In the Ruffles of Human Heart

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. James 1: 13 -17
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23 vs 1
But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1: 4 

Now we have several lusts tied to human desires – lust of the eyes, the flesh and pride of life. Most of our human wants are tied to the eyes (what we see)- I see luxurious house my friend is living in, and discontentment enters, Flesh – I want to marry, everyone having a girlfriend and pride – I am better than him even though the bible clearly tells us no one is to think of themselves more highly than other Romans 12:3. Why should I forgive he offends me. when God tells us to. And we have appetite for many things, new cars, a good wife and nice shirt but only our heavenly father knows what is good for us (Matthew 6:32); because only he can tell us what is good: why?

Because we are corrupt and thus forces us to do evil. Matthew 7: 11-12, Genesis 6:5.

Also, we know Good and evil, but can’t discern good and evil and to discern means to recognize what is good and what is evil. Take for instance, I have a data algorithm that wants to classify animals into amphibians and birds, they have to have features and most likely there will be amphibians that have features like birds and vice versa. So, there has to be an all-encompassing criterion that is distinct that helps me recognize birds from amphibians or amphibians from crustaceans. I can know that crab is a crustacean but can also classify it as an amphibian because they both live in the sea.

And Abraham said, my son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so, they went both of them together.  Genesis 22: 8 He is still Jehovah Jireh the one who provides, Matthew 6:26

The have a common habitat. I could easily call a guinea fowl an amphibious animal because it stays in swampy areas as amphibians but it’s not. So, knowing the animal doesn’t mean recognizing what class it belongs to. I love statistics by the way. Genesis 3: 5

We have emotions and thus pride enters from there. Obadiah 3: 4 from the moment eve wanted to eat the apple to BE LIKE GOD knowing what was good and evil. Genesis 3:5 and this replicates the devil’s nature which says Isaiah 14:14.

No one is that wise to know the future. James 3: 13, Ecclesiastes 8: 11, 1 Corinthians 3:18.

The secret to God is not desiring anything but allowing God to give you what you need, and to know this is to discern through his word. Solomon the first discerner discerns through a sword which is the word of God. We have appetite for a whole lot of things, a good wife, a good life and a good car but only God is good, and only from a good God can we receive good, not from ourselves. The moment we desire something God knows and so does the devil and the devil can equally present you with something as God presents you with something else, but the difference is the word far desirable – Genesis 3:6; when something is what you desire and as James says you don’t check if its godly desire for the things of God which are not seen because they vanished at the garden of Eden, and you eat it; you will die (i.e. sin). I was speaking to a relative yesterday. He told me a family friend of us went to America for visiting and got permanent residence. I am like how, now men have faith for bad things around here. Because they believe they have suffered the most. So, I am like how he did he do it? It the doing that undid me. He remarried to get a paper, and his wife in fear that they’d be arrested went back to her Country. So, he said she was lazy and remarried the third time. And has bought a house and a car there. Well, the devil will bless you sometimes when you are rebelling against God, he had broken two of Gods commands to get ahead in life; do not divorce you wife for any and every reason and the second is breaking a nations law. He may get away with it in the short run but will pay dearly for it in the long run. Why, I know a guy who had the same story, he claimed that when he divorced his wife (who was supposedly the source of his problem), he got a position in America and left for 2 years (this guy didn’t explain that he divorced his wife because of another woman, and that woman was his wife’s friend, making his wife unhappy and you know what the bible says when you wife is unhappy; nothing works as it hinders your prayers). 3 years on I met him again he had lost everything; the investment he made didn’t go, he had no job and was asking the church to pray for him without fully confessing. Rock of ages, till today the guy has sold his car and his life is doing far worse than when he travelled. Accountability to the father is necessary. So, in all our appetite for the good things of life; it is important to remember that the lord is our shepherd, and we shall NOT WANT. Let patience have our way in us that we may be entire WANTING NOTHING. To want is not good, to ask is good and to need is the lord. I have to close with this :

Proverbs 14: 12

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. 

