John 12:28-30 (NKJV) “28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.” 30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.”
John 12:28-30 (NKJV)
“28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”
30 Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.”
In this passage, we see a heavenly voice speaking to Jesus, and yet the people around Him misunderstand it. Some think it’s just thunder, while others believe an angel spoke. This is a powerful example of how the voice of God can be perceived differently depending on the spiritual condition of the listener.
The Bible as God’s Voice
The Bible is described as the voice of God in written form. It is the revealed Word of God, not merely a collection of ancient stories or ethical guidelines. Before it was written, the Word was spoken by God’s Spirit. This is clear from the way the Bible speaks of itself in 2 Timothy 3:16:
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.
The inspiration of Scripture means that God Himself is the ultimate author. The Apostle Peter also emphasizes this in his second epistle:
2 Peter 1:21 (NKJV) For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:21 (NKJV)
For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
So, when we read the Bible, it is the voice of God we are hearing, yet we need the Holy Spirit to help us understand it properly.
The Voice Behind the Thunder
The Bible often speaks with a thunderous tone, especially in parts of Scripture that are hard to understand or that contain difficult truths. To the untrained ear, it can seem like “thunder,” as the people in John 12 mistook the divine voice for mere noise. This points to the necessity of divine revelation to understand the Scriptures.
In 1 Corinthians 2:14, Paul highlights this reality:
1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV) The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV)
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
Without the Holy Spirit, the Word of God is just a foreign language, a “thunder” to our ears. But when the Spirit opens our hearts and minds, we begin to hear the very voice of God speaking directly to us.
The Bible as a Sealed Book
The Bible itself is described as a “sealed book” that can only be opened by the Spirit of God. This is consistent with what we read in Daniel 12:4 and Revelation 10:4, where both Daniel and John are told to seal up certain things in their visions until the proper time, indicating that understanding these prophecies requires divine intervention.
Daniel 12:4 (NKJV) But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
Daniel 12:4 (NKJV)
But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
Revelation 10:4 (NKJV) Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.
Revelation 10:4 (NKJV)
Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.
These passages highlight that some things in God’s Word are hidden from plain sight and require the Spirit of God to reveal. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are able to understand the mysteries of God.
Understanding Parables and Mysteries of the Kingdom
Jesus frequently spoke in parables to convey profound spiritual truths, but only those with ears to hear could understand their meaning. After telling the parable of the sower, Jesus’ disciples asked Him why He spoke in parables. His response points directly to the need for divine revelation and understanding:
Matthew 13:10-16 (NKJV) “10 And the disciples came and said to Him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’ 11 He answered and said to them, ‘Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; 15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.
Matthew 13:10-16 (NKJV)
“10 And the disciples came and said to Him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’
11 He answered and said to them, ‘Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive;
15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.
Jesus explains that spiritual understanding is not something that comes naturally—it is a gift from God. The disciples were given the ability to understand because they were open to the Spirit’s leading. The crowds, however, were blinded because they were not seeking to understand, and their hearts had become hardened.
In Mark 4:11-12, Jesus makes this even clearer:
Mark 4:11-12 (NIV) He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside, everything is said in parables so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.
Mark 4:11-12 (NIV)
He told them, ‘The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside, everything is said in parables so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.
This is a direct quote from Isaiah 6:9-10, and it shows that God’s Word can either illuminate or blind, depending on the receptivity of the listener.
The Need for Spiritual Discernment
As we read the Scriptures, we must approach them with a heart that is open to the Holy Spirit. The Bible is more than just a book; it is the living Word of God, as described in Hebrews 4:12:
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Without the Spirit of God, the Bible remains just words on a page, but when we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, it becomes the voice of God speaking into our lives, convicting, teaching, and transforming us.
Seek to Hear God’s Voice
If you read the Bible and your life doesn’t change, it may be because you’re only hearing the thunder, not the voice of God. True understanding comes from a heart that is willing to listen to God and be transformed by His Word. James 1:22 urges us to be doers of the Word, not just hearers:
James 1:22 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 1:22 (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
When you hear the Word of God, let it penetrate your heart, and let the Spirit give you understanding. That’s when you’ll hear the voice of God clearly, and it will change your life.
Conclusion: Open Your Heart
Brothers and sisters, don’t treat God’s Word lightly. The Bible is more than a storybook—it is the living, breathing voice of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind to understand it deeply. When you do, you’ll begin to hear God speaking directly to you, not as thunder, but as a clear, life-changing voice.
Revelation 3:20 (NKJV) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
May you open your heart today to hear God’s voice, and may it transform your life to reflect His glory.
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The New Testament consistently emphasizes the importance of baptism performed in the name of Jesus Christ. In Acts 2:38, Peter instructs, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Similarly, in Acts 8:16, it is noted that the Samaritans “had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 10:48 recounts Peter commanding Cornelius and his household to be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ.” Furthermore, Acts 19:5 describes disciples of John the Baptist being baptized “into the name of the Lord Jesus.”
These passages underscore the apostolic practice of baptizing in the name of Jesus, aligning with Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:19 to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The apostles, guided by the revelation of Jesus’ identity, understood the singular name that encompasses the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to be Jesus. Thus, they baptized in His name, reflecting the unity and authority of the Godhead.
The act of baptism in Jesus’ name signifies the believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Romans 6:3-4 states, “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” This passage highlights baptism as a means of participating in the redemptive work of Jesus, symbolizing the believer’s cleansing from sin and the commencement of a new life in Him.
THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF INFANT BAPTISM
Infant baptism is a practice observed in various Christian traditions; however, the New Testament does not provide explicit examples of infants being baptized. Baptism, as depicted in Scripture, is closely associated with personal repentance and faith. In Acts 2:38, Peter calls individuals to “repent and be baptized,” indicating that baptism follows a conscious decision to turn from sin. Similarly, in Acts 8:37, the Ethiopian eunuch professes, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,” prior to his baptism. These instances suggest that baptism is intended for those capable of personal faith and repentance.
Furthermore, the New Testament emphasizes the necessity of personal decision in matters of salvation. In Romans 10:9, Paul writes, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” This confession and belief presuppose an individual’s ability to understand and respond to the gospel message. Since infants are incapable of such understanding and decision-making, they do not meet the criteria for baptism as outlined in Scripture.
Additionally, the practice of infant baptism lacks direct biblical precedent. While some interpret passages like Acts 2:39, which speaks of the promise being “for you and your children,” as supporting infant baptism, this interpretation is debated. The context suggests that the promise is for all who are called by God, not specifically for infants. Therefore, the absence of explicit examples of infant baptism in the New Testament implies that the practice is not biblically mandated.
CONCLUSION
In summary, the New Testament presents baptism as an essential step in the believer’s faith journey, symbolizing repentance, identification with Christ’s death and resurrection, and the reception of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is to be administered in the name of Jesus Christ, reflecting the unity and authority of the Godhead. Infant baptism, however, lacks direct biblical support and does not align with the scriptural pattern of baptism following personal faith and repentance. Therefore, for those seeking to align closely with New Testament teachings, baptism should be administered to individuals who are capable of personal faith and repentance, and it should be performed in the name of Jesus Christ.
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The grace that we, the people of the nations, now enjoy didn’t originate with us. It was first extended to Israel, but when it was taken from them due to their rejection, it was given to us. Israel, as God’s chosen people, was meant to experience the fullness of God’s salvation, yet this was delayed due to their rejection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Israel’s Rejection and God’s Plan for the Nations
Israel had already reached the height of enjoying the blessings of God’s salvation, which was to come through the Messiah, the Savior they had awaited for centuries. Jesus Christ, the promised Savior, came to redeem Israel from sin and oppression. However, they rejected Him as the Messiah, and instead of benefiting from the fruit of their labor and the fulfillment of their promises, they forfeited it.
When Jesus, the Savior of their souls, came, God allowed a spiritual blindness to fall upon them so that they could not recognize Him. This was done for a very specific purpose—to allow the nations (the Gentiles, like you and me) the opportunity to receive grace and salvation. As Paul writes in Romans 11:7-8, “What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written: ‘God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.”
God’s plan was to extend salvation to the Gentiles, drawing them into His covenant and kingdom. The rejection of Christ by Israel allowed the gospel to spread to the nations.
The Mystery of Israel’s Hardening
This blindness wasn’t permanent. The apostle Paul describes it as a temporary hardening that would last until the “fullness of the Gentiles” comes in. In Romans 11:25, Paul writes:
For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
This period, during which the Gentiles are called into the kingdom, is a time of God’s mercy for the nations. Israel’s spiritual blindness was, and still is, the means by which salvation was made available to the Gentiles. But this blindness will not last forever. There will come a time when Israel’s eyes will be opened, and the nation will recognize Jesus Christ as the Messiah, the Savior they had once rejected.
The Paradox of Israel’s Rejection
Paul’s writing in Romans 11:11-12 illustrates the paradox of Israel’s rejection. He says,
I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.
Through Israel’s failure to recognize Christ, salvation was extended to the nations. However, Paul also points out that Israel’s rejection was not permanent. The time will come when Israel will be restored and “jealous” of the salvation that the Gentiles now enjoy. Romans 11:12 goes on to say:
Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!
The “fullness” of Israel refers to the time when all of Israel will come to faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. This will mark the final stage in God’s redemptive plan for humanity. The rejection of Christ by Israel is not the end but part of God’s sovereign plan to bring about the salvation of the nations.
The Olive Tree Parable: The Grafting of the Nations
The apostle Paul uses the metaphor of an olive tree to illustrate God’s dealings with Israel and the Gentiles. Israel is the cultivated olive tree, while the Gentiles are the wild olive branches. When Israel rejected the Messiah, God cut off some of the natural branches (Israel) and grafted in the wild branches (Gentiles) to partake in the blessings and promises given to Israel. Romans 11:17-18 says:
And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.
This means that the Gentiles have no grounds for pride, as they are grafted into the blessings that originally belonged to Israel. They are partakers of God’s promises but must remain humble and faithful, understanding that they are supported by the root (God’s covenant with Israel). Paul warns that if God did not spare the natural branches (Israel), He may also not spare the Gentiles if they do not remain faithful.
Israel’s Restoration: God’s Promises Are Sure
The time will come when God will restore Israel to Himself. Romans 11:26-27 states:
And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.
This is a prophecy that speaks of the national repentance of Israel. God will remove their spiritual blindness and bring them to faith in Jesus Christ. This prophecy is confirmed in Zechariah 12:10, where it says,
And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.
This is the moment when Israel will recognize Jesus as their Messiah and mourn for having rejected Him. The Spirit of grace will be poured out upon them, and they will embrace Christ as their Savior.
The End Times: The Rapture and the Tribulation
The restoration of Israel will coincide with the closing of the age for the nations. Before this time, there will be a dramatic event known as the Rapture, where the church (the body of Christ) will be taken to meet the Lord in the air. This will signal the end of God’s dealings with the Gentiles. Following this, a time of tribulation will come upon the earth, during which the Antichrist will rise to power, and God’s wrath will be poured out on a world that has rejected Him.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 speaks about the Rapture:
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
During this time of tribulation, the Antichrist will deceive many, and the nations that rejected God will face judgment. However, Israel will be restored, and the kingdom of God will be established on earth.
The Urgency of Salvation
As believers in the gospel, we are called to share the message of salvation before the door of grace is closed. Jesus, in Luke 13:24, tells us,
Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
Now is the time to receive the grace of God. The door of salvation is still open, but it will not remain open forever. 2 Corinthians 6:2 reminds us:
For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Let us not delay, for the time is near. The Rapture could occur at any moment, and the nations’ opportunity for salvation is running out. God has extended His grace to us—let us receive it with open hearts.
Throughout Scripture and human experience, animals often symbolize traits reflected in individuals, communities, or nations. This symbolic use of animals serves as a vivid means for God to communicate spiritual truths.
For example, when Jesus called Herod a “fox” (Luke 13:32 NIV), He wasn’t insulting him but rather highlighting Herod’s cunning, predatory nature. Foxes are sly, cunning animals known for preying on smaller creatures and exhibiting promiscuous behavior traits evident in Herod’s murder of John the Baptist (Mark 6:17-29) and his immoral marriage to his brother’s wife (Mark 6:18).
Similarly, the prophet Daniel (Daniel 7 NIV) used four beasts to symbolize four kingdoms dominating the world until the end times:The lion represented Babylon, symbolizing strength and majesty (Daniel 7:4).The bear symbolized Media-Persia, known for power and ferocity (Daniel 7:5).The leopard represented Greece, noted for swiftness and cunning (Daniel 7:6).These animal symbols show how God uses creation to communicate kingdom characteristics.
Satan, the ultimate deceiver, is likened to a serpent (Genesis 3; Revelation 12:9 NIV) because of his cunning in tempting humanity to sin, starting with Adam and Eve’s rebellion by eating the forbidden fruit. This theme of deception continues throughout Scripture, with Satan leading the world astray (2 Corinthians 11:14 NIV).
