Posts with the category “seek”

"Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did." I know what you're thinking. We don't have temples for Baal. We don't worship Ashtoreth. We don't have wooden poles in our homes. So this doesn't really apply to us.But those gods only became gods because that's what the people turned to in their need. We can make a god out of anything.The real question is...  Read More

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." When Samuel told Israel to put away foreign gods and the Ashtaroth, I almost skimmed right over it. In my Bible brain, I just know Israel always had a problem with idols. This was par for the course.But then I wondered why Samuel named Ashtaroth specifically. Why not just say foreign gods and leave it at that?Here's what I...  Read More

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." Before the hand releases, the heart must renounce.Samuel gave Israel three conditions for returning to God. And notice which one came first. Not action. Not even service. The heart. Return with all your heart.Here's what I need you to know. The heart is the throne of all your actions. It governs how you act and who you tru...  Read More

"And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, 'If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.'" Twenty years.Let that sink in for a moment. Israel lamented after the Lord for twenty years. Twenty years of crying out ...  Read More