Pulling down of the Strongholds of Swift Feet

Comparing Proverbs 6:16-19 with Matthew 5:3-12

I.  Now that you have devised evil imaginations you need swift feet to put your plans into action.  The evil person wants their plans to be fulfilled as quickly as possible.  How do those with swift feet act?

Proverbs 6:16-19

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ¹⁶ There are six things the Lord hates—
      no, seven things he detests:
 ¹⁷ haughty eyes,
      a lying tongue,
      hands that kill the innocent,
 ¹⁸ a heart that plots evil,
      feet that race to do wrong,
 ¹⁹ a false witness who pours out lies,
      a person who sows discord in a family.

**********

Matthew 5:3-12

New Living Translation (NLT)

³ “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,^[a]
      for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
    ⁴ God blesses those who mourn,
      for they will be comforted.
    ⁵ God blesses those who are humble,
      for they will inherit the whole earth.
    ⁶ God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,^[b]
      for they will be satisfied.
    ⁷ God blesses those who are merciful,
      for they will be shown mercy.
    ⁸ God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
      for they will see God.
    ⁹ God blesses those who work for peace,
      for they will be called the children of God.
   ¹⁰ God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
      for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. ¹¹ “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you^[c] and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. ¹² Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

 Proverbs 6:18b
"feet that be swift in running to mischief"


Isaiah 59:7
⁷ Their feet run to do evil,
      and they rush to commit murder.
   They think only about sinning.
      Misery and destruction always follow them.

A.  These become busybodies peddling their influence and weaving their webs, tempting others to sin (misery loves company) and breaking God's Law.

2 Thessalonians 3:11

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ¹¹ Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business.

1 Timothy 5:11-13

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ¹¹ The younger widows should not be on the list, because their physical desires will overpower their devotion to Christ and they will want to remarry. ¹² Then they would be guilty of breaking their previous pledge. ¹³ And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t.

1 Peter 4:15

¹⁵ If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs.

Proverbs 5:3-5
³ For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey,
      and her mouth is smoother than oil.
 ⁴ But in the end she is as bitter as poison,
      as dangerous as a double-edged sword.
 ⁵ Her feet go down to death;
      her steps lead straight to the grave.^[a]

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 5:5 Hebrew to Sheol.

II.  How are you feet?

    A. Cleansed?

1 John 1:9

1 John 1:9 NLT

⁹ But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 

    B.  Beautiful?

Romans 10:14-15

 ¹⁴ But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? ¹⁵ And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”^[a]

  C.  Prepared?

Ephesians 6:15
¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

   D.  Obedient?
Genesis 13:17

¹⁷ Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.”

Matthew 5:5
⁵ God blesses those who are humble,
      for they will inherit the whole earth.

A.  Feet that run to mischief are all about uncontrolled power and as such surely the opposite of meekness with is strength under control 

More to come (to be continued)..

Wednesday, December 28, 2011 - Remember God

11:30 am Prayer /Devotion

2:00 pm. Life Time - Cardio/ Upper Body

December 28, 2011 Remember Samantha Reed

"Remember, LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old." Psalm 25:6 (NIV)

I sometimes struggle to see how God's Word applies to me and my life. You see, I've been waiting a long, long time. For a walk down "the" aisle. For a cradle and arms full of soft cooing. For hearts of loved ones to fully turn to Jesus. For manna to rain from heaven.

The funny thing about waiting is it can be all-consuming. It inhales my attention, chews my focus and swallows my thoughts, leaving me in a place of uncertainty and doubt. I forget God's power to fulfill my hopes for a husband, children and prayers answered. Its then, when I can't see how He's going to bring these things to pass, I have to rely on His faithfulness in the past.

Remembering God's faithfulness in other's lives in Scripture, reminds us of His faithfulness in our own.

When the waters rise, you've waited long for rescue and you feel God's forgotten, remember... Genesis 8:1*: But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.

When dust and debris threaten to replace passions, dreams and callings and you feel God's forgotten, remember... Genesis 9:15: I will remember my covenant between me and you.

When the pitter-patter of little feet is silent and you feel God's forgotten, remember... Genesis 30:22: Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive.

When fear, worry, doubt and anxiety enslave and you feel God's forgotten, remember... Exodus 2:23a, 24a, 25b: During that long period...The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out...God heard their groaning and he remembered... and was concerned about them.

When you can't sleep and restlessness sets in, remember... Psalm 63:6-7: On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

When guilt consumes and you fear God will never forget your sins, remember... Isaiah 43:25: I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

When all hope is lost, remember... Luke 24:6a-7: He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you...'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'

When your marriage comes back from the brink of despair, remember... Deuteronomy 8:2: Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness.

