Psalm 107:1-9

Good morning! I praise God that you joined me today as I have this awesome opportunity to share with you a portion of God’s Word that has tremendously impacted my life over the past several days. Today I would like to talk to you about, “Satisfaction For The Hungry Soul.” My following two blogs will cover, “Deliverance For The Bound Soul” and “Healing For The Sick Soul.”

The first division of this blessed Psalm depicts God’s people in a desert wilderness setting. Their desperate situation was a direct result of both outward extremity as well as their own insufficiency. The homeward march was through foreign territory – barren, solitary, and inhospitable in every way imaginable. No wonder weariness characterized each struggling traveler (vv4-5). It would be difficult to visualize a less satisfying situation.

The prayer of faith dramatically changed the picture. The environment remained the same, but changes within made even a desert seem like a taste of heaven on earth – God saw to that (v. 6). The distress they experienced was for a purpose: God wanted them to come to the place where they would look solely to Him. In this way they would not be disappointed, for God forever delights to prove Himself faithful in behalf of them who trust Him for sustaining, overflowing grace. How was that response which God desired expressed? Believing prayer!

God answered their prayer. The Lord led them out of their dilemma “by the right way,…to a city of habitation” (v. 7). They were not only led through the wilderness to the promised destination, but also provided with complete satisfaction of every need en route. What a tremendous representation this is of what God wants to do for you and me when we, too, find ourselves burdened down and about to faint under the load! Are we in need of Heaven-sent nourishment for our weary souls today? Then tell God about it! He delights to answer such requests (v. 9).

The philosophies, pleasures, and riches of this world are no more conducive to satisfying the longings of the believer than the desert is in quenching the thirst of a dying man. Christ alone will satisfy. Also, spiritual famine is invariably the result of setting our sights on the temporal rather than the eternal. Always remember, God delights to meet our EVERY need, but He wants us to seek first our greatest need of all, the peace and fullness of God (Phil. 4:7). “Seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Lk. 12:31).

“The Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not” (Isa. 58:11). There’s no excuse for a desert experience today!

I pray that the Lord will bless your ministry as we walk in Him.

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Imagine that you’ve been invited to meet with the President of the United States in the Oval Office. You’d likely look forward to your appointment with great excitement. Now imagine that someone much more exciting – the God of the universe – wants to meet with you personally. This scenario is true; God really does want to meet with you, and He wants to do so every single day through a private quiet time alone.

I have had the privilege of traveling for several years, training good lay-people in local churches to start the Reformers Unanimous Addiction Program. I never teach on the “It’s Personal” Daily Journal without seeing many tears. I sense hearts being turned towards Him. Just yesterday, I received a call from a Pastor in Florida, where I had been a few weeks prior. He shared with me that the church members who were involved in their addiction outreach were experiencing revival! He contributed it to their participation in the RU Daily Journal. In fact, he told me how his wife, a 29-year old Christian, testified on Sunday night on the effect the journal was having in her own life. I can verify here testimony and place before you hundreds that would say the same thing. However, I wonder how many started journaling and stopped? I wonder how many more started but now, just pencil whip it, to “get it done”?

Keeping a journal allows the individual to review their thoughts, moments of clarity, and assist them in developing Spirit-led insight. Daily journaling is a very powerful tool to keep one in the reality of HIM. I often teach how the journal, when approached properly, will give you a “fresh” awareness of God’s presence in your life. Have you had one lately?

Those appointments with God should be a source of great joy for you. But unfortunately, quiet times can sometimes seem too intimidating to schedule or maintain regularly. Here are some ways you can enjoy your appointments with God; I can promise you they will be more enjoyable than with any President:

