Daily David, Week 11, Day 5

November 11, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

Today’s readings come from the New Testament. We first hear Jesus teachings on prayer from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:5-15 and 7:7-12. A third reading is from James 1:1-18

What do we learn about prayer in Matthew 6?

We are not to pray for show. Prayer is not about impressing others. Prayer is about our relationship with God. The reward with prayer is to know God and to be known by him.

We also learn the Lord’s Prayer. This is not a prayer Jesus teaches us to pray word for word. It is a template for our prayer so that we know how to pray.

What does it mean to ask for God’s kingdom to come and for his will to be done (6:10)?

It means for heaven to come to earth. It means that God’s authority and dominion would be ushered in. That his will would be done is that what God desires for his creature and creation would become a reality.

What does it mean to ask for daily bread (6:11)? What does Jesus teach us to ask for ourselves 6:12-13)?

To ask for daily bread is to ask for daily provision. That God would give us everything we need to live. He does not teach us to ask for more. “God, just give me enough!”

Jesus teaches us to ask for these things which we need. We need forgiveness. We need God’s guidance in our lives as to how to live. We need his divine protection.

Jesus says, “Ask and it will be given you.” Why then does God sometimes say, “no!” (7:7-8)? What does Matthew 7 say that God will give us?

We don’t have because we don’t ask. God will give us every good gift we need and more. We sometimes do not have because what we ask from God is not good even though we may think it is good.

According to the book of James, how are we to ask God when we are lacking (1:1-7)?

We must ask with faith, believing God will answer. We must ask and not doubt. We ask in humility recognizing God is not obligated to answer our prayer. His only obligation is the obligation he puts on himself because of his grace.

What happens to earthly treasure which we often ask God for (1:9-12)?

It does not last. We leave this earth and our possessions are given to someone else. God wants us to have treasure that we can hold in eternity and not what will be thrown away.

Are there times in your life where you received something good that was not good? Opposite that have you ever received something that you did not think was good, but was good? Who knows better than you what you need?

There have been more than a few times when what I thought I was receiving was a blessing, but it was actually a curse. What we think is good is not always good for us. There are other times I have received that which I did not want to receive, but it turned out to be a great blessing. God know what we really want and need better than we do. The hard thing is to believe that and live in trust.

David, Week 12 Study Guide

November 10, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

November 14-20

Ending Well

Acts 13:36 (NLT) David had done the will of God in his own generation, he died and was buried with his ancestors, and his body decayed.

Memory Verse:

2 Timothy 4:7–8 (NLT) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

Day 1

1 Kings 1:1 − 2:12

Why was it significant that Abishag had no intimate relations with David (1:3-4)? Why is Adonijah so presumptuous to claim the throne at this point (1:5-6)?

Why is there so much uncertainty about who will be the next king (1:6, 27)? Why were certain people not invited to Adonijah’s party (1:8-10)? What might David had done differently to have avoided this controversy?

What does Bathsheba mean when she says, “May my lord King David live forever!” (1:31)?

What was involved in Solomon’s coronation ceremony (1:32-35,38-40)? What are the significance of these events (see Matthew 21:1-5)?

How do the various people respond to Solomon’s coming as king? How do you think this might compare to when Jesus returns as King to this earth?

How would Adonijah show himself as a “worthy man” before King Solomon (1:52)? How will we show ourselves as worthy men and women when King Jesus comes to his throne?

What is David’s instruction to Solomon at the beginning of 1 Kings (2:1-4)?

Why would David have instructed Solomon to put Joab and Shimei to death (2:5-9)?

Day 2

1 Chronicles 28-29

This reading begins with David reflecting on an unfulfilled dream – the building of the temple in Jerusalem. How does David deal with this unfulfilled dream (38:4-7)? How do you deal with unfulfilled dreams?

How does David work to insure the success of his Son (28:9-21)? What is the greatest legacy we can leave behind? In our family? In our work? In our church?

More than anything else, what did David want Solomon to know (21:9)? Why is this important?

David provided much for Solomon. How do we honor the generations that have gone before us and provided us much?

Characterize David’s Prayer before God in 29:10-19? What things does David give God thanks for? What things does David ask for?1

Day 3

2 Timothy 3:1-4:8

What will happen in the last days (3:1-5)? How do we see this happening today?

