Today’s Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:37 & 41 The Message – God who delivered me from the teeth of the lion and the claws of the bear will deliver me from this Philistine. This very day God is handing you over to me. I’m about to kill you, cut off your head, and serve up your body and the bodies of your Philistine buddies to the crow and the coyote.
Today’s Word: Confidence
Today’s Prayer: Dear Lord, when my confidence is in you “the God who delivers”, there is no reason to fear the enemy no matter how large he appears. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I truly believe if you ask me to do something, you will be there to support and strengthen me with your power and grace. Thank you. Amen.

Today’s Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:24-26 The Message – Saul gave in and confessed, "I've sinned. I've trampled roughshod over God's Word and your instructions. I cared more about pleasing the people. I let them tell me what to do. Oh, absolve me of my sin! Take my hand and lead me to the altar so I can worship God!" But Samuel refused: "No, I can't come alongside you in this. You rejected God's command. Now God has rejected you as king over Israel."
Today’s Word: Consequences
Today’s Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, it really doesn’t matter how sorry I am or how much you love me if I speed and cause an accident – even though I’m forgiven – my sin carries a consequence just like Saul’s did. You never stopped loving him but he lost his kingship. You never stop loving me, but I probably will get a ticket. Lord, forgive me for thinking you will cover all my mistakes. Sometimes you do and I thank you for those, but that’s no excuse for continuing to do things I know are wrong. Forgive me and help me to do better. Amen.

Today’s Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:8-14 The Message – Samuel failed to show up at Gilgal, and the soldiers were slipping away, right and left. So Saul took charge: "Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!" He went ahead and sacrificed the burnt offering. No sooner had he done it than Samuel showed up! Samuel said, "What on earth are you doing?" Saul answered, "When I saw I was losing my army from under me, and that you hadn't come when you said you would, and that the Philistines were poised at Micmash, I said, 'The Philistines are about to come down on me in Gilgal, and I haven't yet come before God asking for his help.' So I took things into my own hands, and sacrificed the burnt offering." "That was a fool thing to do," Samuel said to Saul. "If you had kept the appointment that your God commanded, by now God would have set a firm and lasting foundation under your kingly rule over Israel. As it is, your kingly rule is already falling to pieces. God is out looking for your replacement right now.
Today’s Word: Impatience
Today’s Prayer: Dear Lord God, when I read the words ‘So I took things into my own hands’, I think of all the times I have been impatient. I too dislike waiting for other people to show up. I can see where I could fall into the same trap Saul did. Yet he lost the kingdom, his job you might say because of it. Wow! James (1:2-4) says I should consider it pure joy when I face trials because they are designed to teach me patience. I assume Samuel not showing on time was designed to teach Saul patience but it backfired and uncovered his true character. This could happen to me. I’m sure of it. Forgive me for my lack of patience and help me change. Amen.

Today’s Scripture: 1 Samuel 10:20-23 The Message – After Samuel got all the tribes of Israel lined up, the Benjamin tribe was picked. Then he lined up the Benjamin tribe in family groups, and the family of Matri was picked. The family of Matri took its place in the lineup, and the name Saul, son of Kish, was picked. But when they went looking for him, he was nowhere to be found. Samuel went back to God: "Is he anywhere around?" God said, "Yes, he's right over there — hidden in that pile of baggage." They ran and got him. He took his place before everyone, standing tall — head and shoulders above them.
Today’s Word: Fear
Today’s Prayer: Dear God, Saul’s outer stature was powerful, but inside he was full of fear and no wonder he was made into an instant king. He had no practice learning to lean on you. Thank you Lord for all the life lessons I have had in my walk with you. I wouldn’t know how to lean on you without them and thank you for this great example of the dangers of instance success. I often think that would be the best way, but now I don’t think so. What an awesome God you are. Amen.

Today’s Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:10 The Message – While Samuel was offering the sacrifice, the Philistines came within range to fight Israel. Just then God thundered, a huge thunderclap exploding among the Philistines. They panicked — mass confusion! — and ran helter-skelter from Israel.
Today’s Word: Worship
Today’s Prayer: Thank you Lord for reminding me that worship is the most powerful weapon I can use against the enemy. Help me remember in the middle of any conflict to not stoop to fighting in my own strength. It doesn’t work. Amen.

Today’s Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:10 The Message – Samuel answered, “Speak. I’m your servant, ready to listen.”
Today’s Word: Listen
Today’s Prayer: My prayer today is the same as Samuel’s as I open my life to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “Speak. I am your servant ready to listen.” Amen.

Today’s Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:23-25 The Message – What’s going on here? Why are you doing these things? I hear story after story of your corrupt and evil carrying on. Oh my sons this is not good – if you sin against another person there’s help – God’s help. But if you sin against God who is around to help you?
Today’s Word: Sin
Today’s Prayer: Dear Lord God, what a scary thing to sin against you as Eli’s sons did. They should have appreciated the privilege of serving in your temple but instead they dishonored your name by serving their own evil lusts. With all sin there is a time we can repent and turn back to you and receive forgiveness, but these sons of Eli didn’t care about you nor were they disgusted with their sin. They actually enjoyed it. How sad is that. Forgive me Lord for my sins. Help me remain humble and willing to let go of anything that separates me from you. Amen.

Today’s Scripture: Ruth 3:5 The Message – Ruth said, “If you say so, I’ll do it, just as you’ve told me.”
Today’s Word: Trust
Today’s Prayer: Dear Lord, I can’t imagine how much trust it would take for Ruth to do as Naomi told her – to go into a man’s workplace in the middle of the night, wait for him in secret, and lay down at his feet when he slips off to sleep. Is there anyone in my life I trust that much? I’m not sure, but if I truly trust you and I believed this person to be your spokesperson into my life then yes. I could do it because my trust is in you. Amen.