Author: Travis Manhart

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

Joshua 1:1-9

God’s Commission to Joshua

After the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord.

¨It came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun (scripture says that the Lord spoke to Moses as a man speaks to another man, so cool. Now it was Joshua’s turn) Moses’ assistant, saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now, therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you, 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 (is it not worth being in the scriptures so we too can experience this relationship with the Lord which He defines as prosperity? We limit prosperity to wealth, yet wealth does not buy security, peace, courage, hope, love, or salvation). 

The language in these verses is powerful. God wanted Joshua to know that He, God, IS WITH HIM and promises that as He has been with Moses, He will be with Joshua. Do you believe that this promise was only for Joshua, or do you think it is for all believers that follow Him? I know that it is for all believers, but most of us read it as if it was just for Joshua. Joshua was special, but so are we. I discuss this question in a bit; however, for now, let’s consider what Joshua was going to face. They faced armies so large that they made Israel look like a junior high school flag football team, yet Israel conquered them. The scriptures say that the beast of the field killed more enemy soldiers than were killed by the sword. Another battle God rained down large hail and destroyed them. Another battle the Philistines and the Moabites turned on themselves. When it came to fighting and defending Israel, God was very creative, out of the box kind of stuff. Hopefully, I am not confusing Joshua’s battles with David’s. In either case, all the battles except one, where they disobeyed and were defeated, were miracles.

Joshua’s assignment was to conquer the land and give each tribe their inheritance. Our role as parents is to do the same for our children. To model a life of faith in such a tangible, transparent way that they see the value of living life with The Lord. And when they have struggles, which they will, they’ve learned not to fear. They have learned by our example that they are not alone, but Christ is alongside them. This is such a critical lesson and the foundation of being a person of confidence. I hate it when faith becomes a religion, regulated to a list of do’s and don’t. Faith is not a religion. It’s a relationship with the true and living God. A way of living life that brings joy, peace, courage, love, and strength, even in times of crisis.

Towards the end of Joshua’s battling years, most, but not all, the land was conquered. Joshua gave the final responsibility to the leaders of each of the tribes who the land was appointed to. They compromised and did not follow through, and consequently, they intermarried (which was forbidden) and forsook their God for idol worship. It is a good lesson for us. It’s either 110% God, or more compromise is on the horizon. 

As a believer, you must always be growing in your faith. The compromises that exist in all of us should be lessening and lessening as we follow Christ. If six months from now, you do not know The Lord better, something is wrong. You are at an impasse because God is asking you to give up something or do something (maybe forgive?), and that is hindering you from getting closer to Him. We are either not willing or still struggling with it. When life is tough, faith needs to be tougher. The Lord is building fortitude in us. This word means strength in times of adversity. It reminds of the old Rocky Balboa boxing movies. He depicted fortitude. David also, in Psalm 23 saying, “even if I go through the valley of the shadow of death thou art still with me.” David would not have had this confidence had it not been for difficult times, same with us.

There are times of appointed rest where we take inventory of all God has done, enjoy the view, so to say, but then move onward. To rest beyond the appointed time is to risk temptation and compromise. Samson flirted way too long with Delilah. He should not have even been with her. He was a Jew. She was a Philistine, and he was violating a command of God. It was just a matter of time before he would compromise his relationship with God. Sure enough, he did, and it cost him his sight and strength. He was reduced to a beast of burden grinding out grain for Israel’s enemy. He was made to be ruler and judge over Israel; however, because he could not rule over his passions, he became a slave. How many of us are slaves to secret passions, addictions, or patterns of behavior such as fear, worry, insecurity, lust, be it materialistic or physical. These are all valley events, difficult times, the shadow of death if you would, that we all need to pass through, not set up camp as some of us do. This would be a collision course with failure. I heard a statistic several years ago that the number of divorces in the church was about the same as out of the church. If that is not a failure, I don’t know what is.

Joshua was God’s soldier. His passion was for his Lord, and His sole honor was to obey The Lord.