What does it say will happen to those who want to live a godly life (3:12)? How was this true in the life of David?

What is the role of the Scriptures in living a godly life (3:14-16)? If we don’t seek God’s Word, what will we seek instead (4:3-4)?

Why is it so important for us to do the work of an evangelist (4:5)?

What does Paul mean that he has fought the good fight (4:7)? What is his reward?

Day 4

John 21:15-25

Why does Jesus ask Peter to feed his lambs (21:15-19; see John 18:15-18, 19-24)?

What does Jesus mean when he asks Peter to feed his sheep?

Do you think it was significant that David was a shepherd before he became king? Why?

What is our role on this earth (15:22)

We read in Acts 13:36 (NLT): “David had done the will of God in his own generation, he died and was buried with his ancestors, and his body decayed.” Now reread this verse and replace David’s name with your name. Will this statement be true or false?

Day 5

Revelation 2:1-7

What does this text say about what God knows (2:2)? Is there anything we will do in our life that God is not aware of?

What is the Ephesian church commended for in this letter (2:2-3)? How are false apostles found out? How do we persevere and endure hardship without growing weary?

What is held against the Ephesian church (2:4)? What are they called to do in response (2:5)?

Is there ways your love of God has been diminished? How do you return to loving God in the way you loved him in the past?

What does it mean to overcome (2:7)? What were some of the things David overcame in his lifetime? What do you believe God is calling you to overcome in your lifetime? What is the reward?

Obstacles to God’s Plan

November 10, 2011 in Weekly Email with 0 Comments

God has an amazing plan for your life.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Yet, there are times when we fail to see that amazing plan become a reality. The reason this happens is because we get in the way of God. We get in the way by:

1) Procrastination. You are waiting for a better day when you have more money, more time, more knowledge, more convenience. If you wait for the perfect day or the perfect situation, you will find yourself waiting for a long time.

James 1:22 (NLT) 22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

2) We allow the past to define us. You need to learn from your past, but not live in your past. Jesus died upon the cross to take away your sin. You are a new person today.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

3) You care more for what other people think about you than what God thinks about you. If you are doing what God has called you to do, you will have critics. If you don’t have critics there might be a problem that you are not doing anything worthwhile.

Galatians 1:10 (NLT) Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

4) You forget that the Holy Spirit lives in you and that God is able.

Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

5) You are afraid. You don’t want to take that step of faith. It is too big of a risk. You prefer to stay in your comfort zone.

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) And it is impossible to please God without faith.

6) You believe the lie that you are an accident. You are not special. You don’t have any special gift. You think you are just taking up space.

Psalm 139:13–16 (NLT) You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

7) You are obsessed and passionate about things that have zero eternal significance. What gets you fired up? Sports, entertainment, shiny gadgets, etc? What will you gain from those passions?

Matthew 6:21 (NLT) Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

There is so much need and hurt in the world. If we open our eyes to the things around us we will see the need. It can be overwhelming and we don’t know where to begin. We are stricken with the paralysis of analysis. There is so much to do and so we don’t do anything, but I want to encourage you today to just start. Pick just one thing that you can do today to serve the Lord. It doesn’t need to be anything greatly significant. In fact, some of the most significant work we do for the Lord is the most insignificant things according to the world’s standards. Pray for open eyes to see the neighbor who needs you to pray with them. Pray for open eyes for the frustrated volunteer who news someone to help them. Pray for open eyes to see the family that would be encouraged by a meal you might provide. Pray for open eyes to see all you have been given that you might make a difference for the kingdom of God in someone else’s life.

Daily David, Week 11, Day 4

November 10, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

Today, we look at Hebrews 12:1-12. These verses give encouragement when going through difficult times.

What does it mean to throw off everything that hinders us (12:1)?

It means to get rid of everything in our life that keeps us from experiencing an intimate relationship with God.

Another challenge is that we sometimes put ourselves in the place of God. We think we need to do more than God has called us to do. But when we do more than what God has called us to do, it gives us less time to do that which he has called us to and we do not do it as well.

Where do we fix our eyes (12:2)? What was Jesus’ focus when he walked this earth (12:2)? Why was it not easy for Jesus to keep his focus (12:3)?

We fix our eyes on Jesus. When Jesus walked this earth he kept his eye on the Father’s will which was to die on the cross for the sins of the world. But Jesus constantly had distractions. Satan was out to distract him. He had many good things he was doing on the earth like healing people and preaching incredible sermons. But none of those things were the ultimate purpose for which he was sent.

What might we remember when we go through suffering to help us endure (12:4-7)?

We remember that Jesus suffered. We also remember that God disciplines those that he loves. A parent that fails to discipline their children would be considered a neglectful parent. Discipline is not pleasant to go through as a child, but it is for the ultimate good of that child. It is really hard for that child to understand it when that child is going through it.

Why is discipline considered loving (12:8-11)? What does a person’s reaction to hardship reveal about them?

The person will learn from the discipline and will have a fuller and more peaceful life as a result. A persons reaction to discipline will reveal the type of relationship they have with the Lord.

What have you learned in your life through hardship?

I have learned that God is always there. I have learned to trust him. I have learned to know his peace. I have learned that what I think is bad is often for my good and that all things work for the good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose.

Daily David, Week 11, Day 3

November 9, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

Today’s reading is from Luke 18:1-8. In this reading Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow. It is a story of how God desires us to come to him persistently. Sometimes God will delay an answer to our prayer just so that we will learn to rely upon him and go to him in our time of need.

How does Jesus say we should pray (18:1)?

We should pray with out giving up. Pray persistently!

What does the widow do in this story (18:3)? Why should we be able to count on God more so than the judge in this story (18:2)?

She repeatedly came to the judge asking for justice to be served. While this judge did not fear God, he still offered justice to this women because of her persistence. God will give justice to us, not because we are persistent, but because he is a just God.

Why does the judge grant the widows request (18:4-5)? Why does God grant our requests?

The judge grants the widows request because he is annoyed with her. God grants our requests because he loves us.

Why do you think God desires we call out to him day and night? How do you call out to God day and night?

God wants us to call out to him because he wants a relationship with us. We call out to God day and night when we pray to him and when we seek him in his Word. We call out to God when we fast and set aside worldly pleasure in order to hear from him more clearly.

What is the difference between worry and prayer? What is the role of faith in prayer (18:8)?

Worry is when we stew about something but we just constantly rehearse it in our mind. We wonder what might happen. We stress about what we might have done differently.

Prayer is when we talk to God about it our concerns and we give it over to him. We ask him to act and to provide. We trust in his ability to see us through.

Daily David, Week 11, Day 2

November 8, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

Today, we look at Psalm 22. Verse 1 of this Psalm is famously quoted by Jesus on the cross. This Psalm is all about wrestling with disappointment, despair, and neglect. It is about those times when you are at your lowest. You don’t know what to do. You don’t know how to respond. You feel as if God has abandoned you.

What does David feel has happened (22:1)? Has God really forsaken David? Is there a time in your life when you feel as if God left you?

David feels as if God has abandoned him. But God has not left David. There are times when we feel like this happens. But it is those times when God feels the furthest away, that he he is the closer to us than ever before.

What do others think about David’s God (22:6-8)?

They scoff. They don’t believe God is able to help David in his time of need.

Does David give up on trusting in God (22:9-11)?

But David does not give up on trusting God. He has trusted God his entire life and God had never let him down. When there was no one else to help, God always came through.

If you were to rate your faith vs your despair, where would you rank?

There is a constant battle between the two. There are times when despair will win out over faith and other times when faith will win out over despair. There are many times when I will hold both faith and despair together. There are times when I have despair in my heart, but will continue to take a step of faith. Faith is not the absence of despair. Faith is the ability to take that next step forward in spite of the despair.

How can times of despair actually bring us closer to God?

These are the times we seek God. In the good times we don’t always seek God. But when things are tough we get on our knees in prayer and open up the Word of God. Jesus promise then is that when we seek God we will find him.

How does verse 22 and following show David’s faith?

He is going to tell others of God’s goodness. He is going to boldly and courageously express his faith publicly. It is one thing to hold your faith privately. People will not think you are silly if God lets you down if you don’t tell anyone you are radially believing in him. But when you tell others you are putting God to the test and your faith to the test. You are stepping out on the limb.

