PostOakDave's Thoughts

Experiencing God

January 20th, 2023

The title above is also the title of a Bible Study I just completed. I got the study from Lifeway, and it was written by Henry, Richard, and Michael Blackaby. This has been a transformational experience for me. My whole perspective on living as a Christian has changed as a result. I am just now beginning to understand the rewarding life that we can experience with God leading us each day doing His will. I highly recommend doing this study to anyone who wants to truly deepen their relationship with God.

Completing a Bible study is not the end of the learning process. During the study, I eagerly looked forward to the next session. That enthusiasm carries over into my life now.

Living each day with God as my guide and source of strength has become even more meaningful after the study. Experiencing God in our lives brings so many wonderful blessings. We see God working around us, and when He invites us to join Him, we have to obey and prepare for another wonderful experience. It may not be an easy task, and may challenge us; but God does not fail and neither will we when we stay the course with Him.

I pray a blessed day for you the reader.
The Book of James

December 29th, 2025

Over much of my life, I avoided reading from the book of James, in the Bible. I suppose it was due to feeling that James was too concerned with works and wrote about things that made me question my faith walk with Jesus.

More recently, I have turned my attention to what James directs. If one wants to evaluate their commitment to Jesus as a Christian, it turns out that the book of James is required reading and study. While salvation is only through God’s grace and our faith, the works and commands presented in James are fruits and results of a growing Christian commitment and walk.

Several weeks ago in the church bulletin, I presented a responsive reading with commentary on “Intentional Christianity.” This quite naturally morphed into a study of the book of James. Over the last couple weeks, responsive readings with commentaries have been based on the book of James. There will still be additional readings and commentaries from James.

As I work at improving my Christian walk, studies in James will continue. My hope is that members of the congregation will also use this opportunity to evaluate and adjust their walk with Jesus. For you dear reader, I pray you turn to this very practical guide to deepening your commitment to Jesus, and improving your faith walk.
Merry Christmas 2025

December 25th, 2025

Wishing all a very Merry Christmas. Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ, the anointed of God: YAHWEY. Jesus is Emmanuel and truly God with us. Praying Jesus is the Savior in whom you trust for today, and through eternity. Jesus is the reason for the season!
Praying for Jamaica

October 28th, 2025

As Major hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Jamaica please join me in prayer for the people in its path of devastation.
Biblical Interpretation Differences

April 3rd, 2025

I have mentioned before and posted that I provide responsive readings with commentary for our church bulletin at the Buckholts Brethren Church. I have also posted some exemplars of those commentaries.

Since I am collecting all of the more than 100 commentaries that I have written, into a manuscript for possible publication at a future date, I have stopped posting them to this site.

The following refers to my thoughts while preparing the commentary for the latest bulletin.

In the commentary for April 6, 2025, I mention my early interpretation of ‘high and raised up’ to reference Jesus being raised up on a cross. I then go on to explain that theologians had a different interpretation. I left a footnote to follow to this blog to continue reading.

I had intended to include the following paragraphs in the commentary, but decided that they might just confuse the real focus of the responsive reading. This is probably a more appropriate place for these comments anyway…

When I read the account in Luke 24: 13-35, of the disciples encountering Jesus on the road to Emmaus; I have often been perplexed how they were not able to immediately recognize him. After all they had spent months and even years with him and knew his features and his voice.

When combining the description of Jesus as beaten, such as to have little resemblance to a human, ( Isaiah 52:14a) I have wondered if this was still his condition after resurrection. Perhaps even Mary Magdalen not recognizing Jesus at the tomb could have been for this reason. (John 20: 11-15) This seems even more plausible when we read in John 20:17, Jesus reminds Mary Magdalen not to hold to him, since he has not yet been glorified, by ascension to the Father.

Additionally, in the recounting of Thomas only believing the resurrection of Jesus, after he could place his fingers in the wounds of the nails in Jesus’ hand, and of the spear in his side; contributes to this thought process. (John 20: 24-29) Even Revelation 5:6 speaks of the appearance of Jesus as the slain Lamb of God.

Of course, these are only my thoughts and not scripture based or recognized in other commentary. Most theological scholars, of which I am not one; point to these instances of the unrecognized Savior, as his post-resurrection ability to incrementally reveal himself as he sees fit. Others say that non-recognition was due to human limitations.

I only include these thoughts, to point out how our reading of scripture can be of a depth that allows us to ponder and research such thoughts. Additionally, it is also representative of questions that can divide the church, but since it is not essential to salvation, it should remain just another thought to ponder.

In Philippians 3: 14-15 ESV Paul writes: I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. I take this to mean that God may reveal things to me differently than to others such that it is more understandable or meaningful to me. But I must not let that interfere with the faith of others.

Being part of the Unity of the Brethren, I agree with and follow our creed: ‘In Essentials Unity; In Non-Essentials Liberty; In All Things Love.’

© 2025 David Posival: All rights reserved.
Youth Bible Study

February 17th, 2025

Later this month, I will lead a study session for the youth ministry that is now using our Sunday School Building. I see this as a blessing and a challenging opportunity to share the good news of God’s Holy Love with children who come from many backgrounds.

Some of the young people come from an environment where God is practically non-existent in their homes and lives. Others have some basics of God and His grace, but it is limited. Few have expressed their commitment to Jesus as their Savior.

Several weeks ago, I provided a questionnaire designed to help evaluate and determine Biblical comprehension and the areas of deficiencies that required attention. This questionnaire revealed challenges and opportunities on many levels.

The study I will lead has the two-fold purpose of providing basic Bible truths about who God is, and at the same time helping to determine the various need levels for the young people. For instance, class age groupings may need to be adjusted since some classes have a wide age and maturity spread.

I ask for your prayers for the leading and presence of God’s Holy Spirit, in not only the session I lead, but also for all other sessions and leaders…
New Year 2025

January 1st, 2025

I pray for you dear reader, a very blessed and happy 2025.

I am thankful to Almighty God that I have been granted another year on this old earth. Looking back, 2024 had its share of challenges, but also its successes.
Drought has created challenges for garden and cattle operations, but just enough moisture has accumulated to keep the grasses green, and new garden growing.

The youth Bible study group has successfully moved into the under utilized Sunday School building, and plans are for a new beginning in the study of God’s word. Looking forward to this with happy anticipation, of great things happening in the lives of these youngsters.

Happy 2025!
Christmas 2024

December 25th, 2024

Wishing all a very Blessed and Merry Christmas.

Even though I seldom experience a great Christmas spirit any longer, last Sunday evening was about as close as I can get. I was blessed to work with some young people, many of whom come from challenging lives.

These young people are part of a Bible study outreach program, conducted by a God-led couple; who I consider friends. The church that I attend recently agreed with my request to grant the outreach access to our under utilized Sunday School building.

After only a few hours of rehearsal, we conducted the major part of the Candle Light service in our church. The youngsters read the Real Christmas story from Luke 2, and sang Christmas carols.

The energy and enthusiasm of these young people was infectious for me and the small congregation. For that point in time, I found Christmas spirit once again: some of which is still with me.

At a time in history where the Church and religion are under attack from many directions, I find hope in the young people who are literally hungry for adequate sustenance, and also searching for food for the soul. Filling both hungers is an opportunity to work with God, which is quickly becoming a labor of love.

If there is hope for the free world to stay free, it may be through children and young people such as I was blessed to work with. Praying for those willing to become the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus, to build up a nation of young Christians; blessing the world with Christ’s peace and love. Please consider your role in this wonderful cause…
Is Corporate Worship Still in Christ’s Plan for His Church?

October 19th, 2024

While I believe that corporate worship can be beneficial for many of us, especially new Christians; I get the sense that it may not be at the top of the list for what Jesus expects of his church. Reading in the Book of Acts, the first four chapters speak of preaching in the synagogue, which seems to me evangelistic outreach. Once baptized, the new converts spent time with the apostles learning about Jesus, faith, and service. They worked together, but there is not much to indicate corporate worship on the sabbath or the first day of the week.

This is just a preliminary post; to be followed by additional questions. Stay tuned…
How Can a Good God Allow Bad Things to Happen?

February 13th, 2024

Dear reader, I believe in God, and that he is all powerful, good, and loves me. However, I hear many people state that there cannot be a loving God, because he would never allow all the bad to happen that we see about us.

I answer this in two ways. First, God created me with a free will. I can believe in him, or not believe in him. Regardless of the choice, God still loves me. I can look around me and see only the bad, or I can also focus on the good.

Second, because God gave us a free will, how could he stop the bad that people do without taking away their free will? If God did this we would only be his puppets, with no will of our own.

Do we come into the world with innate knowledge of good and evil, or is that learned from our circumstances as we grow up? How does this influence our belief in whether or not there is a loving God?

If you believe as I do, then how do you reconcile a loving God with an evil world?
Merry Christmas – 2023

December 25th, 2023

Merry Christmas dear reader. Here in central Texas, Christmas Day is dawning clear and crisp outside.

This morning, as I sit in the stillness before the day gets started, I thank God for the baby Jesus; whose birthday we celebrate today. Just as the rising sun begins to light up the room and brighten another day, I know the light of salvation and joy that Jesus the Christ, provides to me.

This day I pray that each of us is blessed with the presence of the Prince of Peace in our lives. For those traveling, I pray God’s protection and guidance, and safe arrival at their destination.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to pay the price for our salvation. Please fill this day with the joy and peace, only You can provide. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.