Towering over Goliath

        The Stature Of David The Sheperd Grew When He Began Arming The People With A Victorious God Given Identity

        So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, ” I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them ” . So David took them off. ( I Samuel 17:38-39 NKJV ) As a result of the sovereignty of God ( as well as his skill on the harp ) David now finds himself in the service of Saul. And as we continue on in I Samuel his first great feat as the Lords servant is about to take place against one of the Bibles most notable characters, Goliath of the Philistines.
        While not even Saul was willing to take on the 9 foot tall giant David is nevertheless given the opportunity to do so though he eschews the traditional means on how such a battle was waged; opting instead for those things he as a sheperd protecting his sheep from wild beasts was more comfortable and successful with, ( his sling and stones ). As our opening verse makes reference to Saul attempts to protect David with the armor of warfare according to his understanding of such things. Initially David seeks to go along, but ultimately declines stating that he could not walk with them, for he had not ” tested ” them. The King James Version here uses the word ” proved “. The Amplified Bible simply translates this as ” used to “. The Hebrew word used here is ” Nasah ” which carries with it ” the idea of testing the quality of someone or something through a demonstration of stress “. Obviously given what was at stake here it was important that David not only have faith in the Lord for this endeavor, but that it would be undertaken because of his confident and proven skills in defeating an enemy which he seemingly did not have when weighed down with  armor that Saul offered him. And in what should not be a surprise to us Davids thinking here does not stray from the spiritual truth that God through His word seeks to teach us. For just the existence of such Goliath like circumstances in ones life would bring to the surface of almost all people a near hopeless fear that says, ” This is to much for me ” At the same time being placed in such a vulnerable position should hopefully cause one to immediately turn and call on the Lord. For when first finding out of Goliath Davids response to all within earshot was to ask in I Samuel 17:26, ” who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God ” ? Such a statement was actually spoken from the faithfilled position of one who personally knew of Gods love and favor as well as one who refused to dissconnect Gods past faithfulness for Israel from its precarious present.
        Beginning in Ephesians 6:13 the apostle Paul tells us of our need to take up the ” whole armor of God “. Continuing on in verse 17 he goes on to say, ” And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God”. As in ancient times it is important today to be willing to go to war to preserve freedom. Consequently, it is also wise to be prepared for such things as well as equipped with the most effective means to succeed. So to are such things applicable in spiritual warfare. While David was witness to his countrymen fearfully scattering at the mere threats of Goliath because Israels future king already had an intimate knowledge of Gods abiding love he also must have recognized that his fellow countrymen did not. And not unlike a pastor seeking to influence his flock through victorious words of the faith the types of armor David ultimately did prefer were more related to the promise of Gods victory. ( especially that which related to salvation) And despite the faithfilled scriptural platitudes that should be applied towards the work we seek to do for the Lord on the earth from a human standpoint the water of the word remains essential in order to clean and minister to our flawed selves during such a process. ( Ephesians 5:26 ) For as the Israelites fled Goliath they hardly epitomized an army of the living God nevertheless the earthly sword they could not even bring themselves to use on the 9 foot giant was faithfully replaced by an inspired heavenly One and its ” proven” ability to victoriously tower over even our most fearsome adversaries !

O.N.RIDER is seminary educated and living in Baltimore MD

Gatekeeper of the Soul

         Amidst A World Saturated With Visual And Audible Stimuli One Should Find Time In Their Heart To Think Upon Jesus Christ And His Monumental Victory Over Darkness

