Mercy defines the Sabbath day, discover how to "delight in the Lord" (Isa 56:1–7,Isa 58:13–14)

This is what the Lord says:

“Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you. Blessed are all those who are careful to do this. Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong.

“Don’t let foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord say, ‘The Lord will never let me be part of his people. And don’t let the eunuchs say, ‘I’m a dried-up tree with no children and no future.’

For this is what the Lord says: 

I will bless those eunuchs who keep my Sabbath days holy and who choose to do what pleases me and commit their lives to me...“I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord, who serve him and love his name, who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who hold fast to my covenant. I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22-25) and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer (1 Corinthians 6:19). I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations. Isa 56:1–7

Over the past few months I've been looking at Stop in the Name of God with guys from Teen Challenge Portland house. I wanted to share with the guys that resting in the Lord is a great way to spend Saturday, healing and new paths open up as we rest in the Lord and focus on "seeking his face." in community. 

“Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly. Then the Lord will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken!” - Isa 58:13–14

Sabbath is mentioned 154 time in the NIV. The "mercy defines the day" theme is perhaps the most continuous. Deuteronomy's Exodus-grounded rationale for Sabbath rest, "you were slaves, therefore your servants and animals rest" is not overturned by Jesus but drawn out to its logical conclusion. The healings are Deuteronomy in action, performed by the One who authored the Exodus.

The most surprising convergence is the mission column. Isaiah 56's vision of foreigners keeping the Sabbath at the mountain of prayer is so specific that Paul's synagogue strategy in Acts looks like deliberate fulfillment. He was not accommodating Jewish custom for pragmatic reasons, he was standing inside Isaiah's prophetic picture and announcing its arrival.

And the eschatological rest column shows the most sophisticated typological argument in the canon. Hebrews 4 is not proof-texting; it is reading Genesis 2, Psalm 95, and the Conquest narratives together and showing that the open-ended seventh day was always waiting for an antitype that only Christ's finished work could supply.

Theme	Old Testament foundation	New Testament fulfillment
Lord of the Sabbath God's sovereign ownership of the day	Gen 2:2–3 · Ex 20:8–11 · Deut 5:12–15 · Ezek 20:12,20 The Sabbath belongs to YHWH — "a Sabbath to the LORD." God himself rested, blessed, and hallowed the seventh day. Ezekiel calls it his personal sign between himself and Israel. Sovereignty over the Sabbath is an exclusively divine attribute, not delegated to any human authority.	Mark 2:28 · Matt 12:8 · John 5:17–18 Jesus claims the identical sovereignty: "the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." This is not a relaxation of the law but a Christological claim. John 5:17 makes the logic explicit — the Father's ongoing work grounds the Son's Sabbath activity. He who created the Sabbath now fulfills it in person. Type fulfilled in Christ's person
Mercy defines the day Liberation and rest for the powerless	Ex 23:12 · Deut 5:15 · Isa 58:13–14 · Lev 25 Deuteronomy grounds the Sabbath in the Exodus: "you were a slave in Egypt." Rest must therefore extend to servants, animals, and foreigners. The Sabbath year releases debts; the Jubilee restores land. Isaiah 58 redefines true Sabbath as justice. The day is structurally a liberation institution.	Matt 12:12 · Luke 13:16 · Luke 14:5 Jesus draws out the mercy logic already embedded in Deuteronomy. Calling the bent woman a "daughter of Abraham" deliberately echoes covenant identity and Exodus liberation. His ox-in-the-pit argument (Luke 14:5) appeals to mercy his opponents already practiced and extends it to a human being. OT humanitarian law → christological healing
Custom & practice The Sabbath as covenant identity	Ex 16 · Ex 31:12–17 · Num 15:32–36 · Neh 13:15–22 The manna narrative pre-Sinai established the weekly pattern before the law was given. Ex 31 makes the Sabbath a perpetual covenant sign. Violation was a capital offense in the wilderness (Num 15). Nehemiah enforced it at Jerusalem's gates as a marker of post-exilic covenant fidelity.	Luke 4:16 · Luke 23:56 · Matt 24:20 Jesus attended the synagogue "as was his custom" the covenant-keeper embodying the covenant sign. The women rested on the Sabbath even in their grief, honoring the commandment. Jesus' instruction to pray the flight not be on the Sabbath shows the rhythm still shaping his disciples' future. Covenant sign kept perfectly by the covenant Lord
Shadow & substance Critique and universalizing of observance	Isa 1:13–14 · Isa 56:2–7 · Amos 8:5 · Jer 31:31–34 The prophets already anticipated a deeper fulfillment. Isaiah condemns hollow Sabbath-keeping while simultaneously opening Sabbath participation to foreigners and eunuchs (Isa 56) — universalizing what Israel had privatized. Jeremiah's new covenant inscribes law on the heart, relativizing external observance as its ultimate form.	Col 2:16–17 · Rom 14:5 · Gal 4:10 Paul declares the Sabbath a "shadow" of the substance that is Christ (Col 2:17). The prophetic critique of empty observance is resolved: the reality the day pointed toward has arrived. Sabbath keeping becomes a conscience matter rather than a salvific one the OT itself prepared this trajectory. Prophetic anticipation → Pauline declaration
Eschatological rest The open-ended seventh day	Gen 2:2–3 · Ps 95:7–11 · Deut 12:9 · Lev 25The seventh day in Genesis uniquely has no closing formula ("evening and morning") — it is open-ended rest. Psalm 95 uses "my rest" as a future threat written after the Conquest, showing Canaan did not exhaust the promise. The Promised Land was called "rest" (Deut 12:9), but a greater rest still lay ahead. The Jubilee projects Sabbath rhythm onto a cosmic scale.	Heb 4:1–11 · John 19:30Hebrews weaves Genesis, Psalm 95, and Canaan into one typological argument: three Sabbath-rests (creation, land, Ps 95's future promise) converge on a single antitype — the rest believers enter by faith in Christ's finished work. "It is finished" is the ultimate Sabbath declaration. The rest that remains is eschatological, inaugurated now and consummated at the resurrection. Three OT types → one NT antitype
Mission platform All nations at God's Sabbath	Isa 56:2–7 · Isa 66:23 · Ezek 46:1–3 Isaiah 56 is striking: foreigners who keep the Sabbath will be welcomed at God's holy mountain, "for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." Isaiah 66 envisions all flesh coming to worship on new moons and Sabbaths in the new creation. Ezekiel 46 pictures the Sabbath as the rhythm of restored, universal worship.	Acts 13:14,42–44 · Acts 16:13 · Acts 17:2 · Acts 18:4 Paul built his entire Gentile mission around the Sabbath synagogue assembly. Isaiah's vision — foreigners gathering at God's house on the Sabbath — is precisely what Paul exploited across Antioch, Thessalonica, Corinth, and Philippi. The Sabbath gathering became the first and most natural platform for announcing that the One the Scriptures promised had come. Isaiah's vision → apostolic mission strategy

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The problem with us and the Solution (James 4:1-10, Prov 3:1-8, 2 Peter 1:3-11))

Enjoying Being humble enough to agree with God and how this relates with drawing near to God, humbly summitting ourselves to Him (James 4:6-8). Either we resist the devil or find ourselves opposed to God. Reading James 4, there's a pattern of resisting the flesh, the world and devil I haven't noticed before. 

Fights and quarrels come from the desires that battle within (flesh). These are covetousness or self focused motives. When we desire things for our own pleasure, we aren't asking God but complaining to him (James 4:1-3). James describes this as friendship with the world as being adulterous, arousing God's jealous longing for us. (James 4:4-5). Yet God gives us more grace (Prov 3:34) when we store his commands in our heart, holding on to loyalty and kindness as a leash around your neck and a heart deep commitment to God and people (Prov 3:1-4).

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding, seek his will in all you do and he will show you which path to take (Romans 12:1-3). Prov 3:5-6

Not impressed with your selfish wisdom, instead fear the LORD, turn away from evil. Then healing comes to your body and strength for your bones (Prov 3:7-8)

Honor the LORD with your wealth, the BEST of everything you produce, then he will provide abundantly more than we can ask or imagine (Eph 3:20) Prov 3:9-10

Don't reject or be upset by the LORD's discipline and correction, see his loving face from an elevation that gives perspective on the past and future (Heb 11-12) Prov 3:11-12

What are hearts truly hunger for is the freedom in Christ, the fruit of the Spirit, that delights our neighbor in love (Galatians 5). Joyful is the person who finds wisdom and then gains understanding (Pilgrim's Progress). This is the win-win of long life and riches and honor, personified as a guide we can embrace tightly. Prov 3:13-18

By wisdom the LORD founded the earth and by understanding created the heavens, his knowledge is rushing stream of living water and gentle dew beneath the night sky. Prov 3:19-20

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The Final Debrief: What We Carry Into Glory

Every believer stands on the same foundation, Jesus Christ. But what each one builds upon that foundation is tested by fire at the Bema seat of Christ. Paul's warning in 1 Corinthians 3 is not about salvation but about legacy: wood, hay, and stubble represent the self-serving, the superficial, and the temporally motivated, while gold, silver, and precious stones represent faithful obedience built for God's glory. The judgment seat described in 2 Corinthians 5 is not a courtroom of condemnation but an accounting of stewardship. every deed done in the body examined not for guilt, but for faithfulness. The reward of that faithfulness is heard in the simplest words imaginable: "Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21). But the teaching does not end with the reward, it ends with worship. Revelation 4 reveals that the crowns given to the elders are not kept as trophies; they are cast before the throne of the One who alone is worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. The whole arc of the teaching presses a single question: What are you building, and for whom? What survives the fire will be laid at His feet and that changes everything about how we live today.

Works That Follow Us: What we do in this life has eternal weight.

• Revelation 14:13: our works follow us beyond death.
• 1 Corinthians 3:10–15: Christ tests the quality of our work; only what is fireproof remains.
• 2 Corinthians 5:10: every believer appears before Christ for reward.
• Colossians 3:23–24: work done “unto the Lord” becomes inheritance.
• Ephesians 6:7–8: the Lord repays the good we do.
• Hebrews 6:10: God is not unjust to forget faithful labor.

Character That Carries Forward: Sanctification is not discarded at death. It is completed.

• Romans 8:29–30: God’s endgame is Christlikeness.
• 1 John 3:2: we will be like Him when we see Him.
• 2 Corinthians 3:18: the transformation happening now continues into what is revealed then.
• Philippians 1:6: He finishes what He starts.
• Colossians 3:10: renewed into the image of the Creator.
• Jude 24: He keeps us and presents us blameless with joy.

Souls Won and Discipled: People, not possessions, cross into eternity.

• 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20: believers Paul invested in are his crown.
• Philippians 4:1: people are lasting fruit.
• Daniel 12:3: leading many to righteousness shines forever.
• John 4:36: the sower and reaper rejoice together.
• Proverbs 11:30: the one who wins souls is wise.

Rewards, Faithfulness, and Stewardship

The Parable Framework: Jesus ties eternal reward to faithfulness in ordinary responsibility.

• Matthew 25:14–30: talents judged; reward proportional to faithfulness.
• Luke 19:11–27: faithfulness over “very little” leads to authority over cities.
• Matthew 25:34–40: serving “the least of these” is serving Christ.

Crowns as Specific Rewards

• 2 Timothy 4:8: crown of righteousness for loving His appearing.
• James 1:12 / Revelation 2:10: crown of life for endurance.
• 1 Peter 5:4: crown of glory for faithful shepherds.
• 1 Corinthians 9:24–27: imperishable crown for disciplined service.
• Revelation 3:11: hold fast so no one takes your crown.

Stewardship Principles

• Luke 16:10–12: faithfulness with what is small reveals readiness for true riches.
• Matthew 6:19–21: treasure in heaven, not on earth.
• Luke 12:42–48: much given, much required.
• Romans 14:12: each gives an account to God.
• Hebrews 4:13: nothing hidden before Him.

Accounting for Time and Gifts

• Ephesians 5:15–16: redeem the time.
• 1 Peter 4:10: steward spiritual gifts for others.
• Matthew 12:36: account even for careless words.
• Ecclesiastes 12:13–14: every deed brought into judgment.

Hearing “Well Done”

The Direct Words

• Matthew 25:21, 23: “Well done… enter the joy of your Master.”
• Luke 19:17: faithfulness in little brings kingdom authority.

Approval From God, Not Men

• 2 Timothy 2:15: present yourself to God as one approved.
• 1 Corinthians 4:3–5: the Lord examines motives.
• Galatians 1:10: seek His approval, not applause.
• John 5:44: desire the glory that comes from God.

The Joy of the Master

• Matthew 25:21: reward includes shared joy.
• Hebrews 12:2: Jesus endured for the joy ahead; we follow that pattern.
• Zephaniah 3:17: God rejoices over His people.

Standing Before the Judge-King

• Revelation 22:12: Christ returns with rewards in hand.
• Isaiah 40:10: His recompense is with Him.
• Hebrews 11:6: He rewards diligent seekers.
• Romans 2:6–7: He renders according to works.

The Crown Returned in Worship

• Revelation 4:10–11: every crown is cast at His feet. Reward becomes worship.

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Being humble enough to agree with God

Enjoying the thought of God's fertilizing work during this final season of grace. Specifically being humble to take a lower position and waiting for the call (Luke 14:7–11)

Direct Teachings on Humility

• Philippians 2:3-8 - "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves... Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who... humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death"
• James 4:6, 10 - "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble... Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you"
• 1 Peter 5:5-6 - "Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another... Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you"
• Micah 6:8 - "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
• Proverbs 11:2 - "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom"
• Matthew 18:3-4 - "Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest"

Examples of Humble Actions

• John 13:3-5, 14-15 - Jesus washing disciples' feet: "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet"
• 2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven"
• Luke 18:9-14 - Tax collector vs. Pharisee: "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!"
• Numbers 12:3 - "Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth"
• Acts 20:19 - Paul: "serving the Lord with all humility and with tears"

God's Response to Humility

• Isaiah 57:15 - "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up... 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit'"
• Isaiah 66:2 - "But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word"
• Psalm 25:9 - "He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way"
• Proverbs 3:34 - "Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor

Warnings Against Pride

• Proverbs 16:18 - "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall"
• Proverbs 29:23 - "One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor"
• Daniel 4:37 - Nebuchadnezzar: "Those who walk in pride he is able to humble"
• Luke 1:51-52 (Mary's Magnificat) - "He has scattered the proud... he has exalted those of humble estate"

These passages connect well with Luke 14:11, the pattern of divine reversal where God lifts the humble and brings low the proud appears throughout Scripture.

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Love is the tool that unveils our hearts, crucifies our flesh, and welcomes God into our lives (Gal 2:20,5:22-25,Rom 6:6-14)

Enjoying a time of fasting with the Lord, listening, receiving, praying and walking with Him. This holy week I'm contemplating God's love held Jesus to the Cross, not the nails. Love is the tool we use to unveil (circumcise) our hearts, to crucify our flesh, and come into God's light. Love removes the spec from our eye, so we can see clearly. Love lifts the shame and guilt from our spirit. Love fills us with living water. Love plows the hard ground of our heart and removes the weeds so that new life can flourish and be fruitful. 

• Matthew 28:5: Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
• Acts 4:10: Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead.
• Galatians 2:20: My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. - Romans 6:6-14

Gal 2:20,5:22-25,Rom 6:6-14 NLT, MSG

Tuesday we enjoyed the Session 4: Holy Saturday: Where? "Where is God when heaven is silent". So many guys left before hearing the big finish about Psalm 22 which Jesus was remembering on the Cross. The creation of all that popular music, revealed at the end. 

Yesterday I was reviewing 40Days, revisiting day 2. Then on my way to work A.J. shared the Story of Jonah during SALT and Light, it was amazing!

• Sign of Jonah - Listen and repent for salvation and receive true Light (Luke 11:29-36)
• Discovering the Light of listening and being Salt (Luke 8-14)
• Light of listening and bearing the cross (Luke 8:1-9:45). 

It's so obvious that we hide, in secret shame for no reason. We need more than a reading of these truths we need to come into the presence of God. 

Veil of our fleshly fallen nature living on, unjudged within us, uncrucified and unrepudiated

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New covenant prophecy for how we identify "Israel" (Jer 3:18, 16:14-15, 23:7-8, 24:5-7))

“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, so I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. I will keep My eyes on them for good and will return them to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart - Jer 24:5-7

 Jer 16:14-18

14) No longer people God rescued from Egypt

15) instead God brought pepole of Israel back to their own land from north and from all countries which he exiled them

15b) " For I will bring them back to this land that I gave their ancestors."

• My friend Steve Stang said his favorite reason to give why he believes the Bible is true is prophecy fulfilled about Israel. It's a people, place on the map and part of real history. 
• In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave to your fathers as an inheritance. - Jeremiah 3:18
• So behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when they will no longer say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of the land of Egypt.' - Jeremiah 23:7
• Instead they will say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought and led the descendants of the house of Israel up out of the land of the north and all the other lands to which He had banished them.' Then they will dwell once more in their own land." - Jeremiah 23:8

Theme is seen in Isaiah 14:1 and Ezekiel 36:23-28

• On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. - Isaiah 11:11
• For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again He will choose Israel and settle them in their own land. The foreigner will join them and unite with the house of Jacob. -Isaiah 14:1
• I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.
• “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. - Ezekiel 36:23-28

We are seeing this prophecy fulfilled today in the nation of Israel. Blessed are you who have eyes that see, ears that hear and heart that understands. 

• Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name, that we may glory in Your praise. - Psalm 106:47
• Lord give us a heart of repentance, glorify your name in us. 
• God has not rejected Israel (Romans 11:1, 11:2, 11:11)
• “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: ‘The deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.’” Romans 11:25-27
• What Does the Bible Say About Restoration Of Israel?
  

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Procrastination means delaying the act of taking decisions

Procrastination is putting off important tasks for later when you could do them at the moment. It is more or less postponing actions that are necessary and instead, doing things that are not so important. 

I've been talking with my brother about life necessities and purposes. Categorically relationships are our biggest necessity, with God, family, friends, and community - but how do we break it down into daily necessities. I think about prayer, exercise, acts of kindness, a posture of hospitality. But it's easy to get distracted and fall back into old habits of activity that take us away from our purposes. 

When I procrastinate, I replace what I am supposed to do with something irrelevant or less important. As a result, I fail to prioritize my goals and miss important deadlines and fail to reach targets. The problem is I'm not responding to my conscious when it nudges me and I've trained myself to be dull against its prompting. This all reminds me of a phrase by Daniel Henderson, "Don't just do something, pray." When I was younger I prayed often and simply, "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." We need God to shepherd us into the relevant and important things in life. Serenity is the state of peace in His presence. 

I've signed up for https://virtuemap.com/ to help me get on track to complete my biggest goals. It's funny to me, I'm ambitious and say yes to everything - then I'm not able to see it through without running into procrastination and stress. I'm an Achiever (Enneagram type 3), I can get disconnected from my Essential Self with its core of real value (heart's desire). I'm ready to go from "average #5" towards "healthy." To get rid of phoniness and work towards investing in being the "best."

Most important tasks/goals I would like to work on:

1. Be the best me every day, fully loving the LORD my God with all my heart, soul, strength, and mind and loving my neighbor as myself (Luke 10:27).

2. Be the best husband, caring for my wife according to her needs

3. Be the best Online Trainer by bringing my group of leaders and their group members to the LORD every day in Prayer.

4. Be a productive team member, enhancing the work of others around me with personal contributions. 

5. Gain a new Cloud/Architecture Certification every quarter, demonstrating my professional ability. 

Getting to Healthy in phases:

• Level 1 (At Their Best): Self-accepting, inner-directed, and authentic, everything they seem to be. Modest and charitable, self-deprecatory humor and a fullness of heart emerge. Gentle and benevolent.
• Level 2: Self-assured, energetic, and competent with high self-esteem: they believe in themselves and their own value. Adaptable, desirable, charming, and gracious.
• Level 3: Ambitious to improve themselves, to be "the best they can be"—often become outstanding, a human ideal, embodying widely admired cultural qualities. Highly effective: others are motivated to be like them in some positive way.

Average Levels

• Level 4: Highly concerned with their performance, doing their job well, constantly driving self to achieve goals as if self-worth depends on it. Terrified of failure. Compare self with others in search for status and success. Become careerists, social climbers, invested in exclusivity and being the "best."

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Fill your heart with love today (Psalm 91:14-16)

Psalm 91:14-16 came to me during healing night at Alpha TC. We sang Holy Spirit and build my life and prayed for protection, deliverance, and faith. I believe generations were healed by God that night. Jon heard a good word at church; "The devil knows our name and calls us by our sin. God knows our sin and calls us by our name." The Lord is worthy of honor and praise, in him is satisfaction and we see his salvation. Alleluia you have saved me, so much better your way, Alleluia great defender - so much better this way. 

 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;

    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call on me, and I will answer him;

    I will be with him in trouble,

    I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him

    and show him my salvation.”

Enjoying my study of Hosea, Innocent protected, haughty brought low, restoration being God's goal (Hosea 2-3)

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Abner's choices bring violence to the beginning of David's kingship (2 Samuel 1-4)

2 Samuel 1-4
AIM: God wants us to view struggles in light of his plan for our lives

A) David finds out Saul and Jonathan are dead, laments
1:1-10) survivor, finished Saul - tells David Saul and Jonathan are dead, crown and bracelet delivered
11-16) David, all tear clothes mourned, kills son of Amalekite for murdering Lords anointed.
17-27) lament, written by David in book of Jashar How have the mighty fallen! Saul and Jonathan
 - David loved Jonathan deeply (26)
Application: What men do I love deeply like a wife? Do they know I love them?

B) David seeks God's wisdom, Abner's wisdom results in conflict and violence
2:1-7) David inquired Lord, goes to Judah, Hebron - men anointed him king, blessing those who buried Saul
8-11) Abner made Ish-bosheth (age 40) king of Gilead, Ashurites, Jezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, Judah follows David
12-17) 12 from each fight each other and die together.
18-23) Brothers split, refuse treaty died
24-29) Joab, Abishal pursued Abner, Abner speaks, Joab listens and turns away
30-32) End score Joab 19, David 360
Application: Where is God calling me to end a large conflict with wise words?

C) After 2 or 7 year war, Abner moves to David's, resulting in many more deaths and dishonor.
3:1-5) long war house of Saul (weaker), house of David (stronger). David's 6 sons; Amnon from Ahinoam, Jezreelitess, Chileab by Abigail, Absalom by Maacah, Adonija Haggith, Shephatiah Abital, Ithream Eglah
6-11) Abner offended with guilt over concubine, vows to deliver Saul to David
12-16) Abner makes offer to David - it's yours - David agrees if he gets Michal Saul's daughter, from her now husband.
17-19) Abner consults with elders of Israel, David is our king
20-30) Abner given feast, David yet others suspect treason, kill him, David vows revenge
31-39) David comments lamet for Abner, "may LORD repay the evildoer according to his evil"
4:1-4) Ish-bosheth, Saul's son lost courage when Abner died, Jonathan's crippled son Mephilbosheth
5-8) Sons of Rimmon (Beerothite, Rechab, Baanah killed Ish-bosheth, beheaded and brought to David
9-12) David doesn't reward them but kills them for wickedness
Application: What discontent in my life can I view as God seeking my return to him?

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