Question: Why did God reject King Saul, and what lesson do we learn from his downfall?
Answer:
God rejected Saul because of two major sins:
These are the two areas in which Saul failed, and the Bible explains them clearly.
1 Samuel 15:22–23 And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king.”
1 Samuel 15:22–23
And Samuel said, “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
and to listen than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
he has also rejected you from being king.”
1. Rebellion
Rebellion means turning away from the right path and becoming an enemy to that path. This is exactly what happened to Saul. His heart slowly turned away from God, and he knowingly began to go against God’s commands even though he fully understood that what he was doing was wrong.
2. Stubbornness
Saul’s second sin was stubbornness.
A stubborn person is someone who cannot be corrected, refuses advice, and will not change his mind—whatever he has decided, he holds onto firmly.
King Saul was stubborn before the LORD.
When he committed his first sin by offering a sacrifice unlawfully (against God’s command) in 1 Samuel 13:8–14, he was rebuked. Yet, despite this warning, he later repeated a similar sin in 1 Samuel 15:14–15, when he brought forbidden offerings from the Amalekites and claimed he wanted to sacrifice them to the LORD.
He brought the best sheep and oxen from the Amalekites to offer to God. At first glance, it may appear like a wise or spiritual action, but in reality, Saul committed a great offense.
Taking animals belonging to idol worshipers—animals likely used or dedicated to their gods, with unknown spiritual histories—and presenting them to Yahweh simply because they looked “fat and healthy” was a serious act of disrespect (1 Samuel 15:14–15).
This is just like taking a prostitute’s earnings and offering them to the LORD, something God strictly forbids.
Deuteronomy 23:18 You shall not bring the fee of a prostitute or the wages of a dog into the house of the LORD your God in payment for any vow, for both of these are an abomination to the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 23:18
You shall not bring the fee of a prostitute or the wages of a dog into the house of the LORD your God in payment for any vow, for both of these are an abomination to the LORD your God.
The law also says God must not be offered any animal that is blemished or tainted (Deut. 17:1). Yet Saul brought animals full of the wickedness and defilement of the Amalekites as sacrifices to God. This was extreme stubbornness.
These Same Two Sins Still Displease God Today: Rebellion and Stubbornness
Jeremiah 5:22–25 Do you not fear me? declares the LORD. Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they cannot pass over it. But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.’ Your iniquities have turned these away, and your sins have kept good from you.
Jeremiah 5:22–25
Do you not fear me? declares the LORD.
Do you not tremble before me?
I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea,
a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass;
though the waves toss, they cannot prevail;
though they roar, they cannot pass over it.
But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart;
they have turned aside and gone away.
They do not say in their hearts,
‘Let us fear the LORD our God,
who gives the rain in its season,
the autumn rain and the spring rain,
and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.’
Your iniquities have turned these away,
and your sins have kept good from you.
Maranatha!
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Question: Why did God create us? What is the purpose of our existence? And why is one person created this way and another in a different way? In general, why did God create the world?
God created us because of His own love and His own will—so that He would delight in being with us, and that we would delight in being with Him.
Revelation 4:11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Revelation 4:11
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”
Our creation is a great advantage to us, because there is no benefit in not existing. Imagine you did not exist—or none of us existed. What benefit would that bring?
But if we exist and we are given eternal life and joy, then that is a great blessing!
And God Himself has promised us eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
However, if a person refuses life—if he does not want life at all—then the only path that leads to loss is rejecting Jesus.
1 John 5:12 “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
1 John 5:12
“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
Second Question: Why is one person created this way and another differently?
The simple answer:
Because that is what pleased God, so that we would be different from one another.
(He did not desire that we all look identical like ants.)
Beyond that, we cannot question Him further.
Romans 9:20–21 “But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?”
Romans 9:20–21
“But who are you, O man, to answer back to God?
Will what is molded say to its molder, ‘Why have you made me like this?’
Has the potter no right over the clay,
to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use
and another for dishonorable use?”
Regardless of how we were created, our responsibility is to seek eternal life. And it is important to understand that God shows no favoritism—no one is valued more than another.
