Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike explores the incredible covenant God makes with David in 2 Samuel 7 and how it points us to Jesus, the great King whose kingdom will endure forever. God’s plan was always bigger than David, revealing His purposes for the world through the coming of His Son. Join Mike as he reflects on God’s faithfulness, His unfolding plan of redemption, and the hope we have in King Jesus!
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike walks through 2 Samuel 6 and the sobering tragedy of Uzzah, who died after reaching out to steady the ark of God. In an effort to make things easier, God’s instructions had been disregarded, with devastating consequences. David was reminded that God is holy and must be approached on His terms, and after seeing how the Lord blessed Obed-Edom’s household, he brought the ark to Jerusalem the right way. This is a powerful reminder that God is both holy and just, and that when we treat Him casually, we risk provoking His anger. Justice is what we deserve; mercy is a gift—not the other way around!
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike walks through 2 Samuel 2–5 and reflects on how difficult it can be to do what God has called us to do. Even though God had anointed David to be king over all Israel, David still had to endure conflict, betrayal, and years of struggle before that promise was fulfilled. Just because God has called us to something doesn't mean the journey will be easy, but we can trust Him to guide us through the challenges as we faithfully follow Him.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike shares about the ups and downs of following Jesus, reflecting on how this was simultaneously the most challenging week of his life and the most rewarding week of his life. Following Jesus doesn't promise an easy road, but even in the hardest moments, there is joy, purpose, and the incredible privilege of walking with Him. Join Mike for this Freebie Friday as he reflects on the unexpected blessings and challenges of a life surrendered to Jesus.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike reflects on the awesomeness of God and the contrast between His greatness and our own fragility and brokenness as human beings. When we truly grasp how great and holy God is, we begin to understand just how much we need His grace. On this Freebie Friday, Mike celebrates the amazing grace of God, who meets us in our weakness with a love and mercy we could never earn or deserve.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike explores lament in 2 Samuel 1:17–27, as David mourns the deaths of Saul and Jonathan and remembers the good they had done. When we lose loved ones or life doesn’t go the way we hoped, it is important to make space for grief while also remembering the good we have experienced through others. Mike challenges us to follow David’s example by taking time to remember and honor those who have impacted our lives, even in seasons of deep sorrow and disappointment.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike tackles the difficult story in 2 Samuel 1, where David responds to the death of Saul with reverence for the Lord’s anointed. Though the Amalekite appears to believe he has done David a favor by claiming responsibility for Saul’s death, David responds by having him executed—a response that raises difficult questions about justice, motives, and respect for God’s appointed authority. Mike closes by challenging us to consider whether we show the same awe and respect toward those whom God has placed in positions of authority, ultimately pointing us to our reverence for the Lord Himself.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike tackles the difficult subject of suicide as he reflects on the tragic end of Saul’s life in 1 Samuel 31. Saul felt hopeless and feared the suffering and torture that awaited him, and Mike shares how he can understand Saul’s desperation while reflecting on the importance of hope, even in our darkest moments. Tragically, we will never know what God might have done if Saul had chosen to trust Him and live through the circumstances he feared.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike looks at 1 Samuel 28 and Saul’s decision to consult the medium at Endor. When God did not answer him, Saul turned to a forbidden source for guidance, revealing the danger of seeking spiritual answers apart from God. Whether mediums are frauds or involved with demonic activity, Scripture warns us to stay far away from the occult and remain faithful to the Lord, trusting His Word and seeking His guidance in the ways He has provided.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike shares a Freebie Friday focused on finding the abundant life by following Jesus. Mike describes in detail what it means to be truly alive in Christ and to experience the life God desires for us. He encourages each of us not merely to settle for going through the motions, but to zealously pursue the fullness of life that comes from knowing Jesus and walking faithfully with Him.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike looks at David, Abigail, and Nabal in 1 Samuel 25 and the issue of injustice. Nabal showed tremendous disrespect to David and, perhaps more importantly, to God’s anointed one who had protected his shepherds and treated his household well. David was ready to take matters into his own hands, but God used Abigail to intervene and keep David from becoming the instrument of his own vengeance. In the end, God dealt with Nabal Himself—and Abigail emerges as the true hero of the story, showing us the wisdom of trusting God with justice rather than taking it into our own hands.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike looks at 1 Samuel 21–22 and the striking contrast between David and Saul when it comes to respecting God’s authority. David was being hunted by Saul, yet he continued to recognize him as the LORD’s anointed. Saul, on the other hand, showed complete disregard for God’s anointed priests, ordering the slaughter of 85 priests because he believed they had helped David. How we respond to God’s authority reveals much about our hearts toward God Himself. David understood that he could honor the position God had given Saul without approving of Saul’s actions. And ultimately, we are called to honor the greatest Anointed One of all—Jesus, the Messiah and King. Jesus has also delegated authority to others, and we are called to respect and honor those who faithfully serve Him, while always remembering that their authority is under Christ’s ultimate authority. Are we people who respect God’s authority, or do we only honor authority when it agrees with what we want?
