Category: I Samuel

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Guard Your Heart

The last few days at work my computer and printer have been out of sync. They aren’t operating properly and so the CPU is off to the computer hospital. Repairs will be made and very shortly everything will be functioning correctly again.

Isn’t that the way it is with our lives?

Sometimes we get out of sync and when we do, we don’t operate correctly. It’s important that we get a spiritual update to function properly.

“ My son, listen to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them leave your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. 23 Keep your heart pure for out of it are the important things of life. 24 Put false speaking away from you. Put bad talk far from you. 25 Let your eyes look straight in front of you, and keep looking at what is in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure.” Proverbs 4:20-26 NLV

Life is not without challenges, problems and battles. If we don’t guard our hearts these things could and will break us.

King David was facing physical armies and this was his prayer:

“ When sinful men, and all who hated me, came against me to destroy my flesh, they tripped and fell. 3 Even if an army gathers against me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if war rises against me, I will be sure of You.” Psalm 27:2-3 NLV

Hannah was a woman who had been barren and had endured ridicule and consternation from those around her. She prayed asking the Lord for a child. Her prayer was answered.

“Then Hannah prayed and said, “My heart is happy in the Lord. My strength is honored in the Lord. My mouth speaks with strength against those who hate me, because I have joy in Your saving power. 2 There is no one holy like the Lord. For sure, there is no one other than You. There is no rock like our God.” I Samuel 2:1-3 NLV

These are just two of the many in Scripture who guarded their hearts and saw the power of God in their lives.

“ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding. 6 Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and turn away from what is sinful. 8 It will be healing to your body and medicine to your bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8 NLV

We keep our heart and our mind in sync when we trust the Lord. Our mind says worry, get angry, take short cuts, and even gossip but our heart quickly sends out the message “Trust God”.

“You will keep the man in perfect peace whose mind is kept on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NLV

When our heart is focused on the Lord it causes our will and emotions to function properly. Guard your heart!

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Receiving Our Inheritance

Some days just don’t go as you have planned. That was today…

We’re home, under the air conditioning, I have my feet up and I’m listening to the Holy Spirit share with me, heart-to-heart.

Time today planning family get togethers, a memorial service and then I received good news on a family member’s health. All in all, it has been a day of blessing!

Although my morning was not my usual routine, and I apologize to all of you for not putting out the blog, I really had a great day with the Lord. Let me share…

“For the Holy Spirit speaks to us and tells our spirit that we are children of God. 17 If we are children of God, we will receive everything He has promised us. We will share with Christ all the things God has given to Him. But we must share His suffering if we are to share His shining-greatness.

18 I am sure that our suffering now cannot be compared to the shining-greatness that He is going to give us. Romans 8:16-18 NLV

“We will share with Christ all the things God has given to Him.”

I spent a large portion of my morning reflecting on the life of Jesus here on earth. He walked from town to town preaching. He slept in the homes of friends and ate at their tables. He was ridiculed by His family, they didn’t understand His calling.

He went to wedding and funerals. He had compassion on the hurting and sick. He was criticized by the religious elite for eating and “drinking” with people who had a poor reputation.

Any of this sound familiar? If it does congratulations, you are acting like your older brother, Jesus.

His closest friends were often questioning his actions and his teachings. The man he trusted with the contributions and financial support stole from him. Other of his disciples were creating a power play to see who would be Jesus’ right-hand man.

So many distractions, so many issues. How did Jesus stay focused.

“After He had sent them away, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. ” Matathew 14:23 NLV

“ In the morning before the sun was up, Jesus went to a place where He could be alone. He prayed there. 36 Simon and the others looked for Jesus.” Mark 1:35 NLV

If we’re going to “share with Christ all the things God has for him” we’re going to need to act more like Him. He spent time listening to His Father. He spent time being silent.

I saw something on Facebook today I don’t ever want to forget. The same letters in the word listen are also in the word silent. If we are going to be good listeners, we need to learn to be silent.

We all need to learn the lesson that a young boy named Samuel learned from the old priest Eli.

“Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down. If He calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 Then the Lord came and stood and called as He did the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” 11 The Lord said to Samuel, “See, I am about to do a thing in Israel which will make both ears of everyone who hears it feel strange.” I Samuel 3:9-11 NLV

Listen – I’ve been doing that all day. The Father has spoken quietly but He told me I’m living below my station. His inheritance for me is so much greater than what I have been expecting.

