The Woman with the Issue of Blood

The Woman with the Issue of Blood

HER CHARACTER:

So desperate for healing, she ignored the conventions of the day for the chance to touch Jesus.

HER SORROW:

To have suffered a chronic illness that isolated her from others. 

HER JOY:

That after long years of suffering, she finally found

peace and freedom. 

KEY SCRIPTURES:

Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48

HER LIFE AND TIMES

MENSTRUAL BLEEDING

Any woman who has suffered through "an issue of blood" knows the difficulties and the debilitating effects of the disease. When blood flows freely and frequently instead of in its regular monthly pattern, women endure not only the untidiness of the condition but can also experience a loss of strength and weight.

The woman in this story suffered from such a haemorrhage for twelve long years. She was probably weak and thin. Because of the ritual uncleanness that surrounded such a condition, she most likely didn't often go out in public. Imagine twelve years of this:

When a woman has a discharge of blood for many days at a time other than her monthly period or has a discharge that continues beyond her period, she will be unclean as long as she has the discharge, just as in the days of her period. Any bed she lies on while her discharge continues will be unclean, as is her bed during her monthly period, and anything she sits on will be unclean, as during her period. Whoever touches them will be unclean; they must wash their clothes and bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening. -LEVITICUS 15:25-27

A woman was considered unclean for a mere seven days when she had her regular period (Leviticus 15:19). This woman, however, bore not only the inconvenience but also the curse of being unclean for twelve years. Anyone and anything she touched became unclean. Imagine: She gives her husband a plate of food and their hands touch - he's unclean. She gives her neighbor a hand with her laundry and their hands touch - she's unclean. Anything she sits on at home becomes unclean, as does anything she sits on at a neighbor's home or in public. Before long, everyone is aware of her uncleanness and no one wants to be around her. 

Many different conditions could have caused this woman's ailment: fibroid tumors, an infection, a hormone imbalance. Whatever the cause, the doctors she had seen over the years had taken all of her money but given no relief. With the forthrightness and compassion that are characteristic of the gospel writer Mark, he says this woman "had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors." In fact, at times their cures were probably worse than her sickness. Still, no matter how much money she spent or how much agony she endured, her sickness seemed impossible to cure. Until she met the God of the impossible.

What doctors couldn't do, Jesus could. No repulsive or painful remedies. No visits to doctors more interested in financial gain than in her cure. With just a soft, loving touch of his coat, she was cured. Healed. Freed. Immediately!

The glory of Christ is that he succeeds where others fail. He brings healing when doctors say none is possible. He offers forgiveness when the heart says it can never be forgiven. He extends comfort when the agony is too great to carry, and peace when all is chaos. He presents the possible after twelve years of impossibility.

HER PROMISE

God promises to heal us. That statement may seem to fly in the face of the many who have suffered from illness and disability for years, but we need to remember that our concept of healing is not necessarily the same as God's. For some, healing may not take place here on earth. True healing - the healing that will cure even those who don't suffer from any particular physical ailment here on earth - will take place not here but in heaven. There, God promises the ultimate healing from our sickness, our disabilities, our inclination to sin.

Promises in Scripture

I am the LORD, who heals you.

-EXODUS 15:26

O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.

-PSALM 30:2

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.-PSALM 103:1-4

They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

-REVELATION 21:3-4

HER LEGACY OF PRAYER

When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." -MARK 5:27-28

REFLECT ON:

Mark 5:21-34

PRAISE GOD:

That his touch produces peace and freedom.

OFFER THANKS:

That faith is a gift that increases with use.

CONFESS:

Any tendency to play it so safe you actually begin to suffocate the faith you have.

CONFESS:

To bring this woman's story to mind the next time you are faced with an opportunity to exercise real faith.

Lift Your Heart

Trying to live the Christian life without faith is like trying to eat a steak with a straw, or kissing someone without using your lips, or propelling an airplane with foot pedals. It doesn't nourish you, never thrills you, and won't get you anywhere. If you feel the spark of faith fading, ask God to take the little you have and fan it to flame. 

Father, forgive my little faith

_Make it big

_Reduce my ego

_Make it small

_Give me a chance

_To touch you and be touched

_No matter how foolish

_No matter how frightened

_No matter how strange I feel.

_Fan my small spark into a brightness

_Lighting the way ahead.

Amen.

Pray it like you mean it, and God will not fail to provide you with opportunities to exercise your faith.

THE PURPOSE AND MEANING OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS!!!

THE PURPOSE AND MEANING OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS!!!

Before looking at the purpose and meaning of these Ten magnificent laws of love, it should be noted that there really is only ONE passage we need to know that demonstrates the unchanging, eternal nature of ALL the Ten Commandments. 

Matthew 5:17-18 reads, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till Heaven and Earth Pass, one jot or one tittle shall in No Wise Pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled.”

The purpose of the Ten Commandments is to point out sin as Paul informs us in Romans 7:7 and note Paul is expressing this long after the cross. Below you will find more on the meaning of each commandment.

1. THE FIRST COMMANDMENT IS ABOUT LOYALTY.

The Creator of the universe declares He is our God and our deliverer and asks us to demonstrate our love for Him by having no other God's. The First Commandment is the first of a series of four that define our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Establishing, developing and maintaining that personal relationship with the true and living God is the most important commitment we can ever make. 

