Blessed be the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Welcome, beloved, as we study the Word of our God together. If you are a faithful reader of the Bible, you are familiar with the three temptations of Jesus in the wilderness. What is striking is that the devil did not tempt the Lord with witchcraft, sickness, or his own words, but rather he used the very Scriptures to tempt Him. This shows us something profound: the greatest battlefield of Satan against the believer is not necessarily in sorcery or witchdoctors, as many imagine, but in the Word of God itself. Satan exerts his power to make you misunderstand or misapply the Word, for once that happens, he has already defeated you. If our Lord Jesus had not truly known the Word of God, He could never have resisted Satan. But because He was the Word made flesh (John 1:14), the enemy could not overcome Him. Many Christians miss the mark here. They believe their greatest enemy is the witchdoctor or the sorcerer, and so they spend their prayer life fighting human agents, forgetting that the most powerful weapon Satan fears is the Word of God—the sword of the Spirit: “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”—Ephesians 6:17 If a believer does not have the Word of God dwelling richly in their heart, they are already vulnerable to deception, even if they pray passionately every day. Paul warned the Galatians: “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.”—Galatians 3:1 How Jesus Defeated Satan in the Wilderness Let us briefly look at how the Lord answered Satan, for in this lies an important lesson. “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”—Matthew 4:1–4 Notice carefully: the devil quoted Scripture when tempting Jesus. For instance, when he said, “He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone,” he was quoting Psalm 91:12. But Satan twisted the context. The Word of God, when misapplied or taken out of its rightful setting, can become dangerous—even deadly. This is why Paul instructed Timothy: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”—2 Timothy 2:15 Examples of Misusing Scripture Today Sadly, this same strategy continues today. Some misuse Scriptures meant for married couples—like 1 Peter 3:7 or 1 Corinthians 7:5—to justify sinful relationships outside marriage. This is nothing but twisting the Word, just as the devil did in the wilderness. The lesson? We must know the Word in its proper context. Otherwise, Satan will use half-truths to lead us into destruction. Learning to Rightly Divide the Word Therefore, beloved, the greatest defense of a believer is not to spend energy hunting for who is a witch in your family, but rather to diligently study the Scriptures. When you face trials, ask: What does the Bible say about this situation? Did anyone in Scripture face a similar test? How did God deliver them? Do not rely only on sermons you hear online or teachings from famous preachers. Those may help, but your foundation must be personal study of the Word. Otherwise, you will remain unstable, “tossed back and forth by every wind of teaching” (Ephesians 4:14). Remember the warning of the prophet Hosea: “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.”—Hosea 4:6 To walk in victory, you must open the Bible yourself. That is the first sign that you have truly begun the journey of knowing God. May the Lord bless you richly as you learn to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Share this teaching with others, and let the Word of God dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16).
Luke 16:16 – “ The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it.” Notice that final phrase: “and everyone is forcing their way into it.” When the Lord Jesus spoke these words, He intentionally mentioned the Old Covenant—the Law and the Prophets—before turning to the New Covenant and concluding that since John the Baptist, everyone must press in with force. Under the Old Covenant, it was relatively easy to know the Law. It didn’t require deep struggle or resistance to be familiar with the Torah. But with the arrival of the true Gospel—the message of forgiveness of sins and intimate knowledge of God—fierce opposition arose. To enter God’s kingdom now requires spiritual force, courage, and perseverance. Even during Jesus’ time, Pharisees and teachers of the Law actively opposed anyone who confessed Christ publicly. “ His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue.” (John 9:22). Being cast out of the synagogue in that era was devastating: it meant rejection by the entire Jewish community, including one’s own family, and the loss of social and economic support. Yet many still forced their way in, willing to face rejection for the sake of the Kingdom of God. The same holds true today. Entering the Kingdom of Heaven requires determination. Many religious leaders may discourage you from true salvation because their traditions conflict with the plain teaching of Scripture. Some may hold on to idol worship or deny the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Do not be swayed by them—press in with force. Jesus warned