        But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. ( I Samuel 16:7 NKJV ) As the process to replace Saul as Israels king begins the Lord sends Samuel to the house of Jesse, the father of David. And as Jesses sons are presented to the prophet Samuel notices one son who’s appearance he believes warrants attention as a potential candidate only to be reminded by the Lord that what He looks for is only found in an individuals heart. And speaking of the heart of man Proverbs 23:7 says, ” For as he thinks in his heart, so is he ” . The Hebrew word here for ” thinks ” is ” shaar “, or ” to split, to open , and most interesting to me, ” to act as a gatekeeper “. The city gate in ancient times was where the people congregated for business and social reasons. The administration of justice was often administered at the gate. It was the place of controlled access to a walled city. ( Strongs ) And though one can get an idea what an individual is like by their outward behavior the Lords emphasis in I Samuel 16:7 was that people should not believe a person deserved being a leader merely based on appealing or fleshly physical qualities.
        In his first epistle the apostle Peter, while addressing wives and then husbands in the third chapter, discouraged women from adorning only their outward person in verse 3, but emphasized the ” hidden person of the heart ” in verse 4 which includes the ” incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God “. Early on in the Book of Romans ( 1:20 ) the word of God tells us that as humans we are consciously aware of Gods existence and based on our standing before Him ( unsaved , saved with a poor understandinng of His word, saved with a solid victorious grasp of His word ) we are thus influenced in our thoughts and behavior by His omnipresence whether we are aware of it or not. Hence, for obvious reasons as an unsaved person it is critical to be reconciled to God through His Son Jesus Christ; and as quite possibly a struggling christian one would ask the Holy Spirit to give them light through His word that one could avoid a shipwrecked faith because of ones own ignorance or the ignorance of others. Referring back to Proverbs 23:7, or that which we think about, and or that which is the ” gate of our soul ” one needs to realize that while still being in this fallen body, as well as living in a fallen realm our unenlightened inclination at best is to believe we have to earn Gods favor, and at worst seek to hide from Him in a vain attempt to avoid the accountability that comes with being His creation. Consequently, even if we rightfully give heed to His word it nonetheless still comes down to how and what we hear. Ignorance in this area would be to allow ourself to receive and interpret the bible based on a works program mentality whereas one believes ( consciously or not ) they are earning favor with God and quite possibly even doing some seemingly amazing things in life. On the other hand if one believes in the full counsel of Gods word while most importantly never marginalizing the victorious finished work of redemption that it is founded and built upon one then never runs the risk of causing themself or others to attempt a work for God without consistent solid reminders that because of what Christ has already done the eternal heavy lifting is already gloriously finished. And therefore the preciousness of a gentle and quiet spirit as mentioned in I Peter 3 is the result of an individual who is not only experiencing Christs spiritual victory, but who has also come to realize the importance of making such truth the gatekeeper of their soul.

O.N.RIDER is seminary educated and living in Baltimore MD

Gods Key to Our Heart

        Being Captivated By The Reality Of God In Christ Has Much To Do With Adjusting Our Thinking Away From Earning Gods Favor Toward Simply Receiving It

        So he went to him, and bandaged up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.( Luke 10 :34 NKJV ) In these times when the concern over victimhood seems to have come to the forefront of the human community it would be wise to take a look at the larger issue as seen from the biblical perspective. That is not see the topic from the standpoint of mere political opportunism, but from the standpoint of the fallen human condition and its tendencies in contributing to a spiritually damaged world.
         In our opening verse the man who was the victim of a crime going from Jerusalem to Jericho was fortunate to have a Samaritan take care of him when no one else would. Yet in truth this favor he received was only the begining of his journey. For after having been taken care of by the Samaritan there would have been so much for this traveler to ponder and learn from; some of which no doubt involved his own choices. ( Such as why travel alone and make yourself more of a potential victim ) The two individuals who declined to help him were a priest of some kind and a Levite; and their rejection of him no doubt wounded his spirit along with his already wounded body. In fact these latter occurences if he were not careful would potentially effect our victims soul long after his physical body had healed if it were not for the grace and mercy of this Samaritan who indeed did minister to him in his time of need. And here in is where our journeyman can either live out his life having been blessed by the one who did save him, or embittered by the ones who he felt should have.
        In Proverbs 3:5 the word of God says, ” Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding “. Though moral behavioral change may be the most notable evidence of an individual who has been converted to Christ more important though would be new patterns of thinking as a result of one hearing consistent precise biblical teaching. That is as this verse in Proverbs denotes not leaning or ” being supported ” by ones own thinking, but trusting and or ” attaching oneself ” to the victorious Lord. Obviously having been purchased by His blood our standing as believers is eternally as well as practically secure. Our only potential hindrance is, as the verse states, our own understanding. And as christians we must be clear as to the strength of our operative understanding. Operative best being defined in this case as either an unchanging and therefore , practically speaking , a life giving positional one, or the halting aspects of a lawful, legalistic one. And as  always being a recipient of the grace of God does not give one a license to sin it instead seeks to teach us to deny ungodliness. ( Titus 2:11-12 ) In the seventh verse of chapter two in the book of Titus the the word of God also says , ” in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptability”. The greek word for ” pattern” here is ” Tupus ” of which one definition found in the Zodhiate bible is ” a prototype or that which was yet to be developed and evolved”; prime example being The Old Testament types and symbols versus the reality and fulfillment of these things found in the New Testament. In truthfulness as christians still found on this earth we are hardly the testimony that Christ was and is and therefore in order to successfully impact the body of Christ as well as a lost and dying world our efforts must be sourced not in a limited lawfully oriented religious mindset ( selfrighteousness ), rather in the heartfelt positionally victorious finished work that Christ mercifully bestowed upon us. And though we want to show forth a “pattern” of good works a christians true ability to do so has less to do with the external manifestation of good behavior as much as a personal and internal victorious spiritual revelation of Christs victory at Calvary.
        As we continue on in our Old Testament studies we are brought to I Samuel 15 where the word of the Lord has come to Samuel in the form of his becoming aware that due to his independent ways the Lord ( as expected ) was rejecting Saul as Israels king. In the b-portion of verse 22 the prophet goes on to say to Saul , ” Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice”. And though referring to Saul as being independent is a mild form of what was simply rebelliousness his downfall is a lesson to us all. For though he came to enjoy the favor that God had shown him he was never really humbled by such an eternal blessing.

