“And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.” I Sam. 3:19
The idea of the Lord not letting any of the spiritual words we say fall to the ground, meaning that God will uphold them, seems to unrealistic for us that are not called to be prophets. However, this is not unrealistic, in fact it is very reasonable that each of us could speak in such a way. How? Just speak what God says.
“And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. 9Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.” I Sam. 3:8-9
Though Eli had drifted from God he still had some spiritual sense. He perceived that the Lord was calling Samuel. Even more important, Eli had wisdom. He didn’t tell Samuel to quick get busy and do something for God. He told him to “Go, lie down:” Ministers can be guilty of wanting to send saints out to do something before they ever learn to rest before the Lord. We all need to hear His voice and rest before Him, then we can be effective for Him. After all, Jesus called all those that are weary and heavy laden to come and find rest.
“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” Lk. 15:7
While praying this morning for some lost sinners I know of, I prayed that these sinners would get saved so all of heaven would rejoice. Then I had the thought that when I got saved it got the attention of heaven. Many people want to get the attention of some of this world, some even want the whole world to applaud them, but what a marvelous thought that when you got saved Oh saint of God, all of heaven rejoiced over you. Hallelujah!
“And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; 4That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.” I Sam. 3:3-4
God has done it in every generation where the lamp of God was starting to go out, He finds someone, even a few who will say, “Here am I.” Will you be one that answers, “Here am I?”
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;” Rom. 1:18
I like how the NKJV says the last part of this verse. “men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” The word “hold” means to hold down. We learn from this verse that unrighteousness keeps truth from being promoted. You can certainly see that in society today. As our nation grows more unrighteous by the day, truth and absolutes are mocked by the leaders and teachers in this nation. If you are one that holds to the absolute truth of God, then our society will look at you like you like you come from a different planet. Well, we aren’t from a different planet, but we are from a different kingdom, a kingdom where truth reigns.
“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Rom. 1:17
We are indeed saved by grace through FAITH. However, faith is not like a voucher that you cash in to receive your prize, faith is something we live in day after day. Faith is more than just believing God is, it is living for our God every day, “from faith to faith.”
“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” Eph. 4:13
I am reading a book called “Unto Full Stature.” The author, DeVern Fromke, starts chapter six with a quote from A. W. Tozer. Here is part of that quote. “For this reason it is critically important that we Christians should have right models. It is not enough to say that our model should be Christ. While that is true, it is also true that Christ is known mostly through the lives of His professed followers, and the more prominent and vocal these followers are the more powerful will be their influence upon the rank and file of Christians. If the models are imperfect the whole standard of Christian living must suffer as a result. A sacred obligation lies upon each of us to be Christlike. This generation of Christians must have models it can safely admire. That is not the primary reason for seeking to be holy, but it is a powerful one. Many beginners are taking us for their example.”
“For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;” Rom. 1:11
The word impart in the Greek means, to give over, to share. This verse is misunderstood by some, especially from the Charismatic believers. They think that it means to go lay hands on someone so that person can receive a spiritual gift from the one laying their hands on them. What Paul is really saying is that he wants to come and be a gift to them to help establish them. I desire that when we come to meet together that we would all want to impart our gifts on one another and be a blessing to one another, that we would all be established.
“To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. 1:7
You know that Jesus said, “many are called, but few are chosen.” Maybe you view being called and not chosen as something negative or discouraging. Well don’t be discouraged, insulted or offended by that, for you have a great privilege. You are CALLED TO BE A SAINT. Are you content with that?
“But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;” Acts 26:16
God said He will make Paul a minister. Bible College can’t do that, studying to show yourself approved can’t do that, someone laying their hands on you and ordaining you can’t do that. Though these things may offer some help, it is God who calls and makes ministers.
