Giving to God's Work

TEXT: NEHEMIAH 7:70-73

Key verse: “And that which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand pound of silver, and threescore and seven priests’ garments” (Nehemiah 7:72).

Bountiful giving is usually borne out of love - he who loves much, gives much. Absolute love gives absolutely. God loved the world and gave His only begotten Son. Jesus, the Son, loved all to the extent of surrendering His life as a ransom for ALL. Those who receive Christ ought to surrender their all, as a voluntary, yet mandatory and reciprocal gesture.

The text is an account of the prodigious offerings rendered towards the work of God. The Tirshatha (governor of Israel), the chief fathers and the entire people all contributed bountifully. The Tirshatha gave the equivalence of $5,280 apart from 50 gold basons and 530 garments for the priests. The chief fathers provided $246,400, while the generality of the people gave the equivalence of $233,500. It was consequent upon this generous giving that the priest, Levites, porters, singers, Nethmims (temple servants) were able to return to their cities. They gave so that God’s servants would be provided the leverage to perform their duties without let or hindrance.

Whatever we offer God can never equal what God first gave us. Jesus, God’s free gift, has opened the floodgates of blessings to ALL. Consequently, we ought to give back to God, without measure. Our giving must not be acknowledged in terms of its magnitude. It can only be meaningful when it is done sacrificially.

The way to commence and cultivate the art of giving is by first surrendering our heart (Proverbs 23:26). That done, we will not count any gift too high or big to give to God. Secondly, we lay our all on the altar and be prepared to offer both tangible and intangible gifts without conditions attached. Our guiding principle in life must be to do all things to His glory. And as we do all this, God promises great reward in time and eternity for the faithful.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “He which soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully”.

10 Natural Ways To Remove Stretch Marks

Have you ever noticed the leather bag that you carry with all the stuff under the sun? It gets so stretched that it reaches the limit of its elasticity. It is then, when you see those wrinkle type marks on your old overused leather bag. You discard it and buy a new one. But you cannot do this with your own skin! Yes, your skin is composed of elastin which can be thought of as a soft elastic tissue. It is soft, supple and stretchable but it too has its own limits. Some situations exert extra pressure on your skin such as sudden weight gain or loss, pregnancy and even rapid growth of your body during teenage. Sometimes while exercising too, you stretch your body out of its limits. In such situations you get those thick red or purple lines on your skin which is popularly known as stretch marks. Gradually these lines do fade away and become white or silvery white in color but they don’t go away on their own. You have to put efforts to remove these stretch marks. Here are some home remedies to help you with your task.

Natural Remedies to Remove Stretch Marks

1. Apricot Mask to Remove Stretch Marks

Many people use apricot scrub for rapid removal of stretch marks from their skin. However, I am giving you the recipe of a mask made from apricot that you have to apply on your stretch marks daily for at least a month or more.

Get these things:
• Apricots- 2-3
• Lukewarm water- enough to wash off your skin having marks.

Do this:
• Cut open the apricots and remove their seeds.
• Crush the fruits to get their paste.
• Apply this apricot paste on your stretch marks.
• Leave for about 15-20 minutes.
• Now wash off with warm water.
• Repeat everyday (you may initially do it twice a day) for a month.

2. Aloe Vera to Remove Stretch Marks

Benefits of aloe vera are now very popular among the fans of home remedies. This herb has in it the plant collagen which excellently repairs human skin too. Use, as far as possible, the fresh aloe gel taken from the leaves instead of using store bought gel.

Get this:
• Aloe vera leaf

Do this:
• De-thorn the aloe vera leaf and remove its outer skin.
• Take out the sticky gel from the inside of the leaf.
• Apply this fresh aloe gel on your stretch marks.
• Now forget it for two hours.
• Wash off with water after this couple of hours.

