BELIEVERS DIGEST SERIES 10

BELIEVERS DIGEST (SERIES 10)
A PUBLICATION OF CHRISTIAN PUBLISHING INTERNATIONAL
“FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS AND THE BUILDING UP OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.”
Believers’ Digest contains series of messages that can be copied
and use freely for edification of the body of Christ.
Email: info@cping.org; christianpubint@yahoo.com
Tel: (+234)-8036121781; (+234)-08051109976)


10:1 ALL THINGS

“A
nd we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose”- ROM 8:28.
Joseph made himself known unto his brethren and made them realized that his been sold to Egypt (by his brothers) and his imprisonment on the occasion of Mrs. Potiphar worked together to preserve the Israelites in Egypt at the time of famine. Joseph believed that it was God who sent him ahead of time in the midst of those uncalled for situations to preserve the descendants of Jacob “by a great deliverance” - Gen 45:7.
Are you passing through one situation or the other that can make you say “God why me?” It shall work together for your good if only you love God and you believe that you were called into salvation according to God’s purpose. Joseph was not bitter with his brethren; he embraced and forgave them. He said to them before his death: “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones. And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them”- Gen. 50:20-21.
Apostle Paul saw suffering, Imprisonment and hardship, which he passed through as an opportunity to spread the Gospel further and live for Christ.
How do you see uncalled for situations?
···
10:2 RESTING TO BE REFRESHED

“F
or in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed”- Exodus 31:17.
The creation of heaven and earth was by God’s calling “those things which be not as though they were (Rom. 4:17). We were made to understand from the scriptures that “the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear”- Heb. 11:3.
The scriptures concluded that God created the heaven and earth through faith. Why then the need for resting by God when actually He did not put two and three together to create things that we are seeing? The scripture says God rested on the seventh day and He was refreshed. That should be an example to guide us along as we work here and there. There is need for resting to be refreshed. Not only resting in sleep at nights but also taking time off busy schedules in form of leave, days of rest within the week or months. We are not to wait until a sick leave is granted to us. When that happens, it is an indication that we took no time to rest from the past, and collapse may be at hand. However, we are not to be lazy to keep on sleeping. We are admonished to learn form the Ants “Which having no captain overseer, or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gather her food in the harvest” – Prov. 6:7-8 NKJV. That is, they have a time to work around gathering food, and a time to stay indoors enjoying their labor: their time of rest to get refreshed for the next harvest season.
When did you take time to rest last? Everyday is your busy day? You get worn out gradually and that shortens your life span. Know for sure that you cannot finish that work until you depart from this earth. You can only do a little, and then you pass away. Why not take time for rest and be refreshed.
···
10:3 MERCY AND TRUTH
“L
et not mercy and truth forsake you: bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart: So shalt thou find favor and good
understanding in the sight of God and man.” - Prov. 3:3- 4.
Mercy and truth towards men would result in favor and good understanding towards you from God and men. When your bowel is full of mercy towards men, and you practice it at all time, and your tongue speaks of truth always on any matter that comes across your way, you are only sowing seeds that will richly reward you.
Favor from God is what every one prays for. The shortcut to receiving favor from God and men is that you show mercy as well. That is the secret of obtaining favor from God and men.
Why do people always misunderstand you? May be God do misunderstand you as well. Show mercy and speak the truth always: you will be surprised how men will stop misunderstanding you. God also will understand you rightly and answer you promptly.
···
10:4 FALL OF A MAN OF GOD

W
hen king Saul died, David lamented and made the Children of Israel be taught his lamentation that: “The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! Tell it not in Gath, Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon lest the daughters of the philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph” – II Sam. 1: 19-20.
King David taught that the falling of an anointed man of God should not be published or spoken publicly. So that the uncircumcised in heart (the unbelievers) would not rejoice and get stories to tell about triumphantly.
How do you speak about the falling from grace of a brother or sister or a minister of the gospel? Happily to the unregenerated to gain their support or opinion? Even though Saul took David for an enemy, David withheld that Saul’s death should not be spoken lightly about. David cursed the mountain Gilboa upon which Saul and Jonathan were slain: “O mountain of Gilboa, let there be no dew nor rain upon you, nor fields of offerings. For the shield of the mighty is cast away there! The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil” - II Sam 1:21.
David cursed the situation upon which they died; he did not praise the weakness that led to their death. He was not happy that an anointed man fell, yea died! What was your reaction to the falling of that man of God, brother or sister?

