One who beat envy

 

The story of King Saul's son Jonathan stand as a unique testimony to the power to overcome envy. While Jonathan's father, King Saul, sought to destroy his political rival, David, Jonathan accepted that David was chosen by God. Jonathan's famous friendship with David and his acceptance of David's future position as king is exemplified by his passing on his robe and other items of nobility to David 1 Sam 18:1-4.

Can you give up power?

 When King Herod discovered that the Christ, who would one day rule Herod's kingdom, had just been born, Herod was determined to hold onto his political power by killing the Christ before he could be king. Herod's desperation to remain king resulted in a death sentence for any child under the age of two. What terrible acts would you be willing to commit to hold your power or privilege? Matt 2:16-18

God's man

 

King Saul appeared to be everything Israel wanted in a king, but lacked character and a strong moral compass. God determined to remove Saul after many of Saul's inappropriate and ungodly actions. While searching for the new king, God pointed Samuel to the least likely candidate, a boy named David. During this time, God warned Samuel to look at the new king's heart, not his physique. (1 Sam 16:7).

How exclusive is your Jesus?

 

Every group has criteria that must be met to join it. Even the most inclusive group might require you embrace inclusivity, thus creating a criteria that must be met. Christianity's criteria is asking Christ for forgiveness (Jn 14). There is no requirement that you hold to any particular political views, or perform any tasks, or be of any race, or speak a specific language, or wear specific clothes. The only criteria is Christ.

For the Joy...

 Christ's vicarious death not only paid for our sins, but also gave us insight into what He valued. The phrase "for the joy that was set before him" (Heb 12:2) reminds us of the intensity of God's love for us. Although we have nothing to offer God, He still loves us and thought we were worth redeeming. Can you rely on God's great love when you feel insignificant, unimportant, or even worthless?

The secret origin of shame

 Shame is first found in the story of Adam and Eve. When they broke God's commandment in the Garden of Eden, they immediately felt shame and hid. God didn't force them to feel shame, they felt it before being confronted. God then provides a way to alleviate their shame, and through Jesus Christ, we have been given the ultimate remedy for our shame. Do you bring the hope of Christ, or the shame of sin?

My God, My God why have you forsaken me?

While dying on the cross, Christ quoted Psalm 22. This Psalm described King David's suffering at the time of its writing, but also foretold the details of Christ's death. By living out the words of Psalm 22, Christ entered into David's suffering, and demonstrated that He would be able to enter into our suffering with us. 
 If you are feeling hopeless, consider letting this Psalm be your prayer.