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Today is Saturday April 11, 2009 and we are completing our studies on the book of I Samuel. Please read chapters 28-31 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this link into your browser: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Samuel%2028-31&version=9

Today's Message: True Success
True success will result from seeking God's Will through reading His Word while at the same time praying to the Lord for guidance.

We all long to be successful in what we set out to do, but if we are not careful any efforts that we have made will turn from success to failure quicker than you can blink your eyes.

After Samuel became judge, the Philistines were so badly defeated that they no longer went into their territory, but during Saul's reign they were constantly there, creating warfare. "And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel." (I Samuel 28:1). Even the wars that we are faced with today are a result of loss of spiritual guidance from God.

Now that Samuel had died and he ruined his relationship with David, Saul had no way of getting guidance from God. Saul's worst enemy was himself. He had lived a self-serving life. He never thought about the consequences of his disobedience, choosing his own way rather then seek God for guidance. God had given him the privilege of reigning over the kingdom of Israel, but his persistent disobedience, hatred of David, and having all the priests executed disqualified him from continuing his rule over the people of God and seeking anymore guidance from Him.

Fearing for his life he tried to reach God himself to no prevail and when God did not answer he foolishly sought guidance from a fortune-teller. "And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee." (28:5-8).

The fortune-teller was no help, instead of peace his fears increased even more, especially after the appearance of Samuel and was scorned for summoning his spirit. "And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?" (28:15-16). The next day Saul, along with his sons, including Jonathan, was killed in the battle.

The biggest hindrances in the Christian life are power, wealth, popularity, and the talents that we are blessed with. God blesses us with these things to be used for His purpose, but if we are going to make those things our gods He will slowly take things away until we have absolutely nothing. Still, instead of seeking God some seek guidance from psychics, fortune-tellers, palm readers, and other demon-controlled people, rather than crying out to God in times of great distress and relying upon Him alone to help them through it.


Success is not about how much money you make or how many people know your name, it's about being the best you can be, acknowledging that God got you there. True success will result from seeking the Lord's will through reading His Word while at the same time praying to the Lord for guidance.


Today's Psalm: 84:11
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
You know the longings of my heart. When I seek thrills and quick fixes to satisfy these needs I am eventually disappointed. Your supply of Living Water never runs dry and satisfies the inner desires of my heart because You are the only One who can meet my spiritual needs. Lord, as I come today dry and thirsty I look to You, for You satisfy the thirsty and fill the hungry with good things. In Jesus' Name..........Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed Easter (Resurrection Day)
God Bless,
Christina

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