A House Divided

S ~ After this, Absalom bought a chariot and horses, and he hired fifty bodyguards to run ahead of him. He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and they would tell him their tribe. Then Absalom would say, “You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it. I wish I were the judge. Then everyone could bring their cases to me for judgment, and I would give them justice!” When people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them. Absalom did this with everyone who came to the king for judgment, and so he stole the hearts of all the people of Israel. 2 Samuel 15:1-6

O ~ Two words that begin Absalom’s rebellion: ‘After this,”.   After 2 years of being back in Jerusalem, he finally gets to see his dad. 2 years of waiting. 2 years of living in exile in Jerusalem. 2 years of being back, but not being wanted. Finally, he gets to see king David. The meeting may not have gone as well as David thought.

A ~ I wonder what happened. It simply says that Absalom bowed low before David, and David kissed him. Perhaps he was expecting to be back in the palace - or back at the table - or back in the family. Whatever took place, it wasn’t what he wanted - because ‘after this’ is when it all goes bad. 2 years of being back, but it was this moment that is the turning point. It is so important for me to pay attention to people - to what is really going on in their lives. Jesus knew ‘the heart of man’, and so I need to rely on His leading as I meet with people - so that things can go better for Absalom, and with Absalom.

P ~ Lord, please help me to have wisdom and insight as I meet with people - that you would spare us from a divided family and church family. 

Absolom and Amnon

S ~ Absalom told his men, “Wait until Amnon gets drunk; then at my signal, kill him! Don’t be afraid. I’m the one who has given the command. Take courage and do it!” 2 Samuel 13:28

O ~ Absalom was the one who avenged his sister Tamar ~ while David did nothing. Absolom is remembered for his treason against David, but here he is the one who stands up for his little sister.

A ~ What wouldn’t you do for your sister? It took 2 years for Absolom to execute Amnon. Maybe he was waiting for David to do something, and then just could not wait any longer. I can’t imagine he had a two year plan, but rather that he simply could not take it anymore.  David’s inaction cost him both his sons. He would have lost Amnon either way, but His neglect had horrific consequences.

P ~ Lord, please help me say what needs to be said, and do what needs to be done, to protect my family, and especially our church family. May I not let injustice prevail. May I stand up, speak up, and show up.

Never Alone

S ~ But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. John 16:32

O ~ Jesus understood, and seemed to be mentally preparing for the time, that all would leave him. Each one. Not only was it Peter that denied him, but they all fled in the garden. Even John. Of course John shows up at the high priest’s home, but he fled at the moment.  And yet... Jesus was never alone - until the cross.  

A ~ Whenever we feel alone, it is only a feeling - even if everyone has gone their own way. The Father is still with us. He will never leave us nor abandon us.

P ~ Lord, I don’t want to go my own way, leaving You ‘alone’. Please help me to walk with You every day. And thank You for never leaving me alone - even in my darkest hours - even the night is light to You.

Baal Out!

S ~ So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. “The Lord did it!” David exclaimed. “He burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” So he named that place Baal-perazim (which means “the Lord who bursts through”). The Philistines had abandoned their idols there, so David and his men confiscated them. 2 Samuel 5:20-21

O ~ How very strange. How very, very strange. He named the place Baal-perazim. Of course Perez means breakthrough - we know that from Judah and Tamar. But what is with Baal in front of it? Baal is the Canaanite god. So yes, god breaks through, but wrong god. Jevhovah Perazim, not Baal. Even the writer of 2 Samuel states it funny. He arrives at Baal-perazim, and then names it thus. Certainly he must be simply relating how the place got it’s name, but how strange to call it Baal anything.

A ~ I want to be careful to not mix the gods of this world into my worship.  I don’t want to include worldly practices, phrases, values - into how I worship the Lord. I don’t want any onlooker to be confused about who I am worshiping.

P ~ Lord, help me practice for worship, not practice worship. Help me prepare for worship, but not offer a prepared worship. Help me know and live and communicate the difference.

Strong and Bad

S ~ And even though I am the anointed king, these two sons of Zeruiah—Joab and Abishai—are too strong for me to control. So may the Lord repay these evil men for their evil deeds.” 2 Samuel 3:39

O ~ The anointed king, the giant killer, the man of war, the man of blood - said that these two were too strong for him to control. They proved to not be a benefit.

A ~ I have had people ‘too strong for me to control’. I still do. They are not for the team - or they are, but just in their own way. David’s decision to let the Lord deal with them is how I have often dealt with this - but I’m not sure it was the best.

P ~ Lord, I want to shepherd, not control. I want to lead, not dictate. I want to serve, not enable. Help me pastor those with such strong personalities and strong opinions. They are too strong for me... but not for You.

