1 Samuel 17: 37 - He Will Deliver Me

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Exposition

The Philistine armies had gathered for battle against the army of Israel. Goliath, champion of the Philistines who weighed around 800lbs and must have been about 9ft 6ins tall had dared anyone to come out and partake in a winner takes all fight. He did this for 40 days!!

The Bible says that Israel’s army led by King Saul was dismayed and afraid. None of them was bold enough to respond to the taunts of Goliath.

The situation the army of Israel faced is no different from that faced by every child of God. We have an enemy – satan who goes about like a lion seeking whom to devour. The devil is all bark with no bite because our Lord Jesus Christ fought and defeated satan. The devil uses fear just as Goliath did and we all should know that God has not given us the spirit of fear. Rather we have the spirit of power, of love and a sound mind.

David appeared on the scene and he heard the words of Goliath. He was so incensed that an uncircumcised Philistine could stand up to defy the army of the Living God.  He immediately offered to fight Goliath and Saul was informed of his offer. Saul questioned David’s ability because he was a youth. David told Saul with confidence, I have numerous testimonies. He said not once but twice has the Lord delivered me when I was attacked, both times I killed the animals. As I did then, I will do to Goliath.

Based on your experience of God, like David, you should be confident that every challenge that comes your way, you will overcome. Luke 10:19 says behold, I have given you the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. You have power with God. Your confidence is based on the truth in the word of God. Isaiah 54:15 says behold, they shall surely gather together, but not from me: whosoever shall gather together against you shall fall for your sake.

Stand firm today and enforce the victory that was won for you on the cross by the Lord Jesus. No matter how long the situation has existed just like the Philistines bullied the army of Israel for a while, the Lord will deliver you as He has promised.

Prayer

I receive boldness based on your promises to stand against every challenge from satan and agents in Jesus name. I reject every situation organised to put fear into me in Jesus name. Thank you for I have power with you. Thank you for giving me victory on every side in Jesus name. Amen

Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)

Day 43

Exodus 14-15

Judges 19

Psalm 1

Jeremiah 43

Mark 15

1 Corinthians 15

1 Samuel 30:8 - Pursue, Overtake & Recover All

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Exposition

Do you sometimes ask why me, when terrible situations seem unending? Or do you ask yourself, who have I offended or when will the problems end? David had been on the run from Saul for a while and after been delivered from Saul’s hands, he went home to join with the Philistines to fight against Israel. He went back home to Ziklag and found the place burnt by the Amalekites. To add insult to injury, women and children had been taken captive.

Verse 4 says David and his men wept until they didn’t have the strength to weep anyone. It was a time of great sorrow for everyone and suddenly the people turned on David as their scapegoat. They talked of stoning him.

In life, bad things sometimes happen to good people. Situations like untimely death, life changing accidents, sickness, job and financial loss, Business collapse, serious emotional setbacks and so on. How do you respond? Do you immediately look for whom to blame? It’s alright to express the way you feel but will blame solve the problem? Secondly, who do you turn to in such times?

David did not start a “pity party”. He did not wait for anyone to console him or fill with solutions. He decided to exchange his weakness for the strength of God as Verse 6 tells us. He went to the One who gives beauty for ashes and a joyous blessing instead of mourning. He must have remembered what his God had done in the past and also His promises.

With the strength he received, he inquired of the Lord. He could easily have decided to go to after the Amalekites, considering what was at stake. It is natural for a soldier to attack. It is said that attack is the best form of defence.

It is good to take everything to God in prayer. It is easy to continue taking a path because that is the tradition or it has always been done like that. It worked for my friend so it has to work for me. David said, shall I pursue, shall I overtake? God told David to pursue and God added a promise – you shall surely overtake and recover all.

Therefore there is an assurance that as you inquire from God what to do, everything that has been stolen, you will recover. Every situation that looks like a defeat will be turned into a victory in Jesus name. Turn to Jesus today, wipe off the tears and get on your knees and pray.

Joseph Scriven wrote the song below with you in mind !!

What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear

And what a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer

Prayer

I ask for strength to rise up today. Teach my hands to war, O Lord. Let every attempt by the enemy to deposit sorrow and mourning be nullified in Jesus name. As I stand up in prayer, let me recover all the enemy has stolen in one form or the other. Let your name be glorified in Jesus name. Amen.

Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)

Day 40

Exodus 8-9

Judges 17

Job 40

Jeremiah 40

Mark 12

1 Corinthians 12

Luke 8:48 - Increase my Faith

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Exposition

Jesus was on his way to the home of Jairus whose daughter was dying. Verse 44 says a woman who’d had an issue of blood for 12 years touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and immediately the flow of blood stopped. This woman had spent all she had on medical bills without a cure.

