₦airaland Forum

Distinguishing the True From the False.

In some cases, such as that of Moses, Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus, God’s prophets performed miraculous works that attested to the genuineness of their message and office. Not all, however, are recorded as performing such powerful works.
The three essentials for establishing the credentials of a true prophet, as given through Moses, were: The true prophet would speak in God's name; the things foretold would come to pass (De 18:20-22); and his prophesying must promote true worship, being in harmony with God’s revealed word and commandments (De 13:1-4). [/b]The last requirement was probably the most vital and decisive, for an individual might hypocritically use God’s name, and by coincidence, his prediction might see fulfillment. But the true prophet was not solely or even primarily a prognosticator, as has been shown. Rather,[b] he was an advocate of righteousness, and his message dealt primarily with moral standards and their application. He expressed God’s mind on matters. (Isa 1:10-20; Mic 6:1-12) Hence, it was not necessary to wait perhaps for years or generations to determine whether the prophet was true or false by fulfillment of a prediction. If his message contradicted God’s revealed will and standards, he was false. [/b]Thus, a prophet who foretold peace for Israel or Judah, at a time when the people were engaging in disobedience to God’s Word and Law, of necessity was false.—Jer 6:13, 14; 14:11-16.

[b]Jesus’ later warning concerning false prophets paralleled that of Moses. Though using his name, and giving “signs and wonders to lead astray,” their fruits would prove them “workers of lawlessness.”—Mt 7:15-23; Mr 13:21-23; compare 2Pe 2:1-3; 1Jo 4:1-3.

[b]The true prophet never foretold simply to satisfy human curiosity. Every prediction related to God’s will, purpose, standards, or judgment. ([/b]1Ki 11:29-39; Isa 7:3-9) Often the future events foretold were the consequence of existing conditions; as the people sowed, so they would reap. The false prophets lulled the people and their leaders with soothing assurances that, despite their unrighteous course, God was still with them to protect and prosper them. (Jer 23:16-20; 28:1-14; Eze 13:1-16; compare Lu 6:26.) They imitated the true prophets, employing symbolic language and actions. (1Ki 22:11; Jer 28:10-14) While some were outright frauds, many were evidently prophets who became delinquent or apostate. (Compare 1Ki 18:19; 22:5-7; Isa 28:7; Jer 23:11-15.) Some were women, false prophetesses. (Eze 13:17-23; compare Re 2:20.) A “spirit of uncleanness” replaced God’s spirit. All such false prophets were to be put to death.—Zec 13:2, 3; De 13:5.

As to those measuring up to the divine standards, the fulfillment of certain “short-range” prophecies, some being accomplished in just a day or a year, gave basis for confidence that their prophecies relating to a more distant future would also see fulfillment.—1Ki 13:1-5; 14:12, 17; 2Ki 4:16, 17; 7:1, 2, 16-20.

Lydia Sung - Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 | 2:39PM (CST)


Dialogue edited when Nigeria's federal government cries some moar 


At the end of August, Sony was churning some lighthearted PlayStation 3 ads, poking fun at gaming journalists and other nonsense.  All in good fun, right?  Nigeria did not agree.

The Nigerian government took offense to one of Sony's ads on price cuts.  Originally, the silly dialogue went something like this: "Bernie, you can't believe everything you read on the Internet.   Otherwise I would be a Nigerian millionaire by now."

Nigeria was not amused.  The government promptly demanded an apology from Sony, for allegedly damaging (or attempting to) the nation's upstanding reputation.  Apparently, the Nigerian federal government really does believe this advertisement is an attempt to damage Nigeria's international business interests.

Information and Communication Minister Prof. Dora Akunyili released a statement in relation to the offense:

It is on record that Sony Corporation has operated in Nigeria since independence and has enjoyed tremendous patronage from Nigerians at home and abroad.

Over these years, there is no established record that the company has recorded any major fraud by Nigerians. 

While Nigeria accepts that there are few criminal-minded people within her population like any other country including Japan, the home country of Sony Corporation, the Federal Government has put in place institutions to rid the country of fraudulent practices.

Sony has since altered the advertisement, in which the actor now says: "Bernie, you can't believe everything you read on the Internet.  That's how World War I got started."



http://www.neoseeker.com/news/11718-sony-changes-playstation-3-ad-after-nigerian-government-complains/

larez:
Do your own search about the project, and see if you can get any news about the deal and who supplied the cable,  What ship was used to lay the cable, when the submarine geological survey was done, when it was decided it was a feasible project, where divers and survey UAVs were contracted. I know the logistics that it takes to embark on a project like this as well as the infrastructure requirement it takes.

It can never be done without world scrutiny. Now do a search or the media cable one project, and you will find the details that I described.

Where are u?

You deserve a knock on the head.

What details do u expect us to find, Tell us now, Me I want to learn oooo


http://www1.alcatel-lucent.com/submarine/refs/index.htm;jsessionid=5DRTY3MASSHWTLAWFRUE1CVMCYWGI3GC


This links to a map from alcatel lucent. ZOOM it and find GLO-1 cable route when under construction.

I expect you to say it is arrangee map but remember the map is there for the world to scrutinize like you said.

All your questions will be answered. 

I think everyone that achieves any success at what they do deserves praise even if the achievement does not meet our expectations.



Try to always keep an open mind.

