1 Samuel 13-14, Psalm 81
1 Samuel 13:12-13 (NLT)
“So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.”
“How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.”
In 1 Samuel 13:12–13, Saul acts out of fear instead of trusting in the Lord’s plan. As he anticipated an attack from the Philistines, he grew impatient waiting for the prophet Samuel to arrive. Instead of waiting, Saul offered the burnt offering himself, violating the command that only priests were authorized to perform such sacrifices. When Samuel arrived shortly afterward, he recognized Saul’s disobedience and told him that his kingdom would not endure and his descendants would not continue to reign.
These verses remind believers that even in difficult and uncertain situations, we are called to trust in the Lord’s timing and obey His instructions. Acting out of fear can lead to decisions with lasting consequences. If Saul had waited and aligned himself with the Lord’s plan, the outcome would have been very different.
When I read this passage, I can understand why Saul made his decision. He was afraid and struggled to trust the Lord’s timing. He was also concerned about how he would appear to the people. Saul valued his image more than his obedience. This challenges me, because waiting on the Lord can feel uncomfortable and uncertain. It can require us to act in ways that may not make sense to others.
But when we are in a covenant relationship with the Lord, we are called to full obedience—regardless of how it may appear. If we act out of fear of what others think, we risk stepping outside of God’s will. True obedience means trusting Father-God’s plan above our own understanding and choosing faithfulness even when it is difficult.
If these verses resonate with you — if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One whose plan for your life is always better than your own — this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Monday, March 23, 2026
Day 80 Bible Readings - 1 Samuel 12:18-20 (NLT)
1 Samuel 9-12, Psalm 80
1 Samuel 12:18-20 (NLT)
“So Samuel called to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people were terrified of the Lord and of Samuel. ‘Pray to the Lord your God for us, or we will die!’ they all said to Samuel. ‘For now we have added to our sins by asking for a king.’ ‘Don’t be afraid,’ Samuel reassured them. ‘You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him.’”
In 1 Samuel 12:18–20, we read about the moment when Israel recognized their sin in asking for a king. The prophet Samuel, the last judge of Israel, had warned the people about the consequences of this decision. During his farewell address, Samuel demonstrated the power of the Lord by calling for thunder and rain during a time when rain was unexpected. This sign caused the people to realize that they had sinned by rejecting the Lord as their King and desiring to be like other nations.
Their request for a human king revealed a lack of trust in the sovereignty of Father-God and a desire to rely on human solutions rather than on His leadership. Yet even in this moment, Samuel reassured the people that the Lord offers mercy and forgiveness. He urged them to continue fearing the Lord, remaining faithful, and honoring Him above any human authority.
These verses remind believers that the Lord is sovereign over all things, even when we fail to trust Him. When we recognize our sin and turn back to Him, Father-God remains faithful to His covenant. Samuel’s words show us that repentance is not the end of the story—it is the beginning of renewed obedience and worship.
In my own life, I have seen times when I trusted human solutions and people more than the Lord. I became impatient and struggled to trust God’s timing and plan. But as I have grown in my covenant relationship with Him, I’ve learned that when I ignore the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I lose the peace that comes from walking closely with God. Life begins to feel chaotic and stressful. But when I listen to the Holy Spirit and follow His guidance, I experience greater peace and clarity.
If these verses resonate with you — if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who is sovereign over all things and brings peace to those who trust in Him — this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
1 Samuel 12:18-20 (NLT)
“So Samuel called to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people were terrified of the Lord and of Samuel. ‘Pray to the Lord your God for us, or we will die!’ they all said to Samuel. ‘For now we have added to our sins by asking for a king.’ ‘Don’t be afraid,’ Samuel reassured them. ‘You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him.’”
In 1 Samuel 12:18–20, we read about the moment when Israel recognized their sin in asking for a king. The prophet Samuel, the last judge of Israel, had warned the people about the consequences of this decision. During his farewell address, Samuel demonstrated the power of the Lord by calling for thunder and rain during a time when rain was unexpected. This sign caused the people to realize that they had sinned by rejecting the Lord as their King and desiring to be like other nations.
Their request for a human king revealed a lack of trust in the sovereignty of Father-God and a desire to rely on human solutions rather than on His leadership. Yet even in this moment, Samuel reassured the people that the Lord offers mercy and forgiveness. He urged them to continue fearing the Lord, remaining faithful, and honoring Him above any human authority.
These verses remind believers that the Lord is sovereign over all things, even when we fail to trust Him. When we recognize our sin and turn back to Him, Father-God remains faithful to His covenant. Samuel’s words show us that repentance is not the end of the story—it is the beginning of renewed obedience and worship.
In my own life, I have seen times when I trusted human solutions and people more than the Lord. I became impatient and struggled to trust God’s timing and plan. But as I have grown in my covenant relationship with Him, I’ve learned that when I ignore the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I lose the peace that comes from walking closely with God. Life begins to feel chaotic and stressful. But when I listen to the Holy Spirit and follow His guidance, I experience greater peace and clarity.
If these verses resonate with you — if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who is sovereign over all things and brings peace to those who trust in Him — this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Day 79 Bible Readings - 1 Samuel 4:10-11 (NLT)
1 Samuel 4-8, Psalm 79
1 Samuel 4:10-11 (NLT)
“ So the Philistines fought desperately, and Israel was defeated again. The slaughter was great; 30,000 Israelite soldiers died that day. The survivors turned and fled to their tents. The Ark of God was captured, and Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were killed.”
In 1 Samuel 4:10–11, we read what happened when the people of Israel brought the Ark of the Covenant into battle. They believed that carrying the Ark with them would guarantee victory over the Philistines. Instead, they suffered a devastating defeat. Many soldiers were killed, the Ark was captured, and the two corrupt priests responsible for it were slain in battle.
