12. August 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Our text today deals with David fighting one of the many battles against the enemies of Israel while he is on the run.

Let’s look at the story:

I Samuel 23:1 When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,” 2 he inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” The Lord answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” 3 But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!” 4 Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.” 5 So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah. 6 (Now Abiathar son of Ahimelech had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)

7 Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, “God has handed him over to me, for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars.” 8 And Saul called up all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men. 9 When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.” 10 David said, “O Lord, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. 11 Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? O Lord, God of Israel, tell your servant.” And the Lord said, “He will.” 12 Again David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?” And the Lord said, “They will.” 13 So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he did not go there.

As you can see in our text, David’s men were afraid.  If you remember from a prior lesson that David’s army was made up of men that were in debt, discontented, distressed and just overall dysfunctional.  These are the men that came to David while he was in the cave at Adullum and they were becoming his army. 

It is so fascinating how you can see the hand of God in all this and how God was using the time in David’s life while he was on the run in fear of this life to mold him into a great king and to build a phenomenal army for  Israel. 

Though David’s men were afraid, David got word from the Lord that God would give him victory over the Philistines and David’s men trusted him and followed him into battle and they were victorious.

King Saul got word that David was there at Keilah and David inquired again of the Lord and God told him that Saul was coming and that the people of Keilah would turn him over even though he had saved them but for fear that they would lose their lives, they would give David over to Saul.  David was able to flee before Saul arrived and when Saul heard that he had escaped he never entered the land.

It is amazing how David risked his life and the life of his men to save this town and yet they would have given David over to Saul because of fear of what would happen to them when the Philistines would have destroyed them if David had not intervened.

These people were not necessarily evil people but fear of loss of family and loss of family can cause people to lose loyalty to save their own life.  It is easy to judge when we’re on the other side but when faced with the situation, we may be surprised what decisions we may make.

 Be encouraged!

God Bless!!!!!!!

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

11. August 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

The last time we posted, our story ended with Saul finding out that the priests had helped David and through his rage of jealousy he ordered that the priests would be killed.  Saul’s men were afraid to kill the priest, so Saul ordered Doeg, the Edomite to do the killing and he killed over 80 priests that day simply because they gave David bread and the sword of Goliath not knowing that Saul had turned on David.   Everyone in the kingdom knew that David was a mighty warrior for Saul and they had no idea that Saul had turned on him.  Our text today picks up from this slaughtering of the priest.

Here is the story:

I Samuel 22:20 But Abiathar, a son of Ahimelech son of Ahitub, escaped and fled to join David. 21 He told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. 22 Then David said to Abiathar: “That day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, I knew he would be sure to tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of your father’s whole family. 23 Stay with me; don’t be afraid; the man who is seeking your life is seeking mine also. You will be safe with me.

This is the conclusion of chapter 22.  Instead of starting a new one we will end today with the conclusion of this story.  David felt responsible for the slaying of the priests.  That day that David had come to the priests, he saw Doeg there and knew that it was just a matter of time before they got to Saul. 

David asked Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech to stay with him and he would guard him and instructed him that the man that seeks his life also seeks David’s. 

Tomorrow we will continue with our journey as David transitions to the next king in the monarchy and his battle for his life while he is on the run. 

 Be encouraged!

God Bless!!!!!!!

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

10. August 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

First, let me apologize for not posting on Thursday and Friday.  I spent all day Thursday looking for a family member who is struggling with a substance abuse and all night with that same family member in the emergency room and when we got home on Friday, I fell asleep and did not wake up till late in the day.  

I have known a lot of people who have struggled with family members and friends who have addictions but this is the first time it has been this close-up and personal in my life.   It is horrible.  Wondering where they are, if they are somewhere in the streets or even dead.  The agony in not being able to find them and especially when deep in their hearts you know they really want to stop but the addiction has such a whole on them.   Dealing with the things that the addiction causes them to do which hurts and affects so many people.  I felt like I have been living in a nightmare the last couple of days and I just want to wake up but only it’s real and there is no waking up.  This is a part of my life now.   At one point over this past week, I felt like I was in over my head but then my family came together and we all provided support which eased the load.

