1 Sam 17:13 – 20 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah. David was the youngest. The three oldest followed Saul, but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand. Now Jesse said to his son David, Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines. Early in the morning David left the flock with a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry.

1 Sam 17:28-29 When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle. Now what have I done? said David. Can’t I even speak?

The battle of David and goliath is one of the greatest examples of how faith overcomes – how to overcome giants in our lives – not just only of the physical great big stinking men type but how to overcome giants on the inside and giants of circumstance and difficulty.

The battle of David and goliath, though played out with a shepherd boy and a warrior is a great picture of the battle of fear vs doubt – with most of the victory happening NOT on the battlefield, but behind the scenes in the lead up to their face off.

David was the youngest – remember overlooked when the great prophet Samuel came to anoint the next king – at left at home AGAIN to look after the sheep. His brothers go off to war to become heroes and he has to stay home, like a kid. This could of made him feel insecure and insignificant – esp when his dad tells him to go take some kai to his brothers. Menial. Not very life changing or significant.

But even when his brother insults him David maintains an attitude of self confidence – or perhaps more so confidence in who he is and who he is called to be. His brother’s words were intended to make him doubt and retreat but David was not affected. He had a different perspective of WHO HE WAS – God’s.

To overcome self doubt we need to get a clear and accurate picture of who God says we are.

BELOVED.
CALLED.
CHOSEN.

EMPOWERED.

ETERNITY CHANGERS.

MEN AND WOMEN OF DESTINY.

To step out and be the person we are called to be and to do the things we are called to be we need to be people of FAITH – having faith in GOD – it is HIM who works in us – I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH.

Overturn the doubt by fixing your eyes on Jesus and His truth and His words. It’s all about attitude. David’s attitude was one of faith. Not doubt. He was unshakable because He had faith in God’s unshakable power.

Our attitudes determine our actions. Change your attitude and you can change your perception and outcome. An attitude of doubt will hold you back from stepping out. An attitude of faith will propel you into adventure and opportunity.

Faith provides eyes for the heart. Faith sees. ~ Bill Johnson

To overcome doubt we must REPLACE it with the opposite thing: Faith

Let your FAITH be bigger than your fear.

Doubt isn’t conquered by confidence in our own giftings or abilities, which may sound like a contradiction to what I have said and will say – but the reality is that doubt is conquered when we know the greatness and power and almightiness of God!

God is faithful.

God is powerful.

God is compassionate.

God is for us.

God is holy.

God is the Creator of the Universe.

God’s thoughts and ways and wisdom are higher and greater than ours.

He is omnipresent, omnipowerful and omniscient. In other words, He sees all, knows all and has all the power.

He is awesome and glorious, good and great.

Have a holy confidence that is founded and grounded upon GOD and His abilities and resources!

The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king. 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 man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”  So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.”  So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.  1 Samuel 16:1, 6-13

this is a very well known and favourited bible passage about the choosing of a new king for Israel, king David, a man after God’s heart.

its interesting in this process that despite been rejected as king over israel, Saul was still in power and would continue to be leader for a good many years yet.

also very very interesting to note that David is not amongst the young men, the sons of Jesse called for the line up in front of Samuel.  he is left out in the sheep.   forgotten?  overlooked?  intentionally rejected?  underestimated?

No one is invisible to God.

He knows who we are and where we are.

God has a specific purpose for each and every one of us.

He is uniquely positioning and training us where we are today for our tomorrows.  and tomorrow may bring such a change of circumstances.  David went from common shepherd boy to promised king in a moment. 

David’s brothers were not chosen by God to be king.  Despite their strength and good looks and height and their position in the family, they were not chosen.  From the obscurity of the fields David was chosen to rule God’s promised nation.

What was God looking for in a leader?

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.  1 Samuel 16:7

Acts 13:22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’

Our heart is what matters to God.  Its where it all happens.  Its vital and most important.

The world judges often by appearances – beauty, physique, material wealth, possessions, career success… but these things do not move the heart of God or qualify anyone for leadership.  Our hearts are infinitely more important to God than our physical features or human accomplishments.

What stirs my heart in this passage is the assurance that God sees me today where i am and if i am diligent in surrendering to His grace and transformation then He will promote me at the right time, if promotion is in His plan for me.  No matter how obscure my today may be, i am in His hands.  i don’t need to know the right people or push my way ahead but i can trust that God makes my life and shapes my life.  i choose to trust. 

