Consider: 1 Samuel 1-2

I came across something today that I’ve never noticed before concerning the life of Samuel and it has gotten my mind to thinking.

In 1 Samuel 1:28 we find Hannah dedicating her son to the LORD and “giving” him to Eli. 1 Samuel 2:11 tells us that Samuel is left there to assist Eli in the temple and that he became the LORD’s helper.

But then the story rolls over and let’s us know that Eli’s sons “were scoundrels who had no respect for the LORD” (see 1 Samuel 2:12). And for the rest of chapter 2 it goes back and forth talking about Samuel and Eli’s rebelious sons.

So here’s what I’ve been wondering about how was Samuel not affected by Eli’s son’s? Samuel had to have seen what they were doing. They were practically raised by the same man. They may have even lived together. So how was Samuel not affected?

Our immediate answer would be that the LORD protected him. I agree with that, yet I wonder how he seemed to be untouched from Eli’s son’s example. Samuel still had to make the choice. So why did he choose to not let them affect him?

It’s a known fact that children look up to people around them, especially people they spend a lot of time with. And those people WILL have an impact on the children whether it’s positive or negative.

So I’m still wondering how Samuel seemed to be unaffected by Eli’s sons.

Could it be that we’ve given peer pressure too much glory? Could it be that it’s more an excuse than it is a reality? Could it be that those young people who have relationship with Jesus are empowered to overcome, yet when it comes to sin, we quickly throw our hands up and say “oh, it must have been peer pressure”?

What do you think?

It has definitely got me thinking…!

Key Verse

Judges 18:31

“So they set up for themselves Micah’s graven image which he had made , all the time that the house of God was at Shiloh.”

There are two long distance relationships that we have looked at together this week. The first long distant relationship is found in Acts 11:19-25, and the other long distance relationship is referenced in Judges 18:27-31.

In Acts, we read that a group of Christians were scattered from Jerusalem because of the persecution related to Stephen.  This community gripped tightly to the doctrine, vision and leadership of their home church in Jerusalem.  They propagated the vision of the Church in Jerusalem by continuing to spread the gospel to the Jews and now the Gentiles to a distant city called Antioch. There are a lot of good lessons we can learn in this portion of scripture, but I would like to focus on the Antioch Christians and their relationship to the Church in Jerusalem.  The Church in Antioch reached a different group of people, but their identity with the Church of Jerusalem still was valued. The Holy Spirit did a fantastic job in planting a Church from Jerusalem in Antioch. The Holy Spirit worked through Barnabas to encourage and strengthen this Church.

Here are some things we can learn through this relationship

1)      The importance of a “Home” Church in our family’s lives. We need to be planted and trained in a “Home” Church. It is in the local Church that the spiritual side of our ministry training happens. Whether you are a teacher, engineer, sales rep, or a “stay-at-home-parent”, we need trained how to produce spiritual fruit in our areas of influence.  Just like the Christians in Antioch were trained in Jerusalem on how to “preach the Lord Jesus” (Acts 11:20). We also, need to commit to be properly trained so that a large number of people will believe and turn to the Lord (Acts 11:21).

So, what do I do with this spiritual training? This is a big question that is summed up well by a quote from Christian author and leadership expert John Maxwell:

When we help people get in the right circumstances to maximize their God-given talent, provide them whatever tools and support they need to be successful, make certain there is a clear understanding of expectations, share with them honest and open feedback, and finally allow them to be accountable and responsible for their own destiny…only then will we have led people successfully.

2)      After reading the above quote you might be a little overwhelmed on how to accomplish this task (I was when I first read that quote). The good news is that The Holy Spirit is there is encourage us to remain true to the vision that we have received from the Lord via Local Church. It is interesting to see that the Greek word  for encourage (Parakaleo) found in Acts 11:23 is the same Greek word used for the Holy  Spirit.”But the Helper (Greek word: Parakletos), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. (John 14:26). As we become immersed in the Holy Spirit, He will come along side of us and empower us to get the job done.

The long distance relationship in Judges 18:27-31 is the polar opposite of the relationship between the Church in Antioch and the Church of Jerusalem.  The relationship mentioned in Judges 18:27-31 is a relationship with the Tribe of Dan and Shiloh. Shiloh was the place where the ark of the covenant was kept during this time period.  In other words, Shiloh was the Church. The tribe of Dan lived in the northern extremity in geographical relation to Shiloh.  “They called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father who was born in Israel; however, the name of the city formerly was Laish (Judges 18:29).” The people of Dan did not identify themselves with the “Church”.  Judges 18:31 explains what the result was of Dan’s relationship with Shiloh – “So they set up for themselves Micah’s graven image which he had made , all the time that the house of God was at Shiloh.”

