Footsteps to Zion

In the Bible, we are told of stories of many kings – some good, some evil. We are told of their strengths and also their weaknesses. And though we may not recall all their names and where they came from, what we will probably remember are the lessons we learn from their battles – particularly, why some kings won and why some lost. One story worthy to note is the story of the king who was meant to win a battle and came so close to winning it, but in the end, because of a seemingly small mistake, still lost it. This king is King Joash of Israel. During his reign, a time came when he was about to be attacked by the Syrian army. He was so desperate that he came weeping before a prophet of God, Elisha. “…Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him, and wept over his face, and said, ‘O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!’” (2 Kings 13:14) King Joash seemed to know the Prophet Elisha well, even calling him “father.” However, despite having close rela...

None of us know what we will happen in the end. Will we stay faithful? Will we stay on course? Someone once said that in heaven, you will be surprised at how some people you do not expect to be there will be there, and some whom you are expecting to be there are not. The Bible is filled with examples of those who were faithful until the end and those who were deflected from the course that God has for them. The Thief on the Cross and His Good End Consider the thief that gave his life to Jesus when he was crucified on the cross. (Luke 23:39-43). The greatest mercy he received is to be crucified on the cross, for it is there he received salvation. Whatever he did must have been so severe so as to be crucified on the cross. And while his persecutors might have cursed him to go to hell, he made it to heaven in his dying moment by the mercy of God (Luke 23:43)! Judas the Disciple Who Betrayed Jesus How about Judas, who spent the last three and a half years of his life being taught ...

The Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:17-27 how we must live our lives as followers of Christ, being renewed in the spirit and having a new nature created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. In the last part of this passage, verse 27 admonishes us to “neither give place to the devil.” The Greek word used for “place” in this verse is “ TOPOS (τόπος ) ” which emphasizes that believers can actually give ground in their lives to the enemy’s control. We have the power to allow these spirits to take control over us by living in sin. And we must realize that the power of sin is in the love of it. Dr. Paul Caram said “unless we allow the Lord to give us hatred for sin, the problem will continue. We will tolerate the sin and the enemy will continue to have an advantage in our lives.” The scripture tells us that not only can we give the enemy an advantage, but we can also oppose ourselves. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 says “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be g...