risingwiththeson

By My Spirit

Then he said to me, “This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.” (Zechariah 4:6 NLT) The temple was being rebuilt, but would it look as glorious as it had once been? With no king from David’sContinueContinue reading “By My Spirit”

The True Warrior

“As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” (1 Chronicles 14:15 NIV) In First Chronicles 14, the Philistines come twice to attack David, the newly appointedContinueContinue reading “The True Warrior”

Dressing Right

Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am notContinueContinue reading “Dressing Right”

Appreciate What You Have

‘”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 thanContinueContinue 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, onceContinueContinue 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)ContinueContinue 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 yearContinueContinue 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, “ButContinueContinue 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 kidsContinueContinue 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 myContinueContinue reading “I Told You So”