Author: Travis Manhart

Please watch my video introduction here:

Matthew 6:24

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money( or anything else). 

Matthew 6:25-26

Do Not Be Anxious

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Matthew 6:32-33 

“For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Welcome to another Vida4U. As of this time it “appears” that Biden will be the new President. My emotions are numb, and this Vida may be a bit messy. I myself am struggling with the outcome, with questions. How could this happen and why did President Trump not invoke the insurrection act etc., are a few of my questions. In rereading the last two Vidas, I find encouragement for myself (I hope likewise for you). 

In my Christmas letter, mailed to you or if you did not receive it,( its posted on my website Executivecareinc.com) can be read to find some of this encouragement. Towards the end of the article I say the following…,

“Though the elections are super important to all of us, we part here. They have no eternal

bearing on our life. A relationship with God super transcends anything that we value or find

important here. Here is temporary, God is Eternal, and we need to keep that in mind. When we

do, it is much easier to live life and to care for one another. The first commandment of the Ten Commandments is to “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, mind, soul, and strength. The second is “To Love thy neighbor as thyself.” Instead of fighting, arguing, and bickering this is the direction we are to go in.” 

Here in the real world, unlike in Congress where divisions and blocks are the norm, we need to live together with our neighbors and with our co- workers regardless of their political bias and we CAN when it is the “Kingdom of God and His righteousness” that we seek first ( it’s the only way ). 

Another verse of scripture that relates to what we are feeling are the feelings the disciples felt after Jesus’s death. As they were walking down the Damascus road… 

Luke 24:15-21

While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them ( this is so Jesus), but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “ Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.

Now let me be clear, nowhere am I implying that President Trump is remotely close to Jesus, but what I am relating to is the sadness, the depression, the lost hope, and what do we do now.. feelings that they were feeling. Feelings that we have as well. However, it would be so much worse if we did not have Jesus. There would be no comfort or future hope, there would just be fear. With Christ, our eternal security is established and because of that it gives us strength for today. If it doesn’t, then we need a “God Focus moment.”  

We need to stop looking at the present with a microscope and step back and imagine how God sees it. Do you think He’s stressed, or do you think He was caught by surprise? I don’t think so, but at the same time that doesn’t mean things will be easy either. Things could become very difficult, but we can make it even more difficult because we tend to white knuckle everything here. We have too much of a grip on this life and not enough of a grip on our Real Life. I’m sure the ease of this life and the materialism we engage with has produced shallow faith. The coming months I foresee as an opportunity to really grow our faith. With Eternity as our hope, life here is all about growing closer to the Lord. The deeper, stronger and more knowledgeable we become in His Word the more able we will be at handling Life. It’s about having a peace here and now, bringing and living in the benefits of being one with Christ, today. 

There is a story of an army Sargent who having been radioed that he and his troops were surrounded and that though help was on its way, it would not arrive till the following morning. After hearing that he gathered his troops and said, 

“Men, we have been given a unique opportunity. Today when we go to engage the enemy we do not need to waste time searching for them, they’ve come to us.”

Life and it’s challenges is all a matter of perspective. Israel saw Goliath as unconquerable, David saw him as an “ uncircumcised gentile.” In other words he was outside of the Convenant that God had established with Israel, so that meant he could be defeated, his size didn’t matter. Outside of the covenant meant that God was on David’s side and that meant that Goliath was going down. Would it be to God that we could see life and it’s challenges as clearly and as simply as David did. 

How would you act if you had an inheritance worth millions of dollars that you could access at anytime. Would there be anything in your everyday life that would cause you to fear or feel hopeless? I don’t think so. Do you know that your Heavenly Father has an inheritance that can be accessed right now though faith. And He gives what money can’t. He has given us all the resources of Heaven to live victoriously here. Do you believe this? What did Jesus say to his disciples prior to his departure? 

John 14:16-19

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.  “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live ( forever is a long time).”

Are we living? To not accept Christ gift and to not press forward into knowing Christ deeper is a fools game. It’s a risk that none of us can afford to take. We need to use wisdom and renew and strengthen our faith and then in turn be a help and a strength to our family and friends. 

1 John 4:15-16

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God (that’s so awesome). So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

So if we are struggling with fear we must spend more time in prayer and in the Word, but it must be purposeful, targeted. Fear is part of being human, but not part of abiding in Christ. So in between being human and abiding in Christ is our need of growth. It’s a journey just like any other journey. It requires purpose and thought but unlike any other journey it is done in conjunction with the Spirit of Truth. There is no other way to do it but to daily abide in Christ; through prayer and the Word. Abiding in Christ is like traveling to the Promised Land. It can take us a whole lifetime to grow a little or we can experience steady growth by committing to a daily intake of God’s Word and prayer. We can act like the Israelites did, regretting and complaining about leaving Egypt, still lusting for the things of the world or fearing the further or we can turn our hearts to the Lord and being focused on the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night( representing God’s presence) and go through the journey knowing that we are not alone. It was their choice to trust God as it is our choice.

And what about those who are politically like us but have no knowledge of salvation or faith in Christ. I worry for them, their anxiety level is probably through the roof. They need to be in our prayers, that they come to Christ. And for us, we need to pray that verses as such become part of the fabric of our soul. Our goal is stated in Paul’s words….

Acts 21:13-14

Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

With the “softness” of our world being turned upside down, we must become followers who are not surprised at hardships or miracles. They tend to go hand and hand. Simply meaning that God intercedes when times are tough. The following verses are an admonishment to us. They speak to the attitude we need to cultivate in our spirits.

1 Corinthians 10:6-14

Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 

What is the way that God provides, do you know? How did Jesus, weakened by fasting 30 days overcome his temptations? 

Luke 4:3-13

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone.’” And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God,and him only shall you serve.’”

And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,“‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and“‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone ( satan also knows the scripture but he uses them incorrectly). And Jesus answered him, “It is said, You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

Jesus dealt with satan by quoting God’s Word. Also in his response he gave us the way to live, the way of Life. First, it’s not in the physical. Bread represents everything we need or “think” we need to be happy. It’s the stuff we feel, see and touch. Those things are NOT the way, “man shall not live by bread alone.” The rest of the verse which, interesting enough Luke did not record, but we find it in Matthew 4 is, “but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God.” Jesus elaborates more with His next answer, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.” All of man’s problems would come to nought if he became a worshipper of God. Even now with the disappointment of the election, and all that is being changed worshipping God is the quickest way to get back on track. 

Emotionally we don’t feel like it, but the truth of it is God is not less deserving of my worship when things go south or more deserving of my worship when everything lines up. He is always worthy of my worship. What happens here in this life, or to my life has no bearing or change on God’s nature, His salvation, His forgiveness, His peace or love, or the grace and kindness that He bestrows on us, or the Cross. None of that changes, if anything in tough times these truths become more endearing as we become more needy of Him. Our life here is temporary, our life in eternity is forever. Choosing God as first in our life, gives us strength and hope to move forward. I love this next verse… 

Psalms 29:1-2 Ascribe to the LORD Glory

Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.

For a believer to say “ It is written” means the believer has become a soldier of The Cross. He or she knows and understands the scriptures. The scriptures must become knit into your soul, part of the fabric of who you are and who you are becoming. The Lord Jesus used the scriptures to beat temptation, and He was God Incarnate. WE must know them and use them, or fall into temptation, or fear or uncertainty. I believe this is why the church is so weak, that so many of us have shallow walks or have failed in our walks. If Jesus needed to know the scriptures to defeat satan how much more do we? There will be no excuse and no hiding our selves. We no longer have President Trump protecting the church, however we have someone greater, The Alpha and The Omega, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah (which represents the faithful) if we will but become His Bride. 

There’s no greater power, and no greater cause to live for. If we remain strong in the coming days it’s because we are in the Word. If we cave and compromise, or become controlled by fear, anxiety, worry etc., it’s because we have not given Christ our full attention or have fully surrendered. Do you know where you stand? Put yourselves in Israel’s place, you are facing the Red Sea and off in the distance you can see Pharaoh and his army coming . You can look left and see the Red sea and be filled with despair, or you can look to the right and see the army and in great fear try to run, or you can stop and look up “ from whence comes your deliverance,” and see God represented in the pillar of the cloud. He’s there, with us, Immanuel (God with us). 

Last points. Courage is a must for any one wanting to follow Christ, and the depth of your courage is anchored to the depth of your knowledge of Christ.

Joshua is one of my favorite leaders for courage. 

Joshua 5:13-14

The Commander of the LORD’S Army

When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” Until Joshua knew who this stranger was, he was ready to fight him, his size ( assuming he was taller) didn’t matter. 

Do we know where courage comes from? In Joshua chapter one, verses that I have shared before and by example Joshua lived out. We have the “founding of courage” e.g. “much like the mythical fountain of youth,” though there is not myth with Christ. 

Joshua 1:8-9

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

I’m not sure if we have seen courage in this light, but according to The Lord courage is found and developed in and through the reading of the scriptures. It’s a direct correlation as in lifting weights builds muscle and muscle grants strength. Courage is the “weight lifting” of building faith, and we see that all through Joshua’s life. Joshua lived real life faith, he had real enemies that through Christ he lead Israel to victory.

A similar verse

Deuteronomy 31:6-7( Moses speaking to the congregation and Joshua).

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it.

However, prior to this verse are verses that are unparalleled in the scriptures. They layout life and death, victory or defeat; the road to travel with its blessings or curses is clearly seen. 

Deuteronomy 30:11

The Choice of Life and Death

“For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off.

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

No matter how we see life, it first must begin with the emphasis of knowing Jesus. Everything must start there. From there we grow and we begin to experience God’s love and peace, in real time, today and now. Next come the challenges that we will face, those challenges can be faced alone or with Christ. It’s our choice, to the end that we either grow deeper and stronger in the faith because of the challenges we face with Him or we allow fear, uncertainty or depression to rule over us. My prayer for us all is we chose Christ. Amen

Father God,

Thank you for this powerful no nonsense study. Sometimes a call to arms is necessary. The church being complacent under President Trump’s leadership has now got to rise and be the Church. The power of Christ is in all those who seek you. Turn us loose on a society that calls good bad and bad good. Let our lives and our words convince them of their need of You. Let us not fail in this our day. 

Thank you, 

Your son by Grace

Arthur Navarrette

Please see the video introduction to my message here:

There currently is so much “misinformation” politically speaking, it’s hard to know what to believe. Some off line news says that President Trump is cornered and must concede. Other news sources say all is well and he has a plan. For those of you that are just busy raising a family and all this is just too much, or for those of you that feel bad news/good news I’ve heard it my whole life and nothing really changes, I would say I understand your perspective. 

For me, I feel I have the obligation and the privilege to pray for God’s righteousness to win in this day and hour and to pray earnestly for President Trump, interceding on his behalf. Spiritually this is where I’m at. I don’t want to come up short in what I believe is my duty. I did not use to care about politics but President Trump is the first President that stands for life, freedom, faith and seeks to protect America and not ship our jobs overseas like other Presidents. He has a belief in God, believes in prayer and writes and approves policies that benefit the American people (when not overridden) and I want to do my part to support him and his efforts. We are also told to pray for those in office. 

1 Timothy 2:1-3

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

What I am concerned about is that the church still needs to wake up more. We are not operating at our full potential. We really need to wake up and see the aggressive agenda that the left has in wanting change society. There is a saying that goes, “all that has to happen for immoral men (government) to take control is for good (moral) men to do nothing.” 

