Do Not Accept or Approve that Which God Forbids

Voice of Prayer

Proverbs 10:14 Amplified Bible Wise men store up knowledge [in mind and heart], but the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.

Proverbs 18:1-2 Amplified Bible He who willfully separates and estranges himself[ from God and man] seeks his own desire and pretext to break out against all wise and sound judgment. 2 A [self-confident] fool has no delight in understanding but only in revealing his personal opinions and himself.

What we display before others gives an account of what is in our heart!  Yes it involves those personal opinion and himself! Whether we give out of love to give the life and love of God to others or we give out of self-confidence in ourselves and the value we place on ourselves above others and God. It will certainly show up in the family home while growing up from a baby to a young adult. If you watched any television news this week, you have most likely seen it. It is something that will be revealed in a marriage when trouble knocks on the door! It will appear when down-sizing of a corporation that you worked at for many years. Now from scripture we are told in Numbers 1:3 that those "from twenty years old and above---all who are able to go to war in Israel. Numbers 14:29-32 marks those twenty years as accountable to being rebels, those who are counted as sinners! V. 29 The carcasses of you who have complained against Me shall fall in this wilderness, all of you who were numbered, according to your entire number, from twenty years old and above.

What is revealed to us that accountability is at the age of 20 years! Certainly that spirit within those who is talked about in this passage are those who had no heart toward God or obeying Him. And it is God who calls on us to be devoted and to worship Him that we might move in Him by faith that He is faithful.

Harmony had appeared on earth in the Garden of Eden, but for a short time. God and Man communicated. The commands of God were given and Man complied. Yet as the population grew, what was harmonious turned into that which corrupted Eden. What the adversary did was to tarnish the Image of God in that place and still today, we find that very thing appearing, not only in business meetings, but also in public squares and council meetings.

We are told in Proverbs 9:9-12 Amplified Bible 9 Give instruction to a wise man and he will be yet wise; teach a righteous man (one upright and right standing with ) and he will increase in learning. 10 The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choicest part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding. 11 For by me [ Wisdom from God] your days shall be multiplied, and the years of your life shall be increased. 12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scorn, you alone will bear it and pay the penalty.

If you take on a new job, a new position or other, you still have to receive the instructions of that which is new to you. We must pay attention to what they, the new boss or executive desires. Certainly you should be educated to that job that is to be performed, still we must have a heart to receive instruction to how the position you now have fits and flows with other moving parts and positions in the new work environment.

 If one is expecting to be paid for their work, then they should desire to not appear slack. Although the appearance today appears to be about doing as less work possible but still gain that check at the time end of the time period. I remember the day when “journalists’ actually went out to find out what was going on in the world. Today there are many who just make things up on hearsay! Now that is just a lazy person who will not make the effort to live as God intended us to live!

But in truth, we must have and know truth that brings many days of life to us. In thinking on the miraculous gift of the Cross we must know what the Father’s heart was in sending Jesus to die for us. And the very core of that Christ died was and is today for us is that we would die to ourselves and the very life and light of Christ would live on through us, yes through you and me!

Just like appearing on your first day of the new job or position, you would not appear to tell the boss or CEO what your desires are for that work nor while you are there. The very same is that we do not live to tell Father God what He must do for "us" this day, but be so glad to hear what He desires for me to do for His glory of that in His Son Jesus Christ. We must celebrate He was mindful of us to send us His very best indeed!

So many today are demanding their own rights and their entitlements. There are no entitlements. Social Security is not entitlement, it is what was paid in from those working and paying their taxes for decades. The real truth for everyone: Get a job! And then be the "one" who keeps a regular working schedule and in about 35-40 years you can retire if you need to, you can certainly draw on that which you saved along the way of life in working. 

