Your Family is your Priority in Life‼️ Don’t Give Up on Nasty Relatives, Jesus

By Pastor and Mrs Chifamba

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭13‬:‭55‬-‭57‬

“Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this Man get all these things?” So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.””

IN ALMOST EVERY FAMILY THERE ARE NASTY RELATIVES WHO ARE DIFFICULT TO LIVE WITH BUT WE ARE TO CONTINUE BEING PATIENT WITH THEM GOD CAN CHANGE THEM. THE BROTHERS OF JESUS WERE VERY DIFFICULT TO LIVE WITH.

‭‭John‬ ‭7‬:‭2‬-‭5‬

“Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” For even His brothers did not believe in Him.”

Mark‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭

“Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.””

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ALTHOUGH JESUS WAS NEAR DISOWNING THEM HE NO DOUBT CONTINUED TO PRAY FOR THEM ACCORDING TO HIS TEACHING

Mark‬ ‭3‬:‭32‬-‭35‬

“And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.” But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?” And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

““But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

AFTER JESUS DEATH AND RESURRECTION JESUS’ BROTHERS CHAMPIONED HIS CAUSE! DON’T GIVE UP ON NASTY RELATIVES WHEN GOD FINALLY OPENS THEIR EYES THE WILL CHAMPION THE CAUSE OF CHRIST MORE THAN YOU‼️

‭‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬

“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”

Galatians‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬-‭19‬

“Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.”

‭‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:”

PRAY THAT ONE DAY YOUR NASTY RELATIVES WILL OBTAIN MERCY LIKE THE APOSTLE PAUL

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭15‬

“although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

Your Family is your Priority in Life‼️ Don’t Give Up on the Prodigal, Jonah

By Pastor and Mrs Chifamba

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭18‬:‭21‬

““But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.”

JONAH TRIED TO RUN AWAY FROM HIS DIVINE ASSIGNMENT. IT IS AMAZING THAT PREACHERS CAN ALSO BE PRODIGAL‼️ THIS IS WHY WE SHOULD NOT FOLLOW THEM BLINDLY BUT ALWAYS CHECK THEM WITH THE WORD OF GOD

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭17‬:‭11‬

“Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”

Jonah 1:1-3

Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. 3But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. 

THE DELINQUENT PROPHET ENDED UP IN GOD’S WORKSHOP IN THE BELLY OF THE WHALE. DO NOT GIVE UP EVEN ON PRODIGAL PREACHERS PRAY THAT THEY THEIR OWN WHALE EXPERIENCE

Jonah 1:15-17

So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. 16Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows. 17¶Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Jonah 2:1-4

Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly, 2And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. 3For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me. 4Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple. 

Jonah 2:7

When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple. 

Jonah 2:10

And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

DIFFICULT TRIALS WILL REFINE PRODIGAL PREACHERS TO DO THEIR DUTIES FAITHFULLY

‭‭Jonah‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭

“Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey in breadth. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s journey. And he called out, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.”

‭‭Malachi‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬

“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.”

Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭67‬

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.”

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL GOD SPEAKS TO YOU THROUGH AFFLICTIONS TO TURN AWAY FROM SIN

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭18‬:‭31‬-‭32‬

“Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore turn and live!””

Your Family is your Priority in Life‼️ Don’t Give Up on the Prodigal, Manasseh

By Pastor and Mrs Chifamba

Jeremiah‬ ‭31‬:‭16‬

“Thus says the Lord: “Refrain your voice from weeping, And your eyes from tears; For your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord, And they shall come back from the land of the enemy.”

MANASSEH WAS A SON BORN TO PRAYER WARRIOR, HEZEKIAH BUT HE WENT TERRIBLY ASTRAY IN SPITE OF HIS GOOD SPIRITUAL HERITAGE‼️ HOWEVER, THANKS BE TO GOD MANASSEH HAD A GOOD ENDING. SO DO NOT GIVE UP ON THE PRODIGAL IN YOUR FAMILY

Isaiah‬ ‭38‬:‭2‬-‭5‬ ‭

“Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, and said, “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before…

‭‭ 2 Chronicles 33:1-4

Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: 2But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like to the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. 3For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. 4Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever. 5And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.

THE PRODIGAL KING WENT INTO THE DEPTHS OF WITCHCRAFT AND SATANIC WORSHIP

‭‭ 2 Chronicles 33:6-8

And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he worked much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. 7And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: 8Neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from out of the land which I have appointed for your fathers; so that they will take heed to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.

THE PRODIGAL IN HIS DISTRESS CALLED ON GOD AND GOD DELIVERED HIM. SO LONG AS THE PRODIGAL STILL HAS BREATH THERE IS HOPE TO RETURN TO THE GOD OF HIS CHILDHOOD

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭6‬

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭50‬:‭15‬

“and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.””

2 Chronicles 33:9-13

So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. 10And the LORD spoke to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not listen. 11Why the LORD brought on them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. 12And when he was in affliction, he sought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13And prayed to him: and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.

Micah 7:7-8

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. 8¶Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.

Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬ ‭

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”

1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Your Family is your Priority in Life‼️When well Taught Children Rebel 🥲 Samson: A Pain to his Family (Part 3)

By Pastor and Mrs Chifamba 

Romans 14:7

For none of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself.

THE CHOICES WE MAKE IN LIFE DO NOT ONLY AFFECT US BUT THEY HAVE RIPPLE EFFECTS TO OUR FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITIES WE LIVE IN

Proverbs 23:22-25

Listen to your father that begat you, and despise not your mother when she is old. 23Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. 24The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begets a wise child shall have joy of him. 25Your father and your mother shall be glad, and she that bore you shall rejoice. 

Ephesians 6:1-3

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 

 HOWEVER SAMSOM WAS A CALAMITY TO HIS FAMILY EVEN IN HIS DEATH! THEY HAD TO BRAVE THE HOSTILE PHILISTINES TO BURY HIM

Proverbs 17:25

A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bore him.

Judges 16:31

Then his brothers and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burial plot of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.

DON’T DISGRACE YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER WHO IS EVER SEEING WHAT YOU AND HEARS ALL THAT YOU SAY.

Proverbs 15:3

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Hebrews 4:13

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 

John 1:48

Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 

WHAT DOES GOD SEE YOU DOING? THINGS THAT GLORIFY HIM OR DISGRACE HIM?

Deuteronomy 32:5-6

They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. 6Do you thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he your father that has bought you? has he not made you, and established you? 

Hebrews 11:16

But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: why God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city.

Ephesians 3:14-19

For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on the earth is named. 16I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, 17that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love, 18you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Your Family is your Priority in Life‼️When well Taught Children Rebel 🥲 Samson: Remember the God of your Childhood (Part 2)

By Pastor and Mrs Chifamba

Proverbs 1:7-8

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother

IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT MANY CHILDREN TEND TO THINK THAT THEY ARE SMARTER THAN THEIR PARENTS AND IGNORE THE WORD OF GOD TO THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION 🥲

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Judges 16:4-5

And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 5And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver. 

Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬

“Then she lulled him to sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his head. Then she began to torment him, and his strength left him. And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” So he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him. Then the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza. They bound him with bronze fetters, and he became a grinder in the prison.”

Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“So it happened, when their hearts were merry, that they said, “Call for Samson, that he may perform for us.” So they called for Samson from the prison, and he performed for them. And they stationed him between the pillars. Then Samson said to the lad who held him by the hand, “Let me feel the pillars which support the temple, so that I can lean on them.””

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SO LONG AS ONE HAS LIFE THERE IS HOPE. THE REBEL SON DIED A HERO WHEN HE REMEMBERED AND PRAYED TO THE GOD OF HIS CHILDHOOD. SAMSON IS LISTED AMONG HEROS OF FAITH IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS!

Hebrews 11:32-33

And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions

Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Then Samson called to the Lord, saying, “O Lord God, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!”

Judges‬ ‭16‬:‭30‬ ‭NKJV‬

“Then Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the Lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.”

IN YOUR TROUBLE CALL UPON GOD‼️ EVEN WHILE SUFFERING THE CONSEQUENCES OF SELF-INDUCED AFFLICTIONS

Psalm 50:15

And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. 

Luke 23:42-43

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. 

Psalm 102:17

He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.

Isaiah 1:18

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 

Your Family is your Priority in Life‼️When well Taught Children Rebel 🥲 Samson (Part 1)

By Pastor and Mrs Chifamba

Psalm 22:10

I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly. 

SAMSON HAD PRAYERFUL PARENTS WHO WOULD RECEIVE ANGEL VISITS. THEY WERE TAUGHT BY AN ANGEL HOW TO INSTRUCT HIM. HE ATE AN ANGEL PRESCRIBED DEIT RIGHT FROM HIS MOTHER’S WOMB YET UNFORTUNATELY HE DID NOT LIVE UP TO THE GREAT LIGHT HE HAD RECEIVED.