Based on history the patriots saw the tyrannical reign of England and the heavy taxation they wanted to impose on the colonies so they rebelled against England. I sense the same is coming unless we as the church wake up. We need to pray against this leftist agenda and support those who (through legislation) fight against it. 

The scripture enjoins us to do this, “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” It is to our benefit, and to our prodigy that we intercede now when there is still an opportunity to keep our religious freedoms. I don’t want us to be the generation that would of, could of, should of, but didn’t and consequently our children and grandchildren are inheriting a society and social structure that is adversarial to them because we failed in our duties. I would rather die first than to be charged with this failure. I know there is not a one of you that does not echo my sentiments, you also do not want to fail in your duty before God. So I ask you to earnestly pray and seek to fulfill the scripture mandates that are before us. We do not want to fail in this our day (this coming Wednesday 1/6 is the day, pray for righteousness to win). 

Here are some verses… first one we shared in the last Vida,

2 Chronicles 7:14

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

“This promise is completely dependent upon us–God’s people–humbling ourselves, praying, seeking God’s face, and turning from our wicked ways!”

Ouch! That puts a new perspective on our usual thought pattern, doesn’t it? It brings home God’s message. 

The Church in Revelation 2:4, which says: “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

God wants us to be in love with Him. Therefore, when you pray, pray for revival in our hearts and in our Churches. Pray for Christians to get right with God; to return to their first love; and to seek Jesus with all their hearts (copied from “Ibelieve.com).” We the church must divorce ourselves from our worldly comforts and pleasures, all that stands in the way from being 110% devoted to Christ we must let go. 

In this next story we have the example of courage, faith, and humility, this is our pattern for today. The church needs to rise up and start moving mountains through faith. Will you join me and together whatever the future holds, its best entered into on our knees. 

Daniel and his friends were faced with certain death. Daniel knew that God was able to show him King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, so he sought for time from King Nebuchadnezzar. Here’s a brief reminder of the events.

Daniel 2:5

The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, “The word from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins.

Daniel 2:10-11

The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh ( so this is a behind the scenes look at how God orchestras His will to be done. He creates an impossible situation, here He is using the King and his unrealistic demand to set Daniel up, knowing Daniel’s faith that he will step right into the situation). 

Daniel 2:12-16

Because of this the king was angry and very furious, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to kill them. Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. He declared to Arioch, the king’s captain, “Why is the decree of the king so urgent?” Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel. And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.

Daniel 2:17-23

God Reveals Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream

Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah ( their Hebrew names) his companions, and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might.

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to those who have understanding;

he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.

To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might,

and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”

Daniel 2:24

Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show the king the interpretation.”

Daniel 2:26-28

The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?” Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these:…” 

So Daniel was able to reveal to the King his dream, something that has never been and to this day has not been repeated to my knowledge. Who of us will become a Daniel, a Shadrach, Meshach or an Abendego? Is there anyone? 

How does this apply to our us? We are either going to become a socialist/ communist country or we will remain free. We the church must rise up and turn the tide as 4 Hebrew men did. Surely there are many more than four of us that are willing to fast and pray for our nation in this her hour. I think it’s always important to be ready to be willing to ransom our earthly temple for a greater good, if need be. It’s a sure sign of where our affection is, but I’m more ready to rise up and through prayer and action do what needs to be done here to defeat those that oppose righteousness. Some may think that all this will blow over but I don’t think so, there’s too much at play. However, knowing that we are citizens of Heaven, we are to bring that hope and encouragement here which starts with our relationship to Christ. As Paul said...

Philippians 1:20-24

as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Therefore convinced of this I will remain and continue with you all.

Philippians 1:27-30

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing side by side in the defense of the gospel( maintaining religious liberty as well as living out the liberty found in the pursuit of Christ) and in nothing terrified by your enemies ( this is the church functioning as the church). 

This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Bottom line Theology…

Romans 14:8

For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 

This is the church that the Father is seeking. We live for Him or we die for Him, in either case we belong to Him, not to the world. Amen

Now moving forward… 

This next verse I want to be careful with, for it was given to Ezekiel but it makes the argument that I am my brother’s keeper. To what degree that is the responsibility we must individually answer. 

Ezekiel 33:6

But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand. 

Ezekiel 33:7-9

“So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

As believers, we bear and know the truth. As many of us that go to church I would think that we would be having a revival, but we are not. Why, because we are weak and encumbered with our own affairs. Here’s a few questions. Last year how many people have we witnessed too, prayed with or for, invited or taken to church or have had a Bible study with, or taken a meal too?

These are all things in each of our reach, maybe not all but at least 2 or 3 are very doable. These are measurements of where we are in Christ. Do we have a heart to put Christ first in our life and then a mindset to spread the gospel? To be a light or be an ambassador for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20) or are we so caught up in our own affairs that we are hampered? Being a light is just being who you are in Christ, that His life is evident and visible in and through you; being an ambassador is actively looking for those open doors to share Christ. 

Let me give you the context for this next verse. This is a picture of war in Heaven were Lucifer, God’s supreme angel and in charge of worship decides that he too is worthy of worship. Once that thought is conceived there is immediate war in Heaven. Lucifer is defeated and he and his demons are thrown out. His name changes from “son of the morning” (Lucifer) to slanderer or the Latin diablos, were we get the name devil. 

Revelation 12:11-12′

And they have conquered him( satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony( the Word of God is our testimony), for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

Interesting that the angels conquered their counterparts “by the blood of the lamb,” before Jesus died on the Cross, and by “ the word of their testimony” before the scriptures were ever written. It’s as if what has been in the mind of God has no beginning or end, and is truth before it is realized here on earth. All this happened prior man. The next time we read of satan he is the snake in the garden. So if knowing the truth for the angels was critical for victory how much more us, who are weak and encumbered with our carnal man? It is so easy for us to get out of focus and get on the wrong side of truth as Peter did. 

Matthew 16:23-25

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 

For every serious believer this verse memorized is a MUST for it captures the full essence of what it means to be a follower of Christ. 

And Paul gives us an example of what sacrificial life looks like. Here he is in Acts speaking to believers who know that this is the last time they are going to see him. 

Acts 21:13-14

Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

Most of us would consider this to be “hardcore” Christianity. We live in an affluent area and can live fairly content lives without sacrificing much. What if I told you in other parts of the world this kind of Christianity is not hardcore, but the norm? In accepting Christ, persecution is not an if, but when. My concern is our content lives get in the way of sacrificial faith. True contentment does not lie in the possessions we process or the comfort of our life but in the relationships one has, foremost with The Lord. For some it takes a lifetime to learn this truth, as it took the Israelites 40 years to travel a two week journey to arrive at the borders of the promise land. A land “ filled with milk and honey” something God wanted to give them just like He wants to give us His love, peace and hope today. This is not a good comment.

So let me ask you a question, and this is where we get tripped up. As we start a New Year what are your expectations of the Lord? If you get seriously sick do you expect Him to heal you, and harder yet if your child gets sick do you expect God to heal him/her? What if today you get fired from your job, or your house goes into foreclosure what then? How much suffering, pain and just outright misery are we willing to go through? If God does not answer a single prayer, as it seemed for Job (last Vida) but promises us Eternity, AND His presence, for He promises to never leave or forsake us, what then? Can you and I agree with Paul, Jesus, the angels, Mesach, Shadrach, Abendigo, plus countless others that have said “even if He does not deliver me I still will not worship your statue,”or for us curse His name, or forsake my God. Can we say that? 

In Hebrews 12, a chapter that is filled with victories for believers, as well as with sufferings and seemingly unanswered prayers. 

Hebrews 11:32-38

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two ( Isaiah), they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

The world would see us as fools, they would post our names under the “Hall of Shame, or Losers,” for allowing our families to suffer for our resistance to denying Christ. However from God’s perspective, as His beloved sons and daughters we are in the Hall of Fame, for we did not “love our life unto death.” And this death refers to the cessation of life itself. We may experience that one day, but more realistically something we deal with daily is death to our flesh. This is our daily battle, and this is where we need to be strong and non-compromising. For one day builds upon another. There are believers who have “known” the Lord for years but are weak. Why, because they have not denied themselves, surrendering to the desires of their flesh instead of to the Spirit. 

These verses in Hebrews were the early beginnings of the church, and because of them the Christian Faith was preserved for other generations, and generation after generation their have been the faithful, the true, the ones that were willing to die to self so that Christ could live through them. And to the degree that there was a price to pay, they paid it and because of them we now have our faith. We are a part of this legacy, these are our brothers and sisters who because of their unwillingness to compromise we have the Christian faith, we stand on their shoulders. Can future generations say that about us? Will Christianity be around after we are gone because of our actions and faith here and now?

I pray with all my might that this generation will not fail our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren etc., because we were too busy indulging in what I would consider the most materialistic and prosperous generation, where money and things were attainable without too much sacrifice. God forbid that we should fail them. The sacrifice we have very unfortunately made, is that of the family via divorce. It has become as prevalent in the church as outside the church (that is awful). We do so, so we can keep that promotion or keep that high paying job that requires us to work countless hours etc., this sacrifice we very foolishly have made. There is our perspective and reason for doing it, and then there’s God’s unwavering stance on marriage.

**Malachi 2:13-16

And this second thing you do. You cover the LORD’S altar with tears, with weeping and groaning because he no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand ( or hears or answers your prayers) . But you say, “Why does he not?” Because the LORD was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant. Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, s the LORD, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the LORD of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”( I shared this verse two Vida’s ago).

Hebrews 12:1-6

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.

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

and chastises every son whom he receives.”

We say, why God, why all this pain? Why is life so hard? He simply says look to the Cross and know that I love you and I see your tears. What I do now you cannot understand, nor could Job, but you will. Stay the course and you will reap the fruit of your suffering, and not just you but your prodigy after you. 

In looking back at the trails God used to give me a heart that seeks Him, they were trials that brought tears, forced decisions and set the course for the man that I am now, and that I am still becoming. Precious trails but also so painful and difficult I could not have stood without the hand of my Father holding me. So my sister or brother if you are in a season of trial and pain know that the outcome will be peace, strength and maturity in the knowledge of the Lord. Despite the difficulty there is no other path. The path the world offers may appear easier, but it to has its pain and hardship as well and there is no peace and no peaceful, joyous Eternity.

Stay the course and after you have struggled a time there will be victory, and you will have something to look forward to both now and in Eternity. With the world there is nothing to look forward too that has any lastly impact on your life. Life in this world is one tangling carrot after another, but never an inner peace or the ever growing knowledge that you are dearly loved. It’s worth it, the narrow way is worth it all. 

Matthew 7:13-14

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Romans 8:29-30

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified ( conformed, to be made into His likeness.”

Imagine the effort and labor it takes to get raw steel and conform it into a sword. Countless hours, countless blows with the hammer, countless hours in the fire till every impurity is gone and the steel has been completely tempered so that it can be shaped and hold an edge. For what good would it be if in the middle of battle the sword became dull? There would be no time to sharpen it. So with us much time is spent in the tempering process so that we hold our edge in the day of trail. That worry, fear, anxiety and the like do not rob our joy, our confidence and most importantly our relationship to our Lord. 

And here’s the prize for all the tempering….

Romans 8:37-39

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

The knowing of His Love, present with us in whatever we our facing, makes us invincible and it is a wonderful place of maturity to be at as we face this new year with all its uncertainty. There is nothing in this life that would ever change His love for us and in that lies our victory. 

