What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 1 Samuel 17:31, NIV. A few days ago I was talking with one of my best friends about the power of God creating an opportunity for us, rather than creating an opportunity for ourselves. We live in a world of self-promotion and self-serving people, but Jesus did not come to earth to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28). To serve is opposed to what the world teaches. I used to think that King David presented himself before Saul to fight Goliath. I thought David requested…
“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” (John 20:19, ESV) Life sometimes takes unusual twists and turns that cause…
“A dispute also arose among them [the disciples], as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.” (Luke 22:24, ESV) Ambition. Egos. Competition. Power. Pride. It happens. We’ve seen it, but we would hardly expect to find it among the Lord’s disciples, those closest to Him. Yet,…
The power of ONE voice—to an audience of ONE. We are well familiar with the third book of the New Testament, the Gospel of Luke. But who was Luke? He certainly was not one of The Twelve. Though he likely had a close relationship with at least some of His eyewitnesses, it’s very possible that he never even met Jesus. Luke was a Greek physician, thought to be the only Gentile writer of Scripture. There is still some disagreement, but it’s now believed that Luke was likely Jewish, perhaps a convert, who became a Christian. He was certainly a friend…
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17, NKJV) Who doesn’t like to receive gifts? I sure do. It’s fun to be remembered on special occasions—or no…
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12:18, ESV) “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” (Proverbs 16:24, ESV) The two proverbs above give a sharp contrast in how our…