JESUS, his mother, and some of his disciples knew the joy that an honorable wedding among God’s people can bring. Christ even made one wedding outstanding by performing his first recorded miracle there, adding to the pleasure of that event. (John 2:1-11) You may have attended and enjoyed weddings of Christians who want to serve God as happily married people. Or you may look forward to having such a wedding yourself or to helping a friend to make his or her wedding a success. What can contribute to that outcome?

Christians have found that the advice in God’s inspired Word is very helpful when a man and a woman plan to get married. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) Granted, the Bible does not outline exact procedures for a Christian wedding. That is understandable because customs and even legal requirements vary according to location and era. For example, in ancient Israel there was no formal wedding ceremony. On the wedding day, the bridegroom brought his bride to his own home or to his father’s. (Genesis 24:67; Isaiah 61:10; Matthew 1:24) This public step constituted the wedding, without the formal ceremony common in many weddings today.

The Israelites recognized that step as constituting the marriage or wedding. Thereafter, they might share in a celebratory feast, such as that mentioned at John 2:1. Many Bible versions render that verse something like this: “There was a wedding in Cana.” But the original-language word is well rendered “marriage feast” or “wedding banquet.” (Matthew 22:2-10; 25:10; Luke 14: The account makes it clear that Jesus was present at and contributed to a feast linked to a Jewish wedding. A key point, however, is that what constituted such a wedding back then differs from what is common now.

In many countries today, Christians who want to marry must meet certain legal requirements. Once they do so, they may wed in any legally accepted manner. That could be in a small, simple ceremony that is conducted by a judge, mayor, or minister authorized by the State. Some choose to marry in such a way, possibly asking a few relatives or Christian friends to be present as legal witnesses or just to share in the joy of this important occasion. (Jeremiah 33:11; John 3:29) Similarly, other Christians may choose not to hold a sizable wedding feast or reception that would require considerable planning and cost. They may arrange, instead, for a quiet meal with some close friends. Whatever our personal preferences in this regard may be, we should recognize that other mature Christians may have viewpoints different from our own.—Romans 14:3, 4.

Customary and Civil Marriages

In some countries, couples enter into what may be called a[b] customary (or, tribal) marriage. [/b]This does not refer to two individuals just living together, nor does it refer to a common-law situation that may have a degree of status in some locales but is not a full legal marriage. We are speaking of a marriage entered into according to the publicly recognized custom of the tribe or area. This may involve the full payment and acceptance of a bride-price, by which the couple are legally and Scripturally married. The government views such customary marriage as valid, legal, and binding. Thereafter, it is usually possible to record or register the customary marriage that occurred, and upon doing so, the couple may receive an official certificate. Registration can offer protection for the couple or for the wife if she becomes a widow and for any future children. The congregation would urge any who enter such a customary marriage to register it as soon as possible. Interestingly, it seems that under the Mosaic Law, marriages and births were officially recorded.—Matthew 1:1-16.

The couple legally united in such a customary process become husband and wife when that marriage occurs. As noted above, Christians entering such a legal marriage may desire to have a marriage talk, with wedding vows.

In some lands where customary marriage is recognized as legal, there are also provisions for civil (or, statutory) marriage. A civil marriage is usually carried out before a government agent, and it may include both taking marriage vows and signing a registry. Some Christian couples prefer this civil marriage to a customary one. There is no legal need for both; each procedure is legally valid. What is said in paragraphs 9 and 10 about a wedding talk and vows applies here too. The main thing is that the couple are married in a way that is honorable before God and man.—Luke 20:25; 1 Peter 2:13, 14.

FORNICATION

Illicit sex relations outside of Scriptural marriage. The Hebrew verb za‧nah′ and its related forms convey the idea of harlotry, immoral intercourse, fornication, or prostitution. (Ge 38:24; Ex 34:16; Ho 1:2; Le 19:29) The Greek word translated “fornication” is por‧nei′a. Regarding the meanings of por‧nei′a, B. F. Westcott in his book Saint Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians (1906, p. 76) says: “This is a general term for all unlawful intercourse, (I) adultery: Hos. ii. 2, 4 (LXX.); Matt. v. 32; xix. 9; (2) unlawful marriage, I Cor. v. I; (3) fornication, the common sense as here [Eph 5:3].” Bauer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (revised by F. W. Gingrich and F. Danker, 1979, p. 693) defines por‧nei′a as “prostitution, unchastity, fornication, of every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse.” Porneia is understood to involve the grossly immoral use of the genital organ(s) of at least one human; also there must have been two or more parties (including another consenting human or a beast), whether of the same sex or the opposite sex. (Jude 7) The unlawful act of a rapist is fornication, but, of course, that does not make the person who is forcibly raped also a fornicator.

When God performed the first human marriage he said: “That is why a man will leave his father and his mother and he must stick to his wife and they must become one flesh.” (Ge 2:24) Here the standard set for man and woman was monogamy, and promiscuous sex relationship was ruled out. Also, no divorce and remarriage to another was anticipated.

In patriarchal society God’s faithful servants hated fornication, whether between single, engaged, or married persons, and it was considered a sin against God.—Ge 34:1, 2, 6, 7, 31; 38:24-26; 39:7-9.

Under the Law. Under the Mosaic Law, a man committing fornication with an unengaged girl was required to marry the girl and to pay her father the purchase price for brides (50 silver shekels; $110), and he could not divorce her all his days. Even if her father refused to give him the girl in marriage, the man had to pay the purchase price to the father. (Ex 22:16, 17; De 22:28, 29) However, if the girl was engaged, the man was to be stoned to death. If the girl screamed when she was attacked, she was not to be punished, but if the engaged girl failed to scream (thereby indicating consent), she was also put to death.—De 22:23-27.

