June 1

2 Samuel 18:1-19:10, John 20:1-31, Psalm 119:153-176, Proverbs 16:14-15



Pray: Father, help me to think in terms of character and not in terms of talent. Help me choose friends and yoke myself to coworkers who have first and foremost…CHARACTER. Help me to discern passive aggressive behavior and correct it before it destroys.

Read: 2 Samuel 18:14 finds David’s general, Joab, shouting, “Enough of this nonsense!” King David had commanded his soldiers to spare the life of his rebellious son, Absalom, should they come across him in battle. During the battle Absalom got caught in a tree and was soon discovered by David’s men. But instead of saving him alive Joab plunged three daggers into Absalom and had his armor bearers finish him off. Joab felt he knew best. He served one of the greatest military leaders spanning the history of Israel yet, he knew better than his master. There is no doubt that Joab was a great general, but he was passive aggressive. He felt that he knew better than his master. As leaders we select leaders. And all too often the leaders are selected because of their great skills and not because of their great character.

Edify: Select your leaders with their character strengths being foundational and fundamental. As much as you might need a great worship leader or a gifted salesman be careful that their character supersedes their gifting. Poor character or even undeveloped character is very dangerous when building God’s kingdom or even your business.

Practice: Talent, gifting, and even beauty or strength impresses easily. Practice saying “no” to these charms. Dive deep. Look for character. Look for tenacity. Look for faithfulness. Look for flexibility. Look for teachability.

May 31

2 Samuel 17:1-29, John 19:23-42, Psalm 119:129-152, Proverbs 16:12-13



Pray: God, help me to be a true friend. Help me to step up and step into adversity being experienced by friends and family. Remind me that emptying myself not only refreshes others but also makes room for me to be filled by You.

Read: David and his men were fleeing Absalom in 2 Samuel 17:27. The future did not look bright. Politically, it looked like it was over. Militarily, David and his troops were weakened greatly. Who are your true friends? Who is there for you when everything is going wrong? “When David arrived at Mahaniam, he was warmly greeted by Shobi son of Nahash….They brought sleeping mats, cooking pots, serving bowls, wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans, lentils, honey, butter, sheep, goats, and cheese for David and those with him. For they said, “You must be hungry and tired and thirsty after your long march through the wilderness.” None of us like adversity, but in adversity we discover our true friends.

Edify: Are you a fair weather friend? Or, are you right there being a friend when it costs you much and gets you little? Far too many marriages break up when things are not going well. Far too many churches split when things are not going well. Friends are born for adversity. Be one.

Practice: We are connected by God to our spouses, our churches, and our communities. Practice stepping up rather than stepping away when things head south. Friendships are made to be tested. Expect testing.

May 30

2 Samuel 15:23-16:23, John 18:25-19:22, Psalm 119:113-128, Proverbs 16:10-11



Pray: Give discernment to me, I need it to serve You. Help me to understand both Your ways and Your actions. May both mean far more to me than riches or power or titles or positions.

Read: 2 Samuel 15:25 finds David having to flee Jerusalem betrayed by his own son, Absalom, and he says this to Zadok the priest, “If the Lord sees fit he will bring me back to see the Ark and Tabernacle again. But if he is through with me, then let him do what seems best to him.” Here is a man who has perhaps just reached the lowest point in his life. Yet, King David still totally trusts God. Despite despair, humiliation, and bitter disappointment David puts his future in the hands of his God. No cursing, no ungratefulness, and no lament. David told Zadok, “let God be God.”

Edify: Despite losing his title “King” and despite having to flee Jerusalem David WORSHIPED! The response to great difficulty should always be worship. When life does not seem to be going our way and the news seems to be growing only worse, do you worship more or do you disappear from the church? Worship may not change your circumstances, but it always changes you.

Practice: We enter God’s gates by being thankful. We enter God’s courtyard by expressing praise. Practice thankfulness and praise when things are not going well. Voice your thankfulness and praise to others. Start your conversations with both. Be intentional.

