CONSIDER THIS: LOYALTY

“So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, and drew water from the well of Bethlehem which was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord….2 Samuel 23:16

CONSIDER THIS: The account in this verse is amazing. If you actually see it in one of the old time Bible movies about King David, it is even more impactful. David and his “Mighty Men”, as the scriptures call them, were equally in danger and under duress. Yet these three great soldiers put their very own lives at risk to get the equivalent of “designer water” for their leader, who was just reminiscing about the tasty spring waters of Bethlehem, his birth place. When they bravely went behind enemy lines, drew a large amount of water from the Bethlehem well, and escaped again to take the water to King David, he was immediately cognizant of the fact that he did not deserve such a favor. He knew the men had risked their own lives to satisfy his fleeting thirst for tasty water.

The question for us is – are we willing to risk ANYTHING to please our God? David took the gift of his special favorite water and poured down the altar as a drink offering to the Lord. He did not even take one drink. What the three warriors and their other comrades saw was a man so completely sold out to the Lord, that he gave Him the thing he desired most at that moment in time. Scripture tells us that the Lord desires the praises of His people. Worship is not music but a frame of mind, which includes prayer, music and the Word of God.

David worshiped God in praise (as the pouring of the Drink Offering) as he prayed in 2 Samuel 23:17 “Be it far from me, O Lord, that I should do this. Shall I drink the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. These things the three mighty men did.

ACTION: By definition, a Christian is loyal to Christ. Many of us would go the extra mile to win our loved one to Salvation or to feed and clothe a relative, friend or homeless person. The question is, are we therefore loyal or better yet, absolutely aware of the sacrifice God gave on the Cross? Are we willing to give up a craving for some fancy thing, as David did? Are we so tuned into the Holy Spirit that we can pray, praise, read the Bible and fast when spurred by the Spirit so we can grasp that the greater calling of the Christian is to worship God over everything else? We can enhance our spiritual maturity if we react proactive, daily, to all of these points, going forward. We will suddenly find ourselves instinctively drawing closer to the Lord, in prayer, bible study and deed.

THE UNSUNG HERO OF CHRISTMAS

TEXT:

MATTHEW 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 

20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”

24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.

New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

PLUMBLINE DEVOTIONAL: COLOSSIANS 1:1-8

TEXT:

COLOSSIANS 1:1-8

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

KEYS TO A GODLY LIFE PART 7/12 - LIVING FOR GOD

THE DAWN OF GLORY SERIES:

PLEASE READ THE PASSAGE, THEN - WATCH THE BRIEF EXPOSITION FROM THE PLUMBLINE VIDEO:

1 Peter 4:1-19

4 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. 4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
SHARE IN CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ,you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

THINK ON THESE THINGS - THURSDAY

DOES GOD CARE ABOUT ME?

There is a hopelessness in the air, everywhere. I see it, hear it, read it, reach out and touch it. I heard some, who claim faith in God, recently question if He really loves them.  It has reached the point where some are feeling far away from Him, as if He never really knew, loved or cared about them.

Why?

What causes this kind of heart separation between the Creator and His creation?

Some of it is the natural human reaction to adversity, and that is Fear. It is easy to say, "all we have to fear is fear itself" and some other cliche like it. But the fact of the matter is, there is major pain out there.

There is not only financial pain, but marriages are failing. Families are coming part. Teens are doing things with electronic devices and displaying their lives all over social media. Suicide; drug use; alcoholism; internet pornography....on and on...WHERE IS THE LOVE?

Where is God?

Well, God never moved. The same God Who sent us here to find our way back to Him, with the easiest road map ever, never moved. We did. We got ourselves strung out on a limb so much, we looked down and saw the branch about to break, with us far from the tree trunk.

He is not distant from us. We are from Him. 

The good news? He loves us more! He not only sent His Own Son, the co-equal of God, to pay the price  for a debt He did not owe, if you just open your heart and ask Him to open your own eyes, He will let you see how much He loves you.

But watch your expectations. America and the western world are all about instant gratification. God ain't!  His Love is deep, timeless and completely real...and at times...it WILL be real tough love!

REMEMBER THIS:

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness (or mercy) toward those who fear Him. (Psalm 103:11)....and WHY is that? 

"So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:31) ....because "... you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1Peter 2:9).

Any questions?!

(Image by Google Images)