"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE WILL OF GOD FOR JESUS, AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR US"
John 18:11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given me?”
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:
This verse is taken during the period where Jesus was arrested by the Roman soldiers, and then taken to be tried unjustly, and then crucified. There are a number of important truths in this one simple, but profound verse.
1. We often do not understand the will of God for our lives.
John 18:11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given me?”
You notice here that Jesus had to instruct Peter to put his sword back into it's sheath. That's because Peter had just cut off the ear of a man named Malcus, in an effort to defend Jesus from the soldiers who had come to arrest Jesus. Peter's motives may have been good, but his understanding of God's will for Jesus was not.
Jesus had come to the earth for this very hour. To be taken and to be crucified for the sins of the world, and Peter with a sincere heart was trying to stop this from happening.
We can certainly identify with Peter. How often we also do not understand the will of God. But, not to fear, nor to be condemned, God is faithful, and just as He instructed Peter as to what to do, or what not do to, the Lord does the same for us. Here are two scriptures that make a promise to us from God, about giving us wisdom.
Pro 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him
2. Jesus knew exactly what God had in mind for Him, and was ready to do the will of God.
John 18:11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given me?”
The last part of the verse is put in the form of a question. "Shall I not drink from the cup the Father has given to me?" In other words, Jesus was explaining to Peter what Peter did not know. Peter thought what was taking place should not. Jesus knew that what was taking place was the will of God for Him, and ultimately for every human being.
The cup is, and expression of the will of God. Jesus expressed His desire to drink cup, or to do the will of God.
He came to drink the cup of dying for the sins of the world. He was ready to do what God had called Him to do.
He did this for you and me. And, not for just us, but for the sins of the whole world. He drank the cup that God had given Him to drink, and He drank it because of His love for us. His cup was death on the cross, but, it brought life to those who would believe in Him.
Questions:
1. Wouldn't you agree, that God's cup for us is not always easy to drink?
2. If we had our way, we would change cups, don't you think?
3. But, let's be honest, doesn't God know what cup is best for us to drink?
4. Are you at this time struggling with the cup that God has for you?
5. Or are you embracing the cup that God has for you to drink?
6. Have you in the past experienced that the difficult cup to drink, later turns out to be a cup of joy?
7. Gods cup, has come from His wise, loving, holy, and just heart, it's the best cup we could drink.
A prayer:
Father, we are not orphans. We have You to watch over us, and to guide us. We often don't know what to do, or if a cup is good for us to drink. We sometimes are repulsed by what is put before us. But, after we pray, and wait on You, and seek Your counsel, we conclude, "Yes, this is the best for me", and we like Jesus say,"Shall I not drink the cup" Lord, forgive us for the times that we balk at Your will. And, help us to mature and be those that without question embrace day by day whatever You have planned for us. Your ways are righteous and true, and You do not change. In Jesus name, Amen
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT JESUS'S PRAYER AND WILL FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN HIM"
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT JESUS'S PRAYER AND WILL FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN HIM"
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:
This chapter is filled with what truly is the "Lord's Prayer" Because, it's Jesus praying to His Father.
It's a tremendously intimate and revealing prayer about the heart of Jesus towards His Father, and towards His mission here on earth, and towards His disciples at that time, and those who would come to faith in the ages to come. Let's just focus on one particular verse. John 17:17 This is one of Jesus's prayers.
1. Jesus prays that the Father would sanctify His disciples.
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Another way of saying this, is, "Make them pure and holy" That's what Sanctify means It also has the meaning of setting you apart to God for His exclusive use. So, this is the desire of Jesus, this is the prayer of Jesus, and this is what can happen in the life of those who follow Jesus. It's what Jesus is praying for. Sanctify, or holy, also means, freedom from sin, and moral perfection. God wants You to be as free from sin as you can possibly be, and He wants you to be as morally pure as you can be this side of heaven. This is God's will for each and every believer, It's God's will for you today.
2. Jesus makes you holy by teaching you God's Word.
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
The answer to Jesus prayer, or the way that God answers Jesus's prayer is through the Word of God. God's pure and holy Word can and will bring about in our lives that same purity and holiness that is in Him. He and His Word are one and the same. And, the Lord wants You to be a partaker of His holiness. You are His child, and He wants His characteristics be be in you, and growing in your life. So, the way this prayer is answered is by the Word of God.
You can see why it's so important to be in the Word of God. It's God's agent of change for His people. God makes you holy, by His Word. But, it's imperative that you are committed to His Word, and You are taking in His Word on a regular basis. God's Daily Bread for Your soul, will change you, and make you more and more into the image of Jesus Christ.
3. Jesus says that God's Word is Truth.
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
So, the progression in this prayer is easily seen. First, Make them Holy. Second, make them holy by Your truth.
And finally an explanation about God's Word truth. Your Word is truth.
The Bible is God's Word, and it's also truth. Here's what Paul said about it.
2nd Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.
Please notice 5 things here about God's Word.
(1) All Scripture is inspired by God
(2) It is useful to teach us what is right, or true.
(3) It is useful to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
(4) It is useful to straighten us out in our lives.
(5) It is useful to teach us do what is right.
There is no other book in the entire world like the Holy Bible. And it will when taken in, and responded to make you Holy, just as Jesus prayed for.
Questions:
1. Isn't it wonderful and encouraging to know that Jesus has and is praying for you.
2. Can you see what Jesus's prayer is for, it's for your life to be made holy, i.e set apart to God?
3. Also, can you see that the way God makes you holy is by and through His Word.
4. And, can you see that unlike any other book in the whole world, His Word is truth, completely inspired by God.
5. Would you take another look at the 5 things listed above about God's Word.
6. And, finally, would you take a moment to express in a brief prayer to God that You desire to be what He wants you to be?
A prayer:
Father, It seems like we are always thanking You for Your Word, and we are. Your Word is our daily bread. It's our life, we cannot truly live without it. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. So, thank You for giving us that which gives us life, and changes our lives, and makes them into what You want them to be. We want to go right along with Your prayer Lord Jesus. John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. Or as it's said in the NLT "Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth." That's our prayer also. In Jesus name, amen.
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:
This chapter is filled with what truly is the "Lord's Prayer" Because, it's Jesus praying to His Father.
It's a tremendously intimate and revealing prayer about the heart of Jesus towards His Father, and towards His mission here on earth, and towards His disciples at that time, and those who would come to faith in the ages to come. Let's just focus on one particular verse. John 17:17 This is one of Jesus's prayers.
1. Jesus prays that the Father would sanctify His disciples.
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
Another way of saying this, is, "Make them pure and holy" That's what Sanctify means It also has the meaning of setting you apart to God for His exclusive use. So, this is the desire of Jesus, this is the prayer of Jesus, and this is what can happen in the life of those who follow Jesus. It's what Jesus is praying for. Sanctify, or holy, also means, freedom from sin, and moral perfection. God wants You to be as free from sin as you can possibly be, and He wants you to be as morally pure as you can be this side of heaven. This is God's will for each and every believer, It's God's will for you today.
2. Jesus makes you holy by teaching you God's Word.
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
The answer to Jesus prayer, or the way that God answers Jesus's prayer is through the Word of God. God's pure and holy Word can and will bring about in our lives that same purity and holiness that is in Him. He and His Word are one and the same. And, the Lord wants You to be a partaker of His holiness. You are His child, and He wants His characteristics be be in you, and growing in your life. So, the way this prayer is answered is by the Word of God.
You can see why it's so important to be in the Word of God. It's God's agent of change for His people. God makes you holy, by His Word. But, it's imperative that you are committed to His Word, and You are taking in His Word on a regular basis. God's Daily Bread for Your soul, will change you, and make you more and more into the image of Jesus Christ.
3. Jesus says that God's Word is Truth.
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
So, the progression in this prayer is easily seen. First, Make them Holy. Second, make them holy by Your truth.
And finally an explanation about God's Word truth. Your Word is truth.
The Bible is God's Word, and it's also truth. Here's what Paul said about it.
2nd Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.
Please notice 5 things here about God's Word.
(1) All Scripture is inspired by God
(2) It is useful to teach us what is right, or true.
(3) It is useful to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
(4) It is useful to straighten us out in our lives.
(5) It is useful to teach us do what is right.
There is no other book in the entire world like the Holy Bible. And it will when taken in, and responded to make you Holy, just as Jesus prayed for.
Questions:
1. Isn't it wonderful and encouraging to know that Jesus has and is praying for you.
2. Can you see what Jesus's prayer is for, it's for your life to be made holy, i.e set apart to God?
3. Also, can you see that the way God makes you holy is by and through His Word.
4. And, can you see that unlike any other book in the whole world, His Word is truth, completely inspired by God.
5. Would you take another look at the 5 things listed above about God's Word.
6. And, finally, would you take a moment to express in a brief prayer to God that You desire to be what He wants you to be?
A prayer:
Father, It seems like we are always thanking You for Your Word, and we are. Your Word is our daily bread. It's our life, we cannot truly live without it. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. So, thank You for giving us that which gives us life, and changes our lives, and makes them into what You want them to be. We want to go right along with Your prayer Lord Jesus. John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. Or as it's said in the NLT "Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth." That's our prayer also. In Jesus name, amen.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE TRIALS AND CHALLENGES WE FACE IN LIFE"
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE TRIALS AND CHALLENGES WE FACE IN LIFE"
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:
Jesus in the 16th chapter of John covered a variety of subjects, that covered many of the problems, trials and challenges that awaited those to whom He was talking to. And, what Jesus was saying in John 16 apply to those of us alive today. I pray that His closing words in the chapter will be a real encouragement to you.
1. Jesus spoke specifically to encourage those who follow Him. That in Him they can have peace.
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
The these things are the things He said in Chapter 16. But, Jesus states that the reason He said what He said, was to bring peace into the lives of those who know and follow Him. The peace of God is one of the blessings we have given and promised to us in the Word of God. We find peace through God's Word. This is one of the benefits of reading and meditating on the Bible. The Holy Spirit will use it to produce fruit in your life, which includes peace.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Please notice that "peace" is one of the ways the fruit of the Spirit is described.
Phil 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Phil 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
2. Jesus explained that in the world we would have tribulation.
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
In Christ we have peace, and in the world we have many trials and sorrows. How true both of those statements are. Jesus and peace. The World ( living as if there is no God ) Trials and Sorrows.
Adam and Eve had no trials until they sinned. And, now the entire world is filled with trouble. But, for the Christian, we can find peace in the midst of this troubled world.
And, we can help bring the peace of God to those who do not know the Lord. God will use us to display His glory, mercy, grace, love and truth, if we are available to Him. In fact, if we simply walk with Him, submitted day by day, we will naturally be a witness of Him.
Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
3. Jesus also tells His followers to be of good cheer, because He has overcome the world.
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Another way of saying this, is, "take heart, because I have overcome the world" So, while the world is so full of trouble, we don’t need to lose heart, but rather we can take heart, or have courage day by day, because our Lord has overcome this world.
The world as mentioned is filled with trouble as the result of sin. Jesus came into the world to destroy sin, and to overcome it, and He did. And in Him our victor we can be of good cheer and take heart.
1st John 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
Some questions:
1. What if anything has the Lord been saying to you as of late?
2. Have you experienced the peace He speaks of that comes from His Word?
3. Can you see why it's so wonderful and helpful to be a person of the Word of God?.
4. Do you think the world is getting better, or worse?
5. Have you lost heart?
6. Will you take a moment to look at and pray about this verse again. John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” And, let the Lord encourage you.
A prayer:
Father, Thank You for sending Jesus into this world. And, thank You for this verse in particular. We can testify to the truth of what Jesus said. We truly do find peace in Him. It's the peace of God. And, not only do we find that peace Lord, but our lives can become peaceful even though all around us is trouble and difficulty. Use our lives we pray to help point people to You, in Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier.
