Our Daily Manna July 28, 2017: ODM devotional – The First Wife: Your Soul!

A wise man once said: “If your investors are limited to this earth, you are the world’s worst investor.”

Topic — The First Wife: Your Soul! [Friday 28 July, 2017]

(Mark 8:31-38; 3 John 2)

I got this from a brother and it’s greatly appreciated. Today’s devotional story is what I consider to be a “Metaphor” ( a story in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable) or “Hyperbole” ( amplified story or claim no meant to be taken literally) depending on which angle you view it from. Such a story will be used from time to time in our devotional stories just as our Master, the Lord Himself, used parables to teach:

There was a man with four wives. He loved his fourth wife the most and took great care of her and gave her the best. He also loved the third wife and always wanted to show her off to his friends. However, he always had a fear that she might run away with some other man. He loved his second wife too. Whenever he faced some problems, he always turned to his second wife and she would always help him out. He did not love his first wife though she loved him deeply, was very loyal to him and took great care of him. One day, the man fell very ill and knew that he was going to die soon. He told himself,”I have four wives. I will take one of them along with me when I die to keep me company in my death.”

Thus, he asked the fourth wife to die along with him and keep him company. “No way!” she replied and walked away without another word. He asked his third wife. She said “Life is so good over here. I’m going to remarry when you die.” He then asked his second wife. She said “I’m sorry. I can’t help you this time around. At most I can only accompany you to your grave.” By now his heart sank and he turned cold. Then a voice called out: I‘ll go with you. I ‘ll follow you no matter where you go.” The man looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition.

Greatly grieved, the man said, “I should have taken much better care of you while I could have!” Actually, we all have “four wives” in our lives. This is why I said it is a metaphor! See the four wives below:

A. The “fourth wife” is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.

B. The “third wife” is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they go to others.

C. The “second wife” is our family and friends. No matter how close they were to us when we were alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

D. The “First wife” is our soul, neglected in our pursuit of material wealth and pleasure. It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go.

What will it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? A wie man once said: “If your investors are limited to this earth, you are the world’s worst investor.” Note the words, “even as thy soul prospereth” in today’s second scripture. It means: Pursue the prosperity of your soul first before you pursue any other kind of prosperity. Remember, despite all your achievements, you are leaving this earth with just one little box which shall be called your Coffin! Learn!

Prayer Points: Take your best worship song now.

1. Thank God for today’s word and pray as you are led!

2. Holy Ghost, flush out VANITY pursuit from my pathway on this planet. I receive a new grace to finish my Bible, a new prayer fire and a new zeal for holiness.

Use the “FAITH BOOSTERS” Page 34 daily!

By Bishop (Dr) Chris E. Kwakpovwe (Cek)
Publisher/Writer Of ODM And

Rev (Mrs) Flora E. Kwakpovwe (Fek)
Co-Publisher/Writer Of ODM.