The Word

Do you feel you're forgotten, rejected or insecure? Dear beloved in the Lord, you're not forgotten, for God has engraved your name in His palms. Isaiah 49:16 See, "I have engraved you on the Palms of My Hands: Your walls are ever before Me". If God has engraved your name in His palms, it means He always sees or watches over you. Rise up and shake the fear and doubts off.  Declare, "I am not forgotten or alone. The LORD has engraved me in His Palms. Therefore, His eyes are fixed on me, and He protects me from the wicked. I decree all that I have is secured in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN! 

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! 

Are you downcast because your enemies taunt you and make life unbearable for you? Y our enemies could be human, spirit, sickness, burdens, etc.  Come with me to prophetically declare the Word of God over your issue as in Psalms 92:9-15. Declare, "In the Name of Jesus Christ, my enemies shall perish and be scattered, according to the Word of God. Lord, You are exalted forever, and Your power and strength are unmatched. I am strengthened and empowered by You, like a wild ox with horns exalted, and I am anointed with fresh oil, symbolising Your divine favour and guidance.  My eyes shall see the downfall of my adversaries, and my ears shall hear the defeat of those who rise up against me. I am victorious in You, Lord, and I will flourish like a palm tree, growing strong and healthy in Your presence. You are my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in You. I decree with faith, knowing that You are faithful to Your Word. AMEN!"      

  Mahershalalhashbaz means quickly to the plunder. The name originated from God's impending judgment on Samaria and Israel. He was the second son of the prophet Isaiah.  Some Lessons from the name Mahershalalsashbaz:  √ Names have significant meaning and should be well understood before being given. The name Mahershalalsashbaz was divinely orchestrated by God for a purpose to be fulfilled. When you hear the names of people, it might be a message from God to you.  √ Mahershalalsashbaz reminds us of the wrath of God if we continue to sin. The ungodly pleasures that give us instant gratification will soon set our teeth on edge if we do not repent.  √ What have you learned today? Leave your response in the comments section below. ✔ Action: Ask God to deliver you from the grip of sin and have mercy on you.  Supporting Scripture: Isaiah 8:1-3

Theme: Don't Be Overly Involved in Everything Text: Ecclesiastes 7:16-18 16 Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you grasp this, and also not remove your hand from the other; For he who fears God will escape them all. We need to be balanced in all we do. Whether privately or openly. Having a balanced life directs us not to be overly involved in everything. The preacher stated we ought not to be overly righteous, wise, wicked, or foolish. He points to the consequences of being overly involved with the lifestyles as mentioned earlier. A clue from this is David's behaviour when he pretended to be crazy before Achish king of Gath (refer to 1 Samuel 21:12-15 for the story). Likewise, Jesus warns us to be calm or innocent like doves and cunning or wise as the serpent. Dear beloved in the Lord, let us cultivate a blend of innocence and wisd...

Theme: The Fate of the Just & Unjust Text: Ecclesiastes 7:15 15 I have seen everything in my days of vanity: There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness. The preacher in today's text expressed the unusual fate of the just and unjust. He stated that in his days of vanity or meaninglessness, he had seen how the just pass on prematurely, but the ungodly live longer. The Almighty often shorten the days of calamity that befall the righteous by calling them home, for when we are away from this earth, then we abide in God's glorious presence. On the other hand, God gives grace to the unrighteous to come to penitence. He is not happy when people perish. A story is told of a wicked man who died, and when the family came together for his burial, he awakens. He narrated that he was told to return to do good since he had no record of good. Amazingly, he repented and lived a righteous life until he died. Dear belo...

 

Theme: Do Not Take Anything for Granted Text: Ecclesiastes 7:14 14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, so that man can find out nothing that will come after him. Life presents us moments of good and bad, which are all part of the journey carefully designed by God for us. In the moment of prosperity, we ought to be joyful. When faced with adversity, the preacher calls on us to consider it as part of life. Our perspective on life's issues is to see the power of God at work in us rather than wallowing in grief. The adversities we face in life teach us lessons that shape us for the future. Never take any lesson in life for granted, for it presents opportunities that we can capitalise on to our advantage. May the Lord open the eyes of our understanding to this.  Let us Pray: Almighty God, help me to navigate through this life peacefully in both prosperity and adversity, not taking anything for ...

Theme: Any Challenger?  Text: Ecclesiastes 7:13 13 Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked? God is a perfectionist, and there's no one to contend with Him. If we look at the sky, the earth, and the water bodies with all the beautiful creatures within them, we will come to understand the awesome nature of God. He sets everything according to His perfect plan. No one can frustrate or challenge His authority. Dear beloved in the Lord, when God makes something worthless, no one can make it worthy. Likewise, what He has made worthy no one can make worthless. Be guided by the Holy Spirit so that you do not challenge God in any way.  Let us Pray: Almighty God, forgive me for the many times I've tried to challenge you in any area of my life. Please, grant me wisdom to be obedient to You. This I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ. AMEN!