Seasons Change, God Remains The Same, Evans Olang

Judges 15:18-19, “18 Because he was very thirsty, he cried out to the LORD, “You have given your servant this great victory. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?” 19 Then God opened up the hollow place in Lehi, and water came out of it. When Samson drank, his strength returned and he revived.”, (NIV).

The desire to be victorious in every area is a thirst majority craves for. A desire to let everything run smoothly in one’s life yet we find that there are times you are victorious in one area and a failure in other areas. We are like trees that go through different seasons, the winter, spring, summer and autumn. If you took time to look at trees in these different seasons, you will discover that there is change on how they look. During winter time, their leaves are gone. For someone who may not know may conclude the trees are dead but the truth of the matter is, they are alive and well adjusting to the season in which they find themselves in. Their existence is not dependant on the season, their existence is dependant on the roots that have gone deep underground in search of water and nutrients. So the days they may not look attractive, they still have a way of surviving one season while they wait for the next season.

The Pillar And Ground Of The Truth, 1of2, Evans Olang

1Timothy 3:14-16, “14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth”

As I think of qualifications of a minister and the model by which the church is to run, I count on Paul’s epistle to Timothy because of its depth and clear instructions. This epistle appears to have been written to Timothy while he was at Ephesus facing numerous challenges as a young pastor. Paul wrote to instruct him in the choice of proper offices in the church by keeping to mind the right qualifications he outlined, as well as in the exercise of a regular ministry.

Asleep On Delilah’s Lap, Evans Olang

Judges 16:19, “Then she lulled him to sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him”

The enemy has a mission to put believers to sleep and I believe he has been successful in so many levels. The lost are asleep in the dark (sin), believers are asleep in the light. Many believers in the church have been lulled to sleep while the enemy is cutting off their seven locks symbolizing strength, leaving believers with no strength to fight back. He knows he cannot knock you out by a blow, so he tries to find ways to put you to sleep. He knows in your sleep you will yield your strength to him, leaving you dormant and inactive.

Permitted May Not Mean Approved, Part 2of2, Evans Olang

1Samuel 8:7, “And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them”

In the story of the prodigal son, we see a son insisting on having his inheritance now. Though the father did not approve of it, he permitted because of the hardness of his son’s heart and we know the end result.

Going back to the Israelites, God did not approve of them having a king because He knew how an earthly king would be to them. He loved them, cared for them and wanted to protect them. He explained the nature of an earthly king and what he would do to them.