8 today, may we all aspire to meditate on Our Father's Love as David did. May we all meditate on how to become people after God's own heart. Finally, may we all praise Our Father in Heaven with joy, humble spirits, and an open heart. If we do this we can be assured... Our Father will take notice. The next installment in the David series is almost complete. Until then, let's meditate on Psalm 8 and praise Him Who Is Above All Others in the spirit of the "man after God's own heart." God bless every one and have a Wonderful Father and Son praising day! The Word of God as written by His servant David: “Yahweh (YHWH, LORD), our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth, who put your splendor above the heavens. From the mouth of children and infants you have founded strength on account of your enemies, to silence the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you set in place— what is a human being that you think of him? and a child of humankind that you care for him? And you made him a little lower than heavenly beings, and with glory and with majesty you crowned him. You make him over the works of your hands; all things you have placed under his feet: sheep and cattle, all of them, and also the wild animals of the field, the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea, everything that passes along the paths of seas. Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all of the earth!” Psalms 8:1-9 Extra Fuel For The Soul: “What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, together with him, freely give us all things? Who will bring charges against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ is the one who died, and more than that, who was raised, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or hunger or lack of sufficient clothing or danger or the sword?” Romans 8:31-35 “But “the one who boasts, let him boast in The Lord.” For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one whom The Lord commends.” 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 “Praise Yah. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament. Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to the abundance of his greatness. Praise him with blast of horn; praise him with harp and lyre. Praise him with tambourine and dancing; praise him with strings and flute. Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with clashing cymbals. Every breathing thing, let it praise Yah. Praise Yah.” Psalms 150:1-6 Good Morning Wednesday......
Father thank You for this NEW DAY. As we rise to meet this new day, please let us be filled with Your Spirit. Wherever we go, let us SPREAD LOVE, JOY, PEACE, GOODNESS, and FAITHFULNESS. Let us desire to become more like You and to worship You IN ALL WE DO. Help us desire these things so much more than the sin that entices us. In Yeshua, Jesus Christ's Name we pray. Amen. - David: The Anointed King of Israel (5) God Uses The Foolish And The Weak Things Of This World: Saul was king, but didn't know how to conduct himself. Saul's son Jonathan was proving to be more kingly, courageous, and faithful to Our Father than his dad Saul. Saul didn't listen, he was selfish, and he didn't take care to do all that Our Father told him. He had to go. Enter David, son of Jesse. A young shepherd boy, the runt of the family, despised by his brothers, and relegated to the duties of tending the sheep, David's family and David himself had no idea the events that were about to take place. Now, Saul was a big man, a head taller than any Israelite. He looked powerful, handsome, and kingly. This was a giant contrast to the ruddy fifteen year old shepherd boy that Samuel The Prophet would anoint to be the next king. As a matter of fact, David wasn't even considered to be anointed at first when the family meeting took place with Samuel. The prophet came to look at Jesse's sons and anoint the next king and David wasn't even called to be present. Let's take a look: “Then Yahweh said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn about Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel! Fill up your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have chosen a king for myself among his sons.” But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears, he will kill me.” Yahweh said, “You must take a heifer from the herd with you, and you must say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh.’ You will invite Jesse to the sacrifice and I will make known to you what you must do. You will anoint for me the one whom I tell you.” 1 Samuel 16:1-3 Samuel had his orders and he headed to Bethlehem. When he arrived and met Jesse's seven older son's, this was the scene: “When they came, he saw Eliab and said, “Surely his anointed one is before Yahweh!” But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For God does not see what man sees, for a man looks on the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks on the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel, and he said, “This one also Yahweh has not chosen.” So Jesse made Shammah pass before Samuel, but he said, “Yahweh also has not chosen this one.” And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “Yahweh has not chosen any of these.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” And he said, “The youngest still remains, but look, he is shepherding the flock.