“If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. 19 But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.” Psalm 66:18-19 (ESV) Sin is an offense to God. Sin is absent in heaven and yet fully present on earth. Sin saturates the landscape of life on this broken planet. The curse of sin can only be reversed through the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. When a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ, sin is removed and the righteousness of Christ is imputed. The new Christian is placed positionally right with God. Without purity, there is no power in prayer. As a child of God, it is imperative to stay close and clean by confessing sin instantly and receiving God’s forgiveness intentionally. You have to combat the impact of memory. “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:3 ESV). David had to navigate the reality of his memory. Even after confessing his sin of adultery and murder, he had to acknowledge that his sin was ever before him via memory. What hinders prayer? The most vicious impediment to prayer is sin. Sin violates the covenant relationship you have with God. Sin grieves the heart of God and quenches the Spirit of God living in you. Husband, when you do not live with your wife in an understanding way, your prayers are hindered. “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7 (ESV) The purity of your relationship with God and the purity of your relationships with others has a direct impact on the effectiveness of your prayer life. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 132: Psalms 65-67, 69-70) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Author: Stephen Trammell
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Where Is Your Trust
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7 (ESV) Trust is a fragile item in the life of a believer. Trust is like the petal of a rose. Trust can beautify a difficult path and create an aroma pleasing to Christ. Trust can also wilt when betrayed. Like a gem in the hand of a jeweler, trust in God can lead to an irresistible life in which God’s glory radiates. Where is the trust? In our society draped with affluence, it is so easy to trust in materialism. If we can only acquire one more object of our affection or jump into one more activity that produces an adrenaline rush, then we will be fulfilled…so we think. The things of this world just don’t deliver what they promise. The chariots of our culture and the horses of our entertainment are not trustworthy. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 (ESV) Only God can deliver on the magnitude of His promises. God always lives up to the level of His nature and character of perfection. There is no lack! There is no discrepancy! God is all sufficient and more than enough! Place your trust in the Lord. Anchor your faith to the Rock of ages. He is the source of your strength and empowers you to fulfill God’s agenda. As your faithful Shepherd, the Lord will help you overcome obstacles and live in victory. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 131: 2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 19; Psalm 20) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. 2 God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. 3 They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.” Psalm 53:1-3 (ESV) The atheist is a fool and believes there is no God. The agnostic believes that there may be a God, but that you cannot know Him. In both cases, the reality is that there is no one who seeks after God. God is the Seeker and pursues us with His redeeming love. Before we had the capacity to know God, in His mercy, God took the initiative to make Himself known. God took the initiative to demonstrate His love for us by allowing His only Son to pay the penalty of our sin in full. Jesus became the sacrificial lamb that was slain for the sins of the world. “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5:11-12 (ESV) As Dr. David Fleming says, “You cannot be wrong about Jesus and right with God.” It does matter what you believe about Jesus and it does matter whether you believe in Jesus. Eternal life is found in Jesus alone by grace alone through faith alone. Do you have the Son? Have you transferred your trust from yourself to Jesus alone for salvation? The bad news is that Jesus is the only way. The good news is that Jesus is the only way. Jesus is our only hope. What will you do with Jesus? Even an atheist can become an authentic Christian by receiving the gift of eternal life found in Jesus alone. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 130: Psalms 50, 53, 60, 75) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Unleash God’s Love
“And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage. And David said, ‘Mephibosheth!’ And he answered, ‘Behold, I am your servant.’ 7 And David said to him, ‘Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.’” 2 Samuel 9:6-7 (ESV) What does your love look like? Is your love reserved for those who can benefit you or do you lavish your love on those who can do nothing in return? Unleash God’s love by living a life of love that benefits others. King David unleashed God’s love by blessing the most unlikely person. Mephibosheth was Saul’s grandson and Jonathan’s son. Mephibosheth was lame in both his feet. King David gave all that belonged to Saul to Mephibosheth and offered unlimited seating at the King’s table. That’s right! Mephibosheth would now eat at the King’s table. “‘So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.’” Matthew 7:12 (ESV) “‘I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’” Matthew 25:43 (ESV) When you unleash God’s love to benefit others, you are continuing the ministry of Jesus. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Value others the way you want to be valued. Serve the underprivileged. Go beyond yourself to bless and benefit those who can do nothing in return for you. As you love others you will be loving Jesus. As you honor others you will be honoring Jesus. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 129: 2 Samuel 8-9; 1 Chronicles 18) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Blessed Nation
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!” Psalm 33:12 (ESV) We acknowledge verbally in our pledge of allegiance that we are one nation under God. How accurate is that statement? Are we really one nation under God? The Psalmist affirms that a nation is blessed whose God is the Lord. God has chosen them as His heritage. Would the United States of America fall into that category? We desire the blessing of God. Do we choose to bless God as a nation? We want God to open the floodgates of heaven and pour out his abundance upon us, but are we ready to open our hearts and surrender to the Lordship of Christ as a nation? “Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord.” Psalm 36:5-6 (ESV) “‘O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!’” Psalm 39:4 (ESV) Affirm the steadfast love of God. Acknowledge the faithfulness of God. Consider the righteousness of God and the soundness of His judgements. Rejoice in the redemptive activity of God. God is sovereign. He rules and He reigns. The Lord God knows the measure of your days and how fleeting you are. Stay humble before the Lord and acknowledge your dependency upon Him. Set the example by honoring Him with your life and validating your faith by your love. Pray for national revival and let it begin in you. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 128: Psalms 25, 29, 33, 36, 39) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Cultivate Gratitude
“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, ‘Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 17 And this was a small thing in your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, O Lord God!’” 1 Chronicles 17:16-17 (ESV) King David expressed utmost gratitude for what God had done for him. Cultivate gratitude. Put gratitude in your attitude. Consider Jim Elliot’s insight, “One of the greatest blessings of heaven is the appreciation of heaven on earth.” Be thankful. Be appreciative. Be grateful. As you cultivate gratitude, you will notice that your perspective on life will become healthier. Your interaction with others will be seasoned with grace. Instead of being critical of others, you will become compassionate towards others. Gratitude will enable you to enjoy what God has given you and will enable you to appreciate the blessings God has lavished on you. “Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!” Psalm 105:1 (ESV) “And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.’” Revelation 7:11-12 (ESV) Cultivating gratitude will unleash God’s love in you and through you. Be thankful for what God has done to reconcile you to Himself. Be appreciative of God’s invitation for you to join Him in His activity. Be grateful for the opportunities God gives you to spread the love of Christ. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 127: 2 Samuel 6-7; I Chronicles 17) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his;we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:1-3 (ESV) Through the experience of surviving a Jet Ski accident at age sixteen, God called me to preach. My entire life was redirected. I had always dreamed of becoming an architect to design and build great buildings. God had a different plan for my life. He refocused my life on building lives for eternity. I had the joy of being an interim pastor the summer before I entered college. My first business card had a tag line which stated, “Serving the Lord with gladness.” My mother and mamaw modeled the value of serving the Lord through the local church my entire life. My mother played the piano and my mamaw played the organ. My junior year in college, I met Tonya and we got married a year and a half later. Tonya has faithfully modeled the value of serving the Lord with gladness through the local church. Our desire is to model that consistently before our children. “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV) Where do you serve? How are you exercising the spiritual gifts God has given you? God has saved you so that you can serve Him with gladness. He made you and you are His. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 126: Psalms 89, 96, 100 – 101, 105, 132) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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My Shepherd
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:1-6 (ESV) God never intended for you to walk through adversity alone. Maybe you have heard someone say that God will never put more on you than you can handle. That’s not true. God will not put more on you than you can handle with His help. When you come to know Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, you find the Shepherd and Overseer of your soul (1 Pt. 2:25). The Christian life is not a solo flight. God does not launch you into the world and expect you to live the Christian life on your own. God provides refuge when you need to retreat, strength when you need to endure, and help when you need relief. Your Heavenly Father knows exactly what you need and the exact moment you need it. Are you in need of help? Are you hurting, lonely, or discouraged? Share your heart with God in prayer and anticipate His response. No need to count sheep, just talk to your Shepherd. He will lead you beside still waters. His goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 125: Psalms 1-2,15, 22-24, 47, 68) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“And the ark of God remained with the household of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that he had.” 1 Chronicles 13:14 (ESV) Obed-edom must have been a very special man to be chosen to bring the ark of God into his house. For three months, Obed-edom took care of the ark of God. He was entrusted with the sacred ark. The Lord’s favor was upon Obed-edom’s household and all that he had was blessed by God. “Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. 24 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” 1 Chronicles 16:23-24 (ESV) “For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (ESV) As a follower of Jesus Christ, you have been entrusted with the gospel. You have been chosen by God to declare His glory among the nations. You have the privilege and the responsibility of making Jesus known. Now that you know Jesus personally, make Him known intentionally. What are you doing with the gospel entrusted to you? How are you communicating the saving news of Jesus Christ? Think about the opportunities God has given you to make Jesus known. Seize the divine appointments God orchestrates for you to join Him in His redemptive activity. God wants to use you in spreading the fragrance of Christ. Does your life draw people to Christ? Commit to point people to Jesus. You have been entrusted with the cure for the cancer of sin. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 124: 1 Chronicles 13-16) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Say So
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble 3 and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south.” Psalm 107:1-3 (ESV) One of the features of a High School football game is the cheer squad. The cheerleaders seek to engage the fans in the stands in order to motivate them to cheer on the team. Regardless of the score, the cheerleaders seek to get the fans involved in the game in a positive manner. Often the cheerleaders utilize a megaphone to project their cheers and to amplify their message. God has transformed your life by His grace so that you can become a megaphone to amplify the Good News of Jesus Christ. That’s right! You are a megaphone for the Master! The message of Christ is to project from your life and from your lips. Are you encouraging people to get into the game? Are you sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with those in your sphere of influence? God did not transform your life so that you could become a closet Christian. God did not deliver you from the kingdom of darkness and place you in the kingdom of light so that you could become a silent saint. You have been saved by the grace of God to become a megaphone for the Maker of heaven and earth. Your faith in God is to be projected for others to encounter the redeeming love of Christ. Go public with your faith. If you know so, then say so! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 123: Psalms 106-107) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Trust God’s Timing
“All these, men of war, arrayed in battle order, came to Hebron with a whole heart to make David king over all Israel. Likewise, all the rest of Israel were of a single mind to make David king. 39 And they were there with David for three days, eating and drinking, for their brothers had made preparation for them.” 1 Chronicles 12:38-39 (ESV) Before David became king, he genuinely served King Saul and waited patiently for God’s timing. David endured severe persecution and unfair treatment by King Saul. David’s own family doubted his suitability. By the world’s standards, David did not fit the mold. “When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, ‘Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.’ 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:6-7 (ESV) God continued to work and paved the way for David to become king. In God’s perfect timing, David fulfilled the position God had established for him. Nothing can thwart God’s will and nothing can dismantle God’s impeccable timing. God will always accomplish His plan in His perfect timing. Do you trust God’s timing? Is there anything you are worrying about or fretting over? Release your fears and reaffirm your faith in the Living God. Pray specifically about those those things that are weighing you down. Submit your uncertainties and your frustrations to the Lord in prayer. God looks at the heart and He know your heart. Before God formed you He knew you personally and before you were born God set you apart for Himself. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 121: 2 Samuel 5; 1 Chronicles 11-12) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Father of Compassion
“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. 14 For he knows our frame;he remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:11-14 (ESV) Three comparisons are made to demonstrate the vastness of God’s love toward us. The immense gap between the heavens and the earth is one picture of how great God’s steadfast love is toward us. God’s love is grandiose. Try to measure the distance between the east and west and you will be able to capture the distance between our sin and us. God places our sin as far as the east is from the west. Infinity is the immeasurable distance. You cannot place a measurement on the distance that God places between our sin and ourselves. When God removes our sin, He completely removes our sin. Just as a compassionate father shows compassion to his children, our Heavenly Father shows compassion to us. The abundance of God’s compassion cannot be depleted. God’s compassion is endless. The ultimate portrait of His compassion is found in Romans 5:8, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God created us and knows our limitations and the frailty of our humanity. He knows our frame. He knows every fiber of our being. God has not forgotten that we are dust. As God’s steadfast love is lavished on us and His compassion is dispensed, He knows the challenges we face in this fallen world. He is our Father of Compassion! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 120: Psalms 102-104) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Keep the Faith
“So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. 14 He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.” 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (ESV) Where do you turn for guidance? What is your source for knowing God’s will? Saul drifted from God and forfeited his faith through his willful disobedience. Instead of seeking God for guidance, he consulted a medium. Instead of keeping the command of the Lord, Saul went his own way. He did not keep the faith. As a result, the Lord allowed Saul to be put to death and gave the kingdom to David. You have the capacity to choose how you will live your life. You can embrace the way of selfishness and choose the way that satisfies your personal ambition and fleshly cravings or you can choose the way of the Lord. You can bypass the faith and take paths that are contrary to the will of God or you can seek the Lord and obey His promptings. The Apostle Paul, in his final letter to Timothy, affirmed the heavenly reward of keeping the faith. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV) Fight the good fight. Finish the race. Keep the faith. The Lord will award you with the crown of righteousness. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 119: 1 Chronicles 7-10) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“‘But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. 13 Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!’” Psalm 81:11-13 (ESV) God miraculously delivered the people of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. They witnessed the ten plagues of Egypt as orchestrated by God. He enabled them to cross the Red Sea on dry ground and supernaturally provided them with manna from heaven in the morning and quail in the evening. God quenched their thirst with water from the rock and their clothes did not wear out. However, they did not listen to God’s voice, they would not submit to Him, and they refused to walk in His ways. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 (ESV) “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV) To walk in God’s ways, you must know Him personally by transferring your trust from yourself to Jesus alone for salvation. Once you come into union with Christ, you are empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in His ways. Walking by the Spirit is synonymous with walking in Christ. To walk in God’s ways is to walk as Jesus walked and to do what Jesus did. As you read and feed on God’s Word, you will learn what God values and what God hates. You will discover God’s will and you will detect God’s agenda. Align your life with the heart of God and submit to His authority. Walk in His ways! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 118: Psalms 81, 88, 92-93) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Do Your Part
“These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the Lord after the ark rested there. 32 They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order.” 1 Chronicles 6:31-32 (ESV) God blesses order. As one of my mentors would often say, “Where there is order, there is fruitfulness.” As you examine creation, you will quickly detect that God values order. God designed order in the family unit as well as in the establishment of government. David positioned the worship leaders to minister with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting. They performed their service according to their order. In God’s economy, everybody matters. Everyone has a contribution to make in God’s order. ” I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (ESV) Who is more important, the one who plants or the one who waters? Who is more important, the one who builds a tabernacle or the one who ministers with song? Neither! It is all about God and all about what God wants to accomplish through His people. God gives the growth. God gets the glory. We are created in God’s image to fulfill God’s plan. Your function in the body of Christ is vital. You are a crucial component to the redemptive activity of God. Do your part! Invest your time, energy, and resources in doing your part to advance God’s work on the earth. Make an eternal difference right where you are. Bloom where God has planted you! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 117: 1 Chronicles 6) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.” Psalm 78:72 (ESV) Does the tongue in your mouth line up with the tongue in your shoe? Is your talk in alignment with your walk? If so, that’s integrity! Honesty and truthfulness are garments that every child of God should feature. To be a person of integrity is to be honest about who you are and truthful in your conversation and your conduct. Perhaps you know of people who are loaded with talent, but lack integrity. In many cases, their talent took them farther than their character could sustain them. We have watched countless talented men and women fall into grave immorality due to the lack of integrity. In God’s economy, talent and skill are insufficient without integrity. God wants us to use the gifts and abilities He has blessed us with through the avenue of integrity. The level of our integrity determines the veracity of our testimony. Purity, honesty, and authenticity are vital components for the person God uses. King David was not perfect. He made some poor choices and leveraged his position to indulge his sinful appetite. Yet, in brokenness and humility, he confessed his sin and received God’s forgiveness. David shepherded the people with integrity. He led the people with skillful hands. God’s grace was more than sufficient for the race. David learned to depend upon God and to trust in His daily provision. If God can make someone like King David into a man after God’s own heart, then there’s hope for us. We can walk in integrity through our daily dependence upon God. Without His ample supply of grace, we have no chance of living a life of integrity. Let’s surrender completely to the Lord’s control and allow Him to live His life of integrity through us. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 116: Psalms 73, 77-78) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Prayer of Jabez & Jesus
“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ 10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harmso that it might not bring me pain!’ And God granted what he asked.” 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (ESV) You can discover what is important to people by listening to their prayers. Jabez prayed for God’s blessing, for God’s abundance, for God’s provision, and for God’s protection. As Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven, He requested to be glorified by God so that He in turn could bring glory to God. There are 650 prayers in the Bible and the Gospels record nineteen occasions upon which Jesus prayed. The longest prayer we have of Jesus is found in the twenty-six verses of John 17. The Disciples had the privilege of overhearing this prayer of Jesus while they were in the Upper Room. Jesus prays for Himself, He prays for the Disciples, and then He prays for future followers, which includes us. “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you.’” John 17:1 (ESV) As you study the life of Christ in the Gospels, you will discover that Jesus oriented His life around the focus of bringing glory to God. His message, His miracles, and His personal touch ministry were featured to bring glory to God. What do you value? What have you been praying? Your prayers indicate what you value. Do you value bringing glory to God? God deserves all of the glory for what He has rescued you from and saved you for. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 115: 1 Chronicles 3-5) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.” Psalm 43:3-4 (ESV) Have you ever used a GPS? The Global Positioning System specifically identifies your location and assists you to your desired destination. It is like having your own car concierge. If you make an improper turn, the GPS recalibrates to get you back onto the proper path. The light of God’s Word will lead you onto the path God has for you. To know God’s will, you must know God’s Word. God has revealed His plan in His Word. As you read and feed on God’s Word, you will be led into God’s presence and you will know His exceeding joy as you praise Him. “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” Psalm 43:5 (ESV) As you travel down the lanes of living in a fallen world, you can easily get distracted and lose your focus. Your soul will go through seasons of being downcast and you will experience seasons of inner turmoil. Let God speak to you. Open your heart to His directive and obey His promptings. God will always point you back to His will and to His way. Hope in God. Place your total confidence in the completed work of Jesus on the cross. Anchor your faith to the Rock of your salvation and praise God for His faithfulness. Express the exceeding joy of the Lord which is your strength! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 114: Psalms 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Orchestrated by God
“Adam, Seth, Enosh; 2 Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared; 3 Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech; 4 Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth.” 1 Chronicles 1:1-4 (ESV) People matter to God. As you read chapter one and chapter two of 1 Chronicles, you read a list of names. Some of them may be familiar to you while some of the names may seem foreign. The chronicler detailed the Davidic dynasty in Judah and traced the genealogies to demonstrate how David and Judah were chosen by God. Only one of Noah’s three sons, Shem, would be the one through whom the redemptive blessing would come. God’s story of redemption is filled with people. God uses all kinds of people to accomplish His purposes and His plans. Nothing can thwart God’s will. Remember, that life is not about your story that you invite God into. Life is about God’s story that He invites you into. Will you allow God to have His way in your life? What names do you have on your list? If you were to write down the name of every person God has used in your life to point you to Christ, to encourage you in the faith, or to model Christ before you, how many names would be on your list? God strategically places people in your life to help you become the fully devoted follower of Christ you were created to become. Throughout your journey, God sprinkles relationships along the path to draw you closer to Christ and to sensitize you to His abiding presence. Don’t rush past the people God places in your life. Slow down and enjoy the abundance of God’s blessings. Just as people matter to God, you matter to God! Allow God to use you to be an irresistible influence for His glory. You are on His list! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 113: 1 Chronicles 1-2) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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My Rock and My Redeemer
“I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. 7 My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes.” Psalm 6:6-7 (ESV) David was well acquainted with victory, despair, and grief. He had known the favor of God and the wrath of Saul. David combated his enemies while seeking to remain true to the Lord his God. Through seasons of adversity, he became weary with his moaning and flooded his bed with tears. Grief overwhelmed him as he drenched his couch with his weeping. He grew weak because of his foes. In the midst of his abiding pain, David revealed the solidarity of his faith in the Lord. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 (ESV) “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 (ESV) Latch onto the Lord who will be a stronghold in times of trouble. Place your total confidence and trust in the Lord for He will not forsake those who seek Him. In God’s presence, you will receive fullness of joy. God will make known unto you the path of life. Outside of Him, you will not find life. God places pleasures at your right hand. Maintain integrity by practicing moment-by-moment surrender to the Lordship of Christ. Submit your tongue to the Lord and yield your heart to His prompting. May the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart be acceptable in His sight. The Lord is your rock and your redeemer. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 112: Psalms 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, 21) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.” 2 Samuel 2:4 (ESV) God’s will cannot be thwarted. God will accomplish His purposes and God will fulfill His plan. God’s timing is not always easy for us to understand with our human limitations. God is infinite and we are finite. There is a tremendous gap that our intellect cannot fill. God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. In His grace and mercy, God chooses to use us in His master plan. From a human perspective, David seemed to be the least likely candidate to be anointed as king. In fact, his father Jesse did not even include him in the lineup when Samuel showed up. After Samuel examined the sons of Jesse, he inquired if Jesse had anymore. Jesse revealed to Samuel that he had his youngest son out in the field tending sheep. “And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, ‘Arise, anoint him, for this is he.’ 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.” 1 Samuel 16:12-13 (ESV) God affirmed His selection by telling Samuel to anoint David. Many years passed from that moment of affirmation to the moment when the men of Judah came to anoint David king over the house of Judah. David had experienced major battles, heartbreak, and mourning the death of King Saul and Jonathan. Now it was time for David to reign as king. Wait for God’s timing. His timing is impeccable. God is working all things together for your good and His glory. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 111: 2 Samuel 1-4) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV) Where do you look for help? Where do you turn when life takes a turn for the worse? Lift up your eyes to the hills. Your help comes from the Lord. He made you. He made heaven. He made earth. The Creator of the universe created you and He knows you better than anyone else on the planet. God knows where you have been, where you are, and where you are going. He knows your fears, your frustrations, and your frailty. Lift up your eyes and call out to the One who loves you, who gave His only Son for you, and who has included you in His story of redemption. “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 124:8 (ESV) “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! 2 O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!” Psalm 130:1-2 (ESV) Cry out to the Lord for mercy in your time of need. Don’t suppress your pain. Express your heart to the Lord through prayer and receive nourishment for your soul. Your help comes from the Healer. Your help comes from the Maker of heaven and earth. Your help comes from the Creator who designed you and develops you for His glory. God allows you to experience adversity in this life to build your spiritual muscles and to demonstrate His faithfulness to you. When you are in need of help, your desperation becomes a canvas upon which God can apply His paint of mercy and grace. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 110: Psalms 121, 123-125, 128-130) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, ‘Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me.’ But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. 5 And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him. 6 Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together.” 1 Samuel 31:4-6 (ESV) David successfully eluded Saul’s constant threats and consistent attempts to eliminate him. Saul had hurled his javelin at David while David played the lyre to sooth the king. Saul marshaled his army to pursue David on several occasions. In the midst of it all, David faithfully submitted to the Lord’s sovereignty, feared God, and honored the office of the king. David entrusted vengeance to the Lord. “The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation—47 the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me, 48 who delivered me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you rescued me from the man of violence.” Psalm 18:46-48 (ESV) Let God be God in your life and in the midst of your circumstances. Trust God to handle the people He has created and to help you overcome trying circumstances. God will see you through. You can anchor your faith to the Rock of Ages. You can rest in the abundant provision of the God of your salvation. God will lavish you with His love and dispense His grace to match your need. Keep walking with God and trust Him to illuminate the path He wants you to take. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 109: 1 Samuel 28-31; Psalm 18) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Earnestly Seeking God
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1 (ESV) How passionate is your pursuit of God? Is He your preoccupation? Our passion can easily divert to other things or other people. We can slip into being passionate about activities that have no eternal value. We can channel our passion in areas that diffuse our focus and keep us from keeping the main thing the main thing. David demonstrated a vibrant walk with God. He would earnestly seek God and thirst for Him as in a dry and weary land. In his love relationship with God, David embodied a hunger and thirst for God that compelled him to pursue God daily and passionately. “I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words.” Psalm 17:6 (ESV) “Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, ‘Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!’ 28 Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.” Psalm 35:27-38 (ESV) If someone were to shadow you for seven days, what would they say about your passion? Would that person be able to detect your passion for the things of God? Would that person detect your devotion to the Lord and be inspired by your daily walk with the Lord? Take some time to conduct a spiritual inventory of your life. Trace your walk with God and determine your level of intensity and try to measure your passion. Earnestly seek God. Thirst for Him. He is your God! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 108: Psalms 17,35,54,63) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“And David answered and said, ‘Here is the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and take it. 23 The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. 24 Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.‘” 1 Samuel 26:22-24 (ESV) David showed immense restraint a second time. He had the perfect opportunity to bring Saul’s evil pursuit to an end by killing Saul while he slept among his soldiers within the encampment. Saul’s spear was stuck in the ground at his head and could have easily been used by David to bring forth death. “And David said, ‘As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. 11 The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. But take now the spear that is at his head and the jar of water, and let us go.’” 1 Samuel 26:10-11 (ESV) Instead of taking matters into his own hands, David entrusted Saul to God’s care. Instead of inflicting the just vengeance on his enemy, David allowed God to have His rightful place in executing justice in His own time. David showed tremendous restraint. If he were to interpret the circumstances before him, David would have quickly concluded that God had given Saul into his hands. David wisely looked beyond his immediate circumstances and viewed his opportunity through the grid of God’s sovereignty. What do you need to entrust to God’s sovereign care? Show restraint in your circumstances. Trust God! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 107: 1 Samuel 25-27) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” Psalm 56:8 (ESV) God created you for a divine purpose to fulfill. You are not here by accident; you are here by divine appointment. God designed you so that you can know Him personally and fulfill His plan intentionally. Fulfilling God’s agenda requires God’s enabling. You cannot continue His ministry in your own strength. In this life you will face difficulties and go through seasons of uncertainty. Fatigue, exhaustion, and feeling depleted are normal features of living in a fallen world. God intimately knows your inmost feelings and He keeps count of all your wanderings. He puts your tears in His bottle. He records every step you take and every decision you make. Nothing escapes God’s attention. “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy.” Psalm 140:12 (ESV) “With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. 2 I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.” Psalm 142:1-2 (ESV) Prayer enables you to express your heart to God. You have the sacred privilege of communicating with God through the grace-paved avenue of prayer. Acknowledge your dependency upon Him. The Lord executes justice for the needy and maintains the cause of the afflicted. You can cry out to the Lord in prayer. You can lift up your voice to plead for mercy. In prayer, you have the invitation to pour out your complaints before the Lord and to share your trouble before Him. God can handle your frustrations and He can bring calm to your troubled waters. Don’t run from the Lord! Run to the Lord and watch how His mercy comes running to you! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 106: Psalms 56,120,140,142) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Delivered Out of Affliction
