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HUMANITY falls into three groups. There are those going through a lot, and the only thing certain in their lives is uncertainty. Some are standing after overcoming great adversities — and we all are created in the image and likeness of God. But the beauty of God is that whatever group you're in, He can make all things new. The Narrative THE CHILDREN of Israel had gone through so much in the hands of their enemies. Many wallowed in the ashes of defeat. Those who survived the exile and were back in the province were in great distress. They were shrouded in shame. The enemies had broken their walls and burned their gates with fire. When Nehemiah heard the news, he wept. He fasted and said, "Remember the instruction you (God) gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.'" (Neh. 1:8-9) God's Brand THE TIMES were difficult, and there were many unknowns. Nehemiah understood that he would lose his brand and remain in shame if he focused on the situation. They were the people of God, the people of grace—and anyone who puts his trust in Him will never be put to shame. (Rom. 10:11) God's Place HE MOVED his gaze from uncertainty to certainty—and the symbol of shame became his epitaph of hope. Nehemiah knew that the only place to be found was with God—and bowed his knees. He regained his voice in prayer and became a man of purpose. To move forward, he needed the light of God. For with God is the fountain of life. In His light, we see light. (Ps. 36:9) God's Hand HE NEEDED the favourable hand of God. Nehemiah had never appeared before the king sad. But that day, King Artaxerxes knew that something wasn't right. What is it you want? (Neh. 2:4) The king heard his requests and granted him all. God has much more than you need. When His hand is upon you, he will meet your needs. One reason that the favourable hand of God will be on life is purpose. Purpose draws the hand of God. No one broods in a comfort zone God's Enemies HE KNEW that things would be done, but they would not be handed to him, so he went for it. And when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites. (Neh. 2:10) Nehemiah knew that no one broods in a comfort zone. He understood that he was walking a difficult path. We also wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in high places. (Eph. 6:12) Power is never given; it is ceased. God's Pleasure WHEN TOBIAS and Sanballat mocked them, Nehemiah cried out. Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders. Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults back on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders. (Neh. 4:4) Your prayer daily should be—God let my life be pleasurable to you. Your place of prayer is God's place of pleasure. God's Wisdom AS THEY repaired the walls, some of the Jews cried out. During the famine, many of them had mortgaged their vineyards and fields for grains. As a result, they had nothing to fall back on. Nehemiah was angry. He called a large meeting and became the voice for the helpless. He told them to fear God and stop charging their fellowmen. (Neh. 5:1-12) The lenders promised to return what they had taken, and they will not charge any interest in the future. They took an oath to do what they had promised. In your purpose, you may have to wear different hats. When people respect you as a person, they admire you. When they respect you as a friend, they love you. When they respect you as a leader, they follow you – John Maxwell. The people followed him because they admired him. They could relate to his vision. BRINGING IT TOGETHER IF YOUR CHALLENGE is huge, your strength is little. God will humble you that you might increase your dependence on Him—and where you willingly humble yourself, he will exalt you. God became their chain breaker, their way breaker and their miracle worker. If you give God His rightful place, he will make everything new. Happy Thanksgiving!

MOST THINGS in life begin with a question. Can I trust him? Is there any hope? Will things change? What do I do? What does the future hold? Where care is not taken, some of these thoughts can steal your brand and become a burden. The Narrative DURING the reign of Ahab in Israel, Baal worship became very popular. And Elijah told the king that there would be no rain in the land for years. Then, God instructed him to go to Brook Cherith that he had commanded the ravens to feed him there. But after a while, the brook dried up because there was no rain. “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” When he got to the entrance of the city, he found a widow gathering sticks. He said to her, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” And she replied, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” (1 Kings 17:9-12) The Burden THE WIDOW wanted to control her priorities. But, instead, she carried the burden to feed her son. Questions were running in the back room of her mind—and her thoughts were begging for answers. Is this not what happens to us when we face difficult situations? “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me, and afterward make some for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’” (1 Kings 17:13-14) When what you want rests in the hands of someone else, you have no control. God’s Will THE WORD from the Lord was to put her mind at rest. God will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him. (Is. 26:3) He shared the truth with her—and the Will of God is the word of God. (Ps. 33:11) We create capabilities when we pursue the truth. We create possibilities when we walk in obedience. She had no control over the future, but she could do something about her obedience. When faced with a decision, do not focus on what you cannot control but what you can control. God will not take control of the situation until you have accepted his promise and you’re running with it. We create possibilities when we walk in obedience The Worship THE WIDOW left the prophet to prepare some food for him. She walked in obedience—and that’s a life of worship. Obedience never travels alone. It walks in the company of the Will of God. See an obedient person, and you'll see a willing heart—one with a burden to do the Master's Will. Imagine how she felt every time she returned to the cruse and found that it refilled itself. Just like he said, the cruse of oil did not go dry. So they fed on this for another few years. God is awesome! BRINGING IT TOGETHER THE PROMISE convinced her that the prophet was not an ordinary beggar. If you cannot trust God with your burden, you cannot walk in His Will—and if you cannot do His Will, you cannot live a life of worship.

MANY PROBLEMS in the Body of Christ are due to people doing as they please—they forget that they are God's outposts. But 'Christian freedom does not mean to do as we like but to do as we ought – William Barclay. The Narrative IN THE DAYS of Paul-the-Apostle, Corinth was a thriving city—and the inhabitants believed that a god founded it. They had idols for everything—and some of the meat sacrificed to these gods ended up in their food chain. When Paul heard these things, he knew he had to do something. He spoke to the Corinthian Church. You have a lot to learn. MANY OF YOU think you know, but you have a lot to learn. (1 Cor. 8:1) I believe that God is saying the same thing to us today. You must never get to a point where you think that you have nothing else to learn. You can never know all of God. God told Joshua that the Book of the Law should not depart out of his mouth. Therefore, he will meditate on it day and night. He will observe to do as it is written therein—and in it, he will make his way prosperous and have good success. (Joshua 1:8) God always has something new that he wants you to know. You are different FOR EVERY BELIEVER, there's only one God. Everything came from him. We live for him. There's only one Lord Jesus Christ. Everything came through Him, and we live because of Him. (1 Cor. 8:6) What God wants from you is different from what men want from you. God desires your worship. What does Christian freedom look like? FROM THE OUTSET, you need to understand that some things are objectionable. Paul told them to refrain from eating meat offered to idols so as not to wound others. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. (1 Cor. 8:13) Christian freedom does not harm others; it populates the Kingdom of God. Personal conscience is not your guide but the scriptures The Corinthian Church had deep disunity. They had problems with immorality. And Paul said to them, "Everything is permissible," but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible," but not everything builds up." (1 Cor. 10:23) Picture a skydiver deciding at 4000 feet not to wear a parachute. He will enjoy his freedom for a short time, then the force of gravity takes over. Can a man put fire next to his chest and not be burned? (Prov. 6:27) Talk to an addict, and he will tell you that freedom is gone. What Christian freedom is not LEGALISM is not freedom. It is a set of dos and don'ts. It can be grouped into traditions, personal preferences or convictions and personal views on 'gray' areas of life. Every true believer can be legalistic, but we are advised to be gracious to one another. (Rom. 14:1) Some run others out of their fellowship because they have different viewpoints. If you have died with Christ to the world's way of doing things, why do you let others tell you how to live? It's as though you were still under the world's influence. People will tell you, "Don't handle this! Don't taste or touch that!" All these things deal with objects that are only used up anyway. These things look like wisdom with their self-imposed worship, false humility, and harsh treatment of the body. But they have no value for holding back the constant desires of your corrupt nature. (Col. 2:20-23) The best way to avoid legalism is to know that Law was given through Moses; Christ gave grace and truth. (John 1:17) Bringing it Together YOU MAY BE knowledgeable, but you still have a lot to learn. When you know your faith well, you'll live well within your culture. Never forget that personal conscience is not your guide—it's the scriptures.

WHAT SEPARATES THE BOLD FROM THE FEARFUL?It is not talent or stature but something much more. Becoming a champion begins with a dedication to changing some habits – something you do without a second thought. The Narrative DAVID WAS THE YOUNGEST OF EIGHT SONS and the smallest in stature. The first three sons of Jesse – Eliab, Abinadab and Shammah followed King Saul to war while David went back and forth to tend his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. ‘Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. Take along these ten cheese to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them.”’ (1 Samuel 17:17-18) To be a champion for God, you need to cultivate the following habits. Live a Life of Integrity ALTHOUGH DAVID would be away from the flock, he wanted the sheep to be safe. So, he left them in the care of a shepherd. (1 Samuel 17:20) Proverbs 21:3 says, “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” God wants you to be a person of integrity. He delights in your obedience to His Word. Seek Clarity DAVID REACHED THE CAMP just as the soldiers were drawing up their lines facing each other. He left his things with the keeper of supplies and talked to his brothers. As he talked to them, Goliath – champion of the Philistines stepped out and defied the armies of Israel. Whenever the Israelites saw Goliath, they fled from him in fear. But David asked the men near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26) David needed clarity on the reward. Hebrews 12:2 says, “.. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning the shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus knew that there was joy beyond the cross – the salvation of souls. Recognise Distractions ELIAB, OVERHEARD DAVID and burned with anger. He said, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” (1 Samuel 17:28) After David replied to him, he turned to someone else with the same question. David knew that his brother was a distraction. While he walked in sincerity, Eliab walked in jealousy. Speak Words of Encouragement DAVID KNEW THAT THERE ARE MOMENTS when troubles come our way, and we can do nothing to avoid them. But we can do something about them. He chose a duty that no one wanted, and said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” (1 Samuel 17:32) 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up just as in fact you are doing." Recognise the Contrary Voice SAUL COMPARED DAVID TO GOLIATH. He felt David was a young man, and Goliath had been a warrior from his youth. When you’re faced with challenges, remember that when faith falters, fear festers. When faith falters, fear festers Make Your Prediction BUT DAVID TOLD HIS STORY and prayed. Then, he made his prediction. “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion, and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of the Philistines.” (1 Samuel 17:37) Saul concurred with him and prayed that the Lord will go with him. Know Your Armour DAVID TURNED DOWN the armour of Saul because he wasn’t used to it and settled for five smooth stones, and a sling. He said, “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:47) When you hand everything over to God, he goes before you. (Isaiah 52:12) Have respect for God’s words, look for them in the scriptures and find out where they have been and how they were used. Life is complicated, but when you turn to the scriptures for a solution, the Holy Spirit makes it simple. BRINGING IT TOGETHER GOD WANTS YOU to take a cue from David who was calm in the time of adversity. When you cannot see the hand of God, trust His heart – Spurgeon. Live your life from the resurrection perspective. Move from lamenting to walking by faith.

ONE QUESTION has remained since the wake of the pandemic—who can you trust? The fear of the virus jumping from one person to the other has not helped—and the look on people's faces when you stand close to them further tells the story. The other day, I walked away from the car only to realize that I wasn't donning a mask and had to return to get one. The development of the vaccine has come as a relief to many. And some with underlying health conditions who have been vaccinated have kept their status to themselves. They fear being shamed. The issue of trust has been further worsened by nations where the vaccination has become a passport for entry into certain places. Those without it are discriminated against—and the health crises are now governing people's lives. To get the vaccine or not to get it is still the elephant in the room—and the question on people's minds is who we can trust. AFTER THE DEATH of Christ, many of his disciples didn't know who to trust. They did not know what to do with their lives. Their question was like, where is God in all of these? It was as if they had followed God long enough to be disappointed. The problem with disappointment is that it's as old as history. And many times, it comes unannounced. Their old vocation seemed attractive to them, so they went back to fishing—and caught nothing all night. AT THE BREAK of day, Jesus stood at the beach. But they did not know it was him. You haven't caught any fish, my sons. "No," they replied. Cast your nets into the sea. As they did, they caught so many fish and couldn't lift their nets. It is the Lord exclaimed John. (John 21:1-10) Peter realized that God sustains all things. He maintains all things by His powerful words. (Hebrews 1:3) Nature is nothing but the expression of His will—no wonder Jesus could tell where the fishes were. God has the solution to your problem. All he wants you to do is trust Him. PETER DOVE into the sea and swam ashore. When they arrived at the shore, they saw a charcoal fire burning with fish on the grill and bread. Bring some of the fish you just caught. Peter went back to the boat and pulled 153 large fish from the net. Despite the number of fish, the net did not break. "Come and join me for breakfast," he said. (John 21:12) Peter needed to learn that God was continuously at work in his life. Even when he couldn't physically see Him, he was still present. Whatever adversity you face, you must understand that God will never leave you. He will never forsake you. He truly delivers those who call to Him in the day of trouble. (Psalm 50:15) Trusting God must be worked out in an arena of no boundaries HE GAVE THEM fish and bread. They knew that it was Jesus because this was the third time that he was appearing to them. When they were done eating breakfast, he said to Peter, "Do you love Me more than these other things?" (John 21:15-18) And two more times, Jesus asked if he loved him. The night that Judas betrayed Jesus, Peter denied him thrice. (Luke 25:54-62) Jesus wanted him to reaffirm his trust and love for Him. The challenge to his obedience humbled him, but he knew that God's unfailing love surrounds those who trust in him. (Psalm 32:10) BRINGING IT TOGETHER PETER HAD BETRAYED him, yet he did not bring it up. All he did was invite him to a meal—and share His grace with him. Whenever you face adversity, there's someone to trust—God. And trusting God must be worked out in an arena with no boundaries, even when dealing with the unknown.

OUR DEEPEST wishes and fears are not things we easily share with other people, but the Rubin Museum tried to change that perception. They had a special exhibition – the Monument for the Anxious and Hopeful, which contained a collection of anonymous confessions. Visitors were asked to describe what made them anxious or hopeful. They posted their anxieties on one side of the exhibit and their hopes on the other – more than fifty thousand altogether. Despite their fears, people were still hopeful. The Narrative ELISHA went to the town of Shunem. A wealthy woman who lived there invited him to have lunch with her family. After that, whenever Elisha was in town, he stopped there to eat. And she said to her husband, "I am sure this man who stops in from time to time is a holy man of God. Let's build a small room for him on the roof and furnish it with a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp. Then, he will have a place to stay whenever he comes by." (2 Kings 4:9) What do you desire? HER KINDNESS touched the prophet's heart, and he wanted to return the favour. "Tell her, 'We appreciate the kind concern you have shown us. What can we do for you? Can we put in a good word for you to the king or to the commander of the army? he said to Gehazi.'" "My family takes good care of me," she replied. (2 Kings 4:12-13) Later, Elisha asked Gehazi what the woman desired. The servant said that she has no child, and her husband is old. Time wasn't on their side, yet she hid her wishes and fears from the prophet. When Abraham needed a son, he acted differently. He said, "Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" (Genesis 15:2) Jesus wants you to ask. (Matthew 7:7) What do you fear? ELISHA TOLD GEHAZI to call her. And when she came, he said, "Next year at this time you will be holding a son in your arms!" (2 Kings 4:16) She told Elisha not to deceive her and get her hopes high. She loved God but was anxious about the future. Proverbs 13:12 says, "Hope postponed grieves the heart; but when a dream comes true, life is full and sweet." A year after, she had a son like Elisha prophesied. She had a reason to smile again. God will surprise you and cause you to laugh too. God is always in the waiting What is your plan? YOU MUST LEARN not to fight alone. It's vital to invite God into your affairs. Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. (Philippians 4:6-7) BRINGING IT TOGETHER ANXIETY AND HOPE are about the future. She showed Elisha hospitality and wrote her future. Don't be afraid of tomorrow but commit your ways to God. What grows you up is what puts you on your knees. And as you pray, know that God is always in the waiting.

YOU CAN STUDY the scriptures every day and still miss out on God, but you cannot love God and miss out on Him. The Narrative A YOUNG RULER knew he wasn’t there yet, so he turned to Jesus for answers. “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18) “Why do you call me good. No one is good—except God,” Jesus replied. Here We Go TO ANSWER HIS QUESTION, Jesus wanted to know him more. You know what the Hebrew Scriptures command: “Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honour your father and mother.” (Luke 18:20) I have been doing all these since I was a boy, replied the young man. The ruler had been studying the scriptures, yet, he felt empty. He had kept the commandments from his youth but knew things weren’t adding up. You lack one thing JESUS TOLD HIM what to do. “Go and sell all you have and give to the poor. Then, you will have treasure in heaven. After, come and follow Me.” When he heard these words, his heart sank. Just when he thought things were okay, he found out that he missed the mark. He gave so much attention to Jesus, but his wealth had so much hold on him. He was so rich, yet no fulfilment. And he wasn’t willing to let go. To sell all that he had didn’t make sense. What will people say? He could do things that didn’t cost him anything, but he knew that this one would cost him something. You may know what you want, but God knows what you need He mused over what to do next, looked up and began to make his way through the crowd. The public official was so caught up in his present gains that he missed fulfilment for eternity. Make it count HE GOT A MOMENT to change his direction but gave it up. The young ruler allowed his treasure to come between him and God. “And where your treasure is, your heart will also be.” (Matthew 6:21) But we shouldn’t be quick to point out his mistakes. Whenever we make a choice, we must consider the future; we must think of the consequence that comes with it. Are your choices eternity-focused or based on immediate gratification? BRINGING IT TOGETHER JESUS THOUGHT IN MOMENTS—he knew where the prose of life needed punctuation—he knew what the ruler required. You may know what you want, but God knows what you need. Anytime you substitute someone or something for God; you miss out on Him. And when next you make a choice, choose wisely!

THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR HAD COME IN A FLASH. The Simpsons had to move in a dash. They had just purchased a new house. Dashawn had to douse his fears with new ideas. A student by day, an artist by night. People loved his graffiti, but things were not at parity. Even as he pursued equality, people admired his quality. Dashawn’s insatiable love for the arts pushed him. While his works were profound, he couldn’t hide from the hounds. When the law caught up with him, he went out on a limp. He pursued his passion the lawful way and got invited along the way. Thereafter, he joined the League and became a well-known artist. The Narrative JACOB LOVEDJoseph more than all his other children because he was the son of his old age. When Joseph dreamt and told his brothers, they hated him. (Genesis 37:8) The second time, Joseph dreamt and told his dad. The father scolded him. (Genesis 37:10) Joseph’s dream was a trajectory to a promising future and a realization of God’s word to Abraham. Pursuit begins with a dream and reveals itself as a scheme. Dream WITH THE DREAM CAME THE SEED OF GREATNESS. The same thing happens when you accept Christ. The incorruptible seed of God goes into you. (1 Peter 1:23) Relevance EVERY DREAM CREATES A CONNECTION. It linked Joseph to the plan of God. Similarly, knowing Christ will provide you with significance, and a voice to your generation. Challenges JACOB SENT JOSEPH to take food to his brothers in the field. When they saw Joseph, they planned to get rid of him. Joseph’s brothers sold him to the Midianites who traded him to Potiphar. (Genesis 37) Just as they fought Joseph, the enemy will fight your purpose. (John 10:10) However, challenges are like speed bumps. They can slow you down, but they can’t stop you. God’s Presence JOSEPH BEGAN TO OPERATE IN THE MARKETPLACE. The Lord was with him, and Potiphar put him in charge of his home. He became a man of influence. “And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Wherever you are in the world, God has designated a place for you. However, you’ll need to find it. Focus EVEN AS JOSEPH PROSPERED, Potiphar’s wife became attracted to him. She hatched a plot to sleep with Joseph, but he ran leaving his cloak. Then, she lied that he wanted to sleep with her forcefully. They threw Joseph in prison. He was submerged in the wave of lies but kept afloat by the dike - the Pursuit of Purpose. It’s the nature of humankind to want what they don’t have; humans have an infinite appetite for distraction. You can allow the enemy to remove your coat but prevent him from stealing your dream; by walking in obedience to God's Word. Obedience is the foundation on which fulfillment is built. However, satisfaction is distant from a life without purpose. The presence of pursuit is a testimony of the absence of something. It’s a bag of wishes. Wishes JOSEPH HAD DESIRES but to lay in Potiphar’s bed wasn’t one of them. He knew that wasn’t a door to open. Our wishes are endless so must be our pursuit of His Presence. The upside of down will result as we seek God in resoluteness. Determination HABITUAL DISREGARD FOR PURPOSE indicates little or no interest in what we should have done. Samson ignored his purpose and suffered for it. (Judges 16:21) Joseph pursued it and ascended the throne. Rewards IN PRISON, THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH. He found favour with the warden who put him in charge of all the inmates. (Genesis 39:20-23) While in the penitentiary, Joseph interpreted the dreams of two prisoners. After a while, Pharaoh had a dream and needed someone to interpret. Then, the cup-bearer remembered Joseph. They brought him, and he explained the dreams. Pharaoh was delighted, and he made Joseph the second-in-command in Egypt. His gift made way for him. “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand ..” (Proverbs 22:29) With every achievement comes a greater desire for the next. Pursuit begins with a passion and ends with desire. Joseph understood this principle and never stopped using his gift. He nurtured the seed that triggered his purpose and sought excellence in all that he did. When opportunities came, he owned the podium. People who don’t pursue purpose miss out on the pelting hardships and the rewards that come with it. Joseph’s pursuit of purpose paid huge returns on investment. The pursuit of purpose pays enormous returns on investment BRINGING IT TOGETHER PURPOSE GIVES MEANING to life. As you pursue it, your success will evolve; your relevance becomes evident, and you'll own the podium. Begin to pursue your purpose!

MANY STOOD in line waiting to board their flights for Thanksgiving, while others lined up waiting to be tested for the virus. Everyone is social-distancing and trying to keep safe, but it seems that our leaders are flying blind. Their conflicting messages do not help—and we are deeply humbled by what we do not know. However, we serve the One who knows all things—and the truth must be told. The Narrative WHEN SENNACHERIB, the king of Assyria, took Judah's fortified cities, Hezekiah sent him a message. "I confess that what I have done is wrong! Please leave now, and I will personally pay the penalty of my own actions." (2 Kings 18:14) And when the king of Assyria demanded eleven tons of silver and one ton of gold, Hezekiah gathered what he could get from the king's treasuries and God's temple. He even stripped off the gold from the doorposts and doorknobs, and he gave it all to him. However, Sennacherib wasn't satisfied. He sent a large army to Jerusalem. And when they called out to the king, his lawyer, administrator and reporter came out to meet them. You're living in a world of make-believe, of pious fantasy. Do you think that mere words are any substitute for military strategy and troops? (2 Kings 18:19-20) Problem Expander WHEN RABSHAKEH shouted on top of his voice, he wanted everyone to hear. He magnified the problem and queried Hezekiah's confidence in God. Sennacherib trusted in his prowess—he did not realize that Israel's defeat was because they sinned against God, and God allowed them to go into captivity. (2 Kings 17:18-20) Dream Harasser HEZEKIAH had a dream for his people to return them to God, but Rabshakeh harassed him. (2 Kings 18:5) "Now that you've revolted against me, who can you expect to help you? You thought Egypt would, but Egypt's nothing but a paper tiger—one puff of wind and she collapses; Pharaoh king of Egypt is nothing but bluff and bluster." One trick in the enemy's tool kit is harassment. He will use people to try and intimidate you, but you must not succumb. The same God who demands that you be brave is the same One who provides courage. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged; for the Lord, your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9) Mistake Distributors IF YOU'VE made a mistake, there's still hope. All you must do is go to God, ask for forgiveness and change your ways. When Hezekiah offered the enemy what he asked for, he played by the enemy's rule, and that was a big mistake. He forgot that humans do not make the weapons we use in our fight. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. (2 Corinthians 10:4) God has not called us to be comfortable but to trust him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if he doesn't come through - Francis Chan. God has a faithful account of all that concerns you Progress Arrestor SENNACHERIB tried to stop the people of God by sending Hezekiah a threatening chit. And when Hezekiah read his letter, he went into the temple and laid it on the floor before the Lord. Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God. (2 Kings 19:19) What do you do when you face adversity? Hezekiah understood that he had to pray. He knew that the shortest distance between a challenge and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor – Charles Stanley. He cried out, and God spoke to Prophet Isaiah—that night, the Lord sent an angel who put to death one hundred and eighty-five thousand soldiers in the Assyrian camp. (2 Kings 19:35) Sennacherib returned to Nineveh. And one day, while worshipping in the temple of one of his gods, his sons killed him. Now, you may be experiencing darkness—it could be doubt, lack, failure, or the pandemic, but one thing I know is that God will show up. His light will shine. He will break forth and come through the shadows of death. BRINGING IT TOGETHER THE EPIC HERO in life cannot save himself. He needs someone from the outside to save him. One breathtaking concept of God is that he has everything planned out. He has a faithful account of all that concerns you. Never forget that your redemption will come from outside of you—it will come from God.

WITHOUT EXPECTATION, life will be miserable. There will be nothing to live for, nothing to hope for—and nothing to achieve. When the pandemic struck, we were surrounded by ominous sounds and expectations. Everything seemed bleak with no end in sight, but thanks to God who continues to keep us. AS ABRAHAM walked with God, he looked forward to a city with a foundation whose architect and builder is God. (Heb. 11:10) Enoch did the same then; he was gone because God took him. (Gen. 5:24) The centurion knew that all he had to do was to have Jesus say a prayer for his servant, and he will recover. (Matt. 8:5-13) Realistic expectations are great, but unrealistic ones can be traumatic and uneasy to handle. The Narrative NAAMAN was an extraordinary man. He was the commanding officer of Aram's army. If he lived in our day, he would have a medal of purple heart. God gave Aram victory through his hands, but he was a leper. One day, Aramean soldiers went on a raid. They came back with a young girl from Israel who became the servant to the commander's wife. The girl noticed Naaman's condition, and she told her mistress that a prophet in Samaria could heal him. (2 Kings 5) For Naaman, hope was on the horizon. In the euphoria, he shared the news with his master. And the King of Aram promised to send a letter to the King of Israel. THE KING sent a letter with 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing with him. The letter reads, I'm sending my officer Naaman with this letter. Cure him of his skin disease." (2 Kings 5:6) When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes. He felt the people of Aram were spoiling for a fight. But Elisha sent a message to the king to send Naaman to him. WHENEVER WE go to God in prayer, we come with a petition, praise, or worship letter. He came with a letter of petition, but he went to the wrong address. Imagine you order a product and give an incorrect address. You will never have it delivered to you. Before Jesus left his disciples, he gave them the location to wait—tarry ye in Jerusalem till you are endued with power. (Acts 1:4) If you are going to be blessed by God, you must be properly positioned—and if you are going to have God do the unexpected in your life, you must have realistic expectations. Elijah had to go to the brook to be fed by the ravens. THE COMMANDER came to Elisha's house with a lot of substance. He felt that he could buy his healing. But the man of God wasn't interested in what he had; Elisha was keen on Naaman, knowing that there was a prophet in Israel. A similar thing happened when Simon, who had previously practised magic, saw that people received the Spirit of God through the laying of hands; he offered Peter and John money to obtain the power. But Peter told him that his heart wasn't right with God. He advised him to repent and ask God for forgiveness. (Acts 8:1-24) HE CAME with faith and great expectation, but he had preconceived ideas of how Elisha will do things. The prophet will come and lay hands, and the skin disease will vanish. But when he got there, Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River, and your skin will be healthy and clean." (2 Kings 5:10) He left the place boiling and angry, wondering why the prophet will send him to a 'dirty river.' Naaman wanted things done in his way—he was a man of unrealistic expectations. He had faith but wasn't walking in obedience. Whenever you go to God, do not come to him with preconceived ideas—he is God. HE WAS used to commanding people but wasn't familiar with being instructed. His attitude demonstrated his unsaid intentions, but his men prevailed on him. Naaman swallowed his pride. He dipped in the river and was cleansed. After you have done what God wants, you will receive what he promised. (Heb. 10:36) BRINGING IT TOGETHER HE BEHAVED like someone always knowing instead of learning. If you want to live a life of meaning, you must intentionally cultivate obedience. And the Bible does not recognize faith that does not lead to obedience – A.W. Tozer.

I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE leave the gas station with their gas tanks open—and I have seen a few people drive out after fuelling their cars with the nozzle still in their tanks. Isn’t this what many of us do when we travel along with things we shouldn’t and spread bitterness wherever we go. We move from place to place with the wrong attitude and corrupt everything in sight. The Narrative A FATHER had two sons. One day, the younger one said, “Father, eventually, I’m going to inherit my share of your estate. Rather than waiting until you die, I want you to give me my share now.” (Luke 15:11-12) The father liquidated his assets and divided them. A few days later, the younger son gathered his things and left for a distant land where he wasted all his inheritance on wild living. A great famine struck the land, and he was in great need. He got a job with one of the locals who sent him to feed the swine. The prodigal son was miserably hungry and felt like eating from the pig’s ration—no one gave to him. When he chose to live carelessly, he decided to suffer. Anytime you do the same, you alienate yourself from God. Change your Attitude WHEN HE HAD a moment, he said to himself, “What am I doing here?” Back home, my father’s hired servants have plenty of food. Why am I here starving to death? “ “Father, I have done wrong—wrong against God and against you. I have forfeited any right to be treated like your son, but I’m wondering if you’d treat me as one of your hired servants?” (Luke 15:18-19) The prodigal son knew that he was disloyal to his dad. He understood that he brought shame to his family. Was he filled with memories? Yes, but much more with trepidation. The reason I say so is that he practised how to face his dad. He rehearsed what he would say, not sparing anything and thought of how his dad might react. He was sorry for what he had done. He viewed his return as a portal of hope—and a door to reconciliation. Reach out in love THE PRODIGAL SON got up and returned home. When the father saw him afar off, he ran and hugged him. The father gave him the chance to live again—a chance for redemption. Even as he gave his pitch, his dad told his servants to put the best robe on him, and a ring in his finger. (Luke 15:22) The father forgave him. These acts are symbolic. They are the expressions of his love for his son—and symbols of God’s love toward us. For while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Die to Self IN EVERY STORY of reconciliation, someone dies to self. When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers and forgave them, he died to self. Moving forward, he had no animosity toward them. And he said, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20) You cannot truly forgive until you acknowledge the full measure of evil that was done to you. When the older son returned, he wouldn’t enter the house because he was bitter toward his brother and upset with his dad. The father did all he could to reconcile him with his brother, but he wouldn’t. While he saw the prodigal son as too far gone, his dad saw him as something good in the making. BRINGING IT TOGETHER THE PRODIGAL SON returned home with a better understanding and value for what he neglected in the past. Are you living a life of preference or choosing to obey the Word of God? A willful decision not to obey God can harden your heart and make you less receptive to His voice. Choose wisely!

TODAY, it is worse to judge evil than to do evil – Os Guinness. But in the days of Christ, it was the opposite. Whenever people did things that were contrary to the ways of the kingdom, he called them out. The Narrative ONE DAY, Jesus told his audience the parable of two men who went to the temple to pray: one of them is a pharisee, and the other is a despised tax collector. The pharisee prayed in honour of himself. "God, how I thank You that I am not on the same level as other people—crooks, cheaters, the sexually immoral—like this tax collector over here. Just look at me! I fast not once but twice a week, and I faithfully pay my tithes on every penny of income." Over in the corner, the tax collector wouldn't even lift his eyes to heaven. But pounds on his chest and says, "God be merciful to me a sinner." (Luke 18:9-13) What are you seeking? MANY OF US are seeking status; we want a higher place in the mind of people. The pharisee can be considered as a rich man, but you don't have to be wealthy to assume that you have a higher status or are better than someone else. Status is an attitude of the mind. When the pharisee felt he was better than the tax collector, he fed his ego. He walked in hot air. James 2 makes it clear that if you look down on anyone, you have sinned. Where are you standing? THE PHARISEE stood in his righteousness—not knowing that it was like a filthy rag. (Is. 64:6) He allowed the view of himself to cloud his judgement. Are you allowing the view that you have of yourself to cloud your judgement? If you are, you need to repent and ask God for forgiveness. What do you have? HE SOUNDED like a self-made man who said, 'I faithfully pay my tithes on every penny of income.' His works took the front seat, while the grace of God had no place—and where the grace is not evident, God isn't present. Who says that you are any better than other people? What do you have that wasn't given to you? If you were given what you have, why are you bragging as if it weren't a gift? (1 Cor. 4:7) What do you know? THE JOB that you do is not better than someone else's. Your ministry is not more vital than another's. Every child of God ministers in a certain way—and we all serve the same Lord. If being a member of a megachurch inflates your ego, something is wrong. The gift of the Holy Spirit you have does not give you special status. He gives gifts to each person as he decides. (1 Cor. 12:11) The only status acceptable to God isn't the one you give yourself What does God expect of you? JESUS SAYS that the tax collector walks home clean before God—whoever lifts himself will be put down, and whoever takes a humble place, God will give a lift. Are you lifting yourself? Humility is the alternative to status—and it is how you see yourself from God's viewpoint. It is the proper sense of oneself—you are created, saved and loved by Him; not superior or better than anyone else. Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less. Humility is not a character trait to develop; it's the natural by-product of being with Jesus – C.S. Lewis. BRINGING IT TOGETHER GOD NEVER compares you to anyone. He sees you as you. The only status acceptable to God isn't the one you gave yourself, but the one He gave you. The tax collector saw himself as a sinner, but God saw a candidate for redemption. Always remember that 'he who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only' – C. S. Lewis. Have a great month.