May 18- A Band of Merry Misfits

May 18, 2011

Scripture Readings:
I Samuel 22:1-23:9; John 10:1-21;
Psalm 115:1-18; Proverbs 15:18-19


I Samuel 22:1-23:9

English folklore has given the world the legend of Robin Hood.  Robin Hood was a skilled archer and swordsman, who stole from the rich and gave to the poor. He did this with his band of "merry men," who were also outlaws of questionable character.  The point of the story of Robin Hood is that his actions helped the community and were a counter to the behavior of the evil king and aristocracy of his day.

Today, David has his own band of merry misfits, who are on the run from the evil King Saul.  They, too, fight the Philistines and benefit the nation of Israel with their victories. But in contrast to Robin Hood, David is never disloyal to King Saul. David is a mistreated and misunderstood commander of this paranoid king's army. As our story begins, Saul has found out that David visited Ahimelech, the priest, and received food and Goliath's sword from the priest.  David also received consultation about God's will for him.  Saul is convinced that David is trying to overthrow him for the throne of Israel. 

Saul commands Doeg the Edomite to kill Ahimelech and the eighty-five priests associated with Ahimelech. In an act of pure evil, Doeg not only kills the priests, but all the women, children, babies, cattle, donkeys, and sheep that they owned.  One son gets away and reports the mayhem to David.  David promises to protect the remaining priest.

David mobilizes to go attack the Philistines, and Saul mobilizes to attack David and his men. Just as Saul is about to overtake David, Saul gets word that Israel is being attacked by the Philistines. This saves David from likely death.

Saul is a thorn in David's side. The Lord God has sent the tormenting spirit to Saul that is causing all of this trouble. What lessons is God calling David to learn through this experience? God's sovereign plan trumps our desire for ease and conflict-free living.  Can you accept this?

David accepts his suffering with humility.  He leans on God and does not lash out at Saul. I find his behavior amazing. It is grace-filled and Jesus-tinged. David has his heart in the right place. The psalms show us his struggles, fears, and willingness to cope with suffering through praising God. Is it any wonder he is called a man after God's own heart?

John 10:1-21

I love Jesus' illustrations today. He says that people are sheep.  Ain't that the truth. Sheep tend to blindly follow. Jesus says that some of us are HIS sheep.  He indicates that his sheep enter through him to heaven. He is the gate to heaven through which HIS sheep pass. Jesus does not indicate that there are multiple ways to get into heaven. This would counter teachings that you can follow Mohammad to heaven or Buddha to heaven.  Jesus is saying that he is the only way to heaven. Jesus says that his sheep recognize his voice and follow his voice. We have all had animals who recognize our voice as their master. This is the picture that Christ is painting. We uniquely hear his voice and are compelled to follow him only.

Jesus says that in this story (God's grand story) there is a thief who tries to steal his sheep and kill them.  But he gives life to his sheep.  He also defines himself as the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. This is a picture of Christ's death on the cross, which provides the payment of death for our sins. His death insures our eternal life.  Jesus says the following about this concept:

• There are other sheep, besides the sheep in the flock of Israel, who also hear Jesus' voice and join the flock.  He is speaking of Gentiles.
• God the Father loves Jesus because he is willing to lay down his life for the sheep.
• No one takes Jesus' life.  He voluntarily lays it down.
• Jesus has the power to take back his life again, after his death.
• God the Father has commanded Jesus to do this.

After this teaching, some people think Jesus is crazy or demon-possessed.  Other people believe him.

What about you?  What do you think?

Psalm 115:1-18

Our God is in the heavens and He does as He wishes...  Nice.  So true.

Here is a statement about idols...they are shaped by human hands, cannot talk, even though they have mouths, cannot see with their eyes, cannot hear, smell, feel, walk, or utter a sound.  Why would you pray to something like that?  Good point.

Proverbs 15:18-19

A hothead starts a fight.  Saul is a hothead.  Do you know any hotheads?

