Fri.’s Devo - Justice for All

Read: 1 Kings 2:1-3:2; Acts 5:1-42; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 16:25 The transition of David’s kingdom to Solomon’s kingdom is a picture of the transition from Trump’s first term compared to his second one to come. In his first four years, President Trump was bombarded with battle after battle with the Deep State with Covid, impeachments, threats, and now indictments…the list goes on and on. It was like David’s term of war after war. But Solomon’s term was about justice and tying up all the loose ends and getting rid of all the bad players. Then the nation was able to enjoy peace and prosperity like Israel had never seen. Trump’s next term will be about judging all the evil and bringing justice. It will be a time of the greatest prosperity America and the world have seen yet. *** David gave Solomon three assignments. He was to deal with Joab who killed Abner and Amasa who were innocent. He claimed it was an act of war but it was really an act of personal revenge. The second assignment was to reward Barzillai for feeding his men when he ran from Absalom. He rewarded him with always having a place to eat at his table. *** The third assignment had to do with Shimei, the man who had cursed him when he crossed the Jordan. Solomon called him in and told him he must live in Jerusalem and if he ever left the city, he would die. Shimei told him it was a fair decision but three years later two of his slaves escaped. He left to find them and when he returned, Solomon had him killed. *** David hadn’t mentioned what to do with Adonijah who had tried to take the kingdom. But God had a plan. Adonijah came to Bathsheba and asked her to ask Solomon if he could marry Abishag, David’s nurse. When Bathsheba asked Solomon he saw right through the request. He had Adonijah killed. *** When Joab heard that Adonijah had been killed, he knew he was next, so he went and took hold of the horns of the altar. Solomon had him killed right there. *** Now Solomon’s kingdom was established. Solomon made an alliance with Egypt and sealed it in marriage to the Pharoah’s daughter. He began his great building projects. *** In Acts, Ananias and his wife sold a piece of property and Ananias brought half of their proceeds to the apostles like Barnabas had, but claimed it was the whole amount. It was his to do as they wanted, but since he tried to lie to the Holy Spirit, he was killed and his body buried immediately. *** About three hours later, his wife, Sapphire came to the apostles. They asked her if the price her husband had given was the amount they sold their property for and she agreed. They told her what had happened to her husband who told the same lie and she immediately fell to the floor dead. The fear of the Lord fell on the entire church. *** The believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area called Solomon’s Colonnade. There they did many miracles and were greatly respected by the people. More and more were brought to the Lord through them. People from miles around brought their sick and laid them in the streets in hope that Peter’s shadow would fall across them and heal them. *** The high priest and his group were very jealous of their popularity and had the apostles arrested and put in jail. But an angel of the Lord came at night and opened the gates of the jail and bought them out. He sent them to the Temple and told them to continue preaching. When the high priest sent for the apostles to be brought from prison and appear before them for their trial, they were not there. They got news that they were preaching at the Temple. *** They went and arrested them again and brought them before the high priest. They asked the apostles why they were preaching when they told them not to. Peter told then that they had to obey God above them. They had crucified Jesus, but God had raised him up to the place of honor at his right hand. He did this so they would repent of their sins and turn to God. When they heard this, the high council was furious and wanted to kill them. *** One of the Pharisee’s, Gamaliel, stood up and ordered that the apostles be sent out of the chamber. He then addressed the men and reminded them of another rebellion that eventually died out. If they killed the apostles, it would just stir it up the movement and it would become stronger, but if they gave it time, it would die out on its own. But, if the movement was from God, there was nothing they would be able to do to stop it. *** They called the apostles in and had them flogged then set them free. They left rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer for Christ. They continued to preach in the Temple and in houses every day. The theme of their message was “Jesus is the Messiah.” *** That is still your message, Jesus. May we boldly proclaim your majesty and who you are. May we never be ashamed or lose hope. You are king over all.

