by Jeanie | Jun 15, 2008 | Uncategorised
Dear Friend,
I am very happy that I can send you this journal today. I know that I say this almost every time but I want you to know that it’s not a cliché. I don’t know how to express what I feel when I’m preparing these journals but I know it’s real. I have missed you so much, I have missed your encouraging emails but most of all I miss sharing God’s Word with you. I can feel your prayers and intercession on my behalf. May God’s blessings continue to overflow in your life. Amen!
We’ll continue from where we left off a few weeks ago. We were learning about the geographical locations which may have influenced Israel’s actions as they journeyed and we learnt that we are to stay on course by holding tight onto the Word we received from God at the mount because those words will give us strength and courage to get through the wilderness – a dry and lonely place where we often feel uncertain of God’s presence and help.
Today, we will look at one of the behaviours or spirits that God abhors so much that He destroyed the people that demonstrated these although they were very precious to Him.
Numbers 11:1-3 (NLT)
(1). Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said. Then the Lord’s anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people in the outskirts of the camp.
(2). Then the people screamed to Moses for help, and when he prayed to the Lord, the fire stopped.
(3). After that, the area was known as Taberah (which means “the place of burning”), because fire from the Lord had burned among them there.
The Complaining Spirit
When someone complains, they are either by their expression or impression indicating dissatisfaction with something, discontent or unhappy about a situation. From this definition, we can see that the key cause of complaints is dissatisfaction which could be translated fault finding. Stay with me, I’m going somewhere with this.
Israel, the chosen people of God began to find fault in the One who delivered them from the Pharaoh, his armies and other enemies. They found fault with their Guide who led them day and night with a pillar of cloud and fire. They were now frustrated with Him who miraculously quenched their thirst and hunger by giving them water from the rock and fed them with manna from above. They were discontent with the God who preserved their health and clothing.
Friend, this is why you and I sometimes complain – when we begin to focus on what we don’t have rather than what we do have. And to show how much God detested Israel’s behaviour, He released His fire. I’m sure you’re aware that anything that fire contacts is utterly destroyed and reduced to ashes – light particles that can be easily blown away. Are we to be afraid? Well, no but we are to be in reverential awe of God because He is still a consuming fire and this fire.
Hebrews 12:29 (ESV)
For our God is a consuming fire.
Friend, I heard a Word from God for you; I already know your pain, there is no need for you to complain, just be plain – stay pure, keep your spirit right and leave the rest to Me.
Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)
6-7Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life.
I think the above scripture summarises what we ought to do. Instead of complaining, we should pray and praise. Worry can cause you to be disappointed which may move you to complain, but when you pray and humbly make your requests known to God, He
gives you peace – He stills your spirit, instead of complaining you become silent, you’ll have no uproar, middle or low roar– You’ll have peace.
We are also encouraged to link praise to our prayers. Praise is an outward expression of your love for God. Whatever you do and call praise, has to be outwardly shown. I have tried this and it works – whenever I sense a complaining spirit coming on me, I begin to praise the name of God and that deals with the situation I am facing – I have never found myself still complaining afterwards. It works. Try it today.
I’ve never seen a prayer warrior or a ‘praiser’ that wanders – prayer warriors are plunderers and conquerors and likewise Praisers. Remember that He already knows your pain and there’s no need for you to complain, just be plain – keep your spirit right!
More in this series:
Conquer and plunder 1
Conquer and plunder 3
by Jeanie | Jun 1, 2008 | Uncategorised
Dear Friend,
Greetings to you in Jesus name. How are you doing? I trust that your faith is unwavering knowing that God loves you so much that He will not allow you to perish, and that He has heard your cry and your Deliverer is nigh.
During the early stages of the Israelites’ sojourning, they obeyed God and Moses but that is not true for the rest of their journey. What happened and why is it so? Read on and find out
HEBREWS 3: 7-12
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice,
8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw My works forty years.
10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.’
11 So I swore in My wrath,‘ They shall not enter My rest.
12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
God had given Israel so much and was able and willing to give them much more but they often exhibited some attitudes that didn’t please God. We’ll go through these attitudes later but a study on the regions they passed by has some insight to their behaviour.
MOUNT SINAI
This is the mount where Moses had his “burning bush” experience with God. It is also where God gave Israel His laws. It is a place of God’s presence. Sinai is that place where you remember, memorise, meditate, speak, believe and obey the Word of God because you’ve just received it and it’s fresh. At Sinai, you are full of faith, you’re not easily swayed or distracted. Stay with me, I’m going somewhere with this.