That is the primary focus of the first of the Ten Commandments, You shall have no other gods before Me. We should love, honour and respect Him so much that He alone is the supreme authority and model in our lives. He alone is God. We should allow nothing to prevent us from serving and obeying Him.

2. THE SECOND COMMANDMENT IS ABOUT WORSHIP.

The one and only true God loves us so much that He is jealous of our love and does not want to share our love by us bowing down to meaningless idols. The Second Commandment goes to the heart of our relationship with our Creator. It deals with several crucial questions. How do we perceive God? How do we explain Him to ourselves and to others? Above all, what is the proper way to worship the only true God? The Second Commandment is a constant reminder that only we, of all created things, are made in the image of God. Only we can be transformed into the spiritual image of Christ, who of course came in the flesh as the perfect spiritual image of our heavenly Father. This Commandment protects our special relationship with our Creator, who made us in His likeness and is still moulding us into His spiritual image.

3. THE THIRD COMMANDMENT IS ABOUT REVERENCE.

God asks us to respect His Holy name and not to use it in vain. The Third Commandment focuses on showing respect. It addresses the way we communicate our feelings about God to others and to Him. It encompasses our attitudes, speech and behaviour. Respect is the cornerstone of good relationships. The quality of our relationship with God depends on the love and regard we have for Him. It also depends on the way we express respect for Him in the presence of others. We are expected always to honour who and what He is. 

Conversely, the use of God's name in a flippant, degrading or in any way disrespectful manner, dishonours the relationship we are supposed to have with Him. This can vary from careless disregard to hostility and antagonism. It covers misusing God's name in any way. The Hebrew name for “vain” is “shaw” and means vanity, falsehood, iniquity and emptiness. Simply summed up, “shaw” means showing disrespect and this is what we do when we take God's name in vain.

4. THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT IS ABOUT SANCTIFICATION AND RELATIONSHIP.

God starts off the fourth Commandment with the word “Remember”. This is because He knew we would forget it. God asks that we keep it set apart for Holy purposes so we can draw nearer to Him. 

The Fourth Commandment to remember the Sabbath concludes the section of the Ten Commandments that specifically helps define a proper relationship with God, how we are to love, worship and relate to Him. It explains why and when we need to take special time to draw closer to our Creator. It is also a special sign between us and God forever, that it is Him that sanctifies us Him alone we belong to and worship. The Sabbath, the seventh day of the week was set apart by God as a time of rest and spiritual rejuvenation. 

So why is this Commandment so frequently ignored, attacked and explained away by so many? Could it be because the challenges to the Sabbath Commandment are views generated by the ruler of this present evil world? After all, this being wants us to accept these views because he hates God's law. He does all he can to influence us to ignore, avoid and reason our way around it. On our calendar the Sabbath day begins at sunset Friday evening and ends at sunset Saturday evening.

5. THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT IS ABOUT RESPECT FOR PARENTAL AUTHORITY. 

God instructs us to show love for our parents by honouring them. The Fifth Commandment introduces us to a series of Commandments that define proper relationships with other people. The fifth through to the 10th serve as the standards of conduct in areas of human behaviour that generate the most far reaching consequences on individuals, families, groups and society. 

Families are the building blocks of societies that build strong nations. When families are fractured and flawed, the sad results are tragic and reflected in newspaper headlines every day. Any individual or group, including whole nations that understand the importance of strong families reap the rewards of an improved relationship and blessings from God. The Fifth Commandment shows us from whom and how the fundamentals of respect and honour are most effectively learned. It guides us to know how to yield to others, how to properly submit to authority and how to accept the influence of mentors. 

That is why the apostle Paul wrote, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first Commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth” Ephesians 6:2-3.

6. THE SIXTH COMMANDMENT IS ABOUT RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE.

God asks us to demonstrate love and not hate towards others by not murdering. We must learn to control our tempers. Taking another person's life is not our right to decide. That judgment is reserved for God alone. That is the thrust of this Commandment. 

God does not allow us to choose to wilfully or deliberately take another person's life. The Sixth Commandment reminds us that God is the giver of life and He alone has the authority to take it or to grant permission to take it. God wants us to go far beyond avoiding murder. He requires that we not maliciously harm another human being in word or deed. 

This is why John wrote, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” 1 John 3:15. God desires that we treat even those who choose to hate us respectfully and do all within our power to live in peace and harmony with them. He wants us to be builders, not destroyers of good relationships. To accomplish this we must respect this wonderful gift of this precious possession, human life.

7. THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT IS ABOUT PURITY IN RELATIONSHIPS.

God asks us to express and demonstrate our love for our partner by not committing adultery. Adultery is the violation of the marriage covenant by wilful participation in sexual activity with someone other than one's spouse. Since God's law sanctions sexual relationships only within a legitimate marriage, the command not to commit adultery covers in principle, all varieties of sexual immorality. No sexual relationship of any sort should occur outside of marriage. That is the crux of this Commandment. 

Most of us need the support and companionship of a loving spouse. We need someone special who can share our ups and downs, triumphs and failures. No one can fill this role like a mate who shares with us a deep love and commitment. Society suffers because we have lost the vision that God had for marriage from the beginning. 

Marriage is not a requirement for success in pleasing God. But it is a tremendous blessing to couples who treat each other as God intended. Most people desire and need the benefits that come from a stable marriage. To return to what God intended, we must give marriage the respect it deserves.

8. THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENTS IS ABOUT HONESTY.

God instructs us to show our love and respect for others by not stealing what belongs to them. The Eighth Commandment safeguards everyone's right to legitimately acquire and own property. 

God wants that right honoured and protected. His approach to material wealth is balanced. He wants us to prosper and enjoy physical blessings. He also expects us to show wisdom in how we use what He provides us and He does not want possessions to be our primary pursuit in life. 

When we see material blessings as a means to achieve more-important objectives, God enjoys seeing us prosper. To Him it is important that generosity rather than greed motivate the choices we make. Because they are qualities of His own character, He asks that we, from the heart, put giving and serving ahead of lavishing possessions on ourselves.

9. THE NINTH COMMANDMENT IS ABOUT TRUTHFULNESS.

God says if we love others we should not deceive or lie to them. How important is truth? The Bible says that Jesus is “the way and the Truth” John 14:6. To fully appreciate the Ninth Commandment with its prohibition of lying, we must realize how important truth is to God. Jesus Christ said of God the Father, “Your word is truth” John 17:17. The Bible throughout teaches that “God is not a man, that He should lie” Numbers 23:19. As the source of truth, God requires that His servants always speak truthfully. Under God's inspiration, King David wrote, “…LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbour no wrong and casts no slur on his fellow-man, who despises a vile man but honours those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts” Psalms 15:1-3, NIV. God expects truth to permeate every facet of our lives. Everything in the life of a Christian is anchored to truth. God wants us as His children, to commit ourselves to truth and reflect it in everything we do.

10. THE TENTH COMMANDMENT IS ABOUT CONTENTMENT.

God instructs us not to covet because He knows it can entrap us into even greater sin. To covet means to crave or desire, especially in excessive or improper ways. 

The Tenth Commandment does not tell us that all of our desires are immoral. It tells us that some desires are wrong. Coveting is an immoral longing for something that is not rightfully ours. That is usually because the object of our desire already belongs to someone else. 

But coveting can also include our wanting far more than we would legitimately deserve or that would be our rightful share. The focus of the Tenth Commandment is that we are not to illicitly desire anything that already belongs to others. The opposite of coveting is a positive desire to help others preserve and protect their blessings from God. We should rejoice when other people are blessed. 

Our desire should be to contribute to the well being of others, to make our presence in their lives a blessing to them. The last of the Ten Commandments is aimed directly at the heart and mind of every human being. In prohibiting coveting, it defines not so much what we must do but how we should think. It asks us to look deep within ourselves to see what we are on the inside. As with each of the previous nine Commandments, it is directed toward our relationships. It specifically deals with the thoughts that threaten those relationships and can potentially hurt ourselves and our neighbours. 

Therefore, it is fitting that the formal listing of these Ten foundational commands, which define the love of God, should end by focusing on our hearts as the wellspring of our relationship problems. From within come the desires that tempt us and lead us astray.

THE QUEEN OF SHEBA

THE QUEEN OF SHEBA

HER CHARACTER:

Though a pagan queen like Jezebel, she prized wisdom above power. She appears to have been intellectually gifted, with a good head for business and diplomacy. 

HER JOY:

That her quest for wisdom was rewarded beyond HER expectations.

KEY SCRIPTURES:

1 Kings 10:1-13; Matthew 12:42

HER LIFE AND TIMES

GIFT GIVING

Four and a half tons of gold - and that was just part of the gift the Queen of Sheba gave to Solomon when she visited him in Jerusalem. She had probably heard of his riches as well as his wisdom and knew that no puny gift would do; something magnificent was in order. Imagine a caravan of camel after camel entering Jerusalem, bearing gifts for Solomon. A camel could carry about two hundred pounds when traveling through the desert (a staggering four hundred pounds plus its rider on shorter, less strenuous journeys). That means forty-five camels were required to carry just the gold! 

Most personal meetings in ancient cultures included gift giving. A visit to someone's home required bringing along a gift for the host or hostess. Even chance encounters in the desert included gift exchanges (Genesis 14:18-20). Gift giving in ancient cultures was also a way of expressing submission to someone who was in a superior position, whether in government, in the military, or in religious life. At times, a gift might be given to gain favor or even to bribe someone.

The Queen of Sheba wasn't the only one who brought gifts to Solomon; so many brought gifts of "silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules" that in Solomon's time silver was "as common in Jerusalem as stones" (1 Kings 10:23-27). But the most famous gifts in the Bible were those given by the Magi to the child Jesus (Matthew 2:11). 

The New Testament writers often talked about the gifts we give not to each other but to God. No gift, no matter how small, is displeasing to God if it is given with a generous and cheerful heart. In fact, Jesus praised the widow who gave only two small coins because she gave all she had out of a heart of love for God, contrasting her with others who gave a small amount of their wealth, often grudgingly (Luke 21:1-4). More important to God than the size of our gifts is the condition of our hearts when we give (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Greater and finer and more thrilling than any gift we can give to each other or to God are the gifts he gives to us. Solomon, in the midst of all his wealth and wisdom, thanked God for the gift of a good and simple life: satisfying work to do, peaceful rest at night, a bit of happiness (Ecclesiastes 3:13; 5:19). Matthew quotes Jesus telling his followers of God's wonderful care of us and his willingness to give us good things: "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:11).

But the crowning touch, the gift worth more than all the gold in the world, is the gift God so lovingly and willingly gave us of eternal life through his Son (Romans 6:23). No thank-you note required; just a life of gratitude to God. In the words of Paul. "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15).

HER PROMISE

The Queen of Sheba was a wealthy and influential ruler whose nation dominated commercial trading in the Middle East at that time. She must have had a certain measure of wisdom, or at least intelligence, to rule such a country. Still, she had questions, many of them, and she sought out the region's famed King Solomon, depending on his wisdom for answers. Solomon didn't disappoint her; she went away satisfied.

Do you have any questions that need answers? Questions about yourself? About things that have happened in your life? About the will of God? About God's love for you? If you do, go to the source of all wisdom, God himself, for answers. When you diligently seek him, he doesn't always give clear answers, but he will give peace. And you will go away satisfied. He promises.

Promises in Scripture

And I - in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

-PSALM 17:15

O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you.... My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

-PSALM 63:1,8

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.... Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

-PSALM 90:12, 14

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; those who seek find; and to those who knock, the door will be opened.

-MATTHEW 7:7-8

HER LEGACY OF PRAYER

How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel! Because of the LORD's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness.

-1 KINGS 10:8-9

REFLECT ON:

1 Kings 10:1-13. 

PRAISE GOD:

For his generosity 

OFFER THANKS:

For God's wisdom working through others.

CONFESS:

Any tendency to trust too much in your own wisdom without seeking godly counsel.

ASK GOD:

To pour out wisdom on leaders in the church and in the government so that his ways are honored in your family, community, and nation.

Lift Your Heart

Think about the gifts the Queen of Sheba lavished on Solomon - the perfume, spices, precious stones, and gold - as tangible acknowledgments of his greatness. Yet Solomon was only a man. What can you lavish on the One who is far greater than he? You can be generous with your praise, telling God everything you love about him. You can be generous with your time, going out of your way to help those in need. You can be generous with your trust, acting and praying in a way that shows your confidence in God's goodness and power. You can be generous with your money, giving what you can from your small hoard. This week, don't be stingy. Think of at least one extravagant way to express your awe and your affection for God. 

Jesus, everything I've heard about you is true, but I didn't believe it until you showed yourself to me. Then I realized I hadn't been told the half of it. Your wisdom, mercy, power, and kindness exceed everything I've ever heard. How happy are the women who belong to you! I praise the Father for delighting in you and placing you above everything and everyone. Because of the Lord's eternal love, he has made you our King.

THE SHUNAMMITE WOMAN

THE SHUNAMMITE WOMAN

HER CHARACTER: Generous and hospitable, she was a wealthy and capable woman who showed great kindness to one of God's prophets. 

HER SORROW:

To lose the son that had been promised her.

HER JOY:

To experience just how deep God's faithfulness goes.

KEY SCRIPTURES:

2 Kings 4:8-37; 8:1-6

HER LIFE AND TIMES

HOSPITALITY

Elisha stayed for a meal at the Shunammite woman's house after she "urged" him to do so. He felt so well taken care of, so comfortable, and so at home that he made a habit of coming to her home whenever he was in the area - often enough that the woman asked her husband to have a special room added just for Elisha.

Hospitality played an important role in the lives of the people of the Middle East. Desert travel was strenuous, and Holiday Inns hadn't yet been invented. When travelers came to a town at the end of the day, they would stop in the town's center or near the town gates and wait for an invitation for the night. If no invitation came, they would spend the night outside.

Hosts were responsible not only to feed and provide sleeping arrangements for their guests but also were expected to ensure the safety of the guests, protecting them from robbery and harm (Genesis 19:8). When meals were served, the host acted as a servant, serving the guests and watching over their needs. If one guest was particularly favored over another, he or she would be served an extra large or extra special portion of the food (Genesis 43:34).

Examples of hospitality are plentiful in the Scriptures. Abraham made a sumptuous meal for the three strangers who visited him (Genesis 18), preparing bread, a tender calf, curds, and milk. Rebekah practiced a basic form of hospitality when she offered water to Abraham's servant and his animals (Genesis 24:15-21). Solomon fed everyone in his palace, plus aliens and visitors to the region. His list of daily provisions in 1 Kings 4:22 provides a picture of what was required to feed a staggering number of people. Nehemiah not only refused to demand "the food allotted to the governor," he also generously fed at least 150 people each day (Nehemiah 5:17-18).

Six times the New Testament exhorts believers to be hospitable. There's no talk of fatted calves or extravagant dinners in these passages, just a simple exhortation to make sure you care for those around you. As Romans 12:13 puts it, "Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." You never know, you just might entertain angels without knowing it (Hebrews 13:2)!

HER PROMISE

The Shunammite woman knew there was hope even in the most devastating of circumstances. She had been promised a son when she was barren, and now she tenaciously held on to that promise even though her little son lay dead on Elisha's couch. "It's all right", she said to her husband, knowing full well that their boy was gone. The God who had given her the promise wasn't gone. She knew he wouldn't forsake her.

"It's all right." Can you express that sentiment even when your world is crashing in on you? Perhaps not. Remember, however, that even in the most agonizing of circumstances, even when you feel abandoned, even when tragedy strikes - God is there. Trust his word and gain assurance from the Shunammite woman who, in the midst of appalling circumstances, could say, "It's all right."

Promises in Scripture

God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?-NUMBERS 23:19

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles.-2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ.

-2 CORINTHIANS 1:20

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful -HEBREWS 10:23

HER LEGACY OF PRAYER

"About this time next year," Elisha said, "you will hold a son in your arms. 2 Kings 4:16

REFLECT ON: 2 Kings 4:8-37

PRAISE GOD:

That he never overlooks even a small kindness performed out of love for him.

OFFER THANKS:

For the kindness you have experienced at the hands of others.

CONFESS:

Your tendency to overlook others' needs because you are so focused on your own.

ASK GOD:

To make you jealous for opportunities to care for

others in basic and practical ways. 

Lift Your Heart

The Shunammite woman is a wonderful example of someone who anticipated Jesus' words to his disciples to "seek first his [the Father's] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33). Like the lilies of the field, she didn't worry about God's provision and so experienced it abundantly. Ask for an opportunity this week to perform an act of practical kindness or hospitality for someone else. Consider lending your prayers, your gifts, and your energy on a regular basis to a group or ministry working to bring justice to those most in need of it.

Father, show me someone's need today. Then help me break out of my own small world and find a way to show your love to that person.

THE WIDOW WITH THE TWO COINS

THE WIDOW WITH THE TWO COINS

HER CHARACTER

Though extremely poor, she is one of the most great hearted people in the Bible. Just after warning his disciples to watch out for the teachers of the law, who devour widows' houses, Jesus caught sight of her in the temple. He may have called attention to her as a case in point.

HER SORROW:

To be alone, without a husband to provide for her.

HER JOY:

To surrender herself to God completely, trusting him to act on her behalf.

KEY SCRIPTURES:

Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4

HER LIFE AND TIMES:

MONEY

Two tiny coins. Mark identifies them as two Greek lepta, tiny copper coins worth less than a penny.

Coins didn't come into use in Israel until after the people returned from exile between 500 and 400 BC. Before that time people bartered, exchanging produce, animals, and precious metals for goods and services. A woman might barter a flask of oil for a new robe or the wool from a lamb for a new lamp.

By Jesus' day, a large variety of coins had come into use in Palestine. New Testament Jews used coins from Rome and Greece as well as their own Jewish form of coinage. The temple tax had to be paid in Jewish currency - in shekels. Money changers set up their businesses in order to change other coinage into shekels for temple worshipers, then, adding insult to injury, cheating their customers. Jesus was not opposed to the operation of such businesses, but to their dishonesty and to their operation within the temple itself. He furiously scattered them, declaring that his Father's house was a house of prayer, not a business site (Matthew 21:12-13).

While money is necessary for life in most cultures, the Bible warns against placing more importance on it than it should rightfully have. The widow who gave all she had furnishes us with the best example of recognizing the need for money - she had money, although very little - but also the need to hold it lightly - she willingly and lovingly gave it away. Peter warns us not to be "greedy for money" (1 Peter 5:2), and the writer to the Hebrews admonishes us to keep our "lives free from the love of money and be content with what [we] have" (Hebrews 13:5). When writing to Timothy, Paul penned those famous, and often misquoted, words about money: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs" (1 Timothy 6:10).

The pervasive lure of money and what it can provide - the need to have more and do more and get more - is probably more prevalent in our culture than in any other in history. Christians are just as susceptible to its enticements as anyone else. Money drives an effective and forceful wedge between our Savior and us. Jesus knew that and pointedly reminded us with these words: "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money" (Luke 16:13).

HER PROMISE

Earlier, God had promised Abraham he would spare the city of Sodom if he could find only ten righteous people in it, but not even ten could be found. So God sent his angels to Sodom to rescue Lot and his family (Genesis 18) from the coming destruction. Hesitant to the last minute, the angels had to take Lot, his wife, and his two daughters by the hand and lead them out of the city.

Did God know Abraham was thinking of Lot when he begged for the cities to be spared if fifty, forty-five, thirty, twenty, only ten righteous people could be found? Was God's mercy extended to Lot for love of Lot or for love of Abraham? We don't know. But we do know God's mercy was available for Lot and his family. And his mercy is available to you as well, even in the worst of times, the most difficult situations, the hardest of circumstances. He's there, stretching out his hand to lead you to safety.

Promises in Scripture

The men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them -GENESIS 19:16

He will show you mercy [and] have compassion on you.-DEUTERONOMY 13:17

Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.

-PSALM 25:6

"I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful," declares the LORD, "I will not be angry forever,"-JEREMIAH 3:12

HER LEGACY OF PRAYER

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on."-MARK 12:43

REFLECT ON: Mark 12:41-44.

PRAISE GOD: For judging not by outward appearances but as one who sees the heart.

OFFER THANKS: For blessings of money, time, energy, and emotional resources.

CONFESS: Any tendency to act as though your security depends more on you than it does on God.

ASK GOD: To make you a generous woman with the faith to believe that even small gifts are worth giving.

Lift Your Heart

This week, think of an area of your life that feels particularly empty or impoverished. You may be lonely, financially stretched, or worried about the future. Whatever it is, pray about it. Listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit. Is God inviting you to do something to express your trust? What kind of offering would be the most pleasing to him? Once you hear his voice, go ahead and give him what his heart desires.

Father, you are the source of every blessing. This week, help me to give, not only out of my wealth, but out of my poverty. Remind me that I belong to you, body and soul, heart and mind, past, present, and future.

How To Identify A False Prophet/Religious Leader and False Religious Sects!

How To Identify A False Prophet/Religious Leader and False Religious Sects!

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In this turbulent end times, it is necessary to always be spiritually discerning in order to identify false prophets/religious leaders who are pretending as genuine servants of Lord Jesus Christ. Don't be deluded by false prophets/religious leaders.

A religious sect refers to a group of people with different religious beliefs typically regarded as heretical from those of a larger group to which they belong. 

A religious sect may share some overarching beliefs with other Christian denominations but has its own beliefs, traditions and rituals as well.

A religious cult or sect can be broadly defined as formal religious veneration or a system of religious beliefs and its body of adherents or a religion regarded as unorthodox (spurious).

A religious cult or sect also refers to great devotion to a particular person, object or idea as well as group of people united by devotion or allegiance to an artistic or intellectual movement or figure.

A typical religious sect or cult has a charismatic, unaccountable religious leader, persuades by coercion and exploit its members, economically, sexually or in some other ways.

What are the most common features shared by religious cults or sects?

1. Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability

A charismatic leader, who increasingly becomes an object of worship as the general principles that may have originally sustained the group lose power. 

That is a living religious leader, who has no meaningful accountability and becomes the single most defining element of the group and its source of power and authority. 

2. A process of indoctrination or education is in use that can be seen as coercive persuasion or thought reform commonly called brainwashing. 

The culmination of this process can be seen by members of the group often doing things that are not in their own best interest, but consistently in the best interest of the group and its leader.

3. Economic, sexual and other exploitation of group members by the false religious leader and the ruling coterie. 

The destructiveness of religious cults varies by degree, from labor violations, child abuse, medical neglect to, in some extreme and isolated situations, calls for violence or mass suicide.

¶ What are the warning signs of a potentially unsafe religious group or false religious leader?

1. Self-Righteousness: There is a general tendency for dependence on gifted spiritual leaders, who by claiming to speak for “God” put themselves above question and perceived to be “holy” perpetually. 

Also, view of truth changes from what is honest to what is in the interest of the deluded religious group. 

In essence, the false religious group or false prophet/religious leader is always right or perfect without any blemish (self-righteousness).

2. Loss of Freedom and Perversion:

Through gradual manipulation, individual thoughts, feelings and choices are increasingly replaced by group thoughts, feelings and decisions. 

Also, there is a tendency for loss of conscience as the deluded religious group and its leadership draw the new members into perverted behaviors (often sexual) that destroy moral courage.

3. Bait-and-Switch Tactic: The grand delusion of deceptive religious sects is usually the adjustment of expectations from what was originally promised to what is received. 

This pervasive tendency end up in betraying the trust of the deluded followers. 

4. Manipulative Dependence: Through chanting and singing, new members are manipulatively subjected to constant repetition, which blocks their rational thought processes. 

The false prophet/spiritual leader demands absolute submission to his control and the deluded followers are taught to accept without question the revelations and interpretations of their false spiritual leader.

5. Induced Fear: The pervasive tendency of deceptive religious sects is that negative thoughts or doubts about the particular religious group or its false spiritual leader are said to be soul-threatening. 

Therefore, anyone leaving the false religious group is warned about harsh consequences, loss of eternal life and reward or untimely death.

6. Manipulative Mind Control: New members are tactically conditioned to stop thinking and to accept without question the revelations and doctrines of their false spiritual leader. 

The self-respect of the new members is manipulatively broken down through persuading them to share their innermost secrets with the group.

7. Intense Love Bombing: Committed sect members tactically give new prospects an overwhelming sense of acceptance, belonging and significance by “bombing” them with flattery, touching, hugging and false feeling of communal love. 

Through removal of privacy, new recruits are not left alone to discover their own thoughts.

8. Isolation Strategy: New recruits of deceptive religious sects are usually isolated from their real family members, close friends and News media in order to screen out opposing points of view. 

9. Family Perception: Within a deceptive religious sect, there is often an intense sense of identity and “family” perception. 

Perceived “family members” are viewed as “brothers and sisters,” united against the outside world.

Their unity is not found in Lord Jesus Christ, however, but in their false spiritual “father,” mentor and sole teacher.  

10. False Biblical Emphasis: Some deceptive religious sects give much attention to Bible study. However, their biblical learning is often carefully orchestrated by clever leaders who provide their own false interpretation of Scriptures. 

The deluded members are warned about reading authors who are outside of their secluded religious group.

11. Religious Exclusivism: Deluded members of deceptive religious sects often develop the false belief that they alone have been entrusted with the truth. Therefore, the opportunity to be a part of a select group of God’s chosen servants is attractive.

12. False Indoctrination: A distinct mark of many deceptive religious sects is their use of sophisticated methods of recruitment and coercive persuasion. 

This ensures the breaking down of individual thinking rather than allowing new converts to make decisions of faith based on their own sense of good judgment. 

Through peer-group pressure, potential converts are subjected to intense persuasion by fellow sect members.

13. No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.

14. No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget or expenses, such as an independently audited financial statement.

15. Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions. 

16. There is no legitimate reason to leave the false religious group. Former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.

17. Former members of false religious groups often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.

18. There are records, books, news articles, or broadcast reports that document the abuses of the false religious group or false religious leader.

19. Deluded followers of a false prophet/religious leader feel they can never be good enough or perfect if they leave the false religious group.

20. The false religious group or false religious leader is the exclusive means of knowing perceived “truth” or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.

In conclusion, it is vital not to fall victim to hypocritical spiritual leaders who describe themselves as something they are not, as they try to deceive many people with persuasive words. 

