Witnes: The Spirit

Witness: The Spirit

by Heather Collver

Oh, how I love weddings! They are so romantic. I am a true romantic at heart. Nothing pulls on my heart strings better than seeing the groom react as he sees his bride for the first time. All dressed to the T. What thoughts are going through his head. Ahhh, how beautiful the union to come. What gets me even more is when he tenderly embraces her and treats her as a queen. As a newly married couple, most brides and grooms offer each other a ring, or a symbol of their love for each other, to keep with them and to carry as a reminder of their commitment to one another.

Just imagine my romantic thoughts as I realized how this connects with our Lord. His love for us is so tender. He pours out gifts and blessings for us and tenderly embraces us with comfort and joy. His expression in his heart must be that of overwhelming joy when he hears our commitment to love and serve him the rest of our days. Just as a newly married couple, he is quick to offer to us a symbol of his love and a reminder of our commitment. It is the Holy Spirit. It's a true love story at it's finest. One who will keep us through sickness and health. Provide for us and comfort us. No wonder he wants to be the third witness in a wedding ceremony, to become one with his creation, as he intended. I believe my Lord is a hopeless romantic like me, for I am wonderfully and fearfully made in his image!

I know, I know, come back to reality, Heather. Truly though, it is reality, he is our Lord, he wants to treat us as his bride. What would our world be like if every Man could reflect that perfect image as a groom? In order for that, I am assuming every Woman would have to reflect the perfect image as a bride. That probably won't happen in our lifetime, but the truth I can hold onto is that there is a perfect relationship, it is that of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In that perfect relationship, we have been invited to partake.

God witnesses to those who believe in Him. He assures us salvation. In that assurance, he provides for us a gift, or symbol of which we are able to carry with us as a reminder of our new union with our Lord and savior, he give us the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God".

I will never forget the moment that I knew that my spirit had received it's perfect union in my life. When the Father had welcomed me into his relationship with the Son and spirit. I could feel it in my soul. I wasn't perfect, I had so much that needed to be done in my life. I still do for God's sake, really, He needs much more from me than I think I am able to give. Oh, but I have a gift that is just mine, a piece of the big picture, and it dwells in me. Praise God.

Dear Lord, thank you for making me a romantic. I like to think you are very much the same. Thank you for painting this picture so clearly for me. How perfect your timing too. I pray for those who are separated from their spouse this week, I know I will be one of them. Care for our spouses and God help us to really care for them as you created us to do. Lord, I thank you for your Spirit that dwells in me. I pray that we are a people who are willing to listen to your Spirit and to be sensitive enough to hear it's guidance in our lives.

Please pray for those who are newly married, soon to be married, or are married and struggling. Don't forget to praise for those pillar marriages that give us something to strive for, that encourage us. Don't forget your own marriage, new truths that God has in store for you and your mate.

Jealousy, Day 3

On Day 1 we looked at the definitions for jealousy. Today I want to look at number 3.vigilance in maintaining or guarding something.

How do we have jealousy and do it out of Spirit? Vigilance can be good and it can be bad. Many of us have seen what happens when someone has a jealous personality that destroys all of their relationships. It is easy to loose the things we love when our vigilance becomes control and obsession.

We have a couple of wonderful fruit in our lives that allows us to be vigilant and guarding in our relationships without becoming the thing that causes bitterness and resentment.

Let me just put this out there. I am a jealous person, especially when it comes to my husband. I am jealous of his time and his attention. It would be easy for me to control him and make crazy accusations that come from my wild imagination. Don't get me wrong, I haven't always gotten this right. At the beginning of our marriage I was always accusing him of spending too much time with people at work, of having a girl friend. My jealousy came from a place of pure insecurity. I still have my days but I have changed my perspective.

Marriages need a bit of vigilance and guarding. Actually, maybe a lot more then we give them. They are suppose to be our number one human relationships and we give them the least of our attention. Our spouses get our worst. As Christians we proudly show off our beautiful fruit of love and patience and kindness and self-control and we don't realize we don't share those very things with the one we supposedly love the most.

