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...

Galatians 6:7-8 (AMPC) “ Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap.   8 For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life .”   Dear people of God, the Gospel of Christ Jesus is called Good News because it gives liberty to anyone who believes, accepts and does EXACTLY what it says.   The Gospel can also be a source of condemnation for anyone just as the Lord Jesus Christ warns in John 12:48 (AMPC), “ Anyone who rejects Me and persistently sets Me at naught, refusing to accept My teachings, has his judge [however]; for the [very] message...

John 12:9-11 (AMPC) “Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.  10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also,  11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.”   Dear people of God, in today’s lead Holy Bible text above, we see the chief priests plotting to kill Lazarus because on account of the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ raised him from death after 4 days, many Jews came to believe in Jesus Christ.   Rather than appreciate God for the mighty works Jesus Christ was doing and acknowledging Jesus Christ as the Great Person that He was, the Pharisees were more interested in protecting their fame and legacy as Religious leaders of the day.   They were more than ready to discredit whatever Jesus was doing so that the Jews would pay attention to them and not to Jesus Christ.   As of t...

Hebrews 10:23 (KJV) “ Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)”   Dear people of God, doctors, nurses and every medical and support personnel are great people for the work they do.   God has granted them the grace, wisdom and talent for the work they undertake daily in saving lives, caring for the sick, aged and so on and so forth.   Whenever you come in contact with them, you should listen to what they say, take and implement their medical advice that is meant to help you.   That said, as Christians, we must also understand the Truth of God’s Word concerning ALL medical ailments as stated in:   Matthew 8:17 (KJV), “Himself (Jesus Christ) took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses.   1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV), “By Whose (Jesus’) stripe, you WERE healed.   Now, you need to take note that God’s Word as recorded in the Holy Bible is forever settled in heaven – Psalm 119:89.   T...