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him, for we cannot sit down until he comes here.” So he sent and brought him. Now he was ruddy with beautiful eyes and of handsome appearance. And Yahweh said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. Then the Spirit of Yahweh rushed upon David from that day on. Then Samuel got up and went to Ramah.” 1 Samuel 16:6-13 Can you imagine the surprise of everyone at the family meeting! Seven grown, powerful, and mighty warriors from the house of Jesse were passed over only to choose the forgotten little brother who was off tending the sheep. If his brothers thought he was a liar and despised him before, certainly they were jealous now. It didn't matter, Our Father made His choice and David was anointed to be the king of Israel. At present, no one would know but Samuel, David, and David's family. This would all change very soon. If you have ever felt forgotten, alone, unimportant, or looked over, take heart! Our Father doesn't look at what man sees. He doesn't look at outward appearances. Our Father looks at the heart. You may feel unimportant today, but being faithful to God, seeking His Heart, and following His Instructions can land you in a position of success. No matter how you feel, look, or who is noticing your faithfulness, Our Father and Savior sees... everything. Stay faithful, keep your thoughts on God, seek His Face, and stay humble. Remember, God's thoughts are not our thoughts, and He uses the foolish and the weak things of this world to confound the wise. Certainly this was the case with David. We will continue on this journey tomorrow. God Bless everybody and have a Great Father-Filled day. The Word of The King Maker, Our Father In Heaven: “Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” 1 Corinthians 1:20 “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:25 “But the foolish things of the world God chose in order that he might put to shame the wise, and the weak things of the world God chose in order that he might put to shame the strong,” 1 Corinthians 1:27 “But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For God does not see what man sees, for a man looks on the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 Good Morning Tuesday.......
Thank You Father for this NEW DAY! Help us to live aware, to choose wisely, to stay close to You, and anchored in Your TRUTH. Thank You for your Great Love and Mercy. Thank You that You Wait For Us, and You Strengthen Us. We come to You today, choosing to walk in Your PRESENCE AND LIGHT! In Yeshua, Jesus Christ Name we pray. Amen. - Thinking Like David The next part in the David series is almost finished. Let's take some time today to read David's last words and think about what it takes for each of us to be people after "God's own heart." Remember, the heart is deceitful above all things and who can know it, but the transforming of our mind with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit are precious in the sight of Our Father. God Bless everyone and have a wonderful Yeshua, Jesus Christ-Filled Day. The Word of Our Father In Heaven: “Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; Thus says the man raised up on high, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel: “The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue. The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, A morning without clouds, Like the tender grass springing out of the earth, By clear shining after rain.’ “Although my house is not so with God, Yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant, Ordered in all things and secure. For this is all my salvation and all my desire; Will He not make it increase? But the sons of rebellion shall all be as thorns thrust away, Because they cannot be taken with hands. But the man who touches them Must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear, And they shall be utterly burned with fire in their place.” II Samuel 23:1-7 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 “rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” I Peter 3:4 Good Morning Monday...
Father thank You for this AMAZING DAY. Please fill us with Your Spirit and help us to be a LIGHT. Endow us with Your PEACE and WISDOM, so we may bring LIFE to this world. In YESHUA, JESUS CHRIST Name we pray. Amen! - David: The Anointed King of Israel (4) A Better One Has Been Chosen: Saul was the first king of Israel. Saul is the man chosen after Israel had begged for "another" king besides Our Eternal King. Our Father was not pleased with this and the people of Israel would soon regret what they had asked. While Saul did seemingly inherit a very tough situation, he couldn't control himself, nor could he properly follow Our Fathers Instructions. Had he chosen Our Father's Ways and Instructions Saul's paths, we can be sure, would have been "made straight," but alas, he did not. Saul was hasty, fearful (even though anointed by Our Father), prideful, and filled with "worldliness." He disobeyed God over and over, not bringing to mind those things he had been commanded by God Almighty as completely necessary. For this reason Saul would have The Kingdom of Israel stripped from him and given to another who was after "God's Own Heart," David. Saul would have the kingdom stripped from Him because of his many transgressions and given to David. Our Father had determined to give His People a new leader with a heart for Him. Saul was very much an egotist. Can you imagine what it was like the day that Samuel told him that God had chosen "one who is better than you" to replace him? This had to be a tense situation for sure, but Saul did eventually figure out that Our