“And when the people had come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, ‘Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines?’” – I Samuel 4:3 REFERENCE: I Samuel 4:1-3 Life often throws surprises that go contrary to our expected outcomes at us. Sometimes, we dot all our I’s, cross our T’s, and get all our ducks in a row, but things still turn out bad. Human nature may tell you to work and try harder, put in more effort, and do or pray more. Meanwhile, it may be because of none of these; God may want...
“You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’ And this is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD…” – II Kings 3:17-18 REFERENCE: II Kings 3:9-20 We often make plans and conclusions based on what happens around us. If you lose your job or source of income, you easily conclude that things will be challenging unless you get a job soon. You begin to psyche yourself to get ready for a desert experience. However, God is...
“May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” ~ Ruth 2:12 REFERENCE: Ruth 2:1-12 A reward is given in return for a good done or received, or offered or given for some service or attainment. It is similar to awards given to people because they merited it; however, I like to differentiate them like this – men can give you accolades and awards, but only God can reward you. It is why Boaz prayed for Ruth, “A full...
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” – Luke 10:19 REFERENCE: Luke 10:17-19 In the bible, the serpent represents the devil for his subtlety, cunning, and deception. He was termed ‘that old serpent’ in Revelation, and in Genesis, satan took on the guise of the serpent to deceive Eve. He is man’s avowed enemy who comes to steal our joy, peace, health, etc. He kills businesses, vision, and purpose and ultimately destroys lives. However, Jesus gave us a...
“Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die?” – II Kings 7:3 REFERENCE: II Kings 7:1-8 God spoke by Elisha in verse 1: “‘Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel…at the gate of Samaria.’” God never says a thing He does not intend to do, no matter how incredible it sounds. The problem is, ‘do we believe He will do what He says He will?’ Do we let what He says guide how we act?...
“Thus says the Lord to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held — To subdue nations before him and loose the armor of kings, to open before him the double doors, so that the gates will not be shut.” ~ Isaiah 45:1 REFERENCE: Isaiah 45:1-5 Cyrus was the founder of the Persian empire. His courage and genius placed him at the head of the Persians, and his military prowess saw him defeat and capture the Kings of Media, Lydia, and Assyria. Later, Babylon fell before his army. Our key verse implies that kings and their armies...
"Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD yet revealed to him." – I Samuel 3:7 REFERENCE: I Samuel 3:1-9 I used to have a next-door neighbor who often remarked over our not seeing each other for weeks, "Close to church but far from God." In other words, we lived beside each other but rarely spent time with each other. It describes the sad state of many Christians today; they go to church and maybe even serve in their church, but they don't know the church's God. Samuel was ministering in...
"So Jesus answered and said to him, 'What do you want Me to do for you?' The blind man said to Him; 'Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.'" Mark 10:51 REFERENCE: Mark 10:46-52 Have you ever had a young fellow or sibling tell you that they need a job, and you ask them, "What kind of job?" and they respond, "Any kind."? One of two things happens to you; you are either confused about how to help them or find a way to give them whatever is available, even if it is below their qualification. Also, when we...
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.” – Matthew 11:28 (MSG) REFERENCE: Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) Jesus extends an invitation to everyone who feels tired, burnt out, or worn out by the pressure of living in these times. This invitation is valid because you can find true rest for your spirit, soul, and body in Him. Tiredness, especially emotional, comes from bearing emotional burdens, family cares, anxieties, facing difficult situations, or just being numbed by the weight...
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely, they may forget, yet I will not forget you. ~ Isaiah 49:15 REFERENCE: Isaiah 49:13-17 These trying times can make you feel alone and wonder if God still knows your postcode or cares. You may have had an item on your prayer list for years that has yet to be sorted out by God, and it heightens your uncertainty about the days ahead. Do not fret. The devil wants you to think God has forgotten about you, but He says, "I...