'"I gave you your master's house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed?"' (2 Samuel 12:8-9 NLT) King David had more thanContinue reading "Appreciate What You Have"
It Could Have Been Avoided
It was now spring, the time when kings go to war. David sent out the whole Israelite army under the command of Joab and his officers. They destroyed the Ammonite army and surrounded the capital city of Rabbah, but David stayed in Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 11:1 CEV) A colleague, who is a professional counsellor, onceContinue reading "It Could Have Been Avoided"
Praise God for What He Has Done and What He’ll Do
David went into the tent he had set up for the sacred chest. Then he sat there and prayed: LORD All-Powerful, my family and I don’t deserve what you have already done for us, and yet you have promised to do even more. Is this the way you usually treat people? (2 Samuel 7:18-19 CEV)Continue reading "Praise God for What He Has Done and What He’ll Do"
He’ll Fulfill His Purpose
The LORD will work out his plans for my life. (Psalm 138:8 NLT) Looking at the degree hanging on the wall and thinking this was it, I asked God to use it for His glory. What I heard instead was His clear voice telling me that He wasn’t finished with me just yet. A yearContinue reading "He’ll Fulfill His Purpose"
Finding Strength in God
David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. (1 Samuel 30:6 NIV) While reading First Samuel chapter 30, I found myself drawn to the last sentence in verse six, “ButContinue reading "Finding Strength in God"
Confronting Our Bullies
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” (1 Samuel 17:45 NIV) No one seems to have an answer to bullying these days. Helpless kidsContinue reading "Confronting Our Bullies"
I Told You So
Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths! (Psalm 81:13 NLT) God's ancient people wouldn't listen to Him or pay attention to His warnings. So He let them be in order that they would learn to listen the hard way. “Listen to me, O myContinue reading "I Told You So"
In Who Do You Place Your Trust?
“Let there be a treaty between me and you,” he said, “as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you a gift of silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.” (1 Kings 15:19 NIV) Israel’s ancient kings often madeContinue reading "In Who Do You Place Your Trust?"
You Live and Learn
These things happened to them as a warning to us. All this was written in the Scriptures to teach us who live in these last days. (1 Corinthians 10:11 CEV) Mistakes are inevitable. However, as unpleasant as they might be, they can actually teach us something, if we let them. As a family member wouldContinue reading "You Live and Learn"
Know Your Real Boss
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (Colossians 3:23 NLT) A professed atheist once said that one of the things that he liked about Christianity was the idea of doing something with all your heart, but I don’t think he really knew why thatContinue reading "Know Your Real Boss"
Rising with the Son 