This verse highlights a principle that’s both practical and spiritual: wise people recognize and act within the right season. Failing to do so brings loss, not just to oneself but often to others who depend on them.
In an agricultural society like ancient Israel’s, summer was harvest time. Crops had matured, the rains had ceased, and farmers needed to work diligently to bring in the grain before it spoiled.
Anyone who failed to act during this crucial time caused not only personal loss but brought shame to the family. It wasn’t just laziness—it was negligence. Jesus referred to similar imagery in His parables (e.g., Matthew 13:24–30), showing that seasons of harvest are tied to responsibility and judgment.
This proverb is also deeply spiritual. The Bible often uses agricultural metaphors to describe God’s work in the world and in our lives. Theological themes of seasons, harvest, readiness, and responsibility appear frequently throughout Scripture.
Let’s explore two major applications of this proverb in the life of a believer:
Jesus taught that the world is a field, and people’s hearts are like soil. He declared that the harvest is now, not something we can put off:
“Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!” — John 4:35 (NKJV)
Theologically, this affirms the urgency of evangelism and discipleship. The fields are ready—people are seeking truth, hope, and salvation. Jesus continues:
“And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.” — John 4:36
Here, the reward is both present and eternal. God calls each of us into the labor of His harvest—even if others have sown before us. As Paul says:
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” — 1 Corinthians 3:6 (NKJV)
Neglecting this call, especially when opportunities are abundant, is spiritual irresponsibility. As believers, we’re entrusted with the Great Commission:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” —
To ignore that mission is to “sleep during harvest”—the very behavior Proverbs calls shameful.
Scripture also teaches that life has seasons (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Youth, in particular, is seen as a strategic season—a time of energy, vision, and capacity to serve God fully.
“Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come…” — Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NKJV)
Delaying spiritual commitment is spiritually risky. Many say, “I’ll serve God later,” but the future is not guaranteed.
John addresses young people directly:
“…You are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.” — 1 John 2:14 (NKJV)
Strength—physical, mental, and spiritual—should be used to serve God now, not later. Wasting youthful energy on pleasure and comfort without eternal purpose mirrors the laziness of a son who lets the harvest rot.
The Bible warns against spiritual procrastination. Hebrews reminds us:
“Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” — Hebrews 4:7 (NKJV)
Proverbs 10:5 calls us to recognize spiritual timing and act. Whether it’s:
This is the time.
God has appointed you to live and serve in this generation. Don’t wait until the season passes. Be the wise son who gathers when it’s time. If you’re already late, God’s grace can redeem time—but it starts with obedience now.
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” — Ephesians 5:16 (NKJV)
Be diligent, be faithful, and be fruitful.
May the Lord bless you as you serve in season.
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The Hivites were one of the seven Canaanite nations that God commanded Israel to completely remove from the Promised Land because of their deep moral corruption and idolatry.
📖 Joshua 3:10 (ESV)“Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites.”
These nations were not removed because Israel was more righteous — rather, they were judged because of their persistent sin and rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:4–6).
The Hivites were spread across several regions in ancient Canaan:
📖 Judges 3:3 (ESV)“These are the nations: the five lords of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath.”
This places part of the Hivite population in the northernmost region of the land — bordering modern-day Lebanon and Syria.
📖 Joshua 11:3 (ESV)“To the Canaanites in the east and the west, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites in the hill country, and the Hivites under Hermon in the land of Mizpah.”
This group lived closer to Israel’s central territory, which explains their significant interaction with the Israelites during Joshua’s conquest.
One of the most striking stories about the Hivites is found in Joshua 9, where a Hivite city — Gibeon — deceived Israel into making a peace treaty.
Pretending to come from a distant land, they wore old clothes and carried moldy bread to convince Joshua that they were not Canaanites — though they were.
📖 Joshua 9:3–6, 14–15 (ESV)“But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, they on their part acted with cunning…”“So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them…”
This deception led to a binding covenant, which Israel could not break — even though God had commanded them not to make covenants with the people of the land (Exodus 23:32–33; Deuteronomy 7:2). As a result, the Gibeonites were spared but made permanent servants (Joshua 9:27).
Theological Insight: This incident highlights the importance of seeking God’s guidance in every decision. Failure to inquire of the Lord led to a compromise, even by well-meaning leaders like Joshua.
God’s command to destroy these nations was not arbitrary or cruel — it was righteous judgment on cultures filled with unrepentant evil.
📖 Deuteronomy 18:9–12 (ESV)“When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations… whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD.”
Child sacrifice (Leviticus 18:21)
Temple prostitution (Deuteronomy 23:17)
Occult practices — divination, sorcery, necromancy (Deuteronomy 18:10–11)
Extreme violence and injustice (Psalm 106:34–39)
📖 Leviticus 18:24–25 (ESV)“Do not make yourselves unclean by any of these things, for by all these the nations I am driving out before you have become unclean… and the land vomited out its inhabitants.”
Theological Point: God is not only a covenant-keeping God but also a holy Judge. He delays judgment to allow for repentance (2 Peter 3:9), but when a nation hardens its heart, justice eventually comes.
Ironically, the very sins that led to the Hivites’ judgment later became Israel’s downfall.
📖 2 Chronicles 36:14–17 (ESV)“All the officers of the priests and the people likewise were exceedingly unfaithful… The LORD… sent persistently to them by his messengers… but they kept mocking… Therefore he brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans…”
This principle is echoed in:📖 Romans 2:11 (ESV)“For God shows no partiality.”
Many Christians today fear the devil more than they fear sin. But in Scripture, the greatest danger to mankind is disobedience to God, not the devil himself.
Adam and Eve were not cast out of Eden by Satan, but by God — because of sin.
Sin shortened the human lifespan (Genesis 6:3).
Sin continues to separate us from God’s presence (Isaiah 59:2).
Theological Insight: The devil uses sin as a weapon. When sin is present, Satan has legal ground to operate. But when a believer walks in holiness, the devil is disarmed.
📖 James 4:7 (ESV)“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Deliverance from sin and its power does not come through rituals or objects, but through faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to His gospel.
📖 Acts 2:38 (ESV)“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'”
These three steps form the foundation for Christian victory:
Repentance – turning away from sin
Baptism in Jesus’ name – for forgiveness of sins
The Holy Spirit – to empower the believer to live holy
When someone walks in this truth, sin loses its power, and the devil has no authority.
📖 Romans 6:14 (ESV)“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
What removed Adam from Eden? Sin.What removed the Canaanite nations? Sin.What removed Israel from their land? Sin.What disconnects us from God today? Sin.
But there is victory in Christ. And it starts with repentance, continues through obedience, and is sustained by the Holy Spirit.
📖 1 John 3:8 (ESV)“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
If you’ve been struggling, don’t seek oil, salt, or rituals. Go to Jesus. His Word is enough. His Spirit is enough.
In slide format for teaching
“And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.”
The Bible tells us that after Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and was elevated to second-in-command over Egypt, Pharaoh gave him a wife — Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, a priest of On.
“On” was the ancient name for a major Egyptian city also known as Heliopolis (Greek for “City of the Sun”). It was one of the most important religious centers in Egypt, especially for the worship of Ra, the Egyptian sun god. The priesthood of On was deeply involved in pagan sun worship, making Potiphera a high-ranking pagan priest — not a servant of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
No. Potiphera was not a priest of Yahweh, the God of Israel. Egypt at that time was steeped in polytheism and idolatry, and On was a central location for this. The Bible consistently condemns Egypt’s spiritual practices:
Jeremiah 43:13 (ESV) — “He shall break the obelisks of Heliopolis, which is in the land of Egypt, and the temples of the gods of Egypt he shall burn with fire.”
Joshua 24:14 (ESV) — “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.”
So, Potiphera was likely a devoted servant of Egypt’s false gods, not a believer in the One True God.
This may seem surprising at first — Joseph, a faithful Hebrew, marrying into a pagan priestly family. However, this move was political and symbolic.
Pharaoh gave Asenath to Joseph to elevate his status and integrate him into the Egyptian elite. In ancient cultures, marriage was often used to seal political favor and alliances. Marrying the daughter of a high priest would immediately associate Joseph with Egypt’s religious and political elite.
This did not mean Pharaoh was trying to convert Joseph to Egyptian religion — he had already recognized Joseph’s unique connection to the God of Heaven: Genesis 41:38–39 (ESV) — “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God? … Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are.”
