Sweet Laughter in Heaven - Part 1

Psalm 2:1-4 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against his anointed, saying, “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”
The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.


Psalm 59:7-8 See what they spew from their mouths—the words from their lips are sharp as swords, and they think, “Who can hear us?” But you laugh at them, LORD; you scoff at all those nations.


To this day, the devil and his kingdom, sit and plan against God and His children. They scheme all sorts of evil, thinking in their hearts that "no one hears or sees us." The devil employs men, some sadly are with no inkling of this employment. He employs them to work against the set plans of God for His children. In Psalm 59, David commences with a tone of anguish for help from God against his enemies who were pursuing him, but then he realised that God was in charge and was laughing at those enemies. David was comforted and reassured of safety by this act of God. He therefore affirmed his faith in God - You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.


Then, David pictured the defeat of his enemies, and how he was gong to be filled with joy at the defeat of his enemies - God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.
But I will sing of your strength,in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Whenever our enemies strike against us, this assuring thought of God laughing at them, must strengthen us to stand still and know that God is in charge, and therefore victory is bound to be ours.









WHAT IS NEXT?

God's timing

God has an appointed time for everything under the sun. From the very beginning when He created this world, He put time in place - Genesis 1:3-5 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.


In the same way, God has times and seasons for everything. Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. When God promised Abraham a child, it took so many Earthly years to be fulfilled, and then finally, a year to when Isaac was born God again said to Abraham - Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”Genesis 18:14


God has an appointed time for every plan of His, and when the time is not due we may do all we can in vain. Before God's appointed time, Abraham had Ishmael. In his human thinking, Abraham found a substitute for God's promise. His substitute was allowed by God because God respects the free will He has given to men. This free will most at times lands us into trouble, that is when we exercise it out of God's perfect will. God's perfect will cannot be forced into being, it has a time set in Heaven.


Nevertheless, it can be delayed by battles. In Daniel 9:2, Daniel understood by the Word of God given through Jeremiah that they would be in captivity for seventy years. He knew the time was up for their deliverance so he sought God in prayer and repentance. We learn in Daniel 10 that as soon as Daniel humbled himself in seeking God, God answered him, but the answer was withheld in a battle in the heavenlies -
“Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.


Daniel was praying for forgiveness of the sins of God's children, for by studying the prophesies of God through Jeremiah, he realised it was time for their freedom, and knew they were still bound because of their sins. Our decisions, sins and associations can delay the plans of God for our lives. Daniel's humility before God caused God to be compassionate towards him and to grant his request. However, there was another hurdle to his receiving the answer from God. The angel God sent to him was fought by other forces in Persia - Ephesians 6:12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.


God has an appointed time for everything He has promised. Patiently wait for it in prayer - Habakkuk 2:3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.




WHAT IS NEXT?

Unbelievable change.

God is a miracle worker. He can do the humanly unimaginable, like walking on water, and turning water into wine. He can raise the dead, even if they have been dead for four days, as in the case of Lazarus. However, we still cannot predict all of His ways and methods, because they are far fetched.


When Joseph dreamt and interpreted it as his parents and siblings bowing to him, little did he know it was the commencement of great pain and sorrow in his life. From slavery to prison, his dream became pale. Then suddenly the king's butler remembered him, and recommended him to the King which instantly changed his life.


Mary was a young woman. I assume she loved God and walked in His ways. God chose her to be the mother of Jesus. It was such a great honour, and in a split second her life and title changed forever. Her name is now registered in the books of history as the virgin who mothered Jesus, the Son of God. Mary suddenly became important.


David went to the fields with his father's sheep on an ordinary day, but at the end of the day, he had been anointed as King. Saul was looking for his father's lost donkeys, and his search took him to a place where he was crowned with greatness. An instant change and elevation!


God is sometimes very sudden in His ways. He can be abrupt and surprise us. We cannot fathom all of his ways. And can only trust Him to take very good care of us, and bring to pass His good purpose for us , as well as His promises concerning us. We have to keep trusting, believing and praying.















WHAT IS NEXT?

Change overnight!

There was great famine in Samaria, and as the King of Israel was passing by, a lady called to him for help. She narrated how because of the famine she had agreed with another woman to kill their sons and eat them. They had as agreed, killed her son and eaten him. However, when it got to the turn of the other woman she was hesitant in giving her son to be killed, cooked and ate.


Such an abomination! The King was alarmed and virtually angry with God for bringing such a calamity on them. For he believed it was from God. The King of Israel sought to kill the Prophet of God, Elisha, as a result. But Elisha foresaw the evil in the King's heart, and sent him this message:  “Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.” 2 Kings 7:1


It looked impossible - such a tremendous change overnight? The officer on whose arm the king was leaning said to the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?”
“You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!” 2 Kings 7:2-3


True to Prophet Elisha's words which were sent from God, four lepers happened to go to the camp of the Arameans in search of food. The Lord magnified their footsteps and the Arameans thinking their enemies were coming at them, fled. The four lepers had their fill of the goodies the Arameans left behind, and as concerned citizens, informed the King of Samaria of their great find. The King sent spies to confirm. Once it was confirmed, the Samarians plundered the Arameans - 2 Kings 7: 16 Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. So a seah of the finest flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, as the LORD had said.


