Today's Daily Devotional

[Bugsy]

March 30

Woe unto us: who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight. And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.
1 Samuel 4:8-10

Even though Israel had brought the Ark of the Covenant into their camp, thirty thousand men died. This was a horrible defeat; a brutal, bloody battle in which the Philistines butchered the people of Israel.

The same thing can happen to me. I bring the “Arkâ€

[rgrking]

They did bring it into their camp however they didn't let it lead them in battle like the other fights that were won. Remember to put it out front and all will be good.

[Bugsy]

April 1

And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.
1 Samuel 7:11-12

Ebenezer means “stone of help.â€

[Bugsy]

April 3

And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city. 1 Samuel 8:22

Although it was not His plan for them, God gave His people what they wanted.

O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help. I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? And thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes? I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath. Hosea 13:9-11

God can give us what we ask for. This is one of the real dangers of the “Name it and claim itâ€

[brad2007]

Thank you for the posts Ranger Bugsy. I guess Jon Courson didn't take over for Chuck Smith in Costa Mesa?

[Bugsy]

Thank you for the posts Ranger Bugsy. I guess Jon Courson didn't take over for Chuck Smith in Costa Mesa?

No but his son Peter John is down there now, Pastor Jon came back to Oregon and is doing what he was called to do, preach the word of God.

I figured I'd start posting Daily Devotional's for I'm certain some of us if not many could benefit from it.

[Bugsy]

April 4

Tomorrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
1 Samuel 9:16

The day previously, Samuel heard the Lord say, “Tomorrow a man is going to come - the one I have chosen to be the captain, the king of the nation.â€

[Bugsy]

April 5

Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance? When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel’s sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?
1 Samuel 10:1-2

I like what Samuel says because there are times when we, too, lose our donkeys - when we feel very real burdens, tensions, and anxieties. And as He did to Saul, God says, “I want to help you with that.â€

[litlbird]

April 5th is a good memory and today a good day to be still.

[rgrking]

Brother Thank you for doing this!

[Bugsy]

April 6

If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God: but if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.
1 Samuel 12:14-15

God is unbelievably gracious. He says, “If you choose to obey Me, I’ll reign over you. But if you rebel, My hand will be against you.â€

[Bugsy]

April 7

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way . . .
1 Samuel 12:23

When the people asked him to pray for them, Samuel said, “God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.â€

[Bugsy]

April 8

And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him.
1 Samuel 13:10

Samuel had told Saul to wait seven days before engaging in battle against the Philistines. When seven days had come and almost gone and Samuel hadn’t shown up, Saul said, “My troops are leaving. I’ve got to do something.â€

[Bugsy]

April 9

Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears: but all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock. Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.
1 Samuel 13:19-21

When the Philistines controlled the country, they would not allow the men of Israel to have swords. So to sharpen their plows and other implements of farming, the Israelites had to go to the Philistines.

It is always the way of the enemy to take away your Sword. “You can still farm. You can still do your work. I’ll give you tools,â€