"...the LORD remembered her plea, and in due time she gave birth to a son."
1 Samuel 119b-20a
1 Samuel 119b-20a
Take Aways
Something Old:
After praying to her Lord, Hannah was no longer sad. Praying is my fellowship with God. It is God's way of restoring the joy of my heart.
God's timing is perfect.Hannah fulfilled the vow she made to the Lord.
Something New:
1 Samuel 2:19
"Each year his mother made a small coat for him and brought it to him when she came with her husband for the sacrifice."
Samuel's parents faithfully followed the ways customs of the Israelites and the law of Moses. What a wonderful heritage they passed to Samuel.
Something to Do:
Dear Lord, help me be patient as I pray and trust you. I want to know and believe that in the "due time" of your plan for the things I pray for.
I am in Middleboro, MA, not Middleton. Sorry about that Central Baptist Girls!
20 Comments:
Where is everyone???
I'm glad you had safe travels thus far, Wendy. Wish I could be there tomorrow, too!
Am praying for Micca today and our other requests.
I thought there were lots of nuggets today; lots of things that made me look at myself and wonder if I will ever be able to handly a hard situation half as well as the people in our reading today. Like in ...
1 Sam. 1:11 "and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut." We've talked about this before. Do others see my dedication to God about me somewhere? How do I show my love to Jesus to others, even to those who don't know me?
1 Sam. 17-18 "May the god of Israel grant the request you have asked of Him ... Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad." When hard times come, do I step back and place my hope and trust in Him, or do I allow my feelings to dictate my attitude? Do I allow God's words through a friend, the Bible, or some other source to speak to me, or do I shut it out? And do I look for those times when I can be an Eli to someone else and just be there, maybe gently reminding someone in need of the hope that we have in our great God?
1 Sam 3:13 We must discipline our children. At the end of their lives they will face God's judgment. Do want them to see Him then for the first time, or to kneel before Him rejoicing at meeting their Savior? I can't change their hearts, but I can teach them His word and His ways. As someone said earlier this week, "Train a child in the way that he should go, and he will not depart from it."
1 Sam 18b Eli took the hard news about his sons' impending doom calmly and graciously. I don't think I could do that, and I hope never to find out - but when trouble finds me, in whatever form it takes, God, please help me to sincerely say, "Let God do what He thinks best."
Boy, I'm wordy today! It rained last night, and I'm hoping to head outside with the kids for a bit before the pollen accumulates again. Happy Friday!
Hey everyone-
We have been out of town on spring break- I have missed you all.
Loved the reminder of "in due time" when the Lord has prepared all to hear the answer and in only his way will it work out best!
I admit that even knowing that, it can still be hard to wait. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will be my comfort in waiting.
Happy Friday!
Kimberly
Amen Wendy! There IS no God like our God!
Thank you for the Jesus foreshadowing mention - when Hannah gave up her son. I love those sightings.
I am off today to go with my son to his cardiologist appt. Just a checkup for a condition that was found when he was 13. He is now 20 and things have been good so far. May God bless us with another good report today; and if not; may He give us the trust we need in Him alone.
Happy Friday all! Bring your praises to Him!
Morgen
Friday, and yes, this has been one fast week! Wendy, you look gorgeous in Mass.! Praying that the Holy Spirit comes right out of you and straight into the hearts of all those beautiful, lovely ladies this weekend! Praying over your sweet family as well. Michelle & Dawna – LUCKY YOU TWO!!!
I so loved today’s reading. I loved how Samuel grew “in favor with the LORD” –this is my daily prayer for my two teenager’s as well. Nothing would bless me more than to know that each day my sons are growing in favor with their Father.
I love God’s Word. Today we see more modeling and I just want to hug the LORD. His Word is so very precious. He shows us all the answers, if we will just take note. Precious, sweet Hannah, such a Proverbs 31 gal! She was not loud and angry even though she was wrongfully accused. She was gracious. We watch her attitude and how she acts around those around her. She prays. And, (of course!) (!) (!) the Lord remembered her plea. The power of our praying sister’s – the sky is our limit! Wendy, thank you so much for pointing out and talking about “due time.” We know it is “fixed.” And “right.”
