Contentment Starts And Ends With….

If you want a biblical example of humility, look no further than Mephibosheth. He was the grandson of King Saul, and son of Jonathan. He had been taken in by King David (which is unheard of) because of an oath he made with Jonathan (before his death). As you read from today passage, ask yourself, is this what true humility looks like? If so, what circumstances brought about this kind of humility? It’s authenticity cannot be denied. Mephibosheth was willing to die, even though it was because he was deceived. And even then, he was willing to give up the land David was giving him, because his relationship with David was more important to him. If this doesn’t motivate you to deepen your walk with God, to be on fire for His purposes, maybe your wood is wet. True humility sets your priorities. And it also values that which cannot be bought or sold. Mephibosheth’s heart was in the right place, and he knew where his true treasure could be found. Contentment in this world starts and ends with the right attitude, and only God knows your treasure.

24 Now Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, came down from Jerusalem to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes since the day the king left Jerusalem. 25 “Why didn’t you come with me, Mephibosheth?” the king asked him.26 Mephibosheth replied, “My lord the king, my servant Ziba deceived me. I told him, ‘Saddle my donkey so I can go with the king.’ For as you know I am crippled. 27 Ziba has slandered me by saying that I refused to come. But I know that my lord the king is like an angel of God, so do what you think is best. 28 All my relatives and I could expect only death from you, my lord, but instead you have honored me by allowing me to eat at your own table! What more can I ask?”29 “You’ve said enough,” David replied. “I’ve decided that you and Ziba will divide your land equally between you.”30 “Give him all of it,” Mephibosheth said. “I am content just to have you safely back again, my lord the king!” 2 Samuel 19:24-30

Granting An Undeserved Pardon….

This may seem trivial, but it is a clear example of grace, granting an undeserved soul a pardon. How often do you see “real life” examples of grace on display? Here David pardons (extends grace) Shimei. Shimei was the one who cursed David as he fled Jerusalem when Absolam revolted. David’s men wanted to kill him, there on the spot. David refused. Here, as David returns to Jerusalem, Shimei rushes down with a repentive, contrite heart, begging David to forgive him. Again, David’s men want to kill him, and again David extends grace. What an example of extending grace to those who don’t deserve it. Just another reminder that we all are like Shimei. We have sinned against God, and He has extended His grace to us. The only question you should really be asking yourself is this: do you receive God’s gift of grace with the only responsible and right reaction? Do you live your life with gratitude towards God? If so, good for you. Keep on pursuing your Maker. If not, why not?

As the king was about to cross the river, Shimei fell down before him. 19 “My lord the king, please forgive me,” he pleaded. “Forget the terrible thing your servant did when you left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. 20 I know how much I sinned. That is why I have come here today, the very first person in all Israel to greet my lord the king.”21 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shimei should die, for he cursed the Lord’s anointed king!”22 “Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah!” David exclaimed. “Why have you become my adversary today? This is not a day for execution but for celebration! Today I am once again the king of Israel!” 23 Then, turning to Shimei, David vowed, “Your life will be spared.” 2 Samuel 19:18c-23

In Need Of That Comfort….

David may have been a “man after God’s own heart”, but he certainly wasn’t flawless. Numerous times he had to be told what he didn’t want to hear. Nathan the prophet confronted him about the Bathsheba incident. And here we have Joab confronting him about his reacting to his son Absalom’s death. Each time, David had to hear tough words from those close to him. Do you ever have the courage to tell people what they need to hear instead of what they want to hear, the truth? Do you do it in a respectful and God-honoring way? Do you like to hear truthful words when you’re not walking with God closely? Do you react and respond like David did? I don’t know exactly where I fit on this line of “telling and receiving truth” at times when I don’t expect it, but I do know that when I’m pursuing God daily, they are much easier to except. Maybe that’s why David reacted responsibly. Ask God to draw near to you today; you just might be in need of that comfort.

Word soon reached Joab that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom. 2 As all the people heard of the king’s deep grief for his son, the joy of that day’s victory was turned into deep sadness. 3 They crept back into the town that day as though they were ashamed and had deserted in battle. 4 The king covered his face with his hands and kept on crying, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”5 Then Joab went to the king’s room and said to him, “We saved your life today and the lives of your sons, your daughters, and your wives and concubines. Yet you act like this, making us feel ashamed of ourselves. 6 You seem to love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that your commanders and troops mean nothing to you. It seems that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died, you would be pleased. 7 Now go out there and congratulate your troops, for I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a single one of them will remain here tonight. Then you will be worse off than ever before.”8 So the king went out and took his seat at the town gate, and as the news spread throughout the town that he was there, everyone went to him. 2 Samuel 19:1-8a

When Push Comes To Shove….

