Introduction to our FRONT PORCH BIBLE STUDY

Precious friend, I cannot begin to express the enthusiasm we share as we announce our FRONT PORCH BIBLE STUDY.  Most of you have asked, “Why?”  Why, would we host such an event?  Even more of you are inquisitive as to “why” we are debuting online.   I have a fantastic answer!  It can be found in 2 Samuel 12:20.  Let’s take a look at this passage as we begin our journey together. 

2 Samuel 12:20 (ESV)
THEN Davis arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes.  And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped.  He then went to his own house.  And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate.

Ah, there it is – that phenomenal word “THEN.” It is a corner word in which the story transforms and transcends.  King David had previously made a grave mistake throughout his rule and kingship.   His personal desire and lust drove him into committing an adulterous affair.  Yes, an affair with the wife of one of his most loyal men.  This affair resulted in a cover up.  David impregnated his most loyal servant’s wife; Bathsheba. Now, Uriah was a front man serving in the king’s army against a brutal enemy of war.   Yet, King David schemed and conspired against him even unto death.  After his death, he sent for Uriah’s wife to become his new Queen. What an amazing attempt to conceal his sin!  However, the very thing he did displeased the Lord.  King David incurred the rebuke of the prophet Nathan for his behavior.  The Lord decreed the sword would never depart from his own house.  HE also incited that his home would soon pierce him with evil.  His wives were taken before his eyes and given openly to other men.  The Lord declared that the very thing he did in secret or privately was done to him openly and publicly. 

The story ends with the death of his and Bathsheba’s child.  Consequence.  King David is face down upon the earth.  Or, is this really how his story concludes?  Now, to some this all would seem like a harsh sentence, condemnation and judgment.  Others view this as a story of redemption, mercy and grace.  To me, it is both.  We will begin with that very moment when David turns the page, writes a new chapter, and ending to his life story.   

My friend, no one had to speak another word to David!  Even though there was a whole lot of chattering going on within his kingdom and household.  Yet, it is how he responded to it that motivates and moves a girl like me.  Here he was in that “THEN” moment of his day.  Yet, the king previously walked and communed regularly with the Lord.  His presence and fellowship was missing and now lacking in his life.  He yearned to experience it again.  Therefore, we proceed reading “David arose from the earth.”  Yes, the clay in which he was fashioned and made.  Yes, the earthen vessel which housed the same bloodline as Adam and his forefathers who also possessed a sin nature.

That is amazing!  He no longer let the thing or sin that brought him face down keep him there…even though he religiously took action toward repentance.  He arose from that place and position.  Whew!  We have got to park our bicycle here on this thought alone before I have a wreck.  Have you ever let life and sin bring you down?  Have you made a grave mistake?  Has it cost you something dear?  Have you even gone through all the religious motions?  Have you mourned and talked to God about it?  Or, do you find yourself wallowing in your humanity?  Do you find others chattering and gossiping?  Do you miss the Lord’s presence and fellowship? OR…have you come to your senses and had your "THEN" moment where God writes a new ending to your life story?

Not only did the king arise from that human earthly position, but he took action!  Notice all the verbs that describe his actions (arose, washed, anointed, changed, went, worshiped, went again and eating). This was a process, my friend.  It was an eight-fold step taken toward his new beginning.  Seven things took place before he was found eating at the banquet table.  The number “seven” represents completion and “eight” a new beginning.  Whew!  We will come back to this thought.   Just let it resonate in your spirit.

Now, after he has arisen the king washes himself.  He doesn’t wallow in the stench of his sin.  He bathes himself in a pool of forgiveness.  He detests the smell and filth of his personal behavior.   He bathes in the most costly perfume.  Then, he anoints himself.  Oh, if you didn’t park your bicycle you are going over the handlebars!  I imagine that alabaster of anointing oil read “Mercy and Grace.”  And, he did the anointing himself in it.  Read it again.  King David didn’t wait on the prophet or priest to return which was the religious customary tradition and practice.  He got right under the anointing of God all by himself!  I believe he understood the magnitude of “who” he was and also “who” he was not in that moment. 

Next, the king changes his garments.  No longer is he walking around in sackcloth and ashes or his mourner’s apparel.  He dressed himself like royalty.  He trusted in God’s promises and covenants.  He was the KING OF ISRAEL.  He ascended the throne.  His throne was established forever.  So, would be his seed and successor.  He was seed to The Messiah.  King David’s time of grieving had abruptly ended.  He knew this child was not the end.  That is why he exclaims, “Can I bring him back now?  I can go to him, but he can’t come to me.”  King David understood his destiny. 

This kind of knowledge is what I believed led him to the house of the Lord to worship.  He remembered his past, present and future.  After time alone with God he could face his own personal household.  The time spent in solitude made him able to address issues within his own house and kingdom.  Whew! Did you get that?  I will say it again.  The time we spend alone with the LORD privately makes us able to stand alone with the LORD publicly.    King David experiences it firsthand.  However, it didn’t silence the questions and chatter.

Again, amazing!  It is the difference between his faith and works or actions.  It is also a difference between performing religious duties and a personal relationship. It is recorded that King David was a man after God’s own heart.  That is how his story will be forever told.  God penned those words.

Oh, but wait!  Look where we finally find him.  King David is seated at a Royal Table enjoying a majestic meal.  His fellowship has been restored.  Although he certainly faces his consequences; he is restored.  His relationship has been transformed also within his very own house.  How do we know?  The next thing we read is Bathsheba is pregnant.  The son He took was a son He also gave back.  We are introduced to King Solomon. 

Now, that is our God.  He completes everything.  He transforms. He also provides new beginnings.  As believers, we are royalty.  One day, there will be an earthly shift.  We will find ourselves in the banquet hall around a Royal Table…feasting with The Messiah throughout all eternity.

So, what does this have to do with a FRONT PORCH BIBLE STUDY? Debuting online?  I want everyone to have a THEN moment resulting in a dynamic personal relationship with the Lord.   Life is raw.  We make mistakes. We are related to Adam.  There is judgment, condemnation and consequences for sin.  Yet, there is also forgiveness, grace, mercy and reward.  We have to reach outside our spiritual parameters and comfort zone.  Can you imagine the impact King David had upon his servants from within and without?  Can you also visualize how uncomfortable it is when people see your slip showing?  He did.  He was a wreck. Yet, they saw the before and after.  You too have the power to influence people.  People need a safe place and haven.  I am creating that on our porch.  I am running hard and fast after both seeker and saint.  Why?  For your sake, my sake, the kingdom’s sake, the enemy’s sake and certainly God’s sake!  My job is to create an environment that makes you want to RUN to spend quality time alone with God.  It can be on our front porch or in a forum.  My desire is that you hunger for Him.  Make the earthly shift.  Don't spiritually sit or eat alone.  Feast at the Royal Table with The Messiah.