Sinful Sacrifices< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

1 Samuel 13:1-13

To obey is better than sacrifice. Sacrifice without obedience is a sacrifice in reverse. Saul was to wait for Samuel to come Saul at Gilgal for sacrificial offering before the children of < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>Israel goes to war against the Philistines. Samuel told Saul to wait for seven days, but Saul could not wait through the seventh day. 1 Samuel 13:8-10, ÒThen he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. So Saul said, ÒBring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.Ó And he offered the burnt offering. Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him.ÕÓ Saul had a problem obeying the one that God had used to confirm him for GodÕs service. He could not wait through the time set. Saul had fear so he could not be obedient. Fear is what will cause disobedience to have its way while faith is what will cause obedience to have its way. It does not matter how long you have been waiting for His divine intervention in your situation and challenges, do not lose focus, God will show up, He is a God of the eleventh hour. Let all men be scattered, but do not look at their scattering. Remember, God is not a man that He should lie. He has promised that He will never leave you nor forsake you. There is an appointed time for what it takes to receive from God. When you move before His time, you will enter into a sinful sacrifice. He is faithful God.

Master Server< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

John 13: 1-20

Jesus wanted to teach his disciples then and His disciples now, about what it takes to be a master. To be a master is to be a master server. While He was on the face of the earth, He taught in many ways by word and by example what it takes to be a master server. He was the Master of all masters, also the Teacher of all teachers, yet He was humble to the point of death on the cross. He demonstrated what it takes to be a master when He washed the feet of His disciples. At the time He was going to be washing the feet of His disciples, John 13:4, ÒRose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.Ó Jesus laid aside the garment of Master teacher, the garment of authority and power. As a follower of Christ that wants to be like the master teacher, are you having problem taking off your shoe or your hat when or where it is required of you? What would become of you when you become the pastor of a congregation? Today, so many are in place of authority and power but they do not carry the power or have the authority that they should be carrying because they failed to carry themselves through the right channel just like the Master, Teacher, the Lord of lords, has laid it down. John 13:15, ÒFor I have given you example that you should do as I have done to you.Ó As a follower of Christ, are you living by His entire example as it has been given to you? When you begin to live by what He asked from you, then you will begin to do what He did. Results will be following you because you are living the example of the Master, and getting the kind of results that He was getting. Do what He is asking from you and you will get what you ask from Him. 

Gain Entrance

2 Chronicles 26, Isaiah 6< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Isaiah did not enter his commission until the year that king Uzziah died. Isaiah 6:1, ÒIn the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled temple.Ó After the death of king Uzziah, he started seeing where he has not been seeing before he could receive from where he never received. Isaiah received a call to serve the Lord. Do you wonder if it was accidental for Isaiah to begin to experience all that he experienced until King Uzziah died? Does it register in you why it has to be recorded that in the year king Uzziah died, Isaiah saw? King Uzziah was sixteen years when he became the king in < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>Judah and he reigned for fifty two years. At the beginning, his heart was after God. With God behind him, he fought wars of conquest against all the enemies of the children of Israel. In the latter end of his reign, he lost his stand before God. 2 Chronicles 26:16 ÒBut when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the alter of incense.Ó The point here is, when King Uzziah died Isaiah saw and entered into his divine assignment. In your prayer, ask God that every king or person that is representing king Uzziah in your life or in GodÕs calling for your life, God will remove them for His name to be glorified.  

Restoration                    < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

1 Samuel 7:1-17

The children of < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>Israel lost heavily in a battle they suppose to have won. They lost all that they were living for–the presence of God, the ark of the Lord. The Philistines fought, defeated the Israelites, and took away the ark of the Lord.

Samuel intervened because he knew the source of the heavy defeat. 1 Samuel 7:3, ÒThen Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, ÔIf you return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the LORD and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.Ó The children of Israel lost when they turned away from God. Is there any ground that your enemy has been covering? When you no longer operate where you want to or how you want to, it is because you have given your enemy an upper hand by turning away from God. Samuel went before God on behalf of the children of Israel and made a burnt offering. When the Philistines drew near again for battle, they were confused and subdued. 1 Samuel 7:14, ÒThen the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath; and Israel recovered its territory from the hands of the Philistines. Also there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.Ó When you return to God, you will not only restore what the enemy has taken but you will have peace. Return and get your restoration.