REFLECTIONS
ON THE WORD
You are renowned for your wisdom and beauty; and, you captured the heart of a king and became his wife! What advice would you give a younger woman who is newly married, or hoping to soon be wed, on how to have a Godly, happy marriage?
In 1 Samuel 25, only one brief sentence is given to Samuel’s death: “Samuel died and all Israel gathered for his funeral and buried him in his family plot at Ramah”. This great man who was dedicated to the Lord and served Him from his youngest days was now dead. Epitaph? Not likely. Legacy? Certainly. His is a legacy written by God, canonized forever in the sacred Scriptures.
Who do you turn to for truth and encouragement? And, then, how can God use you to serve Him in your everyday life? Maybe you have asked yourself these questions as you think about the year ahead.
When David decided to fight Goliath, he trusted God would rescue him. God had protected him thus far, and David was confident that God would be with him in this battle. Saul’s contribution was to load David with his royal accouterments. Dressed in the finest tunic, coat of armor, and helmet, David appeared ready to defeat Goliath. Have you ever felt like this season is a battle of external focus?
"I have always had a fascination with the Wise Men. The idea of scholars who would make such a long (easily hundreds of miles) and likely dangerous journey, believing they would find "The King of the Jews" in the location where a great star shown down (Matthew 2)."
This year, we are sharing daily devotionals with our advent calendar. You can find all of our devotionals here!
Isn’t it funny how we look at someone in the Bible and see exactly what their problem is, yet in our own lives we can be so blind?
My much younger self wished for God to place a billboard outside of my home that would tell me God’s will for my life. The common theme in my desire to know God’s will was me, my and I. How I relate to Saul in this manner.
Pumpkins have arrived! While Fall has its magical elements, to some this season becomes a burden with plenty of obligations...
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"It is in this frame of mind that I opened up 1st Samuel. The Israelites, a people of whom Samuel says “the LORD will not forsake…because it has pleased Him to make them a people for Himself”, have forgotten the law of the LORD. But God! He is patient with His people, showing steadfast love and faithfulness to them. "
I had it all figured out; the title of my 1st blog was going to be “Let’s Make A Deal.” I’ve been asking the Holy Spirit to fill me with knowledge, so I wrote out every verse from the first week’s lesson on a legal pad. I prayed about it, and decided I was going to share the many times I made a deal with God. But, then, God called me to use what I’d learned from Hannah’s example, and put it into action.
The Psalms, which are basically the diary of David are another thing altogether. While David pours out his heart with astonishing honesty, every word he writes is directed to, and for, God — the One who created him, knows him, understands, him, loves him, forgives him and has the power to change and SAVE him!
I was led by a dear friend who prompted us to share a one-word prayer as we parted for the summer. What a simple, but effective way to stay connected and remember one another during the summer break. As the lovely face of one I hold dear comes to mind throughout the day, it’s easy to associate the one word she chose, which I recall and lift her up in prayer. So, although we are not physically together for a few months, we can remain close in spirit.
I learned that Jesus, our great High Priest, who is our HOPE
is an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
He has entered the inner sanctuary, behind the veil.
He ALWAYS lives to intercede.