Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him belong all glory, honor, and praise, now and forevermore Amen.
Today, let us reflect on a powerful truth from Scripture: God entrusts His divine assignments to those who are faithful. While we often ask God to use us mightily, we must first examine whether our hearts are aligned with His values. Faithfulness is not only a moral virtue; it is a spiritual prerequisite for divine promotion.
Many believers pray earnestly, asking God to use them as He used great men and women in Scripture. But we must remember: God’s calling is not random. It follows divine principles. One key principle is this God promotes those who have already proven faithful with what they have.
Moses’ story is not just about leadership it’s about a heart committed to God’s people, even when it costs him everything. Raised in Pharaoh’s palace (Exodus 2:10), Moses had access to wealth, comfort, and power. But Hebrews 11:24–25 (NIV) tells us:
“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.”
Before God called Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3), Moses had already shown compassion and justice by defending a Hebrew slave (Exodus 2:11–12). Although he acted rashly, his heart showed that he valued God’s people over worldly privilege. His 40 years in the wilderness were not punishment they were preparation.
Acts 7:35–36 (NIV) says:
“This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God Himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush.”
God chose him not just for his ability, but because his heart had already aligned with God’s mission.
Many want to lead large ministries or be entrusted with wealth for kingdom work. But Jesus made this principle clear:
Luke 16:10 (NIV)
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
God evaluates our faithfulness in small responsibilities before releasing bigger ones.
Before David became Israel’s king, he was a simple shepherd. His role may have seemed insignificant, but God was watching. When lions and bears came for the sheep, David didn’t flee he fought to protect them.
1 Samuel 17:34–36 (NIV) recounts his testimony:
“When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth… The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
David’s courage and responsibility with sheep proved his readiness to shepherd a nation. Faithfulness in obscurity leads to favor in the spotlight.
We often pray like Solomon for divine wealth and wisdom. But the question is what are you doing with the little you already have?
Proverbs 3:9 (NIV) teaches us:
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.”
Faithfulness includes sacrificial generosity. If God can’t trust you with small financial blessings, why would He entrust you with more?
The Macedonian churches are a great example. In their poverty, they gave beyond what was expected:
2 Corinthians 8:2–3 (NIV)
“In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.”
Faithfulness isn’t measured only by actions it’s revealed in motives and sacrifice.
Paul, once a persecutor of the church, was entrusted with apostleship because he proved faithful after his conversion.
1 Timothy 1:12 (NIV)
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service.”
Faithfulness is what God sees not just potential or talent. Paul endured hardship, imprisonment, and persecution, yet he remained faithful. That’s why God expanded his influence across nations.
Whatever you are praying and hoping for be it ministry, resources, spiritual gifts, or leadership God is willing to give. But He is looking at your faithfulness today.
Galatians 6:9 (NIV) encourages us:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Your faithfulness now is the seed for what you’re believing for tomorrow. Serve God where you are. Be honest, diligent, sacrificial, and loyal to His people. Whether in public or private, God sees and rewards faithfulness.
“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” (Matthew 25:21, NIV)
Shalom. May God find you faithful.
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Introduction:
In Isaiah 45:3 (NKJV), God speaks to King Cyrus of Persia through the prophet Isaiah:
“I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel.”
This promise was initially made to a pagan king Cyrus whom God had anointed to fulfill His divine purpose of delivering Israel from Babylonian captivity. Yet, like many Old Testament truths, this passage holds a spiritual principle that applies to believers today: God is able to bring into the light the blessings, opportunities, and people that have been hidden, delayed, or held captive by the enemy.
Biblically, the “treasures of darkness” represent:
These are not mere material gains but include deliverance, opportunities, relationships, ministries, and divine insight.
Isaiah 45:3 symbolically describes how God brings things hidden in obscurity into the light often using unexpected means. God gave Cyrus access to Babylon’s hidden treasures as a sign of His sovereignty. Similarly, God can restore and release hidden blessings to His people.
In 2 Kings 6–7, Israel was besieged by the Aramean army. The famine was so severe that people resorted to eating donkey heads and dove dung (2 Kings 6:25). The city was surrounded cut off from all supply.
But in 2 Kings 7, God supernaturally intervened. He caused the Arameans to hear the sound of a mighty army (v.6), and in terror, they fled, leaving all their supplies behind.
“For the LORD had caused the army of the Syrians to hear the noise of chariots and the noise of horses the noise of a great army; so they said to one another, ‘Look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us!’” 2 Kings 7:6 (NKJV)
Four lepers discovered the abandoned camp and began to plunder it. Eventually, the whole city was saved from starvation.
This miraculous event is a foreshadowing of how God can cause our enemies to relinquish what they’ve unlawfully held, and turn things around in our favor. The treasures once hidden in darkness were suddenly made available to God’s people.
The treasures of darkness in a believer’s life may be:
To reclaim what has been hidden, believers must engage in spiritual warfare not with physical weapons, but spiritual ones.
2 Corinthians 10:4–5 (NKJV):
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
We must understand that much of what is hidden or delayed is subject to spiritual resistance, as seen in Daniel 10, where Daniel’s prayer was delayed by demonic interference.
To engage in this battle and reclaim what is ours, we must put on the full armor of God:
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11 (NKJV)
God has hidden riches and treasures of darkness for His people, not as a secret to keep from us, but as something to be revealed in His perfect timing and through faithful pursuit.
Just like the Israelites seized the spoils of the Arameans, so we are called to take hold of what is spiritually ours through faith, obedience, prayer, and persistence.
Joel 2:25–26 (NKJV):
“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten… You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God.”
May we boldly pursue all that God has for us knowing that what is hidden today can be revealed tomorrow, by His power and for His glory.
