FAMINE: RESPOND, DON’T REACT

MEMORY VERSE: And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Deuteronomy 8:3

BIBLE READING: Numbers 14-16

One of the things the Lord hates with a passion is pride. Proverbs 6:16-19 says: “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” As a result, He humbles the proud. One of the tools God employs in humbling the proud is famine. Deuteronomy 8:3 says: “And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.” The world, out of pride, thinks it does not need God. It has moved away from God; as such, the Lord has decided to bring it to its knee through famine. This explains why there are a lot of graduates with no job ( famine of jobs), lot of eligible bachelors and spinsters with no one to marry ( famine of marriage partner), lot of churches with few genuine shepherds and sheep ( famine of shepherd and sheep) and lot of church goers but few Christians ( famine of the Word).

Famine elicits a response. The three responses are: Do nothing, React and Respond. Doing nothing is not the best way to respond to a famine situation. Problems don’t just go away. They must be worked through or else they will remain forever a barrier to the growth and development of the spirit. Reacting to a famine situation is also not the best way to respond to a famine situation. Crying, moaning, playing the blame game will not solve the problem. The best thing to do in a famine situation is to respond. You can respond by doing what you think is good or seek the face of God and do what He tells you to do. Let me warn you against doing what you think is good (in your eyes) in a famine situation. The fact that something is good or make sense does not mean it is from God. It made perfect sense for Abram to go to Egypt, however, that was not the best course for his life. The following happened to Abram when he went to Egypt: Firstly, he went down (Genesis 12:10); secondly, he was forced to compromise his faith (Genesis 12:12-13); thirdly, he lost his wife (Genesis 12:15) and fourthly, he was embarrassed by a pagan king ( Genesis 12:18-20). Imagine an unbeliever accusing father Abram of telling lies.

NOTE: The best way to respond to a famine situation is to seek the face of God and do whatever He tells you to do. Also, praise God in a famine situation

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world.

AND THERE WAS FAMINE

MEMORY VERSE: And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land. Genesis 12:10

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Peter

Genesis 12:10 says: “And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.” Famine implies scarcity. You will experience famine whether you are a Christian or not. It could be famine of joy in your marriage, famine of job, famine of money, and as we are beginning to see famine of the Word (unadulterated word of God). These days, there is less emphasis on holiness and great emphasis on prosperity. Luke 12:15 says: “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

There is always a reason for famine. Proverbs 26:2 says: “As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.” One of the things that inform famine of money is the lack of payment of tithes. Malachi 3:9-11 says: “Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.” Famine of breakthrough, at times, could be traced back to lack of soul winning. John 15:16 says: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” However, some famines are God ordained to train a man. For instance, the famine of job or unemployment which translates into lack of resources could be to train a man on how to manage his resources. Whenever you experience famine look inward. A famine of the Word or revelation is as a result of lack of altars – especially personal altars or quiet times.

Famine elicits a reaction. For instance, the famine of marriage has led some sisters, who were once convinced that the Lord did not want them to use make-up, to start to use make-up in order to attract brothers. A brother you attract with make-up will leave once the make-up fades away. Some who were convinced that fornication is a sin now fornicate due to famine of marriage. Your reaction to a famine situation matters. The bible records that Abram, as a result of famine, went DOWN into Egypt. Sister in Christ, as a result of famine of brothers, have you now lowered your standard that you are now willing to marry any brother even one that drinks and smokes? Is it because of famine of brothers that you have resulted to wearing revealing clothes and tight gowns? Has the famine of brothers now led you to go on social media to look for a brother? Is it because of famine of marriage that you are now allowing men to touch parts of your body that only your husband should touch? Brother, is it because of famine of sisters that you have now resulted to going to clubs and late night raves to meet women? You don't even pray anymore, the moment you get a number the next thing is you start thinking of how to take them out for a dinner. I pray you will not take a witch on a dinner in Jesus name. Brother, is it because of famine of resources that you have now began to forge invoices ? Man of God, has the famine of resources let you to start raising strange offerings?

NOTE: Whenever there is famine, look inward. Remember, your response to famine matters. You shall not go down in Jesus name.

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world