by George | Feb 25, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Speak LORD
“Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”
I Samuel 3:10
Samuel was a young boy when his mother brought him to Eli. Hannah said: “For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.”
I Samuel 1:27-28
We don’t know how old Samuel was when he went to minister to the Lord. Some have said that he was probably somewhere between 3 and 7 years old.
“Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.”
I Samuel 3:1
“The word of the LORD was rare in those days…”
(Sounds like today, doesn’t it?)
The setting for chapter 3 is at night, sometime before dawn. Priests were supposed to keep the light of the lamp burning until the morning light. (Exodus 27:21)
God calls out to Samuel, but he doesn’t know it’s God’s voice. He thinks it’s Eli calling him. So, Samuel goes to him. This happens 3 times before Eli realizes that it is God calling him.
So, Eli gives Samuel some wise counsel. “Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.”
I Samuel 3:9
Author David Guzik says:
“Eli told Samuel to:
- Make himself available for God to speak (Go, lie down).
- Not be presumptuous about God speaking (if He calls you).
- Respond to the word of God (Speak, LORD).
- Humble himself before God and His word (Your servant hears). Speak, LORD: We must hear from God. ”
Too many times I rush in and out of prayer time without listening to the voice of God.
Oswald Chambers gives us a challenge:
“Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance… Every time circumstances press in on you, say, “Speak, Lord,” and make time to listen.”
*** May we all pray with a humble heart and say sincerely “Speak LORD for your servant is listening.”
by George | Feb 22, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
The Dog Who Doesn’t Like Me
“For my eyes are toward You, O GOD, the Lord; In You I take refuge; do not leave me defenseless. Keep me from the jaws of the trap which they have set for me, And from the snares of those who do iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, While I pass by safely.”
Psalms 141:8-10
There is a small dog in my neighborhood who doesn’t like me. He makes his dislike very clear when I pass by his home as I go walking in the morning. His bark tells me that I better not come any closer to his master’s property!
This morning, today’s scripture verse was playing in my headphones as I walked by the dog. He greeted me with several loud barks. Then, I looked down to discover that he was turning away from following me! The dog was right behind me and I didn’t know it.
King David knew what it was like to face dangers. He had many enemies.
Instead of being afraid, he turns to the Lord.
“For my eyes are toward You, O GOD…”
David’s focus is on God, not the enemies or the danger.
Secondly, David turns to God for safety and security.
“In You I take refuge…”
Then, David prays SPECIFICALLY.
“Keep me from the jaws of the trap which they have set for me, And from the snares of those who do iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, While I pass by safely.”
God answered David’s prayer. He escaped from all his enemies, and lived to a ripe old age.
I hope you don’t have enemies, but if you live long enough, you will come across someone who is not enamored with you.
Remember to look to God, take refuge in Him, and pour your heart out to Him.
Then, watch the dog turn away from you.
by George | Feb 17, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
“A new Pastor was attending a men’s breakfast in a rural area.
He asked one of the impressive older farmers in attendance to say grace that morning.
After all, were seated, the older farmer began:
“Lord, I hate buttermilk.”
The Pastor opened one eye and wondered where this was going.
Then the farmer loudly proclaimed, “Lord, I hate lard.”
Now the Pastor was worried.
However without missing a beat, the farmer prayed on,
“And Lord, you know I don’t care much for raw white flour.”
Just as the Pastor was ready to stand and stop everything, the farmer continued,
“But Lord, when You mix ‘em all together and bake ‘em up, I do love fresh biscuits.
So Lord, when things come up we don’t like, when life gets hard, when we just don’t understand what You are sayin’ to us, we just need to relax and wait ‘till you’re done mixin’, and probably Lord, it will be somethin’ even better than biscuits.
Amen.”
This humorous story reminds me of Romans 8:28:
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
There are many times that we don’t understand why things happen. Life has a lot of “lard” and “flour.” Imagine trying to eat them separately… That would not taste good at all!
But when you mix the lard, flour and
buttermilk and bake it for ten minutes… You have delicious biscuits.
So, when we don’t understand, let us continue to trust God. He is making “somethin'”even better than biscuits.”
