Stephanie was looking forward to starting a life with her fiance, Cameron, when she got word that he had been in a terrible motorcycle accident and was not expected to survive. Stephanie immediately got on a plane so she could be by Cameron’s side. Three days later, he was declared brain dead.
“I had a hard time accepting it, and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to him,” Stephanie says. “Thinking about having a future without him, I regretted not having a family with him and not starting that sooner.”
Stephanie arranged for a doctor to extract sperm from Cameron and freeze it, in hopes that one day she could still fulfill her dream to have his child.
“Some people ask me, ‘Why not just fall in love with someone else eventually and have a family with them?’ and my answer is that, ‘It’s not the same. It’s not going to be a family with Cameron.’”
The Doctors send Stephanie to fertility specialist Dr. John Jain to find out more about the process she would need to go through to get pregnant when she is ready. Dr. Jain says he has experience helping others with posthumous reproduction.
“Whenever we’re working in these situations, I always make sure you’re at a point in the grieving process, in the healing process, where you’re ready for it,” he says. “It’s a big step.”
Dr. Jain explains that because Stephanie is 22 years old, her eggs should be at their healthiest for at least the next five to seven years, and he says that the frozen sperm will not expire.
“The one message I had for you today, Stephanie, was that you have time,” Dr. Jain says. “And after such a traumatic event in your life, you have to give your body and your mind and your soul time to heal. You’ll know when you’re ready, and when you’re ready for it, it will be here for you.”
Dr. Jain explains that he can take one sperm and put it into one egg and create an embryo, and because of Stephanie's age, there's a 65 percent chance she will become pregnant. He says that frozen sperm is good for decades, so she can take time to grieve and make the life-changing decision when she is ready. Dr. Jain says he would be happy to give Stephanie a free in vitro fertilization cycle when she is ready to make the decision, whenever that might be. Source:thedoctorstv.com
Tuesday, 27 January 2015
Monday, 26 January 2015
FORGIVE
Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. Luke 17:3
Because God forgives us when we sin, He commands us to also forgive others who sin against us. Forgiving others can be very difficult for us - especially when the offence against us caused a lot of pain and hurt.
There are times when we even doubt the sincerity of the one who is asking for our forgiveness because they keep making the same mistakes again and again.
We may say, "If he was really sincere he wouldn't have done it again." The truth is that, sometimes people can be sincere and yet not have the discipline to overcome a practice that they know to be wrong.
Let me ask you a simple question: Have you ever had a hateful thought? Did you repent? Were you sincere?
If your answer is 'yes', are you saying that you will never again have a hateful thought? I am sure your answer to that will be, 'no'.
The truth is that all of us struggle with sin even after we repent—and sometimes we have to keep coming back again and again for forgiveness.
In the same way, God demands that we keep forgiving those who sin against us. It is tough but that is God's way.
The offer of forgiveness, however, is not a license for us to sin against God or for people to offend us and wilfully treat us with disrespect.
Sin must be rebuked and corrected because it is destructive. As we forgive those who offend us continuously, we must be wise not to place ourselves in a position where they are capable of harming us.
Prayer: Lord, give me the grace to forgive my neighbour as much as You forgive me.
