Daily Manna
Monday 18, November 2013

Sons Of Belial!

TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 2:12-19

"Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD" (1 Samuel 2:12)

The nation of Israel regarded the office of the priest as a sacred one and held it in high esteem and reverence. The holder of the office was regarded no less and was acknowledged as the cherished oracle of God. The priest was to be the epitome of moral excellence as everything about him was to point the people to their duties and obligations to God.

The description of Eli’s sons as the sons of Belial meant they were worthless, wicked and wild. “Wherefore the sin of the young men was great before the LORD: for men abhorred the offering of the LORD” (verse 17). Yet, they continued to minister in God’s house to the knowledge of their father the priest who did nothing about it.

The sacredness of God’s house lies in the righteous and holy conduct of the leaders and worshippers. Eli’s sons committed horrendous evils, of which the penalty was death (Numbers 15:22- 31). Thus, Eli gave himself out as a partial, selfish compromiser, who set personal considerations above God’s commandments.

Those who hold priestly and leadership positions in the church should do so in obedience to the commandment of God and the spiritual demands of their office. We dare not talk of the criminal boldness of Eli’s sons who could not emulate the sparkling conduct of young Samuel where we are equally guilty of same misconducts. Moreover, pastors and leaders are to take heed that they do not tolerate or attempt to cover sins simply because the culprits are their children, relations or friends. The consequence of Eli’s dumb attitude was great. “Behold the days come that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thine father’s house that there shall not be an old man in thine house forever” (verse 31). Leaders and workers beware!

Thought for the day: "Though hand join in hand, sinners shall not go unpunished"

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Tuesday 19, November 2013

An Ungodly Command

TEXT: ACTS 4:13-22

"And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus" (Acts 4:18 )

A national newspaper in Nigeria in its July 24, 2013 edition, published a story of the suspension and expulsion of a number of students by a college for issues that bordered on praying, among others. Apparently, the principal of the school had become uncomfortable with their prayers and fellowship for reasons that were difficult to fathom.

A striking miracle had taken place in Jerusalem as a 40 year-old man, lame from his mother’s womb, had by the Spirit of God, been made to walk. The reaction of the Jewish leaders was both curious but understandable. They ought to have given thanks to God for the good done to the impotent man but they could not because the disciples had been with Jesus whom they had rejected. They acknowledged that “indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them (the unlearned and ignorant men) ...and we cannot deny it”. They therefore gave a ‘mild’ punishment to warn the disciples not to teach and preach in the name of Jesus.

It is worthy of note that the disciples confronted the Jewish leaders with such a stunning courage. This is a clear evidence of the baptism in the Holy Ghost. In many churches today, Holy Ghost baptism starts and ends with speaking in tongues while spectacular miracles are on the decline. Some not-well-informed church leaders insist that miracle-working power ceased after the age of the apostles. This cannot be true when we remember what God is doing, even in our own contemporary period.

The Lord has need of bold and courageous preachers, leaders and pastors who can stand up to evangelical challenges and say like Peter and John, “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard”; “we ought to obey God rather than men.”

Thought for the day: "Gospel-preaching is not for the chicken-hearted"

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Wednesday 20, November 2013

A Fatal Request

TEXT: 1 KINGS 2:12-25

"And king Solomon answered and said unto his mother, And why dost thou ask Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah? ask for him the kingdom also; for he is mine elder brother; even for him, and for Abiathar the priest, and for Joab the son of Zeruiah…God do so to me, and more also, if Adonijah have not spoken this word against his own life" (1 Kings 2:22,23)

Jackson was not a diligent and conscientious worker. His appraisal ratings had been dwindling as he had been denied promotion for three consecutive years. He decided to stand election as the secretary of the House Union and won. As soon as he won, he summoned a general meeting with the sole agenda that any employee who had remained on one grade should be automatically promoted to the next grade regardless of his or her appraisal rating. But the management refused to sign, convinced that it was a bad scheme.

In our text, Adonijah had approached Bathsheba, his stepmother to make a request of taking over their father, David’s last wife, Abishag, from king Solomon. But Solomon was able to decode that Adonijah’s motive to marry their father’s last mistress was tantamount to claiming the throne. Absalom, his elder brother, had carried out a similar plot against their father (2 Samuel 16:20-23). Solomon ordered Adonijah’s execution, his co-conspirator also lost his life. The priest, Abiathar, a sympathizer of Adonijah, was sacked from office. This marked the end of the priesthood of Eli’s house.

People who try to get what cannot be theirs legitimately will always end-up disastrously as Adonijah and Absalom. This is perhaps one major reason some assemblies break up into factions because of inordinate ambitions.

When God calls, He equips, guides and directs. If you think your boss is blocking your chances, wait patiently for God’s time. Just “a little while, he that shall come will come” (Hebrews 10:37). Never attempt to go ahead of God. Wait for the fullness of time.

Thought for the day: "The shortest way to hell is sometimes through inordinate ambition"

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Thursday 21, November 2013

Be Not Deceived

TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 6:1-20

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind" (1 Corinthians 6:9)

Man’s entire being is to be regulated by sound moral principles. God in His unique wisdom knew that man’s freedom to choose his actions must be moderated by a stronger force, the force of God’s law, which if he obeys, his choice of action would not be his ruin.

The brethren in the church that was at Corinth displayed a lot of carnal behaviours. Disagreements among them were rife and they took easy recourse to the law courts. Litigations were very common and should not have been so. This is because it is doubtful whether the unbelieving court official’s could adjudicate in matters brought before them with appropriate godly wisdom.

Man, as a free moral agent, must choose to honour God. Moreover, believers have a binding duty to preserve their body and stay away from sin for the purpose of inheriting God’s kingdom. Sinners may make a joke of hell and heaven. Yet, the truth remains unflagging that “it is appointed unto men once to die but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

The escape route is still open to all. Today, “if you will hear his voice, harden not your heart.” The door of salvation is still open. Do not mortgage an endless eternity for the brief so-called enjoyment of sin today. Christ is still receiving sinful men and women and He will receive you if only you will come to him now in repentance.

