13. May 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

We pick up our study today with what the Lord would say to Samuel after Samuel recognizes that it is actually God who is calling him.  Here is the text:

I Samuel 3:11 And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. 12 At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family–from beginning to end. 13 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them. 14 Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’” 15 Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, 16 but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.” Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 17 ”What was it he said to you?” Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.” 18 So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.”

19 The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. 21 The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.

We can definitely see in our story today that there is a changing of the guards about to take place.   While Eli and his sons are still alive, God is establishing Samuel as a faithful prophet.  The text says that God did not allow any of Samuel’s words to fall to the ground thereby establishing him as a true prophet throughout the land.  

One of the most fascinating lines in this text is when Eli gets Samuel to tell him what God said, Eli’s response is:  He is the Lord, let him do what is good in his eyes.”

That phrase is so powerful to me and it also shows Eli’s understanding and acceptance of his fate.  

Wow!!!!!!!!!!   So let me close today with; He is the Lord, let him do what is good in his eyes.”

All is well, Everything is Safe and Everything is just as it should be.

Stay encouraged!!!!!!!

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

12. May 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

Today we are moving on to the third chapter of Samuel and our text reveals to us the call narrative of Samuel. 

Here is the story below.I Samuel 3:1 The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 6 Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 The Lord called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” We see in our text that though Eli had been sentenced by God that he and his family would be cut off, God still uses Eli to train up his faithful priest which would be Samuel.   Where Eli goes wrong with his two sons, He still gets another chance to get it right with Samuel.    

The text says that Samuel is serving before the Lord under Eli’s instructions.   We see from our text that Eli’s sight had grown dim which means that at this point he probably heavily depended on Samuel to carry out the duties of the temple since his own sons were not concerned about the things of God.   

One night as they lay, Samuel hears a voice.   This may not have been strange for Samuel seeing that Eli was almost blind and he may have easily been use to hearing Eli call him in the middle of the night if he needed something.  The text gives us some very strategic information about where Samuel was lying.  We read that he was lying in the temple near the ark of God.  In scripture the ark of God represents the presence of the Lord.    When Samuel heard the voice of God, he immediately ran to Eli to see what he wanted and Eli’s response was that he was not the one that called.    This scenario will take place a couple more times and Eli realizes that it is God that is calling Samuel.   Eli instructs the boy that the next time he hears the voice to just stay there and say: “Speak Lord, thy servant heareth.”   

There is also another bit of information that will help us in our understanding of this text.  The story opens with “in those days, the word of the Lord was rare, there were not many open visions.”  Samuel was not use to hearing the voice of the Lord, for he was living in a season where God’s word was rare.   

The voice comes again to Samuel and he obeys Eli’s instructions and says; “Speak Lord, thy servant heareth.”   

Tomorrow, we will learn what God would say to Samuel. 

Be encouraged! 

God Bless!!!!!!!  Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

11. May 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

I hope everyone had a wonderful mother’s day weekend.   I am a chaplain at a prison here in Atlanta, so I hung out with the women at the prison on yesterday and ministered there.   My mom died a couple of years ago, so mother’s days just aren’t quite the same for me though I was excited to see the love expressed by so many people to their moms on yesterday.  

Today our lesson gives us the judgment for Hophni and Phinehas and Eli. Here is the story.

I Samuel 2:27 Now a man of God came to Eli and said to him, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Did I not clearly reveal myself to your father’s house when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh? 28 I chose your father out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to go up to my altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in my presence. I also gave your father’s house all the offerings made with fire by the Israelites. 29 Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?’ 30 ”Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and your father’s house would minister before me forever.’ But now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained. 31 The time is coming when I will cut short your strength and the strength of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your family line 32 and you will see distress in my dwelling. Although good will be done to Israel, in your family line there will never be an old man. 33 Every one of you that I do not cut off from my altar will be spared only to blind your eyes with tears and to grieve your heart, and all your descendants will die in the prime of life. 34 ”‘And what happens to your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, will be a sign to you–they will both die on the same day. 35 I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his house, and he will minister before my anointed one always. 36 Then everyone left in your family line will come and bow down before him for a piece of silver and a crust of bread and plead, “Appoint me to some priestly office so I can have food to eat.”‘”

The text opens up with a man of God coming to Eli and telling him what would be the fate of him and his sons.  He first reminds him that from the time of Pharaoh, God choose the family of Eli which was the Levites to be his chosen people to take care of the house of God.  The High Priest was to be the oldest living descendant of Aaron.    God then goes on to ask Eli a series of questions which include why would he allow his sons to defile the offering that is meant for the house of God and why did he honor his sons above HIM.  

The Lord then gives a strong rebuke to Eli.  He tells him that he promised that his household and his father’s house would minister before the Lord forever, but now God was going to honor those who honor him and cut off those that despise him. 

This is a clear example of how just because we have a promise from God, we cannot act anyway that we want to.   We are accountable for our actions and “be not deceived, God will not be mocked, whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.”  There are major consequences for our actions.   The text continues with the specific details about the punishment for Eli’s house and the sign that it would happen being that his two sons Hophni and Phinehas would both die on the same day.  Please remember this, this prophecy will come true shortly in our text.

But in the midst of all this doom, the Lord promises that he will raise up a faithful priest who will do what is in my heart; says the Lord.  Oh!!!!!!!  That really blessed me.  So often in my profession, I hear complaints of how people are discouraged with the church and what they see in leadership in the church.   While I do know that this is a problem, I also know that we have some great churches too.    But I also know that in the midst of evil, God always has a remnant; People who have not compromised and who will do what is in God’s heart to be done.  

Yes, Samuel was growing.   God was raising up a faithful priest to take over governing his people.      God is just in control.  It took me a minute in my spiritual life to get this concept  though I have heard it all the time but when you really embrace it, then it takes the stress out of living and you can just relax, enjoy life, and be content in whatsoever state you find yourself in knowing that this is the will of God concerning you.   God will work it out, HE always does.  Ohhhhhhhhhh,   God is so faithful.

Even though we are about to have a changing of the guards in our story it still will not be the monarchy.    Just wanted to remind you where we are going with this study.   We are leading up to how Israel went from a theocracy to a monarchy.

Stay encouraged!!!!!!!

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

9. May 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello Everyone:

It is Saturday and I don’t normally post on Saturday but I forgot to post on yesterday.   Along with being a minister, I am also  the owner of Celestial Spa and the mother’s day season is one of our busiest seasons.  I not only own it but I am a licensed esthetician (skin care therapist) and massage therapist.  This means that not only do I own the spa but I also have clients that I work on as well. So the days have been crazy which is so good, I am so not complaining.  I thank God for how HE is blessing my business especially in the tough economic times that our country is facing.

I said all that to say that Friday totally got away from me.  But I did want to let you know what happened because some of you get a little nervous when I break my routine.  I really do appreciate your concern for me.  It is such a blessing to know that you care.

Well, again,  To all the mothers, have a wonderful and blessed mother’s day and I’ll talk to you in web land on Monday.

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

Love ya all

Bernice

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

7. May 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello:

Today our lesson picks up after Hannah has dropped off Samuel to Eli to be raised up in the house of God.  The story shows us insight as to how wicked the sons of Eli were (Hophni & Phinephas). If you remember, we opened this story of the study of the monarchy by doing the historical background on these two brothers.

Here is the text:

I Samuel 2:11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the Lord under Eli the priest. 12 Eli’s sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the Lord. 13 Now it was the practice of the priests with the people that whenever anyone offered a sacrifice and while the meat was being boiled, the servant of the priest would come with a three-pronged fork in his hand. 14 He would plunge it into the pan or kettle or caldron or pot, and the priest would take for himself whatever the fork brought up. This is how they treated all the Israelites who came to Shiloh. 15 But even before the fat was burned, the servant of the priest would come and say to the man who was sacrificing, “Give the priest some meat to roast; he won’t accept boiled meat from you, but only raw.” 16 If the man said to him, “Let the fat be burned up first, and then take whatever you want,” the servant would then answer, “No, hand it over now; if you don’t, I’ll take it by force.” 17 This sin of the young men was very great in the Lord’s sight, for they were treating the Lord’s offering with contempt. 18 But Samuel was ministering before the Lord–a boy wearing a linen ephod. 19 Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord.” Then they would go home. 21 And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord. 22 Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they slept with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 23 So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? I hear from all the people about these wicked deeds of yours. 24 No, my sons; it is not a good report that I hear spreading among the Lord’s people. 25 If a man sins against another man, God may mediate for him; but if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?” His sons, however, did not listen to their father’s rebuke, for it was the Lord’s will to put them to death. 26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men.