···
10:5 THE THINGS I FEAR MOST
“F
or the thing l greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me” -Job 3:25
“The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat” -Job 6:7.
There are passages in the Scriptures which man would not expect to pass through but which wraps itself around man. Such scripture includes the above passages and lots more. In Hebrews chapter 11, we read about the heroes of faith that “having obtain a good report through faith, received not the promises”- Verse 39. Why can’t they receive God’s promises when actually they served God in true faith? Most of them lived a kind of life that we would say it is not worthy for people of their caliber to live: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth”- Herb. 11:13.
Why must heroes of faith die in their faith and not receive what was promised them? That which they least expected happened to them. But their hope and assurance as we known is that they had a God pleasing rest in death and will later have a better resurrection.
Are you passing through a period you never expected in your life? Job did, and came out of it triumphantly. Peradventure you did not come out of your, does that make the promise of God over your life ineffective? Left us learn from Job who concluded:
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him but I will maintain mine own ways before him”- Job 13:15.
···
10:6 LIFT UP YOUR EYES
“D
o you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest?’ Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! “- John 4:35.
This world is ripe for harvest; which ever way you look at: the Church, our institution of learning, the civil service, the business world, politics etc. All are ripe for harvest. The Church, which is the hope of our generation, has accommodated the enemy (the devil). The society is bad and getting worse everyday. None of us is free in this generation from lifting up of our eyes for “they are already ripe for harvest”
If we do not look at the field to see things as God sees (the ripeness of the world for salvation harvest) then we are looking at something else.
“And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered… then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan…”- Gen.13: 10-11.
Lot lifted up his eyes to see but he chose without consulting God. He jumped at the offer of plain and watered land that later brought his ruin. The place he saw good became fuel for fire. His wife became a pillar of salt. How do you get to where you are now? Is your attention only on material wealth?
Whenever Samson lifted up his eyes, it was women he saw. What he saw and drew to brought the termination of God’s anointing upon his life.
As a minister of the gospel, what do you see in your congregation when you look at it? Do you see their sinful hearts or their pocket money? Do you defraud people for the sake of the gospel?
Whichever area of the world you look at with the eyes and mind of God, you will always see men and women in spiritual degeneration. They must be harvested. They are tired of their depraved state and need a savior. God may send you to an unusual field; you only need to cooperate with Him. Do not despise any field; have a large heart to accommodate people from all works of life. Do not allow denominational differences to set you back. God is not keeping you alive to possess earthly things, but to help in harvesting souls of men. If all you can count after 20-30years of Govt. service or business is gratuity, houses, cars, etc and not the number of soul won, you only lifted up your eyes to see perishable things. God wants us to count on eternal things. Those earthly items shall freely be given to us if we are occupied with eternal issues.
“Then he said to His disciples, the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest”- Matt. 9:37-38.
Be a laborer in God’s Vineyard and not a worker. Workers seek for salary but laborers are involved in the actual works and seek for lasting reward. Salary doesn’t last. Do not be engaged in God’s work for wealth accumulation. Labor for the Lord and He will graciously bless you.
···
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Your comments for possible publication will inspire us to do more. Let us hear from you what the Lord is doing through our efforts.
···
10:7 THE VANITIES OF LIFE

