Giants

It seems all too often that our lives resemble David and Goliath.  David was just a Sheppard boy faithfully tending his sheep.  He went on what seemed like a simple errand for his father, little did he know that this errand would shape the course of his future.  At times our lives can resemble this battle.  We try to go things on our own, try to solve things without consulting with The King of Kings.  We think Can handle it, or I can have this one drink, or it was just one look...I'm ok.  When we try to defeat the giants in our lives on our own we Lose.  It's only when we bring our giants to the Master, that the stone finds its mark.

1 samuel 17

12Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. Jesse was an old man at that time, and he had eight sons. 13Jesse’s three oldest sons—Eliab, Abinadab, and Shimea—had already joined Saul’s army to fight the Philistines. 14David was the youngest son. David’s three oldest brothers stayed with Saul’s army, 15but David went back and forth so he could help his father with the sheep in Bethlehem.

16For forty days, every morning and evening, the Philistine champion strutted in front of the Israelite army.

17One day Jesse said to David, “Take this basket of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread, and carry them quickly to your brothers.18And give these ten cuts of cheese to their captain. See how your brothers are getting along, and bring back a report on how they are doing.” 19David’s brothers were with Saul and the Israelite army at the valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.

20So David left the sheep with another shepherd and set out early the next morning with the gifts, as Jesse had directed him. He arrived at the camp just as the Israelite army was leaving for the battlefield with shouts and battle cries. 21Soon the Israelite and Philistine forces stood facing each other, army against army. 22David left his things with the keeper of supplies and hurried out to the ranks to greet his brothers. 23As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, came out from the Philistine ranks. Then David heard him shout his usual taunt to the army of Israel.

24As soon as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright. 25“Have you seen the giant?” the men asked. “He comes out each day to defy Israel. The king has offered a huge reward to anyone who kills him. He will give that man one of his daughters for a wife, and the man’s entire family will be exempted from paying taxes!”

26David asked the soldiers standing nearby, “What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?”

27And these men gave David the same reply. They said, “Yes, that is the reward for killing him.”

28But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded. “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!”

29“What have I done now?” David replied. “I was only asking a question!” 30He walked over to some others and asked them the same thing and received the same answer. 31Then David’s question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him.

David Kills Goliath

32“Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”

33“Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”

34But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37The lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”

Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the lordbe with you!”

38Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. 39David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before.

“I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again. 40He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.

41Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him,42sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. 43“Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. 44“Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.

45David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46Today thelord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47And everyone assembled here will know that the lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”

48As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.49Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.

50So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. 51Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head.

Israel Routs the Philistines

When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran.

When the tempter sees that they have no chance, that their "champion" is dead, they too will turn and run.  I want to ask all who read this to spend some time in a quiet still place.  Ask God what are my giants?  Ask him, He is Faithful when his children call.  

Abba - Jonathan David Helser

steadfast

stead·fast

ˈstedˌfast/

adjective

1. resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering.

   "steadfast loyalty"

   synonyms:

   loyal, faithful, committed, devoted,  dedicated, dependable, reliable, steady, true,constant, staunch, solid, trusty

I would be lying if i said it was an easy week.  I am the type of person who likes things in order.  I like there to be a steadfast plan of attack when it comes to anything.  This doesn't always lead me down the correct path.  It's easy in this walk to get off track, and start following our own journey, which can often resemble squirrels chasing each other after an acorn.  Often when the arrows of the enemy are flung at us, unless our armor is up and in place we can be drug off course.  I am thankful that this morning as i sit here writing this that the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob is faithful, and hasn't left me as an orphan.  He hasn't left me to wonder in the wilderness of this world alone.  I don't know where you the reader of this are this morning...But i want you to remember that you aren't alone in this fight that we are in.


29What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. 30And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. 31So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.  (matthew 10:29-31)

1. 1 Corinthians 15:58
   

   
   

   Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

   If You've had a tough week, Close your Eyes and Listen to the song below.  Be still and Listen.  He hasn't failed us yet.
2. 
   

Do it again - Elevation Worship

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:58‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/1co.15.58.nlt

Parched and Dry

“Then the angel who was talking with me came forward and said, “Look up and see what’s coming.” “What is it?” I asked. He replied, “It is a basket for measuring grain, and it’s filled with the sins of everyone throughout the land.” Then the heavy lead cover was lifted off the basket, and there was a woman sitting inside it. The angel said, “The woman’s name is Wickedness,” and he pushed her back into the basket and closed the heavy lid again. Then I looked up and saw two women flying toward us, gliding on the wind. They had wings like a stork, and they picked up the basket and flew into the sky. “Where are they taking the basket?” I asked the angel. He replied, “To the land of Babylonia, where they will build a temple for the basket. And when the temple is ready, they will set the basket there on its pedestal.”

Zechariah 5:5-11 NLT

http://bible.com/116/zec.5.5-11.nlt

How often do we worship the basket of wickedness in our daily walking around lives?  Do we really act as children of god or do we seek things on our own, trying ever so hard to "go things on our own?"  A basket used for measuring grain could be running over with blessing, but with our willingness to go about things on our own the basket is instead filled with our sins, shame, and brokenness.  The more broken we become the dryer our souls get.  We become parched, thirsty for anything that we thing will quench that thirst, when the only thing that will quench it is the One and Only Son of the Living god.  If we run to him, thirsty, parched and Bow before him, humble ourselves at his feet,  We too can have this living water.

1Jesus^a knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John2(though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). 3So he left Judea and returned to Galilee.

4He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.

9The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans.^b She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”

10Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

11“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”

13Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

15“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”

16“Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.

17“I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied.

Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— 18for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”

19“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim,^c where our ancestors worshiped?”

21Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

John 4:1-24 NLT

I only have 2 questions, are you thirsty? Do you want more Life than you've had so far?  Good news!!  You don't have to go on thirsty and dry.  Run to Jesus.  His arms are open wide waiting for your return!

never going back - United Pursuit

Fire on the altar

The fire must always be burning on the altar. It must never go out.
Leviticus 6:13 GW
http://bible.com/70/lev.6.13.GW

Lately i have been thinking a lot about this verse.  I have to wonder how many, who call themselves followers of christ (disciples), still have a fire burning on their altar.  How many weep when they see the evil that is overtaking this world, beleivers, even churches.  Entire denominations are sliding backwards from the truth that is contained in  the word of god.  Certain passages or entire chapters are being ignored.  We have become comfortable going to church one day a week, for an hour and a half, as long as it doesnt interfeer with our lives.   Where is the weeping, the devotion to the word of god.

We need to make ourselves desperate before almighty god.

We don’t become discouraged, since God has given us this ministry through his mercy. Instead, we have refused to use secret and shameful ways. We don’t use tricks, and we don’t distort God’s word. As God watches, we clearly reveal the truth to everyone. This is our ⌊letter of⌋ recommendation. So if the Good News that we tell others is covered with a veil, it is hidden from those who are dying. The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. As a result, they don’t see the light of the Good News about Christ’s glory. It is Christ who is God’s image. Our message is not about ourselves. It is about Jesus Christ as the Lord. We are your servants for his sake. We are his servants because the same God who said that light should shine out of darkness has given us light. For that reason we bring to light the knowledge about God’s glory which shines from Christ’s face. Our bodies are made of clay, yet we have the treasure of the Good News in them. This shows that the superior power of this treasure belongs to God and doesn’t come from us. In every way we’re troubled, but we aren’t crushed by our troubles. We’re frustrated, but we don’t give up. We’re persecuted, but we’re not abandoned. We’re captured, but we’re not killed. We always carry around the death of Jesus in our bodies so that the life of Jesus is also shown in our bodies. While we are alive, we are constantly handed over to death for Jesus’ sake so that the life of Jesus is also shown in our mortal nature. Death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
2 Corinthians 4:1‭-‬12 GW
http://bible.com/70/2co.4.1-12.GW

In fact our lives are much better together as one body, than we ever are alone.  We need each other.  NOBODY is an island adrift in the sea of this world.  What would happen to this world if we ALL as the body of christ really took time to not only be stilland know he is god, but to pray fervently.  I mean really pray.  Puddles of tears on the alter kind of praying.  What would happen if we took 30 days and really prayed.  What would happen if we stilled ourselves in the midst of this noisy world and intentionally saught the presence of almighty god.   

Brothers and sisters, you don’t need anyone to write to you about times and dates. You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When people say, “Everything is safe and sound!” destruction will suddenly strike them. It will be as sudden as labor pains come to a pregnant woman. They won’t be able to escape. But, brothers and sisters, you don’t live in the dark. That day won’t take you by surprise as a thief would. You belong to the day and the light not to the night and the dark. Therefore, we must not fall asleep like other people, but we must stay awake and be sober. People who sleep, sleep at night; people who get drunk, get drunk at night. Since we belong to the day, we must be sober. We must put on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet. It was not God’s intention that we experience his anger but that we obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake in this life or asleep in death, we will live together with him. Therefore, encourage each other and strengthen one another as you are doing. Brothers and sisters, we ask you to show your appreciation for those leaders who work among you and instruct you. We ask you to love them and think very highly of them because of the work they are doing. Live in peace with each other. We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this. Don’t put out the Spirit’s fire. Don’t despise what God has revealed. Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil. May the God who gives peace make you holy in every way. May he keep your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—blameless when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. Brothers and sisters, pray for us. Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. In the Lord’s name, I order you to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters. The good will of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
1 Thessalonians 5:1‭-‬28 GW
http://bible.com/70/1th.5.1-28.GW

- keep your fire stoked. If you do, it won't go out and leave room for evil to enter

So i ask today, how is your fire?  I dont write this out of hate or fear, but out of concern for fellow disciples. 