We need to ask ourselves: Are we people after the Lord’s own heart as King David was? 

and what a challenge for Samuel.  Seven sons passed before him that looked handsome and good and keen and eager and qualified but were not chosen.  Samuel could have got discouraged by the dwindling options – if it was me i would have freaked out when i had got to the apparent last son.  Yet he presses on and asks if there is ANOTHER son.  When you hear from God, trust that.  God sees all and knows all.  He knew David was left off the list.  He knew David was out in the fields and that David was the chosen son.  Samuel didn’t trust his eyes but trusted the Spirit of God leading him.

When God chooses David to be anointed king of Isreal, he chooses the weakest, shortest, and youngest of Jesse’s sons, saying "man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." However, when Saul is anointed, he certainly looks like someone who could be a king. So why did God’s apparent method of selecting a future king change? The next time around, though, it’s different. God chooses someone that no one, not even the prophet Samuel would have selected. I think David was the ancient Isreal equivalent of an artsy kid today. He was a poet, a musician, and fought his battles not with brute force, but with faith and precision. This time, God picked the king he wanted, not the one Isreal wanted. And the funny thing is, he turned out to be the most renowned king in Isreal’s history, forever known as a man after God’s own heart. youversion note

I have noticed some things in this account… First, Samuel is set out by God to "consecrate" a young man to be the next king. David doesn’t automatically become king, but he is set apart and dedicated for preparation of service to God. Second, David is not chosen for characteristics that would be generally considered as prerequisites. He is not tall, strong, or experienced… his heart is pliable for God to shape and lead. His desires are in line with God’s desires. Perhaps we should take these observations into consideration when we seek those to designate for God’s service. Not all likely candidates are the best candidates… and we should set apart those for service in prayer and preparation to allow God to work in them before He works through them. God has reassured me for service through periods of consecrated renewal (though sometimes resembling seeking streams of water in a rather dry desert of life). He reassures me my unique calling and focuses me on the gifts that make me the right person for that calling. God has anointed those He seeks to use. Let us wait on Him to provide the opportunities to serve and rely on Him to equip us to serve. youversion note

the start of this song just seems to capture the intent of my heart… i stand in awe before God, wowed by who He is… i’m so glad His mercy and grace cover me, that His blood has made me innocent, righteous, acceptable and clean, and my prayer is that He would draw me to Himself and set my heart on fire for Him afresh… i pursue Him and determine to know Him…

I stand before You, Awed by Your Majesty
Covered by Your mercy, Your blood has made me free
Draw me to You, and set my heart on fire

I want to Know,
Your my one desire
I give you my worship
All of my Passion
I give you my whole heart
All my devotion

Grace never ending, Your hands they carry me
Your body is broken for all the world to see
My heart is held by love so unconditional
You captivate me
Your the lover of my soul
I give you my worship
All of my Passion
I give you my whole heart
All my devotion

Here I will bow down
Say that I need You
Here I will worship
Say that I love you
Oh how I love you (4x)

I want to know You
Let Your Spirit overwhelm me
Let Your Presence overtake my heart

He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the others.  1 Samuel 9:2

Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?”  1 Samuel 9:21

They went up to the town, and as they were entering it, there was Samuel, coming toward them on his way up to the high place.  Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel: “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader over my people Israel; he will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people, for their cry has reached me.”  When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.” As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us”—and the servant did so—“but you stay here awhile, so that I may give you a message from God.” 1 Samuel 9:14-17, 27

i like the way in v16 that God said “about this time tomorrow I will send you a man” – how many of us know that tomorrow can bring change?  what looks like an obstacle today is an opportunity in the making.  God has our lives and seasons and days in our hands.  Behind the scenes God was bringing a man to Samuel, the man who would be king.  Behind the scenes in our lives God is at work to open doors, to connect us with people, and to see His purposes fulfilled.  take confidence in God’s hand and God’s work.

When Samuel talks to Saul, Saul reply indicates that he feels insignificant and unworthy of such a call. “Am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin?”   part of me thinks, wow, Saul is being humble, what a great heart characteristic for a king, and part of me questions if this response is sincere, since he is also described as an impressive young man without equal.  Was it false humilty?  Did Saul know the right words to say, but not have the right character on the inside? 

