Emmanuel Okoro (aka MrLift)

Quiet, Listen, Obey " Moses and the Levitical priests addressed all Israel: Quiet. Listen obediently, Israel. This very day you have become the people of GOD, your God.” ( Deut. 27:9 ) We live in a world overflowing with noise—voices, opinions, distractions, and endless activity. In all this chaos, the admonition of this verse rings true today more than ever. Many no longer hear God clearly, not because He isn’t speaking, but because we are hardly quiet enough to listen. If we do not become still, we cannot truly hear His voice. Moses begins with a simple instruction: Be quiet. It echoes the prophetic voice of Isaiah: “For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength…” ( Isaiah 30:15 ) There is divine strength in quietness. As the psalmist puts it, “Be still and know that I am God.” Stillness creates room for clarity, strength, and spiritual sensitivity. Then Moses says, Li...

Leader’s Leader “Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people: Keep every commandment that I command you today.” — Deuteronomy 27:1 Moses was an exceptional leader—one who stood far above most leaders in Scripture. In many ways, Moses was to the Old Testament what Jesus is to the New. Among human leaders, he remains one of the most remarkable. Our passage tells us that Moses commanded the leaders of Israel . This already shows his stature: he was a leader of leaders. While he led the leaders, the leaders led the people—and this divine order contributed to the greatness and stability of Israel. We see this clearly in Exodus, where he delegated authority to capable men over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. He understood structure and embraced shared responsibility. He also lived deeply in God’s presence—so much that his face once shone from the glory of God. Scripture calls him the meekest man on earth . He built according to the pattern God revealed, showing vision a...

God Reaffirmed You as a Dearly Held Treasure "And today GOD has reaffirmed that you are dearly held treasure just as he promised, a people entrusted with keeping his commandments," (Deut. 26:18) Can you hear what God is saying about you? If He could declare this about the Old Covenant believers, how much more those of us who live under the New Covenant—redeemed by the blood of His Son? God has reaffirmed that you are His dearly held treasure . You matter deeply to God. You are not a number or a random statistic. God knows your name, He knows your dwelling, and He even knows the number of hairs on your head. You are seen, known, and cherished. With this understanding, passages like Romans 8:32 take on new depth and meaning: "If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us?" (Rom. 8:32) That is ho...

Bring Words “And then, in the presence of GOD, your God, say this: I have brought the sacred share; I’ve given it to the Levite, the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow. What you commanded, I’ve done. I haven’t detoured around your commands; I haven’t forgotten a single one.” — Deuteronomy 26:13 Words carry power. They can lift a soul or crush a spirit. The words we speak and the words we embrace shape our lives more profoundly than we often realize. Scripture consistently teaches that when we come before God, we must come with words—intentional, sincere, truth-filled words. Hosea instructs: “Take with you words, and turn to the LORD…” (Hos. 14:2). Jesus reinforces this principle: “When you pray, say…” (Luke 11:2). And He goes even further in John 15:7, showing us that effective prayer flows from a heart soaked in God’s Word: “If My words abide in you… ask what you will, and it shall be done.” Our passage in Deuteronomy reveals the same pattern. Israel was commanded to say som...

If You Say You Will Do It, Then Do It “If you say you're going to do something, do it. Keep the vow you willingly vowed to God, your God. You promised it, so do it.” — Deuteronomy 23:23 One of the things that unsettles me the most is when people go back on their word. It leaves a bitter taste, and I know I’m not alone—no one enjoys being disappointed by broken promises. The truth is, God also takes our words seriously. Our text is clear: If you say you’re going to do something, do it. There will always be reasons—sometimes even valid ones—tempting you to pull back. Life happens, circumstances shift, and unexpected challenges arise. But even so, you should not become known as someone whose words carry no weight. People can tell when something is genuinely beyond your control. And when that happens, the honourable thing is to communicate openly rather than silently abandoning your commitment. Most of us try our best to keep our word to others, but the hardest promises to keep ...