This is so encouraging to me.
My New: Christ is portrayed by Samuel who grew in favor with God and men (I Sam. 2:26). Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).
To Do: Hannah prayed. God answered her prayer by giving her a son who becomes one of the greatest spiritual leaders during this 400-year period of the judges…wow…when we are obedient and wait for his good timing, blessings will come.
Pray. Wait on the Lord. Anticipate His goodness. Dwell in His peace - His free blessing to us, every single day!
Praying for each of you today, Lori
Happy Friday Ya’ll,
Sister Wendy….safe travels….Michelle and Dawna give her a warm hug from us. Linda from Austin TX…You go girl 26.2 miles…..dedication…You can do it.
Jennifer Renee….Thinking about you….How is your day today?
So much to take in today….My Precious Hannah….her Motherly touch….I feel her heart so much….The anguish and sorrow she felt….vs. 1:15, But I am very discouraged , and I was pouring out my heart to the LORD. Don’t think I am a wicked woman!….This state of mind…(I know)…God does have a way to bringing us to our knees.
My bible verse(s) for today was about the whole reading in general:
Prayer & Priest-Pastors.
…Hannah got up and went to pray.
…Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the LORD.
…if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you.
….She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the LORD for him.”
… “I am the woman who stood here several years ago praying to the LORD.
I know today there is much diversity about this subject…today’s reading tells us that there was wickedness in the priesthood . Eli’s 2 sons. (Hophni and Phinehas).
Vs.2: 22...now Eli was very old, but he was aware of what his sons were doing to the people of Israel. He knew, for instance, that his sons were seducing the young women who assisted at the entrance of the Tabernacle.
Are there wicked priest or pastors in today’s society? Do we believe today that our priest and pastors do get the calling, to go and spread the Good News? Do we need them? Should we pray for them? Would we have a church if there were no priest or pastors? Who would tell us about the Good News? Do we today believe ….God has raised up such a man for you and me today? Do we know who they are? Do our parish priest or pastors come to mind?
God was prepared to meet the need….he raised up Samuel, the last of the Judges and also a prophet and proclaim God’s word. Brings John the Baptist to mind:
….Luke 3: 2-3.…during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. He went throughout [the] whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins….
….John 1:6-7.…A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.
Paul says:
But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? And how can people preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “how beautiful are the feet of those who bring [the] good news!
Roman 10:;14-15.
1 Samuel 2:25, If a man sins against another man, one can intercede for him with the LORD; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?
Today can we see the need?
Prayer & Priest-Pastors….
Pray for your parish Priest-Pastor and for all Priests or Pastors-because an awesome responsibility is theirs!
Bible-Study Sister
Rhonda
(from Nancy)
Hi Friends
My friend Lori did lose her baby, but we know that God has her in His hands. Although it was a life threatening surgery, Lori came through it physically fine and they were able to save her uterus and not do the hysterectomy. Her surgical nurse just by chance ended up being one of our sweet sweet church members which we know was Gods doing. I appreciate all you prayers and if you would please continue to pray for Lori's broken heart and that God will comfort her with the knowledge that she will see her baby again someday.
I am praising God today because my brother Dave is being released from the rehab hosital after 39 days in hospital and rehab from brain surgery (2 aneurysms- 1 fixed, 1 not). He is a new Christian now, and I am very excited to see what God will do!
Today's reading:
old: Hannah prayed for a son, God granted her one and she dedicated him to the Lord.
New: how strong Hannah was even in her anguish to go to God and pray that prayer and that she could make that promise to dedicate her child (we see later that she was serious! Not just trying to manipulate God into what she wanted. Can I give up what I want for my children and let God's will be done?) Strength of God can come into us amidst our anguish and pain.
Samuel was a lot like his mother. He was left to be raised in the tabernacle in a very dysfunctional situation (I am sure that was all painful for him to be around) but the Lord was with him and Samuel was eager to hear God and follow Him.
Nugget: we can trust in God through all difficult times, he is with us! Remember to pray! And be set apart!
Nugget:
Just jumped on at work (don't anybody tell on me, he he he) to make sure all was well with Wendy. Whew!
I read and prepared a comment in the wee hours of the morning. Sometimes our Lord thinks it's more important for me to pray than to sleep. I will post my comments after school.
Have a blessed day everyone.
Wendy, welcome to Massachusetts, and I'll see you tomorrow.
Peace and gratitude,
Michelle in Rainy New England
Nancy,
Thank you for the update - albeit it is a very sad one. Praying for Lori that she feels God's comfort. And may she also remember that she will see that baby again someday. Praise God for your brother's recovery. Wow!
The nuggets I picked up from today's reading:
*Not to lose heart when my prayers seem to not get answers. Keep pouring my heart out to God and trust that He will bring it to pass in due time.
Jon Courson said this after Hannah asked for a son and she will give him to God: "And that's what God was waiting for. Previously, she wanted a son to give to her husband. God, however, wanted a prophet to give to a nation. God had something much bigger and bolder, greater and grander in mind than Hannah did."
"...Are you discouraged or depressed? the cure lies not in seeing your situation change, but in hearing the Word and choosing to believe it. What has God whispered in your ear? Hang on to it. Believe it. Don't despair. Live a life of rejoicing, for in so doing, you will prevent satan from abording that which God watns to conceive in you and birth through you."
Re Eli and his sons. Jon Courson said that Eli's sin was honoring his sons more than he honored God. Eli cared more about his sons liking him than what God thought about the situation. "Mom and Dad, take note. If your primary goal as a parent is to have your kids like you, you will not like what your kids become. Your primary goal should be to want your kids to know what's right in God's sight. If that means discipline, so be it. If they hate you in the process, so be it. But you must honor God more than you honor your kids. Eli wanted to be cool in the eyes of his boys. And it would lead to their downfall." Stern warning for us all. It's not easy to discipline our kids but we always have to follow through. May we be Moms and Dads who follow through.
Have a blessed day everyone!
Hi Everyone,
Amy I did not get an email this morning that the blog has posted so that might be why comments are down today. I came over to check to make sure I was not missing it :) Glad I did, what a wonderful lesson today! In God's due time- how I know many of us need to hear that and keep it close to our hearts. G&P I love the insights from Courson today. I still do not have my OT Vol 1, I really wish I did today because both the comments you made were excellent!
My nuggets for the day were pretty much focused on Samuel and how he grew up serving the Lord wholeheartedly. I took some of the scriptures today and turned them into prayers for my own son. I pray that even though he will be surrounded by people who are not following God, like Eli's two sons, he will only continue to grow his faith. That the Lord will be with him as he grows up (1 Sam 3:19) and he will be able to hear God's voice (1 Sam 3:10).
I have to share an experience that happened with my son last week on Easter Sunday. My husband and I worked in Children's church the second hour and our Children's Pastor was talking to the kids about salvation and showing them a really neat example. He took a glass full of clear water and said that is how we are before sin came into the world. He then took some die and placed it in the water so it looked colored and said to the kids that is now what we look like to God, all dirty with sin. He had a cross and told about Christ and how through Him we can find forgiveness for our sins. He took the cross and placed it in the dirty water and the cross absorbed the die and the water was pure again and he told them how that is now how they look to God when they believe and accept what Christ did for them on the cross. What blew me away is that he asked the kids at one point what held Jesus on that cross. The answer out of my 6 year old son's mouth was, "His Love." The pastor even commented on it on Facebook earlier this week. God is working in my son' life friends, it is amazing! May he be like Samuel. May he make a difference for the kingdom and his light shine. I am just in awe of the possibilities of where God might be taking him with a faith so strong at such a young age.