What would happen in your marriage if you vigilantly poured in kindness, gentleness, joy and faithfulness? Do you think things would change? In Galatians 5:25 it tells us that if we live BY the Spirit, then we also WALK by the Spirit. (emphasis mine). Sometimes in our Christian lives it is easier to have and give the gifts of God in the outside world. When we pour into our marriages and allow the vulnerability it takes to be real with someone, our families will reap the benefits. it is hard to put yourself out there and not know how someone with respond or even if any of it will come back to you. Trust me, it is worth all the effort you can gather to put fruit in your marriage. Your spouse may know the worst and last that you have to give, but do they know the first fruits of your life?

What would happen in your marriage if you were guarding it with love, peace, patience and self-control? I don't want to scare you but your marriage needs guarding, they all do. This world isn't a big fan of great marriages. We can't be passive about the one we love the most, the one we once said we wanted to spend our entire lives with.

Galatians 5: 22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Elizabeth

Day 1
Her name means “God is my Oath”

Her Character: A descendant of Aaron, Elizabeth was woman the Bible calls “upright in the sight of God.” Like very few others, male or female, she is praised for observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations with out blame. She is the first to acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

Her Sorrow: To be barren for most of her life.

Her Joy: To give birth to John, later known as John the Baptist, the Messiah’s forerunner. His name, divinely assigned, means “the Lord is gracious”

Key Scripture: Luke 1:5 - 80 (below, it’s long, but worth reading)

5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. 8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” 18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.” 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless. 23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Christ’s Birth Announced to Mary

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him,she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

The Song of Mary

46 And Mary said:
“ My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
55 As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.” 56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.

Birth of John the Baptist

57 Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. 58 When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

Circumcision of John the Baptist

59 So it was, on the eighth day, that they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60 His mother answered and said, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 But they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 So they made signs to his father—what he would have him called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, “His name is John.” So they all marveled. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God. 65 Then fear came on all who dwelt around them; and all these sayings were discussed throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 And all those who heard them kept them in their hearts, saying, “What kind of child will this be?” And the hand of the Lord was with him.

Zacharias’ Prophecy

67 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
68 “ Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David,
70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
Who have been since the world began,
71 That we should be saved from our enemies
And from the hand of all who hate us,
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
74 To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.
76 “ And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people
By the remission of their sins,
78 Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
79 To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.” 80 So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

Day 2
Incense
Elizabeth’s husband, Zechariah, had been given a very special, very serious privilege. (most all of us are given a special privilege, it is how we choose to look at it that makes it special) When it was his priestly division’s turn to serve in the temple, he was chosen by lot - which was God’s way of making the choice - to burn incense in the temple. Each morning and evening he took fire from the altar of burnt offering and placed in on the golden altar of incense that stood before the curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. He then poured the dusty incense from a golden urn onto the fire. While Zechariah performed this duty, all the worshipers who were at the temple that day stood outside and prayed. The smoke and aroma of the incense symbolized their prayers rising up to God. The fragrance also served to fumigate air tainted with the odor of the blood of animals killed for the sacrifices.

The earliest historical records about worship include information on the burning of incense. All the nations surrounding Palestine appreciated the sweet smell of incense permeating not only their places of worship but also their homes. The incense Zechariah burned in the temple was made according to a special “recipe” (Exodus 30:34 - 38) of spices and salt that had been ground to a powder. This holy incense could be used only in the temple in worship, never for ordinary, everyday purposes. (Thank God we no longer have to go to the temple and we can go directly to Him through His son Jesus Christ). The prophet Jeremiah Often condemned the Israelites for burning incense to false gods. But he could be even more scathing in his denunciation when they burned incense when their hears weren’t in their worship (Jeremiah 6:20). God made it clear that the mere burning of incense didn’t please him; it was only a symbol. He was looking for hearts that were turned toward him in faithfulness and trust.

Dear God, first I must thank you that I do not have to sacrifice an animal and shed it’s blood in order to worship you or clear my sins. I am in awe that you gave us your son as the ultimate sacrifice. I am so amazed by the history that I can learn from your Word. I pray that every woman that receives this will be willing to notice that there are no coincidences that they belong to this devotional or to your Kingdom. You have chosen us by lot. Help us to carry out your purpose in our lives, showing us our very special, very serious privilege. Help our words to be like incense to you, what we say be a sweet fragrance to all that hear. Most of all, work in our hearts, the area we struggle with when there are broken relationships and hurts. We are thankful you created us after your own likeness, giving us an insight of how deeply you can love us. It is in your Son’s name, Jesus Christ, that we come humbly before you today . Amen.

Day 3

Read Luke 1: 5-25
What important things do these verses tell you about Elizabeth and Zechariah? Do you think the words of verse 6 mean they were perfect? If not, what do these words mean?
Why do you think Zechariah didn’t believe the angel (1:1)? Was he so afraid? Was the announcement so unbelievable? Why do you think he was punished for not believing?
Imagine an angel coming to you with some unexpected and unbelievable announcement. What would your reaction be?
Why would Elizabeth say she was disgraced among her people (1:25)?
Describe how the infertile woman feels today. Is disgrace part of her feelings? If you know someone who is struggling with infertility, how can you be a friend and support to her.
Read Luke 1:39 -45
Do you think the reaction of Elizabeth’s baby to Mary’s arrival was just coincidence? What do you think prompted the baby to “leap” just then (1:41)?
Elizabeth didn’t just smile and offer a quiet prayer when Mary arrived. She “exclaimed” and praised God “in a loud voice” (1:42). What would have to happen for you to exclaim your praise to God in a loud voice?
What is the focus of Elizabeth’s praise in verse 45: what God has done in her life or what God has done in Mary’s life? What does this reveal about Elizabeth?

Day 4 (and 5)

Her Legacy of Prayer
Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished - Luke 1:45
Reflect on Luke 1:5 - 80
Praise God that he is the Creator who shapes every child in the womb.
Offer thanks for the gift of children.
Confess any tendency to cheapen the value of human life, including unborn life.
Ask God to restore our appreciation for the miracle of human life.
Lift your heart
A person’s a person, no matter how small! - from Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss.
It is amazing to read about a child leaping inside the womb. I know with 3 children, I could never tire of the movements inside, although uncomfortable at times, it was a constant reminder of the LIFE growing inside of me. A life that God had purposed for me to bring into this world. While he did most all the work, creating my body to form and develop a baby from a single cell into a person. It is even more exciting to share in the joy and anticipation when others are pregnant as well. How exciting it must have been for Mary, probably in her first trimester, and Elizabeth, most likely in her third trimester. One much older than the other, both experiencing the miracle of pregnancy. Here is a reminder of what happens during the development of a child.
18 days - nervous system appears
30 days - most major organ systems begin to form.
4 weeks- heart begins to beat
7 weeks - facial features are visible
8 weeks - all major body structures and organs are present
10 weeks - tiny teeth form in the gums
12 weeks - brain is fully formed and can feel pain.
12 - 14 weeks - may start sucking thumb.
6 months - grasp hands, kick, hear voices and sounds outside womb.

Take a few moments to praise your Creator with beautiful words from Psalm 139
For you created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
You works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
When I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
Your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
Were written in your book
Before one of them came to be.

You are Lord and Giver of life. Help me to respect, protect, and nurture it - no matter what color, no matter what age, no matter what gender of human being I encounter.

the Shulammite Woman

The Shulammite Women
Her Character: Hers is the only female voice that speaks directly to us in the Scripture. Ruth’s and Esther’s voices , for instance, are mediated by narrators. The Shulammite woman boldly declares her longing and desire to be united to her lover in marriage.
Her Sorrow: To have been separated from her beloved at times.
Her Joy: To enjoy so passionate a love
Key Scripture: Song of Songs 1-8

Please take the time to read Song of Songs (aka Song of Solomon) this week.

Unlike any other book in the Bible, the Song of Songs is full of erotic imagery. The Shulammite woman was as passionate as her lover initiating contact with him, openly declaring her feelings. She yearned for kisses from his mouth, so in love that even his name smelled sweet to her. She wandered the city at night (or dreamed of wandering it) searching for him. She wished she could pass him off as her brother so that she could kiss him publicly without creating a scandal. Each declaration from her elicited a passionate response from her lover, who sang of her,

Your stature is like that of the palm,
And your breasts like clusters of fruit.
I said, “I will climb the palm tree;
I will take hold of its fruit.”
May your breasts be like the clusters of the vine,
The fragrance of your breath like apples,
And your mouth like the best wine. ~ Song of Songs 7:7-9

Despite the ancient imagery, we get the message. Anyone inclined to believe the Bible teaches a negative view of sex should read this book of Scripture before drawing such a conclusion.

Day 2

I have copied the article below from a friend of mine. I thought it would be fun to share.

