ESCAPING EVIL, EMBRACING TRUTH

ESCAPING EVIL, EMBRACING TRUTH

2 Timothy 2:22-26
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=2+Timothy+2:22-26

Dear Father,

Help me to escape evil passions and to aim at righteousness,
faith, love, and peace, along with all who call upon the Lord from
a pure heart.

Give me the wisdom to avoid stupid, senseless quarrels and
controversies. Help me to be kind and forbearing toward everyone,
teaching and correcting with gentleness any who may oppose your
doctrine.

My God, grant those who are estranged from you in mind to be
persuaded by the truth and turn in repentance toward you, that they
may escape from the devil after having been captured by him to do
his will.

In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.

VERSE:

VERSE:
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck;
write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour
and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
-- Proverbs 3:3-4
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Proverbs+3:3-4&translation=kjv

THOUGHT:
Character is measured by the love and faithfulness we genuinely
display in our daily lives. These are not simple virtues that we
can fake. Merciful love is displayed when we have power over
another but choose to treat them with kindness and genuine concern.
Faithfulness is being a person of truth -- genuine and trustworthy
in word and deed. These virtues need to be a part of our everyday
lives and permeate our very identity. When they do, others will
notice and God will be pleased.

PRAYER:
Holy God -- faithful and compassionate, full of mercy and
steadfast love -- I praise you for your example of strength and
mercy, holiness and compassion, love and faithfulness. Carve these
character traits on my heart as I submit myself to your will and
open my life to your Spirit's transformational power. In Jesus'
name I pray. Amen.

Celebrating The Gift Of The Spirit

Celebrating The Gift Of The Spirit
Bishop Jim Swilley
But to each one is given the manifestation of the [Holy] Spirit [the evidence, the spiritual illumination of the Spirit] for good and profit. To one is given in and through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] a message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same [Holy] Spirit; to another [wonder-working] faith by the same [Holy] Spirit, to another the extraordinary powers of healing by the one Spirit; to another the working of miracles, to another prophetic insight (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose); to another the ability to discern and distinguish between [the utterances of true] spirits [and false ones], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, to another the ability to interpret [such] tongues. All these [gifts, achievements, abilities] are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually [exactly] as He chooses. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, AMP)
The Gifts of the Spirit are:
G - od's grace... the Gifts or Graces of the Holy Spirit...the "Charismata"...are available to us...
I - nfinite inspiration... the God-breathed unction inspires us to action and to good works...
F - ree flow... the Wind blows where it wills...in Him we live, and in Him we MOVE!...
T - imeless treasures... the Spiritual Gifts reveal the "I AM"...the God Who is in the NOW...
S - upernatural signs... "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord"...


O - mnipresent opportunity... God's enabling Spirit can go anywhere...do anything...
F - irst fruits... Oh, what a foretaste of Glory Divine!...the Former and Latter Rain together...

T - ranscendant talents... we accomplish more in the Spirit than we ever could in the flesh...
H - eavenly help... "But you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you"...
E - cclesiastical equipping... the Gifts bring life and give effectiveness to the Church...


S - pecial services... unique abilities... the Working of Miracles, Gifts of Healing, Gift of Faith...
P - entecostal power... "you shall be My witness...to the uttermost parts of the earth"...
I - nsightful information... Speaking with Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues, Prophecy...
R - eal revelation... the Word of Knowledge, the Word of Wisdom, the Discerning of Spirits...
I - nvaluable instruction... Helper/Teacher...the Spirit of Truth will lead you into all truth...
T - ransformational truth... Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every word that PROCEEDS (present tense) out of the mouth of God. The Gifts of the Spirit connect us with the "proceeding" Word of God.
A loose definition of the Greek word for "word" reveals that the Logos is what God has said, the Rhema is what God is saying. God is speaking IN THE NOW through the Gifts of the Spirit, and those gifts are available to every believer!
The Spiritual Gifts are for you!

VERSE:

VERSE:
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to
divide the spoil with the proud.
-- Proverbs 16:19
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Proverbs+16:19&translation=kjv

THOUGHT:
What is your source of significance? This proverb challenges us
to view the world upside down to the rest of culture. Humility and
association with the lowly and oppressed are valued by God. Abusive
power and arrogance are not. God didn't just give us this proverb;
he sent us his Son to demonstrate it. Now if we can only learn to
live it. Ah! But Jesus does give us the opportunity to demonstrate
it when he says, "Follow me!" (cf. John 13)

PRAYER:
Father, I do recognize my weakness and vulnerability to
temptation, to the lure of my culture's facades, and to the
pressure to be like the "popular crowd." Thank you for Jesus, who
had power but displayed humility, who had position but identified
with the abandoned, forgotten, and rejected. Please use me to be a
difference-maker in my world by including those who are left out,
forgotten, and disenfranchised. In Jesus name. Amen.

Disciplined for Service

Disciplined for Service
2 Timothy 2:1-7



Dear Father,

Make me strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Help me pass your word on to others who also will share it.

Help me take my share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ. Help me avoid "civilian" entanglements that would dilute my loyal obedience to Christ, my commander.

Help me be a disciplined athlete for you. Help me to be a hard-working farmer who tills in your vineyard, patiently waiting for the harvest that comes from you.

In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

1 Timothy 3:1-13
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Timothy+3:1-13

Dear Father,

Give in whatever measure you please the qualities of elders and
deacons to all your people, even to me. Help me desire tasks that
are a noble work to you. Help me to live above reproach, to be
proper in my family relations, to be temperate, sensible,
dignified, hospitable, sober, and gentle.

Help me manage my affairs properly and command the respect of my
family and outsiders. Help me serve you well in whatever capacity
you allot, that I may gain a good standing and great confidence in
my faith in Christ.

Keep me from becoming puffed up or conceited. Don't let me fall
into the condemnation of the devil.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

From Wimps To Warriors

From Wimps To Warriors
Bishop Vashti McKenzie
It may seem to some that we have been set up to fail. God has asked us to live a life that is humanly impossible. Our sinful nature still sends us emails, text messages and tweets. The good, that we want to do, goes undone and the sin, that should be avoided, starts to look real good.
We are fighting a life and death battle with the sin that wants to control our lives. That which seeks to kill, destroy, distract and disrupt does not fight fair or adhere to appropriate rules of engagement.
God has asked us to serve in a world that is a combat zone. The kingdom of God clashes violently with the kingdoms of this world. There is the pagan environment of 21st century idols, statues, consumerism, sorcerers, temples and secular humanism. The deck is stacked against us, because we have been asked to do what is humanly impossible: to go, teach and make disciples of all nations.
Jesus knew we'd need help. He promised another comforter and that promised help arrived when the day of Pentecost had fully come (Acts 2). This was not a result of a class or course, mind-bending chants, candle lighting, ointment application, potions, drink or pill. It was the Holy Spirit of the living God who transformed wimps into warriors with life giving attitude altering power.
The Holy Spirit transformed their fears into bold confidence. The disciples were hiding behind closed doors. Now, those who had run from the public were now running in public empowered to tell the gospel. Everyone heard the gospel in his or her own language. They testified before the Sanhedrin court with such confidence, that the report read that the religious leaders realized they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4: 13-31)
The Holy Spirit transformed their weaknesses and abilities into gifts. Peter had denied Jesus three times. Now, he was preaching his trial sermon. The church grew that day from 120 to 3,120. Talk about church growth! His activities and capabilities were clothed with a power not his own. Just his shadow crossing the path of the sick brought healing.
The Holy Spirit transformed their feelings of abandonment into an ardent advocacy for Christ. The disciples would travel from city to city teaching and preaching. They were stoned, thrown to the lions, beaten, jailed, hunted and mistreated. They were told to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. They didn't stop, but started a movement beyond their human capabilities because of the gifting of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit gave them power to be the Lord's witnesses from Jerusalem to the utter most parts of the world, and the gifts of the Spirit empowered them to do ministry. You shall receive power after the Holy Ghost has come upon you.
As it was for them, so it is for believers. The Holy Spirit transforms our wimpy tendencies into warrior proclivities. We are not defenseless. There are weapons of warfare for every warrior, weapons that are not carnal but spiritual to the pulling down of the strongholds of the enemy.
The hymn writer sings the warriors national anthem "Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me... make me, mold me....use me". With a fresh filling, the Holy Spirit will confront, convict and comfort. He will motivate you in spite of obstacles. He will bring calm in the midst of storms, warn you of impending danger and lead you to truth.

VERSE:

VERSE:
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace
and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk
uprightly.
-- Psalm 84:11
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Psalm+84:11&translation=kjv

THOUGHT:
These promises are made to the true worshiper (see Psalm 84).
This worshiper delights to be in the presence of God and yearns to
be with God in worship. This worshiper trusts fully in God as his
source of strength, hope, victory, and joy. For this worshiper, God
has left this incredible set of promises! Very similar to Romans 8,
and its hallmark passage in verse 28, God promises to work out
things for good and bless those who "love him and are called
according to his purpose" and withhold nothing that is good (Rom.
8:32). Why? God is for us! He is our sun and shield, he lavishes
his grace and glory upon us, and he will not withhold any good
thing from us.

PRAYER:
O dear Father, how can I thank you? You have lavished your grace
upon me in Jesus. You have promised me victory and heaven. I praise
you for your grace. I thank you for sharing your glory with me. I
rejoice knowing that you long to bless me. Now, dear Father, help
me through your Holy Spirit to be the faithful person you long for
me to be. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

VERSE:

VERSE:
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous
in mercy.
-- Psalm 103:8
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Psalm+103:8&translation=kjv

THOUGHT:
God is holy, righteous, and just. But, as important as these
qualities are, he reveals them within his compassion, graciousness,
patience, and overflowing mercy and love. We cannot only obey,
worship, and reverently respect God; we can also love, appreciate,
and adore him! Maybe the greatest challenge, however, is to reflect
the character of God in our own lives in the ways that we interact
with other people as well as the ways that we view him!

PRAYER:
LORD God Almighty, I not only trust in you, but I appreciate
your faithfulness, your mercy, your love, your graciousness, and
your patient compassion. Please help me display each of these
virtues more fully in my life. In the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

The Power Of Pentecost

The Power Of Pentecost
Bishop Jim Swilley
But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth. (Acts 1:8, AMP)
The power of Pentecost is about...
P - ushing limits... The power of the Holy Spirit that was first manifested on the Day of Pentecost was and is all about setting new boundaries... creating new realities... as the Spirit of God brooded over the face of the deep in the Creation, so the same Spirit... the very same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead... brooded over the 120 who waited in the Upper Room for the next revelation of God.
E - mbracing diversity... Jesus said, "It is necessary that I go away, because if I don't go away, He can't come"... the Son of Man was revealed to a particular nation, but when that nation rejected Him, the stage was set for the Gospel to become international...and so, on the Day of Pentecost we see people from Africa, Asia, Europe, Arabia...the entire known world, in fact, all hearing the sound of a rushing, mighty wind, and being drawn together to the Upper Room.
N - etworking nationals... These people from all over the world heard the "wonderful works of God" being supernaturally proclaimed to them in their own native tongues... it was such a bonding experience for all of them that 3,000 of them were baptized together that day in one river.
T - ranscending culture... The power of the Holy Spirit transcended culture on the Day of Pentecost, and it still does today...the prophet Joel declared "I will pour out My Spirit on ALL humanity... ALL people... ALL flesh!
E - mpowering believers... Jesus said, "You shall receive DUNAMIS... power that produces more power, like a dynamo... when the Holy Spirit comes upon you!" This word "dunamis" is the same root word as our origin for "dynamite"... imagine Jesus saying, "But you shall receive spiritual DYNAMITE when the Holy Spirit comes upon you!"
C - ommunicating truth... The Day of Pentecost phenomenon wasn't just about speaking with other tongues... it was about the Spirit's unique ability to communicate the message to every people group... in the modern world that could mean the Nation of Politics, the Nation of Finance, the Nation of Entertainment, the Nation of Youth, etc... each of these "nations" has its own language, if you will, and the Holy Spirit can speak in any and all of them!
O - vercoming divisions... The Holy Spirit can empower people to overcome their doctrinal, denominational and dogmatic divisions.
S - eeing globalism... The power of the Holy Spirit, as seen on the Day of Pentecost, is about the glory of the Lord filling all the earth, as the waters cover the sea.
T - aking dominion... "You shall receive power... ability... efficiency... and might...!" The Holy Spirit is for you...the Helper... the "Paraclete" (Parakletos... the One Who stands by at all times to help) is here right now to help you in your time of weakness and vulnerability to become a world-changer!

PRAYER AND GOOD DEEDS

PRAYER AND GOOD DEEDS

1 Timothy 2:8-14
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Timothy+2:8-14

Dear Father,

Let the men of your church pray constantly to you, lifting holy
hands without quarreling. May your women adorn themselves modestly
and sensibly and clothe themselves in good deeds, as befits women
who profess religion.

Actually Lord, may both sexes do both of these. Let prayer and
good deeds adorn us and fill our lives.

May men and women who are called to follow you relate to each
other in perfect submission both to you and to each other.

In the name of Jesus Christ, the one Mediator between God and man,
who gave his life for us, I pray. Amen.

