Author: Victor Obeng-Mensah

One definition of the word charmed is a quality that makes something attractive or likable. As Christians, there are many things the devil uses to charm us and draw us away from God. In the days of Ezekiel, the children of Israel were charmed to desert God. I want us to examine what charmed them so we can avoid the same mistakes. “She doted upon the Assyrians, her neighbors, captains, and rulers clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men. Then I saw that she was defiled, that they took both one way” Ezekiel 23:12-13 Israel loved or doted upon certain people. These people typify what can draw us away from God and I want us to examine them one by one. “The Assyrians her neighbors” This represents wrong associations. The Assyrians were Israel’s neighbors and friends. When you fellowship with unbelievers, that association can draw you away from God. “Captains and rulers” This represents the fear of man. It also represents people of power and privilege. You can betray your Christian principles to gain favor in the sight of influential people. “Rulers clothed most gorgeous” This represents the love of money. The attraction of wealth, money and the finer things of this life can lead you to compromise. “Desirable young men” This represents physical beauty. It’s a mistake to place beauty and physical looks above biblical principles....

One of the things we all have to do is to manage multiple relationships with different people: those in the office, at home, in school, in business etc. They may all look as friends but we must be able to differentiate who is who. This is not to separate good friends from bad friends but to know what to expect from each relationship. David as king was surrounded by many people like many rich and powerful people are. 1 Chronicles 27:33 reads “And Ahithophel was the king’s counsellor: and Hushai the Archite was the king’s companion:” Ahitophel was his counselor; he relied on his wisdom to rule the nation and to win battles. He was more of technical support to David. Hushai, on the other hand, was his friend. He may not have been financially profitable or intelligent as Ahitophel but David still kept him by his side as a friend. Everyone needs a friend; someone with whom you can be yourself; relax and not be afraid. That one alone is a therapy which money cannot buy. Friends are for adversity; when you have become a liability, poor, sick or vulnerable. They may seem unimportant in good times but they will be your crutch in hard times. The importance of Hushai was revealed when David was vulnerable and almost lost his throne. Ahitophel rather exploited the situation and fought...

“For all flesh [is] as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” 1 Peter 1:24-25 The word “longevity” means to last for a long time. Many dream of a long blissful marriage, career or Christian life. What can we do to experience longevity in a business or relationship? There are three things we must know about longevity. First, everything born of the flesh or initiated solely by the mind, emotions or body is like grass. It is transient and withers away. A marriage based only on sexual passion will die as beauty fades with age. Second, everything done for the glory or praise of man will fall or not last, because circumstances and people change. Third, the only thing that does not change is the principles of God’s Word. It endures forever! Learn God’s Word; apply it and enjoy longevity in every area of your life! Kakra...