Daily Manna

Be Vigilant.
Saturday, February 13, 2010

TEXT: LUKE 21:25-37

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21:36).

Naturally, the last words of a departing parent are usually held sacrosanct by his children. It is also said that the words of prayer made by a departing parent for his or her children in the form of blessing, most certainly come to pass.

It was against this backdrop that Esau became enraged against his brother, Jacob, when he learnt that he had cunningly obtained the blessing meant for him.

In the twilight of his earthly ministry, Jesus had decided to let His disciples into the programmes of the end of the world. He did not want them to be in the dark. After he had revealed the signs to watch out for, He urged them to "watch and pray always."

If Jesus could warn His disciples who were with Him at that time, it means we must take the warning more seriously. This is because the time is nearer now than when the warning was given.

Many believers have allowed the present circumstances in the economy to pull them away from the love of Christ. Some have also allowed themselves to be drawn away by the corrupting influence of the world. They have been so much entangled that they no longer watch and pray. A good number of believers who were once vibrant in their Christian life have become lethargic, and are now sleeping on guard.

We should watch and pray always so as not to be taken by surprise. The question is, how watchful and prayerful are you towards the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ? Be vigilant!

Thought for today: Soldiers in the battlefield do not sleep on guard.

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Daily Manna

Who Is Your God?
Sunday, February 14, 2010

TEXT: 2 CHRONICLES 25:11-16

"Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand" (2 Chronicles 25:15).

Some people, ironically seem to chart the path of their own destruction. The attitude of Amaziah in our text today is not only laughable but ridiculous. He had led Judah into battle against Edom and conquered. He killed up to twenty thousand Edomites. Surprisingly, however, he brought into Judah the gods of the children of Seirs (Edom) and adopted them as his God in place of the Almighty God, who gave him victory over Edom. It could easily pass for the highest form of foolishness that could be exhibited by any king on earth. If the gods of Edom were that powerful why didn’t they assist the Edomites to defeat the army of Judah?

Before you start to crucify Amaziah, examine your own life too. Are you sure you are not guilty of the sin of idolatry or ingratitude? Many today, have not only turned the benevolence of God into objects of worship, they are equally paying God back in a bad coin. All good gifts come from God, but many today worship the gifts rather than the Giver. Some who used to be fervent for God while they were unemployed have started to miss fellowship on the excuse of tight work schedules. There are some who were faithful to God when they were still looking up to Him for children. But as soon as the children came they place their interest over the service to God.

Remember, whatever takes your attention from God has become your god, and such action portends disastrous consequences. No wonder, "the anger of God was kindled against Amaziah". Worse of all, when God gave him the latitude to retrace his step, he spurned divine mercy. It is better to retrace your step now and return to God.

Thought for today: Heed the Master’s whistle.

Daily Manna

Deflated Ego
Monday, February 15, 2010

TEXT: 2 CHRONICLES 25:17-27

"Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee? But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom" (2 Chronicles 25:19,20).

For some time after the division of the kingdoms, Judah suffered much from the enmity of Israel. After Asa’s time, it suffered more by the friendship of Israel, and by the alliance with them. Now we see hostility between them again. The effects of pride can be sources of trouble and sin in private life; but when they arise between princes, they become the misery of their whole kingdoms. Joash shows Amaziah the folly of his challenge: "Thine heart has lifted thee up." But Amaziah would not hear. The tenor of this reply incited the king of Judah the more; for, being in a state of judicial blindness, he was determined to go to war. But the superior strength of Joash surprised him before he had completed his military preparations. Pouring a large army into the territory of Judah, he encountered Amaziah in a pitched battle, routed his army, and took him prisoner. Then having marched to Jerusalem, he not only demolished part of the city walls, but plundered the treasures of the palace and temple.