The 12 years of illness must have been a testing experience for this woman. Apart from the physical impact, she was regarded as being spiritually unclean. Whoever touched her carried the mark of an unclean person as well. She was not allowed to enter the place of worship and practice her religion.

In our own case sin is a barrier to our contact with our Heavenly Father and His Son. Sin leaves a stain on us and we are not in a position to remove the stain, no matter how much we try. Just as this woman approached Jesus, so must we do so because Jesus Christ died on the cross to make us whole.

The woman approached Jesus as her only hope and she was not disappointed. Hebrews 4:15 says for we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Jesus cannot be too busy to hear you out.

Mark 5:27 says the woman had heard about Jesus and she touched his garment. The question is, what have you heard about Jesus? What do you know about Him that will cause you to reach out to Him today? I can assure you that He still heals all manner of disease. He has not changed because He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

She was cured immediately cured as all who come to Christ in faith are cleansed of their sin the instant they confess and accept Him as Lord and Saviour. There was a multitude but this woman was the only one who got cured. She stood out in the crowd.

Jesus knew healing had been drawn from Him and He asked who touched me? She responded by stating why she touched Him and the healing that took place, right there and then. As Jesus told her that her faith had made her whole, the multitude must have left the place with greater faith.

We learn that to access the blessings that are available in Jesus Christ, faith is the key. After all Hebrews 11:6 says “And without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him”.

Prayer

Help me Lord, to seek you more and more. Help me to increase my faith. Help me to respond to all opportunities in faith. Help me to stand out in the crowd for positive things at all times in Jesus name.

I seek you to encounter the supernatural today in Jesus name. Do something in my life that will bring you glory. Amen

Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)

Day 37

Exodus 2-3

Judges 13

Job 37

Jeremiah 37

Mark 9

1 Corinthians 9

1 Peter 2:6 - Jesus the Chief Cornerstone

Exposition

Peter was quoting directly from Isaiah 28:16. The prophet was speaking to the rulers of Jerusalem who had declared that they were secure in themselves. They had said that they were free from hell and death and even the judgment of God would have no impact on them. God responded through Isaiah that their security was false and He would lay a cornerstone in Zion which will be the only security anyone could have. If you are in the same boat as those rulers were, beware!!

The cornerstone is the first stone in a construction and all stones will be set in reference to this stone which determines the position of the entire structure. Another definition of the cornerstone is that it is the top stone or capstone atop a building. Whichever definition you prefer Jesus Christ is both the cornerstone and capstone that holds all Christians together in Him no matter where they are coming from.

To believe on Jesus is to trust Him completely. Charles Spurgeon said that those who believe on Him are built upon Him; they rest upon Him and they are cemented to Him. Believing indicates you are sure of His ability and you’ll accept His word as it is. Joshua speaking to his family in Joshua 23:14 said not one word of God has failed. He has not changed, He is still the same.

Those who believe on Jesus will not be confounded. Other translations say they will not be put to shame, they will not be disgraced and they will not be disappointed. If you build your life on Jesus, no storm of life can blow you away. Remember He commanded storms to be still. If you hide behind Him, no weapons formed or fashioned against you can prosper, for he who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. You can’t be intimidated by the enemy. No enemy has the power to remove you because you are anchored to Christ.

You have spiritual license to interpret what can’t happen to you if Jesus Christ is your foundation and what can happen to you too….. What situation are you confronted with today? What fear is lurking in the inner recesses of your mind? Make Jesus Christ your cornerstone, hand your life to Him and enjoy peace on every side.

Prayer

Lord, you have been made the cornerstone of the Church. I have decided to anchor my life on you today. Let every false alternative perish today in Jesus name. Let me never be ashamed. Let every attempt to put me to shame come to nothing in Jesus name. Amen.

Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)

Day 32

Genesis 43-44

Judges 8

Job 32

Jeremiah 32

Mark 4

1 Corinthians 4

Revelation 20

Hebrews 12:2a - Looking unto Jesus

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Exposition

Our prayer text is a follow on of Hebrews 12:1 which says you are in a race which has to be run with patience. In running this race there are distractions which if not laid aside will have a negative impact on the satisfactory completion of the race.  

There is a piece of information which is very vital to the finishing of the race. This is looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus Christ is the umpire, better still the starter and it is wise to be focused on the starter so that when the gun goes, you are up and running.

Looking on Jesus is fixing your gaze on Him. To look unto Jesus is to consciously block out every distraction so that you will win the race of your life. Looking unto anything or anyone apart from Jesus is an invitation for disaster. Your eyes will look at where your heart is. If your heart is fixated on worldly things and its enticements, be assured that your vision will be obscured and you will not see Jesus as you should.

