The David Spoon Experience

The David Spoon Experience 8-26-24 part 1

A) It's another, "Oh my goodness, The David Spoon Experience" experience as the show kicks off with David sharing about 2 Timothy, chapter 4, verses 6, 7, and 8. The text says: "As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearance."B) David breaks down this text in verse-by-verse expository sharing. The first thing to understand is that when Paul mentions that he is being poured out as a drink offering, you need to imagine the finest glass of wine ever being poured out on the altar of God. That's how he feels—he's being emptied before the Lord as he offers the Lord everything he has.C) But remember, Paul knows his time is short. As he mentions in the last part of verse 6, he knows the time of his death is near. He tells Timothy in this last letter, and in his last chapter, "I have fought the fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith." Paul recognizes that this is a fight. All of this Christian journey is a fight because spiritual warfare is real. He then says he finishes the race, which is important to understand because he never gives up. Nor can we afford to give up. And he finally says he kept the faith, which we need to remember means that when we start in faith, we need to keep the faith—letting go of it is not an option. We need to hold on to the faith just like we did in the beginning.D) He closes out this portion by reminding Timothy that not only is he getting a crown, but every person who is looking forward to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is also getting a crown. That's right. You, as a believer, if you crave the return of Jesus Christ, if you want it, if you love it, and if you're looking for it, God has a special hat just for you.

The David Spoon Experience 8-23-24 part 2

1) Okay, little buckaroos, get ready for an exciting, themed teaching. In our DDDDD’s, we find ourselves in the Gospel of John, Chapter 11, and we find out that sometimes what appears to be just devastation has an entirely different premise to it. Lazarus was sick and dying, but even in this immensely intense situation, there is a purpose behind it all—just not one that people can see. 2) When the situation is explained to Jesus, His disciples decide to chime in. That's kind of what happens with Christians; they hear about a situation and decide to give their input. That happened with Job's three friends, who could not have been more incorrect in their assessment. But in this situation, we get to find out the disciples just didn't get it. What's funny is that, in the framework of the things we encounter or the people encounter around us, we often don't get it. 3) One of the most amazing elements of this truth is that Lazarus was dead for four days. Why that's significant is because there was a common belief that after three days, there was no possible way for a person to return. Three days was the maximum in rabbinical thought. So how did God set this whole thing up. God made sure that Lazarus was good and dead before the miracle would come about. Think about that for a moment. 4) You know, one of my favorite elements in this story is John 11:35, where the scripture says, "Jesus wept." It wasn't the only time that Jesus wept, but in fact, He wept. He was moved. It touched Him because what happens to His own happens to Him. We don't often think about it, but what we're going through and how we feel is something He knows exactly about, sees, and bears our pain with us. The reason that He does that is because He loves us. 5) But the key in this story always has been and always will be that God doesn't ask our permission about how He does things. Jesus gave the command to roll the stone away. Everybody was aghast; they could not believe it. They knew that Lazarus did not have Arrid Extra Dry and he was going to stink. That's funny because we often think what's going to happen is going to stink. 6) But beyond that, the reality is that the method God used is not one that we would have preferred, and also the reality is that the timing God used is not one that we would have preferred. In other words, God's timings and God's methods are foreign to us, so we wish that He would get on our page and do it our way. That would make sense …if we were God. 
 

The David Spoon Experience 8-23-24 part 1

A) We revisit 3 John, resuming at verse three. The elder Apostle expresses immense joy and satisfaction upon hearing the testimony of other brothers from the church where Gaius serves. Their testimonies affirm Gaius's unwavering devotion to the truth.B) The importance of our commitment to the truth cannot be overstated. Cultures, kingdoms, opinions, politics, Hollywood, and especially the MEDIA may change, but the truth remains constant. We need to have an unwavering commitment to the truth. It is through the truth (Biblical Truth) that we understand the genuine definition of love, not the distorted worldly interpretation. Hebrews 12:5-6 and Revelation 3:19 teach "no hippy love" allowed. C) John emphatically states, "I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth." This statement, one of his last before the Book of Revelation, reveals his greatest blessing: seeing those who follow Lord Jesus Christ walking in the truth. They are walking in the way, the truth, and the light, which is Jesus Christ. They are walking in the truth, which is the Word of God. "Sanctify them in thy truth. Thy word is truth."
 

The David Spoon Experience 8-22-24 part 2

1) Continuing the theme of absolute inspiration, The David Spoon Experience stays on track from the earlier 30-minute segment, discussing how to respond when things are darkest, defeated, or despondent. Our wonderful brother Brandon, who is a chaplain, calls in and shares how he has dealt with these challenges during some of the darkest moments, ministering to people at death’s door.2) Brandon does a phenomenal job reminding listeners that even in the darkest moments, the Lord is with us, beside us, and within us. We can't always see the beginning from the end, but we can always count on the faithfulness and character of God, which gives us a reason to say thank you. Regardless of where we are in the process, the Lord will cause it to be beneficial—either here, there, or in the air.3) David takes a little extra time after Brandon's comments to speak about the importance of hope, which Brandon mentioned. Hebrews 6:19 teaches us that hope is the anchor for our souls. For those who know the Lord, this hope is always available. This does not mean we always take hold of that hope; it just means it's there for us to grasp. Some of our struggles become more difficult because we choose not to access the Lord in our deepest and darkest moments.4) David then receives a wonderful call from Ken, and then from Nancy, who talks about her daughter Amanda, who is recovering from surgery. While answering trivia, she asks for prayer for both herself and her daughter. It is important to understand that even when things are as difficult as they've been, the Lord brings us through.5) The text system was not available during the show.

The David Spoon Experience 8-22-24 part 1

A) Welcome to another unique episode of The David Spoon Experience. Our wonderful friend, Sergio, asks a pointed question about how David personally deals with drastically difficult, dark, and defeated times. Sergio is seeking a few different scriptures but, most importantly, wants to know the strategy behind it.B) This question actually covers the entire theme as David shares the most important element: understanding the true nature of God. When people think of the Lord with an inaccurate picture, they tend to view Him in negative terms, but that is simply a lie from the enemy. The nature of God is phenomenal; He has given us life, and even after we fail Him miserably, He continues to sustain us.C) David emphasizes the necessity of understanding who we are dealing with before making any accusations, complaints, or responses. Even Job, who was more righteous than all of us, thought his treatment was unjustified. He soon discovered that his trials were not about whether he was good or bad but about God boasting about him. This is why when we give thanks for everything, we are offering a mustard seed of faith, even if it does FEEL GREAT!D) Then, our brother Steve calls in with excellent insight into the struggle. He shares his own moments of wrestling with the book of Job, trying to understand how such suffering could be allowed. But the Lord showed him, piece by piece, that sometimes, to get the right result, it has to start with something undesirable. The bottom line is that God is faithful in all He does and has never failed us. It’s not that everything feels good, but that everything works out for good.E) By the way, no text was available during the show.

The David Spoon Experience 8-21-24 part 2

1) Welcome to a blast from the past sermon on Wednesday. As you know, we have been talking about expecting more in 2024, and I thought it prudent for us to really examine expectation and the power thereof. It should be noted that Jesus asks us to have a high level of expectation, and doing so pleases the Lord.2) Do you know who Hanukkah Harry is? If you do, that's a little sad; if you don't, it might be a little sadder. The kids are waiting for Christmas to come, and they're waiting for Santa Claus. Instead of Santa Claus coming, Hanukkah Harry shows up. Instead of presents for Christmas with toys, beloved Hanukkah Harry shows up with socks and pencils. That's what we call the Grand Disappointment.3) So here's the problem: the problem is that we have an expectation and an anticipation in Him. And when things don't happen in the timing and in the method that we expect, we lose our nerve to remain steadfast in our trust. We start to question not just the Provider but also the way that we approach Him. My friends, that is the opposite of expectation. At that moment, we are walking in sight and not by faith.4) Here is the key to the teaching, brothers and sisters. It all comes down to one word. We already know the lack is not on God's side, so then the lack is going to be on our side. So what can we do to affect the change that we hope for, the change that we pray about, and the change that we expect? The answer comes down to one word. It's not about saying a magic word, but it is all about doing the Big D. We will examine what the Big D is. Get ready, little buckaroos.

The David Spoon Experience 8-21-24 part 1

A) We enter into Psalm 55. This is a Psalm that David wrote regarding the treachery of his friends while at the same time, placing diligent faith and trust in God, so as not to feel abandoned.B) He opens up Psalm 55:1 by saying, "Hear my prayers and don’t hide from my supplication. Attend to me because I am restless in my complaint." David expresses the internal conflict he feels when someone he has helped, someone who’s close to him, hurts him. It’s not that they’ve just made a mistake, because that’s simple and we do that with one another on a regular basis. This has much more to do with treachery. This has much more to do with people turning on you. When you go through that process, it’s not abnormal, but the place to bring that pain is to the Lord.
 

The David Spoon Experience 8-20-24 part 2

1) We are exploring a remarkable truth in the Book of Romans, beginning with chapter 6:11. I plan to thoroughly examine this because it’s crucial to comprehend that our awareness of the truth, Jesus, His Word, and the Holy Spirit’s presence within us, infuses us with divine energy. The authority derived from Jesus’ name grants us freedom from the bondage of sin.2) The world laments human slavery as a calamity, but it is insignificant compared to the tyranny of sin, which brutally subjugates humanity, leaving us without the hope of liberation. No external attribute—whether skin color, wealth, or any other—can alter one’s inherent state of bondage if not liberated by Jesus.3) Romans chapter 6, verse 12, offers us a revelation: we are not destined to be ruled by sin. Thanks to Jesus Christ’s redemptive work, the tyranny of sin over us has been vanquished. We are indebted to sin no more, and through Christ, we wield power over it.4) Verse 13 clarifies that we should not permit our bodies—our very selves—to be used as instruments, weapons, or tools of evil for sin. We are not bound to employ ourselves in sin’s service. Scripture urges us to dedicate ourselves entirely to God in every facet of life, for we have been reborn. Our new selves, born again, are not subject to the old self’s servitude. Scripture instructs us not to let sin reign, indicating that we possess the freedom to choose. Jesus empowers us, granting us the ability to make that choice.
 

The David Spoon Experience 8-20-24 part 1

A) In Matthew 19:1, Jesus moves to the southern side of Judea. He attracts vast crowds who follow him, and he heals their sick. Given the medical world of that time, which was not as advanced as ours, Jesus, being a healer, drew many people. It's important to remember that Jesus' healing was comprehensive. He healed physically, psychologically, emotionally, spiritually, and ultimately, relationally. In Revelation, there are mentions of trees for the healing of the nations, indicating the depth of Jesus' healing.B) In verse 3, the Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus. They ask him if a man should be allowed to divorce his wife for any reason, hoping to trick him into saying something they could use against him. Ironically, they were trying to justify their own reasons for divorce, such as a woman making a poor stew or soufflé. Jesus' response likely wasn't what they were expecting, which probably only irritated them more.C) Jesus' initial response is remarkable and perhaps not taught as often as it should be. He directly asks the Pharisees, who were supposed to be teaching others about the scriptures, "Haven't you read the scriptures?" This is quite an insult, considering they were supposed to be the teachers of the word, yet they weren't even reading it. This is similar to how the world often quotes Jesus, using only bits and pieces of his teachings.

The David Spoon Experience 8-19-24 part 2

1) The show starts with another phenomenal testimony from Rozalyn2) We learn of Noah and his wife. And Noah's three sons plus their spouses. And the many species of animals. All of the approved for eating and sacrifice and those not approved for eating and sacrifice gathered together. So let us establish. That God set particular species meant for consumption. Thus, everyone who backs PETA should go away. Considering animals are gifts from God. The Bible does, however, abundantly show that humans are the ultimate creation of Earth.3) Upon the arrival of the Waters, like some of the things we have witnessed over our lives, we usually consider it just a significant downpour. But the scriptures tell us that the underground waters explode on Earth, and then water falls from both the top and the bottom so one may truly grasp what is happening—rain from the heavens in great floods. It was more than rain falling from heaven above. 4) Here's a little grab you might find unexpected. In verse fifteen, the animals arrive on the boat two by two. God is the one bringing the animals into the boats. Noah is loading them; God is sending them. You. They arrive at the ship since God gave them orders, too. And they arrive both male and female, as that is how life keeps on. And God tucks them in safely when everything is in line.

The David Spoon Experience 8-19-24 part 1

In concluding this section, Paul warns Timothy that people, because they have itching ears, will heap for themselves teachers who will scratch that itch. They will turn their ears away from truth and turn to fables. This is something we need to be vigilant about. It's important to understand that we're called to be faithful servants of the ministry. God has set before us the task of being evangelists and fulfilling our ministry. This doesn't mean you go buy a tent and hold meetings. It means that wherever you go, you are an evangelist for the Kingdom of God, and you have a ministry to fulfill. Be willing to share. It’s also polite to share.

The David Spoon Experience 8-16-24 part 2

1) Here we go for another fantastic Friday with Dr. Dave's Devotional Diamonds of the Day! This one will be really cool because we're diving into all four devotionals from the Book of Jonah, and we’ll do it progressively. Instead of an expository teaching, we’ll take a topical approach, using Jonah as our launching pad. So, let’s kick things off with Jonah, chapter 1, verse 3.2) First off, let’s understand the simplicity of Jonah’s story. Because of his flawed theology, Jonah does something really foolish—something that’s often true for us as well. He actually thought he could outrun God's presence! He believed he could slip away and not be seen by the Almighty. Well, surprise, surprise—that’s just not happening!3) Next up, we have a devotional called "Keeping It Real." In Jonah chapter 1, verse 17, and Jonah chapter 2, verse 1, we see that Jonah spends three days and three nights in the belly of a fish. Then Jonah prays. Why did he wait three days to pray? Was he unconscious? Maybe. Was he stubborn? Probably, given his previous behavior.4) This is a great time to point out that those who think Jonah’s story is a fairy tale don’t believe the Bible is the Word of God. In Matthew chapter 12, verse 40, Jesus compares His death, burial, and resurrection to the prophet Jonah, validating Jonah’s story. So, anyone—whether commentators, media personalities, Hollywood folks, or politicians—who doesn’t believe in the story of Jonah is simply ignorant and unstable.5) Now, in Jonah chapter 2, verses 7 through 9, even Jonah acknowledges that he will sacrifice to the Lord with a voice of thanksgiving. Imagine being in the belly of a fish for three days and nights, with seaweed wrapped around your head, and knowing you could die at any moment. Would you still thank God continuously? Jonah does, acknowledging that salvation comes from the Lord, and that thanksgiving is called for.6) Finally, in Jonah chapter 3, verses 1 through 2, God tells Jonah to go. After everything he’s been through, guess what? Jonah is a bit more responsive this time! Why does God allow us to go through trials more than once? Because eventually, we start to understand and become more responsive. So, let’s buckle up and face it, little campers!