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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 […]

We can find all sorts of articles that tell us what things to pray for. But are there things that we shouldn’t pray for? “If you see a fellow believer sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit […]

In his first battle after becoming King of Israel, David demonstrates four principles for prayer that will help all of us to hear God and know his will. Scripture:        1 Chronicles, chapters 14-15; Psalm 132; Matthew, chapter 18 1 Chronicles 14:8-17 (NLT): When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they mobilized all their forces to capture him. But David was told they were coming, […]

The parables of Matthew 13 are one example of what Jesus teaches about “the end of the world.” Scripture:        2 Samuel, chapter 1; Psalm 140; Matthew, chapter 13 Matthew 13:47-51 (NLT): “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind. When the net was full, they dragged it up onto the shore, sat down, and sorted the […]

In a world that is desperately looking for hope, Jesus is that hope! Scripture:        1 Samuel, chapters 30-31; 1 Chronicles, chapter 10; Matthew, chapter 12 Matthew 12:15-21 (NLT): But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, but he warned them not to reveal who he was. This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him: […]

Jesus invites us, “Come to me.”  He wants to take our crushing burdens, and yoke us to himself! Scripture:        1 Samuel, chapters 28-29; Psalm 109; Matthew, chapter 11 Matthew 11:25-30 (NLT): At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think […] Source link

In Psalm 17, David prays that God will “bend down and listen.”  He IS listening!  And he welcomes our prayers! Scripture:        1 Samuel, chapter 22; Psalms 17 & 35; Matthew, chapter 6 Psalm 17:6 (NLT): I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.  Bend down and listen as I pray. Matthew 6:7-13 (NLT): “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other […]

The story of Saul, Jonathan, and David demonstrates for us the cost of ultimate commitment to God.  Saul disobeyed God and abandoned that commitment.  Jonathan and David remained true to God, and to each other. Scripture:        1 Samuel, chapters 20-21; Psalm 34; Matthew, chapter 5 1 Samuel 20:10-17 (NLT): Then David asked, “How will I know whether or not your father is angry?” “Come out to the field with me,” […]

When Saul went to find and kill David, the Spirit of God overpowered him.  The people who saw this asked, “Is even Saul a prophet?”  The answer is NO. Scripture:        1 Samuel, chapter 19; 1 Chronicles, chapter 7; Psalm 59; Matthew, chapter 4 1 Samuel 19:18-23 (NLT): So David escaped and went to Ramah to see Samuel, and he told him all that Saul had done to him. Then Samuel […]