Tuscumbia First Methodist Church

06/18/2026

𝗘-𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡, 𝗧𝗛𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝟭𝟴, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Today’s Scripture Reading - 2 Samuel 1-2

Scripture

14 Then Abner said to Joab, “Let’s have some of the young men get up and fight hand to hand in front of us.” “All right, let them do it,” Joab said. 15 So they stood up and were counted off—twelve men for Benjamin and Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David. 16 Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his dagger into his opponent’s side, and they fell down together. So that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim. 17 The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the Israelites were defeated by David’s men. - 2 Samuel 2:14-17

Meditation

This is a bizarre start to something God has anointed but as they say, it is what it is. Saul has been buried and David pauses to lament. Then we come to a fight over control. We’ve all been in those fights before and hopefully it wasn’t resolved like this one! We all know it is hard to give up control. Ask Saul’s family. They’ve buried Saul and David is waiting in the wings yet they anoint a king to serve Israel. Bad move. Meanwhile, David, per God’s instruction, is anointed king of Judah. And the fighting continues. Absurdity. All in an effort to establish control. Here’s an idea. Let’s choose twelve young men from Saul’s side and twelve from David’s side and let them fight. Better yet, let’s begin the fight by allowing them to stab each other in the side and the fight will continue from there. As expected, David’s men won the fight. David won every time because he was the anointed one. As we have learned, it was the Lord’s plan for David to be the king. It is always better to walk in step with the plan of God rather than trying to create a plan which walks counter to the plan of God. It was never a good idea for Saul or his men to be in charge and we will encounter the consequences for a while. When we try to invoke our will into the plan of God it rarely turns out good unless we realize the destructive nature of our choices and change direction. Absurdity will be the descriptive term used when our desire for control takes over. Walk in step with God even if someone else is in control. The end result will be much better.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, humble us in order to allow you to set the path before us and give us wisdom to follow your plan instead of demanding our plan be followed. We yield control to whoever you set in charge before us. For if you have anointed them, your plan will take place and we want to be part of your plan. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

06/18/2026

06/17/2026

𝗘-𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡, 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝟭𝟳, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Today’s Scripture Reading - 1 Samuel 30-31

Scripture

22 But all the evil men and troublemakers among David’s followers said, “Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered. However, each man may take his wife and children and go.” 23 David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us. 24 Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.” 25 David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this. - 1 Samuel 30:22-25

Meditation

We finish 1 Samuel today with the death of Saul which will transition the story of David from escaping for his life to serving as king. Back to our reading today and a story which foreshadows a parable Jesus told. We are more familiar with the story in the New Testament where a land owner pays the same wages to his workers whether they started working early in the morning or late in the evening. The workers were outraged but the owner did exactly what he promised he would do. David had already written the script many years before Jesus taught the principle. We gain some insight about David’s actions in verse six of this chapter . We read at a very low and weak moment David found strength in the Lord. It was indeed a low moment. Their town had been burned and everything from wives, children and livestock of David and his six hundred men had been taken. David and his men went to capture all that had been taken. They were successful with only four hundred men because two hundred were too exhausted to continue. When we find our strength in the Lord we can do the right thing even in the midst of the worst circumstances. David’s two hundred men had done exactly what they were told to do when they were told to do it. Wait and guard instead of go and fight. The four hundred protested against sharing the plunder because they didn’t fight. It would have been much easier for David to go along with the majority but he chose the way of the Lord. His men who stayed with the supplies were rewarded for being obedient and given back their families and possessions. Following the crowd may be easier but following the Lord gets rewarded. Our strength to continue doing right in the midst of difficulty only comes from the hand of God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give us strength to make difficult decisions and follow your way when there is a much easier path that would make more people happy. Our desire is to please you and we pray you will guide us in that pathway. Let us see clearly wrong things and help us choose obedience. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

06/16/2026

𝗘-𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡, 𝗧𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝟭𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Today’s Scripture Reading - 1 Samuel 28-29

Scripture

11b And such was his practice as long as he lived in Philistine territory. 12 Achish trusted David and said to himself, “He has become so obnoxious to his people, the Israelites, that he will be my servant for life.” - 1 Samuel 27:11b-12