Your Duty to Help “You shall not see your brother’s ox or his sheep being driven away or stolen, and hide yourself from [your duty to help] them; you shall surely take them back to your brother.” — Deuteronomy 22:1 (AMP) The mindset of “What’s in it for me?” has become so common that we sometimes forget the place of compassion, community, and God in our daily interactions. Self-interest often takes centre stage, pushing genuine care and selfless service to the margins. But Scripture reminds us that we have a duty to help . If you see your neighbour’s ox or sheep being taken, you must help. If you see a neighbour’s child going astray, you must help. If you notice your neighbour in need, you must help. Today, many would simply look away, pretending not to have seen anything. Yet God calls us to a higher standard. Paul reinforces this: “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” — Galatians 6:2 . And what is the law of Christ? Love. Jesus said, “By this shal...

When a Man Has Two Wives "When a man has two wives, one loved and the other hated, and they both give him sons, but the firstborn is from the hated wife." (Deut.21:15) Many have asked, “Is it really wrong to marry two wives? Did the Bible forbid it? Can a polygamous man make heaven?” Some argue that several biblical figures—Abraham, Jacob, David, Solomon—had multiple wives. Others reason that since the instruction about being “the husband of one wife” was given to bishops and deacons (1 Tim. 3:2, 12), a regular man is exempt. But our text gives insight: “When a man has two wives, one loved, the other hated.” That single line reveals the burden of polygamy. Just as no man can serve two masters, no man can divide his affection equally. One will be elevated, another neglected. Jesus reminded us that “in the beginning it was not so.” God’s ideal has always been one man, one woman—a union reflecting Christ and His Church (Eph. 5:32). Brief Reflection God’s design for marr...

Prisoner’s Garba “And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife.” ( Deuteronomy 21:13 KJV) The saying, “You are addressed the way you dress,” comes alive in this passage. Scripture shows us that certain garments carry meaning—garments can identify a person’s condition, their past, or even their bondage. In this verse, the woman is instructed to remove the raiment of her captivity —the clothing that marked her as a prisoner. Her change of garment symbolized a change of identity. Throughout Scripture, we see this theme echoed: The harlot’s attire in Proverbs 7:10 marks a life lacking discretion. Joshua the high priest stands before the angel clothed in filthy garments until they are removed and replaced with clean clothes—an image of sin being taken away (Zechariah 3:4). Blind Bartimaeus threw...

Captive Desire "And you see among the captives a beautiful woman and desire her, that you may have her as your wife." (Deut. 21:11 AMP) If you do not master your desires, your desires will master you—and eventually take you captive. It is striking that a free man, a soldier, would desire a woman who is herself in captivity. Were there no beautiful women among the free? This scene echoes the story of Samson, who set his heart on a woman from a people God forbade him to marry. Was Samson taking his desire captive, or was his desire taking him captive? Scripture teaches us to bring every thought into obedience to Christ. “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5 KJV) Like soldiers of Christ, we must guard our hearts. Any thought that rises against the knowledge of God must be arrested and made to submit to Christ. If we fail to take...

Beauty in Captivity "And you see among the captives a beautiful woman and desire her, that you may have her as your wife." (Deut. 21:11 AMP) This verse paints a striking picture: a woman of remarkable beauty—what we might call “wife material”—yet she is found in captivity. Her beauty is undeniable, but her situation is limiting. This is beauty in captivity . It becomes a metaphor for many lives today. Often, the most beautiful things meant to bless us—our gifts, dreams, opportunities, potentials—seem trapped. They exist, but they cannot fully express themselves. We see the possibility, but not the manifestation. This mirrors the story in Acts 3 of the lame man laid daily at the Gate Beautiful . The gate was beautiful, but his life was not. He sat at the threshold of promise but could not enter. He was close to progress, yet unable to step into it—a picture of the near-success syndrome many people battle with. But the turning point came when Peter applied the only solu...

