Consequences To Not Sharing The Word

1 Samuel 3:11-20; KJV the rest of the OT reading for this coming Sunday the 2nd Sunday of Epiphany; Eli's household suffers for the sins of his sons and for not restraining them from their vile sins.

Who Will Lead Us?

1 Samuel 16:1-13 KJV; We too often choose by outward appearances; while God chooses by what is in their hearts.

The Lord Knows The Heart Of The One He Elects

Reading from 1 Samuel 16:1-7; Consider talking to God and then listening before you vote.

The Lord Reigns Above All Things

Send Me

Speak, Lord, For Your Servant Listens

And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;

And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.

And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.

Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

                                                                           (1 Sam 3:1-10 KJV)

Three times the Lord called out to Samuel. But, Samuel did not recognize the voice until Eli told him that it was the Lord trying to speak with him. 

How often does the Lord speak to us and we do not hear him? Too much noise; too many distractions; too much of everything going on to be still and listen to Him? Maybe you don't listen for His voice because you don't believe that He will actually talk to people in this day and age. 

Praying is not just about telling God what your "give me this list" is. It is not just about thanking him. It is both of those things. But, it is also about listening to Him; listening for God to whisper your name and to affirm that He truly loves you and is with you.

There's a lot of prophecy flying around on the internet these days. I've heard many "prophets" say the Lord told me this or that is going to happen. It can be difficult to know what is real prophecy from God and what is not.  I haven't really seen much, if any, of it come to fruition. The word of the Lord, coming to us in the form of prophecy, does not usually tell us what is going to happen as many of these prophets have been telling us. Prophecy, the word of the Lord, does not work like a fortune teller; it is not like a crystal ball. He does not  tell us the future, especially not in full detail. He has given us free will, so the future can change. As in the days of Jonah, prophecy is most often a warning that there will be consequences if we don't change our ways; if we don't repent of whatever it is that we are doing that we ought not be doing. 

God does speak to us. He speaks to us through the word found in the Holy Scriptures.  He speaks to us through others who know Him. He speaks to us in the stillness of our hearts. But, we can't hear that voice unless we slow down and listen. A little warning here... Have you noticed that many of the prophecies have done nothing more than cause you to be a bit or a lot anxious about the future?  The devil and his minions have no problem with pretending that they are the Lord speaking to you. Make sure the whisper that you hear is from the Lord and not some other entity trying to stir up trouble and that the word you hear is supported by the word found in the  Holy Scriptures.  

In the darkness and the quiet of his room Samuel heard the voice of God call to him. May God help us to change our ways and take the time in prayer to really be still and ask Him to "Speak Lord, for your servant listens." Then listen! Listen to His promise that He loves you and is with you always to comfort and guide you in the way of our Lord Jesus the Christ. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Ignore Outward Appearances

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. (1 Sam 16:17 KJV)

In many cases first impressions are the lasting impressions.

When the Lord sent Samuel out to anoint the next king of Israel he sent him out to anoint a shepherd. He sent him out to anoint the one who was not able to even present himself with his brothers before Samuel because he was in the fields working. The Lord had not chosen any of David's older brothers. He had chosen the youngest one; the ruddy looking one.

I had gone into Walmart a few years back to get some things I needed to work on an outdoor project. I was wearing the clothes I'd been wearing to work in.  I did not really clean up before I went because I would be going straight back to work after I purchased what I needed.  A clerk followed me around the store. I felt like she was watching me to make sure I wasn't stealing anything. I felt like I was being judged by my appearance. This was not the first time this has happened. People do tend to judge by appearances. 

We can never know what the circumstances are surrounding how or why someone may appear to us upon meeting them. Did they have an emergency earlier? Are they ill? Are they disheveled because they are running late or maybe they had to crunch time because someone needed their help?

There are also times when people can put a very good face on at your first meeting. This face does not always reflect what is going on in their hearts and minds. This face could very well be for show. Months or years later you finally get to realize the true intent of their hearts.

This is not to say that all people have bad intents. It is a reminder that we should not be judging people by our first impressions. What they first appear to be is not always what they are. 