Great change happened overnight, just as the Prophet of God had prophesied. At the time of the prophesy, it sounded outrageous. However, the God of all possibilities caused it to happen by unusual means. It is not a good thing to doubt the Words of God, for nothing is impossible with Him. 2 Kings 7:17-20 Now the king had put the officer on whose arm he leaned in charge of the gate, and the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died, just as the man of God had foretold when the king came down to his house. It happened as the man of God had said to the king: “About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.”

The officer had said to the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?” The man of God had replied, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it!” And that is exactly what happened to him, for the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died.










WHAT IS NEXT?

The deception of pride - Part 2

1 Samuel 25


Prior to Nabal's rudeness to David and his men, David had been anointed as King by Samuel in 1 Samuel 16. In the eyes of God, Saul had been rejected as King, and replaced by David. Though David was not in regal clothes, he was King in the spiritual parlance. The Word of God in
2 Corinthians 5:16 cautions us not to know anyone after the flesh. That essentially means do not assess people from a human point of view, or from a limited perspective. Which of President Obama's childhood friends knew he would become the President of America? We never really know the future of men, nor can we be certain of the total plans of God for them. God perceives men differently. Gideon was a timid and fearful man from the lowest clan, however God saw him as a mighty warrior.

2 Corinthians 5:16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!


Nabal touched the untouchable. So God punished him duly. Though David relented, Nabal had scorned God's anointed, and attracted God's wrath. God has said - Touch not my anointed. Do my prophets no harm. Nabal's pride made him to see himself more highly than he needed to. He attached an importance to himself that truly was not so. Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. He died a sudden and painful death as a result of his pride and folly - Then in the morning, when Nabal was sober, his wife told him all these things, and his heart failed him and he became like a stone. About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal and he died.


Pride causes a person to perceive himself or herself more highly and wrongly, making a fool of oneself in the end.




















WHAT IS NEXT?

The deception of pride - Part 1

Galatians 6:3 (NLT) If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
The NIV Bible puts it this way - If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.


Pride deceives us to think that without us, others cannot make it, or that we can allow or disallow another's blessing. Pride can make us to greatly disrespect others and treat them unfairly, especially when we are in a privileged position. Pride causes masters to maltreat servants. Pride makes Kings put their subjects through inhuman treatment. Pride is what moves the rich to withhold help from the poor, especially when it is within their ability.


I have often thought of Nabal and what happened to him in 1 Samuel 25. He was a rich man who had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep. He probably truly had never heard of David. David and his men however knew him and had helped his servants to take care of his sheep. David sent his men to ask Nabal of a favour, but Nabal answered David's men - “Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?”


This angered David, and he intended to teach Nabal a lesson. Abigail, Nabal's wife, however used wisdom and humility to assuage David's anger. David refrained from harming Nabal. I always wondered though, why Nabal's story did not end here. He had done wrong, his wife had pleaded on his behalf, end of story! But this was not so. Nabal had not touched an ordinary man, he had touched a King!













WHAT IS NEXT?

God humbles the proud

Have you ever heard a proud person speak? They say things such as "I do not need any body's help."  "I do not care how any other person feels about what I am doing." " I am accountable to no one." " I have achieved this and that. I do not need anything from anyone."


The Lord brings down such proud hearts, and He does it so perfectly, that their humbling is evident to all, and beyond the control of any man. Obadiah 1:3-4 "The arrogance of your heart has deceived you, You who live in the clefts of the rock, In the loftiness of your dwelling place, Who say in your heart, 'Who will bring me down to earth?'
"Though you build high like the eagle, Though you set your nest among the stars, From there I will bring you down," declares the LORD


King Nebuchadnezzar was a proud King. As a King he had such great power and authority and felt he was above everyone else. God made sure he was properly humbled - Daniel 4. God caused him to lose his mind, he lived in the wild with animals - He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. This confirms Proverbs 16:5 The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.


It is note worthy that Nebuchadnezzar could have prevented this if he had repented when he was warned by Daniel also known as Belteshazzar -Therefore, Your Majesty, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue.” Daniel 4:27


Nebuchadnezzar had been warned, but he never repented, so twelve months later God punished and humbled him duly. He was boasting about his achievements when the Lord struck him. We must be careful not to ignore the warnings of God against pride. No man is above another. It is the mercy and favour of God that bestows and allows blessings. God can allow prosperity as well as disallow prosperity. God can allow health as well as disallow health. He can create and kill. He is nevertheless not a wicked God, but desires that all come to repentance.


If our hearts become proud, and we do not repent, we can be certain we would be humbled. Think on this!



WHAT IS NEXT?

Pride goes before a fall

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.


King Uzziah was a king that did right in God's eyes, and thus became powerful, until the power he was enjoying got to his head, He became proud and this led to his fall from glory to grass.


2 Chronicles 26:16-21 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the LORD followed him in. They confronted King Uzziah and said, ‘It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honoured by the LORD God.’


Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the LORD’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead. When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the LORD had afflicted him.


King Uzziah had leprosy until the day he died. He lived in a separate house – leprous, and excluded from the temple of the LORD. Jotham his son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.


Herod was another proud person that was humbled by God. His pride led to his destruction - Acts 12:21-23 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, ‘This is the voice of a god, not of a man.’ Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.


Pride manifests itself in many forms, and can make us disregard all forms of authority. Pride causes us to feel we are above every other person, and stupidly sometimes even elevate ourselves above that which God has ordained. Uzziah had no business burning incense. This was a role for the priests- the Levites. However, out of pride, Uzziah felt he could do anything. He was behaving like Lucifer , who stupidly thought he was so powerful he could set his throne above God's. Pride does not like to be corrected - Proverbs 9:8 Never correct conceited people; they will hate you for it. But if you correct the wise, they will respect you.


Pride sadly destroys. It bloats the ego of whoever it resides in, until it bursts like an over bloated balloon, deflating the ego, and destroying the person in the process. Pride must be avoided by all costs, and this is possible if we revere God , and love and respect our fellow men.


Luke 14:11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’



















WHAT IS NEXT?

Strategic people

The Word of God has many stories laden with invaluable lessons that only the very discerning can unravel. In life, there are certain people that will cross our paths, who will hold the keys to our elevation, deliverance or breakthrough. Failure to treat these people right or to listen to them can cause life's journey to be longer and more cumbersome.


Saul's servant advised him to go to a Prophet's house for guidance, in search of his father's lost donkeys . Saul could have regarded the advice of his servant as inferior and could have condescendingly scorned it. However, when he paid heed to this advice, he collided with his elevation to the position of the King of Israel. 1 Samuel 9-10


Joseph helped a man in prison. This man was distraught, for he had had a disturbing dream, one which he could not comprehend its meaning, but seemed to linger on his mind. Joseph was moved by compassion to help this man, and offered him an interpretation of his dream, with the help of God's Spirit. This man was the same one that later recommended Joseph to the King. His recommendation was a door that led to Joseph's freedom from prison as well as his sudden elevation to the position equal to that of a Prime Minister. Genesis 40-41


In Genesis 19:14, Lot warned his sons-in-law of an impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, but his words went unheeded. God placed Lot as a deliverer in the lives of these sons -in-law, but they treated his words lightly. This cost them their lives, because apart from Lot and his immediate family, no one else in Sodom escaped the destruction God sent.


A young servant girl in Naaman's house held in her hands the key to free his master from leprosy. Naaman listened to the advice of the servant, but almost missed his chance to be healed when he considered demeaning the instruction of Elisha to him. Once again, servants of Naaman held the key to his deliverance and healing, by urging him on to follow the instruction of the Prophet of God. Naaman had a teachable spirit, and as a result, listened to the pieces of advice his servants proffered, and subsequently got his healing and cleansing from leprosy. 2 Kings 5


We must be careful with how we treat people. We may be turning away God's objects of deliverance. By maltreating someone, we could be throwing away the key to our own elevation. We do not know what tomorrow may bring. We can only see this far. Life can have surprising turns. We have to eschew pomposity, or life can sarcastically rid us of our pompousness. We must be discerning, and always treat others well, bearing in mind that we are but fleeting - mere mortals who fade away like flowers in the field. Do not look down on another, don't mistreat someone, they may be your only saving hand in the very near future.


























WHAT IS NEXT?

The In-betweens.

Abraham was relieved when he was promised by God to be given a child. He happily changed his name from Abram to Abraham to tally with this promise. Years passed and there was no show. He tried to assist God, and had Ishmael. God allowed Abraham's mistake of having Ishmael. Nevertheless, God remained faithful with His promise, and at the appointed time, Isaac was born to Abraham and Sarah. When David was anointed King, little did he know that it spelt the onset of his wilderness life. He was chased by Saul and lived in caves, escaping death by a hair's breadth. Joseph shared with relish his dreams about becoming a great person. However, his joy was short lived as he became a slave and later languished in prison.


God sometimes leaves out details of all the frustrations we may encounter as we journey towards the fulfilment of His promises to us. Some of the Psalms of David tell of his misery and anguish when he went through the wilderness, running away from Saul. With Joseph, we are only told of his life as a slave, the favour that was on his life from when he was with his father, then through his stay at Potiphar's, and finally, when in prison. We read about how he continued to fear God, and how he allowed God to use him, even in his affliction. It is almost as though he did not feel discouraged and forsaken. But when he was about to reconcile with his brothers , he cried bitterly. A scene that told many untold stories.


I do not think any prior knowledge of the pain ahead of Him could adequately prepare Jesus for the cross. As He humanly felt the pangs of crucifixion, He felt so let down and forsaken by God His Father. However, at the appointed time, each one of these characters received God's promise unto them. The waiting period before God's appointed time can be wrought with great inhibitions that happen to spell the exact reverse of God's promise unto us. We may despair, but must not give up, as these labour pains will give birth to our elevation. The same oil that brought greatness to David, also brought him pain. The same dreams that stimulated Joseph's brothers to cause him much pain, also brought Joseph favour and promotion. The cross spelt the entrance to doom and glory for Jesus.


The in-betweens are usually the most challenging. Nevertheless, if we endure these difficult times, and live through them, we shall then be eligible to ascend to the place of elevation. After the three Hebrew boys had endured the blazing furnace, they were promoted accordingly. The in-betweens are an essential part of our testimony . They complete our story, elaborate our deliverance and garnish our promotion.

















WHAT IS NEXT?

You are not forgotten nor forsaken

Isaiah 49:14-16

But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me, And the Lord has forgotten me.”
“Can a woman forget her nursing child And have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.
“Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.


As I was growing up, I loved writing poems, as well as reading those written by others. One of my favourites was Footprints in the Sand by Mary Stevenson. There are times in this life when we may feel as though God may have forsaken us. Jesus felt the same way when He hang on the cross, dying and in pain. He cried - "My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?" Mark 15:34. David, also felt the same and declared in Psalm 22:1-2 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.


We do know the end of King David, he knew many sorrows in his life, but God was faithful to him . He died a very blessed king. Jesus now reigns as the King of kings and Lord of Lords. God never forgets His own, He shall always come through. Weeping may endure for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Keep in mind the words of Jesus in John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."


Now, take a moment to reflect on Mary Stevenson's poem, Footprints in the sand, and let it encourage you:


Footprints

One night I had a dream-I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints, one belonged to me and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that many times along the path of my life, there was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in my life. This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you would walk with me all the way, but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. "I don't understand why in times when I needed you most, you should leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never, never leave you during your times of trial and suffering. "When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."

...Mary Stevenson



















WHAT IS NEXT?

BETRAYAL

Psalm 41:9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.


There are many stories in the Bible on betrayal. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, and then Potiphar's wife lied about him. He was betrayed by the King's cup bearer who reneged on his promise to help him, until after two solid years. Samson was betrayed by Delilah, a woman he loved. This cost him his eyes and his life in the end.


Jesus was betrayed by Judas, and then by Peter who denied him three times. Life can throw at us difficult situations where people we deem as friends will betray us. God loved the nation Israel dearly, and yet was betrayed many times as Israel committed spiritual adultery through idolatry.


Jeremiah 17:5 This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. Man cannot be trusted, our carnal hearts are deceptive and highly wicked. We have to trust God alone, and learn to trust men through God. Our eyes must always be on God while we deal with men. God is our only sure friend, all others can fail us.


Have you been betrayed? Take a cue from Joseph who forgave his brothers, for he knew that God would always be faithful, even when men fail you. Joseph had lived through bitter betrayal and suffering, and yet God's faithfulness had elevated him to the place of a prime minister even in a foreign land. In the end, all those that betrayed him had to bow down to him. Jesus forgave Peter and made him a leader of His Church.


There is great harm in being bitter as bitterness can destroy you and others. This is exactly what happened to Absalom when he allowed bitter feelings to take the better of him, destroying him in the end. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger… Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31,32).




















WHAT IS NEXT?

Working for God without God

1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.


1 Corinthians 9:26-27 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.



Paul was called by Jesus to preach the Gospel. He took this call very seriously, and in the end was proud and bold to say - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.( 2 Timothy 4:7) Paul worked for God and with God. He was always conscious of God's will, even when Agabus prophesied doom for him should he go to Jerusalem, Paul still chose to go because he knew it was God's will for him to preach in Jerusalem. These words of Paul re-echoed his way of life and ministry to God - Acts 20:22-24 “And now, behold, bound by the Spirit, I am on my way to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace.



Though Paul served God this way, others seek their own in the name of God. Teachers are going to be judged more strictly, and ought to take great care to be in God's will at all times. James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We ought to be careful, that in working for God, we do not carry many to Heaven's gate, and become disqualified to enter Heaven. For Jesus prophesied about this, saying - Matthew 7:22-23 "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'



We must endeavour to serve God truthfully. We cannot serve God and money. Neither can we be people-pleasers and God- pleasers at the same time. God wants our total loyalty and devotion, as well as obedience. Nothing more, nothing less! Let the following scripture keep you in check - 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?







WHAT IS NEXT?