Before Him, we are all equal:
not judged by appearance, or height, or age, or gender.
We are all equally loved and equally measured by His standard.
Do you have eternal life within you?
Remember: eternal life is found in one Person only—Jesus Christ.
If you have not yet received Him and you need help, you may contact us through our numbers below.
May the Lord bless you.
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Every time I sleep, I feel something choking my throat, making it hard to breathe. It feels like something is pressing down on me, and I sometimes feel like I’m going to die. Other times, I feel completely stuck and can’t move for a long time. Even when I try to fight it off, it takes a lot of effort, but eventually, it lets go. Is this a nightmare? This has been happening repeatedly. I’ve tried fasting and praying, and it sometimes stops for a few days, but then it returns. What should I do?
ANSWER:
What you’re experiencing is likely a form of spiritual attack in your dreams. The Bible tells us that our struggle is not only against physical forces but also against spiritual powers (Ephesians 6:12). The enemy often uses dreams to torment believers and distract them from their peace in Christ. Spiritual attacks in dreams can manifest in various ways: suffocating feelings, being unable to move, or facing disturbing and oppressive images. These are tactics of the enemy to instill fear, doubt, and helplessness.
Ephesians 6:12 (NIV): “
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
If you are facing such experiences, it’s crucial to know that there is a solution, and that solution is Jesus Christ. The Bible offers clear instructions on how to stand firm in the face of these attacks.
Here are three biblical principles that can help you overcome spiritual attacks in your sleep:
When you encounter spiritual attacks, do not remain silent. The Bible teaches us that we have been given authority over all the power of the enemy through Jesus Christ. His name is a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare.
Matthew 10:19-20 (NIV):
“Do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.”
Luke 10:19 (NIV): “
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
Jesus gave us authority to confront the forces of darkness. When you are under attack, speak the name of Jesus with authority, rebuking the evil forces and commanding them to leave. By invoking the name of Jesus, you align yourself with His divine power and dominion over all things, including the spiritual realm.
Before you go to bed, make it a habit to pray and surrender your night to God. This spiritual discipline helps you to establish a shield of protection over your life. The Bible warns us to guard our hearts and ensure that we are not giving the devil any foothold in our lives.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV):
“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Spiritual attacks can be more frequent when there are unresolved issues in your heart, such as anger, unforgiveness, or bitterness. These emotions open doors for the enemy to exploit. Therefore, it’s essential to keep your heart clean before the Lord, asking for forgiveness and making sure there’s no resentment before you sleep.
Psalm 4:8 (NIV):
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
God promises to provide peace and safety as you trust in Him, making it essential to release your anxieties and fears to God before sleeping.
If you are already using the name of Jesus and are praying before sleep but still experiencing attacks, the issue might lie in your faith. Faith is critical in spiritual warfare, and the Bible shows us that lack of faith can hinder our victory over the enemy.
Matthew 17:19-20 (NIV): “
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, ‘Why couldn’t we drive it out?’ He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'”
Jesus said that even faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. If you’re facing recurring spiritual attacks, it may be because your faith needs strengthening. You must trust that the power of Jesus’ name is greater than any spiritual force and that He has already won the victory for you through His death and resurrection.
Romans 8:37 (NIV):
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
As a believer, you are already victorious in Christ. Strengthening your faith in the promises of God will give you the boldness to confront these attacks without fear. The power of the Holy Spirit within you is greater than any demon or evil spirit that comes against you.
1 John 4:4 (NIV): “
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Remember, just as Samson overcame the lion with the strength God had given him (Judges 14:5-6), you too can overcome any spiritual attack by trusting in the power that is already within you—through the Holy Spirit. Demons are powerless against you when you stand firm in faith, knowing that Jesus has already defeated them on the cross.
John 16:33 (NIV): “
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
You are not alone in this battle. The Lord is with you, and He will give you the strength to overcome.
2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV): “
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
Use the spiritual weapons God has given you: prayer, the name of Jesus, and unwavering faith. Rebuke the enemy with authority, and trust that God will fight on your behalf.
God bless you.
Shalom.
Normally, God does answer prayers, but His timing is often different from ours. We tend to want immediate answers the moment we pray. That may happen if the request aligns perfectly with God’s timing.
However, if it is not God’s will for you to receive what you asked for at that moment, you must wait for His timing. This does not mean God has ignored your prayer—He has answered; it’s just that your answer may come tomorrow, next month, next year, or even years later. Some answers require preparation before we are ready to receive them.
It is impossible for a child who has not even started school to ask his father for a car and drive it the very same day, even if the father has the means to provide it. A wise parent would store the gift until the child is mature and ready to handle it. The same principle applies to God. Some prayers are answered immediately, while others require time until we are ready.
That’s why, after praying, it is wise to allow God’s will to be fulfilled, as David said:
Psalm 69:13–14 “But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD, at an acceptable time; O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me in your saving faithfulness. Deliver me from the mire; do not let me sink; let me be delivered from those who hate me and out of the deep waters.”
Psalm 69:13–14
“But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD, at an acceptable time; O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me in your saving faithfulness. Deliver me from the mire; do not let me sink; let me be delivered from those who hate me and out of the deep waters.”
However, there are prayers that God does not answer at all. These often fall into the following categories:
1. Prayers of Lust or Greed
These are requests made not out of need, but for pleasure, competition, or display.
For example, someone may pray for money, not to solve a genuine problem, but to show off to others or indulge in luxury. Such prayers are not answered because the heart’s intention is wrong.
James 4:3 “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”
James 4:3
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”
It is crucial to examine the motivation of our prayers. Are we asking for a genuine need, or out of selfish desire?
2. Prayers of the Wicked
Those who do not love God in their hearts but still want His blessings will not have their prayers answered.
A murderer who refuses to repent, a thief who continues stealing, or an adulterer who does not intend to change—even if they hear sermons every day—their prayers are not answered.
Isaiah 1:15–17 “When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
Isaiah 1:15–17
“When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
3. Prayers of Complaining and Grumbling
Prayers filled with complaints or a sense of being wronged often receive the opposite of what is desired. Instead of receiving blessings, one may lose even the little they have.
1 Corinthians 10:10–11 “Do not complain, as some of them did and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened as an example for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.”
1 Corinthians 10:10–11
“Do not complain, as some of them did and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now these things happened as an example for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.”
Avoid grumbling in prayer. Instead, pray with thankfulness, humility, and respect.
4. Prayers that Test God
This includes prayers that challenge God, like the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness.
Luke 4:9–12 “He led him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ …Jesus answered, ‘It is said, You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Luke 4:9–12
“He led him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ …Jesus answered, ‘It is said, You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Do not pray to “see what God will do.” Such prayers do not receive answers and may instead bring discipline rather than blessing.
1 Corinthians 10:9 “We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents.”
1 Corinthians 10:9
“We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents.”
Conclusion
Be mindful of these four types of prayers:
Guard your heart and your intentions so that your prayers are answered according to God’s will.
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The principle of fasting and prayer can be compared to the way a hen sits on her eggs until they hatch.
For the eggs to produce chicks, the hen must sit on them for about 21 days. During that time, she must keep them warm, which means she has to deny herself food for long periods so she does not lose the necessary heat. You will notice that she only leaves the nest briefly to find a little food before returning to the eggs and she keeps doing this faithfully for all 21 days.
In other words, if the hen refuses to endure that sacrifice denying herself comfort and food she will never see her chicks hatch!
In the same way, there are certain things in life that require spiritual heat a deep, sustained period of fasting, prayer, and self denial before they can happen. Otherwise, no matter how much we desire them, they will never come to pass.
The Lord Jesus said:
Matthew 17:21 “But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting.”
Matthew 17:21
“But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting.”
So then:
If you have sought something and have not found it enter into fasting!
If you have prayed and still have not received add fasting to your prayer!
If you have searched and still have not succeeded combine your seeking with prayer and fasting!
If you long for peace, joy, or strength to move forward do not avoid fasting!
