"Samuel grew and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fail. All Israel...knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD. And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, because the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel...by the word of the LORD." - 1 Samuel 3:19-21 NASB
To the people of Israel, it seemed as though God was silent. His Word was "rare" and "visions were infrequent" (v. 1). But everything changed through Samuel, who learned to hear the voice of God. The first message he received described judgment that was about to come to Eli, the priest. Samuel wasn't sure what to do, but he told Eli "everything and hid nothing from him" (v. 18).
Samuel had passed this first test. He demonstrated that God could trust him to hear His words and faithfully deliver His messages.
After Samuel passed this test, "the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel" (v. 21). He disclosed deep truths and powerful insights. Why? Because Samuel had proven himself to be faithful and trustworthy--because he cultivated a personal relationship with God and knew His voice. Soon, "Samuel was confirmed as a prophet" (v. 20). Everyone throughout Israel realized that, once again, God was speaking to His people.
Are you ready to follow the path laid out by Samuel? To dedicate your life to serving Him? To spend time in His Presence, listen to His voice, and be faithful to carry out what He says?
Today, God is ready to reveal Himself to you in new ways--to open up new insights from His Word, to give you new levels of wisdom, and to give you a message to speak to others.
Follow Samuel's example: Commit your life to God. Deepen your relationship with Him. Fill your life with His Word. Follow the leading of His Spirit. Believe Him for greater revelations.
Prayer
Father, I commit my time, talent, and treasure to You. Help me understand more of Your Word. Help me to complete Your assignment for me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Extended Reading
1 Samuel 3
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A Turnaround for God's People
"The boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli. And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent." - 1 Samuel 3:1 NASB
For many in Israel, God seemed merely a part of Israel's distant history. They had never heard His voice or sensed His involvement in their lives. But through Samuel everything changed.
This process began when Samuel was just a boy. From early childhood, he spent his life in the Temple, where he entered a new dimension--learning to hear the voice of God. He realized God hadn't changed: He was real, His Word was relevant, He had plans for Israel and each individual, and He was ready to direct them, protect them, and bless them.
Today, many never hear God's voice. They assume that faith is irrelevant or misguided. To them, God is dead--a relic of history. Others have a religion of forms and rituals: They know about God, but don't have a personal relationship with Him.
Just as in the time of Samuel, God is ready to speak to people in our time--to turn around our situations and solve our problems. But who will hear His voice?
He looks for people who will develop a personal relationship with Him and spend time with Him. He seeks people who know His Word and make it part of their daily lives, believing that it's "living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12).
Are you ready to hear God's voice? Start by spending more time in His Presence. Develop a more intimate relationship with Him. Fill your life with the Scriptures, and put them into practice. As you pray, talk with Him and listen.
Seek to become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Let Him guide you and direct your steps. Let Him turn around your life and change other lives for Christ through you!
Prayer
Father, I want a more intimate relationship with You. Speak to me through Your Word. Fill me anew with Your Spirit. Use me to impact lives for Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Extended Reading
1 Samuel 3
For many in Israel, God seemed merely a part of Israel's distant history. They had never heard His voice or sensed His involvement in their lives. But through Samuel everything changed.
This process began when Samuel was just a boy. From early childhood, he spent his life in the Temple, where he entered a new dimension--learning to hear the voice of God. He realized God hadn't changed: He was real, His Word was relevant, He had plans for Israel and each individual, and He was ready to direct them, protect them, and bless them.
Today, many never hear God's voice. They assume that faith is irrelevant or misguided. To them, God is dead--a relic of history. Others have a religion of forms and rituals: They know about God, but don't have a personal relationship with Him.
Just as in the time of Samuel, God is ready to speak to people in our time--to turn around our situations and solve our problems. But who will hear His voice?
He looks for people who will develop a personal relationship with Him and spend time with Him. He seeks people who know His Word and make it part of their daily lives, believing that it's "living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12).
Are you ready to hear God's voice? Start by spending more time in His Presence. Develop a more intimate relationship with Him. Fill your life with the Scriptures, and put them into practice. As you pray, talk with Him and listen.
Seek to become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Let Him guide you and direct your steps. Let Him turn around your life and change other lives for Christ through you!
