₦airaland Forum

The Marriage Covenant (3)

Saturday, 3 February 2018

'Being heirs together of the grace of life.' 1 Peter 3:7 NKJV

A good marriage is built on mutual sacrifice. Adam had to sacrifice something near and dear to him in order to get Eve—a rib. And your wife will know you love her when you’re willing to give up things that are important to you in order to meet her needs and promote her well-being. Too many men want to be married but still function as singles. They don’t want to sacrifice any time, attention, or resources for the benefit of their wives. They don’t want a wife; they want a maid. They want to marry someone so they can be served. No—it’s the opposite!

The Bible says you and your wife are ‘heirs together’. That means she is an equal partner. So, her opinions, thoughts, and perspectives matter. Yes, as the leader of your home you may make the final decision, but when you don’t get your wife’s input and consider her viewpoint, holy wedlock can turn into unholy deadlock. Your wife will respond to you when she feels cherished and valued (see Ephesians 5:29).

You say, ‘But my wife’s as cold as ice.’ How did she get that way? Ice only stays icy in a cold environment. So instead of complaining, work at changing your environment. Husbands are thermostats and wives are thermometers. Husbands determine the climate and wives thrive or shrivel accordingly. There’s a reason your wife is ‘cold’. And there’s a solution: warm her up and watch her melt! When you begin to love, nurture, cherish, and protect her as Christ did the church, you’ll have a whole new woman in your arms. Try it and see.

The Marriage Covenant (2)

Friday, 2 February 2018

'Husbands, love your wives.' Ephesians 5:25 ESV

We sometimes throw the word ‘love’ around loosely, leaving it to be defined in many different ways. People say things like, ‘I love chocolate cake,’ or ‘I love football,’ or ‘I love that television show.’ What they really mean is they ‘like’ and ‘enjoy’ these things. The Bible’s definition of love goes much deeper than what entertains and excites us, or even what makes us feel emotionally attached to one another. To love someone is to pursue their well-being and make it a priority. Love’s first concern is always: ‘How does this action contribute to my partner’s well-being?’ If it doesn’t—or if it does the opposite—then it isn’t love.

The Bible says, ‘Husbands…love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her… In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it.’ (Ephesians 5:25–29 NLT) As a husband, you can learn two things from these Scriptures:

(1) We are all innately selfish. So, your greatest challenge will always be to put your wife’s interests ahead of your own, and be willing to sacrifice your own agenda to do it.

(2) We must practise being sensitive. Think how sensitive you are to the aches and needs of your own body, and apply that same principle to caring for your wife. You say, ‘That’s a tall order!’ Yes, and the God who commands you to do it will give you the grace to do it day by day. So, draw on His grace!

The Marriage Covenant (1)

Thursday, 1 February 2018

'For those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord.' 1 Corinthians 7:10 NLT

Having God’s blessing on your marriage is contingent upon your operating according to His rules. To enjoy His protection, peace and prosperity you must follow His instructions. For example, you can spend hours arguing and still not resolve the issue. Whereas, if you’d just followed God’s rules, the argument could have been over in a matter of minutes. And both parties would have been satisfied at the end of the process.

When your car breaks down, you take it back to the dealership. Why? Because they sold it to you and they know how to fix it! God performed the first marriage. So, when your relationship gets into trouble, if you’re wise you’ll talk to Him about it before talking to each other. Furthermore, when you get married with the attitude, ‘If this doesn’t work out I can always get a divorce,’ you’re running in the opposite direction from the truth of God’s Word. Paul writes: ‘For those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord. A wife must not leave her husband. But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to him. And the husband must not leave his wife.’ (1 Corinthians 7:10–11 NLT)

Yes, there are some acceptable reasons for divorce, but they are the exception and not the rule! A Hollywood celebrity spent millions of dollars on her wedding and then divorced her husband just over two months later on the grounds of ‘incompatibility’. When you say, ‘Till death us do part,’ you say it before God and you’re supposed to mean it.

What lie does Lai Mohammed have for us now that the global terrorism watch have included Fulani herdsmen in the 2018 terrorist list? And what does this inclusion make of the president ? Are you thinking?

