God established Saul as King of Israel and Samuel was God’s messenger at the time to give instructions to the King. God’s instructions to Saul was to completely destroy the army of the Amalekites and to also destroy all their goods and cattle. Saul won the battle and destroyed the armies but decided to keep the best of the spoils and cattle at the suggestion of the people. And due to Saul’s disobedience God told Samuel that he regretted making Saul King. (1 Samuel 15:1-9)

Saul had a greater desire to please the people that he did God. He feared the rejection and disapproval of others more than he feared God. How many times have we heard the voice of God and refused to act out of fear of the disapproval of others? It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. (Psalm 118:8)

If we believe that God is all knowing and that he has our best interest at heart, then we will trust what he says and act on his instructions. Bear in mind that every time God gives an instruction, you can expect a contrary voice pointing you in another direction. How many times have we missed the turn towards something significant in our lives because we listened to the wrong voice? Have you ever had the feeling that you were going in a circle year after year and never making any progress? You are probably listening to the wrong voice.

Paul said that we should build each other up so that we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when the devil tries to trick us with lies that sound so clever that they sound like the truth. (Ephesians 4:14)

We have to learn to hear and harken to the voice of God and resist the devil who knows how to disguise himself as an angel of light. Trust in what God says and when you are sure that he is speaking, act on what he says. If you struggle to discern his voice then seek him and take counsel from those who know God. Not everyone who claims to be a believer is in relationship with God or hears his voice. Beware of false prophets and stay tuned to God so you are not deceived. Step out in faith when God points you in the right direction and live to please God.

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Jeremiah was a prophet at the time when the Israelites were taken into exile in Babylon. To encourage and strengthen their resolve, Jeremiah offered this encouragement. Pray to God on behalf of the city where you live because when that city does well then you will also do well.

I say we also pray for the welfare of the companies where we work and the success of our places of employment. It is easy to complain about the issues that we experience with our employers. Complaints about elected officials and local leadership is common. I understand that we are human and it is sometimes helpful to talk about things that affect us. I say talk but also pray and ask God to cause our city to succeed. Ask God to help your company to succeed and pray about those areas where there needs to be change.

We cannot join in the hopeless murmuring and complaining of unbelievers around us and when they do complain we have to offer hope. We have hope because our hope transcends this world. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. (1 Corinthians 15:19)

I am not immune to complaining and the best of us want to vent our frustration. Let us also join hands in prayer for a move of God in our cities and for the success of the places where we work. When our cities and companies do well then we will also do well. Pray and resist the urge to complain.

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It is reassuring to know that the God of all creations chose us before time began. God breathed his life, destiny and purpose into us and appointed us to be on this earth for a set time. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”(Romans 8:29)

You are not an accident and God did not make any mistakes when he created you. You are created in his image and likeness and the omnipotent God resides in you in the person of the Holy Spirit. We are sons and daughters of the most High God. “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:6)

You are fearfully and wonderfully made, intricately woven. (Psalm 139) God calls us the apple of his eyes and he has carved our names in the palm of his hands. (Zechariah 2:8; Isaiah 49:16) We don’t have to spend another day trying to measure up to anyone or proving our worth to others. Knowing who we are in God allows us to relax and cease from feeling the need to compete with anyone. Our mission should be to work to be the best version of ourselves and to discover and walk in the purpose which God designed for us before time began.

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” (Ephesians 1:4)

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The dictionary definition of holy refers to being dedicated or devoted to the service of God or being declared sacred or consecrated. Peter’s reference to be holy is our reminder that we have been created by God for his divine purpose and destiny. Thus our need to ensure that we live in devotion to God as he has called us to live in a way which is different from the world. “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21)

We have been saved by grace and we cannot save ourselves as salvation is a gift from God. (Ephesians 2:8) Paul suggests that we remain sanctified by being surrendered daily to Christ as an act of death to the works of the flesh. (1 Corinthians 15:31) Living with spiritual discipline which keeps us consecrated and ready to be used by God. Not neglecting our need for prayer and confession which consecrates us to God through the forgiveness of sin. And staying connected to God which keeps us alive in him.

We daily study the word and pray which is our spiritual food to maintain and strengthen our spirits. We continue to submit ourselves to God so that he can keep us from falling into habitual sin. This is not to promote condemnation but we understand that the grace of God is able to keep us from slavery to sin.

Paul cautions us to keep our bodies pure and holy because the presence of God dwells in us. We do not live a fear based Christianity which is laden with guilt and shame, but live in the freedom which Christ died to give us on the cross. There are also choices that we make daily to remain holy and set apart for God. God is jealous and he will not share his glory as our worship and devotion belongs to him alone.

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

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We need faith and confidence in God to consistently maintain an eternal perspective. One where we maintain our focus on God’s goodness and not on our challenges. Disappointments and set backs are a part of our journey and like David we can stumble when we consider the prosperity of the wicked. David said he envied the arrogant. (Psalm 73:2-3)

Because the word of God stands true, we have an assurance that the righteous will never be forsaken nor his seed be in want of bread. (Psalm 37:25) Sometimes we worry when it seems like people who do wrong go unpunished and we doubt God’s ability to avenge. God’s word does not lie and he declares that whatever a man sows that he will reap. It is true that God will exalt the humble and bring down the proud that exalts himself.

We have to remember the power and dominion that we have as saints of God and the fact that our victory is guaranteed. Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. (2 Corinthians 2:14) There is strength in God and he longs to show himself strong through us. We are his work displayed and God will use us to demonstrate his power to the world.

