Weekly Nuggets February 27, 2023
Genesis 15:22-26 NKJV
So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.
Key Phrase: Inexplicable sweetness
Mara(h), bitterness. There are certain circumstances in life that leave a bitter taste in one’s mouth. This is what Naomi experienced that she chose to change her name to Mara in Ruth 1:20 “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me“.
Bitter circumstances can make one loose zeal, loose focus, loose hope. It can make one full of regret and despair. But whatever happens, we must never loose sight that God is the master strategist.
In our nuggets for the week, the Isrealites couldn’t drink the water, for it was bitter. While they cried in despair, God intervened in an inexplicable way and turned the bitter waters sweet. Naomi, which we earlier referenced, though in despair, didn’t loose sight of God, she trusted and followed His leading and bitterness turned sweet through God’s inexplicable and miraculous intervention.
I pray this week, that by His inexplicable ways, every bitterness we experience will be made sweet.
Father, we ask for your everlasting love and inexplicable power. Lord, thank you because there is nothing too difficult for you to do. Most of all Lord, because in your time you make all things beautiful (Eccl 3:11), we ask that you also make all things sweet in our lives. In Jesus name. Amen
Weekly nuggets is a ministry blog by Elozino
Weekly Nuggets
Coded Conversations
Weekly Nuggets February 20, 2023
1 Corinthians 14:1-2 NKJV
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
Key Phrase: Coded dialogue
Just last week in Sunday school, we discussed the relevance of speaking in tongues in the life of a believer. There was the usual lively discussions, but there is nothing as illuminating as a revelation from the Holy Spirit.
This revelation came at a recent event with close family and friends where everyone was chatty and enjoying the communial stories & jokes. But every once in a while, these two siblings would break into their mother tongue to chat, nod, giggle, wink – then return to the communal conversations.
Just as I started giving them ‘the eye’, it hit me that this was a perfect analogue for why the Father desires us to speak in tongues. When we speak in tongues, its a coded language with God the Father – men can’t understand, the devil can’t understand. In tongues, we cry, we laugh, we groan…. we communicate with our Father in a coded language and all the devil can do is give us ‘the eye’ .
Father, we ask for boldness to receive your spiritual gifts. Lord, thank you specially for the gift of speaking in tongues. Most of all Lord, help our weakness when we pray, fill our mouths with unknown tongues, intercede for us (Rom 8:26) for we know not how to pray. In Jesus name. Amen
Weekly nuggets is a ministry blog by Elozino
Just One is sufficient
Weekly Nuggets February 6, 2023
Matthew 8:16-17 NKJV
When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”
Key Phrase: Just One is sufficient
When it comes to His power, God displays it so there is no ambiguity. He doesn’t operate in an atmosphere of doubt but in one of clarity and assurance.
What we need is faith to receive God’s power through His word. Just one word or one blessing is sufficient to turn our situation around;
•Isaiah 55:11 teaches us that Gods ‘word’ sent to us shall accomplish what He pleases.
•In Matthew 8:8, the centurion said only speak ‘a word’ and my servant will be healed.
•Malachi 3:10 reminds us that there is ‘a blessing’ that is more than enough.
•And in this weeks nugget, a word, just one word subdued spirits and healed all who were sick.
I pray that whatever our situation, God will send a word, a blessing that will turn things around for His glory.
Father, today we ask for A word from you to heal our spirit, souls and bodies, we ask for A word from you to heal our nations. Lord, we ask for A blessing from you to heal our finances. Most of all Lord, send each of us a special word this season that will demonstrate to the world that you are our sufficiency In Jesus name. Amen
Weekly nuggets is a ministry blog by Elozino
What are you hearing?
Weekly Nuggets January 30, 2023
Romans 10:17 NKJV
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Key Phrase: What are you hearing?
There are only 2 answers to today’s question; the voice of God or the voice of the world?