Welcome and Warning

S ~ I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken. John 12:47-48

O ~ Jesus did not come to judge the world, but to save us. Yet there still is a day of judgement coming - and all who reject Him and His message will be judged. Those who have accepted Him and His message have already escaped from judgement.

A ~ So often I talk about Jesus not coming to condemn the word, but to save it. I need to make sure that not only do I continue to share this ‘welcome’ message of the kingdom, but also the ‘warning’ message of the kingdom - that people would understand the whole message.

P ~ Lord, please help me to share the good news, which includes the marvellous escape from the coming judgement. 

Escape Room

S ~ So Achish finally summoned David and said to him, “I swear by the Lord that you have been a trustworthy ally. I think you should go with me into battle, for I’ve never found a single flaw in you from the day you arrived until today. But the other Philistine rulers won’t hear of it. 1 Samuel 29:6

O ~ David was saved from this very sticky situation. Up until now, he had been conducting raids against the Philistines while living with the Philistines. He was now facing battle with Israel, something he would never do. In fact, it was the battle where Saul and Jonathan were killed. The Lord made a way of escape for David - he didn’t have to fight against Israel.

A ~ How grateful am I that God makes a way out! There is no need to fight against people in the church, but for God to make a way. I don’t ever need to side with what the enemy is doing in people’s lives. I’m on the Lord’s side.

P ~ Lord, thank You for a peaceful pastoring. Thank You there have been so little conflicts. Thank You for making a way of escape. How horrible if David had been a part of the attack that killed Saul and Jonathan. Thank You for protecting me from being involved in the enemy’s plan.

Golden Apples

S ~ Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! Proverbs 15:23

O ~ A fitting reply is a reply that fits. Right thing, right time.  A perfect fit.

A ~ Oh how I wish this could be said of me - the right thing at the right time. So often I miss this - and I even say to much, or too little. James says that if you can control your tongue, you can be perfect.

P ~ Lord, please help me incline my heart to wisdom, to put a watch over my mouth, to speak with grace - seasoned with salt, and to give fitting, timely replies - a word fitly spoken.

Jesse and Wife

S ~ So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there. I Samuel 22:1

O ~ David’s parents and brothers join him in hiding. When Saul was hunting David, his whole family was in jeopardy.

A ~ In the midst of running for his life, David took time to look after his parents. Of all the things that are important, looking after your family is at the top. In all the stuff we do, I’m thankful that Audrey looks after her parents.

P ~ Lord, please give Audrey great strength, courage, hope and endurance in all her efforts - and may she see glimpses of how she is making a difference.  Amen.

Let Them Eat Steak

S ~ A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate. Proverbs 15:17

O ~ Some scriptures are easier than others to accept. This is a tough one.

A ~ Daniel and his three buddies refused to eat the king’s delicacies, and only ate veggies and drank water. At the end of the test, their ‘flesh looked fatter’. So, it appears that veggies make you fat. 

Also, this verse must have more to do with the company you keep, rather than the food you eat.  It is clearly saying that being with someone you love, and eating yucky veggies, is better than someone you hate, and eating wonderful, delicious, beautifully prepared steak.

P ~ Lord, please let me be with people I love eating steak.

A Rude Nude Dude

S ~ He tore off his clothes and lay naked on the ground all day and all night, prophesying in the presence of Samuel. The people who were watching exclaimed, “What? Is even Saul a prophet?” 1 Samuel 19:24

O ~ King Saul went to execute David, but David hid with Samuel. When King Saul arrived, Samuel didn’t have to fight. The presence of the Lord was so strong that Saul... well... disrobed, and prophesied ~ declaring the power of God.  

A ~ This reminds me of Yoda. Samuel is a little old man, with seemingly no defence - but look out, he is capable of so much more than he appears. Real power. The authentic presence of God that undoes an enemy. Live in the presence of God and you discover life in Him is not all talk - but there is power.

P ~ Lord, may I live so close to You that the enemy is exposed, helpless, and undone.  

Pleasing God

S ~ And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him. John 8:29

O ~ Before Jesus had done anything, He pleased the Father (this is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased). And yet, Jesus continued to please the Father with everything He did.

A ~ I love this testimony - and it reveals such a marvellous heart. I want to be like this. I want everything I do to please God, and quite frankly (whoever Frank is?), to please my family. It’s not about being a pleaser, but bringing pleasure - that God and my crew would be pleased.

P ~ Lord, ‘please’ help me to bring You and my family pleasure. I fail so much - ‘please’ make up for my shortcomings. Amen.

