Arise and Abide

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 7:1-17. The nature of God’s creation vs the nature of man-made things. David’s heart is wanting to make God a temple. God’s kingdom is not defined by buildings, it is so much greater than a temple. “Are you the one to build me a temple?” God sustains and supports us; He doesn’t need us but wants us to be in relationship with Him. God’s blessings are always greater than anything we can bring as an offering. The question God asks David is the question David should have asked God before moving on his intention to build God a temple. David was King of Israel, but building a temple was not for him. Trusting God when we don’t get to do what we want.

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 6:1-23. God’s ways are not our ways. David used the three months between attempts to move the Ark to learn more about the ways of God. Only the Levites were allowed to serve the LORD. David’s reactions, from celebration, to anger and fear, David leans in, is reminded of the goodness of God and keeps going towards God. David was able to regain the Joy. Surrendering our agenda, calendar, our time, to get to know God. David lead the people by dancing, singing, shouts of joy, and the blowing of ram’s horns. David led the people in the joyful experience. Michal was looking at everything from a worldly perspective. Not all were allowed to be close to God, but now that Christ has come, we are allowed into the goodness of God’s presence. Everybody gets to be close, draw near, and serve the LORD.

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 5:1-25. For David this is the culmination of God’s promise from when Samuel first anointed David at least 15 years ago.  Verse 12, “David realized”; this was all for the sake of God’s people. Right after David’s moment of awareness, he is faced with more challenges. David’s humility and his dependence on God are displayed as he seeks the Lord for the next move. The symbolism of the second attack by the Philistines. God brings the victory again but does not do it the same way. We are in a world where we will face spiritual opposition again and again. God’s faithfulness to be there for his people time and time again and continue to help through adversity.  David became more and more powerful because of God. We have the same power of the Lord with us because of God’s gift of the Holy Spirit for the growing of God’s kingdom for all people.

This week’s passage is Daniel 1:9-21. The division and ultimate fall of the kingdom of Israel and Judah. Daniel was born into the kingdom of Judah who survived the fall of their kingdom. Daniel and his friends asked to not defile themselves with the king’s food. God remains with those who remain with God (John 15:5).  God gives favor in hard circumstances. Daniel and his friend’s growth and ability eating only vegetables and water was a gift from God.  Romans 12:2, they could have had bad attitudes in exile, they could have been selfish, but the stayed loyal to God and fasted. What we consume and what it represents. Consuming what God has for us brings us into the abundant life. Matthew 6:33, seek first the kingdom of God and live righteously, and everything else will be added to you. God makes the way, God gives us favor and victory. We represent God, Daniel points to God when he tells Nebuchadnezzar the dream and the interpretation.

This week’s passage is Romans 12:1-10. We are one body in Christ, as Christ gave up his body, we are to offer ourselves as spiritual sacrifices. We are called to serve in different ways but we all are to be serving together for one purpose. God is the One we need, we ought to keep perspective. God’s call on our life is to love God and love people, our focus is to be on God so we can be His expression of love. Honest evaluations of ourselves. When we humble ourselves and our thoughts, we can live out our God given gifts. Just do well what God has given you to do, that starts with our focus.  It can be a challenge to look at yourself humbly. Human judgments of hierarchy miss the mark. We can and should redirect our thoughts, but God is the one who will change the way you think. God’s will for us is good, pleasing, and perfect, we step into God’s promise through surrender.  

This week’s passage is 1 Corinthians 12:1-11. The Corinthians took their focus off God and instead focused on carnal things. The Spiritual Gifts God works through us are not for us to claim as our own or draw out our identity. The Gifts are from God and for others. The emphasis on “One Spirit”, God is the single source of all Spiritual Gifts and abilities. 1 Peter 4:10, our gifts are to be used to serve others. You have to die to self to live selflessly. When we are available and willing, God can and will use us. God is all we need to do what God requires of us, to love God and love people. God does the work in all of us. Our identity is not in one Gift, we can trust God. God works in different ways but it is the same God working in all of us.

This week’s passage is John 14:12-31. The Gift of God’s Holy Spirit and the peace of mind only God can offer. The reassurance from Jesus that He does not abandon us but is with us. This is truth for believers today. Jesus has revealed himself to all. “If you love me obey my commands.” Loving God and loving people, the price is obedience, but the important part is loving Him, in love we obey. It is too overwhelming to go and be Jesus without God living in us. We must surrender all, including our ego. God’s gift outweighs  all we walk away from. The intimacy of God’s relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and in verse 20, we are included. There is nothing better than the presence of God.  

This week’s passage is 1 Peter 4:1-19. The encouragement to continue to serve, even through suffering.  Circumstances don’t change because you start following Christ. Intimacy with God will have us share in Christ’s suffering. We will know God’s heart more as we experience the hurts Jesus felt ministering to the world and in His sacrifice on the cross. Being earnest and disciplined in prayer, serving others in that connection with God through prayer. You cannot really show people love until you are changed by the Love of God.  The cost of being disciplined in prayer requires redirection of your thoughts. Share what God has given you. Serving with your gifts brings glory to the Father. The coming of the Kingdom in our lives and on this earth is where God is glorified.  Love covers a multitude of Sin. Through everything we go through God has equipped us to reflect the Love of God. God is faithful to equip, and God will never fail you.

A brief overview of Romans 9-12:8 then reading from Romans 12:9-21. This scripture tells us what service looks like. To continue to serve enthusiastically with joy, we need to be in constant prayer. To really love others, we must surrender to the Holy Spirit. To truly hate what is wrong we must humbly ask God to change the way we think. To cling to God. Children of God must cling to the Father, in order to cling to God, we must let go of the things we hold onto. Letting go of desires to take revenge. God is righteous, we can trust God. Breaking the cycle of violence. Loving those who don’t deserve it. We play a role in conquering evil on earth. The evil in the world and the lies of the enemy. The people living in the darkness of the lies of the enemy need the light! We are transformed by the Truth breaking through the lies. We are on an awesome mission with God to grow His Kingdom.

A brief overview of Matthew 17-20 then reading from Matthew 20:20-28. The mother of James and John seeking places of honor for her sons. Their vision of God’s kingdom is distorted by the kingdoms of the world. The contract between the Kingdom’s way and the way of the world. The bitter cup of suffering, laying down one’s life. Shift the way we think about being a leader, serving God. Honor is given for service. Taking the time to count the cost. Letting our responses pass through a filter that includes scripture and submission to Jesus.  James and John trying to secure their place in the Kingdom, but that is the work of God.