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HIVI UNAMTESA MWOKOZI WAKO?

ARE YOU PERSECUTING YOUR SAVIOR?

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”Acts 9:4

There are things you may do that seem right in your own eyes but in truth, they deeply grieve Christ.

The Apostle Paul formerly known as Saul thought he was doing God’s work by opposing those who followed Jesus. He was zealous, believing he was defending the faith. But what he didn’t realize was that he was actually fighting against Christ Himself.

It wasn’t until his dramatic encounter on the road to Damascus that the truth was revealed:

“And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And he said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.’”Acts 9:4–5, ESV

In the original Greek, the word translated as “persecuting” also carries the idea of “causing suffering” or “harassing.” Jesus was telling Saul: “You’re not just opposing people you are attacking Me.”

TWO GROUPS WHO PERSECUTE CHRIST TODAY

1. Unbelievers Who Oppose the Church

Paul is a prime example of a religious person who didn’t know Jesus, yet aggressively opposed those who did. He dragged Christians out of their homes, imprisoned them, and even supported their execution (see Acts 8:1–3).

Today, there are still people governments, communities, even individuals who:

  • Oppose true churches,
  • Speak against God’s servants,
  • Mock or physically harm believers.

But what they may not realize is that in doing so, they are persecuting Christ Himself.

“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”Matthew 25:40, ESV

If you’re in this category whether by actions, words, or attitudes repent today. Turn to Jesus and receive His mercy. Don’t continue fighting the very One who died to save you.

2. Believers Who Fall Away and Return to Sin

There’s another way people “persecute” Christ and it comes from within the Church.

This happens when someone has truly received salvation, experienced the Holy Spirit, and tasted the goodness of God’s Word but then willfully returns to their old sinful life.

“For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened…and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.”Hebrews 6:4–6, ESV

This is not just “backsliding” it is re crucifying Christ, treating His sacrifice as something cheap. It’s not just a mistake; it is spiritual rebellion.

When you, as a believer:

  • Go back to sexual immorality,
  • Indulge in drunkenness and worldly pleasures,
  • Treat sin casually…

…you are wounding the Savior who died for you.

It’s like a child striking his own father. Isn’t that a curse?

STOP PLAYING WITH SIN

Don’t grow comfortable in sin just because you’re “already saved.” The sins of a believer are not like the sins of the world they are acts of spiritual betrayal.

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.”Hebrews 10:26, NIV

So ask yourself honestly:

Did you receive Christ just to wound Him again?

RETURN TO HOLINESS

Repent sincerely. Return to Christ before your heart becomes too hard to feel conviction.

“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”Hebrews 12:14, ESV

Love righteousness. Pursue a holy life. Jesus didn’t die so we could live like the world. He died to set us free from sin.

  • Unbelievers persecute Christ when they attack His Church.
  • Believers persecute Christ when they return to sin after knowing the truth.
  • Whether you’re in the world or in the Church, if your life is grieving Christ, repent.
  • Choose holiness. Follow Jesus with sincerity. Don’t be the one who brings sorrow to the One who saved you.

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Behold the handmaid of the Lord;

When Mary was visited by the angel and told of things that were humanly impossible, she responded in a most extraordinary way. She did not argue. She did not resist or oppose the purpose and plan of God for her life even though it far surpassed her human understanding. On the contrary, she embraced it. And not with shallow words or surface agreement, but with a confession of servanthood. She said:

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
(Luke 1:38, ESV)

In other words, she was saying: If this task requires me to serve as a slave, then so be it I am willing.

Let’s revisit the passage:

Luke 1:34-35, 38 (KJV)
[34] Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
[35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
[38] And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Mary becomes a perfect model not just for godly women but for the entire Church of Christ. Her example shows the kind of obedience the Lord desires from all who revere Him.

Despite the fact that this calling was, by human standards, impossible, and even though she knew it could bring shame and public disgrace, she still accepted God’s plan. She knew that becoming miraculously pregnant would make people assume the worst that she had committed adultery. She knew there were serious responsibilities ahead. Still, she received the purpose of God, a purpose far beyond her ability.

Mary didn’t make the mistake Moses did, telling God to “send someone else” (Exodus 4:13). She didn’t resist the calling like Jonah, fleeing to Tarshish (Jonah 1:3). Instead, she received the divine assignment with greater devotion than a slave she gave her whole self.

