Jesus Breaks every Chain

Bible Text: Psalm 107:13-16

When we watch a documentary and see pictures of the slave trade Era, we see men and women with chains on both hands and feet and another chaining them together. In these conditions they have no will. They do the will of their masters; obeying every command.

Although presently we are not physically chained down, our sinful nature enslaves us. Diseases that do not seem to go away chain us down and prevent us from living a normal life. In the case of addictions, we face withdrawal symptoms when we make a decision to put a stop to the act. Our own body fights itself.

The demon possessed man at the tomb, was however unable to be physically chained, but he was bound by the impure spirit that dwelled in him. This man could not live a normal life. He could not wear clothes or live in a house, his home was the tomb; a very unusual place to be. According to Paul he could not do what he wanted to do. "For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. " (Romans 7:19)

The good news is that Jesus breaks every chain and he did this through his sacrifice on the cross of calvary. In Isaiah we see this proclamation, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;" (Isaiah 61:1)

Jesus can and will break every chain that binds us. When Jesus sets you free you are free indeed. Addictions, limitations, diseases, problems, all these chains and more will be broken in the name of Jesus.  "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."  (John 8:36)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. Break every chain in my life. Come and set me free.

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  

Amen!

God Protects Us

Bible Text: Psalm 91

Security details are often assigned to individuals who hold high positions in society. Their lives are of great value and their death or capture may cause irreparable damage. It is the same with we believers. We are God's chosen people, precious in His sight. The apple of his eyes.

This Psalm is full of God's promises of protection for His children . "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High". (v1)

In verse 3 God promises to save us from the trap set for us even as the fowl (bird) escapes from the trap set for it. We see in Psalm 35 the vivid explanation of traps set to destroy God's people and God's saving power in play to rescue us.  "For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul. 8 Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall." (Psalm 34:7-8)

The believer's life is never trouble-free. We often think as Christ saved us all will be rosy. All will not be rosy and trouble-free but the good news is that God is in control, working it all for our good. Verse 3-11 outlines the ways in which God will come through for us, A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.(VS 7) 

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.( VS 11-12)

God promises to rescue us from our troubles because we love Him. We who have made the Most High our refuge are assured of 24/7 Divine Security detail. How Awesome! God Himself is watching to rescue us. 

We are special people and should not let live's ups and downs cause us to forget how precious we are to our God. He knows us by name before we were in our mother's womb. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you" (Jeremiah 1:5)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. Thank you for the love you have towards me that you came and died for my sins, and you continue to keep me and protect me under your wings. 

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  

Amen!

I AM

Bible Text: Exodus 3:14

400 years of slavery under the rule of Pharaoh, the Israelites cried out to God for deliverance.

Moses had been born during the time hebrew male children were being killed based on the order of Pharaoh. And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour. (Exodus 1:14)

Israel needed a deliverer. Someone had to demand for the release of the children of Israel. This was not going to be taken lightly by Pharaoh. The Israelites were his major work force in building his empire,  he could not afford to lose them.  Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. (Exodus 1:11)

After the burning bush encounter, Moses was to go and seek for the freedom of the Israelites from Pharaoh. He needed confidence to approach Pharaoh and the children of Israel. He knew his encounter with Pharaoh was not going to end well. It was normal for him to be afraid. Moses did not know who God was. He did not know who was sending him on this mission, to him it was a suicide mission. He did not know that the One who was sending him was more than able to deliver the children of Israel. 

And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you. (Exodus 3:14)

I AM. God cannot be described, no human mind can conceive who God is. God is God. This indescribable, unfathomable God was the One with Moses and is the One with you. He says you should tell your Pharaoh that I AM has sent you. 

Through Moses the children of Israel were delivered from the slavery in Egypt. God says I AM. I AM your Deliverer, I AM your Healer, I AM your Saviour, I AM your Protector, I AM your Provider. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. My I AM. Be the I AM That I AM in my situation and life. 

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  

Amen!

Greater is He that is in You

Bible Text: 2 Kings 7


The Arameans had laid siege to Samaria. This led to a severe famine in the land to the extent that cannibalism was practised.

The Lord spoke to Elisha that things were going to change, the prices of food will drastically reduce, that was going to be a great relief from the famine.

Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord says: About this time tomorrow, a seah[a] of the finest flour will sell for a shekel[b] and two seahs[c] of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.” (2 Kings 7:1)

The Lord then used 4 lepers to drive away the army of the Arameans from their own camp leaving behind all their horses and donkeys. The Lord had caused the 4 lepers to sound like chariots, and horses and a great army. Look, the king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us!” 7 So they got up and fled in the dusk and abandoned their tents and their horses and donkeys. They left the camp as it was and ran for their lives. (2 Kings 1:6-7)

The children of Israel had enough food as the Lord had spoken to Elisha. They were free from the famine that was caused by the siege laid by the Arameans: So they went and called out to the city gatekeepers and told them, “We went into the Aramean camp and no one was there—not a sound of anyone—only tethered horses and donkeys, and the tents left just as they were.” 11 The gatekeepers shouted the news, and it was reported within the palace. (2 Kings 1:10-11)

This is what happens when God is with you. God was with the 4 lepers. He caused them to sound like a whole army. With God we can do all things. We can scale every wall and obstacle in our way and come out victorious because He is that is in us, God, is greater than he that is the world, the devil and his adversaries.

With this in mind our attitude towards life should be different. We are not ordinary because the extra ordinary lives in us. We are of God and not of this world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.(1 John 4:4)

With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.

(Psalm 18:29)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. You have laid waste the devices of the enemy,the devil. You live in me and bring me victory day after day. Let your name be praised!

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

Except the Lord

Bible Text: Psalm 127:1

We have been advised on several occasions that hard work is the key to success. We see this in our day-to-day life, we wake up early and go to bed late, save, invest, all in the quest for a successful life. 

However this is not the way to achieve true success. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. (Psalm 127:1)

When we do not commit our ways to God, we toil in vain. Although it may seem that our ways are successful through the things we acquire, it is not a success in the eyes of God.

We must fully rely on God for our strength. How can we do this? Relying on God means obeying his commands and being his true ambassador. Our way of life should be that of light and not darkness. We should always constantly pray for strength and be careful to let our ways be in line with the will of God for our lives. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

To rely on God however does not imply laziness. Where we fold our hands and expect manna from Heaven. Note the words of the Psalm, the builders build, the watchers watch. Here it shows that they are working hard but the only thing lacking is that they are are not relying on strength from God.

So we have to update our success formula where hard work equals success now becomes hard work + God equals Success.

When we work hard and achieve all that we think we have achieved, we gain the whole world and lose our Soul. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Mark 8:36)

We have no power of our own

We depend on you Holy Spirit

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. I pray for strength for my every day activities. Help me to live according to your will that my success in life will be pleasing in your eyes. 

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  

Amen!

The Word of God

Bible Text: Matthew 4:4

We know of the importance of God's Word. However we resort to the Word as a last option when all others have failed us. This should not be case. The Word's role in our lives should be even more crucial than the material things we need.

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.(Matthew 4:4)

Here was Jesus, hungry, after fasting for forty days and forty nights. Even in that state, Jesus made it clear to the devil that his sustainance is not from any other but from the Word that comes from the mouth of God.

The Word of God is the very core of our existence. 

It is to us a guide. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:109). In order to live and fulfil God's purpose for our lives we have to rely solely on the Word of God for teaching, correcting and training in righteousness. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)


It is the obedience to the Word of God that will keep us away from Sin. (Psalm 119:11). I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Not only should we read this Word but obey that we may know what God wills for us.

This Word of God is Jesus.  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Without Jesus, the Word of God, we have no life. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. 

Through prayer we keep a constant connection with us. His feedback to us on various issues can be found in his Word. This Word is timeless, powerful and works in all our situations. This Word is our sword. As soldiers of God our sword should always be with us. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17)

For the word of God is alive and active.

 Sharper than any double-edged sword,

 it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow;

 it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

(Hebrews 4:12)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. Your Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. May I never be found with this sword you have given me. 

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

I Am Strong

Bible Text: Joel 3:10

As Soldiers in God's army, our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the forces of darkness. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)

In today's passage we see that everyone was called to battle. In verse 10 the farmers were asked to transform their farming tools into weapons of war: Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears.

Likewise to fight in God's army against the powers of darkness, against sin, against sickness, against satan himself, we have to turn what we have into weapons of war. There should be no excuses. To fight in God's army we need to empower ourselves by proclaiming strength. I AM STRONG. When we do this we acknowledge that this strength is not from us or dependent on us but comes from God himself: He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)

We must actively involve ourselves in working for God, winning souls for his Kingdom. (Matthew 28:16-20) We must be prayer warriors, praying without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) .

Let us in our weakness proclaim that WE ARE STRONG.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. I pray that today we will cease on the excuses and declare that we are strong, ready for battle. 

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!