What did you see today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
@ 2011

May 17- Bosom Buddies

May 17, 2011

Scripture Readings:
I Samuel 20:1-21:15; John 9:1-41;
Psalm 113:1-114:8; Proverbs 15:15-17

Lucy! You got some 'splainin to do!  
~Ricky Ricardo

I Samuel 20:1-21:15

Did you ever watch I Love Lucy back in the day?  It was often the highlight of my day as a kid to sit back and have a good laugh.  My favorite characters were Lucy and Ethel.  Their friendship was the kind that any girl would want.  Ethel always had Lucy's back, no matter what insanity Lucy had gotten them into.  Do you remember the episode where Lucy gets them a job in the chocolate factory?  The conveyor belt is going so fast that they can't keep up and Lucy is stuffing her face with chocolates to hide their incompetency!  The key thing is Ethel was stuffing her face, too.  It is just like a good friend to do what you need done when you need it done. They were true bosom buddies.  Today, we read about one of the most unique real life friendships ever. 

David and Jonathan have a friendship and bond that is deep and wide. Both David and Jonathan know that either of them could be killed by the bi-polar nut job, Saul.  For some reason, God has placed this crazy man in both of their lives. Their friendship is a comfort and refuge for each young man. They share a bond of deep faith in God. David is perplexed at Saul's constant attempts to kill him.  Jonathan and David come up with a signaling method using shot arrows to warn David if Saul is plotting another attempt on his life. David hides in a field to wait for Jonathan's message.

Saul is back to his bi-polar ways.  The first day of the banquet for the Festival of the New Moon, David is absent, but Saul is not miffed.  On the second day of his absence, all hell breaks loose. Saul ridicules Jonathan for being so loyal to David, who Saul fears is going to eventually take the throne from Saul's family.  He calls Jonathan the son of a whore. Saul has another fit of anger and throws a spear at Jonathan, trying to kill him.

Jonathan, true to his pact with the person he considers to be his "real" family, warns David that Saul is out to get him.  They reaffirm their promise to one another to always care for each other's children if something should happen to either of them.  This is a big deal.  Usually, people have a brother care for their children.  This tells us that their friendship was like one between blood brothers. This is a friendship based on trust in each other and a mutual love of God. 

Do you have people in your family that are so crazy that you have to do what Jonathan is doing and find people of faith to adopt as a family for you?  Dysfunction is common in families.  Jonathan is an example of someone who deals with insanity in a godly fashion.

David flees to Nob.  He and his men are starving, so David asks the priest to allow them to eat the Show Bread in the Temple.  The priest agrees.  This incident is mentioned by Christ in the New Testament when the Pharisees challenge him and his disciples on gleaning grain on the Sabbath to eat.  Jesus uses David's actions as a defense for his own.  David was a godly man whose heart was right before the Lord.  His motives were pure and his desire is to please God.  Jesus is confirming that God judges our actions based on our motives towards God.

Are your friendships formed around a mutual love of God?  Think of ways that God has given you a refuge through good friendships.  What about your marriage?  Do you and your spouse both love God?  This is a key factor in having a deep and trusting relationship with another human being.

John 9:1-41

Today, people are trying to get the "why" on a man's illness from Jesus.  They ask Jesus if this man has been blind since birth because of his sins or his parents' sins.  Jesus answers that he was born blind so that the power of God could be seen in him.   Ding ding ding.  Did you hear this, people?  What do you think?  Someone is suffering so that God can be glorified.  Can you handle this concept?

Sometimes we endure hardships so that our reliance on God during the hardship will glorify our Creator.  God shows His strength through our weakness.  This is a spiritual truth. Are you humble enough to accept this?  It is His universe...

Jesus heals the man and the man testifies to everyone that Jesus healed him.  Meanwhile, the Pharisees are saying that Jesus is not from God because he is working his miracles on the Sabbath.  This is a sin in their minds, therefore, he is a sinner and cannot be from God.

There are several meetings with this man's parents and some controversy on whether or not he was ever truly blind.  Finally, the man is called in front of the Pharisees again.  They compel the man to tell the truth about Jesus, who they call "the sinner."  The man says that whether or not the man (Jesus) is a sinner, he does not know, but he can say that he was blind, but now he sees.  The healed man goes on to claim that no one has ever been able to heal someone who was blind from birth.  He states that he believes that Jesus is from God.

The Pharisees tell this healed man that he was born in sin.  In other words, they are claiming that he was born blind because of his sin.  We have learned from Jesus that this is not true!  The Pharisees throw the man out telling him that as a sinner, he has no right to try to teach them.

Jesus finds the man, confirms his faith in the Son of Man, and declares to this man that the Pharisees are the blind ones!

Are you spiritually blind or has God given you eyes to see the Truth?  If you can see, do you testify to others that Jesus has given you the ability to see Truth?

Psalm 113:1-114:8

This psalm indicates that the Lord is above both heaven and earth.  It says that God stoops down to lift poor people from the dirt and the needy out of the garbage cans.  His mighty works are recounted.


Has God lifted you out of the garbage can of your sins? How have you recounted the mighty works of God in your life?

Proverbs 15:15-17

This is very true...for the poor, every day brings trouble.  It is better to have little with a proper attitude about God, than to have great wealth in turmoil.  I like this, too.  "A bowl of soup with someone you love is better than a steak with someone you hate!"  Love it. : )

What did you notice today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
@ 2011

May 16- The Green Monster

May 16, 2011

Scripture Readings:
I Samuel 18:5-19:24; John 8:31-59;
Psalm 112:1-10; Proverbs 15:12-14

Jealousy is a tiger that tears not only its prey, but also its own raging heart.
~Anonymous

I Samuel 18:5-19:24

Jealousy is a toxic thing in a person's life.  To be jealous of another is to covet what that person has or who that person is.  Coveting someone's looks, position, or possessions is forbidden in the Ten Commandments.  Today, we see that King Saul is overtaken with jealousy when David succeeds in defeating Goliath and becoming a national hero.  When the women of Israel sing and dance that Saul has killed his thousands and David his ten thousands, it is more than the prideful king can bare. His rage explodes.

With a jealous eye on David, Saul is tormented once more with an evil spirit and begins raving like a madman.  David plays his harp in order to calm Saul down.  Saul hurls a spear at David in order to pin him to the wall in death.  David escapes. The people of Israel grow in their admiration of David as he succeeds in all that he does.  Saul attempts to cause his death by requiring 100 Philistine foreskins as a bride price for his daughter.  In humility David declines Saul's first offer to become his son-in-law with Saul's first daughter, but eventually agrees to marry Michal, Saul's younger daughter.  The bride price is the same. David has no problem with this.  He once again succeeds in battle against the Philistines, acquires the necessary foreskins, and ends up marrying Saul's daughter, Michal.

Saul tries to convince his son, Jonathan, and his servant to assassinate David.  Jonathan warns David.  Jonathan attempts to talk his father out of trying to kill David. But the story reveals that Saul attempts several more assassinations against David.

These passages give us new insight into the psalms that David composed in the book of Psalms.  You can see how justified David was in crying out to the Lord for the help.  David was fighting the green monster.  David was fighting Saul's jealousy. We see that in his trials, David humbly seeks God's help.  He never lashes out at God in anger over his trials and suffering.  David is a man after God's own heart.  It is no wonder that God chooses David to be the man from whom Jesus Christ will descend.

David has the heart of a musician and his music reflects his zeal for the Lord.  He is quite the Renaissance man.  He is a warrior, leader, musician, shepherd, and athlete.  He is also a loyal servant to Saul.  The tragic life situation that causes constant conflict and fear for his own life creates great sorrow and misery for David. David is a man of sorrows.  No wonder he wrote a song that states, "The Lord is close to those whose hearts are breaking."

