THREE LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES AND ONE PROMISE David gave his son, Solomon, instructions on how to build the Lord’s Temple. Along with the building instructions, David gave him three important spiritual leadership principles and one promise. This three-part instruction with a promise is found throughout Scripture (See Joshua 1:9, Haggai 2:4-5). THE THREE PRINCIPLES: 1.
GOD IS DEBTOR TO THE ONE WHO GIVES TO THE POOR This is an astounding proverb! God willingly makes Himself a debtor to the one who shows pity on the poor, giving to them. Someone may hesitate to give to a poor person, but who would not lend to the Lord? Surely the One who
MEDITATION ON THE REDEMPTION AND PROPITIATION OF CHRIST Two important words concerning salvation are named here: “Redemption” and “propitiation.” Redemption means that we have been purchased out of slavery to sin by Christ, who gave Himself as our ransom. He took our sin, so that we might receive His righteousness. Propitiation means that Christ satisfied
RELYING ON GOD’S GREAT MERCY When David sinned against the Lord by calling for a census of Israel, the prophet Gad brought a word of warning to him from the Lord. God was going to judge Israel because of David’s sin, but He allowed David to choose from three possible judgments. David chose to put
DOES YOUR WALK MATCH YOUR TALK? Paul warned those who taught the Word of God about the hypocrisy of applying it to others without first applying it to themselves. For just knowing God’s Word does not make one just. For it is the “doers of the law that will be justified” (Rom. 2:13). Therefore, teachers
THE FATHER TO THE FATHERLESS The psalmist began by questioning where God is when the wicked persecute the poor. For the wicked appear to prosper and take advantage of the poor. Like a lion they attack the helpless who have no apparent protection. But God does observe their trouble and grief. The helpless are
I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, he announced his readiness to visit them and preach the gospel. He got his desire towards the end of his life, though not as he probably planned. For he was brought to Rome in chains, having appealed to Caesar. Yet
PAUL’S MINISTRY UNDER ROMAN STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS What Satan meant for evil, God used for good. The Jewish leaders that brought charges against Paul in Jerusalem actually ended up elevating his status, so that he preached before soldiers, centurions, governors, kings and even Caesar. His appeal to Caesar resulted in an all-expense-paid trip to Rome (albeit
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS The first part of this proverb applies the law of reciprocity to friendship. The law of reciprocity says that you reap what you sow. Therefore, if you want friends, be friendly. Sow friendship, reap friends. However, the final line of the proverb, if taken in contrast, might
THE DIVINE FAVOR FOUND IN A GODLY MARRIAGE Marriage was God’s idea. It is not a mere social construct, but a Divine creation. It is God’s provision for man’s need for companionship and oneness. This oneness is three-dimensional, involving the physical, the soul and the spirit. It is also God’s plan for having children and