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DAILY BIBLE READING: 1 SAMUEL 30-31 LUKE 13:23-35 DAVID'S WIVES ARE CAPTURED Amalekites seized Ziklag, burned it and taken captive the women and all who were in it but they found their wife and children taken and their land burned. They were bitter in soul but David strengthened himself in the Lord. He took the ephod and inquired of the Lord who said: "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and rescue" on the journey, an Egyptian serving an Amalekite master gave David food and drink. He was left on the road by his master after they seized ziklag. He asked David to spared him after he begged and he took David down to the brook Besor. DAVID DEFEATS THE AMALEKITES the Amalekites were eating and drinking and dancing because of their great spoil. David struck them from twilight until evening of the next day. not a man escaped except 400 young men who fled. David recovered all and rescued his wives. Nothing was missing, they returned to the men left behind. others demanded to not give them spoil but David rebuked them. "You shall not do so my brothers, with what the Lord has given us. He has preserved us nad given into our hand the band that came against us. Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike." He made this statute and a rule for Israel. David sent part of the spoil to the elders of Judah and all places where David roamed. THE DEATH OF SAUL Saul died with his son, armor-bearer and all his men. Israelites abandoned their city and fled. Philistines came and lived in them. they were buried under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted 7 days. THE NARROW DOOR Someone asked Jesus: "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" He answered: "Strive to enter through the narrow door. many will seek but will not be able. When the master of the house shut the door, many will knock but he will say, "I do not know where you come from" the people will demand because they ate and drank and taught in the master's presence. but the master says: "depart from me, all you workers of evil! In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. people will come from all directions and recline at the table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last." LAMENT OVER JERUSALEM Pharisees warned Jesus to get away because Herod wants to kill Him. He replied: "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast our demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the 3rd day I finish my course. I will go on my way for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem, the city that kills prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children under my wings and you were not willing! Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord!'"

ECCLESIASTES 7:3-9 Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools. For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of fools; this also is vanity. Surely oppression drives the wise into madness, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

INSIGHT Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, asks: "Who knows how our days can best be spent? Our lives are like a shadow". This book contains some odd and morbid advice about life's brevity, adversity, and festivity. One's death is better than one's birth; attend funerals, not parties; and think about life's pains, not pleasures. Since "death is the destiny if everyone" Solomon advises us to live life with our end in mind, pondering life's brevity instead of pursuing festivity, "for sadness has a refining influence on us." In light of life's brevity and adversity and death's reality, we're to decide on how to wisely spend our time. Even as we experience the uncertainties of life-adversity and prosperity, good times and bad times, God is in control. By KT Sim

A PASTRY WAR Of all foolish things that have led to nations going to war, could a pastry be the worst of all? In 1832, amid tensions between France and Mexico, a group of Mexican Army officers visited a French pastry shop in Mexico City and sampled all the baker's goods without paying. Though the details get complicated (and other provocations compounded the troubles), the results was the first Franco-Mexican War known as the Pastry War, in which more than 300 soldiers died. It's sad what a moment of anger can incite. Most human conflicts-shattered marriages and ruined friendships, are likely rooted in some form of unmanaged anger. Selfishness and power plays, unresolved misunderstandings, slights and counter-aggresion, it's all foolishness. So often, our ill-advised perceptions or reactions lead to destructive anger. Yet Ecclesiastes offers wisdom: "Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools" It's foolish to have short fuse and be easily provoked to anger, especially when God offers a better way-perhaps through "the rebuke of a wise person" Pursuing wisdom, we can "let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts" We can live in wisdom and forgiveness as He helps us. By Winn Collier

REFLECT AND PRAY: Where have you given in to foolish anger? How did it hurt you or others?

Dear God, I don't want to allow foolish anger to control me or harm others. Please help me release my anger and receive Your peace. In Jesus name' Amen.

ACTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: A STUDY IN ACTS WHAT DOES IT SAY? Before Jesus was taken into Heaven, He told the apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Spirit so they would have the power to be His witnesses. WHAT DOES IT MEAN? Being Jesus’ witness to the ends of the earth was a mammoth task requiring faith in His resurrection, committed prayer, and Holy Spirit power. Jesus appeared to His followers at different times and in different ways, leaving no doubt about His deity or bodily resurrection. Inspired by the expectation that Jesus would return, His followers waited for the promised Holy Spirit in prayer. How did they pray? Together. When did they pray? Constantly. For what did they pray? Guidance. Why did they pray? Preparation. As a result, the book of Acts records how the Holy Spirit enabled the early church to follow Christ’s command to be His witnesses. HOW SHOULD I RESPOND? The book of Acts is the backstory for the modern-day church. Our origins are rooted in absolute faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord, dedication to prayer, and dependence on the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Why do we often expect successful ministry without each of these elements firmly in place? Which aspect of today’s passage needs to be strengthened in your personal life or place of service at church? This week, gather with other Christ followers and pray for God’s direction and enabling to be His witnesses.