Who was Jael? Lessons from the life of Jael

 Hello Readers  & Followers,

How is your week going? I would like to share some powerful lessons from the life of Jael in the bible. Jael's story can be found in the book of Judges 4. 

Who was Jael?

Jael was married to Heber, the Kenite. She was used by God to kill the commander of Jabin's army (Sisera). She killed a commander. Wow! This was a woman without a title, she was not famous neither was she known by everyone. However, she fulfilled God's purpose for her life. 

Let me explain a bit more about what was happening at the time. 

Children of Israel did things that the Lord saw as evil

It was recorded in Judges 4 that the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin, king of Canaan. The commander of the Canaanite army was Sisera.  Jabin, Sisera, and his leadership team were cruel to the children of Israel for twenty years. A whole twenty years! It must have been a horrible time for them. The children of Israel cried out to the Lord for help and the Lord had a plan to deliver them. 

Deborah and Barak

Deborah, the wife of Lapidoth, a  prophetess and a judge in Israel who God gave leadership abilities, was judging Israel at that time. Deborah spoke to Barak (the commander of the Israelite army) and told him that God wanted him to deploy troops to fight Sisera (the commander of the Canaanite army) and victory will be granted to the children of Israel. Was Barak keen to deploy troops to fight Sisera? No, he was hesitant to go to battle without Deborah, which showed a lack of trust in what the Lord had said or perhaps he was very anxious given that the Canaanites were powerful and cruel? Barak said something to Deborah.

Barak told Deborah that: "If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go! (Judges 4:8)" Deborah declared a prophetic word, she said to Barak that she will go with him but there will be no glory for Barak in the journey that he was taking, for the Lord will grant victory over Sisera into the hand of a woman. It is to be noted that the name of the woman was not mentioned when the declaration was made (Judges 4:9). 

The Battle

Barak gathered all his chariots, and Deborah went up with him to fight Sisera and his chariots. When Sisera noticed that they were losing, he fled for his life. He fled to Jael's tent.

Victory was granted 

Sisera ran to the tent of Jael, the Kenite, for there was peace between the Kenite and the Canaanite. Sisera must have concluded that he was going to be safe at Jael's tent. However, he got it wrong. God had a plan to kill him since he was an enemy of God's children.

Sisera told Jael that if any man comes and inquires about him, she should say he was not there. Jael concealed him with a blanket and offered him a jug of milk, a sign of hospitality. Sisera was tired and fell asleep. Jael made use of this opportunity, she took a tent peg and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to kill him, so Sisera died. 

Barak turned up at Jael's tent, asking for Sisera. Jael said to him: "Come, I will show you the man whom you're after, there lay Sisera, dead with the peg in his temple." (Judges 4:22).

Lessons from the life of Jael

1) Jael fulfilled purpose even though she did not have a title neither was she holding an office (a position of authority).

2) Jael acted on the opportunity that the Lord had given her even when it did not make sense. She did not overanalyse it, she did not overthink it. She acted even when she may have been afraid.

3) Jael used what she had in her hands to fulfil God's plan for her life.

4) Jael trusted the Lord and the prophetic declaration by Deborah came to pass. The Lord used her to grant victory over Sisera. 

5) Jael did not have followers neither was she popular before she fulfilled God's purpose. 

6) Jael played a role in God's kingdom work. Likewise, Deborah, the chariots, and Barack played a role in fulfilling God's work. We all have a role to play in God's work.

7) Never underestimate women. God can use women. 

Can you think of any other lessons from the life of Jael?

I hope you have been blessed by this post. If you have been blessed, please share this post with your friends. 

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Mysses Lafunky.

Don't Be Afraid, God is with YOU

Dear Readers & Followers,

How are you doing? How was your weekend? I hope you had a lovely weekend. I would like to share a bible story with you. It was a real incident that happened a long time ago. This bible story can be found in the book of Numbers 21. Let me give you a quick overview of it.

It was recorded in the bible that God's people were afraid because poisonous snakes were biting some of them. However, it is to be noted that God did not leave His children alone, He did something about the poisonous snakes after Moses had prayed to God about it. God told Moses to make a metal snake and put it on top of a pole and people with snakebites could look at the metal snake, then God would heal them. Moses followed God's instructions and God healed them. This is a reminder for you to know that when you are afraid, God is with you, He will show you that He is with you. 

So, do not be afraid, God is with you. 

Finally, with everything that is going on in the world, I would like to encourage you as God's children to keep praying for God to offer us solutions to what is happening in the world. Just as Moses prayed and God taught him how to stop the poisonous snakes from biting some of His people, He is still able to give us solutions that would lead to the healing of our nation. 

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God said if my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. God said, "if my people". This means God is wanting His children to keep seeking His face on behalf of our nation. We need to continue to pray and we must never stop praying. In the place of prayer, the Lord will strengthen us and will heal our land. 

Have a lovely week!

Mysses Lafunky.

Courageous Peace of God

 Hello Readers & Followers,

It's a new month. How are you doing? Are you feeling overwhelmed by everything that is happening in the world? Are you fearful about the future? Or could it be the news that is making you fearful? Or could it be your health? Are you doubting whether God is in charge of the whole world?  Whatever your worries, I have good news for you. I believe God's Word will strengthen you. God said because you belong to Christ Jesus, He will bless you with the peace that no one can completely understand. How amazing is that? In fact, Jesus Christ said in John 14:27  (TPT):

" I leave the gift of peace with you - my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don't yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts - instead, be courageous!"

If you are still feeling anxious, Jesus Christ said that you should pour out all your worries and stress upon Him and leave them there, for He always tenderly cares for you (1 Peter 5:7 TPT). God knows that you and I will have situations that will lead us to worrying. He is expecting us to share our feelings with Him.

I would like to say a prayer for you. I pray the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Prayer

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give me peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with me (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

Have a lovely week!

Mysses Lafunky.

Praise and Worship as a Spiritual Weapon

Hello Readers & Followers,

How are you doing? How is your weekend going? I would like to share a spiritual exercise that I believe God would like Christians to engage in during this season. If the Lord asks you to undertake this spiritual exercise, please take time to engage in it. The spiritual exercise is for Christians to sing spiritual songs unto the Lord.

Are you aware of the Singing Revolution that occurred in 1987? The Singing Revolution is a commonly used name for events that led to the restoration of independence of the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania from the Soviet Union at the end of the Cold War. Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania rose up to fight their independence against the Soviet Union and they won without any violence or bloodshed. Are you wondering what they did? They gathered together and sang songs at different places as an act of protest and by 1991, each nation had gained its independence. How amazing! Can you see the power of singing?

The Singing Revolution is a reminder for us as Christians not to underestimate the power of singing spiritual songs unto the Lord during difficult times. Praise and Worship can be used as a spiritual weapon to fight against evil and to challenge oppression.

When you sing unto God, you make spiritual war, you build yourself up and others. Also, when you sing unto the Lord, you glorify God and you remain in joy.

We have a number of accounts in the Bible where singing led to victory. The destruction of Jericho was a result of singing and playing of instruments unto God. You can read more about it by reading Joshua 6:1-21. The Bible also talked about the account of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25-26, it says:

Take time to join a singing challenge that may be taking place online.

Take time to sing spiritual songs unto the Lord. You can do this alone and as a group.

You can listen to Christian songs via Youtube, Spotify, etc.

You can sing psalms and hymns in your hearts unto the Lord (Colossians 3:16).

As the Lord granted Paul and Silas their own victory, we will experience our own victory in Jesus' name.

Have a lovely week!

Mysses Lafunky

Would You Change Anything About Year 2020?

 Hello Readers & Followers,

How are you today? How is your week going? A lot has happened in the year 2020 and a lot is still happening. There are probably things that you would like to change about this year or you were worried about this year or still worried about. I'd like you to know that God sees and hears everything; nothing is hidden from Him.

God said He will restore the years/times everything that you have lost and as His children, you will never be put to shame (Joel 2:25-27 Paraphrased). Do you know why this statement was made by God? Let me briefly explain it to you.

The children of Israel had sinned against God. They had committed atrocities that God was not pleased with. Prophet Joel (Joel 1:2) said what was happening at the time had never happened before. God then asked Prophet Joel to inform His children to undertake a spiritual exercise (to proclaim a fast) and for all the children of Israel to gather together including children and nursing babes for them to proclaim a fast and to render their hearts (a call to repentance) unto God (Joel 2:12-17). Blessings came after they repented and fasted, God restored their land, economy, and everything that they had lost (Joel 2:18-27). I would like you to know that God is going to restore everything. The glory of the latter shall be greater than the former, says the Lord. The Lord said He will bring peace (Haggai 2:9). So, I'd like you to continue with your year and take time out to ask the Lord for what He would like you to complete for Him before the end of 2020.

