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Written by Aileen Bonilla, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Ecuador
Have you ever wondered why you were born? Or what is your purpose in this world? Many people, including believers, find this answer in the professions or careers that this world offers. In no way do I think it is wrong. However, despite having this clear in their minds, when it comes time to put it into practice, they forget what they were really created for. For this reason, as time passes, their lives become meaningless again. Emotional, spiritual, physical and intellectual exhaustion begin to gain ground in their lives so they end up feeling empty.
Today, I want to tell you a little about Samuel, a man appreciated by God. Unbeknownst to him, he was handed over to the Lord since he was in his mother's womb. This child was desired by his mother with all her heart, and Jehovah was pleased to grant this wish to Hannah. She was constantly rejected and mocked because her womb was not "blessed." However, a humbled heart and a promise were enough for the King of kings to grant this wonderful wish (1 Sam. 1:20).
Hannah, Samuel's mother, decided to give him up for the service of God's people (1 Sam. 1:27). She was aware that it would not be an easy task, quite the contrary. After desiring this miracle so much and for so long, she simply recognized that life without serving God is not worth living. So, giving her child away, even from the womb teaches us much more than we can imagine: Do we want to give our children like this? You can take some time to reflect on this.
Although they were only going to be together for approximately three years, the period of lactation (1 Sam.1:24), she trusted that God would do something more for her and for her son, since she was totally sure that this child would fulfill an enormous purpose to glorify God.
Samuel became the last judge of Israel, fulfilled a priestly role despite not being from the tribe of Levi, and he was a prophet among the people. He walked with God every day. He understood that being part of the royal bloodline was no small thing. The priests, judges, and prophets fulfilled an important role before God and that was to intercede—they intervened on behalf of the people. Today, we Christians should also practice something similar, since the Word of God tells us that we are a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9). We can intercede through prayers so that God works on behalf of our brothers and sisters, and the whole world. This act is impressive and His love is so incredible that it allows us to confidently enter before His throne whenever we need His help (Heb. 4:16). And this, my dear reader, is an every day practice. Every day we must go to Him for help, even when everything seems fine.
Samuel was chosen to intercede for the people of God. He carried Jehovah’s message and correction. He brought words of love and mercy from the Heavenly Father for a barren people with a hard heart, like stone. And as if this were not enough, Samuel returned to the presence of God many times with unprecedented requests that the people made to God. However, Samuel was there asking God for mercy and help for all these people who still did not understand who Jehovah was.
The same thing happens today. We can see how many times the people of God continue to go astray, but at the same time they continue to claim their blessings. There is no doubt that God is good and His mercy is forever. And Samuel knew this perfectly since, through his temple service, he was able to get to know the living God more closely. Samuel had understood from a very young age what his purpose was on this earth, to serve the King through his gifts. This truth gave meaning to his life. We do not see Samuel complaining about his work, on the contrary, in spite of everything he declares the following: “As for me, I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right.” (1 Sam. 12:23, NLT) That is the true intercessory spirit, it is a spirit full of mercy and love for others. Despite their transgressions, Samuel kept praying for them because he also knew of the enormous power of God.
To be part of the royal lineage or the priesthood that Christ has given us today is to carry that spirit of mercy to the people of God (1 Pet. 2:9). This will make us grow and mature day by day, carefully observing the need for brotherhood. Just as Samuel gave himself completely to the service of the Lord and learned wonderful things in the same way we can too. The intercessory spirit of Samuel was manifested by the work of the Spirit of God, this is how the Spirit currently intercedes for us before the Father (Rom. 8:16-26).
Often, we are eager to serve the people of God intensely, but this is hard, demanding and exhausting work. Carrying the spiritual intercession for others on our shoulders is not easy at all. Samuel, despite having been a valuable and very spiritual man, also erred in neglecting his children. Perhaps, he did not do it intentionally, but the consequences of thinking that his children would learn to be like him were terrible, because his children were perverse and corrupt (1 Sam. 8: 1-3); they robbed the people and committed many injustices. This teaches us that we must intercede every day for our children because they should be the first to know Christ so that their lives can be restored.
Samuel teaches us a lot. He is a character that shows the need that the people of God should pray for everything. Even to make decisions that in our eyes may be small, but that can change our lives forever (Prov. 3:6). He also teaches us that our work for God will always be valuable as long as we do it with a sincere and humble heart, without seeking our own interests. We do not see Samuel claiming possessions, money, fame, position, or recognition; we see Samuel working with integrity, and a lot of respect.
Samuel had the wonderful blessing of being given over to the only living God, and it gave purpose to his life (1 Sam. 1:10). He was an upright judge and prophet in the eyes of Jehovah, and beyond his trades or professions, he dedicated himself completely to the King. He did not do it out of obligation, he did it because he had known from a very young age that there was only one Kingdom and one God.
