Title July 2019

The Blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah

1. Jesus’ Rebuke to the Religious Elite

Matthew 23:35 (NKJV):
“That on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.”

In this verse, Jesus issues one of His strongest warnings to the scribes and Pharisees. By referencing Abel and Zechariah, He encapsulates the entire Old Testament history of violence against God’s messengers—from Genesis (Abel) to Chronicles (Zechariah), which was the last book in the Jewish Hebrew Bible at the time.

These men represent not only individual martyrs but also a pattern of systemic rejection of truth—a warning to every generation.

2. Abel: The First Martyr and the Voice of Innocent Blood

Genesis 4:8 (NKJV):
“Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and… Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.”

Hebrews 11:4 (NKJV):
“By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain… and through it he being dead still speaks.”

Abel’s blood cried out for justice (Genesis 4:10). Though he was the first martyr, his voice still symbolically speaks for all the righteous who suffer unjustly. Theologically, Abel’s death is the prototype of innocent bloodshed, and a foreshadow of Christ’s own death.

3. Zechariah son of Berechiah: Identity Clarification

While Jesus refers to “Zechariah son of Berechiah,” biblical scholars largely agree He was referring to Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest, recorded in:

2 Chronicles 24:20–21 (NKJV):
“Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest… So they conspired against him, and at the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the Lord.”

Why the different name?
In Jewish tradition, genealogical references often skip generations. “Son of Berechiah” could be an alternate family name or even refer to a grandfather or ancestor. What matters theologically is the act—Zechariah, a righteous priest, was murdered in the sanctuary, desecrating the very heart of Israel’s worship.

4. The Weight of National Guilt

Matthew 23:31–32 (NKJV):
“Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt.”

Jesus identifies a generational pattern of rejecting God’s prophets. This isn’t merely historical—it reflects spiritual hardness that transcends time. Jesus declares that the blood of the martyrs will come upon that generation—fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.

5. The Cry for Justice in Heaven

Revelation 6:9–10 (NKJV):
“…I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God… and they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge…?’”

These martyrs are not forgotten. In God’s justice system, blood has a voice. The altar in heaven is a direct theological parallel to the altar in the temple—the very place where Zechariah was slain.

6. Divine Vengeance and Theological Justice

Revelation 16:5–6 (NKJV):
“You are righteous, O Lord… For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. For it is their just due.”

The Bible teaches that God is just (Deuteronomy 32:4) and will avenge the righteous (Romans 12:19). When human courts fail, divine justice remains. God’s judgment is not vengeful in human terms; it is a response to unrepentant sin.

7. The Gospel Response: Jesus’ Blood Speaks Better Things

Hebrews 12:24 (NKJV):
“…to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.”

While Abel’s blood calls for justice, Jesus’ blood calls for mercy. The cross is the ultimate answer to the cries of righteous blood—it is God’s offer of forgiveness to even those who killed His prophets.

8. A Call to Repentance and Spiritual Awakening

Hebrews 2:3 (NKJV):
“How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation…?”

Today, many still reject God’s messengers, though not by stoning—but by indifference, false doctrine, or institutional compromise. Refusing salvation through Christ aligns one with those who resisted God in ages past.

Salvation demands that we:

  • Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31)
  • Repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38)
  • Walk in holiness and love (Romans 12:1–2)

Conclusion: Whose Blood Will Cover You?

All through Scripture, two types of blood cry out:

  1. The blood of the innocent, calling for justice.
  2. The blood of Jesus, offering mercy and redemption.

To escape divine judgment, one must be covered by the blood of Christ—the only blood that reconciles us to God (Colossians 1:20).

Psalm 23:4 (NKJV):
“…Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Let His shepherding rod lead you into truth—and away from judgment.

May the Lord bless you, give you discernment, and draw you fully into the covering of the blood that saves.

Print this post

WHEN A TREE FALLS, IT STAYS WHERE IT LANDS

Ecclesiastes 11:3b (NKJV)
“…If a tree falls to the south or the north, in the place where it falls, there it will lie.” 

The Bible uses the image of a tree to represent the finality of our lives. When a tree falls—whether because it’s old or because someone cuts it down—it doesn’t get to decide where it lands. The direction it falls depends on how it’s been growing all along. Even a tree that appears straight may have been leaning slightly in one direction, and you only discover that lean when it falls. Once it’s down, it stays there. A fallen tree cannot get up or move. It’s final.

This is a powerful picture of our lives. If the return of Jesus (the Rapture) doesn’t happen in our lifetime, then each of us will face physical death

 (Hebrews 9:27:

“It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”).

And just like the tree, the way we lived determines where we end up for eternity. There’s no chance to change sides after death.

Many people believe they can live however they want and turn to God at the last minute. But that’s a dangerous mindset. The way you’re living now reveals the direction you’re spiritually leaning—either toward God or away from Him. And when your time on earth ends, you will “fall” in that direction.

If changing direction at the last moment were easy or guaranteed, God wouldn’t have called people to follow Him from childhood

 (Proverbs 22:6: “

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”).

He wouldn’t have sent prophets, apostles, or even His Son to call people to repentance. He would have simply waited until people were dying. But that’s not how salvation works. Salvation is not a momentary decision at the point of death—it is a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ, one that shapes every day of our lives

(Luke 9:23:

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”).

Just as a tree lies where it falls, your eternal destiny is sealed at death—whether it’s toward eternal life or eternal separation from God. Jesus taught this clearly in Luke 16:19–31 through the story of the rich man and Lazarus. After death, each man went to a fixed place—one to comfort, the other to torment—with a great chasm between them that no one could cross. No second chances. No middle ground.

That’s why it’s vital to examine your life now. Which direction are you leaning? Toward God—or away from Him? The Bible tells us to “examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). If your life were to end today, would you fall into the hands of a loving Savior—or into eternal separation from God?

If you haven’t surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, the opportunity is still available now. The Bible says, “

2 Corinthians 6:2

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” 

You can turn to Jesus today. Repent of your sins (Acts 3:19), believe in Him as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9–10), and receive His forgiveness.

Then, follow through in obedience by being baptized—just as the early church did—in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38). And God promises to fill you with the Holy Spirit, who will guide, comfort, and strengthen you every day of your life (John 14:26, Romans 8:14).

God is offering you life today. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Be blessed.

For prayers, counseling, or worship service schedules, please contact:
📞 +225693036618 / +225789001312

 

Print this post

IS BETTING/GAMBLING A SIN?

To determine whether betting is a sin, we must first understand God’s will. You cannot identify what displeases God unless you first know what pleases Him.

When God created human beings and all living creatures—including animals—He placed within us something called conscience. This conscience acts as an internal guide, helping us distinguish between right and wrong. It exists in all living beings (both humans and animals) and carries God’s moral laws within it.

The Role of Conscience in Morality

Even without God directly speaking to us about what is right or wrong, our conscience has the ability to recognize when something is not right.

For example, a lion may hunt and kill an antelope, but that same lion will never eat its own cub. Why? Because the conscience within it tells the lion that such an action is wrong. The lion has not been given a written law from God, yet it follows an internal moral law.

Similarly, you will never see a male dog mating with another male dog. Why? Because the conscience inside animals naturally guides them away from such behavior, even though they have physical urges.

Humans are the same way. We also have an inbuilt conscience that carries God’s moral laws. A person may have no knowledge of the Bible or any religious teachings, yet they will still recognize that certain actions—such as killing, mistreating children, or stealing—are wrong.

The conscience does not require written laws to distinguish right from wrong. That is why even animals, despite their instincts, still follow certain moral boundaries.

For example:

  • A person instinctively knows that abortion is wrong because they understand deep inside that it is taking a life.

  • A person who takes drugs knows that they are harming themselves.

