How is the world around you?

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

   What is happening all around us?  So often we reap what we sow, and then there is collateral damage, the fallout can be quite significant.

   We tend to make professional athletes our heroes, professional musicians our idols, dote after movie stars, and on and on.  When, in actuality the real heroes are right under our noses.  Our mom, dad, brother, sister, children, cousins, friends.  However, the problem with all this is we tend to put our love and trust into "man".

    Man will let us down. God NEVER LETS US DOWN!!

Modern society has changed the Golden Rule from "Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12   to "WHOEVER HAS THE GOLD MAKES THE RULES".

   While weaving the blanket of trust throughout our family and friends we need to remember the threads of love and kindness  should be in every fabric we weave.  God's word is clear we should treat others fairly with kindness and courtesy; remembering also, that being humble does not mean to be a doormat.

   We must stand up for what is right and just according to God.

Love is not grabbing, or self-centered, or selfish.  Real love is being able to contribute to the happiness of another person without expecting to get anything in return. James Dobson

     When you extend hospitality to others, you're not trying to impress people, you're trying to reflect God to them.  Max Lucadeo

   Let me leave you with this word:  God has a plan for your life, a definite purpose that you can fulfill--or not.  Your challenge is to PRAY for GOD's guidance and to follow wherever HE leads!  Hope this makes sense to ya'll. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Worry, Fear, Happiness

Good morning all my Christian brothers and sisters. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

      WORRY (& FEAR) IS THE DARKROOM

     WHERE NEGATIVES ARE DEVELOPED!

We tend to worry about things of which we have no control.  Then thoughts begin to develop and our mind takes many strange turns and crooked forks, helping to lead us astray.

    We worry and fear when all we want is happiness.  Well, what is happiness?  The New York Times has a guide on how to be happy. The report says to begin with four (4) main things now to improve your happiness.

       1.  Conquer your negative thinking:

               acknowledge and challenge our negative thoughts.

       2.  Forgive yourself:

              be as supportive of yourself as you are of others.

       3.  Money helps, but only to a point:

              supposedly $75,000 per year is when happiness peaks.

       4.  Buy more time:

              The idea here is to purchase services that save time (i.e. takeout dinner, get a cab, just any convenience).

Well, what do you think?  Do these "THINGS" really bring happiness?

  That is the secular world worrying about happiness; how about the Christian world?

     Psalm 37:4 "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart".

    Isaiah 12:2 "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid, the LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation".

    Romans 5:2 "through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God".

  Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God".

   Proverbs 16:20 "Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD".

  In Matthew Jesus gave us the beattitudes.  Take a moment to read them by clicking here.

    Worry is like shoveling smoke, it does no good and negative thoughts develop.  Fear is a self infliction and lack of trust in the LORD.  Happiness is in Christ and your salvation.

    You can be secular and follow the New York Times steps to happiness; OR, you can rest assured that Jesus Christ is real, your salvation is real, and that eternal happiness is in your future FOREVER,  ETERNALLY!

   There are solutions all over the world to make us happy.  What really makes YOU HAPPY?  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

p.s. Matt Lauer was fired for inappropriate workplace conduct. Question for you: is this a copy cat complaint or real?  Who knows?

Forgiveness Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:31-32; Luke 17:3-4

  Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

   Yesterday I shared about sorrow and our soul is weary.  Sometimes we are sorrowful because of the events that have happened in our lives and we are not "forgiving" the ones who violated us.

    Colossians 3:13 "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the LORD forgave you."

     This is a tough call as we would like to strike back.  However, the "unforgiveness" in our heart becomes a sist and just continues to grow. This sist persists and causes us pain.

   Ephesians 4:31-32 "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  (32) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

   It is very difficult to do this.  I know from personal experience. I once had a boss who did not like me and undermined me at every opportunity.  I was unwillingly to forgive, but the closer I came to the LORD, I realized my error and forgave him. A heavy burden was then lifted and I felt much better and felt like I was in closer fellowship with the LORD.

  And finally, Luke 17:3-4 "So watch yourselves, If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.  Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying 'I repent,' you must forgive them."

    Now, we must forgive, however, this is telling us it is okay to rebuke, or tell them what they have done to offend or sin against you.  It is important to share with the offending party, let them know what happened and how it affects you, and then forgive them.  It is okay to tell them you forgive them, and that you expect them to turn from their offensive ways.  This may take courage to do, however, with God on your side, it will be easier and you will feel much better.

