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What’s the point?

Scriptural Readings:

Luke 11:24-26, II Timothy 3:1-5

Significant challenges confront our world today. These include social unrest, political turmoil, and the looming threat of global conflict. These issues create hatred, confusion, and anxiety, and again, we have no reason to dispute or reject them.

Luke 11:24-26

King James Version

V.24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.

V.25 And when he cometh, he findeth [it] swept and garnished.

V.26 Then goeth he, and taketh [to him] seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last [state] of that man is worse than the first.

The New Living Translation

V.24 “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ 

V.25 So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order.

V.26 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.”

What’s the point?

Commonly, one focuses more on daily events than on our spiritual life. When was the last time we seriously asked ourselves about our spirituality? Have we recently paused and thought about Jesus’ incredible promise? He will grant us a mansion in heaven. Or an ignorance of what this place called hell is all about? The point is we will land in either of these places for eternity.

It is time to tilt the balance on spirituality. If we do not regret the evils we are dealing with, they will increase in quantity and quality. God is always taking our attention; God’s discipline is on its way. I must reiterate that there’s no misunderstanding here. The point is to repent.

What’s the point?

It is the point. As soon as our faith is opposed and threatened, we must stand on our ground and confront it. Remember that the devil will not die. He is doomed to suffer eternity in the lake of fire. The unsaved will join him there. He and his evil spirits will relentlessly pursue our spiritual death by destroying our faith.

It seems we are taking it lightly. Still, it’s crucial to recognize the profound impact this one word can have on us. We can’t afford to overlook this. Sin is the gate to hell. If one’s idea or view of life in its absolute context aligns with reality, one needs to reconsider. Nightmares simply are experiences. The question of Heaven and Hell’s existence persists. Some view them as fictional constructs. This belief leaves us to grapple with truth versus falsehood circumstances.

II Timoty 3:1-5

King James Version

V.1 This know also, that in the last days, perilous times shall come.

V.2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

V.3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

V.4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

V.5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

The New Living Translation

V.1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.

V.2  For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.

V.3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.

V.4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.

V.5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

What’s the point?

Which of us are listed here from the verses above? I would say we will land on at least one of them. Another question is, how many of us are there? The absolute meaning of these verses must genuinely move us. If it doesn’t, we will find ourselves in hell. These indications are barometers of the end times but also serve as a meditative area for us to contemplate.

Life is a journey with a clear destination. For the younger generation, taking life to extremes is empowering. It makes them feel like anything is possible. Nonetheless, aging brings challenges.

What’s my point?

It’s all about living by God’s standards. There is nothing wrong with a way of living our lives of holiness. Unless we get our acts righteous in His sight, we are on the border of destruction. There are no exceptions. All of us should be on the path of holiness. If the signs of the end times are a joke, it’s not funny. The Father promised us salvation by sending His Son. Yet, here we are, living our lives as if there were no heaven or inferno.

As Christians, if we are not rational about the disturbances happening around the globe, there is something wrong with us. If all the evils we see today are not obvious, then there is a problem. We are playing with the devil. Jesus said, “Whoever is not with us is against us.”

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Enter into …

Scriptural Readings:

Mark 13:33, Luke 22:40, I Peter 1:16

No matter what we do, we will run into something we will regret. Cyber users often fall victim to clickbait’s attention-grabbing headlines and enticing promises, which draw them into engaging online content. While grocery shopping, many women (and some men) spent more money than intended, convinced they had saved marginally. Current voters still fall into the trap of politicians who underperformed or did nothing for their countries during their terms, voting for them again.

There is nothing we can do. Eventually, we will run into something we will surely regret. “I should have known” is a common refrain. If it were even possible to see the results of our decisions and actions, we could, at the very least, mitigate these consequences if it is impossible to eliminate them. But how?

Mark 13:33

King James Version

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

New Living Translation

And since you do not know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!

Take Heed

These two words bring diverse emotions as we read our Bible. To further understand what God wants us to know, we have to study these two Greek words translated into English terms because of the various meanings in Greek. βλέπω (blep’-o), (primary verb) is a Greek word that means, in English, to look at (literally or figuratively).

In the New Testament, the phrase “take heed” denotes an action that leads to a specific outcome for us, not just something we observe but also something we must accomplish. What happens is that every time we read this phrase, the Holy Spirit tells us something. It is not just literally or figuratively. Jesus wants us to see it further. When God says something, it is not just those things in front of us. There is more transcending into what we can see. One must diligently engage with the Bible through reading and meditation as a priority, avoiding a casual approach.

Luke 22:40

King James Version

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

New Living Translation

There, He told them, Pray that you will not give in to temptation.

