FAITH CAPSULE: God is faithful to make a way not to fall outside of His way.

Numbers 25

Joining any other god besides the One and true God of gods is renouncing the Almighty God who is above every other god. It is an evidence of despising God to join oneself to a god that does not have life. The Israelites in the course of their journey, while stopping over at Acacia Grove, “…was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel.” (Numbers 25:3)  The issue was that the children of Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor. They assigned themselves unto another God and that meant the commandment of God was no longer relevant to them; they began to go after a god that they could touch rather than to remain committed to the God with deliverance touch. Baal of Peor was the god worshiped in Moab and that made the children of Israel committed to harlotry, sacrificing other gods and bowing down to gods outside of the God with outstretch hand for their deliverance. What or who have you joined yourself to? Have you entered a life that is gradually taking you outside of the way of the One and only true God?

It is written, ““Then the LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and hang the offenders before the LORD, out in the sun that the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.” (Numbers 25:4) It is true that every time we step outside of His word of command and return to Him for forgiveness, there is always forgiveness in place but consequence is certain. However, it is never worth it to spend time away from His word in the world. Joining to another god is jumping into pain because consequences will always come with long lasting pain. Consequence is the reason to remain constant and consistence by not joining any other God outside of the living God of creation. The joining to Baal of Peor was a serious sin with painful consequence which took many lives. The Bible recorded, “And those who died in the plague were twenty-four thousand.” (Numbers 25:9) It was the consequence that brought out the zealousness in Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest. He turned back the wrath of God from the children of Israel when he went after the man of Israel who was still in the act of sin with a Midianite woman. There was no need to suffer such a magnitude of pain. However, it testifies that joining another god is a devastating act of sin which God does not tolerate. Disconnect from other god, stay focus on God; do not go outside of Him. He is faithful to make a way not to fall outside of His way.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to remain focus and not join any other god consciously or unconsciously.

FAITH CAPSULE: It is worth to trust in Him and rest from rust.

1Samuel 23

“The Psalmist stated clearly, those who know the name of God would put their trust in Him. (Psalm 9:10)Do you know about the name of God or you know His name? It is how you know Him that will determine how much trust you will place on Him. The psalmist statement testifies that the source of trust is in knowing the name of God. In life, until you understand and know the source of information that comes your way, your transformation is in total and complete delay. Consider this as a serious detriment to your breakthrough in life. Information from God is the transformation unto God’s side. Whenever there is a transformation unto His side nothing formed against you will prosper. You will rest and put all your trust in His awesome power of deliverance.
Do you know His name or you only know about His name?
Proverb 18:10 describe the name of God for our understanding stating, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Have you been putting your trust in His name? Trust is not a thought and it should not be about thought; it should be a knowing that comes from an understanding that God’s name is a strong tower. How many of His name do you know or how often do you call on different names of God.

Abraham trusted in the name of God when he responded to Isaac’s demand for the lamb for offering by stating, “…My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering…”(Genesis 22:8) Do you know Him as God of provision? When we call Him by His name He is faithful to provide. The problem behind your situation is that, you are rusting from your situation with no solution because you have not trusted Him. As a believer, it is worth to trust in Him and rest from rust.
The source of trusting God is to know Him and not just know about Him. David’s life was in danger in the hands of King Saul as he was chased from mountain to valley and to the wilderness by Saul and his men in attempt to kill David. In every step of his escape, he constantly inquired from God’s lead and direction. David demonstrated what it means to trust in the name of God. It is written in 1Samuel 23:14, Saul sought him (David) every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand. David put his entire move in the trust of God. It is worth to be able to examine one’s conscience and determine if one have actually been consciously and consistently putting trust in Him. His name is Mighty God; the all sufficient God and He is perfect to perform.

Prayer for today: Whatever is causing man not trust in the name of the Lord God let it not become my portion in Jesus name.

FAITH CAPSULE: In waiting, wait only on Him and be of good courage.

Exodus 32:7-22

In your challenge, it could be that disappointments are by the day, weeks are not bringing forth expectations, months have rolled out, and years have gone by. Does that sound like you? Ask God for His grace to continue to stand as the season travails. One thing is certain, this season shall pass and your blessing will not pass you by as you continue to wait for God’s intervention. Encourage yourself in your waiting by holding to the promise of Isaiah 30:18, “Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are those who wait for Him.” There is no record of any who waits on God and become wasted. As a believer of the word of God, be rest assured that the Lord has been there for you just like He did for the children of Israel while in bondage in the hands of the Egyptians. God had visited them, yet they were still in bondage going through the process of time. God called on Moses and declared, “Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, ’The LORD God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me saying, “I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt.”’” (Exodus 3:16) While they were still in bondage, crying out for deliverance, God had already visited them and concluded the plans for their deliverance. If you believe that the God they were crying and groaning to is also your God who you call on, be rest assured that He had already visited you.

As regard to the case of the Israelites in the bondage of Egypt, God mentioned to Moses, “But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go.” (Exodus 3:19-20) Yours is coming and the enemy will let go. The same God is control of every challenge and the enemy cannot be more powerful. The outstretched hand of God is on your side. It is testified throughout the Bible, all the great exploits that the hand of the Lord has delivered. Wars have been won where there was no weapon to be used for battle and the same God will show up on your behalf. Understand and know it that there is no partiality with God. God never sleeps and He will not sleep over your confronting challenge. It does not matter how long you have been waiting, but it does matter that in waiting, wait only on Him and be of good courage.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to remain focus that your faith will not fail.

FAITH CAPSULE: Despite their grueling challenge, they resolved to praying and praising instead of worrying and being anxious.

Acts 16: 16-34

In these days of all kinds of destructive challenges, to be steadfast in obeying the word of God is the key to having a struggle free life for a true believer of the word of God. Lack of trust in God is the evidence of disobedience. The Word of God says, “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) It is easy to memorize and quote this verse but when a challenge shows up in an unexpected way, it is very difficult to remember not to be anxious.

Paul and Silas were faced with a life threatening challenge but there was no record of worry or anxiety in the course of their ordeal. After having been accused for teaching customs which were not lawful, they laid many stripes on them and threw them into the prison. Paul and Silas were kept in the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. Despite their grueling challenge, they resolved to praying and praising instead of worrying and being anxious. The Bible recorded, “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.  Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.” (Acts 16:25-26)

As a believer, which area on your journey of life has become painful and exceedingly uncomfortable? How are you engaging your challenge? Is there any sign of worrying or anxiousness in your response? As a believer, if you will remain obedient to the living word of God He will be faithful to deliver you according to His promise“…For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)  Allow the word of God to operate in your life. The word will only operate in the hearts that are simple. The simple ones are the ones who have the understanding to allow the word to become light. The profitability of the word is when it operates as light. Hebrews 4:2, “For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.” Evidently, Paul and Silas had peace as they engage praying and praise in the face of their challenge.

Prayer for today: Ask for the word of God to have a place in your life.

FAITH CAPSULE: God is in the business of intervention with deliverance.

JOB 1

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) Psalm 9:2, “I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to your name, O most High.” Psalm 16:11, “In Your presence is fullness of joy…”  Proverbs 8:30, “…I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him.” All of the above quotations testifies to the truth, without joy no man is accessible to God. The Apostle Paul articulates this perfectly when he states, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) The Apostle Paul’s call for joy was expressed with clarity, emphasis and with a shout!
Children of God must go before the Lord with joy, when they meet with God. By this virtue, coming before God is celebrating in joy. Let it be clear that the evil one never shy away from where there is joy. His agenda is to convert joy to sadness. However, our calling is to maintain our joy regardless of challenges. Remember Job? Job 1:6-7, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.” (Job 1:6-7) Satan’s interruption was and is always with bad intention. He is empowered to go to and fro looking for one to devour. He was able to secure his wish against Job. He initiated pain for Job where the sons of God are gathering in His presence. It is written in Job 1:11-12, “But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.”” Can you imagine how in the place of celebration, joy is being tampered with? The wicked one, at his coming out of the place of joy and celebration delivered every form of affliction on Job. In between and through it all, Job did not complain nor did he condemn God. Job cried to God and he eventually received more blessings after his time of testing, than when he first started to enjoy the blessings of God.
Job was right before God. As one in Christ there is righteousness in place. It is always important to know that Satan is in the business of inflicting affliction but God is in the business of intervention with deliverance. Psalmist testifies, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19) Job was abundantly delivered.

Prayer for today: Ask for the hand of God to hold you up in all your going and coming.