23 July 2014

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them. (KJV)(1 Samuel 2:8)

Life brings us to a point where we feel a desperate need for material, emotional or spiritual things.Sometimes it hurts so bad that we feel no way out and we don't see any light. But our promise is God can raise us from dust, even from a dunghill so that we will inherit a place among princes!! If we trust and hold on to HIM, if we can leave our petitions in Christ N wait did His time surely He will help us inherit that throne of glory that we need!!Oftentimes we say that in the past God blessed us with things we did not ask for so did we see that throne of glory that we didn't ask for ??? Our strength n hope is in The Lord who set the world on pillars of the earth nothing ever is too hard for The Lord n we have to be persevering till the end to receive the crown!!!

22 July 2014

But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.(KJV)(1 Samuel 1:5)

Elkanah had 2 wives but one of them had no children. Hannah was barren, yet loved more by her husband and was given double portion from the sacrifice but Pheninah(other wife) provoked n irritated her because The Lord had shut Hannah's womb. Although Hannah was loved by her husband more she was distressed n sad but it was The Lord who shut her womb. Sometimes God shuts our wishes, plans, ways for a bigger reason. Hannah would not have gone to The Lord with a broken heart, would not offer her son to God n Israel would not have seen a prophet if the Lord had not shut her womb. We all face barrenness in our life (not in the literal sense) where we don't see a prayer answered or a wish being granted, or a solution for our hard situations. In such times it is difficult to pray with faith but prayer alone will strengthen us. In verse 18 after Hannah prayed she was no longer sad n she also got words of encouragement from Eli trusting in God! Let us leave to God all our heaviest of burdens, n our unanswered prayers...some things are shut by God for His time and for a bigger reason.. Like Hannah let us cry out to God n be encouraged by Holy Spirit n have faith leaving it to God n surely we will see our answer in the right time!

21 July 2014

And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.

(KJV)(Judges 11:6)

Jephthah was an illegitimate son who was chased out by his own brothers from his country yet God used him as a judge over Israelites. If we suffer unfair rejection now, don't blame others or feel discouraged. God used Jephthah although he was despised by his brethren n he lived as an outcast. Today if we are driven by others because we do not "fit" the standard of 'normal' set by society, community or churches let us not feel sad. Everyone has place in God's family HE will see us no matter if others won't! If we love our God n trust Him alone we will fall in His plan to be used. Jephthah did not act bitter or show anger to his brothers he endured it it's a good lesson for us too! Like the people sought for Jephthah as their lead we will be called by the same people who rejected n call us outcasts!

20th July 2014

But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.(KJV) (Numbers 33:55)

God is giving instructions to Israelites on what to do once they reach their promised land Canan. They are warned to drive wicked inhabitants or they would become a source of pain to them later on. We read that unlike what God said they were hesitant to clear them out. Likewise, when we are saved Jesus wants us to leave behind n denounce certain things (behaviour n way if life) n our sinful wats but we may not clear them from our lives either coz we are afraid of it or because it may seem harmless to us. We read in Hebrews 12:2 to throw away sin that entangles. If we don't let go we are allowing these idols to control us which will cause problems later on. Whilst no one is perfect, we are moving ahead relying on a perfect God to help us not to remain in sin!! Let us throw away all sin n move ahead in our life of obedience to God n Christ  !!

19th July 2014

And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?(KJV) (Deuteronomy 10:12,13) 

Like Israelites, In the past most of us have also askedGod  "Lord how can I please you?" In these verses it is clear all God needs is: our reverential fear, to walk in his ways, to love him, serve him with all of our being, and by keeping all his commands. It is important to focus on God's real requirements about his children and find peace in respecting, following, loving, serving and obeying God and it takes a commitment to obey and follow HIM. We cannot be a weekend or Sunday Christians n still  expect to please God. Surely we need the revelation of the word of God to do all the above. Let us thrive to please God the way he expects of us.

18th July 2014

Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.(KJV) (Deuteronomy 9:5)

We see that Israel is not being given the land of Canaan because of her godliness, but because of the ungodliness of Canaanite's. He also says HE would give it to them to confirm the oath The Lord swore to their patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. Sometimes our battles are won not coz of our righteousness or our uprightness ( We like Israelites might act stiff necked!) but because of HIS faithfulness to the promise he made to us.  If there is any praise if there is any thing to boast about let it be that Jesus Christ is working on our behalf. Father God we can't boast about our love for you coz we fail daily but thank you Master we stand n hold our head up high coz your love for us never fails

17 July 2014

Amen! But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.(KJV) (Deuteronomy 8:18)

When we prosper in life, do we take all the credit? Do we attribute it to our hard work, skill, ability or wisdom? It is possible to get side tracked by being busy acquiring more wealth or being prosperous or being successful by keeping God out of our lives. But let us always remember, the wealth or success we have is given by HIM; we are mere stewards to manage the material possessions or positions for which we are accountable on the day of judgement! Like Israelites were warned by God, we should remind ourselves not to forget what we have/are is because of God's promise to never leave or forget us. Surely he established a covenant with us or our fathers when we resorted him in times of despair! God bless

16th July 2014

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.(KJV) (Deuteronomy 8:3)

We know that Israelites' hunger for food was met by the manna God sent from heaven! In our life we too hunger for things like care, concern, love, a comforting word, perhaps even material things and sometimes for spiritual gifts. When we are in such hunger let us remember that god is humbling us so that we have a total commitment to Him, find HIM in the whole process, rely on HIM and to greatly appreciate the manna that we will be sent! When we are humbled HE makes us realize that to satisfy our deepest longings we need HIM more than our wants! If our trust us in HIM, HE he will surely lead us in ways we or our forefathers didn't know of! Heavenly Father help us to rely on your words to quench our thirst and to satiate our hunger!

 By 

Geeba Benoie 

Musing for 13th July

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. (KJV) ( Deuteronomy 20:1 ) 

There are many challenges that we face today which can make one to be anxious about one's future!! It could be any thing from a situation at home, at work, in school or between friends...or an struggle on our inside that make us anxious to live tomorrow. Let us take time to remember God's promise to be with us no matter what! If you fear or are in doubt just ask HIM to be real in your life. When we feel shaky n in doubt when words or presence won't assure us of a good future just surrender in His Presence, we may be broken but if we humble n give all our care to trust in God, he will fill us with a peace! When our trust us solely on HIM we will sense peace, strength n confidence to tackle our tomorrow!!

Musing

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. (KJV) ( Philippians 4:4 ) 

Let us rejoice in the Lord for what we are/have today instead of looking back at passed years n months and wishing we could go back. We need to learn to treasure 'today' no matter how hard n difficult the troubles of 'today' are. Each day is a gift from God to bring more glory to HIS Name by praising God for who we are and where we have come from. There are moments in life (specifically when we face troubles) where it's not easy to 'rejoice' but Lord has brought us to that spot so that we will overlook the pain n find joy in HIM! Apostle Paul could overlook his pain n write 'and again I say rejoice' amidst the trials n persecution!! Lord help us to always to find our joy in The Lord regardless of what we face n are! God bless 

My Musing for 10th July 2014

Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spoke unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich apparel. (KJV) ( Zechariah 3:3-4 )

As we read these verses we realize that we may appear 'holy' by our outward appearances (be it how our clothes define us, or words, prayers n even gestures might seemingly appear holy) but how before God it may be that we have gone with filthy clothes. There is nothing much we can do by 'deeds' to cleanse them, it is through the Lord that we gain fine, new clothes. When we accept our unworthiness and ask God for forgives we are clothed new with the righteousness of God!! If we feel dirty and unworthy remember the clean clothes you are wearing allow you to approach God.

