Called by Name

June 30, 2016

Read: John 10:1–11 | Bible in a Year: Job 17–19; Acts 10:1–23

He calls his own sheep by name. John 10:3

When I first meet a new group of students in the college composition class I teach, I already know their names. I take the time to familiarize myself with their names and photos on my student roster, so when they walk into my classroom I can say, “Hello, Jessica,” or “Welcome, Trevor.” I do this because I know how meaningful it is when someone knows and calls us by name.

Yet to truly know someone, we need to know more than that person’s name. In John 10, we can sense the warmth and care Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has for us when we read that He “calls his own sheep by name” (v. 3). He knows even more than our name. He knows our thoughts, longings, fears, wrongs, and deepest needs. Because He knows our deepest needs, He has given us our very life—our eternal life—at the cost of His own. As He says in verse 11, He “lays down his life for the sheep.”

Give thanks to Jesus! He knows your name and your needs.

You see, our sin separated us from God. So Jesus, the Good Shepherd, became the Lamb and sacrificed Himself, taking our sin on Himself. When He gave His life for us and then was resurrected, He redeemed us. As a result, when we accept His gift of salvation through faith, we are no longer separated from God.

Give thanks to Jesus! He knows your name and your needs! 

Dear Lord, thank You for knowing my name and for knowing exactly what I need. Thank You for dying for my sin and for rising from the grave to defeat death and give me eternal life with You.

God’s knowledge of us knows no bounds.

INSIGHT:

In our relativistic age, some believe that many roads lead to God. In our passage for today, however, Jesus says He is the only way to God. Jesus uses the metaphor of the Good Shepherd to show how He leads and cares for those who know Him by faith. He also uses the symbol of a gate to show that He is the only means by which we can have eternal life. The one who seeks and saves the lost is the one who laid down His life for all who believe.

You Can Have Daily Victories! (Part 1)

Today: 2016-06-30

2Corinthians 2:14 says, “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us inevery place.” The words, “always” and “every place” connote that daily victory is possible. You may not be enjoying that level of victory right now, but you have the potential and what makes it a realty is faith. 

If you must enjoy daily victories, you must live by faith because according to scriptures, the just shall live by his faith (Habakkuk 2:4). The quality of life you live is determined by the level of your faith. The word ‘live’ primarily means survival, so the just shall survive by his faith. In the world they talk about survival of the fittest. So also it is in the realm of the spirit, it is faith that makes you fit to survive every attack of the enemy. We are told in Hebrews 11:33-34 that through faith the elders subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire and escaped the edge of the sword. The Bible also tells us that faith is a shield with which we can quench every fiery dart of the wicked one (Eph. 6:16). So, faith is the answer to daily victorious living. It is however important for you to understand how this faith is expressed.

- Meditate on these: 2 Cor. 4:18, Jer. 1:11-12

Bishop David Abioye

Romancing Your Spouse

“I’m convinced that the lack of dating and romance in marriage is one of the major causes of broken relationships. Marriages usually don’t collapse overnight. They become bankrupt gradually because they lack daily deposits of love, communication, and affirmation.” (Doug Fields)

Photo by: Imagerymajestic.com, FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We whole-heartedly agree with the above statement. Romancing each other is almost more important AFTER the wedding than it is and was before we marry because it’s easier to take each other for granted as we live together day after day.

Dating and romancing each other, and having fun together helped us to FALL in love with each other in the first place. So doesn’t it make sense that by continuing to do so will help us to CONTINUE in love and make our life journey together more enjoyable? We’re sure thinking it does.

So, to help us in this mission of marriage, we’d like to share what author Doug Fields had to say in his book Creative Romance(which is no longer being published). We believe it can benefit us all. He writes:

I find very few people who have trouble agreeing that a good marriage requires hard work. But most people struggle and get discouraged when they try to explain their own lack of dating and romance. There are countless excuses guaranteed to keep you from taking action when it comes to dating your mate. I know all about them —I’ve thought of several myself:

• What are we going to do with the children?
• I don’t have enough time.
• Dating costs too much money.
• There’s plenty to do at home.
• I’m too tired.
• There’s nothing to do where we live.
• We can’t ever get good baby-sitters.
• It’s too cold outside.
• I’ve got too much to do around the house.

