Friday 22 September 2017

Prayer Requests

Today's Prayer Requests

VERA BANKSTON-JONES | FATHER GOD, PPL GO THROUGH HELLS THAT YOU NEVER KNOW ABOUT, YET "YOU" KNOW! COMFORT THEM AND HELP US ALL THROUGH THE HELLS ON EARTH!.......SELAH

Ronald Lake |  Please pray for me I surely have a heavy heart, pray for my family my wife and kids but I must say the devil has tried to destroy me in every way possible. Thank you Gods blessings to you all.

PST KISIA OTIENO NICHOLAS | We kindly request any born again Christian to stand with us in prayer.After the disputed elections,I together with my friends and neighbours whom we live together with lost everything after violence erupted in the slums where we live.Any one with a heart to help please help us.We are really suffering.We know God is not late and he can use anyone to intervene in our situation and you who reads this can be the one God has set to use to rescue us.May the Almighty God bless you

vijay aggarwal | Plz pray for money in abundance for a comfortable life

Akeem Womble | I would like prayer for a friend of mine. My friend is going through a bitter divorce and his wife has gotten a restraining order against him and will not allow him to see or talk to his children and he really wants to see them and talk to them.
My friend has told me that his wife has gone to our church and told everyone lies about him and he is very upset about it and everyone is taking her side and that they do not know the full story. So please pray for my friend that God will help him through all of this and so his mind and heart will be at restored

Nigeria Church leaders condemn killing of Christian student in Jos

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) condemn killing of Christian student


Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)
NIGERIA: The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Plateau State Chapter has condemned the attack on Igbo Christians by Muslim youths in Jos last Thursday, which wiped out your final year information technology student from the College of Jos, Jerry Mantim Binkur, and hurt a minimum of five people.

The association, inside a statement, pleaded with “the Igbos around the Plateau to stay calm as nobody will keep these things leave Plateau.” Soja Bewarang, its Chairman stated. He known as on Christians to “wise up and work with each other to frustrate the types of crooks within our midst.”

Reacting towards the attack, youths groups in the predominantly Christian Middle Belt region, in an announcement, 15th September cautioned the Muslim youths either to embrace peace or leave the location. Inside a statement distributed around Global Christian News, Lawyer Seth Mangset, Plateau State Coordinator from the group stated, “We know the unfortunate development that is going to resurrect around the Plateau by a few unscrupulous miscreants whose job would be to raise crisis within the condition as a consequence of the strain over the country… Individuals who feel warmongering is the method of existence aren't welcomed around the Plateau.”

The statement cautioned the group won't “hesitate to do something if the fails. We will be ready to safeguard lives and property of peace loving individuals the condition.”


The governors from the south-eastern a part of Nigeria, appearing out of an urgent situation meeting in the government house, Enugu, on Friday, 15 September, made the decision to ban all activities from the Igbo groups seeking self-actualization.

Nigeria Map
Inside a communique released following the meeting, Chairman, East Governors Forum, Nweze Dave Umahi, Governor of Ebonyi State, stated, “All activities of IPOB are hereby proscribed. IPOB and all sorts of other aggrieved groups are encouraged to articulate their position on all National issues and undergo the Committee of Governors, Ohaneze Ndigbo and National Assembly member in the East Zone, via the Chairman, East Governors Forum.”

The governors reiterated the phone call “for the restructuring of Nigeria where all National issues is going to be discussed and amicably settled to attain justice and fairness to each Nigerian.”

The Muslim group, Jama’atu Nasril Islam in Plateau State, through its Director of Publicity, Sani Mudi, on its part, noted the Muslim youths acted “clearly as a result of the unfortunate occasions within the East.Inches Then he attracted “Muslim Ummah and everyone within the State to shun functions able to disrupting our precious peace within the State.” that they stated “are unacceptable.”

Mudi added, “The sad saga of disruption of peace and lawlessness in certain areas isn't worth our response with the exception of the exhibition of mature and civil way, having faith in that appropriate government bodies can handle responding because the situation warrants.”





SOURCE

Thursday 21 September 2017

Nigeria:Plateau State violence threatened the nation

Calm returns to Jos after eruption of violence that threatened the nation

Nigeria Map with Zones

NIGERIA
: A sense of normality has returned to the city of Jos, in Nigeria’s central Plateau State, after an eruption of inter-religious violence claimed at least three lives on 14 September.

