LivethruJesus

Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon has talked about how fleeting and uncertain our lives can be, how little control we have, and how unsatisfying the things of this world are, while pointing us to the eternal, sure satisfaction of a person who trusts in the sovereign God who loves them. Now, he ends by saying that we only get one life, and we don’t need to waste it. Instead, we should live every day to the fullest, appreciating the life God has given and loving and serving Him with everything we have while the opportunity is there.

Ecclesiastes 10

This is the story of how the nation of Israel got divided into the the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. It was all part of God’s perfect plan.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon.

Free - blog post with each lesson emailed when you become a free subscriber. Listen to or...

Ecclesiastes 9

Solomon debunks the idea of karma by saying that we are not guaranteed good results when we do good things or bad results when we do bad things. We are responsible for our actions, and it is certainly better to be wise and righteous than to be foolish and wicked, but God is in control of the outcome, and there are some common graces we all receive. So, we should always try to do what is right, not so we will receive a certain outcome, but because we love and serve a sovereign God. Focusing on Him helps...

Ecclesiastes 8

Submission is a dirty word in our culture today, but that is largely because it is misunderstood. Biblical submission is not blind or passive. It is wise, intentional, and measured. It values relationships over resistance, persuasion over pressure, and influence over control. It avoids both extremes of blind submission and reckless rebellion without being manipulative. That is what Solomon is describing in this chapter.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which...

Ecclesiastes 7

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon.

Free - blog post with each lesson emailed when you become a free subscriber. Listen to or Watch blog/devotion on LivethruJesus Weekly Devotions YouTube and Podcast Channel.

Ecclesiastes 5-6

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon.

Free - blog post with each lesson emailed when you become a free subscriber. Listen to or Watch blog/devotion on LivethruJesus Weekly Devotions YouTube and Podcast Channel.

Solomon continues his reflections about life, but shifts his focus from time and eternity to relationships. As he examined all types of societal and relational situations, he concluded that life is best when it is shared with others. In the good times and the bad, we need each other. But he also recognized that even the strongest and best relationships can be fragile and incomplete. No one can fill all of our needs all of the time. God is the only One who can provide perfect stability, help, support, strength, peace, and rest. We should look to Him as our...

Ecclesiastes 3:9-22

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon.

Free - blog post with each lesson emailed when you become a free subscriber. Listen to or Watch blog/devotion on LivethruJesus Weekly Devotions YouTube and Podcast Channel.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon.

Free - blog post with each lesson emailed when you become a free subscriber. Listen to or Watch blog/devotion on LivethruJesus Weekly Devotions YouTube and Podcast Channel.

Where do we find purpose and meaning? Do you find meaning in your job, or by gaining knowledge and wisdom. Do you see value in money and possessions or maybe in entertainment and pleasurable experiences? Solomon was the wisest man on earth and he ultimately concluded that all these things were meaningless. Not because he didn’t find satisfaction in a job well done, enjoy fun experiences, or see the benefit of wisdom, but because they all have their limits. He couldn’t take any of his possessions with him when he died. The more knowledge he gained, the more evil...

1 Kings 11

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Saul, and David.

Free - blog post with each lesson emailed when you become a free subscriber. Listen to or Watch blog/devotion on LivethruJesus Weekly Devotions YouTube and Podcast Channel.

1 Kings 10

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Saul, and David.

Free - blog post with each lesson emailed when you become a free subscriber. Listen to or Watch blog/devotion on LivethruJesus Weekly Devotions YouTube and Podcast Channel

God promised Solomon that He would watch over Israel and hear the prayers offered towards His Temple. If they continued to follow Him, He would bless and keep them. If they turned away from Him, He would punish them. But if they repented and sought Him, He would forgive and restore. It is the same for us today. God still watches over His people and hears their prayers. He knows our hearts and deals with us according to our ways and our intentions. When we call on Him and seek Him wholeheartedly, He hears and answers our prayers in His...

Solomon was the king of Israel, yet he humbled himself publicly and offered himself as a living sacrifice to the Lord. Jesus is the King of all Heaven and earth, yet He humbled Himself publicly and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us. They both praised God, gave Him glory, and prayed for themselves and their people. So, if the King of Israel, and more significantly the King of Heaven and earth, are not too important to humble themselves and offer their lives to God, we have no excuse. So, follow their example. Humble yourself and dedicate your life to...

1 Kings 6:1-8:11

With each manifestation, His presence has become more permanent, more personal, and more enduring. When we invite God to make His home with us, we find rest, stability, comfort, and security. When we allow His Spirit to fill us as He filled the Temple on the day of its dedication, we begin to produce His fruits and we flourish.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments...

1 Kings 4-5

When Solomon asked for a listening heart, God promised not only to give him wisdom but wealth, riches, and honor, too. Following that promise, we see an example of his wisdom in judging the people, the abundance of his kingdom, and another king honoring him. God met the need every time, which is what he asked for when he said he wanted a listening heart, implying that he needed God to tell him what he needed to know, when he needed to know it.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email...

2 Kings 3

God had already given Solomon power by giving him the throne, but it pleased God that his greatest desire was to use that power wisely. So, he granted his request, and because every king would wish for honor and riches, God gave him that, too.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Saul, and David.

Free - blog post with...

1 Kings 2:12-46

Solomon granted mercy but required that the recipients to prove themselves worthy of it. Solomon, wasn’t hurting anyone else by giving a chance to those who posed a threat only to him. Most of them did not prove themselves worthy and earned justice. But the one who threatened others was given only justice and no mercy to protect the innocent

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Te...

1 Kings 2:1-11

David’s last words to his son were, “Be strong, and prove yourself a man. Do your duty to the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies, according to what is written in the Law of Moses, so that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn… walk before Me in truth with all their heart and all their soul (1 Kings 2:2-4).” and “He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God (2 Samuel 23:3)”.

You can receive...

1 Kings 1

One of David's sons was chosen to be his successor as king and the other 18 were not. Even though the oldest thought it was his right, it was not what God wanted. Only one could be chosen and God has the right to choose who He wants for whatever reason and we don't need to know what that reason is. We just have to trust Him.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous...

1 Chronicles 29

David didn’t ask the people to donate items to build God’s Temple. He asked them to offer themselves, knowing that if they offered themselves to be used by God, they would automatically donate what was needed.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, and Saul.

Free - blog post with each lesson emailed when you become a free subs...

1 Chronicles 22-28

David, like Moses before him, received the plans for God’s house, and was told how to set up the government. But it was not in God’s plan for him to build the Temple or live out the plans God had for it. This job was for his son, Solomon. David lived out his purpose and taught his son to do the same, relying on God until the very end.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also...

1 Chronicles 21

Hagar and Ishmael https://youtu.be/z2L8Qb5WZ8?si=ttxkQJiSsyE-WMAf Circumcision "Uncover Your Heart" https://youtu.be/pXERM7uhi-0?si=yF5lfQUZDdIedUD Two Covenants "Isaac and Ishmael" https://youtu.be/FGIZNjKvFWY?si=cBee-c7zegxT-lZl Tabernacle "Beautiful & Costly: The Holy Place" https://youtu.be/8wTgoVg8Hrk?si=CNlQVlGo4xGNvsMJ

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, and Saul.

Free...

2 Samuel 24

God allowed Satan to tempt David to reveal his heart. He could have resisted Satan, or listened to the warnings of his commander, recognizing the sin in his heart and never suffered any consequences. But instead, he didn't realize that he was wrong until he had already done what he shouldn't. Thankfully, David had a soft heart and he realized what he had done immediately and went to God in repentance and submitted himself to the Lord.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year...

2 Samuel 22

God was at work in David’s life, and he knew it. As he reflected on everything God did for him, we see how well David knew and loved Him. First, this lesson gives a brief summary of victories over the Philistines. But the focus is on David’s song to the Lord.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, and Saul.

2 Samuel 21

Saul took innocent lives and God sent a famine on the land because it was defiled with their blood.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, and Saul.

Free - blog post with each lesson emailed when you become a free subscriber.

