JUST A MINUTE PLEASE!
[PHP. 3:10]

ARE YOU TIRED? IT'S NORMAL IN OUR HUMAN STATE, BUT DON'T ALLOW IT TO TAKE THE PLACE OF GOD!

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isa 40: 31)

8. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9. Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. (2Co 4: 8-10)

*Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours*(Mark 11:24)

I don't think I owe anyone an apology because of my recent dwelling on emotional issues. I do this to encourage myself and anyone in the same tunnel with me, and I am not certain it's a sin to be frank with one's feelings,as long as they're in line with God's Word.

Flashback on our most recent study,I said we often get stuck between God's promises and their fulfillment,clasped and unclasped our hands between our prayers and answers .

There's no doubt that some situations we find ourselves in as Christians, oftentimes leave us forgetting who we are, that Dad told us to ask for anything we want in His Name,and that we should consider it done.

So what's the problem...in most cases,it isn't exactly because of faithlessness,but more of timing...though the answers would definitely come,but they don't come when we(human nature)want them to come. Thus, it's like God is late...YET WE KNOW EXACTLY THAT GOD IS NEVER LATE NOR EARLY...HE COMES WHEN HE WILL,WHEN HE SHOULD, HE COMES AT THE RIGHT TIME.

But we oftentimes give God a deadline, forgetting that,he who gives Big Dad a deadline will always end up at a dead end.
But, vicissitudes of life mostly blind us to the truth we already know. This accounts for why we're always impatient with God...we want to command Him...to tell Him how or when He should respond to us... unfortunately,we missed it altogether, and pour all our frustrations on HIM. If He wasn't a Loving and patient Big Dad, would you dare to imagine what should become of us, for daring Him.

Job cursed the day he was born,while claiming innocence... Jeremiah cursed the man who went to tell his father that his wife has given birth to a son...what wrong did the man do? It's the serpentine spoilt sin nature in us always talking, because the devil wants us to be accusing Big Dad,the same way he did that costed him his exalted position as a covering cherub.
The Scriptures tell us about how to expect from Daddy God,to avoid demonic manipulations, that would want to turn us against God in our hearts;

35. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36. For ye have NEED of PATIENCE, that, after ye HAVE DONE THE WILL OF GOD, ye might receive the promise.
37. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (Heb 10: 35-37)

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1Pe 5: 7)

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you . (1Pe 5: 10)

Yet,we can't deny the wholesome truth that, it's easier said than done... oftentimes,patience can be tasking,very very very tasking...it takes grace,even extra grace. INDEED,THIS IS WHERE DISCIPLINE IN CHRISTIANITY IS PUT TO THE TEST... where the baby Christian and the adult Christian are filtered.


We all have personal desires, collective desires, dreams and plans. Having dreams is fine, wanting to please God is also fine. The problem lies in being so naive in thinking that this path must be traveled alone and without tools, which exhausts us mentally without even taking a step forward.

I told us this before, I want to repeat it again, and like then, I will omit names and exact details,for security purposes.

Almost two decades ago,a dedicatedly faithful Christian worked as a civil servant in govt ministry. By virtue of his position and ranking,he was more than qualified for a car,and started believing God for one. But it never materialised. The money kept on going for things he NEVER planned for...yes,the problems always know when the money is available.

Thus, the man gave up praying or hoping for it,and surrendered the issue to God. The most fortunate part,was that he NEVER allowed it to affect his devotion to God... instead it increased his dedication. Even his PROMOTION in the office was stalled, juniors met him and same level left him behind...but he wasn't moved.

Three years later,his aunt died in the village and he went for the burial and came back to work. Barely a month after he came back, the Minister in charge of their ministry came to work one morning,saw him and asked him to meet him in his office.

Summarily, the Minister told him he doesn't know what's wrong and brought a set of car keys from his drawer,that they're his,and had been with him for the past three years. He said that he forgets each time he came to work, only to remember in the wrong places. Meanwhile,there truly was a brand new car covered with tarpaulin under a tree for the past three years... others had since been given away.

It didn't end there,he was promoted two steps ahead of those who were promoted before him. The man was like ...he is dreaming and took leave to close for the day;

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. (Psa 126: 1)

Later at home, Daddy spoke, and told him,HE kept him from the car,so that it won't become his coffin. HE told him that his late aunt vowed that anyone who buys a car before her own children in the family must die. The LORD said HE gave her every opportunity to repent,but when she wasn't willing HE removed her. END OF STORY!

We have a Father who makes everything possible, even the impossible (Luke 1:37).

All we need do is to allow God take care of the *how*

*How will I achieve this? How will I achieve that, and how will I survive this ordeal* isn't our assignment...not at all*

Our assignment is to TRUST DADDY,AND HOW HE DOES IT BECOMES HIS BUSINESS...not us anymore...we only owe HIM trust,and to do that,we must have an enduring relationship with HIM. Only then can we know peace in a turbulent world.

Not having peace causes endless illnesses, deficiencies and suffering that we could easily remove from our lives. We just have to understand that there is a God who works in favor of those who believe in Him.

His promises are there for all of us who choose to turn over our burdens to Him to see in His Word.(Matthew 11:28).
We must leave our big,bigger and biggest problems,
(all our problems )in His hands, leaving aside the *how will HE do it?*
May He sanctified His Word in our lives,moreso now when the devil has turned the world upsidedown,in Christ Jesus' Name,Amen!

JUST A MINUTE PLEASE!
[PHP. 3:10]

ARE YOU TIRED? IT'S NORMAL IN OUR HUMAN STATE, BUT DON'T ALLOW IT TO TAKE THE PLACE OF GOD!

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isa 40: 31)

8. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9. Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. (2Co 4: 8-10)

*Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours*(Mark 11:24)

I don't think I owe anyone an apology because of my recent dwelling on emotional issues. I do this to encourage myself and anyone in the same tunnel with me, and I am not certain it's a sin to be frank with one's feelings,as long as they're in line with God's Word.

Flashback on our most recent study,I said we often get stuck between God's promises and their fulfillment,clasped and unclasped our hands between our prayers and answers .

There's no doubt that some situations we find ourselves in as Christians, oftentimes leave us forgetting who we are, that Dad told us to ask for anything we want in His Name,and that we should consider it done.

So what's the problem...in most cases,it isn't exactly because of faithlessness,but more of timing...though the answers would definitely come,but they don't come when we(human nature)want them to come. Thus, it's like God is late...YET WE KNOW EXACTLY THAT GOD IS NEVER LATE NOR EARLY...HE COMES WHEN HE WILL,WHEN HE SHOULD, HE COMES AT THE RIGHT TIME.

But we oftentimes give God a deadline, forgetting that,he who gives Big Dad a deadline will always end up at a dead end.
But, vicissitudes of life mostly blind us to the truth we already know. This accounts for why we're always impatient with God...we want to command Him...to tell Him how or when He should respond to us... unfortunately,we missed it altogether, and pour all our frustrations on HIM. If He wasn't a Loving and patient Big Dad, would you dare to imagine what should become of us, for daring Him.

Job cursed the day he was born,while claiming innocence... Jeremiah cursed the man who went to tell his father that his wife has given birth to a son...what wrong did the man do? It's the serpentine spoilt sin nature in us always talking, because the devil wants us to be accusing Big Dad,the same way he did that costed him his exalted position as a covering cherub.
The Scriptures tell us about how to expect from Daddy God,to avoid demonic manipulations, that would want to turn us against God in our hearts;

35. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36. For ye have NEED of PATIENCE, that, after ye HAVE DONE THE WILL OF GOD, ye might receive the promise.
37. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (Heb 10: 35-37)

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1Pe 5: 7)

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you . (1Pe 5: 10)

Yet,we can't deny the wholesome truth that, it's easier said than done... oftentimes,patience can be tasking,very very very tasking...it takes grace,even extra grace. INDEED,THIS IS WHERE DISCIPLINE IN CHRISTIANITY IS PUT TO THE TEST... where the baby Christian and the adult Christian are filtered.


We all have personal desires, collective desires, dreams and plans. Having dreams is fine, wanting to please God is also fine. The problem lies in being so naive in thinking that this path must be traveled alone and without tools, which exhausts us mentally without even taking a step forward.

I told us this before, I want to repeat it again, and like then, I will omit names and exact details,for security purposes.

Almost two decades ago,a dedicatedly faithful Christian worked as a civil servant in govt ministry. By virtue of his position and ranking,he was more than qualified for a car,and started believing God for one. But it never materialised. The money kept on going for things he NEVER planned for...yes,the problems always know when the money is available.

Thus, the man gave up praying or hoping for it,and surrendered the issue to God. The most fortunate part,was that he NEVER allowed it to affect his devotion to God... instead it increased his dedication. Even his PROMOTION in the office was stalled, juniors met him and same level left him behind...but he wasn't moved.

Three years later,his aunt died in the village and he went for the burial and came back to work. Barely a month after he came back, the Minister in charge of their ministry came to work one morning,saw him and asked him to meet him in his office.

Summarily, the Minister told him he doesn't know what's wrong and brought a set of car keys from his drawer,that they're his,and had been with him for the past three years. He said that he forgets each time he came to work, only to remember in the wrong places. Meanwhile,there truly was a brand new car covered with tarpaulin under a tree for the past three years... others had since been given away.

It didn't end there,he was promoted two steps ahead of those who were promoted before him. The man was like ...he is dreaming and took leave to close for the day;

When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. (Psa 126: 1)

Later at home, Daddy spoke, and told him,HE kept him from the car,so that it won't become his coffin. HE told him that his late aunt vowed that anyone who buys a car before her own children in the family must die. The LORD said HE gave her every opportunity to repent,but when she wasn't willing HE removed her. END OF STORY!

We have a Father who makes everything possible, even the impossible (Luke 1:37).

All we need do is to allow God take care of the *how*

*How will I achieve this? How will I achieve that, and how will I survive this ordeal* isn't our assignment...not at all*

Our assignment is to TRUST DADDY,AND HOW HE DOES IT BECOMES HIS BUSINESS...not us anymore...we only owe HIM trust,and to do that,we must have an enduring relationship with HIM. Only then can we know peace in a turbulent world.

Not having peace causes endless illnesses, deficiencies and suffering that we could easily remove from our lives. We just have to understand that there is a God who works in favor of those who believe in Him.

His promises are there for all of us who choose to turn over our burdens to Him to see in His Word.(Matthew 11:28).
We must leave our big,bigger and biggest problems,
(all our problems )in His hands, leaving aside the *how will HE do it?*
May He sanctified His Word in our lives,moreso now when the devil has turned the world upsidedown,in Christ Jesus' Name,Amen!

Toyota Service Center - Get Peace of Mind Today

Experience peace of mind at Toyota Service Center, Espirit Toyota. Our skilled technicians provide expert maintenance, genuine parts, and reliable repairs for your Toyota. Trust Espirit Toyota for hassle-free service, ensuring your car runs smoothly. Visit us today and drive with confidence, knowing your vehicle is in expert hands.

READ MORE: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NhYLvUhvaapYu8HM9

NAME: Espirit Toyota - Noida Showroom & Service

ADDRESS: Plot No D, 11, D Block, Sector 8, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301

Phone No: 07290095001

#ToyotaServiceCenter #Noida #Carservice #Automobile

Get Peace of Mind at Toyota Service Center in Noida

Experience unmatched car care at Toyota Service Center in Noida, Espirit Toyota. Our expert team ensures reliable maintenance, genuine parts, and top-quality service for your Toyota. Trust Espirit Toyota for seamless servicing and superior support to keep your car running smoothly. Visit us today for peace of mind and an exceptional service experience tailored to your needs!

READ MORE: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NhYLvUhvaapYu8HM9

NAME: Espirit Toyota - Noida Showroom & Service

ADDRESS: Plot No D, 11, D Block, Sector 8, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301

Phone No: 07290095001

#ToyotaServiceCenter #Noida #Carservice #Automobile #Toyota

THIS IS A NEW YEAR WITH NEW HOPES!

Tithing is a Covenant!!

People say I can't afford to tithe but I tell you that you cannot afford not to tithe. God comes first and tithing is a covenant with Him. The blessings that come with obedience far outweighs the disobedience of not bringing to God what is due to Him.

God doesn't need our money but it is an act of obedience and worship to Him

Malachi 3:8-12 NKJV
[8] “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.
[9] You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation.
[10] Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.
[11] “And I will rebuke the devourer (Satan) for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts;
[12] “And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts.

Hebrews 7:1-4 NKJV
[1] For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
[2] to whom also Abraham gave a TENTH (TITHE) part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,”
[3] without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
[4] Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a TENTH (TITHE) of the spoils.

If tithing wasnt for today then it would not have been mentioned in the New Testament!! When we sell a banana we dont get apples for payment today, we get MONEY!! Therefore we tithe money to God!!

Mark 12:42-44
[42] Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small COINS.
[43] Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions.
[44] For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

Tithing is an act of obedience to God and He protects the rest of your income from being stolen by the enemy (Satan)!!

THIS IS A NEW YEAR WITH NEW HOPES!

Tithing is a Covenant!!

People say I can't afford to tithe but I tell you that you cannot afford not to tithe. God comes first and tithing is a covenant with Him. The blessings that come with obedience far outweighs the disobedience of not bringing to God what is due to Him.

God doesn't need our money but it is an act of obedience and worship to Him

Malachi 3:8-12 NKJV
[8] “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.
[9] You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation.
[10] Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.
[11] “And I will rebuke the devourer (Satan) for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts;
[12] “And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts.

Hebrews 7:1-4 NKJV
[1] For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
[2] to whom also Abraham gave a TENTH (TITHE) part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,”
[3] without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
[4] Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a TENTH (TITHE) of the spoils.

If tithing wasnt for today then it would not have been mentioned in the New Testament!! When we sell a banana we dont get apples for payment today, we get MONEY!! Therefore we tithe money to God!!

Mark 12:42-44
[42] Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small COINS.
[43] Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions.
[44] For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

Tithing is an act of obedience to God and He protects the rest of your income from being stolen by the enemy (Satan)!!THIS IS A NEW YEAR WITH NEW HOPES!

