The Word: Episode 0358 2 Peter 2:10-16

“…Troubled the Land”

January 31, 2018

“…Troubled the Land”

Blessings folk!

Saul made a impetuous, foolish oath motivated by personal hubris…avenging of himself.

He forbade the people sustenance they needed.
He did so in the natural by not allowing them to eat.

Much of “the church” does so today by not teaching the Word of God.

The outcome?

Lack of strength.

Saul’s people faded.
The church today is powerless.

Read more of the story…

1Sa 14:27-30

But Jonathan had not heard when his father put the people under oath; therefore, he put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.

Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly put the people under oath, saying,
‘Cursed be the man who eats food today.’” And the people were weary.

Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land. See now, how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.

“How much more, if only the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great.”

Jonathan had not heard of the ban.
He saw a honeycomb.
He partook and his eyes brightened.
He was strengthened.
The provision of the Lord.

Immediately he was informed of his father’s ban.
Then we are told that the people were weary.

Jonathan brightened of eye.
The people weary of eye.

Jonathan directly evaluated the situation, “my father has troubled the land”.

If the people had been allowed to eat freely from the spoil, then the slaughter of the Philistines would have been great.
But, because of the foolish oath, the slaughterer was not great.
The victory was not complete.

This says much to us.
If we have ears to hear.
If we have eyes to see.
If we will receive from the Lord.

We have the victory.
May we appropriate it.

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0357 2 Peter 2:1-10

“Foolish Oath…”

January 30, 2018

“Foolish Oath…”

Blessings folk!

The men of Israel were battling the Philistines.

Read.
Watch what happens when the hubris of leadership mandates an oath of pride.

1Sa 14:24-20

Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed on that day, for Saul had put the people under oath, saying, “Cursed be the man who eats food before evening, and until I have avenged myself on my enemies.” So none of the people tasted food.

All the people of the land entered the forest, and there was honey on the ground.

When the people entered the forest, behold, there was a flow of honey;
but no man put his hand to his mouth, for the people feared the oath.

But Jonathan had not heard when his father put the people under oath; therefore, he put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it in the honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.

Then one of the people said, “Your father strictly put the people under oath, saying,
‘Cursed be the man who eats food today.’” And the people were weary.

Then Jonathan said, “My father has troubled the land.
See now, how my eyes have brightened because I tasted a little of this honey.

“How much more, if only the people had eaten freely today of the spoil of their enemies which they found! For now the slaughter among the Philistines has not been great.”

A foolish oath motivated by the desire to avenge oneself…at the expense of others.

Saul instilled fear on his own people.
Saul limited the ability of his people because he did not allow the sustenance of the Lord.

The same occurs in the Body of Christ today.
So much of what is called “leadership” is nothing but white-washed witchcraft instilling fear among the people of the Lord.

The people are spiritual anemic.
They are not taught the full counsel of the Truth of the Word of the Lord.

Rather, they are controlled by fear and hunger for the Word.

Seek the true sustenance of the Lord…

Jhn 6:35
Jesus said to them,
“I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger,
and he who believes in Me will never thirst.

Mat 5:6
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.


http://dalemoore.podbean.com

John Part 1 - Lesson 4

https://youtu.be/OwrVTBdTHQk

The Word: Episode 0356 2 Peter 2:1-3

“One Man!”

January 29, 2018

“One Man!”

Blessings folk!

Let’s continue looking at what happened when Jonathan and his servant confronted the enemy.

 1Sa 14:16-23

Now Saul’s watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked,
and behold, the multitude melted away; and they went here and there.

Saul said to the people who were with him, “Number now and see who has gone from us.”
And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there.

Then Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here.”
For the ark of God was at that time with the sons of Israel.

While Saul talked to the priest, the commotion in the camp of the Philistines continued and increased; so Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.”

Then Saul and all the people who were with him rallied and came to the battle; and behold, every man’s sword was against his fellow, and there was very great confusion.

Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines previously, who went up with them all around in the camp, even they also turned to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.

When all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled, even they also pursued them closely in the battle.

So the LORD delivered Israel that day, and the battle spread beyond Beth-aven.

Saul’s watchmen saw something happening with the enemy.

Saul’s reaction?
Number the people.
See who is gone.
:/

They found that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were gone.

Saul then called for the Ark of God…the Presence of God.
Sorta a picture of “I’m their leader…I better get out there…”

Still, Saul talked.
He talked to the priest while the commotion continued among the enemy.

What a picture of most of the church today!

Finally, Saul and the people rallied to the battle.

There was great confusion.
Every man’s sword was against his fellow.
“Friendly fire” from the Hebrews?
Or…
The hand of the Lord upon the enemy causing confusion?

Some Hebrews had sided with the Philistines and were among them.
These Hebrews now turned to be with the Israelites/Saul/Jonathan.

The Israelites who were hiding now came out to battle.

The Lord delivered Israel that day.
All because one man and his armor-bearer chose to believe the Lord and to follow Him.

How much we need this today.

Know that the Lord desires to do much with each of us…

What might the Lord rally through one person?

One person.
One Lord.
One Kingdom!

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0355 2 Peter 1:15-21

“Perhaps the Lord…”

January 28, 2017

“Perhaps the Lord…”

Blessings folk!

Jonathan and his body guard went after the enemy.

Think on these phrases we saw in the Word…1 Samuel 14…

Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron

Was he chill’n…rest’n…relax’n…wait’n to see what happened next?

Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor,
“Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised;
perhaps the LORD will work for us, for the LORD is not restrained to save by many or by few.”


Perhaps the Lord will work for us.

Do we think that way?
Do we seek?
Do we expect?
Do we know that the Lord is not restrained by the many or the few?

Jonathan trusted daringly in the Lord.
He revealed himself to the enemy.

Then Jonathan said, “Behold, we will cross over to the men and reveal ourselves to them.


“If they say to us, ‘Wait until we come to you’;
then we will stand in our place and not go up to them.

“But if they say,‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up,
for the LORD has given them into our hands; and this shall be the sign to us.”


We know they were “invited” up.

But, note.

Even if not invited up, they would stand their ground while the enemy came to them.

Either way, they would battle the enemy.