Scriptural Reading: Luke 17:1-4
Relationsip: 4 S'xual Sins Every Christian Should Avoid
Excessive sexual sin and nakedness is one of the marks of our Western culture and much of the world today. Everything is sensual. Everything must be sexy. We live in a sex-crazed world, and nakedness jumps out at us from everywhere. It is becoming more and more difficult for men and women to keep themselves in a state of moral purity. Sexual sin and neglecting the laws of purity in the body of Christ is one of the elements that can potentially bring weakness, sickness, and even premature death to many in the Church. It is one forgotten aspect of not discerning the Lord’s body (1 Cor. 11:29-31). Those last statements sound so primitive in today’s contemporary church. There is a lack of ministry from pastors in this area because of the fear of forthcoming accusations of being unloving, judgmental, legalistic, and ministering guilt and condemnation. Frankly, we’ve lost our way in this regard. Correction, rebuke and reproof are clearly missing from our counsel in these new crooked days of false comfort and unscriptural mercy. In days of old it was rather common for correction to be made not only using the Scriptures but through the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. For instance, it was observed by one old timer that in praying for the sick, individuals who had been unfaithful in their marriage and had not repented, but who nevertheless sought healing, had been rebuked sternly by the Spirit of God. Back then they understood that only deep repentance and cleansing through the precious Blood of Christ could the gravity of such a crime be pardoned. Today, as I said, we are considered condemning and judgmental if we minister in such a manner. Yet it is common for many to get in a healing line and seek deliverance, or submit prayer requests while living in gross immorality without any earnest desire for genuine repentance. Those who practice sexual sin, or any other sin for that matter, and profess Christ, are partaking of the body of the Lord unworthily; and in doing so they are receiving a curse rather than a blessing. “For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep” (1 Cor. 11:29-31). I realize that sexual temptations are great, no one is exempt from them, and none should boast of their self-righteousness. I’m also aware that in seeking to turn someone from the error of their ways we must do so in gentleness and humility (Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:25). But if there is to be victory in this area, it must begin with a reverent understanding and a scriptural estimation of the defiling and degrading nature of sexual sin and its terrible dangers. Before people obey God, they must be thoroughly awakened. Only then will they overcome counteracting forces. Carefully read these words of one of America’s greatest evangelists, Charles G. Finney: “Worldly desires, appetites, and feelings prevent true Christianity—the human will is, in a sense, enslaved by fleshly and worldly desires. It is therefore necessary for God to awaken people to a sense of guilt and danger and thus produce an opposite excitement or feeling and desire. This counter-feeling breaks the power of worldly desire and leaves the will free to obey God.” That ideology, my friends, is clearly absent from the mainstream of contemporary Christianity, yet it is so sorely needed. As in modern-day America, sexual sin and nakedness were celebrated in the city of Corinth too and was infiltrating into the church there. Thus Paul had to remind the Corinthian saints that their bodies were now the temples of God and not their own. Their bodies, as ours, are now members of Christ, so a sin against our bodies is a sin against Christ. “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:15, 19-20). As far back as the Mosaic books we find some interesting references to sexual immorality and nakedness.
The first recorded human curse was over nakedness (Gen 9:20-23).
Nearly two entire chapters along with many other references were a code of ethics on nakedness and sexual immorality (See Lev. 18 and 20).
Exposed genitalia or nakedness were common in Canaanite demonic worship. Instructions and prohibitions to Moses were so Israel’s altars would not be like the Canaanites’ (Ex. 28:41-43; 20:26).
When Moses returned from the mountain, Aaron had lost control of the people as they worshiped a golden calf, “unrestrained” (Ex. 32:25), as the New King James says it. The Old King James says “naked,” and the Living Bible says “committing adultery.” And all this happened shortly after a move of God.
One of the keys to overcoming sexual sin lies in the meditation of the Word of God concerning it. This will nurture the fear of the Lord in you. For example, in Gal. 5:19-21 the works of the flesh are divided into four basic categories 1) sexual sins, 2) sins connected with pagan religion and the occult, 3) sins of the temper, and 4) sins of drunkenness. It is interesting that sexual sin is listed first, not only here, but also in several other scriptural references in the New Testament.
Romans 1:24, 6:19 – Uncleanness is singled out.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Sexual sins listed first.
Galatians 5:19-21 – Sexual sins listed first.
Ephesians 4:19 – Lewdness and uncleanness singled out.
Ephesians 5:3 – Fornication and uncleanness singled out; let it not once be named among you.
Colossians 3:5 – Fornication and uncleanness listed first.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 – Sexual immorality singled out in our walk of sanctification.
1 Peter 4:3 – Lewdness listed first from our past life.
There are at least four primary sexual sins the Word of God speaks of: adultery, fornication, uncleanness and lewdness.
Here are the definitions of these four sexual sins:
1- Adultery: Unlawful sexual intercourse involving at least one married person. Adultery is incompatible with the harmonious laws of family life in God’s kingdom, and is under God’s judgment since it violates God’s original purpose.
2- Fornication: Pornography, illicit sexual intercourse including prostitution, whoredom, incest, licentiousness (lack of moral restraint), and habitual immorality (would include sexual fantasies that lead to masturbation).
