I have been looking through my personal journal over the past few months, since I have entered the world of blogging. Certainly it has been a blessing, far beyond anything I expected, and it has also been a challenge as I have interacted with those who oppose the message of God’s Word.
I thought I would share some of my entries in the hope that it may encourage other Christians to step out and share their faith. Some of these entries are direct from Scripture on a day when I needed it, and some are from writings by Oswald Chambers.
• Jeremiah 20:9 “His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones. I was weary of holding it back and I could not.”
• 2 Timothy 1:2 “The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.”
• Jeremiah 10:23 “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”
• Oswald Chambers – “There is no responsibility on you for the work; the only responsibility you have is to keep in living constant touch with God, and to see that you allow nothing to hinder your cooperation with Him.”
• Oswald Chambers – “God engineers everything; wherever He puts us our one great aim is to pour out our whole hearted devotion to Him in that particular work.”
• Oswald Chambers – “Spiritually we cannot measure our life by success, but only by what God pours through us; and we cannot measure that at all.”
• Acts 18:10 – The Lord said to Paul, “Dismiss your fears; go on speaking and do not give up, I am with you and no one shall attack you or injure you; for I have many people in this city.”
• Acts 11:23 – About Barnabas - “He encouraged them all to remain with fixed resolve, faithful to the Lord.”
• Acts 4:20b Weymouth – “As for us, what we have seen and heard we cannot help speaking about.”
[38]
Read 1 Samuel 17
When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he asked, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are … you came down only to watch the battle." "Now what have I done?" said David. "Can't I even speak?" He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter… 1 Samuel 17:28‑30
* * *
One cannot help but smile in reading this interaction between the oldest and youngest of Jesse’s sons. God had already put it into David’s heart to lead Israel, though neither David nor his brother knew it yet. David would have to go through many trials before God gave him the throne as king, but he was anointed by Samuel while he was still a boy. Now, as he faces Goliath, it becomes obvious why God chose him. But God also had plans for David’s brother Eliab, just as he does for all of His people.
* * *
Lord, I have no idea what you have planned in the future for my children. But my deepest desire is that they will follow You and love You with all of their hearts. As we faithfully ask You for wisdom to teach them; speak to their hearts and lead them to walk in Your perfect will.
* * *
Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand …”
1 Samuel 17:45-46a NKJV
[37]
Read 1 Samuel 16
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV
* * *
God had singled out the family of Jesse of Bethlehem from which to choose the next king. Samuel was sure that the oldest son Eliab was the chosen one. He was the oldest and was tall and handsome, as Saul had been. But God’s choice was the youngest son, David, who though ruddy and handsome himself, had a heart for God. David was in God’s plan before time began. His descendant would be our Lord Jesus Christ. This was the king the people of Israel would have been given in the first place, if they had just waited on God. God’s timing is always right, and his choices are based on what is inside the heart.
* * *
Lord, help me to teach my children to look for qualities of character, rather than just outward appearance. Forgive me when I set a bad example in judging others by the way they look. Help me to wait patiently for Your plan for our lives, knowing that Your timing is perfect.
* * *
He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." 1 Samuel 16:12 NIV
[36]
Read 1 Samuel 15
So Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:22‑23a NKJV
* * *
King Saul thought that it was enough to follow God’s instructions partially. He not only took the spoils of war for himself, contrary to God’s command, but he also set up a monument in his own honor, instead of honoring God. Saul’s arrogance was like the sin of idolatry. According to God’s standards, he was worshiping himself. Saul knew exactly what God required–but he thought he could pick and choose which instructions were convenient for him. His impressive monument became proof of his arrogance – and God took the kingdom from him and gave it to another.
* * *
Lord, as I seek Your will and purpose for my life, I want to be faithful to the instructions given in Your Holy Word. You have honored the position of wife and mother and required that it be given priority. Help me to remember this, as the world begins to squeeze me into its mold. Righteousness in Your eyes is far more important than worldly accomplishment.
* * *
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
[35]
[34]
Read I Samuel 1:1–28
"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." … The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up. 1 Samuel 1:27–28; 1 Samuel 3:19a NIV
* * *
Samuel’s birth was an answer to Hannah’s fervent prayer. She had pleaded with the Lord, “If you will only look upon your servant's misery–and give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life.” When she brought him to Eli the priest, she said, “I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD."(1:11, 27–28)
Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. Hannah surely prayed for Samuel all the days of her life and God blessed her with more children.
Even though Samuel grew up among Eli’s wicked sons, he became a faithful judge and prophet of God. Samuel would go on to lead Israel through the transition from judges to kings, and become King Saul’s spiritual advisor – all this in response to God’s plan and a mother’s prayers.
* * *
Lord, help us to be faithful to pray daily for our children and grandchildren. Use them for your glory and purpose on this earth, and give us the wisdom we need to train them to follow You–even in a wicked culture.
* * *
The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." 1 Samuel 3:10 NIV
[33]
Read Ruth 1–4
Ruth replied, "… Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16 NIV
* * *
Ruth’s people, the Moabites, worshiped the false god Chemosh, but Ruth chose to follow the God of her deceased husband, and return to the land of Israel. The Lord blessed Ruth, and her widowed mother-in-law, when Boaz bought Naomi’s land and married Ruth–thereby redeeming Naomi’s inheritance.
Through this practical legal transaction by a relative of Naomi’s husband, Boaz and Ruth became the ancestors of our Lord Jesus Christ. The words of the Elders to Naomi were prophetic: “May you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem, because of the offspring the LORD gives you by this young woman.” (Ruth 4:11b, 12b NKJV) Truly Bethlehem became famous at the birth of our Savior.
* * *
We never really know how our common every day transactions will fit into God’s plan for the future. Help us Lord, to develop an eternal perspective about life and how we live it. May we be like Ruth whose behavior won her the respect and praise of Naomi’s people who said to her, “May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." (Ruth 2:12)
* * *
The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman redeemer… For your daughter‑in‑law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth." Ruth 4:14a,15b NIV
[32]
Read Judges 13–16
Samson led Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines. Judges 15:20 NIV
* * *
Israel’s history continued in the cycle of disobedience, judgment, and crying out for deliverance. Then, once again, the Lord would provide a judge to lead the nation to victory. Samson’s story is interesting, not because of his role as a judge, but because of his supernatural strength. He was a man with serious character flaws–who often behaved foolishly–yet God still used him to carry out His sovereign plan.
* * *
Israel’s primary struggle was in the spiritual realm between the One True God and Dagon, the demonic idol the Philistines worshiped. God’s plan would prevail, in spite of Samson’s moral failures, and his tragic end brought victory for Israel against the Philistines.
* * *
Lord, help me to remember that life is not all about me and mine. It’s also about Your plan for my church, neighborhood, community, country and the world. Give me an obedient heart so that my character will reflect your love for the world, not be conformed to it. May Your will be done "on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
* * *
“I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth.” Psalm 135:5-6 NIV
[31]
GIDEON
Read Judges 6–7
When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." "But sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us?" Judges 6:12 13 NIV
* * *
For seven years God had allowed the Midianites to attack Israel, and they so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help. (6:6) Israel had repeatedly returned to idolatry, followed by defeat and desperate prayers for help. Then God would send a leader to deliver them from their enemies. Once again God listened to their cry, and this time, His choice of a deliverer was a young man named Gideon.
The Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon saying, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." Surprised by this greeting, Gideon questioned, "If the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?” Gideon could not understand how God was going to use him–the youngest member of his family in the smallest tribe–to lead Israel to victory. The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have…Am I not sending you?" (6:13–14)
* * *
Lord, like Gideon, sometimes we don’t understand why certain things happen the way they do. But I know that You have promised never to leave or forsake us. Give us the faith to trust Your provision in our lives, even when we cannot see how You are going to do it.
* * *
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5–6 NKJ
[30]
We Will Serve The Lord
Read Joshua 24; Judges 2:1-10
"Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15 NIV
* * *
Just before he died, Joshua assembled all the tribes of Israel together and they presented themselves before God. In the exact words of the Lord, Joshua reviewed all God had done since He brought them out of Egypt. Then Joshua said, "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness…But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:14–15)
* * *
God had kept all of His promises, but Joshua knew the people would persist in turning to their false gods. After Joshua’s generation passed away, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. (Judges 2:10) The older generation served the Lord, but failed to tell their children the stories of what God had done.
* * *
Lord, help us to remember to talk of your love and faithfulness to our children and to remind them often of the responsibility they will have in telling their children. Don’t let it be said of anyone in our family that they “neither knew the Lord nor what He had done for their parents.”
* * *
Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the LORD had done for Israel. Joshua 24:31 NIV
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