“V
anity of vanities, all is vanity. What profit has a man for all his labor in which he toils under the sun”
– Eccl.1: 2-3.
It is vanity for anyone to labor and not eat out of it.
v To plant Vineyard and not drink of its wine.
v To work and retire without enjoying the retirement benefit which has long been anticipated.
v To buy lands and build houses, yet at death to be buried not on any of those plots of land. Such a one has no portion even in what he has.
v To labor and gather much yet only able to eat a little of his toiling.
v To work and gather up riches and die, leaving behind the much labored for, for an unknown person (Eccl. 2:21).
v To labor and not to taste or achieve all desires for which he labored.
v To enjoy man made position of honor and wealth only for a season; living not a continuous enjoyable life.
v To be afflicted and die of a short or long term incurable disease.
v To be robbed of possessions labored for over time by those who are unworthy to enjoy that labor.
v As poverty hasten the death of the poor, so also the wealth of the rich cannot prevent death when it comes.
v To know signs of weather, movement of the sun, moon and the earth (with many scientific inventions) but not to know when Christ shall appear in the sky.
v To know the date and place of birth but not knowing the date and place of death.
v To be engaged in financial union (Cooperatives) for financial safety, yet to end up with debt accumulations.
v Every man at his best state is all together vanity (Psalm 39:5).
v Man’s life is like vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away (James 4:14)
If all that life entails are vanities, why then should you trust in worldly accumulations, power, position, etc?
Why can you not trust in God who gave life and can take it anytime? Why not depend
absolutely on Him who breathed the breath of life into your nostrils?
Rely on His word that Says:
“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink … which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his status? … But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” – Matt 6:25-33.
Live unto the Lord, and not unto vanities of life.
···
10:8 BE A DORCAS

“A
t Joppa there was a certain woman named… Dorcas. This woman was full of good and charitable deeds… But it happened in those days that she became sick and died … And all the widows stood by him (Peter) weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them” – Act 9:36-39.
Dorcas, a believer and one of the Church members had the above commendations when she died. Her good deeds spoke for her, and those attributes led to her resurrection. Can the works of your hands speak positively for you even now that you are alive? Do you have a record acceptable to men? Your acceptable record in the sight of men is a perquisite to your acceptance by God: “Providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” – II Cor. 8:21.
Dorcas was accepted by the people and they could not bear her parting from them. Her handiwork spoke for her. Let your deeds speak positively and righteously for you as well.
···

10:9 LUSTING?

“A
nd the mix multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again and again and said, who shall give us flesh to
eat?” - Numbers 11:4.
The Lord instructed Moses to say unto the people:
“… the Lord will give you meat and you shall eat. You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, But for a whole month, and until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have despised the Lord who is among you…” Vs18-20.
The Lord gave them quail in abundance more than what they can consume.
“But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was aroused against the people with a very great plague” - Nmb.11: 33.
It is what a man / woman lust after, outside God, that shall bring about his / her death. Those who lust after position shall die by it; those who lust after pleasure shall be killed by pleasure (I Tim.5: 6). Those who lust after men or women shall die along that path, by the evil that lies in it. The lust / love for money shall bring death to its captives. It was meat on the path of the Israelites; but what is it that you lust after? It is better to lust / thirst after God and his righteousness than to lust after the things of this world.
···

10:10 MANNA CEASED

“T
hen the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but
they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year”- Joshua 5: 12.
Manna ceased! Remember how the manna came about miraculously in the wilderness when the children of Israel cried for food? It came overnight and they wondered, “What is this” – “Manna” in their own language. But when they got to Canaan and tasted the food of the Land, the Manna stopped.
What miraculous help are you receiving and enjoying presently? How are you being supported spiritually and physically? God has made that possible for you to be built up for one day, when you are supposed to stand on your feet or as a matured man / woman in that endeavor, that support may stop! Your support may not be for life just as manna was not for life for children of Israel. The Lord that brought about manna (that your support) when you are weak and needed help has a better option. He is not a static or parochial God; He moves in diverse ways that will make you trust Him for your support and not rely permanently on that “Manna support”.
Whenever your support or work stops, be assured that by your side, very close to you, God has made better alternative ready.
···

