Question: What is the difference between being holy (1 Peter 1:15–16) and being perfect (Matthew 5:48)?
Answer:
A holy person is someone who has been sanctified, cleansed, set apart, and does what is good. The Bible teaches us to be holy just as our Father in heaven is holy:
1 Peter 1:15–16 “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
1 Peter 1:15–16
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”
This command is repeated in the Old Testament:
Leviticus 19:2 “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.’”
Leviticus 19:2
“Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.’”
But a perfect person is a holy person who has gone further—who has reached maturity in holiness. There are those who are holy but not yet perfect, and those who are both holy and perfect.
A perfect person does something extra in their holiness that sets them apart from others and makes them more like God. Jesus gave examples of this in Matthew 5:
Matthew 5:43–48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
Matthew 5:43–48
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
So, we must pursue not only holiness, but also perfection.
Here are some comparisons:
Matthew 19:16–22 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
Matthew 19:16–22
Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
“Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
This shows us that we must not stop at holiness alone—we must strive for perfection.
The Bible gives us examples of people who were considered perfect:
In the same way, when we become perfect, we too shall see God.
May the Lord bless you.
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In the Old Testament, priests were divinely appointed men who served as mediators between God and the people of Israel. They performed their duties first in the Tabernacle (Mishkan) during Israel’s wilderness journey (Exodus 28–29), and later in Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6).
Their core responsibilities included:
Offering sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:15–17),
Teaching the Law of God to the nation (Malachi 2:7),
Maintaining ceremonial cleanliness and overseeing religious festivals (Leviticus 23).
Only men from the tribe of Levi, specifically from the family of Aaron, were permitted to become priests (Exodus 28:1; Numbers 18:1–7). Other Levites served in support roles—such as guarding the temple and assisting in worship—but only Aaron’s descendants could offer sacrifices.
“And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.” — Hebrews 5:4 (NKJV)
Under the New Covenant, Jesus Christ is the ultimate and eternal High Priest (Hebrews 4:14–16). He fulfilled the entire sacrificial system by offering Himself once for all as the perfect atonement for sin.
“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.” — Hebrews 10:12 (NKJV) “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” — 1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV)
“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.” — Hebrews 10:12 (NKJV)
“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” — 1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV)
Because of Christ’s sacrifice, the old Levitical priesthood is no longer required (Hebrews 7:11–28). Instead, all believers in Christ now participate in a spiritual priesthood.
In the New Testament, pastors (Greek: poimēn, meaning shepherd) are spiritual leaders given to the Church by Christ Himself. Their role is to shepherd, teach, equip, and care for the body of believers.
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” — Ephesians 4:11–12 (NKJV)
Pastors are under-shepherds of Jesus, the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4). They do not mediate through animal sacrifices but through the preaching of the Word, prayer, discipleship, and pastoral care.
“Feed My lambs… Tend My sheep… Feed My sheep.” — John 21:15–17 (NKJV)
While they mirror some of the priestly roles (like spiritual leadership, teaching, and intercession), pastors serve through the finished work of Christ, not through ritual.
A foundational New Testament truth is the “priesthood of all believers.” Every Christian, through Christ, now has direct access to God and is called to serve, worship, and proclaim the gospel.
“…To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father…” — Revelation 1:5–6 (NKJV)
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people,that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” — 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)
“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus…” — Hebrews 10:19 (NKJV)
So, pastors are not the only priests under the New Covenant. All Spirit-filled believers share in a spiritual priesthood, each called to offer spiritual sacrifices and participate in the ministry of reconciliation.
“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ,and has given us the ministry of reconciliation…” — 2 Corinthians 5:18 (NKJV)
“You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood,to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” — 1 Peter 2:5 (NKJV)
God has given a strong warning to leaders who neglect His people. The prophecy in Ezekiel 34 stands as a solemn reminder that pastoral leadership is a sacred trust.
“Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?” — Ezekiel 34:2 (NIV)
“You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured… So they were scattered because there was no shepherd.” — Ezekiel 34:4–5 (NIV)
God promises to hold shepherds accountable who fail to care for His flock:
“I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock.” — Ezekiel 34:10 (NIV)
If you’re a pastor today, take your calling seriously. Your role is not just to preach, but to feed, protect, and love the flock that belongs to Christ.
“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care… not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” — 1 Peter 5:2–3 (NIV)
And if you are a believer in Christ, know that you too are a priest — called to draw near to God, proclaim His gospel, and serve His people.
May the Lord Jesus Christ help us to be faithful in every part of our calling.
Question: What does it mean to “anger” a person or an angel? (Exodus 23:21)
Answer:Let’s go back to the passage…
Exodus 23:20-22 “Behold, I send an angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. 21 Be careful before him and obey his voice; do not provoke him, for he will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in him. 22 But if you indeed obey his voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.”
To “anger” someone, as mentioned in the Bible, means to provoke them to anger. In this context, God is saying not to anger the angel He sends, because if you do, the angel will not forgive your sins.
What would provoke the angel to anger? It’s not anything trivial, but rather actions like “forsaking God and worshiping other gods” or “failing to keep His Word.” You’ll see that the children of Israel repeatedly angered the angel during their time in the wilderness, and even when they entered the Promised Land.
One clear example of this was when they delayed driving out the nations they encountered in the Promised Land and entered into covenants with their gods—an abomination before God and His angel, who had led them into that land.
Judges 2:1-5 “Then the Angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bokim, and said: ‘I led you up from Egypt and brought you to the land which I swore to your fathers; and I said, I will never break My covenant with you. 2 And you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear down their altars. But you have not obeyed My voice. Why have you done this? 3 Therefore I also said, I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you.’ 4 So it was, when the Angel of the Lord spoke these words to all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voices and wept. 5 Then they called the name of that place Bokim; and they sacrificed there to the Lord.”
Even today, people provoke God’s angels by living contrary to God’s Word. The Scriptures say that every believer has their own angel who stands before God, delivering good news and ministering on their behalf (see Matthew 18:10 and Hebrews 1:13-14).
So when someone acts in opposition to God’s Word, the angel assigned to them is grieved and upset as well.
But it’s not just angels who are angered; we also provoke God Himself by our sinful actions. The children of Israel provoked God during their time in the wilderness, and we, even today, provoke Him with our sins.
Deuteronomy 9:7-9 “Remember! Do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day that you departed from the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the Lord. 8 Also in Horeb you provoked the Lord to wrath, so that the Lord was angry enough with you to have destroyed you. 9 When I went up into the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant which the Lord made with you, then I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water.”
Also see Deuteronomy 31:29
May the Lord help us not to cross the boundaries of His Word and provoke His anger.
Amen.
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This verse is often misinterpreted to suggest that getting married automatically brings someone into closer favor with God. However, while marriage is indeed a blessing and approved by God, divine favor is not dependent on marital status. Instead, God’s favor is primarily connected to a life of obedience and righteousness.
Genesis 4:7 (NKJV) shows this principle clearly when God tells Cain:“If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
The Hebrew word translated as “favor” (ratzon) in various parts of Scripture often refers to God’s gracious approval of someone’s life or actions—especially when aligned with His will (cf. Psalm 5:12).
The verse states that the man who finds a wife finds “a good thing.” The Hebrew word for “good” (ṭôb) implies moral and beneficial goodness, which shows that marriage is a good design of God (see also Genesis 2:18).
Genesis 2:18 (NKJV):“And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’”
This aligns with the creation account, where marriage is instituted by God as a covenantal union for companionship, support, and fruitfulness. However, marriage is not the sole path to God’s blessing or favor.
The apostle Paul makes it clear that singleness can provide a unique opportunity for undivided service to God.
1 Corinthians 7:32–33 (NKJV):“But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife.”
This does not mean that married people cannot please God, but it acknowledges the practical realities and responsibilities that come with marriage.
Paul himself remained unmarried, as did Barnabas (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:5–6), and of course, Jesus Christ—the perfect Son of God—was unmarried. These examples show that intimacy with God is not dependent on marital status.
The latter part of Proverbs 18:22 says the man “obtains favor from the Lord.” This refers to the fact that when someone enters marriage rightly—within God’s design and purpose—it brings divine approval and blessing on that union. Marriage reflects God’s covenant love, and when it is pursued righteously, it aligns with His will.
Hebrews 13:4 (NKJV):“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”
Therefore, entering into marriage in a godly manner is met with God’s favor—not because it earns righteousness, but because it honors God’s established order.
While marriage can be a source of divine favor, it’s important not to idolize it. God’s ultimate concern is one’s heart and obedience to His Word.
Micah 6:8 (NKJV):“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Whether married or single, what pleases God most is a life surrendered to His will.
Proverbs 18:22 should be understood as a celebration of marriage as a good gift from God and a relationship that, when entered into in righteousness, brings favor and blessing. But it should not be taken to mean that marriage is the only—or even the best—way to gain favor with God. Favor comes through faith, obedience, and a heart aligned with God’s purposes.
Marriage is honorable and blessed—but so is singleness when lived for the glory of God. Both are valuable callings in the Kingdom of God.
May the Lord grant you wisdom and grace in every season of your life.
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.
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
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.
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?
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.
The holy angels in heaven, who give glory to God day and night, are excellent teachers of praise and our heavenly choir. They have been placed before us to teach us how to worship and sing to God at heavenly standards. They may not instruct us on how to preach, but when it comes to praise, they have lessons for us.
Lesson One: They Cover Themselves
The angels of praise (the Seraphim and Cherubim) use much of their wings to cover themselves from head to foot when standing before God to give Him glory.
Isaiah 6:1-2 (NIV) “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.”
Isaiah 6:1-2 (NIV)
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.
Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.”
This shows that before presenting praise to the Creator of heaven and earth, the first requirement is modesty.
But today, many stand before God in worship and praise with exposed chests, bare backs, uncovered thighs, and even immodestly exposed bodies and women with uncovered heads.
The question is: Who taught them this? Who taught them to worship and praise half-naked? Was it the holy angels of God? The clear answer is no they were taught by Satan. And the one receiving that kind of praise is not the God of heaven but the devil of this world and of the pit.
Lesson Two: They Preach Holiness
The angels of praise in heaven the Seraphim and Cherubim are heard calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy.”
Notice this: they were not declaring to God that He is holy (as if He needed to be informed). No! They were proclaiming to one another, reminding themselves and others that the Lord is holy, and therefore everyone must remain in holiness because God is holy and cannot dwell in impurity.
Isaiah 6:3 (NIV) “And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’”
Isaiah 6:3 (NIV)
“And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’”
This is the unending song of the angels in heaven day and night:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY!
And this must also be the song of the saints on earth. Not because God needs the information
He is already holy and will remain so forever but because we need to remind ourselves that God is holy, and therefore we must continually pursue holiness. This is the kind of praise that pleases God!
Not singing while living double lives. Not worshiping while committing adultery, idolatry, or other sins.
For the Word of God says:
Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Songs or sermons that do not proclaim holiness are nothing but the devil’s slogans, which bring satanic rewards. You don’t have to be a witch to belong to Satan; simply singing for him is enough to make you his. Preaching and praising while living in sin makes you the devil’s servant.
If you have the gift of singing, stop treating it like entertainment or a career brand. The work of God is not a label or brand—it is a ministry. Do not model yourself after worldly artists branded by Satan to carry out his will. Instead, pray for them to be saved rather than imitate them.
If you choose to sing to the Holy One above
Wear proper clothing!
Preach holiness!
Live in holiness!
May the Lord help us!