By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: I Samuel 26:7-12, 21-25 Although hated and abused by King Saul, David maintained his respect for Saul and for the Lord who had anointed him king. It is a story of the old king, still reigning but fading, and the new king in waiting, also anointed but not yet in power. David could have taken matters into his own hands and
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Proverbs 11:23-29 Proverbs offers practical instructions on the use of money. Money is essential for living; however, believers are to recognize that God requires accountability. No matter how hard a person has toiled, in reality God is the source of all blessings. God’s blessings are not given to be hoarded but to be shared (II Kings 4:1-7). The blessing
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 25:14-17; 32-38 “There but for the grace of God go I” is a statement attributed to 16th century English protestant John Bradford. Such was Bradford’s humility, that upon seeing the execution of hardened criminals, he understood God had protected him from falling into such crimes. Maybe you can look back on a time in your life when God spared
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 God desires for His children to be good stewards both in their life and finances. Herschel Hobbs said, “Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes the writer identified two key concerns connected to wealth: (1) Don’t be consumed with the quest for wealth; and (2) Don’t fall into poverty through laziness or misfortune.” There has to be a balance
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 22:6-17 Selfish ambition creates a spiritual blindness detrimental to one’s own soul and to the well-being of others in the family of God. David was loyal to King Saul because Saul was God’s anointed. David trusted God’s timing for when he himself would become king. He was committed to never doing Saul harm (I Samuel 24:6; 26:9). Saul, on
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Proverbs 31:13-21 Often Proverbs 31 is viewed as a passage written describing an ideal wife. Yet this Proverb contains many business principles that apply to both men and women. The Proverbs 31 “business woman” understands that her business and its success are directly related to her God-given talents, skills, abilities, and the plan He has for her life. Her
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 18:1-5; 20:35-42 There was the reigning, but rejected by God, King Saul. There was the heir apparent to the throne, Saul’s son, Jonathan. There was also Jonathan’s friend, the newly anointed but not yet reigning king, David. But this was no stage play. It was real life drama portraying the faithfulness of two friends and the faithfulness of the
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Proverbs 6:6-11 Hard work is a Christian virtue. It is a sign of increasing godliness. God does not want a person to waste their life but to move forward using all the opportunities that God has placed within each person’s path. Even before “The Fall,” Adam was to tend the garden. Hard work leads to a purposeful life and
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: I Samuel 17:32-37, 42-50 Has anyone ever sought to discourage you for a task God wanted you to accomplish? Such was David’s situation. His father Jesse sent him to the place where the Israelites were at war with the Philistines. He was to take food to his three soldier brothers, and get information on how the battle was going. Upon arrival,
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Proverbs 6:1-5, 22:7 Solomon, the man who asked for and received wisdom, warns about the snare of over-extended financial obligations. His words are needed as society is drowning in debt, both consumer and national debt. The average credit card debt is over $16,000. The national debt is about 18.9 trillion dollars. “Spending out of control” seems to be a
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: I Samuel 26:7-12, 21-25 Although hated and abused by King Saul, David maintained his respect for
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Proverbs 11:23-29 Proverbs offers practical instructions on the use of money. Money is essential
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 25:14-17; 32-38 “There but for the grace of God go I” is a statement
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 God desires for His children to be good stewards both in their
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 22:6-17 Selfish ambition creates a spiritual blindness detrimental to one’s own soul and to
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Proverbs 31:13-21 Often Proverbs 31 is viewed as a passage written describing an ideal
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 18:1-5; 20:35-42 There was the reigning, but rejected by God, King Saul. There was
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Proverbs 6:6-11 Hard work is a Christian virtue. It is a sign of increasing
By Al R. Hodges Retired IMB Missionary Focal Passage: I Samuel 17:32-37, 42-50 Has anyone ever sought to discourage you for a task God wanted
By Gene Price Pastor, Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason Focal Passage: Proverbs 6:1-5, 22:7 Solomon, the man who asked for and received wisdom, warns about