They killed twenty enemy in a confined space.

The response of the enemy?

And there was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even the garrison and the raiders trembled,…


The response of the Lord?

…and the earth quaked so that it became a great trembling.


When we do as the Lord says…
When we confront the enemy…
We will be victorious.
The Lord will move.
The Lord will move the earth in His rejoicing!

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0354 2 Peter 1:12-15

“The Lord Is Not Restrained…”

January 27, 2018

“The Lord Is Not Restrained…”

Blessings folk!

These accounts have much to say to us.
Here is another account.
Read carefully.

Here is some of the application for today:
  • Saul was staying…sitting…waiting.
  • He had the leadership of God…Ahijah was wearing an echo…
  • Religious leadership today is like that…
    • They sit
    • They talk
    • They plan
    • They look good
    • They do nothing for the kingdom, all the while preening as religionist.

Apparently Jonathan had had enough.
He knew if one situation presented itself the Lord was with them.
Anything else, they would leave.

He knew:
- perhaps the Lord will work for us
- the Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few

Jonathan’s armor-bearer confirms…
- Do all that is in your heart

1Sa 14:1-15
Now the day came that Jonathan, the son of Saul, said to the young man who was carrying his armor, “Come and let us cross over to the Philistines’ garrison that is on the other side.”
But he did not tell his father.

Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah under the pomegranate tree which is in Migron.
And the people who were with him were about six hundred men,

and Ahijah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod’s brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of the LORD at Shiloh, was wearing an ephod.
And the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.

Between the passes by which Jonathan sought to cross over to the Philistines’ garrison, there was a sharp crag on the one side and a sharp crag on the other side, and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh.

The one crag rose on the north opposite Michmash, and the other on the south opposite Geba.

Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor,
“Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised;
perhaps the LORD will work for us, for the LORD is not restrained to save by many or by few.”

His armor bearer said to him,
“Do all that is in your heart; turn yourself, and here I am with you according to your desire.”

Then Jonathan said, “Behold, we will cross over to the men and reveal ourselves to them.

“If they say to us, ‘Wait until we come to you’;
then we will stand in our place and not go up to them.

“But if they say,‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up,
for the LORD has given them into our hands; and this shall be the sign to us.”

When both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines, the Philistines said, “Behold, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves.”

So the men of the garrison hailed Jonathan and his armor bearer and said, “Come up to us and we will tell you something.” And Jonathan said to his armor bearer,
“Come up after me, for the LORD has given them into the hands of Israel.”

Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor bearer behind him; and they fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer put some to death after him.

That first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor bearer made was about twenty men within about half a furrow in an acre of land.

And there was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even the garrison and the raiders trembled, and the earth quaked so that it became a great trembling.

They slaughtered the enemy.
They were not led by the political or the religious.
They came out of the holes where they had been hiding…remember how the Hebrews were hiding from the Philistines?
They boldly went in the name of the Lord to the enemy.

Was the Lord pleased?
I think so.
The ground trembled.
There was a great earthquake!

We need to do likewise.
The Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few!

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0353 2 Peter 1:10-11

“On the Day of Battle”

January 26, 2018

“On the Day of Battle”

Blessings folk!

We press on with the account of Saul/Samuel.
Finally! Happy

 1Sa 13:15-23

Then Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin.
And Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundred men.

Now Saul and his son Jonathan and the people who were present with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin while the Philistines camped at Michmash.

And the raiders came from the camp of the Philistines in three companies:
one company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual,

and another company turned toward Beth-horon, and another company turned toward the border which overlooks the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness.

Now no blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said,
“Otherwise the Hebrews will make swords or spears.”

So all Israel went down to the Philistines,
each to sharpen his plowshare, his mattock, his axe, and his hoe.

The charge was two-thirds of a shekel for the plowshares,
the mattocks, the forks, and the axes, and to fix the hoes.

So it came about on the day of battle that neither sword nor spear was found in the hands of any of the people who were with Saul and Jonathan,
but they were found with Saul and his son Jonathan.

And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the pass of Michmash.

Three companies of raiders from the Philistines came against Saul/Israel.

Note the situation.

The Philistines were the enemy, yet the people of Israel had at least one business relationship with them.

The Philistines had the blacksmiths.
The Philistines had apparently forbade blacksmiths in Israel.
The Philistines feared an armed Hebrew.

Therefore, the Israelites had to take all their “sharpening-needs” to the Philistines.

The fruit of this was that on the day of battle they were unarmed, save for Saul and Jonathan.
No spear nor sword could be found in the hands of any of the people.

The same is attempted today.

Beware of any government or group of people that seeks to disarm.

Either disarm in the nature…as governments do with “gun control”, etc.
Or disarm in the spiritual…as religionists do in denying the gifts of the Spirit and the power thereby.

Do not go into battle unarmed.
Be ready.
Be prepared.

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0352 2 Peter 1:1-9

“What Have You Done?”

January 25, 2018

“What Have You Done?”

Blessings folk!

Ok, one more look at this passage.
Remember, repetition is at the heart of learning.
Give close heed to what Saul did and his response to Samuel.

1Sa 13:5-14

Now the Philistines assembled to fight with Israel, 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen,
and people like the sand which is on the seashore in abundance;
and they came up and camped in Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were hard-pressed),
then the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in cliffs, in cellars, and in pits.

Also some of the Hebrews crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead.
But as for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

Now he waited seven days, according to the appointed time set by Samuel,
but Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattering from him.

So Saul said, “Bring to me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.”
And he offered the burnt offering.

As soon as he finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came;
and Saul went out to meet him and to greet him.

But Samuel said, “What have you done?”
And Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash,

therefore I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not asked the favor of the LORD.’ So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering.”

Samuel said to Saul, “You have acted foolishly;
you have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you,
for now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.

“But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”


Saul did not wait for Samuel.

Oh sure, he waited nearly to the end.
Still, he did not wait until the end of seven days.

Saul allowed the situation to instill fear.

  • The people were leaving
  • The enemy was gathering
  • Samuel had yet to arrive

Therefore, Saul saw fit to present a burnt and peace offering before going into battle.

This was not his role, function, responsibility.

Rather than trust in the Lord, he trusted in himself.

