Category 1: On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. (1 Thessalonians 2:4‭-‬5 NIV) Category 2: “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds;

Abraham did not withhold Isaac from God: Genesis 22 v12 Now I know that you FEAR God because you have not withheld your only son from me. v16 I SWEAR because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, I will surely BLESS you. - Your descendants will be NUMEROUS as the stars, and as the sand in the sea shore, will take POSSESSION of their enemies GATES and all NATIONS on earth will be BLESSED because you have OBEYED me.

--All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “IF ONLY WE HAD DIED IN EGYPT ! or IN THIS WILDERNESS! (Numbers 14:2 NIV) --The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? (Numbers 14:11 NIV) --So tell them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I WILL DO TO YOU THE VERY

Judges 1:1-2. ..the children of Israel asked the LORD, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?* *And the LORD said, Judah shall go up....* Judah shall go first for us. The Lord has delivered the land into his hands. Judah means praise. God has given victory to Praise. Praise has the victory! Praises brought down the walls of Jericho. Praise has already decided, I will bless the LORD at all times, His praise

- Not condemned in the Bible, but the Bible shows it's legitimacy. ✓Isaac - Gen 24:50-54 [v60**, 66] ✓Jacob - Gen 29:16-20 [17-20] ✓David - 1 Samuel 18:17-27 - This shows dowry seemed was paid according to the man's ability. Abraham, a wealthy man, gave out his wealth while Jacob, in his material poverty,gave his labour. - Culture and customs reflect different ways of handling different situations. Culture keeps on changing and some people

Many Troubles come for being IDLE: **The Bible is clear that God hates idleness. Honest WORK is a mark of obedience and glorifies Him*** "Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before." 1 Thessalonians 4:11, NLT --Matt 12:36 , Eph 5:3, 1 Peter 3:10 "Like one who grabs a dog by the ears [and is likely to be bitten] Is he who, passing by, stops to meddle with a dispute

John 21:15 *When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?   Do you love Him as Lord? Do you love Jesus?Real love for Jesus Christ distinguishes true Christians from false Christians.   Perhaps you are confident in your creed, or your baptism, or your church affiliation, But do you have true love for Christ. *If anyone does not love the Lord he shall be accursed!*(1Cor 16:22)   How

Matthew 22:21 "...Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."* A sharp distinction is drawn. There is a Kingdom of this world Caesar hold power over it. But there is another Kingdom not of this world and Jesus is the King of that. Yes, the coin bears Caesar's image; give it back to him. Image determines authority and ownership. Whose image do you bear? Whose portrait do you bear Whose inscription

Hebrews 2:1 "We must pay the *most careful attention* , therefore, to what we have heard, so that *we do not drift away.*" Are we drifting away? When you neglect your spiritual walk for even a short time you begin to drift away from God. Cessation in praying,reading the bible,fellowship and living in disobedience leads to drifting. _" *Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people* ; *Ephraim is a cake not turned,"(Hosea* 7:8). Ephraim is half