BREAKING.....IPOB EXCLUDED FROM THE 2018 PUBLISHED TERROR GROUPS BUT FULANI HERDSMEN MADE THE LIST

IPOB not listed on the 2018 newly released 145 world terrorism list but one group did.
Below is a list of terrorist organizations around the world
And our so-called peace loving FULANI HERDSMEN of Nigeria is among (see no 144).
1.Al-Shabab (Africa),
2.Al Murabitun (Africa),
3.Al-Qeada (Afghanistan),
4.Al-Qaeda (Islamic Maghreb),
5.Al-Qaeda (Indian Subcontinent),
6.Al-Qaeda (Arabian Peninsula), 7.Hamas (Palestine),
8.Palestinian Islamic Jihad (Palestine),
9.Popular Front for the Liberation of (Palestine),
10.Hezbola (Lebanon),
11.Ansar al-Sharia-Benghazi (Lebanon),
12.Asbat Al-Ansar (Lebanon), 13.ISIS (Iraq),
14.ISIS (Syria),
15.ISIS (Cauacus)
16.ISIS (Libya)
17.ISIS (Yemen)
18.ISIS (Algeria),
19.ISIS (Philippines)
20.Jund al-Sham (Afganistan),
21.Al-Mourabitoun (Lebanon),
22.Abdullah Azzam Brigades (Lebanon),
23.Al-Itihaad al-Islamiya (Somalia),
24.Al-Haramain Foundation (Saudi Arabia), 25.Ansar-Al-Sharia (Moroccon),
26.Moroccon Mudjadine (Morocco),
27.Salafia Jihadia (Morocco),
28.Boko Haram (Africa),
29.Islamic movement of (Uzbekistan),
30.Islamic Jihad Union (Uzbekistan), 31.Islamic Jihad Union (Germany),
32.DRW True-Religion (Germany)
33.Fajar Nusantara Movement (Germany)
34.DIK Hildesheim (Germany)
35.Jaish-e-Mohammed (Kashmir),
36.Jaish al-Muhajireen wal-Ansar (Syria), 37.Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (Syria),
38.Jamaat al Dawa al Quran (Afghanistan),
39.Jundallah (Iran)
40.Quds Force (Iran)
41.Kata'ib Hezbollah (Iraq),
42.Al-Itihaad al-Islamiya (Somalia), 43.Egyptian Islamic Jihad (Egypt),
44.Jund al-Sham (Jordan)
45.Fajar Nusantara Movement (Australia)
46.Society of the Revival of Islamic 47.Heritage (Terror
funding, WorldWide offices)
48.Taliban (Afghanistan), 49.Taliban (Pakistan),
50.Tehrik-i-Taliban (Pakistan),
51.Army of Islam (Syria),
52.Islamic Movement (Israel)
53.Ansar Al Sharia (Tunisia),
54.Mujahideen Shura Council in the Environs of (Jerusalem),
55.Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (Libya),
Movement for Oneness and Jihad in (West Africa),
56.Palestinian Islamic Jihad (Palestine)
57.Tevhid-Selam (Al-Quds Army)
58.Moroccan Islamic Combatant Group (Morroco), 59.Caucasus Emirate (Russia),
60.Dukhtaran-e-Millat Feminist Islamists (India),
61.Indian Mujahideen (India),
62.Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen (India)
63.Ansar al-Islam (India)
64.Students Islamic Movement of (India), 65.Harakat Mujahideen (India),
66.Hizbul Mujhaideen(India)
67.Lashkar e Islam(India)
68.Jund al-Khilafah (Algeria),
69.Turkistan Islamic Party,
70.Egyptian Islamic Jihad (Egypt),
71.Great Eastern Islamic Raiders' Front (Turkey),
72.Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami (Pakistan),
73.Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi
(Pakistan),
74.Lashkar e Toyiba(Pakistan)
75.Lashkar e Jhangvi(Pakistan) Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (Pakistan),
76.Jamaat ul-Ahrar (Pakistan),
77.Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (Pakistan),
78.Jamaat Ul-Furquan (Pakistan),
79.Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (Syria),
80.Ansar al-Din Front (Syria), 81.Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (Syria),
82.Jamaah Anshorut Daulah (Syria),
83.Nour al-Din al-Zenki Movement (Syria),
84.Liwa al-Haqq (Syria),
85.Al-Tawhid Brigade (Syria),
86.Jund al-Aqsa (Syria),
87.Al-Tawhid Brigade (Syria),
88.Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade (Syria),
89.Khalid ibn al-Walid Army (Syria),
90.Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin (Afganistan),
91.Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (Afganistan)
92.Hizb ut-Tahrir (Worldwide Caliphate), 93.Hizbul Mujahideen (Kasmir),
94.Ansar Allah (Yemen),
95.Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development
(USA),
96.Jamaat Mujahideen (India),
97.Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (Indonesia), 98.Hizbut Tahrir (Indonesia),
99.Fajar Nusantara Movement (Indonesia),
100.Jemaah Islamiyah (Indonesia),
101.Jemaah Islamiyah (Philippines),
102.Jemaah Islamiyah (Singapore),
103.Jemaah Islamiyah (Thailand),
104.Jemaah Islamiyah (Malaysia),
105.Ansar Dine (Africa),
106.Osbat al-Ansar (Palestine),
107.Hizb ut-Tahrir (Group connecting 108.Islamic Caliphates across the world into one world Islamic
Caliphate)
109.Army of the Men of the Naqshbandi Order (Iraq)
110.Al Nusra Front (Syria),
111.Al-Badr (Pakistan),
112.Islam4UK (UK),
113.Al Ghurabaa (UK),
114.Call to Submission (UK),
115.Islamic Path (UK),
116.London School of Sharia (UK),
117.Muslims Against Crusades (UK),
118.Need4Khilafah (UK),
119.The Shariah Project (UK),
120.The Islamic Dawah Association (UK), 121.The Saviour Sect (UK),
123.Jamaat Ul-Furquan (UK),
124.Minbar Ansar Deen (UK),
125.Al-Muhajiroun (UK) (Lee Rigby, London 2017 members),
126.Islamic Council of Britain (UK) (Not to be confused with Offical Muslim Council of Britain),
127.Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah (UK),
128.Al-Gama'a (Egypt),
129.Al-Islamiyya (Egypt),
130.Armed Islamic men of (Algeria),
131Salafist Group for Call and Combat (Algeria),
132.Ansaru (Algeria),
133.Ansar-Al-Sharia (Libya),
134.Al Ittihad Al Islamia (Somalia),
135.Ansar al-Sharia (Tunisia),
136.Al-Shabab (Africa),
137.al-Aqsa Foundation (Germany)
138.al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades (Palestine),
139.Abu Sayyaf (Philippines),
140.Aden-Abyan Islamic Army (Yemen),
141.Ajnad Misr (Egypt),
142Abu Nidal Organization (Palestine),
143.Jamaah Ansharut Tauhid (Indonesia) 144.Fulani Herdsmen of (Nigeria)
145.Boko Haram (Nigeria)

