1 Sam. 8, 9 [The Message]

Saul had no idea what was going to happen when he sought out Samuel, the Prophet, when he was looking for his father’s donkeys. God had spoken to Samuel and said, “Tomorrow you will see whom I have chosen to be king over Israel.” Sure enough, Samuel placed Saul at the head of the table and the rest was history,

We are all given the honor of being New Testament kings and priests unto God, but some are “called” to be God’s leadership gifts to the Church. Eph. 4:11 says Christ gave-chose-ordained-granted-made-establshed-handed out-appointed-made ministries for the Church. (These are all verbs from the various translations to describe how we received prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers for the Body of Christ)

And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. [Heb. 5:4]

1 Sam. 7 [The Message]

This chapter says all Israel was sad and begged the Lord for help. It was no doubt brought on by the oppression they were experiencing from the Philistines. Samuel the Prophet responded to their desperation by instructing them to forsake all their idols and evil ways, the things that displeased the Lord greatly. They did, so Samuel got in gear and offered his offering and asked the people to fast unto the Lord. The impact one man had on and entire nation was profound. His intercession brought a great victory!

When the Philistines saw that Israel was getting serious with God, they moved to attack. Samuel offered a lamb and cried out to God. Simultaneously, God’s marvelous voice thundered over the enemy such that they panicked, allowing Israel to soundly defeat them. Samuel set up a commemorative marker stone and called it “Ebenezer,” which means “This is where the Lord has certainly helped us.”

What will it take for our nation to spiritually wake up and seek the Lord? Regardless, God can save us from ANYTHING or ANYBODY! We need a revival like this.

1 Sam. 4-6 [The Message]

The Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenant, but they had a price to pay. God struck them with hemorrhoids and a rat infestation. They finally concluded that God was against them for their irreverence, and sent the Ark back to Israel.

There is MUCH irreverence toward God in our society, and it seems to be getting worse. Although the evening news probably doesn’t report it, no doubt there’s a price to pay. As the scripture says, “Don’t be deceived. God is NOT mocked. Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” [Gal. 6:7]

1 Sam. 3 [The Message]

The story of God speaking to Samuel as a young boy is a classic. Some points to consider:

• God kept calling until Samuel heard Him
• God was patient, teaching Samuel to accurately hear Him.
• God bypassed the “religious route” and chose rather a personal, intimate route.
• God’s message included some hard words (for Eli).
• Because Samuel heard directly from God, his prophetic messages were always accurate.
• God speaks to children.

1 Sam. 2 [The Message]

All too often the children of a spiritual leader display behavior that does not represent Christian values. Our oldest daughter, when attending Bible college, would regretfully share stories of the children of the pastors of large churches and some of the very unwise things they did. Such was the situation Eli created when he obviously neglected training his sons to behave themselves appropriately. Did he give too much time to his ministry and not enough at home? Probably. Sometimes, children cry out for attention by acting up. If their antics are not adequately corrected, they can become permanent flaws in behavior.

For this reason, the leader placing parenting even above the performance of their ministry in priority is wise. This is why the Apostle Paul says, “Church officials must be in control of their own families, and they must see that their children are obedient and always respectful.” [1 Tiim. 3:4 CEV]

Good parenting is not rocket science. It does take love directed at children so they know your love and are corrected by that love when they are wrong. Correct them while they are still pliable.

1 Sam. 1b [The Message]

This is the scripture passage that is most frequently used in baby dedications. Ir’s the way a child SHOULD begin their earthly life. When we give our children back to God, He takes it seriously and will have already crafted a unique and effective destiny for them. Since our life here on earth is so transient, we shouldn’t waste even a day apart from God’s specific design for our lives.

You can make a fresh beginning TODAY. It’s the first day of THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

1 Samuel 1 [The Message]

We get weak in our faith when the times are tough. In the story of Hannah, a barren woman who was desperate for a child, we have an example of how effective the human heart can be with God when it is denied.

Firstly, her desire for a child eclipsed any other priority in her life. She was essentially miserable unless God would respond to her prayer. It was her whole focus. She was misunderstood by Eli the priest. He thought she was drunk when she prayed. Still, she persisted in her quest for God’s provision.

Second, she made some costly commitments to God through her travail. She said, “If You’ll quit neglecting me and go into action for me by giving me a son, I’ll give him completely, unreservedly to You. I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline.” [1 Sam. 1:10,11]

God responded by giving her one of scripture’s most devout persons, the great prophet Samuel. Her desperation, although painful for a season, is an example of how to really do business with God.

Ruth 4 [The Message]

Boaz was a diligent man. He had that reputation, because Naomi knew he would with haste perform all the needed steps to pursue Ruth as her kinsman redeemer. Sure enough, he wrapped it all up in a day.

Diligence isn’t necessarily performing busy work at Mach 1 speed. It IS accomplishing the vital steps to achieve an important goal.

It’s been said, “Ask a busy person if you want to get something done.” It’s true. They are usually diligent people who will integrate your request with their normal workload. It will be done.

Some people are naturally diligent. It’s their nature to get things done. If you’re NOT that person, seek the Lord’s help to attain diligence He has grace for you.

For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure. [Phil. 2:13 AMP]

Ruth 2, 3 [The Message]

IF … you need one and can wait upon God. The story of Ruth and Boaz is an amazing testimony of how God brought two unlikely people together to be a part of the bloodline of Christ. Of all the harvest fields Ruth could have landed in,it happened to be the perfect one for her to meet her future husband.

While being coached by her mother-in-law, Naomi, Ruth actively did her part in the romance. She applied a little foo-foo (perfume) and stuck to an approved and legitimate course of action to signal to Boaz that she was eligible. Boaz took the bait and proceeded to do his part in the romance.

Notice that Ruth was not out marketing herself. She was merely doing what she SHOULD do, being submissive and obedient to her mother-in-law. God positioned her to be available for His destiny for her life. The rest was HIStory.

P.S. David was not marketing himself to become King Saul’s private musician … he was out in his father’s field tending to his father’s sheep .. doing what he SHOULD do .. when he was immediately elevated to prominence in Israel.

Judges 21; Ruth 1 [The Message]

Where is your home?

Naomi’s two sons and her husband had died in Moab. Their wives were encouraged to stay at their “home” in Moab, but Ruth said to her mother-in-law, “Where you go, I will go. Where you live (call home) I will live.” Ruth was willing to adopt a new home based on her relationship with her husband’s mother. She was willing to designate Naomi’s homeland as her new home and form a whole new network of family.

This happens when we accept Christ. His family, the Body of Born-again Believers, becomes our new home. At the Cross where He died, Jesus designated His mother, Mary, as the new mother to His Disciples there at the Cross.

Relationships in Christ’s Body of Believers actually become closer than those of our earthly families and Heaven and God’s Kingdom are our new HOME!