1 Samuel 27-28

1 Samuel 27-28
5 When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. 6 He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.
First of all, what a great message from Carlynn today on TRUSTING God! Vs 5, Saul was afraid and terror filled his heart. He inquired of the Lord but He didn’t answer to instead of waiting patiently for Gods answer, Saul sought out a ”medium” or a spiritist.
Vs 11-13 show that the “medium” wasn’t used to people responding when she’d call on the dead! She cried out (vs 12) and Saul said to her “don’t be afraid, what do you see?”
Having her summon Samuel, Samuel didn’t have good news for Saul! He reiterated what Saul already knew, that God had turned away from Saul because of his disobedience when he didn’t destroy the Amalekites. On top of that, Samuel told Saul that he and his sons and his army would all be destroyed by the Philistines.
Acts 9-
Here is a person in History that God CHOSE, predestined to do His will and who fully repented/turned from his life of sin! Saul was a persecutor of Christians and God blinded him on the road telling him what he needed to do. (vs 6)

When God called to Ananias (vs 10) he was hesitant to obey the Lord and said (vs 13) “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” God replied to Ananias “Go! In other words, don’t ask questions, I have a plan and know what I’m doing! Vs 15 “This man is my chosen instrument.”
Reading through this passage, Paul hadn’t received the Holy Spirit yet until Ananias arrived at his home (vs 17).
The Disciples were afraid of Saul too until Barnabas told them how the Lord had spoken to him.
Paul’s life is a testimony of true faith, he turned from his life of sin and vs 22 “22Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.” He became more and more powerful, PROVING Jesus is the Christ! Vs 27 says Paul “preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus” and vs 28 he “spoke boldly in the name of the Lord.” Thos are powerful words! He had confidence, assurance in what he believed!

Because of Paul’s testimony, the church was strengthened, encouraged and it grew! (vs31) That verse also said they were “living in fear of the Lord.” The people were fearing God more than man! Matthew 10:28 "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
The woman Docas (vs 36) had died and Peter, got down on his knees and prayed! God heard Peter’s prayers and raised her from the dead and as a result MANY people believed in the Lord!
God, I thank you that you hear our prayers and that you answer them God!