Since I was young, my siblings and I have always joked about everything. I can remember my brother asking if something was wrong with me when after a week I hadn't picked on him.
We joke around about who looks the best, who's the smartest, who's the strongest, etc. And, a family gathering is never complete without some form of debate over these topics.
My brother was visiting our house and he was jesting with his niece about many different things. With every jab, she would come back with a sassy response of her own. It was quite comical to hear what her 4-year-old mind could come back at him with.
Near the end of their banter, he tells her, "You're weird."
The loud response came with fists slamming down on the table, "I'm not weird! I'm awkward!"
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Monday, July 6, 2015
Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni recipe
2 lbs ground beef
1 chopped onion
4 cloves minced garlic
2 TBS worchestershire sauce
2 TBS steak sauce
2 tsp Dale's sauce
2 tsp Beef Better-Than-Bouillon
16 oz macaroni noodles
1/2 lb bacon, chopped
1/2 diced leek
3 cloves minced garlic
2 pints heavy whipping cream
1 tsp fresh thyme
3 cups shredded cheese
1 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/2 stick unsalted butter
2 TBS fresh chopped parsley
Preheat oven to 350*
Cook ground beef with onion and garlic in a large pot over medium heat. Add in worchestershire sauce, steak sauce, Dale's sauce, and beef bouillon. Evenly distribute this over the bottom of a large baking dish.
Cook the noodles in a large pot according to the package directions. Strain when finished cooking.
One you've placed the ground beef in your baking dish, use the same pot to cook your chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove from pot and set aside.
Using the same pot, cook the leeks and garlic in the bacon fat over medium heat. Add the whipping cream and thyme. Allow to almost come to a boil, then turn off the heat. Add in 3 cups of shredded cheese, stirring until creamy.
NOTE: The cheese can be of your choice. I usually use a mixture of Cheddar and Colby Jack.
Combine the cooked macaroni noodles with your cheese sauce and then pour over your ground beef in the baking dish.
Now, take your cooked bacon and mix it with the bread crumbs, butter, and parsley. This should look like a bacon crumble. Sprinkle your bacon crumble over the macaroni and cheese in your baking dish, evenly distributing it over the entire dish.
Bake, uncovered, at 350* for 20 to 25 minutes.
1 chopped onion
4 cloves minced garlic
2 TBS worchestershire sauce
2 TBS steak sauce
2 tsp Dale's sauce
2 tsp Beef Better-Than-Bouillon
16 oz macaroni noodles
1/2 lb bacon, chopped
1/2 diced leek
3 cloves minced garlic
2 pints heavy whipping cream
1 tsp fresh thyme
3 cups shredded cheese
1 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/2 stick unsalted butter
2 TBS fresh chopped parsley
Preheat oven to 350*
Cook ground beef with onion and garlic in a large pot over medium heat. Add in worchestershire sauce, steak sauce, Dale's sauce, and beef bouillon. Evenly distribute this over the bottom of a large baking dish.
Cook the noodles in a large pot according to the package directions. Strain when finished cooking.
One you've placed the ground beef in your baking dish, use the same pot to cook your chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove from pot and set aside.
Using the same pot, cook the leeks and garlic in the bacon fat over medium heat. Add the whipping cream and thyme. Allow to almost come to a boil, then turn off the heat. Add in 3 cups of shredded cheese, stirring until creamy.
NOTE: The cheese can be of your choice. I usually use a mixture of Cheddar and Colby Jack.
Combine the cooked macaroni noodles with your cheese sauce and then pour over your ground beef in the baking dish.
Now, take your cooked bacon and mix it with the bread crumbs, butter, and parsley. This should look like a bacon crumble. Sprinkle your bacon crumble over the macaroni and cheese in your baking dish, evenly distributing it over the entire dish.
Bake, uncovered, at 350* for 20 to 25 minutes.
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Old Glory essay
Written by Frank Vancove in 1976, a boy from a Roloff home- Anchor Home for Boys.
Old Glory, I've seen many a picture of you when you were in your prime. How properly were you named Old Glory!
I've seen many a portrait of you as you appeared to Francis Scott Key, when you waved over Ft. McHenry during the War of 1812. How proudly you waved! And every right you had to do so.You represent that which was good and clean, and worth the giving up of even one's life.
Yet, Old Glory, these were just pictures- reminders of days gone by.
As I look upon you now, my heart bleeds. No longer do you proudly wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave. No longer are you respected and honored. No, now you are spat upon and misused.
No longer does that old eagle stand proudly above you and cry, "Liberty and Justice for all"! No, now she sits with wings close, shoulders slouched; her beak gnarled and crooked.
Old Glory, truly you are old. This year is your 200th birthday, but you are no longer glorious. Ichabod has been written across you and the nation for which you stand for your people have turned their backs on the One who made them great.
I can close my eyes and picture you waving over Ft. McHenry. The bombs exploding in the air reveal you as you boldly stand out against the sky. Your blood red stripes stand and cry, "This is the price of freedom!" Though the Declaration of Independence was written in ink, it was sealed with the blood of those who signed it. As I behold your red stripes, I think of the courage these men had to lay down their lives for the freedom of their children to come.
Yet now, you do not look the same as I had pictured you. Your red stripes are now a faded pink. Your people are no longer brave. No longer will they stand and fight for that which is right. Law breakers are their heroes. They have glorify losing to the point that they have now lost their first war. No longer are they a powerful, respected nation. The world now stands and laughs at them.
Old Glory, why have your people turned from the One who made them great?
Your white stripes are no longer so, now they are a dirty grey. Your people no longer care to be pure. They no longer seek after holiness. No longer is the Lord's day honored.
Immorality is encouraged across the land. Your people laugh at those who practice holiness, and smile upon those who live in sin. They have wallowed in Satan's pig pen, and now, Old Glory, they are paying the price. For, you see, the nation for which you stand is dying.
As I see your stars on a field of blue, I think of the stars in the heavens. I ask, "Can those heavenly bodies exist by themselves?" No, if it were not for the omnipotent hand of God those stars would disintegrate and fly apart never to be seen again.
Yet, Old Glory, your people think they can exist without Almighty God. They have kicked him out of the home, the school, and the government. And look what has happened! The force courts are full to capacity. Policemen patrol the halls of your schools to protect teachers from students. Our government is full of nothing but corruption.
Old Glory, your people have proven a nation cannot stand without God. As I look at you, all I can see are the ashes of what was once a great nation.
Yet, through the darkness I see a ray of hope. I hear a voice as it cries, "If your people will turn back to Me, and seek my face. I will forgive their sin, and cleanse their land."
Old Glory, all is not lost. There is still hope! But, first, your people must return to God. Then once more can you proudly wave above the land. Then, and only then, will that old eagle be able to stand tall, and spread her wings, and boldly cry, "One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!"
Old Glory, I've seen many a picture of you when you were in your prime. How properly were you named Old Glory!
I've seen many a portrait of you as you appeared to Francis Scott Key, when you waved over Ft. McHenry during the War of 1812. How proudly you waved! And every right you had to do so.You represent that which was good and clean, and worth the giving up of even one's life.
Yet, Old Glory, these were just pictures- reminders of days gone by.
As I look upon you now, my heart bleeds. No longer do you proudly wave over the land of the free and the home of the brave. No longer are you respected and honored. No, now you are spat upon and misused.
No longer does that old eagle stand proudly above you and cry, "Liberty and Justice for all"! No, now she sits with wings close, shoulders slouched; her beak gnarled and crooked.
Old Glory, truly you are old. This year is your 200th birthday, but you are no longer glorious. Ichabod has been written across you and the nation for which you stand for your people have turned their backs on the One who made them great.
I can close my eyes and picture you waving over Ft. McHenry. The bombs exploding in the air reveal you as you boldly stand out against the sky. Your blood red stripes stand and cry, "This is the price of freedom!" Though the Declaration of Independence was written in ink, it was sealed with the blood of those who signed it. As I behold your red stripes, I think of the courage these men had to lay down their lives for the freedom of their children to come.
Yet now, you do not look the same as I had pictured you. Your red stripes are now a faded pink. Your people are no longer brave. No longer will they stand and fight for that which is right. Law breakers are their heroes. They have glorify losing to the point that they have now lost their first war. No longer are they a powerful, respected nation. The world now stands and laughs at them.
Old Glory, why have your people turned from the One who made them great?
Your white stripes are no longer so, now they are a dirty grey. Your people no longer care to be pure. They no longer seek after holiness. No longer is the Lord's day honored.
Immorality is encouraged across the land. Your people laugh at those who practice holiness, and smile upon those who live in sin. They have wallowed in Satan's pig pen, and now, Old Glory, they are paying the price. For, you see, the nation for which you stand is dying.
As I see your stars on a field of blue, I think of the stars in the heavens. I ask, "Can those heavenly bodies exist by themselves?" No, if it were not for the omnipotent hand of God those stars would disintegrate and fly apart never to be seen again.
Yet, Old Glory, your people think they can exist without Almighty God. They have kicked him out of the home, the school, and the government. And look what has happened! The force courts are full to capacity. Policemen patrol the halls of your schools to protect teachers from students. Our government is full of nothing but corruption.
Old Glory, your people have proven a nation cannot stand without God. As I look at you, all I can see are the ashes of what was once a great nation.
Yet, through the darkness I see a ray of hope. I hear a voice as it cries, "If your people will turn back to Me, and seek my face. I will forgive their sin, and cleanse their land."
Old Glory, all is not lost. There is still hope! But, first, your people must return to God. Then once more can you proudly wave above the land. Then, and only then, will that old eagle be able to stand tall, and spread her wings, and boldly cry, "One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!"
Friday, July 3, 2015
Believer's Heritage- Reuben Torrey
Reuben Archer Torrey was born in Hoboken, NewJersey on January 28, 1856 to Reuben and Elizabeth Torrey. Reuben was a lawyer and banker in New York City. Even though they were cultured and successful, they were very faithful Christians. His mother spent many evenings praying for her son.
His family moved a lot and faced their share of heartaches and triumphs. The Torrey's lost their fortune, and young Rueben had only a matchbox and sleeve buttons to look forward to.
As a young man, Reuben decided that he wanted to become a lawyer. When he read a book that explained what being a Christian meant, he ran from the thought because he was afraid that God would make him a preacher.
When he was 15 years old, he went to Yale University. He was something akin to the youngsters on college campuses in our day, he was a good dancer and he loved the social experiences that were all around him. Though worldly joys were all around him, he was depressed and suicidal.
One night, during a very dark episode, Reuben went to his bathroom to find a razor to commit suicide with. Little did he know that his mother was praying for his salvation at that very moment. As he stood there on the precipice of death, he felt a longing to pray. He went back to his bed and knelt and asked the Lord to save him. He promised to preach if God would deliver him from his burdens. He went to sleep very peacefully that night in 1875. The upcoming semester, he entered into the Yale Divinity School at 18 years of age.
The desire to see souls saved took the place of the desire for worldly pleasures. He became known as a great soul winner. He found the young lady that he use to take dancing and witnessed to her. He preached the gospel for 2 hours, and she accepted Christ as her Savior.
He lost both of his parents in the year 1877. This didn't faze him from his calling to win souls. The next year he had the pleasure of hearing D. L. Moody speak in Haven, Connecticut. Torrey wanted to know how to win souls. Moody simple replied, "Go at it! That's the best way to learn."
Torrey took this advice to heart. He started putting God's Word into the hands of sinners, asking them to read certain verses, and then questioning them about the words they read to make sure they understood them. Torrey wanted to win souls to Christ. He never tried to win them with his personality or his character. He took Moody's sermon Faith Can Do Anything and books written by Finney to help him become the man Christ wanted him to be. He got his Bachelor's degree in 1878, and was ordained a minister. He pastored the Congregational Church in Garretsville, OH, and worked on his Doctor of Divinity, which he received in 1889. He continued to pastor the church until 1882. It was here that he met and married Clara Smith, with whom he had 5 children.
He was always seeking to become a better witness for Christ. He took his family to Germany and studied at the universities of Leipzig and Erlangen.
It was here that he encountered liberalism. At first, he was compelled by the views, but gradually he became convinced of the falsity of this doctrine.