of such leaders: “ Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” (Luke 11:52). Reject Empty Traditions and Embrace True Salvation Turn away from sin, seek true repentance, and pursue proper baptism—by full immersion in water (John 3:23), in the name of Jesus Christ as commanded in Acts 2:38. The practice of sprinkling water is absent from Scripture. Press in with all your might—even if your family misunderstands, even if your friends mock you, even if the world calls you foolish. Save your soul! Separate yourself from anything or anyone that hinders your path to salvation. The Apostle Paul reminds us that each person must carry their own load (Galatians 6:5). We are living in the final days; the rapture is near. Jesus warned that just as in the days of Lot, only a few were saved out of multitudes (Luke 17:28–29). Similarly, only a faithful remnant will press through the obstacles to enter the Kingdom. Satan understands the priceless treasure of God’s Kingdom. That’s why he works to make it difficult for you—using fear, persecution, and even the pressure of friends and religious authorities—to keep you in darkness. Yet Jesus said: “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:34–39) Now Is the Time If you haven’t yet made the decision, the invitation of salvation is still open. It’s freely given, but it demands perseverance. As you press in with all your heart, the Lord Jesus will reveal Himself to you in ways you have never known. You will grow in true knowledge of God, and He will walk with you. Maranatha-Come Lord Jesus!
One of the greatest responsibilities we have as believers is to truly know Jesus Christ. Sadly, many avoid this responsibility, choosing instead to focus on knowing Christ’s servants more than Christ Himself. Ephesians 4:13 reminds us of our goal: “…until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, becoming mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Take a moment to examine yourself:If you know more about a servant of Christ than you know about Christ Himself, there is a problem — and, as 1 Corinthians 16:22 warns: “If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed. Come, O Lord!” If it hurts you more when someone speaks badly of a servant of God than when Jesus Himself is mocked, something is wrong with your relationship with Him. If jokes mocking your pastor or teacher upset you more than jokes mocking your Savior, then your priorities are misplaced. If you become angry when your denomination or your favorite preacher is criticized but can laugh at a comedy that openly ridicules Christ, then ask yourself: Do I really know Jesus? Is He truly in my life? If in your private life you rarely speak to or thank your Savior, then there is a serious issue. Brother or sister, do not waste your energy trying to please human servants or being a fan of a particular church or teacher. Instead, seek to know Jesus Himself. Knowing Jesus is not about changing churches. Right where you are, after receiving Christ, your next step is to get hold of a physical Bible—not just the one on your phone. Digital Bibles are helpful, but a printed Bible you can hold, mark, and read deeply is invaluable. Once you have it, start reading it for yourself. God has given you eyes and the ability to read; He will also give you understanding.Many fail to comprehend Scripture because they read it merely as a duty, not from the heart — perhaps once a month, skimming verses here and there. As a result, the Bible seems difficult to understand. Instead, read the Bible attentively, book by book, from start to finish. When you encounter challenging passages, God has placed within us a natural drive to seek the truth. This hunger will lead you to seek further understanding through Spirit-filled teachings — sermons, seminars, or other believers who can help clarify what you are learning. This is how the Holy Spirit brings revelation. However, do not switch churches without a biblical reason. Many move because they were offended, gossiped about, or uncomfortable with the truth being preached. Such reasons are not Spirit-led.A true believer moves only when seeking deeper understanding of God’s Word and a closer walk with Christ, led by the Holy Spirit — not by offense or personal preference. Above all, never forget this:Know Jesus deeply.He is the Author of Life (Acts 3:15), the One who holds “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18). Even now, He lives and will return for His church. When He reveals Himself fully, the experience is so overwhelming that we may even long to leave this earthly life to be with Him. Therefore, seek Him daily. Humble yourself before Him and desire deeper revelation. He longs to reveal Himself to you; the only barrier is our own unwillingness. May the Lord richly bless you. Please share this good news with others. If you would like to receive more of these teachings by email or WhatsApp, contact us at +255 789001312
