Responding To Correction

Posted on 2014/03/10 by Shawn Thomas

In II Samuel 19, King David is mourning the death of his rebellious son, Absalom, while his victorious army comes “by stealth” back into the city because of his grief. In :5-7 David’s general, Joab spoke a spoke difficult truth to David which may have saved his kingdom:

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It Starts On The Inside

Posted on 2014/03/07 by Shawn Thomas

In Psalm 5:9 David writes: “There is nothing reliable in what they say; their inward part is destruction itself. Their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.” This teaches us an important truth about where our words really come from:

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His Way, Not Ours!

Posted on 2014/03/06 by Shawn Thomas

In Psalm 5:8b David prays to the Lord, “Make Your way straight before me.” In Hebrew it is literally: “Make straight before my face Your path”! This is a significant prayer:

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Entering By Grace

Posted on 2014/03/05 by Shawn Thomas

Psalm 5:7 says, “But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house …”. This little half-verse is packed with significance regarding our salvation: Continue reading →

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And WATCH!

Posted on 2014/03/04 by Shawn Thomas

In Psalm 5:3 David says, “In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice. In the morning, I will order my prayer to You, and eagerly watch.” Those last words are important. David did not just say that he was going to get up and pray; he said he was going to get up and pray — and then WATCH!

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Morning Prayer

Posted on 2014/03/03 by Shawn Thomas

Psalm 5:3 says, “In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice. In the morning I will order my prayer to You, and eagerly watch.” The words “in the morning” are repeated in this short verse, indicating that there is an important emphasis on them.

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Faithful Intercessors

Posted on 2014/02/28 by Shawn Thomas

In Colossians 1:9 Paul wrote: “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask …”. Here Paul was declaring the faithfulness and consistency that he (and evidently Timothy and perhaps others, since he used the plural) had in prayer for the Colossians. He said that since the day they heard, they had not ceased to pray.

Their commitment to pray for the Colossians should challenge us:

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Grace to You — and Others

Posted on 2014/02/27 by Shawn Thomas

In Colossians 1:2 Paul greets his readers with “Grace to you and peace.” It is significant that it is GRACE that Paul prays for his readers. GRACE is the keynote of the Christian message. Think about it: he does not pray “justice” to you — how condemning and discouraging that would be!

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Responding Graciously When You’re Unjustly Accused

Posted on 2014/02/26 by Shawn Thomas

In II Samuel 16:5-8 the man Shimei made accusations against David that were hurtful, but groundless — and David’s gracious response should be instructive to us: Continue reading →

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The Ultimate Good

Posted on 2014/02/25 by Shawn Thomas

Psalm 4:6 says: “Many are saying, ‘Who will show us any good?’ Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O LORD.” Where is good to be found? The Psalm says, this is what everyone is asking: what good is there in this world? Its answer is that the greatest good is found in “the light of Your countenance.”

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