    May your day be great in the LORD JESUS CHRIST!  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

My soul is weary - Psalm 119:28

Good morning  all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

How often do we fall prey to the world around us and tend to "take matters in our own hands"?  We need to stop, listen, and pray.  Stop what we are doing in our own efforts.   Listen to what God wants us to do.  Then Pray for his guidance and wisdom.

   Tis easy to say, but so often we fall prey instead of falling to pray.  Does God answer?  Yes, but so often if it is not what we want we think HE does not hear, care, or respond.  HE does, our prayers ARE ANSWERED, just not necessarily the way we envisioned them.

   I see sorrow, terror, frustrations, pain and suffering all around us.  Over 300 people killed in the Muslim Mosque by terrorists in Egypt.  Over 2,000 killed on the highways of Texas this year.  First responders,  innocent people, many killed for no main purpose.  Why? 

  Our strength comes from above and we call Him GOD.  We need to remember this and keep this in mind always.  Let us fall to pray; not fall to prey!  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do you believe? Really? And miracles also??? Hmmmmm!

Good morning everyone.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!

   We in America are truely blessed.  We don't realize how blessed we are.  Some say lucky, lucky rolls with the unbeliever; blessed with the believer.  We drive in nice cars (maybe old but still), we have paved roads, we have the right to speak out without major retaliation, can hunt and carry guns, are not hungry, but most of all we have the right OF FREEDOM OF RELIGION !!!!

   A man at Bible study shared the story of a Romanian Army soldier.  Romania was overrun by the communists and Christianity was not allowed and if in possession of a Bible you would be severely punished or killed.

   This soldier had a Bible, kept it safe and read it daily, allowing no one to know what he had and what he did.  Then, he was transferred to a new duty station. Upon arriving with orders in hand, he came in with his duffle bag and his Bible placed in the top part of his bag.

   The officer on duty commanded that he give him his duffle bag, took it, opened it and scattered everything out on a table.  The Bible fell and stopped right in the middle of the table.  At this point the soldier began praying that the officers eyes would be blind to the Bible.  This, having a Bible, was punishable by the powers that be and possibly even death.  As the soldier is praying  he observes the officer touching everything on the table EXCEPT the Bible.

   Then the officer steps back, orders him to pack his belongings back in to the duffle bag and proceed.  Yes, he thanked God for the miracle.

   Do miracles exist?  YES!  However, in America, the "civilized world" we have a tendency to justify why something happened, or explain it away.  Why is it we can't just accept that God is alive and miracles are not dead.

   People in the middle East see miracles daily.  Maybe we need more KNEE POWER in America. And maybe we need to look around and observe better. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Kingdom of David (2 Samuel 1-24)

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

   David, here is a man after God's own heart.  Is he sin free?  Certainly not, but God is number one in his life.  Does he slip and fall?  Yes, but still seeking God's guidance.  Let's look at David aka King David.

   I think of David as being king over Israel.  However, he was king of Judah for 7 1/2 years as there tended to be a civil war between the tribes of Israel.  To fully understand you will need to read 2 Samuel 2 to 2 Samuel 5. In these chapters you will find that Abner was a commander of Saul's army and with one of Saul's sons, Ish-Bosheth, they fought against David.  However during this course of fighting Saul's army became weaker while David's army became stronger.

   Ish-Bosheth served as king of the northern tribes, but in reality Abner, the commander of the Army, proved to be the power behind the throne.  When Ish-Bosheth displeased Abner, Abner volunteered to give the rest of the kingdom to David. Once he did this Joab killed him. And who is Joab? Joab was the son of Zeruiah, a sister of king David.  After this Ish-Bosheth's power was diminished and he was killed by men seeking their own gain.

   It was at this point that the other tribes of Israel came to David asking him to be their king.  David was thirty years old at this time and ruled for the next 33 years, total years as king about 40 years.

   Now all was not easy peasy for David to become king.  It took a while and what many people over look is the wives David had, and his children before the encounter with Bathsheba.  Look at this: David lived in Hebron and had 6 sons: 2 Samuel 3-

² Sons were born to David in Hebron:

His firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel;

³ his second, Kileab the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel;

the third, Absalom the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

⁴ the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith;

the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

⁵ and the sixth, Ithream the son of David’s wife Eglah.

These were born to David in Hebron.

   We don't hear about them in our Sunday School lessons or from the pulpit. In 2 Samuel 5

5 All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. ² In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’”

³ When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.
  Tomorrow we will talk about David reigning in Jerusalem and overcoming the Jebusites, who lived there.  Hope you enjoyed this part of the lesson. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Saul and the Monarchy (1 Samuel 16-31)

Hello brothers and sisters in Christ. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

   Yesterday we read about Saul disobeying Samuel who gave the word of God.  He violated God's law (1 Sam. 13), made a foolish vow (1 Sam 14:24-45), and disobeyed God a second time (1 Sam. 15).

   Now we will look at Saul once again, a man chosen of God, who disobeyed God and because of his sins God was sorry he made him king.

   The first thing to happen was that Saul's army was at a stand off with the Philistines.  David came, heard what was happening and was angered that Goliath was indignant and defying the army of the living God.  Goliath taunted the people of Israel and acted as if the LORD did not exist.

   David chose to face Goliath as David knew the living God was on the side of Israel.  Goliath was using psychological warfare as he was nearly 10 feet tall and very commanding.

  David told Saul of his experiences and with his faith persuaded Saul to let him face Goliath.  David took a sling, 5 smooth rocks, and God to face Goliath.

   Goliath laughed and scoffed at David who came out to face him.  Well, we know the story, but do you know why David had 5 stones?  Not because David thought he would miss, but because Goliath had brothers, 1 smooth stone for each.  Confidence in God!

   So, what happened after David killed Goliath?  He became a great warrior for Saul.......but.............

• (1 Sam. 18:5-9) Saul is jealous of David's military victories
• (1 Sam 18: 17-25) Hoped the Philistines would kill David
•  (1 Sam 19:9-10) Saul tried to spear David
• (1 Sam 19:11) Saul sent men to David's house to kill him
•  (1 Sam 20:30) Saul told Jonathan (Saul's son) David had to die or else Jonathan would not be the next king
• (1 Sam 23:25) Saul and his army pursued David

  David honored God with his actions and did not kill Saul as he refused to do harm to God's anointed.  Many times Saul said, "I have sinned" or "I am sorry" but did not do anything to show true repentance.  Saul's jealousy and hatred of David became the obsession that ruined his life.
   Saul got rid of the mediums and witches in the land of Israel and banned soothsayers according to the law in Deuteronomy 18:10-11. Later on, he violated his own law by seeking the witch of Endor.  Saul wanted a message from God, but because of his actions and personal rebellion against God, God had departed from him.
  (1 Sam 31:1-6) In battle the enemy wounded Saul, and rather than fall into the hands of the Philistines, he fell on his own sword.  Jonathan died in the same battle.  The record of Saul's death is in 2 Sam. 1:1-10.
 When you read these two passages note that the young Amalekite gave a different story, probably made up to win David's favor and profit from the deaths.  David did mourn at the news of Saul's death and Jonathan's death.
   Jonathan, Saul's son, and David were true friends. Saul said as long as David lived, Jonathan would never be king, therefore seeking to kill David.  Jonathan put aside his ambitions and showed his true friendship to David.  Jonathan was loyal to his friend as we should be loyal to the LORD.  Thank you for reading. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace,
Johnny

Saul and the Monarchy (1 Samuel 8-15)

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

  Saul, Israel's first king, was effective at first, but later failed to live up to God's high ideal for Israel's king.

   The Elders told Samuel his son's were not fit to lead Israel and they wanted a king as the other nations who would lead them into battle.  They wanted a strong leader who would bring all the tribes together and be united.

   Samuel saw this as a rejection of the LORD as king.  Samuel served as Israel's leader, knowing that the true leader was the LORD, the true king of Israel.  Samuel told them by doing so they were rejecting God as their king.

  God brought Saul to Samuel and showed that HE has chosen Saul to be king.  In 1 Samuel, chapter 10-12 you can see all this come to life. To listen to these chapters click here.

   These three chapters show:  Saul's transforming experience with the prophetes (10:6-7); his "heart experience upon leaving Samuel (:9);  Saul's anointing by the Spirit of God (11:6); the victory over the Ammonites (11:11); the promise of God (12:14); God's faithfulness to His purpose (12:22).  And all this was great --- however ---  Saul began his fall from grace.

   Saul failed because he refused to obey God.  In 1 Samuel 13:1-14 you can see where Saul started his downward spiral.  Saul waited for Samuel to come and bless the army by offering a sacrifice.  Saul's troops began to desert and he panicked. Saul offered a sacrifice in disobedience to God's command as this was a duty assigned only to God's priests.  Mistake number one.