When he returned to the United States in 1883, he was offered two vastly different positions. The first was a wealthy church in Brooklyn, and the other a poor church in Minneapolis. He felt God lead him to the poor church. This church became known as The Open Door Church. He pastored it He then moved to the ministry at The People's Church from 1887 until 1889. During this time, he also took on the responsibility of superintendent of the Congregational City Mission Society, a position he held from 1886 until 1889.
During this time he read George Meuller's Life Of Trust and his motto became "pray through". He started to hold special prayer meetings asking God for revival around the world. We know that sometimes when we pray for something, God asks us to be the ones to accomplish it. This is what happened in Reuben's life.
D. L. Moody called Reuben to be the head of his new school, The Chicago Evangelization Society. He was the superintendent there from 1889 until 1908. Reuben was instrumental in creating the curriculum and work program used there. He became known as the "Elisha" of Moody's work upon his death in 1899.
While teaching at the school, he also pastored the Chicago Avenue Church from 1894 to 1905. Reuben said that not a day went by without someone being saved. He attributed this to the Saturday night prayer meetings they would have, and the training of his members in soul winning.
His ministry soon became a global one. Missionary trips to Japan, China, and finally meeting up with his former student, Charles M. Alexander in Australia. Together they had meetings throughout Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Next, they went to India, and then on to England and Scotland, France and Germany.
His prayer for revival around the world had not only been answered, but he was instrumental in carrying it out.
When he returned to America, he started a crusade throughout the United States and Canada from 1906 until 1911. He held to establish the Montrose Bible Conference of Pennsylvania in 1908. Then he went back to preach in Great Britain in 1911.
Upon returning to the United States he went to California where he served as Dean of the Los Angeles Bible Institute from 1912 to 1924. He went on his third missionary journey during this time in 1919. He visited Japan, China, and Korea.
From 1924 until 1928, he travelled holding Bible conferences. He died on October 26, 1928 in Asheville, North Carolina.
Reuben Torrey's life shows what a sold out, faithful man of God can accomplish. He wrote around 40 books, an International Sunday School series called Gist Of The Lesson, and was an example of a prayer warrior for Christ. He was not only a prayer; he was a doer.
His family moved a lot and faced their share of heartaches and triumphs. The Torrey's lost their fortune, and young Rueben had only a matchbox and sleeve buttons to look forward to.
As a young man, Reuben decided that he wanted to become a lawyer. When he read a book that explained what being a Christian meant, he ran from the thought because he was afraid that God would make him a preacher.
When he was 15 years old, he went to Yale University. He was something akin to the youngsters on college campuses in our day, he was a good dancer and he loved the social experiences that were all around him. Though worldly joys were all around him, he was depressed and suicidal.
One night, during a very dark episode, Reuben went to his bathroom to find a razor to commit suicide with. Little did he know that his mother was praying for his salvation at that very moment. As he stood there on the precipice of death, he felt a longing to pray. He went back to his bed and knelt and asked the Lord to save him. He promised to preach if God would deliver him from his burdens. He went to sleep very peacefully that night in 1875. The upcoming semester, he entered into the Yale Divinity School at 18 years of age.
The desire to see souls saved took the place of the desire for worldly pleasures. He became known as a great soul winner. He found the young lady that he use to take dancing and witnessed to her. He preached the gospel for 2 hours, and she accepted Christ as her Savior.
He lost both of his parents in the year 1877. This didn't faze him from his calling to win souls. The next year he had the pleasure of hearing D. L. Moody speak in Haven, Connecticut. Torrey wanted to know how to win souls. Moody simple replied, "Go at it! That's the best way to learn."
Torrey took this advice to heart. He started putting God's Word into the hands of sinners, asking them to read certain verses, and then questioning them about the words they read to make sure they understood them. Torrey wanted to win souls to Christ. He never tried to win them with his personality or his character. He took Moody's sermon Faith Can Do Anything and books written by Finney to help him become the man Christ wanted him to be. He got his Bachelor's degree in 1878, and was ordained a minister. He pastored the Congregational Church in Garretsville, OH, and worked on his Doctor of Divinity, which he received in 1889. He continued to pastor the church until 1882. It was here that he met and married Clara Smith, with whom he had 5 children.
He was always seeking to become a better witness for Christ. He took his family to Germany and studied at the universities of Leipzig and Erlangen.
