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SHUN DISTRACTIONS !

  “And still the Christians in the churches in Judea didn’t know me personally. All they knew was that people were saying, “The one who used to persecute us is now preaching the very faith he tried to destroy!” And they praised God because of me” (Gal. 1:22-24, NLT). Many people have been held captive by what others think of them. They are afraid to stand for the truth. When people criticize you for one thing or the other, do you forsake your calling? Don’t forget you are not accountable to man but to God. Paul persecuted and killed the Christians in his day. But he became a new person after his encounter with Jesus on the way to Damascus. Some of the people found it difficult to admit that he had changed. And even when he spoke and preached about Christ, some were not convinced. But that did not prevent him from standing for the truth. What are you doing that people are talking so much about, that is making you lose focus? Remember people will always have something to say whether ...

HEEDING GOD !

 Obeying God is foolishness to this world, yet it's this  "foolishness"  God uses to confound   "the Wise in this world"  ( Jeremiah 8:9, 1 Corinthians 1:27 & Issaiah 44:25 )

THE SINFUL WOMAN

  HER CHARACTER: She was a notorious sinner, possibly a prostitute or adulteress. Rather than trying to defend what was indefensible in her life, she admitted her sin and made a spectacle of herself in a passionate display of love and gratitude. STORY IN BRIEF: She was a notorious prostitute or adulterous woman that followed Jesus to Simon's house. There, she kissed The Lord's feet, mobbed it with her tears, wipped wit her hair and finally perfumed it. Simon, surprised at Jesus' silence, loudly thought, " would the son of our holy Father just watch on without repelling this sinful woman? " Jesus quickly narrated to Simon - a creditor cancelled his debtors debt( one 50 denarri, the other 500 denarri). Then, He asked Simon which of the two debtors he thought would be most appreciative. When Simon judged right, saying it would be the debtor with much debt, Jesus explained that it was the reason the woman did as much; she perceived that her much sins would be forgiven...

ANNA

MEANING: Grace. SORROW: As a widow, she would probably have been among the most vulnerable members of society, with no one to provide for her financially or to take care of her if her health failed. JOY: That her own eyes beheld the Messiah she had longed to see. STORY IN BRIEF: Anna, a Prophetess from the tribe of Asher, became a widow after seven years of marriage. She spent whole of her widowhood fasting and praying to God. Anna worshipped in Herod's temple. This temple had tour segments - the outer court for Gentiles or non-Jews; the inner court divided into Women's and Israelites'; the Priestly court for the Leviticus Priests which also surrounded the temple. Anna could only access the Women's court yet God was merciful to her - She witnessed the Messiah; while Anna worshipped in the temple one day, Someon came holding the baby Jesus in his laps. REFERENCE SCRIPTURES: Luke 2 : 22 - 38

LISTEN CAREFULLY !

    " Be careful therefore how you listen..."  Luke 8:18. Words do not only have the efficacy to colour our thoughts; with their forceful potency, they simulate and propel our Spirits into a certain direction. Whereas some words deepen our fears, others expand our faith depending on their source. God-originated Words do not only invigorate us with His POWER; they also never disappoint when we live them out. So we are charged from our opening verse to listen to God alone. And when we do, we must also understand Him so we can aptly effect His Words. Here's the reason for the failure of some prophecies -  The Prophet of God might be mistaking another voice for God's voice or he misinterpretes what he actually heard God say leading to an erroneous application. It's the reason why James says, " be quick to listen but slow to speak". James 1:19. Ezekiel, the Prophet of God, full of this wisdom, would never prophesy until God first commanded him. And when he di...

HERODIAS

 


NAME MEANING:

Heroic

CHARACTER:

A proud woman, she used her daughter to manipulate her husband into doing her will. She acted arrogantly, from beginning to end, in complete disregard for the laws of the land.


STORY IN BRIEF:

Herod, the great accomplished much for his subjects yet committed so much atrocities also. He build completed great projects, including building the temple. But he killed the Jews, and his own wife. Even on his day of death, he ordered for the killing of the Jewish leaders though they were finally saved after his death.

Herodias was his granddaughter. Yet she got married to another son of his, Philip Herod. Herodias lived in Rome with her husband.

But when Antipas Herod visited them, things took a different turn. Herodias got attracted to his husband's brother - Antipas, who was the governor over some states.

The two then divorced their partners and became couples. Now John, the baptist whose message of righteousness hurt Herodias, got imprisoned later by Antipas.

On his birthday, Antipas promised granting Salomey - his daughter-in-law any request, as much as half his kingdom, for he was so pleased by her dance.

When Salomey sought her mum's guidance on making a demand, Herodias suggested she asked for  John's head.

Though challenging, the king was bound by his promise. So John was killed, and his head offered.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE:

Matthew 14:3 – 12; Mark 6:14 – 29; Luke 3:19 – 20; 

9:7 – 9

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