We need to identify with a local Church so that we can be trained as spiritual leaders in our different callings in life. The Holy Spirit is there to helps us become the spiritual leaders that we need to be. If we do not identify with a local Church, we will not become properly trained and as a result we will be leading people with our own ideas and wisdom. Our leadership ideas and wisdom is as valuable as Micha’s graven images.  

Today, a portion of our Scripture reading is 1 Corinthians 13, commonly called “The Love Chapter.” As I read through it this morning, something hit me in a way that was fresh and unique. In 13:4, love is defined within its expression; what love does and how it can be identified. As it moves on, it talks about the varying characteristics of love (patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not arrogant or rude or insistant or irritable or resentful, etc.). When I finally reached 13:7, I paused and read slower that, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Love bears all things? The dictionary defines “bearing” as remaining firm or holding under the weight. There are a lot of weighty things in our world and in our personal lives. But to uphold and stand firm in the love of God for one another, holding fast to His ways and consistantly placing ourselves under His Lordship expresses our faithfulness and devotion to Him.

Love believes all things? Love understands that with God, childlike faith is a must simply because He is God and, frankly speaking, the things He is “capable” of go far, far beyond our comprehention. In this same vein, we are called to believe what God has spoken out over us as well as over others. The Word, complete and full, is truth. In that, can’t reject what God has said about you, and who you are to Him.

Love hopes all things? We live in a world that doesn’t encourage having a hopeful disposition on the world at large. Pick up any newspaper and see if, by the end of reading it, you have a stirred hope. But love hopes. Love places its trust. Love sees with the eyes of faith that God is able. God is MORE than able. And knows that a whisper from the throneroom of God could change everything.

Love endures all things? Love is committed to seeing it through. To moving into a place of completion. Love wants to be found faithful and steady until the end.

The verse goes on to say that love never ends. I have also heard it translated, “Love never fails.” Perhaps, if we were to look at the world, our lives, our children, our situations, our churches, our ministries with love…it would look a bit different. Would we bear up under the weight and endure differently? Would we see others differently? Would we place ourselves in a position to see people the way God sees them? Would we see the potential instead of the lack? Would we endure and be faithful?

Let us be a people who bear. Who believe. Who hope. Who endure.
Who love.

Key Verse

“…there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord…” (Judges 2:10-13)

The importance of discipleship is emphasized in the key verse. Discipleship is a very common word in church and other various Christian circles. But I would like to point out that Discipleship might not be very common at all.

 In our study of the book of Acts, Pastor mentioned a word that has different implications when used in certain contexts. That word is the Greek word, Koinos, which is the Greek word for common. In Acts 2:44 and in Acts 4:32, the word is used to imply that the early Church considered themselves as one big family.

“By the power of this Spirit, therefore, we behold the first Christians not only in a state of active fellowship, but also internally changed: the narrow views of the natural man are broken through; they have their possessions in common, and they regard themselves as one family” (Commentary: Jamieson, Fausset, Brown)

The word is also used in Acts 10:14, 28. In this context, it is used to describe something that is common/worldly/unclean.

So, how can a word be used to imply “family” and “worldly/unclean” at the same time? The Greek word Koinos is basically defined as general use. It is understood that anything in my house can be used by my family without special permission, or a special event. Likewise, common/popular programming on cable and the common/popular night life activities in Pittsburgh is probably not something that I would automatically engage in. The most popular night life activity is to go drinking, during happy hour on Fridays. This would definitely be an activity that I would label as “unclean.”

Let’s take a look at how this topic on Koinos, relates to discipleship. I always relate discipleship to mentoring someone. Mentoring is a fantastic picture of not just teaching, but dedicating a lot of One-On-One time with someone. In order to get the buy-in (by “buy-in”, I mean someone trusts what you are saying is truth) I think we need to touch people’s hearts by giving them access to everything that we have. Once people feel that we just do not want you to be a part of our faith, but to be a part of our family too, I think people will open up their hearts to us, and let us touch their hearts by the awesome, supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.

I would argue that being an authentic Christian is the product of Koinos. Once we give sacrificially everything that we are and everything that we have in the name of Christ Jesus, people will start believing that what lifestyle they see is truly authentic and not some cheap imitation.  

The last point I want to make is that we should Koinos with people who might have lifestyles that we would label as unclean. Everyone wants to evangelize the very nice neighbor with well behave kids, someone who we really can relate to, even though they are not Christian. I think God wants to lead us to people who are so “unclean” that they are even rejected by society.  What you will find out that these types of people are the ones whose hearts are wide open to accept Jesus Christ.

10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ’sinners’?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matt. 9:10-13)

Mark 14: 54 “… And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire.” Our reading today is a bitter one: abandonment, lack of attentiveness, cursing and betrayal: all are themes that surface in the text that Mark records. Yet in the midst of these baser elements, God was working on His plan in some very uncommon ways. Who would have thought that as Peter gathered around a common fire, that another fire would be soon to arrive, as the fire of God would settle on Peter and the rest of a band of 120 at Pentecost.

Its really amazing how God uses common elements to convey uncommon truth, activities and presence. Think about how David called on the LORD to:  ”Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me (Psalm 43:3).” Fire emanates light. Its like the fire that led the Hebrews in the wilderness. Then, God spoke from the fire: “The Lord spoke with you face to face at the mountain, out of the midst of the fire (Deuteronomy 5:4).” His words have never ceased to resonate with power, presence and truth. Today, as then, let’s love Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.

1 Corinthians 13 is an amazing passage. Paul really cuts to the chase when he highlights the demonstrative aspect and attention grabbing nature of the gifts, then says that they are valueless without love. Its an upside down message, in an upside Kingdom. God manages things so differently than we do. When we judge things as being worthwhile, we look to the external and ask: ‘what have you done for me lately?’ God looks to the inside and tells us that only that which is inside out is important. Let’s do everything we can to let God effect the real transformation in us and imbed His love throughout us, OK? God, make us effective demonstrators of your love and mercy today.

I have always been amazed how God can speak to us through the simplest and most mundane aspects of life and history if we let Him.  I say this deliberately, as our readings of late have been in the Levitical law portion of Old Testament Scriptures.  Sometimes these laws seem to be meaningless to us today, as they were written under differing circumstances and conditions that don’t have explicit impact today.  Even then however, there are nuggets of value if we try and see with the eyes of our heart.  

Take the restrictions against skin rashes and diseases.  Then there is the problem of houses having leprosy.  How can a home have leprosy, and why are all skin issues viewed with an eye toward leprosy?  These associations have caused some to view these passages as archaic and irrational.  That isn’t the case, however.

 Leprosy was the scourge of the ancient world.  It devastated communities, ruined families, and destroyed lives.  The pathogenic infectious route was carefully observed over time.  he ancients appeared to understand that there was a difference between the various types of infection, and how they were acquired.  Leprosy is hard to contract.  When it is first discovered, it looks like a common skin rash.  In order to protect the people, the Priests were to segregate those who could harm the whole community.

The home restriction deals with fungal invasions.  The importance of abating these infections is also a prescriptive act that helps to keep the people healthy and whole.  Fungal growths that infect walls can cause breathing problems, or could lead to other disease.  All of this has a powerful application to us today.  These ancient restrictions address God’s heart for His people today, as He desires to keep us clean and free from the infectious aspects of sin.  This is why Scripture uses leprosy as a type of sin.  When it is allowed to run rampant, unchecked, we all suffer.  

Leviticus 14:14 gives us a peek into the Priestly actions that were performed in declaring someone to be clean.  He had to take some blood, water and oil (life, cleansing and blessing) and place it strategically on the ear lobe and toe of the patient.  later, it would also be placed on the head.  

All of this addresses God and us as His people.  He is our covering, and when we are cleansed from the power of sin, our ears are opened to hear the truth of His Word.  Our feet have been blessed to walk on His pathway of righteousness .  Our heart, which is His home, has seen the removal of all infectious fungal material.  Let’s not forget the thumb, which represents our ability to work with clean hands in His Kingdom.  

Father, help us to see that: “in you, we live, and move, and have our being.”

The Word God spoke to Moses concerning natural abilities and skills: “You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill…” (Exodus 28:3), has always amazed me.  I want you to notice that the ’spirit’ of skill isn’t identified as a capitol “S,” rather it is a small “s.”  As such, the LORD is clearly identifying the natural state of man.  he takes credit for everything that is good, even our learned skills.  They are all meant to be used for God and His glory, as we give Him the ability to look upon us even as He did in creation and declare us to be “good” once again.  

There is an invaluable lesson to be carried away in this passage, as we are challenged to accept the fact that the whole of who we are needs to be placed at His disposal.  Giftings aren’t restricted to the Charismatic realm alone.  Rather, God looks at your labor and love of labor that has produced your laboring skills, and asks you to present it to Him as an offering.  This means that whether we are artisans, teachers, construction personnel, or janitors, all of us have something of value and worth to give to Jesus.  

This is reflected in Stephen’s speech before the Jewish leaders in Acts 7, as He notes Jesus labor on earth that they rejected.  The eyes of the aristocracy had been blinded to the power of eternal sacrifice and the work of redemption.  The end result led a young Zealot named Saul to to look on with a gaze of approval as Stephen was put to death for his challenge and his laboring to place the historical context into the LORD’s work on earth. 