1. Seek God Himself rather than anything He might give you. Know that God will meet you where you are and reveal much about Himself to you if you’re sincerely seeking Him.
2. Listen carefully for God’s voice, which you’ll recognize better and better the more time you spend with Him. Wait expectantly in silence for a while for the Holy Spirit to speak. Resist the outside pressure and listen for the inside persuasion.
3. Write down your thoughts, feelings, and prayers in the journal during your quiet time to more clearly express them. Read through your Journal often.
4. Think about how much God loves you, and expect to be blessed as a result of spending time with Him. View your quiet times as cherished meetings with someone you love.
5. Realize that the more time you spend with God, the greater the intimacy you’ll develop with Him. Although the idea of a daily quiet time might seem awkward at first because you might not know what to say or how to recognize God’s voice; after a while, you’ll look forward to the appointment because it will be like meeting with your best friend.
6. Listen to the Daily Journal CD again. I promise you there are parts you have forgotten. This will refresh your look at particular section in your journal time.
7. Set aside a consistent time every day to meet with God. Choose a time at which you’re most alert and can block out distractions. I believe God always ask us for the “first.” He made it plain to give him the first fruits of our income, the first day of the week, etc. Many times, the mentors from the pages of God’s Word spoke of the first part of the day.
8. Designate a special place in which you can meet privately with God. The place can be either indoors or outdoors, such as a home office or in the woods. I suggest you have several places, as to eliminate all excuses. If you are traveling like I do extensively, look for a place as soon as you are at the location you will be sleeping. Prepare to go there when you awake.

Remember: the best evidence of the value of a Quiet Time is remembering the day you skipped it.

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Good morning! I pray that you have spent some time with your Savior already this morning and approach this blog with an open heart and mind. I believe God has a wonderful truth to share with us and then for us to apply to our lives today.

This past Friday I was driving from Rockford to a small city in northwestern Michigan called Wellston. I was asked by their pastor to come to their church and present the ministry of RU and preach the three services on Sunday. During the seven hour drive, I had a lot of time to think and meditate. During this time I found myself in the midst of a spiritual warfare, Satan was constantly bringing to my memory an event that transpired over 25 years ago in my life when I was yet a teenager and had made a bad choice which hurt my testimony and the cause of Christ. When this occurred in my life, I immediately went to my pastor (also my father) and confessed my sin and got things right with God.

For over 25 years I really have never thought that much about it until this trip to northern Michigan where I was going to share the awesome ministry of RU and preach the wonderful Word of God. Satan was buffeting my mind with the thought, “How can you stand in front of those people and represent RU and then preach the Bible to them?” He went on to say to me, “You should just turn around go back home, call the preacher and tell him something came up and you wouldn’t be able to make it.” I realized I was in a fight with the evil one. My immediate thought was that God was going to bless our meeting and much fruit would be gained for the kingdom of God. Obviously the devil did not want this to transpire – thus the attack.

As these thoughts crossed my mind, I would immediately cast them down and meditate on the Word of God. I prayed that God would give me guidance and comfort in this time of extreme spiritual warfare, which was not only going to affect me but the whole congregation at the church in Wellston.

When I arrived at Wellston, I checked into my hotel room and contacted the pastor that I had arrived. Then I immediately went to the Word of God. I had left off my Bible reading that morning with Ecclesiastes chapter 10. Therefore I began reading chapter eleven and, in verse three, God so graciously gave me my answer. It says “…and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.” The Holy Spirit told me that my past event was a tree that God and I had cut down together when I acknowledged my sin and confessed it to Him and He so faithfully forgave me. I realized this fallen tree had no life left in it thus it had no power over me anymore.

The Holy Spirit ministered unto me by telling me that, yes, this tree once was alive and powerful but by the grace of God it was cut down over 25 years ago and had no power or influence over my life. He went on to comfort me by telling me to stop looking at this dead tree, step over it by the power of God, get on with my life, present the RU ministry and preach the Word of God like I had never done before. This is exactly what I did and, my friends, God showed up in Wellston, Michigan this past weekend! Many hearts were touched and many decisions for God were made.

What about the fallen trees in your life? You may say, “There are things I can’t change!” OK, it happened…so what? Go on and serve God. So the tree fell. What are you going to do, make a memorial out of it? Are you going to talk about it the rest of your life? We cannot allow the fallen trees in our life keep us from doing what God wants us to do.

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Good Morning! Thank you for stopping to read what God has given me to share with you. I hope that it will be as much of a help to you as it has been for me. While it is a wonderful thing to have the technology we have today, I think we all (myself included!) can use the following reminders…

I am beginning to see that there’s just no substitute for face-to-face time with people you love or are trying to disciple. The other day I found myself instant messaging another staff person who was in the adjacent room to my office! I began to realize just how much I use my computer to converse with those closest to me. I couldn’t believe that I had taken this plunge into technology – which could very easily get me what I wanted, but lose what I have! That day, my morning devotions began with “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Cor. 13:12).Face-to-face contact is priceless.

Voice mail, e-mail, and blogging may cause us to think that we are connecting with one another, but these tools are misleading. When this type of communication becomes the “norm”, they can make us “a mile wide and an inch deep”. Recently, I spoke with a friend and asked him for his email address. He was kind enough to give it to me, but then he added, “but could you use it sparingly? I would much rather hear your voice. It is your spirit that has always helped me, and I cannot hear that through an email or from text messages.” Those words stunned me! I realized that technology is out of touch with what people really need to be properly discipled and exhorted.

The apostle John wrote the following, “Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.” (2 John 12).

It seems that Scriptures of long ago had words for us bloggers and e-mailers today! Technology can fool me into thinking I’ve “connected” with dozens of people only requiring a few seconds at my computer keyboard. Instant Messaging may make me efficient, but it doesn’t help anyone to become known more deeply, down where we yearn to be known. Tweets can be fun, fast, and simple, but they can never replace a face-to-face exchange. Though I see great promise in these types of communication for spreading the Good News, and I am confident that God will use it to bring many into His kingdom, I do fear that we could forget the impact of our undivided attention in face-to-face conversations with those God brings into our lives.

So what’s the remedy? It comes packaged in a commodity we hold most precious…time. Those to whom you mentor need your attention and loving care. Though technology gives us opportunities that we have never had in previous years, (such as the ability to blog!) let us not forget the impact of personal attention as John did when he wrote his letter. Let’s face it, John realized the stimulation of face-to-face exhortation!

Remember, do not forego the face-to-face for the fast pace – but rather, look at what God said in the first place!

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Continuing on in the series on discovering God’s will for our live’s today we will cover the Shepherd. The Shepherd is a picture of God’s best for our lives. Let us examine some attributes of the Shepherd, and we will learn more about determining God’s will.

The Shepherd- The Shepherd was the Shulamite’s one true love, and he had a number of attributes that set him apart from Solomon. Let’s look at what made him so unique.

Found God’s Choice doing God’s will- The will of God is discovered by doing what we already know to be the will of God. For instance when Eleazer was seeking a bride for Isaac he said, “I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren.” What this means is that we have made the will of God far too complicated if we were to do the things we know are God’s will then God would lead us from there.

The Shulamite did not necessarily know God’s will for marriage, but she definitely knew that the Shepherd had a shared calling with her because he was a shepherd. Solomon on the other hand was from a completely different walk of life, and had different goals, dreams, and ambitions. If someone has a definite calling they should never consider choosing a spouse, a job, town, relationship etc. that would take them one step away from that calling.

Unfortunately Satan will often offer a relationship with someone who is headed a different direction in life then you. To make things worse because they are different he will tell you that they are exotic, interesting, in short way better than what you have experienced before. This inevitably is deceitful men, and women are already so different in so many ways why would it be better to add to that. So that you not only have the standard differences, but a different calling, and different direction. Amos the prophet said, “how can two walk together except they be agreed?” The simple answer is they can’t. Different isn’t exotic it’s erroneous avoid it at all cost.

Looked at the countenance and words not outward attributes- Song of Solomon 2:14 says, “O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.” The next thing that made the Shepherd God’s choice was his correct focus. As you study Solomon you quickly see that his primary ways of wooing were: alcohol, flattery, coercion, peer pressure, harlequin romance, power, and promises of security. He starts with flattery of her shape, proportions etc. The Shepherd on the other hand does not start with the physical, or external, but rather looks at her character.

One of the marks of a worldly suitor is their focus on the externals. The problem with this approach is that physical beauty is transitory, fleeting, and time has a way of taking it away from us. Character on the other hand is who we really are under the skin, and it is what will make a great marriage decades later. The shepherd started with the eyes, and the countenance. It has been said eyes are the windows to the soul, and I think that is very accurate. Someone’s eyes can reveal whats in their heart. Take for instance a disobedient child, inevitably they can’t look their parents in the eye because of what’s in their heart.