we can’t see the garden of Eden today because we choose wrongly; I have set before you, life and death. Now life in Christ is death to SELF and life to self is death to the body (damnation). The word of God spoken in that garden that day was ” do not eat of this fruit” and we ate and “the word of God spoken to us in his commands” is love the lord your God with all your heart, soul and might. We may not see God because of our mortal bodies that sin (1 John 1: 8- 10) but we see through the eyes of his spirit that dwells in us. Thats why when we enter the holies of holies; it reminds of Eden; where the presence of the lord is; we hide as Adam hides because we recognize our sins that makes us unworthy and thus see Jesus that covers us.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 
For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” Matthew 6 32

Our appetite for things is food, In the garden it was called apple, now it appears in various forms. The heart of a father is his son, and that exactly what gave to us to redeem us. Where is your heart today.

Songs:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6 ESV)
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16 ESV)
"Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7 ESV)

Make your supplications today.

A Rash Vow for a wholesome Conseration

And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord: “If you give the Ammonites into my hands, 31 whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the Lord’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” - Judges 11: 30, 31

In our passage, we are confronted with the story of Jephthah, who vowed that if he defeated the ammonites, he would sacrifice the first thing that came out of his house of God (much like Abraham and Isaac) when he returned home. His daughter, who was his only child, was the one who greeted him on his return. This was highly regrettable to Jephthah, as his only daughter remained unmarried and knew no man until her death.

Today, there are many people who in the heat of emotion or personal challenges have made a hasty promise to God, which they later find difficult to fulfil. However, once they get what they want, they forget and pile up excuses why they won’t be able to keep their vows.

It is instructive to note that tough the vow was difficult for Jephthah, but as a man of integrity, he fulfills his vow. God is not pleased with us when we make promises and do not keep them. We must make vows we find difficult to keep (Deuteronomy 23: 21; Ecclesiastes 5: 4).

Joshua 24:15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

At 16, Environmental activist Jadav “Molai” Payeng saw hundreds of snakes dead (much as believers not alive). Jadav left his formal education to give all his attention to the forest. His consecration to reviving the snake forest made him vow that he will plant till his last breadth” saw it all.

This kind of exemplary consecration to a worthy cause, which will always make a difference in life and ministry is what we find in the life of Joshua. In this passage, the children of Israel were excited at the time, having defeated all their enemies and settled in the Promise Land.

But it was also a tempting time for them, given the possibility of forgetting God and adopting the idolatrous lifestyles of their Canaan Neighbours. Hence, Joshua called them to ponder on God’s faithfulness right from the Patriarch’s time and confronted them to choose to serve God exclusively or the gods of the Amorites while declaring his own personal resolve to serve the Lord with his household. Their promise to cleave unto the Lord made Joshua to make a covenant with the people that day.

It is often very easy for people to make promises to serve God, not money; only to renege and return to their old ways due to challenges. Are you fully persuaded about your decision to follow the lord to the end? (and we are told men don’t persuade women, but God persuades us, hence why his mercy is unlimited to persuade us he loves us). Our commitment to serve God should be for our lifetime, with no strings attached.

A wholesome consecration is one that can stand the test of time.

By W.F Kumuyi.

Songs:

No Confidence in Flesh – Isaiah 56, 57; Philippians 3, 4

Two groups pf people were addressed in Isaiah 56: 1) the foreigner that fears exclusion and 2) the Eunuch that fears bearing no fruit (no child).

Typically, Eunuchs keep the sabbath by doing what pleases God and hold fast to his Covenants. Promise: to give within the LORDs temple and its wall a memorial better than sons and daughters.

Foreigners: bind themselves to the LORD to minister to the LORD, to love the name of the LORD and to be Gods servant. So, they had to keep the sabbath as well without desecrating it and who hold fast to his covenant – these he will bring to and sacrifices will be ACCEPTED on your altar; for Gods house will be called the HOUSE of PRAYER (not exchange or money). Matthew 21: 13, for all nations where he will gather the exiles of Israel.

Gods’ accusation against the wicked in his house: The prophet Isaiah begins to say that Israel’s watchmen are blind, lacking knowledge, and are mute dogs that can’t bark that lie down to dream, loving sleep. (Psalms 132:4-5 4 I will allow no sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, 5 till I find a place for the LORD, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”), Israel are dogs are with mighty appetite that never have enough, they are shepherd who lack understanding that turn to their own way and seek their own gain; God decides to release the BEASTs of the field to come and devour, ALL the beast of the forest. The primary role of Gods watchmen or pastors or priest were for him to find temples (body) where he can dwell in; not feed their appetite (again tied to eating food and apple as in the garden).

Isaiah 57 Gives us a peak to how the righteous perish but no one lays it to heart. He talks of those who burn with LUST and those who sacrifice their children. In verse 8, 9, 10 he talks of them using pagan symbols to make pacts and thus look with LUST at naked bodies going to Molek with Olive oil to increase their perfumes. To get renewal of strength when they were faint because they are weary. They dreaded and feared they had not been true to God because God had been silent for so long, they do not fear him? Isaiah 57 vs 11 so God promises to expose their righteousness and works that will not benefit them, He says when they cry out. Let their idols save them.

God says the wind could carry all their idols off in a mere breadth, only those who take refuge in the lord will intently possess Elohim’s holy mountain and land. He will comfort those of a contrite and lowly spirit to revive the spirit of the lowly (It is the lord who does this not man). He will accuse them forever (guilt) nor will he always be angry else they’d faint away. He was enraged by their greed, so the lord punished them and hid his face in anger as they kept on in their willful ways.

However, those repent of their sins, the lord has seen their ways and will heal them (Vs 18) to guide, restore and comfort them as Israels mourners. But the wicked have no peace.

Philippians 3, 4:

Paul considers himself as a foreigner forfeiting his Hebrew roots from Benjamin (as with Abraham becoming a foreigner in Haran, Ephesians 2:19-22) as Christians we are all foreigners to the things of this world and eunuchs). Paul clearly highlights he left everything for God (as Paul died single, he could be termed as a Eunuch). He lost all for Christ’s sake as he places no confidence in fleshy things. Paul states that the righteousness based on law he was faultless – Philippians 3:6. As whatever was gain for him, he considers it loss for the sake of Christ. He then asks us to watch out for dogs as with Isaiah and the watchmen whose God is their belly, and their GLORY is their shame.

Because the power of Christ resurrection and the participation in his suffering, becoming like him in death make us as a Eunuch because he lost all to gain Christ. A foreigner, because to the Jew he was a Jew, and to the gentile he became a gentile 1 CORINTHIANS 9:20-22. So, in Christ, we forget what is behind and strain towards what is ahead. The goal is to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 4, Philippians 3:9.

Songs:

The Kingdom Key – Matthew 16: 13 – 20 (by W.F Kumuyi)

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be[a] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[b] loosed in heaven.”  (Matthew 16: 19) 

Imagine any problem you have to be a huge, locked door standing in front of you. Now see yourself taking a golden key out of your pocket. You brought they key here with you when you arrived on this planet, but you sometimes forget to use it. See yourself putting it into the keyhole, then watch the door swing open….”The writer’s description of the power of a key demonstrates the timeless, universality and indispensable usefulness of keys in human society.

Within the context of the Scripture, Keys are symbols of authority and an opportunity to open any closed entrance (spiritual and physical) by a believer. When you become a member of Gods kingdom through salvation from Christ, you have access to this key, Revelations calls it the keys of David, which you either use to bind or loose. The emphatic promise of Christ to his disciples in verse 19 of this passage confirms our authority and the status that we occupy in his Kingdom.

Beyond Peter and the early disciples who benefitted from the unlimited access to Kingdom resources, believers today have the same authority of Christ to bind and loose.

What are you seeking from God today? What are the things challenging you, your identity or authority and watch doors of blessings, victory, perfect health and other miracles open before you!

Remember that everyone can enjoy the same revelation about Christ, enter into same relationship with God and begin to enjoy the authority of the Kingdom. The key is available for you today for our use as long as we maintain that relationship with Christ and live in constant obedience to the word of God.

He who has the key enjoys unlimited access to kingdom resources and power.