3- Uncleanness: Often refers to homosexuality and lesbianism
4- Lewdness: unashamed indecency, unbridled lust, unrestrained depravity (a disposition or settled tendency to evil, the innate corruption of unregenerate man), the person with this characteristic has an insolent defiance of public opinion, sinning in broad daylight with arrogance and contempt. Again, this often refers to sexual sin. Here’s where many people err in their understanding of their sexuality. Notice the following verses. “Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power” (1 Cor. 6:13-14). Paul is correcting the dangerous misconception among the Corinthians who believed, “as the stomach is designed for food, the genitals are created for sexual experience.” This mind-set is not only common among unregenerate human beings but also among Christians who justify sexual immorality. Paul shows how this analogy is false because your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost and belongs to Christ. Eating food is a secondary and temporal arrangement, but sexuality reaches into the eternal and metaphysical depths of one’s being. An essential identity exists between the present physical body and the future glorified body (v 14). Sexual intercourse is more than a biological experience; it involves a communion of life. Since Jesus is one with the born-again believer’s spirit, it is unthinkable to involve Him with immorality; thus the strong admonition not to let the sin of fornication and all uncleanness “even be named among you” (Eph. 5:3; emphasis added). Sexuality is a uniquely profound aspect of the personality involving one’s entire being. Sexual immorality has far-reaching effects, with great spiritual significance and social implications (v18). Such immorality is not only a sin against the body but against the Holy Spirit, who dwells in the body. It is one of the ways we are to discern the Lord’s body, which when consistently neglected, as I stated earlier, often brings weakness, sickness, and even premature death. Regardless of how satisfying and fulfilling sex is in its rightful place within the marriage, it is still a temporal arrangement and not a part of our eternal existence. And yet by it we procreate and give birth to eternal spirits. Sexual immorality messes with the power of procreation with someone to whom you are not married. The sexual drive is not sinful, but it is hurtful if not kept in its proper place. Scripture forbids sexual immorality in order to protect you. Politicians, businesses, schools and our public institutions are not qualified to handle the subject of sexual immorality and deviate sex problems we have in our culture. They are a part of the problem, not the solution. Sadly though, the church has fallen so short of addressing this problem from a strong scriptural perspective. Some churches no longer even believe what the Bible says about sexual immorality is pertinent. One high-ranking church official said that the church is going to have to come to an understanding of homosexuality according to the changing culture. That is one of the biggest problems in the church today. Many of us are conforming to the standards of the culture around us. Another well-known charismatic television preacher told his audience that homosexuality is not sin but brokenness. “What do you think David and Jonathan were doing? What do you think Ruth and Naomi were doing?” implying that they were involved in homosexual and lesbian relationships. I had to shake my head at that one. And yet this preacher is considered one of the greatest preachers in America with a very large following. It turns out that one of his own children is a homosexual. Although this is a very crushing trial for any godly parent to have to face, one cannot be loyal to his family at the expense of betraying God’s holy Word. When influential preachers say erroneous things like that, it opens the door for deception and compromise among masses of people who respect these preachers. This will lead to a flood of evil, immorality, and all kinds of perversion among the hearers of such. It is sad to see the dilution of sound doctrine in much of the church today. It is grievous to the Holy Spirit to see such cowardice and compromise among preachers who have either departed from the true faith or who are afraid to teach sound doctrine in the area of sexual morality. As a result, our children and young people are getting educated by the reprobate minds of the world. Let the preachers of righteousness speak up with strength and conviction, for the time is here when many are not enduring sound doctrine, but with itching ears are heaping up teachers unto themselves.
Bert M. Farias
The first recorded human curse was over nakedness (Gen 9:20-23).
Nearly two entire chapters along with many other references were a code of ethics on nakedness and sexual immorality (See Lev. 18 and 20).
Exposed genitalia or nakedness were common in Canaanite demonic worship. Instructions and prohibitions to Moses were so Israel’s altars would not be like the Canaanites’ (Ex. 28:41-43; 20:26).
When Moses returned from the mountain, Aaron had lost control of the people as they worshiped a golden calf, “unrestrained” (Ex. 32:25), as the New King James says it. The Old King James says “naked,” and the Living Bible says “committing adultery.” And all this happened shortly after a move of God.