When dreams come true and you're thriving in your calling, remember... 1 Chronicles 16:12a, 15: Remember the wonders he has done... He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations...

Recalling these accounts in Scripture helps me remember His goodness in my own life. When I can't see how He is moving on my behalf, I choose to remember that He promises to be just as present and faithful to me and you today as He was for others in the past.

When joy surrounds. When sorrow clobbers. When all's right in our world. When the bottom drops out. When we feel loved and cherished. When we feel abandoned and alone, let'sremember... They remembered that God was their Rock, that God Most High was their Redeemer. (Psalm 78:35)

Dear Lord, Your love and Your grace never fail. Please help me remember this today and always. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Have you met this God who is always faithful?

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp

Share God's faithfulness to those in need by supporting a child through Compassion International.

Application Steps:
Remember times God has been faithful to you. Recount those out loud today.

Focus on the everyday miracles that remind us of God's faithfulness like waking up and breathing.

Reflections:
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou for ever will be
Great is thy faithfulness, Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed thy hand hath provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me. ~Thomas Chisolm

Power Verses:
Psalm 143:5, "I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done." (NIV)

Jeremiah 31:34b, "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." (ESV)

*All verses NIV

Scriptures regarding Gossipers and Forgiveness

Gossip and Forgiveness

Dec. 21st, 2011 | 05:20 pm

Scriptures with forgiveness and Gossipers

Romans 1:26-32 - Gossipers
26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.
28 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done.
29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip.
30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. 31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. 32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

Leviticus 19:16-18 NLT - Do not spread gossip
16 “Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people.[a]
“Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened. I am the Lord.
17 “Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives.[b] Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin.
18 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
Footnotes:
Leviticus 19:16 Hebrew Do not act as a merchant toward your own people.
Leviticus 19:17 Hebrew for your brother.

Psalm 119:76-86 NLT
76 Now let your unfailing love comfort me,
just as you promised me, your servant.
77 Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,
for your instructions are my delight.
78 Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me;
meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.
79 Let me be united with all who fear you,
with those who know your laws.
80 May I be blameless in keeping your decrees;
then I will never be ashamed.
Kaph
81 I am worn out waiting for your rescue,
but I have put my hope in your word.
82 My eyes are straining to see your promises come true.
When will you comfort me?
83 I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke,
but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees.
84 How long must I wait?
When will you punish those who persecute me?
85 These arrogant people who hate your instructions
have dug deep pits to trap me.
86 All your commands are trustworthy.
Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause.

Psalm 55:12-23 When your close friend is your enemy
12 It is not an enemy who taunts me—
I could bear that.
It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—
I could have hidden from them.
13 Instead, it is you—my equal,
my companion and close friend.
14 What good fellowship we once enjoyed
as we walked together to the house of God.
15 Let death stalk my enemies;
let the grave[a] swallow them alive,
for evil makes its home within them.
16 But I will call on God,
and the Lord will rescue me.
17 Morning, noon, and night
I cry out in my distress,
and the Lord hears my voice.
18 He ransoms me and keeps me safe
from the battle waged against me,
though many still oppose me.
19 God, who has ruled forever,
will hear me and humble them.
Interlude
For my enemies refuse to change their ways;
they do not fear God.
20 As for my companion, he betrayed his friends;
he broke his promises.
21 His words are as smooth as butter,
but in his heart is war.
His words are as soothing as lotion,
but underneath are daggers!
22 Give your burdens to the Lord,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
23 But you, O God, will send the wicked
down to the pit of destruction.
Murderers and liars will die young,
but I am trusting you to save me.
Footnotes:
Psalm 55:15 Hebrew let Sheol.

Colossians 3:13-15 Forgiveness
Colossians 3:13-15 -NLT
13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Psalm 119:69-87
New Living Translation (NLT)

69 Arrogant people smear me with lies,
but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are dull and stupid,
but I delight in your instructions.
71 My suffering was good for me,
for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.
72 Your instructions are more valuable to me
than millions in gold and silver.
Yodh
73 You made me; you created me.
Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
74 May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,
for I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair;
you disciplined me because I needed it.
76 Now let your unfailing love comfort me,
just as you promised me, your servant.
77 Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,
for your instructions are my delight.
78 Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me;
meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.
79 Let me be united with all who fear you,
with those who know your laws.
80 May I be blameless in keeping your decrees;
then I will never be ashamed.
Kaph
81 I am worn out waiting for your rescue,
but I have put my hope in your word.
82 My eyes are straining to see your promises come true.
When will you comfort me?
83 I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke,
but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees.
84 How long must I wait?
When will you punish those who persecute me?
85 These arrogant people who hate your instructions
have dug deep pits to trap me.
86 All your commands are trustworthy.
Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause.
87 They almost finished me off,
but I refused to abandon your commandments.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011 - Between the Promise & the Promise Land

December 27, 2011 Between the Promise and the Promised Land Glynnis Whitwer

"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands." Deuteronomy 8:2 (NIV)

"If you follow this plan, you will lose weight!" I loved reading that promise. I wanted to lose weight and the program made it so sound simple. All I had to do was follow a plan. At the end of the plan was a thinner, healthier me. My "promised land" awaited.

When I read the plan, my confidence shook a bit. But still, the promised land sounded so good. So I started out carefully following the plan that first week, and saw some great results on the scale.

But the next week, I started missing crackers. So I snuck a few. The promise still sounded great, but the plan was harder than I thought. Could I make it from the promise to the promised land? I wasn't sure.

My struggle reminded me of a story in the Bible about another journey from a promise to a promised land. In Genesis, God promised Abraham (known as Abram at this time) that a great nation would descend from him, and they would have a place of their own ... the "Promised Land" (Gen. 12:1-4).

So Abraham gathered up his family and possessions and traveled to this wonderful land. He arrived in Canaan and for the most part lived happily ever after, dying at the age of 175 after seeing God's promises fulfilled.

If that were the end of the story, this message would be wrapped up in a pretty bow. If only all promises were so easily achieved.

Sadly, not all of Abraham's descendants enjoyed the same long life in the Promised Land. Due to a famine, God's people left Canaan for Egypt and there the story takes a dramatic turn with their enslavement for 400 years.

But they never forgot God's promise of a home of their own. I imagine they held on to that promise during days of back-breaking work and persecution. So when God set them free from slavery through Moses, they must have been ecstatic! Finally, the fulfillment of God's promise!

If I were them, I would have expected to be whisked right into that wonderful piece of land after suffering for so long. Instead they ended up in a desert. For 40 years. And that's where our story sits for a while. In the desert. Wondering what happened to God's promise.

I've been there before ... in that desert. It's the place where it's not so fun to obey any more. The healthy eating plan gets hard. Parenting a willful child is frustrating. Writing that tithe check makes me cringe with worry. Forgiving someone who has betrayed me just "feels" wrong.

I'd much rather move through the desert ... quickly ... and get on to the good stuff.

In my times in the desert, I've found myself harboring bitterness, doubt, complaining and pouting. Here's what those responses get me: more time in the desert. That's what happened to the Israelites too. In fact, they complained so much, God forbade that whole grumbling generation from entering the Promised Land.

But I've also discovered the desert of waiting can be a fruitful place. Our key verse shows us that God used the desert time to test His followers' hearts. This wasn't to be a time of empty suffering. It was a time to demonstrate trust and obedience.

When we look at it that way, the desert can be a place of personal growth. But, this only happens when I choose to trust that God will fulfill His promises in His perfect way and time. The fruit of that choice is patience, discipline, obedience, an increased alertness to God's involvement in my life, and a deeper dependence upon Him.

God gave the Israelites their Promised Land through a miraculous conquering of the city. But between the promise and the Promised Land there was a desert - for them and us. And that desert is fertile ground. The decision we all have to make is whether we will grow in faith and character, or negativity.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness - to Your followers of old and to me. Thank You for always keeping your promises. Forgive me times when I have doubted You. I want to have faithful patience and a gracious spirit during times in the desert. Please help me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis' blog where she shares a list of God's promises to rely on during your desert times.

I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us!

Application Steps:
Identify a promise from God's Word to memorize and hold on to during your own time in the desert. Visit Glynnis' blog for some ideas.

Reflections:
Why is it difficult to trust that God will keep His promises?

What do I struggle most with when I'm waiting on God?

Power Verses:
Romans 4:20-21, "Yet he (Abraham) did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised." (NIV)

© 2011 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org

Tuesday, December 27, 2011 - Forgiveness, Have Genuine Affection

Vacation is wonderful!  Thank you Lord!  Its good to study and meditate on your word and your goodness.
Woke up at 9:30 a.m. and studied the Daily Encouragement..it talked about while you are waiting on your deliverance on your promise from God..what do you do?  Your obedience and faith can and will be tested through this time..take that time as a time of spiritual growth..its not just wasted time..grow while you wait.

Next, I was looking for scriptures regarding gossipers..I have a book of called "Bible Answers For Every Need"..instead I stumble across scriptures regarding forgiveness and other topics.. I will list a few

9:30 Study, Prayer
1:00 p.m. - LifeTime - Cardio /Weights

Regarding Forgiveness

Ephesians 4:32

New International Version (NIV)

³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 

Matthew 5:44

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:43-45 (in Context) Matthew 5 (Whole Chapter)  

Romans 12:14
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Romans 12:13-15 (in Context) Romans 12 (Whole Chapter)
 

This is regarding Judgment

Luke 12:2

New Living Translation (NLT)

² The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.

 

Regarding The Joy of the Lord

 

 Galatians 5:22

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

 

Regarding a Living Sacrifice to God 

 

ROMANS 12:9-21 

⁹ Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. ¹⁰ Love each other with genuine affection,^[e] and take delight in honoring each other. ¹¹ Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.^{[f] 12} Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. ¹³ When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
 ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. ¹⁵ Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
 ¹⁷ Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. ¹⁸ Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
 ¹⁹ Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
   “I will take revenge;
      I will pay them back,”^[g]
      says the Lord.
 ²⁰ Instead,
   “If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
      If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
   In doing this, you will heap
      burning coals of shame on their heads.”^[h]
 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Whoa!  This is good stuff.. I can continue on forever with this
Going to the gym 11:52 a.m.

Thursday, December 22, 2011 - David protects Saul again; Saul dies;

8:30 a.m. Prayer, Devotion
9:15 a.m. Cardio / Lower Weights
7:00 p.m. Zumba

May 21 "One Year Bible"

1 Samuel 29:1-31:13; John 11:55-12:19; Psalm 118:1-18; Proverbs 15:24-26;

1 Samuel 29-31:13

New Living Translation (NLT)

1 Samuel 29

The Philistines Reject David

 ¹ The entire Philistine army now mobilized at Aphek, and the Israelites camped at the spring in Jezreel. ² As the Philistine rulers were leading out their troops in groups of hundreds and thousands, David and his men marched at the rear with King Achish. ³ But the Philistine commanders demanded, “What are these Hebrews doing here?”   And Achish told them, “This is David, the servant of King Saul of Israel. He’s been with me for years, and I’ve never found a single fault in him from the day he arrived until today.”
 ⁴ But the Philistine commanders were angry. “Send him back to the town you’ve given him!” they demanded. “He can’t go into the battle with us. What if he turns against us in battle and becomes our adversary? Is there any better way for him to reconcile himself with his master than by handing our heads over to him? ⁵ Isn’t this the same David about whom the women of Israel sing in their dances,
   ‘Saul has killed his thousands,
      and David his ten thousands’?”
 ⁶ So Achish finally summoned David and said to him, “I swear by the Lord that you have been a trustworthy ally. I think you should go with me into battle, for I’ve never found a single flaw in you from the day you arrived until today. But the other Philistine rulers won’t hear of it. ⁷ Please don’t upset them, but go back quietly.”
 ⁸ “What have I done to deserve this treatment?” David demanded. “What have you ever found in your servant, that I can’t go and fight the enemies of my lord the king?”
 ⁹ But Achish insisted, “As far as I’m concerned, you’re as perfect as an angel of God. But the Philistine commanders are afraid to have you with them in the battle. ¹⁰ Now get up early in the morning, and leave with your men as soon as it gets light.”
 ¹¹ So David and his men headed back into the land of the Philistines, while the Philistine army went on to Jezreel.

1 Samuel 30

David Destroys the Amalekites

 ¹ Three days later, when David and his men arrived home at their town of Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had made a raid into the Negev and Ziklag; they had crushed Ziklag and burned it to the ground. ² They had carried off the women and children and everyone else but without killing anyone. ³ When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families, ⁴ they wept until they could weep no more. ⁵ David’s two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel, were among those captured. ⁶ David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.
 ⁷ Then he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring me the ephod!” So Abiathar brought it. ⁸ Then David asked the Lord, “Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?”
   And the Lord told him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!”
 ⁹ So David and his 600 men set out, and they came to the brook Besor. ¹⁰ But 200 of the men were too exhausted to cross the brook, so David continued the pursuit with 400 men.
 ¹¹ Along the way they found an Egyptian man in a field and brought him to David. They gave him some bread to eat and water to drink. ¹² They also gave him part of a fig cake and two clusters of raisins, for he hadn’t had anything to eat or drink for three days and nights. Before long his strength returned.
 ¹³ “To whom do you belong, and where do you come from?” David asked him.
   “I am an Egyptian—the slave of an Amalekite,” he replied. “My master abandoned me three days ago because I was sick. ¹⁴ We were on our way back from raiding the Kerethites in the Negev, the territory of Judah, and the land of Caleb, and we had just burned Ziklag.”
 ¹⁵ “Will you lead me to this band of raiders?” David asked.
   The young man replied, “If you take an oath in God’s name that you will not kill me or give me back to my master, then I will guide you to them.”
 ¹⁶ So he led David to them, and they found the Amalekites spread out across the fields, eating and drinking and dancing with joy because of the vast amount of plunder they had taken from the Philistines and the land of Judah. ¹⁷ David and his men rushed in among them and slaughtered them throughout that night and the entire next day until evening. None of the Amalekites escaped except 400 young men who fled on camels. ¹⁸ David got back everything the Amalekites had taken, and he rescued his two wives. ¹⁹ Nothing was missing: small or great, son or daughter, nor anything else that had been taken. David brought everything back. ²⁰ He also recovered all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock. “This plunder belongs to David!” they said.
 ²¹ Then David returned to the brook Besor and met up with the 200 men who had been left behind because they were too exhausted to go with him. They went out to meet David and his men, and David greeted them joyfully. ²² But some evil troublemakers among David’s men said, “They didn’t go with us, so they can’t have any of the plunder we recovered. Give them their wives and children, and tell them to be gone.”
 ²³ But David said, “No, my brothers! Don’t be selfish with what the Lord has given us. He has kept us safe and helped us defeat the band of raiders that attacked us. ²⁴ Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike—those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.” ²⁵ From then on David made this a decree and regulation for Israel, and it is still followed today.
 ²⁶ When he arrived at Ziklag, David sent part of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends. “Here is a present for you, taken from the Lord’s enemies,” he said.
 ²⁷ The gifts were sent to the people of the following towns David had visited: Bethel, Ramoth-negev, Jattir, ²⁸ Aroer, Siphmoth, Eshtemoa, ²⁹ Racal,^[a] the towns of the Jerahmeelites, the towns of the Kenites, ³⁰ Hormah, Bor-ashan, Athach, ³¹ Hebron, and all the other places David and his men had visited.

1 Samuel 31

The Death of Saul

 ¹ Now the Philistines attacked Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them. Many were slaughtered on the slopes of Mount Gilboa. ² The Philistines closed in on Saul and his sons, and they killed three of his sons—Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malkishua. ³ The fighting grew very fierce around Saul, and the Philistine archers caught up with him and wounded him severely. ⁴ Saul groaned to his armor bearer, “Take your sword and kill me before these pagan Philistines come to run me through and taunt and torture me.”
   But his armor bearer was afraid and would not do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. ⁵ When his armor bearer realized that Saul was dead, he fell on his own sword and died beside the king. ⁶ So Saul, his three sons, his armor bearer, and his troops all died together that same day.
 ⁷ When the Israelites on the other side of the Jezreel Valley and beyond the Jordan saw that the Israelite army had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their towns and fled. So the Philistines moved in and occupied their towns.
 ⁸ The next day, when the Philistines went out to strip the dead, they found the bodies of Saul and his three sons on Mount Gilboa. ⁹ So they cut off Saul’s head and stripped off his armor. Then they proclaimed the good news of Saul’s death in their pagan temple and to the people throughout the land of Philistia. ¹⁰ They placed his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths, and they fastened his body to the wall of the city of Beth-shan.
 ¹¹ But when the people of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, ¹² all their mighty warriors traveled through the night to Beth-shan and took the bodies of Saul and his sons down from the wall. They brought them to Jabesh, where they burned the bodies. ¹³ Then they took their bones and buried them beneath the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted for seven days.

Footnotes:

1. 1 Samuel 30:29 Greek version reads Carmel.

John 11:55-12:19

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ⁵⁵ It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began. ⁵⁶ They kept looking for Jesus, but as they stood around in the Temple, they said to each other, “What do you think? He won’t come for Passover, will he?” ⁵⁷ Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly ordered that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they could arrest him.

John 12

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

 ¹ Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. ² A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate^[a] with him. ³ Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar^[b] of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. ⁴ But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, ⁵ “That perfume was worth a year’s wages.^[c] It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” ⁶ Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.
 ⁷ Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. ⁸ You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
 ⁹ When all the people^[d] heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. ¹⁰ Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, ¹¹ for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them^[e] and believed in Jesus.

Jesus’ Triumphant Entry

 ¹² The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors ¹³ took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted,    “Praise God!^[f]
   Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
   Hail to the King of Israel!”^[g]
 14 Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said:
 ¹⁵ “Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem.^[h]
   Look, your King is coming,
      riding on a donkey’s colt.”^[i]
 16 His disciples didn’t understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him.
 ¹⁷ Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others^[j] about it. ¹⁸ That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. ¹⁹ Then the Pharisees said to each other, “There’s nothing we can do. Look, everyone^[k] has gone after him!”

Footnotes:

1. John 12:2 Or who reclined.
2. John 12:3 Greek took 1 litra [327 grams].
3. John 12:5 Greek worth 300 denarii. A denarius was equivalent to a laborer’s full day’s wage.
4. John 12:9 Greek Jewish people; also in 12:11.
5. John 12:11 Or had deserted their traditions; Greek reads had deserted.
6. John 12:13 Greek Hosanna, an exclamation of praise adapted from a Hebrew expression that means “save now.”
7. John 12:13 Ps 118:25-26; Zeph 3:15.
8. John 12:15 Greek daughter of Zion.
9. John 12:15 Zech 9:9.
10. John 12:17 Greek were testifying.
11. John 12:19 Greek the world.

Psalm 118:1-18

New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 118

 ¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
      His faithful love endures forever.
 ² Let all Israel repeat:
      “His faithful love endures forever.”
 ³ Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat:
      “His faithful love endures forever.”
 ⁴ Let all who fear the Lord repeat:
      “His faithful love endures forever.”
 ⁵ In my distress I prayed to the Lord,
      and the Lord answered me and set me free.
 ⁶ The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.
      What can mere people do to me?
 ⁷ Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me.
      I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
 ⁸ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
      than to trust in people.
 ⁹ It is better to take refuge in the Lord
      than to trust in princes.
 ¹⁰ Though hostile nations surrounded me,
      I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord.
 ¹¹ Yes, they surrounded and attacked me,
      but I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord.
 ¹² They swarmed around me like bees;
      they blazed against me like a crackling fire.
      But I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord.
 ¹³ My enemies did their best to kill me,
      but the Lord rescued me.
 ¹⁴ The Lord is my strength and my song;
      he has given me victory.
 ¹⁵ Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly.
      The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
 ¹⁶ The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph.
      The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
 ¹⁷ I will not die; instead, I will live
      to tell what the Lord has done.
 ¹⁸ The Lord has punished me severely,
      but he did not let me die.

s

Proverbs 15:24-26

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ²⁴ The path of life leads upward for the wise;
      they leave the grave^[a] behind.
 ²⁵ The Lord tears down the house of the proud,
      but he protects the property of widows.
 ²⁶ The Lord detests evil plans,
      but he delights in pure words.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 15:24 Hebrew Sheol.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011 - David saves Saul again

10:30 a.m. Prayer/Devotion

12:00 p.m. Cardio/Weights

1 Samuel 26:1-28:25; John 11:1-54;Psalm 117:1-2; Proverbs 15:22-23;
May 20 th Reading

1 Samuel 26-28:25

New Living Translation (NLT)

1 Samuel 26

David Spares Saul Again

 ¹ Now some men from Ziph came to Saul at Gibeah to tell him, “David is hiding on the hill of Hakilah, which overlooks Jeshimon.” ² So Saul took 3,000 of Israel’s elite troops and went to hunt him down in the wilderness of Ziph. ³ Saul camped along the road beside the hill of Hakilah, near Jeshimon, where David was hiding. When David learned that Saul had come after him into the wilderness, ⁴ he sent out spies to verify the report of Saul’s arrival.
 ⁵ David slipped over to Saul’s camp one night to look around. Saul and Abner son of Ner, the commander of his army, were sleeping inside a ring formed by the slumbering warriors. ⁶ “Who will volunteer to go in there with me?” David asked Ahimelech the Hittite and Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab’s brother.
   “I’ll go with you,” Abishai replied. ⁷ So David and Abishai went right into Saul’s camp and found him asleep, with his spear stuck in the ground beside his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying asleep around him.
 ⁸ “God has surely handed your enemy over to you this time!” Abishai whispered to David. “Let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of the spear; I won’t need to strike twice!”
 ⁹ “No!” David said. “Don’t kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the Lord’s anointed one? ¹⁰ Surely the Lord will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle. ¹¹ The Lord forbid that I should kill the one he has anointed! But take his spear and that jug of water beside his head, and then let’s get out of here!”
 ¹² So David took the spear and jug of water that were near Saul’s head. Then he and Abishai got away without anyone seeing them or even waking up, because the Lord had put Saul’s men into a deep sleep.
 ¹³ David climbed the hill opposite the camp until he was at a safe distance. ¹⁴ Then he shouted down to the soldiers and to Abner son of Ner, “Wake up, Abner!”
   “Who is it?” Abner demanded.
 ¹⁵ “Well, Abner, you’re a great man, aren’t you?” David taunted. “Where in all Israel is there anyone as mighty? So why haven’t you guarded your master the king when someone came to kill him? ¹⁶ This isn’t good at all! I swear by the Lord that you and your men deserve to die, because you failed to protect your master, the Lord’s anointed! Look around! Where are the king’s spear and the jug of water that were beside his head?”
 ¹⁷ Saul recognized David’s voice and called out, “Is that you, my son David?”
   And David replied, “Yes, my lord the king. ¹⁸ Why are you chasing me? What have I done? What is my crime? ¹⁹ But now let my lord the king listen to his servant. If the Lord has stirred you up against me, then let him accept my offering. But if this is simply a human scheme, then may those involved be cursed by the Lord. For they have driven me from my home, so I can no longer live among the Lord’s people, and they have said, ‘Go, worship pagan gods.’ ²⁰ Must I die on foreign soil, far from the presence of the Lord? Why has the king of Israel come out to search for a single flea? Why does he hunt me down like a partridge on the mountains?”
 ²¹ Then Saul confessed, “I have sinned. Come back home, my son, and I will no longer try to harm you, for you valued my life today. I have been a fool and very, very wrong.”
 ²² “Here is your spear, O king,” David replied. “Let one of your young men come over and get it. ²³ The Lord gives his own reward for doing good and for being loyal, and I refused to kill you even when the Lord placed you in my power, for you are the Lord’s anointed one. ²⁴ Now may the Lord value my life, even as I have valued yours today. May he rescue me from all my troubles.”
 ²⁵ And Saul said to David, “Blessings on you, my son David. You will do many heroic deeds, and you will surely succeed.” Then David went away, and Saul returned home.

1 Samuel 27

David among the Philistines

 ¹ But David kept thinking to himself, “Someday Saul is going to get me. The best thing I can do is escape to the Philistines. Then Saul will stop hunting for me in Israelite territory, and I will finally be safe.” ² So David took his 600 men and went over and joined Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath. ³ David and his men and their families settled there with Achish at Gath. David brought his two wives along with him—Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, Nabal’s widow from Carmel. ⁴ Word soon reached Saul that David had fled to Gath, so he stopped hunting for him.
 ⁵ One day David said to Achish, “If it is all right with you, we would rather live in one of the country towns instead of here in the royal city.”
 ⁶ So Achish gave him the town of Ziklag (which still belongs to the kings of Judah to this day), ⁷ and they lived there among the Philistines for a year and four months.
 ⁸ David and his men spent their time raiding the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites—people who had lived near Shur, toward the land of Egypt, since ancient times. ⁹ David did not leave one person alive in the villages he attacked. He took the sheep, goats, cattle, donkeys, camels, and clothing before returning home to see King Achish.
 ¹⁰ “Where did you make your raid today?” Achish would ask.
   And David would reply, “Against the south of Judah, the Jerahmeelites, and the Kenites.”
 ¹¹ No one was left alive to come to Gath and tell where he had really been. This happened again and again while he was living among the Philistines. ¹² Achish believed David and thought to himself, “By now the people of Israel must hate him bitterly. Now he will have to stay here and serve me forever!”

1 Samuel 28

Saul Consults a Medium

 ¹ About that time the Philistines mustered their armies for another war with Israel. King Achish told David, “You and your men will be expected to join me in battle.” ² “Very well!” David agreed. “Now you will see for yourself what we can do.”
   Then Achish told David, “I will make you my personal bodyguard for life.”
 ³ Meanwhile, Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him. He was buried in Ramah, his hometown. And Saul had banned from the land of Israel all mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead.
 ⁴ The Philistines set up their camp at Shunem, and Saul gathered all the army of Israel and camped at Gilboa. ⁵ When Saul saw the vast Philistine army, he became frantic with fear. ⁶ He asked the Lord what he should do, but the Lord refused to answer him, either by dreams or by sacred lots^[a] or by the prophets. ⁷ Saul then said to his advisers, “Find a woman who is a medium, so I can go and ask her what to do.”
   His advisers replied, “There is a medium at Endor.”
 ⁸ So Saul disguised himself by wearing ordinary clothing instead of his royal robes. Then he went to the woman’s home at night, accompanied by two of his men.
   “I have to talk to a man who has died,” he said. “Will you call up his spirit for me?”
 ⁹ “Are you trying to get me killed?” the woman demanded. “You know that Saul has outlawed all the mediums and all who consult the spirits of the dead. Why are you setting a trap for me?”
 ¹⁰ But Saul took an oath in the name of the Lord and promised, “As surely as the Lord lives, nothing bad will happen to you for doing this.”
 ¹¹ Finally, the woman said, “Well, whose spirit do you want me to call up?”
   “Call up Samuel,” Saul replied.
 ¹² When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed, “You’ve deceived me! You are Saul!”
 ¹³ “Don’t be afraid!” the king told her. “What do you see?”
   “I see a god^[b] coming up out of the earth,” she said.
 ¹⁴ “What does he look like?” Saul asked.
   “He is an old man wrapped in a robe,” she replied. Saul realized it was Samuel, and he fell to the ground before him.
 ¹⁵ “Why have you disturbed me by calling me back?” Samuel asked Saul.
   “Because I am in deep trouble,” Saul replied. “The Philistines are at war with me, and God has left me and won’t reply by prophets or dreams. So I have called for you to tell me what to do.”
 ¹⁶ But Samuel replied, “Why ask me, since the Lord has left you and has become your enemy? ¹⁷ The Lord has done just as he said he would. He has torn the kingdom from you and given it to your rival, David. ¹⁸ The Lord has done this to you today because you refused to carry out his fierce anger against the Amalekites. ¹⁹ What’s more, the Lord will hand you and the army of Israel over to the Philistines tomorrow, and you and your sons will be here with me. The Lord will bring down the entire army of Israel in defeat.”
 ²⁰ Saul fell full length on the ground, paralyzed with fright because of Samuel’s words. He was also faint with hunger, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.
 ²¹ When the woman saw how distraught he was, she said, “Sir, I obeyed your command at the risk of my life. ²² Now do what I say, and let me give you a little something to eat so you can regain your strength for the trip back.”
 ²³ But Saul refused. The men who were with him also urged him to eat, so he finally yielded and got up from the ground and sat on the couch.
 ²⁴ The woman had been fattening a calf, so she hurried out and killed it. She took some flour, kneaded it into dough and baked unleavened bread. ²⁵ She brought the meal to Saul and his men, and they ate it. Then they went out into the night.

Footnotes:

1. 1 Samuel 28:6 Hebrew by Urim.
2. 1 Samuel 28:13 Or gods.

John 11:1-54

New Living Translation (NLT)

John 11

The Raising of Lazarus

 ¹ A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. ² This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair.^[a] Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. ³ So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” ⁴ But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” ⁵ So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, ⁶ he stayed where he was for the next two days. ⁷ Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”
 ⁸ But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people^[b] in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”
 ⁹ Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. ¹⁰ But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.” ¹¹ Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.”
 ¹² The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” ¹³ They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.
 ¹⁴ So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. ¹⁵ And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.”
 ¹⁶ Thomas, nicknamed the Twin,^[c] said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.”
 ¹⁷ When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. ¹⁸ Bethany was only a few miles^[d] down the road from Jerusalem, ¹⁹ and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. ²⁰ When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. ²¹ Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”
 ²³ Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”
 ²⁴ “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.”
 ²⁵ Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.^[e] Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. ²⁶ Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”
 ²⁷ “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” ²⁸ Then she returned to Mary. She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, “The Teacher is here and wants to see you.” ²⁹ So Mary immediately went to him.
 ³⁰ Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him. ³¹ When the people who were at the house consoling Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there. ³² When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
 ³³ When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him,^[f] and he was deeply troubled. ³⁴ “Where have you put him?” he asked them.
   They told him, “Lord, come and see.” ³⁵ Then Jesus wept. ³⁶ The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” ³⁷ But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”
 ³⁸ Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. ³⁹ “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.
   But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”
 ⁴⁰ Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” ⁴¹ So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. ⁴² You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” ⁴³ Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴ And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

The Plot to Kill Jesus

 ⁴⁵ Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. ⁴⁶ But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. ⁴⁷ Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council^[g] together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. ⁴⁸ If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple^[h] and our nation.” ⁴⁹ Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time,^[i] said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! ⁵⁰ You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.”
 ⁵¹ He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. ⁵² And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.
 ⁵³ So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death. ⁵⁴ As a result, Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples.

Footnotes:

1. John 11:2 This incident is recorded in chapter 12.
2. John 11:8 Greek Jewish people; also in 11:19, 31, 33, 36, 45, 54.
3. John 11:16 Greek Thomas, who was called Didymus.
4. John 11:18 Greek was about 15 stadia [about 2.8 kilometers].
5. John 11:25 Some manuscripts do not include and the life.
6. John 11:33 Or he was angry in his spirit.
7. John 11:47 Greek the Sanhedrin.
8. John 11:48 Or our position; Greek reads our place.
9. John 11:49 Greek that year; also in 11:51.

Psalm 117:1-2

New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 117

 ¹ Praise the Lord, all you nations.
      Praise him, all you people of the earth.
 ² For he loves us with unfailing love;
      the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever.
   Praise the Lord!

Proverbs 15:22-23

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ²² Plans go wrong for lack of advice;
      many advisers bring success.
 ²³ Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;
      it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!