TODAY’S DAILY READING: 1 Kings 5-6 & Psalm 59-60
Old Testament: 1 Kings 5- Expanding Your Portfolio

1 Kings 5:13
“Then King Solomon raised up a labor force out of all Israel; and the labor force was thirty thousand men.”

Building the Temple was a massive undertaking. It was to be a structure like no other. Unlike the pagan temples that were built in an attempt to reach up to the gods, this temple was built… Read More
1 Kings 6- The Temple

1 Kings 6:11-13
“Then the word of the Lord came to Solomon, saying: ‘Concerning this temple which you are building, if you walk in My statutes, execute My judgments, keep all My commandments, and walk in them, then I will perform My word with you, which I spoke to your father David. And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel.’” … Read More

Psalm 59- I Did It My Way

Psalm 59:13
“And let them know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth.”

In the early eighties, a well-known Christian band wrote a song called “God Rules.” In some ways, it became the anthem of many young Christians. I remember having a “God Rules” bumper sticker on my car, and proudly writing it on my school notebook. To me, that phrase was a slang term meaning little more than the fact God… Read More

 

Psalms 58:6
Break their teeth in their mouth, O God!
Break out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord!

This has to be one of the most striking prayers ever recorded. David is looking at the behavior of those who have cast aside the ways of God and his heart cries out for justice. While it may seem harsh to ask God to break someone’s teeth there is an important principle that is vividly illustrated in David’s song. The principle is that there are certain things that should fill us with rage and produce in us a desire for righteousness.

The world we live in is filled with violence and it has become all too common to hear of school shootings, suicide bombings and other senseless acts of violence that take the lives of the innocent. Just recently, in response to one of these tragic events I heard a community leader say, “We will not respond with anger, fear or hate but with love.” While I completely understand the intent of her statement and the danger of allowing anger to control a life I also realize that there are certain things that should fill us with anger. We might go so far as to say there are certain things we must learn to hate.

It is only when we see the ravaging effects sin has upon individuals, families and culture as a whole that we will develop the proper attitude toward it and conversely begin to take the proper steps toward eradicating it.

Pastor Jim

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 1 Kings 3-4 & Psalm 57-58
Old Testament: 1 Kings 3- Divided Heart

1 Kings 3:3
“And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense at the high places.”

Throughout his life Solomon showed evidence of his love for the Lord. He wrote three thousand proverbs to instruct … Read More

1 Kings 4- Wisdom

1 Kings 4:30
“Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt.”

Solomon was known for his great wisdom. We are told his understanding of psychology, botany and biology … Read More

Psalm 57- Shelter

Psalm 57:1
“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.”

No matter where we live, we are faced with the storms of life. Growing up… Read More

 

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 1 Kings 1-2 & Psalm 55-56
Old Testament: 1 Kings 1- One Man Army
1 Kings 1:36-37
“Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king and said, ‘Amen! May the Lord God of my lord the king say so too. As the Lord has been with my lord the king, even so may He be with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David.’”
…Read More

1 Kings 2- Man Up

1 Kings 2:2-3
“I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.” ...Read More

Psalm 55- Wings Like A Dove

Psalms 55:6-7
“So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
Indeed, I would wander far off,
And remain in the wilderness.”
Selah… Read More

 

Psalm 56- Book Of Tears

Psalm 56:8
“You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book?”

David refers to God’s book. This is not a reference to the Word of God; for he tells us that the content of this book is David’s tears. He is not the only writer to refer to a book that God… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Samuel 23-24 & Psalm 53-54
Old Testament: 2 Samuel 23- The Challenge 

2 Samuel 23:8
“These are the names of the mighty men whom David had…”

David was a man mightily used by God. Although he started his journey walking alone into the valley to fight the giant, he did not remain alone. David’s faith was magnetic, and he was soon surrounded by men of great faith. This chapter tells the story of some of the men who surrounded the king. Among those listed are:… Read More

2 Samuel 24- Consequences 

2 Samuel 24:10
“And David’s heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the Lord, ‘I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O Lord, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.’”

King David committed a sin by taking a census of the people, rather than trusting in the arm of God as Israel’s defense. His sin was forgiven, but the consequences were grave.

This passage is a vivid illustration of temptation, failure, repentance and results. In … Read More

Psalm 53- Don’t Be A Fool

Psalms 53:1
“The fool has said in his heart,
‘There is no God.’
They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity;
There is none who does good.”

Biblically speaking atheism is considered folly because God has gone to great lengths to reveal himself to mankind. Paul, when … Read More

Psalm 54- Strong Hands

Psalm 54:1
“Save me, O God, by Your name, and vindicate me by Your strength.”