The Books of History

The Books of History
I Chronicles 10-14 Wednesday: Psalms 99-101
Thursday: Proverbs 19
Friday: Hosea 1-7

1 Chronicles 10
1
Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
2
And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.
3
And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers.
4
Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
5
And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died.
6
So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together.
7
And when all the men of Israel that were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, then they forsook their cities, and fled: and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.
8
And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
9
And when they had stripped him, they took his head, and his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto their idols, and to the people.
10
And they put his armour in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.
11
And when all Jabeshgilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,
12
They arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
13
So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;
14
And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.


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1 Chronicles 11
1
Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.
2
And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel.
3
Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel.
4
And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land.
5
And the inhabitants of Jebus said to David, Thou shalt not come hither. Nevertheless David took the castle of Zion, which is the city of David.
6
And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief.
7
And David dwelt in the castle; therefore they called it the city of David.
8
And he built the city round about, even from Millo round about: and Joab repaired the rest of the city.
9
So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.
10
These also are the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, and with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.
11
And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had; Jashobeam, an Hachmonite, the chief of the captains: he lifted up his spear against three hundred slain by him at one time.
12
And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighties.
13
He was with David at Pasdammim, and there the Philistines were gathered together to battle, where was a parcel of ground full of barley; and the people fled from before the Philistines.
14
And they set themselves in the midst of that parcel, and delivered it, and slew the Philistines; and the LORD saved them by a great deliverance.
15
Now three of the thirty captains went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the host of the Philistines encamped in the valley of Rephaim.
16
And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines' garrison was then at Bethlehem.
17
And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate!
18
And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD.
19
And said, My God forbid it me, that I should do this thing: shall I drink the blood of these men that have put their lives in jeopardy? for with the jeopardy of their lives they brought it. Therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mightiest.
20
And Abishai the brother of Joab, he was chief of the three: for lifting up his spear against three hundred, he slew them, and had a name among the three.
21
Of the three, he was more honourable than the two; for he was their captain: howbeit he attained not to the first three.
22
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done many acts; he slew two lionlike men of Moab: also he went down and slew a lion in a pit in a snowy day.
23
And he slew an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits high; and in the Egyptian's hand was a spear like a weaver's beam; and he went down to him with a staff, and plucked the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and slew him with his own spear.
24
These things did Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and had the name among the three mighties.
25
Behold, he was honourable among the thirty, but attained not to the first three: and David set him over his guard.
26
Also the valiant men of the armies were, Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem,
27
Shammoth the Harorite, Helez the Pelonite,
28
Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, Abiezer the Antothite,
29
Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite,
30
Maharai the Netophathite, Heled the son of Baanah the Netophathite,
31
Ithai the son of Ribai of Gibeah, that pertained to the children of Benjamin, Benaiah the Pirathonite,
32
Hurai of the brooks of Gaash, Abiel the Arbathite,
33
Azmaveth the Baharumite, Eliahba the Shaalbonite,
34
The sons of Hashem the Gizonite, Jonathan the son of Shage the Hararite,
35
Ahiam the son of Sacar the Hararite, Eliphal the son of Ur,
36
Hepher the Mecherathite, Ahijah the Pelonite,
37
Hezro the Carmelite, Naarai the son of Ezbai,
38
Joel the brother of Nathan, Mibhar the son of Haggeri,
39
Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Berothite, the armourbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah,
40
Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite,
41
Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai,
42
Adina the son of Shiza the Reubenite, a captain of the Reubenites, and thirty with him,
43
Hanan the son of Maachah, and Joshaphat the Mithnite,
44
Uzzia the Ashterathite, Shama and Jehiel the sons of Hothan the Aroerite,
45
Jediael the son of Shimri, and Joha his brother, the Tizite,
46
Eliel the Mahavite, and Jeribai, and Joshaviah, the sons of Elnaam, and Ithmah the Moabite,
47
Eliel, and Obed, and Jasiel the Mesobaite.


