The Blessed Wounds of Godly Criticism

Posted on 2014/01/08 by Shawn Thomas

In Psalm 141:5 David prays: “Let a righteous man strike me – it is a kindness; let him rebuke me – it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it.” Psalm 141 is evidently an evening prayer of confession for David. It seems that he is looking back on the day and praying about areas in his life in which he has fallen short: for example, in :3 he prays “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth.” Like many of us, he had probably said some things he shouldn’t have that day! It is instructive to us that one of the things he prays about is what is found here in :5 — that the righteous would rebuke him, and that he would not refuse it when they did.

Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Abandoning the Inadequate

Posted on 2014/01/07 by Shawn Thomas

In II Samuel 5:21 it says that after David defeated the Philistines in battle, “They abandoned their idols there, so David and his men carried them away.” It is both Ironic and instructive that the Philistines cast aside those idols which could not deliver them in battle. Because they proved themselves to be powerless, they were left behind.

Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

No Beds of Ease

Posted on 2014/01/06 by Shawn Thomas

II Samuel 5:17 tells us: “When the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to seek out David.” We read in :12 that David realized how God had established and blessed him as king over Israel. But here we see that this did NOT mean that it was all going to be “happily ever after.” The Philistines were coming up against him to go to war. God’s blessing on David did NOT mean there will not be conflict and difficulty. It was just that in his battles, he knew that God was with him, and would bless him. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hurtful Ways

Posted on 2014/01/03 by Shawn Thomas

In Psalm 139:23 David asks: “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” Then in :24 he prays: “and see if there be any hurtful way in me.” “Hurtful way” here is literally, “way of pain.” Our sinful, or ungodly ways, are “hurtful”, “painful” to ourselves and to others.

Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What Voracity Reveals

Posted on 2014/01/02 by Shawn Thomas

Hebrews 12:16 exhorts: “that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.”
This verse is very revealing, not only about Esau, but many people today as well. It teaches us that Esau was NOT a “good guy” who just didn’t happen to be God’s chosen ancestor for the Messiah. It describes him as “immoral” and “godless.” And what was the manifestation of that? He “sold his own birthright for a single meal.” His voracious actions betrayed his character. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christmas in Carolina

Posted on 2014/01/01 by Shawn Thomas

20131230-142415.jpg
Since two of our children are married with families, attending Southeastern Baptist Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and one has a baby and the other is expecting, we needed to take a trip east if we were going to have all the kids together for Christmas. So following our church’s Christmas musical the morning of the 22nd, Cheryl, Paul, Michael & I headed out immediately to the east. Almost 24 hours later, we arrived, a bit weary, but so excited to see everyone that we had no trouble staying awake — especially when we saw little Corley Jane, whom we had missed greatly:

Continue reading →

Posted in Home & Family Life, This Week In Paradise (pastors family blog) | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An Edifying Syllogism

Posted on 2014/01/01 by Shawn Thomas

Psalm 139:14 says: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made … wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.” Here is a word of genuine, Biblical self-esteem. GOD made us, “wove” us in our mother’s womb (:13). We are “wonderfully made.” His works are “wonderful” – therefore, Biblical Christians should understand that because God has created them, they are WONDERFUL!
Here is the logic spelled out in a syllogism:

— God’s works are wonderful.
— God made me.
— Therefore, I am wonderful!

NOW: it is important that all of this be kept in a humble, Biblical balance. There has been too much promulgation in America of a gospel of “self-esteem” which is not Biblical. However, this does not negate the truth we find in this scripture. Each of us is indeed fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Undoubtedly, no small number of people today really need to hear this word: “God has made you; therefore you are wonderful!”

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Awakening to God’s Blessings

Posted on 2013/12/31 by Shawn Thomas

II Samuel 5:12 says: “And David realized that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.” This verse comes in the context of David having come to be king over all Israel, and experiencing God’s blessings in battle (he had captured “the city of David” from the Jebusites, :6-9) and in gifts from Hiram, King of Tyre (:11). He had been experiencing the blessing of God on his life and kingdom, but :12 indicates that in a sense, one day David “woke up” to what was happening: God had indeed established and blessed him.

Perhaps some of us need to have that same kind of “awakening.”

Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

God Will Fulfill Your Purpose

Posted on 2013/12/30 by Shawn Thomas

In Psalm 138:8 David declares confidently that God’s purposes for him will come to pass: “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of Your hands.” (ESV) Each of us can have this same confidence, based on the truths of this verse: Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Fear of Man Exemplified

Posted on 2013/12/27 by Shawn Thomas

I Samuel 3 relates how King Ish-bosheth rebuked his general, Abner, for immorality. Abner responded with indignation and anger and promised to deliver the rest of the kingdom of Israel to David. Ish-bosheth was mortified. Verse 11 says: “And he could no longer answer Abner a word, because he was afraid of him.”

Ish-bosheth had a fundamental problem. A leader cannot have subordinates or “staff” that he is afraid of! Of course, the problem here began with how Ish-bosheth was made king. Chapter 2:8 says that when David became king of Judah, Abner had taken Ish-bosheth and made him king over the other tribes. So Ish-bosheth was a puppet. Given his position by a man, he knew he could have it taken away by the same man. Continue reading →

Posted in Devotions/Bible Studies | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment