₦airaland Forum

ecolime: I can't just get enough of these messages. Keep it rolling. God bless you so much.

Thank you so much Ecolime and God bless you too

Jacob Daughter was raped


Genesis 34

Introduction- In our last lesson we learned about how Jacob reconcile with Esau and his separation to Succoth. In today's lesson we will be learning about how Jacob daughter was raped, The deception of Jacob sons and the killing of the city men.

Today's Study

One day Dinah the daughter of Leah Jacob's wife went out to play with the girls of the land and Shechem the son of Hamor the Hives, prince of the country saw her and rapped her. When Jacob heard, he kept silent until his sons arrived from the field and when they heard, they were very angry, but Hamor Scheshem's father came and begged Jacob to give Dinah to his son to marry and that Jacob sons too can marry the daughters of the land(Genesis 34:1:10)

Then Schechem said they should ask anything, including dowry and he was willing to give them. But the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and his father deceitfully that they can not give their sister to any uncircumcised,except he circumcised, he cannot have their sister. And Hamor and his son were please and they went to all the men in the city and convinced them about circumcision.(Genesis 34:11:20)

After the 3rd day of the city people circumcision, when they were still in pain, Simeon and Levi Dinah's brother took swords and kill all the men and they took Dinah out of Scechem's house and they went further to destroy the city because they rapped their sister. Then they took their wealth, wives and their little ones for captive including all they had in the city. When Jacob heard, he was so afraid that why did Simeon and Levi do such a thing, and that the Canaanite and Perizzites could come and kill him, but they replied that why would they take their sister for harlot.(Genesis 34:21:31)


Reflection

Its obvious that Jacob seed of deception is getting beyond he can manage. When his sons saw that their sister has been raped, they thought of a way to get back at the city men and they suggested that they circumcised themselves before they were killed. May God help us from deception, which brought the fist man down, the same Jacob practiced and Leban also, and now Jacob's children. May God help us from the spirit of deception. "11 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another."(leviticus 19:11)

Children of God are not to take laws into their hands, we should make sure we let God fight our fights. Sometime God may be slow to respond, but i can guarantee you that when he eventually respond, he will take a better vengeance for you. As the bible made us to understand that vengeance is for the Lord, let us obey God in our lives. "19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."(Romans 12:19)

May God help us to do his will.

Jacob reconcile with Esau

Genesis 33

Introduction- In our last lesson we learned about how Jacob wrestling with God, begged Esau and gave him gift. In today's lesson we will be learning about how Jacob reconcile with Esau and his separation to Succoth.

Today's Study

After the encounter with God, Jacob lifted up his eyes and he saw Esau and when Esau saw him he went to him and embraced him and kissed him and they both wept. When Esau lifted up his eyes, he saw the women and children, he asked who they were and Jacob said they are the women and children, which God had given to him. Then Jacob children and wives came closer to him and bowed themselves. Then Esau asked why did he come with all the gifts and Jacob replied that they were to appease him. Then Esau said he had enough and that Jacob should keep it to himself.(Genesis 33:1:10)

Then Jacob persuaded him to take his gifts, if truly he has found grace in his sight. And when he had persuaded Esau, he took it and Esau returned to Seir and Jacob to Succoth and he built himself a house. Then he built and altar at Shalem a city of Shechem, the land of Canaan after he returned from Padanaram by a tent he built before the city and called the altar EleloheIsrael.(Genesis 33:11:20)


Reflection

There is no a comparable joy like seeing God answering our prayers almost instantaneously. Our God is able to make our dreadful enemy to reconcile with us and even to offer us protection. When we trust him for our protection he will perform wonders on our behalf. Jacob realizes the importance of God and the efficacy of prayer and he fulfills his covenanted part of what he has promised God. "9 Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;"(Isaiah 58:9)

When God go before us in our decisions and we follow through his lay down plan for our lives, he will make every crooked way smooth and rugged road straight; he will also make every valley of our lives filled and level every mountain because of us. We can see how God perfected Jacob's past blunder and his life is gradually taking shape. Children of God, be sure that the almighty is a perfecter of all our concerns and he could do exceedingly great things that we can ever imagine."2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:" (Isaiah 45: 2)

May the spirit of God teach us how to be truthful.

Sorry just observed that Genesis 31 was posted twice.
It has been updated with Genesis 32 lesson

Both the driver and the OP were wrong.

The driver was wrong in that he did not need more than 10 minutes for that kind of sermon considering the fact that he was driving.
Considering the time, the driver might have result to early morning preaching as his service to God and also a way to prevent him from sleeping.
So if he had design a 10 minutes sermon, which is good enough to make any unbeliever to be save, he would have been exonerated.


The Op was wrong in that he did not suggest alternative for the driver or calmly explaining the reason for his action in a quiet and gentle way so he can see you as angel of light and not the devil he perceived you to be.
As a matter of fact, your argument with him at that time, could cost him to loose control and thereby, cause what is being prevented.
I think, making our opinion know to people with wisdom will let them change than shouting or condemning their action without logic to it
Also, the OP has the option of requesting to be stopped at the nearby bus-stop, considering that the man is the owner of his car and could decide the type of customer service he want to give his passengers and the Op also have the option to reject or accept by opting out of his car.


Gentle talk in the midst of confusion would have resolve the situation with a driver who has just be shocked with a careless danfo driver.

Jacob Wrestle with God

Genesis 32

Introduction- In our last lesson we learned about how Jacob liberated himself, Leban mean to do Jacob harm, but God intervene and Jacob made covenant with Leban. In today's lesson we will be learning about how Jacob wrestle with God, begged Esau and gave him gift.


Today's Study

Then Jacob continue to his father's country after he made covenant with Leban and he met some angels and called the place Mahanaim. Then Jacob sent messengers ahead of him to Esau, saying he has been with Leban all these 20 years and had flocks, menservants, women servants, oxen and asses and he has sent to tell him so he may find grace before him. Then Jacob messenger returned with Esau with 400 men and he was very afraid and distressed then he divided his men into two teams saying if Esau attacked one team the other shall escaped. Then Jacob prayed to the God of his fathers Abraham, Isaac who has kept him and had told him to return to his father country. (Genesis 32:1-10)

And Jacob reminded God his promised that he has promised him he will surely blessed him and make his descendants like the sand of the sea and he stay there that night and gave what was in his hand as presents to Esau. The gifts were 200 she goats, 20 he goats, 200 ewe and 20 rams, and all sorts of flocks. Then he sent his servants to give him all the gifts and instructed them to tell Esau that he has sent all the gift to appease him.(Genesis 32:11-20)

Then Jacob sent also his wives and children ahead of him to meet Esau and he remain their alone and wrestled with a man until the next morning. When the man could not win Jacob in the fight he dislocated Jacob joint, but Jacob would still not let him go and he begged Jacob to let him go and Jacob said he would not let him go until he blessed him. Then the man asked him what was his name and he said Jacob, then the man said from hence forth his name will be Israel because he has fought God and men like a prince and has prevailed and Jacob asked of his name and he blessed him there. Then Jacob called the placed Peniel because he has seen God face to face and he was still alive. Then the sun rose upon his joint to repair it. (Genesis 32:21-32)


Reflection

God can turn past blunder to perfected destiny. Like many of us, we are prone to mistakes, just as Jacob was. He has seen and continue to see the reflection or shadow of his mistake replaying over time. But God is faithful to help him go through his past blunder by turning it to a perfected destiny. One thing is sure, God answers prayer. When God command, we should follow his lead. While his commandment does not guarantee perfect journey, i am sure, if he ask you to go, he will definitely lead you. He will fight your battle for you just as he did for Jacob with Leban and now with Esau. "6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."(Proverbs 3:6)

Jacob reminded God about his covenant when he was approaching Esau. He told God, you promised that my descendants will be like the sand of the sea, but here i am, Esau with 400 men, they will kill the countable children of 11 by my wives and others by their maids. But God heard the cry. Children of God, lets us learn to pray and also learn to tell God about his covenanted plan for our lives, especially when it seems that darkness is eroding the beautiful shiny promising future that God has assured us. God want us to remind him of his covenant towards us. We learnt that God appear to Jacob again, and he wrestled with him till the next morning. It is always good to pray, Jacob might have prayed all night, due to his current ordeal, that all he had work for 20 years and his live is evaporating before his physical eyes. "15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."(Psalms 50:15)

When we send SMS to God in prayer, he is quick to respond in emergency. Let us trust him, hope on him and tell him we have sinned and willing to repent, and we are ready to make him the driver of our lives, then we will see God, manifesting himself in our present predicament. "24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."(Isaiah 65:24)

May the Almighty answer us speedily when we call in time of distress.

channel 190: so na same sisters Jacob marry all through?
God too free hand for that generation o!