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1 Chronicles 12
1
Now these are they that came to David to Ziklag, while he yet kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish: and they were among the mighty men, helpers of the war.
2
They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.
3
The chief was Ahiezer, then Joash, the sons of Shemaah the Gibeathite; and Jeziel, and Pelet, the sons of Azmaveth; and Berachah, and Jehu the Antothite.
4
And Ismaiah the Gibeonite, a mighty man among the thirty, and over the thirty; and Jeremiah, and Jahaziel, and Johanan, and Josabad the Gederathite,
5
Eluzai, and Jerimoth, and Bealiah, and Shemariah, and Shephatiah the Haruphite,
6
Elkanah, and Jesiah, and Azareel, and Joezer, and Jashobeam, the Korhites,
7
And Joelah, and Zebadiah, the sons of Jeroham of Gedor.
8
And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David into the hold to the wilderness men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains;
9
Ezer the first, Obadiah the second, Eliab the third,
10
Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth,
11
Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh,
12
Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,
13
Jeremiah the tenth, Machbanai the eleventh.
14
These were of the sons of Gad, captains of the host: one of the least was over an hundred, and the greatest over a thousand.
15
These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it had overflown all his banks; and they put to flight all them of the valleys, both toward the east, and toward the west.
16
And there came of the children of Benjamin and Judah to the hold unto David.
17
And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.
18
Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band.
19
And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads.
20
As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh.
21
And they helped David against the band of the rovers: for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host.
22
For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God.
23
And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD.
24
The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war.
25
Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.
26
Of the children of Levi four thousand and six hundred.
27
And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred;
28
And Zadok, a young man mighty of valour, and of his father's house twenty and two captains.
29
And of the children of Benjamin, the kindred of Saul, three thousand: for hitherto the greatest part of them had kept the ward of the house of Saul.
30
And of the children of Ephraim twenty thousand and eight hundred, mighty men of valour, famous throughout the house of their fathers.
31
And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.
32
And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.
33
Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.
34
And of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand.
35
And of the Danites expert in war twenty and eight thousand and six hundred.
36
And of Asher, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, forty thousand.
37
And on the other side of Jordan, of the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and of the half tribe of Manasseh, with all manner of instruments of war for the battle, an hundred and twenty thousand.
38
All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.
39
And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them.
40
Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.


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1 Chronicles 13
1
And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.
2
And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us:
3
And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul.
4
And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people.
5
So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim.
6
And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjathjearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it.
7
And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart.
8
And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.
9
And when they came unto the threshingfloor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled.
10
And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.
11
And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day.
12
And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?
13
So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite.
14
And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.


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1 Chronicles 14
1
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.
2
And David perceived that the LORD had confirmed him king over Israel, for his kingdom was lifted up on high, because of his people Israel.
3
And David took more wives at Jerusalem: and David begat more sons and daughters.
4
Now these are the names of his children which he had in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon,
5
And Ibhar, and Elishua, and Elpalet,
6
And Nogah, and Nepheg, and Japhia,
7
And Elishama, and Beeliada, and Eliphalet.
8
And when the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek David. And David heard of it, and went out against them.
9
And the Philistines came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.
10
And David enquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? And wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand.
11
So they came up to Baalperazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baalperazim.
12
And when they had left their gods there, David gave a commandment, and they were burned with fire.
13
And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in the valley.
14
Therefore David enquired again of God; and God said unto him, Go not up after them; turn away from them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.
15
And it shall be, when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle: for God is gone forth before thee to smite the host of the Philistines.
16
David therefore did as God commanded him: and they smote the host of the Philistines from Gibeon even to Gazer.
17
And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.

WORK AND DISCIPLINE

WORK AND DISCIPLINE

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=2+Thessalonians+3:6-15

Dear Father, God who worked to create all things,

Guide us and empower us to do our work in quietness, to avoid
idleness, and to earn our own living. Help us not to grow weary in
well-doing.

Help us to follow the example of your emissaries, of Paul and the
others, who did not seize some economic advantage from their
positions, but worked to provide for their own needs. Help us to
encourage and enforce a good work ethic among Christians so that we
may be highly regarded among all people.

Help us to be disciplined among ourselves, to exhort and warn each
other, but also to be kind and loving and to treat each other as
beloved brothers and sisters in Christ.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

CAUSE US TO PRAY

CAUSE US TO PRAY

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5, 16-18
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=2+Thessalonians+3:1-5,+16-18

Dear Father, who hears our prayers,

May all of your people pray earnestly for each other, and
especially for your ministers, that your word may speed on and
triumph among others, just as it has among us.

Deliver us from wicked and evil people who have no faith in you.
Give us deep trust in your faithfulness, that you will strengthen
us and guard us from evil. Give us obedient hearts that we may live
out the teachings of your word. Direct our hearts to your love and
to the steadfastness of Christ.

Lord of peace, give peace at all times and in all ways. Be with
us! Fill us with the grace of the Lord Jesus, in whose name I pray.
Amen.