10/2 Grow

David 2

Young David had been brought into the service of King Saul (1 Samuel 16:18-23) and the Israelites are at war with the Philistines. The Philistines have a champion, Goliath, a giant among men who mocks the Israelites daily and challenges them to fight. Only David, a shepherd skilled at defending the sheep from lions and bears, is willing to face the giant. And David has only a sling and some stones.

Why is David confident? What will be the result of David’s victory? What does David do?

Most people are familiar with this conflict between the giant and the little shepherd boy. The story is not only an inspiration for those facing insurmountable odds, but it also is a reminder of the faith and confidence we should all have in life.

David relied on the skills he had learned and honed while tending sheep. There were times when wild animals – lions and bears – would try to steal the sheep, but David would kill the animal and save the flock.

Each of us faces challenges in our lives at one time or another. We may feel that tasks in our job require an effort beyond our capabilities. We may struggle with relationships with other people, relationships that make us feel insignificant or threatened. We may feel that our faith is under attack, that events and situations bring up questions and doubts in our hearts.

Whenever we feel that we are not up to the task at hand – whether at work, in dealing with others, or in holding firm in our faith – we must remember David. He took the simple skills he knew and put them to use for a greater good. He armed himself with faith in God, with an unshakable confidence in the Lord’s power. This gave him the ability to overcome his enemy and do the impossible.

Each of us has skills in something. We may look at those skills as something powerful or as something weak. But that skill can be made into something wonderful if it is employed for God.

And we must add faith in God as part of our attitude when facing challenges. We are given confidence of overcoming all obstacles if we can completely believe that God is with us and that He will assist us in what we do. With the Lord on our side we can overcome any giant that stands against us.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What is your biggest challenge? What skills can you hand over to God so that He might help you overcome the challenge?

David 1

1 Samuel 16:10-13

For the next several weeks we will be looking at God’s table of abundant blessings and His invitation for us to join him. To prepare for this, we thought it might be helpful to have an understanding of who David is.

We are in the process of trying to find an electric guitar. The search is proving to be longer than I expected, but that is okay since we want to get the best quality at the lowest price. When making any purchase I am usually quick to make a decision, while my wife takes longer and does more research.

In 1 Samuel 16 we have the story of Samuel being sent by God to anoint a replacement for King Saul. How many sons were rejected? Who was left? How did Samuel know to anoint this one? What was the result?

The king, Saul, has been rejected by God and God wants someone to be the replacement. He has told Samuel to go to the home of Jesses and anoint the son that God chooses. Samuel had at first wanted to select Jesse’s oldest son, Eliab, because he was so big and strong. But God told Samuel that He looks at the inside, the heart, rather than the outward appearances.

It isn’t until the youngest son, David, a boy of about nine, ten or eleven is brought in from watching the sheep that God reveals His decision. Samuel is told to anoint this handsome boy, not because of his strength and size, and not because he is ruddy and healthy, but because God knows his heart.

God knows that David will be a loyal and obedient servant, and so God chooses him as the next king.

Now we have two lessons for ourselves. First, God does not judge on outward appearance, therefore neither should we. We should not pass judgment on others by the way they dress or the way they may talk or act in public. We should get to know the real self, the deeper person within. Those whose appearance may at first seem coarse to us may in fact have the purest of hearts.

Second, since God does not judge on outward appearances but judges the heart, we should spend less time worrying about how we might appear and spend more time refining our heart. Are we genuine in our faith? Are we truly loving and caring in our hearts, or is what we do done for show?

DAILY CHALLENGE: If God judges the heart, what would He say about yours?

Called to Serve 4

Matthew 28:16-20

It has been claimed that Oscar Wilde on his deathbed offered these last words – “Either that wallpaper goes, or I do.”

The expression “famous last words” is fairly familiar to most. The idea is that when you are aware that you have one final chance to say something it ought to be important or meaningful.

The Book of Matthew closes with the final words of Jesus to his disciples. Where were the disciples? How did they react when they saw Jesus? What does Jesus remind them of in verse 18? With that in mind, what does he tell them to do? What assurance does he offer?

Known as the Great Commission, this is the last command that Jesus offers his disciples. He wants them to go into the world and spread the good news of salvation. He wants them to make disciples, not just converts. He wants them to teach and train new believers to be strong in their faith.

And Jesus makes it clear that he is speaking from a position of authority when he gives this command. He also reminds them that they are not alone and never will be. Whatever they do they will be doing with the presence and power of Jesus Christ himself.

How could they refuse?

And, of course, they didn’t refuse. They believed and they obeyed. And we know that they succeeded.

But, as usual, that is not the end of the story. It’s the beginning. And that story needs to be our story.

I believe the Great Commission was intended not just for the remaining eleven disciples, but was intended for all believers everywhere. Every person who accepts Christ as Savior, every person who calls himself or herself “Christian” should obey the Great Commission. We are all called to spread the good news of Christ. We don’t all have to be preachers. We don’t all have to be teachers. We don’t all have to help the sick and injured. But we all must do something to serve God.

And we all must remember that when we do the work of Christ we are not alone. When we do ministry we do it with the presence and power of Jesus. He is with us; he is within us; he is around us. With such a presence we cannot fail.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can you do to remind yourself that Jesus is with you always?

Called to Serve 3

Acts 6:2-7

Events, phone calls and meetings in the past several days have alerted me to the tremendous needs that exist in the world. There is absolutely no shortage of ministry opportunities around the world or even in our local communities. When we look at the need that exists it is easy to be overwhelmed by it all.

In this passage from Acts we see the early church encountering an overwhelming need. Specifically, some felt their widows were having their physical needs overlooked. What did the Twelve NOT want to abandon? What was the solution?

How was the proposal received? What did the apostles do with the seven who were chosen to serve? What three positive results were achieved?

Rather than be overwhelmed, the disciples came up with a solution. The responsibility for the work that needed to be done had to be spread among other believers. This meant that those who were skilled at preaching and teaching would continue to do so. Those who felt called to serve the physical needs of others – in this case, cooking and feeding – were commissioned to do that.

The end result was that many positive results were achieved. The disciples were able to spread the gospel news, continuing to preach and save souls. The number of people who were serving the Lord in ministry increased, and more and more followers were obedient to the faith.

I would venture to say that more and more people found the satisfaction of doing something they were comfortable with, and doing something that was rewarding to them. The seven chosen to care for the widows probably found a great deal of satisfaction in knowing that they were serving Jesus by preparing meals.

Rather than be overwhelmed by the mission fields that surround us today, and rather than throwing up our hands and saying there is nothing we can do, we should examine all of our gifts and all of the needs until we can find a satisfactory fit. Each of us can do something to help serve and glorify God. If you are not called or comfortable in one area, then seek out an area where you can find fulfillment. The smallest of gestures performed for the service of God and man is a great and wonderful thing.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How do you fit in the outreach efforts of your worship community?

Called to Serve 2

2 Timothy 2:20-21

The other night at our Bible study/dinner we were talking about fine China dishes – a frequent gift for newlyweds. We have a terrific set of China that we got at our wedding from a variety of people. They are a lovely pattern and of the highest quality. We have used them about twice in 19 years of marriage.

My favorite set of dishes (we have many) are simple white dishes with a blue trim. They were relatively inexpensive, but we use them a great deal.

In this letter to Timothy, what everyday item is mentioned? How are they described? If a person cleanses himself of ignoble or bad purposes, how can he be used?

There are many erroneous schools of thought in most churches. Some people think themselves too good to be used for simple ministries. Most feel they are not good enough for any ministry. Others seem to be waiting for that special ministry and that special call before they will do anything.

Unfortunately so many of us can be like our fine China. We look good and we have the potential for good use, but we don’t ever come out of the cabinet. The metaphor used here is intended for believers to realize that they are to be used for the good of the kingdom of God, and are not to allow themselves to fall into evil activity.

But the metaphor can also extend to those who refuse to be used at all. They may not be involved in ignoble behavior. They may not be doing bad things. But then again, they may not be doing anything.

Whether we see ourselves as fine China, everyday plates, or even plastic-ware intended for picnics, we each must first confess our sins to God and accept Christ as Savior. Then, after we are cleansed of our sins, we must present ourselves to God as utensils for Him to use as He sees fit. As Timothy is urged, we should be “prepared to do any good work.”

God has created us all and has equipped each of us with our own set of skills. But all of it means nothing if we will not let God use us in doing His work.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you prepare yourself to be an instrument of God?