It’s early Sunday morning! I got up, had my time of “Coffee with the Lord” and read this wonderful “Pastoral Prayer”,,, I pass it on to you today… “Just a Sip” from “Coffee with the Lord”…
“Now we live if you are standing fast in the Lord! … May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints!” … AMEN! (From 1 Thessalonians 3:8, 11-13 ESV)
The sentiments of an authentic Spiritual leader… When we hear “good news of your faith and love… we are comforted about you through your faith. Now we live if you are standing fast in the Lord! For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? (From 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10 ESV)
Just gotta say, if I were naming a son today, I think I’d want to name him “Samuel.” (I don’t know what the female equivalent of that name is… “Samueline?” [perhaps someone can help me with that] 😉
Here’s some of what I’ve read during my time of “coffee with the Lord” the past several days that prompted this idea… 1 Samuel 1-8)
Scripture records, “In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, [Note: the name “Samuel” sounds like the Hebrew for “heard of God”] – for she said, ‘I have asked for him from the Lord.’ … ‘And Hannah said, “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there. (1.20, 27-28)
“And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people. (2.26)
“The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. (3.19-21)
“Samuel continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life. From year to year he went on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all those places. But he always went back to Ramah, where his home was, and there he also held court for Israel. And he built an altar there to the Lord.” (7.15-17)
Samuel’s incredible and inspiring story continues all the way until his death in 1 Samuel 25.1 – an account of a godly, anointed man and faithful leader (although human with imperfections).
Gotta tell you, I still think I’d still want to consider calling a son of mine “Samuel.”