Still Saved

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Still Saved
Date: Friday March 30, 2012Today's Chapters: 1 Samuel 28-31

Hello My Friend,

As Christians, we can rejoice in that no matter our past, present, or future, we still have a home to go to when we die and that is the Kingdom of God, not because of any good that we have done, but because we received Christ as our Savior. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” - Romans 3:10,11,21-24. 
Chosen by God Himself to be the first king of Israel Saul, was once favored by God, because he was an honest, faithful, godly man. All that changed once he became king, the more he got as king the less he relied on God, oh, he still wanted God in his life, but on his terms, not God's, which is why God chose a new king. Now, Saul is in a battle for his life, without David there to defeat the Philistines as David was on their side and Samuel gone he has no where to turn for help except God. He tried everything to reach God to no avail, desperate for help, he turns to a medium, who go the surprise of her life when Samuel appeared. Samuel himself did actually appear to Saul, not by the power of enchantment, but by the appointment and mercy of God, to warn him of his approaching end, that he might be reconciled with God.

“And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul...And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David: Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day. Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.” - 1 Samuel 28:12,15-19.

Samuel told Saul that he and his sons would die in the battle, but the one thing Samuel said that proves God gives hope to all sinners, “Thou and thy sons will be with me.” Even though Saul had stopped serving God on His terms God loved him, he still had a place in heaven if he chose. Why? We do not get to heaven by any good that we have done, it is only by the grace of God through Jesus Christ that we can get to heaven. Everything else that we do for God after we get saved just gives us more rewards when we get to heaven. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:8-10.

Meanwhile, as David gets ready for battle, this time along side with the Philistines, the princes and leaders of the Philistines did not want David's help, fearing he and his army would turn on them. So, the king had no choice, but to tell David and the six hundred men who served under him to leave. When they arrived at Ziklag they found out that they were invaded by the Amalekites, who took their wives and children captive. David gathered four hundred of his men together for battle, two hundred were sick and had to stop.

“And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives. And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all...And David came to the two hundred men, which were so faint that they could not follow David, whom they had made also to abide at the brook Besor: and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him: and when David came near to the people, he saluted them. Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart. Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand. For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.” - 1 Samuel 30:18,19,21-24.

While the men were quick to upbraid David for saluting the men that stayed behind, David was quick to remind them that they all played a part in the battle, even those who just minded the things they took for the battle. Every person that receives Christ as their Savior is part of the body of Christ, from the person who never does anything to serve God to the one who serves Him full-time in the ministry, we all are preserved by the blood that Jesus Christ shed. God is no respecter of persons when it comes to salvation or anything for that matter, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” - Colossians 3:23-25.
Saul's worse fears now come to pass, he along with his sons, including Jonathan, David's friend, as well as the armourbearer were killed in the battle. “So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together. And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other side Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them. And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa. And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people. And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.” - 1 Samuel 31:6-10.

What a disgraceful end to what began a glorious, blessed life for Saul, all this probably could have been avoided had Saul just asked God to forgive him, but never once do we learn of Saul ever seeking forgiveness from God. God will forgive everyone, even the vilest offender, but they must seek forgiveness or He will not grant it. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9. Everyone has a chance to be saved, even upon their deathbed, when Jesus was being crucified two other men were beside Him, one repented and when he died joined Jesus in heaven. “And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” - Luke 23:42,43. We do not have to be all righteous and knowing to be saved, we just have to believe in Jesus Christ. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” - Romans 10:9,10.
I have been hearing a lot about people brought up in other religions receiving Christ being forced them to renounce their faith in Christ in order to be saved from death upon themselves. It got me thinking of how many people that are actually saved in the world, who have gotten away from God through sin, walked away from Him, or even renounced their faith in Him. The truth is, every one of these people are still saved, they might have lost sight of God because of circumstances, but God has not lost sight of them. If there was a time when they believed in the Lord, Jesus Christ, and asked Him to save them then they are saved, even if it goes as far as renouncing their faith in Him. How? The second a person receives Christ they are saved, which is past tense, meaning preserved from death and hell, nothing we do can take away our salvation. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” -Hebrews 9:27,28.
Today's Psalm: 27:1 - “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Today's Proverb: 20:22 - “Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.”

