Digging Out the Old - August 16, 2026

<p><strong>Calling: Keeping, Finding, Growing</strong></p><p><strong>Digging Out the Old</strong></p><p><strong>Jon Fredricks</strong></p><p><strong>Today&#39;s Scripture: 1 Samuel 7:1-4 NIV</strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>1 Samuel 7:1-4 NIV</strong></p><p>So the men of Kiriath Jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord. They brought it to Abinadab’s house on the hill and consecrated Eleazar his son to guard the ark of the Lord. <strong>2 </strong>The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time—twenty years in all. Then all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord. <strong>3 </strong>So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” <strong>4 </strong>So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the Lord only.</p><p> </p><p><strong>1) SETTLE YOUR SERVE</strong></p><p><strong>1 Samuel 2:26 NIV</strong></p><p><strong>26 </strong>And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Matthew 4:10 NIV</strong></p><p><strong>10</strong> Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”</p><p> </p><p><strong>Ephesians 6:7 NIV</strong></p><p>Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people</p><p> </p><p><strong>2) FAITHFUL BEFORE FRUITFUL</strong></p><p><strong>1 Samuel 3:19-21 NIV</strong></p><p><strong>19 </strong>The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. <strong>20 </strong>And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. <strong>21 </strong>The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Colossians 3:23-24 NIV</strong></p><p><strong>23 </strong>Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, <strong>24</strong> since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Matthew 25:23 NIV</strong></p><p><strong>23</strong> “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’</p><p> </p><p><strong>3) CHANGE THE METHODS - NOT THE MESSAGE</strong></p><p><strong>1 Samuel 3:19-21 NIV</strong></p><p><strong>19 </strong>The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. <strong>20 </strong>And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. <strong>21 </strong>The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.</p><p> </p><p><strong>4) BUILD EBENEZER</strong></p><p><strong>1 Samuel 7:12 NIV</strong></p><p><strong>12 </strong>Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”</p><p> </p><p><strong>1 Samuel 7:15 NIV</strong></p><p><strong>15 </strong>Samuel continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life.</p>