Nancy, I am so sorry about the baby and Lori. We are praying. Prayers for Dave as well.
Everyone have a blessed day! It is beautiful here in TN!
Brandee
Hi everyone,
I thought I posted yesterday but when I went back it was nowhere to be found.
Thank you to those who have been praying for me and my family. I have good news and bad news.
The good news: there has been a definite, positive change in the situation regarding a broken relationship. I had a conversation with the person who was upset re our choice of guardianship. There was definite healing and "in due time" I know we will be ok. We will get past it. So praise God for an answered prayer there!
And now for the bad news, my brother's MIL was hospitalized this week. She is losing her battle with cancer. She has developed a blood disorder from the chemo and they aren't expecting her to live past a month. Today the verse in Hannah's prayer, "The Lord gives both death and life; he brings some down to the grave[i] but raises others up." Lord I am asking for a mighty miracle. Let her be a sign and a wonder for all to see. I ask for Your divine healing and speak health, healing and wholeness over her today.
I love love love this story. It has a lot of personal meaning for me. I cried out to God for a child and was given a picture of my son as a flame in the womb before he was conceived. I have prayed that he would be dedicated to God right from birth - with eyes to see and ears to hear the Lord. This story always gives me Holy ghost shivers. I am so curious to see God's plans for my son!
Today's reading was also a good reminder about the importance of discipline and bringing our children up right before the Lord. I ask for the Lord's wisdom and guidance in all my parenting!
So sorry to hear about Lori's baby - praying for God's comfort for her today.
Blessings to all, have a great weekend,
Jodie
Jodie, I'm praying for your brother's MIL! God knows our end from our beginning but He also holds the cells of his body in His hand. We are imploring God to heal her!
Brandee, Will is so sweet! Thank you for sharing that with us. I pray that it's another seed that has been planted in John's heart.
Wouldn't it be awesome if when all our sons are grown they would all be serving the Lord and one day they'll meet at some conference or something and discover that their Moms belonged to this group? It makes me teary just thinking about it.
In today's reading I liked how God honored Hanna's prayers and her patience. Not only did he bless her with Samual but blessed her with more children. God is faithful to those who diligently seek him. This means that I have to keep praying.
Thanks to you all for your encouragement. I received all the hugs and prayers. One day I told my Spiritual mom that when you give a hug you get one back so I'm sending you all a hug back.
Debbie from N.C. I listened to the song and loved it. It blessed me.
I wasn't sure I should do this but I want to share my email address. Rhonda, reading your comment yesterday encouraged me to do this.
JenniferReneeRodd@gmail.com
To let you all know my dad told me he was doing better. He had the tube that was in his kidney taken out on Wednesday. I may see him next week. Thanks for the prayers for him.
This might sound crazy but keep my niece Ella in your prayers. She is six and in kindergarten. Her class is doing a project where each student has to get people from other parts of the country, family, friends, etc., to send them a post card from that state. I even have a friend who is going to send one to her. I feel blessed to be able to help her with her class project. It doesn't take much to make my heart smile. I'm praying her class project goes well and that they are able to learn about other parts of the country.
I wanted to share Micca's web address with you all. She wrote a post for today about her surgery.
www.miccacampbell.com/
Blessings Everyone,
I trust Lori can find comfort in knowing her baby is secure in heaven and will never experience the struggle of this "flesh suit" we all long to get rid of in due time.
Jennifer Renee I'm glad you were blessed by the song.
My Nugget:
Lord help me to acknowledge your voice and be obedient to your words. Help me not to ignore the sin that confronts me, but help me to speak out against it in a way that will bring honor to your name and deliverance to those who are ruining their lives because of sin.
Have a great weekend!!!
Hi,
I have an update on my brother's MIL. She arrested in hospital and they were able to bring her back. They now believe she won't make it through the night. One of her daughter's is on a plane home and she won't arrive until 12:00 am. Please pray for us...