Let’s remember to never let our skills or desires be diminished by our self conscientiousness, feelings of worthlessness, or any other lack in our own understanding of who we are or what we bring before the Lord.  Serve Him with gladness, and give him your skills!

Exodus 21:6: “then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.”  This passage of Scripture is a hard one to deal with, as it strikes a sore spot in our nation’s collective consciousness.  What am I talking about?  Why slavery, of course.  When I talk with people, there are a whole lot who really struggle with these proscriptions.  Why would God allow slavery, let alone give interdictions concerning their treatment?  Isn’t that harsh and demeaning?

At first sight, it appears to be everything and then some, in so far as being bad and inappropriate.  This passage really highlights a huge problem that Scripture has trouble resolving.  Uh oh, here comes a liberal bent, right?  Wrong!  The problem isn’t found in God allowing or directing laws about the treatment of slaves.  Rather, the problem is really seen in God dealing with man and his fallible nature.  

The Bible is an account of God’s forbearance and long-suffering, as He acts within the restrictions mans sin has placed in the social environments he is confined within.  God’s laws, are super-impositions that have been placed upon Israel in this case, to keep them as honest as possible, and as humane as possible, without violating His character.  This is where our lesson or take away comes into the picture.  God has always had a problem in communicating with us.  It’s kind of like my dogs.  We understand each other.  They communicate to me, I reciprocate, but our  abilities are definitely limited.

When God was confronted with the atrocity of slavery, His response was to create a system that would bring good out of a potentially bad situation.  That’s where flawed laws comes into play.  How do you bring good out of that which isn’t good?  You show that a master can be good.  So good in fact, that the subservient one won’t want to leave.  That example and directive leads us into an understanding as to the magnitude and impact of our becoming disciples.  When we really become followers of the LORD, an awl is placed in our ears of the heart, and we become identified as a tagged person.

The Psalmist’ lament in Psalm 12, and the Apostles run in with the religious laws of man in Acts 4 play into this principle.  Even when the injustices of man seem to be overwhelming, God is more than able to provide shelter and deliverance from the storms of this life.  May we become greater servants and more obedient people, allowing the God of all grace and glory to mark our ears with His divine marker.

“… that repentance and forgiveness of sin should be proclaimed in His name...” (Luke 24:47) By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.  (Acts 3:11, 16)

For today’s devotional, I would like to expound on the powerful name of Jesus Christ by tying Luke’s expositional comment in 24:47 with his additional comments in just a few chapters later as he continued to Chronicle the Christ event in Acts 3:11, 16.  Remember, Peter and John were just used by the LORD to heal a man born lame.  As they left Solomon’s Portico, the man born lame wouldn’t let them go.

Holding tightly, Peter, John and the lame man came out together and were rushed. Some of the background information leading up to Peter’s sermon is missing, but what is presented is powerful and significant: 1) the healed man held (krateo) onto Peter and John. The same Greek word is used for arrests through out the New Testament. 2) The people swarmed the Apostles to see what was going on, and 3) the people were blown away by what they saw. Peter then expounds on the name of Jesus as the point of the miracle (he uses the name twice in 3:16).

Peter’s use of “the name” is very, very important, as “the name” was a surrogate for pious Jews when addressing God or in speaking about Him: it carried with it the implication of his divine presence and power. This allows him to divert attention away from him and his companion John as the originators of the miracle: it was not “their own power or godliness” that effected the healing.

While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

(Acts 3:12-13) Peter took advantage of the crowd and preached about the risen Christ. His sermon is similar to the Pentecost sermon: it calls for repentance following proclamation. In this sermon, Peter made sure he presented his Jewish credentials. (Acts 3:13) This idea was accomplished by referring to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: a time honored liturgical formula for blessing that goes back to the burning bush theophony (Exodus 3:6, 15). In other words, healing was another way God through which God communicated His presence, and this is all through His vocal expression: Jesus. God shouted through Golgotha His great love and power through His son who was also His servant.

All of this shows us the powerful expression of the name that is unpronounceable, the name of our God that has been written on our hearts.  Whether in Egypt at the offset of the Exodus, or from Golgotha’s shadow, or from the Colonnade’s at the Temple, this is a name that is steeped in power and authority.  God speaks in multiple ways.  That was Pharaoh’s problem, and the problem of the Sadduccee’s. They didn’t hear the Theophonic proclamation that exploded in the people.  Let’s make sure we don’t miss out on the power of this name’s attachment in our lives and apply it to our circumstances through prayer.