Category: OLD TESTAMENT

THE POWER OF GOD IS DOUBLE SIDED – Hosea

Power of God Cannot Be Underestimated

(Passage: Hosea 8)

God mostly steers his supernatural power to bless his children, but he acts in contrast if his children attempt to take him for granted. That is, the power of God may not be favorable to everyone alike. God may turn his back on a disobedient child that refuses to repent of his or her sins.

For example, God spoke to Prophet Hosea that Israelites have deeply hurt him, and he would punish them for their actions. God said to Hosea,

“Set the trumpet to your mouth! He shall come like an eagle against the house of the Lord, because they have transgressed my covenant and rebelled against my law. Israel will cry to me, ‘My God, we know you!’ Israel has rejected the good; the enemy will pursue him” (Hosea 8:1-3).”

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God’s Power Ought To Benefit The Believers

The power of God will ever benefit people who reserve their trust in Jesus Christ. However, people who claim to love God must serve him in holiness. We must not test God’s patience by attempting to take his grace for granted.

Christians must understand that God who is great at performing his miracles to favor believers is also great at punishing people who persist in their sins. Everyone has the obligation to repent of his or her sins to enjoy God’s full benefits.

Anyone who is humble enough to acknowledge his or her sin and repent of it will prosper! The Bible states,

“He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).

Everyone must understand that God sees and knows all things; he will bless whoever genuinely confesses his or her sin and repent of it. The path of a repentant sinner shall be peaceful. Jehovah will prosper it in this life and the one to come!

The judgment of God will come on people who have failed to obey his commandments. Jehovah will exercise his power against his rebellion children. Meanwhile, the Creator will not withhold his benefit from his faithful children who follow his rules. God will enrich the lives of his faithful observers in this life, and the one to come. The power of God will forever benefit his children!

prayer of faith

Ask for God’s Power To Meet His Standard

Dear God, please give me the ability to serve you with a loyal heart. Make me someone that repents from his (or her) sin whenever I make a mistake. Help me to genuinely repent of my sins, and give me the ability to serve you in holiness so that I can prosper in every day of my life. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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KING MANASSEH’S REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS – 2 Chronicles

God Demands Repentance From Sinners

(Passage: 2 Chronicles 33)

Repentance of a sin is not an option; it is the only important step that a sinner must take to appease God. King Manasseh of Judah devoted all his resources to idol worship when he ought to obey God and serve him with all his strength and might. Manasseh was so obsessed with idolatry to an extent that he sacrificed his son to his choice idol! The ungodly king also sponsored other forbidden practices that included witchcraft, sorcery, and spiritism. The scripture reported Manasseh’s practices,

“And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger. And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses. So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel” (2 Chronicles 33:5-9).

God punished King Manasseh for his evil deed. He allowed his enemies to overpower him. They captured and transported him in chains to Babylon where he served as a slave. However, Manasseh later repented of his past misdeed and begged God for his forgiveness.

Manasseh exercised repentance as the Bible reported,

“Now when he was in affliction, he implored the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before God of his fathers” (2 Chronicles 33:12).

Important Lesson on Repentance

Sin is irritable to God; a sinner must exercise repentance to receive God’s forgiveness. He requires all sinners to repent of their sins to obtain his forgiveness. Jehovah will forgive any sinner who repents from his or her sin, irrespective of its magnitude! As far as God is concerned, there is no sin beyond his forgiveness.

God will redeem any life and make it more beautiful than any previous time if repentance from a sin can be exercised. That is, a sinner must first acknowledge his or her sin and repent of it prior to obtaining God’s forgiveness. The person must also turn a new leaf by complying with God’s laws.

