Today’s Reading:  1 Sam 24:1–25:44, 1 Pet 1:20–25, Ps 125:1–127:5

Today’s Theme: Godly Character

Today’s theme is about us having godly character as Christians. As Pastor Dennis always says, “we must not let our gift take us where our character cannot keep us”.

1 Samuel 24:1–25:44

Godly character and leadership

Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’ 1 Samuel 24:10 (ESV)

David showed true leadership by not listening to the wrong advice of those around him, as opposed to Saul whom, as we have read, listened to those around him saying that David is against him. David’s heart was to honour God and His ways.

We need to listen to God and His word, we should obey God’s word rather than the ways of the world around us or the advice of those closest to us.

The first commandment is to put God first. Like David, let us determine to do things in God’s way, according to God’s word. See Romans 12:2

Using discretion

And David said to Abigail, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from working salvation with my own hand! 1 Samuel 25:32–33 (ESV)

Abigail was a wise woman, full of faith and discretion. Through her intervention, David was saved from making a big mistake.

‘Discretion’ which simply means that someone “knows how to act in particular situations”, has diminished in our times. In today’s world, people are so self-centred that discretion has very little significance, instead people now say and do whatever they want, whenever they want.

As Christians we should exercise discretion like Abigail. Paul comments on us using discretion in Colossians 4:5, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” Also see Ephesians 5:15-17.

Discretion is a mark of maturity and godly Christian character.

1 Peter 1:20–25

Foreknown by God

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 1 Peter 1:20 (ESV)

When we read the word ‘foreknow’, we may start to think about knowing something ahead of time, which is true, but in this context the word is really more to do with prior relationship and intimacy.

The following definitions are from the Bible Sense Lexicon (these are all from root words which are verbs):

1. To foreknow (personally): to befriend or be acquainted with someone in a familiar way ahead of time or before meeting; implying an exclusivity of choice relative to those not befriended.
2. To be foreknown (personally): to be or become friendly or acquainted with someone in a familiar way ahead of time or before meeting; implying an exclusivity of choice relative to those not befriended.
3. To foreknow: to have (experiential) knowledge of some event before the occurrence.
4. To know formerly: to have (experiential) knowledge of someone or something from the past.

This word is used in context to Jesus who has been in an eternal, loving relationship with His Father and is used when the bible is talking about us, who God in His heart, knew intimately before the world began.

Obedience to the truth

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 1 Peter 1:22 (ESV)

Our faith and hope are in God, and because our faith is genuine, we use our faith to obey the truth of God’s word, which in turn purifies our souls.

Obedience to the truth of God’s word, shows godly character and maturity in the faith.

When we get the fundaments of faith in God and obedience to God, laid as a foundation in our lives, then we can build on that with acts of sincere love for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We need to make an effort to show love, that is why Peter says we should show it earnestly.

A sure salvation

since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 1 Peter 1:23 (ESV)

The Gospel we have heard, which we have believed and obeyed, is sure and eternal. God foreknew us and Jesus our saviour. God’s own character means His word is eternal.

We can have confidence that God has saved us eternally, we can trust God and His word, through which we have been born again.

Psalm 125:1–127:5

God surrounds us

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 125:2 (ESV)

God gives us security like the hills around Jerusalem give the city security in times of war. We can have full assurance in the salvation that God provides.

Do good, receive good

Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! Psalm 125:4 (ESV)

As we walk in the goodness of godly Christian character, we receive good things from God.

Sleep and Children

It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2 (ESV)

Both good sleep and children come from the Lord, although children may affect your sleep! (smile)

Rest in God today.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Peter 1

Today’s Reading:  1 Sam 22:1–23:29, 1 Pet 1:13–19, Ps 123:1–124:8

Today’s Theme: Holy Living

Today’s theme is Living Holy. Our God is Holy and He calls us to be holy in all that we do.

1 Samuel 22:1–23:29

Honour your mother and father

And David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab. And he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and my mother stay with you, till I know what God will do for me.” 1 Samuel 22:3 (ESV)

Much of what we must do to live a holy life, does not appear to be deeply spiritual. Holy living often finds its expression in very practical works of obedience.

David shows his heart for his parents and his desire to obey the 5th commandment, to honour his father and mother, by seeking their protection.

