Monthly Archives: September 2015

Sep 03

Prevailing Prayers

Posted on by

Dr. Wilbur Chapman recalled his experience when, as a young man, he went to become the pastor of a church in Philadelphia. After his first sermon, an old gentleman accosted him, “You’re pretty young to be pastor of this church. But you preach the gospel, and I’m going to help you. I’m going to pray for you that you may have the Holy Spirit’s power upon you.

Two others have covenanted to join me in prayers for you”. From the initial three that started the prayer, they became 10; the 10 became 20, 20 became 50 and the number further grew to 200. They all met before every service to pray that the Holy Spirit might come upon him.

God, in His mercy, answered the prayers and the church got 1,100 converts in three years. Chapman commented: “It was the work of the Holy Spirit in answer to prayer”.

 

In EXODUS 17:8-16, the Amalekites had made themselves enemies of the Israelites. When they attacked the Israelites at Rephidim, Moses ordered Joshua to go up against them. Joshua mobilized some men for the battle, while Moses took Aaron and Hur with him to the hilltop. As the battle was going on, anytime Moses’ hands dropped down, Israel would start losing in the battle, but when his hands went up, Israel would gain ground.

So, Aaron and Hur found a seat for Moses and supported his arms. With this assistance, Moses was able to keep his hands firm and sustained the battle against the Amalekites.

 

What is your disposition to the devil’s plot to make sports of brethren, members of your family or church? Do you look indifferent to their plight? The devil has afflicted some people with sicknesses, barrenness, joblessness and other challenges of life. Do you look away from their needs? Moses could not do that when the Amalekites attacked the Israelites.

Now we need to pray to God to give us the right spirit, burden and compassion to be our brother’s keeper.

 

Thought for the day: Share the throne-room of intercession with Christ for the good of fellow men.

Prayer: “But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun” (EXODUS 17:12).

 

Sep 02

God’s Immense Love

Posted on by

A teenager, Arthur Hinkley, was said to have lifted a 3,000- pound tractor with his bare hands, when a friend of his, Lloyd Bachelder, 18, was pinned under it on a farm near Rome, Maine. Hinkley was not a weight lifter, but because of the love he had for his friend, he could, somehow, lift the tractor well enough for Bachelder to wriggle out.

God, because of the love He had for the Israelites, delivered them from the evil devised against them by their enemies.

In PSALM 75:1-10, which was clearly expressed in symbolism, was a deep appreciation for what He did for His people. Their enemies had fought against many nations near Judah and won, but when they came against Jerusalem, the capital city of Judah, God fought for His people and the enemies lost the battle; God kept the temple and His people that lived near it safe.

In a moment of ecstasy, the psalmist used symbolic expression to appreciate God’s wonderful help. The victory was an indication that God was still with them. The psalmist recounted that when the enemies came against Judah, the Israelites felt as if “the earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved.”

This, figuratively, indicated that they were terribly afraid. But God assured that even if it was an earthquake, He could stop the ground from moving because He could “bear up the pillars of it.” This symbolic expression equally showed that even in a war, God can stop the fighting.

The psalmist further disclosed that their enemies could not use their horns, which symbolized power, because God cut them off, while the righteous became stronger and powerful. God has placed high premium on believers. Love motivated Him to do it. He sent His only precious Son to the cross so that our sins could be forgiven.

As you acknowledge Him in total repentance of sin and accept Jesus as Lord and personal Savior, God will make you the apple of His eyes and fight for you in every battle of life.

Thought for the day: God is the Defence City of the righteous

 

Prayer: “All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted” (Psalm 75:10).

 

Sep 01

Divine Help And Favor

Posted on by

Most men are tempted to run away in despair when clouds of trials and temptations come their way. If believers would look closely at every situation through the eyes of faith, they would also see God’s angels of mercy coming to their aid to help in times of dire need.

David ran away from civilization as it were, to the strongholds in the jungle to avoid the persecution of King Saul and his repressive army.

Ordinarily, men do not associate with failed escapades, but because David’s cause was just and righteous, God sent men to him to encourage and fortify him.

Although, King Saul was a Benjamite, hordes of Benjamites trooped out to team up with David in the forest, despite the entreaties and blackmail of the king against them. This is what divine favour is all about.

 

In moments of trials and challenges, we are tempted to think that God has deserted us and left us to our misery. It is not so, for “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”. When God notices a moral defect in us, which will adversely affect His grand purpose in our lives, He might permit what we term “problems” to purge out such defects.

 

David was called as God’s own General to subdue the Canaanites and return dominion to Israel. All the troubles he went through were to toughen and make him combat ready for the job. In the midst of the crisis, God fortified him with men and materials, so that he would not fight alone.

“And they helped David against the band of the rovers: for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host” (1 Chronicles 12:21).

Throughout the challenges David faced, God did not forsake him. In your hour of “trouble”, just believe God that innumerable angels and men are on standby to see you through those challenges.

Elisha’s servant’s “eyes” were opened to see that “they that be with us are more than they that be with them”. As it was then, so it is today for everyone who dwells “in the secret place of the “Most High”.

Thought for the day: He who walks with God, will not walk alone.