From his deathbed, David told his son, Solomon, to follow the Lord’s statutes closely. And looking simply at the results, the early years of Solomon’s reign seem to bear the principle that David spoke: “Walk in His ways . . . keep His statutes . . . that you may succeed in all that you […]
Read MoreCategory Archives: Bible Characters
Breaking the Stereotype
When Paul and Titus travelled to Crete, Paul left his companion there to oversee the churches on the island. Paul knew that Titus would be up against some unscrupulous rivals for the attention of the islanders. Writing to Titus to instruct and encourage him, Paul uses a most outrageous stereotype to strengthen his resolve. Quoting […]
Read MoreBecoming a Man or a Woman after God’s Own Heart
When God scans the earth for potential leaders, He is not on a search for angels in the flesh. He is certainly not looking for perfect people, since there are none. He is searching for men and women like you and me, mere people made up of flesh. But He is also looking for people […]
Read MoreAuthentic Ministry: A Lesson from the Life of Paul
Paul’s ministry was saturated with the Word of God. Fifteen times in chapters thirteen and fourteen of Acts the phrases “God’s Word,” the “Word of truth,” the “teaching of the Lord,” the “Law and the Prophets,” and the “Good News” are mentioned (13:5, 7, 12, 15, 32, 44, 46, 48, 49; 14:3, 7, 15, 21, […]
Read MoreA Unique Spokesperson: A Lesson from the Life of Elijah
God’s methods are often surprising. God did not raise up an army to destroy Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 16:29-34). Neither did He send some scintillating prince to argue His case or try to impress their royal majesties. Instead, God did the unimaginable—He chose somebody like . . . well, like Elijah (1 Kings 17:1). […]
Read MoreGod Is Faithful
Read Esther 2:10-20. When God scans the earth for potential leaders, He is not on a search for angels in the flesh. He is certainly not looking for perfect people, since there are none. He is searching for men and women like you and me, mere people made up of flesh, bone, and blood. But […]
Read MoreDelilah: Tempting a Man to Death
“The lips of an adulteress drip honey / And smoother than oil is her speech” (Proverbs 5:3). How true of a woman who uses her feminine charm to beguile and deceive morally weak men to fall into sin. Delilah was one such woman. And Samson was one such man. Delilah made her home in the […]
Read MoreCharacter: It’s Been Buried Long Enough
Consider the words of Solomon: “He who walks in integrity walks securely, / But he who perverts his ways will be found out” (Proverbs 10:9). Before reading on, go back and read that again. By the time Job had reared his family, established himself in the business world, and gotten up in years, he had […]
Read MoreBeing a True Friend
He was the kind of friend we all wish for. His name was Jonathan, the son of King Saul and heir apparent. However, Jonathan was a loyal friend to David, the Bethlehem shepherd boy whom God had chosen to succeed Saul as king. Saul was fiercely focused on killing David; Jonathan was fiercely devoted to […]
Read MoreAmazing Grace on Display
The word grace means many things to many people. We refer to a ballet dancer as having grace. We say grace at meals. We talk about the queen of England bringing grace to events she attends. Grace can mean coordination of movement, it can mean a prayer, it can refer to dignity and elegance. Most […]
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