As we can see in our text, Eli did address his boys concerning the sins that they were doing in the house of God but he did pronounce any punishment for their actions.  He did not throw them out of the house but only rebuked them for their actions.  This is a key point here because as we continue this story, we will see that because Eli did not deal with his sons, it will be the reason for Eli’s own punishment and death from God. 

In the midst of this story, we see that the text tells us that Samuel was doing fine and that his parents came to visit him yearly when it was time for the annual sacrifice and she would bring him a little robe.    The text teaches that though Eli’s sons were sinning, Samuel was ministering before the Lord.  I love this line.  No matter what is going on within the church  ( I say the church because the world is suppose to do what it does, it makes no claims to be loyal to God but the church does) there is always someone who can be found “ministering” before the Lord.  Ohhhh!!!!!!!!!!!  I just love it.  My prayer is that God would help me always be one of those that will “minister before him.”   The word minister here in our context simply means to serve. 

We also know in our text that Eli pronounced a blessing upon Hannah that the Lord would bless her with children to take the place of the one that she gave unto the Lord and she was blessed with three sons and two daughters. 

We also know in our text that Eli now is very old which means there will be a “changing of the guards” real soon and what will be the fate of Israel seeing the condition of his heirs.  Tune in tomorrow as we continue to may our way towards Israel new system of government as a monarchy.

Stay encouraged!!!!!!!

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

6. May 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Good Morning: 

Today we are moving on to the second chapter of Samuel.  For those of you that are just joining us because I know that I have picked up some more Australian friends from my recent trip, I want to remind you that we have started a study on  the monarchy.  The monarchy consists of the rule of Saul, David, and Solomon when Israel was one nation and had one king before the split.   Monos means one and archy means rule or government.  We are studying the birth narrative of Samuel to show you how Israel changes from a theocracy (God ruled- theos means God)  to a monarchy.

The text for today finds us in the story of Hannah after the Lord has remembered her and she has her son.  She names the child Samuel who means; I have asked him of the Lord.”    Hannah promised the Lord that if HE would give her a male son that she would lend him to the Lord all the days of his life.   At this point in our story, Hannah has weaned the child and she gathers a sacrifice together and she takes the child to the house of God to be turned over to the priest Eli to be raised up as a “servant for God.”   The following text is the prayer that Hannah prayed as she offered up Samuel. 

II Samuel 1:1 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. 2 There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy ^F9 come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. 5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. 6 The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. 8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them. 9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. 10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.   Today, I just want to focus on one verse of this prayer that has just blessed and touched my heart today. 

I Samuel 1:9 “ He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. 10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them:” 

I was so touched by this part of the prayer.  It shows that God will keep us from falling and that no matter how powerful the enemy appears to be, it is not by strength that man prevails.  God is in charge.  That is just so comforting to me.   No matter how great things are stacked up against you, God determines the outcome.  No matter how powerful men appear to be and no matter what powerful positions they hold over you, it is not their strenght that will win over you. God decides what will happen so we don’t have to fear the intimidating hands of our enemies.  GOD IS SO INCHARGE……….  how powerful………Stay encouraged!!!! 

All is well, everything is safe, and everything is as it should be.

 Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily. 

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

5. May 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

Our text for this morning is: 

I Samuel 1:20 Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD. 21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. 22 But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever. 23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him. 24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young. 25 And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. 27 For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: 28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.  

Today, I want to talk about keeping the vows that we make to God when we are in trouble.  As you can see from the text, Hannah conceived and had a male child.  Hannah keeps the child until it is weaned.  The day comes where Hannah has to make good on her vow.  The text says that Hannah went up to the house of the Lord and turns Samuel over to the priests to serve in the house of God.   

Hannah remembered the vow that she made when she was in trouble.  Have you ever been in trouble and told God, if you ever get me out of this one, I will do such and such and then when God gets us out, we forget to honor him in paying the vow that we spoke when we were in trouble.    Remember, we told HIM that we would be more faithful, that we would not return back to this situation, that we would walk away from certain people, change our environment, change our speech, try to do better, be kinder to one another and the list goes on and on of the things that we promised God  when we’re in trouble.  Soon as the trouble lifts, many of us forget our vows and for many of us, we don’t even attempt to honor them.  The scriptures teach us that it is better not to make a vow than to make one and not pay it.  I believe that God is calling us to honor our word just as we want God to honor HIS.    For many of us our blessing could possibly be connected to our paying those vows.   For Hannah, the fate of Israel depended upon her paying her vow to the Lord.  Samuel would become a powerful prophet and judge of God’s people.  Eli gets a second chance to rear an heir to God’s house that would honor his name.  Samuel will be used to anoint the first King of Israel.  Yes, destiny was tied into Hannah paying the vow that she uttered when she was in trouble.      Hannah remembered her vow and she paid it.  What about us.  What have we told God we would do and have not done?  I know for me there are several things that I promised God that I would do this year and already I see where I have gone off track.  This text is personal to me today; for there are some things that I need to take care of and get in order.  I feel like when I get those things in order, something supernatural will begin to break in my life.  I’m excited.    I hope this blessed you as it did me today.   