Do not judge others by what they look like or even what they say. It takes time to know another's true intentions. You and I might be fooled. But, God is not. Listen to what he tells you deep within your heart. 

God's Peace - Pr. J.

God Sees

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. (1 Sam 16:7 KJV)

Saul's time as king was coming to an end. It was time to anoint the next king of Israel so the Lord sent Samuel to anoint one of Jesse's sons. But, who would it be? The first son to come before Samuel was Eliab. He thought he looked like he'd make a fine king. But, the Lord said that it didn't matter what he looked like. What matters is what is in his heart. Humankind might judge by what we sees; but, the Lord knows who we really are because he knows whats in our hearts.

Seven of Jesse's paraded in front of Samuel. But, the Lord said that it was none of these. How could that be? The Lord had said the next king was to be one of Jesse's sons. So, Samuel asked Jesse if he had any more sons. Yes, there was one more. David, the youngest, was out in the fields tending the sheep.

It was the youngest one, taking care of his father's business, his father's sheep who was to be anointed as the next king of Israel.

Too often we judge others by their appearance or their present place in society. Too often we place those who have found high status in the world above those who have not. But, it is not so with God. Over and over again, we see in scripture, that God has chosen the lowly, the youngest, those who have the least standing in the world.

Jesus reminds us: 

So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. (Matt 20:16)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Cannot See As God Sees

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

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 Sam 16:7 NIV

I am color blind. Both of my sons inherited that gene from me, as well. When my oldest son was first learning his colors he had a rough time of it. He did great in Math and reading; but, the color chart was something else. It did not help that it was me who was also unable to clearly discern colors who was helping him learn.

When my youngest son came home and showed the family his new "dark green" car he found out that it was purple. That misperception was kind of understandable as it was speckled paint that changed a bit when the sun shone on it. John is a photographer. It amazes me that one who is color challenged can produce such awesome work. He also works at for an electrical company and does various kinds of wiring and running cable jobs at which he really needs to be able to discern the various colored wires clearly. Recently, he received a pair of glasses for color blind people to help him at work. I tried them on. Wow! They work! I could see the colors around me much more vividly.

We all see things from slightly different perspectives. Our eyes do not see exactly the same things as others do. Sometimes the difference in our perceptions is totally physiological. It may be genetic or a health issue. Other times it might have more to do with our environment and the impact our experiences have had on our perspective of life and of people and even of God. 

Neither are any of us truly capable of seeing as God sees. We have a tendency to see only what is visible; the outward appearance. But, God sees right through the visible to know who we really are. His vision is not limited to those things that are seen; but, the things that are unseen, as well.

What we see with our eyes we often accept as the only truth for us. Yes, we judge others by what our eyes see. We fail to see that there is more to them than the outward appearance. What we see with our eyes often puts the brakes on so that we cannot go any further to see the real person. We refuse to go further to see and to know the heart.

Samuel was to anoint the new king of Israel. He saw Jesse's son, Eliab, an outstanding man in appearance and thought for sure this would be God's next choice for king. But, it was not. God chose the youngest son of Jesse, a mere shepherd boy. 

Our vision is not perfect only God can see all things perfectly. May God help us to see past the seen to those things which we cannot see so that we might learn to not judge as quickly as we have a tendency to do.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Discerning By Outward Appearance

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

Human beings tend to judge people by what they see on the outside and then give themselves no chance to see who they really are. Young people today (and probably many generations before) tend to think that people should accept them as they are with baggy pants, piercings all over their heads, low cut or see through shirts, torn jeans, and rainbow colored hair. Unfortunately, employers understand that their business will often be judged by how their employees appear and they will typically hire someone who appears more conservatively. Young people also have the age factor working against them. Many employers would like a bit more experience working for them. Fair or not; that is reality. Many people will not give themselves the opportunity to get to know you because they can't get past the outward appearance.

But, God does know you. He knows your every thought and action. He knows what is in your heart. When selecting the next king of Israel he told Samuel don't be anointing Eliab because of his appearance. Keep on looking; I will tell you which one to anoint. It was not the eldest that the Lord chose. Although, he was also very pleasing to look at, it was the youngest son of Jesse; a mere sheepherder that was chosen to be the next king of Israel.


God chooses whom he will choose. Thanks be to God! He does not discern by age or beauty as humankind does. He looks at the heart.

May the Lord our God soften our hearts so that we will not judge others by first impressions of outward appearances.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Flower Or A Weed?

"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

When the Lord sent Samuel to anoint the next king over Israel, Samuel saw the stature of Eliab and thought for sure this one must be the one. But, the Lord let him know that He had not chosen the next king of Israel by his outward appearance. In the end, it was Jesse's youngest son, David, just a shepherd in the field, who was called to be anointed to be the next king.

In the spring when the dandelions begin to bloom, my husband is always in a hurry to get rid of them. I see the yellow blossoms as wonderful signs of spring and I am grateful that they and spring have arrived. We each have a different perspective on what we see or hear. We see things differently. My husband sees weeds. I see flowers.

God see things a whole lot differently than we do. So what does God see when He looks into our hearts? Our neighbors may see our hearts as dark as the night. But, what does God see? Does he see a child in pain who has not yet learned how to deal with life around him? Does he see a heart that is aching for only the peace that He can give?

No one; but, God, can know what is truly in the heart of another person. Whether good or evil; whether a weed or a flower, only God can know for sure.

Who knows? The next weed that you try to destroy just might be a treasured flower; a beloved and chosen child of God.

Pr. J

Paranoia or Peace?

Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse, rebellious woman, do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Therefore send and bring him to me, for he shall surely die.” Then Jonathan answered Saul his father, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” But Saul hurled his spear at him to strike him. So Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death.  1 Sam 20:30-33 NIV

Saul was more than a little paranoid. He was afraid that David wanted him dead. He was unreasonably afraid. David did not want him dead. David did not want his throne. But, Saul was afraid and so his anger consumed his life. 

This morning we hear on the news that there were more than fifty people killed and over two hundred injured by a lone shooter in Las Vegas. What could possibly stir up a person to this kind of anger? I cannot help but think that paranoia had something to do with this kind of tragedy. Paranoia is not only a mental health problem; but, a spiritual problem, as well. It is a serious symptom of not trusting the Lord or His promises to us. 

When we think that others, even the whole world is out to get us, paranoia can set in. Paranoia begets depression. It often also begets anger. It's sets off in us a self-defense mechanism - the really stinking thinking that we have to get them before they get us. That was Saul's thinking as he wallowed in his own paranoia and fear. Paranoia, fear, and anger are to be avoided at all costs. Do not let yourself be consumed by them. We are to live reconciled to God and one another through Christ Jesus. Live life in Christ! Live in the knowledge that nothing in this world can take away your salvation. Nothing can take away your peace; unless you let it. What have we to fear? We have eternal life in the presence of God Almighty. What can be greater than that?

God's Peace be with you all - Pr. J

God Looks At The Heart

"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

When the Lord sent Samuel to anoint the next king over Israel, Samuel saw the stature of Eliab and thought for sure this one must be the one. But, the Lord let him know that He had not chosen the next king of Israel by his outward appearance. In the end, it was Jesse's youngest son, just a shepherd in the field, who was called to be anointed to be the next king.

In the spring when the dandelions begin to bloom, my husband is always in a hurry to get rid of them. I see the yellow blossoms as doing no harm. They are a sign of spring and I enjoy their presence in my yard. We each have a different perspective on what we see or hear. We see things differently. My husband sees weeds. I see flowers; a gift from God that are, in fact, consumable.

God see things a whole lot differently than we do. So what does God see when He looks into our hearts? Our neighbors may see our hearts as dark as the night. But, what does God see? Does he see a child in pain who has not yet learned how to deal with life around him? Does he see a heart that is aching for only the peace that He can give? 

No one; but, God, can know what is truly in the heart of another person. Whether good or evil; whether a weed or a flower, only God can know for sure.

Who knows? The next weed that you try to destroy just might be a treasured flower; a beloved and chosen child of God.

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Glory Has Departed

She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The Glory has departed from Israel”—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. She said, “The Glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” (1 Sam 4:21-22 NIV)

The Israelites attempted to use the ark as a means to manipulate their odds of winning the battle with the Philistines - like God is some puppet that if we say the right words or do the right thing He will do our bidding. They never consult God. They don't ask Him for guidance. They bring the ark of the covenant onto the battlefield in order to manipulate the outcome to their favor and they lose. They lose the battle. They lose the ark. The glory has departed from Israel.