Have a lovely weekend!

Mysses Lafunky

THE FRUIT versus The GIFTS of the Holy Spirit. Are you Ignoring the Fruit or the Gifts?

 Hello Readers & Followers,

Thank God It's Friday. How are you doing today? Apologies for the delay in sharing this week's post with you. Today, I will be focusing on the fruit of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I'd like to ask you a question, do you feel that it's easier for you to exhibit your spiritual gifts than to walk in the fruit of the Spirit?

In case you are wondering what the gifts of the Holy Spirit are, please check 1 Corinthians 12 (Wisdom, knowledge to build up believers, gifts of healing, the power to do miracles, the ability to prophesy, the ability to speak different kinds of languages that are not known before, and many more) while the fruit of the Holy Spirit can be found in Galatians 5:22-23 (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self-Control).

From my observation, the gifts of the Holy Spirit tend to receive accolades and attention than the fruit of the Spirit which shouldn't be as both are important to God. Actually, Jesus Christ said in Matthew 7:20-23 that: "not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants. On the last day, some will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, we spoke for you, we prophesied in your name, we forced out demons in your name, we did many miracles in your name and then I will say to them plainly, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!"

Sometimes some believers operate the gifts of God whilst gratifying the desires of the flesh that are not pleasing to God. Have you ever seen someone preach a powerful sermon, yet he is keeping malice with his wife? Have you ever seen a praying woman of God yet she is incredibly rude to others through her words or she easily gets angry? Have you ever seen someone that has God's anointing coupled with supernatural strength yet the person is committing sin? This is not God's desire for anyone. Let me remind you about Samson, we can learn a few things from his life. He committed a sin and remained in sin while being used by God. Little did Samson know that the devil was luring him to a place of no return. Samson eventually lost his strength and purpose in life as he did not walk in the fruit of the Spirit. 

You may be wondering why some Christians can operate in their spiritual gifts whilst living a sinful life or exhibiting non-Christlike Character. Permit me to say, God gives His gifts to whomever He wants and however He wants; He gives as He wishes (1 Corinthians 12:10-12). However, God's desire is for His children to be cleansed from unrighteousness so that you and I can be a vessel unto honour (2 timothy 2:14-26).

Living a fruitful life is the will of our heavenly Father for His children. Exhibiting the character of Christ shows a transformed life. Are you ready to keep doing the things that will please your heavenly Father? Are you going to choose to daily die to selfish desires and selfish will to obey Christ? 

Have a lovely weekend!

- Mysses Lafunky

Going Through Hardships and Questioning God?

Hello Readers & Followers,

How are you today? It's Friday! I am sure you are surprised that I am sharing a post with you today as today is not Monday. The Holy Spirit has a word for you, He said I should not allow the set up of posting an article every Monday to hinder the move of God. As a follower of God that finds pleasure in pleasing God, I decided to respond to His directive. Here is God's Word for you. 

Going Through Hardships and Questioning God?

All of us (Human beings) born to women (of a woman) have one thing in common - life struggles (Job 14:1 Paraphrased). As a matter of fact, the entire human race has this in common, we have experienced trials and are still experiencing trials, struggles, and hardships. Sometimes, we pray for God to get us out of the trial or we ask God if He is actually hearing our prayers. Let me reassure you, God is listening to you, and He'll see you through in Jesus' name. Keep trusting God even when you can't see the result as God always honours His promises.

Are there times that you do not know why certain things occur on earth? If I want to be honest with you, we have all thought and still think about some things that are happening in the world, to others or to us, we ask God questions such as Why God? Can you hear me? Can you hear my prayer requests? When am I going to see the physical manifestations? When is this going to happen for us? When am I going to conceive? When is she going to conceive? When are you going to heal this person? When are you going to restore the relationship? When are you going to heal the world? It is in these questioning times that we have to keep trusting God and His promises. Also, in 1 John 5:14 (AMPC), the bible says: "And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us."

Say this Prayer after me

Lord Jesus, I'll trust in You with all my heart and I will not lean on my own understanding. In everything, I will acknowledge you. Lord, although things that are happening do not seem very clear to me, I will place my trust in You as I believe that You'll make all things to work together for my good because I love You! Your grace is sufficient for me, and Your power is made perfect in my weakness.

In my hardships, Lord, help me to fix my eyes on You. I submit myself to You. Let Your power flow through me in Jesus' name.

Have a lovely weekend!

- Mysses Lafunky