My Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of Deuteronomy 23:5 “, Nevertheless the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee because the Lord Your God Loves You.”
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, from the above context we understand that our God loved Israel. Those whom the Lord loves are blessed. Hence the Lord turns the curse into a blessing through the very mouth of Balaam. ’For both the tribes Ammonite and Moabites had not met the children of Israel with bread and water while they were on their way to Canaan the promised Land. Balak hired Balaam to curse the people because whatever He spoke was wonder struck. The Lord over ruled his tongue and put such words into his mouth in such a manner that instead of cursing he blessed Israel.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, God delighted in David and wished to set him on the throne, of Israel because the Lord loved Israel for ever. He made him King of Israel to do justice and righteousness. The Bible says, When Israel was a youth I loved him. And out of Egypt, I called My son. Because God loved Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob the fathers of Israel, he set his love on their descendants too after them.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, the Psalmist says, God shall choose our inheritance for us. So we submit our will, our choice, our desire wholly to Him. Our Heritage here and hereafter, we leave to Him. Let the Lord do with us as seems Him good. The Excellency of Jacob whom he loved, He divided their portion according to their tribes. God was the glory of Israel. He loved His people, and became their greatest glory. God loves us and He shall be our exceeding joy. As for the latter days, may our portion be in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our beauty, our best treasure, lies in having such a God to love us.
My Dear brothers and Sisters, Love is a fundamental part of God’s nature. We are able to love Him or anyone else because He first loved us. God expects us to love Him with our whole heart and from our whole soul, and from our whole mind, and from our whole strength. In fact God wants us to love Him with our whole being. God is love and He became a man, Jesus Christ. When we receive the Lord Jesus Christ We receive all that He is into our spirit. The good news for us is that we can turn our hearts to Him as He is in our spirit. God commanded us to love Him absolutely. Our Love for God actually originates from God Himself. It comes from His love within us which is higher than anything we can generate.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Have you tasted that the Lord is good? If not taste and see that the Lord is good. Feel the kindness of God in your life and His love for mankind. Evidence of God’s love is all around you in the beauty of sunshine, the kindness of a friend. Receive Christ into your life and trust Him as your Saviour. God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Lord we are grateful to you for the Love you have displayed on the cross of Calvary. Help us to love You with all of our soul, heart, mind and strength. Teach us to love Him with pure love. May we make the Lord the treasure of our life. Let God be our exceeding joy in our life.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
I greet and bless you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of 1 Samuel 16:7, “ But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” From the above context we understand that our God does not look for appearance but He looks at our heart. When Samuel the Prophet, had anointed Saul as king, it was his tall stature and good looks that caught the prophet’s attention and yet Saul turned out to be a real disappointment to Samuel, for his heart was not pure before the Lord – but as this messenger of God came to anoint one of the sons of Jesse – as God’s chosen king, we discover Samuel to once again judge the quality of the Israel’s future king, by his outward appearance and not by the inner attitude and motive of his heart – but the Lord doesn’t see things the way man see things. People judge by outward appearances, but the Lord looks at the heart. When Samuel looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before Him.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. Even the best of men will look at the outward appearance. It was also an exhortation to godly thinking. God told Samuel, “Your natural inclination is to only judge on outward appearance. But I can judge the heart that you can’t see. So, look to me. Samuel learnt to seek the LORD and seek God’s heart and mind when looking at people. : God told Samuel that He had not chosen any of the seven sons of Jesse attending the feast. It wasn’t that these sons of Jesse were bad men, but they were not God’s choice. God had a man in mind different from Samuel’s or Jesse’s expectation. Samuel then inquires if Jesse had another son. Then Jesse said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.” This shows the low regard David had among his own family. First, his father didn’t even mention him by name. Second, he wasn’t even invited to the sacrificial feast. Third, he was only called to come because Samuel insisted on it. . When we learn that David was the youngest of the eight sons, we also find that he was underestimated by his father and his brothers. He had very