Will It Profit You To Gain The World And Lose Your Soul?

What shall it profit you if you gain the whole world and lose your soul? Every action, thought or word of yours determines the line you are towing. And your time on earth is too short to make wrong choices. This article encourages you to focus on gaining your soul.

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? - Matthew 16:26 (NKJV).

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." - John 11:25 (NKJV).

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment - Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV).

Your soul is more important than the gains of this world and so needs adequate attention. This is because it lives on even after death. It spends eternity either with God (which is God's will) or with the devil. And you ultimately decide where it goes by the things you do here on earth.

The Dilemma

Many people live in this world as if their lives end here. So, they chase after money by all means and fight with all they have for power. They do this even to the point of stealing, killing or destroying others just like the devil whose mission is to kill, steal and destroy. Unfortunately, these acts are outright consent to spend eternity with the devil.

God's Will

It is not the will of God that any should perish but that all should have eternal life. This He showed by giving His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. And Christ has paid the entire price that you may spend eternity with God.

The Inevitable

Surely, you need money to feed, clothe and house you and your family. So, you need to work to get the money to accomplish these responsibilities. However, it should not cause harm or loss to your soul.

The Truth

The truth is that God wishes above all things that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. So, it's not that He wants you poor but that the prosperity of your soul should top the list of priority. Truly, the prosperity of your soul leads to the prosperity of your hands. This is because you become more like God, thinking, talking and acting like Him. Also, you gain the wisdom that commands financial prosperity and authority.

The Wisdom To Apply

So, the appropriate thing to do is to first seek the kingdom of God and the Lord will add every other thing to you. As such, as you focus more on building your soul and pleasing the Lord, He will command every other desire of yours to come to you. This, He can do by making you find favour with people who will help you achieve your heart desires. Furthermore, He can open doors of opportunities that will release great blessings to you. And you know that there is nothing impossible or hard with God.

Therefore, don't be like Esau who in Hebrews 12:16-17, for the hunger of the moment, sold his lifetime birthright for a morsel of bread. And when he sought for it with tears, nobody could retrieve it for him. So also, if you pursue to gain the whole world, you will lose your soul and on the day of the Lord, your soul certainly will not spend eternity with God.

Conclusion

While you occupy till Christ returns doing your daily businesses, ensure that you have enough oil in your lamp like the wise virgins. This makes certain that you quickly join Him when He returns. Therefore, live for Christ in all you do, and ensure that you don't lose your soul. For it's more profitable to gain your soul and lose the world.

Ngozi Nwoke is a teacher, speaker, counselor and author of "Peace Money Can't Buy" and "The Man Jesus: What You Need to Know About Christ". She has a passion to teach people how to enjoy peace, God's love and christian living for more fulfilling life. Want more fulfilling life? Subscribe for free email updates today. http://stepswithgod.com

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How Atheists and Sceptics Can Use This "Spiritual Paradox"

Spiritual traditions from across the world share a common paradox:

In order to gain control over yourself, you need to give it up.

In the West, this is about surrendering to God. If you want greater discipline, happiness and the ability to overcome the basic, decent pleasures known as "sin", you need to admit you have no power to do so. Ask God for it and He will grant it.

Eastern religions have a similar idea. Through meditation, you learn to accept the things you don't want, like negative memories. Then you learn that there is no "you" to have the negative memories in the first place.

Through that, you enter a state of mind where you can control them.

It's all very strange if you think about it.

Especially if you're sceptical of all things mystical. It sounds like nonsense designed to keep folk compliant. Of course the higher powers (in the form of kings and popes) would encourage you to surrender to higher powers. That's just good politics.

Many folk - especially high achievers - instinctively recoil from the idea of surrender. You didn't get this far in life by lying down and taking it. You didn't "accept" you situation - you studied hard, worked hard, took calculated risk and earned the rewards.

And no part of any decent business plan says "let's give up and hope for the best".

But let's take a step back here.