Father's decision was made and He was not changing His decision. When this happened, what was Saul concerned with? Popularity and social status! Unbelievable right? Saul realized that God's anointing had been removed and admitted this in a private conversation with The Prophet Samuel, and then he pleaded: “Then he said, “I have sinned; yet honor me now, please, before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship The LORD your God.” So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul worshiped The LORD.” I Samuel 15:30-31 Notice that Saul says, "that I may worship The LORD (Yahweh) YOUR God," and not "his" God. It was clear that Saul's motives were less than pure, but Samuel relented and did so, certainly knowing Our Father would still make use of him. Here is where the lesson in Saul is. Saul turned out to be a "bad egg," but God wasn't done with him just yet. Our Father, in His favor towards David and Israel, had Saul establish Israel as a nation on the world stage. Our Father had Saul establish the first working armed forces in Israel. Our Father used Saul's wickedness to show how a true man of God would treat others. Though Saul would try to kill David over and over, throw spears at David's head, and pursue David with immense armies, Saul would never succeed. This is a prime example of Our Father showing He can work through any situation no matter how hopeless it seems. Though Saul was wicked, just look at all the good things that came through Our Father's use of him. God was "setting the stage" so to speak for the future king David The Great (Our Father's term not mine). While many years would pass and many hardships would befall David under King Saul's reign, David somehow knew Our Father was doing a good thing for him and Israel. While David was waiting to take the throne after his anointing, he used Saul to: establish Israel, calm the people's fears, establish armies, train David and his armies, and show the people how a "wicked king" would treat them. When David finally came into the seat of power, all things would be laid before his feet ready. Our Father can work His Good through any situation no matter how bad it may seem. We may be facing situations of being under the authority of others at times that are less than noble and maybe even wicked, but we can be assured that Our Father is using this for our good if we are being faithful to Him. Are you dealing with a tough situation with a worldly boss, a wicked leader, or a prideful and ego filled authority? Take heart! Our Father may just be "setting the stage" for you. The Word of Yahweh (YHWH, LORD, God): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 “Thus says The LORD, Your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am The LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” Isaiah 48:17-18 “Then Samuel said to him, “Yahweh has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you.” 1 Samuel 15:28 Then Samuel went to Ramah and Saul went up to his house in Gibeah of Saul. Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel mourned over Saul, and Yahweh regretted that he made Saul king over Israel.” 1 Samuel 15:34-35 “But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also. Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.” So Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who asked him for a king. And he said, “This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots. He will appoint captains over his thousands and captains over his fifties, will set some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and some to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. And he will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants. And he will take your male servants, your female servants, your finest young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take a tenth of your sheep. And you will be his servants. And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the LORD will not hear you in that day.” Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he repeated them in the hearing of the LORD. So the LORD said to Samuel, “Heed their voice, and make them a king.” And Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Every man go to his city.”” I Samuel 8:6-22 Good Morning Sunday ...
Father Thank You for this NEW DAY. Thank You for each NEW BREATH You Give Us. We ask You for DISCERNMENT with the things we may not be “seeing,” so that we may grow closer to You and have COMPLETE LIVES showing Your Glory. We ask these things IN YESHUA, JESUS CHRIST’s Name. Amein! - David: The Anointed King of Israel (3) The Times Are Changing and Answering Tough Questions: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25 Judges 21:15 describes the scene in Israel during the days that Our Father began to raise up David as King of Israel. To put things into perspective, David was only five generations away from his ancestors who had been freed from Egypt by Our Father. In fact, Israel had only just become a nation. The land was there, Yahweh Our Father had given it to them, but no form of government existed. Israel had no armed forces and really were only a set of tribes. These tribes knew nothing about war and really only fought among themselves. With other nations such as the Philistines and the Amalekites, who were far superior in their organization and training, Israel, doing "what was right in their own eyes," had drifted from Our Father, and because of this they were oppressed by those nations. The Philistines were particularly