You might ask, “Can a believer really be bound by the enemy?” The answer is yes a believer can experience bondage. But then you may wonder, “If a believer can be bound, what was the purpose of Jesus’ work on the cross? Didn’t He set us free completely?”
The redemption Christ accomplished on the cross (cf. Romans 8:1 NIV) means that no believer stands condemned spiritually:
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
However, this freedom in Christ does not always immediately translate into freedom in every area of the believer’s daily experience. Spiritual growth and maturity involve learning to walk in that freedom and resist the enemy’s attempts to bring bondage (Ephesians 6:10-18).
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV):
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This means believers are fundamentally free from spiritual slavery because their identity is now in Christ.
Jesus’ mission was to set the captives free: Luke 4:18 (NIV):
“He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind…”
Believers who have repented, been baptized, and received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) share this freedom at their core.
Paul said: 1 Thessalonians 2:18 (NIV):
“For we wanted to come to you certainly I, Paul, did, again and again but Satan blocked our way.”
This is an example of external hindrance, not spiritual imprisonment.
Acts 12:4-9 (NIV) describes how Peter was bound with chains, guarded, had prison clothes, and was without shoes all signs of imprisonment.
Hands symbolize our ability to pray, fast, and spiritually fight.
Ephesians
6:18 (NIV) exhorts believers to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”
When our hands (prayer life) are bound,spiritual power is limited.When the early church prayed earnestly for Peter, God freed him:
Acts 12:5-7 (NIV)
recounts that while Peter was chained, “the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” The chains fell off after the angel’s intervention.
Likewise, Paul and Silas prayed and sang in prison, leading to their release: Acts 16:25-26 (NIV):
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God… Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake… that the prison was shaken… and all the prisoners’ chains came loose.”
Garments (Righteous living) Garments represent righteous deeds and holy living:
Revelation 19:8 (NIV): “Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” The fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.”
Without holiness (Hebrews 12:14), it’s difficult to resist the enemy. Sin gives the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:27). A believer living in disobedience weakens their testimony and spiritual authority.
Feet (Readiness to share the Gospel)
Feet symbolize our readiness to spread the gospel and stand firm in faith:
Ephesians 6:15 (NIV):
“And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
The enemy tries to distract believers from their mission with worldly pleasures (1 John 2:15-16) and busyness, which can cause them to lose focus and become fruitless.
When believers live this way, they walk in the freedom Christ purchased, resisting and overcoming the enemy both inside and outside.
Don’t let the enemy bind you. Build a lifestyle of daily prayer, holy living, and readiness to serve God. God has already won the ultimate victory for you (Colossians 2:15).
May God richly bless you.
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Crucifixion is a form of punishment where a person is hung on a wooden cross or upright stake, with their hands and feet either tied or nailed in place, and left there until they die.
This was a cruel and painful execution method used in ancient times by powerful empires such as Rome. People accused of serious crimes like treason, rebellion, or murder were not given a quick death such as beheading. Instead, they were subjected to this slow and extremely painful punishment. A person could hang on the cross for two to three days, and sometimes even longer, suffering continuously until death finally came.
This is the punishment chosen for our Savior, Jesus Christ although He was completely innocent and without sin. Even Governor Pilate testified that Jesus had done nothing wrong:
Luke 23:4 (NIV)Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
But the Scriptures had to be fulfilled so that we could receive complete redemption. Jesus had to suffer deeply so that you and I could receive the forgiveness of sins through His death.
The price He paid was beyond measure He was stripped, humiliated, beaten, and His whole body was wounded. He endured all of this so that we could receive forgiveness, be saved from sin, and be rescued from eternal judgment in hell.
That is why the Bible says:
Hebrews 2:3 (NIV)How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.
Have you received Jesus into your life?
If not, you can surrender to Him today and receive this great salvation.
May the Lord bless you.
We are living in extremely dangerous times, and even more dangerous days are coming soon. Many people do not realize that the end is very near, that this world is coming to a close, and that THE DAY OF THE LORD is right at the door.
The Day of the Lord is a specific period that God has appointed to judge and destroy this world together with all the wicked and all their corrupt systems. This time will come after the Church of Christ has been taken up (the rapture).
In the book of Zephaniah, we are given a detailed description of what that day will be like.He lists six characteristics, each introduced with the phrase “a day of…”.
Let’s read:
14 The great day of the LORD is near—near and coming quickly. The cry on the day of the LORD is bitter; the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry.15 That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness,16 a day of trumpet and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the corner towers.
Wrath is the product of great anger, and anger is followed by judgment. In Revelation 16, we see the seven angels pouring out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth. What follows are terrifying plagues—painful sores breaking out on people, and the sun scorching humanity with fierce heat—so severe that people curse God instead of repenting.
8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was allowed to scorch people with fire.9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God… but they refused to repent and glorify him.
Distress and anguish refer to suffering caused by the environment and events around people. In Revelation 16 we see rivers, springs, and even the sea turning into blood. Humanity is left without water. The earth becomes unstable and terrifying. Imagine living in such a world—how could anyone endure it?
The Bible says that people will seek death, but death will flee from them.
3 The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead person…4 The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood.6 For they have shed the blood of your holy people and your prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.
It will not only be plagues and distress—the world itself and its systems will be destroyed.The Bible says there will be a massive earthquake unlike anything in human history. Islands will disappear. Fire will engulf the earth, just as in the judgments of Sodom and Gomorrah and the days of Noah.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be?12 As you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.
This refers especially to spiritual darkness. It will be a time when people will desperately seek God but will not find Him. Jesus warned that we must do God’s work while it is “day,” because “night is coming, when no one can work.” People will cry out to God, but there will be no answer.
27 when disaster comes like a storm…28 Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me,29 since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD.
During this time, the sun, moon, and stars will be darkened. The world will experience a level of darkness never seen before. These are the final plagues leading to the second coming of Christ to the earth.
A thick cloud will cover the sky, and enormous hailstones—each weighing about a talent (approximately 75 pounds / 34 kg)—will fall on humanity.
18 Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since mankind has been on earth…20 Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found.21 From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a talent, fell on people… and they cursed God because the plague was so terrible.
This battle cry refers to war. During the Day of the Lord, there will be the final great war known as Armageddon. All nations will be involved. The Lord will strike down multitudes, and blood will flow in great measure. There will be no heroes—everyone will mourn. Even kings, rulers, and the wealthy will weep. Their riches will not save them. They will beg mountains to fall on them rather than endure the judgments of Almighty God.
17 I will bring such distress on all people that they will grope about like those who are blind…18 Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to save them on the day of the LORD’s wrath… He will bring the inhabitants of the earth to a sudden end.
My friend, if the rapture were to take place today, understand that you would witness all these events. This is not the time to play with salvation—it is time to wake up and run toward the grace of God. The terrible days ahead are approaching quickly. Where will the things of this world take you? Where is your life truly anchored? If you were to die today, whose presence would you enter? There is suffering beyond this life as well.
Make the decision today to repent and turn to the Lord Jesus. He offers forgiveness freely. The judgment of God is terrifying.
If you are ready to receive Jesus into your life and desire Him to lift the burden of sin from you, pray this prayer in faith. Christ is always ready to save. Remember: first you believe, then you confess.
Where you are, kneel if you can and speak these words sincerely from your heart.Today your sins can be forgiven right where you are.
“Lord Jesus, thank You for coming into this world to redeem us who were lost, through Your death on the cross and Your resurrection. I believe that You are the Lord and Savior. I receive the grace You freely give—the forgiveness of my sins. From today, I choose to become Your child and turn away from my old sinful ways. Thank You for giving me the strength to do this and for writing my name in the Book of Life. I am now a new creation. Thank You for receiving me, forgiving me, and making me Your own. I pray this believing in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
If you prayed that sincerely in faith, you have received salvation.
Your next step is baptism. Find a place where believers are baptized by immersion in water and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you need help, you are welcome to contact us at the numbers below.
God bless you.
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is a question many people ask: Is it really possible to overcome the desires of the flesh and its temptations? Can someone truly stop sins like adultery, masturbation, pornography, drunkenness, or worldly habits?
From a human standpoint, the answer is no we simply can’t. But God’s answer is yes, because “
with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
Your mind may tell you it’s impossible because you haven’t yet understood the spiritual principle that makes it possible. I used to think that way too. But I later discovered that God’s Word is true and that living in victory is possible. God never lies.
So then, how does it actually happen?
First, understand this: no human being was created with the natural power to overcome the desires of the flesh. Anyone who tries to do so by their own willpower will only deceive themselves. They may succeed for a while, but eventually, they’ll fall back into the same pattern.
If you’ve been struggling in your own strength, you’ll only end up frustrated. But today, I want to show you the right principle for victory.
The principle is clearly laid out in Scripture:
Galatians 5:16–17 (NIV)“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”
Paul says, “Walk by the Spirit.” In other words, live your life in step with the Holy Spirit.
Many Christians receive the Holy Spirit and are even filled with Him, but only a few actually walk with Him in their daily lives.
It’s like inviting a guest into your home. You welcome them warmly, but then you leave them there while you go about your business. That guest knows you only in the context of your house not your life.
That’s how many believers treat the Holy Spirit. We acknowledge Him at church, but outside of church, we live as if He isn’t there. That’s why temptations and desires often overpower us because we’re not walking with the Spirit in our everyday lives.
The truth is, it’s the Holy Spirit who gives you the strength to overcome sinful desires. You need His presence with you continually, not just occasionally.
Think of it like anesthesia given to a patient. As long as the anesthesia is active, the patient feels no pain. But once it wears off, the pain comes back, and they need another dose.
That’s what it’s like with the Holy Spirit. You need to stay “under His influence” daily if you want to live in victory.
From today onward, stop trying to fight sin in your own strength you’ll never win that way. Instead, focus on being filled with the Spirit and walking closely with Him in everything.
There are three key principles to walking in the Spirit:
When most people think of prayer, they think only about presenting their needs to God. But prayer isn’t just about asking it’s a place where we are filled with the Holy Spirit.
As a child of God, every time you pray, seek not only answers to your requests but also the filling of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to guide you, strengthen you, and build your inner life. Go beyond surface-level prayer or routine recitations enter into deep fellowship with the Spirit.
The more you pray, and the more consistently you do it, the more room you give the Holy Spirit to fill you with power. Eventually, the things that once tempted you will seem small and powerless because His presence within you is so strong.
This should be your daily practice.
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”
If you’re not a person of prayer, your spiritual strength will remain low, and your flesh will easily take over even if you’ve been saved for fifty years. That’s why the Bible urges us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Pray in your understanding, and also pray in the Spirit as He enables you. But always let your main goal be to be filled with Him.
If you only pray once a week at church, or once a month, you’re not walking in the Spirit.A true sign of someone walking in the Spirit is that they are a daily person of prayer.
The Word of God continually stirs and strengthens our spirit. The enemy knows this, so he works hard to keep us distracted to fill our minds with everything except Scripture.
He knows that when your thoughts are filled with God’s Word, you’ll stay far from sin.
When temptation comes, and you remember Joseph fleeing from adultery, you gain courage. When you recall how God honored Job’s faithfulness, you find strength. When you meditate on Daniel’s loyalty, you’re inspired to remain steadfast.
But the enemy wants your mind filled with entertainment, gossip, sports, politics, or worldly worries — anything but the Word of God.
If you train your mind to dwell on Scripture and God’s promises, you are, in effect, allowing the Holy Spirit to fill your thoughts and influence your life. The result? He energizes your spirit, and you find victory comes naturally.
Remember, the Word of God and the Holy Spirit are inseparable.
John 6:63 (ESV)“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”
Read the Bible often, but even more importantly — let it live in your mind and heart all day long. That’s your greatest protection and your strongest weapon against sin.
True repentance is a matter of obedience. If you’re double-minded — wanting to follow Jesus but still holding on to the world — you hinder the Holy Spirit’s work in your life.
You might pray regularly, but if your heart hasn’t made a firm decision, your efforts will not bear fruit.
1 John 2:15–17 (NIV)“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
When you decide to follow Jesus, understand that the world is no longer your portion. Its pleasures are no longer your friends.
That’s when you take clear, practical steps of faith:
Don’t pity yourself — do it because of Christ. He will give you the grace to overcome.
At first, it may feel difficult because your flesh will resist. But through your obedience, the Holy Spirit will take over. Once you’ve surrendered every part of your life to Him, His power will fill you completely — and the desires of the flesh will lose their grip.
If you practice these three things daily — prayer, the Word, and true repentance — you are walking in the Spirit. Nothing will be too hard for you, because your victory won’t come from your own strength, but from the power of the One who lives within you.
Galatians 5:25–26 (NIV)“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
Shalom.
As believers, Scripture often compares us to plants or crops that have been planted by God.For example, Psalm 1:1–3 (NIV) says:
1 Blessed is the onewho does not walk in step with the wickedor stand in the way that sinners takeor sit in the company of mockers,2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,and who meditates on his law day and night.3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,which yields its fruit in seasonand whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.
This shows that every righteous person everyone who has been saved is planted somewhere spiritually.
It’s important to understand the different kinds of places God allows us to be planted. Knowing this will bring peace to your heart, because many Christians, when facing certain challenges, begin to lose faith, grow weary, or even turn back. But when we understand where and why we are planted, new strength rises within us.
Here are four main places where believers are planted:
In Matthew 13:24–30, Jesus told a parable:
“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them.Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
Later, in verses 36–43, Jesus explained that the good seed represents the people of the Kingdom, the field is the world, and the weeds are the people of the evil one. God allows both to grow together until the final harvest.
This means we are planted among the ungodly we will never live in isolation as believers only. We must expect to be surrounded by people who do wrong, to be challenged by their ways at work, in our neighborhoods, at school, and yes, even in the church. Sometimes you’ll even see them prosper and receive good things just as you do, for the same rain that waters you also waters them.
But what does the Lord desire from us?He doesn’t want us to separate ourselves or build our own little world of believers only. Jesus prayed, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one” (John 17:15).
God’s will is that we bear righteous fruit while living among the wicked just as Daniel did in Babylon, Joseph did in Egypt, and Jesus did in this sinful world.
So, whether you’re living with an unbelieving spouse, among difficult neighbors, or working in a corrupt environment shine your light! Don’t wait for a day when you’ll finally be surrounded only by believers; that day may never come. Focus more on shining your light than on being separated from darkness. That’s God’s will for us.
Jesus also told another parable in Luke 13:6–9 (NIV):
“A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”
Think about this: the man owned a vineyard, full of grapevines, but he chose to plant a fig tree right in the middle of it. Yet, that fig tree refused to bear fruit.
This speaks to us. Sometimes God plants us among other good trees among communities of people who may already know Him or have their own roles to play and He still expects us to bear fruit, the same fruit of salvation that we received at first.
This is where many believers stumble. When they move to a new place perhaps another city or another country they grow spiritually cold because “there are no Christians like me here.” They say, “I’m alone; I can’t do much for God.”
But brother, sister, don’t think that way. God expects fruit wherever you are. Even if you’re the only believer there, share the gospel, live out your faith, and do what God calls you to do. He wants to see you fruitful.
Sometimes God allows us to be placed in unfamiliar environments where we seem to stand alone. When that happens, remember that fig tree among the grapevines and don’t grow lazy or discouraged.
Unlike being planted among weeds or other trees, sometimes we are grafted onto another tree.
Israel is described as the natural olive tree, and we Gentiles as the wild olive tree. When Israel rejected God’s grace, some of its branches were cut off, and we were grafted in to share the same root and richness of God’s covenant.
Romans 11:17–18 (NIV):
“If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.”
We must take this seriously. We were not the original branches we were grafted in by grace. That’s why we must work out our salvation with “fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).
The evangelist Reinhard Bonnke once shared that early in his ministry, God told him to go and preach the gospel. He hesitated, and God said, “The grace I gave you was first given to another who rejected it. If you refuse, I will take it and give it to someone else.”From that moment, he obeyed wholeheartedly and went out to preach.
Let that be a reminder: we were grafted in by grace, not by right. Let us remain humble, faithful, and fruitful because if we become unfaithful, even we can be cut off.
Finally, consider this account from Mark 11:12–14, 20 (NIV):
“The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry.Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit.When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.Then he said to the tree, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’The next morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.”
At first glance, it may seem unfair why curse a tree when it wasn’t fig season? But Jesus saw that given its healthy appearance and environment, it should have borne fruit.
Think of crops grown in a modern greenhouse. Because they are well cared for fertilized, watered, and protected they produce fruit even out of season.
In the same way, when we are saved, we immediately receive the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to witness, to live righteously, and to bear fruit. We don’t have to wait years to mature spiritually like believers of old before the Spirit came. The moment we’re saved, we are equipped to make disciples.
So don’t see yourself as too young in the faith or too inexperienced. The Lord expects fruit now. If He returns and finds none, He may remove what’s unfruitful, even if we think it’s “not yet time.”
Dear believer, remember you’ve already been planted in richly nourished soil. Don’t wait for another season. Start now! Tell others about Christ. Don’t worry about how much Scripture you know; it’s God who convinces hearts, not you. Speak with courage, and He will be with you.
By understanding these four key places where believers are planted, we are reminded how to live faithfully on this earth with patience, reverence, diligence, and perseverance so that we don’t stumble or lose heart.
Maranatha! (Our Lord is coming.)
Question:What was the spiritual meaning behind Jesus being crowned with thorns during His crucifixion?
Answer:The crown of thorns placed on Jesus’ head wasn’t just a cruel act of mockery and torture by Roman soldiers—it held a profound spiritual message. Every detail of Jesus’ suffering carried significance in God’s redemptive plan. The crown of thorns, in particular, symbolized Jesus carrying the curse of sin and restoring humanity to spiritual fruitfulness.
When Jesus was arrested and brought before the Roman authorities, He was accused of claiming to be a king. As a way to mock this claim, the soldiers dressed Him in a purple robe (a symbol of royalty), handed Him a reed as a mock scepter, and twisted a crown of thorns to place on His head. They mocked Him, bowed sarcastically, and struck Him repeatedly.
John 19:2–3 (NIV):“The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, ‘Hail, king of the Jews!’ And they slapped him in the face.”
While this was done in mockery, it was also a prophetic act Jesus was, in truth, the King of Kings (Revelation 19:16), but His kingship was not of this world (John 18:36).
To fully understand the significance of the thorns, we need to go back to the book of Genesis. When Adam and Eve sinned, God pronounced a curse on the earth. Part of that curse included thorns and thistles, which symbolized hardship, futility, and separation from the original blessing of Eden.
Genesis 3:17–18 (NKJV):“Cursed is the ground for your sake… Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field.”
This means that thorns in Scripture are a direct symbol of the curse brought by human sin. By wearing a crown made of thorns, Jesus was not only mocked but was literally bearing the curse that resulted from humanity’s disobedience.
Paul confirms this understanding in his letter to the Galatians. Jesus did not simply die for our sins He became a curse for us, so we could be restored to blessing.
Galatians 3:13 (NIV):“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole [or tree].'”
The crown of thorns, therefore, shows that Jesus bore the full weight of the curse from the ground to our minds so we might be free.
Jesus often compared the human heart to soil. In the parable of the sower, He described how God’s Word is like seed falling on different types of ground. Some of it falls among thorns.
Luke 8:14 (NIV):“The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.”
The “thorns” here represent worldly distractions riches, anxieties, and pleasures that prevent spiritual growth. These are the same thorns Jesus bore on His head, showing that He came not only to forgive sin but to heal the condition of the human heart and remove the spiritual obstacles that choke our lives.
Through Christ’s redemptive work, our cursed “soil” (our hearts) can now become fruitful. He came to transform us from the inside out. Jesus said:
John 15:5 (NIV):“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
We now have the power, through His Spirit, to live fruitful lives lives full of peace, love, self-control, and purpose (see Galatians 5:22–23). This is the reversal of the curse that began in Eden.
John 1:12 (NKJV):“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”
When you genuinely turn to Jesus repenting from your sins, believing in Him, being baptized, and receiving His Spirit you receive the power to live differently. The Holy Spirit teaches you to say “no” to the world and “yes” to a godly life.
Titus 2:11–12 (NIV):“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
Have you truly received Jesus?
Without Him, it’s impossible to overcome the pressures and temptations of this world. But with Him, you can live a new life free from the thorns that once choked your growth. His crown of thorns has made it possible for you to walk in victory.
Romans 8:37 (NKJV):“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
QUESTION:Was there any reason the Bible specifically mentions the name “Twin Brothers” for the Alexandrian ship that Paul and other prisoners boarded in Acts 28:11?
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE:
“After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the figurehead of the Twin Gods Castor and Pollux.” Acts 28:11, ESV
ANSWER:The Apostle Paul’s journey from Caesarea to Rome as a prisoner was full of danger and divine intervention. This journey, described in Acts 27–28, includes a significant shipwreck and miraculous survival. Paul had earlier warned the ship’s crew of impending danger based on divine insight:
“Men, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” Acts 27:10, ESV
However, the centurion and crew ignored Paul’s warning, relying instead on human judgment and favorable weather conditions:
“But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.” Acts 27:11, ESV
This decision led to disaster. A violent storm (called Euroclydon in Acts 27:14, KJV) wrecked the ship. Yet, through God’s mercy and Paul’s intercession, all 276 passengers survived:
“For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’” Acts 27:23–24, ESV
After washing ashore on the island of Malta (Melita), they stayed for three months (Acts 28:1–10). When it was time to leave, they boarded a different ship again from Alexandria but this one is notably described as bearing the figurehead “Twin Brothers” (Greek: Dioscuri), referring to the mythological twins Castor and Pollux.
In Roman and Greek mythology, Castor and Pollux were considered protectors of sailors and voyagers. They were revered as gods who could calm storms and guide ships safely. Their presence on the ship symbolized the sailors’ trust in divine powers though in this case, pagan ones.
So why would the Holy Spirit inspire Luke (the author of Acts) to include this detail?
The ship bore symbols of pagan gods, yet it was not these “twin brothers” who protected the voyage it was the one true God, working through Paul. Their previous experience had already proven that human reasoning and pagan customs couldn’t save them; only God’s mercy did.
This echoes the truth in Psalm 115:4–8 (ESV):
“Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see… Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.”
Paul, as God’s servant, carried divine favor. The real reason the journey was safe was not the ship’s figurehead but Paul’s presence because he was under divine commission (Acts 23:11).
Even though the ship bore pagan symbols, God still accomplished His purpose. Just as He used a pagan empire (Rome) to spread the gospel and a pagan king (Cyrus) to release the Jews from captivity (Isaiah 45:1), God here used a Roman ship with pagan images to bring Paul safely to Rome where he would preach the gospel.
Romans 8:28 (ESV) says:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
This incident also carries symbolic meaning. Life itself is a journey, and every person must decide who or what they trust to guide them. The sailors trusted in idols; Paul trusted in Christ. The ship’s figurehead reminds us of how easy it is to depend on cultural or religious symbols instead of the living God.
As Jesus said:
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6, ESV
This account invites us to reflect: Who or what is guiding your life? Education, wealth, superstition, or false religion? None of these can save you. Only Christ can lead you safely to your eternal destination.
Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV):
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Like the sailors, many people today rely on false gods money, luck, rituals, or their own wisdom. But those without Christ are on a dangerous path, even if the sea seems calm. Without Jesus, life ends in eternal separation from God:
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12, ESV
If you are reading this and haven’t put your trust in Jesus Christ, now is the time. He alone can guide you through life’s storms and bring you to eternal life.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23, ESV
Turn to Him today, and let Christ be the emblem at the front of your life’s ship.
If you believe these are not the times to live carelessly, how do you feel when you see people dying in sin and heading to hell without knowing Christ? How do you feel when you see Satan’s work flourishing and destroying people? How does that make you feel deep in your heart?
The Bible emphasizes that the mission of the church is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations, as commanded in Matthew 28:19–20. The eternal destiny of souls depends on whether they hear the gospel and respond to it in faith. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 10:14–15:“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”This highlights the urgency of the mission to preach the gospel, and as believers, we are called to be proactive in reaching out to the lost.
What can we learn from Samson’s anger? When he saw that his wife had been given to strangers by her father, did he stay calm and say, “Well, this is just my fate”? No! Instead, he rose up in anger and said, “I will take revenge on the Philistines.”
In Judges 15:3-5, Samson’s anger leads him to take drastic action:“Samson said, ‘This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines; I will really harm them.’ Samson went out and caught 300 foxes, tied them tail to tail in pairs, and fastened a torch to every pair. He lit the torches and let the foxes loose in the standing grain of the Philistines, burning up the shocks and standing grain, together with the vineyards and olive groves.”Samson’s act of destroying the Philistines’ crops was not just personal revenge, but an act of judgment against Israel’s enemies who were oppressing God’s people. This destruction symbolizes God’s justice against the wickedness of the Philistines.
Samson’s act of vengeance is a shadow of God’s justice in the world. Romans 12:19 tells us, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”God’s judgment is just and will come in His timing. Samson’s actions were a reflection of God’s eventual judgment upon evil.
Who is Samson pointing to? It’s Jesus Christ.
When the Lord saw that Satan’s works needed to be destroyed in Israel, what did He do? He took His disciples, sent them two by two, and gave them the power to cast out demons, heal the sick, and preach the good news. And what happened after they returned?
In Luke 10:17-19, we read:“The seventy returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’ He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions, and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.'”
This passage reveals the authority Christ grants to His followers to fight against the works of darkness. Just as Samson fought the Philistines, Christians are called to wage spiritual warfare against the forces of evil, with the authority of Jesus.
Jesus’ statement, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven,” refers to His victory over Satan’s kingdom through His life, death, and resurrection. In Luke 11:20, Jesus says, “But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers can confront and defeat demonic forces. This victory over Satan is secured by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, as noted in Colossians 2:15:“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
And now, for those of us who are saved, if you’ve been filled with the Holy Spirit, you are already a wolf of Christ. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to destroy Satan’s works by preaching Christ and His salvation. What are you waiting for, my friend?
The Bible teaches that we, as believers, are called to proclaim the gospel to the world. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gives the Great Commission:“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.'”
When the Holy Spirit fills believers, He empowers them to be effective witnesses. Jesus told His disciples in Acts 1:8:“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”This empowerment enables us to preach the gospel boldly and destroy the works of Satan, just as the disciples did in Luke 10.
Look at what Jesus said in Luke 12:49:“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!”
The fire of the Holy Spirit has already been placed on your tail! Be careful not to let it go out before it has done its work. This fire symbolizes the passion and power of the Spirit, urging believers to spread the gospel and bring others into the kingdom of God.
The fire that Jesus refers to is not just a metaphor for passion, but for the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us to spread the message of salvation. In Jeremiah 20:9, the prophet Jeremiah said, “But if I say, ‘I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”This burning desire to share the gospel is the fire that every believer should have within them. It is the Holy Spirit’s power working in us, compelling us to take action.
Together, we can turn the world upside down. Let’s preach Christ, for that is the great command for all humanity. Each of us is a wolf of Christ. Stand up, receive courage, and preach Christ so that people may be saved.
May the Lord bless you!
This version provides a deeper theological understanding of the message, incorporating Bible verses that align with the concepts of judgment, authority over Satan, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and the Great Commission.
The Bible emphasizes that the mission of the church is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations, as commanded in Matthew 28:19–20. The eternal destiny of souls depends on whether they hear the gospel and respond to it in faith. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 10:14–15:
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
This highlights the urgency of the mission to preach the gospel, and as believers, we are called to be proactive in reaching out to the lost.
In Judges 15:3-5, Samson’s anger leads him to take drastic action:
“Samson said, ‘This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines; I will really harm them.’ Samson went out and caught 300 foxes, tied them tail to tail in pairs, and fastened a torch to every pair. He lit the torches and let the foxes loose in the standing grain of the Philistines, burning up the shocks and standing grain, together with the vineyards and olive groves.”Samson’s act of destroying the Philistines’ crops was not just personal revenge, but an act of judgment against Israel’s enemies who were oppressing God’s people. This destruction symbolizes God’s justice against the wickedness of the Philistines.
Samson’s act of vengeance is a shadow of God’s justice in the world. Romans 12:19 tells us,
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
God’s judgment is just and will come in His timing. Samson’s actions were a reflection of God’s eventual judgment upon evil.
Jesus’ statement, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven,” refers to His victory over Satan’s kingdom through His life, death, and resurrection. In Luke 11:20, Jesus says,
“But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers can confront and defeat demonic forces. This victory over Satan is secured by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, as noted in Colossians 2:15:
“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
The Bible teaches that we, as believers, are called to proclaim the gospel to the world. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus gives the Great Commission:
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.'”
When the Holy Spirit fills believers, He empowers them to be effective witnesses. Jesus told His disciples in Acts 1:8:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
This empowerment enables us to preach the gospel boldly and destroy the works of Satan, just as the disciples did in Luke 10.
The fire that Jesus refers to is not just a metaphor for passion, but for the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us to spread the message of salvation. In Jeremiah 20:9, the prophet Jeremiah said, “
But if I say, ‘I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”
This burning desire to share the gospel is the fire that every believer should have within them. It is the Holy Spirit’s power working in us, compelling us to take action.
As the title of this lesson suggests, “Being created is not enough.” In other words, there are other necessary steps for God’s creation to reach its full purpose. Let’s explore these steps.
The first verse of the Bible sets the foundation for creation:
Genesis 1:1 (NIV)
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
Here, the Bible introduces the idea of God as the Creator the One who brought the universe into existence ex nihilo (from nothing). Yet, as we read further, we see that creation wasn’t immediately “complete” in the sense that we understand a fully functioning world. That’s why the next verse clarifies:
Genesis 1:2a (NIV)
“Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep…”
This state of formlessness and emptiness is what theologians call tohu wa-bohu in Hebrew, meaning “waste and void.” The world was in a chaotic, uninhabitable state. It was dark, representing spiritual emptiness, a lack of God’s presence. But God did not leave the world in this state.
Two Divine Actions God then took two essential actions to bring creation to its intended purpose:
With these two divine actions the Spirit and the Word the creation begins to unfold in a purposeful and life-giving way.
John 1:1-5 (NIV)
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Here, John explicitly connects the “Word” (Greek: Logos) with Jesus Christ. Jesus is not only the spoken Word but the eternal Logos, who was with God and who is God from the beginning. He was the agent through whom all things were created.
Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness, overcoming the darkness that we saw in Genesis. This light represents both the illumination of divine truth and the victory of life over the chaos and sin of the world.
What’s significant here is that Jesus, as the eternal Word, is central to God’s creative activity. This makes clear that any creation, whether physical or spiritual, is only truly complete when it is filled with His Word Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:9 (NIV)
“You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.”
The Holy Spirit is not just a power or a force, but the third Person of the Trinity. He is the one who regenerates the believer, giving new life to our spirit. Paul emphasizes that if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. Without the Spirit, one cannot be a true follower of Christ, and without the Word (Jesus), one cannot be fully aligned with God’s purposes.
This is why Jesus speaks of being born again through the Spirit, in order to see and enter the kingdom of God (cf. John 3:5-6). The Holy Spirit is the One who brings us into a new relationship with God, making us partakers of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).
John 3:3 (NKJV)
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”
Being “born again” refers to the spiritual rebirth that occurs when a person accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It is essential because, through this spiritual rebirth, the believer receives forgiveness of sins and is made a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is the Holy Spirit who performs this work of regeneration.
Without this rebirth, a person is spiritually dead, separated from God. The new creation is only possible when both the Word (Jesus Christ) and the Spirit are active within the believer. This is when a person becomes truly complete and able to bear the fruits of righteousness that God desires.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.”
To be saved is a gift from God, offered freely through the grace of Jesus Christ. But salvation is not just about being created or receiving grace it is about receiving Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord. As the Bible teaches, we must be born again through the Spirit and made complete in Christ.
The urgency of this message is clear we are living in the last days. Christ’s return is imminent, and the world is heading toward its final conclusion. The question remains: Are you ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb in heaven? Where does your completeness stand before God?
Be blessed!
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The only recorded moment in the Gospels where we are explicitly told that Jesus was tired is found in John 4. This detail gives us profound insight into both His humanity and His mission. Jesus, fully God and fully man, experienced the full range of human limitations hunger, thirst, and fatigue yet He never allowed these to hinder His obedience to the Father’s will.
John 4:5–6 (NIV):
“So He came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as He was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.”
The Greek word used here for “tired” (kekopiakōs) implies real physical fatigue. Jesus had been walking under the heat of the sun, most likely for several hours, through rough terrain. His weariness was genuine not symbolic demonstrating His full participation in the human condition (cf. Hebrews 4:15).
This moment reminds us that our Savior truly understands what it means to be physically and emotionally drained.
Hebrews 2:17 says, “For this reason He had to be made like them, fully human in every way…” so that He could become a merciful and faithful High Priest.
While Jesus rested at the well, His disciples went into town to buy food (John 4:8). In this moment of isolation and physical weakness, the Father presents Him with a divine opportunity: a broken woman in need of living water.
Instead of prioritizing His own needs, Jesus engages in one of the most profound theological conversations recorded in the Gospels. He reveals Himself as the Messiah not to a religious leader, but to a marginalized, sinful Samaritan woman a powerful demonstration of grace crossing ethnic, gender, and moral boundaries.
John 4:13–14 (NIV):
“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty 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.’”
Despite His tiredness, Jesus sows seeds that will lead to a spiritual harvest. Later in the chapter, He tells His disciples:
John 4:34–35 (NIV):
“‘My food,’ said Jesus, ‘is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. Don’t you have a saying, “It’s still four months until harvest”? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.’”
This is the heart of Jesus’ obedience: putting the Father’s mission above His own comfort.
The Samaritan woman is transformed by her encounter with Christ. She leaves her water jar a symbol of her old priorities and runs back to her town to tell others about Jesus.
John 4:28–30 (NIV):
“Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?’ They came out of the town and made their way toward Him.”
Because Jesus ministered in His weariness, many Samaritans believed (John 4:39–42). His temporary physical fatigue led to eternal spiritual fruit.
This account challenges us today. How often do we let exhaustion become our excuse?
“I’ve worked all week.” “I’m too tired to pray.” “This is my only day to rest.”
We often want to serve God when it’s convenient when we’re energized, healthy, or have nothing else going on. But some of the most fruitful moments in ministry happen when we press through fatigue in obedience to God.
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV):
“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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
God does not waste our weakness. He honors the sacrifices we make when we serve Him even when it’s hard.
We are not called to serve in our own strength, but in His.
Isaiah 40:29–31 (NIV):
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
This passage reminds us that divine strength is available to all who wait on the Lord. He renews, empowers, and enables us to keep going even when we feel empty.