Thought for the day: "It's deadly to toy with sin"

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Friday 22, November 2013

Numbering For Pride

TEXT: 1 CHRONICLES 21:9-17

"Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee" (1 Chronicles 21:10)

When it came to hardwork, job knowledge and versatility, only few in the company stood any chance against Mr. Nath. He had been instrumental to a number of noteworthy innovations in the sales/marketing division, resulting in progressively higher market share and bigger profits. But this day, the Board of Directors had called him and given him options of either termination of his appointment, demotion or transfer to a rural branch of their company. He had committed a grave marketing blunder due to over-confidence, and the loss to the company had been colossal.

David was a man after God’s heart. He had accomplished much and achieved great victories through God’s grace and support (2 Samuel 24:1). Sadly, he fell to Satan’s temptations in carrying out a census not commanded by God. What else could lie at the root of this exercise if not pride and vain glory? He was asked to choose one of three options, either of which carried devastating and grave consequences. He chose to fall into God’s hand, and, many people died. But God had compassion on him after he acknowledged his sin, desiring that the punishment be upon him and his father’s house only and not on the people.

Satan, our archenemy strikes at a time believers are most vulnerable. Our close walk with God does not provide us an immunity against temptation. But God can empower us to overcome them if we seek His face.

Let us compare every ‘leading’ with the word of God. This way, we will not be victims of avoidable disasters. This is a challenge believers must single-mindedly extirpate before it spells their fall.

Thought for the day: "Pride goeth before destruction"

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Saturday 23, November 2013

Faith Is It!

TEXT: ROMANS 4:13-25

"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God" (Romans 4:20)

Kent Hughes related a story of a man, who expressed fear when he wanted to cross the frozen St. Lawrence River in Canada. He was not sure whether the ice could hold him and, to satisfy his curiosity, he placed his hand firmly on the frozen river. In spite of this confirmation, the man could not muster the required faith to cross St. Lawrence River. He began to shuffle across the ice on his knees, still trembling with fear. Even when a team of horses later pulled a carriage and made their way through the river, the man remained transfixed with fear.

But our text today singled out a man - Abraham - who did not express such a weak and timid faith on issues of life because he never found God wanting in His promises of strength, guidance, wisdom and provision. Abraham had humble confidence in God. Despite the challenge of barreness, he was certain that God’s promises would never fail and so, he rested his confidence in Him. God’s promise to him that he would inherit blessings was fulfilled, not through the law but through his absolute faith in Him.

Law, according to our text, works wrath, empties faith and nullifies the promise. Therefore, we must trust in Christ as our Lord and Saviour to obtain salvation, sanctification and other Christian experiences. We cannot obtain salvation and God’s promises through our own merit and energy.

If you have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ, it is still that trust in the personality of Christ that will make you to receive God’s promises. When you follow the example of Abraham and draw nearer to God, you must obtain divine strength to overcome all the challenges of life and carry out great exploits for Him.

Thought for the day: "Faith expects from God what is beyond all expectations"

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Sunday 24, November 2013

Beyond Imagination

TEXT: MATTHEW 2:1-10

"And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel" (Matthew 2:6)

A song writer scripted: “From rags unto riches, from silver to gold, from tinsel to diamond of value untold… He takes a beggar and makes him a king.”

The birth of Jesus Christ in the city of Bethlehem defied the imagination of everyone in those days. If voice votes were required to suggest the appropriate city where Christ should be born, Bethlehem would be the least choice because of its low rating at the time. But God who chooses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise, decided that his Son would come from a city of no repute. Thus, Bethlehem became the birth place of the Saviour of the world.

The passage today tells us that God is still in the business of lifting people from the dunghills, from rags to riches, and is still capable of lifting a beggar from his obscure position to have a portion among the princes. Nothing is impossible with God. In case you are thinking that the door of hope has been permanently shut against you, it is time you change your thoughts because God has not said his last word concerning you. A song writer said: “It is always darkest before dawn.” When it appears that there is no more remedy for your malady, Christ will restore your hope. There is hope for the hopeless.

The Almighty God is capable of changing every story. It is beyond anyone’s imagination what God can do to turn around a life. Those who are wise will never give up because they know that soon the “Sun of righteosness will arise” for them “with healing in his wings”.

Thought for the day: "The Lord has the capacity to turn around every captivity"

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Monday 25, November 2013

Victory Is Sure

TEXT: JUDGES 1:16-36

"And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah" (Judges 1:17)

In the days when colonialism was in vogue, countries that were conquered were overrun by the superior powers of the colonialists. No country has ever been taken over without a battle.

Most times, freedom does not come on a platter of gold; it is fought for. Although the children of Israel had been promised a good land - Canaan that flowed with milk and honey as an inheritance - they needed to fight to have the promise realised. After the death of Joseph, Israel asked the Lord who would go before them, and God said Judah should lead them. There was a large expanse of land to be inhabited, but the Canaanites were already living there. This presented a fresh challenge. In the text, God empowered Israel against the Canaanites. There were engaging collaborations between Judah and his brother Simeon in forging a common front against their enemies. They were thus able to rout the Canaanites that were occupying Zephath.

A lesson for believers here is that there must be unity of purpose. In unity, a lot can be achieved. Judah may not have been able to defeat the Canaanites had he decided to fight it all alone. Again, we learnt that since the Lord was with Israel, even the tribes that did not completely drive out the inhabitants of the portions allotted to them were able to subdue such inhabitants and made them servants.

Believers are enjoined to always put their trust in the Almighty God. There’s no situation too difficult that God cannot handle. All we need do is to follow His instructions to the minutest detail. Whatever He allows to dwell among us cannot overcome us. He gives us the power to subdue such things in such a way that they pose no threat to us after all.