He was the king.
Not the priest/prophet.

He reacted even more foolishly when confronted…”so, I forced myself…”
He tried to blame Samuel.
He piously and subtley tried to blame God… “I have not asked the favor of the Lord”…before going into battle.

This type of excuse-making is rampant within the leadership of the institutional church today.
Give close listening to what is being said by people.
You will be amazed at how much is excuse, covering of self, etc. etc.
Verbal bloviating.

Saul did not keep the commandment of the Lord.

What was the outcome?

The kingdom was taken from Saul…though it would be many years before he would be removed. HIs kingdom would not endure.
The Lord would have established his kingdom over Israel forever…but now it was gone.
The Lord would seek a man whose heart was after His heart.
The Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people.
All because Saul did not keep what the Lord commanded.

Do as the Lord instructs/commands.

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0351 2 Peter 1:1-3

“Functioning in Fear”

January 24, 2018

“Functioning in Fear”

Blessings folk!

Read once again…

1Sa 13:5-14

Now the Philistines assembled to fight with Israel, 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen, and people like the sand which is on the seashore in abundance; and they came up and camped in Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were hard-pressed), then the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in cliffs, in cellars, and in pits.

Also some of the Hebrews crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead.
But as for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

Now he waited seven days, according to the appointed time set by Samuel,
but Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattering from him.

So Saul said, “Bring to me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.”
And he offered the burnt offering.

As soon as he finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came;
and Saul went out to meet him and to greet him.

But Samuel said, “What have you done?”
And Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash,

therefore I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not asked the favor of the LORD.’ So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering.”

Samuel said to Saul, “You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, for now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.

“But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”

Note what Saul did.
He waited seven days, as Samuel has instructed.

Yet, Saul did not wait the full seven days.
A grievous error.

What did Saul do?

He moved from fear.

Fear of what?

  • Fear that an enemy was assembling..the Philistines at MIchmash
  • Fear that Samuel had not yet arrived, though the day was not over
  • Fear of what he saw…the people were scattering from him

So many within the professing Body of Christ function in fear…especially “leadership”.

The last point is especially relevant.

So much of what is done “in the name of the Lord” is nothing but superfluous activity designed to “attract” and “keep” the people from scattering.

How many times I’ve seen leadership fret over “the people leaving”!

So, what did Saul do?

He step beyond his calling.
He took on a mantle that was not his.
He decided to take matters into his own hands.

We will look at that tomorrow…

For today, fear not!
Fear not the enemy.
Fear not the timing of the Lord.
Fear not what you see in the natural.

Fear the Lord!


http://dalemoore.podbean.com

John Part 1 - Lesson 3

John Part 1 - Lesson 3

The Word: Episode 0350 2 Thess 3:141-18

“Hebrews Hid…”

January 23, 2018

“Hebrews Hid…”

Blessings folk!

Read the account again…

1Sa 13:5-14

Now the Philistines assembled to fight with Israel, 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen, and people like the sand which is on the seashore in abundance; and they came up and camped in Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were hard-pressed), then the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in cliffs, in cellars, and in pits.

Also some of the Hebrews crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead.
But as for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

Now he waited seven days, according to the appointed time set by Samuel,
but Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattering from him.

So Saul said, “Bring to me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.”
And he offered the burnt offering.

As soon as he finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came;
and Saul went out to meet him and to greet him.

But Samuel said, “What have you done?”
And Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash,

therefore I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not asked the favor of the LORD.’ So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering.”

Samuel said to Saul, “You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, for now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.

“But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His peop


Note that the men of Israel were hard-pressed and in a tough situation.

An enemy as abundant as the sand of the seashore was gathering against them.

What was their response?

They hid themselves…

  • in caves
  • In thickets
  • In cliffs
  • In cellars
  • In pits
  • Some crossed the Jordan into Gad and Gilead

Have you ever been there?
Full of fear?
Hiding wherever you could?

Trust not in yourself.
Trust in the Lord.
Trust in His Ways.

As we have seen in this account…trust in His timing.

More on that tomorrow…

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0349 2 Thess 3:10-13

“Hard-Pressed”

January 22, 2018

“Hard-Pressed”

Blessings folk!

Oh my!

Watch what happens next.

The enemy was prepared and arrayed against Saul and Israel.

What were they to do?

Remember how Samuel had told Saul to meet him in seven days?

Give close attention to these phrases:
  • the people hid
  • Bring to me
  • What have you done
  • Because I saw
  • I forced myself
  • You have acted foolishly
  • The Lord would have
  • The Lord has appointed

1Sa 13:5-14

Now the Philistines assembled to fight with Israel, 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen, and people like the sand which is on the seashore in abundance; and they came up and camped in Michmash, east of Beth-aven.

When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait (for the people were hard-pressed), then the people hid themselves in caves, in thickets, in cliffs, in cellars, and in pits.

Also some of the Hebrews crossed the Jordan into the land of Gad and Gilead.
But as for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

Now he waited seven days, according to the appointed time set by Samuel,
but Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattering from him.

So Saul said, “Bring to me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.”
And he offered the burnt offering.

As soon as he finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came;
and Saul went out to meet him and to greet him.

But Samuel said, “What have you done?”
And Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash,

therefore I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not asked the favor of the LORD.’ So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering.”

Samuel said to Saul, “You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, for now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.

“But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”

Sounds so much like us.
…to be continued…

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0348 2 Thess 3:6-9

“Philistines Smote”

January 21, 2018

“Philistines Smote”

Blessings folk!

Saul begins to rule.

Watch what he does…

1Sa 13:1-4

Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty two years over Israel.

Now Saul chose for himself 3,000 men of Israel, of which 2,000 were with Saul in Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel, while 1,000 were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin.
But he sent away the rest of the people, each to his tent.

Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. Then Saul blew the trumpet throughout the land, saying, “Let the Hebrews hear.”

All Israel heard the news that Saul had smitten the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become odious to the Philistines.
The people were then summoned to Saul at Gilgal.

Saul was thirty years old when he began to reign.
Young.
He reigned over Israel forty two years.
Important numbers to keep in mind later.