Until It Falls “The exception can be those trees which don't produce food; you may cut them down and use the timber to build siege engines against the town that is resisting you, until it falls.” — Deut. 20:20 God had already instructed Israel not to destroy fruit-bearing trees because they represented their future food and sustenance. Yet, He made an exception: trees that did not contribute to their future survival could be cut down— but only for a purposeful use. These non-fruit trees were not to be wasted; they were to become timber for building engines —structures, systems, and tools that would help them overcome whatever resisted them. In the same way, God calls you to build systems, structures, and strategies that empower you to break through resistance. Building takes time, patience, and intentionality. But it is the path to victory. Remember this: worse than giving up is never trying. The lesson is simple— Stay with the engine until it works. Stay with the system u...

Do Not Cut Down the Trees "When you mount an attack on a town and the siege goes on a long time, don't start cutting down the trees, swinging your axes against them. Those trees are your future food; don't cut them down. Are the trees soldiers who come against you with weapons?" (Deut. 20:19) "Do not cut down the trees" was God's unusual instruction to Israel’s warriors. At first glance, it may seem strange—what does warfare have to do with trees? But God was teaching them a profound principle. He told them that if a siege took longer than expected, they must not destroy the fruit trees around the city. Why? Because those trees represented their future food . Cutting them down meant destroying tomorrow’s provision because of today’s frustration. It was a warning against short-sighted reactions. But even deeper than that, it is a lesson about the danger of transferring aggression . Often, when things take longer than we expected, when plans are dela...

Fight You Must "But if they don’t settle for peace and insist on war, then go ahead and attack." — Deuteronomy 20:12 When you enlist in the army of the Lord—when you turn from sin and confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour—you automatically become a threat to the kingdom of darkness. The moment you switch sides, hell takes notice. You become a target. And because of that, fight you must. The Apostle John reminds us that victory comes through faith: "The person who wins out over the world’s ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God." — 1 John 5:5 (MSG) Our real battle, then, is not with swords or fists, but with unbelief. To fight is to believe—steadfastly, continuously, even when everything around you says otherwise. Faith is our weapon; consistency in faith is our victory. Abraham understood this truth. Scripture says, "Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought g...

Alternative to War "If they answer, ‘Yes, peace!’ and open the city to you, then everyone found there will be conscripted as forced laborers and work for you." — Deuteronomy 20:11 Peace is always better than war. Scripture calls us to “follow peace with all men” and to do all that lies within our power to live peaceably with others. “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” — Romans 12:18 (AMP) In our text, Israel was instructed to always give room for peace before resorting to battle. If their enemies offered peace, the war was unnecessary. The principle still stands today: where peace is possible, conflict should cease. Peace, however, is not merely the absence of war—it is the presence of God. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you... not as the world gives.” — John 14:27 From Him, we receive three dimensions of peace: Peace with God — through faith in Christ, our sins are forgiven, and we are reconciled t...

The Right Company "The officers will then continue, 'And is there a man here who is wavering in resolve and afraid? Let him go home right now so that he doesn't infect his fellows with his timidity and cowardly spirit.'" — Deuteronomy 20:8 It is often said that the company you keep determines the direction of your life. Show me your friends, and I will show you your future. Scripture confirms this timeless truth: "Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to piece." — Proverbs 13:20 In our text, the officers instruct that anyone who is fearful or fainthearted should return home before infecting others with the same spirit. Why? Because fear is contagious. Doubt spreads faster than courage, and timidity can weaken even the strongest army. This principle applies not only to battle but to every sphere of life. Surround yourself with people who strengthen your faith, fuel your courage, and keep y...

Fighting is Winning “GOD, your God, is right there with you, fighting with you against your enemies, fighting to win.” ( Deuteronomy 20:4 ) No one enters a competition to lose; everyone joins to win. But winning doesn’t happen on the sidelines—it happens on the battlefield. To win, you must fight. For the believer, however, fighting is not merely striving for victory; it is victory in motion. In the natural, an invading army goes to war, conquers the land, and then establishes an occupying force whose duty is to maintain order and rebuild. That’s exactly what Christ has done for us. Jesus, our conquering King, has already fought and won the decisive battle against sin, death, and the forces of darkness. Now, He has called us to occupy —to stand firm, advance His cause, and establish His Kingdom culture wherever we are. “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” ( Luke 19:13 ) Our task, then, is to bring the realit...

The Battle Charge “He’ll say, ‘Attention, Israel! In a few minutes you’re going to do battle with your enemies. Don’t waver in resolve. Don’t fear. Don’t hesitate. Don’t panic.’” (Deut. 20:3) War is never pleasant. It leaves pain and hardship in its wake. Yet, even before the battle begins, God gives us a charge—a command to prepare our hearts and minds. The first word is “Attention.” Without attention, distractions will drown you. This is what the Apostle Peter meant when he said, “Be sober, be vigilant” (1 Pet. 5:8 KJV). Or as the Message Bible puts it: “Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping.” Attention is your first defense. It keeps you from being caught off guard. Next, the charge continues: “Don’t waver in resolve.” Be firm and steady. The devil will try to make you doubt yourself and your God, but stay anchored in faith. “Don’t fear.” Let the enemy know you don’t scare easily. God is with ...

No Fear Necessary “When you go to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.” — Deuteronomy 20:1 The passage begins with “When you go to war” —not if. This tells us that battles are certain. Life will bring seasons of conflict and confrontation. The only uncertainty is when. But here’s the key truth: our battles are not against flesh and blood. The Scripture is clear—our real enemy is not people, not situations, not systems—it is the devil, the adversary of our souls. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” — 1 Peter 5:8 The Bible calls him your adversary —one who stands against you. Yet even when the enemy seems greater—when the odds are stacked, when the bills pile up, when health falters or strength wanes—God says, “Do not fear.” Fear is nat...

Self-Made Man/Woman “If you start thinking to yourselves, ‘I did all this, all by myself. I’m rich—it’s all mine!’—think again. Remember that GOD, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth to confirm the covenant He promised to your ancestors—as it is today.” — Deuteronomy 8:17–18 (MSG) What is the true purpose of wealth? Is it merely for self-promotion, or does it serve a higher purpose? Scripture warns us not to boast in our success or claim self-sufficiency. The truth is humbling: there is no such thing as a self-made man or woman. Behind every accomplishment stands the God who gives power, wisdom, opportunity, and strength to prosper. That’s why He says, “Remember!” —because humans so easily forget. When life is good, we tend to take credit and forget the Source. This is the mistake of the rich fool in Luke 12:19–21, who congratulated himself for his great harvest, only for God to call him a fool that very night. He had filled his barns with self instead of w...

A Taste of the Hard Life “The God who gave you manna to eat in the wilderness—something your ancestors had never known—did it to give you a taste of the hard life, to test you, so that you would be prepared to live well in the days ahead.” (Deuteronomy 8:16, MSG) A taste of the hard life is God’s way of preparing us for the good life. The wilderness is not punishment; it’s preparation. Every champion trains hard before the victory. In fact, the preparation is often tougher than the battle itself—so that when the real test comes, you’ve already outgrown its power to break you. God uses hard seasons to toughen, refine, and equip us for greater things. Scripture says, “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” But if you endure, even when you stumble or fall, you grow stronger through every trial. I remember, growing up, we used to say, “If you keep beating us, you’re only making us stronger.” It was the law of the street—and truly, every challenge we fa...

In Everything… the Word "He put you through hard times. He made you go hungry. Then He fed you with manna, something neither you nor your parents knew anything about, so you would learn that men and women don’t live by bread only; we live by every word that comes from God’s mouth." — Deuteronomy 8:3 A visual artist often chooses the most rugged or unsightly background to paint the most beautiful masterpiece. A storyteller may begin with scenes of pain and loss so that the ending, when it comes, shines all the brighter. Both follow a divine pattern — the pattern of God Himself. In our text, God did just that. He led His people through hardship. He allowed them to hunger. Then, in His mercy, He fed them with manna — something entirely new and unfamiliar. When we read the account in Numbers , it appears like the ordinary ebb and flow of life. But as Moses reflects in Deuteronomy , we see a deeper truth — that God was behind it all, shaping every moment for their good. If...