1 Samuel 5:2 “Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it to the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon.”

 DON’T POKE AT GOD

 The Philistines were under the impression that since they had defeated Israel, they had also defeated their God. They took the ark of God and presented it before their god, Dagon. But when they awoke the next day Dagon was face down on the ground.  The next day it happened again, and he was even chopped up.

Then God turned His sights on the Philistines. He smote them with tumors.  Now they are worried.  Now before you judge them too harshly, we do the same thing.  We have to treat the things of God as holy, not casually as just another thing.  What do I mean?  How about His Word?  It is HIS Word, not just some stories.  How about the Church?  It is HIS bride, not just some gathering.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Children will watch how you handle God’s stuff.  They will learn from you how to handle His Word.  They will learn from you how you treat His Church.  They will learn from you how important you consider the day of worship.

“Come on, Carl!  Aren’t you getting a little legalistic?”  I don’t think so. I just think we don’t teach our children to honor God anymore.  He is the same God who smote the Philistines.  He is the same God who punished those who rejected Him.  Teach your children to have a holy reference for Him.

Is there something of God’s that you aren’t honoring?  Make that right?  Ask God to forgive you for not standing in awe of Him.  Ask God to forgive you for treating Him too casually.  He deserves all your praise.

O Holy God, forgive me when I get too comfortable with You. I know You love me and call me Your child, but I also know You are worthy of my allegiance and obedience.  I bow before You today.

1 Samuel 3:10 “Then the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel said, ‘Speak, for Your servant is listening.’”

 READY TO SERVE

This is a precious story about a young boy who heard the Lord’s voice for the first time.  Samuel was a servant to Eli, the Priest of God.  After Samuel came to Eli in the night for the third time, thinking Eli had called for him, Eli knew the Lord was calling Samuel and told him how to answer.

Sure enough, the Lord called again.  But notice the difference in this calling.  It says, “Then the Lord came and stood and called as at other times,…”  The first three times the Lord just called.  The fourth time the Lord “came and stood and called.”  He got up close and personal.  He wanted to make sure Samuel heard Him.

TEACHING MOMENT

I explain to children every time I teach how the Lord will speak to their hearts.  That can be confusing for a child, but I explain it.  God will make Himself very clear.  He won’t try to confuse them or scare them.  He wants them to know Him intimately, so He will be clear with His voice.

Your children need to be taught to listen to that voice.  Just as they can’t hear you call them for dinner if they are distracted or busy, they can’t hear God unless they are focused on Him.  I don’t mean they have to be monks or nuns and always in prayer.  I mean they have to have their minds prepared to hear Him by hearing YOU talk about Him and explaining how YOU heard Him.

 Are you listening?  How does God speak to you?  He may quicken your heart with a message.  He may come to you in a dream.  He may use a brother or sister in Christ. But God still speaks.  We must be listening.  We must be teaching others to listen.  And you can always count on one thing.  God’s voice will ALWAYS agree with His Word.  He will never direct you against it.

 O Holy God, speak! Speak Lord! Speak Lord!  Let me hear Your voice. Tell me what You would have me do.  I say as Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

Judges 15:15 “He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, so he reached out and took it and killed a thousand men with it.”

 USE WHAT YOU HAVE

 Samson was definitely a controversial judge.  Some of his antics will cause you to raise an eyebrow.  But judge he did, for twenty years.  This story is one of those eyebrow raising stories.  The Philistines came to kill him for burning their fields with 300 foxes tied together with torches (another interesting tale, no pun intended). He agreed to be turned over to them tied with two ropes which he quickly broke.

 The only problem was Samson didn’t have a sword, shield, bow or arrows.  How would he fight them?  He used what he had around him.  He saw a bone on the ground, picked it up and slaughtered 1,000 Philistines. Pretty gruesome, I know, but warfare is gruesome.  God used Samson, in His own way, to defeat Israel’s enemy.

 TEACHING MOMENT

 “Okay, Carl, show me how to teach this to my little Susie.”  Glad you asked.  God puts things in our life to use to serve Him.  For Samson, it was a donkey’s jawbone.  For your little Susie, it could be her musical talent.  It could be her oratory skills.  It could be her gift of service.  God equips us all in different ways.  But He will use us all, if we surrender.

 What skills and talents do you see in your children?  Help guide them in honing those for use to God.  Now, He may choose to develop a whole new gift in them. That’s okay.  But prepare them for God’s service.  They should feel natural in their service to Him, not awkward or nervous.

 What has God put in your hands to serve Him?  Are you using it?  Pick up that jawbone.  Serve the Him with vigor and energy.  Don’t say, “I can’t do that.”  You don’t have to. God will through you.  Let Him.

 Father, You are the gift giver.  You are the One who equips us for service.  Show me how to use what You have placed around me.

Judges 12:11-12 “11 Now Elon the Zebulunite judged Israel after him; and he judged Israel ten years. 12 Then Elon the Zebulunite died and was buried at Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.”

 THE ZEBULUNITE JUDGE

 What can be said about Elon, the 11^thjudge of Israel.  Well…not much.  These two verses are all we know, and they don’t say much.  But we must remember that every single word of the Bible is inspired by God.  That means that these verses are significant.  Our job is to discover what they mean.

