God From The Gut

April 10, 2009

Gary Manning

1 Samuel 4-7

This section of Scripture starts and ends with the people of God at war against the Philistines in a place called Ebenezer (“Rock of Help”). After being defeated in the first round of battle, the elders of the nation decide to bring out the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of the presence of God. The presence of the Ark had brought victory to Israel before. (Remember that line in Raiders of the Lost Ark: “The Bible speaks of the Ark leveling mountains and laying waste to entire regions. An army which carries the Ark before it… is invincible.”) The presence of the Ark even terrifies the opposing army and convinces them that they are about to be destroyed (1 Sam 4:6-9). But it is not enough. The army of Israel is defeated, the two sons of the high priest are killed, and the Ark is taken captive by the Philistines. Eli, the high priest, falls down dead when he hears the news, and his newborn grandson is named Ichabod, “the glory has departed,” as a sign of mourning.

About a year later (after a number of fascinating and even humorous events that bring the Ark back to Israel), the army of Israel again fights the Philistines at Ebenezer. But this time, although they don’t bring out the Ark, Israel is victorious and casts off the oppression of the Philistines. What happened to make the difference? Why did the first army fail, and why did the second army succeed?

The first army suffered from fatal flaws. First, they thought that religious ritual alone could bring victory and blessing. There is no sign that they did anything else to honor God – just brought out the Ark. Like the Nazis in Raiders of the Lost Ark, they thought that mere possession of the Ark would grant power. Second, Israel relied on immoral leaders. God had already warned Eli the high priest that they were in danger because his two sons were breaking the priestly laws, extorting gifts from worshipers, and sleeping with the women who were appointed to serve in the Tabernacle (1 Sam 2:15-25). These were not the men to carry the Ark and bring the presence of God before the people.

Why did the second army succeed? Samuel led the people into an inner transformation that went beyond just ritual. He helped them experience the real presence of God in their lives rather than trying to control God by bringing out the Ark. Samuel called the people to take inner and outer steps of repentance as they turned to God. They got rid of their idols to other gods, they fasted, prayed and confessed their sins; and when they went off to battle, Samuel remained behind, offering a sin sacrifice and praying for the people (1 Sam 7:3-10).

We cannot expect blessing, whether as a whole congregation or as individual Christians, if we think that religious ritual alone pleases God. We are sometimes tempted to think that God has to bless if we attend everything we are supposed to. We sometimes expect victory because we experience emotional worship or because we make great promises to God. But the story of the victory at Ebenezer reminds us that God delights in genuine repentance and utter faithfulness to him. Both Samuel and the sons of Eli used religious ritual – but it only Samuel’s that was acceptable to God. Samuel’s ritual (the sin sacrifice) was valuable because it was connected to genuinely transformed hearts. I believe that any ritual we participate in – whether it is worship, communion, baptism, laying on of hands, fasting or any other common Christian practice – only matters to God if it represents repentant and transformed hearts.

Lord, as a church, we want to please you and experience your blessing. Please help our hearts to match our Christian habits and rituals. Cause us to seek repentance and transformation, not merely empty ritual. And Father, we pray that all the rituals that we practice will be pleasing to you because they represent the reality of your presence in us.

1 Samuel 1:12-17

In Due Time

Pam Zunic

Scripture:

12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

Observation:

Hannah had desired to have a son but the Lord “closed her womb”. Year after year she had gone to the temple with her husband and his other wife. The other wife taunted her and it distressed Hannah greatly. She got to a point in her life that she was full of anguish and her spirit was troubled. This emotional depression had such an impact on her that she could not eat. What impressed me was Hannah’s deep faith, for she continued to go back to the temple year after year. This particular year, God heard her cry. She was praying and she was “speaking in her heart” and not through her lips. Through this travailing prayer, Eli misunderstood Hannah, for he thought her drunk. She reveals her deep pain and the desire of her heart to Eli, and she vowed to give a child to God, should God open her womb. Eli interceded for her and told her to go in peace. She found hope in those words and she left no longer sad and she went away with a peace that she was searching for.

Application:

We have our timing and God has His timing and sometimes they are not the same. I heard once that God was into marinating and we are into microwaving.  In God’s time, Hannah’s prayers were fulfilled. There seemed to have had many things happen to her first, and often I hear that sometimes we just have to hit rock bottom before we can begin to get out of our despair. If we are flat on our backs, the only place to look is up, and that is exactly what she did. She was desperate for God and her prayers were with intensity. She got to a place where she was at her lowest point.  She let go and honestly travailed in prayer by demonstrating that she was a complete mess and that she needed God. Even thought she felt desperately disappointed she trusted in God’s plan and his timing. I think we too can get to that same place when we realize that there is nothing more we can do, we cry out to God and trust in the plan He has for us. Sometimes He will tell us “no”, sometimes He will tell us “yes” and other times He will ask us to “Wait”, and to wait for His perfect time. Let us not allow the circumstances of our lives, determine the circumstances of our heart. We need to trust in God’s perfect timing and God’s perfect plan for our lives.

Prayer:

Lord, I thank you for this story of Hannah and Samuel. I pray that I too can be like Hannah and always come to you and pour out my heart to you in prayer. May I begin to trust you more and more in you and that your plan is always the best plan and often you have things happen in due time. Amen

April 8, 2009

Michele Lee

Ruth 4:13-17

Scripture:
So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife.  When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son.  Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel.  May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age.  For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!”

Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast.  And she cared for him as if he were her own.  The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!”  And they named him Obed.  He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.

Observation:
There was a time when life for Naomi and Ruth seemed dismal as they were impoverished and widowed.  Ruth remained faithful to her mother-in-law and followed Naomi to her homeland instead of returning to her own parents.   Ruth’s devotion and faithfulness is rewarded by giving birth to a son, Obed.  The significance of this child is that he later becomes the grandfather of King David whom Jesus is also a descendant from.  “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.”  Luke 2:4  

We never know who God will choose to use or how he chooses to use us.  Even when times are bad and things aren’t going our way, God is in control.  We may not recognize that everything is going according to God’s plan nor may we know the purpose but God knows what He is doing.  We just need to be faithful, obedient and trust in Him.

Application:
God calls us to be obedient. Yes, this is difficult, especially for someone like me who needs to have a plan, structure and to be in control.  One of my most difficult assignments is to “BE STILL”.  Do you find yourself “being still” to hear God’s voice and your mind takes you on another tangent?  I don’t know about you, but my mind has a hard time being quiet.  Then there are the times, when I clearly hear what he wants me to do and I say, “Aw God, do you really want me to do that?”  Yes, the unknown still puts fear in me, but I am learning to put all my trust in God and not in myself as it is only He who will carry me through. 

Previously to joining the HCWO staff, I worked for a company for 21+ years with the intention of retiring in less than 10 years.  I had the PLAN in motion and nothing was going to stop me.  Well, God had other plans.  He told Rickey and I, it was time for me to let go.  What after all the blood, sweat, tears and growing up there?  No ways, right?  Ways, it was God’s way.  Through our obedience in this area, our lives have been blessed and enriched as we experience many new opportunities and challenges and the rewards are so much greater.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you in abundance for all you do and have done in our lives.   I pray that I wholeheartedly give you the wheel instead of trying to continually take it from you.  Thank you for stretching and molding me in all I do and for your patience with me.  Help both Rickey and I to follow you in all we do and be obedient to your calling.  As we approach our “Crossing Over” help us to always remember our purpose to reach the 110,000 people.   Lord, I pray that you continue to provide blessings and protection for our church and all the marriages and families represented.  In the name of your son, Jesus.  Amen!

04.07.09

Shari Ann Lau

Uncertainty

Ruth 1:8-18

^“8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the LORD show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me. ⁹ May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” Then she kissed them and they wept aloud ¹⁰ and said to her, “We will go back with you to your people.” ¹¹ But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? ¹² Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons- ¹³ would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD’s hand has gone out against me!” ¹⁴ At this they wept again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her. ¹⁵ “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” ¹⁶ But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. ¹⁷ Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” ¹⁸ When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.”

Naomi, a widow with two daughters in law heard that good crops were in Judah – they set out to leave Moab – without her husband and two sons, who all had died.  Not wanting her two daugthers in law to miss out on marrying again, she urged them to return to their homeland.  She knew she couldn’t have other sons, nor could she ask the two women to wait until she had more sons.  The best thing would be for the women to return to their homeland.  Orpah agreed to go home, but Ruth decided to stay with Naomi.  Ruth loved Naomi – she learned to love Naomi’s God – she knew He was her God as well.  Ruth knew Naomi trusted God and that He would provide for her in her homeland.  Possibly in Ruth’s hometown, things would be uncertain.  Ruth was certain that staying with Naomi would be the best thing for her to do.

Uncertainty exists when we perceive that God isn’t in control.  Uncertainty brings in feelings of insecurity, fear and doubt.  Ruth was used to Naomi’s God – He was constant….going back home to other gods probably got Ruth to thinking “what if…..”  With God, there’s no room for what ifs…..With God, there is trust, security and faith.  Uncertainty has no room to exist there.  Sometimes the enemy sneaks in to our thoughts and whispers to us things that give us doubts – but don’t listen to those voices – listen to the louder voice, the one you feel secure with.  It’s God.  Ruth was determined to stay with Naomi; because she knew God would honor her desire to take care of her widowed mother in law and she knew where her blessings would lie; she knew for certain that she was serving God in the right place.  Ask yourself:

·         Is there anything in my life that I am uncertain about?

·         Is this uncertainty valid?

·         Surrender your uncertainties to God and you can be certain He will hear and answer your prayers

Father God, thank you so much for this passage.  Lord, please forgive me for the times I have been uncertain.  Forgive me for the time I have chosen to listen to doubt rather that listen and submit to you.  Lord, remove any uncertainties in my life and let me stand firm in the knowledge that you are my strength and you are my firm and strong tower.  Thank you Lord for being constant in this unstable world.  Thank you Lord for refreshing me with the knowledge that in you, peace resounds.

April 6, 2009

April 5, 2009

Mark Peterman

Scripture) Judges 18:24

When the priest saw the men carrying all the sacred objects out of Micah’s shrine, he said, “What are you doing?”  “Be quiet and come with us,” they said. “Be a father and priest to all of us. Isn’t it better to be a priest for an entire tribe and clan of Israel than for the household of just one man?”  The young priest was quite happy to go with them, so he took along the sacred ephod, the household idols, and the carved image. They turned and started on their way again, placing their children, livestock, and possessions in front of them. When the people from the tribe of Dan were quite a distance from Micah’s house, the people who lived near Micah came chasing after them. They were shouting as they caught up with them. The men of Dan turned around and said to Micah, “What’s the matter? Why have you called these men together and chased after us like this?”  “What do you mean, ‘What’s the matter?’” Micah replied. “You’ve taken away all the gods I have made, and my priest, and I have nothing left!” (Judges 18:18-24 NLT)

Observation)  From the outsight Micah’s life was filled with confusion.  His mother appeared to be good and moral yet her actions did not support these appearances. She assumed responsibility for punishing the person who had stolen her prized silver pieces by casting a curse upon them. Yet when her son admitted that he was the responsible party, her reaction was to not only withhold consequences but to declare God’s blessings upon him, creating an idol to commemorate the event.  Given that these events occurred in a time when Israel was void of spiritual leadership and had adopted an attitude of doing whatever seemed right according to their own understanding it is easy understand how Micah would be able to justify creating his own religion, with the image cast in honor of himself as the center piece of worship. (Judges 17:2-6)

Fast forward Micah’s life to adulthood.  He has continued to develop his own personal gods.  He has invested heavily in things that he believes are necessary and required to fulfill his life.  Micah has hired his own Levite, who himself is searching for the Lord, to be his personal priest.  He worships the gods of his own desires while justifying it as necessary when in fact all this false religion does is fill the void caused be the lack of a true relationship with the Lord.

In the short term the religion the Micah has created fro himself provides him with piece and security.  His life has meaning and value because of what he created. All is well in Micah’s world until the men from the tribe of Dan steal his gods and lured away his priest.  Micah finds himself with nothing.  For all that he has invested, Micah finds himself spiritually bankrupt. Lost with absolutely know idea who to turn what direction to turn.

Application)   Through today’s reading I am left with a couple of things to consider.  First, if I were to look at my walk with the Lord through eyes other than my own what would I see?  Say if I could view my behavior from my son’s perspective, is my behavior consistent with that of a man of God. While perfection is neither realistic nor required, continuing to grow in relationship with the Lord is.  Does my son see me modeling growth in the Lord consistently?   It is important for me to realize that my actions effect far more than myself.  Something else to add to the prayer list!!

The second thing that I get from this is very simple, when we allow our desires and goals to become a substitute for God in our lives, when we worship or invest our energy into seeking money, position or prestige whatever we gain can be taken away from us in the blink of an eye.  And the end result is that we will be left with nothing, we will become like Micah spiritually bankrupt.  With all that is going on in the world economy today, there is an incredible peace in knowing that all of the investment I make in my relationship with the Lord can never be stolen away from me; neither by man nor by the enemy.  If I seek the Lord in an intentional manner, my reward will be eternal.  Romans 8:38-39 Paul tells us; And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  What an amazing return on my investment!

Prayer)  Father thank you for all of your blessings, present and future.  Please give me the wisdom and strength to model your work in my life to those I love. Please continue to stretch me and shape me into what you would have me become.  Thank you for all that you have done, the investment you have made in me is amazing.  By comparison my investment in you seems so insignificant.  Should I ever take for granted allow that you are in my life, remind me as you see fit.  Thank you most of all for Jesus, it is through Him that I came to know your amazing love, one that can never be lost or stolen. In gratitude, Amen 

April 4, 2009

Jon Kam

Scripture:

Judges 15: 14-19

¹⁴ As Samson arrived at Lehi, the Philistines came shouting in triumph. But the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon Samson, and he snapped the ropes on his arms as if they were burnt strands of flax, and they fell from his wrists. ¹⁵ Then he found the jawbone of a recently killed donkey. He picked it up and killed 1,000 Philistines with it. ¹⁶ Then Samson said,

   “With the jawbone of a donkey,
      I’ve piled them in heaps!
   With the jawbone of a donkey,
      I’ve killed a thousand men!”

   ¹⁷ When he finished his boasting, he threw away the jawbone; and the place was named Jawbone Hill.^[a]

   ¹⁸ Samson was now very thirsty, and he cried out to the Lord, “You have accomplished this great victory by the strength of your servant. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of these pagans?” ¹⁹ So God caused water to gush out of a hollow in the ground at Lehi, and Samson was revived as he drank. Then he named that place “The Spring of the One Who Cried Out,”^[b] and it is still in Lehi to this day.

Observation:

Samson’s life was dedicated to God from birth to rescue the Israelites from the Philistines (Judges 13: 5).  Samson was given the Spirit of the Lord with the gift of physical strength to accomplish God’s task.

At Lehi, Samson is doing God’s work by slaying 1,000 Philistines but boasted about his victory.  Samson then in a very arrogant and prideful way declares how much he has accomplished for God and feels that God has ignored his needs.  Samson feels that God owes him something for his efforts to do God’s work.

Application:

God has gifted us all with different skills and talents to do His works.  As the Body of Christ and individuals, we must always be aware that:

·      All that we have is God given

·      As Christians we are called to serve Him and He has a Plan for everyone of us

·      We must guard against arrogance and letting pride get in the way of doing God’s work

It is so easy for us to use “I” in accomplishing God’s work and expect things in return for those accomplishments. 

Romans 15: 17-18

¹⁷ So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. ¹⁸ Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them.

Prayer:

Father God:

During this time of crossing over, much is required of the Body.  We thank you for the opportunity to do your work and know that the blessing of the skills and talents of the Body is all from you. 

Guard us from being prideful in nature and boastful in accomplishing the tasks we are given by you.  And burn into our nature that all that we do is for you and your Glory is a small measure in comparison to the Sacrifices of your Son.  In Jesus name we pray…Amen

April 3, 2009

Ben Giese

Scripture:

Judges 14: 5-9

As Samson and his parents were going down to Timnah, a young lion suddenly attacked Samson near the vineyards of Timnah. A that moment the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him, and he ripped the lion’s jaws apart with his bare hands…..Later, when he returned to Timnah for the wedding, he turned off the path to look at the carcass of the lion. And he found that a swarm of bees had made some honey in the carcass. He scooped some of the honey into his hands and ate it along the way. He also gave some to his father and mother.”

Observation

In 1 Peter 5:8, it tells us that Satan is like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

This story graphically shows how Samson responded to that roaring lion (symbolically representing Satan). He was able to overcome by accessing God’s spirit. So we too, must be alert to the attacks of Satan in our lives, ready to access His Strength through His Spirit when those attacks do come. And as Samson enjoyed the sweet honey in the carcass of the lion, can enjoy the sweetness of victory and joy when we do overcome temptation…enough to even share it with others.

Application

In Psalms 119:9,11 it says, “How can a young man keep his way pure, by keeping it according to Thy word; Thy word I have treasured in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.” As Jesus confronted temptation by quoting scripture that He had memorized, so can we as we face temptation. It is essential that we memorize the scriptures he puts on our heart to access when we face challenges, struggles and temptations. It has helped me countless times…..

Recommendation: The Topical Memory System by Navigators (you can find it at Logos Book  Store.

Prayer

Lord,

Help me to realize that Satan wants to destroy and devour me, and that the reality is I cannot overcome his attacks without accessing your Spirit. Help me to access you Spirit and Strength by submitting to you and your word. If I need to flee, help me to do so. Help me to see the way of escape that you provide and promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13. I am so grateful for all for your awesome love and grace in my life, and I so want to do what is pleasing and holy before you.

Amen

April 2, 2009

Franco Heu

Scripture

“The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. ² These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.” Luke 10:1-4

Observation

Jesus sent the seventy-two in pairs. Why did He do this? He states one of the reasons in verse 3. “Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.” The road ahead was going to be tough. It would be a road with a whole lot of work and a lot less people doing the work. The pair would become close friends and confidants.  They would have to lean on each other, encourage each other, and keep each other accountable.

Application

This past Monday at my Texas Mini-church, two friends and myself discussed the true definition of fellowship and why it was important. After going back and forth for about twenty minutes, I told them, THIS is fellowship. This Texas Mini-church is fellowship.  We are accountable to one another, we pray for each other, we love each other.

I look back and these two guys have been a part of my circle for almost ten years. I’ve disclosed everything to these guys. We are all serving in our own form of ministry. Despite that, we all come together once a week and to a temperature check.  I am grateful for these guys. The road is tough, but its so much easier to have two guys that support and pray for me always.  I could not do it without these two guys. 

Prayer

Father, I thank you for providing me with two brothers that I can always depend on and use as lightning rods. Guys that will encourage me to seek You no matter how difficult the obstacle. Please bless them for blessing me, Amen

April 1, 2009

Misplaced Compassion

Bob Thomas

Judges 6: 12 - 13
¹² The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”   

¹³ “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.”

Without getting into the story line of God’s discipline of Israel at the hands of the Midianites, notice how Gideon responds to the angel of the Lord

It is an age old question that is still being asked today.  IF God is with us and He loves us, why are we in pain? … Why are we out of work? … Why do our children die before they had a chance to live? … Why are there bad people doing bad things like killing or stealing?  And on and on.  The questions almost come with their own answers for many us at the brink of disaster.  The word IF almost implies that God is not with us, for if He was, these trials and tragedies wouldn’t happen.

Just yesterday, I was confronted with the same question from a construction worker at my project site.

In the morning, a crew armed with an excavator was digging a big hole to build a wall along the property line next to Kalihi Stream.  As the crew dug deeper, stream water started leaking in to the hole, bringing with it some fish.  As I saw the fish flopping around in the mud, I felt so bad for the fish and their impending burial at the bottom of the wall, that I ran to get a bucket to try to rescue them.  The hole was too deep for me to complete my mission.  

Underneath my sigh of resignation I heard the name Jonah.  My mind was flooded with the thought that my compassion was misplaced.  Jonah had more compassion for the weed, that provided him shade on the hill, than the Ninevite  men, women, and children whom God loved dearly.  In the same way,  I had shown more compassion for some rubbish fish than the men and women working at my project site, whom God loves dearly.  I prayed for forgiveness and asked for an opportunity to show compassion.

Later that day, a construction worker I had been developing a friendship with since he and his sons helped us move house, began asking me a barrage of questions.  Knowing I was “religious”.  he asked about religion, the nature of God, can you go to heaven if you commit suicide, and a host of why this and why that.  He was already asking his next question before I had the chance to respond. 

God filtered out all the noise and let me hear the one question he was really asking.  “If there is a God, why does my daughter have cancer”?  It broke my heart to hear the change in his voice as his eyes welled up with tears.  God put on my heart not to try to give him an answer, but rather show him compassion and confirm that God is with him.  And with time, I will be able to more fully introduce him to the author of compassion.

Lord Jesus, I pray that my compassion for the lost will be much stronger than my passion for anything else.  Help me to stay focused on the souls you place in my path who are searching and have an ear to hear.  Help me to pursue opportunities to share your compassion with those in need of your mercy and salvation.  Amen