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What If–Psalm 124

May 14, 2012 in 2012 Journey, Depression, Faith, Fear, Finances, Issues Women Face, Psalms, Tough Times with 2 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Psalm 103; Psalms 108 through 110; Psalms 122, 124

Do you ever play the “what-if” game?

What if I would have…

  • been born at a different time
  • lived in a different country
  • had a different set of parents
  • married a different person
  • been smarter, thinner, darker, lighter, etc…

King David played the what-if game too:

1 What if the Lord had not been on our side?
Let all Israel repeat:
2 What if the Lord had not been on our side
when people attacked us?
3 They would have swallowed us alive
in their burning anger.
4 The waters would have engulfed us;
a torrent would have overwhelmed us.
5 Yes, the raging waters of their fury
would have overwhelmed our very lives.

6 Praise the Lord,
who did not let their teeth tear us apart!
7 We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap.
The trap is broken, and we are free!
8 Our help is from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

          Psalm 124

I can just see King David looking out over Jerusalem at sunset, rubbing his chin and saying these words and then pausing for a long time to think about what it would be like and then saying the words again.

What if the Lord had not been on your side?

Where would you be?

I’m serious when I say this, if the Lord had not been on my side I believe I would be in the mental health unit of some hospital or dead.  I’m not trying to be a drama queen, but I cannot put into words the peace that Jesus Christ has brought into my life…peace in the midst of life’s storms.

I often wonder how people who don’t believe in Jesus cope with the day-to-day challenges of life.  Who do they turn to in the middle of the night when they’re scared to death?  Where do they go when life just doesn’t make sense?

These are tough times that we live in.  It’s really easy to ask questions like:

What if…

  • I lose my job
  • I lose my house
  • I get cancer
  • I lose my religious freedom

The list could go on and on—

As Christians we will always have a choice…

We can live in constant fear

Or we can say with David…

Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

Amen and Amen!

©2012, Dianne Guthmuller
 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 131, 133; Psalms 138 through 141; Psalm 143

 

Are You Afraid of His Presence?

April 23, 2012 in 2 Samuel, 2012 Journey, Fear, God Speaks today, Holy Spirit, Living a Life that reflects the Son with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 Samuel 6:12a; 1 Chronicles 15: 1-28; 2 Samuel 6:12b-16; 1 Chronicles 15:29; 2 Samuel 6: 17-19a; 1 Chronicles 16: 1-43; 2 Samuel 6: 19b-23

Then King David was told, “The Lord has blessed Obed-Edom’s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God.  ~ 2 Samuel 6:12

There are many names in the Bible for the Ark of God. Here are a few I’ve found:

The Ark

The Ark of the Testimony

The Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Lord

They all mean one thing:

The sacred chest representing the Presence of God.

In yesterday’s reading David tried to bring the Ark to Jerusalem, but the tragic death of Uzzah stopped him in his tracts.

David became afraid of the “presence of God” and decided to leave it at Obed-Edom.

In today’s reading things have changed.  God is blessing Obed-Edom’s household and everything he has because of “His Presence,” so David decides he’ll try again to bring the Ark to Jerusalem.  He handles the Ark much differently this time.

David handles it like a treasure.

In David’s day the average person didn’t have the Presence of God living inside them. God’s presence was confined to a gold box some 45 inches wide and 27 inches long and 27 inches tall.

Today, we have our own personal “Ark of God” living inside of us.  Knowing that, this scripture in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 takes on a whole new meaning!

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

How do we handle the Presence of God?

How do we handle the ark (our body) that His Presence resides in?

Do we treat His Presence like a treasure or is it just some souvenir from a onetime experience we had in days gone by?

Lord, who are we that You would live within us?

Lord, you are my treasure! Consume me by Your Presence today!

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Emanuel!  God is With Us!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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This Week-end’s Scripture Reading: 
Saturday—2 Samuel 7: 1-17; 1 Chronicles 17: 1-15; 2 Samuel 7: 18-29; 1 Chronicles 17: 16-27; 2 Samuel 8: 1-14; 1 Chronicles 18: 1-13; Psalm 60
Sunday-2 Samuel 8: 15-16; 1 Chronicles 18: 14-17; 1 Chronicles 6: 16-30, 50-53, 31-48; 2 Samuel 9: 1-10, 19; 1 Chronicles 19: 1-19
 

Will This Be Your Biggest Regret? 2 Samuel 23: 20-21

April 20, 2012 in 2 Samuel, 2012 Journey, Commitment, Encouragement, Failure, Faith, Fear, Giving Our Best to God, I can't, leadership, Living a Life that reflects the Son, Rejection, Success, Tough Times, Trust with 2 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 Samuel 2: 1 through 2 Samuel 3: 5, 1 Chronicles 3: 1-4a, 2 Samuel 23: 8-17, 1 Chronicles 11: 10-19, 2 Samuel 23: 18-39, 1 Chronicles 11: 20-47

There was only one King David.

In most of our lifetimes God will not call us to a leadership role as visible as this “man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:13-14).

But

He has called us to something.

Benaiah was one of those people who was determined to give his best to his calling. He was determined to pursue rather than be pursued.

Benaiah son of Jehoiada from Kabzeel was a vigorous man who accomplished a great deal. He once killed two lion cubs in Moab. Another time, on a snowy day, he climbed down into a pit and killed a lion. Another time he killed a formidable Egyptian. The Egyptian was armed with a spear and Benaiah went against him with nothing but a walking stick; he seized the spear from his grip and killed him with his own spear.      

 –2 Samuel 23:20-21 (The Message)

I never noticed Benaiah in my Bible reading until I read a book called, In a Pit With A Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson.

I want to be a lion chaser like Benaiah.  I want to take the things in life that have the capacity to destroy me and use them for God’s Glory.

What are the lions in your life?

As Mark said in his book:

What if the life you really want is hiding behind your biggest problem?  Your greatest regret at the end of your life will be the lions you didn’t chase. You will look back longingly on risks not taken, opportunities not seized, and dreams not pursued. Stop running away from what scares you most and start chasing the God-ordained opportunities that cross your path.

Before Benaiah could face the lion he had to face something bigger—his fears.

What fears are holding you back?

Here are the first three that come to mind:

  • The fear of failure
  • The fear of success
  • The fear of rejection

These fears may be your lions.  Let’s get out of the defensive mode and move to the offense—go after them, even it you have to chase them into a pit on a snowy day.

What are you waiting for?

Become a lion chaser!

©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:   2 Samuel 3: 6 through 2 Samuel 4: 12

4-Steps to Better Crisis Management–1Samuel 30:6-9

April 19, 2012 in 1 Chronicles, 1 Samuel, 2012 Journey, Failure, Faith, Fear, Friendship, Guilt, leadership, Obedience, Tough Times, Trials, Workplace with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading:  1 Samuel 30: 1-31, 1 Chronicles 12: 20-22, 1 Samuel 31: 1-13, 1 Chronicles 10: 1-14, 1 Chronicles 9: 40-44, 2 Samuel 4: 4, 2 Samuel 1: 1-27

Have you ever had something happen in your life that caused you to “weep until you could weep no more?”

When David and his men arrived home and found their city crushed and burned to the ground and their wives and children carried off, “they wept until they could weep not more.”

In one sense David was just like them, he had lost everything he loved, but in another he was the leader and everyone looked to him to fix it.  So when David thinks it can’t get any worse—it does.  He hears his men talking of stoning him.  He’s hurting as bad as they are, but somehow it’s his fault.

Folks we’re reading real life here.

This happens…

in the workplace

with friends

in families

I hate to say this…it happens in the church.

We get hurt and we play the blame game.

Yes, part of the responsibility and burden of being a leader is  taking charge in a crisis, but wouldn’t it have been great if David’s men would have brought him into the group and grieved with him rather than putting a target on his back as the cause of the problem.

Once again, David leads by example and gives us a model to follow on those days when we’ve “wept until we can’t weep anymore.”

How was David able to deal with his own grief, compose himself and develop a plan to get their families back?

He found strength in the Lord his God.

Oh, that we could follow the plan David laid out for us in today’s scriptures:

  1. David found strength in the Lord his God (1 Samuel 30:6b)
  2. David asked the Lord for guidance (1 Samuel 30:7)
  3. David waited to hear from God
  4. David led his men as they carried out the plan that the Lord had blessed (1 Samuel 30:9)

The order is really important! Complete one step before moving to the next one.

I don’t know about you, but when there is a crisis that needs some kind of action I usually get the news, jump in the car and pray on the way to ask God to bless what I’ve already decided to do!

What I should do is  S-T-O-P and follow David’s example.

Prayer is the most important thing we can do, but waiting for His answer is just as important.

Father God, I need your strength and your direction! Help me to follow David’s plan when the next crisis arrives.

In Jesus’ Name. Amen and Amen!

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©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  2 Samuel 2: 1 through 2 Samuel 3: 5, 1 Chronicles 3: 1-4a, 2 Samuel 23: 8-17, 1 Chronicles 11: 10-19, 2 Samuel 23: 18-39, 1 Chronicles 11: 20-47

When It Seems God is Refusing to Answer–1 Samuel 28:5-7

April 18, 2012 in 1 Samuel, 2012 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Depression, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, Finances, God Speaks today, God's Merciful Ways, Patience, Prayer, The Promises of God, Word of God with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 26:1-27:7; 1 Chronicles 12:1-7; 1 Samuel 27:8-29:11; 1 Chronicles 12:19; Psalm 56

What do you do when it “seems like” God is refusing to answer your prayers?

Do you react like Saul?

Meanwhile, Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him. He was buried in Ramah, his hometown. And Saul had banned from the land of Israel all mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead.

The Philistines set up their camp at Shunem, and Saul gathered all the army of Israel and camped at Gilboa.  When Saul saw the vast Philistine army, he became frantic with fear.  He asked the Lord what he should do, but the Lord refused to answer him, either by dreams or by sacred lots or by the prophets. Saul then said to his advisers, “Find a woman who is a medium, so I can go and ask her what to do.” 

His advisers replied, “There is a medium at Endor.”

Or do you trust like David?

O God, have mercy on me,

for people are hounding me.

My foes attack me all day long.

I am constantly hounded by those who slander me,

and many are boldly attacking me.

But when I am afraid,

      I will put my trust in you.

I praise God for what he has promised.

      I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

What can mere mortals do to me?

They are always twisting what I say;
they spend their days plotting to harm me.

They come together to spy on me—
watching my every step, eager to kill me.
Don’t let them get away with their wickedness;
in your anger, O God, bring them down.

You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.

My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.
This I know: God is on my side!

I praise God for what he has promised;
Yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.

I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?

I will fulfill my vows to you, O God,
and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.
For you have rescued me from death;
you have kept my feet from slipping.

So now I can walk in your presence, O God,
in your life-giving light.

Wait, wait, wait on God.  When fear comes over you put your trust in your God.  Make a conscious choice to be like David.

Heavenly Father, help us to refuse to take matters into our own hands like Saul.  We will wait on you to rescue us.  When we’re afraid we will trust in You.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

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©2012, Dianne Guthmuller


Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 30:1-31; 1 Chronicles 12:20-22; 1 Samuel 31:1-13; 1 Chronicles 10:1-14; 1 Chronicles 9:40-44; 2 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 1:1-27


What Do You Do When You Get the Answer You don’t Want to Hear? 1Samuel 23:10-12

April 16, 2012 in 1 Samuel, 2012 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Commitment, Depression, Divorce, Faith, Fear, Prayer, Word of God with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading:  1 Samuel 22: 1-2, Psalm 57, Psalm 142, 1 Chronicles 12:8-18, 1 Samuel 22:3-23, Psalm 52, 1 Samuel 23:1-12

David prayed, “O Lord, God of Israel, I have heard that Saul is planning to come and destroy Keilah because I am here.  Will the leaders of Keilah betray me to him?  And will Saul actually come as I have heard?  O Lord, God of Israel, please tell me.”

And the Lord said, “He will come.”

Again David asked, “Will the leaders of Keilah betray me and my men to Saul?

And the Lord replied, “Yes, they will betray you.”–1 Samuel 23:10-12

What do you say after the Lord speaks this clearly and directly?

Do we argue with the God who made us?

This was not the answer David wanted to hear.

David had just heard that Saul had killed Ahimelech and all his family because of him.  He was hiding in a cave with 400 discontented fugitives, waiting for the danger to pass (Ps. 57:1).

But it didn’t.

It got worse.

Let’s look at three verses from these two Psalms that describe David’s thoughts and feelings in the cave and during the time Doeg the Edomite betrayed him to Saul:

  • Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!  I look to you for protection.  I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. (Ps. 57:1)
  • My heart is confident in you O God; my heart is confident.  No wonder I can sing your praise! (Ps. 57:7)
  • I look for someone to come and help me; but no one gives me a passing thought!  No one cares a bit what happens to me.  Then I pray to you, O Lord.  I say, “You are my place of refuge.  You are all I really want in life. (Ps. 142:4-5)

David penned these words BEFORE he got the Word from the Lord—”Yes, Saul is coming and yes, the leaders of Keilah will betray you and your men to Saul.”

