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COUNSEL -3

It is dangerous to preempt God. We must learn to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God for the moment.

About the greatest compliment you can give to people is that they walked with God. Two of the Old Testament saints were singled out as an example of this. Noah was said to have walked with God. “This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God” Genesis‬ 6‬:9‬ NKJV‬‬. Before him was Enoch. “And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him” Genesis‬ 5‬:24‬ NKJV‬‬. One walked with God and he escaped death, the other did and escaped the flood. It is obvious then that walking with God is a secret to escape from evil.‬‬‬‬‬‬

It is obvious then that walking with God is a secret to escape from evil.‬‬‬‬‬‬..It is dangerous to preempt God. We must learn to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God for the moment.

Walking with God will imply several things. Learning to hear and obey God is a clear way to walk with Him. In addition, ability to keep pace with God will count as walking with God. In other words, we don’t lag behind or go ahead of Him in anyway. It is learning to do what is right at the right time. Achan failed this test. When Israel approached the wall of Jericho, they were instructed not to take spoils for themselves. Contrary to instruction, Achan took spoils to his detriment. By the time Israel was to face Ai, they were given the liberty to take spoils of war. Achan went ahead of God. What he stole at Jericho was meant to be a windfall for him at Ai. He did not live to enjoy that phase. It is dangerous to preempt God. We must learn to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God for the moment.

May 3, 2026
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COUNSEL -2

The accounts of various battles recorded in the Bible are a classic way of understanding the dealings of God. No two battles were exactly the same, so we notice that God constantly varied the plan. His sovereignty may allow many for a few or a few for many. Our text is a pointer to the former. Ai was a little city, but God instructed Joshua to go with all the men of war. Well over 30,000 men were mobilized for that battle. Compare that to another battle in the days of the judges. Gideon had a mass of the mighty Midianite forces to contend with. At the sound of the trumpet, 32,000 gathered to him for battle. God told him that number was too much. The first round of pruning reduced them to 10,000. God still protested that it was too much. Another 9,700 were sent back, leaving only 300 men. It took over 30,000 to face little Ai, but God required a small number of 300 to defeat the mighty Jericho.

The answer lies in taking counsel from the mouth of God. This brings us back to the previous meditation.

This bears testimony to the word of the Lord to Isaiah: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah‬ 55‬:8‬-9‬ NKJV‬‬. How do we know when to go with many or a few? The answer lies in taking counsel from the mouth of God. This brings us back to the previous meditation. Joshua succumbed to man’s reasoning that if the city was little, you needed a small company to take care of business. The secret of success is getting to know the mind and strategy of the Lord to every issue.‬‬‬‬‬‬

May 2, 2026
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COUNSEL -1

God is the ultimate counsellor. Therefore, after you have received all inputs from man, learn to subject them to God’s own perspective.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

There are two extreme positions someone, especially a leader, can assume with fatal consequences. One is to be impervious to counsel. A Mr. Worldly Wise who listens to nobody is courting disaster. It is the nature of man that he only sees in part. Being open to the input of others is what helps him to get the total picture. The other extreme is to take all counsels. This is a recipe for confusion, if not disaster. If you bring 10 persons together on an issue, you will probably get 10 different views on the same issue. You cannot pursue all the views without running into problems.

God is the ultimate counsellor. Therefore, after you have received all inputs from man, learn to subject them to God’s own perspective.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

The book of Proverbs speaks glowingly of the place of counsel. It ties counsel to safety. “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs‬ 11‬:14‬ NKJV‬‬. It also ties counsel to establishment. “Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.” Proverbs‬ 15‬:22‬ NKJV‬‬. However, not all counsels are to be considered actionable. In our text, the people advised Joshua not to let all men of war go to Ai, presuming it would be a walkover. Joshua suffered his first career defeat on that occasion. The problem was not in the counsel, it was in not cross checking with God if it was okay. God is the ultimate counsellor. Therefore, after you have received all inputs from man, learn to subject them to God’s own perspective.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

May 1, 2026
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POWER OF THE WORD

Rhetoric or human opinion cannot defeat the devil; only God’s word can do that. The power of the word lies in its accurate rendering.

I once heard a successful business man quote what he supposed to be a verse from the Bible. He said, “the Bible says if you ask God for three things and God grants you one, you should be thankful.” Well, I know the Bible speaks extensively of giving thanks to God; but I have never come across a verse stipulating what the man referred to. That was another attempt of how we try to read rhyme into scripture. You probably know of other human opinions being held as God’s word. Not a few believe that “heaven helps those who help themselves” to be a verse of scripture. You may have others accredit to the Bible that money is the root of all evil.

A little infraction can make entire mess of God’s word and render it ineffective…Rhetoric or human opinion cannot defeat the devil; only God’s word can do that. The power of the word lies in its accurate rendering.

Jesus said, “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.” Matthew‬ 5‬:18‬ NKJV‬‬. God cares for every provision in His word and wants it preserved that way. A little infraction can make entire mess of God’s word and render it ineffective. On three different occasions that the devil tempted Jesus at the beginning of His public ministry, he was rebuffed not by hearsay or popular opinion. Jesus got the victory by accurately relaying what was written. The devil had no answer to the authentic word of God, and he had no choice but to leave Jesus alone on that occasion. Rhetoric or human opinion cannot defeat the devil; only God’s word can do that. The power of the word lies in its accurate rendering.

April 30, 2026
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CONQUER DISTRACTIONS

Focus also helped Him avoid being forced to become a king. No one is truly set for success until they have conquered distractions.

My wife and I had our first experience of riding on a cart in Aswan, a southern city of Egypt, some years ago. Prior to that experience, I had noticed several other horses drawing carts that were veiled partly on either side of the eyes. It was therefore an opportunity to ask our coachman why the horses had to be veiled by the sides. He told me it was to prevent them having “sideway” vision of vehicles moving. If they saw vehicles by the side, they may skip uncontrollably and cause havoc. The idea was to help horses maintain just a frontal vision of where the coachman had intended.

Focus also helped Him avoid being forced to become a king. No one is truly set for success until they have conquered distractions.

Success coaches would often tell you of the need to set goals. As important as that is, it is not the only thing that leads to success in life. It is equally important to maintain singularity of vision. Divided attention will destroy the best of goals and intentions. Jesus maintained focus. He deliberately avoided the allurements of other interests and kept the main purpose of coming to the world. He went only where was necessary and attended to the things that the Heavenly Father ordained. That level of focus helped Him from being dragged into family disputes like when one man invited Him to adjudicate over their estate. Focus also helped Him avoid being forced to become a king. No one is truly set for success until they have conquered distractions.

April 29, 2026
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BATTLE TRAUMA

Allowing the ghost of past battles in your heart will dim your vision and dip your energy. Consign the battle of the past to the past; and let Christ give you a clean slate to work with.

Most Marines who had been to warfronts find it hard to return to normal life when their duty is over. Some of them are always on guard, reading everything and everyone from the view point of war. When they are among family members where they ought to fill the hour with jovialities, they stand aloof and look distant. In extreme cases they have mental breakdown. These and many more are a manifestation of ghost of battle which haunts them and makes it hard for them to adjust to normal life.

Allowing the ghost of past battles in your heart will dim your vision and dip your energy. Consign the battle of the past to the past; and let Christ give you a clean slate to work with.

Well, if you are like most people you have probably known some battles in life. The battles in question are not the ones fought with physical weapons of war, because they are spiritual in nature but having physical consequences. Our text says we wrestle! Battles are a universal phenomenon; so if you experienced some in recent time, you are in good company. What you must avoid is the ghost of battle. It must never be allowed to ruin the rest of your life. Marines who return from battle undergo extensive therapy just to regain the handle on life. They also count heavily on the support of friends and family members to navigate that terrible season of their lives. Wherever you can get help, go for it. Allowing the ghost of past battles in your heart will dim your vision and dip your energy. Consign the battle of the past to the past; and let Christ give you a clean slate to work with.

April 28, 2026
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It is obvious then that walking with God is a secret to escape from evil.‬‬‬‬‬‬..It is dangerous to preempt God. We must learn to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God for the moment.

B & W Devotional – COUNSEL -3

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B & W Devotional – COUNSEL -2

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God is the ultimate counsellor. Therefore, after you have received all inputs from man, learn to subject them to God’s own perspective.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

B & W Devotional – COUNSEL -1

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A little infraction can make entire mess of God’s word and render it ineffective…Rhetoric or human opinion cannot defeat the devil; only God’s word can do that. The power of the word lies in its accurate rendering.

B & W Devotional – POWER OF THE WORD

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Focus also helped Him avoid being forced to become a king. No one is truly set for success until they have conquered distractions.

B & W Devotional – CONQUER DISTRACTIONS

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Testimonies

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My story is long, but it’s one of redemption. I’ve faced trials and tribulations, but through each, my faith has been my anchor. The teachings of Christ have given me hope and a new lease on life. I am proof that no matter how far you stray, there’s a way back to righteousness.

– Anonymous

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I never believed in miracles until I experienced one firsthand. My life has been completely transformed by the power of prayer and the love of the Christian community. I am a living testament to God’s unfailing grace.

– Anonymous

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The message of love and redemption resonated with me deeply. Since accepting Christ, I feel like a new creation, filled with joy and peace.

– Anonymous

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In my darkest hour, I felt a comforting presence that lifted my spirits. My journey of healing began with prayer, and now I stand stronger in my faith.

– Anonymous

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I was lost in life’s storm, but when I embraced faith, I found a new direction. God’s grace has transformed my life, giving me hope and purpose.

– Anonymous