LivethruJesus

When you believe everything is given to you by God, when you recognize everything He’s done for you and you love Him, you will naturally want to give back to Him in every way you can.

Seek God and ask Him what He wants you to be doing, then commit to follow Him with a loyal heart and a willing mind. Do not fear or worry, and do not get discouraged. Then, bring the next generation along and teach them to do the same.

God gave the law to Moses, then instituted sacrifices. They were offered first in the portable Tabernacle where God’s Spirit dwelt and now David wants to build God a permanent home where sacrifices can be offered perpetually. This place is eventually where our forever sacrifice gave His life for all of us. Then, there was no longer a need for animal sacrifices or a Temple because His Spirit lives...

Like any loving father, God cares about our spiritual and moral character, and He wants to teach us right from wrong. He has the power to keep us from temptation. But sometimes He decides to use it to help us see our vulnerabilities and correct them. If we are attentive and recognize it early or heed the warnings He sends our way, then we could escape without any consequences. But sometimes we hav...

Do you truly love the Lord? Do know Him? Do you recognize His power in your life? Do other people know the things He’s done for you?

Our lives are precious to the Lord. Because we were created in His image, taking an innocent life is a grave sin that must be atoned for with blood. Thankfully, Jesus shed His blood for all our sins proving just how precious our lives really are.

If you have ever felt your support dwindling, it may be God’s way of telling you it’s time to move on. Then again, it may just be an obstacle that He wants you to push through and persevere. So, how do you know?

What are you willing to give up to maintain or acquire good relationships? Are you willing to sacrifice for the sake of peace and give up your rights in order to reconcile?

Sometimes God chooses to intervene for us and sometimes He chooses not to. But in both instances, He is acting on our behalf, for our good and His glory. God chose to withhold His hand of protection towards David as a punishment for his sin. But He did not withdraw His protection completely or forever. He still had favor on David and took care of him until everything was restored back to him.

Are you brave enough to pray for His will in your life? Do you have the courage to give yourself over to Him fully? David was exiled from the city he built, dethroned by his own son, separated from the ark of God, cursed by Saul’s descendants, and his people were turning against Him. Through it all, David trusted God’s will for his life.

Sometimes when we are conflicted, it’s easier to just dismiss our feelings and try not to think about it. But this seldom ever works and usually only makes matters worse. Even though it is hard, we need to take it to God and let Him help us sort it out and find the right course of action.

Everyone is tempted. That is not the sin. Even Jesus was presented with temptation. It is what we do with the temptation that matters. When we allow ourselves to dwell on sinful desires, it is almost inevitable that we will eventually give in to that temptation. The desire must be defeated while it is still in our minds, or it will inevitably result in action. Then, once we have made up our minds...

From the very first sin of man, we have instinctively known that our sin must be covered. When Adam and Eve sinned, they tried to hide from God but were unsuccessful. Ultimately, the Lord sacrificed the first animal for their sin and covered them with its skin. David successfully hid his sin from the people, but God sent Nathan to confront him, letting him know that he had not hid it from God. The...

David was forgiven and redeemed after committing adultery and murder. So, how could we ever feel like our sins are too great to receive God’s forgiveness or like we can’t be redeemed and restored?

David was called a man after God’s own heart, yet he broke 3 of the Ten Commandments in one setting. In this lesson, we will read about David’s sin and the consequences he suffered because of it. But when confronted with his sin, David repents and puts all his faith in God. His hope is in Him, but he also accepts the consequences of his actions.

When you feel trapped or under threat, worried or afraid, overwhelmed or powerless: be strong; face the situation head-on; do what needs to be done; trust God to do what is best. No amount of worry or fear can change your situation. But God has the power to help. So, give it over to Him. There is no one better to trust with your life.

David was an unselfish ruler. He gave God the plunder due Him for victory, and he gave Mephibosheth his family’s inheritance because of his love for Jonathan and took him in as a part of his family. God does the same thing for us. Because of our relationship with God's Son, God takes us into His family, and like David, we owe Him everything.

While David lived in a luxurious, stable home, God’s Spirit dwelt in a tent. David wanted to build God a house, but the Lord said He would rather build up David’s house. Through him would come all the kings and eventually the King of the World. God’s Spirit no longer hovers over the mercy seat of the ark. Instead, He lives in the hearts of believers. We are the temple that houses His Spirit, now.

God is holy and deserves to be treated with reverence, but that may look different than you think. God thinks Uzzah is being irreverent and Michal thinks David is. What is your initial reaction? Do you feel differently after studying the lesson?.

Even before David was anointed as their king, people wanted to follow Him. Many left their country and their king and risked their lives for Him. But the greatest testament to David’s worthiness as their king, was the number who came to anoint him and the three men who risked their lives just to provide him with a taste of home. Men will fight for a cause. But when they choose to follow a man who...

Sometimes when people try to help, they just make things worse. But God never messes up or hurts innocent people in His efforts. His plans are perfect and they always accomplish what He intends. He can be trusted!

Do you take joy in the defeat or pain of those who have hurt you? Do you respect God’s choices and timing? Do you trust Him to raise and remove the leaders He chooses, in the time and manner He determines? Will you respect and follow those people until the Lord removes them from leadership? Are you able to set aside your own personal issues with your leaders and see the good they may have done for...

Do you look to God for answers, understanding, or for fulfillment of your needs and wants? Or do you turn to other things? Do you seek to please Him first? Or do you first seek to take care of yourself, leaving Him as an afterthought?

Sometimes, when things aren’t quickly resolved in our own lives and the trials seem to linger on, we may be tempted to think that God has deserted us and turn away from Him. But, if we will remain faithful, refusing to desert our God, He will prove Himself faithful to us. His protection, favor, victory, or way out may not come as quickly as we wish or in the way we want, but that shouldn’t cause u...

It is hard not to defend ourselves or be mean to people who are being mean to us. But if we will treat them the way we want to be treated and do what is right, then God will fight for us.