advance in their warfare past the Israelites in one area: the Philistines had iron. You see, Israel was still in the Bronze Age and the Philistines forbad them from owning iron, even to the point that the Israelites traveled to surrounding Philistine camps to get their plows and tools sharpened. Until just before David's reign when Saul was king, Israel had no government, no army, no organization, and no "earthly" king. The people were not obeying Our Father's will and were being oppressed by warring and barbaric nations on all sides. David was raised up in a sort of "wild west" era that we cannot imagine. This is something to keep in mind as we go through some of the more uncomfortable parts of David's story. We must understand the harsh times David was raised in to understand who David truly was. We aren't dealing with a "New Testament" era, and to judge the people of this time as such would be a mistake. As our opening verse stated everyone was doing whatever they wanted. Israel had fallen from that first generation that had entered The Promised Land Of Our Father. Despicable things were happening in Israel and it was because no one "remembered" what Our Father had told them. Maybe this is why Our Father used the term "remember" 117 times in The Old Testament. He wants us to remember. The Israelites, who had God Almighty as their King, were so rebellious in those days that they even had the nerve to ask for "a king." The Israelites had become so blind that they rejected The Perfect King to ask for an earthly one. Enter Saul. While David was the greatest "earthly" leader Israel ever had, he wasn't the first. Israel’s first earthly king title went to Saul. While Saul may have began as a humble man, he didn't stay that way for long. To Saul's credit he did grow up in a time that was far from civilized, but this can't excuse his fleshly, carnal, and weak resolve, especially when Our Father had blessed him. Saul was the one to first inherit a seemingly impossible situation, but he did not understand something that King David did... With God, All Things Are Possible. Let's pick up here tomorrow. Until then, let's think about these tough questions we must all face at some point in our Christian Walk: - Are we "Remembering" what Our Father and Savior have taught us, as when we were first blessed with His Saving Knowledge? - Are we putting something or asking for something in our lives that is taking the focus off of or causing us to reject Our Father and Savior as The One True King? - Are we ourselves just doing what seems right in our own eyes? Is the rest of society? - Do we really believe that all things are possible with God Our Father? The Word of God: “Then Samuel called the people together to the LORD at Mizpah, and said to the children of Israel, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all kingdoms and from those who oppressed you.’ But you have today rejected your God, who Himself saved you from all your adversities and your tribulations; and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us!’ Now therefore, present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your clans.”” I Samuel 10:17-19 “And when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when The LORD your God was your king. “Now therefore, here is the king whom you have chosen and whom you have desired. And take note, The LORD has set a king over you. If you fear The LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of The LORD, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following The LORD your God. However, if you do not obey the voice of The LORD, but rebel against the commandment of The LORD, then the hand of The LORD will be against you, as it was against your fathers.” I Samuel 12:12-15 “And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.” Then Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing. For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you His people. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.” I Samuel 12:19-25 “Now there was no blacksmith to be found throughout all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, “Lest the Hebrews make swords or spears.” But all the Israelites would go down to the Philistines to sharpen each man’s plowshare, his mattock, his ax, and his sickle; and the charge for a sharpening was a pim for the plowshares, the mattocks, the forks, and the axes, and to set the points of the goads. So it came about, on the day of battle, that there was neither sword nor spear found in the hand of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan. But they were found with Saul and Jonathan his son.” I Samuel 13:19-22 “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 “If there is a messenger for him, A mediator, one among a thousand, To show man His uprightness, Then He is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the Pit; I have found a ransom’; His flesh shall be young like a child’s, He shall return to the days of his youth. He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, He shall see His face with joy, For He restores to man His righteousness. Then he looks at men and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted what was right, And it did not profit me.’ He will redeem his soul from going down to the Pit, And his life shall see the light. “Behold, God works all these things, Twice, in fact, three times with a man, To bring back his soul from the Pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life.” Job 33:23-30 Good Morning Sabbath.......
Father thank You for this NEW DAY. We THANK YOU for continuing YOUR GOOD WORKS yesterday, today, and forevermore. May we continually thank You for Your Salvation YESHUA, JESUS and being OUR GOD!!! - An Exercise In Connecting With God - Joy #8 Step 1 - Prayer (Begin With Focus And Openness Towards God) Prayer: Dear Father God, please connect with us here as we seek in Your Word. Help us to show our Faith. Help us to find Your Peace and JOY. Be with us. Thank You. In Yeshua, Jesus's Name we pray. Amen Step 2 - Read Read the Scripture slowly. Be aware of any interesting words, phrases, or sentences. Read over The Scripture a second Time. Read: “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” Romans 12:10-13 “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. “For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:11-12 “The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. You have multiplied the nation And increased its joy; They rejoice before You According to the joy of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.” Isaiah 9:2-3 “And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”” Matthew 28:7-10 Step 3 - Reflect Reflect on what stands out to you as you read. What is God trying to tell you? Step 4 - Respond Respond to The Word you just read. Talk to Your Father about how you feel. Tell Him what is on your mind. Tell him what is on your heart. As you go through your day today keep your eyes open to what you read, what you uncovered, or what you spoke to God about. You may find Him showing up in places you didn't expect. God Bless Everyone. May The God Of All Good Things Give each and everyone of you PEACE and JOY. Good Morning Friday...
Thank You Father for this new day. Please do a new work in us, God. You’re Brilliant and Good, and You Love us. Abba, do whatever you’d like, and whatever it is... help us to accept Your Graceful Will. Help us to trust You more than we trust ourselves. We ask these things in Yeshua, Jesus Christ's Name. Amen. - David: The Anointed King of Israel David was many things, but his most important role was "Servant of God." Without Our Father in David's life, he may have just been a regular ol shepherd his whole life, who knows. The fact is, David had Our Father in his life from beginning to end and because he loved God Our Father with "all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his strength," Our Father raised him up to do mighty things. Not only did Our Father raise up David to do mighty things, but he even had The Greatest Man To Ever Live come from David's bloodline. Talk about cementing David's name in eternity: The same goes for us. Right now, we are unfolding the newest testament in the Bible. If we give our heart, soul, and strength to Our Father in Heaven and Our Savior, we too can accomplish mighty things for The Kingdom of Heaven and while we are here on earth. Before we dive completely into the "David: The Anointed King of Israel " series, let's take a look at seven verses that give us an idea of the types of things that happened to David because of his faithfulness. As we read, just imagine the types of things Our Father could use us for if we but put our faith in Him and love Him with all we have. Without further ado, let's take a look at seven verses from God's Word about the life of David, what God used David to accomplish, and how David was rewarded for his faithfulness. The Word of God: Part of loving Our Father with all your heart, soul, and mind is judging in righteousness and being just. David did this well: “So David reigned over all Israel, and administered judgment and justice to all his people.” I Chronicles 18:14 Saul just didn't cut it as king of Israel. He was selfish and prideful. This just wouldn't do, so God raised up a man after His Own Heart. His faithfulness was so great that Our Father brought forth from his bloodline The Savior of The Whole World: “And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—” Acts 13:22-23 Our Father had a great way of accomplishing His Means, leaving lessons for us, and raising up His servant David. David was shown he could be trusted in a little, so Our Father made him trusted over much: “Now Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, but had departed from Saul. Therefore Saul removed him from his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the LORD was with him.” I Samuel 18:12-14 David followed commandments and was blessed. He never fell in battle because he was close to The Most High amd that is where he places his trust. In The Book of Deuteronomy we read about blessings and curses, David wanted blessings. Always seeking after God is why David's enemies fell at his hands: “So David did as God commanded him, and they drove back the army of the Philistines from Gibeon as far as Gezer. Then the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.” I Chronicles 14:16-17 Our Father says something and your can bet your bottom dollar it will be accomplished. He said "I Will Establish," and establish He did: “I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them— My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the LORD, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken.” Ezekiel 34:23-24 Our Father ALWAYS keeps His Promises. David's life is a witness to this fact: “Yet the LORD would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that He had made with David, and since He had promised to give a lamp to him and to his sons forever.” II Chronicles 21:7 Great leader's need friends. Our Father gave David a true friend and Brother in Jonathan. This is the model of friendship we should all follow. We all need friends, Brothers, and Sisters in The Body of Christ to share with, weep with, and celebrate with. Jonathan and David had this friendship: “As soon as the lad had gone, David arose from a place toward the south, fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down three times. And they kissed one another; and they wept together, but David more so.” I Samuel 20:41 Have a Great Our Father and Savior-Loving weekend everyone! May we all go out and be Servants of The One True and Living God 😎🙌🔥 Good Morning Thursday...
