Bravery

2 Samuel 10: ¹² Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight.”

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As I gobbled down my lunch, I set up my Backgammon game waiting for my next victim. Yes I said Backgammon and we had classes in caves too. A friend of mine brought an antagonistic individual to the table. He said to me “What would you say if I said there is no GOD?”

The only reason I remember this so vividly is because this was the first time anyone had challenged my beliefs. I mean up to this point I went to church and came home like everyone else. No one had ever asked me to explain my beliefs. I was scared, but words came out of my mouth. “I just know” was the beginning of the conversation that took the rest of the period.

• When I face something difficult, I get scared.
• When I face antagonistic situations I get frightened.
• When I face what seems to be an army of issues, I get nervous.

Fear consumes me, then it makes me want to run and hide in the corner.  At that point nothing gets done. I then remember the fear and get scared to try anything that is challenging. BUT GOD wants something different of me.

• GOD wants me to be strong when times are difficult.
• GOD wants me to fight when I face a foe of HIS.
• GOD wants me to realize the battle is won because HE is the one who fights for me.

When entering any battle I must equip myself with the knowledge that the outcome belongs to GOD. This makes me approach the battle differently.  I see an opponent as an ally rather than someone who needs to be conquered or removed to get my way.  This is GOD’s child and compassion coupled with strength is how I need to go into the battle.

I can’t win unless we all win. I must be brave enough to bring others along, when I can.

• Are you facing fear?
• Are you scared of something new?
• Can you give your fear over to GOD?
• Won’t you BE STRONG because GOD is with you? 

Seek to be kind

2 Samuel 9: ³ The king asked, “Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?”

Ziba answered the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.”

⁴ “Where is he?” the king asked.

Ziba answered, “He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar.”

⁵ So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.

⁶ When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor.

David said, “Mephibosheth!”

“At your service,” he replied.

⁷ “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”

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Kindness has been shown to me in various forms for many years. From a scout leader who tirelessly gave his time to us to the many bosses who stuck their neck out for me. One thing I noticed about them is they didn’t ask they just did.

• GOD wants me to seek moments in which I can be kind to someone.
• GOD wants me to actively pursue people to be kind to.
• GOD wants me to sacrifice a vacation or some “me” time to be kind to someone.

Being kind takes time and thought, but not always. Sometimes it is something as small as holding a door for someone or placing their newspaper near their door or smiling at them. The kind part is seen by the person who has done nothing to deserve the act. Hopefully I am ready to tell them why I do these things.

• I am kind because GOD is kind to me.
• I am kind because GOD can use the kindness to draw people to HIM.
• I am kind because GOD says “Love one another as I have loved you.”

Kindness should never be mistake for weakness. In fact it takes strength to show kindness in a humble way not expecting anything in return. Being kind is exactly what GOD wants from me.

• Are you full of complaints?
• Do you expect to get and never to give?
• Should you be kind to the person who isn’t?
• Won’t you show someone kindness today for the purpose of drawing them closer to GOD?

True Leadership

2 Samuel ¹⁵ David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. 

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Blame was the name of the game at this particular company. My boss and my boss’s boss played the game extremely well. I wasn’t so good at it but I wanted to get ahead.  With my tiny team of three I worked to get things done. 

One person on my team was quite obnoxious because he was very knowledgeable on the system. Our tiny team would go around in circles because of arguments and discussions brought up by this guy! I thought to myself… I can blame him for our slow delivery. That was a huge mistake!

• I show poor leadership when I blame my people.
• I show poor leadership when I don’t resolve issues quickly.
• I show poor leadership when I am not sure of my direction.

This horrible experience taught me what a poor leader looks like.  After licking my wounds from the beating I received I had a lot of questions. What does a good leader look like? GOD had my answer.

• GOD says in order to be great I must be the least amongst my people.
• GOD says in order to confront people I must understand what love and compassion is.
• GOD says in order to lead many I must follow HIM for HE holds the correct path in HIS hands.

I was so busy trying to be the title that I was not being a good leader. I didn’t know my team, I didn’t know their strengths nor their weaknesses. I focused on the end goal and would get there with a lot of wounds. BUT GOD wanted me to act different. GOD wanted me to treat people right, confront with compassion and reward them for their accomplishments.

He wanted me to accept my position as a leader by following HIM and being led by HIS plans.

• Are you leading a group?
• Do you have Blame on your lips?
• Can you turn your blame into understanding of “that” person?
• Won’t you bring GOD into your leadership style and serve your team rather than forcing them to do your bidding?

How Great Thou Art!

2 Samuel 7: ²² “How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 

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Sin takes my thoughts off of how GREAT GOD really is. I mean I get so busy asking for forgiveness that I can’t bring myself to marvel at HIS greatness. Worry does the same. It robs my thoughts of the splendor of GOD. I can say the same for a busy life, troubles and even vacations.

Each distraction takes my mind off of GOD and places it on yet another prayer asking for something. GOD deserves something different.

• HEAVENLY FATHER thank YOU for being GOD, I adore YOU!
• JESUS thank YOU, thank YOU for volunteering to take my execution sentence, I am at a loss for words.
• HOLY SPIRIT, thank YOU for dwelling in my sinful body, guiding me, comforting me, leading me and interceding for me.

GOD is truly amazing! There is none like HIM and no human can match wits with HIM. HE has forgiven me and raised me up in spite of my sin!

Blaming GOD

2 Samuel 6: ⁶ When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. ⁷ The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.

⁸ Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.

⁹ David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, “How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?” ¹⁰ He was not willing to take the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. ¹¹ The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his entire household.

¹² Now King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing.

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Finally at 12:30AM I went to bed after watching my racy show. This would be a normal day, I thought to myself. As I raced to the airport traffic was unusually thick entering the parking area. I cut it too close and watched the plane pull away from boarding area as I had arrived.

GOD why are YOU doing this to me?! I screamed in my mind!  With the sunken feeling of reality, I booked the next flight, knowing the partner of the firm would be livid. He was!

• Sometimes when things don’t go my way I blame GOD.
• Sometimes when things are going wrong I blame GOD.
• Sometimes when I think things aren’t fair I blame GOD.

David wasn’t supposed to have the ark of GOD on a cart rather it was to be carried by consecrated people as a burden to their sins. David became angry at GOD for killing a person when in reality David was the cause. I can see similar situations in my life when I am mad at GOD but blind to the sin I’m doing in my life.

• GOD wants me to recognize my own sin and admit it ti HIM.
• GOD wants me to understand when I’m blaming HIM and focus on praising HIM.
• GOD wants me to control my contempt of HIM being GOD and thank HIM rather than blame HIM.

With my sin GOD doesn’t always react with punishment. If that were the case, I would have been wiped off the planet years ago. GOD sometimes punishes me and other times HE teaches me with grace, mercy and love. HE is to be praised, not blamed!

• Are you blaming GOD for your circumstance?
• Are you trying to control your situation too much?
• Can you let go of your situation and allow GOD to yield HIS fruit?
• Won’t you review your own life and give HIM areas that are holding you back from greatness?

Asking for the correct path

2 Samuel 5: ¹⁸ Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; ¹⁹ so David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?”

The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hands.”

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When I began college I jumped right in, doing as I was told and failing miserably at it. In fact one professor said to me “unless you write a brilliant final, you WILL fail this class.” Ugh, the words still shutter in my mind!

When I graduated I thought to myself… “That was rough! How can I do things differently?” I got on my knees and began to pray this simple prayer “LORD please make me successful.” When I got up, nothing changed. I mean I still had a beat up car, bills and a job I had no clue how to conquer. But for some reason, I felt different.

• When I proceed in my plan without GOD I fail miserably.
• When I think I can do things without GOD I am sadly mistaken.
• When I march forward without GOD I run into many problems that HE allows me to stay in.

Desires and goals pop into my head and they seem quite innocent. I mean it’s not like I’m trying to hurt someone or perform a crime. BUT GOD wants my entire life

• GOD wants me to ask HIM about my plans because HE may have something different in mind.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM about my plans to give HIM the chance to say NO or NOT NOW or YES.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM about my plans so HE can add something special to them and truly make it a blessing.

