Judges 16:1-3
“One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her. The people of Gaza were told, “Samson is here!” So they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They made no move during the night, saying, “At dawn we’ll kill him.” But Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron.”
INSIGHT
-Duality is like looking at two sides of the same coin. Duality is a lifestyle that is characterized by living in both the light and darkness, and equating them as one. Samson lived a duality lifestyle. He was born at a time when the Israelites suffered oppression for forty years under the oppressive Philistine masters. Being a Nazarite, he was prohibited from drinking any fermented drink or eating anything unclean. Even though he did not defile himself in this way, it was know even to the Philistines that his weakness was women. They attempted to trap him when he slept with a harlot, but managed to escape at midnight. When someone lives a duality lifestyle, he or she normally lives in both the light and darkness. As a judge, Samson managed to destroy multitudes of Philistines as we see in Judges 15:8. Knowing his weakness very well, the Philistine leaders paid Delilah to trap Samson and he revealed to her his source of power. Samson the mighty warrior was captured and taken to prison. When the Philistines gave an offering to Dagon their god for their victory in capturing Samson, the Lord restored his strength and he destroyed more people than he ever did before (Judges 16:30). Like Samson, we might have compromise and lived duality lifestyles in one way or another. 1 John 1:5-7 reminds us that, “..God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin”. The Lord is gracious and kind and calls each one of us to return to Him in true repentance.
PRAYER
Abba Father You are our God and none can be compared to You. You the rock our salvation, our Stronghold and Shield. Some rely on gods curved by humans hands which cannot see nor hear, but we put our trust in You Lord. Others trust in horses and chariots but our hope is in You our Lord and God. Many rely on their power, physical strength, wealth and fame but we put our trust in You our Lord and God. Only You deserve to be worshipped and praised. Only You made the heavens and the earth, and all that is in them. Our lives belong to You our Lord and God, everything in heaven and earth belongs to You. Heaven is Your throne and the earth is Your footstool. We praise You and glorify Your holy name. Only You are Lord and deserve to be worshipped and glorified. Teach us to do Your will always. Forgive us all our iniquities and wash us with Your precious blood dear Jesus. Renew our minds and anoint us afresh Holy Spirit. Reveal to us all the areas that we exhibit duality in our lifestyle and transform us according to Your truth. You have formed us in Your own image and likeness, make us more like You Jesus. Teach us to love You with all our hearts, minds, soul and strength, and our neighbours as ourselves. Remember all those who sick and suffering among us merciful Savior and heal all their wounds. We humbly implore You dear Jesus to lead us in the light of Your salvation and guide us in the way that we should go this entire week, and grant us success in all that we do, for the glory and honor of Your name. Amen
Further reading: Luke 11:34-35, Matthew 5:16
Matthew 27:5
“So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.”
INSIGHT
-It is likely that everyone reading this would have cherished the opportunity of being chosen among the twelve disciples. This was a group of people who were very close to Jesus and His ministry. Judas was among the chosen few but lived a duality lifestyle. He loved money more than Jesus. 1 Timothy 6:10 tells us that, “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs”. Judas was the treasurer and kept the money bag but he was thief (John 12:6). As it the nature of the duality lifestyle, Judas started well but finished poorly. He betrayed Jesus and sold Him for thirty pieces of silver. In a comment, Jesus stated that it is better that he would not have been born (Matthew 26:24). Judas began his ministry with Jesus well but the money bag corrupted him. His life deteriorated gradually. 2 John 1:8, reminds us to watch out that we do not lose what we have worked for, but that we may be rewarded fully. Judas felt guilty when Jesus was sentenced to death and he hang himself without repentance. As Jesus hang on the tree that gives life, Judas hang the tree that leads to eternal condemnation. He lost his faith in God and thus his reward. It is through faith that we have been justified. We are called to hold fast our faith in Jesus, that no one may loose their reward.
PRAYER
Our Father and our God we thank You for the gift of life and enabling us to see this day in perfect peace. We know that there are many who did not make it today, we thank You for goodness and love upon our lives. Thank You protecting us, providing for us, sustaining us, healing us, guiding our steps, and giving us the gift of salvation. We count our blessings and name them one by one. You have never left us nor forsaken us. You are the Author and Finisher and of our faith Jesus, increase our faith in You. You have said in Your word that without faith we cannot please You, fill our hearts with the gift of faith Holy Spirit and bring many people to salvation. Heal all those who are depressed and are contemplating suicide dear Jesus. Enable us to fight the good fight of faith so that we may take hold of eternal life. Your blessing Lord makes one rich and add no sorrow to it, deliver us from the love of money we humbly beseech You. Only You give us the ability to make wealth, may Your blessings always be upon us, our families, churches and nation. May we be fruitful in everything area of our lives, for the glory of Your name Jesus. Our Father who art in heaven; hallowed be Your name; Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil; for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory; forever and ever. Amen
Further reading: Matthew 6:24, Ephesians 2:8, Galatians 5:5
1 Samuel 13:11-12
“What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”
INSIGHT
-Saul ruled over Israel from a very young age. At thirty years, he became king and the Lord entrusted Samuel with priestly and prophetic duties. It came a time when Saul led the Israelites into battle against the Philistines. As it was in their custom to sacrifice a burnt offering before battle, Samuel delayed and Saul decided to do it out of anxiety. In another instance when the Israelites went to war against Amalekites, Saul disobeyed again for he did not destroy everyone and everything as instructed by God, as he spared king Agag and the best of their livestock. Saul’s disobedience angered the Lord and He rejected him as king. Saul lived a duality lifestyle for partially obeyed. On one hand he heard the voice of Lord yet he did not fully execute His instructions. He also over stepped his mandate and did not differentiate between the office of the king and that of a priest.
PRAYER
Almighty Father, we thank You and exult Your Holy name; for You are good and Your love endures forever. Jehovah Elohim; we thank You for Your Omnipresent nature which has given us the liberty to worship You from anywhere and at any time. Help us Holy Spirit to always worship You in spirit and in truth; and intercede for us in times when we do not know how to pray. Nothing can separate us from Your love everlasting Father, we praise Your name. Create in us clean heart’s Oh Lord and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Cast us not away from Your presence Lord and do not take Your Holy Spirit from us. Restore unto us the joy of Your salvation and uphold us by Your generous Spirit. May Your love and grace abide in us forever that I may love You and our neighbor as ourselves. Teach us to obey Your word fully and walk according to Your will. All glory, honor and power belong to You. Amen
Further reading: 1 Samuel 15:9, James 1:22, Matthew 7:24-27, Revelation 1:3
Revelation 3:14-18
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”
INSIGHT
-Laodicea was the wealthiest city in Phrygia during the Roman times. As reflected in the letter, Laodicea was prideful due to its vast financial wealth. Their duality lifestyle is a reflection of self reliance as opposed to reliance on Christ. This characteristic results to poverty, blindness, naked and wretchedness, that does not lead to any profit in the kingdom of God. The Laodicean church can be contrasted to the Philadelphian church which means brotherly love. The Philadelphian church keep the word of God and do not deny God’s name. Though they seem weak, Christ is their salvation and opens doors for them that no one can shut (Revelation 3:7-8). Self reliance can therefore be married to coldness of heart and deeds, while dependence of God solidified through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus calls each one of us to have faith in Him and surrender our lives to Him that we may obtain true riches and have eternal life.
PRAYER
Jesus You are the same yesterday, today, and forever, we put all our trust in You. We surrender all to You Jesus, take charge of our lives we humbly beseech You. When we are weak, then we are strong for all our hope is in You and Your power rests upon us merciful Savior. Your grace is sufficient for us, we come to Your throne of grace with boldness that we may obtain mercy and grace to help us in times of need. Remove any form of pride and lukewarm-ness from our hearts and increase our faith dear Jesus, we humbly ask You. Shield us from any form of evil snare and open doors for us that no one can shut merciful Savior. You are the Door that leads to eternal life, grant many access merciful Savior that they may see You as You are. Grant many widows, orphans and those who live in the streets access to Your holy presence, and transform their lives dear Jesus. Open the eyes of our hearts that we may see You in our lives, families, work places, businesses, churches, nation and all the nations of the world. Open the eyes of all Your children who follow false prophecies and deceptive doctrine; merciful Savior that they may only follow Your true word. Open the eyes of all our leaders that they may only follow Your will dear Jesus. May Your love always be found in our hearts, families, society and nation loving Master. You are our Rock and our Salvation Jesus, we put all our trust in You. You are our Refuge and Strength, all our hope is in You. We pray this believing and trusting in Jesus mighty name. Amen
Further reading: 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, John 14:1, John 3:16
Luke 15:21-24
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”
INSIGHT
-The parable of the prodigal son is one of the most famous of all Christ’s teachings, and it provides a lesson that remains relevant for us today. The prodigal son requested for his inheritance which was rather unusual, as an inheritance claimed too soon is not blessed at the end (Proverbs 20:21). Even though he lived like a king in his fathers house, he preferred to be away from parental restraint and went ahead to squander the share of his estate in wild living. When he had squandered it all, he was found fending for pigs which were considered ceremoniously unclean in the Jewish culture. He came back to his senses and pondered to return home where his father showed him pure love. He clothed him with the best robe which was distinct, a signet ring showing authority, sandals for he was a son as slaves never wore shoes, and slaughtered a fatted calf for him which was only done during special occasions and sacrificial offerings. On one hand he left his fathers house filled with love and grace and went away into a lifestyle of sin and secularism.
SUMMARY
A thermostat is designed to balance the temperature in specific gadgets and machines. Thermostats are widely used mostly in diverse systems and devices, in the field of physics ensures temperatures are maintained at desired levels. They ensure that devices heats or cools to a setpoint temperature, for proper functioning. Duality is a lifestyle that is characterized by living in both the light and darkness, and equating them as one. Everything has duality if we consider examples like, life and death, flesh and spirit, masculine and feminine, day and night, hot and cold etc. Happiness and sadness at first glance may seem to be opposites, but they are simply just ranges on the one scale of emotion. On one hand Samson was a strong judge and on the other he was trapped by Delilah for he loved women. Judas; one of the twelve apostles walked with Jesus diligently but he stole from the treasury. Saul also lived a duality lifestyle. He was a king chosen to lead the people in God’s will but he partially obeyed. When they had gone to war against the Philistines, he disobeyed and offered a sacrifice; which was the work of priests. He also disobeyed when they went for war against the Amalekites where the spared king Agag and the best of their flock. The prodigal son lived in the house of a loving father but chose prodigal living leading to suffering and shame. We are called to return to our Father who is compassionate and full of love, and He will make our all paths straight. Like a thermostat, the word of God give us spiritual bearing as Christians. We are called to either be hot or cold and not either cold and hot, taking heed to the word of God. To believe in God and put our faith in Jesus Christ who is the word of God, and the Light of our salvation, who gives us eternal life.
PRAYER
Almighty Heavenly Father, we come before You today with thanksgiving in our hearts for the love and goodness You have given us. Thank You for Your compassion and mercy upon our lives. We have been good to us, we appreciate You dear Jesus. We thank You for Your protection, Your care and provision. Father we give You all glory for this far You have brought us, and the far that You are taking us. We exalt You and enthrone You for You are worthy of all praise, glory and honor. We adore You today and worship You. Dear Lord, we pray that You will forgive us of all our sins and iniquities, may You wash us with Your precious blood and sanctify us. Deliver us dear Jesus from any form for of snare that causes us to live duality lifestyle, we humbly ask You. Your word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, we exult Your name Abba Father, our Redeemer. We pray that You will remember the sick in the society and grant them healing and good health. Remember all the soldiers who survived the Kajiado plane crash that You may restore their health. Be with all the families of the bereaved that Your have of peace may comfort them. May You provide for the poor and the street children and all those in need. May You remember our nation Kenya and go ahead of us in all things, we pray for good leadership, great development and an improvement of our economy for Your glory dear Lord. May You grant our leaders wisdom in leading our nation. We pray that You will bless our businesses, families, society and nation at large. May You enlarge our territories so that others may see and give glory and honor to You. We trust in You Lord for You are a faithful God. We pray all this in Jesus Mighty Name. May the grace our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now, and forever more. Amen
Further reading: Luke 15:1-10