Yes he married sisters, don't worry, there is more to come.

Jacob Liberated himself

Genesis 31

Introduction- In our last lesson we learned about how God open Rachel's womb, Jacob serve Leban for flocks and God bless Jacob wages. In today's lesson we will be learning about how Jacob liberated himself, Leban mean to do Jacob harm, but God intervene and Jacob made covenant with Leban

Today's Study

When the cattle are becoming spotted to Jacob advantage, the sons of Leban started accusing Jacob that he has taken all that belongs to their father. And he observed that Leban was not happy with him like he use to anymore, then the Lord appear to Jacob to return to his father's land. Then he called his wives to informed them what their father had done to him and how he had deceived him ten times, when they agree on sputtered he will change it to ringstraked and when they agree on that he will change it speckled cattle. Now he is ready to go back to his father's land and they all know that he has served their father with all his power. (Genesis 31:1-10)

Then Jacob told them that an angel appear to him in a dream and he told him that he has seen what Leban had done to him and that he was the God that took him out of his father's land and he should returned with whatever he has. And Jacob wives asked their father if there is any inherence left for them, because they know he has sold them and taken their money and they asked Jacob to do whatever he want to do. The next day, Jacob rose up and took his family and all that he had including his cattle, but when Leban went to his sheep, Rachel took the image of her father. But Jacob stole a Syrian in that he did not tell Leban he was leaving. (Genesis 31:11-20)

When it was the third day, Leban knew that Jacob had fled with his men and he ran after Jacob and overtook him seven days after by the mount of Gilead. But God came to Leban in a dream by night before overtaking Jacob that he should not hurt him. When Leban saw him, he asked why he did he take his two daughters like captive, and why did he ran away secretly and he would have sent him away with gifts and make party. Also Jacob did not allow him to kiss his sons and daughters. He also told him that he would have done him bad, but God appear to him yesterday and told him not to hurt you and now, Jacob has stolen his god. (Genesis 31:21-30)

Jacob answered and said, because he was afraid and he thought he will take his daughters by force. And he said as for his god that was missing, if you find it with anyone the person shall die. Then Leban search all the tent and did not see it, not knowing that Rachel had taken it. When Leban got to Rachel to search the box she was sitting at and where she kept the god Leban was looking for, Rachel begged him that she could not stand up because she was on her period. And when Jacob noticed that the god was not found, he was so angry with Leban that he said, what has he done to Leban that he has chased him this far, he has served him for 20 years and have endure the pain come rain, sun shine, night, morning or even in cold and he has been faithful to him and is this how he will treat him, let the people judge? (Genesis 31:31-40)

For 20 years, he served him for his daughter 14years and 6 years for the cattles and he has changed his wages 10 times. If not for the God of his father Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that has see his faithfulness and appear to him last night, he is sure Leban would have taken all his wages away from him. Then Leban answered him and made him to make covenant with him, that he will not marry any other women except his daughters and he will treat them well and Jacob did and called the place Galeed and Leban called it Jegarsahadutha. The next morning Leban kissed his daughters and sons and departed (Genesis 31:41-55)

Reflection

There is no doubt, that our children will be come masters of what we teach them. When Rebekah was teaching Jacob how to defraud his brother, she only thought that skill will be useful only for Esau, but Jacob kept the skill and it became useful for him when he met a master of all deceits. Leban was a professional in deception and he exemplified that on Jacob by changing his wife for the elder sister. We as Christians should be mindful of what we do in the presence of our children and whatever we do, there is consequence for it. "33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners."(1 Corinthians 15:33)

Jacob ordeal in this chapter reflects the nemesis of what he has done to his brother. Although it was the will of God for him to prosper, but because he has chosen to help himself to prosper, he suffered the consequence. Let us be mindful of our actions, because there will be repercussion.As children of God, we should endeavor to teach our children the right thing. We should make sure, what we teach them reflect the image of God, if not when the consequence of what we teach them comes, it will not only affect them, but could extend to us and their children. The consequence of Jacob sin is now catching up with him in the presence of his wives and children that knew not when he stole from his brother. Jacob might have thought it was over when Leban changed his wife from Rachel to Leah and made him serve another 7 years, but that was when it just started. We can not outsmart God, he will pay everyone according to his deed. Let us be faithful and honest to one another."6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:"(Romans 2:6)

May the spirit of God guide us and teach us on how to behave.

God open Rachel's womb

Genesis 30

Introduction- In our last lesson we learned about how Jacob served Leban to marry his daughters, the deception of Leban and the barrenness of Rechel. In today's lesson we will be learning about how God open Rachel's womb, Jacob serve Leban for flocks and God bless Jacob wages.


Today's Study

When Rachel saw that she had no child, she envied her sister Leah and ask Jacob to give her a son or she die. Then Jacob asked her if he was God that give child? Rachel then asked Jacob to go in with her maid Bilhah, when Jacob did, Bilhah give birth to Dan and Jacob went again and she gave birth to another child Naphtali. When Leah saw that she had stop having child, she also gave her maid Zilpah to Jacob to make love to her and she gave birth to a child.(Genesis 30:1-10)

And Leah called the child Gad and gave birth to another and she called him Asher. Now when Reuben had grown and went to the field, he brought mandrakes for her mother and Rachel begged Leah to give her some mandrake and Leah said, you also want to take my son mandrake after you have taken my husband too? Then Rachel said, if she give her the mandrake, she can go sleep with Jacob that night. Then God heard leah's prayer and she had the fifth child for Jacob and called his name Issachar and she had sixth child and called him Zebulum and then had another daughter called Dinah.(Genesis 30:11-21)

Then God remembered Rachel and she had a child and called his name Joseph. When Jacob saw that Rachel had him a child, he told Leban to let him go back to his country with his wives and children that he has gotten for the wages of the work he had done. Then Leban replied him to please stay because he had observed that God had blessed him because of Jacob. Then he asked that he should ask for his wages he will give it. Then Jacob replied saying that since he came the Lord had blessed him and he would need his own cattle also to provide for his own house. (Genesis 30:22-31)

Leban then asked what does he want and he said he does not want anything other than he should allow him to pass through the flock and he will take all the spotted and brown among the flock. Then Leban agreed and Jacob removed all the spotted cattle. But Jacob feeds the rest of Leban's flock. When Jacob would go watering the flock, he took a rod with spotted color and white and make it stand by the gutter where the flock comes to drink and whenever they will conceive they will have spotted kids. So Jacob separated the flocks from Leban's flock.(Genesis 30:32-40)

And whenever the castle will conceive and ready to deliver Jacob would make the cattle to look at the spotted rod and the cattle will deliver strong spotted kids and the feeble cattle Jacob would not make to look at the spotted rod. And Jacob had strong flocks and Leban had feeble flock and Jacob increased greatly.(Genesis 30:41-43)

Reflection

Like we always hear people say that delay is not denier. There are many reason why God could hold on to his promise or blessing for us. But in all things, God has the best plan. Rachel had a son and called him Joseph. But before then she was jealous of Leah and wanted to die, because she had no son. The bible enjoined us to "7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass." (Psalms 37:7) My prayer today that all barren women will experience God visitation today and they shall have their own child, but a child like Joseph was an exception among his colleagues and brethren.

