Psalms 26, 40, 58, 61-62, 64 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, MAY 18, 201 “STICKS AND STONES” My generation was taught to say when being teased or bullied, “Stick and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Oh, but they can. When my wife and I served as houseparents for eight troubled girls, one of them had a different version: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but…Keep Reading

2 Samuel 16-18 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 17, 2019 “IN YOUR FACE, DAD” Teens often rebellion against the will and wishes of parents, only to adopt later in life the very traits against which they rebelled. Absalom was no adolescent when he committed the ultimate in-your-face-Dad sin against his father. David had fled Jerusalem and Absalom, his rebel son, entered somewhat as a hero in the eyes of the rift-raft….Keep Reading

Psalms 3-4, 12-13, 28, 55 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 16, 2019 “BETRAYED” Each of the psalms stands on its own. Nevertheless, when several are assigned for the day’s reading, it is good to look for some common theme or connecting idea. For example, in Psalm 12 and Psalm 55 David laments the pervasiveness of evil in his world. “Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful…Keep Reading

2 Samuel 13-15 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 15, 2019 “WHEN THE CHICKENS COME HOME TO ROOST” Campbell The expression “The chickens always come home to roost” has been around for centuries, originally referring to the curses one pronounces coming back on oneself. My mother often used the expression to warn me that my bad deeds would come back to haunt me. David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and then added…Keep Reading

Psalms 32, 51, 86, 122 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 14, 2019 “WHAT GRACE WILL NOT DO” I first typed “What grace cannot do,” but God’s grace is God’s grace and he can bestow it on whomever he wishes and on whatever terms he requires (Romans 9:14-16). God’s word tells us some things his grace will not do, one of which is show indifference toward sin. Psalms 32, 51, and 88…Keep Reading

2 Samuel 11-12; 1 Chronicles 20 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 13, 2019 “DAVID AND BATHSHEBA” Many who pay little attention to Holy Scripture, can recount the story of David and Bathsheba because of the 1951 film which tells the story Hollywood style and is still available on Amazon. Time goes by and Solomon is born to the union. Upon David’s death, he became king, and after ruling for 40 years,…Keep Reading

Psalms 65-67, 69-70 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 12, 2019 “THE TALK OF THE TOWN” Psalm 69 is one of the three most Messianic psalms, being cited or referenced at least 10 times in the N.T. As you read the psalm you will probably detect many of these and with a good reference Bible, you can read how the passages were used in the N.T. Today, I want to focus on…Keep Reading

2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalm 20 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 11, 2019 “PRAYING FOR LEADERS” The historical accounts in today’s readings are about more of David’s victories as commander in chief of Israel. It is in Psalm 20 that we find the timeless lessons to learn from these victories: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God….Keep Reading

Psalms 50, 53,60, 75 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 10, 2019 “PROFESSING AND PRACTICAL ATHEISTS” David declares, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good” (Psalm 53:1). It is just as bad—perhaps worse—to profess to know God but in works deny him: “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable,…Keep Reading

2 Samuel 8-9; 1 Chronicles 18 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 9, 2019 “DID YOU REALLY WANT TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT” God had granted David victory after victory as he solidified his power and reigned over all Israel (2 Samuel 8:1-14). It is one thing to win great victories, whether on a battlefield of blood or the battlefield of politics. It is another to exercise that power in a way that…Keep Reading

Psalms 25, 29, 33, 36, 39 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 8, 2019 “SONGS FOR ALL OCCASIONS” The songs we sing reflect our feelings and thoughts, our hopes and our fears, our doubts and our dreams. In other words, songs can touch us from the center to the circumference of our being. Whatever we sing, we should sing with the firm conviction that God hears and responses to our songs as…Keep Reading

2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 20 THOUGHT FOR TODAY, May 7, 2019 “THE BEST COMMENTARY ON THE WORD OF GOD IS THE WORD OF GOD” The Bible tells the story of sin and redemption, beginning in Genesis chapter three. Ironically, the first glimpse of redemption is given to Satan: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head,…Keep Reading