The Bible gives us a rather in depth look at the life of David. We are fortunate in this because there are many great lessons to learn from one whose life would otherwise be an enigma. Note: This blog post is based on last week’s reading: 2 Samuel This week we returned to the life of David beginning with his mourning for the death of Saul and Jonathan and ending with some final words and his purchase of the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite for use as an altar to the Lo

Without God’s Word no one can grasp the importance of believing and serving God.  Only the Bible allows us His perspective. Today’s Reading Malachi 1-4; Revelation 22 Selected Verses Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. Malachi 3:18 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.  Ou

There are two kinds of wisdom. They are very different. Which kind do you have? Learn how you can distinguish between them. Today’s Reading Ezekiel 24-26; James 3 Selected Verses For thus says the Lord God: Because you have clapped your hands and stamped your feet and rejoiced with all the malice within your soul against the land of Israel, therefore, behold, I have stretched out my hand against you, and will hand you over as plunder to the nations. And I will cut you off fro

The destruction of Jerusalem brought inconsolable grief, a deep longing for the good, old days, but God had something new and far better planned. Today’s Reading Lamentations 3-5; Hebrews 8 Selected Verses Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may be restored! Renew our days as of old— unless you have utterly rejected us, and you remain exceedingly angry with us. Lamentations 5:21-22 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old

God’s people can have confidence in the midst of any kind of trial, because He keeps His hand upon them and uses the worst circumstances for good. Today’s Reading Jeremiah 46-48; Hebrews 4 Selected Verses “But fear not, O Jacob my servant, nor be dismayed, O Israel, for behold, I will save you from far away, and your offspring from the land of their captivity. Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease, and none shall make him afraid. Fear not, O Jacob my servant, decl

Our enemy, Satan, never shows us the truth. Do you know how he uses a deceptive tactic we see in sports? Learn how he persists in confusing those he traps. Today’s Reading Jeremiah 43-45; Hebrews 3 Selected Verses [The remnant of Judah said to Jeremiah]. “You are telling a lie. The Lord our God did not send you to say, ‘Do not go to Egypt to live there,’ but Baruch the son of Neriah has set you against us, to deliver us into the hand of the Chaldeans, that they may kill us or

Can believers make a positive impact on culture without being consumed by it? How can we avoid the dangers and find the balance? Today’s Reading Jeremiah 29-30; Titus 1 Selected Verses But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29:7 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you

Though we live in a time of corruption and conflict, God’s grand narrative for His people comforts us and assures us. He will complete it with certainty. Today’s reading Isaiah 24-26; Ephesians 4 Selected Verses O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. Isaiah 25:1 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from w

One must beware of the distinction between deception which passes as true wisdom and true wisdom which can be imperceptible and overlooked. Today’s Reading Ecclesiastes 7-9; Second Corinthians 11:1-15 Selected Verses But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.  Ecclesiastes 9:16 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am af

The gospel of Jesus Christ shows us that the earthly life of believers, while not complete as it will be in glory, is also not vain as Solomon thought. Today’s Reading Ecclesiastes 1-3; Second Corinthians 9 Selected Verses All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth? So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for t

Beware of forming alliances with fools and unbelievers. Your intention to “reach” them is likely to fail and result in your own downfall. Today’s Reading Proverbs 25-27; Second Corinthians 6 Selected Verses Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him. Proverbs 27:22 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What ac

Spiritual growth is a gradual process, like a great tree, it will not reach maturity quickly. Gather wisdom and truth and be patient. Time is a factor. Today’s Reading Proverbs 19-20; Second Corinthians 3 Selected Verses Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.  Proverbs 19:20 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.  For this comes f