So David gave orders to Joab and the army officers under him, “Canvass all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and get a count of the population. I want to know the number.” II Samuel 24:2 (MSG) REFERENCE II Samuel 24:2-16 (MSG) Proverbs 14:28a says, “In the multitude of people is a king’s honor.” Perhaps, David was seeking glory for himself by numbering the valiant men who followed him; he was to derive a sense of accomplishment from the size of his army or kingdom. It may also be that he carried out the census to access his military might...
Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes. Song of Solomon 1:15 REFERENCE Song of Solomon 1:15-2:4 Jewish Rabbis say the whole world was never as privileged as the day that the Song of Songs was given to Israel. They considered it to be the holiest of the holy. The first thing you notice in the Song of Solomon is the beautiful and gracious words the lovers used to describe each other and the love they shared. Although these words were used between a man and a woman, imagine how rich our relationships would be if we applied same principle...
Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people Israel.'" 1 Chronicles 17:7 REFERENCE 1 Chronicles 17:7 The seemingly small and insignificant things God allows you to go through in life are what He mostly uses to train you for the bigger tasks ahead. For this reason, you should be faithful and diligent wherever you are right now because it is just a preparatory school. Look at where you are and what you do right now as...
Until the LORD has given rest to your brethren as to you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God is giving them beyond the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you. - Deuteronomy 3:20 REFERENCE Deuteronomy 3:12-20. What is the measure of true success? This is a question that would engender as many answers from as many as attempt to answer it. Oftentimes, we adjudge a successful person by how much they have or bank, by their career or political prowess. However, the text before us...
Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Jeremiah 29:5 REFERENCE Jeremiah 29:1-6 Many of us aren’t where we would want to be. We wish things were nicer, better, easier and more comfortable. However, sometimes life throws us ‘curveballs’ that throw us off balance and blur our vision. In baseball, a curveball is a ball pitched (thrown) in a curving path so as to make it more difficult to hit (It also means something that is unexpected and trying). Even major league players have difficulties hitting curveballs. It takes a lot of skill, focus, the right...
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18 REFERENCE Matthew 16:13-20 The four walls of a building are too small for God’s ‘Big Picture’ for the church. It should be able to feed the saints spiritually, be socially responsible to its community and be politically relevant and influential. It has become evident that the world is in a mess and it cannot help itself; only the power of the Holy Spirit demonstrated through the church can change the decadence of...
Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. Philippians 4:11 (AMPC) REFERENCE Philippians 4:9-13 (AMPC) One secret to lead a life of joy and peace is to learn contentment. Situations in life will always change and we can sometimes be affected; but, any Christian who has learnt through Christ to be content will go through these situations unflinchingly. Contentment is a state of happiness and satisfaction. It is having a sense of fulfillment and peace....
Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. Genesis 40:23 REFERENCE Genesis 40:5-23 Isn’t it typical of humans to easily forget the kindness and goodness others have shown them? Joseph went out of his way to help interpret the dreams of two fellow inmates in his prison cell; yet, when it was time for his goodwill to be repaid, he was completely forgotten and remained in his shackles for two more years. This scenario plays out in everyday life, people who promise to stand by you, all of a sudden abandon you to yourself. Friends who collected money...
So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 REFERENCE Zechariah 4:1-10 To wind up our series on the Eagle, we will look at #lesson five, how eagles work with the wind, a time-tested secret that gives them the advantage over other birds in the air. Eagles are keen students of the wind and its currents; they know how to wait for the right move of the wind. While other birds rush out in the cool morning frantically flapping their wings to gain...
Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man? Proverbs 20:6 REFERENCE Proverbs 20:6 Every now and then, nature graces us with the beautiful sights of flying eagles doing their mating dance and eventually mating and raising a family. Eagles (especially, the bald eagle) are known to mate with one partner for life. They are totally committed to their mates. If a mate happens to die, they choose another mate not attached to another eagle; they are good role models of faithfulness. This leads us to #lesson four in this series on the Eagle: ‘Faithfulness.’ Faithfulness...