Simple Trust

 Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.(KJV)

Job had a childlike trust in God. This simple trust enabled him to proclaim when he had lost everything he owned -  “Naked I came from my mother’s womb,and naked I will depart.The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

When the devil again attacked Job with sores all over his body,  His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Job trusted God and was ready for His Will, even in the toughest of situations. He did not understand why all the bad things had befallen him, he still maintained his ways before God, in other words, he argued his case before God - tried to reason with God. However, in all of this, he did not question God's goodness or Saving grace. He acknowledged His Sovereignty, and declared his trust in God, in spite of all his woes.

 Do we sing God's praises only when things are rosy? Are we willing to trust God even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death? Can we sing to God and worship Him in prison like Paul and Silas? Can we take strokes on our body for the sake of the Gospel? Are we ready to endure persecution simply because we serve God?


Are we serving God because of what we can get from Him? Are we after the blessing or after God, the giver of the blessing?

Think on these!

















WHAT IS NEXT?

No more guilt trips

The devil enjoys taking people on a guilt trip. He is the accuser of the brethren - Revelation 12:9-11 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. "And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.


As human beings, we are susceptible to sin. We may falter here and there , but thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins through His Blood. When we accept God's work on the cross , we are cleansed from our sins. Our slate is wiped clean, as we are born again and given a new beginning.


Should we fall into sin, the blood of Jesus is still available to cleanse us. 1 John 1:9 says that If we confess our , he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. We overcome all our faults and weakness when we depend on the Blood of the Lamb, and all it represents for us - Salvation, deliverance, redemption, the forgiveness of sin, fellowship with God and His Spirit, and the empowerment of God.


Through the Blood of Jesus, we can ask for forgiveness and if it is sincere, be sure God will cleanse us and forgive us. Have you failed God, and sinned against Him? Do not embark on a guilt trip. Approach your Father and ask for forgiveness. This is a "family affair," do not allow the devil, an intruder to unsettle you on a guilt trip. Shut out the voice of the accuser!


Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Ephesians 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.


Child of God, embark on no more guilt trips! You have access to God's throne. Be bold and approach it.













WHAT IS NEXT?

To complain or not to complain

Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.


In most cases, it appears easier to complain and whine over what you deem needs changing. It is human nature to want to grumble where we are dissatisfied. However, as relieving as this may seem, there is a law under operation in this world that knowingly or unknowingly gives us what we say. The more we keep complaining, the more we seem to attract what we are complaining about.

Matthew 12:37 - For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Proverbs 18:21 - Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Proverbs 13:3 - He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: [but] he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.


Our words create. What we say is what we get. In other words, when we complain and complain, we will tend to get what we complain about. Rather if we think on what we would rather have, we shall have and become what we think on - Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: What we think in our hearts is what we utter - Matthew 15:18 - But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

Luke 6:45 - A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.


Whenever we are unhappy about something , we must try and not resort to complaining and grumbling, but must come before God with our concerns, not complaining and complaining to God, but speaking God's Words into our situation. God's word will guard our heart and mouth to create the ideal situation. Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving , let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.






WHAT IS NEXT?

With Faith all things are possible...not easy.

" With faith all things are possible....not easy."

These are wordings I came across while searching for a wall mural, and it set me thinking. At first sight, I thought to myself - this ain't right. Then I reflected and this scripture came to mind - Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”


The striking words to me at that time were - “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Being in Jesus who is in God the Father , does not eliminate you from having a yoke or carrying a burden. God simply makes carrying your burden manageable, for He gives you divine strength and joy. In life, being a Christian does not mean you will have troubles or face difficulties. 1 Peter 5:8-10 tells us that Satan our enemy roams about trying to create trouble for us so he can destroy us, but Peter advises us to have faith, and in due time God will deliver us - Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.


As long as the devil lives, we will have trials and tribulations as Christians while we live on Earth. It is a deception to think that if a Christian is suffering, it means he or she does not have faith. All things are possible indeed with faith - Matthew 17:20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” And yet, even though we have faith, we may still suffer ... David had faith in God and yet suffered at the hands of Saul. Joseph's faith in God did not prevent him from going to prison even though he had done nothing wrong. Peter and Paul both had faith, but suffered miserably for the sake of the Gospel.


Hebrews 11 lists those that had faith in God and enjoyed great feats, and yet the same chapter also talks about those that had faith, and yet did not receive on Earth what they believed for. These were also described as great people of faith. Hebrews 11:35-40 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.


Having faith makes all things possible....but not necessarily easy.


1 Peter 4:12-13 reminds us that Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.


If God calls you to partake in the sufferings of Christ, continue to have faith, your faith will make your journey manageable and possible.










WHAT IS NEXT?

The only constant in a changing world

James 1:17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.


God is the only constant in a changing world. In other words, in this world, all things are liable and susceptible to change, except God, who is constant; He's the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He never changes! Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever .
Malachi 3:6 6 “I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.


Our physical bodies may change, we may grow taller, get burnt, lose our hair, gain weight ,et cetera, but God remains the same. Our feelings may change; our moods may swing; our friends may desert us, and behave differently towards us. People we have trusted may betray us, or worse still our health or economic situation may change and affect us adversely. Nothing is guaranteed in this life, everything is fleeting!


