Today I would like to begin a new journey looking at the " Judges" of Israel. The book of of Judges represents a time of lawlessness where anarchy ruled and ever man did what was right in their own eyes. I would like to begin today with Othniel. Othniel was the nephew of Caleb you remember Caleb the only man other than Joshua to see the promised land from the Exodus crew. Othniel is best known for capturing Kiriath-Sepher/Debir and delivering Israel from the oppression of the Edomites.
Othniel teaches us the importance of seizing opportunities. Caleb presented the opportunity and Othniel seized it. Often times in our lives God open doors but we are to reluctant to walk through those doors. In the process we miss out on opportunities to be used by God for the edification of the body of Christ. Othniel demonstrated courage and a willingness to respond to a challenge and as a result he experienced the favor of God.
God challenges each us to participate in God's mission and to be conformed daily into the image of HIS SON. We are presented with opportunities each day but the question is how will we respond? Othniel responded with courage and willingness! Let us respond the same way so like Othniel we can experience the favor of God and the body of Christ can receive deliverance.
Scripture Reference: Judges 1
God bless
Bondservant Hollis
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Monday, August 26, 2013
Lessons From Israel: Benjamin
As we come to an end of our journey of the sons of Israel/Jacob we come to
Benjamin . Benjamin was the second son
of Jacob's true love, Rachel. Rachel had a difficult child birth with Benjamin
in fact as she was dying she named him "Ben Oni," which means son of my sorrow.
However after he was born Jacob changed his name to Benjamin which means, “son
of my right hand." But to steal a quote from the classic movie,
"Coming To America," his momma name him Ben Oni I am going to call him Ben Oni j/k. Benjamin had two famous descendants
Saul who is recognized as the first king of Israel and Saul later named Paul
who is recognized as one of the greatest apostles ever.
Both of Benjamin names have something to teach us. Ben Oni teaches us that life is full of sorrow. Though sorrow is a part of life God provides us a comforter in the form of the Holy Spirit. Benjamin teaches us about authority. In Jewish tradition the right hand was the hand of authority and symbolic of honor and power. Jacob went on to dote Benjamin not to the extent he doted Joseph his beloved but much to the chagrin of his other brothers. Because we are in Christ we have receive a position of honor and are able to walk in the newness of life no longer do we have to be ashamed of our past and failures. We have the honor of being called a child of the MOST HIGH GOD.
Benjamin may have been the last but remember the last shall be first and the first shall be last in the kingdom of God.
Scripture Reference: Genesis 35
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Both of Benjamin names have something to teach us. Ben Oni teaches us that life is full of sorrow. Though sorrow is a part of life God provides us a comforter in the form of the Holy Spirit. Benjamin teaches us about authority. In Jewish tradition the right hand was the hand of authority and symbolic of honor and power. Jacob went on to dote Benjamin not to the extent he doted Joseph his beloved but much to the chagrin of his other brothers. Because we are in Christ we have receive a position of honor and are able to walk in the newness of life no longer do we have to be ashamed of our past and failures. We have the honor of being called a child of the MOST HIGH GOD.
Benjamin may have been the last but remember the last shall be first and the first shall be last in the kingdom of God.
Scripture Reference: Genesis 35
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Lessons From Israel: Zebulun
As we continue our journey through the twelve sons of Jacob/Israel we come to Zebulun. Zebulun was the sixth son of Jacob's first wife. When he was born his mother Leah said, "God has presented me with a gift and this time my husband will treat me with honor, because I born him six sons." So Zebulun name means honor in Hebrew. The blessing he received from his father was somewhat positive it said that he will live by the seashore and become a haven for ships.
Zebulun name teaches us an important life lesson and that is children should bring honor to their parents. We all are children whether our parents are still alive or not we still bring honor to their name by how we live our lives. Same is true from the spiritual sense how we live our lives reflects upon the one whom we claim as our Father. When we live any kind of way we bring shame to the name of Christ. When we submit our will, our agendas, our desires, our thoughts, etc. and become obedient to HIS will we bring glory/honor to our FATHER in heaven.
So let God's endorsement of you be like Leah endorsement of Zebulun where God can say this is my servant ____________ who delights in glorifying my name. Now that is a goal worth pursing!!!
Scripture Reference: Genesis 30 and 49
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Zebulun name teaches us an important life lesson and that is children should bring honor to their parents. We all are children whether our parents are still alive or not we still bring honor to their name by how we live our lives. Same is true from the spiritual sense how we live our lives reflects upon the one whom we claim as our Father. When we live any kind of way we bring shame to the name of Christ. When we submit our will, our agendas, our desires, our thoughts, etc. and become obedient to HIS will we bring glory/honor to our FATHER in heaven.
So let God's endorsement of you be like Leah endorsement of Zebulun where God can say this is my servant ____________ who delights in glorifying my name. Now that is a goal worth pursing!!!
Scripture Reference: Genesis 30 and 49
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Lessons From Israel: Joseph
As we continue our journey through the sons of Jacob/Israel we come to perhaps the most popular of his offspring. Joseph was the firstborn son of his father's favorite wife Rachel. The story Joseph is perhaps one of the most popular one's in the book of Genesis. He was adored by his father to the point that his brothers despised him. It didn't help that Jacob gave him a special coat that ignited even more dislike for him amongst his brothers. His brothers ended up selling him into slavery. Now that's some serious dislike!