This Psalm is a prayer set to music. In It, David is crying out to God to deliver him from those who are seeking to end his life. The title of the Psalm gives us insight into the situation he is facing.… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Samuel 21-22  & Psalm 51-52
Old Testament: 2 Samuel 21- Giant Killers

2 Samuel 21:22
“These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.”
… Read More

2 Samuel 22- Battle Plan

2 Samuel 22:35
“He teaches my hands to make war,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.”

As the sun begins to set on David’s life, he begins to recall how faithful the Lord has been. As king of a nation surrounded by hostile adversaries, he was faced with constant battles. With … Read More

Psalm 51- Born Into Sin

Psalms 51:5
“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.”

David makes reference to the fact that he was born into sin. He realizes that his sin is not just a mistake that he made but a consequence of his very nature. The bible teaches … Read More
Psalm 52- Good And Evil

Psalm 52:1
“Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually.”

We live in a world of contrast. On the one hand, we see the fingerprint of God all around us, demonstrating His goodness. Earlier in the Psalms, David wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Samuel 19-20  & Psalm 49-50
Old Testament: 2 Samuel 19- It’s Not Free

2 Samuel 19:4
“But the king covered his face, and the king cried out with a loud voice, ‘O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!’”

I recently watched a news segment which focused on two teenagers who decided to rob a local business. One of the boys was reluctant to get involved, while the other boasted confidently that “no one… Read More

2 Samuel 20- Dissenter

2 Samuel 20:1
“And there happened to be there a rebel, whose name was Sheba the son of Bichri, a Benjamite. And he blew a trumpet, and said: ‘We have no share in David, Nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse; Every man to his tents, O Israel!’”… Read More

Psalm 49- Eternal Investments

Psalms 49:17
“For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him.”

Have you ever heard the phrase “You can’t take it with you”? It seems like this sentiment might… Read More

Psalm 50- Promises

Psalm 50:16-17
“But to the wicked God says: ‘What right have you to declare My statutes, or take My covenant in your mouth, seeing you hate instruction and cast My words behind you?’”

One of the strangest phenomenon… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Samuel 17-18  & Psalm 47-48
Old Testament: 2 Samuel 17- Be Prepared

2 Samuel 17:23
“Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he saddled a donkey, and arose and went home to his house, to his city. Then he put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died; and he was buried in his father’s tomb.”

It is remarkable how many Biblical phrases have become part of our everyday lives. When a person is diagnosed with a disease that advanced medicine has no hope of curing, it … Read More

2 Samuel 18- Pride

2 Samuel 18:9
“Then Absalom met the servants of David. Absalom rode on a mule. The mule went under the thick boughs of a great terebinth tree, and his head caught in the terebinth; so he was left hanging between heaven and earth. And the mule which was under him went on.”… Read More

Psalm 47- Clap Your Hands

Psalm 47:1
“Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with the voice of triumph!”

Sometimes knowing the setting in which a psalm was written is beneficial to understanding its content. Other times, like in this psalm, the setting is not given because the truth is universal. Whatever our condition, whether we would classify it as good or bad, blessing or trial, God remains the same and is always worthy of the highest praise. The truths tucked away in this psalm … Read More

Psalm 48- Growing In Christ

Psalm 48:9
“We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, In the midst of Your temple.”

We learn two very important… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Samuel 15-16 & Psalm 45-46
Old Testament: 2 Samuel 15- Memory Lane

2 Samuel 15:14
“So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, ‘Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.’”

Perhaps you have heard someone speak of having their whole life pass… Read More

2 Samuel 16- Love, Mercy and Grace

2 Samuel 16:4
“So the king said to Ziba, ‘Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.’ 
And Ziba said, ‘I humbly bow before you, that I may find favor in your sight, my lord, O king!’”

We are first introduced to Ziba in 2 Samuel 9 where he is described as a servant of king Saul. After David was established as king he began to look for descendants of king Saul. His search led him to Ziba who in turn… Read More

Psalm 45- Worship

Psalm 45:11b
“Because He is your Lord, worship Him.”

This is a Messianic Psalm, meaning that it is speaking prophetically of Israel’s coming Messiah. In it, the Psalmist is describing the glory of Jesus, our King, and the beauty of His Bride, the church. After describing Jesus as the King of Glory, girded … Read More

Psalm 46- Help In Trouble

Psalms 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.”

A refuge is a shelter or protection from danger or trouble. It is not uncommon in places that are threatened with severe weather to… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Samuel 13-14  & Psalm 43-44
Old Testament: 2 Samuel 13- What’s Love Got To Do With It?

2 Samuel 13:1
“After this Absalom the son of David had a lovely sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.”

“I love you” is one of the most common phrases in any language. It is the heartbeat behind many popular songs, movies … Read More 

2 Samuel 14- Banished

2 Samuel 14:14
“…God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him.”

By killing his… Read More

Psalm 43- Vindicate Me

Psalms 43:1
“Vindicate me, O God,
And plead my cause…”

Arguments take place when we have differences of opinion. Both parties think they are right and the other is wrong. When these differences of opinion escalate they often lead to serious… Read Me

Psalm 44- Victorious

Psalm 44:3
“For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them.”

Even a casual reading of the Old Testament will lead to the conclusion that Israel did not… Read More