Title 2020

DO NOT BE SAD

In life, every human being created by the great God must have been created with something called sadness inside them. This means that one must go through periods of sadness and also periods of joy. Every person, even a servant of God, must go through these seasons. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who was 100% perfect, went through them—so how much more us who are not perfect? We must go through them. And sadness is like a sickness; when placed in certain environments it increases, and in other environments it decreases.

Sadness can come either from receiving bad news, or being struck by a bad event, or heading towards a bad circumstance, or sometimes it comes when something happens that you did not expect, did not plan for, or did not wish to happen as it did.

When a person reaches such a state, they find themselves sinking into a deep pool of thoughts, losing the desire to do anything—even losing the appetite to eat, and sometimes even the will to live.

The day the Lord was about to be crucified, great sadness entered His disciples after He told them that soon He would be crucified and then leave to go to the Father.

John 16:5-7 (ESV) —
“But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”

Moreover, when they were told that one of them would betray Him, indeed a fire was kindled within them. While they thought Christ would continue to remain with them, He gave them the news of disaster—that He was going to be crucified. They began to wonder why all this had to happen to their Lord. How would life be after He left?

Even when the Lord took them that night to pray with Him, their strength had completely failed; they could not pray much but fell asleep due to great sorrow. Let us read:

Luke 22:45-46 (ESV) —
“And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.’”

In such a state, the Lord saw the weakness of their hearts—they were tired and very sorrowful. But He told them to rise and pray because “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). They needed to overcome that sadness because it caused their physical weakness. They had sorrow, but only for a short while, for a few days later they would have joy. Thus, He encouraged them to try to overcome the sadness that made their bodies weak and to stand and pray, because those trials were only for a short time. Two days later they would have unparalleled joy because He told them that after a short while they would no longer see Him (meaning His death and burial), and after a little longer, they would see Him again (meaning His resurrection). They would continue to see Him until Pentecost and have great joy. (See John 20:20)

During this season called Easter, among many lessons we learn, it is important to know this as well: DO NOT BE SAD. Perhaps you have gone through some trouble, or suffered some disturbance, sadness, hardship, bad news, or any situation that has brought great sorrow to your heart so that you have lost all hope and desire to continue in faith. This is not the time to deepen your sadness by despairing and losing faith. It is not time to fall asleep in sorrow. Instead, it is time to stand and PRAY with strength; it is time to keep moving forward because the sadness is only temporary! After a few days it will pass, and joy will return to you as before. You will regret why a few days ago you were so sad—you will regret why during your time of sadness you did not even pray or praise God.

Therefore, stand now, child of God! This is not the time to nurture sadness but the time to pray. The disciples’ sadness turned to joy when they saw the Lord resurrected—and when you see what had been dead come back to life, your joy will return soon. So do not be sad. Stand and pray, and keep moving forward, because the steps remaining ahead of you are fewer than those you have left behind. This is not the time to mope; it is the time to pray.

The Lord bless you.

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DON’T JUST ASSUME JESUS IS WITH YOU

Introduction

Praise the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In the times we live in—what the Bible refers to as the “last days” (2 Timothy 3:1)—there is a growing confusion among those who call themselves Christians. The label “Christian” has become so broadly used that even secular musicians, actors, and public figures now claim the identity, all while living lifestyles that directly contradict the teachings of Christ.

It’s not uncommon today to find people who openly live in sin—whether it be sexual immorality, dishonesty, or pride—freely participating in church life, even in holy sacraments such as the Lord’s Table, with little or no reverence. Many seek God only for personal gain: healing, relationships, prosperity—but not for truth, transformation, or salvation. This widespread lukewarm Christianity is exactly what Jesus warned about in Revelation 3:15-16:

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15–16, NKJV)

But there is a remnant—a small group—who genuinely desire to follow Jesus with sincerity, to obey His Word, and to walk the narrow path that leads to life (Matthew 7:14). To such people, Jesus reveals Himself.

Let us reflect deeply on a well-known biblical story from Luke 2:41–50, often read as a childhood account of Jesus, but rich with prophetic meaning for today’s believer.

Jesus Lost in the Crowd – A Warning for Today

“But supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.”
(Luke 2:44–46, NKJV)

This story unfolds after Mary and Joseph took young Jesus to Jerusalem for the annual Feast of Passover. On their return journey, they made a crucial mistake: they assumed Jesus was in their group. They traveled a full day before realizing He was missing. Only after three days of anxious searching did they find Him—in the temple, sitting with the teachers.

Let us note several key theological lessons here:

Assumption Can Be Dangerous

The phrase “supposing Him to have been in the company” (v.44) reveals a false security. Many believers today assume that because they are surrounded by other “Christians,” they are also walking with Jesus. But the presence of religion, people, or traditions does not guarantee the presence of Christ.

