A Gigantic Taradiddle

 April 26
 Daily Reading – 1 Samuel 12-13 / Luke 18:31-43

GOD SAID:

1 Samuel 13:11 And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash;

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

     What in the world is a taradiddle? Is it a new found dinosaur bone dug up by Dr. Diddle they have now named the taradiddle? Nope. Is it a galaxy far far way that they’ve just discovered with a high power telescope that could be new Terra firma, dry ground, to explore and discover? Not that either. Taradiddle simply means senseless talk; deception; Webster’s says it is nonsense, a petty lie. For example; “no sane person would make up such a taradiddle.” Also described as pretentious nonsense. Such as; “this taradiddle from him about his new radio show” That’s what Saul was trying to feed Samuel in today’s passage. A Gigantic Taradiddle.

    Samuel ask’s Saul why he didn’t wait for him to show up, but instead went ahead and offered up sacrifices that only a priest was allowed to do? Saul gives him a list of nonsense. First he says; People were leaving, “Because I saw that the people were scattered from me.” They were leaving, but that’s not an excuse to sin. Second he says; People were late, “thou camest not within the days appointed.” Also true, yet not a good reason to disobey God. Finally he says; People were lashing out; “that the Philistines gathered themselves together at Michmash.” Again, the enemy was gathering, but still no reason to break God’s law. These were all excuses, nonsense, a bunch of taradiddle. In the end It costs him his position as king.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

  People often try to make an excuse for their sinfulness. Things like; “others are doing it,” “it’s not that big of a deal,” or “who am I hurting anyway it’s my life.” Truth is, it’s all taradiddle. There is never a good reason to break God’s heart with sin.

Do we try to feed God taradiddle?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

A Given Transformation

 April 25
 Daily Reading – 1 Samuel 9-11 / Luke 18:1-30

GOD SAID:

1 Samuel 10:24 And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

     A few years back there was this toy that came out called “The Transformers.” This toy started out as a car or truck and then with a few twists here, and a pull there, it became a robot. The animated movies about these transformers combined with the toys took off. Next came a flood of marketing products on things like t-shirts, hats, pajamas, notebooks, lunch boxes, cups, and just about anything you could put a logo on had been touched by the transformer craze. However these were not the original transformers. God had been in the business of transforming things long before that.

    In today’s reading we see God taking an ordinary young man and transformed him into a king. Saul originally was not extraordinarily brave. In fact, when Samuel was introducing him as the first king, they had to go find him because he was hiding. According to scripture, he was a tall and good-looking guy, which kind of made him stand out in any crowd. Yet up until his encounter with Samuel, he had never even thought about being a king. He didn’t campaign or compete with anyone else to become king. Who or what then made this young lad a king? Simply put, God made him king. It was God’s words to Samuel that began that process. We read in 1 Samuel 11 how the Spirit of God came upon Saul and changed him forever. God had transformed this common young man. The people loved him and said, GOD SAVE THE KING.



GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

  God still transforms people today. Rom. 12:2 says; “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Will you let God’s Word change you?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

A Glaring Truth

 April 24
 Daily Reading – 1 Samuel 5-8 / Luke 17

GOD SAID:

1 Samuel 8:19-20 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

     Why do churches have Communion Services? I guess the short answer would be, because God said to. So here then is another question. Why do you think God said we should do communion? The answer is found in 1 Corinthians 11:25 when it says; “…This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.“ The last four words are your answer. It’s so we will be reminded of Christ and what He did for our sinfulness. You might be thinking to yourself, “how in the world could we possibly forget that?” It’s just as possible for us to forget what God has done for us, as it was for the children of Israel.

    So far, God has delivered Israel from Egypt just as they asked. He provided them with a means of dealing with their sinfulness through sacrifice, which they needed. God has set up leaders, priests, judges, and prophets to guide them back to Himself when they have wandered. He’s fought so many battles for them where they’ve had little to do but watch the mighty hand of God. In today’s passage, He gave them a judge, Samuel. He stepped between them and the Philistines, fought the battle for them, and restored all their land to them. Yet, still we read in 1 Samuel 8, they’ve forgotten all that. Even after being warned what a human king would do, they wanted what the world had. The glaring truth is, man soon forgets God, if we’re not reminded.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

  The next time your church has communion, thank God for the reminder. He judged our sinfulness, stepped out of eternity into our reality, and fought that battle for us on the cross of Calvary. He is still at the right hand of God interceding for us today.

Is He your KING?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

A Growing Trust

 April 23
 Daily Reading – 1 Samuel 2-4 / Luke 16:18-31

GOD SAID:

1 Samuel 2:26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

     I hate it when the power goes out. It seems as if life comes to a screeching halt. No TV to watch, no computer to work on, and even opening the refrigerator is depressing as the little light that welcomes me, is not there. You search for candles, you sit and read a while, passing the time until the power to come back on. Even worse is when the power pops on for a few seconds and then drops out again. It’s that glimmer of hope that pops back up. Like life is starting up again. Then, as suddenly as it vanished, it comes back on and life is good. Well at least we have power.

    Israel did not trust Eli and his family. His sons were stealing from the offerings and sacrifices given, so people just quit coming. We read in 1 Samuel 2:17 where it says; “men abhorred the offering of the Lord.” Since Eli would not do anything to correct his son’s behavior, no one came, no one sacrificed, no one brought offerings, and no one was right with God. There was no trust, there was no hope, no joy, and no blessings on these people. However, God raised up someone the people would learn to trust again. A young man by the name of Samuel. A light in a rather dark scenario. Samuel found favor with God and with Israel. In 1 Samuel 3:19 it says “…the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.” Which means people were listening to all Samuel had to say because he was speaking for God again. There was trust, and hope again.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

  What we do in life as believers has a huge impact on those around us. God calls us to be a light in a rather dark scenario. When the light goes out, people don’t know who to trust, they lose all hope. Sharing God’s word which they can trust gives people hope again.

Will you be that light?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

A Good Testimony

 April 22
 Daily Reading – Ruth 3-1 Samuel 1 / Luke 16:1-17

GOD SAID:

Ruth 3:11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

GETTING INTO GOD’S WORD:

     The Mona Lisa is considered to be one of the most valuable paintings in the world. According to Wikipedia it is one of the most visited, most written about, and most sung about pieces of art ever. It has been said the artist, Leonardo da Vinci, had lingered over it for four years before adding touches here and there, and he died saying it was not complete. Much has been said about this painting from the placement of the hands, said to depict that she was a virtuous and faithful wife, to her smile which has had people talking for centuries. The mystique of the Mona Lisa is in the eye of the beholder.


       A good testimony is very much like the details of a piece of art like the Mona Lisa. Boaz said to Ruth in Ruth 3:11 “And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.” What a statement buried in the middle of this book. Everyone in town, he said, knows that you are a virtuous woman. A lady of high moral standards. That kind of recognition does not happen overnight. It occurs after people have watched every movement, every action, and critiqued every detail of your life. They have listened to every word, how it is said, and to whom. In short, it means you have a good testimony among the people who know you best. People work years to obtain this testimony, which is all too easy to ruin.

GETTING GOD’S WORD INTO ME:

      God intends for you to be His Mona Lisa. However, He allows you to apply the brush strokes forming the picture of your life. We can’t erase the past, but we can paint a beautiful future for others to see and admire.

What do people see, looking at the artwork of your life?

     
Living In His Word Ministries
    “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12