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Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

Prayer to Live Today in Obedience

Almighty God, who is the Father of light and who has promised by your dear Son that all who do your will shall know your doctrine: give me grace this day, to live by sincere obedience, that I may increase in faith and in the understanding of your Holy Word; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Mason Barge 4/24/2015

Prayer to be Free of Anger

Lord Christ, you taught us that anger with our brethren is a violation of your law, that it condemns us just as murder condemns us. Let me see clearly that anger is moral filth, as your servant James taught us. And yet, anger arises in my mind. [Pause to remember occasions when you have been angry recently.] I repent my anger, and ask that I be forgiven for this sin, by my faith in you.

Holy Spirit, be with me now and help me to recognize my anger instead of denying it. Teach me to forgive each and every act that makes me angry. Where I have been directly offended, grant me the spirit of forgiveness; where I have become angry over things I have seen other people do or heard them say, imbue me with such a powerful sense of acceptance that my anger will disappear. Let me remember always, Holy God, that I am not in charge of the world; You are. Give me total faith that you know what you are doing.

I pray not to live with suppressed anger, nor to deceive myself by denying my anger when I have merely suppressed it, but let it be utterly abolished within me. Grant me to live in love and peace, as my Savior did and taught us to do. Let my anger be crucified, I pray in your name, Lord Christ,

by Mason Barge

Benediction

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted me as a living member of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have blessed me with the grace of forgiveness through the sacrifice He made for me and for all people. Send me now into the world in peace, and grant me strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord.

Think of the day ahead in terms of God with you, and visualize health, strength, guidance, purity, calm confidence, and victory as the gifts of His presence.

Pieta, by Daniele Crespi, 1626.

Psalm 118:19-24 (NKJV)

1 Samuel 10:1-2,5-16 (NLT)

Samuel Gives Instructions to Saul

(A young Benjamite named Saul and his servant, out searching for his father’s lost donkeys, have unexpectedly been feasted by the great prophet Samuel, who has unexpectedly told the reluctant Saul that all of Israel will soon look to him.)

hen Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head. He kissed Saul and said, “I am doing this because the Lord has appointed you to be the ruler over Israel, his special possession. When you leave me today, you will see two men beside Rachel’s tomb at Zelzah, on the border of Benjamin. They will tell you that the donkeys have been found and that your father has stopped worrying about them and is now worried about you. He is asking, ‘Have you seen my son? . . .’

“When you arrive at Gibeah of God, where the garrison of the Philistines is located, you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the place of worship. They will be playing a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre, and they will be prophesying. At that time the Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them. You will be changed into a different person. After these signs take place, do what must be done, for God is with you. Then go down to Gilgal ahead of me. I will join you there to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. You must wait for seven days until I arrive and give you further instructions.”

As Saul turned and started to leave, God gave him a new heart, and all Samuel’s signs were fulfilled that day. When Saul and his servant arrived at Gibeah, they saw a group of prophets coming toward them. Then the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he, too, began to prophesy.

When those who knew Saul heard about it, they exclaimed, “What? Is even Saul a prophet? How did the son of Kish become a prophet?” And one of those standing there said, “Can anyone become a prophet, no matter who his father is?” So that is the origin of the saying “Is even Saul a prophet?”

Notes on the Scripture

If Saul was dumbfounded at Samuel’s treatment of him before, now he must be completely freaked out. Samuel, the great judge and seer, has told him he is to reign over all Israel, and Saul isn’t buying it. But God changes Saul’s heart, largely through Samuel, who makes a number of specific predictions that immediately come true.

The people of Israel have asked God for a king, and despite the potential drawbacks (see 1 Samuel 8:10-20), He has acceded to their prayer. Nor has there been any horrendous political struggle; through Samuel, God chose an inconspicuous young man from a good, but by no means great, family. He is also from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest of the twelve tribes but located centrally around Jerusalem and Jericho.

From the point of view of secular historians, there seems to be no disagreement as to the basic facts:

At some point just before 1000 B.C. (around 1040-1020 B.C.), twelve closely allied Jewish tribes lived in Palestine, ruled loosely by charismatic leaders called “judges.” They became involved in pointed and prolonged conflict with the Philistines (about whom little is known) living on their western border. Popular sentiment demanded a king to increase the military efficiency of the Jewish armies, and a man named Saul, from a lesser branch of the Tribe of Benjamin, was chosen to lead. Interestingly, the Koran, like the Bible, states that the choice was made by Samuel.

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“ Let Him Call You Sweetheart ”

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