Joshua 5:13-15

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for our adversaries or us?” (As if to say “answer correctly or die.”) So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord, I have now come.” 

And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”

Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so. 

Joshua demonstrated robust courage, it didn’t matter the size of his opponent, and to the same degree, he showed humility. He was a real soldier and a great role model for any believer who is serious about their faith. It’s worth noting that when we take steps toward obedience, it is met with blessings. It doesn’t mean that obedience is easy, or that it does not come with opposition and sacrifice, but in God’s Eternal Book, there is not one act of obedience that is not noted. Joshua’s obedience was met with victory, but they still had to fight for it.

Many believe that this angel was a theophany (appearance of Jesus) by the fact the Commander tells Joshua to take his shoes off. In no other encounter with angels was this said, (e,g. Mary and Martha encountering the angels at the tomb, or the angel announcing the birth of Jesus, or the birth of John the Baptist, etc.) Also, as mentioned, some believe that these verses (promises) are for a particular period and that Joshua was being groomed to do this, and you would be right. However, I’ve come to believe that these promises are for all who would be God’s Joshua. We all have “land” that needs to be conquered, both inside of us and outside of us. We know people (family, friends, co-workers) that need to enter into the promised land of faith, to know Jesus as their Savior; and there are definitely forces that seek to stop us from seeking Jesus and telling others about him. It takes some maturity to be able to see the “war” between good and evil, but if we continue to grow in faith, we will become sensitive to it.

Romans 7:21-25

“I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

So then, with the mind, I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.”

Therefore since this is true…

Ephesians 6:10-12 The Whole Armor of God

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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 ( since the battle is not against flesh and blood but spiritual, the only way to put on the armor is through faith, and faith comes by hearing/ reading God’s Word. There comes a time in a believer’s life that God’s promises become a reality, and what is seen or interpreted as fact is the illusion. 

***A great prayer is, “Lord open my eyes to see the battle, both in me and around me and daily help me to be your soldier.

Now let’s discuss some specific verses.

“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. “

This is such a great description of faith. In one of the episodes of Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford exits a cave, and before him is a huge drop. He was at the edge of a cliff. He repeatedly recited a Bible verse, and with that took his first step into what seemed to be sure death, but as he stepped in faith, a bridge appeared, and with each step, the bridge continued to grow. It was a great example of the walk of faith. When the Israelites drew battle lines against the inhabitants of the land, this was their promise. They could claim this promise and step into battle or become fearful because of being outnumbered and run, which would have been a sure defeat.

Worthy to note that the armor for the believer is forward-facing, there is no armor for one’s back, running from the battle is sure death. Our Father’s promises are for us today even though the challenges are unknown, he knows them. He is more than able to strengthen us. So it’s our choice, we can walk in confidence or fear. However let me explain the walk of faith, less I mislead you. I still get nervous even though I know all the stories. The challenges of running a business, keeping up with the demand, and keeping work coming in, etc., are plentiful, so I stand on God’s promises. I recite them and they take me through the day. Yet my flesh gets nervous, I feel it in my stomach, and it’s a strange feeling to be trusting and be nervous at the same time. Maybe that will change?

In ending, I leave you with the verse that has become my breastplate.

Deuteronomy 31:6

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

One of my favorite promises. I have claimed this promise so many times. I can’t even tell you. It’s such a courage and hope builder. Sometimes the situations we find ourselves in are our own doing, not God’s. Yet if at that moment we acknowledge our error and repent, God will take us through the repercussions of our disobedience and use it for our good and for His glory. Only He can do that. And the more time we spend with Him in prayer and The Word, the easier it will be to stay on course. No one trusts a stranger, but a close friend is easy to believe. 

So the truth is laid out for us, and it is a choice we make. To become Jesus’s soldiers or to follow Samson and reap his failure. The result of each is clear, and it’s a choice that has been since the time of man. Choose wisely, for not only does your life depend on it, but the lives of many others are watching.

Father God,

The lives of many are a weighty concern, for I am human. However, if I just ask You each day to help me be a faithful son or daughter to You and focus on that, everything else will fall into place. You are always my answer, and help others to see that You are their answer as well because of how You manifest Yourself through me. Amen

The Way of the Righteous and the End of the Ungodly

Blessed is the man 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 delight (his or her joy) is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law, he meditates 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 (remember that from God’s perspective wealth is not a success. The rich sinner is still going to Hell unless he or she repents [read Luke 16:19-31]. Unfortunately, because of our blindness, that’s our definition of success).

This is a beautiful portion of Psalms 1. It is as profound as it is simple and clear to understand. However, Psalms can also be offensive. People will say I don’t believe I need God, but that does not make me a bad person. There is a definite sense when reading through the Psalms that there are only two kinds of people, the godly/righteous and the ungodly/wicked or the sinner (we are all sinners, but the connotation is that of a bad person). King David, the author of the Psalms, classifies his writings as such. Here in just Psalm 1 alone, he uses several adjectives to describe the unbelieving; ungodly, sinners, scornful, chaff ( kind of insulting) and for the believing, he uses words like blessed, the righteous, and in other Psalms he uses words such as the upright and the just.

Psalms 7:9-10m

Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end,

But establish the just;

For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds. My defense is of God, Who saves the upright in heart.

I know a lot of people who “fall in the middle,” good people, some even attend church (kind of like positive Karma). Many of our lives are lived in shades of grey. There is also a T.V program called this. It does an excellent job of depicting its title. The verbiage is too colored and secular for me to consider it as entertainment (I’m more along the lines of Spider-Man or the Avengers). Still, the carnality of man definitely comes through. I think most of us tend to keep a moral compass of really good, good, and not so good, and now I am ashamed of my actions.

No one likes to be ashamed of their behavior, so we try to avoid those actions, and it takes too much effort to be really good. So the most “natural” is the middle of the road boundaries, good and not so good (but not so bad either). However, God does not, He lives in the absolute starkness of righteousness. An eye hurting, unable to view without going blind brilliance, which is still a feeble attempt of me trying to describe His Holiness. If you have ever been around a welder, the brilliance of the arc from his torch can blind you, God is so much more brilliant. After spending time with God, Moses could not be seen so that he had to cover his face. What must God be like? Therefore from His perspective, we are all sinners, wicked, ungodly, chaff, etc. No unredeemed person, no matter how good, can stand in His presence. And the redeemed solely stand in His presence because of Christ being our Savior. Here are some verses hundreds of years apart that are in agreement…

Isaiah 57:15

For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place,

With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Psalms 51:5-6

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin, my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,

And in the hidden part, You will make me know wisdom.

Romans 7:24-25

O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

So then, with the mind, I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh, the law of sin (my carnal man will always respond to the temptations of the world; however, I no longer am “employed by him,” so I no longer need to obey. My new employer (Jesus) loves righteousness or right doing, both in thought and action).

When a man or woman rightly see themselves in the light of God’s Holiness, pride vanishes like a shadow in the noonday sun. Here in these Psalms, we see King David’s heart, a man who God said had a heart after His own. People may question God’s statement based on David’s sin with Bathsheba, which is a fair question, but I do not believe God labels a man by his sin as we do, but by his (or her) earnestness to repent. Sin is but a deception, we exchange our honor for pleasure or need that we believe that action will satisfy being too immature to realize that all our needs are fully met in Christ, that’s where the deception is.

We have all been deceived, and the higher up you are, the greater the fallout and its effect. David suffered much for his sin, even the loss of a son. Though he repented and acknowledged his sin (Psalm 51, a beautiful psalm of repentance), the consequences of his sin plagued him for the rest of his life. The effects of sin are always more significant than the pleasure derived; there’s always a payday. Galatians 6:8, “whomever sows to his flesh will from his flesh reap corruption for what a man( or woman) sows that shall they reap.”

In Psalm 5, we see the conflict between good and evil and the choices David makes to remain faithful to God, choices we must make as well.

Psalms 5:4-11

For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness,

Nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity.

You shall destroy those who speak falsehood (lies).

But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You, I will worship toward Your holy temple. Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies;

Make Your way straight before my face ( a great prayer to pray).

For there is no faithfulness in their mouth. But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You ( Amen).

I love all these verses, but I love the ones in italics most. There is an acknowledged dependence upon God (lead me) a reverence for Him (In fear of You) a love of Him (I will worship) and a personal relationship (make Your way straight before my face) which speaks of an intimacy and “be joyful in You” is the fruit of a life that exalts Christ.

At the time that David sinned with Bathsheba, he was older, he had conquered his enemies and was now COMFORTABLE (the curse of a righteous heart), and now an open door presented itself, and unfortunately, he took it. Of all the things I fear, I fear the deception of a comfortable heart. When the heart is comfortable, pride finds a way to come out. When the heart is stressed, or in battle, or desperate, there is no time for the lust of the eyes or the pride of life. The goal is to run lean, mean, and to conquer. Here are a couple verses that speak to that…

Ephesians 6:10-12

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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( and the verses continue to describe the Believers armor).

Ephesians 5:15-17

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is (the fool says in his heart there is no God – hence he becomes his own god and the biggest fool ever. This is how seemingly brilliant people say, do, and believe stupid things). 

The best definition of circumspectly is the old fashion lighthouse. It’s light always shining throughout the night seven days a week. As ships came close to shore, they would be warned of any impending dangers. Our mind is to be like that lighthouse, and it’s only by the Holy Spirit and obedience to His Word that we succeed.

Every king had this command from God, he was to read and write the scriptures and meditate upon them so that he would remain in fear of God. When they did not obey that command, the consequences were devastating. Typically the kingdom went into idolatry and often was conquered by another Kingdom (what is true of a kingdom is also true of our heart). The king, who was supposed to represent truth, was killed along with many of his men, including his sons. Disobedience has a terrible price. In the end, all actions, whether they be righteous or self-serving, are accounted for. The scriptures have specific commands, and every command that I have read, whether it be given to Samson, not to drink vine (I do cut my hair), or to the Kings to write out the Word and to meditate upon it has become my command. I never read them as an option.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20

“Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.

The King that obeyed this was blessed, unfortunately not many obeyed. Hence the role of the prophets; they spoke on behalf of God to the Kings. Every prophet had his calling. Isaiah was one of the major prophets in the Old Testament, and this is one of many of his verses that is far-reaching in truth and promise.

Isaiah 64:4-9

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, Nor has the eye seen any God besides You,

Who acts for the one who waits (trusts) for Him.

You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, Who remembers You in Your ways (the definition of wait is to bind yourself around, like a cord of rope is made up of three strands, and the braided whole is stronger than the one. We are to figurative speaking wrap ourselves around the Lord).

This is what God seeks from each of us. Unfortunately, the following verses are more true, continuing Isaiah…

,…for we have sinned—In these ways, we continue, And we need to be saved.

But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind,

Have taken us away. And no one calls on Your name, Who stirs himself up to take hold of You; For You have hidden Your face from us,

And have consumed us because of our iniquities. But now, O Lord,

You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand. Do not be furious, O Lord,

Nor remember iniquity forever; Indeed, please look—we all are Your people!

Hence Jesus came to redeem man back unto His Creator, Lord, and Father. Man’s capacity to hate and sin far exceeds his ability to love righteousness and forgive. Our own weaknesses become our stumbling blocks, hindering us from getting along with our neighbor, be it our spouse, family member, co-worker or just people in general, so we absolutely need God’s presence in our life if we are to succeed in the life that God has invited us to go with Him on. Amen.

Father God,

The blessed life is not a blessed life because it is absent of struggle, no it’s a blessed life because through the struggles we see your Eternal Hand in our life, and for that, we are blessed. Help us to fight the good fight of the faith and to often meet with You in study and prayer. Bring brothers and sisters who can encourage us and likewise we encourage them as we travel upward, the road less traveled. Amen and Amen.