Author: Dr Glen

“Your reputation”

1 Samuel 29:5 Is this not David, of whom they sang to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands’?”

The word reputation generally means; an opinion that some people can have about someone or something, or the amount of respect or admiration that is had based on past accomplishments, actions, behavior or character.

1st Samuel 18:6 and 7 records what was said about David and Saul when they were returning home after David slayed Goliath;

1 Samuel 18:6-7 “Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. ⁷ So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.”

Many times a person is identified by a reputation that has been given to them by other people, and that reputation can also follow you wherever you go. David’s reputation followed him everywhere he went.

Reputations that people have can be have many meanings when viewed by others. Sometimes others may see a person as being harmful or threating, others may see that same person as being harmless and non-threatening.

Often time’s people will put forth an effort to try to live up to the reputation that has been given to them by others. This is often called “people pleasing.” Trying to be what others see you as, or what they want you to be, is not always a good idea.

David had a reputation of defeating his foes or enemies in battles that he fought, and his reason for fighting in almost all of his battles was not to gain fame, recognition or live up to the reputation that he had obtained.

In 1st Samuel 17:26 David asked the question “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

As we read further in the same chapter, David states the reason he is going into fight with Goliath; “Then David said to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled.”

David was not concerned about making a reputation for himself when he fought Goliath, he wanted God to get the glory over Goliath be defeated.

A good reputation is great to have, but we shouldn’t let our reputation dictate the type of life style that is lived.

“Lord Jesus, lead and guide us in our thoughts, words and actions so that our reputation won’t be the determining factor in how we live, in your precious name…Amen!”

Continuing in His service…Rev

“The source of your strength”

1 Samuel 30: 6 ^“ Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” (NKJV)

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. When pressure or stress has been applied to the chain, it’s not the entire chain that breaks; it’s the weakest link in the chain that cannot handle the pressure.

We read in the scripture that David was greatly “distressed”. The feelings that he was experiencing were anxiety, sorrow and pain. These feelings are normal when someone has been put in crisis situation.

At any given time we can experience feelings of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances. Often times we may find ourselves in a situation where we feel “hard pressed” on every side with nowhere to go or no one to turn to. Many times the choice that is made about what to do, or where to go to gain the strength that is needed, turns out to be the wrong choice.

Some turn to drugs and alcohol, which will only anesthetize the feeling of being stressed or distressed. When the effect of the alcohol and drugs wear off, those feelings that a person was experiencing come back. Some may try gambling, viewing pornography or using nicotine to obtain relief. The sad part about these choices is that sometimes they may not be available to use, and a person can no longer use them to get the relief that they are seeking.

Matthew 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (KJV)

Because God is the God who never slumber or sleeps (Psalms 121:4)…He is an ever present help in a time of trouble (Psalms 46:1)

2 Samuel 22:33  ^“God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.” (KJV)

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”(KJV)

David made the right choice to seek the Lord his God for the strength that he needed in a time of crisis…let us follow the example that David set and seek God to be the one and only true “source of our strength.” Amen!

Continuing in His service Rev…

“He’s in there with you”

Daniel 3:25  “He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (KJV)

I have often heard the comment “If you don’t stand for something, then you will fall for anything.”

On many occasions people have been put in situations by pressure put on them from other people. People will try to force others to make decisions that they are not comfortable making, or the decision will go against what they believe. 

This was the case with the 3 young Hebrew boys in Daniel chapter 3. Many times it will cost a person something when that person takes a stand for what they believe in. The sacrifice or price that is paid is sometimes with a life.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice of losing their lives by being thrown into a fiery furnace, rather than bow down to false gods or worship a golden image. 

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (KJV)

When we read scripture, we can see that God has been a very present help in His people’s time of need. God being with the 3 Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace is just one of the many examples that we find in the bible of God not only being that very present help, but also our refuge and strength.

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (KJV)

When we show faith in God, He shows us His faithfulness. He will never leave us or forsake us, especially in our time of need.

Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NKJV)

God is not only with his people in a time of trouble, but He will allow Himself to be seen by others to show Himself strong.

Daniel 3:25 ^“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (NKJV)

Through no fault of our own, weapons will sometimes be formed against God’s people. Because the weapon has been formed, it does not guarantee that it will be prosper or be successful in defeating a believer.    

Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And this is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord.” (AMP)

“Lord, thank you for being in the midst of trials and tribulations that come our way, and for being a very present help. Let us be mindful that we have to go through to get too. Let us also live each day believing that no weapon formed against your people will prosper. We stand on your word, walk by faith, and believe that you will never leave us or forsake us. In Jesus name!” Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

Gates

Nehemiah 13:19 “So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened till after the Sabbath. Then I posted some of my servants at the gates, so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day.” (NKJV)

Walls and fences serve several purposes. They can provide safety, security and also add beauty to the landscape. Depending on the height or thickness of the wall or fence, it might be possible to scale the wall or climb over the fence.

Most walls and fences have one or more gates that provide someone or something access to the secured area. An easy way to gain access to the secured area is to enter through the gate, and if a gate is left open, it can defeat the purpose of keeping an area secured.

Our 5 senses assist us with being aware of where we are and what is happening around us. The five senses that we have can also be identified as gates;

We have an ear gate to able to hear.

We have an eye gate to be able to see.

We have a tongue gate to be able to taste.

We have a nose gate to be able to smell.

We have a touch gate to be able to feel.

Believers have to constantly be watchful and on guard to what is attempting to enter their gates.

Proverbs 8:34 “Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.” (NKJV)

If a person allows one or more of their gates to remain open to the wrong thing, it can give the enemy an opportunity to “come in like a flood.”

The Spirit of the Lord (the Holy Spirit) will lift up a standard that gives a believer the power needed, to stop the attempts of the enemy to enter into our gates.

“O God, thank you for the power of your Spirit that warns and reminds believers about what they are listening too, what they are smelling, watching, tasting or touching that can allow the enemy access to enter in our gates, in Jesus name…Amen!“

Continuing in His service…Rev