How Much Do You Love Jesus?

Wednesday, 31 January 2018

'When he had found one pearl of great price... [he] sold all that he had and bought it.' Matthew 13:46 NKJV

In one of the most unique corporate take-overs ever, Stanley Tam legally transferred 51 per cent of the shares of his company to God. He started United States Plastic Corporation with thirty-seven dollars in capital. When he gave his business back to God, annual revenues were less than two hundred thousand dollars. But Stanley believed God would bless his business, and he wanted to honour God from the get-go.

At that point, most of us would have been patting ourselves on the back. Not Stanley. He felt convicted for keeping 49 per cent to himself. After reading the parable of the merchant who sold everything to obtain the pearl of great price, he made a decision to divest himself of all his shares. He said, ‘A man can eat only one meal at a time, wear only one suit of clothes at a time, drive only one car at a time. All this I have. Isn’t that enough?’ So on 15 January 1955, every share of stock was transferred to God, and Stanley became a salaried employee of the company he started. Before he was through, Stanley gave away more than 120 million dollars to the cause of Christ. If you want to measure the depth of your love for Christ, look at your calendar and your credit card statement. They don’t lie. How you spend your time and money are the two best barometers of your true priorities. Is Christ your pearl of great price? He wants to be. He deserves to be.

Move With God

Tuesday, 30 January 2018

'...the Spirit of God moved...' Genesis 1:2 KJV

Christ’s disciples left everything to follow somebody they didn’t begin to comprehend. They dreamed of a Messiah who would establish a kingdom to overthrow Rome, so His crucifixion blew their minds. So did His resurrection, because they had to preach a message that would cost them their lives. Sometimes they didn’t know what to make of Jesus: ‘...the disciples saw Him walking on the sea... “It is a spirit,” they cried out.’ (Matthew 14:26 KJV) When He ate with them on the shore following His resurrection, ‘None...dared ask Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord.’ (John 21:12 NKJV) If you’re going to walk with God get ready to have your faith stretched.

The first thing we read about God in Scripture is that He ‘moved’. If you plan to move with Him this year, you must overcome two things. First, complacency. Scientists conducted an experiment with an amoeba in a stress-free environment. The conditions were ideal; it had no adjustments whatsoever to make. But it died. Why? Because change and challenge are as necessary as food and water. Complacency can kill! Second, you must avoid complaining. Failure to acknowledge God’s goodness caused Israel to go in circles for 40 years: ‘These things happened to them as...warnings for us.’ (1 Corinthians 10:11 NIV)

Two children sat down to lunch. One opened his lunchbox and moaned, ‘Ham sandwiches again? This is the fourth day in a row. I’m sick of ham sandwiches!’

His friend said, ‘I bet if you tell your mum you don’t like ham sandwiches she’ll make you something else.’

‘Mum?’ replied the first child. ‘I make my own lunches.’

Hello! Have a problem with complaining? Fix it! Make up your mind to move with God!

Praise God Every Day

Monday, 29 January 2018

'You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory.' Revelation 4:11 NKJV

A Christian farmer supposedly taught his horse to start and stop, using words from the Bible. When he wanted the horse to go, he would shout, ‘Praise the Lord.’ When he wanted the horse to stop, he would shout, ‘Hallelujah .’ All went well until one day a thunderbolt caused the horse to take off galloping at full speed. Realising he had lost control, the farmer panicked and forgot the words he had trained the horse to respond to. Up ahead was a cliff, and they were headed towards it at full speed. Desperately he tried to recall every religious word he’d ever heard of. He shouted, ‘Amen! Jesus saves! Worthy! Holy!’ Nothing worked. Just as the horse approached the precipice, he shouted, ‘Hallelujah!’ The horse stopped right there on the edge. Relieved, he wiped the sweat off his brow and said, ‘Whew, praise the Lord!’

Seriously, praising the Lord is not a religious activity that belongs only in church on Sunday morning. ‘From the rising of the sun to its going down the Lord’s name is to be praised.’ (Psalm 113:3 NKJV) That means let your first words in the morning and your last words at night, be praise to God. ‘Why should I praise God every day?’ you ask. Because He is worthy of your praise. ‘You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power.’ And one more thought. Spoken words of love and appreciation draw people together and create intimacy. Do you want to get closer to God? Start praising Him more.

A Small Change Can Make A Big Difference

Sunday, 28 January 2018

'Who dares despise the day of small things?' Zechariah 4:10 NIV

Imagine the temple lying in ruins, and having to be rebuilt from the ground up. That’s what things were like when Zechariah shared his vision with the people of Israel. Some thought it couldn’t be done, and others thought that their particular contribution would make no difference. So Zechariah challenged them in these words: ‘Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.’ (Zechariah 4:10 NLT)

In 1963, MIT meteorologist Edward Lorenz presented the hypothesis that became known as the butterfly effect. He theorised that a minor event, like the flapping of a butterfly’s wings in Brazil, could conceivably alter wind currents sufficiently to cause a tornado in Texas. Lorenz came to the simple yet profound conclusion: ‘Minuscule changes in input can make macroscopic differences in output.’ That simple discovery has the power to change your life. It can radically alter your spiritual, emotional, relational, or financial forecast. It can change the atmosphere of your organisation or your marriage. One decision. One change. One risk. One idea. That’s all it takes. You don’t have to make one hundred changes. All that does is divide your energy by one hundred, and results in a 1 per cent chance of success. You have to be 100 per cent committed to one change. It will take an all-out effort. It will probably be the hardest thing you’ve ever done. But that one change has the potential to make a 100 per cent difference in your life.

Each Child Is Unique

Friday, 26 January 2018

'Before you were born I set you apart.' Jeremiah 1:5 NIV

Does a baby come into the world with a complex personality, or is that child a blank slate on which experience will write? In the past, behavioural scientists believed newborns had no temperamental or emotional characteristics upon arrival from the womb. Their little personalities were supposedly formed entirely by the experiences that came their way in ensuing years. But most parents knew better. Every mother of two or more children was convinced that each of her infants had a different personality—a different feel—from the very first time they were held.

Now, after years of research, numerous authorities in child development acknowledge that those mothers were right. One important study identified nine characteristics that varied in babies—such as moodiness, level of activity, and responsiveness. They also found that the differences from child to child tended to persist into later life. Indeed, babies do differ in infinite ways that define our humanness and our individuality. If every snowflake that falls has its own design, and if every grain of sand at the seashore is unique, it makes no sense to suppose that children are assembly-line products stamped out by the same giant cookie cutter. There’s no denying the importance of environment and human experience in shaping who we are and how we think. But there can be no doubt that each person on earth is a one-of-a-kind creation from the earliest moments of life. As God told Jeremiah: ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.’ You need to know that about your children.

The Island of Blessing

Thursday, 25 January 2018

'You are complete in Him.' Colossians 2:10 NKJV

In his book Outlive Your Life, author Max Lucado says the Greek word for ‘blessed’, makarios , was the name of an island off Greece. It was known as ‘the blessed island’ because it was self-contained. The residents didn’t need to leave it in order to get their needs met. The natural resources of this island were so rich that everything needed to enjoy life was already there.

There’s a lesson here for you. The moment you trust in Christ as your Saviour, He becomes your King and you begin living in His Kingdom. You don’t have to leave it and go elsewhere to find what you need, because it’s all around you in the island of blessing. You don’t have to strive for God’s blessing; you simply have to ‘tune in’ and receive it. It’s like your radio; there are no orchestras or newscasters inside it, it’s only a conduit and a point of contact. Even when your radio stops working, there are still signals in the air. All your radio does is receive the signal that comes from another source and deliver it to you. If you lose sight of that fact, you’ll give the radio more credit than it deserves. One of the reasons we don’t recognise the blessings of God in our lives is that we confuse the means of delivery with the source. If something doesn’t miraculously fall into our lap, we think it didn’t come from God. No, God will bless you at different times, through different people, in different ways. But you must always remember that they are only the carriers of blessing, while He is the source of it (see Psalm 31:19).

cattle colony ko, cattle independent nii. .....on this note I totally reject PMB ideology on things especially those that concerns human lives.

I will never support a leader that thinks the life of a cattle is worth more than the life of a human.

arrant nonsense.

Don't Just Read It, Do It (2)

Wednesday, 24 January 2018

'The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.' John 14:26 NIV

Jesus ended His Sermon on the Mount with a striking story that addresses the gap between knowing and doing: ‘Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.’ (Matthew 7:24 NIV) The problem is, we find it easier to be smart than to be good. You don’t need to know more about the Bible until you put into practice what you already know.

