1 Sam 22; Ps 17; Matt 6

Scripture - Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

Observation - Jesus is giving instruction to the disciples and the rest of the congregation. Tucked in the middle of a sermon is this bit of encouragement. Do not worry. Jesus tells us to place our focus on him and him alone and not to be looking to all the distractions of this world. We can get lost in our focus on them and they undoubtedly cause; anxiety, stress, preoccupation and pressure. Jesus speaks against this kind of worry and asks us to place our focus on seeking the kingdom and everything else will be taken care of.

Application - It is interesting. This is my favorite verse in the bible. Just the other day I was speaking with a woman in our congregation and asked her to read this chapter and focus on vs 25. Then tell me what it spoke to her. The verse brought peace and comfort to an otherwise stressful situation. This verse has a voice in my life. As I begin planning and driving to reach my destination - I always come back here and can find rest in the words of Jesus. "Do Not Worry!"

Prayer - Father keep me in peace - the kind of peace that passes understanding. I love you and know that you are in total control no matter how chaotic life can get.

1 Sam 19; 1 Chron 6; Ps 11; Matt 3

Scripture - 1 Sam 19:10 Saul tried to pin David to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good escape.

Observation - Saul is under complete understanding that his kingdom is no longer his kingdom. God has already told him that the kingdom would be stripped from him and given to another. Saul is trying with everything in him to protect that position. He is so angry with David and continually tries to kill him and David always escapes. Chapter 19 gives so much instruction on how to live when the world is trying to pin you to the wall. David escapes every time. Even in the last few verses when Saul brings men to attack David a Naioth, God pours his spirit on them and they begin to prophesy, Saul ends up spending the entire night naked, prostrate before God and prophesying. God truly protects the anointed ones.

Application - When we are grafted into the family of God - the full benefit of heaven becomes ours. God will move heaven and earth to protect us. There isn't an enemy designed that can pin a Christian to the wall or take the life of anyone God does not allow. Just as Saul tried to kill David on multiple occasions and David made good escape - we do the same thing. God is holding back the devourer for us - He fights our battles - "the battle is mine says the Lord!"

Prayer - Father - today I will understand that we battle not with flesh and blood and that the battle is yours. God protect and advance your man. Let today be profitable for the kingdom.

1 Sam 13; 1 Chron 2-3; 2 Cor 12

Scripture - 1 Sam 13:8-13 8 Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. 9 So Saul said, "Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me." And he offered the burnt offering. 10 Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him. 11 And Samuel said, "What have you done?" Saul said, "When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, 12 then I said, 'The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the LORD.' Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering." 13 And Samuel said to Saul,"You have done foolishly.

Observation - Samuel had given Saul instructions and a set of plans that he was to operate by according to the Lord. The priest gave instruction directed by God to establish Saul's kingdom forever through his faithfulness. This like many other things in his life was a test of his obedience to the Lord. Just like many of us Saul jumped the gun and when he saw the circumstances unfolding in front of him, did not wait for God to take care of it but decided to handle it himself. He offered and unlawful offering to the Lord. This action was "foolish". He should have waited to see what God would do. Too often we don't wait to see what God will do. We are jumping the gun all over the place and consequently shooting the wrong people. God wants us to trust in His word and His direction and not get so excited about the circumstances that we miss the goal all together.

Application - I have been in situations before, where I am waiting on something major to happen and just before it does, that moment that seems like nothing is happening, I take matters into my own hands, mess things up and then right afterward the solution is revealed. I know many times I have felt so foolish that I didn't just wait a little longer. If we can train ourselves to wait a little longer than normal, not be in such a rush, not look to the quick fix, but just wait - God will bring the answer and the resolution. We have to understand that it is all in his timing. Not in ours. We look foolish when we move too fast.

Prayer - Father help me to slow down and wait for you.

1 Sam 3-5; Ps 77; 2 Cor 8

Scripture - 2 Cor 8:7 But just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Observation - Paul is encouraging this community of Corinth; which is a very modern, advanced culture. They are an industrious people that have capitalized on the trade industry by creating a thruway to deliver goods throughout the Asia minor region and the middle east. Paul tells them just as you have excelled in other areas excel in giving. Be better than you were, go for a higher standard. Up to this point the people of Corinth have had a lack of participation in giving and yet were excelling in other areas of their Christianity.

Application - Years ago after giving my life to Jesus I began to learn about the grace of giving. Admittedly it was challenging for me at first. Having the background of a banker I understood cash flow and income statements and that when you subtract 2 from 2 you get 0. Yet somewhere in me God began to challenging me that giving was a part of my relationship with him. So way back then I made the commitment - if God demands 10% then 10% he will get. Since then there have been times in my life where giving was difficult for us financially but never has their been a time where I struggled emotionally to release what God was asking. In fact Saundra and I are diligent not only to give our 10% but to find ways to give offerings.

Why then do people struggle to give tithe (10% of their income) and offerings (financial gifts to meet spiritual needs):

• Fear - they are just simply afraid that if they give up their tithe they won't have enough to fix the car if it breaks down or the stove if it goes out.
  
• Can't Afford It - kind of like fear but when they look at the in's and outs of cash think that if they give they won't be able to make it on what's left. When in fact God promises to make what remains go farther than if they hadn't given at all.
• Failure to take ownership - they haven't fully invested in the work that God is doing. Believing that all the needs are being met by others and failing to take an ownership interest in the work therefore is someone elses' responsibility.
• Comparison - in their minds they are probably doing more than the average person already and therefore to do what is required by God is not really necessary.
• Disobedience - refusing to give -Regardless
• Covetousness - the more they see, the more they want even if they have to spend God's money to get it.
• Greed - feel like its theirs and they aren't giving it up when in reality it isn't theirs and they are going to give it up one way or the other.

Prayer - Father help me to excel in giving. To make it an even greater part of my life. I know the blessing that I receive my making this part of my life and the honor you gain from my obedience.

Ruth 3-4: Ps 64-65; 2 Cor 6

Scripture - 2 Corinthians 6:2 For He says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

Observation - Paul is making proclamation that today is the day. If God's favor was ever on His people it is today. He is opening up the door of salvation to all that would come in. Today is the day. We constantly wait for God's timing and for His favor to point us in the right direction. Today is the day God has called. We must not wait. Paul is telling the fellow workers of Corinth not to waste what God has done. Done take grace in vain. It is for a purpose. God says that in a time of favor - He is listening to us. Our requests can be made know to him. He will answer. In time of favor salvation will come easy. People will be hungry for the heavenly meal and take part in God's divine plan.

Application - Today is the day. Everything has aligned in God's plan for today. We can't take His grace in vain. He has given favor today for today. We must seize every opportunity today. We are a favored people, walking in favor and occupying the place of God's purpose. We can see the doors of opportunity opening and God's favor upon His people. To take the land and claim righteousness throughout the land. God will be glorified.

Prayer - Father help us to take this day of favor and to expand the borders of your kingdom today.