Cleansing the temple week 12, 2013

I see you jumping around saying Hossana. Do you realise what you are doing? “I know what I am doing. I am welcoming Jesus afresh as king of Israel and my life too. He’s done great works I know very well. He’ll do more (Mt21:14)” Don’t be surprised Jesus brings a cane to your life as he did at Passover. “Well it might be because it was the Passover feast that made several merchants to come there. Or perhaps that year they were unusually many.” I doubt it. Let me tell you a sermon I got from this. Jesus indeed had been there at Passover before, indeed the first time he got to the temple, there was no pursuing of merchants. Instead there was rejoicing the saviour had been revealed in his temple. “At last!” Simeon said “the promise is fulfilled”. What of Prophetess Anna? She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God Lk 2:38(NLT) .The Lord went yearly to the temple at Passover yet drove no one out. The next time he is recorded to speak he is 12 years old and then he doesn’t pursue them either. Instead he is asking questions. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions Lk 2:46(NIV). “Eh it is because he had not started public ministry.” Wait my friend. Did he not perform a miracle when he said “My time has not yet come” (Jn2:4)? Now after the “Hossana” he pursues them. On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there Mk 11:15(NIV). There are things God hates in your life until you make him King indeed and he inspects all things you may not realise how much he hates them. After inspecting the temple notice he could not stay there but left. Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. And after looking around at everything, he went out to Bethany... Mk 11:11(NET). “I see. Well I have crowned him King of my life. He rules everywhere.” You’re his temple; get ready for your own cane: When he whips you, it proves you are really his child Heb 12:6 (TLB). When Jesus is born in a life there is praise and rejoicing, and as the word grows in you he begins to question you and listen to your answers. The conscience becomes alive and sharper. Accepted worldly practices become uncomfortable and there are questions in the heart about them. You may defend them but be amazed at what the Lord is revealing. He is growing in you. When he looks round at all things in you would he will start throwing things out. Have there not been things you had been comfortable with initially the Lord is raising questions in your heart about, how unscriptural, how ungodly and unChrist- like they all are? Following cleansing there is healing Mt 21:14. Expect it also.

The aftermath week 11, 2013

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him Matt 4:11(NIV). There is something I have noticed in scripture and in life. It is that severe temptations and tests precede a promotion by God. This understanding has encouraged me at times of temptation and encouraged me to hold on, not to fall or give in. Jesus held on to God in the wilderness despite temptation. The hunger remained while the tempter was there, but when Jesus remained firm the tempter inevitably had to leave. Many a night has this revelation sustained me: no matter how strong the urge to sin the tempter must leave once you steadfastly refuse to give into him, but submit your heart, mind and body to the Lord. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you Jas 4:7(ESV). It is also true for the tempting season which runs into weeks. Turn your face to the sunshine of the word of God, the shadows of darkness must fall behind. Nay they must flee! But there is more. With every success in resisting the enemy so comes an advance for the overcomer: a crown. When he was through with the tempter not only did angels come to attend to him, but also Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit Lk 4:14 (NIV). Was this an incidental or is it a pattern? Consider Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego. Following their overcoming the test of first privately , and then publicly refusing to bow to an idol at the risk of death, after being delivered from the fiery furnace the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon Dan 3:30(ESV). What of Joseph? After overcoming the repeated temptation of Potiphar’s wife and enduring the prison, he stood before Pharaoh as the next to the throne. Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt." Gen 41:44-45 (ESV). Note the order however: the resolve not to sin, first privately and then publicly, then the fiery furnace (the prison in Joseph’s case), and finally the promotion. Consider such tests promotional interviews. Child of God, are you beset with a tempting and testing season? Refuse steadfastly to give in as you submit your thoughts, heart and fate to God. Focus on Jesus. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed — that exhilarating finish in and with God — he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. Heb 12:2 (THE MESSAGE). It was this same attitude he had in overcoming all that came his way as temptations and adverse situations. I guarantee you there’s a crown waiting for you. Know this: after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you 1 Pt 5:10(ESV).

