1. The Struggle with Comparison and Doubt (Psalm 73) Asaph begins Psalm 73 with raw honesty: “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold” (Psalm 73:2). He had watched the wicked prosper, and it seemed like their lives were easier—no pain, no struggle, just success. And yet, as he compared himself to them, he felt discouraged, like all his efforts to live righteously were in vain.?  Read More

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 introduces us to Jabez, a man described as "more honorable than his brothers." Despite the pain associated with his name, Jabez turned to God in prayer, asking for blessing, protection, and expansion of his territory. His prayer reflects a deep trust in God's provision and sovereignty.  Read More

How many times will the Lord forgive you? How many times HAS the Lord forgiven you? How many times will the Lord forgive you? How many times HAS the Lord forgiven you? When I worked in the Water Works business, we had to collect water samples and test for a bacteria called coliform. If there was a bad sample, due to collecting it wrong or accidental contamination, the lab would send a report back requesting a re-sample, and the report would be stamped “TMTC”: Too Many To Count (coliforms). After 430 years, God set the Israelites free from Egypt (Exodus 12:43). He promised them freedom and a promised land. The Journey would be long, but necessary to relearn God’s Laws and rekindle their relationship with God. But, impatience, selfishness, greed, would constantly get in the way.  Read More

The first two chapters of 1 Chronicles concerns the genealogies of Israel. These genealogies are the official family records of the nation of Israel. They give us an overview of the history of God’s work from Creation through the captivity of His people. These records served to teach the exiles returning from Babylon about their spiritual heritage as a nation and to inspire them to renew their faithfulness to God. Although these lists show the racial heritage of the Jews, they contain the spiritual heritage for every believer. We are a part of the community of faith that has existed from generation to generation since the dawn of man.   Read More

Psalm 6 is a heartfelt lament where the psalmist cries out to God in deep distress. He may feel the Lord is correcting him in anger or in wrath he is being disciplined. His bones hurt, he is tired, he has been cryin, his soul is in anguish, in emotional turmoil. His eyes are swollen because of the grief he is experiencing. He feels his enemies are around. So he is urgently and persistent in asking the Lord for mercy, deliverance, for emotional, spiritual and even physical healing. He reminds God to act according to His steadfast love.  Read More

The purpose of 2 Samuel is to (1) record the history of David’s reign; (2) demonstrate effective leadership under God; (3) to reveal that one person can make a difference; (4) to show the personal qualities that please God; (5) and finally, to depict David as an ideal leader of an imperfect kingdom, and to foreshadow Christ, who will be the ideal leader of a new and perfect kingdom.  Read More

He is risen Let’s rejoice Hopefully, you will be joining us this morning at the Grimes County Fairgrounds, or you already were there with us celebrating our Savior. Today’s Psalms are truly beautiful, I encourage you to treasure them in your mind and heart. Short and straight to the point, they all encourage us to trust the Lord. As I read them, I imagined the psalmists singing on how they had the assurance of trusting the Lord and knowing He was going to be their helper in different situations. Their confidence is on the one and only true omnipotent God and that HE can keep them from all evil forever.  Read More

Who you gonna call? I am a child of the 80’s, so my immediate answer is … “GHOSTBUSTERS!!” Not today though…today we are reminded in Psalm 18 that we are to call upon the Lord! He is the one that can save you from your enemies. He is the one that is mighty, powerful, and has the authority to rule over things on Earth, as He does in heaven.  Read More

Spiritual thirst, worship, trust in God’s faithfulness, and the joy of a personal relationship, are the themes in Psalm 63 during David's time in the wilderness. David yearns intensively for God’s presence. His commitment to worship God wholehearted even in the midst of difficult times.  Read More

This stage of David’s life is a very chaotic period. Samuel has anointed him as a king, but he is on the run because King Saul is trying to kill him. YES! Saul is basically hunting David, and in the previous chapter, we see a picture of David sparing Saul for the first time.  Read More

We can learn a lot by reading the Psalms that David wrote. His examples of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving are what made him a man after God’s own heart. He sought the Lord about everything. David told Him the good, the bad, and the ugly. He entreated the Lord. He asked questions. He begged for help. But, he also kept the perspective that God is holy, and worthy of praise, no matter what was going on in his life.  Read More

PSALM 7REAL:  What truth or principles are found?David is calling for God’s action against a foe. He’s requesting the Lord’s help and for Him to meet out judgment against his enemy.RELEVANT:  How can this be applied?Pray. Talk to the Lord. Ask. Tell HIM what’s on your heart.READY:  What will your next action steps be?Verse 17, “I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness, and wil...  Read More

1 Samuel 21 is a raw unsettling chapter in David's journey. Fresh from his monumental victory over Goliath, the young shepherd-turned-hero finds himself a fugitive, fleeing the paranoid rage of King Saul. This chapter reveals a vulnerable side of David, forcing him to make desperate choices that stand in stark contrast to the courageous faith he displayed on the battlefield.  Read More

These chapters offer lessons about loyalty, friendship, and the dangers of jealousy and pride. Totally applicable to our lives.  Read More

Our children know better than we do.   They don’t need to listen to us.  We give them instructions, guidance, and direction, but at a young age, they suddenly know more than us, the parents.  Growing up, some had a wise Father or Mother, that would mentor and offer wise counsel for life.  I didn’t have that great fortune.  They say necessity is the cause for invention.  I saw this around me and un...  Read More

We see in the beginning of first Samuel 13, that Saul had been King for about 2 years and was already at war with the Philistines. The Hebrews were afraid and hiding in caves and even leaving the promised land on the other side of the Jordan River.  Read More

1 Samuel 9: Saul searches for his father’s missing donkeys and happens to meet Samuel. Samuel prepares a feast and tells Saul that he is destined for greatness. 1 Samuel 10: Samuel anoints Saul as king. He predicts many events that subsequently take place. When Saul returns home, Samuel assembles the people at Mizpah and publicly declares him as the first king of Israel. 1 Samuel 11: The Ammonites threaten to torture the people of Jabesh Gilead. Saul musters 330,000 troops and defeats the enemy with ease. The people celebrate Saul’s kingship at Gilgal. 1 Samuel 12: Samuel delivers a harsh speech in his old age. He criticizes the people for requesting a king, brings a miraculous rainstorm to scare them, and warns them to follow the will of Yahweh.   Read More

One of my favorite lines in the 2007 sitcom 'The Office' is from Michael Scott, district regional manager of Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, where he is quoted saying, "I am not superstitious, just a little-stitious."  One of the best lines ever.  I remember falling off the couch laughing at this almost 20 years ago.  There is so much to unpack in these 5 chapters, so I will focus on these few key p...  Read More

Real Life Principles:The Power of Persistent Prayer: Hannah's desperate and consistent prayer demonstrates the importance of bringing our heartfelt desires and burdens before God and persevering in prayer even when answers are delayed.God Hears and Responds: Despite her barrenness and the taunting of Peninnah, God heard Hannah's prayer and eventually granted her request for a son. This highlights ...  Read More

Our Redeemer Lives!  This book is full of Love! Real: Life Principles*Love Drove Ruth to Stay with NaomiIn Chapter One, it tells us that an Israelite family moved from the promised land to Moab where Israel's enemy lived because of a famine. Naomi loses her husband in Moab and her two sons marry Moabite women (remember the instructions from Moses not to intermarry?) and then she loses her two sons...  Read More

The last few chapters of the book of Judges I believe, are the darkest and most troubling in the Bible. They provide a glimpse into the social and moral decay that characterized Israel during the period of the Judges. This study unpacks the lessons and insights from these chapters.  Read More

Judges 16 recounts Samson's downfall, focusing on his relationship with Delilah, a Philistine woman who, under pressure from the Philistines, tricks him into revealing the secret of his strength, leading to his capture, blinding, and eventual death. This chapter, detailing Samson's tragic downfall and final act of strength, is important because it illustrates the consequences of straying from God's path and the dangers of personal weaknesses, even for those with divine calling, while also highlighting God's ability to work through flawed individuals to achieve His purposes.  Read More

One of my favorite Bible stories begins here! Samson, a chosen one, a flawed one, but a very useful and impactful one! Isn’t it amazing how God uses the broken for some of His grandest plans. That should give us comfort as believers that no matter what we’ve done, once we accept the free gift of Grace and begin living for God, amazing things can happen for His plans and purposes.  Read More

As the Israelites moved into the season of being led by Judges, they enjoyed peace, prosperity and security under the leadership of the Judges Tola and Jair. This would lead us to believe these Judges were faithful men of God.   Read More