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Are You Having Trouble Finding God?—2 Chronicles 15: 15

June 9, 2013 in 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, 2013 Journey, Choices, Commitment, Faith, God Speaks today, Prayer with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  1 Kings 13:1 through 1 Kings 14:24; 2 Chronicles 12:13-14; 2 Chronicles 11: 18-23; 2 Chronicles 12: 1-12; 1 Kings 14: 25-28; 2 Chronicles 12: 15-16; 1 Kings 14: 29 through 1 Kings 15:5; 2 Chronicles 13:1-22; 1 Kings 15: 6-8; 2 Chronicles 14: 1-8; 1 Kings 15: 9-15; 1 Kings 14:19-20; 1 Kings 15: 25-34, 2 Chronicles 14:9 through 2 Chronicles 15: 19

Do you find yourself envious when you hear people talking about their relationship with Jesus?

Have you tried to pray and feel as though you’re talking to yourself?

Do you want to know Him more but you just haven’t figured out how to do it?

Don’t feel alone if you answered “yes” to any of these questions, I think we all feel this way from time to time.

We definitely saw great examples of how “not” to find God in today’s maze of scriptures.  It seems as though the children of Israel chose to worship an idol quicker rather than worship the Living God .  We’ve seen this many times throughout our journey.

It’s easy to stand in judgment of their idol worship, but I think we better choose not to go there… today’s children of God do the same thing.

I heard a definition of an idol years ago that has stuck with me:  Anything (time, talent, treasure) I give myself to more than my Lord is an idol.

Israel had to lay down their idols before they could find God.  They had to earnestly seek Him.

All in Judah were happy about this covenant, for they had entered into with all their heart.  They earnestly sought after God, and they found him.  And the Lord gave them rest from their enemies on every side.  –2 Chronicles 15:15

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.  –Hebrews 11:6

If you feel like God is a million miles away, pursue Him.  Push other things aside and spend time with Him.  Turn off all distractions, and be truly alone with Him.  Expect to find Him. I promise you, He will exceed your expectations!

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. –Jeremiah 29:13

Learning to seek Him!

 Blessings!

 

© 2013 Dianne Guthmuller

 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  1 Kings 15: 16-22; 2 Chronicles 16: 1-10; 1 Kings 16: 1-34; 1 Kings 15: 23-24; 2 Chronicles 16:11 through 17: 19; 1 Kings 17: 1-7

The More I Thought About It, The Hotter I Got! –Psalm 39: 1-4

May 11, 2013 in 2013 Journey, God Speaks today, My story, Psalms with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Psalms 39 through Psalms 41; Psalms 53, 55, 58

Do you talk to yourself?

If you said, “yes” you’re in good company.

King David did as well:

I said to myself, “I will watch what I do
and not sin in what I say.
I will hold my tongue
when the ungodly are around me.”
But as I stood there in silence—
not even speaking of good things—
the turmoil within me grew worse.
The more I thought about it,
the hotter I got,
igniting a fire of words:
“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.    –Psalm 39: 1-4

Friends, this is amazing to me, approximately three thousand years ago, “the man after God’s heart” struggled with holding his tongue, struggled with turmoil within and struggled with thinking, chewing, and dwelling on something so long that it ignited a fire of words.

This is very comforting to me.

I know– misery loves company…

I want to please the Lord, but I’m just so…ugh…human!

I do pretty well with the average people on the street, business associates, friends and acquaintances.  It’s the people I LOVE the most that get the worst of my tongue.  No, I’m not talking profanity; I’m talking about my opinion…

I can’t seem to NOT give it!

I’m trying to teach, train, help, and fix my family. My motive is love, but I’m sure it doesn’t always sound or feel like love!!!

I will say that I’ve gotten better over the years, but it is still a struggle for me.  The tongue has been one area the Holy Spirit has worked on me throughout my life.  I remember when I was a young mom, sitting in the nursery and “chatting” with other moms.  I would go home and feel convicted over gossiping.

At the young age of 22 the Lord pointed me to Philippians 4:8…

 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.        

I literally began asking myself after a phone or in-person conversation:

Was that true, was it honorable, right and pure, lovely, and admirable?

Most times I would have to repent, but I slowly began to learn what I was supposed to think and talk about.  Believe me I’m not perfect, but I’m a whole lot better than I used to be.

After reading verse 4 of David’s prayer I think I have a new question to ask when I’m tempted to try to fix my family.

Does this thing that bugs me have anything to do with eternity?”

If the answer is “No” with the help of the Lord I’m going to let it go!

I join King David in this prayer:

Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.

Remind me that my days are numbered— 

how fleeting my life is.

In Jesus Name Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Psalms 61 through Psalms 62; Psalms 64 through 67

I said, “Yes!”–Psalm 27:8

May 9, 2013 in 2013 Journey, God Speaks today, Prayer, Psalms with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 27-32

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”  –Psalm 27: 8

A few months ago I felt the Holy Spirit speak to me…

Dianne, what if I had special things I wanted to talk to you about on early morning walks?  What if you are missing special times with me because you’re not making the effort to take a daily walk?

While I feel bad most days about not exercising, I had never thought that not taking a walk was sacrificing “God time.”

But now that I think about it, almost every time I go for a walk I feel closer to God; I feel like He speaks to me.

What if the God of the universe was saying to me “Come and walk with me.  Come and talk with me?”

Just so you know, I ignored God.

Yep, just went on about my life.  You see, I write my blog posts in the morning, so early morning walks are difficult. I just couldn’t fit it in.

For some reason this morning I postponed writing my devotion and went on a walk.  No sooner than I had gotten out of the subdivision, I felt this question bubble up in my mind:

Will you write your blog post at a different time of day and come on a walk with Me each morning?

I said, YES!

I encourage you to ask God where, when, and how He wants to communicate with YOU.  He will answer you…and then SAY YES!

Blessings in Jesus!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalms 35-38

What Did Serving God Cost You Today? –2 Samuel 24:24

May 2, 2013 in 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel, 2013 Journey, Believing God in the Hard Times, Biblical Principles, God Speaks today, leadership, Obedience with 1 Comment


Today’s Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 24:1-9; 1 Chronicles 21:1-6; 2 Samuel 24:10-17; 1 Chronicles 21:7-17; 2 Samuel 24:18-25; 1 Chronicles 21:18-22:19

So David went up to do what the Lord had commanded him. When Araunah saw the king and his men coming toward him, he came and bowed before the king with his face to the ground.  “Why have you come, my lord the king?” Araunah asked.

David replied, “I have come to buy your threshing floor and to build an altar to the Lord there, so that he will stop the plague.”

“Take it, my lord the king, and use it as you wish,” Araunah said to David. “Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and you can use the threshing boards and ox yokes for wood to build a fire on the altar. I will give it all to you, Your Majesty, and may the Lord your God accept your sacrifice.”

But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing.” So David paid him fifty pieces of silver for the threshing floor and the oxen.  –2 Samuel 24:19-24

David had just made a mistake that cost 70,000 lives.  He was in deep distress as he asked the angel of the Lord to allow His anger to fall on him and his family.  So when the time came to offer a sacrifice and prayer to ask God to stop the plague there was no way David was going to let anyone else “pay” for this offering.

How does this fit in today’s world?

Should our worship and service to our God cost us something?

In the last 25 years I’ve made many trips through the Bible, I feel safe in saying, it costs to truly serve God.  Here are three examples of the many that come to mind:

God required Abraham to leave his homeland and family. (Genesis 12:1)

God allowed Satan to test Job.  He lost everything, except his wife. (Job 1)

God gave his only Son Jesus to die for the sins of man. (John 3:16)

What has serving God cost you lately?

What offerings are you giving?

What sacrifices are you making?

    • Your time
    • Your talent
    • Your treasure

Are you enjoying someone else’s offerings and sacrifices rather than actively worshiping yourself?

Heavenly Father, we just want to please You.  If there are prices to be paid, show us.  If there are costs to be incurred make us willing. Help us to know when You want sacrifice and when you want obedience.

But Samuel replied,“What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifice or your obedience to his voice?

Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.  –1 Samuel 15:22-23

Lord, teach us.  We give ourselves to You.

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

 

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 23:1-25:31

Read the Directions or Not. What say You?

April 22, 2013 in 1 Chronicles, 2 Samuel, 2013 Journey, Choices, Failure, God Speaks today, leadership, Obedience, Word of God with 1 Comment

Today’s Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 5: 1-3, 1 Chronicles 11: 1-3,1 Chronicles 12: 23-40, 2 Samuel 5: 17-25, 1 Chronicles 14:8-17, 2 Samuel 5: 6-10, 1 Chronicles 11: 4-9,1 Chronicles 3: 4b, 2 Samuel 5:13, 4:5, 11:12, 1 Chronicles 14: 1-2, 1 Chronicles 13: 1-5, 2 Samuel 6:  1-11, 1 Chronicles 13: 6-14

David began making plans to move the ark.  He consulted his officials, including generals and captains of his army–everyone, except the Lord his God.

If you look in the first part of today’s reading, each time David went to battle he asked the Lord if he would have success.

But

he did not ask God or the Levites about transporting the Ark.

If David had asked he would have known that God gave strict instructions in His Law for transporting the Ark, found in Numbers 4:4, 15, 17-20:

This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of meeting, relating to the most holy things: . . . And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, when the camp is set to go, then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them; but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These are the things in the tabernacle of meeting which the sons of Kohath are to carry. . . . Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: “Do not cut off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites; but do this in regard to them, that they may live and not die when they approach the most holy things; Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint each of them to his service and his task. But they shall not go in to watch while the holy things are being covered, lest they die.

As I look back in the previous chapters I wonder if this could be a clue about why David didn’t ask anyone for instructions to transport the Ark:

And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.  –2 Samuel 5:10

Was David feeling so powerful that he thought it wasn’t necessary to consult the Lord?

I don’t know, but power is probably the biggest heart test.  Give a person an extra dose of power and you’ll see what their made of.

There are two kinds of people, when it comes to starting a project; the ones who read the directions and the ones who don’t.

Have you ever skipped the directions and then kicked yourself because of the extra time or money that resulted from feeling you could do it without any help?

David’s mistake costs someone’s life.

Father, help us to know where our power comes from and to look to You to know how to use it.  Heavenly Father, you gave us instructions for everything we will ever face in Your Word, the Bible. Holy Spirit, give us a desire for Your instructions.  Help us to seek You before we begin each day to hear Your instructions for the day.

In Jesus Names. Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

 

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  2 Samuel 6:12a, 1 Chronicles 15: 1-28, 2 Samuel 6:12b-16, 1 Chronicles 15:29, 2 Samuel 6: 17-19a, 1 Chronicles 16: 1-43, 2 Samuel 6: 19b-23

Could Your Assumptions Be Completely Wrong?

April 21, 2013 in 2 Samuel, 2013 Journey, God Speaks today, leadership, Prayer with 4 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  2 Samuel 3:6 through 2 Samuel 4:12

  • The Amalekite man assumed David would be happy Saul was dead (2 Samuel 1: 1-16)
  • Joab assumed David would approve of his revenging his brother Asahel’s death by killing Abner (2 Samuel 3: 22-30)
  • Recab and Baanah assumed David would be pleased when they brought him the head of Ishbosheth, Saul’s son after they killed him while he slept in his bed (2 Samuel 4: 1-3)

I have to remind myself as I read the scriptures each day that the people we’re reading about didn’t know what we know. We are reading their story!  This is history to us but for them they were making decisions in the present!

It seems they were clueless about David’s heart.  They assumed David wrote funeral songs for Saul and Abner and mourned them for days to win the favor of men.  But David’s heart was genuinely grieved.

All of these guys assumed and it ultimately cost them their lives.

I wonder how many times in today’s world our assumptions are completely wrong?

  • We assume God doesn’t really know everything we do and think
  • We assume we will have plenty of time to ask for forgiveness
  • We assume God’s okay with a little white lie

Just like these men were clueless about David’s heart, we are clueless about the heart of the living, all-knowing God of the Universe.

The best way to keep from assuming is to ask and don’t do anything until you get an answer.

Dear Heavenly Father, there is one thing I can assume…You love me with an everlasting love and your desire is for me to know Your Son as my personal savior.  Help me to never assume I know what You are thinking–Your ways are not my ways.  Help me to remember to go to Your Word and pray when I am tempted to assume.

In the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  2 Samuel 5: 1-3, 1 Chronicles 11: 1-3,1 Chronicles 12: 23-40,2 Samuel 5: 17-25, 1 Chronicles 14:8-17, 2 Samuel 5: 6-10, 1 Chronicles 11: 4-9, 1 Chronicles 3: 4b, 2 Samuel 5:13, 4:5,11:12, 1 Chronicles 14: 1-2, 1 Chronicles 13: 1-5, 2 Samuel 6:  1-11,1 Chronicles 13: 6-14

How Do You Know It’s God Speaking? –1 Samuel 14:6

April 12, 2013 in 1 Chronicles, 1 Samuel, 2013 Journey, Faith, God Speaks today, Holy Spirit with 3 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  1 Chronicles 9:35 through 1 Chronicles 9:39, 1 Samuel 13:1 through 5, 1 Samuel 13: 19 through 23, 1 Samuel 13: 6 through 18, 1 Samuel 14:  1 through 52

Today’s reading is sort of “all over the place.”  Just a reminder, the Chronicles run parallel with Samuel so we’ll have a lot of this in the next few days.

Today we meet another one of my favorite characters— Jonathan.  We’re going to get to know him more as the days go by, but today he shows us something I just could not pass by…

The first we hear of Jonathan, he’s winning a battle and his father Saul is taking credit for it (1 Samuel 13:3-4).  It’s hard to know whether Jonathan had real courage or if he was so young and naïve that he just thought he was invincible.

After today’s reading I think there’s a third possibility for Jonathan’s boldness…

He knew he had a big God!

One day Jonathan and his armor bearer snuck away to spy on the Philistines; they told no one.  Out of the blue, so it seemed; Jonathan said to his armor bearer:  “Perhaps the Lord will help us, for nothing can hinder the Lord.  He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few.” (1 Samuel 14:6)

“Perhaps the Lord will help us?”

What does THAT mean?

Did Jonathan actually make this move without knowing he had heard from God?

Is that umm…spiritual?

I think, and please know this is me thinking, that Jonathan knew God and knew He lived in him and spoke to him.  So when the thought crossed his mind “Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans” (1 Samuel 14:6a), Jonathan realized there was a good possibility it was God speaking.  So, he decided to move “just in case” it was God.

Friends, I want to be a “perhaps the Lord will help us kind of girl!”  How many times do we miss God because we’re over-analyzing and talking ourselves out of the “God thought” that crossed our mind.

I have had these moments over the years and each time like Jonathan; I would say, “Lord, I think this may be Your idea.  I want to step out, but a need to know it’s You.  Confirm this to me Lord.”  If I felt the Holy Spirit urging me along I would act, if not I would just try to forget it.  If I couldn’t forget it, I would take it as a sign (1 Samuel 14:10) that it was in fact the Holy Spirit speaking to me.  I’ve seen God do some amazing things but more times than I like to remember I talked myself out of stepping out.

I wonder, how many times have I missed the great adventure, because I wasn’t willing to step out and say, “Perhaps the Lord will help me, for nothing can hinder the Lord.”   With tear-filled eyes I say, “What if it’s God speaking?”

Father God, help us to recognize your promptings.  Use us for Your Glory!  We Trust you!

In Jesus Name, Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:   1 Samuel 15:1 through 1 Samuel 17:31

What if it’s God Speaking? –1 Samuel 3:1-10

April 9, 2013 in 2013 Journey, God Speaks today, Holy Spirit, Word of God with 2 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  1 Samuel 1:9 through 1 Samuel 4:11

I wonder if young Samuel ever thought about the possibility of God speaking to him.  He had heard all the stories of Moses and Joshua; he knew God spoke to them, but in the day Samuel lived messages from the Lord were rare, and visions were quite uncommon (3:1).

Can you imagine the feeling of realizing  the God of the Universe is calling you and expecting you to answer?  Especially if you were only 12 years old!

Do you ever wonder if God speaks in today’s world?

Some say those days of God speaking to people are over.

I say, “What if the God of the Universe could and would speak to you and me?”

Would we want that?

I certainly do! God Speaking to us and being with us through the Holy Spirit are gifts Jesus assured us of when when He returned to heaven after His resurrection:

 However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].  –John 17:7 (Amplified Bible)

I think God speaks in many ways to everyone, even people who don’t know Christ but most of the time we don’t realize it’s God.  He speaks to us through nature, thoughts that walk through our heads, other people, music, art, books, billboards, Facebook and Twitter; and of course His Word…just to name a few. I also believe God speaks audibly to us if He chooses. After all, He is God and He can do whatever He wants.

I think the question is really do we want God to speak to us?

Why did God choose Samuel to speak to and through when there had been many years of silence?

Here’s what I noticed about Samuel:

  • Samuel had great examples of what not to do (Eli’s sons)
  • Samuel was focused on the Lord
  • Samuel did not cave into peer pressure
  • Samuel had the favor of God on his life
  • Samuel was respected by people
  • Samuel pressed in to be close to God
  • Samuel was listening (very important)

I want to be like Samuel and say “speak Lord, your servant is listening.”

Listen to the words of this song.  What if it’s God Speaking?

YouTube Preview Image

I pray God speaks to you in a new and refreshing way TODAY!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller


Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 4:12 through 1 Samuel 8:22

What Will Be Your Finest Hour?

April 5, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Biblical Principles, God Speaks today, Judges, Trust with 0 Comments

Today’s Scripture Reading:  Judges 16:1 through Judges 18:31

I have heard the story of Samson since I was a little kid. I’ve always thought Samson was missing a few brain cells.  He really did some dumb things:

  • Saw a Philistine woman and immediately wanted to marry her
  • Teased the young men at the wedding party with a riddle
  • After his fiancé’s insistence Samson tells her the answer to the riddle then gets mad when  the young men “guess” the answer
  • Goes down to Ashkelon, killed thirty men, took their belonging and gave their clothes to the men who had solved the riddle
  • Goes back home, leaves  his future wife to marry his best man
  • “Later on” goes to see his “wife” and gets made because she married his best man and tied 300 foxes tails together in pairs and fastened a torch to each pair of tails.  That day Samson burned the Philistines’ grain, vineyards and olive groves to the ground
  • Spent the night with a prostitute
  • Fell in love with another Philistine woman named Delilah
  • Teased Delilah with the key to his strength
  • The Philistines came in to take him three times and then he tells the secret to his strength knowing they would come again
  • Really thought he could still shake himself free after he lost his hair

Was Samuel really stupid or was there something more going on?

Here’s “the rest of the story”…

  • When her son was born, she names him Samson.  And the Lord blessed him as he grew up.  And the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him while he lived in Mahabeh-dan…  (14:24-25)
  • But Samson told his father, “Get her for me!  She looks good to me.”  His father and mother didn’t realize the Lord was at work in this, creating an opportunity to work against the Philistines, who ruled over Israel at that time.  (14: 3b-4)
  • At that moment the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him, and he ripped the lion’s jaws apart with his bare hands.  (14:6)
  • Then the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him.  He went down to the town of Ashkelon, killed thirty men, took their belongings, and gave their clothing to the men who had solved his riddle.  (14:19) 
  • As Samson arrived at Lehi, the Philistines came shouting in triumph.  But the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon Samson, and he snapped the ropes on his arms as if they were burnt strands of flax, and they fell from his wrists.  (15:14)
  • Samson was now very thirsty, and he cried out to the Lord, “You have accomplished this great victory by the strength of your servant.  Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of these pagans?  So God caused water to gush out of a hollow in the ground at Lehi, and Samson was revived as he drank.  (15:18-19)
  • Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me again.  O God, please strengthen me just one more time…” Then Samson put his hands on the two center pillars that held up the temple…so he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime.  (16:28-30)

Did you see it?

God used Samson to preserve the Israelite nation. Samson’s finest hour was his last hour.

Just one more time, I stand amazed at God’s ways!

Heavenly Father, Your ways are higher than our ways.  Help us to trust You when things we see don’t make sense.  Remind us that you don’t use the same scorekeeping system we humans use—it’s all about Your plan, Your ways, and Your will. Help us to know You are in charge of kings and kingdoms–The outcome is in Your hands!  Holy Spirit, strengthen us in the knowledge that when Your Spirit comes upon us we can do supernatural things.  Jesus, help us when we grieve the seemingly pre-mature loss of family and friends; give us hearts to understand that sometimes our finest hour in honoring and displaying Your Glory might just be in our passing from this life into Your arms.

Spirit of the Lord, come upon us. Use us today.

In Jesus Name, Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading:  Judges 19:1 through Judges 21:25

God Can Use Weirdness–Judges 14:3-4

April 4, 2013 in 2013 Journey, Failure, God Speaks today, Judges, Living a Life that reflects the Son, Parenting, Trust with 2 Comments


Today’s Scripture Reading: Judges 11:29-15:20

Samson was just plain weird!  I don’t know, maybe he was just a big tease but he sure didn’t seem “normal” to me.

In my opinion Samson…

  • Seemed spoiled rotten and very demanding
  • Thought he was all that
  • Enjoyed making people look stupid

His father and mother objected. “Isn’t there even one woman in our tribe or among all the Israelites you could marry?” they asked. “Why must you go to the pagan Philistines to find a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me! She looks good to me.” --Samson 14:3

But,

God

had

a

plan

for

Samson’s life.

In those days a man named Manoah from the tribe of Dan lived in the town of Zorah. His wife was unable to become pregnant, and they had no children.  The angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah’s wife and said, “Even though you have been unable to have children, you will soon become pregnant and give birth to a son.  So be careful; you must not drink wine or any other alcoholic drink nor eat any forbidden food. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and his hair must never be cut. For he will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth. He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines.” Judges 13:2-5

Do you ever give a judgmental look at people and think, “They’re just plain weird.  Surely, they’re not “God’s anointed?”

Samson’s poor parents.  It must have been so hard for them. They loved to play by the rules.  They even asked the Angel of the Lord about “the rules.”

So Manoah (Samson’s father) asked him (the Angel of the Lord) “When your words come true, what kind of rules should govern the boy’s life and work?” –Judges 13:12

Samson disobeyed rules for a hobby.

Samson’s parents must have been at their wit’s end because they didn’t know that God had a purpose for Samson’s weirdness.

His father and mother didn’t realize the Lord was at work in this, creating an opportunity to work against the Philistines, who ruled over Israel at that time. –Judges 14:4

Friends we need to be careful criticizing and judging “weirdness,” judging people who don’t act, think, or serve God like we do.  It may be for the Glory of God.

Father, give us grace to understand people who have different ways of doing life than we do.  Help us to realize, YOU made them.  They fit perfectly in YOUR plan for them.  You are God and we are not!

In Jesus’ Name.  Amen and Amen!

©2013, Dianne Guthmuller

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Judges 16:1-18:31

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