The sanctity of marriage was emphasized by the law that punished with death a girl who married under the false pretense of being a virgin, having committed fornication secretly. If her husband falsely charged her with such a crime, it was regarded as bringing great reproach on her father’s house. For his slanderous action, the man was to be “disciplined” by the judges, perhaps by beating, and fined 100 silver shekels ($220), the money then being given to the father. (De 22:13-21) Prostitution of a priest’s daughter brought disgrace on his sacred office. She was to be killed, then burned as something detestable. (Le 21:9; see also Le 19:29.) Fornication between married persons (adultery) was a violation of the seventh commandment and merited the death penalty for both parties.—Ex 20:14; De 5:18; 22:22.

If a man committed fornication with a servant girl who had been designated for another man, but who had not been redeemed or freed, punishment was to take place, but they were not to be put to death. (Le 19:20-22) Evidently this was because the woman was not yet free and in full control of her actions, as a free engaged girl would be. The redemption price had not yet been paid, or at least not fully paid, and she was still a bondservant to her master.

When the mercenary prophet Balaam could not bring a curse upon Israel by divination, he found a way to bring them under God’s displeasure by appealing to wrong desire for sexual relations. By means of the women of Moab he seduced the Israelites into practicing the filthy phallic worship of the Baal of Peor, for which 24,000 of the sons of Israel died.—Nu 25:1-9; 1Co 10:8 (likely 1,000 heads of the people were killed and hung on stakes [Nu 25:4] and the rest were destroyed by the sword or the plague).

MUST I GO TO HEAVEN TO ENJOY TRUE HAPPINESS?

Nope!

People who don't know about God today have a better chance to live forever than those who know about him and fail to keep his laws.

Whatever!

BIBLE PRINCIPLES GOVERNING GIVING

Also helping to make collections unnecessary is an understanding of Bible principles governing giving. One of these is that, to be pleasing to God, giving must be done unselfishly. [/b]Jesus condemned those who advertised their charities and counseled: “When making gifts of mercy, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, that your gifts of mercy may be in secret; then your Father who is looking on in secret will repay you.” [b]Paul made the same point, that unless giving is prompted by love one is “not profited at all.” Only unselfish giving counts with God, for it is not primarily concerned with self but with others and asks not, How much must I give, but, How much can I give?—Matt. 6:2-4; 1 Cor. 13:3.

Another Bible principle that governs giving is that God judges the gift, not by its size, but by its relation to what one has. Yes, a gift is “acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what a person does not have.” How just! How reasonable! How considerate! Jesus illustrated this principle when calling attention to the widow who put two coins of very little value into the temple treasury chest. He said that she had given more than any of the rest, for they gave out of their surplus but she “out of her want dropped in all the means of living she had.” This principle is of great encouragement to all who can give but little, since in God’s eyes it is much, and at the same time it encourages generous giving on the part of those who have much, so as to bear some resemblance to what they have!—2 Cor. 8:12; Luke 21:1-4.

Still another Bible principle pertinent here is that “God loves a cheerful giver”; a principle, it might be added, that is not at all limited to the giving of money but applies to all kinds of giving, including the giving of forgiveness to those who sin against us: “He that shows mercy, let him do it with cheerfulness.” Cheerful giving makes for generous giving!—2 Cor. 9:7; Rom. 12:8.

WHY NOT NEEDED

To pressure members of a congregation in a gentle way to contribute by resorting to devices without Scriptural precedent or support, such as passing a collection plate in front of them or operating bingo games, holding church suppers, bazaars and rummage sales or soliciting pledges, is to admit a weakness. There is something wrong. There is a lack. A lack of what? A lack of appreciation. No such coaxing or pressuring devices are needed where there is genuine appreciation. Could this lack of appreciation be related to the kind of spiritual food offered to the people in these churches?

The fact is that when persons are fed the right kind of spiritual food, that based squarely on the Word of God, the Bible, they learn to appreciate what Jehovah God has done for them and so they respond by volunteering both their services and money contributions. As they learn of God’s goodness they are moved to imitate him, even as Jesus taught: “Prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous. You must accordingly be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”—Matt. 5:45, 48.

More than that, as men of honest heart are helped to set their personal lives straight, as they experience the joys of associating with other sincere men and women desirous of serving God, and as they have their faith in God and in his Word increased and their hope strengthened in God’s kingdom and its coming new order of righteousness, they feel compelled to express their appreciation in a material way, even as the early Christians did right after Pentecost.—Acts 4:32-35.

Not to be overlooked is also the example set by those taking the lead in Christian worship. Doubtless the fine examples of Moses, David, Jesus Christ and his apostles had a good effect upon those over whom they were set or to whom they ministered. In the early Christian congregation there was no salaried clergy, in fact, no clergy-laity distinction; all preached as they had opportunity and to the extent of their abilities. Far from being served and paid, those who took the lead bore the greatest burdens, even as Jesus showed it should be: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your minister [diákonos, “servant”], and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave.” When due to immaturity the Corinthian Christians did not appreciate their privilege of contributing voluntarily to defray Paul’s expenses, he did not take up a collection but provided for himself by making tents!—Matt. 20:25-27; Acts 18:3; 1 Cor. 4:11, 12; 9:11, 12.

Must Christians Pay Tithes?

