The Stickman's Understanding...

  Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him. -1 Samuel 18:15.  Good morning and terrific Thursday to you! The phrase “Behaved himself very wisely” should serve as a conviction to us all. Many times we are guilty of not behaving ourselves wisely.  In this story Saul has attempted to kill David on several occasions, yet David did not retaliate, after all he accepted and wisely so that Saul was the King. How many times have you recognized that the intent of someone whom you are close to, even submitted too isn’t meant for your betterment?  That person may even be your spiritual leader, your friend-nemy, or family. We are not judged by what others do, but by what we do. Whether it be retaliation or blessing those that despitefully use us.  Our reaction is viewed by the Lord! As David’s reaction was of obedience, Saul saw David and how he behaved, he was confused, and his fear only intensified.  When you walk in righteousn...

  And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice. -1 Samuel 18:11 Good morning and happy hump day to you! As previously surmised at the root of most anger is fear. In a way it is used to    allow the person to feel a sense of control over what has caused fear.  David caused some fear but Saul’s fear didn’t begin here, it was only compounded in his knowing that his ward would surpass him.  As Saul thought on these things I imagine in him grew a desire to silence the voice that constantly reminded him how before him stood the Lord’s anointed. The Lord had gifted David in his playing to soothe his flock which carried over to his being called to court to comfort the King.  It is the enemy’s nature to frustrate you and then make you angry at the one thing that brings you comfort. Frustrate is fear spelled differently.  Beloved it is to our detriment if we allow fear a place of...

  And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? -1 Samuel 18:8 Good morning and tremendous Tuesday to you! As I read the story of Saul and David again, the thought came to me was how easily fear becomes anger.  The first step along the path to fear was when Saul allowed the comparison of people to become his yard stick, which he used to measure himself.  Saul then allowed his mind to go further and fear told him David would take the kingdom. Yes David did but it was after the death of Saul. A lesson here is what God has for you is for you but it will always be best in His timing.  Fear is a dangerous entity. It not only distracts you, it also paralyzes you. In this story here Saul allowed what began as a slight annoyance to become fear.  Beloved we are told more often than most the danger of fear, because it c...

  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. -Romans 6:15 Good morning and happy Monday to you! God’s grace is simply amazing. His grace is quick to cover the unrepentant and even more-so to those of the faith.  Beloved with the grace came forgiveness of the penalty of the law. A major issue though is many abuse that grace. The question asked by the Apostle is rhetorical and the answer expected to be swiftly resounding.  One who thinks that they can remain in sin would have to also believe God to be easily mocked.  God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at drschaefferinterceding@yahoo.com You can give to Interceding Christian Center (ICC) using our cash app $intercedingcc 

  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; -Romans 3:23 Good morning and TGIF! Acceptance of Christ without admittance and repentance of sin is tantamount to false doctrine. In the culture today many in an effort to perhaps soften the edge on God’s salvation plan, neglect those two important tenants.  The acknowledgement of the human need for a savior alone isn’t enough. God’s glory requires that acknowledgement, renunciation of this world, admittance of our inherited sin nature, and repentance.  The scripture above is an important milestone on the road to salvation and to proceed all must pass by recognizing even embracing the truth therein and then proceed to the next milestone.  Go fellowship this weekend, we all need it.  God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at drschaefferinterceding@yahoo.com You can give to Interceding Christian Center (ICC) using our cash app $intercedingcc 

  Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: -Proverbs 24:3 The scripture above explains to us a strange phenomenon. That’s anomaly is that those who have skills to do may do for someone else, but often will not do the same for themselves. They know to do but they consistently put off what it is that they should do.   How many nor mechanic that can fix your car, but will not fix their own or carpenter, that can build intricate things, but has doors that his own house hanging off the hinge. Or how about the financial whiz, who is well steep and understanding, and the utilizing his understanding for the stock market for others, but will not balance their own checkbook.  The scripture today gives us some clarity on this phenomenon. To establish a house you must apply what it is that you know. Yes you may know how to build a house, but do you know how to maintain a house?   Lord Jesus said Count up the cost and to build a house....

  As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. -Proverbs 26:2 Good morning and happy hump day to you!  I love the symmetry of the Bible. The Lord shows his influence over the 40 men who wrote the Bible by making everything flow in agreement.    From well-known and well rehearsed scriptures, that one could easily tie back one to the other, to small simple scriptures, such as the one above.   At first glance, most will miss how the scripture correlates with the better known Isaiah 54:17, saying “No weapon…” consider that we often provide ammunition for the formed weapons. This scripture uses the phrase “Curse causeless”, referring to the inertness of a weapon without ammunition.  Weapons are always at the ready, assembled, with an empty chamber ready to be filled by causes that draw curses.  The point today is to not provide the ammunition or the destructive material for the weapon as causeless curses co...

  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. -John 15:12-13 Good morning and tremendous Tuesday to you! I think that the biggest challenge facing Christians today is they do not understand love.  Some think love is always walking in agreement and it is not. Some think it is unmerciful correction, and it it not. Always saying yes, or always saying no is not proof of love.  We are called to love when in agreement, disagreement, when angry or joyous. Love will give you a well placed yes, a relieving    yes or even delay that gratification for a later reward.  The Lord showed us the ultimate in love by self sacrifice. But along the path to the cross He gave examples of love. Corrective love, reflective, directive love, as well as connective love.    God bless you and command your day!!!O Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at d...

  As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. -John 15:9 Good morning and happy Monday to you! The scripture above reflects on the depth of the love the Lord has for us. Jesus said the depth that the Lord loves us, so does He love us.  In this it is explicitly implied that if we stay in His love, we benefit greatly. Staying in His love in no way is suggesting His love ever stops, on the contrary ours does.    Continue in my love means to grow in it. Our benefits are all the attributes found in love.  Though He stays in the vestibule of our love, we oftentimes fail to meet Him there. Love is reciprocal and requires work on the part of the parties involved.  It takes work to keep the relationship vibrant. The Lord works continuously showing His love,    He is faithful, giving, graceful, comforting, hopeful and more.  My question this morning is who wouldn’t love a God like that? One who loves us without limits or c...

  It is a snare to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after making vows (ESV) . -Proverbs 20:25 Good morning and TGIF! Beloved it is a dangerous thing to lay hands on and or promote someone without careful consideration.    It is equally dangerous to call something or someone “of the Lord”, too fast.  Declaring holy what hasn’t been tried, tested and found to be true causes a multitude of heartaches for the pronouncer. The writer of Proverbs calls it a snare.  Not many know that a snare is as a self repairing trap. As you attempt to break free, you become even more tangled. So the best way of dealing with a snare is to never become ensnared. Alternately if you become ensnared only one who sits outside the snare can help free you.  One may say the hunter or a compassionate passerby. Well the hunter set the snare for game to consume so it’s not likely they will assist with pitiful intent. Also there is the passerby who may or may not be skilled eno...

  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. -Colossians 3:15 Good morning and terrific Thursday to you!  In the scripture above, I’m amazed, at the foresight of our God, placing into the spirit of Paul, what essentially is the source of our troubles. The one word here that takes the center stage usurping even peace is rule.    What does it mean to rule? Rule means a path, guiding principles, rule is what sets the compass in our lives.  Though the cause of bickering, malice, hate, murder, and even war is usually the lack of peace; Rule are what guides our lives. What rules in your heart will flow from your pen, come out of your mouth, and be shown in your action.  God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at drschaefferinterceding@yahoo.com You can give to Interceding Christian Center (ICC) using our cash app $intercedingcc 

  He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. -Proverbs 18:13 Good morning and happy hump day to you!  Anyone besides me guilty of giving an answer before the question? Oftentimes my answer is as far as the east is from the west.  Totally filtering that unasked question through my assumptions. Now keep in mind an assumption experienced or not is still just your perception.  As I continue on this journey of realigning the mouth as subservient to the mind, and the latter subservient to the spirit, I am looking at me.  The scripture above is an example of many which I believe were given for self examination. In this scripture, the word “heareth” means to allow the person speaking the full opportunity to express themselves.  We are called as    Christians to allow others that grace. Further speaking before understanding is a sure way to ruin even the best of relationships.  God bless you and command your day!!...

  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. -Proverbs 18:21 Good morning and tremendous Tuesday to you! How powerful is the tongue? The tongue which has set in motion actions resulting in great things, has also destroyed more so than the sword.  Though it may not have a physical edge, it cuts by putting into motion a destructive force which is unparalleled in terms of devastation of lives.  I recently heard it expressed as a question; “how can the builder destroy and at the end of destruction expect what was destroyed to be intact?” As we set forth building things we must be mindful of what proceeds from our mouths.  As life and death is in the tongue so is success and failure. You can’t build with your hands what you destroy with your mouth. God bless you and command your day!!! Your comments and questions are welcome. Contact me at drschaefferinterceding@yahoo.com You can give to Interceding Christian Center (...

  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. -John 15:4 Good morning and happy Monday to you!    As the Lord spoke these words with the authority and intensity of that moment so does He speak those words to us in the now.  In this scripture we are reminded as long as we abide in Him (cherishing, operating, serving), He will abide within us and provide purpose, direction, passion, and hope.  Abiding is so much more than a    casual passing, a visit, more than being familiar, but abide means to dwell therein. Abiding in Him grants the ultimate of access that is consuming and reciprocal.  The branch and the vine operate based on the existence of each other but no branch could exist independent of the vine and without the vine, the branch will bear no fruit.  As our hope is placed    in Him alone, abiding in Him is critical. Without abiding we...