THE VALUE OF YOUR SOUL

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8: 36). The above statement by our Lord Jesus

Christ ought to ring in our ears like a trumpet blast. It concerns OUR SOULS. What a serious question these words of Scripture contain! Where is the accountant who could balance it up? Where is the clever mathematician who would not be baffled by that sum? "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" It i the first step toward Heaven to find out the true words of our souls.

Nowadays, the things of this world are seen as being all important, with little given to the things of eternity. The life that we now live in our bodies is not the only life. There is a life to come. We have souls. All is not over when we take our last breath, and the doctor's last visit has been paid - when the funeral preparations are made, and the coffin is screwed down - when 'ashes to ashes and dust to dust' has been pronounced over the grave. The spirit of the man still lives on. We all have within us an undying soul.

There shall be a time when the sun shall cease to shine, and the moon no more gives its light, but the soul of the humblest labourer is made of far more enduring stuff. It shall survive the crash of a dying universe and live on for all eternity. We have got to realise the responsibility and seriousness of having a never-dying soul.

Read your Bible and get to know what it says. Seek the Lord in prayer and pour out your heart before Him. Go to a place of worship regularly, hear the Gospel preached, and give God His day. If any ask you the reason why: if husband or wife, or child, or friend say, "Why are you doing this?" - answer them boldly and say, "I do these things because I have a soul."

The next remark I have to make is this: ANYONE MAY LOSE HIS OWN SOUL. You cannot save that soul of yours, my friend: remember that! You cannot make your own peace with God. You cannot wipe away a single sin. You cannot blot away any one of the wrongs which stand in the book of God against you. You cannot change your own heart, but there is one thing you can do, you can lose your own soul.

Where does the soul go to when lost? There is only one solemn answer to that question. There is only one place to which it can go, and that is Hell. There is no such thing as annihilation. The lost soul goes to that place where the fire is not quenched - where there is blackness and darkness, wretchedness and despair forever. It goes to hell - the only place for which it is suitable - since it is not suitable for heaven. "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all nations that forget God." (Psalm 9:17).

Don't tell me what a man thinks about his soul when he is in the fullness of health, tell me instead what he thinks when the world is sinking beneath him, and death, judgement, and eternity are looming. Does anyone wish to have a clearer idea of his soul's value? Then go and measure it by the opinions of the dead. Read in the Bible in St. Luke, chapter 16 about the world to come, which gives us a glimpse of what dead men think of the value of their soul.

The last remark I have to make is this: ANY MAN'S SOUL MAY BE SAVED. I could not bear the awful responsibility of telling men that everyone has a soul that anyone may lose his soul - that the loss of the soul is a loss for which nothing can make up - if I could not also proclaim that any man's soul maybe saved.

I proclaim with a confidence that anyone's soul may be saved because Christ has once died. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has died upon the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. "Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." (1 Peter 3: 18). Christ has taken over our sins in His own body on the cross and allowed the punishment we all deserve to fall on Him.
If you will ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins, then you can know that your soul will be saved for all eternity. Is your soul in danger of being lost?

By Dr. J.C Ryle

Then, a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one."

But the auctioneer insisted: 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100? $200?"

Another voice angrily said: "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!"

Despite their persistence, the auctioneer continued: "The son! The son! Who'll take the artwork of the son?"

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

"We have $10, who will bid for $20?"

"Give him for $10," one of the men in the crowd said. "Let's see the masterpieces."

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going... going...gone. The artwork is sold for $10."

A man sitting on the second row shouted: "Now, let's get on with the collection!"

The auctioneer laid down the gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over."

The crowd was appalled. "What about the painting?" one of them asked.

The auctioneer shook his head. "I'm sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not
allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit
the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the artwork of the son gets everything."



God gave His son over 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. It was much like the auctioner. His message today is: The Son, the Son, who will take
the Son?

The fact is whoever takes the Son gets everything!

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE (JOHN 3:16)



That's love.


(Culled from the Media)



MORE STORIES TO COME.

