FAITH CAPSULE: Assignment of fear is to silent man from giving self to God’s testimony.

Psalm 23

David was not anxious is the reason why he did not run where he needed to walk because he knew his God.
Anticipation (Expectation) of the possibility that something hostile will happen is a way of describing fear. Assignment of fear is to silent man from giving self to God’s testimony for deliverance and preservation.
Fear is a deadly weapon of the devil. Fear does not discriminate, and it will strike regardless of man’s title or age. Fear will always take the center stage in man’s life when faith is off the stage. Knowing the devil as a deceptive one, fear often sneaks into man by the way of concern or anxiety. The Bible warned, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7) David testified, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4) David did not run where he needed to walk because he knew his God. Those who know their God operates with understand that the word of God is failure impossibility over their life. For David, walking instead of running in the place of fear is waiting on God. Testimony of David to walk and not run is hidden in the word of God as stated in Isaiah 40:31, “But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Indeed, it is waiting on God to live life with testimonies of God’s word which never fail. Like many and David in the Bible days and many in present days that are given self to the word of God with testimonies for the glory of God.
Do you know your God to trust and hope in Him not to run where you are to walk? The word of God admonished us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) Are you living life in anxiousness or in the abundance of God’s testimony that is recorded through the pages of bible?
Disciple of Jesus could not wait by God’s testimony as they journey on storm. Once during the late hour of the day and in the middle of the water, a storm took over the journey of life for the disciples. Jesus’ disciples were on the journey to the other side of the sea when the storm took over. While they were being tossed around by the wave, Jesus showed up to rescue them. It is written, “Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out for fear.” (Matthew 14:25-26) Ignore your storm by waiting on God’s word which is certain to give man a victorious testimony.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace of giving self to God’s testimonies and not become a victim of fear.

FAITH CAPSULE: Today, witness/testify God’s doing to provoke His hand of favor on your behalf`.

1 Samuel 17

Witnessing is also one’s testimony. In every situation of life, giving self to witnessing/testifying about God’s doing is certain to provoke God’s hand of favor over self’s situation. Witnessing about what God is doing or what He has done is not keeping quiet but speaking out the doings of God in one’s life. Witnessing /testifying God is reminding God to gain from His favor. Give self to conversant way of life by witnessing/testifying the Lords doing.
Testimony is a way of celebrating God by speaking out quietly or loudly for God to be glorified. It is a way of giving our jealous God His due attention. Giving God attention promotes His goodness. The Psalmist testified, “The wicked wait for me to destroy me, but I will consider Your testimonies.” (Psalm 119:95)
The testimonies of God are the evidence of His work.
Testifying about God is gaining access into the power of God which is mighty to deliver. Testifying of God is an expression that one is counting on God for greater testimonies. It is apparent that when one reminds God concerning the work of His hand, He will react concerning war which confronts one. David’s testimony reminded God to react concerning his war before Goliath.
Once, Goliath stood a ground of war against the Children of Israel and he rained all kinds of verbal insult and harassment. In the face of Goliath none of the Israelites could consider the testimonies of God which is power enough to deliver. Among the Israelites, there was none with reaction that is rooted in thoughts of testimony of God in their war against Philistines. Take note today and know that: Man’s reaction in the face of challenging situation is the evidence of thoughts rooted in God’s testimony. David drew boldness and courage from testimonies of God to bring down Goliath. He testified, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37) David’s first offensive weapon of attack was remembering and reminding all agents of opposition about what God had done in his life. In the face of challenging situation, one with trust and hope in God knows to remember by reminding God to provoke God’s intervention on self’s behalf. David could not be quiet about the Lord’s doing as a result, Heaven moved on his behalf to silent his enemy. Be loud about God and be victorious.
Keeping testimonies of God; clinging self to God’s testimonies is the evidence of one with a thankful heart before God. Those who keep God’s testimonies gives thanks for all things. It is giving thanks for all things that makes all things work together for good. Psalmist stated, “Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart.” (Psalm 119:2) Seek God with testimonies of His doing. According to the word of God, when we seek God first, all things shall be added to us. (Matthew 6:33)

Prayer for today: Ask God to make you one with heart of testifying to His hand over your life.

FAITH CAPSULE: In life, to work His works builds one up for glory and honor of God.