We should also be careful of the compromise we make. We experience in our previous chapter how Esau sold his birthright to Jacob and now we are also seeing that because of mandrake plant, Rachel sold her night with Jacob to Leah and she had a son, which Rachel might have gotten. Our compromise must reflect God's will for us and not our will for our selves. We will see that because of food, man fell, now we also saw how Esau sold his birthright for food and Rebekah the night she might have gotten her first child for mandrake. Let us be careful of what we exchange for food or money. "4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."(Matthew 4:4)

May God help us to wait for him in all things.

ecolime: Nice thread. Please keep it up.

Thank You

Jacob served Leban

Genesis 29


Introduction- In our last lesson we learned about how Jacob escaped from being killed; he saw heavily vision and made a covenant with God. In today's lesson we will be learning about how Jacob served Leban to marry his daughters, the deception of Leban and the barrenness of Rachel.


Today's Study

After the heavenly encounter, Jacob continue his journey to the east country where he saw three flocks by the well they watered from. And he asked the people where they were from and they told him they were from Haran and he asked if they know Leban and they said that is his daughter coming. Now They needed help to roll off the stone from the well, so Jacob helped them and watered all their flocks including the one brought by Rachel.(Genesis 29:1-10)

Then Jacob kissed Rachel and wept lifting up his voice. Then he introduced himself and Rachel ran home to tell his father. When Leban heard it, he ran to meet him and embraced him. He was taken home and he told Leban about what had happened. And Leban said because they are relatives does not mean he should serve him without wages, and he asked what wage is Jacob expecting. Then Jacob said he would serve Leban for seven years so he can marry Rachel the younger sister of Leah the daughters of Leban. Leban agreed and Jacob served him for seven years.(Genesis 29:11-20)

And when it was seven years, Jacob asked Leban to give him his wife so he may make love to her since its now seven years. Then Leban made party for the wedding, but when it was evening and dark, Leban deceitfully sent Leah into Jacob's room and he made love with her and when it was morning, Jacob noticed, that it was Leah and he asked Leban why did he deceived him, especially when he knew that he served him for seven years for Rachel?Then Leban told him that the culture of this country is that the senior daughter must married first before the younger. And he asked Jacob to serve him for another seven years so he may have Rachel also and he did and then married Rachel. (Genesis 29:21-30)

But he loved Rachel the more and hated Leah. When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened Leah's womb and she had a child called Reuben, but Rachel was barren. And she gave birth again and called him Simeon, then another Levi and then Judah, in all, Jacob still love Rachel the more and she was barren.(Genesis 29:31-35)


Reflection

No one can plant corn and harvest plantain. Whatever we plant is what we will harvest. While there is abundance of grace for us as children of God to go through the consequence of our sin, whatever we sow we must reap. When Jacob deceived his dad to get the blessing of Esau, he might have forgotten especially when he considered that he has escaped his brother and he is now in another country, but seven years later Leban his uncle deceived him. He gave him Leah for marriage instead of Rachel. While God's promise for him did not fail, he would have to endure the pain of deception from his uncle. "7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Genesis 6:7)

As Christians we should understand that God is not respecter of any person and he would give to every man according to his work. Let us emulate Christ in our life. Trusting God and believing in him in all things. Jacob mom put him into this problem, of course there are many actions we take that are influenced by our parents or friends, but we must learn to trust God and not human ideas, because when the trouble comes, we will have to surfer it alone."34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:" (Acts 10:34)

However, one thing was certain, God's covenant and his blessing did not depart from Jacob. He found God's favor in his journey. May the almighty never remove his favor and blessing from us.

False Teachers are God's Judgement on people who don't want God but in the name of religion plan on getting everything their canal hearts desire that's why Joel Olsteen is raised up.
Those people who sit under him are not victim of him he is the judgment of God upon them because they want exactly of what he want but he is not God


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igKhXFAfnzI&feature=endscreen

channel 190: bringing down the scriptures to our daily life is a plus to our study.

The above is the most interesting so far.

Amen!

Yes you are right, that is the essence of Bible Study to apply it to our daily lives. So we can be like Christ in doing good and loving our neighbor as ourselves and at the end, see God face to face, when the rapture take place.

channel 190: We shall be managers of the little we have.

We should be a good manager of our resources and May God help us to do justice to that.

channel 190: I don't want to ask why God destined a younger dude instead of the legitimate guy,
That just means God can dislike u from birth.

The bible made us to understand that God will have mercy to whoever he want and chose. That's why he made us to also understand that the race is not for the swift but to the person that God shows mercy. No one makes it in live without obtaining mercy, that's why some are poor and no matter what they do they will remain poor and some are rich, even if they don't work as hard as others. God does his thing like he want it, just like we too do what we like the way we want it.

Romans 9:15---15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

Ecclesiastes 9:11----11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Jacob escaped from being killed

Genesis 28

Introduction- In our last lesson we learned about how Jacob received Esau's blessing with deceit, Esau begged Isaac to bless him for once and plan to kill Jacob as soon as Isaac die. In today's lesson we will be learning about how Jacob escaped from being killed, he saw heavily vision and made a covenant with God .


Today's Study

After Rebekah succeeded in convincing Isaac about Jacob going to her relatives in order to avoid marrying the daughter of Heth, Isaac called Jacob and blessed him the more. He also advice him not to marry the daughters of cananites but go to her mother's family to marry. He blessed him to be fruitful and inherent the land the where God gave to Abraham. Then Jacob left for padanaram where Leban lives.(Genesis 28:1-5)

When Esau saw that Jacob had gone to Leban and that his parent would not want him to marry the daughters of Canaanites, he went to marry the daughter of Ishmael called Mahalath. But Jacob went to Beersheba to Haran. When it was evening, he set up a stone to sleep, so he may continue his journey the next day, then he dreamed of a ladder that reached heaven where angels ascend and descend on it and he saw the Lord above the ladder. Then the lord told him, he was the Lord God of Abraham his father, the God of Isaac and that the land where he is sleeping, he will give it to Jacob and his descendants. His descendants shall be blessed and he should know that he the Lord will always be with him, and he will keep him in all his ways and he will return back to this land and the Lord promise not to leave him, but fulfill all that he has promised.(Genesis 28:6-15)

Then Jacob woke up and said surely the lord is here and he does not even know it and he was afraid then said this is the house of God and also the gate of heaven. In the morning Jacob woke up and took the stone and pour oil on it and he change the name of the place from Bethel to Luz. Then he made a vow that if God bring him back to this place alive, the the Lord will be his God. And he said, this stone that he set as a pillar, shall be God's house and of all that the Lord give him, he will pay his Tenth to God.(Genesis 28:16-22)

Reflection

Its good to understand the principle of blessing. One of the principles of blessing as written is the bible is blessing. When you bless the man God has blessed you will experience God's blessing. Isaac knew this and would not curse Jacob, rather he blessed him the more. Christians parents please bless your children daily and every time they have greater challenges ahead of them. When Jacob was to leave to go look for wife for himself, Isaac knew he will not see Jacob for a while, so he blessed him the more. "3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed"(Genesis 12:3)

The creator is faithful and he brings to pass everything he has promised concerning us. From the day God made covenant with Abraham, he has consistently visit the descendants of Abraham, from Isaac and now Jacob. Jacob felt the present of God and knew it was an encounter of a life time. May God help us to be in a position where we can encounter God in our lives. "7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee."(Genesis 17:7)

If God visit you today, definitely you will know. You need not to be told. Its an experience that its clear and precise. My prayer is that He will visit us today with clarity in the mighty name of Jesus.

tpia@:
dont mind me, carry on.

Ok thank you.

tpia@:
amen.

interesting so far.

hope no comma later.

Lol what kind of Comma are you expecting?

Jacob received blessing with deceit

Genesis 27

Introduction- In our last lesson we learned about how God blessed Isaac, Abimelech made oath with Isaac and Esau married Judith. In today's lesson we will be learning about how Jacob received Esau's blessing with deceit, Esau begged him to bless him for once and plan to kill Jacob as soon as Isaac die.

