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As we struggle to follow the example of Jesus, we need to remember that God has provided all that we need to live godly lives – and not one word of his promises has failed! Scripture:        1 Kings, chapter 8; 2 Chronicles, chapter 5; Psalm 99; Romans, chapter 3 1 Kings 8:54-61 (NLT): When Solomon finished making these prayers and petitions to the Lord, he stood up in front of the […]

People often want to hear the “last words” of the famous and powerful.  Today’s passage shows us David’s last prayer – and we can learn a great deal from this “man after God’s own heart.” Scripture:        1 Kings, chapter 2; 1 Chronicles, chapter 29; Psalm 95; 2 Thessalonians, chapter 1 1 Chronicles 29:10-19 (NLT): Then David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly: “O Lord, the God […]

We all have acquaintances, associates, neighbors – but what does it mean to be a friend? Scripture:        1 Chronicles, chapters 25-27; 1 Thessalonians, chapter 4 1 Chronicles 27:32-34 (NLT): Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a wise counselor to the king, a man of great insight, and a scribe. Jehiel the Hacmonite was responsible for teaching the king’s sons. Ahithophel was the royal adviser. Hushai the Arkite was the king’s friend. Ahithophel was […]

Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. The greed and transactional nature of such a betrayal shocks us. Should it? Is that really so unusual in our world? Scripture:        2 Samuel, chapter 18; Psalm 56; Matthew, chapter 27 Matthew 27:1-10 (NLT): Very early in the morning the leading priests and the elders of the people met again to lay plans for putting Jesus to death. Then they bound him, […]

What happened in Gethsemane? Betrayal, denial, and failure – a snapshot of the world’s response to Jesus. Scripture:        2 Samuel, chapter 17; Psalm 71; Matthew, chapter 26 Matthew 26:47-56 (NLT): And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. The traitor, Judas, had […]

“Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, ‘Come!’ I looked, and behold, a white horse, and the one who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. When He broke the second seal, I heard the […]

If we want to follow God’s will, we need to make room for him to work in our lives! Scripture:        2 Samuel, chapter 10; 1 Chronicles, chapter 20; Psalm 20; Matthew 22 2 Samuel 10:6-12 (NLT): When the people of Ammon realized how seriously they had angered David, they sent and hired 20,000 Aramean foot soldiers from the lands of Beth-rehob and Zobah, 1,000 from the king of Maacah, and […]

Today is the National Day of Prayer.  The first Thursday in May has been celebrated as the National Day of Prayer since 1988, when President Ronald Reagan designated that day.  However, the tradition of a national call to prayer dates to colonial times. It is customary for the President to issue a proclamation each year recognizing the National Day of Prayer.  Consistent with the history of the United States and […]

Listening to God is an important part of prayer.  But how do we know when God is speaking? Scripture:        2 Samuel, chapter 7; 1 Chronicles, chapter 17; Psalm 2; Matthew, chapter 20 2 Samuel 7:1-11 (NLT): When King David was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all the surrounding enemies, the king summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look,” David said, “I am living in a […]