“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.”—Mark 12:41–42 (NIV) The greatest and most precious offering before God is our lives. When we offer our lives to Him by believing in His Son Jesus Christ, renouncing the world, living according to His commands, and working for His kingdom, that becomes the highest form of offering—more pleasing than our material possessions. This offering of life comes with unmatched rewards. The greatest reward is eternal life, meaning to live forever beyond this present life. You give your 80, 90, or even 100 earthly years—and receive in return eternity, a life of endless joy with no aging, suffering, hardship, or pain. That’s why it is crucial to offer our lives to God. Because even God’s greatest offering to us was His Son’s life. Therefore, the greatest offering we can give in return is our own life. Still, another important offering is that of our possessions. When we give our wealth for the sake of God, we create a bridge for blessings even in this life. Many people ask, “How much should I give to God?” The answer is anything that is without blemish. “But when you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the Lord Almighty.—Malachi 1:8 (NIV) A blemished offering means giving something faulty or deficient. Offering such to God is disrespectful. The Creator of the stars and heavens does not deserve leftovers—He deserves the very best. An example of a blemished offering: You earn 200,000 shillings but give only 1,000 to the God who gave you breath. The rest you use for personal development. That is a blemished offering. An unblemished offering: You earn 5,000 shillings and give God 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, or even the whole 5,000. Two people might give the same amount, but one’s gift could be blemished if it doesn’t align with their income level. Now, here’s an important lesson: Don’t involve emotions in giving. Many feel pity for themselves or others when giving. But in God’s economy, there is no room for emotional excuses. If you’ve planned to give all your 5,000 shillings to God, go ahead and give it. Don’t start feeling sorry for yourself, asking, “What will I eat? What will I be left with?” If you’re driven by pity, it’s better not to give at all. In giving to God, there are no emotions—you either give or you don’t. Abraham didn’t let emotions stop him when he offered his son Isaac (Genesis 22). Though he could have refused, he obeyed, overcoming his emotions. Likewise, when Elijah met the widow of Zarephath, he told her: “But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.”—1 Kings 17:13 (NIV) He didn’t start by pitying her. The widow had two choices: to feed herself and her son or listen to God’s prophet. She chose to deny her emotions—and we know the outcome: “The jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry” (1 Kings 17:16). You might say that was the Old Testament where people were under strict laws. But what about the New Testament? Let’s read again: “Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.’”—Mark 12:41–44 (NIV) Jesus was watching this woman closely. She had only two small coins—her entire livelihood. Yet Jesus did not stop her, didn’t say, “Old woman, keep your last coins and buy food.” No, He let her give. Why? Because giving has nothing to do with emotion, nor with your current state or your future needs. Even when God gave us Jesus, He didn’t stop to feel emotional about His Son being beaten, stripped, crucified—an innocent Son. But He gave Him anyway: “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”—Romans 8:32 (NIV) So, when giving to God, do not pity yourself. If you have a heart of pity, it’s better not to give at all. Use that money for something else. But if you’ve purposed to give it to God, don’t start looking at your condition—whether you have a house, food, or clothing. Don’t assume your emotional condition touches God. If God wasn’t moved by the poor, elderly widow who had no husband and gave her last two coins, then don’t think your problems are too big for Him to ignore. You’re only deceiving yourself and blocking your own blessings. Don’t let Satan blind you by reminding you of all your needs just so you withhold your giving. If such thoughts come—reject them in Jesus’ Name! But in all this, we know that the end with God is always good. Isaac didn’t die—he was blessed. The widow in Elijah’s time didn’t starve—she was full during the drought. The New Testament widow was honored by Jesus Himself, and though Scripture doesn’t say what happened next, we can be sure she was blessed, because the Lord made her gift known publicly. That’s the power of giving to God without involving emotions. But if you listen to the devil and honor your emotions, you will get nothing—you’ll end up thinking that God is heartless and only drains people. The Lord bless you abundantly. Finally, if you’re not yet saved, what are you waiting for? Will you die in sin and go to hell? Be left behind during the rapture? Or face the great tribulation? I urge you—give your life to Christ. These are the last days. This is not the time for religious pride or denominational boasting. The very religious systems and denominations will help form the mark of the beast, when no one will be able to buy or sell unless they have it (Revelation 13:16–17). Share this message with others, and if you would like to receive these teachings by email or WhatsApp, send a message using the comment box below or call this number:📞 +255 789001312 Join our WhatsApp Channel👉 [Click here to join]
Isaiah 25:8-9“He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.9 In that day they will say, ‘Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.’” (NIV) There is a time coming when we shall see Christ face to face for the very first time—on a specific day, a certain month, and a particular year. On that day, we shall hear the trumpet of God. But this trumpet will not be heard by everyone—it is reserved for those who have been patiently waiting for Him. That day may come in the morning where you are, just as the sun is rising and birds are chirping in their nests. You might be brushing your teeth or preparing to go to church. Suddenly, you’ll begin to notice strange changes in the sky. You’ll hear a beautiful sound of a trumpet coming from a great distance. You might wonder, “What is this?” As your mind tries to make sense of it, you’ll witness something even more astonishing: countless graves will open up, and the dead will rise. You will recognize some of them, while others will be unknown to you. You might think you are seeing a vision—because you’ll be the only one witnessing these events. No one else around you will be seeing them. At that moment, the resurrected ones will begin approaching you joyfully, telling you, “This is the day we have been waiting for all these years. Finally, it has come!” And while you are still overwhelmed with joy, you’ll see a multitude of angels in the sky coming with the Lord—our Lord Jesus. Instantly, your body will be transformed into a heavenly, glorified body—radiant and shining. Without delay, you will begin to rise, leaving the earth for the very first time, ascending quickly toward Jesus, the King of kings. Then we shall all meet Him in the air as He waits with a smile full of supernatural love. Imagine the joy you will experience when you see Jesus for the very first time—His face that you have longed to behold. Then the Scripture will be fulfilled: Isaiah 25:9“In that day they will say, ‘Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.’” Now remember—while you are experiencing all this, for those remaining on the earth, it will happen in the blink of an eye. They will only notice that you are gone. They won’t hear the trumpet or see the opening of graves. Because so few will be raptured, the world will hardly notice. News will report that some people are missing, but they will expect them to be found. Life will go on as usual, as people unknowingly head into the Great Tribulation under the Antichrist. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18“According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.” As we are taken by the host of angels to the heavenly home prepared by Jesus for over 2000 years—a place of indescribable joy—those left behind will begin experiencing the Great Tribulation, such as has never occurred before. We may miss many things, but we must not miss that day of the rapture. The rapture is very near, dear one. It is shocking that some still ignore the message of salvation. Will you wait until that day comes suddenly in order to believe? Just like the sudden onset of the coronavirus shocked the world and proved how quickly things can change, so will the rapture occur—and the Tribulation begin! Repent of your sins today. Receive Jesus into your life. Be baptized in the correct way—by immersion in much water in the name of Jesus Christ, as written in: Acts 2:38“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” Then live your life as one who is waiting for Christ. So that on that day, you too will be among those who are caught up by the Lord. We don’t have much time left on this earth. The harvest is ripe, according to Scripture. At any moment, God’s judgment will begin, as we already see signs of its approach today. If you’re still waiting for more signs to believe, you risk entering the Great Tribulation. And when you finally ask about the rapture, you will be told: “The rapture happened long ago!” So repent today and be baptized. May the Lord bless you. Please share this good news with others, and if you’d like to receive these teachings through email or WhatsApp, send us a message in the comment box below or call +255 789001312. Join our channel by clicking here >> WHATSAPP
Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus. Welcome as we study the Word of God. The Bible says in James 5:16: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” This means that when we intercede for one another, an additional grace descends upon us… (God releases healing). When we plead with the Lord to have mercy on us and on others, we open a wide channel through which the one we are praying for can be healed—and we ourselves also receive healing, while a multitude of sins is covered. “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”James 5:20 (KJV) Let us reflect on the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.As many of us know, before God rained fire from heaven to destroy those cities, He first revealed His intentions to Abraham. And we know what Abraham did… Even though he knew that Sodom and Gomorrah were morally decayed, he did not accuse them before God. Instead, he sought a way to rescue them from God’s wrath. He began by asking God whether He would still destroy the righteous along with the wicked if fifty righteous people were found. And as we know, the Lord replied that if He found fifty righteous ones, He would not destroy the cities. Abraham continued to intercede, reducing the number until it reached ten. Yet God’s response remained the same: if there were ten righteous people, the cities would be spared. Genesis 18:23-3323 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?…32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.33 And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place. But we see that Abraham stopped at the number ten. Now ask yourself: what if he had gone lower, maybe to five—or even one? Perhaps those cities would still be standing today. Because within those cities, there was one righteous man—Lot. But because Abraham didn’t know this, he assumed that surely there must be at least ten righteous people. He believed that, without doubt, there would be at least a few thousand righteous. So he left God’s presence in peace, thinking he had succeeded in saving Sodom and Gomorrah through his intercession. However, he didn’t know that only one righteous man remained—his nephew Lot. Then in the morning, Abraham rose and saw thick smoke rising from the east—this deeply grieved him. Had Abraham known there was only one righteous man in the whole region, he would not have stopped pleading. He would not have ended at ten; he would have pleaded down to one person and would have spoken to God on behalf of that one righteous man—so that the entire city might be spared. A solution would have been found right there. What we learn from this is that we must pray for one another deeply, not superficially! We shouldn’t assume that things are fine with our brothers and sisters, with our community, or even with our nation. Things are not as peaceful as we think. So if we don’t engage in deep intercession—crying out for mercy and grace—destruction may come upon us and our brethren suddenly. James 5:16“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Job was a righteous man, yet he never stopped interceding for his children. In the same way, we as the Church of Christ must pray for one another—sometimes even mentioning names—so that God not only heals us but extends mercy to entire communities. May the Lord bless us and help us