Today's Study

When it was time for Isaac to die and his eyes could not see due to old age, he called Esau to go get him venison, so that he may pray for him. But Sarah heard the discussion. And when Esau was gone, Sarah called Jacob to bring two small goats, so she may prepare it and give it to Isaac in pretense that Jacob is Esau, so that he may receive the prayer. But Jacob said, his brother is hairy and if he try to give his father, the venison, Isaac will know its Jacob, but the mother said, no she will give him Esau's goodly raiment and she gave Jacob the raiment and put the skin of the goat upon his hands and neck and Jacob went to deliver the savory meat and bread to Isaac.(Genesis 27:1-18)

When Jacob brought the food to Isaac, Isaac asked who he was, and he lied, that he was Esau and that he has brought the venison that Isaac may eat and bless him. But Isaac asked why he came so early, and Jacob lied again, that he found the kid goats quickly because, his Lord brought it to him. Isaac still in doubt, he called Jacob to come nearer so he can feel him, and he did, and he said, the voice was Jacob, but the hands are hands of Esau. So he did not doubt him again, and he blessed him: And he asked again, if he was Esau and he said, yes he was, and Isaac asked Jacob to bring the savory meat to him so he can eat. After he had eating, he asked Jacob to come near so he may kiss him, and when he came closer, he smelled the raiment and he was convince the more that he smelled like Esau, because Jacob was wearing Esau's cloth and Isaac blessed him: "28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:29 Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee."(Genesis 27:19-29)

Just as Isaac was concluding his prayer and Jacob gone out, his brother Esau came in with Savory meat to give to the father and he asked Isaac to rise to eat, and Isaac asked who he was and he said he was Isaac first born Esau. And Isaac tremble greatly and he asked who was the person that had brought the venison and he had ate and that he had blessed him and he shall be blessed. When Esau heard the voice of his father, he cried greatly and was very bitter, but said to his father to bless him even just one blessing. Then he said to Esau, that his brother came with deception and have taken his blessing. And Esau, said is he not Jacob who has supplanted him this two times, first he took his birthright and now his blessing, and he asked if his father had a blessing for him. But Isaac said, he had made Jacob his lord, and all his brethren will be his servant and he will be sustained with food and he asks what he could do for Esau, and he lifted up his voice and cried that his father could just bless him just once. Then Isaac blessed him that his dwelling shall be fatness of the earth and of the dew of heaven from above. Also, by his sword he shall live and shall serve his brother and it will come to pass that he will have dominion over him and he shall break the yoke off his neck(Genesis 27:30-40)

But Esau hate Jacob and planned to kill him, once Isaac die. When the mother heard it, she called Jacob and informed him about his brother plan against him and sent him to her brother Laban in Haran and asked him to stay there few days until his brother anger was gone. And she promise to send for him once, his brother anger was gone. Then Rebekah went to Isaac to suggest that Jacob go to his brother, to prevent him getting married to the daughters of Heth. (Genesis 27:41-46)


Reflection

Every human plays God's script. We can not outsmart God or do what God does not necessary approve. Isaac knew that when the twins Esau and Jacob were born, it was told that the elder shall serve the younger. At this time he has either deliberately or because he was enjoying the cooking of Esau, decided to change God plans. But God is the smartest God and will wait, looking when we are playing the fool. When the discussion came that Esau is to be blessed, but with a condition to go get his father savor meat, Rebekah heard and she made plans and God supported the plans. Just as the bible made us to understand that without God we can not do anything."5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing"(John 15:5)

Isaac might have remembered that he could not change the prayer nor curse Jacob for such deception, so he said , there is nothing he could do, that Jacob shall surely be blessed. Its always good to discern when God is working versus when man is working. Isaac knew that it was God's wish for Jacob to take the blessing. He knew that something was wrong and he made everything within his power to make sure that he verified that it was not Jacob. But God was in the plan and his will has to be done. "10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."(Matthew 6:10)

We should make sure we are not party to anything God has not design, ordain or support. We should as Christians advocate for God's will. Rebekah advocated for God's will even though deceptively, but God would have still perform his miracle without Rebekah. Also, we could see that Esau was not diligent and was not a good manager of his resources. All these things though it is God's will, could have change the plan, if only Esau could manage his resources well. For instant, why will he be an hunter and still be looking for kid goats? Many of us as Christians are guilty of this. We are not a good resource managers and that's why sometime we are always broke. God want us to be smart with our resources and exemplify good stewardship. "10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."(1 Peter 4:10)

When we keep our resources for a raining or famine day, we will excel and God will bless us. If Esau had kept or nurse some kid goats like Jacob, he would have had the opportunity to serve his father before Jacob and before his mother made the coup against him. He would have just gone into his live stocks and make some kid goats for his father, then get the blessing. In the spiritual term, as a christian we should endeavor to trim our lamp, polish our salvation, brush our holiness and steadfastness to God, so that when vicissitude of life come ravaging we will be well prepared or if Jesus comes today, we would not need 5 minutes, to pray for salvation; which might be too late."40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not."(Luke 12:40)

May God help us to be a good manager of the resources, talents and skills he has given us.

God bless Isaac

Genesis 26

Introduction- In our last lesson we learned about how Abraham died, Ishmaal had 12 princes and died and Rebekah gave birth to twins. In todays lesson we will be learning about how God blessed Isaac, Abimelech made oath with Isaac and Esau married Judith

Today's Study

And there was another famine in the land after the death of Abraham, when Isaac was living in Gerar. When he was asked about Rebekah, he said she was his sister, because he thought he will be killed because Rebekah was beautiful. One day when Isaac was playing with his wife, Abimelch king of the philistine looked through the window and saw Isaac and Rebekah. Then Abimelech called Isaac and asked why he lied and Isaac said he thought he could be killed, if he say, she is his wife. Abimelech then said, he should not have done that, because the men could have lay with his wife. (Genesis 26:1-10)

Then Abimelech told all the people not to touch Rebekah and whoever touched her will be put to death.And Isaac sow on the land and received hundredfold because the Lord blessed him. He became great and had possession of flocks, herds with great servants and the Philistines envied him. Then they stopped all the well which Abraham servants had dogged. Then Abimelech told Isaac to leave because he was mightier than them and he left and made himself a tent at Gerar where he re-dogged the well that was filled by the philistine, but the people of Gerar fought with him on the well, saying the well belong to them. (Genesis 26:11-20)

Then he dogged another well and left the place for Beersheba. Then the lord appear to him that same night that he was the God of Abraham and he should not be afraid and he will bless him because of Abraham sake. And Isaac made an altar there and Abimelech, Ahuzzath one of his friend and Phichol his chief captain went to Isaac went to meet him at Beersheba and he asked them why they had come looking for him since they hate him, Then they replied that they saw that the Lord was with him and that they should make an oath that he will not hurt them. And he made oath with them and they left the next day. Now Esau is now 40 years and he married Judith one of the daughter of the Hittite and Isaac and Rebekah were not happy with that decision. (Genesis 26:21-35)

Reflection

If God has a purpose for your life, he will take you out from your comfort zone to a more challenging environment. While it will be hard for unbeliever to comprehend this, Christians know that all things work for God. When Abraham died, there was famine and he went to Gerar where God will bless him. At a point, his blessing came in hundred fold and eventually was sent out. "28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose"(Romans 8:28)

It is normal to feel bad, especially when you see people disliking you because God is blessing you, but you should also know that God has better plan. He will make our enemies to be at peace with us, that what he promised us. Christians need not to worry, when things are out of control. We should do our best and leave the problems in God's care. "22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."(Psalms 55:22)

As children of God, we should be mindful of everything around us. The enemy of our soul is always waring to make us fight. Isaac would have been offended that the well dogged by his father was filled with sand and when he tried to un-fill it, some people came to claim it. But, he decided to dig another well to create peace. There is so much joy if we exemplify one of the nature of God: peace making. "9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."(Matthew 5:9)

May the God help us to be peace makers in our environment

Abraham died

Genesis 25

Introduction- In our last lesson we learned about how Isaac married Rebekah, Abraham Chief of Staff encounter with Rebekah and his total reliance on God. In todays lesson we will be learning about how Abraham died, Ishmael had 12 princes and died and Rebekah gave birth to twins