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  By their fruit you will recognise them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. Matthew 7:15-17

Jesus warned us to watch out for fakes.  To watch out for those who seem to have it all together, but dont deliver but instead deceive.  Jude 1:12 describes them as “clouds without rain” – showing a lot of promise, but not the authentic real deal. 

Was Saul the real deal?  Did he start of humble and then get corrupted by power?  Did he neglect to continue to grow and draw close to God, forming the right kind of character for the position he was placed in? 

The most interesting thing to me is that Saul was simply following through on the mundane task of finding donkeys when he came to the revelation of his destiny. God had spoken to Samuel earlier that he would meet "a man from the land of Benjamin" at the exact time that Saul (from Benjamin) did run into Samuel, with the intention of asking where his donkeys were.  Clearly God ordained this meeting of destiny between Saul and Samuel, but it would not have occurred if Saul had gave up on seeking out the donkeys. I think that’s a lesson about being faithful in the little things. Sometimes we want God to reveal our fantastic-sounding life plan impatiently, when we should be focusing on the day-to-day needs before us, trusting that God will reveal His plan at His appointed time. Maybe even in the midst of the small things!  youversion note

his is yet another example of God’s wonderful sovereignty and how he takes either the seemingly innocuous or inconsequential to execute His master plan. The people of Israel asked their leader, the Prophet Samuel, to ask God to establish a king. God complied and to manifest this gift for His people who adamantly wanted a mighty and glorious ruler to lead them in battle and conquest of their enemies… God steals the donkey of a small insignificant Benjamite family.
I think God is just one of the quirkiest people I’ve ever met. In His great omniscient wisdom, having this one donkey wander astray, He would have the young man, Saul, so search for it, knowing full well this search would take his path to cross with Samuel. He already forewarned Samuel that He was bringing the man whom He would anoint as king over Israel. This wasn’t some arbitrary incident where a feeble minded beast of burden wanders off on its own. No, God said He is bringing Saul to Samuel.

Imagine being Saul right then and there–the complete dumbstruck feeling he must have had when his mind was focused on trying to figure out where his missing donkey was and then this holy man tells him he’s called to lead the nation of Israel.

How about the missing donkeys of our lives? Do we act in thanksgiving as we are told to give thanks in all things? Or do we gripe and complain that something important is missing, broken, lost, stolen. How quickly do we forget the simple fact that God is still on the throne of the universe? Let us all try this next time; when something goes all screwed up that throws our plans out the window and shatters whatever schedules we have, when we feel all worked up and stressed about finances, relationship strains, property damage or loss, and when we want to shake our fists at the heavens for the turmoil around us… simply try thanking God. It’s all a gift, and though we cannot always or immediately see the good outcome He has planned, we have to have faith. That’s why this whole life is a life of faith. It’s not blindly believing in God, it’s believing He has it all covered and we can cast our cares on Him. youversion note

The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person. Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.  As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. When they arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he joined in their prophesying.When all those who had formerly known him saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked each other, “What is this that has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”  A man who lived there answered, “And who is their father?” So it became a saying: “Is Saul also among the prophets?”  1 Samuel 10:6-7, 10-12

But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your calamities and distresses. And you have said, ‘No, set a king over us.’ So now present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and clans.”  When Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri’s clan was chosen. Finally Saul son of Kish was chosen. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. So they inquired further of the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?” And the Lord said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage.”  They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others. Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!” 1 Samuel 10:19-24

we so need the Holy Spirit.  we so need the Holy Spirit to come and change us and fill us and transform us and equip us. 

John 3:5 Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, no-one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,  equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Corinthians 3:16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father.

Galatians 4:6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, Abba, Father.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

1 Corinthians 6:11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

1 Corinthians 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Galatians 5:16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

John 14:26 But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 15:26 When the Counsellor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

John 16:15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Ephesians 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

In seasons of severe trial, the Christian has nothing on earth that he can trust to, and is therefore compelled to cast himself on his God alone. When his ship is about to capsize, and no human deliverance can avail him, he must simply and entirely trust himself to the providence and care of God.

Happy storm that wrecks a man on such a rock as this!
O blessed hurricane that drives the soul to God and God alone!

There is no getting at our God sometimes because of the multitude of our friends, but when a man is so poor, so friendless, so helpless that he has nowhere else to turn, he flies into his Father’s arms, and is blessedly clasped in them!

