Scripture Text: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” - Romans 12:2
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Let's delve into the devotional topic of today : THE NEGLECTED WIFE.
Many years ago there was this wealthy king that had gotten married with four wives. A time came the king fell ill and got very sick, on his death bed, afraid of his being in the afterlife alone.
He called and asked his fourth wife, which he loved the most, he bought her diamonds, gold and elegant clothing of all sorts.
He asked her; “would you die and go with me to the after life"?
The fourth wife replied, “I am sorry, I can’t do that” and she walked away.
He also loved his third wife and was very proud of her. He would always show her off to the neighboring kingdoms, because she was a very pretty woman.
So, he called on his third wife and asked, “would you accompany me to the afterlife”? The third wife replied, “I love my life too much, I am sorry I can’t go with you, and when you die I am going to remarry”.
His second wife has always been there for him in his time of need. So, he asked her, “would you accompany me to the afterlife”?
The second wife then replied, “I am sorry that I can’t help you out, this time, but what I can do is; arrange your funeral and I will be there for your funeral”,
While she responded to the King, a voice called out and said, “I will live with you and follow you where ever you go, even if it is to the afterlife.”
The king looked, behold it was his first wife, and this was the wife, that he took care of the least.
He felt ashamed and remorseful, and said,
“I should have taken more care of you and given you more attention when I was still strong and alive".
We all in reality are married to four wives;
Our Fourth wife is our “Body”, we like to decorate it with nice jewellery, pleasant clothing but in the end it can’t follow you to the afterlife.
Our third wife represents our possessions, we spend so much time trying to gather possessions, because we live in a materialistic world.
But in the end these possessions cannot follow you to the afterlife, instead they will be given to other people and share, just as the third wife had said, "she's going to remarry" , and that is exactly what she will do.
The second wife are our friends and family, we trust them and they are always there for us, in need and trying moments of life, but the farthest thing they can go with you is to your funeral and then send you off.
Our first wife represents our soul, we often neglect our soul, we don't take care of it, but surprisingly that is the only thing that will follow us to the after life!
The wisest king in Israel said, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." - Proverbs 4:23
The heart here is our mind which inhabits our soul. The King admonishes the need to guard our mind.
By feeding it with the wisdom and knowledge that is eternal. What food is to the flesh - Your body, the word of God is to the soul of a man.
So, it's important you take care of your body, by keeping it healthy, also, enjoy your possessions and the comfort they bring.
Consequently, cherish your friends and family for the love and support that they offer to you.
However, never forget to take good care of your soul, nourish it, take time to be alone, create time to pray, study the Word of God and meditate on it.
Learn to read anointed books, improve yourself, because your soul determines every outcome of your life, according to king Solomon; "out of the soul are the issues of your life".
The Apostle John's affirmation on this topic, is captured in his letter to the church that says, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." - 3 John 1:2
The more your soul prospers, the more you prosper in all other areas of your life, whether financially, health wise, relationship and ministry.
Our relationship with God; the source and sufficiency of our lives, is the principal thing, which is acknowledging and living in obedience to His word.
Wisdom is the principal thing, for by it every great house is built and established.
PRAYER KEY POINTS
Father IJN: Cause me to view life on earth as you see it, and not to look away from you.
Father IJN: Give me grace to live not for the now, but the reason why I am here on earth, also help me fulfill ministry and my purpose in Christ.
Father IJN: Daily lead me through the path of fulfillment, truth and destiny, let my life count for eternal course.
COMMIT TO MEMORY
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit for the law of spirit of life in Christ, hath made them free from the law of sin and death…” - Rom 8:1 (KJV)
FURTHER STUDY
1 Peter.1:17, John 16:20,33, John 15:18-19
ASSIGNMENT
The scriptures tells us that man should not live by physical food, alone, but there is a divine meal which is for the soul, that is God's word.
Paul in his letter also encourage that believers should be committed with studying God's word in order to be sanctified in their minds and built up spiritually. ( See Acts 20:32).
Always study and meditate on the word of God. (Joshua 1:8)
Louis D. Brandeis said,
Men delight in an after life in which there apparently is nothing to do but delight in Heaven's
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