CERTAIN religious organizations, as, for example, the Adventists, Mormons, etc., insist on taxing their members one-tenth (or tithe) of their annual income for support of their respective church systems. It is said that such demands are in accord with the tithing laws given to ancient Israel.
The first mention of tithes in the Bible is found at Genesis 14:20, where it tells about the patriarch Abraham giving Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of the Most High God, a tenth of the victory spoils obtained in a particular battle. Since Christ was to be a priest after the order of Melchizedek, and since the apostle Paul recounts this incident in Hebrews and shows the superiority of the Melchizedek priesthood over the Levitical priesthood, some people conclude that Christians should pay weekly, monthly or yearly tithes to the greater Melchizedek, Christ Jesus. (Heb. 7:1-12) To draw such a conclusion is to overlook some very important facts, namely, that there is only one recorded instance of Abraham’s giving a tithe. Hence it was not a regular thing with him, nor did he establish a tithing system for his descendants. The fact that his grandson Jacob voluntarily made a special vow to pay tithes on certain conditions proves that they had not practiced tithing.—Gen. 28:22.

In the expansion of the Law given at Mount Sinai, tithing taxes on the land, the fruit trees, and the herds and flocks, were taken for the support of the Levites, since they had no common inheritance in the land with the other tribes. (Lev. 27:30-33; Num. 18:21-32) Out of this fund certain provisions were also taken for the comfort of strangers and orphans and widows. It seems that aid to the poor was to come especially from the third-year tithes. For two years the tithes must be taken to the tabernacle or temple at Jerusalem, but the third year the tithes for that year were to be paid in the villages locally and made available to not only Levites but also “the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow”.—Deut. 12:5-7, 11, 12, 17-19; 14:22-29; 26:12-14.
However, under the oppressive rule of Israel’s selfish and wicked kings tithing was either neglected or was misappropriated, and as a result the nation did not have God’s blessing. (Mal. 3:8-11; 1 Sam. 8:10-18) Good King Hezekiah during his reign restored the tithes for the sanctuary service. And again, after the Jews returned from Babylonish captivity, Nehemiah also set this matter in order.—2 Chron. 31:4-6; Neh. 10:34-39; 12:44; 13:5, 12.
Then came Jesus and the time for the ending of the old Law covenant. Born under that Law, while it was still in force, Jesus upheld and fulfilled every part of it, including its tithing provisions. However, his only commendation of tithing was a sort of left-handed one aimed at the formalistic and hypocritical tithe-paying religionists.—Matt. 23:23.

LAW WITH TITHING ORDINANCE REMOVED
Search as you may you will not find Jesus recommending or commending tithing for his followers. When Jesus sent out his apostles and disciples to do missionary work from house to house and city to city, even unto the ends of the world, he made no provisions for their support through tithing. (Matt. 10:1-42; 28:19, 20; Luke 9:1-10; 10:1-17; Acts 1: Jesus came to fulfill and put an end to the Law covenant and all of its ordinances by having it nailed to his torture stake, and at the same time his poured-out blood set in operation a new covenant with superior arrangements. (Col. 2:14-16) Under such new system Christians are under new commandments that are summed up in total or complete love. They must therefore consecrate, not a tenth part, but everything they possess to God’s service and for the aid and comfort of good-will strangers among them.—Matt. 22:36-40.

Recall how Jesus commended the poor widow who gave two small coins, together worth about one-fourth cent. Not a mere tenth, but “all of what she had, her whole living”. (Mark 12:41-44, NW) The same principle was emphasized in Jesus’ parables, how a man finding a “treasure hidden in a field” sold everything, not a tenth part, and purchased the field. And again, how the merchant seeking pearls found a very costly one, and sold everything to buy it. (Matt. 13:44-46, NW) Jesus was not advocating tithing for Christians when he told the rich young man who had kept all the laws of Moses (including that of tithing) to sell the other nine-tenths of his wealth to help the poor and then follow Jesus so that he might have real treasures in heaven. (Matt. 19:20-22) Truly, Christians are under a superior law!

There are multitudes who, after giving one-tenth of their increase, might fare sumptuously every day, gratifying every whim, and living by the most lavish expenditure. How could they fulfill the law of Christ? or be self-sacrificing? Instead of being Christlike they would be pharisaical. The Pharisees were oh so exacting! in paying tithes of the very smallest seeds (mint, dill, cummin); but how selfish and far away from the Lord were their hearts! “Blind guides, who strain out the gnat but gulp down the camel!” (Matt. 15:6-9; 23:23) In fallen man under Satan’s influence there is always the tendency to substitute form and formalism for spirit and spirituality, rules for principles. It is so much easier to conform the conduct to a rule than to make a principle inform the whole life. Moses prescribed rules; Christ inculcated principles. Rules are for children; principles for men and women mature in Christian growth.

TITHING UNKNOWN IN EARLY CHURCH
After Jesus ascended on high do we find the apostles recommending tithing among Christians? Not at all! Paul, who was given the care of all the congregations (2 Cor. 11:28), declared that the provisions and ordinances of the Mosaic law were only a “shadow of the heavenly things”, of “good things to come”, and hence were not the very substance of spiritual things. “Let no man judge you” in connection with the invalidated Law. Christians are concerned about the substance, not the shadow.—Heb. 8:5; 10:1; Col. 2:12-17.

