Wonderful Jesus!

Tag: David

• The Weapon of Praise!

  Posted at 4:33 pm by wonderfuljesus8, on August 1, 2020

  Psalm 8:2 – Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. NIV

  

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  I’ve been blogging about weapons that are effective in stopping the enemy! I have blogged about the weapon of our salvation, the weapon of the Blood of Jesus, and the weapon of holiness. In this blog, I want to talk about the weapon of praise!

  The psalmist, David, stated that praise establishes a stronghold (a tower) against our enemies. Can you imagine yourself building a tower, with your praise, that the enemy cannot get over? Hopefully, when you finish reading this blog, you will do just that! In the KJV of the Bible the translators used the word “strength” and not “praise” in this verse. However, to be clear that the psalmist is referring to praise, in this verse, let’s look at how Jesus quoted it in the book of Matthew. In Matthew 21:16 – “And (the Pharisees)said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?” NKJV

  When I think of both of these words, (praise and strength) it causes me to draw the conclusion that our strength against the enemy lies in our praise! Get this picture in your mind: The enemy is on the attack, in some form or fashion, then you begin to praise God, and you start constructing a tower with your praise! The longer you praise, the higher the tower, the higher the tower, the harder it is for the enemy to access you! I like that picture!!

  The word praise is sometimes translated as “boast” meaning to boast in the Lord and what He has done, and to boast in who He is! Praise can be carried out in a number of ways:

  • We can praise Him in the dance!
  • We call praise Him with song!
  • We can just walk around and praise Him for who He is
  • We can sit and praise Him for what He has done in our lives
  • We can bow before Him and give Him praise just because we feel like it
  • We can praise Him at church or at home
  • We can praise Him with or without music
  • We can praise Him in the Spirit

  Choose one! Better yet, try them all! The next time the enemy goes on a rampage, praise God like never before!

  The Old Testament reference that comes to mind involves Jehoshaphat! There was an army of people who came up against the king and the people of Judah. When the king heard, he called a fast and prayed. The Lord gave the king a promise, a prophetic word, that he would not have to fight in the battle, and Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah, gave Him praise. The next morning, when they got up, Jehoshaphat called for another time of praise. Here’s what verse 22 states: “Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated!” Now how powerful of an example is that? Yes, they had fasted and prayed, and that caused them to hear from God! But when they began to praise Him, God defeated their enemies!

  Now, if you have been following me, you know I have to give you at least one more scriptural proof of praise silencing the enemy!

  The verse that keeps resonating in my heart and spirit is found in Isaiah 61. Although these are the words that Jesus said He fulfilled in Luke 4, there is a part that illustrates the victory through praise. Isaiah wrote, “put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness”. What is the spirit of heaviness but an oppressive spirit from the devil? Isaiah said, when it comes, clothe yourself in praise! Get up from your place of “woe is me” and get in a position of “Lord, You are good! You’ve been better than good!” Hallelujah!

  Everyone may not be able to “apply the Blood of Jesus” in faith as soon as you learn about it, but you can start praising Him right now and be extremely effective against the attacks of your enemy!

  In Psalm 30:12, the psalmist wrote, “You have turned for me mourning into dancing; you have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to you and not be silent. O lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” What was David mourning over? Why was he in sackcloth? Who knows? Much had happened in his life before this point. It could have simply been that God had denied him the honor of building His temple because he had so much blood on his hands. Yet, when David was dedicating his home to the Lord, he began to give God praise and said, “you have turned my mourning into dancing”.

  My sister died many years ago. I hadn’t seen her in decades. One day I was just talking to the Lord when I said, “Father, I don’t want the next time I see Jeannie to be at her funeral.” That’s it! That’s all I said. Not long after that, Jeannie contacted me, came and spent a couple weeks with my family and I, and went back to California. She died shortly after. As I was beginning to allow grief to set in, God reminded me of what He had just done for me. I want you to know, I had such a spirit of praise in my heart at the funeral, it was almost embarrassing. However, I shared with my family that day about why my heart was not heavy, and I had to leave it there! He turned my mourning into dancing!

  I can give you example after example of the power of praise over the enemy. When we are praising God, the enemy runs away, because he can’t stand to be in a place where praise to God is going on. Also, when you praise God, you don’t have time to think about what the enemy is saying and doing, thereby, silencing him! And don’t forget that tower that is built when you give God praise! It’s blocks the enemy’s access to you!

  Let’s say that you are not in a place to even give Him praise right now. It happens! At this time, you just put on some praise music, and just be in the atmosphere of praise. It worked for Saul. When the evil spirit came upon him, David was called in to play some music for him. It was probably one of David’s psalms that he played for Saul, because the enemy left. He didn’t want to hear it. Not even in instrumental form!

  David wrote, “Let the poor and needy praise your name,” in Psalm 74. There is no state, no condition, in which we cannot give God praise. The best praise will come from your lips. Sometimes, it will have to be a sacrifice of praise more than a praise party. However it starts out, know that your praise is a powerful weapon against the enemy! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Deliverance, praise, the devil, weapons of warfare | 0 Comments | Tagged attacks, David, Deliverance, encouragement, hard times, Jehoshaphat, Jesus, praise, Spiritual warfare, the devil, the enemy, victory, worship

• The Flip Side!

  Posted at 9:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on July 23, 2020

  Ephesians 4:27 – “nor give place to the devil.” NKJV

  

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  I grew up in the Flip Wilson era, where we thought it was funny to say, “The devil made me do it!” Flip Wilson, in his comedy show, did some stupid things, then he would say that the devil made him do it. There is a poster with him in a dress, and of course, the devil made him buy the dress. However, through the years I have realized that it’s no joking matter to give place to the devil and his bidding.

  I’ve written several blogs to remind us that we have an adversary and he is out to get us. However, I would be remiss, if I didn’t write about the “flip” side of that picture. While it is true, that the devil is directly or indirectly responsible for the bad things that happen in our lives, we willingly or unwillingly participate in his schemes. It’s time to stop giving place to the devil!

  A young lady approached me one day crying. I asked her what was going on? She said that it wasn’t fair that she was pregnant and she had only had sex one time, when she knew people who were far more active than she was and they hadn’t gotten pregnant. Can I just say that I was standing there looking at her with a “are you kidding me” expression on my face? How could it not be fair? If you are old enough to have sex, you should be old enough to understand that pregnancy can and might be the consequence of your actions. It’s not a matter of fairness, it’s a matter of consequence.

  Consequence is defined as “a result or effect of an action or condition”. Stephen Covey had this to say about consequences: “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” This is a truth conveyed throughout scripture.

  When David slept with Bathsheba, not only did he father a baby with another man’s wife, but he killed the man to hide his sin. He chose the sin, but the consequences were costly. A warrior who served him with unwavering devotion died, the baby died, his son rape his daughter, her brother killed the one who raped her, and then he turned around and tried to take the kingdom from David. Did I forget to mention that he slept with David’s wives on the rooftop of the palace? David chose the sin, but the consequences were out of his control.

  Achan was another person whose actions brought devastating consequences. The children of Israel had just finished rejoicing over the walls of Jericho falling. They were rounding up the treasures that were to go to God. Achan saw “a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels” and he took them. They were forbidden for him to take, yet he did it. The children of Israel went out to fight the battle of Ai. They lost. Joshua was so upset that he was crying about to God. God told him there was sin in the camp. Achan was exposed. Joshua had them take Achan, the treasures, his family, and all that he owned to the Valley of Achor. There Joshua had them all stoned and burned with fire. Achan chose the action, but he didn’t get to choose the consequence. And let’s not forget that lives were lost in a battle that should have been a cake walk.

  Do you want a New Testament example? I have one for you. Ananias and Sapphira. They sold their property to be a blessing to the church. They decided that they would keep a portion of the money. It was theirs to do with as they wished. But when Ananias showed up to give his money, he lied and said that it was the total amount that he had received from the sell. It was a lie and he died on the spot. He was so not expecting that! Then his wife came in, not realizing what had happened to her husband and gave the same lie. Then she died. Wow! What an expensive price to pay for a lie. They chose the action, but God chose the consequence.

  All of these are examples of people giving place to the devil. The devil could very much have whispered in their ears, suggesting these things. But he could not make them do any of it. They had to give place to the devil. He didn’t make Eve eat from the tree and he doesn’t make us do things. Unless he possesses us! That’s a different blog, altogether.

  What about that couple I mentioned who had the yelling contest, allowing their anger to get the best of them? They gave place to the devil with their anger, and those spirits had permission to come in and wreak havoc and fear in their lives and their marriage.

  When we sin, whatever the sin, we give place to the devil. We give him an invitation to come into our homes, our lives, our finances, and our children’s lives, by our choices and our actions. When we say “no” to sin, we shut the door to the devil and his demonic activity. We stop the negative consequences from happening in our lives and open the door to the blessings of the Lord. When we say “yes” to sin, we will reap the consequences God has laid out in His word, for our sins. God isn’t punishing us, per se, we are reaping what we sowed.

  I can assure you that there are times, the devil just attacks us for no good reason, except that he can. But sometimes, we invite his attention with the things we do and say. We don’t have to be afraid of the devil, but neither should we give him access in our lives.

  I trust that these past blogs have helped you to see that Satan really is your adversary. I hope you have also realized that you can help him hurt you, or you can stop him in his tracks! And no matter where you’ve been in the past on this issue, I trust that moving forward you have a made up mind to actively watch out for his activity, and to enforce his defeat in your life. Keep reading for weapons to defeat the devil. Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Choices, consequences, God, Satan, the devil | 0 Comments | Tagged Achan, Ananias and Sapphira, consequences, David, David and Bathsheba, Joshua, Lying, obedience, Sin, Spiritual warfare, the battle of Ai, the battle of Jericho, the devil, the devil made me do it

• Happy Are the People!

  Posted at 9:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on July 2, 2020

  Psalm 144:15 – “Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!” NKJV

  

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  Happy people are blessed people, and blessed people are happy people! I woke up with this passage of scripture on my heart and just thought I would share it!

  We are happy when our children are doing well! David wrote the following about children:

  • That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth! In today’s vernacular this means, that our sons are doing well. They are physically healthy, they are growing into fine young men. They are morally upright and are demonstrating a sense of responsibility.
  • That our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style. No figure heads for our daughters. But still applicable in the sense that we want daughters of grace and inner beauty. Young women who are confident, vibrant, and of course, morally upright and responsible.

  We are happy when we have money in the bank, the bills are paid, and we can enjoy life and giving:

  • That our barns may be full, supplying all kinds of produce.
  • That our sheep may bring forth thousands in our fields. Increase in our labors. Much fruit in our jobs!
  • That our oxen may be well laden;
  • That there be no breaking in our going out- I left all of these together because they speak of prosperity. Yes, prosperity. Our finances, our business, our homes, our possessions, growing, flourishing, and overflowing to the point of being a blessing to others. That they are protected from the thief and from waste.