I have prayed more this past week than I think I ever have.   I have felt empowered by God despite this ugly situation.   All the things that I teach and preach it felt like I had to use it all in this past week.  You know, the “all things will work together for your good.”  God will keep you in perfect peace if your mind is stayed on him.”   Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding, acknowledge him in all your ways and he shall direct your path.”  Be anxious for nothing, but through prayer and supplication, let your requests be known to God and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your heart….  This is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask anything according to his will and if we know that he hears us then we have the petitions we have asked for.   And the list goes on and on……   I have had to stand on God’s word in a way that I have never done before and it was both empowering yet humbling.   I felt helpless yet strengthened.   I felt defeated yet victorious, I felt powerless yet capable of handling whatever came before me.  

I know these statements sound like contradictions, yet they were true emotions felt all at the same time.

Our God is amazing.   I could tell how much I have grown in God and how strong I really am in him. 

I will return to my study on tomorrow but I want to encourage all of us that Everything is okay.  All is well, Everything is safe and just as it should be.  

Believe it or not, this incidence has caused me to want to get closer to God.  I am not angry (not at God-at least, I am angered by the situation) and I am not feeling why me nor have I charged God foolishly as so many people do when difficult things in life happen.     I will survive this and so will my family member and God will get the glory out of this entire mess.

Please keep our family in your prayers!

God Bless you!!!!!!!!

 Stay encouraged and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

5. August 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

In our story today, Saul kills the priests that helped David.  You will see in this encounter that this was a senseless slaughter fro the priest had no idea that David was on the run and all he knew is that David was a mighty warrior for Saul and the priest thought he was assisting Saul by helping David. 

Let’s look at this sad story:

I Samuel 21: 6 Now Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. And Saul, spear in hand, was seated under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with all his officials standing around him. 7 Saul said to them, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Will the son of Jesse give all of you fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? 8 Is that why you have all conspired against me? No one tells me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse. None of you is concerned about me or tells me that my son has incited my servant to lie in wait for me, as he does today.” 9 But Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul’s officials, said, “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob. 10 Ahimelech inquired of the Lord for him; he also gave him provisions and the sword of Goliath the Philistine.” 11 Then the king sent for the priest Ahimelech son of Ahitub and his father’s whole family, who were the priests at Nob, and they all came to the king. 12 Saul said, “Listen now, son of Ahitub.” “Yes, my lord,” he answered. 13 Saul said to him, “Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and inquiring of God for him, so that he has rebelled against me and lies in wait for me, as he does today?” 14 Ahimelech answered the king, “Who of all your servants is as loyal as David, the king’s son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard and highly respected in your household? 15 Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of his father’s family, for your servant knows nothing at all about this whole affair.” 16 But the king said, “You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and your father’s whole family.” 17 Then the king ordered the guards at his side: “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because they too have sided with David. They knew he was fleeing, yet they did not tell me.” But the king’s officials were not willing to raise a hand to strike the priests of the Lord. 18 The king then ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests.” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. 19 He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep.

As you can see in our text Saul is out of control.  Jealousy can cause such a rage inside of a person that it can lead to devastating results.  These are the priests of God who were totally innocent in their motives and Saul ordered them killed anymore.

Guard your heart from jealousy.  A small incident can lead to a lifetime of regret.    We don’t have to be jealous of anyone’s lifestyle, gifts, or anointing.  What God has for you it is for you.   Many of us dream about having things that someone else has even to the point of their spouse but you never know what a person has endured to get to where they are and the sacrifices that they have made and continue to make.    The plan of God for our life is what we should seek after.  God can dream for us far bigger and greater than what we think we want for ourselves.  

Tomorrow, we will see what happens when David learns of this incidence. 

God Bless you!!!!!!!!

