Are you a godly example to others?

 12 Apr 26

Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One


Readings:

1 Samuel 10

1 Samuel 11

1 Samuel 12

Luke 13:22-35


I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless (Genesis 17:1). 


Are you a godly example to others?


Samuel serves Israel as a priest, prophet, and judge. He models integrity to those he serves. After publicly asking the people about his integrity, they reply, “You have not cheated us or oppressed us, nor have you taken anything from any man’s hand” (1 Samuel 12:4). Next, he imparts a history lesson to the people on their disobedience to the Lord. Then he adds, “but I will teach you the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you” (1 Samuel 12:23-24). 

Fallen creatures need to witness Christians walking with God and showcasing integrity. “Enoch walked with God” (Genesis 5:24). Likewise, “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:9). It is now your turn. 


Employment Point: Model godliness by blamelessly walking with God.

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Reflections

“Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.”

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭10‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  • the Lord anoints the one that He chose. If it is meant to be, no one else can change that destiny, for He is with us and will lead us into fruition. 


“When Samuel had all Israel come forward by tribes, the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri’s clan was taken. Finally Saul son of Kish was taken. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. So they inquired further of the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?” And the Lord said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.””1 Samuel‬ ‭10‬:‭20‬-‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  • we are very much like Saul too isn’t it. Perhaps the Lord has told us to do something but yet we started to doubt ourselves, especially if it is something relatively big. We start to hide or run but truly, can we really hide from the Lord? Where in this universe can we hide where the Lord does not know? 
  • Simply be-let the Lord take over and submit to His will. It’s much easier that way than trying to be a Jonah.


“He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out together as one.”1 Samuel‬ ‭11‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  • history has it on repeat. The last time it happened, it was a Levite who had cut up his concubine and sent a similar message to the people in Israel and they all unite as one.


“The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.”1 Samuel‬ ‭11‬:‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  • these men had no faith in Saul. They did not believe that he can lead the whole of Israel till he proved himself as a leader, whom the Lord has anointed.
  • It just reminds me that we often wanted to look for evidence as well before we can believe but having faith is already believing on the things not seen. If we only wanted to see, then believe, that is no faith at all.


“Now you have a king as your leader. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have been your leader from my youth until this day. Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these things, I will make it right.””1 Samuel‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  • this is something quite admirable of Samuel. Trying to make right anything that may be wrong before he dies, in the eyes of the public. It takes courage, humility too, to ask the Lord’s people such questions. 
  • And praise the Lord that all said “““You have not cheated or oppressed us,” they replied. “You have not taken anything from anyone’s hand.””1 Samuel‬ ‭12‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ as a good witness to the Lord. Samuel has proven himself righteous.


“Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.”Luke‬ ‭13‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  • this is an important reminder to us all that we too, ought to make every effort to enter through the narrow door. Otherwise He will say to us, I do not know you. 
  • Putting things into perspective. We may know the Lord like how we know our Prime Minister. But does the Lord know us, is the more important question. If we have no relationship with Him, why would He let us in?

—————————

Moral Dominion

BY OSWALD CHAMBERS

April 12


Death no longer has mastery over him. . . . The life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. — Romans 6:9-11


When Jesus Christ walked among us, the life he exhibited was eternal life. Eternal life is not a gift from God. It is the gift of God—the gift God makes of himself to his children. This same life, not a copy of it, is manifested in us when we are born of God.


“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you” (Acts 1:8). The power we receive isn’t a gift from the Holy Spirit; the power is the Holy Spirit. The energy and the power which were manifested in Jesus will be manifested in us by the sheer sovereign grace of God once we’ve made the moral decision about sin. The life that was in Jesus is made ours by means of the cross when once we make the decision to be identified with him. As soon as we do make the decision, we receive the full life of God.


Jesus came to give us endless supplies of life: “That you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19). Eternal life has nothing to do with time. It isn’t life but Life, and its only source is the Lord Jesus Christ. The weakest among us can experience the power of Jesus Christ if we are willing to let go. If instead we cling to our own power, we will blur the life of Jesus inside us. We have to keep letting go, keep identifying with him. Slowly and surely, the great full life of God will invade us in every part of our being, and those we meet will sense that we have been with Jesus.


1 Samuel 19-21; Luke 11:29-54


WISDOM FROM OSWALD

Crises reveal character. When we are put to the test the hidden resources of our character are revealed exactly. 

———————

Reflections

“It isn’t life but Life”- maybe this will read better in Chinese. 这不是生活，这就是生命. He is telling us this isn’t about how we are living our lives, this IS the life.


The Life that Oswald talks about is all about letting go. Maybe not all in one day but it’s done bit by bit, surrendering more and more, till a point where we are done and tell the Lord “okay, I have done enough of trying on my own, acting like a smart Alec, relying on my strength”. It is about recognising the higher power that is made available to us, given to us and lives within us and how willing we are to harness that power so that we can 100% have a taste of what it is like to be living in heavens.


Nobody said that it is easy to let go because we are taught we need control since young. The world tells us everything needs to be in control else we risk being out of sync and not meeting expectations.


One thing to note here too. If it’s anyone’s expectations that we need to meet, it should be the Lord’s and not anyone else’s. Whatever men set for us is all worldly. But what God sets for us is eternal. He gave us a life manual, with step by step instructions on how to start living this Life. The tools are there but are we using it? Are we even beginning to live this different life?


Let’s pray:


Abba Father we thank You for Your guidance in our lives and how You have led us on our faith journey. May we continue to rely on You alone and Your word, so that we may grow in spiritual statue and wisdom. Grant us the willingness to let go of all inhibitions that are stunting our growth and just rely on You to guide and provide, as we walk with You. In Jesus’s Mighty name we ask and pray. Amen 🙏🏻 

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