Christians maintain no Levitical priesthood. No “clergy class” exists among them, for whom tithes are collected. “All you are brothers.” (Matt. 23:8-11) Those given oversight of Christian congregations, therefore, are unpaid slaves, not hirelings, not lovers of money or greedy for selfish gain. (John 10:13; 13:15, 16; Heb. 13:5; 1 Pet. 2:16; 5:1-4) This is why Paul, the overseer, instead of collecting tithes for his support, worked with his own hands making tents. (Acts 18:3; 1 Cor. 4:12; 1 Thess. 2:9) Christians in those ancient times, in proving love for God and fellow Christians, made voluntary contributions for the needy, yes, but no oppressive tithing system was established.—Acts 11:29, 30; Rom. 15:26; 1 Cor. 16:1, 2; 2 Cor. 9:1-7; Gal. 2:10.

Unknown in the early church, tithing was not introduced until wolves had entered in and spoiled the simple purity of the Christian flock. (Matt. 7:15; Acts 20:29, 30; Rom. 16:17, 18; 2 Pet. 2:1, 3) Apostasy in turn spawned an oppressive and expensive hierarchy of bishops, archbishops, metropolitans, popes, etc., who placed heavy financial burdens on the necks of the people. Revenue for this drone class had to be obtained somehow, and so in the year 567 the Council of Tours made tithing obligatory. In 585 the second Council of Macon made its payment mandatory under pain of excommunication. The pope-crowned Charlemagne enforced tithing throughout the “Holy Roman Empire”, and in such countries as France the Roman Catholic Church continued collecting tithes until the Revolution in 1790.
Various Protestant denominations, while not insisting on the one-tenth under pain of death, and while not claiming that all the Jewish Law is binding upon them, certainly give the impression that the Mosaic tithing law still rests on Christians. They point to Abraham and Jacob who preceded the Mosaic law. By this device hundreds of thousands of dollars annually pour into the treasuries of the Adventists and Mormons. Tithing is often the main subject, the theme that is worn threadbare by the Mormons at their annual conferences. Like the Pharisees of old, “they bind up heavy loads and put them upon the shoulders of mankind, but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger.” (Matt. 23:4) Of the clergy who receive tithes today it may be asked, Do you pay tithes of your income to what you consider God’s cause? The Levites paid tithes of the tithes they received. Do you get all the tithes for yourself or for church work? The Levites did not keep all. Do you care for the poor in your congregation from the tithes received, as Israel did?

The Adventists try to justify their “take” in tithing with a barrage of misapplied scriptures. They cite Proverbs 3:9: “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.” But this says nothing about honoring God with only ten per cent. Christians must consecrate all, and putting the Lord’s interests first in their lives, they give him the best, the “firstfruits”. Citing Psalms 24:1 and 50:10, 11, and Haggai 2:8, etc., as the Adventists do, in no way sustains their flimsy tithing argument. Deceitfully they quote 1 Corinthians 9:11, 13, 14 in their book Bible Readings for the Home Circle, 1921 edition, pp. 657, 658. Read the verse they leave out, verse 12, and you will see that Paul was not arguing for congregational support for himself, but was showing it was better to be self-supporting.

Let Seventh-Day Adventists explain this dilemma: They claim Israel’s Law covenant was in two parts, the Ten Commandments written on stone, and the ceremonial law later dictated to Moses. This latter part, the ceremonial rituals and ordinances, was the part done away with by Christ, they say. Well then, how does it come they harp so much about keeping the tithing law, seeing that it was no part of the Decalogue, but was part of the added regulations? Even by their own erroneous dogmatism they are thus hung!
Christians, begotten of the spirit of adoption, are sons of God, and as sons are under the new covenant, and they present their all to the Lord. (Rom. 8:14-17; 12:1) They are then made stewards in the Household, and must dispense their time, talents and material wealth in accordance with God’s perfect law of love. Let them therefore think, not in terms of tithes, but in the affection of allness, and thus gain entrance into everlasting abodes through their true Friends, Jehovah God and his Son Christ Jesus.—Luke 16:9.

tensor777:
To be honest it does not matter what you or anybody thinks or feels about the law of tithes. The fact is that according to the word of God it is mandatory.

QUESTION?

Can a man be pardoned by GOD for not paying tithe? Pls give reason for your answer?


Can GOD forgive a sinner for not loving him or his neighbour?

Is it an unforgivable sin?

Must it be your church Pastor that must receive it?

What actually qualifies any pastor or anyone for that matter to receive the tithe?

What or who determines what such money or whatever received as tithe should be used for.

We are always passionate about issues especially the ones where we  have our own views mapped out, Wish we can be half passionate about keeping the most important of all laws in the bible.


This is the law we all fail to keep, Jesus emphasized this while on earth, I don't have anything against the man that wants to pay his tithe neither do I look at the man that doesn't as a sinner however do either of this people trully trully love GOD!!!!

Pay 90% of your earnings as tithe without obeying this law then you are worst than the man that doesn't pay.

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[b] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Jesus throughout his life never placed any emphasis on any part of the mosaic law except the ones that talk about LOVE and treating one's neighbour in fairness.  Rather than be excessively concerned about paying your tithe or not there is plenty of reason for all of us to increase our LOVE for our fellow humans.

Tithing and the Law

The commandment to tithe was part of the Law that God gave to the 12 tribes of ancient Israel more than 3,500 years ago. That Law decreed that a tenth of the produce of the land and fruit trees and a tenth of the increase of the herds be given to the tribe of Levi in support of their services at the tabernacle.—Leviticus 27:30, 32; Numbers 18:21, 24.
God assured the Israelites that the Law 'would not be too difficult for them.' (Deuteronomy 30:11) As long as they faithfully observed God's commandments, including tithing, they had his promise of abundant harvests. And as a protection, an additional yearly tithe, normally consumed when the nation met for its religious festivities, was regularly set aside. Thus 'the alien resident, the fatherless boy, and the widow' could be satisfied.—Deuteronomy 14:28, 29; 28:1, 2, 11-14.

The Law did not specify a penalty for failing to tithe, but each Israelite was under a strong moral obligation to support true worship in this way. In fact, God accused Israelites who neglected tithing in Malachi's day of 'robbing him in tithes and offerings.' (Malachi 3:8, New International Version) Could the same charge be leveled at Christians who do not tithe?
Well, consider. National laws are not normally valid outside a country's borders. For example, the law that obliges motorists in Britain to drive on the left does not apply to drivers in France. Similarly, the law requiring tithing was part of an exclusive covenant between God and the nation of Israel. (Exodus 19:3-8; Psalm 147:19, 20) Only the Israelites were bound by that law.
In addition, although it is true that God never changes, his requirements sometimes do. (Malachi 3:6) The Bible states categorically that the sacrificial death of Jesus, in 33 C.E., "blotted out," or "abolished," the Law and with it the "commandment to collect tithes."—Colossians 2:13, 14; Ephesians 2:13-15; Hebrews 7:5, 18.

Christian Giving

However, contributions to support true worship were still needed. Jesus had commissioned his disciples 'to be witnesses to the most distant part of the earth.' (Acts 1: As the number of believers grew, so did the need for Christian teachers and overseers to visit and strengthen the congregations. Widows, orphans, and other needy ones had to be cared for at times. How did the first-century Christians cover the costs involved?

About 55 C.E., an appeal went out to Gentile Christians in Europe and Asia Minor in behalf of the impoverished congregation in Judea. In his letters to the congregation in Corinth, the apostle Paul describes how this 'collection for the holy ones' was organized. (1 Corinthians 16:1) You may be surprised at what Paul's words reveal about Christian giving.
The apostle Paul did not cajole fellow believers to give. In fact, Macedonian Christians who were "under affliction" and in "deep poverty" had to 'keep begging him with much entreaty for the privilege of kindly giving and for a share in the ministry destined for the holy ones.'—2 Corinthians 8:1-4.

True, Paul encouraged the more affluent Corinthians to imitate their generous brothers in Macedonia. Even so, observes one reference work, he 'declined to issue directives, preferring rather to request, suggest, encourage, or appeal. Spontaneity and warmth would be absent from the Corinthians' giving if coercion were present.' Paul knew that "God loves a cheerful giver," not one who gives "grudgingly or under compulsion."—2 Corinthians 9:7.

Abundant faith and knowledge together with genuine love for fellow Christians would have impelled the Corinthians to give spontaneously.—2 Corinthians 8:7, 8.

'As He Has Resolved in His Own Heart'

Rather than specifying an amount or a percentage, Paul merely suggested that "on the first day of every week, each one . . . should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income." (Italics ours; 1 Corinthians 16:2, NIV) By planning and reserving an amount on a regular basis, the Corinthians would not feel pressured into giving begrudgingly or on emotional impulse when Paul arrived. For each Christian, the decision of how much to give was to be a private matter, one that 'he had resolved in his own heart.'—2 Corinthians 9:5, 7.

In order to reap generously, the Corinthians had to sow generously. No suggestion of giving until it hurts was ever made. 'I do not mean for it to be hard on you,' Paul assured them. Contributions were 'especially acceptable according to what a person had, not according to what a person did not have.' (2 Corinthians 8:12, 13; 9:6) In a later letter, the apostle warned: "If anyone does not provide for those . . . who are members of his household, he has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith." (1 Timothy 5: Paul did not encourage giving that violated this principle.

It is significant that Paul supervised a 'collection for the holy ones' who were in need. We do not read in the Scriptures about Paul or the other apostles organizing collections or receiving tithes to finance their own ministries. (Acts 3:6) Always grateful to receive the gifts that the congregations sent him, Paul conscientiously avoided imposing "an expensive burden" on his brothers.—1 Thessalonians 2:9; Philippians 4:15-18.

Voluntary Giving Today

Clearly, during the first century, followers of Christ practiced voluntary giving, not tithing. However, you may wonder if this is still an effective way to finance the preaching of the good news and to care for Christians who are in need.

They are in d grave my friend to await resurrection or whats d need for a resurrection if they are already in heaven. Just think bout it.

I guess u only read part of the post u wanted to read, Can't u read the rest of it


Wnder why people just don't like seeing a different opinion.

read ya bible!!!!!

I love Mike and am gonna miss him!!!!

But who said good people go to heaven!!

Why isn't Solomon or David or Abraham or Isaac their?

(John 3:13) Moreover, no man has ascended into heaven but he that descended from heaven, the Son of man.




Just wished Mike did this last tour!

I never knew that this hip-pop boys wey dey wear sokoto for waist sabi english reach like this oooo

Banky W and Eldee have done well in replying,

But guess what, am not yet satisfied , I want all of us to pester Uncle (bens) Abati to write another article admitting his error and appreciating our generation.

This is the only solution me I see oooo or else I will form my own militant group that will fight him until he does.

What is destiny? Who destines. Who/what can change it?
Does it mean divorced couples are not destined together.?
If I understand d word destiny then you don't need to do anything but wait and d babe will be urs when u're ready.
Wake up man u have 2 work hard 4 whatever u desire.

You guys can cure someone with high blood pressure with some of your comments.

My question is why must a woman breastfeed her baby, ok she doesn't have 2 breastfeed but why must her breast be swollen with milk.

NATURE is my answer. Women folk have d responsibility to feed d family. Check any culture d woman controls the kitchen.
I asked my wife this question and she simply asked which woman doesn't know how to cook showing that women too know that naturally its their job.
I believe in equality so I sometimes help my wife with cooking I actually cooked dinner.

I believe the man and woman should share responsibilities equally , the man should breastfeed like d woman, man should go thro labour pains like d woman. D woman should pay dowry on the man like d man does.

A woman needs 2 know how 2 cook while d success of a relationship may not b based on that, however either man on woman has d right to use a yardstick to measure his or her future partner.
Atleast this is based on equal rights.

;d

WANTED

A talented writer that can write the resume of our former presido similar to this one here.

Apply by pasting your resume here.


RESUME

GEORGE W. BUSH

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington DC

20520

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

LAW ENFORCEMENT

I was arrested in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 1976 for driving under the influence of alcohol.
I pled guilty, paid a fine, and had my driver’s license suspended for 30 days.
My Texas driving record has been “lost” and is not available.

MILITARY

I joined the Texas Air National Guard and went AWOL.
I refused to take a drug test or answer any questions about my drug use.
By joining the Texas Air National Guard, I was able to avoid combat duty in Vietnam

COLLEGE

I graduated from Yale University with a low C average.
I was a cheerleader.

PAST WORK EXPERIENCE

I ran for U.S. Congress and lost.
I began my career in the oil business in Midland, Texas, in 1975.
I bought an oil company, but couldn’t find any oil in Texas .
The company went bankrupt shortly after I sold all my stock.

I bought the Texas Rangers baseball team in a sweetheart deal that took land using taxpayer money.
With the help of my father and our friends in the oil industry, including Enron CEO Ken Lay, I was
elected governor of Texas.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS GOVERNOR OF TEXAS

I changed Texas pollution laws to favor power and oil companies, making Texas the most polluted state in the Union.
During my tenure, Houston replaced Los Angeles as the most smog-ridden city in America.
I cut taxes and bankrupted the Texas treasury to the tune of billions in borrowed money.
I set the record for the most executions by any governor in American history.
With the help of my brother, the governor of Florida, and my father’s appointments to the Supreme Court, I became President after losing by over 500,000 votes.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PRESIDENT

I am the first President in U.S. history to enter office with a criminal record.
I invaded and occupied two countries at a continuing cost of over one billion dollars per week.
I spent the U.S. surplus and effectively bankrupted the U.S. Treasury.
I shattered the record for the largest annual deficit in U.S.history.
I set an economic record for most private bankruptcies filed in any 12-month period.
I set the all-time record for most foreclosures in a 12-month period.
I set the all-time record for the biggest drop in the history of the U.S. stock market.

In my first year in office, over 2 million Americans lost their jobs and that trend continues every month.

I’m proud that the members of my cabinet are the richest of any administration in U.S. history.
My “poorest millionaire,” Condoleeza Rice, had a Chevron oil tanker named after her.
I set the record for most campaign fund-raising trips by a U.S. President.
I am the all-time U.S. and world record-holder for receiving the most corporate campaign donations.
My largest lifetime campaign contributor, and one of my best friends, Kenneth Lay, presided over the largest corporate bankruptcy fraud in U.S. History, Enron.

My political party used Enron private jets and corporate attorneys to assure my success with theU.S. Supreme Court during my election decision. I
have protected my friends at Enron and Halliburton against investigation or prosecution.
More time and money was spent investigating the Monica Lewinsky affair than has been spent investigating one of the biggest corporate rip- offs in history.

I presided over the biggest energy crisis in U.S. history and refused to intervene when corruption involving the oil industry was revealed.
I presided over the highest gasoline prices in U.S. history.
I changed the U.S. policy to allow convicted criminals to be awarded government contracts.
I appointed more convicted criminals to administration than any President in U.S. history.
I created the Ministry of Homeland Security, the largest bureaucracy in the history of the United States government.

I’ve broken more international treaties than any President in U.S. history.
I am the first President in U.S. history to have the United Nations remove the U.S. from the Human Rights Commission.
I withdrew the U.S. from the World Court of Law.
I refused to allow inspectors access to U.S. “prisoners of war” detainees and thereby have refused to abide by the Geneva Convention.
I am the first President in history to refuse United Nations election inspectors (during the 2002 U.S. election). I set the record for
fewest numbers of press conferences of any President since the advent of television.
I set the all-time record for most days on vacation in any one-year period.
After taking off the entire month of August, I presided over the worst security failure in U.S. history.
I garnered the most sympathy for the U.S. after the WorldTrade Center attacks and less than a year later made the U.S. the most hated country in the
world, the largest failure of diplomacy in world history.

I have set the all-time record for most people worldwide to simultaneously protest me in public venues (15 million people), shattering the
record for protests against any person in the history of mankind.

I am the first President in U.S. history to order an unprovoked, pre-emptive attack and the military occupation of a sovereign nation.
I did so against the will of the United Nations, the majority of U.S.citizens, and the world community.
I have cut health care benefits for war veterans and support a cut in duty benefits for active duty troops and their families-in-wartime.
In my State of the Union Address, I lied about our reasons for attacking Iraq and then blamed the lies on our British friends.
I am the first President in history to have a majority of Europeans (71%) view my presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and security.
I am supporting development of a nuclear “Tactical Bunker Buster,” a WMD.
I have so far failed to fulfill my pledge to bring Osama Bin Laden [sic] to justice.