   Number two - Saul made a foolish vow (1 Samuel 14:24-45). In the midst of battle he vowed that anyone who ate before the battle was completed would be put to death.  His son, Jonathan, heard not this vow and when he and his men came upon some wild honey after a day of fighting they partook.  Saul's men knew their victory was owed to Jonathan and finally talked Saul out of the vow to put Jonathan to death.

   Mistake number three: after defeating the Amalekites, whom she was to spare no one or any livestock, they let king Agag and some prize livestock survive. (1 Samuel 15).  At this point the LORD came to Samuel saying "I am grieved that I have made Saul king" (1 Sam. 15:11)  Saul turned away from following God.

  When Samuel confronted Saul with his disobedience, Saul justified his actions by claiming the soldiers had taken the animals for a sacrifice to God.  Samuel made certain God wanted obedience, not sacrifice.  Because of Saul's disobedience God rejected Saul as king.

   Think about some of Saul's excuses that we use today as well:

• we excuse our sins
• accuse others of being responsible for sins we have done
• care more about appearances that being right with God
• do we 'redo' God's commandment to make them fit our life
• sometimes we deny our sins

  Yes, we can justify by saying this is human nature; justifying is a way to ease our conscience and we still know we did wrong.  Being obedient to God is paramount to anything else.  Take heart fellow Christians, we are white because of the red blood of Jesus. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Is God first in your life? Exodus 20:3

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  Just a slight deviation from the Old Testament today.

    Exodus 20:3  "YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME!"

What are your priorities?  Mornings?  get up, shower, get dressed, breakfast or coffee, go to work, come home, get into relax clothes, putter around (hobby, clean house, wash car, etc), watch some tv, dinner, more tv, go to bed.

   What is missing here in our priorities?

          G            O             D

When God should be the main focus of our lives, HE, who holds our eternal destination in HIS hands, yet HE is not even on our radar.  What truely, then, will be the quality of our life.  vive por el momento   Live for the moment is many peoples attitude.  Don't look ahead or around, just plunder on, pleasing ourselves at the moment.

   Many times we distance ourselves from God by worshipping such things as earthly possessions or personal gratification......then we suffer.

  Exodus tells us to put no Gods before HIM, yet we do.  By doing so, we will suffer the consequences.

  Satan rushes in to encourage us to place our desires for material possessions above our love for the Father - we fall to the temptations bringing complications in our lives.  Does God rule over your heart and your home?

A PERSON'S SPIRITUAL HEALTH IS EXACTLY PROPORTIONAL TO HIS LOVE FOR GOD.  (c.s. lewis)

   Kay Arthur says, "Make God's will the focus of your life day by day. If you seek to please Him and Him alone, you'll find yourself satisfied with life."

As you establish priorities for your day and your life, God deserves first place. And you deserve he experience of putting Him there.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

1 Samuel 4 - Fight with Philistines; then Samuel as priest

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  Count your blessings and praise God for all HE has given you and carried you through.

  If you will read in 1 Samuel 4: 1-3,10-11,12-18; you will find these facts concerning Israel and the Philistines.

   First the Philistines came to take Israel in battle, Israel struggled, then they went to get the Ark of the Lord and took it into battle with them.  Why?  Because they thought it would bring them "good luck", a lucky charm if you will.  However, because the Ark was there, the LORD was not with them.  Now recall, Eli, the priest who led Israel had wicked sons who showed disregard and no respect for the LORD. Well, with the Ark, the Philistines at first were afraid because they knew how God had delivered them Hebrews from Egypt.  Then they were spurred on to fight and killed 30,000 Israelites and Eli's sons.

   The Ark was not a good luck charm, God had to be with the Ark for there to be HIS power, therefore, because of this battle, the Ark fell into the hands of the Philistines. 

   When word came to Eli that his sons died in the battle he did not seem as affected as when he was told the Ark was in the hands of the Philistines.  At this word he fell backwards, broke his neck and died.  Eli had led the Israelites for 20 years, and this fate fell upon him as he was not strong enough to control his sons who perverted and scoffed at the LORD and his laws.  There ends the saga of Eli, but who should be coming along now but Samuel.

   Israel was under the Philistines for 20 years (1 Sam.7-12) when they were afflicted and returned the Ark of Israel (1 Sam 5-6).  At this time the people began to turn to Samuel saying they wanted to seek the LORD.  Samuel performed his priestly duty by leading the people of Israel to turn away from other gods and to serve God alone.