One of them was Jerry Binkur, a final-year student at the University of Jos, who was a member of COCIN Church.

Several others were injured in attacks by a mob. One of them died from his wounds in the hospital, but his name is yet to be confirmed.

Professor Timothy O. Oyetunde, Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies, was another of those attacked, at about 6.30pm.

According to his statement, the Christian professor was about to leave the university, when suddenly some Muslim youths armed with machetes, daggers, and other weapons surrounded his car. They first shattered the windscreen using large stones. Someone in the passenger seat, not yet identified, was stabbed in the chest, while Professor Ema Ema, sitting directly behind Professor Oyetunde, was stabbed in the head. Professor Oyetunde escaped with minor injuries, narrowly avoiding a machete which instead shattered the window glass. His car was later set ablaze.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of people have been killed in ethnic and religious clashes in Plateau in recent years.

This week a dusk-to-dawn curfew, imposed by the governor last Thursday (14 September), has been relaxed to 10pm to 6am. Still, heavily armed soldiers and police remain on patrol at flashpoints such as Terminus Roundabout (in the city centre), ?Kataka Market (which acts as a boundary between Muslim and Christian communities), Chobe Junction (a settlement dominated by Christians from the ethnic Igbo people) and Bauchi Road (dominated by Hausa Muslims).

On Sunday (17 September) security was beefed up in churches for fear of attacks. At Living Faith Church, on Recard Road, heavily armed soldiers, police and members of the Nigeria Civil Defence were deployed to prevent violence.

At Faithway Bible Church in the neighbouring city of Bukuru, the congregation prayed for total restoration of peace in Plateau State and across Nigeria. Pastor Theophilus Akaniro?, who led the prayers, also prayed for Nigeria’s upcoming Independence Day on 1 October.

But in general there was low turnout in local churches last Sunday, perhaps for fear of attacks.

This week, across the city, shops have re-opened, life has resumed, and traffic has returned to the busy Ahmadu Bello Way. ?Shop owners have expressed relief that normality has been restored.

What triggered the violence?


Thursday’s violence in Jos was triggered by the activism of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a predominantly Igbo group in southeast Nigeria, responsible for killing members of the Muslim Hausa community in the south in pursuit of its agenda.

The ‘Biafran War’ (1967-70) was fought to stop the south-east of Nigeria breaking away, soon after Nigeria’s independence from the British. Now it seems that this cause has re-ignited in the past few years.

IPOB militants and their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, think the Igbos have been marginalised by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. They have repeatedly requested to break away from Nigeria, which the federal government has vehemently resisted.

Last week, the federal government deployed the Nigerian Army (Operation Python Dance) to counter IPOB protests, which had turned violent.

This deployment snowballed into violent confrontation between IPOB militants and the Army, leading to the death of many IPOB members.

This further led to IPOB members attacking the Hausa/Fulani Muslims living in the south-east of Nigeria (Port Harcourt and Umuahia States, in particular) because the IPOB consider Hausa Muslims to be President Buhari’s kinsmen.

Some Hausa Muslims were killed in this violence. This has then led to reprisal attacks across northern states, and in Plateau. (One youth movement, Arewa Youth, in northern Nigeria had in June reiterated its wish for Igbos to be expelled from northern states, giving a three-month deadline, 1 October.)

Why Plateau State matters


Nigeria, the most populous African country, is divided along ethnic and religious lines. The central state of Plateau is located on the fault line between the mainly Muslim north and the Christian and animist south. Some analysts think the Jos attack has the potential to upset the relative calm that has recently prevailed in Plateau, with potential consequences reaching far beyond.

city of Jos
Jos is seen almost as a miniature Nigeria, comprising almost all ethnic groups, but actually dominated by three predominantly Christian tribes (with the headquarters of many Nigerian Churches in Jos); a disruption to the peace in Jos could in turn affect the entire nation, and especially the Christian community in Nigeria.

Before the latest Jos violence, northern youths had previously issued other notices, demanding that all Igbos be kicked out of the northern states. They said that since the Igbos want their own country, they would force them to leave the north.

Some even suspect that that the reprisal attack in Jos against the Igbos was actually orchestrated from the far north because Nigerians would normally expect such attacks to take place in the predominantly Muslim northern cities like Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara, but not in Jos.

It also shows that the recent peace in Plateau is still a very fragile one, and one that could collapse with a little provocation. The massacre of about 20 Christians by Fulani herdsmen, on 7 September, is an illustration.

Widespread condemnation


The violence was unanimously condemned by Christian and Muslim leaders.

“The peace of the State is the peace of the Church and society,” wrote Rev Soja Bewarang, chairman of the Plateau chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in a statement. “Let us all wise up and work collectively to frustrate the designs of criminals in our midst. Information on social media must be verified with security agencies and nobody should take the law into their hands; enough of this madness.”

CAN also called on Igbos in Plateau to remain calm, assuring them that nobody had the right to ask them to leave the state - as some Muslim youths had suggested.

Meanwhile, the Plateau State chapter of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) appealed to members of the Muslim community and the general public to shun acts capable of disrupting the hard-earned peace in the state.

“JNI finds it necessary and of utmost importance to remind us that we in Plateau State had just in the last few years emerged from a decade-long ethno-religious conflict, which left us with unbearable socio-economic and political consequences,” read a statement signed by Sani Mudi, Director of Publicity of the JNI in Plateau.

It continued: “The sad saga of disruption of peace and lawlessness in some parts of the country is not worth our response, except in the exhibition of [a] mature and civil way, trusting that appropriate authorities are capable of responding as the situation warrants. We should therefore cherish our peaceful co-existence and do all within our power to sustain it, regardless of the provocation, as peace is priceless.”

The governor of Plateau, Simon Lalong, last Thursday met with community and religious leaders, and reaffirmed his determination to ensure security for all.

“I want to tell all citizens that their security and welfare as the primary concern of government is assured by the Rescue Administration. I am therefore enjoining all citizens to go about their business with the assurance that their safety is guaranteed,” he said.





cred: World Watch Monitor

Nepali Parliament makes Evangelism illegal

Evangelism to make illegal under new Nepal law


NEPAL: Religious conversion and also the ‘hurting of spiritual sentiment’, has been suspended through the Nepali Parliament recently (8 August). The Christian community fears the new law will escalate Christian persecution in the united states. Religious freedom agencies have expressed concern the new law effectively bans evangelism. Christian Unity World stated that the clause which criminalises the ‘hurting of spiritual sentiment’ is comparable to Pakistan’s blasphemy law to which it's a legal to ‘insult’ another’s belief.

“These laws and regulations are poorly defined and broadly misused to stay personal scores, to focus on religious minorities in order to further extremist agendas. “Decades of misuse from the blasphemy laws and regulations have resulted in times where even voicing disagreement using these laws and regulations can result in violence,” based on CSW. There's also concerns this law might be used from the Christian minority because it was utilized within the

Charikot situation in June 2016 where eight Christians who have been billed with disbursing Christian literature to children at two schools using the intention to transform them once they shared comic around the story of Jesus were arrested. It was the very first situation concerning freedom of faith within the good reputation for Nepal because the new metabolic rate was implemented in September 2015.

Anybody charged underneath the new law, including foreign visitors, could address five years imprisonment for trying to convert an individual or “undermine the faith, belief or thought that any caste, ethnic group or community continues to be observing since sanatan [eternal] occasions.” Anybody who “hurts religious sentiment” also faces as much as 2 yrs imprisonment and a pair of,000 rupee fine reported the Catholic Herald. Human legal rights defenders in Nepal are with the balance to become amended prior to it being placed prior to the President of Nepal for his approval. Lokmani Dhakal MP from the Janjagaran party of Nepal requested removing the sections criminalising religious conversion and told Parliament on 10 August:

“It appears very obvious in my experience this country while preparing the civil code has forgotten it's a signatory to worldwide agreements that safeguard the liberty of faith and human rights… you shouldn't allow it to be feasible for the planet to say on Nepal that we're the type of nation that around the one hands signs worldwide agreements however when making internal laws and regulations as well as in applying them, does another thing.Inches The metabolic rate establishes Nepal like a secular country with 81.3% population as Hindu, 9.% Buddhist, 4.4% Muslim, 3.% Kiratist (indigenous ethnic religion), 1.4% Christian, .2% Sikhs, .1% Jains and .6% follow other religions or no religion based on the 2011 census.

Tuesday 19 September 2017

Christian Pakistan man sentenced to death for alleged blasphemous What's app message

Pakistan Gives Christian Man Death Sentence Over Alleged Blasphemy on WhatsApp


A Pakistani court has sentenced a Christian man to death after he was accused of texting a blasphemous poem to a Muslim friend through WhatsApp.

Nadeem James, who was arrested during the summer of 2016 and charged with the capital crime of insulting the Muslim prophet after a Muslim friend named Yasir Bashir complained to the police about an alleged message received through the mobile app, was officially sentenced to capital punishment last Thursday, according to his defense attorney.

James was charged under section 295-C of the Pakistani criminal code, which calls for those who insult Muhammad to be punished with death or life imprisonment.


"James was handed a death sentence by the court on Thursday on blasphemy charges," James' attorney, Anjum Wakeel, told AFP.

The lawyer added that James' trial was held inside of prison because local Muslim clerics had threatened James and his family.

Wakeel vowed that James, who maintains that he was falsely accused of the crime because he married a Muslim woman who converted to Christianity, will appeal the sentence to the nation's high court. Wakeel asserted that his client "has been framed."

Wilson Chowdhry, chairman of the London-based humanitarian charity British Asian Christian Association, told The Christian Post on Monday that under Pakistani law, those who have been sentenced to death for blasphemy must wait at least five years before they can appeal.

"The frightening aspect of this case is that despite the safety of a trial in prison, a district magistrate has ruled that Nadeem, an obviously innocent man, is guilty. This provides little confidence that Nadeem can ever see justice in Pakistan and we all know what that sadly means," Chowdhry said in a statement. "Nadeem James was an innocent man who fell in love with a local woman. After he married her, all he wanted was to settle down and have children, then to provide for them - all perfectly acceptable goals."

James joins the likes of Christian mother Asia Bibi, who was also sentenced to death by hanging for alleged blasphemy in 2010 and recently nominated to receive the European Union's prestigious Sakharov Prize.

"It's become a palpable reality that [James] could be hanged, but it doesn't [give much hope] to Asia Bibi either," Chowdhry stated.

Bibi has been sitting in Pakistani prison for years. Although she requested an appeal last year, her appeal hearings have continued to be delayed by the nation's Supreme Court.

"I don't believe a Supreme Court judge is going to exonerate Asia Bibi," Chowdhry told CP. "Any judge that would be brave enough to do that - it should be a responsibility of every judge - would in essence be facing his own death sentence in Pakistan because of the sheer intolerance and hatred towards minorities."

"Her solicitor was calling for a hearing in April and it was rejected by the courts. Asia Bibi is sick. She is ill. She is coughing blood in prison. She is in a dingy cell and she is losing her sanity," he continued.

"It may well be that courts are simply delaying things so that they don't have to face the consequences in their country for exonerating Bibi, which would mean riots in every state, or they condemn Asia Bibi to death and face international scrutiny and animosity from the whole of the West who are watching with anticipation for her freedom."

Pakistan ranks as the fourth worst country in the world when it comes to the persecution of Christians, according to Open Doors USA's 2017 World Watch List.

One contributing factor to that ranking is the abuse of the country's blasphemy laws by some Muslims looking to settle personal scores with religious minorities.

"Until this draconion law is removed from Pakistan, no Christian can feel safe. It is not abuse of the law that is the problem - it is the law itself," Chowdhry said in a statement. "No man-made law is ever required to protect God. As Christians, we believe He is omnipotent. However, this seems a theological concept too difficult to decipher for Muslims in Pakistan, who continue to espouse blasphemy laws despite no basis in quranic scriptures."

The British Asian Christian Association launched a petition calling for an end to blasphemy laws in Pakistan.





SOURCE

Australian PM backs church which cancelled wedding of couple

Australian PM backs church which cancelled wedding of couple who posted Facebook support for same-sex marriage


The Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has defended a church that cancelled the wedding of a local coupleafter they posted their support for same-sex marriage on Facebook.


The couple in their 20s, who have not been named, were to be married at the Presbyterian church of Ebenezer St John's in Ballarat, Victoria, according to Fairfax media.

Days after Turnbull announced the forthcoming national postal survey on same sex marriage in August, the young woman posted her support for the law change. She and her fiance were then reportedly told by the minister, Steven North, that he would no longer marry them or allow the ceremony to be held in the church.

He reportedly wrote in a letter to the couple: 'After the premarital counselling that you attended and the sermons delivered at Ebenezer on this subject, you must surely appreciate that your commitment to same-sex marriage opposes the teaching of Christ Jesus and the scriptural position practiced by the Presbyterian church of Australia and by me.

'By continuing to officiate it would appear either that I support your views on same-sex marriage or that I am uncaring about this matter. As you know, neither statement is correct.

'Also, if the wedding proceeded in the Ebenezer St John's church buildings, the same inferences could be drawn about the Presbyterian denomination. Such inferences would be wrong."

The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, said that he had assumed that 'we would have moved beyond that sort of prejudice'.

But Turnbull defended the minister, saying: 'Churches are entitled to marry or not marry whom they please. That is part of religious freedom. My own church, the Catholic church, will not marry someone who has married before.'

The couple, who had attended the church for 10 years, told North that his decision was 'disgraceful' according to Fairfax.

'You were made aware from the beginning of our proceedings that we had gay friends and also that people in our wedding party were gay,' they said. 'How could you assume that we would abandon them or degrade them with regards to same-sex marriage?"

The moderator general of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, John Wilson, said in a statement it was a local church matter.

He told Guardian Australia: 'Within the Presbyterian church of Australia, the question of accepting requests to officiate at weddings is a discretionary matter for ministers of congregations, and not something that is directed from higher places or central offices of the church.

'The minister engages with the people concerned, counsels them, builds relationships with them, and then taking all this into consideration decides to accept or not.'





cred: Christian Today

Seeking Allah Finding Jesus author Nabeel Qureshi dies

Evangelist and best-selling author Nabeel Qureshi dies of cancer at the age of just 34


Nabeel Qureshi, the best-selling author and Christian apologist who was a convert from Islam, has died of cancer. He was just 34 years old.

He was diagnosed a year ago when he was given a very low chance of survival. His faith remained steadfast throughout the ordeal that followed.

'Today, September 16, our dear brother in Christ Nabeel Qureshi went to be with the Lord following a year-long battle with cancer. We received this news with deep sadness and yet profound hope, confident that he is finally and fully healed in the presence of his Savior,' Ravi Zacharias International Ministries posted.

'Please join the RZIM team in praying for Nabeel's wife, Michelle, and his daughter, Ayah, as well as for his parents and extended family. We know this is Nabeel's gain, but a tremendous loss for all those who loved him and were impacted by his life and testimony on earth.'

After seeing Nabeel back in May for the last time, Ravi Zacharias wrote:

You will be freed to the joy of life where there are no more fears, no more tears, no more hate, no more bloodshed, because you will be with the One who has already shed his blood for you, where love is supreme, grace abounds, and the consummate joy is of the soul. The smile of God awaits you: 'Well done.'

The Gospel Coalition carried a tribute, explaining how Nabeel was born in California as a U.S. citizen to Pakistani immigrants who fled religious persecution at the hands of fellow Muslims. His parents were devout members of the peaceful Ahmadi sect of Islam, which differs from orthodox Islam on some minor doctrines but shares with it a belief in the six articles of faith.

The author of No God But One: Allah or Jesus?  explained his decision to convert to Christianity at the age of 22 in a pinned tweet from April 2014: 'I left Islam because I studied Muhammad's life. I accepted the Gospel because I studied Jesus' life. #MyStory #SeekingAllahFindingJesus'

His latest tweet was a vlog from his hospital bed, on 9 September:

He also posted videos on YouTube and other updates on social media as his illness progressed. 'The results aren't good,' he said on YouTube recently. 'The radiation apparently didn't work too well.'

In an interview with Christian Today before he was diagnosed, Nabeel described how he believes the world is in the midst of an Islamic reformation. This means a return to the religion's fundamentals, he told Christian Today, and there is no doubt that these fundamentals are explicitly violent.

He said: 'There is a basis to believe in Jesus. He rose from the dead. You can check that historically. You don't have to believe it on blind faith. The Koran says if you believe Jesus is God, you will go to hell. (ch 5:72) whereas Romans (10:9) tells us we need to believe that to be saved. So they are exactly contrary. Therefore you cannot be both Christian and Muslim.'

In his short life, Nabeel had qualified as a doctor, gained a degree in Christian apologetics, a masters in religion and an MPhil in Judaism and Christianity at Christ Church, Oxford. He had hoped to progress onto a PhD.

He received death threats after his conversion.

'Within a month of becoming a Christian, someone left a note on my car. The vast majority of death threats are from people online, they are just people letting off steam. I've been told now to let people know when it happens. Before I just blocked and moved on.'

He had seen too much to have doubts. 'The only people that truly doubt a supernatural reality are people born and raised in the sheltered West.'








Your Testimony - God’s Story in You


You have a story and if your story is God’s story in you, then that story is a testimony and can be a powerful witness for Jesus Christ. Sharing your story requires thought but no special training. “You are an expert on what happened to you!” And you can share your testimony anywhere with anyone and give them the “reason for the hope that is in you.”

You can share about Jesus Christ through your story - what God has done for you, what He is doing, and how you have experienced his grace and goodness in your life.


Here’s a question for you: Are you Ready to share your faith story with others and how God’s story has transformed your story?  please use the contact us form or send an email via businessofchrist@gmail.com


SOURCE

Monday 18 September 2017

Godly Discipline

Today's Scripture: Proverbs 29 (KJV


Proverbs 29 (KJV)
1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.

4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.

7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.

8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.

9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.

10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the Lord lighteneth both their eyes.

14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.

15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

17 Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

19 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.

20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.

22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

23 A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.

24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.

25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

26 Many seek the ruler's favour; but every man's judgment cometh from the Lord.

27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.


Scripture Meaning

Verses
1: If God wounds, who can heal? The word of God warns all to flee from the wrath to come, to the hope set before us in Jesus Christ.
(2). The people have cause to rejoice or mourn, as their rulers are righteous or wicked.
(3). Divine wisdom best keeps us from ruinous lusts.
(4). The Lord Jesus is the King who will minister true judgment to the people.
(5). Flatterers put men off their guard, which betrays them into foolish conduct.
(6). Transgressions always end in vexations. Righteous men walk at liberty, and walk in safety.
(7). This verse is applicable to compassion for the distress of the poor, and the unfeeling disregard shown by the wicked.
(8). The scornful mock at things sacred and serious. Men who promote religion, which is true wisdom, turn away the wrath of God.
(9). If a wise man dispute with a conceited wrangler, he will be treated with anger or ridicule; and no good is done.
(10). Christ told his disciples that they should be hated of all men. The just, whom the blood-thirsty hate, gladly do any thing for their salvation.
(11). He is a fool who tells every thing he knows, and can keep no counsel.
(12). One who loves flatterers, and hearkens to slanderers, causes his servants to become liars and false accusers.
(13). Some are poor, others have a great deal of deceitful riches. They meet in the business of this world; the Lord gives to both the comforts of this life. To some of both sorts he gives his grace.
(14). The rich will look to themselves, but the poor and needy the prince must defend and plead for.
(15). Parents must consider the benefit of due correction, and the mischief of undue indulgence.
(16). Let not the righteous have their faith and hope shocked by the increase of sin and sinners, but let them wait with patience.
(17). Children must not be suffered to go without rebuke when they do amiss.
(18). How bare does a place look without Bibles and ministers! and what an easy prey is it to the enemy of souls! That gospel is an open vision, which holds forth Christ, which humbles the sinner and exalts the Saviour, which promotes holiness in the life and conversation: and these are precious truths to keep the soul alive, and prevent it from perishing.
(19). Here is an unprofitable, slothful, wicked servant; one that serves not from conscience, or love, but from fear.
(20). When a man is self-conceited, rash, and given to wrangling, there is more hope of the ignorant and profligate.
(21). Good usage to a servant does not mean indulgence, which would ruin even a child. The body is a servant to the soul; those that humour it, and are over-tender of it, will find it forget its place.
(22). An angry, passionate disposition makes men provoking to one another, and provoking to God.
(23). Only those who humble themselves shall be exalted and established.
(24). The receiver is as bad as the thief.
(25). Many are ashamed to own Christ now; and he will not own them in the day of judgment. But he that trusts in the Lord will be saved from this snare.
(26). The wisest course is, to look to God, and seek the favour of the Ruler of rulers; for every creature is that to us which God makes it to be.
(27). The just man abhors the sins of the wicked, and shuns their company. Christ exposed the wickedness of men, yet prayed for the wicked when they were crucifying him. Hatred to sin in ourselves and others, is a needful branch of the Christian temper. But all that are unholy, have rooted hatred to godliness.