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike looks at 1 Samuel 20 and the incredible friendship between David and Jonathan. There are surprisingly few examples of friendship in the Bible, yet Jesus tells His followers that He calls them friends, inviting us into a relationship with Him that is far deeper than a casual friendship. And the Bible takes it even further: as followers of Jesus, we are not only friends of Christ but brothers and sisters in God’s family. What does it look like to live out the kind of loyal, sacrificial friendship and family that God has designed us to experience together?
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike looks at the troubling statement, “An evil spirit from the Lord came upon Saul,” and the persecution David endured as Saul’s jealousy and hatred grew. David had spears thrown at him twice, yet God used these years of persecution, uncertainty, and isolation to shape him into the godly leader He was calling him to become. Those 12–20 years of preparation helped develop a leader who was both tenderhearted and strong, learning to trust God through some incredibly difficult circumstances. Could God be using the difficult seasons of your life to prepare you for something He wants to do through you?
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike shares a Freebie Friday focused on the incredible benefits we have because Jesus is our King. He fights for us, provides everything we need to accomplish what God has called us to do, and willingly set aside Himself for our sake. And He gives us spiritual authority to stand against the evil we encounter in this world. What a privilege it is to belong to a King who not only rules over us, but fights for us, provides for us, and empowers us to live for Him.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike looks at the story of David and Goliath and focuses on David as God’s chosen king who won the victory so that others could follow in his footsteps. David’s victory over Goliath points us toward the greater King, Jesus, who won the ultimate victory on our behalf. Because Christ has conquered sin and death, we don’t have to fight for victory—we get to live from the victory He has already won and follow in His footsteps. Are you trusting in the victory of your King and faithfully following Him?
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike looks at 1 Samuel 16 and the calling of David, reminding us that God does not look at people the way we do. While Samuel was focused on David’s outward appearance and stature, God reminded him, “The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” We can easily become focused on how we look, what we accomplish, or how others see us, but God is far more concerned with who we are on the inside. What does God see when He looks at your heart?
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike looks at 1 Samuel 15 and Saul’s belief that he and his men could disobey God as long as they offered Him a sacrifice afterward. Samuel responds with the powerful words, “To obey is better than sacrifice,” reminding Saul that God desires a heart that listens and obeys Him. We live on this side of the cross, where our sins are forgiven through Christ’s sacrifice, but that grace does not make obedience optional—it gives us the freedom and desire to obey. Are we using God’s grace as an excuse for disobedience, or are we responding to His sacrifice with a life of faithful obedience?
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike looks at 1 Samuel 14 and the incredible bravery of Jonathan, who trusted that God wanted to defeat Israel’s enemies even more than he did. Jonathan was willing to step forward in faith because he knew the battle ultimately belonged to God. Do we have that same kind of courage? Are we willing to trust God, step out in faith, and believe that He is already at work—even when the circumstances around us look overwhelming?
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike shares a Freebie Friday lesson on learning to trust God’s timing. Building on Saul’s story from yesterday, Mike reflects on some of the challenges he has experienced over the last several years and how many of the prayers and expectations he carried are now beginning to fall into place. Looking back, he can see that God was working through every moment—even in seasons when it didn’t seem like anything was happening—but he also recognizes how often he missed what God was doing because he was too focused on what he wanted to see happen. Sometimes trusting God means trusting not only His plan, but also His timing.
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