ISSL Reflections November 6 2022 Ephesians 1:1–14 Post 1

I.For the past nine weeks we have spent time with writings from the Hebrew Scripture that speak to us of God’s call on the lives of a number of persons. For this week and the next three weeks we will … Continue reading

ISSL Reflections October 30 2022 1 Samuel 16:1–13 Post 3

VII.As you read this Scripture passage pay attention to each time you hear, “The Lord said …” VIII.1 Samuel 16:1-13 (NRSVUE) The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king … Continue reading

ISSL Reflections October 30 2022 1 Samuel 16:1–13 Post 2

IV.If we take a step back to 1 Samuel 15 we can see the encounter between Samuel and Saul and the word of “rejection” come to Saul – Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you, for you … Continue reading

ISSL Reflections October 30 2022 1 Samuel 16:1–13 Post 1

I.Last week we read of Saul being selected to be Israel’s king. This week, we see Saul has been “unselected” (“The Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over … Continue reading

ISSL Reflections October 23 2022 1 Samuel 8:4–7; 10:17–24 Post 3

VII.As I read this account, I keep coming back to questions about what we want from God, what God might want from us (and for us), and what the future brings to us? VIII.1 Samuel 8:4-7; 10:17-24 (NRSVUE) Then all … Continue reading

ISSL Reflections October 23 2022 1 Samuel 8:4–7; 10:17–24 Post 2

IV.Samuel has accepted the people’s call for a King and accepted God’s counsel for going forward in this and then calls the “all the tribes” together to confirm the selection of a king. V.1 Samuel 8:4-7; 10:17-24 (NRSVUE) Then all … Continue reading

ISSL Reflections October 23 2022 1 Samuel 8:4–7; 10:17–24 Post 1

I.We come to that place in the Scriptural account of the history of Israel where the first king is called. The people call for a king and Samuel “by lot” calls out one to be king. Take you time with … Continue reading

ISSL Reflections October 16 2022 Judges 6:1–2, 7–16, 36-40 Post 3

VII.In addition to the Scripture we have reviewed the past couple of days, I am adding Judges 6:36-40 where we see Gideon “putting out the fleece.” What might this reveal to us about Gideon’s personality? VIII.Judges 6:1-2, 7-16 (NRSVUE) The … Continue reading

ISSL Reflections October 16 2022 Judges 6:1–2, 7–16 Post 2

IV.In the last post I asked us to focus on how Gideon voiced his reluctance to accept the task “offered” to him by the angel of the Lord. Let’s look again and pay attention to what we notice in the … Continue reading

ISSL Reflections October 16 2022 Judges 6:1–2, 7–16 Post 1

I.This week we turn to the call of Gideon and his charge to rescue the people from the Midianites. Let’s start our time with Gideon by reading the Scripture below. You may want to take note of God’s call upon … Continue reading