Tag: Christian

Chapters of Love

Song of Solomon 1-4

This collection of songs is something that, sadly, is frequently misunderstood and avoided today. At a wedding we celebrate love, yes, but certainly not like this. The beautiful imagery described in these chapters of love, desire and passion are everything we should want in a relationship with our spouse. Unfortunately, discussions of sexual desire and attraction like this are usually either twisted by an immoral society, or avoided by Christians. The world has thrown sex around until it’s dirty, misused, and undervalued. And Christian religion has gone in the complete opposite direction and has made it into something secret and almost shameful. We feel embarrassment.

But desire is not shameful at all when it is within its perfect time and place. Amidst all of this expression of love, there is one important phrase repeated again and again. 

“Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.”

There is no rushing here. When we want to be in a relationship or long to fill our sexual desires more than we long for God’s good and perfect plan, this is when everything falls apart. The imagery stops being intimate and beautiful. It becomes cheap and our relationship is no longer the reflection of God’s love for us that it should be. 

But when we acknowledge God first and seek him for our fulfillment, we restore the proper order of things. God created man and everything was good. Adam had God and relied on him completely. And in that complete reliance, God provided the perfect partner. 

God knows our needs far better than we do, and that includes our need for relationships and intimacy. When we seek him first before seeking fulfillment in others, God will provide in his own perfect timing. 

I hope you see the beauty reflected in these chapters! Love and desire within God’s plan is a treasure to be appreciated. 

-Jenn Haynes

Reflection Questions: 

For those who are unmarried: Do you find yourself growing impatient? Are you seeking fulfillment from people rather than God? How can you turn your focus more on your relationship with God and rely more fully on him? 

For those who married: Maybe you’re a newlywed, or you’ve been married for years, or you’re widowed. Take some time to reflect on your love. Read through the descriptions and think about your own beloved. What do you appreciate about your spouse? How did God provide for you by bringing you together? How does your relationship reflect the relationship God desires to have with you? 

My prayer for you today is that you see beauty in this passage. I pray you seek intimacy with God first, and that you rely on him fully. And for those who are/were married, I pray you are able to reflect and appreciate all of the wonderful qualities of your spouse. 

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Worthy of Worship

Ps 95, 97-99

Music has always been a huge part of my life. From singing along to Veggie Tales songs in the car to being dressed up in my Sunday Best doing a ‘special’ on Sunday Mornings, from an early age I was taught the importance and beauty of song sung in worship. 

I still like to sing and dance to ‘I Like Bananas’ around a campfire, but my understanding of worship has expanded and grown. Just singing doesn’t mean that we are worshipping God, and sometimes the most worshipful moments are done in silence. We all know the days where we are going through the motions in a Church service, singing familiar words without it ever truly reaching our hearts. 

What should a heart of worship look like?

In today’s reading, we see Psalm after Psalm of praise and worship. Importantly, the Psalms show the heart behind worshipping God. 

A heart of worship is: 

  • Based on the character of God, not the quality of our voices. We don’t sing praises because we ‘sound good.’ We sing praises because God is the ultimate thing that is worthy of praise. We sing because he has truly done ‘marvelous things.’
  • Grounded in the truth of scripture, not the beat of the song. The Psalms repeat the truth again and again: “The Lord reigns.” Why? Because the transformative power of worship is focused on repeating the truths of scripture to ourselves. We can praise God and weather difficult circumstances because God reigns. 
  • Focused on remembrance, not emotions. Our summer camps were always a highlight of the year because we loved the worship. But the truly quality of worship isn’t based on the quality of the band. It’s based on the way we remind ourselves of the goodness and faithfulness of God and praise him for it. 

Today, let’s cultivate a heart of worship.

-Cayce Fletcher

Cayce blogs at https://amorebeautifullifecollective.com about faith, family, and life. You’ll find encouragement for how to build intentional lives rooted in faith and beauty. Check out the latest post on the human nature of Jesus here. 

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you cultivate worship in your life? 
  2. What should characterize a ‘heart of worship’?
  3. Create a list of attributes about God that you can use while you worship. 

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The Rollercoaster Ride of Life

2 Sam 22-23, Ps 57

One of my son’s favorite places to go is Dollywood Theme Park in Tennessee. He loves the decorations, the shows, and the food, but his favorite thing to do is ride the rollercoasters. I’ve never been a huge fan – I’m deathly afraid of heights and don’t like the feeling of being slung around. But, you can tell the joy (and a little fear) on his face as he clicks up to the first big drop and then races down through the twists and turns. Of course, at the very end, he always turns to me and says, “Can we ride it again?” 

David’s life was definitely a roller coaster ride. He was sent to watch sheep by his father while Samuel came to pick the king, only to be called from the fields and anointed. He was elevated to be a part of King Saul’s court, only to be forced to flee for his life at night. He spent 15 years running from Saul, only to finally be crowned king. And this isn’t to mention Bathsheba, Abasolom, and the census. 

So many highs and so many lows. 

But, through it all David remained faithful. 

We can see the contrast between the highs and lows as we read Psalm 57 and David’s song in 2 Samuel 22.

In Psalm 57:4, David cries out, “My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts— the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.” But still, he praises God. 

In 2 Samuel 22:17-20, he exclaims, “[God] sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.”

In both the highs and lows, David cried out to God. He praises God. He finds refuge in God. 

You may be stuck on the roller coaster now. You may be in the lowest of lows, or you may be high on that mountaintop. But, wherever you are, remember God is there with you. 

Wait on the Lord. Put your trust in God. He is faithful. He will walk you through it. 

-Cayce Fletcher

Cayce blogs at https://amorebeautifullifecollective.com about faith, family, and life. You’ll find encouragement for how to build intentional lives rooted in faith and beauty. Check out the latest post on the human nature of Jesus here. 

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you experienced a low time in your life? Where did you turn for comfort and support at this time? How did you see God’s faithfulness in this time? 
  2. How does remembering God’s past faithfulness help you to navigate your present circumstances? 
  3. What are some ways that you can incorporate more worship into your life? 

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The Same God

Psalms 81, 88, 92-93

1 Chronicles 7-8

Today’s reading takes us across several different life experiences many (if not all) Christians also experience in today’s modern world:

  • Psalm 81 is a reflection of God’s provision for Israel, and a reminder of the good things they could be experiencing if they would only listen to Him.  
  • Psalm 88 is an example of low places so many of us have experienced in our Christian walk.  The writer is calling out to God to save them from suffering, to answer their prayers, and to bring them comfort in a place of loneliness. It is a lamentation and pouring out of a soul that is broken and hurting.  
  • Psalm 92 is a psalm of praise and excitement over the wonderful works of God!  This author is experiencing joy and astonishment over a Heavenly Father, and being sure to sing it loud and proud!
  • Psalm 93 is another praiseful psalm that focuses more on the sovereignty of God and His mighty power, recognizing the strength of God and His position over the entire earth. 

While each of these Psalms hold different perspectives of a human’s viewpoint of God, we can also see how in each of these, God’s unchanging, steadfast, supreme authority remains.  No matter what our current reflection of God is, He has never become anything but God.  Whether we are disobedient, hurting, praising, or fully recognizing His power, God is still, and has always been, the Creator, Yahweh, the One True God.  The God who formed and controls every aspect of the earth, that pulled the Israelites out of Egypt, and held them accountable to His commands, is the SAME GOD that you and I worship today.  

This fact can (and probably should) be both comforting and convicting.  Comforting because there is an amazing God who loves us with an everlasting love that will never change from that! Convicting because there is a powerful God, who has high expectations for believers, that won’t change from that either.  As Christians today, I believe we must consistently balance these feelings of comfort and conviction in order to best live out our days.

-Sarah Johnson

Reflection Questions

  1. Using the four options listed, what would you classify as your current reflection of God in this season?  Are you content to have that reflection?
  2. What verses most stood out to you from the reading?  Why do you think those verses impacted you the most today?
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Remember – and Share

Psalms 73, 77-78

1 Chronicles 6

Another Psalm, another author!  Asaph was a Levitical musician appointed by David.  As a musician, it makes sense why the Psalms in his name invoke quite a bit of feeling!

In each of these Psalms we see components of the author’s experience that we have likely felt in our own lives.  For example, Psalm 73:12-14 highlights the feeling that it seems the wicked seem to prosper while the pure in heart still experience suffering!  Has anyone else had that thought cross their mind?  I know I have. Or from Psalms 77:7-9, the feeling that God has withheld His love and compassion from you? Or, in recounting the Israelite experience in Psalm 78, have we been in moments of testing God, and ignoring His redemption from our enemies?

Throughout these chapters, we see a theme of remembrance.  Whether this is people finally remembering God’s awesome power, generations being reminded of God’s miracles, or God ‘remembering’ that people are only people, remembrance is a prominent component to these musical psalms.  

When people remember God, it is after they have experienced hardship, caused by the complexities of life, or God’s wrath towards their sin.  It comes with recognition of God’s mighty works and requires humility.  Remembering God then brings about a change from a destructive path, back to a path of righteousness and holy pursuit of God’s presence.  Forgetting God and His wonders results in separation from Him for as long as someone forgets.  Remembering Him correctly as the omnipotent Creator is what brings us back to His gracious and compassionate presence. 

However, when God ‘remembers’ His people, it is not because He at some point forgot the way people forget, but rather He re-extends His grace yet again after His people have sinned; He acknowledges them (us!) in their sinfulness.  God’s remembrance is not for His benefit, but for the benefit of His people.  And without it, it wouldn’t be possible for people to experience redemption.  

Remembering God, and His remembrance or compassion towards people is something worth sharing!  Psalm 78:1-8 describes how important it is to tell others, future generations, about God’s works and power.  Whether or not you have children of your own, you do have the opportunity to impact the next generation of believers.  You can do this by reminding believers of our awesome God – reminding them of the importance of following His commands and pursuing His presence in their own lives.  No matter your age, you may feel like your generation has forgotten God.  But you, yes YOU, have the ability to start remembering Him today, to impact yourself and those around you, tomorrow.

-Sarah Johnson

Reflection Questions

  1. Are there seasons in your life that you have really remembered God?  What stood out to you during that time? How could you carry that over to all seasons of life, especially ones where you may be more likely to forget Him?
  2. What could you share about God’s works in your life with people in your circle that would help you or them remember Him today?
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A Majestic God

1 Chronicles 1

Psalm 6, 8-10, 14

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens.”  Psalm 8:1a 

Majestic…Grand…Magnificent…Imposing…Grandiose…Awe-Inspiring…Dignified…Impressive…Distinguished

There really isn’t a good enough word to describe how majestic God is, not even a list of words can do Him justice!  The rest of verse one says, “You have set your glory above the heavens.”  David points out in this Psalm that we can see God’s majesty in the work of His fingers (His creation)– specifically mentioned is the moon and the stars.

After looking to the vastness of God’s creation, David asks in 8:4, “what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”  David goes on to say that God crowned us with glory and honor.  We are such a small piece in God’s creation that it is hard to imagine that God cares so much for us.   And even more than that, He gave us dominion (rule or control) over the rest of His creation.  

Wow!  So often I read a Psalm like this and don’t really take in its powerful message.  God made the whole world and everything in it.  That includes people.  That includes you and me.  Do you feel crowned with glory and honor?  Do you feel watched over and cared for? 

As the world turns further and further away from God’s path it is easy to become discouraged.  To wonder, “How bad was it in Noah’s day that God ended most of mankind?”.  Psalm 14:1a says, “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”  There seem to be fools aplenty – all you have to do is turn on the news, log on to Facebook, listen to the conversations around you in a restaurant or grocery store.  Fools are everywhere.  All of the Psalms from today’s reading offer great encouragement for those who follow God.

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. What in God’s creation speaks of God’s majesty to you?  Mountains, oceans, colors, wildlife, sunrises/sunsets, music, a newborn, etc.?
  2.  As you consider that God made – and makes – all people, consider that this statement includes you.  Also consider, this includes your bossy sister, your nosy neighbor, your know-it-all relative, etc.  Who might you need to start seeing through God’s eyes?
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David’s Character…Your Character

2 Samuel 1-4

2 Samuel begins with Saul’s death.  Chapter one tells of his death and David’s reaction.  Chapter two shows David seeking God’s advice and being anointed king over Judah, the northern kingdom.  Also, we see Abner anointing Ish-bosheth, Saul’s remaining son, king over Israel, the southern kingdom. 

Both armies met at the pool of Gibeon.  2 Samuel 2:14 says, “And Abner said to Joab, ‘Let the young men arise and compete before us.’  And Joab said, ‘Let them arise.’”  They arose, each sending 12 men to fight.  They each caught their opponent by the head and thrust their sword in their opponent’s side.  All 24 died.  Not the brightest way to fight!  A battle broke out after this and one of Joab’s brothers, Asahel, ran after Abner; Abner ends up killing him.  That brings Joab and his other brother, Abishai, pursuing Abner.  Joab ends up retreating, but David’s men won the battle 20 deaths to 360 deaths.  Chapter three tells of Joab and Abishai getting their revenge on Abner and of Ish-bosheth’s death.

There you have the cliff notes version of the first four chapters of 2 Samuel. 

There are two stories in these chapters that show David’s moral character.  If you remember, there were a couple of times when Saul was chasing David when David could have killed him and did not because Saul had been anointed by God.  Even though it would have been viewed as a proper response to the situation, David didn’t do it.  In 2 Samuel 1 an Amalekite man comes to David to report Saul’s death.  He tells how Saul, near death already, asks to be put out of his misery and how he honors that request.   David kills him.  In 2 Samuel 4 we read that after Abner was killed Ish-bosheth lost his courage.  Two captains of raiding bands for Ish-bosheth realized they were on the losing side and wanted to find a way to show their loyalty to David.  They killed Ish-bosheth and brought his head to David.  They were proud of their actions, and thought David would be as well.  Just like the Amalekite man, David has them killed. 

One more side note…In chapter four we are also introduced to a character who doesn’t come into play until chapter 9.  Verse 4 says, “Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.”  Just keep that mouthful in mind (muh·fi·buh·sheth).

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. When you think of your own moral character, how would you rate yourself? 
  2. When the world says something is right and good do you consider if that is how God views it?  Who do you choose to follow?
  3. Keeping in mind 2 Samuel 1:14, what are some things that David – and God – would suggest we should be afraid of?
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A Just Cause

Psalm 17, 35, 54, 63

We all think that what we want, the way we think something should be, is a just cause.  But is it, really?  Lots of things can sound like noble causes, but would they be in God’s eyes?  I have been known to think I’m right about something when I’m actually wrong.  For example, because texts & emails don’t allow for any verbal cues or body language to help with interpreting the message, they are often misunderstood.  I have made the mistake of assuming someone’s intent based on a few words I read on my phone.  I have made the mistake of responding unbecomingly – by responding directly to the person with a bad attitude, or worse yet, talking to others about what they sent to me, pleading my “just cause”.  I have found myself in the position of having to humble myself and apologize.  Maybe you’ve been there, too. 

David considered his cause to be just and he wanted God to be the one to vindicate him. 

In Psalm 17, David calls on God

  • To hear him – verse 6b:  incline your ear to me; hear my words.”
  • To show him His love – verse 7a: “Wondrously show your steadfast love,”
  • To protect him – verse 8: “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,”

David also takes a look at himself

  • Verse 3b:  I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.” 
  • Verse 4b: “I have avoided the ways of the violent.”
  • Verse 5:  My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.”

David tells God what his enemies are doing

  • Verse 9a: “the wicked who do me violence”
  • Verse 10: “they close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.”
  • Verse 12: “…like a lion eager to tear”

David asks God to stop the wicked

  • Verses 13: “Arise, O Lord!  Confront him, subdue him!  Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,”

David raises his just cause before God.  He fully trusts God will see the good and right as well as the ugly and evil.  He believes God will respond justly, because that is His character.

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. Taking time to do a self-evaluation can help us see our “causes” (desires) in a more accurate light.  When faced with a negative situation, before responding or reacting ask yourself some important questions:
    • Are my priorities what I want them to be?
    • Am I being self-centered?
    • Do I need to right a wrong?
  2. Are you confident in your choices to welcome God’s testing of your heart?  If not, what can you do to move in that direction?
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Strength

1 Samuel 25-27

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A quick review of the story of how David and Abigail meet (if you haven’t already, I highly recommend reading 1 Samuel 25):

  • David has been running from king Saul for some time
  • David and his men camped in the wilderness near a rich man’s flock of sheep and their shepherds
  • When it became time to shear the sheep David sent some men to ask the owner (Nabal) for some sheep & food for his men
  • They went on a feast day – a day of celebrating the profits the owners of the flocks would make
  • David’s men tell Nabal how they had protected his shepherds and flocks and then ask for food to be shared with them in thanks for their efforts
  • Nabal, whose name means “fool”, sent David’s men away empty handed
  • David’s response was to command, “Every man strap on his sword!”
  • One of Nabal’s shepherds went to Nabal’s wife, Abigail, and told her what had happened – he understood that Nabal’s response to David would bring harm to the household

Here is where we meet Abigail.  Abigail is one of my favorite Bible characters.  She is brave, wise and humble.  A great example of strength. 

The first thing we learn about Abigail is in verse 3 where we are told she is discerning and beautiful.  We then see her in action in verse 18, “Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys.”

And, it’s not just what she does, but how she does it!  First, she reacts quickly.  When we know the right thing to do we should “make haste” and get it done. 

Reading on we see David ready to kill every male in Nabal’s household.  But Abigail intervenes.  Verses 23-24 say, “When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground. She fell at his feet and said, “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant.”  Again, we see her moving – she hurried and got down.  Then, even though she had nothing to do with Nabal’s words and inaction, she offers David great respect by bowing before him.  She asks that Nabal’s guilt be on her.  Why would she do this?  To save her whole household. So, after reacting quickly, Abigail humbles herself to make peace for her household. 

Only after humbling herself does she offer the gifts of food she brought for David and his men.  The tangible gifts are secondary to her words, posture/body language, and attitude. 

Abigail boldly tells David he should accept her gift and not continue with his plan to attack.  She reminds him that he doesn’t want to have that blood on his hands/conscience when he becomes ruler over Israel.  David accepts her gift and blesses her for her cautionary words of advice. 

Abigail’s strength does not stop with this one encounter with David.  She continues to exhibit strength when she goes home and courageously faces her husband, telling him she went against his directives.  She even bravely waits until he has sobered up from celebrating before approaching him.  This news kills Nabal.

In verse 31 Abigail asks David to remember her.  In verses 39-42 we see David hearing about Nabal’s death and sending for Abigail to be his wife.  The strength of character she demonstrated to David wound up providing for her at a time when she would have likely had nothing left and no one to take care of her. 

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

Do you consider yourself to be strong?  Discerning, acting quickly, being humble, being a peace-maker, bold, courageous, brave…this is strength.  True strength comes from God; ask Him to help you grow in these areas.

When faced with conflict or a negative situation, whether involving your own choices or not, what do your words, posture/body language, and attitude reflect is in your heart?   

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Safe Cities

Joshua 19-21

After studying the Underground Railroad, my family and I toured a local church that played a major role in helping escaped slaves reach freedom. Though the dismal, subterranean tunnel boasted no modern amenities, its hidden passage beneath the church’s sanctuary had served as a refuge for countless escapees on their way to freedom. How I wished the walls could talk! There are no written records of the tunnel’s guests from that time period, probably to protect the identities of the escaped slaves (and besides, most local records were destroyed in the 1913 flood that ravaged this region), but shards of pottery and discarded animal bones from choice cuts of meat provide evidence of the meals that were smuggled in to nourish the “fugitives.” I was speechless while envisioning the grueling journey a desperate, sweet soul must have endured to arrive this far north – more than 60 miles beyond the Ohio River – weighed down by the well-preserved foot chains that had been found in that very tunnel. 

The escaped slaves were hungry for safety. “Safety” is a concept that we often take for granted in this twenty-first century, first-world country; in many countries, simply proclaiming Christianity could cost one’s life. I find it interesting that God designated several cities of safety for his people in the Promised Land. These were cities to which anyone could escape who had accidentally killed someone, in which they would safely await trial without threat of the victim’s family avenging the (potentially innocent) murderer. 

Though we no longer have similar cities of refuge, this concept is a foreshadowing of sorts to Jesus: in him, we sinners find refuge from our enemy. “We run to Christ to escape the danger we are in from the curse and condemnation of the law, from the wrath of God, and from an eternity in hell. Only Christ provides refuge from these things, and it is to Him alone that we must run. Just as the cities were open to all who fled to them for safety, it is Christ who provides safety to all who come to Him for refuge from sin and its punishment.” (quote source). 

“He is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

“Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.” (Hebrews 6:18, NLT)

I am so grateful for the hope that lies before us! Aren’t you?!

-Rachel Cain

Reflection: 

Look up synonyms for the word “refuge.” Which one stands out most to you in your journey of faith? 

“He kept every promise he had made to the Israelites; each one came true.” (Joshua 21:45) What a powerful verse! God is always faithful. Reflect on his faithfulness in your life by writing a memoir or journal about how he has moved in your life, and share it with those close to you. 

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