Prayer
Father, I want a more intimate relationship with You. Speak to me through Your Word. Fill me anew with Your Spirit. Use me to impact lives for Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Extended Reading
1 Samuel 3
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
A Turning Point for Paul
"I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know...I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.'" - Acts 25:10-11 NASB
It was a key moment in Christian history. Paul stood alone, listening as his accusers claimed he was a political revolutionary, a rebel, and a dangerous man. Paul could have resorted to bribery, as the Roman governor, Felix, had hoped. He had done nothing wrong and could have fought the charges. In fact, King Agrippa later admitted that Paul could have been set free. Instead, Paul chose to "appeal to Caesar."
This was a risky decision. What would he face? Persecution? Death? But Paul was proving the truth of what he had written: "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). He was demonstrating his unwavering commitment to following Christ.
This appeal helped turn the world upside down. In Rome, Paul preached the "Kingdom of God" and taught "concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered" (Acts 28:17-31). There he wrote how his imprisonment had "turned out for the greater progress of the gospel," since it became "well known throughout the whole praetorian guard." Seeing his example, other Believers were encouraged "to speak the word of God without fear" (Philippians 1:12-14).
With greater clarity than ever before, Paul realized that nothing mattered except serving Jesus--not even his own life. He wrote from Rome, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).
In the same way, God is ready to turn around your circumstances and use you to change the world. Follow Paul's example: Commit your life to Him, without reservation. Let Him direct your steps. Live for Christ, for nothing else matters!
Prayer
Father, I surrender my life to You. Direct my steps. Use me to impact the world for the Gospel. Thank You for meeting my needs. I trust in You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Extended Reading
Acts 25
It was a key moment in Christian history. Paul stood alone, listening as his accusers claimed he was a political revolutionary, a rebel, and a dangerous man. Paul could have resorted to bribery, as the Roman governor, Felix, had hoped. He had done nothing wrong and could have fought the charges. In fact, King Agrippa later admitted that Paul could have been set free. Instead, Paul chose to "appeal to Caesar."
This was a risky decision. What would he face? Persecution? Death? But Paul was proving the truth of what he had written: "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). He was demonstrating his unwavering commitment to following Christ.
This appeal helped turn the world upside down. In Rome, Paul preached the "Kingdom of God" and taught "concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered" (Acts 28:17-31). There he wrote how his imprisonment had "turned out for the greater progress of the gospel," since it became "well known throughout the whole praetorian guard." Seeing his example, other Believers were encouraged "to speak the word of God without fear" (Philippians 1:12-14).
With greater clarity than ever before, Paul realized that nothing mattered except serving Jesus--not even his own life. He wrote from Rome, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).
In the same way, God is ready to turn around your circumstances and use you to change the world. Follow Paul's example: Commit your life to Him, without reservation. Let Him direct your steps. Live for Christ, for nothing else matters!
Prayer
Father, I surrender my life to You. Direct my steps. Use me to impact the world for the Gospel. Thank You for meeting my needs. I trust in You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Extended Reading
Acts 25
Monday, February 1, 2010
Peter's Turnaround
"They were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house...And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance." - Acts 2:1-4 NASB
Impetuous Peter--always a man of action, quick to make promises. But he faced reality after he denied Jesus three times. Instead of being bold, he ran away in fear.
Knowing he had denied his Master, Peter must have felt like a real failure. But Jesus knew Peter had fallen short because he depended on his flesh. He needed the Holy Spirit!
After His Resurrection, Jesus commanded Peter and the other disciples to wait in Jerusalem "for what the Father had promised"--to "be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (vs. 4-5). Questions must have flooded Peter's mind. Why did they have to wait? We can imagine how much he wanted to take action and do something. But, obeying Jesus, he and the others waited.
When the Day of Pentecost came, they still were waiting. They were in one place, united, seeking God together. Then, without warning, everything changed as they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Suddenly, the waiting must have made sense, for they were baptized into a new dimension of power. They had acted according to God's timetable, and now they were equipped and ready for ministry.
Everything turned around for Peter and the early Church. Why? Because they waited on God. They were prepared for the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives, and He changed everything.
Today, God still changes lives through His Spirit. Make sure that you surrender your life to Him. Seek Him. Wait on Him. Listen to His voice. Seek unity with other Believers. Be filled with the Holy Spirit, and follow His leading. Prepare to be used by God!
Prayer
Holy Spirit, I seek to move according to Your will. I need You. I wait on You. Fill me with Your power. Use me to spread the Gospel and impact lives. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Extended Reading
Acts 2
Impetuous Peter--always a man of action, quick to make promises. But he faced reality after he denied Jesus three times. Instead of being bold, he ran away in fear.
Knowing he had denied his Master, Peter must have felt like a real failure. But Jesus knew Peter had fallen short because he depended on his flesh. He needed the Holy Spirit!
After His Resurrection, Jesus commanded Peter and the other disciples to wait in Jerusalem "for what the Father had promised"--to "be baptized with the Holy Spirit" (vs. 4-5). Questions must have flooded Peter's mind. Why did they have to wait? We can imagine how much he wanted to take action and do something. But, obeying Jesus, he and the others waited.
When the Day of Pentecost came, they still were waiting. They were in one place, united, seeking God together. Then, without warning, everything changed as they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Suddenly, the waiting must have made sense, for they were baptized into a new dimension of power. They had acted according to God's timetable, and now they were equipped and ready for ministry.
Everything turned around for Peter and the early Church. Why? Because they waited on God. They were prepared for the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives, and He changed everything.
Today, God still changes lives through His Spirit. Make sure that you surrender your life to Him. Seek Him. Wait on Him. Listen to His voice. Seek unity with other Believers. Be filled with the Holy Spirit, and follow His leading. Prepare to be used by God!
Prayer
Holy Spirit, I seek to move according to Your will. I need You. I wait on You. Fill me with Your power. Use me to spread the Gospel and impact lives. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Extended Reading
Acts 2
Sunday, January 31, 2010
He Is the Lord!
I found this daily devotional website and I am going to try to look at it everyday to get inspiration from the word! I have fallen short when it comes to reading my bible everyday. I will start again today! Thank you Lord that you forgive me of my short comings!
"I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God...the One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the LORD who does all these." - Isaiah 45:5-7 NASB
There are times when it can appear that darkness rules the earth...that there's no hope...and that God's people inevitably will be defeated. We can think our lives are dominated by enemies and that we're nothing but victims. We can feel outnumbered and doomed to failure. Discouraged, we can wonder if God ever will answer our prayers and solve our problems.
At times like these, we need to read these verses from Isaiah, where God states His absolute sovereignty. Regardless of how things appear, He's the Master of every situation. He is "the Lord, and there is no other!"
God declares that He reigns over every part of life--not only the light, but even the darkness; amid what appears to be good news or bad; when we face trials or when everything seems to be going smoothly. He has no rivals, and His power has no limits.
These truths are overwhelming. Life-changing! But do we really believe them? If we really believed them, we would never have any fears, for we could trust in God completely! We would know that the only thing to worry about is not obeying and trusting Him, not living in accordance with His will, and not being in harmony with Him.
Today, stop and think about these truths. Declare God to be the Master of your life. Do not allow any problem to make you discouraged.
Focus on the Lord. Worship Him. Seek His face. Commit the situations you face to Him, and trust in Him resolutely. It's His desire "that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me" (v. 6). He is the Lord!
Prayer
Father, You are sovereign. I commit these situations and people into Your hands: _______. I trust in You, and I'm believing You for turnarounds in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Extended Reading
Isaiah 45
"I am the LORD, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God...the One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the LORD who does all these." - Isaiah 45:5-7 NASB
There are times when it can appear that darkness rules the earth...that there's no hope...and that God's people inevitably will be defeated. We can think our lives are dominated by enemies and that we're nothing but victims. We can feel outnumbered and doomed to failure. Discouraged, we can wonder if God ever will answer our prayers and solve our problems.
At times like these, we need to read these verses from Isaiah, where God states His absolute sovereignty. Regardless of how things appear, He's the Master of every situation. He is "the Lord, and there is no other!"
God declares that He reigns over every part of life--not only the light, but even the darkness; amid what appears to be good news or bad; when we face trials or when everything seems to be going smoothly. He has no rivals, and His power has no limits.
These truths are overwhelming. Life-changing! But do we really believe them? If we really believed them, we would never have any fears, for we could trust in God completely! We would know that the only thing to worry about is not obeying and trusting Him, not living in accordance with His will, and not being in harmony with Him.
Today, stop and think about these truths. Declare God to be the Master of your life. Do not allow any problem to make you discouraged.
Focus on the Lord. Worship Him. Seek His face. Commit the situations you face to Him, and trust in Him resolutely. It's His desire "that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me" (v. 6). He is the Lord!