Calvary Chapel Visalia
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:
Jesus in the 16th chapter of John covered a variety of subjects, that covered many of the problems, trials and challenges that awaited those to whom He was talking to. And, what Jesus was saying in John 16 apply to those of us alive today. I pray that His closing words in the chapter will be a real encouragement to you.
1. Jesus spoke specifically to encourage those who follow Him. That in Him they can have peace.
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
The these things are the things He said in Chapter 16. But, Jesus states that the reason He said what He said, was to bring peace into the lives of those who know and follow Him. The peace of God is one of the blessings we have given and promised to us in the Word of God. We find peace through God's Word. This is one of the benefits of reading and meditating on the Bible. The Holy Spirit will use it to produce fruit in your life, which includes peace.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Please notice that "peace" is one of the ways the fruit of the Spirit is described.
Phil 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Phil 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
2. Jesus explained that in the world we would have tribulation.
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
In Christ we have peace, and in the world we have many trials and sorrows. How true both of those statements are. Jesus and peace. The World ( living as if there is no God ) Trials and Sorrows.
Adam and Eve had no trials until they sinned. And, now the entire world is filled with trouble. But, for the Christian, we can find peace in the midst of this troubled world.
And, we can help bring the peace of God to those who do not know the Lord. God will use us to display His glory, mercy, grace, love and truth, if we are available to Him. In fact, if we simply walk with Him, submitted day by day, we will naturally be a witness of Him.
Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
3. Jesus also tells His followers to be of good cheer, because He has overcome the world.
John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Another way of saying this, is, "take heart, because I have overcome the world" So, while the world is so full of trouble, we don’t need to lose heart, but rather we can take heart, or have courage day by day, because our Lord has overcome this world.
The world as mentioned is filled with trouble as the result of sin. Jesus came into the world to destroy sin, and to overcome it, and He did. And in Him our victor we can be of good cheer and take heart.
1st John 3:8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
Some questions:
1. What if anything has the Lord been saying to you as of late?
2. Have you experienced the peace He speaks of that comes from His Word?
3. Can you see why it's so wonderful and helpful to be a person of the Word of God?.
4. Do you think the world is getting better, or worse?
5. Have you lost heart?
6. Will you take a moment to look at and pray about this verse again. John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” And, let the Lord encourage you.
A prayer:
Father, Thank You for sending Jesus into this world. And, thank You for this verse in particular. We can testify to the truth of what Jesus said. We truly do find peace in Him. It's the peace of God. And, not only do we find that peace Lord, but our lives can become peaceful even though all around us is trouble and difficulty. Use our lives we pray to help point people to You, in Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier.
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Monday, May 26, 2014
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE WISDOM OF GOD IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER"
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE WISDOM OF GOD IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER"
Pro 16:1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
Pro 16:2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits.
Pro 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:
Proverbs is of course, God's Book of Wisdom for us. The 31 Chapters in Proverbs cover just about every aspect of life that needs covering. God is so generous in explaining to us how things work in life, and how our life will work best, that is, by following His wisdom, and not our own. And, thus today's devo taken from Pro 16:1-3 gives us 3 very specific and wonderful truths from God about how to live our lives.
1. Remember, we do our part, but God is ultimately in charge of what happens. So, we can rest in the Lord.
Pro 16:1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
What does this mean?
(1) We prepare our hearts.
Or, We can gather our thoughts,
In other words, we have the responsibility to go about our daily lives, using our brains, to think, and to accomplish, and do what we think we should do. We make our plans as it were.
(2) God ultimately is in charge of what happens.
But the LORD gives the right answer.
Or, to say this another way, after we have gone about our business, doing what we need to do, we can rest in the fact that God is in control of all things, and He will bring His will to pass. The answer will come from the Lord.
He is guiding His family, and all things in the world.
We do our best, but commit the rest to the Lord.
2. We may have one opinion of ourselves, but God can see right down into our heart where we cannot.
Pro 16:2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits.
Or, as people, we may be pure in our own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Again, this is very comforting, to know that God knows best, and he truly knows all things. We think we know something, but God can see deeper and right into the heart of the matter, whereas we cannot. We may think our hearts and motives are pure, but God can see what they truly are. Thus, we can ask Him to search our hearts, and to reveal where we really are at, and to lead us in the right way. He will do it.
3. The way to have your thoughts established by God is to commit your works to the Lord.
Pro 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.
And here is another comforting truth from God. It tells us how we can succeed in what we are seeking to do.
The first thing is that we must commit our work to the Lord. That is, we are to surrender our wills, and our desires to Him, and to truly want His will in all that we do.
We are assured here, that if we will take the hand of God and let Him lead us, that it is then that our plans will succeed. If we try to live our lives without God we do not have this promise.
But, we can as those who have come to faith in Jesus Christ, actually, day by day, seek God to guide us, we can surrender our wills gladly to Him day by day, and then just sit back and see what He is going to do .
He is faithful to accomplish and fulfill each and every one of His promise.
Some questions:
1. Do you find it refreshing to remember that God is in control of your life?
2. Do you find it hard to let go of your life and to let God lead your life?
3. Have you found that God's ways are surprisingly more wonderful than you had expected?
4. Isn't it comforting to know that God knows what we cannot know. He knows the depths and motives of our hearts.
5. Do you want to succeed in what you are doing?
6. Are you learning to commit your works to the Lord?
7. Are you confident He will establish You in His will. He will do it. For He has promised to do it.
A prayer:
Father, how we love the Proverbs and the Psalms. They are no doubt two of the books of Bible that most Christians have come to love so deeply. Thank You for giving them to us. They teach us so much about You, and about ourselves. They bring us comfort and they call us to humility and to trust in You. They tell us of Your wonderful oversight of our lives, and that You are always on duty as it were, taking care of Your children.
Even when it may seem like Your not, You actually are. We just can't see it. We want to offer our heartfelt praises to You Lord. In Jesus name, amen
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
Pro 16:1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
Pro 16:2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits.
Pro 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:
Proverbs is of course, God's Book of Wisdom for us. The 31 Chapters in Proverbs cover just about every aspect of life that needs covering. God is so generous in explaining to us how things work in life, and how our life will work best, that is, by following His wisdom, and not our own. And, thus today's devo taken from Pro 16:1-3 gives us 3 very specific and wonderful truths from God about how to live our lives.
1. Remember, we do our part, but God is ultimately in charge of what happens. So, we can rest in the Lord.
Pro 16:1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
What does this mean?
(1) We prepare our hearts.
Or, We can gather our thoughts,
In other words, we have the responsibility to go about our daily lives, using our brains, to think, and to accomplish, and do what we think we should do. We make our plans as it were.
(2) God ultimately is in charge of what happens.
But the LORD gives the right answer.
Or, to say this another way, after we have gone about our business, doing what we need to do, we can rest in the fact that God is in control of all things, and He will bring His will to pass. The answer will come from the Lord.
He is guiding His family, and all things in the world.
We do our best, but commit the rest to the Lord.
2. We may have one opinion of ourselves, but God can see right down into our heart where we cannot.
Pro 16:2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits.
Or, as people, we may be pure in our own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Again, this is very comforting, to know that God knows best, and he truly knows all things. We think we know something, but God can see deeper and right into the heart of the matter, whereas we cannot. We may think our hearts and motives are pure, but God can see what they truly are. Thus, we can ask Him to search our hearts, and to reveal where we really are at, and to lead us in the right way. He will do it.
3. The way to have your thoughts established by God is to commit your works to the Lord.
Pro 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.
And here is another comforting truth from God. It tells us how we can succeed in what we are seeking to do.
The first thing is that we must commit our work to the Lord. That is, we are to surrender our wills, and our desires to Him, and to truly want His will in all that we do.
We are assured here, that if we will take the hand of God and let Him lead us, that it is then that our plans will succeed. If we try to live our lives without God we do not have this promise.
But, we can as those who have come to faith in Jesus Christ, actually, day by day, seek God to guide us, we can surrender our wills gladly to Him day by day, and then just sit back and see what He is going to do .
He is faithful to accomplish and fulfill each and every one of His promise.
Some questions:
1. Do you find it refreshing to remember that God is in control of your life?
2. Do you find it hard to let go of your life and to let God lead your life?
3. Have you found that God's ways are surprisingly more wonderful than you had expected?
4. Isn't it comforting to know that God knows what we cannot know. He knows the depths and motives of our hearts.
5. Do you want to succeed in what you are doing?
6. Are you learning to commit your works to the Lord?
7. Are you confident He will establish You in His will. He will do it. For He has promised to do it.
A prayer:
Father, how we love the Proverbs and the Psalms. They are no doubt two of the books of Bible that most Christians have come to love so deeply. Thank You for giving them to us. They teach us so much about You, and about ourselves. They bring us comfort and they call us to humility and to trust in You. They tell us of Your wonderful oversight of our lives, and that You are always on duty as it were, taking care of Your children.
Even when it may seem like Your not, You actually are. We just can't see it. We want to offer our heartfelt praises to You Lord. In Jesus name, amen
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WITH TROUBLED, ANXIOUS, AND FEARFUL HEARTS"
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WITH TROUBLED, ANXIOUS, AND FEARFUL HEARTS"
John 14:2 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
John 14:2 “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:
Jesus was in the process of saying some of the very last things He would say to His disciples who loved Him very much. He had just told them that He would be leaving them ( after 3 1/2 years of being with them day by day ) and that they would not be able to go with Him. This was very troubling to His followers. In fact, the word troubled, means, to be agitated, to cause inward commotion, take away calmness of mind, disturb a person's equanimity. to disquiet, to stir up, to strike one's spirit with fear and dread. To render the mind anxious or distressed. What Jesus did was to give them a Divine prescription to ease their troubled minds, and hearts.
1. Jesus has a remedy for the troubled, anxious and fearful heart.
John 14:2 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
It's actually a 3 fold remedy. Here's the first one.
(1) Let not your heart be troubled. Or, don't let what I've just told you about the future trouble you. Or, You must not let yourselves be distressed. Or yet again, You must hold on to your faith.
Now, in Jesus giving this instruction to His troubled disciples, He was not asking them to do something they could not do, but rather something they could do.
It's the same with us today. We who know the Lord have the God given capacity, ( it's called faith ) to exercise that faith or trust in God, and thereby find relief for what is ailing our hearts and minds. Trusting God rather than looking at and pondering our own feelings is the way God would have us live our lives.
Trust in God is always rewarded by God. Faith in God, puts us in contact with God as it were. It brings us into fellowship with Him, and He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask or think. So, the first part of Jesus's prescription for the troubled and anxious heart, "Trust in God"
And, just as a specific clarification here. Jesus was affirming their faith in God, but, here, He was specifically drawing their faith towards Him. Don't stop trusting in God the Father, but I also want you to believe in Me. Put your trust, your faith, in Me.
2. Jesus is preparing a place for you.
John 14:2 “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
There are several important things said in this verse.
(1) Jesus refers to the place called heaven, as His Father's house. That's a nice way to think about Heaven, it's where our Father lives, and it's where we are going someday.
(2) Jesus says there are many mansions in His Father's house. Or to put it another way. There is plenty of room for you in Heaven. There are many rooms, or dwelling places in His Father's house. We don't know for sure about a lot of things regarding heaven. But, 2 things we do know. We will have new bodies, and their is plenty of room for us up there. Many believe that each of us will have our own individual homes or dwelling places in heaven.Our own mansions if you will.
(3) Jesus is currently in heaven preparing a place for His followers. I'm leaving here, to go to heaven, and when I arrive, I'm going to get a room ready for you. Isn't that something. We don't often think about what Jesus is doing in heaven, but He is not only praying for us, and waiting to come back, but He is also working or preparing a place for each of us. And, since we already have evidence of His creative abilities, ( just look around and up in the skies and in the seas, ) to see what a skilled creator He is, imagine what your dwelling place will be like. Wow, It's going to be wonderful for sure.
3. Jesus is coming back to get you and to take you with Him to heaven.
John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Again several things are said here.
(1) Jesus may be in heaven, but He is coming back. Just as true as it is that He was leaving for heaven, it's true that He is coming back from heaven. He was there to begin with, He came here, died on the cross for our sins, was buried, rose from the dead, and then ascended to heaven. But, He is planning on coming back here again.
(2) Jesus is going to receive you to Himself. Or, I'm coming back to welcome you into my own home. I'm coming back to get you. When Jesus comes back, it's with one thing in mind as far as His church is concerned, and that is to get them and take them to heaven. That is our future. Jesus is going to come and get us, and take us to heaven.
(3) Jesus is going to receive you, so that You can be with Him in heaven.
The emphasis here, is that of "so that You can be with Him in heaven" He wants you to be with Him in heaven.
Imagine that. We often think about the future, and think about heaven. And so does the Lord. He is doing more than thinking about it. He is fast at work, getting everything ready for us. He desires that we would be with Him.
He must be anxious to have us there don't you think. Because He loves us so much. That's why He died for your sins, it's so that you could believe in Him, and wind up in heaven with Him forever. And, once we arrive in heaven, we will be with Him forever and forever.
Some questions:
1. Is your heart troubled and anxious and fearful today?
2. Is it something to do with you health, your family, Your job, Your church, Your finances, Your future?
3. The teaching of Jesus is just for you. Would you please take just a moment to slowly and carefully re-read what Jesus said to troubled hearts?
4. It's important to do several things with God's Word. One, is to know it, two is to believe it, and three is to submit to it. Will you do those things? Are you doing those things?
5. Will you ask Jesus to help you with your troubles? Will You ask Him to help You understand His teaching?
Will You ask Him to help you believe His Word? He will help you.
6. Do you know some other troubled people? I'm sure you do. Would you please think about sharing these truths with them, and help them be comforted by them.
A prayer:
Father, You made it clear to us, that in this world and life we would have tribulation. Things that are hard and difficult for us. But, You also have made it clear that Your Word has been given to us so that we might have peace ( John 16 ) So, thank You for both things, telling us the truth, and that Your truth is what gives us peace.
How exciting it is for us to know that we are on our way to heaven, and that You are personally sending Jesus to come and get us, to take us there. And, thank you for the work He is doing in making things ready for us in heaven. It's hard to imagine it now, but, one day we will see all that Jesus has done to prepare a place for us.
We love You Father, In Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
John 14:2 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
John 14:2 “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:
Jesus was in the process of saying some of the very last things He would say to His disciples who loved Him very much. He had just told them that He would be leaving them ( after 3 1/2 years of being with them day by day ) and that they would not be able to go with Him. This was very troubling to His followers. In fact, the word troubled, means, to be agitated, to cause inward commotion, take away calmness of mind, disturb a person's equanimity. to disquiet, to stir up, to strike one's spirit with fear and dread. To render the mind anxious or distressed. What Jesus did was to give them a Divine prescription to ease their troubled minds, and hearts.
1. Jesus has a remedy for the troubled, anxious and fearful heart.
John 14:2 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
It's actually a 3 fold remedy. Here's the first one.
(1) Let not your heart be troubled. Or, don't let what I've just told you about the future trouble you. Or, You must not let yourselves be distressed. Or yet again, You must hold on to your faith.
Now, in Jesus giving this instruction to His troubled disciples, He was not asking them to do something they could not do, but rather something they could do.
It's the same with us today. We who know the Lord have the God given capacity, ( it's called faith ) to exercise that faith or trust in God, and thereby find relief for what is ailing our hearts and minds. Trusting God rather than looking at and pondering our own feelings is the way God would have us live our lives.
Trust in God is always rewarded by God. Faith in God, puts us in contact with God as it were. It brings us into fellowship with Him, and He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask or think. So, the first part of Jesus's prescription for the troubled and anxious heart, "Trust in God"
And, just as a specific clarification here. Jesus was affirming their faith in God, but, here, He was specifically drawing their faith towards Him. Don't stop trusting in God the Father, but I also want you to believe in Me. Put your trust, your faith, in Me.
2. Jesus is preparing a place for you.
John 14:2 “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
There are several important things said in this verse.
(1) Jesus refers to the place called heaven, as His Father's house. That's a nice way to think about Heaven, it's where our Father lives, and it's where we are going someday.
(2) Jesus says there are many mansions in His Father's house. Or to put it another way. There is plenty of room for you in Heaven. There are many rooms, or dwelling places in His Father's house. We don't know for sure about a lot of things regarding heaven. But, 2 things we do know. We will have new bodies, and their is plenty of room for us up there. Many believe that each of us will have our own individual homes or dwelling places in heaven.Our own mansions if you will.
(3) Jesus is currently in heaven preparing a place for His followers. I'm leaving here, to go to heaven, and when I arrive, I'm going to get a room ready for you. Isn't that something. We don't often think about what Jesus is doing in heaven, but He is not only praying for us, and waiting to come back, but He is also working or preparing a place for each of us. And, since we already have evidence of His creative abilities, ( just look around and up in the skies and in the seas, ) to see what a skilled creator He is, imagine what your dwelling place will be like. Wow, It's going to be wonderful for sure.
3. Jesus is coming back to get you and to take you with Him to heaven.
John 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Again several things are said here.
(1) Jesus may be in heaven, but He is coming back. Just as true as it is that He was leaving for heaven, it's true that He is coming back from heaven. He was there to begin with, He came here, died on the cross for our sins, was buried, rose from the dead, and then ascended to heaven. But, He is planning on coming back here again.
(2) Jesus is going to receive you to Himself. Or, I'm coming back to welcome you into my own home. I'm coming back to get you. When Jesus comes back, it's with one thing in mind as far as His church is concerned, and that is to get them and take them to heaven. That is our future. Jesus is going to come and get us, and take us to heaven.
(3) Jesus is going to receive you, so that You can be with Him in heaven.
The emphasis here, is that of "so that You can be with Him in heaven" He wants you to be with Him in heaven.
Imagine that. We often think about the future, and think about heaven. And so does the Lord. He is doing more than thinking about it. He is fast at work, getting everything ready for us. He desires that we would be with Him.
He must be anxious to have us there don't you think. Because He loves us so much. That's why He died for your sins, it's so that you could believe in Him, and wind up in heaven with Him forever. And, once we arrive in heaven, we will be with Him forever and forever.
Some questions:
1. Is your heart troubled and anxious and fearful today?
2. Is it something to do with you health, your family, Your job, Your church, Your finances, Your future?
3. The teaching of Jesus is just for you. Would you please take just a moment to slowly and carefully re-read what Jesus said to troubled hearts?
4. It's important to do several things with God's Word. One, is to know it, two is to believe it, and three is to submit to it. Will you do those things? Are you doing those things?
5. Will you ask Jesus to help you with your troubles? Will You ask Him to help You understand His teaching?
Will You ask Him to help you believe His Word? He will help you.
6. Do you know some other troubled people? I'm sure you do. Would you please think about sharing these truths with them, and help them be comforted by them.
A prayer:
Father, You made it clear to us, that in this world and life we would have tribulation. Things that are hard and difficult for us. But, You also have made it clear that Your Word has been given to us so that we might have peace ( John 16 ) So, thank You for both things, telling us the truth, and that Your truth is what gives us peace.
How exciting it is for us to know that we are on our way to heaven, and that You are personally sending Jesus to come and get us, to take us there. And, thank you for the work He is doing in making things ready for us in heaven. It's hard to imagine it now, but, one day we will see all that Jesus has done to prepare a place for us.
We love You Father, In Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
Friday, May 23, 2014
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT BEING CLEANSED OF SIN AND KEPT FROM SIN BY GOD"
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT BEING CLEANSED OF SIN AND KEPT FROM SIN BY GOD"
Psalm 119:9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
Psalm 119:10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:
These verses are of course taken from the Book of Psalms, and written it's believed by King David.
You will notice that in each verse there is a direct reference to the Word of God. In fact, here is something very interesting, This 119th Ps, is the longest chapter in the the Book of Psalms, there are 179 verses in this book, and it is divided up into paragraphs containing 8 verses each. But, here's even what is more interesting. In each line of every 179 verses, there is a reference to the Word of God. Sometimes, it says, Law, Statutes, Word, Ways, etc, but, they without any doubt are all referencing the Word. So, let's dig in and see just what is said about the Word in the three verses in today's devotional.
1. How can we cleanse ourselves with respect to sin?
Psalm 119:9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
David asks the question, and than gives the answer. If we are sinning, if we need to be made pure, how can we do it? That's the problem, and that's the question, and Here's the answer. "By taking heed according to Your Word" Or to put it another way, "By obeying Your Word and following it's rules"
Sounds simple and it is. God has provided for our sin, and it's through faith and obedience to His Word. Jesus is the living Word of God. The Bible is the written Word of God. And, if we find ourselves in need of cleansing, than we must look to, listen to and obey the Word of God, and we will find ourselves being cleansed, i.e forgiven, made pure. Isn't that wonderful?
God knows that we need His help with our sin, So, He has provided us with the way to be cleansed, and the faith to believe, and He calls us to put our faith in Him, and obey Him, and the result is a cleansed life, a pure life etc.
And, if we will day by day, take heed to His Word, (while we will never be sinless) we will certainly be kept from sinning so much, and we will live much holier lives. Or lives that are much more free from sin. You can see then why it so wonderful and important to be in God's Holy Word day by day.
2. God can and will help us to stay close to Him.
Psalm 119:10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Here David both expresses what he had done with his heart and the Lord, and he also expresses a desire towards God.
David had tried his very best to find the Lord and to stick close to Him. He had sought the Lord with His whole heart. He was very serious in his walk with the Lord. It's great to know that we can do the same thing. Be like David was, a man after God's own heart.
Also, David was making a prayer request to God. A very good one. "Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!" He was asking God to not let Him wander away from God's Commandments. Or you could say from God Himself. He wanted to stay close to God. I cannot think of a better desire to have, can you?
3. We can relate to the Word in such a way that it will keep us from sin.
Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!
Now David lets us in on a very simple, true and powerful way for a believer to be kept from sinning against God.
David calls it "hiding God's Word in his heart" What does this mean? Hidden means, to lay up, to esteem, treasure up, store up, to hide.
Besides the obvious respect and joy that David had with the Word of God, it could very well also mean, that David knew in the sense of having memorized and meditated on God's Word.
Memorizing the Word of God will increase the power of God in your life. Try it, and see if you do not find it to be so.
4. Here are three "Basic Steps" you can take to relate to God's Word in a way that will change your life.
(1) Know the Word of God.
If you know the Word of God then, You can depend on it, but if you don't know it, then it can't really help you. So, get to Know the Word of God. Memorizing Verses is a great place to start. Along with regular personal daily Bible reading, and church attendance where the Bible is taught, and being part of a small group that studies the Word of God. Jesus and His followers as recorded for us in the Gospels and the Book of Acts, were men who knew the Word from memory and were able to call upon it when needed. You can be this way also.
(2) Believe the Word of God.
The Bible is chock full of Gods promises. But, you can only act upon promises that you believe. So, you must believe in or have faith in God's Word. If you want to have God's power in your life, than you must believe God's Word. Try it. You will be pleasantly surprised.
(3) Submit to the Word of God.
God has a will for each of us. His will for us are not suggestions, but rather commands to be obeyed, and we obey by submitting to His Word. If you want God's power in you life, then You must submit to His Word.
Again, by submitting to God's Word you will discover His power in a fresh way in your life.
Some questions:
1. Have you found these verses to be encouraging and enlightening?
2. Have you in the past found these truths to be true in your life?
3. Are these things happening now at this time in your life?
4. Is the Lord calling you back to that former intimacy you may have had with Him and His Word.
5. If so, will you take just a moment and very sincerely express your thoughts to Him at this very moment, and ask Him to cleanse you, to keep you close to Him, and begin a day by day new life of seeking Him in His Word?
A prayer:
Father, thank You for the Psalms. They are always so wonderful and speak to us, and to so many parts of our lives. Help us Lord to grasp the truth of them, and to find the comfort we need, and to see the instruction and guidance You give, and to commit ourselves to being true sincere, followers of Yours. In Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Psalm 119:9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
Psalm 119:10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions, and a prayer:
These verses are of course taken from the Book of Psalms, and written it's believed by King David.
You will notice that in each verse there is a direct reference to the Word of God. In fact, here is something very interesting, This 119th Ps, is the longest chapter in the the Book of Psalms, there are 179 verses in this book, and it is divided up into paragraphs containing 8 verses each. But, here's even what is more interesting. In each line of every 179 verses, there is a reference to the Word of God. Sometimes, it says, Law, Statutes, Word, Ways, etc, but, they without any doubt are all referencing the Word. So, let's dig in and see just what is said about the Word in the three verses in today's devotional.
1. How can we cleanse ourselves with respect to sin?
Psalm 119:9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
David asks the question, and than gives the answer. If we are sinning, if we need to be made pure, how can we do it? That's the problem, and that's the question, and Here's the answer. "By taking heed according to Your Word" Or to put it another way, "By obeying Your Word and following it's rules"
Sounds simple and it is. God has provided for our sin, and it's through faith and obedience to His Word. Jesus is the living Word of God. The Bible is the written Word of God. And, if we find ourselves in need of cleansing, than we must look to, listen to and obey the Word of God, and we will find ourselves being cleansed, i.e forgiven, made pure. Isn't that wonderful?
God knows that we need His help with our sin, So, He has provided us with the way to be cleansed, and the faith to believe, and He calls us to put our faith in Him, and obey Him, and the result is a cleansed life, a pure life etc.
And, if we will day by day, take heed to His Word, (while we will never be sinless) we will certainly be kept from sinning so much, and we will live much holier lives. Or lives that are much more free from sin. You can see then why it so wonderful and important to be in God's Holy Word day by day.
2. God can and will help us to stay close to Him.
Psalm 119:10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Here David both expresses what he had done with his heart and the Lord, and he also expresses a desire towards God.
David had tried his very best to find the Lord and to stick close to Him. He had sought the Lord with His whole heart. He was very serious in his walk with the Lord. It's great to know that we can do the same thing. Be like David was, a man after God's own heart.
Also, David was making a prayer request to God. A very good one. "Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!" He was asking God to not let Him wander away from God's Commandments. Or you could say from God Himself. He wanted to stay close to God. I cannot think of a better desire to have, can you?
3. We can relate to the Word in such a way that it will keep us from sin.
Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!
Now David lets us in on a very simple, true and powerful way for a believer to be kept from sinning against God.
David calls it "hiding God's Word in his heart" What does this mean? Hidden means, to lay up, to esteem, treasure up, store up, to hide.
Besides the obvious respect and joy that David had with the Word of God, it could very well also mean, that David knew in the sense of having memorized and meditated on God's Word.
Memorizing the Word of God will increase the power of God in your life. Try it, and see if you do not find it to be so.
4. Here are three "Basic Steps" you can take to relate to God's Word in a way that will change your life.
(1) Know the Word of God.
If you know the Word of God then, You can depend on it, but if you don't know it, then it can't really help you. So, get to Know the Word of God. Memorizing Verses is a great place to start. Along with regular personal daily Bible reading, and church attendance where the Bible is taught, and being part of a small group that studies the Word of God. Jesus and His followers as recorded for us in the Gospels and the Book of Acts, were men who knew the Word from memory and were able to call upon it when needed. You can be this way also.
(2) Believe the Word of God.
The Bible is chock full of Gods promises. But, you can only act upon promises that you believe. So, you must believe in or have faith in God's Word. If you want to have God's power in your life, than you must believe God's Word. Try it. You will be pleasantly surprised.
(3) Submit to the Word of God.
God has a will for each of us. His will for us are not suggestions, but rather commands to be obeyed, and we obey by submitting to His Word. If you want God's power in you life, then You must submit to His Word.
Again, by submitting to God's Word you will discover His power in a fresh way in your life.
Some questions:
1. Have you found these verses to be encouraging and enlightening?
2. Have you in the past found these truths to be true in your life?
3. Are these things happening now at this time in your life?
4. Is the Lord calling you back to that former intimacy you may have had with Him and His Word.
5. If so, will you take just a moment and very sincerely express your thoughts to Him at this very moment, and ask Him to cleanse you, to keep you close to Him, and begin a day by day new life of seeking Him in His Word?
A prayer:
Father, thank You for the Psalms. They are always so wonderful and speak to us, and to so many parts of our lives. Help us Lord to grasp the truth of them, and to find the comfort we need, and to see the instruction and guidance You give, and to commit ourselves to being true sincere, followers of Yours. In Jesus name. Amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Thursday, May 22, 2014
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SEEKING THE WILL OF GOD"
"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SEEKING THE WILL OF GOD"
2nd Samuel 2:1 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.”
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:
This incident came on the heels of the death of King Saul. David had already been chosen by God to be the new King over Israel, but, he had to wait on God's timing to begin his ministry as King. Now that Saul was dead, the time had come for him to move into the new role God had for him. And, David did what any man can do when he wants to know the will of God, He enquired of the LORD.
1. A Christian is well served to follow this example set forth by David.
2nd Samuel 2:1 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?”
One thing that is not in this verse, is that David was accustomed to inquiring of the LORD. In fact, in the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel, David, no less than 6 times did this very thing. He inquired of the LORD.
David had learned the importance of seeking the will of God before acting, and of asking God what He wanted him to do.
This is a good practice for any believer to adopt, and practice regularly. To inquire of the Lord.
The word inquire means, to ask, to request, to beg, to consult, to seek.
It simply means to ask God what He wants you to do.
2. The Lord will answer the person seeking God's will and wisdom.
2nd Samuel 2:1 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.”
You see in the verse above that David's specific request had to do with what cities he should go to at this time.
He was seeking direction from God as to where to go. That was what David needed to know, "Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?"
And, you also see here, that God answered David's prayer.
2nd Samuel 2:1 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.”
3. Often we need to ask for step by step direction from the Lord.
2nd Samuel 2:1 After this, David asked the LORD, “Should I move back to Judah?” And the LORD replied, “Yes.” Then David asked, “Which town should I go to?” And the LORD replied, “Hebron.”
David actually asked two questions, and received two answers.
(1) Should I move back to Judah?.
Judah was the southern area of Israel.
And, the Lord said "Yes" move back to Judah.
(2) Then David asked which city in Judah he should move back to?
And, the Lord answered him and said, "Hebron"
4. Jesus Christ has both instructed us to ask and promised to answer our prayers for wisdom and guidance.
Matt 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Matt 7:8 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
This is how these verses read in the NLT Version.
Matt 7:7 “Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.
Matt 7:8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.
You notice that Jesus says to keep on asking, keep on looking, and keep on knocking. And, then promises that the person who asks will receive, the person who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to everyone who knocks.
5. God has given us another promise to those who do not know what to do.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
So, if you don't know what to do, just like David did not know what to do, but he asked, please be encouraged to ask God to tell you. If you need wisdom, if you want to know what God wants you to do, than simply ask Him. And, just like He did with David, He will be more than glad to tell you what you need to know. And, God will never resent you asking. He wants you to ask, because He wants to guide you into His will.
Some questions:
1. What situation are you in this very day and you do not know what to do about it?
2. Do you believe that God knows what you should do?.
3. Are you willing to do what He will direct you to do if you ask Him?
4. Will you be patient and specific, and consistent in your asking?.
5. Do you believe that God will answer Your prayer?
A prayer:
Father, what a beautiful example You have given us in David, and His consistent habit of inquiring of You. He had developed this habit and pattern in his life. And, You were faithful, each and every time to answer him. Lord, help us to follow this example. And, thank You for the teaching You give us in the NT about asking, seeking and knocking, and thank you for the promise You give to respond to our prayers. Lord, please restrain us from just going off on our own without consulting You. Thank You that Your ways are much better than our ways, but help us Lord to humble ourselves and to ask, and to be patient, and trusting, that You will answer us. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
2nd Samuel 2:1 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.”
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:
This incident came on the heels of the death of King Saul. David had already been chosen by God to be the new King over Israel, but, he had to wait on God's timing to begin his ministry as King. Now that Saul was dead, the time had come for him to move into the new role God had for him. And, David did what any man can do when he wants to know the will of God, He enquired of the LORD.
1. A Christian is well served to follow this example set forth by David.
2nd Samuel 2:1 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?”
One thing that is not in this verse, is that David was accustomed to inquiring of the LORD. In fact, in the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel, David, no less than 6 times did this very thing. He inquired of the LORD.
David had learned the importance of seeking the will of God before acting, and of asking God what He wanted him to do.
This is a good practice for any believer to adopt, and practice regularly. To inquire of the Lord.
The word inquire means, to ask, to request, to beg, to consult, to seek.
It simply means to ask God what He wants you to do.
2. The Lord will answer the person seeking God's will and wisdom.
2nd Samuel 2:1 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.”
You see in the verse above that David's specific request had to do with what cities he should go to at this time.
He was seeking direction from God as to where to go. That was what David needed to know, "Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?"
And, you also see here, that God answered David's prayer.
2nd Samuel 2:1 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.”
3. Often we need to ask for step by step direction from the Lord.
2nd Samuel 2:1 After this, David asked the LORD, “Should I move back to Judah?” And the LORD replied, “Yes.” Then David asked, “Which town should I go to?” And the LORD replied, “Hebron.”
David actually asked two questions, and received two answers.
(1) Should I move back to Judah?.
Judah was the southern area of Israel.
And, the Lord said "Yes" move back to Judah.
(2) Then David asked which city in Judah he should move back to?
And, the Lord answered him and said, "Hebron"
4. Jesus Christ has both instructed us to ask and promised to answer our prayers for wisdom and guidance.
Matt 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Matt 7:8 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
This is how these verses read in the NLT Version.
Matt 7:7 “Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.
Matt 7:8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.
You notice that Jesus says to keep on asking, keep on looking, and keep on knocking. And, then promises that the person who asks will receive, the person who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to everyone who knocks.
5. God has given us another promise to those who do not know what to do.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
So, if you don't know what to do, just like David did not know what to do, but he asked, please be encouraged to ask God to tell you. If you need wisdom, if you want to know what God wants you to do, than simply ask Him. And, just like He did with David, He will be more than glad to tell you what you need to know. And, God will never resent you asking. He wants you to ask, because He wants to guide you into His will.
Some questions:
1. What situation are you in this very day and you do not know what to do about it?
2. Do you believe that God knows what you should do?.
3. Are you willing to do what He will direct you to do if you ask Him?
4. Will you be patient and specific, and consistent in your asking?.
5. Do you believe that God will answer Your prayer?
A prayer:
Father, what a beautiful example You have given us in David, and His consistent habit of inquiring of You. He had developed this habit and pattern in his life. And, You were faithful, each and every time to answer him. Lord, help us to follow this example. And, thank You for the teaching You give us in the NT about asking, seeking and knocking, and thank you for the promise You give to respond to our prayers. Lord, please restrain us from just going off on our own without consulting You. Thank You that Your ways are much better than our ways, but help us Lord to humble ourselves and to ask, and to be patient, and trusting, that You will answer us. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
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