Author: trevongross

1 Kings 7:1-51; Acts 7:30-50; Psalm 128:1-6; Proverbs 16:31-33

Solomon spared no expense to make the Temple. Just the details alone are exacting and worthy of only the best structure. With the bronze, silver, gold that was put in the Temple, it was designed to be a jaw-dropping, spectacle that no human eye has ever seen.

Solomon not only built the Temple but he built a grand palace for himself. There was no known architectural rival during the time. As beautiful as these buildings were, they could not contain the full glory of God.

Stephen reminded the leaders of his day that “… the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands.” (Acts 7:48). God cannot be contained in the most opulent building on earth! The earth is his dwelling place. This is important because that means we can always have access to God no matter where we are. Know that God is with you today and everyday. Let Him love you. You are His greatest creation!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 8:1-66; Acts 7:51-8:13; Psalm 129:1-8; Proverbs 17:1

1 Kings 5:1-6:38; Acts 7:1-29; Psalm 127:1-5; Proverbs 16:28-30

Solomon was prepared to build a spectacular Temple to honor God. He had contracted the best cedar artisan on earth and set out to build a wonder to the world! With great precision, each room was mapped out. Stones were cut, beams were hewed, and the workers were hired.

In the middle of the building program, God meets with Solomon to make certain that even though he was building a masterpiece to honor God, there was something more important: Living for God!

You see, what is most important to God is not construction and buildings but people. We build buildings. God builds people. God reminded Solomon that his greatest responsibility was to obey God’s commands. We can never get so caught up in buildings that we forget that God’s greatest Temple is us! He gets glory from us! Let Him come and live in your life today.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 7:1-51; Acts 7:30-50; Psalm 128:1-6; Proverbs 16:31-33

1 Kings 3:3-4:34; Acts 6:1-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 16:26-27

God asks Solomon an unusual question: “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” God gave Solomon a blank check. Do you know what Solomon asked for? Well, he didn’t ask for wealth, power, or prestige. He asked for wisdom so that he could lead God’s people properly. What an unselfish request!!

You see, God always has more than us in mind when he blesses us. Solomon rose to great power but it wasn’t so that he could enjoy all the trappings of success. God wanted Solomon to be a blessing to the people he governed. He definitely needed God’s help. That’s why he asked for wisdom.

If God were to come to you and ask you that kind of question, how would you respond? Would you ask for things for you? If you could get anything from God, would you sincerely desire in your heart something that would bless those around you instead of you? This is the qualifying question. Because Solomon didn’t ask for selfish desires, God said He would grant his request and give Solomon great wealth.

In your heart, desire to be a blessing to others more than to yourself and watch God take care of you at a superior level! He is well able to do it if your heart is right!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 5:1-6:38; Acts 7:1-29; Psalm 127:1-5; Proverbs 16:28-30

1 Kings 2:1-3:2; Acts 5:1-42; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 16:25

What legacy will you leave? David’s last moments are with his son who succeeded him on the throne of Israel. He gave him some wise advice that we all should heed.

Why is it that it is only when we look at our mortality that we refocus on what is most important? As David faced his end, he wanted to leave a legacy with Solomon. He gives Solomon a simple formula to living a successful life.

Be who God made you to be! David told Solomon to take courage and be a man. Solomon could not fulfill his destiny if he did not become the man whom God made him to be. He had to realize who he was and be true to it. Then David told him to obey God. Listen to what God says and do it.

Such simple wisdom but it is important for all of us. David’s legacy would be lived out through Solomon. David positioned Solomon for success by giving him a roadmap to prosperity. It will work for you too.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 3:3-4:34; Acts 6:1-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 16:26-27

1 Kings 1:1-53; Acts 4:1-37; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 16:24

God told David that his family would be in turmoil for the rest of his life. Here he is at the end of his days and another son incites rebellion against him! What did all his sons crave? The one thing that David received because of God’s grace: the Throne.

David never earned the throne. In fact, I suspect he didn’t even want the throne when he was tending the sheep. But, God chose David and made him worthy of that high office. Now, the next generation thinks that they can take by force or fiat what only God could give. This is a plan hatched by satan.

He will always try to get you to ignore God’s grace and get you to earn something from God! As sons of the King, all of David’s son’s would be taken care of. They should have rested in their father’s love and known that they would live a life of royalty even if they never sat on the throne. The same is true for you today. Don’t let the devil lie to you and try to get you to think you have to earn something from God. As a Christian, it’s already yours! Just receive it and live like royalty. The Throne is already taken by Jesus but you are in his royal court! Enjoy the benefits!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 2:1-3:2; Acts 5:1-42; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 16:25

2 Samuel 23:24-24:25; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 16:21-23

In light of all that God has done for you, how do you demonstrate your gratitude? David was near the end of his life and committed a sin against God by calling for a census of Israel.

God offered David three options for his punishment and none of them were pleasant. It was an exercise in bad choices. David had enough wisdom to choose the option that had no human intervention. We are always better off in God’s hands than human hands.

In order to stop the punishment, God allows David to offer a sacrifice. Because David was the king, he could ask for anything and his subjects would give it to him. However, Araunah offered to give him the animals for the sacrifice and the threshing floor. David would not allow it!

He knew that the offering would mean nothing if it did not cost David anything. David had a heart of gratitude for God’s goodness. As you look at all that God has done for you, gladly and willingly give Him your best as an offering. He will honor it like He did David.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 1:1-53; Acts 4:1-37; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 16:24

2 Samuel 22:1-23:23; Acts 2:1-47; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 16:19-20

What’s your song? Every believer ought to have a song to sing about God’s wondrous works. David had quite a song to sing. There is something about praise that helps us in our challenging times.

When things are tight, it may seem easy to complain. But, you should have a song in your heart that is ready to change the atmosphere from negativity. Why should we praise God? Because it reminds us of the source of our strength. Praise is not about any person; it is about God and what He has done! Humans need to be reminded repeatedly to trust in God and not ourselves. Praise repositions our focus on God and away from us.

Praise also defeats the schemes of the enemy. The devil pressures us so that he can get us to say something that will hurt our future. But, when we sing forth praise instead of speaking words of doubt, the devil’s plans are thwarted. Always have a song in your heart!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 23:24-24:25; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 16:21-23

2 Samuel 20:14-21:22; Acts 1:1-26; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 16:18

In the midst of peace, there always seems to be someone who keeps confusion going. David had made grand overtures to show he was willing to begin a period of peace and reconciliation.

They were about to return to Jerusalem and right as they were turning to leave, Sheba incited a revolt against David, which caused the men of Israel to turn away from David. David swiftly responds to Sheba’s revolt. You see, peace is precious and when someone is threatening it, you cannot allow it to go unchecked.

Sheba unleashed rebellion unnecessarily and he paid a dear price for it. Peace is worth fighting for! When you run into attacks against the peace that God has promised, be like David and stand up to it. Don’t allow anything to take away what God has given you! This peace that you have, the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 22:1-23:23; Acts 2:1-47; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 16:19-20

2 Samuel 19:11-20:13; John 21:1-25; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 16:16-17

David is an excellent example of how you handle victory! Many people will say, “You just wait until I get through this, I will show them.” Or, “Once I make it to the top, I’m going to get even with all those who mistreated me.” However, thoughts like this and statements like this disqualify us for God to intervene in our lives.

Even though David was betrayed by people he trusted when the dust settled, David was not trying to get even with people. He wanted to find ways to reconcile with people. His counselors and advisors wanted swift retribution against all his enemies. In fact, it was the prevailing mindset that those who hurt the king would be hurt. But, David establishes a new paradigm. This is why David was considered a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:14).

How about you? Can you commit in your heart now, that when all your prayers are answered and you stand victorious through your challenges, will you be a source of blessing or retaliation? Will you be gracious even to those who hurt you? After all, it’s the blessing of the Lord that makes us rich and He adds no sorrow. You being in a place of blessing should add blessings to people too!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 20:14-21:22; Acts 1:1-26; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 16:18

2 Samuel 18:1-19:10; John 20:1-31; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 16:14-15

If you sowed it, you will reap it. Absalom learned this painful lesson. He took every kind gesture of his father and turned it against him. He took advantage of the people around him and abused their trust. He lied, connived and misled people. Why? Because he was seeking power and fame.

Absalom had long flowing hair and people praised him for his appearance. He became very prideful and thought he could unseat God’s choice for King. Proverbs 16:18 warns us, “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” A prideful person can only go in one direction: Down!

Absalom sowed evil and he received evil in return. It ultimately cost him his life. When we know better, we have to do better. Here is another caution that we learn from Proverbs 17:13, “If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house.” When someone has been good to you, don’t ever return it with evil because it gives the devil the open door to attack you. The solution is still the same: Repent! God can cancel the negative harvest.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 19:11-20:13; John 21:1-25; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 16:16-17