When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice. (verse 28) Read 1 Kings 3:16-28 I saw a sign the other day that read, “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing… Read more

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Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?’ (verse 9) Read 1 Kings 3:1-15 What would you ask for if God said to you, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”? Money? Good… Read more

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Make friendships for friendship’s sake, not with an evangelism target in mind. Just live your life, and wait for God to open up opportunities to share the good news if people ask the question. And that’s all there is to it.

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Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted ‘Long live King Solomon!’ (verse 39) Read 1 Kings 1:32-2:4 As we heard in yesterday’s reading, Adonijah ‘put himself forward and said, “I will be king”‘ (1:5) and hosts an elaborate feast to celebrate. Adonijah finds out the hard way that it is better to… Read more

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His father had never rebuked him by asking, “Why do you behave as you do?” (verse 6a) Read 1 Kings 1:5-31 Some time after Absalom’s revolt and death, the second born Adonijah, claims the throne unbeknownst to his now very aged and bed-ridden father King David. The above verse makes a comment regarding David’s lack… Read more

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‘You will be handed over by your parents, your brothers and sisters, your relatives, and your friends; and some of you will be put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a single hair from your heads will be lost. Stand firm, and you will save yourselves.’ (verses 16-19) Read Luke… Read more

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Sing a new song to the Lord; he has done wonderful things! By his own power and holy strength he has won the victory. The Lord announced his victory; he made his saving power known to the nations. (verses 1,2) Read Psalm 98 The game was over – the victory won! We lifted the coach… Read more

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For 27 years, St Lukes have had the pleasure of providing a community meal to the people of the Manawatu in New Zealand. Recently, a teenage member who has attended Share & Care for many years mentioned that her 7-year-old sister Skyla would like to be baptised.

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The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! … If only I had died instead of you – O Absalom, my son, my son!” (verse 33) Read 2 Samuel 18:19-33 There is a long back-story to David and Absalom’s… Read more

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Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake’ (verse 5b) Read 2 Samuel 18:1-18 What heartbreak it would be for David that his son would plot to kill him and take his throne. It is brutal betrayal. Yet, despite the terrible rebellion, David is willing to forgive Absalom. He shows compassion for his… Read more

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