 Stay encouraged and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

4. August 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone:

I know it is the end of the day and some of you have already checked the site and thought I would not be posting today.   I have had an incredible yet humbling day.

Over the weekend, someone stole the copper out of my airconditioning units at my business and I have been aggressively trying to get things back up so I can get back in business.  Today, I finally got everything resolved so this is the first chance I have had to sit down and  write to you.

I was so mad when I went outside to check my units to see why they were not working to find them torn apart and the copper missing.   I was so overwhelmed with all kind of emotions.  I wanted to cuss, cry, scream, pray ……..all at the same time if that makes sense.  I just felt so violated.   This occurred on Friday night and Saturday is our busiest day at my DAY SPA so I lost lots of business and I was also down on yesterday.

After a while, I could hear the word of God tell me that this is going to work together for my good.  The devil meant it for evil but God turns it to good.   I didn’t wanna hear it.   I was on this high from things beginning to happen for me in another business I had just opened and spiritually things were going great and then this…..

But I have a motto,   nomatter what….  “KEEP MOVING”  I dried my tears, went back into my business gave directives to my employees as to what the plan was and called the police to report the incidence, called my insurance company and called the air conditioning company.

While I don’t want to put into writing the good that came out of this because it is a personal discovery that was happening in our family that I never would have found out about if this theft had not happened to me.    Prayerfully, we have caught the problem in time and can get help for this family member.

The air-conditioning units is just stuff……. they can and were replaced.  The loss of money can be made back again but what took place with a family member from this situation was priceless.   So in all things GIve thanks and to GOD BE THE GLORY!!!!!!!!!!

Always, look for the good in whatever is happening.  It’s there.  It will surface

Stay encouraged and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

3. August 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

In our story today, David continues his journey as he is on the run from Saul and now he has escaped to the cave of Adullah. 

Let’s look at the story:

I Samuel 22: 1 David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father’s household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him. 3 From there David went to Mizpah in Moab and said to the king of Moab, “Would you let my father and mother come and stay with you until I learn what God will do for me?” 4 So he left them with the king of Moab, and they stayed with him as long as David was in the stronghold. 5 But the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold. Go into the land of Judah.” So David left and went to the forest of Hereth.

If you notice carefully in our text, it indicates that while David was in this cave that there were a bunch of people who joined him there.  Look at the type of people who would make up David’s army.  The bible says that they were people who were in distress or in debt or discontented.    I am so amazed every time I read this text because it shows us what God does with people that have all kinds of issues. 

Because we know what happens with this story, we know that later on when David gets into power, these men will become some of the greatest warriors ever.   God just can!!!!!!!!!   He can take anybody and can use them for his glory.   

David would build his empire with people who had been rejected by society or just “couldn’t get in together” financially, or emotionally.    These men would go down in history as being one of the greatest armies that Israel would have.

Never discount anyone.  You never know what that person will do or become.   I was at a presentation this past weekend where Les Brown was the speaker.   Though, I knew of his reputation, I had never had the privilege to hear him personally.

He told the story of how he was labeled dumb when he was growing up and he had a twin so he was often called the DT (dumb Twin).    He has no college training but yet has built over a 55 million dollar empire and is one of the most sought out motivational speakers in the world.

GOD CAN!!!!!!!!       Our only limitations are the ones that we put on ourselves.

We can do all things through Christ that strengthens us.

Okay, back to our story…  While David is in the hole, the prophet Gad comes to him and tells him don’t stay in that stronghold too long, he is to leave and go to the land of Judah.    Biblically, the name Judah means praise……    No matter, what is going on in our lives, we cannot stay in that place too long.  Even if it was necessary for regrouping there comes the time where we must leave that stronghold and move on and enter the land of praise.

I have found to be a solution for so many things that have taken place in my life.   PRAISE WORKS!!!!!  Focusing on God and telling him how awesome he is and how worthy and how powerful he is makes you realize just who is in charge of your life and it connects to your source which provides us with the strength that we need.

God Bless you!!!!!!!!

 Stay encouraged and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »