I have to admit that the long hours of sunlight have been refreshing. This picture was taken a few months ago so we experienced the sunrise on that particular Saturday morning.

When David’s “gorgeous” son, Absalom, conspired against his father, the people were won over by his good looks, thick hair and welcoming personality.

David was king but willingly left the city of Jerusalem to seek refuge and avoid bloodshed.

There are good looks and then there are wise counselors. Although Absalom convinced Ahithophel (David’s most trusted advisor) to join his conspiracy, God had other plans for Absalom.

Hushai, David’s friend, was urged by the king to go to Absalom and defeat the counsel of Ahithophel. David’s prayer on the Mount of Olives was answered (that Ahithophel’s counsel would be turned to foolishness).

Certainly there are times in our lives when wise counsel is imperative for success. Even wise counselors, however, can be misled by selfish ambition or pure revenge. (One Bible dictionary recorded Ahithophel as being the grandfather of Bathsheba).

We may never know why Ahithophel deserted David to follow a foolish boy but God’s plan was not for David to lose the throne. Instead, Absalom lost his life in a low hanging tree (because of his thick hair).

Hushai indeed gave the counsel that Absalom followed leading to David’s victory, including heartbreak for his son.

Godly parents cannot ensure whether their children will be wise or foolish but they will always have a desire for their children’s lives to be one with God’s heart.

I couldn’t help but see the similarities between King David and Jesus, son of David, both praying on the Mount of Olives before their suffering.

Both of their prayers were answered. David’s prayer that Ahithophel’s advice would be turned to foolishness and Jesus’ prayer that not his will but God the Father’s will be done.

Lord, may we always cast our cares upon you for you will sustain us- you will never let the righteous fall. (based on Psalm 55:22)

Never stop casting, do not let heavy burdens bury you. -Teresa #sustainedby #CreatorGod #salvationby #Jesus #SonofDavid #havemercyonme

2 Samuel 17:14 (ESV)

¹⁴ And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the Lordhad ordained^[d] to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring harm upon Absalom.

I really love the wildflowers that appear each spring on our side yard.

In this passage (below), Jesus was full of surprises as He addressed each of His disciples.

For Peter, not only was his weak flesh revealed but the Lord’s comfort towards him re: a future home in heaven, with Christ.

For Thomas, his need for cold, hard facts led to Christ’s startling claim to be the way, the truth and the life.

For Philip, who missed the boat entirely about who Jesus was (God’s Son) or more likely missed the understanding of how the Holy Trinity worked as 3-in-1, was given a disappointing scolding. One God (being) explained by Nabeel Qureshi (watch at 5:16), “three in person” -who was about to deliver His Holy Spirit.

All three of Jesus’ disciples were in for a surprise. Not only was the appearance of Jesus a miracle for the world (being God’s Son in human form), but He was God’s divine plan for humanity’s salvation. #propitiation

Jesus’ death, resurrection and authority over mankind’s eternal destiny was revealed in this passage.

The works of Jesus were unmatched by any other, especially in bringing Lazarus back to life (even after his sister’s mourned and his flesh had decomposed).

Bringing us from death to life is God’s plan. No longer will we be slaves to sin and death but made alive to God through faith in the risen Lord. #eternalife

Father, may we have eyes of faith today, surprised by your joy for us! – Teresa #CSLewis

John 13:36-14:11 (ESV)

³⁶ Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” ³⁷ Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” ³⁸ Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life

14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;^[a] believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?^[b]3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. ⁴ And you know the way to where I am going.”^[c] 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.^[d] From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

⁸ Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” ⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? ¹⁰ Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works.¹¹ Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

Last month, we attended a sunrise service on Easter, with our church. It was beautiful and memorable. When the sun rose, new hope warmed our souls.

When the Son of God (Jesus) arose from the grave, the world was given love with the hope of new life. This new life looked much different than the disciples had ever anticipated as they started the first church. #ActsoftheApostles

In this passage, David (who was anointed as king to replace the house of Saul) was filled with grief. He was forced to live apart from the community of Israel during this period of Saul’s insanity.

Anointed king (yet not yet ruling king), David lived in the wilderness like a renegade, yet true to God’s call. Jonathon was in no way envious of David but loved him as dearly as a brother.

Who has supported the calling of God on your life? Honor the one who has had no envy (or desire to be “over” you) but has spoken the words of truth and encouragement to your soul.

Keep God’s word between you and such a brother or sister. Who knows how future generations will be blessed by such bonds. #truelove #lastingfruit

-Teresa

I Samuel 20: 38-42 (ESV)

³⁸ And Jonathan called after the boy, “Hurry! Be quick! Do not stay!” So Jonathan’s boy gathered up the arrows and came to his master. ³⁹ But the boy knew nothing. Only Jonathan and David knew the matter. ⁴⁰ And Jonathan gave his weapons to his boy and said to him, “Go and carry them to the city.” ⁴¹ And as soon as the boy had gone, David rose from beside the stone heap^[f] and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most. ⁴² Then Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.’” And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city.^[g]

In this passage (below), the prophet Samuel was displeased with how the children of Israel were conducting themselves. God helped him understand that the request of the people for a king was nothing more than their rejection of God.

As parents, we hope for our children to choose God over the cultural influences. Nevertheless, just as our Heavenly Father gave His people their wish, He also admonished them to understand what it would mean for their children’s children.

We are only one generation from forgetting the Kingship of God. Many families have followed after God’s ways for generations. There enters a weak link when faith in family or need of acceptance is stronger than surrendering to God’s will.

Thankfully, God has many spokespersons who have forsaken family of origin for their new family of God.

Samuel was dedicated to minister in God’s temple at an early age. He spoke with great authority from God’s heart.

Let us choose God’s will over loyalty to what the world says is best for family. Breaking from the mold is not easy but it ensures that our heart is for God first.

Jesus Christ is God’s chosen king! -Teresa

PS Enjoy this beautiful performance by Fantasia. She captures humility of heart with this prayer. “Have Your Way” (I’ve been reminded too, that His grace is sufficient in my weakness)

I Samuel 8: 5b-9 (NLT)

Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations have.”

⁶ Samuel was displeased with their request and went to the Lord for guidance. ⁷ “Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for they are rejecting me, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. ⁸ Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually abandoned me and followed other gods. And now they are giving you the same treatment. ⁹ Do as they ask, but solemnly warn them about the way a king will reign over them.”

Our grandkids planted some carrots and were amazed when the green carrot top emerged from their playground sand. 🥕

Eventually, we dug them up and found that the one that was planted long enough had put all its energy into producing 6 new carrots!

When we go from spiritual death to life, we trust Jesus. In order to go from living by the rules of the flesh or the law (to control the flesh), we must receive HIS life as an atonement for sin. #bornagain

He became sin, who knew no sin. That we might become His righteousness.

Who would ever understand such tremendous love? (All the parents out there have some inkling about what this means- seeing our children prosper, sometimes includes giving beyond what we thought humanly possible).

Being a child of God comes at a great price. #divinelove

As much as we are willing to suffer for those called our children. Suffering “willy nilly” for everyone who puts on a despairing face is not what God has called us to.

Some feel empowered to give with abandon to those who have an appearance of being in need. God has asked us to use wisdom so we are not suffering for all the “scammers” out there who are trying to profit off of a righteous inheritance or blessing. #discernment

By trusting our spiritual gifting (or that of our spouse), we can help each other prosper in right living.

Many wealthy “appearing” people are also desperate and in need of the Savior’s touch, it may just mean having the right timing or approach as we faithfully live for Christ.

We don’t have to throw common sense out the window to understand pure joy, but we do need to trust our Savior with abandon. -Teresa #ministryaddictiondoesnotequalsoldoutforChrist

John 3: 3-21 (NLT)

⁵ Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.^[b] 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.^[c] 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You^[d] must be born again.’ ⁸ The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

⁹ “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.

¹⁰ Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? ¹¹ I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. ¹² But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? ¹³ No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man^[e] has come down from heaven. ¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.^[f]

¹⁶ “For this is how God loved the world: He gave^[g] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

¹⁸ “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹ And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. ²⁰ All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. ²¹ But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.^[h]”Read full chapter

Footnotes

1. 3:3 Or born from above; also in 3:7.
2. 3:5 Or and spirit. The Greek word for Spiritcan also be translated wind; see 3:8.
3. 3:6 Greek what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
4. 3:7 The Greek word for you is plural; also in 3:12.
5. 3:13 Some manuscripts add who lives in heaven. “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
6. 3:15 Or everyone who believes will have eternal life in him.
7. 3:16 Or For God loved the world so much that he gave.
8. 3:21 Or can see God at work in what he is doing.