We need to take our positions, stand in the word of faith and be ready to be used by God. God has given us authority and once we understand who we are in Christ and what he calls us to do then our lives will never be the same. Be encouraged because God will strengthen us to pass the test and to be victorious.

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Jesus often taught many valuable lessons about our need to believe in God’s ability to do the impossible. Of having faith beyond what seems humanly possible and pushing well beyond reason. Jairus approached Jesus to beg him to come and lay hands on his daughter because she was sick unto death. On his way to heal Jairus’s daughter another woman with an issue of blood pressed through the crowd to grab hold of Jesus. “For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.”” (Mark 5:28)

The woman touched Jesus, immediately she was healed and he felt the power flow out of his body. Jesus stopped to inquire about who had touched him? He knew that this was not a regular touch because the crowds were pressing to get close to him. He felt the touch of faith and belief in his ability to heal. The woman confessed and Jesus told her that it was her faith that made her well. (Mark 5:25-34)

While all of this was happening, someone came from Jairus’s house with the report that his daughter had died. Their suggestion was to no longer trouble Jesus because they didn’t imagine that it was possible for her to be brought back from the dead. Jesus overheard and encouraged Jairus to stay in faith and believe in what only God could do. There were people already mourning at the house when Jesus arrived. He questioned their lament and assured them that the child was only asleep. Their crying turned to scornful laughter and Jesus put them outside of the house. Jesus took the girl by the hand and commanded her to arise. The child got out of bed and immediately started walking. (Mark 5: 35-42)

There is nothing that is impossible for God to do. His strength is perfect when we are without strength and his power limitless and defies human logic or reasoning. Lift your faith and trust in what God is able to do. “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””(Matthew 19:26)

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We have to fight to keep our minds stayed on the word of God and on his promises. There are many voices within our culture and society ready to challenge our faith and belief system. Academics, science and intellectualism often stands squarely opposed to our belief system. It takes a made up mind to remain in faith and a mind daily renewed by the word of God. People are often ready to tell you what is possible and what is practical or realistic.

The decision to live a life of faith means doing what God says and this will not always make sense to everyone. Ask Noah about being told to build an ark when there was no water. (Genesis 5) We can also refer to Mary who was told to expect a child when she was still a virgin and Joseph who was convinced to marry her although he knew the child was not his. (Luke 1:26-48; Matthew 1:18-25)

My advice is to not waste any time trying to explain things related to faith to people who refuse to have faith. “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.” (2 Timothy 2:23) Even people who call themselves Christians can have contrary ideas about what God says. We see this in the story of the young prophet who was given specific instructions from God. Along came an old prophet who gave him contradictory ideas and who also later told him that he would die because he listened to what he said. (1 Kings 13:11-25)

Let us stay in faith, listen to the word of God and seek spiritual wisdom and focus on what God says over what other people say. “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” (Psalms 118:8)

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At the start of 2020 there were many parallels being drawn to this year being one of 20/20 focus. Ideas were circulated about the need to remain focused and maintain a vision of what God will do in this year. That was before the global pandemic which has shut down the world, grounded flights, and created unstable economies.

Despite the challenges that this year has presented, there are also opportunities that have opened up as a result of it. Hear me out before you dismiss my suggestions as I say this with empathy. I know that there are people who have lost loved ones in this year and people who have lost jobs and businesses. While this is happening, there has been an influx of new business ventures created globally through the internet.

I believe that God is doing major things in this year and the body of Christ needs to pay careful attention so that we do not miss it. “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19)

None of what is happening in the world today takes God by surprise. So if he has allowed it, then we have to trust what he says in his word. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

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During the reign of King Ahab and Jezebel, the Israelites turned away from God. The King and his wife caused the people to follow the detestable practices of worshipping foreign gods and offering sacrifices to them. Altars were constructed to offer sacrifices to Baal and other gods and some sacrifices were mixed with human blood. (1 King 21:25)

Elijah was disheartened at the way the people’s heart had been turned away from God. And Elijah said to the people, How long will you linger between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people did not respond. (1 Kings 18: 21)

After Elijah repaired the altar God answered by fire. “Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”
‭‭(1 Kings‬ ‭18:38‬)

We need the fire of God to bring light to the dark situations in our communities and countries. We need the fire of the Holy Spirit to bring change, healing and deliverance. God will send his fire after we have repaired the altar in our lives. We do not need to build a physical altar but establish an altar of prayer and worship unto God. And when we return to God and seek him with all of our hearts, then he will hear our prayers and heal our land.

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Life is sometimes full of ups and downs and defined by mountain top and valley experiences. When we put our trust in God we shall be like Mount Zion that cannot be removed, but abides forever (Psalm 125:1). Mount Zion represents the mountain of God which is firmly fixed and cannot be brought down by any natural disasters or human invasions.

We know that the angels of the Lord surround those who fear him and delivers us (Psalm 34:7). So when we are afraid we trust in our God to offer protection and deliverance. Fear is not of God and that spirit does not come from him. Instead he gives us power, love and a sound mind. Our enemy wants us to live in fear and torment and carry a burden of guilt and shame.

God replaces the ashes of grief with beauty; he gives us the oil of joy when we mourn and a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness that we might be trees of righteousness planted by the Lord so that his glory might be seen in us (Isaiah 61:3).

God cares about our wellbeing and it is the lies from the devil that tries to convince us otherwise. God cannot be tempted of evil and he takes no pleasure in the death of sinners but wants everyone to repent and live in him. It is sin that separates us from God and keeps us in bondage and torment. God offers freedom and protection and joy and peace that can only be found in him.

He will not let your foot slip, he who watches over you will not slumber (Psalm 121:3).

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