Prayer
Father, You are sovereign. I commit these situations and people into Your hands: _______. I trust in You, and I'm believing You for turnarounds in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Extended Reading
Isaiah 45
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Exempt from What?
I have been a preschool teacher for over thirteen years. I was working in childcare when I made a mistake in my life (at age 19 mind you) and paid for it. I have paid for this mistake in more ways then one! On top of the natural consequences of this mistake; I now get reminded of it every time I apply for a job. I had never had a problem until about two years ago. I had gone on maternity leave from KB and had all intentions of returning. However, when I returned I was not being offered the hours I wanted to work. So I went else where looking for employment that would be flexible with me! I found a place that I thought would be great. It was close to home and they seemed to be willing to give me the hours I was looking for. Well because of my past, the owner, Mr.B, felt that I may need what is called an exemption. I had never need an exemption before, but he made it sound like it would be better to apply for one. So against my better judgement I did. In all hopes that by having this exemption Mr. B would hire me. Well come to find out he did not hire me because he did not want me to have an exemption. I guess some people when they file for an exemption get one and some don't and he was hoping I wouldn't. Yet, he made it sound like either way it would be okay. So needless to say I did not get that job. Ever since then it has been every hard for me to find a job. Which is very sad to me. I have my AA degree in Early Childhood Education that I busted my butt to get, I have over thirteen years of experience, and I come highly recommended with excellent references! This is so frustrating to me! I know that I have been forgiven of my past, but it forever haunts me. I know that I have favor for the job that I do have and I know that the Lord is going to open a door for me somewhere. It will all be in his perfect timing. I know these things. I also know that my family is struggling financially and although we are praying for financial breakthrough, I feel helpless! I feel that I wasted my time in school and I have wasted the last thirteen years. It is so frustrating. I am working on calling the Department of Justice to see what can be done about this exemption, until then I will continue to do what I love! Because I am exempt from the ways of this world and I will reap my rewards in Heaven!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
AMAZING!
READER WARNING: THIS POST WILL BE JUMPING ALL OVER THE PLACE AS SO MANY AMAZING THINGS HAVE HAPPENED READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!
This year started off something like this: My husbands job was in transition and we were not even sure if he was going to keep his job. Things were going south with Alex's behavior and I was being faced with the reality that I was going to have to start working full time again. Needless to say we were at a loss for what was happening. Within a week everything just flipped! We learned that Lloyd would be working at a permanent site; which meant he did not lose his job, but his pay would be less(even with a 2% pay raise). We were just grateful he still had a job. Then my husband shared an awesome vision he received of me opening up my own daycare center. This is what he shared with me:
My little vision.
Hey sweetie here was my little vision about something in the future. I see you having your own preschool/Daycare.
The building was about the size of the house or even your current employment based on perspective of the view from the building. The walls where a whitish or light color paint. The floors where all light hardwood. The building had a vast amount of natural light coming through the windows as there where windows down each side. There could have also been a skylight but not sure as the room was fairly bright with no lights on. There where 3 other people there with you and not sure if they where partners, or employees.
I gave instructions on how to get pricing to be competitive with other centers but low enough to entice enrollment.
Advice was go to various preschool/day care centers and get there pricing and make it to where you would be profitable but affordable. You would use Abby as you where asking around for the pricing as if you where going to put her into it but you would also state that you have friends with children that are at various ages and you where getting info for them so the information would be freely given more than if you went in with no kids and told them that you where opening a business and being competitive against them.
You only where going up to the Kindergarten age group. And you would charge an extra fee like $25 a week or discount pending on if the child was potty trained at a certain age.
Abby and Luke was not much older from what I could tell. But it was sunny outside and looked to be a beautiful spring/summer day.