Judges 13:8

Then Manoah intreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born. 

Judges 13:12-14

And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him? 13And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware. 14She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.

Judges 13:24-25

And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him. 25And the Spirit of the LORD began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Proverbs 1:8-10

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 9For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains….

Proverbs 12:15

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. 

Judges 14:1-3

And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines. 2And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife. 3Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well. 

How often inclination governs in the selection of husband or wife! The parties do not ask counsel of God nor have His glory in view. Satan is constantly seeking to strengthen his power over the people of God by inducing them to enter into alliance with his subjects. In order to accomplish this he endeavors to arouse unsanctified passions. – {From Eternity Past p. 405.4}

THE WORD OF GOD FORBIDS BELIEVERS TO MARRY NON BELIEVERS, BUT SAMSON GAVE A DEAF EAR TO BIBLICAL AND PARENTAL COUNSEL.

Deuteronomy 7:3-4

Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. 4For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. 

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬-‭15 NKJV‬‬

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

Marriage affects the afterlife both in this world and in the world to come. A sincere Christian will make no plans that God cannot approve. – {Ministry of Healing p. 359.1}

If you are blessed with God-fearing parents, seek counsel of them. Open to them your hopes and plans, learn the lessons which their life experiences have taught, and you will be saved many a heartache. Above all, make Christ your counselor. Study His word with prayer. – {Ministry of Healing p. 359.2}

OH THAT OUR YOUTH MAY NOT GO THE WAY OF SAMSON BUT SEEK COUNCIL FROM THE LORD‼️

Proverbs‬ ‭19‬:‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬

“Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the Lord.”

Proverbs 31:30

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬

Your Family is your Priority in Life‼️When well Taught Children Rebel 🥲 The Prodigal Son

By Pastor and Mrs Chifamba

Proverbs 21:6

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

DO THE BEST YOU CAN TO TRAIN YOUR CHILD IN THE WAY OF THE LORD AND LEAVE THE REST TO GOD! WELL TAUGHT CHILDREN CAN AT TIMES REBEL

Isaiah 1:2

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. 

Luke 15:11-13

And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 

WHEN YOU HAVE DONE THE BEST YOU CAN AND CHILDREN REBEL KEEP PRAYING AND CLAIMING GOD’S PROMISES FOR THEM, REMEMBER THE PRODIGAL SON CAME BACK HOME. SO LONG AS THEY ARE STILL ALIVE THERE IS HOPE‼️

Lamentations 2:19

Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.

Jeremiah 31:15-17

Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. 16Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. 17And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border. 

Isaiah 54:13

And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. 

OH PRODIGAL CHILD YOU HAVE CAUSED PAIN TO YOUR EARTHLY PARENTS AND MUCH MORE TO YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER, COME HOME COME HOME! TELL THE DEVIL ENOUGH IS ENOUGH JESUS SAVES! HE DIED FOR THE WORST OF SINNERS 

Luke 15:17-20

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Psalm 103:10-14

He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. 14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Micah 7:7-8

Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. 8¶Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.

Your Family is your Priority in Life‼️It is a Divine Mandate to Warn our Relatives even if they Refuse to Believe, Lot

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24‬:‭14‬

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

THE GOSPEL IS TO BE PREACHED INTO ALL THE WORLD AS A WITNESS NOT EVERYONE WILL BELIEVE HOWEVER GOD WANTS YOU TO PRIORITIZE YOUR FAMILY AND RELATIVES EVEN IF THEY DON’T FOLLOW YOUR HOLY WAYS. THE ANGELS TOLD LOT TO WARN HIS RELATIVES!

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭19‬:‭12‬-‭14‬

“Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city!” But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭33‬:‭7‬-‭9‬

““So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.”

LOT’S RELATIVES MOCKED HIM BUT HE DONE HIS DIVINE DUTY. SO IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH, OF CHRIST AND SO IT WILL BE AT THE END OF TIME

‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭10‬-‭11‬

“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭26‬-‭30‬

“And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.”

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭3-‭7‬

“knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming….

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭9‬

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭19‬:‭15‬-‭17‬

“When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.””

IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS SALVATION IS AN INDIVIDUAL MATTER

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬

“Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord God.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭14‬:‭18‬

“even though these three men were in it, as I live,” says the Lord God, “they would deliver neither sons nor daughters, but only they themselves would be delivered.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬-‭11‬

“that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.””