One of the keys to overcoming sexual sin lies in the meditation of the Word of God concerning it. This will nurture the fear of the Lord in you. For example, in Gal. 5:19-21 the works of the flesh are divided into four basic categories 1) sexual sins, 2) sins connected with pagan religion and the occult, 3) sins of the temper, and 4) sins of drunkenness. It is interesting that sexual sin is listed first, not only here, but also in several other scriptural references in the New Testament.
Romans 1:24, 6:19 – Uncleanness is singled out.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Sexual sins listed first.
Galatians 5:19-21 – Sexual sins listed first.
Ephesians 4:19 – Lewdness and uncleanness singled out.
Ephesians 5:3 – Fornication and uncleanness singled out; let it not once be named among you.
Colossians 3:5 – Fornication and uncleanness listed first.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 – Sexual immorality singled out in our walk of sanctification.
1 Peter 4:3 – Lewdness listed first from our past life.
There are at least four primary sexual sins the Word of God speaks of: adultery, fornication, uncleanness and lewdness.
Here are the definitions of these four sexual sins:
1- Adultery: Unlawful sexual intercourse involving at least one married person. Adultery is incompatible with the harmonious laws of family life in God’s kingdom, and is under God’s judgment since it violates God’s original purpose.
2- Fornication: Pornography, illicit sexual intercourse including prostitution, whoredom, incest, licentiousness (lack of moral restraint), and habitual immorality (would include sexual fantasies that lead to masturbation).
3- Uncleanness: Often refers to homosexuality and lesbianism
4- Lewdness: unashamed indecency, unbridled lust, unrestrained depravity (a disposition or settled tendency to evil, the innate corruption of unregenerate man), the person with this characteristic has an insolent defiance of public opinion, sinning in broad daylight with arrogance and contempt. Again, this often refers to sexual sin. Here’s where many people err in their understanding of their sexuality. Notice the following verses. “Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power” (1 Cor. 6:13-14). Paul is correcting the dangerous misconception among the Corinthians who believed, “as the stomach is designed for food, the genitals are created for sexual experience.” This mind-set is not only common among unregenerate human beings but also among Christians who justify sexual immorality. Paul shows how this analogy is false because your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost and belongs to Christ. Eating food is a secondary and temporal arrangement, but sexuality reaches into the eternal and metaphysical depths of one’s being. An essential identity exists between the present physical body and the future glorified body (v 14). Sexual intercourse is more than a biological experience; it involves a communion of life. Since Jesus is one with the born-again believer’s spirit, it is unthinkable to involve Him with immorality; thus the strong admonition not to let the sin of fornication and all uncleanness “even be named among you” (Eph. 5:3; emphasis added). Sexuality is a uniquely profound aspect of the personality involving one’s entire being. Sexual immorality has far-reaching effects, with great spiritual significance and social implications (v18). Such immorality is not only a sin against the body but against the Holy Spirit, who dwells in the body. It is one of the ways we are to discern the Lord’s body, which when consistently neglected, as I stated earlier, often brings weakness, sickness, and even premature death. Regardless of how satisfying and fulfilling sex is in its rightful place within the marriage, it is still a temporal arrangement and not a part of our eternal existence. And yet by it we procreate and give birth to eternal spirits. Sexual immorality messes with the power of procreation with someone to whom you are not married. The sexual drive is not sinful, but it is hurtful if not kept in its proper place. Scripture forbids sexual immorality in order to protect you. Politicians, businesses, schools and our public institutions are not qualified to handle the subject of sexual immorality and deviate sex problems we have in our culture. They are a part of the problem, not the solution. Sadly though, the church has fallen so short of addressing this problem from a strong scriptural perspective. Some churches no longer even believe what the Bible says about sexual immorality is pertinent. One high-ranking church official said that the church is going to have to come to an understanding of homosexuality according to the changing culture. That is one of the biggest problems in the church today. Many of us are conforming to the standards of the culture around us. Another well-known charismatic television preacher told his audience that homosexuality is not sin but brokenness. “What do you think David and Jonathan were doing? What do you think Ruth and Naomi were doing?” implying that they were involved in homosexual and lesbian relationships. I had to shake my head at that one. And yet this preacher is considered one of the greatest preachers in America with a very large following. It turns out that one of his own children is a homosexual. Although this is a very crushing trial for any godly parent to have to face, one cannot be loyal to his family at the expense of betraying God’s holy Word. When influential preachers say erroneous things like that, it opens the door for deception and compromise among masses of people who respect these preachers. This will lead to a flood of evil, immorality, and all kinds of perversion among the hearers of such. It is sad to see the dilution of sound doctrine in much of the church today. It is grievous to the Holy Spirit to see such cowardice and compromise among preachers who have either departed from the true faith or who are afraid to teach sound doctrine in the area of sexual morality. As a result, our children and young people are getting educated by the reprobate minds of the world. Let the preachers of righteousness speak up with strength and conviction, for the time is here when many are not enduring sound doctrine, but with itching ears are heaping up teachers unto themselves.
Bert M. Farias
DON'T BE DISCOURAGED
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42:11
As human beings, we all have our moments of discouragement and doubt. It is not unusual for even the most spiritual people to have their days of doubt.
Moses, that great prophet of God, on one occasion at least, was overwhelmed by his circumstances.
After he had witnessed the consistent disobedience and murmuring of the children of Israel, he was grieved in his spirit and said to God, "I'm fed up. Just kill me. I don't want to deal with this stubborn people another day."
The prophet Elijah, after his contest with the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, heard that Jezebel was seeking to take his life. He was so overwhelmed by his circumstances, so discouraged, so uncertain, and so filled with doubt that he said to God, "Take my life."
Jeremiah, the great prophet, faced it as well. He was ridiculed and harassed for giving out the Word of God. Because he was tired of the pressure he was facing, it made him want to stop giving out God's Word altogether.
He said, "The word of the Lord has brought me a reproach and a derision daily. Then I said, 'I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name' " (Jer 20:8-9).
Even the great apostle Paul had moments when he was discouraged. He wrote to the church at Corinth, "We were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life" (2 Corinthians 1:8).
It is comforting to know that even the great prophets and apostles of God also got discouraged sometimes. So don't give up. It is in your moment of weakness that power of God is made perfect in you.
Prayer: Father, I ask for strength to overcome discouragement and despair.
Scriptural Reading: Psalm 42:1-11
Singles: 3 Things to Remember While Waiting For Mr. Right
Since the beginning of time, woman has been a gift to man. Eve didn’t have to do much to
win Adam over in the perfect garden. She probably hadn’t shaved or spent tons of money at the salon and definitely hadn’t learned 50 ways to cook chicken to win Adam over. He knew that she was a gift and he was thankful.
Unfortunately today women are doing all they can to convince a guy that they are worth having. Magazine articles, books and well meaning friends and family constantly remind us that we are not doing enough. We are told that if we are still single, it’s our fault (either directly or indirectly) and we should be doing A, B & C to win the affection of a man.
I’ve been there. I’ve read through all the articles only to find myself a little more discouraged. These articles usually tend to reinforce that I’m not good enough and that I need to act a certain way for the right man to fall for me. Talk less, talk more, play hard to get, don’t play games, tell him how you feel, don’t tell him how you feel, wear more heels, sneakers are hot, and the list goes on. All the advice is ever changing and it’s hard to keep up with the best way to attract a man.
This quote stood out to me the other day “ Act Like a Prize and You will Turn him into a Believer”.
This quote got me to thinking that if women were truly the prize, why do we stress out so much over relationships. Do guys run to the mall to buy a new shirt to impress a girl on a date? Do they fall asleep reading articles entitled “How to get a girl to notice me”? Do they take a cooking class just so they can make their girlfriend the best dinner ever? Maybe some do but I think we can all agree that sometimes women worry too much about getting a man and keeping him.
Sometimes we just need to be reminded that we are the prize!
We want to feel like a prize but often times we don’t. We put in a lot of energy to get little attention from a guy that we may be interested in. If we want to be treated like a prize, we need to learn how to act like a prize. Here are three things to remember when acting like a prize.
- Prizes are earned. In a race, all the runners have the same chance of winning, but only one gets 1st prize. This means that we don’t have to make ourselves available to every man that presents himself to us. We are available to the ones who value the prize so much that they are willing to put in the extra work it takes to win us. This doesn’t mean that we have men jumping through hoops, but it does mean taking notice of the guy who picks up the phone to call and makes his intentions clear versus the one who sends many mixed signals and leaves you confused.
- Prizes have worth. Keeping with our race analogy, we can’t expect the runners to give their all for a prize that they don’t value. As women, instead of trying to accomplish and do things to prove our value we need to start believing the value that we already have as God’s beloved daughters! I have accomplished quite a few things in my life that add to my “worldly” value but none of those things has gotten me a husband. Believe that you truly are God’s prized possession and you will begin to shine and everyone will notice.
- Prizes don’t compete. The only people who should be competing in a race are the runners, not the prizes! Each level or variety of prize is unique and valuable in it’s own way. As women, we sometimes forget that we should not be in competition with one another. We are all valuable prizes and we should be celebrating each other and not competing. A woman who is constantly in competition with other women is communicating that she doesn’t see her own value.
In all these things, remember that instead of being frustrated that men don’t see you as a prize you should challenge yourself to start acting like the prize that you believe you truly are.
source: theprayingwoman.comPrayer for new week
God will make a way out of all the problems that are facing you. He will give you massive victories
The Lord is your
keeper, the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall
preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
from this time forth, and even forevermore" (Ps 121:5–8). In whatever you do,
situations will bow down before you; systems, ordinances, institutions,
policies and legislature will adjust for you to have your desired
breakthroughs. Go forth and possess your possessions in Jesus Name.
Happy New Week from us ASB-World.
Thursday, 22 January 2015
TIRED? BROKE ? GOT A BOAT?
I heard a story about a doctor who had had a hectic day at work.
His shift had been so busy, all he wanted to do was go home. He was to take his son out on a father-son time that night....he was looking forward to seeing him. But as the day was nearing the end, he heard the news, his son had been hit by a car and died on the spot.
As he was stepping out of his office, on the way to view where his sons body was laid, the emergency bleep went off. A little boy had been brought in, he was almost at the point of death.
This doctor turned back and ran to attend to the emergency. The father of the sick child screamed at him, saying that he wasn't responding quickly to his son. Putting his sorrow under, he joined the team and they laboured until the sick boy was restored.
His shift had been so busy, all he wanted to do was go home. He was to take his son out on a father-son time that night....he was looking forward to seeing him. But as the day was nearing the end, he heard the news, his son had been hit by a car and died on the spot.
As he was stepping out of his office, on the way to view where his sons body was laid, the emergency bleep went off. A little boy had been brought in, he was almost at the point of death.
This doctor turned back and ran to attend to the emergency. The father of the sick child screamed at him, saying that he wasn't responding quickly to his son. Putting his sorrow under, he joined the team and they laboured until the sick boy was restored.
As he made a leave of the intensive care unit where the boy was being managed, he was met by the father of the sick child, with tears in his eyes.....asking for forgiveness for his insensitivity.
I heard you lost your son today! And I have behaved towards you in the most insensitive way. The doctor could not hold back the tears......he had done what most people would not do, help others during their own dire need.
I heard you lost your son today! And I have behaved towards you in the most insensitive way. The doctor could not hold back the tears......he had done what most people would not do, help others during their own dire need.
Anyone can be nice when they are happy, but there is an attitude that will single you out from everyone else. Choosing to be a blessing in spite of your own need.
Most of us will gladly give out 5000 naira when we have 50,000 naira.
We will offer a hungry man a bottle of coke when we have a banquet to feast on. If you belong to that category, I am sorry, you have common virtues. Unfortunately, you need to do better to get Gods attention.
Most of us will gladly give out 5000 naira when we have 50,000 naira.
We will offer a hungry man a bottle of coke when we have a banquet to feast on. If you belong to that category, I am sorry, you have common virtues. Unfortunately, you need to do better to get Gods attention.
Let me share something I found....
Luke 5:1-7 CEB
One day Jesus was standing beside Lake Gennesaret when the crowd pressed in around him to hear God’s word. Jesus saw two boats sitting by the lake. The fishermen had gone ashore and were washing their nets. Jesus boarded one of the boats, the one that belonged to Simon, then asked him to row out a little distance from the shore. Jesus sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he finished speaking to the crowds, he said to Simon, "Row out farther, into the deep water, and drop your nets for a catch." Simon replied, "Master, we’ve worked hard all night and caught nothing. But because you say so, I’ll drop the nets." So they dropped the nets and their catch was so huge that their nets were splitting. They signaled for their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They filled both boats so full that they were about to sink.
Luke 5:1-7 CEB
One day Jesus was standing beside Lake Gennesaret when the crowd pressed in around him to hear God’s word. Jesus saw two boats sitting by the lake. The fishermen had gone ashore and were washing their nets. Jesus boarded one of the boats, the one that belonged to Simon, then asked him to row out a little distance from the shore. Jesus sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he finished speaking to the crowds, he said to Simon, "Row out farther, into the deep water, and drop your nets for a catch." Simon replied, "Master, we’ve worked hard all night and caught nothing. But because you say so, I’ll drop the nets." So they dropped the nets and their catch was so huge that their nets were splitting. They signaled for their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They filled both boats so full that they were about to sink.
These men had laboured all night...no results to show. They must have paid the FISHING FEE for that night, probably rented some nets, hoping that a good catch will offset their bill and the wives will be happy.
They waited and sweated and nothing happened. They gave up and started cleaning the nets....tired, deflated and discouraged......sleep deprived and totally exhausted.
Then, here comes Jesus, the man who 'wanders everywhere', teaching people all sorts of funny things, He had just woken up from an all night sleeping, fresh and clean, asking for them to loan him their boat!
They waited and sweated and nothing happened. They gave up and started cleaning the nets....tired, deflated and discouraged......sleep deprived and totally exhausted.
Then, here comes Jesus, the man who 'wanders everywhere', teaching people all sorts of funny things, He had just woken up from an all night sleeping, fresh and clean, asking for them to loan him their boat!
I mean .....you are tired......and all you need is a clear head to know how to explain to the wife that there is no food money for tomorrow. ..and someone is asking for a lift!
Simon obliged.....thank God he did.....
Simon obliged.....thank God he did.....
I am sure that Simon had to stay on the boat or around it whilst Jesus preached on the boat.....SPENDING EXTRA TIME.....on a non-paid job! Imagine, you chose to help someone, they are now delaying you with their own success!
He allowed JESUS use that boat for a short while.....I am sure that Jesus did not use the boat for as long as the fishermen had been on it.....after HE finished using the boat, He decided that their act of simple obedience and selflessness deserved recognition.
In the same way HE asked for a favour, He declared a favour, the favour that turned a tired, laboured unproductive man into an instant millionaire.....
In the same way HE asked for a favour, He declared a favour, the favour that turned a tired, laboured unproductive man into an instant millionaire.....
He released the boat......He had his own problems to deal with, but He released what he had in his hands.
Brethren, our world is a selfish world.
People only want to be a part of something that looks like they will get something back instantaneously. But THERE IS A SACRIFICE THAT YOU WILL GIVE THAT WILL GET HEAVEN'S ATTENTION.....It will hurt at times......
Your labour is not enough to sustain you anyway, why dont you lend the boat to Jesus. There are many around you who could do with that which you say is not enough, to them, it will be raw gold. It will meet their need. It will be an answer to their prayers.
People only want to be a part of something that looks like they will get something back instantaneously. But THERE IS A SACRIFICE THAT YOU WILL GIVE THAT WILL GET HEAVEN'S ATTENTION.....It will hurt at times......
Your labour is not enough to sustain you anyway, why dont you lend the boat to Jesus. There are many around you who could do with that which you say is not enough, to them, it will be raw gold. It will meet their need. It will be an answer to their prayers.
Stop looking at just your own needs. .....ask, WOULD YOU NEED MY EMPTY BOAT LORD?
Simon lent Jesus a boat, he partnered with HIM for a harvest of souls. Stop looking to meet only your own needs. That boat that hasnt caught anything in spite of your sweat and stress may soon be sinking with fish, just lend it to the Lord.
Simon lent Jesus a boat, he partnered with HIM for a harvest of souls. Stop looking to meet only your own needs. That boat that hasnt caught anything in spite of your sweat and stress may soon be sinking with fish, just lend it to the Lord.
By sis Bola
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