Jesus warned that “many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord…’”, and yet He will declare, “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:21–23). Religious activity without personal relationship leads to spiritual blindness.
Jesus is Found Where Truth is Taught

When His parents finally found Him, Jesus was not playing with friends, nor casually mingling with relatives. He was in the temple, actively engaging with the teachers—listening and asking questions. The temple was the house of God, and the teachers were guardians of the Law and Scripture.

Christ was already drawn to the Word of God because, as John 1:1 declares, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

The implication is profound: if you are not actively pursuing the teaching of God’s Word, you will lose sight of Christ.
Reconnection Requires Returning

Joseph and Mary had to retrace their steps—going all the way back to Jerusalem. This is a clear call to repentance. When we drift from Christ, we must return to where we left Him, not continue hoping He will follow us.

Just as Jesus told the church in Ephesus:

“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works…”
(Revelation 2:5, NKJV)

Christ Is Not in the Crowd—He Is in the Word

Many today try to find Jesus in music, in emotional experiences, in religious events, or even in charismatic personalities. But unless these lead to deeper knowledge and obedience of God’s Word, they are distractions, not directions.

Jesus is always found where His truth is upheld. He is in the Scriptures. As He told the Jews:

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”
(John 5:39, NKJV)

If you find yourself disinterested in reading the Bible, neglecting sound teaching, or finding doctrine “boring,” that’s a spiritual warning sign. It likely means you’re drifting further from Christ—even if you’re still surrounded by “church people.”

Conclusion: Where Are You Looking for Jesus?

It is not enough to walk with the crowd. It is not enough to be “in church.” The crucial question is: Is Christ truly with you? Or have you, like Mary and Joseph, traveled a long way without realizing you’ve left Him behind?

Jesus remains where He has always been—in His Father’s house, in the midst of those who love and teach His Word, among those who worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
(James 4:8, NKJV)

May we be among the few who stop, turn back, and seek Him—not just in feeling, not in the crowd—but in truth.

Maranatha. Come, Lord Jesus.

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LOOK AT YOUR BEAUTY—DON’T LET IT BECOME YOUR NOOSE

2 Samuel 14:25
“In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.”

Shalom. May the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be forever praised.

Welcome again to our study of God’s holy Word. Today, we shall briefly reflect on the life of a man named Absalom, the son of David. There is a lesson to draw from his story.

Absalom was one among the many sons of David, but he was distinguished by something rare—a unique physical beauty that surpassed all his brothers and everyone else in Israel.

The Bible says Absalom was exceptionally handsome—not only among his siblings, but throughout the entire nation. From the crown of his head to the soles of his feet, there was no physical defect in him. Every part of his body was flawless and admired by all.

Even more notably, the Bible highlights his hair. It was so thick and heavy that he could not go a full year without cutting it—otherwise, it would weigh him down.

2 Samuel 14:25–26
“In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. Whenever he cut the hair of his head—he used to cut it once a year because it became too heavy for him—he would weigh it, and its weight was two hundred shekels by the royal standard.”

Two hundred shekels is estimated to be over two kilograms in today’s measurements. Imagine how burdensome that must have been if he failed to cut his hair annually.

To put that in perspective, scientists estimate that it would take about thirty (30) people with very thick and fast-growing hair to match the annual hair weight of Absalom. His hair was extraordinary.

When the Bible points out physical traits like this, it often serves a symbolic or prophetic purpose. The mention of Absalom’s hair is no coincidence—it plays a role later in his story.

You may take time to read the full account from 2 Samuel chapters 13–18, but in summary:
Despite his charm, looks, and popularity, Absalom harbored an evil heart. He plotted to overthrow his father David and seize the throne. Not only that, but he sought to kill David and defile his father’s concubines publicly (2 Samuel 16:22) as an act of humiliation. He even killed his brother Amnon to avenge his sister Tamar but showed no signs of forgiveness or justice, only bitterness and vengeance.

Absalom, though outwardly admirable, was inwardly corrupt. His charisma and speech drew the hearts of many (2 Samuel 15:6), but his true intentions were wicked.

Eventually, when he led a rebellion and forced David to flee, a battle broke out in the forest of Ephraim. The terrain was treacherous, full of thickets and vines, and the Bible says more people died due to the dangers of the forest than by the sword.

2 Samuel 18:6–9
“David’s army marched into the field to fight Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. There Israel’s troops were routed by David’s men, and the casualties that day were great—twenty thousand men. The battle spread out over the whole countryside, and the forest swallowed up more men that day than the sword. Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.”

His beautiful hair—once praised and admired—became his noose. His own glory trapped him. Helpless, he hung there until Joab came and killed him (2 Samuel 18:14–15).

His beauty and pride led to his downfall.

