Leviticus 20:22-26

 “Do what I tell you, all my decrees and laws; live by them so that the land where I’m bringing you won’t vomit you out. You simply must not live like the nations I’m driving out before you. They did all these things and I hated every minute of it. “I’ve told you, remember, that you will possess their land that I’m giving to you as an inheritance, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am God, your God, who has distinguished you from the nations... Live holy lives before me because I, God, am holy. I have distinguished you from the nations to be my very own.



A holy life is treasured by God. Look at the last line and hear God say "to be my very own". Wow God wants me and you to be His very own. Now you may ask isn't it all His anyway? Yes but He has given me the choice to accept His gift.
The story here comes from when the Israelites were yet in the promise land. In the earlier chapters God had given instruction on how to live God honoring lives. The Old Testament has 600+ laws that the people used to live by, that may seem like a lot but we have exponentially more.

God gave Israel land that had belonged to other sinful people. He warned the Israelites that the expulsion for sin could be repeated. We face the same today as the consequences for sin still remain.

God told the Israelites He expected them to live holy lives and the land flowing with milk and honey would be their land. God promises us today a land like this, Heaven.

Pray for forgiveness of sin in your life and allow the God of the universe give you the promised land.

Did you hear that?

1 Samuel 3


1 The boy Samuel was serving God under Eli’s direction. This was at a time when the revelation of God was rarely heard or seen. One night Eli was sound asleep (his eyesight was very bad—he could hardly see). It was well before dawn; the sanctuary lamp was still burning. Samuel was still in bed in the Temple of God, where the Chest of God rested. Then God called out, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel answered, “Yes? I’m here.”
Then he ran to Eli saying, “I heard you call. Here I am.”
Eli said, “I didn’t call you. Go back to bed.” And so he did.
God called again, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel got up and went to Eli, “I heard you call. Here I am.”
Again Eli said, “Son, I didn’t call you. Go back to bed.” (This all happened before Samuel knew God for himself. It was before the revelation of God had been given to him personally.)
God called again, “Samuel!”—the third time! Yet again Samuel got up and went to Eli, “Yes? I heard you call me. Here I am.”
That’s when it dawned on Eli that God was calling the boy. So Eli directed Samuel, “Go back and lie down. If the voice calls again, say, ‘Speak, God. I’m your servant, ready to listen.’” Samuel returned to his bed.
Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Samuel answered, “Speak. I’m your servant, ready to listen.”

Last week I was awaken earlier than normal. I like to think I am beating the system by setting my alarm clock 15 minutes fast. This allows me to snooze two extra times, who doesn't wanna snooze two extra times a day.
I had gotten up and was dressed, not to be the only one up early I started to wake my family and then the phone rang.
Mom called saying Dad had fallen, "please hurry to the house". I told Missy I knew why I had been awakened early that day. Slipping on my shoes and I jumped into the car, flashers engaged and hit the road. Arriving I found "Pop" with a cut on his arm and shaken from the fall.
He was going to be OK. I bandaged his wound and stayed a while.
 
What If I had giving in to my snooze? I wouldn't have been ready for the call.
 
Samuel was being awaken by the voice of God. He went to Eli each time then Eli got it. THe voice must be God's. Eli's instructions are important for us today. Many times we spend time in prayer just praying away. Then we go away never stopping to say, “Speak. I’m your servant, ready to listen.”


Are you Listening, really Listening for God's voice when you pray.
Pause now and listen.....

Thank You

January 3, 2011

Dear Mrs. Betty Gaines and members of Fellowship Church

The staff at Baldwin Elementary appreciates so much the generous support you gave ____________, ____________, _____________ and _______________ at Christmas!  Your thoughtfulness helped to make the holidays extra special for the _____________ family.  Thank you very much!!!

Most sincerely,

The Baldwin Elementary Christmas Committee 

***Names omitted***