  • Someone who engages in masturbation or pornography feels guilt deep inside, even though they may not find a specific Bible verse explicitly calling it a sin.

  • A person involved in gambling or betting often feels hesitant before starting, sensing that something is not right.

Betting and Gambling—A Deceptive Trap

Betting is a form of gambling, which is legalized in many countries but remains morally questionable.

Most people who start betting feel an inner resistance at first. They experience unease, hesitation, and doubt about whether the practice is right. They may even ask others if it is acceptable. These signs should not be ignored. They indicate that their conscience is warning them against something harmful.

Once a person silences that inner voice and proceeds with betting, they eventually lose that initial discomfort and start seeing gambling as “normal.” However, this is a dangerous deception.

The Dark Side of Betting

Many global betting companies operate under hidden, sinister agendas. These organizations, often run by secret societies such as Freemasons and other occult groups, use gambling profits to:

  • Fund LGBTQ+ campaigns to promote sexual immorality.

  • Support abortion rights and the killing of unborn children.

  • Finance terrorism and criminal activities to create global instability.

Satan uses betting and gambling as a tool to trap people into financial ruin while enriching his kingdom. The Bible warns against the love of money and the desire for quick riches, as these are common tricks the devil uses to lure people into destruction.

Biblical Warnings Against the Love of Money

1 Timothy 6:9-10 (NIV)

“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Betting makes people obsessed with easy money, and this leads them into spiritual bondage. Many gamblers find themselves:

  • Addicted to gambling, always returning even after multiple losses.

  • Struggling financially due to money lost in bets.

  • Controlled by unseen spiritual forces that keep them in financial and moral ruin.

God’s Plan for Gaining Wealth

God does not want His people to seek quick, easy money through gambling. Instead, He teaches that wealth should be earned gradually, through honest work.

Proverbs 13:11 (NIV)

“Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.”

The Biblical principle is to work diligently and build wealth over time. Any method that promises instant riches, such as gambling or betting, is a trap of the devil.

Conclusion: Should Christians Bet?

The answer is NO. Betting is a deceptive scheme designed to enslave people financially and spiritually. It is controlled by satanic forces that use gambling profits to promote evil. Even if the Bible does not explicitly mention betting, the conscience within us warns that it is not right.

If you are involved in betting, the Bible calls you to repent and turn away from it. Instead of seeking quick money, trust in God’s provision and follow His principles for financial success.

2 Corinthians 6:17 (NIV)

“Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.’”

God bless you!

Print this post

The Rod of Aaron – A Symbol of God’s Authority

1. Introduction

The story of Aaron’s rod is more than an Old Testament miracle—it’s a powerful prophetic image of God’s authority, His chosen leadership, and ultimately, of Christ’s high priesthood and shepherding over His people. Understanding this symbol reveals God’s ways of affirming His servants and reminding us that true authority comes from Him alone.

2. Aaron and Moses: Chosen for Divine Purpose

Aaron was Moses’ older brother by three years (Exodus 7:7). Both were born to Amram and Jochebed of the tribe of Levi. Though Aaron was the elder, God chose Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt. Because Moses was “slow of speech,” God appointed Aaron as his spokesperson.

“So the Lord said to Moses: ‘See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet.’”
—Exodus 7:1 (NKJV)

Aaron, along with their sister Miriam (Exodus 15:20), played a critical role in the Exodus. Later, God chose Aaron and his descendants to serve as priests, initiating the Levitical priesthood (Exodus 28:1). This was a covenantal appointment—an office of mediation between God and Israel.

3. The Staff Transferred: From Moses to Aaron

Moses’ staff, once used to shepherd sheep, became a divine instrument during the plagues of Egypt and the Red Sea crossing (Exodus 4:2–4; 14:16). But as Moses resisted God’s call to speak, God shifted the role of performing signs to Aaron.