Today's Prayer: God, When I asked Jesus to come into my heart I had no idea what that truly meant until I was at a point where I had no one else to turn to, but You. Thank You for loving me and protecting me and not forsaking me for what seemed like wasted years. From the time I was saved You have always been guiding me and nudging me in the right direction, yes, I have made some wrong turns, but You do not even remember them anymore because once I sought forgiveness they are no longer a memory to You. Lord, lead me and guide me, never let me lose sight that Christ is in me and I am in Him, never let me forget that I am always Your child, even when I mess things up sometimes, and remind me that You grace is always good enough for me when I just have no strength to fight. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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See Clearly

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: See Clearly
Date: Thursday March 29, 2012Today's Chapters: 1 Samuel 25-27

Hello My Friend,
It is very hard to deal with some of the circumstances we face, but we must not give up hope that they will subside, in fact, keep believing and they will subside much quicker. Unbelief hinders us from so many things that God has waiting for us. Jesus tells us why we cannot achieve some goals, “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” - Matthew 17:20,21. I just got my first debit card with my business name on it, I cried when I saw it. I never really thought that I would become “a business”, after all, I have been doing this work for eight years, but in a matter of three weeks I went from being Christina to Designs by Christina. When my brother asked me how all this happened so fast my response was, “I do not know, I never actually thought I would get this far.” This coming from someone who encourages people to never stop believing.

Yes, it was unbelief that took me through eight years of vain praying and not expecting God to do anything, but the good thing about it is that God was working even through my disbelief. How? He really knew my heart, my judgment was just clouded around my circumstances. Once I gave it all to Him I was able to see clearly what I needed to do for Him to do what He needed to do. “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” - 1 John 3:20-22.
By now all of Israel knew who David was and whenever he came into their town they were afraid, wondering if he was just passing through out to get them. David knew a man named Nabal, his name actually means “a fool”, Nabal was a sheep wrangler, very rich and successful, as a result of David's help. Nabal needed help driving the Philistines away, which David did and the result was his success. Now, when David heard that Nabal was out shearing sheep in the wilderness he sought his help to feed the hungry men that were with him.Nabal lived up to his name as being a fool, he not only rejected David's plea to give food to his men he also pretended that he did not even know David, after all he had done for him. 

“And David sent out ten young men, and David said unto the young men, Get you up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name:..And when David's young men came, they spake to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased. And Nabal answered David's servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master. Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my flesh that I have killed for my shearers, and give it unto men, whom I know not whence they be? So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings.” - 1 Samuel 25:5,9-12.
There are a lot of Nabal's in life, they only want you around when they want something, most are selfish, do not want to do anything for themselves, yet expect people to constantly help them prosper. However, seek them for help and they shun you as though they never knew you. While it is not our duty to keep helping those who do not help themselves, it becomes us to keep living our lives the way God wants us to live. God knows who are His and while we may not see the rewards for our putting up with ungrateful people right now, we will see them when we see Jesus. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” - Matthew 7:21-23.

David did not take Nabal's rejection very well, he became so angry that he wanted to destroy everything that he had. He gathered two hundred men with him and headed to Carmel to destroy everyone and everything in it. When Nabal's wife, Abigail, got word of the way her husband treated David, she bravely confronted David, but also brought provisions for him and his men. “And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord. I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days. Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling...And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.” - 1 Samuel 25:27-29,32,33.

The gift that Abigail sent was an atonement for Nabal's behavior, her humbleness and submissiveness to David was able to give him a chance to think about what he was about to do. She did not excuse her husband, but depended on the grace of God to soften David's heart and reason with him before he took away innocent lives out of anger, reminding him that he is also above someone as foolish as Nabal. Eventually Nabal's wickedness caught up to him, a few days later he died and eventually Abigail became David's wife. It is important that we do not act out of anger, we can destroy ours or even others lives if we do things out of anger. There have been many times that I did something out of anger before having time to think about it and it was usually something that I was wrestling within myself that was the cause of the anger not that particular incident. We cannot add fuel to the fire of our trials by acting upon them angrily, but we can find peaceful solutions when we have time to think about it. “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil...Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” - Ephesians 4:26,27,29.

No sooner than David made peace in Carmel, here comes Saul once again, out to seek him and kill him. David had another chance to avenge himself, but he was not about to take the throne by force. The temptation was very strong, but if he yielded, he would sin against God, therefore, he let him go. However, discouraged and distraught, David was beginning to lose hope that he will ever be king, coming to the conclusion that Saul would kill him before he had the chance to become king of Israel. He decided to reside in Philistine territory, believe it or not, he was received by the Philistines. David gains the kings favor, not by faith, but by his ability to defeat the apposing nations.

“And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand..And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, even David with his two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the Carmelitess, Nabal's wife...And the time that David dwelt in the country of the Philistines was a full year and four months...And Achish believed David, saying, He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him; therefore he shall be my servant for ever.” - 1 Samuel 27:1,37,12.

Now Achish has the idea that David would always serve him, this will become a problem when David does become king of Israel. Unbelief is a sin that comes to those who have been undergoing long trials, it is of no advantage to us to become so depressed, that we cross over into the world for comfort. God can protect us when we are in His territory, but when we venture out into the devils it can be hard for Him to keep us out of danger. However, He even uses our clouded judgment to His advantage to help us see clearly. “For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” - 2 Corinthians 7:11.
Today's Psalm: 27:13 - ”I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”

Today's Proverb: 16:20 - “He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.”

Today's Prayer: God, You know my heart and I know that no matter how much You do for me there are times when my faith in You becomes dim, so dim that I cannot see past the darkness of my circumstances. God, I do not want to be a faith by sight person, I want to be a faith by hearing and doing person. I want to keep going, believing and hoping that You will do everything You say You are going to do. Help my disbelief to be a thing of the past, break through the clouds and help me see things more clearly in every area of my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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The Power of Christ

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: The Power of Christ 
Date: Wednesday March 28, 2012Today's Chapters: 1 Samuel 22-24

Hello My Friend,

I have this ex-boyfriend who reminds me every time I talk to him why we never got married, every three or four months he contacts me, tells me all about his great life, then asks me about mine. I know he cares nothing about my life, but is just looking to see if he has the same effect on me as he did when we were together. We chat for a few days, memories get stirred up along with bitterness and hatred of the past, then it hits me, he hates it that I am not pining away over him and the success I am having without him in my life. He wants to see me fall, he wants to see me fall away from God and back into the world so he can say, “I thought you were a Christian? I knew you would fall.” Do you have a thorn like that in your side? You can overcome it through the power of Christ. “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” - 2 Corinthians 12:8,9.
David, was to be the next king of Israel, chosen by God Himself, and this put so much jealousy and hatred in Saul that he wanted him dead. While he had more important things to worry about he had his entire army searching for David. Meanwhile, David is hiding in a cave, but this time he is not alone. “David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, I pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me. And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold.” - 1 Samuel 22:1-3.

Four hundred men that thought they had nothing going for themselves sought David, often when we are discontent we find ourselves being drawn to others who are discontent as well. It is actually a comfort to us when we focus on others heartaches instead of our own for a while, they often put ours in perspective. David and these men had the best thing going for them, they had God. They may not have known what their future held, but they knew that God would take care of them. We too may not know our future, but we can know that God is by our side and holds our future in His hands and He will never leave nor forsake any person who has received His Son. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” - Hebrews 13:5,6. 

Every where David went, Saul followed, there was always someone willing to sell him out for their own personal gain, even though they knew it was wrong. Saul even stooped so low as to start killing priests and their families for letting David go. This time, David was ready to fight for his life, but this time, the first thing he did before he ever made a move was ask God what he should do.“Then said David, O LORD God of Israel, thy servant hath certainly heard that Saul seeketh to come to Keilah, to destroy the city for my sake. Will the men of Keilah deliver me up into his hand? will Saul come down, as thy servant hath heard? O LORD God of Israel, I beseech thee, tell thy servant. And the LORD said, He will come down. Then said David, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul? And the LORD said, They will deliver thee up. Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth. And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.” - 1 Samuel 23:10-14.

David knew that God was with him and would deliver him from Saul, but he also knew that if he wanted God's help he had to ask Him for it. I have this sign on my desk, “Ask God!!!” I came to the conclusion that I needed this reminder in front of me every day as it forces me to ask God whenever I am in a position to question what I need to be doing. God will not do anything to deliver us from our troubles, but unless we seek His guidance first He will let us try to figure it out on our own. By seeking His guidance first we are letting Him know that we are trusting in Him to make the right decision for us. We cannot go wrong when we humble ourselves before God and allow Him to make the decisions for us. “Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.” - Psalm 25:8-10.

When our heart's desire is to please the Lord, we are often tested to seek revenge on those who have wronged us. Now, David had the chance to kill Saul, upon trying to corner David, Saul got cornered himself. He was hiding in a cave to sneak up on David when David found him, it was the opportune time for David to seek revenge and kill him instead. “Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD'S anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.” - 1 Samuel 24:2-6.

