If I’m being honest, like taking a microscope to my heart kind of honest, I think I'm a pretty big deal. Of course I don't insert that line into everyday conversation, because it's not socially acceptable to be obviously arrogant. You have to coat your...
I can’t believe I’m hearing this song again. This summer, the Lord was reaching out to me over and over again through a song, and well I just wasn’t getting it. Lauren Daigle’s “Trust in You” came on every time I would get in the...
13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. 14 Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble. 15 A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a...
When we pray, we speak or think in real, concrete language. How does God reply to us if He doesn’t use an actual voice; how can we be sure a “still small voice” or something similar isn’t just our mind making up what we desperately...
26 For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, but sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life. 27 Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire? 28 Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? 29...
Once David is made King of Israel, God reveals the sovereign movement and direction taking place over David’s life. As he recognizes the piece he is playing in God’s redemptive plan, David is driven to humility and worship....
A little over a month ago, I was doing my morning devotion and the focus verse for the day was out of Leviticus 13. I was not familiar with this passage of Scripture so I read through the entire chapter. Chapter 13 details how the...
12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never...
1 In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. 2 Late...
The God I worship is the God of the universe and all of creation. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who holds the world in His hands and gives us life. This is the God I worship, yet sometimes I fail to...
1 When David was settled in his palace, he summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant is out there under a tent!” 2 Nathan replied to David, “Do whatever you have...
1 Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and...
The Ark of the Covenant represented God’s presence with His people, but it was in a foreign land and absent during Saul’s reign. As David becomes king, he recognizes God’s rightful place as King of Israel and desires to bring the Ark into Jerusalem, the...
1 I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. 2 Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. 3 The Lord said, “I have made a covenant with David, my chosen servant. I have sworn...
1 When King David was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all the surrounding enemies, 2 the king summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is...
11 Then David summoned the priests, Zadok and Abiathar, and these Levite leaders: Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. 12 He said to them, “You are the leaders of the Levite families. You must purify yourselves and all your fellow Levites, so you can...
1 The Lord is king! Let the nations tremble! He sits on his throne between the cherubim. Let the whole earth quake! 2 The Lord sits in majesty in Jerusalem, exalted above all the nations. 3 Let them praise your great and awesome name. Your name is holy! 4 Mighty King, lover of...
In 1 Samuel 25, we see Abigail live out her calling to be an Ezer, or an essential counterpart, who comes alongside both David and her husband, Nabal, to bring strength and security. She partners with both men as she shields Nabal, her fool...
Do you know those days when you feel like you’ve got it all together? You know what needs to get done, and you know exactly how you’re going to do it. You’re motivated and focused; you’re on it, and everyone else better move out of...
8 At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, and to stand before the Lord as his ministers, and to pronounce blessings in his name. These are their duties to this day....
10 “Have the people make an Ark of acacia wood—a sacred chest 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high. 11 Overlay it inside and outside with pure gold, and run a molding of gold all around it. 12 Cast four gold rings...
In 1 Samuel 25, we read a story of David, who acts in humility and weakness; Abigail, who acts in humility and strength; and Nabal, who acts in foolishness. Abigail, caught between a fool and a weak man, lives out her Ezer calling. She provides...
1 David consulted with all his officials, including the generals and captains of his army. 2 Then he addressed the entire assembly of Israel as follows: “If you approve and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send messages to...
The greater Sullivan neighborhood in Greenville is characterized by staggering statistics—only 22.9% have a high school graduation or equivalent, only 38.2% are in owner-occupied housing, and nearly 36.8% live below the poverty level. Within these communities, 28.6% have SNAP (food stamp) benefits compared to 11.5%...
1 Then David again gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all. 2 He led them to Baalah of Judah to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim....