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Severe Punishment from God — How Does One Receive It?

Proverbs 15:10 (ESV)

“There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.”

God’s discipline is not uniform; it varies according to the individual and their relationship with Him. Many mistakenly believe that the greatest punishment will fall on the murderer or blatant sinner, rather than the believer who has knowingly turned away from God’s path. However, Scripture tells us clearly: it is severe punishment reserved for those who forsake the way.

Jesus Himself emphasized this truth in Luke 12:47-48 (ESV):

“And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”

This passage teaches us a profound principle: knowledge increases responsibility, and with greater knowledge of God’s will comes greater accountability. Thus, believers who knowingly reject God’s commands face a more severe judgment than those who sin in ignorance.

Today, many claim with their mouths that they are saved, yet their lives tell a different story. They remain distant from Christ, living in sin. These are the ones Jesus refers to as having forsaken the way. They might know that indulging in pornography is displeasing to God, yet continue; they cohabit outside of marriage, knowing it is sinful, yet persist; they dress immodestly and engage in behaviors that the Bible condemns as sinful, yet these actions have become normalized among them.

Church leaders recognize these sins as grave offenses, yet sadly, these behaviors have become common in the church today. Jesus warns that such people face severe punishment in hell.

My dear friend, the torment of hell is beyond human comprehension. It is a place so dreadful that even those suffering there long to escape. To imagine you there is to imagine indescribable suffering (see Luke 16:27-29).

Because of this, Jesus said in Mark 9:43-48 (ESV):

“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.
And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,
‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’”

Jesus’ words are stark and sobering. He commands drastic action to avoid sin and its eternal consequences. Sin that causes us to stumble spiritually must be dealt with decisively.

When you hear the gospel and refuse to obey, that very gospel becomes a source of judgment for you. The more you hear and reject, the greater your punishment. Value your soul and the time you have—these are the last days, and no one knows when they will breathe their last. Death often comes unexpectedly (Hebrews 9:27).

How ready are you for eternity? How prepared are you to stand before God with the gospel you have heard?

It is better to surrender your life fully to the Lord today — to be saved by grace through faith, and to follow Christ without compromise. Set aside the temporary things of this world and pursue holiness earnestly, because the Bible says, “Without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14, ESV).

If you are ready to repent and start fresh with God, He is ready to forgive. The moment you sincerely pray this prayer with faith, your sins are forgiven:

Prayer of Repentance

“Father, I come before You in humility. I confess that I have rebelled and sinned for a long time. I deserve Your severe discipline because I knew Your will but did not obey it. Today, I (state your name) resolve to begin a new life with You. Please forgive me, Father.
I renounce all my sinful ways, reject Satan and his works, and reject this world’s temptations. By the blood of Jesus Christ, cleanse me and make me pure.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your forgiveness. I believe Your promise that anyone who comes to You will never be turned away. I accept You now as my Lord and Savior. Help me live a victorious Christian life and remain faithful until the end.
Thank You for Your grace and mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

If you have prayed this prayer in faith, know that God sees your heart, not just your words. Just like the woman who was a sinner yet showed genuine repentance before Jesus and was forgiven (Luke 7:36-50), you too have received His mercy.

True repentance is marked by a heartfelt turning away from sin—whether that means ending sinful relationships, rejecting pornography, or abandoning any other sin. God’s forgiveness is complete and immediate when accompanied by sincere repentance.

From today, begin living a life that reflects your salvation. If you haven’t been baptized, you should consider doing so as an outward testimony of your new life in Christ. If you need guidance or support, please contact us at +255693036618 or +255789001312, and we will gladly assist you by God’s grace.

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May the Lord richly bless you as you walk in His grace and truth.

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The ear that does not hear, and the eye that does not see — the LORD made them both.”

What does this verse mean?

This verse reminds us that God is the Creator of all things, including our senses, each designed for a specific purpose. It says:

“The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both.” (Proverbs 20:12

Notice the verse emphasizes “an ear that does not hear” and “an eye that does not see.” This highlights the unique and distinct roles of each sense — an ear cannot see, and an eye cannot hear.

This reflects the intentional diversity God has built into creation. Each part is created for its own function, demonstrating God’s wisdom and design (Psalm 139:14).

This diversity in creation points to the truth that God is sovereign and purposeful in making everything different yet unified under His authority (Colossians 1:16). Just as God created people with different physical appearances — some may be African, others Asian — He also created a variety of gifts and roles within the body of Christ.

In the Church, God equips believers with diverse spiritual gifts to serve the community effectively. As Paul writes:

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6,

This passage teaches us that the variety of gifts and roles exists to build up the Church (Ephesians 4:11-13). The differences should not cause division or judgment but be celebrated as part of God’s perfect plan.

Therefore, when we observe differences among believers or in how ministry is done, we should not question God’s work or compare roles unfairly. Each believer’s contribution is valuable and designed by God for His glory.

Remember:

“The ear that does not hear, and the eye that does not see — the LORD made them both.” (Proverbs 20:12,ll

Recognize the unique calling God has given you. Stand firm in it with confidence, knowing that all gifts and differences ultimately point to God’s wisdom and glory.

May the Lord bless you richly.

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Question: As Christians, are we allowed to contribute to building places of worship for other religions?

For example, if I’m a Christian with financial means and someone asks me to help build a mosque, is it okay to do that?

Answer: Helping others in need is a good and biblical practice, especially when it reflects God’s love and compassion. The Bible encourages generosity and kindness toward all people, regardless of their background or faith. For example, Galatians 6:10

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
This means we should help others whenever we can, but our primary responsibility is toward fellow believers.

If you are asked to support things like building schools, feeding the hungry, or caring for the elderly—even those of different faiths—this can be a way to demonstrate Christ’s love and be a witness to them. Such acts do not conflict with Scripture.

However, when it comes to supporting the construction of places of worship for other religions, the situation changes. Scripture teaches that God alone is to be worshiped, and we are not to participate in the worship of other gods. Exodus 20:3 commands, “You shall have no other gods before me.”
Also, 1 Corinthians 10:21  warns,

“You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.”

This means there is a spiritual exclusivity in our worship and offerings. Financially supporting altars or places dedicated to other gods can be seen as participating in their worship, which the Bible forbids.

The connection between offerings and altar worship is deeply spiritual. Matthew 6:2

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Our giving reflects our true loyalty and affection. We cannot fully belong to Christ and simultaneously support other religious systems without compromising our faith. This is considered spiritual adultery, as warned in James 4:4

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God?”

Moreover, God is described as a jealous God;

Exodus 34:14

“Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.”

He desires our exclusive devotion, and this extends to how we use our resources.

As Christians, we should refrain from financially contributing to the building of worship places for other religions. If asked why, you can explain simply, “My faith teaches me to worship only God through Jesus Christ, and therefore I cannot support other religions.”

May God bless you as you stand firm in your faith.

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Why Does God Sometimes Act Like He Doesn’t Know?

At first glance, it can seem strange that an omniscient (all-knowing) God would ask questions or appear to investigate matters. Take, for example, the story of Cain and Abel. After Cain kills his brother, God asks:

“Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ He said, ‘I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?’”
— Genesis 4:9

We naturally wonder—why would God ask this if He already knew what had happened?

This is not a case of ignorance, but of divine condescension—God choosing to interact with humans in ways they can understand. This is what theologians call anthropopathism—when God expresses Himself with human emotions or reasoning for our sake.

Rather than immediately accusing Cain, God gives him the opportunity to confess and reflect. This is consistent with God’s graceful character and His desire for repentance rather than condemnation (2 Peter 3:9).

God’s Humility in Dialogue

Throughout Scripture, we find that God often allows room for human interaction—even persuasion. A striking example is in God’s conversation with Moses after Israel’s rebellion:

“Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them… But Moses implored the Lord his God and said, ‘O Lord… turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people.’… And the Lord relented from the disaster…”
— Exodus 32:10–14 (excerpted)

Did God need Moses’ advice? No. But He allowed Moses to intercede as a picture of Christ’s future role as our intercessor (Hebrews 7:25). This also reveals God’s willingness to engage relationally with humanity.

This behavior demonstrates what theologians call relational theism—the idea that God’s sovereignty includes real, responsive interaction with His creation.

God Investigates — Not Because He Doesn’t Know, But to Show Justice

Another example is when God decided to investigate Sodom and Gomorrah before destroying them:

“Then the Lord said, ‘Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great… I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.’”
— Genesis 18:20–21

God is not ignorant here. Rather, He is showing that His judgment is measured, righteous, and justifiable. He models due process—an important theme in biblical justice. This transparency in divine action encourages our trust in His fairness.

The Ultimate Humbling: God in Flesh

God’s humility is most powerfully displayed in the Incarnation—God becoming human in the person of Jesus Christ:

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself… being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
— Philippians 2:5–8

This is the mystery of kenosis—Christ “emptying Himself,” not by losing divinity, but by laying aside His privileges. He chose to suffer, learn, weep, and even die. Why? So we could never say, “God doesn’t understand my pain.”

The author of Hebrews affirms this:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
— Hebrews 4:15

Jesus experienced poverty (Matthew 8:20), rejection (John 1:11), temptation (Matthew 4:1–11), betrayal, and death—so that He could be our perfect Savior and sympathetic Lord.

“Weakness” That Saves the World

To the world, this kind of humility may seem foolish, even weak. But Scripture flips that thinking:

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
— 1 Corinthians 1:25

God’s willingness to appear “weak” is exactly what made our redemption possible. His death brought life. His “defeat” at the cross secured our victory over sin and death.

What Does This Teach Us?

God’s humility isn’t just a theological concept—it’s an example for us. We are called to imitate the same attitude:

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves… Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…”
— Philippians 2:3, 5

We are not just saved by humility—we are called to humility.

“Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”
— 1 Peter 5:5

God’s “questions,” His “investigations,” and His willingness to engage with us in seemingly human ways—all reveal His loving and humble heart. He’s not distant or removed. He stepped into our story, became one of us, and bore the worst of human suffering to rescue us.

Let’s learn from His example: true strength lies in humility.

Come, Lord Jesus!
(Revelation 22:20)

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What does it mean when the Bible says, “You who hate idols, steal the temples?”

QUESTION: What does the Bible mean when it says, “You who hate idols, steal the temples?” What does it mean to “steal temples”?

Romans 2:21-22 (NIV) says, “You, therefore, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?
22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?”

ANSWER: These words were spoken by the Apostle Paul through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. While Paul does not provide an extensive explanation in this passage, we can infer that there was a serious issue among some Jews living in pagan nations. They had developed the corrupt practice of invading pagan temples, stealing the idols (which were often made from precious metals like gold and silver), and either selling them as they were or melting them down for profit. This practice was sinful not only because it involved theft, but also because it contradicted the Jewish stance against idolatry.

Paul’s rhetorical question—“You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?”—points to the contradiction in their actions. It was hypocritical for anyone who rejected idol worship to then take items from the idols’ temples for their own benefit. This was not just a breach of God’s law, but also a violation of the moral laws of the nations they were living in.

A similar issue arose when Paul was in Ephesus, as recorded in Acts 19:23-40 (NIV). Paul’s preaching against idol worship caused a riot because it threatened the livelihoods of those who made a living through idol worship and trade. The accusers hoped to find a charge of temple robbery against Paul, but the authorities found no evidence of such wrongdoing. This illustrates how stealing from temples was seen as a grave offense, both religiously and legally.

Acts 19:36-37 (NIV) states:
“Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and not do anything rash.
37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess.”

Now, why did Paul say, “You who hate idols, steal the temples”? Paul was challenging the inconsistency in their behavior. If they rejected idolatry, how could they justify profiting from the idols’ worship? Stealing and profiting from idol worship was not different from supporting it.

Theological Insight: Paul’s argument in Romans 2:21-22 is deeply theological, pointing out the hypocrisy in human behavior. He is showing that outward rejection of sin does not justify inward contradictions or sinful actions. The issue of idolatry in the Bible goes beyond the physical act of worshiping idols; it also includes any form of participation or endorsement of idolatry—whether through theft, trade, or making a profit from the objects of idol worship.

Deuteronomy 7:25 (NIV) says:
“The images of their gods you are to burn in the fire. Do not covet the silver and gold on them, and do not take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it, for it is detestable to the Lord your God.”

This passage teaches that anything associated with idolatry—whether the idols themselves or the wealth gained from them—should be destroyed, not coveted or used for personal gain. This principle aligns with the biblical call to separate oneself from anything tied to false worship.

Theological Application: Rejecting a particular sin should extend beyond just avoiding the outward action; it requires a total rejection of anything associated with it. For instance, if we claim to reject alcohol, we cannot justify stealing or selling alcohol. If we claim to reject smoking, we cannot profit from the tobacco industry. Similarly, rejecting adultery means we should not engage in businesses that cater to adulterers.

1 John 5:21 (NIV) advises:
“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”

This reinforces the biblical teaching that idol worship—whether physical, emotional, or material—should be entirely avoided. This includes not just the act of bowing down to idols, but also the practices that support idolatry, such as profiting from idol worship.

Conclusion: The Bible teaches us that our rejection of sin must be consistent in every aspect of our lives. We are called to flee from all forms of idolatry, whether physical or metaphorical, and live a life that honors God in both actions and intentions. Hypocrisy in our walk with God is dangerous, and as believers, we must ensure our actions align with our faith.

May the Lord bless you.

Please share this good news with others.

For prayers, service schedules, counseling, or any questions, call: +255693036618 or +255789001312.

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“It Is Impossible to Bring Them Back to Repentance” — What Does This Mean?

Let’s begin by reading the full context:

Hebrews 6:4–6
“It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age
and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.”

❗What Is This Passage Really Saying?

This passage refers to a specific category of people:

  • They have received spiritual light (enlightened),
  • Tasted the heavenly gift (salvation),
  • Shared in the Holy Spirit,
  • Experienced the power of God’s Word and the age to come.

In other words, these are genuine believers who have had a deep encounter with the truth of the gospel—not merely casual followers.

But then, the warning comes:
If such people deliberately turn away from Christ and return to a life of rebellion, it becomes impossible to renew them again to repentance.

🧠 Theological Explanation:

This does not mean that God is unwilling to forgive.
Rather, it means that the capacity or desire to repent becomes lost.

Why?

Because repentance is not merely a human decision.
It is a work of the Holy Spirit, who brings conviction, sorrow for sin, and the will to turn back to God.

John 6:44
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them…”

John 16:8
“When he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.”

If someone grieves or rejects the Spirit repeatedly, He may withdraw—and once that happens, the heart becomes hardened. Without the Spirit’s influence, true repentance is no longer possible.

This is in line with Reformed theology, especially the doctrines of effectual calling and perseverance of the saints. While believers cannot lose salvation lightly, this passage warns that those who willfully apostatize after full knowledge are revealing they were never truly regenerate (see 1 John 2:19) or are crossing a spiritual line beyond which recovery is humanly impossible.

🛑 Why This Is a Serious Warning for Believers

This isn’t addressing people who struggle with sin or fall occasionally.
It’s directed at those who have:

  • Fully embraced the truth,
  • And then consciously reject Christ and return to a life of sin.

1 Corinthians 10:12
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”

2 Peter 2:20–22
“If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning… A dog returns to its vomit, and, A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”

These scriptures show that turning back to sin after fully knowing Christ brings greater condemnation and spiritual ruin.

