YOU ARE WHO GOD CALLS YOU

The angel of GOD appeared to him and said, ” GOD is with you, O mighty warrior!” (Judges 6: 12 MSG)

We all go through hard seasons in life that cause us to question who we are. Seasons we didn’t ask for or never thought we’d suffer from. Our confidence eroded and our identity becomes shaken and doubted.

Overpowered by the Midianites, the nation of Israel was living at this period in constant fear in their own land. They were constantly raided, virtually deprived of their living. The bible says, “The people of Israel, reduced to gridding poverty by Midian, cried for help.


Gideon, while working in fear out of sight of the Midianites, the angel of the lord appeared to him and said “GOD is with you, O mighty warrior!” (Judges 6:12 MSG).

Though God called him a “mighty warrior,” Gideon struggled to let go of his doubt, self-imposed limitations, and insecurities (vv. 11-15). On more than one occasion, he questioned the Lord’s presence and his own qualifications, but eventually surrendered in faith. 

You may have been damaged emotionally by the kind of remarks people made about you. Some people may have even suggested you lack intelligence because of your devotion to God and to them you have nothing to show for it. Though these unpleasant treatment may have cut deep in your heart, do not give up. When you are tempted to wanting to define your identity by  your current experience which will soon pass or by peoples comments, ask God for help, meditate on God’s words, keep going with Spirit-empowered courage and confidence. 

When we trust God, we can live like we believe what He says about us is true. Even when unpleasant situation tempts us to doubt our identity, our loving Father confirms His presence and fights on our behalf. He affirms we can walk like mighty men of war armed with His absolute love, guarded by His endless grace, and secured in His reliable truth of His word 

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Life Application

When you are tempted to wanting to define your identity by  your current experience which will soon pass or by peoples comments, ask God for help, meditate on God’s words, keep going with Spirit-empowered courage and confidence.

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ARE YOU TROUBLED

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. John 14:1

The Lord had just told His disciple of His impending death, their countenance changed and they were greatly troubled. That He will no longer be with them was enough fear, coupled with the opposition, the danger, the affliction and tribulations that awaited them. Of course Jesus knew what was was going on in their mind and also knew He needed to do to encourage them. As He gathers with them, He says these words: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

Are you troubled? Is there fear anywhere? Are you agitated about the seemingly worrying circumstances of your life? Your situation is identical to that of the Lord’s disciples. There was a particular time in my life that I found myself in this type of a situation. Things were not going the way I expected and I was loosing it totally, then this word of Jesus to His disciples struck me and I realised that for my heart not to be so troubled was in my hand! ‘Do not let …..’ came home to me to know that whether my heart is troubled or not is dependent on me.

There is a way out of a troubled , fearful and agitated heart. The key is to simply put the totality of our trust in God. Jesus in this passage said, “Trust in God, …..”, in other words, Trust in God who is the Almighty, He sits in heaven and make the earth His footstool, He knows all things, He is in charge. His wisdom and love is infinite. Jesus continues, “….. And “trust also in me,” meaning I am the access you required, a kind of ‘conduit pipe through whom all of God’s blessings is made available to you. Proverbs 3:5, ever before Jesus’ statement was made, puts it this way: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Trouble may come, hearts may be weary as we are faced with uncertainties of life, be rest assured that the Lord will surely navigate us through it and give us peace. “My peace I give unto you not as the world gives”, Jesus says.

Life Application

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Provers 3:5)

THE GREATNESS OF GOD

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world”  (1 John 4:4 NKJV)

When you look around at the success of evil in history, and especially in our day, you can see that the enemy has great power. Think of our world and all that it is going through in terms of agony, struggle, evil, violence, and heartache, with confusion abounding on every side. When we think of the violence, the passion, the tears, and the death with which our world is characterised, we can see something of the greatness of the power of the enemy. The situation portrays a picture that looks as if other side is winning.

But it isn’t – despite all the appearances. John says, “You overcame them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” In other words, it was not anything you have that will deliver you, it is the one who dwelt within you. It was the greatness of God that kept the Christians of John’s day straight and this is what will keep us straight today. God is greater than the power of the enemy. God is so incomparably greater that there is no argument about it. It is to this fact that our eye of faith must always turn in hours of darkness, discomfort, or despair. Our focus should be on what the Scriptures reveal as the truth about God and how incomparably greater He is than anything that is present among or behind humans.

Know for sure that the weakness of God is stronger than humans, and the foolishness of God is wiser than humans. This is the greatness of God.

Life Application

Our focus should be on what the Scriptures reveal as the truth about God and how incomparably greater He is than anything that is present among or behind humans.

“WHAT INTEGRITY IS”

So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them with his skillful hands. (Psalm 78:72)
Recent headlines have taught us that many so called successes were built on a foundation devoid of integrity. As it is in government, corporations so it is in the church, all too often we find a moral laxity behind our pews and, even worse, behind the pulpit. What is integrity?
Integrity means “an unimpaired condition.” It means to be sound, complete and solid. You have integrity if you keep your word even when no one checks up on you. Integrity means the absence of duplicity and is the opposite of hypocrisy. If you are a person of integrity, you will do what you say.What you declare, you will do your best to be. Integrity also includes financial accountability, personal reliability, and private purity. A person with integrity does not manipulate others. He or she is not prone to arrogance or self-praise. Integrity even invites constructive and necessary criticism because it applauds accountability. It’s sound. It’s solid. It’s complete. Integrity is rock-like. It won’t crack when it has to stand alone, and it won’t crumble though the pressure mounts. Integrity keeps one from fearing the white light of examination or resisting the exacting demands of close scrutiny. It’s honesty at all costs.
But there are some things integrity is not. It is not sinless perfection. A person with integrity does not live a life absolutely free of sin. No one does. But one with integrity quickly acknowledges his failures and doesn’t hide the wrong. Integrity is essential in the church, in the marketplace, and especially in the home. When you walk in integrity, you leave it as a legacy for your children to follow (Proverbs 20:7). When you work with integrity, you honor the Lord. Regardless of your profession, your character and conduct are godly.
You want to stand out and alone? Start demonstrating integrity in all you do, in your relationships, doing what’s right when no one is looking. It takes real courage to stand strong with integrity in a culture weakened by pietism and pretence. Start today.

“LET’S BE HUMBLE”

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 

 

We all have an element of it in one form or the other, a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements or possessions, consciousness of one’s own dignity. Yet no one wants to accept but easily see it in others. We know the disease, but we don’t recognize the symptoms in our lives. And that’s why we need the insight of our spiritual Great Physician to reveal symptoms of pride and rescue us from it. Yet there is hope for every proud heart through Jesus Christ. Immanuel-God with us-condescended to live among us, die for us, and raise us to new life. He never owned a shred of sinful pride-no fear, entitlement, ingratitude, people-pleasing, prayerlessness, hypocrisy, or rebellion.
Jesus is God, equal yet emptied himself of all he deserved to save us from our pride. He who was entitled to the highest honor forfeited it for our redemption.
It’s because of Jesus’ humility that we can be forgiven of our pride. That’s both the sting and joy of the gospel. It deals with our pride by destroying it, reminding us that life is not about us, and that we deserve only the wrath of God for our sin. Jesus Christ also deals with our pride by taking the just punishment for it upon himself at the cross, that we might be renewed in the image of our Creator (Colossians 3:10) and made humble like our Savior.
It’s been said that the talent we have, is given from above so why the puffing up? The fame we derive from it is earthly bestowed, it has never lasted, it fades away, why allowing it to get to our heads? Being humble, kind, and calm is the “right thing to do.” But if that isn’t enough to convince you, consider this: humility, kindness, and calmness can actually help you get ahead in life. Jesus is our rescue from the eventual shame and disgrace of pride (Proverbs 11:2), let’s be humble.

“HOPE IN THE LORD”

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:29-31)
Hope in the Lord, never give up hope. No doubt we all have moments where we want to throw in the towel and give up, moments when future looks very bleak and it’s like darkness has set in. You are not only physically drained, you are mentally exhausted. Nothing seems to be  working! It can be frustrating to work day in and day out and not have the success you know that you crave for and deserve. giving up however, is not the answer.
Isaiah penned the passage during a very dark time in the nation of Judah. Out of this darkest of times, God’s Word comes as a message of hope to them through Isaiah. He advises the people not to give up and points them back to God. Giving up is the easy way out but it will not solve anything.
Remember, no matter how low you have gotten to,
  • things in your life can improve. Step by step, day by day… you can and will find a path through the pain and darkness and again experience moments of life that make all that effort worthwhile, ten-fold. Recovery is possible.
  • What seems like a massive deal in your life today may not mean as much tomorrow… least of all in ten years from now. If you are acting in haste, try to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. You will find it if Christ the hope of glory is your anchor.
God never leaves us without a ray of hope. He remains ever able, no situation is beyond Him nor bigger than Him if you will dare wait, trust and hope in Him. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Everything will be all right in the end… if it’s not all right then it’s not yet the end. Never give up hope.
God bless you.

“WHO ARE YOUR FRIENDS?”

“But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.”  2Chronicles 10:8
It doesn’t matter how smart you are. It doesn’t matter how talented you are, which skills you have, where you are born, or which family you came from. All that counts if you want to be successful in life is the people you surround yourself with.
Rehoboam had the benefit of his father’s inner circle, men who gave him wise counsel, but he will not take their advise, he preferred the advices of the sycophants that were milling around him – the “palace jesters”. Evil companionship proved his destruction. His father Solomon says in Proverbs 3:5-6 that “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
We take the colour of the society we keep. We are like chameleons, we take our hue and the colour of our moral character, from those who are around us. Be slow to form your friendships. Endeavour first to take the measure of every man who courts your company. Be sensitive enough to surround yourself with people of character, skill and wisdom. People with experience, who have been down the road of life and understand it, people who place God first and uphold His values, people with sound mind, no ulterior motive, who will look at issues from all perspectives before offering advice. People who love others and value them more than things, whose relationship with you is of mutual benefit.
A large amount of how successful you will be in life comes down to the people you spend time with. Who are your friends? Who are the people you spend time with?

When Hit With Trial of Lifetime

“But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” (Genesis 22:7 NKJV)

 

Nothing is said about the emotional trauma that Abraham was going through at this very low point in his life particularly when Isaac asked, “Where is the lamb for the offering?” We know there is no real answer to Isaac’s question until
centuries later when John the Baptist standing before the people of Israel saying, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

 

Where did this man find the strength to carry through this unpleasant task?Where did he find the peace to follow God’s command? Genesis 22:5 gives an insight as to the Abraham source of strength: “Abraham said to his servants, ‘Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.'” Abraham is not trying to be deceptive, but somewhere within him, there is the consciousness that God who had said Isaac is the heir, will do something to save the day. In the struggles of that night, in meditation, he probably began to reason that”God has given me promises, and I have lived with God long enough to know that when God gives a promise, He carries it through. God has said that in Isaac  all the nations of the earth shall be blessed. Isaac is the answer to the fulfilment of the promise, it can’t be any other. If God has asked me now to offer him up as a sacrifice, there is only one explanation. God intends to raise him from the dead.”

 

So firm is his faith in the character of God that he believes in the resurrection. This is confirmed in Hebrews 11: “By faith Abraham offered Isaac. . . Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead…” (Hebrews 11:17,19). Abraham risked everything he had and trusted on the character of God.. Because of this wonderful triumph in his life, Abraham calls this place, “God will provide”

 

When we are in the lowest of our life, let’s learn to trust in God that provides. God’s ways with us are such that when it seems as though deliverance will never come and we do not doubt His integrity nor compromise our faith in Him, His intervention will surface. People’s disappointments are God’s appointments. It is never too late for God. Even if Abraham had been required to carry the slaughtering of Isaac to its end, his heart was quiet in restful peace because he knew God of resurrection. Regardless of what He calls you to lay on the altar in obedience to Him, remember He always know what is best, and He always have a plan that is good and perfect for you.

THE QUESTIONS WE ASK

“Will the Lord cast off forever? And will he be favourable no more? Has his mercy ceased forever? Has his promise failed forevermore? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his tender mercies?”(Psalm 77: 7-9).
When overwhelmed and confused, it is not unlikely for us to see God as the source of our problems. Each of the questions asked in the passage points to God as the source of the problems. This is what happens when one is completely overwhelmed, confused and clueless about his situation. Rather than looking inward and examine oneself, we want to hold God responsible. Asaph questions are our questions but the faithfulness of God has answer to every question of life
Now let’s look at how God answers each of these questions:
“Will the Lord cast off forever?” Jesus said, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (John 6:37 NKJV).
“Will He be favorable no more?” Proverbs 8:35 says, “For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the Lord” (NKJV). Also Proverbs 12:2 says, “A good man obtains favor from the Lord…” (NKJV)..
“Has His mercy ceased forever?” Psalm 89:28 says, “My mercy I will keep for him forever, and My covenant shall stand firm with him” (NKJV). Psalm 136, 26 times makes the statement, “His mercy endures forever,”..
“Has His promise failed forevermore?” 1 Kings 8:56 says, “There has not failed one word of all His good promises, which He promised through His servant Moses” (NKJV). Again, in Psalm 89:34 it says, “My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips” (NKJV).
“Has God forgotten to be gracious?” Psalm 84:11 says, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (NKJV).
“Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?” Psalm 117:2 says, “For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord” (NKJV).
Whenever we are faced with problems we can be assured that God is not the source. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (NKJV). Yet one reason we fail to receive the help we need is that we point to God as the source of our trouble. God is our help in time of trouble.

“POWER OF PRAYER”

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish.
After the dark period described in the Old Testament book of Judges, Israel’s desperate situation began to turn around with the prayer of a woman named Hannah. “In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly” She didn’t recite mental prayers as we often do; her heart went out to the Lord. Amid the backslidden and even corrupt religious establishment of that day, we see a desperate, simple woman stirred to pray a prayer that will usher in a new day in Israel’s history. In her prayer she promised God that if he gave her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord for as long as he lived. When she finished praying, she got something to eat, and her face was no longer downcast. It was as if she knew something was about to change. Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son.
Now, what was it that stirred Hannah to pray a prayer that changed the future of Israel?  Hannah chose not to live in denial. When  mocked, she could have said, “Who cares? I’m not into kids. It is the will of God kind of!” But she didn’t. She faced the truth (as painful as it was), saying, “I want a baby, I want a son, I want to be fruitful.”

Hannah did not only refused to deny her situation, neither did she accept it as ‘fait accompli’  she turned to God and her unique prayer became the channel that provoked God to turn the tide in Israel and bring much-needed blessing upon them.
The lesson is clear for us today. We must not silently accept our lack of fruitfulness and somehow justify it as God’s will for us. Let us honestly face our circumstances and then desperately prayed for God to change them.
What was in her prayer that God could not ignore?

No doubt Hannah’s prayer was powerful and effective, the kind James describes in his epistle (James 5:16), but I would say hers was both the heightened element of desperation coupled with deep faith in God. Hannah had no other place to turn. It was as if, in her great anguish and grief, she cried, “Make me fruitful, or I don’t want to go on.” She was at her end. “Give me a child or I will die!” God heard Hannah’s prayer, and her prayer became the pathway to divine intervention.Furthermore, God wanted her story told in detail in the Bible, so future generations would recognize that Israel’s turnaround started with a lonely, heartbroken woman who just wanted to bear fruit.
Desperate and soul-stirring prayers like hers result in answers. When God is sought in desperation, he responds. Even in hopeless situations. Just like Hannah, we have areas in our life where we desperately need to experience a breakthrough. Do you believe prayer can change your situation? What are you desperately seeking God for in your life?