Bible In One Year-Day 159 (Sunday, June 08, 2014)

Commentary: 1Chronicles14-16. Without any doubt, David loved the Lord and this could be seen in two ways. Firstly, he moved God’s ark to a place where he had prepared and appointed the right people to take care of it. That is, priestly authority was restored according to the agreement at the point of the covenant. The Levites took over the care of the ark. Not only that, he organized them in ranks and order. In essence, he restored the ark of the Lord and priestly order. Saul never bordered himself about the ark of the Lord in his days. This made a significant difference compared to David’s reign.

Secondly, David, just like Moses, loves doing things according to God’s will. He always inquired of the Lord before engaging in any battle even if the battle was legitimate (1Chron14:10&14). The person who knows how to seek the face of the Lord cannot be defeated. The strength of David lies in seeking the face of God before taking decisions and actions, and this is why David never regretted any battle. Saul was not like that. Saul mostly decided within the figment of his imagination and instead of seeking the Lord in a difficult time, he resorted to seeking evil medium.

Saul was in trouble with God just as David was when he killed Uriah (2Sam12;9-10). However, the difference lies in the steps each took after realizing their mistakes. Saul faced Samuel to plead to God for him while David did not face the prophet but cried to God for mercy himself. God is not interested in the death of a sinner but for him to repent from the bottom of the heart. Saul did not repent but David repented.

How good it is if we could diligently seek His face at all times. The benefits include divine impartation, divine direction, uplifting, unending victory and enduring mercy. Many today lean on their own expertise and understanding only to be frustrated with time. David never fought, despite his skills in warfare, without consulting God. This was what Saul lacked and he found himself in serious errors. You cannot accomplish God’s will with any of your natural senses; rather, you need the Holy Spirit. The scripture encourages us not to lean on our own understanding but to acknowledge God’s help;

Proverbs 3:5-8 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”

David experienced the goodness of seeking the face of the Lord and that was why he advised the people in his first Psalms;

1 Chronicles 16:11-12 “Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;”

Where Saul failed (ignoring the ark and not seeking the Lord) was the point of David’s elevation. Saul’s point of ridicule was David’s point of praise. Saul’s point of frustration was David’s point of strength and encouragement.

1 Corinthians 10:12 “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

Let us seek for the old path where we could find rest. Let us listen to the trumpet’s sound, wherewith we could escape the calamity to come. May His Spirit breathe on us for divine revelation and guidance in the name of Jesus. Our reading for today is 1Chron17-19. Keep the fire burning and alive.

Bible In One Year-Day 158 (Saturday, June 07, 2014)

Commentary: 1Chronicles10-13. Real greatness is of the Lord;

Psalms 71:21 “Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.”

It is true that man could attain greatness by any means; it is equally true that there is comfort in only one means of attaining greatness. When unspeakable comfort is evident in the greatness even in the face of challenges, then it means God approves it. This simply means that the addition of COMFORT is God’s presence in it in the Holy Spirit, our COMFORTER. Saul lost this comfort when the Spirit of God departed from him. The result of this was discomfort caused by an evil spirit which led him into greater sin. David was not holier either. The only difference was that Saul went to consult an evil medium in his discomfort but when David sinned he cried for mercy and God granted him mercy. Death was pronounced on both of them at the points of their sins; unfortunately, they went different ways for help and redemption. Wherever you go in the time of distress for help, matters a lot. If you seek for solution at the time of your predicament in a manner that is unscriptural, just as Saul, heaven tags you as unfaithful;

1 Chronicles 10:13-14 “So Saul died for his transgression (unfaithfulness) which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.”

Saul wanted to retain God’s goodness with the flesh but David opted for the spirit. Saul didn’t want to be put to shame before men but David never minded shame before men for as long as his spirit is in contact with God;

Psalms 51:11 “Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.”

God’s comfort and greatness in the life of Saul was transferred to David because of the action Saul took. The greatest sin before the Lord is to share His glory with any medium, person or deity. The sin of the Israelites was that they joined themselves with idols and therefore God gave them up into the hands of their enemies. Saul violated a policy in the covenant which God had with them;

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.”

The fall of Saul was the greatness of David. God stood by David and lifted his head up because of His faithfulness;

1 Chronicles 11:9 “So David waxed greater and greater: for the LORD of hosts was with him.”

You could only bargain for God’s greatness by being faithful to Him and His word. He rewards those who do that beyond their imagination;

Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

Chapter11 is a report of those who identified with the greatness of God in David and they became great also; this is what is called spiritual infection. The friend you walk with could affect your life positively or negatively depending on the measure of God in you. If you are weaker, you become influenced and if you are stronger, you influence.

The Jebusites were residing in Jerusalem before David got there (he ran from Saul). They disallowed him staying in their midst and this made him to go and stay in a cave called the cave of Adullam (1Chron11:15) which was referred to as the stronghold of Zion in a mountain called Zion, which eventually became the City of David as he waxed greater. The greatness in David’s life gave that place recognition in the scripture. Chapter12 is about the coronation of David. The first spirit that manifested in the life of David after his coronation was the spirit of unity (chapter13). He gathered all scattered Israelites and brought back the Ark of God with praises and adorations.

The cogent things we need to learn from these chapters are the rewards for faithfulness and unfaithfulness. Faithfulness pays more than unfaithfulness. Every violation of any of the policies of God’s covenant simply amounts to unfaithfulness to Him and whoever does so is separated from God. Unfaithfulness results in God’s judgment. The only way to lift this judgment off is to repent from unfaithfulness and faithfully go back to God for mercy. Let us seek for the old path where we could find rest. Let us listen to the trumpet’s sound, wherewith we could escape the calamity to come. Our reading for today is 1Chron14-16. Keep the fire burning and alive.

Psalms 101:6 “Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.”

Bible In One Year-Day 157 (Friday, June 06, 2014)

Commentary: 1Chronicles7-9. The family tree of the Israelites continued in chapters 7 through 9. Their various militia responsibilities and assignments were also chronicled. The descendants of Benjamin were so much talked about; their military rolls, family tree and in particular the family tree of King Saul. It is unfortunate to read that unfaithfulness led the Judeans into captivity in Babylon;

1 Chronicles 9:1 “… But Judah was carried away captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.” (NKJV).

When Jesus healed a man and afterwards found the man in the Synagogue, He told the man not to sin anymore else worst thing would happen to him. The legal ground for the enemy to overcome is when there is sin in our lives. When you look back into your life, what you will see, at one time or the other, is unfaithfulness, unrighteousness and transgressions. Whoever sins is a slave to sin. Sin is an attribute of satanic nature in a person. This nature opens the gate for satanic invasion into our lives. Without it the enemy’s rod cannot land on us;

Psalms 125:3 “For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.”

No matter the beauty of the promise of God in a person’s life, iniquity will create a space for satanic attack. Iniquity is an evil magnet that attracts defeat; it weakens a person before the enemy and allows the rod of unnecessary suffering and jeopardy in a man’s life. Many lives are full of regrets just because they dipped their hands in iniquity.

Thank God for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who came to destroy Satan’s work and made provision for our liberty and restoration;

1 John 3:8 “He that committeth sin is of the demon; for the demon sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the demon.”

The Judeans were restored on their properties after a while, 1Chronicle9:2. God also through Jesus Christ has made provision for our reconciliation and return to Him;

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not imputing their trespasses to them; and hath committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

Hebrews 2:17 “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like to his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”

Romans 8:15 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

Without the Holy Spirit we can’t appreciate the goodness of God through Christ Jesus; for we can’t please or satisfy God through the fleshy obedience to the law.

Romans 8:8 “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

Whereas the grace to obey and fulfill the law is in the Holy Spirit; He talks to our hearts. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ through whom we become the righteousness of God and joint heir with Him.

Galatians 4:5-7 “To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then a heir of God through Christ.”

Our salvation is not in the obedience of the law but by faith in His grace;

Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

Galatians 5:4 “Christ is become of no effect to you, whoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”

However, grace is not a platform for sinning, neither is it a ticket to uphold iniquity.

Romans 6:1-2 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

Let us seek for the old path where we could find rest. Let us listen to the trumpet’s sound, wherewith we could escape the calamity to come. Our reading for today is 1Chron10-13. Keep the fire burning and alive.

Bible In One Year-Day 156 (Thursday, June 5, 2014)

Commentary: 1Chronicles4-6. The listing of the genealogy continued. In chapter6, we have the allotment of common lands to the Levites. A remarkable character in these chapters is Jabez;

1 Chronicles 4:9 “And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.”

The background or foundation of Jabez was not too good. He was born in parental distress and pain, cursed by the mother through the name she gave him. I guess his mother went through the curse on Eve;

Genesis 3:16 “Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.”

As Jabez grew up, many things went wrong in his life and these things could be read from his prayers to God; he lived under a curse, he was limited on every side, the enemy was always prevailing in his life, anywhere he went he was the target of evil and he was always a pain to those around him. He grew up to know his life bore bad fruit which he was not guilty of, neither was he the cause. No one could have helped him but God because it was a parental curse working in his life. He turned to that God in prayer and God proved His faithfulness. What can prayer not change? With all that was in his life, the Bible still recorded that he was more honorable than any of his brethren; this was so because he did something unusual to change his life and that was prayer.

You don’t have a choice as to which family, race or community you want to be born. You don’t even have a choice as to what name to be given to you, but you have a choice to make a change to your life. If one embraces the ignorance of one’s parents, the outcome of the person’s life is not going to be admirable and the sorrow of such becomes multiplied at the long run. Unfortunately, many are bound to family woes, curses and covenants through family names, traditions, beliefs and other strongholds. In any condition you find yourself, prayer does a great deal in it. Even if you are in your destiny, prayer adds more beauty beyond what you could ever think of. Jesus was in His destiny yet He prayed all His life. The power of prayer is immense and it adds splendor to life beyond bargain, Eph3:20.

Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

Here is what Joseph M. Scriven (1855) in Ireland has to say in hymns while his mother was seriously sick;

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

If Jabez changed his life from what his parents gave and dictated to him through prayers, you have no excuse, and complaints are irrelevant. You can’t change your spiritual problem by worrying, crying, complaining, blaming others, logics or scheming but by praying;

Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

The length of days you spent praying do not matter but the efficacy (praying in faith and not in fear) of your prayers; faith is the backbone of any effectual prayer.

James 5:16 “… The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Build your faith by reading the word of God regularly. Prayers made using the word of God works more wonders than we think. On the other hand, any prayer made without the basis of God’s word is just noise. You need to carry the word of God in prayer.

Let us seek for the old path where we could find rest. Let us listen to the trumpet’s sound, wherewith we could escape the calamity to come. Our reading for today is 1C hronicles7-9. Keep the fire burning and alive. PRAYER IS THE KEY.

Bible In One Year-Day 155 (Wednesday, June 4, 2014)

Commentary: 1Chronicles1-3. The books of 1&2Kings are more of the political history while those of Chronicles are religious. The chapters list the royal line of David. One may think of why the names are necessary. The sense is that every name is important in history; more important is the role the name played in making history. Not all the names of David’s children were mentioned, only 9 sons and a daughter. Others were referred to as the sons of the concubines. What you do in life will make you to be outstanding and remarkable. God only identifies with positive contributions. Positive in the sense that God is glorified just as Christ says in John 12:32 “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to me.”

I will like you to know that lifting Jesus up is not just carrying the Bible about, but it is about your relationship with God and others which is measured in terms of faith (with God), hope (in your destiny) and charity (expression of God’s love through you to others). God desires more of better relationship with others because this connects you faster and concisely with your destiny and God; 1 Corinthians 13:13

1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

Your charity work for the needy is an act of lifting Christ up. A farmer is always looking for a fertile land to plant seeds. If he plants where the seed will not grow, he will reap nothing at harvest;

Luke 6:34 “And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.”

The fertile grounds for us as Christians are the poor and the needy (the disabled, those who lack something to eat, the aged and the sick);

Matthew 10:42 “And whoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily, I say to you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”

The best way to building a perfect relationship with God is to build a loving relationship with those around us.

Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

Jesus used the parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate who the needy in our surrounding are, and how charity work could single us out remarkably. There were many Samaritans but the expression of love and passion for a dying man tagged this particular Samaritan as “Good”. Another example is the manner the widow gave her offering in the Synagogue. What you receive from God is not as important to Him as the manner you give it out or share it with people. Let us look beyond our relatives and bless the Lord by giving to those who are not able to return what we have given them.

Luke 14:12-14 “Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.”

God gave us His Son, they called Him JESUS, He came to heal, restore and to save. He must be lifted up on the earth, Halleluiah! Amen.

Let us seek for the old path where we could find rest. Let us listen to the trumpet’s sound, wherewith we could escape the calamity to come. Our reading for today is 1Chron4-6. Keep the fire burning and alive. GIVE LOVE GENUINELY.