Ablaze 4 Christ

Ablaze 4 Christ mobilize young people to go ablaze for Jesus Christ

07/10/2024

Daily Guide Review
Monday 07/10/2024
*Wait*
1 Samuel 13:1-23. Q2

*Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?*

👉 Verse 1- : *SAUL WAS [forty] years old when he began to reign; and when he had reigned two years over Israel,Saul chose 3,000 men of Israel; 2,000 were with [him] in Michmash and the hill country of Bethel, and 1,000 with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin. The rest of the men he sent away, each one to his home...* One thing I have considered in this passage is how Saul at the age of 42 has raised a vibrant soldier who was doing great exploits in the land of Israel. I am not able to lay hands on how old Jonathan was but he must have been a young adult plus or minus 20 yrs.

👉 Verses 4-7: The example not to follow here is allowing our situation or circumstances to overwhelm us to extent of losing our consciousness that God is for us. When we open the door to fear, it can possibly lead to disobedience against God. For we have not received the spirit of timidity again to fear but we received the Spirit of boldness, of power and of sound mind.

👉 Verses 8-9: *Saul waited seven days, according to the set time Samuel had appointed. But Samuel had not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from Saul.So Saul said, Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering [which he was forbidden to do].* This is not an example for me to follow. When fear takes over a person, it pushes the person into so many unreasonable things. Truly there was pressure from all sides and anyone could easily be overtaken, so our prayer is for grace to stand on the truth in times of trouble and not to give in to fear. By strength of man shall no one prevail.

👉 Verse 10: *And just as he finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came! Saul went out to meet and greet him.* The second thing that fear does is that it saps you of the strength to be patient. Fear comes with anxiety and a forceful push. Fear says you must act now or you will be destroyed. But if we can maintain calmness we shall hear the voice of God telling us what to do.

👉 Verses 11-14: *Samuel said, What have you done? Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines were assembled at Michmash,I thought, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord. So I forced myself to offer a burnt offering.And Samuel said to Saul, You have done foolishly! You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God which He commanded you; for the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever;But now your kingdom shall not continue; the Lord has sought out [David] a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be prince and ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.* This is not an example for me to follow. One single wrong action that cancelled out God's eternal plan and purpose. This is very frightening. He was passionate about doing something to save Israel but unknown to him, he did something that destroyed him.

Leadership is a double edged sword. It has the capacity to make or to mar one's destiny in life. One correct decision can turn things right and one wrong decision can bring irreversible damage.

👉 Verses 15-16: *And Samuel went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were left with him, [only] about 600.Saul and Jonathan his son and the people with them remained in Gibeah of Benjamin, but the Philistines encamped at Michmash.* This is an example for me not to follow. Saul could not cry out to God for mercy. Saul was not broken that God had rejected him and had sought for a man to replace him. It appeared as if, Saul was not remorseful about the wrong thing that he has done. The scriptures says that a broken and a contrite heart God will not despise.

👉 Verses 17-23. This is a serious challenge. God's people that rejected God as king and preferred a human king must have also trusted in military strategies and weapons. I remember that David could not use the armour of the flesh against Goliath. It was Goliath's sword that He used to cut his head.

The arm of flesh will fail. It is not appropriate that God's people will go to sharpen their weapons in the camp of the enemy.

Heavenly Father, please deliver me from fear and give me the grace to patiently follow your word, this I pray in Jesus Christ name Amen.

Good Morning!
Maranatha!!

05/10/2024

Beloved how are you reciprocating the Lord of God towards you?

Daily Guide Review
Saturday 05/10/24
*God of justice, God of grace!*
Psalm 78:52-72. Qs 1,2

*What does the passage teach about God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit?*

👉 Verses 52-55: When God says to me "I the Lord know the plans that I have for you, plans for good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope" Jeremiah 29:11. God is sincerely committed to ensuring that, this is fulfilled in my life. God does not crack jokes neither does He cajole anyone. He does not need to mobilize external support to be able to accomplish anything He desires to do. He is all sufficient God. *Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]–* Ephesians 3:20. AMP.

God alone led Israel through the wilderness, God alone addressed all their enemies and foes, God brought them into the land of promise and distributed inheritance to them. It means that whatever God has promised me, as I hold fast onto Him, it will surely be accomplished without fail.

