The David Spoon Experience

The David Spoon Experience 11-16-23 part 1

A) This is one of the key texts in the New Testament that we need to be aware of; it is also referenced in Galatians Chapter 1. Paul’s concern is that they would ultimately receive a different spirit or even a different gospel than the one they originally accepted. The struggle here is our human tendency to add more to the fantastic belief that God would grant us eternal life through Jesus Christ’s redeeming work. We often mistake this for our attempt to be righteous when it’s actually Satan trying to alter or change the gospel - the good news that comes from God through Jesus Christ by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.B) Oh, by the way, there are people that claim to know Jesus, but it’s a FALSE Jesus. There are also false spirits, and false Gospels. Only by the Word of God, the plumbline of our faith, can we know for sure. God created the universe; the Dude can write a book. 

The David Spoon Experience 11-15-23 part 2

1) This Wednesday, we’re doing something a little different as we delve into Dr. Dave’s devotional diamonds of the day. First up, we want to discuss a concept that we often know but perhaps don’t reflect on or certainly don’t hold at the forefront of our thoughts. As we navigate various trials and struggles, we mature by understanding that there is a purpose. However, where we often fail is in understanding just how closely God pays attention to every nuance of our experiences.2) Let’s take a few moments to examine this. When God called Moses to his task, He was informing Moses that He was leading people out of bondage. These are things that bind people, whether they are psychological, emotional, physical or spiritual, creating a form of slavery in different realms of our lives. God offers to bring us OUT of bondages.3) As Moses was contemplating his task and God being our deliverer, he asked the Lord an honest question: “Who am I going to say has sent me? Who am I going to say told me to tell you these things?” The better part is that you are an ambassador, a vessel, a spokesperson for He who rules the universe. So if they want to know whether it’s just our opinion or not when we’re sharing God’s word - it’s not our opinion. It’s God’s word.4) As you know, I aim to make Fridays more uplifting as we head into the weekend. There are enough challenges all around us to make our heads swirl, but that’s no excuse for not teaching the word of God. We’re going to look at obedience - not the kind of obedience a dog shows when given treats - but obedience that communicates our adoration for God. If we reject our willingness to obey, we pay the price.5) There are so many scriptures that are simply fantastic. Not least among them is this portion in Ephesians that we’re going to examine. The whole purpose of Apostle Paul’s encouragement is for us to truly know the Love of Christ. It’s not enough just to hear about it or think about it and feel it’s cool. We need to know it inside and out. We need to rely on the love that God has for us and understand the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. There isn’t a day that we can afford to live on this earth without contemplating and acknowledging it.

The David Spoon Experience 11-15-23 part 1

A) Now we briefly enter into Psalm 44, another Psalm by the Sons of Korah. “We have heard with our ears; our fathers have told us about the deeds you have done in days of old.” It’s amazing how powerful stories can be when they are passed down from parents to children and from grandparents to grandchildren. They have a sticking power that most people cannot understand. When we tell our family, both young and old, about the great things that God has done, not only written in the book of the Lord but also inscribed on the hearts of those who have been told.B) Then the psalmist gives credit where credit is due. He states that Israel did not take possession of the land by their sword nor did they save themselves. It was the right hand of God and the light of His countenance that gave them the victory they needed. The reason was simple: it wasn’t because the people were righteous but because God favored Israel. Israel was His chosen people and has NOT now become unchosen. The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. The Lord has added to the population by pouring out His favor on those who believe in Jesus.C) Prayers for peace, anxiety, and healings.

The David Spoon Experience 11-14-23 part 2

1) Paul instructs us to do what we know is right in the eyes of the Lord. In other words, perform those actions that you know are pleasing to Him, and do them well. This way, we don't need to compare ourselves to anyone else because we understand that we're doing it for the Lord. It's an offering from our heart and a demonstration of our obedience and desire to please Him. When we have the ability to do something and choose not to, even though we know it's the right thing to do, it reflects poorly on us.2) I won't mislead you about the next verse we're examining in Galatians 6:6. I appreciate this translation in the NLT: "Those who are taught by the word of God should support their teachers financially." You have to decide what that support looks like. No teacher should dictate its value. You have to determine what that contribution is. However, if a teacher can't be sustained or supported, their teaching will inevitably be limited. This advice comes from someone who wouldn't simply take money for teaching yet insists on everyone reading this to be supporting these individuals.3) Paul then warns us not to be deceived: God will not ignore our actions, whether good or bad, and we will reap what we sow. Many people mistakenly believe this is where Karma influenced Christianity. That's incorrect. The concept of Karma, or reaping what you sow, wasn't introduced until about the 6th or 7th century, several hundred years after this epistle was written.4) Paul concludes without mincing words: If you live to satisfy your own sinful desires, you'll reap a harvest of consequences characterized by death and decay. But if you live to please the Holy Spirit, you'll experience abundant life. Live by the flesh and pay the price; live by the Spirit and receive its benefits. The choice is ours. Let’s choose wisely.

