Let’s Learn from the Bible

The account of Abraham’s willingness to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering is one of the most challenging and heroic acts recorded in Scripture. It was such a profound test that it required extraordinary faith to even consider obeying God in such a way.

Imagine yourself in Abraham’s position: you are told to offer your firstborn son as a burnt sacrifice. At that time, a burnt offering involved taking an animal—often a goat or lamb—slaughtering it, cutting it into pieces, placing it on an altar made of stones and wood, and then lighting a fire until it was completely consumed. The aroma of the burnt offering filled the air.

Now, imagine your son is the one to be offered. You hold him, he asks what you are about to do, tears well up in his eyes, and yet you proceed to cut him and place him on the altar, burning him completely. What would your state of mind be? Surely, this would be unbearable for any parent.

But for Abraham, this was somehow manageable. How could that be? The secret lies in his faith, which is revealed in the book of Hebrews:

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son; it was he to whom it was said, ‘In Isaac shall your offspring be named,’ concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from which he received him in a figurative sense.”
— Hebrews 11:17-19 (ESV)

Notice verse 19: the key is that Abraham considered that God could raise Isaac from the dead, even after he was sacrificed. Abraham trusted that the same God who gave him a miraculous child in his old age could restore Isaac if necessary.

It was this faith—the belief in God’s power to reverse the impossible—that made Abraham able to obey without hesitation. He counted obedience to God as more important than his own emotions or natural instincts.

This principle applies to us as well. Faith enables us to offer our best to God, even when it seems costly. We can surrender what is precious, trusting that God can restore, multiply, or transform it for His glory.

Similarly, when we follow Christ and take up our crosses, we are symbolically offering our lives as a sacrifice to God. We live in self-denial and may even experience loss, trusting that God has the power to renew and restore:

“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?’”
— Matthew 16:24-26 (ESV)

Faith in God’s power and promises allows us to offer Him our lives, resources, and even the things we hold most dear without fear. Just as Abraham trusted God’s power to restore Isaac, we can trust God to honor and bless our sacrifices, turning them into eternal reward.

May the Lord bless you as you reflect on this truth and walk in faith.

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Have you ever had a dream where you were walking on water? You might have woken up wondering what it means. In Scripture, this act is most famously associated with our Lord Jesus Christ and later briefly with Peter. So, what is God trying to tell you through such a dream?

Let’s explore the biblical context and spiritual meaning behind it.

The Biblical Event: Jesus Walks on Water

The story is found in Matthew 14:22–33, and it’s more than a supernatural displayit’s a powerful spiritual lesson.

“Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.’”
– Matthew 14:25–27 (NKJV)

Peter, full of faith, asked to join Him:

“And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ So He said, ‘Come.’ And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.”
– Matthew 14:28–29 (NKJV)

But Peter’s focus wavered:

“But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’”
– Matthew 14:30–31 (NKJV)

Spiritual Meaning: Faith Over Fear

This passage is more than history it’s a spiritual principle. Walking on water is humanly impossible, but through Christ, Peter did it until fear and doubt crept in.

Theologically, this reflects how faith in Jesus enables believers to do the impossible, as long as their focus remains on Him. Doubt, however, interrupts divine possibilities.

“Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’”
– Mark 9:23 (NKJV)

So, if you dream of walking on water, God might be reminding you: Your faith has power, but only when it is grounded in Him. It’s not about personal strength or ability it’s about divine dependence.

The Role of Prayer and Fasting

Later in Matthew, Jesus explains how to deal with spiritual challenges and grow stronger in faith:

“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
– Matthew 17:21 (NKJV)

Before Jesus walked on water, He spent hours in prayer (Matthew 14:23). This shows us that walking in divine authority requires intimacy with God. In dreams, walking on water could symbolize a spiritual calling that needs deep devotion, prayer, and spiritual discipline.

Living in God’s Power Today

If you are living in sin or far from God, such dreams may be a call to repentance. The impossible becomes possible only when Christ lives in you.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
– Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

But if you are saved and still feel spiritually dry or powerless, the dream could be a call to deeper fellowship. Set aside time for prayer, study the Word, fast, and seek the Holy Spirit’s power. Only then will your spiritual walk reflect the kind of supernatural faith God desires.

If You’re Not Yet Saved

The first step is surrender:

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
– Romans 10:9 (NKJV)

Turn away from sin, ask for forgiveness, and begin a new life in Christ. Baptism and a consistent walk with God through His Word and Spirit will guide your steps.

Conclusion: The Message of the Dream

So, what does dreaming of walking on water mean? It’s likely a divine reminder that:

1. All things are possible with God.

2. Faith must overcome fear and doubt.

3. A deeper relationship with God through prayer and fasting is necessary to access spiritual authority.

4. If you’re not saved, it’s an invitation to come to Christ.

Never forget what Jesus said:

“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
– Matthew 17:21 (NKJV)

Amen

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Follow this story:

A young girl, only nine years old, asked her parents, “What kind of life should I live to succeed?”

Her parents replied, “Child, you don’t need to go to school or acquire formal education. You don’t need to learn anything else at this time. Just focus on earning money in any way you see fit. Once you have it, your life will be fine.”

The young girl took their advice to heart. She grew up without concern for education or life skills. By the age of twelve, she found herself in the streets, where she encountered prostitutes who persuaded her to join their work, promising her easy money. Because her parents had advised her similarly, she saw this as good counsel and entered that line of work. Indeed, she began earning money, and when she brought it home and explained how she earned it, her parents did not correct or warn her, even though they knew the dangers. They simply allowed her to continue, as long as she kept bringing money home.

The girl continued diligently, partly out of concern for her parents’ well-being. Over the years, she became skilled in this work and consistently brought large sums of money to her family.

But one day, she fell seriously ill. Her condition worsened rapidly. Observing this, her parents realized she might have been affected by something grave, but out of fear, they did not insist she get a medical check-up. Instead, they comforted her, saying it was probably just a common illness and that painkillers would make her fine. Their fear was that if she knew the truth, she might stop bringing them money.

Eventually, her illness became so severe that she could barely walk. She had no choice but to seek medical attention herself. After testing, she was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

She wept bitterly and regretted her choices. Reflecting on her young age, she realized she had ignored warnings and did not take seriously what she had heard about such illnesses. She shared her story with her parents, recounting how her doctor explained the causes of her illness, and asked them, “Did you know this work could bring such harm? Why didn’t you warn me?”

Her parents admitted: “Yes, we knew it could harm you, but we were afraid to tell you.”

The girl replied, “As parents, it was your responsibility to warn me about the dangers, for I was too young to understand. You waited until I discovered it myself, and now my situation is grave. Did you truly love me, or did you only want to use me?”

The Lesson
What does this story teach us?

Even today, national leaders call on people to repent because they have sinned against God. Yet many, even those who claim to be prophets, apostles, servants of God, or teachers, fail to warn people about the consequences of sin until they face its results themselves. We must recognize the weight of sin before God.

Many today realize too late that sin exists, while preachers focus only on prosperity, business, and blessings, avoiding warnings about sin for fear that people will withhold offerings. But the Word of God reminds us:

“Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” (Jeremiah 23:1-2)

“In the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from wickedness.” (Jeremiah 23:14)

People truly seeking God desire life for their souls. But when we direct them only toward prosperity and success, they discover that these cannot solve their ultimate problems. How will they view us—as true shepherds or merely promoters of worldly gain?

We neglect to warn that the world is passing away, that the Antichrist will rise, and that great tribulation will come upon those left unprepared. Instead, many preach about wealth, vehicles, and mansions, ignoring the eternal consequences of sin.

“But the one who does not have the Son of God does not have life; anyone who sins breaks the law, for sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 5:12-17)

We must remember that the end times are near. The current hardships we see are only the beginning; greater and more terrifying events, as foretold in Scripture, are coming.

“Therefore, be careful, and watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matthew 25:13)

Conclusion
Let us always fear God’s wrath and guide others away from sin. Share this message with others. If you wish to receive more teachings via email or WhatsApp, contact: +255 789 001 312.

Maranatha.

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Shalom! Welcome as we study the Bible, because the Word of God is the light of our path and a lamp guiding our steps.

Many believers often ask: “Where is the proper place to give my tithe? Should it go to the church, to orphans, or to widows?” Today, by the grace of the Lord, we will explore this question.

A well-known scripture that addresses this is:

Deuteronomy 26:12 (ESV)

“When you have finished setting aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year—the year of tithing—give it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your towns and be satisfied.”

Before we unpack this verse, it’s important to understand a few foundational points:

1. Tithing is a Requirement for the Believer
For a person who is truly saved and recognizes the grace of Jesus, tithing is mandatory, though it is not a matter of the law anymore:

Matthew 23:23 – Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness, even while tithing meticulously.

Tithing is different from other offerings. While tithes are specifically one-tenth of income, believers are also encouraged to give freewill offerings  and sacrificial offerings.

Freewill Offering (Changizō) – Any contribution given voluntarily to God, with no required amount or legal obligation.

Sacrificial Offering (Sadaka) – A specific offering to God, which can be a thanksgiving, firstfruits, or petitionary offering (Romans 15:26; 1 Corinthians 16:1).

