"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation. or shifting shadow."

Our earthly fathers pale in comparison to our heavenly Father who would gift us with His perfect gift in Christ Jesus. Jesus, would ultimately die on the cross for our sins, bringing forgiveness, love and life abundant to all who would receive Him. Today, and each and every day, lets not forget the greatness of our Lord, celebrating Him.

Pastor Russell

"And David took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the shepherd's bag which he had, and his sling was in his hand; and he approached the Philistine."

While facing the giant Goliath, the Lord had David choose five smooth stones as projectiles he would use with his slingshot. Though it would take only one stone to take him out, the Lord had made provision for the other giants he would eventually face. God knew what was to come, and He would provide the weaponry to face all comers. God does the same things for us, bible study, prayer fellowship , communion and worship to name just a few, become part of the repertoire that He has provided for us. Be sure to be well equipped in Christ.

Pastor Russell

"And He saw that there was no one to intercede; then His own arm brought salvation to Him; and His righteousness upheld Him."

Long before His coming, God recognized the need of a Saviour. Man could not do it on his own merit, his acts of doing good, or charitable deeds could never reach the place of earning salvation. But God, in His great love would Himself raise up One who would be able to reckon sin as conquered. Jesus would appear to be the propitiation for all who would come to Him, and receive all that He has for them.

Pastor Russell

"So all the men of Israel withdrew from following David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah remained steadfast to their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem."

The historical books of the bible are littered with accounts of uprising, battle, power struggles and warfare. Like the life of the Christian, all of the above including temptation, serve to throw us off from following the King of Kings. The same battles we see being fought in the time of David, are much the same we see being waged in our lives and those around us today. Beware, know where the we can seek wisdom from the playbook, God's word, enabling us to stay steady in Him.

Pastor Russell

"Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim; and he went on to the Jordan with the king to escort him over the Jordan."

This one Barzillai was one to come along side and give aid to David and his band as they were on the run from Absolom. He had supplied much food and drygoods, along with linens and utensils. Though advanced in age, he still stood by as one available in the service of the Lord. David would go onto encouraging him to come and enjoy his hospitality in Jerusalem, yet he would graciously refuse the kings invitation. He was one who was quite satisfied with where God had him. No fancy courts of the royal palace, or the extragance of royal oppulence, but humbly worshipping, waiting on the Lord's next set of instructions, content where he was at. We're never told how long this man lived, but we can only surmise that he was one who lived loving the Lord, in service and worship of Him.

Pastor Russell

When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: "Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses."

The battle raged against the returning Jews, who tried to rebuild and reoccupy the city of Jerusalem. Much like today, the battle rages on throughout the world, as we seem to be racing headlong to destruction. New agendas, invasions, green initiatives, gays battling for the lives of our children... the list goes on as we seem to be those who sleep and slumber as destruction approaches. We battle not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities... we fight on our knees in prayer. Don't focus on the minors and miss the majors happening around us.

Pastor Russell

....and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, brought beds, basins, pottery, wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans lentils, parched seeds, honey curds, sheep, and cheese of the herd for David and for the people who were with him, to eat; for they said, "The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness."

On the ropes, in the wilderness, David on the run from those that sought his destruction. But God.....so gracious in His provision, provided a larder beyond belief, that brought comfort, refreshment and rejuvenation for the weary band. God is so good, to provide for us the things He knows we need, in times of distress and worry.

Pastor Russell

"And I will come upon him while he weary and exhausted and will terrify him so that all the people who are with him will flee. Then I will strike down the king alone."

Ahithophel, was a man once motivated by God, we now find him moving swiftly in the flesh to exact revenge and payback for David, now in retreat from the capital city. From God's will, to I will, he was blinded by his passion. This portion of scripture gives us all fair warning of the pitfalls of the flesh, prone to our own circumstances, we at times tempted to giving in to our own "I wills". Whatever seeks to take us away from our focus of the Lord needs to be recognized and dealt with accordingly.

Pastor Russell

And the king said to Zadok, "Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the sight of the Lord, then He will bring me back again, and show me both it and His habitation."

David, the king, now deposed, left the his capitol. Weeping, barefooted, with his head covered, on his way to exile, shows trust and a firm resolve in the Lord. Leaving his life and the kingdom in the hands of the Lord, he becomes a doer of God's word in Romans 8:28. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." A great example for all of us, that the Lord is working on our behalf, through the good and bad.

Pastor Russell

"....so is my lord the king to discern good and evil. And may the Lord your God be with you."

The woman sent by Joab to speak to David had some good words, whether from a preconceived script or speaking of her own volition, it would be applicable to David or most people. Oh that the Lord would give us wisdom to know good from evil, and the Lord would be with us. So simple, yet so profound, that God would endue us with the ability to choose between good and evil, and that we might walk with Him. Good words for us all.

Pastor Russell

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and the He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul hits the message of the gospel in two short verses. His reminder to all believers for all time reminds us of the fact that Jesus died for our sins, and just as importantly we are reminded that He rose again on the third day. "For in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive."  (vs 21)  Our hope is in our resurrected Lord, and that the power that raised Him will one day raise us to be alive with Him for all eternity.

Pastor Russell

"Thou will make known to me the path of life; in Thy presence is fullness of joy; in Thy right hand there are pleasures forever."

We find the week of the passion of Christ upon us, and we rejoice at the reminder of His love for us as He willingly laid down His life for us. All of a sudden in Him, the weak have their strength renewed, the hopeless are filled with renewed vigor, those mired down in a quagmire of doubt have their faith made new in Him. The completed work of Christ on the cross of Calvary means life and hope, forgiveness of sin for those who embrace Him. Lets never forget the great things He has done and accomplished on our behalf. 

Pastor Russell