Our last day....Celebrating!

Was the rest of David's life a wash-out because he sinned. Absolutely NOT! God still used him. David began the preparation of the new temple, the temple his son Solomon was to construct. I found it interesting that David paid 50 shekels for the threshing floor...the same amount that Lev 27:1-3 tells us was the value to be placed on a man between the age of 20 and 60 being dedicated to the Lord. hmmmmm.......

David's dream would come true. His son, Solomon would carry out the construction. Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba. David lived a long full life with riches and honor. God's grace is sufficient, isn't it!

I hope you have enjoyed this study! :)

WOW! Day Four is Awesome!

Talk about grace, fear of God, trust, honor, and never murmuring or disputing God's discipline...it's all here!

Solomon was conceived. . . as soon as King David went in to comfort Bathsheba due to the loss of their child. What else is notable (I read a little more than the required verses) was how David handled the entire situation. God told David what his sin with Bathsheba would cost, yet David fasted...on the floor...with his aids standing around him...for seven days. Upon hearing the baby was dead, the aides were afraid to tell King David. They were afraid he wouldn't handle the news very well. Yet, the King heard them murmuring and asked if the baby had died. When they told him this was so, he rose up from the floor and washed, anointed himself, changed clothes and went to the house of the Lord and WORSHIPPED HIM! Then he went home to eat..then he comforted Bathsheba.

When I read this, I saw David in a new light. He really loved God with all his might. David knew God took his child because of his sin with Bathsheba. Yet, David prayed in hopes the Lord would lessen the blow and spare his child. When God's answer was no, ....David WORSHIPPED HIM! I have been amazed with how Paul and Silas worshipped the Lord after they were beaten half to death for telling the gospel (persecuted for the sake of God) yet King David worshipped the Lord after God's righteous judgement; the large cost of loosing his child. I am amazed and in awe! (Now that I've side tracked, hahaha)

Then we read how God promised David he would have a son (Solomon)) long before he even sinned with Bathsheba. Solomon was the link from David to the promised Messiah! Is this a huge picture of grace, or what! This week I was able to share how deep and wonderful grace really is with a dear friend. This family is struggling with a huge loss and wondering about the consequences of sin; yet there is always hope with God. Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more...isn't that just awesome?!

As if this wasn't enough for one lesson, we also see the desire of David's heart passed on to his son, Solomon. David wanted to build a house for the Lord. He made the preparations for Solomon to carry out this desire. God told David it had to be this way; David shed so much blood on the earth, he wasn't allowed to do this for God. Yet, David gathered the materials and bought the land it was to be built upon. It was to be build in Jerusalem, on Mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared to David, at the the place David bought the threshing floor for 50 shekels of silver. Wow, oh WOW!

Tell me, what ahh-haa did you have with this lesson. I would love to hear from you...

Have you ever been swayed by the deceiver?

This lesson was deep, yet I don't know if I really found the heart of the matter. In reviewing the questions, I have noted that David realizes GOD knew his sin, David repents and God sends a prophet to give David 3 choices for discipline.

Then...the threshing floor...a place where the wheat and the chaff are separated...in Jerusalem...is bought by David for 50 shekels of silver.

One note I have is that sin always comes with a price (it costs more than we want to pay). Yet, the Lord our God wants us to remain separate from the world. His expectations are high and they are worth it. We deserve absolutely nothing, yet again and again He is willing to forgive.

What was your "ahh-haa" moment?

Persevere Through Discipline

This study has really been sooo good. I've learned so much, haven't you? Today we begin closure on the subject of discipline and fear of God. David gave us such a vivid picture of what it is to be disciplined and how to take discipline.

Our reading of Hebrews 12 really opened up some things for me, also. First of all, God disciplines those that He loves and those that are His. (vs 6 and 8). He disciplines us so that we may share in His holiness. Leviticus 19:2 tells us "Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.

We aren't to regard discipline lightly nor are we to "faint"...I believe we are to preserver instead; knowing the depths of love for His children is what takes us to that point. If I love my own children, I want what is best for them.