Thought for the day: "God is still the Man of war, the Captain of our host"

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Tuesday 26, November 2013

Be Aware Of Who You Are!

TEXT: LUKE 4:33-44

"And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out" (Luke 4:36)

Wherever the Son of man is, devils, no matter how fierce and unclean, do not have a chance. This was what happened in our text today. Jesus rebuked unclean spirits and they obeyed Him. The manifestation of His power knew no bounds. He cast out devils, calmed the raging seas and healed diverse diseases and infirmities. He rebuked the spirit behind fever in the life of Simon’s mother-in-law. The manifestation of Christ’s power was so much that people urged him not to depart from them.

In our text, Jesus was not deceived by the vain praise of an unclean spirit; he recognised the source and cast him out. He neither craved for nor accepted the adulations of devils. He demonstrated His authority over them.

When the unclean spirits were crying out that Christ was the Son of God, Jesus did not savour such proclamations because He knew they were fake. He did not need the devils to tell Him who and what He was. Believers must be careful to know when praises are comely and from where such praises originate.

Like Jesus, we must be humble in heart and in disposition. It was this virtue that enabled Him shun the praise of evil and unclean devils. Those who are proud fall into diverse temptations, including receiving praises from the pit of hell. We must watch and pray.

Besides, believers must resist the prevailing practice in some Christian circles where demons are exalted and proclaimed even much more than they lift up Jesus. Since Jesus has already given us the power over all devils, how we need to studiously proclaim this Name, rather than the damning recourse to giving demons nonsensical publicity.

Thought for the day: "Christ’s power is limitless"

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Wednesday 27, November 2013

Favour With God

TEXT: RUTH 2:1-17

"The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust" (Ruth 2:12)

An author observed that every individual seems to get to a point in life when he/she would have to go through the rough road. "Even when sailing by the Master’s order, we might still encounter storms in the sea of life. On the pages of our diaries will certainly come entries of some palls of life like bereavement and other probable ones such as lack of parental support, dearth of funds, loss of jobs, illness among others. Sometimes, with no ominous sign, they steal on us and leave us with endless queries of sobs.”

The above illustrates Ruth’s experience. But her approach to the challenge helped her a great deal. Whenever we make up our minds to follow the Lord wholeheartedly, He does not disappoint us. When Ruth was making a commitment of cleaving with her mother-in-law, Naomi, she never knew that God would reward her in such a special way. She came into the field owned by Boaz by divine arrangement. From gleaning in the field, she became a favoured person. She found favour in the sight of God and man. A full reward was given to her by the God of Israel whom she trusted.

Our text throws a challenge at us on the need to put our trust in God no matter the circumstance. The Lord who knows the end from the beginning is capable of seeing us through. Ruth never knew that her decision to stick to her mother-in-law would bring her immense happiness, with temporal and eternal benefits. Had she deserted Naomi as Orpah did, her story would have taken a different turn. Today, and all through the ages, her name will continue to be remembered.

The decisions we make today will determine our tomorrow. What manner of decisions are you making? It is purely up to you to decide.

Thought for the day: "Those who know the Lord shall be strong and do exploits"

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Thursday 28, November 2013

God Saves, Only Believe!

TEXT: JOHN 4:43-54

"Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way" (John 4:50)

God’s power to deliver even those at the point of death never fails. He remains ever powerful and awesome. Many people have been pulled from the very mouth of death in a manner that reaffirmed believers’ faith in God and confounded unbelievers, even the worst of atheists.

Susanna, the mother of John Wesley nicknamed her son (John) “a brand plucked from the burning”. John was dramatically rescued when his parent’s old personage was razed by fire. A ladder was brought and was raised to little John’s window; he was saved just before the roof collapsed.

The noble man that met Jesus in Galilee had an experience that convinced him of the omnipotence and omnipresence of God. He had travelled on a long journey to seek divine healing for his sick son. He saw Jesus and begged Him to follow him home to heal the son, who was at the point of death. But Jesus needed not to be physically present at the man’s house for the boy to be healed. Jesus spoke the word and the man believed and that settled it. The sick boy was healed instantly.

When believers learn to take God by His word, nothing shall be impossible to them. God has been giving us assurances of diverse miracles and deliverances through revivals and spiritual breakthroughs. The question is, have we seen the need to appropriate the blessings in God’s word, or do we need to wait until Christ physically comes to our house to tell us He has met our needs? Now is the time to appropriate the promises of God. He says, “go thy way; thy son liveth.” Whatever is dead or at the point of death in your life must receive power to live again. Do you believe? It shall be unto you according to your faith.

Thought for the day: "The Lord Jesus always arrive at the fullness of time"

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Friday 29, November 2013

Eli's Compromise

TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 2:20-36

"Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?" (1 Samuel 2:29)

Someone once wrote: ‘some sins, like the falling of heavy burden in still water, produce wider and more violent effects than do others. The effect is always pernicious but when prominent men and professed servants of God sin, the consequences are painfully and conspicuously injurious’.

In the earlier verses of this chapter, we read about the nature of the sin of Eli’s two sons and how they carried them out with recklessness and mindless frivolities. In an apparent sinful acquiescence, Eli their father had only said: “I hear of your evil dealings, by all this people” (verse 23). He could have gone ahead to invoke the necessary penalty. Yet, he curiously refused to do so.

On the other hand, Hannah and her husband never relented in their desire that Samuel should turn out an acceptable servant of God as they continued to visit him with precious and encouraging presents. Little wonder then, the Lord visited Hannah so that she conceived and bare three sons and two daughters. They lent one child, Samuel, to the Lord and got five back. What a gracious God!

Our text teaches us some very vital lessons on sowing and reaping. The lending of the child Samuel to the Lord resulted in a more bountiful blessings as the woman who was mocked for her barrenness became a mother of six.