3. Oils to Remove Stretch Marks

Natural oils are excellent emollients and they have this capacity to treat all scalp and hair problems as also skin issues including stretch marks. You just need to identify the right type of oil for the very purpose. You should ideally gently massage your skin having stretch marks with oil for about half an hour daily. However, just applying oils to the marks (something near to soaking them in oil) can also do wonders. If doing so, you need to apply oil for about three to four times a day. Olive oil, with all its antioxidant properties and loads of nutrients, is considered one of the best oils for removing stretch marks but there are many other oils that you can use. They too are good when it comes to curing stretch marks. Here is the list.
• Olive oil
• Lavender oil
• Rose oil
• Frankincense oil
• Myrrh oil
• Geranium oil
• Helichrysum oil
• Chamomile oil

The best thing will be to mix certain oils and then apply to the marks. Here’s the recipe.

Get this:
• lavender oil- ½ tsp
• Chamomile oil- ½ tsp
• Almond oil- 2 tsp ( you can use any other carrier oil like avocado oil, jojoba oil etc. in place of almond oil)

Do this:
• Mix lavender, chamomile oils with almond or the other carrier oil that you are using.
• Mix them well.
• Apply this oil mix to your stretch marks daily.
• Do this preferably thrice or four times a day.

4. Potato Juice to Remove Stretch Marks

This is the cheapest and one of the rapid home remedies for stretch marks. Potato is a super food due to its many components like essential fatty acids and a variety of phytochemicals, like carotenoids and polyphenols. It also has loads of vitamins and minerals including Vitamin-C, B-complex, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and zinc. Because a potato is capable of stimulating collagen and elastin synthesis, it can effectively restore skin cells fading away your stretch marks.

Get this:
 
• Potato- 1 (medium sized)
• Knife- to cut potato
• Lukewarm water- to wash off

Do this:
• Cut the potato into thick sized slices.
• Take a slice and rub it gently over your stretch marks. Ensure to apply its juice all over your marks.
• Leave it for 5-10 minutes.
• Wash off with lukewarm water.

5. Lemon Juice to Remove Stretch Marks

Lemons have been recognized as fine natural bleaching agents beyond doubt. The alpha hydroxy acids

Warn the People

TEXT: ISAIAH 6:9-13

Key verse: “And he said: Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not” (Isaiah 6:9).

Few things are as despairing as when there is a prior knowledge that one’s action will have little or no effect on the situation at hand. Not surprising, many people would avoid getting involved in what appears to be a waste of time.

Not so for Isaiah. He had just offered himself to run errands for the Lord. So, when he was handed a very strange message to convey to his people about their impending ruin, he had no choice. He received no assurance of great success, but that the people will defiantly ignore him and the word of God - their only means of reconciliation with God. Isaiah’s message was to foreshadow the rejection of Jesus Christ by the Jews of His time. They would neither recognise nor accept Him. Startled by this message, Isaiah wondered whether his labour was to be totally in vain. Not so, the Lord responded. A few would listen. They would serve to show that God’s mercy is available for those who turn away from their despicable ways.

 
Today’s Christians have the same task to preach the gospel. They should not become despondent because fewer people are accepting the good news. In Noah’s time, only eight people were saved from the deluge. Only four people escaped from Sodom and Gomorrah, while only three made it to safety.

Far from being despondent, we should encourage people not to wait until disaster strikes before turning to God. We should tell them that His mercy and love can avail for them if they show the willingness to amend their evil ways. Spreading the gospel is not only because of Christ’s command to all Christians, it is the only worthwhile activity with which the Lord expects us to occupy ourselves.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The greatest gift you can give is a timely warning

Inspirational: “Life Without Limbs” by Nick Vujicic

“Life Without Limbs” author and motivational speaker Nick Vujicic married fiance Kanae Miyahara in a romantic ceremony in California. The newlyweds are now honeymooning in Hawaii, where they have been spotted snapping pictures on the beach and enjoying cocktails and of course, Nick can handle the camera quite adeptly! Nick, 29, was born in Brisbane, Australia with Tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare condition resulting in the absence of limbs. The son of Pastor Boris and Dushka Vujicic, Nick and his parents were determined to not let his condition get in the way of leading a fulfilling and active life. As a boy, Nick gradually learned to do daily tasks that most of us take for granted.

He mastered writing with the two toes on his left foot using a special grip equipped to go on his big toe. In fact, the resolute Nick also learned to type, throw a ball, get himself water, answer the phone, and shave. He can even play the drums. After earning a double degree in Accounting and Financial Planning from Griffith University, Nick established himself as a motivational speaker by traveling around the world spreading inspiration through his non-profit organization LifeWithoutLimbs.com. Despite these accomplishments, Nick is more excited to talk about the new union in his life. “The greatest blessing I’ve ever received after life, salvation, and a relationship with God: introducing Nick and Kanae engaged!!!” he told his followers.   
See the video & photos below:

-by africanewspost.com & photos from Nick facebook fan-page.

Are You In The Number?

TEXT: NEHEMIAH 7:5,6
Key verse: “These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city“ (Nehemiah 7:6).

Recording and strict documentation of events, incidents and dates are integral parts of accountability. They are inevitable in human life. More often, accounts relating to births, deaths, admission, dismissals, debts and payments are kept. God keeps a record of names of every believer in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 20:15).

In our text, Nehemiah thought it fit to have an account of the people. He found a register of the genealogy of those who had come up at the first. He found written therein those who had come back from the captivity. He called the rulers and the people, that he might have an account of the present state of their families: the number, strength and where they were settled. Having revived the old register to get the new established, he then compared the present account with the old.

We dare not underestimate the fact that God in heaven keeps and updates His records concerning us. It is evident from Scripture (Revelation 20:11-15), that God has a book of life and other books of reckoning. A believer’s name is removed immediately the person sins against God (Exodus 32:33). At the Great White Throne Judgment, people would be judged by God out of those things which are written in the books, “according to their works”. Whosoever is not found written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire.

Are you in the number of those whose names are in the Book of Life? Is your name already blotted out from the Book because of sin? What account is God keeping concerning your deeds? You need to settle the matter now and get your name written or restored in the only Book that matters, ‘THE BOOK OF LIFE.’

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Those who take heed to their souls will be spared the tremor of hell-fire.

Alone in the jungle

During World War II, a soldier was separated from his unit on an island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades.

Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock.

Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.

As he waited, he prayed, “Lord, please spare my life. Whatever will happen, I love you and trust you. Amen.”

After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close. He thought, “Well, I guess the Lord isn't going to help me out of this one.” Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.”Ha” he thought. “What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humour.

As the enemy drew closer he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand, but then he heard the leader of the soldiers say, “you may as well ignore looking in this cave …if he had entered here this web would be broken!” So they left and he was delivered!

To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while. “Lord, forgive me,” prayed the young man. “I had forgotten that in you a spider’s web is stronger than a brick wall.

Your cave is crumbling today and you shall experience God’s Protection today.

God Still Speaks Loud and Clear

 I had an experience two days ago. I had an assignment for 8am and I needed to be out of my office to get it done. However, at the same, the cleaner was around to clean the office. I decided to remove the key to my office from the whole bunch and give it to the cleaner so that she can lock up my office when done and give the key to my colleague next door. As I was removing the key from the bunch, I had an impression in my spirit to leave my bunch of keys and retrieve it from my colleague when I get back. Although I clearly understood this as a main channel through which the Holy Spirit communicates with me, I discarded the thought because I reasoned it might not be too safe to leave the whole bunch, especially since it also contained keys to some other locks in the office. 

When I returned from my assignment, I picked my office key from my colleague and then in a flash, I remembered I didn't have my bunch of keys with me. How come? How did I go about it? Where could I have dropped it? I quickly scanned by brain and decided to retrace my steps, starting with the colleague that brought me back to my office. I asked him if I dropped my bunch of keys in his car and I got a 'no'. I went back to where I had gone for the assignment and looked round but no bunch of keys. I immediately concluded that I must have dropped it in the car that took me to where I went earlier. I went to the guy's office, he was not in. I called his number, it was switched off. I knew he was somewhere around and would soon return to his office so I decided to wait it out in the office next to mine.

I actually had access to my office (remember I removed the key to the door of my office from the bunch of keys) and I could have just gone in there instead of staying in another person's office but since my bag and laptop were locked somewhere else in the office, I must have subconsciously rationalised that there was nothing for me to do in the office and so, mentally locked myself out. Again, at some point, I had an impression in my spirit to go into my office, since I, at least, had the key to access it but for the second time, I discarded the thought.

Friends, I slept off and woke up in my colleague's office and still no sign of this guy who I thought had my bunch of keys in his car. I spent over four hours, mentally locked out of my office, waiting and getting irritable by the minute. At last, I was able to put a call through to this guy but alas, he informed me that my bunch of keys was nowhere in his car! What???? How is that even possible? I was too sure I had it figured out and I became perplexed! To cut it short, I now reasoned that it was possible to have forgotten the bunch of keys on my table all along. Hmmmm, I shouldn't tell you the merry-go-round process I still had to go through to access my office this time around (it will make the story more complex and longer than it should be) but I eventually did and right there, lying peacefully on my table, was my bunch of keys. I almost smacked myself!

Why did I tell this long story? In as much as I am a firm believer that all things work together for good, in as much as I convinced myself that it all happened for a reason best known to God, I learnt specifically that I probably also went through all that trouble and stress for disobeying the Holy Spirit. He spoke to me twice, I heard Him loud and clear, but did I listen? NO! Did I take heed? NO!

Two things quickly:
First, there's a category that needs to ask and answer these questions, "When the Holy Spirit speaks, do I listen? Do I take heed? Do I leave it only at the 'hearing' level or do I listen and demonstrate it through obedience? A lot of trials and troubles we would avoid if we take heed to the Spirit's promptings. A lot of negative consequences we would not have suffered if we would simply heed His instructions and prodding. Prophet Jonah remains a perfect example to learn from:

Jonah 1:1-4, 15 (CEV)
1 One day the [Lord] told Jonah, the son of Amittai, 2 to go to the great city of Nineveh and say to the people, “The [Lord] has seen your terrible sins. You are doomed!” 3 Instead, Jonah ran from the [Lord]. He went to the seaport of Joppa and found a ship that was going to Spain. So he paid his fare, then got on the ship and sailed away to escape. 4 But the [Lord] made a strong wind blow, and such a bad storm came up that the ship was about to be broken to pieces.......15, then they threw Jonah overboard, and the sea calmed down.

Jonah thought he had it figured out. As far as he was concerned, 'Ninevians' had no right to God's pardon and what was God thinking trying to save them anyway??? I can imagine Jonah rationalizing the situation and saying, "I, Jonah will not be a part of this unthinkable rescue mission!" Imagine, he went sailing away, trying to get away from God, so that God will not repeat that message to him. He figured by the time he returned, God would have changed His mind-----yeah, right! But don't we sometimes behave like Jonah? Thinking we know what a situation is supposed to look/be like and as such ignore what the Holy Spirit is telling us concerning the situation? Don't we ignore His promptings/prodding and rationalize the situation, thinking we have it all figured out?

Second, another category needs to ask and answer, "Do I even hear the Holy Spirit when He speaks? Do I recognise His voice? Can I discern His voice from other voices? Do I have the knowledge and understanding of the pattern and manner with which He communicates to me? Have I ever heard Him speak to me directly?" It is dangerous to hear Him and not listen or take heed, but it is much more disastrous not to be able to hear Him at all or not to discern His voice. For clear instructions and directions, if we will not make terrible, painful, and costly mistakes, it is expedient to be able to discern the voice of His majesty. The Bible says "Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left." Isaiah 30:21 (NLT). It is important to settle down, find out, and understand His manner of communication with us as individuals. Having established this, it is only wise to go ahead and take heed to what He ever so loudly and clearly says to us. May we receive grace today in Jesus' name and May the Lord help us to always listen to His promptings, no matter how difficult it seems.

Shalom! By Ayotunde