Direction from the Father

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Mark Shields

Leading up to the passage today, Saul and his son Jonathan have been killed in war. Jonathan was David’s best friend and David is in a time of grief. Also, the nation was in turmoil without a king and there was a split between Judah and Israel. When we have set backs, that’s when we can count on the guidance from the Lord. Reading today in 2 Samuel 2, we learn about the principle of guidance from David in verses 1-2. Going to God for help and doing the right thing leads to success.

In reading 1 Samuel 31:8-13, we know that men from Jabesh Gilead courageously went into enemy territory to get the bodies of Saul and his sons to bury them. We learn about David’s character from his response to them as David sends messengers to tell them how thankful he was for their brave deed. These character traits of David also led to success.

Reading further in today’s passage, the son of Saul’s army named Abner had taken Ish-Bosheth the son of Saul and made him king of Israel. David was made king of the tribe of Judah. A war broke out between the two sides and noted is the success of David’s men in winning the war. Abner eventually stopped running and wanted peace.

We can take the lessons learned in today’s passage and apply in our own life. We can use the same guidance and power that David used by asking help from God in Jesus name. There may be issues at work or health problems that make us feel that we are constantly fighting battles but through prayer, we are guided towards answers to major problems. We can have faith that the guidance and power is available. We can trust, be patient, and listen knowing God can see the big picture. Through prayer, we will be given answers to our questions so we are guided along the path of success.

This day with You Lord, we have faith that you are at work to make things all right. Help us follow the way of Jesus knowing the Spirit gives us guidance in our decisions as we take on difficult problems head on. Today, we are trusting You, are patient, and listening for guidance. In Jesus name … Amen.

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Poetry Friday 11-18-2022

Posted on November 18, 2022 by Mark Shields

A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post with the same title at this link. Jesus let nature take its course and in so doing fulfilled God’s Plan For Us.  

This day with God will be amazing because He thinks you are AWESOME! Use the skills you have, be happy with who you are, and let Him work out the rest. As the song Your Nature by Kari Jobe points out, God’s nature is to bring joy, hope, and light into your life.

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Bring Good from the Good Stored Up in the Heart

Posted on November 17, 2022 by Mark Shields

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. – Luke 6:45

A major lesson from “Done Wrong” is that the Bible gives some good ideas in how to handle relationships. Rather than jumping to conclusions about others and blurting out words that destroy relationships, it’s important to use the right words at the right time. A good strategy is to pray first, ask for God’s help, and then say what needs to be said. Like the song Words by Hawk Nelson says, words can start a fire in the heart or put it out.

Index of devotionals

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Done Wrong

Posted on November 16, 2022 by Mark Shields
Photo Credit – truthmattersblog.wordpress.com

This day with God, we are reading 2 Samuel 1. Today’s passage gives us good ideas for what to say and how to handle situations in which someone has done us wrong. Remember about the relationship between David and Saul as David had been on the run from Saul who wanted to kill David for years.

In today’s passage, a second version of Saul’s death is given. In the first version recorded in 1 Samuel 31:1-13, Saul was wounded and near death. He wanted his armor-bearer to kill him but he would not so Saul took his own sword and fell on it.

In today’s version, the story is told by a young Amalekite man. In this version, Saul was near death leaning on his sword when he saw the young Amalekite man. Saul requested the young man kill him so he did.

It seems that David believed the young Amalekite man was not truthful with what really happened. Perhaps the young man wanted to take credit for killing Saul who had been trying to kill David for years. The young Amalekite man underestimated the respect that David still had for Saul because David and his men were shaken by Saul’s death.

They mourned and wept showing genuine sorrow over the loss of their king. Then David had the young Amalekite man put to death for killing Saul. David chose to not hate Saul but showed respect to the king. He chose to look at all the good Saul had done by writing a poem and putting it to music.

The Bible gives good ideas in how to handle our relationships with others. Rather than being angry with those who have caused much distress in our life, we need to let it go and hand it over to God. A good strategy is to pray first, ask for God’s help, and then say what needs to be said.

This Day with You God, help us to say positive things about others. Tearing others down is a problem that begins in the heart. We pray for discipline in what we say even during times of anger. We pray that we give everyone the respect they deserve by allowing them to have the freedom to choose, to respond, and to change. In Jesus name … Amen.

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Questions for Reflection for the Study of 2 Samuel 1-9

Posted on November 15, 2022 by Mark Shields

The journey into Psalms 42-51 has given encouragement for the journey ahead that will now take us into 2 Samuel. We will be gaining insight into the victories of David and how God’s plan for us is fulfilled through David’s royal line.

The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable as I share about God’s Word. To share about my study of 2 Samuel, it’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Christ as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make each day amazing!

Questions for Reflection

2 Samuel 1 – Why did the young Amalekite man change the version of the story of Saul’s death? What is David’s response to the news? To what extent do you practice saying what is positive about others who have hurt you?

2 Samuel 2 – What principle of guidance can you learn from David in verses 1-2? What do you learn about David’s character from his response to the brave deed of the Jabesh Gilead men (See 1 Samuel 31:8-13)? What causes Abner to stop running and sue for peace?

2 Samuel 3 – What do you think causes the trend in verse 1? What is David’s response to the murder of Abner? How far does your forgiveness extend?

Samuel 4 – How will David’s consistent response to opportunists affect the people as the kingdom is established? How should we react when tempted to profit from someone else’s cruel deed? Are you careless and undependable in “minor” things? Why?

2 Samuel 5 – What two reasons do the tribes of Israel give for anointing David king? Why do you think they take more than seven years to act on what they know? What accounts for David’s greatness?

2 Samuel 6 – Why is Uzzah killed (See Numbes 4:15)? What do David and the people learn about God from this experience (See 1 Chronicles 15:11-13)? In what ways does David express his zeal in the parade? What motivates Michal’s objection? Do you scorn people with “excessive” zeal? Why?

2 Samuel 7 – What precipitates Nathan’s vision? What does God want David to remember? What are examples within this passage of God’s divine intervention? What does David’s response reveal about prayer? What are things God has shown you for which you can dare to pray?

2 Samuel 8 – What is David’s task now? In what place does God want you now? How are you fulfilling your obligations there?

2 Samuel 9 – What motivates David’s kindness to Mephibosheth? What is the extent of David’s generosity? To whom do you show the kindness of God? Why?

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey.

To store up thoughts that are good for the soul, listen to a sermon. Download the free app in the App Store or on Google Play. Look for First Waco.

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts

Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print.

“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web.  <https://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.

“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.

Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.

“Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.

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