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1 Samuel 30:1–31:13 Reacting is easy. What’s difficult is overcoming emotions especially in a time of adversity. Although emotions are not bad, they can lead us astray. By the same token, when we go too far in the other direction and rely entirely on reason, we risk acting without empathy. The answer to this dilemma is not to use emotions against reason, but to pray instead. Throughout his life King David struggles to balance emotion and logic. At times he was emotionally wrecked; at other times he is so calculated that he seems heartless. Yet when he sought the Lord in prayer, even when it would be more convenient not to do so, he was better off.   In 1 Samuel 30:1–6, David returned to the town of Ziklag to find that his two wives along with the wives of his warriors had been captured, and the city had been burned down. The Bible describes the emotional atmosphere that existed: “David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until there was no...

1 Peter 2:1–2 We can't solve every problem, but sometimes we can resolve issues by simply readjusting our focus i.e. seeing them in a different light.   In his first letter, Peter could have focused on people’s sin and their need to repent. But then their attention would be on the problem, and not on solving it. So he shifts the focus: “Therefore, ridding yourselves of all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn infants long for the unadulterated spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation” (1 Pet 2:1–2). Peter calls them to see their Christian experience as a newborn longing for milk. They must make the Bible a priority so that it becomes something they need and long for. As they imbibe it, their sinful behavior is resolved. We can always choose where to place our attention. We often turn our attention toward preventing something like sin at the expense of actually doing something good i.e. growing in the Lord. ...

1 Samuel 22:1–5 Distress can unite people. In difficult moments, in shared pain, we discover our true friends. When David fled from King Saul, his divided family was suddenly supportive of him, as was every man in the region who was distressed or indebted (1 Sam 22:1–2; cp. 1 Sam 17:28–30). A shared sense of despair reveals the humanity in us all, helping us to get past our disputes and work together for one purpose. For a fragmented band of brothers to be united beyond their immediate circumstance, they must have one purpose. That’s exactly what David them: They would fight Israel’s greatest enemies - the Philistines - together (1 Sam 23:1–5). David took a crisis and turned it into an opportunity. It took courage derived from faith to act. When most people would have been paralyzed by fear, David was prepared for action. David’s strength in adversity enabled him to unite God’s people for a purpose, and his God-centered focus helped them. When things get difficult, ...

Why does God allow suffering? I'm certain you're familiar with the quote of unknown origin that has done the rounds of every social media site and been printed, painted and embroidered on every imaginable Christian t-shirt and trinket (not to mention some unimaginable ones). Come to think about it there are quite a few quotes that fit the description, but the one I'm referring to goes like this: "God gives His toughest battles to His strongest soldiers." Now one could dissect the above mentioned statement at length and list all the reasons why it holds no water — in fact a quick Google search reveals that many have done so already — but by far the more alarming thing is the mentality that latches on to this philosophy as if it is the Gospel. I call it a philosophy because the prevalence of statements like this makes it abundantly clear that Christians today are influenced more by Pins and Posts than the simple truth of God's Word. We're in a d...

Hi folks, We are so thankful to God for all that He has done and for how faithful He has been to us during this past month. As we journey forward we will continue to celebrate “the family” – both our own and the church. Neither we nor the world we live in is perfect, but it is the world in which we experience goodness of God. To keep your focus on Jesus! After everything Job experienced, he declared: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted ” (Job 42:2). What an amazing perspective and attitude to have a life? We need to answer the following questions: ·                 What is purpose? ·                 Why do I need purpose? ·                 How do I discover God’s purpose for me? ·      ...

What does it mean to have fellowship with God? When I heard the word ‘fellowship’ I always used to imagine a small group of very solemn believers coming together to talk about God and pray for each other. I learnt over time that fellowship is so much more than that. It can take many forms and has many expressions. Fellowship can find expression among believers but also among family members and in your relationship with God. I recently heard somebody draw a distinction between our relationship with God and our fellowship with Him. We are able to stand in a relationship with the Father because of the price Jesus paid on the cross to reconcile us with Him.  By faith we enter into this life-giving relationship and by faith we grow to maturity in this amazing relationship. While we might enjoy the security and benefits of our relationship with God, our fellowship with Him could be lacking and leave us feeling empty and longing for more.  Truth be told, we should ...

Y ou may or may not have heard the statement made in a Charismatic meeting. The preacher, after using one or more biblical passage to prove his point, solemnly warning the congregation about the dangers of becoming familiar with God. Often spiritual issues like losing the fear of the Lord, unbelief and pride are listed as the end result of familiarity with the Almighty. But is this really true? Now I am not for a moment diminishing the seriousness of the aforementioned spiritual issues. But is familiarity with God truly the culprit? One of the passages I've most often encountered that is used in this regard is found in Mark 6: “Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t th...