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:18-19 (ESV) Being adopted into God’s family is the result of God’s gracious redemptive activity. He included you in His plan of redemption. Now that you are a child of God, you are considered an enemy to the devil and you stand in opposition to the devil’s mission. Just as Jesus had to combat the devil by quoting Scripture, you will have to be armed for battle. Claim God’s promise that He is near the brokenhearted. Doing life on a broken planet is filled with obstacles to overcome and adversity to advance through. The Lord is near you. You will never walk alone. Even when you are crushed in spirit, the Lord will save you. Suffering is a part of the landscape for those who love the Lord and choose to live for His glory. “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21 (ESV) “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.” Psalm 52:8 (ESV) The Lord will deliver you out of your afflictions. Even if you let go of Him, Jesus will not let go of you. Follow in His steps and trust in the steadfast love of God. You are a child of the living God. You are like a green olive tree in the house of God. No weapon formed against you shall prosper. Trust the Lord with your present and your future. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 105: Psalms 7,27,31,34,52 ) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“And the men of David said to him, ‘Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you.’ Then David arose and stealthily cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 5 And afterward David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 6 He said to his men, ‘The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed.‘” 1 Samuel 24:4-6 (ESV) The timing could not have been any better. David and his men where hiding in the inner portion of a cave and Saul came into the entrance of that exact cave to relieve himself. King Saul was in a most vulnerable situation and David could have easily killed him. Instead, David chose to simply cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. David told his men that he would not dare put out his hand against the Lord’s anointed. After Saul left the cave unaware of David’s presence, David arose and went out of the cave to reveal himself to Saul and to feature the corner of the robe that he had cut off. Saul was deeply moved by David’s gracious act of mercy and reverence. “He said to David, ‘You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil. 18 And you have declared this day how you have dealt well with me, in that you did not kill me when the Lord put me into your hands.’” 1 Samuel 24:17-18 (ESV) What life lesson do you draw from this power encounter? Perhaps we should learn to entrust ourselves and our future to the Lord’s care. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 104: 1 Samuel 21-24 ) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him, that he might kill him in the morning. But Michal, David’s wife, told him, ‘If you do not escape with your life tonight, tomorrow you will be killed.’ 12 So Michal let David down through the window, and he fled away and escaped.” 1 Samuel 19:11-12 (ESV) God gave David tremendous favor as he stood before Goliath with his sling and smooth stone and defeated the giant in front of the army of Israel. God’s favor was upon David as he went into battle and as he sought to soothe Saul by playing the lyre. Saul hurled a spear at David seeking to pin hm to the wall, but David evaded him twice. David was now on the run in response to Saul’s evil pursuit and inflamed jealousy. David had married Saul’s daughter, Micah, and she found out that her dad was scheming to take David’s life. Wisely, she warned David and let him down through the window so that he could flee and escape Saul’s wrath. “But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. 17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.” Psalm 59:16-17 (ESV) In one of David’s darkest moments, he wrote this song to affirm his trust in God’s steadfast love. He acknowledge that God was his fortress and refuge. David sang praise to God and affirmed his dependency upon the Lord. How do you respond to unfair treatment? How do you respond to adversity? Rest in God’s steadfast love. Find refuge in the Lord and affirm Him as your fortress. In your weakness, He is strong! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 103: 1 Samuel 18-20; Psalms 11,59 ) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Decipher the Voice
“Saul said to Samuel, ‘I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may bow before the Lord.’” 1 Samuel 15:24-25 (ESV) In our culture we are bombarded with messages that appeal to our senses and seek our attention. Multifaceted voices come our way through technology, verbal interaction, written word, and our thoughts. Deciphering the messages can be a challenge at times. Learning to hear and respond to the voice of God is vital for us to live in victory and to live a life that brings honor to God. Saul was torn between the tug of trying to please God and trying to appease people. Someone was going to feel cheated. Someone was going to be let down. Instead of fearing God and revering God, Saul chose to slide into the trap of trying to please people. He feared the people and obeyed their voice at the expense of disobeying the voice of God. God clearly instructed Saul through Samuel, “go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey” (1 Samuel 15:3 ESV). In overt disobedience to God, Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, oxen, fattened calves, and lambs. Can you decipher the voice of God among all the voices that seek your attention? When you detect the voice of God you will be detecting the voice of Truth. It is not enough to hear God’s voice; you must be willing to obey God’s voice. Are you obeying what God has already said to you? Start there! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 102: 1 Samuel 15-17 ) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell