Title July 2022

If you think your environment excuses you from following Jesus, think again.

Many people believe that their circumstances prevent them from becoming true disciples of Christ. You might say:

“I was born into a religion that opposes Christianity. How can I become a follower of Jesus—especially one who denies themselves daily to follow Him? I’m married to someone who rejects Christ. My whole family doesn’t believe in Jesus or even respect the Christian faith. Is it really possible for me to go to church, serve God, and live as a faithful believer?”

The answer is YES.
It is entirely possible if you are willing to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23).

You’re not the first to face a hostile environment. Throughout the Bible, there were people who encountered even more difficult situations than yours. Some overcame, and some did not. Let’s examine both.

1. Those Who Failed to Follow Openly

John 12:42 (ESV):

“Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue.”

Here we see Jewish leaders who genuinely believed in Jesus—but they remained silent. They feared being expelled from the synagogue and rejected by their community. Their secret faith bore no fruit, because they were unwilling to confess Christ publicly.

Jesus Himself warned against such hidden faith:

Matthew 10:32–33 (ESV):

“So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”

Fear of man kept them from full devotion to Christ. This is a sobering warning for anyone tempted to stay silent because of societal or religious pressure.

2. Those Who Overcame the Pressure

Thankfully, the Bible also gives us powerful examples of men and women who were in extremely difficult situations—yet they chose to follow Jesus boldly. Two such people are:

• Joanna, the wife of Chuza, an official in Herod’s court.

• Manaen, a close associate and foster brother of Herod.

Joanna: A Courageous Disciple in the Palace of a Tyrant

Joanna was married to Chuza, the household manager (steward) of King Herod. Herod’s dynasty was notorious for persecuting God’s people:

• Herod the Great tried to kill baby Jesus by ordering the slaughter of infant boys (Matthew 2:16).

• Herod Antipas, his son, had John the Baptist beheaded (Matthew 14:10).

• Herod Agrippa, his grandson, killed James and tried to execute Peter (Acts 12:1–3).

Being part of Herod’s household meant being surrounded by hostility toward the Gospel. Yet Joanna, knowing the dangers, chose to become a disciple of Jesus—not secretly, but openly.

Luke 8:1–3 (ESV):

“Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.”

Joanna supported Jesus’ ministry both spiritually and financially. Her courage and generosity were expressions of deep faith and devotion. She risked her life by openly aligning herself with Jesus.

Her example reminds us that discipleship may cost us safety, reputation, or relationships—but the reward is eternal glory.

Manaen: A Prophet from the Palace

Acts 13:1 (ESV):

“Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.”

Manaen was raised alongside Herod Antipas—likely as a foster brother. They grew up in the same environment, had similar influences, and shared the same palace. But when Manaen heard the Gospel, he made a different choice. Instead of siding with power and politics, he chose Christ and was eventually recognized as a prophet and teacher in the early church.

This is a profound testimony: Two men raised under the same roof—one a persecutor of God’s servants, the other a servant of the Living God.

Manaen is a powerful example that your background does not determine your destiny. God can call and use anyone—even from the most unlikely of places—if they are willing to follow Him wholeheartedly.

Conclusion: What’s Holding You Back?

If Joanna and Manaen could follow Jesus from within the household of Herod—a family known for opposing Christ—what excuse do we have?

These two will rise in the judgment and stand as witnesses against anyone who claimed their situation was “too difficult” to follow Jesus (cf. Matthew 12:41-42). If you’re married to a non-believer, or live in a home where Christ is rejected, don’t be ashamed. Proclaim your faith. Follow Jesus. Deny yourself. Be bold.

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
(Matthew 16:25, ESV)

Like Joanna and Manaen, choose Christ—even when it costs you everything. He will honor those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30).

Maranatha — Come, Lord Jesus!

Blessed be the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Let us study the Word of God together.

Luke 21:37–38 (ESV)
“And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet. And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.”

Have you ever asked yourself why Jesus, during His final days in Jerusalem, chose to spend the nights not in someone’s home, but sleeping on the Mount of Olives?

It wasn’t because He lacked a place to stay or had no one to welcome Him. On the contrary, Jesus had many followers—some of them wealthy and influential—who would have gladly hosted Him.

For example, Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man and one of Jesus’ secret disciples. After Jesus’ crucifixion, he boldly approached Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body, and offered his own new tomb for the burial.

Matthew 27:57–58 (NIV)
“As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.”

Another example is the homeowner who provided the upper room for Jesus and His disciples to celebrate the Passover. According to Scripture, this was a well-furnished room in a multi-story house—clearly belonging to someone of means.

Mark 14:13–15 (ESV)
“And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, “The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.'”

So, the question remains: Why did Jesus choose to sleep outdoors on the Mount of Olives instead of staying with His followers in Jerusalem?

The Scriptures and context suggest two primary reasons:

1. To Pray in Solitude

Jesus was a man of prayer. Prayer wasn’t an occasional activity for Him—it was central to His earthly ministry. He often withdrew from the crowds to spend time in intimate communion with the Father. The Mount of Olives, a quiet and secluded place just east of Jerusalem, provided the ideal environment for this.

Luke 22:39 (NIV)
“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.”

He preferred a place free from domestic distractions—no hosting duties, no interruptions, no noise. He understood that focused prayer demands a still heart and a quiet setting. This serves as a powerful lesson for us: when we pray, we must also be intentional about our environment. The quality of our surroundings can influence the depth of our communion with God.

Even in Gethsemane, at the foot of the Mount, He wrestled in prayer the night before His arrest (Luke 22:44). His choice of that location was not random—it was purposeful, habitual, and spiritual.

2. To Be Early in the Temple

The second reason Jesus stayed on the Mount of Olives was so He could be early in the temple. He had a divine mission to teach the people every day, and He wanted to be the first one there to fulfill that responsibility faithfully. Staying in people’s homes—though hospitable—often involved delays due to domestic routines and preparations.

Consider the time He visited Mary and Martha:

Luke 10:38–40 (NIV)
“Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'”

Jesus understood that such distractions, while well-meaning, could hinder the urgency of the mission. When He stayed on the Mount of Olives, it allowed Him to simply wake up, perhaps wash, and walk a short distance to the temple—ready to teach. The Mount of Olives is only a few hundred meters from the Temple Mount, making it a strategic place to rest and rise early.

As a result, He became a model of spiritual diligence. The people saw His discipline and were inspired by it. Scripture says:

Luke 21:38 (ESV)
“And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.”

His commitment drew others. They began waking up earlier and earlier so they wouldn’t miss His teaching. He didn’t just tell them what to do—He lived it before them.

Spiritual Lessons for Today

Just like in Jesus’ day, the Lord still “rises early”—so to speak—to meet with His people in His house. Those who love Him, those who belong to Him truly, also rise early to seek Him. Spiritual hunger always shows itself in action.

But today, many believers are being spiritually crippled by two great hindrances: sleep and indifference.

Oversleeping and apathy are among the top reasons people miss worship services or arrive late. These two enemies dull our spirits and rob us of divine encounters. Scripture warns us about the dangers of spiritual slumber:

Mark 13:35–37 (ESV)
“Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come… And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”

Also,

Luke 22:46 (NIV)
“Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

There is no prayer that can remove laziness or sleepiness. The only remedy is decision and discipline. When Jesus found Peter, James, and John sleeping during a critical moment of prayer, He didn’t rebuke a demon—He simply told them to wake up and pray (Matthew 26:40-41).

So you, too, must make a deliberate choice: rise early, go to the house of God, seek His face, and be spiritually alert.

If your church is far, plan ahead. Stay near the church the night before if needed. Attend a night vigil and sleep nearby if possible. But whatever it takes, be in God’s house early, ready to worship and receive His Word.

Arriving late because of sleep, or showing up with no hunger for God, is displeasing to the Lord. In fact, on such a day, it might be better to stay home and rest—because you may not receive anything at all.

Final Exhortation

Reject the spirit of slumber. Reject spiritual laziness.
Wake up early. Go to church. Show the Lord that you honor His Word and His presence.

Those who seek Him early will surely find Him.

Proverbs 8:17 (ESV)
“I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.”

Maranatha! The Lord is coming soon. Let Him find you awake, active, and seeking Him.

May the Lord bless us all.

Question: What did Jesus mean when He said, “Salvation is from the Jews”? We know salvation comes from God, so how can He say it comes from the Jews?

Answer: Let’s read the verse first:

John 4:22 (ESV):
“You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.”

The salvation Jesus refers to here is spiritual salvation — not deliverance from physical danger or worldly troubles, but the salvation of the soul through the Spirit of God.

When Jesus said salvation “is from the Jews,” He did not mean that the Jewish people themselves save others or give salvation to anyone. No person or nation can save a soul! Salvation is ultimately from God alone.

Rather, Jesus was emphasizing that salvation originates with the Jewish people and then extends to the rest of the world.

This is why Jesus was born into Israel, into a Jewish family, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies given through prophets like Moses, David, and others. The Messiah was promised to come through the Jewish nation.

After His birth and ministry among the Jews, Jesus began preaching the gospel to the Jewish people first. Only when many of them rejected Him did He extend the offer of salvation to the Gentiles—including Samaritans and other nations.

This pattern is clear in Scripture:

Matthew 10:5-6 (ESV):
“These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, ‘Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’”

Only later, after Jewish rejection, were the disciples commanded to take the gospel to all nations:

Mark 16:15-16 (ESV):
“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Similarly, the Apostle Paul explains this transition during his ministry:

Acts 13:45-47 (ESV):
“But the Jews… were filled with jealousy and contradicted what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. But Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, ‘It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”’”

Therefore, salvation truly began with the Jewish people and then expanded to all nations.

Application: Have You Received This Salvation?

Have you personally received the salvation that Jesus brought to the Gentiles—salvation you were once unworthy of?

If you have, how are you treating this gift?

Salvation is not just a label or a cultural identity. It must be honored and lived out in holiness.

If you neglect salvation—by indulging in sin such as immodest behavior, drunkenness, gambling, sexual immorality, witchcraft, or theft after hearing the gospel—you are despising the grace of God.

The book of Hebrews warns us about neglecting salvation:

Hebrews 2:1-3 (ESV):
“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For if the message declared by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received a just penalty, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard.”

If you disregard the cross and the salvation offered through Jesus, you risk being lost.

Now is the time to repent and be sure of your eternal life.

Summary

Salvation is a divine gift that came through the Jewish people as part of God’s redemptive plan fulfilled in Jesus Christ. It began with Israel and was extended to all nations. This salvation calls for reverence, commitment, and a holy life.

Have you received this salvation? Are you living in a way that honors the price Jesus paid?

Shalom.

Greetings once again in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior. Welcome to this time of reflection on the Word of Life. This article continues our series on raising children from a biblical perspective.

If you are a parent or guardian caring for young children, or if you are expecting to become a parent, then this message is especially important for you.

We have shared other articles in this series before; if you missed them, feel free to contact us via WhatsApp at +255693036618, and we will gladly send them to you.

The Power of Teaching Children to Sing Praise to God

First, it is essential to understand that every child is born with an innate capacity for worship and praise. Whether we as parents like it or not, this desire to worship is placed within them by God. This natural worship comes to full expression when children gather to play and sing together.

Observe carefully: in places where many children assemble, you will hear them singing various songs — often the ones they have been taught or those they have overheard others singing. This is evidence that praise is deeply rooted within their spirits.

Jesus Himself used the example of children playing and singing in marketplaces to illustrate the spiritual condition of His generation. He said:

“To what then shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’”
— Luke 7:31-32 (ESV)

Children’s Praise: A Spiritual Force Not to Be Overlooked

When children sing, it might seem like mere play or fun, but in reality, their praises are a powerful act of worship that carries significant spiritual weight. This is seen clearly in the account of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

As Jesus rode on a donkey, the crowds laid down their cloaks and palm branches, loudly praising Him with shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel!” (John 12:13 ESV).

Nearby, children caught hold of these praises and began to echo them inside the temple courts. This caused great distress among the religious leaders, who rebuked Jesus, saying, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”

Jesus responded with a profound Scripture:

“Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have prepared praise’?”
— Matthew 21:16 (ESV)

This passage reveals that genuine, Spirit-filled praise originates even from the youngest mouths, and it fulfills God’s perfect will of worship.

What This Means for Parents and Guardians

If true praise comes from even the youngest children, then it is crucial for us as parents and caregivers to nurture this gift. Teaching children to sing songs of worship and praise is more than just cultural tradition — it is a spiritual strategy that shakes the foundations of the enemy’s kingdom (Psalm 8:2).

On the other hand, if children grow up singing secular or worldly songs filled with ungodly themes, they may inadvertently be offering their praises to Satan, empowering his influence rather than resisting it. Sadly, many children today sing music that promotes worldly values, and many parents, preoccupied with work and other commitments, neglect this vital aspect of spiritual formation.

Practical Steps for Raising Children in the Fear and Praise of God

• Intentionally teach your children songs of praise to God, filling their minds and hearts with the truths of Scripture.

• Reject and guard against secular music that contradicts godly principles.

• Regularly involve your children in Sunday school and sound biblical teaching where worship is centered on God’s glory.

• Be vigilant about the influences your children encounter—music, friends, media—and guide them wisely (Proverbs 22:6).

Final Thoughts

True peace and joy fill a home where children’s hearts are trained to worship the Lord. Their praises are a spiritual weapon that strengthens the family and thwarts the enemy. May the Lord empower us as parents to raise a generation that worships in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).

May His grace and peace be with you.

Shalom.

Question:
What are the Deuterocanonical books? Are they inspired by the Holy Spirit and suitable for Christian doctrine?

Answer:
The term Deuterocanonical refers to seven additional books included by the Roman Catholic Church alongside the traditional 66 books of the Bible, bringing the total number of books in the Catholic Bible to 73. The word Deuterocanonical means “second canon,” indicating that these books were added after the original list of 66 books was established.

The seven Deuterocanonical books are:

1. Tobit

2. Judith

3. 1 Maccabees

4. 2 Maccabees

5. Wisdom (also called the Wisdom of Solomon)

6. Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

7. Baruch

These books were written after the last Old Testament prophet, Malachi, and before the New Testament era. Originally, neither the Jewish community nor the early Christians regarded these texts as part of the inspired Scripture. They were only officially added to the canon by Pope Damasus I in the 4th century AD.

Are these books truly inspired Scripture?

This question is answered differently by various Christian traditions:

• Roman Catholic Perspective: The Catholic Church teaches that the Deuterocanonical books are indeed inspired by the Holy Spirit and therefore part of the canonical Scriptures. This view is grounded in the Church’s tradition and councils (e.g., the Council of Trent, 1546), which affirmed these books as authoritative and useful for teaching, correcting, and training in righteousness (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16 ESV).

• Protestant and Some Orthodox Perspectives: Many Protestant churches reject the Deuterocanonical books as inspired Scripture, affirming the 66-book canon as the complete Bible. They argue that the Deuterocanonical books contain teachings inconsistent with the rest of Scripture, which suggests these writings were not inspired by the Holy Spirit.

For example, 2 Maccabees 12:43-45 encourages prayers for the dead and the offering of sacrifices for the dead, a practice not found or endorsed in the 66-book Protestant canon. Scripture elsewhere teaches clearly that death leads to judgment (Hebrews 9:27 ESV):
“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment…”
There is no biblical support for praying for the dead, as taught in some Deuterocanonical passages.

Moreover, some Deuterocanonical texts contain references to behaviors and practices (such as drunkenness, superstition, and questionable dialogues) that conflict with the consistent moral and theological teachings of the canonical Scriptures. Because God is perfectly consistent, His inspired Word does not contradict itself

(Psalm 119:160 ESV):
“The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”

Therefore, from the Protestant viewpoint, the Deuterocanonical books are not considered divinely inspired Scripture but rather extra writings that are historically and culturally interesting but not authoritative for doctrine or practice.

Summary:
The Bible containing 66 books—from Genesis to Revelation—is recognized by most Christians as the fully inspired and inerrant Word of God. While the Deuterocanonical books have been historically included in the Catholic Bible, their divine inspiration is disputed. Christians should carefully consider the source and consistency of their scriptural texts and teachings, guarding against doctrines that contradict the clear revelation of God’s Word.

Paul’s warning in 1 Timothy 4:1 (ESV) reminds us:
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.”

May the Lord bless and keep you.