FAVOR: Grow in God's favor - 1 Samuel 2:26

The boy Samuel continued to grow and gained the favor of the LORD and the people. 1 Samuel 2:26

Praise & Praise:
God's favor rests upon me because of Jesus Christ. Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your favor that gives my life purpose and fullness of hope. Like Samuel, I want to grow and gain Your favor by being humble and doing what pleases You. Teach me, Lord Jesus, to be a God-pleaser as You were by walking in obedience. Help me, Holy Spirit, never to take God's favor for granted by being mindful and respectful in my relationships with family and others, and by being a godly influence who models Christ's character. Use me to lead them to faith and salvation in our wonderful Savior. I pray in Jesus' mighty name.  

LIFE-LIBERATING TRUTH:

• “For He says, “AT A FAVORABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON A DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.” Behold, now is “A FAVORABLE TIME,” behold, now is “A DAY OF SALVATION.” 2 Corinthians 6:2
• "Even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been saved from God’s judgment); In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of His grace [ undeserved favor], expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace [undeserved favor] you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Salvation is not a reward for the good works we have done, so none of us can boast about it." Ephesians 2:5;7-9
• "In fact, God treats us with even greater favor, just as the Scriptures say, "God opposes everyone who is proud, but He blesses all who are humble with undeserved grace." James 4:6

BLESSINGS: The LORD will bless you - 1 Samuel 2:21

The LORD did bless Hannah, and she had three more sons and two daughters. The boy Samuel grew up in the service of the LORD. 1 Samuel 2:21

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, as I reflect on Hannah's personal hardships, heavy burdens, and the sufferings she endured because of her barrenness, I see how You honored her unwavering faith and blessed her with more than she ever expected by giving her five more children. Please bless me, Lord Jesus, and help me persevere through momentary afflictions and personal trials that seem insurmountable, so that I may grow stronger in faith and in my commitment to serve You all the days of my life. I pray in Your mighty name.

Amazing Truth:
"Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through Christ, God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing that heaven has to offer. Before the creation of the world, He chose us through Christ to be holy and perfect in His presence. Because of His love He had already decided to adopt us through Jesus Christ. He freely chose to do this so that the kindness He had given us in His dear Son would be praised and given glory." Ephesians 1:3-6

PROTECTED: The Lord protects His faithful ones - 1 Samuel 2:9

He protects the steps of His faithful ones, while the wicked are made silent in darkness. He grants the request of the one who prays. He blesses the year of the righteous. Indeed, it's not by strength that a person prevails. 1 Samuel 2:9

Prayer & Praise:
I'm deeply grateful, Abba Father, for the reminder in this Holy Scripture that You are my Great Protector. I want to be a faithful servant of Yours by doing what pleases You. I thank You for filling me with the wonderful peace of my Savior, Jesus Christ, which casts out all fear and anxiety from my heart and brings me wholeness. Lord Jesus, please remove the poison of pride and self-reliance from my soul, for I recognize that "it's not by my strength that I prevail, but only by relying on You." Please, Holy Spirit, lead me today to someone who is leaning on their own strength rather than on our Heavenly Father. Stir their heart to surrender their life, fears, and worries into God's capable hands by asking Christ to be their Shepherd and Protector. I pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

POWERFUL TRUTH:

• "Father to the fatherless, protector of widows— this is God, whose dwelling is holy." Psalm 68:5
• "The LORD is at your right side. He will crush kings on the day of His anger." Psalm 110:5

RICH: The LORD makes you rich - 1 Samuel 2:7

The LORD makes some poor and others rich; He brings some down and lifts others up. 

1 Samuel 2:7

Prayer & Praise:
Like Hannah, I acknowledge, Heavenly Father, that You are Sovereign over all and have the power to transform every aspect of my life. You are the rightful Owner of all and can change my circumstances in the blink of an eye. I bow to thank You for the boundless riches You’ve blessed me with through Christ Jesus. Holy Spirit, please help me never lose sight of the unperishable wealth God has stored up in heaven for those who believe, love, and obey Jesus Christ. Grant me an opportunity to share this truth with someone who is spiritually impoverished and down in the dumps. I pray this in Jesus' mighty name.

POEM: 'RICHER THAN MOST' by Deborah Ann Belka
God has a storehouse,
filled to the brim
for all those who believe
and trust in Him.

There’s an endless supply,
of mercy and grace
awaiting those who by faith
His eternal love embrace.

God has a storehouse,
He wants to provide
all things that are good
you’ll not be denied.

It’s full of forgiveness,
hope, peace and rest
with the riches and glory
in Jesus you’ll be blessed.

God has a storehouse,
He wants for you to share
so other people burdens . . .
you too, may help to bear!

LIFE: The LORD gives you life and will raise you from your grave - 1 Samuel 2:5

“The LORD gives both death and life; He brings some down to the grave but raises others up." 1 Samuel 2:6

Prayer & Praise:
I no longer fear the grave, Lord Jesus, because You are the Author of life who conquered sin and death through Your resurrection. I grieve with hope as I remember beloved family members and friends who have died, yet will be raised by You to eternal life. I find great comfort in Your infallible promises, knowing You are the Risen Savior and Lord who will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death, no more grief, crying, pain, or suffering, because the former things have passed and all things are made new by You. I worship and glorify You, Sovereign Lord. Hallelujah and Amen!

ETERNAL TRUTH:

• "Jesus said to her, “I Am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26
• "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 passed over from death to life. I Am telling you the truth: the time is coming--the time has already come--when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear it will come to life." John 5:24-25
• "Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

LIBERTY: Stand fast in the liberty by which Christ set you free - Galatians 5:1

“It was for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1

Praise & Prayer for our Nation:
I bow before Your holy presence, Heavenly Father, on this 250th Independence Day of America, to praise You for blessing our nation and thank You for the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to preserve our religious freedom and inalienable rights. Above all, I praise You for the invincible gift of freedom through Jesus Christ, who laid His life down to set us free from the bondage of sin, the yoke of death, and the powers of darkness. As a nation founded on the truth of Your living Word, we humble ourselves, pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways. Please hear our cry from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land. May the love, peace, righteousness, and liberty of Christ reign in our hearts. I ask in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and King.

INFALLIBLE TRUTH:

• "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36
• "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17
  
• "You have been set free from sin and have become bond servants to righteousness." Romans 6:18

ABUNDANCE: The Lord gives you an abundant life - 1 Samuel 2:5

Those who had an abundance of bread now hire themselves out, and those who were hungry hunger no more. While the barren woman gives birth to seven children, she who had many children languishes. 1 Samuel 2:5

Praise & Prayer:
I marvel at how You love and satisfy the needy who hunger for You, Lord Jesus. I have witnessed the profound reversals of fortune and miracles only You can orchestrate for those who love You and choose to follow You. I praise You for blessing me with an abundant life that has brought me purpose, eternal riches, and a fullness of life far beyond the material things of this world, which left my soul empty and longing for more. Please guide me, Holy Spirit, to someone today who is hiring themselves out because they are spiritually impoverished and separated from God. Use me to point them to faith in Christ Jesus, who enriches all who come to Him with the fullness of God. I pray they experience abundance by accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord. In His mighty name, I pray.

Infallible Truth:

• "Jesus answered, “I Am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst." John 6:35
• "The thief [devil] comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life, and have life abundantly." John 10:10
• "May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." Ephesians 3:19
• "He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty." Luke 1:53
• "For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." Psalm 107:9
• "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11