John Ortberg says that when he taught tennis, unskilled novices would agonise over which racket to buy—whether to use nylon or gut strings, whether to string them up at 30 or 32 kg. The problem was, they couldn’t even hit the ball. Instead of debating the minutiae, they simply needed to practise. But a word of caution here: you don’t become a ‘doer of the Word’ by drawing on your own strength and willpower. The Holy Spirit who dwells within you is referred to in Scripture as ‘the paraclete’. The word means ‘one who comes alongside to help’. When you decide to do what’s right, the Holy Spirit within you empowers you to do it. When a situation arises, He will prompt you as to what you should do.

Jesus promised, ‘The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.’ You ask, ‘But what if I don’t get it right?’ He will work with you, giving you opportunities until you do get it right.

Don't Just Read It, Do It (1)

Tuesday, 23 January 2018

'Be doers of the word... not merely hearers.' James 1:22 NRS

A businessman known for his ruthlessness, arrogance, and religiosity told Mark Twain that before he died he intended to visit the Holy Land, climb Mount Sinai, and read the Ten Commandments aloud. ‘I have a better idea,’ Twain replied. ‘Just stay here in Boston and keep them!’

We’d rather cogitate on what we don’t know, than act on what we know we need to do. For example, a company knows it needs to improve its quality control so the executives discuss the problem, listen to presentations, read all kinds of books, look at state-of-the-art systems—but never actually get around to doing anything. Their problem isn’t ignorance; it’s knowing too much but doing too little. Another everyday example: people would rather debate the merits of protein vs. carbs, French cooking vs. vegetarian, lifting weights vs. cardio, than change how they eat. The bottom line is simple: expend more calories than you take in. Likewise, some Christians would rather debate doctrine than do what Jesus says. As the old ad for Nike trainers said—just do it!

Practise loving a difficult person; try forgiving someone; give some money away; stop and say thanks; worship God; encourage a friend; bless an enemy; when you’re in the wrong say, ‘I’m sorry.’ Face it: you already know more than you need to. And nothing turns people off faster than somebody with a head full of knowledge, who lacks grace and character. It’s the same today as it was when James wrote, ‘Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers.’

The Differences Between Samson And Samuel (5)

Sunday, 21 January 2018

'Then the Lord said to me, Even if Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My mind would not be favourable towards this people.' Jeremiah 15:1 NKJV

Difference five: prayer. The Bible records only two occasions when Samson prayed: first, when he thought he was dying of thirst and needed water (Judges 15:18); second, in the last moments of his life when he’d lost everything and ended up in prison (see Judges 16:28).

He was like the little boy who was asked, ‘Do you say your prayers every night?’

He replied, ‘No; sometimes I don’t need anything.’

On the other hand the Bible says, ‘Samuel called to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.’ (1 Samuel 12:18 NKJV) One of the greatest tributes given to anyone in Scripture was spoken by God concerning Samuel’s prayer life: ‘Then the Lord said to me, “Even if Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My mind would not be favourable towards this people.”’ Such is the ‘clout’ Samuel had with God! The Bible also has much to say about the prayer life of Jesus. Sometimes He prayed all through the night; other times He was up praying before dawn. It was the secret of His effectiveness in ministry. He made regular deposits in prayer so He could make regular withdrawals of power when He needed it. And you’ll notice that He seldom prayed for anyone He healed. Why? Because He’d already spent time in prayer. Old-timers in church used to refer to this as ‘staying prayed up’. And it’s the secret of victorious Christian living.

........and no mention of anything from BMW?

The Differences Between Samson And Samuel (4)

Saturday, 20 January 2018

'Thus far the Lord has helped us.' 1 Samuel 7:12 NKJV

Difference four: accountability. Samson had an independent attitude and refused to be accountable to anyone else. He was a ‘lone ranger’ who refused to work with others. And his erratic attempts at deliverance caused the Philistines to tax God’s people more and make their burdens heavier. Samuel, on the other hand, worked in consensus with others. When he prayed and God gave Israel a spectacular victory over their enemies, he refused to take any of the credit. ‘Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpeh and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far has the Lord helped us.”’

Samson was ‘me’ focused, but Samuel was ‘us’ focused. The psalmist said, ‘Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity…for there the Lord commanded the blessing.’ (Psalm 133:1–3 NKJV) The secret of walking in God’s blessing is not to operate alone, but cooperate with others. That’s how the New Testament church did it. ‘When they had further threatened them, they let them go… And being let go, they went to their own companions.’ (Acts 4:21–23 NKJV) When the apostles came under attack, ‘they went to their own companions.’ They had relationships in place with those who knew how to advise and guide them, strengthen and encourage them, pray and share God’s Word with them. You need such relationships too! And you can’t afford to wait until trouble comes before you establish them. Do it now, in the good times, and they’ll be there for you in the bad times.

The Differences Between Samson And Samuel (4)

Saturday, 20 January 2018

'Thus far the Lord has helped us.' 1 Samuel 7:12 NKJV

Difference four: accountability. Samson had an independent attitude and refused to be accountable to anyone else. He was a ‘lone ranger’ who refused to work with others. And his erratic attempts at deliverance caused the Philistines to tax God’s people more and make their burdens heavier. Samuel, on the other hand, worked in consensus with others. When he prayed and God gave Israel a spectacular victory over their enemies, he refused to take any of the credit. ‘Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpeh and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far has the Lord helped us.”’

Samson was ‘me’ focused, but Samuel was ‘us’ focused. The psalmist said, ‘Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity…for there the Lord commanded the blessing.’ (Psalm 133:1–3 NKJV) The secret of walking in God’s blessing is not to operate alone, but cooperate with others. That’s how the New Testament church did it. ‘When they had further threatened them, they let them go… And being let go, they went to their own companions.’ (Acts 4:21–23 NKJV) When the apostles came under attack, ‘they went to their own companions.’ They had relationships in place with those who knew how to advise and guide them, strengthen and encourage them, pray and share God’s Word with them. You need such relationships too! And you can’t afford to wait until trouble comes before you establish them. Do it now, in the good times, and they’ll be there for you in the bad times.

The Differences Between Samson And Samuel (3)

Friday, 19 January 2018

'The Lord your God was your king.' 1 Samuel 12:12 NKJV

Difference three: motives. Samson repeatedly dishonoured the Lord by his actions and his lifestyle. That’s because he had no regard for God’s honour. What a contrast Samuel was! When Israel wanted a king in order to be like all the surrounding nations, it broke his heart. He said to the people, ‘The Lord your God was your king.’ Honouring God was his highest priority. And there’s a lesson here for us, especially those in ministry.

Every time someone steps behind a pulpit, they must check their ego and ask themselves the motive question: ‘Is my aim to make God look good, or myself look good?’ And it’s a hard question to answer. The Bible says, ‘For the Lord is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed.’ (1 Samuel 2:3 NKJV) The truth is that without the power of God’s indwelling Spirit, none of us have what it takes to do the job, and we must never forget that. The tragedy of Samson’s end is described in these two Scriptures: ‘He awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.’ (Judges 16:20 NKJV) ‘So it happened, when their hearts were merry, that they said, “Call for Samson, that he may perform for us.” So they called for Samson from the prison, and he performed for them.’ (Judges 16:25 NKJV) Note the word perform. Without God’s grace and power we are all, at best, just performers. So stay humble, and seek only to exalt the Lord.

The Differences Between Samson And Samuel (2)

Thursday, 18 January 2018

'Get her for me, for she pleases me well.' Judges 14:3 NKJV

Difference two: relationships. ‘Then his father and mother said to him, “Is there no woman among the daughters of your brethren… that you must go and get a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” And Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she pleases me well.”’ When it came to relationships, Samson was guided by his lower impulses instead of the principles of God’s Word. And he paid dearly for it.

Three times we read in Scripture: ‘Samson went down…’ (Judges 14:1 NKJV) He went down to Timnath and married the wrong woman. He went down to Gaza and spent the night with a harlot. He went down to Sorek, ended up in the lap of Delilah, and lost his strength, his freedom, his reputation, his anointing and his life. Samuel, on the other hand, was raised up to purify the ministry. Eli the high priest had two sons called Hophni and Phinehas whom he had ordained to the priesthood, but they were taking bribes to cover sin and brazenly consorting with prostitutes. There’s a lesson here for every redeemed child of God: ‘Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.’ (2 Corinthians 6:14 NIV) Is God being biased or unloving? No, He’s being protective! When you’re ‘yoked together’ in a relationship with someone who doesn’t share your faith, your values, your goals and your priorities, you end up in a tug of war with each pulling in a different direction. When problems arise, as they surely will, what you need is someone by your side who turns to the same source you do for the solution—God.

The Differences Between Samson And Samuel (1)

Wednesday, 17 January 2018

'Time would fail me to tell of... Samson...and Samuel.' Hebrews 11:32 NKJV

Samson and Samuel are mentioned in the same Scripture, but there are big differences between them. You ask, ‘Why should I be interested?’ Because as a Christian, you are like them. Each had a miraculous birth, so they’re a picture of those who’ve been born again and called to serve God. Paul writes, ‘These things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition… Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.’ (1 Corinthians 10:11–12 NKJV)

Difference one: finances. Samson was greedy and manipulating, whereas Samuel practised integrity. One day Samson bet thirty Philistine princes that they couldn’t solve his riddle, saying, ‘If you cannot explain it to me, then you shall give me thirty linen garments and thirty changes of clothing.’ (Judges 14:13 NKJV) Quite a wardrobe, eh? Samson’s emphasis was ‘you shall give me.’ He’s an example of Christians in business who discredit the cause of Christ by unethical practices, and those in ministry who twist the Scriptures and resort to emotional manipulation to raise money.