O.N.RIDER is seminary educated and living in Baltimore MD

Dealing with Problems

        In Life It Is Always Wise To Be Prepared By Knowing Gods Word For Precise Problems Whereby In The Heat Of Battle We Will Not Wither For Lack Of Preparation And Or Proper Eternal Perspective

        And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness , ( II Corinthians 12:9 a NKJV ) Problems in life, whether they are among those God has preordained for us to encounter , or those of the selfinflicted kind, are nonetheless both woven into our human existence as sure as each and every day on the earth includes light as well as darkness. Consequently, how we deal with such problems has less to do with any external solutions our soul may come up with as much as how we as believers in Christ cope internally ( spiritually ) with such stress and or stressors that leaves one the option of either trusting the Lord or doubting Him.
        When we talk about problems in general ( though especially problems that can effect christians ) such subject matter can consist of a wide array of issues both extreme as well as minimal that contribute to either the growth of a believer in Christ or even their potential destruction. Ephesians 3:16 says , ” that He would grant you according to the riches of His glory , to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man. ” Mind you, even being strengthened in the inner man does not neccessarily negate the presence of external problems. Leaders among Gods people ( pastors, parents ) are often confronted with problems and how they respond has great influence over the future of those they have been placed over by God. The subtle snare for such ones is to overeact to problems abandoning that spiritual sense that in Christ there is indeed always hope for even the most troubled and yes sinful christian. And how leaders of Gods people ultimately deal with problems most often has to do with their own souls frame of reference, and or how they believe God in Christ deals with their own imperfectness. For how any believer interprets the character of God will greatly influence whether they will , practically speaking , overcome or not. The phrase ” to be strengthened ” in Ephesians 3:16 means ” to empower , and or increase in intensity” No one should confuse the energy of the flesh with a clearly defined spiritual understanding of how much more impacting Christs finished work redemptive victory is over any problem in this world.Here in again we find ourself taking inventory over what kind of preaching we may be hearing whether that be to much unfulfillable lawful teaching or a vigorous understanding of victorious positional truth amidst the full counsel found in Gods word. For it is in being ministered to in such a way that we grow in the fulness and foundational capacity that Christ Himself established. The apostle goes on to say in verse 19 of Ephesians 3 that we would ” know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that we might be filled with the fulness of God ” So then how shall we define the fulness of God ? Well based on the earlier part of this verse it has much to do with the Sons ( unconditional ) love for us which surpasses knowledge. A knowledge which fortunately is not strict or lawful which is thus capable of spiritually filling us. A filling that cannot be achieved by our efforts but based on the effort Christ established through His redemptive victory and our willingness to embrace it through the cross; both His and ours. Hence, our need for a cross is not because we are called to finish the work that Christ already finished, rather because our weak fallen condition requires it; like a rotting corpse in need of burial our fallen condition will only spread spiritual disease if not for the love of God and His willingness to sacrifice His Son in order to liberate us from our sin nature. Surely such divine knowledge surpasses anything we have previously known.
        As we continue on in I Samuel we proceed to chapter 13 where Saul, the king of Israel, is on the attack against Israels enemy the Philistines. In verse 19 we find out that the Philistines have not allowed metal workers in Israel,” Lest the Hebrews make swords and spears ” ( for war ). In fact if a Jew needed their metal tools sharpened ( for work purposes ) they had to go down to Philistine to have the work done . Consequently, on the verge of this battle only Saul and his son Jonathan had weapons prepared for war. Undoubtedly this was a potential problem for Israel. And though Israels fate was ultimately in Gods hands it is always wise to be prepared in this life by knowing Gods mind for specific problems according to His word whereby if we find ourself in the heat of battle we will not wither for lack of preparation and or proper eternal perspective.

O.N.RIDER is seminary educated and living in Baltimore MD

Going Forward

        As Teachers Of Gods Word It Is Our Responsibility To Give Gods People Reasons To Go Forward Even During The Times Of Our Own Spiritual Emptiness When We May Think Otherwise

        Then Samuel said to the people, Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing. ( I Samuel 12 :20-21 NKJV ) Their desire for a king having come to pass the prophet reminds the children of Israel that any thinking outside of Gods thinking will ultimately have regretful results. Still, that they would not allow their sin to cause them to completely turn from the Lord, Samuel encourages the people to continue serving God with all their heart for the simple reason that any alternative could not possibly profit their life when compared to Gods faithfulness. And not unlike any citizen experiencing remorse over a politician they previously supported the children of Israel realized the prophets words were true and knew that their choice for a king would at some point become disagreeable to them.
        In I John chapter 2 and verse 1 the word of God says, ” My little children, these things I write to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous” The issue of sin with regard to God and man is quite well defined in the scriptures; it is wrong and unacceptable. How preachers and teachers of Gods word convey such truth often has much to do with how one ” personally ” interprets the character of God. In the first of his epistles the apostle himself gives clear and simple definition. At the same time he is just as clear in reminding us that the way out of sin is through our ” advocate “, Jesus Christ , The greek word for advocate is ” parakletos ” which means to ” call toward one, to speak to ,to speak cheerfully, even encourage”. This is how our Lord deals with sinful men. Such a mindset does not dismiss or marginalize the seriousness of sin ( Let alone the eternal consequences of one who does not see the need for Christ to be the advocate ). It instead reveals a mindset that thus requires of one a personal cross, and or a proper and selfless standing by which one may reach an individual bound by sin. It is to easy for a christian attempting to persuade a noneliever or even a backslidden fellow christian the folly of their ways from the sharpened point of a lawful selfrighteous perspective ( legalism ). As christians we are not just asked to be familiar with scripture, but more importantly spiritually intimate with Gods heart. That intimacy stems directly from how one has primarily been taught about such matters usually resulting in how one reveals it to a deceived world. Consequently, one cannot underestimate how much a christian must be heartfully taught of Gods ways amidst a world that is in freefall when it comes to the seriousness of such issues.
        Hearkening back to our opening verse in I Samuel 12 the prophet warns the children of Israel that regardless of their mistakes that they should not turn from the Lord the reason of which that they would then potentially go after spiritually empty things in an attempt to placate the ever present awareness we all have of our creator. As humans created by God we are inherently connected to Him and considering the spiritual damage inflicted by the fall we are prone to waunder from Him if not given repeated reminders and a clearly defined way back. And praise the Lord such a way does not begin and end with lawful strictness, but with the mercy and favor that causes all things to become new. ( II Corinthians 5:17 ) As preachers and teachers of Gods word it is thus our responsibility through the holy spirit to give Gods people reasons to go forward when even during the times of our own spiritual emptiness we may think otherwise.

O.N.RIDER is seminary educated and living in Baltimore Md

Constantly Affirming

        It Is This Kind Of Precise And Even Repetitious Teaching That Can Convert Christians From Being Spiritual Milk Drinkers Into Spiritual Meat Eatters

        That having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. ( Titus 3 :7-8 NKJV ) Having been assigned by Paul to a work that the apostle had started on the Island of Crete this epistle to Titus consisted of healthy teaching reminders which were very applicable to the circumstances he faced there; most important of which was the neccessity of ” constantly affirming ” to the saints how Gods unmerited favor was their justification and therefore reason for hope.
        In chapter 1 and verse 12 of this epistle the apostle makes a specific reference to a so-called prophet within this novice group and the disparaging remarks he makes about the Cretian people overall. And as negative words can spiritually infect ones soul so to can words of favor and redemptive victory influence a soul unto spiritual maturity and stability. Colossians 4:6 says, ” Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt that you may know how to answer each one”. Now salt being a natural preservative is an interesting reference the apostle makes here as he denotes how the grace of God should be like spiritual medicene contained in our speech that the infection or depravity of the fallen nature would not be allowed to effect ones life anymore than it already does. Such thinking is in contrast to that of the so called prophet ( as previously mentioned ) in that it acknowledges what God in Christ has done and is willing to do on behalf of our needful fallen man ; in contrast to how individuals deceptively perceive that their own works and righteousness are superior to that of others let alone acceptable to God.
        In Romans chapter 5 and verses 1 and 2 the word of God says, ” Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God”. Not unlike how people can have a love that is conditional, and or a love expressed that most appeals to their personal preferences or conditions, ( as opposed to the selfless love like the one Jesus Christ manifested ) so to can people experience within them a ” conditional peace ” , or a peace that is not eternal and therefore does not spiritually transcend circumstances ; whereas the ” peace of God ” is experienced, then expressed , and potentially taught to those humble enough to receive it. Referring again to our opening verse the apostle mentions that one of the results of consistently affirming Gods favor should be good works, or works that are not merely used to uphold ones vanity. Works that in fact go to great lengths to contribute to the unity of the Body of Christ ( amidst a landscape of numerous denominations mind you ) based on the scriptural truth that there is no repecter of persons with God once an individual has been purchased by the blood of His Son. That is not to diminish the sins men commit, rather, to highlight the available forgiveness and quickening power of Christs redemptive victory both eternally as well as practically. Consequently, it is this kind of precise and even repetitious teaching that is the means by which christians can begin to internalize these things that will convert their souls from being spiritual milk drinkers into spiritual meat eatters.
        In our continuing Old Testament study we find ourselves in I Samuel 10 where the prophet is in the process of announcing to the people of Israel the identity of their new king. And as he progessively calls out Sauls tribe and then family, Saul is no where to be found. In fact when finally discovered scripture tells us in verse 22 that he was ” hidden among equipment “. An incident that is not only a reflection of the people going against Gods wisdom and will, but also about a barely cooperative king behaving according to his own undeserved nature as opposed to simply receiving this gift of Gods sovereignty and grace !

O.N.RIDER is seminary educated and living in Baltimore MD

On Being Controlled

        It Is Not Unusual For A Christian To Come Under The Influence Or Outright Control Of Either The Fallen Human Condition Or An Imprecise Understanding Of God In Christ

        Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. ( John 8:36 NKJV ) There is not a person alive who to some extent does not come under the control of something or someone; all in varying degrees as well as how comfortable or uncomfortable one is while under such control. For as humans we are born into a world that has been much under way by the time we arrived which can help us to conclude that there is a power and or powers that are  operating around and even in us. And as one is subject to such type of phenomena we can then acknowledge that we can experience powerlessness with regard to other aspects of life as well. And though even being under such influence may be a foregone conclusion our next concern would be to then understand just what it is that controls this world and influences us in this life.
        In verses 31 and 32 of this same chapter in Johns gospel the Lord says, ” If you continue in My word,then you are my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”. The greek word for ” truth ” in verse 32 is ” alethia ” which denotes ” the reality clearly lying before our eyes as opposed to a mere appearance, without reality “. The greek word for ” free ” in this verse is ” eletheroo ” or to ” liberate, and or the result of redemption “. The greek word for “word ” in verse 31 is ” logos ” which means ” to speak, intelligence, and or a word as the expression of that intelligence ” As christians we should be thankful for the full counsel of Gods word. Such an expression of our creators thinking is available that we would understand it and thus internalize it. And the fact that we are humanly capable of absorbing such heavenly information should also soberly remind us that we can absorb earthly and carnal information as well. In verse 31 the spiritually intelligent christian by faith continues on in their walk with the Lord by realizing that the freedom they enjoy as a fallen born creation stems from Christs redeeming love. Ultimately this blood bought truth is the enlightened reality that every christian, if they so choose , can operate in ; in contrast to godless and lifeless religious concepts and projections that can mentally distract and spiritually quench ones faith.
        In Galatians 5:25 the word of God says, ” If we live in the spirit let us also walk in the spirit “. The greek word for ” live ” is “zao” which means to be ” warm , to have life, be alive”. The root is ” zeo ” which is interestingly likened to ” boiling water “. The best kind of victorys in life are complete and well defined: leaving nothing to wrong interpretation. Unfortunately, life is often much more complicated and so to are many a christians emphasis and interpretation of the bible. Denominations, sects, pet doctrines are the result and quite often the means by which a christian becomes deprived of all that Gods Spirit has in store for those who have come to believe in Christ. It is not unusual for a christian to come under the influence or outright control of either the fallen human condition or an imprecise understanding of God in Christ. Consequently ,though it is important as teachers and students of Gods word that we never become lukewarm to the relevency of the bible it is nonetheless in our inspirational interest to consciously and spiritually recognize the impact of Christ victorious act of redemption in particular as nothing can compare with it when the influence of such an unchanging positional reality is allowed to” boil up in our soul ” .
        Continuing on in our Old Testament study we find ourselves in I Samuel 10 where the future king Saul has encountered the prophet Samuel for the first time and received instructions from him that includes him receiving a visitation not only from a company of prophets, but the Spirit of the Lord as well. Scripture tells us that not only do these prophets prophesy to Saul in verse 5 he also prophesies in verse 9. The Hebrew word for ” prophesy ” is ” nava ” a definition of which includes not only to ” put forth words abundantly by divine power “, but to cause to ” bubble up ” as well. Such are the results when one has the word of God defined and revealed to them that they could transcend the control and limits of the earthly for the freedom and power of the heavenly !

O.N.RIDER is seminary educated and living in Baltimore MD

Mindful of Vanity

        That Which Can Be Most Vexing To A Christian Is To Be So Deceived That One Believes In The Unfulfilling Works Of The Flesh Above The Finished Work Of Jesus Christ

        And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. ( I Samuel 9:2 NKJV ) It is not unusual for an individual who possesses an overly inflated ego to actually be one who suffers from personal insecurity. What we might term normal with regard to ego and insecurity is that the average person fluctuates back and forth in terms of narcissistic tendencies versus looming doubt. All of this of course comes under the heading of the damaged human condition from which we all suffer. Lacking ego or even some degree of confidence can obviously become a problem to one; while being irrationally overconfident has the potential to be a problem as well. Hence, it comes down to not only hearing the word of God properly understood and communicated, but receiving it by grace through faith that one could then live in obedience as a christian. And once we have a true revelation of what grace and or the favor of God has given us it is at that point when we realize just what Gods Son sacrificially and selflessly did for us, as an example to us, to truly know this merciful favor as it relates to our personal walk with God. I am in no way suggesting that a christian live a mindless and robotic sacrificially ignorant life, rather a life spiritually and mindfully aware of what Jesus Christ eternally achieved on our behalf that the quickening power of such doctrinal truth would in real time have an inspirational effect on our mortal bodies and soul.
        In our opening verse we are introduced to Saul who would ultimately become Israels first king. Now remember Saul is the result of the children of Israels preference that a king rule over them which was contrary to how Samuel wanted them to be led. In fact such a choice was the point when the children of Israels hearts turned from God. Jeremiah 17: 9-10 says, ” The heart is deceitful above all things. And desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind. Even to give every man according to his ways. According to the fruit of his doings.” One cannot underestimate the importance of properly teaching Gods people for we are not just teaching letter, but about the character of God as well. Leading up to the children of Israels wilful departure from whom God through Samuel would have considered the leader who had their best spiritual interest at heart were no doubt many other questionable choices they had previously made that simply culminated in their desire for a king. And ultimately in the person of King Saul the Lord gave His people the desire found within their collective soul. Interestingly, as faithful as Samuel was to the Lord during his life his inability to sway the people in this matter was proof that his task of teaching and establishing the peoples doctrinal understanding was and is a task that required one even greater than he. For even as the flaws of Sauls kingship eventually became a vexation to his people it is also apparent that as a result of their anti-God thinking the children of Israel sadly got what they asked for. And whereas such heart issues will result in grave eternal circumstances for nonbelievers for a believer in Christ though such thinking can effect the quality of ones spiritual health which is distinctly connected to ones biblical understanding and therefore the scriptural interpretation and heart of those one allows to lead and teach them.
        In his epistle to the Ephesians the apostle says in chapter 4 and verse 29 to, ” Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth but what is good for neccessary edification that it may impart grace to the hearer.” The greek word for ” corrupt ” is ” sapros ” which can be defined simply as ” worthless “. And though I think its safe to say most believers in Christ know what the word worthless means what many may not realize is that if we as christians focus to much on ourself instead of He who’s redemptive victory we have been eternally gifted with then it will not be unusual at times to have a sense that our christianity seems to lack spiritual worth which is a result of having our minds deceptively filled up with our own vanity!

O.N.RIDER is seminary educated and living in Baltimore MD

Finding Refuge

        A Christian Finds Refuge Not Soley Through Doctrinal Warnings, But Through An Unwavering Understanding Of Positionally Victorious Spiritual Absolutes As Well

        Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ( Ephesians 6:16 NKJV ) It is interesting how much of an application can be made from ancient times when you compare say the shield used by a soldier of that era and the darts or arrows used by his enemy as it has come to relate to how Christs redemptive victory shields us through a practical faith, in order to deflect us from the poisonous darts or projections aimed at our minds. ( vs. 17 )
        Continuing on with our study in I Samuel 8 the children of Israel, who have since asked Samuel for a king, to their credit have discerned the need for change as the prospect of replacing the aging Samuel with the likes of his corrupt sons is something they no doubt would like to avoid. And despite the pitfalls of an earthly kingship ( and most significantly their rejection of God ) they were looking for a leader to guide them through difficulties, even teach them if possible, and, if you will, be a refuge to their collective soul. Not so unlike our modern world where self governing societies often find themselves having to choose a “new leader ” in order to halt or undue the work of the previously ” chosen one “. Romans 1:19-20 says, ” because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse”. Having been created by God all people, believers in Christ or not, have in the least a subconscious sense of Gods existence. How one thus behaves in this life has much to do with how one deals with this issue which is what the apostle is referring to in this portion of Romans. Even christians who acknowledge God through His Son are defined by such things though on an even greater level. That is, whether we operate by grace through faith, or attempt to earn Gods favor through works. Romans 14:23 b says, ” for whatsoever is not of faith is sin”. And at the risk of seeming unfairly hard on those in positions of authority whether referring to those in the pulpit, or any position in life that places one over others, like everyone they to are faced with their depraved humanity and how they reconcile it to the ever present existence of God which hearkens back to how one thinks. In fact all people should acknowledge their depraved condition to God by believing in His Son whereby one will avoid eternity without God as their refuge, and or eternal damnation. In Matthew 5 , while mentioning the serious judgement that potentially awaits one if they remain angry at another without cause,the Lord, speaking in the context of a temple offering , says to leave the offering at the altar and be reconciled first. This has to do with making sure we approach God with a transparent heart. For such an internal conflict can not only be a deception to oneself, but to others as well. And for such reasons preachers and teachers of Gods word should remind others that this is why the blood of Christ was shed and why we should not be afraid to spiritually trade ( repent ) the filthy rags of our fallen humanity for the eternal and practical gifts of Gods grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
        As we conclude this devotional we find ourselves in Hebrews the sixth chapter where we are reminded that the promise of God to Abraham resulted in a blessing despite all the difficulties Abraham ultimately encountered. And that because it is impossible for God to lie such a promise was made with full assurance and that such truth is to us as well the anchor of our soul and the refuge we all seek.

O.N.RIDER is seminary educated and living in Baltimore MD

Principalities and Powers

        It Is Imperitive That A Christian Be Mindful Of What Christ Accomplished On Their Eternal Behalf That Their Heart Would Not Be Veiled By What Satan And His Hosts Claim To Be The Truth As It  Applies Today

        And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. ( Acts 26:11 NKJV ) Undoubtedly the most relevent conversion in all of christianity the apostle Paul ( formally Saul of Tarsus ) was the beneficiary of a heavenly visitation of the most definitive kind and went from being a religious hypocrite with a flawed understanding of scripture to a spiritual giant with a view to Gods heart. In Ephesians 6:12 the word of God says , ” For we do not wrestle with flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places”. In this verse the word being translated ” principalities” is the greek word ” exousia ” which denotes authority and refers to a ” spiritual potentate ” or one having the ” position, territory, or jurisdiction of a prince “. ( Zodhiates ) Merriam- Webster dictionary defines ” jurisdiction ” as ” the limits or territory within which authority may be exercised “. At present in our modern world we are continually subject to a plethora of information that attempts to persuade us how it all seemingly relates to what is going on in the cosmos overall. In fact much of what we do hear, which can subconsciously remain in our minds, can be like an assault on our soul if such information remains within the spiritual jurisdiction of this fallen world. And not unlike how God limited how much a well educated yet deceived religious zealot like Saul of Tarsus got away with, so to can we take heart in the fact that a similar limitation is placed even upon powerful and deceptive spiritual princes ( high ranking fallen angels ) as well.
        In our opening verse Saul of Tarsus in his religious zeal persecuted christians even assaulting them to the point of physical death. And though he was a child of Judaism and a student of the law what was most notable about Saul is that for all he claimed to know about God his words and deeds were of the devil. Today, whether it be the political ideologies of the times we live in, the emotional barriers of our natural upbringing, or even our religion of choice we must be aware that beyond our limited humanity there is a spirit operating that is quite capable of veiling the heart of even a believer in Christ causing them to believe less in the Christ centered favor of God and more upon the selfrighteous works and words of men. In II Corinthians 3 :12-14 , while contrasting the boldness by which he and others presented the gospel of grace , the apostle said in verse 13 that on the other hand , Moses, his face shining from having been on Mt. Sinai with God receiving the Law, veiled his face afterward that the children of Israel would not see the glory of something ( the Law ) that was to ultimately be replaced. Nonetheless, in verse 14 the apostle goes on to say that even today their hearts remain hardened not realizing that the freedom that had come with Christ had replaced the purposeful yet limitedness of the law. Interestingly, such remains the challenge of any true grace preacher for as the children of Israel had become dull of hearing so to can christians live out their lives in a lawful religious trance failing to walk by faith in the victorious position of Christs finished work of redemption. On the other hand the spirits of this world are systematically set up to distract from such a powerful eternal reality and instead highlight the sometimes notable failures of christians causing many pulpits to respond not with the internal persuasivenes of Christs cleansing blood, but with their own external systematic works program on how to be a better christian !
        In I Samuel 8 Samuel is now and old man and his sons, like his predecessor Eli’s sons, joined the ministry with him. Unfortunately, like Eli’s sons they to became corrupt. It is in the shadow of these events that the children of Israel said to Samuel that they would prefer a king to rule over them . And after having sought the Lord Samuel then goes on to warn the Israelites of how far reaching a kings rule can be in their lives. Nevertheless, they reaffirm their desire for a king and the Lord allows it.
        With the Israelites rejection of God fresh in our studies ( I Samuel 8:7 ) it is important to know that the positional freedom a christian has should never be left unguarded; for such spiritual freedom can potentially be greatly effected by earthly events, as well as by the demands of men and spirits who find themselves one way or another apart from Gods grace. Therefore it is imperitive that a believer remain biblically mindful of what Christ has accomplished on their eternal behalf that their heart would not be veiled by what Satan and his hosts portray as the truth as it applies today !

O.N.RIDER is seminary educated and living in Baltimore MD