Theological Reflection

This story is a solemn reminder that external beauty or gifts can become a trap if the heart is not submitted to God. The things we boast about—our looks, our wealth, our influence—can become the very things that destroy us if they are not placed under the Lordship of Christ.

Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Absalom used his appeal and charm to manipulate, deceive, and rebel. But it all ended in shame and death. What he trusted—his image and strength—became his downfall.

Just like Absalom, many today are trapped by their own “beauty.” A young woman may rely on her physical appeal and lose the fear of God, believing she can get anything she wants. A rich man may trust his wealth and ignore the need for salvation. A talented preacher may fall because of pride in his gifts.

But Jesus warned:

Matthew 19:24
“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

If your beauty, fame, or possessions draw your heart away from Christ, then those very things will one day hang you. Just like Absalom, you may find yourself trapped where you cannot escape.

That’s why now is the time to turn to Jesus. Don’t let your strength or beauty become your noose. Repent, believe the gospel, and walk humbly before the Lord.

Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Let Christ be your covering—not your appearance or reputation. What truly matters is the hidden person of the heart.

1 Peter 3:3–4
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment… Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

If you’ve been trusting in your physical beauty, wealth, fame, or personal charm, return to God today. Repent and ask for His mercy. Let His Word shape your identity—not the admiration of people.

May the Lord bless you.

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FLEE FROM SIN AT ALL COSTS!

Flee from sin

Shalom.

Welcome to study the Bible and be reminded of the truths we’ve already learned. The one thing that we as God’s people must fear above all in our times today is sin. We are not to fear demons, witches, or even Satan himself. What we must fear first and foremost is sin.

Because sin is the doorway to all those other things.

Therefore, with all our strength and all our efforts, we must avoid sin. And we avoid sin by fleeing from it—meaning, we must leave it behind at any cost.

The Holy Spirit is called the Helper in the Bible —

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” (John 14:16, ESV)

Do you understand what a helper is? A helper is someone who assists you in doing something you have already begun doing. He is not the one doing the task for you; he adds strength to what you’ve already started doing.

So when we get saved and receive the Holy Spirit into our lives, His work is not to forcefully prevent us from sinning—not at all! That is not His role. His work is to help us overcome sin! He gives us counsel; He gives us reasons why we shouldn’t do the bad and should do the good. And when we obey His counsel within us, the desire to sin dies instantly. That’s when we find ourselves living without committing sin. And the more you train yourself to obey Him, the more those sins continue to die inside you.

It’s just like anything else—when you stop practicing something for a long time, you forget it and lose the experience of doing it. (The act of losing the experience is what it means to die to that thing.) Likewise, when you lose the habit of committing the sins you used to do, because you’re now obeying the Holy Spirit, the experience fades and eventually disappears completely. You become dead to sin.

“So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11, ESV)

You become the kind of person who, no matter the circumstances, cannot commit fornication, cannot curse, cannot steal, cannot take bribes, cannot hate others, etc.

Now, the big problem many of us have is failing to understand the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We think that when He comes into us, He acts like a dictator who will destroy our sinful tendencies and stop us by force from sinning. Because of this misconception, many people find that when they receive the Holy Spirit and “relax,” they end up being defeated by sin and continuing in sinful lives. Then they begin to ask themselves why others are able to live in victory, but they are not.

Let me tell you: once you decide to follow the Lord Jesus by repenting of your sins—sins the Holy Spirit has made you aware of—the next step is to obey Him. And you don’t obey just by saying words like “I OBEY YOU, LORD” with your mouth. That is only the beginning of obedience. You must obey in action.

This means that if you were committing a certain sin, you leave it at once! You don’t go around asking for advice. You use all your mind, all your strength, and all your soul to leave it. And in this, you don’t even need to be prayed for.

For example, let’s take the sin of sexual immorality—which includes adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, watching pornography, masturbation, etc. This sin cannot be cast out by prayer! Don’t go to a minister and say, “Pray for me to stop this sin or that sin.” There’s no such prayer! I’m telling you this because some of us were once like that—we thought prayer was the solution. We fasted and prayed but nothing changed—until we read the Scriptures, learned the truth, and the truth set us free.

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32, ESV)

So, beloved, don’t waste your time doing research that others have already done and proven—otherwise, you’ll just go in circles and end up where you started.

The solution to sexual sin is to FLEE! Fleeing means walking away from that sin with no strings attached. It means if you’re living with a man or woman in sin, you suddenly leave them and cut off the relationship! If they call you, tell them plainly that you are now saved and you both need to repent and return to God. If they don’t understand, then save yourself—don’t look back or feel pity. Don’t answer their calls…

Don’t try to reason with them while still meeting up and chatting. If they text you, don’t reply—even if they cry tears of blood begging to reconcile, do not be moved. Save both your soul and theirs by fleeing from sexual immorality. If necessary, block the number. Don’t talk to them at all.

