We all need to have our hearts broken – David’s heart after God, Part 5

Have you ever had your heart broken? Maybe the other person cheated.  Maybe the other person terminated the relationship.  Maybe they moved away.  Maybe they lied.  There are loads of reasons for a broken heart when you are in love.  In today’s post, we’re going to learn that we all need our hearts broken. ButContinue reading “We all need to have our hearts broken – David’s heart after God, Part 5”

Christmas Lights and Bruises – Advent Hope, Preview

Two days ago, the Friday after Thanksgiving, my wife and I lugged our Christmas decoration boxes down from our attic.  It’s time to glam up our house for Christmas.  My guess is that you have done or soon will do the same.  Last week at Thanksgiving dinner one of my nephews told me that theyContinue reading “Christmas Lights and Bruises – Advent Hope, Preview”

How to be truly sorry, even when you don’t feel like it – 2 Samuel 2:9—3:39, Part 5

This week on the blog, we’ve been studying the tragic events of a civil war in ancient Israel, and of palace intrigue that led to murder. Think about the numerous themes in these chapters.  Weak versus strong leadership.  The downfall brought about by fear and jealousy.  Of course, lying, deceit and murder.   What weContinue reading “How to be truly sorry, even when you don’t feel like it – 2 Samuel 2:9—3:39, Part 5”

Why is it so difficult to admit we are wrong? – 1st Samuel 26 & 27, Part 2

Do you like to admit you are wrong? The biblical concept of repentance involves admitting that you are wrong, and generally-speaking, we humans don’t like to admit we are wrong. As we have been studying the life of David through the account in 1st Samuel, for a few weeks now, we’ve been following the storyContinue reading “Why is it so difficult to admit we are wrong? – 1st Samuel 26 & 27, Part 2”

What is true repentance? – 1st Samuel 15, Part 4

In the darkening events of 1st Samuel 15, Israel’s King Saul did not obey God, and now God declares that Saul is rejected as king.  That gets Saul’s attention. In verse 24, Saul says to the prophet Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the menContinue reading “What is true repentance? – 1st Samuel 15, Part 4”

How to rightly submit to God – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 5

After the first three chapters of 1st Samuel focusing on Samuel’s birth and childhood, we’ve now read through more chapters, 4 through 6, with no mention of Samuel. Where is Samuel through all the craziness of the Ark of the Covenant’s capture? The narrative doesn’t tell us, so we can safely guess that during thoseContinue reading “How to rightly submit to God – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 5”

Why humility, teachability and the Korean concept of Han are vital to confession – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 5

As we learned in the previous post, when we confess our sins, we are trusting in God.  But there’s more. When we confess our sins, here is what we are to do next, as David writes in Psalm 32, verses 8-9, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; IContinue reading “Why humility, teachability and the Korean concept of Han are vital to confession – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 5”

What to do when our hearts feel stone cold – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 3

Israel’s great king, David, has sinned greatly, as we’ve seen in the previous two posts in this series here and here. But with some creatively devious evil thinking, he has covered his sin, and has just one more detail to care for. This is how the story continues in 2 Samuel 11, verses 26-27, “WhenContinue reading “What to do when our hearts feel stone cold – Advent Psalm of Confession, Part 3”

Repentance comes before restoration – Advent 2022, Week 4, Part 4

Editor’s Note: This post is written by guest blogger, David Hundert. David is a current Master of Divinity student at Evangelical Seminary. In the previous post, we talked about the importance of repentance. Why is repentance needed? Consider what the Lord said through the prophet Isaiah once more. Isaiah 64:6 reads, “All of us haveContinue reading “Repentance comes before restoration – Advent 2022, Week 4, Part 4”

Ancient sedans and repentance – Advent 2022, Week 4, Part 3

Editor’s Note: This post is written by guest blogger, David Hundert. David is a current Master of Divinity student at Evangelical Seminary. Do you know what ancient sedans look like? That sedan above is old, but I’m not talking about antique cars. I’m talking about ancient sedans. Keep reading below because ancient sedans will helpContinue reading “Ancient sedans and repentance – Advent 2022, Week 4, Part 3”