Eye On Sparrows

Sparrows. Photo Credit: Old Wild Life Journal.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Eye on Sparrows

Jesus said, "Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered."1

Dr. Paige Patterson tells how the renown African-American singer, Ethel Waters, known for her ministry with Billy Graham Crusades, learned about life the hard way. Ethel said that, as a child, she always felt lost and like an outsider. She was born out of wedlock, got into trouble continuously. Ethel described it, "I never was really a child, was never liked or understood by my family, never felt like I belonged, nobody brought me up. I ran wild as a little girl, was real bad, was leader of a street gang, and a general hell-raiser."

Rev. Williams was preaching at a revival service to which Ethel was invited. On the last night, Ethel pleaded with God to speak to her, which, to her was to be God's last chance.

The preacher spoke on the riches of Christ and His ability to save anyone from their sins. Something happened—Christ "spoke" to Ethel and she received Jesus as her Savior and was soundly converted to Christianity. From that experience she often sang the familiar words, "Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, / Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home, / When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He; / His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; / His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."2

NOTE: If you have never accepted Jesus as your Savior, be sure to read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9.

Suggested prayer: "Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You that You not only know about the sparrows, but also that You know everything about me—even the number of hairs on my head—and that You care for me more than I could ever realize. Please help me to know and experience Your care, Your love, and Your affirmation of me in the very core of my being. Do this for the glory of Your name. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Matthew 10:29-30 (NLT).
2. Civilla D. Martin, 1905.






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About Abortion

 Photo Credit: http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/sexinfo/article/choosing-abortion.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

About Abortion

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."1

A Daily Encounter reader asks, "Do you have any information on what effect having an abortion in one's youth can have on one's life as an adult? I understand that it can have far-reaching effects. Is it possible for healing?"

Perhaps one who has had an abortion could best answer this question, so all I can do is share my observations and what I think. At one retreat I attended, a non-Christian, rather loose-living, non-religious woman shared with our group how she had had two abortions and didn't know if she even loved the two children she now had. As she shared with us, she sobbed her heart out. Her past actions were certainly having far-reaching effects in her life. As I understand it, she, like many others who have had abortions, do suffer with long-term grief and guilt, unless, like for any other sin, they seek and find God's forgiveness and healing. If they fail to resolve their guilt and grief, it will have a negative effect on their present as well as their future close relationships.

To be freed from guilt, whatever one's sins may be, it is essential that we confess them to God and ask for His forgiveness. It is also very helpful to confess our sins and failures to a trusted friend, pastor, priest or counselor. As James wrote in the Bible, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."2 Then we need to forgive ourselves—this, for many, can be the most difficult thing to do, especially for those who are perfectionists or have perfectionist tendencies.

True, some sins are going to have lasting effects in this life and may always bring regrets, but we need to realize that there is no sin that is so big or so bad that God will not forgive—apart from the sin against God's Holy Spirit which is the failure to accept God's forgiveness! Any and all sins are an offense against a Holy God but, because God loves us so much, He gave His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to pay the penalty for all our sins—large and small! All we need to do is confess our sins to God, repent of them, believe that Jesus died on the cross in our place, invite Him into our heart and life as Savior, ask for His forgiveness, and thank Him for it.

Note: For further help, be sure to read the article, "Forgiveness: the Power That Heals" at: http://tinyurl.com/3bw3q3 and/or "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9 .

Suggested prayer, "Dear God, thank You for Your great love for me, and for giving Your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for all my sins. I confess my sins (name them) to You God, and ask for Your forgiveness. Please help me to forgive myself and all who have 'sinned' against or hurt me. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

See article: "Healing from Post-Abortion Syndrome" at: www.ncfliving.org/post_abortion.php .

1. 1 John 1:9 (NIV).
2. James 5:16 (NIV).

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Object Constancy, Part III

Christian spouses in church. Photo Credit: STEVEN JAMES DIXON.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Object Constancy, Part III

"As far as the east is from the west, so far has he [God] removed our transgressions [sins] from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear [trust/reverence] him."1

As we have pointed out in the past two days, it is imperative that we have object constancy in our lives if we are to have meaningful and fulfilling lives. We were created for loving relationships not only with God but also with others. And without sufficient love we wither up and die inside a little every day.

To heal from past hurts so we can achieve a sufficient level of object constancy, we need to be in a meaningful recovery program, because we don't heal without our active participation. We need to be emotionally honest and to resolve all bottled-up negative emotions, and we need to face and deal with the causes of inner emptiness. Next is:

Responsibility
Fifth, when we come to the realization that we didn't receive sufficient parental love, we're not looking to blame our parents because they could only give love to the degree that they had been loved themselves. We don't want to feel sorry for ourselves either; but we do need to take responsibility for our re-parenting and getting our needs met in healthy ways—and, again, not expect anybody else to do this for us.

Acceptance
Sixth, to re-parent ourselves we need to be courageously open and honest in safe, trusted, non-judgmental, and affirming relationships (non-romantic) and keep accountable to these people. When we admit our weaknesses to safe people, we find we are loved and accepted exactly as we are. Through their love and acceptance, little by little we learn to love and accept ourselves in a healthy way. This is critical, for only to the degree that we feel loved and accepted are we able to love and accept anybody else. One effective way to do this is in a safe twelve-step recovery group.

Keep in mind that we were damaged in damaging relationships and are healed in healing relationships.

Counsel
Seventh, for those who have been abused—physically, emotionally, spiritually and/or sexually—or seriously emotionally neglected as a child, it is essential to get counseling in order to resolve our fear, so we can learn how to discern and receive healthy love, and are able to trust again.

Divine Love
Eighth, above all we need to realize just how much God, the Heavenly Father, loves and accepts us exactly as we are, so we can experience and feel His love and affirmation at the very core of our being.2

Every day, as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, we are reminded of God's unfathomable love for us and that "as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions [sins] from us."

In sending His Son, Jesus, to come to earth and die on the cross to pay the penalty for every sin you and I have ever committed or ever will commit, there is a profound demonstration of God's love for you and me. To know and feel this love—if we haven't already done this—we start by accepting God's gift of forgiveness by confessing our sins to Him and inviting Jesus to come into our heart and life as personal Lord and Savior. (See "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at: http://tinyurl.com/8glq9 for help to do this.)

And all who have accepted Jesus as their Savior (no matter how long ago) we need to daily remind ourselves of and thank God for His great love for us, and pray that we will learn to love and accept ourselves as He loves and accepts us. It is also helpful to picture ourselves as a child being held in the arms of Jesus and being blessed by Him as He did the children when He was here on earth.

These steps take time and considerable effort, but follow them faithfully and you will, in time, find object constancy and the love your heart yearns to find.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, don't let me die without having found the mature love my heart craves, and without having learned how to fully live and fully love. So help me God. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Psalm 103:12-13 (NIV).
2. Adapted from "The Power of Love" by Dick Innes, http://tinyurl.com/283t54

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Object Constancy, Part II

Lovers relaxing in the garden: Photo Credit: 123RF.

Friday, October 2, 2015

Object Constancy, Part II

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…."1

Both experience and scientific tests have shown that babies who don't have object constancy—that is, who don't receive sufficient love, care, and holding—can die. Children who don't have object constancy and don't feel loved and accepted can become very aggressive or withdrawn. Teenagers may end up depressed, suicidal, on drugs, or in jail.

Adults without object constancy can become victims of any of a number of addictive substances or practices all of which are a vain attempt to fill the empty hole in their heart and deaden the pain of their hollow lives. Or they can become very ill-physically, emotionally and/or spiritually—and die before their time.

Some feel inadequate and powerless so use control as a poor substitute for empowerment. Others withdraw emotionally and, even though married and living with their spouse, they live together alone, apart.

Others unconsciously seek to replace parental love in romantic relationships and marriage. But no spouse can ever meet their mate's unmet childhood need for mother or father-love. Others substitute sex for love and leave a trail of victims in their attempt to fill their empty void and to avoid facing the painful root cause of their emptiness and loneliness.

So, if we don't have sufficient object constancy, how can we find the love we need and so be genuinely empowered for life?

Recovery
First, realize that the answer is not found in fame, fortune, popularity, sex, exciting "bells and whistles" romance, achievement or approval, but through recovery. The harsh reality is that only loved people find true love, and in the words of another, "We find it within or we find it not!"

Honesty
Second, recovery begins when we admit the truth, to ourselves and to a trusted friend or two, that we don't feel loved or we didn't feel loved as children, and that we have spent too much effort looking for love in all the wrong places.

Emotions
Third, we need to realize that we build up a considerable amount of anger, shame, hurt and grief over the loss of the love we never received. So we need to get in touch with all these buried emotions and get rid of them by expressing them creatively and mourning our loss. If necessary, we may need the help of a trusted counselor. If we don't mourn our loss, we will inevitably take out our unresolved negative emotions on the ones we are closest to.

Causes
Fourth, when overwhelming feelings of loneliness and emptiness continually plague us, we need to realize that their roots most often lie in love deprivation from childhood. If so, it is important not to deaden or anesthetize our pain through endless activity, over-busyness, performance, sex, or any food or substance abuse, etc. What is needed is healthy re-parenting and getting our needs met in healthy ways—and not expecting anybody else to fill the empty void in our life.2

To be continued …

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, if there is any unresolved area in my life, please reveal this to me. Help me to resolve it so I will experience a deep level of object constancy, so that my love cup will be filled to overflowing with Your love and impact in some way every life I touch. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV).
2. Adapted from "The Power of Love" by Dick Innes, http://tinyurl.com/283t54

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Object Constancy, Part I

 Loving mother and child. Photo Credit: Pixcooler.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Object Constancy, Part I

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."1

"What on earth is object constancy?" I can hear readers asking.

It's something that we needed to have from earliest childhood and maintain throughout life. With it we have a much better chance of living life to the full. Without it we will "limp along in the shadows of life" eking out a meager existence with a sense that something is missing—like having a feeling of emptiness. In a vain attempt to fill this void we may use food and become a foodaholic, or become a workaholic keeping busy, busy, busy to avoid facing the pain of this inner emptiness. Or we may become an alcoholic or use drugs to deaden the pain, or keep looking for love in all the wrong places.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Object constancy. We need it for survival. So what is it?

When a child is first born, as long as it is wanted and loved, it will be bonded and attached to mother in a healthy way. Here it feels safe and secure. As the child grows it not only needs to be weaned from mother's breast but also, little by little, from mother's presence so it can begin to find its own identity. During this process, as long as it has a deep inner sense of being loved, mother can leave the room and baby feels fine. And as long as mother's love is constant and baby is an object of mother's love, the baby has object constancy. That is, it constantly feels loved.

However, if the baby doesn't have this deep sense of love and security, it may panic when mother leaves the room. Or even when mother is there, without a sense of constant love, baby will feel very insecure, and cry. But if and when it cries repeatedly and mother isn't there or doesn't come to comfort it, it will eventually stop crying and turn its pain inward. It has a lack of object constancy.

When a person grows up into adulthood without a deep sense of object constancy, he or she is headed for constant loneliness and relational difficulties. This person may look to the opposite sex, use sex to get what they mistake for love, and/or marry the wrong person in an unconscious attempt to fill that empty mother-void (and father-void if father's love wasn't constant either). Sex, romantic love, and/or marriage can never fill this void or heal this pain because the problem is that the lack of object constancy is a childhood issue. Romance and marriage is for adults.

Furthermore, where a person lacks object constancy, he or she can have a very difficult time feeling God's love too.

And where we lack object constancy how do we find healing?

To be continued ...

1. Suggested prayer for parents: "Dear God, please help me to be the loving parent I need to be so that all of my children will feel secure in my love for them and always sense Your love flowing through me to them. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

2. Suggested prayer for those who lack object constancy: "Dear God, about my loneliness and the empty void in my life, please help me to face the depth of this loss and stop running from the pain, and lead me to the help I need to find healing and recovery. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. John 13:34 (NIV).