Elon judged Israel.  That was no easy task.  And he did it for 10 years.  That’s longer than any President of the United States can serve.  He must have been a leader.  The Lord must have seen something in him to place him as a judge.  His name was etched for eternity in God’s Word.  My point is no one is insignificant.  We all have purpose.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Our children definitely need to be taught that.  So many children suffer from low self-esteem.  They don’t feel they matter.  They don’t think they have significance.  They see themselves as less than others.  But they aren’t.  God took the time to create them, therefore they are all important.

Take them to this verse and show them that.  We don’t know what Elon did.  We don’t know if he had a wife or children.  We don’t know his age when he started ruling or when he died.  All we know is he was a judge and died.  Period.  But Elon was important to the history of Israel.  God placed him there for a reason.

God has placed you where you are for a reason.  Do you know what that is?  Do you want to know?  He doesn’t want to keep it a secret from you.  Ask Him.  Let Him show you your purpose and reason for living.  Oh, how He wants to show you!

Lord God, You have placed me in this time and place for a reason.  Help me to discover the full reasons why. Show me how You want to use me to shape my city, country and world.

Judges 9:14 “‘Finally all the trees said to the bramble, “You come, reign over us!”’”

 BAD RULERS

Abimelech had convinced the people to proclaim him as their leader.  He was the illegitimate son of Gideon who lived in Shechem.  The people chose him over Gideon’s sons and lived to regret.  This quote in verse 14 is the voice of Jotham, the only son who survived Abimelech’s murderous tirade of his other 69 brothers.  It was prophetic. Abimelech was a bramble who brought destruction on Shechem.

So, what does this mean for us?  Choose your leaders carefully.  Many people promise great things.  Just elect them and they will bring prosperity.  Pick them and they will lead you to success.  Whether it be a political election or a community group, choose leaders who exemplify Christ’s teachings.

TEACHING MOMENT

Your children may grow up and run for an office.  They may be elected as class president in school.  They may even be elected to Congress or as President.  Teach them to represent well.  Teach them to live by God’s standards.  Teach them to lead well.  You just never know how God may use them.

They may never run for office, but they will have the opportunity to vote for others. Teach them to vote for people who stand for good.  Show them who you are voting for and why.  I have a couple of “line in the sand” issues when I vote.  One of them is a candidate’s view on life.  I cannot vote for anyone who is for abortion.  I know God would not be pleased with that.

How do you decide your leaders?  What guidelines do you use?  We have the best “litmus test” around – God’s Word.  Use it to guide you who to elect.  Do your part and trust God to put in power those whom He has selected to lead.

O God, I pray for our local and national leaders today.  I pray they will seek Your face today.  I pray for their safety and good health.

Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” 

BE BOLD

Most of us would never admit that we are “ashamed” of the gospel, but we just never share it.  We love to tell others at church how we LOVE the Word, but we never tell an unbeliever about it.  So, if you never share something that you have, isn’t that either being selfish or ashamed?

Paul is telling the Romans here that he knows the power of God for salvation.  He cannot contain it.  He has to spill it.  He wants everyone to experience what he experienced on the road to Damascus (except for the blinding part, lol).  Do you want the same?

TEACHING MOMENT

While your children are young teach them to love God’s Word and to share it with others. There will come a day when they are outside your direct influence.  It will be then that they have to decide how bold they will be in their witness.  It will be then that they have to decide if they are ashamed or proud of their Lord.

The only way they will learn to be bold and unashamed is to watch you proclaim the Gospel.  If they NEVER see you sharing the Word with others, they may presume that it is just something to keep to yourself.  Show them how to share it.  Show them when to share it.  Show them.

You have to make this decision.  God won’t force you to share.  But if you have the greatest news the world has ever heard, wouldn’t you want to share it? If you possessed the cure for cancer, wouldn’t you tell everyone?  If you are a believer, you have the cure for everything – Jesus.  Tell someone.

Father, forgive me for not sharing my love for Your Son more.  Give me the opportunity today to be a witness.  I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Acts 27:23-24 “’23 For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24 saying, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.”’” 

HEARING FROM GOD

Paul had tried to warn the people taking him to Rome to not travel due to the danger of storms, but why should they listen to an itinerant preacher?  What did he know about sailing?  Obviously, more than them.  The Lord had told him to go to Rome, so he knew HE would make it. But in this angelic appearance he is told that ALL on board would make it.

I don’t know about you, but if I am told by someone that they have had an angelic message, I would kind of doubt them.  Who sees angels?  Who gets messages directly from God?  We just don’t know who God will use in our lives to deliver His message to us.  Don’t dismiss someone because you can’t understand how this could happen.

TEACHING MOMENT

 How do you teach your kids to hear from God?  It’s not like an angel is going to appear every day and give them directions, right?  We teach them to hear God by praying and reading His Word.  They will hear from God by obeying His commandments.  They will hear from God when they listen (and I mean really listen) to their Pastor.