This did not mean Pharaoh was trying to convert Joseph to Egyptian religion — he had already recognized Joseph’s unique connection to the God of Heaven:
Genesis 41:38–39 (ESV) — “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God? … Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are.”
Despite being in a pagan environment and married to a woman from a pagan background, Joseph remained faithful to Yahweh. There’s no evidence in Scripture that he ever compromised his faith or joined in Egyptian worship.
His continued reliance on God is seen throughout his leadership — from how he interprets dreams, to how he manages the famine, and how he names his children: Genesis 41:51–52 (ESV) —“Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, ‘For,’ he said, ‘God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.’ The name of the second he called Ephraim, ‘For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.’”
His continued reliance on God is seen throughout his leadership — from how he interprets dreams, to how he manages the famine, and how he names his children:
Genesis 41:51–52 (ESV) —“Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh, ‘For,’ he said, ‘God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.’ The name of the second he called Ephraim, ‘For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.’”
His naming of his sons shows that his spiritual identity remained intact, even while living in and benefiting from a foreign culture.
Joseph’s marriage to Asenath, a Gentile woman, foreshadows a profound truth in the New Testament:
Just as Joseph, the suffering and exalted servant, took a Gentile bride while exalted among the nations, so also Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant and Risen Lord, takes for Himself a bride from the nations — the Church, made up of both Jews and Gentiles.
Ephesians 5:25–27 (ESV) —“Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her… that he might present the church to himself in splendor…”
Joseph’s story is full of Christological symbolism:
Rejected by his brothers → later exalted
Falsely accused → remained righteous
Became a savior to the world during famine → just as Christ is the Bread of Life
Took a Gentile bride → as Christ takes the Church
This shows that God was already revealing His plan for the nations through the life of Joseph.
The Bible does not say much about Asenath’s personal beliefs, but given that Joseph was deeply faithful, and given the spiritual heritage he passed to his children (Ephraim and Manasseh, who would become tribes of Israel), it is possible — even likely — that Asenath came to respect or even follow the God of Israel.
Some Jewish and early Christian traditions even suggest that Asenath converted, though this is extra-biblical and speculative.
Potiphera, priest of On, was a pagan priest, not a follower of the God of Israel.
Joseph married Asenath as part of Pharaoh’s plan to honor and integrate him into Egyptian society.
Joseph remained faithful to God and never compromised his faith.
The marriage foreshadowed God’s plan to bring Gentiles into His covenant family, fulfilled in Christ and the Church.
Explore the full prophetic meaning of Joseph’s life in light of the Gospel.(Coming soon — insert link here if you have a resource.)
Blessed be the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, forever. Welcome to the Bible teachings, the Word of our God, which is a Lamp and a Light to our paths (Psalm 119:105).
There are only two paths set before every person: the path of LIFE and the path of DEATH.
Jeremiah 21:8“Tell this people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.’”
The path of Life leads to “salvation,” while the path of Death leads to “eternal destruction” (the lake of fire).
The path of Life is straight and has few divisions (just like in John 14:6), where the Lord Jesus said, “I am the Way,” and no one comes to the Father except through Him.
John 14:6“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
(Meaning there is no shortcut or alternate route to reach the Father… there is only one, and that is JESUS CHRIST, not through any famous person, living or dead, nor through any prophet in the Bible.)
But the path of Death is full of divisions. It may start as one path but eventually branches out into many.
Proverbs 14:12“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”
Notice how it says, “the ways of death,” not “the way of death,” implying that there are many such paths. The path of Death is none other than the “devil.” Just as the path of Life is through the Lord Jesus, so the path of Death is through the “devil.”
Satan is worshiped through many things: he can be worshiped through trees, stones, soil, or things like money, people, religion, etc. That’s why the Bible says that this path (Satan) ends in “ways of death”—meaning there are many such paths.
This is also why the Bible speaks of many gates of hell (see Matthew 16:18). The gates of hell represent all the paths that can lead a person to hell.
The prophet Isaiah further elaborates these paths through the revelation of the Spirit. He distinguishes between the “WAY” and the “HIGHWAY.”
Isaiah 35:8“And there will be a highway, and it will be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; and fools will not wander onto it.”
“The Highway” is the “Way of Life,” and the “Way” by itself is the “Way of Death.”
He continues by saying that this “Highway” will be called the “Way of Holiness,” and it will be for those who travel on it.
Isaiah 35:8“And there will be a highway, and it will be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean will not travel on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; and fools will not wander onto it.”
This means that all who walk the path of Life (Jesus) must have “holiness” as their seal, just as Hebrews 12:14 says.
Hebrews 12:14“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
They must also be “travelers.” A traveler remains in a vehicle for the duration of their journey and doesn’t cling to things that may come their way along the journey. Our vehicle for this journey is the GRACE OF GOD. While on this journey to heaven via the path of Jesus, the things of the world should not cling to us.
1 Peter 2:11“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”
Finally, he says, “Though they be fools, they will not stray from that path.”
If you are seen as foolish for choosing to follow the HIGHWAY of HOLINESS and living as a TRAVELER on this earth, the Bible says “you will not stray from that path.”
No matter if the world sees you as lost, out of your mind, or confused… God sees you on the right path, and you possess great wisdom, because the end of that path is ETERNAL LIFE, and you will meet the Lord, who will wipe away your tears.
Revelation 7:15-17 “Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat.For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”
Revelation 7:15-17
“Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat.For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”
So, what path have you chosen today? The Highway of Life? Or the Path of Death?
Deuteronomy 30:14-15“The word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.”
CHOOSE THE PATH OF LIFE, and WALK IN THE HIGHWAY OF HOLINESS.
GOD BLESS YOU.
Please share this good news with others.
Prudence is the noun form of the verb “to be cautious” or “to act carefully.”
It simply means carefulness or discernment.
For example:
In the Bible, the word appears in several passages, such as:
Daniel 2:13–15 (NIV) So the decree was issued that the wise men were to be put to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death. When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and prudence. He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel.
Daniel 2:13–15 (NIV)
So the decree was issued that the wise men were to be put to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death. When Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and prudence. He asked the king’s officer, “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel.
Proverbs 1:1–4 (NIV) The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.
Proverbs 1:1–4 (NIV)
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.
Joshua 22:24 (NIV) “No! We did it for fear that some day your descendants might say to ours, ‘What do you have to do with the Lord, the God of Israel?’”
Joshua 22:24 (NIV)
“No! We did it for fear that some day your descendants might say to ours, ‘What do you have to do with the Lord, the God of Israel?’”
A Call to Prudence in Christian Life
As believers, we are also called to live with prudence in this world.
Although we live in the world, we should not be yoked together with it in ungodly ways. Those who lack prudence often get entangled in worldly pleasures, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things—eventually becoming unfruitful.
Shalom.
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(A Theological Reflection for Parents and Guardians)
What do you do as a parent when you’re at home? Is your life inside the church the same as your life outside of it? Do you live out your faith consistently, both in public and in private? Is your home simply a place to live — or is it also a sanctuary where God is honored?
The Christian life was never meant to be confined to Sunday worship. True discipleship begins in the home. The family is the first church, and parents are the first pastors their children will ever know.
If you are a teacher in the church, you must also be a teacher at home. If you lead in the house of God, you must lead your own household. If you shepherd God’s flock, you must also shepherd your family. Scripture is clear that spiritual leadership begins at home:
1 Timothy 3:4–5 (ESV): “He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”
The apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ provide us with a perfect model. Their ministry was not confined to formal gatherings in the temple but extended into homes, where faith was lived out in everyday life.
Acts 5:42 (NIV): “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.”
This pattern reveals a powerful truth: Christian faith flourishes when the Word of God becomes central both in public worship and in private life. The early church understood that a faith sustained only by weekly gatherings could not survive spiritual warfare.
The devil often begins his greatest destruction within families. That’s why the home must not be spiritually neutral ground. It must be a place of daily worship, prayer, and teaching of Scripture.
From the beginning, God designed the family to be the foundational community of faith.
In Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (NIV), God commanded Israel: “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
In Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (NIV), God commanded Israel:
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
This is not a suggestion but a divine pattern — a daily rhythm of worship where God’s Word shapes the next generation. The home, therefore, is not just a dwelling place but an altar — where faith is nurtured, prayers are offered, and lives are transformed.
Parents and guardians must take an active role in nurturing their children’s faith. Teach them to pray, to study Scripture, to give generously, and to prioritize God in all they do. Encourage them to live out their faith in school — to lead prayers, to show Christlike character, and to practice spiritual disciplines such as fasting and intercession.
Do not leave spiritual instruction solely to the church. Sunday School is meant to reinforce, not replace, what is already being built at home.
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV): “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Monitor not only your children’s academic growth but also their spiritual maturity. Some children may appear successful outwardly, yet inwardly they are spiritually drifting. The fruits of such neglect may not be seen immediately but will manifest later.
As a parent or guardian, you are God’s appointed steward over your household. You are responsible for cultivating an atmosphere where the Word of God is a command, not a suggestion. Let your home echo the conviction of Joshua, who made a resolute declaration of faith before all Israel:
Joshua 24:15 (NIV): “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua understood that spiritual leadership begins with a personal and family commitment to God. His declaration remains a timeless challenge to every Christian parent — to lead their families in serving the Lord wholeheartedly.
When the Word of God governs the home, revival begins in the family — and from there, spreads to the church and the community. The strength of any church lies not only in its preaching but in the faithfulness of its families.
Psalm 127:1 (ESV): “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”
Therefore, let us build our homes upon the unshakable foundation of Christ, through prayer, worship, and the daily teaching of His Word. Let our homes reflect heaven’s atmosphere — filled with love, peace, and the presence of God.
May the Lord bless you and your household.Share this message of truth and encouragement with others.
This verse captures a universal human experience: the deep refreshment that comes when a weary or thirsty soul receives unexpected good news. The image of someone parched and finally receiving cold water conveys both urgency and relief. In spiritual terms, this parallels the human condition—our souls thirst for meaning, hope, and reconciliation with God.
The “good news” mentioned here is not just any good news. While there are many types of good news in life—success in business, academic achievement, childbirth, promotions—these are temporary joys rooted in earthly life.
But Proverbs 25:25 emphasizes “good news from a distant land.” In biblical theology, that distant land symbolizes Heaven, the eternal realm of God. The ultimate “good news” from Heaven is the Gospel of Jesus Christ—the message of salvation, redemption, and eternal life through Him.
In John 6:33–35, Jesus Himself identifies as the divine sustenance that quenches the deepest thirst of humanity:
[33] “For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” [34] “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” [35] Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (NIV)
This passage aligns perfectly with Proverbs 25:25. Jesus is the “good news from a distant land.” He came down from Heaven to offer eternal life, peace with God, and freedom from sin. Through His death and resurrection, He satisfied the justice of God and opened the way for us to be reconciled with the Father (2 Corinthians 5:18–21).
Many around us are spiritually dehydrated. They chase after temporary comforts but are left empty. Jesus said in John 7:37–38:
“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (NIV)
As recipients of this divine refreshment, we are called to be messengers of the good news—to tell others about Jesus and offer them the same hope that changed us.
Let us not keep this life-giving news to ourselves. As Jesus commissioned us in
Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
This good news from Heaven is desperately needed in our world today.
So, let’s rise up, empowered by the Spirit, and share the Gospel—living water for thirsty souls.
Question:
We often hear people say, “We bless the Name of the Lord” or “We bless God.” But is it really possible for a human being to bless God or His Name? Or is it only God who can bless people and bless their names?
Answer:
Yes, God can bless a person’s name — and at the same time, we can also bless the Name of the Lord. The confusion usually comes from how we understand the word “blessing.”
The word blessing means “to add value, honor, or privilege to something or someone that did not have it before.” That value or honor can come in the form of a gift, a position, or a title.
When a person gives another a gift, we often say “he blessed that person.” Likewise, when someone is given honor or a special opportunity, we can say “he was blessed.”
In the same way, God can bless us with opportunities, honor, or gifts. But we, too, can bless God by giving Him honor, praise, or offering Him something of value. This act of giving God honor is what the Bible calls “blessing the Lord.”
The greatest gift we can give God — the blessing we can offer Him — is our very lives, together with the praise of our lips.
Perhaps you’re asking: “Where in Scripture do we see people blessing the Lord?”
2 Chronicles 20:25–26 “So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day.”
2 Chronicles 20:25–26
“So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it.
On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day.”
Do you see? Verse 26 says they “praised the Lord” — and how did they bless Him? Through praise.
2 Chronicles 20:18–19 “Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.”
2 Chronicles 20:18–19
“Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.”
The same truth is confirmed again in the Psalms:
Psalm 63:3–4 “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.”
Psalm 63:3–4
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.”
So, when we worship in spirit and in truth, our praises actually bless the Name of the Lord.
Psalm 96:1–2 “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.”
Psalm 96:1–2
“Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
proclaim his salvation day after day.”
Job also understood this:
Job 1:21 “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
Job 1:21
“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
But remember this important truth: even if you or I do not bless the Lord’s Name with our words or with our lives, we take nothing away from Him. He is already being worshiped by multitudes of angels in heaven. The loss is only ours. God will always remain God — worthy of worship and glory — even without us!
2 Timothy 2:12–13 “If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”
2 Timothy 2:12–13
“If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.”
The Lord bless us.
Maranatha!
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Question: What did the Apostle Paul mean when he said, “The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power”?
Answer: Let’s go back to the verse itself:
1 Corinthians 4:20 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”
1 Corinthians 4:20
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”
When Paul says that the kingdom of God is not a matter of “talk,” he does not mean the Word of God. The Kingdom of Heaven is built upon the Word of God as its foundation, and without it, there is no Kingdom of God—only the kingdom of darkness.
What Paul is emphasizing is that the Kingdom of God does not consist of empty words without the power of God, but in words that are backed by His power. In other words, signs and wonders accompany the message of the Kingdom.
Paul further explains this by the revelation of the Spirit in:
1 Thessalonians 1:5 “Because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.”
1 Thessalonians 1:5
“Because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.”
In the same way, we must also preach the gospel not with empty words or persuasive speech aimed at attracting people, but with evidence and demonstration of the Spirit. This means that signs and wonders should follow us. And the first miracle is when people genuinely repent of their sins and turn away from them.
Paul also confirms this in:
1 Corinthians 2:4 “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.”
1 Corinthians 2:4
“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.”
May the Lord help us.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105
Blessed be the Name of our Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST. Welcome, beloved, as we study the Word of God — the light that guides our steps.
There are three (3) types of idols that people worship:
Let us look at each one in detail.
These are lifeless objects made in the image of human beings — created by men for the purpose of worship.
The Bible describes the nature of such idols clearly:
“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes, but they do not see. They have ears, but they do not hear; noses, but they do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; nor do they make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.” — Psalm 115:4–8
These are the idols worshiped by pagans and even by some religious groups that call themselves Christian. You may find such statues placed in places of worship, where people bow down, offer gifts, and pray to them — things that are abominable before God.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image… you shall not bow down to them or serve them.” — Exodus 20:1–6
To bow before any image is a great sin in the sight of God.
This second kind of idol differs slightly from the first. The first kind has eyes but cannot see, ears but cannot hear, and mouths but cannot speak. The second kind — though it breathes and walks — is still blind and deaf spiritually.
These idols are human beings.
Scripture confirms this truth:
“Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but sees not, and ears to hear but hears not; for they are a rebellious house.” — Ezekiel 12:1–2
So, idols are not only stones or metal figures — even people can become idols!
If you have not truly surrendered your life to JESUS CHRIST, then you yourself are an idol, because:
Let’s look at some examples:
The Bible says:
“Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” — Philippians 3:19
Therefore, if you are not following Jesus wholeheartedly, every part of your body becomes an idol or a god to you. That is why Scripture commands:
“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” — Colossians 3:5–6
Through these things the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience.
These are idols that are not human-shaped, yet are worshiped by many people.
Examples include: Work, money, fame, education, property, cars, houses, or land.
Anyone who possesses such things but does not have CHRIST is simply an idol worshiper.
Remember this: If you do not worship the true God, then you are worshiping idols. There is no middle ground — you are either for God or for Satan.
If your job is more important to you than God—so much that you cannot even set aside one day a week for Him—then your job has become your idol.
If your education, status, or fame outweighs the Word of God in your heart, then those things are already your gods.
Have you been saved? The Bible warns clearly:
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone—which is the second death.” — Revelation 21:8
Beloved, turn to Jesus Christ today. He alone can deliver you from idolatry and give you eternal life.
May the Lord bless you, and may this truth set you free from every hidden form of idolatry. Share this message of truth with others, and help them also turn from idols to serve the living God.
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