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!

Judges 17-20 [The Message]

In the town of Gibeah, morally perverse men committed unspeakable acts upon the concubine of a traveling Levite. They so abused her that she died. He cut up her members and sent them to the twelve tribes and asked for vindication. The senseless act of moral perversion led to a war and the loss of many lives.

NOTHING GOOD ever comes from moral perversion.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” [Matt. 5:8]

Judges 14-16 [The Message]

Samson’s weakness was obviously WOMEN. It’s as if he could not resist a beautiful woman when he saw her. It was nearly his downfall. Nevertheless, God used his weakness to cause him to reap havoc upon the Philistines. In the end, Samson’s life was given up along with many Philistines when he pushed down the pillars of the house of a heathen god party.

God’s gift of his strength was given without repentance, but his abuse of his carnal nature led to his death. This is by no means an excuse to yield to your lustful appetites. God accomplishes His purposes regardless of our personal shortcomings. Our sins lead to our personal pain. If he had kept his morality pure, God would still have used Samson but with greater rewards to his memory. Imagine what he put his parents through.

Judges 13 [The Message]

God’s angel came to Samson’s parents and essentially outlined a formula for raising him to fulfill God’s purpose in his life. He was not to be raised in the same way as his friends. Although Samson’s life had some contradictory behavior, he DID some very special exploits with the gifts God gave him.

Children set apart for God’s service can’t do what every other child does nor go where every other child goes. Although they won’t understand it when they’re children, one day they will look back and say, “Yes, God used my parents and the strict upbringing I had to prepare me for my life’s ministry.” Their love and respect for their parents will grow.

Hang in there, parents. It will be worth it.

Judges 12 [The Message]

Jephthah was the commander of the Israelite army. He made a carnal agreement with God that he would sacrifice to God whatever came through his door upon his return from war IF God gave him a victory. Sadly, his beloved daughter came through the door to his lament He followed through with his vow. The cost was great … no doubt a grief he carried the rest of his life. Actually, the unwise vow never needed to be made.

Foxhole conversions and foxhole vows are probably never effective. It’s God’s grace (undeserved kindness and favor) alone that makes a difference in the way we live. Even our vows to God are really conditional upon how much grace He grants to us.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. [Phil. 2:13]

Judges 10 [The Message]

Countless times the Children of Israel were rebellious and turned away from God and did what they wanted to do. Then, they would get in trouble and cry out to God for help. He generally relented and gave them the help they needed.

His mercies are never ending. His love is perpetual. We don’t deserve Him but HE LOVES US!!!