The Word

The name Ariel means "Lion of God". Ariel is a name given to the city of David. There was a priest also named Ariel. Our study shall be on the city.  Some Lessons from Ariel as a City of David: √ David once dwelt in this city. It is located in Jerusalem. It might have been named  Ariel in relation to the tribe of Judah, where King David's ancestry is traced.  √ Ariel was the city of God, but deserted the Lord. If you associate with Christ and still enjoy evil companionship and idolatry, then you are just like the city of Ariel.  √ Ariel was humbled by God and her woes were spelt out. The wages of sin are death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.  √ Ariel's punishment gave a differing meaning to her name as "Altar covered with Blood". There are schools of thought that Ariel might be an altar of the Lord. Dear beloved in the Lord, your beautiful identity in Christ can be stained if you fail to walk in the leadings of the Holy Spirit.  √...

Theme: You're Made Right Text: Ecclesiastes 7:27-29  27 “Here is what I have found,” says the Preacher, “Adding one thing to the other to find out the reason, 28 Which my soul still seeks but I cannot find: One man among a thousand I have found, but a woman among all these I have not found. 29 Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.” Man has been a perfect masterpiece of God. He created us wholly in His image without flaws. However, the sins of Adam and Eve tainted the glory of man. In the concluding verses of Ecclesiastes seven, the Preacher reveals his curious intent and what its outcome was. First, he realised experimental living does not always prove a point. He simply reveals that man cannot find reasons for everything that happens on this earth because we don't know beyond our abilities.  Second, he also stated he could find a rare man in a thousand but not a woman. His numerous wives and concubines may have fai...

Theme: Please the Lord  Text: Ecclesiastes 7:23-26 23 All this I have proved by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. 24 As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep, who can find it out? 25 I applied my heart to know, to search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things, to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness. 26 And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be trapped by her. The preacher at this point tried to draw our attention to the Almighty God. He believed a walk with God is sure to help us escape the trap of the wicked. On the contrary, anyone who departs from God is sure to fall into the trap of wickedness. Dear beloved in the Lord, some things are far from our reach or understanding. There are things that God delivers us from. Sometimes, He delivers us through it. God should never be an option in ou...

Theme: Nurturing Your Heart Text: Ecclesiastes 7:21-22 21 Also do not take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. 22 For many times, also, your own heart has known that even you have cursed others. The tongue is often said to have to be tamed so one can control his entire being. To effectively do this, the heart needs to be nurtured well. The heart is the powerhouse of the entire body. We nurture our hearts if we comprehend what must be taken to heart and what must not. We need to overlook some things people do or say to us. Understanding that some people deliberately or unknowingly hurt us gives us a clue of how much room we must give them around us. We must also examine our lives to be mindful of how we also treat others, either by our actions or words. Christ serves as a guide to us to free the burden of holding on to issues. Letting go is a way of healing ourselves. Dear beloved in the Lord, if you fail to nurture your heart, you will complicate iss...

Theme: The Human Weakness  Text: Ecclesiastes 7:20 20 For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin. Our nature presents a key weakness that can only be broken in Christ Jesus. This weakness is sin. No matter how we try to do good, there's some element of sin that tries to echo our flaws, and we are unable to live justly. As the preacher puts it, there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin. Our good deeds are characterised by pride, show-offs, greed, and traces of ungodly intent. The Word of God stated that, "If we say we have no sin, then we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sin, then we make Him a liar and His Word is not in us" (1 John 1:8-10). Ask God to renew your mind and heart to His perspective in all things, for He is holy.   Let us Pray: Almighty God, I come before You today, request...

Theme: The Essence of Wisdom Text: Ecclesiastes 7:19 19 Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers of the city. Wisdom has an empowering effect and is capable of crowning anyone who possesses it. The preacher stated that wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers of the city. Indeed, wisdom will help the wise to navigate through every challenge. In the absence of wisdom, rulers could lose their authority. Dear beloved in the Lord, instead of chasing after titles or positions, chase after wisdom, for it is the precious tool to establish you in life.  Let us Pray: Almighty God, it is written that anyone who lacks wisdom should ask and You shall give unto him. I ask for wisdom today in all areas of my life, for wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers. Hear my plea and answer me in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!