Paul reminds us to be committed to the gospel. In the end, it will all turn out in deliverance and salvation for those who trust in Jesus. And though this life brings difficulties and the desire is to leave this world to be with Christ, the tension to stay and be a light to this world will shape and fashion us into His likeness. We are to be commit…

As Paul's imprisoned, he is still witnessing the gospel advancing. Our circumstances do not limit the Lord, who uses even hardships to spread the good news of Christ. We are to share sincerely, have right motives, and rejoice regardless of the temporary difficulties knowing that our greater circumstance is secure and perfect in God who loves us.…

In his love for the church, Paul expresses his desire that Christians should pray for one another. Not only is it impactful in the moment, but it will carry us as we wait for the day of Christ; when He comes again. In this we will be sanctified, to look more and more like Jesus.بقلم Rivercrest Presbyterian Church

Paul writes with joy and love to the people of the Philippian church even though he's imprisoned and away from them. Being rooted in Christ, Christian community is more than just togetherness, its family and shared partnership. The church is where believers are strongest and most effective in gospel mission.…

Paul writes to the church in Philippi to encourage and instruct them in Christ. An eclectic group of people make up this church as we observe in Acts 16, some of Paul's earliest encounters with other believers. From this origin we know that Paul is writing to people he knows and cares for.بقلم Rivercrest Presbyterian Church

David finishes his prayer of deliverance in gratitude and humility. Everyone is hard wired to worship, but who or what we worship is a choice. David has chosen to worship the Lord who saved him and established his feet upon the Rock. We can do the same today as we faithfully trust in Jesus who is powerful to save.…

As David has grown old and reminiscent of his up and down life, he is confident in the prevailing love and grace of God. Though he has done great things, horrible sins, and been through many trials; David attributes salvation to God who cares for him. Believers can have the same assurance today, looking at their own personal experience as well as i…

David's sin with Bathsheba and Uriah is met with a consequence; that the sword will never depart from David's house. His son, Absalom, is a schemer and commits treason so that he can claim the throne in Israel. Though we can look at Absalom and David and see how they are both sinful, we see the difference is not in how great they are, but in Who th…

Confession, repentance, forgiveness; these are all laid out by David before the Lord. In terrible sin and conviction David recognizes that he has wronged the Lord and is completely honest and broken over his sin. We, like David, ought to consider the weight of our sin, Who it is we've sinned against, and quickly run to Him in honesty and vulnerabil…

Sin doesn't happen in a vacuum. David's adulterous actions with Bathsheba led to murder of her husband Uriah. This mess was made by David and against the Lord who spoke truth through the prophet Nathan. In justice, the Lord doesn't let the sin go unpunished, but in grace the Lord stays with the king of Israel as He promised in covenant. Sin will ne…

The slide toward sin doesn't begin with what is seen, but with what we linger on. David's life in 2 Samuel 11 is a more than a tragic story of sin and its fallout. It's a cautionary tale for the people of God, in humility, and in recognition of our own spiritual weakness, to recognize just how susceptible we are to sin, and to grow more in the grac…

David, in keeping his word to Saul, pursues and extends kindness towards Mephibosheth; the crippled son of Jonathan who can offer David nothing. This is the lavished kindness God has extended towards all those by faith in His Son, that we would both receive that kindness and feast at the King's table as His family, as well as extend that kindness t…

David responds to God's covenant promise with right posture. This posture then leads to praise and petition. In humility and awe, David ponders the greatness of God and acknowledges all he has is the Lord's. Christians share in this promise and can confidently know God will deliver on His promises, despite our forgetfulness and wandering. The Lord …

In a season of rest, David seeks to build a house for the Lord but is met with a different answer than he expected. Instead, God makes a covenant with David that will transcend generation after generation in David's line, ultimately to Christ who will rule and reign as King forever. The promises of the covenant are encouraging to believers today, b…

David is now king of Israel and has commissioned the Ark of the Covenant to return to Jerusalem after 20 years with Abinadab. Though David and the people of Israel were doing the right thing, they were not obedient to the way God asked them to transport the Ark. God isn't a domesticated being, and He's certainly more powerful than any other force i…

The book of 1 Samuel ends with the tragedy of Saul. The Lord humbles the king of Israel regardless of Saul's power, plea, and position. In justice and holiness, God humbles all those who are prideful and choose to go their own way. This ushers in the new era of King David, who does the opposite of Saul and trusts in Yahweh. Christians today are cal…

God never abandons His people, nor is indifferent to what happens in His creation. In His providence, work of recovery, and in overwhelming generosity we can be encouraged, along with David in this trial, that God is in control and to Him belongs all good things. We need not fear or worry as a child of God.…

Following after the Lord's anointed and trusting in Yahweh has led David's men away from home, and when they return they realize their families have been taken. This hurts the men, including David, whom many want to stone, but David points them back to the Lord who is always in control and is faithful. As we follow after God we may experience hards…

David pours out his heart in the midst of great struggle. All the while he understands Who it is who holds him, Who it is who loves him and hears his prayers. Believers today are to live in the same trust in a God who covers us in the shadow of His wings.بقلم Rivercrest Presbyterian Church

Sin always tries to make us believe that there is some other way. For David in what seemed to be a coincidental situation with a vulnerable Saul, did not strike him down but trusted in not only the will of God, but the way of God. Jesus never took the shortcut to make salvation for His people, and now we live as patient and anticipating people as w…

Jonathan exemplifies true friendship yet again towards David by telling him his father's plan to kill him. He also is a good son towards his father, not shaming him but reminding Saul of truth. Unfortunately the refrain of life is the same today as it was for the Israelites, that "there was war again" and Jonathan is absent from the divided home. T…

Jealousy turns King Saul mad, and he will seek to harm David the rest of his life. Saul's true issue is with God, but he has forgotten the Lord and turned to his own way. Thankfully we have a loving King in Christ who not only goes out and wins the battle as David does, but loves us and is jealous for us in holiness and righteousness.…

Love can be difficult to define at times, but the Bible explains love in a variety of different ways and depths. The love that Jonathan expresses to David is a deep brotherly affection that truly is beautiful; it's a friendship in the Lord.بقلم Rivercrest Presbyterian Church

A familiar story in the Bible that might get perceived incorrectly, the fight between David and Goliath is not about the strength of David or how the humble underdog prevails over the oppressive foe, but how the Mighty God of Israel defeats His enemies. We can struggle with God's place, pace, plan or providence, but God is always perfect in His tim…

The Philistines continue to combat the Israelites, but this time it's a single foe who puts fear into the hearts of his enemies. Goliath is described as impressive and intimidating, contrasted with David who is young and unassuming. But as the theme of 1 Samuel has shown us, the outward appearance is not what matters, but it's the heart. And it's n…

Saul is facing trouble, a harmful spirit from the Lord, and is seeking some relief. Providentially, one of Saul's servants knows of David who is skillful and able to help the king. Unknown to Saul is the anointing of David as his replacement, but David serves the king faithfully and finds favor in Saul's sight.…

The Lord meets Samuel in his grief and doesn't let him stay there. Graciously we see how God calls Samuel to worship, to seek the next king who isn't like Saul, whom man saw the outside appearance and loved, but who is faithful in the heart where God sees. The Lord is providing for His people a new and better king in David, a man who points us to t…

Saul continues to be disobedient to the Lord in his self seeking kingship. In honoring himself and raising a monument to his own glory, Saul has neglected following after the True King of Israel, and God is grieved by his unfaithfulness. The way of Saul has led to his downfall and the throne is now opened for a new king.…

There is a tension to the reality that God is actively working in history, and that history is still a mess. This passage shows us that even in the chaos of life, God still speaks His word, God still sees what's happening, and God still scorns what's sinful. And beyond that, as His children, God still calls our names.…

Saul has disobeyed Samuel, the prophet and voice of the Lord, by making an unlawful sacrifice. In doing so he has lost the throne and come under a great consequence for his sin. The Lord doesn't allow for sin to go unpunished but thanks be to God who sent His Son, the True King, to be completely obedient to the Lord for us.…

Saul is the first king of Israel, a handsome man that fits the external requirements of royalty, but falls short internally. As he fails to complete a task given to him by his father, Saul then meets Samuel who instructs him in what the Lord has said, that he would be king. Even though Saul won't be the king Israel needs, and even though the people…

Things were going well for Israel in the younger days of Samuel, with Ebenezer being a symbol to the people of God of His steadfastness and strength. But as life goes, Samuel gets older, puts his unfaithful sons in positions of power, and soon the Israelites seek to be just like their neighboring nations; desiring an earthly king. The Lord grants t…

Hannah models for us how to pray in that she rejoices in her Lord. By rejoicing in the Lord's deliverance, in His holiness, as He carries us through our weaknesses, and as He preserves us by grace Hannah has prayed an honest and meaningful prayer of adoration and thanksgiving. This salvation that Christians have in Christ prompts us to be a prayerf…

Samuel is born to an imperfect family but they do prioritize something that's of utmost importance; worship. Hannah has communicated her vow to her husband, he has supported her and encourages her to allow the Lord to establish His word. This family's right choices impacts their next generation as we will see Samuel benefit from their lifestyle.…

The prophet Samuel was born to a broken family, just like all of us are. His mother Hannah, dealt with guilt and shame from being barren, but upon honest humble prayer she was remembered by the Lord who loves her.

As Jesus does in all of His teaching, His desire is not just to treat the symptoms, but to get to the heart. And as a measure of grace, He comes and meets us in our blind spots, He meets us with a promised deliverance, and He meets us with a legacy of love.بقلم Rivercrest Presbyterian Church | Adam Williams

A heart full of discontentment is the result of loving money. We not only forget about who we are but we forget about our Savior and the eternity which we now live in through His righteousness. Our identity must be that of Christ, to trust and rely on the Lord in all things as He provides for us. Being wise and discerning with money is good, but it…

The rich young ruler doesn't have a money problem but rather a heart problem. Jesus already knows the situation before it arises and He warns the ruler of the dangers of prosperity and holding our desires and comforts so closely to money. Ultimately the Lord wants our heart and to steward our entire lives for His will and glory, not for ourselves.…

Trust and faith in the Lord push back against anxiety and worry. Stewarding all aspects of our lives, Christians are called to lean on their Savior who cares deeply for them and will meet all of their needs.بقلم Rivercrest Presbyterian Church | Adam Williams

Christians are justified, adopted, forgiven, made clean, set free, and secured in the salvation of Jesus Christ. So Paul gives us instructions, marks of a true Christian, that we pursue in our sanctification until glory. Thinking back on what's already been accomplished by our loving Savior we move forward and walk by faith as we rejoice in hope, a…

Jesus is the light that has come into the darkness. The promise for all who believe in Him is that they will no longer walk in darkness, but in the light. This life of hope now shines into a desperate world and proclaims the excellencies of Him who called us out of such darkness and into His marvelous light.…

Christians are the light of the world here and now because of our union with Christ. Our witness shines the gospel into the world in which our Savior created and walked. This is His chosen way of life for His people and one that gives us courage as He helps us each and every step of the way.بقلم Rivercrest Presbyterian Church

Christ came in to the world, not in grandeur or with great fanfare, but into normal life. This is precisely where the Lord meets His people, in the ordinary. For the wise men to recognize the star and visit Herod meant they left normal life behind to pursue the One the prophets foretold. The same is required of believers today, to respond to this b…

Everyone is born into sin, the gloomy darkness but Christ has come and the light is shining into the darkness. Isaiah acknowledges the anxious and worrisome with strong language, that rather than fearing the world and the possibilities of worst case scenarios, we are to fear the Lord. He is ultimate and mighty, the Prince of Peace and Everlasting F…

God makes a declaration in the first moments of creation with His first words being, "Let there be light." Advent always starts in darkness but the light has come into the world and the darkness has not, will not, and cannot overcome it. This rumor of light is Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Deity, coming to fulfill His promise of redemption from all e…

Peter closes out his second letter with specific instructions for the church. As we continue to faithfully follow after Christ we are to be on guard and rooted in the Truth so that we don't fall into lawless living. Until Christ comes again we are to grow in grace and knowledge of Him who is our Savior.…

Holy living won't just happen in the believer. Jesus demonstrates for us how to live a holy and sacrificial life, one of witness to the world as we join Him in His ultimate plan of redemption. It's His will that is being done through His sanctifying people who must trust in Him and wage war against the sin in our hearts.…

Peter has established the importance of his letter, that believers would remember the gospel and stand firm in the face of scoffers and false teachers. The Lord is patient and steadfast towards His people and will judge the world justly. Being outside of time He is greater and grander than all else, deserving of our adoration and praise.…

As Peter begins to conclude his final letter he shifts the focus back to his main point; to encourage believers to remember the gospel. Jesus is coming back despite what scoffers say and the hope is for Christians today and until the Last Day when our faith and hope become sight and reality.بقلم Rivercrest Presbyterian Church

The way of the world is the way of greater angst, anxiety, and ultimately fear. It's a pathway of always walking and never arriving. But what Jesus offers us is something greater. He offers us the way, the truth, and the life.بقلم Rivercrest Presbyterian Church | Adam Williams