From: May 13, 2020
From: May 13, 2020
From: May 13, 2019
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 when God was giving him a miraculous victory over the Philistines, he jeopardized it with a foolish command saying, “Let a curse fall on anyone who eats before evening—before I have full revenge on my enemies.”
In spite of this, God used Saul to lead Israel and in many ways he was one of its better kings. It’s just so tragic to watch from a distance though, because Saul could’ve been one of Israel’s greatest kings. If only he would’ve feared God more than he feared man. Saul’s kingship is a study in leadership failure.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help those of us who are called to lead that we always seek to first follow You. It’s easy to see the mistakes that others make, but we are often blind to our own. Lord, we need Your wisdom and discernment. Thank You for giving us Your Spirit. Help us to hearken to His direction this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: May 13, 2018
From: May 12, 2017
On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles when the Jews commemorated how the Lord had brought them through 40 years in the wilderness, Jesus stood up in the Temple and cried out with a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, come to Me and drink.” There was surely a great and noisy crowd in the Temple courts that day. Yet, above all the voices, Christ was heard crying out.
How appropriate. What perfect timing. During the Feast when the Jews remembered the rock from which Moses called forth water to quench Israel’s thirst, Jesus called spiritually thirsty people to come to Him to drink.
Why? Because “that Rock was Christ” (1 Cor.10:4).
From: May 13, 2016
David declared his intent to “give great thanks” to God in “the midst of the throng.” Not little thanks, but “great” thanks. Not private thanks, but public, in the middle of a noisy multitude. David, who often wrote of his gratitude in a psalmist journal, declared his intent to shout out loud thanks with his “mouth,” and not just his pen. He saw no separation between his private and public faith. He was ready to stand in the “midst” of a cacophonous crowd and be heard praising the Lord.
From: May 13, 2015
Making reference to the Scripture where Moses struck the rock in the wilderness and water gushed forth, Jesus claimed to be able to make the same miracle take place in human hearts. Jesus invited them to come, drink, and believe. These three verbs in series act to intensify response to Christ’s call. When we come to the Rock and drink, we find ourselves not only fully satisfied, but we become conduits of God’s torrent of grace to others.
From: May 13, 2014
It’s difficult 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. In spite of this, God used Saul to lead Israel and in many ways he was one of its better kings. It’s just so tragic to watch from a distance though, because Saul may have been one of Israel’s greatest kings if only he would’ve feared God more than man. And sought God’s pleasure more than pleasing people. Saul’s kingship is a study in leadership failure.
From: May 13, 2013
This is what Jonathan, son of King Saul, said to his armor bearer before they routed a garrison of Philistines. I think God must love this kind of risk-taking faith. Perhaps the great missionary to India, William Carey, had Jonathan’s story in mind when he said, “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.”
From: May 13, 2012
Hebrew – checed (kheh’-sed) love, lovingkindness, covenantal love. David prays for God’s salvation, not according to his own merit, but according to God’s checed love. God answers the prayer of one who prays this. Jesus, Son of David, Son of God, is the answer to David’s prayer.
From: May 13, 2011
Are you teachable? Wise followers of Christ listen to their spiritual mentors. At WCC we look for F.A.T. disciples- Faithful, Available, Teachable. Are you a FAT disciple?