Then, a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one."

But the auctioneer insisted: 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100? $200?"

Another voice angrily said: "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!"

Despite their persistence, the auctioneer continued: "The son! The son! Who'll take the artwork of the son?"

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

"We have $10, who will bid for $20?"

"Give him for $10," one of the men in the crowd said. "Let's see the masterpieces."

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going... going...gone. The artwork is sold for $10."

A man sitting on the second row shouted: "Now, let's get on with the collection!"

The auctioneer laid down the gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over."

The crowd was appalled. "What about the painting?" one of them asked.

The auctioneer shook his head. "I'm sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not
allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit
the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the artwork of the son gets everything."



God gave His son over 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. It was much like the auctioner. His message today is: The Son, the Son, who will take
the Son?

The fact is whoever takes the Son gets everything!

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE (JOHN 3:16)



That's love.


(Culled from the Media)



MORE STORIES TO COME.

Stories That Ginger the Hearts


1.

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and he grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved me alongside many lives that day. He was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you and your love for the art."

The young man held out his package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.'

The old man opened the package. It was a portrait of his son painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes swelled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.

"Oh, no, sir. I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Everytime visitors came to his house, he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?"

There was silence.

Then, a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one."

But the auctioneer insisted: 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100? $200?"


( the story continues)

Janet96:
Yes, Christ can handle any crisis.

Very correct. We can do all things in Christ. He is the Rock of our ages.

WHAT CRISIS ARE YOU FACING?
(culled from FirstLove Publications track)

Troubling circumstances are an inescable reality in life because 'man is born into trouble as the sparks fly upward' (Job 5: 7). The first man and woman, Adam and Eve, were the only human beings who ever lived in a perfect environment, and were themselves perfect. They were created in the image of God (Gen 1. 27), sinless and fully able to do the will of their Creator in everything.

Their spirits were free and innocent, enjoying fellowship with God. With their minds, they served their Maker, having dominion over the lower creation, and their bodies were capable of living for ever. What crisis could possibly arise as in such circumstances in the Garden of Eden? Yet, one did arise, 'for the Lord commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden, thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shall not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shall die.' (Gen. 2: 16, 17).

Satan, the fallen enemy of God and man, appeared in a serpent to the woman, tempting her with a lie to disobey the command of God: 'And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not die. For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.' (Gen. 3: 4,5). The woman 'being deceived' (1 Tim: 2: 4), ate the forbidden fruit and Adam of his own free will followed her to the transgression, plunging the whole human race which was to come into hatred toward God, sinful depravity and death.

Dear readers, are you facing a crisis in your life, in your health, in your family relations, in your finances, or in any other way? These are the symptoms of your relationship with your first father, Adam, who who could not save himself, and neither can you save yourself. Jesus, the Great Healer says, 'I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.' (Mk. 2: 17). Are you willing to throw down the arms of your rebellion and to come to Jesus on His terms: 'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his own cross daily, and follow me.' (Lk. 9: 23)? If not you will only hear Him say in the day of judgement, 'I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.' (Mt. 7: 23).

Put the case of your needy soul in the hands of Christ Who has power to give life for death, freedom for bondage, peace for misery, and lead you to God in heaven forever.

WHAT CRISIS ARE YOU FACING?
(culled from FirstLove Publications track)

Troubling circumstances are an inescable reality in life because 'man is born into trouble as the sparks fly upward' (Job 5: 7). The first man and woman, Adam and Eve, were the only human beings who ever lived in a perfect environment, and were themselves perfect. They were created in the image of God (Gen 1. 27), sinless and fully able to do the will of their Creator in everything.

Their spirits were free and innocent, enjoying fellowship with God. With their minds, they served their Maker, having dominion over the lower creation, and their bodies were capable of living for ever. What crisis could possibly arise as in such circumstances in the Garden of Eden? Yet, one did arise, 'for the Lord commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden, thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shall not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shall die.' (Gen. 2: 16, 17).