Any sinners who turn to God to serve him faithfully will not regret his action. He will receive God’s grace to prosper in all his ways. In fact, the scripture stated,

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

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Prayer for Strength to Exercise Repentance

Dear God, I understand that you hate sin. You want a sinner to repent of his or her sins to obtain your grace of forgiveness; therefore, I submit to your feet today to ask for the forgiveness of my sins! Please forgive me! Cleanse me with the blood of your Son Jesus Christ and confirm me as your true child that is worthy of your benefits. Let the Holy Spirit empower me to walk faithfully before you so that I can prosper on earth and also qualify for your heavenly benefits. For in your name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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EXILE JEWS RETURNED TO BUILD JERUSALEM WALL – Nehemiah

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God Will Help His Obedient Children Prosper

Passage: (Nehemiah 10)

Exile Jews who returned to Jerusalem (their homeland) also renewed their covenant with God. They promised to follow God’s rule of marriage, and they also promised to obey his requirement to keep the Sabbath Day holy. The people said,

“if the peoples of the land brought wares or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we would not buy it from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and we would forego the seventh year’s produce and the exacting of every debt” (Nehemiah 10:31).

God Will Work With An Obedient Child

God is willing to work with any Christian who is determined to serve him well. He will also work with a backslidden Christian who chooses to repent of his sin. Jehovah will accept a repentant sinner in a way that is similar to the story of the Prodigal Son in the bible (Luke 15:11-32). A person who repents from his sins, and serves God well will not be condemned on God’s day of judgment. The person will find his place with God in heaven.

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 1:19-20).

Pray For Power To Obey God

Dear God, please give me a heart that follows your instructions. Help me to humbly repent of my sins and turn a new leaf so that I can qualify for your kingdom. Forgive my past sins and guide me to start living a new life of holiness before you. Please let my ways satisfy you on earth so that I can qualify for your eternal kingdom. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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THE WALL OF JERUSALEM WAS REBUILT DESPITE OPPOSITION – Nehemiah

Christians Serve God of Possibilities Who Rebuilt Jerusalem Wall

(Passage: Nehemiah 12)

Nehemiah who led exile Jews back to their land to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem was opposed by Sanballat and Tobiah. However despite the oppositions, the man of God triumph, and he accomplished his mission. The Jews successfully built the wall and completed it. They also celebrated their achievement to honor God. The scripture reported,

“Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings and singing, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps” (Nehemiah 12:27).

God Who Built Jerusalem Wall Can Do Much More For Us!

God who built Jerusalem’s wall for Nehemiah can help us! Christians serve God of Possibilities; he will make any impossibility turn to possibility for his children! Indeed, God can do all things, and nothing is impossible for him to do. People who are determined to faithfully serve God will receive God’s help to overcome their challenges and have a testimony.

Jehovah will support his faithful children against any obstacle they may confront. It is important that believers understand that we are not ordinary people. We are people anointed by God to succeed on earth. God is on our side, and he will help us prosper in all our ways. Nothing shall be impossible for us in as much we continue to reserve our trust in him!

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Pray For Faith To Keep Trusting God

Dear God, please help me to realize my status as your child who deserves to succeed on earth, and also worthy of heaven. Help me to take the steps of faith into achieving my expected breakthroughs! Please bless the work of my hands so that I can prosper and share the testimony of your goodness to people around me.

Please make my life a living testimony to the glory of your name! For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.

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MESSIAH WILL COME FROM GOD TO HELP THE WORLD – Isaiah

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Isaiah – The Birth of Messiah Prophesied

(Passage: Isaiah 7, 8)

Prophet Isaiah prophesied God’s plan as stated,

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” Isaiah 7:14

Believers Have Hope Beyond This World

Jesus Christ was the Immanuel to be born as Isaiah prophesied. Truly, Christ was born to save the world from its sins. Through Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection all people shall obtain eternal life.

People who call the name of Jesus Christ and accept him as his or her personal Lord and Savior will receive the gift of eternal life. Whoever confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and accepts him as his/her personal Savior will obtain the gift of eternal life in heaven.

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Application Prayer

Prayer of Allegiance to Jesus Christ

Dear God, I thank you for sending Jesus Christ to earth to save poor sinners like me. I believe that Jesus Christ is your only Son, and through him alone I can obtain the gift of eternal life.

I swear my allegiance to Jesus Christ; I confess him as my personal Lord and Savior, and I will follow him forever. Please give me the grace to keep serving you throughout my life. For I pray in the name of Jesus Christ! Amen.

