Pastor Eugene Smith

After the victory, Jehoshaphat led the nation in thanksgiving. The Lord had made them to rejoice. Jehoshaphat proved anew the the God who split the Red Sea can be called upon again to display the same power. This is great comfort to us, for the exodus was no a one-time event, but can be repeated in the lives of his people. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good ans his mercy endures forever.

The time has come to believe the word of the Lord, to act on it and face the enemy. As King David before him, Jehoshaphat also appoints singers to lead the battle! What a great act of faith! They praised by faith with all earnestness! Never since the time of Jericho had a battle been won with these kinds of results. Let us learn to act in faith as King Jehoshaphat and all of Judah did!

After prayer and fasting led by King Jehoshaphat, God mightily answered by a prophetic word through a man named Jahaziel. Who is he and why did God use him to bring the mind of God? This prophetic word contained much revelation, and caused the nation to shift from fear to great rejoicing. Hear about the power of the prophetic word that is birthed in the realm of prayer, fasting and worship.

Jehoshaphat led the nation in prayer and fasting in the time of national crisis. He prayed according to the prayer of Solomon four generations earlier. With repentance, he called upon the God of his fathers, with whom God had made covenant. This is the kind of prayer that births revival. There is much for us to learn.

Jehoshaphat, fourth king of Judah, was one of the great kings. But he was not without defects. His saving grace is that he set his heart to seek the Lord. In this first part, we look at the circumstances he inherited, the world in which he lived, and the great challenges that came his way. How is he to respond to the threat of the massive coalition of armies marching against him? Seek the Lord he must!

Following Abel's worship by faith and Enoch's walk by faith, Noah shows us working by faith. What challenges did he he have to persevere through? Why did he keep going? Noah shows how the knowledge of the future which God has declared is sure, no matter how impossible it would seem. Faith submits to the future God has revealed for he has the power to do it. Thus we work towards it. We work by faith.

Why did God lead Israel on a detour shortly after being liberated from slavery in Egypt? This place in the wilderness certainly was not on route to the Promised Land! They soon discovered that they had encamped in the most vulnerable, hopeless place possible, and Pharaoh was in hot pursuit of them again! What was God doing?

Enoch is the second example of faith in Heb. 11. Enoch walked by faith. In the midst of a deteriorating and ungodly world, Enoch pleased God. He became a prophet speaking to the world, and developed intimacy with God. How does faith shape our lives so that we may also do the same?

Abel is the first illustration of faith in Hebrews 11. The first evidence of faith is worship. But what constitutes his life of obedience? Of what did his worship consist? Abel is the first in a series of men that lived by faith. But note the order: Abel worshiped by faith. Enoch walked by faith and Noah worked by faith. Let us give ourselves in worship that pleases God.

To follow the Word of the Lord always requires faith. This is no progress in the work of the Lord without faith. What is it's nature? What does it look like when our lives are submitted to that which God has spoken, but is not yet seen by the natural eye? Let us learn to walk in the way that is pleasing to the Lord.

The Book of Ecclesiastes can come across as a very depressing read. The search for meaning in life left the author despairing of life itself! Vanity! Vanity! All is vanity! Listen to the author of this book describe this journey, and then listen to a father's advice to his son in light of all that has been said. If meaning is to be found, it is not 'under the sun'. So, how does the rest of scripture interact with this and where can profit for the soul be found?

Does God know me? Is he aware of the pains in my life? Does he know my story? Scripture is amazing clear in giving clear answers to these questions. There is one story in particular that shows the amazement of one individual who discovered the truth! Do you know which story this is?

THE ROAD TO EMMAUS ~ LUKE 24:13-53 ~ Darla Smith Come on a journey down the Road to Emmaus with two disciples who were devastated, downhearted, disillusioned and set adrift by the tumultuous sea of events that they had witnessed during and after Jesus’ crucifixion. They were sad, their hopes were shattered and they were stuck in unbelief! BUT THEN…

When an infant is being weaned, it is confused and often very upset. He wonders why his mother is being is uncaring and unloving! We often go through difficult days and wonder why God is so negligent of us. Yet we need to know what it means to be in his embrace at the same time when he leads us through deep valleys. Let us learn contentment and quite confidence in his presence.

Scripture has many examples of the righteous crying out to God in times of suffering. We can be brutally honest with God concerning our feelings. Is there a right or wrong way to lament before God? What should be our disposition as we express our griefs and disappointments to God? Be encouraged as we explore the scripture together.

The story of meeting the bake and cup-bearer while wrongfully imprisoned is integral tot he life of Joseph. But in ways more than we can imagine, the story has great implications for us as Jesus is the greater Joseph! Be blessed s you explore the scriptures!

Some of Jesus' parables emphasize the need to wait. Not everything happens as we expect it to. The kingdom may appear different than what anticipate. As we look forward to the consummation of the kingdom (not yet), how shall we live according to the kingdom that is already?

The beloved story of Joseph is followed through the various change of clothes he wears: a oat of many colours, a servant's garment, prison clothes, a royal robe and finally embalming. Each article of clothing typifies an important lesson in the shaping of his life.

After pouring his entire life into his mission, was John mistaken when he identified Jesus as the Messiah? Surely Jesus would acknowledge the injustice of his imprisonment! Listen to the wise answer Jesus relayed back to his faithful but discouraged servant.

Darla draws from the teaching of Jesus in John 15 about the way to abundant fruitfulness. Jesus is the vine, we are the branches and our heavenly Father is the vinedresser. He is the One with the qualifications for doing the necessary work of developing both quantity and quality of fruit in our lives. Branches who ABIDE bear much fruit.