We must obey the 5th commandment no matter how old we are. Our culture in the West can leave the older members of our families feeling unloved and like  a burden. We as God’s people should not live in this self-centred way, we should honour our parents. See Ephesians 6:1 and Colossians 3:20

Ask God about it

Then David inquired of the LORD again. And the LORD answered him, “Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistines into your hand.” 1 Samuel 23:4 (ESV)

A key to living a holy life before God is to ask God about everything you do. Prayer simply means to ask. We must ask God about the things we do in our everyday lives.

David always prayed about everything he had to do, this was because he had a loving relationship with God, which is testified by God Himself and the Psalms that David wrote.

Jesus told us in Mark 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

1 Peter 1:13–19

Prepare your mind for action

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13 (ESV)

The mind is a muscle, it needs to be exercised. The mind is also a container, it needs to be filled with good things.

The Devil would like us to think of the mind as his domain and so not exercise it in the study, meditation and living of God’s word. He would also like us to fill our minds with garbage at best and poison at worst, through evil teaching, wrong thinking and the philosophies of this world.

Peter in his great call to holiness, in the life of the Christian, first calls us to get our minds ready for trials and hard times, by commanding us to hope. We are not to have an aimless hope but should put our hope in God’s future grace promised to believers, in Jesus. This will be realised at the second coming.

Looking forward in our hearts and minds, to the second coming of Christ will give us perspective as we face difficulty. We can endure in holiness because of the grace we are promised in the future.

Be Holy

but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 1 Peter 1:15 (ESV)

Our motivation for pursuing a life of holiness is God, God is holy so we should be holy in all our conduct too.

Holiness is not some spiritual state which has nothing to do with other areas of our lives, it is very much connected to our everyday lives. In our normal conduct, we must remain set apart for God.

A definition of holiness will be useful to help us think about what it means to be holy. Here is a short one from the Pocket dictionary of theological terms, by InterVarsity Press:

“A biblical term generally meaning “to be set apart.” The term is used widely in Scripture to refer to a variety of people and objects alike but ultimately points to God as the one who is qualitatively different or set apart from creation. Holy may also be used to describe someone or something that God has “set apart” for special purposes. In the NT holiness takes on the sense of ethical purity or freedom from sin…”.

Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to be holy.

Psalm 123:1–124:8

Look to God

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us. Psalm 123:2 (ESV)

We look to God, our Master and Provider, to show us the mercy we so desperately need.

We have escaped

We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Psalm 124:7 (ESV)

We have escaped the hunter’s trap… Hallelujah! Now let us live holy lives in the joy and hope of God.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 1 Peter 1

Today’s Reading:  1 Sam 20:1–21:15, 1 Pet 1:1–12, Ps 121:1–122:9

Today’s Theme: Salvation

Today’s theme is Salvation, which is what God, in His mercy, does for His sinful, finite human creatures in situations of need. It also speaks of deliverance from the power and consequences of sin.

1 Samuel 20:1–21:15

Trust God to save you

And David took these words to heart and was much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. 1 Samuel 21:12 (ESV)

David became afraid and that fear caused him to act like a fool. We must boldly put our faith in God, believing that He can save us in difficult situations. We must not use our own methods out of fear, which always fall short.

1 Peter 1:1–12

Elected and Exiles

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 1 Peter 1:1 (ESV)

As God’s people we were sovereignly elected by God, to be saved for His glory. At the same time, we no longer fit nicely into the worlds culture and values, we are now strangers or exiles.

We should not allow our exile from the world to cause us to be disheartened, we should remember that we have been elected by God and this should fill us with great joy.

Chosen and Saved by the Trinity

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. 1 Peter 1:2 (ESV)

Peter shows us that the entire Godhead (as the Trinity), is involved in our salvation:

1. God the Father in His infinite and intimate foreknowledge* choose us
2. God the Holy Spirit consecrates us as God’s chosen people
3. God the Son, Jesus Christ, is the one we have been chosen and sanctified to obey, which is all made possible through the application of the blood He shed for us.

Even the order (Father, Spirit, Christ) which Peter has put this in, reflects the reality of our experience of salvation which finds its ultimate origin in the heart of God, is made operative in our lives by the Holy Spirit, and is evidenced through personal expressions of faith in Jesus Christ.

This is also further evidence for the biblical doctrine of the tri-unity of God or the trinity.

*Do not misunderstand God’s foreknowledge, it is not that God knew we would choose Him, God made a decision to choose us specifically for His own Glory, long before the world was created.