When I leave GOD out of my plans, I leave out answers about the future that only HE knows. I leave out power to remove obstacles that only HE can remove. I leave out compassion for others that HE adds to my plan.

GOD answered my simple prayer and may me wildly “successful.” When I don’t include HIM, my plans fall apart, so I try to ask HIM for HIS blessings on a daily basis.

• Are you trying to do things on your own?
• Do you think you can execute your plan without GOD?
• Are you trying to execute a plan that has not been blessed by GOD?
• Won’t you ask HIM for direction today and allow HIM to work in your life?

What does strength look like?

2 Samuel 3:¹The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

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³⁶ All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them. ³⁷ So on that day all the people there and all Israel knew that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner.

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Everyone stood up when this guy walked in the room.  I was slow to rise as I was befuddled as to what was going on. We just stood there waiting on someone else to say something. I have no idea what was said but was happy when the guy left. “Don’t you know that was the vice president of something” they exclaimed.

From that day forward I tried to pay attention to what actually made someone powerful. I thought it was obtaining a title so I climbed the ladder to get one. I found out titles make people weaker because they can lean on them.

• When I use a title as my strength, I am weak.
• When I value someone’s title more than others, I am weak.
• When I think a title will give me more power, I am weak.

Once again David showed me what strength looks like. One of his generals murdered a person who defected and joined David in the quest for the kingdom. Abner was David’s enemy only because he was loyal to Saul, but Abner wanted the kingdom to follow David once Saul died.

David’s general murdered Abner in revenge but tried to cover it up saying Abner was acting as a spy. David cried and would not eat when he heard of the news. He actually cared.

• I learned that strong people care about others rather than the position.
• I learned that strong people don’t care about the competitive advantage rather they do what is right.
• I learned that strong people aren’t afraid to weep in public and are courageous enough to call out what is wrong.

Titles don’t make me strong, GOD does! In my weakness HE is strong. HE is pleased when I care about others and seek HIS face. HE wants me to value HIM rather than positions. GOD wants me to elevate HIM as the true measure of strength.

• Are you acting weak?
• Do you seek revenge?
• Do you believe that things would be better at the next level?
• Won’t you look to GOD as your source of strength rather than the title you aspire to?

GOD’s Blessings

2 Samuel 2:1 In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked.

The Lord said, “Go up.”

David asked, “Where shall I go?”

“To Hebron,” the Lord answered.

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⁴ Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the tribe of Judah.

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“How do you know GOD is talking to you?” many people have asked me. I can’t quite describe it, but it usually starts with my troubles, doubts fears and even desires.

• When I’m worried and see no way out GOD says to me “Have peace” and I calm down.
• When I’m troubled and disturbed GOD says to me “Rest besides still waters” and I relax.
• When I’m full of doubt and filled with fear GOD says to me “Have faith” and I let go of the unknown.

GOD speaks to me through reading and trying to understand HIM. Reading the Bible alone won’t do it. HE also speaks to me through people HE has put into my life. I’m not talking about some person who spontaneously appears rather HE places the right person at the right time, just when I need them.

GOD also speaks through circumstances HE places in my life. Whether they seem “bad” or “good,” GOD shows me HIS power and might on a daily basis.

• I know it’s GOD when HE tells me to do something that requires total faith in HIM.
• I know it’s GOD when HE tells me to do something that will grow HIS kingdom.
• I know it’s GOD when HE tells me to do something that aligns with the Bible.
• I know it’s GOD when HE tells me to do something that the HOLY SPIRIT inside me agrees with.

I could go on and on about the many “coincidences” that have happened in my life that only came from GOD. Examples like inadvertently turning down a street and seeing someone I was supposed to see or waking up while driving only to see I was safe or being catapulted to high ranks with an impoverished background, strengthen my faith in HIM all the more.

How do I know GOD is talking to me? I just do!

• Can you hear GOD?
• Is HE speaking to you today?
• Is HE asking you to trust in HIM fully and drop your fears, doubts and worries?
• Can you see HIM working in the middle of trials?
• Won’t you pursue learning about HIM today?

Should I celebrate when my enemies fall?

2 Samuel 1: ²³ Saul and Jonathan—
    in life they were loved and admired,
    and in death they were not parted.
They were swifter than eagles,
    they were stronger than lions.

²⁴ “Daughters of Israel,
    weep for Saul,
who clothed you in scarlet and finery,
    who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold.

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It was a very snide conversation that I remember vividly. A woman tried to take over our system by selling hers to individual franchisees. She had convinced a group that they would lose money if they went with the corporate system instead of hers. I rallied the senior executives and we put a plan together to squelch the fire of miscommunication.

The plan worked and we were able to deploy the corporate system without flaw. I rejoiced because she was pretty smug in her approach. A thought popped in my head to call her and ask her how she felt now that she lost!

• In the past I felt great when others fell.
• In the past I rejoiced when the rich and powerful got what was coming to them.
• In the past I made enemies and rejoiced taking them down.

Saul wanted to kill David with all of his heart. The LORD departed Saul and he had a rage of jealousy that left him focused on a futile vendetta. When the word came to David that Saul and Jonathan died, he wept bitterly. He wept for his enemy.

• GOD truly wants me to desire that everyone gets to know HIS SON.
• GOD wants me to desire the best for everyone in my prayers, actions and discussions.
• GOD wants me to desire grace, mercy and love for everyone including those who intentionally have harmed me in the past.

Quite honestly, it is difficult to climb up to the place where I can really desire something better for my enemies. BUT GOD says HE will reward me when I pray for them to succeed in getting to know HIS SON. Each time I do this, I actually have won the battle and the war.

• Do you have someone who is acting like your enemy right now?
• Do you sneer and scoff at a leader or someone in power?
• Can you stop feeling sorry for yourself and ask GOD to forgive you and that person?
• Won’t you pray about “that” person hoping they will know CHRIST who is responsible for all forgiveness? 

Being above pettiness

1 Samuel 30: ²¹ Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow him and who were left behind at the Besor Valley. They came out to meet David and the men with him. As David and his men approached, he asked them how they were. ²² But all the evil men and troublemakers among David’s followers said, “Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered. However, each man may take his wife and children and go.”

²³ David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us. ²⁴ Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.”²⁵ David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this.

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“I’m not sure if he is a good boss or not” were the words that came from my lips as we met by the coffee machine and chatted. Months later we were going through yet another reorganization. He moved my family to a faraway land and we still questioned the validity of his business prowess, but exclaimed praise for his upward momentum.

One day he pulled me in his office and said, “I have watched over you. Raise yourself above any petty talk and you will succeed.” I think he knew I was talking about him. He blessed me for years after with raises and promotions. He went on to become the CEO.

• When I gossip I am being petty.
• When I talk about people who didn’t pull their weight I am being petty.
• When I think negatively about someone GOD is raising up I am being petty.

“Eighty percent of the work is done by twenty percent” of the people is how the old saying goes. Am I in helping group or the group that sits back and murmurs and complains about the boss? Well apparently I was in the latter of the two. BUT GOD wants me to be different.

• GOD wants me to stop complaining about “that” person and start praying “for” that person.
• GOD wants me to stop murmuring and start moving.
• GOD wants me to stop holding people back and start helping them move forward.

From his mentorship I was able to let go of my pettiness and grow people to become my boss and greater without being jealous. GOD blessed me with removing my blindness to others and great thing happened.

• Are you being petty?
• Are you too blind to see what GOD sees in “that” person?
• Do you murmur about “those” people?
• Can you reduce your complaining and gossiping and begin praising GOD for  HIS blessings?

GOD steers the plan

1 Samuel 29: The Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek, and Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. ² As the Philistine rulers marched with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear with Achish.³ The commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?”

Achish replied, “Is this not David, who was an officer of Saul king of Israel? He has already been with me for over a year, and from the day he left Saul until now, I have found no fault in him.”

⁴ But the Philistine commanders were angry with Achish and said, “Send the man back, that he may return to the place you assigned him. He must not go with us into battle, or he will turn against us during the fighting. How better could he regain his master’s favor than by taking the heads of our own men?

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Sitting in the interview, I answered all of the questions about innovation with brilliance, or at least I thought so. Then they asked the question “would you be able to let go of about 30% of your department?” My hand literally twitched and I got nervous.  I felt my voice stumble and stammer.

I took a deep breath and said “Of course!” Seeing right through my ploy, they dismissed me as a candidate. Looking back on it, I am glad I didn’t have to put a large number of people at risk of losing everything.

Sometimes when I plan something and it doesn’t work out then I plan another thing that doesn’t include GOD.

Sometimes when I fail at something, I am willing to do whatever it takes to be successful, even if it goes against what I stand for.

Sometimes when I don’t get my way, I lower my standards and values and blame it on GOD.

David knew he was supposed to be king, yet his own kingdom was trying to kill him. I’m sure he thought that if he sided with his enemies, surely he could become king by force, so his 600 men joined the ranks of thousands and thousands only to be rejected by them as well.

I felt the same way when I had been rejected. I figured since “this” group didn’t want me, then maybe this other group would. GOD said something different.

GOD says my success should be done through HIM and HIM alone.

GOD knows I want to be successful, but is not willing to compromise HIS standards of faith and trust in HIM.

GOD understands my desire to avoid the difficult route but HE wants me to mature in HIS faith so HE allows trouble in my life.

It would be easy and convenient to be rejected and hop over to my enemies and try to fit in, but that would compromise my values. GOD wants me to remain steadfast in my faith and push forward with HIM even when there are giant obstacles in my way.

Are you considering dropping GOD and trying something else?

Have you given up on GOD’s deliverance?

Can you rest your mind  a moment and seek GOD’s face wherever you go?

Change of plans may not be a good idea

1 Samuel 28: ⁴ The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa. ⁵ When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. 

⁶ He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. ⁷ Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.”

“There is one in Endor,” they said.

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“LORD please make me wealthy” was my childish prayer at the time. With bills mounting high and no relief in sight, fear fell over me and I didn’t know where to go. I did not hear anything from GOD. No signs or people or bags of money from heaven. I devised a plan. “Powerball!” I immediately bought a lottery ticket and pledged to give a tenth of my millions to the closest church.

• Fear makes me turn from GOD.
• Fear makes me murmur at trials GOD takes me through.
• Fear makes me put my hope into something other than GOD.

When I am filled with fear, I see things differently. I “react” instead of consulting GOD and sometimes put my trust in something other than HIM. GOD wants me to think differently.

• GOD wants me to trust HIM in the middle of my fear.
• GOD wants me to understand HE loves me in the middle of my trial.
• GOD wants me to tell others of HIS might even before HE delivers me out of my troubles.

Fear makes me change my plans and run away from GOD. I seek comfort somewhere other than where GOD tells me and my plans fall apart rapidly. When I seek GOD’s face I come through the trial triumphant, no matter what I’m facing!

• Are you facing a trial?
• Do you feel alone?
• Can you seek GOD instead of dreaming of a plan that doesn’t have HIM in it?
• Won’t you ask GOD for HIS success instead of yours?

GOD is watching

1 Samuel 26: ²³ The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. ²⁴ As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.”

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When I finally received the letter with my title and new salary, I said to myself, “I can’t wait to fire a few people.” I knew just who I had in mind. These were the lazy and slothful, at least in my mind, but really they were those who had opposed me over the years.

I handed in my list of people who should be cut, only to find out much later that one was my boss’s boss great friend.

• Sometimes I choose justice over grace.
• Sometimes I choose vengeance over mercy.
• Sometimes I choose “my way” versus “GOD’s way.”

It just feels good to get revenge or see someone fall who has been a jerk to many. BUT GOD wants me to have a different approach.

• GOD wants me to show mercy and sometimes explain it.
• GOD wants me to choose grace by praying for my enemies.
• GOD wants me to value life over getting my way.

Yes, GOD has softened my heart over the years and I value souls more stuff. My push is now focused on the kingdom more and more. It’s not always there but the more I can focus on GOD the more HE rewards me.

• Are you ready and hoping for vengeance?
• Do you want justice to happen?
• Are you waiting on a person to fail?
• Can you change your heart and hope for the best for that person?
• Won’t you pray for GOD to embrace them rather than taking them down?

Treating people with respect

1 Samuel 25: ⁸ Ask your own servants and they will tell you. Therefore be favorable toward my men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.’”