The weights are distractions; the sins you left behind are distractions, you do not need to look at them again. Your past successes and failures are not important. Do not look at your ability for in doing so, you are not looking at Jesus. Jesus is the pathway. He has seen it and done it. He is your source and your strength.

To look at Jesus is to know Him intimately and study Him. Studying Jesus informs you of who He is and what He has done. You also know where He is and what He is doing on your behalf. To look at Him is to meditate on His word and pray to Him and expect Him to answer you. It is to be at peace with Him.

Looking at Jesus is a permanent thing. Peter the Disciple looked elsewhere and he got into trouble. Matthew 14:29-30 tells the story of Peter walking towards Jesus on water and as soon as he saw the wind (seeing something else apart from Jesus), he became afraid and began to sink.

Looking at the might of Jesus rather than the size of the problem will provide the required the solution for there is nothing too hard for Him to do.

Prayer

Lord, my mind is always wondering. Help me to be focused on you and you alone. There are challenges, left, right and center. I know you are faithful but sometimes I worry. Help me Father so I can create time to know you. Help me to understand that you’ll always be there to see me through. Oh Lord, let your name be glorified in every area of my life in Jesus name. Amen

Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)

Day 16

Pentateuch - Genesis 16

History – Joshua 16

Poetry – Job 16

Wisdom – Proverbs 16

Prophets – Jeremiah 16

Gospels – Matthew 16

Epistles – Romans 16

End Times – Revelation 4

2 Timothy 1:7 - Faith rather than Fear

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Exposition

Apostle Paul wrote this letter to Timothy encouraging him to drop fear and embrace the spirit of power, love and a sound mind that was available to him.

Timothy was the young Pastor of the Church in Ephesus while Nero was an oppressive Emperor on the throne of the Roman Empire who was among other things killing Christians at every opportunity.

There was a climate of fear then, just as there is a climate of fear now, no matter which country you live in. Our lives are filled with all types of fear, doubts and worry. There are financial, and health worries etc. The old people worry whether their children will succeed in life, whether the children will get a good education, jobs, and good marriages and so on. They fear recession, inflation and so on. The young look around in fear whether the economy has left them behind, for example, whether they’d ever save enough to get a mortgage.

Living in fear is like living in prison and it limits the options available. The person who lives in fear is afraid of what he/she thinks will happen and not what has happened.

Fear stops you from trusting God. Jesus Christ came to release you from the spirit of fear. He came to teach you how to replace fear with faith. He asks you to have faith in Him in all our circumstances rather than in the things you fear will happen.

John 8:31 says the key is in believing on Him and continuing in His word. Verse 32 lets us know that ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 

Despite the challenges that exist now and those that will surely rear their heads in future, Jesus wants you to believe and trust in His ability to do as He says.

No wonder He has promised and delivered the Holy Spirit of power, love and self-control to all who believe in Him.

I encourage you, make a choice today, which is more fearful? Stepping out in faith and doing the things God asks you to do, or ignoring God and directly disobeying Him.

Prayer

I step out of the prison of fear. I cast away every fear that has stopped me from moving forward in faith. Through the Holy Spirit, I receive power to live in faith; I receive the power to love Jesus Christ with all my soul, spirit and body. I move forward to acknowledge that there is nothing too hard for you to do for me because with you all things are possible in Jesus name. Amen

Bible Reading Plan in 26 weeks (Be part of the Bible Reading Program)

Day 12

Pentateuch - Genesis 12

History – Joshua 12

Poetry – Job 12

Wisdom – Proverbs 12

Prophets – Jeremiah 12

Gospels – Matthew 12

Epistles – Romans 12

End Times – Daniel 12

Genesis 22:17 - Possessing the gates of the New Year

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Exposition

I will surely bless you and will greatly multiply your seed like the stars of the heavens and like the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies – Abraham had just passed a test of his faith and God in sealed his blessings with an oath. His faith was rewarded with a blessing and his seed was rewarded with multiplication and victory over enemies.

Did you notice the promise was to his seed and not his seeds? Jesus Christ was the seed and you are the seed of Jesus. In Jesus, you receive the physical and the spiritual. You receive salvation, eternal life and much more.

Most homes have walls around them with a gate used for entrance and exit. In the bible times, apart from gates protecting the city against invaders, they were places where business transactions were consummated and government decisions were announced. Legal matters were also resolved at the gates. The gates were the center of all activities in the cities.

