May 14

1 Samuel 15:1-16:23, John 8:1-20, Psalm 110:1-7, Proverbs 15:8-10



Pray: Saul pleads for forgiveness because he was “afraid of the people and did what they demanded” (1 Samuel 15:24). How many times I have been guilty of such a thing. I give in to what people want rather than staying true to what God wants. Today, let’s go together to the Lord in prayer seeking His forgiveness for listening to people rather than Him. Then, let’s commit to hearing His voice above all other voices. Lastly, having heard the voice of the Lord, let us ask for strength to obey.

Read: The difference is amazing, isn’t it? When you compare Samuel to Saul, there’s very little comparison to actually be made. Samuel listens and obeys the Lord. Saul listens to Samuel and engages in a paraphrase of God’s commands. Saul does some of what Samuel instructs, but then branches out on his own. The result is quite tragic for Saul, and agonizing for Samuel. If I were to pattern my life after one of these guys, I think I know which one I’d choose.

Edify: Why didn’t they bring the man? A woman could not be guilty of adultery without a man. Scripture even says she was caught, “in the act.” Yet, we have no mention of the man. Was he prominent, so they let him go to avoid embarrassment? Did he promise to never do it again? Did they even care about catching either one, but really only wanted to trap Jesus? The last question probably gets more to the truth than the others. Still, it has always bothered me that this woman, though certainly guilty of her sin, is singled out, while the guy walks away. We like to think we are more like Jesus than we are the Pharisees. It’s mostly wishful thinking. We point out the “welfare abuser” but ignore the greed in our hearts. We demonize the political party opposite ours, but never call out the sin in our camp. We point fingers at the sins of others, but are perfectly content with our own. Imagine Jesus standing in front of us and then He stoops down and writes in the sand. We can read His words. What is He writing to you?

Practice: If you recall a few months ago, sacrificial offerings were established as a part of the worship of the Lord. They’re not unimportant. They were commanded by God. The people were given very clear instructions about sacrificial offerings. It could almost seem that the offerings were the most important thing that the people of God could do. Almost. Then, Samuel confronts Saul, who was about to make an offering to the Lord. “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22). You can make offerings without being obedient, but you can’t be obedient without making sacrificial offerings. One is a product of the other. Samuel knew this. Saul did not. God wants our obedience. Then, when we practice obedience, all the other things will naturally flow from that place.

May 13

1 Samuel 14:1-52, John 7:31-53, Psalm 109:1-31, Proverbs 15:5-7



Pray: Do you need more of God? To be sure, He’s not a vending machine. Yet, we find that over and over again, He is willing to offer more of Himself to us, if we just ask and are willing to receive. In John 7:39, we find Jesus telling us that the living water we so desperately long for is, “the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in [Jesus].” Do you want more of God in your life, your marriage, your family, your job, this world? Ask and receive.

Read: The word discrimination gets thrown about so much that it has nearly lost its power. It’s a shame, really, because actual discrimination does still exist, and it even existed in the time of Jesus. We see it in John 7:40-52. Many of the people physically saw and listened to Jesus! What a privilege. Yet, many of those did not believe in Him because…He came from Galilee. Geographic discrimination?!?! It sounds foolish to think the Messiah would be dismissed because of where He was raised as a child. Yet, they did just that. Equally as foolish, though, is the adult today who continues a high school rivalry long after graduation, or the person who thinks everyone from “that place” (state, county, town, area, etc.) is all the same. It could happen with economic status, neighborhood, race, denominational affiliation, etc. When we practice discrimination, we show just how foolish we really are. If you don’t believe that, just think of the guys in John 7:40-52.

Edify: It’s always needed, and it’s always worthwhile. What is it? It’s discipline. As parents, we discipline our children. As managers or bosses, sometimes you have to take disciplinary actions toward an employee. We even have to discipline ourselves to eat healthy, go to the gym, etc. It’s all around us. Jesus even calls us to discipline. Did you know that “discipline” and “disciple” are derived from the same root word? They’re very closely related. To be a disciple naturally assumes that one has discipline in his/her life. They’re not inseparable. Proverbs 15:5 tells us, “Only a fool despises a parent's discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.” Whether it is from a parent, a life group leader, a pastor, a sponsor, a spouse, or a trusted friend, we all could use a little correction from time to time.