On Friday Alex came home from school fairly upset that the kids had made fun of his project and feeling very down on himself. He did a community service project all geared around services that he did at church or related to church. Then on Saturday the 9th I went to a bible study. I shared with the ladies how Alex had been attacked by the kids at school. Then we went to Saturday night prayer at my church. During prayer five words kept coming to mind; renewing, anointing, refreshing, expectations, and faith. I also learned that my pastor had prayed for my two older boys and had a vision that they were both going to have the power of healing. Then after prayer I asked Della (attended the bible study earlier), if I could observe her teaching in 4's and 5's on Sunday. Before I spoke to her I had opened my bible to Psalms 17:13-19:24; did not have time to read it so bookmarked it. On the way home from prayer Alex was going on and on about how he did not have any friends. I was combating his negativity with lots of positive. Then a song came on about how the Lord is our strong tower and we need to run to him. I told Alex to take refuge in that song. Went to church on Sunday and decided to read Psalms(remember where I marked my bible on Saturday), in Psalms 18:10 it says, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe." This was confirmation to me that I was doing the right things with Alex. Then while I was helping Della in the classroom, she told me she had something for me that fit in perfectly with what Alex was going through. She gave me part of the lesson she was teaching and it was all about not listening to what others say about you! More confirmation!It was amazing how God was using people around me, the radio, a preschool lesson, and most importantly his word to give me confirmation! Then Sunday afternoon the icing on the cake! I found my adopted brother! I have known about him since I was twelve, but never thought I would find him. Can you believe it was as simple as googling his name and finding him on Facebook! Facebook has brought lots of people together! AMAZING! I will have to write another post about that, but lastly I want to leave you with this link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sngu-MK4-4k
This year started off something like this: My husbands job was in transition and we were not even sure if he was going to keep his job. Things were going south with Alex's behavior and I was being faced with the reality that I was going to have to start working full time again. Needless to say we were at a loss for what was happening. Within a week everything just flipped! We learned that Lloyd would be working at a permanent site; which meant he did not lose his job, but his pay would be less(even with a 2% pay raise). We were just grateful he still had a job. Then my husband shared an awesome vision he received of me opening up my own daycare center. This is what he shared with me:
My little vision.
Hey sweetie here was my little vision about something in the future. I see you having your own preschool/Daycare.
The building was about the size of the house or even your current employment based on perspective of the view from the building. The walls where a whitish or light color paint. The floors where all light hardwood. The building had a vast amount of natural light coming through the windows as there where windows down each side. There could have also been a skylight but not sure as the room was fairly bright with no lights on. There where 3 other people there with you and not sure if they where partners, or employees.
I gave instructions on how to get pricing to be competitive with other centers but low enough to entice enrollment.
Advice was go to various preschool/day care centers and get there pricing and make it to where you would be profitable but affordable. You would use Abby as you where asking around for the pricing as if you where going to put her into it but you would also state that you have friends with children that are at various ages and you where getting info for them so the information would be freely given more than if you went in with no kids and told them that you where opening a business and being competitive against them.
You only where going up to the Kindergarten age group. And you would charge an extra fee like $25 a week or discount pending on if the child was potty trained at a certain age.
Abby and Luke was not much older from what I could tell. But it was sunny outside and looked to be a beautiful spring/summer day.
On Friday Alex came home from school fairly upset that the kids had made fun of his project and feeling very down on himself. He did a community service project all geared around services that he did at church or related to church. Then on Saturday the 9th I went to a bible study. I shared with the ladies how Alex had been attacked by the kids at school. Then we went to Saturday night prayer at my church. During prayer five words kept coming to mind; renewing, anointing, refreshing, expectations, and faith. I also learned that my pastor had prayed for my two older boys and had a vision that they were both going to have the power of healing. Then after prayer I asked Della (attended the bible study earlier), if I could observe her teaching in 4's and 5's on Sunday. Before I spoke to her I had opened my bible to Psalms 17:13-19:24; did not have time to read it so bookmarked it. On the way home from prayer Alex was going on and on about how he did not have any friends. I was combating his negativity with lots of positive. Then a song came on about how the Lord is our strong tower and we need to run to him. I told Alex to take refuge in that song. Went to church on Sunday and decided to read Psalms(remember where I marked my bible on Saturday), in Psalms 18:10 it says, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe." This was confirmation to me that I was doing the right things with Alex. Then while I was helping Della in the classroom, she told me she had something for me that fit in perfectly with what Alex was going through. She gave me part of the lesson she was teaching and it was all about not listening to what others say about you! More confirmation!It was amazing how God was using people around me, the radio, a preschool lesson, and most importantly his word to give me confirmation! Then Sunday afternoon the icing on the cake! I found my adopted brother! I have known about him since I was twelve, but never thought I would find him. Can you believe it was as simple as googling his name and finding him on Facebook! Facebook has brought lots of people together! AMAZING! I will have to write another post about that, but lastly I want to leave you with this link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sngu-MK4-4k
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