FATHER thank You for MAKING this NEW day. We ask that you OPEN our HEARTS and MINDS to the infinite TRUTH, GRACE, WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, and MERCY SUPPLIED to us in YOUR WORD, OUR ALMIGHTY GOD. In YESHUA, JESUS CHRIST's Holy Name we pray, Amen. - David: The Anointed King of Israel Baby Brother. Shepherd Boy. Chieftain. Warrior. Mercenary. Poet. Musician. Military Strategist. Political Leader. King. In Our Father's Word David has a significantly large part. He was "The Man After Gods Own Heart." While the twenty first century has painted a picture of David that is "sugar coated," David was not always right, nor was his story always pleasant. He made many mistakes. The key to David's success though? Well, certainly Our Father's Promise Is What Kept David Safe, but what was it that David had that made him so pleasing to The Creator of All Things, Our Eternal King? I would prepose it was following the First Commandment. Take a look at any of the Psalms he wrote and you will get a good indication of where David's heart was. While David made many mistakes, he knew Whose he was and he knew Who was in control. Because he was a man, sometimes he would lose himself, but he always found himself when he reached out to The Most High, Our Father. Broke, on the run, scared, and alone, we find David in a cave, hiding, and with no one to turn to but Our Father In Heaven. Let's take a look at what he prayed and wrote in that cave, and see if we can spot what pleased Our Father In Heaven, The Eternal King, so much: “I cry out with my voice to Yahweh; I implore favor with my voice to Yahweh. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him. When my spirit faints within me, You know my way. On the path where I walk, they have hidden a trap for me; look to my right and see. There is no one looking out for me; there is no escape for me; no one cares for my soul. I cry out to you, O Yahweh. I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low. Deliver me from my pursuers, for they are stronger than I. Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name. The righteous will encircle me, because you will deal bountifully with me.” Psalms 142:1-7 LEB David trusted in Our Father and His Saving Power. He knew no one could defy The One True and Living God. No matter what David went through, no matter how long he "went dark" on God, he always knew and returned to Our Father. It is no different for us. Our Father will protect, guard, discipline, and Love us as much as we allow Him. If we can but let Our Father train and discipline us like David, can you imagine what each of us could accomplish? The mere thought is exciting, amazing, and should plant in all of us an urge of getting closer to Our Father. After all, David was a genius. Not just a "jack of all trades and an expert at none," but instead an "Expert At All Things and a jack of none." Musician, psalmist, king, shepherd, mercenary, expert in guerrilla warfare, and the list goes on. He was mediocre at none of these positions. Over the next several days we will be looking at David. We won't just be looking at the king part of his career, but also at the not-so-pretty parts of his life. With such a large part of The Bible dedicated to this man, the same one Our Father Lifted Up As A Hero, there has to be much to learn from his Life. Of course David the King is just a shadow, or a picture of, Our One True King Yeshua, Jesus Christ, Who Is Saving The Entire World. But what about the parts that don't show a picture of Jesus? These are the parts where we might just possibly learn the most about ourselves. No one can be Yeshua, Jesus, The Perfect Man... except for Him. One day Our Father and Savior Will Perfect Us, but there is no doubt, we all have the capability to be just as absent minded as David in many of his escapades. The great men of The Bible, like David, always point us to The Great Man of The Bible, Our Savior and King. This great king David whom Our Father Lifted Up for Israel after "the bad egg" and Israel's 1st earthly king, Saul, was merely a foreshadowing of His Son, The One True Great King, Yeshua, Jesus Christ. One day we will be filled with The Holy Spirit to know just how Great Our Messiah Is. Until we can fully grasp the magnitude of Our Savior's Sacrifice, which may not be possible at present, we can take a look at the mistakes of the great men in The Bible, see ourselves, our problems, our short comings, and begin to work on those with Our Father and Savior. We can let Our Father work through us, making us more like His Son and Our Savior. I hope you enjoy this series as we explore the Life of David, The Anointed