a blog for Ashfield Baptist Church
The readings for Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 November 2007 are -- 1 Sam 11:1-13:22; Ps 63:6-11; Pro 14:4; Jn 4:27-54.
Labels: fear, heart, prayer, service/ministry, worship
posted by Ps John @ 1:13 AM
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Hi and welcome. Ashfield Baptist Church is a "caring community church sharing God's love". We are very diverse in our nationalities, backgrounds and ages, but united in our desire to grow spiritually and to reach out and help others. Our vision is "to be a body of Christ-like people living out the great commandment and the great commission in the Holy Spirit's power". This blog is mainly for people connected with Ashfield Baptist Church. It has been set up as an "info & chat space" as we start the "THRU IN 2" challenge. This is our program for reading the Bible right through during 2007 & 2008. Many are using the Every Day With Jesus Bible which also has daily devotions from Selwyn Hughes. As we read through the Bible together over these two years, we can use this blog to share insights, stories, reflections, questions etc. The goal is to grow spiritually together. So leave your comments. Together we can help each other grow. Blessings. Ps John. To leave a comment about the readings for a particular day, or to view the comments of others, just click on "comments" at the bottom of the post.
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Samuel had exercised an amazing prophetic ministry since God called him one night in the Temple when he was just a young boy (1 Sam 3). But he had not just been a prophet. He had also fulfilled the role of a judge (7:6,5-17). Notice that he includes himself in a list of people who had rescued Israel from their enemies (12:1). But now things are changing.
Saul had already been anointed as King (10:1) and had been accepted as such by most of the nation (10:24). Now, by the Spirit of God, he unites the nation, wins a great victory and is affirmed as King in a ceremony led by Samuel.
Samuel is no longer judge/leader of the nation, but he still has an important role as prophet/spiritual adviser. He presides over religious events (11:14-15), he reminds them of their history and what God has done (12:8-12), he teaches, challenges, rebukes and prophesies (12:13-25; 13:13-14). He also vows to keep praying for the people (12:23). He sees this as so important that to neglect it would be a sin! I find that pretty challenging.
The following verse (12:24) is my pick for the key verse in 1&2 Samuel - "Above all, fear the LORD and worship Him faithfully with all your heart, considering the good things He has done for you." This is firmly in the Deuteronomic tradition eg Deut 6:5; 10:12-13. The following verse expresses the other side of the coin - "However, if you continue to do what is evil, both you and your king will be swept away." A timely word indeed in view of the national elections.
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