Today’s Scripture – John 9:3 (SOAP John 9:3)
“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.
Tag: Bible study
Whatever We Do …
In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.
Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David ...
2 Samuel 11:1-4
It isn’t clear why, but in this story, David had stayed behind in Jerusalem. Perhaps there was nothing particularly wrong with this action. Maybe there wasn’t really a need for him to go out to war with his officers – but what happens because he chose to stay behind is something we must not miss.
- “from the roof, he saw her“
- “David sent someone to inquire about her”
- “Sent some messengers to get her“
- “he went to bed with her“
- … he murdered
For whatever reason David “stayed behind”, for whatever reason he got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of his palace – I am certain adultery … pregnancy …. and murder were surely not on the King’s agenda. However, they are exactly the events that transpired, and I believe we would be remiss to not ask ourselves why?
How could a nighttime stroll – which I imagine took place because he was home and couldn’t sleep knowing his men were out at war – end so tragically?
The answer is profoundly simple – but one that isn’t pleasant to face. Much like Eve, and all-to-sadly human beings throughout the centuries – including myself, David saw something he wanted and without any apparent thought or hesitation, he acted on his desire. To be clear, the first two actions – appreciating beauty and sending someone to inquire of that object – weren’t in themselves wrong. However, from there if we follow the story we read that the messenger reported to David not just her name but also that she was the “wife of Uriah”. Following this answer, David’s actions were clearly sinful. He took what belonged to someone else, used it for his pleasure, and set about covering up the evidence through deception and murder.
While you may not fall prey to adultery or murder what happened to David can happen to you – it can happen to anyone. We are, after all, all sinners. God’s Word is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword – and It is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. We must wield it as such here or we will miss the underlying message of impulsive actions and their consequences. We will miss how God is training us to not act impulsively but to think about what we do. and not just gratify the desires of the eye/flesh. We must make sure that what we do won’t hurt someone else … make sure it is loving and kind … make sure that it is a faithful act or a gentle and encouraging word … and make sure it will not cause someone else to stumble into sin. Above all, we must make sure that it brings glory and honor to God.
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)
Clearly, David fell short of God’s glory here. Clearly, he thought of his desires alone. So then what? He was confronted, convicted, and repented and The rest of the story tells us that while David and others in the narrative suffered great consequences, David was forgiven by God and did not receive the punishment that his sins deserved. We have this same hope in Jesus Christ, whom God sent to take our punishment so that we are not punished as our sins deserve – but loved with unfailing love. Me-From the Insideout
He does not punish us for all our sins;
He does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
Psalm 103:10-11 a Psalm of David
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Shame Breaker, Week 3-Monday The Shame of Adultery
Today’s Scripture –2 Samuel 11; Psalm 103:10-11 (S.O.A.P. Psalm 103:10-11)
David and Bathsheba
In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.
2 Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. 3 He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home. 5 Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, “I’m pregnant.”
6 Then David sent word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” So Joab sent him to David. 7 When Uriah arrived, David asked him how Joab and the army were getting along and how the war was progressing. 8 Then he told Uriah, “Go on home and relax.” David even sent a gift to Uriah after he had left the palace. 9 But Uriah didn’t go home. He slept that night at the palace entrance with the king’s palace guard. READ THE REST OF THE STORY …
Psalm 103:10-11
He does not punish us for all our sins;
he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
Shame Breaker, Week 2-Friday The Shame of Brokenness
Today’s Scripture – 2 Samuel 9; Hebrews 4:15-16 (S.O.A.P. 2 Samuel 9:7-8; Hebrews 4:15-16)
David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth
One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked.
“Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied. 3 The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.” 4 “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.”
5 So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. 6 His name was Mephibosheth[a]; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.”
Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.”
“Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!” Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?” Read the rest of the story
Hebrews 4:15-16
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Shame Breaker, WK2-Thursday Beauty In Brokenness
Today’s Scripture – Isaiah 50:7; 2 Cor. 4:10-12 (S.O.A.P. 2 Corinthians 4:10-12)
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.
We are pressed on every side by trouble but we are not crushed. We are perplexed but not driven to despair. We are hunted down but NEVER ABANDONED by God. We get knocked down but we are not destroyed! 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
This was Paul’s testimony – considering Eternal Life for someone else worth danger and even the threat of death for himself – “So that the life of Jesus would be evident -“
Me – From the Insideout
Shame Breaker, Week 1 – Friday The Shame of Not Being Enough
Today’s Scripture – Exodus 4:10-17; Psalm 103:7-9; Isaiah 41:10 (S.O.A.P. Ps 103:7-9; Isa 41:10)
Exodus 4:10-17
10 But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”
11 Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
13 But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
14 Then the Lord became angry with Moses. “All right,” he said. “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you. 15 Talk to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will instruct you both in what to do. 16 Aaron will be your spokesman to the people. He will be your mouthpiece, and you will stand in the place of God for him, telling him what to say. 17 And take your shepherd’s staff with you, and use it to perform the miraculous signs I have shown you.”
Psalm 103:7-9
7 He revealed his character to Moses
and his deeds to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 He will not constantly accuse us,
nor remain angry forever.
Isaiah 41:10
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
The Shame of Not Being Enough
Based on the LGG Study Shame Breaker Week 1, Friday ( Psalm 103:7-9 )
While the LORD may not have shown His face to the people – He made sure they saw His character and knew what He was like. They learned through experience that He was … compassionate and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love, He wasn’t constantly looking to accuse them and when He did get angry He didn’t stay angry. The passage in Isaiah reveals even more of God’s character, as we see – He doesn’t want us to live in fear and discouragement – but to TRUST HIM in all things.