  Notice the returning theme here: Do evil in eyes of God; enslaved; cry out to God for salvation; and then delivered.  Well, the people repented of their sins and turned to the LORD, who blessed them and gave them victory over the Philistines.

  After this victory over the Philistines Samuel placed a stone near Mizpah and called the name of the stone Ebenezer, a words which literally means "STONE OF HELP"!  The stone reminded the people that God had been their help in defeating their enemy and would continue to help them in years to come.

   Samuel also served as a judge.  As a judge, Samuel helped the people settle disputes and solve their problems.  He rode a circuit in his service as judge, going between four towns in Israel - Bethel, Gilgal, Mizpah, and Ramah (his home).

   Next we will move into the Monarchy of Saul (1 Samuel 8-15).  Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

1 Samuel 1-3 -- -- Eli's fate and Samuel's calling

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  YES, TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!

   God does work in ways of which we do not always understand.  However, when we look back we can say, Oh, God orchestrated that!  One thing that is hard for us to do is accept the fruits of our labor ----if they are bad fruits.

   Once Samuel was weaned he was given to Eli to study and learn about the LORD.  Now, Eli's son's were very rebellious against Eli and the LORD.  They had no regard for the LORD himself (1 Sam. 2:12); they treated the offerings of the LORD with contempt by not handling it according to God's law (1 Sam. 2:17); and they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the tent, showing their immorality and disregard for worship and worshippers (1 Sam. 2:23).

   This would come to haunt Eli and his sons as the sons did evil in the eyes of the LORD.  However, Samuel was refreshing to Eli as he was a direct 180 from Eli's sons.  In 1 Samuel 2:26 you will see where Samuel grew in stature, grew in favor of the LORD, and grew in favor of the people.  Also, understand that Samuel slept in the same dwelling place as Eli.  Next comes the call of Samuel by God.

  1 Samuel 3:7-18 God calls Samuel.  Samuel hears God calling but thinks it is Eli and runs to him.  The third time Eli realized God was calling Samuel and told him to say "Speak, your servant is listening", of which he did.  It was at this point that God revealed what would happen to Eli and his sons because of the sons evil.

   Eli asked Samuel what the LORD said, Samuel was hesitant, but Eli said to Samuel, “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.”  So Samuel revealed everything.

   Now here is a part we need to learn from. Once Eli heard this he said:
“He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.”  What a lesson in obedience and faith.

   God blessed the ministry of Samuel (1 Sam. 3:19-21) and as he grew the LORD blessed him.  All the people who heard recognized Samuel as God's prophet because of God's blessing His message through him.

   Eli and Samuel - great lessons for us to learn to be obedient to God, listen to God, and accept what God is giving us (good or bad).  Samuel will continue on in the next lessons.  If you want to read more go to the Bible or my blog.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

The next major judge - Jephthah (part 2)

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. 

  We ended with Gideon on Friday. Today we start with Jephthah (Judges 10:6-12:7)  Now you know God does not always use the person we would have chosen.  Here is Jephthah, see his coming into this world, and his burden to bear because of his mother: 

11 Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior. His father was Gilead; his mother was a prostitute. ² Gilead’s wife also bore him sons, and when they were grown up, they drove Jephthah away. “You are not going to get any inheritance in our family,” they said, “because you are the son of another woman.” ³ So Jephthah fled from his brothers and settled in the land of Tob, where a gang of scoundrels gathered around him and followed him.

  Jephthah was driven out, when the Ammonites were fighting against Israel, the elders of Israel came and said be our leader.  He questioned them about being run off.  The elders basically said, all that is over, come now and we want you to be our leader.  He did, and he repeated all his words before the Lord in Mizpah.

  On the way they defeated the Amorites and sent a message to the Ammonites.  Upon going into battle Jephthah made an impulsive and devastating covenant with God. Here is his vow to the Lord: “If you give the Ammonites into my hands, ³¹ whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.”   

Upon returning victorious: ³⁴ When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of timbrels! She was an only child.    Because of his vow, he did sacrifice his daughter. She asked for 2 months to go into the hills with her friends to weep as she will never marry and was a virgin.  This brought about Israelite tradition that each year the young women of Israel go out for four days to commemorate the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite.

  A sad, but yet great day as Jephthah was obedient to God and followed up with his vow (V31).  Next comes Samson, and most of us know the story, but let us dig a little deeper.  See you tomorrow.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

1 Samuel 1 - Hannah

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

   Take time to read 1 Samuel 1.  However, if you don't have time (or think you don't) to read it click here to hear 1 Samuel 1, listen to the story about Hannah.

   Hannah was sad, resided in the house of sorrow as she had no child; also she was constantly provoked by Peninnah, the other wife of Elkanah-who had children.

  The power of prayer and faithfulness; believing without doubt. Hannah prayed at the temple, Eli the priest thought she was drunk, she said no that she was praying.

   Eli told her - her prayers were heard and the LORD would grant her the prayer.  Hannah had not be eating as she had tended to remain in a state of sorrow; however, after the prayer and talk with Eli she went away, ate, and laid with Elkanah and then was with child.  She said in her prayer that if given a child she would dedicate him to the LORD.

   Here is the power of prayer and heart.  God knew her heart; heard her prayer, and granted her her prayer.  In her prayer of dedicating the child to GOD she did not return to the temple until the child was weaned.  Also, She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

   Upon being weaned they took sacrifices and Samuel to the house of the LORD and Samuel stayed at the house of the LORD with Eli.

   Hannah was faithful, had a faithful heart, and GOD rewarded her with a child, and after Samuel she bore more children.  How faithful is your heart and are your prayers without question?  Food for thought.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Ruth - ancestor of David

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

   Ruth - The book of Ruth shows David's Moabite blood.  This reveals that Ruth is David's ancestor, shows that God loves and care for all people, even non-Israelites.

   The setting of the Book of Ruth is the time of the judges.  The book of Ruth was written at a later date and this is evidenced in Ruth 4:7 --  ⁷ (Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.)

   This phrase suggests that this custom no longer was practiced in Israel when the book of Ruth was written.  Then, as we read along we find that as Ruth was obedient to her mother in law, Naomi, she marries Boaz, a relative of Naomi, and through this uniting she bears a son.  Ruth 4:17 - ¹⁷ The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

     Now, if you recall, in ancient times it was important for the women to bear a son for the husband and the eldest was to inherit the major portion of the estate.

  Here is a quick summary of Ruth:

•  Naomi and her family moved from Judah to Moab
• Naomi lived in a foreign land for 10 years.
• Naomi was bitter because she had suffered the loss of her husband and sons
• Naomi encouraged her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab
• Ruth insisted on remaining with Naomi
• Ruth gleaned in fields belonging to Boaz who was kin to Naomi's husband Elimelech
• After Ruth was married (to Boaz) and bore a son, Naomi's friends cited her blessings from God

And there you have Ruth in a nutshell.  Thank you for reading, tomorrow we will begin in Samuel.  Have a wonderful and blessed day. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

The Minor judges (part 4)

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. 

    Well, today we will cover the minor judges.  This will be short and sometimes only a couple of lines cover them.

  First of the minor judges is Shamgar. Judges 3: ³¹ After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel.

  Next comes Tola. Judges 10: 1After the time of Abimelek, a man of Issachar named Tola son of Puah, the son of Dodo, rose to save Israel. He lived in Shamir, in the hill country of Ephraim. ² He led Israel twenty-three years; then he died, and was buried in Shamir.

  The third minor judge, chapter 10: ³ He was followed by Jair of Gilead, who led Israel twenty-two years. ⁴ He had thirty sons, who rode thirty donkeys. They controlled thirty towns in Gilead, which to this day are called Havvoth Jair. ⁵ When Jair died, he was buried in Kamon.

    After the major judge Jephthah came Ibzan, chapter 12:⁸ After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem led Israel. ⁹ He had thirty sons and thirty daughters. He gave his daughters away in marriage to those outside his clan, and for his sons he brought in thirty young women as wives from outside his clan. Ibzan led Israel seven years. ¹⁰ Then Ibzan died and was buried in Bethlehem.

    And directly following Ibzan came Elon: chapter 12: ¹¹ After him, Elon the Zebulunite led Israel ten years. ¹² Then Elon died and was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.

   Then last of the minor judges is Abdon: chapter 12:¹³ After him (Elon), Abdon son of Hillel, from Pirathon, led Israel. ¹⁴ He had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys. He led Israel eight years. ¹⁵ Then Abdon son of Hillel died and was buried at Pirathon in Ephraim, in the hill country of the Amalekites.

   Just so you know the chronological order the judges would be: Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon, Samson.

   Then after this, Judges 17-21, it describes how people lived when they had little leadership or when they had poor leadership. The last of the major judges, Samson, was a small depiction of lack of character and principles were to demonstrate through the rest of Judges.

   I do hope you enjoyed learning about the Judges and the events.  May God bless you this day and the following days of your life. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny