Respect the Anointed

Story: 1 Samuel 24:1-22/ 2 Samuel 1:1-16

In spite of Saul’s evil pursuits and death wish for David, David respected and honored “The Lord’s Anointed.” Not because of Saul’s behavior but because of Saul’s position established by God.

Out of honor for God, we should respect those God has placed over us.

Tom

Not This World

“Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?” The answer to the troubling question is really quite simple. This is NOT the world God planned for us.

He gave us freedom of choice. We had messed things up for ourselves from the very beginning. We are all living the consequences of our own poor choices or someone else’s poor choices.

The only wise choice is to accept God’s solution: Christ. He is only Way to the other, heavenly world that God has also planned for us.

This world is not my home. This is NOT the world God planned for us.

Anonymous

100 AD Hymns

Greetings!

While doing my personal study I happened upon a collection of 100 to 150 AD hymns that our Brothers and Sisters sang so many years ago. Needless to say we no longer sing these, but it is awsome to read what they sung to the glory of God so soon after He was with us.

Enjoy!

"1. He has filled me with words of truth, that I may proclaim Him.
2. And like the flowing of waters, truth flows from my mouth, and my lips declare His fruits.
3. And He has caused His knowledge to abound in me, because the mouth of the Lord is the true Word, and the entrance of His light.
4. And the Most High has given Him to His generations, which are
5. The interpreters of His beauty, And the narrators of His glory, And the confessors of His purpose, And the preachers of His mind, And the teachers of His works.
6. For the subtlety of the Word is inexpressible, and like His utterance so also is His swiftness and His acuteness, for limitless is His progression.
7. He never falls but remains standing, and one cannot comprehend His descent or His way.
8. For as His work is, so is His expectation, for He is the light and dawning of thought.
9. And by Him the generations spoke to one another, and those that were silent acquired speech.
10. And from Him came love and equality, and they spoke one to another that which was theirs. 11. And they were stimulated by the Word, and knew Him who made them, because they were in harmony.
12. For the mouth of the Most High spoke to them, and His exposition prospered through Him.
13. For the dwelling place of the Word is man, and His truth is love.
14. Blessed are they who by means of Him have perceived everything, and have known the Lord in His truth.

Hallelujah."

If you are interested in the complete collection send me a separate email. Its a 22 page Word Document ....

David T.

The Purpose

Why?

Deep down, isn’t that what we all want to know? Why did the accident have to happen? Why did 4 teenage girls die? Why will 36 kids, lots of parents, and tons of family and friends have 30 feet of nightmares for a very long time to come?

We think that if we can figure out THE PURPOSE, then it will make sense, and we can have closure. Perhaps it won’t be as sad. Perhaps it won’t be repeated.

But that’s not the way it works. And we know that too, deep down.

Why God allows bad things to happen to good people is the unanswerable question. It defies our sense of justice, that sense of justice that we inherited from God, by the way. He made us to expect apples from apple trees, oranges from orange trees, to reap what we sow. To expect that if we do what is right, then nothing will go wrong.

So when the reverse happens, and innocent children die for no apparent reason, we can get stuck in the quagmire of whys.

We crawl out at times on our own flimsy boards of reasoning: maybe it was for a wake-up call to pull other students on the right track; maybe the girls who died were prepared for heaven now and might not have been later; maybe it will prompt safety alterations that will prevent more deaths in the future.

But whatever excuses for answers we come up with, we know they fall short. We’re missing too many puzzles pieces, ones that our eyes can’t see. So eventually we change the question. Instead of “Why are they gone?”, we ask “Why am I here?”

We do know that God created us intentionally and deliberately to live. More specifically, to live for Him. By design, our purpose is to reach out for our Creator and touch others as we do that.

So while we can’t answer why God allowed Nicole, Christina, Tanesha, and Crystal to die this week, God has given answers about why we are still here. To love Him and to love others. Thoughtfully, willfully, and voluntarily.

One way we do that is to put our arms around those struggling with the first question.

Then one day when we’ve all gone home to stay, our Father will wrap his arms around us and make all His purposes plain.

Lisa

Nicole's Cup

I didn't think I would be writing about death so soon, but I wanted to share about Nicole Ford.

Nicole’s cup

One of the teachers told me there had been a tragic bus accident with fatalities and serious injuries. I turned on the news. That’s how I learned that a teenager named Nicole Ford had been killed. At first I just wondered if it had been our little Nicole, but the worst was soon confirmed when they described how this victim had been shot in the face and had a young son. I was in shock, “How could this happen – to Nicole, to the other students – or even at all.” When I got home and I saw Nicole’s cup on the window sill. That’s when the memories came and I was able to cry.

My memories are of a sweet, funny little girl who first came into my life when she was in first grade. Nicole was one of “Linda’s kids.” She rode the van to attend Central and we became her foster parents. Nicole sat with me during worship - sometimes napping on my lap, or snuggling on my shoulder while she practiced writing her name and the words “I love you.”

Over the years she would often come to our house on Sunday afternoons. One of the funniest memories was watching her comb and braid Benjamin’s hair. He was so patient with her. She loved to play with my old dolls while she watched Jurassic Park. We would start the movie, let it run and then take it out when it was time to leave. When she came back the next time, we’d just plug it in wherever we left off the last time.

One day when we dropped her off at home, she ran inside saying she had something for me. All toothless smiles, she presented me with her treasure – a little tea pot and a cup with a broken handle. Now it’s my treasure. I’ve had it sitting out on my window sill for years to remind me of my sweet little Nicole.

Isn’t that just like what we do with God? We present him with our only treasure – the broken cup of our lives. Now we are God’s treasure. He accepts our broken cups and places us lovingly “on his window sill.”

Kathleen

Fear of Death by Kathleen

In reading Hebrews this week, I was struck by our fear of death. Satan intended to use our fear of death for evil. In Christ we should have no fear of death – but I admit I still do.

Maybe death will be like standing on the edge of a swimming pool. It’s foggy and I can’t see the water. I’m pretty sure I will like swimming. I’ve heard wonderful accounts from a reliable witness who has jumped in before me. But I am still standing on the edge of the pool, the only existence I know about. It’s a lovely place to be waiting before I jump. After all, it was created by the same lifeguard who is calling for me to join him in the water.

The lifeguard tells me not to fear. “Come on in, the water’s fine! I’ve stood where you are now, but this is so much better! So divinely refreshing! Family and friends are swimming around in here too. You can hear my voice, so you know I’m right here to catch you when you’re ready. So, don’t be afraid.”

One day, the lifeguard will call and I’ll make that jump. Will I feel fear or feel a grand anticipation? Probably a little of both.

But I will make the jump because I trust the lifeguard.

Kathleen Lowery

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Thanks for sharing!

Heavenly Verses

Colossians 3:1-2 is a challenge I like to be reminded of. I need more reminders to “look above,” to see things from a spiritual, eternal perspective, to understand that what I see with my eyes and touch with my hands are not the real things.

I also am inspired by Hebrews 12:1,2. Just think of it: “surrounded by a cloud of great witnesses”—Noah, Abraham, Moses…. Such men of faith who were responsive to the responsibilities that God placed on their shoulders. Their races were much more difficult than my life race, yet their endurance, bred from a strong faith in the Father, kept them from laying down and quitting in the hard times. What a blessing it will be when we can listen to their stories first-hand.

The kingdom within now, and the kingdom in fullness later--incredible realizations and goals as gifts from our Lord. I look forward to my “departure to be with Christ” (Philippians 1:21-23), to live in timelessness, spirit-to-Spirit, with the ultimate Giver.

Lisa

****

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Colossians 3:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.
Philippians 1:21-23

I Can Only Imagine

Artist: Mercy Me

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus
Or in awe of you be still

Will I stand in your presence
Or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah
Will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You

I can only imagine

I think heaven...

I think heaven is going to be more awesome than anyone can imagine. My limited mind is certainly not capable of comprehending what it will be like. There aren't even words in my vocabulary to express it. I just know I want to be there.

l Corinthians 2:9 Paul tell us "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"

Revelations 21:4 "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away"

I can only imagine.

Adrienne

Week 9 Questions - Heaven

1. What do you think heaven will be like? What do you most look forward to about it?

2. Share scriptures about heaven that inspire you.

3. For the Wednesday Worship Class participants:
Please give your comments about your experience with the class this quarter.
(What was beneficial? Distracting? Encouraging? Etc.)

Go to Heaven - Upset Hell!

C. S. Lewis - Screwtape Letters

Background - Screwtape, a senior devil, has been coaching Wormwood, a junior tempter, how to lure a male human away from “the Enemy” and into hell. Wormwood’s “patient” became a Christian and has been killed in the German bombing of London. Screwtape describes to Wormwood the feelings in hell.

My Dear Wormwood, you have let a soul slip through your fingers. The howl of sharpened famine for that loss re-echoes at this moment through all the levels of Hell down to the very Throne itself. It makes me mad to think of it.

How well I know what happened at the instant when they snatched him from you! There was a sudden clearing of his eyes (was there not?) as he saw you for the first time, and recognized the part you had had in him and knew that you had it no longer. Just think (and let it be the beginning of your agony) what he felt at that moment; as if a scab had fallen from an old sore, as if he shuffled off for good and all a defiled, wet, clinging garment.

The more one thinks about it, the worse it becomes. He got through so easily! One moment it seemed to be all our world; the scream of bombs, the heart cold with horrors, the brain reeling; next moment this was all gone, gone like a bad dream, never again to be of any account.
Defeated, out-maneuvered fool! Did you mark how naturally—as if he'd been born for it—the earthborn vermin entered the new life? How all his doubts became, in the twinkling of an eye, ridiculous?

As he saw you, he also saw Them. I know how it was. You reeled back dizzy and blinded, more hurt by them than he had ever been by bombs. The degradation of it!—that this thing of earth and slime could stand upright and converse with spirits before whom you, a spirit, could only cower. He had not the faintest conception till that very hour of how they would look, and, at times, even doubted their existence. But when he saw them he knew that he had always known them and he realized what part each one of them had played at many an hour in his life when he had supposed himself alone. Recognition made him free in their company almost before the limbs of his corpse became quiet. Only you were left outside.

He saw not only Them; your patient also saw Him. This animal, this thing begotten in a bed, could look on Him. What is blinding, suffocating fire to you, is now cool light to him, is clarity itself, and wears the form of a Man.

~ Posted by Ed Ditto

Spiritual Waiting

When I think about it, it is mostly in terms of me. The time I spend waiting on God. Waiting on him to fix my problems, to iron out my wrinkled character, to change my circumstances.

What I think less about is the amount of time he spends waiting on me.

Waiting on me to get with his game plan, to come to him for help, to finally see him for the good and all-powerful God that he is.

I know he is the more patient one of us. He shows no signs of irritation at me for my tediously slow transformation. Instead, he blesses and encourages me to wait even more on him.

I thank him for not being as impatient with me as I am with others and with myself. And even with him. This waiting stuff trips me up too often in my “do life efficiently” plan.

But perhaps if I conquered it too quickly, and didn’t have to wait for it, I would miss the point of the lesson entirely: to be patient is to be like God.

Lamentations 3:25, 26
“The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”

Lisa

"While You Were Sleeping" by Casting Crowns

Words and Music by Mark Hall

Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky

And while you're lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight

Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man and stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

Oh little town of Jerusalem
Looks like another silent night
The Father gave His only Son
The Way, the Truth, the Life had come
But there was no room for Him
In the world He came to save

Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today
Jerusalem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children

And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping?
Will we be sleeping?

Week 8 Questions - Anticipation: the 2nd Coming

1. What helps you remain patient when you have to wait for something?

2. Share a time when God made "the wait" worth it.

3. How should we be living now in anticipation for heaven later?

The Compassionate Savior

I love reading passages that describe the compassion that Jesus had. Jesus not only did the right things, He did them with right motives, from a place of sincere love and genuine concern for people. He really loved people; that gives me confidence that He really has compassion on and loves me, too.

Knowing my God is always there, looking out for me, makes my life different from a non-believer’s life. The security I get from being one of His is like a blanket of peace being laid out under my feet. Outward circumstances ebb and flow, and even my faith itself waxes and wanes, but at the deepest level, my inward foundation is unchanging because HE is unchanging. “If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13

Matthew 9:36: When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 14:14: When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Matthew 15:32: Jesus said, “I have compassion on the crowd…I am unwilling to send them away hungry.”

Matthew 20:34: Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes.

Mark 1:41: Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.

Lisa

Own Me

Words and music by Ginny Owens

Got a stack of books so I could learn how to live;
Many are left half-read, covered by the cobwebs on my shelf.
And I got a list of laws growin’ longer ev’ry day,
And if I keep pluggin’ away, maybe one day I’ll perfect myself.

Oh, but all of my labor seems to be in vain,
And all of my laws just cause me more pain.
So I fall before You in all of my shame,
Ready and willing to be changed.

CHORUS
Own me,
Take all that I am
And heal me with the blood of the Lamb,
Mold me
With Your gracious hand,
Break me ‘til I’m only Yours,
Own me.

Oh, You call me daughter, and You take my blame,
And You run to meet me when I cry out Your name.
So I fall before You in all of my shame,
Lord, I am willing to be changed.

CHORUS
Own me,
Take all that I am
And heal me with the blood of the Lamb,
Mold me
With Your gracious hand,
Break me ‘til I’m only Yours,
Own me.

Life with Hope

In the 26th chapter of Matthew before the Sanhedrin, Christ showed courage knowing His end was near. One would think if ever there was a time to defend yourself, that was certainly it. Yet I think even more than courage, Christ displayed complete and ultimate faith. Proving to me there is indeed a time and place for everything.

Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world." John 18:36. This is one of my favorite "life" scriptures. It means we must get rid of anything that plagues the spirit while here on this earth, in order to obtain a oneness with Christ Jesus in Heaven.

Life with Christ is life with hope. It also gives one a feeling of purpose. Of course eternal life is the main goal, but also hope for each day that we live on earth. Life without Christ seems to spawn a type of aimlessness. My life is different because I feel I "owe" Christ. After all, His very life was ransomed for me.

Adrienne

Connected

Jesus - there is a connection between His life and mine. I have to remind myself that His life is reality, mine is surreal. His life is spiritual, mine is physical.

The only hope I have to enter a real life, a spiritual life, is for Him to leave His spiritual life and live a physical life. He did.

For that, I can only love Him in my pitiful way and totally depend on Him to love me, as one person said, "passionately."

~ Posted by Ed Ditto

Week 7 Questions - My Life in Christ

1. Share an event in Christ’s life that holds a special meaning for you.

2. Do you have a favorite “life” scripture? Explain.

3. How is life in Christ different than life without Christ? How is your life different because Jesus is in it?