[NIV] 8 Once more war broke out, and David went outand fought the Philistines. He struck them with suchforce that they fled before him.
9 But an evil spirit from the LORD came on Saul as hewas sitting in his house with his spear in his hand. WhileDavid was playing the lyre, - P42
11 Saul sent men to David‘s house to watch it and to killhim in the morning. But Michal, David‘s wife, warnedhim, "If you don‘t run for your life tonight, tomorrowyou‘ll be killed." - P42
16 But when the men entered, there was the idol in thebed, and at the head was some goats‘ hair.
17 Saul said to Michal, "Why did you deceive me likethis and send my enemy away so that he escaped?"
Michal told him, "He said to me, ‘Let me get away.Why should I kill you?"" - P43
David once again defeats the Philistines in battle. An evil spirit comes uponSaul, and he tries to pin David with a spear. - P43
That night, Saul sends men toDavid‘s house to kill him, but Michal warns David to run for his life. Michalputs an idol in David‘s bed and tells Saul‘s men that David is ill. But the mendiscover they have been deceived. - P43
David‘s life is in danger on account of Saul‘s jealous rage, so he fleeswith the help of his wife, Michal. Michal deceives Saul‘s men by convincing them that David is sick in bed, and while her tactics might bemorally questionable, she does what she believes is necessary to protecther husband‘s life. - P44
As we navigate our way through this world, we willlikely come across people who use questionable means to get what theywant. - P44
While God requires His children to do all things according toHis moral law, He can and does work through the wrongful actions ofworldly people to accomplish His will just as He did when PontiusPilate ordered the execution of Jesus as a result of an unfair trial. - P44
Ratherthan judge others, let us focus on our own walk with God, obey Himwith fear and trembling, and trust in His ability to work out His plansin His ways. - P44
Dear Jesus, as we live in this world, we often face problems in our relationshipswith others. - P45
Give us patience, kindness, wisdom, and humility that we may learnto love others as You love us. In Your name, amen. - P45
Italy was once the seat of the Roman Empire and the birthplace of the Renaissance. It has hadan immeasurable impact on global art, culture, politics, and religion, and remains the centerof the Catholic Church. - P44
Today, more than 80 percent of the population identifies as Christian,
yet only a small percentage practice their faith. - P44
The Evangelical church is small, but there areglimmers of hope. While in the past the church has suffered from division, several churchnetworks are beginning to foster trust and collaboration across denominations. - P44
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