May 29

II Samuel 14:1-15:22, John 18:1-24, Psalm 119:97-112, Proverbs 16:8-9



Pray: Father, family can be messy. And hurting people hurt people. Help me to forgive quickly and leave judgment in your hands. Remind me that blessed are the peacemakers. Help me to reconcile.

Read: Now David’s son Absalom had a beautiful sister named Tamar. And Amnon, her half brother, fell desperately in love with her. Amnon became so obsessed with Tamar that he became ill. She was a virgin, and Amnon thought he could never have her. (II Sam. 13:1-2) Amnon later raped and then rejected his half sister Tamar. Humiliated and cast off, Tamar retreated to her brother Absalom’s home and there lived in isolation.

Years passed, King David took no action against Amnon, but Absalom did. Absalom’s men killed Amnon one night while he was in a drunken stupor. Absalom then had to flee the presence of King David. “But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.” (II Sam. 14:15)

What a mess! Tamar is raped and rejected by Amnon who possibly could have married her if he had gone about things the right way. Her brother Absalom is consumed by hate and revenge. King David loses a son who had broken the laws of Israel. And Absalom had lost respect for his father, King David.

Does this sound like your family mess? Does it sound like my family mess? The Bible is real. We get the big, the bad, and the ugly. We get real world brokenness. But there is hope! God devises ways to bring us back together! RECONCILIATION is God’s plan. Look for it. Pray for it.

Edify: Understanding the war helps us fight the battles. The goal is reconciliation and restoration. The battles take all forms. Some might be called bizarre. Some might be deemed devastating. But don’t lose sight of the God who calls us unto Himself even when we have gone our own way.

Practice: When we say in our hearts that reconciliation is not possible or that we will never forgive and reunite, then we are lining up against God. Looking for God? Then always be looking for reconciliation.

May 28

2 Samuel 13:1-39, John 17:1-26, Psalm 119:81-96, Proverbs 16:6-7



Pray: Let us begin today with a fresh approach, a fresh slate. Let’s ask God to clear our minds of all the possible agenda items for today (or tomorrow) and simply request an audience with Him. Just you and God. Now, through the Holy Spirit let us boldly pray, “Dear God, please visit me now through your Holy Spirit. Allow me to see what You see, to hear with fresh ears and to be totally open to Your direction. In Jesus' name.”

Read: There is nothing more difficult than for an officer of the law to have to be called to a home with domestic violence. These situations are often emotional powder kegs and filled with hurt, bitterness and chaos. This is no less true even for the house of David. Tamar is seduced and raped by her own brother. Tamar’s other brother Absalom sought revenge for his sister’s violation as he killed his brother Amnon. There is dysfunction in the home. 

Edify: God’s leadership principle in our Old Testament lesson today is clear that when David, the spiritual leader of his household, heard about the violation of his daughter Tamar by Amnon, he was rightfully angry but he did nothing. When leaders do not lead, others feel they have to step up and fill in the void. Absalom would have never had to step forward and take the life of his brother if David had disciplined Amnon immediately. Here is a Biblical principle: “Either confront the problem quickly when there is hurt among the family or you will confront it eventually and it may be toxic and far more chaotic when it blows up in front of you and all those involved.

Practice: Jesus is teaching His disciples about both His purpose and His identity. Jesus is a unifier because He is totally surrendered to the will of the Father. Secondly, Jesus is revealing His surrender and connection with the heavenly Father and His desire that we would be equally united to Jesus. Most often people believe that there is weakness and boredom in surrender to God. This is just the opposite and there is great strength, and empowerment, when we surrender to the Lordship of Christ and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. We are no longer under our own authority. We are an ambassador of the King of Kings. We are children of the most high God and we go in His name to serve the poor, to help others find their way back to God and to grow in our own faith. So what do you need to surrender to God today? And, what do you need to claim with boldness as a dream to be realized?

May 27

 2 Samuel 12:1-31, John 16:1-33, Psalm 119:65-80, Proverbs 16:4-5



Pray: Prayers are often cries of our heart to God. Many times they are for the well being of those we love. David prayed for God to spare his infant son. David felt the weight of his own sin but he did want his child to live. Our prayers should not just be for us but for others as well. Let us pray for God to open our eyes to the Scripture and to strengthen us to live it out.

Read: Acts 13 says that King David, “…was a man after God’s own heart”. David begged God for the life of his infant son. So if King David’s prayers were not answered perhaps we might understand that God’s will doesn’t always mean we get our way. Sin does have consequences. Our bad choices impact those we love. The world often makes light of sin and Christians for cautioning a broken world to cease from rebellion. Yet, there are repercussions from sin, as families face heartache with wayward children and marriages that come to an end. Followers of Christ are no different when challenges come our way, but our hope is in the One who can bring healing and hope.

Edify: Jesus is preparing His disciples for both His coming crucifixion and their persecution. However, He also gives them hope and encouragement in two ways: 1) The empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and 2) that mourning will turn to rejoicing when His death turns into resurrection. Jesus likens His resurrection from the dead like a woman going through childbirth, which I am told is quite painful, but once the child is born the pain was worth it to bring forth new life. You and I have access to this same Holy Spirit. We can ask the Holy Spirit to fill us now with His presence, with His love and the hope that He can make all things new. 

Practice: Jesus has never promised, nor implied, that once we choose to believe in Him and follow Him that we will immediately get the job, find the perfect mate, and become financially secure. However, He does promise us that He has, “overcome the world” and we can take peace and great hope in His victory over sin and death. Jesus says we will face many sorrows and challenges but we do not face them alone. We have an advocate, someone who fights for us in Jesus Christ. So straighten up, and begin to call upon the Lord no matter what you are facing for Jesus is with you. That increases your odds greatly.  

May 26

2 Samuel 9:1-11:27, John 15:1-27, Psalm 119:49-64, Proverbs 16:1-3



Pray: Praying the Psalms can be a powerful spiritual practice. Let's do it again today by praying a portion of Psalm 119. Our prayer: Dear God, open our eyes today through Your Holy Spirit to all that You want to communicate to us. As we now recite the words of the Psalmist let this prayer become our own,

“With all my heart I want your blessings.

    Be merciful as you promised.

59 I pondered the direction of my life,

    and I turned to follow your laws.

60 I will hurry, without delay,

    to obey your commands.” Amen.

Read: David cares for Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth in an act of honor and tribute to his dear friend. At the same time David does not go to war, doesn’t engage in the work he is called to do, and gives in to adultery, murder and a blatant abuse of power. Can these two almost polar opposite qualities exist in the same person? The short answer is yes. David allowed his appetites to control him instead of him controlling his appetites. When we don’t have healthy boundaries and are not doing what we are supposed to do with who we are supposed to be doing life with, then we drift into sin and unhealthy places. Healthy boundaries help produce healthy habits which lead to a healthier life and relationships.

Edify: Jesus doesn’t just invite us into ministry with Him but Jesus frankly says, “If you do not abide in me and in my love then you will perish.” The branch cannot survive apart from the vine no more than we can survive spiritually apart from the One who gives us life and life transforming grace. Jesus’ word for us is to “abide in him”. This is not only through scripture but through prayer and through the Holy Spirit living within us as Jesus taught us in John 14. So, ask the Holy Spirit now to fill you, ask the Holy Spirit now to abide in you and fill you with God’s unconditional love. The question is often asked, “How far can I go in life?” The answer is, “As far as you can grow.” Decide today to add value to yourself by abiding with Christ. Learning something new by reading an article or blog on Christian growth.

Practice:  Today’s practice actually comes from Proverbs for here is true wisdom in how to maximize not only our day but our life:

1 We can make our own plans,

    but the Lord gives the right answer.

2 People may be pure in their own eyes,

    but the Lord examines their motives.

3 Commit your actions to the Lord,

    and your plans will succeed.

Question: What are you committing to the Lord today?