March 24, 2014 - "I'm Available"

Good morning and welcome to a new week. I am grateful we are now officially into the spring season - PRAISE God. I look forward to having those evening of grilling and eating on the deck before the flies and mosquitos realize my BBQ season has begun. Hopefully the bitter cold sent a few of those guys to heaven early. (wink) Don't forget LIfe Group on April 6th. Hope you can come! Easter-related foods and Freedom Connection lesson #4. All are welcome. Let's continue to encourage each other to be healthy and walk in freedom regardless of the fight. Amen? Reading this morning in 1 Samuel 3 a very familiar story, but a new truth jumped out at me. You know the story of Eli's wicked sons who had no regard for the Lord. They were totally disobedient and God was no longer going to tolerate them. Chapter 3 begins with "the boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli." This reminds us that we can be young in the Lord and be used mightily if we are open and available. Eli slept in the usual spot - common and predictable. However, Samuel slept in the temple where the Ark of the covenant was. This symbolized the presence of God. That really jumped out at me this morning. Samuel ministered during the day in the Temple and then chose to sleep in the Temple too. "I'm available day or night," says the young Samuel. Also, when God called to Samuel in the night, the boy assumed Eli needed him and he RAN to answer the call even though all were sleeping. Again, this jumped out at me that the young Samuel was running to the priest and didn't display an attitude and ask, "couldn't this wait until morning? I'm off the clock!" His willingness and attitude of obedience really spoke to me again today. Finally, when Eli connected Samuel to the Lord, the boy repeated EXACTLY what Eli instructed him to say. There is something about pure obedience that motivates God to speak to us and trust us with valuable information of things to come. In fact the Bible records that the Lord actually came and stood in Samuel's presence. WOW! And the Lord's response: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle." After their conversation, Samuel laid down near the Ark again and waited until morning to open the doors and disclose the events that comprised his night. Can you imagine having God visit and share so tangibly in the night? Fabulous. Let's be honest, God does visit and share each day as we read His Word and speak with Him. Jesus' death tore the wall of separation and gave us access to our Father, God, as often as we choose. That's so cool to me! I pray you see something about instant obedience this morning in this story. I did. Let's chat again tomorrow? PK