EmmDev 2024-08-23 [The Discipleship Journey] David in Trouble

David in Trouble

David also experienced hardships. Those who are significant in God's eyes are not exempt from the "dark night of the soul". It may be a great disappointment or loss, it may be doubt, it may be persecution, it may be someone else's pain, or it may be our own fatigue that causes this devastating sense of being alone, abandoned, and far away from God. Whether it is our own fault, someone else's or no-one's, these testing times come upon us all.

David's Psalm 13 is very helpful:

Psalm 13 For the director of music. A psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will you hide Your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death; my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for He has been good to me. (Psalms13:1-6)

Most commentators concentrate on the last (the third) part of the Psalm where David
- Counts his blessings
- Remembers God's faithfulness
- And moves "from protest to praise" through a conscious decision.

While this is important - I don't believe that David could get to step 3 without steps 1 and two:

In step 1 David is honest with God. David talks to God about how he is feeling. There is no facade and no pretense. He calls a spade a spade. "I'm struggling God - and it feels like You're asleep on the job! I'm alone and struggling and it looks like it will never end!"

In step 2 David hands his situation over to God. "I'm not coping - I need your help!" This act of dependence is in fact an act of faith. He turns to God asking for the restoration of the personal relationship ("Look on me and answer") and the strength to overcome. (The Hebrew people believed the light shone from our eyes - and so when one was weak, the light faded from one's eyes.)

So, in the midst of the heartache, doubt, and depression that sometimes besets us, David:
1. Was honest to God
2. Asked for God's help
3. Counted his blessings and used God's grace in the past to strengthen him for the future.

"LORD help me to turn to YOU when I need YOU most."

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EmmDev 2024-08-21 [The Discipleship Journey] David's Devotions

David's Devotions

David was a man after God's heart - David had a heart for God. This implies a vibrant and living relationship between God and David. In this sense, David's devotional life speaks powerfully to our lives as disciples. Many of us want to be closer to God, and many of us even try to have regular devotions. How did David go about his devotions?

Let's look at Psalm 19

Psalm 19 For the director of music. A psalm of David. 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, 5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat. 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. 11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalms19:1-14)

He begins with CONTEMPLATION - reflecting on God's greatness. And the beauty of creation is a good signpost! Sunrises, flowers, birds, greens, blues, reds and yellows are all tributes to the goodness of God. Creation gives David a sense of order and rhythm - Its awesomeness (think of mountains and the sea) contrast powerfully against our finiteness and we are drawn to worship.

Next David goes to God's Word for REFLECTION. Verses 7-10 explain the significance of God's Word. Have a look at the nouns David uses: law, statutes, precepts, and commands. The verbs: Revive, make wise, give joy, and give light. If we are serious about getting nearer to God then we need to be treating ourselves to a regular diet of His Word. And when we do, we learn to fear(respect/reverence) God as He deserves. And we are equipped to serve God and glorify Him. While this requires commitment at first, like David we will find that it becomes precious and sweet.

David then moves to CONFESSION (v.12-13). This is a very honest moment where we bring ourselves to God - warts and all - confessing our need for His help.

He concludes with COMMITMENT (v.14) - giving Himself to God for the day ahead. Without this step the rest is in danger of becoming an academic exercise.

"DEAR LORD bring me to a point of being able to have regular and meaningful contact with YOU.
Help me to Contemplate YOUR Greatness,
Reflect on YOUR truth,
Confess that I need YOUR help
and Commit myself in YOUR Service."

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EmmDev 2024-08-20 [The Discipleship Journey] Bouncing back after a setback...

Bouncing back after a setback...

As we conclude this series on discipleship, we're going to spend this week coming back to David - a man after God's heart.

Today we reflect on dealing with setbacks.

The background to our passage is that David has been playing a dangerous game. He's pretending to be a mercenary working for the Philistines. They pay him to attack the Israelites, but he has actually been plundering Israel's enemies and then pretending he's attacked Israel. Then, just when the Philistines want David to join them in a big battle against Israel (where King Saul will be killed), some of the Philistine kings decide that they don't fully trust David and so they send him home.

But, it is "out of the frying pan and into the fire" because, while David and his men were away, the Amalekites raided the city where David, his men, and their families had taken shelter. Because the men were away, the women and children were easily overcome and were taken away by the Amalekites.

When David and his men returned, this awful shock awaited them. The men were devastated and blamed David. Someone had to pay! And so they talked of stoning David. After all, he was the leader. He should have forseen this. David had his own grief to contend with - he had lost his own family.

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." Abiathar brought it to him, and David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?" "Pursue them," he answered. "You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue." (1Samuel30:6-8)

It would have been easy for David to do something rash. He could
- flee
- shift the blame
- mount a chase after the Amalekites
- sit in a heap

He did none - weary from travelling and many battles, with his spiritual resources at a low ebb, David found strength from the LORD his God.