Saul did what the Lord had warned the people about.
He took their sons as soldiers.
That is what kings do.
The people wanted a king to “fight our battles”.
They got one.
One who “fought their battles” with their sons as fodder.

He chose 3,000.
I assume the best.

Jonathan, Saul’s son, smote the Philistines in Geba.
The “hornet’s nest” had been whacked.

Saul now calls for the people to gather at Gilgal.

The Word of the Lord being fulfilled.
Why would we think otherwise?

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0347 2 Thess 3:1-5

“Pray For Us…”

January 20, 2018

“Pray For Us…”

Blessings folk!

The people were terrified.

The Word of the Lord had come through Samuel.

The people had chosen/demanded a king.
They had rejected God.

God was letting them know that He was displeased.

He brought forth rain and thunder (during the dry season) as a sign of His displeasure.

What were they to do now?
Were they to recant?
Could they return to a “kingless” status?

Read…

1Sa 12:19-25

Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, so that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil by asking for ourselves a king.”

Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.

“You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which can not profit or deliver, because they are futile.

“For the LORD will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the LORD has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.

“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.

“Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth with all your heart;
for consider what great things He has done for you.

“But if you still do wickedly, both you and your king will be swept away.”

The people asked Samuel to pray for them.
They did not want to die.
They acknowledged that they had added to their sins by the evil they had done in demanding a king.

Samuel’s response?

  • Do not fear.
  • Do not turn aside from following the Lord
  • Serve the Lord with all your heart.
  • Do not turn aside to futile things.
  • The Lord will not abandon you.
    • Because of His great name.
    • The Lord was pleased to make them HIs people.
  • Samuel would continue to pray for them.
  • Samuel would instruct them in the good and right way.
  • Fear the Lord.
  • Serve the Lord in truth with all your heart.
  • Consider the great things the Lord has done for you.
  • He warned: if you still do wickedly, the Lord would sweep away them and the king.

Truth for us.
If we sin…repent, confess…press on.
Sin no more.

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0346 2 Thess 2:1-18

“Your Wickedness Is Great”

January 19, 2018

“Your Wickedness Is Great”

Blessings folk!

The people had demanded a king.
They received a king from the Lord.
They rejected the Lord as Sovereign over them.
The Lord gave them the desire of their heart.

Yet, there was hope.
The grace of God on display.
The mercy of God in abundance.

Read what the Lord told them…

 1Sa 12:14-18

“If you will fear the LORD and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the LORD, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God.

“If you will not listen to the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the command of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, as it was against your fathers.

“Even now, take your stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes.

“Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call to the LORD, that He may send thunder and rain. Then you will know and see that your wickedness is great which you have done in the sight of the LORD by asking for yourselves a king.”

So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day;
and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.

Even in rebellion the Lord provided a place to begin again.

If they would fear the Lord…
If they would serve the Lord…
If they would listen to the voice of the Lord…
If they would not rebel against the command of the Lord..
Then, the people and the king reigning over them would follow the Lord.

But…!!

If they did not listen to the voice of the Lord…
If they rebelled against the command of the Lord…
Then, the hand of the Lord would be against the people and the king, as it was against their fathers.

The Lord provided a sign.
He told them to take their stand and see the great thing He would do before their eyes.

It was the dry season in the natural.

Samuel called for rain and thunder.

Why?

To verify the Word of the Lord.
To affirm the Word of the Lord.
So that they would see and know that their wickedness was great.

What wickedness?
The wickedness of rejecting the Lord and asking for a king.

Samuel asked.
The Lord sent.
The people feared Samuel and the Lord.

Too many professing believers do the same today.
They look to “the king” rather than to the Lord.
They trust in “the king” of the Body.
They depend upon “the king” of the land…politically speaking.

We do well to trust only upon the Most High God.

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0345 2 Thess 2:1-10

“They Cried Out…”

January 18, 2018

“They Cried Out…”

Blessings folk!

Samuel called the people to “take your stand”…be still…and listen.

He then gave a succinct review of what the Lord had done for them…and their reaction.

1Sa 12:6-12

Then Samuel said to the people, “It is the LORD who appointed Moses and Aaron and who brought your fathers up from the land of Egypt.

“So now, take your stand, that I may plead with you before the LORD concerning all the righteous acts of the LORD which He did for you and your fathers.

“When Jacob went into Egypt and your fathers cried out to the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron who brought your fathers out of Egypt and settled them in this place.

“But they forgot the LORD their God, so He sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.

“They cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned because we have forsaken the LORD and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth; but now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, and we will serve You.’

“Then the LORD sent Jerubbaal and Bedan and Jephthah and Samuel, and delivered you from the hands of your enemies all around, so that you lived in security.

“When you saw that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ although the LORD your God was your king.

The Lord had:

  • Appointed Moses and Aaron to bring them up…rescue…them from Egypt
  • Done righteous acts
  • Settled them in the land
  • Sold them into the hand of Sisera, Philistines, Moab (due to their rebellion)
  • Delivered them via judges…so that they lived securely
  • Been their King.

What had the people done?:
  • Cried out to the Lord
  • Forgot the Lord their God
  • Cried out to the Lord
  • Acknowledged their sin
  • Demanded a king to reign over them
  • Rejected the Lord their God as King

Sound familiar?

It is the pattern of many who profess to be of the faith.
Profess belief…
Live like they want…
Suffer consequences…
Cry out to God…
Profess belief…
Live like they want…

True repentance/confession will bring forth a change in life.

Do not be as Israel was…is…


http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0344 2 Thess 2:1-6

“The Lord Is Witness”

January 17, 2018

“The Lord Is Witness”

Blessings folk!

Saul was now king.
The people had what they wanted.

Now, Samuel was going to recount some things to the people.
But first, he wanted the people to consider how he had lived before them.

1Sa 12:1-7
Samuel said to all Israel,
“I have listened to everything you said to me and have set a king over you.

Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day.

Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.”

“You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied.
“You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.”

Samuel said to them, “The LORD is witness against you, and also his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” “He is witness,” they said.

Then Samuel said to the people,
“It is the LORD who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your ancestors up out of Egypt.

Now then, stand here, because I am going to confront you with evidence before the LORD as to all the righteous acts performed by the LORD for you and your ancestors.

Samuel was at the end of his life, old and grey.

He gave the people opportunity to testify against him.
Was there any way that he had harmed any of them?
If so, he would make it right.

The people declared that he had not cheated nor oppressed them.
He had not taken anything from them.

Therefore, Samuel would now confront (interesting word) them with evidence before the Lord as to the righteous acts the Lord had done for them and their ancestors.

We will continue later.

For today, may we live before one another as Samuel did.

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0343 2 Thess 2:1-5

“All…”

January 16, 2018

“All…”

Blessings folk!

Saul was victorious in his first military excursion.
He defeated the Ammonites.

What was the response of the people?

1Sa 11:12
The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’
Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death.”

Remember how there were people who were questioning whether Saul could rule?

Now, people were wanting to bring the doubters to death.

Saul had proven himself.
Now, they wanted to eradicate the doubters.

Saul’s response?

1Sa 11:13
But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the LORD has rescued Israel.”

Saul refused the adulation.
Saul refused the vindication of man.
He knew that it was the Lord that had rescued Israel.
No one would are put to death today…that day.

The doubters were on notice.

Read what Samuel led the people to do…

1Sa 11:14-15
Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.”

So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the LORD.
There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the LORD,
and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration.

The people renewed the kingship.
Note “all” the people.
All went to Gilgal.
All made Saul king in the presence of the Lord.
All sacrificed fellowship offerings before the Lord.
All and Saul held a great celebration.

All.
They were one.

This would soon pass.

We as the Body of Christ, by definition, are One.
Those that are truly saved.
Those that have truly repented, confessed and called upon the name of the Lord.

There are many of the organizational church that are not saved.
They are not a part of the true organism of the Body of Christ.
Sadly, they are a major portion.

Where do you fall?

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0342 1 Thess 2:1-2

“Mighty Anger”

January 15, 2018

“Mighty Anger”

Blessings folk!

Are you ready?
This is a gory account.

Two major things to see.

  1. The Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily. Saul became mightily/righteously angry
  2. The dread of the Lord came upon the people. They responded as one.

Now, read the account…

1Sa 11:1-11

Now Nahash the Ammonite came up and besieged Jabesh-gilead;
and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a covenant with us and we will serve you.”

But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “I will make it with you on this condition, that I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you, thus I will make it a reproach on all Israel.”

The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Let us alone for seven days, that we may send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to deliver us, we will come out to you.”

Then the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and spoke these words in the hearing of the people, and all the people lifted up their voices and wept.

Now behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen, and he said,
“What is the matter with the people that they weep?”
So they related to him the words of the men of Jabesh.

Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily when he heard these words,
and he became very angry.

He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout the territory of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen.” Then the dread of the LORD fell on the people,
and they came out as one man.

He numbered them in Bezek; and the sons of Israel were 300,000,
and the men of Judah 30,000.

They said to the messengers who had come, “Thus you shall say to the men of Jabesh-gilead, ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will have deliverance.’” So the messengers went and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.

Then the men of Jabesh said “Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.”

The next morning Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp at the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

May we respond in like manner to the Word of the Lord…

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0341 2 Thess 1:6-12

“Valiant or Worthless?”

January 14, 2018

“Valiant or Worthless?”

Blessings folk!

Samuel presented Saul as king to Israel.

The people responded “long live the king.”

They had what they wanted.
They had a king.
They had rejected God to attain the king.
They did not care.

Now, we continue the narrative…

1Sa 10:25-27

Then Samuel told the people the ordinances of the kingdom, and wrote them in the book and placed it before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his house.

Saul also went to his house at Gibeah;
and the valiant men whose hearts God had touched went with him.

But certain worthless men said, “How can this one deliver us?”
And they despised him and did not bring him any present. But he kept silent.

Samuel told the people the ordinances of the kingdom.
The rules.
The regulations.
He told them and wrote them down in a book.
He then placed the book before the Lord.

Samuel had done what the Lord told him to do.

Saul went home. Yet, trouble was already brewing.
Sides were being taken.

Certain worthless men (we see that phrase in several places in Scripture) questioned how Saul, “this one”, could deliver them.
They despised Saul.
They did not present themselves before him.

Saul knew this, and kept silent.

The other side were valiant men.
Men that went home with Saul.
Men whose hearts had been touched by God.

Which are you?
Valiant?
Worthless?

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0340 2 Thess 1:1-5

“You Have Today Rejected Your God”

January 13, 2018

“You Have Today Rejected Your God”

Blessings folk!

Saul had prophesied.
He now went to the high place, as Samuel had said.

Read what happens next…

1Sa 10:14-24

Now Saul’s uncle said to him and his servant, “Where did you go?”
And he said, “To look for the donkeys.
When we saw that they could not be found, we went to Samuel.”

Saul’s uncle said, “Please tell me what Samuel said to you.”

So Saul said to his uncle, “He told us plainly that the donkeys had been found.”
But he did not tell him about the matter of the kingdom which Samuel had mentioned.

Thereafter Samuel called the people together to the LORD at Mizpah;

and he said to the sons of Israel, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel,
‘I brought Israel up from Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the power of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’

“But you have today rejected your God, who delivers you from all your calamities and your distresses; yet you have said, ‘No, but set a king over us!’
Now therefore, present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your clans.”

Thus Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot.

Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the Matrite family was taken. And Saul the son of Kish was taken; but when they looked for him, he could not be found.

Therefore they inquired further of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?”
So the LORD said, “Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage.”

So they ran and took him from there, and when he stood among the people,
he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward.

Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen? Surely there is no one like him among all the people.” So all the people shouted and said, “Long live the king!”

Saul’s uncle wanted to know what happened.
Saul told him.
Some.
Not all.
Perhaps Saul was being judicious by not making mention of the Kingdom matter.
Probably so.

Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah.

Note what the Lord said…

  • I brought Israel up from Egypt
  • I delivered you from the Egyptians
  • I delivered you from the power of the kingdoms that oppressed you
  • I delivered you from calamities and distresses
  • But, you today have rejected me by wanting a king
  • You have said “no” to Me
  • So, present yourselves by tribes and clans

They chose by lot.

Saul was chosen by lot.
A confirmation to Saul.

Where was Saul?

They had to seek the Lord to find him.
“He is hiding himself by the baggage”.

An auspicious start for a king.

Of course when the people saw him…
When they saw he was a head taller than all…
When Samuel said “there is no one like him”…
They shouted “long live the king”.

An “in-your-face” rejection of the Most High.

Many are the ways to reject the Lord.
Let us be careful to not do so.

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0339 1 Thess 5:19-28

“Changed! That Day!”

January 12, 2018

“Changed! That Day!”

Blessings folk!

We saw yesterday where the Lord spoke through the prophet Samuel and told Saul all that was about to occur.

A major point was that he would be changed into a new man.

The next verse says…

1Sa 10:9

Then it happened when he turned his back to leave Samuel, God changed his heart;
and all those signs came about on that day.

The Lord changed Saul’s heart.
This is the only way for a heart to be changed, the Lord doing it.

Why did God do so?
Because He chose to.

God was giving His people a king.
A king they requested.
The king would have the heart of God.

Now, would the king appropriate that heart?

We are also told that all the signs that we saw
yesterday came about on that day.
So all that Samuel said to him occurred that day.

1Sa 10:10-13

When they came to the hill there, behold, a group of prophets met him;
and the Spirit of God came upon him mightily, so that he prophesied among them.

It came about, when all who knew him previously saw that he prophesied now with the prophets, that the people said to one another, “What has happened to the son of Kish?
Is Saul also among the prophets?”

A man there said, “Now, who is their father?”
Therefore it became a proverb: “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place.

A group of prophets met Saul.
The Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily.
Saul prophesied.
He spoke forth the Word of the Lord.

The Lord can change our hearts.
The Lord can do whatever He wants with man.

May we seek and desire to receive what He has for us.

1Co 14:5

Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy;
and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets,
so that the church may receive edifying.


http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0338 1 Thess 5:16-18

“Changed Into Another Man”

January 11, 2018

“Changed Into Another Man”

Blessings Folk!

The narrative of Samuel/Saul/(and soon David) continues.

Give close heed to the detail.

Note what Samuel does to Saul.
Note what Samuel says to Saul.
Note why.
What was God doing?
Why?

1Sa 10:1-8

Then Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on his head, kissed him and said,
“Has not the LORD anointed you a ruler over His inheritance?

“When you go from me today, then you will find two men close to Rachel’s tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say to you, ‘The donkeys which you went to look for have been found. Now behold, your father has ceased to be concerned about the donkeys and is anxious for you, saying, “What shall I do about my son?”’

“Then you will go on further from there, and you will come as far as the oak of Tabor, and there three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a jug of wine;

and they will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you will accept from their hand.

“Afterward you will come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is; and it shall be as soon as you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and a lyre before them,
and they will be prophesying.

“Then the Spirit of the LORD will come upon you mightily,
and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man.

“It shall be when these signs come to you,
do for yourself what the occasion requires,
for God is with you.

“And you shall go down before me to Gilgal; and behold,
I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice peace offerings.
You shall wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you should do.”

Samuel anointed Saul with oil.
Samuel kissed him.
Samuel told Saul that the Lord had anointed him as ruler.

Then, Samuel tells Saul what was going to happen the next few hours/days.
Prophetic explanation given to verify the Word that Saul was anointed a ruler.

Two men by Rachel’s tomb - donkeys found, father concerned.

Three men going up to God at Bethel…very specific details as to what they had.
They will greet and gift you.
Saul was to accept.

Then, a group of prophets…a bunch of musicians!!

Then…
Then!
The Spirit of the Lord would come upon Saul mightily.
He was told in advance!
He would prophesy.
He would be changed into another man!

These were signs.
Signs that what Samuel said was true.
When these signs came, Saul was to do what the occasion required.
How?
Why?
Because God is with you.

Saul was then to go to Gilgal and await Samuel.
Wait seven days.
Samuel would then come and show him what to do.

The Lord will do likewise…and even more…for us.
We as believers have Him in us.

Give heed.
Abide.
Live!

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0337 1 Thess 5:12-15

"The Lord Revealed"

January 10, 2018

“The Lord Revealed…”

Blessings folk!

We continue with the Samuel/Saul narrative.
Yes!
I remember.
We began with a desire to look at David.
But, it is extremely important to understand the context of the times.

Give close attention to how the Lord speaks/reveals His desires…

1Sa 9:15-27

Now a day before Saul’s coming, the LORD had revealed this to Samuel saying,

“About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over My people Israel; and he will deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have regarded My people, because their cry has come to Me.”

When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him,
“Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! This one shall rule over My people.”

Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, “Please tell me where the seer’s house is.”

Samuel answered Saul and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place,
for you shall eat with me today; and in the morning I will let you go,
and will tell you all that is on your mind.

“As for your donkeys which were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father’s household?”

Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me in this way?”

Then Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who were invited, who were about thirty men.

Samuel said to the cook,
“Bring the portion that I gave you, concerning which I said to you, ‘Set it aside.’”

Then the cook took up the leg with what was on it and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, “Here is what has been reserved! Set it before you and eat, because it has been kept for you until the appointed time, since I said I have invited the people.”
So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

When they came down from the high place into the city, Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof.

And they arose early; and at daybreak Samuel called to Saul on the roof, saying,“Get up, that I may send you away.” So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went out into the street.

As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul,
“Say to the servant that he might go ahead of us and pass on, but you remain standing now, that I may proclaim the word of God to you.”


The Lord revealed to Samuel that a man of Benjamin was coming.
Samuel was to anoint him as prince over Israel.
This man would be:

  • prince over God’s people Israel
  • deliver His people from the Philistines

Why was God doing this?
  • He regarded His people
  • He heard the cry of HIs people

The Lord spoke to Samuel when he saw Saul.

Samuel then starts the process of revealing the truth to Saul.
A prophetic word of the well-being of the donkeys.
A meal together.
A prophetic portion of food…reserved for this time.
A time of conversation on the roof.
A sending away.
But, as Saul was leaving…a proclamation of the Word of God.

Which we will see tomorrow.

