Tuesday is one of my favorite days of Holy Week. It is the day that Jesus taught parables, confronted the religious leaders, noticed the unnoticed and spoke about the future. Oh how I would have loved to have been there, listening to His voice, seeing the passion in His words, watching the responses of those in the crowd and most importantly, just being near Jesus. The day started with Jesus and His disciples walking to the temple and along the way they saw the fig tree from the day before, all withered up. Peter was surprised, but Jesus responded by saying, “Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if anyone…

Easter is not a day – it is a season and a way of life. It’s being intentional about choosing to see Jesus in every moment of your life and not only imagining walking with Him, but actually living in a vibrant and personal relationship with Him. During this passion week put yourself in the moments of each day by visualizing yourself being right there, with Jesus. What would you do? What would you say? How would you feel? Make it personal. The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry.  Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any…

“Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” The word hosanna comes from a Hebrew word meaning “save now” or “save us, we pray.” The crowd’s use of this word at the triumphal entry was significant—especially as they waved palm branches. By saying “hosanna” as Jesus passed through the gates of Jerusalem and referring to David and David’s kingdom, the Jews were acknowledging Jesus as their Messiah. Their shouts of “hosanna in the highest” indicated the hope that their Messiah had finally come to set up God’s kingdom then and there. Today begins my most favorite time of year, Holy…

The precious picture of Salvation ends with joy. Oh the joy that fills our souls when we come to know Jesus and His promise of spending eternity with Him! Hannah’s joy was evident in the prayer that bears her name which was written for us. “My heart rejoices in the Lord!” “There is no one holy like the Lord!” “There is no Rock like our God!” Amen and Amen!! While studying the life of Hannah I discovered a little nugget that I had never seen before. My heart went out to her being separated from her son for all those years. Then I read that later when Samuel was serving…

The precious picture of Salvation continues as Hannah experiences the Peace of God. Her story tells us that when she left the tabernacle, after pouring her heart out to the Lord, she was no longer downcast. Her circumstances hadn’t changed but her entire outlook had changed and she was at peace. When we leave our burdens in God’s hands, He will also give us peace – perhaps peace that our request is answered or just peace that everything will be okay. Whichever the case, it will be a peace that is beyond our understanding. God’s peace assures us that He is in control. It is the same with salvation. When…

Hannah’s story is a reflection of the precious picture of Salvation and it all begins with grace. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10) When Hannah put her trust in the Lord and believed, she was able to leave her burdens in His capable hands and live her life with a new confidence found only in Him. God had been preparing Hannah all along to do the work He had…

Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions. One night as Samuel was lying down in his usual place, the Lord called to him. He answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go…

Despite the ungodly influences of Eli’s sons, Samuel continued to minister before the Lord. Each year Hannah made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband for the annual sacrifice. Eli would bless Elkanah and Hannah, saying, “May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord.” Then they would go home. And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord. (1 Samuel 2:20-21) God often blesses us in…

Samuel was a young boy somewhere between the ages of three and five years old when he began ministering before the Lord. In those few short years Hannah was given the opportunity to teach him all she could about trusting God, praying and dealing with people. All of which would become necessary as he grew in his position as a priest of the Lord. Eli’s two sons were priests and scoundrels who had no regard for the Lord. They took advantage of their position to satisfy their lust for power, sex, possessions and control. Their evil ways contrasted sharply with the attitude and values that Hannah had taught Samuel. Eli…