The later part of the passage seems to indicate that David prayed. In this first part the implication simply seems to be that David said This is too big for me - You'd better help me! It may have been an arrow prayer (a skietgebed) or just a mental handover.

And then he chose to turn to God for guidance. God guided him to pursue the Amelekites and he rescues his people.

But the key moment is the handover - "I need you Lord!"

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EmmDev 2024-08-16 [The Discipleship Journey] Finish well!

Finish well!

King Asa of Judah was one of the later kings in the history of Israel. Asa's reign began with significant religious reforms. He is praised for doing "what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God" (2 Chronicles 14:2). Asa removed foreign altars, smashed sacred stones, and cut down Asherah poles. He also commanded the people of Judah to seek the Lord and obey His laws and commands. Asa fortified the cities of Judah, and God granted him peace for the first ten years of his reign. He succeeded where others had failed because he put his trust in God. Unfortunately he did not continue as he started.

At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: 'Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen? Yet when you relied on the LORD, he delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.' (2Chronicles16:7-9)

In the Hebrew idiom the heart is the control centre of life. King Asa failed, not because of a poor military alliance but because he did not trust God.

God is looking for people whose control centres are fully committed to Him - people who choose to live for Him, to speak for Him, and to devote themselves to Him. This needs to be a full commitment.

When God finds people who will step out in faith and do this - He strengthens them. We don't have to manage on our own!

King Asa started well. Sadly he didn't keep his rhythm.

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EmmDev 2024-08-15 [The Discipleship Journey] It's the HEART that counts

It's the HEART that counts

7 But the LORD said to Samuel, Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. (1Samuel16:7)

Samuel had a tough task to perform. He had to anoint a king to replace King Saul. God sent him to the Jesse's family. Jesse had eight sons and one of them was to be the king. Samuel was afraid for his life - if Saul found out about this there would be trouble. Samuel was also afraid of the people - they wanted a king and Saul had been an impressive choice initially. Saul was a head taller than anyone else and from a military perspective he had started well. So when Jesse's first son, tall, handsome, and first-born was paraded before Samuel, we cannot blame him for thinking This must be the one!

But God's ways are never our ways. While we are distracted and waylaid by worldly standards and criteria and measures of success, God looks at the heart. David had a heart after the heart of God (1Sam13:14). And here it is confirmed: David's control centre (how the Hebrew people understood heart) was beating to please God.

We get this wrong so often!
Moses, standing at the burning bush, was worried about his speaking ability.
Abraham was worried that he was beyond child-making age.
And you and I feel that we haven't studied or learned enough or that we don't deserve to be used by God.

Today we have to be power-dressers to impress people. Business executives are supposed to drive cars that suit their images. We would have been shocked at David. David was the opposite of impressive. He is described as a good looking boy who wasn't even shaving yet and was left to the sheep because no-one considered him as a serious contender yet. Samuel had to learn that in God's books it is not qualification that matters, but an attitude of dedication. He had to train himself to look at the world through God's eyes where the impressive ones and the significant ones don't always look that way!

And in the very next chapter of the first book of Samuel, David - the runt of the litter - kills a giant with a child's weapon.

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EmmDev 2024-08-14 [The Discipleship Journey] A good example

A good example

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. (Philippians2:19-24)

Timothy is a good example for us to learn from:

When Paul had been disappointed by many others, Timothy came through as one who faithfully stood by Paul. We're not told of Timothy's level of education, his qualifications, or his business experience. What we have is a reference to his character and nature, and in this sense Timothy sets an example for us to follow.

How do you compare to Timothy? Compare the points below:

• He was genuinely interested in others.
• He got practically involved.
• It was obvious to all that Jesus came first in his life, even if that meant paying the price.
  (For Timothy the choice between sleeping late and going to church was obvious!!!)
• Timothy did not have to convince people of his integrity - his actions were the testimony!
  He had proved himself.
• He was willing to go wherever Paul needed him.

Proven servant-heart, genuine concern, Christ-focus, action - not talk and a willing heart.
These are the hallmarks of a faithful servant of God.

How do you rate?

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EmmDev 2024-08-13 [The Discipleship Journey] Disciple Character Traits

Disciple Character Traits

What are the character traits of a Disciple?
We're going to look at David's definition.

Remember that David lived before the coming of Christ. They had to live up to God's standards to be able to be with Him. But, because of Jesus sacrifice on the cross, the doors of heaven are open and we can come to Him. For us this is good news. And we have the Holy Spirit living in us and empowering us for Godly Living.

Sadly, many settle for mediocre Christianity and Spirituality.
Let's read David's list, not as a check list, but an aspiration list...

Psalm 15 A psalm of David. 1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? 2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart 3 and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, 4 who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, 5 who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. (Psalms15:1-5)

Those who want to be significant pursue the qualities described in this Psalm. Our God delights:
- in people of integrity (blameless, righteous, truth speaking, keep oaths, no bribes)
- in people who control their tongues (no slander, no slurs)
- in people who are not impressed by evil but by righteousness
- in people who do not take advantage of others (lends without usuary)

These are the character traits that impress God!
May we be people who impress our heavenly Father - people of significance!

LORD the closer I walk to YOU, the more my life can make a difference. Developing the character traits above is not going to be easy for me. Please help me by filling me with YOUR SPIRIT. In JESUS' name. Amen.

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EmmDev 2024-08-07 [The Discipleship Journey]

Jesus healed a blind man by putting mud on his eyes and telling him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. When he did this, his sight was restored, but he got into trouble because this had all taken place on the Sabbath
The Pharisees wanted to get information to indict Jesus.
Here's how the interrogation went: (It's a long read but very worthwhile!)

So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, "Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner." He answered and said, "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see." Then they said to him again, "What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?" He answered them, "I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?" Then they reviled him and said, "You are His disciple, but we are Moses' disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from." The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing." They answered and said to him, "You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?" And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, "Do you believe in the Son of God?" He answered and said, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?" And Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you." Then he said, "Lord, I believe!" And he worshiped Him. (John9:20-38)

Let's look at the healed man's statements about Jesus:

• "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see."
  (i.e. I've encountered Him)
• "I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?"
  (i.e. "I'm ready to follow Him")
• "If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing."
  (i.e. "I'm convinced that He is God")

This statement gets him ejected and banned (excommunicated) from the temple.
Jesus finds him and he gets to match the voice with a face he can now see.
Jesus asks him: "Do you believe in the Son of God?"
This is a theological/theoretical question and the healed man answers positively.

But this is not enough for him. He doesn't just want to know that the Messiah exists, he wants to meet Him.

And when Jesus reveals Himself, the man responds in faith and worship.

The Pharisees accuse the man of being Jesus' disciple and they're partly right - he's a disciple in the making.
Let's summarise the steps he takes:
- I've encountered Him
- I'm ready to follow Him
- I'm convinced He is God (and I'll stand up for Him)
- I believe in Him and have a personal relationship with Him and I worship Him

Can you identify some of these steps in your life?

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EmmDev 2024-08-06 [The Discipleship Journey] The Way

The Way

In the book of Acts there are six times that Christians are called the "People of the Way."

It's a lovely image - people who are following a path.
This is another discipleship image reflected in the OT.
Psalm 1 is a wisdom psalm and it serves as an introduction to the whole book of Psalms.

Look at the idea of the path and journey reflected in the Psalm:

Blessed is the one who does not walk in the way of the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither--- whatever they do prospers. (Psalms1:1-3)

In the Psalm there is a journey and a destination. The verbs are walk, stand and sit. The analogy is that one can walk, stand and sit on the wrong path and in the wrong place with the wrong people. Or you can walk, stand and sit on another route, with a different destination.

The WAY to go according to Psalm 1 is to Walk, Stand and Sit on the right path.
The signposts and scenery on this WAY are to delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night.
When we walk in this WAY, we are a fruitful tree, yielding fruit in season and not withering and enjoying success in what we do.

Discipleship is a PATH to walk on, a WAY to live and, according to this Psalm, being devoted to God's Word is the key to staying "on track."

Our delight in and meditation on the Word of God is the key to being on the right track.

(You might want to watch the Sunday Sermon I recorded about the Holy Habit of Regular Bible Reading.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEPZOe6NRuY

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EmmDev 2024-08-02 [The Discipleship Journey] The Disciple's Lifestyle: Faith expressed through love.

The Disciple's Lifestyle: Faith expressed through love.

Previously we looked that Galatians 5 and 6 and identified the noun and verb of discipleship.
The noun is a "new creation" and the verb is "faith expressed through love."

How do we "do" the verb?
The good news is that we have help...
The Holy Spirit who lives in us and makes us a new creation helps us to "express our faith through love." How does He do this? By growing fruit in us...

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians5:22-25)

Someone suggested that the fruit of the Spirit is the orange of LOVE and that the segments are joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I quite like that.

The Spirit will help us to bear this fruit and it is by our fruit that we will be known...

In this passage two things are required to bear this fruit:

1. Crucify our sinful nature: Break with our past darkness, take off our old uniforms and leave behind the old ways.
2. Keep in step with the Spirit: The Spirit is the "still small voice" Elijah heard (1Ki.19:12) and the voice that says: "This is the way, walk in it." (Isaiah 30:21) When we are in tune with the Spirit's guidance, we begin to bear the Spirit's fruit...

Being a disciple is to be born of the Spirit. The wind blows where it pleases (John 3:8)
We throw open our sails and the Spirit will fill them. If we move where He is going, we'll bear His fruit.

We'll be able to express our faith through love.

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