2 Samuel 12:7-14 The prophet Nathan makes it clear to David that he has hurt Bathsheba, his murder of Uriah was completely unjustified, and he has shown an incredible lack of gratitude for all God has done for him. Nathan is a good friend. He shows David his need for repentance. Nathan lays out clearly […]

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2 Samuel 11:18-27 When informed of the death of Uriah, a faithful soldier who David ordered killed to cover up his own sin, David comforts his general by saying, “Don’t let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another.” David has spent all of this chapter lying to others to conceal his […]

The post Sensitive Hearts first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

2 Samuel 11:10-17 David had sinned by having relationship with Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife, while Uriah was off fighting David’s war. Then Bathsheba told David she was pregnant. David was in a tight spot. He had sinned, and soon it would become clear to everyone exactly what David had done. David tried to obscure the truth […]

The post Sin And Shame first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

2 Samuel 11:1-9 David sinned. He abused his power, used people as objects, and broke God’s law. Yet, this text is often read in ways that place the blame for David’s sin on Bathsheba. Whenever one of our heroes is caught in unfaithfulness or worse, caught in sexual abuse, we can begin the countdown to […]

The post True Repentance first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

Galatians 3:26—4:7 Rachel’s first son seemed to take forever to get into this world. His birth was laborious to say the least. In the end, there he was, all 8 lbs. and 1 oz. of him, looking up with huge eyes. The previous pain did not matter because her son had finally arrived. Thousands of […]

The post A Labor of Love first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

Luke 10:30-35 Except for the small stents when she was in and out of jail, she had been homeless for over four years. It was early one Tuesday morning when I showed up outside the county jail to pick her up, a lady I had never seen before. She looked like a gal who had […]

The post Keeping Up The Good first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

Judges 11:29-40 I am an out loud processor. Talking about things helps me to navigate the best way to handle situations, to craft plans, or create new objectives. This is great in some ways, but it also gets me in trouble, especially with my children. Anytime I talk about anything as a possibility, they hear: […]

The post Polar Bears and Promises first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

2 Samuel 9:8-13 As I write this devotional thought, there is a TicTok trend that is sweeping the United States entitled “National Shoot Up Your School Day.” Before my teens left the house I prayed for them and had serious discussions about staying alert and safe. My heart is heavy with prayer today as I […]

The post The Threat of Kindness first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

2 Samuel 9:1-7 Warm hugs and sloppy kisses were planted on little cheeks. The aunt beamed with excitement to see her nieces and nephews for the very first time. Her heart was fat with love and even her eyes smiled, with deep wrinkles in the corners. Each little one stood with eyes wide at this […]

The post Generational Kindness first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.

1 Samuel 2:1-11 My brothers are identical triplets. I have often said that when they were little they behaved like devils, but sang like angels. Those guys can pull off a three-part harmony like nobody’s business. They sing, the heavens part and the angels join in. I, however, sound like a dying goose. I might […]

The post An Angel or A Goose? first appeared on Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living.