****This Devotional Blog ties in with my Podcast, "David: Friendships" at http://tompounder.podomatic.com/ or go to iTunes and type in Tom Pounder under the Podcast menu.****
Opening Questions:
Good Friend or Bad Friend. Read the statement. Write down whether you think this person is a good friend or a bad friend:
1. A person who always talks about themselves and never lets you talk about what is going on with you
2. A person who sends you a card when you’ve had a bad day
3. A person who defends you in front of others
4. A person who bashes you behind your back
5. A person who checks in with you to make sure you had a good day
6. A person who only talks to you when they need something from you
7. A person who hangs with you until someone “cooler” comes around
1. Bad 2. Good 3. Good 4. Bad 5. Good 6. Bad 7. Bad
Can you identify with any of these people? Have you had friends like this before? Have you been any of these people before?
In continuing our series on David, we are going to look at friendship. We are going to look at a special friendship that David had with Saul’s son – Jonathan and see how the characteristics Jonathan demonstrated can help us have better friendship.
Scripture
Before we pick up today’s story, I need to quickly remind you of where we are at. Last week we talked about how Saul was jealous of David. His jealousy consumed him to the point that he eventually tried to kill David – not just once or twice but many, many times.
This leads us to our story.
Read 1 Samuel 20:1-4
1. What happened here?
2. What did Jonathan communicate about friendship here?
In the midst of a very trying time for David, Jonathan offered his help. It wasn’t going to be easy for him as he was going to have to do something against his father in order to help his friend. His friendship ran that deep.
Now, know this. I am not encouraging you in any way to go against your father’s wishes in order to help a friend. Honoring your parents comes first, but each situation is different. In this situation, David had done nothing wrong to Saul. Jonathan offered to help him, despite his father’s vendetta against him. It shows how much he cared for David.
Read 1 Samuel 20:18-34
1. What happened here?
2. What did Jonathan communicate about friendship here?
He stood up for his friend. I’m not telling you to go and get in arguments against your parents, but in this situation, Jonathan stood up for his friend, who needed someone to defend him. After all, what did David really do to Saul? He didn’t try to over throw him or work behind his back. Saul was clearly in the wrong here and Jonathan stood up for his friend.
Read 1 Samuel 20:35-42
1. What happened here?
2. What did Jonathan communicate about friendship here?
His word was valid. Jonathan, probably heartbroken after realizing that his father wanted to kill his best friend, fulfilled his promise. He didn’t have too. He could have run away and said, “so sorry David”, I just can’t help you now…I’m too heartbroken. No, his word meant something to him and he followed through on it.
Application
Overall, Jonathan showed David that:
1. He wanted to help his friend
2. His word was valid
3. He stood up for his friend
When Jonathan did these 3 things, do you think David had any doubt about the way Jonathan felt about him? No.
Two questions for you:
Do you treat your friends this way?
Do they treat you this way?
If you or your friends treat each other in a way that isn’t what Jonathan modeled, then you need to seriously consider who you are friends with and why. Friends that are only interested in themselves and what you can do for them, aren’t really friends at all. They are a cancer that will bring you down.
A friend of mine just told me, there are some things you can control and some things our of your control. You need to control those things that you can. Friendships are a thing you can control – you can choose who you are friends with. You are not locked in. You have got to understand that. Why do you think so many athletes who were brought up in bad neighborhoods get in trouble when they don’t separate who they now are from who they once were?
So, this week, I want to challenge you to apply at least 1 of these 3 characteristics. Of the 3 characteristics of true friendship that Jonathan showed, what is the 1 thing you can do this week to show your friends how much you value their friendship?
Secondly, I want you to evaluate the friendship you have based on what Jonathan showed David. Do you treat your friends the way Jonathan did? Do your friends treat you that way?
The friendships we have and make can be instrumental in our lives. It's best now to make friends based on the model shown here than to realize when it is too late if you have the right friends or not.
PRAY
Friday, July 28, 2006
Monday, July 24, 2006
David: Dealing with Jealousy
****This Devotional Blog ties in with my Podcast, "David: Dealing with Jealousy" at http://tompounder.podomatic.com/ or go to iTunes and type in Tom Pounder under the Podcast menu.****
Opening Question:
1. Have you ever been jealous of some one or some thing? List the top 3 things you have ever been jealous of.
2. How did you handel that jealousy? Did it effect a friendship or relationship?
This past week, I was at the Beach on a little vacation. It was nice weather and we got to hit the beach every day. We built castles and great walls to see if they could with stand the pounding ocean waves. It was really fun.
However, when we walked on the beach, I became a little insecure. Not only were there tons of people out there, but they all seemed to look like buff body builders. They looked like Arnold, but I looked like the farmer's tan wimp!
Just kidding, of course. There may have been 1 or 2 that looked buff and I didn’t look that weak. However, when you go out there and take off your shirt, you do get a little subconscious and start comparing. In fact, you might look at someone elses body and become a little envious or jealous of it…wanting that type of body for yourself.
Can jealousy ever be a good thing?
Very rarely will jealousy ever lead to anything good. In fact, in Proverbs 27:4, it says that jealousy leads to destructiveness.
Read Proverbs 27:4
As we continue our series on David, we are going to look at how jealousy took a potentially great situation for David and all of Israel and turned it into a nightmare.
Scripture
We pick up right after David killed Goliath
Read 1 Samuel 18:6-9; 12-16
1. How did the people respond to David and Saul?
2. How did Saul respond to this?
3. Why was Saul jealous of him?
Here we have a mighty entrance in which one of the greatest victories of all time happened (forget all those great Cowboy Super Bowl victories - as great as they were, they don't come close to David's victory). The crowds are roaring and the celebration has begun.
However, the turning point in the relationship between Saul and David happened with a simple chant - David has kill his tens of thousands and Saul his thousands! As great as David's victory over Goliath was, I think the crowd was a little over zealous in their remarks. None the less, they were made and this statement rang over and over again in Saul's ears.
How would you have responded to this statement? What could Saul have done differently than to get jealous?
Unfortunately, Saul became very jealous of David. For one, he had just won over the Israelites. For another, God was with David and not Saul - and Saul knew this! What a crummy feeling Saul must have had.
Saul’s jealousy led to his hatred of David which led him to try to kill him.
Think of all the good that could have become of a David and Saul partnership. They could have gone out and destroyed many armies and impacted societies tremendously for God.
However, what happened? Saul became so consumed by his jealousy of David that he tried time and time again to kill him. David became Saul’s enemy rather than his help.
Application
How should you handle jealousy?
1. Seek Godly Wisdom (Read James 3:14-17). It is:
Pure
Peace loving
Gentile and will yield to others
Full of mercy
Show no partiality
Sincere
2. Have the attitude of Christ (Read Philippians 2:3-5)
3. Recognize the good this happening for that person and rejoice for/with that person.
4. Recognize who God desires you to be.
Remember, God has a plan for you to succeed and prosper. We have to turn to Him, seek His wisdom and follow His gameplan for our life. Let’s rejoice with those who are prospering now, regardless of their view towards us and others.
Let’s not let jealously ruin a good thing in our friendships with others like it ruined Saul and David’s friendship.
What is 1 thing that you can do this week to handle jealousy better? Write it down and start doing it! Seek Godly wisdom and He will guide you.
Opening Question:
1. Have you ever been jealous of some one or some thing? List the top 3 things you have ever been jealous of.
2. How did you handel that jealousy? Did it effect a friendship or relationship?
This past week, I was at the Beach on a little vacation. It was nice weather and we got to hit the beach every day. We built castles and great walls to see if they could with stand the pounding ocean waves. It was really fun.
However, when we walked on the beach, I became a little insecure. Not only were there tons of people out there, but they all seemed to look like buff body builders. They looked like Arnold, but I looked like the farmer's tan wimp!
Just kidding, of course. There may have been 1 or 2 that looked buff and I didn’t look that weak. However, when you go out there and take off your shirt, you do get a little subconscious and start comparing. In fact, you might look at someone elses body and become a little envious or jealous of it…wanting that type of body for yourself.
Can jealousy ever be a good thing?
Very rarely will jealousy ever lead to anything good. In fact, in Proverbs 27:4, it says that jealousy leads to destructiveness.
Read Proverbs 27:4
As we continue our series on David, we are going to look at how jealousy took a potentially great situation for David and all of Israel and turned it into a nightmare.
Scripture
We pick up right after David killed Goliath
Read 1 Samuel 18:6-9; 12-16
1. How did the people respond to David and Saul?
2. How did Saul respond to this?
3. Why was Saul jealous of him?
Here we have a mighty entrance in which one of the greatest victories of all time happened (forget all those great Cowboy Super Bowl victories - as great as they were, they don't come close to David's victory). The crowds are roaring and the celebration has begun.
However, the turning point in the relationship between Saul and David happened with a simple chant - David has kill his tens of thousands and Saul his thousands! As great as David's victory over Goliath was, I think the crowd was a little over zealous in their remarks. None the less, they were made and this statement rang over and over again in Saul's ears.
How would you have responded to this statement? What could Saul have done differently than to get jealous?
Unfortunately, Saul became very jealous of David. For one, he had just won over the Israelites. For another, God was with David and not Saul - and Saul knew this! What a crummy feeling Saul must have had.
Saul’s jealousy led to his hatred of David which led him to try to kill him.
Think of all the good that could have become of a David and Saul partnership. They could have gone out and destroyed many armies and impacted societies tremendously for God.
However, what happened? Saul became so consumed by his jealousy of David that he tried time and time again to kill him. David became Saul’s enemy rather than his help.
Application
How should you handle jealousy?
1. Seek Godly Wisdom (Read James 3:14-17). It is:
Pure
Peace loving
Gentile and will yield to others
Full of mercy
Show no partiality
Sincere
2. Have the attitude of Christ (Read Philippians 2:3-5)
3. Recognize the good this happening for that person and rejoice for/with that person.
4. Recognize who God desires you to be.
Remember, God has a plan for you to succeed and prosper. We have to turn to Him, seek His wisdom and follow His gameplan for our life. Let’s rejoice with those who are prospering now, regardless of their view towards us and others.
Let’s not let jealously ruin a good thing in our friendships with others like it ruined Saul and David’s friendship.
What is 1 thing that you can do this week to handle jealousy better? Write it down and start doing it! Seek Godly wisdom and He will guide you.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
David: Overcoming Obstacles
****This Devotional Blog ties in with my Podcast, "David: Overcoming Obstacles?" at http://tompounder.podomatic.com/ or go to iTunes and type in Tom Pounder under the Podcast menu.****
Opening Question:
Have you ever had a situation where the odds of you succeeding were slim? What put you into that situation and how did it turn out?
Today, we are going to see a situation in which David faced enormous odds. Not because of something he did, but because of a situation he put himself into.
Scripture
At the time we pick up the story, the Israelites and the Philistines are in the middle of a potential war. They have camped out very close together getting ready. That is when a Philistine, named Goliath, came forward.
Read 1 Samuel 17:4-11
1. How was Goliath described?
2. What did he say?
3. How did the Israelites react?
Goliath was over 9 ft tall, had a ton of protective armour on him with a great bronze javelin that had an iron point weighing over 600 skekels! That's one impressive dude.
He acted as the spokesperson for the Philistines in which he challenged Israel in a 1-on-1 fight. If he would beat the Israelite person, the Israelites would serve the Philistines. However, if the Israelite would defeat Goliath, the Philistines would servie Israel. Basically, less killing but the higher the stakes. Needless to say, the Israelites were terrified and no one stepped up to the challenge.
Now, enter David. David was not apart of this army as he was still too young. But, he came to the camp to deliver food to his brothers. While he was there, he heard Goliath issue this challenge again. However, David couldn’t believe that no one would take Goliath up on his challenge. That is when one of Saul’s men heard him upset and sent him to talk to Saul.
