God’s Favor

10. February 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone: 

 

Today, we are returning to our study of the monarchy.  We left off a couple of weeks ago with David having been exiled from his kingdom by his son Absalom.  Although David is no longer in Jerusalem, he has spies there who are reporting to him what is happening.  One crucial spy is Hushai who is a long time friend of David and who has become a counselor of Absalom. 

 

Our last lesson left off with both Ahithophel and Hushai providing counsel to Absalom on how to attack David.  If you will remember, Ahithophel was the trusted counselor of David in which the scriptures teach that people viewed his advice as counsel straight from God.   The bible teaches that Hushai was gaining favor over Ahithophel because God had placed him there to frustrate the advice of Ahithophel. 

 

Absalom favored Hushai’s advice over Ahithophel and today’s lesson deals with what happened when Ahithophel found out his advice was not taken.

 

Here is our text:

 

 

II Samuel 17:23 And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed , he saddled his ass, and arose , and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order , and hanged himself, and died , and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. 24 Then David came to Mahanaim. And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. 25 And Absalom made Amasa captain of the host instead of Joab: which Amasa was a man’s son, whose name was Ithra an Israelite, that went in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister to Zeruiah Joab’s mother. 26 So Israel and Absalom pitched in the land of Gilead. 27 And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, 28 Brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, 29 And honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat : for they said , The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness.

 

As you can see, Ahithophel did not take the news very well.  He hanged himself.  

What our text continues to show is that though David was on the run, God constantly touched the heart of people and provided for him though he was going through a very difficult time.  

 

No matter what season you are in.  Look around you, God’s favor is still there.    Take nothing for granite, GOD IS WITH YOU..

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Humility

9. February 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone:

I posted this scripture on my facebook last week and I can’t get it out of my head.  It has been ministering to me in a very powerful way.  I thought I would share it with you today.  I hope it blesses you as it is continuously blessing me.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. Casting all your cares upon him, for he careth for you. ” I Peter 5:6-7 . PROMOTION AND ADVANCEMENT COMES FROM GOD! CALM DOWN, RELAX & Stay HUMBLE. Take a deep breath…. God’s Got it.  Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.  

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Studying

8. February 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone:

Today, I promised I would post the last part of the reading on Prayer, Fasting and Studying by Roderick Belin.    Below is the piece on Studying.  Tomorrow, we will return to our monarchy study.

STUDY

 

 

 

Study leads to the Renewing of the Mind.  Studying is the way to true repentance.  This is what repentance is: to change your mind.  To change your mind, you must Study the Holy Scripture.  Read the Scriptural passage.  What does it say?

Richard Foster in his Celebration of Discipline, suggests four important aspects of Study:

1.    Repetition.  Read and reread. 

2.    Concentration.  This means that you have to give what you are reading your attention.  You have to stick with what you are reading and bring your mind back to it should your mind wander.  Commit!  Read out loud if you have to.

3.    Comprehension.  Take the time to get the meaning, the understanding of what you are reading.  What does the passage say?  What is the content of the passage?

4.    Reflection. Eugene Peterson says that you should “chew” on the Word.  Take your time and think about what you have read.  Ask questions.  Live with it.  Meditate on it.  What is God saying to you in this passage?

Through the process of Study your mind becomes renewed and your actions are transformed. 

 

 

 

DANIEL FAST

GUIDELINES FOR DANIEL FAST

 

 

(Foods We May Eat)

Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Oats, Barley

 

Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas

 

Fruits: Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cantaloupe , Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Raspberries, Strawberries, Tangelos, Tangerines, Watermelon

 

Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini

 

Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts

 

Liquids: Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All Natural Vegetable Juices

 

(Foods to Avoid)

Meat

White Rice

Fried Foods

Caffeine

Carbonated Beverages

Foods Containing Preservatives or Additives

Refined Sugar

Sugar Substitutes

White Flour and All Products Using It

Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products

God’s Promises to You Concerning Your Health

 

 

Exodus 15:26 - I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

 

2 Chronicles 16:9  For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

 

Psalm 84:11  For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

 

Psalm 91:1&16  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty… “With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.” 