Scripture Application


Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue with the Book of Proverbs with Chapter 28.
In our text today we continue with wisdom for leaders with a focus on integrity being a key to having the Lord hear our prayers and working in our lives. What catches my eye is verse 13 that says that says that those who confess their sins will obtain mercy while those who hide their sin will not prosper.
In making application we se that we must stay humble and repentant before the Lord to walk and talk with the Lord. How about you? Have you confessed your sins before the Lord? Let us learn from our text today to confess our sins before the Lord to have Him hear our prayer and walk with the Lord.

Friday 15 September 2017

Confess Your Sins

Today's Scripture: Proverbs 28 (KJV)


Proverbs 28 (KJV)
1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things.

6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.

26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.


Scripture Meaning

Verses
1: Sin makes men cowards. Whatever difficulties the righteous meet in the way of duty, they are not daunted.
(2). National sins disturb the public repose.
(3). If needy persons get opportunities of oppressing, their extortion will be more severe than that of the more wealthy.
(4). Wicked people strengthen one another in wicked ways.
(5). If a man seeks the Lord, it is a good sign that he understands much, and it is a good means of understanding more.
(6). An honest, godly, poor man, is better than a wicked, ungodly, rich man; has more comfort in himself, and is a greater blessing to the world.
(7). Companions of riotous men not only grieve their parents, but shame them.
(8). That which is ill got, though it may increase much, will not last long. Thus the poor are repaid, and God is glorified.
(9). The sinner at whose prayers God is angry, is one who obstinately refuses to obey God's commands.
(10). The success of ungodly men is their own misery.
(11). Rich men are so flattered, that they think themselves superior to others.
(12). There is glory in the land when the righteous have liberty.
(13). It is folly to indulge sin, and excuse it. He who covers his sins, shall not have any true peace. He who humbly confesses his sins, with true repentance and faith, shall find mercy from God. The Son of God is our great atonement. Under a deep sense of our guilt and danger, we may claim salvation from that mercy which reigns through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord.
(14). There is a fear which causes happiness. Faith and love will deliver from the fear of eternal misery; but we should always fear offending God, and fear sinning against him.
(15). A wicked ruler, whatever we may call him, this scripture calls a roaring lion, and a ranging bear. (16). Oppressors want understanding; they do not consult their own honour, ease, and safety.
(17). The murderer shall be haunted with terrors. None shall desire to save him from deserved punishment, nor pity him.
(18). Uprightness will give men holy security in the worst times; but the false and dishonest are never safe.
(19). Those who are diligent, take the way to live comfortably.
(20). The true way to be happy, is to be holy and honest; not to raise an estate suddenly, without regard to right or wrong.
(21). Judgment is perverted, when any thing but pure right is considered.
(22). He that hastens to be rich, never seriously thinks how quickly God may take his wealth from him, and leave him in poverty.
(23). Upon reflection, most will have a better opinion of a faithful reprover than of a soothing flatterer.
(24). Here is the wickedness of those who think it no sin to rob their parents, by wheedling them or threatening them, or by wasting what they have, and running into debt.
(25). Those make themselves always easy, that live in continual dependence upon God and his grace, and live by faith.
(26). A fool trusts to his own strength, merit, and righteousness. And trusts to his own heart, which is not only deceitful above all things, but which has often deceived him.
(27). A selfish man not only will not look out for objects of compassion, but will look off from those that call for his attention.
(28). When power is put into the hands of the wicked, wise men decline public business. If the reader will go diligently over this and the other chapters, in many places where at first he may suppose there is least of Christ, still he will find what will lead to him.

Scripture Application


Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue with the Book of Proverbs with Chapter 28. In our text today we continue with wisdom for leaders with a focus on integrity being a key to having the Lord hear our prayers and working in our lives. What catches my eye is verse 13 that says that says that those who confess their sins will obtain mercy while those who hide their sin will not prosper.

In making application we se that we must stay humble and repentant before the Lord to walk and talk with the Lord. How about you? Have you confessed your sins before the Lord? Let us learn from our text today to confess our sins before the Lord to have Him hear our prayer and walk with the Lord.


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