Going to wedding ceremony can be really interesting. Agreed some do not like attending wedding ceremonies at for a variety of reasons, for others, preparation is elaborate. Some go with just what they have, others buy Aso oke to commensurate with the bride and groom. Some go because it's an event to show off, others go because of the meal. However, one day, and very soon, all of will, whether we like to or not, attend the marriage of Lamb. The problem is, at this event, all of us are expected to be bridesmaids. Will you be ready for the bridegroom?

You have heard before, please hear it again, Jesus is coming back again. In Matthew 24, Jesus addresses the event that will surrounds; the rapture, just before the antichrist is revealed, the tribulations and his eventual second coming. He also speaks about what people's attitude would be towards those days; partying and living carefree like in the days of Noah. If we don't want to be caught unawares like everyone else, then like Noah who built the ark when there was no rain, we must live prepared like the trumpet would sound and Jesus would return today. My prayer for you is that you will not miss the rapture.

It is simply a weakness of the human nature and the work of the flesh to put the spotlight on other people's failures and shortcomings while ignoring or pretending to, your own. Jesus has some harsh words for the Pharisees here who are unwilling to work hard to enter kingdom, but will then not allow anyone else enter by placing burdens on them that no human could fulfill; blind guides, hypocrites, etc. are some of the nicest names Jesus called them. Our challenge today is to be the example of a believer, instead of constantly pointing out the faults in people's life, point them to God, let their change start from and come from within, orchestrated by God. In time, they will not need you to keep them standing upright, they will have God himself in their hearts.

Jesus wowed and confounded everyone that tried to entrap him, he solved problems with ease, recognized people's motives which allowed him strategically place himself where they could not accuse him. He did all these because he was filled with the Holy Spirit; he was also demonstrating the 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit; the Word of wisdom, the Word of Knowledge, the discernment of spirits or motives, the gift of Faith, the working of miracles, the gifts of healing, the gift of prophecy, the gift of the interpretation of tongues and the gift of speaking in diverse or different tongues to just fit the need of those you have to reach. Pray and ask God to give you the same gifts today!

What will determine our standing in the kingdom? In the people's understanding and based on their interpretation of the laws, it should be based on how rich you are here on earth. Jesus' response is confounding; "the first will be last and the last will be first". "Those who want to lead must become servants to everyone else". Does not make sense to the human mind right? However, listen to Jesus today if you hope to be smiling in the kingdom.

God Expects me to! I hear people say, God can do anything, and in a sense, that is perfectly true. However, there are a few things God cannot or should I say, will not, do. God cannot, will not, forgive us our trespasses if we refuse to forgive others theirs against us. God cannot, will not, tell a lie, He is holy and righteous. Understanding this concept about God gave me a different perspective to my relationship with him; there are things He expects of me; He expects I forgive others when I am offended just like he forgave me first. He expects that I love others just as he loved me so much he gave me his best gift, Jesus. He expects that I stay humble just as he humbled himself, came to the world as a man and die a shameful death on the cross. God expects!

In chapter 16, we address one of Jesus' statements that has been controversial. Peter had just declared Jesus was the Messiah, the son of the living God. Jesus tells him he is blessed and that only the Father could have revealed that truth to him. The controversy starts from here because Jesus calls Peter a 'rock' (a reference to the kind of person he would become) and then say, "upon this rock (the truth that Peter had just expressed), he would build his church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it". Was Jesus saying he was going to build the Church on Peter (making him the pope like some allude to) or was he saying he was going to build the Church on the revelation Peter just expressed? You would think the answer is simple and clear, the Church is built on Jesus himself, and that no one single human being can shoulder that responsibility. But some disagree. My thoughts are in today's devotional.

Why did Jesus speak to the crowds in parables; with stories and illustrations? It was so that they couldn't forget. However, he adds a caveat, hearing the stories were not enough, one must seek to listen to understand so as to be able to put them to action. Today, many simply hear but do not listen. Some outrightly reject the word that it is not for them. But for those who listen, understand and apply the word, Jesus promises productivity; thirty, sixty, and even a hundred fold.

For the second time in the book of Matthew, Jesus heals a man by casting out a demon. The man is blind and dumb but instead of praying for him to receive his sight and for his tongue to be loosed, Jesus casted out the demon causing the man's condition so that the man both saw and spoke. A very profound lesson, not all ailments or disease conditions are naturally sourced. Lastly, Jesus tells us how he casted out demons, "by the Spirit of God." To cast out demons, you must be representing Christ or the kingdom of God. Secondly, you must through the help the Holy Spirit provides

Matthew chapter 10, Jesus sends out the 12 apostles to preach and to evangelise, laying the framework of the work of the church today. With this work Jesus told them will come persecution and the need to endure till the end. This work was going to attract a lot of hate and betrayal, some would literally have to make a choice between God and staying alive. I can tell you that it is going on even right now, the persecution of the church though not yet worldwide, is about to take on a new dimension. My charge to you is, will you stand for your faith? Will you endure till the end even if that end means dying for your beliefs? Would you deny Jesus? Jesus said; "And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved." I pray for you that your faith and courage will not fail you in Jesus' name, Amen.