Hannah- woman of virtue week 10, 2013

A lot of people talk about The God of Hannah. Perhaps I should say the Hannah of God is also worth talking about. “Why would you want to say that?” you may ask “is there anything special about the woman? I thought God is the one who did it.” It is very true God is the one who did give the child Samuel but consider many virtues in Hanna, virtues I have not seen in some godly women. From the sequence of introduction it is clear Hanna is the first wife and Peninnah the second. He had two wives; the name of one was Hannah and the name of the other was Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children 1Sam 1:2(ISV). The Hebrew words used here are also properly translated “the first was Hannah and the second Peninnah”. Often times the second wife is taken for the purpose of childbearing when the first is barren, as with Hagar for Sarai: so Abram's wife Sarai took her Egyptian servant, Hagar, and gave her as a wife to her husband Abram Gen 16:3(ISV). Sarai could not stand the insolence of the maid turned junior wife, and after complaining bitterly to Abram harshly treated Hagar to the extent the pregnant woman fled (Gen 16:6). Hannah bore all the insolence silently. No complaint to Elkanah, God, or the man of God. The most she would do was weep and not eat. This happened year after year. Whenever Hannah went to the LORD'S house, Peninnah would make her miserable, and Hannah would cry and not eat 1Sam 1:7(GW). Imagine being provoked in God’s own house every blessed year. O how many today would demand death or punishment for she who wickedly provokes them to fret. In Rachel’s day Rachel was very jealous of Leah for having children, and she said to Jacob, "I'll die if you don't give me some children!" Gen 30:1(CEV). Not Hannah; no threats or tantrums. No calls for fire either. Hannah’s barrenness was not as a result of sin on her part. Many a virgin has expressed disappointment with God when the fruit of the womb delayed. “God is this how you pay me back for keeping myself pure unto marriage?” some have complained; as though anyone kept herself. It is God who keeps all who stand. Hannah neither left God or charged Him foolishly, or cursed her day. Consider that the sinful excesses of Hophni and Phinehas were well known, but the sins of priests and men of God of her day did not make this radiant example of virtue excuse herself from following Jehovah and seek help from idols and Satan. Instead she makes a vow. "LORD…. If you give your maid servant a son, then I'll give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and a razor is never to touch his head." 1Sam 1:11(ISV). In it she places herself as a bondservant of God; her affliction drives her to God not away, from Him. Her deep need drove her to meet God’s need for a man in Israel. Is it so with you? Are you a Hannah of God?

Turning stones to bread week 9, 2013

And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If You are the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread Mat 4:3(MKJV). It might appear all that was involved was that the suggestion came from Satan, and that these stones could become bread otherwise. I believe the matter is deeper than that. These stones had a different destiny by God, and He never wanted them as bread. I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones Mat 3:9(MKJV). Did you notice the phrase “these stones”? They are meant to be raised up as children of faith, not turned into bread. What makes me so sure? See 1Pt 2:5(MKJV): you also as living stones are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. The stones are meant to be built up for a dwelling place of God, and Satan wants them turned from their purpose into bread. It was you and I Satan asked to be used as bread. Are you bread or a living stone? How can a man be anointed by the Spirit without measure, following the leading of the Spirit obediently find himself hungry, and have no food available? Yet it happens. Many a minister has been anointed by God, anointed and led by the spirit faithfully. To his surprise he finds himself hungry, hungry for money, and the tempter asks him to turn these stones (his flock) into bread. His messages now equate every spiritual exercise and virtue to money giving. Even seed sowing is reduced to giving money alone (and such must be sown into the man of God, not widows or poor also). Their talk? Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything Eccl 10:19(ESV). Some in loneliness become hungry for affection and find unresponsive unfeeling stones around them, and turn their flock into prey. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions 2Tm 3:6(ESV). Immorality follows. Some are hungry for a name. Their own flock are silent as stones. They turn their flock into bread for their ego. They encourage them to boast in their man of God, and quote “man of God” whilst being ignorant of what God himself says. The anointing upon ministers is so that His people would learn to serve and His body would grow strong Eph 4:12 (CEV). They teach the congregation to depend on them, the minister, rather than build the flock’s ability to independently hear from Jesus and be strong. They give the impression that nowhere else can you find spiritual sustenance. Incessant calls from weak members feed their hungry egos. Stones and bread- which is stronger? Jesus performed many miracles in the bible; He never, never turned any stone to bread. Man of God; are you hungry?

Waiting for God week 8, 2013

Having been in the presence of God forty days and nights he did not eat or drink water, indeed he didn’t need them in the period and felt no hunger. It was at the end that hunger came. After fasting for forty days and forty nights, he finally became hungry Mat 4:2(ISV). Hunger makes many a man irritable and rash. It was now time to eat physical food, but where was it? He was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him Mk 1:13(ISV) but none had brought him food just yet. Didn’t the father know he needed food now? Hadn’t the appointed time for the fast been forty days? Surely the father would send bread. Saul had fallen in a similar scenario years ago. Samuel had given the time before he would come. Saul was hungry for action, hungry and impatient. He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him 1Sa 13:8(ESV). After all he was the anointed king of Israel, and anointing is anointing not so? Saul forced himself upon the sacrifice1Sa 13:12 (an indication his conscience warned him not to do it). As soon as he finished Samuel arrived, saw what happened and lamented. You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you… now your kingdom shall not continue 1Sam 13:13-14(ESV). So many years later Satan said to Jesus "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread Mat 4:3(ISV). The time is up, aren’t you God’s son, haven’t you been anointed? What are you waiting for? You are a man you know; you need it to live. Command bread! Noah had been shut into the ark by God and rain fell. Now the earth was dry and Noah knew this. Noah removed the covering of the ark and looked, and behold, the face of the ground was dry Gen 8:13 (ESV). Yet the One who shut him in had not said come out. So he waited until a full month and 27 days when God said: Go out from the ark…Gen8:14-16(ESV). Similarly Elijah had been fed by ravens and drank from the brook by the word of God. When it dried up he waited for God to speak 1Ki 17:4-8. You know what I believe? The angel that was to bring food to Jesus (Mt4:11) must have been delayed at Satan’s instance, just as the angel to bring Daniel’s answer was delayed Dan 10:12-13. Jesus responded, “I am a man alright, but what I live by is God’s word, and until I get it I am not going to presume and take the initiative.” The Son is not able to do anything from Himself, except what He may see the Father doing Jn 5:19(LITV). “I will wait to see what the father has for me.” When you are in need and God has not arrived with the solution do you take your own initiative or wait for God?

Abiathar's curse Week 7, 2013

His family had been cursed and he was running for his life. Abiathar’s great grandfather Phinehas and his brother had committed abominations before God whilst serving as priests: they were even sleeping with the women who worked at the entrance to the Tent of the LORD's presence 1Sam 2:22 (GNB). They also despised God’s offerings and treated it with contempt, forcing themselves prematurely repeatedly on the choice portion of the sacrifices. Ultimately God would have it no more and cursed their line. Behold, the days are coming when … in distress you will look with envious eye on all the prosperity that shall be bestowed on Israel, and there shall not be an old man in your house forever. The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep his eyes out to grieve his heart, and all the descendants of your house shall die by the sword of men 1Sam2: 31-33(ESV) . Forever! In fulfilment of this curse the 3rd generation priest Ahimelech was murdered by Saul’s henchman, Doeg the Edomite 1Sam2:18-19. He wickedly wiped out the entire priestly village and Abiathar of the 4th generation now fled to David (who is the type of Jesus Christ the King). He said to Abiathar “Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. With me you shall be in safekeeping.”1Sam 22:23(ESV). Would to God that all fleeing from curses and mortal enemies run to Jesus Christ. In Him shall you find safety! Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"-- so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come… Gal 3:13-14(ESV) For a long time nothing more is heard about the curse. Abiathar came to David and for as long as he remained with him, doing that which is good nothing came upon him. He served as priest and advanced in age. The curse to die by the sword and never reach old age was broken by staying close to David who is a type of Christ the king! But much later in life Adonijah invited him to rebel against David’s wish to make Solomon king, and Abiathar consented! 1Kg1:24-27. By this iniquity the curse activated: So Solomon expelled Abiathar from being priest to the LORD, thus fulfilling the word of the LORD that he had spoken concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh 1Kg 2:27(ESV). In so far you remain close to Jesus and never turn against Him you need never fear the power of curses, he ends that cycle. Abiathar’s son served as priest both in David’s and Solomon’s reign 1Chron8:16.

From curse to blessing Week6, 2013

Without doubt sin brings with it terrible consequences. Some sins can be seen to affect family lines for generations. One such example is the family of Levi. I refer to the patriarch Levi, son of Jacob, not the New Testament Levi son of Alphaeus. Do you recall what wrong he did? I’ll show you. Three days later, when the men were still sore from their circumcision, two of Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi, the brothers of Dinah, took their swords, went into the city without arousing suspicion, and killed all the men Gen 34:25(GNB). They did this to avenge their sister’s rape. Jacob lamented their actions and nothing more was heard of this until his dying day when he pronounced blessings on his sons. Simeon and Levi are brothers; weapons of violence are their swords. Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel Gen 49:5, 7(ESV). This consequence as a result of their father’s pronouncement definitely would seem a great disadvantage. Just like many of us believe we have inherited disadvantages from our ancestors; curses we can do nothing but succumb to. If you think that way consider what happened to the tribe of Levi at the foot of the Mount Sinai when the Israelites worshiped the golden calf. Upon Moses’ return he stood at the gate of the camp and shouted, "Everyone who is on the LORD's side come over here!" So all the Levites gathered around him Ex 32:26(GNB). They obeyed his instructions and by that consecrated themselves to the Lord. God had chosen them as priests and temple workers. Tithes were to be paid to them and their scattering in Israel now was to enable them teach their brothers the laws of God. At the time of death Moses blessed them. And of Levi he said, "Give to Levi your Thummim, and your Urim to your godly one… For they observed your word and kept your covenant. They shall teach Jacob your rules and Israel your law; they shall put incense before you and whole burnt offerings on your altar. Bless, O LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands; crush the loins of his adversaries, of those who hate him, that they rise not again Dt 33:8-11(ESV). What was a curse now became a blessing and tool for service. The point is this: what stronger curse than that of a patriarch, a father at the point of death do you know? Yet consecration and obedience to the Lord saw that curse turn into a blessing years after the object of cursing and the pronouncer of the curse had passed on. Do you feel your family is cursed? Consecrate yourself to the Lord, for even that will be turned to blessings in Jesus’ name.