Hearing from God is not some mystical event.  God WANTS us to hear Him.  He may speak in a still small voice, but if we are listening we will ALWAYS hear it. Tell your children that.  Tell them to talk to Him daily.  And then – listen.

Are you listening today?  Do you need an angel to give you God’s message?  Of course, you don’t.  You just need to stop, get quiet and listen.  God is just waiting to talk with you.  He can’t wait to have a conversation with you.  Talk!

Lord, thank You for confirming Your presence in my life.  Thank You for talking to me daily.  Thank You for giving me the direction I need to follow.

Judges 3:4 “They were for testing Israel, to find out if they would obey the commandments of the Lord, which He had commanded their fathers through Moses.”

 GOD ALLOWS TESTS

God’s commandments were clear.  Get rid of all the pagan nations that lived within the borders of the Promised Land.  He even drove some out Himself through supernatural means, but He left some just to see if His people would obey Him.  Hmmmm! That doesn’t seem very nice.

 God knew their hearts.  They had already begun to intermarry and worship the pagan gods. God desired their obedience, but He wasn’t going to force them.  They had to obey willingly, just like us today.  However, if disobedience is chosen, consequences will come.  They experienced it, and so will we.

 TEACHING MOMENT

 Children need to learn that there are always consequences for any decision they make.  They can choose to obey and be blessed or disobey and be disciplined.  It’s their choice.  Give it to them.  But make sure they are fully aware of the consequences.

 Not following through with the consequences is the worst thing we can do as parents.  “But Carl, they didn’t mean to disobey.”  Are you sure about that?  Don’t get pulled into those big, ole puppy dog eyes.  LOL.  Be firm but loving.

What do you prefer – blessings or discipline? I don’t know about you, but I choose blessing.  That means I have to obey my Heavenly Father even when I think I want my way.  Notice I said “think.”  I don’t always know best.  I know you find that hard to believe, but I don’t.  But He always knows best.

Heavenly Father, hold me accountable for my actions.  That sounds funny to say, but I mean it.  Let me rest in Your knowledge of what is best for me.

Joshua 20:6 “‘He shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the manslayer shall return to his own city and to his own house, to the city from which he fled.’”

 STAY PROTECTED

 The cities of refuge idea was pretty cool.  Back in the Old Testament days, if someone killed someone, their family was normally pretty quick to seek revenge.  It didn’t matter if it was an accident or not.  The accused would be hunted down and murdered for killing their family member.

The cities of refuge provided a safe place for the accused to state his innocence. The elders of that city would not allow him to be killed.  But…there was one stipulation.  The accused had to stay in the city until the death of the current high priest.  That might be years!  But the umbrella of protection was only good if they abided by the rules.

TEACHING MOMENT

 Children need to understand that the protection you provide them is only as good as their willingness to obey.  If they refuse to listen to your guidance, they place themselves in harm’s way.  You can only protect those who want to be protected.

I have seen far too many parents enable their rebellious children simply by continuing to bail them out of trouble.  The problem with this is the trouble gets deeper and deeper.  Teach your children the rewards of obedience and the consequences of disobedience.  That’s biblical!

Are you suffering the pain of disobedience in your life right now?  Turn back to the One who can provide you protection.  He wants to defend you.  He wants to give you refuge, but you must follow His commands. He cannot protect those who refuse to follow.

O God, I know far too well the pain of not following You.  I am grateful for Your arms of protection over me when I submit to Your leadership and direction.  Help me show others the benefits of being under Your protection.

Acts 20:9 “And there was a young man named Eutychus sitting on the window sill, sinking into a deep sleep; and as Paul kept on talking, he was overcome by sleep and fell down from the third floor and was picked up dead.”

 CAREFUL WHERE YOU SLEEP

 I have been guilty of falling asleep in church. I have also seen a lot of people fall asleep while I was preaching (which I am sure did not reflect at all on the quality of my preaching, lol).  But this young man, Eutychus, should have been more careful where he was sitting. He was not embarrassed for falling asleep, he died!

 The story doesn’t end there, though.  Paul went down and raised him from the dead.  He told the people “his life is in him.” How did Paul do that?  He didn’t!  God in him did.  Paul didn’t raise Eutychus to get fame and honor.  He raised him to continue to live for Christ.

 TEACHING MOMENT

 Isn’t it the cutest thing when your little Susie gets so sleepy she can’t hold her eyes open?  You may have even had a child fall asleep during a meal.  Be careful where they lay their head.  Ha Ha!  Don’t try to teach them our verse today at that moment.  Wait until they wake up.

What’s the lesson for this verse?  I mean, why was this story recorded by Luke?  One lesson, I think, is to let us know that falling asleep accidentally in church is not a sin.  Kids should know that.  Now, I don’t mean stretching out on the pew and bringing a pillow.  That wouldn’t be an accident.  But getting sleepy in church can happen.  Kids should not be made to feel bad if that happens.

Eutychus will always be remembered as the boy who fell asleep during Pauls’ sermon and died and was brought back to life.  We don’t know anything else about him.  But I have to believe that he told of the power of God the rest of his life.  He was dead and lived to tell about it.

Father, Your power amazes me.  You bring life to the spiritually dead.  Thank You for “raising” me.