The Hebrew word used for discipline is Yacar and means to chasten, instruct, and discipline. Don't we do this much for our own children that we love? How much more our Heavenly Father wants us to be...He wants us to be Holy for He is Holy. He has plans for us to prosper and to give us hope and a future (Jer 29:11).

Another point I saw was Hebrews doesn't say to find a straight path and walk on it but it says to "make straight paths for your feet". That requires some work or action on my part, I am to "MAKE straight paths". Hmmmm, more to think on today.

What are your thoughts as you went through today's lesson. I'd love to hear from you.

Week 6 Day One

Navigating The Crossroads!

How many crossroads do we encounter in our life time? Ithink that sometimes we might encounter several in a day's journey where other times they might be far and few between. Yet, when you don't expect it, the crossroads can be as surprising as black ice might be on the road.

King David found himself at the crossroads. Apparently, he thought he was alone and no one saw which path he took. As we know, that isn't the case; God knows and that's what is ultimately the most important.

I wonder if the fear of God might keep some running away from him to try and avoid the wages of sin. Running away never works, get back on the right path!

A beautiful reminder of the healing power of Jesus

If I could just touch the hem of His garment....

Clinging to His Blessing Week 4 Day 5

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37

Sometimes, it isn't just "hanging" onto the promises of God but it's clinging to the promises of God. Remember we have to: a) get past our devastation b)return to whole hearted obedience, c) and have the courage to see God fulfill His promises.

The courage to receive His promises! Wow! This week, a dear woman shared with me that "adversity is entrusted to those God allows it be be given" and that we need to learn to "steward your adversity". God chose Joseph before his brothers sold him into slavery and before he was unjustly put in prison. He was preparing Joseph for a greater purpose, to save his family, his people, and others from a severe famine.

God chose David, while he was yet a shepard boy. David was unjustly despised by Saul, by Saul's daughter (David's wife), yet he was chosen by God to fulfill a purpose. Sometime we don't know the "rest of the story" but we know our God and we know He will fulfill His promises.

"And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord." Luke 1:45 NAS

This week has been empowering, yet it has been a lot to swallow. I'd love to hear what you've gleamed from our study this week.

Week 4 Day 3

David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might. 2 Sam 6:14 NIV

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to really praise God? To really do something for Him that might make you look different? After one of our studies, a few of us stayed late and talked about this very thing. Dean Knapp mentioned that we need to risk looking "foolish to the world". That first step must be the hardest...Michael O'Brien sings a song, "Give Me Some Room". This song explains how he felt when he first opened up and praised God without fear of wondering who might say something in the quiet Baptist Church he grew up in. During his big moment of praise he accidentally slugged his wife who was standing next to him. lol Thus he wrote the song...

There are other ways one might fear looking foolish. For me, it was starting a Bible Study. My heart desired to grow more, I began going to conferences instead of beginning a Bible Study. I told friends that it was on my mind and I thought God was leading me that way; yet the first step was hard. I am so glad God made that first step possible. I've grown so much with our group.

What do you want to do but worry others may think it looks crazy? Sing in the choir, lead praise and worship, start a church library, work with the youth...?

Week 4 Day 2

Hebrews 12:28-29 (New King James Version)
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Reverence and fear...those two words echo throughout my mind while working in today's study. Reverence is a responsibility, a necessary component in the relationship with my God. Reverence goes hand in hand with a respectful fear of God for He is Holy.

There were four conclusions brought to our attention in the lesson. In my own words, they were:

1. God sets the rules and he demands reverence.

2. God wants His children, His people to be a people set apart from everyone else.

3. It's His kingdom, made up of

a) a Holy nation

b) God's possession

c) a royal priesthood ....whom He has called out of darkness (out of the world's ways) into His marvelous light (His ways).

Put into your own words, what were the 4 lessons or what would you like to add that God showed you today?

Week 4 Day 1

Our God, ...there's so many things I want to know about Him. Today's lesson's brings about lessons of obedience, even when we feel things are unjust or unfair.