 

Psalm 107:19-20  Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses.  He sent His Word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

 

Isaiah 53:5  He was wounded for our rebellious acts. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so that we could have peace, and we received healing from his wounds.

 

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

 

Matthew 9:35  Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 

 

Mark 16:17-18  And these signs shall follow those who believe: in My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. 

 

Luke 6:17-19  …and a great throng of people… who had come to hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured.  And all the multitude were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all. 

 

John 10:10   …I am come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.

 

John 14:12  Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me, the works I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father. 

 

2 Corinthians 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves. 

 

James 5:13-18  If any of you are having trouble, pray. If you are happy, sing psalms.  If you are sick, call for the church leaders. Have them pray for you and anoint you with olive oil in the name of the Lord.  (Prayers offered in faith will save those who are sick, and the Lord will cure them.) If you have sinned, you will be forgiven.  So admit your sins to each other, and pray for each other so that you will be healed. Prayers offered by those who have God’s approval are effective.  Elijah was human like us. Yet, when he prayed that it wouldn’t rain, no rain fell on the ground for three-and-a-half years.  Then he prayed again. It rained, and the ground produced crops.

 

 

Scriptures to Build You Up in the Faith

 

 

Mark 11:22-24  Jesus said to them, “Have faith in God! I can guarantee this truth: This is what will be done for someone who doesn’t doubt but believes what he says will happen: He can say to this mountain, ‘Be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it will be done for him. That’s why I tell you to have faith that you have already received whatever you pray for, and it will be yours.

 

Matthew 17:20  And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

 

James 1:6-8  When you ask for something, don’t have any doubts. A person who has doubts is like a wave that is blown by the wind and tossed by the sea.  A person who has doubts shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord.  A person who has doubts is thinking about two different things at the same time and can’t make up his mind about anything.

 

Romans 4:17-21   Abraham believed when he stood in the presence of the God who gives life to dead people and calls into existence nations that don’t even exist.  When there was nothing left to hope for, Abraham still hoped and believed. As a result, he became a father of many nations, as he had been told: “That is how many descendants you will have.”  Abraham didn’t weaken. Through faith he regarded the facts: His body was already as good as dead now that he was about a hundred years old, and Sarah was unable to have children.  He didn’t doubt God’s promise out of a lack of faith (did not stagger in unbelief). Instead, giving honor to God for the promise, he became strong because of faith and was absolutely confident that God would do what he promised.

 

Mark 13:58 And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.

 

Only believe.  Only believe.

All things are possible only believe.

 

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Prayer

5. February 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Today, I promised I would share part II from Roderick Belin’s “Journey to the Heart of God” manual.   I really hope some of you will consider joining me on this journey.  I know it is a major sacrifice but to get more you have to do MORE.  Have a SAFE weekend and Monday I will post the last part which will be on Studying.

Remember we are fasting, praying and studying…

 

PRAYER

 

Prayer is the life’s work of the Christian.  All that we do must flow out of prayer.  When we study the life of Jesus, we see that Jesus did not pray between his periods of work and ministry, Jesus worked and ministered between His times of prayer.  Prayer must be the first priority for the Christian.  It is through prayer that we strengthen our relationship with God and access the power of God for our living. 

 

O what peace we often forfeit

O what needless pains we bear

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer.

 

We’ve got to pray openly and honestly.  Admit to God when you don’t feel like it or when the tv or someone is pulling you in another direction.  Hey, we all have that wandering inclination and God is big enough to handle it.  Just ask for more strength and discipline to be constant in prayer. 

 

Remember, this is a practice.  Just because it is the right thing to do doesn’t mean that it will happen for us overnight.  Just keep being committed to the practice of prayer. 