Thurs.’s Devo - The Lord Was On Their Side

Read: 1 Kings 1:1-53; Acts 4:1-37; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 16:24 David was becoming old and no amount of blankets could keep him warm, so they sought a virgin girl to sleep with him to keep him warm. They found Abishag to lay beside him and take care of him. *** About the same time, Adonijah, David’s son born after Absalom, decided to make himself the next king. He recruited fifty men to run in front of his chariot to make him look important. He got Joab and Abiathar the priest on his side, but Zadok the priest; Benaiah, David’s body guard; and Nathan the prophet; Shimei, and Rei, refused to support Adonijah. *** Nathan went to Bathsheba and told her what Adonijah was planning and urged her to go at once to tell David. She went and reminded David that he had promised her Solomon would be his successor. After her, came Nathan confirming what she had said. Adonijah along withAbiathar, and Joab were at his own celebration where he was proclaiming himself king. If David didn’t do something right then, Nathan and Solomon would be wanted men. *** David ordered Zadok to take Solomon and David’s officials down to Gibson Spring. Solomon was to ride on David’s donkey and they were to anoint him king and blow the ram’s horn and shout “Long live King Solomon!” Then they were to escort him back and sit him on David’s throne. *** They did just as David had commanded and when the guests of Adonijah heard the shouting, they investigated and found out what had happened. Everyone at the party scattered and Adonijah ran to the Temple and took hold of the horns of the altar for mercy. *** Solomon had him taken down and brought to him. He told him if he proved himself loyal, he could live. He let him go home. *** In Acts, the priests and the captain of the Temple guard and some of the Sadducees were very disturbed to hear Peter and John teaching about the resurrection of the dead through Jesus. They arrested Peter and John and put them in prison until the morning. Many of the people who did believe what they preached was about 5,000. *** The next day the council met in Jerusalem. All the rulers and elders and teachers of the law were present as well as Caiphas, the high priest John, Alexander and other relatives of the high priest (all illegitimate leaders). These were Israel’s “Deep State” of their time. *** They brought out Peter and John and asked them by what power had they done this (healed the crippled man). Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit told them it was by the power of the name of Jesus Christ the man they had crucified, but God raised from the dead. He referred to the Scripture that said, “The stone the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” *** Peter went on to say that salvation is in no other name but Jesus. The members at the council were amazed at Peter’s boldness and confidence. They couldn’t deny the miracle because the man who was crippled was standing before them healed. They had Peter and John removed from the chamber so they could talk. *** They could’t deny his testimony so they called them back in and told them to never again speak in the name of Jesus. *** Peter looked at them and said, Do you think God wants us to obey you or him? There was no way they were going to stop teaching and preaching about Jesus. The council threatened them, but then let them go. *** When Peter and John reunited with the other believers and told them what they had said, they thanked the Lord together. They realized that this is what Psalm 118 had said would happen - the kings of the earth were against the Lord and his Messiah. *** Instead of being discouraged, the disciples were encouraged to continue to heal and do miracles in Jesus’ name. The believers because more strong and more united. They cared for each other and shared their blessings so everyone had what they needed. Barnabas, one of the apostles, sold a piece of land and brought the proceeds and gave it to the apostles. *** And this is what happens when the Lord is on our side like our Psalm says. Lord, thank you that you are on our side. You are going to put the legitimate leader in the office of President and you are going to pour out your Spirit on your servants. We are going to heal, preach, teach and do miracles in your name.