🙏

Geeba Benoie

My thoughts for July 9,2014

We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes. (KJV)  (Numbers 11:5-6)

We read the rabble complaining with dissatisfaction. The people of Israel failed to see what God was doing for them, (setting them free from slavery, taking them to anew land promised to their fathers) instead they saw what God wasn't doing! They reminisced the food in Egypt but forgot the brutality of life that a slave faced there to eat that food. It is easy to get caught up with our wants (desires) than be grateful for what God has blessed us with. Let us not forget God's gifts that may be unique to us. If we count the blessings in our life like the manna in those days (every Israelite got every day) we too have our needs being met by God! Heavenly Father forgive us for being shortsighted, we easily judge the Israelites n are not any less than them. Help us dear God to stop nagging n complaining even in our personal prayer instead, help us to focus on what God has done and see how you are preparing us to reign with Christ , our eternal life! 

My musing for July 8,2014

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: (KJV) ( 1 Peter 1:7 ) 

In any social gathering we meet a lot of smiling n seemingly warm faces but unless we interact on a one on one basis it's hard to tell who are  "real"!! We know of many who put a face to play a good amiable community member! Practically, we would be smiling n warm Christians on a Thursday(tats wen we have our worship!) but when we face trials do we act the same? 

In the midst of our hardship, if we can forbear the testing of our faith then our faith becomes more authentic.(it is easy said than done I know it gets weary for us but there is hope!) When we walk through rough times let us take comfort and endure the testing, know it is a passing phase, and it will bring glory when Christ returns!

July 7th

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (KJV) ( 2 Peter 3:13 ) 

When we struggle n face rough times we have a great assurance!  There is a reason for all our trials n God has promised to reign with Christ in eternity to those who walk according to his ways! There is a time when our worries would be bygone, and our pain is no more. Let us pray for grace to increase our patience and endurance n be renewed in our minds at all times to set our focus in eternity. It might not be a delight to think of it when we still face trials on earth but our joy is when we let our minds to look forward to it. God bless ! 

My Daily Musing By Geeba Benoie - July 6,2014

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (KJV) ( Ephesians 4:23 ) 

Sometimes we get our minds thinking n pondering over thoughts that start n end at the same point. We are asked never to be anxious about anything but in all things by prayer and supplication turn it to The Lord! We might be battling anxiety that suffocates us, or sickness that weakens our body, or physical or emotional stress that wears us down. Instead of self victimising let us submit our thoughts n attitudes to reflect our identity in Christ, we are a treasured child of God. If we are willing to be transformed and to call upon Him by surrendering our thoughts, He has the power, through the Spirit, to change the way we think and feel!! We are over comers through Christ, n it is our mind that needs constant renewal. God bless 

My Daily Musings by Geeba Benoie

And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly. (KJV) ( 2 Samuel 24:10 ) 

He was a man after God's own heart, David, yet he was not immune to err! We are weak n fallible but our strength is made whole when we ask God to be our strength on a daily basis. We see David counting his men which was a logical way to measure the strength but his conscience pricked and realised his fault. In God's view, it was pride that blinded David (from remembering how God gave victory over Goliath using a sling n a stone ) that he took into his own hands the responsibility.  In our lives it is easy to fall into such thoughts when we count our assets and attribute it as our own accomplishments. If we have anything in excess (be it peace, joy, or even material assets) let us not take pride in it(we must take pride in HIM) coz it is nothing but a result of God's love, grace, favour and generosity!! http://gthougts.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-daily-musings-by-geeba-benoie.html

My Daily Musings!

Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.  Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. (KJV) ( James 5:2-3 ) 

In the epistle this verses are written to the rich men. In the context of present times we hear news of changing rules(be it here or elsewhere we hear the visa rules), people loosing jobs n looking for work, theft and murder it is easy to get fearful. Instead of fearing that everything we have can be erased out let us lean on n put our trust in God. It is natural to feel fearful but let us not be, because our security is found in God (Jehovah Jireh) and not our assets!!

Geeba Benoie