Part of our lesson asked us to read 2 Samuel 6:1-12 and find "Who God is" and to define how we know who He is. I found that he is a God that demands reverence; He anger burned against Uzzah for irreverence. And He is a God who blesses. I like how our text puts it, God is not harsh. He is HOLY.

In Jeremiah 7:23-34 God tells His people to obey His voice, walk in His ways and He will be our God, we will be His people and it will be well with us. Yet, instead they walk in their own way; going backward rather than forward.

In tough times, do you base faith on what God does/doesn't do or is it based on Who He is and Whose you are?

What did you discover about God today?

Saturday Night Study Memories

Only a short time had passed (3 months ...2 Sam :11) after the death of Uzzah when King David was leaping and dancing before the Lord with shouring and the sound of the trumpet. The ark of the Lord was brought into the city of David, the Lord was amongst His people.

We learned soooo much tonight. Beth Moore shared with us "If faith is God doing what I tell Him to do, then we are in trouble. We've got to return to whole hearted obedience. Joy is coming." "God is making Soverign decisions..."

Overall, what did you learn from week 3's lessons or from the video? Let's share and grow together!

A Safe Place Day 4

"Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." (Ps 62:8, NIV).

Personally, I have found this week's study uncomfortable. I don't really like looking into the areas of my life ...the pits of my life...and how I responded. Yet, I know it's something God must want us to see. Before falling into the pit, we need to realize that we can "Trust in Him at all times".

When things got rough, and people began to desert Christ, He asked the disciples if they wanted to go away, too. Peter's response was beautiful. "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life." John 6:66-69

The question was asked ...if you found that you were distancing yourself from Him at a time of despair or devastation, what would it matter? What would it jeopardize? My response was simply "everything". It would put distance (made from my own choice) between God and me, that distance would NOT be what I wanted. God, my creator, my guide, my protector, my everything...why would I want to put distance there? I need Him!

I am curious, what was your response to the question? Would you please share?

Angry and Afraid

This lesson brought back some memories I don't like to bring up. The pain is still fresh in my heart and mind as I read through some of the questions in our homework. Scared, yet excited we had no idea what was about to happen. My hip replacement was just the beginning of a long journey of pain. The day after I got home, Evie was ill. Unable to take care of her because of my surgery, I had to leave most of her care up to Dad. He took her to the Dr. and later to the hospital. He rode with her in the ambulance to another hospital; he held her in bed as she cried. He prayed by her bedside and begged me not to come because he worried about my hip. He gave her all he had...and later suffered from a severe case of shingles. The Dr's said it was the worst case they had ever seen.

Through the help of a friend, I came through the anger and disappointment with "My God". I realized He knew my pain; after all He watched his Son die. He knew my pain...He heard my prayers, He knew what was best for us all...

This is still really hard for me to talk about. How about you? Did this lesson bring back a time in your life where you might have been angry or fearful of God?

Looking to God for the Answers

Place your curser on the > located in the middle of the picture and click. I hope this song speaks to your heart like it does mine.

Let the words of Christ form in you the will of Christ and may you grow exponentially in receiving what you ask. Taken from Beth Moore at Deeper Still

Getting This Far Day 2 of Week 3

"Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?" 2 Sam 7:18

Today's lesson was awesome. We see David,...with all his heart, ...wants to bless God. Yet God has something else in mind, He wants to bless David through what we call the "Davidic Covenant". After reading Luke 2:4-11, I was so excited and enlightened. The first thing I did was to write "See 2 Sam 7:18-20 in the margin of my Bible. I don't want to forget what I've learned thus far.

"Thus far"...what a phrase...it will never be taken so lightly again. Who brought me "thus far"? Knowing WHOSE I AM was just the beginning, wasn't it? Have we allowed God to bring us to this point? Are we allowing Him to form us into a person that only God, our creator, could have mastered? Are we fervently praying for God to work a "so far" work throughout our family?

Our study lead us to write out several verses to meditate and pray for our families, as well as ourselves. The text left room for your own additional verses. I wrote in Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen Eph 3: 20-21

What did today's lesson say to you? What did scripture did you add for you and your family in our prayer? I'd love to hear from you.