Emmanuel Okoro (aka MrLift)

A Jealous Eye Jealousy becomes dangerous when you stop noticing what you have because you cannot stop watching what someone else has. Scripture “So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.” — 1 Samuel 18:9 (NLT) Explanation It is one thing to feel jealous; it is another to keep a jealous eye on someone. The first may be a passing feeling, but the second is a decision to keep feeding that feeling until it begins to control your actions. That was Saul’s problem. After hearing the women celebrate David’s greater victories, Saul became obsessed with him. His jealousy soon turned into an attempt to kill David. “The next day an ugly mood was sent by God to afflict Saul, who became quite beside himself, raving. David played his harp, as he usually did at such times. Saul had a spear in his hand. Suddenly Saul threw the spear, thinking, ‘I’ll nail David to the wall.’ David ducked, and the spear missed. This happened twice.” (1 Samuel 18:10–11, MSG) Saul allowed jealousy ...

Watch Your Thoughts You may not be able to stop a thought from knocking, but you can decide whether to let it settle in and take control. Scripture “Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. ‘They have credited David with tens of thousands,’ he thought, ‘but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?’”(1 Samuel 18:8 NIV) Explanation Still waters run deep. What people see on the outside may be very different from what is happening on the inside. Saul appeared pleased with David’s achievements, but beneath the surface, jealousy and envy were taking root. He kept comparing David’s praise with his own, until his thoughts turned dark. Eventually, he tried to kill David with a spear and sent him into dangerous battles, hoping his rival would die. It all began with a thought Saul failed to control. An unchecked thought can become an unhealthy attitude, and an unhealthy attitude can produce destructive actions. No wonder Paul instructs us to take every though...

Behave Yourself Your behaviour may be the very thing standing between you and your next level. Scripture “And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.” (1 Samuel 18:5 KJV) Explanation David’s wise behaviour opened doors to responsibility, acceptance, and promotion. Behaviour is a skill that can be learned, and God’s Word teaches us how to develop it. The fruit of the Spirit provides a godly code of conduct. These qualities are not produced by human effort alone but become evident as we yield to the Holy Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit are like fruits contained in a seed. When you are born again, the Holy Spirit begins His work in you, and as you yield to Him, His character becomes evident in your daily life. Your attitudes may be hidden, but your behaviour is visible. It is not enough to have the right heart;...

Find Your Compelling Reason One compelling reason can silence a thousand excuses! Scripture “And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?” (1 Samuel 17:29 KJV) Explanation Most people don't fail because they lack a vision; they fail because they lack a compelling reason to pursue it. That's why people talk about finding your why . When your reason is strong enough, you'll find the courage to figure out the how and the what. David demonstrated this when he arrived at the battlefield. His eldest brother, Eliab, had a thousand reasons why he shouldn't be there. But David had just one compelling reason why he must be there. He asked, “Is there not a cause?” David had found something worth standing for, something bigger than himself. He would not allow his brother's accusation or anyone else's opinion to distract him from it. He knew there was a cause worth pursuing, and he was determined not to abandon it. When you discover your Go...

What’s Your Poison? The choices you make today may be preparing the way for your replacement tomorrow. Scripture “David came to Saul and stood before him. Saul liked him immediately and made him his right-hand man.” — 1 Samuel 16:21 Explanation Imagine how Saul would have reacted if he knew that the young man he was welcoming into his palace would one day take his place on the throne! When an evil spirit troubled Saul, his advisers recommended finding someone who could play the harp to soothe him. David was recommended, brought before Saul, and immediately won his favour. Saul liked him so much that he made him his armour-bearer. Unknown to Saul, God was positioning David for the throne. What looked like an ordinary appointment was part of a much bigger story. We can look at this from two perspectives. First, God was bringing David into the palace, giving him opportunities to learn, serve, and prepare for his future assignment. Second, Saul was unknowingly promoting the ver...

May Someone Speak Up for You Your gift may open a door, but someone may need to speak up for you to walk through it. Scripture "One of the young men spoke up, 'I know someone. I've seen him myself: the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, an excellent musician. He's also courageous, of age, well-spoken, and good-looking. And GOD is with him.'" (1 Samuel 16:18, MSG) Explanation David had been anointed king, but he still needed someone to recommend him to King Saul. Fortunately, a young man who knew David spoke up for him and presented him as someone qualified for the assignment. Joseph had the gift of interpreting dreams, but he also needed the chief cupbearer to remember him and recommend him to Pharaoh (Genesis 41:9–14). Sometimes, your gift gets you ready for an opportunity, but someone else's recommendation helps you get the opportunity. Notice that David was not recommended merely because he was anointed. He was an excellent musician, courage...