Tithing is a Covenant!!

People say I can't afford to tithe but I tell you that you cannot afford not to tithe. God comes first and tithing is a covenant with Him. The blessings that come with obedience far outweighs the disobedience of not bringing to God what is due to Him.

God doesn't need our money but it is an act of obedience and worship to Him

Malachi 3:8-12 NKJV
[8] “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.
[9] You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation.
[10] Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.
[11] “And I will rebuke the devourer (Satan) for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts;
[12] “And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts.

Hebrews 7:1-4 NKJV
[1] For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
[2] to whom also Abraham gave a TENTH (TITHE) part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,”
[3] without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
[4] Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a TENTH (TITHE) of the spoils.

If tithing wasnt for today then it would not have been mentioned in the New Testament!! When we sell a banana we dont get apples for payment today, we get MONEY!! Therefore we tithe money to God!!

Mark 12:42-44
[42] Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small COINS.
[43] Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions.
[44] For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

Tithing is an act of obedience to God and He protects the rest of your income from being stolen by the enemy (Satan)!!

Majesty King Charles III: A Call for Justice and Compassion

This is a call for action against injustice and indifference. The countless individuals who sacrificed their lives for peace during WWI and WWII would mourn the ongoing wars and global turmoil we face today, including the tragic genocide in Palestine. We must confront corruption, inequitable laws, and the neglect of our environment across the Commonwealth. Justice must serve everyone, not just the powerful. Remember, we are all accountable before God. Leadership should reflect honor, integrity, and genuine care for the people. Now is the moment for decisive action.

Visit Us : https://rumble.com/v62xbun-king-charles-iii-christmas-message-asking-for-assistance.html

HIS WORD ABOVE HIS NAME [PS.138:2]

CHRISTIANITY IS UNDER SEVERE ATTACK!
**********************************
CUSTODIANS OF GOD'S WORD ARE FIGHTING THEMSELVES,LED ON BY THE DEVIL!

We all are witnesses to the drastic change taking place in the Christianity landscape. Doesn't anyone see the handwriting on the wall,that the devil is the one orchestrating and instigating this abnormalities. Anyone following us should know that we have been EXPRESSING GOD'S DISPLEASURE OVER HIS CHURCH, INCLUDING THE POLITICIANS THEY ALLOWED INTO INTO THEIR LIVES, AND THE CONSEQUENCES ATTACHED. A FEW DAYS AFTER, TWO JUDGES OUT OF THE FIVE THAT PRESIDED OVER THE ELECTION AT THE APEX COURT DIED MYSTERIOUSLY ON THE SAME NIGHT. WE ALSO REVEAL THAT, EXCEPT THERE'S REPENTANCE THERE ARE TWO OR MORE THAT ARE STANDING BY THEIR SIX FEET. ON THE FIRST DAY OF 2025, THREE PASTORS DIED IN ONE DAY... IT'S NOT A COINCIDENCE!!!

My major pain tonight is how easy it was for the devil to infiltrate the lives of these pastors bringing shame to the Body of Christ Jesus. I do thank God sincerely that one of the biggest fishes that the enemy thought he has caught has backtracked and publicly apologized to the flock under his care(he was an invisible mentor to me, because he inspired me greatly), thus it was so painful to see the traits of the world beginning to appear in him. I really do appreciate his courage, because in him I see the first fruit of the mandate. He is in my prayers, even as he's a gaffer for others.

Why was it easy for him to retreat? It's because he was qualified by God to occupy that position. This isn't to say some aren't qualified, but, they're held firmly in the enemy's grip, and do not see nor agree that they are no more on the same page with the ONE Who called them. They mistake their worldly acquisitions and large congregations as a sign of God's approval. YOUR EARTHLY DELIGHTS AND ACQUISITIONS ARE A NO, NO FOR GOD, FOR YOU AREN'T GOING TO MEET HIM WITH THAT GARBAGE!

Our assignment today is to use God's Word to provide the attributes that a leader of God's flock should possess, not titles or certificates.
The Bible specifically speaks about the qualifications for those who will lead a congregation of people. These qualifications have been the same for almost 2,000 years. Christ Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of these qualifications as the *Senior Pastor* of the Church.

We shall be relying on these two scriptures...(Titus 1:6, 7; 1 Tim 3:2)
This is the overarching, summarizing characteristic.
The two scriptures show that Biblical qualifications for leaders in the church are deeply intertwined with the Gospel, which should be reflected in their character, behaviors, and relationships.

Summarily, these are the main and necessary attributes we ought to possess before we can successfully lead God's flock. Without these basic yet extremely important attributes, it won't take long before the enemy dismantles our defenses and craftily forces us to tow his line. BUT THAT IS NOT OUR PORTION IN CHRIST JESUS' NAME,AMEN!

Noble Task: Eldership is viewed as a noble and beautiful responsibility, analogous to Christ Jesus giving Himself for His people, emphasizing a leader’s calling involves joy and sacrifice.

Above Reproach: Leaders must maintain a lifestyle that promotes the Gospel, avoiding actions that could bring disrepute to their ministry. Today, it's from one scandal to another for church leaders. Though we deny, and fool ourselves the more by jumping to human courts whose history we all know, the highest bidder wins. In almost every rumour,there tends to be an element of truth. The most reason our lives must be above reproach.

Marital Fidelity: The faithfulness and love of a pastor towards his wife exemplify the relationship between Christ Jesus and the church, portraying the importance of strong marital commitment. We here the shameful news of pastors sleeping with either church members or outside the church. Divorces have become a common spectacle in pastors' homes... how can you, that pastor(male or female) intervene in members marital squabbls?

Family Leadership: Fathers must model gospel principles at home, demonstrating God’s order and care through their parenting, reflected in their children's behavior. This is one of the most successful areas for the devil. Inflicting the spirit of the age on our children to tarnish our reputations. But we mustn't give up...this is an area where we must so much depend on the Ministry of the Holy Spirit...Rom.8:26. My personal experience here is very horrible, from the moment I had the auto accident that crippled me. But, leaning on the Holy Spirit has continued to strengthen me to hold on.

Stewardship: Leaders should recognize that all resources belong to God and be responsible stewards of those resources for His glory. THIS IS A TOUGH AREA FOR THE FRONTLINE PASTORS, THAT'S SERIOUSLY OFFENDING OUR FATHER. Are we caring for the less privileged in the household of faith,much less outside the faith. If we had been faithful and transparent with the church finances, and readily available to the less privileged amongst us, THE NUMEROUS DEBATES ON TITHING AND OFFERINGS THAT'S CREATED SERIOUS DIVISION WITHIN AND WITHOUT THE CHURCH,WOULD NEVER HAVE RISEN.

Humility: A Gospel leader must exhibit humility, recognizing their dependence on grace and approaching others with gentleness and a spirit of restoration. Oftentimes,our own members go to other pastors when in need of advice and encouragement, because of their inability to access us, because of the subtle arrogance success has bequeathed on us.

Gentleness: Patterns of gentleness, modeled after Christ Jesus, are essential qualities for church leaders, contrasting with quick-tempered or harsh behaviors.

