The privileges and blessings we enjoy as followers of Christ should never be taken for granted or taken advantage of. Our conduct should always be guided by God's Word, edifying and not offensive, and directed toward the goal of bringing glory to God.
Our freedom in Christ is a precious gift. However, we are called to limit the exercise of our rights at times in order to minister effectively to others. This is Paul's message in 1 Corinthians 8--9, and he supports it with his own example.
The Bible teaches that both marriage and singleness are good gifts from God. Our decisions relating to either must be governed by God's Word. Thankfully, 1 Corinthians chapter 7 gives us divine instruction on marriage and various issues related to it.
Our impact for Christ in this world is directly tied to our being clearly distinct from the world. We cannot pursue the attitudes and pleasures of the ungodly if we want to glorify the Lord.
Open, unrepentant sin in the church cannot be condoned or tolerated. It must be confronted and properly dealt with. Anything less is to bring Christ's church down to the level of the world and mute its message that Christ delivers us from sin and its power.
Godly leaders are not to be a source of pride for the church--they are not to be unduly exalted. They are to be respected, however, as faithful examples and humble servants of God who answer to Him.
All Christians are builders--we are building on the church's foundation in Jesus Christ. The question is this: What kind of builders are we? Are we building with ministry and works that have permanent value for the church?
The Lord has given us all we need to grow and prosper in our relationship with Him. If we are not constantly and consistently growing in our understanding of God and in our commitment to Christ, we will remain spiritual infants; and that is neither natural nor desirable.
It is the distinct privilege of all Christians to have the Holy Spirit indwelling us, giving us greater understanding of God’s Word and spiritual discernment in all matters. This is the source of true wisdom, not the mindset of the unsaved world.
Our role in the world is not to impress people with our message but to confront them with God's message, the gospel. The thinking and wisdom of the world have no place in that. It's the gospel simply presented by humble servants that demonstrates the power of God.
Psalm 51 records David’s heartfelt confession after his sin with Bathsheba, and Stephen Davey explains it as a model of genuine repentance. He begins with David’s petition—a plea for mercy based on God’s steadfast love. Aware of the weight of his guilt, David asks God to blot out his transgressions, wash away his iniquity, and cleanse him from sin. The second step is admission: David accepts full responsibility, refusing to blame others and acknowledging his fallen nature. His sin, he admits, flows from the sinful heart of humanity inherited from Adam. Next comes restoration: David pleads, “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” recognizing that only divine power can renew what sin has corrupted. Finally, his resolution is to teach others from his failure—to lead sinners back to God through honesty and repentance. Davey concludes that true confession involves humble honesty, complete dependence on God’s mercy, and a transformed resolve to live transparently before Him, proving that no sin is too great for God’s restoring grace.
In The Voice of Creation (Psalm 19:1–8a), Stephen Davey contrasts Carl Sagan’s hopeless view of a silent universe with David’s joyful proclamation that creation declares the glory of God. Davey explains that the heavens continually reveal God’s signature, wisdom, and grace—a universal testimony to His power and creativity. The beauty, complexity, and order of nature point unmistakably to a Designer, but this general revelation alone cannot save; it must be joined with the special revelation of God’s Word. David moves from calling God El (Creator) to Yahweh (personal Redeemer), showing that Scripture revives the soul, makes the simple wise, and causes the heart to rejoice. Davey concludes that while creation proves God’s existence, His Word reveals His character and plan of redemption. Believers, therefore, should worship the Creator revealed both in the world around us and in the inspired Word that leads us back to Him.
Psalms 42–44 open the second book of Psalms, where Stephen Davey explains that God invites believers to pour out their hearts to Him with complete honesty. The sons of Korah—descendants of a rebel who chose faithfulness—wrote of spiritual dryness and discouragement: “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Davey notes that even when God seems silent, He is never absent. These psalms teach believers to trust and wait for the Lord, declaring, “Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.” In Psalm 44, this personal trust expands to national suffering as Israel endures consequences for sin yet clings to God’s covenant faithfulness. Paul later cites this psalm to remind believers that suffering is not abandonment but evidence of spiritual maturity. Through these lessons, Davey encourages believers to be honest with God, steadfast in hope, and confident that even in dry seasons, God remains their salvation and strength.
This lesson from Deuteronomy 16–26 emphasizes God's righteousness as the standard for all of life. Moses reviews the importance of righteous leadership—judges, kings, priests, and prophets—who are called to uphold justice and truth. God's laws are revisited to guide Israel in holy living, covering areas like inheritance, morality, and societal order. These commands act like protective boundaries, showing how a righteous person should live. Finally, Israel’s worship is tied to gratitude and public acknowledgment of God's faithfulness. The lesson encourages believers to live righteously, not just privately but visibly, so the world sees God's wisdom and character through them.
Psalm 19:8b–14 teaches that God’s Word is flawless, enduring, and deeply valuable—more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey. Unlike the temporary treasures of this world, Scripture enlightens the heart, exposes sin, renews fellowship with God, and guides believers in righteousness. David celebrates the Bible as a timeless revelation that cleanses, corrects, and delights those who cherish it, reminding readers to treasure and obey God’s Word as their greatest source of wisdom and joy.