David's soldiers were convinced that God had delivered Saul into David's hands to be executed, David would have been rightly justified in killing him, but just by ripping his clothes David realized something. If he had killed Saul he would have been no better than Saul, God had appointed Saul as king and until He removed him from the throne, David had no right to take this mans life even though he tried to take his. David fell to the ground and spoke to Saul. “Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee: but mine eye spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD'S anointed. Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not, know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee; yet thou huntest my soul to take it. The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.” -1 Samuel 24:10-12.

At times, it seems as though everyone is against us, but we cannot forget that Jesus is always for us and it is during the trials we face with others that He shows Himself as the one who truly had the power to protect and lead us to safety as long as we walk with Him. No matter what people have done to us we have no right to take the law into our own hands. It is better to walk away then to let ourselves stoop to their level. God is still in control and although He allows the devil to place evil upon our lives, it is important that we do not render evil for evil, God will avenge us when the time is right. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:19-21.
Today's Psalm: 94:1 - “O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.”

Today's Proverb: 6:34 - “For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.”

Today's Prayer: God, It would be so easy to seek vengeance upon those who have wronged me, but from experience I know that it is just not in me to get even with them, afterward I feel terrible and nothing rewarding comes out it. Lord, I know that You place people in my life to strengthen me, grow me, teach me, and bring me closer to You. Some of them are more difficult to deal with then others, but I also know that I have something that no one can take from me and that is Jesus. He is my power to overcome the difficult people in my life. Thank You for sending Jesus to me and loving me so much that even when I make mistakes You are right there ready to help me fix the problem when I ask You for guidance. I love You Lord, and pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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When God Makes A Move

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: When God Makes A Move
Date: Tuesday March 27, 2012Today's Chapters: 1 Samuel 19-21

Hello My Friend,

We all face difficulties in life, some seem to be more significant than others, and as Christians, we are often found with a dilemma, ask God what to do or make own decision. Whenever we resort to our own reasoning, no matter what difficulties we face, we bring about more difficulties, but if we trust God and look to Him to make the right decisions for us He will send us on the right path. However, He will even make use of our mistakes if we just admit we need His help. Remember, God will not push Himself on us, even when we are saved, He waits until we come to Him before He makes a move. Then, when we come to Him, He will intercede. “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?.. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” -Romans 8:34,35,37.
Immediately after David's marriage to Saul's daughter, Michal, we find his troubles coming upon him faster than ever and Saul's hatred toward him was the cause of it all. Saul was so envious and jealous of David that the only solution he had to overcome it was to kill him, he even resorted to commanding his son, Jonathan to kill him. Jonathan was a soul brother to David, urging his father not to kill the man that with the power of God brought salvation to Israel. However, Saul was still determined to kill David, some way, some how, he was going to see David to his death.
“And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good: For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause? And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain...And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand. And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.” - 1 Samuel 19:4-6,9,10.

The evil spirit from God was Satan, not God Himself, Satan was an angel created by God, known as Lucifer, who got cast out of heaven when he tried to succeed God. “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” - Isiah 14:12-14. God cannot and will not produce evil Himself, He will allow evil and even allow Satan to act upon the evil, but we cause evil all on our own through envy, jealousy, greed, lust, hatred, to name a few. Bad things happen to everyone, but our actions on how we handle these things determines what our future holds. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13.

David, having several times narrowly escaped Saul's fury, begins to consider at last whether it may not be necessary for him to retire into the country and to take up arms in his own defense, but he consults his faithful friend Jonathan first. “And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field. And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee; The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father. And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.” - 1 Samuel 20:11-15.

Jonathan faithfully promises that he would let David know how he found his father affected towards him. It will be kindness to ourselves and to ours, to secure an interest in those whom God favors, and to make His friends ours. True friendship rests on a firm basis, and is able to silence ambition, self-love, and undue regard for others. Our true friend, Jesus Christ, is truly a soul brother to those who believe in Him, but who can fully understand the love of Jesus, who gave Himself as a sacrifice for rebellious, polluted sinners. How great then ought to be the force and effects of our love to Him, to His cause, and His people! “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” - 1 Timothy 1:15,16.

David finds no relief in Saul, all efforts to seek help from Jonathan, Michal, and Samuel are exhausted and his only hope for survival is leave. He finds himself in Nob, where the tabernacle resided at the time, however, David told Ahimelech a lie, which would later cause problems for the priests for it occasioned the death of the priests of the Lord. Later on he regretted his decision on how he handled that situation. “Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?..Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul. And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thine hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste. And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me. And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.” - 1 Samuel 21:1,7-10.

It is of a great comfort in a day of trouble, that we have the living God to go to, One who we may open our cases to, and from whom we may ask and expect direction. What shall we say to this? Scripture does not conceal David's own reasoning, God wants us to see that even the strongest person in their faith can make some wrong decisions based on our own reasoning. Every fault and error recorded in the Bible from faithful men of God is given to us as examples and to show us that we can overcome even through our own reasoning. “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” - 1 Corinthians 10:6-11. 
Today's Psalm: 27:8 - ”When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.”

Today's Proverb: 8:17 - “ I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”

Today's Prayer: God, I know I have made some wrong decisions in life based on my circumstances and the best way I knew how to handle them at the time. You have proved to me time and time again that decisions based on my own reasoning always leave me with more difficulties and more wrong decisions. However, Your mercy and grace endures and always gives me an out when I come to You, it's not easy, but at least I know I finally see the light. When I am in complete dependance on You I know everything will turn out for good. Lord, just keep me looking toward You, keep it in my mind to always ask You to make every decision for me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Defeating The Giant

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Defeating The Giant
Date: Monday March 26, 2012Today's Chapters: 1 Samuel 17-18

Hello My Friend,

It is not always easy being a Christian, especially when temptation and trials seem to engulf us the more faithful we are to God. However, those who endure receive more than eternal life they will be blessed abundantly. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him...Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves...But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” - James 1:12,21,22,25.
It was not long ago that the Philistines were defeated by Israel and they would have had a complete victory if it were not for Saul's strict ration during the battle. It did not take long for the war to pick up where it left off, this time the Philistines were determined to take back control of Israel. Their secret weapon, a giant named Goliath. He challenged Israel to produce a man who would decide the war by a single combat with him. “And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us. And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.” - 1 Samuel 17:8-11.

Quite often when we are faced with a difficult challenge we see it as they saw Goliath, impossible to defeat, but that is because we are looking at the surface of the difficulty. However, if we just take our eyes off the surface and look to God we can find hope and perhaps even victory if we simply have faith in Him. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” -Hebrews 12:1,2. 

David, had been sent into the camp by his father, Jesse, with provisions for his elder brothers who were serving in the army, as soon as he heard the challenge he accepted it himself. Of course, everyone, including his brothers thought he was crazy for even being there, but he would not listen. His secret weapon, God.

“Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle. For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army...And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid...And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?..David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.” - 1 Samuel 17:19-21,24,26,37.

David's armor, a shepherd's staff, a shepherd's bag, a sling shot, and God. Along the way he sought out five smooth stones from the brook-valley, and put them in his bag. He then took the sling in his hand, and went up to Goliath. As Goliath boasted of his strength, David boasted of the strength upon the Almighty God in Israel, whom would deliver him.

“And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine...And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel...And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.” - 1 Samuel 17:40,44-46,49.

The battle is God’s battle. If our confidence is purely in the power of God, rather than in any armor or power of our own, we may be certain that we can face the challenge and win with God's armor. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” - Ephesians 6:10-13.

Of course, often with victory comes one more challenge, those who had no faith that we would be conquerors. As soon as David returned and Saul saw the fame he got for defeating Goliath, he began to be jealous of him. The occasion for his jealousy was the celebration of victory at the close of the war with the Philistines. Saul had now, in effect, proclaimed war with David.

“And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward...And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him. And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually. Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.” -1 Samuel 18:6-9,28-30.

How did David respond to Saul's attacks? He behaved himself. Saul knew that God was with David and that made him even more jealous, people really hate to see Christians prospering, especially when they are doing the right thing. We are not going to get anywhere or prove anything by bringing ourselves down to their level, but we can give it all over to God and let Him take care of it. David went through a lot of trials before and after he became king, but he would have never gotten as far as he did without his faith in God. “On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” - Job 23:9,10.
Today's Psalm: 1:3 - “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Today's Proverb: 27:6 - “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

Today's Prayer: God, It's not always easy to do the right thing when faced with difficult circumstances, but I know that as long as my eyes are on You I can endure them and even see blessings come out of them. Lord, walk with me, give me Your power to face the giants before me, I know I cannot defeat them alone, but I can see victory when I put my faith and trust in You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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