For the LORD will restore the excellence of Jacob like the excellence of Israel for the emptiers have emptied them out and ruined their vine branches. - Nahum 2:2 REFERENCE Nahum 2:1-6 Restoration means putting something back to its original state, i.e. repair or return to how it was previously. God promised to restore His children in our text to their former state of excellence after they had suffered in the hands of their emptiers. The devil is the one who empties people of their worth and value; he ruins people’s character and personalities. He destroys homes and takes away...
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. - Proverbs 22:29 (KJV). DILIGENCE is one of the strongest forces on earth; it can make someone who has been labeled a failure excel and prosper exceedingly. Diligence, simply means doing something consistently until the purpose is accomplished. God requires us to be diligent in all we do but especially in seeking an intimate relationship with Him, so no matter where we are in life (mountain top or valley), we will be consistent in pursuing Him. If you must walk...
So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. - 1 Kings 17:15 REFERENCE 1 Kings 17:8-16 Faith is taking a risk based on God’s word; it means belief in the word of God to the point of acting on it. The widow in our passage today took a risk based on the word of God Elijah gave her; it wasn’t a convenient thing for her to do but it was absolutely necessary for her sustenance. This shows us that faith is not always convenient, it...
But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. – Matthew 14:24 REFERENCE Matthew 14:22-32 We notice in the passage we read today that Jesus made His disciples get into a boat to go to a particular area; so we can confidently say the disciples were on assignment for God – in the will of God. However their journey was interrupted by the waves and contrary wind that met them headlong. This clearly shows that the journey of life is not always smooth sail even though we are walking...
Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from the slave, though he is the master of all. – Galatians 4:1 REFERENCE Galatians 4:1-9 An heir is someone who has the legal right to inherit the properties of another at their demise. On the other hand, a child is a minor who needs guardians and teachers for daily direction. This means a child is immature and is incapable of handling certain responsibilities. Therefore, an heir who is still a child cannot lay claim to his inheritance until he gets to...
For by You I can run against (or through) a troop, by my God, I can leap over a wall. - Psalm 18:29 (Emphasis mine). REFERENCE Psalm 18:29-39 David made this statement in our text today after God victoriously brought him through a series of life-threatening battles. He saw the mighty hand of God move so much in his life that he came to the conclusion that he could scale any wall no matter how high that wall was as long as the Lord was on his side. Like David, you too can overcome any situation you face headlong as...
Saul was very angry with Jonathan and said to him, '… I know that you have chosen to support that son of Jesse… As long as Jesse’s son lives, you will never be king and have a kingdom…' - 1 Samuel 20:30-31 (ERV). REFERENCE 1 Samuel 20:30-42 The focus of our text today – Jonathan, clearly demonstrated in this passage that he knew his place in life; so even when his father verbally abused him and challenged him to fight for the throne, he wasn’t moved because he knew God had given the throne to his friend David and...
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 17:7-14 The things God allows you to go through in life that seems so small and insignificant are mostly what He uses to train you for the bigger tasks ahead; and that is why 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...
But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come. – Mark 4:29 REFERENCE Mark 4:26-29 A seed is a flowering plant’s unit of reproduction, capable of developing into another such plant. It is anything that can multiply and become more if sown in the proper soil. When an orange seed is planted in the right soil, it becomes an orange tree with time. This is a natural law (an established principle) and so it must be fulfilled. In the same way, when ‘seeds’ are planted in the kingdom of God, they...
The son realized that he had been very foolish. He thought, ‘All my father’s hired workers have plenty of food… I will leave and go to my father…’ – Luke 15:17-18 (ERV). REFERENCE Luke 15:11-24 Today we conclude the topic, ‘Examine Yourself.’ The 7th question to ask in your journey to achieve your goals is, ‘What pushed me in the right direction?’ – While self-criticism is good in self-evaluation, you should equally consider what has worked well and what is working to take you towards your goals. The Prodigal Son was pushed in the right direction by his father who...