Enter in to

We will experience two opposing forces in our lifetime: the divine and the unseen evil. If we choose the path of goodness, we may encounter challenges and obstacles that test our moral fiber. Conversely, if we succumb to wickedness, we may yearn for the divine presence that bypasses us. So, what’s the point?

As we enter another 24 hours, we also deal with temptations. As soon as we are born, a world manifests itself with evil things waiting to devour us. We are always caught up in the stop, look, and listen trap of temptation.

We have now entered the final stage where history will no longer make sense. We must live as the next day will be the rapture, then judgment. The former 24-hour carefree or overrated lifestyle that once we knew had to be, this time, holy and sober for the Lord Jesus Christ for the rest of our lives.

I Peter 1:16

King James Version

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

New Living Translation

For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.

Draw near.

Though it is undeniable that a barrier arises between God and us when we sin, the challenge of reconnecting with Him restricts us. When we are weak, the enemy exploits us, leading us to a situation where it is a burden to reach God. It does not have to be this way.

What is it like to be drawn nearer to God? We Christians have grown accustomed to expecting results without doing the fundamental work. Our faith is dead without works. It is what the Bible says. Don’t overlook the most essential part of this text: the results of being close to Him.

Drawing closer to God should not be just a line in our Bibles to read. Reading is entirely different from bringing one closer. Drawing near to God is a divine or holy act by us. It is what the Bible says, “Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy.”

And finally

Without a doubt, we are now experiencing the end of times, and the Holy Bible confirms this. The Holy Scriptures provide guidance for dealing with the challenges of our circumstances. Faith should overcome emotions. Chaos will result if it is the other way around. God is in charge of our lives. Take heed. When God says something, it is not just those things in front of us. As we enter the spiritual war zone each day, we find there is more beyond what we can perceive with God on our side as we draw nearer to Him. Read this last paragraph again and again. Let it sink in for you. It starts with the phrase without a doubt, meaning having unshakable faith, and ends with drawing nearer to God to become holy.

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Death saved us

Scriptural readings:

Romans 5:12, John 3:3, John 19:30, I Corinthians 15:54-57

Many of us live in reality and never want to talk about dying. Right? It is very uncomfortable. But meeting our Creator is inevitable. Passing away is a fact. What would be the most sensible way to face this dilemma?

If we dig deeper into what this word means in its genuine sense, we should consider a few things. You might have read some articles more likely than others you disliked or found them insightful. It may sound morbid, but it gives us, as Christians, a different but meaningful insight.

Romans 5:12

King James Version

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

The New Living Translation

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

While dying 100% haunts us, the truth is we were lifeless all along, spiritually dead. We are afraid to die, but we are already dead. We died in our sins. What an irony! It is not dying that gives us the creeps. It is fear of dying and after dying.

We live in a time when it is easy to identify problems and solve them. Gender confusion? Simple. Gender transformation surgery. Unwanted pregnancy? Abortion. Here is one thing. We are more horrified watching horror movies but not the consequences and horrors of our evil and immoral acts. The opposite of what the Holy Scripture says: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instructions. (Proverbs 1:7)

Nothing is more fearful than reading Matthew 24, and yet, people, and even some believers, are shackled, enjoying what Satan offers them. Criticism is fueling the increase in doomsday events happening nowadays. Instead of heeding and preparing for these future scenarios with love and passion, they ignore them.

John 3:3

King James Version

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

The New Living Translation

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again,[a] you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

To be dead in spirit, we must once have been alive. Right? Every Christian knows what happened when humanity committed our first sin. It is the day when all die. Yes, every human that comes into existence will be spiritually dead.

One must be born again. It is a commandment from our Lord Jesus. But, just like Nicodemus, we living in modern times still find it odd what it is to be born again. We insist on being more philosophical rather than spiritual. Whenever we seek spiritual growth, we expect temporal results. We can never reach God because our spirits are dead. Since God is a spirit, only our spirits can get to Him. And because of our dead spirit, to rejuvenate our lifeless souls, we must seek a fresh existence within our spirits. It is why we have to be born again. It is a life-changing experience from God Himself. He has given us a new divine life through Jesus Christ.

Finally

John 19:30

King James Version

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

The New Living Translation

When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Death penalty

The death penalty serves justice, the majority agree, right? But what if the person is innocent? If we’re willing to execute an innocent person, how can we claim to uphold justice? Once a life is lost, it is lost forever. Navigating through the unfamiliar and unpredictable obstacles that life throws at us is a task we are all well-acquainted with. We seldom find the right ones.

Death and penalty are two significant words in Christianity. Understand that these two words are essential for spiritual salvation. In the temporal realm, death, and the penalty are two words that evoke unpleasant emotions. In the spiritual realm, these are unquestionably divine connections.

Death

How do we define dying in its absolute sense? Do you think it is possible to fully and clearly be empathetic or emotional? Mourning is an integral part of dying. Correct? Death, in its absolute perception, may be undefinable. However, faith tells us that being dead is our condition before accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and having a state of separation from God, who is life Himself.

Penalty

In this world we live in, to die is a penalty. Right? But what about the spiritual realm? Could we explain the reason for dying as a punishment if I was born dead in spirit in the first place? Sadly, the death penalty stems from the curse of sin, something we find difficult to accept. The love of God does not extend to what we do, and that is to sin.

It is finished.

The English word finished (past tense) in Greek is τελέω (teleō), pronounced as tel- Now, what is the significance of this? You may ask. The Greek word τελέω (teleō) signifies completion, discharge of a debt, and fulfillment. In Christian theology, this profound term implies that Jesus, the Son of God, definitively accomplished his mission here on earth. When Jesus declared, “It is finished,” it signified the completion of the payment for humanity’s sins. This act bridged the gap between humanity and God, providing the opportunity for eternal salvation to those who believed in His sacrifice. It is the essence of the Christian faith and the absolute goal of human existence. It reminds us of the importance of faith, hope, and trust in Jesus. It reminds us of unlocking the transformative potential of love and forgiveness.

I Corinthians 15:54-57

King James Version

V.54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

V.55 O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory?

V.56 The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law.

V.57 But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The New Living Translation

V.54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die,[j] this Scripture will be fulfilled:

V.55 “Death is swallowed up in victory.

 O death, where is your victory?

    O death, where is your sting?”

V.56  For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.

V.57  But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now that we are sure that God has taken care of this uncertainty, we should no longer fear dying. The meaning of dying as a punishment has been replaced by the glory of God through believing and putting our trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, because of what He did on Calvary. Death saved us from dying. We should stay clear-headed when discussing death and not let our emotions cloud our judgment.

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A constant reminder

Scriptural Readings:

Acts 1:8, Romans 8:31-32, John 15:16, Ephesians 1:4-6

As we go forward with each passing day, we encounter uncertainty and a threat to safety unprecedented in history. Are we truly safe? Are we fully secure? Are we living in a peaceful and safe world for the next 24 hours?

What is safety? What is security? Are these two words the same? Are there differences between these two words? Whatever your ideas are, the bottom line is that it offers protection. This word works both ways: safety and security.

The Bible contains plentiful passages concerning protection and security. Find out for yourself and study them later. What is significant is that at this time, we have to assure ourselves of our spiritual security and protection.

God promised to be with us and never abandon us. What does this mean? Have you given serious thought to this passage? Have you ever felt the completeness of this promise? Looking deeper into the content of this passage, it’s all about a father-child relationship. We need to adopt this mindset and make it a part of ourselves.

Our actions are typically determined and driven by our emotions. They always demand unpredictable and unstable responses from us. Emotions are our primary compass. Emotions, or sentiments, are only effective after confirmation. However, emotions continue to be undependable.

God desires us to have firm and steadfast trust in Him rather than erratic and erroneous emotions. In the years to come, confusion and chaos will be inevitable. Confusion will be greater and chaos will be doubled and even tripled. Having defeated attitudes, which were formed long ago based on faulty emotions, is not something we should be doing. No matter what the future brings, we will be protected by our faith in God.

Acts 1:8

King James Version

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

New Living Translation

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

We are God’s children. This statement is powerful. We constantly overlook that God created us in His image. We can also add that we are unaware of what God has bestowed on us. As we approach a new day, many focus on conquering the challenges ahead with a fearful and defeated attitude. So, as we wrap up our 24 hours, we reflect on the significant defeat we experienced in the spiritual struggle. Christians need to understand who we are and what we can do when we profess to be Christians. God gave us power. Yes, power from above.

Romans 8:31-32

King James Version

V.31 What shall we then say to these things? If God [be] for us, who [can be] against us?

V.32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

New Living Translation

V.31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

V.32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?

Every day, the fear we keep is the partnership between us and evil convincing us and causing us to be deceived by the falsehoods we choose to accept. We always see the truth behind the deceptions we encounter daily, making us believe that God is not around when we need Him. The reality is that we are in the hands of our Heavenly Father. We can live a triumphant life, and that is a fact. God never fails to bless us. We live a victorious life in Jesus Christ. Please think about this until it sinks into us.