Genesis 39

To be loyal to God is to fear God. To fear God is certain to work His works. In life, to work His works builds one up for glory and honor of God. It is written, “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.  Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:20-21) Before God, which kind of vessel are you? Are you a vessel of honor or a vessel of dishonor? Are you walking right before God?
There is nothing that is hidden from the eyes of God and the word of God confirmed, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him…” (2Chronicles16: 9) Those whose heart is loyal to God shall know to flee from, “…youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.” (2 Timothy 2:22-23)
Are you loyal to God? Are you pretending to be loyal to God by impressing man? God is still paying attention to ones that are loyal to Him. God is not a partial God and just as He responded to loyal ones in the bible days, He is still responding to loyal ones to His name. Acts 10:34-35 buttressed, “Then Peter opened his mouth and said: in truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” If you know Him enough to fear Him just like the giants in the Lord did, He will add greatness to you. Joseph was a young man who found favor in the sight of God in every troubling situation that was before him. Joseph was steadfastly loyal to God and he did nothing wrong to his brothers when they marked him out for destruction. God is in control and He will not let the loyal ones become a waste if they remain loyal to His word of command.
To be loyal is to be obedient. Despite the stand that was taken against Joseph by his brothers, the eyes of the Lord did not depart from him. The Bible recorded, “But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing.” (Genesis 39:21) In your persecution, God will make you to preside and prescribing over all that is forcing against you. Understand and know to be loyal before God.

Prayer for today: Ask God for His enabling grace to be living life by His living word.

FAITH CAPSULE: Serve by the word of God to excel as a leader that is serving.

1 Kings 12

Rehoboam was elevated when he became king after his father king Solomon. He was approached by the whole assembly of Israel saying, “Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.” (1 Kings 12:4) Rehoboam responded wisely when he asked the assembly of Israel to come back in three days. It is always wise to respond when responding with wisdom.
Rehoboam responded with wisdom to inquire for positive not negative that could affect his position of leading the people. Rehoboam consulted the elders, “And they spoke to him, saying, ‘If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.’”(1 Kings 12:7) Have you been promoted to a higher position where you are expecting to serve the people or to be served by the people?
It is better to learn from the word of God on how to serve.
It is important to know that every position of leadership is to serve by serving the people first. Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith made it clear by example and in His word when He stated, “And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:27-28) In the position of leader it is worthy to serve and gaing as leader that is received, serving to be served.
Rehoboam did not receive advice of the elders but consulted the young men which grew with him. Rehoboam received advise as stated, “…speak to this people who have spoken to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter on us’—thus you shall say to them: ‘My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s waist! And now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!’” (1Kings 12:10-11) Rehoboam rejected advice of the elders but responded the young one’s advice. Rehoboam’s response to wrong advice was a fall in the beginning of his reign by not leading to serve his people through to the end of his reign.
Evidently, if anyone gives self to the word of God, keeping to the word of God is certain to gain and retain the presence of God.
In all position as a leader, one that will lead by the word of God not by the word of world is certain to excel as a leader by serving and being served by his people.  Rehoboam as leader was a failure.

Prayer for today: Ask for the grace of understanding to serve for God to be glorified in your life.

FAITH CAPSULE: Regardless of the magnitude of your challenge, trun to God by giving thanks.

Psalm 34

Have you been written off or your challenge has chained you down? Regardless of the magnitude of your challenge, turn to God by giving thanks. Lazarus was pronounced dead and placed in the cave by the time Jesus got to his cave. Stone was rolled against Lazarus’ possibility to return from dead to life. For Lazarus hope was shattered, mourning and grieve took over Lazarus’ family and friends. Above all, there was no medical practitioner recorded to be on ground because it was finished for Lazarus. Jesus, the Commanding commander gave a command that the stone be removed for hope to be restored. It is written, “So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me. When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.” (John 11:41-44) Among the actions of Jesus for Lazarus to come back to life were: Jesus looked up for divine intervention. He was setup example for us to know and to always look up when all hope is lost. Jesus looked up and gave thanks to God. Jesus did not look to man; He did not look up to complain but He looked up to giving thanks for all God has done by hearing Him; He gave thanks with expectation for what was yet at hand. Jesus’ gave thanks knowing that God always hear Him. In all situation know to give God heart-full of  thanks.
In the face of any challenge a true believer should never look anywhere except to look up with expectation unto the Almighty God, Omnipotent, and Omnipresent God. Believer that is true to the core should look up to the only One who is “…the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy (Isaiah 57:15). Whenever deception, delay, denial, or destruction, knocks or shows up unexpectedly He is always there waiting to act for those who look up to Him. Many giants in the hand of God repeatedly looked up to Him for direction, deliverance and preservation during their life journey. Looking up to God should not be just at times of challenges, but also at the time of lifting His Holy name high. It is recorded in, Psalm 34:5, “They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed.”  Is there any confronting shameful situation that is set against you? What is your challenge? In waiting for the Lord God of Israel, He will acknowledge you when your eyes are set on Him. The book of Micah 7:7 buttressed, “Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.”  Do not look away from God at all time but begin to look up to God for His divine intervention.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace of continual thanks giving, looking to Him alone.