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Amen!

God bless you more.

chukxie: Well spoken! God bless you!

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. – Psalm 1:1-3

We shall devote the next few days to analysing Psalm 1 as a business principle that will help any pioneer and his/her business to remain competitive and viable.

The first verse of the passage says that a businessperson who must be described as blessed does not run his business by the “counsel of the ungodly” or ungodly principles. In making business decisions, everything must be considered in terms of black or white, pro-God or anti-God, no middle course. Any practice that will not glorify God is done away with, no matter how popular such may be in the world of business.

The touted winning formula of the day are sieved through the panel of the word of God or His counsel before they are accepted and implemented. The Psalm 1 Businessperson can hold his own and does not allow himself to be sucked into the ideas of others, especially when such ideas violate the tenets of God.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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Author Unknown

But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. – Luke 6:32

A soldier was finally returning home after having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco. "Mom and Dad, I'm coming home but, I've got a favor to ask. I have a friend I'd like to bring with me." "Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."

"There's something you should know," the son continued, "he was hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mine and lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him to come live with us.”

"I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere to live."

"No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us."

"Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone with such a handicap would be a terrible burden on us. We have our own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere with our lives. I think you should just come home and forget about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own."

At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing more from him. A few days later, however, they received a call from the San Francisco police. They were told their son had died after falling from a building. The police believed it was suicide. The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized him but, to their horror they also discovered something they didn't know. Their son had only one arm and one leg.

The parents in this story are like many of us. We find it easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around but, we don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren't as healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are. Thankfully, there's someone who won't treat us that way. Someone who loves us with an unconditional love that welcomes us into the forever family, regardless of how messed up we are. That Person is Jesus Christ. He beckons all to come to Him irrespective of their handicap.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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- Author Unknown

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. - Isaiah 55:8

A 91-year-old woman died after living a very long dignified life. When she met God, she asked Him something that had really bothered her for a very long time. "If Man was created in God's image, and if all men are created equal, why do people treat each other so badly?"

God replied that each person who enters our life has a unique lesson to teach us. It is only through these lessons that we learn about life, people and our relationships with God. This confused the woman, so God began to explain:

"When someone lies to you, it teaches you that things are not always what they seem. The truth is often far beneath the surface. Look beyond the masks people wear if you want to know what is in their hearts. Remove your own masks to let people know who you really are.

When someone steals from you, it teaches you that nothing is forever. Always appreciate what you have. You never know when you might lose it. Never take your friends or family for granted, because today and sometimes only this very moment is the only guarantee you may have.

When someone inflicts injury upon you, it teaches you that the human state is a very fragile one. Protect and take care of your body as best as you can, it's the one thing that you are sure to have forever.

When someone mocks you, it teaches you that no two people are alike. When you encounter people who are different from you, do not judge them by how they look or act, instead base it on the contents of what is in their hearts.

When someone breaks your heart, it teaches you that loving someone does not
always mean that the person will love you back. But don't turn your back on love, because when you find the right person, the joy that one person brings you will make up for all of your past hurts times a thousand fold.

When someone holds a grudge against you, it teaches you that everyone makes mistakes. When you are wronged, the most virtuous thing you can do is forgive the offender without pretense. Forgiving those who have hurt us is often the most difficult and painful of life's experiences, but it is also the most courageous thing a person can do.

When a loved one is unfaithful to you, it teaches you that resisting temptation is Man's greatest challenge. Be vigilant in your resistance against all temptations. By doing so, you will be rewarded with an enduring sense of satisfaction far greater than the temporary pleasure by which you were tempted.

When someone cheats you, it teaches you that greed is the root of all evil. Aspire to make your dreams come true, no matter how lofty they may be. Do not feel guilty about your success, but never let an obsession with achieving your goals lead you to engage in malevolent activities.

When someone ridicules you, it teaches you that nobody is perfect. Accept people for their merits and be tolerant of their flaws. Do not ever reject someone for imperfections over which they have no control."

Upon hearing the Lord's wisdom, the old woman became concerned that there are no lessons to be learned from man's good deeds. God replied that Man's capacity to love is the greatest gift He has. At the root of kindness and love, and each act of love also teaches us a lesson. The woman's curiosity deepened. God, once again began to explain:

"When someone loves us, it teaches us love, kindness, charity, honesty, humility, forgiveness, acceptance, and all of these can counteract all the evil in the world. For every good deed, there is one evil deed. Man alone has the power to control the balance between good and evil, but because the lessons of love are not taught often enough, the power is too often abused.

When you enter someone's life, whether by plan, chance or coincidence, consider what your lesson will be. Will you teach love or a harsh lesson of reality? When you die, will your life have resulted in more loving or more hurting? More comfort or more pain? More joy or more sadness? Each one of us has the power over the balance of the love in the world. Use it wisely!"

Don't miss an opportunity to nudge the world's scale in the right direction!

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Daily Dew is published by Sons of Issachar Concepts. To subscribe by email or read previous editions, visit www.daily-dew.com.

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Author Unknown

You will save the humble people; But Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down. - 2 Samuel 22:28

Many years ago, a rider came across some soldiers who were trying to move a heavy log without success. The corporal was standing by as the men struggled. The rider asked the corporal why he wasn't helping. The corporal replied, "I am the corporal; I give orders."

The rider dismounted, went up and stood by the soldiers and as they were lifting the log, he helped them. With his help, the log was moved. The rider quietly mounted his horse, went to the corporal and said, "The next time your men need help, send for the Commander-in-Chief."

After he left, the corporal and his men found out that the rider was George Washington.

The message is clear. Success and humility go hand in hand. When others blow your horn, the sound goes further. Just think about it? Simplicity and humility are two hallmarks of greatness. Humility does not mean self-demeaning behaviour.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. – 1 Thessalonians 1:10

This passage highlights another purpose of Jesus Christ – He came to deliver us from the wrath to come, the wrath of the sure judgement of God.

By virtue of our human nature, we tend to fall into sin either consciously or unconsciously in our thoughts, words, actions, attitudes, and other bearing. Meanwhile, God has an uncompromising posture to sin; as He cannot behold it, talk less of having anything to do with it. Yet He craves intimate fellowship with us, even as He has stored up wrath to unleash on sinners at the appointed time.

But Jesus came in as a bridge between the divide of the way we are and the way God wants us to be. He that had no sin became a physical emblem of sin for the whole world, and by so doing exchanging His own sinlessness for our sinfulness. And since sins have grievous consequences, He symbolically bore the consequences of all our sins by the things He suffered before and at the crucifixion. He was flogged with searing whips many times for offences He did not commit; His head was pierced with thorny crowns which they jerked there in mockery; His body was bruised from the fangs of the whips they used on Him; He was made to carry the cross for some distance until His frame could bear the burden no longer.

Indeed, He suffered many things in the course of standing in the gap for us, and these served as the representation of the divine judgement that is awaiting each individual sinner. Jesus took them all upon Himself; thus saving whoever cares to accept Him from the certain wrath of God on the day of reckoning.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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‘In this Year of Jubilee, each of you shall return to his possession. – Leviticus 25:13

It dropped into my spirit man yesterday morning that there is something about this year and the fulfilment of dreams or long held desires. I was doing my toiletries when I started to recollect the many scenarios and numerous testimonies about dreams and prayer requests of many years coming to fruition this year alone.

Although it may be the dusk of the eighth month of the year, there is still ample time for you to start up on that idea or resume work on that abandoned project. You don’t need to wait for all the resources you need to start or continue; nor should you wait for encouragement from anyone. God Himself is committed to giving you the push you need to start and the momentum you require to finish well. So don’t disqualify yourself by talking yourself out of it or get bogged down in what is popularly called ‘paralysis by analysis’; trying to figure out all the fine details you need to tick off before you do anything. You will be doing no one any good by so doing, let alone yourself.

For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). That is the word of God to you at this time. And the smart thing to do is to run with it without looking back, then you will see how faithful God can be.

There is a grace for fulfilment in the air for anyone who wishes to latch on to it; so don’t be left out. Take advantage of it now by pursuing your dream or take some steps of faith.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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...You provoke Me to wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt where you have gone to dwell, that you may cut yourselves off and be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth? – Jeremiah 44:8

Idolatry is another way by which we instigate the anger of God to a harmful effect. Now the Dictionary describes idolatry in two broad ways; on one hand, it is “the worship of idols or false gods”, which is a common definition. In a more contemporary term, idolatry is defined as “excessive admiration or love shown for somebody or something.”

The Israelites of old usually set themselves on a collision course with God by their habitual deviations to worship articles of gold whenever they were at ease. And God never took it kindly for once, neither did He leave them unpunished for such disregard, because He had drummed it into their hearing that He is a jealous God, who does not like to be undermined, ignored, denied or replaced.

In contemporary times, while there may not be widespread of the first definition of idolatry whereby folks pay obeisance to idols of various forms – indeed, some still do out of ignorance; but it is a fading practice. However, the second definition of idolatry, which borders on ‘excessive admiration or love shown for somebody or something’ is what we need to be very careful about, so that we do not run afoul of God’s command.

Having created us for His own reasons – primary among which is to worship Him – God has the prerogative of discretion as to how we live and what we do. In fact, He has his opinion about everything we do; this we can only know when we take time to read the Bible and ask for His counsel. And, where the issue of worshipping idols is concerned, He clearly states that “you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 5:9).

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people. – Genesis 14:14-16

In the light of the passage above, we see how Abraham, with a paltry 318 servants in his household, went to war against and prevailed over four kings and their armies.

Now what was the secret behind the defeat of four bigger bands by Abraham’s small army? The Bible says they were trained. In other words, Abraham invested in the capacity development of his workforce; he trained them in the art of war, which was a prized skill at that time. So, he had a bunch of champions around him who could face any opposition with confidence. Apart from that, he must have also drilled them in other essential life skills; the more reason he could commit to one of them the all-important responsibility of looking for a wife for his son in a remote land, where he couldn’t censor the choice of woman the servant would choose for his son (Genesis 24).

Thus, the key to building and maintaining a winning team is to invest in their personal and professional development by exposing them to trainings, coaching and mentoring sessions where their latent skills can be developed and their current skills honed for greater effectiveness.

That was the principle Abraham adopted, and the secret behind the routing of four great bands of warriors by his 318 men.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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- Author Unknown

But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. – 2 Thessalonians 3:13

An old man saw a scorpion drowning and decided to pull it out from the water. He calmly extended his hand to reach the creature. When he did, the scorpion stung him. With the effect of the pain, the old man let go the creature and it fell back into the water. The man, realizing that the scorpion was drowning again, got back and tried to rescue it; but then again it stung him. He let go of it again.

A young boy standing by, approached the old man and said, "Excuse me Sir; you are going to hurt yourself trying to save that evil-vicious creature. Why do you insist? Don't you realize that each time you try to help the scorpion, it stings you?"

The man replied, "The nature of the scorpion is to sting; and mine is to help. I cannot afford to let the stinging nature of the scorpion alter my own nature to help."

So the man thought for a while, then he plucked a leaf from a nearby tree and used it to pull the scorpion out of the water; thus saving its life.

The moral of this story is that you should not change your nature. If someone hurts you, just take precautions; don’t let it out on other people or allow it to cloud your judgement of others. Some pursue happiness while others create it. Let your conscience be your guide in whatever you do.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Daily Dew is published by Sons of Issachar Concepts. To subscribe by email or read previous editions, visit www.daily-dew.com.

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Author Unknown

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. – Hebrews 13:2

Ruth went to her mailbox and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address.

She read the letter:

Dear Ruth,

I'm going to be in your neighborhood Saturday afternoon and I'd like to stop by for a visit.

Love Always,
Jesus

Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. "Why would the Lord want to visit me? I'm nobody special. I don't have anything to offer." With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets.

"Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to offer. I'll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner." She reached for her purse and counted out its contents: five dollars and forty cents.

"Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least." She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk, leaving Ruth with grand total of twelve cents to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm.

"Hey lady, can you help us, lady?" Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans; she hadn't even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags.

"Look lady, I ain't got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and, well, now it's getting cold and we're getting kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us, lady, we'd really appreciate it."

Ruth looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad and, frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to.

"Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I'm having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was planning on serving that to Him."

"Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway." The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley. As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart.

"Sir, wait!" The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. "Look, why don't you take this food. I'll figure out something else to serve my guest." She handed the man her grocery bag.

"Thank you lady. Thank you very much!"

"Yes, thank you!" It was the man's wife, and Ruth could see now that she was shivering.

"You know, I've got another coat at home. Here, why don't you take this one." Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman's shoulders.

Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street...without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest. "Thank you lady! Thank you very much!"

Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she didn't have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox.

"That's odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day." She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.

Dear Ruth,

It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.

Love Always,
Jesus

The air was still cold. But even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Daily Dew is published by Sons of Issachar Concepts. To subscribe by email or read previous editions, visit www.daily-dew.com.

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Please share with your loved ones. God bless You!

And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. – Hebrews 3:18-19

Another human attitude that irks God to no end is unbelief. God is both mighty and awesome, among many other things, and He has acquitted Himself through the ages as ever reliable and dependable, such that no one can claim he/she has not experienced His goodness or knows any other god bigger, higher, or more powerful than Him.

Every day we see His manifold goodness in the mundane and mega things of life: we see the rising and the falling of the Sun heralding the start and end of each day; we also go about our daily activities expecting there will be air to supply us the oxygen we need to live. At intermittent intervals, we see the air in other forms such as whirlwind, hurricane, and tornado that enable us to appreciate that all the things we see and enjoy in life can actually come in adverse forms, which we can do nothing about. Thus, we can appreciate their common form, rather than take it for granted that they will always be that way.

We must have also read in the Bible, as well as heard or seen in contemporary time, the various acts of kindness of God and His interventions (otherwise called miracles) in different cases in terms of healing, deliverance, provisions, orchestrations, favours and many other wow things He has done or is doing in the lives of folks. So, He really doesn’t need to prove Himself any more for us to trust that He’s got our back and will always do His part.