God made sex for the enjoyment of married couples but many are confused when it comes to sexy talk. Christians either make sex sound boring and “the world” too vulgar. I ran across this article that describes sexy talk using the Song of Songs. Have fun with this. For the full article go to http://www.growthtrac.com/artman/publish/article_1036.php

Sexy talk was in the Bible long before the pornographers crafted the first four-letter word. In other words, Christians had a vocabulary for sex before the Puritans or pornographers started messing up the works. We have only to avail ourselves of these words. Below is a glossary of biblical images for sexuality.

apples: testicles
clusters (of the palm): breasts
dew: male sexual secretions
entering the garden: sexual intercourse
fawns: breasts
feed among the lilies: oral sex or sexual kissing
foxes: interruptions or obstacles to sex
fruit: genitals, male or female (usually female)
garden: vulva and vagina
garden of nuts: penis and testicles
gazelle: penis
know/knowing/known: sexual intercourse
lovesick: horny
mountains: breasts
myrrh: female sexual secretions
orchard of pomegranates: vulva and vagina
palm: woman’s body
pleasant fruits: pleasure coming from the vagina—the Song likensentering the garden to entering paradise
round goblet: vulva
stag: penis, sometimes the whole male body
towers: breasts
twins of a gazelle: breasts
vine: penis, sometimes the whole body
vineyard: the woman’s body or genitals
wine: symbol of erotic pleasure

You can use these words to make fun, sexy phrases that you and yourwife share. Here are a few of our favorites: “I think the stag is ready to play in the garden.”“I feel like getting some fruit from the orchard.”“The vine is definitely growing in the garden of nuts.”“I’m in the mood to climb the palm tree.”“We should let the gazelle and fawns out tonight.”“Would you like me to feed among the lilies?” We could go on, but you get the idea. Have fun with the language God gave us for sex in the Song of Songs.

By using these words, we’re reclaiming sex as something from God. We’re showing the Puritans that it’s okay to be playful and sexy. It’s putting the pornographers on notice that the Bible has better words for sex than they do. And it’s honoring God’s gift of sex in its fullness—something sacred, erotic, and fun.

Day 3
Read Song of Songs

Many of the images used in this poem give, indirectly, the idea of lengths of time spent together: “resting” (1:13), “sit” (2:3), “browse” (2:16; 6:2), “go” “spend the night” “go early” (7:11-12). The impression is of long lengths of time spent together quietly and intimately. What picture does that give you of the love between this man and woman? What does it tell you about the need for time together with the one you love?

Song of Songs 8:6-7
6 Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.

These verses express the undying commitment of the lover and the beloved. What do you think is required to have the love described in these verses? It is something that just happens or is it something that must be worked out?

Throughout history, intimate love relationships have been shamefully distorted and profaned. Songs of Songs gives God’s picture of the beauty of the relationship. What can you do to foster this love in your own marriage relationship?

Day 4

The erotic poetry of Song of Songs is not merely an expression of sexual desire but of the romantic love between a man and women. The love between the lover and the beloved is not merely one of physical pleasure and intimacy but one of a depth of feeling and commitment. True love doesn’t fade with the changes brought about by time but is stronger even than death. Neither the waters of time nor the rivers of disappointment or tragedy can wash it away.

If you have been so fortunate in your own marriage to experience a love even half as passionate as the one described in this book of the Bible, read it in light of your own story, thanking God for his blessing. But even if you haven’t, you can be glad that married love and it’s sexual expression was God’s idea to begin with. You can also read the Song of Songs as a dialogue between God and your own soul. God’s love is more passionate than any human love you could ever experience. He is the true Lover of your soul, ready to sing with you the greatest and most beautiful song of all.

God promises to love his people with the same depth of love described here. That includes you. You are his treasured one, his beloved, and he delights in you just as these lovers delight in each other.

Praise be to the Lord, for he showed his wonderful love to me. ~Psalm 31:21

For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. ~Psalm 149:4

I have loved you with an everlasting love. ~Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord your God is with you, he is might to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. ~Zephaniah 3:17

Day 5

Lift Your Heart
The Shulammite woman was so captivated by her lover that his name was like perfume that made everything in her world smell good. Light a fragrant candle as you take time to reflect on one or more of God’s names. Look up relevant Scripture passages and ask God to reveal himself more deeply to you.
Creator of Heaven (Genesis 14:19)
My Song (Exodus 15:2)
Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
Good Shepherd (John 10:14)
Counselor (John 14:26)
Father of Compassion (2 Corinthians 1:3)
Savior (1 Timothy 4:10)
Light (1 John 1:5)

Romans 8:15
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the beauty of intimate marriage that you have given to us. Thank you for the relationship I have with you. Thank you for the blood that brings me to a place to call you Abba. May your love surround me and my friends. Fill us with your promises of love and intimacy. May your names make everything in our worlds smell like perfume, may we all give thanks for the beauty and blessings of your love.

