Question: Is it appropriate for God’s people to call others by animal names? For example, saying, “Hey hyena, come here,” like how Jesus referred to Herod as a “fox” in Luke 13:32.
Answer: In the Bible, we see people being called by various animal names, such as “wolves” (Matthew 7:15), “sheep” (John 10:27), and “serpents” (Matthew 13:34). Other animal names used include “fox,” “dove,” “pig,” “lion,” and “goat.”
It’s important to understand the context and intent behind these names. These terms were not meant as insults, mockery, or disrespect. Rather, they were used to describe a person’s character or behavior accurately.
For example, when Jesus called Herod a “fox,” He did not intend to insult or demean him. Instead, He was pointing out Herod’s cunning and predatory nature—like a fox that sneaks around and preys on smaller animals. This was evident even at the time of Jesus’ birth when Herod sought to kill Him (Luke 13:32).
So, if someone is described in such a way because of their behavior, it is not a curse or insult according to the Bible.
However, when people use animal names to insult, mock, or show disrespect driven by hatred or anger, that is forbidden in Scripture and is sinful.
For instance, saying, “Hey hyena, come here,” clearly reveals anger, disrespect, or hatred behind the words.
Consider these verses:
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV): “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Colossians 3:8 (ESV): “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.”
Matthew 5:22 (ESV): “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”
Therefore, guard your tongue. Always consider the intention behind every word you speak.
May the Lord bless you.
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QUESTION: I’d like to understand—when we say “Praise the Lord Jesus,” what exactly do we mean? Who should say this greeting, and why do some people say “Shalom” instead?
ANSWER:
The phrase “Praise the Lord Jesus” is a declaration that Jesus is worthy of praise because of the good work He accomplished here on earth.
Jesus is the only person who willingly gave up His heavenly glory and authority to come live on earth for one purpose: to redeem us from our sins. He suffered greatly, was tempted, died, and then rose again. Now He lives and sits at the right hand of God as our mediator (1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 7:25).
Through Him, we receive forgiveness of sins, healing of diseases, victory over Satan, blessings, and direct access to God without any barriers—through His blood (Hebrews 10:19-22).
Someone like this absolutely deserves to be praised. That’s why “Praise the Lord Jesus” is an eternal greeting, expressing gratitude for the light and salvation we have received through His good work.
Who Should Say It?
No one is forbidden from saying it, but if a person says “Praise the Lord Jesus” without understanding why Jesus deserves praise, it becomes hypocritical—and God hates hypocrisy (Matthew 23:28).
For example, if someone is not yet saved and says “Praise the Lord Jesus,” they should ask themselves: Praise Him for what, since He hasn’t done anything in their life yet?
It would be like a lost person saying, “Praise Satan”—what would they have to praise Satan for if they have no relationship with him? (Though a traditional healer might say it sincerely because they believe they gain something from Satan.)
This greeting or declaration is most appropriate in worship settings—such as sermons, teachings, songs, prayers, and so on—because that is where Jesus’ work is most clearly demonstrated.
On the other hand, “Shalom” is a Hebrew word meaning “peace.” Anyone can use this word, whether saved or not, because it is more of a general greeting than a statement of faith. It’s similar to how we say “How are you?”—anyone can say it.
But “Praise the Lord Jesus” is a faith-based phrase that should be spoken only by those who have put their trust in Jesus.
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Biblical crying refers to deep distress, tears, or sorrow that continue over a long time without proper resolution or intervention. But it’s not just tears—prolonged sorrow or even sinful joy expressed before God without being laid down is also called crying out.
Now, sins that produce such crying out are different from ordinary sins because they pile up and deeply grieve God’s heart. Their punishment is very severe, as shown in various stories throughout the Scriptures.
We will look at five (5) types of crying out mentioned in the Bible. Perhaps you have been one of the causes of such cries. So repent early, before disaster strikes.
James 5:1-6 (ESV) “Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.”
Verse 4 says: “Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you…”
This is the cry of all workers—meaning employees everywhere.
The truth is, many employers exploit their workers by withholding fair wages or overworking them while paying them poorly, aiming to enrich themselves.
This is very serious because even if workers don’t speak up or aren’t seen, God hears their cry from below. The end for such employers will be terrible—their wealth will be consumed like the rich man Lazarus.
Make sure to pay your employees what they deserve—not just in companies or organizations but even if you employ a helper at home, gardener, or cleaner. Give them their due on time so that the Lord won’t ruin what you have. Their cries are powerful before God.
We see in the story of Cain, who thought everything was over after killing his brother. But God revealed the spiritual reality: his brother’s blood was crying out from the ground. Cain’s punishment was severe—cursed and rejected by the earth.
Genesis 4:10-13 (NIV) “The Lord said, ‘What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.’ Cain said to the Lord, ‘My punishment is more than I can bear.’”
Never kill or incite innocent bloodshed.
The Israelites were enslaved and oppressed in Egypt. They cried out to God, and He heard their cries.
Exodus 3:7-9 (NIV) “The Lord said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them… Now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them.’”
The result was Egypt losing everything, suffering for a long time, including many deaths. Never oppress anyone—whether your wife, stepchild, in-law, servant, orphan, widow, or the poor.
Don’t allow this, because their cries reach God, and you will be in trouble.
Revelation 6:9-10 (ESV) “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?’”
The suffering of the saints is even more grievous than any other group crying to God. God gathers their cries, part of which is poured out on earth (Revelation 16:4-7), but most of the judgment happens after this life.
Never mistreat God’s people, oppress, shame, or harm them—because God quickly hears their cries.
The pleasures and sinful acts that people engage in, thinking that’s what life is, are actually a great cry reaching God’s heart, saying, “Why don’t you destroy us?” This was the case with Sodom and Gomorrah.
Genesis 18:20-21 (NIV) “Then the Lord said, ‘The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me.’”
This danger is widespread now—sins like homosexuality and debauchery, luxury, drunkenness, and reckless living rapidly bring God’s judgment. And as we know, these are the end times; one of these days God’s judgment will fall on the earth.
Have you trusted Jesus?
Are you certain that if Christ returns today, you will go with Him?
If you haven’t yet accepted salvation and are ready to do so now, please contact us at the numbers provided at the end of this message.
God bless you.
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Deuteronomy 2:20–21 (NIV):
“That too was considered a land of the Rephaites, who used to live there; but the Ammonites called them Zamzummites. They were a people strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakites. The Lord destroyed them from before the Ammonites, who drove them out and settled in their place.”
The Zamzummites were a people of great size, strength, and power who lived in ancient times much like Goliath.
In those days, these were the people who caused great fear among nations. They were mighty warriors and advanced in many ways. They built large cities and had powerful weapons. No nation could defeat them by its own strength.
Yet, despite their reputation for great physical power and skill in battle, before God, the mighty Zamzummites were nothing. Goliath was defeated by David, a young servant of the Lord. The mighty ones in Jericho were brought down by what seemed like weak men of Israel. And above all, every “giant” that existed before the flood the ancient Nephilim was wiped out by the Lord in the days of Noah (see Genesis 6:4).
If your “Zamzummite” is sin, tell the Lord to bring it down for by your own strength you will not overcome it. If your “Zamzummite” is a group of people standing against you, ask the Lord to remove them. No matter how strong or powerful they may seem, God has the power to take them away.
What you need to do for all the “Zamzummites” in and around your life to be removed is this: Believe in the Lord Jesus, sincerely repent of your sins, and seek to be baptized properly in much water and in the name of the Lord Jesus. After that, the Holy Spirit will come into your life and completely purify you.
If you have not yet been baptized and would like help with that, please contact us at the numbers provided below.
May the Lord Jesus bless you.
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Luke 15:20 (NIV) “So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
The story of the prodigal son reveals a vivid picture of God’s immense mercy and compassion toward us. After the younger son lost everything living a life of indulgence, he finally decided to return to his father—though with heavy thoughts of being blamed, rejected, or even punished and made a servant. But things turned out to be very different from what he expected… and much better.
Before the son even reached his father, the father had already seen him from afar. Not only that, but the father didn’t wait for his son to come all the way; he ran to meet him.
This is remarkable because, according to traditional culture—then and now—grown men don’t usually run unless there’s an emergency or an overwhelming emotional reason. Adults simply don’t run without cause.
But this father broke that rule. He ran toward his son just like a small child would, and when he reached him, he embraced and kissed him tenderly. You can imagine the intense emotions the father had for his son.
It’s easy to picture a parent welcoming back a child they love who has been away for a long time. But it’s not so easy to see a parent welcome a wayward, proud, and failed child with such overwhelming love—especially after the son had been disrespected, lost his honor, and squandered everything.
This story reveals God’s heart for a sinner who genuinely repents.
Even before you finish asking to be forgiven, God has already run to you and embraced you. His grace to forgive far surpasses the number of sins we have committed.
Maybe you’ve been a prodigal child, returning to sins you had once left behind. What if you repented today in a meaningful way?
You left your marriage repent now. You returned to adultery and disgrace repent now. You went back to drunkenness and indulgence repent now.
God is ready to run to you and forgive you beyond your greatest expectations.
He will also help you. Just as the prodigal son “came to his senses,” you too can come to your senses today and leave behind your old life. No matter how many shameful mistakes you have made, just repent today. Throw away the curses of witchcraft, laziness, theft, and corruption that you have been practicing—and the Lord will heal you.
Remember, dying in your sins leads straight to hell. Why should it be that way when the One who forgives runs toward you?
Don’t hold Him back. Open your heart and return to your Creator.
The Lord bless you.
Shalom.
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If you would like help to receive Jesus into your life for free, please contact us at the number below this article.
Mark 9:24 “Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’” — Mark 9:24 (ESV)
Mark 9:24
“Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’” — Mark 9:24 (ESV)
This is the story of an older man whose son was tormented by a persistent demon from childhood. Despite seeking help from doctors and various healers, and even after the disciples themselves failed to heal him, the father finally encountered the Lord Jesus.
He said to Jesus, “If you can do anything, please have mercy on us and help us.”
But Jesus responded, “If you can?” He said, “All things are possible for one who believes.” — Mark 9:23 (ESV)
This shows that the man’s faith was not yet perfect. Yet, in that moment, he placed all his hope in Jesus and believed: “I believe; help my unbelief!”
This is one of the most honest and transparent prayers recorded in the Bible.
He truly believed, but his faith was incomplete. He struggled to fully trust. So alongside his faith, he asked Jesus to help his unbelief — to help him surrender completely. Not just to witness a miracle, but to be helped, to be strengthened in faith.
Jesus didn’t reject him or scold him or tell him to do something else first. Instead, He rebuked the demon, and immediately the boy was healed.
True faith doesn’t mean doubts disappear overnight. It means choosing to surrender yourself to the Lord and placing your full trust in Him, even when your heart says, “Why do I still have doubts? Why don’t I have faith? Why do my own words confirm my despair?”
Don’t stop praying and confessing your faith, even as you cry out for the Lord’s help to make your faith complete. As you fully surrender, you will begin to witness great things done for you.
Don’t condemn yourself for the doubts you’ve had. Just lean fully on Jesus and don’t take your foot off that ground. He will build you up.
The father didn’t walk away from Jesus because of his weakness — he stayed right there, because faith grows through relationship, not perfection.
God’s grace is greater than our shortcomings. Admit your weakness before Him but show Him your dependence. There you will see His strength revealed.
Satan will want you to condemn yourself in times of struggle, but say:
“I believe, Lord; help my unbelief.”
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Hebrews 12:29 (ESV)
For our God is a consuming fire.
God is called fire, but not just any fire — He is a consuming fire. That means He does not merely burn; He completely consumes, devours, and causes everything to vanish.
An example of this can be seen in the fire that fell upon the altar Elijah built. When that fire came down, it did not spare anything not the water, not the wood, not even the sacrifice. Everything was completely consumed.(1 Kings 18:38, ESV)
Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
Unlike ordinary fire, which only burns or melts things and changes their form — like when metal is melted but not destroyed — the fire of God makes nothing remain. It consumes everything completely and without distinction.
This is a spiritual fire, not a physical one. When you are filled with this fire, nothing impure can survive in you. Wherever it touches, it destroys the works of the devil completely. When this fire dwells within you, it burns away all evil in your life.
That is why the Lord desires that we, His children whom He has redeemed, be filled with this consuming fire. He even tells us how to receive it in the following passage:
Isaiah 33:14–15 (ESV)
“Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire?Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?”He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly,who despises the gain of oppressions,who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe,who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshedand shuts his eyes from looking on evil.
Do you see who can dwell with the consuming fire? Not everyone — only those who live by these qualities.
In other words, those who strive to live holy and righteous lives.
This is the race we all run for the true strength of a Christian, after salvation, is holiness.That is the consuming fire within us.
Genesis 3:15
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (NIV)
The only one foretold to crush the serpent’s (Satan’s) head is the offspring of the woman. This prophecy is found in Genesis 3:15.
This offspring is Jesus Christ, because He alone was born without a human father. We are all offspring of men, since our seed comes from our earthly fathers. But Christ is the seed that came down from heaven, which is why He is called the offspring of the woman.
By His victory over the powers of darkness—through His resurrection from the dead and ascension to heaven—He dealt a mighty blow directly to Satan’s head.
Because of this, humanity has crossed over from death to life.
The good news is that anyone who believes in Him becomes part of that offspring by faith, and so receives the same authority to crush the serpent’s power—until the kingdom of darkness is completely destroyed from the face of the earth.
Galatians 3:29“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (NIV)
Luke 10:19“Behold, I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (NIV)
Remember, no other offspring—no African, no European, no Chinese, no Arab, no Jewish clan, no royal family—can truly destroy the powers of darkness. Even if humans unite with tanks and nuclear weapons, they cannot defeat them; instead, they risk becoming prey to those dark powers. Only the offspring of Jesus Christ possess that power.
The question is: How do we crush the serpent’s head?
We do it by continuing to preach. If you sit idle and do not witness the gospel of Christ to sinners, if you neglect the Lord’s harvest field, know this: the “boots” (authority and power) you have been given at your feet are useless unless you use them!
You are giving Satan permission to rejoice in the Lord’s field. The only sure way to quickly drive Satan away is to encounter one sinner and witness to them about salvation.
When the apostles returned from preaching, rejoicing over their victories, Jesus said,
“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” (Luke 10:18 ESV)
Stand firm. Use your authority well. Continue to crush, truly crush, and destroy the enemy through the gospel.
Not by simply shouting “I crush Satan!” or saying “Leave, Satan!” but by preaching the gospel.
Another way to crush Satan is through prayer and living a holy life, while still preaching the gospel of Christ—this deeply wounds Satan.
Wake up, put on your boots, and go after every thicket in the Lord’s field where the serpents hide. Keep crushing until the good news of the kingdom reaches all the world.
The Lord be with you.
Amen.
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To answer this, it’s important to first understand what the Church is.
The Church is not a building or a specific location; it is the people those called by God, saved by grace, and gathered together with one purpose: to worship and serve Him.
These believers can meet in formal settings, but they can also gather in informal places for worship activities, provided they meet the necessary spiritual criteria.
The early Church gathered in the Temple (a formal place designated for worship), but they also met in homes, along riverbanks, and in classrooms.
Acts 2:46 (NKJV):
“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.”
Acts 5:42 (NKJV):
“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”
As we know, homes were places where many activities occurred. After worship, there might be celebrations or social gatherings, but that did not prevent them from fulfilling God’s intended purposes.
Therefore, it can be acceptable that, if there is no official place yet, worship can take place in school buildings, halls, open fields, or even under trees—as long as unity exists and the intention is Christ. However, there are large churches that have succeeded but still do not have official gathering places… yet the church has been established.
Things to consider include your discretion, the decorum, and the peaceful spiritual environment at that time. If these are present when you gather, then God is with you… it is not a sin.
However, it is wise and better for a church to seek an official place for gathering, one that will be used solely for their worship activities.
1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”
The “day of visitation” refers to the time when God visits humanity—either to save or to judge.
Both types are considered days of visitation.
For example, when God comes to save, there are moments when His grace visits a person or even an entire nation. During such times, powerful spiritual awakenings often occur. The period of Christ’s earthly ministry was a special visitation for Israel, but they did not receive it—except for a few. (Luke 19:41–44 ESV)
On the other hand, God also visits to judge, and this refers to the day when each person will be judged according to their deeds.
Returning to 1 Peter 2:12, which says, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable… so that they may… glorify God on the day of visitation,” the meaning is this:
The good conduct of a believer can help lead others to receive salvation and glorify God when their moment of grace comes. For some people, when the day of visitation reaches them, it becomes easier for them to believe and glorify God because they have already witnessed the good character of believers—love, peace, integrity, and uprightness.
But if your conduct is corrupt, then when their day of visitation comes, it becomes much harder for them to glorify God, because what they remember is the bad example they saw in you.
This is the same idea Peter explains a little later when speaking about husbands and wives. Regarding wives, he says that if a woman has an unbelieving husband, she can win him to Christ through her conduct alone. (1 Peter 3:1 ESV)
In short, your righteous conduct helps clear the path for the grace of Christ to work more effectively in someone’s life.
May God bless you.
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