The root of all sin and most troubles in life, is in the heart, thence it flows. The event, the occasion, whatever it is, that makes men proud, secure, discontented, or the like, springs out therein. A man’s pride will bring him low (Proverbs 29:23); it goes before his destruction. He that exalteth himself shall be abased. Let us watch our attitude as we relate with one another to avoid inciting passions that lead to pride, hatred and bitterness.

Thought for today: Ego is a cancer; avoid it.

Daily Manna

Call to Prayer
Sunday, February 21, 2010

TEXT: Jeremiah 33:1–11

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not" (Jeremiah 33:3).

A devout Christian sister who also was a nurse and nicely spoken of in church and in the community was ill and was found to be infected with HIV/AIDS, which she probably contacted in the cause of duty.

The news was received in church with gloom and sadness. She was to be admitted into the same ward where she had nursed and cared for dying HIV infected persons. The Sunday morning preceding the Monday she was to be taken to hospital, the pastor announced to the church: "We will not have any departmental meetings after service today, instead, we will unitedly pray that Jesus, the great Physician, will work a miracle and completely heal His handmaid and our sister." Passionate prayer was offered for hours for her healing after service. The following day, just before hospital admission, a final test was carried out on her and to the amazement of the physicians the sister was healed. "Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not" (Jeremiah 33:3).

Jeremiah was God’s spokesman in the dark spiritual state of backslidden Israel. Destruction was looming over the land in view of the siege against it by the ravaging Babylonian army. Though, Jerusalem would fall, God desired that Jeremiah should pray and know that He would restore the socio-economic life of Jerusalem.

The Christian should never think of any problem as too great for the LORD to remove. The only limit is in us.

When you pray in faith, you are brought before the King of the whole earth, therefore, your petitions should be large and clearly relevant to His promise.

Whatever our need may be, God will supply it. The Saviour’s promise is: "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:24).

Thought for today: Ask great things from Him.

Daily Manna

There is Hope for You
Monday, February 22, 2010

TEXT: Jeremiah 33:12-26

"In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness" (Jeremiah 33:16).

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day after scavenging for food he arrived home to find his little hut in flame, with smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. "God, how could you do this to me?" he cried. Early the next day he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It’s easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn’t lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain, and suffering. We are always on the mind of God, so there is hope for us. In this chapter the prophet gave an encouraging message of hope to the weary and fearful children of Israel. God promised to end the captivity of Judah and Israel and cause them to return to their land. He promised joy in their desolate cities, as the Messiah, comes to save them from their sins and establish an everlasting kingdom in righteousness and justice.

Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God. And when loneliness sets in, we should know that we are not alone. Don’t give up!

Thought for today: Troubles don’t last always.

Daily Manna

What Manner of Repentance?
Thursday, February 25, 2010

TEXT: JEREMIAH 35:1-19

"But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever" (Jeremiah 35:6).

The children of Judah and Jerusalem had been constantly stiff-necked; they had spurned at God’s invitation to serve Him only.

In His determination to show Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem the manner of obedience required of them, God sent Jeremiah to test the Rechabites with strong drink. The sons of Rechab, with one voice said: "we will drink no wine . . . "

The rebellious Jerusalem and Judah had consistently disobeyed God. They had turned their ears against the call to obedience.

Many people today make empty claim of Christianity, hiding under the cloak of religion to wreak havoc and bringing shame to Christendom. The doctrine of permissiveness which has dominated the entire Christendom is so much that people now throng the popular route which, sadly, leads to perdition. Our text today teaches the need to stand alone even when all around us have decided to do the wrong. We must not follow the multitude to do evil.

We must re-assess and review the type of Christianity that we profess. Do you still maintain a living relationship with the Lord? Are you still holding on to your previous convictions or you have jettisoned them because of prevailing economic realities? Those who easily compromise their faith in times of temptation and persecution are usually people who began the Christian journey without conviction.

Today, tell God to give you the genuine salvation that can make you stand in the time of storm.

Thought for today: Buy the truth and sell it not.

Daily Manna

Condition for Pardon
Friday, February 26, 2010

TEXT: JEREMIAH 36:1-19

"It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin" (Jeremiah 36:3).

A so-called higher critic spoke scornfully of the Bible story of man’s creation.  With a grin on his face, he said "think of God taking a piece of mud in His hand, breathing on it, and changing it into a man".   In the audience was a man who had sunken low into the muck of sin, but who was now transformed by the wondrous grace of God.  He stood fearlessly to his feet and said to the critic of God’s word: "I will tell you this: God stooped down and picked up the dirtiest bit of mud in our town.  He breathed upon it by His Spirit.  It was newly created.  It was changed from a wicked wretch to a man who now hates his former sins and loves the God who saved him.  I was that bit of mud".

The story of salvation is a wonder that can only be better experienced than merely imagined.  That a man lost in sins and trespasses, dirty and wretched can be pardoned and restored into a lively fellowship with God is a great wonder indeed.  Yet this is the story of gracious and ever merciful attribute of God.

God, in our text extends His hands of fellowship to His people promising to pardon and turn away the great anger and fury that He had pronounced on them.

The condition for pardon, peace with God is still the same: "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13).  Salvation, simply put is, to acknowledge and accept your state of sinfulness, believe that Jesus died for your sins and be determined to depart from them.

Our loving God is ever ready to forgive and forget our sin on condition that we repent.

Thought for today: Repentance produces pardon.

Daily Manna

God's Word forever Endures
Saturday, February 27, 2010

TEXT: JEREMIAH 36:20-32

"Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned" (Jeremiah 36:28).

Men of exalted position and of low estate alike are wont to be ignorant, sometimes. This ignorance often leads them to assume rather wrongly that only what their minds can conceive are the realities. They become disinclined to the truths they don’t want to hear, especially those that expose their shortcomings. They also erroneously think what they hate must be bad and what they like must be good. And they sometimes go extra mile to keep the truth from being told. How wrong they are!

A man who was reputed to have wished, and even predicted that the Bible was going to be out of circulation sometimes, would have been shocked, had he lived much longer, to see that the same Bible was being printed in the house he built! King Jehoiakim was so intolerant of God’s word as to instruct the burning of God’s message, oblivious of the fact that the Author of the message can reproduce it verbatim, even adding more that would (more specifically) speak to him as an individual. He thought that, as king, his own opinion must be supreme, and was clearly unaware that "holy men of God spake (or wrote) as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1: 20, 21).

Those who despise the word of God, will soon discover that they cannot successfully fight Him. Heaven and earth may pass away, God’s Word will forever remain. Our profit today lies in believing and obeying the Word.

Thought for today: It is futile to wish God’s word out of existence.

Daily Manna

Maintain Family Integrity
Sunday, February 28, 2010

TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 22:13-30

"If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel" (Deuteronomy 22:22).

After the fall of the world’s first earthly parents, human race became depraved. Ever since, man had become exposed to all forms of evil and vile affection. It is this unclean disposition that compels the necessity of divine (and to some extent, human) legislation. At the root of this is God’s desire to ensure and preserve moral purity in the family and sanctity in the marriage union.

The Almighty God in His divine wisdom and knowledge included these laws to govern proper sexual conduct and maintain purity and the sanctity of virginity. Due punishment and penalties had been prescribed for all forms of illicit sexual behaviour because sins involving intimacy cannot be described as innocent involvement in fleshly pleasures.

Paul, the great Apostle, spoke about this in his epistles. He recognized the importance of strong rules about intimacy for true children of God as immorality has the potential and power to destroy the church, the family and the nation. Six laws of chastity are given as basically fundamental to family integrity; and violations were to be punished by stoning violators to death.

As Christian believers we must avoid all sexual impurities either by thought or action. We must ensure that the family unit is not destroyed by avoidable acts of sexual misconduct.

Thought for today: God has not called us to uncleanness but unto holiness.