Wed.’s Devo - God’s Visitations

Read: 2 Samuel 23:24-24:25; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 16:21-23 David’s mightiest warriors were listed and where they were from. It begins with Joab’s brother, Asahel, and ends with Uriah, the man David had killed so he could cover his infidelity with his wife, Bathsheba. They were called David’s Thirty even though there were 37 of them. *** God was angry with Israel so he caused David to harm them by calling a census. In the law, when you take a census every man was to buy himself back for a half a shekel. David didn’t include this part so the penalty was a plague. *** It all played out like the law said it would. David had Joab number the people, then felt guilty for doing so. *** God sent the prophet Gad to David to give him the choice of three penalties for his sin: three years of famine, three months of fleeing from their enemies, or three days of severe plague throughout the land. He chose the plague. He wanted God handling the punishment, not men. *** The plague came and killed 70,000 people. When the angel bringing the plague got to Jerusalem, the Lord had mercy and told the death angel to stop. The angel was by the threshing floor of Araunah. David prayed that it would stop and took responsibility for it. *** David asked Araunah if he would sell him the land that the threshing floor was on. Araunah offered the land to David but David insisted on paying for it. He bought it for 50 pieces of silver and built an offering to the Lord on it. *** In Acts, Peter and John went to the Temple at the three o’clock prayer time. They saw a lame man begging by the door. They told him they didn’t have any silver or gold to give him but they could give him what they did have. They told him to rise and walk in the name of Jesus and he did. He was so happy he began leaping and praising God and went into the Temple with them. *** When the people realized what had happened, they were astounded and went to see him. Peter saw this as a teaching moment and began preaching about how Jesus was the Messiah and his name had healed this man. *** He told them that he knew they killed Jesus in ignorance but it had all be foretold by the prophets. Jesus would remain in heaven until the appointed time, then he would return to earth and restore all things. *** Peter reminded them that Moses had said that God would raise up a Prophet and to be careful to listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who did not listen to him would be cut off from God’s people. Peter began with the prophet Samuel and told them what every prophet had said about Jesus. *** Then Peter explained that this was the day those scriptures were being fulfilled. Abraham and said that through them all the families on the earth would be blessed. *** We are in the time where we are seeing everything restored. May we be like the disciples who aligned with God’s plan and were able to see it and believe it. Lord, we are keeping our eyes on you.

Tues.’s Devo - The Gift

Read: 2 Samuel 22:1-23:23; Acts 2:1-47; Psalm 122:1-9: Proverbs 16:19-20 When David had conquered all his enemies and Saul, he wrote this song. It is repeated in Psalm 18. It is a Messianic Psalm and speaks of what happened on the cross when the sky went dark for three hours. The earth shook and God opened the heavens and came down shrouded in darkness. He veiled his approach in the dense rain clouds. He fought the enemies of Jesus and delivered him from death. He led him to a place of safety and rewarded him for doing his will. He does the same for those who put their trust in him. *** David lists his three mightiest warriors who stood and fought when the whole army ran in fear. The meaning of the first man and where he was from is “The wise ones will return”. The second one means “God helps those he loves”. And, the third means “I will increase the desolation of those who curse”. In a nutshell it is saying that one day we will return with the Lord and destroy all who are cursed. *** David recalls one of the deeds of his three mighty men. He was thirsty so they risked their lives to bring him good water from the well by the gate of Bethlehem. He refused to drink it because it was as precious as their blood. *** Next, David honors Abishai whose name means “the gift of the Father”. He killed 300 enemy warriors in a single battle. And, lastly, David honored Benaiah whose name means “built of Jehovah”. He killed two giants and an army Egyptian warrior. He killed the Egyptian warrior with only a club. The Egyptian had a sword. He killed the man with his own sword. *** In Acts, it is the day of Pentecost when all the Jewish men would assemble to celebrate the feast. All Jesus’ believers were meeting together in the upper room when the Holy Spirit came with the sound of at the roaring mighty wind. It filled the house where they were. Then flames of fire appeared on each one of them and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in the tongues of other languages. *** The people heard the sound of the wind and came to see where it was coming from. They heard the disciples speaking in their own languages . They were amazed but some thought they were drunk. *** Peter stood up in the middle of the crowd and began to explain what was happening. He took them to the words of Joel who prophesied that in the last days God would pour out his Spirit upon all people and they would prophesy and dream dreams. God would show signs in the heavens and everyone who called upon his name would be saved. Then he reminded them of the miracles Jesus did and how he was betrayed and crucified. But God raised him back to life. He gave them scripture for this too. *** Now, Jesus has been exalted to God’s right hand and as he promised, this is the gift of the Holy Spirit he said we would receive. Jesus, the one they crucified is both Lord and Messiah. *** Peter’s words pierced their hearts and they asked what they should do. Peter told them to repent of their sins and turn to the Lord. Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and receive the git of the Holy Spirit. Three thousand believed that day. Two thousand years ago, Moses had stood and given them the law. Three thousand died. The law brings death, but the Spirit brings life eternal. *** The believers began meeting together with signs and miracles following them. They took care of one another and lived as a family. Many were added to them. *** Lord, thank you that we are returning to those days where your Spirit is being poured out again on all flesh. We are seeing the beginning of the great revival we have been promised.

