Hard choices don't get easier when we put them off. Say or do what God as said today.

1. www.rossvillechurch.com 781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA 30741 August 28, 2011 In 1 Samuel 3 God called Samuel's name. Samuel hearkened unto the Lord. Let's see what God said.

2. 12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin , I will also make an end . 13 For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile , and he restrained them not .

3. God finishes what He starts. " when I begin, I will also make an end ." Ecclesiastes 7 8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. We too need to finish what we start. Chores , a career , a marriage , or our Christian walk .

4. 14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering forever. Eli and his sons had continued in sin past the time of repentance . God had judged , and declared the penalty . Death

5. 15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision. Samuel dreaded daylight. He knew Eli would ask him what the Lord had said. It wasn't good news.

6. 16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I. 17 And he said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee , and more also , if thou hide anything from me of all the things that He said unto thee. Good or bad, and he knew it was bad, Eli wanted to know exactly what God had said. Eli added a curse to his demand: Whatever God said He would do , may He do that and worse to you, if you hide a thing.

7. Samuel might have been tempted to spare his feelings , but he did not want that. People need to know the Truth. Don't sugarcoat it . Don't wait for a time that it will be easier . Hard Truth never gets easier. It gets harder the longer we put it off.

8. Ephesians 4 15 But speaking the Truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: We are not to be harsh or hateful or spiteful , But we must speak the whole Truth , if we would be any help to people. Christians can't grow up in Christ, unless they are told the things they need to change .

9. 18 And Samuel told him every whit , and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the Lord: let Him do what seemeth Him good. Eli definitely had faults, but he responded with the right mindset and attitude to God's Word.

10. 18b "It is the Lord." If God said it, that settles it . There are no questions to be asked, no arguments to be made. To humbly accept what God has said or done -- is great faith .

11. " Let Him do what seemeth Him good." Of course God is going to do what He knows is best in our lives. But it is best for us , if we willingly accept it. Hard choices don't get easier with time either. Choose to do the right thing today.

12. 19 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. From that day forward, Samuel grew -- Not only physically, but spiritually. He spoke the Word of the Lord, and God fulfilled His every Word.

13. 20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the Lord. 21 And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the Word of the Lord. Now God has a man to whom , and through whom He can speak to His people. God had withdrawn from Israel because of their wickedness -- each doing his own thing. But the Lord, God is back in town .

14. 2 Chronicles 16 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect (fully committed) toward Him. … Samuel was such a person, even as a child . God made him, not only priest, but prophet of the nation; he appointed kings and advised them . He gave the warnings of God unto sinners. He pronounced blessings upon the faithful.

15. Using Samuel , God brought the nation from hiding on the byways, fearful of their enemies, To a victorious people , defeating their enemies. Samuel was God's man of the hour. Why? Because his heart was always committed unto God, to do God's Will. He was of one mind -- to obey God.

16. James 4 6 But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.

17. Do you want a blessed life of love, joy, and peace? Do you want to be a man or woman of God , making a difference in the world? Would you like for your life to count for something. Draw near to God , and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands from sin. Psalms 34 13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

18. "Purify your hearts, ye double-minded." James 4:8b The clue to "Purify your hearts" is in the phrase -- "ye double-minded". Too often, we are of two minds : We want to serve the Lord and live life His Way , but we also want to have our own way. Samuel served God with singleness of heart . So must we, if we would have God's Power manifested in us for good .