The David Spoon Experience 11-14-23 part 1

A) As we conclude Matthew Chapter 14, we swim back into the story of Jesus approaching the disciples while walking on water. Despite studying and reading this passage well over 100 times, new insights continually emerge. In Matthew 14:28, Peter challenges Jesus, saying, “If it’s really you, command me to come to you by walking on the water.” Many might interpret this as Peter being uncertain if the spirit was indeed Jesus. Thus, he indirectly tests Jesus to confirm his identity - a prudent move.B) Peter’s response is remarkable. He asks Jesus to command him to walk on water, essentially requesting Jesus to empower him to accomplish the impossible - something only Jesus could do. This bold statement from Peter is a testament to his courage. It communicates his belief that he would recognize Jesus if asked to perform an act beyond Peter’s own capabilities.C) In response, Jesus encourages Peter with an “Okie Dokie. Come on. The water’s great.” This prompts Peter to step over the side of the boat, indicating his readiness to act upon Jesus’s words. It is unequivocally stated in every recorded Greek text - over 10,000 manuscripts - that Peter walked on water. Thus, Jesus wasn’t the only one who could walk on water; Peter did, too. However, he couldn’t sustain it due to his wavering focus off and on Jesus.D) Verse 30 teaches us that Peter became distracted. This moment marks a turning point. We often have a clear vision of Jesus, but when we start paying attention to our surroundings, other elements begin to obscure this image. As Peter surveyed his environment, his senses became overwhelmed by the roaring wind and towering waves, instilling fear in his heart. This fear caused him to start sinking. Thankfully, by God’s grace, he had enough presence of mind to cry out, “Lord, save me!” And indeed, Jesus did so - He was close enough to simply reach out His hand and rescue Peter.

The David Spoon Experience 11-13-23 part 2

1) As we conclude the book of Job, we fully understand what God requires from Job’s three poor comforters. Job would be the one who intercedes for them. They represented God, but incorrectly, which should be a lesson to each and every one of us. Before we step in and say, “This is why God has allowed this,” we better make sure that that is indeed why God has allowed it. So, the Lord tells the three miserable comforters to ask Job to pray for them, and He will accept his prayer on their behalf. The big lesson here is to understand that God will accept prayers on behalf of others.2) It doesn’t take a lot of brilliance to understand that Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar did exactly as God told them to do. If the Lord speaks to you, it’s not a time for negotiation; it’s a time for obedience. In fact, if God gives you a sign and you don’t respond, it is a sign of disobedience. We all pray to God, asking Him to show us this and that. But when He does, and we don’t respond, we are dishonoring Him.3) Now, here’s where we get to the interesting part. When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. What does that mean? It means that when Job took it upon himself to pray on behalf of others, God restored Job’s status and identity. Perhaps this should be one of the great lessons of the book of Job: praying for others and on their behalf brings about restoration from God on our behalf. Do we think it is an accident that Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you,” or do we understand that this principle is continually in play?

The David Spoon Experience 11-13-23 part 1

A) When Paul converses with Titus, he discusses various social connections. He begins with the older women, giving them several instructions, not the least of which is to teach the younger women to avoid excessive commitment to wine. This is because wine and teaching can often lead to a very long evening.
B) Contrary to the practices of several denominations, Paul makes it clear that older women should not be forbidden from conducting Bible studies with younger women. In fact, older women are encouraged to teach younger women to be respectful, love their husbands, and take care of their homes so that the word of God would not be blasphemed.
C) If older women do not teach the younger ones, then who does? Paul extends his exhortations to young men as well. He reminds them that excessive alcohol consumption in church situations may not be a good idea. He advises young men to demonstrate a pattern of good works, respect, and sound speech.
D) Paul instructs bondservants to be obedient to their masters, pleasing in everything they do, and not to talk back disrespectfully. Instead, they should show a good attitude in all their actions so that they can demonstrate the grace and goodness of God through their behavior. This advice is particularly relevant in employee relationships. It’s important to understand that there is a spirit of humility between individuals. If we fail to recognize that our humility is a badge of honor, we risk losing our connection to faith altogether.

The David Spoon Experience 11-10-23 part 2

A) I always look forward to our D’s (Dr. Dave’s Devotional Diamonds of the Day) on Fridays. We’ll be spending a significant amount of time in 2nd Samuel, along with time in the Gospel of Mark. First on the agenda is a discussion about the world’s best preacher. Undoubtedly, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are the greatest preachers and teachers in the world. But who is the greatest human preacher? There’s a very specific answer that might surprise you due to its close connection to you.B) We’re also going to examine what I believe is an interesting breakdown of the Ten Commandments. We understand that Jesus summarized the commandments as loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind and loving your neighbor as yourself. However, I want to delve into the actual Ten Commandments. Many people are unaware of the clever structure within them.C) To close out this week, we’ll examine what kind of safety or security is available for believers and their callings. Feeling safe, secure, protected, and sheltered are HUGE for people. If God’s gifts and callings are irrevocable, as stated in the New Testament, can we find a sense of security in our salvation? We’ll review this topic. 