Tithe should be seen as the minimum standard, not as a punishment or greater burden than other offerings, because freewill offerings and sacrificial offerings can exceed tithes many times over.

2. Where Should Tithes Be Given?
The answer is simple: tithes should be given to the church—and nowhere else.

Other offerings can go directly to the poor, needy, or anyone outside the church. For example, if someone earns 100,000 shillings, their tithe is 10,000. The remaining 90,000 is free to use for supporting the needy, widows, or orphans according to the believer’s discretion.

Giving outside the church is not tithe, but a voluntary offering. Tithing itself belongs exclusively to the church.

3. Why Were Tithes Directed to the Poor, Widows, Orphans, and Levites in the Old Testament?
In the Old Covenant, the “church” was the entire community of Israel. Tithes were distributed according to God’s prescribed order:

Widows – truly destitute women with no family support

Levites – the priestly tribe, who had no inheritance outside their service to God

Orphans – children without parents

Foreigners (strangers) – Gentiles living among Israel

Acts 7:37–38 reminds us that the Israelites constituted God’s first “church” after crossing the Red Sea; the tithe was intended for this community.

In the New Covenant, tithes pertain solely to the Church of Christ, not to random poor people outside the church. Now, widows, orphans, and ministers (who represent Levites) within the church are the rightful recipients.

This aligns with 1 Timothy 5:9-16, where the church provides for widows who have lived a life of holiness and service, and for orphans whose parents were faithful believers.

4. Proper Method of Giving Tithe
One should not give tithes directly to a pastor, prophet, or individual widow/orphan. If a believer wants to help someone personally, that is considered a voluntary offering, not tithe.

The Bible provides a structured method:

Acts 4:32–35 (ESV)

“Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”

Here, the apostles received tithes and offerings and distributed them according to need within the church. This shows the biblical order and accountability for church finances, which later included the appointment of seven deacons, including Stephen, to manage distribution fairly.

Conclusion
Both in the Old and New Covenants, tithes are meant exclusively for the church. Contributions to the poor outside the church are voluntary and do not count as tithes. Following biblical principles ensures proper stewardship and blessing:

Proverbs 11:25 – “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”

So, always give your tithe to your church and support the needy outside the church with freewill offerings.

May the Lord bless you abundantly.

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Confession is not the same as asking for mercy from God!

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

There is a clear distinction between repentance and merely asking for mercy. Many people today ask for mercy, but they do not repent.
Brother, seeking mercy without repentance is in vain.

Asking for mercy is no different than asking for forgiveness. When you ask someone to forgive you, you’re essentially asking them to have mercy on you. But repentance is not something you ask for it’s something you do.

What, then, is repentance?

Repentance means to turn away from sin and forsake it entirely.
Imagine you are walking in one direction, then you suddenly realize you’re going the wrong way. So you stop, turn around, and walk back or take a different path.
That change of direction, that decision to abandon the former path, is what we call repentance.

But asking for forgiveness is not the same as repentance.

To understand this more deeply, consider the following illustration:

A Child’s Change of Heart

A parent tells their child to go and run an errand. Instead of obeying, the child becomes disrespectful, talks back rudely, and continues playing. But as they walk toward their game, their conscience convicts them they realize their mistake. So they abandon their plan, turn back, return to the parent, kneel down and say,
“Mother, I am sorry for being disrespectful. Please forgive me. I’m ready now to go where you sent me.”

In this example, the repentance happened when the child turned around and went back. The request for forgiveness happened after the repentance.

Do you see the difference?

You cannot say you have asked for mercy while you have not repented.
Repentance must come first, and then the plea for mercy follows.

Jesus’ Example The Two Sons

This is exactly the lesson Jesus gave in the parable of the two sons:

Matthew 21:28–31 (NKJV)
“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’
He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went.
Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go.
Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.”

The son who initially refused, but later repented and obeyed, is the one who did the will of the father. This shows us that true repentance results in action a change of heart that leads to obedience.

In These Troubled Times Repent, Not Just Plead

In these difficult times that have come upon the world, this is not just a time to ask for mercy it is a time to repent.
To repent means to abandon sin, to renounce evil, and to change direction.

It’s time to:

• Stop engaging in bribery and corruption
• Forsake sexual immorality
• Burn and discard revealing clothing
• Remove earrings, bangles, makeup, and any objects we idolize return to the natural state God created us in
• Return things we have stolen or swindled from others
• Forgive those who wronged us
• Reconcile with estranged family members
• Stop using abusive language
• Cease gossiping and wishing harm upon our neighbors
• Abandon drunkenness, clubbing, and worldly pleasures

Only after we have forsaken these sinful ways can we approach God and say, “Father, I have let go of these idols and sins please have mercy on me.”

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Repentance Opens the Door to Mercy

Once we have truly repented, we don’t even need to strive so hard to receive mercy. God Himself will extend it to us, because He is abundant in mercy.

Psalm 103:8 (NKJV)
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.”

But if we approach God while still wearing our lipstick, holding onto sexual sin, dressed in revealing clothes, or with unrepentant hearts asking for mercy it’s like a drunk man with a cigarette in his mouth telling his father, “Forgive me for being drunk.”
That’s not sincerity. It’s mockery.
And that’s how we appear before God when we come asking for mercy without forsaking our sins whether they’re hidden or open.

First Repentance, Then Mercy

This is the time to seek mercy for our nation, for our own souls, and for our families.
But repentance must come first.
And often, repentance alone is enough to draw God’s mercy, without needing to beg for it.

Consider the Prodigal Son:

Luke 15:20 (NKJV)
“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”

The father didn’t wait for the son to say much. The act of returning home was repentance, and it touched the father’s heart.

God Is Calling You Now

May the Lord bless you.

If you have not yet given your life to Jesus Christ what are you waiting for?
You are a witness of the times we live in. Greater challenges are still ahead for those who remain outside of Christ.

So, repent today and the Lord will show you mercy and fill you with His Holy Spirit, for He loves us deeply.

Isaiah 55:7 (NKJV)
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”

Maranatha  The Lord is coming!

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It is common to observe that people’s behavior changes, especially when they sense they are approaching a critical turning point—or even danger. Many will adapt their appearance or behavior, pretending to be like others, in an attempt to navigate difficult situations safely and protect themselves spiritually.

We see this illustrated during the time of Esther, when the enemies of the Jews planned to annihilate them with King Ahasuerus’ permission. Yet, when the decree was reversed and the king honored the Jews and even granted them authority to defend themselves against their enemies, the Bible tells us that many people of the land “pretended” to be Jews:

Esther 8:16-17 (ESV):
“The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor. In every province and in every city, wherever the king’s command and his edict came, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many of the people of the land became Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen upon them.”

Notice here that fear and the recognition of God’s favor caused people to adjust their behavior to align with God’s people.

Another example comes from the Old Testament conflict between two tribes of Israel: Ephraim and Gilead. The cause of the battle was that the men of Gilead went to fight their enemies without inviting the men of Ephraim to join them. Feeling excluded, the Ephraimites became angry and decided to fight Gilead. However, the Gileadites prevailed.

In the aftermath, many Ephraimites tried to flee and blend in with the Gileadites. To cross the Jordan River safely, they assumed it would be easy—they thought they could simply pass without scrutiny. But the Gileadites had been informed of their plan. They stationed themselves at the river crossings and used language as a test to identify the intruders.

Judges 12:5-6 (ESV):
“The Gileadites captured the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. And when any of the fugitives of Ephraim said, ‘Let me cross over,’ the men of Gilead said to him, ‘Are you an Ephraimite?’ If he said, ‘No,’ then they said, ‘Say now Shibboleth.’ And he said, ‘Sibboleth,’ for he could not pronounce it right. Then they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. Forty-two thousand Ephraimites fell at that time.”

Here, the test was based on language. One’s native tongue is deeply ingrained and cannot be perfectly mimicked. Even someone who studies a language for decades cannot replicate the accent or nuance of a native speaker. Similarly, our spiritual identity is deeply rooted and cannot be faked.

The Old Testament often foreshadows spiritual truths revealed in the New Testament. These historical accounts were not written merely to entertain or interest us—they carry profound spiritual lessons.

There will come a time when salvation will be tested. Those who oppose God will desperately seek access to His kingdom, pretending in various ways to gain entry. However, entry will not be easy, as they might assume. They will face significant trials to prove their hearts and intentions.

Luke 16:16 (ESV):
“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.”

Salvation will be measured not just by words—“I am saved,” “I was baptized,” or “I go to church”—but by the depth of personal experience and spiritual life. Are you living it as a natural part of your life, or is it just something learned?

Jesus illustrated this in the parable of the wedding feast, where a man attended the celebration but was not wearing the wedding garment. He had no invitation and was thrown out, illustrating that merely being present is insufficient without genuine preparation and righteousness:

Matthew 22:1-14 (ESV):
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Dear brothers and sisters, begin building your relationship with God today. Do not wait for a particular moment. Accept the rebirth offered through salvation, learn the “language of heaven,” and prepare yourself spiritually. There will come a time when the door of grace will no longer remain open. These are the last days, and no one can afford to ignore this truth.

May God richly bless you.

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