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You Will Never Possess Anything You Are Unwilling To Pursue

Photo Credit: HONEYMOON PIXIE.

Reach For Prosperity. You Will Never Possess Anything You Are Unwilling To Pursue. It is good to pursue good health, happiness and financial blessings. Your Heavenly Father wants you to experience all the blessings. Get ready today to launch the greatest chapter you have ever known: PROSPERITY.
~ Dr.Mike Murdock - The Wisdom Center.

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 John 1:2).






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Carpe Diem—Seize the Day

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Carpe Diem—Seize the Day

"If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. Be sure to stay busy and plant a variety of crops, for you never know which will grow—perhaps they all will."1

Because Daily Encounter has subscribers from around the world, I receive all sorts of requests from people the world over. Every now and then someone wants me to help them come to America to get an education. The best help I can give them is to share how I did it.

In more youthful days—much more youthful—I had a very definite sense of God's call to Christian work. I also had a strong desire to come to America (the U.S.) to study and get prepared for whatever it was God was calling me to do. I was not smart enough to know that my family was poor, but I did know that there wasn't any way they could help me. I didn't have any money either. But I had a will to work. I didn't ask God to give me the money I needed to get started, but what I did ask God for was to give me the work so I could earn the funds I needed. Wow, the work poured in and I was able to earn enough to pay for my fares and for my first semester at college in the U.S.

In the summer when in Chicago, I drove a CTA city passenger bus in the morning and evening rush hour shifts, painted houses in between these shifts, and at night worked as a janitor in a very large church. I worked seven days a week. I did all sorts of other work (some very menial), too, during the school year. It was never easy and I often had to take any kind of work I could get. But God provided the way and I made it through college and grad school.

How true is the old saying, "Where there's a will there's a way."

Furthermore, it is my personal conviction that if anything is God's will, there's always a way to do it. And faith says, "with God's help I will 'Carpe Diem'—seize the day and find the way!"

Even today, many years later, I am working a second job part time in order to support myself and keep ACTS gospel ministry operating. But as the Apostle Paul said, "And so, since God in his mercy has given us this wonderful ministry [of telling his Good News to others], we never give up."2

Is there something you have wanted to do for a long time but have never gotten around to doing? Do you have a sense that God is calling or wanting you to do something but you feel it is impossible right now to do? The best thing to do is just begin … no matter in how small a way. When I wanted to go to grad school for further training for my work, I went to the grad school administration office and told them that I was very interested in their course and wanted to take it, but it was impossible because I had a very sick wife, two young children, a full time ministry and was hopelessly busy, so I'd enroll anyhow. And I did—and completed the course over a five-year period—one day at a time.

Ivan Turgenev said, "If we wait for the moment when everything, absolutely everything is ready, we shall never begin." Another has said, "Beginning is half done." And as God's Word says, "If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. Be sure to stay busy and plant a variety of crops, for you never know which will grow—perhaps they all will."3

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to discover Your plan and purpose for my life, and show me how I can be a part of what You are doing in the world today. No matter what it is, give me insight to know what it is and the courage to take the first step today towards fulfilling this purpose. And thank You for the wonderful privilege of being a part of Your plan. Thank You, too, for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."


1. Ecclesiastes 11:4, 6 (TLB-NLT).
2. 2 Corinthians 4:1 (TLB-NLT).
3. Ecclesiastes 11:4, 6 (TLB-NLT).

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Power of Prayer

Discover the power of prayer.

The greatest battles in the world have been won not by guns, swords or armies.
But by the infinite powers of the prayers of true believers in God.






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The Rhema Blog is Celebrating 10 Years of Online Ministry

Join me to rejoice and shout HALLELUJAH!

THE RHEMA BLOG By Orikinla is Celebrating 10 Years of Online Ministry
The Rhema - Blogger
http://therhema.blogspot.com.ng/

I give Almighty God all the glory for the abundance of His infinite Grace in my life to continue sharing His Word to thousands of people I have never seen and have never met before on the internet since 2005 and will continue for as long as God continues to supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus our Lord, Saviour and Messiah forever. Amen.
And thanks to Google Blogger for hosting it free. Now you know why Google is increasing and increasing above others!

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek".
◄ Romans 1:16 ►

'I started writing professionally at 18', Articles | THISDAY LIVE
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http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/-i-started-writing-professionally-at-18-/132196/
Dec 1, 2012 - Writer and Blogger, Ekenyerengozi Chima, Speaks of his Motivation and Dreams ... Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, aka Orikinla Osinachi, was born on ... First and foremost, I am inspired by God, as He gives me the Rhema as ...

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7 Questions You Should Ask Yourself

Photo Credit: RIGHT QUESTION.

The Most Powerful Thing On Earth Is...A Question.
Questions reveal passion…trust…and focus. Questions reveal who is important to you. Questions reveal who you are important to. Questions open the door for conversation with those you cherish and care about. Questions are the beginning of discoveries in life. Questions introduce you to answers.
The Difference In Seasons Is The Questions You Are Willing To Ask.

7 Questions You Should Ask Yourself
1. Whose Joy Really Matters Most To You? Discern whose joy matters and what investment you are making for their long-term comfort and success. The greatest need in your life is to bring joy to somebody.

2. Who Around You Tries The Hardest To Please You And Carry Out Your Instructions? There are people who want you to be happy without making any contribution toward your happiness. Celebrate those who have a passion to please you and carry out your instructions.

3. What Opportunities Have You Exhausted To Solve Problems Around You Through Your Gifts? Have you scrutinized your immediate environment for problems you can solve? There may be opportunities you overlooked. Inventory your environment. Where do you see an open door? Seize it. Pursue it.

4. How Do You Reward Loyalty...Caring...And Obedience? [/b]Kings document deeds. Kings are rewarders of people who bring them joy and good experiences. Do you remember the king who could not sleep one night? He reviewed the book of deeds and noticed that Mordecai had never been rewarded for his loyalty. (See Esther 6.)

[b] 5. What Have You Decided Should Be The Legacy of Your Life? Write down your legacy in a single sentence. What imprint do you desire to leave on the earth? By whom do you want to be remembered?

6. Who Finds It Easy To Learn From You? Who learns from you? These are your protégés. You can have 5 kids but only one of them learns from you. Define and identify who has the ability to receive from you. The hardest, shocking thing in your life is to find that someone you love does not receive from you.

7. How Do You Personally Build Your Self-Confidence? Self-confidence is faith in your Difference. Self-confidence is the inner persuasion that you can accomplish the goals you have established. Self-confidence births an aura of enthusiasm, hope and expectation. Your self-confidence will demoralize your adversaries, attract right people into your life and determine your level of success.

I challenge you to repeatedly interrogate yourself with these 7 questions. Your life will radically change within 7 days..!

I Would Love To Hear From You Today...would you email me at DrMurdock@TheWisdomCenter.tv and share with me the small things you are facing...so we can personally pray for you?

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Lessons from Rabbits on the Health Benefits of Love

 Johna Mennone of Kennesaw holds Beethoven at the Georgia House Rabbit Society in Marietta. Photo Credit: Marietta Daily Journal.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Lessons from Rabbits

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."1

Scientists were studying the impact of a high-cholesterol diet on heart disease. To measure this effect, they fed a group of genetically similar rabbits the same high-cholesterol diet. To their amazement, half the rabbits developed heart troubles, while the others were normal, with no noticeable heart disease.

This outcome was not explainable, so they bought new rabbits and repeated the study. At the end of two weeks, they obtained the same results. Something was wrong with the research design, but they could not determine the unaccountable variable.

Eventually, they discovered that during the evening the assistant who fed and cared for the rabbits took the rabbits out of their cages and cuddled them and petted them while she changed their bedding and food. However, because she was short, she could not reach the rabbits on the top shelf, so they were simply fed and changed without being picked up. Sure enough, after two weeks, the rabbits on the top row all had heart disease, while the rabbits on the bottom row were healthy. The environment and diet were exactly the same. The only variable was expressed love through touching.2

I'm not suggesting that we ignore a healthy diet. Not at all! But every one of us also needs a healthy diet of love and affection if we are to be and stay healthy.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be so filled with Your love that I will always be loving and affectionate towards my loved ones and also (with discretion) to all the people You bring into my life. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Romans 12:9–10 (NIV).
2. By Marvin Wray in "Wit and Wisdom."

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Source: http://www.actsweb.org/daily.php?id=67.






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ToYouBible - A Recently Launched Bible App for Mobile Devices

ToYouBible - A Recently Launched Bible App for Mobile Devices Personalizes Bible Passages with the User's Name and Gender 

CHICAGO, Aug. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A new Bible app, ToYouBible (http://ToYouBible.com), is revolutionizing the way Bible readers experience the Bible. The American Bible Society puts it in the short list of the 11 most creative and innovative Bible apps (http://bibletld.org/blog/post/a-list-of-innovative-bible-apps-and-websites-2015#.Vc0eUlNVikp). ToYouBible instantly populates thousands of applicable Bible passages with the user's name and customizes them to read according to the user's gender. A version of the app also allows the user to input their spouse's name, if married, and then instantly customizes all relevant biblical passages on marriage with both spouses' names. For instance, John 3:16 for a woman named Susan would read this way:
"For God so loved Susan, that he gave his one and only Son, that Susan believing in him should not perish, but have eternal life."

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150817/258926
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150817/258927


The popularity of Bible reading using mobile device applications has been demonstrated by the success of the YouVersion Bible app which currently has over 100 million users worldwide. This trend piggybacks on the increasing popularity of smartphones and the busy and active lifestyles of many users who are people of faith.

The ToYouBible app caters to the popularity of personalized merchandise and gifts. The creators of the ToYouBible App, believe that use of mobile devices and as well as the added value of personalization could help make Bible reading more meaningful and relevant to readers.

One of the creators, Gregory Ijiwola, Ph.D., an evangelical pastor and a Moody Theological Seminary alumnus, said his desire is to foster a more intimate experience in reading God's word.

"We believe the Bible is God's letter to humanity on his love and plans for us and it contains the answer to all of life's questions. However, when people read it, the words and promises of the Bible oftentimes seem distant and meant for people who lived thousands of years ago."

Ijiwola asserts that people of faith are taught to memorize and meditate on scriptures by speaking them. He believes the ToYouBible app can encourage this practice. "While using sound hermeneutical principles and staying true to the original text, we want to use this app to liven up Bible reading by making it read like a letter to the individual with their names directly in it," he said.

The ToYouBible App, tagged 'The Bible That Reads in Your Name' is currently available in the iOS and android version on the Apple Appstore and Google Play store respectively. According to the creators, it already has downloads from multiple countries, topping the chart for the most downloaded paid book app in a country (https://sensortower.com/ios/rankings/top/iphone/nigeria/books?date=8/10/2015).

The creators can be reached by Email, at ToYouBible.com or by calling 224-717-1504.

Media contact: Jesse Ijiwola

SOURCE Gregory Ijiwola
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http://toyoubible.com






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Rules vs. Relationships

Man of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Rules vs. Relationships

"He [Jesus] looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored."1

God is not into rules. He's into relationships. For example, when Jesus healed the man with the withered hand on the Jewish Sabbath, the religious leaders began to plot how they might kill Him. Jesus was angry with these Pharisees because, among other things, they loved their rigid rules more than they loved people. They may have had religion, but they certainly didn't have Christ, Christianity, or God!

What is even more absurd is that these same religious leaders who murdered Jesus insisted that He be taken off the cross before sundown (the beginning of their religious Sabbath day) on the day they killed Him because it wasn't "lawful" for Him to be hanging dead on the cross on their Sabbath. To leave Him there would have broken one of their laws and they would have felt ceremoniously unclean! Imagine that!

As strange as it may seem to many, religion may send more people to hell than anything else! That is, religion that depends on one's own "good works" or man-made laws, rules or traditions. These will never get anyone to heaven. God's Word, the Bible, makes it very clear that: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."2

Again, God isn't into religion or rules. He's into relationships. Jesus died so that we could be reconnected to God and have a right relationship with Him. He also wants to make us whole so we can have wholesome relationships with others and live in harmony with God's laws—not to get us into God's heaven, but so we can live wholesome lives.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You that You gave Your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for my sins so that I could have a right relationship with You, others and myself. Help me to live by Your laws that give life and not be bound by man-made religion, legalistic rules, or traditions that are not based on Your Word, the Bible. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Mark 3:5 (NIV).
2. Ephesians 2:8–9 (NKJV).

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Life's Most Critical Preparation And What Clint Eastwood Said

 Clint Eastwood, the grand old man of Hollywood.

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Life's Most Critical Preparation

"It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment."1

In speaking about his "Twilight Years" actor Clint Eastwood said, "As I enjoy my twilight years, I am often struck by the inevitability that the party must end. There will be a clear, cold morning when there isn't any 'more.' No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat. It seems to me that one of the important things to do before that morning comes, is to let every one of your family and friends know that you care for them by finding simple ways to let them know your heartfelt beliefs and the guiding principles of your life so they can always say, 'He was my friend, and I know where he stood.'"2

 Clint Eastwood, the grand young man of Hollywood decades ago.

I was born a few years after Mr. Eastwood, but I, too, am realizing more and more just how short life is. The critical issue for me is not only that my family and friends know that I love and care for them, but most of all that when my life on earth is ended and I stand before God to give an account of my life, I want to live now so that I will be sure to hear God say to me: "Well done, good and faithful servant…. Enter into the joy of the Lord."3

For those who have never made their life right with God and have asked for and received His forgiveness for all their sins, I can't even begin to image the horror of what it is going to be like when they stand before God at the end of their days on earth and hear Him say to them: "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels…."4 Even some church members who haven't asked for and received God's forgiveness will say to God in a vain attempt to defend themselves, "'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!'"5

God has made it very clear in His Word, the Holy Bible, saying: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."6 To underscore the importance of this warning, God's Word also says, "As it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment."7

If you have never confessed your sinfulness to God, asked Him for His forgiveness, and accepted His Son, Jesus Christ—the One who died on the cruel Roman Cross in your place and mine to pay the just penalty for all our sins so we can be freely and justly forgiven for all our sins, be sure to do that TODAY! As God's Word also says, "Behold NOW is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation."8 For further help to do this, be sure to read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" online at: www.actsweb.org/christian. Don't delay. Be sure and do this now--today!

Suggested Prayer: "Dear God, how can I ever thank You enough for loving me enough to give Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die in my place to pay the penalty for all my sins so that I could be freely forgiven, and receive Your gift of eternal life to spend eternity in Heaven with You forever. Please help me to be absolutely certain that I am fully prepared for life after death, and so live today that when I stand before You to give an account of my life, I will hear Your welcome words, 'Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.' Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV). 2. Clint Eastwood. 3. Matthew 25:21 (NKJV). 4. Matthew 25:41 (NKJV). 5. Matthew 7:22-23 (NKJV). 6. 2 Corinthians 5:9-11 (NKJV). 7. Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV). 8. 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NKJV).

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The Church's Impact on the Family

Friday, July 31, 2015

The Church's Impact on the Family

"Let us not give up meeting together [in church], as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another...."1

As quoted in an earlier issue of Daily Encounter, a study conducted some time ago by sociologist Steven Nock of the University of Virginia showed that couples who regularly attend church are 42% more likely to be married for the first time. And those in the church who were committed to its beliefs had a 23% better chance of having a "very happy" marriage than those who don't attend church.

Photo Credit: Blacks in Dallas.

Furthermore, according to a report by Warren Mueller, where both parents attend church regularly, 72% of their children continue in the faith. Where only the father attends, that percentage drops to 55%, but where only the mother attends, just 15% of the children remain involved in the church.

Need I say more?

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be an active participant in a healthy church and have positive fellowship (relationships) with fellow Christians both for my own growth and to be an encourager to others. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV).

NOTE: See article, "What a Good Church Can Do for You" at: http://tinyurl.com/bs9jf.

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