But Eli’s failure both as a father and a minister of God to discipline his sinful sons attracted God’s judgment upon the entire family. Disrespect and disregard for the priesthood will always attract a just recompense of judgment from the Lord who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity. Paradoxically, the laity who walk humbly and justly with a contrite disposition will surely receive a glorious upliftment from God.

Thought for the day: "It is safer to daily work out one’s salvation with fear and trembling"

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Saturday 30, November 2013

Effectual, Fervent Prayer Please!

TEXT: ACTS 4:23-37

"And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God…And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness?" (Acts. 4:24a,31)

A Professor once remarked that there are elements that will always stand against success in life. "When one starts a project," he said, "they (elements) want to truncate it; when one has a goal or vision in life, they threaten to obliterate it." "Therefore," he concludes, "those in quest of excellence, must take appropriate action, buckle up and be determined to achieve success at all costs."

The devil knew quite well that Jesus Christ had commissioned His disciples, before His ascension, to "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature", and that this must begin from Jerusalem (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8 ). Therefore, he wanted to truncate that move which had rightly begun in Jerusalem by the disciples.

As soon as the disciples performed their first notable miracle, it facilitated the preaching of the gospel by attracting many to the Lord. The enemies of the gospel moved swiftly to stop it. They arrested Peter and John and locked them up.Their intention was to instill fear in the hearts of the disciples thus preventing them from fulfilling Jesus' mandate. Thank God the disciples knew the appropriate action to take. They were determined to be successful in ministry and that they did! They employed the appropriate instrument of prayer and God came to their rescue.

It is good to know that the only solution when confronted with any problem is to seek the face of God in prayer. A mindless resort to complaining, grumbling and despondency is unhelpful. The prayer that will cause the Holy Ghost to come down will be the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous (James 5:16). This prayer cannot be ignored by heaven; a prayer that causes things to happen!

Thought for the day: "Importunate, fervent prayer is key to overcoming the challenges of life"

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Sunday 01, December 2013

A Blessed Union

TEXT: GENESIS 24:61-67

"And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death" (Genesis 24:67)

Marriage is a unique relationship established by God to fulfill His plan and purpose on earth through man (Genesis 1:27,28). No wonder Solomon, the wisest man of his time, said, “live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity” (Ecclesiastes 9:9). The marriage institution is established to better the lives of both spouses. The benefits of marriage are best realized when both spouses are committed to it. A breach in the duties and obligations of marriage by either or both partners, often leads to frustration and disappointment.

Our text x-rays the possibility of a joyful, blissful and fulfilling marital life in the midst of all negative experiences arising from different quarters. The basic indispensable ingredients of a satisfying relationship in marriage as revealed in our text are acceptance and love on the part of the husband and submission from the wife. Isaac loved Rebecca and brought her to himself and she became his wife. Rebecca on her part, submitted to the headship of the man and became a comfort to him. A home where there is peace is a home where there is no fault-finding, hardness and bitterness on the side of both husband and wife.

Godly communication is the lubricant of marriage and family relationship. There must be a cordial relationship, with a determination to produce a lively and productive togetherness.

Couples must learn to accept and appreciate one another. No two individuals can ever be the same. Hence, offences must be overlooked to create room for reconciliation even as both strive to create the enabling environment for children to flourish.

Thought for the day: "A blessed conjugal union is the product of two blood-washed saints, free from ego and pride"

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Monday 02, December 2013

Insincere Lifestyle

TEXT: NUMBERS 14:40-45

"And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper. Go not up, for the LORD is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies" (Numbers 14:41,42)

Pastor Lewis Llewellyn says that the Koreans have a curious new-year custom. Desiring to forget unpleasant things and make a fresh start, each person determines what bad habits he would like to eliminate and what past deeds he wants forgiven. Then he writes the names of those evils on a kite and flies it high into the air. When it is almost out of sight, he cuts the string. As the “paper bird” takes a nosedive and disappears from sight, he thinks that all his faults and previous transgressions are forever removed.

This preamble describes the action of the Israelites in the text under review. Without genuine repentance, the people felt they could easily be accepted before God. They presumptuously determined to go up “unto the place which the LORD hath promised”. However, God did not confuse their admission of guilt with true repentance because He knew their hearts. Sure enough, they soon went their own way again.

God expects every sinner to genuinely repent and turn away from the old lifestyle of sin. Repentance is the acknowledgement of sins and the willingness to turn away from them. After repentance from sin, faith must be anchored in Christ who forgives sins and produces the grace for a righteous living.

Moses emphasized the danger of not being sincere before God. He told them that the presence of God would depart from them and that they would fall by the sword of their enemies. It is the same today. A sinner is at the mercy of the devil. Genuine and heart-felt repentance must therefore be undertaken by those who truly want to be pardoned. This done, a life-long commitment to holy living and obedience are required to ultimately enter heaven.

Thought for the day: "Repentance and faith connect a sinner with God"

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Tuesday 03, December 2013

A Godly Thought For Children

TEXT: MARK 10:13-16

"But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them”" (Mark 10:14,16)

In many nations, godly care and concern for children are observed in their breach. Children grow up, mostly in the midst of a near zerotolerance for their well-being by the society.

Our text reveals the mindset of the Lord towards children. The disciples had, for curious reasons, forbade children from coming to the Lord. In their erroneous estimation, children had no part to play in Christ’s emerging Kingdom. The Lord’s surprising response must have startled them. Not only did He upbraid the disciples for preventing the children from coming to Him, He declared pointedly that it requires a child-like innocency and simplicity of faith to enter His eternal Kingdom.

How we need to take appropriate cues from the Master and learn afresh what our disposition towards children ought to be. In many nations, there are no clear-cut policies to govern the affairs of children let alone, identify and sustain godly disposition that will create the enabling environment for them to flourish. Yet, children sometimes constitute over fifty percent of the population. The resultant error of omission and indeed of commission has produced delinquent, vagabond, wayward miscreants among children who daily pose a threat to society. Worse, there are so-called Christian assemblies with scant regards for the spiritual welfare of children.

No effort must be spared towards raising our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Today’s disciples of Christ must encourage those who have genuine call into the children ministry to fulfill their God given mandate for the sake of our hapless children and posterity. Parents, on their own part, must follow-up on the efforts of the children church by providing a godly example and environment for their children to emulate. The spiritual well-being of our children must never be left to chance.

Thought for the day: "A trained child today is a treasure tomorrow"

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Wednesday 04, December 2013

Right Attitude In Trouble

TEXT: ISAIAH 26:12-21

"LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them" (Isaiah 26:16)

Charles Swindoll once said, "The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace from that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string that we have and the string is attitude."

In this prophetic song in our text about the latter days, Isaiah prophesied what the attitude of Judah will be in reaction to the judgment of God in scattering them among the nations. Judah had lived in sin and God had visited them with judgment, allowing their enemies to take them into captivity. However, in this song, Isaiah was hopeful that Judah would eventually demonstrate the right attitude by turning to God in repentance. For this reason, they will be saved from the onslaught of the antichrist who will torment the world.

It is clear from the submission of Isaiah that what is needed while in trouble and perplexity is the right attitude. Unfortunately, however, many people portend an adamant attitude when faced with God’s chastisement. Rather than return to God, they choose to go farther away from Him. Conversely, the attitude of some others are even more alarming when God shows undeserved acts of mercy and kindness to them. Rather than be grateful, they choose to be contemptuous.

It is important for everyone to know, as Swindle has noted, that we all have a choice concerning the attitude and course of action we adopt each day. A positive attitude goes a long way to determining an eventual end. It is futile for anyone to fight his Maker. How we need to humble ourselves and wholly submit to God’s counsel even while passing through divine chastisement!

Thought for the day: "Decision determines destiny"

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Thursday 05, December 2013

Warn People Against Sin

TEXT: EZEKIEL 3:15-21

"Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me" (Ezekiel 3:17)

Many times, we desire great privileges, responsibilities and reward. We pick and choose those assignments that we think will lead us to quick realization of these incentives. And because we are not patient enough to wait until the Lord hands us His mandate, most times, we miss the mark of His expectation.

Not so for Ezekiel. The Lord had called him to be a messenger to the people of Israel. But He did not immediately outline his responsibility. It was, therefore, incumbent on him to wait patiently for seven days until the Lord told him the task he was to carry out. He was being sent as a watchman to the Israelites. God would speak to him, and he in turn was to convey the same words to the people of Israel. He would essentially address two categories of people: the wicked and the righteous. He was to warn the wicked and backslider to change their sinful ways and escape God’s judgment. But if they remained adamant and died in their sins despite the warning, God would absolve Ezekiel of blame. But if he failed to warn them to turn from their evil ways and they died in their sins, God would hold him responsible because he failed in his task.

The Lord has called us, essentially to carry out a labour of love for sinners and believers alike. All around us, sinners are sinking deeper into evil and are dying and heading into a doomed eternity. It is our duty, as believers, to warn them of the danger ahead, and hopefully, win them to Jesus Christ. We are also to warn believers against backsliding, irrespective of the pressure they face. If we do this conscientiously, God would appreciate our efforts. But if we fail to do it, we would be guilty of disobedience. The question is: When last did you warn someone against sin?

Thought for the day: "He that winneth souls is wise"

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this dosent correspond with mine, mine talks about nehemiah..... anyways more grease to your elbow.... keep up the excellent work.... God bless You.

Daily Manna
Friday 06, December 2013

Danger of Unbelieve

TEXT: GALATIANS 4:21-31

"Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?" (Galatians 4:21)

Many people trifle with the simplicity of faith in Jesus Christ and the extent of the transformation it can bring to their lives.

The same was the case with the Christians in Galatia. They thought that it would take obeying all the Old Testament laws before they could be accepted before God. They had been taught well by Apostle Paul, but no sooner did he leave their province than some new teachers introduced error to the believers. They told the believers that they must obey all the Laws of Moses, else their salvation was not complete. It was left to Apostle Paul to write an epistle debunking the erroneous teachings of the false prophets. In it, he drew attention to the story of the sons born to Abraham: one by a strange woman, a maid; and the other by his wife, explaining that the story was an illustration of the Old and New Testaments, as well as the lofty position of believers in the kingdom of God. While the son of the maid represented the old order which ends in bondage, Isaac, the heir of Abraham, stood for the new order, and the freedom that is found in Christ. Believers today are the children of promise. Born after the Spirit, they should expect persecution from those who live in the flesh. Nevertheless, believers must remain unmoved, knowing that they are free from the curse and condemnation of the law.

Jesus Christ has paid the ultimate price for us all. We should therefore readily accept His salvation by faith, and not seek to please God merely by struggling to keep the Old Testament laws. We are saved, strengthened and sustained in our Christian lives only by faith. God demands nothing more from us than to take Him at His word, trust Him to fulfill all His promises, and follow Him obediently for the rest of our lives.

Thought for the day: "Faith only is the key to God's heart"

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Saturday 07, December 2013

A Needless Passion

TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 20:24-34

"And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done? And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David?" (1 Samuel 20:32,33)

When the spirit of envy and jealousy engulfs a man, it brings along with it deep-seated bitterness, prejudice and hatred that could sometimes lead to rage or murderous intentions and actions. The individual gets so hypnotized that he/she loses all sense of reasoning and judgment.

Saul’s jealousy is traced to the day the women sang praises, ascribing higher commendation to David after killing Goliath (1 Samuel 18:7,8 ). He was so embittered that he schemed to take David’s life on a supposedly feast day. On discovering David’s absence, Saul broke out into extravagant rage like a lion robbed of its prey. He became so enraged that he even threw his javelin at Jonathan, his son, for attempting to query his act of foolishness. This is a sad proof of the maniacal frenzy into which the unhappy and enraged monarch was entrapped.

