Paul indicated that he had an effective opportunity to minister at Ephesus, yet accompanied by opposition. (1 Cor. 16:9)

The presence or absence of resistance does not indicate the Lord’s will.  Each saint must be simply and faithfully obedient to what God has shown them in His Word and by the leading of His Spirit.  Great grace accompanies obedience.  Grace overcomes opposition.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, grace me to faithfully persevere in doing Your will. I trust You for the results of my labors.

DAILY READING:  2 Sam. 19-21;  1 Cor. 16

Upon hearing the news that his rival son was dead, David mourned greatly.  Clearly David’s soldiers did not understand the depth of his unconditional love.

How great a love does our Heavenly Father have for us even though we often live in such a manner that deserves our death.  “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, thank You for your unconditional love for us.  While we were yet in our sin, You sent Christ to die for us.  Let Your mighty love flow through us today.

DAILY READING:  2 Sam. 16-8;  1 Cor. 15

Upon reading Paul’s instructions for the conduct of New Testament believer’s gatherings, one wonders if our contemporary services produce better participators or spectators.

When he uses expressions such as “Eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit,” and “Try to excel in those [gifts] that build up the church,” we see that he is stimulating a desire in the saints to seek the Lord for spiritual giftings that give them participation usefulness. (1 Cor. 14)

He says, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”  However, LET ALL THINGS BE DONE.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, You are the Giver of every good and perfect gift.  We desire to bring honor to You through the presence of Holy Spirit gifts in the church services.

DAILY READING:  2 Sam. 13-5;  1 Cor. 14

What was King David thinking when he succumbed to temptation with Bathsheba?  Then, to cover up, he had her husband killed on the front lines of the nation’s current battle.

“David, what were you thinking?  Do you place yourself above the law?”

It never works.  Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart, Bill Clinton, Ted Haggard, …

Jesus said, “He that has My commandments and keeps them, he is the one that loves Me.”

DAILY PRAYER:  Father, keep me from sin today.  I yield every thought and temptation to You.  I want to be pure before You.

DAILY READING:  2 Sam. 11,12;  1 Cor. 13

The significance of David’s sons being priests is that they were serving the Lord.  David was a prefigure of the New Testament Christian in that he was a prophet, priest, and king before the Lord.  Although his sons were not of the tribe of Levi, they served the priesthood.

Hopefully it is the desire of every Christian parent that their children serve the Lord, regardless of the line of work they fall into.

DAILY PRAYER:  Father in Heaven, touch the lives of our children with Your presence, and draw them close to Yourself.

DAILY READING:  2 Sam. 8-10  1 Cor. 12

Paul instructed that as New Testament Christians, we should accept God’s corrections and adjustments in our lives so we can escape the final condemnation with the world. (1 Cor. 11:32)

God corrects us because He loves us.  He loves us too much to leave us the way we are.

Don’t resist his discipline.  Rather, welcome it and allow His grace to provide protection from the bitter consequences of life’s harshness.   He always has our best interest in mind.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, I trust You when things get difficult.  Shelter me, refine me, correct me so that my life is a pleasant aroma to You.

DAILY READING:  2 Sam. 4-7;  1 Cor. 11

King Saul was dead.  David had such a profound respect for the whomever the Lord had anointed as king that he did his best to preserve their reputation.  Saul had tried to kill him, yet David didn’t want the inhabitants of Gath, where Goliath was from, to know that “The mighty have fallen.”

Even though we have enemies, its honorable to not speak evil of them and defer judgement to the Lord alone.

DAILY PRAYER: Lord, cleanse my mouth and don’t allow me to speak evil of anyone.  You alone are the Great Judge.

DAILY READING:  2 Sam. 1-3;  1 Cor. 10

Paul said, “I am all things to all men to win some.”  (1 Cor. 9:22 KJV)

Show interest in people.  Ask them questions … relate to them … be sincere in your attempt to understand where they’re coming from.  This wins hearts.  Then, redirect to the Lord, His Word, and His ability to touch their lives.

You can be their lifeline today.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, You love people.  Love them through me today.  Let me not be taken up with myself, but help me focus on others.

DAILY READING:  1 Sam. 27-31;  1 Cor. 9

I am sharing my stem cell transplant experience today in 7th grade chapel.  They are studying stem cells, and Mr. Sandefur, one of our science teachers, wants me to make sure they know I didn’t use stem cells from unborn children.  I used my own stem cells.

Please pray as I make this presentation.  They are so impressionable, and I want to encourage their faith in Jesus.

Thanks

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, please use me to encourage our 7th graders.  Help me to bring glory to You, my healer. It’s always in Your name, Jesus, that we pray.

DAILY READING:  1 Sam. 24-6;  1 Cor. 8

When fleeing King Saul, David’s creative resourcefulness inspired him to fake madness in the presence of Achish, King of Gath. His episode evidently dissuaded the suspicions of the men of Gath and allowed him safe passage from Saul.

Creative people write songs, do drama, and certainly add an element of spice to life.  There’s room for it in the Kingdom of God.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, thank You for the amazing stories of the saints of old in Your Word.  Let me live my life in such a manner that others see Your creativity in me.

DAILY READING:  1 Sam. 21-3;  1 Cor. 7