low regard in his own family. It wasn’t because David’s character or conduct was unworthy, it was simply because he was the youngest of eight sons and he was tending his father’s sheep. Thus we see that God had not chosen any of Jesse’s older sons. God often chooses unlikely people to do His work, so that all know that it is God’s work, not man’s work. He wants to work in a way so that people regard His servants with high esteem as they regarded Samson: they wondered at the secret of his strength. You may not be intellectual or well thought of in your family circle; you may be despised by others for your faith in Christ. Perhaps you had only a little share in the love of your parents, as David did. But remember that those who are rejected of men often become beloved of the Lord.” David was called for this great anointing when he was out keeping the sheep. David simply did his job and was faithful in small things and what his father told him to do. Keeping the sheep was a servant’s job. While Keeping the sheep David spent a lot of time looking over the sheep and looking at the glory of God’s creation. God built in him a heart to sing about His glory in all creation While keeping the sheep David had a special heart, a special care. He knew how sheep needed the care and help of a good shepherd. He learned that he was a sheep and God was his shepherd. During these years, God built in David the heart that would sing about the LORD as his shepherd as in Psalm 23 . David had to trust God in the midst of danger. David had lions and bears and wolves to contend with and the sheep had to be protected. “The country round Bethlehem was not a peaceful paradise, and the career of a shepherd was not an easy life . David’s years as a shepherd boy were not waiting time; they were training time. David was a great man and a great king over Israel because he never lost his shepherd’s heart. Hence God chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the ewes that had young .He brought him, to shepherd Jacob, His people, and Israel His inheritance. So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands as a King ,over Israel for forty years. God is calling you for a greater purpose. Your Father or brothers may not know that, God had chosen you. You may hold a low post in your office or may be of low profile. Your height and looks does not matter to God. David was called for this great anointing when he was out keeping the sheep. David simply did his job and was faithful in small things and what his father told him to do. Do sincerely what you are told to do. God will exalt you in His time. Be cheerful in the Lord and rejoice in Him even though you may have to go through much struggles, God will glorify you. God bless you. Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Loving Father, thank You for this warning not to rely on outward appearances, knowing that the heart of man can be so deceitful. Help us to keep our mind fixed on Jesus, so that we may be pleasing in Your sight. Thank You for being so good to David. Even though he was despised by his father and his brethren, You loved him. You helped him to protect his sheep and gave him strength to fight the lions, bears and wolves. You thus prepared him to fight Goliath the Philistine, who came against the people of God. My Dear Lord, have mercy on us and help us to be committed to God in our lives, like David, who was a man after your own heart.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
Dearly Beloved, I greet and bless you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of Deuteronomy 5:33, “Walk in obedience to all that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.”
From the above context we learn clearly that if we obey the commandments of God we will live and prosper and prolong our days upon the face of this earth. Our God is a God of promise and if He has promised then He will fulfil His promise. God’s Word is filled with promises from our Creator to provide and deliver. The Word of God is the ultimate source for truth and God is faithful to fulfil all His promises. As you read this message claim this particular promise over your life! Freedom from addictions, deliverance from sin and evil, financial provision, hope for lost and hurting family and friends, overcoming depression, recovering a marriage, good health, healing, being free from fear and anxiety, strength, and many more are the blessings and gifts that God promises to provide for those who believe in Him and obey His commandments.
Now a days we see many seeking jobs in many part of the country, because job opportunities are unavailable and many youngsters are terribly disappointed because they are unable to secure jobs as soon as they complete their studies. But to those who obey God’s commandments, God assures that He will cause them to live and do well in the land that they go to possess their jobs.
Our God is faithful. He says what He does, what He says. To live and do well in life one must secure a good job in the new place. Only then can one live in peace and harmony. God says “I will create means of living for my children.”God keeps His promise. He led the people of Israel from Egypt to the land of Canaan as He had promised. He never forsook them midway. He provided Manna heavenly food from above. He changed bitter waters of Marah to sweet water and provided quails delicious meat for them in the wilderness.
Nothing is too hard for the Lord. He is a God who cares for His children. He preserves the faithful. God expects you to live, do well and prolong your days in the land which you go to possess. This is His plan for you. All you need to do is to keep his command. God never gave a commandment to man which he did not design that he should obey. God expects man to live, that he may enjoy life, and when one obeys God’s word , God says, that it may be well with you and good shall be to you – God will prosper you in all things essential to the welfare of your bodies, and the salvation of your souls. God also prolongs your days, in the land, that you may live a good old age, for the inheritance among the saints in light.
You should not avoid or depart, from any consideration whatever it might be. The Bible says, “Lord I shall not be ashamed when I look into all your commandments.” We see this in the life of Zacharias and Elizabeth. The Bible says, they were both righteous, before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. So God blessed them with a gift of a child in their old age. So all was well with them. And they enjoyed long years of life.
Sometimes, everything becomes a failure and your life becomes a question, then people turn to God for deliverance. They may be people from any religion. When all hope is lost they will stretch out their hands towards heaven indicating that God alone should help in such difficult circumstances. Especially doctors while treating patients try their best to save them but when they lose hope, then they too say only “’God can save.” If you live according to the commandment of God, then you have security of life, security of job, security of finance, etc. The only person who can give life security is Jesus Christ. Therefore cling to Him for all your needs. Our God is a prayer answering God .
Prayer: Our Loving heavenly Father, we thank you for this blessed day. Lord help us to live and do well in life, and to prolong our days in the land we go to possess. Help us to keep your commandments. Teach us to depend on the Lord Jesus Christ for all our needs. Help us to walk in the ways of God, in all circumstances like Zacharias and Elizabeth. Never to lose hope, but always trust in the Lord.
In Jesus Name We Pray.
Amen.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of Deuteronomy 26:7, “Then we cried out to the Lord, God of our Fathers, And the Lord looked on our affliction and our oppression.”
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, from the above context we understand that our God keeps His promise. He hears us when we cry out to Him and looks upon our affliction and our oppression. When God has made good His promises to us, He expects that we should own it to the honour of His faithfulness. And our hearts are filled with joy, when we see them flowing from the fountain of promise. The nation Israel, sojourned in Egypt, as strangers, they served there as slaves. They were a poor, despised oppressed people in Egypt. And though they became rich and great during the course of time, they had no reason to be proud, secure or forgetful of God.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, The work that the Egyptians, forced on the Israelites, was evil in motive and cruel in nature. As a result Israelites languished in “misery” and “suffering”. They trudged through the great wilderness for forty years. The Lord had seen the oppression of His people, who were in Egypt, and had heard their cry because of their task masters. He knew their sorrows. Therefore God had promised to deliver them from the hands of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land, to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord God of our Fathers, and He heard their cry and sent a deliverer to deliver them from the cruel hands of the Egyptians. Because Pharaoh refused to set the Israelites free God decided to punish him sending ten plagues. God caused ten plagues upon the land of Egypt, and thus demonstrated His power over Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt. The tenth plague struck Egypt, at midnight and all the first born in the land, died. There was a great cry throughout the land of Egypt. Through this God made a difference between Egyptians and Israel.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Thus God of our fathers, kept His promise. His promises are true He never fails His children. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is looking at your affliction too. And He wants to set you free, from your captivity. He will lead you from today and grant you a life flowing with milk and honey. A life of prosperity. Satan has planned to destroy you but the Lord has sent His angels to protect you. Whether you are in the deepest sea, or in the midst of darkest night, He is the only one who comes to your help the moment you call upon Him. The only person on whom you can depend, is the Lord Jesus Christ. The moment you trust Him and call upon Him He will immediately respond to your call and stretch out His helping hand. So cheer up.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Thank you for assuring us with your promise that you will never leave us nor forsake us. You will be with us always, And that you will help us. Teach us to believe in the power of His mighty hand, and His awesome nature. His marvellous signs and wonders. May we learn to cry out to you, when we are pressed on every side.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
Dearly Beloved, I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of 2 Kings 4:30, “ As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” So He arose and followed her.