Constant Mourning

S ~ Samuel never went to meet with Saul again, but he mourned constantly for him. And the Lord was sorry he had ever made Saul king of Israel. 1 Samuel 15:35

O ~ The outward appearance and the inward reality. Samuel may have never outwardly show grief for Saul (rather anger), but he was in constant mourning over the loss of Saul. Even God was sorrowful over this loss.

A ~ The loss was not Samuel’s fault, nor God’s. It was Saul who disobeyed. May I life a life of obedience, and not cause those over me grief. 

P ~ Lord, please don’t reject me ~ may I be faithful to what You have called me to. I don’t want to cause grief. (Prayer of Jabez - may I not cause pain).

I Don’t Mind

S ~ Then Saul shouted to Ahijah, “Bring the ephod here!” For at that time Ahijah was wearing the ephod in front of the Israelites.But while Saul was talking to the priest, the confusion in the Philistine camp grew louder and louder. So Saul said to the priest, “Never mind; let’s get going!”1 Samuel 

14:18-19

O ~ Saul chose to not wait and consult the Lord because the enemy was making too much noise. He was losing time, so he wasn’t going to waste time consulting the Lord. Whoops. This was the second time we see Saul taking matters into his own hands, because he would not wait.

A ~ Time. My old friend, and my arch nemesis.  I am such a Saul - we don’t have time to wait. But may I never be like Saul, choosing to not wait on the Lord. “Never mind; let’s get going” reveals his heart.

P ~ Lord, may I never say ‘never mind’ when it comes to prayer - or hearing from You - or thinking I can just take things into my own hands and they will simply work out. 

Gentle Words

S ~ Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4

O ~ Life giving, and life crushing. Words have power, and depending on how they are spoken, they can bring growing life, or they can bring crushing death.

A ~ Gentleness has to do with strength under control. Strong words don’t have to be spoken strongly - they can be spoken gently. Crushing words can be spoken gently too - so it’s not only in the tone of the words, it’s in the tone of the heart.

P ~ Lord, I sure am a work in progress regarding my words. Please help me - touch my heart, and my lips, that I might be gentle when I speak - and bring fruitful flourishing life, instead of withering and crushing death.

Safe Harbour

S ~ He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness
as he brought them safely into harbor! Pslam 107: 29-30

O ~ They cried “Lord, help” in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. Lord, help. Two simple sincere words. 

A ~ What a change the Lord can bring. A storm to a whisper - such a blessing to bring them safely into harbour. God can calm the storms in our lives, the storms that are so loud and all encompassing, to be a mere whisper - where we have to strain to even hear there is still a storm somewhere.  Truly the Lord wants to bless us with stillness in the storm, and bring our lives into places of safety.

P ~ Lord, please help. Help with the storm raging in me - of inadequacy and failure and not being enough.   Let those things become mere whispers. 

Father’s Heart

S ~ The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn’t believe his promise to care for them. Psalm 106:24

O ~ The refusal to receive was based on doubt and fear not only of God’s provision, but God’s heart. It seemed as it was never enough. No matter what God did for them, they came back with ‘what have you done for me lately?’. There was a constant lack of knowing His heart. Miracles didn’t do it. Consequences didn’t bring lasting change. They simply did not know God, or His heart - they only knew His power.

A ~ I want to enter this pleasant land - not with arrogance or entitlement - but in understanding His heart. God not only does good, God is good - and it’s time I lived like I believed this with all my heart.  His provision is available ~ because of Who He is.

P ~ Lord, thank You for your care for me and my family, and my church. May we all enter the pleasant promises of God, not just 2 out of 10. 

Health

S ~ A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Proverbs 14:30

O ~ Poetic. A proverb - not a precept. A principle, not a promise.

A ~ Here is one of those verses that is a guideline, not a basher - as in to bash someone on the head with.  It does not mean if your body is not healthy, it is because you have a lack of peace in your heart, nor does it mean that cancer comes from being jealous. It means that a peaceful heart helps  - as certainly stress plays a factor in affecting your body. And jealosly spreads and does deep damage, just like cancer. So, try and have a peaceful heart and don't be jealous - it's not a promise of a healthy cancer free life - it just is better this way. Have peace and don't be jealous - it affects everything in a positive way.

P ~ Lord, thank You for your gracious, kind, non-bashing words today. May my heart be full of peace, and my life be free from jealousy - and may I pass that on to others.

Eyes On God

S ~ So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.  For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished. John 5:19-20

O ~ The Father shows the Son what He is doing. Simple.

A ~ I have been focusing on trying to see what God is doing - trying to hear what God is saying - and I have been thinking it is all up to me. I have been thinking it is my responsibility to be watching closely. Although this is true, it is only in part. The Father showed the Son what He was doing. He showed Him. God showed Jesus. It wasn’t only that Jesus was watching, it was that God was showing. I can watch all I want, but if God is not showing, it’s a no go.

