The hymn “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” will probably be sung in thousands of congregations across the world today. Here is the first stanza of the hymn – “Our God, our help in ages past/Our hope for years to come/Our shelter from the stormy blast/And our eternal home.” It was written by Isaac Watts around 1714, inspired by Psalm 90. The writing of the hymn coincided with a time of uncertainties in England. The song acknowledges the past help of God, and looks up in hope for future input. It has since become a symbol of comfort and hope, sung on Remembrance Day and other events throughout the Commonwealth. It used to be a delight for me at every Cross-over service while growing up as a little Baptist boy.

While all your dreams and desires may not have seen the light of day, the fact that you are alive means that you can dream again…lift up your eyes to the hills, and receive help for next year.

Anyone reading this has indeed been helped by God. If nothing else, you have seen every day of this year till the very last day. While all your dreams and desires may not have seen the light of day, the fact that you are alive means that you can dream again. You can keep hope alive because the breath of the Almighty is still in you. What is required on this last day of the year is to express gratitude to God for all His guidance and preservation all through the year 2025. In the same breath, lift up your eyes to the hills, and receive help for next year. His grace will make all the difference.

In the Bible, wisdom is always portrayed in a practical way and not some academic posturing or mere rhetoric. Our text first draws our attention to the self-motivating nature of the ants. The Bible records that even though they do not have any appointed supervisor to breathe down heavily on them, they do what is necessary. So wisdom is learning to do what is right with or without supervision. This nature of the ant is a big slap on human beings who sometimes remain notorious and negligent even with supervision.

Working together is wisdom…Those who cannot work with others will not be able to accomplish much in life…Great and lasting things are only possible through team efforts.

The second demonstration of wisdom from ants is team work. Ants are social creatures; they live in large colonies. Depending on the species, ant colonies can consist of millions of ants. Yet they work together for the good of their colonies. This will also shame human beings who have endless squabbles in all their societies. Working together is wisdom; and this is in agreement with divine design. God knows it is not good for man to be alone; so He created societies. You probably will not be able to work with everybody; but if you an unable to work with anybody then you have an underlying problem of poor human relations. Those who cannot work with others will not be able to accomplish much in life. Someone has reasoned that if you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go along with others. Great and lasting things are only possible through team efforts.

Elijah was at the verge of throwing in the towel and finishing a glorious ministry career on a poor note, but God intervened. After the contest on Mount Camel, he seemed spent and depleted. His case was not helped in the least as he received a threat from Jezebel who placed a 24-hour death warrant on him. At that point he also became suicidal. He later found his way to Horeb where things would take a dramatic turn. At Horeb, he heard the still small voice of God instructing him to go back to the city and anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also, he was to anoint Jehu as king over Israel while he would find a successor in Elisha the son of Shaphat. Having set everything in order, he cheated death and went to heaven by a whirlwind!

sometimes when we feel that it’s over, God may have many more exploits waiting for us in the wing…In case you are feeling exhausted and weary, I would love to tell you that you can sign up for a new lease of grace with God.

Several lessons can be gleaned from this story. Firstly, sometimes when we feel that it’s over, God may have many more exploits waiting for us in the wing. Elijah who had literally given up was seen with several miraculous acts afterwards. Secondly, the strength that he lost on one mountain was regained on another mountain. Mount Camel depleted him; but rejuvenation came to him on Mount Horeb, the mount of God. Finally, the still small voice of God will always make a difference. The regaining of strength and new thrust for ministry that Elijah enjoyed all came from the still small voice of God. It’s just a few more days before the curtains fall on 2025. In case you are feeling exhausted and weary, I would love to tell you that you can sign up for a new lease of grace with God.

I had the privilege of visiting Doha, Qatar in August this year. It was at the instance of Mrs. Joy Nashuka who wanted to give a surprise 50th birthday party to her husband. Both she and a few friends of Pastor Nashuka worked behind the scene to get me there. My impression of that country began from their expansive airport, boasting the imprint of modern architecture. As we drove to town, I saw the streets lit in different colours, giving the skyline a stunning beauty. The day time was no less impressive as the streets were free of dirts and potholes.

While we have our abode here, it makes perfect sense to use the treasures that God will trash to work for those things that cannot be trashed.

