risingwiththeson

Get Going

God addressed Samuel: “So, how long are you going to mope over Saul? You know I’ve rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your flask with anointing oil and get going. I’m sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I’ve spotted the very king I want among his sons.” (1 Samuel 16:1 MSG) A colleague wasContinueContinue reading “Get Going”

You’re Not Everybody Else

“Appoint a king to rule us, just like everybody else.” (1 Samuel 8:6 MSG) The Israelites were a chosen people. They were meant to stand out not fit in. Unfortunately, they decided to become “like everybody else” when they asked the prophet Samuel for a king just like the other nations around them (1 SamuelContinueContinue reading “You’re Not Everybody Else”

Keep Your Appointment With God

Samuel said, “What on earth are you doing?” Saul answered, “When I saw I was losing my army from under me, and that you hadn’t come when you said you would, and that the Philistines were poised at Micmash, I said, ‘The Philistines are about to come down on me in Gilgal, and I haven’tContinueContinue reading “Keep Your Appointment With God”

Power Struggle

Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?” (1 Samuel 20:30 NIV) Saul was furious. He couldn’t understandContinueContinue reading “Power Struggle”

Jealousy Creates an Enemy

And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. (1 Samuel 18:9 NIV) My Bible reading plan has taken back to the book of First Samuel where we’re introduced to the monarchy in Israel. When Saul, Israel’s first chosen king, failed to obey God and fulfill His purpose, God anointed another manContinueContinue reading “Jealousy Creates an Enemy”

Foiled Plans

Someone told David, “Ahithophel is helping Absalom plot against you!” David said, “Please, LORD, keep Ahithophel’s plans from working!” (2 Samuel 15:31 CEV) David continued to endure divine discipline because of his sins of adultery and murder. Not only did David lose a child, but he also faced terrible opposition from one of his ownContinueContinue reading “Foiled Plans”

Special to God

Jesus’ favorite disciple was sitting next to him at the meal. (John 13:23 CEV) Jesus chose twelve disciples, but only three chose to be close to Him–Peter, James and John. Still, only John came to be known as Jesus’ “favorite disciple.” Of course, Jesus loved all of His disciples, but as J. Oswald Sanders notes,ContinueContinue reading “Special to God”

Don’t Show Favouritism

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?(James 2:1 NLT) Even the best of us are guilty of showing favouritism. But did you know that God is against it? The Bible tells us that God doesn’t show favouritismContinueContinue reading “Don’t Show Favouritism”

Doing Good

I also made provision for contributions of wood at designated times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me with favor, my God.(Nehemiah 13:31 NIV) While people may not necessarily notice or reward us for doing good, God does and that’s all that matters. That’s why in the final chapter of the book, Nehemiah prayed three timesContinueContinue reading “Doing Good”

Seeing the Face of God

“No, please!” said Jacob. “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me. For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably.” (Genesis 33:10 NIV) Prior to his encounter with his older brother Esau, Jacob had encountered God face to faceContinueContinue reading “Seeing the Face of God”