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Spare Change July 2016

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The Saul in All of Us

Our 2:42 group has been going through 1 Samuel for the past few weeks.  We are studying King Saul now, who is a very tragic figure in Israel’s story.  He often gets looked down upon while King David is exalted.  The reality is, there is a Saul in all of us.  We all struggle the same way that he did.  What was his struggle?  It was one of faithlessness and pride that led him astray.

Saul was just a humble farm boy from a humble tribe in Israel.  Granted, he was a very handsome and tall young man, but other than that he was quite ordinary-- that is, until God chose him to be the first king of Israel.  This is indeed a very tall order; this meant he was to unite the twelve tribes that, up until now, had mostly governed themselves except for some oversight by the various judges.  This was an intimidating task to say the least, Saul was naturally scared and even hid during his coronation.

Fast forward a few years and in 1 Samuel 13 and we find an impatient Saul that is too faithless to wait for Samuel.  Before a battle Samuel would usually offer a sacrifice to God.  The purpose was to help turn the hearts of the people back to God, to depend on Him for the victory.  It had been interpreted by Saul that the ritual would automatically ensure God’s favor.  This was a false assumption, but this thinking drove him to offer the sacrifice himself when Samuel was delayed.  This act alone caused him to lose his future in the monarchy.  God said He would remove the line of Saul and raise up another king in his place.

We might think that what Saul did was not that big of a deal; however, as we study more of the Bible we understand that God is very particular with the way in which we are to worship, specifically with things that are sacred or holy, like making this offering.  The anger of God was understandable, but was the punishment just?

To fully understand that, we need to understand Saul’s reaction when confronted by Samuel.  Saul made excuse after excuse-- blaming Samuel, the people, even insinuating that it was God’s fault.  Saul did everything, but the right thing--repent.  You see David had his sins, and boy, were they big ones, but David repented.  He sought forgiveness from God and was restored.  Saul never truly repented and for the rest of his kingship he was angry, prideful, and faithless.

This is where we are all similar to King Saul.  What is the first thing we do when sin is revealed?  Are we truly sorrowful?  Do we run back to God asking for forgiveness?  Or do we shift the blame and make excuses?  We have to be honest about our sinful condition-- we can’t rationalize it, we can’t bargain with God, or make it someone’s fault.  We need to accept that we are sinful and we need a savior.  We need to repent of our sin and trust Jesus to save us.  Christians especially need to practice on-going repentance.  As we work out our faith God will reveal sin in our heart and in that moment we have a choice.  The way of Saul or the way of David; defensive or repentant.  I pray we let our guard down and come to God with bowed heads and open hands seeking His forgiveness and help.

Repentance means turning from as much as you know of your sin to give as much as you know of yourself to as much as you know of your God, and as our knowledge grows at these three points so our practice of repentance has to be enlarged.” J. I. Packer

 

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Spare Change June 2016

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               5 Ways to Make the Life-Changing Word of God Precious to You

A major problem for many Christians is getting into God’s word.  We have a problem staying consistent, understanding it, and living it out.  We first have to understand that God’s word is a precious item.  It is not just any book.  It is the life-giving, eternal, and true revelation of God; we must believe that first.  If not, then trying to learn it and live it out won’t make much of a difference.  However, when we treat the word of God as precious then it becomes life-changing.  God begins to use it in our lives to convict, sanctify (make holy), and instruct.  That’s where our lives really begin to change and we see the power of the word lived out.  All of this is detailed in a message I preached at Oakhill Baptist Church on May 22, 2016.  The application of this truth are some things that I have learned over the past few years of struggling with being consistent in studying God’s word.  I hope you find them helpful and encouraging.

1.) Keep Your Bible Handy – This is not some revolutionary life changing truth; however, what I have found is if my Bible is out of sight, it is out of mind.  I try to carry a Bible with me at all times, which keeps it on the forefront of my mind.  Of course it doesn’t do you any good to just have it— you need read it, but keeping it handy is a good start. 

2.) Cut Back on Entertainment – As I look at my life there isn’t much room to cut back with work, family, and church; however, there is plenty to cut in the way of extra stuff or entertainment.  Entertainment is the scourge of our society.  We always have to be entertained, constantly.  It comes in many different forms: TV, music, reading, video games, internet, social media, sports, news, recreation and on and on it goes.  I like movies and music and other things, but where does it stop?  If we are not careful we could binge watch ourselves into eternity and have nothing to show for it.  We struggle with the fear of missing out on some great show, but what about the fear of missing out on the truth of God’s word. 

3.) Quantity is Not Quality – When reading the Bible don’t worry so much about how much you read.  There is a myth that says if I read a bunch I am somehow more spiritual, but that is not true.  We need to worry more about how we are reading it.  Do we read it to just get the knowledge or do we feel what we are reading?  Do we notice things, do we ask questions, do we discern the place and setting, and the author’s meaning?  Often we just go right to application and miss so much.  We need to ask, “Why is this in the Bible?” and, “What is the Holy Spirit trying to say through the author?”  Just because you read the Bible in a year doesn’t mean you know it.  Read the Bible for quality and then live it out.  The measure of how much we know of the Bible is how we live it out.  Do we obey what it is teaching us?  That is more important.

4.) Approach the Bible with Expectation – This was huge for me!  Just understanding this alone can change everything when it comes the Bible.  When you read the Bible on your own or when you come to church to hear teaching and preaching you need to come with expectation.  Often we think the Bible is boring and that is because we don’t understand this is God’s word to us, His very revelation to us.  When we understand that, it changes how we view this book.  Approach it ready to hear from God, ready to learn and grow in your faith.  One thing I do is write everything down.  I take notes on sermons and Bible readings, which helps me to learn much better and then helps me to apply it to my life easier. 

5.)  Don’t Give Up, Spiritual Disciplines Don’t Come Naturally – Often times with spiritual disciplines, such as studying our Bible, we feel guilty because we just aren’t doing it enough or at all.  Let me ease your guilt and hopefully help you in this endeavor.  Spiritual disciplines don’t come naturally.  Our flesh fights against spiritual disciplines.  We face so many distractions along with our own internal struggles like tiredness or stress.  Satan fights against us as well, he doesn’t want you to grow in your faith.  But if you don’t give up and you keep trying you can do it.  Ask God to enable you by the power of His Spirit.  Start with just a few minutes a day, read a verse or two, and then expand from there.  Don’t get frustrated, even if you do start over the next day or the next week.

 

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