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"

Saul's anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, "You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don't I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you?" (1 Samuel 20:30 NIV) Saul was furious. He couldn’t understandContinue reading "Power Struggle"

And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. (1 Samuel 18:9 NIV) My Bible reading plan has taken back to the book of First Samuel where we're introduced to the monarchy in Israel. When Saul, Israel's first chosen king, failed to obey God and fulfill His purpose, God anointed another manContinue reading "Jealousy Creates an Enemy"