Good Morning “Cravers of Something Different.”  Today we are in 1 Samuel 8.  Israel wanted a king, then they would be like all the other nations.  The problem is God called Israel to be Holy set apart, different from all the other nations. We too are called to be different.  Are we?  We have been called to serve Jesus, Holy set apart (Romans 12:1).  Holiness demands that we be different than the r...  Read More

Good Morning “Responders to The Lords conviction”.  Today we are in 1 Samuel 7.  You know that feeling that comes from deep within?  It’s that nauseating, feeling that comes when you know you’ve sinned and dishonored The Lord.  It’s the feeling that comes with a desire to never feel it again, a recognition that whatever it takes, I’ve gotta change things so that I don’t end up here ever again.  It...  Read More

Good Morning “Real Relationship with Jesus Builders.”  Today we are in 1 Samuel 6.The Philistines got to see God, His power, and His capability.  Likewise He has revealed Himself to the world, universally, through creation, so man is without excuse (Romans 1:18-20).  If He is clearly revealed and clearly seen why is He not universally accepted?The flesh is a powerful thing!  It wages war against t...  Read More

Good Morning “Believers that God is NOT dead!”  Today we are in 1 Samuel 5.  We live in a broken sinful world where we experience sickness, death, the decay of our world and our bodies - all consequences of sin.  Furthermore we all sin, so… our world is full of sinful people who do sinful things to each other.    Those who oppose the existence of God are often quick to smugly proclaim… “See there ...  Read More

Good Morning “Full Time Worshippers.”  Today we are in 1 Samuel 4.  “In Jesus name, Amen.”  Whew… ok I tagged my prayer with the right ending.  Now God has to do what I ask.  After all, that’s what The Bible says… ”And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.“‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬Have you ever thought that?  Even secretly?  First of all let’s be cle...  Read More

Good Morning “Voice of God Recognizers.”  Today we are in 1 Samuel 3”Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.“‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭3‬:‭7‬ ‭NIVSamuel is young.  When God speaks to Samuel here Samuel does not recognize His voice.  Understandably for a young boy, he believes it’s Eli.  Students often ask me how they can know the voice of God.  How they can ...  Read More

Good Morning “Faithful Priests”.   Today we are in 1 Samuel 2.  What does a passage about unholy priests have to do with us?  As a backdrop let’s not forget 1 Peter 2:9-10 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you ...  Read More

Good Morning “Hopelessly Helpless.”   Today we begin 1 Samuel with chapter 1.  I love how Samuel’s story begins with hopelessness.  Samuels father Elkanah had two wives, Hannah, and Peninnah.  Peninnah had children,  Hannah was barren.  This is another case where we see God working even through man’s sin - in this case multiple wives.  Imagine two wives having to compete for the love of one man… n...  Read More

Good Morning “Redeemed by The Kinsman.”  Today we are in Ruth 4.  What a picture we see here in chapter 4.  The story of Ruth and her “Guardian or Kinsman Redeemer”  is a beautiful picture of something much bigger.  The Kinsman was simply the next closest male relative to the widowed woman’s husband.  In the event she had no son to care for her and to carry on the late husbands name, it was his re...  Read More

Good Morning “Models of Integrity.”  Today we are in Ruth 3.Where does our responsibility begin and end?  What are some things you responsible for?  Our world seems quick to remove responsibility and accountability for actions.  It’s part of what has lead to the moral decay of our nation.  In the midst of a nation that doesn’t care… what is your response?  As we wrapped up Judges, maybe you were l...  Read More

Good Morning “Cared For Every Step of The Way.”  Today we are in Ruth 2.  Do you believe in luck?  Good luck?  Bad luck?  You know Biblically there is no such thing as luck, only Gods sovereignty and providence.  Things aren’t looking great for Naomi and Ruth.  Without husbands in that time meant no one to care for you.  Ruth sticking by Naomi’s side was a likely life sentence of struggle.  Their ...  Read More

Good Morning “Those Who Faithfully Stick.”  Today we begin the short book of Ruth with chapter 1.The book of Ruth serves as a transition between 2 parts of Israel’s covenant history.  Genesis - Dueteronomy focuses on how the decedents of Abraham became a great nation and Gods covenant with Israel.  The 2nd part, Samuel - Chronicles focuses on Israel’s Kings and Gods covenant with David as head of ...  Read More