Yesterday during the morning hours, I felt that God was speaking to me about my country and my family.  In particular, the Spirit spoke to me that things are going to get much worse in this country.  My responsibility is to teach my family how to pray. Our family has been having family devotions for [...]

In Joshua 2, we read  the story of the spies who came into Jericho in order to spy out the land.  Upon reaching Jericho, they went to the house of Rahab the harlot and lodged there.  (OK.  I’m wondering how they picked a harlot’s house as their preferred motel.)  When the king of Jericho heard [...]

I’ve been reading some through Joshua.  I’ve meditated for a few days on the instructions from God to Joshua in Chapter 1.  It’s really packed with so much good stuff. In verse 3, God tells Joshua that “every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you.”  When I think [...]

Saul was misinformed and acting out of anger. He was hurting others who disagreed with him. His circumstances changed suddenly. He acknowledged the lordship of the One speaking to him. He learned that he was fighting against God. His companions were silenced by God’s presence. There was a period of silence (testing) during which he [...]

That’s kind of an odd thought isn’t it?  But that is the predicament that King Saul found himself in.  He was near the end of his life and reign.  He had long ago rejected God’s commandments and had found himself rejected by God.  Literally, Saul had lived a lifetime without God after knowing what the [...]

In reading through Samuel, I came across a phrase which stood out to me in the story of Nabal.  In 1 Samuel 25, he is the man from whom David requested food when he was shearing his sheep.  He gave a rough, rude answer and sent David’s men away empty. When his servants were discussing [...]

In 1 Samuel 24, as I was reading today, I pondered verse 4. Apparently at some point in the past, a prophet of God had spoken to David that God would deliver David’s enemy into his hand to do with as seemed best to David. What a prophecy! Can you imagine having that spoken to [...]

In Samuel 17:31-37, David has been brought before King Saul.  People have heard David’s bold words about how Goliath had to be faced.  Saul has sent for him. When David expresses that he will fight Goliath, King Saul says this is impossible due to his youth and inexperience. David shares the story of fighting against [...]

In reading Samuel again, I was struck by something I hadn’t thought of before. In chapter 16, when God tells Samuel to go anoint a new king, we are told that Samuel looked at Jesse’s firstborn and said, “Surely God’s anointed is standing right here.”  God told Samuel that He had rejected Eliab because God [...]

Had some thoughts while listening to a sermon on Jonah. In Jonah 3, it says God spoke to Jonah the second time.  What happened between the first time God spoke and the second time?  We know. Jonah rejected God’s word. Jonah’s life took a decidedly downhill turn (repeated use of word “down”). Jonah possibly attempted [...]