Jodie
Prayers for you and yours, Jodie, that you may all have strength and comfort during this sad time.
Today's nugget for me was that, like Hannah, we women who pray for so many others both near and far, also need to pray for ourselves and our needs, whether those needs be for a miracle, or for getting through today.
Today, dear Lord, help me to be strong as I face the challenges the next 24 hours will bring. Change me, Lord, so that I act with the fruits of the spirit (Galations 5:22-23) "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
And, from John (16:23-24)
"I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy."
Amen.
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
Prayers Jodie for you and your family at this time.
Good evening all,
There are too many nuggets today, so here are mine:
1. I am giving him to the Lord.
(1:28)
2. May the Lord help you keep your
promise. (1:23)
3. God will honor those who honor
Him and despise those who think
lightly of Him, (2:30)
4. Speak Lord, Your servant is
listening. (3:10)
5. Let Him do what He thinks best.
(3:18)
6. Glorify God if you're a door-
keeper of His house or in
whatever position you hold.
(3:15)
7. There is no Rock like our God.
(2:2)
8. For the Lord is a God Who knows
what you have done. (2:3)
9. He will protect His faithful
ones. (2:9)
Samuel-What a wonderful story we often learn about in Sunday School. But it is true, so it has meaning for believers. God hears our prayers, feels our anguish,and answers in His due time and way as He did for Hannah.
If God can raise up a country boy into a magnificient prophet, what can He do with us who say,"Speak Lord, your servant is listening?"
Samuel grew in wisdom, grace, and obedience. What a thing to be said about someone. That is my desire, but I fail so much. How merciful is our Lord.
Have a great weekend ya'll.
Linda from Ark.
Morgen~Praying your son had a good report from cardiologist today.
We were at a neurology appoint. for Claire today and praising God that it went well :) Seizures will be a big part of Claire's life,but I have always placed her in God's care. Reading today how Hannah did the same with Samuel touches my heart.I have been blessed by seeing some of my prayers answered and also blessed by some that haven't been anwsered.
Brandee~thanks for that beautiful story about Will,what a heart he has.
Lifting up Jodie and family in prayer at this difficult time.
Something old: This story always made me feel bad for Hannah. Finally to be given a child,but then having to give him away, I never understood that.
Something new: Seeing that Hannah was obedient and joyful to be able to have a son to give to God. And God gave her more children.
My to do: Keep praying, keep believing,keep trusting God in all things,especially with my children.
Dixie~God has placed you in my heart tonight for some reason,so you are in my prayers along with Wendy too :)
Hello Ladies,
Wendy I am so glad you made it safely to MA. You look great, I love your outfit!. I praying that you continue to get all the good rest and be prepared and energized for tomorrow, you are in my prayers along with the ladies attending the sessions.
As to today's ready oh how great it is to know that God hears our prayers and yet we need to understand his timing, in due time, all comes about at His time and a perfect time that is.
Hanah's prayer was very encouraging for me on how she had so much faith and God blessed her with a son and she was so dedicated to keeping her promise to God. Lord I pray that as we grow closer to you that as women who seek you that we may be patient as we pray to you and learn how to trust you and your timing in our lives. I am praying for all of the ladies' needs all the health issues all of our loved ones are going through. That God may continue to strength our walk with HIm and that we may be an encouragement to our families and friends.
Thank you all for your prayers for my husband's tinnitus. He has felt much better the ringing has diminshed significantly and I feel so much at peace. I thank God for the power of prayer, I am encouraged on how we all pray for each others needs in this blog. And with today's reading on how Hannah cried out to God and how he restored her! Amen, prayer is definitely a way of restoring the joy of my heart as Wendy stated!
May you all have a wonderful weekend!
Paola
Wendy,
thank you so much for sharing this weekend with all of ladies from Central Baptist. I thoroughly loved every moment of it and am so blessed to have met you.
The verse that I picked up definitely touched my heart in more ways than you know.
thank you ever so much.
With Love in Christ,
Jeanne McDonald
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