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Daily David, Week 12, Day 5

admin —  November 18, 2011 — Leave a comment

Today, is a bitter sweet day. This is the very last day of our study on King David. This Sunday will be the final message! The following Sunday, after Thanksgiving, we will begin a brand new message series with the start of Advent. We will be sticking with the Old Testament and be looking at the Messianic prophecies of Isaiah.

But today our reading is from the last book in the Bible. The reading is Revelation 2:1-7.

What does this text say about what God knows (2:2)? Is there anything we will do in our life that God is not aware of?

God knows everything. He knows your deeds, both good and bad. He sees the faith in your heart. Nothing we do in our life is outside the knowledge of God.

What is the Ephesian church commended for in this letter (2:2-3)? How are false apostles found out? How do we persevere and endure hardship without growing weary?

They are commended for their deeds, their hard work, and their perseverance. The tested those who claimed to be apostles by examining the Scriptures and their deeds. When we go through times of testing and hardship we persevere through seeking God and finding our strength in him. This happens through prayer and the Word.

What is held against the Ephesian church (2:4)? What are they called to do in response (2:5)?

They have forsaken their first love. This is their relationship with the Lord. They have set their eyes on other things. The Lord is no longer the passion of their life.

The calling is for them to return back to that first love and to love the Lord in the way they loved him at first. It is a call to renewal and revival.

Is there ways your love of God has been diminished? How do you return to loving God in the way you loved him in the past?

We are human are our relationship with the Lord ebbs and flows. It is easy to be distracted and to pursue other passions first. Returning to the Lord involves repentance and setting aside those things which distract and cause us to stumble.

What does it mean to overcome (2:7)? What were some of the things David overcame in his lifetime? What do you believe God is calling you to overcome in your lifetime? What is the reward?

To overcome is to let nothing come between us and Jesus. It is to push aside everything that hinders us from living passionately for him. When we think about David and what David overcame, he overcame fear to fight Goliath. He overcame the sin with Bathsheba through confession and repentance. He overcame disappointment in his life through prayer and trusting in the promises of God. He overcame when others stumbled, by living obedient to the Lord.

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Daily David, Week 12, Day 4

admin —  November 17, 2011 — Leave a comment

We have come to the second to last of our studies on the life of David. Our reading is from John 21:15-25. Here Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection.

Why does Jesus ask Peter to feed his lambs (21:15-19; see John 18:15-18, 25-27)?

Peter had expressed a devotion to Jesus. In John 13:37 Peter had told Jesus that he would lay down his life for him. Yet, after Jesus is arrested, Peter denies knowing Jesus three times.

Jesus now approaches Peter now to seek reconciliation and restoration. Peter is wounded. He knows he let Jesus down. He had promised to do one thing, but then did another. Now Jesus assures Peter that he still loves him by entrusting him with responsibility. No matter the mistake in the past, Jesus was restoring Peter to a place of trust.

What does Jesus mean when he asks Peter to feed his sheep?

He is putting Peter in a place of leadership. Jesus is giving him responsibility to disciple others to follow Jesus. Now that Jesus is going to be ascending into heaven he is giving asking Peter to continue the work.

Do you think it was significant that David was a shepherd before he became king? Why?

Yes, Jesus was known as the Good Shepherd. Jesus now tells Peter to care for his sheep. Psalm 78:71 says God took David from the tending of sheep and made him the shepherd of God’s own people. David’s times as a shepherd was used by God to prepare David for the greater task he had in store.

What is our role on this earth (15:22)

To follow Jesus.

We read in Acts 13:36 (NLT): “David had done the will of God in his own generation, he died and was buried with his ancestors, and his body decayed.” Now reread this verse and replace David’s name with your name. Will this statement be true or false?

This is for each of us to ask ourselves. Peter’s purpose was to serve by discipling others. Our task is no different. How are you following Jesus today? Who are you being discipled by? Who are you discipling?

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Daily David, Week 12, Day 3

admin —  November 16, 2011 — Leave a comment

Today’s reading is 2 Timothy 3:1-4:8. In this reading, Paul is writing at the end of his life. He gives instructions and encouragement to young Timothy for his ministry. He tells Timothy to learn from his example and keep his focus on what is truly important.

What will happen in the last days (3:1-5)? How do we see this happening today?

People will love themselves and their money. They will not live obedient to God. Consider nothing to be sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving towards others. They will have no-self control. They will be prideful and love pleasure more than God. They will be religious on the surface, but not really have a relationship with God.

What does it say will happen to those who want to live a godly life (3:12)? How was this true in the life of David?

Those who live a godly life will suffer persecution. This happened in the life of David. He suffered for doing what was good and what was right. There are many times he could have compromised his integrity. But he was a man after God’s own heart. When he did stumble, he came back to God.

What is the role of the Scriptures in living a godly life (3:14-16)? If we don’t seek God’s Word, what will we seek instead (4:3-4)?

The Scriptures are written to guide us. They are given so we know what a godly life looks like. The Scriptures are inspired by God, show us what is wrong in our lives and gives us what we need to fix it.

Why is it so important for us to do the work of an evangelist (4:5)?

This is where we start to realize the promises of God and fully carry out the ministry God has given us. If we are not sharing what we have been given we are not fully living out our calling.

What does Paul mean that he has fought the good fight (4:7)? What is his reward?

He kept faith in Jesus as his Savior till his dying day and lived out the implications of that. The reward for him is the crown of righteousness which is eternal life in glory with Jesus.

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Daily David, Week 12, Day 2

admin —  November 15, 2011 — Leave a comment

Today’s reading is from 1 Chronicles 28-29. We read about David’s last days. In these chapters are recorded his final prayers and words.

This reading begins with David reflecting on an unfulfilled dream – the building of the temple in Jerusalem. How does David deal with this unfulfilled dream (38:4-7)? How do you deal with unfulfilled dreams?

He remembers what God had done for him and all the blessings. David had much to be thankful for. Sure, he was not going to build the temple, but God had given him an amazing life.

It is easy to focus on what we don’t have or are not able to do. But God has given you so much . The evil one will magnify what you don’t have and make you forget what God has done and continues to do. When you are disappointed, give thanks to the Lord.

How does David work to insure the success of his Son (28:9-21)? What is the greatest legacy we can leave behind? In our family? In our work? In our church?

He first instructs him to worship and to serve the Lord. Second he gives to Solomon the plans to build the temple. He also reminds Solomon of the people who are given to help him in the task of building the temple.

The greatest legacy we can leave behind is to give our children everything they need to know Jesus, follow him, and live for him. Anything we can leave behind to help people experience Jesus is worth it.

More than anything else, what did David want Solomon to know (29:19)? Why is this important?

God wanted to give Solomon a wholehearted desire to obey the commands of the Lord. David knew that unless Solomon lived obediently he would not succeed as king. David wanted his son to succeed and even surpass his own success.

David provided much for Solomon. How do we honor the generations that have gone before us and provided us much?

To honor the generations that have come before us we pass down to the next generations what previous generations gave to us. This is the way we honor them to not let their wisdom and faith die with our generation.

Characterize David’s Prayer before God in 29:10-19? What things does David give God thanks for? What things does David ask for?

It is a prayer of thanksgiving. It is a prayer of praise. God is the first thing and the main thing in this prayer. David thanks God for who he is. He thanks him for his power and wealth. He recognizes that everything he has comes from the Lord. He thanks God for blessing him even in his humbleness. He thanks God for the provisions for building the temple and for the people’s willingness to contribute. He knows God is an awesome God.

In the end David asks that he, Solomon, and the people would love, honor, and obey the Lord.

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Daily David, Week 12, Day 1

admin —  November 14, 2011 — Leave a comment

We have come to the final week on our study of King David. This week we will take a look at David’s final days on earth and the transition of power from David to Solomon. Todays reading is 1 Kings 1:1 − 2:12.

Why was it significant that Abishag had no intimate relations with David (1:3-4)? Why is Adonijah so presumptuous to claim the throne at this point (1:5-6)?

In the culture of the day this was a test. This was done to see if David was still fit to be king. If David was unable to have sexual relations with this girl he would be disqualified to rule.

Adonijah is David’s eldest son. He would seem the natural successor to the throne. So when David is unable to perform, Adonijah jumps into action.

Why is there so much uncertainty about who will be the next king (1:6, 27)? Why were certain people not invited to Adonijah’s party (1:8-10)? What might David had done differently to have avoided this controversy?

It seems that publicly David had never made a statement about this. Adonijah would normally be the successor. But it seems David had privately confirmed Solomon would be the next king.

The people who were invited to Adonijah’s party were those who were allied with Adonijah. Those who might have objected to Adonijah’s claim to the throne were not invited. The most important snub of all was Solomon.

If David had been more directive prior to this event the issue might have been avoided. Through much of his life David seemed to have been absent in his family. He had a distant relationship with his sons. If he had been more involved in their lives he might have avoided much of this.

What does Bathsheba mean when she says, “May my lord King David live forever!” (1:31)?

She is basically saying long live the line of David. May his descendants reign on the throne forever. This was part of the promise of God in 2 Samuel 7.

What was involved in Solomon’s coronation ceremony (1:32-35,38-40)? What are the significance of these events (see Matthew 21:1-5)?

Solomon is anointed as king at the Gihon Spring in the Kidron Valley to the east of Jerusalem. He is then placed on David’s mule and rides into the city as the king. Many years later Jesus would come through this same valley riding on a donkey on Palm Sunday entering Jerusalem as the King who comes in glory.

How do the various people respond to Solomon’s coming as king? How do you think this might compare to when Jesus returns as King to this earth?

The crowd celebrated. It says they shouted so loud that the earth shook.

Adonijah and those with Adonijah were in a panic. They ran for their lives in fear.

When Jesus comes there will be a similar response. There will be those who will celebrate. There will be those who will run in fear.

How would Adonijah show himself as a “worthy man” before King Solomon (1:52)? How will we show ourselves as worthy men and women when King Jesus comes to his throne?

He would serve Solomon and make sure that Solomon was recognized as king. Adonijah would not make any effort to become king. We show ourselves as worthy men and women when our lives bring glory to Jesus more than ourselves.

What is David’s instruction to Solomon at the beginning of 1 Kings (2:1-4)?

He told his son to take courage and to obey the Law of the Lord.

Why would David have instructed Solomon to put Joab and Shimei to death (2:5-9)?

Both of these men were a threat to Solomon. Now David wanted to ensure Solomon would succeed upon the throne. With these men around there was a great risk to that success.

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Daily David, Week 11, Day 5

admin —  November 11, 2011 — Leave a comment

Today’s readings come from the New Testament. We first hear Jesus teachings on prayer from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:5-15 and 7:7-12. A third reading is from James 1:1-18

What do we learn about prayer in Matthew 6?

We are not to pray for show. Prayer is not about impressing others. Prayer is about our relationship with God. The reward with prayer is to know God and to be known by him.

We also learn the Lord’s Prayer. This is not a prayer Jesus teaches us to pray word for word. It is a template for our prayer so that we know how to pray.

What does it mean to ask for God’s kingdom to come and for his will to be done (6:10)?

It means for heaven to come to earth. It means that God’s authority and dominion would be ushered in. That his will would be done is that what God desires for his creature and creation would become a reality.

What does it mean to ask for daily bread (6:11)? What does Jesus teach us to ask for ourselves 6:12-13)?

To ask for daily bread is to ask for daily provision. That God would give us everything we need to live. He does not teach us to ask for more. “God, just give me enough!”

Jesus teaches us to ask for these things which we need. We need forgiveness. We need God’s guidance in our lives as to how to live. We need his divine protection.

Jesus says, “Ask and it will be given you.” Why then does God sometimes say, “no!” (7:7-8)? What does Matthew 7 say that God will give us?

We don’t have because we don’t ask. God will give us every good gift we need and more. We sometimes do not have because what we ask from God is not good even though we may think it is good.

According to the book of James, how are we to ask God when we are lacking (1:1-7)?

We must ask with faith, believing God will answer. We must ask and not doubt. We ask in humility recognizing God is not obligated to answer our prayer. His only obligation is the obligation he puts on himself because of his grace.

What happens to earthly treasure which we often ask God for (1:9-12)?

It does not last. We leave this earth and our possessions are given to someone else. God wants us to have treasure that we can hold in eternity and not what will be thrown away.

Are there times in your life where you received something good that was not good? Opposite that have you ever received something that you did not think was good, but was good? Who knows better than you what you need?

There have been more than a few times when what I thought I was receiving was a blessing, but it was actually a curse. What we think is good is not always good for us. There are other times I have received that which I did not want to receive, but it turned out to be a great blessing. God know what we really want and need better than we do. The hard thing is to believe that and live in trust.

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