“One day David asked, “Is there anyone left of Saul’s family? If so, I’d like to show him some kindness in honor of Jonathan.”” II Samuel 9:1 (MSG) REFERENCE II Samuel 9:1-13 (MSG) I Samuel 18:1-4 gives us an insight to how David and Jonathan forged their friendship – a covenant friendship; they entered into a covenant with each other because of the deep love they both shared. A biblical covenant is often an inviolable agreement between two or more parties based on shared promises and responsibilities. The covenant agreement between David and Jonathan as seen from I Samuel 20:11-17...

And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. Acts 3:2-3 REFERENCE Acts 3:1-11 Life can sometimes beat one to a point where one is described by one's problems; e.g. the blind man, the lame man, the barren woman, the sickly girl, the homeless man, the jobless man, etc. Such was the case of this nameless lame man who sat and...

So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there… John 4:5&6a REFERENCE John 4:1-7 In this familiar story of Jesus’ divine need to journey through Samaria, we encounter something that arrests our attention – a generational transaction that occurred between the last of the Patriarchs; Jacob and his son, Joseph. When Jesus traveled through Samaria, He arrived at a spot near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. In other words, Joseph was given a parcel...

“Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you.”  Psalm 32:9 REFERENCE Psalm 32:8-11 God is very much interested in leading His children and guiding them along paths of peace, prosperity and purpose. It will hurt Him if we, as His children, go astray, wander into dangerous places, and miss our purpose. His promise in our text today is that He would instruct and teach us in the way that we should go – His watchful eyes ever guiding us. As willing as God is to lead...

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 REFERENCE Acts 4:5-14 If a copy will mimic an original in content and outlook, then, there should be a striking resemblance between a Christian and Jesus. Peter and John did not need to announce their credentials or titles to anybody. The facts spoke for themselves that they were transformed men. They lived life on a plane beyond the ordinary – beyond their training or learning; and without any...

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Luke 17:15 & 17 REFERENCE Luke 17:11-17 As Christians, our lives are like billboards advertising God’s goodness. We are living witnesses, walking testimonies, and an open bible to the people in our own cluster of influence. They knew who we were before and now they can see who we have become in Christ. What then do you do with the good news that is the story of your life? Simple, take...

The sick man answered Him, ‘Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.’  John 5:7  REFERENCE John 5:1-9 This man in our text has been left as last in the race to be healed. For 38 years, someone has always outsmarted him, outrun him, outperformed him and outwitted him. He must have felt like a failure and a good-for-nothing. He must have despaired of ever getting healed, because he was for once, confronted with his limited abilities, he stood no chance...

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you. Mark 2:5 REFERENCE Mark 2:1-12 Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is substance, and it is evidence. That means it is tangible; it can be touched and it can be seen in the corresponding actions that accompany it. And verse 6 says, ‘Without faith, it is impossible to please God;” impossible to receive from Him or to get Him to do anything for you. He is always looking for faith. Our text says, “When Jesus saw their faith” that is, the paralytic and the four...

So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. Luke 16:8 REFERENCE Luke 161-13 Yesterday, we established that while Jesus commended the shrewd servant for his smartness in the system of the world, He pointed out that believers are not as smart in the system of God’s kingdom. It is therefore pertinent for believers to be smart and work by the rules of God’s kingdom in order for them to have successful outcomes in life. As it regards this passage, the right...

“Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg.  I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’” Luke 16:3-4 REFERENCE Luke 16:1-9 The shrewd manager in this parable was about to lose his job; he felt he was too old to start from the scratch again and having held such a lofty position, he felt ashamed to go about begging for favors. So, he came up with a...