The hand of the LORD was heavy against the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory. 1 Samuel 5:6 I grew up in the 80s and clearly remember watching Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark for the first time. In particular, the opening-of-the-ark…
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As soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years. 1 Samuel 4:18 I’ve always been baffled by those individuals who’ve done…
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And when the people came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.” 1 Samuel 4:3…
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So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the LORD. Let him do what seems good to him.” 1 Samuel 3:18 It’s not uncommon for the incarcerated to turn to God in their desperation. Their lives are a disaster and forces beyond their control threaten to dictate their…
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And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” 1 Samuel 3:10 Over 15 years of opioid use, I tried several times to get sober, relapsing every time. What was I doing wrong? I went to God, asking for help. I completed outpatient…
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And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all these people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad.” 1 Samuel 2:23-24 Back in college, I had a professor who returned from a spring…
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Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 1 Samuel 2:22 Many times, I’ve heard it said that power corrupts, and many times, I’ve witnessed examples of…
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As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the LORD and dwell there forever. 1 Samuel 1:22 I belong to a gym where we work out as a group, everyone doing the prescribed workout of the day. We have a coach who sets…
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Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” . . . Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. 1 Samuel 1:17-18 A few weeks back, my wife asked me to help her with a project…
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I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation. 1 Samuel 1:15-167 The most common complaint that my patients in jail ask…
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