Mediation

This is the last verse of chapter 27 but it is part of the storyline of chapters 28-29. The story gets really interesting. David flees to the Philistine territory with his six hundred soldiers to get away from Saul and the threat of death. David is so feared in Philistia they let him in the country. But get duped into believing David is out to destroy the very people he has been anointed to soon be the king. Then Saul goes to a witch to call up the spirit of Samuel to find out what is going on because the Lord won’t talk to him any longer. Saul learns his days are short at the hand of the Philistines which at the moment includes David and his army. The Philistine rulers then realize the plan might backfire and David might destroy the Philistine army from within so they send him back to Ziklag. It’s bizarre to read I know but we can learn valuable and very practical lessons. As we have seen throughout the story, do not miss being obedient to or mess with the one who has the anointing of God over his life. It never turns out well. God’s anointing goes before and is more powerful than all the enemies can muster. The Philistine leader was so overconfident he thought David would fight with him against his own people. Never. The Philistine rulers knew better. Next, don’t live your life in such a way as to lose communication with God as Saul did. If you have to invite evil to help you, it never turns out good. David had the anointing. Saul lost touch with God. Anointing gives direction and discernment and God gives power. We need both.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, send your anointing to and among your people so we might live in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Keep us ever mindful of the need to always be dependent on you and never leave you for our own decisions. Never let us think that evil will direct our path in the way of the Lord. Help us to resist depending on ourselves or some form of evil. Make us one with Christ. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

06/15/2026

𝗘-𝗗𝗘𝗩𝗢𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡, 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝟭𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Today’s Scripture Reading - 1 Samuel 26-27

Scripture

21 Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have been terribly wrong.” 22 “Here is the king’s spear,” David answered. “Let one of your young men come over and get it. 23 The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. 24 As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.” 25 Then Saul said to David, “May you be blessed, David my son; you will do great things and surely triumph.” So David went on his way, and Saul returned home. - 1 Samuel 26:21-25

Meditation

Same song. Next verse of many more to come. Here he comes again. Saul, after David for no apparent reason. Again, the Ziphites encourage Saul by telling him where David is hiding. As this story unfolds without further explanation you might think the Ziphites were the enemy. But, they, in fact, are a clan of David’s tribe, the tribe of Judah. They are home boys who have decided David is the enemy and he needs to die. And once again the Lord delivers Saul over into David’s hand and David is left with a decision. Kill him or honor the Lord. David will not forget his instructions to never lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. As followers of Christ, we have the Lord’s anointing in a sense upon us. He will let Yahweh be the judge and timekeeper on Saul’s life. One of Saul’s problems is that he keeps listening to the wrong voices. One of our problems is that we listen to the wrong voices. They might not be evil, but they aren’t meant for good. Saul is constantly listening to the voices who are thinking just like the Ziphites, suggesting evil and destruction. Maybe he ought to listen to his own voice in the moments of repentance where he declares David blessed and able to do great things. When the voices in our head point to evil or destruction, it’s probably a good indication it might not be the right voice to listen to. We have to deal with evil daily but our mandate in scripture is to avoid causing evil and to encourage and build up. We should focus on kingdom building, not kingdom destruction.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, grant us the wisdom to discern the voices we are listening to. Let us receive with joy the direction from the voices seeking to build up the kingdom and encourage people into the grace of Jesus. Let us encourage the kingdom dwellers as well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

06/14/2026

June 14, 2026
Traditional Worship
We're glad you're here with us in worship today!
Let us know you're worshiping with us: https://35062.people.myamplify.io/external/form/541bd2d1-b101-47b1-b89d-1631dd28548d
Hosea 1:2-3; 3:1-5

06/14/2026

June 14, 2026
Contemporary Worship
We're glad you're here with us in worship today!
Let us know you're worshiping with us: https://35062.people.myamplify.io/external/form/541bd2d1-b101-47b1-b89d-1631dd28548d
Hosea 1:2-3; 3:1-5