The Bible doesn’t say this, but from what I’ve seen in David’s level of trust in the Lord, I believe David sang those Psalms again after he got the news.  David believed God to protect him through the battle.

What do we do when we get the answer we don’t want to hear?

  • We ask for mercy
  • We look to God for protection
  • We put our confidence in God
  • We sing the praises of the Lord
  • We know that while people may fail us during difficult times, God will be our place of refuge
  • We let God be enough

Father, thank you for the example of David!

I’m Hiding Under the Shadow of Your wings.

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©2012, Dianne Guthmuller


Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 23:13-29, Psalm 54, 1 Samuel 24:1 through 25:44

What Part of “Completely” Do You Not Understand? 1 Samuel 15:2-3

April 13, 2012 in 1 Samuel, 2012 Journey, Commitment, Failure, Fear, Obedience, Success, Trust with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 15:1 through 1 Samuel 17:31

Saul is another person in the Bible who teaches us what “not” to do.

Samuel had told Saul in an earlier chapter that because he did not keep the commands God gave him, his kingdom must end.  Now, two chapters later Saul is again being disobedient by only partially adhering to Samuel’s instructions from the Lord.

Samuel’s instructions from the Lord were very clear: 

I have decided to settle accounts with the nation of Amalek for opposing Israel when they came from Egypt.  Now go and completely destroy the entire Amalekite nation—men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys.   ~1 Samuel 15:2-3

Saul slaughtered all the Amalekites except…the King—Agag.  Not only did they spare Agag’s life but they also kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs—everything that appealed to them.  ~1 Samuel 15:8-9

Why didn’t Saul do what he was told?

Did he not know what “completely destroy” meant?

What happened to the “humble” Saul of 1 Samuel 9:21?

Listen to the sadness in the our Heavenly Father’s Words spoken through Samuel after Saul’s “second” act of obedience:

I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he as not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my commands.    ~ 1 Samuel 15:11

In today’s world it is easy to be disloyal and disobedient to God; placing all kinds of things ahead of him and letting our ego talk us into thinking we are “above” being obedient to anyone.  There are so many distractions and things that glitter; it’s really easy to get our priorities out of whack.

The thing that really blows my mind is Saul’s excuse for his behavior:  I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.

Peer pressure…

It began in the Garden of Eden and will continue with us until Jesus comes to get us!

Samuel helps us put it all in perspective:

What is more pleasing to the Lord:  Your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice?  Listen!  Obedience is better than sacrifice and submission in better than offering the fat of rams.  Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.  ~1 Samuel 15:22-23

Father, teach us to hear Your voice and obey!

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©2012, Dianne Guthmuller


Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  1 Samuel 17:32 through 19:17, Psalm 59, 1 Samuel 19:18-24

Your Heavenly Father’s Advice on Rejection–1 Samuel 8:4-8

April 10, 2012 in 1 Samuel, Depression, Divorce, Failure, Family, Fear, Forgiveness, Friendship, Guilt, leadership, The Hurting World, Tough Times with 0 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 4:12-8:22

Rejection.  We all know what it feels like, but for some of us rejection defines us.  It’s the common thread in the tapestry of our lives.

Our Heavenly Father understands:

Finally, all the elders of Israel met at Ramah to discuss the matter with Samuel. “Look,” they told him, “you are now old, and your sons are not like you. Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.”

Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance.  “Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment.  Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them.” –1 Samuel 8:4-8

Friends, do you hear the message?

Do you get it?

EVERYONE including the God of the universe gets rejected.

Your Heavenly Father understands your pain.  He’s felt it. He still feels it.  People are still rejecting Him.

Think about it, the cross is the perfect symbol of rejection.

Whether it’s rejection from a spouse, parent, family member, friend, employer, or church God shows in 1 Samuel 8:4-8 the way to deal with it.

Here are two New Testament scriptures that expand on God’s message to Samuel:

If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. –Matthew 10:14

But if the husband or wife who isn’t a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the Christian husband or wife is no longer bound to the other, for God has called you to live in peace. –1 Corinthians 7:15

Friends, if someone doesn’t want you, let them go.

Open your heart, open your hands.  Release them.

Heavenly Father, I pray for my friends who are experiencing the pain of rejection.  Comfort them Lord.  Help them to release those who have rejected them.  Remind them that you understand. Guide and direct them.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

©2012, Dianne Guthmuller


Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 9:1-12:25

My Name is Dianne and I’m a Controller–Numbers 22:18

April 6, 2012 in 2012 Journey, Christian Living, Discipleship, Faith, Fear, leadership, Numbers, Parenting, Trust with 2 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 22:1-24:25

But Balaam responded to Balak’s messengers, “Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord my God. –Numbers 22:18

I’m not sure where my desire to control came from.

Was it …

  • My personality?
  • My parents?
  • My environment?

I don’t remember being that controlling as a child.  It was probably because I was too busy being controlled.  Just ask anyone who knew my Dad and they’ll tell you that he definitely liked to control everything, especially the future of his only girl.

For the most part I complied with his “rules,” but secretly planned my escape, thinking someday, “I will be in control.”

At the young age of eighteen I jumped out of the frying plan and into the fire. I got married.

Crazy huh?

I was constantly trying to control people and situations to protect my heart, I wanted a life free from pain and disappointment.

I can’t tell you how many times I said, “My  _______________ (husband, children, life) will never do or be like THAT.

I’ve eaten those words many times over.

Too bad I didn’t know what Balaam knew, I am powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord my God.

Whether we admit it or not…

If we think we’re in control, we’re not allowing God to be in control.

Whether we admit it or not…

Trying to control people, situations, and things is playing god

That’s pretty much idol-worship.  Remember the children of Israel?

When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.” –Exodus 32:1

God wasn’t working on “their” timetable so they took matters into their own hands.  It was a bad idea then and it’s still a bad idea.

One of the things I’ve discovered, “The more life gets out of control the more you try to find something you can control.”

The smarter thing to do is

run to our Heavenly Father,

crawl up in His lap and watch Him work.

He does all things well!

We serve an amazing God!

I’m sure I still have a controlling nature, but thanks to my God I’m learning to release control and give Jesus the steering wheel of my life and enjoy the ride!

Jesus, take the wheel! Amen and Amen!

©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Numbers 25:1-26:65

Sometimes It’s Best to be Under-qualified–Judges 7:2

April 2, 2012 in 2012 Journey, Christian Living, Commitment, Encouragement, Faith, Fear, Goals, Judges, leadership, Success with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Judges 7:1 through Judges 9:21

“You have too many warriors with you.”  That’s what the Lord said to Gideon. (7:2)

If I were Gideon, a farmer who was trying to lead an army, I probably would have said, “Excuse me, I need all the help I can get! You can never have too many warriors!”

Before Gideon had a chance to object, the Lord explained it perfectly:  If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength. (7:2)

Friends, this principle  didn’t just apply in Gideon’s day.

Has God said to you?

“I want to accomplish my plans for you with…

  • Less money
  • Less education
  • Less equipment
  • Less people
  • Less confidence in your ability
  • Less praise from others

…because I want to receive all the Glory.”

While Your Heavenly Father probably didn’t speak to you audibly, He definitely speaks those words through the ways He answers our prayers.

I remember a time in my life when I was having great success in my career.  In the beginning I knew the Lord was blessing me but as time moved forward and more and more success came my way I began to think it was my personality, talents and hard work that made everything fall into place.

I’m sad to tell you that this was one of those times the Lord said, “If you think you’re so hot then do it by yourself!”

Once the Spirit of the Lord (yesterday’s reading) left me to do it on my own, all that “self-confidence” quickly disappeared.

It was over fifteen years ago but the memory is still vivid.  Talking in front of groups of people had been so easy, but without “the Spirit of the Lord taking possession” (6:34) I began to dread the thought of any type of interaction with people.

I’ve always heard that success is a bigger test than failure; I think it was true in my life.

The best place to be is under-qualified with God’s anointing.

Gideon found this to be true in today’s reading. It’s interesting that the Lord weeded out the majority of the extras with one word:  fear

That’s what our enemy, the devil is hoping for—our fears to overtake us so we won’t do what God has planned for us to do.

I pray that we will be like Gideon; once we hear the Lord call us out, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you,” we will step out with less and give all the Glory to the Lord.

©2012, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Judges 9:22 through Judges 11:28

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