Hey Friend and welcome back to my little corner of the internet,

I woke up before the rest of my household today, I shuffled into my house shoes and slowly made my way to the coffee pot. The sun was far from up and the rooster’s still slept outside. After making my cup of coffee, I settled down in my favorite spot on the couch and opened my bible.

Over the next few weeks, I will be studying the books of Samuel. I’ve finished chapters 1 through 10 so far and can say that the history of the bible will always open your eyes to what human nature is without God. We have so much in common with the people from our past. Whether some are fearful of the other countries coming against us in a war, like the Philistines coming against the children of Israel(1 Samuel chapter 4), or when how some today do not believe God is real and have turned their hearts and minds solely onto themselves which the children of Israel do, often! 

If you really study the history of life before Christ it will tell you the same thing, people need God. Look at all the turmoil the children of Israel experienced when they refused to follow God. 

In chapter 4 the Philistines came against Israel and defeat them twice and then stole the Ark of God. The hand of God fell on the Philistines, plaguing them with tumors, and through their own ignorance they kept the Ark of God for seven months! So, finally when they’ve had enough they come up with a plan to send the Ark back by way of milk cows… it eventually ends up with Kiriath-jearim until the reign of David.

But the beauty I’ve found in the chapters so far is when Saul is chosen as king. The children of Israel decide that Samuel’s sons aren’t living right (which was true), but instead of changes judges and keeping God as their king they want to appoint a human king; “We wanna me like everybody else, appoint us a king.” They said to Samuel.

So, God hearing this tells Samuel, “Go ahead.”

When I tell you I sometimes sit and wonder, How did these people miss it so completely? I think that, OFTEN!! It’s not out of judgement, but out of a hurt I feel for the people who were completely blinded by their own self-righteousness. How often do we see that in today’s society?

Well, it comes time for Saul to be chosen, and the people are looking for him, they ask the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?”

God says, “He is there, hiding himself by the provisions and supplies.” The way I chuckle at God’s humor, “Like yeah, he’s chilling in the supply closet, shaking like a leaf.” Bless Saul’s heart. I get tickled seeing God’s got a sense of humor. It makes me wonder if the Angels ever find themselves sitting in Heaven telling jokes like we sometimes do here. What must the laughter and joy be like in eternity?

I think my favorite part that I’ve read this morning while sipping my lukewarm coffee is this, in verses 2-9 Samuel is telling Saul everything that will take place on his journey back to his father’s house, the Spirit of the living God will fall mightily onto Saul, and he will be changed and made completely new. So, when he went back home, he would be unrecognizable. Isn’t that just like God? He completely changes us and makes us new creations. I think we should often pray for His Spirit to continuously fall on us mightily so we will always be changed into whatever God wants us to be.

Speak the word of God over yourself, “Lord, I pray your Spirit falls on me so mightily today that I am changed into the image you want me to be daily. Make me more and more like you, so that I am unrecognizable by who I used to be. In the name of Jesus, Amen.”

We see God change the hearts of His follower’s time and time again. One of my favorites is when Peter denies Jesus out of his fear of the jews. When Jesus comes back and asks Peter, “Do you love me?” three times, my heart swells. Peter denies Jesus, denies ever knowing Jesus and yet, Jesus makes sure that Peter’s heart is made knew and he is forgiven. When the Holy Spirit falls on Peter the fear he felt before completely disappears and he is able to give an extremely bold message and 3,000 people souls are added to the kingdom of God. How beautiful is that?

Friend, if you think God can never use you because of the mistakes you’ve made let me be the first to tell you that is a lie from the pits of hell. You can be a new creature in Christ and no one, not even family, would recognize you. You deserve to know that God loves you and wants to make you the best version of yourself. But only He can make those changes in you. You can’t do it alone. 

If you would like to make that change today, click this link Give your life to Christ- A Prayer | F.A.S.P, give your life to Christ and know you will never be the same.

If you need prayer, feel free to message me. Until then….

Stay Blessed!

-FASP