Our belief systems are built from what we hear over the different seasons of our lives. And what we believe determines how we react under pressure. To hear the voice of God is to hear life. To hear the voice of God is to hear instruction. To hear the voice of God is to receive peace. To hear the voice of God is to be a partaker of signs & wonders.
If we recall the account of the wedding in Cana (John 2:5), even Mary the mother of Jesus knew this truth when she said to the servers “Whatever He says to you, do it”. i.e don’t be distracted by the prevailing situation of confusion, focus on what Jesus is saying; listen, obey and receive instruction, peace and wonders.
Father, help us to focus on what you are saying in this season of our lives. Lord, remind us to only hear “peace be still” in times of storms. Most of all Lord, let your word in our lives overshadow every contrary word in our lives and bring forth wonders. In Jesus name. Amen
Weekly nuggets is a ministry blog by Elozino
Sharpen the Axe!
Weekly Nuggets January 23, 2023
Ecclesiastes 10:10 NLT
Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.
Ecclesiastes 10:10 NKJV
If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success.
Ecclesiastes 10:10 KJV
If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
Key Phrase: Sharpen the Axe!
Wisdom, the Bible describes it as a tool, a means to an end. Wisdom is a vehicle for success. Wisdom is a defense and gives life (Eccl 7:12). And our nugget for the week summarises this as wisdom is profitable to direct.
We speak often of using the right tool for the right job, but these tools still need to be often calliberated to be sure the right outcome is achieved, to be sure we spend quality time achieving results vs recycling work because our tools are not up to spec.
The NLT version puts it nicely, ‘using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade’…. and it goes on to describe wisdom as the sharpening of the axe so that we might succeed. Ie when it appears we are going round in circles, expending energy and still not making progress- pause and seek wisdom which helps us succeed.
Father, you are the God of all wisdom, teach us to be like you. Lord, where ever we are spending excessive time and energy without results- help us to pause and reassess. Most of all Lord, teach us how to sharpen our axes, teach us how to seek wisdom, teach us to prosper, teach us profit . In Jesus name. Amen
Weekly nuggets is a ministry blog by Elozino
If we had Bells?
Weekly Nuggets January 16, 2023
Exodus 28:31-35 NKJV
You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. There shall be an opening for his head in the middle of it; it shall have a woven binding all around its opening, like the opening in a coat of mail, so that it does not tear. And upon its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet, all around its hem, and bells of gold between them all around: a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe all around. And it shall be upon Aaron when he ministers, and its sound will be heard when he goes into the holy place before the LORD and when he comes out, that he may not die.
Key Phrase: If we had Bells?
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14)
God is God all by Himself and He needs no man to be God, but Holiness creates the ambience for God to be God in our lives.He demands it today and He always has.
In our text today, this demand of holiness was literal. Attempting to enter God’s presence required absolute holiness. This is why God designed the priests robe with bells, hearing the bells signified to the worshipers outside that the priest was alive and still in right standing with God. The priests also knew that attempting to access God’s presence in an unholy state was akin to suicide.
Today, if our robes had built-in bells …….?
Father, please grant us grace to set aside everything that contends with our desire to be Holy. Lord, help us to pursue peace with all men in every circumstance. Most of all Lord, we want to be in your presence 24/7, teach us to pursue absolute holiness so that men will see the God in our lives always. In Jesus name. Amen
Weekly nuggets is a ministry blog by Elozino
God knows you better than you
Weekly Nuggets January 9, 2023
Exodus 4:10-12 NKJV
Then Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” So the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.”
Key Phrase: God knows you better than you
It’s interesting how we tend to look the other way when God calls. The best of us would always have a ready-made excuse when God calls.
Moses, in this week’s nugget is a classic example of how we try to convince God that He is selecting the wrong person for the job. God directed Moses to go and speak…and Moses says (paraphrased), “who me?, do you remember I’m slow of speech”
Perhaps a breif reminder that God knows. A breif reminder of God’s modus operandi found in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29; God chooses the not so obvious in order that none can glory in His presence.
