Word For Today: Everlasting Treasure

Marriage in general is the biggest, singularly most important commitment that a man and woman can make to each other. Contrary to popular belief, it represents two aspects of love: Eros or emotional affection as well as the legal contract that true commitment constitutes. It is not to be taken lightly and when practiced in its fullness, it is the most beautiful state of being that a couple can experience. Believe me, I know.

The sanctity and sacredness of marriage is tied up in the unfathomable love Christ shows man. The most tangible picture we have of this is the love and union between a man and woman. Again, marriage between these two is meant to be a mirror image of the unending adoration and affection that has Christ has for us. I know that my wife loves me because she puts my needs before her own as I do the same for her. This is exactly what Christ does for us all. Although it hurt Him to die, He did it anyway out of love.In 1 Corinthians 13:4, the Scripture says that

    “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.” (KJV)

Love suffers long. Marriage and love is sacred in the eyes of God because it is meant to be a long term, unending union of commitment. And in no way inferior to that thought is the fact that submission, self sacrifice and a modeling of Christ’s love are all aspects of marriage that are absolutely necessary Ephesians 5:22-28

These thoughts sound good in theological theory but are better experienced in day to day practice. I have seen them alive and in action when I’ve fallen short of being the model husband.

In today’s world, the idea that marriage is a legal, emotional union designed to last forever can’t be stressed enough. Divorce rates are skyrocketing and a large number of marriages end in less than 2 years, if not 2 months. But we see in Matthew 19: 8-9 that the original plan for marriage was for it to be FOREVER. And not only was it not meant to end, but it was meant as a model of the compatibility of a man and a woman, of the responsibility couples have to reproduce godly family units and of the true dedication that real relationships need if they are going to be of any value.

Christ views us as His bride Rev 19:7. He loves us enough to want to present us to God without a single, solitary blemish Ephesians 5:25-27. He views our relationship to Himself as a marriage. Shouldn’t we do the same? Shouldn’t we treat our earthly marriages in the same manner and our heavenly one with even more intensity? Shouldn’t we treat God with the love and respect a redeemed bride would give her groom? The answer to those questions is a resounding yes, we should. Especially because when we do treat them such, we experience the most rewarding, most beautiful, most VALUABLE state of love imaginable. We experience the love of God.

By Garrett Ellis
CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING NETWORK

Word For Today: Treasures in Heaven

Read: Matthew 6:19-24 

Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. —nkjv Matthew 6:20

Poorly installed electric wiring caused a fire that burned down our newly built home. The flames leveled our house within an hour, leaving nothing but rubble. Another time, we returned home from church one Sunday to find our house had been broken into and some of our possessions stolen.

In our imperfect world, loss of material wealth is all too common—vehicles are stolen or crashed, ships sink, buildings crumble, homes are flooded, and personal belongings are stolen. This makes Jesus’ admonition not to put our trust in earthly wealth very meaningful (Matt. 6:19).

Nothing lasts forever—except what our God enables us to do for others.

Jesus told a story of a man who accumulated abundant treasures and decided to store up everything for himself (Luke 12:16-21). “Take life easy,” the man told himself; “eat, drink and be merry” (v. 19). But that night he lost everything, including his life. In conclusion, Jesus said, “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God” (v. 21).

Material wealth is temporary. Nothing lasts forever—except what our God enables us to do for others. Giving of our time and resources to spread the good news, visiting those who are lonely, and helping those in need are just some of the many ways to store up treasure in heaven (Matt. 6:20).

In what ways are you storing up treasures in heaven? How might you change and grow in this area of your life?

Our real wealth is what we invest for eternity.

INSIGHT:

Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is His well-known teaching on kingdom living. Because of the importance of the ideas conveyed, it is likely that He revisited these themes multiple times during His earthly ministry. The Scriptures describe two of those presentations, which are similar yet distinct. Matthew 5–7 tells us that Jesus taught His message on a mountain (5:1), while Luke’s account takes place on a level area (6:17-49). Matthew’s account includes eight blessings known as the Beatitudes (5:3-12), while Luke’s rendering includes only four blessings and a series of four woes (6:20-26). Bill Crowder

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 47–49; 1 Thessalonians 4

Word For Today: Have A Simplicity To Your Life

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5).

There’s something every child of God needs to understand: we’re not all at the same level at the same time. At a point in time, there may be things someone else can afford that you may not be able to afford at that stage of your life. There’s no need to keep fighting yourself and trying by all means to get those things. Have a simplicity to your life. Never stretch yourself to do things that are actually "beyond you" at the moment, just because you want to identify with a certain group.

For example, there’re people who want their children to be in certain schools just for the simple reason that they want to "measure up"; meanwhile, they may not be able to afford the fees at the time. They put themselves under undue pressure, struggling to keep up, just to be like someone else. Don’t stretch yourself too thin financially, because you’re doing things you shouldn’t be doing at the moment. That’s not so wise. Don’t place yourself under that kind of pressure. Make your life easier.

If you want to measure your life by looking at others, you could be frustrated. Follow the guidance of God’s Spirit. There’s a time for everything; what you may not be able to afford today, leave it for next time. Be content with what you have.

The word, "conversation" in our opening verse actually means "manner of life," or "way of life." Don’t indulge in an extravagant lifestyle just because you want others to think "you’ve arrived." Be modest. Don’t crave something that belongs to other people, because God can do for you whatever you require Him to do for you. He’s your satisfaction. Have faith in Him; trust Him; and your life will be glorious.

Prayer

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits! He’s crowned me with loving-kindness and tender mercies; and satisfied me with good things! My life is free of struggles, because the Lord is my satisfaction! He’s all I crave, and I’m guided and propelled by His wisdom always. Amen.

Further Study:1 timothy 6:6; Luke 12:15; Proverbs 16:18
: Colossians 3:1-4:1 Isaiah 50-51

: John 5:1-9 1 Kings 16

See Ubi Franklin & Lilian Esoro's Beautiful Marriage Invitation Card

 

Ubi Franklin & Lilian Esoro's marriage Invitation Card is beautiful! Simple, yet creative!

Bellanaija.com got an invite, and shared it (see below)

The couple's traditional marriage will hold on Nov. 1st, 2015.

Congrats to them once again!

Oscar Pistorius to be Freed from Prison...

Jailed South African Sprinter Oscar Pistorius is set to be freed from prison, next week Tuesday after he was earlier on today, granted him bail from house arrest by a parole board.

Pistorius was initially due to be freed in August, but following the intervention by the minister of justice, there were series of delays before today's parole board decision.

A spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services said the parole board 'approved the placement of offender Oscar Pistorius under correctional supervision as from 20 October 2015'.

However, he still faces an appeal in the Supreme Court next month, which if successful, will upgrade his charge to murder and see him re-jailed for a minimum of 15 years.

MailOnline

First Photos From Ubi Franklin and Lilian Esoro's Court Wedding

Lilian Esoro & Ubi Franklin, the Nigerian entertainment industry hottest lovebirds at the moment just got married in court. As usual, Ubi can not contain his joy and took to his IG page to share some photos.

I am so happy for these two! Theirs is one love story I can't get over in a hurry; through the controversies and obstacles, they stood tall. 

Can't wait for their wedding pictures.

Here's wishing them a Happy Married Life and all the blessings that come with marriage.

See another photo below

PS: Please watch this space and refresh, for more photos

Word For Today: Knowledge Makes The Difference

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee… (Hosea 4:6).

Many years ago, Malaria was dreaded as a deadly disease, because it was said to have no cure. If somebody contracted it, it was like a death sentence. Many missionaries from Europe who came to Africa contracted it, and didn’t survive. But because man discovered the cure, when one is infected with Malaria, it’s no longer dreaded as a terminal ailment. It was the same with Tuberculosis: those who were infected had to be quarantined or ostracized. But when man discovered the cure, it ended the fear of Tuberculosis.

Man fears what he has no knowledge of. Once he understands it, the fear is gone. The mystery is taken away once knowledge arrives. It’s the same thing with the matters of faith. When we don’t understand how to apply our faith in a given situation, we become skeptical, judgmental, afraid, and unbelieving. But once we understand how it works, the confusion is removed, the mystery is taken away.

All you need is the knowledge of God’s Word so you can put the Word to work. Once you have the accurate knowledge of the Word, nothing in this life will mystify or discomfit you; no matter what the problem is, you just know that you’ll come out victoriously.

Those who don’t know the Word are the ones who get overwhelmed by trouble and defeated by the crises of life. Get to know the Word. Have an insatiable appetite for God’s Word. Hosea 6:3 says, "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord…." Getting the knowledge of God’s Word is one of the most important things you can do for yourself; that’s what will put you over in life, and keep you on the offensive, against the adversary.

Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you for filling me with the knowledge of your Word in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Nothing is a mystery to me, because as I meditate on your Word, the Holy Spirit unveils spiritual realities to me, enlightening the eyes of my understanding to know and apprehend my inheritance in Christ! I live triumphantly because I live by the knowledge of your Word, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study:2 Peter 1:2-3; Proverbs 11:9

: Colossians 4:2-18 Isaiah 52-53

: John 5:10-18 1 Kings 17-18

Word For Today: Burning Questions

Read: Exodus 3:1-6,10-14

“I am who I am” Exodus 3:14

An old Native American story tells of a young boy who was sent into the woods alone on an autumn night to prove his courage. Soon the sky darkened and the sounds of night filled the air. Trees creaked and groaned, an owl screeched, and a coyote howled. Even though he was frightened, the boy remained in the woods all night, as the test of courage required. Finally morning came, and he saw a solitary figure nearby. It was his grandfather, who had been watching over him all night long.

When Moses went deep into the desert, he saw a burning bush that didn’t burn up. Then God began talking to him from the bush, commissioning him to go back to Egypt and lead the Israelites out of cruel slavery to freedom. A reluctant Moses began to ask questions: “Who am I that I should go?”

God has promised always to be present with those who believe in Jesus.

God simply answered, “I will be with you.”

“Suppose I . . . say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

God replied, “I am who I am. . . . [Say to them,] I am has sent me to you’ ” (Ex. 3:11-14). The phrase “I am who I am” can be interpreted, “I will be who I will be” and reveals God’s eternal and all-sufficient character.

God has promised always to be present with those who believe in Jesus. No matter how dark the night, the unseen God is ready to respond appropriately to our need.

Dear Father, thank You for Your never-changing character.

God is always present and at work.

INSIGHT:

Moses’ early life was marked by great opportunities for education, and his status as prince of Egypt allowed him to speak with great authority (Acts 7:22). How different from his life in the Midian desert, where he served his father-in-law as a shepherd, even as God prepared him to lead His people out of Egypt. -- Bill Crowder.

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 41–42; 1 Thessalonians 1

Graphic Photos from Festac Bank Robbery Today

Frontview of Access Bank

In the early hours of today October 13th, armed robbers attempted to rob several banks in the Festac area of Lagos State. Things turned sour for the robbers when the police opened fire on them and a shoot out ensued between the robbers and security operatives. Sadly, a woman identified as Mrs. Jane Ndirieka and her 18-month old baby were killed by stray bullets from the incident. The baby was said to have died on the spot, while the mother was rushed to the hospital.

See other photos from the robbery:

The frontview of Diamond bank

 

The 18 month old baby

**An update on this is that the Nigerian Police have recovered about 27 million Naira from the robbers and two hundred and forty rounds (240) of 7.62mm live ammunition, as the robbers left behind the said amount, in a bid to escape from the Police.

Word For Today: Not My Worry

Read: Isaiah 40:25-31

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you. Psalm 55:22

A man worried constantly about everything. Then one day his friends heard him whistling happily and looking noticeably relaxed. “What happened?” they asked him in astonishment.