Substance Independence: Leaders should find joy and fulfillment in the Holy Spirit rather than in addictions or indulgences, demonstrating moderation and self-control.

Peace Pursuit: Leaders reflect Christ Jesus' role as the Prince of Peace, actively working towards reconciliation and harmony within the church.

Generosity and Hospitality: A commitment to financial integrity and generosity, coupled with the practice of radical hospitality, conveys the open-hearted nature of the gospel.

These insights collectively highlight how truly embodying the gospel transforms the characteristics and responsibilities of church leaders.

Please, let us identify our various areas weakness (weak spots) through which the enemy has been kicking us like a football and strengthen them with full dependence on the FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD in us, Amen !

HIS WORD ABOVE HIS NAME [PS.138:2]

CHRISTIANITY IS UNDER SEVERE ATTACK!
**********************************
CUSTODIANS OF GOD'S WORD ARE FIGHTING THEMSELVES,LED ON BY THE DEVIL!

We all are witnesses to the drastic change taking place in the Christianity landscape. Doesn't anyone see the handwriting on the wall,that the devil is the one orchestrating and instigating this abnormalities. Anyone following us should know that we have been EXPRESSING GOD'S DISPLEASURE OVER HIS CHURCH, INCLUDING THE POLITICIANS THEY ALLOWED INTO INTO THEIR LIVES, AND THE CONSEQUENCES ATTACHED. A FEW DAYS AFTER, TWO JUDGES OUT OF THE FIVE THAT PRESIDED OVER THE ELECTION AT THE APEX COURT DIED MYSTERIOUSLY ON THE SAME NIGHT. WE ALSO REVEAL THAT, EXCEPT THERE'S REPENTANCE THERE ARE TWO OR MORE THAT ARE STANDING BY THEIR SIX FEET. ON THE FIRST DAY OF 2025, THREE PASTORS DIED IN ONE DAY... IT'S NOT A COINCIDENCE!!!

My major pain tonight is how easy it was for the devil to infiltrate the lives of these pastors bringing shame to the Body of Christ Jesus. I do thank God sincerely that one of the biggest fishes that the enemy thought he has caught has backtracked and publicly apologized to the flock under his care(he was an invisible mentor to me, because he inspired me greatly), thus it was so painful to see the traits of the world beginning to appear in him. I really do appreciate his courage, because in him I see the first fruit of the mandate. He is in my prayers, even as he's a gaffer for others.

Why was it easy for him to retreat? It's because he was qualified by God to occupy that position. This isn't to say some aren't qualified, but, they're held firmly in the enemy's grip, and do not see nor agree that they are no more on the same page with the ONE Who called them. They mistake their worldly acquisitions and large congregations as a sign of God's approval. YOUR EARTHLY DELIGHTS AND ACQUISITIONS ARE A NO, NO FOR GOD, FOR YOU AREN'T GOING TO MEET HIM WITH THAT GARBAGE!

Our assignment today is to use God's Word to provide the attributes that a leader of God's flock should possess, not titles or certificates.
The Bible specifically speaks about the qualifications for those who will lead a congregation of people. These qualifications have been the same for almost 2,000 years. Christ Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of these qualifications as the *Senior Pastor* of the Church.

We shall be relying on these two scriptures...(Titus 1:6, 7; 1 Tim 3:2)
This is the overarching, summarizing characteristic.
The two scriptures show that Biblical qualifications for leaders in the church are deeply intertwined with the Gospel, which should be reflected in their character, behaviors, and relationships.

Summarily, these are the main and necessary attributes we ought to possess before we can successfully lead God's flock. Without these basic yet extremely important attributes, it won't take long before the enemy dismantles our defenses and craftily forces us to tow his line. BUT THAT IS NOT OUR PORTION IN CHRIST JESUS' NAME,AMEN!

Noble Task: Eldership is viewed as a noble and beautiful responsibility, analogous to Christ Jesus giving Himself for His people, emphasizing a leader’s calling involves joy and sacrifice.

Above Reproach: Leaders must maintain a lifestyle that promotes the Gospel, avoiding actions that could bring disrepute to their ministry. Today, it's from one scandal to another for church leaders. Though we deny, and fool ourselves the more by jumping to human courts whose history we all know, the highest bidder wins. In almost every rumour,there tends to be an element of truth. The most reason our lives must be above reproach.

Marital Fidelity: The faithfulness and love of a pastor towards his wife exemplify the relationship between Christ Jesus and the church, portraying the importance of strong marital commitment. We here the shameful news of pastors sleeping with either church members or outside the church. Divorces have become a common spectacle in pastors' homes... how can you, that pastor(male or female) intervene in members marital squabbls?

Family Leadership: Fathers must model gospel principles at home, demonstrating God’s order and care through their parenting, reflected in their children's behavior. This is one of the most successful areas for the devil. Inflicting the spirit of the age on our children to tarnish our reputations. But we mustn't give up...this is an area where we must so much depend on the Ministry of the Holy Spirit...Rom.8:26. My personal experience here is very horrible, from the moment I had the auto accident that crippled me. But, leaning on the Holy Spirit has continued to strengthen me to hold on.

Stewardship: Leaders should recognize that all resources belong to God and be responsible stewards of those resources for His glory. THIS IS A TOUGH AREA FOR THE FRONTLINE PASTORS, THAT'S SERIOUSLY OFFENDING OUR FATHER. Are we caring for the less privileged in the household of faith,much less outside the faith. If we had been faithful and transparent with the church finances, and readily available to the less privileged amongst us, THE NUMEROUS DEBATES ON TITHING AND OFFERINGS THAT'S CREATED SERIOUS DIVISION WITHIN AND WITHOUT THE CHURCH,WOULD NEVER HAVE RISEN.

Humility: A Gospel leader must exhibit humility, recognizing their dependence on grace and approaching others with gentleness and a spirit of restoration. Oftentimes,our own members go to other pastors when in need of advice and encouragement, because of their inability to access us, because of the subtle arrogance success has bequeathed on us.

Gentleness: Patterns of gentleness, modeled after Christ Jesus, are essential qualities for church leaders, contrasting with quick-tempered or harsh behaviors.

Substance Independence: Leaders should find joy and fulfillment in the Holy Spirit rather than in addictions or indulgences, demonstrating moderation and self-control.

Peace Pursuit: Leaders reflect Christ Jesus' role as the Prince of Peace, actively working towards reconciliation and harmony within the church.

Generosity and Hospitality: A commitment to financial integrity and generosity, coupled with the practice of radical hospitality, conveys the open-hearted nature of the gospel.

These insights collectively highlight how truly embodying the gospel transforms the characteristics and responsibilities of church leaders.

Please, let us identify our various areas weakness (weak spots) through which the enemy has been kicking us like a football and strengthen them with full dependence on the FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD in us, Amen !

EVEN IN A DEVIL MESSED UP WORLD, CHRIST JESUS EXPECTS US TO BE CLEAN! (ROM.2:1)

ON QUENCHING THE HOLY SPIRIT! (1THESS. 5:19)

There's no hope or way of living a practical Christlike life,MOST ESPECIALLY NOW,in a world broken down by sin,a world where the devil is king...therefore...

Quench not the Spirit. (1Th 5: 19)

To begin with, it's very sad and pitiful, for those who say the Old Testament is obsolete and relegated to the background. I have every to say that,these people are not true believers,*FOR A TRUE BELIEVER CAN NEVER SAY THAT GOD'S WORD IS OBSOLETE...IT ISN'T JUST POSSIBLE*

In the Old Testament,God operated as *God the Father.* And in the Gospels, the beginning of the New Testament, God operated as *God the Son*(Immanuel...Jn.1:1-5).
Then after the work of fulfilling the Law and His finishing the Work of Redemption,God began to operate as *God the Holy Spirit), right from the Book of Acts till date.
16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (Joh 14: 16-17)

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (Joh 14: 26)

Back to our subject;

If the apostle Paul himself had not warned us about quenching the Spirit, who among us would have thought it was possible or suggest that the omnipotent Spirit of God could ever be quenched,(1Thess.5:19), and thus restricted in what He might do otherwise in our lives, and in the life of the local church, is to tread on thin theological ice.

The Spirit obviously desires to work in our lives and in our churches. The Spirit is like a fire whose flame we want to be careful not to quench or extinguish. The Holy Spirit wants to intensify the heat of His presence among us, to inflame our hearts and fill us with the warmth of His indwelling power.

And Paul’s exhortation is a warning to all of us lest we become part of the contemporary bucket brigade that stands ready to douse His activity with the water of legalism, fear, and a flawed theology that, without biblical warrant, claims that His gifts have ceased and been withdrawn,in much the say way some of us have written off the Old Testament and even the LORD'S PRAYER(MOTHER OF ALL PRAYERS),which is even in the New Testament.

However, we must remind ourselves of the Sovereignty of God. While humans can resist the Holy Spirit, it doesn’t mean they have ultimate control over Him; God retains Sovereignty and can intervene whenever He wishes. The Holy Spirit is a part of the Fullness of God. Let's examine some ways we can quench the activities of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

We quench the Holy Spirit when we rely decisively on any resource other than the Holy Spirit for anything we do in life and ministry.
Any attempt to conjure up *hope* apart from that power which is the Spirit (Romans 15:13) is to quench Him, as well as any effort to persevere in ministry and remain patient with joy by any other means than the Spirit (Colossians 1:11). Any effort to carry out pastoral ministry other than through *His energy that He powerfully works within me* (Colossians 1:29) is to quench the Spirit. Any attempt to resolve to carry out some good work of faith through a *power* other than the Spirit is to quench Him (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

Despising Spiritual Gifts: Quenching the Spirit can manifest as contempt towards spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of prophecy, which should instead be tested and embraced (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21).

Neglecting Our Gifts: Failing to utilize and nurture the gifts bestowed upon us by the Holy Spirit is another form of quenching; we should actively "fan into flame" these gifts (1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:6).

Suppressing Emotions: Quenching the Spirit may also involve withholding emotional expressions, such as singing and worship, which are encouraged as signs of spiritual fullness (Ephesians 5:18-19).

Resisting Spiritual Fruit: Resisting the manifestation of the Spirit’s fruits in our behavior, and not embodying kindness and grace, equates to grieving the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).

We quench the Spirit whenever we create an inviolable and sanctimonious structure in our corporate gatherings and worship services, and in our small groups, that does not permit spontaneity or the special leading of the Spirit.
Twice — in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 — Paul refers to “spiritual songs,” most likely to differentiate between songs that are previously composed (“psalms” and “hymns”) as over against those that are spontaneously evoked by the Spirit Himself.

We quench the Spirit whenever we suppress, or legislate against, or instill fear in the hearts of people regarding the legitimate experience of heartfelt emotions and affections in worship.
I find it instructive that Christ Jesus, as He extolled the Father, is described as rejoicing “in the Holy Spirit” (Luke 10:21).

Affections for God such as joy, peace, love, zeal, desire, and reverential fear are an essential dimension in Christ Jesus-exalting worship. How often do we orchestrate our corporate gatherings and issue strict guidelines as to what is “proper” in times of worship and in doing so inadvertently quench the Spirit in people’s lives?

There's a lot more to say, however I believe by now, we already have an idea of various ways that we unconsciously quench the Holy Spirit.
May God help us to always rever the Holy Spirit, the third Person in the Fullness of the Godhead!
Amen!

EVEN IN A DEVIL MESSED UP WORLD, CHRIST JESUS EXPECTS US TO BE CLEAN! (ROM.2:1)

ON QUENCHING THE HOLY SPIRIT! (1THESS. 5:19)

There's no hope or way of living a practical Christlike life,MOST ESPECIALLY NOW,in a world broken down by sin,a world where the devil is king...therefore...

Quench not the Spirit. (1Th 5: 19)

To begin with, it's very sad and pitiful, for those who say the Old Testament is obsolete and relegated to the background. I have every to say that,these people are not true believers,*FOR A TRUE BELIEVER CAN NEVER SAY THAT GOD'S WORD IS OBSOLETE...IT ISN'T JUST POSSIBLE*

In the Old Testament,God operated as *God the Father.* And in the Gospels, the beginning of the New Testament, God operated as *God the Son*(Immanuel...Jn.1:1-5).
Then after the work of fulfilling the Law and His finishing the Work of Redemption,God began to operate as *God the Holy Spirit), right from the Book of Acts till date.
16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (Joh 14: 16-17)

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (Joh 14: 26)

Back to our subject;

If the apostle Paul himself had not warned us about quenching the Spirit, who among us would have thought it was possible or suggest that the omnipotent Spirit of God could ever be quenched,(1Thess.5:19), and thus restricted in what He might do otherwise in our lives, and in the life of the local church, is to tread on thin theological ice.

The Spirit obviously desires to work in our lives and in our churches. The Spirit is like a fire whose flame we want to be careful not to quench or extinguish. The Holy Spirit wants to intensify the heat of His presence among us, to inflame our hearts and fill us with the warmth of His indwelling power.

And Paul’s exhortation is a warning to all of us lest we become part of the contemporary bucket brigade that stands ready to douse His activity with the water of legalism, fear, and a flawed theology that, without biblical warrant, claims that His gifts have ceased and been withdrawn,in much the say way some of us have written off the Old Testament and even the LORD'S PRAYER(MOTHER OF ALL PRAYERS),which is even in the New Testament.

However, we must remind ourselves of the Sovereignty of God. While humans can resist the Holy Spirit, it doesn’t mean they have ultimate control over Him; God retains Sovereignty and can intervene whenever He wishes. The Holy Spirit is a part of the Fullness of God. Let's examine some ways we can quench the activities of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

We quench the Holy Spirit when we rely decisively on any resource other than the Holy Spirit for anything we do in life and ministry.
Any attempt to conjure up *hope* apart from that power which is the Spirit (Romans 15:13) is to quench Him, as well as any effort to persevere in ministry and remain patient with joy by any other means than the Spirit (Colossians 1:11). Any effort to carry out pastoral ministry other than through *His energy that He powerfully works within me* (Colossians 1:29) is to quench the Spirit. Any attempt to resolve to carry out some good work of faith through a *power* other than the Spirit is to quench Him (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

Despising Spiritual Gifts: Quenching the Spirit can manifest as contempt towards spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of prophecy, which should instead be tested and embraced (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21).

