At the church in Antioch, there were elders and prophets who were worshipping the Lord in fasting and prayer. The Holy Spirit instructed them to lay hands on Paul and Barnabas and set them apart for the work which they had been called to do. After they laid hands on them, they sent them out and they were led by the Holy Spirit to visit Cyprus. As they went through the island, they came upon a magician, a Jewish false prophet called Bar-Jesus. This false prophet was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, who summoned Paul and Barnabas to hear the word of God. The Magician opposed them and sought to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

Paul being full of the spirit rebuked the magician and pronounced righteous judgement. “And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand” (Acts 13:11). After this happened, the proconsul believed and was amazed. This judgement was handed out by the Holy Spirit through Paul. Like earthly courts, there are courts of heaven that operate in our sphere of influence. In this instance, the Magician’s sin was defying the plan and purpose of God to lead the proconsul to Christ. His judgement was immediate and blindness fell on him for a season.

We see a similar scenario with Ananias and Sapphira who conspired to lie to Peter. His question to Ananias was, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…?” Peter told Ananias that he had not lied to man but unto God. Ananias immediately fell down dead and was carried off and buried. Three hours later his wife came in and repeated the same story. The result was the same for her. Death and burial was her judgment because they tested the spirit of God. “And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things” (Acts 5:11). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and these lessons are hard ones to expound on.

Someone may say that their judgment and that of the Magician was harsh. On each occasion, we saw the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Peter and Paul did not speak through their flesh or from a place of carnality. We should not devise in our minds to judge someone, or plan to speak death or blindness on others. On each occasion, Paul and Peter spoke as the Holy Spirit gave them utterance. In essence it was God’s judgement spoken by the Holy Spirit through human vessels. We saw the prophets in the Old Testament such as Elijah and Elisha, execute judgement against the enemies of God. Judgement did not end in the Old Testament as we saw the Holy Spirit rendering judgement through Peter and Paul in Acts.

We are taught not to quench the Holy Spirit or to grieve Him. The Magician tried to exalt himself and his worldly doctrine against God. The devil used him to oppose the plan of God and the Holy Spirit judged him. Ananias and Sapphira sought to exalt themselves and used deception to make themselves out to be who they were not. They walked into the the presence of God to meet with Peter, who led the church and lied. Their sin was carefully crafted and premeditated. On each occasion the fear of the Lord fell upon those who witnessed judgement. The proconsul feared at the Magician’s blindness and saw first hand what the power of God could do. Ananias and Sapphira should have known better as they were among the saints. Either way, the Holy Spirit was grieved by their actions and judgment fell upon them.

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).

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David often described times of searching for God and longing to be refreshed in his presence. “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God”(Psalm 42:1). He described himself as a deer who was thirsty and in need of water. This was how hungry and desperate David was for the presence of God. He cried and described his tears as food as he poured out his soul unto God. In Psalm 63, he longed to worship God and vowed to worship Him for the rest of his life. In Psalm 84, David longed for the courts of God. “My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God” (Psalm 84:2).

David considered a day in the courts of God, as better than a thousand years anywhere else. He understood when Jeremiah said that anyone who sought after God would find him. “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). David was a man after God’s own heart, because he earnestly sought after God. He understood the all surpassing presence of God. “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence” (Psalm 139:7)? He knew that whether in heaven, in hell or in the deepest parts of the sea, that the presence of God would be with him. Not even the darkness could hide him away from God.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters” (Psalm 23:2). David also experienced peace and rest in the presence of God. He found provision, goodness, shelter and protection. Moses also understood the importance of God’s presence. “And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here”(Exodus 33:15). He knew that the journey from Egypt to Canaan was impossible without God. Moses longed to see the glory of God and spent time in communion with Him.

When we hunger and thirst after righteousness, we will be filled (Matthew 5:6). There is peace, joy, healing, deliverance, freedom and everything good in the presence of God. Most people want to rub shoulders and have association with people with status and power. This is shortsighted, as they miss the fact that everything that we need is in God. When Jesus died, he left us the Comforter in the person of the Holy Spirit. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11). Let us spend time in the presence of God. Seek him daily and pursue him intimately, so that his presence will be with us wherever we go.

“And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest”” (Exodus 33:14).

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Paul spoke in Hebrews about faith and recalled the stories of many heroes of faith in the bible. We need faith to believe and serve God and our faith increases through hearing the word. “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). The stories are recalled from Abel who trusted God and offered a better sacrifice than Cain to Abraham who was the father of faith. Cain envied his brother although he was unwilling to make the same sacrifice, which his brother made in order to receive from God. Although Abel died, he is still considered a hero of faith, because his heart was pure before God.

God made a promise to Abraham that his children would be many as the sand of the sea. What is significant for me, is that Paul pointed out that many of the promises that God shared with these men, were not seen in their lifetime. Yet they died with the hope that what God had promised would come to pass. We know now that the Jews have expanded and the descendants of Abraham grew and did great exploits for God.

Abraham received the promise of Isaac and also conceived Ishmael. This was the hope for Abraham that God would keep the seed of his generation for thousands of years. All those who serve God have also been grafted into Abraham’s family. The man who was childless for over ninety years is the father of many nations. God also made covenants and promises to David concerning his children and kept his vow not to destroy his kingdom. This was despite the disobedience of his children which grieved God. When David received the prophecy concerning his family, he praised God and gave him glory. This is because he believed every word spoken.

John the Baptist was the New Testament prophet who prepared the way for Jesus. John did not live to see the work that Jesus did as he was beheaded after his arrest. Yet John lived to declare with conviction the entrance of Jesus Christ and prophesied concerning what he was here on earth to do. The faith of these prophets transcended time and they did not wait to see the physical manifestations before they took hold and believed. God is not a man that he should lie and if he has promised, it will come to pass.

“Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it” (Hebrews 4:1).

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Peter stood to address the crowd in Acts 2, to explain the phenomenon of the saints speaking in unknown tongues. “both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God” (Acts 2:11). Some of the people mocked them saying that they were drunken with wine. Peter corrected their saying and explained that this was the promise spoken of by the prophet Joel. Jesus also reminded his disciples before his departure of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever” (John 14:16). Jesus also spoke of the power that would come on the disciples when they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). This power represents boldness and strength to advance the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit is the inner witness who speaks to us and gives us direction. In the Old Testament the Lord sent an angel to lead his people. “Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared” (Exodus 23:20).

The warning from God to his people was to listen to the angel, to pay careful attention to him and not to rebel against him as he would not pardon them (Exodus 23:21). I believe that similar to the angels who led God’s people in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit acts as our guide after the death of Christ. Paul also warned the church not to grieve the Holy Spirit and we are cautioned to be led by the spirit.

God is not subject to people’s status or consider earthly ranking. Anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Lord receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is manifested through speaking in tongues which is our heavenly language to God in prayer. The spirit also manifests through the different spiritual gifts such as word of wisdom, preaching, teaching, prophecy, visions and dreams. We should desire the gifts of the spirit and sanctify ourselves so that the Holy Spirit can dwell and work through us.

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Most of us know the story of Job who was tested and lost all that he had. Job was an upright man before God and he was the greatest among his people in terms of wealth. God allowed Satan to test Job, because Satan suggested that Job was faithful to God because of how much God had blessed him. “But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face” (Job 1:11). God called Satan’s bluff and gave him permission to touch everything that Job had, but he was not allowed to touch Job.

We are not sure how long Job’s suffering lasted but we know that he lost his children, his property and livestock. We are unsure about what happened with his wife, but the bible says that she encouraged him to curse God and die. Satan also touched Job’s health and he was afflicted with sores all over his body. In all of this, Job did not sin against God. Job’s friends sat with him in silence for seven days and grieved with Job. Job spoke with regret about the day that he was born. When his friends did speak, their words were laced with condemnation and some judgment.

