When Faith Abounds 

We discovered aspects of Samuel's life to glean for our own in the past two devotionals. His faith captured God's attention. Let's peek into Samuel's life as he anointed two kings. I Samuel 8-15

Samuel was the last judge that Israel had ending a 200 year season of judges ruling God's people.

"Samuel appointed his two sons as leaders but they did not follow in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice." 8:3

"The elders of the people came to Samuel and said, 'You're old and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.'" 8:5

The people demanded a king.  God said to Samuel they are not rejecting you, but Me. Give them a king but let them know the consequences of their actions. So he did. It wasn't good but they wanted to have a king anyway. 

Saul was a handsome young man and a head taller than anyone. His wealthy dad...

When Faith Abounds 

 

Samuel is mentioned among the faith giants in Hebrews 11. His life was one of tremendous God-encounters that began in his youth.

Hannah was Samuel's mother. She promised God that if He gave her a child she would return him to God for His service. Once he was weaned she kept her vow and took Samuel to the temple in Shiloh to serve under Eli, the priest.

Every year she returned for their annual trip to worship God. Each time she brought a new robe for her growing son.

Meanwhile, Eli's two sons were very wicked and abused their position in the temple. They were scoundrels; and had no regard for the Lord. I Samuel 2:12

Eli did not discipline his sons and God stepped in. He sent a prophet who told Eli that God had had enough of their wickedness. Judgement was coming. They didn't care and continued their ungodly behavior.

"Meanwhile the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people." 2:26

Because of their...

When Faith Abounds 

Samuel is mentioned among the faith giants in Hebrews 11.

His life began through a barren, desperate woman. For many years Hannah cried out to the Lord in deep anguish. I Samuel 1-3

She and her husband, Elkanah, made their annual trek to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord at the temple.

Eli, the priest, misunderstood her as he saw her praying so earnestly. Her lips were moving but she wasn't making any sound. He accused her of being drunk and told her to put away her wine.

She told him she wasn't drinking. "Don't take me for a wicked woman. I am in great anguish and grief."

Eli then said, "Go in peace and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him." 1:16-17

Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel which means "heard by God."

Are you in a season of barrenness in some area of your life?

A place where no matter what you do or how much you pray, give, or try it just doesn't fly?

In these...

The Quiet Brook - Time in His Presence is a unique daily devotional with topics that benefit all Christians. The two-day format allows extra time to meditate on the word of God. Get it today: Click here

“Keep trusting in the Lord and do what is right in His eyes. Fix your heart on the promises of God and you will be secure, feasting on His faithfulness.” Psalm 37:3

A heart fixed on God’s promises will trust Him and do what is right in His eyes. These postures of faith will stabilize you. His words will light your path showing you where to go next. Psalm 119:105

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Faith Abounds - Episode 13 

David's life spans many chapters in the Bible. The phases and seasons recorded gives insights and wisdom for events we face in our lives.

II Samuel 22 records a song that David sang when God delivered him from his enemies and from the "days of Saul." It's 51 verses. That's a long song, right?

Read this chapter yourself. It will strengthen your faith.

"I called to the Lord...the waves of death swirled about me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.

In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God. From His temple He heard my voice; my cry came to His ears." vs. 4-7

Unless you've been in a season like he describes you can't write about it with such descriptive words. It's easy to see David sang from his own experiences.

Many times his exact words comforted me like a warm blanket giving me hope. I thank God that He, by His Spirit, had these words put...

David & Goliath

David heard the commotion. He saw the giant of a man shout out his defiance against the God of Israel and His people.

They had been at a stand off for 40 days. The giants were taunting the Israelites every morning and evening driving the Israelite army to retreat in fear and dread, with great success.

David, the shepherd boy, said, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

King Saul agreed to let David take on the giant but wanted him to wear His armor. Perhaps so that as the men watched from their positions they would think it was the king who was courageous enough to go up against their ferocious enemy.

David said, "I can't wear that! It doesn't fit me. I need to go with what works for me, how God has trained me to fight."

Goliath kept getting closer and saw that it was little more than a boy, glowing with health...

The Quiet Brook - Time in His Presence is a unique daily devotional with topics that benefit all Christians. The two-day format allows extra time to meditate on the word of God. Get it today: Click here

“Instead of their shame My people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so, they will inherit a double portion in their land and everlasting joy will be theirs.” Isaiah 61:7

God invites you to sit at His table to feast on His Word, His promises and His provision.

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Faith Abounds 

HEBREWS 11

32 And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who by faith [that is, with an enduring trust in God and His promises] subdued kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promised blessings, closed the mouths of lions, 34 extinguished the power of [raging] fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became mighty and unbeatable in battle, putting enemy forces to flight. 35 Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured [to death], refusing to accept release [offered on the condition of denying their faith], so that they would be resurrected to a better life; 36 and others experienced the trial of mocking and scourging [amid torture], and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned [to death], they were sawn in two, they were lured...

The Quiet Brook - Time in His Presence is a unique daily devotional with topics that benefit all Christians. The two-day format allows extra time to meditate on the word of God. Get it today: Click here

“For Jehovah God is our Light and our Protector. He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk along His paths. O Lord of the armies of heaven, blessed are those who trust in You.” Psalm 84:11-12

We live in tumultuous, uncertain times. A clear picture of what we’re currently experiencing can be found in II Timothy 3:1-3. Paul charged Timothy to keep preaching the word, to correct, rebuke and encourage the brethren with great patience and careful instruction. He also told him to be prepared in season and out of season. (4:1-5) In like manner, we should heed those same words as Paul laid out the blueprint for victorious Christian living for the last days

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Faith Abounds 

Judges 16 (full story Judges 13-16)

Delilah Extracts His Secret

15 Then she said to him, “How can you say, ‘I love you,’ when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times and have not told me where your great strength lies.” 16 When she pressured him day after day with her words and pleaded with him, he was annoyed to death. 17 Then [finally] he told her everything that was in his heart and said to her, “A razor has never been used on my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I will become weak and be like any [other] man.”

18 Then Delilah realized that he had told her everything in his heart, so she sent and called for the Philistine lords, saying, “Come up this once, because he has told me everything in his heart.” Then the Philistine lords came up to her and brought the money...