RECORDS AND REFERENCES

All records of my tenure as governor of Texas are now in my father’s library, sealed and unavailable for public view.
All records of SEC investigations into my insider trading and my bankrupt companies are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public view.
All records or minutes from meetings that I, or my Vice-President, attended regarding public energy policy are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public review.
I am a member of the Republican Party.

PLEASE CONSIDER MY EXPERIENCE WHEN VOTING IN THE 2006 MID-TERM ELECTIONS.



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You may feel that this breakup is one of the worst things that has ever happened to you, but it may be just the opposite. Hard as it may be to believe, it is quite likely that the end of your romance is a blessing. How so? Most romantic relationships hold no real promise of success.

As we grow and change; we are susceptible to fleeting desires and mistaken loves.

So as bad as you may feel right now, be assured of one thing—you would feel a lot worse trapped in an unhappy relationship with this lady of yours.

Remember, breakup of a courtship is infinitely less painful than breakup of a marriage.


The breakup was particularly a blessing if you made the mistake of getting involved with someone who does not respect good principles and moral standards.

Will this experience make you more shrewd, so as to avoid trouble in the future?

WHETHER a marriage will be happy or not is often determined during the first few years. In 1979, 52,000 couples in the United States were divorced before completing their first year of marriage. And in each of the next several years of marriage, a much greater number of couples got divorced.
How is it possible for two people to contemplate building a lifelong relationship and then, in just a few months or in two or three years, determine that their marriage is a failure?


“Most marriage failures are courtship failures,” explains Paul H. Landis, a respected researcher on family life. “This point cannot too often be repeated.” In lands where individuals customarily choose their marriage mates, courtship is the period of time wherein a couple get to know each other better with the possibility of marriage in view. Why is this period so critical?

A Time for Examination
A happy marriage requires painstaking effort. After counseling many unhappily married couples, author Nancy Van Pelt, in her book The Compleat Courtship, asked: “Why do so many marriages fail? There are many reasons, but the main reason is a lack of preparation. . . . I feel anger because of their ignorance regarding the complexity of the task.”

Courtship gives a couple the opportunity to make such an examination or investigation. When utilized properly, courtship not only can help a couple determine whether they are really suited for each other but can also prime them for the challenges of married life.

C[b]ourtship is a time for a person to search his own heart, to sort out just what his important emotional needs are. [/b]When Steve began to court Barbara, she began to reflect on her background and concluded: “I would need a man that would be very patient with me.” She added: “Steve was so patient, putting up with so many things I did to him, and he was very considerate. He always listened to me regardless of what I said. Because of this, my interest in him kept increasing and deepening.”

Because each satisfied the other’s emotional needs, their courtship led to a happy marriage.

So during courtship, ask yourself: What kind of person am I? What are my important emotional needs? Also, what are the personality strengths and weaknesses of me and my partner?

For instance, one young man said of his girlfriend: “She has a certain stability that I need. I’m restless and flighty. I feel that she has a steadying, calming influence.”

A landmark study of a thousand engaged couples, many of whom were questioned further after several years of marriage, found that the fulfillment of such emotional needs “appears to be of primary importance in today’s marriage.” (Courtship, Engagement and Marriage, by Burgess, Wallin, and Shultz)

While love is important, having similar goals and the ability to satisfy each other’s emotional needs are essential for a lasting relationship.

So a successful courtship should be long enough for a couple to get well acquainted. [size=13pt]The really important concern is not always how many months or years the courtship takes but what is accomplished during the period.[/size]

A successful courtship yields many pleasant memories and lays a good foundation for a happy marriage

Knowing when we are ready to marry is vital. Since this varies from one individual to another, there is no specific age.

However, it is better to wait until we are “past the bloom of youth,” when strong sexual impulses can distort good judgment. (1 Corinthians 7:36)

When I saw my friends dating and marrying, many in their teen years, it was at times difficult to apply this counsel,” says Michelle. “But I realized that the counsel is from God, and he tells us only what is for our benefit. By waiting to marry, I was able to focus on my relationship with God and to gain some experience in life, which you cannot possibly have in your teenage years. Some years later, I was better prepared to handle the responsibilities as well as the problems that arise in marriage.”

Those who hasten to marry while still quite young often find that their needs and desires change as they mature. They then realize that the things they initially found desirable are no longer so important.

One young girl had her heart set on getting married when she was 16. Her grandmother got married at that age, as did her mother. When a young man she was interested in declined to marry her at that time, she chose someone else who was willing to do so. Later on in life, though, she greatly lamented her rash decision.

When contemplating marriage, it is important to have a mature understanding of all that is involved. Premature marriage can bring a host of problems that a youthful couple are likely ill-prepared to handle. They may lack the experience and maturity necessary to deal with the stresses of marriage and the rearing of children.

Marriage should be undertaken only when we are physically, mentally, and spiritually ready to take on an enduring partnership.
Paul wrote that those who marry “will have tribulation in their flesh.” (1 Corinthians 7:28)

Problems will arise because there are two distinct personalities, and viewpoints will vary. Because of human imperfection, it may be difficult to fulfill our Scriptural role in the marriage arrangement. (1 Corinthians 11:3; Colossians 3:18, 19; Titus 2:4, 5; 1 Peter 3:1, 2, 7) I

t takes maturity and spiritual stability to seek and follow divine guidance so as to settle stressful situations lovingly.

I just hope that the recent court ruling will not bring back the gory tales once heard from the state of Rivers.



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