Be not impatient with the timing of the working of the Lord.
You may feel that you chasing donkeys, but God is working.
You may feel that you are alone for a strange ride…imagine Saul’s thoughts as all this was happening…remember, he said “I’m just a Benjamite…”

Hang on to the Lord!

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0336 1 Thess 5:1-8

“Donkey Search”

January 9, 2018

“Donkey Search”

Blessings folk!

Now, let us look at the narrative of Samuel and Saul…

1Sa 9:3-14

Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. So Kish said to his son Saul, “Take now with you one of the servants, and arise, go search for the donkeys.”

He passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them.

When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, and let us return, or else my father will cease to be concerned about the donkeys and will become anxious for us.”

He said to him, “Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and the man is held in honor; all that he says surely comes true. Now let us go there, perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have set out.”

Then Saul said to his servant, “But behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man?
For the bread is gone from our sack and there is no present to bring to the man of God.
What do we have?”

The servant answered Saul again and said, “Behold, I have in my hand a fourth of a shekel of silver; I will give it to the man of God and he will tell us our way.”

(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he used to say, “Come, and let us go to the seer”; for he who is called a prophet now was formerly called a seer.)

Then Saul said to his servant, “Well said; come, let us go.”
So they went to the city where the man of God was.

As they went up the slope to the city,
they found young women going out to draw water and said to them, “Is the seer here?”

They answered them and said, “He is; see, he is ahead of you. Hurry now, for he has come into the city today, for the people have a sacrifice on the high place today.

“As soon as you enter the city you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat, for the people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now therefore, go up for you will find him at once.”

So they went up to the city. As they came into the city, behold, Samuel was coming out toward them to go up to the high place.

Saul was sent to find some lost donkeys.
Hummm…sound like a task for servants?
Anyway…

They went on a “wild-goose-chase”.

Finally, one of the servants said “let’s check with the man of God”.

Happy

Sounds like us, no?

Why do we not “check with God” at the beginning?”

The servant offered his money as an offering.

So they went.

Little did Saul know…
He was looking for lost donkeys.
He was about to find his destiny.

The same occurs with us.
Do not fear the bland and mundane.
Press on in the day-to-day.
We never know what is to occur next…

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0335 1 Thess 4:13-18

“Kish: A Mighty Man of Valor”

January 8, 2018

“Kish: A Mighty Man of Valor”

Blessings folk!

Samuel had heard from the Lord.

A king was to be appointed.

Samuel sent all the men to their cities.

The Lord had chosen a king.

The next two chapters tell us how it happened.

For today, read the first few verses.
Note the detail.
Genealogy is important.

Note how Saul is described.

1Sa 9:1-2

Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor.

He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, 
and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel;
from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people.

Kish was Saul’s father
He was a mighty man of valor.
He was a man of Benjamin.

Saul was Kish’s son.
He was choice.
He was handsome.
There were none more handsome than he in all of Israel.
He was a head taller than all other.

An interesting way to begin an account, no?

We will see the relevance later.

For now, Kish was a mighty man of valor.
Saul was pretty.

Man always looks upon the external…

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0334 1 Thess 4:9-12

“They Refused…”

January 7, 2018

“They Refused…”

Blessings folk!

The people demanded a king be appointed by Samuel.

Samuel takes it to the Lord.

The Lord tells Samuel to warn the people what a king would do.

Samuel did.

The people’s response?

1Sa 8:19-22

Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said,
“No, but there shall be a king over us,

that we also may be like all the nations,
that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

Now after Samuel had heard all the words of the people,
he repeated them in the LORD’S hearing.

The LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to their voice and appoint them a king.”
So Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Go every man to his city.”

They refused to listen to Samuel, thereby, refusing to listen to God.

They doubled-down.
“No!”
“There shall be a king over us…!”

This was not mistake.
They did not misunderstand.
The were boldly rejecting God.

Why?

So that they could be like other nations…really, how were the nations doing?
So that the king may judge over them…rather than God.
So that the king could go out before them and fight their fights…kings do not fight, they send.

Samuel repeated their words to God.

God’s response?

“Listen to their voice.”
“Appoint a king.”

We are the same way.
We insist on doing things our way, rather than God’s.
Sadly, we do so in the name of the Lord.

Time to stop.

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0333, 1 Thess 4:1-8

“Procedure of the King”

January 6, 2018

“Procedure of the King”

Blessings folk!

The people had demanded of Samuel a king for themselves.

This displeased Samuel, yet, God to told Samuel to appoint a king.
The Lord was rejected by the people.

The Lord told Samuel to tell the people what the king would do.
He did.

1Sa 8:9-18
“Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them.”

So Samuel spoke all the words of the LORD to the people who had asked of him a king.

He said, “This will be the procedure of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and place them for himself in his chariots and among his horsemen
and they will run before his chariots.

“He will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and of fifties,
and some to do his plowing and to reap his harvest and to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots.

“He will also take your daughters for perfumers and cooks and bakers.

“He will take the best of your fields and your vineyards and your olive groves
and give them to his servants.

“He will take a tenth of your seed and of your vineyards
and give to his officers and to his servants.

“He will also take your male servants and your female servants and your best young men and your donkeys and use them for his work.

“He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his servants.

“Then you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day.”

As good a synopsis of the government of man as to be found anywhere.

The procedure of the king will to:

  • reign over you
  • take your sons
  • place your sons in chariots, horsemen
  • appoint for himself commanders
  • appoint for himself workers of the field
  • appoint for himself makers of weapons
  • take your daughters
  • take the best of your fields, vineyards, olive groves and give them to his servants
  • take your best male/female servants and best young men and your donkeys for his work
  • take a tenth of your flocks
  • make you his servants

Regardless of the “form” of man-made, man-centered government, this is what occurs.
Kings arise.

The procedure of the king is not what the Lord wanted.
It is what people wanted/want.

The same occurs today.

Note that in the end they cry out to the Lord because of the king.
The king they had chosen for themselves.
The Lord did not/will not answer in that day.

Seek not the “king among the people”.
Seek the King of kings.

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0332 1 Thess 3:8-13

“We Want A King,,,”

January 5, 2018

“We Want A King,,,”

Blessings folk!

As per a request, we will spend more time looking at David. (We will return to Mark&hellipWinking

The context must be set.

Read…

1Sa 8:1-9

And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel.

Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah;
they were judging in Beersheba.

His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice.

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah;

and they said to him, “Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.”

But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said,
“Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the LORD.

The LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.

“Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day—in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods—
so they are doing to you also.

“Now then, listen to their voice; however, you shall solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them.”

Samuel had judged (led) Israel.
He was now old.
He appointed his sons over Israel.

Notice that Samuel did this.

These appointments displeased the elders of Israel.
Why?

Because Samuel’s sons…

  • did not walk in the ways of Samuel or of the Lord
  • turned aside after dishonest gain
  • took bribes
  • perverted justice

The people demanded that Samuel appoint a king over them.

This displeased Samuel.
He went before the Lord.
The Lord told Samuel to do it.
The people were not rejecting Samuel…gives us some insight into his heart…but the people were rejecting the Lord.
They continued to forsake the Lord.
They continued to serve other Gods.

It was not the Lord’s desire for the people to have a king from among themselves.
He was their King.

What led to this?

The sons were sinners.
The people forsook God and pursued idols.
They did not consult God.

Other portions of the Word tell us that they wanted a king because other nations had one.

God told Samuel to warn them about what they would get.
He did.
They still wanted a king.

Give close heed to these truths.
The same occurs today.

Many appointed do not walk in the ways of the Lord, turn aside to dishonest gain, take bribes and pervert justice.

The people of the Lord go their own way and do not seek the counsel of the Lord.
They do not walk in His ways.

May we not be counted among them.

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0331 1 Thess 3:1-8

“Your Kingdom Will Not Endure…”

January 4, 2018

“Your Kingdom Will Not Endure…”

Blessings folk!

A little more of the side-bar…

The people coming to David were tired.

Tired of servicing a king and royal structure that the Lord had rejected.

1Sa 13:13-14
“You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.

But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the LORD’s command.”

David was that man.

These men wanted more.
They were rejecting…

  • Debt
  • Discontentment
  • Distress

They were turning to/receiving hope.

1Sa 22:1-2
So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard of it, they went down there to him.

Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them.
Now there were about four hundred men with him.


David was/is a picture of Messiah to come.

We no longer put our hope in a man that represents the One to come.
We place our hope in the One that has come and will return - Jesus Christ the Messiah.

Is the Lord stirring your spirit?
Is He revealing things to you?
Are you paying attention?

The kingdoms of man will not endure.
They are collapsing before our eyes - political and religious.

The Kingdom of God endures forever.
It is growing before our eyes.

There are things here for us to glean.
May we have eyes to see.
May we have ears to hear.
May we have the mind of the Lord.
May we do as He commands and instructs.

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0330 1 Thess 3:1-3

“Departed From There/Escaped to the Cave”

January 3, 2018

“Departed From There/Escaped to the Cave”

Blessings folk!

A short side-bar from our examination of Mark.

A thought that continually runs through my mind.

So many people are experiencing this.

I think the Lord is stirring.

What do you think?

1Sa 22:1-2

So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam;
and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard of it, they went down there to him.

Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them.
Now there were about four hundred men with him.

We have looked at this passage several times in the past, but something struck me this morning I had not seen before.

David had to depart from there.
He had to leave from under Saul and all the benefits and threats of the King’s surroundings.

David left.
He ultimately escaped to the cave.

From the surrounding of man-made splendor to the surrounding of natural stone.

He left comfort.
He left his life.
He left family and friend.
He stepped out to preserve his life.

There are times when we must do likewise.

But, note what happened.

When his brothers and father’s household heard, they went to him.

Note their situation.
They were in distress.
They were in debt.
They were discontented.

This is more than just immediate family - there were four hundred men.
These were those who saw that the hand of the Lord was not upon Saul.
These were ones who saw that “doing-the-same-ole-same-ole-in-the-name-of-the-Lord” would accomplish little.

These were going with the man of God.
These were going with the calling of God.

Such is occurring today.

Fear not if the Lord leads you to depart.
Fear not if their is a stirring in your spirit to follow Him and seek Him beyond anything you have done in the past.
Fear not if you have no clue as to what is next.

The Lord will provide…
A cave.
A fellowship.
His freedom.

Yeah!

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0329 1 Thess. 2:16-20

“Fled Naked”

January 2, 2017

“Fled Naked”

Blessings folk!

Jesus was being arrested.
It was intense.

Peter had cut the ear off of a servant of the High Priest.
Jesus healed the servant.

Jesus asks why they sought to arrest Him in this manner when He was in the Temple daily?
Jesus then says it is to fulfill prophecy.

The disciples flee at that Word.
They had said they would never forsake nor deny Jesus, yet now they all run.

How quickly did they flee?

Read…

Mar 14:51-52
And there followed him a certain young man,
having a linen cloth cast about his naked body;
and the young men laid hold on him.

And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

A certain young man, likely not one of the disciples, was following Jesus.
He was also seized.
He literally ran out of this clothes.
A streaker. Happy
An original “tear-away” outfit. Happy

He fled naked.

It is generally agreed that the “certain young man” was Mark himself, the author of this letter.
Maybe.
Maybe not.

Regardless, know this.
It was an intense, difficult time.
The disciples thought they were prepared.
They thought they were ready.

Jesus tells us to be ready…Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, Luke 21.
Are you?

Extremely difficult times are just ahead.

http://dalemoore.podbean.com

The Word: Episode 0328 1 Thess 2: 13-16

“Know the Word”

January 1, 2018

“Know the Word”

Blessings folk!

“There’s an app for that!”

A very common phrase that has entered the speech pattern of our society.

The word that I bring to you today is this.

Be a person of your word.
Be a person of The Word.

The only way to be a person of your word is to live according to The Word.

We must know the Word.

Take in the Word.

Read it.
Listen to it.
Study it.
Meditate upon it.

Determine today to spend time with the Lord through His Word.
Consistently.

Here are some resources for reading/listening.
Be proactive.
Listen while you drive, work, do chores, etc.
Get/use these apps!

The Lord will speak to you.

http://www.readscripture.org/ (Definitely get this app)
http://www.bible.is/
https://www.blueletterbible.org/

Pro 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.


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