MEMORY VERSE: And his mother's brethren spake of him in the ears of
all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to
follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother. Judges 9:3
BIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 17-20
After
the death of Gideon, one of his sons, Abimelech, hatched an evil plan
to kill his brothers and become the king. Because he didn’t have the
resources to carry out his evil agenda, he approached his mother’s
relations for help (Judges 9:1-3). His mother’s relations spoke to the
men of Shechem who agreed to help him because he was their brother (See
Judges 9:3). These men contributed money and gave it to him. He hired
some thugs and made his way to his father’s house. He killed his
step-brothers; only Jotham, the youngest, escaped.
Judges 9:3 says: ‘……and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.’
His mother's relations knew that what Abimelech was about to do was
wrong; however, they supported him because he was their brother. They
knew that Abimelech was going to kill innocent people, but they
supported him because he was their brother. They knew that Abimelech did
not deserve to be the king because he was not the firstborn; yet, they
encouraged him to carry out his evil agenda regardless. Don’t support an
evil cause because it will favor your brother. Even, if that evil cause
will favor a Christian and disfavor a non-Christian, please don’t
support it. God is a righteous judge and He will not support evil. The
men of Shechem could have rebuked Abimelech, instead, they supported
him because his evil action won’t affect them. Many of us don’t speak
against evil practices because we will not be affected by them. If you
are in the position of authority, and you are a Christian, God expects
you to represent Him there. He expects you to be His mouthpiece,
speaking against evil practices and fighting for the weak.
NOTE: You are indirectly supporting what you don’t speak against.
REMEMBER: What is wrong is wrong regardless of who is doing it.
Samuel Oluwatoki
Thursday, 27 April 2017
Tuesday, 4 April 2017
A MEMORIAL FOR YOURSELF
MEMORY VERSE: And Gideon made an ephod thereof, and put it in his city, even in Ophrah: and all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house. Judges 8:27
BIBLE READING: 2 Samuel 13-16
Everything God does is for His glory. Revelations 4:11 says: ‘Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.' As such, how we celebrate (things) matters. Gideon celebrated his victory over the Midianites by acquiring wives for himself (See Judges 8:30). Did that benefit God? No! One question we must always ask ourselves is this, 'how does this thing that I am doing benefit God.' A brother told me a few years ago that he would like to become the finance minister of his country. 'How will that benefit God', I asked; unfortunately, he could not give an answer.
There is nothing wrong with throwing a big party (if you have the money) to celebrate your birthday or your wedding anniversary or any other good thing; however, is God’s name glorified? How does that big party benefit God? Is it an avenue to bring souls to Christ? In addition, Gideon celebrated his victory over the Midianites by making a golden ephod (See Judges 8:27). He celebrated his victory by making a name for himself: the first man to make a golden ephod. His victory was meant to lead many to the true God; sadly, it turned many into idolaters. Your celebrations must turn the hearts of men to God, not away from God. Your celebrations must bring glory to God alone, not yourself.
NOTE: The day of your wedding, if you are single, is a day to glorify God. Look beautiful not sexy. May I remind you that God’s definition of beauty is clearly defined in 1 Peter 3:3-4.
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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.
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