THE LION, THE PIT, AND THE PROMOTION PART 1: THE MAN BEHIND THE EXPLOITS

Image
THE LION, THE PIT, AND THE PROMOTION PART 1: THE MAN BEHIND THE EXPLOITS   2 Samuel 23:20–23 (NKJV) "Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day."   Some people become known for their positions, while others become recognised for their exploits. In the Bible, Benaiah was one man whose courage and extraordinary deeds distinguished him among David's mighty warriors. His story is fascinating, but before we examine the lion, the pit, and his eventual promotion, let's first understand the man behind these remarkable achievements. 1. A MAN WITH A BACKGROUND Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, a valiant man from Kabzeel. He was not an ordinary warrior. Scripture records several extraordinary victories that distinguished him among David's mighty men. His background introduces us to a family ass...
Post a Comment

JUMPSTARTING YOUR LIFE—THE POWER OF DIVINE CONNECTIONS PART 1: WHEN LIFE REFUSES TO START

THE STORY: A CAR THAT WOULDN’T START

Romans 1:11-12 (NIV)

"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith."

One early morning, I was in my room when I noticed my landlady’s son struggling with his car. No matter how many times he turned the key, it refused to start.

Minutes later, a co-tenant arrived with a car battery, connected it to his, and in seconds—boom! The engine roared to life.

It hit me: Sometimes, we need external help to restart what isn’t working in our lives.

HAVE YOU EVER FELT STUCK?

Just like that dead battery, life can sometimes feel like it just won’t start:

Spiritually – Your passion for prayer and the Word feels drained. (“Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” – John 15:5)

Physically – You’re constantly exhausted, no matter how much you rest. (“Even youths grow weary, but those who wait on the Lord renew their strength.” – Isaiah 40:30-31)

Socially – Relationships feel like a burden rather than a blessing. (“Two are better than one… if one falls, the other can lift them up.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Emotionally – Fear, doubt, and discouragement take over. (“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7)

Financially – No matter how hard you try, progress seems impossible. (“You earn wages, only to put them in a bag with holes.” – Haggai 1:6)


SIGNS THAT YOU NEED A JUMPSTART

1️⃣ Repeated Efforts, No Results 

You push, but nothing moves. (“You plant much but harvest little.” – Haggai 1:6)

2️⃣ Loss of Energy and Motivation –

Even the strongest grow tired. (“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” – Isaiah 40:31)

3️⃣ Disconnection from the Right People 

 A battery can’t charge itself. (“Do not forsake meeting together… but encourage one another.” – Hebrews 10:25)

4️⃣ Fear and Doubt Take Over 

God has not given us fear. (“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power.” – 2 Timothy 1:7)

5️⃣ Lack of Direction 

 Without a clear path, even a working engine goes nowhere. (“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:6)

BIBLICAL LESSON: THE PRODIGAL SON

The prodigal son once had everything but ended up drained—financially, emotionally, and spiritually.

His breakthrough came when he reconnected with the right source—his father. (Luke 15:17 – “He came to his senses.”)

Like a car needing a jumpstart, sometimes our comeback starts with a reconnection.


HOW TO JUMPSTART YOUR LIFE

✔ Admit You Need Help – A dead battery can’t revive itself. (“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10)

✔ Stay Connected to the Right Source – Just as a car battery needs an alternator to stay charged, we need a continuous connection to God and the right people. (“Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” – John 15:5)

✔ Surround Yourself with “Live Batteries” – Who speaks life into you? (“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17)


REFLECTION:

Which area of your life feels “stuck”?

Who in your life acts as a spiritual, emotional, or financial booster?

What one step can you take this week to reconnect to the right source?


PRAYER:

Lord, I recognize that I cannot move forward without the right power source. Today, I reconnect to You and the people You have placed in my life. Fill me with fresh fire, renew my strength, and restore every weak area. I receive my divine jumpstart in Jesus’ name! Amen.