The world is watching, so let’s heed the Scripture: ‘Provide things honest in the sight of all men.’ (Romans 12:17 KJV) Samuel was totally different. After forty years of his exemplary leadership, the people paid this tribute to him: ‘You have not cheated or oppressed us.’ (1 Samuel 12:4 NIV) When others can say that about you, you did it right! Jesus said, ‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ (Matthew 6:21 NIV) The condition of your heart is revealed in how you handle finances.

Start A Journal Of Your Spiritual Journey

Tuesday, 16 January 2018

'Moses wrote all the words of the Lord. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar.' Exodus 24:4 NKJV

One of the secrets of Moses’ great success in life was this: he spent time each day with God, and he wrote down what God told him. And you should do that too. Here’s why. Writing clarifies your thoughts, gives you a permanent record you can refer back to and allows you to measure your progress. We only remember what we take time to record.

One of the best-known American missionaries was Jim Elliot, who became a martyr for Christ in 1956 in Ecuador. He kept a spiritual journal, and it makes interesting reading: ‘My devotional reading pattern was broken. I have never restored it… prayer as a single man was difficult… now it’s too hard to get out of bed in the morning… I’ve made resolutions on this score before now, but not followed them up.’ Such writings become a mirror that reflects your true spiritual condition—a condition it’s easy to forget unless it’s staring you in the face each day. Elliot, like all of us, struggled with the spiritual disciplines. But unlike most of us, he kept a written record of his spiritual defeats as well as his spiritual victories. Keeping such a journal will force you to reflect on your heart’s true condition, record your progress, regain your lost momentum, reject your bad habits, reinforce your good habits, and help you to reach your spiritual goals. Do you know any other discipline that offers such benefits? No? Then start a journal of your spiritual journey today.

Give God Your 'Firstfruits'

Monday, 15 January 2018

'Honour the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase.' Proverbs 3:9 NKJV

Solomon writes: ‘Honour the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.’ (Proverbs 3:9–10 NKJV) The people who heard these words lived off their land and their livestock. Whenever they reaped a harvest or birthed new cattle, they’d take the first sheaf or the firstborn calf to the temple and offer it to the Lord. These were called ‘firstfruits’. By doing this they acknowledged that ‘everything I have comes from God, and belongs to God. And everything I’ll need for the future depends upon God’s goodness to me’.

There’s not a more important money management principle you’ll ever hear than this: give God your ‘firstfruits’, not your leftovers! Businessman Arthur DeMoss was a spiritual giant and benefactor who gave millions to God’s work and left behind a foundation to carry on his legacy. DeMoss said that to be successful you should give God the first dime out of every dollar, the first hour out of every day, and the first day out of every week. You ask, ‘Does that mean God won’t love me if I don’t tithe?’ No; you can’t do anything to earn God’s love. However, giving back to Him willingly demonstrates our obedience and love for God.

The Virtue of Diligence

Sunday, 14 January 2018

'The hand of the diligent makes rich.' Proverbs 10:4 ESV

The word diligent means ‘to cut or sharpen’. It describes a worker who’s sharp, decisive, and keen. He or she wants to work, make a difference, and contribute to their families and to society. Life ‘owes’ you nothing except an opportunity to succeed. And you’ll have to work for that success.

One day two teens were talking when one said to the other, ‘I’m really worried. Dad slaves away at his job so I’ll never want for anything. He pays all my bills and sends me to college. Mum slaves every day washing, ironing, cleaning up after me, and even takes care of me when I’m sick.’

Puzzled, his friend asked, ‘So, what’re you worried about?’

He replied, ‘I’m worried the slaves might escape!’

If you’re a parent, teach your children the virtue of diligence. And don’t just preach it—live it! You’ll know you’re succeeding when they no longer feel ‘entitled’ to an allowance, and stop seeing you as a human cashpoint machine with the words ‘Free Money!’ stamped on your forehead. Your children will spend over half the waking hours of their prime adult lives working, and they need to know that it was God’s idea and not a form of punishment. Some people think work was the result of the curse in Eden, but it wasn’t. God gave Adam the job of tending the garden before sin came on the scene (see Genesis 2:15). Jesus was a carpenter (see Mark 6:3). And Paul, one of the most influential Christians in history, was a tentmaker (see Acts 18:1–3). There’s nothing dishonourable about work worth doing, and work done well.

.....but what are the Hausas waiting for? Are they been terrorized at their own domain?
......what a life?

God's Definition Of 'Rich'

Saturday, 13 January 2018

'The blessing of the Lord -- it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].' Proverbs 10:22 AMPC

It’s said the famous publisher William Randolph Hearst saw a picture of a beautiful painting and became very interested in acquiring it for his collection. He sent agents all over the world to search for it, but they couldn’t find it anywhere. A year later, out of the blue, one of his employees came and told him that the painting had been found. Excited about the discovery, Hearst asked where it had been unearthed. His employee said, ‘It was in a crate in your warehouse. You owned it all the time.’ The problem was, Hearst had never read the ledger that had the record of everything he owned.

Your Bible is a ledger filled with blessings God wants you to experience. Now, none of these blessings are greater than salvation, but it’s not the only blessing. ‘The blessing of the Lord—it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].’

John D. Rockefeller once said he’d exchange his fortune for a chance to go back and work as a clerk in his old office in Cleveland, Ohio. Why? Because stress caused him to suffer bouts of insomnia, ulcers, and depression. The blessing of God brings success—without stress! God tells you about it in His Word. He wants you to be ‘rich’ in your relationships, in your health, in your peace of mind, in your career, and in everything that concerns you.

So get to know what God has promised you, then begin praying and believing Him for it.

Who is celebrating? Is it Donald or the silly dad?
Madness!

Don't Label People: Love Them

Friday, 12 January 2018

'We have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view.' 2 Corinthians 5:16 NLT

If you tend to associate only with ‘your own kind’, think about this: ‘We have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view.’ Jesus went out of His way to meet a Samaritan woman at a well. From a cultural and religious point of view, it was a bad move.

First, she’d been married five times so she had a tarnished reputation.
Second, she was a Gentile.And in those days a Jew couldn’t drink water drawn by Gentiles or eat their food. Jewish physicians couldn’t attend to non-Jewish patients. Jews actually referred to Gentiles as ‘unclean’, believing that by mixing with them they too would become unclean. But Jesus was all about including people, not excluding them: ‘The Word became human and made His home among us.’ (John 1:14 NLT)

Jesus touched lepers, loved foreigners, and spent so much time with partygoers that religious leaders called him a ‘glutton and a drunk.’ (Matthew 11:19 GWT)
Jesus didn’t label people; He loved them. And when you follow Him, He puts His finger on your prejudices and makes you deal with them. That’s because He wants to change the way you look at people, not seeing them as Jews or Gentiles, insiders or outsiders, liberals or conservatives, etc. ‘We have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view.’

Today you may come across some discarded people like the woman at the well. They may have been thrown out of church, or just turned off by church—and you’ll have a chance to label them or love them. Honour God—and love them!

Stop Doing Things That Don't Work.

Thursday, 11 January 2018

'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.' Colossians 3:16 NKJV

The story’s told of a couple who decided to go duck hunting together. They heard that they needed a good duck hunting dog, so they went to a kennel and got one. They heard that they needed a good shotgun, so they went to the store and bought one. Then they went hunting. At the end of the day they hadn’t got a single duck.

The husband said to his wife, ‘Honey, we’ve got to be doing something wrong here.’
His wife replied, ‘Well, maybe if we throw the dog up a little higher he could catch a duck this time.’

When it comes to the Christian life, we try to accomplish things with tools that don’t work or don’t make sense. A dog is not the right equipment to get ducks—you need firepower to bring a duck down. Why did Paul write, ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom’ ? Because when the word of Christ dwells richly in your heart, you’re equipped with God’s wisdom. You can’t solve a problem by using the very elements that caused it. You need God’s wisdom, and it’s found in His Word. Less than 30 per cent of Christians read their Bible daily.

Think about that: 70 per cent of Christians look for the answer in the wrong places. When you have a problem, the first thing you should ask is, ‘What does God’s Word say about this?’ ‘The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.’ (Psalm 119:130 NKJV) Instead of doing things that don’t work—turn to God’s Word.

Keep Morphing!

Tuesday, 9 January 2018

'Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle.' Hebrews 11:34 NLT
The word ‘metamorphosis’ means to be changed from one form into another. In Hebrews chapter eleven, we find famous people such as Moses and David. Did they have weaknesses? Yes. Did they sometimes struggle? Absolutely. But: ‘Their weakness was turned to strength. They b
ecame strong in battle.’

Picture a caterpillar morphing into a butterfly. It starts out slow and slimy, and takes hours to crawl a metre or so. When it undergoes the process of metamorphosis, however, it becomes a beautiful butterfly that can fly long distances by simply riding the air currents. The butterfly’s wings developed as a result of struggling in the cocoon until it broke free. No fight, no flight! Getting the idea? Are you struggling with something today? Are you in a spiritual battle? It’s your struggles that develop your strength, and your battles that bring your victories. Satan doesn’t want you to know that. He hopes the battle you are in will destroy you instead of develop you, so he keeps pouring on the pressure. When Paul’s life became so hard that he thought he couldn’t stand another day of it, God told him, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ (2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT) How did Paul respond? He writes: ‘Now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me… For when I am weak, then I am strong.’ (2 Corinthians 12:9–10 NLT)

Good question?

.....for the gift of life.
Thank you Lord Jesus.

"......the only property he had was a bed"
Can you imagine that?