Listen to or Watch blog/devotion on LivethruJesus Weekly Devotions YouTube and Podcast Channel.

2 Samuel 20

David knew the importance of having the people’s support before he returned as king. But in his effort to reunite the country, he didn’t think about whether the people would support a new military commander. Without the support of the people, it’s difficult to be successful.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, and Saul.

Free - blog p...

2 Samuel 19

David set aside his own feelings and rights for the sake of peace and reconciliation with family, friends, enemies, and the nation of Israel. He was humble and patient, regarding others more important than himself.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, and Saul.

Free - blog post with each lesson emailed when you become a free subscriber.

...

2 Samuel 17-18

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, and Saul.

Free - blog post with each lesson emailed when you become a free subscriber.

Listen to or Watch blog/devotion on LivethruJesus Weekly Devotions YouTube and Podcast Channel.

2 Samuel 15-16 and Psalm 3

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, and Saul.

Free - blog post with each lesson emailed when you become a free subscriber.

Listen to or Watch blog/devotion on LivethruJesus Weekly Devotions YouTube and Podcast Channel.

2 Samuel 14

David had conflicting feelings with both his sons and it caused many problems for his family.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, and Saul.

Free - blog post with each lesson emailed when you become a free subscriber.

Listen to or Watch blog/devotion on LivethruJesus Weekly Devotions YouTube and Podcast Channel.

2 Samuel 13

That’s what happened to one of David’s sons. He kept thinking about the “forbidden fruit” until he was utterly consumed by it. Then, once he decided to satisfy his desire, nothing was going to stop him. But once he got what he wanted, he wasn't satisfied, wouldn't take responsibility, and made someone else pay for his sin.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua...

From the very first sin of man, we have instinctively known that our sin must be covered. When Adam and Eve sinned, they tried to hide from God but were unsuccessful. Ultimately, the Lord sacrificed the first animal for their sin and covered them with its skin. David successfully hid his sin from the people, but God sent Nathan to confront him, letting him know that he had not hid it from God. Then, David begged for mercy and ultimately hid himself in the Lord. Today, we all seek to cover our sin, but ironically enough, it can only be...

2 Samuel 12:24-25 and Psalm 51

David broke three of the Ten Commandments in just this one setting. He coveted another man’s wife, committed adultery with her, and murdered the man to cover his sin. After being confronted with his sin and told he would suffer a four-fold consequence, David begged for mercy and forgiveness in Psalm 51. God did forgive Him and restored to him another son for the one he lost because of his infidelity.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, yo...

2 Samuel 11-12

There is a lot we can learn through this story about David’s sin and repentance and God’s justice and mercy. So, this lesson is full of sin and punishment. But next lesson, we will see his repentant heart and God’s mercy and restoration. Then, in the third lesson over this passage, we will talk about how David hid his sin and how he could have covered it instead.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also r...

2 Samuel 10

When Joab realized his army was under threat on both sides and they were trapped between two enemies, he divided the troops so they could meet their enemies head-on. Then, he encouraged his brother by saying, “Be of good courage and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what is good in His sight.” He understood the threat and knew that they could be killed. But they couldn’t let that deter them from doing what needed to be done. They couldn’t act according to the outc...

2 Samuel 8-9

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, and Saul.

Free - blog post with each lesson emailed when you become a free subscriber.

Listen to or Watch blog/devotion on LivethruJesus Weekly Devotions YouTube and Podcast Channel.

2 Samuel 7

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, and Saul.

Free - blog post with each lesson emailed when you become a free subscriber.

Listen to or Watch blog/devotion on LivethruJesus Weekly Devotions YouTube and Podcast Channel.

2 Samuel 6

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, and Saul.

Free - blog post with each lesson emailed when you become a free subscriber.

Listen to or Watch blog/devotion on LivethruJesus Weekly Devotions YouTube and Podcast Channel.

2 Samuel 5

As his first act as king, David took Jerusalem and made it the capital city. There are many wonderful facts about Jerusalem that point to Jesus.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, and Saul.

Free - blog post with each lesson emailed when you become a free subscriber.

Listen to or Watch blog/devotion on LivethruJesus Weekly...