Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world, was born in the nation of Israel, in a town called Bethlehem, which was part of the tribal territory of Judah. His birth was not random—it fulfilled ancient Messianic prophecy, proving that He is the promised Messiah.
Micah 5:2
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
This verse reveals that the Messiah would come from Bethlehem, and that His origin is eternal—pointing to Christ’s divine nature. Jesus did not begin at birth; He existed eternally with God (cf. John 1:1-2).
Although Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He did not grow up there. After fleeing to Egypt to escape King Herod’s massacre, His family eventually settled in Nazareth, a small town in Galilee.
Matthew 2:23
“And he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: ‘He will be called a Nazarene.'”
Nazareth was seen as an insignificant place (cf. John 1:46)—yet Jesus’ humble upbringing fulfilled prophecy and demonstrated God’s pattern of using the lowly to accomplish great things (1 Corinthians 1:27).
Many of Jesus’ disciples came from Galilean towns. This region became the stage for much of His ministry, miracles, and teachings. However, despite witnessing His mighty works, many Galilean cities did not repent.
Matthew 11:21
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago…”
Jesus is alive, and He is coming back soon. Are you ready to meet Him?
Acts 4:12 – “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
God bless you.
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Leviticus 19:32, God commands us:
“You shall rise before the gray-headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.”
This verse teaches us the importance of showing respect and honoring the elderly, particularly those who have lived long lives and gained wisdom. The phrase “rise before” is not just about standing up physically when an elder enters the room. It signifies approaching them with reverence, listening to their counsel, and treating them with dignity.
Why Should We Honor the Elderly?
The Bible consistently emphasizes the value of wisdom that comes with age. Older people, particularly those who are in Christ, are viewed as possessing greater spiritual insight. Their life experiences, combined with their understanding of Scripture, make them invaluable sources of guidance for younger generations.
Job 12:12, we read:
“Wisdom is with aged men, and with length of days, understanding.”
This verse underscores the theological truth that wisdom is tied to experience and longevity, especially in the context of a faithful life. Elders have witnessed God’s faithfulness through various seasons of life, which provides them with insights that the younger generation may lack.
Proverbs 16:31 reminds us:
“The silver-haired head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.”
This verse reinforces the idea that the elderly are to be honored as they embody wisdom and righteousness. Their long life is a testimony of God’s grace and faithfulness.
So, if you’re seeking advice or direction in life—whether it’s in relationships, career, or other important matters—look to those who are older and wiser, especially those who follow Christ. They can provide guidance based on years of living according to God’s Word.
Proverbs 23:22 also advises:
“Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old.”
This teaches us the principle of listening to the older generation and valuing their input, particularly in the context of family and spiritual growth.
But There’s More Than Just Seeking Wisdom—We Are Called to Honor Them.
Leviticus 19:32 doesn’t just command us to seek wisdom from the elderly, but also to honor them. The call to “honor the presence of an old man” means that we should treat them with profound respect, regardless of their mistakes or imperfections. This is a vital part of Christian living—respecting others, especially those who have lived before us and have walked with God through many seasons of life.
In all things, we are called to recognize that elders, especially those in Christ, possess wisdom and understanding that surpasses that of the youth. Their lives are testimonies of God’s faithfulness and His work in human lives. Honoring them, listening to them, and seeking their counsel aligns with the teachings of Scripture and reflects our respect for God’s order and His wisdom.
May we remember that in honoring the elderly, we honor God Himself, who is the ultimate source of wisdom and understanding.
May the Lord bless you.
You may ask yourself, What did the Lord Jesus mean when He said, “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light”?Where is this “dark place”? What does it mean to “hear in secret”? Does Jesus really speak in hidden places?
Matthew 10:26–27 (NIV)26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.”27 “What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.”
It is important to understand the way our Lord Jesus taught during His ministry on earth. There were teachings He shared openly with everyone, but there were also things He did not reveal to all people.
Many of His sermons were preached publicly. However, there were times when things were different. For example, sometimes He separated Himself and went up a mountain, and only those who followed Him were taught (Matthew 5:1). At other times, He entered a house privately because He wanted to teach only His disciples (Mark 9:29–31). Sometimes He healed people and instructed them not to tell anyone (Mark 1:44). There was also the moment He revealed His glory on the mountain to only three disciples, and afterward instructed them not to tell anyone until after His resurrection (Matthew 17:1–9).
These were moments when Jesus spoke in ways not everyone could see or know. These situations are what He referred to as “in the dark” or “in secret.”
This teaches us that even today, Jesus still speaks publicly, but He also speaks privately. And often, what He speaks in secret is deeper and greater, which is why it is not meant for everyone.
Many people hear Jesus publicly through church sermons, conferences, seminars, and teachings. Truly, Jesus teaches much through His servants, and we benefit greatly from these gatherings.
But every Christian must also have a private place with Jesus.
It is your quiet place of prayer and reflection.
Every believer should set aside a special time every day to enter God’s presence to pray, read the Word, and meditate on His goodness. This is extremely important.
Psalm 91:1 (NIV)“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Matthew 6:6 (NIV)“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Psalm 91:1 (NIV)“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Matthew 6:6 (NIV)“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Here, Jesus is teaching us that we must be willing to pay a price to hear Him, to be ministered to by Him, and to be taught by Him just like those who were willing to follow Him up the mountain. In the same way, you must be intentional about remaining in God’s presence. If the daytime is full of distractions, the night can be a beautiful time to rise and spend quality hours with the Lord, giving Him room to teach you.
When you live this way, you will not miss the Lord. Stay in His secret place, because He is there and He will entrust you with things that He will later allow you to declare openly.
Crucifixion is a form of punishment where a person is hung on a wooden cross or upright stake, with their hands and feet either tied or nailed in place, and left there until they die.
This was a cruel and painful execution method used in ancient times by powerful empires such as Rome. People accused of serious crimes like treason, rebellion, or murder were not given a quick death such as beheading. Instead, they were subjected to this slow and extremely painful punishment. A person could hang on the cross for two to three days, and sometimes even longer, suffering continuously until death finally came.
This is the punishment chosen for our Savior, Jesus Christ although He was completely innocent and without sin. Even Governor Pilate testified that Jesus had done nothing wrong:
Luke 23:4 (NIV)Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
But the Scriptures had to be fulfilled so that we could receive complete redemption. Jesus had to suffer deeply so that you and I could receive the forgiveness of sins through His death.
The price He paid was beyond measure He was stripped, humiliated, beaten, and His whole body was wounded. He endured all of this so that we could receive forgiveness, be saved from sin, and be rescued from eternal judgment in hell.
That is why the Bible says:
Hebrews 2:3 (NIV)How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
Have you received Jesus into your life?
If not, you can surrender to Him today and receive this great salvation.
We are living in extremely dangerous times, and even more dangerous days are coming soon. Many people do not realize that the end is very near, that this world is coming to a close, and that THE DAY OF THE LORD is right at the door.
The Day of the Lord is a specific period that God has appointed to judge and destroy this world together with all the wicked and all their corrupt systems. This time will come after the Church of Christ has been taken up (the rapture).
In the book of Zephaniah, we are given a detailed description of what that day will be like.He lists six characteristics, each introduced with the phrase “a day of…”.
Let’s read:
14 The great day of the LORD is near—near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of the LORD is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry.15 That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness,16 a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers.
Wrath is the product of great anger, and anger is followed by judgment. In Revelation 16, we see the seven angels pouring out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth. What follows are terrifying plagues—painful sores breaking out on people, and the sun scorching humanity with fierce heat—so severe that people curse God instead of repenting.
8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire.9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God… but they refused to repent and glorify him.
Distress and anguish refer to suffering caused by the environment and events around people. In Revelation 16 we see rivers, springs, and even the sea turning into blood. Humanity is left without water. The earth becomes unstable and terrifying. Imagine living in such a world—how could anyone endure it?
The Bible says that people will seek death, but death will flee from them.
3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person…4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.6 For they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.
It will not only be plagues and distress—the world itself and its systems will be destroyed.The Bible says there will be a massive earthquake unlike anything in human history. Islands will disappear. Fire will engulf the earth, just as in the judgments of Sodom and Gomorrah and the days of Noah.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?12 As you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.
This refers especially to spiritual darkness. It will be a time when people will desperately seek God but will not find Him. Jesus warned that we must do God’s work while it is “day,” because “night is coming, when no one can work.” People will cry out to God, but there will be no answer.
27 when disaster comes like a storm…28 Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me,29 since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD.
During this time, the sun, moon, and stars will be darkened. The world will experience a level of darkness never seen before. These are the final plagues leading to the second coming of Christ to the earth.
A thick cloud will cover the sky, and enormous hailstones—each weighing about a talent (approximately 75 pounds / 34 kg)—will fall on humanity.
18 Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth…20 Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found.21 From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a talent, fell on people… and they cursed God because the plague was so terrible.
This battle cry refers to war. During the Day of the Lord, there will be the final great war known as Armageddon. All nations will be involved. The Lord will strike down multitudes, and blood will flow in great measure. There will be no heroes—everyone will mourn. Even kings, rulers, and the wealthy will weep. Their riches will not save them. They will beg mountains to fall on them rather than endure the judgments of Almighty God.
17 I will bring such distress on all people that they will grope about like those who are blind…18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD’s wrath… He will bring the inhabitants of the earth to a sudden end.
My friend, if the rapture were to take place today, understand that you would witness all these events. This is not the time to play with salvation—it is time to wake up and run toward the grace of God. The terrible days ahead are approaching quickly. Where will the things of this world take you? Where is your life truly anchored? If you were to die today, whose presence would you enter? There is suffering beyond this life as well.
Make the decision today to repent and turn to the Lord Jesus. He offers forgiveness freely. The judgment of God is terrifying.
If you are ready to receive Jesus into your life and desire Him to lift the burden of sin from you, pray this prayer in faith. Christ is always ready to save. Remember: first you believe, then you confess.
Where you are, kneel if you can and speak these words sincerely from your heart.Today your sins can be forgiven right where you are.
“Lord Jesus, thank You for coming into this world to redeem us who were lost, through Your death on the cross and Your resurrection. I believe that You are the Lord and Savior. I receive the grace You freely give—the forgiveness of my sins. From today, I choose to become Your child and turn away from my old sinful ways. Thank You for giving me the strength to do this and for writing my name in the Book of Life. I am now a new creation. Thank You for receiving me, forgiving me, and making me Your own. I pray this believing in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
If you prayed that sincerely in faith, you have received salvation.
Your next step is baptism. Find a place where believers are baptized by immersion in water and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you need help, you are welcome to contact us at the numbers below.
(A teaching series on the Freedom of the Spirit and the Bondage of the Law)
Blessed be the Name of the Lord Jesus, the Author of Life. Welcome to this Bible study. The Word of our God is the lamp to our feet and the light to our path (Psalm 119:105).
The Bible compares Hagar, the maidservant of Sarah and Abraham, to the earthly Jerusalem. It also compares Ishmael, the son born to Hagar, to all those who live under the bondage of the Law in the present earthly Jerusalem in Israel.
In the same way, Sarah, who was free, represents the Heavenly Jerusalem, and her son Isaac represents all who belong to God spiritually those who are free from the bondage of the Law. This is exactly what Scripture teaches:
Galatians 4:22–26 (NIV)22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar.25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.
In simple terms, the children of Israel received the Law through Moses when he went up Mount Sinai (Horeb). Through this, they entered into the covenant of the Law, and everyone under it became a slave to the Law that is, the Jewish people.
This covenant of the Law that Israel received from Mount Sinai, which bound them under its demands, is symbolized by Hagar, because she herself was a slave and not free. Likewise, Ishmael and all his descendants remained children of the slave woman.
But Sarah was not a slave she was free, together with her son Isaac. This represents the second covenant, the covenant of freedom, for those who are born of the Spirit. In them, the Law is no longer written on stone or paper but written in their hearts.
These are the spiritual children of Sarah the citizens of the Heavenly Jerusalem. All who live led by the Holy Spirit will inherit the New Jerusalem, because that is their true homeland. But those who continue to depend on the Law, whose origin is Mount Sinai, belong to the earthly Jerusalem.
And just as Hagar and her son were cast out because he was not the child of promise, the same is true for all who seek to be justified by the Law they will be separated from Christ.
Galatians 5:4 (NIV)You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
The Bible clearly teaches that we are justified by grace through faith, not by the works of the Law.
Romans 3:9–11 (NIV)9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”
To study more deeply the difference between the works of the Law and the works of Faith, continue learning further.
A gospel singer once wrote, “Just as Jacob was shown long ago, the cross has become the ladder to heaven” (Hymn No. 81, verse 2). This statement echoes a profound biblical truth about the role of the cross. It refers to the time when Jacob, while resting at Bethel, saw a vision of a great ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending upon it. This ladder symbolizes the divine connection between heaven and earth, ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Genesis 28:11-12 (ESV) And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!
Genesis 28:11-12 (ESV)
And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!
This ladder, which Jacob saw, foreshadowed the ultimate connection to heaven: the cross of Jesus Christ. Through the cross, we gain access to the heavenly realm, and it is by His sacrifice that the gap between sinful humanity and holy God is bridged. The cross, in essence, becomes the “ladder” through which we ascend to the Father.
John 14:6 (ESV) Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6 (ESV)
Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Through the cross of Jesus, we are reconciled to God. It is the ultimate path to salvation. But I also want us to reflect on the cross from another perspective, as a “TOOL FOR BUILDING LIFE.” Let’s delve into a story in the Bible involving the prophet Elisha and the sons of the prophets. This will help us grasp the theological significance of the cross as a tool for constructing our lives.
2 Kings 6:1-7 (ESV) Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, ‘See, the place where we dwell under your charge is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there.’ And he answered, ‘Go.’ Then one of them said, ‘Be pleased to go with your servants.’ And he answered, ‘I will go.’ So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, ‘Alas, my master! It was borrowed.’ Then the man of God said, ‘Where did it fall?’ When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float. And he said, ‘Take it up.’ So he reached out his hand and took it.
2 Kings 6:1-7 (ESV)
Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, ‘See, the place where we dwell under your charge is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there.’ And he answered, ‘Go.’ Then one of them said, ‘Be pleased to go with your servants.’ And he answered, ‘I will go.’ So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, ‘Alas, my master! It was borrowed.’ Then the man of God said, ‘Where did it fall?’ When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there, and made the iron float. And he said, ‘Take it up.’ So he reached out his hand and took it.
This story offers a beautiful and powerful metaphor. The axe head represents our tools, our knowledge, abilities, and efforts in life—things we depend on to build, to create, to achieve. But sometimes, in the course of our lives, these tools fail or are lost. This is what happens to the axe head: it falls into the water and sinks. Similarly, our efforts, if not rooted in Christ, can sink in the depths of despair, failure, and loss.
In the story, Elisha takes a stick—a seemingly insignificant tool—and throws it into the water. The axe head floats, defying all natural laws. This act is a powerful symbol of how the cross of Jesus Christ, though it appeared to be a weak and foolish thing to the world, has the power to redeem our failures and restore what we have lost.
The Cross: The Tool for Restoration
The stick Elisha threw into the water symbolizes the cross of Jesus. Jesus, in His humble death on the cross, took all of our brokenness, our lost tools, our broken dreams, and He made them whole again. The cross is what makes everything we have and do redeemable.
The iron (representing our efforts, our wisdom, and human strength) can only be restored by the cross. It is a reminder that no human effort—no matter how noble or skillful—is sufficient to truly build our lives without the work of Jesus Christ. Only through the cross can we recover what has been lost, and through His power, even the most impossible circumstances can be turned around.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV) For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV)
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
The cross is the means by which our lives are truly built. It is through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that we are made whole. Through the cross, we are not only reconciled to God, but we are empowered to live lives that bring glory to God. The cross becomes the foundation upon which we build our homes, our families, our careers, and our futures.
The Cross: A Call to Surrender
It is important to understand that the cross is not just a symbol of suffering but a call to surrender. Jesus invites us to take up our own cross and follow Him. This means denying our self-sufficiency and relying fully on His grace and strength.
Mark 8:34-35 (ESV) And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.
Mark 8:34-35 (ESV)
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.
The cross is a daily commitment—a decision to surrender all to Jesus. It’s not just about salvation but about living in constant dependence on Him. When we deny ourselves and take up the cross, we are acknowledging that our efforts and plans are not enough to build our lives on their own. Only by following Jesus and embracing His work on the cross can we truly find life.
The Cross in Our Lives Today
So, I ask you: Is the cross of Christ at the center of your life? Have you taken up your cross and followed Him, or are you trusting in your own strength, knowledge, or accomplishments? If Christ is not in your heart, no matter what you achieve in this life, you are building in vain.
Matthew 16:26 (ESV) For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
Matthew 16:26 (ESV)
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
It’s better to lose everything in this world—education, career, wealth, status—yet have Christ in your heart, than to have all those things and lose your soul. This is a truth Jesus made clear when He said, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul?”
The cross of Christ is the foundation upon which everything else must be built. When we understand the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice and the power of His resurrection, we realize that everything we have—our skills, our gifts, our accomplishments—are only meaningful when used for His glory.
Romans 8:28 (ESV) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
When we submit our lives to the cross of Jesus Christ, even the broken pieces of our lives are redeemed and woven together for God’s good purposes.
If you haven’t yet surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus, today is the day. He will help you rebuild, restore, and redeem your life. If you need help in receiving Jesus into your heart, please reach out to us. We will gladly guide you in this life-changing decision.