We were to board a mid-day flight sometime ago. One of the officers at the screening point asked me to hold on, and I did. One or two flouted that order, but that was not an excuse for me to join the bandwagon. Anything done to spite her would have been an affront on the authority that put her there and, invariably, God who established government for the purposes of maintaining law and order. Finally, I was signaled to come. The officer was so impressed that he commended me, noting that many others would have shunned her aside if they were told to wait. That was my chance to drop a word. “We must do what we preach”, I told her. “I am a Pastor and I teach people to obey the law as well as respect law enforcement agents”. She smiled approvingly. At least she went convinced that we still have people in the society who believe in civility and decency.

There is something in everyone you meet that longs for recognition and respect. You are to meet that yearning.

It is not law enforcement agents alone that we should honour. Apostle Peter says that honour should be extended to all men. “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king” (1 Peter 2:17). There is something in everyone you meet that longs for recognition and respect. You are to meet that yearning. The society is faced with a lot of problems. So many things are daily devaluing people’s worth. A little courtesy you extend to people can add to their self-esteem. Amazingly, honouring people does not in any way reduce you; it adds to you. Since they say what goes round comes around, you can be sure of harvest of honour when you honour others.

If you are ever in doubt that God has a structured life in place for us, our text will dissolve it. The Living Bible translation of our text says, “You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in Your book”. The Psalmist noted that God saw him before he was born. Not only that, God scheduled each day of his life before he sucked in the first gush of breath. The good news is, what was true of the Psalmist is equally true of you. Life here on earth is by appointment. There are things that God scheduled for you before your arrival on the earth plane. To live well, therefore, is to live by those things that He scheduled for you. No matter how much you accomplish, if they fall outside of schedule you will not be the best you could be nor be fulfilled as much as possible.

Life is too important that no one can afford to live it by whims or accident…Any day you follow His schedule is a success indeed.

There are instances in the Bible where God told some parents what were lined up for their upcoming children. Samson was a case in point. Before he was born the angel had told the parents that he would begin to deliver the children of Israel from the hand of the Philistines. Where we do not have the prior knowledge of what God wants, we need to seek His face in prayer. In Jeremiah 33:3, God says we should ask of Him, and He would show us great and mighty things which we do not know. Life is too important that no one can afford to live it by whims or accident. Daily, ask the Lord what He has scheduled for your life, particularly for that day. Any day you follow His schedule is a success indeed.

Sometime in March this year, Firstlove Assembly, Rumuokwuta, Port Harcourt, organised Financial Empowerment Seminar. Most speakers agreed that the foundation of a solid financial future is having sources of legitimate earning today. During question and answer session, someone asked how to deal with an issue that often comes up during recruitment exercise – experience. Most employers often ask for some years of experience. This could be a tough ask for fresh graduates. An innovative answer that one of the facilitators recommended is to serve as volunteer hands wherever possible.

“Inexperience does not disqualify us from doing mighty things. What is more crucial is an open heart. As far as we remain humble before God, He will show us the way, one step at a time.”

Experience counts for a great deal in the business world. However, something counts better when we are dealing with the things of God. In our text, when Saul told David that he could not fight Goliath “for thou art but a youth”, he meant he had no experience. His opponent had many years of experience, from his youth. It is interesting to know that God does not only use the experienced people. Without experience, David went and took Goliath out of the way, and liberated the land of Israel. Inexperience does not disqualify us from doing mighty things. What is more crucial is an open heart. As far as we remain humble before God, He will show us the way, one step at a time. One proof of a humble heart is being teachable.

Few things will be as perplexing as a choice between two equally appealing things. For believers, it is a straightforward thing when faced with a choice between the good and the bad. The Bible already makes it plain that we have nothing to do with unfruitful works of darkness. We should embrace and embody what is good at all times. When two options are good, we will need to engage the principle of Scripture and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to know which way to go.

Our choices in life should be informed by service. We should go for options that will put us in good stead to be of greater use to the greater number of people at any given time.