"If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel" (Deuteronomy 22:22).

Isn't this an overreaction?

So it doesn't matter if either of the other spouses was ready to forgive?

What if they had children? The children on either/both sides lose their parent(s) because of an act of nookie?

The Mosaic Law was primitive, brutish, and mean.

In earlier times, people appered more reasonable.
.

Nimshi:

"If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel" (Deuteronomy 22:22).

Isn't this an overreaction?

So it doesn't matter if either of the other spouses was ready to forgive?

What if they had children? The children on either/both sides lose their parent(s) because of an act of nookie?

The Mosaic Law was primitive, brutish, and mean.

In earlier times, people appered more reasonable.

Do you want to know Jesus' proper interpretation for believers today? Whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. Let him who has no sin cast the first stone.

So Jesus convicts people for 'thought crime'?

That policing of thoughts must be tedious.

That apart, tell: is there is difference between someone who does it and someone who merely thoughts about it? There's got to be a difference for the sake of justice, no? What's Jesus' proper interpretation, since you appear to know his mind?

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Nimshi:

So Jesus convicts people for 'thought crime'?

That policing of thoughts must be tedious.

That apart, tell: is there is difference between someone who does it and someone who merely thoughts about it? There's got to be a difference for the sake of justice, no? What's Jesus' proper interpretation, since you appear to know his mind?

.

have been following your post recently, i find it interesting, u remind me of myself when i was still trying to understand God, i must admit some places in the bible i dont read till date cos of how brutal God was then , u see God wanted to use force and instant judgment on people but instead of things working right it turned out bad, so that was y God gave us the new covenant with Jesus. Jesus used wisdom to make the people realize that the old law doesnt hold again by saying "Whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. Let him who has no sin cast the first stone."because if he didnt put it that way belive me the woman will died, remember their were greater number of virgins then. so someone will surely throw stone. LUV UR CONFIDENCE, pls do ask more questions on what makes u uncomfortable with christ.

Madukaele:

have been following your post recently, i find it interesting, u remind me of myself when i was still trying to understand God, i must admit some places in the bible i dont read till date cos of how brutal God was then , u see God wanted to use force and instant judgment on people but instead of things working right it turned out bad, so that was y God gave us the new covenant with Jesus. Jesus used wisdom to make the people realize that the old law doesnt hold again by saying "Whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. Let him who has no sin cast the first stone."because if he didnt put it that way belive me the woman will died, remember their were greater number of virgins then. so someone will surely throw stone. LUV your CONFIDENCE, pls do ask more questions on what makes u uncomfortable with christ.

God has judged all the world as being guilty before Him (Romans 3:19,23). Jesus was able to offer that woman forgiveness for her sin, because He was on His way to die on the cross for her. She acknowledged Him as "Lord," but He still told her, "Go, and sin no more." If she didn't repent, she would perish.

This shows us a fearful thing we face in God's Law. The very stones call for our blood. The Law cries out for justice; it has no mercy. It demands, "The soul that sins shall die!" (Ezekiel 18:4). But the Judge who rules can, at His own discretion, administer the spirit of the Law, and its spirit says that mercy rejoices over judgment -- God is rich in mercy to all who call upon Him.

The letter kills, but the Spirit brings life. God is not wiling that the wrath of the Law fall upon guilty sinners, because He would rather acquit the criminal from the courtroom, and He can do so because of Calvary.

Nimshi:

So Jesus convicts people for 'thought crime'?

That policing of thoughts must be tedious.

That apart, tell: is there is difference between someone who does it and someone who merely thoughts about it? There's got to be a difference for the sake of justice, no? What's Jesus' proper interpretation, since you appear to know his mind?

The bar was certainly raised when Jesus properly interpreted God's Moral Law.  He said:

"That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20).

Thomas Jefferson succintly encapsulated this by saying the following and I quote:

"The precepts of philosophy, and of the Hebrew code, laid hold of actions only.  [Jesus] pushed His scrutinies into the heart of man, erected His tribunal in the region of his thoughts, and purified the waters at the fountain head."

Have you not just quoted Jesus to show that Jesus was right??

Many words, yet, you still managed to avoid the question: is there any difference between adultery in thought and doing it - to coin a phrase - for real?

Second, Mr. Jefferson's words have is his own opinion; he may havee been the 'author' of America, but to call upon him in this discussion is arguing from 'authority' at the very least; that line is so inferior that it merits little discussion.
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Nimshi:

Have you not just quoted Jesus to show that Jesus was right??

Many words, yet, you still managed to avoid the question: is there any difference between adultery in thought and doing it - to coin a phrase - for real?

Second, Mr. Jefferson's words have is his own opinion; he may havee been the 'author' of America, but to call upon him in this discussion is arguing from 'authority' at the very least; that line is so inferior that it merits little discussion.
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What's the difference between the tree and the fruits that grows from it?

OLAADEGBU:

What's the difference between the tree and the fruits that grows from it?

You've asked a direct question, I'll answer directly - as a lesson to you, and as a reminder of your ineffective attempt to evade sirent questions asked you:

A tree is a tree, and a fruit is its fruit: many times a tree may be inedible, but the fruit would be succulent, providing nutrients. Heck, a tree may not produce any fruit, at which point a certain prophet may be so mad as to 'curse't he fruit and decree it to die. There're clear differences, marked by distinctions, between a tree and its fruit. Any follow-up question?

Now, to one of the questions you've refused to answer:

1) is there any difference between adultery in thought and doing it - to coin a phrase - for real?

Nimshi:

You've asked a direct question, I'll answer directly - as a lesson to you, and as a reminder of your ineffective attempt to evade sirent questions asked you:

A tree is a tree, and a fruit is its fruit: many times a tree may be inedible, but the fruit would be succulent, providing nutrients. Heck, a tree may not produce any fruit, at which point a certain prophet may be so mad as to 'curse't he fruit and decree it to die. There're clear differences, marked by distinctions, between a tree and its fruit. Any follow-up question?

Now, to one of the questions you've refused to answer:

1) is there any difference between adultery in thought and doing  it - to coin a phrase - for real?

is not the same,most times we cant control our minds. dat doesnt mean i hv sinned does it?Jesus used dat to save the lady dats it. i disagree to belive is the same.

Still avoiding a straightforward question:

1) is there any difference between adultery in thought and doing it - to coin a phrase - for real?
.

Nimshi:

Still avoiding a straightforward question:

1) is there any difference between adultery in thought and doing it - to coin a phrase - for real?
.

Your guess is as good as mine. 

Daily Manna

Holiness: Condition for God's Blessing
Monday, March 1, 2010

TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 23:1-14

"For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee" (Deuteronomy 23:14).

A pathetic observation one notices these days is the content of the prayers of many professing Christians who claim the benefits of the kingdom in their prayers without corresponding piety and righteous living. To them, God is like a magician; the name of Jesus, a magic wand which, on being uttered, yields up a basketful of blessings and grants their wishes.

We see the true nature of God from the passage for consideration today. God Almighty listed out conditions for His blessings upon the children of Israel. He expressly declared that He would walk in their midst, deliver them and give up their enemies on condition that they keep their camps holy.

God is a moral God, who created a moral world and set up moral laws to regulate relationship between Himself and the world. God has not and will not abandon this cardinal principles and allow the sons of men to trample upon His laws and still expect to receive His blessings. That is why Paul the apostle wonders how men can continue in sin and still expect the grace of God to increase in their lives.

God intends to bless His children. In our relationship with God, it is we, not God, that benefits. He has everything that pertains to our life and godliness – pardon, peace, power, prosperity, provision, protection, preservation and eventually, paradise. What we need to do to benefit from His goodness is to fulfill His conditions. With the grace of God in our lives, those conditions are not grievous to carry out.

Thought for today: God’s faithfulness to His Word is unquestionable.

Daily Manna

Pay Your Vow
Tuesday, March 2, 2010

TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 23:15-25

"When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee" (Deuteronomy 23:21,22).

The Oxford Dictionary describes vow as a solemn promise made to a Deity or Saint. Once made, they become binding.

A mere secret purpose of the mind was not enough to constitute a vow; it had to be actually expressed in words. Though a purely voluntary act, when a vow is made, the performance of it, like that of every other promise, becomes an indispensable duty.

Vows are made by different people for various reasons. Hannah made a vow at the heat of her search of a child. Jephtha also, faced with a big challenge, made a vow unto the Lord.

Other sundry lessons abound in our passage for consideration today. It is honourable to shelter and protect the weak, provided they are not wicked. Proselytes and converts to the truth should be treated with particular tenderness that they may have no temptation to return to the world. It provided for the support of poor travellers, and teaches us to be kind to such, teaches us to be ready to distribute, and not to think everything would be lost that is given away. Yet, it forbids us to abuse the kindness of friends, or to take advantage of what is allowed.

It then behooves the believer to tread cautiously when making a vow, lest he rashly opens his mouth in the heat of emotion only to renege later. Faithfulness to engagements should be the hallmark of the people of God.

Thought for today: Be faithful to your vow.

What if a fellow makes a vow to give the church 1 million US dollars by 15 March 2010.

And he's right now on US $250.00 ?

Must he pay anyhow?

.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord. The first thing that the wicked has to do is to repent and give his life to Jesus in faith. Believers do not necessarily have to make a vow but if they do they are enjoined to tread cautiously because faithfulness is the hallmark of the people of God.

Daily Manna

Make that Marriage Work
Wednesday, March 3, 2010

TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 24:1-5

"When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house" (Deuteronomy 24:1).

The subject of marriage is not only sacred, it is also sensitive. The human nature which poses potent threat to God’s precepts often makes man to breach divine laws. That is exactly what informed Moses‘ pronouncement in our text today.

One, by his pronouncement that a man could divorce his wife if he became displeased with her because he had found some uncleanness in her was by no means an intention by Moses to change the demand or standard of God on this subject. Rather than give a command to divorce their wives, Moses merely permitted it, and the two are not the same thing.

The demand of God is that they should be together forever, for better or for worse. Jesus referred to Israel’s attitude as "hardness of heart" (Matthew 9:18) and warned that, "What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder" (verse 9).

Today, however, divorce is rampant as people do for every reason, a situation akin to the practice during the time of Jesus when the Pharisees demanded to know from Him whether it was right to divorce for every cause.

Love, temperance and forgiveness which are necessary to keep marital relationship till the end have taken flight in many homes and this has broken many marriages. Some other couples are merely patching up their relationship. The will of God is that your marriage should remain solid forever, and you can make it work; you must make it work.

Thought for today: Love and forgiveness will keep your marriage.

how do u actually make it work when it seems that every avenue to live together in peace has been exhausted? especially when one of both parties believes strongly that she made a mistake in the first place getting unequally yoked .

floxxy51:

how do u actually make it work when it seems that every avenue to live together in peace has been exhausted? especially when one of both parties believes strongly that she made a mistake in the first place getting unequally yoked .

Checkout the following articles for answers to your question.

A Word to the Wives

"Wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without a word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear" (I Peter 3:1,2).

These verses contain a special promise to wives with unsaved husbands. In view of the Biblical injunctions against a Christian marrying an unbeliever (e.g., I Corinthians 7:39; II Corinthians 6:14), this promise applies more directly to a wife who has become a Christian after marriage.

Since a woman is not to "teach" her husband (I Corinthians 14:35) unless he willingly asks her to do so, she must first witness to him "without a word," letting her "chaste conversation" (that is, manner of living) coupled with "fear" (that is, due honour and respect for her husband) do her witnessing for her. The "ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" (I Peter 3:4) can become a beautiful "adorning" (v.3), which will eventually convince a stubborn mind and win a hardened heart.

Note also the emphasis on "your own" husbands. A Christian wife, rebuffed in spiritual matters by an unconverted husband, may be unconsciously inclined to compare her husband unfavourably to her pastor or other Christian male acquaintances, taking their counsel rather than that of her husband. But this is not the will of God (except, of course, when her husband’s demands are clearly contrary to God’s revealed word), and is not the way to win her husband to Christ. This approach may be unpopular today, but it is still effective, because it is still true.

This is a conditional promise, but if the wife meets the conditions set forth, she can expect God to work. It may take time, for the wife’s behaviour must be tested with time, but then the divine promise is (literally) "they shall without a word be won by the life and attitude of the wives." HMM

Below is a testimony of how a marriage that was on the brink of breaking got restored. 

Dr. George Crane was a newspaper columnist and at the same time a Christian minister.  He said of the story of a frustrated wife who came into his office seeking a divorce.  She said:

"I do not only want to get rid of him, I want to hurt him as much as he has me.

Dr. Crane suggested an interesting plan: "Go home and act as if you really love your husband.  Tell him how much he means to you.  Praise him for every decent trait.  Go out of your way to be as kind, considerate and generous as possible.  Spare no efforts to please him, to enjoy him.  Make him believe you love him.  After you've convinced him of your undying love and that you cannot live without him, then drop the bomb.  Tell him that you're getting a divorce.  That will really hurt him."

With revenge in her eyes, she smiled and exclaimed, "Beautiful, beautiful.  Will he ever be surprised!"

And she carried out the Dr's prescription to the letter, pretending to mean it.  This she did for 2 months by showing kindness, not nagging nor insulting, giving, sharing, showing love and affection.

When she didn't come back Dr Crane he decided to give her a call and said: "Are you ready
now to go through with the divorce?"

"Divorce?" she exclaimed.  "Never!  I discovered I really do love him."

OLAADEGBU:
Dr. Crane suggested an interesting plan: "Go home and act as if you really love your husband. Tell him how much he means to you. Praise him for every decent trait. Go out of your way to be as kind, considerate and generous as possible. Spare no efforts to please him, to enjoy him. Make him believe you love him. After you've convinced him of your undying love and that you cannot live without him, then drop the bomb. Tell him that you're getting a divorce. That will really hurt him."

So what's this got to do with the bible?

Mr. Crane's advice is not what the bible recommends: the bible says for the wife to respect the husband, and the husband to love the wife. So, this above only shows how impractical the bible's advice could be.
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Daily Manna

Oppression Forbidden
Thursday, March 4, 2010

TEXT: Deuteronomy 24:6-22

"If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you" (Deuteronomy 24:7).

In His principle of human relations as handed down to the children of Israel, God abhorred murder by all means. He also frowns at stealing, especially, when a human being is the stolen "item."

God also prescribed death for anybody who stole his brethren for money-making. The command of God on the domestic relationship is predicated on the principle of live and let live. To avoid a situation where some people become predators over others, God decided to role out a set of laws forbidding the kidnap of fellow human beings for whatever reason.

In this passage, He gave instructions that the poor, the stranger, lepers and slaves should be treated fairly. What He said to the children of Israel, He says to us today. As believers, we should not treat the instruction of God with levity. In our contemporary times, many people are involved in kidnap business. They have turned the ugly thing into a booming business for ransom and ritual purposes. All those who take part in this sinful business are enemies of God and will one day come under His severe judgment if they fail to repent and desist.

It is God’s desire that there should not be any form of oppression against the downtrodden. We are challenged to treat others as we want them to treat us. Because they are human beings like us, created in the image of God, we must do to them as we want others to do to us.

Thought for today: Live and let live.

GOD bless u continually for enriching the souls of men