Neglecting Our Gifts: Failing to utilize and nurture the gifts bestowed upon us by the Holy Spirit is another form of quenching; we should actively "fan into flame" these gifts (1 Timothy 4:14, 2 Timothy 1:6).

Suppressing Emotions: Quenching the Spirit may also involve withholding emotional expressions, such as singing and worship, which are encouraged as signs of spiritual fullness (Ephesians 5:18-19).

Resisting Spiritual Fruit: Resisting the manifestation of the Spirit’s fruits in our behavior, and not embodying kindness and grace, equates to grieving the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).

We quench the Spirit whenever we create an inviolable and sanctimonious structure in our corporate gatherings and worship services, and in our small groups, that does not permit spontaneity or the special leading of the Spirit.
Twice — in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 — Paul refers to “spiritual songs,” most likely to differentiate between songs that are previously composed (“psalms” and “hymns”) as over against those that are spontaneously evoked by the Spirit Himself.

We quench the Spirit whenever we suppress, or legislate against, or instill fear in the hearts of people regarding the legitimate experience of heartfelt emotions and affections in worship.
I find it instructive that Christ Jesus, as He extolled the Father, is described as rejoicing “in the Holy Spirit” (Luke 10:21).

Affections for God such as joy, peace, love, zeal, desire, and reverential fear are an essential dimension in Christ Jesus-exalting worship. How often do we orchestrate our corporate gatherings and issue strict guidelines as to what is “proper” in times of worship and in doing so inadvertently quench the Spirit in people’s lives?

There's a lot more to say, however I believe by now, we already have an idea of various ways that we unconsciously quench the Holy Spirit.
May God help us to always rever the Holy Spirit, the third Person in the Fullness of the Godhead!
Amen!

I KINGS CHAPTER 5

SOLOMON'S EMPIRE

Abraham had been a truly international figure, having traveled throughout the "Fertile Crescent" from Babylon to Aram Naharayim, throughout the Land of Israel and down into Egypt. Jacob too traveled to Aram and to Egypt. However, since the time of the entry of the Israelites into their Land, their main preoccupation had been to battle against their immediate neighbors – the Canaanites, Philistines, Moabites and Ammonites – in order to maintain their hold over the Promised Land.

It was through the victories of David over all Israel's enemies that an entirely new international vista opened up in the time of Solomon, whose "empire" or "sphere of influence" extended over the entire swathe of territory promised to Abraham "from the river of Egypt to the Great river, the Euphrates" (Genesis 15:18; cf. I Kings 5:1 & 3).

Our text evokes Solomon's opulent royal lifestyle (vv 2-3) including his ownership of multiple thousands of horses (v 6), which despite being prohibited to the king by the Torah (Deut. 17:16) remain a mark of royalty until today. While the various nations that comprised Solomon's empire paid taxes and gifts, this was not an exploitative colonial empire or one that kept its grip through military force alone. For "he had PEACE on all sides around" (v 4) – a situation that modern Israel can only envy, having experienced no peace for a single moment since the inception of the state and for years and years before it.

Our text testifies that the very key to Solomon's influence over this great area of territory as well as over the neighboring foreign powers lay in his unique, God-given WISDOM, which "exceeded the wisdom of all the children of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. And he was wiser than every man (ADAM), than Eitan the Ezrahi and Heyman and Khulkol and Darda the sons of Mahol…" While the simple explanation is that these last names are those of the leading Levite Temple singers of the time, the Midrash identifies "every man" with ADAM, Eitan with Abraham, Heyman with Moses, Khulkol with Joseph and Darda with the Generation of the Wilderness (DOR DE'AH, "generation of KNOWLEDGE), who were "children of forgiveness" (MEHILA).

Most of the narrative in the book of Kings portrays Solomon and his achievements from the outside, but his true wisdom shines forth in his surviving literary creations alluded to in verse 12: Proverbs, Song of Songs and Koheles (=Ecclesiastes). Most translations render ALAPHIM and ELEPH in this verse as "thousand(s)", but Rashi relates them to the same root as in ULPAN meaning "education": the verse thus speaks of three EDUCATIONAL ORDERS of Proverbs (the expression MISHLEY SHLOMO appears three times in the book of Proverbs); these, together with Song of Songs and Koheles constitute the FIVE orders of Solomon's "song". According to the simple meaning of ELEPH as 1,000, Rashi brings the Midrash that Solomon taught three thousand parables on every single verse of the Torah and gave 1,005 explanations of each parable (see Rashi on vv 11-12). "He spoke about the trees from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop that comes out of the wall" (before God, the highest and the lowest are equal, Bamidbar Rabba 13). According to Rashi this verse means that not only did Solomon understand the healing properties of all the different trees and plants and exactly how to cultivate them, but that he also explained why the purification of the leper involves the cedar and the hyssop (Lev. 14:4). "He spoke about the animals and birds and creeping creatures and fish…" (v 13): not only did he understand all their different qualities, but also why the SHECHITAH of animals requires the cutting of both the windpipe and the gullet, while that of birds requires the cutting of only one, and why locusts and fish do not require SHECHITAH at all… (Rashi on v 14).

HIRAM KING OF TYRE

The tragic history of modern Lebanon has overshadowed the one-time greatness of this very beautiful country with its once very extensive forests. While Sidon was established by the firstborn son of Canaan (Gen. 10:15), the city of Tyre to its south was an immensely powerful city state built up by the Phoenicians, whose prosperity was founded on the magnificent tall trees out of which they built the ships they used to develop a trade empire throughout the Mediterranean area and beyond.

While Hiram king of Tyre is a legendary figure (particularly in the lore of freemasonry, where he is seen as the "father" of the Temple), Ibn Ezra (on Genesis 41:10) views Hiram as the generic name of all the kings of Tyre just as Pharaoh was the generic name of all the kings of Egypt. In later Biblical times Tyre saw Jerusalem as a dangerous rival and hoped to benefit from its destruction (cf. Ezekiel 26:2, "I shall be filled from her destruction"), but the Hiram who befriended King David and King Solomon was – from the testimony of our text – a believer in the One God who (unlike the nations of today) REJOICED when he heard that Solomon wanted to build Him a Temple in Jerusalem (v 20).

Hiram struck a Covenant with Solomon (v 26) inaugurating the first ever venture in international cooperation to build God's Temple. Hiram provided the timber and stone that were the building materials for the Temple in return for very ample supplies of choice wheat and olive oil that were the specialty of Israel. The lumber was tied up to form rafts that were floated down the Mediterranean from the coast of Lebanon to the point nearest to Jerusalem on the Israeli coast. From there it was transported by land to the site of the Temple. The 70,000 "porters" and 80,000 "excavators" who extracted and transported the massive stones for the Temple were GERIM GERURIM – would-be converts who were not admitted into the Assembly of Israel (as no full converts were accepted in the time of Solomon, see commentary on I Kings ch 3) but were nevertheless allowed to participate in the enterprise of building of God's House of Prayer for all the Nations.

CHAPTER 6

The building of the Temple commenced in the fourth year of Solomon's reign, 480 years after the Exodus from Egypt and 440 years after the people's entry into the Land. The actualization of this project to join Heaven and Earth took a total of seven years (vv 37-8).

In his work on the "Secrets of the Future Temple" (Mishkeney Elyon) the outstanding 18th century Kabbalistic sage R. Moshe Hayyim Luzzatto explains that creation has two roots: the "revealed root" of HOKHMAH ("wisdom") and the "concealed" root of KETER ("the crown"). The two roots are alluded to in the first letter of the first word of the Torah, the Beis (=2) of Bereishis, "In the beginning".

"Know too that the sin of Adam spoiled everything and caused all perfection to become concealed, with the result that the world was not even able to return to its previous state [i.e. the level of Wisdom] except in the days of Solomon, when the Temple was first built. Thus it is written: 'And God gave wisdom to Solomon' (I Kings 5:26). For then Wisdom was revealed in all its beauty and radiant glory, enabling all the lights to shine with great strength and joy. In those days, on every level in all the worlds there was only holy power and delight the like of which had never been seen. Even so, because everything was based only on Wisdom and did not reach the ultimate goal [of Keter], this peace and tranquility came to an end and the Temple was destroyed. But in time to come, when the hidden beginning I mentioned [Keter] is revealed, the happiness will be far, far greater, and it will never cease" (Ramchal, Secrets of the Future Temple).

Although Ramchal's work – which explains in detail the "sacred geometry" that underlies the design of the Temple – is primarily concerned with the FUTURE Temple as depicted by Ezekiel (chs 40ff), the principles on which it is based apply also to the Temple of Solomon, all of whose chambers, walls, gates and courtyards in all their various dimensions allude to and EMBODY IN STONE the various divine attributes as they relate to one another.

Besides the information about Solomon's Temple contained in our text, we have detailed supplementary information in Maseches MIDDOS, the Mishnaic Tractate of "Measurements", which deals with the design of the Second Temple, which was mostly modeled on the first. The rabbinic commentators wrote entire treatises about the structure of the Temple.

The Temple had very distinctive features, such as its windows, which were "wide open from the outside but closed and narrow on the inside" (v 4). This was because the Temple had no need for the light from the outside, since it was lit from within (both by the Candelabra and by the spiritual light that shined in it): on the contrary, light emanated FROM the Temple windows OUTWARDS.

Another distinctive feature was that as the very center of world peace, the Temple was a place where it was not fitting for the sound of metal hammers and axes to be heard (v 7) since metal is the material of weapons of war. All the stones were cut and dressed outside the Temple, and Solomon also miraculously found the Shamir worm, which would silently eat its way across a stone so as to split it just as it had cut the stones of the gems in the High Priest's breastplate in the days of Moses. (This is not a worm that is easy to find; Sotah 48b, Gittin 68a).

Most distinctive of all was that the survival of the Temple was entirely conditional upon Israel's keeping the Torah, as God promised to Solomon (vv 11-13): "If you go in My statutes and carry out My laws… I shall dwell amongst the Children of Israel and I will not abandon My people Israel."

The main Temple building, a structure of 60 x 20 cubits (on the inside) was divided into two unequal parts: the HEIKHAL (40 x 20) containing the Menorahs (Candelabra) Show-bread Tables and Incense Altar, and within, the Holy of Holies (20 x 20) containing the Ark of the Covenant with the wooden figures of two Cherubs overlaid with gold standing with their wings outstretched over it and filling the entire inner chamber. Across the entire front of the HEIKHAL stood the OULAM ("Vestibule").

Around the walls surrounding the Heikhal and Holy of Holies on three sides were a series of cells banked up in three stories one on top of the other. These cells may have been used to store the Temple treasures. Esoterically, they allowed the SHEFA (divine influence) emanating from within the Temple to be concentrated intensely prior to its flowing outwards to nourish the outside world.

The ceiling and roof of the Temple were made of wood, and its stone walls were entirely paneled with wood from top to bottom. The wood (which alludes to the TREE of life) was carved with the forms of cherubs, palms, garlands and flowers. All the walls and all the carvings were overlaid with gold, as was the ceiling and the floor, the effect of which must have been absolutely stunning.

Through God's providence, we have reached the description of the building of Solomon's Temple just as we are celebrating the festival of Chanukah in commemoration of God's miracles for Israel in the Second Temple. In the merit of our studies, may He quickly bring peace to our troubled world and speedily build the Temple we are now awaiting, from which the love and fear of God will spread forth to all the world.

It is undeniable that in the space of a year, the strategic landscape of the Middle East has changed dramatically to Israel’s advantage in a way that few could have imagined prior to the October 7 Hamas invasion. This many-fronted war is far from over. If Iran has been left exposed and embarrassed, there is the danger that she will take desperate steps like a cornered mother-cat. Hamas and Hezbollah may have been subdued, but the fanatics who make up their rank and file are far from being de-radicalized, and the same is true of like-minded terrorists and their masses of supporters across the Middle East and throughout the world. Radical Islamic terror remains a threat everywhere.

"He removes kings and installs kings"
What we may learn from the rapid downfall of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Assad tyranny, is that even when the forces of evil seem strongest and most powerfully entrenched, G-d Almighty, the Lord of Hosts, has the power to orchestrate His "hosts" and "legions", including all the many different and opposing forces on His global chessboard, to bring them down. For, "He changes times and seasons, removes kings and installs kings; He gives the wise their wisdom and knowledge to those who know" (Daniel 2:21).

It is incumbent on all Jews, Israelis and all our friends and allies everywhere, to understand that it is ultimately G-d alone who granted success and blessed the efforts of all the courageous soldiers who put their lives on the line in order to defend us in Gaza, Lebanon, in the skies of Syria and Iran, and in other locations across the world.
This Chanukah, let us remember G-d’s kindnesses and mercies to us when we gaze upon the lights of the Menorah, when we meditate on His great miracles for the Maccabees during the recital of Al Hanissim in the Amidah prayers and in the Grace after Meals, and when we sing His praises in the daily recital of the full Hallel (Psalms 113-118) on each of the eight days of the festival.

A second Trump presidency
Another miracle for which giving thanks at this time may well be appropriate is the election of President Donald Trump to a second presidency, which averted what seemed like a serious threat of four more years of radical, woke, Marxist-leaning misgovernment in the United States under a brainless, string-puppet figurehead controlled by ex-president Barack Obama.

Many hope that President Trump will take serious action to clean up the corrupt Washington "swamp", boost the US economy, deport millions of illegal aliens who have greatly increased crime, drug abuse and sex-trafficking across the country, and put an end to global wars. However, it remains an open question as to what extent he will be able to deliver on his promises in face of the massive opposition that is likely to arise domestically and internationally as soon as he takes office, including some that may come from quite unexpected directions.

The "Abraham Accords"
It does seem likely that the incoming Trump administration will show stronger support for further forceful action by Israel against her enemies, while simultaneously promoting the resumption of the "Abraham Accords", suspended under President Joe Biden, which are intended to induce Saudi Arabia and other supposedly "moderate" Moslem states to give full diplomatic recognition to Israel so as to open the way for greater economic cooperation for the mutual benefit of all.

It will indeed be entirely miraculous if the Abraham Accords can succeed in quelling the brand of extreme radicalism espoused today by millions of self-avowed Moslems across the globe, who are bent on intimidating and terrorizing people everywhere into submission, threatening death to all who refuse. Will the Saudis, who greatly profit from hosting Islam’s holiest site, succeed in persuading their fellow Moslems that true religion is not about violence and coercion but about persuading humanity to join together in seeking the Truth, submitting to the One God and carrying out His Will?

Can the Saudis be brought to officially acknowledge Mount Moriah as the site of the destined Future Temple in Jerusalem as prophesied by the prophets of Israel? If Donald Trump and Elon Musk will categorically declare that the ultimate goal of all Middle East diplomacy is to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, that in itself will be an astounding miracle, comparable to King Cyrus’ giving the green light for the building of the Second Temple (Ezra 1:2). Someone please get the message to them!

The Turkey factor
The present-day republic of Türkiye extends over vast areas of Anatolia and Western Asia that in Biblical times made up Ashur, the Assyrian empire. Indeed, Turkey’s current leader, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, shows signs of being no less of a megalomaniac than Sennacherib, king of Ashur, who laid siege to Jerusalem in the time of King Hezekiah until his miraculous defeat.

Erdoğan probably prefers we forget the time when a horse he was trying to mount threw him and gave him a mighty kick in the crotch, but it’s preserved on video. In his latest rant last week, Erdoğan said: "Turkey is far greater than its 782,000 square kilometers. Those questioning our presence in Syria, Libya or Somalia fail to grasp our vision." In other words, Turkey reserves the right to burst its way far beyond its current borders in order to resurrect the Ottoman Empire. Do we say good luck with that? Despite getting knackered in the crotch, the unhumbled Erdoğan fails to see any contradiction between his expansionist imperial visions and his unceasing accusations against Israel for the "illegal occupation" of Palestine, Gaza, Lebanon and Syria.

The greatest irony is that biblical prophecy points in the opposite direction to Erdoğan’s vision of "Greater Turkey", because it is precisely "little Israel", which all the nations of the world seek to push back behind the pre-1967 borders if not into the sea, which is ultimately destined to expand and encompass all of present-day Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, stretching "from the river to the river" — from the Nile to the Euphrates — as clearly laid down in Genesis 15:18-21, Numbers chapter 34 and Ezekiel 47:15-20. Under the final settlement, Israel’s Mediterranean border will extend to Hor Hahar, the mountain spur jutting into the sea aside modern-day Antiki (=ancient Antioch), well inside present-day Türkiye!

Greater Israel — for what?
The question we must clarify is: For what purpose do we seek the Greater Israel?
After Israel’s miraculous victory over Egypt, Syria and Jordan in 1967, when she recovered the biblical heartland of Israel, Judea and Samaria, the Golan Heights, Gaza and the Sinai desert, all in the space of six days, the Israeli far left simply did not know what to do with the conquered territories and just wanted to "give them back" as quickly as possible in exchange for "peace".

Thus after the reconquest of East Jerusalem, Israeli General Moshe Dayan immediately returned the keys of the Temple Mount into the hands of the Moslem Wafk police, since he clearly could not, or did not want to conceive of a Jewish Temple on the site. That would have obliged him to turn around his entire secular lifestyle and philosophy. Likewise, Israel’s far left campaigned unremittingly to "give back" the territories, until they jumped onto the accursed 1993 Oslo-Assla "Peace Process" nightmare that plagues us until today with the slogan: "YeShA (Yehuda-Judah, Shomron-Samaria & ‘Aza-Gaza) First".

Immediately after the Six Day War, many believers saw clearly the hand of G-d in Israel’s stunning accomplishments against all the odds. However, the cynical, increasingly decadent Israeli left shared neither their faith nor their vision of the return to the territories as a step towards the restored Greater Israel. On the contrary, the Israeli left with their backers among the western powers, were determined to uproot the Greater Israel vision and made every effort to crush and demoralize the many Israelis who cherished it. Successive Israeli governments bowed repeatedly to pressures from Washington to show "restraint" in face of painful provocations by her enemies.

If the same constant kowtowing by Israeli Jews to foreign pressure had existed in the years of the British Mandate (1917-48), Israel would never have attained her independence. It was the spirit of fierce Jewish nationalism that breathed in the souls of the pioneers and the Jewish military bands who fought against the Arab armies in the War of Independence that brought the Independent State of Israel into being.

The Israeli Fighting Spirit
This spirit of courageous Jewish nationalism shone in every word of Israel Prime Minister Menahem Begin’s famous retort to then-Senator Joe Biden in 1982 when he threatened to withhold US aid to Israel: "Don’t threaten us with cutting off your aid. It will not work. I am not a Jew with trembling knees. I am a proud Jew with 3,700 years of civilized history. Nobody came to our aid when we were dying in the gas chambers and ovens. Nobody came to our aid when we were striving to create our country. We paid for it. We fought for it. We died for it. We will stand by our principles. We will defend them. And, when necessary, we will die for them again, with or without your aid."

It was heartening to sense a return of this fighting spirit — the spirit of Judah and the Maccabees — in current Israel Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the same Joe Biden, now old and hoary, in the present war, openly defying his demands not to take the Gaza war into Rafah, not to enter Lebanon, etc. etc. In every case, following Biden’s dictates would have been a catastrophic capitulation to Israel’s enemies, while Israel’s successes came precisely from going against them.

Let us understand that the new Middle East landscape, replete as it with possible dangers to Israel and ripple-effect repercussions for Jews and our allies all over the world, nevertheless presents us with entirely new opportunities for advancing the prophetic vision of Greater Israel. It may be that the hand of G-d has been relatively concealed within Israel’s military successes against her enemies, yet without His help, all the courage of our fighters and the brilliance of our intelligence officers could not have succeeded.

We should be buoyed by the downfall of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Assad dictatorship, and the likely impending destruction of the Iranian regime. We must have faith that they came about through G-d’s redemptive kindness to Israel, that He is with us, and that He is leading us forward to the realization of the dreams of His servants the prophets.
Yes, Israel needs to survive in a global jungle of wild beasts, and we have no option but to defend ourselves with a disciplined army and top-grade armaments. Yes, Israel is the holy land, birthplace of Abrahamic faith, a pluralistic society that gives religious freedom to Jews, Christians, Moslems, Bahai, agnostics, atheists… We do not seek to force people to observe Shabbat, eat kosher, pray…

But those who know that the Land is promised to Israel under the terms of G-d’s Covenant — the Holy Torah — must strengthen our own observance and devotion, now more than ever, through the joy of seeing that G-d is truly with us. We must do everything in our power to promote the knowledge of the prophetic vision of a land properly policed, free of terror, murder, robbery, immorality, corruption and injustice, a land that will shine spiritual knowledge and the love of G-d to all the world, with Torah education for all Jews, Torah Academies for the nations, facilities for priests and Levites and their livelihood, and a rebuilt, functioning Temple.