Slideshow image

Hi everyone! I hope you’re having a wonderful week!

I’ve heard a number of stories of happy get-togethers of family and friends this past weekend, especially centering on Mother’s Day. Our moms contribute to our lives in more ways than we realize or imagine, and it’s a good thing to have a day when we are reminded to pause and acknowledge them in a focused way. I trust that it’s been a good time of celebration for all of you mothers out there.

At the same time, I think it’s important to acknowledge all of the wonderful ladies in our families and our community who are not mothers, but who are women of influence all the same. Not everyone is called to give birth as part of God’s overarching and sometimes inscrutable plan. (For some of the ladies among us, that’s good news, though I know that for others it has been a source of sadness.) But all of us are called to be God’s instruments to bless others, and reflections of His love for those around us. I’m so glad for the women in our church and for others I’ve known who have not had the experience of biological motherhood, but who have faithfully contributed to the lives of people around them with all the same love and grace and self-sacrifice that our mothers show. You also deserve to be acknowledged and honored. You make a huge difference in the lives of many, and serve as part of the backbone of our community.

I hope that all our women of influence have had someone reach out to you over this past week to celebrate and thank you for the many things you do and for all you mean to us - both the moms and those who are not called to be moms. You’re all special, and you’re all appreciated.

On the subject of being “people of influence,” this Sunday we’re going to spend a little more time thinking about the life of the prophet Samuel. The title of Sunday’s message is “Samuel: Making a Difference.” We could talk about many things in Samuel’s life, but the thing that has jumped out to me in my study is the impact this individual made - on people around him, on the nation of Israel, and ultimately on God’s plan of salvation for the world. We don’t actually know that much about Samuel as a person. The stories we read about him are surprisingly selective and short - especially given that he appears in a book called “First Samuel”! But my goodness, what a difference he made. He brought victory over Israel’s current enemies. He helped to unite the tribes into a nation. He established the role of king in Israel. He anointed David who would be the forefather of kings and ultimately of the family line that climaxes in Jesus.

If it wasn’t for Samuel, the Bible and the world would be very different. I’m so glad for his ministry. And I appreciate the lessons we learn from Samuel about the kind of person who makes a difference.

If you’re wanting to read ahead in preparation for Sunday, this week it’s going to be a bit tricky. The Bible traces Samuel’s life in bits and pieces over 16 chapters. So, if you’ve got lots of time for reading, you’re welcome to go through 1 Samuel 2:18 through 16:13. (If you’re really keen, you could add 19:11-24, 25:1, and 28:5-25.) But that’s a lot of reading, I know. If you want to be more selective, here are some of the sections of 1 Samuel to choose from:

  • 3:1-4:1 – Samuel’s first experience with prophecy as a boy (this will be our Sunday Scripture reading)
  • 7:3-11 – Samuel gathers the Israelites, and God does a miracle to scare the Philistines away
  • 8:1-21 – Israel asks for a king, Samuel prays about it, and then he warns the people about what it will mean to have a king
  • 9:1-10:1 – Samuel meets Saul, anoints him to be king
  • 12:1-25 – Samuel’s farewell message to Israel, and a sign from God that the people should take it seriously
  • 13:7-14 – Saul disobeys (he makes an offering instead of waiting for Samuel) and Samuel corrects him (the first time)
  • 15:2-3, 7-23 – Saul disobeys (he spares an enemy king and keeps what was to be destroyed) and Samuel corrects him (the second and more serious time)
  • 16:1-13 – Samuel anoints David to be king
  • 19:11-24 – Samuel and David hide from Saul, Saul prophesies (and it’s a bit strange)
  • 25:1 – Samuel dies
  • 28:5-25 – Weirdest part of the story: Saul has a medium summon Samuel’s spirit to get guidance

I hope you find time to look through at least one or two of the passages. It will help to whet your appetite for a look at Samuel’s life overall. In the process, may the Lord teach each of us a little more about what it means to be a person who makes a difference.

Meanwhile, have a great week, and we’ll see you soon. For those who will be away for the long weekend, God bless you wherever He takes you. For those who will gather, I look forward to worshipping together.

Pastor Ken