These verses remind believers that we cannot place our trust in symbols or objects instead of in the Lord Himself. The people treated the Ark as if it had power on its own, rather than recognizing that victory comes from God. In doing so, they turned something sacred into a kind of idol. The loss of the Ark also shows that God’s presence cannot be manipulated or taken for granted. We are called to seek the Lord directly, not rely on outward forms while neglecting a true relationship with Him.
This passage also reminds me that we are meant to partner with the Lord, not replace Him with rituals or assumptions. Trusting God does not mean avoiding effort, but it does mean placing our confidence in Him rather than in what we can control.
When I read this, I realized there were times when church attendance became like an idol for me. I believed that as long as I attended regularly, my life would be peaceful and free from problems. But I was not truly developing a relationship with the Lord or listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Over time, I learned that peace does not come from routine alone, but from a real relationship with God and a willingness to follow His guidance.
If these verses resonate with you — if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who invites you into a true relationship with Him — this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
1 Samuel 4:10-11 (NLT)
“ So the Philistines fought desperately, and Israel was defeated again. The slaughter was great; 30,000 Israelite soldiers died that day. The survivors turned and fled to their tents. The Ark of God was captured, and Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were killed.”
In 1 Samuel 4:10–11, we read what happened when the people of Israel brought the Ark of the Covenant into battle. They believed that carrying the Ark with them would guarantee victory over the Philistines. Instead, they suffered a devastating defeat. Many soldiers were killed, the Ark was captured, and the two corrupt priests responsible for it were slain in battle.
These verses remind believers that we cannot place our trust in symbols or objects instead of in the Lord Himself. The people treated the Ark as if it had power on its own, rather than recognizing that victory comes from God. In doing so, they turned something sacred into a kind of idol. The loss of the Ark also shows that God’s presence cannot be manipulated or taken for granted. We are called to seek the Lord directly, not rely on outward forms while neglecting a true relationship with Him.
This passage also reminds me that we are meant to partner with the Lord, not replace Him with rituals or assumptions. Trusting God does not mean avoiding effort, but it does mean placing our confidence in Him rather than in what we can control.
When I read this, I realized there were times when church attendance became like an idol for me. I believed that as long as I attended regularly, my life would be peaceful and free from problems. But I was not truly developing a relationship with the Lord or listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Over time, I learned that peace does not come from routine alone, but from a real relationship with God and a willingness to follow His guidance.
If these verses resonate with you — if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who invites you into a true relationship with Him — this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Day 78 Bible Readings - 1 Samuel 3:7-9 (NLT)
1 Samuel 1-3, Psalm 78
1 Samuel 3:7-9 (NLT)
“Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. ‘Here I am. Did you call me?’ Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, ‘Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” So Samuel went back to bed.”
In 1 Samuel 3:7–9, we see through Samuel’s story that knowing about the Lord is different from having a personal relationship and revelation from Him. Samuel was serving in the temple under Eli, but he had not yet experienced the Lord’s voice in a personal way. He did not recognize that it was Father-God calling him. Eli guided Samuel and helped him understand that it was the Lord speaking to him.
These verses teach believers that, like Samuel, we cannot rely on knowledge alone. We need a personal relationship with the Lord so we can learn to recognize and discern His voice in our lives. Samuel’s story also shows that the Lord is patient—He calls more than once and waits for us to respond. Eli’s role highlights the importance of spiritual mentors who can guide us as we grow in our faith. Samuel also models humility and obedience, showing a willingness to listen and respond when he receives instruction.
I have never heard the Lord’s voice in the same way Samuel did, but I recognize that I have received guidance from the Holy Spirit throughout my life. For a long time, I did not understand that it was the Holy Spirit speaking to me. It was only after I began developing a deeper relationship with the Lord, and through the guidance I received in my spiritual walk, that I began to recognize His voice.
Like Samuel, I also questioned what I was hearing. But through daily reading of Scripture and reflections like this, I have learned to better discern the Holy Spirit’s guidance so I can align my life with the Lord’s will.
If these verses resonate with you — if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who guides us through the Holy Spirit — this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
1 Samuel 3:7-9 (NLT)
“Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. ‘Here I am. Did you call me?’ Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, ‘Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.” So Samuel went back to bed.”
In 1 Samuel 3:7–9, we see through Samuel’s story that knowing about the Lord is different from having a personal relationship and revelation from Him. Samuel was serving in the temple under Eli, but he had not yet experienced the Lord’s voice in a personal way. He did not recognize that it was Father-God calling him. Eli guided Samuel and helped him understand that it was the Lord speaking to him.
These verses teach believers that, like Samuel, we cannot rely on knowledge alone. We need a personal relationship with the Lord so we can learn to recognize and discern His voice in our lives. Samuel’s story also shows that the Lord is patient—He calls more than once and waits for us to respond. Eli’s role highlights the importance of spiritual mentors who can guide us as we grow in our faith. Samuel also models humility and obedience, showing a willingness to listen and respond when he receives instruction.
I have never heard the Lord’s voice in the same way Samuel did, but I recognize that I have received guidance from the Holy Spirit throughout my life. For a long time, I did not understand that it was the Holy Spirit speaking to me. It was only after I began developing a deeper relationship with the Lord, and through the guidance I received in my spiritual walk, that I began to recognize His voice.
Like Samuel, I also questioned what I was hearing. But through daily reading of Scripture and reflections like this, I have learned to better discern the Holy Spirit’s guidance so I can align my life with the Lord’s will.
If these verses resonate with you — if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who guides us through the Holy Spirit — this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
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