Born again

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV)

No baby is born of its own will, this is true for us as God’s people too. God the Father causes us to be born again, it is God who takes the initiative in our salvation. God’s reason for causing us to be born again is His mercy.

When we are born again by the mercy and will of God, we are born into a new order, thus becoming children of the author of this new life.

Because Jesus rose from the dead, we are born again to a living hope. We do not trust in the words of a man who is now dead and gone and cannot fulfil his promises, no, Jesus is alive and He lives to fulfil all of His promises, we have a living hope.

Salvation’s inheritance

to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:4–5 (ESV)

Our salvation brings us hope but it also gives us an inheritance in heaven, which is being guarded for us by God’s power, through faith, to be fully realised in the future.

Our faith in Christ will put us at odds with the world around us but this same faith identifies us as God’s legitimate children, who God powerfully protects.

Our hope in our future inheritance spurs our faith on, as we press forward in our lives for God.

God powerfully protects both His children and their inheritance.

Genuine faith

so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:7 (ESV)

Trials and testing through opposition and difficulty, is crucial in helping determine the genuine quality of our profession and possession of faith in God.

The trials confirm our faith because our faith stands firm and is strengthened, whilst counterfeit faith is broken by trials.

Embrace trials as being the fire that proves your faith to be more precious than gold, for which you will be rewarded by Jesus.

“The faith of Peter’s readers is being smelted in the fire of various kinds of trials in this life. But when the most precious things of this world—such as gold—have been destroyed by fire (cf. 2 Pet. 3:10–11), Christian faith that has been proved genuine will be shown to be the most precious of all because it will deliver one from that day of final, fiery destruction when Jesus Christ is revealed (cf. 1 Pet. 1: 5). Therefore, Peter reminds his readers that genuine Christian faith is more valuable than anything the world can offer.” – Karen Jobes (2005)

Faith’s goal

obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:9 (ESV)

The purpose of faith is to please God, the outcome of our genuine faith will be the ultimate salvation of our souls. We must persevere in faith to be truly saved in the end.

As we love and serve God, we will receive the goal of our faith. The prize or reward that we receive is the goal or consummation toward which our faith is directed, which is salvation.

We look forward to the full consummation of our faith, total and eternal salvation.

The Inspiration of the Bible

inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 1 Peter 1:11 (ESV)

Here we can see that the prophecies about Jesus as the suffering and then glorified Messiah, were revealed by Jesus Himself through the Holy Spirit, to the prophets as they wrote the old testament.

This informs our firm belief in the inspiration, infallibility and inerrancy of the bible as the word of God.

Psalm 121:1–122:9

Help from the Lord

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1–2 (ESV)

It can feel natural to look to the things and people around us for help, but salvation comes from the Lord, our best help comes from Him. Remember, He created the world.

We should lift up our heads and look to God for immediate salvation (deliverance and help) in our current circumstances, and ultimate salvation through Jesus.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! Psalm 122:6 (ESV)

This verse is so apt with all that is happening in Israel today. Continue to pray for the salvation of all the inhabitants of the land.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Peter 1

Today’s Reading: 1 Sam 18:1–19:24, James 5:13–20, Ps 120:1–7

Today’s Theme: Restoration

Our main theme today is restoration. We learn about the enemies of restoration like fear and the tools that lead to restoration such as confession.

1 Samuel 18:1–19:24

Fear, the enemy of restoration

Saul was afraid of David because the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul. 1 Samuel 18:12, ESV

Saul allowed himself to be tormented by fear rather than learning from David’s life, humbling himself and seeking restoration.

One of the reasons Saul was driven by fear was the fact that he was self absorbed and his motivation and vision only went as far as “what do the people think of me” and “I want to be the most loved by the people”. With this in mind it is no wonder the favour David was shown by the people helped turn Saul against him.

We can learn not to be like Saul from this. We must not be driven by the fear and superficial things of this world. If we are not walking as we should, we must not allow our fear and pride to drive us even further away from God and His purpose. Instead we should humble ourselves before God.

God, who is sovereign even over demons, will even hand you over to Satan to discipline you, wake you up and save your soul. Your response should be to realise you need mercy and help, you need restoration. See 1 Corinthians 5:5 and 1 Timothy 1:20.

James 5:13–20

Confession, the doorway to restoration

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16, ESV

Confession of our faults is the doorway to restoration between each other and between ourselves and God.

We need to humble ourselves in confession and then the prayer said in faith is not hindered. We will see both physical and spiritual restoration.

Seek restoration for others

let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:20, ESV

We should seek the restoration of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should not only be concerned about our own souls, but the souls of others as well.

Psalm 120:1–7

Cry out to God

In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. Psalm 120:1–2, ESV

When we are in distress we should cry out to God for help. God is able to deliver us from the schemes of men and devils.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on James 5

Today’s Reading: 1 Sam 17:1–58, James 5:1–12, Ps 119:153–176

Today’s Theme: Facing Giants

Beginning with David’s slaying of Goliath we will use the lens of “giants to be defeated” to bring together all three texts we have read today.

1 Samuel 17:1–58

The Giant of Intimidation and Fear

When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. 1 Samuel 17:11 (ESV)

The Philistine army was well trained and equipped with modern tools of war and their champion Goliath was literally a giant compared to the size of an average man.

Goliath stood and shouted both a challenge and insults at the children of Israel with the intention of crippling them through fear and intimidation, it worked.

Jesus was constantly telling us to not fear in places like Matthew 28:10 and Acts 18:9. A brother at church a few years ago made a calendar with the 365 times do not fear is mentioned in the Bible.

We do not need to suffer intimidation and fear because Jesus said in Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Also John reminds us in 1 John 4:4 “… he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

Stand in faith today, don’t let the strong words and opposing forces of the enemy intimidate you or make you afraid, remember who you are in Christ.

God is bigger than all the giants

And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!” 1 Samuel 17:37 (ESV)

David (in his late teens at this point) has the right perspective on the situation. He has been anointed with the Holy Spirit already and has a relationship and past experiences with God. David knows God.

Because David knows God and has experienced what God has done in his life before, he is filled with faith to face this giant.

David’s perspective is right. God is bigger and greater than any opposing force including a giant, a well trained and well equipped warrior.

We should learn from David’s example, let’s take our eyes off our seemingly impossible “giant” problems and situations and instead look beyond them to God. God who is great and able, God who has proved faithful in scripture and in our lives. Let’s look to our sovereign God and put all our faith and trust in Him.

See Jude 24-25 and Ephesians 3:20 for encouragement regarding God’s ability to come through for you.

Fight for God’s fame and glory

This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 1 Samuel 17:46 (ESV)

There are two great things we can learn from David here. One is that back in 1 Samuel 17:39 he explains that he cannot use what he has not yet tried and tested. Now in this verse, we see his purpose in going up to fight the giant is to bring God glory and spread God’s fame.

We must also use what we have tested ourselves in the battle. This is why it is so important that we become well acquainted with God and his word in the Bible. In this way the weapons of our warfare in prayer will not feel strange in our hands.

We should also have the same overarching purpose in all we do and in all our spiritual warfare. It must be for the glory of God and the spreading of God’s fame to all nations.

Face the Giants

When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:48 (ESV)

David did not run away from the battle, he ran towards the battle line to slay the giant.

We must have stout, bold, courageous hearts in the Lord just like David. Run to the battle line today knowing that the battle is the Lords’, He will give you the victory.

We do not bury our heads in the sand as though the giants are not there, we face them, in faith.

James 5:1–12

The Giant of Injustice

Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. James 5:4 (ESV)

As Christians we should not shut our eyes to the gross injustice which abounds in the world. We need to be very conscious of the things we buy and invest in. Many consumer products are produced by companies exploiting poorer countries and people. Where possible we need to live and shop with an awareness of this.

Together and in the name of Jesus we must rise against economic injustice. The Church of Jesus Christ must stand up against injustice wherever it is found and we must be careful that we do not become indifferent consumers with a little religion.

Worship and justice go hand in hand, just read the book of Psalms. One way we fight injustice as a church is through Child Sponsorship with Compassion. Ask God today if there is any other way you can be used to fight the giants of economic and social injustice.

Psalm 119:153–176

The word in a nutshell

The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. Psalm 119:160 (ESV)

To put God’s word in a nutshell, it is truth, that is what it all sums up to. Just like Jesus used the truth of the word to combat the enemy, we too use the word of God to slay the giants around us and in us.

The Greatest treasure

I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil. Psalm 119:162 (ESV)

God’s word is the greatest treasure that anyone could ever have. The word of God should fill us with rejoicing. Every morning as I read, think about and write these notes I am filled with joy.

See God’s word for what it is, the greatest treasure you could ever hope to have and rejoice!!

The Giant of offence

Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. Psalm 119:165 (ESV)

If we love God’s word, it will stand as a defence for us from the giant of offence. Jesus warns us that offences will come but if our perspective is taken from God’s word we will not let offence take root. We will keep our eyes on God and the promises of His word.

Sing the word

My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. Psalm 119:172 (ESV)

One of our greatest spiritual weapons to slay the giants is praise, praise from the word of God is the best type of praise so praise God today for and in accordance with His word.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on James 5

Today’s Reading: 1 Sam 16:1–23, James 4:1–17, Ps 119:137–15

Today’s Theme: Exaltation from God

We should wait for and seek exaltation from God. When God exalts you He will also enable you by His Spirit. Don’t love the world, instead humble yourself before God and He will exalt you in due time.

1 Samuel 16:1–23

God knows the heart

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)

Man is limited in his insight and understanding. Often we can only go by what we see externally. Appearances can easily lead us astray.

Like Samuel we may even look at something God used before like the shear size of Saul and just assume that will work in the same way again.

God informs Samuel of man’s limitations and prejudice and let’s Samuel know that God is the only one that can look at a person and see them fully, right down to their heart.

God knows our motives and intentions. He is intimately acquainted with our affections and allegiances and is best placed to make choices for and give guidance to our lives.

Jesus knew men’s hearts in John 2:24 proving that He is God. We also read in Revelation 2:23 “…I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.”

We must determine to live in honesty and purity before God. Hypocrisy and compromise is a fool’s game because God knows every man’s heart.

God’s Enabling Spirit

Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:13 (ESV)

God’s Spirit came or rushed upon David from the day of his anointing. This is where the truth about being anointed by the Holy Spirit comes from.

When God anoints us for service He does not just call or send us. He gives us His Spirit to enable us to accomplish the task He has set before us.

This reminds us that David needed the Holy Spirit. He was not good enough in himself. We of course also need the Holy Spirit to live for God.

Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 1:21–22 “And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”

John tells us in 1 John 2:27 “But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.”

James 4:1–17

Pointless prayers!

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. James 4:3 (ESV)

This is why we need God’s Holy Spirit, our hearts without God are selfish. The world around us wants us to covet and be in competition with everyone else.

If we say prayers to God with selfish motives, greedy and covetous hearts then we will not receive anything from God. We can not hold God to ransom, as we read in Samuel, God knows the heart.

God knows our hearts when we pray and will answer accordingly. This is why we need the Holy Spirit to help us pray.

Praying with an evil heart is pointless. We need to humble ourselves and submit to God’s word and Spirit before we even begin to pray effectively.

Do not love the world

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4 (ESV)

When this verse mentions the world it is not talking about the physical world which is part of God’s good creation, or love for humans who are created in God’s image. Instead it is talking about the desires, influences and structures that draw a person away from God.

We must avoid a way of life in opposition to, or in disregard of God and His kingdom. So the danger for us is neither delight in the physical world nor love for humanity in its fallenness. Instead it is an attitude toward either the physical or the social world that puts it in the place of God.

Humility and Submission

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. James 4:10 (ESV)

We must humble ourselves before God. Submit to God and resist the devil, we need to make an effort to draw near to God and walk in purity. We should live like this and the Lord will exalt us. Exaltation and promotion comes from the Lord.

Psalm 119: 137–15

Love God’s Promises

Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. Psalm 119:140 (ESV)

God’s promises and decrees are not like man’s, they are tried and tested. We can depend on God’s word and we should love the promises of God’s word because we love God.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on James 4

Today’s Reading: 1 Sam 15:1–35, James 3:13–18, Ps 119:121–136

Today’s Theme: Be Killing Sin

Today’s title is inspired by the Puritan John Owen who said “Do you mortify; do you make it your daily work; be always at it while you live; cease not a day from this work; be killing sin or it will be killing you.” John Owen. (1862). The Works of John Owen (Vol. 6).

1 Samuel 15:1–35

Devote to destruction

Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ” 1 Samuel 15:3 (ESV)

This is a true account. God called for the people of Israel to exact His judgement on the people of Amalek by making a call to “haram” or devotion to destruction (see notes on Judges chapter 1 from 1st May 2015).

This was also used as a final test for Saul, an opportunity for redemption for the wayward king which he fails to take advantage of.