When the Shepherd looked into the Shulamite’s eyes it caused him to declare, “thou hast dove’s eyes”. What does that mean you may wonder. The following attributes that the Shepherd saw in his beloved made her an ideal mate.

Dove’s mate for life- He saw a woman that was commited to a lifelong relationship for better or for worse

Dove’s are very pure- A dove will never rest on a dead carcasse. He could see her commitement to purity

Dove’s can fly long distances- He could see in her a commitment to the long term vision

Dove’s are transparent- Dove’s have transparent eyelids , and this is a picture of the Shulamite’s honesty, and transparency.

Was under authority- The last that made the Shepherd an ideal mate was the fact that he was under authority. From the story we get the impression that the Shepherd was an older man, and furthermore the story tells us that the Shulamite’s father was dead. So the Shulamite could have said, “your father’s dead, and I’m an older wiser man so lets just get married”.

However the Shepherd was a man under authority. In the beginning of the story when the brothers moved the Shulamite to the vineyards to slow their relationship they accepted that. They could have said, “we know this is God’s will, let’s just go for it” instead they waited patiently for God to reveal to their authority the will of God. In the last chapter likewise they have a willingness to share their story with the family, and ask for marital blessing.

If you are considering a course of action that requires you to go against your God ordained authority, preachers, teachers, parents, employers, goverment. Then you are probably about to make a mistake, God leads through authority, and the king’s heart is always in the hand of the Lord. So today let’s analyse our decision making paradigm, and make decisions like the Shepherd, and Shulamite today.

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Proverbs 17:22  A merry (pleasant and agreeable) heart (seat of affections and passions) doeth good (makes beautiful) like a medicine (cure):  but a broken spirit (disposition – arrangement of the mind) drieth (withers) the bones (inward being).

We do three things at Reformers Unanimous—talk, talk, talk!  But in our third talk, Brother Curington has taught us two other beneficial steps—dissect and define.  Students are taught to read, study and meditate on God’s Word.  But to be able to meditate, you must understand what the verse really means.  That is why we dissect and define Bible verses.  Dissecting and defining simply means that I break down a Bible verse and define the words and phrases.  Then I put it back together to see what God is trying to teach me.  It is easy to be overwhelmed by the large words or maybe a phrase that isn’t part of our “lingo” nowadays that we fail to see the truth that is staring at us!  When we pull the verse apart and individually define the word’s meanings, the verse comes alive to us!

How do you do this?  A great tool that every student of God’s Word should have is an 1828 Webster’s Dictionary.  This is valuable because it was written in the same era and language culture as our Bible.  Therefore, the definitions will match what the biblical word really means.  There are many words now that we use that had different meanings in Bible days.  This dictionary will eliminate that problem.

Bro. Curington’s habit of dissecting and defining Bible verses has taught us that beauty truly comes from within!  The real treasure of a verse and its impact on you will only be found as you apply the disicipline of seeking after it.  Proverbs teaches us that we will find wisdom when we seek for it as if it were a hidden treasure (Proverbs 2:4)!  Right next to that verse you could write “dissect and define.”  When you start seeking for that gold, you will find it!  But you must be a student that applies discipline and desire.

As an example, I would like to show you a recently dissected and defined verse that Brother Curington taught us.  Proverbs 17:22  A merry (pleasant and agreeable) heart (seat of affections and passions) doeth good (makes beautiful) like a medicine (cure):  but a broken spirit (disposition – arrangement of the mind) drieth (withers) the bones (inward being).  This is a verse I have often read and thought I understood it.  But once I saw the dissected and defined version of it, it gained a different beauty!

The dissected and defined “version” would read as such: “A pleasant and agreeable seat of affections and passions makes beautiful like a cure.  But a broken disposition, or arrangement of the mind, withers the inward being.”

I  believe that a pleasant and agreeable seat of passions is the best “beauty cream” available!   As I watch the ladies in my group grow spiritually, I see the hardness of sin literally fade away.  You can use Pond’s, microderm abrasion, or even have a “face lift” and it won’t do what a merry heart can do!

