Sensitive Hearts
2 Samuel 11:18-27 When informed of the death of Uriah, a faithful soldier who David ordered killed to cover up his own sin, David comforts his general by saying, “Don’t let this upset you; the sword...
View ArticleGood Friends
2 Samuel 12:7-14 The prophet Nathan makes it clear to David that he has hurt Bathsheba, his murder of Uriah was completely unjustified, and he has shown an incredible lack of gratitude for all God has...
View ArticleHard Work
Psalm 51:1-12 Forgiveness and salvation are gifts given to us by God through His grace, and we cannot achieve them through hard work. Asking for forgiveness might be the hardest work we ever do. It...
View ArticleGod’s Good Grace
Psalm 51:13-19 In Psalm 51, David repents of his sin. He acknowledges the things he has done wrong. David describes how he intends to live differently in light of God’s forgiveness. Sometimes, we...
View ArticleGod So Loved
1 John 2:15-25 1 John 2:15-25 is jarring. John warns us that those who love the world cannot love the Father (v. 15). This seems at odds with John’s gospel, which tells us, “For God so loved the world...
View ArticleLearning From Example
2 Samuel 15:1-9 David had an affair with Bathsheba and had her husband murdered. David’s sons learned from his example. David’s son Amnon violated his half sister Tamar. Like David, he assumed that...
View ArticleNeedless Fights
2 Samuel 15:10-18 Chapters 11-15 of 2 Samuel are hard on David. They recount his most crushing sins and failures, and they pull no punches. In Chapter 15, we start to see David acting in line with his...
View ArticleWhen Life Is Uncertain
2 Samuel 15:19-26 We spend a lot of our lives waiting to see how things beyond our control will turn out. It is excruciating. We like to know what will happen. We like to have control over the...
View ArticleWinning Vs Losing
2 Samuel 18:24-33 We live in a world that is obsessed with winning and losing. We talk as if in order for someone to win, someone else must always lose. And, of course, if there can only be winners...
View ArticleA Willing Spirit
1 Samuel 12:18-25 One of the dangers of Christian life is that sometimes we trade in our vibrant love for God for stale rule following. We don’t do it on purpose, but it happens. Before long, we can...
View ArticleGood News for the Future
Matthew 24:42-51 The Gospel of Jesus is good news. If that is true, why do we so often hear about His return in attempts to scare people? Shouldn’t we be living in joyful expectation of God’s kingdom...
View ArticleLament and Praise
Psalm 31:14-24 Sometimes we find ourselves being mistreated by others through no fault of our own. It is easy to feel that we are surrounded and alone in these moments. Like Psalm 31, we can even...
View ArticleAt The Table
Exodus 12:1-8, 24-28 Think back to a treasured memory associated with gathering around a table. Sharing a meal with people has a way of carving those moments into our memories. When God gives the...
View ArticleUnexpected Guests
Mark 14:1-10, 63:6-11 An unexpected guest enters a dinner party. This creates an awkward situation for the dinner guests gathered at Simon’s house so long ago. This unnamed guest goes to Jesus and...
View ArticlePreparing For Jesus
Mark 14:11-18 Much like the disciples in Mark 14, the people of God often find themselves asking, “How do we prepare for Jesus?” A perplexing statement at the end of these verses leave the reader on a...
View ArticleGod of Covenant
Mark 14:19-26 There is something a bit eerie about Mark 14. It’s a sad scene as both the disciples and those who read this story know of what is to come: Christ will soon be betrayed and killed....
View ArticleA Sacrifice of Grace
Hebrews 10:1-10 Sacrifices, often, are a sign of love for another. George Bailey in the popular film “It’s a Wonderful Life” sacrificed his dreams, plans, and future to care for his family and...
View ArticleDraw Near
Hebrews 10:19-25 The book of Hebrews is a bit mysterious, as we don’t know the author or the specific intended audience. We do know, however, that the writer of Hebrews was speaking to a group of...
View ArticleA Gift of Grace
Ephesians 2:1-10 Grace is like the free bread that is placed on your table as soon as you are seated, at certain restaurants. The bread is warm and delicious, and the perfect start to your meal. You...
View ArticlePower In Prayer
Mark 14:32-36 The relationship of the Holy Spirit, a holy life, and power in prayer are inseparable. The Lord prayed before His baptism in the Jordan. His prayer opened heaven, and the Holy Spirit...
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