He said, “I’m paying a man to do my worrying for me.”

“How much do you pay him?” they asked.

“Two thousand dollars a week,” he replied.

“Wow! How can you afford that?”

“I can’t,” he said, “but that’s his worry.”

While this humorous way to handle stress doesn’t work in real life, as God’s children we can turn our worries over to Someone who has everything perfectly under control even—especially—when we feel it is not.

The prophet Isaiah reminds us that God brings out the stars and calls them all by name (40:25-26). Because of “his great power and mighty strength” not one of them is missing (v. 26). And just as God knows the stars by name, He knows us individually and personally. We are each under His watchful care (v. 27).

If we are inclined to worry, we can turn that worry over to the Lord. He is never too weary or too tired to pay attention to us. He has all wisdom and all power, and He loves to use it on our behalf. The Holy One who directs the stars has His loving arms around us.

Lord, You know there are times when I get really scared. And I forget that You have promised that You will never leave me to face difficulty or loss alone. Help me to trust.

Worry ends where faith begins.

INSIGHT:

The title “the Holy One” or “the Holy One of Israel” is the common designation for God in Isaiah, occurring about 26 times. This title is often accompanied by other names, such as “the Lord Almighty” (5:24; 47:4), “the Light of Israel” (10:17), “the Mighty God” (10:21), “Maker” (17:7; 45:11; 54:5), “the Sovereign Lord” (30:15), “Savior” (43:3), “Israel’s Creator, your King” (43:15), and “the God of all the earth” (54:5). In calling God “the Holy One of Israel,” Isaiah extols His complete holiness. Yet within the same breath Isaiah speaks of God as the “Redeemer,” celebrating His tender mercy and compassion (41:14; 54:5; 59:20; 60:16). --Sim Kay Tee

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 39–40; Colossians 4

Word For Today: Spiritual Checkup

Read: Colossians 3:1-14

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30

To detect health problems before they become serious, doctors recommend a routine physical exam. We can do the same for our spiritual health by asking a few questions rooted in the great commandment (Mark 12:30) Jesus referred to.

Do I love God with all my heart because He first loved me? Which is stronger, my desire for earthly gain or the treasures that are mine in Christ? (Col. 3:1). He desires that His peace rule our hearts.

I choose today to exchange my #strength for Yours, God.

Do I love God with all my soul? Do I listen to God telling me who I am? Am I moving away from self-centered desires? (v. 5). Am I becoming more compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient? (v. 12).

Do I love God with all my mind? Do I focus on my relationship with His Son or do I let my mind wander wherever it wants to go? (v. 2). Do my thoughts lead to problems or solutions? To unity or division? Forgiveness or revenge? (v. 13).

Do I love God with all my strength? Am I willing to be seen as weak so that God can show His strength on my behalf? (v. 17). Am I relying on His grace to be strong in His Spirit?

As we let “the message of Christ dwell among [us] richly . . . with all wisdom” (v. 16), He will equip us to build each other up as we become spiritually fit and useful to Him.

Heavenly Father, when I rely on anything other than love in my efforts to initiate change in people, I am neglecting to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I choose today to exchange my strength for Yours.

To be spiritually fit, feed on God’s Word and exercise your faith.

INSIGHT:

We may find it difficult at times to motivate ourselves in Christian living and service to God and others. However, Paul reminds the church in Colossae that the reason we are to focus on God and serve Him well is that we have been “raised with Christ” (3:1). Because of what Jesus accomplished for us, we are to serve Him faithfully. -- J.R. Hudberg

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 37–38; Colossians 3

Word For Today: The Song of Our Lives

Read: Job 29:1-6; 30:1-9 

The Lord God is my strength and my song. —nlt Isaiah 12:2

Everyone touched by a piece of music hears it differently. The composer hears it in the chamber of his imagination. The audience hears it with their senses and emotions. The members of the orchestra hear most clearly the sound of the instruments closest to them.

In a sense, we are the members of God’s orchestra. Often we hear only the music closest to us. Because we don’t hear a balanced work, we are like Job who cried as he suffered: “Now those young men mock me in song; I have become a byword among them” (Job 30:9).

Job recalled how princes and officials had respected him. His life was “awash in cream, and the rocks gushed olive oil for me” (29:6 nlt). But now, he had become the target of mockers. “My harp plays sad music,” he lamented (30:31 nlt). Yet there was much, much more to the symphony. Job simply couldn’t hear the whole song.

Maybe today you can hear only the sad notes of your own violin. Don’t lose heart. Every detail in your life is part of God’s composition. Or perhaps you are listening to a cheerful flute. Praise God for it and share your joy with someone else.

God’s masterpiece of redemption is the symphony we are playing, and ultimately everything will work together for His good purposes. God is the composer of our lives. His song is perfect, and we can trust Him.

Lord, help me to trust You, especially when my life seems discordant and out of tune. I thank You because I’m part of Your symphony and Your song is perfect.

Faith in God’s goodness puts a song in the heart.

INSIGHT:

Job’s world had been turned upside down, having lost his wealth (1:14-17), his family (1:18-19), and his health (2:7). Even as he reached an impasse with his three friends while trying to unravel the real reasons for his suffering and pain (chs. 3–31), Job was trying to come to terms with the consequences of his physical and financial losses. Spiritually, he felt that God had abandoned him (29:1-5); emotionally, he was deprived of happiness and enjoyment (29:5-6); and socially, he had lost his standing, power, respect, and honor (30:1-9). Despite his many questions, Job proclaimed his trust in the sovereign God (42:1-6) – Sim Kay Tee

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 32–33; Colossians 1

Word For Today: Reckless Words

Read: 1 Peter 2:13-25 

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate. 1 Peter 2:23

I had been driving for almost half an hour when my daughter suddenly wailed from the backseat. When I asked, “What happened?” she said her brother had grabbed her arm. He claimed he had grabbed her arm because she had pinched him. She said she pinched him because he had said something mean.

Unfortunately, this pattern, which is common between children, can show up in adult relationships too. One person offends another, and the hurt person shoots back a verbal blow. The original offender retaliates with another insult. Before long, anger and cruel words have damaged the relationship.

When we trust the Lord, we don't need to use words as weapons. 

The Bible says that “the words of the reckless pierce like swords,” and that “a harsh word stirs up anger” but “a gentle answer turns away wrath” (Prov. 12:18; 15:1). And sometimes not answering at all is the best way to deal with mean or cruel words or comments.

Before Jesus’ crucifixion, the religious authorities tried to provoke Him with their words (Matt. 27:41-43). Yet, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate . . . . Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23).

Jesus’ example and the Spirit’s help offer us a way to respond to people who offend us. Trusting the Lord, we don’t need to use words as weapons.

Dear God, please give me self-control through Your Holy Spirit when I am tempted to retaliate with words.

A soft answer has often been the means of breaking a hard heart.

INSIGHT:

To “follow in [Christ’s] steps” means we are called to pursue a walk of purity and honesty (vv. 21-22), a walk that is not vengeful or vindictive (v. 23), and a walk of deep trust in God the Father (v. 23). This is not only an example of how to build personal relationships, but it’s also the essence of the gospel of grace—God’s favor to those who do not deserve it. 

- Bill Crowder

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 30–31; Philippians 4

Word For Today: Unclear Vision

Read: Job 19:1-21

My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Job 42:5

My friend Meaghan is an accomplished equestrian, and I’ve been learning some interesting things about horses from her. For instance, despite having the largest eyes of all land mammals, horses have poor eyesight and can see fewer colors than humans. Because of this, they can’t always identify objects on the ground. When they see a pole, they don’t know if it’s a pole they can easily step over or a large snake that might harm them. For this reason, until they are properly trained horses are easily frightened and quick to run away.

We too may want to run from alarming circumstances. We may feel like Job who misunderstood his troubles and wished he’d never been born. Since he couldn’t see that it was Satan who was trying to break him down, he feared that the Lord, in whom he had trusted, was trying to destroy him. Overwhelmed, he cried out, “God has wronged me and drawn his net around me” (Job 19:6).

Like Job’s vision, ours is limited. We want to run away from the difficult situations that scare us. From God’s perspective, we are not alone. He understands what confuses and frightens us. He knows we are safe with Him by our side. This is our opportunity to trust His understanding rather than our own.

In what ways have you doubted God’s goodness? How have you seen Him working in your life during a difficult time?

Trusting God’s faithfulness dispels our fearfulness.

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 28–29; Philippians 3

Word For Today: Playing With Fire

Read: John 15:10-20

Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. . . . And I too will love them and show myself to them. John 14:21

When I was a young boy, my mom warned me that I should never play with fire. Yet one day I decided to see what would happen if I did. Taking a book of matches and some paper, I went out into the backyard to experiment. With heart beating fast, I knelt on the ground, struck the match, and set the paper aflame.

Suddenly I saw my mother approaching. Not wanting to get caught, I put my legs over the flames to hide what I was doing. But Mom shouted, “Denny, move your legs! There’s a fire underneath them!” Fortunately, I moved my legs quickly enough and was not burned. I realized then that my mother’s rule about not playing with fire was not to spoil my fun but because of her concern to keep me safe. 

Sometimes we don’t understand the reasons behind God’s commands. We may even think He is a cosmic killjoy, setting up rules and regulations to keep us from enjoying ourselves. But God asks us to obey Him because He has our best interests at heart. As we obey, we “remain in his love” and are filled with joy (John 15:10-11).

So when God warns us not to sin, He does it for our own good. He really wants to protect us from “playing with fire” and getting burned.

Dear heavenly Father, may Your Holy Spirit empower us to obey Your Word. We thank You for the protection Your precepts provide and the love and joy we find in obeying You.

God gives us loving warnings in His Word to protect us.

INSIGHT:

Jesus used the words servants and friends to show the level of intimacy and the great privileges and responsibilities believers have with Him (v. 15). A true friend is “one in spirit” with you (see 1 Sam. 18:1) and would sacrifice his life for you (John 15:13). A friend of Jesus does whatever He commands (v. 14), but “a friend of the world” is an enemy of God (James 4:4). 

– Sim Kay Tee

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 26–27; Philippians 2

Word For Today: Seconds Count

Read: Psalm 39:4-13

Show me, Lord, my life’s end. Psalm 39:4

At the age of 59 my friend Bob Boardman wrote, “If the 70 years of a normal life span were squeezed into a single 24-hour day, it would now be 8:30 in the evening in my life. . . . Time is slipping by so rapidly.” 

The difficulty in admitting that our time on earth is limited inspired the creation of “Tikker”—a wristwatch that tells you what time it is, calculates your estimated normal life span, and displays a running countdown of your remaining time. It is advertised as the watch “that counts down your life, just so you can make every second count.”

In Psalm 39, David grappled with the brevity of his life, saying, “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is” (v. 4). He described his life span as no longer than the width of his hand, as only a moment to God, and merely a breath (v. 5). David concluded, “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you” (v. 7).

The clock is ticking. Now is the time to seek God’s power to help us become the people He wants us to be. Finding hope in our eternal God gives meaning for our lives today.

In what ways am I wasting time? In what ways am I making my days count? In what areas do I need to make changes?

The time to live for Jesus is now.

INSIGHT

One reason the Psalms are loved by so many is that they often capture the real emotion of people facing real situations. It gives many of us comfort to know that we are not alone in our struggles and reactions to life. In today’s psalm, David comments on the brevity of life and has an understandable reaction. When we look back on our lives, many of us lament our mistakes and wasted efforts. But David reminds us that in the face of all our sins, it is God who remains our hope. No matter how much of a mess we have made of our lives, it is never too much of a mess for God to redeem. 

--J.R. Hudberg

Bible in a Year: Isaiah 23–25; Philippians 1