The Sin of Samuel - Part2

Fatigue is not bad, we are working. This function results to fatigue, neglect and what’s next? Neglect to pray, priorities in life, or communion to God, though the Bible told us “Samuel build an altar in Ramah.” That gives us an idea that Samuel was still sensitive to his communion with God. But for how long before fatigue takes over? I heard of a church when a pastor have a Bible study until 1am and the managers under that small Bible study group and the executive told the managers that they still need to report for work at 8am, and so with the pastor still need to report for work at 8am. While the ministry is strong the neglect of home is pretty obvious.

The Sin of Samuel - Part1

The more you admire your mortal mentors you might be guilty of offending God. What is the sin of Samuel? What is his weakness? Remember no matter how thick the armor, there’s this weak spot. What can we learn about the weakness of Samuel? The weak link in the life of Samuel is not about his morals but a sin of neglect. Is that really dangerous? On the outset it’s not but ultimately this little sin can be fueled by the enemy and blown into a lifestyle of silent rebellion and then later disobedience.

Brokenness in Waiting

By : Rev. Arnel Tan

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 NLT

What is the difference between ‘waiting for the LORD’ and ‘waiting patiently for the LORD?’ I think the first waiting is our response to the circumstances that demands our compliance to wait, while the second waiting is a result of God’s dealing with us in brokenness that results in a willingness to wait for the Lord. Somehow, life is designed by God with many deliberate stops or pauses. We see God’s appointed waiting sheds and from there we gain better perspective and live simple lives of faith.

On the outset, to ‘wait upon the Lord’ means a circumstance leaves us no choice … like, we wait for flights, for the weather to calm down, for our numbers to be called while falling in line at government offices or movie houses. Waiting is a part of existing. Waiting patiently for the Lord is the result of God’s dealing with us in brokenness. ‘Waiting for the Lord’ is compliance while ‘waiting patiently for the Lord’ is friendship. It takes brokenness to see this point and more brokenness to appreciate and desire this state of waiting patiently for the Lord.

How long is our waiting time? Honestly, it is difficult to tell or to predict. One can be certain the Lord will meet us at His appointed time. It is here that we are confronted with the humbling truth that we are not in control of everything. It is here that we see our helplessness. It is also here that we hear the invitation of the Almighty to cease striving and to slow down … and know God. This is not easy to appreciate … but when we learn to wait patiently for the Lord it becomes a hunger hard to deny.

The delays and denials are actually preparations for the blessings that God is more than willing to give. Why is it so necessary to be broken before enjoying whatever God wants us to have? It is because in being broken, we actually learn to savor and truly enjoy God’s blessings. Here, God is honored and we are humbled. In waiting patiently, our need for grace is so clear, our dark side is exposed and our prayers are intense. It is also in waiting patiently that our appetite for the glory of God and for Him to be glorified grows strong and deep. Waiting, praying, worshipping patiently is now the delight of our souls.

The Sin of Eli The Priest - Part2

We have messed up our priorities today as we see ourselves as provider. You know what’s good in Filipino culture? “I don’t care if I am in poverty as long as my children will have diploma one day when I send them to school.” Is that good or bad? That’s good but that’s also bad because the father’s priority is not sending your children to school and give them education, the father’s priority is to worship God and from there to get instructions from God how to raise children. Now, you who you are provider, look what have you done. You have provided too much education but you have not worshipped the Lord your God but honored your kids.

The Sin of Eli The Priest - Part1

This is the generation today that we are not aware that perhaps maybe we are honoring our kids more than God. There’s a bill in congress that they might pass to outlaw spanking our kids of course there’s abuse rather a father long time ago. A father in the name of Eli. His story is very sad. I think we learn more on sad stories than success stories. Success stories will lead us to smile but sad stories will lead us to prayer. Being a father is not easy but here’s the question, if being a dad is not easy, why are we not led to prayer? Why we are led to work more, earn more? Instead of pray more? When it’s about prayer the father would say your mom prays, your dad works. I think it’s the other way around. Fathers should pray.

God’s Calling to Samuel - Part2b

You are a child of God by faith in Christ, amen. May we remind the church, we are not the only child of God, there’s a lot of others who trusted Christ and they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Answering the call is not about me but to exalt God. All of the songs the modern ones specially the “me” songs, that’s true but the entire truth is for the glory of God. So when I read the Bible and it’s all about me “I don’t like my devotion today I was not touched because I read the Book of Numbers, boring to read this book and that book” because it’s all about what? Me. Ministry that is all about me and at the end of the day there’s no recognition, no nothing because nobody recognized who? Me.

God’s Calling to Samuel - Part1b

What is your calling to God personally? What is your calling to your church? What is your calling as a family? What is your calling as a single person? What is your calling as a married person? What is your calling as a professional? We realize that the call of God is not planned by men but of God, the verse reference, “suddenly the Lord calls Samuel.” To whom it is called suddenly? To Samuel, to God it’s been planned no sudden is for God. God’s call won’t stop until an answer is given. A lot of us way back high school days or we were still in college and we were young but now we are not young anymore we are mature we thought that God’s calling has faded. No way. It is still there.