How does disappointment better enable you to serve others?

It gives you compassion and understanding. It strengthens you. You learn and you grow. If your life never had any disappointment you would probably be insensitive, cold, and unappreciative.

Mighty Men

November 7, 2011 in Sermons with 0 Comments

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This weekend we observed all saints day. We remember the heroes of faith who have gone before us. It is appropriate we look at David’s Mighty Men. The reading for the weeded was 2 Samuel 23:8-17.

We look at what made these Mighty Men to be mighty men. It was not because of anything special about them. They are ordinary men, but they served an extraordinary God.

Daily David, Week 11, Day 1

November 7, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

We are going to go back to a reading from two weeks ago. This reading is extremely important to understanding the relationship between David and Jesus. The reading is 2 Samuel 7:1-29. In this reading God makes a promise to David. The fulfillment of this promise is found in Jesus.

What did David want to build (7:2)? Why do you think Nathan originally told David to go ahead with his plan (7:3)? Have you ever had plans that seemed good, but were not God’s plan?

David wanted to build a temple for God. This was to be the dwelling place. In the Book of Exodus God instructed the people to build a tabernacle. This was a tent that would go wherever the people of God went. Now that they were established and settled in the nation, David want to build a permanent place. They no loner needed a tent they could pick up and move.

Nathan probably thought this was a good idea. David had good intentions to do this. There was no reason in his mind that he could come up with to tell David not to do this.

Often times we have plans that we think are best. But are not necessarily what God would have us do. Good intentions are not always God intentions. It is important that we listen to what God tells us, not what we think is best.

Did God ask David to build a temple (7:7)?

No, God never asked David to build a temple. Sometimes we put upon ourselves things that we think we should do for God, even though God has not told us to do so. This leads to feelings of frustration.

Could David ever do anything for God that would compare to what God did for David (7:8-11)?

No, it is impossible to ever come close to repaying God for the blessings he pours into our lives.

How does God offset David’s disappointment in not being able to build the temple (7:11-16)?

God promises that he will build a dynasty for David. He tells David his son would build the temple. Finally, he tells David he will establish his throne forever.

Often times God says no to our plan, because he has a greater thing in mind than what we planned.

Is there a time in your life when God said no to your dream so his greater plan could be accomplished? Why is it easy to loose focus when God says “no!”? What is the role of trust when God says “no!”!

It is hard when God says no to something we have set our heart and mind towards. We can really begin to covet our plans. When God says no we think he is rejecting us. We are tempted to believe that God does not have our best interest at heart or that God does not know what he is doing. When God says “no” that is when we need faith to know that God is God and that he knows what is best.

Describe David’s response to Nathan’s revelation (18-29)?

David’s response is one of humility. It is a response of gratitude. It is a response of worship and praise. It is a response of awe!

David, Week 11 Study Guide

November 6, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

November 7-13

When God says No

Memory Verse:

2 Samuel 7:20–21 (NLT) “What more can I say to you? You know what your servant is really like, Sovereign LORD. Because of your promise and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known to your servant.

Day 1

2 Samuel 7:1-29

What did David want to build (7:2)? Why do you think Nathan originally told David to go ahead with his plan (7:3)? Have you ever had plans that seemed good, but were not God’s plan?

Did God ask David to build a temple (7:7)?

Could David ever do anything for God that would compare to what God did for David (7:8-11)?

How does God offset David’s disappointment in not being able to build the temple (7:11-16)?

Is there a time in your life when God said no to your dream so his greater plan could be accomplished? Why is it easy to loose focus when God says “no!”? What is the role of trust when God says “no!”!

Describe David’s response to Nathan’s revelation (18-29)?

Day 2

Psalm 22

What does David feel has happened (22:1)? Has God really forsaken David? Is there a time in your life when you feel as if God left you?

What do others think about David’s God (22:6-8)?

Does David give up on trusting in God (22:9-11)?

If you were to rate your faith vs your despair, where would you rank?

How can times of despair actually bring us closer to God?

How does verse 22 and following show David’s faith?

How does disappointment better enable you to serve others?

Day 3

Luke 18:1-8

How does Jesus say we should pray (18:1)?

What does the widow do in this story (18:3)? Why should we be able to count on God more so than the judge in this story (18:2)?

Why does the judge grant the widows request (18:4-5)? Why does God grant our requests?

Why do you think God desires we call out to him day and night? How do you call out to God day and night?

What is the difference between worry and prayer? What is the role of faith in prayer (18:8)?

Day 4

Hebrews 12:1-12

What does it mean to throw off everything that hinders us (12:1)?

Where do we fix our eyes (12:2)? What was Jesus’ focus when he walked this earth (12:2)? Why was it not easy for Jesus to keep his focus (12:3)?

What might we remember when we go through suffering to help us endure (12:4-7)?

Why is discipline considered loving (12:8-11)? What does a person’s reaction to hardship reveal about them?

What have you learned in your life through hardship?

Day 5

Matthew 6:5-15, 7:7-12, James 1:1-18

What do we learn about prayer in Matthew 6?

What does it mean to ask for God’s kingdom to come and for his will to be done (6:10)?

What does it mean to ask for daily bread (6:11)? What does Jesus teach us to ask for ourselves 6:12-13)?

Jesus says, “Ask and it will be given you.” Why then does God sometimes say, “no!” (7:7-8)? What does Matthew 7 say that God will give us?

According to the book of James, how are we to ask God when we are lacking (1:1-7)?

What happens to earthly treasure which we often ask God for (1:9-12)?

Are there times in your life where you received something good that was not good? Opposite that have you ever received something that you did not think was good, but was good? Who knows better than you what you need?

Daily David, Week 10, Day 5

November 4, 2011 in David with 0 Comments

Happy Friday. Today, I want to look at a key ingredient to becoming a Mighty Man or Woman of God. Without it, we will never be all that God has made us to be. It is what allows us to take steps of courage and accomplish feats that only God can accomplish. We have two readings that are John 14:5-14 and Mark 16:9-20.

What does it mean that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (14:5)?

This is a bold claim of Jesus. It is a claim that many people cannot get past. They are unable to accept it. This is where you either embrace Jesus or you leave him. It is where Jesus draws the line in the sand.

When Jesus says he is the way, he means that he is the way to the Father. He is the way we come to know God. You cannot know God apart from knowing Jesus.

To say that he is the truth means that what he says is true. He does not lie. But even more so, when we look at the truths told in the Bible, all those truths are fulfilled in him. When every other supposed “truth” fails, Jesus will still be standing. Throughout history there are many things that have been thought to be true, but were later found out to not be true. But Jesus has been true since the beginning and will be true forever.

Last, Jesus says he is the life. What this means is that through Jesus we experience the best life now. There is not greater way to die, than to die in Jesus’ arms. But there is no greater way to live that to live in Jesus’ presence. The greatest life is a life lived in Jesus.

Where does Jesus get his power to perform miracles (14:10-11)?

He gets his power to perform miracles with God, the Heavenly Father. He performs these miracles because he walks so closely in step with his Father. The closer we walk in step with the Him, the more amazing things we will be witness to.

What does Jesus say his followers will do (14:12)? What do they need to posses to do these things (14:12)?

Jesus’ says his followers will do even greater things than he did. How amazing is that. If you follow Jesus you will do greater things! Think about the ramifications of that for a second.

The thing they need to possess is the faith which is given by the Holy Spirit.

What will Jesus do for us (14:13-14)?

Jesus says ask anything and he will do it for us. All this is presupposed that we first believe he will do it and that we are following him and walking in step with him. Jesus is not going t help us sin to a greater degree. But he will help us to live the life he intends for us in all its fullness.

What is the first response of the woman and disciples to the power of God shown through the resurrection (16:11-13)?

Disbelief

Why does Jesus rebuke his followers (16:14)? What is our first and foremost calling before everything else (16:16; see John 3:16, Acts 2:38)?

He rebukes them for their lack of faith. Our first and foremost calling is the calling to believe. If we don’t first believe, then we cannot do anything else. The reason we fail to grasp all that God has for us is because we lack faith to take the steps of courage he has called us to. We fail to step out of our comfort zones because we are afraid. Fear hold us back. The only way to overcome our fear is to have our level of faith raised.

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