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BOOK OF RUTH

BOOK OF RUTH

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UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS

  Good intention is as bad of as lack of it. Show me one act of kindness, and it will suffice. Put in another man’s words, “The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention”. No word is as vague and empty as the phrase, “I intend to…” Intention is like a wish, but we all know that, “If wishes were horses, beggars too will ride”. Walt Kelly says. “It’s not good enough for things to be planned - they still have to be done; for the intention to become a reality, energy has to be launched into operation”. Not until the intention is converted to an action, however good it is, it is still an intention. For the America National Football League (NFL) players, in spite of the accompanying penalty, the act of unnecessary roughness can be a lifesaving and a goal-oriented scheme. But when it comes to the proven principles and issues of life, the penalty for not going by the rules can be horrendous. “Drinking acid, thinks it is water is an unforgivable act” (anon). The thief and the abettor are birds of the same feather- they are not different in any way. Likewise, the alcoholic and the man who pay for it are two sides of the same coin – they are in the same shoe. If you do not feel disgusted at the sight of indecency, you are likely in the same train with them. “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers” (Psalm 1 vs. 1). Good observers said, “The world best sermon is preached by the road sign: keep right”. Which will you rather have, a big house or a good home?  A big house is never equal to a good home. More than likely, you find tall men, but men with short tempers in a big house. Grouchy, intolerant, and nagging women are not likely going to occupy a good home either. The book of proverbs 22 vs. 1 says, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold”. “When what she really wants is time to talk - sending flowers will not make up for it. When the man actually needs a home-cooked meal - a hug is not the answer” (Gary Chapman). In our pursuit to become recognized in the society, we multiply possessions while our values are greatly reduced. Derogating virtues and elevating vices is a cancer to the society. The issue of morality remains the same across generations. In our quest to finding independence, and also in our effort to letting our children be who they are, it should be made clear that the subject of morality remains the same for them as it is for us. Among other things bequeathed on our children, good virtues should be more emphasized. Of what use is it if the youngster ends up being a fugitive or a vagabond? Consider this as a rhetoric question, “If you don’t have time to do it right, and right now, when will you have time to do it right over”? (Anon). Unlike any other generations, we have been to the moon back and forth on several occasions. As well, this generation has literally taken a walk in the star. However, often we find it difficult to say ‘hi’ to our neighbors living across the street. The Chinese says, “Anyone can buy a house, but good neighbors are priceless”. A good neighbor quote puts it this way, “When your acquaintances are thousands of miles away, your neighbor remains the closest associate”. Money can buy a sleeping bed, but it cannot buy sleep; it can pay hospital bills, but it cannot buy good health. Why then do we run after money as though it is the most important thing? Often, we live in poverty in the land of plenty. We have many people around us, and yet we feel lonely. The late Steve Jobs, founder of Apple computer Inc. said, “The most compelling reason for most people to buy a computer for the home will be to link it to a worldwide communication network”. But, most of our intimate relationships lack communication.  Opportunity for greatness abounds, and yet we do not recognize it – probably because “It’s dressed in overall and looks like work”, according to Thomas Edison. The most chronic illnesses thrive in the land where we have the top physicians. Wretchedness in the land of the greatest philanthropists is not uncharacteristic! Dale Carnegie advises, “Do not fire the employee who made mistakes 10 times only to hire another person”. “As long as it’s not the same set of mistake”, he said, “He has only learnt 10 times of how not to do it wrong.” Remember what the elders say, “New brooms may sweep clean, but only the old broom knows the corners”. “Keep your mind open to ideas, as long as they are not the same old ones” (John Mason). The story of TJ will help substantiate our subject of discussion. TJ was a son of a very rich father. But his father was someone who imbibed the principles of the Bible to the core. Unlike his father, TJ wanted to have things his own way, and still have full access to the things of his father. But his father would have none of such - his intention was to bring up his son in the best possible moralistic standard.  The elders say, “The sheep that made a companion of dogs will certainly eat human feces”. TJ -like the prodigal son- lived a rebellious and meager life against the wish of his father. He was not interested in going to college and was also not interested in learning a trade either. On every occasion, he made a request to his father to set up a business empire for him, so that he could be as rich as his father. “A wise father knows his child, but a foolish son does not take time to know his father”, says the aged. TJ’s father was more than willing to honor his son’s request. He made provision for all that was needed for his son to be like him. Any man can be a Father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad. A wise Dad also knows that, “If a child is given enough rope, he will hang himself”.  What TJ’s father did each time the request was made by his son was to present him a Bible. But TJ would rather live a lowly and wretched live than to take the Bible from his father. In his final will, TJ’s father had made it clear that the only conditions given to TJ concerning his inheritance was for him to pick up the Bible that he had rejected over the years. TJ had waited too long for the demise of his father, but when the old man finally passed on, it was more than gladness for TJ to come home with the hope of controlling his father business empire.  “By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong” (Charles Wadsworth). To his disappointment, on arrival TJ learnt that he had no access to his father’s inheritance. With a troubled mind, he searched furiously through his father’s papers until he found the little Bible that his father used to present to him. Unwillingly, he grabbed and opened it, only to discover a copy of the living-will inside the Bible. The most pathetic aspect was to know that the living-will was dated as far back as when the Bible was first presented to him. The living-will states that he should take over the business empire the very first day his request was made!  This one too might interest someone. It was about a man who lived as a pauper when he could have lived in luxury. An elderly lady once left a $20,000 inside the Bible and gave it to him. He simply collects it and drop it on the shelf. From there, he headed for Las Vegas. Soon his money was gone, he lived the next 60 years as a pauper, scraping for every meal and barely having clothes to cover his body. As he was moving to a convalescent home, he reached to grab that old Bible, thinking it might be of use at that point of his life. As he did, the Bible accidentally fell to the floor and opened, revealing $100 bills between every other page.  Anxiety is a killer, do not be trapped into it. Jesus asked, “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit to his life? What you worried about yesterday is most likely no longer in vogue today. The coolest way to be uncertain is to own two clocks. Do not shoulder your troubles all by yourself when you have those who are willing to help you. “Perhaps, what you are looking for in the upper shelf is staring at you in the lower shelf” (African proverb).  The ultimate question was asked by Jesus Christ when he said, “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loose his soul” (Matthew 16 vs. 26).  This is exactly what Fredrick Warren meant when he said, “You never know God is all you need until God is all you have.” Read the full article

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BOOMERANG

{“If malice or envy were tangible and had a shape, it would be the shape of a boomerang” (Charley Reese).} An African proverb says, “When a sickle is drawn, it draws the tree on which it’s hung in turn.” An ‘Amen’, which is a word of affirmation, is not required when a preacher says, “You will reap whatever you sow.” - It is the law of nature. Newton’s third law of motion says, “To every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” To personalize the matter and bring it home, Ben Franklin asserted, “If you make others look better, it will certainly bounce back.” Someone else shares his own perspective; he said, “Love is like a rubber band, we keep pulling, someone let go of it, and it hurts the one who held on.” Giving and receiving are opposite words, but the unusual thing about them is that, wherever you find one, you’ll see the other. Mark Twain says, “Think about what you are giving as if you are the recipient”. If you cannot punch yourself in the face, don’t attempt it on someone else. Like me, you probably had been splashed as a pedestrian. It isn’t high time to begin to splash on others now that you drive your own car. E.C. McKenzie in his astute way asked, “If revenge is sweet why does it leave such a bitter taste?” He also said, “Revenge is like a sword that wounds the one that wields it.” As someone puts it; he said, “Without retaliation, evils would one day become extinct from the world.” My best guess is that it is true. Negative or positive, actions are always recycled in the form of reactions. “An act of revenge is a new act of wrong” (anon). Too often, we don’t see how much our lives influence others which in turn influence ours. Pleased by how an anonymous philosopher says it; he said, “An action is like a hug, when given it comes back right away.” Sandy Hoenig in her book, The joy of forgiveness said, “Even though people have hurt you and you cannot forget it, you can be free from grudges, resentment, self-defeating habits, and negative feelings. Forgiving is the only way to stop the pain and bring hope for the future.” Mary Johnson’s son was shot and killed. She forgave the killer, got him out of jail and arranged for him to live next door. When asked what motivated her; she said, “Un-forgiveness is like cancer. It will eat you from the inside out. It’s not about that other person, me forgiving him does not diminish what he’s done. Yes, he murdered my son - but the forgiveness is for me.” “Without forgiveness life is governed by an endless cycle of resentment and retaliation” (Roberto Assagioli) Nature has its own way of forcing things into place. If for instance, you make food in preparation for visitors, and your visitors don’t show up. Don’t you end up eating the food by yourself? You know, the type and the taste of the food depend on the type of visitors you are expecting. You have done nothing short of entertaining yourself with the best you had in mind for your visitors! I hope you don’t wish you had prepared a better or a tastier food? As it’s often said, “As you lay your bed, so you lie on it.” The golden rule states that, “Do unto others as you’ll have them do unto you”. The rule has not lost its potency; it’s as strong as ever. People say, “What goes around comes around”. In order to circumvent a miserable future, good parents do not just invest money into the future of their children; they also instill the necessary discipline to make them become good citizens. In return the parents do not only have rest and peace, they have built good legacies that will outlast their generation in the process. The proverbs says, “Train your child in the way he should go, and when he’s old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22 vs.6). “If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself. If you roll a boulder down on others, it will crush you instead” (Proverbs 26 vs. 27). In a polygamous home, competitions, tensions and jealousy among spouses is usually the order of the day. In an attempt to get rid of her step-son, she ends up killing her only child. This was the case of a woman married into a polygamous home. Her jealousy aroused from the fact the boy was performing academically better than her own child. So she prepared food for both her son and the older wife’s son. But for covetousness, her son ends up eating his own food and the poisoned food that was meant for his half-brother. She was caught in her own snare. The aftermath was fatal. An African proverb says, “A bird that prays for rain will find itself soaked.” The story of Tim and Tracy his brother will help to illustrate. Little did Tim know he was building his own house when Tracy, his brother sent money to him to build a magnificent house in their home town. If the crimes of denial and betrayal have the same weight, the damage may be irreconcilable when the latter ensues between siblings. After two years in construction, Tim called his brother on the phone to let him know that he had completed the building project and that he needed to come see it. But Tracy would have none of that! He was well-to-do in the city where he resides. All he told his brother on the phone was that the house is his. Since his plan was to make his brother financially comfortable, too. “Clear conscience”, as they say, “fears no accusation”. The news was not well received when Tim learnt that the house he built was rather his. Had he known, he would have used a mixture of water and sand, and not a blend of spittle and silt. The house was completed with less than half of the money Tracy had sent for the project. It was far from perfect; the materials used to build the house from the foundation upward were less than inferior. The money meant for the project was diverted to riotous living. He made up things with the hope of telling his brother that the money sent to him could not do just better! “Do not throw a stone when your house is all made of glasses,” is an expression to abide by. This is probably because your relative could be one of the recipients of the ill-natured projected evil. Invariably, it may turn out that you won’t be able to defy the outcome of perpetuated vices. Without conflict, known is the fact that, good always comes back to those who do well. In the day of evil, the good deeds will speak on the behalf of the fellow. Though truth is bitter, it must be told however. “Falsehoods may have gone for a hundred year; it takes only one day for truth to catch up” (African proverb). Watch what you wish others, it might boomerang! Read the full article

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FATHERS IN THE BIBLE

FATHERS IN THE BIBLE

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CHILDREN CHURCH (10)

SERMON ON THE MOUNT: PRAYER

MATTHEW 7:7-11

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Manchester United FC

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Book of John

GOSPEL ACCORDING TO SAINT JOHN

BIBLE QUIZ

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Bible Quiz Download

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BOOK OF ESTHER

BOOK OF ESTHER

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Names in the Bible

This quiz can be attempted multiple times. 15 random questions Read the full article

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BibleMastery Week 3

Acts of the Apostles

Chapters 1-5 (KJV)

25  Questions (1 attempt) Participants ranked based on percentage correct and duration (when scores are tied) Quiz available to REGISTERED candidates only. Opens @7AM and can be attempted anytime between 7AM - 7PM Saturday May 30, 2020 Read the full article

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BibleMastery Week 3

Acts of the Apostles

Chapters 1-5 (KJV)

25  Questions (1 attempt) Participants ranked based on percentage correct and duration (when scores are tied) Quiz available to REGISTERED candidates only. Opens @7AM and can be attempted anytime between 7AM - 7PM Saturday May 30, 2020 Read the full article

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Nothing But The Blood of Jesus

  One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God's call  and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. The young  woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident.  As time went on she became a faithful member of the  church. She eventually became involved in the  ministry, teaching young children. It was not very  long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son.  The relationship grew and they began to make wedding  plans. This is when the problems began. You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son.  The church began to argue and fight about the matte. So they decided to have a meeting.  As the people made their arguments and tensions  increased, the meeting was getting completely out of  hand. The young woman became very upset about all the  things being brought up about her past.  As she began to cry the pastor's son stood to speak.  He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to  be. He began to speak and his statement was this  "My fiancee's past is not what is on trial here. What  you are questioning is the ability of the blood of  Jesus to wash away sin." "Today you have put the blood  of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?"  The whole church began to weep as they realized that  they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Too often, even as Christians we bring up the  past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters. Forgiveness is a fundamental part of the Gospel  of our Lord Jesus Christ. If the blood of Jesus does  not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely. If that is the case, then we  are all in a lot of trouble.  What can wash away my sins? ... Nothing but the blood of  Jesus!  End of case!!!!   This story/message was not created by Zionites. Zionites is a mere channel through which inspirational messages are conveyed Read the full article

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Pack of Plates

Usually, my mum would leave some piece of meat for the person packing her plates after meal. My motivation to pack her plate was the meat. On a particular day, the plate was empty and I just walked pass. One of my brothers came around, moved by a sense of duty and packed the plates. Mum thanked him and while he engaged both hands carrying the plates, she asked him to open his mouth as she dunked a mouthful chunk! The plate was empty, but her hand was full! I didn't see the hand, I only checked the plate. That lesson never left me! The reward for packing some plates of responsibilities and duties may not be visible on the plates but wrapped within the faithful fingers of devotion, dedication and selfless service to humanity. Many people walk pass their fulfillment by looking the other way from obligations simply because the plate poses with an empty reward. I have since learnt that greatness is postpaid! Greatness is rarely advertised on the screen of reward but disguised like an empty manger bearing the burden of a full Inn. You cannot predict the weight of a child by the size of his mother. If you missed the blessings of being responsible to your siblings, clients, partner, friends etc, the best anointing oil will do is to fry your head for dinner in the canteen of frustration. So, be eager to pack the plates you found on the table of responsibility: at church, home, office, the associations you belong to, everywhere… Don't look at those making jest of you, be intentional and live a life of meaningful impacts in this side of eternity. This story/message did not originate from Zionites. Zionites is a mere channel through which inspirational messages are conveyed. Read the full article

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ANCIENT RULES THAT NEVER FAIL

  -To be rich  -    Give. -To succeed  -  Serve. -To laugh       -   Make someone laugh. -To prosper   -  Be honest. -To excel       -  Be faithful. -To go far    - Get up early -To change someone - Change yourself. -To be great -  Be disciplined -To be strong - Pray often -To do a lot -  Speak little -To be fruitful - Praise God -To live well -    Forgive. -To talk well -   Bind anger -To sleep well - Work hard -To be loved   - Love. -To be a good husband -      Listen to her. -To be a woman - Submit yourself. -To be respected - Be polite -To bind Satan - Sanctify yourself. -To grow in faith - Meditate on the word of God always. None of these has ever failed! Give it a trial and see for yourself.   This story/message did not originate from Zionites. Zionites is a mere channel through which inspirational messages are conveyed Read the full article

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Custom Bible Quiz for your group

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Daniel

I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. Who am I? Read the full article