Fixed Right

Text: Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 50:15; Romans 8:18

I once heard a story of a preacher who had a son disturbing him while he was preparing a Sunday sermon which was the next day. In order to distract the son so he could focus, he picked a magazine and tore a sheet. On the front page of the sheet was a world map while behind the page was a man’s figure. So he tore the world map into bits and said to his son: “fix the world map back.”

The father was happy as he felt it would take the son long hours to do so, giving him more time for his work. In ten minutes the son was back. “What else do you want again? The father asked. “I’m through”, the son replied. “How were you able to finish in ten minutes”, the father asked in astonishment.

“I figured out that if I fix the image of the man right at the other side, the world will also be fixed right on this side”, the son replied. The preacher made a deep sigh as he finally got a sermon – when a man is fixed right, his world will be right.

You can only be right by accepting Jesus’ righteousness and living it out. This is the only way for your world to be fixed well. So fix your world right by living right today.

*** Written by Onyezia C. Amanda | Malibet Digest ***

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In Spite Of Them

Text: John 15:18-27

Key Verse: But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, they hated me without a cause (John 15:25)

The service of God Almighty demands cross-bearing. And in this solemn address to His disciples, Jesus made it clear that temptations, trials and persecution would attend our sojourn on earth. He pointed out to them that they needed not the applause of men, stressing that since He was hated of the world, they would also be hated.

He made it clear that if they could so treat Him despitefully, the disciples must be prepared for more humiliation. Although He came to the world and rendered selfless service to humanity, the world still hated Him without a cause.

From the above text, being a Christian exposes one to attacks from haters of the Gospel. Believers who are not aware of the manipulations of the devil often misinterpret the source of their problems. God may allow a believer to pass through some trials in the hands of the evil men. It is not a sign of weakness or as though God cannot deliver His own. The believer ought to know that “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).”

Believers are to count the cost of their determination to serve the Lord. Following Christ is fraught with challenges, but with courage and determination, we shall make it to the end. Whatever trials we may be passing through; whatever afflictions and persecutions we may be experiencing, we must realize that our Redeemer and Captain also suffered.

Moreover, in times of adversity, we must not give in to self-pity and regret. We must commit all things to God who judges righteously. All we need to do is to keep praying, trusting and believing that He who keeps us never sleeps or slumbers.

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How Much More

Text: Luke 11:11-13; Philippians 4:19; Romans 8:32

Key Verse: “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matt. 7:11)

Would you, as a parent, plan, purpose, and will for your children to go through life poverty-stricken, sick, downtrodden, downcast, down-and-out, with their nose to the grindstone? No! Assuredly not!

My younger brother had a difficult time getting his education. Our father left when this brother was only six months old. He graduated from high school during the Depression by working the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift at a local cotton mill and then going to school immediately after work.

In time, this brother married, had a son, and became a very successful businessman. He said to me – and I guess this has been a driving force in my brother’s life – “I’d rather let my boy die now than to have it like I had it. But I’m going to see to it that he doesn’t have it rough like I did.”

My brother worked hard to provide a better life for his family than he had known growing up. Just looking at it from the natural standpoint, he did all this because he loved them. And that’s what Jesus meant when He said that if natural men know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will our loving Heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him!

*** Written by Kenneth Hagin | www.hopefaithprayer.com ***

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The Word Will Change Your Circumstances

Text: Romans 1:16; Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 107:20-30

Key Verse: “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Psalm 107:20)

A pastor friend of mine once said to the Lord, “Lord, You know I believe in divine healing, but no one in my church is receiving. What’s the matter?”

The Lord said to him, “Why don’t you preach on it?”

So he started preaching on divine healing, and his whole church got healed.

Before, nearly all of them were sick. But they all got healed. That’s what happens when the Word of God is preached. The Word of God is what does the work.

We are affected by the words we hear – whether it’s truth or untruth. You could listen to someone who is worried and oppressed talk and when you left his presence, you’d feel oppressed yourself. Some people are so full of doubt and unbelief that the very atmosphere around them is charged with darkness. That kind of atmosphere is created by words.

Thank God for the Word of God! His Word is His will. Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Let’s talk about the Word of God. Let’s talk about healing from the standpoint of God’s Word.

*** Written by Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin | www.hopefaithprayer.com ***

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God's Love Never Quits

Text: Lamentations 3:22-23; 1 Peter 5:7; Hebrews 4;16

“But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth” (Psalm 86:15)

Have you ever just felt like giving up?  Just saying, “Forget it!  It’s not worth it anymore!” Maybe you said it about a promotion you were working towards.  Maybe you said it about college classes.  Maybe you said it about a difficult project you were working on.  Life sure brings challenges, and sometimes we are just ready to give up and quit.

Quitting is a part of our human nature. Make no mistake about it. However, quitting will never be part of God’s nature. I’m so glad of that!  I have given God plenty of opportunities to say, “Forget it! Scott’s not worth my trouble anymore! He doesn’t deserve my love!” But God could never say that, praise His name! God’s love never quits!

I’m not the only person who gave God a good reason to give up on them. The bible is full of people who failed God.  Here’s a few that you know about:  Adam and Eve – violated God’s one restriction, Noah – became drunk and lay naked before his family, Abraham – lied about his wife and didn’t believe God’s word that He would give him a son, Moses – murdered and lost his temper, David – committed adultery, Jonah – refused to take God’s message to Nineveh, Peter – denied Jesus three times!

Despite our failures and faults, despite the fact that we so often make mistakes, and despite the fact that we have, at times, quit on God…God has never and will never quit loving you and I! He is committed and compassionate about His love for us. Rest in that my friends! And while we’re at it, let’s do a better job of continuously serving and living for the One who loves us unconditionally!

*** Written by Scott Helton | www.bethelbaptistmorristown.org ***

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Didn't Jesus Turn Water Into Wine?

Text John 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 10:23

Are you of the school of thought promoting this notion of wine being a proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy? Well, I beg to differ.

Of course He did turn water to wine but it's no basis for wine to enslave you. Alas, it rips my heart to know that even Christendom today misses it in this regard but I do not claim to know it all.

So many professing Christians give the John 2:1-11 account as a justification to gratify their alcoholic gluttony, failing to realize that God is not an author of confusion and doesn't contradict Himself. Though He created wine for a purpose, He knows the effects of it and that is why He warned us before hand in His Word (Bible) to desist from it.

Have this in mind that every miracle Jesus did was symbolic and shouldn't be examined on the surface. The water to wine miracle elucidates the gracious power of God to rescue from shame and disgrace in dire times of need and trial.

Imagine it's your wedding or your daughter's or someone close to you and you are in charge of the organizing and all. Dignitaries, friends, well-wishers, relatives and even foes have been invited to the occasion. Suddenly, you run out of stock of food and drinks and the reception had barely started, having no other avenues to refill the stock. You can imagine the scenario.

There was the Saviour, Jesus Christ, saving the day by providing what was needed at its best quality. This is what we should hold on to in this account and not to justify wine drinking. You may want to make reference to 2 Timothy 5:23 where Apostle Paul urged Timothy to take a little wine? But is that the end of the story? Of course not; Timothy had to use it as cure for his frequent illness. If indeed you too are sick as Timothy was, should wine now take the place of praying for healing or seeing a doctor when necessary?

"Harlotry and wine and new wine take away the heart and the mind and the spiritual understanding" (Hosea 4:11). This is a profound wisdom God wanted us to get that He made this known in His Word. In Isaiah 28:7, it was wine that led the priest and the prophets astray from the path of righteousness. And for God so love the world that He gave us this warning so as not to err and miss His promises for us.

For Lot's daughters to have their father fulfill their heinous intents, they had to fetter him with wine (Genesis 19:31-33). King Ahasuerus misbehaved and sent his wife away under the influence of wine (Esther 1:1-18). These are incidents God doesn't want to occur in the lives of any of His children and has given a clear path to follow.

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler; and whoever errs or reels because of it is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1).  Enslaving yourself to wine brings sorrow, woe, wounds without cause and dimness of eyes that precedes a fall and embarrassment. "It bites like a serpent and strings like an adder" (Proverbs 23:29-35). If anyone claims to be wise but bows to the supremacy of wine, he is but a liar and dead to reality.

Apostle Paul said, "All things are legitimate (permissible – and we are free to do anything we please), but not all things are helpful. All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive (to character) and edifying (to spiritual life)" (1 Corinthians 10:23; 6-12). Wine intake may be lawful but not profitable for the spirit man. And "if we live by the (Holy) Spirit, let us also walk by the (Holy) Spirit…" doing away with the things of the flesh.

Don't be misguided and misled on this issue of wine and drinking. The Bible frowns at it, God forbids it and Jesus Christ, our Master, didn't do it. Why then must you engage in it? False prophets have risen among us, spreading erroneous messages and misconstruing the Bible and those with feeble minds fall for it.

Now more than ever, we as believers of Christ have to get closer to our Master to know Him more and know all of His instructions on varied issues of life. We have to grow from "milk taking for the unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness and start eating solid food (meat of the Word) (Hebrews 5:12-14).

Don't be deceived! So many have erred from the faith by being unskilled and ignorant of the ordinances of God. You shouldn't be the next victim of the devil. "Don't perish for lack of knowledge". The Bible is not a novel to keep and read at convenience. It is the Word of Life that can save, sanctify and transform. Read it, study it, meditate on it, spend time with it, and understand 'THE TRUTH'.

With these few points, I believe I have been able to debunk the notion of the first picture above. And for those who are already enslaved by wine and need to quit drinking entirely, Jesus remains the only answer. His blood will miraculously deliver you from alcohol addiction more than any rehabilitation center can do.

*** Written by Jacobs Adewale (Admin) ***

Feel free to share, leave your comments, reactions and suggestions. We would love to hear from you.

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Life, Not Religion

Text: Jeremiah 9:1-11

Key Verse: “Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:6)

Israel had been a backslidden nation. Several years back, a righteous king, Josiah, had arrived the stage with sweeping reforms to restore righteousness in the land. He enthroned true worship by removing the idolatrous priest who had been burning incense in high places at the instance of the past kings of Judah.

He broke in pieces the images of idol and drove away the workers with familiar spirits and wizards to enable the people return to the true God and His worship. Sadly, at the death of King Josiah, the people returned to their old ways.

In the text above, Prophet Jeremiah itemized the abominations prevalent in Israel for which God was not pleased. The prophet said that the people were “all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men” (Verse 2).

Today, our society is in the same lamentable situation Israel was at that time. There is corruption in high and low places, idolatry of all kinds, and immorality is at its peak. The values that were held sacrosanct years ago have been thrown overboard. Even in unlikely places, worship centers, evil abound. These things that made Jeremiah shed tears are also the concern of genuine men of God today who labour day and night to draw men from the scourge of sin.

The redeemed of the Lord must warn sinners of the imminent judgment of God as did Jeremiah. The purity of one’s Christian faith should be seen by doing what is right; loving others and ceasing from sin. So, the practice of the Christian faith must not be limited to a mere church attendance. Our changed lives must be righteous and holy, as sure signpost for others to take after.

Thought For You: The reality of man’s religion is evident in his character

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On The Other Side

Text: John 14:1-4; Rev. 22:12; Titus 2:13

A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."

Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."

"You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side of which came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing...I know my Master is there and that is enough."

