David, God's Chosen King

One of the things that Christians often struggle with is knowing the will and call of God on their life. We’ll assess our gifts, our abilities, and our circumstances, and try to figure out what God has in store for us. 

The problem is we often see ourselves as small and unimportant; a mere speck in the pool of seven billion lives on this planet. But if that is how we see ourselves, we would be wrong! Each and every life is important to God. Each and every believer has a plan and a purpose for the life they have received. Jesus said

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly! -- John 10:10

You see, God’s ways are higher than ours. He see’s the future, we cannot.  He see’s what we are capable of, while we do not.  Even more important, God can see what He is going to accomplish through us by the working of His mighty power in our lives.

This Sunday we will be introduced to a young man named David who, it could be said, was fairly obscure.  He was the youngest of eight brothers.  He was the least of all the members of his family.  He was so unimportant that when the prophet Samuel invited his family to a sacrifice and a meal, he wasn’t even invited.  But God knew who David was.  God had already searched the heart of this young man named David, and saw things in his future that David had never even dreamed of.

What was the defining characteristic of David?  Was he big and strong?  Was he valiant?  Was he skilled with a sword? Doubtful, as David was probably between 10-15 years old at that time. But there were two things in particular that set David apart:

#1 – David was a man after God’s heart:

The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people – 1 Sam 13:14

#2 – The Spirit of the Lord was on David:

…the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. -- 1 Sam 16:13

The interesting thing about these two attributes is that we aren’t born with them, and they aren’t the result of good genes or family endowment.  These are attributes that are available to any born-again believer that is willing to submit their life to God, and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.

God’s choice of David shows that we don’t have to quit our jobs and enter into full-time ministry to be people after God’s own heart. We don’t need to be famous or prominent to be people after God’s own heart. We don’t need to be respected or even liked by others to be people after God’s own heart. We don’t need status, influence, power, the respect or approval of men, or great responsibilities to be people after God’s own heart.All we need is a heart that is submitted to God and to the Holy Spirit that lives within us.

Don’t miss this Sunday, as we open a new chapter in our study of 1 Samuel: David, God’s Chosen King

… till the whole world hears,

Pastor Clay

Fearless

Our journey in 1 Samuel has been quite a ride! But what is really amazing to me is that wherever we are in God’s word, there is application that speaks directly into our lives today: as individuals, and as a church.

Last week we looked at 1 Sam 13:1-14 as an encouragement that we never want to find ourselves in the situation where we are lamenting “what could have been, if only I had obeyed God!”  This message challenged me, as I know it did many of you, that we should seek to live our lives in full obedience to God, no matter what He calls us to.  For in that obedience we will find our true fulfillment, our purpose for which we were created!

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. – Eph 2:10

But stepping out in obedience can be a little risky.  Actually it can be very risky.  What if we fail?  What if God isn’t with us?  What if…??

This Sunday we’ll be introduced to a young man who believes God, and is not afraid to put that belief to the test.  While his dad Saul sits under a tree, Jonathan goes up to face the Philistines with only his armor-bearer at his side.  There is only one word to describe this young man, Jonathan:  Fearless!

I love it.  Just when it looks like things are going south, their leader has failed them, most of the men have melted away into the forest or into caves, here comes this young man, fearless and full of faith! 

It never ceases to amaze me what God can do through a single person.  Imagine what He can do through five people, or ten people, or a hundred saints, full of faith and fearless!

Join us Sunday at 9 & 11 am, 1 Samuel 13:15-14:23 – Fearless.

… till the whole world hears,

Pastor Clay

What could have been...

“You acted foolishly,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if only you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.” 1 Samuel 13:13

It’s a moment you never want to have. A 13:13 moment.

A 13:13 moment is that moment you realize what you could have had, if only you had ______ (fill in the blank).

What a scary verse this is. Besides the fact that you have a double instance of an unlucky number (13:13), what Samuel is saying to Saul should be a cautionary note to all of us: I never want to say “I could have had the blessing of God, if only I had…”

See, when we think about the consequences of sin or disobeying a specific instruction from God, we usually focus on the negative consequences that happen to us as a result.

…if you sleep around, you could get an STD or get pregnant.

…if you cut a corner at work, you could lose your job.

…if you ignore God’s calling, you could end up in the wrong career.

Those are definitely bad consequences, but there is another side of the equation that we should consider:  If we are unwilling to obey God, we may miss an incredible blessing that God has planned for our lives.

...the ministry you could have had.

...the marriage you could have had.

...the life you could have had.

Last week I challenged you to go home to fast and pray, and seek the Lord as to what He would have for you.  

