BEST FRIENDS UNTIL DEATH

 

BEST FRIENDS UNTIL DEATH

(I Samuel 18-20)

Jonathan’s dad was King Saul,

The son was therefore a prince.

David and Jonathan were very best friends,

Which made the surly king wince.

For Saul had come to hate David,

He was jealous of his fame.

He badly wanted to kill him,

He hated his very name.

God’s Spirit had left King Saul,

And so he became depressed,

He asked David to play the harp,

When he could not rest.

One day Saul lost his temper;

He tried to spear the young man against a wall.

Though David had served him well,

That didn’t matter to Saul at all.

Jonathan helped David escape,

His father’s murderous quest.

He knew his friend’s heart was good;

He thought of him as the best.

He reasoned with his father,

And convinced him David should stay.

So David returned to the castle,

Until fear again drove him away.

The two friends stayed in touch,

They vowed to be best friends forever.

But Jonathan was killed in a battle,

Their “forever” only death could sever.

--Becky Wall

There's more to the story. I encourage you to read I Samuel 18-20. 

THE FIRST KING

THE FIRST KING

(I Samuel 10-11)

Israel wanted a king,

Which made God feel rejected.

He decided to grant their request,

Even though He greatly objected.

He instructed the prophet Samuel,

To anoint Saul the first king.

Saul came from the tribe of Benjamin;

Both good and bad he would bring.

Samuel prepared a dinner,

And put Saul at the head of the table.

He gave him the choicest leg of meat,

Though as king, Saul felt unable.

Samuel anointed Saul the next day,

More or less against Saul’s will.

He thought himself not important enough,

For such a role to fill.

But God filled Saul with His Spirit,

And he appeared like royalty.

He was a head taller than everyone,

But he lacked loyalty.

Though anointed, Saul kept it quiet,

‘Til Samuel showed up one day,

And had each tribe march before him;

Much to Saul’s dismay.

After every tribe and clan had passed,

And Saul was named as king,

He could not be found,

For he was cowardly hiding.

The Lord revealed his hiding place;

He was cowering behind the supplies.

Though he stood a head taller than everyone else,

He was small in his own eyes.

Samuel talked him up to the crowd,

Then they shouted, “Long live the king.”

Samuel stated the rules of kingship,

Only trouble would such power bring.

Saul would obey the Lord,

But rarely all the way.

He liked to do things differently,

Which caused God much dismay.

His confidence grew stronger,

So much so that he became evil.

Eventually he was full of himself;

And turned into a weevil.

He tried to take the life,

Of the boy who played a harp.

He even tried to spear his own son,

But his son was a little more sharp.

Saul’s moods often changed with the wind,

For God’s Spirit was no longer with him.

He was nice one minute; the next he was not;

He knew his future looked grim.

The boy that played the harp for him,

Would one day take his place.

Because Saul did things his own way,

His life would end in disgrace.

--Becky Wall  

 

 

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” Genesis 3:16

"For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just." Genesis 18:19 This is the Lord speaking about Abraham, but the same message applies to today's households.

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12

Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time. Deuteronomy 4:40

Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever! Deuteronomy 5:29

Deuteronomy 6 - the whole chapter

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth. Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin. Deuteronomy 24:16

Do not be like your parents...who were unfaithful to the Lord,...II Chronicles 30:7

1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.
3 For I too was a son to my father,
still tender, and cherished by my mother.
4 Then he taught me, and he said to me,
“Take hold of my words with all your heart;
keep my commands, and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[a] wisdom.
Though it cost all you have,[b] get understanding.
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.”

10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.
11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.
14 Do not set foot on the path of the wicked
or walk in the way of evildoers.
15 Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.

18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.

20 My son, pay attention to what I say;
turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.

Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. Proverbs 17:6

Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. Proverbs 19:14

The living, the living—they praise you, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about your faithfulness. Isaiah 38:19

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”  Ephesians 6:1-3

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” John 9:2

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. John 9:3

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:28-32

Corinthians

Exodus 20, Deut.

 

THE LORD’S “TOP TEN” SET IN STONE

(Ex. 20:1-17 & Deut. 5:6-21)

 

You shall have no gods before me.

Do not make or pray to an idol.

For I am a jealous God,

On your heart I want a bridle.

 

Do not misuse my name;

In a way without true meaning.

I am outraged when my name is exclaimed,

I think of it as demeaning.

 

Remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy;

Six days you shall do all your work.

The seventh day is mine alone,

So relax; your work you can shirk.

 

For in six days I made the heavens,

And all life in the earth and sea.

I rested on the seventh day;

I blessed it and declared it holy.

 

Honor your father and mother,

So you may live long in the land.

Do not murder, be true to your spouse,

And do not steal with your hand.

 

Do not lie about anyone.

Don’t covet what belongs to your neighbor.

If you will keep these commandments,

With Me you will find favor.

--Becky Wall

 

WHEN NATURE IS FULLY ALIVE

WHEN NATURE IS FULLY ALIVE

God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations. The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the wilderness overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.” Psalms 65:1-13 NIV

Job 38:41
Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?

