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Peaceful Prosperity

  “ And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.” 2 Chronicles 26 : 5 , 16 KJV For the convenience of those who seek the faces of men for prosperity, the contraption ‘peaceful prosperity ’ will make sense. Uzziah had a wonderful experience of peaceful prosperity in the days of prophet Zechariah… he sought God..he was strong…and God made him to prosper. Unfortunately, not many people know how to profitably manage peaceful prosperity. In the absence of the abiding grace from God, prosperity often breeds pride and familiarity contexts. Whenever our regalia of prosperity becomes the bastion of believers’ relationships, prideful prosperity is beginning to take the central control of everythi...
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Odious Obedience

    “ Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.” 2 Chronicles 24 : 17 - 18 KJV The latter influence of the princes of Judah on king Joash, despite the parental and priestly investment of Jehoiada the chief priest, shows the danger of odious obedience in life and ministry. And as well scripted elsewhere in the New Testament, evil communication corrupts good manners. “ Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king “ implies that there is always a subtle desire for worship and submission in the heart of every man. Unfortunately, when we cheaply buy the obedience of men, we pay heavily by falling into their chain of manipulations. Likewise, men in places of authority should be wary of sycophants and loy...
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Valued Victory

  “ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15 : 57 - 58 KJV Unless faith and confidence in God enables the reality of the victory bestowed on every believer in Christ, hearts are bound to fail and faint with the challenges of life. Like the scribes and Pharisees celebrated the cross as defeat until the resurrection from the grave, persecution and oppression of those who have obtained grace (i.e., God’s righteousness at Christ’s expense) represent a valued victory. Therefore, the victory of saints against the principalities and powers of darkness in this world is settled, solid and steadfast. Believers only need consistent grace on daily basis to stand firm and steadfast on the promises of God, while abounding in the work or service of the Lord. Even while w...
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Comprehensive Coverage

  “ and he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not your's, but God's. Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you .” 2 Chronicles 20 : 15 , 17 KJV The search for a good insurance policy or protection against the risk of accident is always compounded with concerns and mixed feelings. Whether for the protection of properties or life, the challenges with the unreliability of policy providers and the games of adjusters can be unbearable. And for king Jehoshaphat confronting the threat from the great multitude against Judah, anyone can understand the basis of the perplexity, anxiety and fear he displayed. Luckily, he had previous experien...
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Wasteful Wars

   “ And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. ” 2 Chronicles 16 : 7 , 9 KJV Despite the fact that king Asa’s confidence in God brought him and Judah rest, his latter years alliance with Syria ushered in his engagement with wasteful wars. Believers’ absolute reliance on God can attract wishful wars and opposition from the enemies (or king of Syria); but those engagements are readily designed to eventually bring glory to the Lord and inescapable promotion. Whereas, wasteful wars are outrightly unnecessary and wasteful in the economy of godliness. While godliness requ...
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Clear Confidence

  “ And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest. Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.” 2 Chronicles 14 : 6 - 7 KJV The 35 year reign of Asa as king in Judah provides a true testimony of clear confidence in God’s rest. A trust in His rest often provides a taste of our test. This is because other sources of confidence include a trust in our chariot of iron, charisma and the intelligence of man, and confidence in human abilities. Whereas, Asa’s confidence was rooted in the Lord’s rest; and followed by His obedience to divine counsels. Therefore, when Asa said “ Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land i...
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Clear Communication

   “ yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.” 1 Corinthians 14 : 19 KJV Whether in the church, workplace, home, or street, the principle of clear communication is the same. Failure to share the mind of God clearly with the people (i.e., without interference of conflicting manners) is always tantamount to corrupt communication. In the Corinthian church, the conflicting manners include self-projection, self-promotion, etc, leading to speaking in tongues without minding the edifications of the audience. It is not enough to speak with spirit-inspired tongues; we must be mindful of being guided to convey the mind of God to the people. Unfortunately, the moment the mind of man is corrupted with human opinions, selfishness, and pride, evil manners get in the way of clear communication. Therefore, Apostle Paul admonished the Corinthian church with the principle of ...
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