SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 17 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands. [1 Samuel 17:47] What guarantees success in whatever challenges or battles we face? Does the strongest always win? The biggest?…
He knows my heart
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 16 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: 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] In this world, the lucky ones are the…
seriousness of sin
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 15 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys. [1Samuel 15:3] Let’s be honest, isn’t this ethnic cleansing? A whole people group wiped out? Were they were such terrible…
confidence in the Lord
November 7, 2009 SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 14 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: There are aspects to this story that do not sit well. Saul’s oath, God not answering Saul because of Jonathan’s eating honey, God using the lot to expose Jonathan, Saul’s intent to kill Saul. Does this passage suggest that God is party to these kinds of actions? I am…
this is a test!
November 6, 2009 SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 13 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD’s favour.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” “You acted foolishly,’ Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had,…
forgiving, but firm!
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 12 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away.”[1 Samuel 12:24-25] Having a king was not the problem; God’s eventual plan was to…
righteous anger?
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 11 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he burned with anger. [1 Samuel 11:6] Anger is a burning fire, to be handled with care. In this messed up world, anger is unavoidable, there are many things that ought to make us angry. I’ve experienced times when,…
a response to consumer religion
Remember the post with the cartoon two weeks ago entitled “consumer religion”. And remember the great discussion it provoked? Well one person spent some time reflecting on how better to frame the picture, how to pain Jesus community as He would desire it to be. Linda Wielinga adapted an image used by the CRWRC (Christian…
power to heal?
quenching the Spirit
SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 10 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. [1 Samuel 10:9] Yesterday I said God doesn’t change peoples’ character, or force them to act contrary to their desire. What about this verse, where God changes Saul’s heart? Not sure that I can explain this,…