Certainly things change for companies, whether creating power, manufacturing certain products or even the forces that deliver those products to your home, but we as a people are to work together like the harmony that had begun in the Garden of Eden. And if an adversary appears, we must be those to pray and ask the Holy Spirit how to continue forward in love for the person we work with but also know how we keep to His commands so that we are not accepting or approving that which is wrong in God ‘s sight!

In remembering those choose to be greedy for gain, they choose less quality but more quantity so they make more money quickly. If our hearts pursue gain, is it for our glory, for our own name to make some ground with those of influence in a short amount of time? Truly being honest is speaking truth in all arenas of our lives! It is one standing to honor God in the avenues of life where we choose daily whom we will serve.

There is a day coming when man or woman will have to leave business at the door with understanding that time is short and without an open heart to God, then we fall short and without Him entirely. My prayer would be that people would be open to hear the good news of life eternally that gives honor and glory to God only. There is coming a day when one will be asked to give up their old life for that which brings life and not the deadly path so many encounter today.

If God did not allow King David to build the Temple because he was a man of war, how much so in our time for those who go to the HOUSE of God? How much more today should we find our full attention given to Him Who gives life?  For where our heart is, there is where we will go for an eternity! For what we treasure, that is that which holds maybe in not such a good place, but never the less, the place we treasure and hold onto is where our heart will lead us.

Jesus saw the Temple where God would come, and was seeing the day when the Holy Spirit would come to abide and comfort each individual on earth. His interest was in maintaining that which was holy unto the Lord and represent His Father on earth. Jesus’ heart was for Mankind. He was not about buying, trading and selling, but about having worship toward God. It was about employing prayer and relationship with God the Father. God's house in us is to be a house of prayer. It was for all men and women to hear and speak to God in prayer. If people would only come there with a humble heart, then there would be no need of war anymore! Spend time to know what is in the Father’s heart. Follow His commands to live for Him and not accept or approve that which He forbids!

Certainly the Flood should point many away from perverse behavior, still the Father did say He would not Flood the earth again and put the rainbow in the sky as His promise to us. Still, Jesus talks of the seven churches in the book of Revelation.  The church at Laodicea had no commendations, they were indifferent to what was going on around them and His instruction to them was to be zealous and repent! Of the church at Sardis, that some were commended that they had kept the faith, it was a dead church and they needed to repent and strengthen what remained. For Pergamos, the commendation was to keep the faith of Christ, the criticism was that they tolerated immorality, idolatry, and heresies and they were told to repent. Ephesus no longer held a fervent love for Christ, but they had rejected evil, persevered with patience. Their instruction was to “do the works you did at first”.

Jesus tells each church this: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”. We are to hear what the Spirit speaks and especially in these days when many are turning a deaf ear to those with agendas to serve the flesh and not the living God who promises eternal life with His Son. In knowing our Father is Spirit, might we be keeping time to keep the spiritual of God alive in our hearing so we not take a step into that which is a death chamber of horrors to where there is no end? Do not accept or approve what God forbids!

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The Declaring Word

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Strength Beyond our Own

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RARE

1 Samuel 3:1  NKJV   Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.

Precious (KJV) is used in the sense of "rare."  Those things that are considered “Rare” are those things which are considered the precious or the valuable. In the sense that Eli and his priesthood carried no spoken words of inspiration from God, he was considered the “blind” nor did he have vision that was open toward God!  So that which was of God was left out of that given and most likely consisted of human inspired things. Yikes!

When you get into the story of Eli, we find him neither a good father figure nor a priest of morals. His sons were declared to die both of them in one day!

