Category: First Things First Devotional

Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and He fulfilled everything Samuel prophesied. 1 Samuel 3:19 HCSB

Today, my father-in-law celebrates his 88th birthday. Last week we celebrated my grandson’s first birthday. He has grown so much in one year, but he has so much more to grow. Hopefully, our grandson will someday celebrate his 88th birthday like his great-grandfather. Physically our bodies are designed to grow until we reach adulthood, but they continue to change over the years and mentally we continue to learn and grow. Spiritually, we all should be growing to become more like Jesus Christ. My father-in-law sets the example of what it means to follow Christ and minister to others. On his 88th birthday he is at Extreme Build with Habitat for Humanity for ten days helping to build a home for someone in need. Each week he volunteers with Habitat for Humanity three or four days a week helping to provide housing for the needy. I hope that when I am 88 I will still be going strong, growing spiritually, serving the Lord, and ministering to others like my father-in-law.

This verse tells us that Samuel grew. This meant he grew physically, but note that the next part of the verse says, “the Lord was with him”. Evidently Samuel also grew spiritually. The Lord was with him because Samuel was willing to receive and follow God’s plans and direction for His people. This type of obedience is important to growing spiritually. God blessed Samuel because of his faithfulness to follow Him.

Challenge: Are you growing spiritually? Is God with you? Are you willing to receive and follow God’s plan and direction for your life? God desires your obedience. God blesses those who are obedient and faithful. That does not mean a person will not have any problems, but God desires to bless those who willingly follow Him. Volunteer to help or give to support Habitat for Humanity.

The Lord came, stood there, and called as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel responded, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10 HCSB

When we call someone on the phone we expect them to answer and talk to us. Seldom is it a one way conversation with only one person doing all the talking. One of the things I have learned about prayer is that too many times people talk to God and make their requests for what they would like for God to do but then they say “Amen” and the prayer is over. Prayer is intended to be a two way conversation. We need to stop and listen for God to speak to us.

Eli instructed Samuel to say to the Lord when He called again, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” It is important to ask God to speak. We need to stop and listen to what God is saying and then strive to implement what God’s plan and desire is for our lives.

Challenge: When was the last time you actually took time to stop and ask God to speak to you? Are your conversations with God a one way street? The next time you pray take a few minutes to just be quiet and listen to what God has to say. Ask God to share His plan for your life.

Then the Lord called Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.” He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “I didn’t call,” Eli replied. “Go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 1 Samuel 3:4-5 HCSB

Unfortunately, the pastor at the first church I served out of seminary died unexpectedly. He was only 46 years old and had four children. The church called an interim pastor to serve while the pulpit committee searched for a new pastor. One of the trademarks of the interim pastor was to stop at some point in his sermon and say, “Are you listening?” That would get everyone’s attention so he could make an important point.

Samuel was listening but did not realize that it was the Lord that was calling him. He immediately went to Eli because he would have been the most logical person to call him. Sometimes God works in mysterious ways. It would have been more logical for the Lord to call Eli since he was the priest, but God is more concerned about one’s faith rather than heritage or position in society.

Challenge: God called Samuel rather than Eli because Samuel had the right attitude and desire. What can you do to become that type of person – the type of person that God calls? How can you better discern when God is calling you? When God calls, will you recognize His voice and follow His direction for your life? God wants people like Samuel who are faithful and committed to living for Him. “Are you listening?”

The boy Samuel served the Lord in Eli’s presence. In those days the word of the Lord was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread. 1 Samuel 3:1 HCSB

It is hard for me to understand why the unemployment rate is so high when everywhere I look there are signs that say, “Help Wanted” or “Hiring”. There are even advertisements for jobs in the paper and on television. It seems that there are plenty of jobs, but the people just do not want to do the job that is available.

In the church there are many jobs, however it seems there is always a shortage of leadership, especially in the preschool and children’s area. As a youth pastor and now as an education pastor, it has always been a challenge to enlist and train qualified leaders. Samuel was serving the Lord by assisting Eli. He was serving God under Eli’s direction. Volunteers in the church serve the Lord under the direction of the pastor or minister for various areas of ministry.