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ISRAELITES MUST HAVE COURAGE – Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy – Children of God Must Maintain Confidence in God

(Passage: Deuteronomy 20,21,22)

God asked Israelites to demonstrate courage and not fear their enemies during battles. They must not fear the enemies that may outnumber them. Israelites must always remember God’s past faithfulness and have confidence for future victory.

Israelites must remain strong in God. The same God who brought them out of Egypt and made them to successfully pass through the wilderness would win any battle that may come their way in future.

God said to Israelites, “When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt” – Deuteronomy 20:1.

Christians to Draw Their Strength from Past Victory

Children of God are to remain confident in God under whatever circumstance. No matter what type of battle we confront – God is able to overcome it and earn us victory.

Jehovah will fight for his children at all cost and award us victory. We must never forget that same God who is in control of the entire world affairs is on our sides, he is big enough to overpower whatever influence our enemies may have. He will override the enemies’ sophisticated skills and weapons for the sake of glorifying his name in our lives.

prayer

Application Prayer

Dear God, I believe you are God of miracle, and you will surely perform your miracles to my advantage! Therefore, I am asking that you stand on my behalf to show yourself strong and glorify your name. Please silence my enemies and override their evil desires against my life.

Fight my battles and give me victory! Let me have rest in every aspect of my life so that I can have a testimony and glorify your holy name. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

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THE JUDGMENT OF GOD COMES – Joel

Christians to Proclaim God’s Salvation

(Passage: Joel 2)

God requires Christians to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ without hesitation. They must inform people about Jesus’ gift of salvation, and also enlighten people of God’s punishment that would come on unrepentant sinners.

God stated through his prophet,

“Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord is coming, for it is at hand” (Joel 2:1).

Consequences of Heaven or Hell

Gospel must be preached with all seriousness stating the consequences that would follow adamant sinners. That is, a call to repentant action must include a serious tone that will warn everyone to live up to God’s standard stating: This present world will remain a temporal home for all people. Everyone will migrate from here to a permanent destination. However, not all people will end at the same place. Some people will end up in heaven while others end up in hell. People who would be qualified for heaven are those that have confessed their faith in Jesus Christ. They are people who have accepted Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Unbelievers will end up in hell fire where there shall be everlasting torment (Matthew 25:41). Hence, anyone who is yet to establish a good relationship with Jesus Christ should not hesitate. He/she should not hesitate but take an important step of salvation before it is too late.

Prayer of Grace to Spread the Gospel

Dear God, please empower me to ceaselessly proclaim your gospel to grant unbelievers their opportunity of salvation. As I preach your word, please grant people receptive mind to repent from their sins. Convict people to receive the salvation of your Son Jesus Christ so that they can be saved. Please let your kingdom work prosper in my hands, and also keep me worthy of your eternal kingdom. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

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GOD WILL REWARD PEOPLE THAT SERVE HIM – Obadiah

Reward for Confidence in God

(Passage: Obadiah 1)

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People who reserve their confidence in God will not be put to shame, but they will triumph over difficult situations to possess their possessions.

The scripture stated, “But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions” (Obadiah 1:17).

Lesson on Confidence in God

Deliverance, safety, and prosperity are bound to follow people who faithfully serve God. Although some challenges may arise, children of God have guaranteed promise of victory. No matter how tough a situation may appear, God will cover his people under his blanket of provision and protection. He will help them smile over crises; he will pay their bills, and he will comfort them.

Jehovah will ensure that his children always have reasons to glorify his name. Therefore, it makes sense for anyone to establish definite relationship with God, since there is nothing good to lose in the process. Meanwhile, a person who fails to establish a precise relationship with God, and a person who slacks in his or her relationship with God will have many good things to lose! God’s deliverance, safety, and prosperity may not be readily available for people who distant themselves from their Creator.

Prayer of Grace to have Total Confidence in God

Dear God, I do not want to fool myself by assuming that it is not necessary to have definite relationship with you! I need you; I need your deliverance, protection, and provisions! Therefore, I am ready to give all it takes to have you in my life as my personal Lord and Savior. I yield my total life to you today; I confess your Son Jesus Christ as Lord, and I accept him as my personal Savior. From now on, I will faithfully serve you, and for the rest of my life! Thank you God for sending your Son Jesus Christ to save my soul. For in the name of Jesus Christ I prayed. Amen.

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SATAN FAILED IN HEAVEN – Isaiah

Isaiah – Satan Abused His Post and Lost Heavenly Home

(Passage: Isaiah 14)

The scripture described Satan as a traitor who wanted to usurp the position of God in heaven. He plotted a coup détat against God but lost. Satan lost his mission attempt to overthrow God in heaven and was declared a loser. The traitor fell from grace, and Jehovah who is the master of all beings judged him immediately. Satan the Lucifer will be permanently hurled to hell-fire on the last day.

The scripture explained,

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit” (Isaiah 14:12-15).

Satan Who Lost Heavenly Home Will Also Loose Earthly Home

Satan abused his position in heaven, and God promised to cast him to eternal damnation of hell fire. Although the archenemy may still be causing uproar on earth, but his time is limited. God will not allow him to trouble the earth forever!

At God’s appointed time, Satan would be chained and cast to hell fire. He will be permanently stationed there. It is unfortunate to declare that those who serve Satan and those who believe his lies will also partake in hell fire. (Matthew 25:41).

Everyone has a choice to either follow Satan and go to hell fire, or serve Jesus Christ and go to heaven. Whoever confesses Jesus Christ as his/her personal Lord and Savior will inherit the kingdom of God – Heaven. To qualify for heaven, a person must confess his sin and declaration his faith in Jesus Christ. He (or she) must accept Jesus Christ as his her personal Savior (Rom 10:9-10).
prayer

Application Prayer

Pray to Qualify for Heaven and Escape Hell

Dear God, I understand that Satan (who is also known as devil) is a permanent candidate of hell fire. I do not want to share hell fire with the enemy. I want to follow Jesus Christ and go to heaven. Therefore, I confess Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. I believe he died on the cross for my sins. He resurrected to earn me eternal life. From now on, I declare my total life for Jesus. I will serve him forever, and I ask for his grace to keep my promise. Amen!

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SYRIANS IDOLS FAILED TO EARN THEM VICTORY – 1 Kings

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God Will Defend His Children Against Idol Worshipers

(Passage: 1 Kings 20)

A Syrian king and his army underestimated God and believed they could loathe his protective power. After the local gods (idols) have failed to earn them their desired victory, they concluded the God of Israelites was probably only powerful on the hillside where the battle took place. Therefore, the Syrians changed course and launched a strategic attack the Israelites on a plain land. The Syrians also lost the plain land battle, leaving them to remain subservient to the Israelites (and the living God of Israel).

The scripture reported, “Then the servants of the king of Syria said to him, ‘their gods are gods of the hills. Therefore they were stronger than we; but if we fight against them in the plain, surely we will be stronger than they.’” “Then a man of God came and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The Lord is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys,” therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’” (1 King 20:23; 1 Kings 20:28).

Lesson on God’s Power

God is not limited in power; anyone who underestimates his power would live to regret it. The same God who stands to defend his loved ones will also punish the wicked people. Everyone must understand that God is Jehovah. He is the living God, and he has no competitor! God is an omniscient Creator – The invisible, invincible, and indefatigable one that reigns over the universe. God conceived and created all things by his power to his satisfaction. Therefore, we human being have the choice to serve God and give him his due honor.

Prayer on Affirmation of God’s Strength

Dear God, I honor you because you are the King of kings and Lord of lords. Your power is great and convincing; therefore, I pledge my allegiance to you today. I promise that I will not serve any other god besides you! I ask that you give me the ability to faithfully serve you throughout the days of my life. Please help me to remain consistent to you always so that I can enjoy your benefits. For in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

Read-based suggestions:

GOD’S PRESENCE IS REQUIRED FOR A BLISSFUL MARRIAGE – Matthew

GOD FORGIVE OFFENSES OF HIS PEOPLE – Zechariah

GOD REWARDS ALL CHRISTIANS WHO HONOR HIM – Esther

ONLY THE FAITHFUL SHALL HAVE A PLACE WITH GOD IN HEAVEN – Matthew