Women in the Word

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1/30/2017 11:47 am  #81


Re: 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 16

Scripture
16:6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed is before him."
 
Observation: He was not waiting to hear God speak, but just jumping to conclusions about what must be God’s will.
 
Application:
We can do that too. We can jump the gun and not wait for God to speak.
 
I don’t mean to imply that we should be passive and refuse to move out on anything or to initiate anything until we hear some big sign from God. That is not what I mean.
 
But sometimes we don’t inquire of God and seek to hear His leading, or we are not sensitive to His leading we just push like a bull in a china shop and start doing everything we think we should be doing.

We can presume oh, this must obviously be what God desires and run ahead of God’s plan without really ever asking Him to lead us.
 
Scripture
16:18 One of the young men answered, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the LORD is with him."
 
16:21-22 And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight."
 
May people smell the fragrance of God in our lives. May the presence of God pour out of us, and His Holy Spirit shine through us. When people look at us, may they not see us, but God. And may that be what makes us beautiful, loved, and favored, not fleeting physical beauty or fickly charm and personality.
 
I thought, how would the fragrance of God come out of me and thought of this list based on the verses listed at the end. I need to be:
- just: do what is right
- merciful: kindness, overlooking people’s transgressions, giving people a blessing for cursing, not giving people what they deserve
- humble: not to think more highly of ourselves than we should
- set our minds on things above, not be tied to this earth
- love as Christ has loved us and give ourselves up for others
 
Micah 6:8, Micah 6:8 (ESV), Proverbs 19:11, Romans 12:3, Colossians 3:1-4, John 13:34-35, Philippians 2:3-8
 

 

1/30/2017 11:49 am  #82


Re: 1 Samuel

Michelle wrote:

A: Peter writes, “but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious” (1 Peter 3:4).  Am I focused as much on my heart as I am on my outward appearance?  I can be the most beautiful woman who ever walked on the earth, but if my heart is not right, it would all be in vain for I would be ugly in the Lord’s sight.
 

That is a great verse for me to add to my list of how we can be a sweet fragrance of God

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1/30/2017 11:53 am  #83


Re: 1 Samuel

cochrans wrote:

Samuel 13
A: These two verses really hit home for me this weekend. Over the last couple of days I've been fighting the desire to loose focus in this bible study. This past Friday, I did just as Saul, I acted on my own without waiting on God. I asked God if it was okay to make a purchase - in which I was supposed to do. However, I didn't wait to get my answer. I thought I could just go ahead and apply for the special financing whether I got it or not, I wouldn't order the item. Well, by the end of the day. I just had to have it and went ahead and ordered the item. Let me tell you...about an hour after I got home from work, I was spiritually sick. I knew what I did was wrong. I wasn't after God's heart. I was following my own thoughts. One thing I can say and will ALWAYS say is go to God when you have wronged him. I did just that. I apologized for not waiting on his answer, asked him to forgive me for not being sensitive to his will, asked him to forgive me from being disobedient. By Saturday, I was feeling better and had a peace. I know I'm going to have to work out the payment plan, I know it'll be a small struggle - but it's okay. In spite of my faults I know God will see me through. That's what a Parent does. He's my Father. That was the mistake that Saul made. He knew he was wrong but did nothing to correct it. In all the mixed emotions I'm sure he carried, not one time did he seek Samuel or God's advice. He was following his own heart... not God's.

I just posted about the same thing in Chapter 16 today, not waiting to hear from God. It is a struggle, even more so when want you want to do is a good or godly thing, we still need to wait for God's timing. I am learning to balance acting, not being passive, and waiting.

Glad you immediately turned back into relationship. It is easy for us to pull further away from God when we think we have failed. I love to see your strong faith and trust in God's love and acceptance for you, so encouraging.

I do pray for all of you ladies who posted an introduction. So, I try to pray for all of you once a week.

Last edited by TBG (1/30/2017 11:53 am)

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1/31/2017 3:29 pm  #84


Re: 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 17

S: Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and 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 defied” (17:45).
 
O: David knew that while Goliath was depending on articles of war for victory that he was relying on the power of God.  And God always wins.
 
A: How am I fighting the battles in my own life?  Am I relying on my strength and my abilities or am I relying on God?  If I want the victory, I need to rely on God.
 

 

1/31/2017 11:45 pm  #85


Re: 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 17

Scripture
17:47 and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD's, and He will give you into our hand."
17:48 When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.
 
O: 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
 
A: Do we allow things that are raising themselves against God to taunt us and keep us in fear and bondage? Or do we do spiritual battle to tear down things that dishonor God?
 
Do we retreat or hesitate, or do we run quickly to go to battle for God and to tear down strongholds in the lives of others and our society?

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2/02/2017 7:34 am  #86


Re: 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 18

S: As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul (18:1).
 
O: David had just faced Goliath with the same faith and bravery that Jonathan had faced the Philistine army with (1 Samuel 14).
 
A: Do I find myself drawn to people who live worldly lives or to people who live lives that seek God?  When I surround myself with friends who are more concerned with the things of this world, I find my faith taking a backseat.  But when I surround myself with friends who are seeking after the Lord my faith and my walk is strengthened.
 

 

2/02/2017 9:32 am  #87


Re: 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 18

Scripture 18:4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.
 
O: My Bible notes indicate that these were symbols of his status as the crown prince and heir. This indicates that as a true worshiper of God, Jonathan recognized that David was God’s anointed.
 
Without reservation Jonathan these things t David as a symbol of David’s status as the future king. He voluntarily yields to allowing David to take his position and status.
 
Jonathan was great in his own right, ye he chose to be humble and did not seek to hold onto position for himself.
 
A: I want to be like Jonathan. We so forget his example.
 
Scripture 18:7 And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands."
 
O: Saul was jealous. He was not satisfied to be king, but he wants to also be the most admired.
 
Scripture 18:11 And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, "I will pin David to the wall." But David evaded him twice.
 
O: What a turn of events for the man who once had the Spirit of God on him, but he turned from following God.
 
A: Serve the Lord faithfully. Serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing. The Lord is God, it is He that has made us and not we ourselves. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Be thankful unto Him and bless His name. The Lord is good, His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures. (Taken from Psalms 100)
 
Observations of Whole Chapter
When Jonathan saw that the Lord was with David, he loved him and gladly supported God’s plan and call on David even though it meant he had a decreased role. Whereas Saul, when he saw that David was anointed, he was afraid because he wanted to hold onto his position and status.
 
Application
Jealousy – people are driven to jealousy when they are not satisfied with what they have and they want more or want to be at the top.
Humility – people want to elevate themselves. They don’t want to submit to someone being elevated above them. They want to jostle for position.

Optional GMG Discussion Question: As the firstborn son of Saul, Jonathan would have been the heir to the throne, yet he had no jealousy of David. Jealousy divides. Do you struggle with jealousy in any of your friendships? Confess this sin today.

I would not say that I was jealous. But I can be wistful thinking "I wish I had that experience or that history, or I wish things were like that for me." But I am not jealous - feeling resentment against someone because of that person's rivalry, success, or advantages. I love them like Jonathan loved David, but I can feel wistful, looking at something and thinking "gosh, would it not be nice to have that in my life or have my life look like that." Ironically, I am like Saul in the fact that God has already given me an awful lot and and pretty great life that many people would long for. But isn't it just like us humans that we can always long for more or different or better?

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2/02/2017 9:34 am  #88


Re: 1 Samuel

Michelle wrote:

1 Samuel 18
A: Do I find myself drawn to people who live worldly lives or to people who live lives that seek God?  When I surround myself with friends who are more concerned with the things of this world, I find my faith taking a backseat.  But when I surround myself with friends who are seeking after the Lord my faith and my walk is strengthened.
 

Yes, great point. It is like the analogy of the coals. When coals are bunched together they stay hot and burn, when you pull a coal out by itself, it gets cold and the fire goes out.

Last edited by TBG (2/02/2017 9:35 am)

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2/02/2017 10:13 am  #89


Re: 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 19
 
Scripture 19:4-5
And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, "Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you. For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?"
 
O: David is a source of God’s blessing to Saul and to the nation. David is the tool of God’s salvation from the Philistines. But jealousy turned to hatred. Saul did not even want to receive and rejoice in blessings if he could not be the one who was exalted the highest. This is great pride. Pride was the original sin of Satan; Satan wanted to be worshiped as God.
 
A: We can’t enjoy God’s blessings if we covet more for ourselves. If we are focused on elevating ourselves, we cannot rejoice in other’s being used by God because we will want glory for ourselves. This guarantees that we will not be used. God will use those who direct the glory to Him.
 
Christ is the source of our salvation. If you love Christ, you will keep His commands. When we are disobedient to God, we reject His source of salvation, blessing, joy, and deliverance in our lives.
 
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; Philippians 4:6
 
Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

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2/03/2017 8:40 am  #90


Re: 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 19

S: Then a harmful spirit from the Lord came upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his spear n his hand.  And David was playing the lyre (19:9).
 
O: Matthew Henry points out the connection between this verse and Ephesians 4:26 – 27, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”  Saul’s anger towards and jealously of David made room for the evil spirit.
 
A: When we allow anger to take root in our heart – even justifiable and righteous anger – it can lead to bitterness.  And bitterness never leads to anything good.  Let us lay our anger before the throng of God.  If it is righteous anger, let the Holy Spirit use it to spur us to action.  If it is not righteous anger, let us leave it with God.

 

 

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