1 Samuel 2 :29-36 NKJV 29 “Why do you kick at My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded in my dwelling place, and honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people. 30”Therefore the LORD God of Israel says, “I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.” But now the LORD says: ‘Far be it from Me, for those who honor Me will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. 31’Behold, the days are coming that I will cut off your arm and the arm of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your house. 32 “And you will see an enemy in My dwelling place, despite all the good which God does for Israel. And there shall not be an old man in your house forever. 33 ‘But any of your men whom I do not cut off from My altar shall consume your eyes and grieve your heart. And all the descendants of your house shall die in the flower of their age. 34 ‘Now this shall be a sign to you that will come upon your two sons, on Hophni, and Phinehas: in one day they shall die, both of them. 35 ‘Then I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in My heart and in My mind. I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever. 36 ‘And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left in your house will come and bow down to him for a piece of silver and a morsel of bread, and say, “ Please, put me in one of the priestly positions that I may eat a piece of bread.”

As the priests, they were no make the truth open and clear to the people. But these did not hear God, so they did not minister God’s truth to the people of Israel.  So the young Samuel now would be brought up to know God.  It would the young Samuel who would lie down by the altar of God and wait for God's instructions. 

Yes, the word had been “rare” in those days but there was coming light into the darkened areas that this priest and his sons had lavished with much sin. It was their sin that blocked that which God so vitally wanted them to have.

Those sons of Eli used their position to extort meat for their own use.  They robbed the offerings and seized even the peace offerings. And God was displeased with them in how they acted, and how they dishonored this priestly position with much wickedness. Even in chapter 2 and verse 22 we are told that Eli was very old; and he heard everything his sons did to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Yes, the women were to do menial tasks at the entrance to the tabernacle, but this was not one of thos menial task for them! So sin was rampant even to the entrance of the tabernacle!

Are we raising our children for the Lord or for the ways that Eli raised his own two sons? For we are to honor the Lord and have that relationship helps us to know God and understand the walk with Him brings us that closer walk to know Him and to know His ways. 

But if we raise our children yielding to the children as Eli did his sons, then only death is seen.  The elder gentleman did not have the respect from his two sons. It is given that he was slighted by them. He held no rebuke out to them for their really bad behavior. And the leniency he provides them only makes them more outrageous in their corrupt ways!

Samuel the prophet was called and it was his praying mother that presented him to the Lord in that service. Presented to the priest Eli in Shiloh, Samuel began ministering to the Lord. 

It was Eli and his sons that were in the office of priest because of their heritage was found among their descendants like Aaron. But now the obscure young Levite named Samuel would take the place of prophet before the altar in the presence of God to hear instructions.

Will we stay close to the Lord and hear as He instructs us through His word of truth?  The true was going to be raised up and there would be a prophet in Shiloh….and God did not let his words fall to the ground. For when the prophet Samuel spoke, he spoke truly!

Father, help us to see the importance of Your words of life to us! Help us to see what is important for life in these days of chaos on earth. Help us if we have wandered off from the straight and narrow to the super highway of the world to serve self instead of Your honor and words of life. How can we move into being in concert with You for the days ahead?

Father, Your words are top priority to us. They are spirit and they are life. We let the Word of God dwell in us richly in all wisdom.  We have learned that the ability of God is released within us by the words of our mouth and by the Word of God. 

Help us see when we falter in this endeavor of regarding truth above error!

We believe for change, but we know it only comes by speaking what You speak Father. So today, we choose to speak YOUR words out of our mouth. They are alive in us at this moment. You are alive and working in us, so we can boldly say that our words are words of faith, words of power, words of love, and words of life. They produce good things in our life and in the lives of others. Because we choose Your Words for our lips, we choose Your will for our life, and we go forth in the power of those words to perform them.

Thank You for the paths of mercy and truth to those who keep Your covenant of blood through Jesus Christ. It is YOU Who whispers Your unconditional love deep into our souls and remind us that Your mercies are new every morning.

 You are our Strength & Shield; May our hearts always trust in You and songs of praise may we always give. For we know to render that which is for our God Most High, who knows the voice of our supplications when we cry, who gives us courage in our hearts and gives us eyes to see the spiritual.

Eli did not much for his sons, but he certainly took time with Samuel to teach him and demonstrate to us the steps to encourage a youth to hear God's voice. For we know You speak to us and we pray that we hear You when You speak our name out to us!

Father we see a true servant is to be faithful in heart to You. May our hearts be set toward You, especially as we look for YOUR return.  We continue to lift our prayers before you, not only for our families but this nation as well. 

We ask for strength in this walk of faith for You give strength to them who are weary and You increase the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and men stumble and fall; but those who hope in You Lord, will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary. The will walk and not faint. No matter our age dear Lord, may we soar on high for Your glory and to Your praise. 

Lord, You are our Strength and our Song. You have become our Salvation. We praise You  with our hearts exalting You in Your unfailing love it is You who lead the people YOU have redeemed…… in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

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Refreshing Shall Come

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Righteousness and NOT RIGHTS

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OUR STEPS WILL EITHER POSSESS OR DISPOSSESS THE LAND

Proverbs 4:10-13
10 Listen, my son, accept what I say,
and the years of your life will be many.
11 I guide you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered;
when you run, you will not stumble.
13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go;
guard it well, for it is your life.
NIV

Was meditating on "our steps" we take everyday. It was something I thought of in hearing of all the chaos in France right now. And then for some reason, I thought on the OCCUPY that was part of the news back five + years ago.

In Proverbs 4, we are told that God's wisdom will guide us along straight paths, and when we walk, our steps will not be hampered ( hindered ). We are also told that when we run, we will not stumble for when we hold on to instruction, and do not let go, that instruction, that Wisdom from God will guard our life when we guard the instruction.

GOD has a place for us. I know I write on this a lot, but I have gotten some more insight on it in the last few days. Thinking of our grand-daughter and her activities, her parents saw the steps she took to possess where she lived. If you remember, her father, showed her as a baby and then a toddler what was hers as her parents provided a healthy home for them all. She already owned it, it was hers, and it is where she lived as a small child. Then as she started walking and talking, she went into soccer and swimming lessons. That is a  place that she now possesses! Every place she has marked out with her foot is hers and no one can take that from her. She was instructed in soccer and in swimming and she can do both. Is she the expert? No, not yet, but she has the opportunity to grow in a greater skill in these if she continues in them. They are both good and health to her body in the form of exercise!

We too, can gain greater skill in taking instruction from our Father in heaven. We too, can possess that place where our steps take us. But will they be for the fruitful, life-giving instruction of God or will it be of the devil kind of instruction, who desires to kill, steal and destroy?

Acts 5:25-42

"Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!" 26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" 29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him." 

33 When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it--lest you even be found to fight against God." 40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. 

NKJV

In obeying God and His instructions we walk in a place that may mean much adversity like we see for Peter and the other apostles in chapter 5 of the book of Acts. Please read it for yourself, especially to see how God cares for His own. It was noted by Gamaliel who was a teacher of the law, that "if what ( Peter and the others ) were doing was of God, you cannot overthrow it......lest you be found fighting against God."

 What is of God will continue! It may mean much adversity and much intentional harm, but God is greater. And if He really lives in us........then He should be ruling this body by His Word of truth.

Where do we occupy today? Can it be the safe place or is that which we are determined to stay just because we like the notoriety? Is where we occupying bringing glory to God or to ourselves? Of late, you see some men or even women lose their jobs, and in the light of their dismissal you find them so lost, for their identity was in that job. Sad but true, and many truly lose sight of what is truth and right  by ending up in despair and such depression they can no longer make right decisions for their god was the job!
I remember my husband had the desire to learn as much as he could as in a trade occupation. He had opportunities open to him to not only weld but also operate many machines, like cranes, and see how the cold weather as well as the hot temps might hinder production in coal mines. He had many opportunities to take extra classes and he seized all that he could back in those early days to manage a dam site today. He took steps to possess a place. Was not sure where he was headed with it, but he knew was to master them!

Proverbs 16:9

9 A man's heart plans his way,

But the LORD directs his steps. 

