“A tap on the shoulder” is the almighty power of God acting without help or hindrance so as to produce a new creature, and to lead him into the particular work which God has for him.

A wandering mind drove King David to distraction and became more than he could bear. But his multiple sins refused to stay silent. No struggle is more relentless than sin…especially unconfessed sin. Let’s take a close look at David’s response to his sin and gain some insight for our own lives about God’s blessed gift of forgiveness.

God doesn’t expect us to live perfect lives, but He does expect obedience. This means when wrong comes our way we deal with it.

Abraham Lincoln’s childhood is legendary. Born into poverty with a travelling father and a simple mother who taught him to read and died when Lincoln was 10. Take a moment to ponder the question: where would Lincoln be without his mother?

We have an incredible opportunity to shape our children no matter our situation.

To illustrate how God uses ordinary people, let’s travel back in time to a period of history called the Reformation. The Reformation’s heroes and battlefields may not be as recognizable as the American Revolution’s George Washington and Valley Forge. Yet the soldiers who led a religious revolution from the 1300s to the 1500s made a tremendous difference in what matters most to us—our understanding of God, the Bible, and salvation.

What is it about human nature that just has to disobey the signs? We see the words “Do Not Touch” and we have this unexplainable urge to do the opposite. Obedience is not something that comes naturally to us—that’s human nature. The good news is God gives us the power to overcome our sinful inclinations.

This psalm provides help for the helpless. No matter how bad life may seem, God is in control. And because He’s sovereign, He’s a perfect refuge and place to hide when life comes unglued. Why is God’s sovereignty such a help to us? We’ll see in Psalm 46 how the Lord’s sovereign power puts our fears to rest and instils triumphant confidence.

Pastor Chuck Swindoll teaches from Genesis 6:5 and Psalm 51:1–5, explaining how the work of Jesus can move you from victim of failure to victor over sin! Find out how His regenerating work leads to lasting change.

A silent battle rages in every one of us: the conflict between the sin of pride and the virtue of humility—the desire for significance versus the goal to be Christ-like. We should not be surprised that when God led the prophet Micah to tell us what He expects of us, He included “Walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Contrary to popular opinion, humility—not self-promotion—marks the path of a life well lived.

When troubling circumstances disturb you remember God is using them to refine and shape you into the image of His Son.