💡 What If You’re Drifting Right Now?

If you’re reading this and realize you’ve started returning to old sins—even after experiencing God’s grace—take this message seriously.

If you still feel conviction, sorrow, or fear after hearing this—that’s a sign that grace has not left you yet.
The Holy Spirit is still working in you. But this is a warning: if you continue to resist His voice, you risk reaching a point of no return.

Hebrews 3:15
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…”

✅ So What Should You Do?

  1. Don’t take conviction lightly.
    That internal fear or discomfort is a gift—it shows God is still calling you.
  2. Repent sincerely.
    If you’ve gone back to old sins like sexual immorality, drunkenness, dishonesty, hatred, or addiction—turn away from them now.
  3. Return to Christ while there is still time.

Isaiah 55:6–7
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.”

🕊️ Final Thought:

Hebrews 6:6 is a wake-up call—not to make us despair, but to urge us to take our salvation seriously.
The same God who saves is also the God who warns. If we ignore His call today, there may come a time when we can no longer hear Him at all.

May the Lord give us hearts that remain soft to His voice.
The Lord is coming!

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“In the Appointed Time, I Heard You”

The Bible teaches that everything has its proper season and timing.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says:

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”

This means that while you may earnestly desire something, it won’t happen unless it’s the right time — the season that God has ordained.

For instance, no matter how much water or fertilizer you give a mango tree, if it’s not the season for it to bear fruit, it simply won’t. But when the season arrives, even with minimal effort, the tree naturally produces fruit.

Why?
Because timing matters, even in spiritual things.

The Season of Grace

Just like physical seasons, spiritual blessings also operate within God-ordained seasons. One of these blessings is the grace of salvation.

Many assume that the grace of salvation is always available and eternal, but Scripture teaches otherwise. Grace is offered during a specific period — the acceptable time — and outside of that time, it is not accessible.

Before Jesus came into the world, people could not fully receive the forgiveness of sins. Their sins were covered temporarily through sacrifices, but never fully removed.

Hebrews 10:1-4explains:

“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come… it can never, by the same sacrifices… make perfect those who draw near… For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”

Even great figures like Moses, David, and Elijah had their sins covered, not forgiven in the full sense. Their righteousness was counted by faith, but they did not live in the dispensation of grace.

This wasn’t because they didn’t pray enough or weren’t devoted. Elijah, for example, is described as a man who prayed fervently:

James 5:17

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly…”

Still, they could not access the grace we now have.

Why not?
Because it wasn’t yet the season for grace to be revealed.

The New Season Begins

Everything changed when Jesus came.

John 1:17 says:

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

Jesus ushered in a new season — a time when God’s grace became available to all who believe.

In the synagogue, Jesus read from the scroll of Isaiah and applied the prophecy to Himself:

Luke 4:18–19

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor…
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

Notice the phrase: “the acceptable year of the Lord.”
This is a specific time frame — the appointed season in which God’s favor is poured out.

Now Is That Time

Paul affirms this clearly:

2 Corinthians 6:1–2

“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.’
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

This means we are currently living in the season when God’s grace is available and salvation can be received. But like all seasons, this one will not last forever.

A Closing Window

The grace we enjoy today will not always be here. When Christ returns to take His church — what the Bible calls the Rapture — this season will close.

After that, no amount of prayer, fasting, or pleading will bring salvation, because it will no longer be the acceptable time.

Matthew 25:10-13 — in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins — Jesus warns that when the door is shut, it will be too late to enter:

“…the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut… Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

What Should You Do?

Take hold of grace while it’s still offered.
The prophets of old longed to see this day. Jesus said:

Matthew 13:17

“For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it…”

So how do you receive this grace?

Acts 2:38 gives us the clear answer:

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

  • Believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
  • Repent of your sins.
  • Be baptized in His name.
  • Live in obedience to Him.

This is how you enter into the grace of God and are counted among those ready for His return.

The Lord is coming!.

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