Joseph life teaches us an important lesson and that is God can use evil motives for his greater purpose. Though Joseph experienced various hardships as a result of being sold into slavery from being accused of rape and thrown into prison. God took Joseph through all of that to positioned him for his true blessing. Joseph would become second in command in Egypt and end up saving his brothers amongst others in a time of intense famine. Even though a bad thing led to him going to Egypt it turned out to be the best thing for Joseph.
So the next time that bad thing happens recognize that there could be a greater purpose that is bigger than you at work behind the scenes.
Scripture Reference: Genesis 30-50
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Joseph life teaches us an important lesson and that is God can use evil motives for his greater purpose. Though Joseph experienced various hardships as a result of being sold into slavery from being accused of rape and thrown into prison. God took Joseph through all of that to positioned him for his true blessing. Joseph would become second in command in Egypt and end up saving his brothers amongst others in a time of intense famine. Even though a bad thing led to him going to Egypt it turned out to be the best thing for Joseph.
So the next time that bad thing happens recognize that there could be a greater purpose that is bigger than you at work behind the scenes.
Scripture Reference: Genesis 30-50
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Lessons From Israel: Issachar
As we continue our journey through the twelve sons of Jacob/Israel we come to Issachar. Issachar was the ninth son of Jacob and the fifth born to his first wife, Leah. Issachar name means "hired". There is an interesting story surrounding his name. One day Reuben was out in the fields during the wheat harvest and he came upon some mandrake roots. Reuben then gave the roots to Leah and when Rachel found out about the mandrake roots (fertility drug) she asked Reuben for them and the rivalry was reignited. Leah went off on Rachel and demanded to have the night with Jacob. Thusly Issachar was born because his mother hired Jacob via her son's mandrakes. Talk about some Y&R drama lol.
Issachar names teaches us an important life lesson and that is we are all hired to do something. Some of us are hired to do a job. Some of us are hired to help others find a job. Some of us are hired to counsel others who can't find a job. Often times we tie being hired with wages but the greatest work ever accomplished was not paid in wages but in blood. When Jesus came to earth to die for the sins of the world he was hired by an unfailing love for all of creation!! He paid our debt with HIS own blood and hired us by grace to spread that love do a dying world!!
You have have been hired to be an ambassador for Jesus the Christ. You have been hired to be a witness for Jesus the Christ. You have been hired to be a living epistle for Jesus the Christ. He paid for you with HIS very own blood! Let your desire to please HIM be your wage and/or reward.
Scripture Reference: Genesis 30
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Issachar names teaches us an important life lesson and that is we are all hired to do something. Some of us are hired to do a job. Some of us are hired to help others find a job. Some of us are hired to counsel others who can't find a job. Often times we tie being hired with wages but the greatest work ever accomplished was not paid in wages but in blood. When Jesus came to earth to die for the sins of the world he was hired by an unfailing love for all of creation!! He paid our debt with HIS own blood and hired us by grace to spread that love do a dying world!!
You have have been hired to be an ambassador for Jesus the Christ. You have been hired to be a witness for Jesus the Christ. You have been hired to be a living epistle for Jesus the Christ. He paid for you with HIS very own blood! Let your desire to please HIM be your wage and/or reward.
Scripture Reference: Genesis 30
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Monday, August 19, 2013
Lessons From Israel: Asher
As we continue our journey through the sons of Israel/Jacob we come to Asher. Asher was the eighth son of Jacob and the second born to his fourth wife, Zilpah. Asher means "happy" in Hebrew. Asher receives a positive prophecy from his father Jacob. His blessing was that his food will be rich; and he will provide delicacies fit for a king. Anna the prophetess in the New Testament is believed to be a descendant of Asher.
Asher names teaches us a important life lesson and that is life is too short to be unhappy. In a world where everyone seeks happiness whether its from:
Scripture Reference: Genesis 49
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Asher names teaches us a important life lesson and that is life is too short to be unhappy. In a world where everyone seeks happiness whether its from:
- A career
- A family
- A spouse
- A car
- A house
Scripture Reference: Genesis 49
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Lessons From Israel: Gad
As we continue our journey through the twelve sons of Jacob
we come to Gad. Gad was the seventh son
of Jacob, and the first born to his fourth wife, Zilpah. Gad's name means fortune or good luck. Since
I don't believe in luck I will go with fortune.
Zilpah was the servant of Leah Jacob's first wife. Once Leah was unable to produce any more
children her sense of worth was tarnished so in order to outshine her sister
Rachel she bored children via her servant.
Wow isn't it amazing many females feel this way today? As if they are only good for laying on their
back. I need about 23 women to say the devil is a liar right through there lol.
Gad name teaches us an important lesson and that is there is
no such thing as good luck. Though his
name meant good luck his life was anything but lucky. Jacob prophesied that he would be attacked by
a band of raiders does that sound lucky to you?
His mother was a slave and didn't even get to lay claim to the child as
she bore him for someone else does that sound lucky to you? Gad ended up with the territory on the other
side of the Jordan aka "The Promise Land" does that sound lucky to
you?
Life isn't about luck it’s about trusting God despite the
circumstances. Remember we walk by faith
not by sight. God can make an unlucky
situation into a blessing. Just ask the
first century believers whose persecution led to the spreading of the gospel
message. Just ask the woman who was caught adultery how her shameful
predicament led to her deliverance. We
serve an intentional God that doesn't operates by some pagan idea of karma or
good luck but grants favor to his children as God so chooses.
God bless,
Bondservant Hollis
Scripture Reference: Genesis 30
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