IFEOMA SAMUEL

We are marching through the Giant-Slayer Bible Study. Today our study is anchored on the popular story of the Twelve Spies sent to view the land of promise. Ten chose to give a defeatist report. Only Joshua and Caleb spoke of victory. Bible Reading: Numbers 13:26-33, Deuteronomy 1:28, Deuteronomy 2: 10-21, Deuteronomy 3:11, Joshua 11:21 What is the Grasshopper Mentality? Why did the Ten spies choose to compare themselves with Grasshoppers? Grasshoppers are known for their destructive nature of food crops. Recall the Egyptian plague with locusts? They jump to avoid predators and camouflage to blend into the colour of the surrounding environment to avoid detection. Blend into avoid being spotted. No matter how large the grasshopper is, it is on the lowest rank in the food chain after plants of course. So why think this low of yourself? Circumstances sometimes make us doubt or forget who we truly are. What a comparison, calling oneself a “grasshopper”. Emancipated from years…

I had scheduled to include this in the previous post but I realized it would be too long. I am satisfied making it a stand-alone episode. So here it goes… How did the recent events in the U.S. affect you? How will the death of George Floyd influence our perspective on racism, social injustices and other life issues? It did affect me greatly. I co-run a 2000+ multicultural and multiracial Christian Women Blogging Group along with my friend Ashley Hudson. With emotions all over the place, many of the women shared their heart-breaking experiences. We came together in an online fellowship sharing encouraging words and prayers too. I spent the entire week perusing various resources and getting adequate knowledge about the situation. I have walked in those shoes of oppression before but this is about others and their own stories. It is about finding healing, restoration, solution, and unlearning and relearning. We can’t fight giants we know nothing or scantily…

I looked through the weeds that were near ankle size. It troubled me having my small garden and surrounds covered up this way. It didn’t used to be this way. I had left this wild plant growing for two long months. Most weeds were way past my ankle. As you imagine, it took more time rooting them out. It took longer field hours. It took more work. Giants don’t just stroll in. they have always been there. What happened was we let them roam free! Goliath didn’t just arrive here. The Philistines have always being their enemies. They let it happen. It was a slow plummet into the hands of their enemies. It starts with one small procrastination, to gradual descent to disobedience then an eventual forsake of the divine instruction. Watch the video discussion. It is so good! I kid you not. HERE Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 12, Deuteronomy 20, Numbers 21:1-3, Joshua 23 How does this relate to us?…

A few years ago I drove to work. I arrived early. I couldn’t access the main entrance because there was a chain barricade running loosely from end to end. I got out of my car, took it out, and simply drove in. I replaced the chain barrier back in its place, waited in my car for the main gates to be opened. Less than 30 minutes I noticed another car drive up to the chain barrier and parked right in front of it and turned off the ignition. The driver sat there for a while. I eased myself to my reclined car seat. A tap on my glass. It was a young lady. We exchanged pleasantries. She asked how I got in. “I put the chain down and drove in”… Oh really! I have never done that before. I am afraid not to spring up any trouble with security. When I arrive earlier than open time, I always leave my…

Too many of us battle addictions, fear the fear itself. The thought of pushing boundaries scares us silly. Others we fight under enormous burden of guilt, and blunt weapons. Why we aren’t winning? It is either we are fighting the wrong thing or, We are using with poor weapons of war or We fight with no strategy at all, Even worse many do not know they are in the midst of real war. That day I laid faced up on the bed staring into blank space. In my wandering thoughts, my eyes fell on blade rotating on one spot. The faster it went, the more energy it dissipated- fulfilling its purpose. It was on one spot. Working tirelessly. Life feels this way sometimes. Many of us are quite acquainted with this drudgery. Perhaps you have been working hard to jump out of this crazy loop and all efforts seem to go nowhere. This is for you. Or you have a…

Church conversations are uncomfortable. But let’s talk about it! I have been through many denominations. And like you, I have been hurt. I have felt awful seeing the smokescreen that was passed for something real. People are hurting and hurt even more when the church is involved. Many look for a community to belong to, not that they are spiritually lost, but their hearts want more! Their hearts long for an encounter with Jesus. Recall the Samaritan woman at the well? John 4 I have had those disturbing conversations in the front line of rural evangelism. Meeting the unchurched, the lost, the left-the-church, the “wandering without actually settling” made me realize people are hungry. People are seeking. People want the real deal. In one encounter, I met a hardworking young man who initially refused to yield. He lamented about his disappointment in church. As he uttered his displeasure, I stood in silence. Unbeknownst to him, I was well acquainted with…