P ~ Father, as I try to keep my eyes on You, please show me what You are doing, that I might do likewise. Amen.

Dream a Little Dream

S ~ Until the time came to fulfill his dreams,  the Lord tested Joseph’s character. Psalm 105:19

O ~ There was more to do than wait for dreams to be fulfilled - there was testing to be done. It wasn’t just ‘down time’, it was time to prove his character.

A ~ It’s a hard thing to wait for dreams to come true. Doubting the dream is surely one of the biggest challenges. However, the strength of the process is not to have faith in the dream, it is to have faith in the Dream Giver... have faith in God. Whether the dream comes true or not, may our trust in God be unshakable.

P ~ Lord, I have unfulfilled dreams that I think were from You, but now I’m not so sure. Either way, I surrender every hope and dream and aspiration to You, and none of it matters - for my eyes are on You. Have Thine own way Lord, have Thine own way, Thou art the Potter, I am the clay, mould me and make me, after Thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still.

What Are You Sitting In?

S ~ Now the people went to Bethel and sat in the presence of God until evening, weeping loudly and bitterly. Judges 21:2

O ~ Bethel - the place where Jacob first had a dream...the very house of God.  They sat in the presence of God. For how amazingly messed up Israel was during the judges, and how horrific the stories have been, this last chapter in the book of Judges opens with a powerful picture ~ sitting in the presence of God. 

A ~ The Israelites were sorrowful because of their own wickedness, but they knew what to do - sit in the presence of God. It appears from morning until evening. May I learn from this - to simply sit in the presence of God... and see what happens.

P ~ Lord, please teach me how to sit in Your presence.

Prepare The Way

S ~ You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him. John 3:28

 

O ~ John was very clear on who he was, and that he was not He. But what a great phrase - I am only here to prepare a way for Him.

A ~ This is my desire too - to simply prepare a way for Jesus. I want to do all I can to point people to him, not to me. The effectiveness of my ministry will be evidenced in the results of people being pointed to Jesus, not to Barry Marsten Ministries.   May they see Jesus, as I prepare the way for Him.

P ~ Lord, I simply want to do all I can to reach others, and reach out to others, and let them know “there is a Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord.” May You increase, and I decrease.

Heaven Can Wait

S ~ No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man[e] has come down from heaven. John 3:13

O ~ No one has ever gone to heaven and returned, but there sure are a lot of books about people who say they have.

A ~ Some people have said they went to heaven, other say they have had visions of heaven. Jesus would seem to be pretty clear, it hadn't happened in His day yet.  I have never given much credibility to the "I went to heaven" stories. Certainly Paul did see visions of something, and surely the book of Revelation unveils a heavenly realm - but the stories of people going to heaven seem to have no purpose.

P ~ Lord, please help me be focused on the here and now, and that you have already revealed enough in Your word about heaven, that we don't need anything more.

Defiled

S ~ This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. John 2:11

O ~ Turning water into wine began the revelation of His glory, and His disciples believed him.

A ~ Wine is a difficult thing. Growing up, it was sin - any alcohol was. This wasn't based on scripture, but on tradition, and living in North American instead of Europe, and certainly on the dangers of alcohol - and the violent and expansive damage alcohol as done to people - the addiction and dominion and power it has had over people. Deliverance ministry from alcohol - people needed to be set free. And yet now the church seems to be the one addicted to alcohol. The 'freedom' that has brought division. The problem seems to be that wine is now not only permitted, but necessary. Are you permitted to have a glass, or do you need to have a glass? Do you want to, or do you need to? And at what point do you become defiled? Jesus said it is not what goes into you that defiles you, but what comes out - and what comes out when you needed the glass(es), and now you need to say some hurtful things, or do some damaging things? It is a slippery slope.

P ~ Lord, may all that I do, with drink and with food, honour you - and may neither have power over my life.

It’s Not About Work

S ~ So Manoah asked him, “When your words come true, what kind of rules should govern the boy’s life and work?” The angel of the Lord replied, “Be sure your wife follows the instructions I gave her.  She must not eat grapes or raisins, drink wine or any other alcoholic drink, or eat any forbidden food.”. Judges 13:12-14

O ~ Samson’s dad wanted to know the details of his son’s life and work - what is he supposed to do? Instead, the angel spoke of a vow before God. The answer was not about vocation, but about covenant. 

A ~ In a world that values so highly what we do for a living, we miss out on what matters in life. The most important thing in life is our relationship with God. Compared to this, the rest simply doesn’t matter, and isn’t worth talking about. 

P ~ Lord, I don’t want my work to govern my life - but rather my relationship with You. When that is in place, everything else falls into place. First things first.... following You.