COMING NEXT: "YOU CAN’T MOVE WITHOUT POWER!"

Even when your car starts, it won’t go anywhere without fuel. In Part 2, we’ll dive into why power is essential for movement!

Have you ever felt like your spiritual life is struggling to start? Just like a car needs a jumpstart, we sometimes need divine connections to reignite our faith. Take a moment to reflect: Who has God placed in your life to strengthen you? How can you be a source of encouragement to others? Share your thoughts in the comments and let’s grow together!

Prince Julius Nenebi-Darkson 
(El-PJ God's Penman)



 

Comments

Post a Comment

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your reflections, testimonies, or questions below. Let’s grow together in faith!

Popular posts from this blog

WHEN FOLLOWING JESUS COSTS EVERYTHING PART 7: WHAT IS YOUR “ONE THING”?

Image
WHEN FOLLOWING JESUS COSTS EVERYTHING PART 7: WHAT IS YOUR “ONE THING”? Luke 18:22 (NIV) When Jesus Christ heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing…” In Part 6, we encountered the rich young ruler—a man who was disciplined, moral, and sincere, yet walked away from Jesus Christ because of one thing he could not surrender. He was close to Jesus—but not surrendered to Him. Opening Thought 🌅 Sometimes, the greatest barrier between you and your next level in God is not many things—it is just one thing. Not obvious. Not loud. But deeply rooted. Key Phrase “ You still lack one thing …” Insight 🔍 This statement is both simple and profound. It means: You can be doing many things right… and still miss one thing. You can be progressing… and still be held back. You can be committed… and still be divided. The rich young ruler didn’t lack discipline. He lacked surrender in one area. And that one thing became everything. Deeper Application 🔥 Your “ one thing ” may not be money—but ...
Read more

JUMPSTARTING YOUR LIFE—THE POWER OF DIVINE CONNECTIONS PART 2: YOU CAN'T MOVE WITHOUT POWER

Image
  THE STORY: THE CAR NEEDED MORE THAN A JUMPSTART Romans 1:11-12 (NIV) "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith." Welcome to Part 2 of our Series, Jumpstarting your life: the Power of Divine Connection. In Part 1, we learned that sometimes, like a dead car battery , our lives need a jumpstart from the right people, sources, and connections. But a jumpstart alone is not enough —you need power to keep moving! PART 2: YOU CAN’T MOVE WITHOUT POWER! THE STORY: THE CAR NEEDED MORE THAN A JUMPSTART After my landlady’s son’s car was jumpstarted, I expected him to drive off immediately. But he didn’t—he sat in the car for a while. Why? The car had power but no fuel! That moment reminded me: It’s not enough to be revived—you need power to keep going. HAVE YOU EVER FELT REVIVED BUT STILL STAGNANT? Many people experience moments of spiritual, emotional, or financial re...
Read more

THE GREAT WALL: WHEN WALLS FAIL PART 2 — THE ENEMY AT THE GATE: STRONG WALLS, WEAK WATCHMEN

Image
THE GREAT WALL: WHEN WALLS FAIL PART 2 — THE ENEMY AT THE GATE: STRONG WALLS, WEAK WATCHMEN In Part 1, we saw that walls do not fail because they are weak; they fail when the gates are compromised. Even the mighty Great Wall of China, built with stones, sweat, and sacrifice, could not stop an enemy when its gatekeepers failed. True strength lies not in the wall itself, but in the vigilance and integrity of those who guard it. Now in Part 2, we explore how weak watchmen at the gate can undo even the strongest defenses. Every wall has two sides: the builders who raise it and the watchmen who guard it. A wall can be tall, thick, ancient, and mighty…but if the hearts of its watchmen grow tired, distracted, or compromised, the enemy does not need strength — just an opportunity. The Great Wall teaches us this: Strength is useless without vigilance. Protection is fragile without attention. A boundary is only as safe as the person standing at the gate. Let’s journey deeper. THE STORY — Part 2 ...
Read more