...what ministry He has for you.  

...who He wants you to reach out to. 

...what He wants you to invest in His kingdom.  

Whatever God is asking of you, believe me, it’s not about what He wants from you. It’s what He wants for you.

And you can have it, if only you will…

Join us Sunday, as we return to our study of 1 Samuel 13.

... till the whole world hears, 

Pastor Clay

The Cost of Compromise

In 1 Samuel 11 we come to an interesting little side drama.  The tribes of Reuben, Gad and Manasseh had settled on the east side of the Jordan River 350 years earlier (Joshua 1).  This location left them at risk militarily, as they were somewhat separated from the other tribes. Sure enough, right after Saul becomes king, an Ammonite king by the name of Nahash, sets a siege against the city of Jabesh Gilead.  The people of Jabesh, not wanting to die, decided to make a deal. A compromise. They sent a message to Nahash, saying “We’ll serve you as slaves if you will let us live.” Nahash’s response was quick and to the point, “No problem, you can be my slaves, and I’ll let you live.  Oh, and you have to let me poke out the right eye of all your men.” Wow.  I doubt that was what the men of Jabesh had hoped for.

But this example makes me think of how important it is for us, God’s people, to never compromise with our enemy. Who is our enemy?  The world, the devil, and our flesh!

See we are faced with decisions every day of our lives. Some are big, some are small, but every decision has at least two paths. One is to do what is best and right in obedience to God and His word.  The other options are usually some form of compromise.  The God option often looks hard, and may affect something we want or desire.  The other options may seem easier, but may require us to compromise something in obedience to God and His word.  We may weigh those compromises, thinking “it won’t be that bad.”  Right. 

The fact of the matter is that there is always a price to pay for compromise. We may think it’s the ‘easier way’ but in fact that compromise will cost us more than we ever bargained for.  A pastor once told me “sin will take you farther than you wanted to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and cost you more than you wanted to pay.”  Word.

When faced with a decision it’s important to remember that God does have a better way, we just have to come to the place in our life that we are willing to trust Him for that better way.

Join us Sunday for 1 Samuel 11, “The Cost of Compromise”.

… till the whole world hears,

Pastor Clay

...and God gave him a new heart. 1 Sam 10:9

So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart. – 1 Sam 10:9

In 1 Samuel chapter 11 Saul is going to encounter the first test of his kingship, when Nahash the Ammonite comes to Jabesh Gilead, which was on the east side of the Jordan river.  (This area was where the tribe of Reuben and Gad had settled, sort of “the other side of the river”)

Now, some 400 years later, they need help – Nahash is telling them “hey, you submit to me, and by the way I’m gonna gouge out your right eye just for good measure!” So, yea these guys need some help, and so they send messengers out to find Saul. Saul better be ready for action.

Which is why I go back to 1 Sam 10:9, because as we noted last week:  before we can fulfill the call of God on our life, God has to give us a new heart! See, if this part of us does not belong to God, then God is hindered from being able to move powerfully in our life.  Sure, He can guide us to the right place at the right time through circumstances and lost donkeys, but that is not the same as having His power in our lives. 

…but if we will surrender our heart to God, allow Him to give us a new heart, then we are able to be powerfully moved by His Spirit.

…and if we are submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives, God is then able to work in a powerful and meaningful way in our lives.

…calling us to tasks that are beyond our comfort zone. 

…empowering us to do things that are beyond our ability. 

And that is where Saul is on this day, he is about to be called upon to do something he’s never done before, something he would not be able to do on his own, and as preparation, what does God do? God gave him another heart.

And what happens after that? He has an encounter with a two groups of men…

One group are carrying some interesting supplies: a sacrifice, some bread, and some wine.  (hmm what does that sound like?)

And another group is doing something also interesting: they are playing music, worshiping God, and prophesying, or speaking the things of the Lord.

Hmmm, a sacrifice, bread, wine, worship, moving of the Holy Spirit, what does that make me think of?

It makes me think of our communion service, coming up this Sunday at Calvary of Wilmington.  Don’t miss it!

...till the whole world hears,

Pastor Clay

Hiding

In 1 Samuel 10 we find Saul, having been chosen by God to be the first king of Israel, I would have to guess feeling a little bewildered.  I mean think about it:  One day he is out looking for some lost donkeys, and the next day the prophet Samuel is anointing him king of the nation. Things are happening fast! Saul is not only told he will be king, but Samuel also tells him some very specific and supernatural things that will happen to him on his way back home, then after seven days Samuel will come to him and give him further instruction.  Sure enough, everything that Samuel told Saul came to pass. 

Then comes the big day, when Samuel gathers all of the people to the town of Mizpah to present their new king. Of all the tribes of Israel, one man will be chosen.  The selection process begins: The tribe of Benjamin is selected, then the family of Matri, then from that family God singles out one man, Saul! But Saul is nowhere to be found, and when Samuel inquires to the Lord, God responds, “There he is, hiding among the equipment.” Not very king-like!

Why would Saul hide on what was surely the biggest day of his life?  

    Was it humility, not wanting the attention? 

    Was it self-doubt, not sure that he could live up to the challenge? 

    Or was it self-preservation, where Saul wasn’t really sure he wanted to follow this call of God on his life? 

Perhaps the bigger question is this:  What would Saul do when faced with the reality of God’s better plan for his life?  Would he embrace it, or would he run and hide from it?

Perhaps we should ask ourselves the same question. Since last week we discovered that God not only has a plan for our life, He has a plan that is better than anything that we could ever come up with, we now have a decision to make: Will we embrace Gods better plan, or will we run and hide from it?

Join us Sunday for 1 Samuel 10, “Hiding”

… till the whole world hears,

Pastor Clay

Hearing God

Sunday (1 Samuel 9) we talked about the stark contrast between Saul and Samuel:  Samuel is expecting to hear from God, he is seeking to hear from God, He has a relationship with God to where it is quite normal for him to hear from God.

Saul, while we are not told that he is “un-godly”, up to this point there has been no indication that he is seeking God at all:

   … there is no indication that he wants to hear from God;

   … there is no indication that he has any real relationship with God

Saul is being led by God through circumstance, situations, and lost donkeys.  The difference in these two men is clear:

Samuel is seeking “heavenly things”; the will of God for Israel and his life.  Saul is seeking “earthly things”; donkeys!

There is a parallel that we can apply to our lives:  Some Christians are led by God in a conscious way; where they hear from God, they understand what God is saying, and they obey.

God leads others in an unconscious way, in ignorance. God has to use circumstances and situations to guide them.  The interesting thing is that either way, God’s will is accomplished! The real question becomes this:  Do I choose to be an active participant in God’s work, or a blind participant?

And my point here is that we do not have to go through life blindly led by God through circumstances, blind situations, or lost donkeys for that matter.  We can live a life where we are led by hearing His voice, heeding His call, watching for Him to move in our lives.  

We can lead lives where, like Samuel, it is quite normal for us to hear from God, for Him to guide us, each and every day.

How?  By submitting our hearts and our lives to the Living God, and being led by Him daily, even moment by moment, through His Holy Spirit, and trusting that He has a better plan for our life than anything we could ever come up with… Gods Better Plan!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Prov 3:5-7

A Better Plan

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were looking for one thing, and found something else?  Something that was completely different? Something that was better? 

Sometimes in life we will go in a direction, or set off on a mission, and we think we know what we’re looking for, we think we know where we are going, but we come to find out that God has an altogether different plan. A better plan.

Some twenty-five years ago I went looking for something.  In 1985 I had just moved back home, and after I moved in my mom informed me that she thought I needed help!  So she gave me an ultimatum: Get some help for my “alleged” substance abuse problems, and I could live there. Now mind you, I didn’t think I needed any help, but apparently she thought I did, and if I wanted to crash at her house I was going to have to play by her rules. I had a pretty good job at the time, so I called our “Employee Assistance Hotline”, and told them I might, perhaps, drink a little too much, and could they recommend something for that.  They gave me another number to call, and within a few hours I was enrolled in some kind of program meeting ”thing” that I had to be at that next Tuesday night. So that evening I got the address, got in my truck and drove over to an office park, walked into this room full of people I didn’t know, where some guy named Woody was up front talking about getting sober or something, I really wasn’t paying much attention to Woody. My attention was focused on a cute little blond chick up on the front row that I felt like I really needed to introduce myself to.

Now I tell you this because on that day back in November of 1985 I thought I knew what I was looking for, I thought I knew what I was doing, I thought I knew where I was going.  But I came to find out that God had a completely and radically different plan for me, a better plan, and I really didn’t have a clue. It was several years before I was able to put together the pieces and begin to understand what God was doing in my life on that night in 1985.

In 1 Samuel chapter 9, we find a young man named Saul in a very similar situation. Saul is on a mission to find some lost donkeys, but he ends up finding out that God has a completely different plan for his life.  A better plan. Join us Sunday for the rest of the story!

…till the whole world hears,

Pastor Clay

I want it - NOW!

Have you ever had something that you really wanted? And as you pondered that thing, and thought about it, the desire became greater and greater.  And so you ask the Lord “Lord, give me _______. (fill in the blank)” Perhaps you had good intentions… 

“Lord if you give me this job, I’ll have more money to tithe with.”

“Lord if you’ll let us get this bigger house, we can use it to hold small groups in and minister to more people!”

“Lord if you’ll make her go out with me, I can win her to Jesus and we can serve you together!” 

"Lord it’s gonna be awesome!"

But tell me something; in those instances where God granted that wish, when He answered that prayer and gave you what you asked for, how many times did it work out well? I can tell you that many of my requests to God have turned out to be total duds. When I got what I thought I really wanted, it caused me more problems than I had bargained for.  

When we got that new job, it demanded so much of our time that it took us away from serving the Lord.   

When we got that big house we had to work so hard to keep it we never had time to hold small groups. 

When that girl or guy did go out with us, they ended up drawing us away from the Lord instead of us drawing them to God. 

See our problem is two-fold:

#1 We cannot see the future

#2 The desires of our flesh are often the driving force behind our motives.

But guess who can see the future?  Guess who is not affected by those desires?   If you guessed “God”, you guessed right on both accounts! We think we know what’s best for us, what we really need, but in reality we don’t have a clue what’s best for us.  And sometimes God will allow us to have what we want, so that we can see for ourselves that His way is always best. In 1^st Samuel chapter 8 we see God giving the nation of Israel exactly what they want, even though it’s not what’s best. 

 

It’s a hard thing to admit that we don’t know what’s best for us, but a wise person will accept the fact that God knows what is best in every situation, and that He always has our best interest at heart.

Join us Sunday as we continue our study of 1^st Samuel, chapter 8

... till the whole world hears,

Pastor Clay

The Power of Repentance

This morning Tammy and I are heading up to Duke to have my surgically implanted torture device removed (happiness!).  I want to sincerely thank all of you who have been and will be praying for the procedure!  It shouldn’t be a big deal: They’ll put me to sleep, take out a few screws, and wake me up.  I should be home for dinner (which I am looking forward to after not eating since last night!)

This Sunday we’ll be going into chapter 7 of 1 Samuel. The ark has been returned, but after the event at Beth Shemesh (50,070 died after peeking into the ark), the Israelites are as afraid of God as the Philistines were! So they move the ark to Kirjath Jearim, and according to the scriptures, “all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.”   The reality of God, His power, His majesty, His mighty hand, has had a different effect on the Israelites than it did the Philistines.  Instead of turning God away, they are turning to God.  In essence, the house of Israel is coming to a place of repentance before God.

Repentance is a topic that is often overlooked, a practice that is often disregarded, because it brings us into conflict with one of our deepest weaknesses: Our inability to admit we have done something wrong.

However repentance is one of the most important elements of our spiritual walk. Matter of fact, without it we would have no spiritual walk at all, as repentance is the beginning point of our relationship with God. But it not only is the beginning point, it helps us stay in fellowship with the Lord.

Join us Sunday as we look into the power of repentance.

... till the whole world hears,

Pastor Clay

PWNED!

1 Samuel 4: Epilogue

After the terrible outcome in the battle between Israel and the Philistines chronicled in 1 Samuel 4, it would seem that Israel was done for.  They had been defeated on the battlefield, they had lost thirty four thousand men (which doesn’t even count the wounded), the High Priest and his two sons were dead, and worst of all: The holy ark of the Lord had been captured by the Philistines.  I can imagine that the people were pretty depressed. The scene in 1 Sam 4:19-22 says it all:  “[Ichabod] The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”

But in the midst of this terrible situation, something rather incredible is about to happen. You see, when things look terrible, when it looks as though life as we know it is finished, there is one thing we need to always remember:  God is not finished! God is always working, always moving, in spite of the circumstances. God is about to reveal Himself: To the Philistines, and to Israel, if they’ll listen.

One of my boys likes to play video games, and he's pretty sick (in other words, he's really good). During a game when he totally dominates an opponent, the appropriate term to describe the victory is "PWNED" (sounds like "owned" but with a "P").  It basically means "to own" or to totally dominate an opponent or situation, as if by some god-like force (E.G. "dude, you've been PWNED!).

So the ark is now in the possession of the Philistines, but it doesn’t turn out quite the way the Philistines expected.  The Philistines had brought the ark and placed it into the temple of their main god, Dagon.  Sort of a victory thing, as in "our God took out your god!" But once the ark is placed into the temple, let’s just say PWNED is the right word to describe what happens next.

Join us Sunday for 1 Samuel 5-7, “PWNED!”

... till the whole world hears,

Pastor Clay