Songs:

A Plea for Restoration – Psalm 74: 1-23

We are given no signs from God; no prophets are left, and none of us knows how long this will be. Psalm 74:9 

In our passage today, Asaph decried the state of spiritual decline Israel faced at this time. They were subjected to incessant attacks by foreign nations. The prophetic authority had waned, and their national progress was tanked. What brings back the presence and approval of God is not our loud prayers of binding and loosing. Often, it is acknowledgment of our faults.

Restoration to God’s favor begins when we come to him with a plea and prayer for revival. When we are confronted with a lot of troubles, reproaches, setbacks and disappointments and it seems we are out of touch with God, then we should seek his face for the restoration of his presence and grace.

This study calls for a sober reflection and comprehensive assessment of our status with God. We must join our faith with Asaph in asking God to restore the missing signs of his presence and power with us as in former times. Restoration for a prosperous life and ministry is possible if we pray passionately for it.

Revival responds to spiritual hunger. By W.F Kumuyi.

The Perils of a Soldier – A lonely walk with God Psalm 116, John 16

Only the lord is gracious and righteous, a God full of compassion who protects the unwary when we are brought low; David said this, how did he know God protects him when he is unwary. Psalm 116 vs 5 shows a God we can lean to and cry out to him in times of distress. How did David know to lean to God to cry out to him. He begins to say, the Lord is with ME in verse 6, I will not be afraid, what can mere mortals do to me. The lord is with me, he is my helper. How did David know the Lord was with him. He begins to say it is better for me to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans nor princes. Here, we see Baruch Haba Bshem Adonai. David begins to welcome only those who come in the name of the LORD; Psalm 118 vs 26.


John 16 vs 32 Jesus spoke about his disciples leaving him all alone; but says yet I am not alone for the father is with me. Jesus has a companion through trying times (the Father), Davids’s companion through trying times (the LORD), and who is our companion through trying times (the Holy spirit) whom Jesus calls the ADVOCATE.

So, the definition of an Advocate is one who speaks up for someone when they don’t have a voice or someone who support you to speak for yourself when you can.

ie a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy.

I am not a lawyer, however in In John 16; Jesus begins to explain why the advocate is needed to his disciples. He foretells that there will be a fall away (much like the falling away before the lawless one is revealed 2 Thessalonians 2: 3, and what happens to people when they fall away Hebrew 6:6). He says they (the disciples as Christians) would be put in synagogue and those who kill true Christians will think they are offering a service to God. The bible says clearly in the last days people will not be able to discern between good and bad, therefore calling bad, good and good bad (2 Timothy 3: 3 – despisers of good matching with Isaiah 5:20). If people/the church are already finding it difficult to differentiate what is good and evil, it tells you we at the very end as the falling away is started. Jesus says people do these things because they have not known the father or Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:7), John 16:3. Jesus warns ahead of time about this: he told his disciples that this is why he is sending the advocate:

  1. they’d be filled with grief when such things happen, and Jesus won’t be there.
  2. He proves the world to be in wrong about sin, righteousness, and judgement about sin (verse 9).
  3. He is given to us; so, we won’t feel alone because we can’t see Jesus physically any longer.
  4. Judgement because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
  5. The spirit of truth guides us in all the truth.
  6. He does not speak on his own, he speaks only what he hears and tells you what is yet to come.
  7. The Advocate glorifies Jesus because it is from him, that he receives what he will make known to us.

    Jesus begins to say you will mourn while the world rejoices; you will grieve but your grief will turn to joy. In that day, you will no longer ask anything, but the father will give you anything you ask in Jesus’s name (that is in his name). The Advocate helps you in this as well. Jesus says until now you have not asked anything. so, he says now because you have the advocate you can ask, and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. Jesus will not ask the father on our behalf, the father answers us because we love Jesus and Jesus comes from the Lord. Baruch Haba Bshem Adonai.

The spirit of God helps us with our infirmities (Romans 8: 26), for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings we can’t understand. Thats how the advocate speaks up for us when we are weak or cannot pray. He comforts our soul when he speaks for us to the father in an unknown tongue. (See 1 Corinthians 12, 14).

So, it is my prayer that his spirit works in us to do his will and good pleasure. Philippians 2: 13.

Songs

Victory through Submission – Hebrews 5:8-9

Matthew 26:42 
He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, your will be done.”

Every day, we learn something new and one of them is “obedience through what we suffer” is submission to the cross. so, Jesus became the eternal source to ALL who obey him. Jesus himself obeyed likewise asked the church to obey. Unlike some men. So, 3 scriptures have been popping up to me.

The first scripture is 1 Chronicles 28: 12

12 He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the Lord and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things. 
1 Chronicles 28: 19
“All this,” David said, “I have in writing as a result of the LORD’s hand on me, and he enabled me to understand all the details of the plan.”

So, God gave David the plan for the temple of the lord, but Solomon his son and God’s son executed it. Solomon was typically a man with many women having drinking problems too. A wise king with discernment he lost through women and subsequently hardened his heart to hearing God voice – I wonder if we know someone like that! So, the Lord hand was on David to do the writing and understand the plan to give it to Solomon his son.

The Second Scripture is Acts 9 and 10:

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Acts 9: 13 - 19

In my life, people have often questioned why I would have mercy, and I am like in this case because he is a chosen instrument, and he will eventually suffer more for Christ name. So, it will give me good pleasure to hand over power graciously like Ananias and Paul as the baton has changed hands, from David to Solomon, Saul to Paul. It strikes me that Ananias means Yah’s grace, which is my English name. So, I will gladly forgive as I know when he knows as much as I know to build a house for the lord, he will suffer more than I have to relinquish power is not bad, if it serves for the greater good of God kingdom. But the kingdom of God from the time of John the Baptist suffereth violence and the violent taketh it by force. David, a king who knew the art of spiritual warfare would tell his son how to destroy his enemy without fighting. It took Ananias 3 days to get to Paul.

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4 Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: 5 “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. 6 I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’” - 2 Kings 20 vs 2 - 6

Hezekiah was already ill, and 15 years was added to his life and there was peace and prosperity in his lifetime until his remnant were taken as Eunuch to Babylon as predicted by prophet Isaiah. Which we see in Daniel. Who know how long we have here on earth. And yes, we have to apply wisdom to our heart to number our days. Doing Gods will. The heart of a king as Hezekiah is to do Gods will.

Sometimes, it not that all things are not possible is that there are cups we have to drink, and his blood is what we share. Afterall, Nehemiah was also the cup bearer of the King. And I think this what surrender is. All things are lawful unto me but all things but not expedient, and I will not be brought under the power of any. 1 Corinthians 6:12.

A wise king who lost discernment…A prodigal son who returns to the father. To whom much is given much is expected as they say. I had thought I had wrestled with God and prevailed (as Jacob) without realizing to really give God the victory would require submission to his plan.

Songs:

It’s wise to know you can’t touch Gods anointed. David wont and advisably one shouldn’t.

A promise fulfilled Joshua 21: 43 – 45

Thus, the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers. And they took possession of it, and they settled there.  Joshua 21: 43 

Booker T. Washington describes meetings an ex-slave from Virginia in his book UP from Slavery: “I found that this man had made a contract with his master, 2 or 3 years previous to the Emancipation Proclamation, to the effect that the slave was to be permitted to buy himself, by paying so much per year for his body; and while he was paying for himself, he was permitted to labor where and for whom he pleased. Finding he could secure a better wage in Ohio, he went there. When freedom came, he was still in debt to his master of some 300 dollars. Notwithstanding that the Emancipation Proclamation freed him from any obligation to his master, this man walked the greater portion of the distance back to where his old master in Virginia, and placed the last dollar, with interest, in his hands. In talking to me about this, the man told me that he knew that he did not have to pay his debt, but that he had given his word to his master, and his word he had never broken. He felt that he could not enjoy his freedom until he had fulfilled his promise.”