Blessed be the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Welcome as we study the Bible together. Consider airplanes that fly high in the sky: no single person invented them. Many experts contributed their knowledge—one designed the engine, another the air system, another the aerodynamics, yet another discovered the science that allows flight, and others worked on the electrical systems, aviation fuel, wings, tires, and so forth. If each of these inventors wrote their own book detailing their specific contribution, and all those books were compiled together, we would have a single comprehensive volume—perhaps as large as the Bible—filled with knowledge about airplanes. Anyone who studies and understands such a book could, in turn, build an airplane. In the same way, if it was God’s plan that humankind would one day fly across the skies, then He did not entrust this knowledge to a single person. He distributed it among many individuals—scientists, inventors, and engineers. Only by combining their discoveries and expertise was the airplane created. If it was God’s will that we would travel quickly from one continent to another or even reach the moon by rockets, how much greater is His ultimate plan—to lift us far above the clouds, the moon, and the stars, and bring us to His dwelling place in heaven (John 14:2–3)? Just as knowledge of building airplanes and rockets was given in parts to various individuals, the knowledge of how to reach heaven was revealed to different apostles and prophets: Jeremiah, Daniel, Moses, Ezekiel, Peter, Paul, John, and others. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, each wrote the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven (2 Peter 1:21). Today, we study their inspired writings in a single book—the Bible. If we faithfully study and understand the Bible, we too can “soar above the clouds” spiritually. Our rocket—the means of reaching heaven—is Jesus Christ, who declared: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) Modern technology itself preaches the gospel. If today we can travel by air, remember that an even greater journey is approaching—the journey to heaven. But this journey is only possible through the knowledge of God’s Word (Hosea 4:6). Therefore, dear brother or sister, never cease to read and diligently study the Bible. There is no other source where you will truly know Jesus. Without the Word, you risk being “tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14). Do not wait passively to be taught; learn to read and study for yourself. Just as successful students are those who take time for self-study and approach their teacher only when they face difficulties, so must we diligently study Scripture. God desires that we personally engage with His Word (Acts 17:11). Remember, God chose to preserve His Word in a written book, not just as an audio message. Studying requires setting aside quiet time, with a pen and notebook, to let the Holy Spirit reveal divine truths. We do not read the Bible as if it were a newspaper—we study it deeply, seeking understanding. Do you desire to go to heaven? I certainly do. If you share this desire, then you must know the Scriptures thoroughly (2 Timothy 2:15). May the Lord bless you abundantly.Maranatha! (“Come, Lord Jesus” – Revelation 22:20)
The nature of God is often misunderstood—some imagine Him as too harsh, others as endlessly tolerant. But Scripture reveals that God is both patient and just. Nowhere is this duality seen more vividly than in His dealings with Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. The Vision Concerning Nineveh The prophet Nahum received a solemn vision concerning Nineveh—a city that once received God’s mercy during Jonah’s time, yet later returned to its evil ways. The prophecy begins: “The prophecy concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies.The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.”(Nahum 1:1–3, NIV) This is a sobering description: God’s wrath is not impulsive but measured, just, and ultimately inescapable for the unrepentant. A History of Mercy Nineveh’s story reminds us that God offers mercy before judgment. The prophet Jonah had previously delivered a warning of destruction, and to everyone’s surprise, the people of Nineveh repented. “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.”(Jonah 3:10, NIV) Even Jonah was disturbed by God’s mercy, revealing God’s heart: “And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”(Jonah 4:11, NIV) God’s compassion was clear—but so was His expectation of lasting repentance. The Return to Wickedness and Coming Judgment Unfortunately, Nineveh returned to cruelty, pride, and idolatry. Trusting in their military strength and prosperity, they dismissed the God who had once spared them. But Nahum prophesied their end: “Nothing can heal you; your wound is fatal. All who hear the news about you clap their hands at your fall, for who has not felt your endless cruelty?”(Nahum 3:19, NIV) And indeed, in 612 B.C., Nineveh fell to the Babylonians and Medes. The city was utterly destroyed, fulfilling God’s word. “He will stretch out his hand against the north and destroy Assyria, leaving Nineveh utterly desolate and dry as the desert…This is the city of revelry that lived in safety. She said to herself, ‘I am the one! And there is none besides me.’What a ruin she has become, a lair for wild beasts! All who pass by her scoff and shake their fists.”(Zephaniah 2:13, 15, NIV) This teaches us: God’s patience is real, but it is not endless. Modern Application: Misunderstood Judgment Today, many view God’s judgments, especially those in Revelation, as too harsh. But the Bible is clear—God’s wrath is just and holy. The final judgment is not a myth but a certainty. “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”(Revelation 20:14–15, NIV) A Repeated Pattern of Warning Ignored Throughout history, God has sent messengers to call His people back—but repeated rebellion leads to judgment. “The Lord, the God of their ancestors, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place.But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against his people and there was no remedy.”(2 Chronicles 36:15–16, NIV) Even John the Baptist echoed this urgency: “The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”(Matthew 3:10, NIV) God’s Mercy Calls Us to Repentance—But Not Forever Scripture repeatedly warns us not to take God’s patience for granted: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”(Hebrews 3:15, NIV) The message is simple but serious: God desires to save, but if we persist in sin, we will face His holy wrath. Conclusion: Come to Christ While Mercy Is Available If you have not yet surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, do not wait. The time of mercy is now—but it will not last forever. God’s patience is meant to lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4), not to embolden us in sin. The Lord bless you. Maranatha—Our Lord is coming.
Blessed be the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Welcome as we study the Word of God, which is “a lamp to our feet and a light to our path” (Psalm 119:105). In our journey of faith, we must never forget to labor diligently in the work of God, ensuring that the message of the Kingdom reaches everyone. Yet, above all, make sure that you and your household are saved—your spouse, your children, and all those who live with you. You may wonder, “Is this possible, even if some of my family members completely reject the message of God?” The answer is yes—it is possible! Consider Rahab. When she was given the opportunity to be saved, she did not desire salvation for herself alone, but she sought deliverance for her entire family: Joshua 2:12–14 (NKJV)“Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the LORD, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token,and spare my father, my mother, my brothers, my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.”So the men answered her, “Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the LORD has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.” Similarly, Lot was rescued before the destruction of Sodom, leaving with his wife and two daughters. He even warned other family members (Genesis 19:12–14). Noah also did not desire salvation for himself alone. The Bible states that the ark he built was for the salvation of his entire household: Hebrews 11:6–7 (ESV)“Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.” Notice that the ark was not for Noah alone. God could have saved Noah by other means, but because he had a family and animals to preserve, God provided salvation through the ark. Noah was counted righteous before God (Genesis 6:8), but his household was spared because of his faithfulness. Even after the flood, we see that some family members, like Ham, were not entirely righteous (Genesis 9:20–25), yet they were spared because of Noah’s obedience. Moses demonstrated the same intercessory heart. When the Israelites sinned in the wilderness and provoked God to destroy them, Moses stood in the gap on their behalf: Exodus 32:7–14 (NKJV)“The LORD said to Moses, ‘Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves… Now therefore let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.’But Moses pleaded with the LORD his God…So the LORD relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.” Throughout Scripture, we see that those who receive grace have a responsibility to stand in prayer and faith for their households. God may have chosen you so that through your witness, prayer, and perseverance, your entire family may enter into salvation. As Paul told the Philippian jailer: Acts 16:31 (ESV)“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Therefore, pray earnestly for your family, share the gospel diligently with your spouse and children, and let your life be a living testimony of God’s transforming power. Salvation is not meant to be enjoyed alone—rejoice when it spreads to your household! The Lord’s return is near. Soon all worldly things will pass away, and the door of grace will close. Jesus warned that many will desire to enter on that day but will not be able (Luke 13:24–25). If you have not yet received Christ, do so today—He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). No one can see the Kingdom of God apart from Him. May the Lord bless you and your household.