We need to hear the call of the Spirit today to put sin to death. Without pardon, mercy or compromise we are to devote sin to utter destruction in our lives, leave not one sin alive.

As Paul reminds us in Romans 8:13 “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

Darling sins

But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction. 1 Samuel 15:9 (ESV)

There are some sins we put to death without much resistance, but then there are the darling sins, the ones that have a stronghold over our minds or a special place in our hearts. These sins receive pardon, we say oh it will take time to kill this sin or “it’s a process”.

We must not deceive ourselves, we need to break off our love affair with sin and exact the judgement on it that it deserves by the power of God the Holy Spirit.

Darling sins are often more subtle than the obvious sins and so by their nature are very dangerous. They eat away at our consciences and give a foothold to the enemy which leads to a stronghold, bondage and death.

As mentioned in the introduction to today’s notes, we must be killing sin or sin will be killing us.

Sin’s intention is your death as Paul makes clear in Romans 7:11 “For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.”

Put your dear, precious, darling sins to death today.

A monument to the flesh

And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself and turned and passed on and went down to Gilgal.” 1 Samuel 15:12 (ESV)

Saul is so caught up in his own pride and sin, that he sets up a monument to himself. Sin has as one of it’s chief aims to exalt man instead of God.

Sin will cause us to feel puffed up in our flesh so that through our apparently good achievements we open the door to the chief sin of pride and idolatry of self.

Ask God to help you identify and tear down any monuments in your life to the triumphs of sin and the flesh. 2 Corinthians 10:4–5.

Also note Samuel said Saul seemed small in his own eyes. Often feelings of insecurity lead to over compensation and pride, one sin hiding behind the other.

The self deception of sin

And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the LORD. I have gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. 1 Samuel 15:20 (ESV)

Saul was walking in self deception. He literally said he had obeyed God when he had not, he only “obeyed” on his own terms which is rebellion and disobedience.

Sin in the human heart is a crafty and deceptive thing. We will literally lie to and deceive ourselves while deceiving others, because our flesh has built up justifications and arguments to excuse or explain away our rebellion and sin.

Paul warns Timothy that “while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. in 2 Timothy 3:13.

Don’t allow sin to lead you and others into deception. Kill the sin before it speaks its lies and convinces your flesh that it should stay alive.

Bring God pleasure

And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV)

So how do we kill sin? By positively obeying God according to His word by the power and leading of God the Holy Spirit.

Samuel makes it clear that God gets pleasure from our obedience, not from dead ritual and religiousness.

We should all determine in our hearts today to obey God, this is the pathway to life and true prosperity.

We are reminded that we must obey God in faith to please Him in Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

The true nature of rebellion

For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:23 (ESV)

The first rebel was Satan, he rebelled against the loving rule of Yahweh the king of heaven and was cast out along with a third of the Angels.

When we rebel we are walking in his footsteps, we are engaging in a sort of witchcraft as we rebel against the rule of God the King and align ourselves with Satan the usurper.

Jesus made clear the nature of rebellion to the word of God is demonic and satanic in John 8:43–44 “Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

We must not rebel against God and His word, we humble ourselves before His word today.

Hack sin to pieces

And Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD in Gilgal. 1 Samuel 15:33 (ESV)

Samuel filled with God’s righteous anger, is not deceived by the folly of king Agag who says “Surely the bitterness of death is past”.

We too must not listen to the deceptive plea of sin which may come in the form of something like these words “well you are saved now”, “no need to keep a watch on every sin”, “surly the bitterness of sanctification and deliverance has passed”, “we all sin”, “learn to live with it”

Samuel’s response is right, he does not just kill Agag he hacks him to pieces. We must do the same to sin. We must kill sin with a passion.

We must be killing sin as Paul says in Colossians 3:5 “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

Or sin will be killing us as Paul states in Romans 7:5 “For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.”

James 3:13–18

Wisdom from above

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 (ESV)

The wisdom of this world is a hiding place for sin, James calls it demonic. Wisdom must come with meekness which is why we need wisdom from above.

We need the wisdom of God in our lives which goes beyond anything we can learn from a book or classroom and requires us to put sin to death so there is no place for jealously or selfish ambition.

James’ description of true wisdom should be an aspiration for us all. If we pursue these things, sin and pride will have to die.

Psalm 119:121–136

Unfolding of God’s word

The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 (ESV)

We must give God thanks for our Pastors who continually unfold God’s word for us by explaining the bible, this gives us light and understanding.

Recognise today that we are not wise but simple and need God’s guidance, we should not try to be smart like Saul, we should simply and humbly obey the word of the Lord.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on James 3

Today’s Reading: 1 Sam 14:1–52, James 3:1–12, Ps 119:97–120

Today’s Theme: Watch your mouth (what you take in and speak out)

The things we take in and the things we let out are really important. We should take in the sweet truth of God’s word and then use our mouth to encourage and bless others in light of the word we have eaten. God has provided us with his written word so there is no need to go hungry, eat your fill from God every day.

1 Samuel 14:1–52

Confess God’s ability

Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few.” 1 Samuel 14:6 (ESV)

Jonathan has real faith in God and openly declares with his mouth that nothing can stop God from saving by many or by few. His servant is spurred on by his conviction and declares that he is wholeheartedly behind Jonathan.

We should have this same sort of faith in God. Our faith shouldn’t be in our ability but in God’s ability to give us the victory even when the odds are stacked against us.

Paul encourages us in Romans 8:31 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

We should open our mouth today declaring that God is able and then act in faith.

Eat!

But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath, so he put out the tip of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes became bright. 1 Samuel 14:27 (ESV)

We read later in our Psalm reading that God’s word is sweeter than honey and through it understanding comes (Psalm 119:103-104).

When we eat God’s word we will be filled with life and energy. Our eyes will be enlightened just like Jonathan’s became bright with life when he ate the honey.

Paul prayed for the Ephesian believers in Ephesians 1:18 “having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints” (see Ephesians 1:17–21 for fuller context).

What does it mean to eat God’s word? Well as we will read in the Psalms we should take in God’s word (listen or read) and then meditate or think about what we have read. These two things will help to fill us with the spiritual energy we need to press forward by living out the word.

Don’t just look at the word, eat it!

Don’t become ravenous

The people pounced on the spoil and took sheep and oxen and calves and slaughtered them on the ground. And the people ate them with the blood. 1 Samuel 14:32 (ESV)

The fact is we are hungry, this is true physically and spiritually. We always eat physically because we can feel the hunger and seek to satisfy it. We should do exactly the same spiritually.

In this account the people had been forced by the religiousness and rash vow of Saul to fast. This came to a breaking point where they became ravenous and ate meat in a way contrary to all of their own laws.

If we do not feed ourselves spiritually with God’s word we will become ravenous in the spirit, eating the next thing that passes and taking the life of that thing to energise our own lives. This can be dangerous because it could be at best foolish or at worst false teaching.

Jesus said blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6).

Jesus also said in John 6:35 “…“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

Turn to the Lord for satisfaction today.

James 3:1–12

Watch the things you say

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. James 3:10 (ESV)

We need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us control our tongue because no man can do it himself. We can’t just say anything, we should use our tongue to bless others, not curse them.

What we take in is what will come out, which is why we need a steady intake of God’s word so our responses will be what God intends.

Psalm 119:97–120

Think about God’s word

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Psalm 119:97 (ESV)

We should take time to think about what we have just read in God’s word. If we love the word of God we need to go beyond reading to meditation, study and application.

Understanding from the Word

Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Psalm 119:104 (ESV)

We get understanding from God’s word and it is the ruler we can use to measure everything else against. It is by the truth of God’s word that we identify false ways and stand against them.

Joy in the word

Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. Psalm 119:111 (ESV)

The word of God should bring us great joy. We should rejoice in reading and studying the word of God. If you find the word of God a miserable duty then ask God to change your heart today, you are missing out.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on James 3

Today’s Reading: 1 Sam 12:1–13:23, James 2:19–26, Ps 119:81–96

Today’s Theme: Empty Faith

Faith without the corresponding evidence of genuine saving faith is as good as the faith of demons, empty, useless and futile. Our faith is in the substantive truth of God and His word. Biblical faith has no resemblance to new age and Hollywood flaky notions of “faith”.

1 Samuel 12:1–13:23

Empty things

And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. 1 Samuel 12:21 (ESV)

Samuel charges the people to follow the Lord and not empty things that cannot profit or deliver.

We need to hear this today too. It is the enemies plan to get us distracted with things that are ultimately empty and worthless.

We need to live our lives on purpose, we should not waste our lives pursuing vain goals or putting our trust in any substitution for the Lord.

Avoid the empty promises of idolatry and sin, instead follow the Lord in faith.

James 2:19–26

Useless faith

Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? James 2:20 (ESV)

Even the demons believe in God so believing in God is simply not enough. Faith that does not have corresponding works is completely useless.

James goes on to make the argument that we are justified not only by faith but by works accompanying that faith in verse 24.

James concludes the chapter by stating that works is like the spirit in a man’s body, remove the spirit and all you have is an empty corpse. Faith without works is dead, empty and useless.

Psalm 119:81–96

Firmly fixed

Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Psalm 119:89 (ESV)

God’s word is trustworthy, it is backed up by God Himself and is fixed. As a result it does not change with the times or cultures. The truth of God’s word is not relative it is absolute and final.

God’s word is not empty, it is solid, firm and fixed. We can put our faith in it today.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on James 2

Today’s Reading: 1 Sam 10:1–11:15, James 2:14–18, Ps 119:65–80

Today’s Theme: Faith and Works

Today we learn the importance of having faith that works… faith that does not work or without works is useless faith.

1 Samuel 10:1–11:15

The work of the Holy Spirit

Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man. 1 Samuel 10:6 (ESV)

God’s Holy Spirit would come upon Saul causing him to prophesy and would even change him as a person while under the Spirit’s influence. This would serve to confirm his calling for Saul himself and the people.

God the Holy Spirit comes upon us today as well, to empower us with gifts to be used for God’s glory and to change our hearts. See 1 Corinthians 12:11 and Hebrews 2:4

The Holy Spirit’s work of regeneration in the heart of believers is one of the greatest miracles. See Titus 3:5 and John 3:3

Empowered for war

And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled. 1 Samuel 11:6 (ESV)

God’s Holy Spirit is not in our life for superficial reasons or just for show. God’s Spirit comes upon us to equip us, empower us and make us bold for the battle. Ephesians 6:12

God the Holy Spirit wants to capture our hearts today to be engaged in the spiritual war raging in God’s Kingdom. We should be filled with God’s passion to see God glorified, to see His kingdom established and for the flourishing of the church. Galatians 5:17

When the World Cup was on, it was easy to get passionate about a team we were supporting. However, we should be even more passionate and driven when it comes to things concerning God and His kingdom. Philippians 1:27.

Saul did not waste the passion and anger he felt when the Spirit of God came upon him. He made a plan and executed it in verse 11. We need to channel the energy God gives us, make a plan and execute it.

James 2:14–18

Just Faith!!

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? James 2:14 (ESV)

“Can that faith save him?” the answer to the question is No!

Faith alone will save no one, just believing in God or believing the gospel will not save us.

Many people believe God is God, believe the bible is true and the gospel is true but they do not have saving faith because they do not obey the gospel.

Inactive faith is ineffective, dead and worthless. It is literally not worth having because it brings no benefit to those who hold it.

True faith will always have the fruit of behaviour, deeds and works that correspond to, conform to and come from the proclaimed faith.

God calls us to real faith and not to mere intellectual agreement.

Dead faith

So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:17 (ESV)

James writes in such an understandable way that there is little room for confusion. Here he makes it clear that faith without corresponding deeds is dead.

Man may try to redefine faith and even what it means to be saved but the fact remains that what we believe will show fruit in our lives through our behaviour and actions.

Faith by itself is dead. True faith goes beyond the mind and heart and ends up right here in the real world, showing itself through the things we do and refrain from doing.

Only God can grant us life giving, saving faith by His Holy Spirit.

Show your faith

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:18 (ESV)

Faith is not a private affair, it is a community project. Our faith is not a privately held opinion, it is a publicly proclaimed message and a life lived openly in community with the body of Christ.

We are called to actively show our faith by the things we do.

Our society tries to force us to keep our faith private which is not biblical and is a ploy to silence the proclamation of our faith and make our faith impotent through no obvious displays of faith in life.

Today’s culture is always talking in the movies and stories about believing. If you just believe… they don’t talk about believing in God just believing in general. In fact it is quite fashionable to have belief… just in general, not anything as specific as believing the Gospel of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ or believing the bible.

Determine to actively exhibit your faith today.

Psalm 119:65–80

God does good

You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. Psalm 119:68 (ESV)

God is good and so He does good. The same should be true for us, if we have been made good through faith in Jesus then we should do good, just like God.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on James 2