The LORD came from Mount Sinai. From Edom, he gave light to his people, and his glory was shining from Mount Paran. Thousands of his warriors were with him, and fire was at his right hand. Deuteronomy 33:2
THE WILDERNESS
This is a dry and wild region where the Israelite’s’ spent most of their time. This is a place where you begin to slack and become weak in faith, double-minded, doubtful and eventually a complainer.
Then Pharaoh will think, ‘The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness!’ Exodus 14:3
Holding onto the Word you received at the Mount will strengthen you during your wilderness journey because unlike the mount where you are sure about God’s presence with you, the wilderness is lonely and deserted and only that Word you heard will sustain and help you survive it’s dry and wild nature.
Whereas Sinai is a place of revelation and clarification, the Wilderness is a place of decision and action. Remember, God had already promised His people an inheritance but because they were faint-hearted, their journey was prolonged and many’ s were terminated. They wandered while they could have conquered nations and plundered loots.
In summary, I encourage you who are on the mount to hold fast to the Word you’ve received, do not let it depart from your mouth nor your heart, recollect what you saw, rehearse what has been described to you .If you’re in the wilderness believe, speak and obey the Word you heard; decide and act on what you need to do before it becomes a reality. These little steps will help you focus on your expected end rather than your present bend which will sooner or later be made manifest. You will conquer and plunder; you will not wander in Jesus Name! Amen.
More in this series:
Conquer and plunder 2
Conquer and plunder 3
by Jeanie | May 22, 2008 | Uncategorised
Dear Friend,
I trust that you’re being encouraged, challenged and changed by these words that you receive weekly. Keep abiding and you’ll bear choice and nice fruits.
Over the weeks we’ve been studying the lives of remnants and some of their actions. Today we want to study the attitude of a remnant with whom God was so pleased that he called him a man after his own heart. You guessed it right, King David. Be blessed.
- I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
- He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.
- He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.
- Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. Psalms 40:1-4 (NLT)
David in his life time experienced God’s deliverance regularly; It amazes me when I read of how he flee from his son Absalom or how he escaped the wrath of Saul; I wonder how he would have made it without God. Tell me what you would do if the governing authority of your country launches a search to arrest and kill you? Who will you run to? Where would you hide? How would you maintain a low profile?
Today’s text is a psalm of thanksgiving for deliverance which ended with prayer . The psalmist began by listing the things he did before he was delivered.
First, He waited. He was not in a haste, he didn’t try to rush God, He waited . Secondly, he waited patiently not anxiously as some of us would. Thirdly, he waited patiently for the Lord to help him. He was not depending on Social security, a charity organization, friends , family members, the church, neighbours ; He was waiting for the Lord’s help and this is not the first time we hear David speak like this.
In Psalms 121:1,2 he said “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth”.
This is the testimony of a remnant: my help came from the Lord, not from the connections I have or the skills I have, but from the Lord. I’m fully aware that God will many times use people to assist you, please be careful not to attribute your success or breakthrough to them but to God.
So David looked up to God for help and God turned to him and heard his cry. Watch this , God didn’t ignore him, he gave David his full attention and solved his problem. He got the results he wouldn’t have if he’d turned to man. His confidence in God finally paid off .That’s what God is willing to do for you If you would just quit depending on people and fix your gaze on him.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. Psalm 118:9(KJV)
David goes on to tell of the things God did for him. He talks about how he was lifted out of the pit. A pit is a hollow area of the ground which usually has a soft soil that causes anything which falls into it to sink. Sometimes you may find worms and sharp objects embedded in this area, It is a miserable and depressing place to be in but thank God David was lifted out of the pit of despair. As you read this journal, I don’t know what kind of pit you’re in but I know that if you look up to God for help right now, he will lift you out of it.
The second thing God did for David was to established him. God set his feet on a solid ground to keep him from falling into further mischief. God was saying to him, David, you don’t ever have to walk on dangerous hollow grounds, I’m going to place your feet on a plain surface and steady you on a rock – a place of strength and safety.
The next thing David testifies of is that God gave him a new song to sing, a hymn of praise. I wish I had time to expound on this but just know that the new song was a result of the revelation David received from the deliverance he had just experienced and I’m a witness to this; I’ve seen God move in and through some situations in my life through which I gained a deeper insight into some characters/attributes of God and a song flowed forth consequently. I pray that God today will give a new song. Amen!
The later part of verse 3 says that “many will see it” , How ?
I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among many people. Psalm 35:18 (WBT)
You ought to testify. A testimony is an open attestation; a public profession which offers firsthand proof of an event known to have happened or something known to have existed. That’s what Noah did when he built an alter and sacrificed to God out of his substance. He could have taken the credit and boast of how skillful he was at building the ark but through his actions he testified that God was his help having protected him and his family whilst the flood drowned every other living thing on earth. He ascribed to God the glory due to him, he was thankful and God was pleased.
God will give you a testimony; I hear God say that he will lift you , re-position you and stabilize you and when it happens don’t hold back, share your testimony because through it , many will be encouraged and put their trust in God.
Related journals:
I’m still here!
WORSHIP OF A REMNANT
by Jeanie | May 17, 2008 | Uncategorised
Dear Friend,
This is the day that the Lord has made for us to rejoice and be glad in and I’ve made up my mind not be sad regardless of what might happen and I want to encourage you not to be disheartened if it seems like the things you’ve spoken are taking long to manifest. Job 22:28 says that “ you will decree a thing and it shall be established for you; So light will shine on your ways”.
You know, when a decree is made and then established, the consequent action is the execution of that decree. You have spoken and it will be to you according to your word, the light of God is about to permeate and reflect on every dark area of your life. #hollaapraise
I am very excited on sending you this journal today, and it’s because we’ve just entered the second month of the year. It was during this very month at the time of Noah, that the earth was dry and hence safe for Him and his family whom the Lord had preserved from the flood, to leave the boat. They were ‘remnants’, the remainder of God’s image on earth, the people with whom the Lord would covenant to preserve the earth. Read on and find out how this relates to you.
Have you ever wondered or asked yourself this question: I’m still here, How come? After all that has happened to me , after all I’ve been through; I’ve had too many crumbles and tumbles yet I’m alive, I’m well , I’m still here but why and how come? Please allow me to suggest that you’re a remnant and the Lord has preserved you until such a time as this for a sign, a wonder and a witness.
A remnant is the part or portion of something that remains after the most or main part
no longer exists. This is usually a very small part like leftovers. In Hebrew, one of the words translated ‘remnant’ is derived from a word which portrays the idea of slipping out, escaping or surviving. Isaiah in his first chapter had this to say:
Unless the LORD of hosts had left to us a very small remnant, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been made like Gomorrah. Isaiah 1:9 (NKJV)
The scripture is not in any way vague about God’s name used in this verse. God is here described as the Lord of hosts; the governor of all beings both in heaven and earth, or if you like, the Lord of a vast multitude. This suggests to me that God does not have to spare us; in fact He has no need of us considering that He has and will always have countless hosts to serve him. I believe Prophet Jeremiah was having similar thoughts when he penned this verse:
Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 (NKJV)
Let’s read this scripture from the living bible:
His compassion never ends. It is only the Lord’s mercies that have kept us from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his loving-kindness begins afresh each day.
I’m going to slightly use this scripture out of context but I need you to understand first, that it’s because of the Lord’s mercies that we’re not utterly destroyed. Mercy is what we receive from God in place of condemnation, damnation and alienation. We’re not in any way better than they that are consumed, or those that have gone under but because God has interposed to save us, we are not overwhelmed neither are we overthrown.
We’re a remnant, God’s elect, the selected few that God has kept that we might be for him a people, a name, a praise, and a glory. You didn’t just go through the challenges and trials for nothing; through the fire, waters, tribulations and persecution, you’ve been spared and preserved for a purpose. I need you to get this in your spirit. If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, Let the people of God now say; had it not been for his protection ;deliverance, provision, sustenance , faithfulness we would have been completely destroyed.
Tell me how many people have survived what you’ve been through; the bankruptcy, the hardship, the illness, the heartache, the abuse, you name it. Think about the times everything around you looked so dim, when you felt like all the darts the enemy had has been thrown at you, not to talk of the many times he rose like a flood against you. Now think, where and how you would have been had not the Lord lifted a standard to protect you. I’d say dead, buried, and forgotten but thanks to God you’re a remnant ! God does not mess with His remnants, He’ll always deliver and keep them safe but there is one thing they must always do.
The scripture records in Genesis 8 that as soon as Noah and his family left the boat, He built an altar and sacrificed. A remnant understands the significance of building an altar of worship and offering a sacrificial praise that is pleasing to God which could result in a renewed covenant with God or a fresh promise; I don’t know about you but I really could do with a ‘new deal’.
I understand that the flood has carried away some of your valuables and the fire has consumed a lot of your most prized possessions but you’re still here, you’re a remnant! Yes, you’ve been crushed but not destroyed, persecuted but not abandoned, you haven’t got everything but you’re not without. You’re still here, you’re a remnant! So, give God the praise and worship due his name for past mercies, for the present – today’s mercies, and future mercies. He’s worthy, Halleluyah!
Related journals:
THE TESTIMONY OF A REMNANT
WORSHIP OF A REMNANT
by Jeanie | Apr 30, 2008 | Uncategorised
Dear Friend,
I am so glad that I am finally able to send you this mail though late. Last week was Passover and I heard a word from God just for you, I pray that it ministers to you.
I am the first born of my family and I know how protective and proud my father is of me. I feel secure and sure, no matter where I am that he thinks the world of me, can always meet my needs, and will never let me bleed. From scripture, we understand that Israel is God’s firstborn. These precious people of God were slaves in the land of Egypt, suffering many things by the hands of their task masters.
7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” Exodus 3: 7-10 (NIV)
God has heard your cry and your deliverer is nigh.
So God sent Moses to Pharaoh for their release but he (Pharaoh) refused. After numerous opportunities including several signs and wonders, God was set to liberate his people; so He struck dead all the Egyptian firstborn sons and livestock. He passed over the land in judgement and saved His covenant children by instructing them on what to do in order to avert the judgement from them. They were to choose a bull or goat without physical defect, slaughter it and smear some of its blood on their door frames. This is the history of redemption, the story of the Passover.
God cherishes you so much so that he will never let you perish.
For a moment, I want you to begin to worship. Thank God for Jesus, the spotless Lamb, who deserving no punishment became our Passover Lamb, our Sacrifice, our Deliverance, and our Victory (1 Corinthians 5:7). He’s worthy of all the praise, Hallelujah!
Passover is one of the annual events God commanded the people of Israel to celebrate in commemoration of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. What I love about the Passover is that it is a festival of freedom. Do you see how this relates to breaking free and holding your head high?
Passover is a festival of freedom, are you celebrating?
God gave them specific instructions on whom, when, where, why and how to celebrate this event. The key message is that everyone must appear before the Lord with a sacrifice (Deuteronomy 16:1). They obeyed God and here’s what happened:
The Lord caused the Egyptians to look favourably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So they stripped the Egyptians of their wealth! Exodus 12:36 (NLT)
He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. Psalm 105:37 (KJV)
This is the blessing of obedience. Can you see the transition and transformation that has occurred in the lives of these people just because they obeyed God?
It pays to obey God. Obey him today and He’ll make everything okay.
Although the Passover week has gone, I want you be sensitive to promptings from God to sacrifice:
- Praise – With the fruit of your lips (Hebrews 13:15 )
- Worship – Presenting your body in fasting , consecration, etc (Rom 12 :1 )
- Resources– Giving liberally for the work of the kingdom (Luke 6:38)
All these sacrifices will cost you time, some directly and others indirectly, so prepare yourself. Mark out a set time and place so that you can focus and do His will.
God redeemed His people from slavery and restored them back to His original intention to be the head and not the tail, above and not beneath, lenders and not borrowers. No wonder it’s a celebration! These people were slaves and labourers until God turned their captivity around, and hence when they shouted, they knew the reason for their shout. You dare not tell them to shut up or keep their voices down because as slaves they didn’t have the liberty to do what they wanted, but now they do. They are free to worship. Poor people who were once in rags but now they are rich beyond measure, they had every cause to celebrate. You better shout, that could just be your breakthrough! You are free! Hallelujah!
Recall a great thing God has done for you and celebrate.
There’s something else in this passage that I would love to share with you. What God did is great. Wouldn’t you agree with me? But see how He did it, overnight, it’s marvellous! It something that keeps you wondering, something that makes you marvel. That same God is alive today! He can do for you what He did for the Israelites and even more. Your battle is won, you have the victory, so celebrate your freedom.
God can speedily change your situation.