I have been thinking a lot lately about the power of God and His many gifts to us. I think especially of the gift of His presence with us. He is with us always. His glory is with us. Yet, I wonder if we are really aware that God is with us? Do we use words like "God is with you" as platitudes in order to try to comfort the lost, the lonely, the hungry, the bereaved? Or, do we really believe these words? Do we use the words like magical incantations - hoping they will comfort - hoping they will help conquer? Or, do we really believe? Where is God's glory in all this? Is His glory with us when we use his word - his law - call upon His presence - like a magical incantation - to manipulate the outcome - to bring us success?

The glory had departed from Israel. They were still His people. Yet, they had entered into some dark times because they did not trust Him or His will for them, rather they tried to manipulate it for their benefit.

The glory, I believe, has departed from many lives - lives of His children today. Simply because we use the gifts, the freedom He has given us in Christ to try to manipulate Him. We don't trust Him. We don't go to Him. We don't listen to Him. We do all the talking and telling. We don't have glory. God is the glory! Without His glory, we are going to be in a very dark place. As we continue our journey through the season of Lent, let us remember that without God we are nothing. From dust we have come. To dust we shall return.

May God help us on our Lenten journey that we might return to the LORD, our God. There is only one God and that is not us! Let us bow down and worship the one true God and not to our own desires.  May He help us so that we might learn to hear His Word, listen to Him, and return to Him for our life and salvation.  

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Lord Contends

But this is what the Lord says:

“Yes, captives will be taken from warriors,
    and plunder retrieved from the fierce;
I will contend with those who contend with you,
    and your children I will save.

Isaiah 49:25

Every morning I pray: "Contend with those who contend with me" and "Open the eyes and ears and hearts of all whom I love so that they will be saved." Like the persistent widow these requests have been lifted up daily for years. I am confident that my prayers are being answered. Even though it doesn't always appear to be so; even though others may think at times that the battle is lost; I know that the Lord hears my prayers and answers according to His good will for all people.

Yesterday, at our book study we discussed the "prayer of the forsaken." One of the biggest fears of many parents is to loose their children to the evil one. It is heart-breaking to watch them fall of the path and so we pray and then we pray some more for them to turn back to the One who can save them.

Last night as I was listening to various sermons on YouTube, one of the preachers spoke on this verse from Isaiah. He reconfirmed my belief that God is with all who believe for their and their family's good. He will contend with those who contend with us. We do not have to contend with them. Stand firm, yes. But, fall back, no. Stand firmly on His word confident that God will contend with the evil that threatens to destroy our families, all whom He loves.

May God help us to stand firmly on His word. He is no less for us, than He was for David, our rock, our fortress and our deliverer; our God is our rock, in whom we take refuge, our shield and the horn of our salvation. He is our stronghold, our refuge and savior - from violent people He saves us. (2 Sam 22:2-3)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Teaching Preaching

So is my word that goes out from my mouth:    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy

Isaiah 55:11 NIV

Today is the day, I begin attempt to teach laity to preach. They are preparing to bring the Good News to Senior Housing residents and Nursing Homes. Prayers are requested; especially for those who will be trying to learn from me! Although, my major was in elementary teaching, I am not much of a teacher. I find preaching much less stressful. And... yes, there is a difference between teaching and preaching, even if preaching should teach us something about the Word, the word, and God's will for us.

In Lay School, the instructor tried without success to get me to use that three point system I learned in High School for essays. I didn't feel very comfortable using the standard format for an essay to proclaim the Good News. It just seemed to be too contrived. I prefer a more relaxed style as often happens when the Spirit leads us where God would have us go. Later, in seminary at Wartburg, I was most fortunate to have Dr. Samuel Giere as my homiletics instructor. From him, I learned much! Thanks be to God working through Dr. Giere!

I don't know how these sessions on teaching preaching are going to turn out. But, God does and He promises that His word will not return to Him empty. May he bless each of us with gifts to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J