Jonathan must have been sorely grieved by his father’s action. He must have wondered why his father was after the innocent David, a man after God’s heart. It is instructive to note that he did not allow his father’s appeal to his proposed future claim to the throne to whip up in him any emotional support against the innocent. He was not in the least ready to scheme out God’s choice so that he could team up with his father to become the next king. He was fully prepared to allow the counsel of God to prevail.

What a challenge for heaven-bound pilgrims today! We must not allow the possibility of personal gain and external pressure to make us team-up with evildoers in persecuting the innocent. Whether in the office, home or church, we must steadfastly shun every ungodly attempt to frustrate others so that we can create a space for ourselves. Envy and jealousy are twin evils we must avoid like the proverbial plague.

Thought for the day: "Envy and jealousy are twin cancerous evils; avoid them"

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Sunday 08, December 2013

Vengeance Is Not Yours

TEXT: JUDGES 15:1-17

"And Samson said unto them, Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease. And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam" (Judges 15:7,8 )

There is a riotous and vindictive use of raw power and force in our reading today which sadly is also repeatedly seen in every sphere of life in our age. The mighty Samson is robbed of a woman in the land of the Philistines and he embarked on a revenge mission by torching their farmland of corn, vineyards and olives. It does not end there. The Philistines triggered a fresh phase of the tit-for-tat game by burning the woman and her father when they learnt that Samson was responsible for the destruction of their farms.

Are passions assuaged again after this act? Of course not. “And Samson said unto them (Philistines), Though ye have done this, yet will I be avenged of you, and after that I will cease. And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter...” (verses 8,9).

It’s a tragic ding-dong of action and reaction that does not resolve contentions but rather complicates them and hardens the positions of the contenders. God who knows the end of a matter when it starts warns the genuine New Testament Christian in His word: “Bless them which persecute you: bless and curse not... Recompense to no man evil for evil... Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord... Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:14,17,19,21).

This contrary spirit is also dominant in our era. And only the Spirit of Christ can overcome it. Believers need to demonstrate the new life in Christ by exhibiting more than before, the forgiving and accommodating nature Jesus gave us at salvation. We should ask for God’s grace to “rather take wrong... and suffer... to be defrauded...” (1 Corinthians 6:7). As believers in Jesus Christ whose characteristics include patience and a forgiving spirit, we should seek to change the society by demonstrating the same virtues in our relationship with each other and those outside the vineyard of the Lord.

Thought for the day: "Revenge by man leads to greater wrong! Shun it!"

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Monday 09, December 2013

Simply Obey

TEXT: 1 KINGS 17:8-16

"And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days" (1 Kings 17:13,15)

A father, one day, approached his young son who was eating a piece of cake which he had earlier given to him and requested him to share same with him. Strangely, the son refused bluntly. Unknown to him, the father had some honey in a jar which he kept out of view but intended to give to him had he obliged. He missed out the better and more profitable alternative because he was not prepared to part with what he had. How we miss better things when we refuse to share our modest blessings with others.

The widow in our text is, however, wiser than the above mentioned lad. God had instructed Elijah, on account of the draught in the land of Israel, to go to Zarephath and dwell there for he had commanded a widow there to sustain him. Elijah obeyed God and went. Yet, the woman had only a quantum of raw food which she hoped to prepare for herself and her only son to eat after which she believed that death would ensue. Notwithstanding, Elijah asked her to go and prepare some for him first. As she obliged, the man of God gave her the promise of God’s unending supply. The woman promptly obeyed. Consequently, she and her house were plunged into the riches of God.

Two reasons account for why people fail to appropriate the riches of God today: their refusal to obey God and unreadiness to let go for God that which they possess. The natural man would count it unreasonable to share the little (and the last) quantum of possession that he has with another when there is no sure way of getting a replacement. But the woman in our text took Elijah at his word and did his bidding. In the same vein, God wants us to take Him at His word and do His bidding at all times. No matter how critical our situation may be, the solution to our problem all the time is absolute obedience to God despite the prevailing odds.

Thought for the day: "No one trades with God and loses"

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Tuesday 10, December 2013

Punishment for Oppressors

TEXT: ISAIAH 27:1-13

"Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together" (Isaiah 27:4)

Of thirty Roman emperors, governors of provinces and others in high office who distinguished themselves by their zeal and bitterness in persecuting the early Christians, one became speedily deranged after some atrocious cruelty, one was slain by his own son, another became blind, the eyes of one started out of his head, one was drowned, one was strangled, another died in a miserable captivity, one fell dead in a manner that will not bear recital, one died of so loathsome a disease that several of his physicians were put to death because they could not abide the stench that filled his room, two committed suicide, a third attempted it but had to call for help to finish the work, five were assassinated by their own people or servants, five others died the most miserable and excruciating deaths, eight were killed in battles, or after being taken prisoners. Among these was Julian the Apostate. In the days of his prosperity, he is said to have pointed his dagger to heaven defying the Son of God whom he commonly called the Galilean. But when he was wounded in battle, he saw that all was over with him, and he gathered up his clotted blood and threw it into the air, exclaiming, “thou has conquered, O thou Galilean.”

From the passage under consideration, the Lord promised Israel deliverance from the great Babylonian captivity. He dismissed their captors as incapable of withstanding His wrath in the day of battle. With their proud army destroyed, they shall be made to suffer more than Israel suffered as punishment for the cruel treatment meted to Israel when they were in captivity.

This should serve as lesson to all who oppress others. There comes a day when the Lord will avenge every iniquity and injustice. Those who are in the habit of violating the rights of the weak and vulnerable in society should expect a full dose of God’s wrath. Since He is the creator of all, He retains the absolute power to check every tyranny and overthrow all evil regimes anywhere in the world.

Those who are under oppression should look inward to discover what may have given the enemy the advantage over them. Sin opens the doors to many troubles. Come to term with your sins today. Now is the accepted time, now is the hour of salvation.

Thought for the day: "Sin is Satan's Forerunner"

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Wednesday 11, December 2013

The Drink Offering

TEXT: NUMBERS 15:1-10

"And for a drink offering thou shalt offer the third part of an hin of wine, for a sweet savour unto the Lord" (Numbers 15:7)

Every meal in the old Roman empire ended with a kind of sacrifice. A cup of wine was taken and was poured out to the gods. Believers need to glorify the Almighty God today more than the heathens who offer sacrifices to dead gods who can do nothing. The Lord commanded the children of Israel to offer him sacrifices of praise. We first read of the drink offering in connection with the Israelites in relation to the continual burnt offering.

A lot has been written about the Levitical offerings, the burnt, the meat (or meal), the peace, the sin and the trespass offerings, but relatively little has been written about the drink offering. Therefore, it is probably the least appreciated of the offerings, despite being one of the earliest recorded (it is one of only two known to have been offered before the giving of the law in Exodus, the other being the burnt offering). This lack of understanding is probably due to the fact that it is entirely omitted from Leviticus 1-7 where all the other offerings are considered in great details and from where most of the teachings regarding the offerings are found.

The use of wine in the offering is instructive and has spiritual significance. Wine is a symbol of joy both to God and to man (Judges 9:13; Psalm 104:15), and this characterises the drink offering. It does not speak directly of Christ’s death or else the offering would be composed of blood which was poured out in animal sacrifices, or consumed by fire in picture of the judgment of God. There is no such command; indeed, the practice of offering blood as a drink offering was condemned by God (Psalm 16:4; 106:37,38). The drink offering speaks rather of God’s joy at the accomplishment of the work of Christ at Calvary.

We too are able to find joy and delight in the devotion of our fellow believers. But in a higher sense, the libation must present the thought of the believer’s joy in the devotion of the Lord Jesus Christ. His was the perfect sacrifice and in Him alone we find complete joy.

Thought for the day: "The wine is a symbol of our joy in Christ"

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Thursday 12, December 2013

Rebellion!

TEXT: ISAIAH 30:1-30

"Woe to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin" (Isaiah 30:1)

A boy was said to be a heartache to his father by being rebellious to his words. His father, who got worried, not for anything else, but for how the boy was destroying his own life, called him and said: "I want to show you what you're doing to your life. I'm going to put a wooden post in our front yard. Every time you rebel, I will put a nail in this post. Every time you obey, I will pull out one nail." The boy stubbornly replied: "I’m going to do everything I can to fill that post with nails," which he actually did.

Within two months, he filled that post with nails. Later, he realised the damage he had done, not only to his own life, but also to his parents and decided to have a change of life. His father, as he promised, began to remove the nails one by one. When the last nail came out, the boy broke down in tears. His father astonishingly asked: "Son, why are you crying?" The boy replied: "I got rid of the nails, but I can't get rid of the holes."

Unfortunately, Judah's case was more of a weeping situation. Apart from making military agreements with God's enemies, they trusted in the king of Egypt's protection against the Assyrians. They even paid homage to the king of Egypt and had the plan to return there, which was a complete neglect of God's will.

God, therefore, sent Isaiah to them to reveal their spiritual unclothedness, particularly their lies, refusal to listen to His instructions and penchant to hear only what would be pleasant to their ears. God warned them against living in an illusion of overcoming their enemies because their wickedness was like a crack in the wall of their lives which would suddenly crash, except they repent of their sins.

Today, many Christians are akin to Judah, taking God for granted. While some of them have joined occults to seek protection, others trusted in talisman and other negative forces to make progress in life. Fornication, adultery, hatred, malice, backbiting and gossiping are more like water, which they drink freely. If you are among them, repent because there will be judgment.

Thought for the day: "The beginning of one's misery is to live by one's own will"

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Friday 13, December 2013

Worthy Memorial

TEXT: GENESIS 25:1-11

"Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people" (Genesis 25:8 )

Every human being is on a journey on earth. Although the Scripture talks extensively on the usefulness of life, it is not silent on the fact that death terminates life. The Bible is replete with instances of deaths. King Solomon in the Book of Ecclesiastes captured the vanity of life when he said that he hated life, having acquired and tasted all that could make him happy. He was to find out that it was all “vanity and vexation of spirit.”

To underscore the fleeting nature of life, the Preacher said: "To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die…" Abraham had been used of God to propagate faith in his lifetime. He was found faithful before God. He was a successful man by every standard. Yet, at the appointed time, after he had clocked 175 years, he died.

Death is a necessary end which offers believers a well-deserved rest after their labour here on earth. What really matters is the legacy a believer leaves behind at the end of the day. There are people who live behind scattered homes, chequered history and unenviable records. Abraham left Isaac behind, who continued in the service of God and through whom the Almighty established the promise he had made to Abraham. It does really matter how we spend the time God has graciously given us on this side of life. Believers must be careful not to fall into error as did Abraham. The fruit of a moment of indecision and his inability to say ‘no’ to a suggestion by his wife Sarah to father a child through their maid, Hagar, has continued to be a nightmare to the entire human race. Believers must be determined to leave an untarnished record which the Lord will not decry after their departure here on earth. Abraham died at a ripe age having left his footprint on the sand of time. As the song writer puts it, we can only be remembered by what we have done on earth.

Thought for the day: "Only what's done for Christ will last"

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Sunday 15, December 2013

Make For Peace

TEXT: MATTHEW 17:22-27

"Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee" (Matthew 17:27)

It is not every time that we must fight for our rights because if we do, we might lose something more valuable. There is usually a price to be paid for peace. This price may at times mean having to forego what may be legitimately our right. True, this may not come easy but it is quite worth whatever pain or seeming humiliation we may have to bear if we do. The reason there is conflict the world over - homes, nations, workplaces, etc. - is the unwillingness of one party to back down for the other. And you know how much we come to lose as a result of this.

