Of God and Mankind

Matthew 4:4 (AMPC) “ But He (Jesus) replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every Word that comes forth from the mouth of God. [Deut. 8:3.]”   Dear people of God, when lawyers present a case before a judge, they make reference to the laws of the country as part of their submissions.   When lawyers comment on issues concerning their nation whether on radio or television, they equally cite portions of the country’s laws to buttress their points.   Whether in the court or out of court, lawyers are conscious of the laws of their country and it shapes their thinking and behaviour.   For Christians, the law that shapes their thinking and behaviour is the Word of God in the Holy Bible.   God Almighty and Father of my Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ is the One Who has given these laws.   Just as a human judge decides cases on the submissions before him guided by the country’s laws, God Almighty lis...

Acts 16:23-25 (AMPC) “ And when they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely.   24 He, having received [so strict a] charge, put them into the inner prison (the dungeon) and fastened their feet in the stocks.   25 But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the [other] prisoners were listening to them,”   Dear people of God, in today’s Scripture text, we see the Apostles Paul and Silas singing hymns of praise to God in prison after they were falsely accused, beaten and thrown into prison while on their mission work.   The Lord God responded to their act of faith by a great miracle by which Paul and Silas were released while the jailer and his household became saved as Christians by the Spirit of God.   How many Christians today can praise God under such humiliating condition Paul and Silas found themselves while on their missionary work of preac...

Matthew 15:14 (AMPC) “ Let them alone and disregard them; they are blind guides and teachers. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a ditch.”   Dear people of God, today’s message is directed at church members who support their pastors and priests even when what the parson is preaching about or practising is glaringly wrong and at variance with God’s Word.   In today’s lead Holy Bible text, the Lord Jesus was responding to the wrong held view of the Scribes and Pharisees about ceremonial washing of hands before eating.   The Lord Jesus Christ went on to state that what defiles a person is not the food that enters the mouth into the body but rather foul words that come from a person’s mouth originating from foul thoughts in his heart.   The Pharisees were obviously offended at Jesus’ correction and this led the Lord Jesus to make the statement in today’s Scripture reference above.   Just as in the time of the Lord as a human on this ...

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (AMPC) “Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]–your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you.   13 And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.”   Dear people of God, in our lead Holy Bible text for today, Christians are commanded to show respect for their spiritual or religious leaders and to hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in appreciation of their work.   I am referring here to all spiritual leaders – pastors, teachers, prophets, apostles, evangelists, etc.   Now, if you take time again to look at 1 Thessalonians 5:12 above, God’s Word gives detailed description of the attributes of the spiritual leaders we are to hold in high esteem – those w...