God allowed David to go through this horrible suffering.  Why do you think the Lord allowed this?  Do you see David's need to rely solely on God to survive?  Name some evidence of David's strong faith as seen in the book of 1 Samuel and in the book of Psalms. How can you be like David in your own life?

John 8:31-59

"You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  Have you experienced the reality of this famous statement by Jesus?  The truth in our lives about Christ brings us eternal life, but further yet, truth in all things is the first step to learning to cope with reality in your life.  We must be honest with ourselves and with God about the good, the bad, and the ugly in our lives. 

If we can handle the truth in our lives, we can rely on God to make it through.  Avoiding truth, whether that truth is about abuse, betrayal, our own sin and shortcomings, or our pain, leads to a mountain of trouble.  Facing the truth is the first step to freedom.  Jesus had it right!

Jesus emphasizes that if the Son has not set you free from your sin, you are still a slave to sin.  Slaves are not part of a family.  They are outside the circle of inheritance.  If Jesus has saved you from being a slave to sin, then you have become part of God's family.  You are in line to inherit His Kingdom!

Jesus accuses the religious leaders of being children of the Devil, rather than children of God.  They are in a different family. Jesus' argument is that if they were truly children of God, like Abraham was, then they would believe in Jesus.   They then accuse Jesus of being a Samaritan Devil.  He rebukes them and reminds them that whoever obeys him (Jesus) will never die. 

This angers them further.  Jesus claims that Abraham looked forward to Jesus' coming to earth and when he saw it, he was glad.  They retort that Jesus is not even fifty years old, so how could Abraham see him?  Jesus says that the truth is that he (Jesus) existed before Abraham was even born.  At this point, they try to stone him, but Jesus eludes them.

Are you surprised at Jesus' bold and radical teaching?  He is firm about his deity.  He is firm that only he can give eternal life to people.  He is firm that Abraham is alive.  What do you think of this?

Psalm 112:1-10

This psalm indicates that if you fear the Lord, you will experience happiness.  Fearing the Lord leads to living in His truth.  Jesus indicated that His truth sets you free from sin, so this psalm makes perfect sense.

Proverbs 15:12-14

Mockers don't like to be rebuked.  A broken heart crushes the spirit.  A wise person is hungry for truth, but fools like to feed on trash.

What did you notice?  And, what do you think?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal

Kathy Fullerton
© 2011

May 15- Tackling Giants

May 15, 2011

Scripture Readings:
I Samuel 17:1-18:4; John 8:21-30;
Psalm 111:1-10; Proverbs 15:11

Great moments come with great opportunity.  
~Herb Brooks

I Samuel 17:1-18:4

It is really frustrating to pour your heart and soul into rooting for a favorite team only to realize as the season progresses that you are outsized by your opponents.  Sometimes it is hard to know who to blame for not recruiting larger, faster, more capable team members. How is any team supposed to win when the other team has giants? But every now and then a team will overcome a giant obstacle.  They will do the impossible, like the US Olympic Hockey team of 1980.  They pulled off a miracle. As a matter of fact, they pulled off the Miracle on Ice! Today, Israel is facing a giant.  He is over nine feet tall and likes to taunt the nation of Israel.  How to shut him up?  How do you stop an obnoxious pagan?

God's man in this story is the young boy David.  He has been secretly anointed to be the next king of Israel.  Meanwhile, Saul has been given over to a tormenting spirit by God.  As our story opens, the Israelites are facing their perpetual enemies, the Philistines.  The Philistines have a warrior giant named Goliath who is prepared to do solo combat with anyone from Israel in order to end a stand off between the two armies.  No one on Israel's side is willing to go up against a man who can wear a coat of armor that weighs 125 lbs and has a sword that is as big as a weaver's beam. 

David  has been sent by his father to check on his older brothers who are part of Saul's army.  David is appalled at the cowardice of the Israelites army and angry that a Philistine is defying the armies of the Living God.  Note David's faith that God is a living being who is knowable. 

In spite of his brothers' protests and Saul's attempts to arm him in the king's armor, David goes to fight the giant with five smooth stones, a slingshot, and faith in God's ability to work through him.  You know the story.  Goliath is taken down with one shot.  David then cuts off his head with Goliath's own sword!  At this defeat, the Philistines run away.  The Israelite army chases after them and defeats them to all the way to the city of Gath. 

With this victory, Saul takes David into the palace.  David and Jonathan, Saul's son, become best friends and Jonathan gives David his robe, tunic, sword, bow, and belt.  This is a pact of lasting friendship.

What can we learn from the story of David and Goliath?  If Goliath represents the "world," this story tells us that faith in God can defeat the attacks of the enemy against you in this world. 

Are you often challenged by discouraging thoughts and negative ways of dealing with the fallen nature of this world?  Are you tempted to get down on yourself and believe lies?  This story tells you that you can bring down the giant of self-hatred in your life.  You can overcome the darts and arrows of the devil.

David accomplished this victory by being true to himself.  He did not wear Saul's armor, which represented something that he was not.  He was true to himself.  He fought with the weapons that he used everyday as a boy shepherd.  He used the unique skills that God had given him and combined those simple skills with a mighty faith in God. Victory for David came with a simple slingshot.  The lesson is to be yourself in battle.  Do not try to act like something you are not.  God is able to use your gifts and your position in life to achieve victory.  Have faith and be true to yourself.

John 8:21-30

Jesus prophesies that the Jewish leaders who are challenging him in the Temple will die in their sins and not be saved.  He will be going to a place that they will not be able to enter.  Jesus is telling them the truth, but he is being evasive because he knows that their hearts are filled with unbelief.  He tells them that he is from above and they are from below, so they will not understand him or believe who he is.

Jesus says that they will not realize who he is until they have lifted him up on a cross. He confirms that he always does what the Father is telling him to do.  Jesus is modeling complete, perfect obedience to God.  The Bible tells us that many who heard him say this believed what he said.

Do you believe Jesus?  David and Jesus both model obedience for us, today.  Both experience victory over evil through obedience.  Your obedience to Biblical principles will give you victory, also.  Live an obedient life.

Psalm 111:1-10

This psalm states that God has paid a full ransom for His people.  That is exactly what Jesus did for us with his death.

Proverbs 15:11

If God knows the depths of death, He surely knows the depths of the human heart.  We can't understand our own hearts, but He can.

What did you notice today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal

Kathy Fullerton
© 2011

May 14- Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice

May 14, 2011

Scripture Readings:
I Samuel 15:1-16:23; John 8:1-20;
Psalm 110: 1-7; Proverbs 15:8-10

Democracy is worth dying for, because it is the most deeply honorable 
form of government ever devised by man.  
~Ronald Reagan

I Samuel 15:1-16:23

One of the most admirable things about America's federal republic government is that the world is able to witness the peaceful transfer of power from one leader to another.  In the ancient world this was rare.  Usually transfers of power, especially if it meant power being removed from one family or clan to another, included assassinations or war.  Today, we see that God is going to transfer power from Saul and the tribe of Benjamin to David who is from the tribe of Judah. This will not be a pretty process.

As our story begins, Samuel has a message for Saul.  The Lord has decided to finally punish the Amalekites for how they treated Israel when they came out of Egypt many centuries before.  This is proof that God has a long memory, folks!  He intends for Saul to completely decimate them as a people group, including all of their possessions as a judgment against their sin.  Saul is a disobedient, prideful king.  He goes and defeats the Amalekites, but allows their king to live and keeps the best cattle and livestock for himself.  Saul is concerned with how he will look as a king, rather than what God is trying to accomplish through him.