Practice: The psalmist, David, offers a challenge to me today. Hear his words: “the wicked slander me and tell lies about me…[they] fight against me for no reason. I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations even as I am praying for them.” When everything within us says we should retaliate, we should take revenge, David shouts a resounding, “NO!” He would take it to the Lord and hand it over. He would love them! He would continue praying for them. No wonder he was a man after God’s own heart. May it be so for you and me as well.

May 12

1 Samuel 12:1-13:23, John 7:1-30, Psalm 108:1-13, Proverbs 15:4 



Pray: How often do you pray for your family or others you know? Samuel says something interesting in our reading today. He says, “I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you” (1 Samuel 12:23). As a single person, there are people God has placed in your life who could use your prayers. If you’re married and/or have a family, you need to be praying for them: ask God to bless them, ask God to use them for His purposes, ask God to protect them, ask God to help you lead them well. Samuel considered it a sin against God if he didn’t pray for the people. For whom will you pray today?

Read: Patience: it’s not only a virtue, but it’s often a divine command. We don’t like to wait on things. Yet, in the book of Acts, the people are told to go back to Jerusalem and wait for power from on high (Holy Spirit). Going even further back, Saul was told to wait for Samuel. He looked at his circumstances and decided not to trust the Lord. Thus, one of his first acts as Israel’s King was an act of disobedience. The result? “The Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. but now your kingdom must end…” (1 Samuel 13:13-14). Consider what Saul gave up because he was impatient and he didn’t trust God’s timing. What does this speak to you?

Edify: Political correctness has been identified by both left-wing and right-wing pundits as a huge problem in our society and a force that has actually swayed elections. No one wants to speak the truth for fear of offending another or of hurting feelings. It’s foolishness. It’s also foolish to think that this concept is new, or original to “us.” We find it in John 7:13: “But no one had the courage to speak favorably about [Jesus] in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble…” Even that long ago, people struggled with being politically correct. How about you? Will you also be afraid to speak favorably about Jesus in public? 

Practice: We are obsessed with fame, on a large and even a small scale. We would love worldwide notoriety, but we’ll settle for a post that goes “viral.” Our priorities sure could use some realignment. It’s as if Jesus’ brothers were living in 2026 and completely out of touch with what Jesus was about. I almost laugh when I read it. They actually say to Him, “You can’t become famous if you hide like this!” (John 7:4). Though He is probably the most widely-known historical figure of all time, fame was never His goal. His goal, His aim, His mission, was all about people. In whom can you invest your time and energy mentoring? To whom can you add value? Don’t pursue fame, pursue people. It was good enough for Jesus.

May 11

1 Samuel 10:1-11:15, John 6:43-71, Psalm 107:1-43, Proverbs 15:1-3  

Pray: There’s one in every crowd. You know how it goes, don’t you? Something great happens, and everyone is excited, including you. Then, that one brings down everything and everyone around them. Saul was just anointed and celebrated as king. Remember, it was the people, not God, who wanted a king for Israel. God gave them what they wanted! Yet, as Saul was returning home, we find “some scoundrels who complained.” Even when God gives us exactly what we asked for, there’s always that one. I’ve found that when things are going on in my life and I feel like I’m losing control, I’m unhappy, I’m uncertain, etc., that’s when I’ve become that one. Have you ever been that one? Seek the Lord’s forgiveness when you pray. Ask Him to help you see all the good He is doing and to rebuke the negativity of the enemy.

Read: Score 1 for Simon Peter. Jesus has been teaching in John 6. He has been challenging people. He knows some have just come along because this new movement of God is exciting, but they’re not really sold out to the mission of Jesus. When they hear these challenging teachings of Jesus, “many of His disciples turned away and deserted Him” (v. 66). But when asked if the original 12 would also go away, Simon Peter says, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God” (v. 68-69). Is God challenging you today? Will you turn and go away, or will you make the proclamation of Simon Peter? 

Edify: What defines you? What limits you and your success in life? Saul’s father was not an important person. Jesus’ earthly daddy was a simple carpenter. Their family origins did not limit them, especially when it came to their divine appointment. One person standing and watching Saul prophesy for the first time asks, “Can anyone become a prophet, no matter who his father is?” (1 Samuel 10:12). Yes! Anyone can become anything when God is on the scene. Reread those first two questions and maybe consider how God wants to change your original answers…

Practice: “At that time, the Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you…You will be changed into a different person…do what must be done, for God is with you” (1 Samuel 10:6-7). Samuel speaks these words to Saul as he is anointed in preparation for his kingship over Israel. If you’re a follower of Jesus, a Christian, I believe the same is being spoken to you. “The Spirit of the Lord has come powerfully upon you. You are a different person than before. Now, do what must be done, and remember I, the Lord, am with you.” You may not be the king of a nation, but the Lord is leading you to do great things in His name and for His Kingdom. What will you do?

May 10

1 Samuel 8:1-9:27, John 6:22-42, Psalm 106:32-48, Proverbs 14:34-35



Pray: “We want to be like [them]” is the refrain of the people of God in 1 Samuel 8:20. It’s easy to get caught up in that kind of thinking. We see posts, tweets, and pics online and think to ourselves, “Must be nice to be them.” Study after study shows that the leading cause of depression and jealousy today is social media. It’s also a rising cause of suicide, especially among teenagers. It seems when we are constantly looking at others’ lives, we are constantly finding fault with our own. As you pray today, ask the Lord to help you be content. Find contentment with your job, your house, your car, your church, your family, etc. When you’re content, you won’t want to be like “them.”

Read: If only this…if only that. The world will tell us things to keep us down: “You’ll never be able to do that…it won’t work.” We even tell ourselves things like, “If that hadn’t happened in my life, then…if I were thinner, prettier, smarter, etc., then…” It’s simple proof of our finite minds. Saul was walking around looking for donkeys when a prophet of the Lord had a conversation with him. You hear the excuses Saul gives. He’s from a tribe that’s unimportant. His family is not prominent. Sounds like something we might say or think of ourselves. Yet, Saul is about to be named King of Israel. I’m grateful for a limitless God who still speaks to people, with quite limited minds, like me.

Edify: Personality worship happens when we begin to ascribe what the Lord is doing to an individual. It happens rather frequently with a pastor, where we worship him/her instead of the God he/she represents (good preacher, great at visitation, etc.). It happens with worship leaders, too (great voice, spirit-filled). Because of their giftedness and ability to lead music, we begin to worship that person rather than the one who put them in the position to begin with: the Lord. The people in Scripture were guilty as well. They attributed God’s provision of bread from Heaven to an individual leader, Moses. Jesus is quick to correct them, telling them it was His Father who gave the people bread. It is easy to drift to personality worship if we’re not careful. Have you ever been guilty of personality worship?

Practice: Why do we make things more difficult than they have to be? We’ve been doing that for centuries. Jesus encountered this in John 6 when the people said, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” (v28). Then, when Jesus tells them the only thing they need to do is to believe, what do they do? Do they celebrate? Do they breathe a sigh of relief? Nope. They demand that Jesus perform a miracle in order for them to believe in Him. The height of arrogance is demanding God do anything for a fallen, rebellious humanity. Yet, that’s what they did. This passage causes me to take a pause and ask myself, “What demands am I placing on God? What does my “this-is-what-a-Christian-looks-like” list contain?” Jesus says, “Believe in the one [the Father] has sent.” Maybe we could stand to simplify things.

