Tag Archives: prophet samuel

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Faithful in the Little Things

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Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.—James 4:10

Saul was on an errand for his father when he walked smack-dab into the perfect will of God. In his search for some lost donkeys, Saul was directed to the area where the prophet Samuel lived. When Samuel laid eyes on Saul, the Lord told him that Saul was the one He had chosen to be king over Israel.

Then the Bible tells us that “Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said: ‘Is it not because the Lord has anointed you commander over His inheritance?’ ” (1 Samuel 10:1). The Spirit of God came upon Saul, and he prophesied with the prophets, which means that God spoke through Saul. We are also told that God gave him a new heart.

Then came a test in Saul’s life. Some questioned the choice of Saul as king. But Saul ignored them and just went about his business. After Samuel had anointed Saul as king, the Lord had not told him to do anything in particular. And to his credit, Saul went back to his responsibilities, which included plowing a field.

Often you will find that when you are engaged in service to the Lord, He will tell you what the next thing is. Saul was faithful in the little things, and God opened a great door for him.

If you want to be used by God, if you feel that one day the Lord might want you to be in ministry somewhere, then here is my advice for you: Be faithful in little things. Do what you can do. Don’t look for big things to do; look for anything to do.

God says that if you will be faithful in the little things, then He will give you other things to do.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Problem of Pride

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1 Samuel 13:1-14

Pride is a condition that’s common to all mankind. Poverty won’t protect us from it. Neither will age, ability, or experience.

Consider Saul, whom the prophet Samuel revealed was God’s chosen leader for the nation of Israel. Scripture describes Saul as an impressive and handsome young man without equal among the Israelites (1 Sam. 9:2). This description seems fitting for the nation’s first royal leader. In his new position, Saul was to follow the Lord’s instructions for that role. He was promised that the Holy Spirit would come upon him and powerfully provide help (10:6-7).

Our Father treats us in a similar way. He’s chosen us to belong to His family, and He has a plan for our lives, with special work for each of us to do (Eph. 2:10). The Holy Spirit dwells within us so He can guide and empower us to carry out divine plans. Our part is to obey.

To be successful, Saul needed to remember several things. First, any authority he had came from God. In addition, his responsibilities included executing the Lord’s plan, leading the people by example, and obeying divine commands. Like so many of us today, Saul acted as if he were in charge rather than the Lord. He allowed the pressure of the situation to take precedence over obedience. Because of pride, he broke God’s law and exercised priestly responsibilities that were not rightly his.

Our Father wants us to deal with our pride by humbling ourselves before Him, confessing our sin, and seeking His help in overcoming it.

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Listening Obedience

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In I Samuel 15, King Saul looked dedicated and pious, offering up sacrifices to the Lord – but his downfall was assured because of his disobedience. The prophet Samuel told him “to obey is better than sacrifice.” (I Samuel 15:22) In the next chapter, when Samuel anointed David as king, the prophet pointed out how “man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7)

If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

Proverbs 28:9

Today’s verse in The Message soberly reads, “God has no use for the prayers of the people who won’t listen to him.” If you expect the Lord to hear you, you must hear Him. Prayer is talking to God, but it’s a two-way conversation. You must also listen to Him by reading and obeying His Word. And with the greatest commandment being to love God and love others, examine your love life to ensure your prayers don’t bounce back from the ceiling.

Think about the practical ways you can hear and obey the Lord, and put them into practice. Then with confidence, and in the name of Jesus, pray often for the nation’s leaders, troops and citizens.

Recommended Reading: Matthew 5:13-26

 

 

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Danger of Bitterness

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Charles Stanley

1 Samuel 18:1-30

King Saul had it all: God’s anointing on him as ruler; the prophet Samuel to guide him; the power and wealth of the kingdom of Israel; the applause of the people. Yet he died a bitter man. What steps led to his downfall?

• Anger. When Goliath was defeated, the crowds praised Saul as a killer of thousands but David as a slayer of tens of thousands. Instead of rejoicing that God had raised up someone to slay the giant, Saul grew angry with David for receiving more praise than he did.

• Wrong thinking. Saul’s flaring temper affected his mind, and he became suspicious of David’s motives. He started thinking that since the Lord was with David, the young man would want to take over the kingdom right away.

• Fear. Saul’s fear led to plotting against David and throwing spears at him.

• Rejection. The king sent David away from his presence.

• Dread. Saul’s fear grew stronger with David’s military success and the people’s growing love for the younger man.

• Deceitful action. Twice the king tried to manipulate David by offering one of his daughters in marriage. Both times he plotted to get David killed by the Philistines, and each attempt failed. Saul’s response was to become David’s enemy for the rest of his days. From then on, bitterness reigned.

Although the details of our lives differ from Saul’s, the steps to bitterness and ruin are the same. What unresolved anger do you allow to fester? Whom do you avoid because of ill will? Won’t you confess your sin, turn to God, and be set free?

 

 

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The Grace to Wait – Charles Stanley

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Psalm 62:1-2

No doubt one of your least favorite things is to wait in line. We arrive at a doctor’s appointment on time or a little early only to sit and sit in that waiting room. We go to the grocery store for just a few things and get stuck in an endless checkout line. And we’ve all been delayed in the drive-through lane at the bank. Nobody in our culture likes to wait, it seems.

When we take something to the Lord in prayer, we bring our human impatience with us. We often make a request and expect an answer right then and there. If God doesn’t spring into action immediately, many people begin to think, Well, I tried praying, but the Lord just didn’t do anything. Prayer doesn’t really work.

How tragic! Compare that attitude to King David’s. When David was only 16 years of age, God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint him as the king. Sixteen more years would pass before that promise was fulfilled. What did David do during that time? Did he moan and groan, shaking his finger at the Lord and demanding his kingship now? Not at all. David understood that God was trustworthy. He also realized that his heavenly Father was the God not only of who and what, but also of when and how. David wanted the kingship only when the Lord was ready for him to have it. So he waited.

Is there something in your life for which it’s hard to remain patient? Will you wait on the Lord as one waiting on a bank teller or doctor—or will you, like King David, trust in God’s timing and provision? The Father knows every facet of your situation, and His “delay” is actually in your best interest.