Bro. Barry has added the Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language in hardcover book and in CD form to our catalog.  Call him to place an order.  This dictionary has made a huge difference in my spiritual enlightenment.  Get yours today and begin to “dissect and define!”

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When I discipline one of our children, I often remind them of God’s words, “Whom the Lord loveth, He correcteth.”  Of course, this is not what they want to hear, nor “this is going to hurt me more than it hurts you!”  Soon afterward, their response to my correction becomes evident.  (Usually, it is written on their countenance when I tell them to go to their room!) When they are quickly remorseful and turn toward my correction, the discipline is short and we are soon in each other’s arms.  It is during these times that I feel very close to that reprimanded child.  These are sweet times with my children, and a true bond is formed between us.  However, when they do not turn towards my correction, but rather resist it, the outcome is not so sweet.

We, too, respond to God’s correction!  Proverbs tells us the results of our responses:

Response #1
Turn you (change your direction) at my reproof (toward my correction): behold (you will see and observe), I will pour out (abundantly send forth) my spirit unto you, I will make known (teach or communicate) my words unto you.   Proverbs 1:23

Dissected and defined:  Change your direction toward my correction and you will see and observe that I will abundantly send forth my Spirit unto you and I will communicate with you. In other words if you will stop and turn when God is prompting you too, than you will have God’s power UPON you and will be given supernatural promptings to discern God’s direction in life!

Response #2
He (whosoever), that being often reproved (corrected) hardeneth his neck (won’t turn), shall suddenly (unexpectedly) be destroyed, and that without remedy (deliverance).     Proverbs 29:1

Dissected and defined: Whosoever is often corrected and won’t turn toward my correction will unexpectedly be destroyed without deliverance.

God takes our responses very seriously!  Either we respond properly and receive abundant, power, as well as intimate communication from His Spirit, or we respond improperly and receive undeliverable destruction (we don’t even see it coming!).

As God’s child, there are times when He must correct us.  If we respond properly to His correction, we can spend sweet times of fellowship with Him.  During these times we realize just how much God truly loves us.  His Spirit is able to freely communicate with our spirit and we intimately will know God!

At Reformers Unanimous, we learn how to have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ by walking with Him daily, using the It’s Personal Daily Journal.  In this journal, there is a section entitled “Leadings/Convictions of the Spirit.”  This is my time to respond properly to His correction.

Has the Lord convicted you recently?  Has the Spirit led you?  How did you respond?   The answer is found in this final question.  RU enjoying God’s Power, Promptings and Persuasions in your life or RU experiencing God’s punishment on your life?

Wendy Burks

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In the last post we laid the ground work for discovering God’s will for your life. In this and future posts we’ll explore each character role in discovering our destiny.

Shulamite- The Shulamite was a shepherd girl from Shunem who was betrothed to the love of her life who was also a shepherd. When Solomon was returning from his summer palace in Megiddo he aparently was taken by her beauty, and tried to woo her with promises of wealth, and security. When he was unsuccessful in his first attempt he took her to Jerusalem to try to overwhelm her with His regal splendor.

Throughout the entire process the Shulamite carefully guarded her heart, and stuck to what she knew was right. There are many valuable lessons we can learn from this narrative let’s look at what made this young lady so special.

Her Love was deeper than some flashy worldy mans attention- In Song of Solomon 1:2-4 the Bible says,

“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee”

In an effort to woo this young girl Solomon calls her into his tent, and begins his coarse flatteries, and alcoholic beverages. Isn’t funny how the tactics of the world never change? Still to this day worldly people use flattery, and alcohol to lure innocent people into sin. But the Shulamite wasn’t deceived, and states to her Shepherd love, “thy love is better than wine.” You see when we God brings us a relationship that is pure, and holy, and saturated with Agape love no amount of attention from a worldy person will distract us.

Her confidence was in things that matter- In chapter 1 verses 5, and 6 we see that the Shulamite’s confidence was in things that matter, “I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.”

Solomon always traveled with a full court, soldiers, advisers, and ladies in waiting, or his court. These women began to make fun of the Shulamite for the dark color of her skin. To which she replied, “I am black, but comely.” In other words she said I may not have the traditional look, but I’m still attractive. These wordly court women had bought into the same lies Satan has been selling for millenia.

Night and day through television, magazines, and the internet Satan communicates to young ladies a certain weight they should be, certain brands they should wear, or, a certain way their face or body should be shaped. This has led to epidemic levels of anorexia, and bulemia, and even drug, and alcohol abuse for those who feel like they just don’t measure up. Nothing could be further from the truth the Bible says we are fearfully, and wonderfully made, God formed us in the womb, and loves us just how he made us. So stop insulting God by denigrating your appearance, and be confident in who you are in Christ.

The Shulamite Goes on to tell the court women that not only was she attractive, but her appearance came by obeying her authority. Her widowed mother, and brothers seeing that her relationship with the Shepherd was moving a little to fast for their taste moved her from shepherding to the vineyard. In obeying her authority she had acquired her tan while doing what God called her to do. Someone who is under authority, sure of their of their calling, and confident of who they are in Christ will always be more attractive then some ditzy, “beauty queen!”

Her dealings were open to scrutiny- In verse 16 of chapter 1 we see that her dealings were open to scrutiny. Oftentimes in a wordly romantic relationship there is a lot of sneaking around as couples are doing things that should be rightfully saved for marriage. However the Shulamite states in verse 16, “Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green.” In other words we are not going to hang out in some dark corner, but rather in the open fields where are actions are open to scrutiny. Beware of any relationship, action, or habit that requires secrecy it is probably sinful, because God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. So if your in the dark God is probably not involved.

The Shulamite knew that what she had with the shepherd was right, and thus she was not afraid of scrutiny or accountability. Is your life an open book for your authorities to read, or do you shirk accountability any chance you get?

She Guarded her heart- In chapter 2 verse 7 we see that the Shulamite carefully guarded her heart. Guarding your heart is another way of saying protect your meditations! You can’t just allow yourself to think on anything because your heart is a deceiver (Jer. 17:9), and it can be deceived if you dwell on wrong thoughts.

Lets look at how she guarded her heart verse 7 says, “I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.” I used to think she was perhaps talking about her shepherd lover sleeping in, but upon closer scrutiny the verse in the Hebrew is completely in feminine gender. So that this verse might be literally translated, “stir not up nor wake the love till she please!” What was she saying? These court women were trying to excite unlawful passions in Her heart for the wordly King.

She was saying I’m sensing that my heart is being deceived, and I won’t allow you to stir up inappropriate meditations in my heart. Plain, and simple she was guarding her heart. Satan, and the world are constantly trying to excite wrong passions, and mediations in our heart we must constantly avoid meditating on wrong things.

She didn’t go on feelings alone but relied on the truth In chapter 6 verse 11 we see that the Shulamite did not rely on her feelings, but rather clung to truth. The Bible says, “I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, and to see whether the vine flourished and the pomegranates budded. Or ever I was aware, my soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib. Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies.” The Shulamite finding herself in Jerusalem far from home decided to venture out into the vineyards, do what she loved to do, and was called to do. You see through the guidance of God, and her authority she had determined that herding sheep, and working in agriculture were her life’s calling.

However while she was pursuing her calling Solomon came upon her suddenly in his chariots, and tried to woo her. She immediately tried to leave to guard her heart. To which he responded, “return!” Solomon tries to make more out of the moment then is there. Satan is that way from time we are little kids he paints for us what I call the “disneyland romance” in other words a romantic love story that causes us to “fall in love.”

As if we didn’t have a choice, and we just fell into a hole or a trap. Love isn’t something you fall into it is a daily choice. A daily choice to yield to God’s agape love for this person, and love even when it’s not “romantic.”

Solomon tried to make this “chance” meeting into something it wasn’t, but the Shulamite didn’t buy it , and responded wisely. She said, I didn’t come out here to the gardens for romance, but rather to pursue my calling. You see this young lady was called of God to be in agriculture, and so you could whisk her away to Jerusalem, but she was more interested in her calling than the coarse flattery, power, and wealth of Solomon.

