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...

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...