May 9

1 Samuel 5:1-7:17, John 6:1-21, Psalm 106:13-31, Proverbs 14:32-33 

Pray: “Dagon had fallen with his face to the ground in front of the Ark of the Lord!” (1 Samuel 5:3). Here we find a false idol/god falling on his face before the Ark of the Lord, the presence of God. We find today that many do not know the Lord. Yet, throughout Scripture, the demons and the false gods recognize the Lord. Perhaps we, as followers of Jesus, as the people of the one true God, should fall on our faces and worship Him more often. Taking this posture reminds us of who God is and who we are in relation to Him. As you pray, consider your posture before the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Read: The disciples, at least in John 6 really seemed to like the word “can’t.” They can’t feed everyone even if they worked for months. The young boy has some, but they can’t feed everyone even with the boy’s fish and bread. Then, Jesus acts. The thousands are fed and leftovers are collected. In the course of the day, how often do you use the word, “can’t?” Sometimes it’s an excuse word: “I can’t do more.” We really mean: “I don’t want to do more.” Sometimes, though, it’s more serious. We sometimes use “can’t” when thinking of our life circumstances: singleness, marriage, finances, health, children, country, world, etc. We think things simply can’t change. God forgive us for being just like those disciples on the hillside looking at the faces of a hungry crowd thinking that they can’t feed them. With Jesus, all things are possible. ALL THINGS! 

Edify: John 6:15 says, “When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.” This happens immediately after the people have witnessed the miraculous feeding of the 5,000+. The people were ready to force Jesus to be who they wanted and to do what they wanted. Have you ever tried to force God into a corner? “God, if you’re real, then you’ll do this for me…God, I know you want this, but….” That’s simply not how God operates. He’s not our employee. He’s not our subordinate. In fact, we ought to think of it as the other way around. We are in submission to God! God should be the one giving directions to us and we should be following Him in absolute obedience. How are you doing with this?

Practice: Three or four miles of rowing seems tough, especially in rough waters. When the disciples left Jesus, that’s what they faced. The waters rough, the distance long, and the night dark. You kinda know the feeling, right? You’ve been rowing for a while, but yet the waters are still rough and the light at the end of the tunnel seems elusive. There’s hope. Just like He met the disciples, He will meet you in the midst of your stormy sea. When they welcomed Him, “immediately they arrived at their destination!” If you want a break from doing all the rowing yourself, if you want calm instead of rough seas, invite Jesus, the Master, into your life’s boat and see where He takes you.

May 8

1 Samuel 2:22-4:22, John 5:24-47, Psalm 106:1-12, Proverbs 14:30-31 



Pray: Today’s readings begin with, “Now Eli was very old, but….” Have you ever felt too old to do something? Maybe it's the opposite and you’ve felt too young to do something. Age really is of very little importance when it comes to Kingdom work. There are countless examples of both very young and very old people doing incredible work for God. What excuses have you been giving the Lord for not serving Him like you should? Pray and ask for His grace and forgiveness. Commit to serving God and others…then watch what God will do in your life.

Read: One of the things I lament in the local church is a lack of praise. It doesn’t matter whether traditional or contemporary (whatever those terms mean). Age is not a factor, either. If I look around during worship when the band (or choir, or organist) is leading a song, participation is minimal. Reading through the Psalms (and much of Scripture), praise is given to God no matter the circumstances. When things were good, the people praised God. When things weren’t going well, they praised God anyhow…because God deserved to be praised! Perhaps it came from a sense of gratitude. Perhaps it was from a sense of awe and reverence for God. How about you? Do you praise God enough? The psalmist asked this: “Who can ever praise Him enough?” Good question!

Edify: If anyone could act on His own and not be questioned, it would be Jesus. He’s the Son of God, the Savior of the World. If anyone could be completely independent, it’s Him. Yet, in John 5:30, He says, “I can do nothing on my own. I judge as God tells me…I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will.” I’m amazed and convicted by this. We don’t like authority, spiritual or otherwise. We prefer to do our own thing. Yet, here is Jesus submitting Himself to the divine will of God, the Father. If it’s proper for Jesus to submit to spiritual authority, I stand without excuse. 

Practice: Who or what is your Eli? Samuel was lying in bed, minding his own business when he heard his name called out. He ran to Eli, but Eli was not the one calling Samuel. This happened three times! Then, Eli gave instructions to Samuel, because he knew it was God who was calling Samuel. When God speaks to you, where do you run? God says serve, and you run to an already busy schedule? God says tithe, and you run to an already tight budget? God says go into ministry, and you run and promise God, “Not yet, but soon?” We’ve all had our encounters with Eli. Maybe it’s time to have the encounter with the Lord. After all, He is the one who is calling…