Month: July 2016

So Samuel took the horn of oil, anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord took control of David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:13 HCSB

One of the special times in my life was when I was ordained to the Gospel Ministry. Ordination is a way of recognizing that a person has been called to special service to the Lord. The candidate for ordination is questioned by an ordination council made up of deacons and ministers about his salvation experience, his call to ministry, and his beliefs. The council makes a recommendation to the church to ordain the candidate. Once the person is approved by the church for ordination, a special ordination service is planned when the deacons and ministers lay hands on the candidate’s head and pray for him. A person is selected by the candidate to preach the ordination sermon. My father, who was a minister, was the person I selected to preach my ordination service sermon.

Samuel anointed David with oil as a way of setting him apart for special service to the Lord. The anointing of oil usually stood for holiness. It was used to set people or objects apart for God’s service. Each king and high priest of Israel was anointed with oil. This act commissioned David as the next king of Israel, but it was done in secret. Saul was still the king while God was preparing David for his future responsibilities. David would later be publicly anointed as the king of Israel.

Challenge: Pray for those who serve your church as ministers. They have numerous responsibilities that often go unappreciated. Ministers frequently hear complaints from church members but seldom hear very many compliments. They do not serve for compliments or words of praise, but it is always a blessing to know they are appreciated. Send your minister a note of thanks and encouragement today.

Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” he answered, “but right now he’s tending the sheep.” 1 Samuel 16:11 HCSB

The NCAA March Madness Basketball Tournament is one of my favorite times of the year. I especially enjoy watching the underdog teams play a team that should easily defeat them. The underdog team usually plays with more energy and determination which sometimes makes up for the lack of skill and ability they have as compared to the other team. In 1982 the powerful and talented University of Kentucky basketball team coached by Joe B. Hall and ranked 15th in the nation went up against the small and unranked Middle Tennessee State University team from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Everyone expected Kentucky to easily defeat MTSU, but at half time the score was tied. Surprisingly, MTSU went on to defeat Kentucky by a score of 50-44.

Just as MTSU was an unlikely candidate to win the game, David was an unlikely candidate to be anointed as the next king of Israel. He was the youngest of all of Jesse’s sons. Jesse did not even bother to present him to Samuel because to Jesse there was not even a chance that David would be selected. But many times God uses the most unlikely person to accomplish God-sized tasks.

David Ring was born with cerebral palsy and at age 14 he was orphaned and was cast about from one foster family to another. Who would think that David would be a nationally known motivational speaker and evangelist? He shares his story with over 100,000 people every year. No one would have picked David Ring to be used of God and no one would have picked David the shepherd boy to be the one that God would choose as King of Israel.

Challenge: If you don’t think you can be used of God, then think again and look at the many examples of people in the Bible that God used to accomplish great things. He can use you in the same way if you will only yield your life to Him and follow His direction.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 HCSB

As a youth pastor I emphasized the importance of looking beyond the physical appearance of others. Teens are so caught up in wanting to look like others that they often place an importance on physical appearance. The world places an emphasis on the three “B’s”. 1. Beauty; 2. Brains; and 3. Bucks. The world says a person must look good, be smart, and have money if he is going to be a person of worth and admiration.

This Scripture makes it clear that God does not look at the outward appearance. In fact, he instructed Samuel to not judge the sons of Jesse by their stature and good looks. Saul was tall and handsome, and certainly Samuel must have been looking for someone who looked like Saul to be the new king. When we judge people by their outward appearance, we often overlook their inner qualities. Outward appearances do not reflect what a person is really like or what he is capable of doing. Fortunately, God judges people by their faith and character and not by their outward appearance.

Challenge: Keep a record of the amount of time you spend this week maintaining your outward appearance as compared to the amount of time you spend maintaining and developing your inner character and qualities. Only you and God know your heart.What steps will you take this week to improve and develop your heart’s appearance?

“In peace,” he replied. “I’ve come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 1 Samuel 16:5 HCSB

While traveling in Israel I observed that the Orthodox Jews that visited the western wall of the temple (often called the Wailing Wall because as the people rock back and forth and pray it sounds like they are wailing) would wash their hands and sometimes their faces as way of cleansing and purifying themselves before they approached the western wall to pray.

The Israelites were to perform a purification ceremony before making a sacrifice or witnessing a great act of God. God’s laws indicated that a person could become unclean in a variety of ways – even eating certain foods or touching a dead person. God used these laws as a way to illustrate the impurity of man. Our sin makes us unclean and we must be purified and made holy so we can approach a Holy God.

Samuel consecrated or purified Jesse and his sons so they could participate in the sacrifice to the Lord. The Scriptures do not record exactly what Samuel did, but we know that Samuel performed some type of purification ceremony. The word consecrate has the meaning of being set aside for a holy or sacred purpose.

Challenge: We must approach God with a pure heart. Consecrate yourself by confessing your sins before the Lord and asking for forgiveness. The Scriptures say in I John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.” God is more concerned about our hearts and our attitudes being clean and pure than our physical cleanliness. How clean is your heart?

Samuel did what the Lord directed and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town met him, they trembled and asked, “Do you come in peace?” 1 Samuel 16:4 HCSB

I just returned from vacationing with my family in Fort Morgan, Alabama. On the trip home I used a GPS app on my phone that provided directions on the proper route to take. When we first started out, I was in an unfamiliar location and I depended on the directions from the GPS to guide me to the main highway. Once on the main highway, I left the GPS on because it detected traffic jams, accidents, and other dangers and then alerted us. It even gave us directions to route around an accident or road construction on the main highway. I was not sure what the problem was ahead, but I trusted the GPS and took the exit off of the interstate, knowing that it was providing a better route.

Much like my dependence upon the GPS, Samuel trusted and followed God’s directions. He did not question the directions God provided and went to Bethlehem to anoint a new king of Israel. There have been a few times I have trusted the GPS and it has taken me to the wrong location. We can always trust God, however, to give us good direction.

Challenge: You can find direction from God in four different ways: 1. Read God’s Word; 2. Spend time in prayer seeking God’s direction and listening to what He has to say; 3. Seek advice and input from trusted Christian friends; and 4. Follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit in your life as He impresses on you what is right and wrong. God will use one or all of these methods to show you His plan and direction for your life.

Then Samuel said: “Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord?” Looking to obey is better than sacrifice; to pay attention is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination and defiance is like wickedness and idolatry. Because you have rejected the Word of the Lord, He has rejected you as king.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23 HCSB

Many times I have asked the question of people, “If you were standing before God and He asked you, ‘Why should I let you into heaven?’ what would be your reply?” The usual reply is, “I go to church sometimes and I try to be a good person and treat others fairly.” Many people think their good works will qualify them for heaven. But the Bible is very clear that it is not by our works but by our faith in Jesus Christ that our sins are forgiven (Ephesians 2:8-9) and that we are made perfect in God’s eyes by the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross.

Samuel makes it clear that God desires our obedience over sacrifice. Rebellion against God’s plan and direction is as sinful as witchcraft and the occult. Our stubbornness is as bad as worshipping idols. Our disobedience is like turning our backs on God and telling Him that we know what is best and we don’t need His help. Saul dishonored God by his disobedience, which ultimately resulted in Saul being replaced as king.

Challenge: No one can be good enough to gain entrance to heaven. It is only through Jesus Christ that you can be made right with God. Do not be rebellious and stubborn; instead be obedient to God’s plan.

Early in the morning Samuel got up to go confront Saul, but it was reported to Samuel, “Saul went to Carmel where he set up a monument for himself. Then he turned around and went down to Gilgal.” 1 Samuel 15:12 HCSB

One of the most impressive monuments I have seen is the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. It is a large statue of Abraham Lincoln sitting in a chair. The monument honors his leadership as president of the United States during the Civil War. It would have been considered arrogant if Lincoln had set up the monument to himself.

Saul set up a monument to himself. This was an indication of how Saul’s heart had turned toward himself and his own glorification rather than trying to glorify God. Saul had become great in his own eyes when he needed to realize that his power and ability to defeat his enemies came from the Lord. He should have built a monument to God instead of himself. He should have been praising God for all He had done for him and the Israelites.

Challenge: Is your greatest desire to glorify God or yourself? Praise God for the many blessings He has provided in your life. Look for ways to bring honor and glory to God today. Be humble and do not seek the praises of other people.

Early in the morning Samuel got up to go confront Saul, but it was reported to Samuel, “Saul went to Carmel where he set up a monument for himself. Then he turned around and went down to Gilgal.” 1 Samuel 15:12HCSB

One of the most impressive monuments I have seen is the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. It is a large statue of Abraham Lincoln sitting in a chair. The monument honors his leadership as president of the United States during the Civil War. It would have been considered arrogant if Lincoln had set up the monument to himself.

Saul set up a monument to himself. This was an indication of how Saul’s heart had turned toward himself and his own glorification rather than trying to glorify God. Saul had become great in his own eyes when he needed to realize that his power and ability to defeat his enemies came from the Lord. He should have built a monument to God instead of himself. He should have been praising God for all He had done for him and the Israelites.

Challenge: Is your greatest desire to glorify God or yourself? Praise God for the many blessings He has provided in your life. Look for ways to bring honor and glory to God today. Be humble and do not seek the praises of other people.

Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel. “I regret that I made Saul king, for heq has turned away from following Me and has not carried out My instructions. So Samuel became angry and cried out to the Lord all night. 1Samuel 15:11 HCSB

In my forty years I ministry there have been some times when I have regretted enlisting someone to teach or to lead a group. I though they would be a good leader but they di not live up to my expectations. Either they did not have leadership skills or they lead people in the wrong way. It was not easy, but a few times I have had to ask someone to step down from a leadership position because of their inability to lead correctly.

The Lord regretted that He had made Saul king because he was not following God and His commands. He was doing want he thought was best rather than trusting God and His directions. Samuel also regretted anointing Saul as king and cried out to the Lord all night.

Challenge: Have you disappointed someone? Have you disappointed your parents or a family member by your actions? Have you disappointed God? Ask god to help you trust Him and His directions so you can be pleasing in His sight.

Then Saul struck down the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is next to Egypt. He captured Agag king of Amelek alive, but he completely destroyed all the rest of the people with the sword. Saul and the troops spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, cattle and choice animals, as well as the young rams and the best of everything else. They were not willing to destroy them, but they did destroy all the worthless and unwanted things. 1 Samuel 15:7-9 HCSB

What if we obeyed the traffic signal lights just part of the time? There would be mass chaos and accidents. What if our children only obeyed our direction to not touch the hot stove part of the time? They would get burned.

Saul did not completely obey God’s commands. In 1 Samuel 15:1-3, God commanded Saul to completely destroy everyone and everything. Saul destroyed everyone but the king because he wanted to take him and parade him in front of the Israelites to show how powerful he was as king. He also wanted to keep the best of the goods and livestock. Saul’s partial obedience was disobedience.

Challenge: God expects complete obedience. We cannot choose which commands we are going to follow and which we are going to reject. When we do so, we are taking God’s place and telling Him what we will do. Pray that you will completely obey God and follow His commands in every area of your life.