So when you possess the gates of your enemies it means you have conquered them and they have become your subjects. You are in control. Just as we have physical gates, there are also gates in the spiritual realm. Before things happen in the physical, a lot has taken place in the spiritual. The heavens release blessings and the unseen enemies attempt to withhold them.

For example, a new year has gates and blessings are released as a result of the prayers of the saints. The enemy and its agents do everything to control the gates so that the blessings do not get to the intended recipients.

It is good to be happy at the dawn of a New Year but there are steps that have to be taken before the New Year arrives.

You have to contend with the real enemy that does not want you to enjoy the blessings associated with the New Year. Remember the one who controls the gates of 2017 has the victories throughout the year. Fight the battle, the Lord is on your side!!

Prayer

Let the glory of God surround me and protect me against the plans of the evil one. Every blessing from God will arrive at my doorstep and I will enjoy them in Jesus name.

I come against every agent of the enemy assigned to stop my blessings. Let every gang up against me be scattered in Jesus name. Let confusion reign in their midst. Let the power of God destroy them in Jesus name. Let every plan of disappointment and sickness come to nothing in Jesus name. I thank you for my victory as I possess the gates of my enemies in Jesus name. Amen

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Jeremiah 1:8 - Don't Be Afraid

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Exposition

Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD – Jeremiah had received a call to ministry as prophet to the nations and he responded saying that he was a child and he couldn’t speak. The Almighty God assured him in verse 7 that whatever He the LORD commanded Jeremiah to say, he would say and wherever he was instructed to go, he would go.

The LORD who knows the end from the beginning knew Jeremiah was been sent to a rebellious lot and he would be persecuted because of what he would say. Jeremiah was assured by the Almighty that whenever an assignment is issued all materials will be provided.

The same assurance is available to you today. You have received your marching instructions. You know your purpose, you are aware of the gifts that you have been blessed with. Stop wondering, is this the right time? You are saying that the economy is in recession or that someone tried the same idea and failed. It is easy to doubt whether the world is ready to receive you and what you have. It has been ingrained into you that the world is filled with sharks and wickedness and things are not easy.

I encourage you as Jeremiah was encouraged that your gift will make room for you as stated in Proverbs 18: 16. Jeremiah sounded timid but remember that you have not been given the spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind. You have all round protection by the Lord of Hosts. He has promised to deliver out of every challenge and trap set by the devil.

Rather than looking at the faces of the doubters or those whose agenda is discouragement, start looking up to the face of the Master. Lift up your eyes unto the hills where you are assured of help every day and every minute.

Prayer

Thank you dear Father for choosing me. Thank you for blessing me with all that I need to succeed in life. Help me to focus on you rather than on those you think I can’t succeed. Thank you for your promise of deliverance from the clutches of the evil one and his agents. You will be glorified in every area of my life in Jesus name. Amen

Luke 7:23 - Blessed by Faith

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Exposition

And blessed is the one who is not offended by me – The disciples of John the Baptist had come to Jesus Christ to ask him whether He was the Messiah they had been waiting for. In verse 22, He told them to go and tell John the Baptist about the miracles he had performed and what they had heard about Him. He then pronounced a blessing on all who were not offended by Him.

Many found offence in Jesus Christ then in those days and today the story continues. The Jews did not believe that the son of a poor carpenter could be the Messiah. Some were not happy that He surrounded Himself with the lowly in the society and with sinners. The disciples of John the Baptist were offended because they fasted but Jesus and His disciples were not seen to fast.

Whoever wants to find a reason will always fine one. Then and now there are those who do not believe in the Trinity. Some take offence because the gospel of Christ requires a life of holiness. Others take offence because of the conduct of some who call themselves followers of Christ. No matter how poor the behaviour exhibited by such people, it cannot be right to paint Jesus Christ with the same brush. Many have been blinded by the agenda of the devil and they take offence where Christians refuse to accept that these new ways of life are the “new normal” in the society.

We can conclude that all who do deny Jesus Christ or who are not offended in Him are blessed. All who receive Him and accept Him as Lord and Saviour are blessed. All who despite the obstacles placed before them and who continue to profess their faith are blessed.

To be blessed is to be favoured by God. To be blessed by God is to live a life of prosperity and success. To be blessed is to live in peace and joy. Do not allow any doubt or prejudice to move you away from faith in Jesus Christ. It is wisdom not to take offence in Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for making grace available to all who believe in you. Help me Father to continue to stand firm in faith. Help me Father to fill myself with your word. Nothing I see or hear will cause me to join your enemy in Jesus name. Let every plan of the enemy come to nothing in Jesus name.

Thank you for the many blessings that have come my way. Thank you for the blessings that are on the way to me. I pray that as for me and my household we shall serve you forever in Jesus name. Amen.

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