Yes, yes

Whisper of God Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm. 2 Corinthians 1:24 Observation I'm feeling a little better this morning. I'm not the only pastor to have broken a promise or had to deal with conflict in the church. Paul visited Corinth on the way to Macedonia and intended to visit them again on his way back to Judea. Something change his plans so that the Corinthians accused him of saying, "yes" and "no." This conflict caused Paul's response about the message of Christ. It is always, "yes." As a result he writes one of my favorite verses about the promises of God bing "yes" in Christ Jesus. Here is an example of what Paul told the Romans that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him." We are not told here what the difficulties were in Corinth. Paul's first letter to this church shows us that Corinth is far from perfect and this letter will remove any doubt we might have about finding the perfect church. Paul calls God as witness that by not coming to Corinth the church was spared. Paul would have told them strongly what they needed to hear. But Paul concludes with this statement. It is not to lord or rule over the Corinthians. Rather it is to work with them for joy as together they stand firm in faith. Real Life Application I need to let God renew my love for the church so they can receive from me with joy and the strengthening of their faith. Day's Prayer Lord, I confess that my strength of doing things on my own is a weakness to sometimes engage or confront people when needed. Help me first to build loving relationships involving others in the ministry at the church. Only then can I have the credibility to speak truth into their lives when needed. Holy Spirit keep me humble so that like Paul I never give in to the temptation to "lord over" the church. You are the Lord and I am a servant to wash the feet of Your Bride. Forgive me for letting my love or commitment for the church to be "yes" and "no." Increase my love for the church so that like You the "yes" of unwavering commitment is seen and Your promises are in turn fulfilled.

Don't Act In Haste

Whisper of God
The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want it, take it; there is no sword here but that one.”

David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.”

Observation
When Jonathan confirmed that his father King Saul intended to kill David, David was forced to flee for his life. David knew that Saul would still try to hunt him down, but because he left in such haste he was unprepared to defend himself. Yet God provided a weapon unlike any other. The sword of Goliath which David had used to behead the giant after striking him with a stone was in the possession of the priest at Nob.
As David's story continues to unfold he is engaged in many battles. Most likely this sword was used with skill by David. Yet on those occasions when Saul sought out David and the Lord gave David the opportunity to take Saul's life, David refused to strike down the Lord's anointed. Even though God provided David with a sword, a sword which had previously been one of his enemies, David did not use this weapon against the one enemy that had vowed to take his life. 
In everything David trusted God and refused to take even the sword God provided into his own hands.

Real Life Application
God has promised to provide for me, to even give that which belonged to the wicked to His righteous one's. I must like David continue to trust God and not be quick to use my own wisdom and waste what God provides as I think is best.

Day's Prayer
Lord Jesus I give you thanks for the ways You have provided for me and my family. I confess that sometimes I am too quick to act and may waste what you have provided. Forgive me when I act in haste even when it is obvious that You have provided. Help me to like David trust you with the outcome in everything and not be in a hurry to do things myself.

Righteous Indignation

Whisper of God
When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger.
1 Samuel 11:6

Observation
Some of the Jews living in Jabesh Gilead were being oppressed by the Ammonites. They requested a treaty but were told that peace would be granted only on one condition. The right eye of every man would have to be gouged out to humiliate all of Israel.
It is worth noting that this effectively makes such a man a blind warrior. If he is right handed he would hold a shield in his left hand and fight with the javelin or spear in his right. The shield would cover his left eye leaving him defenseless against an attack.
Rather than accept the request they asked for time to send word through out Israel to see if anyone would come to their aid. If no one responded then the Ammonites could do as they pleased with them.
When Saul heard these words he did not just become angry. The Spirit of God came upon him causing him to burn with anger, or as we might say today to have a righteous indignation. Saul's anger motivated him to bring all the men from through out Israel to come to the aid of their brothers in Jabesh Gilead. As a result a great victory was won and the kingship was established firmly for Saul.

Real Life Application
What will make me angry to be moved upon by God to act and defend those being per sued not by a physical enemy but by principalities and powers that are not flesh and blood? I need to commit time to pray for revival that they eyes of the spiritually blind will be opened to the light of the gospel.

Day's Prayer
Lord Jesus forgive me for my apathy. Like your disciples in the garden I fail to wait in prayer for even an hour. My spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Strengthen me by Your Spirit. Give me an anger that motivates me to action to stand against the deception of the enemy that people will be set free from Satan's oppression. Help me answer Your call to battle, Your call to prayer.

Out of My Mind

Whisper of God
And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.
1 Samuel 8:7 NIV

Observation
Then nation of Israel rejected Samuel's sons and asked for a king to rule over them like other nations. God told Samuel that this was not a personal rejection of Samuel and his family, but instead was the result of the people's continual rejection of God as their Lord and Master.
In 1 Corinthians 2:12 Paul writes -
   “Who has known the mind of the Lord
   so as to instruct him?”
   But we have the mind of Christ.
It is amazing that God has given us understanding that is beyond human comprehension or ability. God will make known to us His mind, His thoughts because through the Spirit we have the mind of Christ. Yet even so we are so much like the people of Israel. We try to tell God what we think is best, what God should or should not do. As Israel asked for a king we will exalt ourselves above God thinking that we know what what we cannot know apart from God. Dare we so reject God?

Real Life Application
I must be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking I know what is best; I have been given the mind of Christ but must wholeheartedly depend upon the Lord and not human wisdom.

Day's Prayer
Lord Jesus I thank you for the wisdom You give by Your Holy Spirit. Forgive me when I confuse Your wisdom with mine. Forgive me for being impulsive and too quick to act when I should wait for You to make known to me what is really on Your mind and the direction I should follow. Give me patience to wait and know the mind of Christ.