  We are happy when we feel safe and secure where we live:

  • That there be no outcry in our streets. We are living in such a way, that there are no protests in the streets over injustice, lack, or unfair treatment. We can go back and forth in the city without fear of being hurt, harmed, or in danger!

  How can this be? David was praying that this would be the state of the people whose God is the Lord! When we are in the kingdom of God, we should expect that every area of our lives will be touched by His goodness, filled with His blessings! Our family, our livelihood, our cities! Nothing missing, nothing lacking! That’s actually what blessings are all about! And when we are blessed by God like this, aren’t we happy?

  Somebody is saying, just one area Lord, and I’ll be happy! That may be true, but trust Him to move in all areas; expand your heart to receive more from God! He’s not having an economic crisis, and He’s not rationing out blessings!

  I just thought I’d share what I woke up to! I pray blessings over your family, your home, your livelihood, your city, your country! As David did! So the next time someone say to you, “Be blessed,” think of all these ways in which David, and I prayed for you to be blessed! Because happy is the people whose God is the Lord! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in blessings, God’s Blessings | 1 Comment | Tagged Attitude, blessings, children, David, goodness, material blessings, provision, psalm

• Jesus, Son of David!

  Posted at 2:40 pm by wonderfuljesus8, on June 27, 2020

  Matthew 1:1 – “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” NKJV

  

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  Whenever I read the word of God I am amazed at how God sets things in order. Nothing happened, just because. It was all part of His plan for redeeming mankind, displaying His love, developing us as His own peculiar treasure, revealing Himself. Just amazing!

  Such was the case of each leader in the Old Testament. They not only were a part of the grand scheme of God, but they point us to Jesus! Abraham was a prophetic demonstration of God’s love for us as the one who would offer up His only Son for us, Jesus, the Seed of Abraham. Moses was a prophetic picture of Jesus, the deliverer. And King David revealed Jesus as King of kings. Let’s look at King David.

  Although, Abraham was before David, in the gospel of Matthew, Jesus is mentioned first as the Son of David, and then as the son of Abraham. That’s because the Jewish nation understood that the Son of David, was their title for the Messiah to come, and Matthew purposefully declares Jesus to be, the Son of David, and then gives His genealogy to prove it.

  This was intentional on Matthew’s part because he understood that Jewish people placed a high value on a person’s ancestry. We know this to be true because of the long records in the Pentateuch, which give us great details of who fathered whom. When Ezra reorganized the temple worship, the Jews had to prove their family tree with records and those who could not, of the tribe of Levi, were not allowed to serve as priests. So lineage was extremely important and this is why Matthew begins his account of the life of Jesus in this manner.

  In 2 Samuel 7:13, God said to David, “He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of His kingdom forever.” God established the Davidic covenant with these verses. He promised David that his seed would be the one that would have a forever kingdom. Several of the promises made to David at this time were in fact related to Solomon, heir to the throne. But verse 13, was in reference to the Messiah, Jesus, who was yet to come! The forever King!

  Luke confirms that Jesus, the Son of David, was indeed the one who would have a forever kingdom. In chapter 1, verses 32-33, we read- “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Many prophecies in the Old Testament foretold of a kingdom that would have no end. We know that to be true today, and we know it to be fulfilled in Jesus!

  There are two important ways that David and Jesus are mirrored. David was a shepherd. As a shepherd he cared for the sheep and protected them when necessary. Jesus, Himself, declared that He was, and is, the Good Shepherd and He refers to His people as His sheep. He takes care of us, protects us, and provides for us, just as David did with his sheep. They are both kings. David’s kingship ended with his death, but he is known to be Israel’s greatest king. His kingdom was taken by force, and he ruled as one who loved the Lord. Jesus’ kingdom is taken by force. He rules as one who is God. He has established a forever kingdom and it is still in operation. He is Jesus, King of kings. From His birth, when the wise men came looking for the King who was born, to His death on the cross, where they nailed a sign King of the Jews, to today, He has been king! And guess what, He will still be King when we leave here, and when we meet Him in heaven.

  The Old Testament tells us some very important things concerning the Messiah, the Son of David:

  • He would reign forever
  • He would rule over all the people of the earth
  • He would be both King and Priest
  • He would bring a new covenant
  • He would provide forgiveness of sins

  Jesus fulfilled all of this and so much more!

  In the New Testament, Jesus was referred to as the Son of David on several occasions:

  • Matthew 12:23- It was written, “Could this be the Son of David?” – After Jesus healed the man who was demon-possessed, and was both blind and mute
  • Matthew 15: 22- Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! – The Syro-Phoenician woman who wanted the crumbs from the under the table for her daughter’s healing cried to Jesus.
  • Matthew 20:30- “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David”- two blind men cried for their sight!
  • Matthew 21-15- “Hosanna to the Son of David!” – the children cried in the temple when they saw Jesus during His triumphant entry!
  • Matthew 22:42- Jesus asks the Pharisees how could David call his descendant, his Lord? They responded that he was the Son of David, basically the Messiah!

  Why did they call Jesus the Son of David after these miracles? Because the Old Testament references to the Messiah declared that the Messiah would open the eyes of the blind and unstop the ears of the deaf: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert.” Isaiah 35:5 NKJV

  There are so many wonderful truths about Jesus, the Son of David, and how their lives were mirror images, but can I share some that are dropped in my heart?

  David, was the first Old Testament person who had the Spirit of God with him always. Jesus also had the Spirit of God with Him always, although, without sin. David also brought in the realization of a personal relationship with God, and Jesus was and is the fulfillment of that personal relationship with God. David was a man who sought the face of God, and Jesus was always praying. David was a great servant-leader, and Jesus was a greater servant-leader. David cared deeply for his people, and Jesus demonstrated great compassion for His people. And the list can go on!

  I will return to my first observation in this post. God is so intentional. Every detail has been well thought out! As I have been working on this post and thinking about these things, it has caused me to realize that He didn’t stop being intentional after Jesus. He is still just as intentional in our lives. I can’t explain delays, or disappointments, or how they fit in the whole tapestry of life; but I am confident that He misses nothing, and He is working out His own plan; for my life, for your life, for the sake of the kingdom, for the return of Jesus! Wonderful, wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Jesus, King David, Messiah | 0 Comments | Tagged David, Healing, Holy Spirit, Jesus, king, Kingdom of God, Prayer, provision, Salvation, shepherd

• But Then God…!

  Posted at 9:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on May 19, 2020

  Psalm 34:19 – “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.” NKJV

  

  The word afflictions is translated from the Hebrew word, “ra” and can be used to mean adversity, calamity, distress, harm, hurt, misery, sorrow and trouble, to name a few. What type of evangelism experience would you have if you walked up to an unsaved person and said, “Hey! I want to tell you about all the trouble, the hurt, the misery, and sorrows you are going to go through as a believer”? You will be ineffective in your attempt to win that person to the Lord! No one wants to buy into trouble. But the wonderful thing about affliction, is that the Lord delivers us out of all of them!

  Jesus said it like this, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” In other words, we as Christians are inevitably going to experience some things, but the promise of God is that He has already overcome the world, and that includes its troubles!

  Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers; but then God gave Pharaoh a dream that only Joseph could interpret, and he was moved from the prison to second in command of Egypt. Moses’ mom had to put him in a basket in the Nile River because she couldn’t bear to see harm come to him; but then God had Pharaoh’s daughter find him, fall instantly in love with him, and she raised him as her own. The children of Israel were standing at the Red Sea, with the sea before them and the Egyptians behind them; but then God parted the sea, that they could walk over on dry land. And then God drowned the Egyptians in the sea! The children of Israel came to a place where there was no water; but then God told Moses to strike the rock and water gushed out to meet their needs.

  Job lost every thing he had except his wife and his life; but then God stepped in and blessed him with double for his trouble! The Hebrew boys were thrown in a furnace that was turned up seven times hotter; but then God stepped into the furnace and not a hair on their head was singed. Daniel was thrown in the lions’ den; but then God closed the mouths of the lions, and Daniel went to sleep. Jonah was swallowed by the large fish, but then God made the fish throw him up!

  Goliath had the Israelites shaking in their boots, but then God sent David to the camp and he killed Goliath! David was in the cave of Adullam seeking encouragement from the Lord, but then God sent him 400 men who became his mighty army! David was running from Saul for his life; but then God took care of his enemy, and gave him the kingdom.

  Five thousand people went to hear Jesus preach, and ended up staying so long they missed their dinner; but then God multiplied two loaves of bread and five fish, and fed them. Taxes came due, and Peter was concerned about how to pay them; but then God had a fish find a coin, and led that fish to Peter’s net. Saul was a persecutor of the church; but then God stopped him on his way to Damascus, and turned him into Paul the apostle. Jesus was crucified and hung on the cross; but then God raised Him from the dead, giving salvation to us all.

  You see, I can’t think of a single person who sees a trial and then shouts, “This is going to be a good one! Let me at it!” I know I don’t! But we should! The minute we see the devil prowling on the attack, we need to start looking for the “but then God” moments! It is in the midst of all of these troubles, trials, difficulties, hurts, sorrows and disappointments of life, that we see God stepping in on our behalf, bringing mighty miracles of deliverance! Andrea Crouch sang these words in a song, “If I didn’t have any problems, I wouldn’t know that God could solve them!” This is so true, and yet many of us struggle through our difficulties, barely able to believe that God could possibly loves us, since we are hurting so much! I want you to know He most certainly does!

  Am I saying that we should ask for, look for, or even desire afflictions? Absolutely not! My pastor likes to say, “You are either going through a trial, you just came out of a trial, or you are about to go in a trial!” Every time I hear it, I cringe! I don’t like trials! But I love the victories! I love the testimonies! I love the shouting and the dancing that follows every time! Guess what? You can’t have one without the other!

  This pandemic feels unreal! It’s hard to comprehend all that has happened in such a short period of time. In just a couple months there have been over 320,000 people who have died as a result of this virus, while almost 5 million have contracted it worldwide. That’s mind boggling! On top of that, millions are unemployed! Not what we were looking for in 2020! But I am confident, and I am so convinced, that there is going to be a “but then God” moment in the lives of all who can believe! Hopefully, even in the world!

  This is not panic time! It’s time to believe like never before! It’s time to trust in the faithfulness of God like you have read about in the examples above, even in God’s word! It is time to say, and continue to say, that this is a great time and place for a…but then God! Trials and tribulations that we will face may not be a wonderful place to start an evangelism opportunity, but it most certainly can be a wonderful place to end it! Whatever Satan has up his sleeve, hang in there for your “but then God”! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Deliverance, hard times, Victorious Living | 2 Comments | Tagged coronavirus, Daniel, David, Deliverance, encouragement, Faith, God, hard times, Hebrew boys, Jesus, Job, miraculous, Moses, protection, testimony, trust in God, Victorious Living, victory, witness

• A Prepared Table

  Posted at 9:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on May 14, 2020

  Psalm 23:5- “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…” NKJV

  

  Years ago, I was stationed in Italy, while in the Navy. I lived on base and I had my own room. In the room I had a set of bunk beds, a table, a couple chairs, and a refrigerator. I didn’t do a lot of cooking, but I had set my table, prepared at any moment to eat alone, or with a guest. After washing dishes, they would go back on the table and I would be ready once again. I’m not sure where I got that from, but I’ve always loved looking at a table that was set for company or a special meal.

  As I mentioned before, the 23rd psalm is a favorite of mine. I remember a few years ago that I was invited to God’s table, prepared just for me. Here’s how: I was in the midst of some challenging situations and I was spending hours in prayer to keep from walking in my flesh! As I would read the word and pray, I would always find myself hovering around this psalm. Then one night as I slept I had a dream!

  In the dream, I was driving down a street when I saw a man standing on the steps of a church. He began waving at me to come over. I stopped and walked to the church. As he ushered me in the church I realized that I was in a fellowship hall. There was a long beautifully set table. I was escorted to the table that had looked empty when I entered, but was now heavy laden with all types of bread, freshly baked bread. A chair was pulled out and I was invited to sit. It was just me at the table with all this bread. And I knew in my spirit that a table had been prepared for me. Peace flooded my soul and I woke up. Nothing had changed in the natural, but I had a peace that God had prepared a table for me and that He was pleased to my response to what was going on around me.

  God prepared a table for David and anointed him king. He was out in the field with the sheep and a banquet was going on to which he had not been invited. But they didn’t understand that the banquet was in his honor. God had sent Samuel for him, and as the banquet was being prepared no one knew it had been prepared for David.

  It is said that eating and drinking at someone’s table creates a bond of mutual loyalty and could be a culminating token of a covenant, as in the Passover meal that Jesus had with His disciples. It is also said, to be an invited guest of the Lord’s is to suggest that you are more than an acquaintance for a day for it is an invitation to dwell with Him. (Logos)

  David had been talking in metaphorical language about the Lord as his shepherd. Now he is referring to the Lord as his friend. It is an honor to have Jesus as your shepherd, for as such, He provides protection, provision, and healing. To have Him as your friend is an even better position. Friends share with one another, what they wouldn’t just share with everybody. Friends like just being together. Friends are hard to separate, hard to break apart. Friends can be closer and tighter than family. The Bible talks about a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Every one needs one!

  In that difficult season of my life when I was really going through, He invited me to sit at His table and enjoy fellowship with Him over bread. He is the Bread of Life, and bread represents life in dream symbols books. He also told us to pray “give us this day our daily bread”. And here I was at this challenging place in my life and I am being offered bread at a table that has been set, just for me by my Friend.

  Life isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always easy; but Jesus makes it worth the living. He knows what we need and how to provide it. I could not have articulated what I needed at that moment, but He visited with me in a dream that felt so real I smelled the fresh bread. It was as if He had taken leave from His seat by the Father and come for a visit. It was beautiful!

  I have had so many times in my life when I have had similar experiences with Jesus. I get David. His relationship wasn’t about doing stuff as much as it was about time with Jesus. This pandemic has put all of us in a place where we can develop our friendship with Jesus. We certainly have the time! It may start off feeling a little funny, or even a little forced, but the more you take the time to be with Him, He will make the time to be with you. This dream has been on my heart this week and I thought that I would share it with you. My prayer is that you are having these special times with Him already; but if you are not, then I pray that you will begin to pursue that relationship with Him. And one day, you will be invited to sit at the table that has already been prepared for you. Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Fellowship with God, Psalm 23 | 4 Comments | Tagged bread, David, encouragemnt, God, hard times, Jesus, love, Prayer, protection, provision, Psalm 23, word of God

• The Lord Is…!

  Posted at 4:11 pm by wonderfuljesus8, on May 12, 2020

  Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” KJV

  

  When our children were in elementary school, I would drive them to school. On the way we would recite the 23rd psalm, pray, and then “give Him some praise!” It was one of my favorite times of the day.

  I’ve come to love this psalm. There is rarely a day that it doesn’t cross my mind; especially when I retire for the night. It has been an encouragement to me on so many levels, at so many different times in my life, but there was a time when it made absolutely no sense to me.

  David wrote, “the Lord is my shepherd.” This statement helps us to see the deep and personal relationship that David had with the Lord. Long before it was established that we are to have a personal relationship with Him, David had discovered one. Every thing David mentions in this psalm flows from the truth that the Lord is his shepherd.

  David kept his father’s sheep, and as a shepherd he had personal insight to the life and heart of the shepherd. He was the protector of his sheep. One day a lion came to attack the sheep, and he lit into that lion and killed it. On a different occasion a bear showed up, and David took care of that bear for trying to take his sheep. So David was a true shepherd and understood the responsibility of shepherding his sheep. I believe that one evening he was thinking over his day and said, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

  Jesus mentioned that He was indeed the Shepherd, the true Shepherd, the Good Shepherd. And Jesus remarked that the shepherd gives His life for the sheep! David understood that truth! He would allow nothing and no one to mess with his sheep. He was their protector! And he was willing to give his life for them. Jesus was not only willing to give His life, He gave it!

  David also understood that he guided his sheep. His sheep followed him wherever he led them. They responded to his call and he knew them and the sheep knew him. Jesus also made this same reference to Himself as our shepherd. He said that His sheep knew His voice and would not follow the voice of a stranger conveying to us the intimate knowledge that He had of us and wanted us to have of Him. I have experienced His leading on numerous occasions. One day, in the midst of our district testing week, I was feeling really tired and wanted to give my students a break. I had it all planned out, but suddenly I heard in my Spirit that I needed to continue teaching, so I obeyed. Not five minutes later my principal came in and observed me. He was so impressed that I was still focused on teaching, but in reality, I had wanted a break! My Shepherd whispered to my heart and I listened! It was a powerful reminder of His concern and guidance in my life.

  David took care of his sheep. He made sure that the pastures he led them to eat from was filled with green grass and still waters to quench their hunger and their thirst. Jesus made note of the truth that any one who enters the sheepfold through Him would be saved and find pasture, a place of nourishment, of rest.

  So much is going on in this world today. It seemed as if our plates were full enough with “life” and then the pandemic struck. Now we have another thing to deal with. At first, it was no big deal for many to stay home to keep from getting the virus and spreading it. Now, some people are tired of being at home and can’t wait to get back to their “normal” lives. For some it will never be normal again, because they no longer have a husband, a wife, a mother, a father, a sister, a brother, a friend, an uncle, a daughter, or a son. And right now, having faith in a Shepherd who protects the sheep is a struggle. But He is a wonderful Shepherd and you will trust Him and continue to allow Him to be your Shepherd, you will again rejoice in Him!

  David had struggles. It is often remarked that David was the youngest and forgotten by his father and disliked by his brothers. I don’t know if it is true, but I do know that he wasn’t called to the dinner that Samuel attended until the Lord rejected all of Jesse’s other sons. David came in to dinner, was anointed king, and went back to the sheep and his brothers continued to give him a hard time. But that didn’t stop or hinder David, it allowed him much desired time with His shepherd!

  David said, “the Lord is my Shepherd” and because he was a shepherd he understood what that meant. I’m a teacher. The Lord is my teacher. I fully understand that concept of Him being my teacher. I know that He will stick with me until I get the lesson He needs me to comprehend. I understand that His heart is to help me to succeed and not to fail. I understand that when I struggle with a concept, He is there to guide me through the process and to bring me to a place of understanding and application. So in the midst of the struggles of life, I get that when I don’t understand it, my Teacher is available to me to help me understand it.

  Maybe that is a concept we should all think about. What is it that I am really skilled at? How is Jesus that to me? How can I see Him in me and in what I do daily? Because He is the great I Am, He’s not in a box and can only be discovered through a certain pair of lens. He was David’s shepherd. He is mine. He is yours! But in order to understand the Lord as your shepherd, maybe you need to understand Him in a way that brings it home for you. A carpenter can understand Him as the Master Builder, a nurse can understand Him as a Caregiver, while a comedian can understand Him as one who fills her heart with joy and laughter. I think you get the picture!

  Does that mean that as a shepherd David never had a down day? I don’t think so! But what David never did was lose sight of the truth that he was in good hands with His Shepherd. As are we! He will lead us through this stay at home time, and He will lead us through this pandemic, and He will lead us through life after the pandemic as long as He is Lord. Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Jesus, Our Shepherd, Psalm 23 | 4 Comments | Tagged David, encouragement, hard times, Jesus, Jesus as teacher, protection, provision, Psalm 23, trust in God

• Therefore I Have Hope!

  Posted at 9:00 am by wonderfuljesus8, on May 5, 2020

  Lamentations 3:21-23 – This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. NKJV

  

  Jeremiah the prophet is known as the “weeping” prophet. Israel had him in tears over their total disregard for the word of the Lord and him. They rejected him as a prophet, for he was constantly saying, “They will not listen!” He was beaten and put in the stocks, they put a death sentence on him, the king burned the scroll that had a prophecy from Jeremiah for him, and he was thrown in a mud pit and left to die. On top of all of that, they called him a liar. It was pretty tough going for Jeremiah. No wonder he cried! I would’ve been binding the devil and all of his attacks! Yet, Jeremiah was smack dab in the will of God going through some hard times. This was tough!

  There are times in the life of the believer, one who is fully committed to the work of God, sold out, focused, and running hot for the Master, when you can find yourself in some really tough situations, smack dab in the middle of God’s will. Especially pastors, leaders, prophets, and those in ministry who work hard to lead the body of Christ. It is often said that they are on the forefront and get the first attacks that come to the church. It can be a challenge! (This is a good time to stop and “say a little prayer” for your pastors and leaders!)

  I wish I could say it’s just them! It’s all who are committed to Christ, all who are new in Christ, all who identify with Christ…I think you get the picture. We can experience some tough days. Like Jeremiah! Like Jesus! Perspective at that time is really important. I like Jeremiah’s perspective.

  Jeremiah said he had to call some things to mind. When you are going through, as a believer, recalling some things to mind will be helpful, if you recall the right things. Jeremiah tells us what he called to mind. First, he remembered that through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed. In the Living Bible, this verse is translated, “It is only the Lord’s mercies that have kept us from complete destruction.” Jeremiah may have been lamenting, but he understood that because of God’s mercies, he was not destroyed. That was the goal of the people he was sent to, but God kept him! And God’s mercies are available to us! Things may seem bad, they may seem hard, but He will is keeping you!

  Jeremiah recalled that God’s compassion never fails! That’s a spectacular record. God’s compassion for us, never fails. He just keeps on giving and giving and giving a love that has no end. With all that Jeremiah experienced, he was still able to say that God’s compassion was available to him. Through all of his difficulties, through the loneliness of being a rejected prophet, through the hurt of knowing he was in God’s will and yet he was going through these challenges, he understood that God’s compassion would not fail him.

  Jeremiah recalled that His mercies are new every morning! A brand new mercy for every day. He didn’t have to rely on what God gave him yesterday because God’s mercies were available to him every day, and they were new mercies. God’s love for His people just keep manifesting in all kinds of ways to meet all kinds of needs. If it wasn’t for that truth…But Jeremiah called to mind, remembered, God’s mercies were new. When they called him a liar, God had a mercy available to endure it. When they beat him up, he needed a different kind of mercy, and God provided it. When they put a hit on his life, God showed up with another mercy. Whenever he needed it, God had mercy ready for distribution.

  And Jeremiah recalled to mind, that great is His faithfulness!! How could God be considered faithful through so many difficulties? How could God be faithful through so much hurt? How could God be faithful when nothing went right, ever??? I tell you how… Jeremiah’s faith in God wasn’t predicated on what he was experiencing but on who He was believing. He didn’t like what he was experiencing, but he understood that God’s faithfulness to His people, was great! Moses said that not one word had failed from all that God had promised the children of Israel! David said that God’s mercy reaches the heavens and His faithfulness reaches to the clouds! And another time David said that he would sing of the mercies of the Lord forever and with his mouth he would make known His faithfulness!

  And so as he called these things to mind, it caused him to have hope! It caused him to see past the challenges of his life, to hope in His God! It caused him to see past the mud pit to His faithful God, and His ability to deliver Him, to protect Him, to keep him. He had hope in the God who was full of compassion that never fails, who has new mercies every day, and who never allowed his destruction!

  Did you know that if you are a believer, a Christian, you have the same God as Jeremiah? Of course you did! And since you know that, you know that whatever you are currently experiencing, what ever you have experienced, whatever you will experience, that you can’t focus on those things! No! You have to do like Jeremiah in order to experience the hope that he experienced…recall the faithfulness of God, remember His unfailing love towards you, hold fast to His new mercies! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in God’s faithfulness, hard times, Hope in God, Victorious Living | 0 Comments | Tagged Attitude, Believer, David, encouragement, Faith, hard times, hope, Jeremiah, Lamentations, trust in God, Victorious Living, victory

• A Place of Refuge!

  Posted at 3:05 am by wonderfuljesus8, on May 2, 2020

  1 Samuel 22:1-2 -David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. NKJV

  

  I’ve been reading through the Old Testament and am currently ending Chronicles. I find that I am always amazed at David and his warriors. Those of us familiar with the scriptures know all about David and Goliath! I get excited when David tells King Saul that he had already killed the lion and the bear, so facing this giant would be just like facing them. When David confronts Goliath and tells him that he’s going to cut off his head and give the bodies of the Philistines to the birds of the air, whew! He is the Alpha male type that romance novels, suspense thrillers, war movies are written about. And yet, one day David realized that King Saul was after his life and he ran to the cave of Adullam.

  David ended up in the cave of Adullam. If you look at the picture that I found on Pinterest you can see it wasn’t a comfortable place to find oneself. As people heard about his whereabouts, they went to David. His brothers who had taunted him at the battle against Goliath and ignored him when he was watching the sheep, along with all of his father’s household went to David. Men who were in distress, in debt, and discontented went to him. And he became captain over them.

  How would you like to start a team, a ministry, or anything with a group of people who are distressed, in debt, and discontented? Can you imagine all of the attitudes you would have to deal with? Can you just see that David had his own issues, and now everyone with an issue is coming to him? It’s a recipe for disaster, yet David turned it into a recipe for success!

  Hurting people don’t all look the same. Some are hurting and because they are so miserable in their lives, they want everyone else to hurt, so they hurt others. Then there are those hurting people who have been abused and when they find someone to see their value, they can forgive, release the hurt, and grow to their fullest potential. Then there are the hurting people who wallow in their hurts, lock themselves away, and they just give up on living altogether, they are in a perpetual pity party. These men who came to David distressed (worried, dealing with great sorrow or great pain); in debt (owing everyone, having nothing to call their own); and discontented (unhappy, not satisfied with life or the way things were going) all showed up in the cave of Adullam, looking for refuge. A weaker person would have rent his garments, put ashes on his forehead and fell on his face, but not David.

  I’ve been watching the documentary of the Bulls, “The Last Dance”. We all know that Jordan was a special player and at first they tried to make the Bulls a one man show with Michael. Then Phil Jackson comes along and teaches Michael and the others about being on a team. Once Michael got the concept down, got over having a need to be the “star” all the time, he began working with his teammates, along with Phil Jackson, to help them to be the best players they could be. The Chicago Bulls went on to win six NBA championships! There’s is something about leaders who know how to develop their people. (A later blog!)

  In the place of refuge people are seeking safety from being pursued, from danger, or from trouble. That certainly qualified for David! David was on the run for his life because of the anointing and call from God. He was smart enough to know his safety wasn’t in a locale, but in the Presence of the Lord. He wrote Psalm 142 in the cave and he penned that he cried out to the Lord who was his refuge. In another psalm David wrote that the Lord was his saving refuge. In yet another psalm he wrote that the Lord was his rock of refuge. David had already been anointed king, he had already killed the giant, he had already killed his “ten thousands” and now he’s in a cave running from Saul. And yet David did what he had done when he was watching those sheep, he went to God and found refuge in Him.

  Then the people began to come to David. Those who were worried about their future with a king who was more bent on killing David then killing the Philistines found a captain who was secure in what God had promised and was able to help them to trust that things were going to work out. Those who were in debt were promised lands and great fortune as they conquered their enemies and took back what the devil had stolen from them. And those who were discontented found something “big” to be a part, something that they could do to help David, their country, and themselves. They saw their king in the place of refuge and pledged their allegiance to him.

  If you are in a stay at home situation, you are in a place of refuge. It is not a comfortable place to be. I don’t know about you, but there are some things I really miss; going to church, going out to eat, spending time with my other family members, and I’ll possibly miss my scheduled vacation! I get it! Things like this may cause you to feel distressed, not working could be putting you in more debt, and all of it can cause you to feel discontented with your current situation, but it doesn’t have to get the best of you. Not only are there others just like you, as it was with David, but God is with you, with us through it all! You don’t have to stay the way that you are. NO! You have a captain! His name is Jesus! And He is your refuge, your help in the times of trouble. Don’t spend your time in the cave wallowing in self pity, wasting time, and giving up. Get with your captain and let Him bring healing to your hurts, hope for the future, prosperity for tomorrow. He is more than able. He’s a great leader and have led so many others to victory. I can tell you that I am personally embarrassed over the joy I am experiencing! My heart is so filled with peace, while at the same time it hurts for the loss of so many lives and even livelihoods. But I am dwelling in the truth of Psalm 91!

  When we leave the cave of Adullam, we will once again be that warrior, that conqueror, that more than a conqueror that we were before the cave. Some of us are still waging war, as David did from the cave, on our enemy! He hates those of us who are using this time to pray more, to spend more time in the word, to be strengthened by our pastors and others in the body! We will be even better, after this! Continue to allow Him to train you to stand, to fight, to win, to keep your enemy forever running from you while you are in the cave. No matter how long we are at home, it won’t be long. It shall pass! And when the church, the Bride of Christ comes out of the cave, we are going to be a mighty army for the Lord! If we trust Him to be our refuge!Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in hard times, protection, trust in God, Victorious Living | 0 Comments | Tagged Attitude, coronavirus, David, debt, discontent, distress, encouragement, Forgiveness, God, hard times, Healing, Health, Prayer, protection, provision, trust in God, Victorious Living, victory

• His Ardent Desire!

  Posted at 3:50 am by wonderfuljesus8, on March 1, 2020

  Psalm 27:13 – I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. NIV

  In the church we have a saying, actually an echo: “The Lord is good, all the time! And all the time, the Lord is good!” Some of us have even taken to saying, “The Lord is good on purpose, and the Lord is good to me!” At least, that’s what I have begun to say!

  David had the right attitude about God! He wasn’t waiting for the time that he would die and be with God to experience God’s goodness! He was confident that God’s goodness would be a reality in his life on the earth. As a matter of fact, he said he would have given up on life if he couldn’t expect the goodness of God to be a part of his life. That’s’ how good God was to Him!

  David was so conscious of the goodness of God that he said that God’s goodness would follow him all the days of his life. (Psalm 23)! He knew that God’s goodness went far beyond a statement or a cliche. In Psalm 33, David stated that the earth was full of the goodness of the Lord and His goodness endures forever (Psalm 52). He not only knew of God’s personal goodness to Him, but he simply believed that God was just plain ole good to everybody and that He would never stop being good!

  So what is God’s goodness? God’s goodness is His mercy, His favor, or His kindness extended to us. The Hebrew word “chacad” literally means to “bow from the neck only in courtesy to an equal”. This renders the picture of God nodding in our direction, His favor, as if we are somehow on His level! Just His nodding in our favor is enough! And in the Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon it also is noted to have a meaning of being “an eager and ardent desire by which any one is led”. So not only is God’s goodness His nod in our direction, but His heart is one of eagerness and of an ardent (passionate) desire that leads Him in how He deals with us!

  We are so unaware of just how much God wants to bestow His goodness in our lives. We go through this life thinking that anything good that happens to us is miraculous or unexpected, but we serve an amazing God who loves us and passionately desires to favor us. Can you imagine that? All of our lives we may have been taught that we have to be good, read the Bible, beg God for things, or hope for the best in life, when David discovered long ago that God’s ardent desire is to nod towards us! It’s simply how He flows!

  Tonight as I am writing this blog, I have gotten excited myself. I know of God’s favor and have experienced it a lot in my life. Some call me blessed, some call me lucky, but God the Father favors me in ways that only He can fathom. And even in that, I can easily forget how willing He is to nod towards me.

  On our wedding day, it rained cats and dogs. But God gently told me that is was just symbolic of how He would bless our marriage. And after 33 years of marriage, there is no denying that He followed through. I had to quit college for a lack of funds and it nearly broke my heart, but He spoke to me and said that I would have several degrees, and I do. He worked it out! I was upset one day because I felt like I was working hard, but I wasn’t getting a lot of money for my effort. He spoke to me and said, your check will become your tithe. And that has happened, and more than that!

  But He isn’t just good to me. He’s good to us all. Every day is a day He favors us. He wakes us in our right mind, He keeps watch over us in the night, He protects us so much we take our safety for granted, and He provides for us so well, we think we are doing it. He is passionate with His goodness to mankind, but more especially to His people. So today, or tomorrow (depending on when you read this blog), remember to thank Him for His goodness and then begin to live like you know the King of kings has nodded in your direction and the blessings are going to flow in your life like never before! He’s good on purpose and He is good to you! Wonderful Jesus!

  Posted in Believers, Christian, God’s Blessings, Psalm 27:13 | 4 Comments | Tagged Believer, blessings, David, encouragemnt, God’s goodness, Psalm 27:13, testimony

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