Look at the example of Joseph. Potiphar’s wife desired him, and once Joseph realized it, he stopped speaking to her.

“And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.” (Genesis 39:10, NIV)

How can you say you want to stop fornication and still text and talk with your sexual partners? How can you say you want to stop sexual immorality while still socializing with random men and women, watching lustful soap operas and movies that stir up passion on your TV? How can you say you want to stop watching porn while it’s still saved on your phone, and you’re still part of WhatsApp and Facebook groups with such content? Or say you want to stop drinking while you still have bottles of alcohol at home and hang out with drunkards?

The same applies to every other sin—the solution is to FLEE!

Leave! Some sins may even require you to move houses or neighborhoods. That’s the cost of abandoning sin. That is the cost of obeying the Holy Spirit.

If you don’t want to flee in that way and instead seek prayers or laying on of hands, you may end up being prayed for by everyone and still get possessed by even worse spirits. Your condition will get worse because you lacked the necessary knowledge.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6, ESV)

Dear reader, you’ve heard/read this—you won’t be able to say you were not warned on that day. If you obey the Holy Spirit today, He Himself will help you fulfill your resolve. But if you don’t, the decision is yours. I hope you will obey, and may the Lord help you.

So, if you are not yet saved or you are lukewarm, you’re at risk of being spit out. Before that happens, make a quick turnaround. Obey the Holy Spirit today by leaving sin at all cost. After abandoning sin, seek the proper baptism by immersion in water in the name of the Lord Jesus, as written:

“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.’” (Acts 2:38, NIV)

The same Holy Spirit who began a good work in your heart will help you accomplish what seemed impossible. Sin will no longer be hard to overcome because Christ’s yoke is easy:

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30, KJV)

You will find joy, peace beyond understanding, and realize how far you were from the glorious life in Christ. Sin will no longer be appealing in any way.

God bless you.

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DO NOT CAST YOUR PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

Matthew 7:6 (NKJV) “Do not give what is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.”

These words were spoken by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, teaching His followers the importance of discernment. The “holy” and “pearls” symbolize valuable truths and spiritual insights, which are precious and should not be shared indiscriminately, especially with those who will not appreciate or respect them. Jesus is urging His disciples to exercise wisdom when sharing spiritual matters with others. The message is not to be careless in giving something sacred to those who might mock, ridicule, or distort it.

This concept ties into the broader theme of discretion and wisdom that we find throughout Scripture (Proverbs 2:6; James 1:5), where it’s highlighted that we are to act with wisdom, especially when dealing with matters of faith and divine revelation.

Let’s delve deeper with a relevant example from the Old Testament, where we see God exercising wisdom in how He reveals His plans.

God’s Strategic Wisdom with Moses and Pharaoh

When God first called Moses through the burning bush, He revealed His divine plan to deliver Israel from slavery in Egypt. But God did not reveal everything upfront. Here’s how the story unfolds:

Exodus 3:6-10 (NKJV)
6 “Moreover He said, ‘I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.
7 And the Lord said: ‘I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows.
8 So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.
10 Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.’”

God’s promise was clear: He would deliver Israel from their oppression and bring them to a land of abundance—the Promised Land. Moses was tasked with conveying this message to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and also to the Israelites. However, when we look closer, we see that God directed Moses to speak carefully when dealing with Pharaoh.

Exodus 3:16-19 (NKJV)

16 “Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, appeared to me, saying: I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt;
17 and I have said: I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey.’
18 “Then they will heed your voice; and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and you shall say to him, ‘The Lord God of the Hebrews has met with us; and now, please let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.’
19 “But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand.”

This is where God’s strategy comes into play. Notice that God tells Moses to say to Pharaoh that the Israelites need to go three days’ journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to God. God did not tell Moses to reveal the entire plan of deliverance right away. If Pharaoh knew they were planning to leave Egypt permanently, he would likely have opposed them even more vigorously, and God wanted to ensure that His plan unfolded according to His timing.

Instead, God’s strategy was to speak in a way that would not immediately provoke Pharaoh’s rejection. In effect, God led Moses to tell Pharaoh something that would appear innocent on the surface—just a request for a brief religious pilgrimage—but in reality, it was a cover for the Israelites’ full liberation. This was not a lie, but rather a wise concealment of the full details for a greater purpose.

God’s Wisdom in Our Lives Today

This example from Moses’ life teaches us a profound lesson in spiritual warfare. As believers, we must be discerning and strategic about how we present our faith, especially to the world. Not everything that God reveals to us needs to be shared immediately, especially if doing so would expose us to unnecessary opposition or harm.

For instance, if you’ve recently come to faith in Christ, you may be tempted to immediately broadcast your newfound beliefs to everyone around you. While sharing your faith is important, there are times when it’s wiser to first fully detach from your old sinful life before publicly declaring your faith.

Let’s take an example from the realm of personal transformation:

If you were involved in a business, like running a bar, and you’ve now become a Christian, it’s not always the best approach to immediately tell everyone about your decision to stop selling alcohol. Instead, focus on ending the business first, making the change in your life, and then later, when you’re secure in your walk with Christ, you can share your testimony with others.

This aligns with Jesus’ teaching in

Matthew 10:16 (NKJV), where He tells His disciples:
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

In other words, God wants us to be wise in navigating the challenges of this world. Sometimes, it’s not the time to declare everything upfront, especially when it might cause unnecessary battles.

The Call to Leave Egypt (Sinful Lifestyle)

When God called the Israelites out of Egypt, He was calling them out of bondage. Egypt, in biblical symbolism, represents sin and the world’s systems that hold people captive. The process of salvation involves not just believing in Christ but also leaving behind the life of sin—our “Egypt” (Romans 6:6; Galatians 5:24).

For example, if you’ve been living in sin—whether through promiscuity, corruption, or any form of immoral behavior—coming to Christ means you must leave those practices behind. This is not just a change of belief but a change of lifestyle. As 2

Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) says:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

When you leave behind the “world,” as the Israelites did with Egypt, your testimony of salvation becomes more powerful. At that point, you can confidently declare, “I am saved, and I am no longer part of this world’s system.”

However, like the Israelites, you don’t have to announce your departure from Egypt to everyone at once. Focus on making the change in your heart and actions first. Then, when you are firmly rooted in Christ, you can testify to others of the freedom you’ve found in Him.

Conclusion: The Cost of Discipleship

Jesus said,

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36 NKJV).

The soul is the most valuable possession we have, and it is worth more than any earthly gain or success. So, whatever it costs, we must prioritize the salvation of our soul over anything else.

If you haven’t yet made the decision to follow Christ, today is the day. Repent—which means to turn away from your old life of sin—and accept Jesus as your Savior. Repentance involves not just a change in belief but also a change in behavior. Leave behind your sinful lifestyle, just as the Israelites left Egypt, and follow Christ into the new life He has prepared for you.

May God bless you as you journey into freedom and salvation.

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DRAW CLOSER TO THE LORD SO YOU MAY BECOME A PILLAR

Shalom, and welcome to our study of the Word of God.

Among the people who followed the Lord Jesus, there were four distinct groups:

The Multitudes,The Disciples,The Twelve Apostles,The Pillars.

1. The Multitudes

This was the first group. They would gather only to hear the teachings of Jesus and receive healing for their diseases. Jesus often spoke to them in parables, and after the teachings or healings, they would return to their regular lives.

2. The Disciples

This group consisted of about 70 or slightly more. They followed Jesus, but not everywhere. These were people who chose to serve Him in many of the places He went, and they were also sent out to preach the gospel.
Luke 10:1 (NKJV):
“After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.”

3. The Twelve Apostles

These were chosen from among the 70 disciples.
Luke 6:13 (NKJV):
“And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.”

The apostles were much closer to Jesus than the disciples or the multitudes. They shared meals with Him, walked with Him, and were privileged to ask for explanations of parables in private—something the other groups could not do.

4. The Pillars

This final group was the most intimate with Jesus. It consisted of three apostles—Peter, James, and John—who were considered Pillars.
Galatians 2:9 (NKJV):
“And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.”

(“Cephas” is another name for Peter – see John 1:42.)

These three had a special relationship with Jesus. Whenever He wanted to go alone for deep prayer or to reveal divine mysteries, He took only them.

Example 1: The Mount of Transfiguration

Luke 9:27–30 (NKJV):
“But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”
“Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.”
“As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.”
“And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah.”

Only these three saw this transfiguration and heard the voice from heaven saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Luke 9:35).

Example 2: In Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36–40 (NKJV):
“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, ‘Sit here while I go and pray over there.'”
“And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.”
“Then He said to them, ‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.'”
“He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, ‘O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.'”
“Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?'”

Jesus separated the other nine apostles and took only these three into His most sorrowful moment, showing their elevated spiritual intimacy.

Even after Pentecost, these three continued to be central. The Book of Revelation, filled with prophetic visions, was entrusted to John, one of the Pillars. This shows how close these men were to the Lord.

Why Were These Three Chosen as Pillars?

Because they loved Jesus deeply and wholeheartedly. God is not partial (Romans 2:11). The reason these men were closer to Jesus was their wholehearted devotion, meditation, service, and self-denial for His sake.

James 4:8 (NKJV):
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Peter boldly declared, “Even if all are made to stumble, I will never be made to stumble.” (Matthew 26:33) Though he had weaknesses, his love and courage set him apart.