Samuel comes to rebuke Saul for keeping the cattle.  Saul claims that he kept the cattle in order to do a burnt offering for the Lord.  Samuel states that obedience is better than a burnt offering.  We see this concept repeated by Jesus in the New Testament.  Saul admits that he was afraid of the people's opinion of him and so he did not obey the Lord.  Samuel is angry and refuses to return with Saul.  Saul grabs Samuel's robe and tears it.  Samuel uses this opportunity to shout that the Lord will tear the kingdom from Saul and give it to someone better than him.  Samuel reminds Saul that God is not a human who changes His mind.  Saul convinces Samuel to go with him.  Although flawed in character, Saul worships the Lord.

This is not the end of the story.  God is once again going to follow the spiritual principle that the last shall be first and the first shall be last.  This first king of Israel is not going to be the chosen one.  He is going to be the cursed one.  The second king is God's chosen king.  The second king is the one who is blessed. It is through David (the second king chosen), not Saul, that the promised Messiah will come. Remember the lesson that the first son of God, Adam, was unrighteous, but the second Son, Jesus is righteous.  He is the one who saves the world.  This displacing of the first king of Israel mirrors that spiritual picture.

Samuel, not Saul,  is the one who completes the judgment of God against the Amalekites by killing the king of the Amalekites with the sword.  Samuel mourns for Saul and his sin.  This is a sign of Samuel's godly character.  We learn that God is sad, also. God tells Samuel to stop mourning and fill his horn with anointing oil in order to anoint the next king of Israel.

After a long process, the youngest son of Jesse, David,  from the tribe of Judah is chosen as the next king.  The Spirit of the Lord comes powerfully on David who is ruddy and handsome. The Bible mentions that he has nice eyes.  What a great description!  Meanwhile, a tormenting spirit has replaced the Holy Spirit in Saul.  Saul is overtaken with fear/paranoia and depression.  Music seems to comfort his soul, so the brave, good and courageous musician, David, is called to play the harp for the troubled king.  Ironic?  You betcha.  God is a good storyteller. : )

John 8:1-20

Today, Jesus is back in the temple.  The religious leaders bring a woman who was caught in adultery to him.  They want to see his judgment against unrighteous behavior.  Jesus teaches us an important lesson about his mission on earth at this time. 

Before condemning her, he asks the religious leaders to cast the first stone at her, only if they have never sinned.  No one is able to condemn her under these conditions.  You and I know that Jesus was sinless and could have stoned the woman, himself.  Why didn't he?  Because his purpose in coming to earth the first time is to forgive sins.  We are in the age of grace.  God is offering forgiveness to those who are flawed and have sinned.  Please note that Jesus tells the woman to go and sin no more.  Jesus expects a repentant life from this woman after forgiving her.  He expects a repentant, obedient life from us after he has forgiven us.

Our job is not to judge.  Our job is to be obedient to Christ.  Offer his mercy to others.  He will judge in the end. This does not mean that we can not be discerning in who we associate with and how we behave.  It means that we let Jesus be the ultimate judge of someone's salvation.

Next, Jesus explains that he is the Light that gives us understanding of all truth that leads to eternal life.  The Pharisees shout that he is making false claims!!  Jesus counters that even though he is testifying about himself, they are not false claims.  He tells them that they have human limitations as they judge him.  Jesus says that his witness to this truth is himself and his Father who sent him.  "Where is your Father?" they ask.  Jesus is evasive and says that since they don't know him, they can't know his Father.  He is making it hard for them on purpose.

Jesus is arguing his position.  He doesn't have to, but he wants to reveal himself to those who are going to love God.  This passages can be either comforting or disturbing, depending on where you are on God's scale.  Walk in his light.  Darkness cannot overcome those who are in the Light.

Psalm 110:1-7

"The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit in honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet."  Jesus quotes this psalm to the Pharisees when he challenges them to explain how David can be calling his descendant "Lord".  Jesus asks them to explain how David can be the father to this person and yet call this person "my Lord". 

The psalms are prophetic in nature.  Jesus is throughout the psalms.  Always look for him as you read them.

Proverbs 15:8-10

Sacrifices from wicked people are detestable to the Lord.  He loves the prayers of the righteous.

What did you see today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal

Kathy Fullerton
© 2011

May 13- I Need Some Food

May 13, 2011

Scripture Readings:
I Samuel 14:1-52; John 7:31-53;
Psalm 109:1-31; Proverbs 15:5-7

I am not a glutton- I am an explorer of food.  
~Erma Bombeck

I Samuel 14:1-52

Some exercise and fitness experts say that your metabolism is like a fire.  When you start eating during the day, it is like you have lit a fire in your metabolism.  In order to keep the fire burning hot, you need to eat small meals throughout the day.  The small meals are like kindling on a fire.  As you eat the small meals, your metabolism burns the meals quickly and the fire is kept burning hot. If you eat a large lunch, it is like putting a large log on the fire.  It actually slows down the heating process because it is hard to burn through the large log.  You will supposedly lose weight if you eat smaller, lighter meals that are easier to digest and metabolize.  My husband experimented with this and lost 45 lbs.  Today, we see Saul make a stupid and prideful oath about food that affects his army negatively.

As the story begins, Jonathan, Saul's godly son, goes over to the Philistine camp to see if the Lord will help Israel defeat the pagan enemy.  Jonathan's presence does incite panic from the Lord over the Philistine camp and they begin fighting themselves in confusion.  You see the Lord use this technique against Israel's enemies many times in Scripture.  Saul sees the confusion from a far and rushes with his troops to the site.  Saul had taken an idiotic oath earlier in the day that no one could eat anything until his enemies were defeated.  Obviously, this causes his soldiers to be faint and weary. 

Jonathan is unaware of the oath and eats some honey he finds in the path.  After the battle, Saul's half-starved soldiers begin ripping into the plundered cattle and eating it raw.  This is forbidden in Mosaic law, so Saul gets angry.  Saul wants to continue to chase the Philistines, but everyone wants to consult the priests to find out from God if this is a good idea.  God's silence indicates that someone has sinned.

Eventually, Jonathan confesses that he ate honey and has broken his father's foolish oath.  Jonathan's actions in feeding himself in order to stay strong for battle are wise. He was unaware of his father's foolish oath. Saul, revealing his horrible character, prepares to kill his own son over this.  The soldiers remind him that Jonathan saved them from the Philistines that day and they do not allow Saul to kill Jonathan.

Saul is an example of rash, prideful behavior.  This will eventually be his downfall.  God has blessed Saul with a godly son.  Jonathan is an example of measured, humble behavior. We will see conflict between these two men as their differences increase.

Saul wanted to starve his men and feed his pride.  Do you feed your pride each day?  Do you starve yourself spiritually by not turning to God for sustenance? Or do you feed on God's Word and find strength for the battle?

John 7:31-53

Jesus is at the Temple during the Feast of Shelters and many are believing in him as he teaches.  The Jewish leaders are puzzled.  Jesus is stating that where he is going they cannot come. Towards the end of the Festival, Jesus shouts to the crowds that if they are thirsty he will give them living water that will flow from within.  He is speaking about the Holy Spirit.

Some people believe he is the Messiah, but there is dispute among them because they know that the Scripture are clear that the Messiah will come out of the city of Bethlehem of David.  People think that Jesus was born in Galilee because he grew up there.  The religious leaders contemplate this and say that no prophet is supposed to come out of Galilee. This was an obstacle that some could not overcome.

What obstacles get in your way of believing that Jesus is the Messiah?  Do you have the living water that flows from within inside of you?

Psalm 109:1-31

Although this psalm is written by David, read the words as if you are Jesus in the Temple during the Feast of Shelters.

Proverbs 15:5-7

Fools despise their parents' discipline.  Taking correction is a wise thing to do.

What did you notice today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal

Kathy Fullerton
© 2011

May 12- How Quickly The Mighty Have Fallen

May 12, 2011

Scripture Readings:
I Samuel 12:1-13:23; John 7:1-30;
Psalm 108:1-13; Proverbs 15:4

A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you're looking down, you can't see something that's above you. 
~ C.S. Lewis

I Samuel 12:1-13:23

The concept of the fatal flaw is big in literature.  Ancient heroes in epic stories usually have one aspect of their personality that contributes to their demise.  It was usually hubris or pride.  Julius Caesar is said to have been assasinated because of his hubris.  This led to his betrayal and demise at the hands of Marcus Brutus.  Hence the famous quote, "Et tu, Brute?" Today, Saul has a fatal flaw that will lead to his demise as the king of Israel.  But first, Samuel gives his swan song to the nation of Israel.

It is a good thing when a man can go before a group of people, ask if he has led an honest life and receive a response in the affirmative.  Samuel's godly character is intact as he addresses the Israelites in his old age.  He recounts God's great work in rescuing the Israelites from Egypt, their subsequent falling away from God into Baal and Ashtoreth worship, God's deliverance through the judges, and God's acquiescing to give Israel a king.  Samuel reminds the people that obedience is key to God's blessing them in the land.  As Samuel calls out to God in front of the assembly, the Lord sends a great thunderstorm. The people fear that they have sinned in asking for a king. Samuel assures them that the Lord has chosen them as a special people and He will never abandon them.

Saul is thirty years old when he is anointed as king of Israel.  As he musters an army to fight the Philistines, the men assembled are fearful for the upcoming battle.  They are all waiting for Samuel to come and give the Lord's blessing on their efforts.  Samuel is delayed in coming and Saul is impatient.  Because of his anxiety and impatience, Saul decides to perform the duties of the priest and do the burnt offering himself.  This is a huge no-no. It was absolutely against Moses' laws for anyone besides a priest of the tribe of Levi to do the burnt offering.  This reveals tremendous hubris/pride on the part of Saul.  We see his flawed character in this incident.  We see that he is not a man after God's own heart.

When Samuel discovers what Saul has done, Samuel prophesies that Saul's dynasty will come to an end.  Samuel tells Saul that God has already chosen another man to be king over his people because Saul disobeyed in this way.  This prophesy will begin to torture Saul in the days ahead.

Can God trust you to be obedient to His word?  Do you flee God's ways at the first sign of trouble in your life?

John 7:1-30

Jesus is reluctant to go to Jerusalem during the Festival of Shelters and show his miracles.  His followers are urging him to show off all of his powers to everyone.  Jesus knows that even members of his family do not believe he is the Messiah. Jesus explains to them that the world is going to hate him because he is going to reveal their sins to them.  He states that his time has not yet come. Jesus is not a prideful man.  He does not have to prove himself in front of others.  He does not need man's approval.  Jesus seeks God's approval.

Jesus does go to the Festival secretly and midway through the Festival of Shelters or Booths he goes up to the Temple and begins to teach.  The Jewish leaders are surprised at His knowledge.  You see, Jesus is not a seminary graduate.  He comes from the home school of God.  He is a self-taught and God-taught person.  Jesus says that none of them are obeying the laws of Moses.  Jesus confronts them on their hypocrisy about working on the Sabbath.  Jesus confirms again that he comes from heaven and from the Father.  People are confused by his teaching.

Do you find yourself being dogmatic about things like the Sabbath?  Does that square with Jesus' dogmatism?  He seems to be dogmatic about how to receive eternal life.  Are you dogmatic about that?

Psalm 108:1-13

This psalm is about being confident in God's strength.  Are you confident in His strength in your life?

Proverbs 15:4

Gentle words can bring life and health.  Deceitful words crush another person's spirit. 

What did you notice as you read today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011