01-04-2014 – He is highly intelligent for he is able to debate the greatest of men. Above all he is an obedient person for he does exactly what the Master ask him to do. Unlike the man of John 5 who sat for 38 years in self-pity this man this man seemed to be well known in the community. 

01-02-2014 – He is probably about 40 years old at this time. He is a deeply religious man for he knows the scriptures. More than just the words of scripture he understands the lessons of scripture.

01-01-2014 – It is understanding the Lord can accomplish mighty works because of our suffering and some of us are born to suffer. The blind man according to scripture was born for the very purpose to bring glory to the heavenly Father. 

12-26-2013 –  Second, there is suffering for the Glory of the Lord.  The Blind man of John 9.  This passage presents us with some mighty truths. It is relevant to the hypocritical manner in which we are tempted to look upon those who are different, the weak, crippled, odd, just different.

12-21-2013 – It was in this setting and in these hardships that the Lord raised up a prophet. But it was also in this environment and with these hardships that the Lord trained Samuel for the task ahead.

12-17-2013 – Not only did Samuel have the tribulation of being abandoned there is little doubt that Eli’s sons would have mistreated him. The very next verse declares them to be worthless men. Not only were they guilty of stealing sacrifices from the people, but stole that which was the Lords as well.  As if that were not sin enough they committed sexual acts with women who came to worship the Lord. I suspect that envy ate at the heart of these boys over Samuel. The resentment and hatred probably expressed in every look, and in every vile act they could pour on the head of Samuel.

12-14-2013 – It would seem Samuel even from birth was chosen by the Lord for His purpose. In order to accomplish that purpose Samuel experienced the hardship of abandonment at the early age of two. Even though Hannah his mother loved Samuel dearly she took him in accordance with her vow and dedicated him to the Lord at about two years of age. He was left with the priest Eli to serve the Lord.

12-11-2013 – FOUR TYPES OR PURPOSES FOR SUFFERING:  1. To Train –  It would appear that the Lord may chose early, perhaps in some cases even before birth to train those whom he chooses. 

12-06-2013 – Consider from the Lord’s perspective the most difficult circumstance of life; early childhood abandonment, abuse, neglect, divorced, or orphaned. The consequences from these circumstances are immediate and severe. Most certainly devastating for the young child.  Yet from these dire experiences come the most successful rulers of past ages. We will return to this in a moment. First, what are the four types or purposes for suffering?