When push comes to shove do you stand for truth? Do you speak truth regardless of who’s in the room? Do you stand up to those who speak lies? Who deceive others with “made up” information purposely promoting their secret agendas? Nicodemus asked a bold question when the religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus. Where did he get the courage to risk his livelihood by asking the question? Read John chapter 3; you’ll find the answer. When you’ve experienced the touch of the Great Physician, it changes you forever. Nicodemus may not of fully stood up to the religious leaders in preventing Jesus’ ultimate condemnation, but he did find courage to speak truth when he was convicted. And after Jesus had died and was resurrected, I’m certain Nicodemus’ faith lead him to stand up even more in preaching the Gospel. I’m certain of that. When You experience God firsthand, you cannot stay silent. It’s like fire in your bones. You have to let it out, or you’ll burn up on the inside. Do you have this fire? Do you speak truth? Even if it risks what’s important to you? Remember, the truth exposes lies. The truth sets us free, free from all the corruption and deception Satan tries to keep us under his control.

50 Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up. 51 “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked.52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself–no prophet ever comes from Galilee!” John 7:50-52

Rejecting God In This Life…..

The words of Jesus here in John chapter 7 only solidify the concept of rejecting God in this life prevents you from experiencing Him in the next life (Heaven). God doesn’t send people to Hell, people choose to go to Hell by rejecting God. Answer this one question: if God is loving, then wouldn’t it be contradictory if God forces those people against their own will to be with Him in Heaven when they rejected Him while living here on earth (not wanting to be with Him)? What changes in a person who denies and rejects God, that at death, would convert their hatred into love for Him? Jesus clearly says here that those who do not believe cannot go to where He is going (at His Fathers right Hand in Heaven). Faith is God’s way of separating the sheep from the goats. Faith reveals what’s on the inside of us. It’s a crystal clear picture of our heart. Faith strips away all the hang ups, all the pretentiousness, and reveals the priorities of our lives. God knows this, it’s why we are to come to Him through faith. It’s the doorway to Heaven. Those that refuse it, cannot enter through the only entrance into Heaven. There’s no confusion about it. It’s that simple. Maybe people need to read the Bible more, and ask themselves the simple, but hard questions. It’s not until then that salvation is possible, for unwillingness to believe translates into spiritual blindness (the inability to know God). Pursue God, you’ll learn that He’s been pursuing you from the beginning. But He won’t force Himself upon you (like you hear haters say). Love never demands it’s own way.

33 But Jesus told them, “I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the One who sent Me. 34 You will search for Me but not find Me. And you cannot go where I am going.”35 The Jewish leaders were puzzled by this statement. “Where is He planning to go?” they asked. “Is He thinking of leaving the country and going to the Jews in other lands? Maybe He will even teach the Greeks! 36 What does He mean when He says, ‘You will search for Me but not find Me,’ and ‘You cannot go where I am going’?” John 7:33-36

Honesty In Our Petition….

If praying to God involves being honest, then our prayers need always to contain confession of sin. For it’s this honesty in our petition that God sees the sincerity in our hearts.

16 Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what He did for me.17 For I cried out to Him for help, praising Him as I spoke.18 If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.19 But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. 20 Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw His unfailing love from me. Psalms 66:16-20

Make It Personal…

Here’s s passage to help you understand that the Christian faith is a personal one, a journey of discover based on your individual desire to know God. You can believe what people say or you can do the research, the hard work, and find out for yourself. A true, sincere pursuit of God involves spending time reading His Word, researching what you don’t understand. This hard work shows God the true condition of your heart. It shows Him He is important. Once you do the hard work, deeper intimacy with Him follows. If I could give the Bible and it’s message a nickname, I would call it, “THE TRUTH SETS YOU FREE WHEN YOU MAKE IT YOUR OWN”. Take it personally, God would have it no other way.

25 Some of the people who lived in Jerusalem started to ask each other, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? 26 But here He is, speaking in public, and they say nothing to Him. Could our leaders possibly believe that He is the Messiah? 27 But how could He be? For we know where this man comes from. When the Messiah comes, He will simply appear; no one will know where He comes from.” John 7:25-27