Habakkuk 2:11
The stones of the wall will cry out, and the beams of the woodwork will echo it.

1 Chronicles 16:33

Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.

Psalm 96:12
Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

Psalm 98:8
Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy;

Psalm 148

1 Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. 3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. 4 Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for at his command they were created, 6 and he established them for ever and ever— he issued a decree that will never pass away. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, 8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, 9 you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, 10 wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, 11 kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, 12 young men and women, old men and children. 13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

Isaiah 44:23a
Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees...

Isaiah 49:13

Shout for joy, you heavens;
    rejoice, you earth;
    burst into song, you mountains!

Isaiah 55:12

the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.

Psalm 150:6

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Luke 19:40
“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

HOW TO PRAY

HOW TO PRAY

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob prayed for their needs and their needs were met. I found no mention of Esau taking the time to pray, though he did forgive his brother for deceiving him.

In the story of the 10 plagues of Egypt, and with each plague Pharoah begged Moses to pray that the plague would stop. He made Moses promises but never kept them. Then the people began to cry out to Moses when the plague of snakes had taken over the Egyptian side of the city.

Moses later had to pray for his brother, Aaron, for God was angry enough with him to kill him.

Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth. Psalm 54:2

Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; Psalm 55:1

Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Psalm 86:1

Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. Psalm 86:6

But I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you. Psalm 88:13

Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. Psalm 143:1

The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29

10 This is what the Lord says about this people:

“They greatly love to wander;

they do not restrain their feet.

So the Lord does not accept them;

he will now remember their wickedness

and punish them for their sins.”

11 Then the Lord said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people. Jeremiah 14:10-11

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

"Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.” Jeremiah 42:3

40 Let us examine our ways and test them,
and let us return to the Lord.
41 Let us lift up our hearts and our hands
to God in heaven, and say:
42 “We have sinned and rebelled
and you have not forgiven.
43 “You have covered yourself with anger and pursued us;
you have slain without pity.
44 You have covered yourself with a cloud
so that no prayer can get through. Lamentations 3:40-44

Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God...Daniel 6:10

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...Matthew 5:44

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full." Matthew 6:5

"...pray continually..." I Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV; "...pray without ceasing..." (KJV)

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Matthew 6:6-8 NIV

9a After this manner therefore pray ye: 

9b Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

     For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Matthew 6:6-         9a (KJV)

“It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer..." Matthew 21:13

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25

They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” Mark 12:40

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1

...bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:28

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

"Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36 (Things happen, I know from experience. It is important to pray that no tragedy or crisis happens and then, if it does, pray that He will help you through it. In other words, that he will give you hope and help you cope.)

I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. John 17:9

They all joined together constantly in prayer... Acts 1:14

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42

He (Cornelius) and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God." About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor...' Acts 10:2, 4, 9, 30"

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Romans 15:30 (Don't hesitate to ask others to pray for you or with you.)

Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. I Corinthians 7:5 (Best to study the context of this verse.)

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people. Ephesians 1:18

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel... Ephesians 6:19 (Likewise, pray for the preacher.)

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. Philippians 1:4

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. Philippians 1:9 (Make this also your prayer for others.)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you... Colossians 1:3

...we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God... Colossians 1:9-10

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. II Thessalonians 3:2

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. James 5:13

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:14

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. i Peter 3:7

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. I Peter 3:12

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. I Peter 4:7

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 John 1:2

MEANWHILE BACK AT THE RANCH

MEANWHILE BACK AT THE RANCH

Meanwhile back at the ranch,

The brothers dipped the coat in blood.

They showed the coat to their father,

And Jacob, their dad, cried a flood.

The brothers told Jacob a story,

Of how the blood got there.

Saying Joseph was mauled by wild animals.

It was more than the dad could bear.

Many years later a drought hit the land,

And crops won’t grow without rain.

So the family contemplated,

Just how they might get grain.

They heard that Egypt had food;

There the stockpiles of grain were large.

And so they went, not knowing,

Their brother was the one in charge.

For he dressed just like an Egyptian,

And he was now a fully grown man.

When Joseph saw his brothers,

He formulated a plan.

He sought news of the rest of the family,

While studying their attitude.

He gave them all the grain he could;

They responded with gratitude.

He tested the older brothers,

But they were honest and true.

They still didn’t know that the man in charge,

Was someone that they knew.

Joseph longed to see Benjamin.

He was pleased whenever he learned,

His young brother and father were living,

And so for them he yearned.

The brothers returned with Benjamin,

Though Ben didn’t understand why.

The brothers were very protective of him,

Their response made Joseph cry.

He then revealed himself to them,

And at first they tho’t he’d be mad.

But Joseph welcomed them into his home,

Though toward him they had been bad.

Knowing what the future would bring,

God put him in the place he stood.

For what the brothers meant for bad,

God meant for the good.

The brothers brought their father,

And Joseph made Egypt their home.

There they would live over 400 years,

Then for 40 more they would roam.

 --Becky Wall