...Its emotional because you're talking about love with someone else's heart. Nabal and Abigail, from first Samual, are wealthy but have their problems. She's a woman of good understanding and of a beautiful countenance. Nabal is churlish: unkind, grumpy, surly, and miserly. Its the time of year to shear his 3,000 sheep.
King David must know Nabal because he sends ten of his men to him, requesting provisions as they travel to a friend's funeral. "Who is David?" Nabal asks sarcastically. Everybody knows the king.
This insults David. He and four hundred men go after him with swords, and somebody tells Abigail. Unknown to Nabal, she quickly gathers provisions and takes them to David and his men, begging his mercy on her husband. David shows mercy.
Why did she do that? Because she loves him, sorry as he is. It was also the right thing to do. She kept a king from committing murder. When she tells Nabal what she did, he can't handle it. Ten days later God smote him.
A marriage partner may have to choose between God or their spouse. It takes faith.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
One day, surrounded by a multitude of people, Jesus
...passed through Jericho, seeking a soul to save. Zacchaeus, a short rich tax collector, climbed a tree to see him better. Jesus not only saw him, but went home with him. The people murmured because he was the guest of a sinner. They hated tax collectors. But Jesus saved Zaccheaus.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
What a marvelous God. A saved soul is a miracle. I'm glad He saved me.
Jesus is seeking a life through which he can work. As a disciple, bought by Jesus at Calvary, we are not our own.
1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
Jesus is seeking a church which He can fellowship, and it begins with the individual.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me.
This fellowship empowers church services, assures guidance, and can only be broken by man. Lord, may I never quit supping with you.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
What a marvelous God. A saved soul is a miracle. I'm glad He saved me.
Jesus is seeking a life through which he can work. As a disciple, bought by Jesus at Calvary, we are not our own.
1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
Jesus is seeking a church which He can fellowship, and it begins with the individual.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me.
This fellowship empowers church services, assures guidance, and can only be broken by man. Lord, may I never quit supping with you.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
God's house should be dedicated to worship.
...Its a holy place of faith and prayer.
One day Jesus found those who professed to love God defiling the temple by selling merchandise and hindering worship. He didn't like it.
John 2:15-16 And when He had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the charger's money, and over-threw the tables; And said unto them that sold doves. Take these things hence; Make not my Father's house a house of merchandise.
Recently I heard a gospel singer tell about giving her testimony about forgiveness at a church one Sunday morning where she sang. They announced a business meeting. As the congregation ate, she learned the meeting was to fire the pastor. Later, they told how each committee member asked the pastor to forgive them and begged him to stay.
I love church cleansing stories.
One day Jesus found those who professed to love God defiling the temple by selling merchandise and hindering worship. He didn't like it.
John 2:15-16 And when He had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the charger's money, and over-threw the tables; And said unto them that sold doves. Take these things hence; Make not my Father's house a house of merchandise.
Recently I heard a gospel singer tell about giving her testimony about forgiveness at a church one Sunday morning where she sang. They announced a business meeting. As the congregation ate, she learned the meeting was to fire the pastor. Later, they told how each committee member asked the pastor to forgive them and begged him to stay.
I love church cleansing stories.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
You can have assurance of your salvation.
...You don't have to live in fear of missing heaven.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
God keeps His word. He is steadfast, unchanging, dependable, and faithful. When He speaks, it comes to pass. No one has ever made more promises than God. No one has ever kept more promises than God. He is faithful. He doesn't call you because you are the greatest. He calls you because He wants to work in you, and He gets the glory. God has never called anybody to service and left them untrained. Never.
As a born again Christian, you are created in Christ Jesus unto good works. If God has begun a work in you from the inside out, you can be confident that He will perform it to the end. That's security.
The Bible says you must be born again to go to heaven. God's grace keeps you forever because you're His child.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
God keeps His word. He is steadfast, unchanging, dependable, and faithful. When He speaks, it comes to pass. No one has ever made more promises than God. No one has ever kept more promises than God. He is faithful. He doesn't call you because you are the greatest. He calls you because He wants to work in you, and He gets the glory. God has never called anybody to service and left them untrained. Never.
As a born again Christian, you are created in Christ Jesus unto good works. If God has begun a work in you from the inside out, you can be confident that He will perform it to the end. That's security.
The Bible says you must be born again to go to heaven. God's grace keeps you forever because you're His child.
Monday, June 11, 2012
God could've gotten the Israelites out of Egypt
...without the ten plagues. So why didn’t he?
Exodus 7:5 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.
“Let my people go,” Moses’ demands.
Water to Blood – Frogs – Gnats or Lice
Flies – Livestock Diseased – Boils
Thunder and Hail – Locusts – and Darkness
None of these devastating plagues convinces Pharaoh to release his slaves. But the last one jabs him in the heart. God smites the first born of man and beast throughout Egypt, but not in the Israelite homes where blood of a lamb swipes the doorposts as instructed.
“When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” This is a foreshadowing of redemption by the Lamb of God on the cross, covering the sins of those who believe.
On the desert trail, the people freak out as they are trapped between the Red Sea and the enemy. “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord,” Moses proclaims. The Red Sea parts and nearly three million Israelites cross on dry ground, saved by the grace of God.
This same God directs my path every day. What’s to fear? Read this exciting true story in the Book of Exodus.
Exodus 7:5 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.
“Let my people go,” Moses’ demands.
Water to Blood – Frogs – Gnats or Lice
Flies – Livestock Diseased – Boils
Thunder and Hail – Locusts – and Darkness
None of these devastating plagues convinces Pharaoh to release his slaves. But the last one jabs him in the heart. God smites the first born of man and beast throughout Egypt, but not in the Israelite homes where blood of a lamb swipes the doorposts as instructed.
“When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” This is a foreshadowing of redemption by the Lamb of God on the cross, covering the sins of those who believe.
On the desert trail, the people freak out as they are trapped between the Red Sea and the enemy. “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord,” Moses proclaims. The Red Sea parts and nearly three million Israelites cross on dry ground, saved by the grace of God.
This same God directs my path every day. What’s to fear? Read this exciting true story in the Book of Exodus.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
People can neglect their children by supposing
...they get all their spiritual training in Sunday School or that they can make up their own minds about salvation when they are grown.
Christians can neglect their duties by supposing:
They will commit to God later
Loyalty to the church isn't necessary
They are too busy for a prayer life
They can't witness because they don't know what to say
They can't love someone because they've been offended
They're too poor to tithe
They can manage their own spirituality
Nothing they do will affect heavenly rewards
They can neglect lost souls because they know where the church is
The unsaved can neglect their souls by supposing:
Morality is sufficient to go to heaven
Jesus will give you all the opportunities you need to get salvation
There is no eternity
God is too loving and merciful to send anyone to hell
There's nothing to salvation
Christians can neglect their duties by supposing:
They will commit to God later
Loyalty to the church isn't necessary
They are too busy for a prayer life
They can't witness because they don't know what to say
They can't love someone because they've been offended
They're too poor to tithe
They can manage their own spirituality
Nothing they do will affect heavenly rewards
They can neglect lost souls because they know where the church is
The unsaved can neglect their souls by supposing:
Morality is sufficient to go to heaven
Jesus will give you all the opportunities you need to get salvation
There is no eternity
God is too loving and merciful to send anyone to hell
There's nothing to salvation
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