NKJV

God is bound by His Word. He cannot lie, and He will not go against what He has already placed for us to come to. That place we are to possess is by His Word. In His plan, it has nothing to do with wickedness, but in grace, truth, and love. But wanting our own way, and doing our own thing causes us much harm, and even death.

People like the avenues of communicating today. Yet in all those I see, there is much danger. There is not the formal eye to eye and face to face communication of decades ago. Today, it is just a text or a quick "tweet". In giving this much thought, I am surprised how some handle their employees' Work Evaluation. Of course, this writing context is in regard to those teachers, bosses, those in any management positions and even in regard to business owners, that one to one contact would be important.
 In regard to meeting eye to eye, we can express our heartfelt questions and answers in regard to either our work or even work within school as in the Parent/Teacher Conferences. In reality though, if we only send a text to "Well Done" and the person needs some work in some areas, are we not adding to their defeat in life? Some folks just do not like communication at all. They are content with the five minute e-mail explanation, the 30 second tweet or such else to communicate.

In posting a comment in regards to something important as a job or a student's work record, would not a more formal of meet and greet over this thing so important to maybe the life of the job, or maintaining school attendance.
There is so much that probably should be said but is left undone because we "decided to text" or "tweet" someone about how they are doing. I think of the applying for a job today and online. I am not sure if that is just a way to weed them (the applicant's) out that may not fit the job. I know that I liked going for those interviews and meeting with people face to face. In meeting one on one, you find their real heart on the job they are trying to fill. You find the real heart of those teaching your children at school. You find the real heart of those you might attend church with.

Going back to our grand-daughter, I think of how different her life would be if her parents just texted, " well done " with a HAPPY FACE on it! If there was correction by just texting.........the sad, grumpy face would not work!

In doing that they would be shortening their commitment time, that being in her face, and showing her what the life in God is really about. They must show her daily how her steps will possess that land God has planned for her! In society today, we surely see those who have not had the face to face with parents and those who really care. We have seen the effects of a 30 second text sent at the wrong time as in many young and middle aged getting into terrible car wrecks. Please understand that this is my opinion. I think Jesus liked getting out among them and looking into their eyes and watching their body movements as He spoke truth. I think He liked getting involved and letting them know He really cared for them.

In this age of this kind of communication we can surely see that people can maintain a low - key commitment and almost no responsibility to anyone. It is like the elusive unicorn. In sending a text once or twice to someone does not mean that anyone will really know us? It is not commitment and it is not possessing a place in society. Commitment is time and money.

I believe that those who post their page are posting the "fake" person. The real you or me is the one who lives and breathes and acts out at home where no one sees. In that posting of our thoughts from a heart not guarding the instruction of God can surely lead us down to a place thinking we really have a voice when we really do not have one.  We can write it out and expand on it, and then at one point, one day comes when we grab that megaphone (horn) and gather those who think as we think. But is it of truth? Is it something that will last? For truly God desires to keep His own safe! So are our hearts one with HIM? Do we delight in Him or we salivating for our fifteen minutes of fame!

Communication is awesome! It is truly needed in the amount of people who cover this earth. But my thoughts are, if God desires this technology, will we see where sin might abound more and see our own glory and not God's glory?

Our pastor likes us sitting down together to meet and talk. It is his desire that we know one another. It is his desire that "like Jesus" we too communicate face to face. We did it during the summer at the park during an actual service time. We circled our chairs and faced each other. We also have come to eat together after a service time of Word and worship. We get to know the neighbor. We get to know how to pray for them and see them succeed, not by voicing loudly over a "megaphone", but actually speaking what is in their heart that comes from God. It may be in bits and pieces..........but God can restore those who are broken. God can cause restoration to come, when we start out slow, possessing our steps as the individual and then as the child of the Most High God. Our boundaries should be those that God placed at the foundation of this world.
We too, should look back at the Ten Commandments and realize God has it all in hand when we choose to follow and guard His instruction and know that He has given us the land..............that no man can take from us. Amen!