Father God, 

Thank you for the repetition of this truth. Many times we here this truth of Your love for us until one day that is all we need to hear. No more petitions to remove this trial from me, please grant me this thing, or this job or this person in my life, or save my child, or heal me or my love one and these latter requests should absolutely be made, but ultimately these things are tempted because we know that whether You heal or don’t, change a painful situation or not, all is well in your love. As the brother who wrote the song “It is well with my soul” on the heels of a shipwreck were his children drown, he was comforted in knowing that they were in good keeping, in your glorious presence. Amen and Amen

Note: In these last three Vidas I have felt the urgency to bring unremovable faith into our souls, so the Vida’s have been strong, raw in the sense that we have discussed hard things. As I finish this Vida on 1/1/2021, the first day of the New Year, my absolute hope is that President Trump assumes office again. The last thing I want is for Biden to come in under the pretense of stealing the election and with Harris not far behind him with all her immoral beliefs. She and Biden remind of King Ahab and Jeezebel. They have the same spirits. This has been my prayer all along. However today as I was running I prayed a prayer that I have never prayed to date. I said Father if President Trump gets in will your church go back to sleep again? Will we all go back to seeking our own comforts and neglect the business of the Kingdom, and most importantly growing closer to You? And if Biden gets in will the church through the governmental legislation that will be placed against it come alive and bring more people to you? Father only you know these answers, therefore whichever way will bring more believers to You answer in that way. I trust You with my most precious possessions, my family. 

Amen Arthur Navarrette

Please watch my video introduction to this message here:

Psalms 18:1-3

The LORD Is My Rock and My Fortress

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID, THE SERVANT OF THE LORD, WHO ADDRESSED THE WORDS OF THIS SONG TO THE LORD ON THE DAY WHEN THE LORD DELIVERED HIM FROM THE HAND OF ALL HIS ENEMIES, AND FROM THE HAND OF SAUL. HE SAID:

I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

Psalms 18:31-36

For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?—the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.

He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.

You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip.

This is beautiful praise that King David renders to the Lord, but the beauty of the praise and its depth are found in the struggle. Just like us, where there is no struggle, no wrestling with fear, insecurity, no Goliaths to defeat, the praise is shallow, lacking sincerity. However, not so when by God’s might we together face and slay our Goliaths. Do you have a Goliath that needs slaying? Have you picked out your 3 smooth stones (as David did when preparing to meet Goliath) verses that speak God’s truth to you and build up your confidence in the Lord? These verses encourage us in the fight, now in faith sling them and watch your Goliath fall…. , and many times they do, but what happens if he doesn’t fall? David felt like that too…. For we have seasons of victory and we have seasons of enduring, seeming defeats but these are all used for the making of a soldier, a son or daughter who one day will hear the voice of the Father saying, this is my son, my daughter in whom I am well pleased. 

Psalms 13:1-4

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?

How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;

light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

This is when faith draws a line and says, despite what my eyes see, despite what my heart feels, and despite what advances the enemy is making, I will trust in my God, for He is still on the Throne. This takes guts, like Mesach, Shadrach and Abednego. 

Daniel 3:13-18

Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands( the arrogance of man).Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter ( or translated, we do not need to be careful how we answer you). If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set.

Jesus himself came and stood with them in the furnace. Extreme circumstances require extreme intervention, and Jesus was up for it. Saving those that were so bold as to declare their faith in the face of the world’s most powerful man at their peril speaks to their relationship with God, it was deep. We make no claim to understand all of God’s ways. The claim we do make is that we know the person of our God ( hence the importance of spending time with Him). His ways are his ways, but Who He Is and His Love for us is fully know. The Cross is the defining answer for all of our trials. It is the beginning, middle and final word for all that seeks to cause me fear, anxiety, pain, or doubt. We know that what He does and or allows is always from a heart that loves you and I and seeks to bring us closer to Him; especially in the painful trials. 

These challenging events in particular, are the ones where the enemy comes and says, “ if He really loves you, then why?” But just as Meshach and his companions stood, we too can stand. I do not know the why of these events, but I do know The Who that I need to turn to. I also know that God keeps His promises and has given us precious promises to hang onto. We are to know them and and use them as David used the stones in his sling to kill Goliath. My single most beautiful promise that I use and have shared and kills every Goliath or keeps him at bay is in Proverbs, 

Proverbs 3:5-9

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes;fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

Another favorite verse often quoted without understanding the depth of its truth is Romans 8:28, 

“KNOW that ALL things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28. 

This verse is know so well know around Christian circles, just like John 3:16 “ For God so love that He gave…” that it almost has no meaning, not until you need it, then it means everything. “According to His purpose,” simply means living in His will. There’s a lot of stupid stuff that can happen to us when we are out of His will, but when in obedience stuff happens to us we can have the assurance that it will work out for our good. And when stuff happens because we were doing our own thing, the best response is repentance and then obedience because He will go through the problems with us.

Next question, do the events in my life define God, or does God define the events in my life? For example, everything is going really good, then that must mean God is good; or conversely, my life is awful, that must mean either God doesn’t care and or I am not important to Him. So many of us define God by our personal life experiences. If that’s you, then your God is too small. A Big God equals small problems, a small God equals big problems. So the question is, will life events determine my relationship to God, or will His Cross speak a better word? 

Job had this decision to make as well, and his life was pre Cross, pre Christ. He had a period in his life that was horrific. None of us have been through what he went through. So many of us would have forsaken Christ. Yet Job without the aid of the Holy Spirit and the knowledge of the Cross stayed the course. Listen to what he says and understand that his body is covered in boils and “his friends” are continually condemning him. In their theology if your right with God, God promises an abundant life free from harm. So with Job being in absolute misery, he had to have done something terribly wrong. “ His friends” accused him of being stubborn and prideful for his refusal to admit his error. It is not till much much later of this ordeal does God intervene on Job’s behalf; all the while Job being in excruciating pain. They finally understood that they were wrong, very, very wrong. God was proving a point to satan and refining Job in the process. 

Job 13:13-18

“Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may. Why should I take my flesh in my teeth

and put my life in my hand? Though he slay me, I will still hope ( trust) in him; I will argue my ways to his face.

This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him. Keep listening to my words,

and let my declaration be in your ears. Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right.

Job was sure if he could just talk to God that God would understand that Job was innocent, yet his trust was still intact, amazing.

Job 19:9-11 (God has cornered him)

He has stripped from me my glory and taken the crown from my head.He breaks me down on every side, and I am gone, and my hope has he pulled up like a tree. He has kindled his wrath against me and counts me as his adversary.

Job 19:13-17 (he literally has no one) 

“He has put my brothers far from me, and those who knew me are wholly estranged from me.

My relatives have failed me, my close friends have forgotten me.

The guests in my house and my maidservants count me as a stranger; I have become a foreigner in their eyes.

I call to my servant, but he gives me no answer; I must plead with him with my mouth for mercy.

My breath is strange to my wife, and I am a stench to the children of my own mother.

What he’s enduring is off the charts, pain-wise as well as emotionally. Not being able to understand why a loving and merciful God is allowing this, but even worse, not even his family or his servants respect him. 

Job 19:23-25

“Oh that my words were written! 

Oh that they were inscribed in a book, Oh that with an iron pen and lead

they were engraved in the rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.

“ For I know that my Redeemer lives, and though He slays me I will yet praise Him” such a deep deep trust,  you want to say to Job what planet do you live on? Who possesses such a faith, such a trust in a God who seems to be your adversary. Job’s depth and knowledge of God is profound. He knows that He knows God, he does not know why God has allowed these horrific events to occur to him, but because he knows God’s character, he is able to trust that God’s dealings are not without purpose. God cannot and will not violate who He is, it’s literally impossible. 

Too many of us allow our situations to determine and define who God is to us. Situations, be they good, neutral or bad do not define God. How shallow and egocentric of us to allow our situation to define God. He honors us by coming into our lives through faith in Christ, coming into our mess; many times created by our own doing. If we invite Him in, then we play by His rules. Done with a life ruled by self interest and wants, we now seek to give Him a heart unmixed with the desires and wants of the world; we seek to give Him a life of purity and holiness and by His Grace and Holy Spirit we can live a redeemed and sanctified life. 

Jeremiah’s 29:11-13

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for your good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart ( He’s worthy of whole heart devotion, He gave us His whole heart).

I liken God’s promises to life preservers. When we are drowning with life’s challenges and problems as Job was, it’s HIS WORD THAT WE TRUST. IT BECOMES OUR LIFE PRESERVER THAT KEEPS US FROM DROWNING AND OUR ANCHOR IN THE STORM THAT KEEPS US FROM BEING SMASHED AGAINST THE ROCKS OF HATRED, BITTERNESS, UNFORGIVENESS, FEAR, WORRY AND THE LIKE THAT CAN CONSUME A LIFE. Job’s life preserver and anchor was his knowledge of God. He knew that he knew God . The profound beauty and truth of Job is that his circumstances, though severe on all levels of life, did not define God. He didn’t understand his circumstances, but that still did not change who God was just because he didn’t understand. Could we do that? So many of us define God by what we can understand. 

Job 38:1-7

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.

Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?

On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone,

when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

(God goes on for three chapters questioning Job, and when done, Job replies). 

Job 40:1-5

And the LORD said to Job:

“Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”

Then Job answered the LORD and said:

“Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.

I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.”

A couple of chapters later after The Lord completes His questioning of Job, Job answers…and with Job’s answer this concludes God’s dialog with Job. 

Job 42:1-3

Then Job answered the LORD and said:“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’

Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

The Lord now goes after Job’s friends.

Job 42:7-8

After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.”

This is an amazing account of one on one with the Lord. It’s been a while since I have been in the book of Job and after reading these accounts, I feel like despite what happens here I feel the steel of the Holy Spirit in me and I know that whatever happens we, you and me, will have more than enough to conquer life’s challenges. Amen

Psalms 13:5-6

But I have trusted in your steadfast love;my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

This is the attitude that is required of all saints. A Job attitude will enable us to prevail in this life, and without it, we will only be marginal believers; saved yes, but without stories of praise.

May we be strong in these difficult times….Merry Christmas, the truth of that first Christmas day is the strong hope we all should carry. God Bless you all. 

Psalms 3:1-4

The LORD Helps His Troubled People

A Psalm of David as Absalom, his son, warred against him. Talking about an ugly scenario whoever wins, you as David still loses. This is the result of David having sex with Bathsheba and then ordering her husband to be killed. May the consequences of his adultery be enough to warn any man who is considering it ( the full account is found in 2 Samuel 11&12, very very sober, God does not tolerate sin in His rulers).

LORD, how they have increased who trouble me!

Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me,

“There is no help for him in God.” 

But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.

I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill.

David knew that God had forgiven him ( Psalm 51), but the consequences of his actions he was still going to reap.

Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me,

“There is no help for him in God.” 

His own people were writing him off. Yet David knew better…

But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. 

Things had never looked so dismal for David. Now his son who he taught in war and many other men who were once under his command are now coming to fight against him. How many more men will betray him? In these dark times who you are at your core comes forth and it is apparent that all the battles David had fought had cemented God’s faithfulness to him. Others would betray and depart from him, even seek his death, but God who has been the “lifter of his head” will not, and that was the rock and foundation of David’s confidence and hope. How about us? Is our foundation as strong, do we know that despite those who would seek our harm or betray us or write us off or how bad the news, with God on our side we will come through?

Psalms 3:5-6

I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around (this is a huge statement of confidence in God’s faithfulness and might). 

What David did with Bathsheba and then having her husband, one of David’s elite soldier’s killed, was terrible and so the consequences would more than fit the crime. The death of his and Bathsheba’s newborn babe, Tamar his daughter being raped by Amnon his son and then Amnon being killed by Absalom as revenge for raping his sister, then Absalom after running his dad out of Jerusalem had sex with David’s concubines thereby defiling them; which God had told David that what he did in secret He would do in public (tent was pitched on top of the palace for all Israel to see) and then lastly, Absalom death. His hair, which he was noted for, and vain over, being caught in the branches of a tree thereby suspending him made him an easy target. Joab being told of it came and threw darts thereby killing him. 

That day was a horrific day for David with not only his son dying but others of David’s soldiers that had once fought for David. And now he had a divided kingdom that he would have to put together. He paid dearly for his sins. And to make matters even worse his trusted adviser Ahitophel sided with his son. Ahitophel was the grandfather of Bathsheba and David’s actions offended him greatly. How David must have wished a thousand times over to have turned his head from Bathsheba and done what God expected of him. He was the Shepherd King of Israel. 

David as a young man may have thought he was just watching and protecting his father’s sheep but God had him in training. He was being groomed for something so much greater. His love and protection for the sheep would become his over the people as their Shepherd King. This is what made him great. Yet his actions with Bathsheba and her husband made him the wolf that came to steal, kill and destroy. How his actions must have pained him. Yet despite his sins he had deep reservoirs of faith from years and years of fighting battles and seeing God’s faithfulness. He was shaken for sure, but he was far from being beaten. His sin only served to bring him back to his rock solid base with his Shepherd King, “The Lord is my Shepherd….”( Psalm 23). 

Psalms 3:5-6

I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me.

I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people

Who have set themselves against me all around.

I do not think there is any other chapter that so clearly gives a direct window into David’s relationship with the Lord. David did not just one day sin, prior to all this the scriptures say that God had given David peace on all sides, no more war. Things were calm now and going well. It is in these times that the flesh comes. The enemy via our pride says look at what you have done, you have built this empire and conquered all your enemies. And even if we don’t agree we start to get a little relaxed. Prayer or reading the scriptures isn’t done with the same urgency and or hunger (God had commanded His kings to daily read the scriptures Duet. 17:18&19). For David to have committed such crimes he had to have stopped reading the scriptures and spending time with the Lord. His passion for His God lessened and he began to backslide. This is the danger of the “good life.” 

We begin to lose our need and hence our dependence upon the Lord. Not until a trial comes or sin enters in and then we see how far we have fallen. This had become David’s rude awakening. He would never have done such a thing in the years of battle. Yet at the same time this is what awoke him and brought him back into the passion and trust he had with the Lord during the years of battle. Battles keep us lean and mean; I want only a few “green pastures,” but many walks through the “valleys of the shadow of death,” for in them I learn “not to fear no evil for thou art with me, thou rod and thy staff they comfort me ( Psalm 23). ” His constant presence is forever worth the trials that cause my soul to need Him.

Psalms 3:7-8

Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God!

For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone;

You have broken the teeth of the ungodly.Salvation belongs to the LORD. 

Your blessing is upon Your people.

Be careful Christian, we must walk circumspectly. We must always ever keep check on our passions and desires. Contrary to normal thought the battle is not where the danger is, for in the battle your eyes are ever focused on your General and Lord. It’s in the times of rest and relaxation were “we think we can do life ourselves,” that trouble manifests itself. The Bible says the heart is deceitfully wicked no man can know it. 

Jeremiah 17:9-10

“The heart is deceitful above all things,And desperately wicked;

Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind,

Even to give every man according to his ways,

According to the fruit of his doings.

As a young believer this verse scared me. I couldn’t trust myself. I felt myself become prideful when life went well, as though it was my doing when all along it was God’s principles of sowing and reaping. I had been sowing righteousness through the trials and in the calm reaping the benefit. It had nothing to do with me other than my choice to follow God. It was His doing to bring just the right people and opportunities to me. And it was His wisdom in me helping me to navigate life and do my job well. I prayed for a humble heart and memorized Psalm 51vs. 16&17, David’s Psalm of a repentance.

Psalms 51:16-17

For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;

You do not delight in burnt offering.The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,

A broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.

I sought God for this and these verses combined with a book I read earlier in my life by Andrew Murray called the Pearl of Great Price, moved me greatly. This then became my foundation and footing. I learned via humility that when God is big my problems are small, but when my problems are big God has become small. Everything in life related back to the size of my God. So the best way to navigate and conquer life’s challenges was to grow my faith in the Lord. This then became my new adventure and honor, to know and be known by Him. 

Also the Lord reminded me that He was The Good Shepherd, and as the Good Shepherd He would not lose His own ( John 10). I could not deal with the “what if’s of tomorrow,” that was His job, but I could deal with today and make sure that today I would spend time in prayer and His Word. That time for me was lunch. It was the one part of my day that I could control. If it meant saying no to going out with my follow co-workers for lunch then that was the price I paid to be with The Lord. I desperately needed The Lord much more than a few passing laughs.

Life is tough with all it’s challenges and work, though very grateful for work it is demanding and I need His guidance and wisdom. It is more than worth the price to make sure that each day I spend time with Him. And as I take care of today, He takes care of and prepares me for tomorrow. I have learned to ignore my emotions. Instead of focusing on the state of my heart, that some days wants to seek Him and some days not, I just seek Him and expect that my emotions will do what emotions will do. So through the years obedience and trust they have formed in me strong habits and the feeling of not wanting to spend time with my Heavenly Dad are all but gone. Now my day doesn’t feel right or complete if I haven’t spent time with Him. 

 Jeremiah 17:5-8

Thus says the LORD:

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength,

Whose heart departs from the LORD.For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes,

But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,

In a salt land which is not inhabited.

“But” Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

And whose hope is the LORD.For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,Which spreads out its roots by the river,

And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green,

And will not be anxious in the year of drought,

Nor will cease from yielding fruit. (it’s unfortunate that there are not a lot of believers thriving like we read, too too many of us are lukewarm, in-between faith and the desires of our flesh). 

Psalm 1 is almost identical… David might have received his inspiration from reading Jeremiah. 

Also I recognized that when I didn’t want to read, that that emotion represented a spiritual battle for it was contrary to God’s Word and I needed to defeat it. We are not supposed to live or obey God according to our emotion, it’s by faith that we obey. And we obey God because He is so worthy of our obedience. It’s a choice we make, emotion though nice when it agrees, has nothing to do with my walk of faith. A really great group of verses to jump start our soul and kick our flesh down the road is Matthew 4 & Joshua 1.

Matthew 4:3-4

Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

But He answered and said ( and remember Jesus had not eaten for 40 days, this was no walk in the park), “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” And if Jesus says that and uses God’s Word to defeat Satan so should we.

Joshua 1:7-9

Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

If I use the words “I fed on these verses” for years it would not be an exaggeration. I learned that whatever my struggle was I was to find the answer, or “my armor” in the scriptures. I had my normal “go through the Bible chapter by chapter study,” plus I mediated upon the verses that dealt with the struggles I was going through. I would tape the verses to my bathroom mirror and could read them first thing while I was getting ready for work. I would also tape the verses to the dash board of my truck and since smart phones I take a picture of the verses and review them while I am in line or waiting.

Some struggles took months, others took years but in every case there was gain and the spirit man grew stronger.

So what about you, how do you overcome the challenges and difficulties you face. Do you just hope that it will work out, you give it your best shot and sometimes succeed and other times fail? Do you seek counseling from others, visit a life coach, or use substances to get through the day. Are you open to exploring a walk of faith? I will leave you with one of the most famous Psalms written by a man who faced more challenges and battles than all of us combined and this is what he learned, King David.

Psalms 23

The LORD the Shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

The LORD is my shepherd;I shall not want.He makes me to lie down in green pastures;He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;He leads me in the paths of righteousness.

For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;For You are with me;Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;You anoint my head with oil;My cup runs over.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;And I will dwell in the house of the LORD

Forever.

The choice is ours, God has given us a free will and according to what and how we choose with not only determine our life here but our Eternal future. Eternity is a long time and we don’t want to be wrong on this one. I encourage us to set aside our pride and humble ourselves before the Lord and seek Him a God who loves us so much that He gave His life for our life. If we would chose Him, the path towards Him has already been paved with the blood of Christ, our Savior.

Father God….

Thank you for this study on David’s life. Let us learn from him and take advantage of the opportunity that he didn’t have, The Cross that defeats sin and shame and brings us into relationship with You. Thank you and Amen

Go in the Fullness of Grace – Arthur Arthur Navarrette
Vida4U.com is the website where all past Vida’s are archived. In addition to the weekly devotionals, the yearly inspirational writings featured in December’s House2Home Magazine are archived under “Faith Talk.”  Please use this site for your benefit and refer your friends to it as well. If they would like the weekly series emailed to them, they can send their requests to Arthur@Vida4U.com.

Psalms 2:1-5

The Messiah’s Triumph and Kingdom

(Acts 4:23–31)

Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?

The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together,

Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,

“Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.”

 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.

Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure:

How blessed is the one who filters the world and its events through the pages of scripture?! How easy it would be to be fearful as one sees wickedness advancing and seemly righteousness retreating, seeing society through the eyes of man. God has given man free will, yet outside of man’s free will is God’s sovereign will where events of prophecy occur right on time. 

Because of God’s sovereignty, some believers would foolishly say if such is the future with God, then I am not needed. Not so, our winning as a church in the world and as individuals is based on all saints battling in the now, “all hands on deck!” You battle for yourself, you battle for your family, and lastly, you battle for all who come into your realm of influence. We win because of God’s sovereignty and omnipotence. But our joy in heaven and our reward is based on our participation in the here and now.

How would it change your life, knowing that The Lord will bring victory, justice, and truth to all the current evil? Wouldn’t it cause you to live with confidence, boldness, and hope? Despite what we may be seeing right now, God will bring righteousness to reign, and we get to be part of that. It then becomes an exciting time. The day of His Crucifixion, the disciples thought that all was lost; quite the contrary, that day ushered in the most significant victory over death and darkness ever. Three days later, we witnessed the proof of that. Amen!!

We are the resurrection generation, and the same power that arose His crucified body from the grave is the same power that dwells in every born again believer. Yes, the Messiah has come and has conquered and defeated Satan. We are to continue to conquer until He comes or takes us home. May God open our eyes at the power and the victory that is ours in Christ. We must stop living as weak believers, weak because we compromise our faith by living for ourselves and worldly pleasures. This is what the Israelites did, taking forty long years to travel a 3-week journey because they wanted it their way. Then, under Joshua, they lived faithfully and conquered the land only to fall back into idolatry upon Joshua’s passing. Then more years in idolatry until Elijah comes and challenges them. 

1 Kings 18:21-24

And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.”

So all the people answered and said, “It is well spoken.” And God more than came through. 

Since we do not have an Elijah or a Moses doing miracles for the proof of God’s existence, we find His reality via in the pages of scriptures. As one studies the scriptures, the Holy Spirit meets us and testifies to our soul of His reality.

Psalms 2:7-12

“I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me,

You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.

Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance,

And the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron;

You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”

Now, therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way,

When His wrath is kindled but a little, {but}

Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him (Amen).

Prophecy tells us the future as well as the end of the story. It’s like watching a football game between two teams that seem equally matched. But we are watching a rerun of yesterday’s game. No matter how hard the opposing team plays, how many passes they intercept or touchdowns they make there is no changing the outcome because the game has already been played. Prophecy is like that. Since God sees the end of the story, He can tell us. We call it prophecy because it has yet to happen in our realm, but in God’s realm it is as good as done. Therefore, having this a surety, what sort of life should we be living? 

Ephesians 5:1-2

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma (let this verse sink in, it will change your life).

Ephesians 5:8-11

Walk in Light

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them (this is where we get in trouble, thinking we can fellowship with darkness and not be affected – so what’s the cure?)

Ephesians 5:15-18

Walk in Wisdom

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools (the definition of a fool is when we think we can mix darkness with light and still get a good outcome), be wise and redeem the time, because the days are evil (there is no time to waste, being lukewarm wastes so much time and life).

Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is excess but be filled with the Spirit (this is God’s will for each and every believer, that we be filled with His Spirit or like Jesus said.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Before we give ourselves to any action or cause we must first give ourselves wholly to the Lord. If we do then by His own promise He will respond with overflowing measure. Not only will we be full but we will “spill” over onto others. We are always so worried about getting our fair share, or that we are not being treated fairly. Don’t waste your time with petty stuff like that. 

There is nothing that the world can give you that can even compare to the peace, love, and joy that our Father has in store for each of His kids. The world’s goods are like July 4th fireworks, bright, pretty, grabs the attention but extremely short-lived and ultimately not fulfilling. This way, the way I am sharing with you, your cup will be full and beyond. 

“See then that you walk circumspectly,” a lighthouse is the best definition of what it is to walk circumspectly. It is diligently searching the surrounding waters for danger, warning oncoming ships to steer away from the shallows, and lighting the safe way into the harbor. 

Our conscience, trained in God’s Word, is to do the same (hence the importance of knowing the Word). Always interpreting what is heard, what is seen, what is touched and what is walked; bringing it all captive to God’s Word and changing course if need be so that the conscience and soul do not suffer loss.

1 Timothy 1:18-19

Fight the Good Fight

This charge (command) I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected (to cast off, expel, or to thrust away) concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck (ruining both their conscience and faith and damning their soul). 

I have met a lot of people, even past pastors that have walked from the faith. Each of them had an agenda that THEY wanted God to fit into. When God did not fit into their agenda, He was no longer their God. My dad rejected God after my brother drowned. He felt that God didn’t keep His end of the deal. Though he knew that tragedy strikes many families, he blamed God for his. 

By denying the faith, these people bring more harm to themselves and to their families. Instead of healing and working through the pain with God they abandon God and the pain only becomes worse. Their doctrine of “my way God” is apostasy and fits into the words of Paul, “they were among us but never of us.” Staying the course is proof of true repentance. 

Sadly, their eternal souls rely on God fulfilling a temporal desire (in our case keeping our family from harm.) I pray that these people would see the great pain that they are causing themselves and others by blaming Christ, or by not coming to Christ for healing. Often these false expectations cause many other problems; increased dissatisfaction with life, hence more arguments, increased drinking, and or substance abuse, isolation, and divorce as in my parents case and sadly it doesn’t have to be. 

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

We are always to come to Him regardless of the circumstances we are facing. We NEED to look to THE CROSS as His proof of His love and care for us despite the hardships we may find ourselves in. There is nothing more than the enemy wants than to slander God; “if God really cared about you, you wouldn’t be experiencing this.” And sadly, we buy into it despite what the Word says about hardships.

1 Peter 4:12-13

Suffering for God’s Glory

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

At times Paul says some things that are just a bit out of reach for our understanding and we just read past it. Don’t do that! Learn to STUDY God’s Word. With the internet there is no excuse to let a verse get by you just because it seems vague or too “spiritual.” Every verse has a blessing in store for those willing to study a bit more to uncover its meaning. 

 2 Tim. 2:15-16

Be diligent (earnest, or I like the word eager) to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (to handle correctly) . But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase (there’s a lot of “religious talk” that goes nowhere. The “spirit” behind this “religious talk” is to sideline the gospel, in effect making people feel spiritual but not saved through faith in Christ). 

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The Word of God can only be skillfully used by those who have submitted themselves to it (to place oneself under its authority) and are being changed by it. 

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (human) but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. (Lies, false god’s, sayings or belief that sound religious, or spiritual but ultimately deny man’s need to repent of his sin and to accept Christ as Savior.) 

Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (the definition of a strong mind and heart – well trained in God’s Word).

How wonderful it would be if the Church would be so trained in God’s Word. What a force we would become; we would truly become His Light in an ever-darkening world. We desperately need to get our lives right with Christ to become that beacon of hope. We need to be able to draw people to Christ, because people will naturally gravitate to and look for hope in troubled times. We have that hope, it’s a reality with us that other faiths or teachings that are not Christ based cannot provide.

“But be filled with the Spirit,” this is what we are to occupy our time here with. It’s two fold; spending time in His Word, in prayer and fellowship, and also we are not to quench (repress, hinder, dampen) the Spirit by allowing sin/pride to enter our soul. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing (this comes with maturity, a continuous connection) and in everything give thanks (the knowing that even in this trial God is able) for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Do not quench the Spirit (through disobedience or losing faith). Do not despise prophecies. Test (prove via scripture) all things; hold fast (cling, grasp unto) to what is good (pure/holy). Abstain (stay away, refrain) from every form of evil.

The Christian walk is not a magical thing that eventually makes you start to walk on water. That does not happen. I would compare the Christian walk, more like believers living in foxholes, battling it out against carnality and spiritual forces. 

We take ground ever so painfully as we die to our flesh and CHOOSE to walk a very different life where self submits and Christ is exalted. It takes much patience and work, but it all starts with our time in the Word. Notice I said “in the Word,” not in church (for new or weak believers church is critical) but we must first be taught by Christ. That bond is absolutely critical.

The Christian Faith is a 3 way braided cord made up of prayer, Bible study and church. I have known people who have gone to church their whole life without doing the other two and have remained immature. There is no depth to them. There is no substitute for one on one with the Living Lord. You want to be encouraged, just have Him speak to you as you spend time in His Word. It’s almost surreal as you sense His presence and “hear” His Words, yet you audibly hear nothing. It’s like an email to your soul. Believers who never take the time to study the Bible for themselves miss out on the sweetest joy this side of heaven. 

Being a well-seasoned, grounded, growing believer takes time and a regular diet of all three principles of growth, prayer, study and fellowship. Each brings its own maturing to the believer. However, each is dependent upon the other two also being done. Here’s a saying, “to only have the “Spirit” and prayer is to puff up, to only have the Word and prayer is to dry up, but to have an equal balance of both is to grow up.” Amen

1 Corinthians 3:1-3

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as spiritual people but as carnal, as babes in Christ so I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

We do not want to be like the Corinthians, or like the Israelites. I would hope that we learn from the scriptures that trouble and pain come with being a lukewarm believer. Life has enough struggles without us creating more. We want to walk with confidence, boldness and with assurance; not just hoping that Christ goes with us, but knowing that as we enter each day His presence goes with us because we first go with Him.

Being a Christ follower gives us direction in times of confusion, hope in times of despair, an a sureness when everything feels unsure. We can be assured, grounded in The Father via Christ and know that He alone is able to keep us. Don’t we want this!? 

James 1:17-18

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. Amen

Father God,

Thank you for this wonderful and very in-depth study. May your Word and Truth bless us and ever draw us closer to You. Amen & Amen.

Go in His Grace and Truth, being ever blessed – Arthur

Vida4U “Blessed is the man (or woman)…”

Psalms 1

Blessed is the man (or woman) who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

But his/her delight is in the law of the LORD,

And in His law he meditates (to ponder, take to heart, to change one’s behavior) day and night.

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so,

But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

Therefore, the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,

But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalms is a book for all the ages, and for all of life as we follow King David through his life. We see his low points, points of fear and uncertainty, and we see his high points where he truly learns that with God’s presence and help, regardless of the odds, victory was theirs. David fought numerous battles, but one battle in particular the writer wrote that Israel looked like a tiny flock of lambs against the encampment of the Philistines. What went through David’s head, what went through his men heads? Well, through the study of selected Psalms we will learn about the man who God said had a heart after His own, which is a huge statement. 

Psalm 1 is the clearest example of actions taken and results given. David uses a fruit tree as his example of a righteous life. Abundant water and abundant fruit (as opposed to the dryness of chaff – the outer part of the wheat germ – the “husk”) which has no value. To separate the germ (which was heavier than the husk) was to cast the crushed wheat into the air and the wheat germ (being heavier) would fall back down onto the sifter with the chaff being blown away, symbolic of it’s uselessness. 

Now according to the Psalm the chaff is the unbeliever. Yet there have been many good and useful causes started by people who were not necessarily believers. So why does the scriptures call their actions chaff? If we recall I Corinthians 13 it approaches the question of usefulness, talents, effort and sacrifice from a very different prospective. Again the Bible gives us great insight into God’s thoughts and views. 

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

The Greatest Gift

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing (chaff). And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love (Agape, God’s Love), it profits me nothing.

Others will recognize your actions and you will be praised by them, but God who is the ultimate rewarder and or judge of one’s soul will render the final verdict. How will He judge your life, and how will He judge mine?

As always God’s view of life is very different than ours. We see that God has a specific standard and if we pull back the layers of reasons and motives for the good deeds that we do what truly are the motives? Because that is what God sees and weighs. Next, in general there are two types of people. There are people who live by their golden rule, take care of number one, and others who are more philanthropic. Those who live by their golden rule are the Takers in life. They can be very nice people and even do a specific measured amount of good deeds, but they never violate their rule. As long as what they are doing benefits them, their in. Once the marriage involves too much sacrifice or becomes increasingly demanding they’re gone; or when the friendship becomes too draining where they have to start sacrificing their wants and pleasures, they’re gone. These are the Takers. 

There is another type of individual who seeks to be and to prove by their actions that they are good. There is a need in them to do good and to be viewed by others as being good. Without Christ teaching me what being “good” really is, this person would be me. This is my own “natural DNA.” These people in general are the Givers. However, what is unknown to them is why do they want to do good? What is the motive and who do they ultimately seek to be good for? I know I was not aware, and unfortunately the answer always comes back less than altruistic. It’s nice to do good for others, it has its benefits but ultimately it makes me feel good about me. I did it more for me than for the person receiving the benefit.

It was shocking to see that masked within the kindness was self-interest. And even deeper than that was the thought that by doing good God would accept me into Heaven. He absolutely does not and unfortunately, He literally cannot. Doing the right thing is the right thing to do, but it does not make me righteous. Doing right and being righteous are not even on the same planet! That’s just like saying because I know first aid, I can now perform brain surgery. To say I have lived a good life and that the Holy God of Heaven should receive me into His Eternity is akin to that. It is both massively ignorant of God’s Holiness and beyond arrogant. 

The fear of the Lord leads a man to repentance. Another way to say that is when we truly see God as Creator of all, we comprehend His omnipotence and might, to view His fathomless love as He willingly hung on the Cross for us would be then to hate sin, both the sin in the world and the sin in me and hence my only correct response is to bow before Him as I cling to the Cross. The Cross that gives me my only hope of redemption and hence my only response would be to stay as far away from sin as my mind and heart can keep me. This then is to Fear God. 

Now, the Takers are too self-centered to care about Eternity. He or she is just living for today, making sure that they receive their fair share of the pie…, and more if possible. They have no concern or care for anything beyond that. They only become “open” to God when a crisis arises. They will either seek God or blame God for the events in their life. Which the later I find strange. If all my life I have been my own god and then sickness, crisis, or a tragedy occurs, do I then blame God? If He was never in the picture before, why is He all of a sudden in the picture now? Did I ever ask Him to lead my life, or to watch over my family, or help me with my job? If not, then why is He to blame for the pain that is now in my life? 

Now let’s talk about Givers. Though spiritually in error, they are generally good people. They would “give you the shirt off their back,” as the saying goes. You want a handful of these people in your circle of friends. So in between Givers on one end and Takers on the other end exists the human race – us. 

Therefore given these examples and parameters, how did David become God’s man in-spite of some terrible sins he committed? And interesting enough, before David ever became King God called him out. 

1 Samuel 13:13-14k

And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.” 

Why is disobeying or rationalizing God’s commands such a terrible thing? King Saul was an expert in it and it eventually cost him his throne, his life and the life of his sons. Sin goes deep, it does not just affect the person but also those who are close. What are the commands that we routinely rationalize given the day and age we live in. Even in “Christian” circles these commands are violated. Example, no sex before marriage. In our culture this command, and make no mistake it is a command, is justified by several excuses. We are going to get married; we love each other and what is a piece of paper are some. Also, no sex except for your spouse, so the woman we could not wait till marriage to have sex with is now the one whose being cheated on? Without obedience to God’s Word we are like a boat that drifts soon to become shipwrecked, hurting many people in the process all because of our selfishness. Also, to ignore these other commands, no lusting, lying or cheating etc., is to lay the groundwork for defeat. I worked with someone who frequently eyed women and when I called him on it he simply said that his wife said that he can look but can’t touch. Within a few years his wife divorced him because he “touched.” To rationalize God’s commands so that you can break them is to put yourself above God, a most stupid thing to do. In essence, you just became your own god. As Samuel said to Saul, “you have done foolishly,” or you have played the fool and will now receive a fool’s reward. 

Acts 13:22

And when He had removed him (Saul) He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’

**

The following words are being copied from an introduction of a book…

Next to Jesus, the Scriptures cover more of David’s life than any other man. David, Israel’s greatest king, is one of the most amazing men who ever lived. He is known as being a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22) yet his life is filled with similar ups and downs as those faced by most men today.

It doesn’t seem that if your God’s man you would be committing such grievous sins, and sadly pastors and men in general have also been guilty of sexual sin.  However, David was a man who was not born again, though he enjoyed the over shadowing of the Holy Spirit. There were others who were thus anointed. Samson, though called of God from birth and gifted with superhuman strength was a Taker, being extremely heathen until his final days. And then there’s Solomon, the wisest man to ever live. God gave him wisdom beyond any man. He started out good but ended terribly. Too much into his intellect, he soon justified his actions and in time rejected the commands of God as he led Israel into idol worship; a most grievous sin. In just briefly mentioning these few men we can almost make the conclusion that God‘s appointee and gifting is given period, what the individual does with it is what they will be judged by in the end. In his process of repentance, we know that David said, “take not thy Holy Spirit from me.” His sin was separating him from his intimacy with God and he felt it (read Psalm 51). In short, when God moves out, it’s because sin has moved in.

So, let’s start with our first question, what are the characteristics that make a person after God’s own heart? 

Let’s look at our text.

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful.

These are our Don’t commands, and for good reason. Bad company spoils good intentions and ultimately even one’s life. So, who do we get our advice from? Daily we are bombarded by opinions, news outlets, comments from others etc., and what we actually digest and act upon is critical. To walk indicates a direction and that direction comes from applying a specific set of counsel, be it the news, a friend’s advice or God’s Word. What “truth” you decide to “walk in” will define your life and advice void of Godly counsel, which is 95% of what is out there, fails to meet the mark of God’s Word. Why is Godly counsel or counsel that acknowledges God so important? Without that all counsel, as heart felt as it might be, is void of the reality of a God who loves, who cares, who gives hope and who has a very specific way that we are to live and who is Greater than any problem and gives hope far beyond this life. To take godless counsel is parallel to accepting fifty cents when you could bank a million dollars.

To stand is to congregate, who are your friends? As the younger generation says, “who do you hang with?” Whoever they are, they are an influence either for good or for bad and lastly, we have the scornful. These are the mockers. No one reading Vida should be in this very compromised position. To sit in the seat of the scornful is to have lost the battle. Not only are you “walking” in their direction, “hanging with them,” but now you have taken a seat among them. These now have become “your people.” There no longer exists a distinction between you and them. You have now come under God’s judgement. So these next verses I am quoting are for you and bear in mind these are the nicer ones. 

Revelation 3:14-19

The Lukewarm Church

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’( our view) —and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked ( God’s view) – I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire His Truths) , that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”

Just as there are prohibitions, actions that bring harm to our life, there are actions that bring strength, joy and peace. Steps that not only protect our relationship but grow our relationship with the Lord. 

Psalm 1:2 

“But his delight (joy) is in the law of the LORD, 

And in His law he meditates day and night.” (Do we look forward to our time in the scriptures, I know I do. It’s the highlight of each day).

Psalms 86:11-12

Teach me Your way, O LORD;I will walk in Your truth;

Unite my heart to fear Your name.

I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart,

And I will glorify Your name forevermore (these verses make a great prayer and great verses for memorization).

3 John 1:3-4

For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth (how cool it is to bring God joy). 

Galatians 5:16-17 (The Unseen Battle). 

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

Since the sin nature “the Taker” exists in all of us and the Life Giver, the Holy Spirit exists in all those who are born again, the point Paul is making is there is a battle that is spiritual in nature, and to win it must be fought supernaturally. The Spirit seeks for His nature “The Giver” to dominate, and the flesh seeks to Take, who will win is the question? I use to watch wrestling because my friend was so good. In the beginning both contestants seemed equally paired but as the wrestling continued I could see my friend beginning to gain the upper hand as he incessantly grappled with his opponent not seeking to pin him but to tire him out, and soon, tired enough and having no more strength to resist, my friend pinned his opponent. My friend in practice wrestled with teammates 50 lbs. heavier (a big deal in wrestling) than him and by virtue of their weight many were stronger. A few he pinned, but most pinned him. He always gave a good fight. Wrestling was his passion and he overt-trained to win. 

And Paul would say that my friend trained to win an earthly crown, we train to win a heavenly crown. 

1 Corinthians 9:25-27

And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore, I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified (the believers action must be purposeful, each step away from sin and towards righteousness, each punch a direct blow or a counter punch to the flesh and its ways). 

What about us, do we even train, let alone over train? To train as a believer would be to keep your daily prayer times with the Lord, your daily Bible study and in your car or bathroom or on your smart phone note verses that speak to you and read them frequently throughout the day. Listen to Christian messages and Godly music that worships the Lord. Be diligent to make the most of the time you have to hear and read God’s Word, and rule over the flesh. If you struggle in a specific area find out what God’s Word says about that and memorize those verses. These verses will become your sword and shield.

And make time to exercise. I find when I exercise, I stay more alert, more on point as I read God’s Word and live out my Christian faith. Also eating right, exercising discipline overeating habits; not eating sweets and breads that temp the appetite and are not healthy. Saying no to these helps me maintain that “soldier” attitude which is critical for anyone wanting to progress in their Christian faith. There’s a great verse in Ecclesiastic’s about eating.

Ecclesiastes 10:17

Blessed are you, O land, when your king is the son of nobles,

And your princes feast (eat) at the proper time (not gluttons) 

And eat for strength and not for drunkenness!

A son or a daughter of a King, which all those born again are, you should select and eat your food based on the strength it gives you. I know taste in our culture is a big deal but it’s overrated. Eating for strength is how we should determine what we eat or don’t eat. When you look at food with this in mind it becomes a disciplined look, a controlled look that will keep us more fit for God’s work. What are the foods that will make me and keep me healthy and strong, those are the foods I eat. For one to discipline his or her eating habits to this level is such a great victory, so few of us do it. I personally believe that the lack of discipline with our eating habits comes back and hurts us in other areas of our life. 

And, proper sleep. I have neglected it in my younger years but now find it a must. Since we are body, mind, and soul keeping these areas “tuned up,” helps the Spirit to grow himself in us. These are practical things we can do. As long as we are in our body we are in a battle and those of us who take the walk of faith seriously understand the importance of what I am sharing.

Ephesians 6:12

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Zechariah 4:6

So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.

The point the Spirit is making is our battles are spiritual in nature, they must be fought spiritually. As the prophet Zechariah told Zerubbabel that it was the Lord who would build the Temple. It was not for him to build the temple, but it was for him to seek the Lord for guidance. Just as we must seek the Lord for Him to build His Temple in us. Our Temple is not built by brick and mortar, or flesh and blood, but by His Spirit and His implanted Word. Amen

Hebrews 12:11

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained (disciplined or exercised) by it.

Father God, 

You are the Master Architect of our soul. You know how to tear down attitudes of defeat, low self-esteem, bitterness, lust, pride, anger, loneliness and the like. In tearing them down we feel vulnerable and don’t like it but afterwards You rebuild us with Truth that will ransom our soul from Hell and deliver us into Your Eternal Kingdom, yielding the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Amen

Go in Peace and Grace – Arthur

Personal Note: Life could get tough in the coming months with all that is happening in the political arena. As believers we must support and pray for our candidates that stand for God’s principles. The right to assemble for worship, the right of the unborn and the dignity of life in general and the social structure that the Ten Commandments give which are being torn from our society, without a fight. Pray, and pray frequently that Truth and Righteousness will prevail. At the same time prepare….

1 Peter 3:13-15

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; ( if days become hard your testimony will be critical, if you are on the fence in your faith get off, get off now and start to grow your faith. Your salvation and the ability to have a living faith cost the Life of our Savior, please do not take it for granted). 

Until next time – Arthur Vida4U.com is the website where all past Vida’s are archived. In addition to the weekly devotionals, the yearly inspirational writings featured in December’s House2Home Magazine are archived under “Faith Talk.”  Please use this site for your benefit and refer your friends to it as well. If they would like the weekly series emailed to them, they can send their requests to Arthur@Vida4U.com.

These verses are repeated for memorization. These and others are the backbone of the Christian Faith. I would encourage you to commit them to memory.

Romans 1:16-17

The Just Live by Faith

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Philippians 1:20-21

According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:27-29

Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together (as opposed to against each other) for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of (their) perdition, but to you of (your) salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

There are some incredible verses in the scriptures. A lot of times they are just one-liners taking but a second to read. However, if we do not pause to consider what we just read, its importance just slips by us. Let us examine a few stories and then make application. The first one is in 1 Samuel 14. 

1 Samuel 14:4-7

Between the passes, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp rock on one side and a sharp rock on the other side. And the name of one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. The front of one faced northward opposite Michmash, and the other southward opposite Gibeah.

Then Jonathan said to the young man who bore his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; it may be that the LORD will work for us. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few.”

So his armor-bearer said to him, “Do all that is in your heart. Go then; here I am with you, according to your heart (what a great armor-bearer).”

There is a reason why Samuel spent time describing the terrain. It was not an easy hike for them to get to the Philistine garrison, it took effort. We will read in a bit that it was so steep that they had to climb on their hands and knees. Not a great position to be in when going to face your enemy. It would have been very easy to say, “why go to them, by the time we get there we will be too tired to fight.” As believers God asks us to do things, how many times do we say that it takes too much effort. Drive down the block and share Christ with a friend, or a classmate or co-worker, or volunteer for any of the needs of the church. The church relies on volunteers. There is a saying that 20% percent of the people do 80% percent of the work in the church. This should not be. That’s how burn out happens and it’s a bad testimony for the church. 

Now let’s look at Johnathan’s statement. For nothing restrains the LORD from saving by many or by few. Where does this kind of faith come from? He definitely did not get it from his cowardly, self-consumed father the King. Let’s put Johnathan’s statement in our language. The game of football is a 11 man sport. Imagine that today we are playing for the Western Division Championship and all the opposing team shows up but only 2 of your teammates show up and neither of you are the quarterback. Johnathan would say, let’s play ball. We would say, “Johnathan I don’t think you understand the situation we are in. We don’t have enough players to play all the positions, we will get slaughtered.” Johnathan would look back and smile and say, “what is it to God whether we have a full team or not? He can win the game by many or by few, so let’s play.”

Two critical points here. For this kind of faith to work you must make sure your on the right team. There is the team for self and then there is the team for God and sometimes we think we are on God’s team but in reality it’s for ourselves. It takes the Holy Spirit to reveal the true motive of our hearts. It makes all the difference. The saying happy wife happy life, a similar thing could be said about the Lord, “right with God equals right in life.” Being on “Team Self” equals frustration and defeat. 

Next lesson, God becomes the God of your faith. If you believe that God will do it, then He will. Johnathan believed that God could bring victory though it was approximately an eighteen to two proposal. The term uncircumcised means one thing to us, but it meant something much more to Johnathan and it was at the core of his faith. The male Jew was circumcised as a baby because of a Convenant God made with the Jewish people. These Philistines were outside the Convenant of God therefore they could be defeated. Though Johnathan and his armor bearer were only two, being under the Convenant meant that the full power of God was on their side and numbers didn’t matter and sure enough they were defeated. 

Another example of extreme faith was the women that had the issue of blood. 

Luke 8:42-45

But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.

And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?”

When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”

The word touch is haptomai in the Greek meaning, “ to apply oneself to, or the handling of an object as to exert a modifying influence upon it or upon oneself.” Though many touched Him only one touched Him with desperate faith. In other words when we approach God our Father with this kind of faith His virtue is released. That is what this story teaches. Christ healing power was released even without Christ commissioning it so. He didn’t say “I will, be healed,” she was just healed for she “met” the criteria. 

Hebrews 11:6

For without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 

This woman was desperate beyond measure. She had no more money, she had spent it all with the doctors and was no better. Something about Jesus gave her hope. Maybe she saw him heal others, or maybe her friends spoke of his kindness and love, we don’t know. We only know that she knew that if she could just fight her way through the crowd and touch the hem of his robe that’s all she needed to be healed, she didn’t even need to speak with him. That “touch” as the English puts it was so much more than a touch. It represented her desperation, her hope, and a new life and it released Christ healing virtue.

Luke 8:46-48k

But Jesus said, “Somebody touched (hapsomai) Me, for I perceive that power (dunamai – achieving power) left my body. Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling (to dread, to be terrified); and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.

And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has madeyou well. Go in peace.” Jesus obviously saw and felt her fear and wanted her to be happy and rejoice. She seemed by nature timid and shy and confronting Jesus directly for her healing with the crowd around him would have made too much of a scene, especially since her ailment was personal. Another point, had it not been for her faith and persistence to get to Jesus, she would not have been healed. Application, Jesus is present, He’s not hidden, but how willing and to what lengths are we willing to seek Him out, are we desperate? If we saw our condition from Christ’s perspective we would be, and we would do everything in our power to not miss a day of fellowship and study with Him. It would be the high point of each day.

This kind of faith represents the fullness of confidence, not even a shadow of doubt. We were on a mission trip in Mexico and had just completed the final touches on a new church for the first ever evening service happening that night. We had gone out into the community earlier to invite everyone to come. It was around 5 o’clock, we were going to eat, shower and dress for church that was starting at 7. I had noticed earlier that the wind was picking up which concerned me, that maybe rain was coming. Sure enough by 6 I knew that rain was coming.

We had worked so hard to get the church ready for tonight’s service that I saw this as a ploy of the enemy and I was mad. There was no way that Satan was going to win, no way!! So I stepped out of the dinner room and walked up a small hill where I could see the storm coming. I rebuked the storm and Satan and told them that this was Jesus’s night and in the name of Jesus it was not going to rain on God’s night. It was not happening! There was not a shadow of doubt in me, all I felt was anger and authority. You might call it righteous anger for I was contending for my Father. It was a total of about 3 minutes, I came back down the hill and back to dinner. My wife asked me what I was doing pointing my arms at the clouds and shouting who knows what. I told her I was rebuking Satan and the storm, she gave me this look like what did you just say? Her eyes said everything. She just simply said that after the service I needed to go right to bed and not stay up to talk. As she walked out she said “I told you that you were working too hard today”. I felt a little silly afterwards, but it didn’t last long, we needed to get ready.

That evening the church was full. I introduced our group and spoke a little bit about us – where we were from and what our purpose for coming was (being bilingual helps) but then I turned the service over to the pastor with whom we were staying. By God’s Grace he did a great job. The new pastor for the church was suppose to speak this night but at the last minute he could not come, so in a moments notice our host pastor had to speak. After the service we said our good byes to the people and hopped on the bus to head back to the pastor’s church. There was about ten of us. 

 I had all but forgotten about what I had done earlier, I was so happy about the service. However as we got about 10 minutes out from the church I saw wet roads, then I heard the rain hitting the bus and then the windshield wipers started going full speed. Then it hit me, that we truly did rebuke a storm in Jesus name, just like Peter truly walked on water. We know of these stories in the scriptures but the reality of them and what they teach we seldom take seriously. We regulate the stories both Old and New to folklore or cute stories to teach to children but seldom seek to apply them to ourselves. However, to the people involved in the stories, these events were life and death situations where God came through for them. And as He came through for them, TODAY He will come through for us. These stories are factual as God is real and they are meant to strengthen our faith; especially in “impossible” situations. As long as Peters eyes were on Christ he did the impossible, and so can we. 

That night Satan lost and God won all because God listened to a man willing to be His fool and a pastor who took seriously God’s command to “be ready in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2).” Here’s one take away from this story; how many times do we under achieve in our Christian walk because we are too worried of what others will think of us? I would rather be God’s fool and see miracles than appear wise in the eyes of man any day. 

Now let me regress a bit and come back to the woman with the issue of blood. Which is the greater healing, to be healed of an infirmity, or to continue to worship and maintain a thankful disposition in our infirmity? Which is the greater testimony? Here’s another question. If Jesus didn’t answer a single prayer you prayed but promised you Eternity with Him, would that be enough of a “healing,” or would you need more? Is it right to seek the healer just for the healing? I am benefitted much by the healing but I am benefitted the more by learning to praise Him through my suffering. 

Going to Heaven is my greatest healing, changing my sinful nature over into robes of righteousness far outstrips anything that could happen to me here, would you not agree? And my testimony of His faithfulness in my suffering touches and encourages more people than a healing. Testimonies of healing are great, they give hope, but they are also soon forgotten. However testimonies of God’s consistent ongoing presence through our struggles are even greater. 

To be able to say I went through that, just like the Psalmist says “even though I go through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil,” is a great testimony for people in the valley. Also we are not suppose to “camp” in the valley. We are meant to learn the lessons of the valley, being made the better through our struggle and go on our way. Unfortunately there are Christians who camp in the valley. They fail to yield to the lessons, just like the Israelites took forty years to travel a months journey because of their continued complaining and worshiping of idols. We can waste so much of our life in the valleys just because we continually substitute worry, fret, lust for this world, idols etc., for trusting the true and living God.

 A great prayer, “ Father I am yours, make me completely yours and do with me as that which brings You the greatest honor and testimony of Your faithfulness and love. Cultivate in me a love for your Word and prayer.” 

Thank you for this study and Amen,

Move Forward in His Grace – ArthurArthur Navarrette
Vida4U.com is the website where all past Vida’s are archived. In addition to the weekly devotionals, the yearly inspirational writings featured in December’s House2Home Magazine are archived under “Faith Talk.”  Please use this site for your benefit and refer your friends to it as well. If they would like the weekly series emailed to them, they can send their requests to Arthur@Vida4U.com.

Please begin with our video introduction here.

Vida4U “Sold Out” Part II

Romans 1:16-17

The Just Live by Faith

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Philippians 1:20-21

According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:27-29

Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together (as opposed to against each other) for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of (their) perdition, but to you of (your) salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.

What does being sold out look like? The best examples I find are sports. When I ran Cross Country in High School, we would arrive at the gym at 6:30 in the morning, suit up and then run 5 to 6 miles, shower, and get ready for class. We all liked the morning run. It was relaxed and easy. However, the afternoon run was a different story. We would run 16 miles on Monday, close to the same on Tuesday and Wednesday’s 12 miles. By the end of the afternoon runs, we were tired. Thursday was only the morning run because we had our track met that afternoon. Friday, we got to sleep in and only ran 8 to 10 miles in the afternoon. Weekends we were on our own. Living only 15 minutes from the beach, I would drive down and do beach workouts. The beach I went to had a steep hill, so I made a loop that included the neighborhood, the beach (both wet and dry sand), and then finished it off on the hill. I took a breather and did it several more times. My legs burned after each set. 

If we didn’t run at least 5 to 6 miles each day on the weekend on Monday, the coach would make us all run sprints after the afternoon run. Nobody wanted that, and nobody wanted to be the one that made the team have to run sprints. You’d catch it from the others in the locker room. So we were all pretty good about getting our runs in.

Our team consistently placed number one or two in our league, our only real competitor was Corona Del Mar High. They ran more hills because of the school’s location and were a tough rival. At the end of the season, some of our better runners went to state to compete. The two years that I ran, my sophomore and junior years, were hard years. Everything that I did was focused on improving my run. It was 24-7. If I didn’t do something, it was because it didn’t help my running, if I did do something it was because it would help my running. From the food, I ate or didn’t eat, even going out with my friends. I needed to be home early so I could get to bed on time. 

Every choice and decision I made was seen through that window. I didn’t like running but knew God was using it to teach me toughness and endurance, and I was definitely getting that daily. I was so relieved when I felt God releasing me from running. That senior year I was elected to be Student Body President and had a lot more school duties, so sports ended up taking a back seat. God has a sense of humor, as much as running stressed me out, having to badged my shins because I was constantly dealing with the pain of shin splints, to this day the only sport I continue to do from my school years is running and weight lifting ( weight lifting came from football). 

When Paul says, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” cross-country would be my example of a 110% devotion. And so because of that experience, I understand what Paul means. It’s “I’m all in,” and there is no plan B. If plan A doesn’t work, then I go down with the ship. Fortunately, our hope is not in a man, but in God who can never be defeated and who never fails. So cross-country taught me to resolve, and Jesus has taught me and continues to teach me purpose.

Several other verses speak to this 110%devotion.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Striving for a Crown

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I should become disqualified (the literal translation to “discipline my body” means to give myself a black eye. If my eyes cause me to sin I punch them to keep that from happening). True Christianity is you are either all in, or you’re not in at all. There is no “American Christianity” where you can have your indulgences and Christ, no it’s just Christ, He’s our life. However, having said that there is maturing in Christ. What I knew and how I lived for Christ 5 years ago to how I live for Him now is not the same. The challenges and difficulties of the last 5 years have given me the opportunity to say no to more of the worldly desires that existed in my soul and to repent of them.

And 2 Timothy 2:3-4

“You, therefore, must endure (sustain, under go)

 hardship (pain, evil, affliction) as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles( engages) himself or herself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” ( our calling)

How many of us are so involved in this life that we don’t know what it’s like to be solely devoted to Christ? That truth, unfortunately, is the single biggest reason why our society has become more tolerant and accepting of behaviors that we were not 10 to 15 years ago. We have been too busy doing our own thing, we have ceased being salt in the sense of a being a preserving agent against the decay of immortality and licentious behaviors. And we are called to be light, and by our life live The Way so others can see it ( Christianity was termed The Way in the early church by non-believers). 