His inheritance to each of us who call him Father starts here on earth but will continue to all eternity!

“Father, I’m listening with great anticipation!”

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Time Away

We just returned home after being gone for 5 days. What a good trip!

The last couple of days we were back on the mountain. For two years we had been camp hosts at Rainbow Campground on Big Lake in the Arizona White Mountains. This year we made a tough decision and were not able to return.

We miss the serenity of mountain life and the dear friends we have there. Everything we do is dependent upon God’s times and seasons.

“Everything on earth
has its own time
    and its own season.
2 There is a time
for birth and death,
    planting and reaping,
3 for killing and healing,
    destroying and building,
4 for crying and laughing,
    weeping and dancing,
5 for throwing stones
and gathering stones,
    embracing and parting.
6 There is a time
for finding and losing,
    keeping and giving,
7 for tearing and sewing,
    listening and speaking.
8 There is also a time
for love and hate,
    for war and peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 CEV

The embracing and parting are hard. We spent time with some friends we have known for many years and also with some who we only been acquainted with for a few years. It was a time of refreshing and catching up. There were tears and laughter, promises to meet again and always – always – an expression of gratitude for the Lord bringing our lives together.

What a joy it is to know that the Lord cares about our associations and friendships.

“Jonathan liked David so much that they promised to always be loyal friends.” I Samuel 18:3 CEV

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly.  He delights in every detail of their lives. 24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Psalm 37:23-24 NLT

Last night after we returned home Dave and I began to call out names of so many who have been a part of our lives and we know how truly rich we are in the area of relationships.

I am truly grateful for each of you who read this blog. I feel the Lord has blessed me in such a tremendous way, being able to share with you my walk with the Lord and to encourage you in your walk with Him as well.

Thank you for being faithful readers and precious friends, some we know and some we have yet to meet.

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Watch How You Jump

Jumping to conclusions, making snap judgements and circumstantial evidence have destroyed so many relationships.

Years ago, I worked in the Dean of Students office at a local community college. I was hired to help with the new student handbook and to serve as Admin Assist. to the Dean of Students.

Our office was responsible for student ID’s, vehicle usage for the sports teams and even the campus security. We had lots of students coming and going through our office who worked on campus. But one young man in particular stood out.

I was a mature married woman of 32. I had 3 children, a husband and was a “good christian woman”. He was in his early 20’s, tattooed and pierced, looking like a character from Pirates of the Caribbean. He could have been a stand in for Johnny Depp. I judged him based on his appearance and nothing more.

After working with him for several weeks, he came in one morning, late again. When I asked why, he told me that the devil had really been working against him that morning – car wouldn’t start, flat tire, wife was sick and it had really stolen his joy. He asked me if I would pray for him throughout the day so that he could keep a good attitude and do his job well!

Oh Lord, I apologize! I judged wrongly, I wasn’t looking for the good in this man, I was looking at him through my own prejudice and I was wrong!

Why am I telling you this? Well, this morning I was continuing my read through I Samuel and Samuel made the same judgement. The Lord had rejected Saul as king because of his disobedience and Samuel was sent to find and anoint a new king for Israel. He found a man, based on outward appearance, that he thought was God’s man of power for the hour.

“When Jesse and his sons arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, ‘Surely this is the man who the Lord has chosen.’ 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Eliab is tall and handsome, but don’t judge by things like that. God doesn’t look at what people see. People judge by what is on the outside, but the Lord looks at the heart. Eliab is not the right man.’” I Samuel 16:6-7 ERV

And then came this young man, the youngest of Jesse’s sons, a shepherd. David hadn’t even been invited to the dinner because his father had misjudged him as well.

“Jesse sent someone to get his youngest son. This son was a good-looking, healthy young man. He was very handsome. The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Get up and anoint him. He is the one.’…The Spirit of the Lord came on David with great power from that day on. Then Samuel went back home to Ramah.” I Samuel 16:12-13 ERV

Are you like me and misjudging someone based on appearance or education or some other external character? Perhaps you are the one that is the recipient of snap judgement.

Let me encourage you to ask the Lord to show you the heart of people; let the Holy Spirit love through you and see those around you as God does.

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Left But Not Alone

Just a few days back I shared with you the story of Hannah. She was the one who was unable to have a child. Her heart was broken, and she cried out to the Lord. He granted her request and she was blessed with a son. A son named Samuel.

Now, let me relay the rest of the story.

When Samuel was weaned his mother and father brought him to the tabernacle to live with Eli the old priest. You see, his mother had promised God that she would dedicate her son to the Lord’s work. God kept His promise and Hannah kept hers.

“She said to him, ‘Pardon me, sir. I am the same woman who stood near you praying to the Lord. I promise that I am telling the truth. 27 I prayed for this child, and the Lord answered my prayer. He gave me this child. 28 And now I give this child to the Lord. He will serve the Lord all his life.’ Then Hannah left the boy there and worshiped the Lord.” I Samuel 1:26-28 ERV

The story of Hannah and Samuel isn’t just a fable that makes a good read. It is the true story of a loving mother and godly woman. Imagine how she must have wrestled with her emotions as she made the decision to give Samuel to Eli and leave him there.

Do you remember a time when you had to leave your child somewhere and it made your heart ache? Maybe it was the first day of kindergarten, maybe it was college or boot camp, it could have been at the door to the operating room in the hospital.

A sinking feeling for sure. Even now those times bring tears to your eyes and an ache to your heart.

Now imagine if you will another parent who was willing to give up their child. This time, however, the child was given as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

“Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life.” John 3:16 ERV

Hannah gave her son to a loving God but God gave His Son to an unloving world. Hannah knew her son would be well cared for, God knew His Son would be hated and abused.

It’s important that we realize the great sacrifice that our heavenly Father made in giving His Son! We can’t take it lightly. He gave so that we can have life eternal.

He gave because of His great love for us!

“Christ died for us when we were unable to help ourselves. We were living against God, but at just the right time Christ died for us. 7 Very few people will die to save the life of someone else, even if it is for a good person. Someone might be willing to die for an especially good person. 8 But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much he loves us.” Romans 5:6-8 ERV

Samuel was left in the loving care of Eli. Christ died for us, rose and ascended into heaven where He is preparing a place for us. But He left us with the Holy Spirit who provides us with strength, comfort and love while we await Christ’s return.

We are left in this world for the time being, but we are never alone!

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Grasshopper Syndrome

Have you ever heard of “grasshoppers syndrome”? If you have, I’d be surprised because I think I just made it up but it’s possible someone else has had the same witty thought I have. Grasshopper Syndrome was first diagnosed in Numbers 13.

Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt and God said He had given them the Promised Land. All they had to do was go in and possess it. Moses chose twelve men to go in, spy out the land and bring back a report. Ten men came back with Grasshopper Syndrome and two men, Joshua and Caleb, came back “considering” only the good that God had revealed to them.

The ten men said this:

“And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:33

The problem wasn’t the giants in the land, it’s that they were considering the giants and not God and saw themselves as grasshoppers. Their misconception kept them wandering in the wilderness area for years to come.

Years later we find a second outbreak of Grasshopper Syndrome. It occurs in I Samuel 17. The story of David and Goliath. The army of Israel had heard Goliath taunt them for 40 days.

“And the Philistine said, ‘I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together’. 11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.” I Samuel 17:10-11

Goliath was the largest man around. He came out twice a day mocking the armies of God. Grasshopper Syndrome had spread throughout the entire army, and they were filled with fear.

Then David, a shepherd boy, showed up. He heard Goliath’s defiant cries, and asked but one question “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?” David didn’t concern himself with Goliath’s size. No, he considered God’s promise of protection to the Israelites.

Circumcision was a sign that God had promised to always be with the Israelites. It meant I will give you My all and when you need Me, I will be there.”

David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me using sword, spear, and javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD All-Powerful, the God of the armies of Israel. You have said bad things about him. 46 Today the LORD will let me defeat you. I will kill you. I will cut off your head and feed your body to the birds and wild animals…Then all the world will know there is a God in Israel…The battle belongs to the LORD, and he will help us defeat all of you’.” I Samuel 17:45-47

With one shot from David’s sling, Goliath was dead.

What kind of Goliath is standing in front of you today – unemployment, illness, personal relationships, financial hardship – whatever it is, do like David. Consider God and not the giant.

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” I John 4:4

Take God’s word and destroy the giant, remove Grasshopper Syndrome from your thinking, let God’s word have final authority in your life. You are and will be victorious in this life!

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Sorrow to Joy

The story I would like to share with you today comes from the Old Testament. It seems I know this dear lady very well. I’ve met her counterparts in every church we have attended and at every retreat I have been blessed to teach.

She’s a sweet lady, one of two wives to a man named Elkanah. He loves her dearly, but she had no children. Her counterpart has children and mocks her. Each year they travel as a family to Shiloh to bring their offerings to the Lord. This is an extremely tough time for Hannah because her heart aches for a child.

In sorrow, Hannah cries out to the Lord.

“Hannah was so sad that she cried the whole time she was praying to the Lord. 11 She made a special promise to God and said, “Lord All-Powerful, you can see how sad I am. Remember me. Don’t forget me. If you will give me a son, I will give him to you. He will be yours his whole life…

13 Hannah was praying in her heart. Her lips were moving, but since she did not say the words out loud, Eli thought she was drunk. 14 He said to her, “You have had too much to drink. It is time to put away the wine.”

15 Hannah answered, “Sir, I have not drunk any wine or beer. I am deeply troubled, and I was telling the Lord about all my problems. 16 Don’t think I am a bad woman. I have been praying so long because I have so many troubles and am very sad.”

17 Eli answered, “Go in peace. May the God of Israel give you what you asked for.”

18 Hannah said, “May you be happy with me.” Then she left and ate something. She was not sad anymore.” I Samuel 1:10-18 ERV

Have you been there?

So, upset over a situation that you have wept before the Lord, pouring out your heart and soul, completely oblivious to what others thought about you…just needing God to hear your heart? If you have then you can relate to Hannah.

God heard her heart – children were a sign that you had been blessed by God and Hannah’s heart ached because she had no child. I can assure you, when you pour your heart out to God, He meets you there. He brings comfort and peace.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 KJV

God heard and answered Hannah’s prayer. A year later Samuel was born. He is the same God and Father who hears our heart’s cry.

“So My Word which goes from My mouth will not return to Me empty. It will do what I want it to do, and will carry out My plan well. 12 You will go out with joy, and be led out in peace. The mountains and the hills will break out into sounds of joy before you. And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:11-12 KJV

Pour out your sorrow before the Lord today. He will turn it into joy!

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Raising Davids

Can you imagine how hard it must have been to raise godly children in the days of Jesse?

Jesse was David’s father and he had six other sons as well. The Israelites were living in constant conflict. Nations came against them on every side. They were only a few generations removed from the exodus of Egypt and already they were forgetting some of the miracles that God had done to bring them to this place.

In all of this the Lord saw David, a young shepherd, and selected him to be the next king of Israel. What He saw wasn’t someone of great stature or strength, it wasn’t wealth and prestige. No, it was a humble and believing heart.

David was a young man who spent time tending his father’s sheep while his brothers went off to fight the battles under the leadership of King Saul, but it was David whom the Lord chose.

“ But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’…And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.” I Samuel 16:7, 13 NLT

The Bible tells us that David was a man whose heart was for God. David had to learn his faith filled beginnings at home. He learned to listen to the voice of God and obey.

As parents and grandparents, we have a responsibility to raise our children to hear and know the voice of God. Each person has a divine plan for their life. God has a purpose for each of us to fulfill. Some will be inventors, teachers, leaders of industry, preachers, mothers, doctors, pilots, farmers, fishermen, giant slayers but all have a calling.

“ For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

We have the responsibility to pray for our children and ask the Lord to show us how to help them grow into young people who will honor and serve Him. We need to encourage them in the areas where they show natural talent and passion. Each day reminding them that the Lord has a unique plan for them, and He will strengthen them to fulfill it.

When everyone else stood back, shaking in their sandals, David moved forward toward the enemy.

“…Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, came out from the Philistine ranks. Then David heard him shout his usual taunt to the army of Israel. 24 As soon as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright.” I Samuel 17:23-24 NLT

“I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” I Samuel 17:34-37 NLT

That giant was no match for young David who moved forward in obedience to God. David knew the Lord had made a promise to Israel to protect them, so he trusted God to keep His word.

Who are the Davids’ in your life? Help raise them to honor and obey the Lord.

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Commander-in-Chief

Some of you may wonder how the Bible connects to our everyday life and traditions. I hope that as you have become a regular reader of my morning blogs you are seeing more clearly how God’s word can bring a clearer focus to all we do.

Today, we focus on saying thank you to our soldiers, men and women, who have given of their lives to protect our country, our freedom and our well-being. We are all so grateful for their sacrifices.

“My heart is with the commanders of Israel, with those who volunteered for war.
Praise the Lord!” Judges 5:9 NLT

Every one of us who champion the name Christian are also called to be soldiers for the Lord. We aren’t drafted but we voluntarily enlist to serve.

The service of a good soldier requires discipline, dedication and selflessness. A soldier does what their commanding officer says without question or complaint. A good soldier goes where they are assigned and does what they are told. They drill constantly while preparing for service and are disciplined in every area – eating, sleeping, uniform and tactics.

“Put up with your share of hardship as a loyal soldier in Christ’s army. Remember: 1) That no soldier on active service gets himself entangled in business, or he will not please his commanding officer. 2) A man who enters an athletic contest wins no prize unless he keeps the rules laid down. 3) Only the man who works on the land has the right to the first share of its produce. Consider these three illustrations of mine and the Lord will help you to understand all that I mean.” II Timothy 2:3-7 Phillips

As soldiers, it’s our duty to know the commanding officer and follow His orders for our day. It’s also important to realize the training He puts us through is for our best; to see that we are prepared for battle, able to come through it as the victors and that we protect those around us. The Commanding Officer has the welfare of His soldiers at heart and His goal is to see them prepared to the best of His ability.

It’s the same with our loving heavenly Father!

“ Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. 11  Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. 12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities…13 So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:10-13 CEV

As we say thank you to our veterans today, remember we have also enlisted in service.

We follow the lead of our Commander. We are training to serve and protect those believers and unbelievers around us who aren’t ready to take on the enemy. Young David faced his Goliath with a sling, but he knew it wasn’t his strength or skill.

“All these people gathered here may know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hands.” I Samuel 17:47 NLV

We all must learn to trust our Command-in-Chief. I’m grateful I’m not in this battle alone. The battle belongs to the Lord!

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Read All About It!

This morning Facebook gave me a reminder of where I was and what I was doing nine years ago today.

I was in Waterloo, Iowa with appointments at several doctors’ for follow-up visits after my release from the hospital. I had never been so sick and there were moments that led up to my hospitalization that had me uttering words that I hope I never need to repeat again.

“The Lord’s arm is raised in victory. The Lord has shown his great power again. 17 I will live and not die, and I will tell what the Lord has done.” Psalm 118:16-17 ERV

I praise God for His healing power and His protection over me, not only in moments of crisis but in the everyday times of life. He is my constant source of strength, joy, health and peace.

“Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.” I Samuel 12:24 KJV

My relationship with the Father isn’t one that is casual or that I take for granted and ignore. It is foundational, the core of my being. I am dependent upon Him and His word.

There is a chorus that is running through my mind this morning, one we can all sing:

“How great is our God, sing with me, how great is our God. How great, how great it our God!”

He is great in the good times and in the struggles. He is great in large crowds and in solitude. He is great!

I love the story of the man Jesus restored to his right mind. This man was demon possessed and he lived in the countryside where he ran naked and was surrounded by a herd of pigs. His life was spent in total chaos until He had an encounter with Jesus.

“People went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man sitting there at the feet of Jesus. The man had clothes on and was in his right mind again; the demons were gone. This made the people afraid.” Luke 8:35 ERV

Jesus changes lives! He did then and He does today. He is always the same – yesterday, today and forever.

“The man he had healed begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 ‘Go back home and tell people what God did for you.’ So the man went all over town telling what Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:39

You may not have been healed from a life-threatening illness or been restored to a right mental state but every one of us has a story to tell. It is our personal story of God’s goodness and His love.

Go “publish” the news of God’s greatness! Extra, Extra Read All About It!

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