In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he urged him to preach the word at all times. This meant whether the time seemed favourable or not. It is sometimes useful to teach about things that are socially relevant. However, teaching the gospel is not to gain popularity in order to wet people’s appetites. Preachers and teachers need to be led by the Holy Spirit and commit to teaching sound doctrine. By sound I mean wholesome teaching and words which help to edify. Edification builds people up spiritually, helps them to grow and mature in God to fulfil their God given assignment.

Paul warns that in the last days, people will seek after teaching that suits their own ideas and fallacy. “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (2 Timothy 4:3). How do you decide who to listen to and which teachers and preachers you can trust? Listen to those who teach the tangible word of God and help you to understand and interpret scriptures. The word of God should convict you of sin and spur you on to repentance and righteousness.

Some modern day teachers have become like fortune tellers, touting prophecies about world events. What is the purpose of their prophesying and teaching? Is it so that they can say that they saw it first, heard it first or had the most accurate prophecies? The bible says that the spiritual gifts are for the edification of the church (1 Corinthians 14:12). If God has called you, ordained you, anointed and appointed you, your gift will make room for you. The anointing on your life will attract people and God will create an audience for what you have to offer. In fact, God does not give you a gift and calling without sending you to an audience.

We are in a season where God will hold people accountable for their gift and assignment. Go where you are sent and speak what God has asked you to say. “For thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord”(Jeremiah 1:7-8).

A.P.-Y.

Yesterday we started to discuss how God views false prophets who use his name to prophesy falsely. We see other accounts of false prophets in the Old Testament and one story of significance relates to a young prophet and an old prophet.

There was a King at that time in Israel who built golden calves for the people to worship and an altar for the people to sacrifice. A young prophet came out of Judah and prophesied against the altar. The King stretched out his hand to give the commandment for his men to seize the prophet. The King’s hand dried and the altar was torn down just as the man of God foretold (1 King 13:1-5).

The King begged the prophet to pray for his hand to be restored and he did and his hand was healed. The King was so grateful that he begged the prophet to return to his house for a meal and to be refreshed. The prophet declined and explained to the King that God had warned him not to eat or drink with anyone, but to return to his own home.

An old prophet was told the story about the young prophet. He went on his way to meet him, convinced him that he was also a prophet who had heard from God. He told him that God said it was ok for him to eat. The young prophet agreed and while he was eating in the old prophet’s home, God spoke to the old prophet. The revelation was that the young prophet would die on his way home because of his disobedience (1 King 13: 6-22)

As it turns out, the young prophet was killed on the way home by a lion. The story reinforces the point that we need to hear from God for ourselves. Did the old prophet lie or was he testing the young prophet to see whether he would obey God or listen to man? The reality is that the scripture does say that the word of the Lord came to the old prophet concerning the young prophet’s disobedience. Either way, he had clear instructions from God concerning what he needed to do and he caused an old prophet to tempt him into disobedience.

Forget about people’s titles because none of that impresses God. “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8).

Today we look again at David’s statements in Psalm 16. Here he spoke about a beautiful inheritance which God had prepared for him. We recall in the bible how David came from humble beginnings. He was a shepherd, a musician who played in the King’s court, a Psalmist and worshipper. David went on to slay Goliath and to kill up to ten thousand men on the battlefield. He was also anointed by Samuel as the next King of Israel. How does someone from such humble beginnings, rise to a place of prominence and take the place of a King?

No wonder David offered glory to God and reflected on the blessings which had been bestowed on him. David has been referred to in the bible as a man after God’s own heart. “The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over his people”(1 Samuel 13:14).

It was Nathan who prophesied to David about God’s plans to establish his descendants. “And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly” (2 Samuel 7:9-10).

David gave glory to God for blessing him and recalled all that God had done to bless his people Israel. David was of the seed of Abraham, who God had promised to bring into a land of blessing. “And you established for yourself your people Israel to be your people forever. And you, O Lord, became their God” (2 Samuel 7:24).

As children of God, we are of Abraham’s seed and have been grafted into the promise. We walk in the blessing of that inheritance and we declare that we have a beautiful inheritance.

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In the book of Matthew chapters 10 and 11, Jesus taught his disciples and others about the trials and persecution that Christians would experience. It was at that time that John was put in prison by King Herod. John had spoken out against the King for taking his brother’s wife. The only reason why the King didn’t kill John at the time was due to the fear of the people (John 14). While John was in prison, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the Messiah or, if we were to expect another to come. Jesus’s response was to tell John, of the miracles that had flowed through his ministry and for him to decide if he was the Messiah or not.

Jesus would have known about John’s arrest and that the King would eventually execute him. He would also have in mind, the time appointed for his own crucifixion and death. After Jesus sent his disciples out to minister in Matthew 10, he spoke to them saying. “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). Jesus’s teaching was never a conventional peace loving, all is right with the world kind of message. Jesus also told his disciples, that they would be handed over to the courts, flogged with whips, stand trial before Kings and Governors. “But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and unbelievers about me” (Matthew 10: 17-19).

Imagine most of us being sent out to preach the gospel with the promise of whipping, arrests and persecution. ‘No thank you very much mister Jesus,’ is what most of us would have to say. But the trials will give us an opportunity to tell people about Jesus. To what end would we want to subject ourselves to such suffering and persecution? “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Jesus does bring the teaching to a close, with a word of comfort despite the trials and difficulties. “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 10:28-30).

The enemy have caused suffering and distress on the earth. Our resolve is to remember that this life and body is temporal, but the soul and spirit are eternal. One day we will have a new body and this earthly body will return to the dust. So we live for a life after this and we regard not this life as our final destination. We have a better life prepared and a home away from this earth.

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In John 1, after Jesus’s baptism, he calls his first disciples to follow him in carrying out his mission. Some of the disciples called their brothers to join Jesus once they learnt about him. One such disciple was Phillip, who Jesus called and he called his brother Nathaniel. Nathaniel’s response was not a favourable one as he questioned whether or not anything good could come from Nazareth (John 1:43-46).

In this case Nathaniel did not even acknowledge Jesus as the person to whom Phillip referred. But reducing his significance, referred to him as a thing. To Nathaniel’s surprise, the next day when he does meet Jesus, he made reference to distinguishing characteristics about Nathaniel. He goes further to share that he perceived in his spirit, the conversation which Nathaniel had with Phillip and where he had this conversation. “Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel””(John 1:49)!

Jesus does not allow Nathaniel to get away with the statement he made before, but calls him out on his scepticism. “Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these””(John 1:50). Some people hold fast to the notion of, “seeing is believing,” and are so doubtful and cynical that it’s off putting.

It’s one thing to be doubtful, but Nathaniel’s remarks were borderline derogatory and discriminatory. We do not have the right to look down on other people, because of their place of birth or origin. No one determines where they are born, or other characteristics such as nationality, race or even our families of origin. God allowed Jesus to be born in a manger, in a town of no significance, to parents without much notoriety to teach us a lesson in humility.

Your beginning does not determine your ending and God can do great things with small beginnings. “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

Meditation is mentioned a few times in the bible in relation to keeping in mind the word of God. Modern meditation has been linked to eastern religions and most christians don’t consider the benefits of this practice. I learnt about the use of deep breathing exercises and meditation to calm anxiety and this led me to do some further reading on the topic. “Meditation is the act of remaining in a silent and calm state for a period of time, as part of religious training, or so that you are more able to deal with the problems of everyday life” (Collins.com).

Meditation has been found to relieve stress and fatigue and promotes discipline and helps to regulate emotions. I also read before that meditation and deep breathing opens up the spirit man and the physical senses. So when I do practice deep breathing and meditation, I am conscious about what I am taking in through my physical senses. Using instrumental worship is the most effective method for me, because then I can guarantee that I am taking in the word of God. Some people use scriptures or other God centred activities in the background such as prayer to focus their spirit man.

“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97). David made several references to meditating on the word of God and we know that David had an early career as a musician in Saul’s court. David’s music helped to keep Saul calm when he was troubled by an evil spirit. “And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him” (1 Samuel 16:23).

Music has often been linked to meditation and it is interesting how David’s music helped to bring deliverance to Saul. In Joshua 1, meditating on the word of God was linked to prosperity and success. Incorporating meditation into your daily routine and especially during your quiet time of prayer and reading the word, can help you find inner peace, help you to hear the voice of God and help you to focus on the word to bring you good success.

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God appeared to Moses in a burning bush in Exodus 3, because of his concern for his people who were suffering in Egypt. The Israelites travelled to Egypt during Joseph’s time as Prime Minister to pass the drought which affected their region. We see in chapter 3 where a new King was in power who did not know Joseph. This King was threatened by the large and increasing number of Israelites. His intention was to oppress them so that they would no longer increase.

The King even ordered the midwives to kill the male children and when this didn’t work he had the people to throw the babies into the river. But Moses was born and his mother spared his life and he was raised by Pharaoh’s daughter. Moses became overzealous once he discovered that he was Hebrew and runs away to the wilderness after killing an Egyptian. What Moses didn’t realise was that his anger, although misplaced at the time, was a signal of the desire which God had placed in him.

Now the appointed time came for Moses to carry out his assignment of leading God’s people out of Egypt. God explains to Moses that he had heard the cry of his people. “and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites” (Exodus 3:8).

Moses’s assignment was to be a mouthpiece for God and to show his wonder to the Egyptians. God knew ahead of time that Pharaoh would not listen to Moses and he would need to use signs and wonders to bring about his purpose. Either way, God would not allow the ongoing oppression of his people. The assignment was twofold; tell Pharaoh to let them go so that they can worship me; to bring them into a good land full of good things.

This is God’s response to oppression. To avenge the oppressor of his people, to demonstrate his power and to recompense his people for the wrong done to them. The end result would be restoration to a place of abundance to repay for the season of suffering and pain.

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John wrote the book of revelations from the Isle of Patmos where he was sent on exile because of his faith. John had visions of heaven and had revelations concerning the seven spirits or angels of the seven churches. The exhortation to the church in Ephesus was that they had abandoned the love they once had for God and the things of God. John encouraged the church to remember the way they used to be before and how much zeal they had for God. They are urged to return to their place of love and reverence (Revelations 2:1-7).

We tend to have great zeal and passion when we first discover the things of God and when we make that first commitment to serve God. As time goes by the challenges and cares of life can cause us to abandon that first love and our commitment can wane. If we recognise that we have lost that first love, then we have recommit to pursue God with the passion and zeal we once had. We talk about human relationships and the work that it takes to maintain these connections. In the same way that we maintain our human relationships, we have to also maintain our commitment and love for God and the things of God.

We love God because he first loved us and he offers us an unconditional love that comes without ulterior motives. We often worry about loving some people who are not good for us and can cause us pain and harm. But the love we have for God casts out all our fears and worries. We have the assurance that God loves us with an everlasting love that does not change depending on how good we are.

God created us for love and fellowship and he does not stop loving us even when we drift away from him. He is calling us back into fellowship with him and we have assurance that being in his will brings safety and peace. “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent” (Revelation‬ ‭2:5).

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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.

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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)

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