A person who is quick to be offended, quick to cry, or quick to get angry often tends to also be quick to forget offenses, quick to rejoice, or quick to laugh. But a person who is slow to be offended—someone who harbors anger, sadness, or bitterness for a long time—will also take a long time to calm down once truly upset.
Consider, for example, a small child. If you watch one for a day, you might see them cry five or six times over small, seemingly insignificant things. But that same child soon forgets and resumes playing, as if nothing ever happened. Now think about an adult. They may not shed tears easily, but when they do, it is usually over something very serious—perhaps a great loss or deep hurt—and it may take months or even years for that pain to fully heal.
Similarly, the Bible reveals much about our Heavenly God whom we worship daily. He is patient, full of mercy, humble, gracious, and slow to anger. He does not lose His temper quickly. We see this clearly when we observe the world around us: people walking around shamelessly, openly blaspheming God, committing brutal acts of violence, harming the innocent, and yet God remains silent. We wonder: does God not see? Why doesn’t He intervene? If you or I were God, surely no one would be spared; we would have destroyed all wrongdoers long ago. But God is not like us.
Scripture tells us:
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some understand slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” —2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
This verse highlights God’s divine patience, which stems from His desire for repentance and salvation rather than immediate judgment. His “slowness” is an expression of mercy, allowing people time to turn from sin.
Also,
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” —Psalm 103:8 (ESV)
The Hebrew word for “slow to anger” (אַ֥רְכַּ֗ת אַפַּ֥יִם, ’arek appayim) conveys God’s long-suffering nature—He endures human failings without hastily executing wrath.
David testifies similarly:
“The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” —Psalm 145:8 (ESV)
This attribute is fundamental to God’s character: His grace (unmerited favor) and steadfast love (hesed, covenant faithfulness) are extended toward sinners, giving them opportunity to repent.
Even the prophet Jonah and the leader Nehemiah acknowledged this nature of God’s patience.
While God is patient, His mercy has limits. The Bible clearly teaches that judgment will come upon those who persist in sin and reject repentance.
The day when God’s wrath will be fully unleashed is called “The Day of the Lord.” This is a future time when God will execute righteous judgment on the wicked and purge the earth of sin.
Jesus Christ himself referred to the days of Noah and Lot as examples of what the end times will be like, characterized by unexpected destruction due to persistent wickedness.
The prophet Joel warned:
“For the day of the Lord is coming; it is near, a day of clouds, a great day! The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars will withdraw their shining.” —Joel 2:1-2 (ESV)
This cosmic imagery symbolizes God’s powerful intervention in history—darkening of the heavens represents divine judgment and upheaval.
Isaiah vividly describes this day:
“Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; as destruction from the Almighty it will come! Therefore all hands will be feeble, and every human heart will melt. … The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will withdraw their shining.” —Isaiah 13:6-10 (ESV)
The Book of Revelation details the final outpouring of God’s wrath through seven bowls (or vials) of judgment poured out on the earth.
Revelation 16 describes these plagues, which include:
“Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, ‘It is done!’” —Revelation 16:17 (ESV)
This marks the completion of God’s judgment and the final defeat of evil.
The Bible urges repentance today because God’s patience will not last forever:
“Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” —Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV)
Salvation is found only through Jesus Christ:
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” —John 14:6 (ESV)
Those who reject Christ will face the “second death” described in Revelation—the eternal lake of fire reserved for the devil, the beast, the false prophet, and all who refuse God’s offer of salvation.
God’s mercy is immense, but His holiness demands judgment on sin. The Day of the Lord’s wrath is coming—will you be ready?
“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you will be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.” —Zephaniah 2:3 (ESV)
Repent today, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Salvation is the only refuge from the coming judgment.
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Shalom, beloved of God. Today, by the grace of the Lord, we embark on a vital journey into one of the deepest truths in all of Scripture: the Mystery of God—a truth hidden for ages but now revealed to the saints.
The term “mystery” in the Bible (Greek: mystērion) does not refer to something mystical or incomprehensible forever. Rather, it means a truth that was previously hidden but has now been revealed by divine revelation.
📖 “…according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed…” — Romans 16:25–26 (ESV)
In English and biblical Greek, there is a distinction between:
This is crucial: the “mystery of God” is not merely a secret, but a divine revelation previously unknown to humans and angels alike, now revealed in Christ.
Mysteries in the Bible are truths beyond natural comprehension—not discoverable by intellect or science.
📖 “Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness?” — Job 38:19 (ESV)
Even today, with all our scientific advances, we still cannot fully explain the origin of light or the departure of darkness. These are divine mysteries—known only to God.
📖 “You knitted me together in my mother’s womb.” — Psalm 139:13 (ESV)
The formation of life in the womb, down to bones and hair, remains a mystery beyond full comprehension. It reflects the invisible hand of God in creation.
The primary mystery revealed in the New Testament is not just about Christ dying for sin, but something far greater:
📖 “…the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known…the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” — Colossians 1:26–27 (ESV)
This was unthinkable in the Old Testament. God’s covenant was with Israel, His chosen people. The Gentiles (non-Jews) were considered unclean, alienated, and without hope (Ephesians 2:11–12). But in Christ, this wall of separation was destroyed.
Paul, by the Holy Spirit, was uniquely entrusted with the administration (stewardship) of this mystery:
📖 “When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations…” — Ephesians 3:4–5 (ESV)
📖 *“This mystery is that the *Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” — Ephesians 3:6 (ESV)
This truth—that Gentiles (non-Jews) are co-heirs with Israel—was hidden from previous generations. Even prophets like Moses, Elijah, and David never saw its full scope.
This was not simply God allowing Gentiles into His family—it was the very center of His redemptive plan from eternity. The Jewish Messiah would die not just for Israel, but for the world (John 3:16).
📖 “…I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also…” — John 10:16 (ESV)
This is not just forgiveness—it is transformation. Through faith, Christ dwells in our hearts (Ephesians 3:17). The Holy Spirit regenerates, empowers, and sanctifies us. This was unknown to the Old Covenant saints.
📖 “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” — 1 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV)
God’s intent is that this mystery be made known to spiritual powers, not just people:
📖 “…so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” — Ephesians 3:10 (ESV)
Even angels didn’t fully understand this mystery until it unfolded.
This mystery has been revealed not for speculation, but for transformation. You now know what prophets longed to understand:
📖 “…things into which angels long to look.” — 1 Peter 1:12 (ESV)
So how should we respond?
📖 “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?” — Hebrews 2:3 (ESV)
Salvation is not just an offer—it’s a heavenly summons. Every day you live is a page written in the book of your life:
📖 “And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.” — Revelation 20:12 (ESV)
If your name is not found in the Book of Life, your destiny is eternal separation:
📖 “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” — Revelation 20:15 (ESV)
If you’ve never surrendered your life to Jesus Christ—today is the day.
📖 “Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” — 2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV)
You may be Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or from any background—the gospel is for you. The mystery has now been made known to you.
Turn from all sin—sexual immorality, drunkenness, hate, pride, gossip, pornography, etc.
📖 “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.” — Acts 3:19 (ESV)
Place your full trust in Jesus Christ—the Son of God who died and rose again.
📖 “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” — Acts 16:31 (ESV)
As the early church practiced, be baptized by full immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.
📖 “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…” — Acts 2:38 (ESV)
You will receive power to live a holy life. This is not behavior modification—it’s heart transformation.
📖 “…you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” — Acts 2:38 (ESV)
If you’ve walked away, know that Satan desires to see you perish. Don’t let his plan succeed. The lake of fire was prepared for him—not you.
Resist him. Return to your Father. There is grace waiting for you.
This is the mystery of God:
That through the cross, Christ would make both Jew and Gentile one, bringing us near by His blood and dwelling within us by His Spirit. (Ephesians 2:11–22)
Do not delay. Eternity is closer than we think.
Grace and peace to you. May the Lord bless you and give you strength to respond to His voice today.
In the blessed name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ—welcome. Today, by the grace of God, we’ll explore an urgent and crucial message from Scripture: how to escape the spiritual lukewarmness that characterizes this present age.
In Revelation chapters 2 and 3, Jesus gives personal messages to seven historical churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). While these churches were real congregations, they also symbolize seven distinct periods or “ages” of church history—a view held by many conservative theologians and prophetic scholars.
These churches include:
Many Bible scholars interpret that we are currently in the Laodicean era—the final phase of the Church before the return of Christ (also known as the Rapture).
Let’s read Christ’s rebuke to Laodicea from Revelation 3:14–22 (ESV):
“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.’”
Jesus introduces Himself with divine titles:
His words carry absolute authority.
Jesus says, “Because you are lukewarm… I will spit you out of my mouth” (Rev 3:16). This metaphor comes from Laodicea’s geography: its water supply, piped in from hot springs and cold streams, arrived lukewarm—useless and nauseating.
Spiritual lukewarmness means half-heartedness—people who:
God prefers hot (zealous faith) or cold (honest unbelief) to spiritual pretense.
“For you say, I am rich… not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” (Rev 3:17)
The Laodicean church mistakes material prosperity for spiritual success, a trap many fall into today. Theologically, this is a denial of the doctrine of total depravity—we often think too highly of ourselves and forget that righteousness comes only through Christ (Romans 3:10–18).
Jesus offers true riches:
“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline” (Rev 3:19)
Discipline from God is not rejection but an expression of His love (see Hebrews 12:6–11). Christ’s rebuke to Laodicea is a call to repentance—to turn away from sin and lukewarmness and back to wholehearted devotion.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock…” (Rev 3:20)
This verse is not just an evangelistic appeal, but a call to a straying church—Jesus wants fellowship with His people. The table fellowship reflects intimacy and restoration (cf. John 14:23, Luke 24:30–31).
Ephesians 6:11–12 (ESV) teaches:
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness…”
There are hierarchies in the demonic realm, and the spirit behind Laodicean lukewarmness is not weak. It is a high-ranking, deceptive spirit, empowered by Satan to seduce entire generations.
2 Corinthians 11:14–15 (ESV) says:
“Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness…”
This spirit of lukewarmness tells people:
The only way to overcome this spiritual deception is through:
Acts 3:19 (ESV): “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”
Romans 8:13–14 (ESV): “If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
John 14:15 (ESV): “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith…”
Wearing the mask of Christianity while living in unrepentant sin is dangerous. Jesus said in Matthew 23:25–26 (ESV):
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup… but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.”
To those who live this double life, Jesus says:
“I will spit you out of my mouth.”
If you see signs of lukewarmness in your life:
When we speak of Abraham, we call him the Father of Faith. Because of what kind of faith he had in his God, even though he had to wait many years for the son God had promised. Even though age had advanced for both him and his wife, and it seemed impossible he did not give up hope. He continued to believe and waited patiently until God fulfilled His promise. And then, in his old age, God tested him again: He asked Abraham to offer that very son as a sacrifice. Yet Abraham did not waver he obeyed. This courageous obedience moved God.
But was that alone enough for God to make Abraham the Father of Faith the example for all believers, including you and me? No. There is something deeper we must understand, which I want to speak about today.
When you read the book of Hebrews, you’ll see another dimension of Abraham’s faith. For example:
Hebrews 11:8 – “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” Hebrews 11:9–10 – “By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”
If you look closely at those verses, you’ll see that Abraham had his eyes fixed on something more than just what God had promised him physically. And that is why, through his life, he was undisturbed by delays (like waiting for a child) or by extreme tests (like being asked to offer his son). He was living with a longer‑term vision.
Look again at verse 9: “By faith he made his home … like a stranger in a foreign land.” He didn’t cling to the earthly promise as though it were his ultimate home.
Remember: God had called Abraham from the land of Ur of the Chaldeans and brought him into Canaan the place God promised him: a land of blessing, a nation strong, descendants numerous, riches, power. Imagine: God tells you, “Through you nations will be blessed, you will be a mighty offspring… you will possess the gates of your enemies…” You could feel special, privileged, maybe even entitled. You could easily live as though the promise was all about you, your fame, your comfort.
But Abraham didn’t. He had a different focus. He didn’t place his hope on the physical blessings alone on having many children, great wealth, or a grand empire. He pondered quietly: “If God could make me a great nation, if the land is mine, then why the delay? What lies behind all this promise?” He realised his life was a picture of something yet to come beyond this world. He understood that his life was a lesson, a voice of God speaking about things to come, the things behind the curtain.
That’s why even after having the material blessings Abraham lived in the very land that was his by promise, but as someone passing through. The Scriptures say he lived in tents with his wife Sarah, as if this land were not his permanent home. A wealthy man, yet he didn’t build palaces. What does this tell us? It shows that he lived as a pilgrim on this earth.
Was he unimportant in God’s eyes? Not at all. But his focus was not the temporal. He was looking ahead. He looked for “the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10). He didn’t build it himself. He lived in the promise, but he looked beyond the promise.
That city is none other than the New Jerusalem — the heavenly city, the Bride of Christ.
And it is this mindset, this vision, that made God pleased with Abraham and made him a model for everyone who is to come.
Dear friend, maybe you’ve been waiting for God to fulfill a promise a child, a home, provision, healing. Perhaps you already have it. But are you convinced that this is all God intends for you?
Don’t mistake earthly fulfilment for the fullness of God’s will. Yes, God keeps His word. But unless you have the understanding Abraham had, you risk missing the greatest inheritance. As Jesus said:
Matthew 8:11–12 – “I say to you that many will come from the east and the west and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
You see? Not everyone who calls themselves a believer will sit with Abraham. Not everyone will enter the heavenly city. Only those who live with that higher vision.
The New Jerusalem is the Bride of Christ the redeemed, purified, perfected ones. Not everyone who claims the name “Christian” qualifies. Just as not all Israelites were true Israel, not all believers will be part of the Bride. There is a distinction between outward profession and inward transformation, between the visible fellowship and the genuine pilgrimage.
Those who will inhabit the city are described this way in Scripture:
Hebrews 12:14 – “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Isaiah 35:8 – “And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.”
If you sense that something’s missing in your life, there is still time. The city is being prepared, the door remains open — but not forever. Let not the treasures of this world, or the distraction of earthly gain, keep you from the greater journey.
Revelation 21:1–4 – “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. … I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. … Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people. … He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
The foundations of that city are not built on wealth, fame, or earthly success. They are built on apostles and prophets — God’s Word. The materials reflect holiness, calling, purity. Precious stones. Pure gold. Light from God. Nothing unclean will enter.
So, I ask you: Are you part of that Holy City? Is your life aligned with the Bride of Christ? If He returned today, are you completely ready to go with Him? Are you living with a heavenly perspective, or just earthly comfort?
Have you been washed, born anew, baptized (fully immersed) in the Name of Jesus Christ? And if you have — does your life reflect holiness? Because Scripture warns:
Without holiness no one will see the Lord.
If you find that something is lacking — this is your moment. While there is time — while the door of grace remains open — pursue the higher calling. Let your waiting not be for the land only, but for the city whose builder and maker is God Himself.
Isaiah 35:8 (again) — “And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness…”
My prayer for you: That you will repent today, that you will be washed clean, clothed in Christ, and empowered to live in holiness and purity.
May you be richly blessed.
Matthew 12:20“A bruised reed He will not break,And a smoldering wick He will not snuff out,Till He has brought justice through to victory.21 In His name the nations will put their hope.”
As I reflect on this verse, I am reminded of an experience I had some time ago. It was a lesson on resilience and God’s faithfulness. I remember when we planted banana trees. Every morning and evening, I would water them, and over time, they grew strong enough to bear fruit. But one night, an unusually strong wind blew, and when we woke up the next morning, we found that many of the trees had fallen. The ones that had started to bear fruit were the hardest hit. The weight of the bananas was too much for them to bear, and the wind caused them to collapse. Only the trees that hadn’t borne fruit yet stood tall. This wasn’t just our trees—our neighbors’ trees had fallen too.
In desperation, we tried to lift the fallen trees and support them with wooden stakes. But many of them had been damaged so badly that even with support, they couldn’t stand. No matter how many stakes we used, some trees still wouldn’t stand firm. We couldn’t cut them down because the bananas were still young and precious to us. So we worked tirelessly to prop them up, trying different methods to keep them from wilting before the fruit ripened.
We encountered many difficulties. One day, we’d set them up a certain way, and the next, we’d find them fallen again. But, despite their fragile state, we still managed to harvest some fully ripened bananas without significant issues.
Now, as I think about this experience, I ask myself: If we didn’t give up on the banana trees, even when they seemed hopeless, how much more will God not give up on us?
The words spoken about Jesus in Matthew 12:20 have profound theological significance:
“A bruised reed He will not break,And a smoldering wick He will not snuff out.”
The Bruised Reed:A bruised reed represents something that has been damaged, broken, or weakened, perhaps to the point where it seems beyond repair. In the context of Jesus’ ministry, the “bruised reed” can symbolize those who are spiritually broken, wounded, or suffering. The reed, which is fragile by nature, doesn’t have the strength to stand upright without help. Similarly, people who are bruised in spirit—those who feel weak and defeated—are not abandoned by God. Rather than being discarded or destroyed, they are cared for and restored by Jesus.
Isaiah 42:3 also references this concept:“A bruised reed He will not break, and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.”This verse is a prophecy about the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. The reference to the bruised reed underscores God’s mercy, compassion, and gentleness toward those who are struggling. Even when we feel our faith is weak or our lives are in ruins, God does not reject us. Instead, He nurtures and strengthens us, offering us hope and healing.
The Smoldering Wick:The smoldering wick, which is about to go out, is another image of something that seems to have lost its light or purpose. It represents individuals who are spiritually exhausted, burned out, or about to give up on life. Jesus, however, doesn’t extinguish this dying light; instead, He tends to it with patience, gently reviving the flame.
Isaiah 61:1 further illuminates this idea:“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.”
Jesus, through His ministry, fulfills this prophecy by offering healing, freedom, and renewal to those who feel defeated or lost. Just like a smoldering wick, we are not beyond hope—Jesus can reignite our faith and restore us to wholeness.
God’s Unfailing Care:Theologically, the message of Matthew 12:20 emphasizes the unbreakable compassion of Jesus. In contrast to human tendencies to discard things that seem useless or beyond repair, Jesus sees potential in the broken and hurting. No matter how much we may feel like failures or how far we’ve strayed, God’s grace and mercy are always available. Romans 5:8 reminds us of God’s great love:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”Even when we were far from Him, lost in our sin and despair, Jesus did not give up on us.
It’s easy to feel like we are like the bruised reed or the smoldering wick—broken, worn out, and on the verge of giving up. Many people, perhaps even you, may feel like there is no hope left. Whether you’ve strayed from God, struggled with addictions, or been trapped in despair, there is still hope. Jesus doesn’t give up on you, and He will not cast you aside.
Consider Isaiah 61:1, which prophesies the Messiah’s mission to heal and restore the broken. Jesus is the fulfillment of that prophecy. He came to bind up the brokenhearted and offer freedom to those in bondage, no matter what that bondage might look like.
If you feel spiritually weary, physically burdened, or emotionally spent, know that Jesus is there to lift you up, to heal you, and to restore your joy. Matthew 11:28-30 speaks of this invitation:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
Even when the world tries to discourage you, and you feel as though you’ve fallen too far to be restored, remember that Jesus is always there to help you get back up, to strengthen you, and to bring you hope once again. He is the one who will never give up on you. His mercy endures forever.
If we didn’t give up on those banana trees, how much more will God not give up on us? Whether you feel like a bruised reed or a smoldering wick, Jesus will not break you or snuff out your hope. His love and grace are steadfast, and He will bring justice and healing to your life. Come to Him, and He will restore you.
Lack of self-control is the inability to restrain yourself from doing something that shouldn’t be done at that moment. For example, when someone is drunk, they might end up urinating on themselves right there, or their mouth starts saying nonsense, maybe insulting others or acting crazy. That’s a clear sign of losing self-control things they wouldn’t do if they were sober and in their right mind.
The Bible tells us that one of the major signs showing we are living in the last days is the rise of many people who cannot control themselves. This lack of self-control isn’t about basic bodily functions like going to the bathroom; it’s about openly committing evil in front of others without restraint. This passage doesn’t refer to good people but to the wicked ones to distinguish the evil of the past from the evil of the last days. Remember, the wicked of old still had some measure of self-control, but according to the Bible, the wicked of the last days won’t have any at all.
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”
In the past, prostitutes hid themselves. They worked secretly, dressing provocatively only at night in their specific areas. Outside that, you wouldn’t find them roaming the streets openly exposing themselves. It never happened that they walked boldly around in broad daylight showing themselves. But now, prostitutes can no longer restrain themselves. They’ve lost the ability to control their desires. The fear of people seeing or judging them is gone. They freely take nude photos and make inappropriate videos — which they boldly post on social media for everyone to see. Even worse, many are well-known people who want their filth to reach as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. These are clear signs of the last days.
It’s not that such things never happened before the Bible says there’s nothing new under the sun. But why does it seem like evil has increased today? The truth is that evil itself hasn’t necessarily increased in quantity, but what’s changed is that people today have lost what we call self-control. The spirit of not caring has taken over “live your life,” “mind your own business.” This spirit rules their hearts. That’s why it’s not surprising to see people making videos with animals or other shocking acts it no longer embarrasses them to expose their shame. It’s very sad!
Public cursing was unheard of in the past, but now profanity is everywhere on the streets, in secular music, on social media. Adults and children alike say things you wouldn’t believe could come out of their mouths.
Homosexuals and transgender people openly declare themselves without fear, even though they know the laws forbid such acts and the punishment is severe. They don’t care anymore if they don’t fear the government, how much less the God they don’t see? This is lack of self-control.
Even traditional witch doctors and sorcerers who seek wealth through magic now operate openly. In the past, they hid, but today some go as far as cutting body parts from innocent people (like albinos or young girls) just to get money.
The Bible also tells us that in the last days, people will be brutal and not lovers of good. Sin becomes so powerful that it can’t be hidden it manifests openly without shame or restraint.
Another sign mentioned is “slanderers.” This means spreading harmful rumors or gossip the desire to dig into others’ lives out of curiosity and talk about their faults in a way that displeases God.
These things existed before but not so openly. Today, many cannot control themselves. They can’t mind their own business but spend their time speaking ill of others. When you see this wave growing, know that we live in the end times.
My friend, as the scripture says, “In the last days there will be very difficult times.” Those difficult times are right now. If you can’t control yourself and think everything is okay, be careful! In the past, you might have felt ashamed to wear revealing clothes in public, but now you think it’s no big deal. That means the spirit of indifference has taken hold of you.
If cursing used to bother you but now it’s part of your everyday speech, know that the spirit of not caring controls you. Like the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, who couldn’t restrain themselves even wanting to assault the angels sent by God to protect them. What happened next? Before their destruction, they were struck with blindness a blindness that was eternal. The same is coming for those without self-control today. Spiritual blindness that leads to eternal destruction. Once it happens, repentance is impossible. No matter how much they hear the gospel, grace no longer reaches them.
In the past, you might have felt guilty taking bribes or cheating, but now it feels normal. You used to fear even approaching witch doctors, but now their numbers and those of fortune tellers fill your phone. You are in great danger.
You no longer restrain your body you walk half-naked in public, post indecent pictures online, and no longer fear God like before. You become a cause for others to sin by the things you post or wear. Sister, you are in great danger. Your judgment will be harsher than others. On that day, you will suffer severely if you do not repent, because you knew the truth but deliberately continued in sin. Hell is real don’t let anyone fool you otherwise.
Knowing all this, it is our duty to return to our Creator before the great destruction that will come upon the world catches us unprepared. Repent of your sins now and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins.
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit of God warns this generation: Be careful.
God bless you.
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1, NIV) “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11–13, NIV)
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1, NIV)
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11–13, NIV)
Shalom! Child of God, welcome. Let’s explore the Scriptures together. I trust that today you will learn a fresh insight that will deepen your prayer life.
Imagine this scene: Two twin children sneak out with their rich father and each asks for something extraordinary. The first says, “Dad, I saw a really nice pair of trousers in the store please buy them for me.” The other says, “Dad, I saw a large airplane flying overhead. Please buy one for me so I can fly it myself.”
Which request do you think will get answered quicker?
Clearly, the one who asked for trousers might have his request fulfilled immediately maybe even that same day. But the second child, though he asked at the same time and was heard at the same time (both were promised by the father), might wait years. Why? Because what he asked for carries greater responsibility and requires preparation.
Even though the father has the means to buy the plane right away, he knows his child isn’t ready: no knowledge of flight, no prior training, no small-plane experience. He must first send him to school, have him study science and geography, train him with smaller aircraft, and maybe twenty years later he can receive his own plane. During that time, what the father focuses on is equipping the child good teachers, books, courses so that the child can meet the goal.
Likewise, our Lord Jesus told us to always pray and not lose heart. It doesn’t mean God is ignoring us or taking pleasure in seeing us struggle. No it means He has heard us and is preparing a testimony greater than we could imagine.
You might have been praying for a long time for healing, or restoration, or a breakthrough, and nothing seems to happen. Meanwhile you see others with seemingly bigger problems receiving instant answers and you wonder, “What did I do wrong?”
You did nothing wrong. You were heard the moment you prayed. But the weight of what you prayed for is greater. It needs more preparation and maturity. So don’t lose heart.
Consider the story of Lazarus. He was very sick, perhaps with a long‑term illness. He was a close friend of Jesus. Yet despite seeing many healings around him, his own condition worsened to the point he couldn’t even leave his bed. His sisters sent for Jesus: come quickly and heal him. But Jesus stayed two more days. When He finally arrived, Lazarus had died. Then Jesus resurrected him (John 11). The question is: Why the delay?
The answer: the timing was part of the plan. The miracle that followed wasn’t simply to heal someone it was to reveal the glory of God and turn many to faith. The delay didn’t mean God didn’t care. It meant something far greater was being prepared.
So when Jesus says we should always pray and not give up, He is not saying we are ignored. He is saying: “I’ve heard you. I’m making something great out of this.” And the key to it is this:
The one thing the Lord desires us to ask for without giving up is the Holy Spirit.
It’s not ignorance to pray for health, provision, or success these are legitimate. But there is one request that surpasses them all. One that when fulfilled is like the child asking for the airplane instead of just the trousers. It’s the receiving of the Holy Spirit the One who equips us, empowers us, transforms us.
Jesus taught:
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9, NIV) … “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13, NIV)
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9, NIV)
…
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13, NIV)
Notice that Jesus didn’t say “I’ll give you wealth” or “I’ll give you health” — He said our Heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. That shows us how vital this gift is.
Why does this matter?
Receiving the Spirit is not simply speaking in tongues or a one‑time event (though it may include those). It means asking, receiving, and continuing to live under His empowerment. It means growing in the Spirit, allowing Him to shape you, equip you, prepare you for the mission God has for you, just like John the Baptist, Jesus Himself, and the apostles all experienced.
So, let’s not give up. Keep asking God. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. Even if you don’t see the answer right away, know this: God has heard you. He is preparing you. He is aligning everything for the right moment.
Ask for the Holy Spirit. Persist in that prayer. Hold on. The request you carry may be heavier and far more glorious than you realise but that means it’s worth waiting for.
“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:17‑18, NIV)
May you be blessed richly, and may you be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit.
Shalom.