From: stevek
Date: Thu Jan  1 15:47:38 MST 2004
Subject: 2 Samuel 20

Each of us has experienced community in which division and factionalism has caused calamity within the group. Regretably this seems to happen within God's church all too often. Chapter 20 is a gory picture of the result of such divisiveness. As David moves ahead with the reestablishment of his rule, the people of Judah and those of Israel compete against one another for position within the kingdom. Under the leadership of a man named Sheba, described in scripture as a 'troublemaker', the people of Israel desert David and set about establishing their own community under Sheba's illegitmate claim of authority. The Word says that God will not be mocked - David sends his men and prevails over Sheba's attempted mutiny. God's annointed leader is maintained in his position. We as a community are looking forward in the very near future to some times in which change will be forced upon us. I have spoken to some in the village who are of the opinion that the impending move may be God's way of moving us out from a comfort zone into which we may have settled. Others have expressed a sense that the move is the result of another part of the body of Christ which may not be seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance in their forcing us to move. There may be some truth in both positions. One thing is sure and that is that all of these things will work together for good if we continue to love the Lord and follow according to His purposes for the community. What God builds will stand - and if we stand on Christ, that is the solid foundation upon which we will prevail, as David did when the enemy came against him. The 20th chapter of 2 Samuel warns us, though, that in the midst of reestablishing ourselves in a new place, division and rancor within the body must be resisted. Don't be a 'troublemaker.' The village has a leadership team which has comitted itself to prayerfully seeking the Lord's guidance in the course of this move. The body must also pray for both them, and for discernment individually to offer up suggestions along the way. God uses us all in community. David was restored by the intervention of some who walked under his authority, but God used them to support David's annointed position. We also must come along side our leadership during this time, avoid factionalism and division, pray for and with them and seek God's direction as decisions are being made. Churches have split over much smaller issues than the ones facing this community of believers. Satan would love to see that happen here. But gathering together in prayer, love and mutual support - even when our suggestions aren't adopted - standing against factions and division will insure a prosperous end to this season in the growth of the village church. Last night, new year's eve, several of us spent the night in worship, prayer and hearing God's Word at the vineyard church. I had the opportunity to invite the entire Teen Challenge student population from the induction center. It has long been an issue with me that within the Christian community the church itself has built up walls which separate us from other parts of the body. Last night was a healing night for that as 3 distinct representative parts of the body of Christ worshipped together. I felt the annointing of the Holy Spirit on the night and hope others felt the same thing. I thanked several for participating in what for me has been a long held desire to bring together some parts of the body. For me it was special to see the village leadership and membership represented. But shouldn't unity within the body be the norm, and not the exception? Wouldn't Jesus ask that of us? So, during the course of our move, let's strive to practice unity, and support of leadership, coming together as one and we will prevail in the name of Christ.

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