Hannah Gave Up Her Son
As I’ve been rereading Samuel, one of the thoughts that strikes me from Chapter 1 is that Hannah gave up her son to God at such an extremely young age. The Bible says she kept him until he was weaned. How long was that? In Western countries, about one year or less. But even in the middle East, where it’s not uncommon to have children nursing through a second or third year, it was still a very short time. Then there was the issue of where she was taking him. Don’t picture a big cathedral with stained glass windows and an ample supply of doting helpers. The temple hadn’t been built yet (remember? Solomon wasn’t even alive at this point). No, this was … Read entire article »
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When God Saves Your Dinner
I’ve been reading through Samuel again. In chapter 9, Saul is looking for his father’s lost donkeys. At the prodding of his servant, they try to find Samuel the Seer (prophet) to find out if he can help them locate the asses. In vv 23-24, Samuel tells the cook at a feast he had called to bring out the piece which had been chosen and laid aside. The cook brings out the shoulder and puts it in front of Saul at Samuel’s request. Samuel tells Saul that this really good piece of meat has been laid up for him from the time Samuel called the feast. So, in our life, there are times when we have a divine moment where we realize God is calling us, speaking our name, bringing us out of … Read entire article »
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How to Break Life Controlling Habits
Habits can be very hard to break. Once started, they are harder to stop. Some habits are good, while others can destroy us. How can you break bad, life-controlling habits? First, realize that God accepts you as you are. That doesn’t mean He likes your bad habit. But He loves YOU. Second, believe God’s Word when He says that you do have the power to change. It comes from Him. But Jesus will give you the strength to overcome any obstacle, no matter how great. As Bess ten Boom told her sister Corrie, “There is no pit so deep, but God is deeper still.” Paul spoke it clearly long ago in Philippians 4:19, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Next, accept your own responsibility. Don’t ask God to help … Read entire article »
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The Different Cries of the Heart
In this world, our heart often aches and cries out. Understanding the reason for the cry is important if we are to find help for ourselves or offer comfort to someone else who is in need. Pain of life Pain of our own mistakes Pain of injustice Pain of our own sins Pain resulting from our own sin nature (the flesh) fighting against the spirit Pain of wanting more of God (similar to above) Longing for our eternal home … Read entire article »
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How to Practice Being Quiet
You can be quiet if you have peace with God have peace with others believe in God’s sovereignty believe in God’s goodness You benefit from quietness Isaiah 30:15 – strength Isaiah 32:17 – fruit of right living Practice being quiet with all the common noises around you. Write down what you hear. Use your lunch hour as a practice time. Develop a time of solitude. God came daily in the cool of the day to meet with Adam and Eve. Turn off the noise. Choose different noise if necessary to block out external sounds. Don’t talk as much. Let others talk and just practice listening. … Read entire article »
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Do What You Can
In Mark 14:8, Jesus notes this about the woman who anointed His body for burial: ”She did what she could.” The issue with the complainers was her extravagance. However, her gift showed the measure of her value which she placed upon Jesus. God also gives extravagantly (Eph 1:8), and she gave after the pattern of God. The perfume could have been used in a small quantity with similar results to the average onlooker. (10/12/2006) … Read entire article »
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