A person who prays and fasts will experience both spiritual and physical breakthroughs. They will “hatch” many things at the right time.
But someone who avoids fasting will struggle greatly to achieve even small victories.
We see this example in the life of Daniel:
Daniel 9:2–3, 21–23 “In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking Him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. …While I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, ‘O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.’”
Daniel 9:2–3, 21–23
“In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.
Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking Him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.
…While I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice.
He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, ‘O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding.
At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.’”
There are also repentances that require fasting before a person can be set free.
Joel 2:12–13 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.”
Joel 2:12–13
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;
and rend your hearts and not your garments.”
Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster.”
So, do not avoid fasting!
It is a powerful key to spiritual renewal, deliverance, and divine breakthrough.
Question: Who lived the longest in the Bible? And who is the person who lived the longest on earth?
According to the Bible, the person who lived the longest was Methuselah, the son of Enoch, who was taken up by God. The Bible records that Methuselah lived 969 years, and no one else is recorded to have lived longer than him.
Genesis 5:25–27 (ESV) “When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he fathered Lamech.
Genesis 5:25–27 (ESV)
“When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he fathered Lamech.
Methuselah lived after he fathered Lamech 782 years and had other sons and daughters.
Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.”
Other people who lived long lives in the Bible include:
After the Flood of Noah, human lifespan was reduced to 120 years, and even then, very few lived that long most lived far less.
Genesis 6:3 (ESV) “Then the Lord said, ‘My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.’”
Genesis 6:3 (ESV)
“Then the Lord said, ‘My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.’”
As time went on, human life expectancy continued to decrease from 120 years down to about 80 years.
Psalm 90:9–10 (ESV) “For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
Psalm 90:9–10 (ESV)
“For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty;
yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.”
Why Has the Human Lifespan Continued to Decrease?
Is it because of climate change or changes in food?
The simple answer is: because of sin. Not the weather or diet but sin itself.
The very first thing that shortened human life from living forever to living 930 years was sin, beginning with Adam and Eve. It was not because they lacked a healthy diet or didn’t exercise. It was because of disobedience to God.
That same principle continues today. As sin increases, human life continues to shorten. Meanwhile, Satan tries to deceive people into thinking that long life comes only from healthy eating or exercise such as avoiding meat, fats, or following perfect fitness routines.
While those practices are good and beneficial for health, they do not guarantee long life. Many people who live very healthily die young, and others who do not follow those routines live long lives.
The true secret to a long and blessed life is to fear God and turn away from evil.
Keep His commandments and do His will then your life will be long, both in this world and in the one to come.
Exodus 20:12 (ESV) “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
Exodus 20:12 (ESV)
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
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As the title of this lesson suggests, “Being created is not enough.” In other words, there are other necessary steps for God’s creation to reach its full purpose. Let’s explore these steps.
The first verse of the Bible sets the foundation for creation:
Genesis 1:1 (NIV)
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
Here, the Bible introduces the idea of God as the Creator the One who brought the universe into existence ex nihilo (from nothing). Yet, as we read further, we see that creation wasn’t immediately “complete” in the sense that we understand a fully functioning world. That’s why the next verse clarifies:
Genesis 1:2a (NIV)
“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep…”
This state of formlessness and emptiness is what theologians call tohu wa-bohu in Hebrew, meaning “waste and void.” The world was in a chaotic, uninhabitable state. It was dark, representing spiritual emptiness, a lack of God’s presence. But God did not leave the world in this state.
Two Divine Actions God then took two essential actions to bring creation to its intended purpose:
With these two divine actions the Spirit and the Word the creation begins to unfold in a purposeful and life-giving way.
John 1:1-5 (NIV)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Here, John explicitly connects the “Word” (Greek: Logos) with Jesus Christ. Jesus is not only the spoken Word but the eternal Logos, who was with God and who is God from the beginning. He was the agent through whom all things were created.
Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness, overcoming the darkness that we saw in Genesis. This light represents both the illumination of divine truth and the victory of life over the chaos and sin of the world.
What’s significant here is that Jesus, as the eternal Word, is central to God’s creative activity. This makes clear that any creation, whether physical or spiritual, is only truly complete when it is filled with His Word Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:9 (NIV)
“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.”
The Holy Spirit is not just a power or a force, but the third Person of the Trinity. He is the one who regenerates the believer, giving new life to our spirit. Paul emphasizes that if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. Without the Spirit, one cannot be a true follower of Christ, and without the Word (Jesus), one cannot be fully aligned with God’s purposes.
This is why Jesus speaks of being born again through the Spirit, in order to see and enter the kingdom of God (cf. John 3:5-6). The Holy Spirit is the One who brings us into a new relationship with God, making us partakers of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).
John 3:3 (NKJV)
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”
Being “born again” refers to the spiritual rebirth that occurs when a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It is essential because, through this spiritual rebirth, the believer receives forgiveness of sins and is made a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is the Holy Spirit who performs this work of regeneration.
Without this rebirth, a person is spiritually dead, separated from God. The new creation is only possible when both the Word (Jesus Christ) and the Spirit are active within the believer. This is when a person becomes truly complete and able to bear the fruits of righteousness that God desires.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.”
To be saved is a gift from God, offered freely through the grace of Jesus Christ. But salvation is not just about being created or receiving grace it is about receiving Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord. As the Bible teaches, we must be born again through the Spirit and made complete in Christ.
The urgency of this message is clear we are living in the last days. Christ’s return is imminent, and the world is heading toward its final conclusion. The question remains: Are you ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven? Where does your completeness stand before God?
Be blessed!
The only recorded moment in the Gospels where we are explicitly told that Jesus was tired is found in John 4. This detail gives us profound insight into both His humanity and His mission. Jesus, fully God and fully man, experienced the full range of human limitations hunger, thirst, and fatigue yet He never allowed these to hinder His obedience to the Father’s will.
John 4:5–6 (NIV):
“So He came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as He was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.”
The Greek word used here for “tired” (kekopiakōs) implies real physical fatigue. Jesus had been walking under the heat of the sun, most likely for several hours, through rough terrain. His weariness was genuine not symbolic demonstrating His full participation in the human condition (cf. Hebrews 4:15).
This moment reminds us that our Savior truly understands what it means to be physically and emotionally drained.
Hebrews 2:17 says, “For this reason He had to be made like them, fully human in every way…” so that He could become a merciful and faithful High Priest.
While Jesus rested at the well, His disciples went into town to buy food (John 4:8). In this moment of isolation and physical weakness, the Father presents Him with a divine opportunity: a broken woman in need of living water.
Instead of prioritizing His own needs, Jesus engages in one of the most profound theological conversations recorded in the Gospels. He reveals Himself as the Messiah not to a religious leader, but to a marginalized, sinful Samaritan woman a powerful demonstration of grace crossing ethnic, gender, and moral boundaries.
John 4:13–14 (NIV):
“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’”
Despite His tiredness, Jesus sows seeds that will lead to a spiritual harvest. Later in the chapter, He tells His disciples:
John 4:34–35 (NIV):
“‘My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. Don’t you have a saying, “It’s still four months until harvest”? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.’”
This is the heart of Jesus’ obedience: putting the Father’s mission above His own comfort.
The Samaritan woman is transformed by her encounter with Christ. She leaves her water jar a symbol of her old priorities and runs back to her town to tell others about Jesus.
John 4:28–30 (NIV):
“Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?’ They came out of the town and made their way toward Him.”
Because Jesus ministered in His weariness, many Samaritans believed (John 4:39–42). His temporary physical fatigue led to eternal spiritual fruit.
This account challenges us today. How often do we let exhaustion become our excuse?
“I’ve worked all week.” “I’m too tired to pray.” “This is my only day to rest.”
We often want to serve God when it’s convenient when we’re energized, healthy, or have nothing else going on. But some of the most fruitful moments in ministry happen when we press through fatigue in obedience to God.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV):
“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
God does not waste our weakness. He honors the sacrifices we make when we serve Him even when it’s hard.
We are not called to serve in our own strength, but in His.
Isaiah 40:29–31 (NIV):
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
This passage reminds us that divine strength is available to all who wait on the Lord. He renews, empowers, and enables us to keep going even when we feel empty.
As believers, one of the most awe-inspiring truths we must grasp is this: God is not bound by time. His power operates both beyond and outside the human constraints of chronology. When we speak of God working “beyond time,” we often picture Him showing up in situations that seem overdue when the deadline has passed and hope seems lost. But we must also recognize that God can move ahead of time, intervening in ways that defy natural expectations.
In Luke 1:36, the angel tells Mary:
“Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.” (Luke 1:36, NIV)
Elizabeth, much like Sarah in the Old Testament, conceived when it was physically and biologically improbable. Genesis 18:11 says of Sarah:
“Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.” (Genesis 18:11, NIV)
In both cases, God worked after what human reasoning deemed “too late.” This is a divine reminder that delays in our lives do not limit God’s ability to fulfill His promises.
Conversely, in the same narrative, Mary conceives before any human process begins. Luke 1:34-35 records her astonishment:
“‘How will this be,’ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.'” (Luke 1:34–35, NIV)
Mary’s pregnancy was not just a miracle it was a prophetic fulfillment brought about ahead of the natural order. This reveals that God is not only a Redeemer of lost time but also a God of acceleration, who can usher in seasons before they are expected.
In your spiritual journey, you may experience both kinds of seasons:Delayed breakthroughs that come after much waiting and testing.Accelerated blessings that arrive suddenly, without warning or preparation.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV)
Yet God, who created time, is not restricted to it. He intervenes at kairos moments divinely appointed times that override chronos (natural time).
In moments of delay, we may question God’s timing. In seasons of sudden blessing, we may feel undeserving or unprepared. Yet in both, God’s wisdom remains perfect.
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33, NIV)
“Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you.” (Job 22:21, NIV)
When you trust God beyond your own understanding of timing, peace and divine goodness follow.
Question: Is incense mentioned in the Bible? And what was its purpose?
Answer: Incense was one of the ingredients used in ancient times to make the sacred perfume called frankincense.
This ingredient (incense) comes from the resin produced by a tree known as Boswellia (see picture above). The Boswellia tree begins to produce resin between 8 to 10 years after being planted, and it thrives best in dry regions.
In the Bible, “incense” was mixed together with three other ingredients stacte, onycha, and galbanum to prepare the sacred perfume called incense. The high priest would burn it so that its smoke filled the Tabernacle before carrying out the work of atonement.
That kind of incense was strictly forbidden for any personal or private use. In other words, no one was allowed to make it using the same formula for their home, personal worship, or as perfume. Doing so was considered a serious offense.
Exodus 30:34–38 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices gum resin, onycha and galbanum and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the Lord. Whoever makes incense like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off from their people.”
Exodus 30:34–38
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices gum resin, onycha and galbanum and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts,
and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred.
Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you.
Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the Lord.
Whoever makes incense like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off from their people.”
To understand more deeply about incense and its spiritual meaning, see here >> WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO OFFER INCENSE?
But the question remains: Are Christians today allowed to burn incense in worship or in our homes?
The answer is No. Christians have not been given any command to burn incense or to involve themselves with it. The incense was used under the Old Covenant in the Tabernacle, but after the New Covenant began, those practices became spiritual rather than physical. Therefore, no incense, frankincense, or any such spices are required in worship under the New Covenant.
Why are the rituals of burning incense no longer practiced?
For the same reason that animal sacrifices are no longer practiced. Today we do not use bulls or goats for the forgiveness of sins, because the blood of Jesus cleanses us in the spiritual realm.
In the same way, we cannot burn incense to draw the presence of God, since now we can do this through prayer and intercession.
Psalm 141:2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
Psalm 141:2
May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
So, animal sacrifices (bulls, goats, lambs, doves) and the burning of incense have now become practices of pagan worship. Whoever engages in them invites the presence of spirits, not of God! Therefore, it is crucial to be careful.
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