King of Israel. God Bless Everybody and have a Great Eternal King-Filled Day! The Word of YHWH (Yahweh, God, LORD, Yahuah, Adonia): Our Father Told The 1st Earthly King of Israel, Saul, he was no longer The Anointed King of God. He had found David, a man after His Own Heart: “But now, your kingdom will not endure. Yahweh has sought for Himself a man according to His own heart, and Yahweh has appointed him as leader over his people, because you have not kept what Yahweh commanded you.” 1 Samuel 13:14 LEB “But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and The LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what The LORD commanded you.” I Samuel 13:14 NKJV Our Father had "weighed" David's heart as a young shepherd boy and hand picked him to lead Israel forward: “Every way of a man is upright in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs hearts.” Proverbs 21:2 LEB “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.” Proverbs 21:2 NKJV Our Father Tells Us, He Will Give Us "Shepherds" To Learn From. He Sent Prophets, Kings (David Included), Servants, and finally when no one would listen... He Came Himself: “Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart and they will feed you knowledge and insight.” Jeremiah 3:15 LEB “And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15 NKJV We look forward to the day Our Kind Father makes us all a people "after His Own Heart.": “And I will give to them one heart and one way, to revere me forever, for good to them, and to their children after them. And I will make with them an everlasting covenant that I will not turn away from them, my doing good to them, and my reverence I will put in their hearts so that they will not turn aside from me.” Jeremiah 32:39-40 LEB “then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.” Jeremiah 32:39-40 NKJV David found himself in a situation his son Solomon would write about many years later after David passed. Not going to battle as usual and "taking it easy" led to one of David's most grievous sins...his affair with Bathsheba. We should all be wary of "a little slumber.": “Then I myself saw and my heart considered; I looked, and I took hold of instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands for rest, and your poverty will come running, and your lack like an armed warrior.” Proverbs 24:32-34 LEB “When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest; So shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.” Proverbs 24:32-34 NKJV Good Morning Wednesday...
Thank You Father for the blessing of this NEW day. Please continue to fill our HEARTS & MINDS with Your TRUTH & LOVE so we stay focused on YOUR WISDOM TODAY! In YESHUA, JESUS CHRIST'S Name we pray. Amen! - Great Are His Mercies! The Aleph and The Tav. “This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through The LORD’s (YHWH's, Yahweh's) mercies we are not consumed, Because His Compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your Faithfulness. “The LORD (YHWH, Yahweh) is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:21-24 Indeed Our Father's Mercies are Great. While studying for a new series I had an epiphany. Today, I would like to share that epiphany with you. We know that Yeshua, Our Savior Jesus, is The Beginning and The End. In Scripture, He describes Himself as The Aleph and The Tav. Due to the greek manuscripts and how our English translations are written, most are more familiar with The Alpha and The Omega. The Beginning and The End. While The Alpha and Omega are sufficient for beginners in the Bible, many dig further. My own research has led me to conclude that all The Scriptures were originally written and spoken in Hebrew. After all, the whole Book was given to, spoken by, and passed on from the Hebrew People. Yeshua Himself was Hebrew and He was speaking to Hebrews. Suffice to say, we can be pretty comfortable believing, when Our Savior Spoke these words, that He was speaking Hebrew. Hence, what Yeshua said is "I Am The Aleph and The Tav. This is where the revelation happened. For anyone not aware, all Hebrew letters have very dynamic and precise meanings. When a word in Hebrew is put together, the individual letter meanings not only give the word a more dynamic and concise meaning, but are always in agreement with the stand-alone word itself. Maybe this is why Our Father calls Hebrew a "Heavenly Language." With that said, let's take another look at what Our Savior declares himself to be and the amazing confirmation of His Divinity in this statement. Let's take a look a a few different translations, including "The Scriptures 2009" which accurately translates Alpha and Omega