Your Family is your Priority in Life‼️Can your Son-in-law or Daughter-in-law follow God because of you⁉️ Naomi (Part 2)

By Pastor and Mrs Chifamba 

Psalm 30:5

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. 

NAOMI WHOSE NAME MEANS PLEASANT, SWEET HAD TURNED INTO MARA MEANING BITTER THROUGH HER EXPERIENCE IN MOAB YET GOD SWEETENED HER BITTER LIFE AGAIN.

Ruth 1:19-21

So they two went until they came to Beth–lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth–lehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? 20And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. 21I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? 

GOD CAN TURN YOUR SITUATION AROUND LIKE HE DID FOR RUTH AND HER MOTHER-IN-LAW. HE WILL DO IT AGAIN! THE STORIES WE READ IN THE BIBLE ARE TO BUILD OUR FAITH SO THAT WHAT GOD DID FOR OTHERS IN THE PAST HE CAN DO FOR US TODAY‼️

Romans 15:4

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Ruth 4:13-17

So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son. 14And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. 15And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. 16And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. 17And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Matthew 1:1-2

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren.

Matthew 1:5-6

And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias

THE GOD WHO ACCEPTED THE CONVERTED RUTH WILL ACCEPT YOU TOO IRREGARDLESS OF YOUR CASTE, TRIBE, RACE OR STATION IN LIFE. ANYONE’S BITTER WATER CAN BE SWEETEN BY GOD!

Deuteronomy 23:3

An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever

Luke 8:21

And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. 

Acts‬ ‭10‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.”

‭‭

Exodus 15:23-25

And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? 25And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them

Your Family is your Priority in Life‼️Can your Son-in-law or Daughter-in-law follow God because of you⁉️ Naomi: Your God my God. (Part 1)

By Pastor and Mrs Chifamba 

John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

NAOMI WAS A GOD FEARING AND LOVING MOTHER-IN-LAW THAT MADE RUTH TO CLING TO HER WITH NO PROMISES OF TEMPORARY MATERIAL BENEFITS BUT ONLY A PATH BEDEWED WITH TEARS AND HARDSHIP. NAOMI WAS A WITNESS FOR GOD IN HER HOME 🏡 INDEED CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME. RUTH IS FOUND IN THE GENEALOGY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ALL BECAUSE OF A BLESSED MOTHER-IN-LAW 

The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian. – {Ministry of Healing p. 470.1}

Ruth 1:15-17

And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. 16And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: 17Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. 

IT IS EASY TO CLING TO A RICH IN-LAW BUT RUTH HELD ON TO NAOMI WHO HAD NOTHING TO OFFER EXCEPT HER FAITH IN GOD! RUTH HAD TO TAKE THE LOWLY JOB OF GLEAN IN THE FIELDS TO SUSTAIN HERSELF AND HER MOTHER-IN-LAW. GOD DOES NOT BLESS IDLENESS OCCUPY YOURSELF WITH EVEN A HUMBLE JOB AND GOD WILL LIFT YOU FROM THERE.

Ruth 2:2

And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. 

Proverbs 31:26-27

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. 

RUTH BECAME A WITNESS FOR GOD IN THE ENTIRE CITY

Ruth 3:10-11

And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. 11And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

The apostle Paul says to the disciples of Jesus, “Ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ,” “known and read of all men.” 2 Corinthians 3:3, 2. In every one of His children, Jesus sends a letter to the world. If you are Christ’s follower, He sends in you a letter to the family, the village, the street, where you live. Jesus, dwelling in you, desires to speak to the hearts of those who are not acquainted with Him. Perhaps they do not read the Bible, or do not hear the voice that speaks to them in its pages; they do not see the love of God through His works. But if you are a true representative of Jesus, it may be that through you they will be led to understand something of His goodness and be won to love and serve Him. – {Steps to Christ p. 115.1}

Christians are set as light bearers on the way to heaven. They are to reflect to the world the light shining upon them from Christ. Their life and character should be such that through them others will get a right conception of Christ and of His service. – {Steps to Christ p. 115.2}

NAOMI WAS A LIGHT TO RUTH AND RUTH HAD A GOOD REPORT IN THE CITY WHAT ARE THEY SAYING ABOUT YOU IN YOUR COMMUNITY? SHINE FOR GOD ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE! GOOD FAMILY RELATIONS ARE A BRIGHT LIGHT FOR GOD!

Matthew 5:14-16

Ye are the light of the world…