The David Spoon Experience 11-10-23 part 1

A) James 1:22 instructs us to be doers of the word, not just hearers; otherwise, we are deceiving ourselves. This is a precursor to James’s later discussion about the connection between faith and works. Many people listen to speeches filled with spiritual poetry. Occasionally, these individuals nod in acknowledgment of the Word. However, when a person only hears the word of God and doesn’t act upon it, they live in deception. B) A person who hears the word but does not act upon it is like someone who receives information but does nothing with it. These individuals are reminiscent of those Jesus mentioned in the parable of the Sower, where the seed falls on four different paths. In this case, no fruit is produced because no action is taken.C) Indeed, James writes that such a person is like someone who looks in the mirror and immediately forgets what they saw. Most people might think about their disheveled hair or a piece of spinach stuck in their teeth - things they forget about but are visible to everyone else. Instead of looking into a physical mirror, we should be looking into the law of freedom. By understanding that salvation is free and that works are a result of genuine salvation, we will be blessed in our actions.D) James takes it a step further by stating that if anyone considers themselves religious (which we will cover next week) yet doesn’t control their tongue, they are deceiving themselves, and their faith is worthless. This can be challenging for Christians engaged in political debates. Therefore, it’s crucial to control our speech as it reveals what’s in our hearts. 

The David Spoon Experience 11-9-23 part 2

1) We often make light-hearted jokes on this show, but let's take a moment to delve into the Book of Acts and other scriptures. It's important to remember that the disciples we read about were just like us. For instance, Paul was eager to reach Jerusalem in time for the festival of Pentecost. This isn't a sin; it's simply human nature to be in a hurry to reach our destinations. So, remember that the individuals you read about in these teachings are human, just like you.2) Upon arriving in Miletus, Paul felt it necessary to send a message to the elders of the church, affirming that he had given his all in teaching the gospel and spreading the truth. He mentioned that he preached with tears, and endured trials, but never shied away from telling the truth, whether publicly or privately.3) The gospel is then restated in a wonderfully simple manner. Many people have their own interpretations of how the gospel should sound. Interestingly, throughout the 27 books of the New Testament, there might be as many as ten different "formulas" for salvation. In the Book of Acts, Paul emphasizes the necessity of turning away from sin, turning towards God, and having faith in the Lord Jesus. This formula works well too. The jailer didn't read Acts 2:38. 

The David Spoon Experience 11-9-23 part 1

A) As we begin Chapter 11 of Second Corinthians, Paul initiates with a plea for patience towards his own folly. He requests the church at Corinth to tolerate a bit of his foolishness, then jests that they’re already doing so and encourages them to continue. He then expresses his godly jealousy for the church at Corinth. While many characteristics can lead to sin, those same traits can be used in a godly context, particularly when they point to the Lord Jesus Christ. So, Paul declares his godly jealousy for them.B) Without any hesitation, Paul expresses his fear for the church at Corinth and God’s people. He is worried that they will be deceived by Satan, by the Serpent, leading their minds astray. We have often discussed on this show that the spiritual warfare between darkness and light occurs in the mind and heart. This passage clearly states Paul’s concern about believers’ minds being led astray by the enemy’s cunning.C) Paul emphasizes one key component: being deceived away from the simple and pure devotion to Jesus Christ. In other translations, it is mentioned that Paul is worried about people being removed from simplicity in Christ. This implies that the enemy is adept at complicating faith by introducing rules, laws, and times that suppress the true grace, love, and joy that come from Jesus. The enemy is not a fool.

The David Spoon Experience 11-8-23 part 2

1) There are several core principles to Christianity. Actually, there are too many to name because. The benefits of God are beyond comprehension. Here’s a list of some of my favorites. There is Truth, Love, Grace, Mercy, Compassion, Faith and Forgiveness. Today’s. encouragement is going to center around forgiveness. Something unique happens when we receive forgiveness and when we give forgiveness. The form of a fresh start is birthed. A fresh start to the person that we extend forgiveness to. And a fresh start for ourselves in receiving forgiveness. 2) But as with so many things in the Christian faith, there is more going on than meets the eye. We must continually remember that there is a realm called the invisible or the spiritual. Oftentimes, the real fight takes place at that level but manifests in the natural. If we are immature believers, then we are unaware that there is an enemy working against us and the people connected to us. His goal is to birth unforgiveness. Or to replace forgiveness with anger, bitterness, and resentment. The reason he does this is because the lack of forgiveness creates a cancer within us.
 
SPECIFICALLY RELATING TO FORGIVING OURSELVES!!!
3) The most effective power against the enemy's lies and temptations is to operate in forgiveness. The illustration He uses for the reasoning that our forgiveness should be more easily given is that the debt that we owe God is substantially higher than the debt that any human could owe us. 4) The Forgivenss Factor is the truth that we need to be living in forgiving. We cannot think that God’s forgivenss has a number, nor can we exist that way with others.