Mon.’s Devo - Tying up Loose Ends

Read: 2 Samuel 20:14-21:22; Acts 1:1-26; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 16:18 Sheba traveled throughout the tribes of Israel until he came to the town of Abel-beth-maacah. Joab and his forces arrived and built a siege ramp against the town’s walls. A wise woman called to Joab from the top of the wall and ask him why he was attacking their city. Joab told her that he had nothing against the people. All he wanted was Sheba. *** The woman went back to the people of her town and convinced them to kill Sheba and throw his head over the wall to Joab. Joab and his men blew the ram’s horn and returned to Jerusalem. *** A famine arose in the land. After three years, David asked the Lord about why it was there. He told him it was because Saul tried to annihilate the Gibeonites who Joshua had made a covenant of peace with. *** David summoned the Gibeonites and asked them how he could make amends with them. Money wouldn’t be enough, they wanted seven of Saul’s sons so they could execute them at Gibeon. *** David spared Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth but gave them seven other sons. They were all executed around Pentecost. *** Rizpah was the mothers of two of the sons that were killed. She watched over their dead bodies all through the harvest season to keep the birds from eating their bodies. When David found out, he had their bodies and all the bone of Saul and his family be brought and buried in their hometown of Zela. God then ended the famine. *** The Israelites went to war with the Philistines again. David was almost killed but Aisha came to his rescue. That was when David’s men convinced David to stop going out to battle anymore. Four giants were killed in their battles with the Philistines. *** In Acts, Luke writes to Theophilus all the things that Jesus did when he appeared to the disciples after he died. Jesus had talked to then about the Kingdom of God. *** He told then to stay in Jerusalem until the Father sends them the gift of the Holy Spirit and he baptizes them. The Holy Spirit would give them power to be his witnesses. After Jesus told him this, he was taken up to heaven. Two angels appeared to them and said that Jesus would one day return from heaven in the same way they saw him leave. *** Jesus’ followers all met together in prayer and waited. There were about 120 of them. Peter stood up and reported the awful death of Judas and what the scriptures said about replacing him. They nominated two men: Joseph and Matthias. They cast lots and it fell on Matthias. *** God doesn’t like loose ends. He finishes what he started. Breaking covenant with the Gibeonites was a big deal to God and he didn’t forget their promise. Lord, help us to close all the doors to sin and not leave anything open that he could reenter. May you shut every door we have left open and open every door that needs to be opened in our lives.

Sun.’s Devo David’s Return to his Kingdom; Jesus Return to his Disciples

Read: 2 Samuel 19:11-20:13; John 21:1-25; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 16:16-17 David sent Zadok and Abiathar, the priests to confront the leaders of Israel. They asked him why they were the last ones to welcome back the king. They told Amasa that if he came with David, David would appoint him as commander of his army. Amasa then convinced the men of Judah to follow David. *** Now, David knew it was safe to come back home and began the journey back to Jerusalem. When he and his men came to the Jordan River, he was met by all the players who he had met when he left. *** Shimei, the one who had cursed him and thrown stones at him came humbly to ask for forgiveness (but mainly to save his life.) David spared him. *** Mephibosheth came saying Ziba had deceived him and wouldn’t saddle his donkey for him to follow David (he was crippled). David spared him but told him he was dividing his land equally between him and Ziba. Mephibosheth was fine with that. He would continue to eat at David’s table. *** Barzillai who had met David and his men with food the first time met him again to welcome him back to his kingdom. David tried to get him to come with him so he could take care of him since he was an old man but Barzillai wanted to live his last days in his own hometown. He gave David his son, Kimham to care for. David took him with him and promised to help him in anyway Barzillai wanted. *** David was met by the men of Israel who complained that they weren’t invited to help the king cross the Jordan and felt slighted. They argued with the men of Judah until Sheba stood up and blew a ram’s horn and shouted, “Down with the dynasty of David” and called the people back to their homes. They deserted David to follow Sheba. *** When David got to the palace he put his concubines in a secluded house and they were treated like widows. He told Amasa to mobilize his army and report back in three days. He didn’t make it back in that time. *** David sent Abishai and Joab with his troops to chase after Sheba to stop him before he could start a rebellion. They ran into Amasa and Joab killed him. Joab called Amasa’s men to join him in chasing Sheba. *** In John, Jesus appeared to his disciples again when they had gone fishing. The disciples were in the boat and hadn’t caught a thing. Jesus called out from the shore and told them to throw out their net on the right-hand side of the boat and they would catch some. They did and caught so many fish, they struggled to haul them all in. This was the exact miracle Jesus had done the first time he met them. *** John caught on and told Peter, it was the Lord. Peter jumped into the water and headed for shore. The rest brought the boat in. Jesus was waiting for them with breakfast cooking on the fire and some bread. *** After breakfast, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him. Peter answered him affirmatively all three times. Jesus gave him a directive to feed his lambs, take care of his sheep and feed his sheep. He ended with “Follow me.” *** Lord, may we feed and take care of your lambs and your sheep. May we follow you in all we do.

Sat.’s Devo - Satan is Defeated!

Read: 2 Samuel 18:1-19:10; John 20:1-31; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 16:14-15 David divided his army into three parts and put his trusted commanders in charge of them. He announced that he was going to join them in the battle but they convinced him to stay safe. If they killed David, the battle was over. *** Absalom had been advised by Ahithophel to do the same but had followed Hushai’s advice and went to battle, himself. *** David commanded his officers to bring Absalom to him, alive. Twenty thousand of Absalom’s men were killed the first day. The next day, Absalom was running from one of David’s men when he got his hair caught in the branches of a tree. The man told Joab about it. Joab scolded him for not killing him but the soldier had heard what David said and couldn’t be bought. Joab went and drove three daggers into Absalom’s heart and Joab’s men finished him off. *** Joab blew the ram’s horn and the battle was over. They threw Absalom’s body into a deep pit and piled stones over it. All Israel fled to their homes. *** Absalom had built a monument to himself in the King’s Valley to honor himself, so people wouldn’t forget him since he had no heirs. *** Two runners went to tell David the news. Ahimahaz had begged to be a runner because he wanted to prepare David for the next runner who would tell him the sad news about Absalom. *** David was very sad, his army began to feel guilty for fighting for him. Joab went in and told David that if he didn’t go and congratulate his army, he would have no one left to follow him. He finally did go meet the people. The nation was in a state of upheaval as to what they were going to do and who they were going to follow, now that Absalom was dead. *** In John, Mary and the women who followed Jesus went to the tomb early the day after the Sabbath. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb and the tomb empty. They ran to tell Peter and John. *** Peter and John ran to the tomb and saw the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head folded up and lying apart from the rest of the body. They then understood what the Scriptures had meant when it said, he must rise from the dead. They left and went home. *** Mary stayed. She looked into the tomb and saw two angels. They asked her what she was looking for. She told them someone had taken Jesus’ body. *** Mary saw a person standing near her and asked him where they had put Jesus. The man called her by name and she recognized the man to be Jesus. She went to hug him but he told her not to touch him because he hadn’t ascended to the Father yet. He told her to go get his followers. She ran to tell them. The next Sabbath evening, the disciples were all meeting behind locked doors for safety. Suddenly, Jesus appeared to them and showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. He breathed on them and told them to receive the Holy Spirit. They now had the power to forgive sins. *** Thomas had not been there when Jesus appeared to them so he said he wouldn’t believe unless he could see the wounds in his hands like they had. Jesus appeared to him and gave him that opportunity and the invitation to believe. *** Lord, we are blessed because we believe even though we haven’t seen. May our faith be evident in the way we live our lives.