“For they loved human praise more than the praise of God” (John 12:43 NLT).

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

“It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began” (John 11:55 NLT).

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,

‘Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!”’ (John 11:43 NLT).

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

“Now Samuel died, and all Israel gathered for his funeral. They buried him at his house in Ramah” (1 Samuel 25:1 NLT).

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

“David then went to live in the strongholds of En-gedi” (1 Samuel 23:29 NLT).

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

“For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:15 NLT).

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

“Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully” (1 Samuel 18:5 NLT).

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

“You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Samuel 17:45 NLT).

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

“Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, ‘Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?’ ‘No, Lord,’ she said. And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I. Go and sin no more'” (John 8:10-11 NLT).

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

‘“My father has made trouble for us all!” Jonathan exclaimed. “A command like that only hurts us”‘ (1 Samuel 29:14 NLT).

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