•God chooses the weak
•God chooses the slow in speech
•God chooses the low
He choses us inspite of our shortcomings so that when it’s all said and done, there can be no controversy whose strength and power was displayed.
Father, thank you for creating us in your image. Lord, thank you for reminding us that no matter what we think are weaknesses, all you see is strength through Jesus. Most of all Lord, when you call, grant us the grace to look beyond ‘self’ and ‘flesh’ and remember that God doesnt call the qualified — He qualifies the called. In Jesus name. Amen
Weekly nuggets is a ministry blog by Elozino
Watch & Pray
Weekly Nuggets January 2, 2023
Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Key Phrase: Watch & Pray
It’s time to reset for the year 2023, and I am thankful for God’s revelations on this forum over the past years. My prayer is that His word will continue to come fresh on a weekly basis.
Today’s nugget serves as a calibration point for 2023. The Lord is saying its a year to be very attentive to the spirit for He will be speaking in diverse forms; through His word, through His Prophets, through the Holy Spirit, through dreams and visions, through daily ordinary occurrence (eg Jeremiah and the Potter in Jer 18;1-11)….. He will speak but will we hear?
There are instances in scripture where Jesus admonished the disciples to watch and pray. In each of these it was a warning to overcome the flesh, pay attention to the signs and most importantly to pray. The time has come for us to declutter our spiritual lives and truly listen. Every revelation we receive is like a string and each time we take it to the Lord in prayer, He helps us to weave the different strings together into a beautiful fabric of purpose.
I pray that as we watch and pray, God will reveal Himself and His purpose to us and for us.
Father, your word is like a lamp unto our feet, please lead us this year. Lord, help us to overcome every habit that prevents us from hearing your voice. Most of all Lord, in 2023 let no revelation drop to the ground, help us to build it up precept by precept (Isaiah 28:10) until the fabric of your purpose is accomplished in our lives. In Jesus name. Amen
Weekly nuggets is a ministry blog by Elozino
365 Days, He watches
Weekly Nuggets December 27, 2022
Psalms 3:5-8 NLT
I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me. I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side. Arise, O Lord! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked! Victory comes from you, O Lord. May you bless your people. Interlude
Key Phrase: 365 Days, He watches
The year slowly winds down and this passage brings to mind two key lessons;
One
“I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.”
Every day of this year, we slept and we woke up. We slept at night, we took naps, we slept during our commutes to work, we slept on planes, trains, boats – yet we woke up …. for the Lord was watching over us and continues to watch over us.
Two
“I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me”
The enemy’s primary objective is to put fear in our hearts to immobilise us. An immobilised person is stagnated, frozen, unprogressive. But God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Tim 1:7) and so by faith we press foward, we move higher.
Father, we are grateful for your good hand upon us since the start of this year; for the gift of breath and life. Lord, we are thankful that the devices of the enemy against us shall not prosper. Most of all Lord, as 2022 wraps up, cause us to feast at the table you have prepared for us, in spite of the enemy (Psalm 23:5). In Jesus name. Amen
Weekly nuggets is a ministry blog by Elozino
The Reason for the Season
Weekly Nuggets December 19, 2022
Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom….
Key Phrase: The Reason for the Season
Christmas is here again, with its lights, decorations, hustle and overall ‘busyness’. Each year, the world finds new ways to celebrate the holidays with fanfare. And the louder the celebration, the less of Jesus we see.
This week as we count down to Christmas, the Lord is asking us to reflect on the real reason for the season as found in Isaiah 9: 6-7 . Its about the gift the world received through Jesus, the one who is Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
It’s about the expectation that as we celebrate Jesus we will be partakers of His wonder, of His counsel and of His peace.
Father, this season, help us to keep our eyes on Jesus. Lord, let everything that represents a distraction be brought under your authority. Most of all Lord, in this season let us experience new gifts of your peace, let us experience gifts of your wonders. In Jesus name. Amen
Weekly nuggets is a ministry blog by Elozino
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