Author: HDA

Scriptural Readings:    

Romans 3:10,12, II Timothy 1:13-14, Ephesians 6:10-11   

Knowing what is proper and reasonable is imperative. There are too many worthwhile choices to choose one. And so, we have to narrow our options until one remains. The same applies to our spiritual lives. It is an undaunting task.   

 Romans 3:10-12   

King James Version

v.10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

v.11 none understandeth, none seeketh after God.

v.12 They are all gone out of the way they are together become unprofitable; none doeth good, no, not one.

New Living Translation

v.10 As the Scriptures say,

“No one is righteous—

    not even one.

v.11 No one is truly wise;

    No one is seeking God. 

v.12 All have turned away;

    All have become useless.

No one does good,

    not a single one.

Several of us might ask ourselves: Have I done the right thing? Am I doing the right thing? Am I capable of doing what is morally correct in the future? Human nature is always the stumbling block that holds us back from progressing. We can be overly judgmental of ourselves, which results in us constantly questioning our decisions and doubting our abilities. It can lead to a destructive feeling of being stuck and unable to move onwards and the struggles of breaking free of this cycle.    

 We are sinners, that is true, but that does not mean we cannot practice morality. There is still goodness inside of us. He cautions us that no one is doing what is right, so we should consider the repercussions of our actions. The verse says we are more likely to do the wrong things.  

 II Timothy 1:13-14   

King James Version

v.13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

v.14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

New Living Translation

v.13 Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you have learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus.

v.14 Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

Can we see the holiness in us? Have we taken for granted our divine side? We are undoubtedly sinners, but God sees Jesus in us through the Holy Spirit. No matter how far we have strayed from God’s path, He still loves us and acknowledges the potential for goodness within us. The Holy Spirit guides us and helps us make the right decisions. Accepting His guidance, we can become who God intended us to be. We can do and still follow God’s will despite being imperfect.   

And so, we enter a spiritual war. And winning these battles is a daily struggle. It is not new for us. Choosing the right path can sometimes be tricky. Christians may not be experiencing Christian power in these difficult times, instead struggling with exhaustion from repeated losses in this spiritual battle, even in these difficult times. 

Ephesians 6:10-11   

King James Version

v.10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

New Living Translation

v.10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

And in the power of His might.    

Winning a war requires extraordinary might. This verse (v.10) reminds us of the power of Christ in us. It is incredibly essential to practice the strength given to us. Initially, let’s examine the Greek words to comprehend them more clearly. Starting with the English word Lord, or in this case, God is called kurios (koo’-ree-os). Two Greek words formed this word. First, kuriotes (koo-ree-ot’-ace) presents the idea of mastery or rulership. Originating from the Greek word kurios, examples being dominion or government. Second is kuroo (koo-ro’-o), from the same kurios, which means to grant authority to ratify or confirm. Now we know the power vested (kuroo) and endorsed in us by God through Jesus that we can master or rule in our lives (kuriotes). God empowers us to confront every battle in the spiritual war. It is undeniably in us. 

The evidence of the present crisis is unmistakable. The signs are all around us, pointing to the imminent coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Meanwhile, the enemy, now having a limited time, will do anything and everything to pull us back to him. 

King James Version

v.11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

New Living Translation

v.11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

Wiles of the devil. 

In one dictionary, the meaning of wiles is devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants. But verse 11 tells us more. The word wiles in Greek is methodeia (meth-od-i’-ah), from a compound word of meta, a primary preposition (often used adverbially), and hodeuo (hod-yoo’-o), which means to travel or a journey. Also, the word hodeuo comes from the root word hodos (hod-os’), which means a way or a road. Metaphorically, a course of conduct, a method (i.e. manner) of thinking, feeling, and deciding. Hence, Christians do not observe manipulation and persuasion only. Instead, they consider this journey a trek through a maze of dishonesty and cunning in their spiritual lives. 

Broad is the way. 

Ways, roadways, and highways are invisible paths of truth that we travel in our spiritual lives. They are real. Life is a journey, many say. The road we travel reveals our destination in life. We are heading forward or backward, and that’s it. As a whole, we move forward, and some opt to retreat. We might get caught in the middle of this road, but we are still on it. And there is no way out. But never err in the choice of reversing. Heading backward offers a lot of fun broad ‌‌avenues (methodeia) leading straight to hell. 

The authentic way

John 14:6 used the Greek word hodos, meaning “way,” to describe Jesus as the only way to gain eternal life. Why? Because this is the root word. Compared to hodeuo (hod-yoo’-o), which only means to travel or a journey. This word resonates with a clear direction to heaven and salvation. The sound of people seeking redemption echoes through the ages, and ultimately, the answer lies in Jesus Christ. By embracing the grace of Jesus Christ, one can be redeemed and receive eternal ‌life. Alleluia!

Undeniably, it is in us. We have seen the only way and the ways to destruction. It is not about ‌what way, but the direction. It is up to us which way to go. Acceptance is the key. We either accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord and be born again or relentlessly follow the evil way and guarantee a spot in hell forever.

Scriptural Readings:

Psalms 8:4, 144:3, Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:10, Romans 6:6,11,22.

Psalm 8:4

King James Version

v.4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visits him?

New Living Translation

v.4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,

human beings that you should care for them?

Psalm 144:3

King James Version

v.3 LORD, what [is] man, that thou takest knowledge of him! [or] the son of man, that thou makest account of him!

New Living Translation

v.3 O Lord, what are human beings that you should notice them, mere mortals that you should think about them?

Relationship. Have we perfected or moved closer to what this word means? Several people may say yes, calling it a glitch, but we still consider divorce a solution. Correct? Is it right to assume that despite our advances, divorce remains the only solution to a relationship that has ended wrong? We, as parents, are sometimes guilty of neglecting our children, causing them to resort to violence to get our attention. It is unmistakable in any way we see it.

It is inevitable to stay away from relationships. Relationships are an integral part of life. We are associated with one, even if we insist on not having one. Our conscience will affirm ‌this for us. Our relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and strangers help shape our identities and define who we are. We rely on these relationships to survive and thrive in life. Relationships are likened to oxygen; they are essential for life, but often we take them for granted. They help us grow and reach our full potential. Without them, life is incomplete. It is an integral part of our nature. The human body, including living things, must undergo a procedure to survive a relationship. If the method deteriorates, it will collapse.

Relationships need significant effort and commitment to be maintained and cultivated. If they are not taken care of, they can decline and fail, only to fall into disconnection, isolation, and loneliness. If the relationship falls apart, it will cease to exist. God knows what an unmistakable relationship is, which includes separations as well. The course of our lives depends on the relationships we have. Yet, we insist we have the answer to all of our problems, including divorce and abortion, and claim to be experts in handling human relationships.

Our God values relationships. Are there more particular reasons for having a plan of salvation if God never designed and scheduled a divine connection with us? So, our timetable of salvation is a divinely appointed and deeply valued lifeline. This plan of salvation allows us to connect with God personally. We understand his love for us in a way we cannot do without it. It helps us to understand that God cares greatly about our individual lives and wants us to have a deep relationship with him. It helps us live our lives aligned with God’s will.

Ephesians 4:24

King James Version

v.24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

New Living Translation

v.24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Colossians 3:10

King James Version

v.10 And have put on the new [man], which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

New Living Translation

v.10 Put on your new nature and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

We view life as complicated because of the never-ending uncertainties. Facts abound in reality, and even confusing truths are precise. The volume of information we hold makes it challenging to make sense of it. Realities differ in how they apply to the condition. Even when the facts are plain and obvious, we can have anxiety about understanding the deeper meaning behind them suggested to us. Disagreements about its certainty may arise at other times. Our emotions raise issues that challenge our intellect. On top of what we have learned, we discuss something else. It changes our perceptions. Sometimes it relieves us of our anxieties or otherwise aggravates them. There must be an approach to making conditions less unbearable. We need guarantees to ‌free our minds and make what we believe unquestionable.

One of the main reasons we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, aside from salvation, is that He wants us to own His likeness. Are you willing to agree? If yes, why? Suppose we achieve what we desire by having His likeness? We are complete in our fallen state; if we have His likeness, are we not? What happens next?

A divine relationship ‌with our God is essential for accomplishing His perfect will, completing the course of the relationship, and giving Him back glory, honor, and praise. Thus, He wants us to put on a brand-new man, who is both fresh and most suitable for us since we were spiritually dead but old to God, in one sense.

God’s Spirit and ours.

Remember when God breathed His Spirit into us? After we became alive, our spirits died because of our original sin. By choosing to sin, we never listen to His will. We cannot connect with God because we are spiritually dead. Most of the time, we ignore the convictions of the Holy Spirit. We then continue to engage in pornography, have extramarital relationships, and so on.

What happened to the Spirit of God? The Spirit of God did not leave us. God’s Spirit is still with us and continues to call us to Him. He desires to bring us back to life and restore our relationship with Him. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are born again, and our spirits are restored. We are given the power to listen to God’s will and to make choices that bring us closer to Him.

Two Greek words will help us better understand our relationship with God when translated into English. The Greek word Neos (neh’-os) is a primary word meaning brand-new in English. The second word means freshness (kahee-no). When we look deeper at what it says to us, it gives us spiritual awareness. God renews our life and its freshness every day, but we never practice it. This is to remind us to take advantage of the gifts God has given us and not let them be put to waste. To further emphasize the importance of not letting God’s gifts be put to waste, we should take action and make the most of each day. By doing so, we can build a stronger, more meaningful relationship with Him. We can use this knowledge to live out our faith, drawing on God’s grace to create a life of purpose, renewal, and newness. Making the most of each day, living it to the fullest, and taking joy in the newness and freshness that comes with it.

Romans 6:6

King James Version

v.6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

New Living Translation

v.6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin

God said we must be dead to our sinful nature.

How will we consider the old man, who contains our sinful nature and fallen nature? To die in our former ways, we must rely on God’s strength and wisdom to overcome our carnal desires and temptations. The old man will be replaced by the new man, who is born of the Spirit, filled with righteousness, grace, and love. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are born again, and our spirits are restored.

This brand-new man reflects God’s character as loving, kind, and just. Reflecting on these characteristics, we affirm our commitment and, of course, our faith in His Word. It is how we can live a life of obedience, honoring Him and glorifying His name. We see this in action when we look at Jesus, the most exemplary example of a man who embodied God’s love, kindness, and justice. Demonstrated to us how to live a life of obedience and faith, and we can use that example to be more like Him.

Romans 6:11

King James Version

v.11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

New Living Translation

v.11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

When we respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we are drawn into a closer relationship with God and experience the abundant life He offers us. As a result, our lives are transformed and holy, and we reflect God’s love and grace. The truth of this issue will never be disputable. Therefore, our Father wants us to become reborn men. We were given the ability to surrender our lives to God and follow His will when we were born again. This will enable us to experience His love, grace, abundant life, and eternal life as well.

God’s relationship with us is the defining moment of happiness that no human emotion can capture, let alone describe. It means living an eternal life of pure, unfailing happiness. His love for us is unfailing and unconditional, and this unfailing love gives us the meaning of true happiness. Despite all the uncertainties, we always have hope. He gives us love and security despite our countless anxieties.

Scriptural Readings:  

James 1:16-18

Is there anyone who can battle and overcome failure with ease and comfort? What follows disappointment? Try again until we succeed. Right? There needs to be something done between failure and success.

As we continue to fail, hope and resilience are always at the top of our list. They automatically come out as our response. But for how long? Frustrations are crippling moments. And quitting is the easiest solution.

King James Version

v.16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 

v.17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

New Living Translation  

v.16 Don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 

v.17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God, our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

The result is not the end.

Diligent work and self-effort cannot guarantee success. There is no highway leading there. Instead, avenues are there to explore. No one is to blame except us if it fails. If someone disputes, we always insist on a carefully crafted plan, and everything will flow smoothly. What if it is an epic failure? The result is not the end.

Success comes from God. It is a framework for Christians. Our Father in heaven uses success as a springboard for more shots for His glory. Failures are part of success. Here, human initiative plays a role. It proves the error of our thinking and the incompetence of our efforts, leaving only God Almighty’s most excellent work unquestionable.

The cost

Everything has a price. Bills pile up with every move we make. The notion that everything has a cost is a common rule. It is ingrained in us. Several of these human-produced ideas are consistently at odds with God. We gladly welcome them once in a while.

The costs are too high! It seldom drops in price and will be whatever is required to complete our purchases. Afraid we will not make it in the future. Free stuff is increasingly scarce these days. It is a reality we have every day and is beyond our control. It is the current definition of cost.

How can we achieve savings? Even though prices are increasing, we can still survive. Right? Living in a technologically advanced world has fewer worries. We can find a solution either way. It is how we experience life in the physical realm. But living in the spiritual world is entirely different. Spiritual living requires total dependence on God. Our efforts are based on God’s instructions, not on our own. Our Father in heaven calls the shots, and it’s on His terms that we follow.

As Christians, we must realise and fully grasp and understand salvation. The salvation we receive is free! There are no costs. No burdens are necessary. It is a divine gift meant for everyone to receive. Thus, we give ourselves over to accepting and believing. We only need to do these things. Instead, God paid the price for our redemption. He purchased us back through the blood of His Son. A cost we cannot ever pay. A spiritual definition of cost.

King James Version

v.18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

New Living Translation

v.18  He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

The cause

Cause and effect. It is the basis of our past, present, and future. To make an educated decision, we must understand the rationale and the results. We live and die this way. The thing about today is that the effect is unmistakable, but the cause is obscure. Uncertainties become reliable if they make us comfortable. Are we living for the right reasons? Is the reason for our existence as Christians the absolute path?

Accepting our wrongdoings is the hardest thing to admit. At this moment, humility is at its lowest and is often lost. We are entirely blind to the true meaning of the cause of our salvation. We know, and it is true, that we live by grace and mercy. But do we know why God saved us? Love. God loves us. If our purpose is to please God, we must follow His will.

One reason we remain unsure about our spiritual lives is our feeble-mindedness. Unaware of this, we become vulnerable, allowing doubt to creep in and add to petty controversies. Uncertainty about our spiritual lives causes us to swing from one extreme to another.

We are the children of God. We are to live in a relationship with the Father. There is no other reason or cause why you and I and the rest of humanity would come to repent and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. We were made in God’s image and given the ability to live our lives in harmony with Him eternally.

This world we live in will end soon. Nobody can stop it. While people are still struggling with the truth, we must consider the cost and cause of our spiritual lives. We must share this priceless spiritual gift. Let us remember the primary source, the love of God for us, that we spread the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Scriptural Readings: John 14:17, John 9:39.

John 14:17

King James Version

[Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

New Living Translation

He is the Holy Spirit who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him because it is not looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him because he lives with you now and later will be in you.

A picture paints a thousand words, as the proverb says. Many of these old photos bring back nostalgic memories. We relive the past the more we see. As we turn back the hands of time, we see our mistakes, correct them, and learn from our experiences. Although useful they may be, these are human efforts, and they are deceptive.

Is there something hidden behind a photograph? The first few seconds of a video? Our wide variety of emotions will be stirred by what our eyes see, creating illusions and an unending list of thoughts running across our minds.

The fact remains that various things cloud our thoughts. Our minds readily agree with what our eyes tell us most often. It leaves our faith in God second in line, or the most shameful thing, left at the bottom, forgotten. We discover what is most meaningful in our spiritual lives when our faith endures trials. It will help us understand who God is. Time will always play its part in giving us the reality of this truth. God is faithful to His words so that we can know Him. And have a divine relationship with Him.

John 9:39

King James Version

And Jesus said, For judgment, I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

New Living Translation

Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.”

Now enters the actual picture: Jesus Christ, the son of the living God (John 3:16), came to live among us to bring us back to our heavenly Father. What did we do? Rejection! Having seen the image of God and fulfilled His promises, humankind is on solid ground to reject Him.

Experiences, whether positive or negative, are pictures of the road to repentance. One can believe that contrition is a revelation in its entireness, providing eternal and never-ending truth about our God. It is the unseen part of the picture that humanity refuses to acknowledge. We hold on to hope on the principle that seeing is believing. It is easier for us to be convinced if we see more. Our obsession with what we perceive entitles us to side with unbelievers practically without notice.

In contrast, we should expose ourselves radically to the light instead of concealing something in the dark. As we get closer to the light, the picture becomes unmistakable. We cannot hide from God under any circumstances. Contrariwise, God will show us divine things.

We live in a kaleidoscope world. There are a variety of multicoloured plans for destruction and evil schemes hidden in this realm. God is showing us a black-and-white picture. We are prisoners in a fallen world. And that we cannot have salvation apart from Him. As for the other part of the picture, He gave us His Son as our redeemer.

What picture are you seeing?

Our world today is a series of collections of old pictures of the future. Yes, the destiny of our future is nothing but seeing humanity living in misery without Jesus in our lives. Everything starts with repentance. It is imperative to acknowledge Jesus’ finished work on Mount Calvary. An obscene picture shows us the true nature of eternal life. Although God handles and runs each of our lives differently, He gives us a clear vision of hope, blessings, healing, and so forth. The picture of hell is crystal clear for those who do not accept Jesus Christ. It is an image of suffering and a never-ending moment of agony.