Imagine being Eli & hearing that God is disappointed in your choices (1 Sam. 3). Would you clam up & avoid God or accept it & grow from it?

Has it ever seemed like God was ignoring you? Instead of feeling in despair, use that time to focus on Jesus’ promise in Matthew 28:20b.

What is one thing that you have trained for: sporting event, spelling bee, job interview? Are you willing to train for God to use you, too?

What does it mean to you to serve God? Have you ever felt like God was asking you to do something challenging? Were you up for it?

I’ve heard the story of Samuel and Eli (from 1 Samuel 3) before, but something stood out to me this week when I read it again. If you are unfamiliar with the tale, God audibly woke up Samuel several times, and the first few times, Samuel ran to Eli (the temple priest with whom he lived and worked) because he thought it was him calling. The fourth time God called, Samuel finally responded to God’s voice and listened to the message he had for him.

The first thing that hit me was at the beginning of the story: God approached Samuel during a time when he wasn’t speaking much to his people. God had been pretty quiet, and his revelations were few and far between.

It reminded me of the Kingdom Dog Ministries performance last week, in which a trainer sent his dog through a series of commands and tasks to test his obedience. At one point, he sent the dog into the corridor behind the stage, so the animal had to obey only the master’s voice commands to navigate his way out. The trainer asked the audience if we ever felt like we couldn’t see the Master (that is, God) and were afraid we’d been abandoned. In those moments, we have to trust his voice and rely on him in faith.

The second thing that caught my attention was that the news God told Samuel wasn’t even about him, and it wasn’t good news, either. God let Samuel know about his forthcoming judgment on Eli, and it was up to Samuel to go and share that information with his caretaker/boss/father-figure.

I wondered why God didn’t just tell Eli directly, but I think it may have been partly to see whether Samuel would do it. When Eli confronted Samuel later about his conversation with God, Samuel had a choice to make: he could obey and share the bad news or face the consequences of disobeying. He chose to obey, even though it had to have been difficult.

Like the trained dog who stalwartly ignored a treat right in front of his nose because his master said not to eat it, Samuel demonstrated loyal obedience. When you are faced with tempting choices, do you give in, or do you serve God’s interests above your own?

Everyone needs people they can rely on for prayer support and everyday encouragement. If you aren’t in a Life group, why not?

Ask God today how you can serve others. Be mindful of those around you who may be hurting; reach out to them in loving-kindness.

Read Philippians 2 and be encouraged that even the enemies of faith will one day bow at the mention of Jesus’ name (v. 10). He is Lord!

Sometimes life is inexplicably painful. Instead of blaming God for tragedies, thank him for never leaving us alone in the middle of it all.

Are you in “survival mode” this week? How can you be purposeful about spending time with God amid all the stress?