1 SAMUEL 13:5-14
Saul had everything going for him. The son of a respected warrior, he had good looks and a nice physique (1 Sam. 9:2). Since God chose him to lead Israel at a time when the nation had some formidable enemies, we can surmise that he was also a courageous and charismatic leader. Even the prophet Samuel was impressed and spoke admiringly at Saul's coronation, "Surely there is no one like him among all the people" (10:24).
But despite all of Saul's positive attributes, he spent much of his reign out of step with the Lord. The king's errors in judgment were mostly due to an inflated sense of self-importance. One blunder would set off a sin-filled chain reaction, as we observe in his desperate quest to kill David (1 Sam. 18-26).
The Lord hates arrogance. When people think more highly of themselves than they should (Rom. 12:3), they stop relying upon divine guidance in making decisions. Terrible consequences result from such wrong thinking. For example, the king thought so much of himself that he ignored the law and offered a pre-battle sacrifice in Samuel's place. Because Saul refused to submit himself to God's command, the Lord handed the kingdom over to a man who would (1 Sam. 16:13-14).
Pride always drives a person away from God's path. With each misstep, an arrogant man or woman wanders farther into a spiritual wilderness. Nothing of lasting value can be found in such a desolate place. But the Lord will gladly welcome back a wayward follower. Blessing and joy await those who walk in step with Him.
In Touch Ministries
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Prayed Up
*These are not my words. This was forwarded to me by a friend and it struck a chord in my heart so loud I had to share. The point is: I am claiming this as my own personal prayer from this day forward. God has big plans for me and I am no longer squandering this life that was meant for more.
New Adventure
I am “prayed up” and prepared for positive change today.
I may be stepping outside my comfort zone to begin a new adventure in life; however, my first step is to be prayed up and ready for a positive change.
I pray to be divinely guided, and I also use my imagination to set the scene for the good that I am about to experience. I see myself going about my day confident in whatever I am doing. I envision my new surroundings personalized for me with pictures and colors, people and activities that invite me to feel at home and comfortable.
Most important, I affirm that the spirit of God goes before me to make my way safe and secure. There is a holy preparation going on for my new adventure. I know I will meet people who are open to supporting me and being supported by me in love and faith.
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”—Deuteronomy 31:8
New Adventure
I am “prayed up” and prepared for positive change today.
I may be stepping outside my comfort zone to begin a new adventure in life; however, my first step is to be prayed up and ready for a positive change.
I pray to be divinely guided, and I also use my imagination to set the scene for the good that I am about to experience. I see myself going about my day confident in whatever I am doing. I envision my new surroundings personalized for me with pictures and colors, people and activities that invite me to feel at home and comfortable.
Most important, I affirm that the spirit of God goes before me to make my way safe and secure. There is a holy preparation going on for my new adventure. I know I will meet people who are open to supporting me and being supported by me in love and faith.
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”—Deuteronomy 31:8
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
"Triple Grip" my eye.
Ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight? Well wrestling a rain soaked 3x5 flag (pole included) away from an over grown Crape Myrtle tree, in the middle of an intense thunderstorm, in the dark of night is about equal to that…well, at least as far as I am concerned.
I am tired of fighting this battle but I refuse to give up. A little background for you...my porch posts are made of vinyl. Yes, vinyl is low maintenance and a much cheaper material to use than actual wood. However, nothing, and I do mean nothing, is able to attach and keep attached my American Flag to said porch post. I have tried numerous solutions, the last of which were "Triple Grip" anchor screws. Keep in mind the Home Depot helper who pointed them out to me was quite sure they'd "do the trick." He wore orange and I trusted him. In addition to his very professional apron and the measuring tape hooked to his belt, the screws bore a high rating of strength. Supposedly they can withstand more than 200 lbs. of pressure before giving up the ghost. I eagerly installed them a little more than 24 hours ago. They seemed to be up to the task and last I looked, they were holding strong. That was before tonight.
Summertime thunderstorms are one of my favorite things. But they have become what test my patience and my flag mounting engineering abilities. First big storm that comes along rips the flag off my front porch like a cheap dress off a cheaper prom date. I heard the noise and knew immediately what had happened. I donned my rain slicker (also known as a button up shirt) and headed out into the storm. I found the flag, bracket, screws, and anchors...all intact and still fastened together. The kicker is that none are still fastened to the porch post. The entire ensemble was lying atop my Crape Myrtle tree. If I weren't so darned respectful, I would've left the flag where it lay until morning. But I know better and I am glad I do. So I braved the storm and retrieved my flag. It is now properly stored, out of the storm, until I think of another option.
Sigh. Maybe glue is the next step. Was it Krazy Glue or Super Glue that held an elephant over the Grand Canyon?
