Nothing happens in our lives (including repentance) until God initiates it. A change of heart, by God's Holy Spirit, results in a total change of direction.

Mechanically keeping the law is only the beginning of righteousness. By emphasizing principle, Christ came to magnify, not to destroy God's law.

God is always working for salvation. He creates situations and events—from smitten consciences to large-scale calamities—to lead us to the right path.

A great impediment to overcoming our sins is self-justification. We tend to excuse ourselves for what we do, and this only makes it harder to become like God.

The phrase, 'a man after God's own heart' modifies God rather than David's carnal character. God chose David because He discerned a heart He could work with.

Honoring our free choice and understanding our weaknesses, God alters time and chance for us, using our mistakes as tools to enhance our godly character.

Despite all the tinsel and glitz, the Christmas season brings a great deal of stress. Knowing God and knowing the will of God brings about contentment.

David's power and assumption of immunity led to arrogance, complacency, and a total disregard for God's commands, bringing an unpleasant visit from Nathan.

The contrite or brokenhearted person finds special favor with God, and a humble or contrite spirit is indeed a precursor to forgiveness and spiritual healing.

Repentance is far more than feeling guilt or apologizing but instead is a spirit-empowered reorientation of heart, mind, and behavior.

Though David certainly broke all of God's Ten Commandments, he also repented continually, cognizant of the fear of losing God's Holy Spirit.

As the day of God's wrath appears imminent, we must diligently seek the Lord, righteousness, and humility. Contrition pleases God the most.

More important than our offense against another human being is the offense we have committed against Almighty God.

We are so close to our sins that we cannot see the proverbial forest for the trees. We miss glaring faults in our character because of familiarity.

Jabez is a significant place marker in the lineage of David, and may be David himself. Jabez is an emblem of Christ's restoring the relationship between God and man.

Though relatively neutral at its inception, human nature is subject to a deadly magnetic pull toward self-centeredness, deceit, and sin.

As physical filth repulses the senses, sin ought to repulse the spirit. David's repentance depicts total immersion in sin and the critical need for God's cleansing.

As we approach the coming self-examination prior to Passover, we can apply six significant lessons taught to ancient Israel through the book of Lamentations.

God handpicked us for a specific purpose, just as He did Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Noah. God also handpicked second-generation Church members.