Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

 

Date:   Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Series: Staying Strong in the Midst of Your Storm

Reference Scripture:  I Samuel 30:1-19

Focus Verses: I Samuel 30:8  

Today’s Discussion:    “Authorized Warfare”

Who gives us permission to engage in warfare?  What individual/group/delegation has the authority to wage war on another individual/nation/faction? What is the criterion that supports any decision to execute an attack against a perceived enemy/adversary?

All of these questions require legitimate answers.  Some body has to take responsibility for initiating battles or waging wars which will end in human casualties.  Consequently, the same rules apply in spiritual warfare.  Warfare for the Children of Israel was more of a physical encounter. However, for the NT church the warfare is more spiritual.

(II Corinthians 10:4)

The lesson aim is to show how we should respond to a surprise attack.  More importantly, we must always come before the Almighty God to seek HIS will and to receive divine instructions.

It is no secret who we are in God.  Everybody knows that we belong to God.  Even those that have refused to live under the divine theocracy are keenly aware of the hedge of protection that covers us. (Joshua 2:9-11; 5:1)  David’s popularity and purpose was known throughout the region.  His claim to fame came following his single-handed victory of the Philistine champion, Goliath. Because of his confidence in God and his courage to contend with the giant God exalted him to become the military might for the children of Israel.  (I Samuel 18:5) From this day forward David learned how to deal with his enemies.  When God anoints us to represent HIM, we become a moving target internally and externally.    

Now, let’s fast forward to I Samuel 30.  David is leading a small regimen of soldiers under the banner of deception and conspiracy.  Thus, we can conclude that there are some battles we have forged that were not in the will of God.  Therefore, we suffer defeat even after God has promised to give us victory.   However, David’s actions in verses 7 and 8 are a great example of how we should respond unexpected storms in our lives.  David gives us the steps to victory.

1. prepare yourself
2. pray to God for instructions

What steps have you taken to win your next battle?

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

 

Date:   Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Series: Staying Strong in the Midst of Your Storm

Reference Scripture:  Joshua 3:1-8

Focus Verses: Joshua 3:7-8    

Today’s Discussion:    “Following God’s Instructions”

What are the main struggles of the people of God?  There are two in particular that outweighs them all:

• Broken Relationship with God (John 14:21-23; Revelations 3:20)
• Lack of Knowledge (Hosea 4:1;6)

The lesson aim is to show the rewards of following God.  More importantly, we must also see the blessing behind following God’s appointed leader.  For those of us that profess to trust God, we must also be willing to follow God’s leader.  He or she is the one that has been anointed and appointed to execute God’s plan and implement God’s strategies against the enemy. 

God’s appointment of Joshua as the leader was strategic and proved to be successful.  We learn in chapter 1 that God commissions Joshua to move the people forward.  We also hear God make promises to Joshua that follows him throughout his entire tenure as God’s appointed.  However, we must clearly understand why and how Joshua was chosen. (Deut. 3:24-28; 31:7-8) 

Josh 3:7-8

And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.

8 And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant, saying, When ye are come to the brink of the water of Jordan, ye shall stand still in Jordan. KJV

Joshua’s success was contingent upon his willingness to obey God’s instructions. God’s word is HIS instruction manual to us for success in life. (Joshua 1:8)  If we hope to stay strong in the midst of our battles or storms, we must be willing to surrender to the will of God.     

Church of the Living God

Bible Study Lesson

Presenter: Overseer Ennis F. Tait

 

Date:   Wednesday, January 02, 2013

Series: Staying Strong in the Midst of Your Storm

Reference Scripture:  Isaiah 40:26-31

Focus Verses: Isaiah 40:29    

Today’s Discussion:    “God is the Source of Our Strength”

What makes a person strong?  As our physical strength diminishes we still have spiritual strength to keep us moving forward. (Ecclesiastes 9:11 – “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” KJV)

• Swift – [qal (kal)] light; (by implication) rapid (also adverbial):
• Strong – [gibbor (ghib-bore')]  powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant:

The lesson aim is to confirm through scripture that God is the source of our strength.  More importantly, we must also note that the strength that God provides belongs to HIM.

The Prophet Isaiah provides the greatest opportunity for those that are weak and faint to be empowered to go forward.  Isaiah’s motivation comes from his knowledge of God’s character and HIS “amazing grace”.  Isaiah 40:29 serves as a reservoir of hope to anyone that is considering giving up in the battle against the enemy.

“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”

KJV

"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. NLT

“He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. The Message

Isaiah points the people to God as the source of their strength.  He give them direction and instruction through inspiration. 

The end result recorded in verse 31 is the culmination of this motivation.  God wants to empower us for kingdom work.  God is “a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM”.