Satan, the fallen enemy of God and man, appeared in a serpent to the woman, tempting her with a lie to disobey the command of God: 'And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not die. For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.' (Gen. 3: 4,5). The woman 'being deceived' (1 Tim: 2: 4), ate the forbidden fruit and Adam of his own free will followed her to the transgression, plunging the whole human race which was to come into hatred toward God, sinful depravity and death.

Dear readers, are you facing a crisis in your life, in your health, in your family relations, in your finances, or in any other way? These are the symptoms of your relationship with your first father, Adam, who who could not save himself, and neither can you save yourself. Jesus, the Great Healer says, 'I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.' (Mk. 2: 17). Are you willing to throw down the arms of your rebellion and to come to Jesus on His terms: 'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his own cross daily, and follow me.' (Lk. 9: 23)? If not you will only hear Him say in the day of judgement, 'I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.' (Mt. 7: 23).

Put the case of your needy soul in the hands of Christ Who has power to give life for death, freedom for bondage, peace for misery, and lead you to God in heaven forever.

Interesting

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus Christ my righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus' name

On Christ the solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

When darkness veils, His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy Gale
My an hour holds within the veil

His oath, His convenant, His blood
Support me in the overwhelming flood,
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay

When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh, may I then in Him be found
In Himmy righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Overcoming Siege

God created man to excel and have dominion over fish of the sea, over everything that creepeth upon the earth (Gen. 1:26). Along the line, man fell short of expectations of God when he fell into sin. Then, the siege began. Siege is anything that will not allow man to fulfil his destiny.

This can manifest in form of drunkenness, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, pornography, prostitution, lying, stealing, and so on. When a man is involved in sin, he has invited siege into his life. The basic truth is:

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

The Bible is God's word of love for salvation John 20:31. That they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonians 2:12. Christ died to save sinners. Romans 5:8 Anyone who believes will have eternal life. John 3:16.

Dearly beloved, for you to overcome the siege in your life, career and business which is caused by sins, run to Jesus today and confess Him as your personal Lord and Savior. Jesus is the only name through which you can be saved. Act 4:12.

Take these steps:

1. Confess your sins to Jesus
2. Forsake the sins
3. Ask for forgiveness
4. Ask Jesus to come into your life
5. Start attending a Bible-believing church

Jesus will definitely put an end to the siege in your life.

Peace of God unto you in Jesus name.

Thank you Lord Jesus for another lovely day.

Every Day Is To Celebrate Christ

December 25 is a day set aside to mark the birth of Jesus, although there are some controversies on this. The fact is every day should be to celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ and worship Him.

Heavenly father, thank you for Jesus. Lord Jesus, I celebrate you everyday and worship you.

Glory be to our Lord.

Nothing is too big for God

The earth is bedeviled with myriads of problems. After one has overcome a challenge, another problem crops up. It is like the challenges of times are endless.

What do we do in the midst of these? Should we lose hope? Should we give up? Should we stop trusting in God, or do we accuse God of being the architect of our problems?

We should never give up. We must never lose hope. We must keep trusting and believing in God. He knows about all our travails. He will definitely help us to overcome them all.

God is our rock in the days of troubles. We must never forget this.

In whatever situation we find ourselves, we should always give thanks to almighty God.

Father, thank you for everything.

You Need Help

'But thou shall remember the Lord thy God for it is he that giveth the power to get wealth, that he may establish his convenant which he swore unto thy father as it is this day.' (Deut 8:18)

God has the power that can get you rich. The rewards from your efforts are limited. The riches from your father in heaven cannot be compared to that of this world. The power given by occult world will limit your life and will vanish midway because they use demonic powers. If you decide to go to Jesus to make you rich, you can never be poor forever. Your children and grand children will also become partakers from it.

Stop fighting the battle all alone. You need a higher power. You need Jesus. Surrender every thing to him.[font=Lucida Sans Unicode][/font]

The state of Insecurity

The state of Insecurity in Nigeria indeed calls for urgent solution.

Killings, kidnapping and threats to lives have become order of the day. Almost on daily basis, one hears of one terrible case of threats to lives, or the other.

It has become really worrisome. As the primary function of the government is to protect lives and property, it beholves of government to tackle the monstrous challenge.

As for the children of God, they must really be prayerful.

I come in peace.

Better Late Than Never

Many people give up easily when their prayers are not answered; or are not as fast answered as they wanted it.

This should not be so. People of God must never become weary.

As some people say, Pray Until Something Happens.

Our prayers will never be in vain in Jesus name.

The Hike in Rape Cases

Recently, there are increases in the cases of rape. It is so bad that even blood relatives get involved in it.

This matter is worrisome. Rape is a criminal act. It is also an abomination before God.

By whatever means, rape must be avoided. Men must control their lusts. Women too that initiate rape must desist from doing so.

The Lord is our strength.

Caustic Talks

Some people talk loosely without minding the consequences. They denounce, debase, humiliate and condemn others without restraints. For such people, any little disagreement with the other person must lead to insults and verbal assaults.

The tongue must be controlled. It has the power of life and death, so learn how to control it. To this extent, learn how to control emotions.

Do not be a slave to your tongue or emotions.

Stay blessed.

4. The Need for Restraints on Social Media

The social media have availed people the opportunity to reach out to mass of people within a short time. Many people are already using mass media to the fullest.

But for what purpose are you using the social media? Are you the type that easily brags about your achievement?

Do you brandish your accomplishments to people on social media?

There is need for restraints. Be humble in whatever you do. Let the Lord be your guide.

Have a good day.

3. A Time to Praise God

That we are in the month of December 2020 is by the grace of God.

Despite the epidemic and the pandemic, we survive.

Despite all the economic quagmire, we are alive.

It is by His grace.

Someone praise the Lord!

2. So Many Bad News in the World

There are news of conflicts, violence and of killings in different parts of the world. Some days ago a terror attack on farmers in Borno State left scores of people dead.

What can children of God do in the midst of all these? We must not despair. We must continue to look up to God for assurance and ultimate protection.

The Lord is our refuge and Hope.

Remain blessed.

1. World Economy or God Economy?


The economy of the world is often down. Distress is bound to happen any time. Right now, the economy of Nigeria is in recession, the second in 4 years.

But the economy of God which covers His children does not experience recession. Is it not better to belong to God's family and enjoy insulated buoyancy?

Even if things are down, God will surely lift His own up.

Have a blessed day.

1

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save me from its guilt and power.

2
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All could never sin erase,
Thou must save, and save by grace.

3
Nothing in my hands I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress,
Helpless, look to Thee for grace:
Foul, I to the fountain fly,
Wash me, Savior, or I die.

4
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

LordReed:


What is spirit? Can you give objective proof of this thing called spirit?

Spirit is abstract and is not something that can be seen or touched. It can however be felt. I can feel the Spirit of God, His existence and His potency.

Does God Really Exist?

This has been the question many people have been asking in ages. To many people, God does not exist. Neither was He the One that created the universe nor human beings.

Many said there was no proof or empirical evidence that God exists. There is no doubt that the existence of God will remain a controversy till eternity.

Many religions try to bring forward the assertion that God lives and that He indeed created the world and all the things in it. Some people are disillusioned about the problems on earth. Some could not accept that a supreme God exists in the midst of the travails they find themselves.

I believe that indeed God exists. The empirical proof is my very existence. I will understand it if the next fellow pooh-poohs my assertion or belief, but that will not change my mind.

In this world, I have learnt that it is better to believe in God. It is a spirit thing and the understanding lies entirely in spirit. God Himself is a spirit and can only be worshipped in spirit.

Those that are disillusioned should Not give up. There is God and He can wipe off your pains.

So, why has He not done so?

You need to remember Him in your time of sorrow. Another thing is you must NEVER be slack in looking up to Him.

God is alive. Have a happy day.