After the period of the Judges, Israel demanded a king. “Give us a king to judge us like all the other nations” they told Samuel, prophet, priest, and last judge of Israel. Samuel was grieved at their request and ask God for guidance. But the LORD said, “Do everything they say to you... it is me they are rejecting, not you. They do not want me to be their King” (1 Samuel 8:5b-7). God sends Samuel a man from the tribe of Benjamin, Saul son of Kish (1 Samuel 9:15-17).
Saul had the look of a king, “head-and-shoulders above anyone else” (1 Samuel 10:23b). Saul appeared to be humble (1 Samuel 9:21) and after winning the first battle, he did not retaliate against those who scorned his leadership (1 Samuel 11:13). But in time, Saul’s fears, jealousy, and disobedience robbed him of God’s special anointing. Saul’s pride surfaced as he rose in power and position. Saul failed to recognize that any position or authority is a gift from God.
Submission Wins Battles
May 13, 2018
May 13, 2018 • Dr Charles Kyker
Fight From Freedom, Not For It
May 20, 2018 • Dr Charles Kyker
Throughout the gospel of John, Jesus is focused on carrying out the work assigned Him by His Father. Jesus was sent from above to connect people with God: “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth” (John 1:51). John the Baptist said: “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but He has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else” (John 3:31).
Conquering the Enemy
May 6, 2018 • Dr Charles Kyker
Our enemy is not conquered when we take the easy way out. Nor is the enemy conquered if we resign to defeat in times of despair. But hell trembles as individuals, imperfect people like you and me, decide not to take the easy way out, but get up and move out of our despair. If we seek the better place, we will begin to look better (and smell better!) as we experience God’s redemption. Everything changes because God created us Himself. But know this, the forces of darkness will try to do anything to try to keep you behind enemy lines. Where will you go when life falls apart?
Victory Over Fear & Anxiety
April 29, 2018 • Dr Charles Kyker
Fear is a paralyzing force that can keep us from a life of faith. No one is exempt from some level of fear. But fear doesn’t have to back us into a corner. The Lord wants us to live into His purpose and be on mission for Him. He wants to help us see the wonderful things He is doing, meet new people, try new things, and help us develop an outlook of gratitude. With God we can face the present and future courageously. He will help us with our decisions, and be a stronghold in times of trouble. In Christ we no longer have to be enslaved to fear and anxiety.