1 Peter 2:11
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul
INSIGHT
-Soul in Greek is written psuche as which means breath of life, mind, will and emotions. Several scriptures have outlined the word soul including: – Isaac’s soul blessed Jacob (Gen 27:4; 27:19), Shechem’s soul was strongly attracted to Dinah after he defiled her (Gen 34:2-3), when one dies the soul departs (Gen 35:17-19) and comes back when one resurrects; like the widow of Zarephath”s son (1 Kin 17:21-22), all emotions are in the soul e.g anguish (Gen 42:21-22), sorrow/downcast (Ps 43:5), patience/waiting (Ps 62:1), joy/rejoicing (Ps 86:3-6), fear/anxiety/trouble (Jn 12:26) etc. Blood makes atonement for the soul (Lev 17:11), Gods’ law converts souls (Ps 19:7) and preserves souls but those who are careless will die (Prov 19:16), God restores our souls (Ps 23:3), all souls belong to God (Ezek 8:4), Gods’ soul was pleased with Jesus (Mat 12:18), fleshly lusts war against the soul (1 Pet 2:11), we can possess our souls patiently (Lk 21:19), God’s peace preserves one’s soul, body and spirit (1 Thes 5:23), the word of God pierces through the soul (Heb 4:12) to bring salvation upon it (Jam 1:21) etc.
-The human kind is tripartite in nature having a soul, body and spirit (1 Thes 5:23). The soul also has three components; the mind, will and emotions. All forms of self seeking ambitions, to please and promote self through pleasure, wealth and power, form deep mental grooves that capture one’s soul. Fleshly lusts wage war against the soul and we are called to think like pilgrims and sojourners by focusing on the things above which do not perish. To judge our thought life as Christians and walk in integrity with God, to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and to live by the will of God which is opposed to the flesh. We should notice that walking with God for long does not diminish the lust of the flesh. Noah in his old age got drunk after the flood and exposed himself naked before his family. King Hezekiah became proud and fell into sin. King David got into fleshly lusts and killed Uriah for his wife. Some of us have placed facades on our faces hiding from the realities that our souls have been captures by fleshly desires. We know that private victory precedes public victory; and we become enemies of the cross when we do not win. These lost battles affect those around us either directly or indirectly especially those we love most. We should therefore; put on the full armour of God so that we may stand against the schemes of the enemy, and not waiting passively as onlookers (Eph 6:11). We are reminded to seek the grace of Christ, repent our sins and focus on those things which are pleasing to God, knowing that every action will be judged. As pilgrims in enemy territory, we should to have a mind-set of aliens by fighting a war against fleshly lusts and keep our behaviour excellent and our way of life distinct. After we overcome these battles, we will have success through the victory that Christ won for us.
PRAYER
We thank You Father for Your goodness and mercy upon our lives. Thank You the gift of life and for the rains that You have provided unto us. We thank You for this far that You brought us and for the peace that we continue to enjoy in our country since we had independence. Thank You for victory that You have always won for us right from the cross, receive all the glory and praise Jesus. Guide all our thoughts, words and deeds Jehovah that we may always be conformed to Your image. Have mercy on us Lord and forgive us all our sins, sins of our family members, leaders and sins of our nation. Cleanse our minds, hearts and souls by Your precious blood Jesus and heal us mentally, emotionally, psychologically, physically, economically, financially, spiritually and socially, we humbly ask You. Oh God of all creation; bless this our land and nation, justice be our shield and defender. May we dwell in unity, peace and liberty, plenty be found within our borders. Amen
Genesis 35:17-19
Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, “Do not fear; you will have this son also.” And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).
INSIGHT
-God instructed Jacob to go back to Bethel in Canaan and make an altar of sacrifice to the Lord. When they got to the land of the promise, Rachel his wife experienced hard labour and her soul departed from her. While Rachel had named the boy Ben-Oni (the son of my sorrows), Jacob renamed him Benjamin (son of my right hand). Probably due to his naming; Benjamin obtained favour before his father and his brother Joseph when he became governor in Egypt. As we know that through death ones soul departs disregarding the destination. When Lazarus died his soul went to heaven and when the rich man passed on he went to hell (Lk 16:19-31). The rich man suffered excruciating pain through hell fire and Lazarus sat by Abraham’s bosom in heaven. One’s soul then returns during resurrection as we find the widow of Zarephath’s son who came to life when prophet Elijah prayed for him and stretched himself over him three times (1 Kin 17:21-22). God is the Creator of all things and matters of life and death should be left to Him; who knew our end before the beginning. We have hope in Christ Jesus for through His death and resurrection; we have obtained abundant life, now and forever.
PRAYER
Thank You Lord for the gift of life and for Your unending grace upon our lives. Protect us together with our families from sudden and premature death, and cover us with Your precious blood. Guide us Holy Spirit so that we may realize our mandate here on earth as it is in heaven. Help us to redeem time and accomplish our vision and purposes according to Your merciful love. Strengthen all those who are sick, suffering, homeless, orphaned, fatherless, jobless, childless, pregnant, unmarried, married, divorced, widowed, imprisoned, those who lack basic needs, lost hope and face diverse challenges in life that You may restore us all and provide for all our needs. Settle the hearts of all those who have lost their loved ones and grant them peace. Grant all those who do not know You the gift of salvation Lord. Our souls pant for Your grace, be merciful unto us all and save us Dear Jesus. You are the Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End the First and the Last, we praise You and adore You Lord, now and forever. Amen
Psalms 62:1-2
Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.
INSIGHT
-Life has its own ups and downs and sometimes our souls are moved with emotions. Emotions filled with anxiety, fear, anger; and other times those of excitement, joy, calmness and peace. King David comforts his soul holding his faith unto God as His pillar of strength. In the day of trouble, David called on the name of the Lord and He saw His salvation. Salvation that Christ freely bestows in our souls; so that we may be led by Him until we come to the final glory with Him. For His name’s sake He restores our souls and leads us in the paths of righteousness (Ps 23:3). God has promised us that He will never leave us nor forsake us; no matter what we are going through. We do not have to fear nor be anxious in any situation but in everything make our requests known to Him through prayer. When we hold fast our faith in Christ, He gives us hope to accomplish all things through Him Who strengthens us and grants us peace. Let us therefore put all our trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding; but in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths (Prov 3:5-6).
PRAYER
Lord You are our Rock and our Salvation; our souls wait on You. We thank You Jesus and proclaim Your name on high that You are our Lord and Saviour. We humbly ask that You lead us everyday in the paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake and save all those who are lost. Make every crooked path straight Jesus, we place all our trust in You. Many are the challenges that we go through; but you deliver us from them all, thank You for Your peace Oh Lord. You have brought salvation unto us through Your death and resurrection so that we may be victorious in all things, all glory and praise belongs to You Jesus. Our Father who at in heaven hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from all evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
Hebrews 10:36-39
For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.
INSIGHT
-Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1). Faith is as good as the object in which it is placed. The will of man is a component of the soul and when we place our faith in God; it activates obedience. The process of faith in Christ grows through increasing incremental acts of obedience through His word which is alive and active sharper than any double-edged sword, separating the soul and spirit, joints and marrow; leading to intimacy with God and energizing greater trust in Him. Faith is thus pursuing what is not yet seen over that which is known so that we may receive His reward according to the promise. We should therefore endure to the end placing our faith in Jesus Christ Who dwells within us that we may receive salvation for our souls. Just like Abraham had faith and it was accounted to him for righteousness, we are called to have faith in God who justifies us according to the riches of His glory. God is well pleased with those who hold fast their faith in Him, He rewards all those who diligently seek Him and bestows His blessings upon us together with our descendants.
PRAYER
Increase our faith in You Jesus, we humbly pray. Guide us as we hope for that which is not yet seen over that which is seen and that which invisible over that which is visible; until we come to final glory with You Lord. Grant us the desires of your heart as we always seek to do Your will and make all our plans succeed. Cause us to flourish with our children according to the riches of Your glory, we humbly ask You Lord. Bless us Dear Jesus and increase us, make Your face shine upon us and be gracious to us. Shine Your face upon us and give us peace. Amen
Matthew 11:27-29
All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
INSIGHT
-Jesus invites each one of us to His saving grace so that we may find rest for our souls. To cast our burdens unto Him for He cares for us. The yoke as used by the oxen is a symbol of labor which also gives an impression of bondage, sin and affliction. Christ calls us to access rest through His finished work of salvation. He reveals the mysteries of His Trinity to us through His salvation, for He dwells in us. Christ is inviting us all to Himself so that we may find rest in our labor and have abundant life with Him.
PRAYER
We thank Father for Your saving grace upon our lives. Through the mysteries of Your salvation You have redeemed our soul Jesus, thank You for loving us with Your everlasting love. We cast all our burdens and cares unto You Jesus for You care for us. Thank You for loving us and for giving us the gift of salvation. Grant us peace and wisdom Holy Spirit that we may be still and always wait on You. Our hearts long for You Lord, fill us with Your loving presence and lead us in all things. All glory, honor, power and grace belong to You Jesus, now and forever. Amen
Leviticus 17:11
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’
INSIGHT
-The soul of human beings and animals is in the blood. Man was prohibited from eating the blood of animals because the blood is the life (Deu 12:23). Blood of clean animals was thus essential to make atonement for the soul of man. When Saul killed his brother Abel his blood/soul cried out to God from the ground (Gen 4:10). The soul thus exhibit interesting characteristics having senses like the body. This feature is also evident from the story of Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man having died; his soul went to hell. We find that he felt the heat of the fire and requested Abraham for water to cool his tongue. He was also able to effectively communicate to Lazarus and Abraham who also potentially do not have bodies. The blood of animals is no longer the ransom, because the blood of Jesus which was offered for the atonement of our souls. Jesus offered Himself as an eternal sacrifice for the redemption of the whole human race and we are called to have faith in Him Who is the only way to the Father.
PRAYER
You are the way the truth and the life Jesus thank You for redeeming us by Your precious blood. Sanctify us holy Lord and refresh us daily through Your grace. Our Father who at in heaven hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from all evil. For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
Luke 21:14-19
Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls.
INSIGHT
-Jesus cautioned His disciples to be prudent in their ministry amid persecution. He spoke of events that would come to pass; characterized by tribulation and rejection even from family and friends. Persecution of Christians and the church has become prevalent in some countries including India, Pakistan, Islamic nations and sometimes in our own country. Churches are burnt down and Christians shot dead on account of their belief. Others who convert to Christianity also fall prey of persecution in their families and among their peers. Jesus overcame persecution and trials especially when those who tested Him asked questions with the intention of killing Him. In the same way, we as His disciples are called to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit through wisdom in word and deeds such that those who have evil intentions remain defeated. In the challenges, trials and tribulations that we face in life; we are reminded to possess our souls in patience holding fast our faith of in God; for He has good plans for each one of us. Jesus is our good Shepherd and calls us like His sheep to follow Him and trust in Him all the time.
PRAYER
Your mercies are new every morning Lord; thank You for loving us. You have revealed Yourself faithful in our lives always Father; great is Your faithfulness. There is no other God but You Jesus; we love You and bless Your holy name. Protect us, our families, churches and nation from the evil one, we humbly ask You Lord. Cover us with Your precious blood and hedge of fire Father; we rely on Your protection all the time. No evil plan fashioned against us shall prosper in Your name Jesus. Guide us Holy Spirit as we possess our souls with patience especially when we are faced by challenges and tribulations. Prosper us Lord in all good things Lord and bless us according to Your loving kindness. We praise You and worship You now and forever. Amen
Ezekiel 18:4
“Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father As well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.
INSIGHT
-God created the heavens and the earth and all things in it and His sovereignty is everlasting. All souls belong to Him and He calls us to follow His teachings. We are reminded to fear God always and we will obtain long life, abide in satisfaction and no evil shall come near us (Prov 19:23). God has no occasion to punish one lest another should escape; and again, since all are His, He loves and would save us all, and inflicts punishment only when it is deserved and His grace is rejected. As the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He wills (Jn 5:21). Through His great love; God the Father sent His Son to redeem the whole human race from sin leading to death and such matters should be left to Him.
PRAYER
You are the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last Lord, we praise You and glorify Your holy name. You are our Father and only God; all creation rightfully gives You praise. You have created us in Your own image and likeness Lord, our souls belong to You. Conform us to Your image Jesus and grant us Your eternal grace. Save all souls from death we humbly ask You Jesus and grant us everlasting life together with our descendants. Heal all who are sick and suffering merciful Father and bestow upon them peace. Guide us, our families, friends, churches and leaders in the way should go Holy Spirit; for the glory of Your name. Amen
Luke 1:46-47
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
INSIGHT
-God’s great mercy and righteous judgement are revealed in the song of Mary when she was filled by the Holy Spirit. Proclaiming thanks and praise to God for His eternal salvation to the whole human race. Through the song we see God as Savior which implies that we are reconciled to a Him through His great mercy. God is also portrayed as Holy in His nature as the sovereign authority and is to be feared by all for He opposes the proud. God has been faithful to His people and has released His grace to us all through His death and resurrection. Gods’ mercy is benevolent and He gives good gifts to all of us who faithfully seek Him. God calls us to always praise Him and magnify His holy name for His love for us is everlasting.
SUMMARY
The soul of man is comprised of the mind, will and emotions, with inherent senses. When man ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, he was able to discern between good and evil. Good leading to eternal life and evil resulting to eternal condemnation, but we are called to submit to His divine will for the salvation of our souls. God calls each one of us to repentance and to follow His voice that leads to eternal life. The kind of repentance that changes ones thought process resulting to positive transformation. All souls belong to God and He reminds us to rely on Him as we place our trust in Him through faith and not to fear those who cannot destroy the soul. Faith in that which is not seen yet founded on the truth through His saving work on the cross. When our souls war against the spirit through fleshly lusts, Gods’ word which is living and powerful aligns our consciousness to His will. Faith in God’s word therefore releases obedience in our hearts so that we may walk in His purposes. When we put our trust in God; we dwell in His peace that surpasses all understanding. Faith also produces hope in God, that we may forever live with Him.
PRAYER
You have done mighty and great things to us Jesus, our souls magnify You and our spirits rejoice in You Lord our Savior. We cast our souls to Your mercy Jesus save us. Have mercy on us Lord, according to Your loving kindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies. Blot out our transgressions and wash us thoroughly from all iniquity. Create in us clean hearts Holy Spirit and renew a steadfast spirit within us. Do not cast us away from Your presence and do not withdraw from us. Restore unto us the joy of Your salvation and uphold us by Your generous Spirit. Your salvation to us is from generation to generation shower us all with Your grace Lord. All glory, honor, power, praise and wisdom belong to You Jesus, now and forever. Amen
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
INSIGHT
-The God of peace Who is solely able to impart peace for our souls and bring us to rest in Him. His peace that surpasses all understanding and purposed to totally settle our hearts and minds. Gods’ sanctifying work is the instrumentation by which God gives peace. God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. To be sanctified means to be set apart unto God from all evil and to be holy. God has always commanded His people to be holy and distinct from evil. Jesus also calls us to cast all our burdens and cares unto Him for He cares for us and we will find rest for our souls. The peace of God brings us to confidence in Him for we have obtained salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him (1 Thes 5:9-10).
PRAYER
Holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty; Who was Who is and Who is to come. Thank You Father for this far that You have brought us, we bless Your holy name. Sanctify our bodies, souls and spirits Jesus with Your precious blood and preserve us blameless at Your coming. We declare that the sun shall not smite us by day nor the moon by night, but proclaim our blessing in all the universe. Prosper us Lord in love, peace, health, wealth, old age, faith and wisdom according to the riches of Your glory we humbly beseech You. Multiply us Father and expand our territories for we are the seed of Abraham according to the promise for the glory of Your name. Amen
Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’
INSIGHT -In Hebrew the soul is written as nephesh & it means lifeblood, psyche, mind, desire, blood, death, emotion, person. -Moses was instructed by God to tell the people that they should only slaughter animals in the tabernacle of meeting as an offering otherwise they will be cut off. The priest would sprinkle blood on the altar for cleaning of sins. -In James 1:21, the Word(Christ) has power to save souls. Christ shed His blood on the cross & died for us & His soul saved our souls from death as He gave us eternal life.
PRAYER: Soul of Christ sanctify me. Purify my soul from all sins. Permit me not to be separated from thee. May Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven as Your Word manifests in my life everyday. Amen
1 Kings 17:21-22 And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.” Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived.
INSIGHT -Elijah took the dead widows child to the upper room, stretched himself on the child 3 times, prayed for him & his soul came back to him. When we die our souls depart from us.
-3 is the number of Jesus Christ our Savior & the upper room is a heavenly place where miracles happen.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You are my Savior & redeemer. Save my soul from death & lead me to the way of righteousness. May I seek You in all my ways as I know great miracles will manifest in Your mighty Name. Amen
Proverbs 19:16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die.
INSIGHT -King Solomon reminds us to keep God’s commandments & not be careless that we may sustain our souls.
-In Mat, 22:37-38, Jesus said “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. -In Ecc 7:17, the wicked die before their time. In Gen 7:23, the flood killed the wicked & left the righteous (Noah) on earth. In Gen 19:25, the fire in Sodom & Gomorrah consumed the wicked & left Lots family who were obedient to God. God’s plan is that we live a holy life on earth and produce Godly seeds so that we may have long lives full of blessings.
PRAYER: Abba Father, I love You with all my heart, soul & mind. Have mercy on me & lead me to the way of righteousness. Bless our descendants upto the 10th generation here on earth & give us the grace to produce Godly seeds. Give us long life & afterwards eternal life. Amen
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
INSIGHT -Apostle Paul writes that the word of God is living, powerful & sharp diving the soul & spirit, joints & marrow, thoughts & intents of the heart. -The soul involves the mind, will & emotions which are counciled by the Spirit & should be directed by the word of God (Christ). -In John 1:, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. -There are always two voices in a person’s conscience, the negative one normally originates from the soul while the positive comes from the spirit which are discerned by Christ.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, sanctify my soul, thoughts & intents of my hearts. May Your spirit direct my soul in the way that You desire. Guide all my decisions so that they may be a blessing to me, my family, friends, country & others. Amen
John 12:27 “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.
INSIGHT -Jesus predicts His death on the cross & says that His soul is troubled. -In Luke 22:42-44, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. -Jesus’ soul was greatly troubled as His death drew near. -Christ sacrificed His soul by sheding blood on the cross for our souls/ when we die our souls depart/ we should follow God’s commandments to live/ when we are anxious our souls are troubled.
PRAYER: Abba Father, comfort me always in my need. Strengthen my soul & may Your will prevail in my life. Jesus my Savior; save my soul from death, give me a peaceful & joyful life everyday. Thank You for the gift of life & defeating death on the cross. I know that I can do all things through Christ for You strengthen me. Amen
Our Father who at in heaven; Hallow be thy Name…
Please meditate on the theme, soul.