Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Genesis 32:26 NIV) Jacob spent most of his life competing with his twin brother, Esau. First, he wanted Esau's birthright, then he wanted his blessing. And although Jacob got what heContinue reading "Fight for Your Blessing"

As Samuel grew up, the LORD was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable. (1 Samuel 3:19 NLT) I also love the NIV translation of this verse, "The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel's words fall to the ground." In Scripture, we're told thatContinue reading "The Test of a True Prophet"

Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, “God has delivered him into my hands, for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars.” (1 Samuel 23:7 NIV) Perceiving David as a threat to the throne, King Saul began to pursue him. When Saul discovered David’s hidingContinue reading "Was It Really God?"

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV) The world is drawn to good-looking people, butContinue reading "True Beauty"

When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as Israel’s leaders. The name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second was Abijah, and they served at Beersheba. But his sons did not follow his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice. (1 Samuel 8:1-3 NIV)Continue reading "Set an Example"

God addressed Samuel: “So, how long are you going to mope over Saul? You know I’ve rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your flask with anointing oil and get going. I’m sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I’ve spotted the very king I want among his sons.” (1 Samuel 16:1 MSG) A colleague wasContinue reading "Get Going"

"Appoint a king to rule us, just like everybody else.” (1 Samuel 8:6 MSG) The Israelites were a chosen people. They were meant to stand out not fit in. Unfortunately, they decided to become "like everybody else" when they asked the prophet Samuel for a king just like the other nations around them (1 SamuelContinue reading "You’re Not Everybody Else"

Samuel said, “What on earth are you doing?” Saul answered, “When I saw I was losing my army from under me, and that you hadn’t come when you said you would, and that the Philistines were poised at Micmash, I said, ‘The Philistines are about to come down on me in Gilgal, and I haven’tContinue reading "Keep Your Appointment With God"