No wonder the Lord granted her such great grace.

God Looks for Willingness Over Ability

Dear brother or sister, the Lord is looking more at your willingness than at your natural ability. He values your obedience more than your age, experience, or qualifications.

Every believer today, under the New Covenant, has been called to do great things just as Mary did. There is no one who is exempt from the high calling of God, because our God is the God of the impossible:

“For nothing will be impossible with God.”
(Luke 1:37, ESV)

The only reason many do not see great results in their spiritual lives is because our faith is weak. What is required is a complete surrender to God.allowing Him to work through us, beyond our own understanding.

It doesn’t matter if you are a man or woman, young or old, educated or not, rich or poor.what matters is that you, like Mary, surrender yourself fully to whatever purpose God has for your life.

If you have the opportunity to pray for the sick, do it. If you can share the gospel on the streets, in marketplaces, at sports grounds, do it. In these moments, the Lord will reveal Himself to you in extraordinary ways and all glory will go to Him.

God Uses Weak Vessels

Never forget: God has chosen to use weak and ordinary vessels to fulfill His perfect purposes.

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.”
(1 Corinthians 1:27, KJV)

So let us, like Mary, say from the heart:

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

Amen.

May the Lord bless you.

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Consider It in Your Heart

Blessed be the name of our Lord JESUS.

God often speaks to us in our hearts, but many times we fail to pay attention to His voice. As a result, we end up in unnecessary troubles and hardships.

The consequences of ignoring God’s voice are serious. Let us learn from the story of the prodigal son, who demanded his inheritance from his father.

Luke 15:11–13

“Jesus continued: ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.’”

The son ignored the inner voice of wisdom and chose the path of self-indulgence. Scripture continues:

Luke 15:14–16

“After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.”

But then comes the turning point:

Luke 15:17–18

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.’”

The phrase “when he came to his senses” or literally “when he considered in his heart” shows us that God had already been speaking to him inwardly for a long time. His conscience was warning him that the path he had chosen was wrong, but he kept ignoring it—until the day he finally decided to listen.

This is how God speaks to us today. Sometimes it is through His Spirit nudging our conscience, reminding us: “Do not go that way. Do not continue in that sin. Turn back to God.” But many of us harden our hearts and refuse to pay attention.

The Bible says:

Proverbs 23:26

“My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways.”

The Lord does not merely want our outward actions, but our hearts. When we ignore His voice, we walk into destruction. But when we yield, repent, and return to Him, we experience restoration—just like the prodigal son.

Think about the examples:

  • Jonah ignored God’s voice and ran away, only to face storms and the belly of a great fish (Jonah 1:3–17).

  • Israel ignored the prophets, and judgment came upon them (2 Chronicles 36:15–16).

But God is merciful. If you choose today to pay attention to His voice, He will welcome you back with open arms.

Hebrews 3:15

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”

So listen to the voice that urges you to pray, to fast, to study the Word, to forgive, to serve God, or even to leave a place or relationship that is not pleasing to Him. Ignoring that voice leads to pain, but obeying it brings life and blessing.

May the Lord help us to always consider His voice in our hearts.

If you desire to receive Jesus Christ into your life, open your heart to Him today.

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Break Up the Fallow Ground of Your Heart

Hosea 10:12 (ESV)

“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.”

We are living in a season where seeking God cannot be superficial. The Word of God compares us to farmers sowers with the intent to harvest what we plant.

But no wise farmer simply throws seeds on hard, unbroken ground and expects a fruitful harvest. A true farmer, especially one planting grain, will take a strong plow and dig deep into the soil. Sweat pours from his brow as he works hard to break the ground even if it is dry, rocky, or tough so that the seeds can take root and produce fruit.

The Spiritual Plowing: A Call to Deep Devotion

This is exactly what God is calling us to do:

“Break up the fallow ground of your hearts, for it is time to seek the Lord.”

To seek the Lord is to dig deep.

That means:

  • If it’s prayer, it’s fervent, extended prayer, not just a quick blessing over your morning tea.
  • If it’s studying the Word, it’s daily, intentional meditation, not just waking up to one verse or passively listening to sermons on YouTube.
  • If it’s worship, it’s dwelling in God’s presence deeply and consistently, not just attending service for routine’s sake.

This is the kind of spiritual digging God desires where we put in effort, time, and sacrifice.

Superficial Christianity Is Costly

When we choose to live a shallow Christian life, we suffer great loss. Superficial soil allows the birds (Satan) to steal the Word before it can take root (see Matthew 13:4, 19).

Matthew 13:19 (ESV)
“When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart.”

If your spiritual life is shallow, your seed will be stolen. You will miss out on fruitfulness, intimacy with God, and the strength to endure trials.

Jesus Is Coming Soon Are You Ready?

Understand this: Jesus is coming back soon.
Have you truly gone deep in Him? Are you earnestly seeking Him with all your heart? Are you spiritually prepared for His return?

Hebrews 12:14 (ESV)
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

Revelation 19:7 (ESV)
“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.”

No one will casually enter Heaven. It is a prepared place for a prepared people.

So, break up your ground.

Get the plow of prayer.
Dig with the shovel of the Word.
Saturate the soil with worship and obedience.
Now is the time to seek the Lord before it’s too late.

Isaiah 55:6 (ESV)
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.”

May the grace of the Lord cover you and empower you to dig deep.

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The Author of the Song of Songs

The author of the book known as Song of Songs (also called Song of Solomon) is Solomon, the son of David, as indicated in the very first verse of the book:

“The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.”
Song of Songs 1:1 (ESV)

King Solomon was divinely gifted with great wisdom and understanding. Scripture records that he composed a vast number of proverbs and songs:

“He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.”
1 Kings 4:32 (ESV)

Among all the songs Solomon wrote, this particular one was considered the best thus its title, “The Song of Songs” (i.e., the greatest song). This phrase follows a Hebrew superlative pattern, much like the expressions:

  • “King of kings” (1 Timothy 6:15)
  • “Holy of holies” (Exodus 26:33–34)

Such expressions are used to emphasize supremacy or excellence. Therefore, just as the “King of kings” is the highest of all kings, the “Song of Songs” is the finest among songs.

The Song of Songs  More Than Poetry

This book stands as one of Solomon’s most profound writings, carrying deep wisdom inspired by God. On the surface, it is a poetic dialogue exploring the love between a bride and her bridegroom, filled with vivid imagery, passion, and devotion.

However, throughout church history, theologians have also recognized that this book symbolizes the spiritual relationship between Christ and the Church between the Bridegroom (Christ) and His Bride (believers).

This aligns with New Testament themes, such as:

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
Ephesians 5:25 (ESV)

“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.”
Revelation 19:7 (ESV)

So while The Song of Songs is a celebration of romantic love in marriage, it also foreshadows the divine love Christ has for His people a covenant love that is eternal, faithful, and intimate.

To explore more in depth insights into this book, including its connection to other wisdom books of Solomon, click here:
📖 BIBLE BOOKS SERIES: Part 11 (Proverbs, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes)

You may also explore the following thematic lessons found within this rich and poetic book:

1. What Does “Do Not Awaken Love Until It Pleases” Mean?

Song of Songs 2:7

“I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem… that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.”

This speaks to the importance of waiting for the right time for love a call to patience, purity, and honoring God’s timing in relationships.

2. Don’t Delay  Open Your Heart to Love

Love requires a heart that is ready and willing. Delays in vulnerability or holding back emotionally can hinder the beauty of genuine connection, both in human relationships and in our walk with Christ.

3. Different Seasons  The Changing Nature of Love

Just as nature changes, so do the seasons of love. Understanding that love can grow, be tested, and mature helps believers navigate the dynamics of marriage and faith alike.

“For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone.”
Song of Songs 2:11

4. The Wonder of Christ’s Covenant Love

The love of Christ is not based on emotion alone it is a covenant. This book reflects that sacred commitment, reminding us that Jesus’s love for us is unwavering and sacrificial.

“Set me as a seal upon your heart… for love is strong as death.”
Song of Songs 8:6

May the Lord bless you as you seek to understand the depth of His love through this sacred book of Scripture. May your heart be awakened to the intimacy, faithfulness, and beauty of Christ’s covenant with His people.

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THE WELL STILL HAS WATER DIG AGAIN

When Isaac arrived in a place called Gerar, he remembered the wells that his father Abraham had dug in earlier times. But when he looked for them, he found they had been stopped up and destroyed. Isaac did not give up  he began the work of digging the wells again.