Blessed be the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—welcome to this Bible teaching. There is a very important question that many people ask: “If I have a problem with my sight, or hearing, or a visible disability, and I go out to preach or witness—will people truly be saved? Won’t they ask me, ‘Why hasn’t this God healed you first, before trying to heal us?’” This is one of the weapons Satan uses to make sure the gospel is never preached! Another weapon he uses is a voice that whispers, “You have blasphemed the Holy Spirit.” So if you ever hear any voice telling you these two things—“You cannot preach because of your weakness” or “You have already blasphemed the Holy Spirit”—know right away that these are voices of the enemy, Satan. Ignore them completely! Now before going further, let us understand a few important truths: 1. God entrusted the gospel to humans, not angels. Nowhere in Scripture do we see God sending angels to preach the gospel. And there is no human being created by God who is without flaws. Even that famous and respected preacher you know has countless shortcomings. God knows all human beings are flawed, yet He gave them the assignment of carrying His Word to others. If God had based this assignment on perfection, no human would qualify to preach. Perhaps He would have used His holy angels in heaven instead. But He chose imperfect human vessels. This means our flaws have nothing to do with our qualification to preach the Word of God! Whether you are tall or short, articulate or not, stammering, White or African, albino, deaf, blind, limbless, rich or poor, literate or illiterate, socially insignificant or prominent—so long as you are human, you are qualified to carry God’s Word to others. 2. The first qualification to preach is having the Word of God in you. This is the foundation. Even in the natural, no teacher can instruct students in knowledge he doesn’t have himself. In the same way, the Word of Christ must dwell richly within you. That comes by receiving the Savior Jesus Christ, reading His Word, and living that Word. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom…”— Colossians 3:16 (KJV) Once that happens, you can preach the gospel to anyone. Don’t wait to see visions, or for Jesus or an angel to appear to you. Many wait for such experiences and never get started. They hope to hear a voice saying, “Go and preach!” But brother, sister—do not wait for that voice; you may never hear it. Why? Because He has already spoken clearly in His Word: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…”— Matthew 28:19 (KJV) That command is enough. Don’t wait for another voice—you will not hear one! What transforms a person if not our eloquence or hearing ability? Let’s read the following Scripture and we will know: Hebrews 4:12-13 (KJV)“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” It says, “The Word of God”—not our polished speech, not our ability to compose sweet sentences, not our skin color, not our keen ears, not our excellent eyesight, height, or education. It is God’s Word that is powerful. When it is spoken by any human being who holds it in their heart, it pierces deep into the heart of the hearer. It convicts, divides, reveals secrets, and pulls a person out of their ordinary state. While you might be thinking they’re analyzing your stammer or flaws, the Holy Spirit is wrestling with them deep within. 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 (KJV)“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” Don’t listen to the lies of Satan that discourage you from preaching the gospel. If you don’t hear well—preach anyway! If someone asks you a question, lean in and listen closely. If you still can’t hear—keep moving forward. Don’t dwell on your weakness. Chances are, the person isn’t even focused on your weakness. And even if they are, the Word you speak—even one verse—is the power of God and a seed sown. Many wrongly assume that preaching the gospel requires many words. That’s not true! If a preacher speaks at length, it’s because the Spirit leads him to. But even one word of God is enough to break a hardened heart. With just one command—“Let there be light”—God created the sun we still see today. So don’t depend on training or skill to share God’s Word. Seek the Holy Spirit, and then use the gift God has given you. Example: Fanny Crosby One famous woman, Fanny Crosby, was born healthy but lost her sight two weeks after birth. She lived blind for 95 years. Despite her condition, she never stopped seeking how to serve God. She wrote over 8,000 hymns in the 19th century and was known as the Queen of Gospel Songs and The Blind Hymnist. Two of her most famous hymns that you probably know and sing today—“Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” and “Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine”—were written by this blind woman. Through her singing and ministry, she brought many people to Christ. Therefore, let each one of us stand firm in what God has placed within us, ensuring that the gospel reaches as many people as possible. May the Lord bless you. www.wingulamshahidi.org Please share this good news with others. If you’d like to receive these teachings by email or WhatsApp, leave a comment below or call this number: +255 789001312