“And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.”
—Exodus 4:17 (NKJV)

Aaron’s rod was used before Pharaoh to demonstrate God’s power—it turned into a serpent, consumed the magicians’ rods, and triggered several plagues (Exodus 7:10–20).

4. The Role of the Rod: Authority and Judgment

In biblical imagery, a rod (Heb. matteh) signifies authority, discipline, and protection (Psalm 23:4, Proverbs 13:24). For shepherds, it guided sheep and struck predators. Spiritually, God’s rod represented His sovereign power. For Aaron, the rod symbolized the delegated authority to lead and mediate.

5. The Rebellion: God Confirms His Chosen

In Numbers 16, Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and others rebelled against Moses and Aaron, claiming all Israelites were equally holy. They questioned why Moses and Aaron held leadership over the community. God’s response was swift—He judged the rebels by causing the earth to swallow them.

Yet, the murmuring continued.

To silence future rebellion, God instructed Moses to gather twelve staffs—one from each tribal leader—and place them in the Tabernacle.

“And it shall be that the rod of the man whom I choose will blossom; thus I will rid Myself of the complaints of the children of Israel, which they make against you.”
—Numbers 17:5 (NKJV)

6. The Miracle: Aaron’s Rod Buds, Blossoms, and Bears Fruit

The next day, only Aaron’s rod had supernaturally budded, blossomed, and produced ripe almonds.

“Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron… had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds.”
—Numbers 17:8 (NKJV)

This miracle served as undeniable proof that Aaron was God’s chosen priest. It also showed that spiritual fruitfulness comes from God’s calling, not human ambition.

Theological Symbolism:

  • Budding: A symbol of resurrection and new life.
  • Blossoming: Beauty and divine approval.
  • Fruit-bearing: Authority that produces results—spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22–23).
  • Almond tree (shaqed in Hebrew): Rooted in the word for “watchful” or “alert” (Jeremiah 1:11–12), symbolizing God’s vigilance in fulfilling His word.

7. The Rod Without Roots: A Miracle of God’s Power

The almond tree takes years to mature and fruit—sometimes over a decade—and requires deep roots. Yet Aaron’s dead, rootless staff bore fruit overnight.

This was a sign that:

  • God is not limited by natural time or process.
  • Divine authority does not depend on human development or tradition.
  • God can cause instant spiritual fruitfulness when He chooses.

This points forward to how Christ would rise from the dead and be declared the Son of God with power (Romans 1:4).

8. The Rod and Christ: Fulfillment in the New Covenant

Aaron’s rod prefigures Jesus Christ, our eternal High Priest (Hebrews 4:14–16). Just as Aaron’s rod was chosen among many, Christ was chosen above all to mediate between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).

“You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
—Hebrews 7:17 (NKJV)

Christ now holds “the rod of iron” to rule the nations (Revelation 19:15) and shepherd His people with love and authority (John 10:11). His rod does not bring condemnation to His sheep but comfort and protection.

“Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
—Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)

9. Becoming Part of His Flock

To come under the shepherding care of Christ, you must become His sheep. The New Testament pattern includes:

  • Faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16)
  • Repentance from sin (Acts 2:38)
  • Baptism in Jesus’ name (Acts 2:38; 8:16)
  • Receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4; 10:44–48)

When you take these steps, you become part of His flock—under His divine rod and staff, and a recipient of His provision, protection, and purpose.

10. Conclusion: His Rod Still Works Today

Other “rods” (human authority, self-help, religion without power) cannot produce life or protect in times of crisis. Only the Rod of Jesus Christ has divine power to:

  • Heal instantly,
  • Provide supernaturally,
  • Defend spiritually,
  • Guide perfectly.

Let us choose today to trust in the Shepherd who laid down His life for us and now reigns as our High Priest and King.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
—Psalm 23:1 (NKJV)

May you walk under the Shepherd’s Rod and know the peace, power, and provision that comes from being truly led by Christ.

Be blessed.

 

Print this post

It Is Hard to Kick Against the Goad” — Understanding God’s Purpose and Our Resistance

Introduction

Many of us desire to walk in God’s purpose, but what happens when we resist it—intentionally or unintentionally? In the calling of the Apostle Paul, we find a powerful metaphor that reveals the pain and futility of fighting against God’s will.

“We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied.”
— Acts 26:14-15 (NIV)

Let’s explore what this phrase means and how it applies to us today.

1. Paul Was Not Spiritually Ignorant

Before his conversion, Saul (later Paul) was a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5), zealous for the Law and fiercely opposed to the early church. Yet, Paul wasn’t ignorant of who Jesus was. He lived during Jesus’ time, heard the gospel from Christians, and witnessed Stephen’s death—one of the first powerful gospel sermons.

“And Saul approved of their killing him.” — Acts 8:1a (NIV)
“When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him… But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” — Acts 7:54-55 (NIV)

The phrase “they were cut to the heart” (Acts 7:54) suggests conviction—proof that they recognized the truth but rejected it out of pride and anger. Saul was deeply impacted by this event, even if he didn’t admit it.

2. What Does “Kick Against the Goads” Mean?

A goad was a long, sharp stick used by farmers to prod oxen into movement. If an ox kicked against the goad, it would only hurt itself more. Jesus uses this image to show Paul that resisting divine truth causes self-inflicted harm.

Theological Insight:

The goad represents God’s persistent attempts to guide and correct us—through His Spirit, His Word, and sometimes through suffering. Paul had been resisting these prompts.

“Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle.” — Psalm 32:9 (NIV)

Just like stubborn animals need painful tools to obey, humans who resist God often experience unnecessary suffering.

3. Resisting God Is Dangerous

Paul’s journey mirrors that of Balaam (Numbers 22). Though God told Balaam not to go and curse Israel, he insisted. On the road, an angel prepared to kill him, but his donkey—enabled by God—saved his life.

“The angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path… with a drawn sword in his hand… The Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?’” — Numbers 22:23-28 (NIV)

Lesson:

Like Paul, Balaam’s story is a warning: continued rebellion against God leads to destruction—unless grace intervenes.

4. Two Responses to God’s Conviction

There are always two responses when God convicts the heart:

A. Softened Hearts:

At Pentecost, those who heard Peter’s message responded with repentance.

“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said… ‘What shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized…’” — Acts 2:37-38 (NIV)

B. Hardened Hearts:

But those at Stephen’s stoning responded with rage instead of repentance.

“They covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him…” — Acts 7:57 (NIV)

5. Paul’s Transformation: A Lesson in Mercy

Despite Paul’s stubbornness, God intervened. Jesus met him personally, not to destroy him, but to redeem him. Paul went from a persecutor to an apostle—the greatest missionary of the early church.

“But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience…” — 1 Timothy 1:16 (NIV)

6. Application: Are You Resisting God?

You may not be persecuting the church like Paul, but many resist God’s will in subtle ways—ignoring conviction, rejecting correction, or hindering the spread of the gospel.

“Whoever is not with me is against me…” — Matthew 12:30 (NIV)

Opposing God’s work—whether through pride, fear, jealousy, or indifference—is like kicking against the goad. You may not see the pain immediately, but over time, it takes a toll on your spiritual, emotional, and even physical life.

Conclusion: Stop Fighting—Surrender

The message is simple but urgent: Don’t fight God’s purpose. If the Holy Spirit is convicting you—through Scripture, through people, or through your circumstances—listen and obey.

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…” — Hebrews 3:15 (NIV)

Paul and Balaam were shown grace in their resistance. But we’re not guaranteed that same delay in judgment. Let’s respond now—while mercy is still available.

Final Thought

To fight against God is to harm yourself. To surrender to Him is to find true life. Don’t kick against the goad.

Stay alert. Stay humble. Stay aligned with God’s will.

God bless you.

Print this post

Archives

Search

Archives