as the Hebrew Aleph and Tav, the NKJV, and The Complete Jewish Bible: “And He said to me, “It is done! I am the ‘Aleph’ and the ‘Taw’, the Beginning and the End. To the one who thirsts I shall give of the fountain of the water of life without payment.” Ḥazon (Revelation) 21:6 TS2009 “And he said to me, “It is done! I am the ‘A’ and the ‘Z,’ the Beginning and the End. To anyone who is thirsty I myself will give water free of charge from the Fountain of Life.” Revelation of Yeshua to Yochanan (Rev) 21:6 CJB “And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.” Revelation 21:6 NKJV Now that we have read one of the verses where Our Messiah declares this statement. Let's take a look at the Hebrew Letters Aleph and Tav. Aleph is the beginning or 1st letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. In fact, the Hebrew Alphabet is called the Aleph Bet. Not hard to see where we received our word "alphabet" is it? The Tav is the final or 22nd letter in the Hebrew Alphabet. The context to Our Savior's statement would have been understood by his Hebrew listeners, but for our sake I am sure, He finishes the sentence by clarifying "The Beginning and The End." As mentioned, all Hebrew Letters have individual, stand-alone, and dynamic meanings. The Aleph was originally communicated as a drawing, a bull's head, in ancient paleo form, and carries the meanings: STRENGTH, LEADER, TEACHER, or POWER. The Tav was originally communicated as a drawing, two crossed sticks, in ancient paleo form, and carries the meanings: MARK, SIGN, SIGNAL, SIGNATURE, MONUMENT, or TRUTH. With this information, let's take another look at what Our Messiah is telling us in Revelation 21:6 (also found in Revelation 1:8, 1:11, and 22:13). Keep in mind "I AM" or "YHWH" is the transliteration of The Name of God in The Old Testament. Everywhere we see "LORD" in The Old Testament of our Bibles is where YHWH or I AM has been replaced with LORD. Now, here is a breakdown of Revelation 21:6 with the literal Hebrew Letter meanings. Jesus Said: It is done! I AM The LEADER and The COVENANT, the Beginning and the End. Or It is done! I AM The POWER and The SIGNATURE, the Beginning and the End. Or It is done! I AM The STRENGTH and The SIGN, the Beginning and the End. Or It is done! I AM The LEADER and The TRUTH, the Beginning and the End. How awesome is that?! I mean wow. Can Yeshua, Jesus Christ, The Savior of The Whole World, and God Himself say it any clearer? Jesus, Yeshua, Is God! He Is The LEADER (God) and The COVENANT (His Promise to us)! He Is Speaking To Us, and Revealing The Mystery of The Ages! HalleluYah! I sure pray this message is received with as much excitement as I have had writing it. We serve a Mighty and Kind Father. In fact, just as He Tells Us, His Mercies Are New Each Morning! 😃🙌🔥 Let's conclude today with some witnesses from Our Father's Word and some parallel verses that only reenforce the fact that Yeshua, Our Savior Jesus Christ, and Our Father In Heaven, YHWH or Yahweh, are ONE. God Bless Every One and May The Mighty Hand of Our Father, Who Is Salvation, Lift Each and Every One of You on The Other Side of This Screen Up Into His Eternal Salvation! The Aleph and The Tav AKA The Leader and The Covenant AKA The Word of God: “Let all the nations be gathered together, And let the people be assembled. Who among them can declare this, And show us former things? Let them bring out their witnesses, that they may be justified; Or let them hear and say, “ It is truth.” “You are My witnesses,” says the LORD, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the LORD, And besides Me there is no savior. I have declared and saved, I have proclaimed, And there was no foreign god among you; Therefore you are My witnesses,” Says the LORD, “that I am God. Indeed before the day was, I am He; And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?” Isaiah 43:9-13 NKJV “Listen to Me, O Jacob, And Israel, My called: I am He, I am the First, I am also the Last.” Isaiah 48:12 NKJV “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” Revelation 22:13 NKJV “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” John 19:30 NKJV “And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’” Luke 14:22 NKJV “So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I AM The LORD, The Holy One in Israel. Surely it is coming, and it shall be done,” says The Lord GOD. “This is the day of which I have spoken.” Ezekiel 39:7-8 NKJV “I will praise You forever, Because You have done it; And in the presence of Your saints I will wait on Your name, for it is good.” Psalms 52:9 NKJV |
SERVANT OF YESHUA 7
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