Deuteronomy 6:6-9
6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.
NIV ( list found in Exodus  20 )

In closing: I think about Adam when he was formed by God. God brought him into the garden and to work there with his hands. He called Adam to name the animals. Adam was not created to just sit and let others work for him, but he was created to have the relationship with God and live life to the full! It was the place already prepared for him, much like the place prepared for our grand-daughter and even our own. It was the place prepared to start enjoying life with a family and with others.

Ah, but sin came into the garden. Adam did not guard the instruction given him!  Our grand-child did not come to sit and observe, she came to participate in life. She did not come to sit on her laurels and not work for she certainly has her chores to do within the home. And in the right time, she will go to college, she will work at a job.  She came to learn and possess land.
We must guard that instruction given to us. In seeing our grand-child grow in God, I expect her to be taking those steps to continue having a healthy body, learning an instrument that will bring praise to God, see her teach the parables of Jesus and see her become all that God has destined her to be. She is possessing the land. May God be glorified!

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What then is the Bleating of Sheep in My Ears?

What instructions do we hear and respond to act on in accord with what God speaks to us? Do we initiate (to begin) and complete the said instruction to our hearts or do we find ourselves like King Saul? Did Saul turn toward man and those he led? Did he consider pleasing them more than pleasing God?



1 Samuel 15:1-23...................15:1 Samuel said to Saul, "I am the one the LORD sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the LORD. 2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. 3 Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.'" 
4 So Saul summoned the men and mustered them at Telaim-two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men from Judah. 5 Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine. 6 Then he said to the Kenites, "Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt." So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites. 
7 Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, to the east of Egypt. 8 He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword. 9 But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs-everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed. 
10 Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: 11 "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions." Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night. 
12 Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, "Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal." 
13 When Samuel reached him, Saul said, "The LORD bless you! I have carried out the LORD's instructions." 
14 But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?" 
15 Saul answered, "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest." 
16 "Stop!" Samuel said to Saul. "Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night." 
"Tell me," Saul replied. 
17 Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. 18 And he sent you on a mission, saying, 'Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.' 19 Why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the LORD?" 
20 "But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. 21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal." 
22 But Samuel replied: 
"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."   NIV

Every time we visit the pages of scripture passages, we are given instructions of which the Father wants for His children. Each time we dwell in verses either for healing, strength and courage, or for loss, we seek to find that which strengthens us in the area we need it at the time. Just like trees and plants need water, so to, we need that which brings life to our spirit, soul and body.
The prophet Samuel asks, "what then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?"

Verse 9 says they were unwilling to destroy completely........!

In speaking about his obedience, it was the king's flesh that spoke a stink to heaven. It was that indulgence to please other men that proved a witness against Saul himself. What looked good to Saul and the other men? 

Nothing was to be spared of the Amalekites. The relationship between King Saul and his allowing Agag, the king of the Amalekites to live and to not only live, but live in Israel brings the same issues to the time of Esther and her relative Mordechai. 

Both of these were of the same lineage of King Saul, the tribe of Benjamin, and of Saul who was going to let the Amalekites live. But Samuel made sure the king Agag would die. In a later time, we see Haman who shows up bringing much hardship and pain as he came breathing out cruelties to the time of the Book of Esther. (he was some relative of the king Agag)

I have known when the Lord wants to correct something I am taking way too far in giving my time or even extra focus to. We can demonstrate obedience or we can demonstrate disobedience. The noise within King Saul's camp was the a noise of sheep and cattle that were to be destroyed and not used for any kind of sacrifice. God did not want anything those Amalekites had. It was King Saul's character we see showing it's true colors to pleasing man and not God! He was bringing problems to Israel. As Samuel spoke in verse 23 to Saul, that Saul's rebellion was that as the sin of divination, and his arrogance was sin so evil as idolatry!



Wow! that is really strong! So what is the sin of divination? Any obtainable knowledge of a present or future tense is that of paganism (of the profane) and is opposite of that which we know in "church" when a prophecy is given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Divination is the speaking spirit that is demonic, is not from God, and the knowledge or information is counterfeit and is of the profane. It is opposite of the truth of the godly heritage. You can see in the story of one such instance in the Book of Acts.

Acts 16:16-24..........16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, "These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation." 18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour. 19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. 20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, "These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe." 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.  NKJV

This divination was practiced by the slave girl. She knew enough by the demon spirit that Paul and Silas were men or servants of the Most High God. This was done to show to those of the community "who watched" that she followed those godly men. But in truth when these servants would have left the area, the slave girl's talent would have a step up to a greater degree of use for the enemy instead. She would have continued to make money for those her masters. But any prophecy later would be of the divination given by the devil himself either for individuals or for groups of people!

All would be under the guise of "good" but of evil intent in any knowledge to any people after Silas and Paul were gone. But the teaching tells us that Paul cast that spirit of divination out of the slave girl!

In reality, Saul had future information, and it was that which God chose to do away with the Amalekites once and for all. He knew this group of people to be the epitome of evil and of the blackest hearts.

Saul's arrogance was so evil as the sin of idolatry. He was serving himself. He had those around him, that he listened to more than he listened to God for instructions. God had the idea of how He wanted any sacrifice given, and Saul and these men were going to do it their way and call it "good". But they erred in their thinking that a good God would go along with this.......for how can you want what this group or tribe of people had accumulated according to the sin that filled lives they led?  How could Saul think that God would want any part in the use of the Amalekites resources of cattle, sheep, camels and donkeys for a source for good? 

Yes, Saul was overtaken in his arrogance. He felt superior to others, and held a conceit that showed in his actions. In verse 12, we find Saul going to Carmel to build a monument to himself. Not to glorify God, but himself. In receiving God's commands to do something where is the "heart issue" on the matter? Do we really want to serve God and do His command or do we do something and finish up with what we think is best?  When Samuel charged Saul of his disobedience, Saul charged back in his own hypocritical nature. For what was displayed was that which was a witness against him. He proved he wanted the glory and to be "the BIG MAN" on the scene. But his arrogance got the kingdom torn away from him! Bad move on the part of Saul, yet, this was always in him to do!

What was it that T. S. Eliot wrote? "Most of the evil in this world is done by people with good intentions."

Yes, good intentions was what Saul was demonstrating. He thought that keeping the livestock would benefit them all and bring a good meal. Barbecued steak anyone? 

Aahh....intentions......you know that one of the meanings is "purpose"......something that is purposed. God has things He has purposed for our lives!
Seeking the purpose, not just living, but why we are set here for this time, just before the Lord's return!
But the purpose God intends for each of us is by truth in His Word, by the Blood of Jesus and by power of the Holy Spirit to see the instruction completed.

What do we allow to keep our focus and allow to live that needs to be put away from us? Could we doing something today, that could bring us harm or even death in a few days, a few months, or even in a few years? Even in the account of all that transpires in the book of Esther, there is no mention of any of Haman's nieces or nephews or aunts or uncles being taken to the gallows. It only mentions Haman and his ten sons! So many of them were allowed to live and have problems with Israel that have continued through the centuries even to this day and time!

When following God's instructions, are we following it to the letter as He speaks it?

If I buy all the ingredients to make a chocolate cake, but do not follow the instructions, then what do I have at the end? Probably the finished product will be anything but an actual cake.  I remember making this one recipe many years ago, but it did not turn out. It was suppose to be an airy type cake texture, but in reality it was FLAT as a pancake and thinner than a pancake! It was a recipe given to me by another person. I told them about it and guess what? They had left out ONE of the most vital ingredients I needed to make that recipe. It was the buttermilk! It was one of the those Texas Sheet Cakes! They are very good if you have never made one! But you need all the ingredients to see a "good" finished product.