When he reopened the first well, and water came out, the local herders quarreled with his men. So Isaac named it Esek, meaning dispute.

He moved on and dug another well  and again, it was contested. He called it Sitnah, meaning opposition or hostility.

Still, Isaac did not quit. He went further and dug a third well. This time, no one quarreled over it. So he named it Rehoboth, saying:

“Now the LORD has given us room, and we will flourish in the land.”
(Genesis 26:22, NIV)

Genesis 26:18–22 (ESV)

[18] And Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days of Abraham his father, which the Philistines had stopped after the death of Abraham. And he gave them the names that his father had given them.
[19] But when Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of spring water,
[20] the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him.
[21] Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah.
[22] And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, saying, “For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.”

What Is God Saying Through This Story?

When you gave your life to Christ, Jesus Himself planted a well of living water inside of you. This well not only gives eternal life, but also refreshes, restores, and empowers your journey here on earth.

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
John 7:38 (NIV)

And again:

“But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:14 (NIV)

But the Enemy Has a Mission: To Block That Well

The devil works relentlessly to clog your well  to make your spirit dry, lifeless, and fruitless. You may start noticing:

  • You no longer pray like before
  • Reading the Word feels like a chore
  • You don’t feel the presence of the Holy Spirit
  • You’ve returned to sins you had once overcome
  • The passion, vision, and spiritual fire you had is gone

These are signs: the well has been covered.

But here is the hope: The water is still there. All you need to do is dig again.

God Is Not Done With You

Even if you’ve backslidden and feel beyond forgiveness, God still calls you back. You might think your purpose is lost  but the well can be uncovered again. The vision you had, the calling, the fire  it can all return, stronger than before.

Just as Isaac dug again despite resistance, you too must press forward. Don’t stop at the first or second disappointment  deep digging until you reach your Rehoboth  your place of peace, rest, and fruitfulness.

So What Should You Do?

  1. Discipline yourself to read the Word  even when it feels hard.
  2. Pray fervently  even when the spirit is weak.
  3. Attend night vigils and fellowships  surround yourself with the presence of God.
  4. Abandon sin  live a life of holiness.
  5. Persevere  trials will come, but they are not permanent.
  6. Keep digging  your Rehoboth is ahead.

The enemy does not want your well to flow  because he knows once it does, your life will be fruitful, powerful, and impactful. But God desires that your well never runs dry.

Like Isaac, don’t give up at Esek or Sitnah. Keep going  Rehoboth is waiting.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

Dig Your Well Again. God Bless You.

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DO YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?

If someone were to ask you, “What does it mean to be successful?”  most people would probably answer:

“To have a good job, a decent income, and good health.”
That’s a simple and understandable answer in the natural sense.

But let’s now consider a deeper question in the spiritual realm:

What is eternal life?

The Bible gives us a very clear and direct answer.

John 17:3 (ESV)

“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

So eternal life is found in knowing God and Jesus Christ.
This is not mere intellectual knowledge  it is relational, spiritual, and transformative.

IS JESUS DIFFERENT FROM GOD?

Now, some people wonder: Is God different from Jesus?
The answer is No.
There is One God who reveals Himself in different manifestations  not different gods or separate beings.

Here’s an illustration:
Someone can see you in person (live), or they can see your photo. Your photo and your physical presence are not two different people  they’re different manifestations of the same person.

Similarly, Jesus is the full image of the invisible God. When we see Jesus, we are seeing God in His fullness.

Colossians 1:15 (ESV)

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”

John 14:8-9 (ESV)

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

John 14:7 (ESV)

“If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

So we understand that to know Jesus is to know the Father  because Jesus is the manifestation of God in the flesh.

JESUS IS THE REVELATION OF GOD

Jesus is not simply a prophet or a messenger  He is God incarnate.
To reject Jesus is to reject God.
You cannot claim to know God while denying Jesus.

It’s like someone saying they know you, but they reject your photo  they’re calling you a liar, because your photo is an expression of who you are.

In the same way:

1 John 5:10 (ESV)

“Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.”

If you deny Jesus, you’re denying the very testimony of God Himself.

YOU CANNOT KNOW GOD OUTSIDE OF JESUS

John 8:19 (ESV)

“They said to him therefore, ‘Where is your Father?’ Jesus answered, ‘You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.’”

So today, eternal life is found in Jesus alone not in religion, not in good works, not in any other prophet or teacher. Jesus alone is the way to the Father.

Don’t try to know God outside of Christ  it is a waste of time.
Don’t try to serve God outside of Christ  it is futile.
Don’t seek eternal life apart from Jesus  you’ll end up losing both your time and your soul.

NO SUBSTITUTE FOR JESUS

If someone  be it a prophet, an apostle, a pastor, or even a priest  teaches that there is another way to Heaven apart from Jesus, run away from them!

If anyone claims there are others who can perform the same work as Jesus  whether saints, angels, or mystics  reject that teaching immediately!

Jesus has no twin, no backup, no alternate route to God.
Some say, “Through saint so and so, we can get to God.”
But the truth is: Only Jesus reveals God.

1 Timothy 2:5 (ESV)

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

So unless we believe in Jesus as God manifest in the flesh, we do not have eternal life  no matter how many good deeds we perform. Once you’ve heard the truth of who Jesus is and still reject Him, you are choosing spiritual death.

DO YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?

So I ask you:

Do you have eternal life?
Have you believed in Jesus Christ?
Are you doing what He says?

Jesus warned:

Luke 6:46–49 (ESV)

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:
he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Believe in Jesus, and obey what He says.

That is the path to eternal life.

Maranatha!
The Lord is coming!

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BUT I AM NOT ALONE.

Blessed be the name of our Savior, JESUS. Welcome, let’s study the Bible together.

It’s crucial to fight through every challenge until we reach a place where God becomes everything to us. This is the heart of the Christian faith: that God alone is sufficient for us, no matter the circumstances. The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:11-13:

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13 NKJV)

This means that, even if everyone else abandons you, isolates you, or forgets about you, GOD remains your ultimate comfort—more than a thousand people or even a thousand relatives could ever be. In fact, God’s presence is more than enough, as Psalm 73:25-26 reveals:

“Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25-26 NKJV)

When we reach this point, we will be people of joy every day, living without depending too much on motivation from others or material things. This is why Jesus could say in John 15:11:

“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:11 NKJV)

Jesus offers a joy that doesn’t rely on circumstances or the support of others, but a joy rooted in His presence.

If we can get to a place where the joy we receive from others no longer becomes the driving force for us to move forward, we will be great in God’s eyes. In fact, we see Jesus model this perfectly. The Apostle Paul encourages us in Romans 8:15-17 that, as children of God, our strength is found in His presence:

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” (Romans 8:15-17 NKJV)

Similarly, if we can reach a point where negative words, mockery, or discouragement from others no longer cause us to despair or hurt, we will be respected by others. This is because our identity and worth will not be defined by external approval, but by our relationship with the Father. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV)

As Christians, we often feel uplifted when people encourage us, we find strength when others support us, and we can be deeply discouraged when people break our hearts. But it wasn’t like that with our Lord JESUS CHRIST. His comfort and sorrow were found in the Father alone.

Jesus models perfect reliance on the Father in all circumstances. Even though He was fully God, He was also fully human and felt the pain of abandonment and rejection, as we see in His prayers in the garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46). His sorrow, however, was always directed toward seeking the Father’s will, not the approval of man.

So much so that even if thousands praised and encouraged Him, if that encouragement didn’t come from His Father, it couldn’t move Him. His strength was in the Father alone, as He said in John 6:38:

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” (John 6:38 NKJV)

Likewise, even if everyone else spoke discouraging words or abandoned Him, leaving Him alone, as long as He had His Father, His heart remained steadfast. The Scriptures say:

John 16:32: “Behold, the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” (John 16:32 NKJV)

In this moment, Jesus knew that the time was coming when everyone would flee and He would be left alone. And indeed, that moment came when the soldiers of Herod came to arrest Him in the garden. The Scriptures tell us that they all fled, and one even ran away naked (Mark 14:51-52).

Yet we don’t see Jesus brokenhearted over this. Why? Because He knew for certain that His Father was with Him.

He understood that if everyone else left, it didn’t mean that His Father had forsaken Him. Jesus’ confidence in the Father was unshakable. He exemplifies for us what it means to trust in God’s presence regardless of what others do or say.

