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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 25 September 2022:
Listen to this teaching by Myron Golden about 1 Samuel 30 and fulfilling your God-given purpose on earth: https://youtu.be/pt5a_KuP3MA
1 Samuel 30:3 — And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive.
God showed mercy on David who had been pillaging Amalekite villages. How does your mercy and grace towards others differ than God’s mercy and grace towards you? Jesus was very clear that those who receive His grace must, with no exception, return the same kind of grace towards others. Forgiveness is at the heart of faith. How does how you forgive reflect your gratitude for the grace you have received. Are you dishonoring and disobeying God in unforgiveness?
- Ephesians 4:32 — Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
- Mark 11:25 — And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
- Matthew 18:21-22 — Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
- Matthew 6:14-15 — For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
1 Samuel 30:8 — David inquired of the Lord.
Only in a completely helpless situation did David again inquire of the LORD. God intends for us to always live by revelation which guides us beyond our human knowledge to reveal God’s will. It is impossible for us the determine the will of God strictly from our own intellect.
1 Samuel 30:23 — You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us.
Those who have received grace from God must, in turn, bestow grace upon others.
Psalm 110:1 – The Lord says to my Lord: Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’”
Jesus used this verse to explain that David too waited for the Messiah, Jesus. David understood something about Jesus and looked forward to His coming. In Luke 20:41-44, Jesus uses Psalm 110 to reveal Himself as the Messiah.
Psalm 110:3 — Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.
Psalm 110:3 which is labeled “a Psalm of David” is actually a prophesy of the reign of Jesus Christ. In Luke 20, Jesus pointed out that this Psalm refers to him, his Son-ship, and his Kingship — the Jews had missed the message of this Psalm. Jesus, who proclaimed “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand…. The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel,” reminds every one of the words of Psalm 110 – “I make your enemies your footstool.” As we have discussed in previous readings, God’s Elect will reign on earth with Jesus upon His return (1 Corinthians 6, Revelation 20), and Psalm 110:3 gives another clue as to how events will occur – “the dew of your youth will be yours.” This statement can also be interpreted, “your young men will come to you like dew.” This coincides with what is prophesied in Micah 5 concerning “the Ruler… born in Bethlehem” — “Then the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the Lord, like showers on the grass, which delay not for a man nor wait for the children of man. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep, which, when it goes through, treads down and tears in pieces, and there is none to deliver. Your hand shall be lifted up over your adversaries, and all your enemies shall be cut off.” (Micah 5:7-9) These are the people who have diligently obeyed their King and have gone throughout the world, to every Nation, making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey all of God’s commands; advancing the Kingdom of God one heart at a time; preparing people across the globe for the return of Jesus; this is a global, spiritual insurgency, treading down and tearing to pieces the forces of darkness and the strongholds of evil. The “Christian Soldier” is in a battle every day, but not a physical battle but rather a spiritual battle – “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:5, 6) We are to live as “Ambassadors for Christ” and as a “Kingdom of Priests” in the midst of the kingdoms of men, not in timidity but as lions, destroying strongholds through divine power and the authority of Christ. We have been given our mission orders by Jesus himself:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!
At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
but the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
we have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
this through countless ages men and angels sing.
Psalm 110:4 — You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews reveal that this priesthood of Melchizedek points to Jesus.
Psalm 111:1 – Praise the Lord! I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Will you do this at church today?
Psalm 111:2 — Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.
Those who delight in the LORD study Him. Your study reveals your love.
Psalm 111:10 — The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
This phrase is repeated several times in the Bible for a reason. God is the source of all wisdom; the world’s wisdom is foolishness to God. All wisdom is founded on the Sovereignty of God. Any so called “knowledge” that does not start with the fundamental truth of God’s Sovereignty and the reality of Jesus Christ is a deception and a lie, regardless of how good is sounds or how popular it is.
- 1 Corinthians 3:19 — For the wisdom of this world is folly with God.
- 2 Peter 2:1-3 — But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
- 2 Timothy 4:3-5 — For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
- Colossians 2:8 — See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
- Jude 1:4 — For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
- 1 Timothy 6:3 — If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.
- Galatians 1:6-9 — I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
- Romans 9:20 — But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”
Today, many say that science and faith are at odds. However, this is a false narrative; faith only conflicts with pseudoscience (to include humanist psychology) which is passed off today as science to suit the rebellious spirit of its proponents.
The word science comes from the Latin “scientia,” meaning “knowledge.” According to Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, the definition of science is “knowledge attained through study or practice,” or “knowledge covering general truths of the operation of general laws, esp. as obtained and tested through scientific method [and] concerned with the physical world.” The Bible says that nature reveals the truth of God; so, true science will naturally point to the reality and truth of the Sovereignty of God. However, popular, secular-based pseudoscience (perhaps better considered political science) seeks to eliminate God, and therefore becomes, at its foundation, a destructive lie. Case in point: the theory of evolution taught in schools has its foundation in Charles Darwin’s publication “On the Origin of Species.” This publication refutes the reality of the Creator and the truth of His word. The lie of Darwinism has had tremendously destructive consequences which are better understood when we consider the complete title of his work: “On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.” Darwin’s pseudoscience fueled the concept of “Favoured Races” which led to previously unimaginable atrocities in Nazi Germany and across the globe.
Where is godless pseudoscience taking us today? Where could we be today if we relied on honest science that accepts the truth of the Creator and Jesus Christ, through whom all things were made (John 1)? What wonderful things might we have discovered or created? What problems might we have solved, and what cures might we have found had we not worked so hard to keep God out of the equation? We can only speculate.
Are you prepared to counter pseudoscience with real science which is the true knowledge of God? And are you prepared to turn your knowledge into wisdom, which is knowledge rightly applied? Listen carefully for humanistic, godless philosophies which are now mainstream and have crept into even the church, and make the most of every opportunity to proclaim the Truth of Jesus Christ and His sufficiency.
Proverbs 25:2 — It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
The old adage says, “Knowledge is power.” Knowledge can be very valuable, but not when knowledge is used to build up pride, to achieve personal power for self-centered ends. Many subconsciously seek knowledge as a substitute for faith, an effort to free oneself from dependency on God, an effort to worship the god of self. Of End Times, Daniel says, “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Also, Jesus said, “because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12) Today, society is in a frenzied pursuit of knowledge in order to save themselves and to eliminate the need for the Savior. As a result, the love of most is growing cold. As Paul said, “This ‘knowledge’ puffs up, but love builds up. (1 Corinthians 8:1) Read Romans 1:18-32 (written prior to Rome’s fall) to see an accurate description of what is happening in society today. Seek knowledge in a selfless, humble way, and glorify God with your faith.
Proverbs 25:4 — Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel.
Does your holiness render you usable by God for special assignments?
Proverbs 25:6, 7 – Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great, for it is better to be told, ‘Come up here,’ than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.
Don’t be a self-promoter. Let your reputation speak for itself. Margaret Thatcher once said, “Power is like being a lady… if you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.” What you are should be so apparent that you don’t have to promote it artificially. Some people become great at writing resumes, conducting job interviews, collective awards, accreditations, etc, all to get important positions, but they are only “empty suits” who overpromise and underdeliver. Of course politicians are known for doing what it takes to get elected and then failing to be all that they said they would be or failing to do all that they said they would do. Proverbs 25:14 says, “Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.” Instead, Christians should let their actions, rather than their words, earn them an invitation to the party and a seat at the table. Do whatever you do so well that everyone demands more.
Proverbs 25:9 – Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret.
God gives very specific instructions for conflict resolution that is often ignored by Christians who should be experts on conflict resolution because we have been given by God the ministry of reconciliation. In this verse, God tells us to first seek to handle matters with others 1-on-1 and privately, not sharing the issues with others. Is that what you do?
Proverbs 25:15 – With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
Patience is very powerful. Instant gains are usually quickly lost. Things that matter take time. Patience is the first virtue mentioned in the Great Love Verse, 1 Cor 13:4 – “Love is patient and kind….”
Proverbs 25:15-16 — With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone. If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
A key principle in God’s word is that lasting success is achieved little by little, step by step, overtime, and that patient restraint is vital. As the pastor says, “People always overestimate what they can do in a day and underestimate what they can do in a lifetime.” Said another way, “Persistence overcomes the resistance.” The mantra of society today is, “more, faster, better.” People want quick fixes, quick answers, and instant success. Resist the temptation to “get rich quickly.” Patiently obey and watch God work over time — “The mighty oak does not grow over night.”
Proverbs 25:26 — Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
How much pollution do you want in your drinking water? How much sin does God want in your life?
Proverbs 25:28 — A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
A lack of self-control leaves you defenseless.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 25 September 2022: Practice your discernment today. Listen carefully to what you hear people claim and be like a good Berean, “examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things [are] so.” (Acts 17:11)
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 