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Photo by Ali Kazal on Unsplash When Jesus predicted his death to his disciples, “they were heartbroken.” What things break our hearts? What things should break our hearts? Scripture:        2 Samuel, chapter 6; 1 Chronicles, chapter 13; Psalm 69; Matthew, chapter 17 Matthew 17:22-23 (CEB): When the disciples came together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Human One [Son of Man] is about to be delivered over into human hands. […]

Most people don’t like tests, and certainly not from God! What does David mean when he tells God, “Put me to the test”? Scripture:        2 Samuel, chapters 4-5; Psalm 139; Matthew, chapter 16 Psalm 139:1-6, 23-24 (CEB): Lord, you have examined me. You know me. You know when I sit down and when I stand […] Source link

Photo by Austin Curtis on Unsplash In Matthew 12, Jesus says that “a tree is known by its fruit.” He applies this to what comes out of our mouths. What kind of fruit do we produce? Scripture:        1 Samuel, chapters 30-31; 1 Chronicles, chapter 10; Matthew, chapter 12 Matthew 12:33-37 (CEB): “Either consider the tree good and its fruit good, or consider the tree rotten and its fruit rotten. A […]

Photo by Robert Ruggiero on Unsplash In Matthew 11, Jesus describes a dissatisfied generation – they complained about John the Baptist, and they complained about Jesus. How can we avoid being part of the “dissatisfied generation”? Scripture:        1 Samuel, chapters 28-29; Psalm 109; Matthew, chapter 11 Matthew 11:16-19 (CEB): “To what will I compare this generation? It is like a child sitting in the marketplaces calling out to others, ‘We […]

Photo by 卡晨 on Unsplash Jesus called his disciples to be “wise as snakes and harmless as doves.”  What does that mean in today’s culture and political climate? Scripture:        1 Samuel, chapter 27; 1 Chronicles, chapter 9; Psalm 141; Matthew, chapter 10 Matthew 10:16-20 (CEB): “Look, I’m sending you as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as snakes and innocent as doves. Watch out for people – because they will […]

Photo by Melissa Laun on Unsplash We live in a violent world; it becomes more violent every day. But Psalm 11 tells us that the Lord hates anyone who loves violence. How do we reconcile that with the state of our world? Scripture:        1 Samuel, chapter 18; 1 Chronicles, chapter 6; Psalm 11; Matthew, chapter 3 Psalm 11 (CEB): I have taken refuge in the Lord. So how can you […]

Photo by Greg Jenkins on Unsplash In the midst of a world that is filled with anger and fear, Psalm 9 reminds us that “the Lord rules forever!” So let’s thank him and trust him to lead us each day! Scripture:        1 Samuel, chapter 17; Psalm 9; Matthew, chapter 2 Psalm 9:1-10 (CEB): I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I will talk about all your wonderful acts. […]

Photo by Dona Moltio on Unsplash “Don’t look back!” We often recognize the importance of moving ahead, leaving the past behind. Samuel challenges the Israelites to not turn back to their sin, but to follow God faithfully! Scripture:        1 Samuel, chapters 11-12; 1 Chronicles, chapter 1; 2 Corinthians, chapter 11 1 Samuel 12:18-25 (CEB): Samuel called upon the Lord, and God sent thunder and rain on that very day. Then all […]

Photo by Alec Krum on Unsplash The old saying goes, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Today’s passage from 1 Samuel 8 illustrates that in a powerful way! Scripture:        1 Samuel, chapters 8-10; 2 Corinthians, chapter 10 1 Samuel 8:1-9 (CEB): Now when Samuel got old, he appointed his sons to serve as Israel’s judges. The name of his oldest son was Joel; the name of […]