What is God’s Promise for you? Have you spent time on your own pulling out promise after promise God has for you? Every Word of God can powerfully transform lives when we believe and rightly apply the Truth. Recently, I spent some days reminiscing on how good it is to know that our yoke and burden of sin was borne by Christ. He nailed it to the cross. Which means you and I can enjoy round about rest and freedom through Christ Jesus. Wow, what a gift! Just that assurance brought much needed hope I desperately needed. Again I ask, do you spend some time diligently searching out God’s promise for you? Let’s do a study through Matthew 11:28-30, Zephaniah 3:1-20 Here’s a summary for you. 7 Promises of God for You Today A remnant remains. There is a remnant of God’s people who have not corrupted themselves and God has promised a rest for them. Hosea 7:11-16 What corrupts…

Throughout this study, we have being laying bricks and mortar to understanding God’s Rest. Pulling out scripture, studying them, making notes and tucking wisdom in our hearts, I love this study absolutely. While many associate”Rest” with temporary relief for our earthly journey, through this exploratory study we have seen that God doesn’t want us to enjoy rest here for the now but He desires that we enter into eternal rest also. Eternal Rest is most beneficial for the Christian pilgrim. Bible Reading: Acts 1:8, 13-14, Acts 2:1-4, and John 14:7-14 The Upper Room experience was crucial for the disciples. Why did Jesus ask them to remain in the Upper Room? Purpose- to wait for the promise of the Father for the baptism of the Holy Ghost. He had spoken to them about the Comforter. He had described the effective power that will be released when the Holy Spirit is upon them. Even now, the Holy Spirit baptism in the life…

Rest is a covenant we enjoy when we honour God. Our attitudes toward God in best and worst seasons play a vital role in how we experience God’s rest. Today we will take the discussion leaning on two Biblical Characters and explore through scriptures how they entered into divine rest. Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 14:1-15, 2 Chronicles 15: 1-19 Where did King Asa seek help? Where do you seek for help in times of unrest? God will never leave us without clear instructions. Prophet Oded’s visit to King Asa was a defining moment. Read carefully and take note of what God says through the Prophet. Pause and Ponder What has God warned you about? Are there instructions you need to write down and tuck away carefully? How did King Asa respond to corrections? How do you respond to corrections and instructions? Two powerful words resonate with our today’s study- obedience and humility. It doesn’t matter the human portfolio we carry…

The seasons of the earth typifies the human life seasons. As our journey through life seasons differs so also do we experience God’s rest in different ways throughout. Our normal life activities correspond to life seasons. In each of these phases, there is need to pause and rest. And God provides the perfect rest our souls need. 7 Ways We Can Enjoy Divine Rest In Life Seasons We enjoy rest from enemies – mortal or spiritual Deuteronomy 12:10 We enjoy rest during the storms of life Ruth 3:18 We enjoy rest from sorrow, fear, hard bondage Isaiah 14:3-7 We enjoy rest in safety Job 11:18 We enjoy the gift of rest in God’s promise  Joshua 1:13 We enjoy round about rest Joshua 21:43-45 Eternal rest which is our promised rest and eternal hope Revelation 21:4 Pause and Ponder What season of life are you in? In what areas are you longing for rest? Do you need rest in …Ministry, Fitness,…

Some time ago, I worked extra with some sleeplessness nights. I frequently fell asleep sooner than anyone else. It was our movie night. I promised my daughter I would to join in. I dozed off barely 30 minutes into the movie. The next day she asked the reason for my new routine. My response “I am tired, I wish I could stay awake for a little longer”. A need for personal reset! I can’t trick my body to go on for longer than it can handle. There’s a limit mentally and physically that our bodies can accommodate. Our generation is burdened with chasing more. We are pressured to seeking a supposed “better place”. We run hard core fast-paced lives competing and comparing against others’ achievements, places they’ve been, where they work, their children, their husbands etc. We buy into the lies that “we are too busy”. Excuses we tell ourselves to wriggle out of spiritual growth, family, parenting and other…

The concept of finding rest has become alien to us. When a friend posted about seizing this supposed “break” to lean closer to God rather than catching the latest trends on the Pandemic, I couldn’t agree more. She wrote from the perspective of fighting fears from the stance of faith. When troubles rise, God’s people retreat in prayer. They intercede for God’s mercy over the people, nations and lands. Bible Reading: Genesis 6:5-18, Genesis 15-16, Psalm 46:1-3, Proverbs 18:10 What should God’s People do in times of trouble? Can we find a place of refuge in troubles? Can God provide a place of escape? A Case for Mercy: Are you studying through these scriptures carefully? We cannot escape the destruction the world will face without the Mercy of God. We need His Unfailing Mercies nothing else. Noah was hid and covered in God’s protective place. What made Noah escape from the impending destruction? God found Noah righteous. He was righteous…