YOUR NAME IS OINTMENT POURED FORTH

The Song of songs is a unique Book in the Bible. It is a collection of poems describing the power, beauty, and romance of agape love in marriage. Romance is defined as the feeling of excitement and mystery associated with passionate love, that touches body, soul and spirit. The mystery of love brings the element of the unknown, of that which cannot be totally controlled or understood by men, the divine interference of heaven in the love story on earth. Agape love is like wine, making you emotionally happy and high. Its baptism of fire changes you forever. This Song is also a symbol of the love between Christ and the Church. ‘All the Scriptures are indeed holy, but Song of songs is the Holy of holies’ (Rabbi Aquiva). This book is not a historical or doctrinal book. It is a song. Songs do not touch the mind, but the heart. When you hear a song, you “feel” something; it is hard to explain. There is no book in the Bible that has more power to reveal agape love, to draw us closer to Jesus and to ignite revival in our hearts and marriages! Song of songs helps us to live happy lives, joyful marriages and ministries. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2Tim 3:16,17). It rebukes our sinful thinking about sexuality, marriages and relationships in general. We need love to be “complete” and work God’s work. None can sing this Song except he has experienced the Love of loves, God’s love in Christ.

In Song of songs, we have a glimpse of how marriage could have been in the perfect Garden of Eden. Like in the Book of Esther, the name of GOD is absent in this Book. But God is there, behind the scenes because “God is Love” (1Jn 4:8). Song of songs is like ointment poured out from Mary’s alabaster box. Its fragrance fills the whole house (Jn 12:3). This Song reveals the glory of marital love. The Love described is the ideal love in a marriage between a man and a woman. Here we see a satisfied husband and his completely loyal and happy wife. This revelation destroys two errors; extreme ideas related to marriage and sexuality: monasticism and sexual immorality. Some churches believe that a priest should be celibate to become holier than other men, thinking that sexuality in marriage is a hindrance in knowing and serving God. That is an error. In the Old Testament, marriage was accepted by all as a gift from God. All the patriarchs were married.

In the New Testament, things are a little different. The idea is introduced that some Christians choose to stay unmarried to better serve God. Jesus was not married. Apostle Paul was not married. Singleness is God’s gift; it is not a punishment. If singleness is your choice to serve God, that is good. To be a spiritual eunuch by God’s calling, that is ok. Both marriage and singleness are gifts from God. One is not better than another. But marriage is God’s choice for most people. In fact, the Bible is a manual for marriages. God created and married Adam and Eve (Gen 2:18-24). In Revelation, we see the wedding of the Lamb, when Christ marries His Bride, the Church (Rev 19:6-10). Apostle Paul tells us that the marriage between a man and a woman is a picture of Christ and the Church (Eph 5:22-33). Christ died not only to pay the penalty for our sins, but to re-instate His Kingdom, and to marry His Bride, the Church. Glory to God!

There was a woman who came to worship Jesus (Lk 7:41-50). She was called “a sinner”. Possibly, she was a prostitute. All the men knew her. Some may have used her body. She entered uninvited into the house of Simon, a Pharisee who invited Jesus to dinner. Simon was rich but did not love Jesus. He did not give water to Jesus to wash His feet, did not greet Jesus with a holy kiss and did not give Him oil to anoint His hands. But this woman, a sinner saved by grace, did all these things. Out of the gratitude in her heart, she worshipped Jesus openly and without shame. Jesus publicly declares that she is forgiven. Men may reject the Kiss of worship. But Jesus freed this woman from the bondage of sin and sent her home in the power of His Love! For the children of God Jesus is and will always be our “First and Forever Love”.

“Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth; Therefore, the virgins love you” (SS 1:3), In ancient times, perfumes and fragrant ointments were highly appreciated and very expensive. They were used for religious and social purposes. Only the rich people could afford them. The Bridegroom has a special fragrance. It shows His beauty, His high social status and spirituality.

The name represents the personality, reputation and character of the person. The Bride is attracted by the handsome body of her Groom, but more so, she loves His Character. The name of Jesus is exalted above every other name! The admiration of the young women, the virgins, shows the communal recognition of the Groom’s qualities and beauty. Spiritually, this is interpreted as the Church’s response to Christ’s love and sacrifice. True love and virtue are openly recognized and celebrated by others. “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (Rev 19:7,8). Glory!

A godly husband is a Leader, a Laborer and a Loyal Lover. The wife is not her husband’s neck. She does not control him. A godly wife is the crown of her husband. “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband…” (PV12:4). The virtuous wife is faithful, hardworking, wise, humble, loving and has a spirit of excellence. As his crown, the godly wife contributes to her husband’s economic status and reputation in the community. He helps him to be a leader and the head, the pastor of their home. Amen!

“Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Eph 5:2).

Agape Love is sacrificial, unconditional and pleasing to God. It is the lifestyle of believers in Christ. Jesus commanded us to love God and love one another just the way He did it (Jn 13:34,35). He is our Teacher and Standard. Agape love was manifested through His incarnation, ministry, and sacrificial death on behalf of sinners. Jesus died for us while we were still sinners (Rom 5:8). Salvation is by Grace alone, not based on merit but purely by God’s initiative. Jesus “gave Himself for us”. This was His choice. As the good Sheperd, He laid down His life of His own accord for His sheep, for us, sinners saved by His Grace. The death of Jesus on the Cross was a fragrant offering made to God. The sacrifice was very expensive. No man can buy it. We now worship Him forever!

In the Old Testament, the burnt offering was a clean animal, killed by the priests and totally burnt on the altar. The smoke goes up to be “a sweet aroma to the Lord” (Lev 1:9,13,17). The sacrificial smoke symbolized complete surrender and devotion; nothing was held back. Only prescribed animals, grains, or incense could be offered. God decided what smells are “pleasing” to Him. The smoke and the aroma rose upward, showing that fellowship between God and worshiper was restored. This fragrant offering showed that God has accepted the sacrifice and He was pleased with it. Spiritually, this shows that God loves our obedience and true worship. Lessons: just like Christ died on the Cross, we must “present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is our spiritual service of worship” (Rom 12:1). We must spread “the fragrance of the knowledge of Him” (2Cor 2:14-16). The Gospel of Christ influences and changes all who encounter it. Studying the Scriptures and knowing Christ personally help us spread not only information, but His heavenly fragrance, His sweet-smelling Grace and Eternal Life. The perfume of Christ is unique and powerful. It cannot be hidden or ignored; all believers testify to it. To resist such a perfume means death. As believers we spread the fragrance of Christ thru our holy character, truthful words and deeds of love.

Corporate worship, prayer and praise release this fragrance. “Let my prayer be set before You as incense, The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” (Ps 141:2). Endurance without grumbling in trials, faith displayed under pressure produces a powerful scent. Sin cannot be hidden. It is a stench. “Dead flies make the oil of the perfumer give off a foul odor; so, a little foolishness [in one who is esteemed] outweighs wisdom and honor” (Ecc 10:1; AMP). Wisdom and honor are like perfume. Like little yeast changes a lot of flour, so little foolishness negatively affects character and reputation. One little careless word, a single lie, one secret sin that becomes public, these have the power to damage the testimony of many years of faithful living. The public remembers the stench much longer than the sweetness. Lessons: stay close to Christ. Study and obey His Word. Keep your heart pure. Always be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. If you sin, repent immediately! Surround yourself with faithful brethren. We become the fragrance of Christ thru surrendered lives, with lips praising and hands serving. This is continual evidence that the smoke of worship rises and pleases the Father! Amen!

Lessons: before being attracted by his outward beauty or his wealth, a wise woman chooses a man of character, a man who fears God. If she wants to marry and everybody says he is a bad man, and only she thinks he is great, something is wrong. It is not enough to say that you love someone. The foundation of marriage is based on godly character. Pray and submit to the counsel of older believers. It is very easy to make mistakes in choosing a marriage partner. This applies also to the men who decide to marry. Fast and pray before proposing to a woman to marry. Be sure that the woman has a godly character. True love comes with respect for one another. Respect and trust must be earned. Good character and holiness are very attractive. “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates” (PV 31:30,31). Let the Holy Spirit lead!

THE NAME OF JESUS

Jesus Christ Himself is God. He is omnipotent. Just before He ascended to heaven, the resurrected Christ told His disciples: “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me” (Matt 28:18; AMP). The power of Jesus is universal, covering the spiritual realm (heaven, angels, spiritual realities) and the natural realm (on earth, human beings, all rulers, nations and natural laws). The authority of Jesus is over death and the grave. This authority is not newly acquired but it is now manifested to men thru His resurrection. It is the basis of evangelism and all ministries done in the name of Jesus. This power is “given to Me”, from God the Father. It is settled, final, and uncontested. It reveals the completion of Jesus’ earthly work, His obedience unto death, and His exaltation, showing Jesus as the only mediator between God and humanity and His position as Head of the Church. Jesus’ authority assures us of His ultimate victory over evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. His authority is not partial. There is nothing outside His authority. It applies to everybody, not only to the Christians. Every knee must bow to Jesus Christ! His commands are non-negotiable standards of behavior. For example, God’s Word says: Love God and Love one another! These are commands and not suggestions. Practically, His authority influences whom we date, and marry, avoiding unequally yoked relationships. It applies to our finances: our wealth belongs to Jesus. We remember to faithfully tithe and give offerings to the local church we attend or to ministries that feed us spiritually. This is a proof that we recognize the authority of Jesus over our money and lives. We avoid everything that does not give glory to God. This authority gives us identity and confidence. We belong to Jesus, the One whose rule cannot be challenged. We are citizens of God’s Kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Jesus’ authority is given to believers thru His name. We pray and do spiritual warfare in His name. Every demon is subject to Christ. Thru the Cross, Jesus “having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” (Col 2:15). Preach the Gospel with courage! Be not afraid of men. Stand firm in your faith!  Declare victory against any rival, spiritual of physical. “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Rev 11:15).

Some people ask, “why is the name of Jesus so important?” The name stands for His Person. Try to imagine a world where nobody has a name, not even a number, the way prisoners are called. You must call someone as “Hey, you…” This is hard. In that world there is no value, no love, and no respect given to Persons. There is no way to praise a nameless person. It will be a world of confusion and depression. In the Garden of Eden, God told Adam to name all the animals. He even gave Eve a name. That makes communication possible. Lesson: pray hard before giving names to your children. It connects with their destinies. The name “Jesus” was given to Mary by God. It has the power of heaven. Jesus is not a private person. He is to be known all over the world. People call His name in prayer and praise Him publicly and loudly. “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col 3:17).

“The exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Eph 1:19-23).  “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil 2:9-11). God commands us to praise Jesus’ name: “My name might be proclaimed in all the earth” Salvation is in Christ alone. “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom 9:17; 10:13). Jesus!!!!!

Before the Cross, Jesus told His disciples: “Until now you have not asked [the Father] for anything in My name; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy may be full and complete” (Jn 16:24; AMP). This shows the transition between two spiritual seasons. Up till now, the disciples depended on the physical presence of Jesus to give them guidance, comfort, protection and to provide for them. Soon, Jesus is going to heaven. He gives them His name as a credit card to use in the heavenly bank. They must learn how to use the name of Jesus, just like He was here with them. Faith is the password. Prayer in the name of Jesus assures us that God will answer our prayers when done according to His will. Praying in Jesus’ name is not a formula but a declaration of faith in His authority and alignment with His will. Jesus says that our joy is made complete when we see God’s hand at work in response to our prayers. Jesus invites us to ask, with faith in Him, indicating that God desires to hear from us and He responds to our needs and desires. The Holy Spirit helps us to pray.

WHY DO WIVES TAKE THE NAME OF THEIR HUSBANDS?

Women traditionally took their husband’s last name because of coverture, a legal concept in English law where a married woman’s legal identity merged with her husband’s, placing her under his “cover” or authority. This law was applied mostly in England and America. The wife loses her identity, and the husband has almost all the power. The wife’s property and earnings become her husband’s. She could not enter contracts, sue, or be sued in her own name. A married woman was like a child. Her husband was her legal guardian, controlling her assets and representing her in legal matters. The Feminists fought this law for many years. Eventually, they won the case against coverture. The Married Women’s Property Act 1882 in the US said that the wife’s wages and her inherited property belong to her. The abolition of coverture is seen as “one of the greatest extensions of property rights in human history” and led to positive financial and social impacts.

In Nigeria, unlike in England under coverture, a married (Ibo) woman can independently own property if she acquires it with her own money. However, she needs her husband’s permission to accept property as a gift from others or use credit to buy property. This is because similar with the law of coverture in England, the husband is responsible for his wife’s debts and legal obligations. There are also instances in which a wife’s property belongs to the husband, no matter what. For instance, if a woman receives a kola nut tree, it belongs to the husband, and he may harvest it for his own benefit. Colonial courts In Nigeria created official laws that prevented women from exiting a marriage with properties other than her clothes and kitchen utensils. During the traditional marriage, the Nigerian woman physically leaves her native community to join her husband’s family. This concept shows that the wife is absorbed in her husband’s identity. To preserve bloodlines, Nigerian women face barriers to inheritance within their birth families. Since women leave their homes and are absorbed into their husband’s family, women are not allowed to carry family property to their new home. After the wife dies, the husband inherits everything. This aligns with the English view of coverture. The wife’s identity and property are absorbed by the husband.

Despite historical origins, about 80% of women today still choose to take their husband’s last name. Some women have chosen to keep their fathers’ names and add their husbands’ name. Others decided to create a new name together. Because of sin, these laws are all selfish. Spiritually, once we become saved, we are called Christians. We die to the old life and identity. We now belong to Christ forever. We lose our lives to gain Christ. This is the greatest gain any person can have in this world and in life eternally.

OUR TESTIMONY AS A HAPPILY MARRIED COUPLE – THE FLAME OF LOVE IN MARRIAGE

“Many waters cannot quench the flame of love, neither can the floods drown it. If a man tried to buy it with everything he owned, he couldn’t do it” (SS 8:7). My husband and I have been happily married for almost 50 years. We are parents to three adult children and have six grandchildren. I see marriage as a gift from God. Because I fear God, I fear to damage my marriage. I cannot be a happy wife without the help of the Holy Spirit. I daily read the Bible. I grow in wisdom and knowledge. Therefore, our marriage becomes better, sweeter.

I pray daily for my husband, for our children, grandchildren, our health, our ministries and wisdom to handle our finances. I pray to see Christ in my husband (in his words and deeds). I love that peace reigns in my home. I hate quarrels and divisions. I respect my husband not only in my words and deeds, but even in my heart. I pray to be able to see him not just as my husband or the father or our children, but as my pastor, as a holy man of God. My prayer has been answered. Christ has simplified my life. I first love Jesus and secondly, I love my husband. I do not even dream about another god or another man. Even after all these years, I appreciate my husband’s love for me. I appreciate the fact that out of millions of women he chose me to be his wife. What a wonderful love story!

I have ‘a kitchen ministry’. I like to cook for him and serve his food. I like it when he is hungry and he sits at the table waiting for me to bring the food. We always pray before each meal. I like it when we eat together and we “gist” about daily activities, the plans for the day, and share prayer points. I like to wake up in the morning knowing that he is my husband. I like to ask him, ‘what do you want to eat for breakfast?’ His answer makes me happy! Sometimes he likes Nigerian breakfast, and other times the ‘oyibo’ style. I may fail a catering exam, but he likes the food I cook for him and that is all that matters to me! At the table, he has his own favorite chair. If a visitor comes and by mistake sits there, I will not allow it. I will gently tell the visitor to use another seat. My husband has his own favorite plate. It is old but he likes it. I do not use his plate to serve other people. These may not be ‘big things’ but to me, these are symbols of respect.

Long ago I knew that he will be a man of God. I started studying the Bible with great passion. The knowledge of the Word of God is for my own soul and to help my husband in his ministry. I love it when we discuss doctrines and revelations from the Bible. I love it when I have something good to add to the discussion. We are friends and lovers. We rejoice with one another. Time has not reduced this joy. In fact, it has made it better. The water has now become sweet wine. We drink it and have no apologies for our intoxicating love. The passion to love God and one another is the holy fire that continues to burn in our home. No man or devil can quench it. It is to the glory of God that we are not religious hypocrites. In our home there is genuine salvation, peace and joy of the Holy Ghost! Glory to God! Worship the Lord!

SONG OF SONGS – MY HEART IS AWAKE  

“I have come to my garden, my sister, my spouse; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. (To His Friends) Eat, O friends! Drink, yes, drink deeply, O beloved ones!” (SS 5:1). The Song of Solomon is a prophetic love poem describing how King Solomon fell in love and got married to a beautiful simple girl. It is a picture of passionate marital love. Spiritually, it describes the love between Christ and His Bride, the Church. The Groom is called The Lover, and the Bride is called The Beloved. Their relationship is pure, romantic, deep, intimate, and loving as with family members. Please read Chapter 5:1-9.

The Song of songs is one of the least understood books in the Bible. Most Christians just ignore it. But because the Holy Spirit placed in the Bible, we must pay the price to study it. King Solomon is the author. The Book is a collection of love poems. They describe the romantic passionate love between King Solomon and a simple beautiful girl called Shulamite. The poems can also be applied to romantic love in a happy marriage, like when water turns to wine. Spiritually, it describes the Agape Love between Christ, who is the Bridegroom and His Church, who is His Bride. The Jews read this Book only once a year in their synagogues. They do it so that their love for God does not become lukewarm, legalistic, routine, forced. They do it to add romance and spices to their religion. Pray that the Holy Spirit opens your understanding and appreciation the greatest Love of all! This is the Gospel: Jesus died and rose again for me! Jesus is My First Love!

He said: I came to my garden! It is His garden. Her heart is his garden. Like Garden of Eden, it is a beautiful place with colorful aromatic flowers, a place of encounter between God and man. The Lover gathers spices; each is a symbol or something deep and spiritual. The gathering or myrrh and spices shows Christ’s delight in the richness and fragrance of His relationship with His Bride. It is based on His sacrificial love. Myrrh is a fragrant resin used for religious purposes. It was a very expensive item, often worth its weight in gold. Myrrh was one of the ingredients for making the holy anointing oil signifying its role in consecration and holiness. Myrrh was also used as perfume (Esther 2:12) and for embalming the dead (John 19). The wise men brought myrrh to baby Jesus, a prophetic gift predicting Jesus’ sacrificial death (Matt 2:11). In the Bible, myrrh is often associated with suffering and death. It was used during the crucifixion and burial of Jesus. Spiritually, myrrh means sacrifice, worship, and anointing with the Holy Spirit. It is a reminder of the cost of redemption.

Honey symbolizes sweetness, spiritual nourishment and dreams come true. Milk is a symbol of nourishment for spiritual growth. The Promised Land was “a land of milk and honey”. Wine is a symbol of celebration in general and in the wedding feast and marriage in particular. The Groom invites his guests, his friends, to eat and drink at the wedding feast. It shows that weddings are celebrated in the presence of others. The food and the drink are in abundance. The Bridegroom is extremely happy and generous to all. Spiritually, this sweet food and celebration is found only in a relationship with Christ. Your heart is the Garden of the Lord. He is never far. He freely comes into the gardens of our hearts. He receives our worship and rejoices in it. Grace is always abundant, overflowing to guests and friends. Each morning be sure that your heart is always open to Him, to come and collect the fruits of the Holy Spirit. No stranger should be found in that Garden. It is for Christ alone! Tell others how sweet your life in Christ is, from the overflowing cup of His Saving Grace.

The Bride sleeps and at the same time, her heart is “awake.” It shows physical rest and spiritual alertness. As believers, we live in this world, but we are not “of this world”. We hear the voice of Christ in our hearts. My heart is awake. It is ready to respond to the voice of Christ, day or night. The Groom knocks at my heart. Christ is outside the garden, by the gate of your heart. He strongly desires to enter. His love is persistent. Christ loves the Church. Christ loves you! The knock is in the night. There is opposition from forces of darkness. He had to fight them to come to you. He calls the Church “My sister, My love, My dove, Me perfect one”. This shows an intimate relationship, like siblings in a family, but also romantic and special. The Church is the Dove of Christ. Christ sees you pure and perfect. Christ died and rose again so that His Church will be holy. “He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Eph 5:27). On earth, Christ’ love must be reflected in the husband’s love for his wife.

The head of the Groom is covered with dew. This shows blessings. In Isreal, rain is rare. Between May and October, there is no rain. The temperature rises above 42 degrees Celsius. The place is dry and hot. Dew comes in the night, at the places that need it the most. The dew supplies the water needed for the plants to grow. The dew does not “fall” from the sky like the rain. Dew is mysterious water produced by plants as they cool down after a long hot day. Dew is a symbol of the Holy Spirit that gives spiritual life to men living in the desert of sin. Dew comes quietly. There is no noise, no force, no thunder, like with the rain. When the Holy Spirit comes to our hearts, we may not feel anything, but our spirit is quickened. We become alive with the life of God. When the heart is dry and tired, the heavenly Dew comes and brings the much-needed revival. Dew is like a love medicine ready to restore backsliders. It is a sign of revival, of hope.

“I have taken off my robe; How can I put it on again? I have washed my feet; How can I defile them?” Before going to rest in bed, the Bride washes her feet and takes off her robe. The robe is a symbol of covering and protection from the temptation of the world. It can also be a sign of status, like Joseph’s robe. Removing the robe means detaching herself from the duties of leadership in the world. The bride is reluctant to dress again and go outside to work. She prefers to rest on her bed. There is a tension between duty and comfort, the voice of good against the best, between the desires of the flesh and of the spirit. She knows that the Bridegroom is calling her to a higher level of spirituality, even when it is inconvenient. She must pay the price to be like Him. She must share in His sufferings. Lying on her soft bed, she struggles with that. Human nature resists changes and disruption once she is settled. Washing your feet is an act of humility. Getting out of bed means getting your feet dirty again. That requires a new washing of the feet. The Groom is humble. Humility is His lifestyle. But for the Bride, practicing Humility is not easy. That is why she grumbles in her heart.

“My beloved put his hand by the latch of the door, And my heart yearned for him… My beloved extended his hand through the opening [of the door], And my feelings were aroused for him” (SS 5:4; NKJ; AMP). The Lover takes the initiative of love. He puts His hand by the latch of the door. The latch is an iron rod pushed into a hole to keep the door closed. It is for protection. The Beloved wants to open the door and see His bride. The Lover’s touch of the latch is a gentle invitation to a deeper relationship with her. He loves her. He is patient with her. He waits to see her response. Lying on her bed, she hears the Groom. Her heart starts to pound for Him. This is a deep emotional and even physical reaction to his Love for her. Spiritually, in God’s presence, our very soul is stirred and responds to God’s Love.

Initially, the Bride was not sure if she could love as she is loved. She knows that Her Groom loves her sacrificially. He is ready to die for her. She has some doubts whether she is ready to love like this. Eventually, she decides to answer the call to carry her cross and follow her Beloved. She rises from the bed of comfort and goes to the door. This time, she does not care if she must take her robe again, or if she must wash her feet the second time. These sacrifices look small compared with the excitement of seeing her Beloved. Her hands drip with liquid perfumed myrrh, overflow of love and devotion. She now has the same fragrance as Him.

“I opened for my beloved, But my beloved had turned away and was gone. My heart leaped up when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer”. Finally, the Bride opens the door for her Lover. He did not want to force entry. Christ wants us to open our hearts to Him. At the door, she discovered that he had gone away. This shows missed opportunities, the effect of spiritual negligence. She was too slow to come and open the door. There were doubts and grumblings in her heart. She took His love for granted. She has made him sad. “My heart sank at His departure… My heart was pounding…”  This is deep disappointment, feeling of loss, regret, anxiety, desperate longing to find Him. She goes out to look for him. She calls Him, but there is no answer. This shows the soul’s seeking God, for a closer fellowship. God sometimes hides Himself. He keeps silent. This is a picture of Grieving the Holy Spirit. There is need for repentance, praying for mercy, and seeking God afresh. It does not mean that God has abandoned us. He wants us to repent from spiritual laziness and infatuation with material comfort. He wants us to desire Him again. We must seek God with faith, perseverance, and thru fasting and prayer until we find Him afresh. Go back to the Bible. This is revival. It is also a warning against spiritual complacency and procrastination. We know that even in times of silence, the covenant of Love between Christ and the believer stands forever. If we seek Him with all our hearts, we shall find Him. Lessons: obedience must be instant, joyful and total. Delayed, grumbling and partial obedience are counted as disobedience. It grieves the Holy Spirit, and it dulls intimacy. Keep seeking when He feels distant. You must press into Scripture, worship, prayer and fellowship. Remember past experiences of His faithfulness, because remembrance fuels hope. Trust His steadfast love and not your fluctuating feelings. On the road to Emmaus, the disciples’ disappointment turned to burning hearts when He revealed Himself (Lk 24:21,32). True love acts quickly when it hears the Lover’s voice.

“The watchmen who went about the city found me. They struck me, they wounded me; The keepers of the walls took my veil away from me”. The desperate Bride takes the risk and goes out in the night, looking for her Lover. Instead of help, she meets trouble. She is beaten, stripped, humiliated. In pursuing deeper intimacy with Jesus, the devil will try to stop you. You may encounter unexpected resistance. The watchmen are supposed to keep order, security and peace, especially at night. They represent the civil authority or religious leaders who misunderstand or oppose righteous zeal (seen in Paul’s clashes with synagogue leaders). When seeking for God or for justice, how must we behave? Refuse bitterness. Love your enemies. Pray for them. Lean on Jesus! Draw even closer to Him, as the Bride did! The picture of being beaten is a symbol of Jesus who was wounded for our transgressions. It shows the cost of sacrificial love. The watchmen took away her veil, her clothes, her covering. Being naked on the streets is a sign of rejection and humiliation. In our spiritual walk, we feel exposed and vulnerable, yet these moments lead to deeper reliance on God. This is another picture of Jesus, crucified naked in the pursuit of Love. The men who represent the government authority cannot protect believers who seek for Jesus. There is always danger of misusing the power given to them. God remains the ultimate protector for the oppressed and humble. This calls for perseverance and faith.

“I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, If you find my beloved, Tell him I am lovesick!” The “daughters of Jerusalem” are women of the city, represent the audience, who witness the story of the Bride seeking her Groom. Love is not only personal. Especially loving Jesus. It also has a public demonstration. In our spiritual journey, community plays a vital role in helping and guiding us. The Bride is charging the women to find her Beloved. It is a deep and serious request. Her lovesickness is not sentimental; it is spiritual, physical, emotional, and urgent. Asking others to “tell him” assumes that the Beloved will respond. True spiritual longing anticipates an encounter. That is faith! This shows the importance of communication in any relationship. Learn to confess your need and your pain to others. Let them pray for you. To be “lovesick” is a consuming passion like fire in the heart. This emotion is so strong that it affects the body and the soul. “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God” (Ps 42:1; NLT). The intensity of this love reflects Christ’s love for the church, who died to save her. Learn to Cultivate lovesickness: set apart undistracted time with the Lord until the soul notices His absence. Tell Jesus: “Lord, I miss You!” This seeking and finding is the romance of Christianity, the dance only true lovers of Jesus can learn. Worship the Lord!

GRIEVE NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption… And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption… And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [but seek to please Him], by whom you were sealed and marked [branded as God’s own] for the day of redemption [the final deliverance from the consequences of sin]… Don’t give God’s Holy Spirit any reason to be upset with you. He has put his seal on you for the day you will be set free [from the world of sin]” (Eph 4:30; NKJ, NLT; AMP; GOD’S WORD TRANSLATION)

God the Holy Spirit can grieve. This is the revelation of the Bible. The word “grieve” means to feel deep sorrow, pain, or great sadness, especially at the death of someone who was very dear. Grieving the Holy Spirit is peculiar to Christianity. No other religion tells you that their god grieves. This is a reminder that the Holy Spirit is a Person. A thing cannot be sad, only a person can grieve. The Holy Spirit dwells in us. He is tender as a Dove. God has humbled Himself to come to our level. He can be grieved by us. This is a fact: Men can disappoint God, their greatest Lover. When we forget this, we fall into so many troubles. The Holy Spirit can be grieved only by believers. We grieve Him with our sinful thoughts, words or actions; by failure to realize that He is in us, and by ignoring Him when he speaks. He can be hurt by our unwillingness to Love as we are loved. Anything that is not holy grieves the HOLY Spirit. Our heavenly Comforter can be made sad by our sins!!! Because the Spirit empowers us in the sanctification process, grieving Him hinders spiritual growth and fellowship with God.

When you grieve the Holy Spirit, you do not lose your salvation. A seal is a seal! But there are many great losses. By grieving the Holy Spirit, the Christian loses his peace, his assurance and joy of salvation. He loses his spiritual power. For example, if you pray, it will be a very weak prayer; you will not prevail with God. When you read the Bible, you shall not be able to gain revelation. When you go to the house of God, you feel bored. You feel like Samson when his hair is cut, lost, weak, captive, and blind. Let the Holy Spirit depart, and assurance is gone, doubts, questionings and suspicions are aroused. Usefulness in ministry will cease. Your ministry shall yield no fruit; your words will fall to the ground. There is spiritual confusion, lack of direction. Because your protection is gone, demonic attacks increase. Worship the Lord!

JEHOVAH EL QANNA DEFEATS DAGON

The Philistines, having captured the Ark of the Covenant, brought it into the temple of their god, Dagon, in Ashdod, one of the five major cities of the Philistines. Dagon was the chief deity in the Philistine religion, often associated with fertility and harvest. It was a statue, half man and half fish. They believed that Dagon was the father of Baal. Placing the Ark beside the statue of Dagon was a deliberate act to show that the God of Israel was now submitting to Dagon. But despite the Ark being captured, God remains sovereign and will demonstrate His power over all false gods and idols. The next day, they found Dagon on the ground, symbolic of Dagon’s submission and defeat before the Ark, which represented the presence and power of the God of Israel, Jehovah El Qanna. Foolishly, the Philistines return Dagon to its place. They try to maintain their religious beliefs despite the clear sign of their idol’s impotence, just like today, people resist acknowledging divine truth. This shows how useless it is to worship idols. Nobody can defeat God! God always wins! (1Sam 5:1-12; 6:1-21; 7:1,2)

“I have sworn [an oath] by Myself, The word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear [allegiance]” (Isa 45:23; AMP). God swears by Himself. This is the highest form of an oath. God is sovereign over all creation. Once God speaks, the Word is final, unchangeable and always accomplishes His desires and “succeeds in the purpose for which it was sent” (Isa 55:11). Lesson: we should preach God’s Word with confidence knowing that He is faithful to perform His Word. This is a fact: Every knee shall bow before God! All creation must submit to God’s authority. God’s Kingdom will ultimately prevail. Amen!

Early the next morning, the Philistine priests came to the shrine of Dagon. They were impatient to see what happened. But they were deeply disappointed. The image of Dagon was fallen again, prostrated before the Ark. The breaking of Dagon’s head and hands signifies the complete powerlessness and defeat of the idol. The threshold of a temple was considered a sacred boundary. The fact that Dagon’s head and hands were found on the threshold symbolize the desecration of the Philistine temple and the impotence of their god to protect it. Lessons: The fall of Dagon illustrates that no false god can stand before the true God. As believers, we need to totally trust God who defeats all opposition. God allowed His ark to be captured by the enemies because of the rebellion of His people. But God is totally in control even when the situation seems hopeless. We must trust and worship God alone!

The priests and the worshipers of Dagon refused to step on the threshold of Dagon’s shrine after the incident. It shows a superstitious fear and acknowledgment of the power of the God of Israel even after many years since the incident. The Philistines showed respect and feared Jehovah God, even if they did not worship Him. Lesson: God’s presence always causes chaos among the powers of darkness. We should always invite God in every situation, knowing that He has the power to transform everything for His own glory and for our good. This is a reminder that we the believers, should never take God’s presence for granted, should fear and honor the God of our salvation.

“But the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and He ravaged them and struck them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory” (1Sam 5:6). The hand of the Lord means power over His creation. The word “ravaged” means severe destruction. God punishes the Philistines for touching and disrespecting the Ark, a symbol of God’s presence among His people. The word “tumors” is the same as painful boils or hemorrhoids. Jehovah God is not only the God of Isreal, but He is the Creator and Judge of all. Lesson: This is a warning not to treat God’s things with disrespect. God’s presence brings blessing to those who honor it and judgment to those who dishonor Him.

“The LORD will strike you with the boils of Egypt, with tumors, with the scab, and with the itch, from which you cannot be healed” (Deut 28:27). One of the curses of disobedience is painful sicknesses that doctors cannot cure. The boils of Egypt are God’s punishment on the Egyptians when they refused to submit to God. Because of the boils, the magicians could not stand on their feet before Moses (Exo9:9-11). The same punishment that God gave to the Egyptians, is now given to His people who are disobedient to Him. Only God can heal spiritual and physical ailments. The fact that no doctor can cure shows that God has removed His favor from His rebellious people. Nothing else than repentance can bring healing and peace. Under the law, obedience to God’s Word was followed by blessings and disobedience attracted curses. In Christ, we find redemption from the curse of the law, showing the importance of faith and grace in the New Covenant.

The Ark was captured by the Philistines because of Isreal’s disobedience. But despite their initial triumph, the Philistines quickly realized that the Ark was not a mere trophy but a source of divine judgment. The decision to remove the Ark shows the fear and respect that even pagan nations have for the God of Israel. They decided to move it to the next Philistine town, to test if the calamities will follow the Ark. They did not understand that the Ark is not just an object like their idols, but the dwelling place of Almighty God. They underestimated its significance. Lesson: God cannot be controlled or manipulated by men. He is sovereign overall!

The Philistines had five major city-states: Ashdod, Gath, Ekron, Ashkelon, and Gaza. They moved the Ark from Ashdod to Gath, which was the native city of the giant Goliath. The Ark caused great destruction and confusion even in Gath. All men in the city, rich and poor, old and young, were affected with an incurable painful disease. Next, they sent the ark of God to Ekron. The cry of the Ekronites shows that they recognized the power associated with the Ark, despite their lack of faith in the God of Israel. This fear is similar with the terror that fell upon the inhabitants of Jericho where the fame of God’s power preceded the Israelites (Josh 2:9-11). The Ark, a type of Christ, symbolizes God’s presence and the dual nature of His coming—bringing salvation to believers and judgment to those who reject Him. Selah!

Suffering terribly, the Philistines finally decided to send the Ark back to Israel, recognizing that it did not belong among them. They became afraid of Jehovah El Qanna. They saw that wherever the Ark goes among their cities, it brought deadly destruction and confusion to all. This shows God’s active role in the events, His authority and the consequences of opposing Him. The cries of the Philistines reached God, showing His awareness of human suffering, even among those who do not know Him. God is sovereign over all nations and attentive to the affairs of the world. Lesson: God responds to the outcry of suffering. God is a God’s justice. He is the judge of all Creation.

The rulers of the Philistines asked their priests on how to return the Ark of God back to Isreal. They now knew that the Ark is central to Israelite worship, representing God’s presence among His people. They knew that they have offended the God of Isreal. They decided to send it back to Isreal together with a trespass or guilt offering. According to the Law of Moses, the trespass or guilt offering is described in Leviticus 5. This offering was required when a person unintentionally violated some of the Lord’s holy things, anything that was dedicated to God, like the sanctuary, or the priests. These are some examples of trespasses: by mistake, a man eats the food of the priests, he makes a vow to God, and he forgets to perform it, eats the first-born animal from his own flock (because that one belongs to God). The offender must bring to God an unblemished ram and compensate the priests by adding 20% of its value in silver. The Philistines were not under the Mosaic Law. They tried their best to repent and ask forgiveness from the God of Isreal, so that the plague would end among them. They now knew that Jehovah God is holy and none should treat Him with disrespect. Recognizing their sins, the priests recommend that they bring an offering to Jehovah. It was made of five golden tumors, symbolizing their sicknesses and five golden rats, a symbol of destruction through poverty and famine in their land. Gold is an expensive metal showing their desire to honor Jehovah God. Lesson: When we sin against God or man, we must repent, forgive and do all we can to make peace with the offended person. The events demonstrate God controls all nations, not just Israel. This trespass offering point to Christ, who died to bring forgiveness to sinners and reconcile man to God.

The Philistines remembered what God did to Pharoah and the Egyptians when they opposed God and His people. They asked themselves: “why do you harden your hearts like Pharoah? He eventually let God’s people go!” This hardening is both a result of Pharaoh’s own choices and a divine judgment, illustrating the connection between human free will and divine sovereignty. The eventual release of the Israelites by Pharaoh shows the futility of resisting God’s will. Despite his initial stubbornness, Pharaoh ultimately capitulates to God’s demands. The Egyptians’ experience is a warning of the dangers of opposing God. Lesson: we must guard against hardening of our hearts towards God.

The Philistines’ use of a “new cart” signifies respect and reverence, ensuring that the cart was not previously used for ordinary purposes. This reflects the biblical principle of offering God the best and the first. Milk cows are cows that have recently had calves. These cows are typically not used for pulling carts. Cows that have never been yoked symbolize purity and a new beginning, like the unblemished animals required for sacrifices. This instruction was a test to see if the cows would act contrary to their nature. If they did, it would confirm that the calamities the Philistines experienced were indeed from the God of Israel. Separating the cows from their calves was a further test of divine intervention. Naturally, the cows would seek to return to their calves, but if they proceeded towards Israel, it would be a sign of God’s hand at work. This separation can also be seen as a type of sacrifice, where something valuable is given up for a greater purpose, ultimately pointing to Christ’s sacrifice. Lesson: God is in control over all creation, including animals, to fulfill His purposes.

The cart with the Ark came to the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh. This was a Levitical city located in the territory of Judah, near the border with the Philistines. It was one of the cities designated for the priests, which is significant given the context of the Ark of the Covenant’s return. The Ark’s return to a Levitical city shows the importance of proper worship and reverence for God’s presence. The large rock, a symbol of stability, was also a memorial. It served as a natural altar for the offering. The stopping of the cart at this specific location is divinely orchestrated, indicating God’s control over the situation. The priests used the wood from the cart to light a fire. They killed the two cows and offered it as a burnt offering, to honor God. Burnt offerings were entirely consumed by fire, a symbol of total dedication to God, an act of worship. This is a symbol of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself wholly for the atonement of sin on behalf of sinners. When the Philistines saw this, they returned to their country. It was the end of the Philistine experiment with the Ark, acknowledging the power of the God of Israel. Lessons: God is sovereign over all nations. He has the power to defend His honor without human intervention.

God struck down and killed seventy people of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the Ark. These were Jewish men, not foreigners. According to the Law, only the high priest could approach the Ark, only once a year, on the Day of Atonement, carrying the blood of the sacrifice. Looking inside the Ark was a direct violation of God’s command. This incident shows the holiness of Jehovah El Qanna. It is God’s judgment upon those who disrespected the Ark. This was God’s Law: The ark was to remain covered. Even the Kohathites, appointed to carry it, were forbidden to “touch or look upon the holy things, lest they die” (Num 4:20). To look inside the ark, the men had to lift the cover called “the Mercy Seat”. Without God’s mercy, all sinners die. The men treat God’s presence as a common thing. Overfamiliarity with God’s things is a sin. Lessons: Holiness demands reverend distance. God actively defends His holiness. As worshipers, we have a great responsibility to treat God with honor and respect. The incident calls every generation to approach God on His terms, honoring His holy presence with obedient, respectful, and humble hearts. We must fear God and respect God’s things. While God is just in His punishment, His actions also serve as a call to repentance and a deeper understanding of His nature. We must learn from the mistakes or others, how to worship God! This story also points to the ultimate judgment of sinners and the need for atonement, based on the perfect future work of Jesus Christ, who provides the way for humanity to approach God through His sacrifice. Worship the Lord!

WHOM ARE YOU SEEKING? I AM HE!

This is a very painful story (John 18:1-13). After praying the High Priestly prayer, Jesus, followed by eleven of His disciples, goes to the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas has already gone to the Pharisees and agreed to betray Jesus, for 30 silver coins (about 400,000 Naira). A band of Roman soldiers with weapons follows Judas, who will identify Jesus with a kiss. The cooperation between Jewish and Roman authorities shows the worldly opposition to Jesus. A detachment (or cohort) of troops was made of about 500 Roman soldiers. Just imagine how many people came to arrest the Prince of Peace!!! The presence of weapons shows a misunderstanding of Jesus’ mission. Everything that happened was in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. The use of lanterns and torches shows that it was nighttime. Lessons: Judas’ betrayal reminds us of the pain of being betrayed by those close to us. We must examine our own faithfulness to Christ. Be prepared for opposition in your own walk with Christ. You are the light of the world, preaching the Gospel in the spiritual darkness of the world.

“Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” (Jn 18:4)

Jesus knows all the things that will happen to Him. This shows His Omniscience as God. Jesus said: “When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness” (Lk 22:53). The “hour” refers to the appointed time for Jesus’ arrest and subsequent crucifixion. It signifies a divinely ordained moment when God allows the forces of evil to act, fulfilling the plan of salvation. This phrase acknowledges the temporary authority given to Jesus’ enemies, according to God’s permissive will. It also reflects the fulfillment of prophecies about the suffering Messiah (Isaiah 53). The power of darkness shows the spiritual forces at work behind the physical events of Jesus’ arrest. “Darkness” symbolizes evil, sin, and separation from God, contrasting with Jesus as the “light of the world” (Jn 8:12). The power of darkness refers to Satan’s influence and the spiritual battle between good and evil. This moment is a culmination of the conflict between Jesus and the forces of evil, as foretold in Genesis 3:15, where the serpent’s head would be crushed. Despite the apparent victory of darkness, it ultimately leads to Jesus’ triumph over sin and death through His resurrection. Halleluiah!

Jesus willingly submits to arrest, suffering and crucifixion. As the good Sheperd, He lays down His life for His sheep. He tells the people to arrest Him and let His disciples go away. His stepping forward shows His courage and willingness to face His destiny. His proactive approach is in great contrast with the disciples’ fear and confusion. This act fulfills His earlier declaration that no one takes His life from Him, but He lays it down of His own accord (Jn 10:18). It also reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament types, such as Isaac willingly carrying the wood for his own sacrifice (Gen 22:6). Jesus asked them: “Whom are you seeking?” By this question, Jesus takes control over the situation showing His authority even in the face of His arrest.

“Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground” (Jn 18:6). Jesus said: I AM! This is the name of Jehovah. It shows that Jesus is God. Suddenly, the 500 Roman soldiers, with their lanterns and weapons, who came to arrest Jesus, drew back and fell to the ground. This unplanned response shows the authority of Jesus’ words and His control over the situation, even as He submits to arrest. It was a moment when the light shone in the darkness. The soldiers thought that they came to arrest an ordinary man when they are confronted with God’s presence. The act of falling to the ground can be seen as a physical manifestation of reverence or fear in the presence of divine authority. In the Bible, falling to the ground is often associated with worship or recognition of God’s presence. This involuntary act by the arresting party shows the power of Jesus’ identity and the fulfillment of His mission, when “every knee will bow at the name of Jesus” (Phil 2:10). Lessons: Judas’ betrayal, though evil, is used by God to accomplish His redemptive plan. We find comfort in knowing that God can use even the darkest moments for His glory. Jesus’ calm and authoritative response in the face of arrest is an example for us to remain steadfast and courageous when facing trials and opposition. Never forget the power and the authority found in the name of Jesus! Worship the Lord!

JEHOVAH EL QANNA – THE JEALOUS GOD

In Hebrew, El Qanna means The Jealous God. The root idea in the Old Testament word ‘jealous’ is “to become intensely red or hot like fire”. It refers to anger, how rising emotion colors our face when we are angry, when someone very dear to us is threatened. God is zealous and eager to protect what is precious to Him. This jealousy compels God to pursue us relentlessly, no matter how hard we try to hide from Him.

“You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exo 20:3). This is the first of the Ten Commandments. God’s jealousy protects His relationship with His people. Idolatry is not just discouraged. It is completely forbidden. Worshipping idols, breaks the covenant relationship between God and His people. Idolatry always brings God’s judgment. “For you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Ex 34:14). This command was spoken on Mount Sinai as God renews the covenant after Israel’s sin of worshipping the golden calf. God insists that He alone must be worshipped. God does not accept any rival in His people’ hearts. God hates and always punishes idolatry. This is a manifestation of His Holiness. His jealousy guards what is rightfully His, our exclusive worship, because He alone is our Creator and Redeemer. The pagan nations worship many gods. Often, God’s people fell into the sin of idolatry. Each time that happened, God’s jealousy manifested as anger. He then punished His people. The name “Jealous” means that God is passionately committed to His covenant relationship with His people. He is faithful to them, and He expects the same from them. Selah!

“I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another” (Isa 42:8). God’s jealousy manifests as Protecting His Name and Reputation. God’s name reflects His character and must remain uncorrupted. God’s jealousy protects His glory, ensuring that worship centers on the One worthy of it. His glory and our good converge only as we worship Him with all our hearts. In Christ alone we find life, identity, joy, peace and purpose. God’s jealousy is part of His character. It is not like human jealousy, which is selfish, based on fear and insecurity. God’s jealousy is holy and righteous. It is a protective seal for His people and His glory, a manifestation of His uncompromising Holiness and Love. God knows that only in an intimate relationship with Him people can live in peace and prosperity, able to fulfill their destiny. At the same time, God’s jealousy is a warning to His people about the consequences of idolatry and unfaithfulness. Selah!

