The Help to Finish Victoriously

We live in a fast paced world and sometimes integrity is superseded by the desire to finish first. The first to release the story, the new idea, or concept even without proper vetting or going through proper testing. This day with God, let us finish first because we accept Jesus as the anchor of our relay team. By accepting Jesus, there is grace, the Holy Spirit, and the power to finish victoriously. 

From our previous study along the journey, we remember that Absalom came back to Jerusalem and was reunited with David his father. He had been banished after killing his brother. After some time, Absalom set out to become first or climb the ladder so to speak. He set out to take more of a leadership role within Israel. We read in 2 Samuel 15 that he tells David about his desire to go to Hebron. He said he had spiritual reasons for going to Hebron as he had made a vow with the Lord to worship in Hebron (v. 8).

David agreed to let Absalom go to Hebron but we find out that Absalom had ulterior motives as he conspired to become king of Hebron. He tricked a group of about two hundred men from Jerusalem to come with him to Hebron as guest. They had no idea what Absalom had up his sleeve. This day with God, let us pray for leaders with decency and respect. Let us be aware of those that may seem to have ulterior motives who manipulate for personal gain.

David caught wind of the conspiracy so he fled the city along with his officials and household. They also carried the ark with them. Once all the people finished passing the city (v.24), David ask that the priest and the ark be sent back to Jerusalem (v25). His reasoning was that everything should be in the Lord’s hands. David said that if the Lord wants to bring him back as king, then it would happen. If not, then so be it.

David then meets Hushai who was his confidant on the top of the Mount of Olives (v. 32). He tells Hushai to go back and tell Absalom that he would serve him. The plan was that Hushai would disrupt Absalom’s schemes as he advised Absalom and coordinate a spying operation against Absalom.

God, we pray that our life plan has integrity and that we are aligned with Your plan. We need Your help and we have to admit it that Jesus is the only way to fix it. Thank You for providing the help to finish victoriously. For grace, the Holy Spirit, and the power to get closer to the finish line. We are thankful that Your Son is the Anchor on the relay and we pray today in His name … Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Integrity | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Poetry Friday 01-06-2023

A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post with the same title at this link. This day with God, keep going even when you think it is over. If trouble comes your way, keep the faith and seek Christ diligently. Maintain hope and you will find that difficulties will vanish because the love of God through Christ will give you the strength to step ahead.

Take inspiration from this thought today about the strength you have to step ahead. Celebrate with the song My Victory – Passion (Feat. Crowder) because like the song says, the death of Jesus is hell’s defeat. The cross meant to kill, is your victory.

Posted in Poems | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Refuse Not to Move

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. –  Romans 5:3

The lesson learned in “Making Things Happen” is that there is a need be persistent in creating plans and maybe even go to extreme measures to get things going. Success is obtainable for the person that is persistent and keeps on asking for help until attainment.

This day with God, let us seek wisdom from the Word, counsel from the Holy Spirit, and the courage to reunite people with the King. Take inspiration from today’s song I Refuse by Josh Wilson. Refuse not to move and make things better for yourself and those around you.

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Going Extra Mile | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Making Things Happen

Joab was a nephew of David and had been a helper for David. He was a commander in the army and someone David depended on for advice. Joab knew that David missed his son named Absalom who had been banished from Jerusalem to a place called Geshur to the north so as explained in 2 Samuel 14, Joab initiates a plan.

The plan was to convince David to unify the broken relationship with his son Absalom. Joab convinces a woman to act like a widow who had two sons that got in a fight, and one killed the other. Remember, this is what had happened to David with his son named Absalom killing his other son named Amnon.

Once the woman told David her story, it made David think of his own situation and that perhaps he had done wrong. The story helped to convince David to bring his own son named Absalom back to Jerusalem. David eventually found out that it was Joab who had put the woman up to telling the story so he talked to Joab.

Joab was thankful for David’s change of mind and brought Absalom home but David still would not see Absalom face to face. Absalom lived two years in Jerusalem without seeing David but then insisted that Joab talk to David about a face to face meeting. After Joab would not respond, Joab had his field of barley set on fire (v. 30). This got Joab’s attention so Joab went to David and David agreed to reunite with Absalom.

Throughout this passage, we see the lesson of what it takes to make things happen. In the plan of Joab and also the attention getter that Absalom used, we learn that there is a need to be persistent in creating new plans and maybe even go to extreme measures to get things going. Success is obtainable for the person that is persistent and keeps on asking for help until attainment.

This day, we seek wisdom from the Word. The wise counsel from the Holy Spirit, and the help from the plan given to us in making things happen. Help us to reunite more and more people to King Jesus. Amen.

Posted in Bible Study, Going Extra Mile | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The True Friend that Hears Your Needs

My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend – Job 16:20-21

Brought out in “Our True Friend” is that it can be good to seek advice from friends, but you need to continue to ask questions and seek answers; especially from your true friend Jesus who has sent the Holy Spirit to help in making good decisions and taking the right path.

Reinforce this thought today with the song God Who Listens (ft. Thomas Rhett – Chris Tomlin). The Lord is a friend that stands above the others. He hears your needs and walks along the path with you to make sure they are met

Index of devotionals

Posted in Devotionals, Relationships | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments