Victory From Battles 04.02.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Tuesday April 2, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of I Samuel. Please read Chapters 4-7 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read. Today we will read and learn about the Philistine's battle with Israel, the death of Eli; Israel is defeated and the Ark of the Covenant is taken then returned. Today's message focuses on the importance of learning that God is always with us and lead us to victory over our battles.

The hostile Philistines who lived on the coastal plains of the Mediterranean Sea, on the southwestern border of Israel, often declared war on God's people. They went to battle with Israel and Isreal had lost 4000 men. "And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men." (I Samuel 4:1-2).

Because they are losing the battle the Israelites decide they needed God in their midst so they foolishly take the most sacred Ark of the Covenant into battle and are not only defeated by the Philistines, Eli's sons die and the Ark is taken by the Phillstines. "And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies...And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain." (4:3,10-11). Because of their lack of spiritual insight, the Israelites' hopes were on the Ark, not on God who dwelt above the Mercy Seat and who alone has power to save.

Eli, who was old and blind, sat near the Tabernacle anxious to hear the outcome of the battle, but when he heard of their defeat ans that the Ark had been taken he fell backward and died. "Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see. And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son? And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years." (4:15-18).

During the time of Eli and his two sons, Israel once again drifted far from the Lord and for many years they had been under control of the Philistines. However, when the Ark was in the hands of Philistine's destruction came where ever the ark went. The Philistine's finally realized that unless they gave the Ark back everyone who came in contact with it would be destroyed. "And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place. And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you." (6:2-3).

Now, Samuel became judge and spoke to Israel, "And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only." (7:3-4). They also fasted on that day as well as confessed to God their sins. "And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh." (7:6). Their confession of sin was followed by a desire to be obedient to the Word of God. Our sinful ways also must be confessed and forsaken. There must be a determination to put away sins. For Israel this meant putting away the false gods and putting their trust and faith in God. Following their confession of sin and the desire to look to the Lord for guidance, Samuel prepared and offered a burnt offering sacrifice, symbolic of entire consecration to God.

While they were fasting and spending time with God the Philistines assumed it was an opportune time to attack only to be defeated. "And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us. So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel." (7:10-13).

The many years of domination by the Philistines over Israel could not be overthrown either by the supernatural strength of Samson or by the leadership of the other eleven judges, but it was terminated by the prayers of Samuel who was faithful to God. Samson, who represented the best of human strength, (See Judges 13:5) only began to deliver Israel, but through Samuel, who represented the power of prayer and obedience to His Word, the hand of the Lord was against the Philtinises.

The satisfying truth is that God works through men and women of faith, like Samuel, who display their trust in Him by their obedience to His Word. He will always protect us and deliver us from any battle that we face.

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through the rock called Ebenezer, which means The Stone of Help (I Samuel 7:12). Jesus is the Rock of our salvation; our help comes from Him. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phillipians 4:13).

Today's Psalm: 18:2
"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Although I am called to go through many hardships, there isn't one that I face alone. Through my weakness You give me the strength to endure, in my folly You are the God of infinite wisdom, and in my fear I take hold of the hope You offer to me which is firm and secure. You will not abandon the work of Your hands, but fulfill Your purpose for me as You strengthen, sustain, and instruct me during my battles. In Jesus' name, I pray....Amen.

Have a wonderful day and God Bless you,
Christina

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Listen For God 04.01.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Tuesday Aproil 1, 2008 and today we are begining our study on the book of I Samuel. The book of Samuel is the 9th book of the Old Testament and contains 31 Chapters. The author of the book was Israel and the purpose was to show the continued record of God's dealing with His people. In this book we learn the principle of obedience to God is more important than sacrifice. Please read Samuel 1-3 in your Bible or Click Here to read. In today's study we will read and learn about Samuel, the last judge; his mother, her sorrow, and her song; Samuel hearing the voice of God; and all of Israel knows Samuel as a prophet. Today's message focuses on the importance of listening for God when He speaks and the blessings received when putting Him above all things.

Near the end of the period of the Judges, we are introduced to Hannah, a godly woman who had lived many years in deep sorrow and humiliation because she could not have children. In the Hebrew culture it was considered a disgrace to not have children so each year she went up to the House of the Lord and prayed for a child. "But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.....And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head." (I Samuel 1:5-7,11).

A year later Hannah was blessed with Samuel and she honored the Lord and took him to Eli, the priest, "Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.....And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young. And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there." (1:20,24-28).

Now, Samuel grew up in the House of the Lord with Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas. These two brothers were indifferent to the honor of representing the Almighty God and refused to live by His commands. Samuel grew spiritually because he listened to the word of God. God first spoke to Samuel one night when he was asleep, he thought Eli had called and he ran to Eli. "That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth." (3:4-10). Samuel was quick to respond when others would have turned over and gone back to sleep. This means that he didn't put it off to a "more convenient" time or respond in a shoddy, halfhearted way. He recognized the high honor of serving God.

The Ark of the Covenant represented the power of God, His Word, and His presence among them. It had been at Shiloh since Joshua placed it there about 400 years earlier (Joshua 18:1). But general indifference to the Word of God prevailed among the priests and the people. The reason the Word of the Lord was not clearly understood is the same reason it is not clearly understood today. We cannot understand God's Word or His will for our lives if we never read all the Bible. We will desire to keep His Commandments if we are concerned about pleasing the Lord. Jesus said that the Old Testament is of utmost importance in fully recognizing Him as Savior and Lord. "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:27). From Genesis to Revelation, the history of God's people illustrates spiritual truth for Christians today. "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4), "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (II Timothy 3:16-17)

In today's study Jesus Christ is reveal through Samuel who grew in favor with God and men (I Samuel 2:26). "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2:52).

Today's Psalm: 119:58
"I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Help me to remain faithful to You and your calling upon my life. Strengthen and grow my faith as I daily search Your Scriptures and apply their truths to my spiritual walk. As I go through the trials and experiences of my earthly journey would You fix my eyes and my ever-wandering heart upon You, Jesus. When I take refuge in Jesus my spiritual foundation is firm, always dependable, and leads me to glorious victory. Be with me, abide in me and lead me to victory. In Jesus' name, I pray.....Amen.

Have a great Tuesday and God Bless you,
Christina

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Victory From Sin 03.30.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Sunday March 30, 2008 and today we are completing our study on the book of Judges. Please read Judges 20-21 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read. I today's study we will read and learn about the civil war between the Benjamites and other tribes; the Benjamites being defeated; and wives are provided for the few remaining. Today's message focuses on the importance of learning that we are all sinners, but we are forgiven and saved through the blood of Jesus.

From Dan to Beersheba, all the tribes of Israel gathered to punish the sins committed at Gibeah (See Judges 19:22-30) by a few perverted men of Benjamin. The tribe of Benjamin refused to allow justice to be done to the mob that gang-raped a defenseless Israelite woman causing her death. "Now therefore deliver us the men, the children of Belial, which are in Gibeah, that we may put them to death, and put away evil from Israel. But the children of Benjamin would not hearken to the voice of their brethren the children of Israel." (Judges 20:13)

Following two defeats, they came to the House of God, "Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD." (20:26). In deep humility, they committed themselves to the Lord and it was only after they had built an altar and offered the necessary sacrifices for their own needs that God gave them victory over Benjamin. "And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand." (20:28). Note that they offered sacrifices for their own sins. Clearly this illustrates how available our God is to provide guidance and victory when we submit ourselves to His Word. In the Scriptures we discover God's plan when our desire is simply to do His will.

There is a growing indifference to immorality in our affluent society. Adultery is now called "having an affair." Homosexuality is replaced with "gay and lesbian" or "alternative lifestyles." Fornication is referred to as "live-in lovers." The purpose of this new vocabulary is to remove the sense of guilt for violating God's moral Law and to make the sinner feel comfortable. However, while hating and exposing sin, we must also show mercy and kindness as we pray for and lovingly entreat all sinners to repent and come to Christ as Savior and Lord.

All sin is abominable to our holy God; however, all sin that is truly repented of and forsaken will be forgiven through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9). The Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians that some of them had been delivered from sexual sins when he wrote,"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (I Corinthians 6:9-11).

In today's study Jesus Christ is revealed as our Deliver (Judges 20:26,28). As we pray and seek the Lord's will, He delivers us from all evil forces. "Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:" (Galatians 1:3-4).

Today's Psalm: 18:35
"Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
May we honor You and respect ourselves as we fix our eyes and thought life upon whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and whatever is admirable. Center our attention upon those things which are praiseworthy so that we build others up in the faith as the light of Christ radiates from our spirit to those around us. In Jesus' name......Amen.

Have a wonderful and peaceful Lord's Day, Sunday.
God Bless,
Christina

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God Gives & Takes Away 03.29.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Saturday March 29, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of Judges. Please read Judges 18-19 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read. In today's study we will read and learn about the Danites forcing Micah's Levite to be their priest, attacking Laish and occupying it; and a concubine getting victimized. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that everything can be given and taken away, but God is Eternal.

More than 300 years had passed since Joshua led their forefathers to the promised land. When the promised land was distributed considerable territory was allotted to the tribe of Dan (Joshua 19:40-46). But, submission and obedience to the will of God was missing. As a result, they did not succeed in defeating the inhabitants as God had commanded them to do.

However, the Danties sought another part of the land called Micah. "In those days there was no king in Israel: and in those days the tribe of the Danites sought them an inheritance to dwell in; for unto that day all their inheritance had not fallen unto them among the tribes of Israel. And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there." (Judges 18:1-2).

There is no indication that the tribe of Dan prayed for forgiveness for their sins or for guidance to do the will of God. Instead of fighting for the territory which God had appointed them, they chose to go north beyond the promised land. It was inhabited by a quiet, peaceful people whom they massacred indiscriminately men, women, and children. If they had remained in the territory which God had appointed them to possess, they would have been close to those who worshiped the One True God. Instead, on the way to their new territory, five spies from their tribe barged into the house of idol-worshiping Micah, stole his gods, and bribed his priest to go with them to fulfill their religious desires. "And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back unto his house. And they took the things which Micah had made, and the priest which he had, and came unto Laish, unto a people that were at quiet and secure: and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and burnt the city with fire. And there was no deliverer, because it was far from Zidon, and they had no business with any man; and it was in the valley that lieth by Bethrehob. And they built a city, and dwelt therein." (18:26-28).

Notice Micah's spiritual concern when his gods were stolen, "Ye have taken away my gods which I made and what have I more?" He thought he had lost the most important thing in his life. Micah illustrates a person who may be sincere but be sincerely wrong. This points out that whatever or whoever a person allows to be his supreme love becomes his god. It may be money, businesses, sports, cars, hunting, or fishing, etc. Nothing on earth which can be stolen can take the place of the True Eternal God. If Christ is truly first in our lives, at our loss we can say, "And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21).

We are reminded, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28).

Today's Psalm: 103:9
"He will not always chide (scold): neither will he keep his anger for ever."

Today's prayer:
Dear Lord,
Help our ears to be alert, our eyes to be open, and our hearts to be perceptive as we follow in Your ways. May we be eager to hear Your teaching and apply it to our lives so that we may be found blameless before You and experience the joy You give to those who follow Your commands. When Your meaning is clear help us to seek no other meaning to satisfy our own desires or to change the clear meaning of Your message. Align our desires with Your own, that we might find genuine peace and wholehearted obedience as You bring spiritual healing to our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray.....Amen.

Have a relaxing and wonderful Saturday and enjoy your weekend.
God Bless,
Christina

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Consequences of Self Gratification 03.28.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Friday March 28, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of Judges. Please read Judges 15-17 in your Bible or Click Here to Read. In today's study we will read and learn about Samson losing his wife; 1,000 Philistines are slain; Delilah; Samson is defeated, blinded, and dies with the Philistines; and Micah's idols. Today's message focuses on the importance of learning that there are consequences when choosing self gratification over God.

There is no record that Samson ever expressed a desire to be used by the Lord to deliver the Israelites from the Philistine's oppression. So it is not a surprise that he neither prayed for guidance nor protection. He also chose the enemies of God for his friends.

Early in life, Samson disregarded the spiritual significance of his Nazarite dedication by marrying a Philistine woman. He became deeply involved in sin as he made friends with Delilah, another Philistine woman. When Samson saw Delilah, he should have thought of his sacred Nazarite vow and his high calling as a judge. But sin had blinded him to the reason he had been gifted with great strength. And, as always, with each person who presumptuously believes that God's mercy and long-suffering will continue indefinitely when we ignore His will, we see Samson yielding to Delilah's schemes and falling into the hands of the Philistines. "And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver....And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand. And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him." (Judges 16:4-5,16-19).

Consequently, the Philistines took him and not only did he suffer the gruesome torture of having his eyes gouged out, he was forced to take the place of an animal and spend his time turning a mill to grind corn into meal. "But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house." (17:21). The story of Samson should send a strong message to every Christian who has fallen into the treacherous web of sinful pleasures. Samson is not the only servant of God who ever lost his power through worldliness and self-indulgence, but by faith God is able to turn all things around to give strength to overcome all consequences.

When accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord of our lives, our chief concern becomes, "How will this particular situation affect my relationship with my Savior and Lord? How will His new life within me react to my thoughts and actions?" Some conform only to what would be right in his own eyes or acceptable to their friends, forgetting that every one of us shall give account of himself to God. "For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." (Romans 14:11-12).

In today's study Jesus Christ is revealed through the strength God gave to Samson for his last victory over the Philistines (Judges 16:28-30). "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13).

Today's Psalm: 18:1
"I will love thee, O LORD, my strength."

Today's Prayer (Written from Psalm 18)
Dear Lord,
You are my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon You LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. In Jesus' name, I pray....Amen.

Have a fantastic Friday and weekend.
God Bless,
Christina

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