September 30, 2020 | 1 Samuel 31:1–13 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Although this Old Testament book gets its name from Samuel, one of its main characters, its primary focus is the contrast between Saul and David. Saul’s story unfolds like a great tragedy. His failure is foreshadowed at the outset, and all subsequent events move […]
September 28, 2020 | 1 Samuel 29:1–11 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Some television drama series involve multiple storylines. These complex narratives weave in and out but are usually all part of one larger story. The same is true of biblical narratives. As storm clouds gathered for Saul, David was facing a different kind of jeopardy […]
September 23, 2020 | 1 Samuel 24:1–22 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue A popular saying goes, “I don’t get mad. I get even.” Another word for this is revenge. It is not unusual for people to want to see those who have treated them unjustly punished. Even those who are godly have sometimes prayed that the […]
September 13, 2020 | 1 Samuel 13:1-15 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue At the track meet, I watched in dismay as the front runner for our team lost his footing and fell. The cheers of the crowd quickly turned to groans. We all know that a strong start does not always guarantee a good finish. The […]
September 9, 2020 | 1 Samuel 9:1:27 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue G. K. Chesterton once observed, “Coincidences are spiritual puns.” In other words, what we view as coincidence may be God’s intervention in our life. Today’s passage describes a series of coincidences in Saul’s life that turned out to be divine appointments. We also get […]
September 8, 2020 | 1 Samuel 8:1-22 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue A vote of confidence is sometimes taken to indicate whether or not leaders continue to have support from those they serve. The term may be misleading. In most cases, such a vote occurs only when a significant number of people have expressed a lack […]
September 7, 2020 | 1 Samuel 7:1-17 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue The hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” written by Robert Robinson, celebrates God’s protection and grace. But did you ever wonder about this puzzling phrase: “Here I raise my Ebenezer. . . .”? The line refers to the name of a monument made […]
August 30, 2020 | John 13:1–17 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue Corey Nelson is an Arizona high school track coach who his students will tell you “never quits.” While coaching his students on how to sprint, the teacher continues to compete at the Master level. The teacher’s dedication, both to his students and to the […]
August 25, 2020 | Matthew 25:31-46 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue As a teacher, I have been given the opportunity to work with students of various needs. I have had the blessing of helping students with dyslexia (a reading disorder) move into becoming competent readers of God’s Word. And some of these students are now […]
August 19, 2020 | Mark 11:12–26 DEVOTIONS This Month’s Issue As a professor at Moody Bible Institute, I’ve enjoyed training the next generation of teachers. We tackle all sorts of subjects, one being how to engage children in mathematics. New teachers must understand how to help children approach “word problems.” Children often jump in and […]