*** Author unknown | culled from www.sunnyskyz.com ***

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He Meets All Needs

Text: Mark 8:5-9

Key Verse: “So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets” (Mark 8:8)

A global increase in population, especially in developing nations with rising prices of goods, is a serious threat to survival. Severe drought in numerous nations of Africa has made many families to go hungry or at least compromised their diets. In the midst of hunger and scarcity, God has always provided for those who trust His ability to change difficult situations and provide their needs.

The text above focuses on the compassionate nature of Christ to always find enduring solution to the plight of those who come to Him. The preceding chapter captures different categories of people with diverse ailment and challenges who were healed and delivered. They were astonished beyond measure “saying, He hath done all things well: He maketh both the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak” (Mark 7:37). Christ provided food for the hungry and fainting people, to support them and to sustain the spiritual blessings they had received.

Sometimes, we ignore the physical needs of others in pursuit of the spiritual alone. Yet, the two are necessary. Although the multitude did not complain or tell Jesus of their hunger, He nevertheless, recognized the need and supplied food. Sometimes, we are too slow to recognize people’s needs, and even when we do, nothing is done about it.

Are there hungry people in your local church? You may not be able to heal the sick but you can provide something for somebody in your local assembly. Identify a needy person today and allow the compassion of God to move you to meet their needs and lighten their burden. On that score, you will be a true follower of Christ.

God cares for every minute detail of our lives. He is not too busy with important matters alone; He is also interested in every minor or major area of our lives. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Though for You: Christ will supply all your needs, if you trust Him.

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The Practicality Of Love

Text: 1 Corinthians 13; John 15:13; Isaiah 53:1-12

Mr. James Dillingham ("Young Jim") and his wife, Della, are a couple living in a modest apartment. They have only two possessions between them in which they take pride: Della's beautiful long, flowing hair, almost to her knees, and Jim's shiny gold watch, which had belonged to his father and grandfather.

On Christmas Eve, with only $1.87 in hand, and desperate to find a gift for Jim, Della sells her hair for $20 to a nearby hairdresser named Madame Sofronie, and eventually finds a platinum pocket watch fob chain for Jim's watch for $21. Satisfied with the perfect gift for Jim, Della runs home and begins to prepare pork chops for dinner.

At 7 o'clock, Della sits at a table near the door, waiting for Jim to come home. Unusually late, Jim walks in and immediately stops short at the sight of Della, who had previously prayed that she was still pretty to Jim.

Della then admits to Jim that she sold her hair to buy him his present. Jim gives Della her present – an assortment of expensive hair accessories (referred to as “The Combs”), useless now that her hair is short. Della then shows Jim the chain she bought for him, to which Jim says he sold his watch to get the money to buy her combs.

Although Jim and Della are now left with gifts that neither one can use, they realize how far they are willing to go to show their love for each other, and how priceless their love really is.

This evergreen story by William Sydney Porter in “The Gift of the Magi” holds the fact that nothing beats the practicality and power of love. Love that’s genuine, unprejudiced and undiluted is beautiful and knows no bound. Such did our Lord Jesus evinced at the Cross of Calvary.

Though, Jim and Della displayed love that “bears all things and seeks not her own”, the love of Christ surpasses it all. He gave His life that we might be saved while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). “He was bruised for our iniquities; He carried our sorrows, He was despised and we esteemed Him not” (Isaiah 53:3).

Love is only meaningful when not in words but in deed and truth (1 John 3:18). “And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).

*** Story from “The Gift of the Magi” by William Sydney Porter ***

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Plans Interrupted

Text: Psalm 143:1-12; 1 Corinthians 10:13

Life is like a road map. The plans we make to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives can be compared to the highways we take to reach a certain destination. Sometimes there are roadblocks and detours on these roads and signs are posted pointing the driver in another direction. Granted, the roads on the detour are not as well kept and maintained as the main highway and in truth, it can be a pretty rough ride. It is a fact of life that we all have to travel on this road, some more than others, and wisdom would dictate that we be prepared and know what to do when we encounter life’s detours.

So here we are going down life’s highway and for the moment everything is nice and smooth. Suddenly, without warning, our plans get interrupted and we are jerked onto a secondary, bumpy road that is full of crumbling blacktop, gravel, and potholes. We have no idea where we are or what lies ahead. We are in unfamiliar territory and we know not what to do.

On some detours the signs are far and few in between and you are tempted to wonder if you’ve missed the arrow sign somewhere behind you. Your mind is cloudy and you don’t know what to do or where to turn. You don’t have time to take out a calculator and figure things out and you can’t stop and pray for two hours. What happens next all depends on what’s inside of you.

The key to reaching your destination is to be mature when you come upon that detour sign. There is a time frame between this moment and the time you emerge back onto the main highway. It is during this detour when all the forces of the enemy seem to lash out against you. You need help and Psalm 89:19 says that God gives help to one who is mighty!

If you are mature you will trust God with all your heart and lean not on your understanding and if not you’ll probably panic. Let’s look now at some verses from Psalm 143, a prayer David wrote when his plans got interrupted. Twice David seems to start to panic but quickly overcomes this with trust in his Lord.

Verses 1a, 3, 4 says: “Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications.” Notice this is plural. He had more than one request. Don’t we all? “For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me dwell in darkness like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is distressed.”

Have you ever had a day like this? For most believers this type of day would be called “normal”. Your plans will probably get interrupted 80-90% of the time and when they do try to follow David’s example here in Psalm 143. His plans got interrupted and the first thing he did was go to God in prayer. His is always a good place to start. Psalm 146:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” A mature Christian is a praying Christian who knows where his help comes from.

David began his prayer by telling God the situation he was in. Here is a very, very important point. Always be honest with God. Tell Him how you feel. Make known what’s on your heart. What some people call “faith” God calls “lying.” Be real! If you’re hurting, tell Him you’re hurting. If you’re mad at Him, tell Him you’re mad at Him. After all, He knows it anyway.

If the enemy has got you down, then be like David and tell God he’s got you down. When a person goes to the doctor he doesn’t say everything is great in an effort to be “spiritual.” No, he tells the doctor what is wrong so he can get the proper treatment. Success is dealing with a situation as it is and not as it’s supposed to be. A mature Christian is a believer who is always honest with himself, with others, and especially with God. Listen to what David says next.

Verse 5: “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all your works; I muse on the work of Your hands.” Most of Satan’s attacks are in the area of the mind for this is where doubt and fear reside. David counters these attacks by focusing on the faithfulness of God in times past. In other words, he took his mind off his problem.

A fact in life is the more you meditate on something the bigger it gets. Your problems seem to get bigger than God if all you do is talk about and meditate on them. That’s a powerful truth. David chose the right move. He meditated on God. All believers must do the same when their plans get interrupted. God’s faithfulness yesterday will cause them to trust Him today and tomorrow.

Verse 7a says: “Answer me speedily, O Lord; my spirit fails!” Once again David gets honest with God and panic appears to be knocking at his door. No place in scripture are we promised an easy life. On the contrary, Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation…” (John 16:33). Many of the storms of life bring with it a sense of desperation where we don’t think we can go on any further unless God intervenes. But in order for Him to do so there is one thing we must do first and David tells us what it is in the following verse.

Verse 8a: “Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning, for in You do I trust…” Here is the key to getting all your problems solved. Wake up trusting God! When your plans get interrupted and you don’t know what to do… trust God! Learn to wake up each morning and begin the day by putting your trust in the God Who created the heavens and the earth.

Verse 8b continues, “Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you.” When you don’t know what to do, trust God and He’ll show you what to do. Listen to Him. Push your problems aside and get before the Lord. The importance of trust cannot be overemphasized.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” A mature Christian is one who puts their trust in God no matter what the circumstances of life may bring.

Psalm 143 was the heart cry of David at a time when his plans got interrupted. Notice that it began with prayer but ended in trust. The importance of prayer is a vital necessity in the life of any believer. However, there comes a time when you have to stop praying and start trusting. Why pray a second time for something you believed you received when you initially prayed? Make your prayer request known and then start trusting the One whose business it is to bring fulfillment to faith-filled prayers.

The surest way to trust God is to have an extensive past history of answered prayer. The more a believer prays with faith and trusts God, the more they will see the manifestation of answered prayer. This in turn will make it easier for the believer to trust God the next time a trial causes their plans to get interrupted.

Let’s face it; very rarely do new problems rise up on the path we travel on. 1 Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened to you.” Most problems are situations that have been faced on more than one occasion in times past. If the problem was conquered then by trusting God, then it can be overcome again with the same trust.

If you’ve done it once, you can do it again. There will come a time when getting problems solved will be second nature to you. You’ll learn with experience to simply cast your care on the Lord and then go about your daily living. You won’t even give your problems a second thought. This is what it means to walk by faith. So trust God today. Your life and your plans depend on it. After all, He is the One who causes interrupted plans to get fulfilled.

*** Written by Randall J. Brewer ***

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Giving Is Godlike

Text: John 3:16; Acts 20:35; Luke 6:38; Galatians 6:9

Shortly after World War II, the saddest sight for American soldiers who were picking up the pieces in ravaged Europe, was that of little orphaned children starving in the streets of those war-torn cities.

One soldier driving along in his jeep spotted a little lad with his nose pressed to the window of a pastry shop. Inside the cook was kneading dough for a fresh batch of doughnuts. The hungry boy stared in silence, watching every move. The soldier pulled his jeep to the curb and got out to slip over to the boy's side. Through the steamed-up window he could see the mouth-watering morsels as they were being pulled from the oven, piping hot. The boy salivated and released a slight groan.

The soldier's heart went out to the orphan. "Son . . . would you like some of those?"

The boy was startled. "Oh, yes, would I!"

The American stepped into the shop, bought a dozen, put them in a bag and walked back to where the lad was standing in the foggy cold of the London morning. He smiled, held out the bag, and said simply: "Here you are."

As he turned to walk away, he felt a tug on his coat. The soldier looked back and heard the child ask quietly:

"Mister . . . are you God?"

We are never more like God than when we give.

*** Written by Chuck Swindoll | www.insight.org ***

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Lord, Leave Me Alone!

Text: Job 6-7

Key Verse: "Let me alone; my days have no meaning" (Job 7:16b)

Job turns to God and complains about the difficulty of his present experience. He has given up. He thinks he will never see any relief and that he will go on like this to the end. And out of that meaningless suffering and hopeless darkness, he cries out in honest despair.

Have you ever felt that way? Lord, leave me alone. I've had enough! Why are You so intent on making life miserable for me? Why don't You just let me go? Job cries out in baffled bewilderment. Now, even at this point in the book of Job, there are some things that we must constantly remember.

One is that we know something about this scene that Job does not know. We see some purpose in this that he has not yet seen that is also true about the sufferings we go through. In every time of trial there are two purposes in view: Satan has his purpose, and God has His.

Satan's purpose here was to use the pain of Job's illness to afflict his body; to use the priggish, well-intentioned comfort of his friends to irritate his soul; and to use the silence of God to assault his spirit and break his faith. But God's purpose is to teach Job some truths that he never knew before, to deepen his theology and help him understand God much better.

God's truth was to answer Satan in the eyes of all the principalities and powers of the whole universe and to prove him wrong in his philosophy of life. God's purpose was also to provide a demonstration for all sufferers in all the ages that would follow that He knows what He is doing.

What an encouragement to those of us who must go through some times of suffering to understand that it is not always because we are sinful. Sometimes suffering is the result of our sin, and we will know it when it is. But if, like Job, you know of nothing you have done that you have not dealt with and still the suffering goes on, look behind the curtain of God's purposes, and you will see that great and eternal events are hanging upon the outcome of the struggle.

*** Written by Ray Stedman | www.raystedman.org ***

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The Window

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15; Romans 14:19; Philippians 4:8

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it for himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

Epilogue ... There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy. "Today is a gift, that's why it is called the PRESENT".

*** Written by Sue Richardson | www.transcendinlove.blogspot.ca ***

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How To Weaken The Wrath Of God

Text: 1 Kings 21:1-29; Joel 2:13; 1 Timothy 1:15

One of the passages in the Bible that tell of the true nature of God and how to weaken His wrath is found in 1 Kings 21. It recounts the familiar story of how King Ahab, ill advised by his wife, gave in to greed and illicitly possessed a vineyard belonging to Naboth.

“And it came to pass…that Naboth the Jezreelite has a vineyard which was in Jezreel by the palace of Ahab…and Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, give me thy vineyard that I may have it for a garden of herbs…” (Verse 1-2).

The story went on with Naboth refusing to offer Ahab his father’s inheritance even when he was offered a reasonable sum of money for it. Ahab, a typical human that he was, couldn’t handle the disappointment and went to his house displeased which got the attention of his ungodly wife, Jezebel.

The vicious Jezebel devised a means to get rid of Naboth to please her husband. “So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name…and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth…saying, proclaim a fast and set Naboth on high among the people: And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out and stone him that he may die” (Verse 8-10).

Eventually, Naboth was killed and Ahab had the vineyard that didn’t belong to him. But God wasn’t blind to this atrocity as He isn’t to all the ills in our society today – rape, terrorism, murder, abortion, adultery, theft, corruption, etc. God sees and knows everything. He saw the murder of Naboth and was bitterly angry that greed, stirred by Jezebel, could push Ahab to such length.

“And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel…and thou shalt speak unto him, saying, thus saith the Lord, in the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine…Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy prosperity…for the provocation wherewith thou has provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin” (Verse 17-24).

Ahab’s reign was so notorious that the Bible says “there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up. And he did very abominably in following idols…” (Verse 25-26)

Truly, Ahab deserved the wrath of God upon his household and even more. But what amazed me in this story was what followed. Unlike some who commit one crime and proceed to another, multiplying evil upon evil and thinking no one sees them and that God can’t do anything, Ahab suddenly listened to his conscience that couldn’t allow him live with the guilt of knowing that the same fate as Naboth awaited him.

He humbled himself, put on sackcloth, observed a fast and was truly sober before the Lord. What happened? Grace happened.

Ahab’s action of remorse and repentance moved God’s heart towards mercy. God always shows mercy and grants grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5; James 4:6). He takes pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy (Psalm 147:11).

“He is slow to anger and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger forever…” (Psalm 103:8-9) because He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live…” (Ezekiel 33:11).

As much as God cannot behold iniquity nor could withstand the prevalence of wickedness, when we turn to Him in penitence and humility, He never casts us away. Remember the prodigal son? (Luke 15:11-32). God is love and that is His very nature. He is ever gracious and His mercy endures forever.

I tell you today that no matter how terrible your crime may be, God is willing and able to forgive you. He has promised to be merciful to your unrighteousness and your sin and iniquity will He remember no more (Hebrew 8:12). All you need is to do as Ahab did. Humble yourself before the Lord, confess and repent of your sins, surrender your life to Jesus Christ and accept Him as your Lord and Saviour today.

If Ahab had postponed his repentance till the next day, it could have been possible for God’s wrath to catch up with him during the night and that would be the end. There is really so much to learn from 1 Kings 21 with thorough meditation and the leading of the Holy Spirit. But this is the plain secret to weakening the wrath of God – humility and genuine repentance.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life…” “Call upon the Lord and be saved. There is salvation in no one else” (John 3:16-18; Romans 10:13; Acts 4:12).

*** Written by Jacobs Adewale (Admin) ***

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…building the body of Christ