Dont let your family define you

2 Sam 21:20And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.

21And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimeah the brother of David slew him.

Jonathan was the Son of Shimea, one of David’s brothers. He was one of the brothers who were afraid of Goliath. One who feared Giants. But here is Jonathan his son, killing a Giant. He had not allowed his Fathers fear and doubt to dictate who he would become.
He was also the brother of Jonadab, the one who deceived Amnon into raping David’s daughter. The one who’s advice got Amnon killed. He could have become a deceiver like his brother, or a coward like his father, but instead he became a giant killer and hero like his uncle David.
You don’t have to let your family define you. You don’t have to allow your upbringing, or home environment decide who you will become. Find a good and true role model, and make up your mind. I will be a man of God. I will be a woman of God. I will be a threat to powers and principalities in my city. I will be a giant killer!!!

Leaders example

2 Sam 6:6And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzza put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.

7And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzza; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God

My first thought reading this was, why did Uzza touch the ark? He was a Levite, and he should have known the law? The Levites were responsible for moving the ark, and it had some very strict rules on how to do it. First of all, it should have been carried, and not on a wagon. But most importantly, the law stated NOT to touch the ark. They that touched the ark should die. So why did he take the chance and touched it?

Uzza was the son of Abinadab, the man where the ark had stayed. Maybe he had been to much familiar with it? But I think that rather the reason is influence from bad leadership. He had seen a King that thought it was not so important to follow every thing God said. He saw King Saul making the sacrifice instead of waiting for the Prophet. He saw King Saul saving the best animals after the war with the Amalekites, when instructed to kill them all. For all around it seemed like this happened without consequences. So maybe he thought it not so important to follow Gods word in every little detail.
How vital and important to have the right kind of leadership, that will teach you the fear of God and his word. A leadership that shows the way by example, and inspires followers to do the same.
What kind of example are you? What is your life saying to those around you?

Are you a willing vessel?

2 Chron34But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests

The Norwegian version says “more willing heart” to sanctify themselves… 

In order for them to do the work needed they had to sanctify themselves. They had just come out of en era where they had worshipped idols, and lived in an unclean way. When King Hezekiah found the book of the covenant, he ordered a cleansing of both the Temple, and the priesthood. However the cleansing of the priests took a longer time, because of their unwillingness to sanctify themselves. The Bible doesn’t give details what this unwillingness was, or where they argued and thought, that this is probably not so necessary. But the word of God was very clear about the state anyone dealing with the offerings and the altar should be. Then the Levites came to the rescue. For they had a more upright heart, or a more willing heart to be sanctified? Are you one that argues and question every step of Gods holiness process? Are you one that loves the world more than you love God? Or are you one that says, I live no longer myself. My life is in your hands God. Take me and make into what you want. I want to be used by you. God help us that we are willing to be sanctified, so that when God needs us, we are ready to be used. Because, when we fall, and live in sin, it doesn’t just affect us, but also the ones we were suppose to minister to that we are not ready for. My prayer for today is that God doesn’t send anyone or use anyone for the job that I was suppose to do. 

I am going through, not settling down

4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me

Even though Psalm 23 is a Psalm that describes the life of someone being led by God, and following his direction, we find here that he is in the valley of the shadow of death. Surely God didn’t lead him there? How could he end up in this valley, when he was following the voice of his Sheppard? The truth is that we are not excused from this valley. Where the dark shadows of death is hanging over us. We all go through valleys in our life. But the two key words here are through and with. I am not alone in this valley. Someone is with me and leading me. And I am NOT settling down here. I am going THROUGH. Too many people settle down in the valley. They end up settling down, and feed their grief, or pain for the rest of their life.
If you are in a valley right now, then, say to yourself; I am not here to stay. I am only going THROUGH. If I listen to the one that are with me, he will lead me out of it. I am coming out. Paul said it this way to the Corinthian church. Our light afflictions, which is but for a moment…  They are not permanent. This too shall pass. 

Are you an influencer or are you being influenced

2 Cron 24:2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest…

The Norwegian version says, “AS LONG as Jehoiada the priest lived.”
This was a good testimony for the priest. He must have had a very influential relationship with the King. I pray that I can be the kind of man that is influencing others to live for God. I pray that my life is inspiring and influencing others to make the right decisions. 

The King on the other hand is not one I want to be like. I don’t want my choices, and decisions in life to be depending on other people’s opinion, or approval. When Israel started to depart from God, and make wrong choices, Joshua stood in front of his tent saying: Choose today who you want to serve, but for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. He didn’t wait to see what the others would choose. He didn’t ask anyone.
Do you live for God to please your parents? Do you live for God to get approval for someone you love and respect? Or do you live for God because you believe in him, and love him?
Ask yourself the question? If I lost certain people in my life, or if they backslid, would I still be able to go on and serve the Lord? If I didn’t have the support of a youth group, a fellowship or a friend, would I still make it?

Too many people are depending on others to live for God. God wants us to be strong enough to stand on our own, and influential enough to make a difference in other peoples life.

A great and effectual door

1 Cor 16:9For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

God had opened up a door for Paul in Ephesus. It was a great and effectual door. Many people came into the faith, and it was revival. But at the same time, it was many adversaries. So many times that seems to be the truth. Where there is an open door there are also adversaries. There are challenges and resistance. The Devil doesn’t want you to go through the door God has opened for you. He doesn’t want you to win people to the truth. He don’t want to loose anyone from his Kingdom to the Kingdom of God. 

But that also means that where there are adversaries, there is also an open door. David wrote in his famous psalm 23 that; “you prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies.” When enemies surround you, and when there is a lot of resistance in your life, you can also rest assure that somewhere close there is an open door. If you are facing a lot of problems, and if the enemy is after you, be encouraged today. If you feel that whatever you try there is resistance, then you can also be sure that God has opened a door for you. So take your focus away from the enemy and the problems, and start to look for a door. A great and effectual door is open for you.

Hinder not the children

Matt 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these

This is one favorite scripture to use when doing baby dedications. When I use it myself, I like to focus on the first part of this verse, when talking to the parents. Hinder them not… 

Now, our first initial reaction when reading it, is to think about those children that was actually there that day. But the truth is the same about all children. They can be hindered from coming to Jesus, and there are few that have greater influence over them, than the parents.
The children are depending upon the parent’s decisions in many ways. IF the parents are not going to church, the children cannot come to church. Parents that doesn’t priorities church, hinders their children from coming to Jesus. They hinder them to come into his presence and to hear his words. But parents can also hinder in other ways. If they talk bad about leadership, the children are being hindered from coming to church, and ultimately coming to Jesus. I remember I told a parent that when you talk me down to your child, your child will not come to me when in need. Your child will not respect me, when I need to correct it. The result was that the child left church some time later. When we create a bad environment at home, and do not love one another, we are hindering our children from coming to Jesus. When all we do is watching TV and doing worldly and carnal stuff, we are hindering our children.
But children that grows up listen to their parents pray, and that listen to them talk with respect about their leaders. Children that grow up in a home that puts church first, then they also are brought to the presence of Jesus, so that he can bless them and protect them.
He wants to bless them, but he needs you to bring them to him.