As ravening wolves in sheep clothing, they often disguise themselves as representatives of Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 11:13-15), however, later on, they show themselves to be serving the grand deceiver known as Lucifer or Satan (2 Corinthians 11:4).   

 Author: Evangelist Olusola Awolaja

YOU CAN REGAIN YOUR VIRGINITY:

YOU CAN REGAIN YOUR VIRGINITY:

◾There Is Hope For You:

One of the greatest gifts that God gives to all girls and boys from birth is "Virginity" 

....for girls, their virginity is more obvious because it can easily be established by physical examination — but that of boys is less obvious .

Virginity is a precious gift and it deserves to be preserved  — Whoever is able to persevere his or her own and safely hands it over to his wife or to her husband become a highly rated husband or wife . 

Most men and women will like to marry a virgin — To marry a virgin is like getting a new car that nobody else has used 

.....such a car is far above any second-hand car — It's fresh from the maker - undefiled, untouched and clean .

That is why even the most wayward man  wants to marry a virgin and the worst corrupt girl wants a man that is purely for her alone .

Although virginity is precious.......

It has proved very difficult for many boys and girls to preserve. If you kept your own until now — well, thank God for your life.

▪️You are a special girl or boy.

▪️ you are fortunate and I pray that God will help you to continue to keep it to his glory, in Jesus name.

Now, many have lost their own even before it was time for them to marry — In case you are one of them — I have good news for you ! 

Dear, you can still regain your virginity!

I will tell you how but before I Evangelist  Paulinus Paul do that, .... let us find out who is a virgin and see various types of virgins.

🚦WHO IS A VIRGIN ?

The Oxford Dictionary defines a virgin as "a person (especially, a woman) who has never had sexual intercourse — It's also means untouched and not yet used.

From this simple definition we can deduce that a boy can also be a virgin though it's more commonly used for women.

Generally, anybody who has not had sexual intercourse is a virgin — But, this isn't the only types of virgins .

There are basically two types of virgins in the sight of God — a person can become a virgin in two ways namely :

♻️ Virgin By Birth (Physical Virgin) and.. 

♻️ Virgin By A New Birth (Spiritual Virgins)

Now, you can be a virgin by any of these means... 

 1️⃣ VIRGIN BY BIRTH (Physical Virgin) 

Every body is born a virgin. A Virgin by Birth is any girl or boy who has never had sexual intercourse from Birth — for a boy, this is difficult to determine but for a girl, who is a virgin, her virginity is established by examining the opening that leads to her Vagina.

A sheet of membrane called the hymen covers that opening from birth. It only has a little opening for the girl to pass urine or menstrual flow.

Once a girl has her first sexual intercourse, the hymen is torn or ruptured by the man's penis — from that time onwards the person stops being a virgin  — The hymen continues to tear, especially during childbirth.

The hymen also get torn when a girl masturbates — It can also be medically removed.

The tearing of the hymen during the first intercourse can cause minor pains and lead to drops of blood — a wife uses this bloodstain as evidence to prove her virginity.

In the old testament, any girl who could not prove this would be treated as a non-virgin — She would be stoned to death for being promiscuous (Leviticus 22:13—21)

To lose one's virginity is a disgraceful thing — It was punishable by death in the old testament. At that time it was only the actual act of sexual intercourse that can deflowered a person.

Now, The New Testament standard is higher . 

In the New Testament a person can be a virgin by birth technically but actually a non-virgin 

According to the New Testament, fornication can be committed by mere sight 

Jesus said " ... But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart — (Matthew 5:28).

If you want to be a virgin according to Jesus standard you must avoid all kinds of lust — You must avoid such things as kissing , pornography, caressing and other lustful act with opposite sex.

If you have engaged in these immoral living, even if your hymen is still intact, you are not a spiritual virgin because God still punish immorality.

⚠ Be Warned!

2️⃣ REGAINED VIRGINITY (Spiritual Virgin):

As I said, you could regained your virginity, even if you have had sexual intercourse before , even if you have lived a wayward life in the past, even if you are already married and have some children, and even if you have been a prostitute before now —you can regain your virginity.

Yes Sis, it's possible! 

Bro.. Did you know how I was able to found out?

Let see the confirmation.. ..

. ... "And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible —("Mark 10:27)

......"I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me,  "son of man, can these bones lived?  I said, "O sovereign LORD, you alone know" ....Then he said to me... Says to them, "Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!

 This is what the sovereign Lord says to these bones .. I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin. I will put breath in you and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD"

.... They came to life and stood up on their feet — a vast army 

— (Ezekiel 37:2-6 & 10)

Now, if God can make dry bones to lived again and add tendons, does, skin and breath to the bones — then he can restore your virginity if you want him to because with him nothing is impossible.

He has restored multitude of others and he can do the same to you today. 

Now, let me tell you how? 

You can regain your virginity by the new birth. This is called "BORN AGAIN"

When a person is Born Again, he goes into Christ and Christ goes into him,  The person becomes regenerated and totally transformed. He or she becomes a new person entirely . 

The scriptures explained what happens to such a person... 

...." Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new — (2nd Corinthian 5:17)

....."Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently ..... Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever — (1 Peter 1:22-23).

🚦 HE IS A NEW CREATION

When a person is Born Again, he is a completely new person. 

Although he still bears his or her former name and his height and complexion remain the same... He or she is changed.

A new person enters his former body. That person is CHRIST .

God recreates that person and gives him a new beginning. That person's opinion about life will change.  His desires change and his character changes — he becomes completely new inside .

🚦OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY 

When a person is Born Again his or her old life is gone. God changes his or her records — He or she stops living in his or her past sins. If he used to be a thief he would stop stealing. 

If she was a harlot she would stop prostitution — Once this change takes place  God says.. 

....." For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more — (Hebrews 8:12)

......" old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new — (2nd Corinthians 5:17)

If you have lost your virginity in the past, it's one of the old things that have passed away — Your hymen that was broken is already broken, but spiritually you are a newborn child .

As a new born child you are therefore a spiritual virgin. God treat you as a virgin.

Thank God for giving us the opportunity for a new beginning — Each new day, each new week and each new month is an opportunity for a new beginning.

Since a Born Again person is a new Born baby because of the new birth — if the person is able to keep himself pure from the date or time of being Born Again he becomes  a virgin spiritually.

Even now, you too can become a Spiritual Virgin if you decide today to keep your body pure for Jesus and for your spouse — Keep your virginity! 

Do not lose it for any reason because very soon you too will be glorified.

Spiritual virginity is the highest and the best level of virginity.

....Two Things Makes It Special.

1️⃣ Firstly,.... this is the type of virginity that qualifies you for Heaven — being a Spiritual Virgin means you have kept your body pure and undefiled (or by women)

It makes you part of the Bride of Christ — You will be a part of the Heavenly wedding called "The Marriage Supper Of The Lamb"

......" And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth ..... Let us be gladden and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready — (Rev 19:6-7)

....."For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie — (Rev 22:15 ).

Spiritual Virginity makes you a part of a great multitude — The Bride Of Christ .

In fact, it's better that a person isn't a physical virgin but a spiritual virgin instead of being a physical virgin without being a spiritual virgin  — if you are physical Virgin but still commit others sin's, you are classified as dog's — You have no part in the wedding above.

2️⃣ .....Secondly, spiritual Virginity cannot be taken away by marriage or by age — You can remain a spiritual virgin even after you are married .

Sexual relationship with your spouse will not make you a non-virgin 

 — This is because it's God who has approved that enjoyment.

It's written... 

....." Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun — (Eccl 9:9).

....." Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth..... Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love — (Prov 5:18-19)

A man who has properly married a wife cannot defile himself by enjoying life with his wife — A woman cannot defile herself by enjoying life with her husband, provided they are properly married — God approves such!

Thus, a married person may not be a virgin physically, but he can still be a virgin spiritually — A person who married 10 or 20 years ago can still be a virgin today, if he keeps himself undefiled by the world.

However if you certainly knew, you are engrossed or already entangled into below sinful  lifestyles.

... Dear, you need to earnestly do something about your life today because you are "HAVE BEEN DEFILED AND NO LONGER A VIRGIN before the sight of the Almighty Creator 

 🚦SALVATION MESSAGE AND REPENTANCE:

If you wish to become a Virgin and remain a Virgin in the sight of God  to make HEAVEN — you must accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal saviour today because tomorrow is never promised — You must restitute and confess all your sin unto God and also ensure you joined “ A Bible Believing Church for more spiritual growth”

However, if you are a Christian and still indulges into various kinds of sins such as......

Envy, anger, unforgiveness, lying, hatred, malice, murmuring, gossiping, stealing, taking or giving bribe, exams malpractice, fraud, smuggling and robbery.

Perhaps you into masturbation, fornication, adultery, prostitution, Lusting after Money and sexual immoralities, abortion, lesbianism, homosexuality, kidnapping, ritual killings and assassination — You must confess and repent today.

Perhaps you into drunkenness, fighting and quarreling, alcoholism, smokers, divorcee, polygamous marriage, occultism —Consultaton of native doctors for charms making — Praying in the name of Mary or any Saints or Angels, Bowing Down or Honouring Them — You must renounce all these abominables and plead for God's mercy because you have already been defiled.

Sister's who are given up into vile affection "Changing The Natural Use Of Their Body Into That Which Is Against Nature" Therefore indulging themselves into......

▪️Makeups 

▪️Earrings

▪️Hair Attachments.

▪️women trousers 

▪️ nails polished 

▪️eyes lashes

...... (Romans 1:26).

Dressing nudity, short skirts, exposing cleavage with transparent dresses to Seduce men..

You must repent, dispose and burnt  them off and ensure you maintain your natural beauty because unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Please repent now before it becomes too late!

Remember; your soul is precious and was costly purchase by the Blood of Jesus Christ and you can't afford to lose "yours" in Hell for the next billions and trillions of years in Eternity with eternal sorrow, tears, anguish and hopeless of ever coming-out due to mere pleasure and fashion of this world that PASSETH-AWAY which you can easily forsakes NOW and run to Heaven.

Oh Heaven —  a place of an everlasting joy, without tears, sorrow and neither pains but rather filled with happiness and God's glory.

Please my beloved, "Don't Miss Heaven" and I pray to see you in that Glorious City very soon.

🚦CONFESSION AND ACCEPTANCE OF CHRIST

Dear Lord Jesus Christ; I admit that I am a sinner. I have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself only. I am sorry, and I repent. I ask you to forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me, to save me.

You did what I could not do for myself. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life; I give it to you. From this day forward, help me to live every day for you and in a way that pleases you. I love you, Lord Jesus, and I thank you that I will spend all eternity with you in Jesus name i pray. Amen