THE QUESTION has never been, God not willing to do what he promised; the issue is whether we are eager to submit in full obedience to Him and believe His word? The Narrative THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL had continued their match to Canaan, and Moses sent twelve men to spy out the land. Are the inhabitants strong or weak? Are they many or few? Do their cities have fortifications, or their camps opened all around? Is the land good or bad? Is its soil rich or poor? These were his words to them. But when the spies returned, they went beyond the guidelines of the assignment. The land is fertile, prosperous. It flows with milk and honey, and here is some of the fruit. It's highly desirable, but their people are strong. Their cities are enormous and secured. We can't do it; the people are too strong for us—said the spies. (Numbers 13:1-31) They made cutting comments; they changed the mood of the people. Faith gave way to doubt, and fear rushed in. The majority believed themselves; they sucked faith out of the people. Do you suck faith out of people? Fear or Faith DO YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF or do you believe in God? Do you suck faith out of people or give it to them? God wants you to give hope wherever you go. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7) Caleb was in the minority when he spoke the heart of God. And God said to Moses, "But, because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it." (Numbers 14:24) What distinguished Caleb from the ten spies? HE HAD A DIFFERENT SPIRIT—Caleb had the right attitude, the right approach and the proper anticipation. God's Spirit shaped his Spirit, and he behaved accordingly; where others saw challenges, he saw possibilities. Caleb saw with the eye of faith. He believed God wholeheartedly and did not rely on his power. He knew they'd be successful because they were on the Lord's side. He stood on the promises of God that never fail. He understood that faith anticipating anything from the Lord would endure—hope that will possess will sign up for the long haul. He had a conviction that every word of God is a promise to keep. Caleb couldn't get the vision of God out of his mind. This understanding led to his commitment to God. He proceeded with single-heartedness and set the bar high. Caleb knew that the starting point wasn't as vital as the finishing line. He did not give in to lesser values. His commitment to God led to his confession. "Let's go up and take it over! We are surely able." (Numbers 13:30) For him, this moment was a defining one. No wonder when the time came, he stood before Joshua and said, "Give me the mountains that the Lord promised." (Joshua 14:12-15) BRINGING IT TOGETHER THE JOURNEY took a detour, but Caleb never wavered at God's promise. He gave faith a fighting chance and did not fear the mountain from a distance. You cannot afford to lose the sense of awe for God. And you can never know what God will do through you until you completely abandon yourself to Him.

“Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character and reap a destiny.” When God warned Cain about his thoughts, he wanted him to put his boundaries in place. He said, “Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? If you do well, won’t you be accepted? And if you don’t do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it’s out to get you, you’ve got to master it.” (Genesis 4:6-7) Evil thoughts will get you on a detour and put you in murky waters. The Narrative THE PHARISEES AND EXPERTS of the law just complained that Jesus welcomed sinners and ate with them. And Jesus told them the parable of a father and two sons. The younger son said to the father, ‘Father, I want right now what’s coming to me.’ (Luke 15:11-12) The dad divided his property into two. And shortly after, the younger son took his inheritance and left for a distant land where he found himself in trouble. If you ever find yourself in murky waters, ask yourself these questions: Where is your heart? BEFORE HE WENT TO HIS FATHER, the son had left—his heart was somewhere else. He acted out what he thought. “It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is is the place you will most want to be and end up being.” (Matthew 6:21) He wanted to be alone. He rejected the father’s love and hearth. The prodigal son wanted to be away from home—independent and free from parental controls and responsibilities. Have your values shifted over time? SOME OF US bury our values when we are trying to achieve or going through tough times. The prodigal son’s values had shifted. He partied with the big boys and lived on the fast lane. His friends’ values screamed loud in his ears and blocked access to his own values. They drowned everything he believed in, and he lost control of his life. One way to prevent shifting values is to step aside—away from all the noise and be still before God. Another way is to be rooted in biblical principles and continue to value what God values. When David hatched the plot and had Uriah killed and took his wife, he disrespected the values of God. And David paid dearly for it. (2 Samuel 12) Paul advised that ‘we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.’ (2 Corinthians 10:5) Your duty is demolishing the arguments and ideas, not God’s responsibility. Your duty is demolishing the arguments and ideas What’s your process? THERE WAS A GREAT FAMINE in the land. The prodigal son began to want, and no one gave him food. Then, he looked inwards. The prodigal son did a value assessment and came to his senses. He recalled how his father treated even his hired servants. He said, “I’m going back to my father. I’ll say to him, Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.” (Luke 15:18-19) When God sent Nathan to David, he called David’s attention to the process. David re-examined himself. He said, “I have sinned against the LORD.” (2 Samuel 12:13) Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! (2 Corinthians 13:5) The process of self-examination should be an ongoing one. Who are you becoming? THE PRODIGAL SON realized that he had brought shame to himself. When he searched his soul, he came to his core values. He was concerned about what he had become, but he had the option—to return home and ask for forgiveness. To become who he should be required taking ownership for his mistakes. He returned home. While he was afar, the father recognized him. He ran out, embraced him and kissed him. The father told his servants to bring clean clothes and put on him. He also said to them to put the family ring on him. He rejoiced that his missing son had returned to take his place. He treated him as his son. BRINGING IT TOGETHER THE PRODIGAL SON realized that the only way out of his predicament was his dad, and he went to him. You must also understand that only God can rescue you from this world of sin. Run to Him and be safe!

I CAN FIND MY WAY HOME from there,” he said. Officer Peter O’Hanlon was on patrol when he heard a quivering sob—it was a little lad in the shadows sitting on a doorstep. "I’m lost. Please take me home,” said the boy. “Where do you live, child?” “What street?” “I do not know,” the boy replied. The officer began to name the streets in the neighbourhood hoping to help him remember where he lived. He repeated the names of hotels and shops, but nothing helped. Then, he remembered a well-known church with a towering cross in the centre of the city. He pointed at it, and the boy’s face brightened. “Take me to the cross.” “I can find my way home from there.” The Narrative IT WAS THE PASSOVER, and Jesus shared the bread, and the cup with his disciples. He proceeded to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done,” he prayed. He was in so much agony, and an angel of the Lord strengthened him. Then, he came to his disciples, he woke them up and urged them to pray. But as he talked to them, a crowd came, and they arrested him. They took him to the council of elders, who connived against him. The elders were like gatekeepers, those that one will call the harbingers of progress, but they shut the door on the people—it seemed like systemic cruelty. The following day, he stood before Pilate, but Pilate found no fault in him. He would release Jesus, but the people shouted, “Crucify him, crucify him.” (Luke 23:21) Pilate granted their request, and they led him to Golgotha where they crucified him with two criminals, one on each side. He said, “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Place of Separation THE THIEVES represent the two groups of people that live: the righteous and the wicked. The cross is the place of the divide. When the criminal on the left hurled abuses at Jesus, the one on the right told him to stop. He knew that Jesus was innocent and did not deserve to die. Take me to the cross Place of Forgiveness THE MAN ON THE RIGHT knew that it wasn’t about what he had done, but what he must do. To be with Jesus in eternity, he needed to have him now. He understood that the punishment fitted his crime and wanted it to end quickly, but not before he made a request. He said, “Jesus, remember me when You come to Your kingdom!” (Luke 23:42) And Jesus said to him, "Truly, I say to you. Today, you'll be with me in paradise."  (Luke 23:43) Both were guilty and couldn’t save themselves, but they had equal opportunities to be saved—the one on the right reached out in faith while the one on the left didn’t. Both wanted to be saved, but one had a saving faith: he repented and confessed Jesus publicly. Jesus saw something good and forgave him. Place of Hope ON THAT NIGHT, many people lost hope. They had thought that Jesus would take back the Kingdom of Israel from the Romans and give it to them, but they were far from the truth. It was his darkest hour—Jesus was at the brunt of everything, but he turned on the light and forgave their sins. To some, forgiveness had become a forgotten virtue. But Jesus reminded them why it was so important to forgive. At the cross, forgiveness played out in a very humbling way—it gave them hope, and humanity had the chance to live again. Has anyone offended you? God wants you to forgive. Let go, let God. BRINGING IT TOGETHER AT THE CROSS, the man on the right found his way home. He knew that Jesus could love and forgive, and he asked for it. There is no bliss in anxiety, no delight in persisting challenges. The way to take the stress out of the distress is to trust Him with your life. Life is short. Eternity is long! The Cross of Christ is the way home. It's time to choose how you want your story to end.

IF WE DO THINGS THE WAY the world does, we have missed our way. God wants us to do things differently. We are born on earth, ‘but we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.’ (Philippians 3:20) We live in the world, but we are not of the world. Even as we are heavenly-minded, God wants us to be earthly useful. We mustn’t be overly impressed by power and influence and miss our way. Our leaders must continue to tell the truth to power. We are called to live lives of salt and light. (Matthew 5:13-14) The Narrative CRUCIFIXION WAS DRAWING CLOSE when Jesus shared deep things with his disciples. (John 16:1-4) A time will come when people will kill you and think they’re doing God a service, he said. Paul warned us too. He knew things would be confusing—he shared how to live a godly life in a corrupt world. Follow my Example HE INVITES ALL BELIEVERS to imitate him, and the lives of others like him. (Philippians 3) Paul’s example includes his teachings, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions and sufferings. (2 Timothy 3:10) And God left us an incredible legacy. He gave us the heroes of faith. (Hebrews 11:4-39) We also have heroes in our lives—like godly parents and others who show us how to live a holy life. We can follow their patterns and lifestyles, admire them but not idolize them. Anyone you're going to be close to, you must choose carefully. Don’t be so naïve—there’s another saying you know well—Bad company corrupts good habits. (1 Corinthians 15:33) Salt can do nothing except it comes out of the shaker Know this Reality SOME PEOPLE take other paths and choose other goals. Paul calls them ‘the enemies of the cross.’ He describes their end being destruction, god is their appetite, they glory in their shame, and they set their heart on earthly things. (Philippians 3:19) We are to live with them but not like them. And God wants us to share the gospel of Christ with them. Our Citizenship WE ARE SPECIAL because our citizenship is of heaven. But it comes with responsibility. Our expression is to make Jesus Christ known and live this life with the anticipation of his return. We must not buy into the global system to the extent that we are heavenly useless. What does God want you to do? He desires that you’re rooted in Him, and you lay your treasures in heaven. Stay firmly planted—be unshakable—do many good works in the name of God and know that all your labour is not for nothing when it is for God. (1 Corinthians 15:58) BRINGING IT TOGETHER IF GOD WANTED YOU OUT OF HERE, he would have taken you to heaven. You’re the salt of the earth. But salt can do nothing except it comes out of the shaker. You cannot touch lives except you interact with people. Jesus rescued you from sin that you may reach out to others. The light in you was made to shine.

WE SEEK THE COMMON THREAD that binds us together. Many of our associations are built on shared beliefs. We thrive on changing people's minds and live trying to persuade others. Jesus came to change the mind of humanity about God. He went around building bridges and not walls. 'For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.' (Ephesians 2:14) The Narrative PEOPLE WERE DRAWN to him because he had the word of life. They never heard anyone teach like Jesus. (Mark 1:22) As he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, the people pressed around him to listen to the word of God. There were two boats by the lake, and the fishermen just left them to scrub their nets. Jesus got into Simon's boat. He told him to put out a little from the shore. But when he was done speaking, he turned to Simon and said, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." (Luke 5:4) His command was precise. His words were prescriptive and descriptive. Change your thinking JESUS WANTED PETER to change his thinking. He planned to bring him into the fold. Anytime God gives you a command, he is trying to help you align your thoughts to His. And as a man thinks in his heart, so he is. (Proverbs 23:7) "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word, I will let down the net," Peter replied. (Luke 5:5) Failure is temporary HIS RESPONSE showed how he saw Jesus. And where he was, wasn't him. Failure has a way of making people come up with excuses, but no one has ever excused themselves to success. Excuses feel good, but you have to stop making them. Peter had been listening to Jesus. He knew that Jesus had authority. His response was emotional. The failure stood between him and the future. Although it planted a flag of reality, Peter knew that the words of Jesus weren't ordinary. Speak with the voice of faith WHEN HE RESPONDED TO JESUS in the affirmative, he spoke with the voice of faith. He aligned to the plan and purpose of God, and the heavens opened over him. If you want the heavens to open, you must obey God's word. You must speak with the voice of faith. Life is ever great when you decide to live under the authority of God's words. And all these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God.. (Deuteronomy 28:2-12) Catch the Revelation PETER CAST THE NET. They caught many fishes and had to call the other fishermen to assist. They filled both boats with their catch. When he saw what happened, he fell at the feet of Jesus. He said, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" (Luke 5:8) The miracle swept him off his feet—he caught the revelation of worship. BRINGING IT TOGETHER PETER HEEDED THE WORDS OF JESUS. He got the chance to rewrite his story. He went to where he has never been. His experience redefined his impossibilities. It's time to take your personal narrative to where God wants it. He cares about where you've been and much more where you should be. Have a great week.

GENUINE CHARACTER is modelled in us when we see it in others. We look for people to emulate—and whenever they fall, we are disappointed. We must recall that the bible never gives us pictures of perfect people, but imperfect men and women made perfect by God. What comes to mind when you think of David? If you describe him as the champion of Israel, you have done well. But Saul hated him. While Saul looked at him with jealous eyes, David worked out his concerns—just like him, we must face our doubts and fears. He had the right attitude; he turned his challenges into stepping-stones—and we can learn from his life lessons on leadership. The Narrative SAUL ORDERED JONATHAN and his servants to find David. David possessed what many chased after—he had a family, and he had God. When David ran to Adullam's cave, his father's house went there, and four hundred men joined themselves to him. (1 Samuel 22:1-2) What are you becoming? TO HIM, success wasn't about what he had achieved but what he was becoming. He was mindful of everything he did. David did not disrespect the king. Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:32) Do you love your enemy? WE LIVE in a world where everyone teaches you to love yourself, and no one teaches you how to love your neighbour—but the scriptures tell you how. (Luke 10:25-27) When Saul was in his most vulnerable state, David spared his life. (1 Samuel 24:19) He loved his enemy—he was relational—and relational skills are the most important abilities in leadership – John Maxwell. Without good relationships, people miss out on life. What are your convictions? HE UNDERSTOOD that life was much more than tweaking things; it’s about convictions and priorities. He knew that to change people's minds, he needed to have convictions. And he said, "I have set the Lord always before me, and because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." (Psalm 16:8) What is your priority? ONE OF HIS PRIORITIES was treating others well. When he went after the Amalekites, who took their families captive and returned, some of his men said those who didn't go shouldn't get any of the spoil, but David disagreed. And he told them to share everything equally. (1 Samuel 30:23) Where is your focus? LIFE SHOULDN’T BE about what you've acquired but how much you give. The focus must go from you to others—good leaders never seek anything for themselves but the welfare of others. He had no time to gloat over his triumphs. He loved his people. Where is your heart? IN CRISIS, people search for the truth. When he saw the Amalekite, he wanted to know what happened to Saul. And when the Amalekite told him that he killed Saul, David knew it was a lie. The Amalekite wanted to cash in on the situation—and curry his favour, but David saw his heart. (2 Samuel 1:1-11) If you love Christ, you'll not rejoice over your enemy's death—it's not Christ's way. (Proverbs 24:17-18) He couldn't imagine how someone will celebrate at such a time. He wept openly. Are you self-serving or humble? GOD TOLD HIM to go to Hebron, where they ordained him, king. When he went to Jabesh-Gilead, he did not Lord things over them. David told them that he was made king in Judah. Jesus once taught his disciples how to lead. He warned them not to be like kings with high authority who ruled over their subjects like tyrants. The greatest among you will lead like one called to be a servant. (Matthew 20:25-27) David led as one who came to serve. BRINGING IT TOGETHER DAVID'S LIFE was a miracle of courage, tenacity and focus. And this is the life that you must live, that you bring God's touch to all you do—after all, your values come from Him.

WHO HASN'T BEEN TOUCHED by someone seeking God to do something in life or praying for a miracle? The woman with the issue of blood went everywhere seeking a cure but found none—and when she touched Jesus' garment, she was made whole. (Mark 5:25-34) The man at the Pool of Bethesda, with no one to put him in the water laid there for thirty-eight years—and when Jesus saw him, he told him to carry his mat and walk. (John 5:1-8) We are all seeking God to bless us and change our situation—and not fail. The Narrative ABRAM SEEMED to be doing great when God called him, but God had a better plan for his life. God told him to leave his relatives and father's home for a land that he will show him. After years of waiting, God said to Abram that he's his shield and exceeding great reward. And Abram replied, "What could you possibly give to me that would make much difference in my life?" (Genesis 15:2) Abram was seeking God for a child. God took him outside to show him the stars—your descendants will be as many as the stars—and God cut a covenant with him. Focus is Vital FAITH MOVES to fear when our focus shifts from God to our situation. Abram was trying to move his family to listen to God, but he lost his wife along the way—she couldn't wait any longer. Why haven't we had a child? Are we going to have any? Why can't you have my maid instead? Sarai's eyes were set on having a child through her maid, so she suggested it to her husband. This arrangement wasn't unique to Sarai because the ancient eastern customs approved it, but God frowned at it. Abraham slept with Hagar, and as soon as she conceived, her attitude changed. She became arrogant towards Sarai, but Sarai wouldn't have any of it. One thing that the earth cannot bear is when a maidservant displaces her mistress. (Proverbs 30:23) Waiting is Inevitable THIRTEEN YEARS after the birth of Hagar's child, God appears to Abram reassuring him of the promise he made to him. God changed his name to Abraham and said to him, "For your part in the covenant, you and your descendants must keep my commandment to all generations." (Genesis 17:19) The wonderful thing about us is that God knows what we need to persuade us – Charles Swindoll. God's pause in his life was a divine setback to give Abraham an understanding of covenant. Abraham could see his life in the rear-view mirror. He understood where he went wrong. Like someone said, "Life is lived in forward but understood in reverse." God was building into him an attitude of trust—those who know your name trust in you. For you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Psalm 9:10) The wait taught him what real strength is. He left God's presence with a closeness that he had never known. What is the wait teaching you? Know that You are not in Charge WHEN YOU wait for something, it's an indication that you're not in control. When you dedicate your life to Christ, you give Him the wheel. You're no longer your own; the precious blood of Jesus has purchased you. (1 Corinthians 6:20) To please Him, Jesus must become your motive and your message—in Him, you live and move and have your being. (Acts 17:28) Are you in business or God's activity? When you think the world is terrible, it may just be your world that's terrible. If it's God's business, do it according to the scriptures. Abraham discovered that he wasn't in control and left everything to God. When God told him that he would have a child, he found faith in the shadow of a doubt. Focus on the Promise HE FOCUSSED on the promise—the fear was removed and replaced with the conviction that he who has promised will do it. The promise became his long-term goal and trusting God to keep the pledge became his short-term aspiration. Someone said, "People do not want the truth; they want hope." But you cannot have one without the other. God told him the truth—Abraham will have to keep all the commandment of the Lord. He also gave him hope by giving him the promise. BRINGING IT TOGETHER ABRAHAM's STORY teaches us how not to fail God. And if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5) Like Abraham, you start from the wonder-list—and when you know Him, you can present your checklist. Have a great week.

THE MEASURE of a man or woman is not in what they accomplish but how they deal with their challenges. They have insight—they see things differently, and the ability to see what many cannot see puts them ahead. The Narrative THE SLAVE MASTERS subjected the children of Israel to labour beyond exhaustion, and Pharaoh commanded the midwives, Shirprah and Puah, to kill any male child born to them. But the midwives respected God more than the king and did not carry out his command. Under their care, many Hebrew women had more children—and God blessed the midwives. As a result, Pharaoh made a decree that all newly born Hebrew sons be thrown into the Nile. (Exodus 1:1-20) Love of a Mother DURING this challenging time, a Levite couple had a son. When they saw that he was healthy and beautiful, they feared for his safety. They had seen things change before their eyes, and their son's life was in their hands. The couple needed strength and determination to do what was necessary to save him. They hoped for a good outcome. They hid him for three months. When Moses' mum couldn't hide him anymore, she made a basket of papyrus and placed the boy in it. Then, she put the basket among the reeds along River Nile. They had done everything humanly possible to save him—and they gave him to God to keep. The sister, Miriam, stood afar and watched what might happen to him—imagine how she felt knowing that he might be killed. Do you have a situation where you have done everything possible, and nothing seems to happen? Lay it at the feet of Jesus. Favour beyond reproach PHARAOH's DAUGHTER came to have a bath, and the ark caught her attention. When she saw the baby, she had compassion on him. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favour as with a shield . (Psalm 5:12) She knew he was a Hebrew child, yet she favoured him. Miriam ran to her, asking if she needed a nanny. She consented, and Miriam left to fetch the son's mother. "Take this child and nurse him for me. I'll pay you," said Pharaoh's daughter. (Exodus 2:9) The powers of the day wanted him dead, but providence intervened. The proof of God is when you feel abandoned, someone shows up to lend you a hand. Do you feel alone? Help is on the way. God, who made it happen for Moses' mom, will make it happen for you. The powers of the day wanted him dead, but providence intervened It's no secret that we are doing less than we ought to. If you're going to succeed in this life, do not let your desires in Christ take the backseat. Do not settle for less than you're capable of achieving. When you face dire situations, submit your panic and anxiety to hope and live out your faith. And knowing who you are and what you're capable of will go a long way. You must also allow your faith to shape your thoughts and prayers, and they will help you face the unknown. And never forget that it will take a little to move a mountain when God is in it. BRINGING IT TOGETHER MOSES' PARENTS knew that people do not surmount difficult times by unbelief but resilience and faith in God. When life throws you a curveball, you must put out your best effort because you cannot sneak on success; you must own it. Happy Mother's Day.

WE LIVE in a time when most people are experientially rich and relationally poor—we know everyone slightly and no one deeply. We desire to give our children the experiences we never had—in the process, we expose them—and their lives are simple till they are not. We forget that the rules of many things are always shifting, and everyone is looking for a lasting relationship. But if things are not working, what can we do? The Narrative I DO NOT want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. (1 Corinthians 10:1-5) God wanted them to be His people, but they murmured and complained—they desired evil. They did not know that grumbling and the absence of praise is the beginning of darkness. THE CHILDREN of Israel allowed their emotions to take the lead—and they put their lives in jeopardy. Today, we live in a reactionary culture where we choose what makes us happy. However, it's easy to say that they didn't choose carefully but isn't this what we do? We undermine ourselves—some shop for bathing suits more carefully than they do for husbands and end up with an unintended outcome. WHAT IF I told you that you'd believed a lie for so long—when we tell people to follow their hearts, forgetting that their inherent feelings influence their decisions. If you love to eat out and do it often, you are following your heart. When you rather sit on the couch than exercise, you're following your heart, and you're basing your decision on your feelings. The gullible believe anything they are told, but clever people know to question every step. (Proverbs 14:15) THE HEART is the seat of our emotions, the ruling centre of our lives, and we are to guard it with all diligence because out of it flows the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23) Jeremiah says—the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9) The sick heart is the un-regenerated one. David cried out—create in me a clean heart and renew the right spirit in me. (Psalm 51:10) Until you allow God's Word to go from your head to your heart, it wouldn't be beneficial to you—to progress; you have to believe the Word of God with your heart. (Romans 10:10) They couldn't appreciate God's blessings because their testimonies remained in their heads and did not go to their hearts. THEY HATED how things were moving slowly and forgot that God delivered them from Pharaoh. They reacted like the world. But Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Do not pattern your life to what the world wants. The Word of God and His ways are counter-cultural and counter-intuitive to the ways of the world. Jesus told his disciples that if anyone will come after Him, he must deny himself, take up their cross and follow Him. And whosever wants to save his life will have to give it away. (Matthew 16:24-26) BRINGING IT TOGETHER HAVE YOUR EMOTIONS ever led you astray? To progress, it's never wise to go back to the past simply for its own sake. The past sometimes shows us how to live and sometimes, how not to live – C. S. Lewis. And if you do not learn from history mistakes, you are bound to repeat them.

MANY THINGS are essential to arriving at true peace of mind—and one of them is faith. The Narrative IN THEIR PURSUIT to lay hold of God's promises, Joshua sent two spies on a secret mission. Go in and see what you can find out about the people in that area. Pay special attention to the city of Jericho. (Joshua 2:1) When they entered the town, they stayed at the home of a prostitute named Rahab. Somehow, word reached the king that some Israelite spies had slipped into the city and might be visiting Rahab. That night, the king sent soldiers to her house with a message. The king commands you to turn over the Israelite men who are staying with you because they are here to spy on all the land and its defences. But Rahab had hidden them in the stalks of flax laid on her roof—and she told the soldiers that they left before the city gates were closed; so, the soldiers went in pursuit of the men. I know that the Lord has given you this land, and your fear has fallen on us, said Rahab to the spies. (Joshua 2:8) Lord, what do you have me do? THE PEOPLE OF JERICHO were not just anxious; they feared for their lives. They had heard how the Lord dried the Red Sea and how Israel defeated the Amorite kings. They knew they were next, but Rahab begged the spies to show mercy to her and her family—and save them from death. Whenever you hear some news, what comes to your heart? For Nehemiah, it was to stand in the gap, to intercede for Israel and go back to rebuild. (Nehemiah 1:1-7) In David's case, it was to fight Goliath and put an end to the reproach. (1 Samuel 17) But for Rahab, it was to align to the Will of God and keep the spies safe. When next you hear a thing, ask God, "Lord, what will you have me do?" Cut a covenant with God. TO RECIPROCATE her gesture, the spies made her a promise and took an oath—they made a covenant with her. "You had the power to turn us in, but you saved us. Now we will do the same to you. Promise that you will not tell anyone what we are doing, and you'll have our word. We will treat you with kindness when the Lord gives us this land," said the spies. (Joshua 2:14-15) Since her house was part of the city wall, she let the men down with a rope; she told them to escape into the mountains and hide there for three days. But they told her to tie a red ribbon to her window, gather her family in her home, and be safe. And when the Lord gave them Jericho, they brought Rahab and her family out of the city and burnt everything else. (Joshua 6:23) My heart is blank Lord, "Write your story." See with the eye of faith EVERY CHALLENGE becomes an opportunity when you view life through the eye of faith. If you allow, challenges will change your perception, grow your faith and deepen your relationship with God. Anytime you walk in obedience to God, you create possibilities—by faith, the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with disobedient people. (Hebrews 11:31) Rahab built her success upon her willingness to keep them safe and trust that they will keep their promise when they attack Jericho. BRINGING IT TOGETHER MANY HAD SEEN her as a failure, and the inability to change will be fatal, so she aligned herself to the Will of God. To respond to life, you must decide—that's where the heart chooses. You must get to the point where you present your heart to Him and tell Him, "My heart is blank, Lord, write your story."

THE WORLD wants love. We are designed to want it—but there’s only one place to find it. We all have legitimate desires to succeed—but we fail when we try meeting our needs the wrong way. And our greatest failure occurs when we look for love in the wrong places—we ruin lives and relationships. The Narrative JESUS had returned from Mount Olives that morning to teach in the temple, and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery to Him. Moses says in the law that we must kill such women by stoning. What do you say? Jesus knew this was a setup, and he said nothing. But they kept badgering him as he wrote something in the dirt with his finger. Let the one throw the first stone among you who has not sinned. And Jesus continued to write on the ground. The Pharisees stood for a moment, and they began to leave one after another. Eventually, only Jesus and the woman were left. Jesus looked up and asked, “Where are your accusers?” “They are gone,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “Well, I do not condemn you either; all I ask is that you go and from now on, avoid the sins that plague you.” (John 8:1-11) The men accused her of sin, but they did not bring the man with whom she sinned. When they looked down on her, they exhibited arrogance—and those who looked up at the Pharisees showed envy. How does love respond to failure? JESUS bore her sin. He covered her inadequacy—helped her deal with it and grow after it. Jesus was gracious to her. When you hear a negative thing about anyone, do all you can to put the person in a good light. For instance, if you planned to meet a person, and the person does not show up—assume the person couldn’t make it. A circumstance shouldn’t define a person. Love believes the best of people. What does love demand? GOD EXPECTS YOU to maximize love in response to failure—but love must demand the truth. When Jesus said to the woman at the Well of Samaria to go and call her husband, he demanded the truth. And the woman told the truth. She said, “I have no husband.” (John 4:1-17) The woman was desperate to satisfy her soul, and she moved from one man to the other. Then, she met a prophet who believed in her, and she ran into the city, telling people that she had met the Messiah. Jesus showed her the truth. You cannot show love to anyone without telling them the truth; neither can you go on enabling without confronting. You must uncover so as not to enable—share grace and love. BRINGING IT TOGETHER THE WOMAN of Samaria chose the path of bravery by owning her mistakes and confessing her sins. People will not know you by the bible verses you quote, but the way you live—your love will reveal who you are and tell the story of your King.

THE GREATEST THINGS that will ever happen to you in life will either be birthed in adversity or shaped in it—and for every step of faith, there will be opposition. James Dyson, the inventor, made 5,127 prototypes to get his first cyclonic vacuum right. Joseph's opposition came from his household—but he excelled in Egypt and became the second in command. (Genesis 37:12-36) Meshach Shadrach and Abednego stood up for God, and they were thrown into the fiery furnace, but they came out unharmed. (Daniel 3:17-30) The Narrative NEHEMIAH was overwhelmed with grief and wept when he heard about Jerusalem's state—the walls were in ruins, and its gates burned with fire. He sought the audience of the Lord waiting and fasting before Him. Nehemiah confessed the sins of his fathers and the whole of Israel. He also acknowledged the sins of his household. (Nehemiah 1:10-11) He asked God to grant him favour before the king, and when he appeared before Artaxerxes, the king granted him the request to go and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. When he got to Jerusalem, Nehemiah did not tell anyone what God had put in his heart. He took a few men to inspect the walls at night, and no one knew where he went. Then, he called the priests, the nobles, the officials and the people to do the work together and expressed his intentions—let us build the wall of Jerusalem and no longer suffer disgrace. Returning to Jerusalem was the least of his problems—there was opposition simmering in the city. When Sanballat, Tobias and Geshem heard their plans, they derided and despised them—they formed an opposition. Opposition will come SANBALLAT ridiculed them, calling them, feeble hands, and insulted them saying, "What are they building —if a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall! (Nehemiah 4:1-3) The opposition is not concerned about where you're coming from or how long it has taken you—all they want is to stop you—and kill your dream. They make you question your God-given ability—and make you feel that you don't measure up—but that's a lie from the pit of hell. Sanballat and Tobias sowed lies and doubts. Their attack was fierce, but they failed. Are you faced with a dissenting voice? Is someone telling you to quit? Weeping may endure for a night, but laughter comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5) Stay; do not quit. You're either birthed in anxiety or shaped in it How do you handle opposition? NEHEMIAH prayed to God, and the people built the wall—for the people had the mind to work. (Nehemiah 4:6) Your first point of call, when faced with a challenge, should be God. Then, you continue what you need to do. Sanballat and his cohorts planned to come and fight and cause confusion, but Nehemiah prayed to God. He also set a guard over the wall day and night. And from that day forward, while some laboured, half of them held their weapons to ward off any attack. (Nehemiah 4:1-20) He was proactive. How do you handle oppression? AS TIME went on, some common men and their wives cried out against the Jews. Some large families had no food—and some had pledged their homes and vineyards because of the famine. They borrowed to pay King Artaxerxes. The debtors and creditors were Jews— they had forgotten that God told them not to take advantage of their people—and collect interest on their loans. God also told them to support the poor among them. (Leviticus 25) They became loan sharks and oppressed their countrymen—this angered Nehemiah. Nehemiah loved the people. He had a thoughtful consideration. He confronted the Jewish nobles, told them that they exploited the people—and their silence confirmed their guilt. (Nehemiah 5:6) They all promised to give everything back and not take anything from their brethren in the future. To follow through and prevent it from happening again, he made them take an oath before the priests. Bringing it Together NEHEMIAH loved the people. He led by example—and corrected them in love. He knew that telling the truth without love is powerless. He did the right thing when things were wrong. You are shaped less by the events of your life than how you view it. And like Nehemiah, God wants you to stand in the gap and pray for your nation and the Body of Christ till you see His Will done on earth as it is done in heaven.