It’s true. We can always think of excuses to avoid doing certain things. I can think of ten reasons for not getting out of bed in the morning, and another five for not filling my car with gasoline. I can make all the excuses I want to, but eventually the pressures of reality will force me into action. The urgency of life tells me I’d better get out of bed and get gas in my car. Otherwise I’ll never make it to work, I’ll get myself fired, and I’ll end up without enough money for survival! I’m forced to do what I should, regardless of my excuses. That’s reality.

But as far as my marriage is concerned, the consequences of my excuses aren’t nearly as tangible or immediate. If I don’t take Cathy out on Friday night, so what? Life will go on. I’ll still be employed. I’ll still be able to afford gas. I’m not forced to make any special effort toward our relationship because there appears to be no urgency. I can continue not making deposits for a long time before my marriage account dries up. But you don’t need to be a rocket-scientist to figure out that this sort of attitude lies behind the rapid deterioration of marriages.

…If you want to add life to your marriage, perhaps even save its life, you’d better do whatever it takes to bring romance and dating back into the picture. There’s no quick fix. But if you’re willing to make the proper investments, you’ll find great rewards. So —in the face of all the excuses, let’s take a look at some important ways you will benefit from dating your spouse.

Dating Strengthens Your Relationship: Relationships are strengthened through time spent together, honest communication, and positive memories. Dating provides all of these. Dating builds up marriages and helps solidify their foundations. Enduring relationships aren’t constructed out of fleeting emotions and occasional passion. They’re solidly built on quality time spent together, each partner investing in the other.

Dating Enriches Life: Life was given to us by our Creator to be lived to its fullest. He gave us a great playground we affectionately call “Earth” to use and enjoy while we have the opportunity. Setting time aside to enjoy one another is not only pleasing to God but enriches the quality of our lives. You are bound to be a much better husband or wife when you invest time in your marriage, giving it higher priority than such things as the television set or the office or different activities.

Dating Creates Positive Memories:Memories recall significant expressions of the past. Quality relationships are rich in positive memories. Since our world does a good job of dispensing negative experiences, it’s up to us to do an even better job of providing positive recollections. I love to hear older couples share stories of their early dating events. While such rememberings are fun to hear, imagine how much more enjoyable they were to experience. My wife and I are sure to have disappointing episodes and some regretful moments. But one of our goals is to make sure that our positive memories outweigh our heartaches.

Dating Models Marriage for Your Children: A long-term benefit of dating your spouse is the model you set in place for your children. One of the best ways we can demonstrate love to our children is by expressing affection to our mates. When children see their parents placing priority on dating and romance, they’ll carry that expectation into their own relationships. Children need to see quality, loving relationships in a world where those aren’t the norm. Your dating can relieve a tremendous amount of pressure from your children and set an example they’ll never forget.

Seeing the Big Picture: Two construction workers were busy working on a huge brick-laying project. A passerby was curious about the future of the building. She stopped the workers and asked, “Just what is it you’re building?” The first worker told her he was simply laying bricks trying to finish a construction project. When she asked the second worker the same question he stood and proudly explained to her he was helping to build a great cathedral. He was able to see the big picture, and was excited about the outcome. He viewed his job as a worthy task.

As you think about your own marriage situation you might want to answer that same question, “What are you building? I hope you’ll be proud and say, “I’m building a great marriage, day by day, year by year, brick by brick!”

And that is our hope for you! We hope that you’ll work along with us to build a GREAT marriage —to the glory of God. It is our prayer that when others see how you (and we) interact with each other they’ll see the positive difference Christ can make in marriages and they will want to know our God better!

Cindy and Steve Wright

Anchor Your Life on God's Great Love	THURSDAY JUN 30

 Jude 1:21
Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

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The devil will do everything possible to cause you to feel that God does not love you anymore. When he approached Eve in the Garden of Eden, he tried to make her feel that God had lied to them about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He was indirectly trying to tell her that God did not really love them. The devil is a liar and he will do everything to bring you out of the consciousness of God's love for you.

