May 22, 2022
WHOSE PRAISE DO YOU SEEK? Many people, including the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem believed in Jesus, but they would not speak of it publicly for fear of censure by the Pharisees. It wasn’t popular to confess Jesus among the upper classes. Such faith was for the common folk. Although fear of rejection may have been
May 21, 2022
CHRIST IS OUR PURIFICATION Over 100 purification pools or “mikvehs” have been discovered in the ruins surrounding the Temple Mount. The Jewish pilgrims who came from all over the Roman Empire for Passover would arrive early to bathe in one of these mikvehs, cleansing themselves and putting on clean clothes before entering the Temple. Yet,
May 20, 2022
THE WORD THAT RAISES THE DEAD The One who had said, “Let there be light,” later entered into this sin darkened world to bring light once again. He spoke resurrection life to a four-days-dead man, shouting, “Lazarus, come forth!” He called to him specifically because otherwise all the dead on planet earth would have burst
May 19, 2022
SAMUEL, A FORERUNNER OF CHRIST JESUS Samuel was the last of the judges and with his passing, Israel completely transitioned from the time of the judges to the time of the kings. Samuel was the greatest Israelite leader since Moses. He was a forerunner of the Messiah, bearing the threefold titles of prophet, priest and
May 18, 2022
GOD’S PROVISION AND PREPARATION IN THE WILDERNESS David fled from King Saul to live in the Judean wilderness of En Gedi, which provided both caves to live in and springs from which to drink. God provided for David in the wilderness. And although it was a very difficult time, it was also a time of
May 17, 2022
OUR HEART CONDITION AFFECTS OUR PERCEPTION This biblical proverb teaches the importance that attitude has on perception. If someone is “despondent,” meaning disheartened or discouraged, then even a sunny day appears stormy to them. But even on the darkest of days the one with a “happy heart” looks for a rainbow. Yet, how do
May 16, 2022
THE SUCCESS PRINCIPLES SEEN IN DAVID AND SAUL David was an obedient and enthusiastic servant of King Saul. And God gave David success. At first, his success led to the king’s favor, but as his victories grew, Saul’s favor turned to jealousy. In all of this, God was at work, moving Saul out and David
May 15, 2022
THE NAME THAT IS GREATER THAN THE GIANT YOU FACE What David said to Goliath as they closed for battle revealed his heart and passion for God’s great name. Surely the giant was both impressive and terrifying to behold. He was a giant of a man, nine feet tall, dressed in the finest armor and
May 14, 2022
JESUS NEITHER CONDEMNS NOR CONDONES OUR SIN Jesus mediated between the adulteress and her accusers, yet still called her out of her sinful lifestyle. For Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world, but that through Him it might be saved (John 3:17). As the Son of God, He is both the
May 13, 2022
KING SAUL, A STUDY IN LEADERSHIP FAILURE It’s heart-breaking to read the stories about King Saul, Israel’s first king. Although he reigned for 40 years, his leadership style was fraught with short-sighted and ill-conceived tactics, blustering, macho-inspired dictates, people-pleasing priorities, and most of all – a failure to seek God first in all things. Even