In our passage, God proves faithful in fulfilling every promise. He had made to the children of Israel: to give them the land of Canaan (Genesis 12: 1-7, 15:18); to give them rest (Exodus 33: 14) and to give them dominion over all their enemies (Deuteronomy 7:24). All were fulfilled to the letter (Joshua 21: 45)

Those of us who are beneficiaries of the grace of God purchased through Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary now enjoy better covenant based upon better promise from God. Christ has secured us victory over our enemies – sin, sickness, diseases, failures, poverty etc.

The promises of God are sure, dependable and unfailing. If we trust him, we shall not be ashamed nor confounded (Isaiah 45: 17)

It is impossible for God to fail, only humans fail.

Songs:

Divorce – Matthew 19

As I said, I have been doing readings relating to marriage. I really don’t know why this felt like it was a warning from God to me. I had heard people say in my previous place of work that only a MAN could initiate divorce not the woman. Yesterday, my eyes opened again. My previous manager was talking to me about divorce and had me look at 1 Corinthians 7: 10 -11. As usual men in our country seek out scripture that they can use to subjugate women almost 95% of the time. Why this fear is beyond me, but as my usual self I threw the fear back to him.

1 Corinthians 7:10–11 provides guidance on marriage and separation:
A wife is not to depart from her husband.
But if she does depart, she should remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband.
A husband is not to divorce his wife

His argument to me was purely because I was Christian, he clearly God meant the wife was not to separate from her husband to reduce pollution. That she cannot initiate a divorce according to him, she could only SEPARATE and if she does this, she should remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. Only the husband according to him could divorce the wife. A broken man he was but he was saying the TRUTH, apparently divorce makes men wiser carnally.

As I scanned through Matthew 19; and how God talked about marriage that it is possible for hearts to be hardened in marriage; Matthew 19:9 popped out to me ” And I say unto you, whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” Apparently, the whoever Jesus was talking about was men (meaning only the man can put away or divorce his wife). Nothing was said about the womans right to divorce. Biblically she only could separate but not initiate divorce.

At this point, I started seeing how God is good and has been good to me over the years. at the point we surrender our lives to Jesus or submit to him. He has been looking out for us, protects us, shield us from bad situations, strengthens us when we are weak, gently corrects us. I once had the notion that covering my head in church meant I was giving my glory to men in the church, so I never covered it, until I saw this verse:

For your Maker is your husband—
the Lord Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.
6 The Lord will call you back
as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—
a wife who married young,
only to be rejected,” says you - Isaiah 54: 5

I realized he was talking about unmarried women and deserted wives. Apparently, they are married and unmarried women are the rejects of societies, and the lord is their husband. Apparently, Isaiah 54: 1 “Sing, barren woman,
    you who never bore a child.
burst into song, shout for joy,
    you who were never in labor.
because more are the children of the desolate woman
    than of her who has a husband,”
says the Lord.

Spoke that God is our glory while we are unmarried, and I started making effort to cover my hair as it simply meant I did not take the glory, but God does, he is the glory and the lifter of my head. If one was married that typically went to the man. He is a gentle teacher with no condemnation, we can always depend on God, and he will always be there for us:

JESUS ME
The lord is my Shield Psalm 28:7Protector from bad situations
He is my portion Psalm 16:5 helps me with decisions, directs, my inheritance
My strength Psalm 144when I am down, a just God, unfailing love full of compassion and mercy
My Deliverer Psalm 18: 2 – 31He has delivered me from my sins, myself, sorrow, sickness and diseases, depression as with David.
Strong tower (very present help in times of need) Psalm 18:10I called upon the lord, and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears, he has been the David in me and Goliath fell, a ground between Mizpah and Shen, a tower of help.
Comforter Psalm 23In our wilderness as with David, a father to the fatherless, a helper to the helpless.
Who is like the lord Exodus 15:11-18

Everyone pales in comparison to who Jesus is to me. while men fear for physical things, God seeks a woman who will serve him selflessly. One governed by fear and the other governed by love. I cannot wait to see Jesus and David. So, I say be it unto me according to your word for I am absolutely in love with Jesus. I am a man under authority after all and with God there are no male or female but on earth it exists as this.

While marriage is not bad, one would submit to God rather than men and well the affection of a woman would be for her husband (leading to insecurity and vulnerability; probably 50:50 for a godly woman), her glory goes to the man, and he obtains favor too from God too, as a married woman your image is that of your husband but if you are single your image is that of Jesus directly. I enjoy using Jesus’ strength, his spirit and his very power. In marriage, the man assumes the woman gives him strength, but all a godly woman can give a man is power through his spirit. Except you find a woman who has taken the strength from a man Proverbs 31:3-4 and if that strength is not polluted, because strength is only gotten through suffering. Women get strength from men and men get wisdom from women- as wisdom has two sides (godly and worldly wisdom) and if the woman is godly, she gives power. But suffering is how a man develop strength.

Thats why in our country men have power but no strength because strength comes with discipline; and clearly there are little or no men with strength here. Discipline takes training, practice and pain a thing most weak men can’t do.

Songs

1 Chronicles 28:19-20 “All this,” David said, “I have in writing as a result of the LORD’s hand on me, and he enabled me to understand all the details of the plan.” David also said to Solomon his son.

A Nearer Kinsman – Ruth 4: 1 – 12, Kumuyi W.F

Then Boaz said to the elders and to the crowd standing around, “You are witnesses that today I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion, and Mahlon. And with the land I have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon, to be my wife. -Ruth 4:9, 10

I have been bumping into marriages or courtships lately. And so, the next two writings will be about them. During World War II, a German businessman, Oskar Schindler, saved the lives of more than a 1000 Jewish refugees by employing them in his factories. Schindler initially employed Jewish workers as a way to save money and increase his profits, but he eventually became deeply involved in their welfare and safety. He spent his money and risked his life to protect these helpless Jews from being sent to the Concentration Camp. When Schindler died in October 1974, many of those whose survival he facilitated – and their descendants – lobbied for and financed the transfer of his body for burial in Israel.

Recently, it’s been a wave within me, right some decisions have to be made and well a dive into Gods perspective was needed. I had a job in my city and 2 come outside with the ones outside and I sought the lord whether I should go, and he said not. I should decline the offer. So, a new offer for a training came in today. Sometimes it feels like someone walking on traps, careful where one places their feet.

Our passage reveals how Ruth worked in the fields of a wealthy landowner named Boaz, who showed her kindness and care as a stranger, not knowing at the time who she was, Meanwhile, when the mother-in-law got to know that it was Boaz, a near family member of Elimelech, her late husband, she was pleased and instructed Ruth on how to approach Boaz to become the kinsman-redeemer for them. Boaz eventually bought them out of their debt and took Ruth as his wife, acting upon his duty as outlined in the Mosaic Law to redeem an impoverished relative from his or her circumstances. (Leviticus 25: 47 – 49)

In Christ, we are all one family sent to relieve one when one is weak as Mahlon translate to mean man of weakness, the to be a new husband of quickness (Boaz) who is the pillar before the temple.

The whole humanity is enslaved to sin. Jesus Christ, our kinsman – redeemer came, paid the debt on the cross and redeemed us through his blood. If you are willing to accept him as your Lord and Savior, He will redeem you from whatever debt of sin you owe.

Deductions.

Sometimes, Grace to one is the loss of another. Mahlon’s loss was Boaz gain, Christ loss is our gain.

Jesus is our nearer kinsman has paid the price in full.

Ruth was Mahlon’s inheritance and Boaz had to raise up the name of the dead upon his cousin’s inheritance to inherit his inheritance. Sometimes, to get another’s inheritance like Jacob did with Esau one has to either hate their inheritance, the Jews did it and so the gospel moved to the gentiles or die spiritually to lose your inheritance. After all, you cannot bind a strong man. “First bind the strong man” is a phrase from the Bible, specifically Mark 3:27 KJV and Matthew 12:29 KJV. The verse says that “No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.

We see Mr. Schnider being treated as a Jew because they saw him as a friend. It’s funny that the meaning of Ruth is “compassionate friend”, Boaz is a pillar before the temple (David) meaning quickness and Mahlon means “a man of weakness/sickness) all these were taking place in Elimelech (my God is king).