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Showing posts from July, 2023

Redeeming the Time

Ephesians  5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,  5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.   Time is fleeting, and we as believers should not take it for granted. Just as a river flows steadily towards its destination, time never stops, and its current never reverses. Each moment is a gift that will never return. Therefore, it becomes imperative for us to discern its value and make the most of every opportunity. Being mindful of the passage of time doesn't imply an anxious existence, but rather an intentional one. We are called to be present in each moment, fully aware of our actions, and purposeful in our decisions.  Embracing mindfulness enables us to see the beauty in the present, engage with those around us, and seek God's guidance in our choices. Redeeming time also means seeking God's will in all aspects of our lives. Instead of being carried away by the winds of circumstance, we should strive to align our steps wi...

The Precious Blood

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 an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were given specific instructions by God to offer sacrifices as a way to approach Him and seek forgiveness for their sins. Blood was seen as sacred and representative of life, making it a fitting symbol of the seriousness of sin and the cost required to bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. Yet, we now stand on this side of history, after the greatest act of redemption the world has ever known. God, in His boundless mercy, sent His only Son, Jesus, to become the perfect sacrificial Lamb, whose precious blood would be shed for the remission of sins.  Through the death and resurrection of Christ, a new and living way to God was established - one not based on endless offerings, but on the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. The shedding...

Gospel of God's kingdom

Matthew  24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. The Gospel of God's Kingdom is not merely a set of beliefs; it is the good news of God's salvation plan for humanity. It reveals that through Jesus Christ, we can find forgiveness, restoration, and eternal life. This message offers hope and redemption to all who embrace it with a repentant heart. God's heart has always been for the nations. In Isaiah 66:18, we see His desire to gather people from every language and culture to witness His glory. Our Lord is not limited by borders or barriers; His love extends to every corner of the earth. As followers of Christ, we are entrusted with the responsibility to proclaim the Gospel to all nations. Jesus' words in Matthew 24:14 remind us of our commission to be witnesses of His grace and love, sharing the good news of His Kingdom with everyone we encounter. Sharing the Gospel with differen...

O ye dry bones

Ezekiel  37:4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. In the passage above, Ezekiel finds himself in a valley filled with dry bones, a haunting image of spiritual desolation and hopelessness. However, it is in this seemingly lifeless situation that the prophet is called to prophesy, giving us a profound lesson about God's ability to bring life, hope, and renewal to even the driest of circumstances. At times, each of us may find ourselves in situations that resemble the valley of dry bones—moments of brokenness, despair, and spiritual emptiness.  These dry bones represent the areas in our lives where hope seems lost, where dreams have withered away, and where it feels like nothing can change our situation. The valley of dry bones also symbolizes spiritual stagnation in a community or a nation. It reminds us of times when God's people have turned away from Him, causing their spiritual life to dwindle and the...

Pray about everything

Philippians  4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. In this present chaotic world, it is easy for anxiety and fear to grip our hearts. However, God's Word reminds us not to be anxious about anything. Instead, we are called to cultivate a prayerful attitude that acknowledges God's sovereignty over all circumstances. Prayer is not just a religious obligation but a powerful and intimate way to connect with our Heavenly Father. It is a privilege granted to us, allowing us to cast our cares and concerns upon God, who cares deeply for us (1 Peter 5:7).  Prayer provides a channel through which we can communicate, seek guidance, find comfort, and experience His peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Paul emphasizes that we should pray in every situation. There is no aspect of our lives too big or too small to bring before God in prayer. Whether it's a major life decisio...

God's ability to give wealth

Deuteronomy  8:18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. The verse above  reminds us that our wealth and prosperity are not products of our own doing alone; rather, they are gifts bestowed upon us by a gracious and loving God.  As we prosper in various aspects of life, we must never forget that it is God who enables us with the strength, skills, and opportunities to create wealth. Gratitude and humility should be the foundation of our response to God's ability to give wealth. When we recognize God's hand in our success, we develop a heart that overflows with gratitude.  It is crucial to remain humble, knowing that our wealth does not define our worth, but rather, it is a resource to be used wisely and generously for the betterment of others and the kingdom of God. Understanding that God is the ultimate source of our wealth calls...

Wisdom and Understanding

Job  28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. The starting point of true wisdom is the "fear of the Lord." However, this "fear" is not a trembling or terror but a deep reverence and awe for our Creator.  It is acknowledging God's sovereignty, holiness, and unmatched wisdom. The fear of the Lord is an attitude of humility that recognizes our dependence on Him and our desire to align our lives with His divine will. As we seek wisdom, we must humbly acknowledge that we don't have all the answers. Wisdom begins with the recognition of our limitations as human beings and our need for divine guidance.  In Proverbs 1:7, we are reminded that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge," highlighting the inseparable connection between wisdom and the fear of God. The fear of the Lord leads to wisdom in our decision-making. When we approach God with reverence, seeking His guida...

You cannot serve two masters

Luke  16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. In whole chapter Luke 16, Jesus shares the parable of the shrewd manager, emphasizing the importance of wise stewardship and the responsible use of wealth. Amidst this parable, Jesus imparts a timeless lesson: the principle of serving only one master. He uses the example of serving two masters, highlighting the inevitable conflict that arises when divided loyalties are present. When Jesus speaks of serving two masters, He addresses the divided heart that results from trying to please conflicting interests. As Christians, we are called to follow God and walk in His ways. However, the world tempts us with its allurements and distractions, such as wealth, power, material possessions, or the pursuit of fame. If we try to serve both God and the world, we risk losing our focus and compromising our faith....

God's Love

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3: 16-17 ) The two verses above  hold the heartbeat of the Christian faith. They are a powerful reminder of God's boundless love, a love that surpasses human comprehension. God's love is all-encompassing; it extends to every person ever born or yet to be born. His love is not conditional, nor does it depend on our merits or achievements. It is a love that knows no boundaries and is offered freely to all who would receive it. The depth of God's love is seen in the costly sacrifice He made for us. He gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to bear the weight of our sins and offer us the gift of eternal life. It was not a small sacrifice or a token gesture, but an extravagant display of love that no human words can fully express. Verse ...

Who is like God?

Micah  7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.  7:19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.  Our God is unlike any other; His mercy knows no bounds, and His love is unconditional. Despite our shortcomings and sins, God is willing to extend His hand and pardon us. This compassion demonstrates His desire to restore a broken relationship with us. Let us not take God's compassion for granted. When we recognize the enormity of our sin and inadequacy, it humbles us and draws us closer to Him. We must never forget that God's compassion is available to all who turn to Him in repentance, regardless of the severity of our sins. How marvelous is the nature of our God! He does not harbor everlasting anger towards us. Instead, Hi...

Time to pray

Matthew  26:36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.  26:37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.  26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.  26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Prayer is the divine bridge that connects our hearts with God's heart. It is a time to express gratitude for His blessings, confess our sins, share our joys and sorrows, and lay our burdens at His feet. When we pray, we acknowledge our dependence on God and open ourselves to His will. Through prayer, we cultivate an intimate relationship with the Creator, drawing closer to Him in faith and love. Prayer as a Source of Strength...

Sanctified and cleansed by the word

Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Sanctification is the process of becoming holy, set apart for God's purposes, and growing in Christlikeness. It is not a one-time event but a journey of continual transformation. Just as a jeweler meticulously polishes a diamond to reveal its brilliance, God uses His Word to refine and purify us. In many ways we can be sanctified by the word of God,. Such which are not limited to  A. Purification from sin.  God's Word has the power to expose sin in our lives, bringing it to light so that we can repent and turn away from it. The Word acts as a mirror, reflecting our imperfections, and guiding us towards righteousness. Through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, the Word leads us to seek forgiveness and reconciliation with God. B. Renewal of the Mind: Romans 12:2 urges us not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. As we immerse ourselv...

Better is the end

Ecclesiastes  7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. In our fast-paced world, we often find ourselves fixated on beginnings. We celebrate new ventures, fresh starts, and promising opportunities. While beginnings hold their own significance, Ecclesiastes urges us to pay attention to the end. It is in the completion of a task, the culmination of a journey, that we truly grasp its worth and meaning. Verse 8b continues, "The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." This verse emphasizes the virtue of patience and reminds us that a patient spirit is far more valuable than pride or impatience. Patience allows us to endure challenges, setbacks, and hardships along the way.  It is through perseverance that we arrive at the end with a stronger character and a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us. The journey toward the end teaches us valuable lessons about character d...

Be not unwise

Ephesians  5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,  5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.  Wisdom goes beyond mere knowledge or intelligence; it involves discernment, understanding, and the ability to apply knowledge in practical ways. As believers, we are called to be wise not just in our spiritual lives, but in every aspect of our existence. The world around us presents numerous opportunities and challenges, both personally and within our communities. It is essential for us to seize these opportunities and use them wisely. We cannot afford to be passive or ignorant of the times we live in. Each day, we are presented with chances to make a difference, to demonstrate God's love, and to advance His kingdom. Let us not squander these opportunities but instead embrace them with wisdom and faith. Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of understand...