1 Chronicles 28 - 4.7.25

Scripture

1 Chronicles 28:20 

David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished. 21 The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing person skilled in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command.”

Observation

King David summoned all of Israel and explained that he had planned to build a Temple for the Lord. However, God told him that he had done enough work already, is getting up there in age and had shed so much blood for the cause of the Lord. Instead, the Temple would be built under the leadership of his son, King Solomon. 

King David knew his son would be too young and inexperienced for the task, so he made sure everything was planned out and prepared before he handed off the task to him. (‘“David said, “My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it.” So David made extensive preparations before his death.”’ -1 Chronicles 22:5).

I encourage you all to read 1 Chronicles 22 again, which is 6 chapters back, as King David already started prepping his son in that chapter. This is what God said about Solomon:

“He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭22:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ (which is also parallel to 1 Chronicles 28:6-7)

King David did 4 things for his son before he handed off the job:

1. King David informed the officials, officers, commanders and warriors of Israel, what God had told him regarding the building of the temple and that his son, Solomon would be overseeing the project, not him.  The purpose of this was so that the people would give his son the same respect and submission that they had given King David. (Verses 1-4)

2. King David encouraged the people to continue to follow God’s commands so that He would bless them and their descendants. (Verse 8)

3. He passed on the plans he had been working on, to his son. (Verses 11-19)

4. He gave encouragement to his son. He told him to do the work, be strong, be courageous, not to be afraid or discouraged, that God will not fail him or forsake him until the work is finished, and encouraged him that all his help is in place. They are ready to obey his every command. (Verses 20-21)

Application

Pray and ask the Lord who He would want you to take under your wing to train and disciple so that the work of God would continue successfully.

I also want to encourage everyone who is not part of a small group at DSC to be part of one! That’s a great place to disciple and be discipled by others! Go to this link to see all the small groups we offer:desertstreams.com/smallgroups

I read a really good leadership book called “Becoming a person of influence” by Pastor John C Maxwell and Jim Dornan. They said that the mark of a great leader is how they are able to empower others. “When you empower people, you’re not influencing just them; you’re influencing all the people they influence.”

This chapter in God’s Word shows this in action in King David’s life. He was not only influential as King over Israel and empowering them to put God first, but also influential in empowering His Son to take over God’s plans for the Temple.

Prayer

Dear Lord, You have called us all to be leaders (or influencers), whether we are leaders in our home, church or workplaces. You have also called us all to be ministers of Your Gospel message. I know that if we are saved, we are already a couple steps ahead of someone who do not know You.  I pray that we would embrace our calling as influencers for Your Kingdom and live it out in our daily lives. Also, just like David encouraged his son, may we be strong and courageous, and do the work. May we not be afraid or discouraged knowing that You are with us and that You won’t fail or forsake us until the work is finished. Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Matthew 20 - 4.4.25

Scripture: ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20‬:‭24‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

Observation:

Jesus had a difficult group dynamic to deal with.  I’ve been watching “The Chosen.” What an eye opener this show is to the reality that the disciples being one big happy/perfect family is not accurate. Yes, it is a fictional account of real people and Biblical events, but wow, it brings them all to life. As I’m reading Mathew everything has a new perspective. He was the tax collector that was hated by the people, including those he is now partnered with. 

In this Scripture James and John’s mother asked Jesus for a special honor for her sons and when the other disciples heard they were indignant. Indignant is feelings of anger resulting from an unfair act or treatment. They were all wanting a special position with Jesus and fighting amongst themselves or doing acts to stand out and be recognized by Him. 

Jesus brings them together for a discussion. He points out how rulers of the Gentiles act, lording their authority over others. Jesus says plainly, “Not so with you.” This doesn’t imply you should act this way. It’s a command, most likely a scolding. He say instead those who want to be great should serve and even be a slave. Just as He is serving and he is going to give His life “as a ransom for many.”

Jesus is dealing with a group that is bickering and learning how to love. His patience is incredible. No wonder He needed to escape to solitude often.  They do grow to be a group that sticks together for the most part, but Jesus did a lot of work to get them there. 

Application:

As a teacher I am impressed with how Jesus took a group of people from different walks of life and built a team.  He was a living example of sacrifice.  I want to be patient like him and follow His example of bringing a group back to what’s important, serving others. May I not shy away from making bold statements like “Not so with you.” I want to make it my goal to teach others that the greatest among us serves. It will start with me being the example. 

Prayer:

Father God, Our world is constantly trying to hype us up on what it takes to be on top. May I focus on being like Jesus. He loved and paid the ultimate price, His life. He paid my ransom. I was in bondage and He freed me. I am so grateful for that gift. Lord, please give me wisdom as I lead, also an abundance of patience when quarrels break out. 

That you that you give all peace and wisdom.  Amen

- Cindy Howard

Matthew 19 - O4.03.25

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 10:16 NIV

“Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?””

‭‭

OBSERVATION

This encounter is shared in Matthew, Mark (10:17-20), and Luke (18:18-30).

Matthew tells us this man was young (vs 20) Luke tells us he was a ruler (vs 18) and Mark tells us he “ran” to Jesus and “knelt” before Him(vs 17). All three accounts share about his great wealth.

So, this rich young ruler ran to Jesus and knelt before HIM with an urgent question:

“Good Teacher”, “what good thing must I do —to get eternal life?”

This truly is the MOST Important question anyone can ever ask.

Where and How we spend eternity may not seem to matter much now—but the moment we take our last breath—the things on earth that we held so dear will NO longer have any value—and eternity will be a reality—coming—FRONT and Center.

Jesus extended an extraordinary offer to the rich young ruler “to believe IN Him and COME  Follow  Him”—as one of His disciples.

“Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect,

go and sell all your possessions and

give the money to the poor, and

you will have treasure in heaven.

Then come, Follow me (believing and Trusting IN Me)

‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

The rich young ruler went away from Jesus grieving and in distress—

Because he had great wealth. He did not have eyes to SEE the very real eternal kingdom to come. He placed his faith in the fading, rusting, subject to “theft and moth” destruction—temporal wealth of this world.

APPLICATION

THE —ONE—GOOD Thing —-we MUST DO to Get Eternal Life

God will never accept second place in our lives.

There is ONLY a First Place option. Savior and LORD go hand in hand..it is NOT a mulitple choice question.

Eternal Life BEGINS the moment we are Born Again (John 17:3). From that point on—

How we LIVE  each day will help determine the Words we hear from Jesus AND the rewards we receive in heaven.

“For we will ALL stand before the judgment seat of God [who alone is judge].

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”  (Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭10‬, ‭12‬)

“For the wages of sin is death, but the FREE GIFT of God is

eternal life IN Christ Jesus—our Lord.” (Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

John records Jesus prayer as HE prepares for the upcoming crucifixion.

“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.

For YOU granted HIM authority over ALL people—that HE might GIVE eternal life

to ALL those you have given him.”

Now this is eternal life:

that they KNOW you, the ONLY true God, AND Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

‭‭(John‬ ‭17‬:‭1‬-‭3 NIV‬‬)

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,

Thank YOU that salvation is about so much MORE than what we experience in this world. In fact, it really IS all about the world to COME. Thank YOU Jesus, that as YOU prepare to set up your Future Kingdom, YOU have given us gifts and treasures now so we may demonstrate our love for you AND alignment with Your Kingdom—both now and IN the one to COME. Give me eyes to SEE what it looks like to YOU—to partner in YOUR KINGDOM -and bring you glory. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Tina L Kudelka