Character Connections

David had a chance to get back at his enemy, but instead he showed mercy to the man who was trying to kill him. God has treated us with mercy that we don't deserve. The punishment that should have been ours was suffered by Jesus instead. We have been shown incredible forgiveness, and we get to share it with others!

David and Jonathan had a "golden rule" friendship. They treated each other as they would want to be treated. God enables us to grow in our empathy for others as we look to our greatest friend - Jesus. He did more than empathize, he took the punishment we deserved.

Everyone knows the story of the little guy who beat the giant, but there's more. It wasn't David's courage that saved the day. God showed his power and worked through weakness. He will do the same for you!

God puts authority in place to keep order, but worldly leaders don't save our souls. Saul became the first king of Israel, but he was just a man; sinful like the rest of us. Jesus is the ultimate servant-king whose eternal kingdom is not of this world.

Samuel was just a boy when the Lord called him and gave him a job to do. God speaks to us today through his Word and calls us to live lives of servant leadership.

God saw and heard the cry of his people in Egypt. He used Moses to lead them out of slavery into a land flowing with abundance. God made himself known through deliverance.  

From Adam to Noah to Abraham, God worked across generations to send the promised Savior. That promise gives our life purpose!

God created Adam and Eve in his image. God's boundaries gave them the freedom to live in peace and joy. When they rebelled against God their life of freedom came to an end, but God promised to restore their identity through the coming Savior.

Life speeds by faster than we can keep up. Peter paused his busy schedule to go the funeral of a disciple named Tabitha. What happened next was truly a miracle!

Even with good intentions we can head in the opposite direction of our goal. We need someone to step in and turn us around. That's what God did for a man who was persecuting the church and it changed Saul's life forever!

You never know when you'll meet someone who needs you. God put Philip in just the right place for just the right conversation. The Holy Spirit works through us to point others to Jesus, even those we've just met.

When you are stuck in a dark room a flame of light can change everything. The disciples were quietly waiting when the Holy Spirit came and filled them with courage and power. The same Spirit lives in you!

Traveling brings new situations and unexpected experiences. The road trip in this week's story brought a life-changing surprise! 

Your driver's license, passport or name badge proves who you are. Jesus showed that he is the Righteous One by giving up his life for us all.

Sharing food together is one of the ways that we connect with those we care about. The day before Jesus died he gathered together his closest friends for one last dinner together. The way he said good-bye was a surprise to them all.

Parades are full of shouting and excitement. When Jesus came to Jerusalem crowds of people paraded after him cheering and praising God. They wanted him to be their king, but he is so much more!

When we compare ourselves to others the danger goes one of two ways: we can feel worthless or we can have an inflated ego. The truth is neither of those!  "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Romans 3:23-24

Does it take more courage to climb a tree or to get down from one? When Jesus told Zacchaeus to come down from the sycamore tree, Zacchaeus responded with repentance and rejoicing! His faith influenced an entire community.

Jesus told his followers a story about a rich man who wouldn't share food with his starving neighbor. The parable cautions against the destruction that sin brings. Like a road sign, the warning is there to help us!

When Jesus told a story he used specific plots, characters, and details for a reason. The story of the prodigal son is layered with meaning, some of them may surprise you!

When Jesus went to eat at Martha's house she was too busy serving to spend time with him. She wanted her sister to do the same, but Jesus wouldn't let her stop Mary from sitting and listening. What a relief that we can rest in his presence too!

Jesus went back to his hometown and taught the people about God's love for outcasts. It wasn't a popular message. God reaches out to those who don't belong and brings them into his family!

Family fights can lead to deep hurt and broken relationships. Jesus brings healing and enables us to forgive our enemies…and our brothers.

Every temptation is different, but each is rooted in the devil's lies. When Satan tried to convince Jesus to take the easy way out, Jesus countered the lies with the truth of God's Word. Jesus won the victory in our place!

When the time was right John the Baptist called God's people to get ready for the coming Messiah. He urged them to turn away from the dirt of sin and be washed in the waters of baptism. Through Jesus we can be cleaned too!