I am tired of fighting this battle but I refuse to give up. A little background for you...my porch posts are made of vinyl. Yes, vinyl is low maintenance and a much cheaper material to use than actual wood. However, nothing, and I do mean nothing, is able to attach and keep attached my American Flag to said porch post. I have tried numerous solutions, the last of which were "Triple Grip" anchor screws. Keep in mind the Home Depot helper who pointed them out to me was quite sure they'd "do the trick." He wore orange and I trusted him. In addition to his very professional apron and the measuring tape hooked to his belt, the screws bore a high rating of strength. Supposedly they can withstand more than 200 lbs. of pressure before giving up the ghost. I eagerly installed them a little more than 24 hours ago. They seemed to be up to the task and last I looked, they were holding strong. That was before tonight.
Summertime thunderstorms are one of my favorite things. But they have become what test my patience and my flag mounting engineering abilities. First big storm that comes along rips the flag off my front porch like a cheap dress off a cheaper prom date. I heard the noise and knew immediately what had happened. I donned my rain slicker (also known as a button up shirt) and headed out into the storm. I found the flag, bracket, screws, and anchors...all intact and still fastened together. The kicker is that none are still fastened to the porch post. The entire ensemble was lying atop my Crape Myrtle tree. If I weren't so darned respectful, I would've left the flag where it lay until morning. But I know better and I am glad I do. So I braved the storm and retrieved my flag. It is now properly stored, out of the storm, until I think of another option.
Sigh. Maybe glue is the next step. Was it Krazy Glue or Super Glue that held an elephant over the Grand Canyon?
Monday, June 8, 2009
Degree of Trust?
Just now, I found myself searching the internet for a friend's blog. I couldn't remember the address and I hadn't saved the site in my favorites. So I typed in what I could recall (which led me no closer to the goal) and was inundated with results. One of the results was a site that yielded links to blogs upon blogs that held promise of matching my search criteria. I think it's safe to say none of them actually did. However, one entry caught my eye and before I knew it I was skipping down an unmarked rabbit trail.
As I read the blog entry, which was assumedly about Christianity, I was immediately heartbroken. No, I take that back. First, I was angry. Then I was heartbroken. The thoughts expressed on this stranger's page were baffling. Misconceptions like the following: All religion is bad, therefore all faith is bad. Christians are nothing more than judgmental hypocrites. Why can't the world be more like Buddha? etc. caused me to question how anyone could ever arrive at the same conclusion. This poor misguided heart actually thinks they have it right. They think by advocating acceptance of all religious paths yet, trusting in none they are well on their way. They believe that a god is in all of us regardless of faith or lack thereof. They hold to a lie, told by the Father of Lies, that no matter the condition of their soul, they are every bit as entitled to enter Heaven as the Son of God. Thoughts such as these caused (and will continue to cause) an anger to rise up in me that is almost frightening. I am quite laidback by nature but I found myself resisting the urge to point out just how idiotic these "beliefs" are. Realizing that would not be the proper response, I withheld my righteous judgment. Please note the sarcasm in that last statement. I bent my strong will to assert what I know to be true and I bowed my head to pray. Because I do know how anyone could arrive at the same conclusions...they have not the Spirit of God in them. Their vision is clouded if not eclipsed. They are hell bound.
As I prayed for this lost person and all those who follow, I became anxious. Even as I made a poor attempt to communicate with God the Almighty, thoughts of worry polluted my mind. What is this world coming to? What will happen if we continue on this path? What, as Christians, can we do to stop this spiral into hell? Honestly, to say we are near the end times is no longer accurate. In my opinion, we are there. As I approached my King on behalf of others, Satan attacked with these unnecessary reservations. *(As a side note, I realize now more than ever I must be on guard at all times. Even in prayer, evil rises up in me.) Back to my point. As I confidently asked the Lord to open the eyes of this outsider, I wrestled with doubt. How can I believe without hesitation my God is powerful enough to call this stranger to Himself, yet I worry this world is too evil, too far gone to be helped? How can you hold to one idea and to the other? How can I hold on to my faith and my disbelief at the same time? The point is, I can't.
Oswald Chambers once said, "Faith is complete confidence in the character of God..." Either your confidence is complete or it isn't. Either you have it or you don't. Either I trust God entirely or I don't. There is no middle ground. Faith isn't calculated in degrees. There is no scale when it comes to measurement of belief. Do you believe? "Yes!" Do you believe? "No." As much as some folks would like to claim it, "Maybe" isn't an option.
Wondering how to put words to my thought process (which I recognize as being all over the place now), I went to my daily devotional. I found the following message: Overcoming Anxiety The last sentence convicted me most. "We may be in the midst of hard times and wondering where the good is. Do not lose hope. God is sovereign and true to every one of His promises (2 Cor. 1:20)." Just as He orchestrated my day so that the message just referenced would be received when I needed it most, God is in complete control at all times. Do I believe it? Absolutely. Then why do I question it?
The lessons learned through one stray click of a mouse are priceless. By straying to a page never before seen, God spoke to me and pointed out more than one much needed message. As I judged others for their blindness to the truth, He gently reminded while praying for their salvation, that I too am often blind to my own sin. Even now as I type an incorrect thought flows through my brain with little to no resistance..."Yeah but my sin isn't as bad as THEIRS." In a brief 5 minute period, while reading another's blog, I judged (with anger) a fellow sinner's state of affairs. I elevated myself above them in my mind though I am just as depraved. I viewed myself as superior though I know full well the phrase "There but by the grace of God, go I" has never been more true. I prayed for them with doubt in my heart. I questioned my God's ability to extended His saving hand to them. I was a fool.
To wrap up this convoluted and perhaps bewildering page of thoughts, I will share the reminder that I must speak for my own benefit daily...Satan may be adapt but my God is absolute. Repeat it if necessary. Satan may be adapt but my God is absolute! Whether you fret over the condition of a single soul or whether you agonize for the future of this world, know that our God is Sovereign. And believe with your whole heart, holding on to no doubt, we can place every bit of our faith in that. Either you trust God...or you don't.
As I read the blog entry, which was assumedly about Christianity, I was immediately heartbroken. No, I take that back. First, I was angry. Then I was heartbroken. The thoughts expressed on this stranger's page were baffling. Misconceptions like the following: All religion is bad, therefore all faith is bad. Christians are nothing more than judgmental hypocrites. Why can't the world be more like Buddha? etc. caused me to question how anyone could ever arrive at the same conclusion. This poor misguided heart actually thinks they have it right. They think by advocating acceptance of all religious paths yet, trusting in none they are well on their way. They believe that a god is in all of us regardless of faith or lack thereof. They hold to a lie, told by the Father of Lies, that no matter the condition of their soul, they are every bit as entitled to enter Heaven as the Son of God. Thoughts such as these caused (and will continue to cause) an anger to rise up in me that is almost frightening. I am quite laidback by nature but I found myself resisting the urge to point out just how idiotic these "beliefs" are. Realizing that would not be the proper response, I withheld my righteous judgment. Please note the sarcasm in that last statement. I bent my strong will to assert what I know to be true and I bowed my head to pray. Because I do know how anyone could arrive at the same conclusions...they have not the Spirit of God in them. Their vision is clouded if not eclipsed. They are hell bound.
As I prayed for this lost person and all those who follow, I became anxious. Even as I made a poor attempt to communicate with God the Almighty, thoughts of worry polluted my mind. What is this world coming to? What will happen if we continue on this path? What, as Christians, can we do to stop this spiral into hell? Honestly, to say we are near the end times is no longer accurate. In my opinion, we are there. As I approached my King on behalf of others, Satan attacked with these unnecessary reservations. *(As a side note, I realize now more than ever I must be on guard at all times. Even in prayer, evil rises up in me.) Back to my point. As I confidently asked the Lord to open the eyes of this outsider, I wrestled with doubt. How can I believe without hesitation my God is powerful enough to call this stranger to Himself, yet I worry this world is too evil, too far gone to be helped? How can you hold to one idea and to the other? How can I hold on to my faith and my disbelief at the same time? The point is, I can't.
Oswald Chambers once said, "Faith is complete confidence in the character of God..." Either your confidence is complete or it isn't. Either you have it or you don't. Either I trust God entirely or I don't. There is no middle ground. Faith isn't calculated in degrees. There is no scale when it comes to measurement of belief. Do you believe? "Yes!" Do you believe? "No." As much as some folks would like to claim it, "Maybe" isn't an option.
Wondering how to put words to my thought process (which I recognize as being all over the place now), I went to my daily devotional. I found the following message: Overcoming Anxiety The last sentence convicted me most. "We may be in the midst of hard times and wondering where the good is. Do not lose hope. God is sovereign and true to every one of His promises (2 Cor. 1:20)." Just as He orchestrated my day so that the message just referenced would be received when I needed it most, God is in complete control at all times. Do I believe it? Absolutely. Then why do I question it?
The lessons learned through one stray click of a mouse are priceless. By straying to a page never before seen, God spoke to me and pointed out more than one much needed message. As I judged others for their blindness to the truth, He gently reminded while praying for their salvation, that I too am often blind to my own sin. Even now as I type an incorrect thought flows through my brain with little to no resistance..."Yeah but my sin isn't as bad as THEIRS." In a brief 5 minute period, while reading another's blog, I judged (with anger) a fellow sinner's state of affairs. I elevated myself above them in my mind though I am just as depraved. I viewed myself as superior though I know full well the phrase "There but by the grace of God, go I" has never been more true. I prayed for them with doubt in my heart. I questioned my God's ability to extended His saving hand to them. I was a fool.
To wrap up this convoluted and perhaps bewildering page of thoughts, I will share the reminder that I must speak for my own benefit daily...Satan may be adapt but my God is absolute. Repeat it if necessary. Satan may be adapt but my God is absolute! Whether you fret over the condition of a single soul or whether you agonize for the future of this world, know that our God is Sovereign. And believe with your whole heart, holding on to no doubt, we can place every bit of our faith in that. Either you trust God...or you don't.
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