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¹⁰ Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. ¹¹ Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?”

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¹⁸ Abigail acted quickly. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys. ¹⁹ Then she told her servants, “Go on ahead; I’ll follow you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal.

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² David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. ³³ May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands. ³⁴ Otherwise, as surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak.”

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“Excuse me” were the soft spoken words uttered to me.  I acknowledged the person but I couldn’t fulfill their request because I was extremely busy.  I then forgot their request, but I’m sure he asked someone else. Besides, “who was this guy anyway?”  He was dressed in a lumberjack style shirt and jeans!

As the meeting commenced, the Senior Vice President introduced some special people that was in our audience.  Wouldn’t you know, that lumberjack shirt guy was “the special person and one of the wealthiest individuals in the room?

• My immediate assumptions about people can cause me to think the wrong thing.
• My filtered impression about a person may cause me to think the wrong thing.
• My prejudiced view of a person may cause me to think the wrong thing.

When I see a person from the wrong perspective, I may not give them the respect they deserve. This behavior may have dire consequences that I may not be aware of.

• GOD wants me to treat everyone with the same level of high respect in order to draw them to HIM.
• GOD wants me to treat everyone with the same level of respect because HE sees people equally.
• GOD wants me to treat everyone with the same level of admiration in order for me to see what HE sees in them.

GOD has a purpose for each person and wants me to respect the beauty HE made inside of them.

• Are you treating someone wrong?
• Do you have a negative view of a person?
• Can you start treating that person with respect?

The High Road to True Leadership

1 Samuel 24: ³ He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. ⁴ The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.

⁵ Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. ⁶ He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” ⁷ With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

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“Get out of my meeting!” were the disturbing, yet satisfying words I have only spoken once in my career. As I disposed of the blustery person I felt relieved that my meeting would continue, but even more, the blatant disrespect was squelched and no one dared to challenge me like that.

Years later as I tried to change jobs, I went to interview at a company. I prepared by doing research. The next day the interview was cancelled. I was extremely confused and dug a little deeper. The guy I threw out of my meeting was in charge of the department at that company.

• Getting even is extremely satisfying, short term.
• Getting the upper hand is filled with elation, short term.
• Getting rid of blustery, mean, overbearing people is so rewarding, short term.

One might say I did the right thing at the time, but I never went back to the guy to understand what he was going through and why he was so passionate. I was so focused on the matter at hand that I could not see a larger picture of working together.

• GOD wants me to bring people together rather than always seeking ‘my way.”
• GOD wants me to forgive my enemies rather than seeking immediate vengeance on them.
• GOD wants me to see the situation from HIS perspective rather than looking at it from my short term lens.

David took the high road which actually gave him more power than he could realize. The times when I took the high road seemed foolish and downright crazy to most, BUT GOD knows and loves me for it. The high road brings people to GOD!

• Are you in a position where you can harm someone?
• Is your tongue spitting slander or poison about people?
• Can you take the high road and speak praises about “that” person?
• Will you allow GOD to take revenge on “that” person while you pray for them?

Sometimes my faith needs help

1 Samuel 23: ¹⁵ While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life. ¹⁶ And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. 

¹⁷ “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” ¹⁸ The two of them made a covenant before the Lord. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.

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All I could think of was “Mud” and “Dust” and “The weak baby with the fly on its eye” as I answered the call to go on this particular missions trip.  I was scared out of my wits. When we had our first meeting, one of the leaders asked are there any concerns?

I, of course, raised my hand and began blurting out a list of questions expressing my obvious concern. One of the leaders told all of us “Do not be afraid. GOD will watch over us.”

• Sometimes I get afraid of the unknown.
• Sometimes I dream of what could go wrong with my comfortable life.
• Sometimes I imagine what it would be like if the worst happens.

I imagined sleeping in a bug infested hut and in reality we stayed in a nice home in a great city. The images I had seen from television placed a false view of the people I would be serving. My fear almost kept me from answering the call BUT GOD sent word through HIS servants.

• GOD said to me “Do not be afraid.”
• GOD said to me “I will be with you.”
• GOD said to me “Serve MY people and you will be fine.”