From the above context we understand that Elisha the prophet often visited Shunem, where there was a notable woman. And knowing that He was a man of God she made a small upper room in the terrace of her house. She then provided a bed for him there and also a table and chair, and a lamp stand, so that he could use it whenever he visited that place. And it so happened that one day as usual Elisha came to Shunem and lay down there in that room. And he asked his servant Ghezahi to call the Shunammite woman and so she came and stood before him. Elisha looking at her said, “Look you have been concerned for us, with all this care, What can I do for you? She answered, “I dwell among my own people and I have been blessed with all things so I don’t need anything.”’ So Elisha said, what else is to be done for her? And Ghezahi answered, “Actually she has no son. And her husband is old.”So he called her again and she stood in the doorway. Then Elisha the man of God said, “About this time, next year, you shall embrace a son”.
Just as Elisha had said, the woman conceived and bore a son, when the appointed time had come, of which Elisha had told her. And the child grew, and said to his father that his head was paining. So he sent him to his mother. He sat on her knees till noon and then died. So the Shunammite woman took the child, went up to the room on the terrace and shut the door upon him and she immediately left her home to meet the Prophet. She said to her husband, “Please send me one of the servant and one of the donkey, that I may run to the man of God, and come back.”When questioned about her going to see the man of God, she told her husband .All is well. Then she saddled her donkey and drove on until she came to the man of God at Mount Carmel.
When the man of God saw her at a distance he informed Ghehazi, about her coming. The servant ran to her and asked if all is well with her husband and her son and she boldly said, “’All is well.” She fell at the feet of the Man Of God and explained her situation. She said, “Lord did I ask for a son, ? Did I not say, Do not deceive me? So Elisha asked his servant to take his staff and go right away to her house and place the staff upon the face of the child. But the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” So He arose and followed her, seeing her resolute determination, and being overcome by her persistence. And his tenderness of heart was seen in the act, towards so great a friend.
Here we see the sudden death of the child. All the mother’s tenderness could not keep alive the child of promise, a child of prayer, one given in love. But how admirably does the prudent, pious mother, guard her lips under this sudden affliction! Not one peevish word escapes from her mouth. Such confidence had she of God’s goodness, that she was ready to believe that God would restore what He had now taken away. O woman, great is thy faith! She knew that He who blessed her with a son would not disappoint her. And so she approached the Prophet Elisha.
When Elisha entered into the upper room, he shut the door behind the two of them. He cried unto God in faith; He lay on the child. He put his mouth on the mouth of the child, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands, and he stretched himself on the child, and the child came back to life, and the beloved son was restored alive to his mother.
Here we see the faith of the Shunammite woman being honoured. She displayed her faith not only in God but also testified her faith before the man of God therefore God immediately began to act for her. God acts for those who wait upon Him in faith. She was bold and vibrant in action. She was neither lethargic nor did she delay her pursuit in search of the prophet. May be you are waiting for God to perform such a miracle for your son, or daughter. They may be ill and they need the healing touch of God. Their education, or business or their family life may be in a dead situation and they need restoration. Have faith in God and pray fervently then he will hear your cry and come to your aid. He will never leave you nor forsake you. The Bible says, this poor man cried out and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. Sometime we need to cry out to the Lord for help. Then God will hear your cry and save you from all your troubles. God bless you.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Lord help us to be wise like the Shunammite woman. Give us a kind heart, to serve the men of God who come to our house. May we be able to provide the best for them and help them in their ministry. Teach us to set a good example like her. She did not utter a word even though she was in deep distress. Help us to ponder within our heart and pour it out before the Lord God Almighty, who will help the widows and the fatherless, and never forgets the expectation of the poor.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