We can’t be satisfied with knowing who God is – We MUST get to know HIm – as we see Him in the Scriptures and watch Him in the lives of others but even more importantly, in our own lives. Why? Because knowing God’s character helps us to TRUST Him.💜 Me – from the Insideout
TODAY’S REFLECTION QUESTION: OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN THE BIBLE WE SEE PEOPLE DOUBTING THE CALLING GOD HAS ON THEIR LIVES, AND MOSES WAS NO DIFFERENT. WHAT DOES ISAIAH 41:10 REVEAL ABOUT GOD AND HIS CALL ON OUR LIVES?
SHARE YOUR ANSWER IN THE COMMENT BAR
Shame Breaker, W1 – Thursday A God Who Redeems Shame
Shame causes fear – but we don’t have to be afraid because we have a God who removes our disgrace 💜 He has forevermore removed our shame through the blood of Jesus that we might walk in freedom not just from sin but from the shame and disgrace that oppress us and hinder us from being who He called us to be. My encouragement today is this – rather than focusing on our sin and shame let’s, as Paul said to the Philippians, think about things that are true and honorable – what greater truth is there than we are REDEEMED!– Cleansed of our sin and shame – restored and made whole! Yeah, let’s let this TRUTH cover the thoughts of our sin and shame!
REFLECTION QUESTION OF THE DAY: THE SHAME WE EXPERIENCE CAN MAKE US FEEL INTIMIDATED OR HUMILIATED. WHAT ENCOURAGEMENT DO WE FIND IN ISAIAH 54:4?
Today’s Scripture – Isaiah 54:1-4; (S.O.A.P. Isaiah 54:4)
Future Glory for Jerusalem
“Sing, O childless woman,
you who have never given birth!
Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem,
you who have never been in labor.
For the desolate woman now has more children
than the woman who lives with her husband,”
says the Lord.
2 “Enlarge your house; build an addition.
Spread out your home, and spare no expense!
3 For you will soon be bursting at the seams.
Your descendants will occupy other nations
and resettle the ruined cities.
“Fear not; you will no longer live in shame.
Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you.
You will no longer remember the shame of your youth
and the sorrows of widowhood.
Bridge to Shame Breaker, Wk. 2 January 1, 2021
Today’s Scripture: Psalm 19-20; (S.O.A.P. Psalm 20:4-5)
Psalm 19 For the choir director: A psalm of David.
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.[a]
4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth
and their words to all the world. Read More
Psalm 20 For the choir director: A psalm of David.
In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry.
May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.
2 May he send you help from his sanctuary
and strengthen you from Jerusalem.[a]
3 May he remember all your gifts
and look favorably on your burnt offerings. Interlude
May he grant your heart’s desires
and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory
and raise a victory banner in the name of our God.
May the Lord answer all your prayers.
6 Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king.
He will answer him from his holy heaven
and rescue him by his great power.
7 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses,
but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.
8 Those nations will fall down and collapse,
but we will rise up and stand firm.
9 Give victory to our king, O Lord!
Answer our cry for help.
Bridge to Shame Breaker Wk 2 December 31, 2020
One of the things I love about God is His Faithfulness. Trust is hard for me but with God I don’t have to worry about whether or not I can trust Him. It isn’t simply that there are verses that declare Him to be faithful; don’t get me wrong, since we walk by faith and not by sight this would be enough, but His actions bear witness to His Word. Or, as our verse says – “He ACTS in a faithful manner -“. Because He does I know that He is reliable. He is a dependable REFUGE. And, there is truly NO ONE on earth or in heaven like Him. No wonder David wrote in Psalm 16:8 – “I constantly trust in the LORD; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” As we head out of one very challenging year and into all the unforeseen of another – may David’s bold and confident statement become our mantra. May it define us and become our strength both day and night, on our mountain-tops and in our valleys. May it be a light of encouragement to those who are watching. When troubles come and they see that we aren’t shaken perhaps they will ask why – and may we be ready with an answer – like David – for the HOPE that is within us! The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my Savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. Psalm 18:2
Me – from the Insideout
The one true God acts in a faithful manner;
the Lord’s promise is reliable.
He is a shield to all who take shelter in him.
31 Indeed, who is God besides the Lord?
Who is a protector besides our God?
Psalm 18:30-31
Today’s Scripture: Psalm 17 and 18; (S.O.A.P. Psalm 18:30-31)
Psalm 17 A prayer of David.
1 O Lord, hear my plea for justice.
Listen to my cry for help.
Pay attention to my prayer,
for it comes from honest lips.
2 Declare me innocent,
for you see those who do right.
3 You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night.
You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong.
I am determined not to sin in what I say.
4 I have followed your commands,
which keep me from following cruel and evil people.
5 My steps have stayed on your path;
I have not wavered from following you.
6 I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
Bend down and listen as I pray. Read More
Psalm 18 For the choir director: A psalm of David, the servant of the Lord. He sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang:
I love you, Lord;
you are my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
3 I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and he saved me from my enemies.
4 The ropes of death entangled me;
floods of destruction swept over me.
5 The grave[a] wrapped its ropes around me;
death laid a trap in my path.
6 But in my distress I cried out to the Lord;
yes, I prayed to my God for help.
He heard me from his sanctuary;
my cry to him reached his ears. Read More