Challenge: Where are you serving the Lord? All church members should be involved in three ways: 1. Worship 2. Bible Study 3. Service. Service is important to the growth of disciples of Jesus Christ. Discover your spiritual gifts by completing the spiritual gifts survey at http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_MYCS_030526_Spiritual_Gifts_Survey.pdf Then talk to your minister about where would be the best place for you to serve in your church. Where can God best use your skills and abilities to bring honor and glory to His kingdom?

The boy Samuel served the Lord in Eli’s presence. In those days the word of the Lord was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread. 1 Samuel 3:1 HCSB

I have observed first-hand the development of the phone. The first phone my family had was the old rotary style. I remember going to the World’s Fair in Seattle, Washington, in 1962 where I saw the first push button phone and experienced how much faster it was to use than a rotary phone. I purchased my first cell phone in 1993. It was about six inches long and approximately three inches wide with an antenna and a battery bag. Then came the flip phone, followed by the Blackberry. I now have an iPhone that not only serves as my phone but also has a camera and has more storage space than my first computer. I receive text messages, read my email messages, and can even FaceTime with my grandchildren. It is amazing how the phone has developed over the years, but it is of no benefit unless the person I call actually answers and talks with me. Communication is a two way street.

This verse reminds us that the Word of the Lord was rare and prophetic visions were not widespread. Why was it rare to get a message from God in those days? God had spoken directly to Moses and Joshua, but His word had become rare. The people were evil and did not seek God. Even Eli’s sons had rejected God and were greedy. Communication was poor between the people and God, therefore their line of communication was broken.

Challenge: We must pray and talk to God and then we must listen and be willing to act upon what God tells us to do. Ask God to speak to you through His Word, through the Holy Spirit, and through your friends and family. How are the communication lines between you and God? Are you willing to listen and act upon what He reveals to you?

I prayed for this boy, and since the Lord gave me what I asked Him for, I now give the boy to the Lord. For as long as he lives he is given to the Lord: Then he bowed in worship to the Lord there. 1 Samuel 1:27-28 HCSB

The Bible teaches us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. As we give we are more like God, who has given His Son to die on the cross so our sins might be forgiven and that we can enjoy eternal life in heaven. I have had the privilege of giving away several sets of golf clubs that my father made. When he retired he began to put golf clubs together as a hobby. I inherited his clubs and many have sat in my garage for years. I have now learned how to make golf clubs and have put together my first set. Some sets have sentimental value because my father made them, but the clubs are doing no one any good sitting in my garage. It is very satisfying to be able to help someone else and to know that the clubs my father made are being put to good use.

Hannah gave up what she wanted the most – her son. She dedicated Samuel to the Lord and His service. Samuel was a gift from God, so in a way Hannah was only returning what God had given to her. These verses illustrate the need for us to give back to God. God has so richly blessed most of us. The least we can do is to give some back to God. He owns everything and does not have need of anything, but we need to learn the principle of giving.

Challenge: Do your gifts to God cost you anything? Are they gifts of sacrifice or are you presenting God with your leftovers and only a token of your appreciation for what He has done for you? God desires our best, not our leftovers. Thank Him for all of the many blessings you have experienced.

I prayed for this boy, and since the Lord gave me what I asked Him for, I now give the boy to the Lord. For as long as he lives he is given to the Lord: Then he bowed in worship to the Lord there. 1 Samuel 1:27-28 HCSB

God has answered so many of my prayers and blessed me in so many ways. My daughters and daughter-in-law each had complications with their pregnancies. I prayed faithfully for them and for my grandchildren, asking God to bring healthy babies into the world and that the mothers would have an easy delivery. God has blessed me with five wonderful and healthy grandchildren, three years of age and younger. This is just one example of how God has answered my prayers.

Hannah affirmed that she prayed that the Lord would give her a son and that God had answered that prayer with the birth of Samuel. Sometimes we are surprised that God answers our prayers. At other times we wonder why God has not answered our prayers. God answers prayers with three answers: yes, no, and wait. Too many times when we get the answer of “no” or “wait” we feel that God has not answered, when in fact He has answered but perhaps not in the manner we had hoped.

Challenge: Present your requests before the Lord. Accept the answers of “no” and “wait”. If God says, “No” then he has something better for you. If He says, “Wait,” then the timing is not right and you need to be patient and wait for God’s answer in God’s time. Always pray that God’s will be done in every situation.

Eli responded, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the petition you’ve requested from Him.” “May your servant find favor with you,” she replied. Then Hannah went on her way; she ate and no longer looked despondent. 1 Samuel 1:17-18 HCSB

The Depression Bipolar Support Alliance reports that depression affects approximately 14.8 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the United States population age 18 and older in a given year. Depression can develop at any age with the median age of onset at 32. Depression is more prevalent in women than in men. As many as one in 33 children and one in 8 adolescents have depression. People with depression are four times more likely to develop a heart attack than those without a history of the illness.

Hannah had been depressed because of her inability to have children, and especially a son. Evidently her depression had caused her to stop eating. This Scripture tells us that she ate and no longer looked despondent. The antidote for her discouragement and depression was to tell God how she really felt and then leave her problem with Him. She also got some sound counsel and encouragement from Eli.

Challenge: Are you feeling depressed? You are not alone. Many people suffer from depression. Turn your problems over to God and allow Him to take care of them. Seek sound counsel from those who can offer encouragement and help you to overcome your depression.

Making a vow, she pleaded, “Lord of Hosts, if You will take notice of Your servant’s affliction, remember and not forget me, and give Your servant a son, I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and his hair will never be cut. 1 Samuel 1:11 HCSB

If someone were to ask you to recall the best advice you have ever received, what would you say? In my case I would think of my dad telling me, “You are only as good as your word.” In other words, if a person says he is going to do something, he needs to follow through and actually do it. If he fails to keep his word or promise, others will never know if they can trust him to actually do what he says he will do. Keeping a promise is very important.

Hannah was desperate to have a child, especially a son. In her desperation she struck a deal with God, promising to give her son to serve the Lord all the days of his life. God took her up on her promise. To Hannah’s credit she followed through and gave her son, Samuel, to serve in the Lords’ house under Eli’s supervision and instruction. It was hard for her to give him up but she followed through with what she said she was going to do regardless of the cost.

Challenge: Be careful what you promise to others and especially what you promise to God. He may take you up on your promise. Too many times people make a promise to God in desperation to get something or have a problem solved, but once the need for God’s help has disappeared, they forget what they have promised. It is dishonest to fail to keep one’s word. God is trustworthy and always keeps His promises and He expects you to do the same.

Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept with many tears. 1 Samuel 1:10 HCSB

My father was diagnosed with a brain tumor for which his doctor suggested surgery. He explained the tumor would eventually grow back, but the surgery would potentially give my father a few more years of life. Sadly, the surgery left him paralyzed on the left side of his body and out of necessity, we placed him in a nursing/rehabilitation facility. Within just a few weeks my father was worse and the doctor determined that the tumor had returned and was bigger than before surgery. There was nothing else that could be done for him and comfort measures were instituted. I went to the chapel and cried out to the Lord in prayer asking for God to intervene and bring healing to my father’s body or to go ahead a take him home to heaven where he would no longer be in pain or experience suffering. God answered my prayer and my father died just nine weeks from the time he was diagnosed with cancer. God did not answer my prayer as I would have wanted, but He did answer my prayer.

Hannah had been praying for years that she would have a baby. Having children was considered to be an honor and a blessing from God. She was downcast and cried out to God to answer her prayer and give her a son. Even though Hannah was discouraged, she faithfully brought her requests before the Lord because she knew that He was able to help her.

Challenge: Do you have a request you have fervently prayed for many years? Do your prayers seem to be just hitting the ceiling? You can be assured that God is constantly at work and hears your prayers. He understands your feelings and thoughts. Continue to pray. God will answer in His perfect timing. Trust Him with all of your longings.