Christians are to follow the example of Christ in all things. Even though He was not obliged to pay the temple tax as the Lord of the temple, Jesus opted to pay in order to avoid any form of provocations. He had a loftier and more sublime task ahead of Him. His mind was focused on the price He had to pay for the world’s redemption on the cross. This was more important than becoming petty with contending over His right not to pay the temple tax.

Christians must always bear in mind their mission in the world. As "salt of the earth" and "light of the world", we must avoid whatever will make our lives unsavoury and dim. There is no point picking a fight over issues that are so petty and of little consequence. If we are to win the world for Christ, we cannot afford to be fighting over issues with the world.

As this is true with our relationships and interactions with the outside world, so it is as we relate with one another in the family and the church. Contentions, strife and unnecessary rivalries over what we consider our rights or not, will further divide us, make us vulnerable to the enemy's attacks and an object of ridicule before the world we are trying to win. Let's give up whatever it is, humble ourselves and be willing to suffer loss for the gain and glory of Christ.

Thought for the day: "It is foolishness to lose the valuable for the trivial"

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Monday 16, December 2013

Sanctity Of Life

TEXT: EXODUS 21:26-36

"But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death" (Exodus 21:29)

There was this story about a professor of medicine in a world-acclaimed medical school, who, in an attempt to espouse the sanctity of life, posed a medical situation, which was an ethical problem to his students. He said: “Here’s the family history: The father has syphilis. The mother has tuberculosis (TB). They already have had four children. The first is blind. The second had died. The third is deaf. The fourth has TB. Now the mother is pregnant again. The parents come to you for advice. They are willing to have an abortion, if you decide they should. What do you say?”

The students, it was gathered, gave various individual opinions. But the professor was not satisfied. So, he asked them to retire into small groups for “consultation.” They did. When they came back with their reports, all the groups recommended abortion.

Satirically, the professor said: “Congratulations,” but added: “You just took the life of Beethoven!” Reason: the medical history, which he presented, was that of Ludwig Van Beethoven, who, some experts in music widely considered as the greatest pianist and composer of all time. Though one cannot precisely establish how Beethoven, a German, used his music and his entire life to glorify God, the preservation of his life was an opportunity to express his existence. This aptly revealed that God’s ways are not man’s ways.

Our text amply teaches that life is superior to property and that carelessness is never an excuse. Therefore, we should not only make prompt and permanent provision for others’ safety, we must also avoid hurting others, either directly or indirectly.

Thought for the day: "Every life is precious to God and must therefore be preserved"

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Tuesday 17, December 2013

Necessity Of Pruning

TEXT: JOHN 15:1-8

"Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit" (John 15:2)

Charles Spurgeon, a great nineteenth century English preacher, said: “It is the Word that prunes the Christian. It is the truth that purges him. The Scripture, which makes living powerful by the Holy Spirit, cleanses the Christian. Affliction is the handle of the knife. Affliction is the grindstone that sharpens the Word. Affliction is the dresser that removes our soft garments and lays bare the diseased flesh so the surgeon’s knife may get at it. Affliction merely makes us ready for the surgery of the Word of God. But the true pruner is the Word in the hands of the great vine dresser.”

This aptly explains the essence of our text today. Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, described Himself as the true vine while we are the branches. As the vine and its branches are indissoluble and share the same taproot, characteristics and source of nourishment, so also believers in Christ are inseparable from Him in vision, mission, character, consecration and commitment. But God the Father, the husbandman, prunes our lives to reshape us to become fruit-bearing.

As the vine dresser cuts off the branch that grows in the wrong direction or with much leaves that can overshadow other branches from bearing fruits, God also stops us from following our will. When God prunes us, He removes the vices in us to refine us in love, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, joy and peace. He does whatever is necessary to achieve His divine purpose.

God’s pruning may allow difficult circumstances to cut off things which can drain away our spiritual energy and capacity to bear fruit. Such difficult circumstances may be sickness, hardship, loss of job or material goods, slander, persecution, etc.

What are the things keeping you away from God’s purpose and fruit-bearing? God’s pruning can transform your life today.

Thought for the day: "God’s pruning brings the best out of us"

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Wednesday 18, December 2013

Boundless Love

TEXT: 1 SAMUEL 20:35-42

"And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded" (1 Samuel 20:41)

In March 2002, a Norwegian cruise ship’s captain exhibited a rare concern for a 24-year old crew member who fell overboard into the Atlantic Ocean one evening. The ship, with over 1,000 passengers aboard, was on its way to St. Martin Island in the Caribbean. The crew only discovered, four hours later, that the lady was missing when she could not show up for a late roll call. The captain decided to turn back in search of her body, as against other passengers’ wish to continue the journey.

After over four hours of back-tracking their path, a passenger, among those that gathered on the deck to look for a floating body, caught a glimpse of her and she was still alive. She had treaded the water for 10 hours, without any inclination that the ship would return to look for her. That was how she was saved.

The ship’s captain’s concern for the lady illustrated Jonathan’s boundless love for David who was earmarked for death. Jonathan had the clear possibility of inheriting the throne after the death of his father, Saul, who was the first king of Israel. But he sacrificed the kingship position at the altar of his love for David.

Our text, which quite noted the coded message between Jonathan and David, revealed how Jonathan took a boy with him to the field, shot an arrow and asked him to go after it. As the boy went for the arrow, Jonathan shouted at him, “make speed, haste, stay not,” a message, which David clearly understood that he should run for his dear life because Saul would certainly kill him if he stayed a moment longer. What a love!

Do you love other people or you are desirous to satisfy your selfish interest at the detriment of their welfare? Are you making efforts to rescue those whose lives are in danger, both physically and eternally? God is taking stock of your thoughts and actions.

Thought for the day: "Love is the beauty of the soul"

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i am seeing this thread for the first time, never knew such existed here. Good work.