10:11 SEARCH YOURSELF


T
he Israelites destroyed Jericho, a big city, but could not stand before Ai, a smaller city than Jericho. The children of Israel could not stand before their enemies because one of them (Achan) stole accused items from Jericho. Achan brought sin into the camp of Israel, hence the Israelites had to turn their back to their enemies! That is defeat.
God instructed Joshua to make a search for the person who brought defeat into Israel. Achan was taken and destroyed along with all he had.
As long a man / woman cannot stand before his / her enemy, there is the need for heart searching to see where sin lies.
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” - Psalm 66: 18.
···

10:12 A MEMORIAL FOREVER

“T
hen you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the
Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children
of Israel forever”- -Joshua 4:7
God commanded Joshua to take twelve stones from the middle of Jordan where the priest stood with the ark of God as the people crossed over Jordan on dry land. The stones were set as a pillar of memorial so that generations to come will see it and consider the wonderful work that God did in Jordan by parting it asunder for His people to cross over on dry land. I suppose those stones would be different from those outside river Jordan in color and shape especially, to catch attention. Size may be the same with those outside but color and shape may vary. That would be a memorial proof that actually there was a time when the floor of Jordan was exposed to be able to bring out those memorial stones.
What are your roles in the church, your place of work, in your family, in the society or among friends that can make generations to come remember you?
“Fading away like the stars in the morning;
Losing their light in the glorious sun;
This would we pass from the earth and it’s toiling;
Only remember by what you have done’’
What ever a man does will be remembered here on earth and shall be brought for judgment in heaven one day.
“Oh, when the savior shall make up his jewels;
When the bright crowns of rejoicing are won;
Then shall his weary and faithful disciples;
All be remember by what they have done’’
“Then you shall let your children know, saying ‘Israel crossed over Jordan on dry land’’’ –Joshua 4: 22.
Your passing through or crossing over this life [Jordan] should not be without landmark: something your children’s children will see and remember you for in association with God. You will only be remembered by what you have done. Don’t just pass through this life without a memorial record: “For it comes in vanity and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness’’- Eccl. 6:4.
···
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Your comments for possible publication will inspire us to do more. Let us hear from you what the Lord is doing through our efforts.
···

10:13 HE BLESSED HIS HOUSEHOLD
“A
nd when David had finished offering burnt offer- rings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts … Then David returned to
bless his household”- 2Sam. 6: 18 &20.
King David got though in bringing the ark of God to the place of his heart desire with dancing and sacrifices. He later blessed (prayed) for the people in diverse way. He got back to his house and did the same thing that same day.
As you bless (pray) for people, and wish (prophesying on) them good fortune, do you specially lay hand on your wife, children or husband as a man / woman of God? Or you get back to your house and resume the quarreling attitude with your spouse and rebukes on your children?
King David blessed the people and did the same for his household also. You are not to pray only for others, but also for your household.
···
10:14 DIVINE ASSIGNMENT
A
ll generations lack “a man to stand in the gap” and laborers are always few. There are needs in the work of God, and God is looking for men / women who will not give excuses.
“When King David was old and well advanced in years, he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him. So his servants said to him, "Let us look for a young virgin to attend the king and take care of him. She can lie beside him so that our lord the king may keep warm. Then they searched throughout Israel for a beautiful girl and found Abishag, a Shunammite, and brought her to the king. The girl was very beautiful; she took care of the king and waited on him, but the king had no intimate relations with her.” -1 king 1: 1 – 4.
Abishag did not resist her call to fulfill a divine assignment of waiting on the king: A young virgin for an aged king. A marriage that she knew could not bear fruit. She accepted and waited on him for years. God is looking for men / women who will respond correctly and appropriately. Abishag had no excitement of her marriage relationship with the king but she accepted despite her beauty. She did not say “God why me?” She did not complain or protest. She accepted the job and was faithful. She put her beauty aside to serve the purpose of God. She sacrificed her future.
ELISHA: “So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you." "Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?" So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to t he people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant. -1 king 19:19-21
Elisha responded to the call of God not minding what will happen. He was a hardworking man with his own plan and vision. He had a very big business farm using twelve yokes of oxen (representing twelve tractors of today.) Elisha killed the animals for the people to eat and forsook ALL he had to answer a divine call to follow Elijah and pour water on his hand.
He that is not ready to abandon ALL cannot answer God’s call for a divine assignment. What is that, that is more important than the call over your life? Elisha cannot go back for he had nothing to return to. He followed on and he was used mightily of God.
The LEVITES responded appropriately to divine call:
“Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, "Whoever is for the LORD, come to me." And all the Levites rallied to him. Then he said to them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: `Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.'" The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died. Then Moses said, "You have been set apart to the LORD today, for you were against your own sons and brothers, and he has blessed you this day." - Ex 32:25-29
Because of the response of the Levites, God changed order of thing. Instead of every first son, the Levites come in because of their voluntary response to divine assignment.
Appropriate response to divine assignment will set a man / woman aside for God.
Anointing to serve will automatically come on such a person. It is not the official pouring of oil that is anointing but the anointing that God pours upon one that responds to a divine call.
As you answer God’s call, you do yourself a favor. God’s glory must of a surety be on any one doing God’s work.
···

10:15 PARTNERS AND REBELS IN MINISTRY
“A
nd Saul also went home to Gibeah, and valiant men went with him, whose hearts God had touched. But some rebels said, “how can this man save us?” So they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace”- I Sam. 10: 26-27
Not everyone can go along with you in ministry. It is only those “whose hearts God has touched” that will go along with you to any length fulfilling the call of God upon your life. If you expect all that heard about your conviction and God’s powerful hand in the work, to arise and act along with you, you are mistaking. As there will be those whose hearts God had touched, so also there will be rebels that will act and speak contrarily towards that mission and towards you in particular. Even king Saul, at his earlier time when new (right) heart was in him, kept silence (held his peace) when rebels acted and spoke contrary to his appointment to be the first king of Israel. He did not look on anyone as his enemy, and he did not revenge on their action even when he won victory for Israel in battle.
How do you see those that are not going along with you in ministry and are speaking against you? They can be steps for you to assist you rise up by faith on what God had told you. Rebels must abound. They assist the visioner to fly high with eagle’s wings. They also make the man with vision to trust more on God. Supporters (partners) sent by God are necessary for the forward moving of the ministry; but rebels also have positive roles to play if you see them with the eyes of faith that their actions shall also work together for good unto you, who has been called according to God’s purpose (Rom 8:28).
···
10:16 THE MAN OF GOD


“L
ook now, there is in this city, a man of God, and he is an honorable man, all that he says surely comes to
pass” - I Samuel 9:6
The young man, Saul, made reference to Prophet Samuel. All the people knew the man of God, Samuel, that “all that he says surely comes to pass” That was the yardstick, the qualification or rather the sign in those days to know who actually was a man (or the mouth) of God. If all that he says comes true, then he was believed to be sent by God and should be respected. Surely all that Prophet Samuel said would happen to Saul did happened for the bible says, “so it was when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart, and all those signs came to pass that day”-I Sam. 10: 9. How is it today? Does it happen exactly as our ‘man of God’ says? Many use the title “Prophet” Are they truly Prophets? Do all they prophesy come to pass? There is a difference between prophesying ahead of God’s promises in the scriptures and prophesying exact directives from God. Many so called Prophets and men of God do prophesy God’s promises as written in the scriptures. It was not so in those days. They tell what was directly in the mind of God at a particular situation to the people or to a particular man; and such comes to pass. We want to know the mind of God!
···
10:17 THE PRESENCE OF DOD’S ARK
T
he ark of God represents God’s presence in the camp of Israel. In times of battle, when the ark is taken along, victory is sure. As long as God’s order for carrying the Ark is kept, God magnified his presence. But the battle between the Philistines and the Israelites in the last days of Eli gave us another story. At first, the Ark of God was not brought to the camp, and so, “Israel was defeated by the Philistines who killed about four thousand men”- I Sam 4: 2. The people of Israel wondered why such a defect on them and they concluded: “Let us bring the Ark of the covenant of the Lord from Shiloh to us, that when it comes around us it may save us from the hand of our enemies”-vs. 3 “So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from there the Ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts …”-v4. There was a great hope and assurance of victory for the Israelites as the Ark of God was brought into the camp of Israel at the battleground. When their enemies, the Philistines, heard that the Ark of their God has been brought to the Israel camp, they trembled and fear. But even in the presence of the Ark of God, thirty thousand soldiers of Israel fell in battle along with the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, who stood by the Ark (vs. 4).
The presence of the ark of God in the Israeli camp at the time of battle did not withstand the prevailing power of the enemy of Israel. Something or rather many things have gone wrong. God watches over His word. He cannot be bribed or deceived. No matter what we put to represent God as long
as His words are not kept, He will not act on our behalf. Hophni and Phinehas that stood by the Ark were already condemned for their actions in Israel. Do you know whether that man of God to whom you are listening and though whom you are expecting miracles is not accepted by God despite his eloquence and anointing to preach? His charging the atmosphere of the crusade with lots of biblical promises and slogans would yield no fruit because God is not there with him? God will not stop him from performing; He will only not answer those prophetic prayers of faith poured down on the people. If all pronouncements on your life have come to stand, those physical and financial blessings would have made you to turn your back on God for they will be too much.
There was defeat on the Israelites despite the presence of the Ark of God in the camp. Why do the enemies still prevail on you despite all forms of prayer rained on you by those ministers, and with all the forms of fasting and prayers you undergo yourself? There must be a kind of sin lodging in your camp or some unacceptable practices or items lodging with you? Remember, God had rejected Eli and his two sons. No sacrifice by them could erase God’s determination to eliminate them and their posterity (I Sam. 3:14).
As long as a man (minister or whoever) misses it with God, no sacrifice or Ark of God’s presence would make God act positively.
···
10:18 FREEDOM! NO KING IN ISRAEL
“I
n those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes”-Judges 21:25.
This statement came up several times in the book of Judges. It was in the Judges’ account that there was no king in Israel, and every one did what seemed best to be done without any divine guidance even to the cutting in pieces of a dead woman’s body and distributing it into all tribes of Israel to cause havoc. That was what that man in Judges chapter 19 thought was right to do. That action led to the death of several thousands of the people of God and almost wiping off of a tribe in Israel, the Benjamites.
Today, is there no king in our own Israel? King, not that of the earthly but the heavenly one? Is there no law or directives from above? Why then do we at this end time do things as we feel? Every one still continues to do that which is right in his / her own eyes. The word of God is not followed, as God wants it. Everyone to his / her own way. Even church leaders (ministers or G.Os) do things as they feel in their hearts and not as the Bible teaches. The church (congregation) varies form one another depending on how their G.O directs. No two churches are the same in operation even within the same denomination! Is there no king in Israel to day? Everybody wants to be a leader and we see many who are supposed to be under teachers (mentors) coming out to become General Overseers. This has brought errors into the church of Christ. No wonder why Christ had to conclude: “…Nevertheless, when the son of man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”- Luke 18:8.
“Will I find faith on earth as I am about to leave it? As I am the only Shepherd and all believers obey and honor the word of God and trembles at my teachings? Will I meet this same kind of believe (faith) among my followers when I come back the second time?” Jesus knew there were children of perdition like Judas and all others that could not believe in him even at that time. Yet he asked the question. He knew that the only and one true faith could be multiplied into different versions. Of which version are you? Jesus’ true version or you are in one of the other versions where biblical teachings are not adhere to but various teachings from the corrupted heads / hearts of men (G.Os)?
There is a King in Israel: the owner of the church - Christ. Israel is the church of God and Christ is the head, the King. No one is supposed to do as his / her head directs, but to be tutored and nurtured according to the teachings of old, teachings of the word of God that never changes: “…faith which was once for all delivered to the saints”- Jude 3.
This we are to contend earnestly with and to keep up in our gatherings (churches) and not keeping up with modern day (fashion) Christianity and teachings in various dimensions. May God help us.
···
TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Your comments for possible publication will inspire us to do more. Let us hear from you what the Lord is doing through our efforts.
···
10:19 WITNESS
“A
nd when they came to the region or the Jordan which is in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and half the tribe
Of Manasseh built an altar there by the Jordan - a great impressive altar.
Then “called the altar, WITNESS. For it is a witness between us that the
Lord is God.”-Joshua 22: 10&34
The two and a half tribes of Israel that settled at the region of Jordan built a WITNESS in form of an altar that is great and impressive. You don’t need to be told before you see it and wonder what a gigantic statue! They say it is a witness that the LORD is God in that area and not only in the other Israel territory. They meant that for their generations to come as well.
Have you any impressive altar in your life that you can call a WITNESS – proving that the LORD is God in your life? Can you pinpoint a thing that God has done in your life, a thing so significant that whenever you remember it, it makes you feel happy and grateful to Him always? That is a WITNESS between you and God that He is God indeed over your life. But remember, your WITNESS may not be my own WITNESS. Yours may be your precious baby given to you after several years of waiting, some others can be the way God delivered them from death in a traffic accident which they can never forget, while mine may be the way the Lord brought me out of the miry clay of sin into His marvelous light.
As a child of God, there must be a WITNESS between you and God that will always prove that the LORD is God. This WITNESS is there to make you stand firmly in faith and will keep you from turning back from following the LORD. There must be a WITNESS in your life that the LORD is God. Is there any? What is God’s WITNESS in your life?
···
10:20 THE SIN OF THE FATHERS
T
he Gibeonites deceived the Israelites to dwell among them so as not to be destroyed. Joshua and the elders of Israel made covenant with them to allow them live. But when it was discovered that they were close neighbors, Joshua pronounced a curse on them: “Now therefore, you are cursed, and none of you shall be freed from being slaves – wood cutters and water carriers for the house of my God. And that day Joshua made them wood cutters and water carriers for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, in the place which he would choose, even to this day” – Joshua 9:23,27. That is a generational curse on the Gibeonites. A curse that passes from the forefathers to the great grand-grand children; a curse that remains for life.
At first, Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities and all its men were mighty
(Joshua 10:2). A city with mighty men, and which was great in wealth subjected themselves to slavery by deceit. None of the grand children would understand why their clan was subjected to slavery unless when told of the error [sin] of their forefathers.
Are you passing through a problem, a curse that lingers and defies all forms of prayer? Even though you might not know any story as regards your lineage, this case of the Gibeonites should be an eye opener. There is still hope: “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us…”- Gal 3:13. “Having wiped out the handwriting of the requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us, And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross”-Col. 2:14
Looking unto Christ and holding unto his victory for us on the cross brings complete and total deliverance. It was on the cross He said, “It is finished”. All forms of curses and their attendant manifestation have been nailed to the cross of Christ. We only have to focus on that victory and point the devil to fact of the cross. That is the solution to whatever known and unknown curses in the lives of the believers (to them only that are washed by the blood of Christ).
The Gibeonites of old and of now can still be delivered for their generational curses only by the cross of Jesus.
···

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Your comments for possible publication will inspire us to do more. Let us hear from you what the Lord is doing through our efforts.
···


BE A PART

Be a part of this publication effort in Prayers for God to use these words in the hearts of readers, and in assisting print editions of these messages financially for free distribution. Send us your comments for possible Publication. Inspire us to do more in reaching nations for Christ. Send to us or make a call: Our email: christianpubint@yahoo.com; Phone line: +2348036121781. Mail: P.O.Box 387, JEBBA, KWARA STATE, NIGERIA, WEST AFRICA.
···
These series of messages are published by the :
CHRISTIAN PULISHING INTENATIONAL, JEBBA, NIGERIA.
Email: Christianpubint@yahoo.com;info@cping.org
Tel: (+234)-8036121781; (+234)-8051109976
Believers’ Digest contains series of messages that can be copied
and used freely for edification of the body of Christ.


··· ··· ···