Heart of a Shepherd Ministry
Daily Devotional Meditations and a Biblical Perspective on Current Events
A Study Through 1 Samuel
David: Living Life on the Run! (1 Samuel 20; Psalm 11)
Scripture reading - 1 Samuel 20; Psalm 11 Today’s Scripture reading introduces a new phase in our two-year chronological study of the Scriptures. Several of the psalms that David authored were penned during his years in exile. Those psalms are introduced within our...
Where Will You Turn When You Feel All is Lost? (1 Samuel 19)
Scripture reading - 1 Samuel 19 David’s fame as a warrior inspired Israel. Yet, the people’s affection for David and the praise of the women who applauded his successes incensed the king (1 Samuel 18:6-7). As David’s popularity increased, so did the king’s anxieties....
Warning: Your Success Will Inspire Your Friends and Provoke Your Foes (1 Samuel 18)
Scripture reading - 1 Samuel 18 David’s Fame in Israel and His Friendship with Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1-7) We find in 1 Samuel 18 one of the great and enduring examples of friendship in the Scriptures. Though their backgrounds were dissimilar, David’s friendship with...
“Is There Not A Cause?” (1 Samuel 17)
Scripture reading - 1 Samuel 17-18 A Royal Internship (1 Samuel 16) The spiritual condition of ancient Israel parallels the spiritual and moral failure of those nations that reject the LORD, His Law, and Commandments. Having rejected the LORD as their King, Israel...
David: A Shepherd, Who Will Be King (1 Samuel 16)
Scripture reading - 1 Samuel 16 Samuel’s Commission to Anoint a New King (1 Samuel 16:1-5) The LORD came to Samuel and asked, “How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel?” (1 Samuel 16:1) Waiting no longer, the LORD...
“To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice.” (1 Samuel 15)
Scripture reading - 1 Samuel 15 Continuing our study of the Book of 1 Samuel, we come to two pivotal chapters in the Scriptures. 1 Samuel 15 continued the narrative when the prophet rebuked King Saul’s wicked pretense of worshiping and sacrificing without Samuel. 1...
A Nation Haunted by Failures in Leadership (1 Samuel 14)
Click on this link to translate today's devotion into German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Urdu. Scripture reading - 1 Samuel 14 Our last scripture reading in 1 Samuel concluded with the king usurping Samuel’s role as priest and judge in Israel. I...
Character Flaws in Leaders Breed Insecurity in Their Followers. (1 Samuel 13) – part 2 of 2 devotions
Click on this link to translate today's devotion into German, Spanish, Russian, Urdu, Portuguese, and French. Scripture reading - 1 Samuel 12-13 Saul’s Flawed Character (1 Samuel 13:1-5) In the second year of Saul’s reign, he chose to maintain a small standing force...
A Resignation and a Parting Challenge (1 Samuel 12-13) – part 1 of 2 devotionals.
Click on this link to translate this devotion into German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Russian, and Urdu. Scripture reading - 1 Samuel 12-13 1 Samuel 12 The LORD had comforted Samuel and assured him that the people’s demand for a king was not a refusal of him as...
Popular Devotional Studies
Marriage
“A Spiritual Cancer Called Adultery” (Proverbs 7)
Scripture reading - Proverbs 7 Click on this link for translations of this Bible study. Proverbs 7 continues Solomon’s warnings concerning the devastating consequences of immorality (a theme throughout the book of Proverbs). I encourage you to read all of today’s...
Prayer
Why Do Many Hate the Jews and Despise Israel? (Psalm 147)
Scripture reading – Psalm 147 Click on this link for translations of this Bible study. Some scholars suggest Psalm 147 was written after Israel returned from the Babylonian captivity; however, neither the occasion nor the author was revealed. Nevertheless, the...
Hard Topics
Why Do Many Hate the Jews and Despise Israel? (Psalm 147)
Scripture reading – Psalm 147 Click on this link for translations of this Bible study. Some scholars suggest Psalm 147 was written after Israel returned from the Babylonian captivity; however, neither the occasion nor the author was revealed. Nevertheless, the...