September 2016 – Praying Pint

Excellent Wife

“An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.”

Judges 14:19
And he said to them,
“If you had not plowed with my heifer,
you would not have found out my riddle.”
And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon and struck down thirty men of the town and took their spoil and gave the garments to those who had told the riddle. In hot anger he went back to his father’s house. And Samson’s wife was given to his companion, who had been his best man.

Ruth 3:9
And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.

Proverbs 12:4
An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

Proverbs 31:10
An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.

Samson went to marry his foreign bride. During the 7 day feast he made a bet with 30 of the men from the city about solving a riddle. His wife had little choice – find out the answer to the riddle or you and your fathers house will all burn. In the end her and her family were all killed however not at this time. I am reminded of what is said in Proverbs – “An excellent wife is hard to find” – “An excellent wife is a precious jewel” – “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband”. I wonder how many times I don’t see my wife as my crown, a precious jewel, and my blessing from God. When our eyes are off of God and His blessings in our life we so easily lose sight of them. A crown we would display proudly and wear it with confidence. A precious jewel we would cherish and protect it with all our might. A blessing we would live with a never ending thankful heart. I have failed in this so many times. Oh God keep these thoughts of my wife fresh on my heart and mind.

Praying Moms and Dads

“Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.”

Judges 14:1
Timnah, and at Timnah he saw one of the daughters of the Philistines. Then he came up and told his father and mother, “I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah. Now get her for me as my wife.” But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.”
His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.

Genesis 24:2
And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.

Genesis 28:1
Then Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and directed him, “You must not take a wife from the Canaanite women.
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.

Romans 6:21
But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?

Romans 7:5
For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.

Samson says “I have seen a girl and I want her for my wife” His parents respond “must you go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” I know following this verse it says that his parents did not know it was from the Lord. I like the fact that the parents immediately brought up the fact that he was asking for something that they deemed not right in the eyes of God. We see this again when Abraham made the lead servant over all he had swear by God that he would find a wife for Issac in line with God’s word. Again we see Issac say to his son “do not take a wife outside of God’s word.” In the new testament it was stated another way for broader application in our lives “do not be unequally yoke with unbelievers.” How many times are people asking you “what do you think about the plans I am making?” It is good for us to know how to respond. Some things seem minor and others seem major decisions. Know What God’s word says allows us to season our response in line with the light of His word. Other times it is good for us to “Pray” specifically in line with God’s word. I know of a mom who got to know the young woman her son was dating. She did not think this young woman was right for her son and believed God gave her insight into this. This mom began to Pray specifically that her son would see that this young woman was not right for him. She also asked other ladies to pray in line with this. I am not sure the length of time she and others prayed but she told me of a phone call she received from her son. She said he called with tears and a heavy heart telling her that he had broke up with his girlfriend because he felt she was not right for him. Godly moms are a blessing to their sons and daughters. Praying moms are a blessing to their sons and daughters. Another time a father told me how he stood by his daughter many times holding her in his arms telling her do not cry sweetheart God has a man for you. She waited and waited and he continued to hold her and tell her God will supply a godly man for you. I did not ask him how he prayed and for how long he prayed for her but I do know that God supplied his daughter with a godly husband. The mom of the son and the father of daughter still talk of this work of God and proclaim His faithfulness. Both of their children are married now to godly spouses. Knowing God’s word builds our faith in the one and only true God who is all powerful, faithful, and able to do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine.

God’s Plan

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Judges 15:7
And Samson said to them, “If this is what you do, I swear I will be avenged on you, and after that I will quit.” And he struck them hip and thigh with a great blow, and he went down and stayed in the cleft of the rock of Etam.
Then the Philistines came up and encamped in Judah and made a raid on Lehi. And the men of Judah said, “Why have you come up against us?” They said, “We have come up to bind Samson, to do to him as he did to us.” Then 3,000 men of Judah went down to the cleft of the rock of Etam, and said to Samson, “Do you not know that the Philistines are rulers over us? What then is this that you have done to us?” And he said to them, “As they did to me, so have I done to them.” And they said to him, “We have come down to bind you, that we may give you into the hands of the Philistines.” And Samson said to them, “Swear to me that you will not attack me yourselves.” They said to him, “No; we will only bind you and give you into their hands. We will surely not kill you.” So they bound him with two new ropes and brought him up from the rock.
When he came to Lehi, the Philistines came shouting to meet him. Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and the ropes that were on his arms became as flax that has caught fire, and his bonds melted off his hands. And he found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, and put out his hand and took it, and with it he struck 1,000 men.

And he was very thirsty, and he called upon the Lord and said, “You have granted this great salvation by the hand of your servant, and shall I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?” And God split open the hollow place that is at Lehi, and water came out from it. And when he drank, his spirit returned, and he revived. Therefore the name of it was called En-hakkore; it is at Lehi to this day. And he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.

Joshua 23:10
One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you. Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God. For if you turn back and cling to the remnant of these nations remaining among you and make marriages with them, so that you associate with them and they with you, know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you,

Remember prior to the birth of Samson in Chapter 13 it stated “And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.” The Philistines ruled over Israelites. And in chapter 14 it stated “His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he (God) was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines”. God used Samson to inflict quite a bit of revenge against the Philistines. The Philistines then went after Samson. The Spirit of the Lord was with Samson and he struck 1,000 Philistine men. God had raised Samson up for His purpose. In Isaiah 25:1 “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure” How are we to know the exact plan(s) of God for our life? We don’t but what we do know is stated clearly in Jeremiah 29:11,Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” These plans to give us hope, a future, and to prosper us come with us when we desire serving God, when we choose to live each moment of every day honoring and glorifying Him. However if we choose to do what is not right in the eyes of God these blessing from God will never be seen. In fact just the opposite will come upon us. Do you want hope and a future? Spend time in God’s word, know Him, desire Him, live for Him.

Excellent Wife

“An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.”

Judges 14:19 And he said to them,“If you had not plowed with my heifer,you would not have found out my riddle.”And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon and struck down thirty men of the town and took their spoil and gave the garments to those who had told the riddle. In hot anger he went back to his father’s house. And Samson’s wife was given to his companion, who had been his best man.

Ruth 3:9 And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.” And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich.

Proverbs 12:4
An excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.
The thoughts of the righteous are just;
the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

Proverbs 31:10
An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.

Think about what you put first before your wife.

Praying Moms and Dads!

“Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.”

Romans 6:21
But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?

Romans 7:5
For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.

What more shall I say

“And what more shall I say?”

Judges 13:24
And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson. And the young man grew, and the Lord blessed him. And the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtao

1 Samuel 2:21
And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.

2:26
And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.

3:19
The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.

Luke 1:80
And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Hebrews 11:32
And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

There are numerous accounts given where God interceded in bringing a person into the lives of the people of that time. Remember during this time of the old covenant God’s holy spirit was not continuously present with mankind. In fact there was greater than 400 year time when there were no prophets just before John the Baptist and Jesus birth. I wonder what expectations of God are on us who live with the presence of the Holy Spirit available. Do we allow ourselves to be filled, lead, instructed, convicted, supported, encouraged by the Holy Spirit? Are we listening for that quit still voice speaking into our lives? Are we willing to obey what we hear? Do we give reverence to God for any of this interceding? I ask myself this over and over again. Do I place God first? Am I listening for and to His guidance and instruction? Am I willing to obey His leading? Do I show reverence for Him? Do I see Him in the light that I want to only honor and serve Him? If I am honest there are days I can say yes to some of these and many more I do not? I have so much more room to grow in this understanding. When I catch a glimpse of His majesty I realize I am not even close to a microscopic drop on the tip of an iceberg. Oh God open my eyes, ears, mind and heart to know more of you

Angel of the Lord Appeared

Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the Lord. And Manoah said to his wife, “We shall surely die, for we have seen God.”

Judges 13:2
There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” Then the woman came and told her husband, “A man of God came to me, and his appearance was like the appearance of the angel of God, very awesome. I did not ask him where he was from, and he did not tell me his name, but he said to me, Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. So then drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.’”
Then Manoah prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, please let the man of God whom you sent come again to us and teach us what we are to do with the child who will be born.” And God listened to the voice of Manoah, and the angel of God came again to the woman as she sat in the field. But Manoah her husband was not with her. So the woman ran quickly and told her husband, “Behold, the man who came to me the other day has appeared to me.” And Manoah arose and went after his wife and came to the man and said to him, “Are you the man who spoke to this woman?” And he said, “I am.” And Manoah said, “Now when your words come true, what is to be the child’s manner of life, and what is his mission?” And the angel of the Lord said to Manoah, “Of all that I said to the woman let her be careful. She may not eat of anything that comes from the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, or eat any unclean thing. All that I commanded her let her observe.”
Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “Please let us detain you and prepare a young goat for you.” And the angel of the Lord said to Manoah, “If you detain me, I will not eat of your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, then offer it to the Lord.” (For Manoah did not know that he was the angel of the Lord.) And Manoah said to the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that, when your words come true, we may honor you?” And the angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?” So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it on the rock to the Lord, to the one who works wonders, and Manoah and his wife were watching. And when the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, the angel of the Lord went up in the flame of the altar. Now Manoah and his wife were watching, and they fell on their faces to the ground. The angel of the Lord appeared no more to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the Lord. And Manoah said to his wife, “We shall surely die, for we have seen God.”

leviticus 9:24
And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the pieces of fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

1 Chronicles 21:16
And David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the Lord standing between earth and heaven, and in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.

Ezekiel 1:28
Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

Exodus 3:6
At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

Deuteronomy 5:26
For what mortal has ever heard the voice of the living God speaking out of fire, as we have, and survived?

The story of Samson. The angel of the Lord visited the woman (his future mom) and spoke. She went and told her husband and he asked God for confirmation. God Listened and the angel of the Lord came and spoke again. When they offered up a sacrifice and saw the angel of the Lord go up in the flames, to be seen no more, they fell on their face and thought they would die because they thought they saw God. I am intrigued by this and as well other scripture that speaks of the same response. Falling on their face and thinking they would die. They had just been witness to an act of God. They fell on their face to worship Him and then because they thought it was God they thought they would die. Two things come to mind. Do we have the same reverence for God? When we see His holy power and strength in acts around us do we fall on our face in reverence? Do we reverence His holiness to the point where we would think we would die if we saw Him? Are we looking for His intervention in our lives? Do we acknowledge Him when these happen? Do we fall on our face with awe, wonder, and reverence? Do we understand our sinful nature in light of His holiness? I think this is something we need to be mindful of everyday. Know God lives. Look for and expect to see His hand at work in our lives. Give reverence to this work when we see it. God becomes more and more alive in our lives when we stay in His word. Our faith grows as we stay in His word. Our lives change for the better when we stay in His word. Purpose to stay in His word! Live in such a way that all you think, say, and do brings honor and glory to Him!

Seems right

“And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord”

Judges 12:7
Jephthah led Israel six years. Then Jephthah the Gileadite died and was buried in a town in GileadAfter him, Ibzan of Bethlehem led Israel. He had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He gave his daughters away in marriage to those outside his clan, and for his sons he brought in thirty young women as wives from outside his clan. Ibzan led Israel seven years. Then Ibzan died and was buried in Bethlehem.
After him, Elon the Zebulunite led Israel ten years. Then Elon died and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.
After him, Abdon son of Hillel, from Pirathon, led Israel. He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys. He led Israel eight years. Then Abdon son of Hillel died and was buried at Pirathon in Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites. Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.

Judges 3:7
And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. They forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asheroth. Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan- rishathaim king of Mesopotamia. And the people of Israel served Cushan- rishathaim eight years

Judges 4:1
And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud died. And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan

Judges 6:1
The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord gave them into the hand of Midian seven years

All through Judges we see time and time again of His people falling away. I think about this often and wonder how this happens. Sometimes I think it starts with one person who is looked at as a person of God. His actions and words seem right. Somewhere along the line he takes a small step way and then another and another. I have to think back in his mind he is watching the reaction of those around him for approval or not. Every little step is further and further away from serving God. It is not as though he is wanting to lead people astray but rather trying to justify the way that seems easier for him. The more people who do not speak up and hold him accountable the more others take this path as “Approved”. When men of God do not speak up and hold their brothers and sisters accountable, when they don’t encourage and warn them to honor and glorify God – history shows us how easy it is to follow what the culture is saying is ok. Proverbs states it like this:

“There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
Even in laughter the heart may ache,
and the end of joy may be grief.
The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways”

People wonder why it is important to read and know scripture. If we do not desire it, read it, know it, meditate on it, remember it, – how can we obey it and live in such a way that all we say and what we do is honoring and glorifying God.

God is Alive

“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just”
“God is witness between you and me”

Judges 11:23
“Now since the Lord, the God of Israel, has driven the Amorites out before his people Israel, what right have you to take it over? Will you not take what your god Chemosh gives you? Likewise, whatever the Lord our God has given us, we will possess. Are you any better than Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab? Did he ever quarrel with Israel or fight with them? For three hundred years Israel occupied Heshbon, Aroer, the surrounding settlements and all the towns along the Arnon. Why didn’t you retake them during that time? I have not wronged you, but you are doing me wrong by waging war against me. Let the Lord, the Judge, decide the dispute this day between the Israelites and the Ammonites.”
The king of Ammon, however, paid no attention to the message Jephthah sent him.
Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah. He crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced against the Ammonites. And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord:“If you give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord ’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.”
Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into his hands. He devastated twenty towns from Aroer to the vicinity of Minnith, as far as Abel Keramim. Thus Israel subdued Ammon.
When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of timbrels! She was an only child. Except for her he had neither son nor daughter. When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, “Oh no, my daughter! You have brought me down and I am devastated. I have made a vow to the Lord that I cannot break.”
“My father,” she replied, “you have given your word to the Lord. Do to me just as you promised, now that the Lord has avenged you of your enemies, the Ammonites. But grant me this one request,” she said. “Give me two months to roam the hills and weep with my friends, because I will never marry.”
“You may go,” he said. And he let her go for two months. She and her friends went into the hills and wept because she would never marry. After the two months, she returned to her father, and he did to her as he had vowed. And she was a virgin.

Joshua 3:10
And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites.

Deuteronomy 2:36
The Lord our God gave all into our hands

Jephthah was driven out by his clan and later when they were in trouble they came to him for help. What amazes me with Jephthah was his historical knowledge of how Israel moved through the land that God lead them to and gave into their hands. He speaks of God as Judge over all the earth. He places God’s judgment over that of men. Joshua also spoke of God as the “living God” and Moses said “the Lord our God gave all into our hands”. It is good for us to constantly remember that our God is Living – He is Judge over all the earth – He is judge over all of mankind. I think Paul said it best when he said “what manner of people ought you to be in light of all of this – including salvation through Jesus Christ?” Keep in mind that God is living and will judge us for not only our actions but our thoughts – keep your heart pure, fill it with a desire for God – live with the sole purpose to honor and glorify Him.

Love Never Fails

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:5

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self- seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 10:24
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor

Matthew 5:22
But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.

I was at a very special wedding this weekend and these verses from 1 Cor 13 were read. I guess we expect these verses to be read at the wedding as a guide to the new couple to base their new life together on. How much do I allow these to permeate my everyday thoughts and actions? I can’t remember the last time I have spent time thinking about these verses but what a wake up call. Love is patient – This is not something that comes natural to me. It is so easy to get wigged out over plans not happing as “I” want. Love is not proud – I happen to know that parents of the bride and groom were both proud and thankful. They might have even been a bit boastful – “that is my daughter – that is my son”. Their being proud and boastful was encapsulated with thankful hearts to God for their children and occasion. Love is not easily angered, love is not self-seeking, love keeps no record of wrongs – oh my this is something we can all put on our mirrors and read daily. How much nicer would our immediate world be if we were the ones living this out. True love never fails.