I have this green chile recipe that was given to me by my mother and her mother many years ago. I have certainly made it a lot and am showing my husband how to make it as well since he wants to eat it more often with our meals. But in making it, you make sure you have the right Anaheim peppers and garlic cloves for the recipe. If you veer off that ever so slightly, as our daughter says, "it tastes bland". And she is right! 

Following instructions and heeding what it tells us to do will keep us out of harm's way. I am in no means a chef, or the cook like my sister is, but I do try new things to prepare. My husband looks for recipes for soups and has found some we like to eat.

Proverbs 1:2-6.............2 To know wisdom and instruction,
To perceive the words of understanding, 
3 To receive the instruction of wisdom,
Justice, judgment, and equity; 
4 To give prudence to the simple,
To the young man knowledge and discretion-- 
5 A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, 
6 To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.    NKJV

I have learned over the years, that knowing wisdom and instruction looks much like correction. Whatever may have been taught us from our mother's knee, must always have the Word of God to have the complete picture of what God desires for us and those who follow after us!

In realizing a recipe could be FLAT like what I had experienced, I think how our lives could become flat without life or any zest to them. We could look pretty much like the world looks, with no difference at all.

 We were meant to look different and sound different! People should see us as being different than the world. We are to be those who follow instruction in applying God's wisdom, justice, judgment and equity to every aspect of our lives. In the book of Amos and the fifth chapter, the prophet tell us in verse 24 to "let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream. We are not to be those out for justice, but those who know God seek the other's good by doing justice.
God knew the Amalekites as those who were destructive in their hearts. These people of any age, held a most evil heart against other living human beings. God Himself wanted an end to them because of the vile hatred they held toward those who came around them. But Saul disregarded the instructions and Samuel the prophet had to end Agag's life. 
Still today we see all the hatred toward Israel and those which want them gone for good. But God is making sure His chosen will stand in even the harshest moments of hatred, hostility, and abominations against the Lord and His people.

Will what we choose to do today in regard to God's instruction to us be honorable or of the profane? I really do not want to hear something like Saul heard from Samuel............
16 "Stop!" Samuel said to Saul. "Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night." 
"Tell me," Saul replied. 

22 But Samuel replied: 
"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."   


Would surely not want the Lord to reject me in something He has purposed for my life, would you?

Father, in Jesus' name, we pray to be those who heed and obey YOUR instructions regarding our lives and the lives of others. We desire to be disciplined in the Word of God and be renewed daily in our minds to see transformation come. Today we desire to be those who would be quick to say yes to YOUR commands, and follow them closely.
Help us today to see if we are on the wrong schedule for life. We know serving is a choice and does not start when the kids are back in school or when a New Year comes on January 1. We know it is a "heart issue".

Help us to see the right time is right now! That in choosing to follow YOUR instructions we are choosing the things of YOUR way and doing that which will bring us to honor.

We desire to be a catalyst that will spark the importance of following Jesus and imitate HIM. In doing that, the world will see us as different and living different kind of lives than that of the world.

We know some can always find excuse and blame another, as Saul chose to put some of the blame back on those men who followed him.(verse 21) But we are not those speaking of there always being a lion in the street or the Jordan is always overflowing its banks! No, today we are those who speak......and believe......that Your Word is true. Whatever You instruct us to do, we know we have the ability to see it completed for Your glory. No matter the odds, no matter the intensity of war, no matter the level or any correction God is our Father and He is for us!

WE understand that Chaos is our enemy. We determine to be men and women who will triumph in YOU. Today we fight with the fight of faith and arise to take our place.

We have discernment and have the wisdom of God to make the decisions to keep to the course set before us. Whatever we have allowed into our camp, show us what needs to be killed or moved out entirely never to be returned to our home and family again. We give praise and glory to YOUR name! Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV