February 23, 2026
Doug Redford reflects on David’s sinful census and his choice to fall into the Lord’s hands because God’s mercy is “very great.” In Communion, he points to the cross where Jesus suffered human cruelty within God’s saving plan.
April 14, 2025
Three days after the darkness of Calvary, God used the cross and the empty tomb to display his resurrection power, offering living hope and a fresh new start to all who feel forsaken.
December 31, 2024
There's no shortage of people wearing the leadership badge, but are they true leaders? Without a leader casting a vision, a church can find itself in turbulent waters.
November 14, 2022
"One part of the 23rd Psalm puzzles me," David Faust writes. "It’s the verse that says, 'You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies' (Psalm 23:5a). Who wants to sit at a table surrounded by enemies?"
October 31, 2022
How do you respond when you face difficulties, dangers, or disease? What would you do if you were “canceled” or faced persecution because of your faith in Jesus?
October 31, 2022
Psalm 105:2 commands us to “tell of all [God’s] wonderful acts.” What wonderful act has God done for you, and whom will you tell about it?
October 10, 2022
What do you do with a prodigal king? You allow him the privilege of repentance. . . .
September 2, 2022
Daniel Schantz shares memories of teaching alongside Lloyd Pelfrey and Gareth Reese at Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, Mo. Pelfrey and Reese both concluded 65 of service to the school in the spring.
March 7, 2022
If you base your self-image on what others think about you—or pamper your ego with an inflated sense of self-importance—you’re looking at a contorted mirror.
July 1, 2021
Ruth went from being an outsider to being part of the lineage of Jesus. Her story helped pave the way to the greatest story ever told. Your story can have great impact, as well.
June 14, 2021
A cursory reading of these passages might give you the impression David was bragging about himself or claiming self-righteousness, but neither is the case. . . . What evidence of David’s humility do you see?
June 7, 2021
[Read 2 Samuel 12:1-14.] In what ways was King David like the rich man in Nathan’s parable?
May 31, 2021
Sometimes, like David, we make our plans for how we will serve God, but God’s plans, purposes, and timing may be different. What does this passage teach you about obedience?
May 24, 2021
David’s reign would be centralized in Jerusalem and the presence of God would be located there as in no other city.
May 17, 2021
What are the differences between being “right” and being “righteous”?
November 30, 2020
Note: Over a four-week period leading up to Christmas, our Communion meditations are considering four essential features to the story of the birth of God’s Son. This week we highlight the town of Bethlehem. By Stuart Powell When Rome ruled the Mediterranean region, many cities rose to prominence in the empire while others lingered in obscurity. Bethlehem was an insignificant place by then, though it had been the birthplace of King David a thousand years earlier. Long before the Romans conquered much of the civilized world, the luster of Bethlehem’s importance had been forgotten. That was the situation 300 years
November 30, 2020
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the December 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “Why Begin with Begats?” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Dec. 6, 2020 ________ Lesson Aim: Let Jesus bring you into his family. ________ By Mark Scott The New Testament begins with a genealogy. Is that an odd place or perfect place to start? The tax collector from Capernaum (Matthew,
March 17, 2020
By Stuart Powell Asaph son of Berechiah was a Levite musician (1 Chronicles 15:17) credited with writing Psalm 77. He lived in the time of Israel’s prosperity under Kings David and Solomon. Yet this psalm laments a time of pain in his life. The psalm begins with his petitions for help from a seemingly distant God. Asaph didn’t detail the source of his difficulty but described how he suffered most when, as he said, “my strength leaves me” (v. 3), “during the night” (v. 6), and when he felt cut off from God (v. 9). In those times, Asaph sought
December 15, 2019
We plan to post a few Christmas-themed articles from Christian Standard’s archives during the days leading up to the celebration of Jesus’ birth. We’ll start with this Christmas quiz from 1974. _ _ _ How’s Your Christmas I.Q.? December 15, 1974; p. 12;By Maxine Fream You’ve heard the Christmas story ever since you were a small child and you know it backwards and forwards, right? So you should have no trouble answering the following few questions, right? Watch it! True or false?— 1. Joseph and Mary were both descended from King David. 2. Joseph thought Mary’s child was illegitimate and
From After Class Podcast Renovations to First Messianic Church’s building are underway. It was only a matter of time until the faithful followers at FMC took the Restoration plea to a whole new level by seeking to restore the ancient order of the Old Testament, as well. Since Jesus wouldn’t leave out a jot or tittle, neither would they. It began one Saturday afternoon while these retro-Israelites were studying 1 Samuel 25 in their KJV-Hebrew Interlinear Bibles. As the story goes, future King David fumed after being snubbed by Nabal. David vowed to avenge himself against every member of Nabal’s
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May 18, 2026
Greg Swinney
May 13, 2026
Shawn McMullen
May 12, 2026
Rick Cherok