by Jeanie | Sep 27, 2008 | Uncategorised
Psalm 106 is the last of the 4th division of the book of psalms. Within it is the summary of our last three lessons; it also begins and ends with a commendation to praise the Lord.
The psalmist says in verse 12
Then at last his people believed his promises
Then they finally sang his praise
Psalm 57:7
My heart is confident in you, O God
No wonder I can sing your praises
From these texts, we could conclude that praise and/or singing is an outward rendition or release of our faith. It is our trust and belief in God.
Sing!
Although Isaiah 54 speaks of the future glory of Jerusalem or if you like, The Restoration of Israel following their Babylonian captivity; God will have me encourage you today with this passage.
- Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.
- Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;
- 3 For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
- 4 Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.
Isaiah 54:1-4
The prophet begins with the word “Sing”. In this passage, it means to shout for joy, a victorious praise. Please note that although singing is a form of praise, it is not the same as praise.
The next phrase of this verse says “O barren, you who have not borne”. In ancient Israel, a woman who was unable to conceive and bear children was considered a reproach. God through the prophet spoke to the exiles who had their glory stripped from them and were carried off to Babylon saying “sing” I know your needs, your desire to be free – sing , praise Me because I’m about to turn things around; Enlarge the place of your tent, because I’ve broken the shame of your unfruitfulness and will fill your barns with plenty, forget the former things, the pains and shame of the past ,behold I do a new thing , I am restoring you. Friend, Can you hear the word of the Lord to you today?
What’s Praise got to do with it?
The battle is won and the victory is yours, Heaven is just waiting on you to release your faith in God through praise so that the earth would yield her increase.
Psalm 67: 5-6
- Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.
- [Then] shall the earth yield her increase; [and] God, [even] our own God, will bless us.
JUDAH – The history of this front liner
Judah is the fourth son of Jacob and Leah. In Judges, chapter 1, verses 1-12, Israel was preparing for battle and they inquired of the Lord, Who will be the first to go up and fight for us against the Canaanites? The Lord answered them …Judah is to go. Later, in Judges 20:18 we find the same inquiry, who of us shall go first to fight against the Benjamites? The Lord replied, Judah shall go first.
Why should Judah go first?
Because God encamps and moves wherever Judah is. He is known in Judah (Psalm 76:1), Judah is his sanctuary (Psalm 114:2).
Jehoshaphat caught this revelation and applied it when the Moabites, Ammonites and the Meunites came to make war with him. After he had inquired and heard from the Lord, he sent the singers ahead of the army. As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against his enemies, and they were defeated.
Many times God will give you the key to your breakthrough but before you use it send your praise ahead.
MORE ABOUT JUDAH – You break up, we make up
Judah occupied the hill country in the west of the Dead Sea and there came a time after the death of Solomon that the ten northern tribes of Israel broke away. Only the tribes of Judah were left to form the southern Kingdom; also called Judah.
In the midst of separation and conflict – praise and ‘praisers’ stand. It doesn’t matter what has happened to you, there is praise in you, send it forth. Never mind the things that try to break or oppose you instead release your faith in God with your songs of praise and watch God rebuild you.
Always ensure that your praise precedes your need.
by Jeanie | Sep 26, 2008 | Uncategorised
Dear Friend,
A few weeks ago, I briefly touched on what the proper response of a remnant should be. Let’s continue from there. I pray that you will be blessed.
Having read some portions of the scripture, I realised that in every age God has specified how he desires to be worshipped. There was a time he demanded that the tribe of Levi be separated and consecrated unto him and at another time he prescribed that altars be built and that sacrifices be made. There was also a time that he was no longer pleased with sacrifices and desired that his people would rend their hearts and not their garments; he was never going to despise a broken and a contrite heart.
But you are a chosen generation
A royal priesthood, a holy nation
His own special people , that you may proclaim
The praises of Him who called you
Out of darkness into His marvellous light. 1 Peter 2: 9 (NKJV)
This scripture says that we’ve been called out of darkness. I think this is a good cause to give God praise. It also says that we’ve been brought into his marvellous light; more cause why we should worship him.
I know the terms praise and worship are often used interchangeably but they are not one and thesame. Whilst praise is a response to God’s deeds, worship flows from the heart in humble adoration and reverence to God’s worth.
I’m not trying to say that we should worship God only when we’ve experienced his benefits; God is worthy to be worshipped and adored regardless. Do you know the reason God created and sustained you is that you would worship him?
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11 (KJV)
For his pleasure! The word pleasure and the word pleasing have thesame root word that denotes something acceptable, enjoyable, satisfying, palatable, and comely. Many times in scripture after people sacrificed, God will say, this is pleasing to me or it’s a sweet smelling savour to my nostrils; in other words I am delighted in what you’ve done.
Pleasure! That’s what Noah brought God when he built an altar and sacrificed. God was so pleased that he promised never to destroy the earth. His worship got him a promise, not just for his generation but for generations to come. This is deep; I hope you can feel it.
Hezekiah’s time was up. God had already concluded it and sent his prophet to notify his servant. You have to understand that Hezekiah whose name means “Jehovah is strength” was a good king. During his reign, he abolished idolatry in his kingdom and kept the ordinances of God (e.g. celebrated passover). When he got the news, the scripture says he turned to the wall and prayed to the Lord. I could almost hear him say: God, how can I die when you are my strength, what about your word that says that I will live and not die to declare your works. Remember how I’ve obeyed you, how I’ve given myself completely to you and done what is pleasing in your sight, how shall I then die?
The scripture records that before Isaiah left that building , God sent him back to announce to Hezekiah that he would be healed and live another fifteen years. Noah obtained a lasting promise; Hezekiah received his healing and prolonged living, what have you? Oh that our lives may please God and our worship will be to him a sweet smelling savour.
Related journals:
I’m still here!
THE TESTIMONY OF A REMNANT
by Jeanie | Jun 27, 2008 | Uncategorised
Hello Friend,
I hope that you are prospering in all things as God’s desire for you especially in this season. I was in a prayer meeting recently when the Spirit of the Lord said “We have the victory” and I want to encourage you regardless of what you are facing, that you walk victoriously with your head held high, talk like one who’s more than a conqueror and watch God shift things on your behalf. Amen!
We started discussing the complaining Spirit in the last journal, let’s wrap it up nicely.
Numbers 11:4-6
4 Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat?
5 We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic;
6 but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!”
The Complaining Spirit – Pt 2
I found another definition of complain to be a loud low dull continuous noise which sometimes results in one making remarks or noises under their breath.
It is important that you carefully choose who you hang with. Your friends or group can build or ruin you. Here’s what Paul had to say:
1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV)
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
I love how the International Standard Version puts it “Stop being deceived: “Wicked friends lead to evil ends”.
I’d like to imagine that from Israel’s recent experience with God. They know that God hears and answers prayer but yet they did not do this rather they “Wept again” meaning they carried on crying, lamenting and complaining. I’m talking about folks who had just repented; they were sorry for what they did. They cried unto Moses and Moses prayed to the Lord and God in His mercy quenched the fire that burnt among them (Numbers 11:2).
They were probably still in shock and also happy that God had preserved their lives but the foreign rabble who were travelling with them began to crave the good things of Egypt and they too instead of trusting the God who before now had provided manna and water from nowhere, they joined the multitude and ended up asking the most unreasonable question ever: “Who will give us meat to eat”?
They had easily forgotten all the benefits God loaded them with; they had lost their joy and resorted to complaining yet again. 
If you read further down this scripture, you’ll see that God gave them their desire in abundance but while the meat was still in their mouths; God struck them with a terrible plague and they died; what for? Complaining (Numbers 11:33).
You might be going through a very difficult time now and yes you have prayed and praised about this but nothing has happened yet; I want to encourage you not to be weary in doing good because in due season (which is now) you will reap a harvest of blessing if you don’t give up. This is your set time of favour. Your hour is now!
John 16:21(NASB)
“Whenever a woman is in labour she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.
Friend, you are due and your time of delivery is close, much closer than you thought. Your expectation will not be cut short; you will not be denied. Your desire will soon be satisfied.
I hear God say, you will remember your pain no more. Shout unto God with a voice of triumph if you believe that the battle is won and you have overcome. Rejoice!
More in this series:
Conquer and plunder 1
Conquer and plunder 2
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.
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I’m still here!
WORSHIP OF A REMNANT
