By Pastor Lazarus Muoka

Mark 8:36-37: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37: Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

The things of this world have no eternal value, but it is rather unfortunate that people pursue earthly wealth with their body, soul and spirit without taking considerations into where those things will take them to, at the end of this life. The earth, as it is presently, will not remain so forever. One day it must come to an end. At the same time, human beings are dying on daily basis, leaving this earth in droves notwithstanding whether it is their will or against their will. Many people have never sat down one day to pause and ponder where the people leaving the earth by death go to, and where will himself go, if death eventually knocks at the door of his heart. Many people including the Christians are so much engrossed with the pursuit of earthly wealth and its glory without thinking of their souls. The things of the world are only valuable for taking care of the body alone. The soul though housed by the body operates in the realm of the spirit and can only be taken care of by the things of the spirit, which has eternal value.

Apostle Paul writing to the church in Corinth put them into thinking in 1Corinthians 15:19, saying: ”If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” God did not create man that he dies and goes into the state of oblivion, but that he will continue to spend his life in another realm. In that different place, life is either in torment with the devil at the helm of affairs or the maker in control. It is not, therefore, comfortable that we wake up everyday, leave the house in search of what to take care of the body alone. The soul is more important than the body because it has eternal value. We must think of what will happen to the soul as we depart from this planet earth. It is for this reason we are in Christ. Being in Christ and going to church services must be in preparation of the soul for the life hereafter. In the course of life on this earth, trials and temptations will come, but we must be focused.

In the lead scripture above, the Bible is emphatic asking what shall it profit a man if he gains the entire world, but loses his soul? Whosoever does not preserve his soul for eternal life with the maker has lost all. Every Christian is expected to resist temptation at all cost. We are tempted in three major areas, which are: lust of the eye, lust of the flesh and pride of life.

In preparation for His earthly ministry, our Lord Jesus Christ was confronted with the same temptation to prove nobody is above being put to the test, but it all depends on how the individual handles the challenge to overcome the devil. Christ faced temptations as recorded in Matthew 4:8-10 and it says: “Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them. 9: And saith unto him, all these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.10: Then saith Jesus unto him, get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”

When temptations come it must be resisted because they are always designed to take someone away from God. The great King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 calls them vanity thus: “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2: Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” The word vanity in the scriptures refers not to foolish pride, but to the emptiness in final result of all life endeavours apart from God. It is futility; it implies to be born, toil, experience transitory joy, which is nothing in view of eternity. The things of this world are not worth depending on alone without thinking of eternity.

In Revelation 21:3-8 the Bible enumerates the benefits of serving the Lord thus. Rev. 21:3-8: “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God, himself, shall be with them, and be their God. 4: And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5: And he that sat upon the throne said, behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, write: for these words are true and faithful. 6: And he said unto me, it is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7: He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake, which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Our focus should be on spiritual things that have eternal value. God is interested in the life of every individual. He does not want anyone to perish. When we think of where the souls go to after life on earth, we would have no option than to anchorour lives onthe things that lead to eternal life with Christ; earthly wealth or glory will not save our souls from going to hell. In 1Timothy 6:10-11, the Bible advises saying: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.11: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” Apostle Paul said:“the love of money, and things of this earth bring evil and leads to destruction.”We should go for righteousness, be at peace with all men, love God as yourself then you are in line for eternal life with our Lord Jesus Christ and to be with Him forever.

Testimony Of The Lord’s Doing
‘How God Used The Lord’s Chosen Sticker To Raise Dead’
Pastor Iren Okechukwu has testified how God used The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries’ sticker to bring a dead person back to life.

This testimony, according to Pastor Okechukwu happened in the compound where his wife lives with her landlady — a widow and an only son.

Sharing the testimony, Pastor Okechukwu said: “My wife bought The Lord’s Chosen sticker and gave it to the landlady to paste on her door. She collected it from her, squeezed it and put same in her bag. But something happened. The landlady’s only son had convulsion and was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately he passed away as a result of that.”

He continued: “On the day he was to be buried, the landlady was searching her bag for something else, but saw The Lord’s Chosen sticker, and with anger, flung it away. The sticker landed on the dead boy and suddenly, he moved his hand. The next thing that surprised people around, the child woke up and opened his eyes. P-r-a-i-s-e, the Lord! God of Chosen is so great. The Lord’s Chosen is the pool of Bethsaida, I pray that God will continue to protect our Daddy G.O. and grant him heaven hereafter. Also, I pray for all The Lord’s Chosen members worldwide to make heaven in Jesus’ name…Amen!”