She was under authority- In Chapter 8 the Shulamite returns home after Solomon realizes she is too virtuous to choose him over God’s best for her life. She immediately returns home, and tries to get her authority to approve the marriage. You see when your in God’s will your life is completely available to your authorities for guidance, and correction. The Shulamite could of said my dad is dead, and your not my boss: to her mother, and brothers. Instead she embraced her authority.

The brother respond to her request for the blessing of her marriage with a question. Are you a door, or a wall? If you are a door then your heart is available to anyone who wants to turn the knob, and have a piece. If you are a wall this means you are virtuous, and your heart is guarded from choices that are less than God’s perfect plan. Isn’t sad how are modern philosophy of dating turns us into doors? We often have given away dozens of pieces of our heart before we actually find God’s perfect mate for our life. The Shulamite could honestly say however that she had guarded her heart from the most powerful man in the land, and saved herself for the shepherd.
The end of this story finds the Shulamite right in the center of God’s will with the full blessing of her authority on her decisions. We can all learn some lessons from the Shulamite, and find God’s best for our life.

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1. The Song of Destiny 1: How to FInd God’s Will for Your Life I don’t know how many of you have ever read...

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I don’t know how many of you have ever read Song of Solomon, and gone, huh? If so, your not alone I have definitely never found it very helpful or even understandable. That was until one night as I was meditating on the phrase “dove’s eyes” from chapter 2 that God laid out the interpretation of Song of Solomon for me. To really understand what God showed me you have to understand different historical interpretations of Song of Solomon.

The first interpretation takes a literal approach, and says that Song of Solomon is a story of King Solomon wooing a young shepherd girl, or “the Shulamite.” Therefore the book was held in high regard by Jewish people as sort of a marriage manual, and in fact Jewish males were often forbidden to read it before they were thirty. The problem with this interpretation as we shall see through this series of posts is that Solomon takes a very externally focused path to woo this girl, and furthermore acts more like a ladies man than a man of God.

Another interpretation explains the Song of Songs as an allegory of Jehovah’s love for Israel, or in a New Testament context Jesus’ love for the Church. While I believe this is a good application for Song of Solomon, it is not the primary interpretation. While it is an excellent picture of our intimacy with God it was primarily written about real people with an interpretation that implies to us in concrete, not abstract or allegorical ways.

The correct interpretation in my opinion is that Song of Solomon is not about Solmon at all. Rather it is a story about a young woman trying to find God’ will for her life, and discover her destiny. Along the way she is severely opposed by the flesh the world, and the devil in her choice of the right calling, and right mate. So lets look at the choices this young lady was faced with, and in so doing understand how to determine God’s will for our lives.

To understand this story you must first know the characters which are as follows:

The Shulamite- this is the young shepherd girl who is trying to determine God will for her life. She is in love with the Shepherd, but the strong advances from the rich, and powerful King solomon are very confusing to her. She must finally make a decision between her shepherd lover, and the wordly king. In this story the Shulamite definitely represents us.

The Shepherd- the Shepherd is a picture of God’s will for our lives, he was the Shulamite’s destiny. Throughout the story he is actively wooing the Shulamite, and trying to protect her from the advanced of King Solomon.

The Sovereign- Solomon is the King of Israel, and the Shulamite catches his eye not because of her virtue, but because of her extreme external beauty. Throughout the entire story Solomon uses flattery, power, and wealth to try to lead the Shulamite into a decision that will ultimately land her in a harem given to heathen idolatrous worship.

The Silly Women- these are the women of Solomon’s court they are deeply focused on sex, security, and silly talking as such they are a powerful representation of the world. These women repeatedly try to tease, and tantalize the Shulamite into unguarding her heart.

The Siblings- Ultimately in this story we discover that the Shulamite does not have a father in her life, but she has placed herself under the authority of her Brothers. These brothers represent our godly authority, and are an important part of a spiritual decision making paradigm.

In our nexts posts we will discuss each of these characters in depth and determine how to find God’s will for our life

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Who are we in Christ? Let’s find out from the book of Romans.

1. I am a debtor to all men. Ro 1:14
2. I am ready to preach the gospel. Ro 1:15
3. I am not ashamed of the gospel. Ro 1:16
4. I am without excuse to sin. Ro 1:20
5. I am without excuse to judge. Ro 2:1

6. I am blessed by being a doer and a teacher of the law. Ro 2:13, Mt 5:19
7. I am blessed by having my lawless deeds forgiven and my sins covered. Ro 4:7
8. I am walking in the steps of faith of our father Abraham. Ro 4:12
9. I am of the faith of Abraham. Ro 4:16
10. I am not under the dominion of sin or the law, but under grace. Ro 6:14-15
11. I am a slave of obedience leading to righteousness. Ro 6:16
12. I am in Christ Jesus, walking in the Spirit, and under no condemnation. Ro 8:1
13. I am set free from the law of sin and death by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Ro 8:2
14. I am fulfilling the righteous requirement of the law walking according to the Spirit. Ro 8:4
15. I am setting my mind on the things of the Spirit. Ro 8:5
16. I am spiritually minded and have life and peace. Ro 8:6
17. I am not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, the Spirit of God indwells me and I have the Spirit of Christ. Ro 8:9
18. I am indwelt by Christ. Ro 8:10
19. I am indwelt by the Spirit of Him who raised Christ from the dead and I am receiving His life. Ro 8:11
20. I am a debtor mortifying the flesh to live after the Spirit. Ro 8:12-13
21. I am not receiving the spirit of bondage again to fear, but the Spirit of adoption whereby I cry out, Abba Father. Ro 8:15
22. I am a son of God led by the Spirit of God. Ro 8:14-16
23. I am an heir of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ sharing in His sufferings and sharing in His glorification. Ro 8:17
24. I am a wretched carnal man, sold under sin, apart from the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Ro 7:14, 7:24
25. I am inseparable from the love of God. Ro 8:38-39
26. I am a saint of God. Ro 1:7, 1Cor 1:2
27. I am justified by faith in the blood of Jesus. Ro 3:24, 5:1, 5:9, 8:30, 1 Cor 6:11, Gal 2:16, 3:24
28. I am saved from the wrath of God through Jesus. Gal 2:16
29. I am glorified. Ro 8:17, 8:30, 2 Th 1:10-12
30. I am dead to sin, but alive to God. Ro 6:11, 6:6
31. I am spiritually minded and have life and peace. Ro 8:6
32. I am revealing the glory of God. Ro 8:18
33. I am what the creation is eagerly waiting for. Ro 8:19
34. I am delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Ro 8:21
35. I am possessing the first fruits of the Spirit. Ro 8:23
36. I am groaning within myself eagerly awaiting the adoption of the sons of God. Ro 8:23
37. I am saved in this hope eagerly waiting for it with perseverance. Ro 8:24-25
38. I am being helped in my weaknesses through the prayerful intercessions of the Spirit according to the will of God. Ro 8:26-27
39. I am believing that all things work together for my good. Ro 8:28
40. I am called according to God’s purpose. Ro 8:28
41. I am predestined to be conformed to the image of God’s Son. Ro 8:29
42. I am justified. Ro 8:30
43. I am glorified. Ro 8:30
44. I am believing God is for me. Ro 8:31
45. I am believing God is freely giving me all things. Ro 8:32
46. I am God‚s elect. Ro 8:33
47. I am interceded for by Jesus Christ at the right hand of the Father. Ro 8:34
48. I am convinced that neither tribulation, nor distress, nor persecution, nor famine, nor nakedness, nor peril, nor sword shall be able to separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Ro 8:35
49. I am more than a conqueror through Him who loved me. Ro 8:37
50. I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Ro 8:38-39
51. I am a son of the Living God. Ro 9:26
52. I am not nor will I ever be ashamed. Ro 10:11, 1Pe 2:6, 1Jo 2:28
53. I am grafted into Israel‚s olive tree. Ro 11:19
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54. I am not conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of my mind. Ro 12:2, Eph 4:23
55. I am full of goodness and knowledge and able to admonish others. Ro 15:14
56. I am wise in what is good and simple concerning evil. Ro 16:19

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