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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2019 14:37:14 GMT -5
A Sad Story By: Winn Collier
The thing David had done displeased the Lord. 2 Samuel 11:27
Today's Scripture & Insight: 2 Samuel 11:2–15 Painfully, the evil that has long been swept under the rug—sexual abuse of many women by men who had power over them—has come to light. Enduring headline after headline, my heart sank when I heard proof of abuse by two men I admired. The church has not been immune to these issues.
King David faced his own reckoning. Samuel tells us that one afternoon, David “saw a woman bathing” (2 Samuel 11:2). And David wanted her. Though Bathsheba was the wife of one his loyal soldiers (Uriah), David took her anyway. When Bathsheba told David she was pregnant, he panicked. And in a despicable act of treachery, David arranged for Joab to have Uriah die on the battlefield.
There is no hiding David’s abuse of power against Bathsheba and Uriah. Here it is in full color, Samuel ensuring we see it. We must deal with our evil.
Also, we must hear these stories because they caution us against the abuse of power in our times. This was David, “a man after [God’s] own heart” (Acts 13:22), but also a man who needed to be held accountable for his actions. May we also prayerfully hold leaders accountable for how they use or abuse power.
By God’s grace, redemption is possible. If we read further, we encounter David’s profound repentance (2 Samuel 12:13). Thankfully, hard hearts can still turn from death to life.
Reflect & Pray Why is it important to prayerfully address the abuse of power in our midst and in our world? How did Jesus reveal the right way to live out true power?
God, I don’t know what to do with all the brokenness I see in my world, the brokenness in me. Will You shine Your light and heal us?
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Post by John on Aug 16, 2019 17:05:53 GMT -5
There is no question that David was guilty of abuse of power. The Bible doesn't indicate that Bathsheba put up any objections about coming to David, but at the same time, what does someone say to the King? She had to be intimidated by who he was. David further abused his power with an attempt to cover up his sin when he brought Urijah home form the battlefield, hoping he would be with his wife and think the baby was his. When that didn't happen, David committed his worst iniquity of all, committing murder using Israel's enemies to carry it out. Absolute power has a way of corrupting, and those who are at the top of the heap have to police themselves. If they don't do that, the people under them suffer.
As for events in our day and time, there is something more sad to me than the abuse. I have no doubt that people knew this kind of abuse was taking place all along, and they were laughing about it behind the scenes and helped cover it up. The reason why all of these stories started coming out was political. They thought it would help liberal candidates win elections. They thought it would help Hillary against Trump, but it backfired because Hillary had been guilty of helping her husband destroy women to keep them quiet. They did destroy the reputation of a fine judge in Alabama through unproven accusations of abuse.
Abuse of power is always bad. What should keep us straight is the fear of the Lord. It is knowing that Jesus Christ sees everything that is taking place, and we will have to give account to him one day. Those who have no fear of God and have no fear of punishment face real temptations to do things that are sometimes despicable, like King David did.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2019 17:11:21 GMT -5
Amen brother.
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Post by frienduff on Aug 17, 2019 7:03:58 GMT -5
There is no question that David was guilty of abuse of power. The Bible doesn't indicate that Bathsheba put up any objections about coming to David, but at the same time, what does someone say to the King? She had to be intimidated by who he was. David further abused his power with an attempt to cover up his sin when he brought Urijah home form the battlefield, hoping he would be with his wife and think the baby was his. When that didn't happen, David committed his worst iniquity of all, committing murder using Israel's enemies to carry it out. Absolute power has a way of corrupting, and those who are at the top of the heap have to police themselves. If they don't do that, the people under them suffer.
As for events in our day and time, there is something more sad to me than the abuse. I have no doubt that people knew this kind of abuse was taking place all along, and they were laughing about it behind the scenes and helped cover it up. The reason why all of these stories started coming out was political. They thought it would help liberal candidates win elections. They thought it would help Hillary against Trump, but it backfired because Hillary had been guilty of helping her husband destroy women to keep them quiet. They did destroy the reputation of a fine judge in Alabama through unproven accusations of abuse.
Abuse of power is always bad. What should keep us straight is the fear of the Lord. It is knowing that Jesus Christ sees everything that is taking place, and we will have to give account to him one day. Those who have no fear of God and have no fear of punishment face real temptations to do things that are sometimes despicable, like King David did.
And this is exactly what we must all be on guard against . Les and all of us . Never let any man guide us into turning the bible into a political or social tool . Do not let any man do such a thing . Nar has done it , the liberals have done it , conservatives have done it . We must just avoid such things . Every thing written in the bible was not written for a liberal or conservative agenda . It was written for our own admonition that we do learn and grow and that we avoid doing the evil examples that they did . Do not let anyone turn the gospel into a social gospel . We must be on guard against that , against an all inclusive gospel , against any gospel that is not identical to both word and pattern . An example . Missionaries are being taught to do good works . They go overseas or here and build water wells , houses , schools they do good and are under a minset they are showing the love of Christ . But I assure us the Love of GOD , of Christ would place the emphasis on SALVATION and the need to repent and be saved , And then don't leave the good works undone . Also men like Kenneth Copeland , who if super false , saying things like IF you don't vote trump , well some of us heard what he said . I cant remember the words exactly . But It equates to basically God is against you . I KID NOT . I will try and find it . Nar has turned the gospel into seven moutains , WHICH I might add was introduced in the three legged stool by rick warren , who I think learned it from that one man , Sister candance knows the mans name , she warned against him a while back on a thread that sent a video . Yall, our mission is to save souls and build up the church . And we cannot be led astray by political agendas . If pastors start gearing their sermons towards things like social injustice , the rights of certain groups , Focusing on economy , redist of wealth building bridges , this unity of gathering , coexist stuff , Finding common ground , beating swords into plowshares , seven moutains making the gospel into something it was never meant to be . GET OUT and don't heed . I have seen an invasion of sermons pandering to agendas , specially the social all inclusive one . Yall, this was brought in years and years ago as a means to destroy churches from within and it has worked big time . Use paul , peter , james and others as examples . Yes they did good works , BUT THE MAIN THING was getting THE TRUE GOSPLE to every living creature . There is no LOVE OF GOD that does not PUT the dire need of jESUS as SAVOIR above everything and correction right at its heels . If anything is missing , rest assured there is a reason ITS MISSING , its an agenda . We don't pander to social issues and tides and changes . We stay firm in the original pattern . And that pattern Warned men about the dire need of salvation . IT didn't just have good works , THEY SPOKE TO SOULS about JESUS .
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Aug 17, 2019 8:36:15 GMT -5
At least David really repented.
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Post by John on Aug 17, 2019 13:46:55 GMT -5
At least David really repented. Yes he did, and I am glad you mentioned that. There are people that have been saying that David is an example of a murderer going to heaven. While it is true that people that committed all kinds of atrocities are in heaven, they had to repent first. David was not one who died in his sins. Heaven is not going to be full of sinners, just former sinners.
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Aug 17, 2019 13:50:45 GMT -5
It takes deliberate obtusity to skip over David’s repentance in that story.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2019 16:03:22 GMT -5
Created for Relationship By: Amy Peterson
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The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18
Today's Scripture & Insight: Genesis 2:15–25 There’s a growing “rent-a-family” industry in many countries to meet the needs of lonely people. Some use the service to maintain appearances, so that at a social event they can appear to have a happy family. Some hire actors to impersonate estranged relatives, so that they can feel, if briefly, a familial connection they long for.
This trend reflects a basic truth: Humans are created for relationship. In the creation story found in Genesis, God looks at each thing He has made and sees that it’s “very good” (1:31). But when God considers Adam, He says, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (2:18). The human needed another human.
The Bible doesn’t just tell us about our need for connection. It also tells us where to find relationships: among Jesus’s followers. Jesus, at His death, told His friend John to consider Christ’s mother as his own. They would be family to each other even after Jesus was gone (John 19:26–27). And Paul instructed believers to treat others like parents and siblings (1 Timothy 5:1–2). The psalmist tells us that part of God’s redemptive work in the world is to put “the lonely in families” (Psalm 68:6), and God designed the church as one of the best places to do this.
Thanks be to God, who has made us for relationship and given us His people to be our family!
Reflect & Pray Who are the lonely people in your life who need you to be their family? How have your relationships with fellow believers sustained you through periods of loneliness?
God, help me to depend on others and to be a dependable friend as well.
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Post by John on Aug 17, 2019 17:29:52 GMT -5
Created for Relationship By: Amy Peterson
Click on this link for the audio message
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18
Today's Scripture & Insight: Genesis 2:15–25 There’s a growing “rent-a-family” industry in many countries to meet the needs of lonely people. Some use the service to maintain appearances, so that at a social event they can appear to have a happy family. Some hire actors to impersonate estranged relatives, so that they can feel, if briefly, a familial connection they long for.
This trend reflects a basic truth: Humans are created for relationship. In the creation story found in Genesis, God looks at each thing He has made and sees that it’s “very good” (1:31). But when God considers Adam, He says, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (2:18). The human needed another human.
The Bible doesn’t just tell us about our need for connection. It also tells us where to find relationships: among Jesus’s followers. Jesus, at His death, told His friend John to consider Christ’s mother as his own. They would be family to each other even after Jesus was gone (John 19:26–27). And Paul instructed believers to treat others like parents and siblings (1 Timothy 5:1–2). The psalmist tells us that part of God’s redemptive work in the world is to put “the lonely in families” (Psalm 68:6), and God designed the church as one of the best places to do this.
Thanks be to God, who has made us for relationship and given us His people to be our family!
Reflect & Pray Who are the lonely people in your life who need you to be their family? How have your relationships with fellow believers sustained you through periods of loneliness?
God, help me to depend on others and to be a dependable friend as well.
Good message, and that is how I see the members here at Narrow Way. They are all family.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2019 17:22:17 GMT -5
Spiritually Exhausted? By: Julie Schwab
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An angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 1 Kings 19:5
Today's Scripture & Insight: 1 Kings 19:1–9 “Emotionally, we’ve sometimes worked a full day in one hour,” Zack Eswine writes in his book The Imperfect Pastor. Although he was referring specifically to the burdens pastors frequently carry, this is true for any of us. Weighty emotions and responsibilities can leave us physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted. And all we want to do is sleep.
In 1 Kings 19, the prophet Elijah found himself in a situation where he was depleted in every way. We read that Queen Jezebel threatened to put him to death (vv. 1–2) after she discovered he had the prophets of Baal killed (see 18:16–40). Elijah was so afraid he ran away and prayed he would die (19:3–4).
In his distress, he lay down. An angel touched him twice and told him to “get up and eat” (vv. 5, 7). After the second time, Elijah was strengthened by the food God provided, and he “traveled forty days and forty nights” until he came to a cave (vv. 8–9). There, the Lord appeared to him and recommissioned him (vv. 9–18)—and he was refreshed and able to continue the work God had for him to do.
Sometimes we too need to be encouraged in the Lord. This may come in the form of a talk with another believer, a worship song, or time in prayer and God’s Word.
Feeling exhausted? Give your burdens to God today and be refreshed! He will carry your load.
Reflect & Pray What area in your life is calling out for encouragement? What form may this come in and how can you seek it out?
Loving God, help me to turn to You when I am worn out. Thank You that in You I find rest.
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Post by John on Aug 18, 2019 18:49:50 GMT -5
Spiritually Exhausted? By: Julie Schwab
Click on this link for the audio message
An angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 1 Kings 19:5
Today's Scripture & Insight: 1 Kings 19:1–9 “Emotionally, we’ve sometimes worked a full day in one hour,” Zack Eswine writes in his book The Imperfect Pastor. Although he was referring specifically to the burdens pastors frequently carry, this is true for any of us. Weighty emotions and responsibilities can leave us physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted. And all we want to do is sleep.
In 1 Kings 19, the prophet Elijah found himself in a situation where he was depleted in every way. We read that Queen Jezebel threatened to put him to death (vv. 1–2) after she discovered he had the prophets of Baal killed (see 18:16–40). Elijah was so afraid he ran away and prayed he would die (19:3–4).
In his distress, he lay down. An angel touched him twice and told him to “get up and eat” (vv. 5, 7). After the second time, Elijah was strengthened by the food God provided, and he “traveled forty days and forty nights” until he came to a cave (vv. 8–9). There, the Lord appeared to him and recommissioned him (vv. 9–18)—and he was refreshed and able to continue the work God had for him to do.
Sometimes we too need to be encouraged in the Lord. This may come in the form of a talk with another believer, a worship song, or time in prayer and God’s Word.
Feeling exhausted? Give your burdens to God today and be refreshed! He will carry your load.
Reflect & Pray What area in your life is calling out for encouragement? What form may this come in and how can you seek it out?
Loving God, help me to turn to You when I am worn out. Thank You that in You I find rest.
I know what that is like. I have been there before. Even Jesus had to get away at times and rest. Thankfully, I am not in that place right now, though I often don't get proper sleep, but I know exactly what the author is talking about. While I don't see Sabbath keeping as a command of God, having a day of rest is a good practice if you can do it.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2019 15:39:50 GMT -5
Our New Home By: Estera Pirosca Escobar
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No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city. Revelation 22:3
Today's Scripture & Insight: Revelation 22:1–5 As the first immigrant to the US to pass through Ellis Island in 1892, Annie Moore must have felt incredible excitement at the thought of a new home and a fresh start. Millions would pass through there afterward. Just a teenager, Annie had left behind a difficult life in Ireland to start a new one. Carrying only a little bag in her hand, she came with lots of dreams, hopes, and expectations of a land of opportunity.
How much more excitement and awe will God’s children experience when we see “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1). We will enter what the book of Revelation calls “the Holy City, the new Jerusalem” (v. 2). The apostle John describes this amazing place with powerful imagery. There will be “the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb” (22:1). Water represents life and abundance, and its source will be the eternal God Himself. John says that “no longer will there be any curse” (v. 3). The beautiful, pure relationship God intended between Himself and humans will be fully restored.
How incredible to know that God, who loves His children and purchased us with the life of His Son, is preparing such an amazing new home—where He Himself will live with us and be our God (21:3).
Reflect & Pray What comes to mind when you think about heaven? How does this passage from Revelation encourage you?
Father, thank You for Your love! We’re excited as we wait for that day when we will live in peace with You and each other in heaven.
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Post by John on Aug 19, 2019 20:54:34 GMT -5
Heaven, the Holy city New Jerusalem, I am sure there are no words that can do it justice. Sometimes I read about it in Revelation, and I can try to picture it in my mind, but I would imagine there is nothing on earth that can remotely compare to it's beauty, and it is something nobody will want to miss out on. That is not to mention the fact we will be right there in the presence of the Lord himself. What a day that will be.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2019 15:21:08 GMT -5
Touched by Grace By: Sheridan Voysey
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Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Luke 6:27
Today's Scripture & Insight: Luke 6:27–36 In Leif Enger’s novel Peace Like a River, Jeremiah Land is a single father of three working as a janitor at a local school. He’s also a man of deep, sometimes miraculous, faith. Throughout the book, his faith is often tested.
Jeremiah’s school is run by Chester Holden, a mean-spirited superintendent with a skin condition. Despite Jeremiah’s excellent work ethic—mopping up a sewage spill without complaint, picking up broken bottles the superintendent smashed—Holden wants him gone. One day, in front of all the students, he accuses Jeremiah of drunkenness and fires him. It’s a humiliating scene.
How does Jeremiah respond? He could threaten legal action for unfair dismissal or make accusations of his own. He could slink away, accepting the injustice. Think for a moment what you might do.
“Love your enemies,” Jesus says, “do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27–28). These challenging words aren’t meant to excuse evil or stop justice from being pursued. Instead, they call us to imitate God (v. 36) by asking a profound question: How can I help my enemy become all God wants him or her to be?
Jeremiah looks at Holden for a moment, then reaches up and touches his face. Holden steps back defensively, then feels his chin and cheeks in wonder. His scarred skin has been healed.
An enemy touched by grace.
Reflect & Pray What would your first reaction be in Jeremiah’s situation? How can you help a difficult person move closer to God’s purposes for them?
God, when faced with unfairness, injustice, or abuse, show me how to help my enemy move closer to You.
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Post by frienduff on Aug 20, 2019 15:53:41 GMT -5
That's right . Hands up and praise and rejoice in the LORD .
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