Therefore, it upsets Him greatly when we go about doubting and second-guessing Him. He is cool when we live in the assurance of His care and ability – that is faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? – Hebrews 3:17

The second way we can provoke God to great wrath is by continually living in sin without any conscious attempt to stop the sinful indulgence. God is holy and cannot behold sin. So whenever sin comes into the equation, God departs from the scene and waits until the soul of man is conducive, through genuine repentance and turnaround, for His dwelling.

Sin also hinders the move of God anywhere and restrains His hand from doing much for anyone. That is why the Scripture says, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2). That means sin holds back the hand of God, blocks His ears to our prayers, alienates Him from us and screens His face from seeing us. Imagine if an individual receives this treatment from his/her benefactor or a business receives the same treatment from its clients; that may have some long-term negative effect on such individual and spell doom for the business.

As humans, it is almost impossible not to sin or have some habit you are struggling with; God sees them all and is willing to help us overcome such as long as we honestly seek His help. But in a situation where we cite our human frailties as excuse for habitual indulgence in sins, then we leave little room for God not to give us the cold shoulder treatment, because He “is angry with the sinner every day” (Psalm 7:11).

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of LORD burned among them and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp. – Numbers 11:1

Often times, when we are embattled with challenges, or we don’t have our desire or answer to our prayers, there is a tendency to resort to complaint, whining and griping endlessly in a bid to arm-twist/blackmail God to look at our side. However, instead of getting our objective, what we usually achieve by so doing is to provoke God to anger.

Complaint is one of the things that easily irritate God. It displeases Him to no end and attracts His consuming fire. Fire? Yes, Fire. Even if the He does not send a fire, the fact that He is angry is enough to spark up a fire!

God expects us to have an attitude of gratitude in all situations. Why? Because even when it doesn’t look like it, He is actually working all things out for our good. That may be very difficult to believe. But the truth is that God genuinely loves and cares about every one of His children, both the obedient and the wayward. His love is as constant as the rising of the Sun, even more so.

Imagine how you would feel if you were planning a surprise for your loved one only for that person to start acting up, complaining and picking faults in your conducts. How would you feel? Hurt? Disappointed? Frustrated? That is the same way God usually feels whenever we complain about our situation, which is a process He is using to ferry us to the destination He is taking us.

In the case of the Israelites, God was taking them to the Promised Land. But their undoing was their constant cries, as they passed through the wilderness on the way to ‘the land flowing with milk and honey’. They did it to a point that God did not even bother to inform Moses ahead, as was His custom, before He started to punish them by raining down fire upon them.

These days, there may not be physical fire from heaven, but the feeling of being burned with the same intensity as if one is really under fire will nonetheless be there. In order to avoid this kind of divine retribution, let us start to praise God more and cry less; thank more and gripe less; sing more and groan less. In other words, let us imbibe the spirit of the passage that says, “IN EVERYTHING, give thanks. For this is the will of the LORD for you…”

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. - Galatians 4:4-5

The second purpose of Jesus, as highlighted in this passage, is to upgrade the status of believers, whom He redeemed from the pressures of the law, from slaves to sons. Christ came to give the redeemed the privileged identity of being named sons of God and heirs to His inheritance.

Before the coming of Jesus, the people of Israel were the adopted children of God, and they were the ones God related mostly with, while peoples of other nations were considered as heathens and outcasts, with whom the Israelites dared not mix so that they do not become contaminated by their paganistic ways which angered God to no end.

Meanwhile, God had always longed to have fellowship with these peoples too, and He desired that they be reconciled to Him. Therefore, in the fullness of time, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to come and redeem His lost children to Himself by becoming the perfect symbol of the accomplishment of what they had struggled through the ages to achieve– fulfilling the law.

He didn’t just stop there, by nullifying the requirements that humans needed to fulfil to attain affinity with God, Christ also upgraded the status of those He redeemed to sons of God; thereby giving them the rights and privileges of sons in their dealings with God and their activities on earth.

This is a cheery news for all believers. Jesus did not just come to redeem your soul and release you from the legalistic burdens required to make your redeemed status sure, He also conferred the right of sonship on you, and all the perks that come with that.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. - Galatians 4:4-5

We are back to our series on the purposes of Jesus Christ; by exploring the reasons He came to earth with a view to help us identify our own niche in Him and in the agenda of God for mankind.

According to the passage above, God sent Jesus to earth, among other reasons, to redeem the people who were under the law so that they might receive the adoption as sons. There is a twin mission captured in this passage. In one breath, the scripture tells us that Jesus came to offer redemption to all those under the oppressive weights of the regulations of the laws of Moses.

We may be conversant with some of the rules that God gave to the children of Israel during their exodus and after they settled down in the Promised Land. Most of these regulations are contained in the books of Exodus to Deuteronomy, and they are so many that it is quite easy for one to forget them, particularly considering that there was no wide-spread literacy at that time, and very few people had access to the tablets and parchment scrolls on which the laws were scripted. So, while it was quite difficult to access these laws, ignorance of them was no excuse either and whoever commits a sin unknowingly or unintentionally would still be required to make atonement for it or face the consequences of his/her sins (Leviticus 5:14-19).

Imagine how harrowing it must have been then for you not to know all the law says, but still be held accountable for the breach of it. This seemingly harsh regime was occasioned because of the many hurts humans had inflicted on the heart of God through disobedience. Starting from the garden of Eden, to excesses during the time of Noah, to the orgies that reigned in the time of Abraham which culminated in the decimation of such cities as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the hard-heartedness of even the chosen people of Israel all through their journey from Egypt to Canaan, as well as many other untoward human inclinations and indulgences.

However, according to our reference scripture, “in the fullness of time”, God decided to send Jesus Christ to come and redeem humans from the yoke of the law, because if He was to continue measuring our righteousness by our compliance, no one would be anywhere near the pass mark. So He sent Jesus Christ to come through the natural process of manhood, growing up and living under the same requirements of the law without running foul of any of them. By so doing making Him a perfect example of human triumphing over the dictates of the law; whilst giving Him the locus standi to represent all humans before God to nullify the dictates of the old testament, which anyone who must fulfil them must live by them, to introduce a new testament, which is based on unmerited favour and faith on the part of each individual in the fact that Jesus had really paid the price for him/her.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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- Author Unknown

Better not to vow than to vow and not pay. – Ecclesiastes 5:5

A Month Later
“Mother, he’s not even talking to me. All of a sudden, we are both strangers. He doesn’t eat my food, he comes home late, he hates me so much and it’s killing me. I’m confused, it’s truly hurting…”

“For how long will you hide the truth from him? You’ve got to let him know…you can’t carry his…”

There was the sound of a car horn.

“Mom I’ve got to go…he’s back.”

“Baby, you’ve got to let him know. It can work when you two are one in mind.”

“Bye mom.” she ended the call.

Lawson came into the house, about to walk past her.

“Lawson.” She held him.

“I’m tired.” He didn’t want to look at her face.

“I know…can we talk for some minutes?” She tried to help him remove his suit.

“Look what is it?” He jerked from her.

“Do you hate me this much? You can’t even look me in the eye. You can’t even stand my presence. Lawson…it’s me Sara…your best friend…” Tears began to well up in her eyes.

“I’m in no mood for this.” He turned around to walk away.

“Don’t you dare leave when I’m talking to you!” She dragged him by the suit. Just then, some papers fell to the floor. Sara quickly bent to pick them up…her hands shook and her body became numb all over.

