Hezekiah had received threats from the King of Assyria, concerning his people and his country. This King had already invaded other countries, gained victory over them and took their lands, possessions and their people into captivity. He boasted to Hezekiah and his people about his military strength and power. The Assyrian King even blasphemed against God and told the people not to trust Hezekiah and his confidence in God because this would not save them from the attacks (Isaiah 36).

The enemy will try to attack our confidence and faith in God and his ability to save us in times of trouble. What I love in the story is Hezekiah’s response. He tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes and went into the house of God. Hezekiah knew that the first person that he needed to turn to for help was God.

The second thing that Hezekiah did was to send the Priests to speak to Isaiah the prophet. In those days the Kings would consult the prophets, who they knew were hearing from God for answers to their questions. This was God’s response to Hezekiah through the prophet Isaiah. ‘Thus says the LORD: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard….. I will make him fall by the sword in his own land’” (Isaiah 37:6-7).

The Assyrian King did not stop with the verbal threats but again sent a letter to Hezekiah. Hezekiah again went up to the house of the LORD, and spread the letter before God. And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD (Isaiah 37:15). Before Hezekiah was even finished praying, God sent another word to him through the prophet Isaiah and assured him of victory over the large Assyrian army. And the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. In the end the Assyrian King returned to his country and was killed by his sons (Isaiah 37:36-38).

God showed himself strong to Hezekiah and his people, because of his response during crisis. Hezekiah’s first response was to run to the house of God to pray and to ask for an answer from God. Hezekiah’s confidence rested in the God who can do the impossible and is able to save to the utmost. What is our response when we face a crisis? Are we going into our place of prayer and are we asking God for help? Don’t rely on your human understanding but put your complete trust and confidence in a God who is mighty to save.

A.P.-Y.

Paul and Silas were teaching and preaching in Thessalonica about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many of the Jews and Greeks believed their message and started to follow Paul and Silas. Some of the Jews were jealous that they were gaining a following. They attacked the house of Jason where Paul and Silas had stayed. Their bone of contention with Paul and Silas was that they spoke about Jesus Christ. Furthermore, that they were “turning the world upside down.”

So powerful and revolutionary was the message that Paul and Silas preached, with such great conviction, that this was viewed by even those who were against them, as turning the world upside down. This turning the world upside down referred to revolutionary change which would spur a spiritual revival and awakening. The disciples saw what happened to Jesus and they knew for sure that they were likely to experience death for the message which they spread.

Many disciples were stoned, beaten with whips, crucified and thrown in jail. The persecution could not stop them from changing the world. They just would not shut up about Jesus and the saving power of the cross and the blood of Jesus. They were completing their assignment no matter the cost. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19)

Brothers and sisters this assignment has not changed and our mandate is to let people know about the saving power of Jesus Christ. We have a mission in the marketplace and our schools; our universities and places of work should be different because we are there. We are called to stand out and be different and whatever we do should contribute towards the furtherance of the gospel. Remember that we are not here to stay, but we have been sent for an appointed time to accomplish God’s will and purpose.

Within us is the good news of the gospel and the power and authority to turn the world upside down. “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.” (John 9:4)

A.P.-Y.

God created us to be used for his good pleasure and to show his glory to the world. God wants us to be used for the establishment of his kingdom on earth and to transform lives.

Some people become frustrated with God and wonder why he allows so many bad things to happen. God does not cause evil and he takes no pleasure when bad things happen to people. We miss the fact that God needs us to make the world a better place. Everyone of us who live our lives in complete surrender to God will be used by him to change the world.

Jesus Christ came to earth to live among us as an example to others. He had disciples to teach them his ways and then commanded them to go and make other disciples to continue his work. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 28:19)

Discipleship is learning the way of the saviour and then spreading his message to the world. All the time Jesus spent with his disciples was to prepare them. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)

His command is that we go into the world and continue the works that he started and he did not send us empty handed. Jesus also said, Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (John 10:19)

His promise is to never leave us alone but to be present with us wherever we go and he also sent us the Holy Spirit as a comforter and guide. “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever.” (John 14:16)

Our question should no longer be, what is God doing in the world, but what are we doing? His instruction to us is to go and change the world and make other disciples to continue the change. He has given us the power to do what he has asked us to do and he has sent us the comfort and power of the Holy Spirit. We are called to use what God has given us to transform the world.

A.P.-Y.

2020 has been an exceptional year and one which will be remembered for centuries to come, as the year when the entire world experienced a pandemic. Despite what has happened in this year, God is not silent and continues to speak concerning his people. There has been a major shift in 2020, in our culture, economies, politics, international relations, national security and on issues regarding race and equality.

In the midst of great difficulties, has arisen greater opportunities as people with creative ideas have risen to the occasion to develop solutions to answer problems. We have witnessed innovators who have introduced new ideas and products and the internet has been used in ways that we never thought possible. Fix your lenses and take your gaze away from the news because their predictions have never been more inaccurate.

God taught us in this year how to harvest during the famine. (Genesis 26:12-14) We also learnt how this global shift has set the scene for a great wealth transfer. (Proverbs 13:22) God through his power and might has given us the strength and strategies to drive out many giants from our Canaan land of promise. And we are poised to go forward and take possession.

Like Joshua, we stopped to acknowledge and mourn the passing of some precious loved ones. We are comforted that they are at rest in the sweet by and by and we will see them again when we cross over to the other side.

Now we get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land that God has promised us. (Joshua 1) We are poised to subdue kingdoms and to bring every place where we have been sent under the authority of Jesus Christ. “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.” (Joshua 1:3)

A.P.-Y.

The coming of Jesus Christ was many times prophesied about in the old testament. In Luke 4, Jesus sat in the synagogue and read from the religious scroll written by Isaiah in the new testament. This was Jesus’s revelation to people about his purpose on earth. His mission was to bring healing and freedom to those who were bound. That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons (Mark 1:32-34).

Jesus was moved with compassion towards people wherever he went. He extended healing and deliverance to those who asked him and to everyone who believed. He gives to everyone who believes, the power to become children of God. As children we are joint heirs with God of his promise and power.

Jesus also extends to us the power to lead others to freedom and healing. To become carriers of his presence and vessels to be used by him. Let us remember in this season why Jesus came as we grow to be more like him. “To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn” (Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭2‬).

A.P.-Y

We are familiar with the story of Jesus’s birth to Mary, who was engaged to marry Joseph. She was a virgin at the time of conception, but Joseph doubted when she said that she had conceived through the Holy Spirit. Joseph did not even seek to punish Mary for what he perceived that she had done. Imagine being engaged to someone, who then says that they are expecting a child that you know isn’t yours? “And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.” (Matthew 1:19)

The bible described Joseph as being a just (upright) man. It is because Joseph was a man of integrity and great character why he was chosen to marry the mother of Jesus. And God never intended to leave Mary to carry out this assignment on her own. An angel was sent to reassure Joseph that what Mary said was true. Sometimes in our relationships, we struggle to trust the people that we love. I think it’s safe to say that we can trust God even when we don’t trust others. And if the other person has a relationship with God, then we can trust God to work on their heart.

It was Joseph’s relationship with God, that made him stay with Mary, when she was pregnant with a baby that wasn’t his. Imagine him having to explain the story to his family or friends. And even when he thought that she had done something wrong, he was still willing to treat her fairly. We can learn a lot from Joseph’s example of love and uprightness. But more so we see that God covers all the bases and when he asks us to carry out an assignment, he will take care of absolutely everything.

A.P.-Y.

In the book of the gospels Jesus travelled by boat to many regions and towns to perform miracles and to teach the word of God. Whenever Jesus entered a particular region, all who came in contact with him were healed, delivered or set free.

When Jesus travelled to Tyre and Sidon, he tried to enter a house privately so that no one would know that he was present. It was difficult for Jesus to conceal his presence because somehow people knew where he was. For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet. Due to the woman’s diligence her daughter was healed on the same day. (Matthew 15:21-28)

When Jesus attended the wedding with his mother in Cana in Galilee he performed his first miracle and turned water into wine. (John 2:1-11) Jesus travelled to the country of the Gadarenes to heal a man possessed with legions. (Matthew 8:28-33) Earlier in Matthew 8 the crowds followed him everywhere he went and brought to him those who were sick or demon possessed so he could heal them.

People understood that once Jesus was in a region that all they needed to do was get close to him and he would meet their need. When you see God blessing your neighbour instead of becoming envious become joyful because Jesus is in your region to bless. And when he is in your region that means you are next in line for a blessing. Don’t watch your neighbour and harbour resentment. Become excited about what God has done, is doing and about to do. If you would only believe then he can do the same for you. Each person’s miracle depends on their faith in God’s ability.

Come to Jesus expecting to receive and watch his manifold presence work through your faith.

A.P.-Y.

When the Ammonites and the Moabites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat set his face to seek the Lord. And all the people of Judah gathered together with Jehoshaphat to seek God in fasting and prayer. Jehoshaphat prayed in the midst of the people and cried out to God for help. Then the spirit of the Lord came upon the Levite who prophesied to the people according to God’s response to their cry. ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s (2 Chronicles 20:15).

He gave further instructions concerning what the Lord had commanded the people to do and declared that God had given them the victory and that they did not need to fight in the battle but that God would fight on their behalf. The people rejoiced and gave glory to God because he had heard their prayers and had sent an answer to their request (2 Chronicles 20:18-19).

Such was their confidence in God that although they had not seen the physical manifestations of victory, that a word from his prophet was enough to calm their fears. They worshipped and praised God in advance because they knew that God would do what he had said.

God has heard your request and he has heard the cry of your heart. When you set yourself to seek God in prayer and fasting he is ready to give an answer. His answer is that the battle belongs to him and he has given us the victory. We lift our hands in praise and worship to our God because we have confidence in what he has said. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you (2 Chronicles 20:17). Now we lift our hands in worship and offer to God our praise.

A.P.-Y.

Elijah lived in a time when Israel turned their backs on God. The people drifted between two opinions and some served Baal while others served the God of Abraham. King Ahab and Jezebel killed some of the Prophets of God but God spared Elijah to demonstrate who he was to his people.

Because of the wickedness happening in Israel at the time Elijah prophesied that it would not rain except by his word. (1 Kings 17:1). The Lord then hid Elijah in caves because the King was angry with him over his prophecy. The time came when God told Elijah to show himself to Ahab because he wanted to send rain after three years.

Elijah gathered all the people on Mount Carmel along with the prophets of Baal to show them the power of God. He challenged the prophets of Baal to call down fire from heaven to consume a sacrifice that he had set up. The prophets cried out to Baal for hours and cut themselves as part of their ritual but Baal could not respond. It was then time for Elijah to demonstrate to the people that God is almighty.

Elijah prayed and God sent fire which dried up all the water and consumed the sacrifice and even the stones that made the altar. (1 Kings 18:36-38)

What a great and mighty God we serve who will demonstrate his power through us so that the world can see that he is the true and living God. If your faith is being tested and you feel persecuted for the sake of Christ, call upon God to demonstrate his power. God can do greater things and show himself strong so the world can see that he is God.

A.P.-Y.

There is power in agreement and more importantly power in unity when we stand to agree concerning a desire or a need for God to supply. Our prayers are powerful and more so when we ask someone to agree with us in prayer concerning what we are petitioning God for.

Jesus taught his disciples these key principles regarding prayer and regarding receiving from God. James warns us against covetousness so that our prayers are not grounded in selfish ambitions or based on envy or jealousy. (James 4-2-3)

Either way when we pray, God always hears us and answers our prayers. When we surrender to God he will work in us to transform our desires to his will and purpose. There are prayers that we pray that are answered straightaway and there are other prayers that God may say no because he is aware that what we ask for isn’t good for us or we aren’t ready for it.

An example would be a 12 year old asking their parent for a car. Their parent would be wise enough to know that the child isn’t ready for a car although the desire for it isn’t a bad one. At other times God’s answer is not yet and we have to trust him and wait for his timing.

I sometimes think I know when things ought to happen and I may experience some disappointment when things don’t go the way I expect. It is through prayer that God reveals that although what I am asking for is aligned with his will, that it isn’t the right time and I need to wait. None of us enjoy the waiting period but we continue in prayer while we wait. Prayer gives us the grace to wait and trusting God to do what he has promised.

A.P.-Y.