Ocala First Connection

The books of 1 & 2 Samuel tell us the story of Israel’s transition from a group of tribes ruled by judges into a unified kingdom, ruled by King David in Jerusalem. I encourage you to watch the Bible Project videos to get an overview of these stories: 1) 1 Samuel ;  2)  2 Samuel I would also draw your attention to a Bible Project article that digs deeper into the significance of King David, not only for Israel, but understanding Jesus as well. We used these materials in our Pastor’s Bible Study this past Wednesday Night.   Our Lenten series is focused on Holy Character – the virtues God forms in us as followers of Jesus Christ. We have learned about loyal love from Ruth and attentiveness from Samuel.   From David’s story we learn about inner character .   The key scripture comes from 1 Samuel 16 where God directs Samuel to Bethlehem to the family of Jesse.   One of Jesse’s sons would be the next king. And the first one Samuel saw – Eliab – looked the part. Samuel was sure he was

The first three chapters of 1 Samuel are simply remarkable in their beauty and their message. The emotional and spiritual pain of Hannah over being childless, while being taunted by her rival, Peninnah, is heartbreaking.  We hear her pray through her tears – O Lord, just take a good, hard look at my pain and remember me! Please don’t forget me, your servant. Please give me a son. I’ll give him completely and unreservedly to you. I’ll set him apart for a life of holy discipline and service. (1:11 -paraphrased) We see Eli bless her and give her a sense of peace. (1:17) And we see God answer her prayers as she gives birth to Samuel – a name that means “I asked God for him.” (1:20) Several years later, Hannah is faithful to her promise to God as she presents Samuel at the Lord’s sanctuary at Shiloh. (1:24-28).   There she leaves Samuel under Eli’s care and then she offers one of the most beautiful prayers in scripture (2:1-11) – a prayer that echoes Psalm 113 and introduces themes reflect

Our series for Lent is Holy Character. Over the next six weeks we will be reading through Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings. And each week we will lift up a virtue or characteristic that God wants to form in us as followers of Jesus Christ. This Holy Character should be deeply embedded both in our lives and in the life of our church. Season Series Date Reading Key Word Lent 1 Holy Character 03-06 Ruth 1:6-22 Loyalty Lent 2 Holy Character 03-13 1 Samuel 3:1-21 Attentiveness Lent 3 Holy Character 03-20 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Character Lent 4 Holy Character 03-27 1 Kings 3:1-15 Wisdom Lent 5 Holy Character 04-03 2 Kings 19:1-18 Hope Lent 6 Holy Character 04-10

Yesterday (March 2), we observed Ash Wednesday and began the Season of Lent. If you want to know more about Lent, you can read a basic introduction online: (CLICK HERE)   If you would prefer to watch a video introduction to Lent: Chuck Knows Church Intro to Lent (United Methodist) Ridiculously Charming Catholic Priest’s Intro to Lent   Things are moving quickly with my weekly sermons. Last Sunday I preached on Joshua. You can watch that message online: CLICK HERE For Ash Wednesday I preached on Judges. I’ve included that message below And this coming Sunday (March 6), I will preach on the Book of Ruth. Stay tuned!   Way back at the beginning of The Bible Year , we learned three important truths from the opening chapters of Genesis. These truths frame everything we will read in the Bible.   God has made us in the divine image and we part of a good and beautiful creation. (Genesis 1:26-27) We struggle with a downward spiral of sin, rebellion, and disobedience. (Genesis 3-4) God never gi

This week we finish with the first five books of the Bible – called the Torah (meaning “Teaching” or “Law”). In less than two months, we have read Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Bible Year has been a real blessing for our church and especially for all who have committed to doing the readings each day. Well done!  One question that was asked a couple weeks ago in our Bible Study was “Why do Christians need to read the Old Testament?” That is a great question and a common one when we encounter “ its harsh moral codes and ancient cultural norms (that) come across today as obsolete at best, barbaric at worst.” You may share a similar sentiment and be asking the same question. I gave the best answer I could at the time, but felt there was more that needed to be said.   I came across an article by Brent A. Strawn, professor of Old Testament at Duke Divinity School: We Need to Read the Bible Jesus Read . Strawn is an ordained minister in The United Methodist C

I am amazed at how quickly we are moving through the Bible. We finished Genesis back on Wednesday, January 19. Just eleven days later, on Sunday, January 30, we finished Exodus.  And we are already ten chapters into Leviticus.   The first 15 chapters of Exodus tell the foundational story of Israel. God delivers his people by bringing them through the waters of the sea and into the wilderness.  So now what?    Well, now on to the Promised Land. It was 250 miles from where they left Egypt to the land that God had promised Abraham. Given the number of Israelites – all ages of men, women and children, plus their possessions and livestock – perhaps two to three months would be needed to make the journey.  So why did it take them 40 years?     The problem is that the shortest route would take them right into the land of the Philistines who would most likely kill them all. And the shortest route would take them through the most arid parts of the Sinai desert where they would likely perish any