In contrast, Jesus Christ is symbolized as the Lamb of God, a profound theological image rooted in both the Old and New Testaments.
Why a Lamb?Meekness and Humility: Lambs are gentle, unable to defend or lead themselves, completely dependent on the shepherd. This symbolism perfectly captures Jesus’ nature (Matthew 11:29 NIV), where He describes Himself as “gentle and humble in heart.”Substitutionary Sacrifice: The lamb represents innocent sacrifice. Old Testament sacrifices, such as the Passover lamb (Exodus 12), prefigure Christ, the ultimate Lamb who takes away sin (John 1:29 NIV).Dependence on the Shepherd: Unlike goats, which are independent and stubborn, lambs rely on the shepherd’s guidance (Psalm 23; John 10:11 NIV).
John the Baptist’s declaration:
“Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NIV)
This introduces Jesus as the perfect sacrificial lamb, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.
The Prophet Isaiah’s description: Isaiah 53:3–7 (NIV) speaks prophetically of Jesus:
“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain… He was pierced for our transgressions… Like a lamb led to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”
Isaiah’s prophecy emphasizes Jesus’ willing, silent submission to suffering and death for humanity’s redemption.
Zechariah’s prophecy about the Messiah’s humility: Zechariah 9:9 (NIV) describes the King coming humbly, “righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey,” fulfilling messianic expectations of humility and peace.
The Holy Spirit as a Dove: At Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit descended “like a dove” (Mark 1:10 NIV), symbolizing purity, peace, and gentleness. The dove’s behavior resting only in peaceful places symbolizes the Spirit’s presence resting on Jesus, the “peaceful Lamb.”
True followers of Christ are also likened to lambs, symbolizing humility, gentleness, dependence on God, and a peaceful spirit (1 Peter 2:25 NIV).
They exhibit the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23 NIV), living lives marked by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
In Matthew 25:31–46 (NIV), Jesus describes the final judgment, separating “sheep” (lambs) from “goats” based on their actions and hearts. The sheep, those who lived in obedience and compassion, inherit eternal life. The goats, who lived selfishly and rejected God’s ways, face eternal punishment.
This parable teaches that true faith expresses itself in love and service, following Jesus’ example.
The Holy Spirit will not rest on those who reject Christ’s lordship (Romans 8:9 NIV).
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When we read the Bible, we learn many things about God’s character. One of the most unique traits of God is that He does not force anyone to do anything.
There was a time when I desperately prayed for the Holy Spirit to take control of me, guiding me without my conscious awareness almost as if I were possessed. People with evil spirits act in a way that makes them unaware of themselves, like someone driven mad. I kept praying like this until the Lord gave me understanding: God does not work that way, even though He has the power to do so. He does not force people or make them captives, as a spirit might.
The Holy Spirit is a helper, a counselor, and gentle. He never forces anyone to make a decision. That’s why when a person chooses evil, God does not compel them to repent. Instead, He advises, persuades, and provides every reason to abandon sin, but if they refuse, He allows them to continue in their choice. If they accept, He walks with them.
The same principle applies to serving God. Many people wait to see visions like Paul did, or to be visited by angels, or to be supernaturally compelled like Jonah, or to hear a voice from heaven telling them what to do, or to receive prophetic instructions.
I want to tell you, brother or sister, if you rely on that method, you will end up discouraged when nothing happens during the period you’ve been waiting. Time will pass, and you’ll see no signs. Those extraordinary experiences are given by God as acts of grace, to reveal His power not as the ordinary method by which He calls His people to serve Him.
We serve God by faith, not by sight, and He wants us to act willingly, not because we are forced.
We can learn from three examples in the Bible about the right way to serve God:
1) David
David was king of Israel and went through many hardships in life. Yet the Lord blessed him with kingdom and wealth. Eventually, he began to reflect on God and was convicted in his heart. He thought:
“I, David, live in a palace of cedar, while my God dwells in a tent of cloth, in darkness, in some town called Shiloh?”
So David decided of his own volition to build a permanent house for God. When he thought of this, the Bible says:
1 Samuel 7:1–9 1 When the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, 2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” 3 Nathan replied to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.” 4 That night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: 5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in. 6 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. 7 Everywhere I went with all the Israelites, did I ever say to anyone, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?” 8 Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies before you; and I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest on earth.’”
1 Samuel 7:1–9
1 When the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him,
2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”
3 Nathan replied to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.”
4 That night the word of the Lord came to Nathan:
5 “Go and tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in.
6 I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt to this day. I have moved from place to place with a tent as my dwelling.
7 Everywhere I went with all the Israelites, did I ever say to anyone, “Why have you not built me a house of cedar?”
8 Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel.
9 I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies before you; and I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest on earth.’”
By taking initiative, David was promised that his throne and kingdom would be established forever. Through him, the Messiah would come, and Jerusalem would become the center of Christ’s kingdom. David’s heart pleased God more than anyone else’s.
Notice: David did not wait for a vision to tell him to build a house for God. He saw the need and acted wisely and God rewarded him greatly.
2) Nehemiah
Another example is Nehemiah, who was a cupbearer to the Persian king. One day, his brothers brought news from Jerusalem: the temple and city walls were in ruins. Nehemiah was deeply grieved. He fasted, wept, and prayed for many days for the city and for Israel’s forgiveness.
Nehemiah was not a prophet just a normal man, serving in a royal position. Yet he resolved in his heart:
“I cannot remain comfortable while God’s house in Jerusalem lies in ruin.”
Because of his resolve, God moved the king to grant Nehemiah permission to rebuild the city walls. Though he faced many hardships and enemies on all sides, Nehemiah and his workers completed the wall. Nehemiah’s courage and action left a permanent legacy, and we read his story in the Bible even though he was not a prophet, priest, or scribe.
3) The Sinful Woman Who Anointed Jesus
Another example is the sinful woman who came to Jesus. Despite her sins, she saw that His feet were dirty and needed washing. She acted on her own initiative using her tears instead of water, and her hair instead of cloth. Then she anointed Him with expensive perfume.
Luke 7:44–48 44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house; you did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Luke 7:44–48
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house; you did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.
46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume.
47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Notice: The woman saw the need and acted she did not wait to be told. Similarly, many others in the Bible took action without waiting for visions or prophecy, such as in Matthew 26:13.
The Lesson for Us
Wherever you are your church, your home, or your workplace don’t wait for God to tell you in a vision what to do. If you see a need, act faithfully. God has blessed your resources; use them to serve Him. The good news can reach many, even if you are not a preacher.
•See a dirty toilet at church? Clean it.
•See unkempt grounds? Work on them.
•Do not wait for someone else to be assigned to the task while you have the ability to do it.
Even online, if you notice a spiritual need and can help people come to know God, do not wait God will not force you. He calls us to discern wisely and take initiative.
Take action now in every place the Lord has positioned you for Christ. God will help you, and your legacy will endure forever.
God bless you.
One of the greatest spiritual disciplines a believer can cultivate is the intentional remembrance of God’s past faithfulness. Forgetting what God has done opens the door to doubt, disobedience, and discouragement. The Bible repeatedly calls God’s people to “remember” to anchor their present trust in God’s past actions.
The Israelites in the wilderness are a powerful example of what happens when we forget God’s faithfulness. Although they experienced dramatic miracles deliverance from Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, manna from heaven they consistently reverted to grumbling and unbelief when facing new challenges.
Psalm 106:13 (ESV) “But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel.”
God’s frustration with Israel was not due to their questions, but their forgetfulness and failure to trust Him based on His proven track record. When they faced the Red Sea, instead of recalling His power over Pharaoh, they panicked.
Exodus 14:11-12 (ESV) “They said to Moses, ‘Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness?’”
The same pattern occurred days later when they lacked water:
Exodus 15:24 (ESV) “And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, ‘What shall we drink?’”
These complaints revealed a deeper issue: a lack of spiritual memory. Faith that does not remember quickly becomes faith that does not endure.
In Leviticus 11, God distinguished clean animals from unclean. One of the key criteria for a clean land animal was that it must chew the cud and have a split hoof.
Leviticus 11:3 (ESV) “Whatever parts the hoof and is cloven-footed and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat.”
While these were ceremonial laws given to Israel, they also carry spiritual significance. Animals that chew the cud are those that re-digest their food symbolically, a reminder for believers to meditate on God’s Word and works, not just hear once and forget.
This reflects the discipline of biblical meditation actively revisiting and digesting God’s truth until it becomes part of us.
Joshua 1:8 (ESV) “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night…”
To fail to meditate is, symbolically, to become spiritually “unclean” forgetful, ungrateful, and vulnerable to deception.
James warns believers not to be passive hearers of the Word, but active doers, lest they forget their true spiritual identity.
James 1:22–25 (ESV) “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres… he will be blessed in his doing.”
This passage aligns with our earlier principle: spiritual memory leads to spiritual maturity. Forgetting the Word means forgetting your true self in Christ.
God knows our human tendency to forget, which is why Scripture repeatedly calls us to “remember” (Deut. 8:2, Ps. 103:2). The antidote to forgetfulness is active remembrance through journaling, testimony, public thanksgiving, and daily meditation on Scripture.
Psalm 103:2 (ESV) “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”
You might recall times when God healed you, answered prayers, or protected you from harm. These are not just memories they are spiritual resources for future battles.
Scripture should not only be read it must be cherished, internalized, and obeyed. Solomon and David both emphasized this:
Proverbs 7:2–3 (ESV) “Keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Psalm 119:97–100 (ESV) “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.”
If you want to endure in faith, you must learn to “chew the cud” spiritually to revisit, reflect, and rejoice in all that God has done for you. Write down His faithfulness. Reflect on His Word. Let it shape your heart and behavior.
When trials come, you will not be shaken because your confidence will rest, not in what you see now, but in what you remember God has already done.
Lamentations 3:21–23 (ESV) “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Be blessed!
“My brother and I have long held the practice of meeting regularly to share and meditate on the Word of God. To avoid distractions, we often leave busy places and go somewhere quiet where we can focus on Scripture and encourage each other in our Christian journey.
One afternoon around 7 o’clock, as we walked and discussed spiritual matters, we noticed three donkeys on the road ahead not far from us tied together and pulling a cart loaded with grass. A man was guiding them. What caught our attention was that there were three donkeys pulling the cart, when usually only two are used for such a load.
As we approached to get a better look, the donkey in the middle suddenly disappeared, leaving only two donkeys pulling the cart. We were puzzled by this. Then, when they reached a ditch that was difficult to cross because of the heavy load, the man struck the donkeys with a stick to encourage them. Despite the burden, they managed to get the cart across and continued on their way.
This prompted us to ask: What had we really seen? Was it merely animals, or was there a deeper spiritual truth?
Matthew 18:20 (NIV) states:
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
This verse emphasizes the real presence of Jesus when believers come together in His name. The two donkeys symbolize us my brother and me while the third donkey in the middle represents the Lord Jesus Himself.
The load the donkeys carried symbolizes God’s law, which is heavy and challenging to bear alone. When two or more believers come together, God binds them with His yoke (Greek: zugos), a symbol of partnership and shared burden (see Matthew 11:29). Jesus is in the middle to help carry this load, making obedience to God’s commands lighter and more manageable.
Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) beautifully echoes this:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Here, Jesus contrasts the heavy yoke of legalistic religious practices with His gentle, empowering yoke, highlighting the relational and supportive nature of discipleship under Him.
To live a life counter to worldly values is indeed the burden of Christ, which He places upon His followers (Galatians 6:14). This burden is often misunderstood by outsiders as restrictive or heavy, but in reality, it is liberating and light because Christ is with us.
Ministry and service to God carry their own burdens, yet Christ empowers us, especially when we work together (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). This explains why Jesus sent out His disciples two by two (Mark 6:7), emphasizing the importance of companionship and mutual support in spiritual work.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, it is vital to have companions who share your faith. When two or three gather in Jesus’ name, His promise is fulfilled; He is there among them. This spiritual unity forms a bond, a yoke of grace and strength, making it easier to live according to God’s commands than when you are alone.
Gathering with fellow believers invites a unique presence of God. Comfort, encouragement, protection, sharing, and revelation flow from such fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25). This also diminishes the enemy’s power to tempt us because we have others standing with us (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV) states:
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
May the Lord richly bless you.”
There is a profound danger in taking the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ for granted or treating it lightly. In the Old Testament, when God spoke to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, His glory was so overwhelming and terrifying that the people refused to approach the mountain directly. Their fear was so great that they begged Moses to be their mediator. The mountain was enveloped in fire, smoke, and thunder signs of God’s holy presence and even animals that touched it had to be put to death (Exodus 19:12-13).
This Old Testament imagery is contrasted in the New Testament book of Hebrews, where the author explains that believers today approach a greater and heavenly reality. The author of Hebrews, writing to Jewish Christians familiar with Sinai, presents Mount Sinai as a symbol of the Old Covenant marked by law, fear, and judgment, while Mount Zion represents the New Covenant, characterized by grace, the presence of Christ, and the assembly of the redeemed.
Hebrews 12:18–25 (ESV) says:
“For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest, and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, ‘If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.’ Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, ‘I tremble with fear.’ But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”
This passage underscores a key theological truth: Under the New Covenant, we come not to a physical mountain with terrifying judgment, but to Mount Zion, the heavenly city where God’s presence is mediated through Jesus Christ. This new covenant is established by the blood of Jesus, which speaks better than the blood of Abel a reference to Jesus’ perfect sacrifice that brings true reconciliation, unlike the unjust bloodshed of Abel’s murderer (Genesis 4:8-10).
The author warns believers to not reject the voice of Christ who speaks from heaven, because rejection leads to a judgment far worse than that experienced by those who refused God at Sinai.
This brings us to a vital New Testament exhortation found in Philippians 2:12–13 (ESV):
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Here, “work out your salvation” doesn’t mean earning salvation by works but living it out with reverence and seriousness. The “fear and trembling” reflects awe and respect for God’s holiness and the real spiritual consequences of our choices. Salvation is a divine work initiated and empowered by God Himself, but it requires our continual cooperation and careful obedience.
The grace we receive through Jesus Christ is truly a gift, but it is not a license to sin. Grace is often misunderstood as God’s leniency that allows ongoing sin without consequence. However, Scripture clearly teaches otherwise.
2 Peter 2:20–22 (ESV) warns:
“For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy command delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: ‘The dog returns to its own vomit,’ and, ‘The sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.’”
This describes the tragic state of those who have genuinely known Christ and His truth, yet deliberately return to sinful living. Theologians call this “apostasy” a willful turning away from the faith. It is a grave spiritual danger.
Many today claim to live “under grace,” thinking this means God will overlook persistent sin. This is a serious misunderstanding. The devil exploits this false teaching to trap believers into spiritual ruin.
Hebrews 10:26–29 (ESV) delivers a sobering warning:
“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?”
To “outrage the Spirit of grace” is to show contempt for the very Spirit who grants us forgiveness and empowers our holy living. This is not a light matter this passage warns of judgment so severe it eclipses Old Testament penalties.
May God bless you.
Colossians 3:1–2 (NIV):
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
This is not a passive suggestion it is an active pursuit. We are called to prioritize the Kingdom of God in every aspect of our lives.
Just as one searches diligently for treasure or precious metals, we are commanded to pursue divine wisdom with that same intensity. Proverbs 2:3–5 (NIV) says:
“Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”
Let your daily pursuit be the eternal things not status, wealth, or fleeting pleasures.
The temporary pleasures and trials of this world can become stumbling blocks if we let them. But as Jesus warned in Matthew 16:26 (NIV):
“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”
Whether you’re rich or poor, healthy or sick, God calls everyone to focus on eternity.
Though King Solomon was one of the wealthiest men to ever live, he deeply contemplated divine wisdom. In Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NIV), he concludes:
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”
Solomon reminds us that material wealth is meaningless apart from a relationship with God.
Daniel held a high political office in Babylon, yet he faithfully prayed three times a day. Daniel 6:10 (NIV):
“Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”
Even at great personal risk, Daniel prioritized his relationship with God above his position.
In Jesus’ parable (Luke 16:19–31), Lazarus was a poor man who had nothing in this life but gained everything in eternity. Luke 16:25 (NIV):
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.’”
Lazarus did not let poverty separate him from God he lived as a spiritual pilgrim.
Many of God’s faithful have endured severe trials illness, persecution, or deep personal loss but kept their minds fixed on Heaven. As Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 (NIV):
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
So what about you? Are you seeking the things above? Are your thoughts centered on Christ and His Kingdom? No matter your circumstances wealthy or poor, healthy or sick nothing in this world is worth losing your soul over.
Philippians 3:20 (NIV) reminds us:
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” —Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Jesus spoke as follows:
Matthew 13:24-30 (NKJV)
24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. 26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”
Matthew 13:36-43 (NKJV)
36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.” 37 He answered and said to them: “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. 39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. 40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Understanding the Parable:
In this parable, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a man who sows good seed in his field. However, while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares (weeds) among the wheat. When the plants grew, the tares also appeared, leading the servants to ask if they should gather them up. The master replied to let both grow together until the harvest, at which time the tares would be separated and burned, and the wheat gathered into the barn.
Theological Insights: