Break the siege (II Kings 6:24-33, 7:1-16)

Break the siege (II Kings 6:24-33, 7:1-16)

Would you like to say this prayer with me? Every siege round about me, physically, spiritually, maritally, financially … break, break, break in the name of Jesus.

From the passage we read, Samaria was under siege from their enemy. Things were so difficult. They could not farm, they could not buy and sell. They were literally imprisoned without food, water and daily provision. All the reserved food in their houses were exhausted and there was no fresh supply from outside. What a terrible, merciless situation. They ate all kinds of things in order to survive. How long could they survive without food and water?

John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The idea behind every siege is to suffer people and force them to surrender, then the enemy could kill with ease and capture the rest alive and make them slaves. I pray that the good Lord will break every siege round about you.

Psalm 50:15

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Those who besieged others are always prepared for it. They always come with weapon, food, water, tent etc and make a long time camping round the city. They could eat, drink and live their normal camping life while keeping an eye on their target. Anyone that comes out of the city would either be killed or captured alive. The enemy even get supplies from home to enable them stay even longer until they accomplish their mission.

2Kings 17:1

In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years. 2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him. 3 Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents. 4 And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison. 5 Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years. 6 In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes.

Whenever the siege strategy is used, it is always very difficult for the besieged city to act. They can’t get external aid. Most times it is a hopeless situation except there is a divine intervention. There will be a divine intervention in your own case in the name of Jesus.

Isaiah 49:24

Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? 25 But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children. 26 And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

From our passage today, there was a divine intervention. I pray that heaven will intervene in your behalf in the name of Jesus.

This physical siege is a picture of what could and always happen in the spiritual realm. The devil could and always place similar spiritual sieges against people. In such cases he would lock people up without a sustenance and place spiritual guards round about the person. All what such one will experience physically is series of difficulties, either physically, financially, maritally etc. I pray today that in any way the enemy has locked you up or besieged you, the power of the merciful God will release you in the name of Jesus.

Romans 10:13

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Next week we will look at why and how the devil besieges people even Christians.

All along we will continue to pray and break every siege round about us. May the Lord break every siege round about you in the name of Jesus.

Say with me once again, every siege round about me (put your name), break, break, break in Jesus’ name.

Winning the Father’s blessings (Genesis 27:1-29)

Winning the Father’s blessings (Genesis 27:1-29)

Although this passage contains a lot of deceits, manipulations and self will that we are not supposed to emulate, there is a great deal of lesson in it. The fathers blessing originates and pass to the next generation through his willing pronouncements. Isaac wanted to pass the blessing on and knew exactly what will trigger it. He told his first born to prepare him a savoury meat that he loves in order to make him happy. This will draw out the blessing out of him. As it turned out a different person did what the father wanted and the blessing still came out to him.

Gen 27:33 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.

Sometimes there is only one thing we do that makes God’s blessings our portion. It could be evangelism, our prayers or care for others. It could even be only praises or fellowship. We may even be doing it unknowingly, unintentionally, but for the fact that we are doing that particular thing, it makes God’s blessings to flow.

May be you will like to pray with me like this: Oh Lord, teach me what to do to draw out your blessings.

May the Lord reveal to you the key to your blessing and breakthrough. May you also recognise it and do it for your blessing to flow.

May be a few example will give us a better understanding.

Phinehas carried out a kind of judgement on erring Israelite and this appeased the anger of God and wined his blessings. Numbers 25:3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. …6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. 10 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 11 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. 12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: 13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel. (Jeremiah 35:1-19)

Jonadab’s children adhered to their father’s instruction and thins made them to win the heart of God.

Jeremiah 35:18 And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you: 19 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever.

David always sing praises on to God, (Psalm 86:5-12; 43:5; 71:14-24), and the bible declares that he is a man after God’s heart.

Samuel regularly interceded for Israel (I Samuel 12:23) and this became the secret of his power.

What are you doing that you have noticed makes God glad?

Jesus gave a parable of a man who has two children. He told the first one go to my farm and work today. The son agreed but did not go. The second son who initially refused to go changed his mind and did the father’s will. Who do you think the father will be pleased with?

Matthew 21:28

But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

Would you like God to be pleased with you?

Would you like to win his blessing?

Find out today what he want you to do always and his blessings will constantly be yours. God bless you

New Year Revolution (Exodus 12:1-20)

New Year Revolution (Exodus 12:1-20)

I am aware that many people make new year resolutions. They always make it. It has become a culture. Did you make one this year? Some even write it down. Example includes: I will stop smoking, I will cut down binge drinking, I will reduce my drug doses, I will love my husband/wife more etc. Some people even listen to sermons on new year resolutions. The sad thing is that majority of those people do not keep their resolutions. This kind of experience made me declared to myself one time that my new year resolution was to make no resolution at all, but I still found myself making one even though I pretended not to be making it. The fact is that even those who do not pronounce their resolutions make at least one quietly.

This year it might be a bit different. Instead of a resolution, it might actually be a revolution. So call it a new year revolution. This is similar to Isaiah’s prophecy so many years back.

Isaiah 1:19

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

What if they are unwilling and disobedient? It will lead to a revolution against them. That was declared in the next verse. Have you read about the Samaritans’ experience in Israel?

2Kings 17:22

For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them; 23 Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day. 24 And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof. 25 And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them.

When Shalmaneser king of Assyria carried away the Israelites and replaced them with foreigners, Samaria became a mixed multitudes so the Southern Kingdom of Judah abhorred them and labelled them as Samaritans. But something notable happened. The foreigners lived anyhow in the holy land and lions began to devour them in the land. The land revolted against them. Probably what is happening today in our world is that the earth is revolting against humanity. I think this may increase this year. I am not a prophet of doom.

Num 32:23

But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

The difference between a resolution and a revolution in this case is this: resolution is the usual lip service we make year in year out while revolution is what will make or unmake us.

This year people have to know how to live in God’s own earth otherwise the earth will revolt against them. May the earth not revolt against you.

The key to Israelites’ deliverance from slavery in Egypt was obedience. They obeyed the voice of the Lord to the letter. If you obey the Lord also your deliverance, your blessing, your answer to long awaited prayer will be so simple. But apart from the fact that Israelites were suffering in Egypt, they were able to obey God because they heard his voice. This year you must take time to listen to God more and hear his voice. If you do this you will celebrate the Passover everyday of this year and there shall be no revolution against you. God bless you

Jesus Christ, the reason for the season (Matthew 1: 18 - 25)

Jesus Christ, the reason for the season (Matthew 1: 18 - 25)

Many people celebrate many things. Some celebrations don’t even have a theme. If our team has won a match we celebrate, if we lost, we drink to excess in order to forget. In all of the occasions we think the reason is more important than the means.

As we discussed last week, some people say they don’t celebrate Christmas for so many reasons, so they left one end of the spectrum and went to the other end.

Psalms 137:1

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. 3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. 4 How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land?

As I view it, they still celebrate, only they do it by abstinence. Christmas has been the talk of the town for weeks . It is always at this season.

Luke 2:13

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

One deeply thought out phrase that caught my eyes was from one of my professors. According to him, there is only one Christmas, the rest are anniversaries. To me this is conclusive for both celebrants by celebration and celebrants by abstinence.

Ecclesiastes 7:2

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

On a particular day, Christ was born. The rest is history. So to those who celebrate in December, January, March or April, they are just anniversaries. To be on a safer side, I celebrate Christ everyday. By that I cannot miss the birthday.

Galatians 4:4

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

So when you celebrate by celebrating or celebrate by abstinence, remember Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. Be it the virgin birth that caught your attention, or Joseph’s encounter with the angel, or Isaiah’s prophecy that came to pass, Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. The most important though should be his salvic work by which many people are redeemed and their lives and eternity redefined for ever.

1Corinthians 15:1

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

Are you redeemed? It calls for a deep thinking as Joseph did may be you will personally rediscover the truth.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. God bless you.

Do you celebrate Christmas? Luke 2: 8-20

Do you celebrate Christmas? Luke 2: 8-20

A lot of people celebrate Christmas and several others don’t. Some people have other things to celebrate on the same date every year. All the same December 25^th is a day of celebration all over the world. Some don’t even bother what is celebrated. They just celebrate. Very few people know what and why they celebrate during Christmas. So do you celebrate Christmas?

Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke’s account of the birth of Christ indicates that shepherds were watching over their flock in the field. This made many scholars argue that Christ was not born in December which happens to be cold. Nobody would stay in the cold to watch over the flock. Arguments on dates, time and season have their own place in getting the facts right. The fact still remains anyway that Christ was born on a date, winter or summer and this for the whole world.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

To me Christmas is for both saints and sinners because saints are actually sinners turned around. How would anyone know whether the sinner, drunkard and whore of today would not be the saints of tomorrow?

Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

Moreover, as someone observed, strangers are just friend we never met before. So keeping a very positive attitude we feel that everybody should celebrate Christmas.

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

All the same there should be moderate celebration, not the point of people destroying themselves. Apparently this is the sad aspect of Christmas celebration and in fact many other kinds of celebrations. People just destroy themselves, through excessive drinking and fighting.

Proverbs 23:29

Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. 35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

From the first Christmas, many people have been involved in celebrating Christmas, shepherds, angels, kings and commoners. At least some pay lip service to the just born king. Even when he was full grown there still those calling him Lord without doing his bids.

Matthew 7:21

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

So those who know what they are celebrating should do it with a purpose and remind others what celebrating Christmas is all about. God bless you

Christmas is coming (Isaiah 9:1-9)

Christmas is coming (Isaiah 9:1-9)

So what? It always come anyway. Too much ado about Christmas. Really? I think yes but I think not. If you have heard the story of Christmas, then you will appreciate the importance of Christmas. But it comes every year. Truth but not everyone witnesses it. Many people that witnessed Christmas last year are not around to witness this one. Sadly also but real, many other ones witnessing this Christmas will not see the next one. I pray for you that you will see the next Christmas. You will enjoy many more Christmas in good health and in wealth.

Isaiah 9:3

Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

Known facts about Christmas include the fact that Christmas is a time weird things happen. Up till now it hasn’t stopped being weird and I don’t think it is going to stop.

Isaiah 7:10 Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. 13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

There would always be surprises in different forms.

Christmas is a time of fulfilled prophecy. For example the victory over sin and Satan prophesied in Genesis 3 is fulfilled at Christmas.

Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

For those who loves Christmas story and who practice the lessons of Christmas, they shall never be subject to sin and Satan anymore.

Hebrews 2:14

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Christmas is a time of love. Real love greater than the love between husband and wife. I mean the kind of love that you practice when you don’t even see anything to gain from it. Take God’s love for an example.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Follow closely is the time of gifts. Even those who don’t appreciate the spiritual significant of Christmas like its social aspect. We give gifts, cards, cash, parole etc. God started that gift giving at Christmas. He gave his only begotten son, Jesus Christ. Then Jesus Christ followed suit by giving his life for the remission of human sins including yours and mine, past present and future.

Eph 4:7

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Ephesians 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Christmas altered history for ever. The dating system changed for ever by the life of one single man, Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 9:7

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

The future generation is altered for ever. You can now chose eternal life with God.

As you celebrate Christmas this year take a good look at the benefit of Christmas and let God realise its purpose in your life. God bless you

My Prayer for you

Psalm 20

¹ May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
    may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
² May he send you help from the sanctuary
    and grant you support from Zion.
³ May he remember all your sacrifices
    and accept your burnt offerings.
⁴ May he give you the desire of your heart
    and make all your plans succeed.
⁵ May we shout for joy over your victory
    and lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

⁶ Now this I know:
    The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
    with the victorious power of his right hand.
⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
⁸ They are brought to their knees and fall,
    but we rise up and stand firm.
⁹ Lord, give victory to the king!
    Answer us when we call!