“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” – John 20:30-31In high school, I struggled in English class. Every book and story we were forced to read allegedly always had a deeper meaning that we, the ...

John 19:23-42:  The Word of the God/Lord is true, as demonstrated by what happened after the Lord was crucified. Scripture was fulfilled “They divided my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment."I stand amazed that Jesus was still at work doing the will of the Father by taking care of His mother, Mary.  He said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to John whom He loved, “Here is your mot...

Today’s passage in 2 Samuel demonstrates some challenging responses from David during the time that his son, Absalom, was conspiring to usurp his kingship. In 15:25-26, when David was fleeing Jerusalem, when Zadok and the Levites were going to bring the ark of God, David said to Zadok, “Return the ark of God to the city. If I find favor in the sight of the Lord, then He will bring me back again an...

We could say that Mephibosheth was born into privilege. His grandfather, Saul, was the king of Israel, and his father, Jonathan, also had a prominent place in the kingdom. But then Saul and Jonathan were both killed in battle on the same day, and family fortunes changed for Mephibosheth. And when David the next king summoned Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth in today’s OYB reading in 2 Samuel 9, Mephibo...

I read a lot of "promise" in today's reading. So despite any recent occurrences that could have led to doubts, We have very clear promises stating God is present around us and in us. Amen.......

The threat to David’s throne from his own household was now over. His adversary was dead and those who once cheered for David’s demise were relegated to misery until their sins would end their days. If that was not enough, after three months of waiting, the king was ready to return the ark of the Lord to its’ home. This time, the king would make sure all precautions were taken to ensure God’s bles...

[2 Sam. 2:12-3:39; John 13:1-30; Psa. 119:1-16; Prov. 15:29-30]I found my reading of these passages profoundly moving to me as I continue to struggle with my life’s meaning. In the Samuel passage, David is shown struggling to unite the Israelites after Saul’s death into one kingdom under God’s rules. David fails in his humanness. I find refuge in the John passage as Christ teaches me to be His ser...

Prov. 15:28 “The heart of the righteous weighs its answer, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”In anticipation of this blog, I have read and reread my ‘assigned’ passages many times, praying and studying, asking the Lord what He would want me to say.  I even wondered if I should back out this time, but then I saw exactly what the Lord was teaching me and what I should share.  I realized just ...

Today’s reading in 1 Samuel 24 and 25 gives us two stories of David’s life while he waited for God to fulfill His promise to make him king over Israel. In chapter 24 we read how the Lord placed king Saul into David’s hand in a cave near En Gedi. David’s men encourage him to take vengeance on Saul while they have him in the cave, but David choses to only cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. Even that a...

For a couple of chapters now in I Samuel (18-23), we have seen the turning of Saul’s heart against David because of jealousy and the many times he has tried to kill him. The reading for today includes the following attempts.I Samuel 22:6 Now Saul heard that David and his men had been discovered. And Saul, spear in hand, was seated under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah.I Samuel 23:7-8 Saul ...

Proverbs 15:15-17Vs 15 – All the days of the oppressed are wretched                   But the cheerful heart has a continual feastVs 16 – Better is a little with the fear of the Lord                   Than great wealth with turmoil.Vs 17 – Better a small serving of vegetables with love                   Than a fattened calf with hatred.Matthew Henry’s Concise CommentaryVs 15 –Some are much in affl...

The familiar story of David and Goliath has many applications for todays Christian.  We read in 1 Samuel chapter 17 that Goliath had come forward to taunt the Israelites.  “I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give me a man that we may fight together” (vs 10).  When David came to the battle to bring food to his older brothers and heard the taunts of Goliath against Israel, he said in verse 26, “… ...

In today’s One Year Bible reading in John 7:1-30, one concept caught my eye. It appears in verses 6, 8, and 30: Jesus’ time had not yet come.In verses 6 and 8, Jesus’ brothers were urging Him to attend the annual Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus objected, explaining, “My time has not yet come.” Later, however, Jesus attended the Feast. When He taught in the Temple, some Jewish leaders sought to arrest ...

In Psalm 106 we have a graphic picture of the history of Israel. They were delivered from the iron furnace of slavery in Egypt. GOD sent a savior in the person of Moses. He caused the Red Sea to be parted for their deliverance from the armies of Egypt. He led them through the wilderness for forty years. He fed them with manna from Heaven and satisfied their thirst with water from a rock. He led th...

Psalm 106:13-31 reveals to us how the people of Israel acted in the Wilderness. Verse 21 says, “they forgot God their Savior.” They forgot God had done great things in Egypt for them. They forgot how God delivered them out of the land of Egypt and slavery. They forgot the “Wonders in the land of Ham” that God did for them.Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers states that (22) Land of Ham. Was ...

It was night time when Nicodemus came to Jesus, so it may have been the case that there were few other people around, but I can still imagine that Nicodemus may have felt a bit chided, scolded even, when he heard Jesus say, “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?” Maybe Jesus was wanting to get his attention—He really did want to teach this teacher of Israel about some i...

Judges 15-16It is often said that it’s never too late to give your life to God. There are countless stories of lost souls finding eternal redemption in their last hours, and certainly heaven celebrates one more brought out of death and into eternal life. Unfortunately, this concept of “never too late” may also have given rise to the idea that someone can live their lives in hedonistic self-service...

As I read through the One Year Bible passages, something surprised me. It was in John 1:29-51 particularly where John the Baptist declares two times that he did recognize Jesus as the Messiah (v. 31 and 33). 29.The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30.He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after ...

I have recently stood by the spring of Harod…the place where Gideon chose his 300 men as directed by the Lord. While there, I was reminded of an important lesson that finds itself in today’s Old Testament One Year Bible reading. Gideon is told he will be the person the Lord uses to deliver Israel from their enemies. Gideon’s response to that revelation is not unlike what our response would be toda...

Proverbs 13: 3-4Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, But those who speak rashly will come to ruin.A sluggard appetite is never filled , but the desire of the diligent one is fully satisfied.If you think before you say something, and pray about it, that’s the best way to do things .If you say, stuff, rashly to people, without given it a thought or prayer it will always come to no good. ...