It was here that he encountered liberalism. At first, he was compelled by the views, but gradually he became convinced of the falsity of this doctrine.
When he returned to the United States in 1883, he was offered two vastly different positions. The first was a wealthy church in Brooklyn, and the other a poor church in Minneapolis. He felt God lead him to the poor church. This church became known as The Open Door Church. He pastored it He then moved to the ministry at The People's Church from 1887 until 1889. During this time, he also took on the responsibility of superintendent of the Congregational City Mission Society, a position he held from 1886 until 1889.
During this time he read George Meuller's Life Of Trust and his motto became "pray through". He started to hold special prayer meetings asking God for revival around the world. We know that sometimes when we pray for something, God asks us to be the ones to accomplish it. This is what happened in Reuben's life.
D. L. Moody called Reuben to be the head of his new school, The Chicago Evangelization Society. He was the superintendent there from 1889 until 1908. Reuben was instrumental in creating the curriculum and work program used there. He became known as the "Elisha" of Moody's work upon his death in 1899.
While teaching at the school, he also pastored the Chicago Avenue Church from 1894 to 1905. Reuben said that not a day went by without someone being saved. He attributed this to the Saturday night prayer meetings they would have, and the training of his members in soul winning.
His ministry soon became a global one. Missionary trips to Japan, China, and finally meeting up with his former student, Charles M. Alexander in Australia. Together they had meetings throughout Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. Next, they went to India, and then on to England and Scotland, France and Germany.
His prayer for revival around the world had not only been answered, but he was instrumental in carrying it out.
When he returned to America, he started a crusade throughout the United States and Canada from 1906 until 1911. He held to establish the Montrose Bible Conference of Pennsylvania in 1908. Then he went back to preach in Great Britain in 1911.
Upon returning to the United States he went to California where he served as Dean of the Los Angeles Bible Institute from 1912 to 1924. He went on his third missionary journey during this time in 1919. He visited Japan, China, and Korea.
From 1924 until 1928, he travelled holding Bible conferences. He died on October 26, 1928 in Asheville, North Carolina.
Reuben Torrey's life shows what a sold out, faithful man of God can accomplish. He wrote around 40 books, an International Sunday School series called Gist Of The Lesson, and was an example of a prayer warrior for Christ. He was not only a prayer; he was a doer.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Consider Your Ways (video sermon)
When the captivity returned to Jerusalem, they started to rebuild the temple. The people were so happy and so excited that there was some progress happening. But, no sooner did they start than some opposition started, and they quit.
God's will was for His temple to be built. But all the devil had to do was get them discouraged and get them focused on themselves and their "needs" to get them to give up. They made up their minds that it wasn't the right time to build the temple. God had moved the King, Cyrus, heart to allow them to go back and build- had they forgotten this?
We do the same in our lives. We know what God wants us to do, but a little opposition comes and we start looking at ourselves and what we "need" to do. But, what is it that God wants? Did his will for our lives change because the devil put something in our way? No! We are suppose to be giving ourselves to the work of the Lord!
This attitude is a heart problem. We make time for what we deem important. You will make time for the thing that you love. If you love God, you will make time for Him. The children of Israel didn't love God enough to make time for Him. God told them to "consider their ways". What are the consequences of doing your own thing, going your own way? Discouragement. Dissatisfaction. Like you're living in a spiritual drought.
Think about it! If you examine your life and what you're doing you'll discover the reason you are discouraged and dissatisfied. If you step out and do what God wants in your life, even when you don't understand it, you will see Him meet your needs. You'll see His hand in each circumstance. You'll feel His blessing in each situation. You'll finally start to prosper in your spiritual life.
God is more concerned with your obedience than anything else in your life. He is with you; He's going to help you. He holds you in the palm of His hand. But, you won't see it or feel it if you don't submit to His will. Read your Bible. Pray. Step out in service to the Lord. When you give Him everything, you'll find you have everything you need for success.
God's will was for His temple to be built. But all the devil had to do was get them discouraged and get them focused on themselves and their "needs" to get them to give up. They made up their minds that it wasn't the right time to build the temple. God had moved the King, Cyrus, heart to allow them to go back and build- had they forgotten this?
We do the same in our lives. We know what God wants us to do, but a little opposition comes and we start looking at ourselves and what we "need" to do. But, what is it that God wants? Did his will for our lives change because the devil put something in our way? No! We are suppose to be giving ourselves to the work of the Lord!
This attitude is a heart problem. We make time for what we deem important. You will make time for the thing that you love. If you love God, you will make time for Him. The children of Israel didn't love God enough to make time for Him. God told them to "consider their ways". What are the consequences of doing your own thing, going your own way? Discouragement. Dissatisfaction. Like you're living in a spiritual drought.
Think about it! If you examine your life and what you're doing you'll discover the reason you are discouraged and dissatisfied. If you step out and do what God wants in your life, even when you don't understand it, you will see Him meet your needs. You'll see His hand in each circumstance. You'll feel His blessing in each situation. You'll finally start to prosper in your spiritual life.
God is more concerned with your obedience than anything else in your life. He is with you; He's going to help you. He holds you in the palm of His hand. But, you won't see it or feel it if you don't submit to His will. Read your Bible. Pray. Step out in service to the Lord. When you give Him everything, you'll find you have everything you need for success.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Becoming Another Man
Reading through the rise and fall of King Saul, I find some pretty interesting things to use practically in my everyday walk with Christ.
King Saul becomes the first ruler of Israel after the time of the Judges. Saul went to Samuel to find out what happened to his father's missing donkeys that he was searching for. But, Samuel had been told by God to anoint him as the first king of Israel. Samuel tells him in I Samuel 10:6, "And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man."
Saul was from the smallest tribe in Israel. At this point in his life he was very humble. He was a person that God could use. God made him another man by giving him another heart. Not another physical heart or another physical body, but a spiritual enhancement of what was already somewhere under the surface.
I Samuel 10:9- And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.
He became the King that was needed to lead the Children of Israel against their enemies at that time, the Philistines. God would tell Saul what He expected of him, and then He waited to see if Saul would perform it.
There were 2 main circumstances that changed Saul from this new man with a a new heart into one of the greatest types of Antichrist in the Bible! The first happened just 2 years after he had been anointed.
Saul had gathered the armies of the Israelites together to go to battle with the Philistines. They were waiting on Samuel to come and offer the sacrifice, but after a week of Samuel not showing up, Saul took it upon himself to offer this sacrifice.
I Samuel 13:13-14- And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel forever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD had commanded thee.
His first mistake was thinking more highly of himself than he should have. Only the priests were to offer sacrifices to God, but Saul wanted to save face with the people and took it upon himself to do the job of Samuel.
His next mistake came when he disobeyed a direct command from God. God sent Samuel to tell Saul to go and destroy the Amalekites; not only to destroy them, but also all their animals. But, again, Saul did things the way he thought they should be done.
I Samuel 15:9- But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
Saul saw that they had some pretty good cattle, and he and the people decided that it would be beneficial for them to keep those things alive. He also kept the king of the Amalekites alive. This is all that this chapter mentions, but later you find out that David is robbed by Amalekites, and all the way past the time of the Kings of Israel during the time of Esther, there are Agagites causing trouble. Saul spared quite a bit!
When Samuel showed up and asked him about it, he first blamed the people and then said it was because they wanted to use it for an offering to God. Wow! Pass the buck and then try to sound spiritual!
I Samuel 15:22-23- And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
God always brings us back to the point where we messed up hoping that we will see it and get it right. Saul messed up first by sacrificing when he wasn't suppose to. I don't read anywhere where he repented. Now, Samuel is pointing out that it is better to obey than sacrifice.
The humble young man that was anointed king was gone, and so was the man with another heart. In it's place was a hard-hearted man who was more interested in how he looked to the people than how he looked to God.
Saul became another man entirely! Not the one who loved God and was willing to do God's will despite what others around him would think. Not one who put aside his desires to carry out the orders from the Most High that would most benefit his people in the long run. He became a man that no matter what God threw at him would harden his heart and go after those who he thought would take what he had.
We each have a choice to make throughout our lives. In every situation we are faced with what we want and what Christ wants. When we chose what we want, God has to punish us and bring us through the same test over and over until we learn.
I Samuel 16:14- But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
The saddest part of Saul's life's story is that he never learned. The question I must ask now is "Will I?"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)