Palm Valley Route 66 Blog

by Greg Rohlinger

1 Samuel 20:16-17

Scripture

“16So Jonathan made a solemn pact with David,^[a] saying, “May the Lord destroy all your enemies!” 17 And Jonathan made David reaffirm his vow of friendship again, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.”

Observation:

In the midst of serious stress, Johnathan’s father Saul is seeking to kill David, Jonathan and David make a pact to be faithful to their friendship. This is a huge commitment by Jonathan, knowing that it may set himself against his father. Jonathan knows that David is God’s chosen man, and he chooses to do that which is right over that which is convenient. In essence, Jonathan wants to be right with God more than anyone. It leads him to commit to friendship with David.

Application:

God calls us to make a sold-out commitment to Him, which leads us to make a commitment to each other as follower’s of Jesus. This is a commitment to standing by one another, holding each other accountable, and loving each other even when it’s not convenient. I know that I want friends around me who have said yes to Jesus, and are sold out to seeing me become my best. I also need to be this for those around me.

Prayer:

Father, please bring people into my life who are so committed to you that they’ll walk through the up’s and down’s of life with me. Bring people who make me a better man, husband, father and pastor. Lord, help me to stand by others in their time of need, helping them to become more like you!”

By Derrick Logan

Scripture:

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.”     - John 8:31

Observation:

Jesus is laying out the requirements for being His disciple.  So many people during this time would simply say that they were “children of God,” thinking that was all it took to be pleasing to God.  Jesus was purposefully noting that in order to follow Him, you have to live out His teachings; you’ve got to walk the talk

Application:

First I need to know the teachings of Jesus.  Before I can live them out, I need to study them and know them.  It needs to become part of my DNA.  Then I have to live them out everyday.  There’s no time off, no breaks, it’s all the time, everytime.  Jesus gave His all for me and I need to do the same for Him.

Prayer:

Help me to know You more, Jesus.  Help me to apply Your teachings directly to my life and live them out continually.  It’s my hearts desire to please You with everything I have.  Thank You for giving Yourself wholy for me.  All I am is Yours.  Amen.

By Ryan Nunez

Scripture

1 Samuel 17:37

“The Lord who saved me from the claws of the lion and the bear will save me from this Philistine.”

Observation

This has been one of my favorite passages from the Bible ever since I was young.  I can actually picture my Sunday School class with Mrs. Ray and the flanelgraph board with David, Goliath, and the little steam where David picked up his stones for the battle.  As David explains to Saul why he wants to fight Goliath we begin to understand that God has been developing David his whole life for this moment.  God has given him smaller, yet substantial victories in the past over wild animals.  Fights he shouldn’t have won, but did.  David was wise enough to recognize God’s faithfulness in his life and apply it when the moment came.

Application

When my faith is put to the test, my first reaction is often to size up the situation.  This often leads to worry and doubt.  What I need to do is focus on is God’s faithfulness in my past and realize that God does not change.

Prayer

God, give me perspective in times of trial.  Help me to rely on our character and faithfulness and not on my own abilities.

By Daniel Conner

Scripture:

The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.  Proverbs 15:9

Observation:

Pursue is defined as “to strive to gain; seek to attain or accomplish”, godliness is something that we are to be striving for, chasing after.  Godliness is not a destination as many of us would like to think.  Godliness is the constant chasing of God, to become like him in all that we think, say, and do.   

Application:

Each day the are things that pull me 100 different directions, all of which are wanting me to pursue them.  Now these things may be good, they may be not so good, they may not be good or bad.  However, the fact still remains, that these things are still fighting for my attention for me to pursue them.  It is in those times that I must remember what I have been called to do with my life, and I must ask myself some tough questions, and if I’m not sure then I need to bring those things to the Lord with a heart that is open, and I need to be willing to talk with a close friend who is in the same pursue of godliness to help me push away those things that get in my way in my pursuit of godliness.

What am I pursuing?  How is that drawing me closer to Christ?

Prayer:

Father thank you for pursuing me when I was far from you.  Thank you for your love that drought me to you.  Father as I desire to be more like you, help me to pursue only those thinks that will draw me closer to you.

Posted by: Jeremiah Hann

Scripture:

Then Saul said, “Let’s chase the Philistines all night and plunder them until sunrise. Let’s destroy every last one of them.” His men replied, “We’ll do whatever you think is best.” But the priest said, “Let’s ask God first.” 1 Samuel 14:36

Observation:

Saul was getting all riled up with leading the people, and he began to make some decision based on emotions. This verse has him making a decision on what all the people needed to do, and his people telling him that they will do whatever he wants, whatever he thinks is “best”. Almost seems like the priest steps in and reminds them, that when they are making these big decisions, that they need to stop and remember to ask God first.

Application:

How often do we just make decisions without asking God. Maybe go out on a whim and do something, and later it doesn’t work out. This is the same situation that Saul and his men were in. They were ready to just go out and killing the Philistines. But when they stopped and asked God, Saul comes back and says “Something’s wrong!” (vs. 38). When he stopped to ask God what he would want, he realized that someone had sinned.

Prayer:

Hey God, help me to always ask you for advise. I don’t ever want to make big decisions based on emotions. Please help me to always take some time and pray to you for guidance. Thanks you for putting this example in the bible for me to read today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

posted by: Darius Sanders

Scripture
John 6:43
But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said.”

Observation
Jesus put these people in their place!  Since Jesus never sinned, it can be easy to get an image of Jesus as a timid guy that let people walk all over Him.  However, this verse says quite the opposite.  Jesus tells the people around him to stop complaining about what He has just told them.  In this case, the people are complaining because Jesus told them that He came down from Heaven.  The people were certain that Jesus came from Mary and Joseph so they were having a difficult time accepting His teaching.  Jesus doesn’t go on to explain Himself, He simply tells the people to stop complaining about what He said.  Sadly, in John 6:66 we find out that some people that just couldn’t accept what He was saying turned away and deserted Him. 

Application
In honor of Mother’s Day, I must point out: Doesn’t Jesus’ reply sound a lot like a mom?  “Stop complaining about what I said and start doing what I told you.”

Too often, we as Christians have a tendency to spend too much of our time complaining about Jesus’ teachings as opposed to simply doing what He taught us to do.  For example, God tells us in Malachi 3 that if we are not giving ten percent of all we make to Him, we are robbing Him.… Yet how many people come to church week in and week out, neglect giving God a tenth of their money, then complain when the pastor gives a message about giving money to God?  These people go to their friends, neighbors, home team members, and family saying, “Can you believe that pastor talked about giving money to the church again!”  I can imagine Jesus looking down from Heaven saying to these people, “Stop complaining about what I said.”  Sadly, most people don’t stop complaining about what He said and instead choose to switch churches when their pastor teaches a message that hits too close to home, such as the “Money Message.”  You see, we can complain about Jesus’ teachings all we want, but that won’t get us anywhere.  In the end, we need to remember that His teachings are the truth that we need to be applying to our lives. 

Prayer
God, I’ll be the first to admit that at times I complain about what You say in the bible instead of simply doing what You tell me to do.  Two things that come to mind are I have a hard time “turning the other cheek” when somebody wrongs me, and I have a hard time taking a “Sabbath Day of rest” for fear that people will think I’m lazy.  Today I’m praying that You will help me to quit complaining about these commands You’ve given me to follow.  Help me to be a follower that spends more time complying with what You’ve called me to do rather than complaining about why I shouldn’t do it.

By: Brent Hodges

Scripture

“So he demanded, ‘Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!’  And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself.”  1 Samuel 13:9

Observation

Saul and his army are awaiting Samuel’s arrival at Gilgal in preparation for their battle with the Philistines.  As they wait, men begin losing their courage and fleeing from the impending battle.  Realizing this, Saul decides to take matters into his own and hands and offer the sacrifices instead of waiting for Samuel.  In doing so, Saul disobeys the command God gave him through Samuel resulting in the prophesied loss of his kingdom.

Application

Don’t we often take things into our own hands when we don’t feel like God is coming through when we expect Him to.  We find ourselves making excuses or figuring out how we can make this work now instead of awaiting God’s timing.  When we do this, we are in essence telling God that we don’t think He knows best for our lives…we’ve got it all under control and besides we need this now…not when He decides to allow it to unfold, or better yet if! 

Our disobedience will not allow us to see what God had in store for us.  Our choice may result in us missing out on so much more that God had planned.  God is capable of immeasurably more than we could ever imagine…why do we think we know best? 

Prayer

Lord, please forgive me for the times you have been testing my faith and I’ve taken the easy way out by refusing to wait for You.  Grant me discernment to know when You are commanding me to simply be still and have patience…for You may be about to do more than I could ever imagine!

By Dennis Johnston

Scripture:

Saul replied, “But I’m only from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important of all the families of that tribe! Why are you talking like this to me?” 1 Samuel 9:21

Observation:

Just before this the people demanded a king that would lead them - just like the other nations. They repeated their cry for a human king - thus rejecting God who had went before them and fought their battles. God grants their request and we pick it up with a conversation between Samuel and Saul. God has already spoken to Samuel and instructed him to anoint Saul as the king of Israel. Saul was the hope of the people of Israel to win military victories over their enemies (chapter 8).

Application:

Saul was head and shoulders above the rest - literally (1 Samuel 10:23). When Saul is speaking to Samuel he expresses humility (a modest opinion of one’s self) as he reminds him who he is and where he comes from. This is a key character trait for all Christ-followers that was modeled by Jesus (Philippians 2:2-11).  God instructs me to:

1.  Regard others as more important than myself

2.  Look out for the interest of others

Obedience to God helps me to embrace humility as I surrender to His will.  It will unite me with others for His purpose as I become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.

Prayer:

God - I need to embrace humility the same way Jesus did as he humbled Himself to your will on a daily basis.  Give me opportunities today to “seek out” the interest of others so you will be glorified.  Give me a heart for humility that seeks to meet the needs of others. I thank You for empowering me to do Your will.

Scripture:

So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself.  He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.” - John 5:19

Observation:

Jesus is getting hammered by a bunch of religious people for not recognizing the Sabbath as they think He should.  In reality, He’s following out what the Father has modeled for Him.

A son does nothing that isn’t modeled for him at home.  He learns his ways by seeing how his father lives.

Application:

I’m going to be a dad tomorrow.  The thought of having child entrusted to me to raise is a little unnerving at times.  This passage really challenges me to keep my focus on the ways of God and the teachings of Christ.  If I live these out, my child will see it and be taught to live this way.

Prayer:

Help me to be a great dad, God.  Fill me with your love and wisdom, that I might impart this to the child you’ve entrusted to me.  I know I’m bound to make mistakes.  When I fall, I pray that my child will see me respond in a Godly way.  Ultimately, this child is in your hands.  Thank you for trusting me with this great responsibility.  Amen.

By Ryan Nunez

Scripture:

Ruth 2:2   One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out to the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.”

Observation

Ruth is taking advantage of the practice of gleaning from the fields after the harvest to provide for herself and Naomi.   What stuck out to me in this passage was the fact that generosity to the less fortunate was ingrained in the business practices and culture of God’s people.  The Israelittes were instructed not to harvest from the edges of the field and not to pick up any grain that drops or is missed on the first pass. This was to be left for the poor among them as a mandate from God.  This is over and above their tithes and offerings.  They don’t get to credit this grain left behind as part of their ten percent tithe or as a portion of their first fruits offerings.  It is just the way they meet the needs of those around them.  It is a culture of generosity.

Application

Typically, generosity is a spur of the moment thing.  If we see a need we often reach out to meet it.  But how do we program in generosity into our lives?  What are ways that we can take what we automatically do and focus some of that energy and resources into those who are in need?

Prayer

God, help me to be intentional and creative when it comes to giving.