David's Life After
- A Devotional series for the unemployed
The website is a series of devotionals for the unemployed.
This study has been written based on my experience in being unemployed and unexpectedly looking for work.
For those who are newly out of work, this may serve more as an introduction and outline than a detailed guide. Where possible I have made references to other resources that may prove useful.
For those who have found themselves in this position more often than they would have expected, I am sorry, and I know the difficulties and stress seem multiplied as you look at doing again what you have done before.
This study does touch on spiritual issues and include a significant number of references to the Scripture . I make no apologies for that. It’s my perspective that your faith and what you belief will be tested when you find yourself out of work. My prayer is that this study will help you as a whole person and not just due to your circumstances of being unemployed.
There are several characters that are mentioned in the Old and New Testaments that I could have used for this study.
David was chosen for the following reasons.
- David is well known, and his story is covered in significant detail in the scripture
- David is shown in a realistic and honest treatment by the scriptures. His strengths and his weaknesses are evident in the telling.
- David showed his dedication to the Lord and either wrote or collected several poems and hymns that are reflected in Psalms.
The study is organized into different sections and organized for easy reading. I have tried to include as much of the scripture within the book as I can to make it easier for those who want to quickly go through it.
I would encourage you to find a translation that you can relate to and I have chosen to use the NIV unless otherwise noted. There are cases when I offer extra illustration or an interpretation to provide commentary to the text.
For those who are able, I would encourage you to take the time and look at the reflection questions, and journal on the topics.
AUTHOR
This work has been authored by
John W
If you have comments and useful feedback you can contact me directly a
COPYRIGHT
This website and the content of the devotionals is subject to copyright and may not be copied, edited, or published in any other form.
(c) 2020
SITE MAP
A CHALLENGE
I love this challenge from Peter B of C3G
We sometimes struggle to find the time to make God a priority when all is well with our career. Perhaps the season of unemployment is when we pause and take the time and effort to draw closer to God then we've ever been.
PREFACE
This study has been prepared and in part reflects my own journey to find employment. I owe a debt to not only those who I have learned from but those who have come alongside me in my journey. It is out of gratitude to them that I offer this study to help you address some issues and topics that may come up as you journey on your own.
There are many resources that provide information for job seekers that is written in as secular and generic way as they can. Please know that I am not intended to be critical of them but the circumstances of being unemployed has influenced me holistically. It has impacted what is on my mind, my emotions, my spiritual condition and how I treat those around me.
I worry that the issues that would be most helpful for you are perhaps only briefly touched on here. Please do not try to live alone. There are ministries and people that are willing to serve and minister to one another.
The ministries that I believe have had the biggest impact are here in the Atlanta area:
- First Redeemer Church, where I attend and participated in worship, community group and its ministries. One of the ministries there is to help people find their gifts and uniqueness through Jay McSwain and Place Ministries.
- North Point Community Church, which has a career group C3G (Christ Centered Career Groups that is excellent for networking others in job search. It is ably led by Peter Bourke and an army of volunteers.
- Roswell United Methodist Church (RUMC) that has one of the most extensive career networking groups that I have ever seen and offers a significant number of sessions
Please know I am not seeking to engage in any doctrinal or controversial disputes. My personal beliefs are most closely aligned to Southern Baptist, but I accept not everyone will be.
This study is a work in progress as my journey is.
You are welcome to share suggestions or improvements or even corrections.
LIFE AFTER GOLIATH FELL
This section provides devotionals about the early period of David's life up to and including his victory over Goliath.
Early Upbringing and Annointing to be future King
His Heroic Success over Goliath
Suddenly finding that there were No More Goliaths
Choosing his weapon instead of the Kings Armour
What he did with the Four Stones after conquering Goliath
Follow this link to go these devotionals: GOLIATH
LIFE AFTER HONEYMOON
This section provides devotionals about what should have been a great celebration and recognition for David but due to Saul's jealousy led David to a life on the run and living in a cave.
Not a Honeymoon
HIs run to safety
Disruption of his Home
Chance for Paybacks
Leaving Retribution to the Lord
Follow this link to go to these Devotionals: HONEYMOON
LIFE AFTER FOOLISHNESS
This section provides devotionals about the impact to David's life about his foolishness in his pursuit of Bathsheba and afterwards.
Overcome with temptation
Escaping the consequences
Intervention of Nathan
David's Confession
Resolution to Move On
Follow this link to go to these devotionals: FOOLISHNESS
LIFE AFTER DEVOTION
This section provides devotionals about David's example of devotions to the Lord as expressed in Psalms.
Devotion to Prayer
Devotion to Scripture and Songs
Devotion to Sacred Gatherings
Devotion to Justice
Devotion to Hope
Follow this link to go to these devotionals: DEVOTION
STUDY MORE ABOUT DAVID
The stories of David are interesting and part of the tradition of Christians, Jews and Muslims.
This section will provide a general background of the person and history of David as told in the Old Testament.
This section will provide reference to the scriptures to different people and relationships in his life including: David as a Boy, David and Goliath, David and Jonathan, David and Saul, David and Michal, David and Bathsheba, David and Nathan, DAvid and his Sons, David and Solomon.