“D…divorce papers? Lawson?” She searched his eyes.

“Answer me goddammit!” She held him by the collar of his shirt, crying.

“They are for you to sign. I want out.” Lawson announced.

“Y…you what?” she slowly freed him from her hold.

“It’s not going to work Sara, can’t you see?”

“Lawson, I can’t believe you would think of a divorce and even go this far…why are you so wicked!” she cried, angry.

“No! Why are you so wicked?” He retorted, flaring. “Think about me for once. I am a man for Christ’s sakes. My children are my pride! And you are about to deny me that for the rest of my life because of your stupid mistake!”

“What about me! Have you stopped for once to think about what I’m going through?”

“It’s your cross, carry it.” Lawson fixed his angry eyes on his wife.

“No, it’s now our cross and I am not signing those divorce papers! We vowed never to leave each other!”

“Isn’t it better Sara that you save yourself more hurt and sign these papers than to see another woman move into this house before your very eyes?” He said with a tone of sarcasm.

Sara’s heart thumped, “What?”

“You heard me…another woman who can help me raise a family, so save yourself the stress and sign the d... papers. I need it tomorrow.” He turned around to leave again.

“She still can’t carry your baby.” Sara dropped.

“Not all women had abortions. Not every woman was like you.” He scorned.

“You are the one who can’t give me a child!” Sara let out, crying.

Lawson stopped now, turned around and walked towards her, “Whatever your plan is won’t work.”

“I told you I could never have a child because it’s you who can’t make me pregnant.”

“Shut up! Shut up, Sara! What the hell are you saying?” He shook her shoulders violently.

“You are infertile Lawson…the doctor says you have primary infertility…” Sara burst into tears.

Lawson gasped, losing his balance.

“Mother called me to give me the news. I was shattered, I felt like my world was over. But, more importantly, I thought of you. I thought of what the news could do to you, I thought of the best way to tell you. That was why I said I can never have children. Not because I can’t give birth to babies; but because I cant have them by you. Never for once did I think of leaving you. I bore your insults, your scorn, because of my past. It was so easy to judge me and think of yourself. I am the one who is hurting; I am the one who should bring some miserable divorce papers…but I thought of you…I thought of hope, faith and a miracle…I thought of my vow to you on that altar. In sickness and in health, remember?” She smiled through her tears, “All of a sudden, you are as weak as a baby…looking in your eyes, I can see you suddenly have lost all your guards, you are so wicked.”

“Sara…” Lawson fell on his knees, torn.

“No!” She quickly fell on her knees too, “No Lawson…” She couldn’t bear to see him cry.

“I’m…I’m infertile,” he cried, “What is left of me?” He searched his wife’s eyes.

“Lawson please…” she held his face, “I understand…it has been so hard for me…I have put myself in your shoes since the first day…”

“You don’t deserve this…you deserve better…I can’t believe I scorned you all along…please let me leave you.”

“No.” She shook her head, “You are my husband. I won’t leave you. I won’t let you leave me…I believe in miracles”

“I’m doomed…Sara I’m doomed…” He allowed his wife take him in her arms and he wept like a child on her shoulder.


In the Morning
Sara gently opened her eyes; looking beside her bed, it was empty. She quickly sat up on seeing a note on the bed. Hands shaking, she opened the letter to read:

Sara,

I cannot bear the shame. I have treated you so unfairly, yet you love me still. You are with me even in this condition of mine. To think that you knew all along and you never for once gave me a clue that it is my fault we are in this mess makes me so unworthy of you. I love you enough to let you build another life with a man who can make you happier.

I’m torn Sara, and all I ask is your forgiveness. I have always loved you and if you truly love me then please start your life over again – without me. I am truly sorry for disappointing you.

Lawson.

Sara couldn’t control the tears. She couldn’t think straight anymore. She picked her cell phone, shaking.

“Hello, Mr. Lawson’s office please”

“Hi Lola…” she cried, “Have you seen my husband today?”

“No…no ma’am, we’ve been expecting him at work. He has a presentation in 15 minutes.”

“Oh God…God…” Sara dipped her hand into her full hair.

“Everything ok, ma’am?”

“Thank you.” she ended the call.

She quickly got down from the bed and she ran into her car in her pyjamas. She dialled his mobile repeatedly as she drove…no answer.


At 2:00pm
She sped into Fred’s compound, a close friend to her husband.

“Fred!” she banged the door hastily until the door flung open.

“My God Sara, what’s wrong?” Fred held her.

“It’s…its Lawson…have you seen him? Is he here?”

“No…Haven’t heard from him in a week.”

“Oh God!” she held her hair.

“What’s wrong?”

She was already dashing away into her car.

“Sara!” He called after her.

She zoomed away.


4:30pm
“Mom, Dad, I can’t find Lawson…I can’t find your son…” she cried as she paced in front of the elderly couple who looked lost.

“You have to calm down and tell us what happened.” Lawson’s mother put her arms around Sara.

Sara burst into tears, “Please Dad could you try his number, maybe he’d pick your call?”

“Have you been to his office?” He picked his cell phone and dialled his son’s number.

“I have been everywhere I know him to likely be.”

“It’s ok…calm down please.” Lawson’s mother consoled her.

“He’s not picking. What exactly went wrong between you two?” Lawson’s father searched Sara’s eyes.


9:00pm
Sara was still in her pyjamas and on her way back home, exhausted and stuck in the traffic. She had told Lawson’s parents everything. The poor couple was so shattered and begged her to begin a new life. Sara buried her head on the steering, crying; she didn’t realize the green light was now on.

“Hey get off the freaking road!” a driver cursed from behind her.

“God please don’t let him harm himself…keep him safe and lead me to him…please God…” She quickly started the car and began to move.

Suddenly she remembered the church where they had wedded and took their vows. It was two hours from here; she made a u-turn and headed for the church hoping to find some solace there.

She got down from the car drenched and exhausted. She trudged into the open entrance of the church. She paused for a moment; shocked…it was Lawson sitting at the front row of the empty church, facing the altar.

“Lawson!” She began to run towards him, happy, relieved that he was ok.

“Sara?” He quickly stood as she approached him, “Sara…”

They both ran into each other’s arms. He hugged her so tightly.

“I looked for you everywhere….this was the last place I thought you’d ever be…I just came and I saw you…Lawson….I’m so happy you are ok.” she touched his face.

“I didn’t know where else to go…It just feels like I can’t face the world anymore…” he slowly released her from his embrace.

“Take my hand.” Sara stretched out her hand, “C’mon, just take it.”

Lawson gently clasped his hand into hers and she took him to the altar and stood to face him. She searched his eyes intently. She hadn’t seen him so weak and helpless.

“Five years ago Lawson, we both stood on this altar. Remember our vows? Remember you whispered in my ear never to leave you. I told you I wouldn’t…that’s why I’m here. I am your wife Lawson. I am meant to be with you forever, through the bad and good times. We’ve had good times, why would I leave you now? All I want from you is to believe that you can still give me a child despite what the result said. I want you to believe in a miracle.” She held his face, “Remember when you told me I was a miracle in your life? Our children will be our miracles too. Trust God with me because I know it won’t be long.”

“Who are you Sara…” Lawson was weakened by her words.

“The one who vowed to be with you till the end.” She smiled through her thin tears.

“God, I love you so much Sara.” He hugged her again.

“So will you come back home with me?” Sara searched his eyes.

“I have no other place to call home.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips.


2 Years After
Lawson and Sara were on the sofa watching a late night movie. Sara was resting on his shoulders when she felt the movement.

“Lawson, Lawson, it moved again…don’t miss it this time touch...touch.” She gently placed his palm on the side of her stomach. Both felt the movement of their child.

“I can feel him…I can feel him!” Lawson placed his head on her belly.

“I can feel him growing each day inside of me…”

“What do you think its saying now by this movement?”

“Thank you dada for believing in me.” She laughed. They both laughed.

“The movement has stopped.” He slowly removed his head from her stomach, “I think he’s sleeping.”

Sara rested on his shoulders again, “In six months you’d be a father, “You finally got your miracle.”

Lawson tilted his wife’s face to him, looking into her eyes, “Sara…you were the miracle I needed. Thank you for not leaving me.”

Sara tickled his nose with hers, “I love you too. Always will,” she smiled, “We missed a whole lot in our movie.”

“Movie can wait, but this can’t” He gently planted a kiss on her belly.

The End.

We forget our vows so easily, so quickly that once our marriages start hitting the rocks, we fail to realize that there is power in union. When there is union, every mountain can be subdued. The problem is people don’t yet fully understand the concept of marriage; until you do, please don’t go to the altar because what you don’t understand will eventually become a burden and confuse you.

The concept of marriage is ‘for better, for worse.’ The “worse” moments always come. Not that you should always expect bad things, it is a statement of fact that challenges come in marriage to make you stronger in oneness. so don’t use it against yourselves.

In addition, miracles are real and it is better we all learn to have the patience to wait until our miracles come. Always remember that marriage is a ‘stick and stay’ relationship, not a ‘hit and run.’

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Daily Dew is published by Sons of Issachar Concepts. To subscribe by email or read previous editions, visit www.daily-dew.com.

You can now download the Daily Dew app on your Blackberry device. Please click here: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/29262893

Please share with your loved ones. God bless You!

Author Unknown

If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. – Numbers 30:2

“I, Sarah Adams, take you Lawson Lawrence as my lawful wedded husband, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, till death do us part.” She smiled at him through her veil.

“You may now kiss your bride Mr. Lawson.” The Pastor beckoned.

Lawson’s heart raced as he gently unveiled his bride’s face. She looked so beautiful. He gently bent over and placed a soft kiss on her lip. Sarah in turn embraced him tightly with tears of joy streaming down her face.

“Never leave me, Sarah.” He whispered in her ear.

“I will never leave you.” She whispered and they slowly released themselves from the embrace.

“I present to you the latest couple!” The Pastor exclaimed excitedly.

The church cheered and Sarah cried more in her husband’s arms.


Five Years Later
Sarah silently tip toed behind her husband. He was in his study, engrossed in reading. She smiled to herself and gently covered his eyes with both hands.

“It’s just you and I in this house Sara. Plus, I smelled you the moment you walked in.” He said.

Sara released her hold, sighed and sat on the study table, “Why do you figure me out so easily? I can’t even surprise you! That sucks.” she curled her arms around his neck.

“You are my wife; nothing you do is supposed to surprise me.” He playfully pecked her nose.

“But you’ve been in the study all day and I’m bored!” She rolled her eyes.

“So what kind of fun do you suggest we have then?” He swooped her off the table in his arms.

“No! Not that kind of fun!” She hit him playfully until he put her down.

“Ok.” He folded his arms on his chest, looking into her eyes, “So what do you want us to do?”

“Not us. Actually, all I want is to play with your play station and you’ve hidden it again! Just give it and you can continue your reading. Pleaaaseee.” She blinked her eyes playfully.

“No way.” He went back toward his study chair and sat, “Not my play station.”

“Why! You never let me touch it…like it’s your baby.” She sulked.

“Well,” he rolled his eyes, “Not like you’ve given me a baby yet.”

Sara paused for a moment. Did he just say that to her? The words struck her deep down. “You shouldn’t have said that Lawson…” She managed to say, her countenance changing.

“But it’s true…I’m only saying the truth Sara.” He turned to face her, still sitting on the chair.

“The truth? You think I don’t want us to have kids?”

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that…” He stood to face her now.

“Then what are you saying Lawson? Tell me, what is the truth?”

“Let’s not do this today…please. You can have the play station and play all you want. It’s in my footwear locker and the key is in my Bible.”

“You always do this…hurting me with your words.” Her voice began to shake.

“Don’t start Sara, please.”

“Tell me why you said those words to me! I want to know!”

“Because I’m tired! I want to be a father! I want to have my own kids Sara…”

”And you think I don’t?!” Sara flared, trying not to let the tears pour.

“Then why can’t you get pregnant Sara? This is the fifth year we are trying.” He clenched his teeth and walked out of the study.

Sara was in shock. She sat on the chair for some seconds, stood up again and sat on the chair again…this time she held on to her blouse and burst into tears.


Two Weeks Later
“Lawson, wake up please.” Sara tapped him

Lawson gently opened his eyes and looked at the alarm clock by his bedside, “It’s 2:00am Sara…”

“It’s urgent.”

“I’m listening.” He said drowsily.

“Mother says we should come for tests. She says she’s spoken to her doctor and he said we should come.”

“What?” Lawson opened his eyes now, “Your mother is the UK for Christ’s sake!”

“Let’s just do it. We can go for the weekend; let’s just give it a shot, please.”

“No. That would be rather expensive and…”

“It’s my birthday today and the only thing I want from you is this trip.”

Lawson fell quiet now. For the past two years now, his wife’s birthday has been skipping his mind…totally.

“I’m…I’m sorry Sara…It skipped my mind…”

“It always does.” She lay down back on the bed, backing him.

Lawson wrapped his arms around her waist, “I said I’m sorry…”

No response.

Lawson sighed, “Fine, we go this weekend.”

“Really?” She turned sharply, excited.

“If it will make you happy today.”

“Thank you baby.” She hugged him.


A Week After
Sara jerked at the vibration of the phone in her pocket.

“Hi mom!” she pressed the phone to her ear with her shoulders, wiping the washed dishes with her hands.

“Honey…”

“What is it mom?” she pressed it harder.

“The result…the result of the tests…” her mother cried.

Sarah gently dropped the plate and the wiper, heart racing… ”Just say it mom…”


That Night
“I can never have children Lawson…” Sara cried.

Lawson felt his world crash right in front of him, “W…what?”

“Mama called today…she’s gotten the tests results.”

“Jesus Christ!” Lawson stood, placing his palm on his head, “B…but you told me you were okay before we got married. You told me the doctor said your abortion didn’t damage your womb.”

“Don’t bring my past into this!” Sara flared.

Lawson laughed and got serious almost immediately, “You are crazy. I married a crazy woman!”

Sara looked at him in shock, like he’d lost his mind.

“The results say you can never have children and we both know that this has to do with the abortion you had before we met!” he flared, “Are you happy? You know we’re screwed right? No kids? what re we going to tell the world?”

“Lawson we can adopt…” Sara cried.

“Adopt? Wow!” he laughed again, “I married a funny woman too!” He got serious again. “It’s still not our baby! The dxxx baby is not my flesh and blood! You are full of deceit Sara.” He looked into her eyes. Sara could see him fighting his tears.

“Lawson stop…you are hurting me…” Sara fell on her knees crying.

“You want to know what I’m thinking?” Lawson looked at her with disgust, “I’m thinking how on earth I’m going to stand seeing your deceitful face for the rest of my life.”

“Sara cried harder, “Don’t give up Lawson. So far I have a womb, I can still carry our baby…”

“I am not giving up on having my baby, I’m giving up on you.” Lawson turned around to leave.

“Lawson!” She held his feet, “I’m hurting too…”

He only dragged his feet from her hold and drove out of the house. She wept.

To be continued tomorrow...

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Daily Dew is published by Sons of Issachar Concepts. To subscribe by email or read previous editions, visit www.daily-dew.com.

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5 RELATIONSHIPS THAT COULD MAKE OR BREAK YOU (5)

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. – Acts 4:13

Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. – Acts 16:16-19

The fifth relationship we will consider under this series is the second part of work engagements, but our focus today will be on whom you work with/for. The personality of your employer or boss can also play a significant part in either you fare for better or worse in life.

Many people are fortunate to have worked with bosses who mentored them to greatness, or through whom they were able to find their own niches in life. On the other hand, many people have also ended up working for masters with negative or diabolical inclinations who left them worse off than they were before their involvement; that is if they left them at all.

Some employers of labour gained their wealth through ritual means and they have occultic covenants that they renew with the blood of their staff or staff’s relations. Some even tie down the destinies of their workers such that they would amount to nothing in life. There is usually an ascription of authority with every engagement between/among humans in a gathering, team or an organisation. The person whose leadership you submit to has some influence over you. That is why the Bible says, “by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage” (2 Peter 2:19).

In the case of the benevolent bosses, our first scriptural reference tells us the example of Jesus Christ, and how we was able to develop individuals that the society would normally regard as dregs into polished, learned and articulate fellows in the spate of three years. And by the time He was through with them, Peter, a erstwhile crude fishermen, could stand and address a learned council of synod with such confidence and elocution that they wondered where he got his aplomb from. Then they realised that he had been with Jesus. There is no better testimony to the abilities of any master than that.

In sharp contrast to that, we see the example of a repressive master in the second passage. A young girl whose spiritual problem was the perfect merchandise her masters needed for moneymaking purposes, and their source of income was guaranteed for as long as the girl remained in that oppressed state. Did you see their reaction immediately Paul delivered the girl of her demon possession? That is how possessive such oppressive masters can be and how violent they can get when anyone attempts to liberate their prey workers. It is not out of love for the worker, there are usually more at stake.

We trust that these two passages provide us with enough insight to help us realise how important we should take the issue of the organisations we apply to for jobs as well as whose authority we submit to as our boss or master. Such relationship can either make or break anyone.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Daily Dew is published by Sons of Issachar Concepts. To subscribe by email or read previous editions, visit www.daily-dew.com.

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The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand... Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. – Genesis 39:2-5

The fourth relationship we will consider, which has great impact potential, is the work engagements – particularly the persons you hire to work with you as an employer of labour or the persons that provide various forms of services to you.

In the passage above, we see how the advent of Joseph into Potiphar’s household marked a dramatic turn in the Egyptian’s fortune. Joseph was a man with God’s calling; therefore the LORD was with him wherever he was and in whatever he did. Although the physical circumstances of his status as a slave did not indicate so; but, like all divine endowment, he didn’t need to advertise before others started seeing the grace upon his life, as everything he did came out excellent. Then his blessing started to rub off on his immediate environments until it was obvious to all that what was happening on account of him was not a fluke.

This underscores the value of engaging persons who enjoy divine patronage to work with you or be on your team. The value such individuals bring to your table is usually massive. You may wonder how you would identify them; it is by praying to God for guidance so that you could see what He sees about each person in your consideration.

Inasmuch as it is important to engage such individuals for that extra divine grace on your business or other endeavours, it is more important to retain and not lose them to envy or internal politics. Potiphar was smart enough to promote Joseph as the overseer of all his affairs, thus leveraging on the divine aura he perceived on him rather than becoming threatened by it. Some not so wise employers/superiors would start to envy Joseph and antagonise him to their own destruction.

Also, it is not uncommon for such individuals to outshine their colleagues which may result in hatred and envious schemes by the aggrieved mates, and may culminate into putting the boss on the spot. It takes a lot of wisdom to handle this kind of development as well. Potiphar failed in this second regard, as he eventually lost Joseph to a higher authority due to his inability to discern between truth and intrigues.

Employees or subordinates like Joseph are better collaborated with for fruitful results, not isolated.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Daily Dew is published by Sons of Issachar Concepts. To subscribe by email or read previous editions, visit www.daily-dew.com.

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Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold... Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. – Genesis 13:1-2, 5-6

Some time later King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who was very wicked. Together they built a fleet of trading ships at the port of Ezion-geber. Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu from Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said, “Because you have allied yourself with King Ahaziah, the Lord will destroy your work.” So the ships met with disaster and never put out to sea. – 2 Chronicles 20:35-37 (NLT)

The two scriptures above are self-explanatory in their moral. Thus, the third category of relationship we will meditate on today, in line with its ability to make or break, push up or pull down, is business relationships or strategic alliances.

God is very interested in the details of our lives. He wants us to marry a good spouse, maintain quality friendships and build successful businesses. But He is also particular about what we do in all of these and with whom we do them because, inasmuch as He is eager to bless us and prosper the works of our hands, we can restrain Him by the choices we make which contravene His counsel and expectations as spelt out in the Holy Bible.

In the first scripture, Lot was very fortunate to have pitched his tent with Abraham, a man favoured by God. In no time, he changed from being a helpless dependant into a prosperous fellow as the blessings of Abraham rubbed off on him in no small measure.

On the other hand, Jehosphaphat who was one of the star kings in the Bible got it wrong in business/strategic alliance. He went into a partnership with Ahaziah, a man despised by God, and the venture proved ruinous with attendant loss of money and other valuables, as God scuttled it. Now, Jehosphaphat was a righteous king with a good testimony before God, but his right standing could not make up for the wrongness of his partner/ally, who was a time bomb waiting to explode – as God had intended to punish him for his misdeeds.

These two examples should help us see why it is very important to seek the face of God before we commit self and resources into a venture with anyone, so that we can have a fruitful show for it and not end up fetching water with a hole-ridden basket.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Daily Dew is published by Sons of Issachar Concepts. To subscribe by email or read previous editions, visit www.daily-dew.com.

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Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul. – Proverbs 27:9 (MSG)

Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you...I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all – Mark 2:3-5, 11-12

The second type of relationship with potential to affect any individual for good or for evil is friendship. Just like marriage, the kind of friends you keep, to an extent, determines how you fare in life. Friendship is one of the best indicators of your smartness; it is also a factor in how you are perceived by people. A popular maxim says, “Show me your friend and I will tell you the kind of person you are.” If you have quality friends, they will influence you positively; but if your friends are of the run-of-the-mill stock, they will rub off on you for not too noble ends.

In this fast-paced age, the word “friendship” is fast becoming synonymous with the term, “network:” that is the number of persons you maintain informal relationships with and whose friendship could bring you benefits ranging from jobs, business opportunities, and so on.

The passage above teaches us an important value of friendship: selflessness. The friends of this paralytic man seized the initiative of carrying him to the solution to his problem – Jesus, not minding the inconveniences of his weight and the distance they had to travel to do so. When they got there and couldn’t enter the house Jesus was, they did not give up and promise to bring him some other time. Rather, they forced their way to the solution – the presence of Jesus – by climbing through the roof.

Interestingly, the Bible recalls that Jesus appreciated their efforts – “He saw their faith” – and that was all He needed to stop what He was doing to attend to the man.

The question to ask yourself always, which should be your litmus test for measuring who your real friends are is, ‘Where are my friends taking me? Are they taking me to Jesus (the solution) or drawing me away from Him (the solution)?’ Your honest answer to these questions would help you ascertain which friendship you should cultivate and which you should severe.

The Bible says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17). Therefore, any friendship that is not helping you to become better or whom you are not helping to be better should be reviewed for relevance.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up. – 1 Kings 21:25

The first type of relationship with great potential to make or break anyone is marriage, particularly the choice of spouse that you say, “I do” to. Marital relationship is crucial to your balance and overall performance as an individual. You are as successful to the degree of cooperation you receive from your spouse. Based on his/her constitution, your spouse largely influences the thrust of your pursuits; when they are keen, you are also keen. But when they are not, you tend to doubt the workability of your ideas, and that may slow you down.

Marriage is a fundamental aspect of life. It is also a catalyst that colours and determines the thrust of your bearing in other areas of life – professional, social, academic, spiritual, emotional, etc. You are as settled in all these to the extent that your home is settled. And the portrait of your home is in direct relation to the personality of your spouse – cantankerous, reticent, ambitious, laid back, driven, carefree, focused, disciplined, scattered, spiritual, social, ethical, morally lax, sociable, introverted, thorough, superficial, and other value systems that your spouse espouses and to what extent.

From the passage above, we can see that even if Ahab wasn’t so bent on evil, the influence of his wife who “stirred him up” left him with little options to do otherwise. The Bible is replete with several examples of spousal factors in the determination of how one fares in life, so is our contemporary world. Solomon’s wives turned his heart away from the LORD and positioned him for divine retribution (1 Kings 11:4-9); Samson was ruined because of the kind of woman he married. Korah, Achan, and Ananias brought sudden death upon their wives and households because of their wrong choices. Abigail saved her husband and household from certain death (1 Samuel 25); Zipporah rescued Moses from being killed by God (Exodus 4:24-26). And Mary might not have been chosen to mother Jesus if she wasn’t married to a descendant of Judah, particularly from David’s lineage. These are all pointers to the sensitivity of the choice of person you decide to spend the rest of your life with in marriage.

Marriage is something that should be approached with lots of fervent prayers for divine direction, as it is a destiny issue. Your spouse is your first destiny partner, and s/he can either fast-track, slow down or even stagnate you. That is on the light side; at the extreme, many people have had their lives cut short directly by their spouse or indirectly through their spouse’s choices or misdeeds. If you marry an unbeliever, the devil is your father-in-law.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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TRIALS
Author Unknown

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. - James 1:2-4

There was a blacksmith who gave his heart to God. Though conscientious in his living, still he was not prospering materially. In fact, it seemed that from the time of his conversion, he had more trouble, affliction and loss than ever before. Everything seemed to be going wrong.

One day, a friend who was not a Christian stopped at his shop to talk to him. Sympathizing with him in some of his trials, the friend said. "It seems strange to me that so much affliction should come to you just at the time when you have become an earnest Christian. Of course, I don't want to weaken your faith in God or anything like that. But here you are, with God's help and guidance, and yet things seem to be getting steadily worse. I can't help wondering why it is so."

The blacksmith did not answer immediately. Finally, he said, "You see here the raw iron which I have to make into horse's shoes. You know what I do with it? I take a piece and heat it in the fire until it is red, almost white with the heat. Then I hammer it unmercifully, to shape it as I know it should be shaped. Then I plunge it into a pail of cold water to temper it. Then I heat it again and hammer it some more. And this I do until it is finished."

"But sometimes I find a piece of iron that won't stand up under this treatment. The heat and the hammering and the cold water are too much for it. I don't know why it fails in the process, but I know it will never make a good horse's shoe."

He pointed to a heap of scrap iron that was near the door of his shop. "When I get a piece that cannot take the shape and temper, I throw it out on the scrap heap. It will never be good for anything." He went on, "I know that God has been holding me in the fires of affliction and I have felt His hammer upon me. But I don't mind, if only He can bring me to what I should be.

“So, in all these hardships my prayer is simply this: Try me in any way you wish, Lord; only don't throw me on the scrap heap.”

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

[Watch out from Monday as we meditate on 5 Critical Relationships That Can Make or Mar You]

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Author Unknown

So we have been sent to speak for Christ. It is like God is calling to people through us. – 2 Corinthians 5:20 (ERV)

Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area.

When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, “You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.”

Then he thought, “Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.”

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, “Here, you gave me too much change...”

The driver, with a smile, replied, “Aren't you the new preacher in town?”

“Yes,” he replied.

“Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday.”

When the preacher stepped off the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and groaned, “Oh God! I almost sold your Son for a quarter!”

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard – and remember – you carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself 'Christian.'

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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Then came the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher...And they stood before Moses, before Eleazar the priest, and before the leaders and all the congregation, by the doorway of the tabernacle of meeting, saying: “Our father died in the wilderness; but he was not in the company of those who gathered together against the Lord, in company with Korah, but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons. Why should the name of our father be removed from among his family because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father’s brothers.” So Moses brought their case before the Lord. - Numbers 27:1-5

The third insight for our meditation from this passage is a leadership lesson; particularly the leadership style of Moses. Two lessons stand out from this. Firstly, he was an accommodating leader and was not high-handed in his reception of the daughters of Zelophehad nor dismissed their request as women’s talk. Rather, he welcomed and heard them out.

While this may not seem like a big deal, it is. Many persons at the helms of human endeavours – politics, business, religion, and other affairs – are more interested in downloading what they have to say than hearing out the people they are leading. The hospitality threshold of many leaders is very thin, and they are only at their indulgent best when they are in the glare of public eyes. Move closer or watch them at a close range and you will shocked at what you see. Moses wasn’t that way.

The second lesson is the humility of Moses. He did not make out to have an immediate answer to the request of the daughters of Zelophehad. He must have requested for time and then took their matter to God for counsel. This show of humility is not common in these days of super, all-knowing leaders who make as if they have at their fingertips the solution to all the problems humankind.

It requires humility on the part of a leader not to try to show or prove to his people that he has all the answers to their questions at the asking. It takes a great leader to consult God on knotty matters rather than show bravado and act in error. Moses was that kind of leader; and that is how you ought to be.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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Then came the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher...And they stood before Moses, before Eleazar the priest, and before the leaders and all the congregation, by the doorway of the tabernacle of meeting, saying: “Our father died in the wilderness; but he was not in the company of those who gathered together against the Lord, in company with Korah, but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons. Why should the name of our father be removed from among his family because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father’s brothers.” So Moses brought their case before the Lord. - Numbers 27:1-5

The second lesson for our meditation from this passage is the legacy of the man called Zelophehad, whose five daughters tabled their case before Moses and the elders of Israel.

The first striking lesson about Zelophehad was that he had a good testimony. See what his children said about him, “Our father died in the wilderness; but he was not in the company of those who gathered together against the Lord, in company with Korah, but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons. Why should the name of our father be removed from among his family because he had no son?”

Zelophehad conducted himself in a proper manner during his lifetime such that his daughters could publicly defend his integrity without anyone disputing them. At a time when Moses and Aaron seemed like the villain and the other priests of Levi’s lineage, led by Korah, felt that they knew better and could commune with God more effectively, Zelophehad did not join them. He respected the authority of Moses and Aaron and refrained from toeing the path of rebellion as his peers. He was man enough to stand his ground and did not allow himself to be influenced by peer pressure or to do what everyone else was doing.

He must have also been a very good father too who allowed his female children to grow in an atmosphere of freedom and respect, without making them feel less human because they were not boys. He must have given them the same affection and discipline he would have invested in raising a male child, that was why they grew up to appreciate themselves and to demand for what was theirs in such matured manner.

Zelophehad did well as a father, faring better than some notable father figures in the Bible. He died a righteous man and gave his children the chance to talk. Moreso, he left a name that his children were eager to continue. We should learn from his example.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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Then came the daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher...And they stood before Moses, before Eleazar the priest, and before the leaders and all the congregation, by the doorway of the tabernacle of meeting, saying: “Our father died in the wilderness; but he was not in the company of those who gathered together against the Lord, in company with Korah, but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons. Why should the name of our father be removed from among his family because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father’s brothers.” So Moses brought their case before the Lord. - Numbers 27:1-5

There are three lessons for our meditation from this passage: firstly, there is the forthrightness of the daughters of Zelophehad whom, finding themselves disadvantaged by the traditions of their patriarchal society, did not accept the disadvantage as a fact and bemoan their lot in silence.

By virtue of the traditions, inheritance was supposed to be shared among the male children in the family. But in the case of Zelophehad, he had no male child to whom all his belongings would go. He only had five daughters who were not eligible to inherit their father’s heirloom.

However, rather than resort to murmuring and castigating God and men for their chauvinism, Zelophehad’s daughters stepped out and made a dispassionate case as to why they should be given their father’s property. This proved to be a remarkable landmark in Israel as it signalled a new era in allotting inheritance.

There are certain blessings that can only be released to you after you set out of your comfort zone, challenge the status go and demand for it.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD...And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook. Now when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, “What does the sound of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” Then they understood that the ark of the LORD had come into the camp. So the Philistines were afraid, for they said, “God has come into the camp!” And they said, “Woe to us! For such a thing has never happened before....Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. Be strong and conduct yourselves like men, you Philistines, that you do not become servants of the Hebrews...Conduct yourselves like men, and fight!” So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and every man fled to his tent. There was a very great slaughter, and there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers. - 1 Samuel 4:1-11

The third lesson derived from the passage above, which will form the basis of our meditation today, is that self-motivation is required to prevail in the battles of life.

If the Philistines had given up and withdrawn from the battle after hearing that the Ark was brought into the Israelites’ camp – especially considering the terrible things they had heard that God did to the Egyptians and those who dared to cross the Israelites’ path – then they wouldn’t have known that they could in fact win that war. They would have fled and never got to savour the victory that was awaiting them.

But they encouraged themselves to go ahead and fight, despite the odds; and they won the battle.

Therefore, it is usually not what is happening at the other side that determines the outcome of a matter. Oftentimes, it is what is happening at your side that does. What you are telling yourself? Are you psyching yourself up for the challenge or talking yourself out of contention? What you are doing? How you are preparing? These are what really matter and determine the result you get in most cases.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD...And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook. Now when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, “What does the sound of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” Then they understood that the ark of the LORD had come into the camp. So the Philistines were afraid, for they said, “God has come into the camp!” And they said, “Woe to us! For such a thing has never happened before....Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. Be strong and conduct yourselves like men, you Philistines, that you do not become servants of the Hebrews...Conduct yourselves like men, and fight!” So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and every man fled to his tent. There was a very great slaughter, and there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers. Also the ark of God was captured; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died. - 1 Samuel 4:1-11

Another lesson for our meditation from the passage above is that, the fact that you invite God into an endeavour before stating, or at any stage of it, does not guarantee that it is going to succeed.

From our reference scripture, we can see that both Israelites and the Philistines had different false hopes. The Israelites were jubilant that the presence of God, symbolised by the Ark of Covenant, was now with them. So they were very confident that they would overrun their enemies in battle. The Philistines, on the other hand, were fretful that the end had come for them, since the Israelites now had God’s presence, which had wrought great havocs on their adversaries in times past. So they were not looking forward to taking them on in battle – they just had to fight.

Both parties were proved wrong by ensuing events, as the confident Israelites were routed, slaughtered and captured by the fretful Philistines. Now what could have gone wrong for the Israelites? Why couldn’t they defeat their enemies even with the presence of God in their midst?

The answer is simple: if the persons involved do not have a relationship with God and are not in a right standing in His sight, the name of Jesus which makes all knees bow will be a mere mouthing, and the Ark - whatever it represents to them - will just be another article of furniture.

Therefore, that you have invited God into a venture does not guarantee its success if you are not right with Him. Also, a project can carry the name of God and still fail if the people behind it are not aligned with Him. If God does not have your heart, He cannot take up your fight.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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Author Unknown

For there is hope for a tree, If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And that its tender shoots will not cease. - Job 14:7

One day I decided to quit – quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality. I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" His answer surprised me.

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. However, I did not quit on the bamboo.

“In the second year, the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. Again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In year three, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. The same in year four.

“Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.

“Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo…I will never quit on you.

"Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose from the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high."

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest, realizing that God will never give up on me.

And He will never give up on you.

Never regret a day in your life. Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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- Author Unknown

To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. - Job 6:14

Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. It was a cowboy's life, a life for someone who wanted no boss. What I didn't realize was that it was also a ministry. Because I drove the night shift, my cab became a moving confessional. Passengers climbed in, sat behind me in total anonymity, and told me about their lives. I encountered people whose lives amazed me, ennobled me, made me laugh and weep. But none touched me more than a woman I picked up late one August night.

I was responding to a call from a small brick fourplex in a quiet part of town. I assumed I was being sent to pick up some partiers, or someone who had just had a fight with a lover, or a worker heading to an early shift at some factory for the industrial part of town.

When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away. But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the door and knocked.

"Just a minute," answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.

"It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated".

"Oh, you're such a good boy", she said. When we got in the cab, she gave me and address, then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?" "It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly. "Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have very long."

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the neighbourhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now."

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair. "How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.

"Nothing," I said. "You have to make a living," she answered.

"There are other passengers," I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly. "You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you." I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life. We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But great moments often catch us unaware--beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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