However, in the midst of a changing world, we can be anchored by an unchanging God. His Word is unchanging - “Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89. His love for us is unconditional and unfailing - Psalm 33:5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. God is forever faithful - 2 Timothy 2:13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.God will never grow stronger or weaker, neither will His knowledge and wisdom increase or decrease - He is everlasting: Isaiah 40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.


Trust in this unchanging God. He shall guide you through the changing scenes of life, and strengthen you when change overwhelms you, and every grasp at hope seems bleak.









WHAT IS NEXT?

Busy for the Lord but not listening to Him

Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”


It is a good thing to work for the Lord. It is a blessing to serve in His house and to reach out to others in His name. But the Lord does not delight in only such sacrifices and burnt offerings, especially where total obedience to His voice and Word of instruction is missing.
1 Samuel 15:22 But Samuel replied, "What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.


Many a time, people sacrifice a close relationship with the Lord with simply working for Him. People choose what they want to do for God, they sit and plan their job roles and job specifications , surprisingly without the consent of their employer, God. God has a plan for every life, and when we make Jesus our Lord and Saviour, He wishes to lead us daily by His Holy Spirit into the work He has for us. We cannot truthfully follow God as His sheep when we do not listen out for His voice.


Martha was busy working for God, probably cooking for Jesus. However, Jesus did not regard all her preparations as priority at that time - “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. At each point in one's life, there is one thing needed, and it is to listen to what God is telling you, and to follow and obey Him. Whatever you are busy doing for and in the name of God is inconsequential, if it is not what God requires of you at that point in time. Human beings judge who is making progress with what is being done, when people appear busy, we tend to think they are achieving a lot. God however studies hearts and discerns and knows whose work is of substance and whose is not. All the Lord seeks is a heart that loves Him, and is willing to follow Him. What you do for God without God and His approval will not survive, but what is done for God , with and by God, lasts forever.


1 Corinthians 3:13-15 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.













WHAT IS NEXT?

gods portrayed as art.

Isaiah 57:8 You have put pagan symbols on your doorposts and behind your doors. You have left me and climbed into bed with these detestable gods. You have committed yourselves to them. You love to look at their naked bodies.



I like decorative artifacts, but have learnt as a Christian that not all of these glorify God. Some art pieces, symbols and statutes are indeed the gods of certain people. These pieces, no matter how beautiful they look, are an abomination in the eyes of God. Some have the names of these gods embedded on them, and others give us no clue whatsoever what they stand for.



God is a jealous God, and wants us to be circumspect in what we allow into our lives or homes. Deuteronomy 4:24 For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.


WHAT IS NEXT?

Our surname as Christians

There are certain names in every society that turns heads and commands respect. As children of God, we have been born-again and christened with a name greater than any other name. We are royals, we are citizens of a prominent country - Heaven! Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;


As royal citizens of Heaven, working as ambassadors on Earth, we are of a higher calling, and must carry ourselves with sobriety. Ephesians 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household.

Philippians 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.

2 Corinthians 5:20 We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

We carry a very respectable surname as children of God, and are on a mission to represent God's Kingdom on Earth. We must eschew acts , words or thoughts that undermine the ambassadors that we are in Christ Jesus. God is counting on us to represent heaven on Earth!








WHAT IS NEXT?

The wisdom of Jabez

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.


Jabez knew his name was not in line with how God perceived him. His mum had named him Jabez for she bore him in pain. Jabez did not want his name to dictate the course of his life, he did not want pain after pain. Therefore he prayed for all the good things in life that could subdue trouble and pain. He asked God for what he believed should be a right description of him - 'a blessed man.' God granted his request, hence his becoming more honourable than his brothers.


What you call yourself will attract certain things to you or repel certain things from you. Don't let people tease you with titles that are negative, even if playfully. Titles like 'loser,' and 'monster' are not appropriate for a child of God who is a conqueror through Christ Jesus. Embrace good names and words. For names describe a thing or person. Your name should define who you are as a child of God.

WHAT IS NEXT?

Change your name!

Genesis 25:26

After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob.

Jacob means deceiver, and just like his name, Jacob was crafty, he deceived his twin brother, Esau, and as a result, left home. Later in life, he had an experience where he wrestled with a man who changed his name. Genesis 32:28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome. Jacob , now Israel, believed the man he wrestled was God and therefore proclaimed - So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” Genesis 32:30


Jacob discerned correctly, God wanted his name changed. The name Jacob was not suitable for the plans God had for him. Genesis 35:9-11 Then God appeared to Jacob again when he came from Paddan-aram, and He blessed him. God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; You shall no longer be called Jacob, But Israel shall be your name." Thus He called him Israel. God also said to him, "I am God Almighty; Be fruitful and multiply; A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, And kings shall come forth from you. Israel means having power with God. God gave Jacob a new identity because through him, He was going to establish His covenant with Abraham.


God changed many other names. He changed Abram ( high father) to Abraham( father of many nations). He changed Sarai (my princess) to Sarah (Mother of nations). He changed Simeon(God has heard) to Peter (the Rock). Jesus saw Peter as His Rock, upon which to build His Church. What name have you given to yourself? If you keep calling yourself "broke man" change it to "prosperous." If you are calling yourself "the sick one" change it to "the healthy one."


Change your name to what God says you are. Let the weak say I am strong!







WHAT IS NEXT?

Don't change the name God has given to you.

At a time that the nation Israel was being oppressed by the Midianites, the angel of God appeared to Gideon -   When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12 God then delivered a message to Gideon about his imminent role as a deliverer of Israel from the hands of the Midianites. Although God had named Gideon "Mighty warrior," Gideon did not call himself so because he perceived himself differently - “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” Judges 6:15


How many times do we act like Gideon in life, God sees us in one way, and yet we perceive ourselves differently. God calls us who believe in Jesus as being very special as described in 1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. However, there are times that we act like we have been deserted, we forget we are royals and act common, we abandon our calling of holiness, and behave and believe we do not matter to God.


God has spelt out who we are in His Word, we are engraved on His Palm. We are so precious in His sight that He would even give up nations for us. Whatever we ask Him in the name of His Son shall be given to us. He has even given us angels to minister at our beck and call. Are we not mighty and precious warriors?


The next time your enemy - the devil , comes roaring to find someone to devour, and happens to stand by you, ministering all sorts to you, run to God through His Word, and remind yourself of who you are and what you can do. No matter what you are faced with in life, do not change the name God has given to you. For in that name, will you grow into everything He has called you to become.


When Gideon accepted God's name for him, he was used mightily by God to deliver Israel from the hands of the Midianites. Thus Midian was subdued before the Israelites and did not raise its head again. During Gideon’s lifetime, the land had peace forty years. (Judges 8:28)





















WHAT IS NEXT?

Remember God's acts of old

David was a grateful worshipper of God. He remembered and recounted God's goodness towards him in the past. When Goliath defied the army of the Lord, this aroused a holy anger in David. He had first hand experience of God as the Lord of Hosts , leading His own in battle. David therefore proclaimed what ushered his tiny feet before Saul. Saul sized David up, and dismissed him outright as being unable to fight Goliath, however , David did not relent, he recalled how God had in the past helped him in battle .


1 Samuel 17:34-37 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.”


The rest is history - As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.

So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. I Samuel 17:48-51


David, unlike the Israelites in the wilderness, cherished the past acts of God. He allowed God's mighty acts in the past to encourage him in his present circumstance. Contrarily, in spite of God's mighty deliverance, the Israelites murmured against God shortly afterwards - they murmured about not having food and water (Exodus 16, 17) ; They murmured that they had eaten too much manna ( Numbers 11); They murmured against the authority of Moses ( Numbers 16). They murmured out of fear of the giants on the promised land ( Numbers 14). The Israelites that God delivered from Egypt saw God's mighty works, but were so quick to forget them whenever they faced a new challenge, hence their constant murmurings. This angered God, who ensured that that generation would not see the promised land, except Caleb and Joshua who never forgot God as their Lord of Hosts - mighty in battle! Hebrews 3:7-11


Forgetting too soon who God is, and what He is capable of doing, breeds unbelief , murmurings and complaints. This can anger and evoke the wrath of God, as happened to the Israelites in the wilderness - Hebrews 3:19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

Double-mindedness

The term 'double-minded' is derived from the Greek word 'dipsuchos' which means two minds. James used this word -James 1:5-8 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.


The Lord speaks and understands the language of faith. To God all things are possible. He wants us to believe same, and walk in His nature, as we are created in His image. Jesus said in Mark 11:22-24 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.


We must trust God all the way, not half way. Life is full of different events, some can be very daunting, virtually sucking out our faith in God, if we allow doubt to wiggle in. We ought to believe in God and in His Word and Promises. We must keep our eyes on Him and not on the circumstances around us. John the Baptist wavered in faith and wondered if the same one he had boldly preached about , was truly the one sent from God. Peter believed for a second Jesus's words to walk on water, so walked on water, until he allowed doubt to creep in, then he started to sink.


When we lose our hold on faith, we can sink, and sink so low. We ought to guard our faith. It is what links us to God and His promises. Doubt causes us to sink to godlessness, and all that faithlessness has on offer - despair and hopelessness. When we doubt God, we virtually close His Menu of goodness on offer, and place orders from the Devil's menu. However, we can go to God with our insecurities and ask Him to help us, for he considers our frailty, and will help us when we call on Him. For our very resort to Him for help is a sign of faith.


Faith is increased by hearing the Word of God, so we must escalate our Word dosage . When both our inward Word intake and outward Word discharge tally with God's Will, we shall have whatever we say or ask for.


WHAT IS NEXT?

His Presence houses blessings

1 Chronicles Chapters 13:12-14; 15:18,21,24; 16:38; 26:4-6,12-15

God's presence brings newness and blessings. Obed-Edom knew this and followed wherever God's presence was. After God struck Uzzah for wrongfully touching the ark of God, everyone was fearful of the ark of God, which represented the presence of God. However, Obed- Edom, because he loved the presence of God, allowed the ark in his home. God blessed him and his household as a result.


Then David decided to come for the ark of God, for he saw how God had blessed Obed-Edom. Obed-Edom could have stayed behind to enjoy the blessings of God, to linger in the stale dregs of his past relationship with God and to bask in the old . Contrarily, he followed after God and His presence, as he longed for a continual and daily encounter with God. He became a gatekeeper, musician and doorkeeper for the ark of God. Obed-Edom taught his sons to love the Lord as well, and to enjoy His presence and service. Thus in 1 Chronicles 26:15, we learn his sons were put in charge of the store houses in God's house.


The love Obed -Edom had for God's house and presence, secured great blessings for his family. When we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, all other things are added to us. "All other things" are the blessings of God - the blessing of eternal life, divine health, prosperity, peace, et cetera, et cetera.

Matthew 6:33









WHAT IS NEXT?

Where the blessed resides

Joseph was blessed of God, even when he was sold as a slave, God remained with him and continued to bless him. Genesis 39:1-6 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.

The LORD was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate.


The blessed of the Lord carries the Heavenly touch. The touch of God that rests on the blessed causes everything they touch to prosper. When Isaac sowed in famine, he reaped a hundred fold because God was with him. Psalm 1:3 talks about the blessed - That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.


Even though Joseph was not a free man in Potiphar's house, but a slave, his presence still brought prosperity to Potiphar and his household. The blessed of God carries favour wherever he or she goes, they bring God's blessings and abundance . Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:10 re-iterates this - as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. Like Joseph, Paul appeared to have lost all things, but because he had God and was blessed, he blessed many.


The blessed of God carry contagious blessings that affects all who receive them in love.





















WHAT IS NEXT?

Blessed and untouchable!

Numbers 23:23 No curse can touch Jacob; no magic has any power against Israel. For now it will be said of Jacob, ‘What wonders God has done for Israel!’


There is no power of evil that can place a curse on the blessed of God. Israel was blessed of God. Balak wanted Balaam to curse Israel, he tried three times to curse them, but could only bless them. Balak got angry and proclaimed in Numbers 24:10 “I called you to curse my enemies! Instead, you have blessed them three times.


When God blesses, he forms a hedge around those he has blessed. God blessed Job, and put a hedge around him. The devil could not curse nor harm him until God had given him permission to do so. Sin can also open us up to the evil darts of the enemy. But unless God allows it, or sin or iniquity opens the blessed of the Lord up to evil, whom the Lord blesses shall remain blessed and untouchable.










WHAT IS NEXT?

Blessed of the Lord

When the Lord blesses you, no one can curse you. That which is blessed of God is blessed, and that which is cursed by God is cursed. God said to Abraham - And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed. Genesis 12:2-3


If you have believed in Jesus and have made Him Lord of your life, then you are of the seed of Abraham, and so are blessed. Galatians 3:29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Romans 9:8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring.


Galatians 3:13-14 confirms this - “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”


As followers of Christ, Jesus has borne our curses, we are no longer cursed. We are now blessed , and must believe and walk in this blessing. Abraham walked in his blessing by simply believing in God, and it was accorded to him as righteousness by faith. Just like Abraham, we ought to simply believe we are blessed, walk as the blessed, and we shall see fruits of blessings.
















WHAT IS NEXT?

God as our shelter

Saul was envious of David and so pursued him with the intention of killing him, but God protected David. When David heard about Saul's pursuit, he asked for the ephod and inquired of the Lord. David said, “LORD, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? LORD, God of Israel, tell your servant.”
And the LORD said, “He will.” 1 Samuel 23:10-11


David called upon God in his day of trouble and God answered and protected him from evil. Proverbs 18:10 reminds us that The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. David hid from Saul in the wilderness, but because he acknowledged God and called on Him, He saved him - 1 Samuel 13:14 David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands. God ensured that David dwelt safely, far from Saul harming him.


Not long afterwards, David had the opportunity to harm Saul, and even cut off a piece of his robe to prove it. God virtually allowed Saul to fall into David's hands. David had the fear of God in him so did not harm Saul. 1 Samuel 24:8-12
Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’? This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the LORD’s anointed.’ See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.


When we call on God, He shall hide us under the shelter of His Wing, where we shall have refuge and be far from harm, and shall behold the defeat and shame of our enemies.

Psalm 61:3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.

Psalm 91:2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Psalm 144:2 He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

Psalm 91:7-8 A thousand may fall at your side. And ten thousand at your right hand, But it shall not approach you. You will only look on with your eyes And see the recompense of the wicked.

















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