John 15:16

King James Version

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

New Living Translation

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

Ephesians 1:4-6

King James Version

V.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

V.5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

V.6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

New Living Translation

V.4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

V.5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

V.6 So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.

We must fully understand our identity in Jesus at this point. God’s power should replace the fears and struggles that are taking over our minds. We must put God in the lead and let Him usher in our lives. When we pray in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit will ensure that whatever our Heavenly Father has spoken will come to pass.

We did not choose Him. He chose us. It is a divine work of God, a miracle. And if we are clueless at the beginning of this miracle, then it becomes worthless. Ignorance of His will for us produces spiritual poverty. We were once considered worthless sinners, but our worth grew in His eyes when He chose to work through us.

What happens next?

The primary focus of this article is the Holy Scriptures, so please keep that in mind. My part is nothing more than reminding you. It might take a few minutes to read this, but eventually, you might forget what was written here. The most meaningful thing to remember is what God revealed to you in this essay. Through God’s word, the Holy Scripture we can enter the spiritual realm and gain insight into our spiritual lives.

We are now in the final phase of history. Yes, we are now in the end times. What happens next is changes are quick and require quick adjustment, too. If we do not remind ourselves of who we are to our Creator, we will lose sight of who we are. It is a constant reminder: Jesus Christ on the cross made us children of God.

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The absolute time

Scriptural Reading:

Romans 12:1

What time is it? An everyday question filled with mysteries. Why mystery? Although we may be unquestionable of our query at one point, the process does not conclude there. Some people believe time will stand still in the future, while others may show up stretched without an end. Do we have an authentic and valid intention in asking about time? The only constant entity in our universe is time, and without it, everything would be meaningless and chaotic. Time, in the truest sense of the word, is absolute.

Is my time up (not necessarily the lifetime)? It is about time. We blame time for our errors. These are only a few unanswered questions and studies about time that need more time to figure out. The answer to every doubt about time lies within itself.  

Everyone will agree that time is the only possession that is priceless. It is also an aspect of our lives that we can never take back or turn back on. Have we ever asked ourselves what to do with our time? Regardless of what we are consciously aware of, what if we have more or run out of it? One thing for sure is that we do not have the time to figure this issue out. We think we have time on our hands or have it safeguarded. However, it remains an enigma, and for all we know, we ran out of it.

Romans 12:1

King James Version

I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

New Living Translation

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. It is truly the way to worship him.

Real time.

When we reach the end of the time frame for something we are working on, it feels like we need more time. Why? Because of the condition. Time tells us about our condition. How time flows reveals everything from birth to death. God holds time, and we make our own decisions. We have to reflect on this every second of our lives.

The moment we were born again, not only our body belonged now to God but also our time. A personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will completely seize our whole being, spirit, soul, and body. Does this mean we surrender our free will? No, not at all. It is why we still sin because we choose to do it. Right? Our time now is to determine what we consider our enemy or who can be our supporter.

Holy time.

When the day ends, we look at the bottom line, asking, did we accomplish God’s will? But seek you all first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.

The reasonable service the apostle Paul is referring to is what God had instructed us to do. As soon as we receive instructions on what we are to act on, we submit our bodies as a sacrifice, and these actions are the only actions acceptable to God. We can now say that time dedicated to fulfilling His desires It is considered sacred or holy to Him. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Redeem time.

We are living in the end times. The signs are unmistakable. The days are evil. As Christians, what are we told? Redeem the time. What is to redeem the time?

Some Christians might not be serious about the second coming of Jesus Christ, and it seems the days ahead are just as ordinary as the previous days. Most probably, we are ignorant of what is happening because we are busy with our daily routine, and being spiritual seems an option daily.

Just like in the time of Noah, people were carrying out their ordinary routines when the flood came. In our modern times, some of us may find ourselves stuck in traffic, having a conversation (I hope not an argument) with the boss, or maybe in the bathroom doing our business when the rapture will occur, and after this is the second coming of Jesus Christ.

All of us will face God on judgment day. If God finds us unworthy, the only issue we can think of is what did I do with my time? Now is the time to ask ourselves, “What am I doing with my time?”

Conviction is real. It is whether we heed it or ignore it. Arguments may arise when asked what is more significant, our earthly or spiritual lives are. The answer is abundantly clear. Our temporal life ends, but our spiritual lives continue. This article is a wake-up call for all Christians. Jesus said I will come like a thief in the night. We can interpret this warning as death or just as Jesus promised us of His second coming. Nonetheless, it all boils down to the meaning of the end.

Final word.

Jesus Christ will come for us Christians for the second time. It is a promise. Count on it. When He said, “It’s finished,” He is coming for us to be with Him forever. Let there not be a time of slackness for us when He returns (II Peter 3:9). Nothing is better than having our bodies seen by God as Holy, one thing that is acceptable to Him.

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Reminder


Scriptural Readings:

John 10:27-28, Romans 8:1, Hebrews 13:5, Luke 10:17-20

In our hectic and fast-paced lives, reminders play a crucial role. The inevitability of forgetting things is a daily challenge that affects people of all ages. It is typical to require a reminder, as forgetfulness can be a formidable adversary in our daily lives.

The overrated line, “Oh, I forgot,” has become the exaggerated script for many. Recognizing the critical nature of remembering, we understand the significance of not forgetting. The consequence of forgetfulness can extend beyond the individual, resulting in the loss of something valuable and necessary for a select few, even if not universally beneficial.

When we turn our backs on God, we consider, at some point, that this idea is His will. Correct? Nope, it is, of course, ours. He will do everything to prevent us from turning our backs on Him. And as He promised, He sealed us with His Holy Spirit. Marking us for salvation is not the only purpose. But also to be used by the Holy Spirit. Sometimes, we limit our minds to the idea that the Holy Spirit exclusively seals us and makes us Christians. But it is not so. To contain God is impossible. What is factual is that our will is our priority, not His. Our agenda is to fulfill our desires, putting His will at the end of our list.

His will is for us to be holy, like our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

When we transgress, we do not fear the Lord. We are unafraid of anyone or anything. Our mantra becomes “we can do it our way.” But why? Yes, all will still sin, but the crucial difference is our conscious and willful persistence in sin. This poses the danger of regressing to our former state. Instead of progressing towards holiness, we revert to our former sins. Let’s pause and reflect on this. Does this resonate with you?

A reminder is not just a reminder. It tells us about two essential things: who and what we are. First, we are sinners needing a savior; the second is a passing on from the first. Christ’s atoning sacrifice saved us. It must be clear that we are now washed clean by the blood of our Savior and Lord and must live a holy life.

Our lives often require constant reminders to protect us against the wickedness of the world and to help us stay closer to God. It’s difficult to remain pure and avoid sin, but thankfully, God has provided us with various tools to simplify these complex tasks. Always keep in mind that the Holy Spirit is with us, and take some time to read, study, and follow the flow of the following verses. They will remain with us, no matter what happens.

John 10:27-28 

King James Version

V.27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

V.28 And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

New Living Translation

V.27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

V.28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,

When we pray, Jesus listens to us and responds, even though we may not hear His voice audibly. He has promised us eternal life, and we should be grateful for this gift. We may question this promise, but we must acknowledge its unwavering faithfulness. We should read His message prayerfully and consider what God tells us, as the Christian faith revolves around our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:1

King James Version

There is therefore now no condemnation for them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

New Living Translation

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

As a Christian, there is a significant difference between walking in the Spirit and continuously being in the flesh. Although it is possible, the difference lies in which one rules over you. For instance, if pornography, drugs, and illicit relationships are still a problem for you as a Christian, then it means that the flesh is still in control. It is important to note that this does not imply that you are not a Christian. It just means that you are still struggling with the flesh. The solution to this problem is sanctification, getting rid of the flesh.

Hebrews 13:5

King James Version

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

New Living Translation

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
“I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you.

Covetousness possesses envy and greed. What is happening today is that we fail to acknowledge and perform this commandment from God of getting rid of this evil from us eventually, into disregarding contentment.

First, it starts as a commandment but eventually becomes a reminder. However, we have failed to follow both. It is a commandment that we tend to forget completely. How can we be reminded to avoid covetousness? Again, as Jesus taught us to be content. There is no other way.

Please take a moment to read this verse twice and reflect on its meaning. What do you believe God is telling to communicate to you the first time you read it? Does your understanding of the message change the second time you read it? Does His message remain the same, or does it differ? As a Christian, you may interpret this verse as discouraging prosperity because of the word contented. However, what about those who are poor? Does this mean that they should be satisfied with their financial situation? Does it also imply that they should not strive to improve their financial status?

Look at the words covetousness and contentment. Would you consider that these two words are related? God taught me a lesson in this verse, and I want to share it with you.

God teaches us contentment, not poverty, and rewards our efforts through Jesus. It is an acceptance of what you have. We depend on Him alone for our lives. It is an acceptance of what you have. If you have more, accept and share it. If you have less, acknowledge it, too, but it does not mean you have to stop and have the right to be better financially. It is at our Father’s disposal to bless us both materially and spiritually. His will is always to alleviate us from our situation. I used the word alleviate because whether we have too much or less, problems will still haunt us. Rich and poor people experience the same difficulties, and having much or little in this world will not change us spiritually, only Jesus Christ.