Read 1 Samuel 17:32-37
1. What did David say?
2. How did Saul respond?
3. What was David’s reasoning for fighting Goliath?
Now, David was fired up! He wanted to fight Goliath because he has defied the army of the LIVING God. He knew that God will deliver him against Goliath just like He delivered him from the other obstacles in his life.
Saul, impressed with David, allowed him to go. So, there David is, face to face with Goliath. What was David going to wear to combat Goliath? What was his weapon of choice going to be? Because all the armor was too big, as was the weapons, David went out to fight Goliath with no armor and a sling. That’s it! Let’s see what happens.
Read 1 Samuel 17:42-50
1. How did Goliath react to David?
2. How did David respond to Goliath?
3. What happened?
So here David is small, ruddy, no armor, a simple little sling, a rock and GOD. He has nothing going for him as he faces Goliath except for God. He goes before Goliath, mocked and made fun of only to hit him dead on with the rock and kill him!
So, what the point here? The point is this: there is nothing that you can’t do with God at your side. Let me say that again. There is NOTHING you can not do with God at your side.
David was confident of this and it lead to this amazing victory.
Application
Are you confident in God’s ability to help you in all situations? When you encounter a situation, where do you turn?
If you are confident of God’s ability, you should turn to Him. I know you will encounter a lot of tough situations in life, but let’s be honest, David and his whole country’s lives were at stake here. If he would have lost, Israel could have been destroyed.
It doesn’t matter what situation you will be in. Whether you have a lot in your favor or nothing except a sling, God is there with you and will help you through all situations.
Remember Philippians 4:13 - "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
What can you do this week, regardless of the situation, trust in God’s ability to get you through it? Turn to God and trust that He will lead you through it…and you might just be amazed at what He can do.
Opening Question:
Have you ever had a situation where the odds of you succeeding were slim? What put you into that situation and how did it turn out?
Today, we are going to see a situation in which David faced enormous odds. Not because of something he did, but because of a situation he put himself into.
Scripture
At the time we pick up the story, the Israelites and the Philistines are in the middle of a potential war. They have camped out very close together getting ready. That is when a Philistine, named Goliath, came forward.
Read 1 Samuel 17:4-11
1. How was Goliath described?
2. What did he say?
3. How did the Israelites react?
Goliath was over 9 ft tall, had a ton of protective armour on him with a great bronze javelin that had an iron point weighing over 600 skekels! That's one impressive dude.
He acted as the spokesperson for the Philistines in which he challenged Israel in a 1-on-1 fight. If he would beat the Israelite person, the Israelites would serve the Philistines. However, if the Israelite would defeat Goliath, the Philistines would servie Israel. Basically, less killing but the higher the stakes. Needless to say, the Israelites were terrified and no one stepped up to the challenge.
Now, enter David. David was not apart of this army as he was still too young. But, he came to the camp to deliver food to his brothers. While he was there, he heard Goliath issue this challenge again. However, David couldn’t believe that no one would take Goliath up on his challenge. That is when one of Saul’s men heard him upset and sent him to talk to Saul.
Read 1 Samuel 17:32-37
1. What did David say?
2. How did Saul respond?
3. What was David’s reasoning for fighting Goliath?
Now, David was fired up! He wanted to fight Goliath because he has defied the army of the LIVING God. He knew that God will deliver him against Goliath just like He delivered him from the other obstacles in his life.
Saul, impressed with David, allowed him to go. So, there David is, face to face with Goliath. What was David going to wear to combat Goliath? What was his weapon of choice going to be? Because all the armor was too big, as was the weapons, David went out to fight Goliath with no armor and a sling. That’s it! Let’s see what happens.
Read 1 Samuel 17:42-50
1. How did Goliath react to David?
2. How did David respond to Goliath?
3. What happened?
So here David is small, ruddy, no armor, a simple little sling, a rock and GOD. He has nothing going for him as he faces Goliath except for God. He goes before Goliath, mocked and made fun of only to hit him dead on with the rock and kill him!
So, what the point here? The point is this: there is nothing that you can’t do with God at your side. Let me say that again. There is NOTHING you can not do with God at your side.
David was confident of this and it lead to this amazing victory.
Application
Are you confident in God’s ability to help you in all situations? When you encounter a situation, where do you turn?
If you are confident of God’s ability, you should turn to Him. I know you will encounter a lot of tough situations in life, but let’s be honest, David and his whole country’s lives were at stake here. If he would have lost, Israel could have been destroyed.
It doesn’t matter what situation you will be in. Whether you have a lot in your favor or nothing except a sling, God is there with you and will help you through all situations.
Remember Philippians 4:13 - "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
What can you do this week, regardless of the situation, trust in God’s ability to get you through it? Turn to God and trust that He will lead you through it…and you might just be amazed at what He can do.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
David: A Heart Like His
****This Devotional Blog ties in with my Podcast, "David: A Heart Like His?" at http://tompounder.podomatic.com/ or go to iTunes and type in Tom Pounder under the Podcast menu.****
Opening Question:
Take a minute and write down the top 5 characteristic, quality, or trait that you would look for in a person that you would want to date.
Now, narrow it down to the top 3. What would they be?
Lastly, what would be your number 1 characteristic your "significant other" would have to possess.
Which one of these would you think God would view as the most important?
Today, we are going to begin a summer series looking at the Life of King David. We are going to look at the highs and the lows in his life and believe me, there are plenty.
More importantly, though, we are going to look at how God worked in the life of this great King.
We begin by examining 1 characteristic that David had; that others lacked and how we can have it too. That characteristic is his heart. Obviously everyone has a heart, but David’s heart was in the right place and focused on the right things. His outward appearance wasn’t as good as others, but no one could beat his heart.
Before we begin examining David’s heart, I need to give a little bit of a background before we pick up this story.
Background:
- Saul was the King of Israel. He was directly appointed by God to be King
- However, He had blatantly disobeyed God many times and God was tired of his act.
- So, God sent Samuel, a prophet we talked about a few months ago, out to find a new King.
This is where we begin the story.
Scripture
Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13
1. Why did Samuel think some of David’s brothers would have been chosen?
2. How was David described?
3. Why did God reject David’s brothers?
4. What then, can we assume about David?
Samuel was looking at outward appearances. He thought one of David's brothers would have been chosen because of the way the looked or even acted. But God rejected them all. Then, all of a sudden, a ruddy, yet handsome young boy comes in. He couldn't be the one, could he? He was small. He was young. He didn't look like a king. However, what David had on the inside was worth so much more than what the others had on the outside.
David had the heart, the inward appearance, that God was looking for. He wasn’t considered the best by the world’s standards. After all, he was the youngest, ruddy with some handsome features. Not exactly what you look for in a king.
However, his heart was right before the Lord. Why do you think that is most important to God?
How can we have that heart?
I feel that it can be summed up here: 1 Chronicles 28:9 – “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.”
We need to acknowledge God and serve him wholeheartedly and seek Him and we will find him
You true motives can not be hidden from God. You can hide your heart and true motives from others but God see right through that. So, even though you may do a lot of great things or you may look a certain way, if your heart isn’t right, God will see it and know. Your actions and your appearance are meaningless without your heart being for God and striving after him!
David’s heart was right and although he lacked many of the other great components of what we view as important, God chose him for his heart was for God.
Application
Our society today enforces outward appearances. Just look at the magazine isle in the store. They are lined with 10 ways to lose 10 pounds in 10 days articles. The shows we watch on TV – Extreme makeover and such. We are being pummeled daily with making our outward appearance the best it could be.
But that doesn’t matter to God. Why? Because he loves you for who He created you to be. He cares more about your heart than the way you look or the way you act on the outside. Hey listen, anyone can say and do all the right things, but if your heart isn’t into it, you’ll fool most people. However, you can’t fool God. He knows your heart.
So today, I want you to realize 1 truth and 1 challenge:
TRUTH: God loves you. He doesn’t care about what you look like or how others perceive you. He cares about your heart.
CHALLENGE: So, how is your heart? Is it pure and holy, going after God or are you so consumed with your outward appearance, you heart is tainted. Listen, no one is perfect – we’ll never be 100 % pure and holy, but we can always strive for it. But remember what 1 Chronicles said, “ If you seek him, he will be found by you”
Know that God loves you and examine your heart. Let’s strive after God this week and see where He leads us! It all begins with your heart.
Opening Question:
Take a minute and write down the top 5 characteristic, quality, or trait that you would look for in a person that you would want to date.
Now, narrow it down to the top 3. What would they be?
Lastly, what would be your number 1 characteristic your "significant other" would have to possess.
Which one of these would you think God would view as the most important?
Today, we are going to begin a summer series looking at the Life of King David. We are going to look at the highs and the lows in his life and believe me, there are plenty.
More importantly, though, we are going to look at how God worked in the life of this great King.
We begin by examining 1 characteristic that David had; that others lacked and how we can have it too. That characteristic is his heart. Obviously everyone has a heart, but David’s heart was in the right place and focused on the right things. His outward appearance wasn’t as good as others, but no one could beat his heart.
Before we begin examining David’s heart, I need to give a little bit of a background before we pick up this story.
Background:
- Saul was the King of Israel. He was directly appointed by God to be King
- However, He had blatantly disobeyed God many times and God was tired of his act.
- So, God sent Samuel, a prophet we talked about a few months ago, out to find a new King.
This is where we begin the story.
Scripture
Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13
1. Why did Samuel think some of David’s brothers would have been chosen?
2. How was David described?
3. Why did God reject David’s brothers?
4. What then, can we assume about David?
Samuel was looking at outward appearances. He thought one of David's brothers would have been chosen because of the way the looked or even acted. But God rejected them all. Then, all of a sudden, a ruddy, yet handsome young boy comes in. He couldn't be the one, could he? He was small. He was young. He didn't look like a king. However, what David had on the inside was worth so much more than what the others had on the outside.
David had the heart, the inward appearance, that God was looking for. He wasn’t considered the best by the world’s standards. After all, he was the youngest, ruddy with some handsome features. Not exactly what you look for in a king.
However, his heart was right before the Lord. Why do you think that is most important to God?
How can we have that heart?
I feel that it can be summed up here: 1 Chronicles 28:9 – “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.”
We need to acknowledge God and serve him wholeheartedly and seek Him and we will find him
You true motives can not be hidden from God. You can hide your heart and true motives from others but God see right through that. So, even though you may do a lot of great things or you may look a certain way, if your heart isn’t right, God will see it and know. Your actions and your appearance are meaningless without your heart being for God and striving after him!
David’s heart was right and although he lacked many of the other great components of what we view as important, God chose him for his heart was for God.
Application
Our society today enforces outward appearances. Just look at the magazine isle in the store. They are lined with 10 ways to lose 10 pounds in 10 days articles. The shows we watch on TV – Extreme makeover and such. We are being pummeled daily with making our outward appearance the best it could be.
But that doesn’t matter to God. Why? Because he loves you for who He created you to be. He cares more about your heart than the way you look or the way you act on the outside. Hey listen, anyone can say and do all the right things, but if your heart isn’t into it, you’ll fool most people. However, you can’t fool God. He knows your heart.
So today, I want you to realize 1 truth and 1 challenge:
TRUTH: God loves you. He doesn’t care about what you look like or how others perceive you. He cares about your heart.
CHALLENGE: So, how is your heart? Is it pure and holy, going after God or are you so consumed with your outward appearance, you heart is tainted. Listen, no one is perfect – we’ll never be 100 % pure and holy, but we can always strive for it. But remember what 1 Chronicles said, “ If you seek him, he will be found by you”
Know that God loves you and examine your heart. Let’s strive after God this week and see where He leads us! It all begins with your heart.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
