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Monday, January 23, 2006

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2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10
Psalm 89:20-22, 25-26
Mark 3:22-30

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good versus best

David "reigned for forty years: seven years and six months in Hebron over Judah, and thirty-three years in Jerusalem over all Israel and Judah." —2 Samuel 5:4-5

David took his kingship to a higher level when he moved from Hebron to Jerusalem. He was told that it was impossible to reach that level, but he did the impossible (2 Sm 5:6-7). Then he "grew steadily more powerful, for the Lord of hosts was with him" (2 Sm 5:10).

The Lord wants to take your good marriage and turn it into a great one. You don't know how that's possible. Just pray with your spouse for a great marriage and watch the Lord do a miracle.

You've chosen to be single for the Lord, and you serve the Lord with love and enthusiasm. Now the Lord is calling you to cross over into a new dimension of community life and ministry.

You're retired by the world's standards, but the Lord is ready to move you into the major ministry of your life. You've had a good life in Hebron. Now it's time to enter Jerusalem.

You're a loving, committed parent. You've done a good job of raising your children. But now you can disciple your children for the Lord. Come up higher; cross the threshold; enter a new dimension.

Don't let the good keep you from the best. Leave the security of Hebron for the challenges of Jerusalem.

Prayer:  Father, may I leave behind not only the bad but also the good so as to follow You.

Promise:  "I have found David, My servant; with My holy oil I have anointed him, that My hand may be always with him, and that My arm may make him strong." —Ps 89:21-22

Praise:  Gina thanks God as she sees Him taking her from ministry to ministry — each one deeper than the one before.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape series Risen Life Series: four audio tapes starting with AV 4A-1 or two video tapes starting with V-4A.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Daniel E. Pilarczyk, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 19, 2005

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