1 SAMUEL 1:2:1-10

WOMEN OF THE OLD TESTAMENT- HANNAH- A PRAYER IN THE LIGHT OF HER STORY (1 SAMUEL 1:2:1-10)

8:30 PM

 


My Lord:
My heart is full of love and praise for your loving-kindness! You knew how much I suffered and longed for a child, and that day when we went up to your House to  take our offerings  in my distress I wept and cried out to you saying:

 “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.”

Even Eli the priest, observed as I desperately cried to you in my affliction and thought I was drunk! But when I explained I had been pouring out my soul before You Lord, he blessed me hoping you would grant me the desire of my heart. And You did, my Lord! And in Your time I conceived and bore a son, which I named Samuel, because: “I had asked for him from the Lord”. Now my Lord, I bring this child back to You as I promised. As long as he lives he is lent to You my Lord! And in my gratefulness I also want to offer my heartfelt praise to You:


 “My heart exults in the Lord;
    my horn is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
    because I rejoice in your salvation.
2 “There is none holy like the Lord:
for there is none besides you;
  there is no rock like our God.

3 Talk no more so very proudly,
    let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
    and by him actions are weighed.
4 The bows of the mighty are broken,
    but the feeble bind on strength.
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
    but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
    but she who has many children is forlorn.
6 The Lord kills and brings to life;
    he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
    he brings low and he exalts.
8 He raises up the poor from the dust;
    he lifts the needy from the ash heap
to make them sit with princes
    and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's,
    and on them he has set the world
9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,
  but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,
  for not by might shall a man prevail.
10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces;
  against them he will thunder in heaven.
The Lord will judge the ends of the earth;
   he will give strength to his king
   and exalt the horn of his anointed.”  (1 Samuel 2:1-10) Amen!!

Mari Salinas

Every Friday we meet for prayer and would love to have you join us.  We meet at 9:00am EST. over at Women in the Word Bulletin Board on our facebook page.   https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2/

16

WOMEN OF THE OLD TESTAMENT- RAHAB- A PRAYER IN THE LIGHT OF HER STORY (Joshua 2)

8:30 PM

 


My Lord:

When my family and I heard of your majestic deeds, we knew there was no other God like you: “The God of Israel”, You alone are the Lord, God in heaven above and on the earth below! When the two men from your people were sent to scout our land, I was moved to save them, hiding them from the king´s men who came to my house looking for them.  Before they left I knew I had to ask them to promise to keep us safe from the destruction of our land and our people!  And they promised they would spare our lives when You Lord would conquer the land, if I would leave the scarlet rope hanging from the window through which I let them down to escape.

Lord I trusted them, knowing they were Your people and You did not only spare our lives when the land was destroyed, but You let us live among them!

“O Lord: … “You are my Master!
    Every good thing I have comes from you.”
3 The godly people in the land
    are my true heroes!
    I take pleasure in them!
4 Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.
    I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood
    or even speak the names of their gods.

5 Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
    You guard all that is mine.
6 The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
    What a wonderful inheritance! (Psalm 16:2-6)


My Lord, you not only spared my life, but you also delivered me from that sinful life of mine… the only life I knew, and now you have given me a new life in You! 

1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
    and he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
    out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
    and steadied me as I walked along.
3 He has given me a new song to sing,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
    They will put their trust in the Lord.

4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,

    who have no confidence in the proud
    or in those who worship idols.
5 O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
    Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
    You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
    I would never come to the end of them.

16 But may all who search for you
    be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
    repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!” (Psalms 40:1-5, 16)

Amen!

Mari Salinas

Every Friday we meet for prayer and would love to have you join us.  We meet at 9:00am EST.  over at Women in the Word bulletin board on our Facebook page. 

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2/

Acts 21-23

Worth the Cost (Acts 21-23

2:14 AM



In Acts 21-23, Paul makes a bold, determined decision. God allowed Paul foreknowledge of what awaited him if he went to Jerusalem. “While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” (21:10-11)
Most people, if they knew that a path of suffering was before them, would want to steer clear of that path and choose another. This would be especially true if others expressed their concerns and tried to dissuade from that option. 
“When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.” (21:12)
But, Paul was not most men. Paul, who used to persecute Christians because he did not believe Jesus could be the promised Messiah, was a true believer. Because he believed, he wanted the opportunity to extend that knowledge and understanding to as many as would receive it. The gain, to Paul, was worth the cost.
“Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”” (21:13)

In Chapter 23, Paul receives more forewarning but Christ encourages him at the same time. “The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”” (23:11)

As we continue reading, we learn that Paul’s special condition of being a Roman citizen puts him in a unique position of being protected initially from the angry mobs and put into protective custody by the Romans. He was given the opportunity to speak to the angry crowd of fellow Jews that opposed him. He was also given the opportunity to influence the Roman guards and officials. Because Paul was willing to be imprisoned for Christ, countless numbers of people living then and through all the thousands of years to follow would be given the opportunity to become believers too! Matthew Henry writes about how God intervened to use Paul’s unique circumstances and bold, determined faith: “But God seasonably interposes for the safety of his servants, from wicked and unreasonable men; and gives them opportunities to speak for themselves, to plead for the Redeemer, and to spread abroad his glorious gospel.”
There were many who heard Paul’s words and their hearts remained hardened but it was worth it to Paul to endure their hatred and persecution. Paul was focused on extending the love of Christ, even to his enemies. To reach any with truth and love outweighed every loss and persecution. 

Reading about these events in the life of Paul reminded me of Dietrich Bonhoeffer Bonhoeffer was a German pastor who boldly opposed Hitler and the evil of the Nazi Regime. He had the opportunity for asylum in America. Many people, concerned for his life, urged him to remain in America, but Bonhoeffer knew that he needed to be in the midst of the German circumstances to have the opportunity to end the terror. Bonhoeffer knew the high risks and dangers but he was a believer and was compassionate to help others. He was determined to give his very life if necessary to make a difference and to show others the love of Christ. He intentionally returned to Germany and took action. His motivations and resolve are evident in the following statements.

"Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. At the end, all his disciples deserted him. On the cross, he was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers. For this cause he had come, to bring peace to the enemies of God. So the Christian too, belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life, but in the thick of foes. There is his commission, his work.  The kingdom is to be in the midst of your enemies. And he who will not suffer this does not want to be of the kingdom of Christ. He wants to be among friends; to sit among roses and lilies, not with the bad people but the devout people. Oh, you blasphemers and betrayers of Christ! If Christ had done what you are doing, who would ever have been spared?" - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

These were 2 extraordinary men who willingly suffered imprisonment and death to promote the love and truth of Christ. Only God’s spirit at work could account for such devotion and resolve. 
We see here a power greater than evil, greater than fear, and greater than death. We see the power of Christ’s love, conquering and overflowing to embrace the whole world with compassion, mercy, and unmerited grace. It’s a beautiful thing!