Today's Study

After the death of Sarah, Abraham married Keturah and she gave birth to Zimram, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. And Jokshan had Sheba and Dedan. Dedan also had Asshurim, Letsushim and Leumim. However, Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac and sent the sons of Keturah away from Isaac to the east country. Abraham live 175 years when he died. He was buried by Isaac and Ishmael at the cave of Machpelah, the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite which Abraham purchased.(Genesis 25:1-10)

And God blessed Isaac after the death of Abraham and he lived by the well of Lahairoi. The generation of Ishmael include Nabajoth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Messa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and kedermah all are twelve princes and Ishamael died when he was 137 years. (Genesis 25:11-18)

Isaac was 40 years when he married Rebekah and he begged God for Rebekah because she was barren and she became pregnant. Then the pregnancy was so painful that she inquire of the Lord why was her pregnancy so painful, then the lord told her there was two nations in her womb. The elder shall serve the younger and when she was to put to bed, she delivered twins and the first was red, hairy male called Esau and the second held Esau heel and his name was called Jacob. Isaac was 60years when she had the twins. Esau grew to become cunning hunter in the field and Jacob was a plain man that dwell in tents. But Isaac love Esau because he does eat of his bush meat and Rebekah love Jacob. (Genesis 25:19-28)

One day when Jacob was making food to eat, Esau came fainted and begged Jacob for some red pottage, and Jacob asked him to sell him his birthright for red pottage. Then Esau asked what important was his birthright, if he died of hunger? Esau then gave his birthright to Jacob and he ate and left. (Genesis 25:29-34)

Reflection

The avoidance of trouble and the maintenance of peace are some of the emblems of Christians. When you are born again Christians you should endeavor to maintain orderliness in your house hold. Christian parents should see that there children are taken care of before and after they die. Especially new Christians or those that practice polygamy before becoming Christians. We should see that everyone is taken care of in our will, just like Abraham did with the children of his concubines and Isaac. "1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;5 For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?"( 1 Timothy 3: 1-5)

Genesis 25 made us to understand that God bless Isaac. When his wife was barren, he prayed and God open her womb with set of twins. It is clear that Abraham taught Isaac how to rely on God in difficult situation. Christians are to teach their children how to pray and trust in God in times of problems. The God of miracle that replace barrenness with set of twins will do the same to every barren woman reading this today."6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee."(Genesis 17:6)

If you are barren, either of child, finance, health or whatever the bareness, the Almighty will make you conceive and make you fruitful in the mighty name of Jesus.

Isaac married Rebekah

Genesis 24

Introduction- In our last lesson we learned about how how Sarah was buried and the purchase Sarah's burial ground. In today's lesson we will be learning about how Isaac married Rebekah, Abraham Chief of Staff ecounter with Rebekah and his total reliance on God


Today's Study

Now Abraham is old and the lord had blessed him in all things. And Abraham made his chief of staff to promise him that he would go to the land of Nahor were his relative is to find Isaac a wife. Then the chief of staff asked what he should do if the woman does not want to come to Canaan, then Abraham said he is free of the covenant but make sure you do not take Isaac back to the place again. The lord God of heaven will send his angel with him and he shall bring a wife for Isaac. Then he swear to Abraham to do all that he had commanded him and he took camels and goods and went to Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor. (Genesis 24:1-10)

When Abraham chief of staff got to the city, he made the camel to kneel down and said a little prayer that oh lord show kindness to Abraham and make the women who asked to fetch water for the camel and i to drink be the woman whom you have choose among the women that come to fetch water. Not quite long when he had finish praying, that Rebekah came out who was born by Bethuel son of Micah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham brother with a pitcher to fetch water and she was a virgin, beautiful to look at. Then the servant went to her for water and she voluntarily gave them and asked if the caramels need water too, she was never in hurry to give them water to drink. (Genesis 24:11-22)

Then they asked Rebekah whose daughter she was and if they had room for them to pass the night. Then she told Abraham chief of Staff that she is the daughter of Bethuel and assured them that they have room for them and for their animals. Then the men bow down their heads and worshipped God and they told her of Abraham and she quickly went to tell everyone in the house about Abraham servants. Laban Rebekah's brother ran to see the visitors by the well, when he saw the ring, gold and heard what Rebekah was saying. Then he asked them to come in and the men did. (Genesis 24:23-32)

Then they asked them to eat, but Abraham Chief of Staff said he would not eat, until he narrates to them why they were there and except Rebekah agree to marry Isaac. Then Laban and Bethuel answered him that, its from the Lord and they can not say anything concerning it. And they hand over Rebecca to the Chief of Staff to marry his master's son and he bow his heads with other servants with him worshipping God. He then gave Rebekah, Laban Jewels of silver, gold, raiment and her mother precious things. (Genesis 24:33-53)

Then they ate and slept. The next morning they asked if they could leave with Rebekah and the brother said, let Rebekah stay at least for 10 days and the Chief of Staff said, since God has answered his prayer, let them release them to go, then they asked Rebekah if she will be willing to go with them, and she said she was ready. Then they sent them on their way and blessed Rebekah to be mother of millions and her descendants shall take over the gate of them that hate them. (Genesis 24:54-61)

While they almost got to Abraham, Isaac saw them afar off by the well of Lahairoi and Rebekah lifted her eyes and saw Isaac, then came down from the camel because she was told it was Isaac her husband to be and she cover her head with vail. Then the men told him everything and he took Rebekak to his mother Sarai's tent and she became his wife and he loved her and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death. (Genesis 24:62-67)


Reflection

God will make away for you in the midst of uncertainty. There will be provision for you when you least expected and God will surprise you with so much kindness that, you will be more than convince that God lives in the midst of man. Its not coincident that things happens around you. Its not accident. When we whisper to God silently in our hearts, God is faithful enough to bring it to pass immediately. We can see Abraham Chief of Staff encounter with Rebekah. God knows before we plan and think, he can bring it to pass and he has more that 1 million ways to perfect his plan for us when we pray."19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."(isaiah 43:19)

Its good to be a faithful servant. When we are faithful to our boss, God will show us his faithfulness. Abraham Chief of Staff encounter God faithfulness and he was marvel on how God did it for them. My prayer for you is that God will grant you your heart desire. You will not work too hard before God bring those plans of yours to pass. "33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail."(Psalms 88:33)

One thing so important to note in this Genesis chapter 24 is that, neither Abraham and his servant rely on their smartness, brain, strategy, analysis, intelligence or brilliance. They all trusted God, they all pray and another thing to note was that, they had one mind. With one mind on a project we can do the impossible. Let us trust God in totality and let him do his job without hindrance. "5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."(Proverbs 3:5)

May the almighty help us to rely in him in one mind.

williams20: Daily Reflections
Ezekiel william
CHECK YOUR SEEDS-----
luke 6 vs 43-45

For a good tree bringeth forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

The quality of your life, family and marriage is determined by the quality of fruits you bear - but the quality of your fruits depends on the kind of seeds planted, are you planting the right seeds? Are you breeding the right set of values in your children and home? What you sow is what you ll harvest. If you want better haruest tomorrow, Check your seeds today. It is not too late to start planting the good seeds. Remember, One cannot plant Rice and harvest Beans. MayGod help us all to Plant and grow the right seeds of meekness, love, faith and humility in our lives, home , children In Jesus Name.

Did you mean: For a good tree bringeth forth INcorrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

channel 190: who is Sarah first son. Remember she said 'sleep with my slave, if she has a child, it wil be mine'?
Who is Abraham first son?
Was God pleased/angry with Abraham sleeping with a slave girl outside matrimonial home?. Buttress that Haram with some biblical verse, stating the reward/punishment given for that act.
and finally why did God review modes of prayer, new teachings and guildline through the decedants of Ismail and not Isaac.
C.um why must Abraham give Hagar and Son a nonfatile land!

1. Sarah's first son is Isaac. In the old tradition and even in some culture today, whatever your slaves have automatically belongs to you. Since slave is considered as an object. Its like going to buy a phone and the charger is also in the box. The phone and the charger in the box are automatically own by you, including the phone battery and other accessories. So since Hagar is Sarah's slave, her son is automatically Sarah's child, but not biological.

2. Abraham first son is Ishmael but Isaac is considered his first son from his legitimate wife and also the first child of covenant. Since he was the one God promise Abraham not Ishmael.

3. God would not be happy for seeing Abraham having a child through Hagar; however, there was no visible reaction from God saying he was sad, except that God would not make Ishmael the promise child. There will be a stage you get with God, that God will ignore some major mistake you make. Just like a father ignore some mistakes a child make and forgive him. However, you do not want to always repeat such mistakes.

"18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! 19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him." (Genesis 17:18,19)

If there is any punishment at all, it will be Sarah that experience some disrespect that eventually lead to Hagar being sent away.

4. There was no place in the bible that God review mode of prayer through Ishmael. The olden way of prayer in time of Abraham, even before Abraham was through sacrifice. You will note that Noah brought out the clean animals and sacrifice them to God after the rain that destroyed the earth. You will also see that it was because of the acceptance of Sacrifice that Cain kill Abel for; also, you will see that Abraham is always making altar for sacrifice. That has been the mode of prayer and through vision, and visitation of strangers who are angels, God will speak to the men of old.

However, in the new testament Jesus review the old way of prayer, when he taught the disciples how to pray. Also when he died, the bible made us to understand that the vail of the temple torn into two, making it possible for us to go to God directly in prayer without going through the priest.(Matthew 27:51)

Abraham did not give Hagar and Ishmael nonfatal land, He only sent them back to Egypt and there was no record that Egypt was nonfatal. Also remember Hagar was originally from Egypt. (Genesis 16:1; 25:12)

Sarah Died

Genesis 23

Introduction- In our last lesson we learned about how how God tempts Abraham, a ram replaced Isaac as burnt offering and God reaffirm his promise to Abraham. In todays lesson we will be learning about how Sarah was buried and the purchase Sarah's burial ground.

Today's Study

Now Sarah died when he was 127 years and Abraham asked the children of Heth to give him a place to bury his dead. The children of Heth told him to bury Sarah where ever he wants, because he is a mighty Prince among them. Then Abraham bow himself to the ground in the present of the children of Heth that if they could plead Ephron the son of Zohar to give him the cave of Machpelah for money and he said no, that he should burry his dead anywhere he wants. (Genesis 23: 1-12)

Then Abraham begged Ephron to collect money if he will give the cave to him, then Ephron said, if he want to pay for it, the cost is 400 shekels of silver and Abraham gave him the money. That was how Abraham bought the land which was in Machpelah as burial ground and Abraham buried Sarah there.(Genesis 23: 13-20)

Reflection

Its good to serve God. When we serve God, he will crown us with favor before man and make those who are our enemies to be our friends. The people of Heth saw God in Abraham and they could feel he was a mighty prince among them. He was honored and celebrated as a reputable man in their midst. He was never considered as a stranger, but treated like one of them. "4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man."(Proverbs 3:4)

Its good for Christians to act honorably and commit themselves with respect in every dealing. Abraham could have gotten Sarah's burial ground for free and the children of Heth: Ephron was willing to give the land to Abraham for free, but Abraham knew that free stuff make one loose respect and also to avert trouble in future, it makes sense to buy the burial field. "5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6.Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."(Colossians 4:5,6)

May the Almighty help us to conduct ourselves right.

God tempted Abraham

Genesis 22

Introduction- In our last lesson we learned about how God fulfill his promise to Abraham and Sarah, Isaac was born, Hagar and Ishmael were sent away. In today's lesson we will be learning about how God tempts Abraham, A ram replaced Isaac as burn offering and God reaffirm his promise to Abraham.

Today's Study

Now God propose to tempt Abraham and he asked Abraham to take his only son to Moriah to offer Isaac to him as burnt offering. Abraham then took two of his servants and isaac with him to the place where God asked him to go. On the third day of the journey, when he lifted his eyes he saw the place far off and he asked his two servants to stay while he and isaac continue their journey. Then Abraham took the wood and put it on Isaac and he carried the fire and knife and they continue their journey. While they were on their way, Isaac said, my father, here is the wood, fire and knife, but there is no lamb, then Abraham replied that God will provide for himself a lamb of burnt offering. When they got there, Abraham placed Isaac on the altar and stretch high his hand to kill Isaac for burnt offering. (Genesis 22:1-10)

Then Abraham heard the voice of an angel calling him, and he replied: here am i. And the angel said do not kill your son, for now he knows that he feared God, in that he was willing to kill his only son for God. Then Abraham looked up and he saw a ram that had its horn hooked to thick bush and Abraham took the ram and use it for burnt offering instead of his son. Abraham called the place Jehovahjireh: In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.Then the angel of the lord called Abraham the second time. (Genesis 22:11-15)

Because Abraham did not hide his son from being used as sacrifice, God renewed his covenant that he will bless Abraham and his descendants shall poccess the gate of their enemies. Through Abraham the nations of the earth will be blessed, because he obeyed God. Them Abraham returned to Beersheba. When he got there, Abraham heard news from his brother Nahor that he has given birth to children and his children were Huz, Buz, Kemuel the father of Aram and Chesed. hazo, Phildash, Jidlaph and Bethuel. And Bethuel gave birth to Rebecah. and Nahor concubine also gave birth to children. (Genesis 22:16-24)

Reflection

The act of believing God unto death is what every Christian should exhibit on daily bases. Trusting God with our hearts is what make us veteran Christians. When we read the bible and pray everyday, we hear from God and we mature in him. Abraham has heard God many times, so he was able to recognize when God came talking and telling him to go use his son for sacrifice. At this time, Ishmael is gone, he has been sent away, if not, it could be said that Abraham had a backup plan. When we are dealing with God, we should render ourselves to him in totality without alternative. "30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment."(Mark 12:30)

When we trust God and only him, he will surprise us. No doubt if God can give Abraham a child at 100, he can make him have another child at 110, so Abraham believe God. But God plans is much different from man. Giving God all that we have and believing that God owns all that we have will help us. We should be God conscious and not material conscious. We can see how God made provision for the burnt offering. A ram got hooked up for that purpose. We will think we have loose all that we have, God will show up with the best for us."8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together."(Genesis 22:8 )

God was not only impressed with what Abraham did, in that he trusted him with even the life of his only child, but God reaffirmed his promised for Abraham and extended his promise that through Abraham all nations will be blessed. As a Christians, we should always know, that we will go through tough challenges and situation in this life, but God will definitely see us through it. While our sacrifice is needed, but the love of God is greater"33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."(Mark 12:33)

May God help us to trust him in totality.

channel 190: please keep it please, I will soon reply, I will read them during the weekend or asap, but keep it daily please

No problem, God will help

eagle,eye:
@Obalola7, you did a fantastic job with your analysis. Staffing is one of the major problems bedevelling almost all forms of business enterprises in Nigeria. But it is more pronounced in the transport sector.

Most of the drivers out there have the mindset that, they are the ones doing all the work and risking their lives on the roads. So why should they be honest in rendering accounts to the owner. They forget that the owner/manager has to channel all other reources of biz (Capital {Motor vehicle and money for registeration and maintenance}, human resource mgt {motivating the driver, in form of salary and other incentive}, planning {in form of expanding the biz and adding more fleet} and most especially dealing with other external factors that may influence the biz).

Before I went into Inter city transport, I had to do a lot of brain storming and I actually had to drive the vehicle myself, for a period of two months before registering with a State Transport company. As I am writing this, I still doing more brain work (thinking of the best way to keep my driver motivated and keep the car running). For instance, I have to give my driver the last week of 2012 (i.e. 24th to 29th). All the money he got that week was his to keep and the vehicle also conveyed his family to and fro from there village.

So managers of transport biz should sometimes compromise to keep the staff happy and keep the morale high.
But never withhold the rod of punishment if they want to take you for granted. The staff wants the job as well as you want the money.

I strongly believe in your workers encouragement program. There are many ways to do that. However, Average Nigerians would hardly think with you, rather, he is thinking how he can defraud you to buy his own bus or even steal the bus from you or render your bus/solid capital and cash/liquid capital worthless. In a society where everyone is willing to work and there is rule of law, you do not need to drive, all you need to do is verify the identity of the driver and hand him the key. There are lots of them that through joblessness are now Agbero, there should not be any reason why a bus should have a conductor, agbero or any other duties except the driver.

It is so interesting that the majority of contributors to this thread speak one thing in different ways. The one thing relentlessly talk about is STAFF/DRIVER

Non of them talk about other technicality involves in the business, i guess because they believe its a business that can succeed naturally in Nigeria economy.

However, its so sadden to see that STAFF is the major reason while nigeria unemployment has been staggering unresolved. An average driver will complain there is no work, and if given opportunity he will disappoints his employer. I strongly believe that Nigeria unemployment situation is not governmental but bad unemployed Nigerians.

One of the best way to have a healthy economy is good human resources. People who are willing to work, faithfully and heartily. But like many said, its hard to find. We have to apply God to everything, e.g God fearing person, Someone that fear God and many terms that have to do with God. While in other nations their economy have strive very well because people are law abiding, willing to work, passionate about being responsible and want to be a manager or business owner some day by climbing the ladder gradually.

But in Nigeria case, the person has to be God fearing and if you are not the person that sees vision, how will you know God fearing among 1000 people that apply to drive your Danfo or what happen if the once God fearing become Satan fearing during the course of his employment driving your Danfo? I think the best thing to do is to examine ourselves and see why many of us are unemployed, its not that people don't have the money in their account or have the opportunity to source for money to start business, but the problem is who is a genuine worker and not a walker. Because many of us we get job and walk on it until the capital evaporated.

A man who has invested in one Danfo business can create a multimillion venture, if only there are faithful employees as he runs his business. Here is how. He bought a Danfo and got a good driver who work with genuineness, he delivers N4000 every day and work lets say 5 days a week. For the first 3 months on average there will not be a problem with the Danfo except one service maintenance every three months. lets say that cost N4000 also. The driver lest assume he makes N2000 at every delivery.

1. N4000 X 5=N20000 a week

2. N20000 X 12= N240,000 per 3 months

3. Servicing for the first 3 months N4000- N240,000= N236,000

4. 236,000 X 4= N944,000

His net income will be N944,000 for at least a year before any major repair. After a year, he deducts N100,000 for major repair and he will have N844,000.

After the first quarter of another year, he would have made another N236,000 or slightly more depending on economy. But lets stay with our current average of N236,000.

5. 844,000 + 236,000 = N1.080,000

Lets say during that period of 15 months, there are other miscellaneous expenses, such as police arrest and settlement, tire repair, he spent N80,000.

At this time with 1 million, he can buy another bus, which i think its around N800,000 on average if secure from the border. At the end the owner will make 100-200k depending on the cost of the new Danfo.

let also imagine that the new Danfo didnt start work until 3 months time because of paper etc, although this will be hardly possible because all could be done in a month.
At the end of the year, The owner would have gotten 236,000 X 2 = 472,000 for the new van and 708,000 for the old van.

Total=1,180,000

The owner now has 2 busses with an estimated gross/ net income 1,180,000 and his net worth/ Capital and income of 2 buses that cost 800,000 each totaling 1.6 million and 1.180,000= 2. 8 million.

If this continues with acquiring busses every year, his income will increase and his net worth will increase. The man can afford to reassign his first driver as Manager and the second as Supervisor and if the business continues this way, even with some unforeseen disaster, and the owner is not trying to fly to be Dangote in 2 years, he will save himself from some un-calculated risk or venture into business that he thinks he can make 1 million on it in a minute. Eventually, he can now study other reasonable business in his line, e.g selling spare part, expanding to long distance or cross border transportation, haulage, and many more within the line of transportation. By doing this, it will be difficult to fail because, he is already in transportation, but he would quickly fail if he jump and want to own an airline company though its transport company, its a total kind of transport business that you need lots of professionals to manage for you, except, you have acquired enough money not borrowed, to buy an airline company with the help of an acquisition company and banks that help you look into it and with the intention of perhaps first buying 30% of the share of the company to understand the business first.

Nigeria has not gotten there yet at least not with these so called unemployed that majority are undedicated, untrustworthy, unwilling and several un, and un to qualify them. One day we will get to a point where will not worry about our staff trustworthiness but business statistic and analysis that could work for our business.

God fulfilled his promise to Abraham and Sarah


Genesis 21

Introduction- In our last lesson we learned about how God delivered Sarah from King Abimelech, Abraham misinform Abimelech that Sarah was his sister, God strikes Abimelech and his household with barrenness and appeared to him in his dream. In today's lesson we will be learning about how God fulfilled his promise to Abraham and Sarah, Isaac was born, Hagar and Ishmael were sent away.

Today's Study

Sarah conceived and gave birth to Isaac and he was circumcised on the eight day. When it was time to celebrate the birth of Isaac, they made a great party and Ishmael mocked them as they celebrate Isaac. Then Sarah saw him and asked Abraham to send both Hagar and Ishmael away, because she can not afford to have rival in her house.(Genesis 21:1-10)

But Abraham was angry about what Sarah said, because of Ishmael, but God told Abraham not to be angry because Isaac will his descendant be called. The next day, Abraham took all that Hagar will need, including water and food and send them away and Hagar wandered in the wilderness. When the water she had had finished, she left Ishmael under one of the small trees so she wouldn't see him when he die, but sat across him and cried. And God heard the cry of Ishmael and called Hagar from heaven. The angel told her not to be afraid that he had heard the voice of Ismael. She should lift up the child from where she left her to die, because Ismael will be a great nation, then God open her eyes and she saw a well of water in the wilderness. (Genesis 21:11-20)

Ishmael and her mother lived in the wilderness of Paran and he got married to an egyptians. Then Abimelech saw that God was with Abraham because he was greatly blessed and he and his chief captain Phichol went to him to make agreement that he will continue to be loyal to them and not betray them and Abimelech generation to come. Then Abraham promised them, but mentioned that he has done him bad, by taking his well. Abimelech then said he knew nothing about it, not until he is telling him now. Then abraham made a covenant with Abimelech with seven lambs and they called the place Beersheba, the everlasting God and Abraham live in philistine for many days.(Genesis 21:21-34)

Reflection

In our wilderness of uncertainty, God is there and he can command our feeding and drinking. He can make the impossible possible if we trust God and believe in him. God hears prayers of little children. Christian parents should teach their children how to pray. We should pray in their presence and allow them to know our God. Ishmael must have learned how to pray from Abraham and knew that his father would pray when he is in distress. So at this time, when his father sent him away base on the instruction from God, he knew that God is the only one to cry unto. "6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."(Proverbs 22:6)

My prayer is that, when we cry to God, may he hear from heaven and make provision for us on earth. God did that for Ishmael. God opened his mother's eyes and she saw the well. He would have die of dehydration, and the mother had not solution to that, except to put her under a small tree, to prevent her from the heat of the sun, and she was waiting until her son die slowly. But God always have the after plan, since he is the giver of life, he will make way for us. "18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."(Psalms 119:18)

Are you in a wilderness, perhaps wilderness of poverty, barrenness, diseases, sickness, frustration or any kind of wilderness, i can assure you, if you cry hard today to almighty God, heaven will listen. God will open your eyes to the solution. And when God start blessing you, God will make your enemy to see that you are destine for greatness and they will need to treat you with care, just as Abimelech did to Abraham."7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him."(Proverbs 16:7)

May the Almighty hear us when we cry in emergency.

God delivered Sarah from King of Abimelech

Genesis 20

Introduction- In our last lesson we learned about how God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot wife became pillar of salt, and how Lot entertain angels. In today's lesson we will be learning about how God deliver Sarah from King Abimelech, Abraham misinform Abimelech that Sarah was his sister, God strikes Abimelech and his household with barrenness and appear to him in his dream

Today's Study

Then Abraham relocate from the south country to Gerar, a country between Kadesh and Shur. And Abraham told the king of Abimelech that Sarah is his sister, so the king came to take his wife Sarah. But in his dream God appear to him, telling him he was a dead man, because the woman he has taken is the wife of Abraham. But Abimelech was yet to make love with Sarah, so he asked God if God will kill a righteous nation? because Abraham said she was his sister and Sarah said he was her brother and he had done this unintentionally.

And God replied to Abimelech in his dream, that he knew that he has done this unintentionally and with a clean mind, but he also was the one that made Abimelech not to think of making love to her.Then God commanded Abimelech to return Sarah to Abraham, because he is a prophet and he will pray for him and then he shall live, but if he refuses to return Sarah, Abimelech and his family shall die. Then Abimelech told all the dreams to everyone in his house and they were afraid, then he called Abraham and asked him why he intended to bring unto his kingdom the anger of God

Abraham then replied him that he was afraid because he thought the fear of God is not with the people and the people can kill him because of his wife. But truly Sarah was his sister, but not from the same mother, and she is also my wife. We had plan to say she is my sister everywhere we go. Then Abimelech gave Abraham sheep, oxen, men and women servants, then returned his wife. Abimelech also told Abraham that he could live anywhere on the land and Abraham prayed to God to heal Abimelech and his females household, because the lord had made them all barren.


Reflection

As Christians we sometime want to use our smartness to solve small matters. We would sometime device a method to a problem. We make some technical lies in which if you look at it in both ways its neither true nor false. Abraham was in the same situation. In the earlier chapter, Genesis 19, we read that Abraham prayed to save Lot and the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. But on the issue of someone taking his wife, he felt he need not to pray about that, because he has a way to preserve his life. Christians should learn to pray on all matters, including eating, protection, shower and even lifting bucket of water. Its the best insurance we can ever have. 5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."(Proverbs 3:5)

When we don't pray about little matters, God sometime make them to be a pain in the neck for us. Many times he will save us, but not without stress. However, the experience was a blessing in disguise for Abraham. When God appear to Abimelech in his dream, he preserved Sarah in Abimelech's house and also made Abimelech maid servants, daughters and wife barren so Abraham can pray for them. The experience made Abimelech to bless Abraham with material wealth and restore Sarah. "14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance."(Genesis 15:14)

God will start fighting your battle. He will make all that have taken your things forcefully or illegally to start repaying you in double folds. Has anybody took advantage of you, because he is in a better position? Trust God to fight your battle, don't fight for yourself. God will strike them and show up in their dream and they will know that, you are not the person to be toy with. "6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;"(2 Thessalonians 1
:6)

May God give us the patience needed to watch him fight our battle for him.

God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah

Genesis 19

Introduction- In our last lesson we learned about how the angels prophesied to Sarah that she will have a son, God's plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, the angels visitation and the communication between God and Abraham. In todays lesson we will be learning about how God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot wife became pillar of salt, and how Lot entertain angels.


Today's Study

At the evening after God had left speaking with Abraham about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, two angels arrived at Sodom. While they were coming into Sodom, Lot sat at the gate of Sodom, when he saw the angels, he ran to them bowing to the ground before them. Then Lot begged them to come to his house to sleep and have some water and tomorrow morning they can go on their way. But they said no, they would be on the street all night. But Lot was persuasive and continue to begged them and they came to his house and he baked them food to eat. However before they sleep the men in the city came to Lot's house asking Lot to bring out the men that came to his house. (Genesis 19:1-5)

But Lot went to them and close the door behind him, then pleaded with the men not to hurt the men that were in his house with him; but he offered to give them his virgin daughters to do whatever they want to them instead, but to the men under his roof they should do nothing to harm them. However, the men will not listen to Lot and they promised they will deal wickedly with the angels under Lot's roof. When the city men of Sodom was pressing hard on Lot to force their way to Lot's house, the angel pull Lot inside of the house and close the door. (Genesis 19:6-10)

Then the angels strike the city men at the door with blindness so that they could not see the door. Then the Angels ask Lot to get out of Sodom with all that he had, including son's inlaws, because the Lord has asked them to destroy this place. Lot then went out to tell the son inlaw that God will destroy this place and that they should leave the city, but they mocked him. The next morning, the angels told Lot to leave the city quickly with his family before they are destroyed with the city. (Genesis 19:10-15)

While Lot was wasting time, the angels held his hand, his wife hand and his daughters hands and pull them out of the city, because the Lord was merciful to him. Then Lot and his family to run to the mountain and never stay closer, but Lot begged them that they should be merciful the more by letting him run to the nearest city called Oh. (Genesis 19:16-20)

Then the angels told him that they have accepted his request and that fire will not destroy the city of Oh because of Lot, so Lot ran to the city with his family. Then the angel asked them to continue running, because they can not destroy Sodom until they had gotten to Oh, so when it was afternoon, the angels destroyed the land with brimstone and fire from heaven.(Genesis 19:21-25)

While they were running, Lot wife looked back from behind Lot and she became pillar of salt. Then Abraham stood up from the place where he stood before the Lord, and look towards Sodom and Gomorrah, then he saw the smoke from those city going up. After God has destroyed the plain city, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of Oh because it was in the middle of the cities that were burnt.Then Lot went to Zoar and live on the mountain and his two daughters with him, but was afraid so he live in a cave with his daughters. (Genesis 19:26-30)

When Lot daughters saw that their father was getting old and that there were no men around they could had affair with, the first daughter suggest they should have their father make love with them for children. Then they made their father drank wine and he lay with his daughters night after the other, but Lot did not know this, because he was drunk. The first daughter had a son and called his name Moab: the father of the Moabite; the second daughter called the name of her son Benammi, the father of of the Ammonites. (Genesis 19:31-38)

Reflection

Our God is faithful and upright. He controls the universe and could do an undo. When he want, he will come in form of a stranger to let us know his will. He will tell us all that is needed and inform us on how to go. However, this happens to those who are in Christ and do his will. My prayer is that, we should not fight with the spirit of God when it come to reprimand us, but to submit and beg for leniency and forgiveness. If the children of Sodom would have repented or there were just 10 righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah, they would have been spared from destruction. "51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye."(Act 7:51)

Lot loyalty to the will of God was not questioned. When he saw the strangers, he knew they were angels of God. When you see the people of God, God has the way of letting us know that they are people of God. We will know by the way they talk, dress, look and conduct their business. As children of God, we should exemplify God in all ways, both in look, content and behavior. Lot was ready to give his daughters for sacrifice to save the angels. When we are ready to lose all that we have for God, God will not only spare those things for us, and he will bless us with more. "29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." (Mark 10:29,30)

When you are a child of God, God will be patient enough to take you out of danger, in emergency, God will make sure you are save before he strike. The angels of the lord, waited for Lot until to get to his resting place: the city of Oh, before he send out fire. My prayer for us is that, God will not let us to loose our place in his presence. "3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence."(Psalms 91:3)

Its good to pray, when we pray, we can change the hands of time. In verse 29 of Genesis 19, the bible made us to understand that God remembered Abraham. Throughout the Night, Abraham must have been praying, although God destroyed Sodom because there were no 10 righteous men in the whole city of Sodom and Gomorrah, but he spare Lot with his family, except for his wife who was so attached to Sodom. "16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."(James 5:16)

Lot's wife might have been thinking of her jewelry, all the goats, cow and sheep, their mansion and all that they have worked for, but it was too late. A single mistake can cause us everything, if we do not hear from God before we act. While Lot had a second chance he did not make use of it. Today, we have to make sure we are reconciling our differences with God decision for our lives. Lot had a chance to have reconcile with Abraham, when he was delivered from those that took him captive, but he did not. He could have use the opportunity to move back with Abraham to the same land and he would have saved all his wealth and his wife. "15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."(1 John 2:15)

May the almighty God help us to be diligent to his word and observant of his wish for our life.