James and John once asked to sit at Jesus’ right and left in His kingdom (Mark 10:35–37)—a request showing their great love and desire to be near Him.

John leaned on Jesus’ chest during supper (John 13:23–26), and it was to him alone that Jesus revealed Judas would betray Him, whispered in a voice only John could hear.

Their Intimacy Made Them Pillars

Their obedience, sacrifice, and eagerness made them candidates for deeper divine revelations. They were available for every mission Jesus had, even if it meant hardship. This commitment is what elevated them before God.

And this remains true today: if you desire to become a pillar in God’s house, draw closer to Him.

Revelation 3:12 (NKJV):
“He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.”

Let us not be content with merely being believers or disciples—let us strive to become Pillars in the Kingdom of God.

The Lord bless you.

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Maranatha!

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THOSE WHO WERE ORDAINED TO ETERNAL LIFE BELIEVED

Shalom, beloved in Christ!
Welcome as we study the Word of God together. Today’s teaching comes from:

Acts 13:46–49
“Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us:
“I have set you to be a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.”’
Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.”

This is a very sobering truth — to hear that some people were ordained to eternal life, while others were not. It reveals that salvation is not a random event, but part of God’s perfect plan, established before the foundation of the world.

God had already determined the full number of those who would be saved, and He wrote their names in His Book of Life.

Revelation 17:8
“And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.”

HOW CAN YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE ORDAINED TO ETERNAL LIFE?

The Scripture we read earlier gives us the answer — it says, “As many as were ordained to eternal life believed.”

That means those who were chosen responded immediately when they heard the Gospel. They believed the message, were baptized, continued steadfastly in the faith and holiness, and daily practiced what they had been taught by the apostles.

But others — those who were religious, traditional, or self-righteous — were the ones whom God rejected. They remained unchanged, just as they were.

Even today, the same principle applies. If you have heard the Gospel many times but still remain unmoved, or if salvation seems unimportant to you, then you must understand this truth — you have not yet responded as one ordained to eternal life.

For if you were ordained, you would not resist or argue when you are told to repent. Your heart would respond quickly to the call of Jesus Christ.

The Bible says:

Matthew 7:14
“Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Perhaps today, God is speaking to you. Perhaps the Holy Spirit is stirring in your heart right now. If you feel conviction and a longing to turn to Jesus, that is not coincidence — it is because you are among those appointed to eternal life.

Therefore, do not harden your heart. Accept His call today and give your life fully to Jesus Christ, so that your name may be confirmed among those written in the Book of Life before the foundation of the world.

A PRAYER OF REPENTANCE

If you are ready to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, this is the wisest decision you will ever make — one you will never regret. Wherever you are right now, take a quiet moment alone. Kneel down and say this prayer sincerely, believing that God is beside you and listening:

“O GOD THE FATHER, I COME BEFORE YOU, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT I AM A SINNER. I HAVE SINNED AGAINST YOU IN MANY WAYS AND DESERVE JUDGMENT. BUT YOU, MY GOD, HAVE SAID IN YOUR WORD THAT YOU ARE A MERCIFUL GOD, SHOWING COMPASSION TO THOUSANDS WHO LOVE YOU.
TODAY I COME BEFORE YOU SEEKING YOUR MERCY AND HELP. I REPENT OF ALL MY SINS WHOLEHEARTEDLY. I CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, AND THAT HE IS THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD. I ASK THAT THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF YOUR SON CLEANSE ME FROM ALL MY UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
MAKE ME A NEW CREATION FROM THIS DAY FORWARD AND FOREVER.
THANK YOU, LORD JESUS, FOR RECEIVING ME AND FORGIVING ME.
AMEN.”

If you have prayed that prayer in faith, your next step is to confirm your repentance through action. Whatever sinful things you used to do — leave them behind completely. Once God sees your true change of heart, He accepts your repentance and comes to dwell within you through His Holy Spirit.

You should also find a living church where you can fellowship with other believers, worship God, and grow in His Word.

Finally, seek baptism by immersion in water in the Name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins — this completes your step of salvation.

Be greatly blessed!
Please share this message with others, that they too may know these good tidings of eternal life.

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LET US CONTINUE TO KNOW THE LORD, AND HE WILL COME TO US LIKE THE RAIN

A brother once asked me, “What benefit do you get from serving God?”
I replied, “There are many.” Then he said, “I got saved long ago. I truly decided to follow God. But my situation became so hard that even my wife left me. I fasted, prayed, attended seminars and night vigils. I constantly asked God to remember me in my financial struggles. Yet, the more I prayed, the worse things became.”

As he spoke, I could sense that he had already lost hope and given up on his salvation.
Finally, he asked me, “Don’t you think there’s something wrong with this God we serve?”

That statement shocked me. I calmly replied, “As for me, I’ve seen nothing wrong in serving God. But I don’t know what your relationship with Him looks like.” Then I reminded him of David’s words in the Bible:

Psalm 37:25
“I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.”

After I said that, he remained silent and walked away.

SOMETIMES IT SEEMS GOD IS SILENT

Dear brother or sister, there is something every true believer must understand. When David said those words, he did not mean that everything always went his way. There were many times he felt abandoned, as if God was silent or far away. Yet, in those moments, he strengthened himself in the Lord, saying:

“The Lord is my Shepherd; Your rod and Your staff comfort me.”

He continued to praise and thank God, believing that even in suffering, God had not forsaken him.

Listen to David’s cry in the following verses:

Psalm 13:1–6
“How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
lest my enemy say, ‘I have prevailed against him’; lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.
But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.”

And again:

Psalm 42:9–10
“I will say to God my Rock, ‘Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?’
As with a breaking of my bones, my enemies reproach me, while they say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’”

EVEN IN TROUBLE, GOD IS STILL PRESENT

There were times when David prayed and saw no answers.
He remembered how once he struck down Goliath and all the Philistines feared him — yet later he had to seek refuge among those same Philistines, his former enemies.

Imagine! The same man who once led Israel’s victories was forced to hide among those who wanted him dead, just to find rest.
Some might have thought God had abandoned him completely.

But David held on to God’s promises. He kept worshiping, praying, and giving thanks, until the appointed time came when God restored and exalted him — making him king over all Israel.

His journey shows that God’s blessings do not always come instantly. Yet, in His time, He fulfills every promise.

That’s why David later testified:

Psalm 66:19–20
“But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer, nor His mercy from me!”

KEEP PRAYING AND DO NOT LOSE HEART

Our Lord Jesus Christ also taught us to pray continually and never lose hope.

Luke 18:1–8
“Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
saying: ‘There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.
Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, “Get justice for me from my adversary.”
And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, “Though I do not fear God nor regard man,
yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.”’
Then the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unjust judge said.
And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?’”

These words clearly teach us to pray without giving up, just as David and Jesus Himself did.
Even if answers delay, God will respond in His perfect time, for He is patient and merciful toward His children.

WAIT FOR YOUR SEASON

So, beloved, if you are following Christ with all your heart, do not be discouraged when you see no signs of breakthrough yet.
Your season will surely come. You will one day declare like David:

“But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer.”

Keep showing zeal and persistence in seeking Him.
Do not focus on your current situation — focus on your faithfulness and holiness.

For as the prophet Hosea wrote:

Hosea 6:3
“Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come to us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.”

Just as the rains come in their season, refreshing the dry land, God will come to you — to refresh, renew, and restore everything in your life.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, continue to know the Lord.
Keep walking faithfully even when things seem silent or hard.
Your time of visitation — your “rain of blessing” — will come.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7

May the Lord bless you and strengthen your heart to keep trusting in Him until your season of refreshing arrives.

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YOU THOUGHT I WAS JUST LIKE YOU.

“These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you; but I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes.”
—Psalm 50:21 (NKJV)

Greetings to you in the glorious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Welcome to the study of the words of life.

Why is it that sometimes we are quick to sin, quick to gossip about our neighbors, quick to commit adultery—even though we claim to be saved or close to God, we still easily indulge in watching pornographic images online and engage in masturbation?

It is because we assume that God is like us. We think, “He understands—it’s just the normal weaknesses of the flesh.” Worse still, when we notice that God does not immediately punish the evil we’ve done—like the time we watched filthy images online and He remained silent, and the next day we did it again and still nothing bad happened, then later we committed sexual sin and yet life went on normally—we continue going to church, singing in the choir, praying, and everything seems fine. When we begin to accept bribes, and see that nothing bad has happened to us, it becomes a routine—even though we say we are Christians.

This continues year after year, and in your heart you think, “Even God understands these things, that’s why He hasn’t punished me.” You believe He is just like you. You think He sees evil the same way you do. You treat Him like a fellow human who overlooks these “small things.” You think He could never leave or punish you for things like that.

But today, listen carefully to what the Word of God says:

Psalm 50:16-22 (NKJV)
“But to the wicked God says:
‘What right have you to declare My statutes,
Or take My covenant in your mouth,
Seeing you hate instruction
And cast My words behind you?
When you saw a thief, you consented with him,
And have been a partaker with adulterers.
You give your mouth to evil,
And your tongue frames deceit.
You sit and speak against your brother;
You slander your own mother’s son.
These things you have done, and I kept silent;
You thought that I was altogether like you;
But I will rebuke you,
And set them in order before your eyes.
Now consider this, you who forget God,
Lest I tear you in pieces,
And there be none to deliver.’”

Look again at verse 21:
“These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you.”
Do you see that when God remains silent about the secret sins you are committing, it doesn’t mean He is pleased with you!

You say you are saved, yet you harbor secret sins that you know are an abomination before God. But because God hasn’t spoken to you or struck you down, you’ve become comfortable. You think God is just like you and that He will always tolerate your ways. No! He says, “I will tear you in pieces, and there will be none to deliver.”

God doesn’t just say He will punish or correct you. No—He says He will tear you apart. And we know that to be torn is something a wild beast like a lion does. That means He will destroy you severely—so much so that you will not be able to stand again, no matter who prays for you or preaches to you. That is why He says:
“There will be none to deliver.”

This message is to those who have forgotten God—those who once belonged to Him, but became too familiar with Him, thinking He is just like them and ceased to fear sin before Him.

If you are one of them, then this is your moment to repent sincerely. You may have just a short time left before you encounter those claws of God. (Do not seek to experience the other side of God’s wrath—it is terrifying.)

If you’ve been secretly repeating sins that displease God for a long time and He has remained silent, it is better you stop now. Because His silence does not mean He is like you.

So take this moment to strengthen your salvation, and God will forgive you and withhold His wrath from you.

2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV)
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Remember, we are in the last days. There’s no need for more proof that we are living in the season of the Lord’s return. The current state of the world says it all. This is not the time to have one foot in Christ and the other outside. This is the time to go all in for the Lord, because the Rapture can happen at any moment.

2 Peter 1:10 (NKJV)
“Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.”

May the Lord bless you.

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WHAT IS PASSOVER, AND SHOULD CHRISTIANS CELEBRATE IT

What is the meaning of Passover according to the Bible? And should Christians celebrate it today, as the Jewish people have for generations?

1. Understanding Passover Biblically

The term Passover originates from the Old Testament event in which God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. On the eve of their deliverance, God gave Moses specific instructions:

“Each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household” (Exodus 12:3, NIV).

The lamb was to be without blemish (Exodus 12:5), symbolizing purity. After slaughtering the lamb, the Israelites were told to apply its blood on the doorposts and lintel of their homes. That night, the Lord passed through Egypt to strike down every firstborn human and animal but when He saw the blood, He would pass over the home, sparing its inhabitants.

“The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you” (Exodus 12:13, ESV).

This event became the basis for the annual Jewish festival of Passover (Pesach), commemorating their divine rescue.

2. Christ as the Fulfillment of Passover

In the New Testament, Jesus is revealed as the ultimate fulfillment of the Passover lamb. The Apostle Paul clearly states:

“For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7, ESV).

Just as the blood of the lamb protected the Israelites from death, the blood of Jesus protects believers from eternal judgment. His sacrifice on the cross is our deliverance from sin, death, and God’s righteous wrath.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” (Ephesians 1:7, NIV).

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1, ESV).

When God’s judgment comeseither now or on the Last Daythose who are “covered by the blood” of Jesus will be spared.

3. Should Christians Celebrate Passover?

The answer depends on how it is celebrated.

A. Biblical vs. Worldly Celebration

The modern, worldly view of celebration often involves parties, drinking, sensual entertainment, and indulgence in fleshly desires. This contradicts the spirit of true worship and remembrance. True biblical celebration, however, is marked by reverence, gratitude, humility, and a desire to draw closer to God.

“Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28–29, ESV).

Even under the Old Covenant, Passover was observed with seriousness. It involved cleansing, sacrifice, and reflection—not revelry.

B. Christ-Centered Commemoration

Christians are not required to observe the Jewish Passover as a religious obligation (Colossians 2:16–17), because Jesus fulfilled its purpose. However, we are encouraged to remember and honor what God has done for us through Christ especially through practices like the Lord’s Supper.

“Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19, NIV).

We can reflect on the meaning of Passover with a focus on Jesus as our sacrificial Lamb. It’s a time for:

Self-examination and repentance (2 Corinthians 13:5)
Participating in the Lord’s Supper worthily (1 Corinthians 11:27–29)
Renewing our commitment to holiness (1 Peter 1:15–16)
Forgiveness and reconciliation (Matthew 6:14–15)

Celebrating in this spirit brings blessing, inner peace, and spiritual renewal.

4. The Danger of Worldly Misuse

If a believer uses this sacred occasion for worldly pleasure drunkenness, immorality, or mockery of spiritual truths they dishonor Christ and His sacrifice. They identify more with the world than with the cross.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15, ESV).

“Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:27, ESV).

Instead of drawing closer to God, they invite judgment upon themselves.

Conclusion

While Christians are not bound to observe Passover as Jews do, we are invited to honor its fulfilled meaning in Christ. If we celebrate with reverence, reflection, and gratitude, it becomes a spiritually enriching experience. But if we celebrate in a worldly way, we miss the purpose entirely and risk bringing harm to ourselves.

May the Lord bless you as you seek to honor Him in all things.