FAITH CAPSULE: Take a stand against the god of this age daily by engaging the word of God.

John 10:1-30

At the time Jesus predicted His death on the cross, He also mentioned about the ruler of this world stating, “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.  And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” (John 12:31-32) Every believer should know that the ruler of this world is the devil. His mission is to subterfuge the minds of men, to trick them and keep them from getting to their expected end.
2 Corinthians talked about the gospel (Word of God) as a weapon which can be used to a believer’s advantage in helping believer to escape from the god of this age, 2 Corinthians 4:4 stated, “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”  The god of this age is the giant man will meet on the way to the expected end of the journey of life. He will proceed to carry out his mission by stealing, killing and destroying. If one is observant, he will see that the journey is hindered by at least one of three of the enemies’ tactics. Every failure of a believer is caused by being a victim of a thief who steals, kills and/or destroys. John 10:10 specifically describes him as the thief who has come to steal, and to kill and to destroy everyone who sets out for the journey to the expected end.

Knowing what the journey looks like and who lies in wait for every man along the way, makes it absolutely important for every believer to take a stand against the god of this daily by engaging the word of God on a regular basis. Jesus did not come just to give life. He came to give it more abundantly. Having life more abundantly is what will bring a believer through victoriously. Jesus means what He says. He was there before time and He is ahead of time. A believer who wants to journey through victoriously on a daily basis must receive Him who has come. It is one thing for Jesus to have made Himself available by His coming; it is another for a believer to receive Him. In your confession of belief have you received Him? Are you embracing Him daily? There will be a discernible difference in the life of the believer if he spends time in the Word and in prayer before taking his daily walk in this world of spiritual wickedness.

Prayer for today: Ask for His mercy to be your garment in the face of wicked ruler of the world.

FAITH CAPSULE: The journey may be rocky, but God who is the Eternal Rock of ages will enable you.

Psalm 33

In the world of wickedness, there is a place to rest and not moved by the wickedness of the world. The book of Hebrews 4:11-12 concluded, “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” If every man will begin to engage the living word of God studiously the word will begin to separate man from vice of the wicked one. Ones that take time to engage the word are not readers of the word they are student of the word. It is enough to read the word. The word demands constant and continuous study.

The Psalmist wrote, “He sent His word and healed them, and they delivered them from their destructions.” (Psalm 107:20)  Deliverance and preservation is what every believer needs in the steps of life. This obtainable in the word of God just as pointed out in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”  Light is all that is needed, for the darkness to be extinguished and for its devices to be given up and get you back on your intended route. When a believer uses the light to guide his way, stumbling into the trap of wicked world can often be avoided. Above all, God Himself mentions that He will honor His word above His name. Why wouldn’t a believer take the time to cover himself in the Word of the Living God before taking to daily steps on the journey of life? All that is needed to make headway in the journey is to be embedded in the Living Word of God.
Encourage yourself in the Scriptures. You may choose to skim through in your reading or you may choose to study and discover the treasure in the Word of God. The bottom line is, take some time out and let the Word of God speak to you daily before you make a move. Just a word is enough to terminate your struggle in the walk of life.As Paul said in his address in the book of Acts, let His word speak to you directly: Acts 20:32, “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” The journey may be rocky, but God who is the Eternal Rock of ages will enable you. Trust in Him to instruct and teach you in your daily walk.

Prayer for today: Ask for the grace of obedience to His word of direction.

FAITH CAPSULE: Fear Him and trust Him to lead you through in His way.

Numbers 13

In God’s way, there is direction and grace to live to the fulfillment of divine assignment. His way is the revealer of His act. In His acts, there is power confirmation, deliverance and there is total victory. Psalm 103:7, “He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” It is absolutely impossible to follow the ways of the Lord and not arrive at a final destination. Likewise, one cannot see His acts and not tremble at the awesomeness of His power. The acts of God are the invention of His word and His word encased His way. The children of Israel were privileged to see His actions. They saw the move of God’s power so many times during their days in the wilderness. They saw the Red Sea open up for them to provide dry land as a passage. They saw how the firstborn of all the Egyptian masters died while their firstborns were safe. However, despite all that they witnessed, those Israelites who left Egypt and whose age was twenty and above never arrived at their expected end. The Israelites despised the word of God and they were destroyed. The word of God warns, “He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.” (Proverbs 13:13) Caleb and Joshua were the only ones who did not despise the word of God. Both Caleb and Joshua did not fail to keep their faith in His acts which gave them direction. In the past days, weeks, months, and years, if you have seen the wonderwork of His hand, rest and be assure that you have seen His way. However, your title or position is not a license to foolishness Fools says there is no God by their action or by word of confession. Avoid foolishness! Fear Him and trust Him to lead you through in His way.

Moses, a giant in the hand of the Lord, could not get to the expected end because he failed to fully obey God. When he was commanded by God to speak to a rock for water provision he struck the rock twice. (Numbers 20:11-12) Moses saw the Land of Promise but could not set foot on the land. Are you paying attention to the Word of God? It has never changed and it will remain the same. The unchanging Changer will change your situation if you will engage His Word for a favorable lifting in the days, weeks, months and years ahead of you. Commit to the word of God and it will lead you in the way of God. Will you commit your way to His ways and trust in Him?

Prayer for today: Ask for the grace of God to keep you in line with His way.

FAITH CAPSULE: To be loyal is to be consistently obedient.

Genesis 39

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)

Can God still respond to those that are loyal to Him just as He responded to some in the pages of Scripture? Remember, God is not a partial God. The book of 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 as long as 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. 22 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 prescribe over all that is forcing against you if you will walk in His word of command and be steadfastly loyal to God.

Prayer for today: Ask God to enable you to live in indeed and in truth to His Word.

FAITH CAPSULE: Elevation to a leadership position is not an authorization to eliminate the people.

1 Kings 12

It is important to know that every position of leadership is not to stress out the people but to lead 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) Inside or outside of the church, your elevation to a leadership position is not an authorization to stress the people but to serve the people.
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 a wise move to delay responding to a request when we are short of answer. Rehoboam did well by going on to inquire than responding with a negative response 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 and be served for a better result? It is better to learn from the word of God on how to be a server first before being served as one who is leading.
Rehoboam did not receive the advice of the elders well when he turned to consult the young men that grew with him. He was advised to, “…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! 11 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 the advice of the elders for the young one’s advice. Rehoboam’s response was a fall in the beginning of his reign through to the end of his reign. If you will lead by Jesus’ example and not take the route of Rehoboam, it shall be well with you.

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