However, when the time came for the Father to temporarily turn away from Him because of the world’s sin, that’s when we see Jesus feeling distressed and sorrowful. This moment is the culmination of Christ’s sacrifice—bearing the weight of the world’s sin and enduring the temporary separation from the Father. As it is written in Matthew 27:46:

“About the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” (Matthew 27:46 NKJV)

Jesus’ cry reveals the deep anguish of His soul as He became the sin-bearer for the world, feeling the weight of spiritual separation from God the Father. This is the ultimate moment of His sacrifice for us, where He bore the punishment for sin that we deserved.

We, too, need to reach this place where God, our Father, remains our ultimate source of comfort, so that even if the whole world leaves us, we know He will always be there. He should be our beginning and our end. As the psalmist writes:

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV)

Even if the world showers us with praise and encouragement, it is the encouragement from our Father that will truly complete our joy. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV)

May the Lord Jesus help us to grow in this deep trust in our Father’s presence and comfort.

Psalm 9:10: “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.” (Psalm 9:10 NKJV)

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GOD’S “NO” IS A PATH TO SUCCESS

When God says “no,” it’s not a denial of your request, but a redirection to something greater. God’s “no” is often the gateway to His better plan for you, something beyond what you could have imagined.

David’s Desire to Build a Temple:

David, a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), had a sincere desire to build a temple for God’s Name. After years of fighting wars and establishing a kingdom, he wanted to honor God by creating a permanent house for His presence. David gathered resources, wealth, and materials for the grand project. However, when he presented his plan to God, the answer was not what he expected.

In 1 Chronicles 22:7-8, David says to his son Solomon:

[7] “My son, I had intended to build a house for the Name of the Lord my God.
[8] But the word of the Lord came to me: ‘You have shed much blood and fought many wars. You are not to build a house for My Name because you have shed so much blood on the earth in My sight.’”

Though David’s heart was pure, and his desire was noble, God’s purpose for him was different. God didn’t reject David’s dream; He had a different plan for him, one that would pass through Solomon. This was a reminder that God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). God’s plan often supersedes our own, and His timing is perfect, even when we don’t understand it.

Theological Reflection on God’s “No”:

This passage underscores a vital truth: God’s decisions are always guided by His infinite wisdom. Sometimes, we might feel rejected when God denies us something we deeply desire. But we must remember that God is not denying us for the sake of cruelty. Instead, He is aligning our life with His eternal purposes. As we see in

Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Even when we don’t understand why God says “no,” we can trust that He is always working for our ultimate good.

In the case of David, while he wasn’t allowed to build the temple, his legacy still remained. The glory of God’s temple would come through Solomon, David’s son. This teaches us that we may not always fulfill the dreams we have for ourselves, but God can use our lives to pave the way for others to accomplish greater things.

Humility and Acceptance of God’s Will:

David had to learn humility in that moment. His desire to build the temple was not wrong; in fact, it was deeply rooted in his love for God. But God’s plan was different. This moment of “no” from God was an opportunity for David to demonstrate obedience and submission to God’s greater plan. In James 4:6, we are reminded that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” God’s “no” is often a call to surrender our personal agendas for His greater purpose.

In Luke 22:42, Jesus Himself exemplified this kind of submission when He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, saying,

“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

Jesus, in His humanity, desired a different outcome, but He humbly accepted the Father’s will, knowing that God’s plan was for the salvation of the world.

God’s Timing and His Perfect Plans:

When God says “no,” He is not rejecting you; He is simply confirming that His timing is perfect. In

Ecclesiastes 3:11, it says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

God has a time and season for every purpose under heaven. What may seem like a delay or denial is often a divine preparation for something greater.

David’s desire to build the temple was a noble one, but God knew that David’s son Solomon was the one who would bring it to fruition. Solomon’s reign was marked by peace, something David could not experience due to his many battles (1 Chronicles 22:9). God’s “no” to David was not a rejection; it was an affirmation that His timing for the temple was under Solomon’s reign. Sometimes, our dreams are meant to outlive us, and God uses our legacy to accomplish His will long after we’ve passed.

God’s No as a Path to Greater Glory:

David’s humble acceptance of God’s will ultimately led to greater glory. Solomon built the temple, and it was dedicated with great praise (1 Kings 8:10-11). The glory of God filled the temple, and His presence was manifest in a way that marked Israel’s history. But the true legacy of the temple, the honor of its construction, was tied back to David. 2 Samuel 7:16 prophesied that David’s house, kingdom, and throne would endure forever, which was ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of David (Matthew 1:1).