Many things will happen in your life that may cause you to doubt God's great love for you. There will be times in your life that the only thing that will keep you will be your knowledge of God's great love. Jesus already told us that in the world, we will have tribulations but we should be of good cheer because He has overcome the world, John 16:33. He has overcome the world for you and me. The limitations of the world will not overcome us. Through Christ, we will overcome them.

Continue to focus and remind yourself of the great love that God has for you. Desire to remain rooted and grounded in God's love, Eph.3:17. Keep filling your heart with the revelations of God's great love for you and all that Christ has done for you. Spend quality time worshipping and fellowshipping with God; enjoying His love. Allow the Holy Spirit to spread God's love in your heart, Rom.5:5. Think back over your life and remember the things God has done for you and the things He has brought you through. God's love for you is everlasting, Jer.31:3. His love is steadfast. Decide that nothing will separate you from the love of God, Rom.8:35. You can anchor your life on God's great love for you.

PRAYER FOCUS: Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for Your great love for me. Take me deeper in your love. I anchor my life on Your great love.

      BIBLE IN ONE YEAR READING OBADIAH; PSALM 82-83   Empowered to Occupy Till He Comes... - See more at: http://www.cgmglobal.org/aboveonly/index.php#sthash.ZF2RpDAd.dpuf

10 Bible passages to remind us that God's kingdom is unshakeable

Claire Musters 29 June 2016

Anxiety, fear, anger, mud-slinging, euphoria, calls for a second vote – we've had it all since we woke up last Friday morning. What is clear is that an historical moment has occurred; one that will shake not only our country but also many others around the world.

I heard the news of the referendum outcome on my way to the second day of a leadership conference. It was quite strange to be away from the usual barrage of social media notifications, emails and texts that I usually encounter. So the subsequent news of David Cameron's resignation, the impact on the pound, other resignations etc were only drip fed occasionally during the weekend's gathering. As someone who is usually so connected online it felt a little like being in a bubble away from the action.

And yet what was palpable was the immense feeling of significance. That we were gathered, 450 church leaders from across Europe, at a time of such flux and uncertainty, looking at themes like faith and hope. There was an overriding sense of the need to declare the kingdom of God as the only kingdom that is unshakeable.

I know that among Christians opinion is divided. Some were excited by the news – others anxious. But however we are feeling right now, I think the reminder we had (the afternoon before the voting result was known) that faith comes when we turn and look not at our circumstances but to Jesus is vital.

We know from Scripture that the kingdoms of this world come and go. Yes, we are caught up in the effects of that in our everyday lives and obviously last week's vote will directly impact us. However, we need to remember that we have a hope that so many others simply do not have. We belong to an unshakeable, unflappable, unsurprised King who knew exactly what was going to happen. It is to him that we need to look right now – and always. Asking him for his eternal perspective helps us not to get too caught up in the details of current events, and reminds us of the future hope that we possess as his people.

Whatever your political views, we have an amazing opportunity right now to share the hope that we have with those around us who may be anxious about what the future holds. So, in order to help us turn to fix our eyes on Jesus so that we can bring his hope to the world, I want to share some of the scriptures that can encourage us to be ready:

1. "The holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it for ever – yes, for ever and ever." (Daniel 7:18)

2. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (Jesus' words recorded in Matthew 24:35)

3. "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." (2 Corinthians 1:18-20)

4. "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

5. "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way." (Ephesians 1:18-23)

6. "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7)

7. "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." (Hebrews 12:28)

8. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever." (Hebrews 13:8)

9. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade." (1 Peter 1:3-4)

10. "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." (1 Peter 3:15)

And here, finally, is a great psalm to meditate on. Remember, whatever difficult and uncertain circumstances we find ourselves in, God prepares a feast at his table for us in the midst of it:

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." (Psalm 23)

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/10.bible.passages.to.remind.us.that.gods.kingdom.is.unshakeable/89437.htm

Acceptance Does Not Require Approval

BY RICK WARREN — JUNE 29, 2016

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“Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory” (Romans 15:7 NLT, second edition).

Did you know that every time you show love, it gives glory to God? Because God is love, and glory is revealing what God is really like.

God says, “I am loving. I am compassionate. I want you to be like me. I want you to develop my character.” You’re never going to be God. You’re never even going to be a teeny-tiny God. But God says he wants you to become godly. He wants you to develop his character. Like father like son, like father like daughter. He wants you to learn to love people the way he loves people. God is love.

Every time you do that, it shows God’s glory.

Of course, one of the ways you love others is just by accepting them. Just because you don’t like what people do doesn’t mean you can’t accept them.

Do you understand the difference between acceptance and approval? You can accept someone without approving of everything that person does. There is a big difference! We are to accept everybody; we are not to approve everything everybody does. So no matter what people do or who they do it with or how they do it, or how long they do it, you are to love them. You are to accept them. It does not mean that you approve of what they do. God loves you, but it doesn’t mean he approves of everything you do.

Love is not saying I approve of everything you do. Love is saying I accept you in spite of what you do.

Romans 15:7 says, “Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory” (NLT, second edition).

Talk It Over

• Who do you need to accept in your life, even if you don’t approve of what that person believes or does?
• In what areas of culture is acceptance a seemingly tricky issue for Christians?
• What are some practical ways you can show acceptance and love to people, especially the ones the world expects you to turn away from because of what they believe or do?

Thursday, 30 June 2016 00:00

THE SECRET OF POWER

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OVERVIEW

SCRIPTURE: And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. – 1 Kings 17:1

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: If you want to manifest power that will shake your generation, hang around God. 

In life, the importance of power cannot be overemphasized. Power is needed for survival, victory and impact. 

The Presence of God is the depot of power. To spend time in God’s Presence, therefore, is to contact spiritual power. You do not have to hang around God if you do not want power just as you do not stay around the kitchen if you don’t want the aroma of food. This is because the Almighty is the One in Whom might is concentrated. 

If you want to manifest power that will shake your generation, hang around God. You know, when you put a needle or pin in the magnetic field of a magnet, it acquires some magnetic properties such that it can magnetize other smaller metals.

Similarly, if you put a man in the magnetic field of the Presence of the Almighty God, the man will acquire some Divine magnetic capacity.

Beloved, make up your mind not to walk without the Presence of God in your life.  Hang around the Presence of God and you will manifest His power.

Remember this: If you want to manifest power that will shake your generation, hang around God.

ASSIGNMENT(S):

1. Engage in practices like worship, prayer and study of the Word that draw God's Presence to your life. 

2. Be consistent in your prayer exercise.

PRAYER: O LORD, I ask for Your Presence and Power in my life in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER.

QUOTE: Integrity compels audacity and iniquity invites calamity. Culled from 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche.

AMAZING FACT: Healthy human hair emits sound

TODAY IN HISTORY – 30/6/1960: Congo gained independence from Belgium.

Thursday, 30 June 2016 00:00

THE SECRET OF POWER

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

lenovo смартфон купить
быстрый старт joomla

OVERVIEW

SCRIPTURE: And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. – 1 Kings 17:1

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: If you want to manifest power that will shake your generation, hang around God. 

In life, the importance of power cannot be overemphasized. Power is needed for survival, victory and impact. 

The Presence of God is the depot of power. To spend time in God’s Presence, therefore, is to contact spiritual power. You do not have to hang around God if you do not want power just as you do not stay around the kitchen if you don’t want the aroma of food. This is because the Almighty is the One in Whom might is concentrated. 

If you want to manifest power that will shake your generation, hang around God. You know, when you put a needle or pin in the magnetic field of a magnet, it acquires some magnetic properties such that it can magnetize other smaller metals.

Similarly, if you put a man in the magnetic field of the Presence of the Almighty God, the man will acquire some Divine magnetic capacity.

Beloved, make up your mind not to walk without the Presence of God in your life.  Hang around the Presence of God and you will manifest His power.

Remember this: If you want to manifest power that will shake your generation, hang around God.

ASSIGNMENT(S):

1. Engage in practices like worship, prayer and study of the Word that draw God's Presence to your life. 

2. Be consistent in your prayer exercise.

PRAYER: O LORD, I ask for Your Presence and Power in my life in Jesus’ Name.

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER.

QUOTE: Integrity compels audacity and iniquity invites calamity. Culled from 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche.

AMAZING FACT: Healthy human hair emits sound

TODAY IN HISTORY – 30/6/1960: Congo gained independence from Belgium.

Thursday June 30, 2016

Accept Your Fault

-2 CORINTHIANS 7:8-16

Key Verse:

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world worketh death" (2 Corinthians 7:10).

The most difficult thing for many people to do is to accept their faults. They would strenuously defend themselves and make even seemingly cogent excuses for their faults. It is their own way of maintaining their self esteem and refusing to take blame or account for their failings. This is what the world recommends and applauds, but which God frowns at. No one stands any chance of being accepted by God until he recognizes, accepts and takes full responsibility for their shortcomings. Apostle Paul knew that his letter to the Corinthian Christians was hard and biting, but his goal was to get them to the point of accountability with a desire to change. He was happy that his letter made them sorry, and eventually blameless before God. We must never imitate those who hold unto their faults at all costs, as this will result in spiritual suicide. Rather, we should be willing to admit our faults and turn from such shameful lifestyle and conduct. We should avoid being defensive or allow pride to keep us from accepting our shortcomings. Whenever our sins are pointed out to us, we must readily accept and correct our ways so as to be accepted by God.

Thought for the day: Those who hug their faults will be hidden from God's favour.

Bible Reading in one Year: 2 KINGS 1-2

GOD’S WATCHMAN – Thursday June 30th 2016

GOD’S WATCHMAN – Thursday June 30th 2016

GOD’S WATCHMAN 

Memorise: Preach the word; be instant in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2^nd Timothy 4:2

Read: Ezekiel 33:7-9, 

⁷ So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.

⁸ When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.

⁹ Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Bible in one year: Acts 14:1-16:15, Song of Solomon 4:1-8

MESSAGE

As a watchman over the souls of men, it is our responsibility to preach the Word. What word? The Word of life; the Truth that sets a person free from the bondage of sin. Today, there is a scarcity of the Word of God in some quarters. We have been given the mandate to proclaim the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to unbelievers. But it is unfortunate that many are not carrying out this instruction. There are ministers of the gospel who are preaching other things outside the Word of God. Because all men will stand before the judgment seat of the Almighty God, it is imperative that we proclaim the life-saving gospel to them. We are to preach the Word and the Word alone. We are not to preach the theologies and philosophies of men. We are not to preach the ideals of the western world, but the living Word of God. There are people living in sin today because the watchmen are no longer at their duty posts to reprove them. The Word God is not what you preach when it is reprove them. The Word of God is not what you preach when it is convenient for you alone. Necessity is laid on us all to continue to reprove and rebuke sinners and encourage them to embrace the path that leads to life and godliness.

We live in a world where people are no longer content with the Word of God, they have abandoned the Word of life and they are searching for fables. They are like sheep in search of a meal that will not profit them. God’s Word is the wisdom of God for humanity. The problem with the present day Church is a lack of balanced spiritual diet for the growth of the flock. Potentially sound believers are not sound after all because they lack the wherewithal to grow to maturity despite the fact that they are genuine seekers of the truth.

We should take time to examine the level of pollution in the Church today by the modern and post-modern philosophers who have turned themselves to Bible scholars, thus, misleading the people of faith with their power of logic, oratory and academic tenacity. We need God’s watchmen to put an end to the scarcity of truth in all our assemblies. We need to constantly remind ourselves that the thoughts of western civilisation should not be superior to the Word of God. As watchmen, we need to keep people informed about the correct knowledge of the Word of God. We need to constantly remind ourselves of the beauty of Christian living as the best way of life. We must cast down imaginations and every high knowledge that exalts against the knowledge of God and not allow heresies to thrive in the body of Christ. Your role in the church should put an end to the famine of the Word of God. Don’t join those who only make noise and appeal to the emotions of people with the mind of leading them to hell. To be a watchman unto the souls of men is a divine mandate that must be carried out with urgency. The voice of the watchman must be clear and distinct so that the people that God wants to reach through His voice can hear the warning for the hour. If you want to serve God, serve Him with all of your heart. Let your path be straight. Always be ready to change when there is a need for it. You must be a good example to your hearers. You must be a fire brand for the Lord.

Prayer Point

Father, help me do the work of an Evangelist with diligence.

Open Heavens Daily, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye

*FOOD, SEX AND WATER!*(DON'T MISS THIS)
*STUDENT:* Sir, Is it appropriate and biblical to have urge for Sex or have affection for the opposite gender? Asked Ikenna.
*TEACHER:* Ikenna, do you usually feel hunger for Food and thirst for water?
*STUDENT:* For sure sir, and such desires are inherent in us. Besides, I don't joke with my tummy Oh (smiles)
*TEACHER:* When you feel those desires For food and water and don't have where wither to fulfil it, would you steal to fulfil those desires?
*STUDENT:* No!!!! Sir, for it is against the teachings of my master Jesus Christ to steal.(frowns)
*TEACHER:* Hmmm! Very good!Now, Ikenna just as Hunger for Food and water is inherent in man, so the Urge for Sex or affection for opposite sex is an Instinct enshrined within us as human beings by our creator.
*STUDENT:* Hmmmm! I see.
*TEACHER:* Just as it is abnormal for a person not to feel hungry, so whoever does not have sexual urge is highly abnormal except for eunuchs. (Matt 19:12)But, then since it against our master's teachings to steal in other to satisfy desires for Food and water, so also God has provided a medium to satisfy Sexual urge which is called marriage but if you satisfy that urge outside the circumference of marriage (pornography, masturbation, fornication, homosexualism), then is SIN and a CAPITAL OFFENCE IN OUR KINGDOM.
*STUDENT:* hmmmm! I see clearly now. But sir, negative suggestions on my mind are they LUST?
*TEACHER:* Can you stop Mtn from sending you some irrelevant text or stop TV stations from displaying evil programs or stop a bird from flying over your head?
*STUDENT:* (laughs) that's impossible sir! *TEACHER:* But can you delete those mtn messages from your phone, change the TV stations or switch off the TV and Stop the bird from building nest on your head?
*STUDENT:* yea! Yea! Very sure sir. Nice illustration sir.
*TEACHER:* As long as you are in the flesh carnal, filthy and unclean thought would come but just as you can delete those MTN messages and stop a bird from landing on your head, so you can RESIST THE DEVIL AND THOSE THOUGHTS.Ikenna, lust simply means doing in your heart what you could've done with the person physically.Lust is not the negative suggestion, rather it is the deliberate and concerted meditation of those negative thoughts which bring PLEASURE and before GOD is tantamount to FORNICATION. (Matt 5:22)Holiness is not the absent of evil thoughts or sexual urge but it is a life that chooses to resist those evil thoughts from gaining grounds within and to keep those lawful desires in check until the appropriate Time.
*STUDENT:* Wow! Wow! Thanks very much teacher for you have taken off some unnecessary yoke off my neck and brought Christ yoke upon me.
*TEACHER:* You are welcome beloved.
I deem it fit to frame today's write up in this manner so as to communicate and promulgate an impression within my heart to YOUTHS especially Who don't understand TRUE HOLINESS ON SEXUAL PURITY.
*Addendum:* Holiness(Life above outward and inward sin)is possible and if it were not, then Jesus died in vain.GLORY TO HIM WHOSE PRESENCE MELT THE MOUNTAINS LIKE WAX. GOD BLESS YOU READERS and please don't end it here send it as far as you can to clear the doubt of YOUTHS
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A Sacred Marriage

To God, marriage is sacred —there’s no doubt about it —not from God’s vantage point! It’s important for us to realize that:

“A giant thread runs throughout scripture comparing God’s relationship to His people with the human institution of marriage” (Gary Thomas).

The problem is that most Christians either don’t see that thread and/or they don’t realize its importance. We sure didn’t. It hasn’t been until recent years, through our studies, and reading God’s word, that we saw this thread and came to know that because of it, we need to take marriage as serious as God does. Entering into a covenant relationship with another person (our spouse) and our God is a serious commitment. We should consider marriage to be sacred and approach it as God does!

That’s why we want to point out a book that we wish everyone could read. It’s called Sacred Marriage, written by Gary Thomas. If you can obtain and read this book, we HIGHLY recommend you do so. For us, it has been a real life-changer, in the way we now see and approach marriage. So, for this Marriage Message, we’re going to share a few quotes from the book, hoping you will also prayerfully consider what Gary writes:

• “To spiritually benefit from marriage, we have to be honest. We have to look at our disappointments, own up to our ugly attitudes, and confront our selfishness. We also have to rid ourselves of the notion that the difficulties of marriage can be overcome if we simply pray harder or learn a few simple principles. Most of us have discovered that these ‘simple steps’ work only on a superficial level. Why is this? Because there’s a deeper question that needs to be addressed beyond how we can ‘improve’ our marriages: What if God didn’t design marriage to be ‘easier’? What if God had an end in mind that went beyond our happiness, our comfort, and our desire to be infatuated and happy as if the world were a perfect place?What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?” (pg. 13)

• “I found there was a tremendous amount of immaturity within me that my marriage directly confronted. The key was that I had to change my view of marriage. If the purpose of marriage was simply to enjoy an infatuation and make me ‘happy,’ then I’d have to get a ‘new’ marriage every two or three years. But if I really wanted to see God transform me from the inside out, I’d need to concentrate on changing myself rather than on changing my spouse. In fact, you might even say, the more difficult my spouse proved to be, the more opportunity I’d have to grow. Just as physical exercise needs to be somewhat strenuous, so ‘relational exercise’ may need to be a bit vigorous to truly stress-test the heart.”(pg. 23)

• “I believe that much of the dissatisfaction we experience in marriage comes from expecting too much from it. I have a rather outdated computer so I know there are some things I simply can’t do with it; there’s just not enough memory or processing power to run certain programs or combine certain tasks. It’s not that I have a bad computer; it’s just that I can’t reasonably expect more from it than it has power to give. In the same way, some of us ask too much of marriage. We want to get the largest portion of our life’s fulfillment from our relationship with our spouse. That’s asking too much. Yes, without a doubt there should be moments of happiness, meaning, and a general sense of fulfillment. But my wife can’t be God, and I was created with a spirit that craves God. Anything less than God, and I’ll feel an ache.” (pg. 25)

• “If there is one thing engaged couples need to hear, it’s that a good marriage is not something you find, it’s something you work for. It takes struggle. You must crucify your selfishness. It helps when we view our struggles in light of what they provide for us spiritually rather than in light of what they take from us emotionally. Working through disagreements is taxing. There are a million things I’d rather do than put in the time and effort to leap over a relational hurdle. If I’m in my marriage for emotional stability, I probably won’t last long. But if I think it can reap spiritual benefits, I’ll have reason to not just be married, but act married.” (pg. 133)

• “What marriage has done for me is hold up a mirror to my sin. It forces me to face myself honestly and consider my character flaws, selfishness, and anti-Christian attitudes, encouraging me to be sanctified and cleansed and to grow in godliness. Kathleen and Thomas Hart write, ‘Sometimes what is hard to take in the first years of marriage is not what we find out about our partner, but what we find out about ourselves. As one young woman who had been married about a year said, ‘I always thought of myself as a patient and forgiving person. Then I began to wonder if that was just because I had never before gotten close to anyone. In marriage, when John and I began…dealing with difference, I saw how small and unforgiving I could be. I discovered a hardness in me I had never experienced before.’” (Pg. 93)

• “One of the best wedding gifts God gave you was a full-length mirror called your spouse. Had there been a card attached, it would have said, ‘Here’s to helping you discover what you’re really like! (Gary and Betsy Ricucci, pg. 89)

• “Infatuation can be an intoxicating drug that temporarily covers up any number of inner weaknesses. But marriage is a spotlight showing us that our search for another human being to ‘complete’ us is misguided. When disillusionment breaks through, we have one of two choices: Dump our spouse and become infatuated with someone new, or seek to understand the message behind the disillusionment—that we should seek our significance, meaning, and purpose in our Creator rather than in another human being.” (pg. 83)

• “If you treat a man as he is, he will stay as he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become the bigger and better man.” (Johann Wolfgang van Goethe)

• “Marriage can never remove the trials—in fact it almost always creates new ones. But even difficult marriages to difficult men can give women the strength to become the people God created them to be. (So it is for men married to difficult women as well.)” (pg. 147)

• “Knowing why we are married and should stay married is crucial. This will lead us into a discussion argued by Pastor C. J. Mahaney in an audiotape series on marriage titledAccording to Plan. The key question is this: Will we approach marriage from a God-centered view or a man-centered view? In a man-centered view, we will maintain our marriage as long as our earthly comforts, desires, and expectations are met. In a God-centered view, we preserve our marriage because it brings glory to God and points a sinful world to a reconciling Creator.” (pg. 32)

Please consider:

“Merely being faithful to your spouse is quite a testimony in this society. But as you go beyond that to communicate love for your spouse in a consistent, creative, and uninhibited way, the world can’t help but notice. God will be honored.” (Gary and Betsy Ricucci)

It is our hope and prayer that God will be honored by the way every one of us conducts ourselves within our marriages. Even if our spouse doesn’t act in an honorable way, it doesn’t give us an excuse to do that, which is wrong. May we continually reveal and reflect the love of God in the way we live our lives, both within our homes and outside of them. And may our actions be used of God to point others to Him, so they will want to know our God better!

Cindy and Steve Wright

Wednesday, 29 June 2016 00:00

THE DANGER OF UNFAITHFULNESS

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OVERVIEW

SCRIPTURE: My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. – Numbers 12:7

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Taking what does not belong to you closes your door of breakthrough and blessing

 

My mother once told me a story: In the ancient times, when a young lady was about to get married, they may subject her to a series of tests to prove her faithfulness; they would send her on a visit to her fiancé’s family house. The fiancé may scatter money under his bed and would ask her to sweep the house. In the course of sweeping the house, if she thought that the man forgot the money and decided to steal it, they would send a message to the father of the girl: "Your daughter is a thief; she is not marriageable." 

 

There are many people today who have closed the door of their future because of one illegal money they took. When Adam took and ate the forbidden fruit, he lost the whole garden.

 

Beloved, a large amount of money is waiting for you. Do not close the door of your destiny with the small amount that you are tempted to take illegally. 

 

Therefore, taking what does not belong to you closes your door of breakthrough and blessing. That will not be your portion in Jesus’ Name.

 

Remember this: Taking what does not belong to you closes your door of breakthrough and blessing.

 

ASSIGNMENT(S):

1. Decide to be faithful in all you do.

2. Avoid the temptation of taking what does not belong to you.

 

PRAYER: O LORD, give me the grace to represent you on earth with positive character in Jesus’ Name.

 

FOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDING, GET THIS MESSAGE: WORKPLACE AND CAREER WISDOM.

 

QUOTE: Integrity compels audacity and iniquity invites calamity. Culled from 15 KINGDOM STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL by Dr Paul Enenche.

 

AMAZING FACT: A person can live without food for about a month but only a week without water. 

 

TODAY IN HISTORY – 29/6/1917: The Ukraine proclaimed independence from Russia.

 

DAILY READING: 2 Kings 15:1 to 16:20, Acts 19:13 to 41, Psalm 147:1 to 20, Proverbs 18:4 to 5.