Abigail

Day 1

Her name means “ my Father is Joy”

Her character: Generous, quick-witted, wise. She is one of the Bible’s great peacemaker’s.

Her Sorrow: To have been mismatched in marriage to her first husband.

Her Joy: That God used her to save lives, eventually making her the wife of David.

Key Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:2 - 42.
A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. 3 His name was Nabal and his wife's name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was surly and mean in his dealings.
4 While David was in the desert, he heard that Nabal was shearing sheep. 5 So he sent ten young men and said to them, "Go up to Nabal at Carmel and greet him in my name. 6 Say to him: 'Long life to you! Good health to you and your household! And good health to all that is yours!
7 " 'Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did not mistreat them, and the whole time they were at Carmel nothing of theirs was missing. 8 Ask your own servants and they will tell you. Therefore be favorable toward my young men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.' "
9 When David's men arrived, they gave Nabal this message in David's name. Then they waited.
10 Nabal answered David's servants, "Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. 11 Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?"
12 David's men turned around and went back. When they arrived, they reported every word. 13 David said to his men, "Put on your swords!" So they put on their swords, and David put on his. About four hundred men went up with David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.
14 One of the servants told Nabal's wife Abigail: "David sent messengers from the desert to give our master his greetings, but he hurled insults at them. 15 Yet these men were very good to us. They did not mistreat us, and the whole time we were out in the fields near them nothing was missing. 16 Night and day they were a wall around us all the time we were herding our sheep near them. 17 Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him."
18 Abigail lost no time. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys. 19 Then she told her servants, "Go on ahead; I'll follow you." But she did not tell her husband Nabal.
20 As she came riding her donkey into a mountain ravine, there were David and his men descending toward her, and she met them. 21 David had just said, "It's been useless—all my watching over this fellow's property in the desert so that nothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evil for good. 22 May God deal with David, be it ever so severely, if by morning I leave alive one male of all who belong to him!"
23 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed down before David with her face to the ground. 24 She fell at his feet and said: "My lord, let the blame be on me alone. Please let your servant speak to you; hear what your servant has to say. 25 May my lord pay no attention to that wicked man Nabal. He is just like his name—his name is Fool, and folly goes with him. But as for me, your servant, I did not see the men my master sent.
26 "Now since the LORD has kept you, my master, from bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hands, as surely as the LORD lives and as you live, may your enemies and all who intend to harm my master be like Nabal. 27 And let this gift, which your servant has brought to my master, be given to the men who follow you. 28 Please forgive your servant's offense, for the LORD will certainly make a lasting dynasty for my master, because he fights the LORD's battles. Let no wrongdoing be found in you as long as you live. 29 Even though someone is pursuing you to take your life, the life of my master will be bound securely in the bundle of the living by the LORD your God. But the lives of your enemies he will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. 30 When the LORD has done for my master every good thing he promised concerning him and has appointed him leader over Israel, 31 my master will not have on his conscience the staggering burden of needless bloodshed or of having avenged himself. And when the LORD has brought my master success, remember your servant."
32 David said to Abigail, "Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. 33 May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands. 34 Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, who has kept me from harming you, if you had not come quickly to meet me, not one male belonging to Nabal would have been left alive by daybreak."
35 Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him and said, "Go home in peace. I have heard your words and granted your request."
36 When Abigail went to Nabal, he was in the house holding a banquet like that of a king. He was in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until daybreak. 37 Then in the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wife told him all these things, and his heart failed him and he became like a stone. 38 About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal and he died.
39 When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "Praise be to the LORD, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal's wrongdoing down on his own head." Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife. 40 His servants went to Carmel and said to Abigail, "David has sent us to you to take you to become his wife."
41 She bowed down with her face to the ground and said, "Here is your maidservant, ready to serve you and wash the feet of my master's servants." 42 Abigail quickly got on a donkey and, attended by her five maids, went with David's messengers and became his wife. 43 David had also married Ahinoam of Jezreel, and they both were his wives. 44 But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David's wife, to Paltiel son of Laish, who was from Gallim.

Day 2

Dear Lord, this day I am struggling to present this devotional from my heart. There is so much that needs to be said here. Abigail’s life and example are something to strive for. I pray that I am able to present a clear picture of who she was and how we can look upon her example and learn from it. Please speak through me, help me to teach this today.

Little to laugh about. That is a picture of Abigail’s marriage to Nabal. Her father could not have know that this wealthy man had a domineering attitude and would endanger his daughters well- being. Abigail soon discovers that fools and ruin often keep close company. Abigail knew who David was, most everyone did. Nabal was too busy caring about himself and his own fortunes that he had no idea. Nabal nearly spit in their face when David’s men came for provisions. Not realizing it was because of David that Nabal’s flocks had prospered. Foolishly insulting the regions most powerful man, Abigail was forced to take immediate action. Thanks to a servant, also aware of the great danger Nabal had put them in, notifying Abigail of their situation. As Nabal’s wife, she must have suffered his arrogance daily. Not wasting any time going to her husband, who undoubtedly would have messed things up even more, she loaded up the best of provisions along with gifts for David’s men and took them to David’s camp. Immediately falling to the ground and pleading to David, Abigail made one of the longest speeches by a woman recorded in the Bible. Thanks to her speech, David erased his anger in remembrance of his success and replied graciously. Abigail’s wisdom had spared David from sinning, reminding him that vengeance belongs only to God. After this encounter, Abigail found her husband celebrating his fortune, having no idea what his actions could have done. She found him playing the fool once again, completely oblivious to danger and drunkenly presiding over a festival banquet. Waiting until morning, when he was sober, Abigail told her husband what had happened. His hear immediately failed him, within days, he died.

Arrogance, greed, and selfishness had conspired to rob Nabal of any good sense he might once have possessed. Abigail’s humility, faith, generosity, intelligence, and honesty made her wise. Rather than putting others at risk by an unguarded tongue, her gracious words saved lives. Abigail and David married shortly after the death of her ill-suited husband. Abigail rose above her circumstances to change the course of events. Scripture does not say it, but we can see that she was a good wife to Nabal. It was God, not Abigail or David, who paid Nabal back for his arrogance and greed.

Take a moment to reflect on your relationship with your husband. Where do you stand. In the gap? Does your wisdom spare others from sinning, or does it cause an uprising? Do you respond graciously and cautiously, or do you fly off the handle? I know what I do, and I know what I need to do. Lets contrast the characteristics.

Ungodly - arrogance, greed, selfishness, unguarded tongue, foolishness.
Godly- humility, faith, generosity, intelligence, honesty, wisdom.

Are we protecting our relationships and allowing God to do his job. God is the only one who should judge. We are, through our actions, to rise above the circumstances and be an example to all who see us. Had this story been about me, I can’t say as though it would have the same outcome and example. Instead I am thinking it would be a lesson of the unguarded tongue.

Lord, I thank you for your wisdom and guidance. Please speak through these words and change our hearts and actions. I thank you for this example. I am not sure that there could be a better time in my life to receive this lesson. I am open to your guiding, please guide us all into a loving, gracious relationship with those we love.

Day 3

Read 1 Samuel 25:1 - 13

How does this description of Nabal and Abigail set the stage for what is to come?
These verses reveal what a mismatched couple Nabal and Abigail were. How do women in Abigail’s position cope? (if you are or know someone, now would be a good time to reply to all and share your story of hope or desperation)
Compare David and Nabal’s words, what do they reveal about each man?
What do others words tell you about them? What do your words reveal about you? ( ahhhhhhh, watch my tongue)

What does Luke 6:27 - 31 have to say about how you should react when you’ve been wronged?

Read 1 Samuel 25:14 - 42

How was the relationship between Abigail and the servants in the household?
What did they think about their master, Nabal?
Are you more like Abigail or Nabal to those who are in your care? How about co-workers, children, husband and extended family and friends?
How do you react when someone in authority makes a bad choice? How about your husband? (geeesh, I am really getting something out of this)
How should you react when the decision affects you? Others in your care?
Do you respond like David or Nabal or both? In what circumstances?
Why do you think that David was so quick to ask Abigail to marry him? Was he attracted to her? Did he feel responsible for her? Did he admire her?
What David’s do you have in your life? What Nabals? What can you learn from this devotional to better prepare you for these relationships in the future?

Day 4

Her Legacy of Prayer

David said to Abigail, “ Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has send you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands. “ - 1 Samuel 25:32 - 33

Reflect on 1 Samuel 25:2 - 42

Praise God for calling you to be a peacemaker in your family, neighborhood, and world.

Offer thanks that God knows every challenge facing your marriage or relationships.

Confess any bitterness you may have harbored about your marriage or relationships.

Ask God to use your relationship with your husband or friend to strengthen your character and increase your faith.

Day 5

Lift your heart

If you haven’t yet made a commitment to pray daily for your husband, do so today. Set aside a few minutes to surrender your marriage to God, specifically asking him to bless your spouse. Try to refrain from focusing on your laundry list of complaints and instead pray for the needs you know your husband has. Ask God to shape your marriage relationship and use it for his purposes. Relinquish any desire you may have to control your husband; instead, ask God to work in his life. For help in forming the habit, read The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian or When He Doesn’t Believe by Nancy Kennedy.

Note: For those not married, of the Male Gender, or not ever going to marry again, this is for you to. Make a commitment to praying for your future husband, pray for your wife, Stormie Omartian has a book The Power of a Praying Husband (my husband is currently enjoying this book and I am reaping the benefits) and if you’ve had some pretty bad experiences with some Nabal’s in your life and you never want to marry again, remember that God wants us to be happy, so make sure to pray for a companion in your life, such as a great friend.

Father, please help me to be courageous and loving. To watch my tongue and to help, not hinder, my husband, children, family and friends. Help me to use kind words and continually pray for God’s intervention in their lives. Amen

Rachel

Day One
Rachel means "ewe"
Her character: She was manipulated by her father, she had little say over her own life circumstances and relationships. But rather than dealing creatively with a difficult situation, she behaved like a perpetual victim, responding to sin with yet more sin, making things worse by competing with her sister and deceiving her father in return.
Her Tragedy: That her longing for children ultimately led to her death in childbirth.
Her Joy: That her husband cherished her and would do whatever was in his power to make her happy.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 29 - 35; Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:18


Day Two
The Menstrual Cycle
Let’s just say right up front, if you are a male, I will excuse you from this daily devo if you do not wish to read further.

Rachel said to her father not to be angry that she did not stand up in his presence because she was having her period.

During this time in Scripture, Hebrew women were seen as “unclean” during their period. Laws were clear that even touching a woman or sitting where she has been sitting while on her period, would deem you unclean until evening. Her bedding was also considered unclean. Long before the invention of sanitary products. This meant that anyone who came in contact had to bathe, wash their clothes and wait until evening. A woman was considered unclean for seven days, the usual amount of time for a menstrual cycle. After that time, the woman would bathe and cleanse herself and be considered clean.

When a woman had a natural flow, there was no need for sacrifice. When there was a longer, less natural flow, usually caused by a disease, a sacrifice was required. This would cleanse the woman. Why was it so important? Blood was seen as a source of life, anything surrounding it became an important part of ceremonial law.
Nowadays, women view their period and all its discomfort as something that they must bear. They view men as lucky creatures that are spared. If we take another look at this course of action that is natural in women, we see something more wonderful. We begin to see that this particular function of the body allows us to reproduce and carry a child. It is only through this process that a woman has an opportunity not afforded to man - the opportunity to bear new life. This links us to the Creator of all life in a unique and amazing way.

Lord, I am praying especially this week as we read about Rachel that we will learn from you who we are in your eyes. Lord, will you create a new view in our eyes as to what this painfully uncomfortable nuisance was created for. We have such a unique ability to aid you in creating your purpose and will. What a delight to know that you know us better than we do. You know that we, as women, need to feel a part of the big picture and you gave us the opportunity to provide the life giving materials that children need. In this, Lord, I see that we are all made in your image, both men and women. Thank you.

Day Three
Genesis 29:30;30:1
30 Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years.
How do you think most women would respond to the situation in which Rachel found herself? With love and concern for her unloved sister? Or with a spirit of superiority and pride?
1 Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die!”