This teaches us that God’s “no” is not a rejection of our importance, but rather a redirection for greater purpose and glory. We may not always see the full picture, but we can trust that God is using us for His kingdom, even when we feel overlooked or passed over. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 8:18, reminds us that

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

In God’s plan, even our denials are a part of His glorious plan.

Embracing God’s Grace in His “No”:

There are times when we won’t be the ones to achieve certain things, even when we pray fervently for them. At those times, we must learn to release control and trust that God’s grace is sufficient.

2 Corinthians 12:9 states,

 

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

God’s “no” does not mean He has forgotten you. It means that He has something better for you, something that will fulfill His greater purpose. As we walk in His ways and trust His guidance, we can rest in the truth that God is always working for our good, even when the answer is not what we hoped for.

God’s “No” is a Pathway to Greater Success:

God’s “no” is not the end of the story. In fact, it is often the beginning of something even greater. In Matthew 19:29, Jesus assures us,

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for My sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”

You might not have received what you expected, but trust that God’s plans for you are beyond your wildest dreams.

Ephesians 3:20 tells us, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

God’s grace will take you beyond what you can imagine, if you walk in His will and trust His timing.

Conclusion:

The key takeaway is this: When God says “no,” it is not a denial, but a divine redirection to something greater. Trust in God’s wisdom, His timing, and His plan for your life. His “no” is a path to greater success, a deeper faith, and a higher purpose in His kingdom. Keep walking in His ways, knowing that His grace is sufficient for you, and His glory will be revealed in ways you can’t yet comprehend.

 

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MWILI NI KWA BWANA

THE BODY BELONGS TO THE LORD, AND THE LORD BELONGS TO THE BODY

Does God care about the body and require it? The answer is yes, and the Scriptures clearly confirm this.

1 Corinthians 6:13 (ESV):
“Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food—but God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.”

Notice the words at the end: “the body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” This shows that our bodies are specifically for the Lord, and the Lord is specifically for our bodies. It’s no wonder that when we pray for physical needs, He answers just as quickly as He does for spiritual ones.

It’s also no surprise that we struggle with bodily desires, because our bodies are extremely valuable to Him. After all, to live as humans, we must have bodies.

So where does the idea come from that God doesn’t care about the body? Surely, it comes from Satan!

The Scriptures continue to affirm that we do not belong to ourselves.

1 Corinthians 6:19 (ESV):
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own.”

Let’s go deeper into understanding how the body is for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body.

Our union with Christ is so complete that the Bible teaches: “the parts of our bodies are also parts of Christ.” In other words, that hand you see as yours is actually Christ’s hand; those eyes are His eyes. So if you have believed in Jesus but then commit sexual immorality, you are misusing a part of Christ’s body. As the Bible warns:

1 Corinthians 6:15 (ESV):
“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!”

The foot you see as yours, if you are saved, is no longer yours—it belongs to Christ. That’s why Jesus said: when people receive you, they receive Him; and when they reject you, they reject Him. Why? Because after salvation, our bodies no longer belong to us; all our members belong to Christ and represent Him.

Luke 10:16 (ESV):
“Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

See? A saved person is essentially “Christ walking on earth.” And if you study the judgment of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46, you’ll see that when people ask, “Lord, when did we feed You, clothe You, or care for You?” Jesus responds, “As you did it to the least of these, you did it to Me.” The “least” here refers to God’s faithful servants proclaiming the gospel.

So the hungry stomachs of God’s people are Christ’s stomach, the dusty feet of God’s people are Christ’s feet—in short, the bodies of God’s people are Christ’s very own bodies! No wonder Paul asked: “Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!”

If that’s the case, why then do we dress inappropriately, engage in sexual immorality, tattoo our bodies, smoke, or drink excessively? Consider these matters seriously, believer. Do not be deceived into thinking God does not care about the body. The teaching that encourages neglecting the body is false—it leads only to bondage and legalism.

Salvation does not give us freedom to sin. On the last day, it is not our souls that are resurrected, but our bodies. And Christ did not offer His Spirit for our redemption—He offered His body with blood, bones, vessels, flesh, heart, hands, feet, and skin.

Hebrews 10:5 (ESV):
“Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me.’”

The Bible repeatedly calls us to offer our bodies to the Lord.

Romans 12:1 (ESV):
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

May the Lord bless you.

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