I went on the trip and it was life changing. I saw extreme wealth and extreme poverty. I witnessed people starving to hear a message of hope and now I want to give that hope to many. I am glad GOD sent people to calm me down.

• Are you nervous about something?
• Do you fear the worst?
• Can you hear this message that GOD is with you and loves you dearly?
• Won’t you comfort a person who is nervous and tell them to “keep going?”

GOD gives me my footing!

1 Saumel 22: 1 David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. ² All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander. About four hundred men were with him.

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²⁰ But one son of Ahimelek son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled to join David. ²¹ He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. ²² Then David said to Abiathar, “That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your whole family. ²³ Stay with me; don’t be afraid. The man who wants to kill you is trying to kill me too. You will be safe with me.”

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Sitting on the corporate jet I discussed the millions we were going to spend that year and how we were going to use the large department to grow the business. Years later I sat in my home wondering where my first customer was going to come from in my micro business.

All of the large budgeting techniques and resource management lessons couldn’t scare up a single customer on my own. On opening day there were no parades or floods of people handing me money like my previous employer. “LORD where are you?” was my question.

• When I put a timer on GOD I get disappointed.
• When I get anxious about when HE is going to deliver me I get distressed.
• When I threaten GOD with a date and a line in the sand I get displeased.

GOD scoffs at my dates and times. In fact HE laughs at every humans plans and end of world predictions. HE is the only one who knows what is going to happen so HE says this to me.

• MY thoughts are not your thoughts MY ways are not your ways.
• No one knows the day or the hour in which I will return.
• I will be with you even until the end of this age.
• Put your trust in ME.

David started to get his footing even though he was still being pursued. I felt the same way when after my exclamation a customer purchased, then another and another. Soon I had a contract with steady work. GOD started my journey over with a small group of people.

• Do you feel you have lost you footing?
• Do you feel you have started over and are hiding in a cave?
• Can you come out of your cave and face the situation with GOD’s strength?
• Won’t you shut out the noise of the doubters and move forward with confidence, trust and faith?

Fear makes me do dumb things

1 Samuel 21: ¹⁰ That day David fled from Saul and went to Achish king of Gath. ¹¹ But the servants of Achish said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the one they sing about in their dances:

“‘Saul has slain his thousands,
    and David his tens of thousands’?”

¹² David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath. ¹³ So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard.

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Walking from one school to the next, a buddy and I chatted along the trek. We turned the corner and was met with a pack of street dogs. A couple of them began to growl. My friend took his book bag and waved it at the dogs. I on the other hand saw a tall bush, not a tree, a bush.

It was manicured with no branches at the bottom and flimsiness at the top. I quickly tried to escape in this thing to no avail. I had to join in on the fight.

• Fear makes me react on first impulse.
• Fear makes me think the worst is going to happen.
• Fear makes me play out suppositions in my mind that really aren’t true.

Fear makes me think things are disastrous. Even my shadow scares me when I’m fearful. I then start playing out “what would happen” scenarios and I go down a path that makes me even more fearful! BUT GOD says different.

• GOD wants me to trust HIM instead of being fearful.
• GOD wants me to give my fears to HIM in prayer.
• GOD wants me to agree HE is mighty and on my side so there is no need to have fear.

Many times I have feared the worst and GOD says to me “do not be afraid.” HE knows the situation seems bleak BUT HIS power is far greater than any situation I can face. HE understands my fear, worry or doubt and asks that I give to HIM “specifically” calling out the fear to HIM in prayer. HE then grants me peace that I don’t understand.

• Do you have fears?
• Are you afraid of a particular situation?
• Can you put your trust in HIM today?
• Won’t you mature in CHRIST by placing your faith in HIM?

Being a friend

1 Samuel 20: ⁴² Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.

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Having friends id something very dear to me. Some of my friends have known me for most of my life.  Seeing the relationship between Jonathan and David reminds me to pray a special prayer for friendships all around.

• LORD thank YOU for my friends.
• LORD thank YOU for blessing those who read about YOU and follow YOUR ways.
• LORD thank YOU for all friendships for YOUR SON acted like the ultimate friend.

• Do you have friends you should pray for?
• Do you have friends who need you to reach out to them?
• Can you pray for your friends today?