Maranatha Our Lord is coming!
What does the verse in Proverbs 16:2 mean?
Proverbs 16:2″All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.”
Understanding the Message: Human beings naturally tend to believe their actions are right. This is because the human heart, after the Fall (Genesis 3), became corrupted by sin. As Jeremiah 17:9 warns:
Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
Thus, our self-assessment is unreliable. People justify their choices:
Traditional healers claim their practices are harmless.
Idol worshipers argue that their images represent the true God.
Sellers of intoxicating substances reason that their trade is legitimate.
Scripture tells us that it is not some, but all ways of a person that seem right in their own eyes.
However, God does not judge by outward appearance or human reasoning. As 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us:
1 Samuel 16:7 “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
God “weighs the spirit”—He examines the intentions, motivations, and moral weight of every action.
Examples from Scripture: The Pharisees and Sadducees outwardly followed religious traditions, yet Jesus exposed their hypocrisy. In Matthew 23:27-28 Jesus declared:
Matthew 23:27-28, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.”
They fasted (Matthew 6:16), prayed, and gave offerings publicly—not to honor God, but to gain admiration from others. Their hearts were corrupt despite their impressive religious acts.
Similarly, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 teaches that spiritual gifts and acts of sacrifice mean nothing if they lack love (agape):
1 Corinthians 13: 1, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”
It is possible to preach, prophesy, or even sacrifice greatly for reasons such as:
Gaining fame,
Competing with others,
Seeking financial profit.
Paul confirms this danger in Philippians 1:15
Philippians 1:15, “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will.”
Therefore, motivation matters deeply to God.
The Parable of the Wedding Banquet: Jesus also illustrated this principle in Luke 14:16–24. When people were invited to the great banquet (a picture of the Kingdom of God), they all began to make excuses:
“I have bought a field…”
“I have bought five yoke of oxen…”
“I have married a wife…”
While these reasons seem reasonable, Jesus saw through them. In God’s eyes, their excuses revealed their lack of love and respect for Him.
Thus, our external reasons cannot justify internal rebellion. When God calls, we must respond in faith and obedience.
Theological Insight: Human self-justification is part of the sinful nature inherited from Adam (Romans 5:12).
God’s judgment is based on truth, not appearance (Romans 2:16).
True righteousness comes by faith and inner transformation through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:5-8).
Good works must flow from genuine love and submission to Christ (Ephesians 2:10).
Ultimately, the Gospel calls us not just to do right, but to be right in heart before God. As Jesus said in Matthew 5:8
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
Conclusion: We must constantly examine ourselves—not according to human standards, but by God’s truth. As 2 Corinthians 13:5 instructs:
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.”
True obedience to God requires:
A heart purified by Christ,
Motives rooted in love,
Faithful response without excuses.
Our ways may seem right to us, but only God’s judgment reveals the truth. Let us, therefore, walk humbly before Him, seeking to please Him in both action and heart.
May the Lord bless you.
Introduction
In today’s world, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by culture, trends, and ideologies that pull us away from God’s truth. But Scripture is clear: believers are not to be guided by the spirit of the world, but by the Spirit of God. Understanding this spiritual contrast is essential to living a life that pleases God.
In 1 Corinthians 2:10–12 (NIV), Paul writes:
“These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.”
Theological Insight:Here, Paul emphasizes that the human mind alone cannot grasp divine truths. Only the Holy Spirit—God’s own Spirit—can reveal to us what God desires. The “spirit of the world,” by contrast, promotes self-centeredness, materialism, and rebellion against God’s will.
There are only two spiritual forces influencing humanity:
The Spirit of God – who leads to truth and life.
The spirit of the world – influenced by Satan, leading to deception and destruction (see 2 Corinthians 4:4).
Jesus Himself described the Holy Spirit as the ultimate guide into truth.
John 16:13 (NIV) says:
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”
Theological Insight:The Holy Spirit is not just a helper but the active presence of God who speaks what He hears from the Father. He aligns our hearts and minds with heaven’s agenda.
A person led by the Holy Spirit begins to live differently—he or she becomes set apart (sanctified), living in obedience and growing in the character of Christ (Galatians 5:22-23).
Romans 8:9 (NIV) gives a sobering warning:
“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”
Theological Insight:Belonging to Christ is not just a matter of belief—it’s marked by the indwelling presence of His Spirit. If the Holy Spirit is not within someone, they are spiritually disconnected from God, regardless of religious rituals or good intentions.
This explains why someone who is not led by the Holy Spirit naturally conforms to worldly behaviors: fashion obsessions, sexual immorality, drunkenness, greed, dishonesty, love of money, witchcraft, and more (see Galatians 5:19–21).
These are not just bad habits—they are spiritual symptoms of being under the influence of the spirit of the world.
1 John 2:15 (NIV) clearly commands:
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.”
Theological Insight:To “love the world” is to embrace values, goals, and pleasures that contradict God’s nature. It’s not just about material things, but a heart that prioritizes self over God. This leads to spiritual blindness and eternal separation from God.
To receive the Spirit of God, a person must:
Repent – Turn away from sin and the values of the world (Acts 3:19).
Be Baptized – Through full immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).
Pursue Fellowship and Discipleship – Join a community where you grow in Scripture, prayer, and spiritual maturity.
As this transformation happens, the Holy Spirit will dwell in you, seal you as God’s child (Ephesians 1:13), and lead you to live a life of holiness, purpose, and hope.
These are the last days. It’s not time to flirt with sin or compromise with the world. It’s time to be filled with the Spirit, live set apart, and prepare for Christ’s return.
Let the Spirit of God shape your life—because where the Spirit of God is, there is freedom, power, and eternal life.
Shalom.