The agony expressed by Rachel’s words has been experienced by many women over the centuries. How did Rachel’s close relationship with Leah increase her pain? Is there any way their relationship could have eased her pain instead?
Compare the two verses.
These two sisters each had something the other wanted. What did Rachel have that Leah wanted? What did Leah have that Rachel wanted?
Discontentment is an insidious thing, trapping us into thinking that which was enough is no longer enough, and that which was satisfying is no longer satisfying. Do you ever feel discontent because you don’t “have it all”? What can you do to resist such sentiments?


Genesis 31:19, 30 -34
19 Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel had stolen the household idols that were her father’s.
30 And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?” 31 Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I said, ‘Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.’ 32 With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live. In the presence of our brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them. 33 And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the two maids’ tents, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. 34 Now Rachel had taken the household idols, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. And Laban searched all about the tent but did not find them.

Why would Rachel even have such idols? Why do you think she hid them from her father?
When have you been in a situation that caused you to lie or cheat to protect yourself or someone else? Describe it. What could/should you have done differently?

Read Genesis 35:16-20
16 Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor. 17 Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, “Do not fear; you will have this son also.” 18 And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni;[a] but his father called him Benjamin.[b] 19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). 20 And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day.

Given the fact that they were on a journey, describe in your own words the situation under which Rachel likely gave birth.
It’s one of the paradoxes of life, revealed her in this tragic story of Rachel’s death, that what we most want from life we often can only gain by giving up something else that’s equally important to us. Can you think of an instance in your own life in which gaining something you wanted required giving up something else?
Jacob renamed his new son Benjamin, which means “son of my right hand” What does this new name reveal about Jacob’s hope for the future?

Day Four
Rachel. Her legacy of Prayer.
Then God remembered Rachel; He listened to her and opened her womb. Genesis 30:22

Reflect on Genesis 30:1-24
1 Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die!”2 And Jacob’s anger was aroused against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” 3 So she said, “Here is my maid Bilhah; go in to her, and she will bear a child on my knees, that I also may have children by her.” 4 Then she gave him Bilhah her maid as wife, and Jacob went in to her. 5 And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. 6 Then Rachel said, “God has judged my case; and He has also heard my voice and given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan.[a] 7 And Rachel’s maid Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son. 8 Then Rachel said, “With great wrestling's I have wrestled with my sister, and indeed I have prevailed.” So she called his name Naphtali.[b]9 When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing, she took Zilpah her maid and gave her to Jacob as wife. 10 And Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a son. 11 Then Leah said, “A troop comes!”[c] So she called his name Gad.[d] 12 And Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a second son. 13 Then Leah said, “I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed.” So she called his name Asher.[e]14 Now Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” 15 But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” And Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.” 16 When Jacob came out of the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come in to me, for I have surely hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” And he lay with her that night. 17 And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son. 18 Leah said, “God has given me my wages, because I have given my maid to my husband.” So she called his name Issachar.[f] 19 Then Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son. 20 And Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she called his name Zebulun.[g] 21 Afterward she bore a daughter, and called her name Dinah. 22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. 23 And she conceived and bore a son, and said, “God has taken away my reproach.” 24 So she called his name Joseph,[h] and said, “The LORD shall add to me another son.”

Praise God, for He never for a moment forgets about us. He is present and attentive, aware of our deepest desires, even when we’re certain he’s lost track of us.
Offer thanks that God alone is the Creator. Because of Him, every human life is sacred.
Confess that sometimes we use our children , our husbands, our homes, or even the size of our paychecks to compete with other women.
Ask God to help you form a deep and loyal friendship with other women so you can know the joy that comes from being sisters in Christ.

Day Five
Lift your heart:
Think of a woman you would like to get to know better in the next few months. Then pick up the phone (yes I am writing this). You have to pick up the phone, then make a lunch date, invite her to a play, movie, concert, party, dinner. Make sure you build in a little time to chat so that you can begin to build a relationship. One expert says it takes an average of three years to form a solid friendship. Don’t waste another minute. For the men reading this, there is always something you can do to help your woman be able to have a healthy social life. Encourage her to pick up the phone, give her time with her girlfriends and offer to watch the kids or take care of a responsibility so she can get away.

Father, Forgive me for letting my identity rest on whose wife or mother I am or what kind of job I have. I don’t want to view other women as my rivals but as potential friends and even soul mates. Please lead me to the friendships I desire, and help me to be patient with the process. Praise you for the amazing women in my life now.