Category Archives: Uncategorized

The story of David and Goliath is one of the most familiar and beloved in the Bible. Probably from the days of King David, and certainly through generations of Jewish and Christian teaching, children have been thrilled and inspired by the example of the brave youth who challenged the giant warrior and came away withContinue reading “April 10: 1 Samuel 17-18; Luke 11:1-28”

What does it mean to serve the Lord? I suppose if I asked a dozen Christians this question I would get a dozen different answers. There is no simple answer if we focus on the things that we do as believers. Prayer, Bible study, evangelism, ministry, service, hospitality, fellowship- all of these are part ofContinue reading “April 9: 1 Samuel 15-16; Luke 10:25-42”

There are many people who would be happy to follow Jesus if He would only let them define the terms of their commitment. They are willing to believe whatever the Bible says when it agrees with their beliefs or the attitudes of their culture. They will do anything He commands as long as He doesn’tContinue reading “April 8: 1 Samuel 13-14; Luke 10:1-24”

As we enter Holy Week, we should be sure that we focus on each aspect of the week and not just the ones that are the big celebrations. Some Christians like to stick to the Sundays, honoring Jesus as King on Palm Sunday and celebrating His triumph over death on Easter. In between those twoContinue reading “April 7: 1 Samuel 10-12; Luke 9:37-62”

It is possible to want a good thing for a bad reason. Many sins are the result of desiring something that can be good, but wanting it to fulfill a desire that is not honoring to the Lord. Even things that are connected to serving the Lord can be the object of a selfish desire.Continue reading “April 6: 1 Samuel 7-9; Luke 9:18-36”

Many Christians are apprehensive when approached about serving the Lord in some capacity in church or a Christian organization. They feel that they aren’t mature enough to serve, or that they lack the spiritual gifts needed for the role, or that they need more training and preparation. If they would be given more time andContinue reading “April 5: 1 Samuel 4-6; Luke 9:1-17”

Faith comes in many forms. In Luke 8:40-56 we see two examples of faith, expressed in different ways. The first is the faith of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. He was a man responsible for the running of the synagogue, although not a rabbi himself. Despite the attitude of many Pharisees and other Jewish leaders, JairusContinue reading “April 4: 1 Samuel 1-3; Luke 8:26-56”

The book of Judges ends with a messy, chaotic, immoral clash among the tribes of Israel. The final verse, as we saw, speaks of the situation in Israel, where “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” The final impression we are left with is that Israel was a religious and moral morass, withContinue reading “April 3: Ruth 1-4; Luke 8:1-25”

Today’s reading from Judges is probably the most unpleasant passage in the Bible. There are other places where we see extremely sinful actions, and passages that involve deeds of violence. But for sheer depravity, Judges 19-21 piles on more and more sinful actions, each one worse than the last. There is no excusing anyone inContinue reading “April 2: Judges 19-21; Luke 7:31-50”

In Luke 7:11-17 we find a stark, tragic scene set. The funeral procession of a man who had died is leaving the town of Nain, heading for the place where he would be buried. Among the mourners was his mother. Her life had just been turned upside-down; not only had she lost a son, butContinue reading “April 1: Judges 16-18; Luke 7:1-30”