In the end God spoke with Job and responded to some of Job’s lamentations. Job repented before God and admitted that he didn’t know enough about life and creation. God also scolded Job’s friends for chastising him. “And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10). I notice that Job was restored after he prayed for his friends, which meant that he needed to extend forgiveness to them. Even friends can act out of character during seasons of difficulty, but it is important to forgive if we want to be restored.

Job received double for his faithfulness in enduring the challenges that had come upon him. God was pleased to not only restore what Job had before, but to double it because he maintained his faith in God. Many of you have remained faithful under trials and persecution. God will restore what was lost and he will add a lot more than you had before. Maintain an excellent spirit and pray for the friends who were unfaithful when you were being tested. Keep a good heart, forgive and wait with expectancy for a double portion. “Though thy beginning was small, Yet thy latter end should greatly increase” (Job‬ ‭8‬:‭7‬).

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We are currently in the season of autumn which is a season of shedding. If we observe the behaviour of the trees, in preparation for winter, the trees first change colour and then they shed their leaves. Similar to the trees, there are many habits, behaviours, practices and even relationships that we cannot take into a new season. It is time for us to realign and restructure as we rebuild and establish new perimeters and boundaries. Some patterns and associations may end or change, as many cycles have come to an end. We cannot grieve over old systems and old ways of doing things.

Nehemiah understood the importance of rebuilding Isreal’s walls and gates. “And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God” (Nehemiah 6:16). After Nehemiah rebuilt the walls, the surrounding countries were afraid, because the Jews were no longer defenceless. The rebuilding did not happen without opposition and challenges from Sanballat and Tobiah. As Nehemiah remained focused, the rebuilding was complete. As borders are important to protecting resources, boundaries are important to protect our personal time and energy.

We have to guard our hearts, from which flows the issues of life. Once we have appropriate boundaries, God is able to channel resources to and through us. God will not transfer resources to people without boundaries and systems to maintain it. We have to demonstrate the ability to be good stewards. As good stewards, we can work what God has given us, create increase and redistribute, but the walls around us need to be built up. “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous” (Proverbs 13:22).

There are people around us in this season with the Cyrus Anointing, who God will use to be a blessing to us. God did not always use righteous kings to establish his people and to restore their dwellings. “Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah” (Ezra 1:2). God will continue to separate his elect so that we will be preserved to usher in the end time harvest. Rejection and separation are often signs of God’s redirection. Abraham was commanded to come out from his family and Joseph had to be separated from his people in order to be prepared to lead Egypt.

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There was a season of mourning for the Jews just before entering into the promised land. God told Moses that he would not enter the land and cross over with the Israelites. God showed him the land and then Moses died and was buried in the mountains. The people took the time to mourn for Moses and God allowed this because he understood the importance of their grief. The bible does not say how long their season of mourning lasted, but that God told Joshua when they needed to move forward. The important thing for the Jews, was having a leader who could hear from God and sense his timing.

As soon as Joshua heard the word from God, without delay he rallied the people to get ready to move forward. This was his instructions to the officers that were in charge of the people. “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess”’ (Joshua 1:11). God encouraged Joshua and reminded him about his promise to be with him. With the word from the Lord, he started to get the people ready to move forward.

The next thing that Joshua did was to send in two spies, to view the land and bring back a word to the people. The spies came into the house of a prostitute and she hid them in her roof. She didn’t turn them over when the King sent men in search of them. “and said to the men, “I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you” (Joshua 2:9). The men went in ahead of the battle to collect information and made an alliance with a member of the country which they were about to overtake. Despite the woman’s career as a prostitute, God used her in the story of victory and conquest for the Israelites.

The men returned to Joshua with a victory report ahead of their journey. “Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us” (Joshua 2:24). There are a few things that we can take away, from this season of transition for the Israelites. It is ok to acknowledge our grief and to stop for a season to mourn. After the season of mourning, it is time to prepare to move forward. Strategic alliances are important on our journey to new territories and it is important to remember those who showed us kindness along the way. The main lesson is to listen and be sensitive to God’s timing and know when he is telling us to move ahead.

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Jeremiah prophesied concerning Babylon and their ongoing siege and invasion of Israel. His reference in this chapter has been suggested, to refer to how God empowered Cyrus in later times to overthrow Babylon. Cyrus helped to restore the Jewish kingdom and provided resources to rebuild Jewish structures. Jeremiah seemed to prophesy about the future of Babylon. During the time of his prophecy, Babylon was a major dynasty that ruled over the Jews.

Although the Jews had disobeyed God and this led to their captivity and bondage, God would still execute vengeance. “The Lord has brought about our vindication; come, let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God” (Jeremiah 51:10). Babylon had also destroyed the Jewish temple and taken the gold and precious vessels which Solomon acquired.

Jeremiah’s comments in chapter 51, can also be used to reference the church which God has called to establish his kingdom. Paul reminded us in Hebrews 11, how our bible heroes through faith established the kingdom of God. Like Abraham whose faith was accounted for righteousness, they also left their examples of faith for us to follow. “who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions” (Hebrews 11:33).

We have a godly heritage and inheritance and we have been given the weapons to win every battle. The weapons will be formed but they will not prevail against us because the battle belongs to God. “Therefore thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will plead your cause and take vengeance for you. I will dry up her sea and make her fountain dry” (Jeremiah 51:36).

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David wrote Psalm 18 as a song to God after he had overcome his enemies and Saul who tried to take his life. David reflected on the time when his life was threatened. He spoke of feeling distressed and calling unto God for help (Psalm 18:4-6). God’s response to David’s cries for help was anger and vengeance towards his enemies. “And he sent out his arrows and scattered them; he flashed forth lightnings and routed them” (Psalm 18:14).

David remembered how God rescued him because his enemies were too strong and mighty for him. God rescued David and kept him safe because David feared and served the Lord. “For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down” (Psalm 18:27). God then strengthened David so that he could run against a troop. God trained David’s hands for war and strengthened his feet to climb the mountains (Psalm 18:29-32).

David was given strength for battle to pursue and overtake his enemies. “I beat them fine as dust before the wind; I cast them out like the mire of the streets” (Psalm 18:42). David was rescued from his enemies and then exalted above those who rose up against him. David praised the Lord for his salvation and deliverance (Psalm 18:49).

The Psalms are a source of comfort and strength for us in times of trouble and distress. God has not changed and he will never change. Like David, God will never forsake us and is ready to take vengeance when the enemy rises up against us. God will strengthen our hands for war and make our feet secure to run against a troop. We are well able to overcome this trial and claim victory in the Lord.

“the God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me” (Psalm 18:47).

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We want to be able to control our lives and our destinies. We want to be able to make things happen, seize the moment and grab that opportunity. What happens in those times when situations are outside of our control? I had a thought some years ago about how God works in our lives and it goes like this. ‘At times God will render us helpless, so that we have to rely completely on him. When things work out as they generally do, then we have no choice but to give him the glory, because we know that what we accomplished was not in our own strength.’ In other words, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

There are seasons when I have felt extremely frustrated, when it feels like things aren’t going the way that I wanted. I have often prayed and cried out to God, only to get a response to “be still.” My feelings have been, “really God, just be still. You mean I don’t need to write a letter, lodge a complaint, resign my job, tell somebody about themselves?” Just be still and wait for me to act, is what God usually says.

“And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again” (Exodus 14:13). This bible story is one of the most extreme examples of God asking people to be still. Israel was caught between a Red Sea and an army in pursuit. God was telling his people to stand in the knowledge of who he is; omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, almighty, powerful and mighty to save.

As long as we are busy trying to do things our own way, then God will let us try. He won’t force himself into our situation. We have to invite him into our circumstances and learn to surrender. Knowing that our help and our strength comes from the Lord.

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

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