HYMN - GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN.

DECEMBER 20^TH.

TEXT: Isaiah 42:11, 12; Luke14:23; Romans12:11, 1Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 2:10

You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judea. "Here is your God!"(Isaiah 40:9)

             For many people, another Christmas season is merely a rerun of the trivial and the sentimental. But for the devoted Christians, Christmas is much more than a once a year celebration. It is a fresh awareness that a deliverer was sent from the ivory places of heaven to become personally involved in the redemption and affairs of the human race. The impact of this realization becomes a strong motivation to share the good news with the needy and desperate people who need to know that there is an Emmanuel available who can meet their every need. Men everywhere must hear these glad tidings if they are to benefit from them. With absolute clarity, they must hear the message, "Here Is Your God!"

            Negro spirituals had their roots in the late 18th and early 19th century camp meetings throughout the south as well as in the active evangelical ministry carried on among the black people during this time. However, few of their traditional songs were collected or published prior to about 1840. The stanzas for "Go Tell It on the Mountain" were written by John W. Work, Jr. He and his brother Fredrick J. Work, were early leaders in arranging and promoting the cause of Negro spirituals. Today's song was first published in folk’s songs of the American Negro in 1907. These traditional spirituals have since become an important part of the American folk and sacred music heritage and are greatly appreciated and enjoyed by all of God's people.

 

            While shepherds kept their watching o'er silent flocks by night, behold, throughout the heavens  there shone a holy light.         

            The shepherds feared and trembled when lo! Above the earth rang out the angel chorus that hailed our  savior's birth.

            Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.

            REFRAIN: Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and ev'rywhere- go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!

TAKEN FROM “AMAZING GRACE; 366 INSPIRING HYMN STORIES FOR DAILY DEVOTION”

THE TURN OF TIMES AND SEASONS. (PART 8).

DECEMBER 19^TH.
TEXT: 1 Chronicles 12:38-39King James Version (KJV)

³⁸ All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.

³⁹ And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them.

 

Our text for today reveals a very scars virtue in our present world and unfortunately, even in the church. Men of a perfect and sincere heart are a blessing in a time when people don't hesitate to lie under oath. The greatest blessing to any leader or organization after the grace of God during the turn of times and season would be men of sincere and perfect heart. There is nothing as unfortunate as a vision built on deceitful and unrighteous people. Such visions are dead before they take off, except the Lord intervene. 

At this crucial moments of David's life, it was important that the people who hang around him are people of a pure heart. The establishment of his throne and his reign has to be in righteousness and truth. It was the blessing of heaven upon his life to have people of the various tribes come together to establish his kingdom with one mind.

 

A careful study of the move of God from one generation to another will reveal to you that the turn of times and season came when certain persons came with true passion and hunger to help create the atmosphere that will activate the release of the power and glory of God. If we will find men and women of like minds and hunger for God, the glory will manifest again. What role are you playing?

 

 

 

THE TURN OF TIMES AND SEASONS. (PART 7).

DECEMBER 18^TH.
TEXT: 1 Chronicles 12:31-33King James Version (KJV)

³¹ And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.

³² And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

³³ Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.

 

The turn of times and seasons is one very subtle transformation that leaves many oblivious of a great reality that will soon become apparent to all. This is one reason anyone who care to make meaningful progress in life must try to stay close to those who have gone ahead in life, especially in the area or aspect of life you desire to excel in life.
This was why the children of Issachar are a blessing to the reign of King David.

To be able to understand the turn of times and season, it is very wise to identify with those whose lives are colored with undeniable proofs. In walking and sharing ideas with the wise you gain the knowledge of the wise and by applying wise counsel you escape the troubles and adversities of life.

Take some time to prayerfully look around and ask the Lord for the wisdom to identify those who the Lord has endowed with the grace for the race of life, and do all you can to serve your way into their hearts till they become free to disclose to you the hidden wisdom of life. Those who do this never get stranded in life, no matter the change of the season. Be wise and prayerful.

THE TURN OF TIMES AND SEASONS. (PART 6).

DECEMBER 17^TH.
TEXT: 1 Chronicles 12:31-33King James Version (KJV)

³¹ And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.

³² And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

³³ Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.

 

If there is anytime we need to be sensitive in our world, that would be now. Too much is happening with little or no notice these days and we cannot afford to be careless. We are living in a time of darkness and it seem as though the darkness is gaining more ground and acceptance like never before. It is now much more convenient to sin than ever before. ]

 

Things that use to be abomination are gradually becoming a norm and not many are bold anymore to even speak against them. But if we understand the time that we are living and the God we serve, we would not be timid to stand for the truth.