Today I invite you to recognize God, and you can ask him to reign over your life and that of your family. Oh, Beloved Lord, we recognize that without you we are nothing, we recognize that many times we let other things reign over our hearts, and as if that were not enough, we ask you for blessings. Please forgive us and reign over us forever and ever! Amen.
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Written by Gisela Millán, volunteer of Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Venezuela
When we talk about a crown we refer to: authority, power, reign, reward.
How incredible that something can be taken away from us that was given to us. Just as a young woman prepares herself physically, spiritually, and academically to compete for a crown, so must we, dear sisters, also prepare ourselves. Although they compete for a corruptible crown, we do not compete. But it is a race for an incorruptible crown. When a king is crowned, his children become his princes and princesses, thus becoming heirs to his kingdom. This is how our heavenly Father made us part of His kingdom, but was it just like that? For being beautiful? Or for just being His daughters and that's it? No! First, we recognized and accepted by believing in the words and promises of Jesus Christ.
In my personal and spiritual life, the enemy has wanted to discourage me so that I toss my crown to the ground, the crown I was given when I decided to believe and receive Christ in my heart. He whispers in my ear, “Look how you are: ugly, spent, you can't keep going; give up already!” He tries to unsettle my emotions, because he knows that's where sickness wins, but God says we are called according to a purpose (Rom. 8:28). I think that winning my crown is not easy if I don't understand what and why I am fighting for. If we don't treasure or hold tight to our sword (Heb. 4:12), how can we fight and conquer? When Joshua went to conquer the promised land, what God reminded him the most was to meditate day and night on His words, to believe them and keep them in his heart, and he did so.
Beloved, I have been fighting for my crown for 6 years, I keep my eyes on the award,
because God says that we are His workmanship, that He is that Warrior who fights for us (Josh. 5:15) and the Lord Jesus Christ made us His daughters. When we faint, and we believe Satan’s lies, that's where we throw our crown down, that's where we lose it. So, what is the use of talking about it and not doing it? We must persevere and not allow anyone to take away from us what was given to us with pure blood. It is a promise that is given with love.
Notice how Jesus Himself tells us, “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown” (Rev. 3:11).
As I mentioned at the beginning, a girl prepared to win the crown in a beauty pageant. Once crowned, do you think she gets it and that's it? Is the job finished? Does she lose it? No, my sisters, she must keep that award or accolade for a while and keep working. We should do likewise in ministry, at work, in our homes, but mainly within ourselves.
Jesus sends a message to the church in Philadelphia, which means "brotherly love." The Lord is telling them that He is coming back soon, and although it is not an immediate return, if we read this passage today, tomorrow, or a year from now, He speaks to us in the present, encouraging this church to endure. How wonderful are His words that are also a promise for us! That is why we must continue working on ourselves, because we were made new creatures, daughters of the King.
And what is it that we must guard? They say that the church of Philadelphia had little to no strength. I imagine they were a humble, low-income congregation. However, they had received and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and kept His words. And it was what the Lord admired about them. For this reason, He tells them that He loves them, because they were a church that resisted in brotherly love. They say that the name of that church was changed, but they kept the word of God in their hearts, trusting in the promises of Jesus Christ.
John continues narrating and says, let no one take your crown. So, did the Lord leave this church crowned? Or does He crown us when we receive Him and keep His word? I believe that this church is praised by our Lord Jesus Christ, because it remained obedient, loving, enduring, and trusting, my beloved sisters. The truth is, we have a crown, but we must work to hold onto it, because another sister cannot take it from us, but rather the enemy that sows doubts and distrust. 2022 years have passed, but we must continue believing every day in the promises of Jesus Christ and not neglect ourselves! For indeed these are the days of confusion. These are dangerous days. These are days when you and I can stray from the path that God has established for us. Well, is it that the chosen cannot be deceived at the end of time? The way to avoid this is by being close, walking and talking with our Lord Jesus.
God says in His word: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (Jn. 10:27). Listen to the indication of the Holy Spirit, who will guide and direct you, and will establish your feet firmly on the path that He has established for you.
Furthermore, Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 4:1, “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
Indeed, if we work and strive, it is because we have placed our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all, especially for those who believe. Christ Himself gives us the assurance. “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (Jn. 5:24).
The Judgment Seat of Christ has nothing to do with salvation. Instead, it has to do with rewards for service, for constant growth in grace, for patience in doing good. Our just God will forget our work of love, if we have done it out of love for Him.
My beloved ones, let us continue to hope together, working in brotherly love keeping the word of God and practicing it every day, serving God, taking care of that crown that was placed on us.
As Isaiah 62:3 says, "You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God." Amen.
#IronRoseSister #HIStories #daughtersoftheKing #crownoflife #princessesofGod #guestwriter #blog