The Hymn writer says
"Trust and obey
For there is no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to Trust and obey"

👉 Verses 59-67: If I choose to be careless with my relationship with God such that, despite God's love, care and mercy, I am still adamant with sinful behaviours and addictions then God can be provoked to wrath. The same way, God can go any length to defend His child, God can also go any length to discipline an erring and unrepentant child. There is no limit to what God can do as discipline or punishment or judgement. God can withdraw in splits of seconds all the blessings that He gave His child. God could commission the enemy to ravage the erring and unrepentant child. In Verse 67-68 God rejected the tent of Joseph and the tribe of Ephraim. God can withdraw His presence even in the church and it becomes an empty monument.

👉 Verses 65: *Then all at once the Almighty awakened as though he had been asleep. Like a mighty man he arose, roaring into action!* God is awesome in His nature. He will chastise with one hand and by His mercies still draws back with the other. His rod and His staff, they comfort me. But I must not take this for granted.

👉Verse 68-72: *He chose instead the tribe of Judah and Mount Zion, which he loves.There he built his towering temple, strong and enduring as the earth itself. God also chose his beloved one, David. He promoted him from caring for sheep and made him his prophetic servant.God prepared David and took this gentle shepherd-king and presented him before the people as the one who would love and care for them with integrity, a pure heart, and the anointing to lead Israel, his holy inheritance.* Up till this morning, I sense that God is still looking out for individuals so He can reveal Himself through them and make them channels of blessings and solution carriers. Here am I oh Lord and help me.
David was found by God, prepared and equipped by God and He served God in His generation.

*Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?*

👉 Verses 56-58: *Yet for all of this, they still rebelled and refused to follow His ways, provoking to anger the God Most High.Like traitors turning back, they forsook Him. They were even worse than their fathers! They became treacherous deceivers, crooked and corrupt, and worshiped false gods in the high places, bringing low the name of God with every idol they erected. No wonder He was filled with jealousy and furious with anger!* This is an example never to follow, God's goodness should be reciprocated with faithfulness, love and obedience. It is not right that God is taking care of me, shielding and protecting me and I am still rebellious towards God. The least I can do for God is to love Him with all my heart, with all my strength and with all my soul and to diligently obey all His commands.

Heavenly Father, thank you so much for your commitment to fulfilling your promises to me, please help me to have the right attitude towards you all the days of my life in Jesus Christ name Amen.

Good Morning!
Maranatha!!!

04/10/2024

Obedience is better than sacrifice!!!

Daily Guide Review
Friday 04/10/24
*Hard Hearts*
Psalm 78:21-51. Q1,2

*What does the passage teach about God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit?*

👉 Verse 21: *Then God heard all their complaining and was furious! His anger flared up against his people.* It is beautiful to note that God hears even our complaints. He is not happy about complaints. Sincerely speaking no leader enjoy complaints especially when you do well for the people. However the human nature we have is prone to complain. Human nature can complain over the slightest discomfort. This is not right.

👉 Verses 23-33: God can decide to grant an unpleasant request or desire from His people or His child. This is what we call permissive will. He watches the attitude of His child to see if there is any sense of remorse or repentance, but when there is none, God can choose to bring discipline or punishment. This is why I must be careful about the things I push in prayer. It is not just enough to pray but also to seek to know the mind of God over the matter I have brought before Him. Recall how Balaam pushed to go with Balak's messengers. God eventually allowed him but God almost killed him on the way. I must be careful about the matter of the idol in the heart. When an idol is not dealt with, someone can push for a selfish desire and cover it with religion or spiritual language but it will not come from the Spirit of Christ.

Imagine how they were eating and rejoicing and having pleasure then punishment came upon them.

*Yet in spite of all this, they kept right on sinning. Even when they saw God’s marvels, they refused to believe God could care for them.So God cut their lives short with sudden disaster, with nothing to show for their lives but fear and failure.* Some people are already being deceived that God cannot discipline or punish His children that are not living right, the people in this contest are covenant people of God but see what God did to them in verse 33 for not living right. Beloved may we not take the patience of God for granted.

👉 Verses 38-39: *But amazingly, God — so full of compassion — still forgave them. He covered over their sins with his love, refusing to destroy them all. Over and over he held back his anger, restraining wrath to show them mercy.He knew that they were made from mere dust — frail, fragile, and short-lived, here today and gone tomorrow* This is the true description of God. He is full of compassion, takes a lot into consideration, and understands our frailty. But I must not take God for granted. I should honour God, fear and love Him for who He is and all that He does for me.

👉Verses 40-50 narrates the extent that God can go to demonstrate His steadfast love for me. He dealt severely with the Egyptians for their cruel attitudes towards Israel. Everyone who seeks to hurt me or do wickedness to me will certainly have to face the Lord God Almighty.

*Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?*

👉 Verses 22: *For they turned away from faith and walked away in fear; they failed to trust in His power to help them when He was near* This is an example not to follow. May God help me never to turn away from the faith in Jesus name Amen.

👉 Verse 32: *Yet in spite of all this, they kept right on sinning. Even when they saw God’s marvels, they refused to believe God could care for them.* The best way to appreciate the love of God is by living in obedience to His word. It is not right to be enjoying the blessings of God and be paying God back with sinful behaviours.

👉 Verses 34-35: *When He cared for them they ignored Him, but when He began to kill them, ending their lives in a moment, they came running back to God, pleading for mercy.They remembered that God, the Mighty One, was their strong protector, the Hero-God who would come to their rescue.* This is an example for me to follow. God is always ready to receive anyone who comes to Him for help. It is an act of foolishness to run away from God.

👉 Verses 40-41: *How many times they rebelled in their desert days! How they grieved Him with their grumblings.Again and again they limited God, preventing him from blessing them. Continually they turned back from him and provoked the Holy One of Israel!* This is not an example for me to follow. Turning away from the Lord and provoking the Almighty God is a bad lifestyle. It is better to approach God in a humble and submissive manner than to be grumbling against God.

Heavenly Father, please help me from day to day to follow your instructions, so as to enjoy your blessings in Jesus Christ name Amen.

Good Morning!
Maranatha!!!

01/10/2024

The real you is revealed when you have opportunities?

Daily Guide Review
Tuesday 01/10/24
*Holy Anger*
1 Samuel 11:1-15. Q2

*Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?*

👉 Verse 1: *AND NAHASH the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.* This is an example not to follow. Children of God are not expected to have covenants with the wicked. See 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

👉 Verse 2: *But Nahash the Ammonite told them, On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I thrust out all your right eyes and thus lay disgrace on all Israel.*. This is a wicked and evil intention. This is absolutely inhumane. Not an example to follow. It is not right to take undue advantage.

👉 Verse 3: *The elders of Jabesh said to Nahash, Give us seven days' time, that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no man to save us, we will come out to you.* This is a good example to follow. When we are facing a situation, we need to share with brethren to stand with us.

👉 Verses 4-10: *Then messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and told the news in the ears of the people; and all the people wept aloud.Now Saul came out of the field after the oxen, and [he] said, What ails the people that they are weeping? And they told him the words of the men of Jabesh.The Spirit of God came mightily upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was greatly kindled.And he took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whoever does not come forth after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen! And terror from the Lord fell on the people, and they came out with one consent...The messengers who came were told, Say to the men of Jabesh-gilead, Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have help. The messengers came and reported to the men of Jabesh, and they were glad.* This is an example for me to follow. The brethren gave a positive response to the situation of the people. They wept, Saul took the right action. People responded to the invitation.

We need this Holy provocation to respond correctly to every activity of darkness against God's people.

👉 Verse 11: *The next day Saul put the men in three companies; and they came into the midst of the enemy's camp in the [darkness of the] morning watch and slew the Ammonites until midday; and the survivors were scattered, so that no two of them remained together. The people said to Samuel, Who is he who said, Shall Saul reign over us? Bring the men, that we may put them to death. But Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day, for today the Lord has brought deliverance to Israel.* This is also an example for me to follow. God has done great things through Saul to showcase him before Israel, one would have used it as an opportunity to collect a pound of flesh from those who despised him(worthless fellows) but for the second time Saul ignored their actions. He waved it off. Two lessons; suppose the person I despise today becomes great tomorrow what will be my fate, hence I should not despise anyone, the second is that opportunities and blessings from God are not to help me take vengeance rather it is for me to show mercy and love to all men.

👉 Verses 14-15: *Samuel said to the people, Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.All the people went to Gilgal and there they made Saul king before the Lord. And there they sacrificed peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.* The example I am seeing here is that, leaders should always focus on what makes for peace, unity, love, joy and progress. We should be seeing ahead not dwelling on the issues of the past and creating unhealthy relationships.

Heavenly Father, please fill me with holy indignation that will make me restless towards reaching out to save the souls of young people from the harassment of darkness, this I pray in Jesus Christ name Amen.

Good Morning!
Maranatha!!!
Happy New Month

30/09/2024

Nevertheless, let your will be done oh Lord and not mine!!!

Daily Guide Review
Monday 30/09/2024
*We will have a king*
1 Samuel 10:17-27. Qs 1,2.

Yesterday, we saw that Samuel actually poured oil on the head of Saul establishing him as the first king of Israel.

But we noted that he would not be commissioned without preparation.

👆First step Verse 9 God changed his heart.
👆Second Step Verses 10-13 The Spirit of God came upon him and he prophesied.
👆Thirdly Verses 14-16 Saul was discreet and wise in his answer to his uncle.

Each of these were necessary requirements to certify him as the king over God's people.

Many dreams have failed to see the light of the day because we missed either of these equipping.

*What does the passage today teach about God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit?*

👉 Verses 17-19: God does not keep grudges. When God is offended, He makes sure that you know that He is not happy with you. He will not force you to do what is right but you will know that you have offended God.

👉 Verses 20-23: Even though, Samuel has anointed Saul, but God would still have to perform the due selection process. By this each tribe of Israel was given an opportunity to produce the king. God also used this medium to exonerate Samuel from being blackmailed as one who is partial. It has to be clear that God is the one who has chosen Saul and not Samuel.

The wisdom to glean from here is that even when we are so show about God's choice, we need to still do the needful so that the hearts of men can be helped. We must avoid anything that will bring accusing fingers or queries on our selection or employment process.

*Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?*

👉 Verse 19: *But you have this day rejected your God, Who Himself saves you from all your calamities and distresses; and you have said to Him, No! Set a king over us. So now present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your thousands.* No desire or ambition should push me to the point of becoming deaf to God's counsel. I must never get to the point of rejecting God for whatever reason. It is better to lose every other things of life and to gain God rather than to lose God and gain things. Whatsoever we gain outside God shall never advance or impact on our lives positively. I am still checking if the leadership of Saul had any positive and lasting mark on Israel?.

👉 Verses 25-26: *Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom [defining the position of the king in relation to God and to the people], and wrote it in a book and laid it up before the Lord. And Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home.Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of valiant men whose hearts God had touched.* This is an example to follow. Terms and conditions of service for leadership should be well spelt out and we should encourage those that the Lord has appointed as leaders over us.

Leaders should also pray that God will touch the hearts of the people. When God moves among the people, leadership becomes easy and less stressful. Results become great and visible.

👉 Verse 27: "But some worthless fellows said, How can this man save us? And they despised him and brought him no gift. *But he held his peace and was as if deaf.*"
This is always the case, no matter who is chosen as a leader, there will always be worthless fellows who will not accept leadership unless they are the ones. But because they are worthless fellows leadership will never be given to them.

The example for us to follow here is that Saul behaved maturely towards them. It is not important to be wasting time with people that will never see anything good in you.

Heavenly Father, please help me not to seek my own things and my own way but to always trust you for what is best for me, thank you Lord in Jesus Christ name Amen.

Good Morning!
Maranatha!!!

27/09/2024

God knows where He is taking me to, my duty is to faithfully obey and follow.

Daily Guide Review
Friday 27/09/24
*God's guiding hand*
1 Samuel 9:1-14. Qs 2,8

*Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?*

👉 Verses 1-4: I could see that a good family name and image is very important. Kish has a record as a mighty man of power. His son also has a record as a choice young man with goodly character. If our gospel will be accepted in our environment, the testimony of our lives and families must be positive and admirable.

I also saw that Saul demonstrated an attitude of obedience. This is similar to what Joseph and David did when their father also called them and sent them errands. My generation must learn that obedience to parents has a contribution towards positioning us for divine purpose.

👉 Verse 5: *And when they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant, Come, let us return, lest my father stop worrying about the donkeys and become concerned about us.* I have also learnt a lesson from this, it is important to be committed to a task and it is also important to bear the concern of others at heart. A young person who is sent to school and he or she remembers the labours of the parents and has a kind disposition towards them such a child will never return as a failure.

One of the causes of increase in crime rate among young people is that we do not put our family into consideration. We do not consider how our lifestyle and actions affects our immediate family. If we do then we would be able to shun many things.

👉 Verses 6-10: *The servant said to him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, a man held in honor; all that he says surely comes true. Now let us go there. Perhaps he can show us where we should go...Saul said to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went to the city where the man of God was.* It is a good lesson to seek direction from the Lord over situations and circumstances. Every time we decide to turn to the Lord, it opens us up to new levels and experiences. Moses one day decided to turn to know why the bush burns without the leave, just that decision opened him to a lifelong transformational experience.

However we must apply caution never to be so inquisitive as to go about consulting strange spirits.

I have also seen the good heart of Saul desiring to have something to present to God's Servant. We do not give money to lure and induce the servant of God. No correct servant of God will demand money before any kingdom service is rendered. Freely we have received, freely give.

👉 Verses 11-14: God can use our everyday life situations to guide us into the truth. You see, Mary and Joseph just went for Census before you know it, Jesus was born in Bethlehem as it was written. Because of these, as God's Children we do not just do things anyhow, we are mindful to seek divine guidance and direction. The steps of the righteous are ordered by God.

*Is there any biblical passage that can help me understand this passage better?*

👉 1 Timothy 5:17-18: *Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.* We are encouraged to take care of people through whom God blessed our lives.

Heavenly Father, please help me to discern and follow your leading from day to day in Jesus Christ name Amen

Maranatha!!!

26/09/2024

Daily Guide Review
Thursday 26/09/24
*Choosing to be different*
1 Samuel 8:1-22. Qs 1,2,5

*What does the passage teach about God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit?*

👉 Verse 7: *And the Lord said to Samuel, Hearken to the voice of the people in all they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not be King over them.* When God is pleased with a man everything that concerns that man concerns God. God is happy with Samuel hence, God did not charge the reaction of Israel against Samuel.

👉 Verse 8: *According to all the works which they have done since I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they also do to you.* God watches over us. Even when God is silent, it does not mean that He is not seeing the things we are doing. Sometimes God keeps quiet just to allow us space for repentance.

*Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?*

👉 Verses 1-3: *WHEN SAMUEL was old, he made his sons judges over Israel.Now the name of his firstborn was Joel and the name of his second, Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.His sons did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.* This is an example for me not to follow. First as children whose parents are God's servants, we must not give room for men or the devil to put a question mark on the labours of our parents.

Secondly if my parents are committed to serving God and I am witnessing all that God is doing through them, I must also resolve to know God personally for myself and to ensure continuous relationship between God my family.

👉 Verses 4-5: *All the elders of Israel assembled and came to Samuel at Ramah. And said to him, Behold, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint us a king to rule over us like all the other nations.* It is not written down for us the efforts these elders made to address the challenge with Samuel's children, knowing that it was not what Samuel's fault.

Brethren we have a collective responsibility over all the children and young people around us. Let me even say including adults. Jesus purchased all souls with His blood hence there is no gain in being indifferent to the challenges that an individual is facing leading to an ungodly lifestyle.

If these elders were to be examined it is possible something might be found wrong in their lives. But because quality Christian life was not important to them, they are more interested in societal status.

It is not correct to oppress or harass people because of any challenges they are facing especially when it is not their own fault or making.

It is not a good example to use someone else's weakness as a reason to advance your selfish desire or ambition. They did not even suggest that Samuel should look into his family and do something about it.

👉 Verse 6: *But it displeased Samuel when they said, Give us a king to govern us. And Samuel prayed to the Lord.* This is a super example for me to follow. Offense must come but the way I handle it or respond to it makes the difference. Many times, it is difficult to handle accussing fingers, it is difficult to handle it when you see people being wicked and unjust in their decisions and actions but heaping blame on you.

I have seen maturity in Samuel. It displeased him but he did not begin to engage them in tongue battle, such exchange of words can become a leakage for grace and spiritual strength.

Please help me Lord to bring all my worries to you because you care for me. You understand when men fail to understand.

👉 Verses 19-20: *Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, No! We will have a king over us,That we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may govern us and go out before us and fight our battles.* This is a bad example. To say outright NO to God's counsel and warning is a disaster. I must not allow passion to make me blind. Passion, desire, cravings etc can become instruments for distruction if not quickly identified and dealt with.

*Is there any warning for me to heed?*

👉 Verse 9-18: *So listen now to their voice; only solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them...In that day you will cry out because of your king you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not hear you then.* God's permissive will is not the same as God's perfect will. The blessings of God makes rich and adds no sorrow but not so with the permissive will.

As a child of God I am called to be different from the world system. Kingdom matters and patterns are not the same with worldly patterns. A Carnal minded person cannot understand the things of Spirit.

Heavenly Father, please help me to stand out from the world system, world views and perspectives and be engrossed with the kingdom principles and to live in absolute obedience to your word in Jesus Christ name Amen

Maranatha!!!

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