If you're cooking up a method of controlling the populous, religion isn't a bad system. But the sort of Buddhist meditation I described above (which wasn't taught to the masses, only monks) doesn't make folk more compliant. It makes them more indifferent to power, materialism and even their own suffering, which makes them harder to control.

I'm oversimplifying and there are exceptions, but it doesn't work on average.

So maybe meditation and prayer weren't designed by ancient psychologists to control the masses. Maybe it was yet another ridiculous thing to come out of the teaching of religion.

Except... how did these distant cultures with no communication cotton onto the same idea?

You might argue religion makes mistakes about the universe and the human condition... but why, specifically, would they both develop, independently, "surrender = control"?

Whenever something pops up in multiple cultures, it often tells us something about the human condition.

And one of the things is that we do, in fact, answer to higher powers.

Even if you see the universe as purely mechanical, with no souls, deities, afterlife or magic, there's still a higher power.

And that higher power is you.

Think about all the times your instincts told you something you couldn't possibly know.

Like getting a bad vibe from someone from merely a glance, only to learn they're a con artist.

Or leaping back from the road before you're even aware of the speeding truck.

It happens to often, it can be hard to think of examples. Acting on your instincts becomes normal.

When folk pray or meditate or whatever, sometimes they say God spoke to them. They have a flash of insight, an overwhelming sense of clarity and connection to something deeper.

Maybe they are literally talking with a deity.

But given how you can recreate that experience in a secular way by exploring nature, playing extreme sports and forging a tightly-knit community, maybe that's just deeper instincts talking.

Because when you build up trust in your unconscious and surrender control to it, suddenly you can fix a lot of entrenched problems.

You can remove lifelong phobias, resolve old emotional wounds and find a higher calling, all through listening to your instincts. And why not? It's your unconscious - the source of your intuition - that holds the problem, so why wouldn't that lead to a solution?

This isn't about giving up, accepting bad situations and not taking action anymore. It's about listening to the greatest wisdom in your mind and trusting it enough to act on it.

That's what surrendering to gain control is all about.

And if you wish to relinquish conscious control and engage with your unconscious guides, then hypnosis is the tool for you. Look into it and you'll find scientists discovering not only is it real, but it's more powerful than we ever suspected.

That's because your unconscious is more powerful than you ever suspected.

Engage with it, listen to it, surrender to it, and you'll have greater control than ever before.

And one thing you can control is what you do now.

Experience hypnosis immediately and at no cost when you subscribe to my email list. Every subscriber receives the 8P System - a simple, easy and practical way to enhance your life with the power of your mind.

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The Effects Of Spirituality In The Life Of A Man

Do you wonder why you have no peace and your life seems to crash down? Then, one area I will suggest you check is your spirituality. This is because your spirituality determines what happens to you physically. This article relates your success in life to your spirituality in Christ.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God - Romans 8:5-8 (NKJV).

Many people are so bothered and troubled in life that they miss out what the Maker has in store for them. These are results of being carnal. In other words, they set their minds on the things of the flesh and the cares of this world, rather than the things of the Spirit.

You Are A Spirit Being

You are essentially a spirit that has a soul and lives in a body. Therefore, for you to succeed in life, you must not neglect your spirit. This is because your spirit needs to rule over your soul and body to put you on the right path. Otherwise, your life will turn out messed up because your soul and body are not to orchestrate your life. It's like putting governing of a country in the hands of a child without supervision.

Carnality

Carnality is living according to the dictates of the flesh and enmity against God. For, it is not subject to the law of God, neither is it capable of doing so. As such, it cannot please God and so leads to death. A carnal mind doesn't consider the will of God before acting but acts spontaneously as the flesh desires. And the works of the flesh include adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like. Unfortunately, those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Spirituality In Christ

A spiritual mind, on the other hand, lives according to the Spirit of God and is subject to the law of God. It acts according to the will of God or His laws and so always pleases Him. And the fruit of the Spirit include love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Success of Spirituality

Spirituality based on the word of God makes one to obey the Lord; think, talk and act like Him. This makes you to relate with people as God would want you to, as such manifesting the fruit of the Spirit. Also, spirituality will cause you to respond to issues or situations as God would want you to without fear or anxiety. Furthermore, it makes you to have life and peace in abundance.

Spiritual mindedness makes you walk in love and to easily forgive others, thereby helping you avoid offences. So, you will be at peace with all men. This alone is health to your spirit, soul and body. Also, you live above sin and reproach when you are spiritually minded; and challenges will be walk over for you. This is because you will be walking with the mind of Christ.

Furthermore, spirituality makes you rub minds with the only wise God. So, it gives you access to the wisdom of God which will exalt you above your peers. This will give you success and peace in all areas of your life. In summary, spirituality reorganizes your mindset aright and empowers you to act wisely and enjoy life and peace.

Eve

In Genesis 3, we have the story of the temptation of man. There, Eve was carnally minded, leading to the spiritual death of man. She was so engrossed with satisfying her flesh that she disregarded the command of God that they should not eat the fruit of that tree. And she fell into this temptation because she focused on the devil's words and the beauty of the fruit. So, the lust of the eyes and the flesh had an upper hand over her than her spirit. This led to them leaving the beautiful Garden of Eden.

The Shunammite woman

On the other hand, in 2 Kings 4:8-37 we have the story of the Shunammite woman who was barren but spiritually minded. She perceived Elisha as a man of God and went ahead to make him comfortable each time he came to her town. This action of hers led to her conception and delivery of a male child because Elisha blessed. Also, her spirituality restored the boy back to life when he died. For, she didn't wail like a woman who didn't know the power of God that resided on Elisha. Rather, she sent for him to come and restore the boy back to life without even informing her husband of the death of the boy.

Conclusion

Your present state is a function of your spirituality and you have the power to change it or make it better. Therefore, choose this day to build up your spirituality in the Lord and enjoy life, peace and success.

Prayer - I pray that God will help you to do what it takes to be spiritually minded.

Ngozi Nwoke is a teacher, speaker, counselor and author of "Peace Money Can't Buy" and "The Man Jesus: What You Need to Know About Christ". She has a passion to teach people how to enjoy peace, God's love and christian living for more fulfilling life. Want more fulfilling life? Subscribe for free email updates today. http://stepswithgod.com

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Does Your Mouth Glorify God?

Open your Bible to Romans 15:6 it says... That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you have an attitude of thankfulness about your position in your relationship with Jesus? Do you attend a Church where the Word of God is being taught? Do you fill your mind with hopeful and positive thoughts from God's Word? Do you have passionate love toward God? What I'm asking you and teaching you today is does your mouth glorify God for what He has already done for you?

I want you to know right now, you must eliminate every excuse that stops you from doing what you have been called to do. What's that? To use your mouth to glorify God! Speak good about God! A right relationship with God through Jesus is about agreeing with God and speaking it out of your mouth.

A life dedicated to speaking what the Word says. God's written Word is His decree, and you should declare it over your life. Jesus wants His followers to experience great joy! It starts with reading the scripture and speaking it out of your mouth. You stir up and release the joy of the Lord inside you talking about His goodness. The good things He has already done for you! God wants you to glorify Him and He wants you to enjoy His presence.

Get some words working on your behalf and use faith filled words to reach into the spirit realm and get into agreement with God. His words become personal to you and you don't let the obstacles around you persuade you to think otherwise. You're too busy using your mouth to glorify God!

Keep believing and speaking and your faith will guide you into all God has for you. Instead of complaining and talking negative, you start speaking with spiritual energy to use your mouth to glorify God.

Do you love the light of Jesus? Then speak about it! What are you waiting for? Does your mouth glorify God when times get hard? Many people convince themselves that nothing in their lives will ever change. Don't be like them! You have to focus your attention on God! He wants you to proclaim His will for your life.

God wants you to bless Him with your mouth at all times, not just when things are going good. Get up and praise His name! Get your arms in the air and speak loud about Him and don't keep it to yourself. Get His Word in your mouth. Know it, believe it, obey it, and say it.

Praise and worship Him with a mouth that glorifies Him with this scripture. Talk about it and talk about it and think about it. Put the message of the kingdom of Jesus on the inside of you and speak that Word. Be a living testimony of the wonderful Word of the Gospel.

God has Bigger Plans for you! God wants to IMPACT YOUR LIFE! God wants you to open up to His Spirit working in your life. Let me teach you how to receive godly benefits because you belong to Jesus! Let me teach you How to walk in heavenly victories when life is hard! Subscribe to my FREE Newsletter "Wake Up Sunday Morning" I'll teach you how to get benefits for believers! Go to http://www.jesusprosperitychurch.com also you can go read my blog and rededicate your life to God right now. Go to http://www.jesusprosperitychurch.com/blog

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Should We Always Forgive People When They Hurt Us?

Forgiveness is difficult. It's one of the hardest things we must do because it goes against human nature. It's normal to want to see someone who has harmed you get what they deserve. What we must do is show mercy. Mercy is choosing not to give someone what he or she deserves. James 2:13 says: There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. God will deal out justice if it's warranted when the time comes.

What is forgiveness? Forgiveness is a decision to release a person from the obligation they owe you for harm they have caused you. Forgiveness from God is the forgiving of our sins by giving his son Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross to release the obligation and pay the price for our sins. You must forgive those who sin against you.

Matthew 18: 21-22 says, Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?" 22 "No, not seven times," Jesus replied, "but seventy times seven!" This is for someone who has remorse and asks for forgiveness.

Forgiveness is not allowing the person you have forgiven to continue to harm you. Many times the person doesn't care that they caused you harm. They may want to cause you more harm. Sometimes they don't even know that they have harmed you. You are to forgive in your mind and turn it over to God and move on. That doesn't mean you have to act like it didn't happen. You don't have to keep being around the person who is causing you harm.

Why we have such a hard time with forgiveness. You may have many reasons you feel you can't forgive someone.

It's too big. There is nothing too big to forgive.

Time will heal it. Not true, time will allow it to fester and get worse.

I will forgive when they say they are sorry. Most of the time it will not happen.

I can't forgive if I can't forget. This is backwards; you need to forgive, to forget.

If I forgive them, they will do it again. That is very possible, and then you forgive them again, if they ask forgiveness.

These reasons are wrong; they are reasons that will cause you pain; they cause no pain to the person who has done harm to you. Holding on to your hate or resentment will eat at you and affect your life, not the person who harmed you.

Why it hurts us not to forgive. Part of following Christ is to forgive others, so we get forgiveness for our sins. Matthew 6:14,15. 14 "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." Not forgiving punishes everyone in its path and the consequences of not forgiving are long-lasting. Not being able to forgive is a major cause of bitterness, which is a constant negative running through your mind. It also causes anger, which eats away at you and causes you more harm.

Colossians 3:13 13 Make allowance for each other's faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. These verses are talking about when people ask for forgiveness and are sorry, even if they do it over and over. As God will keep forgiving us when we sin over and over, if we ask.

Forgiveness is not an instant or easy thing; it is healing by grieving and then letting moving on. Forgiveness is something you can't do on our own; you need God's help to make forgiveness complete. During the process of forgiveness you: Don't bring it up to the person. Don't bring it up to others. Don't bring it up to yourself. Don't tell yourself you have a right to feel angry.

Ephesians 4:31 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, and all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. If you feel anger or bitterness or rage, ask God's forgiveness and for help to complete the process so you can let it go. Holding on to negative emotions will not allow you to have peace and let it go.

Should we always forgive? We need to forgive everyone in our mind so we can get over the feelings eating at us. But we don't always need to grant forgiveness to the per wrongdoer. God only forgives if the person is repentant of their sins. God does not hold us to a higher standard than what he forgives? We need to forgive the person in our mind and let it go so it does not affect our lives. But we don't have to forgive them to the person or anyone else if they do not show remorse and ask for our forgiveness. If they show remorse and ask for forgiveness, then we must forgive them as God forgives us for our sins.

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