This rare beauty suddenly brought the words of our text to focus. This beauty, as well as all the treasures of the whole world, will actually go up in flames someday. In other words, the best treasures of this world will be trashed! God is going to do a great work of making a new earth. What we have now will pass away, and a new earth will come in its place. This should leave an unshakeable impression on our minds and help us as we conduct our affairs in this world. While we have our abode here, it makes perfect sense to use the treasures that God will trash to work for those things that cannot be trashed. And again, we should follow the advice of Peter which comes right next after the passage before us: “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” II Peter‬ 3‬:11‬ NKJV‬‬. Finally, let’s be guided by Paul’s counsel contained in 1 Corinthians 7:31 – “and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.”

At the 2025 Ministers’ Conference in Arusha, Tanzania, I said that one of the factors for the underdevelopment of the African continent could be over dependence on miracles in all areas. In both testaments, we are treated to outstanding miracles that lead to easy conclusion that God is a miracle-working God. However, there is ample indication to show that God did not intend miracles for all things and at all times. Miracles are not designed to fix all socioeconomic problems, nor are they substitutes for governmental or individual failure. In order words, where the government of a nation fails to craft policies and develop infrastructures, it is futile expecting God to cover for that with His miracles.

Many lives are grounded today because they are waiting for a miraculous fix instead of living by divine principles.

God fed Israel all through their sojourn in the wilderness. That lasted 40 years. They received a daily ration of manna for that period of time. That miracle was necessary for the exigency of the time as they migrated from place to place. That did not permit them to put to work the principle of sowing their crops and waiting for the harvest. Since it was God who indicated when to move, He simply provided the manna. As soon as they enjoyed the produce of the Promised Land, the manna stopped. God wanted them to revert back to principles of sowing before reaping, working before eating. Many lives are grounded today because they are waiting for a miraculous fix instead of living by divine principles.

In a recent meditation, we learned about the power of words. This verse is a proof of that. Words are weapons that can do what is impossible for any conventional weapons of war. Jesus cast our spirits with a word. No weapon ever manufactured by man can do that. Only words can reach the realm of the spirits and take charge. Let’s take note of the inseparable relationship between the word and spirit. Four chapters away from our text, we come across where Jesus was defending His action of casting out devils by the Spirit of God. “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Matthew12:28 NKJV.

Words are weapons that can do what is impossible for any conventional weapons of war…it is Spirit-coated words that are of great effect. All believers can be as effective as Jesus in subduing devils, reason being that we all have the same Spirit that was at work in Him.

One verse says that He cast out spirits with His word; another says it is by the Spirit. What may appear as contradiction immediately disappears when we realize that the Spirit of God works in consonance with the word of God. Whenever Jesus spoke, He launched forth the Spirit of God who got the job done. In other words, it is Spirit-coated words that are of great effect. All believers can be as effective as Jesus in subduing devils, reason being that we all have the same Spirit that was at work in Him. Before Jesus departed this world, He promised to send us the Holy Spirit who will abide with us forever. That promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost.

The crucifixion of Jesus showed a side of God that is often overlooked – His severity. When Jesus hung on the cross, it was because He carried the sins of the entire world upon Himself. He became our substitute.  At that moment too, the Father looked away from Him. The Bible tells us that God is so pure that He cannot behold iniquity (Habakkuk 1:13). Here is the point: If sin could nail Jesus, it will nail anyone else. Similarly, if God looked away from His own Son because of sin, He will look away from anyone who continues in sin. Neither education nor length of days is capable of dealing with sin; only the Blood of Jesus does. Jesus died for our sins so we don’t live as slaves of sin any longer.

We cannot separate the death of Jesus from His birth…Easter and Christmas are two sides of the same coin…The joy we share at Christmas is on the basis of His mission, that He came to save us from our sins.

Well, someone may find it strange reading about the crucifixion of Jesus on Christmas Day. You might wonder what is the connection. We cannot separate the death of Jesus from His birth. The truth is that if He was not born, He couldn’t have died. So both Easter and Christmas are two sides of the same coin. As we mark the birth of Jesus, we should be grateful to God for His unspeakable love that made Him send Jesus to us. The angel announced His mission ever before He was conceived in the womb of Mary – “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew‬ 1‬:21‬ NKJV‬‬. The joy we share at Christmas is on the basis of His mission, that He came to save us from our sins.

In September this year, we were in Arusha district of Tanzania on our annual mission trip to the nations. On our first morning there, I led the team to pray for a clear path to follow in making our work more enduring. I told them that I had no clue of what that path could be. By the next morning, I heard the Spirit of the Lord say to me that the way to go is that of raising disciples. That is the beauty of prayer. When we pray, clouds lift and light of the truth shines. It is impossible to see a praying person groping in the dark.

When we pray, clouds lift and light of the truth shines. It is impossible to see a praying person groping in the dark…In order to gain great results in prayer, we must learn to depend on God to give us the direction to go.

Prayer was one of the key activities of the Apostles and the early church. It should be part of ours too. Prayer is an essential part of a believer’s walk with God. It is one of the activities that create the atmosphere of heaven in our earthly domain. When done in the right spirit, prayer makes available dynamic power that will make the gate of hell quiver. Unfortunately, not all words muttered in the name of praying actually amount to prayer. In a sense, prayer is an equivalence of some of the offerings made to God in the Old Testament; but we know from scriptures that God did not accept all offerings. That is to say not all prayers that people make ascend unto God. We need to become like the disciples of old who realized their impotence in the place of prayer, and asked Jesus to teach them how to pray accurately. In order to gain great results in prayer, we must learn to depend on God to give us the direction to go.

Words are so powerful that they hardly leave us the same way. It has been said that even though words do not break bones, they are strong enough to break hearts. Moreover, words can slow down momentum. Ten of the 12 spies had reported to the general assembly that the land which God promised them was a death trap. They complained of the giants who inhabited the land, and that the place ate up the people. Instead of subjecting the report to critical thinking or match it with what God had said, they lifted up their voice and wept all night! This immediately underscores the power of words.

Words are so powerful that they hardly leave us the same way…Words can swing your emotion…Words can also eat at the root of your courage…Be as selective in what you say as in what you hear.

Words can swing your emotion. Some people are wrecked emotionally because of the type of words they are exposed to. A child that constantly hears derogatory words may struggle with low self-esteem sooner than later. Words can also eat at the root of your courage. If all you hear is about failure and lack, you stand the risk of never giving a go at anything in life. Of course, the health of your heart is directly related to the things that pass through your ears on a daily basis. One of your best safety valves is to be selective in what you hear. If you have been extremely unhappy of late, check what you are listening to. Mind you, you may have been saying the wrong things to yourself too. Be as selective in what you say as in what you hear.

The Late David Ingles sang about the name of the Lord Jesus. According to him, Jesus acquired His name in three ways – by inheritance, bestowal, and conquest. Paul’s account in Philippians 2 shows that Jesus’ humility and submission to the Father’s will was what paved way for receiving a matchless name. His name is so much set apart that none can rival it – either in heaven, earth, or below the earth. Jesus, in turn, bestowed this name on the believers. He commanded us to cast out devils and surmount mountains in His name. His name is also our access to the Father. He said whatever we ask the Father in His name shall be granted. In effect, all that Jesus did and represented while on earth are made possible for believers through His name.

If we don’t see the miraculous, it is not because the name has become impotent or that God is less faithful, but because we fail to appropriate what has been graciously given to us.

The Bible says that the name of the Lord is a strong tower, offering safety. Whosoever runs into it will find deliverance. Whenever we breathe the holy name of Jesus in prayer, we connect with the name. A prayer of faith made in the name of the Lord brings full assurance of safety and peace. It subdues the powers and plans of hell, and puts believers on top of situations. From our text, believers should daily experience signs and wonders by reason of the Lord’s name. If we don’t see the miraculous, it is not because the name has become impotent or that God is less faithful, but because we fail to appropriate what has been graciously given to us.

In this verse, God offered Himself to Abram as shield for a reward. A shield is a piece of armor used as a protection against arrows, bullets, or other weapons. Usually it is worn on the arm and positioned in front. When God told Abram that He was his shield, it simply means He chose to be his defense. True to the promise, God protected him in all his journeys through the heathen territories. He even shielded his wife from being molested by Abimelech.

If God will be our shield, He must of necessity take the lead. When we follow His lead at all times, we will dwell in safety and not be afraid of any evil.

The high point of our meditation is that whatever God was to Abram, He is willing to be to his offspring. There are two sides to this; there are physical offspring of Abram as there are spiritual offspring, through faith. The promise that God gave to Abram was not only to him but also to his seed. Arguably then, God is a shield to all who are of the faith of Abraham. A seed of Abraham can boldly say, “No weapon formed against me shall prosper…” (Isaiah 54:17). What is to be added is that there is responsibility on our part, if God will be our shield indeed. Remember that a shield is usually in front. If God will be our shield, He must of necessity take the lead. When we follow His lead at all times, we will dwell in safety and not be afraid of any evil.

In the last meditation, we contemplated the beautiful world we will have when Jesus rules the earth. In Jesus’ world, there will neither be pollutants nor irritants. That means there will be nothing to worry or complain about. It is not so in the present order of things. Nothing seems to be in their place, so the temptation of being disgruntled is high. Yet, the Bible warns that we should not follow the ways of the Israelites who complained at every turn of the way. Their natural way of voicing out what they did not understand or agree with was to grumble. That led to their destruction in the wilderness.

It is impossible to be full of complaints and be creative at the same time…complaining will put your creative ability in the reverse gear…A murmuring attitude will close one’s eyes to the solutions. 

It is impossible to be full of complaints and be creative at the same time. If anything, complaining will put your creative ability in the reverse gear. A truly creative person can put a better construction on what would warrant murmuring. Most times, what we need is a change of perspective on given stressors, and life will take on a brilliant new meaning. In reality, the children of Israel had no justifiable reason to complain. They got delivered from cruel bondage and saved from the pursuing army of Pharaoh. They had access to food for which they did not labour. Despite these, they murmured. A better approach to life is finding that one reason to be grateful even in the midst of most challenging situations. Incidentally, there was no difficulty that the Israelites had that God did not have solutions for. A murmuring attitude will close one’s eyes to the solutions. 

On July 6, 2025, I preached a sermon titled WORLD WITHOUT WARS during the Unity Service at First Love Assembly. I tried to explore the possibility of living in a world without fear of wars. This has been a fascinating subject to world leaders and philosophers. In 1795, Emmanuel Kant did a seminar on PERPETUAL PEACE. He opined that a world without war could be achieved through the establishment of a League of Nations, democratic governance, and international cooperation. That may have been a precursor to the establishment of the United Nations on October 24, 1945. Unfortunately, for 80 years of its existence, the UN has not been able to achieve its objective.  

Peace is not a commodity that can be manufactured or negotiated by any group; it is an essential commodity which God alone has the prerogative to dispense.

Peace is not a commodity that can be manufactured or negotiated by any group; it is an essential commodity which God alone has the prerogative to dispense. Before Jesus went to the cross, He bestowed peace on His disciples (John 14:27). To demonstrate the importance of the subject, it was also the first thing He bestowed upon them after resurrection (John 20:19). Our text foretold of a time when military spending will not be necessary. What would have been used for stockpiling armaments would be put to constructive use. That is when the Lord will judge between nations. The prospect of a perfect and permanent peace lies with the One whose name is the Prince of Peace. What a beautiful world that would be!

Creativity is part of Divine nature given to man at creation. The heart represents the invisible part of man, and it is the seat of intellect. It has tremendous power for creativity. When harnessed to God, man can use this faculty to carry out his dominion functions, subduing and replenishing the earth as God intended. But if left in its corrupt state it can work ruin through wicked devices. In Proverbs 6 the Bible made a list of seven things detested by God. The fourth on the list is a heart that works wicked imagination.

Wicked imagination is inverted creativity. Those with this type of imagination are a disaster to the community…You are not necessarily liable for the thoughts that crop up in your heart, but you are responsible for whatever you entertain.

Wicked imagination is inverted creativity. Those with this type of imagination are a disaster to the community. Please note that there is a difference between having the heart assaulted by evil thoughts and sitting down to devise evil in the heart. Virtually everyone experiences the former. But if you are born of God you can cast down those evil thoughts and all things that are counter to the culture of God introduced to you at new birth. You are not necessarily liable for the thoughts that crop up in your heart, but you are responsible for whatever you entertain. God hates evil thoughts and devices, because in many cases intent is as good as real action. The heart is like a spring; you have to control it so it does not produce good and bad at the same time. Like Paul exhorted the Corinthians, we must engage our weapons of warfare to keep casting down evil imaginations so they don’t lead us into destruction. 

Though Paul’s foray into Macedonia, a principal city in Philippi, was by the leading of the Spirit, his experience there was not palatable all through. When he cast out devils from a girl, her owner conspired to throw him and Silas into jail. Who would have thought that Philippi would become a major support to Paul’s ministry years later! He acknowledged that only the church there communicated with him concerning giving and receiving. Where he had been bruised became a place of major blessing for him. Our God can turn adversity around for good.

Our God can turn adversity around for good…we should seek for the hidden benefit in any adversity confronting us…It is only when the Holy Spirit opens our eyes that we can see the benefit. 

How should believers respond to adversity? There are three things we need to mention here. Firstly, we should be conscious that Jesus has been through tougher adversities and He overcame. To that extent, there is no temptation confronting us that is new. Next, the promise of the Master should be our anchor. In Matthew 28:20, He said He would never leave nor forsake us till the end of the age. So we are never alone. Jesus remains the ever-present help in trouble. Finally, we should seek for the hidden benefit in any adversity confronting us. It was Napoleon Hill who said, “Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” It is only when the Holy Spirit opens our eyes that we can see the benefit. 

Jephthah’s story is a test case of the saying that one’s background does not necessarily have to define his foreground. He was born of a harlot, so he was stigmatized from birth. To compound his problems, his half-brothers sent him away from home. These problems did not deter him, rather he took to training and soon became captain over a large group. Jephthah had another thing going for him – he could discern opportunity. When the elders of his country came to invite him to lead them to battle, he saw that as an opportunity. He struck a deal with them that he would only go if they made him their leader. The people had no choice. Today we have Jephthah’s name in the hall of fame of those who did exploits through faith. Talents and skills are essential in life, but they cannot determine the overall victory. Unless these are brought to bear at the right time, they may produce nothing tangible.

Opportunities often come attached to certain seasons in life. Those who will benefit from them must possess the wisdom to analyze the seasons…Discernment holds a powerful secret to a successful life.

The pool at Bethesda played host to a great multitude of sick, blind, and lame people. The angel of God came down at a certain season to stir the water. Whoever among them entered first was made whole of his infirmity. Opportunities often come attached to certain seasons in life. Those who will benefit from them must possess the wisdom to analyze the seasons. It is important to also know that some opportunities are time-bound. When the time frame elapses, we can no longer enjoy the privilege. Discernment holds a powerful secret to a successful life. 

It takes physical sensitivity to fare well in life, particularly in interpersonal relationships. In recent years, the subject of emotional intelligence has filled the literatures. No one can pass the emotional intelligence test without being sensitive. Those who operate with this form of sensitivity have progressed beyond selfish tendency and are more empathetic towards the needs of others around them. They speak and act with sensibility, avoiding brushing other people’s images and emotions. 

Spiritual sensitivity helps you to know which way the Lord is leading…Through spiritual sensitivity, we can avoid dangers and connect with opportunities that will enhance our lives and purposes.

There is also the spiritual dimension of sensitivity. This speaks of being attuned to the Lord and His promptings. Spiritual sensitivity helps you to know which way the Lord is leading. It also helps to locate negative signals about future events. Our text shows Paul’s apprehension as they sailed to Rome. He informed the ship owner and the captain of what he sensed. The information that Paul gave was not because he had knowledge of the sea, he picked it from his spirit. Though they initially neglected his counsel, he became the saviour of all that were in the ship. Through spiritual sensitivity, we can avoid dangers and connect with opportunities that will enhance our lives and purposes.

We have a twin advice in this verse and they are both linked to parents. The first part says, “Listen to your father who begot you”. In the book of Proverbs, the phrase “My son” occurred 23 times. That address was to call the attention of his son, after which he gave a wide variety of advices. In chapter one alone, you have three of such addresses. Verse 8 is like a precursor to our text: “My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother” Proverbs 1:8 NKJV. Two verses later, you have this: “My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.” Proverbs 1:10 NKJV. Lastly, verse 15 says, “My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path”. Proverbs 1:15 NKJV. Why is the Bible enjoining sons to listen to their fathers? Because fathers have the interest of their sons at heart like no one else does. Moreover, fathers have seen it all, and with years and wisdom on their side, they can safely guide their children through the vagaries of life.

How we treat our parents can impact how we fare in life and how long we live.

The second part of our text is about mothers. Children are advised not to despise their mothers when they get old. Whenever God gives a warning, it is because a danger exists. We are warned not to despise our parents when they are old, suggesting that such temptation is real. As our parents slide into old age, they may suffer from any of the diseases associated with that phase of life. Self-care is out of the equation for them; that is when those who carried us from the womb to maturity need us to carry them. Paul wrote to admonish children to obey their parents in the Lord, stressing this is the first commandment with a promise. How we treat our parents can impact how we fare in life and how long we live.

Greed and covetousness have very little to do with someone’s financial or material standing. Ahab who was king of Israel arguably had control over vast resources, yet he was not satisfied. His greed led him to indicate interest in Naboth’s vineyard. Naboth refused for the singular reason that it was an inheritance handed down through several generations of fathers. To proof that Naboth was not just trying to call the bluff off the king, we need to read from God’s law. “So the inheritance of the children of Israel shall not change hands from tribe to tribe, for every one of the children of Israel shall keep the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers” (Numbers 36:7). By asking for the vineyard, Ahab acted in total disregard to God’s command. Naboth’s refusal pointed to the fact that he obeyed the word of God.

Greed and covetousness have very little to do with someone’s financial or material standing…We are to keep boundaries and abide by agreements. Going contrary to this may attract sanctions from God. 

Through lies and manipulation, Naboth was killed and his inheritance was forcefully taken over. The tenth commandment forbade covetousness, while the sixth is against murder. Ahab failed on both counts. What began as covetousness was compounded by murder. However, God rose to avenge the wrongs. Ahab died as well as his wife, the body of the latter was eaten by dogs. A general application of this principle for our world today is not to defraud others, particularly the weak and the defenseless. We are to keep boundaries and abide by agreements. Going contrary to this may attract sanctions from God. 

Jesus had a blueprint for the church. What He conceived was a firebrand church over which the gates of hell can never prevail. Truth be told, the current state of the church does not exemplify this reality. What we have is a great flux which can be rightly captured by the words of A. W. Tozer in his book, I TALK BACK TO THE DEVIL – “In many churches Christianity has been watered down until the solution is so weak that if it were poison it would not hurt anyone, and if it were medicine it would not cure anyone”.

The clarion call at this time is for the Church of Christ to return to its apostolic foundation, as no other arrangement can make it fulfil its prophetic mandate.

Today’s churches are largely “Laodicean” in their makeup. The church at Laodicea had a wrong measurement of their state. Their financial wealth beclouded them to their true state. While they boasted of having everything in place and had need of nothing, God had a different verdict – they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked! God was particularly against that church because of its lukewarmness. Such a situation was far from the Church that Jesus planned for. The clarion call at this time is for the Church of Christ to return to its apostolic foundation, as no other arrangement can make it fulfil its prophetic mandate. The solution that has been watered down must be re-mixed according to biblical standards, so that it can become medicine to cure the world. This will happen one believer at a time until whole congregation and nations are immersed in God’s new move on earth.

There is a WhatsApp group that holds every Wednesday; it is called Dr. PhysiQ Wellness Community. Once a week, one Dr. Susan gives free health talk, helping members know how to live sickness-free. As often as I can, I join the class. Talks vary from knowing what food to eat and what to avoid. In my last estate and the current one, I see people take to walking every day as they all seek to manage their health. While physical exercises are commendable and should be encouraged, we must quickly add that they do not alone account for healthy living. There is what someone has described as the “invisible parts” to health. In other words, what makes people healthy goes beyond eating patterns and rigorous exercises. We should by all means pursue these; but it is necessary to look into more fundamental issues. 

Peace, as it is often admitted, is the foundation of health. People who are at peace with God and with themselves are happy; happy people are healthy people. 

What we referred to as the invisible parts of health can be called the spiritual factors of health. As our lead verse for today says, the fear of the Lord brings health to the flesh and strength to the bones. How does this work? To begin with, the primary way by which the fear of the Lord reveals itself is departing from sin. When people depart from their sinful ways, they live reconciled to God. The immediate effect of this is the peace of God that floods the heart. Peace, as it is often admitted, is the foundation of health. People who are at peace with God and with themselves are happy; happy people are healthy people. 

The Bible teaches Christian ethics, and three of them are contained in this text. Firstly, there is the admonition to demonstrate brotherly love among believers. It is in the context of this that unity, a precondition for God’s blessing, can be found. Love among believers is a witness to the world that we are Christ’s disciples. The second ethical instruction is about precedence. Every believer is to prefer others to themselves. In this sense, we can have a healthy rivalry in the assembly of God’s people.

Every believer is to prefer others to themselves. In this sense, we can have a healthy rivalry in the assembly of God’s people.

The third ethical instruction is contained in verse 11. It makes for a better reading in the Amplified version. “Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavour; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.” A church aglow, burning with the Spirit, and serving the Lord is reminiscent of the Church described in the Acts of the Apostles. Beginning from the day of Pentecost when they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, believers spared no expense in loving the Lord and revealing Him to the world. As a result, they experienced continuous increase both in number and impact. From God’s plan, that remains His template for today’s Church as well. It is our privilege to experience the full force of the Holy Spirit at work, and we must never settle for less.

There are two salient things to learn from this verse of scripture. First is about the eagle. In his dirge for Saul and Jonathan, David described them as being “swifter than eagles”. Eagles are known for strength, vision and swiftness. Eagles can dive from mountain top and level up with a prey on the ground or in water. The prophet Isaiah compares the experience of those who wait on the Lord with the strength of an eagle. Believers can train themselves so well that their spirit start to respond swiftly to all of God’s signal. Those who will be used of God in a mighty way must work on their ability to respond to God’s leading and promptings. 

An average person today believes that the best response to an enemy is to curse them. Jesus gave us a different approach of praying for them.

The second lesson is an inference, accounting for what made David such a phenomenon. Generally speaking, several things could reveal a man’s character, one of which is how he reacts to the misfortune of an enemy – real or imagined. Nothing revealed David’s golden heart like his emotional mourning of the demise of Saul and Jonathan in Second Samuel 1:19-27. Mourning Jonathan is understandable; we know that he worked for his safety on several occasions. However, mourning Saul, a man who persecuted him to strange lands, is something too deep for the average mind to contemplate. David celebrated Saul’s unusual carriage even in death. An average person today believes that the best response to an enemy is to curse them. Jesus gave us a different approach of praying for them.

You must be familiar with the hymn WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS. It was originally written by a preacher, Joseph M. Scriven, as a poem in 1855 to comfort his mother, who was living in Ireland while he was in Canada. The song considers prayer as one of the biggest privileges we have. It opines that the stress and burden will bear is because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. One of the rude shocks we will have when we get to heaven is how little we tapped into the power of prayer.

…whatever is worth worrying about is worth praying about.

You can overcome a life of worries and stress if you take our text literally. I always like to say that whatever is worth worrying about is worth praying about. I can relate to this in a practical sense. At the time my family and I made our home in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, I dressed up for work one morning and could not remember where I placed the key to the car. Two other cars were parked in front of it, so there was a stalemate. I was at the verge of asking the electrician to destroy the ignition system when the words of our text rang in my spirit. It is so beautifully worded in the Message translation. “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.” I quietly knelt by my bed and asked the Holy Spirit to show me the whereabouts of the key. Miraculously, I found it not long after that. You can regain what you’ve lost by the help of the Holy Spirit.

When God’s glory is on any people, they become the cynosure of all eyes. In other words, God’s glory compels attention. When we talk about the glory of God, we are referring to His weight or worth which He brings to bear. Here is the aftermath of the miracle of turning water into wine by Jesus – “This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.” John 2:11 NKJV. When God’s glory is manifested in and through you, there is satisfaction; and people are drawn to believe.

God’s glory compels attention…When God’s glory is manifested in and through you, there is satisfaction; and people are drawn to believe…Access to the glory of God is the pursuit of His plans and purposes.

The manifest glory of God is intricately woven into His plan and procedures. It is the pursuit of that plan that brings a harvest of glory. Moses was mandated to build the Tabernacle with all its intricate details. God did not mince words when He told him sternly: “And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.” Exodus 25:40. Moses took this warning seriously and followed the plan to its minute details. The result was tremendous: “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle.” Exodus 40:34. Once Moses built according to plan, he didn’t have to beg God to manifest His glory; God just came down. Access to the glory of God is the pursuit of His plans and purposes.

A couple of years before the founding of First Love Assembly, Lagos, I had a mission that took me from Portharcourt to that city. When our flight was called, I felt no urgency to rush and board, so I stood somewhere by the walkway. It was there that a man met me and introduced himself. He informed me that I had served as his pastor long before. He was instrumental to providing me with accommodation for two years, rent-free, when we eventually launched the church. On another occasion, I was flying to Enugu. Two things happened on that flight. Firstly, it was about my seat.  By the time I got to my allotted seat, the overhead compartment was already full. The hostess directed me to take any other seat at the back. It turned out that the man next to me had heard about me before. He gave me money. Secondly, I met another man on that flight who said he had been thinking about me for sometime. He was on a fast and had purposed to sow some seed when it was over. But when he saw me, he felt he should do it immediately.

The life of a child of God is not left to chance, but firmly under control…Whatever happens, a child of God should go with the assurance that God is busy watching every step of his life.

What is the moral of these stories? The life of a child of God is not left to chance, but firmly under control. The New Living Translation (NLT) of our text says that God “delights in every detail of their lives”. The Amplified Classic puts it even better – “The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step].” Psalm 37:23 AMPC. Whatever happens, a child of God should go with the assurance that God is busy watching every step of his life.

There is a difference between gift and skill, though the two combine to dictate what a life turns out to be. Essentially, gifts are imparted. We do practically nothing to obtain the gifts. If we work for them, they cease to be gifts. Skills come under a different consideration. To hone your skill, it will require tutorial, training, and practice. That takes time and effort. There is a sense in which one can say that gift is deceptive. We know that the gift of God is without repentance. To that extent, one could be in the wrong and still be effective in the expression of the gift of God. The church at Corinth manifested every conceivable gift, but their lifestyle did not reflect Christ.

Good character is not a part of spiritual gifts, it is cultivated. Parents are to have the first shot at laying a solid foundation for a goodly character in their offspring…whatever we don’t want replicated by others must be avoided.

In our text, Paul was full of praise for the life of Timothy, particularly the genuineness of his faith. For Timothy, it was not just about gift; there was character to match. Timothy’s faith traced to two generations earlier, his mother and grandmother having respectively showcased what it means to walk with God. Good character is not a part of spiritual gifts, it is cultivated. Parents are to have the first shot at laying a solid foundation for a goodly character in their offspring. Unconsciously, parents and role models are constantly transmitting values through what they say and do. The rule of engagement should be that whatever we don’t want replicated by others must be avoided.

God speaks to us so we can gain the knowledge of our assignments – what He wants us to do. In addition, the voice of the Lord communicates the right timing of an assignment. The Spirit’s voice that came to them at Antioch was not to reveal assignment. The Lord had called these men and showed them the work they would do much earlier. The latter voice was to tell them that the time was ripe for execution. Getting the timing right is as critical as the assignment itself. Moving on with a task at the wrong time could be disastrous both to the purpose as well as the executors.

God speaks to us so we can gain the knowledge of our assignments – what He wants us to do…Getting the timing right is as critical as the assignment itself…God can choose whatever method to convey His plans and purposes

Something else is deserving of attention here. People don’t receive their callings the same way. The story of these two men is a good case. Paul’s call was “loud”. It came as he made his journey to Damascus on a self-appointed mission to persecute the Christians. A light shone from heaven, brilliant enough to blind his vision for three days. The audible voice of the Lord came through to him. It was vivid, graphic, and dramatic. However, we have no thread of scripture to know the timing and manner of how God called Barnabas, except to hazard a guess that it was not nearly as dramatic as Paul’s. God can choose whatever method to convey His plans and purposes. The method is not nearly as important as the message. What method He uses can be a function of our disposition.

When Angel Gabriel met Zechariah in the course of his priestly duty, he introduced himself as one standing before the Lord. “And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.” Luke 1:19 NKJV. In our text, Elijah also introduced himself as standing before the Lord. This already tells us that standing before the Lord may not necessarily be in a literal sense. If it is literal for Gabriel, it could not be for Elijah. Generally speaking, standing before the Lord connotes the idea of waiting on Him, much the same way the prophets and teachers in Antioch were ministering to the Lord in Acts 13:1-2.

Those who wait on the Lord will soon gain the knowledge of their assignment…Apart from knowing what to do, waiting before God will give us direction to where provision and safety are guaranteed.

Those who wait on the Lord will soon gain the knowledge of their assignment. By waiting on God, Elijah knew he was to go and speak truth to power. Gabriel obtained his mission both for Zechariah and Mary concerning the birth of John and Jesus respectively. Also, it was while the leaders of the church at Antioch were in the presence of the Lord that they gained the knowledge of what task had been set aside for Barnabas and Saul. Apart from knowing what to do, waiting before God will give us direction to where provision and safety are guaranteed. Finally, the audacity by which Elijah spoke in the king’s court shows another thing that happens when we stand before the Lord – we gain power.