 

God’s faithfulness to us is our shield and armor! (Psalm 91:4)  God knows we can be wishy-washy.  That’s what grace is for! 

 

So, take it easy on yourself.  God loves you and wants you to reach where you’re trying to go… in Him.

 

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Fasting

4. February 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone:

We will return to our study on next week.  Feeling so much better.  Almost 100%.  Thanks again for prayer.  Here is info on Fasting for those of you that will be joining me for the “Journey to the Heart of God.” Fast beginning Ash Wednesday, Feb 17,2010 and ending Easter Sunday (April 4).  Tomorrow, I will post on Prayer and Monday, I will post on Studying  which will be our three elements during this fast.  FASTING, PRAYER AND STUDYING.

The following was taken from a document prepared by Roderick Belin called “Fasting and Prayer” A journey to the Heart of God.

 

 

Fasting

 

Prayer needs fasting for its full growth.  Prayer is the one hand with which we grasp the invisible.  Fasting is the other hand, the one with which we let go of the visible.

– Andrew Murray

 

Fasting is abstaining from food with a spiritual purpose in mind.  Jesus teaches us that fasting and prayer are a powerful combination.  While fasting is not explicitly commanded by Jesus in the Gospels, it seems that it is assumed that fasting would be a part of the life of the believer:  “And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.  But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:16-18). 

 

Remember, the Fast should change your routine.  If you are going about your regular routine merely with a change in diet, you are not fasting, you are on a diet!  Fasting must change our routine.  The Fast is to refocus us on the things of God.  We should expect to be different when this time of fasting is over and not just physically…

·       By the time the fast is over, we should have created an atmosphere in our lives, our homes, our churches in which God is pleased to dwell. 

·       By the time the Fast is over, we should have created such an atmosphere in prayer that miracles become daily events in our lives. 

·       By the time the Fast is over, we should have prayed the yoke of bondage off of our sisters and brothers. 

 

Yes, by the time a Fast concludes, we should have walked through the doorway of Kingdom Living!  All this is accomplished through prayer and fasting.  So, commit to a fast and do not grow weary nor take lightly the fast you commit to God.  Divine opportunities are waiting all around for us to seize them in fasting and in prayer.  God moves in powerful ways during sincere fasts (see 2 Chronicles 20:1-23).

 

Remember, the fast is to the Lord.  The fast should cause us to redirect our focus, our attention.  It should more regularly direct us to our prayer closets because fasting and prayer go hand in hand.  Prayer is our Priority! And not just during the course of this Lenten fast, but in life.  We’ve got to make every effort to ensure we add more and more time with God in prayer and meditation each and everyday for this is where we find LOVE, JOY and PEACE!  God honors it when we deny the flesh and sow to the spirit.  This is consistent with what we learn in Galatians 5:16-25 and in Colossians 3:1-17.  Fasting is to honor the life of our spirits.  Be assured, to nurture and to refine the spirit-life has eternal significance. 

 

Remember, fasting is to abstain from food with spiritual purposes in mind.  Our purposes are many: 

·       we are seeking to grow even closer to God

·       to see the Gifts of the Holy Spirit fully operating in the Body of Christ

·       to experience the Fruit of the Holy Spirit being borne out in the lives of the people of God

·       to break the power of the enemy over our lives and the lives of those around us

·       to scatter the plans of the enemy

·       to gain more spiritual power

·       to wrestle ourselves away from unhealthy attachments

·       to see the Kingdom of God grow exponentially

·       to experience good physical, mental and spiritual health

·       to walk in miracles

·       to transform our minds

·       ultimately, to live our lives in ways pleasing to God

 

All our purposes will be fulfilled by the Power of God through fasting and prayer!  Don’t waiver in unbelief.  God is true to His Word!  AND DON’T STOP PRAYING BECAUSE YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE ANSWER OR BECAUSE YOU DON’T FEEL ANYTHING.  God moves in God’s time.  And, be assured, whether you feel anything or not, God is listening!

 

The promise of God in Christ Jesus is this: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John 15:7 - but read the whole passage).   This is an amazing promise, but what is “abiding”? 

 

·       Abiding is to dwell constantly in the secret place of the Most High (Psalm 91:1).

·       Abiding is to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

·       Abiding is to have a song in your heart to God at all times (Ephesians 5:19)

·       Abiding is to write the Word of God on the tablet of your heart (Proverbs 7:2-3; Psalm 119:16)

·       Abiding is learning and strengthening ourselves through fasting and prayer. 

 

The Fast is not to be an event that will pass, nor an experience that we will merely have; but, it is an entrance into a life of continual abiding in God, a pathway into the deeper things of God, a seat in the Presence of God. 

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I want MORE!!!!!!!!

3. February 2010 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone:

 Again, I want to thank everyone for your prayers.   I am so humbled by the amount of people who were praying for me.  For those of you that follow me daily, you know I have been on a 21 day fast that will end on this Sunday.  Well, Beginning on Feb 17, 2010 (Ash Wednesday) I will go on another fast during the “season of  lent” until Resurrection Sunday (April 4, 2010).  I just don’t feel like I have accomplished all that I have wanted to during these 21 days especially since I have been sick for the past two weeks.

A friend of mine Roderick Belin  who I shared his post with you on the other day will also be doing this fast along with thousands around the globe.   I REFUSED TO LET THIS YEAR PASS ME BY WITHOUT SEEING SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN MY LIFE.   I WANT MORE!!!!!!!!!!

 I would like to share his post again with you today because it has really inspired me and for those of you that would like to join me, here are the directives.

Change is Hard Work – by Roderick Belin

I’m borrowing from my friend @Katellington who said truly in a tweet to me this morning: Change is hard work. There’s no getting around this – change IS hard work!

It’s easy to remain stuck in a life that is displeasing to you.
It’s easy to allow complaints to be the major content of your conversation.
It’s easy to blame others.
It’s easy to wish.
It’s easy to spend hours “could-a, would-a and should-a-ing.”
It’s easy to talk a good game.
It’s easy to criticize.
It’s easy to lay in the bed looking up and hoping something will happen.
It’s easy to feel sorry for yourself.
It’s easy to sigh and whine and hang your head.
It’s easy to just let “it” happen.
It’s easy to live in fear.
It’s easy to live of life of regret.
It’s easy to lay on the sofa and watch TV.
It’s easy to be miserable.
These things demand nothing of you. Change, on the other hand, it hard work!

Change requires you to think differently, to see differently and to BE DIFFERENT
Change requires you to talk to yourself; and
Change requires you to get up and do something.
Change means more than having vision. Change means writing the vision out clearly, making a plan and executing that plan.
Change requires FOCUS.
Change means movement.
Change requires discipline.
Change requires determination, tenacity, sticktoitiveness!
Change requires a constant pressing on.
Change requires you to tell some people “NO!”
Change requires a “No matter what” attitude.
Change requires being alone until God opens your heart to those who will go with you.
Change requires filters on your ears to keep out negativity.
Change is hard work!

If you need a change, consider joining me on the Lenten Daniel Fast  starting Wednesday, February 17, 2010 and ending April 4, 2010 ( Easter Sunday)  : a Journey to the Heart of God.

Here are the specifics of the Daniel Fast:

You are invited on a spiritual journey to the heart of God through fasting, prayer and study during this Lenten Season. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday February 17th and continues until Resurrection Sunday April 4th.

People from all over the world participated last year and testified that their spiritual lives were enriched. Additionally, insights became clear while many reported their health improved.

The Daniel Fast is modeled after the spiritual practices of Daniel. Basically, the Daniel fast is to eat only what come from the ground that have not been refined or processed. The fast does not stand alone, it is a part of a larger spiritual practice that includes regular and consistent prayer.

In Daniel 10, we learn that Daniel received a revelation that he did not understand until he had fasted for 21 days. On the 24th day he had the vision of a man who explained the revelation to him. For 21 days Daniel “ate no choice food.” This practice probably goes back to when He, with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, came to live in Babylon and refused to eat the king’s food. He requested only vegetables and water. “At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. “To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds” (Daniel 1:15-17).

Daniel exercised spiritual discipline by denying the body “pleasant food” so he could have deeper spiritual understanding. Daniel distinguished himself from among his peers because “an excellent spirit was in him.” It is this excellence of spirit we desire as we pursue a stronger relationship with God in fasting and prayer.

Daniel’s faithfulness in prayer is another demonstration of his commitment to spiritual discipline. In Daniel 6, where we learn about Daniel in the lions’ den, it is clear that Daniel was steadfast in prayer under the most difficult of circumstances. Though King Darius had signed an injunction that said whomever prayed to another besides himself would be thrown into the lions’ den, Daniel continued his practice of praying 3 times a day: “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before” (Daniel 6:10).

During a Daniel Fast, we pray 3 times a day, like Daniel. I usually pray at 6 a.m. 12 noon and 6 p.m. In addition to fasting and prayer, we must also abstain from anything that would personally distract us from our purposes in the fast (e.g. television, internet, hanging out, idle conversations, gossip etc.). Isaiah 58 makes it clear that fasting does not absolve us from responsibilities of love, kindness and justice.

Remember, we eat these:
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole Grains
• Nuts and Seeds
• Legumes (I call ‘em beans)
• Healthy Oils
• Water (some folk drink herbal teas without stimulants)
• Herbs, Spices, vinegar (some folk avoid this and use citrus juices with oils on their salads)
• Vegetable juice – take care with the acidity of tomato juice (this is a fruit, isn’t it?)
• Fruit juice in moderation – consider the sugar content and take care with the acidity in citrus. Consider restricting fruit juices altogether.
• Water
• Water
• Water

We don’t eat these:
• All refined and processed foods!
• White flour products
• White rice
• Dairy
• Meat
• Sugar, honey etc.
• Bread
• Fried Foods
• Unhealthy Fats (the ones that turn solid)
• Anything other beverage than what you see above

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

 

 

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doctor day

2. February 2010 by Bernice Davis.

hello everyone:

back at the doctor’s … taking a bunch of tests and x-rays today.. feeling sooooooo much better…. will defintely be posting again on tomorrow.. thanks for your patience…

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

again, thanks for all your prayers. it really means a lot…

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Be Too Big For Little to Control You

1. February 2010 by Bernice Davis.

 Hello Everyone:

Thank you for your prayers.    I am still not 100% yet but I think it’s the medicine now that’s making me sick.  I have a couple of more days to take it.   I don’t feel up to posting today but a friend of mine by the name of Roderick Belin shared this link to his blog on his facebook page today and it really touched me.  I thought I would share it with you.

Be Too Big For Little to Control You

“How are you going to be big when little’s got you?”

This is a line from a song by William Murphy that really reasonates with me. It’s kind of an obvious question like , how are you going to change and stay the same. But this iteration of the question goes directly to the mentality of small thinking, low aim and ambition that gets folk stuck in low-living, frustration and dissatisfaction.

This small thinking is not necessarily tied to a lack of ability to perform, to learn, to achieve but it stops the process altogether before it even starts. It’s constantly second guesses, doubts and criticizes the self rendering you ineffective and, often, depressed. This is the stuff that makes you critical of others.

It all starts in the mind! As a man thinketh, so is he. Master your mind and you master your life. You are a wonderful and marvelous and adaptable and brilliant precisely because you are God’s creation designed to dwell in the boundless environs of Glory. Don’t sabotage yourself with small thinking and low aim. Think differently. Dream big! Maybe change the company you keep and the media you absorb…

You cannot be all that is in your heart when all you do is limit yourself and accept the limits others impose on you. Be bigger than that!

Be too big for little to control you!

by Roderick Belin.

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

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