There has not been a flashlight big or small that has ever failed to chase away the darkness. It could be pitch black, and the light always pierces through the darkness and shows me the way. Are we doing that, can others see the life of Christ in us, especially in these times. I hope so, for this is when it counts. Confusion, fear and doubt all lessen when we are still and hear God speak to us through His Word.

Being a Christian requires enduring faith. It’s not for the faint of heart. The heart that is seeking its gain, it’s own recognition should not be a Christian. This is where people become disappointed with Christianity, God does not play by our rules. Jesus said some hard things, statements that turned people away. These hearers wanted something easy, something they could add to their daily agendas without much effort and still be guaranteed a spot in Heaven. Living faith does not work that way.

Matthew 10:37-39

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it ( sober words).

If I pastored a church I would rather have a 100 members whose lives were solidly committed to Christ words than a 900 who were not. Unfortunately, this is a good definition of the American church. It’s the 900 hundred that make the pastors job hard. 

Matthew 10:32-33

(Luke 12:8, 9)

“Therefore, whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven ( you don’t want to do that regardless of the consequences, and the consequences can be ugly).

Matthew 10:16-20

Persecutions Are Coming

(Mark 13:9–13; Luke 21:12–17)

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you( Amen, never ever left alone).

These are tough verses and we are not as yet experiencing persecution and we may never become like China, however with a change of leadership there are many underlining forces in our country that could easily pull us in that direction. Take advantage of this current time, grow your faith and pray that we start getting back to meeting as a church. 

Our company supports various organizations, one is the Voice of Martyrs. They send out a monthly magazine that updates believers of areas of persecution around the world. There is an article about China almost every month. Here are some quotes from this month’s magazine, our brothers in Christ. 

“This new era of persecution may be a period of refinement for the maturing church. Some have left the faith because of the persecution but many more are firmly committed to following Christ despite the persecution. ‘ Persecution itself is evil to the people of God,’ Ben Chen said,’ but we rejoice that the gospel can be spread. We don’t simply believe that persecution itself can make the gospel spread, but God uses the persecution to make His people realize that there is a treasure (Christ) in the clay (us).” So as the church cherishes more holding the gospel dear, so they grow and the gospel is spread.”

Another attitude foreign to us is the attitude towards interrogations. What we are reading is the fruit of suffering, purified( free of self) and hence It becomes unstoppable faith. This kind of faith never sees defeat, because it turns conflict into opportunity. “When we are interrogated and or beaten for our faith, and I’m quoting, “‘ Try… to turn the event into a new meeting place for the church.” Some church members report seeing jailers come to Christ or policemen soften toward the gospel after witnessing the testimony of believers lives.’ These quotes come from leaders in The Early Rain church( let us pray for them). 

And lastly a quote from Wang Yi the senior pastor, “ If God uses persecution of the church to lead others through a period of disillusionment with their life so that they can come to true faith then I am joyfully willing to submit to God’s plans, for His plans are always benevolent and good.”I definitely know that I have brothers and sisters from other mothers; their words resonate within my soul. Faith can only be developed through hard times and it can only be stopped if we sell out. If we stop being sons and daughters of our loving Father and Dad, and trade our relationship with Him for the rituals of religion, we will stop being the church.

 As of 5/23, President Trump ordered that churches had to be opened, that they were essential. Whatever your opinion is of President Trump he has been an advocate for the unborn and for the church more than any President in this century. That should count, it does with me and we should be praying for him. It’s not just the right thing to do as believers but we are commanded to.

1 Timothy 2:1-2

Pray for All Men

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Unstoppable Faith, how do we measure up? What would you do? 

Acts 16:16-23

Paul and Silas Imprisoned

Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days.

But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.

And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laidmany stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.

Now ask yourself, what would be your attitude at this moment, why me God? I was just doing what you told me to do? Unfortunately, most of us would probably think this. What is Paul and Silas attitude, do they demonstrate unstoppable faith in an unstoppable God? Was God faithful to them, you decide. 

Acts 16:25-30

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns( not crying or complaining) to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

Why did this harden jailer want to know of Christ? He’s heard many a man’s story proclaiming their innocents. How was Paul and Silas so different? Can it be….

James 1:2-5

Profiting from Trials

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

“count it all joy when” literally means to mentally consider or chose joy when the natural response is just the opposite. Habakkuk, was a prophet of God, and God was telling him that famine and war was coming. That God was using the Persian army to judge Israel for her idolatry, something that we are so guilty of. We may not worship idols of stone, but we definitely have our idols. The prophet faced the same choice as Paul and Silas. In the face of terrible news how did he respond? How have we done during this time of Covid? 

Habakkuk 3:17-19

A Hymn of Faith

Though the fig tree may not blossom,

Nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labor of the olive may fail,

And the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,

And there be no herd in the stalls—

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The LORD GOD is my strength;

He will make my feet like deer’s feet,

And He will make me walk on my high hills.

To rejoice literally means to jump up and spin around with joy. As if your favorite team just won the Super Bowl. Sold Out Faith is invincible because it believes in a God who is all able, loving, personal and caring. He is all powerful and above any circumstance. And if He doesn’t change the narrative of our life, it is not because He doesn’t care, but it is because He does care and He is teaching us to become victorious IN the suffering. To loosen our white knuckle grip on the possessions and cares of this world and how we think our life should be and to fully trust Him so as to gain a greater treasure. Paul and Silas did not sing praises in spite of the suffering but because of the suffering because they were counted worthy to suffer as their Lord. Next time sickness, illness, unfair treatment or rebuke cultivate a thankful heart that we are being given an opportunity to live out our faith and as you rejoice know that your testimony of Christ shines. 

This world fills our bags with useless stuff that we can’t take with us. These things do not give us lasting joy or peace, what they give is a counterfeit joy and peace. We need to empty our bags so the Lord can fill them with His possessions, possessions of joy, life, peace, wisdom, fulfillment that endures into eternity. Amen 

Lastly, remember the most dangerous prison is the one we don’t see. Compromising holiness and purity for the things of the world dilutes and quenches our faith and builds a wall between me and a loving, but a most Holy God. This prison is unseen because it caters to our flesh, and unless we are careful will lessen our earnestness toward our faith and make us comfortable with this life. 

Father God, 

Use these unsettling times to grow our faith. Pandemics are nothing new to You, you have been with many a believer through them, be with us now. Covid and/or the agenda behind it will potentially change our way of life. However, if our way of life is hid in You, then though the external things may change, our life with You only gets better. Your people and saints in the past have also been faced with difficulties and struggles. Help us as our brother said to value the treasure that is in the clay and allow whatever buffeting that may come to purify us as gold is purified. Thank you for this study and Amen.

Go in Grace and in the Power of the Holy Spirit. – ArthurArthur Navarrette
Vida4U.com is the website where all past Vida’s are archived. In addition to the weekly devotionals, the yearly inspirational writings featured in December’s House2Home Magazine are archived under “Faith Talk.”  Please use this site for your benefit and refer your friends to it as well. If they would like the weekly series emailed to them, they can send their requests to Arthur@Vida4U.com.

I have purposefully kept this Vida short. I want you to be able to keep it under notes on your phone and be able to review it while you wait in line or on hold etc. Times of stress do come and go; however, when they go, have we been made stronger by them or weaker? Much like the waves at the ocean. Before I knew how to body-surf, they tumbled me, almost drowned me once, but once I learned how to ride them, they brought me to shore with much joy and pleasure. God’s Word stored in us and repeated in these times of testing and trial will allow the same situation that defeated us before to deepen our faith and bring us closer to Christ. 

1 John 4:4

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them because He who is in IN YOU IS GREATER than he who is in the world.

Deuteronomy 31:8, “He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Isaiah 43:1, “Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.” 

1 John 4:18, “Perfect Love(His love in us) Casts Out All Fear.”

Psalm 18:2, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.”  

Proverbs 3:5-8

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear (respect) the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh,

And strength to your bones (evil deals with fear, anxiety, strife, etc. and the actions that result from them).”

Meditate upon these truths until they become part of the spiritual fiber of your soul. So when fear comes knocking, and it well, you are prepared. Repeating these verses in your mind with your heart, giving testimony is how we fight these spiritual battles. These verses are our armor and defense, and these are just a few. Google Promises from God and allow a daily time that you spend just with Him in study of His Word and prayer. I like to write out and date my requests, it builds my faith when I see them answered, and it challenges my faith when they are not. Many times behind an unanswered prayer is a motive that was just for me, to make me look good rather than making God look good. Here are two examples of Paul living a life completely in God’s Grace.

Philippians 1:19-25 – To Live Is Christ

“For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith.”

Another time was when Paul was in Phillips’s house in Cesarea.

Acts 21:10-14

“And as we stayed many days (in Phillips house), a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”

Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”

There is no knowing the future, and we have never been able to. However, since our life, in general, has been fairly free of outside threats living with this uncertainty right now is tough. However, it has always been an illusion that the future was stable. Because it has been, we believe it will continue to be. So we have become comfortable rooting into this world when all the while, this “illusion” has been a hindrance to our growth in Christ.

Imagine if our lives were in communist China where at any moment, night or day, the police could break into our home, take our children, putting them into re-education camps, and put us into forced labor. How would we live, would we denounce Christ? Unfortunately, I believe some of us would. We are way too rooted into this life, when we should be deeply rooted into Christ. Paul was building his home in Heaven; he had no stocks, investments, etc., in this world, financially or emotionally. Our wealth is each other, our friendships because of Christ. Money can’t buy that. Whatever the future holds, we do not know, but Christ holds us, and the future does not threaten Him.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”

1 Peter 1:3-5 – A Heavenly Inheritance

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Are we emotionally and spiritually prepared to face hardship, Paul was. The key to his readiness was he was sold entirely to Christ. He fully acknowledged that he belonged to Christ, and though no other disciple suffered as he did, it was accepted by him knowing that God would see him through. Do we have this confidence?

In ancient times, in times of war, there were two swords the soldier used. One was for at a distance, and the other was in close; for hand to hand combat, it was the dagger. The dagger was short, precise, and sharp. It did the job of successfully killing the foe. If you remember nothing else I leave you with these daggers, use them well.

2Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Joshua 1:7-9

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

In this time, whatever comes can be used to deepen our faith or to stumble us from our faith. The choice will be ours as our faith will be sifted, either unto purer and refined gold, or will be shown to be chaff that the winds of hardship blow away. I pray that this Vida, especially the verses, will be taken with great seriousness.

Amen

Father God,

This is a lot to consider. I mostly pray for my brothers and sisters who have had a belief in you but have been busy with their earthly lives here, ignoring their true life with You. This period will be like a spiritual boot camp for them. Help them to completely surrender themselves to you so that peace, confidence, hope, and joy can be theirs. Bring your wayward children home, Father, under Your care and protection.

Final Thoughts… Psalms 23:1-5

The LORD the Shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup runs over.

Questions or concerns send to Arthur@Vida4U.com. Give me a couple days to answer you.

Be strong, be smart, be in prayer and on the practical side of things grow a garden. Being a little self sufficient can never hurt.

In parting, instead of saying be safe, which is still true I want to part by giving you a strong spiritual rope (ropes are made up of three strands).

Let His forgiveness be your peace, Let His Grace be your joy and let His Love be your strength – Amen