The Blessing & The Curse - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) August 23, 2022

Blessings and curses. They can be hard to wrap our heads around especially in this day and age. That's because we believe we're the creators of our destiny. We feel we can manufacture whatever future we desire.

How many of us realize that things aren't that straightforward? Each of us knows of someone who did everything 'right' and yet it seemed like the odds weren't in their favor. This person goes to church, believes in God but things don't work out for them. Then there are Christians who seemingly accomplish the impossible. And without much stress. You look at them and wonder, 'how did they do it?"

Is it possible that something so archaic as blessings and curses could make the difference in such situations?

Christians ignore the fact that the Bible contains not just blessings but curses. Many are familiar of the Blessings of Abraham. He obeyed God and left his father for an unknown land. And the Lord told Him he'd have kings and queens for children (Genesis 17:6). That these children would number the sand on the shore (Genesis 22:17). Till this date, Christians claim the Abrahamic blessings, singing, "Abraham's blessings are mine" (Galatians 3:14).

The Bible is filled with examples of curses as well. The Kingdom of Israel experienced a three-year drought during the reign of King Ahab (1 Kings 18:1). Do you know why? Because God warned that if the people turned to other gods the rains wouldn't fall (Deuteronomy 28:23-24). On the other hand, He promised the righteous that they'll receive rain in season when they serve only Him and obey His laws (Deuteronomy 28:12). Thus, when Ahab and his wife Jezebel, bowed to idols and other gods such as Baal and Asherah, they opened themselves, their children and their people to the curse of drought and much more.

Over the next few days, we'll learn about specific blessings and curses. We'll learn how to declare certain blessings over ourselves and others. We'll also learn how to deliver ourselves, and others, from curses.

May the Lord guide us and bless us with His wisdom. May our understanding expand whereby we confidently step into the outstanding blessings He has for us, IJMN, Amen. See you at Noon EST for fellowship when we'll worship and petition for others via intercessory prayers. God bless you..

To learn more about blessings and obedience, consider reading this old P&P message - Deuteronomy 28 Blessings & Requirements - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) September 24, 2021

Speaking of Leaders - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) August 19, 2022

Exodus 22:28 - “Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.

The first time I heard a minister discuss this verse, my mouth dropped open. Take a look at the first part of this scripture. Arguably, most of us know not to blaspheme God though unfortunately, many still do so. For instance, there are several common sayings that if we think about them, we'd realize they blaspheme God. May the Lord help us all.

Now, were you aware of the second part of the scripture? Many of us have no idea that the Lord instructed His people not to curse or insult rulers/leaders/people in authority. It is so common nowadays, we neither blink when we do it nor when others do it. Yet that doesn't change the fact that Believers have been called to speak carefully about leaders. Miriam, Moses' sister, learned this lesson (Numbers 12). She posed a question that would be considered innocent and valid nowadays. Not something worthy of punishment. She asked whether God only spoke through Moses and not through her other brother, Aaron, and herself. Her comment questioned God's choice of leader. For this insolence, God almost killed her, but Moses interceded and she ended up with temporary leprosy instead.

Don't think this only happened because Moses was a genuine servant of the Lord. Don't think you're excused to insult your boss or someone else in a position of authority because that person is a horrible person. In the New Testament, even Apostle Paul apologized for criticizing a man who turned out to be a spiritual and political leader (Acts 23). If you read what he'd said prior to retracting his statement, you'll realize he spoke nothing but the truth. Yet, he chose to submit to the word of God rather than be right.

So, how can we ever manage not to be critical of leaders? We live in a world where leaders take advantage of those they are supposed to be working for. Politicians steal and tell untruths, corporate leaders deprive employees of fair wages to fill their pockets, and religious leaders prey on their congregation, to name a few issues. The poor get poorer and the underprivileged feel they can't dig themselves out of the hole. These things are clearly wrong. However, would you believe me if I said God knew all of this would happen and He still told us to be careful how we talk about leaders?

It is better to identify the issue and focus on that, not the person who has the issue. Jesus Himself applied this approach. He never accused those who came to Him with problems. Instead, He addressed the spirit depriving them, and those around them, of the goodness in life that God had for them. Thus, it wasn't about accusing a promiscuous woman or a deaf man of their sinful past, it was all about violently kicking out the spirit causing the disease. If a leader displays greed or lack of compassion, we should pray that God will heal them of these issues. Prayer will always be our mightiest weapon.

We should identify the godly qualities leaders need and ask God to transform them. We should consider the issues preventing godly leadership and pray for those strongholds to fall. We must use the word of God to pray for godly leaders and be careful how we use our words regarding these people. Leaders, like you and I, were made by God and are His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). Let us, therefore, be careful to not be overly critical and thereby question God's works. We must remember satan has a way of warping people's minds, infecting them with pride, greed and other sinful habits. Just as the Lord continues to help us to become better, we should extend grace as well as pray that He helps others as He's helping us. Further, God had prophets He used to criticize and discipline leaders who erred. Ask yourself, has God called you to that ministry? If not, please consider being careful what you say about people in authority.

May the Lord help us to be careful what we say, not just about ourselves, but also about others including leaders and ordinary individuals. May our lips speak and breathe life. May we praise the Lord so we can wield our praises as double-edged swords that execute the word of God over situations to the glory of the Almighty. That we may enjoy the fullness of God's goodness in our lives, IJMN, Amen.

PS: If P&P starts a little late on my side, please forgive me as I may be on the road. Don't hesitate to get started without me! I'll be sure to check in the moment I can. God bless you!

Listen & Check the Word - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) August 16, 2022

There once was a man named Ahithophel who'd been an adviser to King David. His advice was considered as the very word of God (2 Samuel 16:23). That's how wise people thought he was. When David's son - Absalom - usurped the throne, even he sought the word of the legendary counselor.

However, the story of Ahithophel and Absalom is a crucial lesson to never take someone's advice at face value. No matter how wise and knowledgeable that person might be. Each of us as children of God, have a right to hear Him (John 10:27). Indeed, that is our inheritance and we must not abandon that birthright. Therefore, we must always take the suggestions of others and seek God's direction. If not, we could get into terrible trouble.

Absalom, seeking to cement his position, called on Ahithophel who advised him to sleep with his father's concubines. This was a group of ten women left to care for the palace when King David, his officials and their families fled in fear that Absalom would slaughter them. These women were likely left because they were a threat to nobody. And yet, Ahithophel suggested sleeping with them so the people would know he was his own man and didn't care about the previous king (2 Samuel 16:21). In response, Absalom set up a tent on the palace rooftop, raping these women in relative view and hearing of all nearby!

Absalom could have sought a second opinion. He could have called for a prophet to seek the face of the Lord on this sinful suggestion before putting it into action. He could have taken some time to fast and pray, thereby seeking the Lord on his own. Or, he could have simply consulted the Bible (the Torah had God's wisdom and his people's history then as it does now) to understand why Ahithophel's recommendation, among many other wrong decisions, would spell his ultimate downfall.

The new king forgot that God takes this thing of honoring parents very seriously. More than once, the Bible warns people not to dishonor their father by having sex with his wife (Leviticus 18:8; Deuteronomy 22:30). Reuben equally slept with his father's concubine and the result was he was cursed by Jacob. He also lost his inheritance as the firstborn son and his position as the head of his father's family. Those privileges went to his nephews - Ephraim and Manasseh. This wisdom was immediately accessible to Absalom but sadly, he valued the word of a man above the wisdom of God.

And so, instead of allowing God to guide him, Absalom did what he thought was right. His hate for his father fueled more sin. He eventually lost his life when his beautiful, long hair got caught in a tree and David's soldiers killed him in battle. Things would have likely been different if he'd let the word of God direct His steps from the beginning. There'd been an heir apparent but this older brother would never have become king because he raped Absalom's little sister. So, if Absalom hadn't allowed hatred to cloud his mind (and if he hadn't murdered his sister's rapist and conducted a coup), God may have given him the throne in the end. What a sad irony. Unfortunately, like most of us, he was inpatient and he allowed satan to use him to his detriment. Hosea 4:6 - my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge...

While Absalom can't go back to make different decisions, you and I can make better choices moving forward. As we learn to listen to the voice of God, consult His word in the scripture, and obey, we must know that God and His word are always accessible. God's word is always going to be more important than the suggestion of even the most intelligent persons we know. We must therefore allow Him to have the ultimate say in what we do every day and not just when we feel like it. Sure, becoming this sort of person doesn't always happen overnight, but His grace is sufficient to transform us into the people who treasure His voice and His word above all else. IJN, Amen. Whatever it takes, find God's voice and His word on every situation. Your life hinges on it.

If you're wondering what became of Ahithophel, he came to a very sad end. 2 Samuel 17:23 tells us he eventually hanged himself, compounding his sins. The word of God will guide us so we navigate life as well as the varying voices and opinions in a godly fashion by the grace of God, Amen.