Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 28:24-25, Now the woman had a fatted calf in the house, and she hastened to kill it. And she took flour and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread from it. 25 So she brought it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.
What exactly did Saul gain by going to a medium? The short answer to this question is “nothing”. He gained nothing. This is certainly a lesson that we can all learn, if we have not already. I am sure that many of us have already been down the road of going to the world to find answer that only God had the answer to; only to come away feeling empty and more stressed than we were previously. In the end, Saul received an answer he could have done without and a belly full of food that would eventually leave his body as waste. As born again followers of Jesus, we have Someone to go to when we need answers to life’s difficult questions. We have Someone we can go to when we need comfort in the midst of difficult times. The unsaved are weighted down with the worries and stresses of this world. Those that are trying to find favor with God are working to achieve the impossible, because God’s salvation comes by His grace alone (John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus clearly stated in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” When we stop and think about all that we have gained in Christ to help us when we have to maneuver life’s twists and turns, we have to admit that we are blessed beyond measure! God has given us in Christ, the Holy Spirit who indwells us (1 Corinthians 3:16); meaning that God is with us 24/7. He guides us, and teaches us. He uses the Word of God to help us know God, change our worldly thinking, and guide us as we walk with Jesus. Romans 12:2 admonishes us, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 also says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The greatest access we have to the Father, in Christ, is prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 promises, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” The wonderful thing about prayer is that in Christ we can go before God’s throne with boldness, and the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf in those times when we do not even know how to pray. Hebrews 4:14-16 promises, “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Romans 8:26-27 also promises, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” The bottom line is that the world does not have any lasting answers to life’s challenges. If we want to get through this life successfully, by God’s standards, then we must stay close to the Lord, pray, read and study His Word, and trust Him in those times when we do not understand why things are happening the way they are. No matter what happens, and no matter what it may look like to us, God is ALWAYS in control.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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