In this very strategic moment in the history of Israel as found in our text for today, the role of people with understanding of the time and seasons can never be over emphasized. David had strong need of those who can discern the times. This is the major difference between those who record consistent success and victory and those who continually fail to succeed in life. The way things are turning out in our present fast changing world, you need divine guidance to know what to do so you don't end up in the wrong place with the wrong set of people or dying before your time. Please be sensitive to the leading of God like never before. Shalom.

THE TURN OF TIMES AND SEASONS. (PART 5).

DECEMBER 16^TH.

TEXT: 1 Chronicles 12:31-33King James Version (KJV)

³¹ And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.

³² And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

³³ Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.

As we continue on this study, we really hope to understand the turn of times and seasons so we can be truly positioned to make the most of God's leading for our lives. It is wonderful for a man to be where God wants him to be, but it is more important to run the race with a pure heart and purpose.

 

Ghazi was at the right place at the right time, but his fleshy desires made a mockery of all his service for the many years he served under Elisha, as he ended a reputable leper. Judas was also at the right place at the right time to be a part of the greatest point in the history of mankind. He was especially chosen to walk with Jesus; the most important personality on earth, but his selfish agenda caused him to end up with a terrible reputation, as the betrayer of the Messiah.

 

We must learn to seek after the will of the Lord and continually check our hearts' intentions, so we do not end up like such men who had wonderful opportunities but ended up as unfortunate. Verse 33 reveals to us that David succeeded because the men who came to help accomplish the agenda of heaven committed to him, were men with genuine, sincere and godly purpose. Men like these have increasingly become very scarce to find. Heaven has so much to accomplish, but only a few are ready to align with God's agenda. May the Lord find you faithful. Shalom

THE TURN OF TIMES AND SEASONS. (PART 4).

TEXT: 1 Chronicles 12:31-33King James Version (KJV)
³¹ And of the half tribe of Manasseh eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come and make David king.

³² And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.

³³ Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.

 

A closer look at the text for today which proceeds that of yesterday, will reveal unto us some of the amazing reasons why David succeeded in his call as the captain and King of Israel. It is one thing to have people identify with you and another to have the right set of persons with you.

A crowd is not an assurance of success in life, it is the content of their character and purpose in life that determines how far they can go with you.

A careful look at verse 31 will clearly reveal the mission of those who came to be with David. They were not men of selfish agenda and they were not trying to accomplish their own vision out of David's vision. Rather, their calling was in helping David become King. This was repeated in different verses in this passage, and it is obvious that these men fulfilled their life’s calling, as evidences abound that they accomplished that assignment. 

I am sure that these men occupy a special place in heaven because the Lord made sure that their names were documented and given a special recognition in the scriptures for doing the will of the Lord in their generation. 

For all who are able to recognize their calling, who are wise enough to locate their place and stay there to help accomplish the purpose of heaven in their generation, I am confident that they will also be honored and rewarded by our heavenly Father for helping to make His agenda become reality. 

Are you in the will and calling of God for your life? Think about this.

THE TURN OF TIMES AND SEASONS. (PART 3).

DECEMBER 14^TH.
TEXT: 1 Chronicles 12:39-40King James Version (KJV)

³⁹ And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them.

⁴⁰ Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.

Take some time to consider the following declarations;
" God is set to bless some of us greatly. These are people who without any form of soliciting, or being pushed, but with great joy, will take care of things that will transform the lives of others.
Between now and October, there shall be a lot of repositioning for these persons and this will empower them for what God has called them to do. 

These persons will begin to operate in strange dimensions of blessings, simply because their hearts are passionate about seeing God’s name glorified.
They are not crazy about material possessions, but just want to see the kingdom flourish.
There is a strange grace to establish them, because by their abilities they cannot get there. 

The Lord our God in the midst of us is mighty to save. Every seen and unseen obstacles standing in your way are being moved out right now in the name of Jesus.
There are persons experiencing delays in marriage and child bearing. The enemy has built all kinds of hindrances to stop you from going to the next level, but the Lord will lift you high above them all and cause you to arrive on the other side.

The walls of delay are crushed in the name of Jesus. The hand of God is upon you and His glory will bring you forth to that which He has destined for you." And so shall it be in Jesus name. Amen.