Luke 10:17-20

King James Version

V.17 And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

V.18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

V.19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

V.20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

New Living Translation

V.17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”

V.18  “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!

V.19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.

V.20  But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”

God reminds us that the only way to live a pleasing life to Him is by His grace and mercy. We must depend on Jesus Christ alone for our lives and our Father recognizes and rewards all of our efforts through Him. Throughout our lives, the Holy Spirit will continue to guide us and work with us. Our daily routines are a part of the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – one God. Alleluia!

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The modern-day god

Scriptural Reading:

Psalms 46:10

King James Version

Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted4 in the earth.

New Living Translation

“Be still, and know that I am God!

    I will be honored by every nation.

    I will be honored throughout the world.”

Who is God? For some, the question is, what is a god? People usually associate gods with religion. Right? Some people claim to have found their god by adding the letter “l” between “o” and “d,” naming their god “gold.” Some may even deny the existence of a supreme being, saying believing in a god is just a fairytale.

We must wake up to the fact that we are absolutely on the wrong track. Trusting ourselves entirely to some of our beliefs is the silliest thing we’ve ever done. It is an alarming truth that demands our attention. Today, some Christians are losing faith in our Almighty God, a worrying trend, precisely what the Bible prophesied about the end of the world. One of the many reasons is that our time demands us to do almost everything except our Maker. Now, chaos and confusion wear away the foundation of our faith in Him, turning our backs on Him and turning to another. What do we have to do to increase our faith? What are we going to do to protect the foundations of our faith? Every moment left on this earth gives us a reason to ask ourselves these questions.

Be still…,

We believe we live in a fast-paced lifestyle that exceeds our timeline.” But the truth is, we never improve for the better. We never leave where we were initially. The truth is we are in a make-believe world. Prayers with wishes are nonsense. We call this attitude, “Who needs a god?” or “What is the point of having a god anyway?” Sometimes, we ask why the Creator needs our attention, but it always ends up with Him getting our attention. When problems seem to halt us, we all have every reason to blame, including the Almighty, not knowing He’s always there for us. How can we know if He is there if we continue to move as fast as we can? We think we have left the Lord behind, but the truth is, we have not moved an inch. Be still. It is a commandment.

.., and know..,

We now live in a world that defies almost anything we believe in. Things we think are impossible can be possible in just a few years. Are we serious about how we can reach omniscience? Facts and information we can trust are essential to success in every aspect of our lives and become our guidelines, even in our spiritual lives. And where do we end up? More chaos. What do we have more of? A host of problems include anxiety and disappointment. What does it profit a man if he gains the entire world but loses his soul? At this point, we must ‘Be dead serious’ about our spiritual condition. What other things must we have and know?

..I am God Almighty.

Is the first commandment still fresh in your mind? In the first place, He wrote it because he knew we would have more than one Supreme being. There is still much for us to learn, experience, and be grateful for from our Creator. And the thing is, instead of approaching Him from His throne of grace, we choose not to, but rather, determine what we think is appropriate for us. In most circumstances, we end up with the wrong things.

The more it pleases our minds, gratifies our flesh, and is associated with sin, the more it is reasonable. Our Lord countless times warned us about this lifestyle. We cannot serve two masters simultaneously. It’s either we hate one and love the other. (Matthew 6:24). OurGod will take corrective action to grab our attention, that is for sure. We should not lose our identity as His children and Him as our Father. It is for the same reason that Satan does not want us to be with our Creator. He lost this relationship, and now, he wants, if possible, all of us to be with him in eternal damnation.

And finally,

In shedding his blood at Calvary, Jesus secured our salvation, as Almighty God had already done. Modern-day gods appear in many forms to steal, kill, and destroy. Anything takes us away from our Creator, and our Lord Jesus becomes our god, anything. We seek guidance from the Holy Spirit. He dwells in us. It alone tells us that the Creator we have, worship, and love with no condition is the modern God Almighty of all time. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). 

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Was it a mistake, or a wrong choice?

Scriptural Readings: 

John 8:3-10; Hebrews 10:16-17; John 15: 4-8

John 8:3-10

King James Version

v.3  And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

v.4   they say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

v.5  Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

v.6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

v.7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 

v.8 And again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

v.9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

v.10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

New Living Translation

v.3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.

v.4  “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

v.5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

v.6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with [his] finger wrote on the ground, [as though he heard them not].

v.7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”

v.8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

v.9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.

v.10  Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

Is it a mistake or a wrong choice? Getting trapped in these tricky questions is inevitable. Correct? These are the common inquiries we ask ourselves as our endeavors end with mistakes and questions of morality.

There is no exception to making a mistake or generating a wrong choice. And the thing is that we do it over and over, expecting that one day it will end. State-of-the-art technology is undoubtedly a great help. However, it will still offer more options and increase the chances of picking unnecessary ones.

Blaming is another thing. For some, it is the death blow. It is another burden on our consciences. Our suffering extends beyond overwhelming emotions to include mistakes and incorrect decisions. Now, we raise the universal question. What do we do next?

Here is a scenario of a picture-perfect crime, wherein guilty should be the verdict. But it did not end the way it had to. Living with imperfection is our life. Making a choice happens at the onset, with the possibility of a right or wrong outcome, while at the far end, we can only find our mistakes. For us to be sensible, we must have God’s righteousness. We can never see the divine unless God allows us to. That is why we should have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Acceptance is now the name of the game. The minute we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we enter the divine, and humanity falls behind.

So, what is the difference between before and now? Here is how it happens. Conscience tells us not to sin, and we struggle. Right? God reminds us (of conviction), and we confront it. That was before. Now, God reminds us that He will fight for us. It means we are not struggling as much as we used to be and have a guarantee of success in every issue we will have in the future.

Hebrews 10:16-17

King James Version

 v.16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

v.17  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

New Living Translation

v.16  “This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”

v.17 Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.”

The law of Moses says, stone her. What do you say?”

Here is an unmistakable example of humans committing mistakes. Choosing to take the woman to Jesus for conviction is unnecessary. Humanity believes that human-made laws can produce faultless answers. And, of course, Jesus answered them with a divine law exposing their mistake. God had already written His holy laws into our hearts. It is why, even if we cannot see God, we can sense and follow Him through faith in our spirit. Check these Bible verses for confirmation: I John 4:12-16, John 10:27-28, Psalms 119:11.

John 15: 4-8

King James Version

v.4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

v.5  I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

v.6 If a man abides not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.

v.7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

v.8 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 

New Living Translation

v.4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

v.5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

v.6 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

v.7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!

v.8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

To abide by or continue is a form of a relationship. To highlight the consequences of relationship-building in our lives, the word “abide” is used several times in this chapter. Jesus wants us to accept a relationship with Him to be productive. And the only way to accomplish this is to be true to His words. Options will always be available. As Christians, we can live wisely. It is to our advantage. We are not faultless, but we have Jesus. We either reject Him or prosper in a relationship with Him.

Jesus said we must live contrary to how this world tells us to. He wants us to deny our selfish desires in obedience to Him. It is tough, but there is a reward waiting for us. Now, we can boldly say that we made the right choice, and that it was not a mistake but, in fact, a victory.

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It’s the Gospel

Scriptural Readings:

Matthew 24

What is happening? Is this for real? What do we do next? These are the questions one would create for people from all walks of life. As you read this article, natural calamities and wars are happening simultaneously. We have never seen them unfold before our eyes—the accusing finger pointed at everyone. Humanity is at its pinnacle of confusion and hate.

Just at the beginning?

Either way, if we use the words start or begin, there will be an ending, a conclusion. The end of this world for humanity is a well-accepted reality. Everything will end at some point. Most so-called experts are still in the arena of argument, presenting their unreliable detailed studies predicting the second coming of the Lord Jesus, which, of course, is a total waste of time. Even with state-of-the-art technology, it is impossible to know the exact time, day, and year the end will come.

With what is happening today, anxiety is crystal clear for humans and Christians. The only way to escape from this is the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, which no doubt had already begun.  

It is in the Gospel. 

As we go through this chapter, Christians would agree that we are at the end of times. Many speculate, generating diverse feelings with fear, which sometimes helps, but most of the time does not. Let’s get to the point. The dreaded part wherein most of us experience things like wars, famine, and earthquakes is happening at present, creating the most unexpressed horrors in every individual living here on earth (verses 6-8).

How many today are being offended, betrayed, and hating one another? Sin is everywhere because the love that Jesus commanded us to do is not with us anymore (verse 12).

The most neglected or taken-for-granted commandment is to preach the Gospel to the world.”This is the final part that needs to be completed. “But how many are obeying this commandment? How many of us Christians spread this Gospel Jesus said we must do? This Gospel will serve as a witness, and afterward, the day of reckoning will arrive. Now the question is, “How many of us are involved in sharing this Gospel”? Are we ashamed of this truth? These are now the questions we should ask ourselves.

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The new us, every day.

Scriptural Readings: Romans 8:35-39

Miseries, this hidden enemy, will haunt us. They are inevitable, and we will face them sooner, if not later. We can never grow bigger than them. Being born in a third-world country, I have seen and experienced poverty, and trusting God is one option. These sensibilities drive us closer to God. That does not mean we need miseries, problems, and uncertainties to meet God on the throne. These things are not prerequisites for how God handles us. Misery is a result, not a cause. They flourish from our mistakes. Our wise and correct decisions cannot cause misery. The Holy Spirit guides us.

Who are we?

We are sinners. It is who we are. Whether we like it or hate it, we will sin. Handling our lives would be an epic failure rather than a success. These failures, again, connect us to misery in the blink of an eye, sending us into limbo, asking ourselves what to do next. A fact that cripples us with choices we cannot achieve, disabling us from finding the truth.

We are what God made us to be.

There are clear-cut facts that are crucial to grasp that we neglect to consider. And the result is that we need to remember when confronted with challenges. First, our feelings defeat us. As living human beings, our emotions are the first responders. All is true. However, we should not stop and pamper them. Like a baseball game, we are on first base and should not stop. Feelings come and go. Unconditionally trusting them is not a sound idea. At certain times only. Our faith in Jesus Christ should be at the top of the list rather than putting all our trust in feelings. Second. Aside from the threat of insanity from these miseries, we should regularly assess our spiritual condition to discern if it conforms to God’s will. Most of us have a mindset of being constantly defeated by our spiritual enemy, which should not be the case. Victory in Jesus Christ should be our mental state. God created us in His likeness, and we are now in Christ Jesus. Check out these Bible verses. I Corinthians 15:57, Romans 8:37, Philippians 4:13, Ephesians 6:10-18, Deuteronomy 20:4, Psalms 108:13, Hebrews 13:6.

This word war

No one would ever know that a horrendous war had started in Asia on a Sunday morning when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. It was also a morning when nuclear bombs flattened Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. What does war mean in its genuine sense? Is there anything more meaningful than achieving freedom?

We need to uncover the root of this spiritual conflict and determine how it should conclude. First, we ask ourselves why evil lives on. Did God create sin? Of course not. God knows evil and wickedness, but cannot be corrupted or transgressed, for He is Holy. And if so, does sin like God exist at the beginning? Not at all. Evil and sinfulness could not exist if we made the right choice. Evil results from a choice made by humanity. Remember, it does not exist after we make the wrong choice. It is difficult to be entirely sure about the precise or accurate answers instantaneously. We can make assumptions, though, but there are more options. Time moves forward. We cannot turn back the hands of time. So, from the start, there was no evil. It was the consequence of our choice that was not part of God’s original plan. However, in the event of disobedience, God already had a solution in His omniscience.

“I will give you rest…”

This promise increases our faith. Why? Our usual response is to wallow in our miseries while waiting for rest. Right? Now, this is what we must comprehend. Jesus’ work is what we need to learn. Yes, it’s a burden. But it is a burden that teaches us how to manage a challenging life here on Earth. It is a burden because there will be a time for learning and producing spiritual blessings. This load or burden does not cause misery. Without a doubt, it is the peace we need or expect during difficult times (John 14:27).

Romans 8:35-39

King James Version

v.35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

v.36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

v.37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

v.38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

v.39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

New Living Translation

v.35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?

v.36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” )

v.37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

v.38  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

v.39 No power in the sky above or the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In conclusion,

The minute we wake up and face the day, we also declare spiritual war against our spiritual enemy. We must not accept defeat. The cross in Calvary did the job of crushing the enemy. Many Bible scriptures tell us how to deal with the enemy. However, it is also critical that we know first who we are. We are God’s children. Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, covered us with His precious blood, and we are bound for heaven. 

We might notice ourselves reading articles like this important, but what really matters are God’s words written in them. With this, I challenge you to read verses 38 and 39 prayerfully. Emotions will respond immediately. You might cry, smile, or feel uneasiness. Again, our emotions are the first responders. What is significant is our response if we see it, not the way it confirms we live today. At that point, emotions become secondary, and what is essential now is what God is telling us. Now you can see the shift from emotions, which are human, to finding God’s will, which is divine. It is now the new us every day.

God, this time, takes our attention directly, not only through our emotions. As we read, and this time also study, His words, our divine nature, overshadow our human nature. God becomes our priority. The meaning of verses 38 and 39 is now spiritual and holy because of our faith, putting our unstable emotions behind us. Before, we used our feelings to find God. In the present, it is entirely different. God now uses our emotions to accomplish His plans and not our senses to use our human plans for Him. Now, we are confident that we can desire only His kingdom and righteousness, and then, He will add all these things we need (Matthew 6:33).