1 Samuel

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“Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22)

May 14, 2012

What Samuel said to Saul after he thought he could appease God with disobedient worship. We don’t manipulate God with our worship. It doesn’t satisfy His justice. He is looking for true worshipers, those that worship in spirit and in truth. Obeying God is worship. Love obeys.

“You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever” (1 Samuel 13:13)

May 12, 2012

What Samuel said to Saul after he failed to wait on the old prophet. I must admit, I relate to Saul’s impatience. After all, Samuel was running late and Saul’s army was getting restless. Saul was worried about winning the upcoming battle when he should have been focused on being obedient to God. Be careful not to put God’s work before His worship.

“Samuel said, ‘Stay here, for I have received a special message for you from God'” (1 Samuel 9:27)

May 10, 2012

Saul was busy searching for his father’s donkeys, but God had other plans for him. He asked Saul to “stay here” for a while. Hard to do when you have urgent duties. Yet, Saul stayed and listened and God made him king of Israel. Are you chasing the urgent when God is asking you to just “stay here” for a while?

“But David found strength in the LORD his God” (1 Samuel 30:6)

May 21, 2011

In the KJV this same verse reads, “But David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” When everyone around you is discouraged and things look bleak, do you know how to do this? There is strength and encouragement to be found in God alone during these times. Seek Him.

“So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone” (1 Samuel 17:50)

May 15, 2011

A servant shepherd defeats a giant gladiator. These are the stories that God wants to write into our lives, if we have the heart to pursue Him. Who are the giants shouting destruction today? Who in God’s camp has the heart to answer?

“The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7)

May 14, 2011

And the Lord is the only One that can change the heart. Ask His help in your parenting and pastoring. Aim at heart change rather than just outward obedience. Ask “Lord, change our/their hearts!”

“The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14)

May 12, 2011

What Samuel told Saul when he didn’t wait on the Lord’s servant at Gilgal. God still looks for leaders based on character rather than competence. He still delights in lifting up the least to greatness. Is your heart for God large enough and your stature small enough for God to use?

“In those days the word of the LORD was rare” (1 Samuel 3:1)

May 8, 2011

Not that God wasn’t willing. Man wasn’t listening. Then, a woman named Hannah gave her son Samuel completely to God. He was one of the greatest prophets in all Israel. And the once barren Hannah became known as one of the greatest mothers. Happy Mother’s Day!

“I prayed for this child and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now for his whole life he will be given over to the LORD (1 Samuel 1:27-28)

May 7, 2011

Hannah is a godly example of motherhood. She asked God for a son and gave him back to God when he was born. She named him “Samuel” (“Heard of God”). To whom do your children belong? Are you like Hannah?

Facing the Family Crisis

April 19, 2009 | 1 Samuel 2:12-26 | family, parenting