Apostle Paul faced this type of dilemma. At some point in his life, when he began to feel the fatigue of ministry, he felt like drawing the curtain on his earthly sojourn. On the other hand, he felt he should stay to help strengthen the faith of the saints. He finally cast his lot for staying a little longer. He had arrived at this position by putting others first in his consideration. Even though he would be well off personally if he was to translate at that point in time, he placed the well-being of the people over his own personal comfort. By this step he emulated Christ who forsook His glory to change the destiny of mankind. This is where we can find a guiding principle for decision making when we are in a fix. A selfish mind only considers what is good for him or her. Someone who is weaned in the love of God is looking for what will benefit others. Our choices in life should be informed by service. We should go for options that will put us in good stead to be of greater use to the greater number of people at any given time.

When anger and bitterness are not quickly resolved, they may give rise to a cycle of violence. Our text captures the slaying of Abner by Joab. It was a retaliatory move for the killing of Asahel much earlier. “So Abner said again to Asahel, “Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I face your brother Joab?” However, he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner struck him in the stomach with the blunt end of the spear, so that the spear came out of his back; and he fell down there and died on the spot. So it was that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died, stood still.” 2 Samuel 2:22-23 NKJV.

When anger and bitterness are not quickly resolved, they may give rise to a cycle of violence.

Joab himself would later pay for his sin. Before David died, his handover note to Solomon included the fact that Joab must pay for his sin. He was found guilty of exacting the blood of war in peace time. The Bible does not contain any empty injunction. Whatever is written is to our advantage. Instead of pursuing vengeance because you are angry, commit your judgment to God. I love what the Bible says about Jesus. When He was treated unjustly and railed at, He did not rail back. Rather, He committed Himself to God who judges righteously. That is how believers ought to respond to unwarranted treatments.

My sons are die-hard Arsenal fans. There was a game the club played against Newcastle United one year and they were four goals up by half time. They had literally killed the game off. Things changed quickly in the second half. A player in the Arsenal squad was wrongly tackled. Instead of allowing the referee to do his job, he took law into his own hand. In a fit of anger, he went for the jugular of two of the players of their opponent. The referee did not hesitate to give him red card. With one man down, the game turned in favour of Newcastle who levelled scores at the end of the game.

It is alright to observe that those who fail to deal with anger will have a tough time not to slip into bitterness.

My sons felt the referee was unfair in some of his decisions. They raised technical points, but I saw things differently. If the young man had curtailed his anger, the game would have been no contest at all. What occurred to me afterward was the word of our text, which says anger is in the bosom of fools. The folly of that man was seen in his team losing precious points. Another thing that occurred to me is the Bible verse that says one sinner can destroy much good. It was one man that was sent away, but the whole team paid for it. In our previous meditation, we learned of the importance of doing away with bitterness. It is alright to observe that those who fail to deal with anger will have a tough time not to slip into bitterness.

Paul offered several recommendations towards harmonious family relationships. One of them is the text before us. Husbands are to avoid resentment towards their wives. Resentment could lead to a cold war that will set a family on a track of destruction. This advice is still as relevant today as when Paul first penned down the words. The only thing we will like to add is that it is a word that is applicable to every other form of relationship as well. Resentment is the typical way people respond to words and actions they disapprove of. When people are ill-mannered towards us, we are tempted to resent them.

When people are ill-mannered towards us, we are tempted to resent them…Resentment is often shown by withdrawing from what are legitimate duties.

The Bible does not give us warrant for bitterness under any circumstance. Resentment is often shown by withdrawing from what are legitimate duties. If a man is resentful against his parents, he may cut off support from them. The danger of this is that such a man would have violated the word of God that commands children to honour their parents. He will then miss the blessing attached to such duties. Moreover, resentment is a manifestation of unforgiving spirit. Any prayer offered with this attitude stands rejected before God. All things considered, the resentful person is the loser; even doubly so. On the first count you felt wronged before you showed resentment. Then by your response you block access to the flow of God’s blessing. The best thing to do is to discuss issues that are moving you towards bitterness. If they cannot be discussed, for whatever reason, you need to appropriate the grace of God to dismiss them.

When my children were much younger, I tried to give them some financial education. They received a certain amount of money as stipends from me monthly, but that was spread over four installments. That was my way of teaching them how to handle money and live within means. On one occasion when my birthday was approaching, I decided to add some amount to what they had been receiving. My gesture was informed by the thought that they might want to buy me a card or other keepsakes like they did in the past. I didn’t want what they might give to me to tamper with their own budget. With that arrangement, whatever they chose to do for me on that occasion would come from what I already gave them.

A cheerful, faithful giver will launch a perpetual cycle of giving and receiving, and no good thing will be withheld from him or her.

This is how things work in our relationship with God. The moment we choose to be a sower He will make sure the seed is supplied. When we sow, He will multiply our effort and give us greater increase still. Few areas pose serious challenge to many Christians like in financial stewardship. Up till now many people have not cultivated the freeness of mind that God is looking for in giving offerings that are acceptable to Him. Yet, if we understand that all things belong to God, we shall enjoy such liberty for faithful giving. A cheerful, faithful giver will launch a perpetual cycle of giving and receiving, and no good thing will be withheld from him or her.

The invasion of Iraq by America and the coalition forces was based on false report. An Iraqi who defected fed Germany, which in turn fed America, with trumped up charges that his country had stockpiled weapons of mass destruction. All efforts to locate the so-called weapons proved abortive. The ruins of that war remain till today. This will help us to appreciate the words of our text. Seven things are listed as abomination before the Lord. A lying tongue and a false witness made the list. Both of them can work ruins as we have demonstrated with the Iraq War. Since most people base their decisions on information, someone who spreads false report is leading others astray.

In light of the terrible damage that a lie or false report can cause, No price can be too much in carrying out due diligence to authenticate our source.

We live in a world where people lie as a sport, and bear false witness for a fee. Those who engage in this may have to face up with a life of regret, when the consequences of their misinformation begin to take its toll. One word of admonition will be in order before we close our meditation. In light of the terrible damage that a lie or false report can cause, no price can be too much in carrying out due diligence to authenticate our source. The Bible says we should test every spirit. In these days, every report must be tested too. There is no better time to heed this counsel than these days of social media with its bent for half-truths and

Most theologians believe that the phrase “the time of Jacob’s trouble” refers to some future time. Specifically, they consider it as the tribulation period when Israel will go through severe challenges but that it will end on a happy note. We don’t have to look far into some prophetic future before we learn of troublous times. To varying degrees, troubles are a part of our existence. Knowing how to respond will determine how we fare in the end. So, we now turn our attention to someone who can guide us in navigating the troublous seasons.

Meditating on past intervention of God can spur us to faith as we look for deliverance in the present circumstance.

In Psalm 77, Asaph penned down three ways of handling tough seasons. If you like, call it the Asaph’s Therapy. The first one is verse 2 – “In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; My soul refused to be comforted.” (NKJV). The stretching of the hand is a symbol of supplication. It is by reaching out to God in prayer that we obtain direction and wisdom to deal with troubles that confront us. Then in verse 6 the author records, “My spirit makes diligent Search”. The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord that is capable of revealing every hidden thing of darkness. A time of trouble should be a time of soul searching. It could even be that the trouble is a direct result of some wrong seeds that were sown in thoughts, words, or actions. Finally in verse 11 he says, “I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old”. Meditating on past intervention of God can spur us to faith as we look for deliverance in the present circumstance.

One of the anchors of our previous meditation is that obedience to divine instruction opens for us doors of miracles and endless possibilities. It also connects us to divine purpose. This brings to the fore the issue of knowing the voice and will of God. No one can obey what he or she has not heard. This requires that we develop our ability to perceive what the Lord is saying and doing. When you develop your ability to perceive, you will get to know what the Lord expects of you at every given moment. Perception is a knowing within; it is the ability to mentally separate between conflicting ideas, opinions, and programs and go with the mind of the Lord on an issue.

Perception is a knowing within; it is the ability to mentally separate between conflicting ideas, opinions, and programs and go with the mind of the Lord on an issue.

One critical way to grow in perception is to learn to observe the frequency at which a word or an experience occurs. When Samuel first heard the voice of the Lord, he was mistaken; he thought it was his boss that called. Promptly he went to meet Eli who probably thought the young boy was dreaming, and sent him back to bed. When it happened three times, he began to discern. Same voice could not have come three times to one person the same night without some signification. That was when he instructed the fledgling prophet how to respond. Peter also saw a particular vision three times, perhaps within the space of one hour. That raised his curiosity. He began to examine what the vision might mean. Whenever you have an experience repeated two, three, or more times within a small time frame, ask the Lord for what He is trying to pass across to you.

God does nothing without purpose. There are two things to say here about the purposes of God. Firstly, rarely does He state the purpose of a thing in advance. Most of the things He does are understood in retrospect. Secondly, we may never get to understand the purpose unless we obey His initial instructions. Obedience opens the door of understanding into the mysteries of God. In our previous meditation, we noted that Jesus asked Peter to launch into the deep, a commandment which he had every reason to ignore based on experience. When he obeyed, he saw the miracles of God. He was simply overwhelmed by the catch; so much so that he felt unworthy of it. That was when Jesus calmed him in the word of our text, and showed him the purpose beyond the catch. The catch was not just a way of compensating Peter, it was also to foreshadow a change of assignment from that moment. The fisherman would become fisher of men!

There is an inseparable link between the blessing of God and the call of God over our life. One will inevitably point to the other. Sometimes, God”s call comes first. Obedience to the call will produce divine blessing.

There is an inseparable link between the blessing of God and the call of God over our life. One will inevitably point to the other. Sometimes, God”s call comes first. Obedience to the call will produce divine blessing. At other times, God will bless and then show the reason why He has brought such blessing. This is what we have just seen in the case of Peter. When God places a demand, be diligent to obey.  If it is blessing that comes first, be humble to ask Him for the purpose attached to it. This is the only way to overcome the temptation of pride or abuse.

My wife and I had horrible experiences at our first two attempts of applying for British visa. Unlike now when their services are being handled by a logistics company, it was a nightmare then. Applicants would be on the queue all night for next day appointment. We were denied on both occasions. The first time, the officer said there was too much money in the account statement provided. On the second occasion, the officer said I did not show financial proof! In frustration, I turned to the American embassy and got my visa. On the strength of that, I applied again to the British High Commission and was successful. I first had 6 months, later two years, and five years. I currently have a 10-year visa to the United Kingdom.

Those who are not afraid of trying again and again will secure the breakthrough ultimately…One failure does not mean your fate is sealed. You can go again.

There is a little word in the English language – AGAIN. However, it holds so much power. Those who are not afraid of trying again and again will secure the breakthrough ultimately. Peter went through a night of frustration. All attempts to get a catch proved futile. Then came Jesus who used his boat for a make-shift preaching post. When Jesus was through, He told Peter to launch into the deep for a catch. That seems to be a way of offering compensation to Peter who had been magnanimous in releasing his boat for His mission. Peter initially protested on the basis of past failure. On a second thought He let the word of God prevail. He got more than he could bargain for. One failure does not mean your fate is sealed. You can go again.

Part of the hallmark of our previous meditation is the need to keep the gospel according to design. Religious technicalities may proof to be of little use for those of little understanding. For example, when we speak of being born again what exactly do we mean? If we face the truth this is a “technical” term that people outside the wall of the church cannot comprehend. I won’t even be surprised if people who go to church regularly find the term confusing. Learned men in Jesus’ days like Nicodemus were confounded to learn of such term. Breaking it down, to be born again is to surrender absolutely to the Lord. In war, the nation that acknowledges defeat is made to surrender to the superior power, who would dictate the terms of peace. When a man surrenders to the Lord, he cedes control to Him in all things.

Breaking it down, to be born again is to surrender absolutely to the Lord…When a man surrenders to the Lord, he cedes control to Him in all things.

Becoming born again has implications, one of which is the fact that God reserves the right to dictate how our life will run. This is all the more clear when we examine how we are described. A verse in Psalm 100 says we are the sheep of His pasture. Sheep are not known to be smart. They need the shepherd for everything. The sheep is soon cut off without the tender oversight of the shepherd. As our text reads, we are called branches of the Vine. The branch cannot live, much less bear fruit, if it is detached from vine. These two examples are a pointer to the kind of life born again believers should live – dependence.

Years ago, I put a call to the help desk of an airline for reservation. The agent took my details, and after a brief period she called out my reservation code. “0356 whiskey papa”, she said. Hearing this I felt blank, trying to decode what she was saying. I guess she realized my confusion and she had to talk plain. What she was actually saying is, “0356WP”. She had converted the reference to a technical jargon which would not make sense to an ordinary person outside of their field. She sounded confident in her job, but I was not impressed. Her technicality did not help me one bit. The essence of communication is to convey understanding. Except our audience is able to understand what we are saying, it is all labour in futility. So, one of the rules of effective communication is to keep things simple. Communication is effective when the communicator and the recipient speak and hear from a mutual standpoint.

The gospel of Christ is simple, and it is our responsibility to look for simple ways to pass it across to the world.

It is comforting knowing that God did not wrap the gospel message in some technical details that ordinary people cannot understand. Our text points to the simplicity of the gospel. Once we are saved, we receive the mandate to spread the same good news of salvation to others. We must avoid the mistake of my agent. The gospel of Christ is simple, and it is our responsibility to look for simple ways to pass it across to the world.

The main thrust of our meditation yesterday was that the marketplace can be as much useful for the cause of Christ as the pulpit. We have a perfect illustration of this in our text. Jesus stepped into Peter’s boat and taught from there. A man in the marketplace provided Him his tool for the gospel. The boat was not a perfect stage for that task, but that was all He could lay hold on for that moment. The good side is that the job was done anyway. That shows us the ability of Jesus to improvise, making the most of what was available to achieve a particular end.

We will always have to make a choice between excuses and innovativeness; as the two cannot co-exist. It is either we let creativity destroy excuses or let excuses dislodge creativity.

That reminds us of David. He did not have conventional weapons when he faced Goliath. All he had was his sling and the five smooth stones he picked from the brook. That was inadequate to meet a man who had all weapons of war known in their days. Amazingly, David did not even need more than one of the stones. One swing brought Goliath down. This is a mighty testimony to the fact that our weapons are mighty through God to achieve unimaginable results. We are not to sit around mournfully, complaining of what we do not have. We should search carefully within our immediate borders and locate what is available. When God places His hands on those feeble things, we are sure of terrific outcome. We will always have to make a choice between excuses and innovativeness; as the two cannot co-exist. It is either we let creativity destroy excuses or let excuses dislodge creativity. There is something in the marketplace where you are that can serve the cause of Christ.

Until very recently, when a professional quits his job to start Church, people would say he answered the call into full-time ministry. The fact is this: if by ministry we mean service, then a Doctor or any other professional is in ministry. So if that individual starts a Church, he is only changing the platform of ministry. In other words, a man who is set over Church is not in any way superior to those who sell crayfish in the open market. Whatever our vocation, it should be seen as opportunity to do full-time ministry for God, being worthy ambassadors to the cause of the cross.

“That will put them in good stead to influence the course of things according to Kingdom principles…The gospel is designed for all mountains of influence.”

Something unique will happen if all of God’s children see themselves as ministers of Christ in the workplace or what is now generally called the marketplace. Take note from our passage that the rulers are said to be in the marketplace. As believers have increasing grasp of the marketplace, they will at the same time gain authority. That will put them in good stead to influence the course of things according to Kingdom principles. Jesus is to be Lord over all the realms; and that is why children of God should be found in all walks of life and strata of the society. The gospel is designed for all mountains of influence.

Abraham stands out as one of the Bible characters we can refer to as a prince. Here is a proof of this assertion: “And the children of Heth answered Abraham, saying unto him, Hear us, my lord: thou art a mighty prince among us…” (Genesis 23:5-6). A second classic case was Jacob. “And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” (Genesis 32:28). The important thing to note here is that none of these two became a prince by chance. Abraham emerged as a prince after years of walking with God in absolute obedience. He had to undergo several changes. On the part of Jacob, God had to strip him of all worldly wisdom and manipulation. He also had to engage the Angel in an all-night of intercession. There is a price to pay before one becomes a prince in the kingdom.

There is a price to pay before one becomes a prince in the kingdom. However, the reward of being a prince far outstrips the hurdles we encounter on the way.

However, the reward of being a prince far outstrips the hurdles we encounter on the way. Let us look at Elijah again, a man we have justly described as a prince. All through the years of famine, Elijah enjoyed sumptuous provision; first through the ravens, and later through the widow. For those who attain to this level, provision can be taken as given. The next benefit is security. Ahab hunted for Elijah throughout all the countries. It was all in vain. Kingdom princes are such vital assets to God that He would always secure them. The privilege is there for everyone who has been redeemed by the Lord to rise from the low level of life. You can become a prince with all of its attendant benefits.

In our previous meditation we dwelt on one fact; that is, kingdom princes have status in the spirit, and they are people of power. We can say that all the children of God potentially fit into this description. This is what the Bible passage for today’s meditation is saying. All of the saints of God have the honor of being the ambassadors of God who can implement the judgment written. However, not many will be able to actualize this enviable position. For some it will be because of ignorance, not knowing that they are designed for authority. The devil is a master at getting people satisfied with a few carrots in the kingdom instead of going for the real power of God. For some others, their inability to attain to prince hood will be because they failed to meet the conditions.

Becoming a prince in the Kingdom requires that you know how to hear God… a kingdom prince is to be ready to carry out orders in a prompt manner as soon as the mind of God is known.

What are the conditions for people to become princes in God’s kingdom? Borrowing again from the story of Elijah, people must learn to stand before God. There are two ways to this. Standing before God is standing in intercession. The way a waiter waits on a client, to carry out instructions, that is how we are to wait on God. Becoming a prince in the Kingdom requires that you know how to hear God. Also, it requires the ability to determine the mind or the will of God, being conscious of what He wants for every given moment. Above all, to be a kingdom prince is to be ready to carry out orders in a prompt manner as soon as the mind of God is known.

Elijah is here seen standing before Ahab to make a pronouncement to suspend rain in the land. A quick reminder of who Ahab was will help to place this action in proper light. Ahab was reported as being of extravagant disposition when it comes to evil. He was constantly inspired by his wife Jezebel throughout his reign of terror. For Elijah to stand before such a man is a pointer to the fact that he belonged to a rare breed. I will like to refer to him as one of the kingdom princes that dot the pages of the Bible. By the way, in temporal sense, a prince is a member of a royal family. Expectedly, a prince will have some say in how the realm of the king is run.

Kingdom princes are men and women of status in the spirit. They are people of authority. Kingdom princes shape the course of history and direction of society.

Kingdom princes, as we could see from the story of Elijah, are men and women of status in the spirit. They are people of authority. Kingdom princes shape the course of history and direction of society. They literally judge on behalf of God. By standing before Ahab to pronounce judgment, Elijah was not trying to flex spiritual muscles; he was simply judging the land on behalf of God. The need of the hour is for kingdom princes to rise in every segment of the society. God needs worthy ambassadors in all areas of human enterprise. The more of these princes we have the quicker the plan of God will unfold for our nation and the nations of the earth.