When he is burdened with troubles so pressing and so peculiar, that he cannot tell them to anyone but his God, he may be thankful for them, for he will learn more of his Lord then than at any other time.

Oh, tempest-tossed believer, it is a happy trouble that drives you to your Father! Now that you have only your God to trust in, see that you put your full confidence in him.

Do not dishonor your Lord and Master by unworthy doubts and fears, but be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Show the world that your God is worth ten thousand worlds to you. Show rich men how rich you are in poverty when the Lord God is your helper. Show the strongman how strong you are in your weakness when underneath you are the everlasting arms.

Now is the time for feats of faith and valiant exploits. Be strong and very courageous, and the Lord your God shall certainly, as surely as he built the heavens and the earth, glorify himself in your weakness and magnify his might in the midst of your distress. The grandeur of the arch of heaven would be spoiled if the sky were supported by a single visible column, and your faith would lose its glory if it rested on anything discernible by the carnal eye.

May the Holy Spirit give you to rest in Jesus this closing day of the month.

Charles Spurgeon – Now Is the Time for Feats of Faith

Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, "No, but there shall be a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles." Now after Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the LORD’S hearing. The LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to their voice and appoint them a king." So Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Go every man to his city."  1 Samuel 8:19-22

Here Israel are asking for a king, so they can be like everyone else.  so they can be the same as all the other nations.

they exchanged the very thing that made them unique – that they were God’s chosen people and that He was their God and their ruler.  Their king in effect.

they exchanged the invisible for the visible. 

maybe because it was easier.

its sometimes easier to see a king who is a man rather than a king who is Almighty God.

its sometimes easier to take advice from someone you can see, than from the Great Shepherd and Lord of our life.

its sometimes easier to follow someone, even in the wrong direction, than to keep our steps in with the Holy Spirit.

but sometimes easier isnt necessarily good. 

what IS good is following God and surrendering to Him and training ourselves to hear His voice and obey His commands and leading.  to develop a relationship with Him.

nothing can take that place.  no human, no leader, no book, no nothing.

nothing compares to Him.  it may not be easy, but it will be worth it.

also: find your worth in being a child of God, been different, not the same as everyone else.  find your value in who you are as a loved saved person.   as christians we are aliens and strangers, in the world but not of the world as paul often says.  its as if we are a different species.  this is not an excuse for a superiority complex but so many christians lean the other way, bowed under by peer pressure.  one of the most valuable lessons we can learn as christians is to have God’s voice as the most important and valued opinion in our lives… that we would live a life pleasing to Him.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God— this is your spiritual act of worship.   Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:1-2 NIV

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].  Romans 12:1-2 AMP

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.  Romans 12:1-2 MSG

It is really sad to see in this passage of Samuel a desire that is so rampant and destructive even today. Israel had such a unique relationship with the Divine Creator God. There was/is no other nation like it – yet, like so many people I know and even myself in part and at times have done and do, we trade the divine for terrestrial.

We have the potential to commit ourselves and become great for the cause of Christ. Many of us even begin on that path, but are soon met with frustration. In turn, it is that frustration that makes us think back on our Egypt (old way of life). And sadder still, many of us will make the effort to go back to that old way of life – normal, ordinary and comfortable; when in fact we are called children of the Most High King (aka princes and princesses), friends of God (He’ll let you borrow that cup of sugar), world changers (don’t like what you see? You can fix it!) and miracle workers (she’s not dead, she’s asleep!).

We could bring so much fame to His name if we stuck with it and chose the divine over the normal – chose to stick it out instead of give it up – think outside of ourselves to bless the rest of the world!

Israel gave up their Divine Ruler for a man.

What have you given up on lately?  youversion note

“Jesus had already forgiven what i could no forget and that He had already forgotten what i still regretted.  when i realized this there was such release.  the walls i had built to protect my feelings and to hide the guilt in the past became less and less needful.  all along i felt i was keeping people from getting in but in actuality i was prohibiting myself from getting out.  an invisible wall trapped me.”  Sereta Jakes – quoted in Extravagant Love by Darlene Zschech

Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli. And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent.  It happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to grow dim and he could not see well), and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was, that the LORD called Samuel; and he said, "Here I am." Then he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call, lie down again." So he went and lay down. The LORD called yet again, "Samuel!" So Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he answered, "I did not call, my son, lie down again." Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him. So the LORD called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli discerned that the LORD was calling the boy. And Eli said to Samuel, "Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening.’" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.  1 Samuel 3:1-9

Did you notice at the start of that passage that the God speaking was a rare thing in those days? We do live in a different age – the Holy Spirit lives within each believer – but there is something we can learn. Samuel was a rare child – he grew up dedicated to God. He was different from the other kids and other people of his generation who lived for themselves and forsook following God.

Learning to recognize the voice of God is part of learning to hear the voice of God. It is just like when a friend rings on the phone – if they are a new friend you may have to ask who is on the phone, but when they are a good friend you recognize their voice. It takes time and conversation.

God wants to fellowship and communicate with us. That’s two-way communication. Why? Because you can’t really have a relationship unless there is true dialogue. How do we get to know a person? By communicating with them. By talking and listening. God wants us to know that He loves us and how to follow Him.

It’s the same with our relationship with God. He talks, we listen. We talk, He listens.

God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to take our place and to die for us. He did this so that we could once again have fellowship with Him. In the book of Hebrews we see that we can have access to God’s very presence, "…having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way…" (Hebrews 10:19-20a).

God speaks to us. We are His children. We also have the revelation of the Word of God that we can trust in and follow for instruction for life and knowing God.

The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice." John 10:2-5

The Holy Spirit lives within us to reveal God to us – 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 – but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. John 16:13-15

We are led by God – because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. Romans 8:14

Does the Holy Spirit live within you? Are you a Christian? Are you a son or daughter of God? Then YOU ARE LED by God. God guides you. God speaks to you. That is the promise of God and the reality we live in. It may not be with flashes of lightening and angelic revelation but nonetheless God is speaking and guiding and it probably wont be until we see our lives from the other side of eternity that we see just how much God was speaking and leading us.

Are you confident and secure in the truth and reality that God speaks to YOU?

God spoke to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3), Habakkuk knew the sound of God speaking to him (Habakkuk 2:2). Elijah described it as a still, small voice (I Kings 19:12 ). However, I have found that usually, God’s voice comes as spontaneous thoughts, visions, feelings, or impressions.

For example, haven’t you been driving down the road and had a thought come to you to pray for a certain person? Didn’t you believe it was God telling you to pray? What did God’s voice sound like? Was it an audible voice, or was it a spontaneous thought that lit upon your mind? Or in a conversation you feel prompted to say something or to encourage a person? Or when praying for someone you get a picture or a thought that just seems random and that just popped in there?

Hearing the voice of God is as natural as hearing your best friend talk to you. He speaks to us in the natural moments of life. Do you want to hear God’s voice? Then you must be ready to listen.

And as we trust God to speak and trust that what we’ve heard/thought it God the easier it will be to discern His speaking as we listen.

read more from HEARING GOD SPEAK

i love THE 99% – INSIGHTS ON MAKING IDEAS HAPPEN site… and really clicked with this article about FINISHING YOUR MASTERPICE.  “Finishing masterpieces is daunting. Over time, motivation and desire fade unless we make deliberate strides toward our goals every single day. But getting into the mindset of being deliberate with our work is a paradigm shift. Being deliberate means that when we are working, we are always working on something with an end goal in mind.  Finishing masterpieces is daunting. Over time, motivation and desire fade.” 

love my spunky girl!  she’s full of style and full of personality.  she is delightful.

me and my husband are rewatching fringe.  i love it.  i missed all of season 2 because it was on too late or conflicted with something.  we watch at least an episode a night.  its good hanging out time too.  last night was my fav episode which i had already seen, where walter tells olivia about taking peter from the other universe.  awesome.

this arvo we took the bikes to school and had a good ride around.  evangeline “had forgotten” how to ride.  yes seriously.  we took her trainers off last September but since then perhaps she hasn’t done it enough but she had totally spooked herself.  we tried here at home the other day, unsuccessfully, to get her mojo back… but within about 4 seconds at the school, with lots of room to ride, she was away sailing!  because she was so brave, and we always love to have an excuse to celebrate, we had ice creams.  i had for the first time the cornetto enigma.  and yummo!

and as always.  i love Jesus with all i am and all my heart and all my soul and all my days. For His glory and the building of His kingdom and the rescue of the lost.

so what are you totally loving this week?

… check out what other peeps are loving whatever day of the week it is over at Paisley Jade