God Bless. 

Make sure you pray and read God’s word daily.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

4. May 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

Welcome back from the weekend.  Today’s lesson is so encouraging.  Hannah is on the other side of the pain.  What a wonderful place to be on the other side.   If you’re going through something right now, there is another side.  There is a crossing over.  It does “come to pass.”   

Our text for today is:

I Samuel 1:19 “And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.

After Hannah returned home, the text says that they rose “early in the morning and they worshipped.”  After, Hannah got Her word from the Lord, she worshipped.  She worshipped.  What do you do while you’re waiting on the promise, you worship. What do you do while you’re waiting on God to manifest HIS word, you worship.  There is so much power in worshipping.  Worshipping keeps you focused.  It reminds you of the word that God spoke over your life.  It keeps you revived.  It keeps you focused.  It helps you endure the “wait” process.  WORSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     

The text then says that when they came back to their house at Ramah, Elkanah knew (had sex with) Hannah and the Lord remembered her.   Hannah got pregnant that night after they returned from worship.  All those other attempts and it failed, but this night, God remembered.    Don’t worry about all the other failed attempts, God will remember.  He will bring his word to pass.  In due season, you shall reap if you faint not.  GOD REMEMBERED!!!!!   I don’t know about you, but that is so encouraging to me.  GOD Remembered.   

We’ll continue tomorrow, the story doesn’t  end yet.     

God Bless.  Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

1. May 2009 by Bernice Davis.

Hello: 

Let’s continue our Hannah Story. Our text for today is:

I Samuel 1: 14 “And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. 15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. 16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. 17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.” (KJV) 

Okay, this is my favorite parts of the story, the answer to prayer.  What I love about this part is Hannah’s faith in God and the man of God.   Eli asks Hannah how long will she be in a drunken state.  Hannah took his comment to mean that she was being characterized as a “daughter of Belial” which is a term used to denote wicked or worthlessness.   Hannah immediately opens her mouth and responds to Eli by kindly saying; “Please do not regard me as worthless, my facial expressions come from the abundance of the pain in my heart.    When Eli realized that Hannah was serious and that she was really in prayer before the Lord, he became sensitive to her plea and commanded her to “go in peace and the God of  Israel grant thee thy petition that  you have asked of him.

Many of us have a promise from God.  We have allowed longevity of time, circumstances, our adversaries, and people in our family, etc to discourage our hearts.  I would like to encourage you today that if you have a word from God, it is enough to get you through whatever you’re facing.  Hannah changed her countenance.  She was no longer sad.   God is faithful.  I don’t care how long it takes for your promise to manifest.  God is not a man that He should lie, neither the son of man that He needs to repent.  If God said it, He will bring it to pass, if God spoke it, He will make it good.   Be encouraged.   

Change your outlook.  Remember the word that is on your life, the promise that God gave you, the God given dream that is in your heart.  Don’t be sad.  I know when it takes a long time for things to come to pass, we start second guessing ourselves.   Did God really say it?  Will it really happen for me? I’m so much older now and the list goes on and on and on of the things that we say and hear from others that causes discouragement and even depression.   It’s difficult to long and ache for something and to see yourself somewhere else but wonder if you’ll ever accomplish it in this lifetime.    What makes it worse is to share your dream around people who are not use to dreaming.  Be careful, who you confide in, sometimes people who don’t dream can be so toxic to your goals and ambitions in life.   

Well, Hannah got up.  GET UP!!!!!!!!!   Hannah went back home.  No, nothing had changed physically, but her “inward man” her spirit had been revived.  Hope had been restored because through prayer, she had encountered GOD.   OHHHHH!!!!!!!!!  I can’t take it.  God, I love you.     Okay, enough for today.  Have a great weekend and on Monday, we’ll talk about what happens when Hannah returns home.  God Bless. 

Don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »