Did you have a spiritual crisis and turn to God in grief, “Why Lord?” when a container ship hit the Key Bridge in Baltimore, and six people lost their lives? You were likely saddened and even appalled. My guess is that the disaster was like the many, many other disasters that happen so frequently; theyContinue reading “Is God to blame for the times life goes wrong? – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Part 1”
Tag Archives: bible study
Can we learn anything from Indiana Jones about the power of the Ark of the Covenant? – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Preview
I suspect most of you have seen one or more of the Indiana Jones films starring Harrison Ford. In the films, Ford plays Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones, a professor of archaeology who has numerous adventures wearing his famous fedora and wielding a whip. In the first film, Raiders of the Lost Ark, “Indy” tries to stopContinue reading “Can we learn anything from Indiana Jones about the power of the Ark of the Covenant? – 1st Samuel 4:1b-7:17, Preview”
How humility is the foundational posture to hear from God – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 4
As we saw in the previous post, God speaks directly to Samuel. But why? God does not speak directly to the priests Hophni or Phineas. God does not speak to their father, the priest Eli. In today’s post, we learn how Samuel put himself in a position to hear directly from God. But first, weContinue reading “How humility is the foundational posture to hear from God – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 4”
Putting yourself in a position to hear from God – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 3
There was evil in the tabernacle. All the people knew it. God was also taking notice. Read 1 Samuel 2:27-36 here, and then return to the post. Those verses are brutal, right? God sends an unnamed prophet to give a dark, dark message for Eli. He is saying, “Eli, what your sons are doing isContinue reading “Putting yourself in a position to hear from God – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 3”
The primary characteristic of a disciple of Jesus – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 2
What do you think is the primary characteristic of a disciple of Jesus? Think about it a moment. There are numerous potential answers. You might even think of biblical passages that might provide some answers. I think the story that we’ve been following this week on the blog, a story found in 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a,Continue reading “The primary characteristic of a disciple of Jesus – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 2”
Are our lives so noisy we cannot hear the voice of God? – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 1
Microsoft has the Guinness World Record for the quietest room. It is located at their headquarters in Redmond, Washington. It is so quiet that people are said to only be able to stand a few hours in it. They first hear their heart beating. Eventually they can hear their blood flowing and bones moving. Eerie.Continue reading “Are our lives so noisy we cannot hear the voice of God? – 1 Samuel 2:12-4:1a, Part 1”
A prayer that reveals God’s heart for the hurting – 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11, Part 5
When we are going through difficulties in life, we wonder if God sees or cares. When our difficulties are prolonged and our prayers seem unanswered, we can really doubt God. This week on the blog, we’ve been studying 1st Samuel 1:1-2:11, the story of a woman, Hannah, who was battling infertility, and it seemed toContinue reading “A prayer that reveals God’s heart for the hurting – 1 Samuel 1:1-2:11, Part 5”
How to pray when God doesn’t give us what we want – 1st Samuel 1:1-2:11, Part 4
Last year my son and daughter-in-law excitedly gave us the news that they were pregnant with their second child! We rejoiced with them. A few months later, routine testing revealed the baby likely had a significant heart defect. Through the fall, I prayed for my granddaughter to be born and have no heart issues. IContinue reading “How to pray when God doesn’t give us what we want – 1st Samuel 1:1-2:11, Part 4”
When life is painful, do people make stupid comments to you? – 1st Samuel 1:1-2:11, Part 2
Hannah is in a precarious situation. She can’t bear her husband an heir, and yet her rival wife, Penninah is quite fertile. Hannah’s husband, Elkanah, could kick Hannah to the curb. What will Elkanah do? In 1st Samuel 1, verses 4-5, we learn that, “Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would giveContinue reading “When life is painful, do people make stupid comments to you? – 1st Samuel 1:1-2:11, Part 2”
God’s call is for everyone – Matthew 21:1-11, Part 4
Editor’s Note: This week at Faith Church we welcomed one of my current students, Molly Stouffer, as guest preacher. Molly is from Hagerstown, MD, studying Pastoral Ministries at Lancaster Bible College. Here is the fourth and final post in her series of posts guest blogging her Palm Sunday sermon! God’s will calls us into activeContinue reading “God’s call is for everyone – Matthew 21:1-11, Part 4”
Engaging Scripture 