Timely Insights into God's Word from Khandielese Reyes

“And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hath done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.  But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.” (1^st Sam 13:13-14)  “And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep.  And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him; for we will not sit down till he come hither.  And he sent, and brought him in.  Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to.  And the LORD said, Arise, and anoint him: for this is he.   Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.  So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.” (1^st Sam 16:11-13) 

Saul, who reigned as King of Israel began his reign with a heart intending upon following the commands of the LORD God.  Yet after 2 years of service as king, he decided upon doing things his way and rather than heed to the voice of the Lord, he chose to follow the leading of his prideful flesh by heeding to the voice of man.  Because he was non-committal to the Lord and did transgress against Him, The Lord stripped him of his service as king and removed his Spirit from him giving him a “distressing spirit” instead which only departed from him upon hearing the beautiful melodies played upon the harp by a young shepherd boy named,  David.  One  whom The Lord God had chosen to replace Saul as king of Israel,  for he was indeed a man “after His own Heart.” 

David, the son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah, was then anointed to serve as king of Israel.  The Lord had found a man after His own heart.  He was not searching for one of great “physical” stature, or even one with experience and “worldly” knowledge.  He was not looking for a great diplomat, or one of great eloquent speech.  ALL the things MAN look for in another the Lord was unconcerned about.  He was simply looking for a man after HIS own heart and he found such in David.  Despite David’s obvious sins of the flesh, his Heart was still after the Heart of the Lord.  His heart still desired the will of the Lord, still surrendered to the call and commands of the Lord.  Though his flesh did sin,  his heart remained steadfast in the Lord and his heart was very pleasing in the sight of The Lord.    When his sins were exposed before him, he instantly repented and sought forgiveness of the Lord.  Even when he suffered the consequence of his sin, he did not turn to the Lord in anger and self-pity, but wash his face of his tears and continued onward in his service to the Lord our God.  Here indeed was a man “After HIS own heart”. 

Throughout the scriptures, we can find countless examples of those who understood the meaning of surrender, of sacrifice, of submission, of loyalty, of diligence in service, of seeking out the will of the Lord and doing it, of dying to SELF and being alive IN Christ!  But, where are they in the church today?   

Where are the Job’s that would say: “thou he slay me, YET will I trust him.”  Where are the Noah’s who would be willing to do all that the LORD commanded WITHOUT question, WITHOUT compromise.  Where are the Abraham’s who would DARE TO BELIEVE in the word of the Lord and have their faith counted as righteousness!  Where are those like Moses who would cry out to the Lord saying “I beseech thee, show me thy Glory.”   Where are the Solomon’s who would ask of the Lord for WISDOM rather than plead for riches or other selfish desires?  Where are the Nehemiah’s who will cry out and weep before the Lord NOT for themselves, but for HIS people?  And God help us but where are the Isaiah’s who would be willing to forsake the world and the things thereof, and SURRENDER completely to the call of the Lord, SUBMITTING to HIS will and NOT their will for their lives?  Where in the church are the Jeremiah’s who would give to the Lord His own desires and surrender to the Lord’s call on his life.  Who would persevere in the work of the Lord DESPITE hardship, despite ridicule, despite loneliness, despite being rejected by the very ones the Lord sent him to prophesy to, and despite his own struggles and obvious pain.  Where are the Daniel’s who would REFUSE to bow the knee to false gods and the worshiping of Idols.  Who would rather die than confess any other as his God?  Where are the Elijah’s who would faithfully serve the LORD our God, and declare His word of truth no matter the cost?  Where are the David’s that would declare from the heart saying: “I will BLESS the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth”, and actually DO so through struggles, through pain, through hardship, through trials, through tribulation how many would TRULY bless the Lord at ALL times?   Where are those who are truly willing to take up their cross DAILY and follow Him?  Where are those “After His Own Heart?” 

In the church (Body of Christ) today there is much “Lip Service” and less actual “Serving”.  Many profess a “desire” for Christ but lack a “heart” for Christ.  To have a “heart” for the Lord is to be willing to forsake ALL and follow him as did his Apostles.  Here were ordinary men with regular lives before meeting the Lord, and yet upon his word, they forsook ALL leaving family and  possessions behind and FOLLOWED Him.  Not much is mentioned in detail according to scripture of their personal lives, but no doubt they all had something or someone they left behind to follow the Lord,  as Peter declared in Matt 19:27.  Peter obviously left behind a wife, for the Lord at one time healed Peter’s mother-in-law who was sick with fever.  Thus it is safe to say that he was a married man.  Others left businesses and careers, personal desires and dreams behind as the course of their lives instantly changed after ONE encounter with the King of kings and Lord of lords.  There is no mention of them murmuring and complaining over the things and people they gave up in submission to the Lord’s will for their lives.  They simply took up their cross, and followed Him.  They were men after His own heart. 

Where are such today?  Where are those who are prepared to die to self, and LIVE in Christ?  Are there any willing who would say: “Not my will but THY WILL be done.”  We can say to the Lord “I love you” but, to say the words is one thing and  to actually demonstrate that love through our surrender is another.   If we truly love Him, we would then be willing to forsake ALL and follow him.  We cannot cling to our will and attempt to do his will, but must surrender to one or the other.   The Lord is seeking out those who are “After His Own Heart” for such would without question forsake EVERYTHING that hinders him/her from total surrender to Him.  How many are ready to say YES LORD, not my will but thine be done.   I SURRENDER!  My desire IS for YOU!    

Yes, Lord!
Written by: Bro Mel G. McFarland 

Though the bed is warm, and I need sleep,
The Word of God comes to me now
As the house is cold in the night so steep,
It is 3 AM, and I don’t know how
I can find strength for the task today,
But crawling from bed to Him, I say, 

"Yes, Lord, I will do as You ask of me,
For Your power is greater than all
The armies of the world, just let me see
One step at a time, whatever the call,
Climb upward and onward in Your will,
For the challenge ahead is greater still. 

Yes, Lord, my faith is at low ebb,
Bring the mighty tide of Your presence
To lift me up from satan’s entangling web,
And sweep me forth as I commence
A great work in Your Name, for glory
Praise and honor to You from this story. 

Yes, Lord, I reach out to take Your Hand,
For I know it will guide me all the way,
Never will I fail to reach the promised land,
The living sacrifice of Jesus holds sway,
And nothing can pluck me from His hold,
I am forever within the Shepard’s fold. 

Yes, Lord, how beautiful is Your Word,
Giving life to all who heed and follow thee,
Healing, blessing descends like a bird
Upon those whose prayer is Your plea,
And You carry them under Your strong wings
Even as the angel choir so wonderfully sings. 

Yes, Lord, You give life and not death to all
Who will answer at Your Holy Spirit’s call." 

Copyright 12-04-2004. Mel G. McFarland.
You may make a copy for your own use.

Thank you Brother Mel for this blessing and allowing me to share this poem with The Body of Christ in this weeks message.  The Lord BLESS you my brother, for you are a man after his own heart.

I love you all so very much. Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember: Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!

The Lord be with you this day and always!  Shalom Uvracha (Peace and Blessings)…….. 

Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh,
Adonai Elohim Tzeva-ot
Asher Hayah Va-ho-veh VaY’vo

Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come!

May the peace of the Lord be with you today and always……

Khandielese
Daughter & Servant
   of the Lord God