Live ready, live prepared.  Work for the night is coming.  It is almost upon us...be ready.

Community

There is no christian community without christ.  We may exist as individual beleivers without community, but really what good does it do to go something alone?  We all need someone sooner or later.  Even in the garden of eden we had community, adam, eve, and god.  Later on when moses was leading his people out of egypt, there was community.  He (moses) tried to hide alone in the desert, but still there god found him.  We are better together. 

20 Bible Verses about Community

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25 | NIV | second coming encouragement equipment

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Romans 12:4-5 | NIV | Jesus dependence

How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
Psalm 133:1 | NIV | friendship family

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
1 Corinthians 1:10 | NIV | family transformation blameless

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Matthew 18:20 | NIV | Jesus prayer

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
1 Peter 3:8 | NIV | humility neighbor compassion

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:14 | NIV | love blameless

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Romans 12:16 | NIV | humility dependence

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:11 | NIV | love God

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.
Acts 4:32 | NIV | materialism

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.
Romans 15:5 | NIV | encouragement patience comforter

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:3 | NIV | Spirit peace

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:46-47 | NIV | worship food

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:28-29 | NIV | Jesus understanding

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.
Romans 16:17 | NIV | holiness evil

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.
Romans 14:1 | NIV | faith

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 1:7 | NIV | purify sacrifice

They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Acts 1:14 | NIV | prayer

Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.
John 13:20 | NIV | gentleness Jesus

For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
1 Corinthians 12:13 | NIV | baptism Spirit

over your head?

It's been quite a while since i've written on this blog.  Call it life, call it busyness either way it's been some time.

Earlier this summer my family and myself went for some much needed time at the beach.  While there I decided to get up early and go watch a sunrise.  I asked my wife and both of my daughters to go, all declined but one.  So Ali and me got up early one morning and proceded to leave all the others sleeping and go watch the sun come up.  It was probably the best day I've ever had on vacation.  We chatted about stuff on the three mile ride to the water.  As we approached the water the conversation shifted from random stuff, to talk about god. We sat on the beach and talked some more, I read from psalm 46 and we listened to the following song.  As it played we both sang along, as the waves crashed onto the shore.    The lord certainly met up that thursday morning well before many were awake.  I still am moved when I hear "In over my head - by bethel."

I have come to this place in my life 
I’m full but I’ve not satisfied 
This longing to have more of You 
I can feel it my heart is convinced
I’m thirsty my soul can’t be quenched
You already know this but still 
Come and do whatever You want to

I’m standing knee deep but I’m out where never been
I feel You coming and I hear Your voice on the wind

Would you come and tear down the boxes that I have tried to put You in
Let love come teach me who You are again 
Take me back to the place where my heart was only about You
And all I wanted was just to be with You 
Come and do whatever You want to

Further and further my heart moves away from the shore
Whatever it looks like, whatever may come I am Yours 
Further and further my heart moves away from the shore
Whatever it looks like, whatever may come I am Yours

Then You crash over me and I’ve lost control but I’m free
I’m going under, I’m in over my head
And You crash over me, I’m where You want me to be
I’m going under, I’m in over my head

Whether I sink, whether I swim
It makes no difference when I’m beautifully in over my head
Whether I sink , whether I swim
It makes no difference when I’m beautifully in over my head
I’m Beautifully in over my head
I’m Beautifully in over my head

So I ask tonight are you over your head?  Have you let your cares and worries go to the only one who can take them?  It comes down to surrender, either hold on, or let go.  I for one am "beautifully in over my head"




In Over My Head - Bethel Music

Matches

Our lives often resemble matches.  Fresh matches will light and stay lit, but old matches may light but soon fizzle out.  Our lives often represent this symbolism.  With christ, our lives will light and stay lit, often ignighting others.  When we go it on our own we can resemble the old matches, we may light...but when stress or failures come unless we are leaning on christ we will fizzle out. 

I want my life to resemble the new matches.  What do you want?  Are you the fresh matches, or old?