FAITH CAPSULE: It is knowledge to constantly regard the work of God.

Isaiah 5

Knowledge, the evidence of understanding is the application of wisdom. Having knowledge is the way out of captivity. Whenever regarding the work of the Lord or considering the operation of His hand are actively in place in the life of a man, knowledge can never be misplaced. The book of Isaiah confirms this by stating, “…But they do not regard the work of the LORD, nor consider the operation of His hands. Therefore my people have gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge…” (Isaiah 5:12-13). Just as Isaiah points out, the Psalmist also stated, “Because they do not regard the works of the LORD, nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them and not build them up.” (Psalm 28:5) Without any doubt, having a clear understanding of the word “regard” and being able to consciously operate it, will help to maintain the knowledge that it takes for one not to end up in captivity.
Regard is defined as: to look closely or attentively, to observe steadily, to hold in respect, to look upon or consider in a specified way. With understanding and application of the meaning of regard, when it comes to the work of the Lord, it will be almost impossible to end up in captivity. The work of God is markedly and noticeably wonderful. It is also the wondrous works of His hand that declares that His name is near. (Psalm 75:1) Why not begin to regard the works of His hand so as to maintain the fear of God that keeps one from any form of captivity? A failure not to regard the work of God is an undeniable access to God’s wrath. Also, not to regard the works of God can be compared to turning back on God. There is no excuse not to regard the work of God. Knowing that the works are there and visible to every one is same as knowing about God and making the choice of not turning to God. The book of Romans stated, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:20-21) Sodom and Gomorrah did not regard the works of God and they received judgment of God. If Sodom and Gomorrah could not escape judgment, the present generation will not escape God’s judgment either. Regard and retain God in your knowledge, abstain from ungodly and careless life. It is knowledge to constantly regard the works of God.

Prayer for today: Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O LORD; let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me. (Psalm 40:11)

FAITH CAPSULE:It takes one that loves God with all heart to dance with all might

2Samuel 6

The psalmist recorded, “…we will show forth Your praise to all generations.” (Psalm 79:13) Showing forth praise is God dignified and man undignified praise worship. King David, during his praise worship, after he brought the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom, demonstrated what it meant to show forth praise. In his praise worship, he chooses not to be silent and in his thanks giving he did not think thanks but expressly gave thanks with shout. David went undignified and humbles himself before God. It is interesting how some miracles as in the Bible days is being expected where standard of worship is far below that of the Bible days. Today there are places or people (with no health conditions) that claim praising while having issues rising on their feet to praise God. King David’s praise worship after sacrificing oxen and the best of sheep to God was described as, “…David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.” (2 Samuel 6:14-15) God deserves the best. The word of God requested for the best, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5) It takes one that loves God with all his heart to dance with all might without paying attention to mockery or ridicule. King David, a man after God’s own heart, gave God his best. He shouted, he danced, he jumped and whirled before the Lord. David’s heart was lifted in praising God and he was able to bless every participant with bread. During the course of his praise worship, Michal the daughter of Saul, the wife of David made a comment, “…How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” (2 Samuel 6:20) Michal’s statement was a mockery that ridicules David. Among David’s response was, “It was before the LORD, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the LORD. And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor.” (2 Samuel 6:21-22) Adopt David’s praise worship. Be undignified to give a dignified praise to God. Do not be quiet, give it all to God what prayer cannot do, praise will do it for you.

Prayer for today: Ask for the grace to show forth His praise continually to all generations.

FAITH CAPSULE: Delay is not denial

Ezra 4, 5

The word of God is consistently true to perform and perfect that which concerns every one that walks in line with His word. Also, when God opens a door of breakthrough, no demon can shut or deny it. Apostle Paul testifies, “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. (1 Corinthians 16:9) Yes, adversaries, the agents of the evil one will always attempt to shut the great and effective door but failure belongs to the adversaries. Once, King Cyrus, a pagan king woke up and issued a decree allowing the Israelites to return to their home from the captivity of Babylon. The move of King Cyrus was a great and effective open door for the children of Israel. The king was moving in line with prophecy from 140 years before his reign. (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1). The children of Israel left to rebuild as it was decreed. The adversaries moved against the children of Israel’s rebuilding process in their home land. The adversaries attempted an indirect way of resisting the building process. The Bible recorded, “Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the descendants of the captivity were building the temple of the LORD God of Israel, they came to Zerubbabel and the heads of the fathers’ houses, and said to them, “Let us build with you, for we seek your God as you do; and we have sacrificed to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.” But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the fathers’ houses of Israel said to them, “You may do nothing with us to build a house for our God; but we alone will build to the LORD God of Israel, as King Cyrus the king of Persia has commanded us.” (Ezra 4:1-3) This deceptive effort that could allow the adversaries failed, but the adversaries found another means to cause the rebuilding process to cease for two years. During the two years of disruption, “Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. (Ezra 5:1) The children of Israel listened to the prophets of God and they were able to succeed in completing and dedicating the temple. It is written, “So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished…” (Ezra 6:14) When God opens the door, the adversaries can only delay but can never succeed in denying the purpose of the open door. Live by the word of God as stated, “Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” (2 Chronicles 20:20)

Prayer for today: Ask for the word of God to locate you and establish you for God’s glory.

FAITH CAPSULE The power of agreement is inhabited in coming together.  

Acts 12:1-19

When the people began to build the tower of Babel together in one language it is evident that they were in agreement. God responded to their construction stating, “…Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.” (Genesis 11:6) God’s response testifies that there is power in coming together in one language (agreement). Jesus also testifies to the power of agreement, “…if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:19-20) The power of agreement is inhabited in coming together in one language. In prayer, the language of true togetherness is in the name of Jesus. Coming together and agreeing in prayer is power to manifestation. Once, Peter was facing death like that of James, the brother of John that was killed by King Herod. There was no way out for Peter to escape the hand of Herod. It is written, “And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.”(Acts 12:6)  Peter’s deliverance came through when, “…prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” (Acts 12:5) The church’s coming together constantly in agreement delivered Peter. Man shut the door on Peter, but prayer opened the door. Acts 12:7, “Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by Him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, ‘Arise quickly!’ And his chains fell off his hands.” With no way of escape, Peter fell asleep. When the angel brought deliverance, it was like a dream. During his walk with the angel through the gates of the prison, Peter was not himself. Have you given up your hope for sleep? The angel led Peter through the Iron Gate for deliverance from the hand of Herod. Acts 12:11, And when Peter had come to himself, he said, ‘Now I know for certain that the Lord had sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.” Peter was able to escape and went to his brethren whom he found in prayer. Acts 12:12, “So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.” Peter‘s escape was a miracle of God through the power of coming together in agreement.

Prayer for today: Ask God to send forth your deliverance from all that represents King Herod in your life.

FAITH CAPSULE: There are so many who want to be sent out, but few want to follow.

Matthew 8:18-27 Mark 6:7-13

Before a call to send, there should be a call to follow. Here is Jesus’ response to some among the multitude that wanted follow with mouth and not with heart, “Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Matthew 8:19-22) There are so many who want to be sent out, but few want to follow. When you fail in following Him, you will not pass into His call to be sent. In the days of Jesus, many went to Him, but very few actually followed Him. Today there are so many self proclaimed Pastors, Bishops, Evangelists, Apostles, and Gospel Singers who have not taken time to follow Him fully, but who want to turn back the clock and be sent. In following Him there will be exposure to dealing with winds and waves of this world. In following there are lessons to learn before leading His sheep. In following Him there is power to gain before getting into His divine assignment. Many have gone out in His name without power but with a program. There is a great contrast between power and a program. In power, there is no enemy under heaven who can trick you into thinking that you are doing the work of the Father. However, with a program, you are empty and He is not backing you up, because He did not send you. In the beginning, the program might seem right and rosy because of skill or earthly wisdom. In time, the error will be revealed to you. Billy Graham once said, “If the Holy Spirit is taken out of the church, 95% of the church activity will continue without feeling of what is missing.” Have you been following? Are you called to be sent? Mark 6:7, “And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirit.”   Matthew 10:1, “And when He had called His disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” Think twice before you get yourself into a position to be sent. There is a price for responsibility.

Prayer for today: Ask for God’s instruction, teaching and guidance before you make a move.