“Take heed to yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He made with you, and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of anything which the Lord your God has forbidden you. 24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deut 4:23,24). Divine jealousy defends His glory and our good simultaneously. The image of God as a consuming fire serves as a warning of the consequences of disobedience. While God’s consuming fire represents judgment, it also signifies His presence and protection. As believers, we are encouraged to live in obedience to God’s commandments, understanding that His discipline to the backslider is an expression of His love. God’s jealousy comforts us knowing that even when we go astray, He will not abandon us to the enemy. “God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; The Lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies” (Nahum 1:2). God’s vengeance is a response to injustice and sin. It assures us that God will ultimately right all wrongs, providing comfort to those who suffer under oppression. We are called to trust in God’s timing for justice. While we may not see immediate retribution, we can be assured that God will act according to His perfect plan. Understanding God’s character as avenging and wrathful should lead us to repentance and a renewed commitment to live in obedience to Him.

We are not perfect and no matter how hard we try, we can never be holy enough to come into God’s presence. That is why our God, El Qanna gave us Jesus. He died on the cross so that His blood could pay or atone for our sins. God did all this for us because He is jealous for you and me and provided a way for us to come into His Holy presence. Jesus Christ is Jehovah El Qanna. He loves His Bride with passionate love and calls for undivided loyalty from His followers. He said: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt 6:24). God demands exclusive worship because He alone is worthy. Idolatry is a betrayal of the covenant relationship with God. Just as God is faithful to His people, He calls us to be faithful in our relationship with Him, avoiding spiritual adultery. Idolatry can take many forms today, including materialism, career, relationships and self-focus. We must guard our hearts and prioritize God above all. Selah!

WHAT IS HUMAN JEALOUSY?

Jealousy is a complex emotion that involves feelings of anger toward another person. It arises from a perceived threat to a valued relationship, such as a partner giving attention to someone else. It is like envy, but not the same. Both jealousy and envy indicate that a person is covetous of something that another has. Jealousy involves the wish to keep what one already has. Envy wishes to get what one does not have. Jealousy refers more to relationships. Envy applies more to other things. Both Envy and jealousy manifest as anger, loneliness, inferiority complex, and bitterness regarding the circumstances of life. Jealousy manifests as fear of loss, suspicion or anger at perceived betrayal. Jealousy hinders spiritual growth by turning one’s focus away from God and onto the perceived success of another.

Distinguishing Godly Jealousy from Sinful Jealousy:

*God’s jealousy is motivated by love, righteousness, the desire to protect what is good. Human jealousy arises from fear of loss or pride.

*God’s jealousy is rooted in His perfect holiness. It is never stained by sin or selfishness. Human jealousy is destructive and manipulative.

*God’s jealousy desires exclusive worship and covenant faithfulness. Human jealousy arises when personal comfort or status is threatened.

Pagans also say that their gods demand loyalty and punish betrayal, but they lack the righteousness and covenant faithfulness found in the God of the Bible. God’s holy, loving jealousy stands out as unique among all religions.

In Nigeria, there is a form of spiritual oppression called “spirit husband” who attaches itself to a female, and “spirit wife” who attaches itself to a man. These are emotionally manipulative demons. They hinder marriages between a man and a woman. The conflict can end in divorce. They hinder financial breakthroughs. The victim experiences poverty, anger and depression for no good reasons. Deliverance is necessary for complete freedom.

Spiritual Ramifications of Human Jealousy:

*Jealousy Disrupts Fellowship. “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice” (Jam 3:16).

*Jealousy obstructs Prayer. We must forgive others when we stand praying (Mk 11:25) A heart corroded by jealousy struggles to pray well.

*Jealousy destroys health of body and mind. “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones” (PV 14:30)

*Jealousy hinders Spiritual Maturity. Jealousy keeps the focus on self instead of on Christ. It stops growth in grace, wisdom, and love.

Agape Love does not envy (1Cor 13:4), but it is very jealous of us! Faithfulness to God is expected from us! Selah!

PRIEST PHINEAS – EL QANNA’S AMBASSADOR

Read Numbers 25:1-18. This sad story happens just before entering the Promised Land. The Midianite and Moabite women invited the men of Isreal to come and serve their idols, and they seduced them sexually. In the pagan religions, sexual immorality is often connected with idolatry. Every temple had its own male and female prostitutes. The worshippers believed that by having sex with one of the temple’s priestess or servants, they become one with the idol who will then bless them. This is called “harlotry”. This act of spiritual adultery shows wicked ungratefulness in the hearts of Isreal’s men. God has just saved them from Balak, the king of Moab, who hired the false prophet Balaam to curse them to death. Thru sexual sin, Isreal now worships Baal of Peor, the main Canaanite pagan god of fertility. He was the controller of rain and thunder, therefore of agricultural harvests. They worshipped him with human sacrifices or temple sex. He was competing with Jehovah God in the hearts of God’s people. That provoked God to anger and jealousy and punished the people.

To this point in the whole story of the exodus, Israel has sinned in many ways. They grumbled, and complained, not being grateful for God’s generous provision. They worshipped Yahweh in a false way, claiming an image of a golden calf could represent Him. They sinned by their unbelief, refusing to trust God and His promise to enter the Promised Land. But before this, they had never openly worshiped another god. This was a sin of idolatry unlike any previously seen in the exodus. Enticing the people of Israel to idolatry through sexual relationships with pagan women was such a powerful temptation that even captured Solomon, Israel’s king famous for his wisdom (1 Kg 11:1-10).

“So, Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel”. The Lord’s anger is a manifestation of Him as El Qanna, the Jealous God. The false prophet Balaam tried to curse Israel and could not. Instead, by the inspiration of the LORD, Balaam blessed Israel and cursed her enemies. Yet now, at Baal of Peor, the blessings change into curses. God gets angry. He sends a plague and 24,000 of God’s people die. What the enemy could never accomplish against Israel, Israel did to itself by disobedience. The same principle works today. The mightiest attack of Satan against us can never do as much damage as our own sin and rebellion against the LORD. Satan’s violence and witchcraft can have no lasting influence on the believer; but if he can lead him into sin, he can experience untimely death.

God always judges sin, especially idolatry. It was a public judgment (Nu 25:4,5). The punishment was death by hanging. To Isreal, hanging is a terrible disgrace, a curse. God commands the leaders of each clan to identify the men who had sex with the Moabite women and worshipped Baal, and to kill them. It was a severe punishment because idolatry is a serious sin. When sin such as this is tolerated or even approved in a culture, it is a sure sign of destruction. The LORD, speaking through Moses, would not accept that sin. He commanded the community (the leaders and the people) to bring the offenders to be judged, to show they would not accept this kind of sin in their midst.

As Moses was rebuking the people, and the people were weeping and repenting before God, an Israelite man called Zimri brought a Midianite woman called Cozbi inside the camp. Zimri means Remembrance. Cozbi means Deception. Both were leaders in their respective families. They showed no sense of fear of God, no respect for Moses, no compassion for the many who were weeping and those hung for their sins. Hand in hand, in the presence of all, they went into his tent. Suddenly, Phineas, the grandson of Aaron, the High priest, took a javelin, entered the tent and with one stroke, he killed them together in the very act of fornication. When Zimri and Cozbi openly displayed their fornication, most people became frozen. But Phineas was a man of action. He acted boldly and punished them. He was jealous for God. His anger was a mirror of God’s anger and hatred against sin. The name “Phineas” means “mouth of brass” showing his courage to punish sin.

Phineas was a priest and a gate keeper. “And the Lord was with him” (1Chr 9:19,20).

One of the functions of the priests was to protect God’s presence in the tabernacle. Anyone who trespassed close to the tabernacle, was to be killed. This was to protect the holiness of the presence of God. Priest Phineas protected God’s presence and Name!

Once Phineas killed these two sinners, the plague stopped. But already 24,000 people died during the plague. We often think that one man cannot stop the waves of sin in a community. But God can use one man’s righteous response and passion to defend His name. This is the lesson we take from Phineas. “One with God is the majority” (John Knox). Phineas is a symbol of Christ. Thru death he killed death. But the difference is that Christ did not kill anyone to atone for men’s sin. As the Great High Priest, He willingly laid down His life to save sinners. In the eyes of men, Phineas could be seen as a murderer. But in the eyes of God, Phineas is a hero. God vindicates and honors him. It was not only Phineas’ obedience to the law that God noticed. It was especially the motive of his action. God said that Phineas was “zealous with My zeal among them”. This was a true identification with God as El Qanna. Phinehas was passionate about the things God was passionate about. In this situation, Phineas faithfully demonstrated the zeal of God against Israel’s unfaithfulness to their covenant with God. God promises him that he and his descendants will have an everlasting priesthood. God blessed Phineas with the promise that he would be the descendant of Aaron through whom the priesthood passed. The Blessings of Jehovah Shalom, God’s Peace, became his inheritance.

The resurrected Christ rebuked the Christians in Pergamum. He says: “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality” (Rev 2:14). Balaam loved money. When he could not curse Isreal because God was protecting them, he counselled Balak to send Midianite women to temp the Israelite men to sexual sins and worship of idols. Balaam said something like this to Balak: “I cannot curse these people. But you can get them to curse themselves by tempting them to rebel against their God. Send your most seducing girls among them. Tell them to tempt the men of Israel to fornication and idolatry.” It worked. Finally, Ballam got the money he wanted. He wanted to die well, like God’s people. He said: “May I die the death of the upright, And may my end be like his!” (Nu 23:10). He enjoyed his sinful money only for a short time. He ended up dead among the enemies of God, disgraced forever (Num 31:7-8). Selah!

With the death of the 24,000, the whole generation of the original rebellious people is gone. At last, God was now ready to take the new generation into the Promised Land. Finally, for seducing them to worship Baal, God commands Isreal to attack the Midianites. They totally defeated them in war. Many women were captured in war. God said that they should kill these women (Nu 31:15-18). Only the virgin women of Midian survived their defeat and were taken as wives by the Israelites.

Lessons from Phineas:

*Learn what God loves and what God hates. Phineas did what God could have done in that situation. Learn to please God and not man!

*Be courageous! Courage is the capacity to control fear and do something that is right, but it is difficult, dangerous and unpleasant.

*Be zealous for God! Zeal is a strong emotion, passion, and enthusiasm that leads to action.

*The javelin that Phineas used is a symbol of The Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Eph 6:17). Fight lies with the Truth!

*God responds with Mercy and heals the nation once sin is destroyed in the land!

*God rewards courage and zeal for His name with peace and spiritual blessings upon your descendants! Amen! Worship the Lord!

JEHOVAH M’KADDESH – THE LORD WHO SANCTIFIES YOU

In Hebrew, Jehovah M’Kaddesh means God is my Sanctifier. There is a progression in the revelation of God’s names, according to the people’s needs. God manifested Himself as their Healer, Provider and Protector. Now, the time has come for Him to reveal Himself as their Sanctifier, the one who makes them holy, as He is Holy.  “Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. 8 And you shall keep My statutes and perform them: I am the Lord who sanctifies you (Jehovah M’Kadesh) (Leviticus 20:7,8). To consecrate it means to be set apart for God’s service, to be sanctified, to be made holy like God. Consecration is God’s command. In the Old Testament, consecration involved ritual purification and strict obedience to God’s Laws. Holiness means to be spiritually and morally pure, to have a clean conscience before God and man, being set apart for God’s purposes. To be morally pure means to live right, to always be honest, to keep your promises and to be sexually pure, in the body and in your heart. Holiness applies to both the individual believer and to the entire community. Our holiness is rooted in God’s holiness. We are called to be holy because He is holy. It is the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live holy lives, evident in our thoughts, words, actions and relationships. It involves making choices that honor God by aligning with His Word. Through their pure worship and godly lifestyle, God’s people distinguish themselves from other nations who worship idols. God calls believers to Himself to share in His holiness. They respond by a total surrender, with fear of God, with humility and love for God. Selah!

“Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty” (Isa 6:3). God is Holy! The holiness of God refers to His absolute moral purity and the absolute moral distance between God and men. God’s Holiness is both beautiful and dangerous. It is a reminder that sinful men are not holy. God is separated from us. He hates and punishes sin. God’s holiness manifested openly on the Cross when Christ died on behalf of sinners. The only way to react to God’s holiness is to prostrate before God and worship Him. God’s Spirit is called “The HOLY Spirit”. He is the only One who can produce holiness in us, believers in Christ. Outside the influence of the Holy Spirit, sin has dominion over all men. The Tabernacle and all the religious rituals are fulfilled in Christ. Worship is now done in Spirit and in Truth (Jn 4:23). Consecration is done not just outwardly, by anointing with olive oil, but by having a clean conscience, and living a life pleasing to God, according to His Word. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we daily apply the teachings of Christ in our behavior, attitude, and purpose in life. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Ultimate Example of sanctification. He prayed: “For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth” (Jn 17:19). Although sinless, He set Himself apart to accomplish the Father’s will and made it possible for believers to be fully consecrated as a holy priesthood. We are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession” (1Pet 2:9). Glory to God!

God commands His people to be holy as He is Holy. That is the revelation of Jehovah M’Kaddesh. “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy” (Lev 19:2). “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1Pet 1:15,16). God did not command us to be strong like He is strong or to be glorious as He is glorious. In both the Old and the New Testament God commands His people to be holy as He is holy. Holiness is central to the identity of Israel as God’s chosen people, set apart for God’s purposes, reflecting His character in their lives and doing His will. As God’s people, we are called to reflect His holy character in our daily lives, by living according to His Word. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live holy lives. We must hate sin, especially sexual immorality. Holiness manifests in our thoughts, actions and relationships.  

SPIRITUAL ADULTERY

Spiritual adultery is unfaithfulness to God. It is loving and constantly desiring the things of the world. Spiritual adultery is like unfaithfulness in marriage. “But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you, Israel, have been unfaithful to me,” … But like a wife who betrays her husband, so you, nation of Israel, betrayed Me, declares the LORD” (Jer 3:20, NIV, GWT). The LORD (Jehovah) is the covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is portrayed as a faithful husband to His people. Just as marital unfaithfulness breaks a sacred bond, spiritual adultery severs our relationship with God. We must guard against worldliness. In the Old Testament, spiritual adultery happens when God’s people knowingly eat food dedicated to idols as a form of worship or having sex with temple prostitutes. Thru food and sex, demons pass from one body to another. “They joined themselves also to Baal of Peor, And ate sacrifices made to the dead. 29 Thus they provoked Him to anger with their deeds, And the plague broke out among them… But they mingled with the Gentiles and learned their works; 36 They served their idols, Which became a snare to them… Thus, they were defiled by their own works And played the harlot by their own deeds” (Ps 106:28,29, 35,36, 39). Despite Israel’s betrayal, God remains faithful. His covenant love is steadfast, offering hope and restoration to those who return to Him. We are called to recognize our unfaithfulness and sincerely repent, trusting in His mercy and grace. Our relationship with God is a covenant, much like a marriage. We are called to be faithful, honoring our commitment to Him above all else. As believers, we are the bride of Christ. We must live in purity and devotion, preparing for the ultimate union with our Savior.

SPRIITUAL ADULTERY IS REBELLION AGAINST GOD

“How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers. 22 Your silver has become dross. Your wine mixed with water. 23 Your princes are rebellious, And companions of thieves; Everyone loves bribes and follows after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, Nor does the cause of the widow come before them. 24 Therefore the Lord says, The Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, “Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries and take vengeance on My enemies. 25 I will turn My hand against you, And thoroughly purge away your dross, And take away all your alloy. 26 I will restore your judges as at first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” 27 Zion shall be redeemed with justice, And her repentant ones with righteousness” (Isa 1:21-27)

The city of Jerusalem, also called Zion, was once devoted to God It was originally established as a city where justice and righteousness were upheld, reflecting God’s character and law. The leaders and the people lived according to God’s law and God blessed His people. King David and Solomon’s reigns are high points of justice in Israel’s history. The city was meant to be a lighthouse of God’s justice to the nations. “Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isa2:3). The imagery of harlotry in the Bible describes spiritual unfaithfulness. Jerusalem’s idolatry manifests as people serving the idols found in the Promised Land. Also, Jerusalem made political alliances with pagan nations like Assyria and Egypt. Spiritual adultery leads to violence in the land and bloodshed. The shedding of innocent blood (including abortion) is a grave sin, and it leads to God’s judgment. Lessons: Remaining faithful to God requires constant vigilance and commitment, resisting the temptations that lead us away from Him.

In biblical times, silver was a valuable metal, often used as currency and a symbol of wealth and purity. Silver becoming dross signifies a loss of value and purity. Dross is the waste material that is separated from metals during the refining process. This describes the moral and spiritual decay of the people of Judah. God speaks of Israel as dross in the midst of a furnace, indicating judgment and purification. This reflects the need for repentance and a return to God’s standards. Wine in ancient Israel was a symbol of joy, blessing, and abundance. Diluting wine with water reduced its quality and strength. This is a metaphor for the people’s compromised worship and moral standards, as they mixed true devotion to God with idolatry and injustice. Lessons: our spiritual lives can become corrupted by sin and compromise. We must seek God’s refining fire to purify our hearts. True faith, like pure silver, holds great value. We should strive for faith that is genuine and untainted by worldliness, hypocrisy or superficiality. This requires self-examination and a willingness to let God remove the impurities.

“Your princes are rebellious!” Spiritual adultery manifests as moral corruption and rebellion in Leadership. This shows a deliberate turning away from God’s commands and authority. Kings, princes and leaders were supposed to uphold God’s law and lead the people in righteousness. The rebellion seen in leaders manifests as making friends with thieves, wicked and ungodly people, as taking bribes to pervert justice for personal gain ignoring justice and truth. Corrupt leadership is major danger to any nation, church or family. Lessons: As Christians, we are called to pray for our leaders and hold them accountable to God’s standards of justice and righteousness. God’s heart is with the weak, the vulnerable, the poor, the fatherless and the widow. We must reject bribes or anything that damages our consciences!

Jehovah God, the Lord of Hosts, the God of the heavenly armies, the Mighty One of Isreal, gives His judgment! God is sovereign. He has the supreme authority and power to execute judgment on sinners. God vows to destroy His external and internal enemies. He refers to the pagan nations and even His people who have corrupted themselves with idols. God is patient but when rebellion persists, without any desire of repentance, God judges the sinners. This judgment shows God’s justice and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. It points to the redemptive work of Christ, who through His sacrifice, defeated sin and death, avenging the wrongs against God’s holiness. Lessons: God is the ultimate authority over all creation. His plans prevail despite human opposition. His patience has a limit. God never loses a battle. God is just and will address wrongdoing in His perfect timing. Do not avenge yourself. Trust God to do it in His time, according to His wisdom.

“I will restore your judges as at first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” God promises restoration to a state of righteousness and justice. This promise gives hope and encouragement to all who suffer and are oppressed. The Judges are leaders who were responsible for maintaining justice and order in Israel. They were appointed by God to lead and guide the people, as seen in the Book of Judges. The counselors were advisors who provided wisdom and guidance to the leaders and the people of Israel. Lessons: there is need for wise and godly leaders in our communities and churches today. We should pray for and support leaders who seek God’s wisdom. Being called a “Faithful City” implies living in a way that reflects God’s character. We are called to be faithful in our personal and communal lives, influencing the world around us. Despite the harsh judgment, God’s call to repentance offers hope for restoration. We should seek God’s forgiveness and strive to return to His ways for revival to come! Amen!

DANIEL’S PURPOSE

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore, he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself” (Dan 1:8). Daniel was a young Jewish man of noble birth who was carried in exile to Babylon. Daniel never returned to his homeland. He served Jehovah God faithfully in Babylon under four different kings. This is the story: the prophet Jeremiah warned God’s people to repent from serving idols and they should go back to God. But they refused. God judged them. He allowed the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar to conquer Jerusalem in 605 BC. He carried to Babylon all the dedicated objects from the temple in Jerusalem. Many Jewish people were killed, and some were taking captive to Babylon. It was a sad situation for God’s people. God promised thru Jeremiah that after 70 years of exile, they will come back to Isreal.

The best of the young Jewish young men were kept working for the king. The Babylonians brainwashed them to fit into their culture and to forget their native country and their God. They did that in three ways: They forced them to quickly learn the Babylonian language. They studied the history of Babylon to admire how great Babylon is. Their names were changed from Jewish to Babylonian names. For example, Daniel (in Hebrew, “God is Judge”) was now called Belteshazzar (meaning “Bel protects his life”). The Jewish names reflected the character of Jehovah. Now, the names speak for Bel and other Babylonian idols. Finally, these young men were fed with royal delicacies and meat offered to the idols of Babylon. Eating food dedicated to idols was to spiritually connect them with the idols. Outwardly, everything around Daniel has changed to become a Babylonian. To continue to stay faithful to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in Babylon, was a miracle.

This is God’s command to His people. Daniel knew it and choose to obey it! “Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I am driving out from before you the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. 12 Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst. 13 But you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images 14 (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), 15 lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they play the harlot with their gods and make sacrifice to their gods, and one of them invites you and you eat of his sacrifice, 16 and you take of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters play the harlot with their gods and make your sons play the harlot with their gods” (Exo 34:11-16). Selah!

For example, if you buy a bottle of juice and the seal is broken, you cannot drink it. It will cause sickness which is more difficult to treat than the pleasure of drinking juice. Daniel was concerned about contamination too, not of his body, but of his soul. Daniel loved and admired God’s Holiness. He wanted to be holy as God is holy. The meat given to them was appetizing, but that meat could poison his soul. God helped Daniel and he cooperated with God to stay faithful to the end. All these Babylonian techniques of brainwashing couldn’t change his heart. Why? Because “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the royal food and wine” (Dan 1:8). Daniel and his friends were about 15-20 years old. They were not vegetarians. But they were concerned that the meat and the wine were offered to Babylonian idols. That is why Daniel asked the chief officer if they could abstain from eating meat and drinking wine. These young men were polite and humble. They were not proud. They did not do hunger strike, did not make noise or insult the king. They surely prayed, used wisdom and they got their request. Daniel and his friends ate only vegetables and water for 10 days. At the end of this test, they look healthier than those who ate meat and drank the royal wine. Thru faith in God, Daniel won the battle to keep his moral purity.

LESSONS FROM DANIEL

Babylon is a type of the World’s system. The devil is the ruler of the world. The first test Daniel had to pass was to overcome worldliness. Later, he successfully stood during persecution. The world likes to mold us into its ways through isolation, education, identification and nutrition. It tries to educate us in all the ways of its kingdom so that we will think like everyone else does. The world wants us to forget God and to worship money and fame. The love of money becomes our identity and purpose in life. Most schools ignore God. The teachers tell their students that science is more important than faith in God. The world tries to feed us with a desire for a life of material luxury and no spirituality. Daniel was able to resist this Babylonian brain washing and stay true to God because he had a godly fear of God and trusted God during temptation. Lesson: If you cannot defeat the world system in your heart, you will fall during persecution. Purify your heart!

The world wants to change us. There is pressure to conform to the world system. If you don’t make up your mind to be pure in your heart, you will be corrupted by the world system. Daniel’s request to the chief official shows the courage needed to stand faithfully in difficult environments. Daniel’s integrity and respectful approach gained him favor, showing how living out your faith positively influences others. Wisdom and humility are the principal things to gain favor with men. To please God is more than food! The best food in the world cannot sustain your body better than God’s presence with peace and joy. Daniel’s story shows that when we honor God, He provides and protects. We also see that Daniel’s friends agreed with him to stand morally pure. It is important to have godly friends! Commitment to holiness is never easy. There is always a risk. The world does not appreciate you trying to be clean, better, or to be pure in the heart. The world did not, could not, understand Jesus. We must be like Jesus. Many Christians have lost the battle to keep their holiness because of their jobs and businesses. They just could not pay the price to be pure in a polluted world. Daniel purposed in his heart to stay holy. If you do not have a purpose, you will fall during temptations. Moral purity is spiritual protection. If you commit one sin, that sin will weaken you and you will commit another. But holiness protects your heart for the battles ahead. Daniel lived a long and successful life in the land of strangers. He was about 100 years old when he died. It is possible that he was castrated and became a eunuch to serve the King. That means Daniel never got married or had children. But he influenced many generations of believers, even us who read his book. Glory!

Daniel was taken as prisoner to Babylon. He lived there all his life. His body was in Babylon, but his heart was always with Jerusalem. There is no negative thing said about Daniel. He purposed in his heart to stay pure before God. Faithfulness is not exercised in big things. It is practiced in little things, mostly secretly. Most of the time, our usefulness in God’s Kingdom depends on one radical decision we have made privately, far from the eyes of the crowd. By choosing to keep pure in his heart, young Daniel has gotten a foothold of advantage in the kingdom of darkness. That foothold continued to increase with time. Daniel was humble. God rewards faithfulness and humility. Faithfulness and not wealth or fame is what matters in the Kingdom of God! Daniel was a hero of faith. Daniel chapter one is not written by mistake. God wants us to see that the exploits of Daniel and his friends were not accidental. Present exploits cannot happen without past faithfulness. Babylon is a symbol of the World, whose ruler is Satan. Jerusalem is a symbol of the Kingdom of God whose ruler is Jesus Christ. These two cities are always opposed. Jesus said: “You cannot serve God and Mammon”(Matt 6:24). At that time, Babylon defeated Jerusalem. This is a picture of the Cross, when the Son of God died on behalf of sinners. Question: in what city do you live? 

THE REWARDS OF HOLINESS AND MORAL PURITY
*You become a powerful witness to the Holy God. Your clear conscience makes you strong and courageous. It also strengthens your faith. Daniel stood alone in the den of lions and survived. His three friends came out from the fiery furnace unharmed. The testimony of Daniel touched many people. Among them were two great kings: Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus, who in turn changed history.

*You live in divine health. Moral purity leads to physical and mental health. Daniel looked healthier than those who ate Babylon’s delicacies

*Personal Holiness builds an intimate relationship with God. God will help you every step of the way. He does not expect you to become holy without Him. He gives you power by His Spirit. Our Holiness gives glory to God!

*You live a legacy of honor to your children and descendants. You have the rare privilege to become a mentor to many. You have the personal satisfaction that you have runed the race well, and without regrets. You have pleased God to the end! Worship the Lord!

JEHOVAH RAPHA – THE LORD WHO HEALS

God introduces Himself as Jehovah Rapha, meaning “The Lord who heals” (Exo 15:22-27). Healing means freedom from injury or sickness It means restoration to health or being made whole. Sickness means to be unwell or weak, in body or in mind. God has power to prevent, heal, restore and make whole. Healing is a sign of God’s power and mercy. God’s personal name Jehovah means “I Am that I Am”, His covenant keeping name. In Hebrew, the Word “Rapha” means to heal, to cure, or to repair a wound, stich by stich. It also means Physician or Doctor. These are God’s promises: “I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you!”. God rewards our obedience with His blessings and punishes disobedience with His curses (Read Deuteronomy 28). God refers to the ten plagues when He punished the pride, disobedience and idolatry of Egypt. The 6th plague refers directly to sickness. God told Moses to take ashes and throw them in the air (Exo 9:8-12). These ashes will touch the bodies of all the Egyptians. They will produce painful inflamed boils that make the priests unclean. The magicians could not stand to perform their duties. Lessons: Repent of pride, disobedience and practicing idolatry. Spiritual sickness isolates the patient, making him unable to perform his duties or go to work! Selah!

GOD MAY PUNISH SIN WITH SICKNESS

“Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel… And God was displeased with this thing; therefore, He struck Israel… “ (1Chr 21:1-15). Satan, also called the Accuser or Adversary, moves King David to count the people of Isreal. In Hebrew, the word “moves” means to incite, to stimulate or to seduce. King David became proud. To have a census was not wrong, but behind the counting of men there was pride, the desire to trust man’s military strength and not God. Even committed people like David can fall into sin. God judges David’s sin. But David’s repentance releases God’s mercy. God tells David to choose for himself the manner of the punishment. This choice is a sign of God’s mercy. God gave David three options: 3 years of famine (like the famine during the time of Joseph); 3 months of being defeated by his enemies (a national disgrace); or 3 days of sickness (the sword of the Lord will come upon the land and bring a plague). David chooses the third option saying that the Lord’s sword is better than the enemy’s sword. As the Angel of the Lord stood above Jerusalem to destroy it, God stopped the plague, but 70,000 men of Isreal got sick and died. Sin has serious consequences!!!

Lessons: Satan actively seeks to lead God’s people astray. Be watchful against pride! Humble yourself and be quick to repent. Trust in God and not in your wisdom, money or strength. The sins of the leaders (parents) can affect the followers (children). God’s anger is not random. It reveals the depth of His holiness, the seriousness of sin, confronts disobedience and humbles the people. Yet discipline is never the end goal. God’s intervention to stop the plague shows that mercy triumphs over judgment. David’s repentance is central. When he sees the devastation, he humbles himself, confesses his sin, pleads for the people, and prepare a sacrificial offering to God. This is the principle that God’s wrath and mercy meet during true repentance. God’s Mercy shows His compassion, steadfast love, and an active desire to spare the repentant. Sin, even among those chosen and anointed, can provoke divine discipline. Yet no failure, however serious, places us beyond God’s mercy when we genuinely repent. God desires to maintain covenant fellowship with His people. Sin disrupts that fellowship but does not stop His mercy and healing. We must trust God even when He disciplines us. Trust in the mercy that always follows true repentance.

JESUS CHRIST IS JEHOVAH RAPHA

Our Lord Jesus Christ is the ultimate source of salvation, healing, and restoration. His suffering and death on the Cross addresses not only sin but also all human suffering. Christ preached the Gospel and healed many who suffered spiritually or physically. “Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness” (Matt9:35). As the King of His Kingdom, Jesus healed spiritual and physical sicknesses and addressed social needs. Jesus healed the sick as Man, not as God. He healed the blind, paralytics, leprous and those possessed by evil spirits. Isaiah shows the healing power of the coming Messiah. “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing]; The punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him, And by His stripes (wounds) we are healed” (Isa 53:5;AMP). “He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been healed” (1Pet 2:24; AMP). Jesus is the Messiah Isreal was looking for. Jesus Christ is Jehovah Rapha. Christ willingly carried our sins in His Body, on the tree. Christ became a curse (Deut 21:23; Gal 3:13), so that we are saved. The Cross is central to Christian faith, symbolizing both the cost of sin and the gift of salvation. The Cross was real and painful! The purpose of the Cross is not only to be saved from the penalty of sin, but that by the power of the Holy Spirit, to become sanctified, holy like God. We die to sin and live for righteousness, no honor our Savior and King!

“By His stripes (wounds) we are healed (Isa 53:5; 1Pet 2:24). Christ’s suffering was also for the healing of believers. “Stripes” refers to the physical wounds inflicted on Jesus during His scourging, a common Roman practice before crucifixion. It fulfills the prophecy of the suffering servant. The word “healed” is both physically and spiritually, indicating the complete nature of salvation. This healing is a present reality and a future hope, pointing to the final restoration in the new creation. “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev 21:4). Like a loving caring Father, God will personally wipe away all our tears. In the new creation, all the effects of sin are removed. Lessons: we must trust God for the promised healing that will manifest either now, or in the future The present suffering is temporary, but God’s joy is eternal!

THE MIRACLES OF JESUS

A miracle of God is an extraordinary or supernatural event that reveals a specific message through a mighty work. All the miracles Jesus did were to glorify God, help people, and prove that He was indeed who He said He was—the Son of God. At times, Jesus refused to perform miracles because they did not fall into one of these three categories: “When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So, he questioned him at some length, but he made no answer” (Lk 23:8–9). None of Jesus’ miracles were performed randomly, for entertainment or show. A message accompanied each miracle. Unbelief is a great hindrance. “Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matt 13:58). Faith is a great asset. “Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mk 9:23). Thru His miracles, Jesus proved His total authority over nature, demons, life and death. The four Gospels record 37 miracles of Jesus. Every miracle of Jesus had a specific purpose in God’s plan of salvation for humankind. Not all Jesus’ miracles are recorded in the Bible (Jn 21:25). Selah!

Sometimes, when performing miracles, Jesus called on God the Father. At other times, He acted on His own authority, revealing His own divinity. These supernatural acts of power drew people to Jesus, opening their hearts to the message of salvation, and caused many to glorify God. They demonstrated Christ’s absolute authority over creation and His limitless compassion and Love! The miracles of Jesus were intended to testify to His person, to His teachings, to generate wonder and to inspire faith in Him. Jesus could change the ordinary into the extraordinary. For example, Jesus multiplied few loaves of bread and some fishes to feed thousands. Jesus proved to be the Great Provider, who supplies food to those who are spiritually and physically hungry. Jesus healed many who were sick with incurable diseases like leprosy, and blindness. He healed the people’s bodies and souls. One of the greatest miracles was raising the dead. Jesus proved to have authority over death itself. This gives great hope to all who believe that Jesus brought eternal Life. The miracles are an invitation to come to Jesus, to listen to His words and to be changed. The miracles were performed in public. Time cannot delete the impact the miracles of Jesus have on mankind. Lessons: We must pray and have faith 100% that Jesus saves and heals us. Our lives must honor and glorify Jesus!

THE WOMAN WITH A BLOOD ISSUE (Mark 5:25-34)

This is a story of faith and hope for all who struggle with chronic issues. This unnamed woman can be anyone who has suffered for a long time. Luke, a doctor himself, tells us that she was bleeding (from her private parts) for 12 years. Looking for healing, she has spent all her money on Doctors but grew worse. She is now sick, weak, poor and desperate. Under the Levitical Law, a woman is unclean for as long as she bleeds. Whoever she touches would be considered unclean (Lev. 15:19-33). Bleeding is a symbol of death. An unclean person cannot go to the temple to worship God in public. This woman cannot marry and cannot have children. It was a very isolating and depressing life. This woman had twelve years of no hugs, no kisses, no handshakes, or shared meals. She couldn’t go out in public, couldn’t get together with other women to draw water from the well, and couldn’t go out to worship at the temple. Twelve years without human contact can affect anyone’s emotional state. Without exception, prolonged physical illness affects everyone physically, mentally, and spiritually. Patients with chronic sicknesses experience mood swings, anxiety and depression. They grieve the loss of their formerly good health. Sickness changes your appearance. You lose or gain weight. You look old. It affects your self-confidence. Because of pain and fatigue, you may have to change your job. That affects your finances. You withdraw from friends. It affects your families.

This sick woman was part of the crowd following Jesus. Faith made her a hero. She came from behind Jesus and touched the border of His garment. Immediately, her blood flow stopped. She said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” She felt in her body that she was healed. Jesus felt power leaving Him and searched for her who touched Him. She came and testified how she was immediately healed. These are the three steps that led to her healing: 1-She heard about Jesus and faith came. 2-she had faith that Jesus is Jehovah Rapha! 3-She had faith that Jesus can heal even her!!! Faith led her to action. She took the risk of entering the crowd as unclean. She could be stoned to death. But as clean, she will live. Her miracle saved her and healed her. Jesus became her Healer and her Savior!

Lessons: Chronic illness is a prolonged spiritual battle. God hears us and answers the moment we pray. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have a spiritual battle to endure, learn, and grow from. Satan attacks not just your body, but especially your mind. He sends arrows of fear, doubt, inferiority complex, and confusion. He tries to convince you that God is too far from you, that He is too busy to have time for you, that you have sinned too much and you are not worthy to receive a miracle. He will magnify the sickness in your mind so that you become focused on it and forget God, the Bible, prayer and church attendance. You get confused. Your medical doctor becomes pastor and your pastor fades from your mind. Each one has his own path to walk. Not two spiritual battles are the same. You may feel isolated and lonely.  

These two characteristics describe this woman: Faith in God and persistence in seeking for healing. Chronic suffering requires “chronic” Faith! Selah! This woman spent 12 years going from doctor to doctor. She did not find the healing and she spent all her money on the doctors. She did not stop trying to look for an answer even when there were no results. This woman had true faith. God saw her as seeking Him and rewarded her. She somehow heard about Jesus, how He healed people. Faith comes by hearing God’s Word. How did she hear the Word of God? Jewish parents were commanded to teach God’s Word to their children. Maybe her parents taught her as a child. Or maybe she heard it from others. But she knew about God. When she now heard about Jesus, somehow, she identified Jesus as Jehovah Rapha. Surely, The Holy Spirit did His special work in her heart. One thing is clear: she now believed that Jesus is her Healer. She knew that no man could help! Only Jesus! That is faith!

Her healing was complete. Jesus made her whole. Just as chronic illness affects us physically, mentally, and spiritually, she must be healed in all three areas as well. This is called complete or whole healing. Physically, she suddenly felt well. But Jesus completed the healing. Her scars of shame and inferiority complex were still in her. This woman has not touched and was not touched for 12 years. That is why, even as a healed woman, she was still afraid of people and was hiding in the crowd. She still had emotional wounds only God could see. Jesus did not want her to go away half healed. She was physically healed, but emotionally, the wound was still there. To complete her healing, Jesus calls her Daughter! This is Agape Love in action. He said to her: “Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace” (Lk 8:48; KJ). She was not just cured. She was not just healed, but she was made “whole”! To be made whole it means to be healed spiritually and physically. It is a total restoration of mind, body, and spirit. It is a call for the man to allow the rejuvenating waves of divine grace to permeate every aspect of his being. True wholeness is found in Christ, who can heal both our visible and hidden wounds. Today, Jesus offers us the same wholeness, inviting us to experience ultimate life in Him.

Lessons: God’s grace is more than we can imagine. When three factors converge (Desperate need + Persistent Faith + God’s Power) the miracle happens! Healing does not come from religion. It comes from an encounter, a touch of Jesus. Seek healing until you find it. Faith in God (Jesus) is the Key! Overcome all barriers against the miracle. Once healed, testify publicly how Jesus has healed you! We like to think that because we pray, we will be immediately healed. But that isn’t always the case. God alone determines the how, the when, and the why of our healing. As our creator, He is sovereign. We must surrender our lives to Jesus Christ and worship Him! Serve Him! Study His Word! Pray without ceasing! Attend church services! Have 100% faith that God hears and answers prayers! One day, when we least expect it, even today, the miracle shall come! God’s desire for us goes beyond surface-level healings. His love, grace, and mercy touch our emotional scars, offering healing for our broken hearts and power to forgive those who have hurt us. In pursuit of wholeness, we must first acknowledge our need to be healed by the hands of God, who is the only One who can fix what is broken. Do we want Jesus to make us whole? Are we ready to release the grip of our wounds and allow Him to mend our brokenness? Are we willing to entrust our brokenness to Jesus? Trust Jesus! He is calling: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28).  “He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Ps 107:20,21). Worship the Lord!

ADONAI – THE OWNER AND MASTER OF SLAVES

“After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” 2 But Abram said, “Lord God (Adonai Jehovah), what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” 5 Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6 And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Gen 15:1-6).

We have studied three of the names of God: Elohim (God), the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe; Jehovah (LORD), the masculine side of God, the God of personal covenant; El Shaddai (Almighty God), the feminine side of God, All-sufficient God of overflow. Each of these names show a side of God’s character. We shall now study God’s name Adonai. In the Bible it is written as The Lord (in small letters, with only the first in capital). The word Adonai means Owner, Sovereign Ruler and Master (of slaves). Like Elohim, the word “Adonai” is in plural (The Lords). It is a revelation of Trinity. The title Master does not mean oppression but reveals God as totally responsible for all who depend on Him (the slaves). This name requires not only worship but total obedience to His commands and dedication in serving God. The name Adonai as God appears about 300 times in the Bible. The same word Adonai applies to men who are wealthy and leaders. It is translated “Master”. For example, Eliezer prayed to God and called Abraham My master (My Adonai). “Then he said, “O Lord God of my master (My Adonai) Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master (My Adonai) Abraham” (Gen 24:12).

“After these things…” refers to the events in Genesis 14, where Abram rescues Lot and encounters Melchizedek. The context is significant as it sets the stage for God’s covenant with Abram. The Word of the LORD (Jehovah) came to Abram in a vision. This is a supernatural revelation, showing that God communicates directly with Abram, who is a type of a born-again believer in Christ. God commands Abram: “Do not be afraid!”.  Fear is a strong unpleasant emotion in the presence of danger. Fear is stronger during or after war. God encourages Abram’s potential fears about retaliation or uncertainty about his future. Abram rejected the wealth offered by the King of Sodom. That may cause regrets and fears of poverty. But God commands him to fear not. He will protect and provide for him. God is telling Abram not to look for children, lands or material possessions. He should desire a personal relationship with God, which is the greatest treasure and reward. Lesson: We reject the fear of the future! Our prosperity and protection are from God Himself.

Abram addresses God as “Lord God”. In Hebrew, it means Adonai Jehovah! God’s name Adonai means that God is the Owner of all people. He is the Master of slaves. This title does not show God as a tyrant but as the Sovereign Ruler over all. Adonai is responsible for the lives and death of all His slaves. To be a slave under Adonai is a privilege. In Israel at that time, a purchased slave was in a better position than a hired servant. The servant could come and go. He was not settled. But the purchased slave was the property of the master who decided how and where he should live, safe and secure in his master’s house. Adonai implies total ownership. He demands total surrender and submission. Adonai punishes rebellion. The two names Adonai Jehovah combines the name Master with God’s personal name. It shows that Abram addresses God with surrender, humility, and respect in a personal intimate relationship with God. Abram recognizes God’s authority and Love to him. At that time, a son was very important to continue the legacy of the father. Abram believed God’s promises, but he needs clarity how to adjust his faith to the present circumstances, as a man without a son. There is conflict between the faith in God’s promises and the present reality of childlessness. Abram suggests Eliezer of Damascus as a potential heir. In ancient times, if a man had no children, he could adopt a good faithful servant to be his heir. Later, Abram suggests Ishmael. But God rejects both and confirms the promise that Abram and Sarai will have a son at their old age. God kept his promise, and Isaac was born when Abram was 100 and Sarai was 90. Lessons: Abram’s question to God shows that even the faithful can experience doubt. Bring all our concerns to God in prayer, trusting in His promises. Abram’s situation teaches us the importance of waiting on God’s timing. His promises may not be fulfilled immediately but, they are sure. As Abram wanted a son to continue his legacy, we must desire spiritual fruit to continue our own legacies.

God’s name is His weapon of War. God’s name is to be hallowed! Adonai promises Abraham that He will personally protect Him to live long enough to “enjoy his reward, his harvest”. Adonai destroys the fear of untimely death. Adonai is sovereign! “Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand” (Deut. 32:39). Here God speaks as Adonai. He is the only God. Judaism is a monotheistic religion. God has total power over life and death. He is sovereign over His creation. Death means Judgment and life means Mercy. The power of Life and death is ultimately fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins and resurrected on the third Day. He conquered death and gave us eternal Life. Adonai wounds and heals. He disciplines His people and restores them back to health. God manifests His redemption purpose even in judgement. God promises that none can deliver from His hand. It means that there is no power in the universe that can stop His will or stop His judgment. No rebellious person can avoid God’s judgment. At the same time, no one can snatch a faithful believer from His Hand. He is totally protected. Nothing separates us from His Love. Adonai is sovereign over all! God is sovereign over life and death. In times of suffering or illness, seek His healing and trust in His wisdom. Trust God’s plans and purposes in total obedience, with devotion and worship of the only living God.

God brought Abram outside from his tent. This is a change of perspective, from the limitation of man-made tent to the expanse of the open sky. There is a shift from a limited human understanding to the limitless faith to trust God’s great promises. God tells Abram: Look now toward heaven! Looking to the night sky, with the many stars, God reveals His glory to Abram. “The heavens declare the glory of God;

And the firmament shows His handiwork” (Ps 19:1). God wants Abram to remove his attention from man-made things and gaze at the glory of God, to see the invisible things. Abram must increase his faith to trust the promises of God. God tells Abram to count the stars because they represent his uncountable descendants. The impossibility of counting the stars shows the miraculous nature of God’s promise. Abram becomes the father of many descendants including the Nation of Isreal and all believers in Christ, who are Abram’s children by faith. Lessons: The imagery of the stars reminds us of God’s sovereignty and power. Abram’s story teaches us to trust in God’s promises, even when circumstances seem impossible. Our faith should rest in God’s faithfulness, not in our understanding. God’s promises often require patience. Abram had to wait many years to see the fulfillment of God’s promise. We must learn to trust God’s timing, which is perfect.

Abraham believed God and it counted to him as righteousness. Abram’s faith is significant because it is not based on visible evidence and occurs before the fulfillment of these promises, demonstrating trust in God’s pure word. The term “credited” is an accounting term, indicating that something is reckoned or counted. This concept of crediting righteousness is important in understanding the doctrine of justification by faith, which is a foundation of Christian theology. It suggests that righteousness is not earned by works but is granted by God through faith in Christ. True faith involves trust and reliance on God’s promises and is the pattern of saving faith in Christ!

“A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts To you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?” (Mal1:6). The servants and slaves must honor and respect their Master. This respect is a token of our deep respect towards God, Adonai, who is our Father and Master. God charges His people and the priests telling them that they do not respect Him. This is a sin. It shows that God’s people do not fear God, do not love God. They ignore God’s Word. God speaks here as The Lord of Hosts, the God of the heavenly armies, who has the authority and right to judge all offenders. The priests were the spiritual leaders in Isreal. It was their duty to stand before God and the people, to lead them to worship God. But they despised God’s name, breaking of the third Commandment. They even challenge God saying: “In what way have we despised Your Name?” They were preaching God’s Word but were totally ignorant of their sins and of God’s expectations. Lessons: God deserves honor and reverence as our Father and Master. Spiritual leaders are held to a higher standard of honoring God. Search your heart! Do you truly reverence and fear God or your prayers and worship are mere routine religious acts?

In Ancient Isreal, the relationship between Master and his slave was a close one. The Master was totally responsible for the care of his slave. He was obligated to feed, cure sickness, and help his slave. The male slave was circumcised by his master and could eat from the Passover meal. It was not the same with the hired men who were paid for their work and were not counted as members of the family. “And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the ordinance of the Passover: No foreigner shall eat it. 44 But every man’s servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then he may eat it. 45 A sojourner and a hired servant shall not eat it” (Exo 12:43-45). If the master did not have a son, his slave could inherit his possessions (Gen 15:2; 24:2-10).

In both the Old and the New Testaments, each time the people addressed Adonai, they call themselves “Your Servant”. In both Hebrew and Greek, the word “servant” is also “slave”. The servant is faithful and totally dedicated to his master’s will. The relationship between God and servant is that of humility, submission and total obedience. The servant sees himself as Adonai’s property, bought with the Blood of Jesus. He knows that Adonai can do anything with and for him. He belongs to God! Abraham, Moses, David, the prophets and Apostle were God’s servants. They point to our Lord Jesus Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve. David prays: “I am Your servant; give me understanding [the ability to learn and a teachable heart] That I may know Your testimonies” (Ps 119:125). Lessons: as servants of God, we approach God with humility and a willingness to gain wisdom, learn God’s Word, and to mature spiritually. God desires to have a personal relationship with us. His Word and promises are sure. God protects us during all spiritual and physical battles. As Abram trusted and obeyed God, we too must do the same! God, the Creator, is not merely a giver of gifts, but is Himself the chief blessing to man. No earthly treasure can fully satisfy us. God tells Abram that He is his shield, his total divine protection. He is also Abram great reward The greatest treasure anyone can have is God Himself. The revelation of God as our reward deepens our prayer life and worship!

THE SLAVE IS LORD OVER ALL

“But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mk 10:42-45).

James and John asked for position of honor when Jesus comes in glory. The other disciples got angry. Jesus gathers them and teaches them principles of His Kingdom. Jesus does not condemn the desire for greatness, but he redefines it. At that time, greatness was associated with power, wealth, and status. But true greatness in the Kingdom of God is measured differently. Jesus points to the Gentile rulers. These can be the Roman or local leaders. They are seen as oppressive and harsh, misusing their power and authority for selfish gain. In the world, authority is maintained through force and fear. Jesus introduces a new style of leadership. As followers of Christ, we emulate His example of love, humility and service in all areas of life. Church leaders are encouraged to lead with a servant’s heart, prioritizing the well-being of their congregation over their personal gain. Jesus states, “So, the last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matt 20:16). This reflects the upside-down nature of God’s kingdom, where humility and service are exalted over worldly power. Slavery was a common institution in the Roman world, associated with a lack of freedom and dignity. However, Jesus uses this imagery to illustrate the radical call to servanthood in His kingdom. Building a servant’s heart requires willingness to put others’ needs before our own. It focuses on eternal values, storing up treasures in heaven rather than seeking earthly recognition. We must be like Jesus who was the perfect servant/leader (Philipp 2).

BONDSERVANTS AND MASTERS

“Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him” (Eph 6:5-9).

In the Roman Empire, slavery was a common institution, and slaves were considered part of the household. The term “slaves” here refers to bondservants, who were often employed as household servants or skilled laborers. We can apply these instructions to all relationships between employees and their bosses. The instruction to “obey” is the same as general submission to authority. Paul discusses submission to government authorities (Rom 13:1-7). This command does not endorse the institution of slavery but addresses the reality of the social structure at the time, encouraging Christian slaves to live out their faith within their circumstances. The words ‘respect and fear’ suggest an attitude of reverence, honor and submission towards those in authority. This mirrors the biblical principle of fearing God where the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (PV 1:7). The respect and fear here are not rooted in terror but in a recognition of the authority structure established by God. Servants are instructed to submit to their masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust (1Pet 2:18). “Sincerity of heart” implies a genuine and wholehearted approach to service, free from hypocrisy. The call for sincerity reflects the Christian principle of integrity, where actions are consistent with inner beliefs and values. It reflects the believer’s relationship with Christ, who sees beyond outward actions to the heart’s intentions. This is the general principle, that in every interaction, Christians are to relate to one another as though serving the Lord. Our sincere motivation for serving people comes from deep respect and reverence for the Lord. Obeying Christ elevates the act of service to a spiritual level, suggesting that serving earthly masters is ultimately an act of worship to Christ.  Believers are encouraged to work zealously as for the Lord and not for men. Christians believe that all work, when done for the Lord, has eternal significance.  Serving others is equated with serving Christ Himself (Matt 25:40). This perspective transforms all ordinary tasks into opportunities for spiritual growth and witness. The call here to the slaves is to rise above mere eye-service, which is superficial and insincere. No matter his status in life, a child of God serves Christ even when he serves man. Whether we serve in ministry, work in a church, or labor for a secular company, we must see our workplace as God’s appointed mission field. Performing eye-service to please men is doing just enough to keep the job. Even unbelievers can do that. Believers are called to go deeper. God wants our total heart commitment to present our bodies “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Rom 12:1). A Christian with the right attitude and work ethic shines bright as a model employee for the glory of God (1Cor 6:20; 10:31; Philipp 1:20). Worship the Lord! 

A SONG OF LOVE

Psalm 45 is a Royal Wedding Song of Love written by the sons of Korah, who were Levites. In David’s time they served as musicians in the temple worship. This poem is a celebration of the reign of great kings like David or Solomon. Prophetically, it is a song of love, symbolizing God and His people, Christ and the Church or commitment in marriage. Believers must see themselves as the faithful Bride of Christ.

The psalmist feels inspired and excited by “a good theme”. This is a deep emotional response to the amazing sight of the King in his majesty and holiness. It describes the power of worship, as the heart overflows with love in the presence of God. It is a terrible thing when a bad heart is passionate about sinful things. But it is wonderful spiritual chemistry when the heart is passionate about a good theme. The King is Christ Himself. The Psalmist recites his poem to the King. His tongue is the pen of a ready and skillful writer. It shows divine inspiration. God gave him the words to express his love for the King of kings. Lesson: pray that God gives you His words to express your love for Him. Learn to speak “Truth in Love” (Eph 4:15). Truth means sincerity and integrity. Speaking the truth is essential, but it must always be done in love. Love means the sacrificial love that desires the best in another. This balance of Truth and Love is vital for spiritual maturity and to keep the unity of the Spirit in marriage and church. This balance prevents truth from becoming harsh and love from becoming permissive. True worship comes from a pure, devoted and faithful heart. Christ is worthy of our highest praise.

“You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore, God has blessed You forever”. The word “fair” means to be handsome and bright. King Jesus has a supernatural excellent majestic beauty, above any other beauty. On earth, Jesus had a humble appearance. Isaiah prophesied that “He has no stately form or majestic splendor that we would look at Him, Nor [handsome] appearance that we would be attracted to Him” (Isa 53:2; AMP). This beautiful appearance describes the resurrected Christ, The King of kings, Our High Great Priest, The God-Man in heaven. The beauty of Christ is the beauty of His character, holiness, and glory. His words are filled with Grace. When Jesus was on earth, people were amazed at the wonderful words that He was speaking. “So, all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” (Lk 4:22).

When the Pharisees sent soldiers to arrest Jesus, they came back saying “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (Jn 7:46). Their encounter with Jesus left them so astonished that they returned without arresting Him. This shows the unparalleled authority and wisdom with which Jesus spoke. His words went deep into people’s hearts, touching not only religious men but all sorts of people, even the soldiers. An encounter with Jesus can transform even the hardest of hearts. We should pray for opportunities to introduce others to Jesus, trusting that His words will have a profound impact. Recognize and submit to the authority of Christ in all areas of life. His teachings are not just historical records but living words that demand a response. Like the officers who were bold enough to return without arresting Jesus, we should have the courage to stand by our convictions, even when pressured by societal expectations. Worship Jesus! Never forget that God the Father has blessed God the Son forever! In Christ, we are recipients of this everlasting grace and favor.

The King speaks words of love and grace, but He is not a weak man. He is a Man of War. This is how Apostle John saw Jesus coming to earth at His second coming, to punish all evil. “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Rev 19:11-16). The King is girding His sword. He is ready for battle, to defend His own people. The Sword is the Word of God (Eph 6:17), coming with power and authority, to conquer all His enemies. Jesus is called “The Mighty God” (Isa 9:6). He is the ultimate warrior who defeated sin and death. He will appear with glory, majesty and royal dignity at His second coming! Lesson: the Word of God is a powerful tool in spiritual warfare. We are urged to be spiritually prepared to face challenges, to stand firm in our faith, to live a life that honors God and exemplifies His character.

Christ is seen riding on His horse in triumph. He is the Servant King, The Lion and the Lamb. Truth represents faithfulness. Humility denotes a servant leadership style, and justice involves fairness and righteousness. These attributes are perfectly embodied in Jesus Christ, who declared Himself as “the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6). Christ did not become king thru deception, violence or wickedness, but thru the Power of Love. The right hand means power and authority. Jesus did awesome miracles to reveal the power of God. True majesty is found in humility. Lesson: We are called to be humble like Jesus. Our ultimate victory is found in Christ who triumphed over sin and death.

“Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the King’s enemies; The peoples fall under You”. The arrows represent Truth and God’s judgment. They come quickly, having a deep impact on the heart. God tells His Son: “Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel” (Ps 2:8,9). The nations are the worldly powers who oppose God and His plans. All God’s enemies will be defeated and destroyed. Christ defeats His enemies with the sharp sword in His mouth, by the penetrating power of the Word of God, to convict of sin and change lives. When hearing God’s Word, Peter’s and Stephen’s hearers were pricked at heart (Ac 2:37; 7:54). The arrows are many. Some kill sin in our flesh. Others kill fears and doubts. Lesson: We should study God’s Word and allow it to work in our hearts. Preach the Word!

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom”. The King is God! He is praised and exalted as God! The King sits on His eternal Throne in heaven. Not only that these words say that Jesus is the eternally enthroned God, but God the Father addresses God the Son as God! Men’s kingdoms are temporary. God’s Kingdom and Throne is eternal. The scepter is a symbol of royal authority and government. God’s rule is characterized by justice and righteousness. Justice is the idea that people are to be treated fairly, impartially, properly, and reasonably by the law and by the judges. Justice means punishing evil and rewarding the good. Justice is not just an aspect of God’s rule; it is central. “For I, the LORD, love justice” (Isa 61:8). Lesson: Understanding God’s eternal and just rule should lead us to submit to His authority in every area of our lives. Repent of sin and also, trust God to reward you for good deeds.

“You love righteousness and hate wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions”. Righteousness means to be good and to do good. It means living in accordance with God’s laws and commands. The love for righteousness implies a desire to uphold justice and truth. God is holy. He hates sin, evil and wickedness. God the Father has anointed God the Son. This shows both Christ’s divinity and His submission to God the Father. It is a reminder that God is a Trinity. In the Old Testament, kings, priests and prophets were anointed with olive oil. They were set apart for a special purpose, to serve God. Anointing shows divine approval and power from above to do ministry. “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Ac 10:38). Jesus’ anointing with the Holy Spirit at His baptism marks the beginning of His public ministry. Jesus was doing good works, teaching God’s Word, feeding the hungry, showing the love and mercy of God. His moving from place to place, demonstrates His commitment to reach all people. Jesus’ healing ministry was a direct confrontation with the forces of evil. The devil’s oppression refers to both physical sickness and spiritual bondage. His effectiveness in ministry was because “God was with Him”. Christ has suffered on earth. He was rejected by men. Nevertheless, He fulfilled God’s plan as the Savior of men. He is now filled with Joy and He is deeply satisfied. The “oil of gladness” is a special anointing that brings joy and celebration, coming from fulfilling God’s will and the ultimate victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ.

“All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes and cassia; From ivory palaces stringed instruments have made You glad” (Ps 45:8; AMP)

The King’s perfume spreads all over. It shows holiness, wealth, purity and divine favor. Myrrh, aloes, and cassia were costly spices and perfumes used in ancient times for anointing and embalming. The wise men brought myrrh to Baby Jesus, recognizing Him as King and prophesying His death. Ivory was very expensive. It was imported from distant lands. It indicates wealth, splendor, and the luxurious setting of the king’s court. In the palace you could hear the harps, the sound of worshipping God. The King is glad when He hears worship. It shows Peace and Joy in His Kingdom. Lesson: Just as the king’s garments are fragrant, believers are called to be the aroma of Christ in the world, spreading His love and Word. We must worship God in Spirit and in Truth! Be grateful to God and rejoice in all circumstance of life.

In heaven, the worshipers use harps to worship the Lamb of God. “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth” (Rev 5:8-10). The scroll represents God’s plan and will for humanity, especially in the matter of salvation. Christ is the only One who has the authority to take the scroll of redemption and judgment from God’s hand. The four living creatures are special angels that represent all creation. The twenty-four elders represent the believers in heaven. Falling down before the Lamb shows the divine authority and worthiness of Christ, who died to save us. The harp is a traditional instrument used for worship and prophecy. There must be music, worship in the House of God. The smoke of incense pleases God. The golden bowls full of incense shows how precious the prayers of the saints are to God. Christ is the Faithful collector of our prayers. The lifting of hands means total surrender, humility, purity, and openness to God’s will. Lesson: God hears and answers our prayers. Every weeping in prayer is crowned with the total triumph of Christ.

The wedding is about to start. The anointed King is great not only for who He is, but also for those He associates with. The highest royalty are the maids of honor at His wedding. The greatness of Christ is also seen in the type of men and women who were His devoted followers over the years. The Gold of Ophir is the purest and most expensive gold. The bride dressed in her wedding gown of gold shows the Bride’s glory and the prosperity of God’s kingdom. The right hand means a position of authority, favor and honor. As Christ sits at the Father’s right hand, so the Church, His Bride, stands at the right hand of Christ. The Church has great influence in God’s Kingdom. Lesson: The honored women in the royal court remind us of the influence and leadership roles that women can hold within the church and society. Just as the queen stands at the king’s right hand, we are invited to live in close relationship with Christ, understanding our position of favor and authority we have in Him.

“Listen, O daughter, Consider and incline your ear; Forget your own people also, and your father’s house. The King will greatly desire your beauty; Because He is your Lord, worship Him! This is advice to the Bride. She must listen well and understand the wise counsel. There must be a shift of allegiance and identity. At the wedding day, the Bride must leave her family and fully embrace her new life, as the King’s wife. Lesson: Abraham had to leave his family and his country to obey God’s call. Leaving behind the “father’s house” symbolizes a transformation, leaving the old ways and embracing a new life. Our identity is now found in our relationship with Christ, who redefines our purpose and direction. Jesus said: “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Lk 14:26). “A disciple” is a learner or follower who adopts the teachings and lifestyle of the teacher. A relationship with Jesus is a willful choice based on Love. The word “hate” here means to love less. It is not easy to love Jesus more than your natural family. This is a great sacrifice and includes self-denial. Lesson: Our love for Jesus should be so profound that all other loves pale in comparison.

The King is captured by the beauty of His Bride. Christ passionately loves His Bride, the Church. This beauty is spiritual. It is the purity and holiness of the Church, as a Radiant Bride who is without stain or wrinkles (Eph 5:27). This beauty is achieved by Christ’s redemptive work. The Bride bows and worships the King. This is an acknowledgement of her submission, honor, loyalty and love. Christ is the Lord of the Church. The term “lord” denotes ownership, authority, and responsibility. As the Bride, the Church is called to live in a manner worthy of her calling, with purity and devotion to Christ. She has many other benefits. People from all over the world will come to seek her favor and bring rich gifts to her. This refers to influential and wealthy people who seek favor and blessings, those who recognize the value of aligning with God’s anointed. Lesson: All worshippers are generous. Wealth and influence should be used to serve God and not for selfish desires. The Royal Bride is “all glorious”, not because of herself but because she is one with Christ. Here we see the secret or the glorious authority of the Church. Her glory is not seen by men. Her glory appears only “within the palace”. Her clothing is woven with gold, with many gifts from the Holy Spirit. Her entourage is made by virgins, those who are pure in their hearts. These are servants of God in the church. They all partake of her happiness. Lesson: do not seek fame! It is enough that Christ sees us beautiful.

“Instead of Your fathers shall be Your sons, Whom You shall make princes in all the earth. I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; Therefore, the people shall praise You forever and ever”. This is a prophecy that the royal couple will be fruitful. They will have many sons, royal princes. The fathers have passed away. A new generation of worshippers is born. The King’s name shall be remembered forever and praised from generation to generation. Lesson: Live with an eternal perspective, focusing on your future hope in Christ. Amen!

WHAT IS ETERNAL LIFE?

Many people do not know what Eternal Life is. Someone say, “Eternal life is living forever.” But that’s not it. No one ceases to exist when they die. We all live forever in either heaven or hell. Others say: “Eternal life is living forever in heaven instead of hell.” It is not. Many people wait to die before they think they will experience Eternal Life. But that is also a mistake. A Christian is defined as a person who has Eternal Life. We are all born sinners. Therefore, we totally lack the knowledge of Eternal Life. The ultimate purpose of Salvation is that we might have Eternal Life. It is the life of God, the highest quality of life, full of grace and glory. It is a knowing type of life. You know God the Father and God the Son. Eternal Life is a free gift of Grace, from God the Father and God the Son, given to those sinners who are justified by faith. Justification is not the same as eternal Life. Justification is like the clearing of the ground before you build your “house” called Eternal Life. It is a present possession. You don’t have to wait to die. You start to experience it immediately. It is perpetual. It goes on and on and on. It lasts forever. It reproduces itself with never-ending growth, power and beauty. It is totally resistant to sin and death. Nothing quenches it. Even when the Christian falls into sin and backslides, the Eternal Life in him goes on. It is Resurrection Life.

Eternal Life is synonymous with Jesus Christ. It is found only in Jesus Christ. It cannot be produced by men, bought or earned. Like any gift, it is wrapped in the Word of God. Faith in Jesus is the only key that opens this treasure. It is independent of time. It works both within time and outside time. Like Faith, it manifests thru the preaching of God’s Word. Like Agape Love, it manifests in total and joyful obedience to God’s commands. Eternal Life is free for us but very expensive to God, because Jesus paid for it with His precious Blood. It is the only Life that satisfies the thirsty soul. Eternal Life means going to heaven! Amen! In Greek, the word “eternal” life is “aionios”. It carries the idea of quality as well as quantity. It is a special life, a different quality of life, the life of God who is eternal. It’s an overflowing life, spiritually rich and satisfying, so great that it is more than you can possibly use. It is a life of “Fulness and Grace upon Grace” (Jn 1:16). This Eternal Life reproduces itself with a never-ending growth, power, beauty and variety. It is totally resistant to death. It has the highest glory. It begins now and continues forever. God gave us Eternal Life to share His Love. We said: “Go, we hate You!”, God said: “I love you!” Eternal Life is the greatest Gift given to man. Christ spoke easily about Eternal Life but did not try to define it. It means that His disciples knew already what Eternal Life is. The power, confidence, satisfaction, peace, joy and hope found in Eternal Life can’t be compared with any other.

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Jn 6:66-69). Here we see that some people do not receive the words of Eternal Life. They love the miracles of Jesus but not His words. But others, like Peter love and receive the words of Eternal Life given by Jesus Christ. At that time, there were many teachers. But none spoke with the authority of Jesus. None could give them words that have eternal impact. Peter knows that Jesus is unique. He is the Living Word, the Way, the Truth and the Eternal Life! To forsake Jesus means spiritual suicide. Like Peter, we too must be committed and follow Jesus to the end of life!

“Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (Jn 17:1-3). We now study at “the gain” we have at the Cross. The Hour has come for Jesus to die, to pay with His Blood for our sins. A door of salvation has been opened for us to be saved by grace and through faith in Christ. This salvation comes as Eternal Life. Once a sinner is justified by faith, he receives Eternal Life.  

The devil does not want men to know about the great transaction that has happened at the Cross. Many Christians are looking depressed because they have not seen the value of this Eternal Life they have received. If Christians are looking sad, it means that the glory of God in salvation is reduced. “A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing” (PV 14:28; NLT). In ancient times, a king was considered glorious, strong, and stable if he had many subjects in his domain. If a king or a prince had no subjects, it meant that he had no power, stability, or influence. King Solomon ruled his kingdom well. Many foreigners become his subjects. Isreal was glorious. But his son, King Rehoboam became proud and lost 10 out of the 12 tribes under his authority. A spiritual leader should imitate the Lord Jesus who came to serve the people. Humble service to your followers will in turn give you strength, honor and resources. Ignoring the needs of the people brings a downfall. A healthy and growing church reflects the glory of God on earth.

Jesus is the Source of all Life. Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jn 14:6). These are key concepts, each representing a unique aspect of Jesus’ divine role and mission. Jesus declares Himself as the only Mediator, the only way men can reconcile with God the Father. Jesus is not just a guide to God. He is the Way Itself, and the Progress on that Way. He is the exclusive path of righteousness and holiness that connects men and God. Jesus also declares Himself to be The Truth, the ultimate revelation of God to men. The glory of God is seen on the face of Christ (2Cor 4:6). He is the Word made flesh (Jn 1:14). “In Him was Life [and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men” (Jn 1:4; AMP). Jesus is God, the source of all life, temporal and eternal, physical and spiritual. Light means Truth, purity and divine revelation. The Light of Jesus scatters the darkness. Encountering the life and light of Jesus transforms men, leading them to spiritual maturity. We are to walk in the light, knowing the truth, with a clear spiritual vision and with a clean conscience. In Christ, Truth becomes Life and Freedom! Halleluiah!

God so Loved men that He gave them Life thru His Son. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn 3:16). God love the whole world, not only Israel. This offer of salvation is extended to all people, all over the world. Jesus is God’s One and Only Begotten Son. He is unique and precious to God. Salvation and Eternal Life is received by faith in Jesus Christ. This is not just mental acceptance. It is a deep spiritual faith that receives the revelation of God’s Word about His Son. Rejecting Jesus ends in perishing or eternal separation from God, also called spiritual death. Faith in Jesus is the sole requirement for receiving eternal life. Once we become saved, we share the Gospel to all people, all over the world. Eternal life starts working immediately you become born again. It cannot be quenched even if you backslide for a season. God’s child does not sin habitually. If he is deceived by the devil and falls into sin, God will discipline him. He will repent and come back to God to continue the race. This is the proven testimony of millions of Christians, to the glory of God!

Jesus is the Resurrection Eternal Life. Jesus said to her, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, relies on) Me [as Savior] will live even if he dies; and everyone who lives and believes in Me [as Savior] will never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn 11:25,26; AMP). Jesus tells Martha that He is the Resurrection and the Life. This is a profound declaration that Jesus is the Son of God, the source of all Life, both physical and spiritual. Faith in Jesus as your personal Savior takes away the fear of death. There is life after the physical death. Christians believe in eternal life after death, going to heaven, and the resurrection of our bodies when Jesus comes again. This is basic Christian doctrine that gives us the Living Hope. Jesus resuscitated Lazarus as a sign that He has complete authority over life and death. For the believers, death is not the end. Eternal life is stronger than death. This faith in Jesus gives us courage and hope.

NARROW GATE TO ETERNAL LIFE

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matt 7:13, 14).

Our Lord confronts us with two gates leading to two different roads. There is a narrow gate, going to a difficult narrow road, leading to eternal life. The second gate is wide, going to a broad road, leading to destruction, or eternal death. The choice of gates is extremely important because it is the choice between life and death, between heaven and hell. We are all born sinners. It means that we are all born on the broad road. There are many people walking there. Some are religious. There is a crowd. There is noise, entertainment, singing and dancing. They think that they have a good life. The end of that road is in hell. The other gate is narrow. You come out from the broad road and must seek to find the narrow gate. You must make the effort to enter it. It is not easy to find and to enter the narrow gate. You must leave behind all the things you loved before you met Jesus, the worldly crowd, your family and friends. You must even leave yourself out, your way of thinking in the flesh, all your sinful baggage. Once you enter, the road remains narrow to the end. It will be impossible to love the old life. You must walk this road alone. Salvation is personal. It is a lonely road. Progress is made slowly, through dying to self. But this is the most glorious way of life any man can have. You are not totally lonely. Jesus, the good Shepherd walks this road and leads you on. His presence and fellowship are better than any other. This is the road of Eternal Life. Glory to God!

THE WOMAN HEALED AND THE GIRL REVIVED

This is the story of an unnamed woman who was bleeding for 12 years (Mark 5:21-43). She has spent all her money on doctors but has become worse. She is now poor, sick, hopeless, rejected by men and dying. She had faith that if she touched Jesus’ garment, she will be healed. Slowly, she made her way through the crowd. She came behind Jesus, touched His clothes and she was instantly healed. Jesus asked: Who Touched Me? Many pushed Jesus but none “touched” Him. The woman came to a place in life when she did not trust herself, doctors, or religious rulers. Her faith was in Christ alone! The woman confessed to her healing. Jesus calls her “daughter”. It means she was healed body and soul, at the same time. This is more than what she wishes for. Jesus felt the touch. He could have moved on but stayed to acknowledge the woman’s faith, her healing and her new status in society. The woman was sick for 12 years. She could have grown bitter against the doctors and against religious men who rejected her from the temple. But she discovered that God could use weakness and sickness to draw us closer to Him. She used her pain well! She kept her focus and faith in Jesus, and she was not disappointed.

At the same time, Jairus, a synagogue ruler, was waiting for Jesus to come to his house and to heal his 12 years old daughter who was also dying. People came to tell him that his daughter has died. Jesus said: “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well!” Jesus encouraged Jairus to have faith and to reject the voices of unbelief. Arriving to Jairus’ house, the people mocked Jesus when He said that the girl is not dead, only sleeping. Jesus told everyone to go outside. Jesus touched the girl’s hand and told her: “Little girl, arise!” She came back to life immediately. Jesus tells everyone to keep this miracle a secret because the unbelievers can hinder God’s work among men.

There are common points between these two healings. Both are female. Both are unclean, the woman because of sickness, and the girl because of death. Both are “daughters” to Jesus. Both are restored to life instantly among people who do not understand the miracles. Both miracles are more than physical healing. Jesus touched these two women, received them, encouraged them and gave them peace.

Lessons:

*Fight for your life, for your faith, for the answers to your prayers. Faith takes risks; overcomes fear and doubt. Faith perseveres. True faith arrests God’s attention. The woman touched the garment of Jesus, but Jesus said she touched Him!! He said: Who touched Me? The word “touch” means a deep connection to God’s power. The woman’s faith was not perfect. But Jesus accepted her imperfect faith and worked with it. The miracle was more than physical healing. It was healing the body and the soul. She became a daughter to Jesus and entered the Peace of God.

*Faith is vital for salvation and for experiencing miracles. God answers prayers of faith. Dream big! “Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us” (Eph 3:20; AMP). God is omnipotent. God’s power is not influenced by man’s weakness. He can do more than we ask or imagine. God is greater than our prayers. God’s power does miracles and also transforms us inwardly, to be witnesses for Jesus and to preach His Word. Cultivate a life or faith and expectancy, waiting for God to act, and trusting Him to work beyond our expectations. Separate yourself from the religious unbelievers when you pray for miracles. Call people who have faith in Jesus just like you and pray with them!

*During the trials of faith, learn to wait on God. Do not give up on God. God rewards faith. It is hard to see trials as good things, yet we can see through the darkness and pain the light of Jesus and the healing He can bring to our hearts and souls. You should know that you are beloved and known by God. Healing does not always look exactly like what we are hoping for. Sometimes healing looks like rejecting fear, or like interceding, the way Jairus did. Jesus touched and was touched. Love may come as a touch from a friend, in a moment of hopelessness, shame, or deep pain. By faith, pass thru the crowd of unbelievers, reach out and touch Jesus today. Ask for more of His Grace. Ask for wisdom! Pray for strength and courage! Let Christ find you wherever you are and meet you there, at your lowest lows or your highest heights. Worship the Lord!

THE DANGER OF UNGODLINESS

The word ‘ungodly’ means to be irreligious, or living as God does not exist. It means to either deny or disobey God in your life. The ungodly man may call himself a Christian, attends church, but God is not in the center of his heart, mind and will. The Bible calls ungodliness sin. A relationship can degenerate and become ungodly. An ungodly marriage may look good but is corrupted inside. It’s a dangerous soul-tie, overfamiliar, and sinful relationship. In the Bible, an unbeliever is called ungodly. But it is possible for a believer to behave like an ungodly. You still go to church, pray, read the Bible, but in your daily life, you live like there is no God. This evil spirit of ungodliness can influence your marriages and other relationships. God is angry with the ungodly and punishes them.

“For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4). “And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Gal 2:4,5). Here we see the danger of ungodly infiltration in the churches or in the homes. These ungodly men have crept in unnoticed. They entered secretly, like snakes. They pretend to be born again but they are not. They look innocent, but they are spiritual spies and cause much damage from inside. They bring false doctrines or sinful ideas to influence the minds of immature believers and to control their decisions. Their aim is to study the liberty and love we have and to bring us into the bondage of sin. They turn the doctrine of justification by Grace and by Faith into a license to sin. They are Satan’s agents. In a prayerful church, they will not go far. The Holy Spirit will expose them. They will either repent or run.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom 1:18). Ungodliness means choosing to deny or ignore God. Unrighteousness means active wickedness and evil. These sinful men “suppress truth”. Truth means the knowledge of God revealed in Creation, in man’s conscience, and especially in the Bible. The suppression or quenching of truth is a willful act. It is not done in ignorance. “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (Jn 3:19). Selah!

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Ps 1:1,2).

The Bible revealed that there are two groups of people in this world: The Godly (saved) and the Ungodly (unsaved). It is possible to be a believer, and you still listen to the counsel of the ungodly. That ungodly counsel will corrupt your character and testimony and damage your marriage. The word “blessed” means the happiness, the spiritual and material prosperity of a godly man. He puts God at the center of everything he plans and does. “To walk” means a way of life. The counsel of the ungodly is the advice to disobey God’s commandments, to forget God in your decisions. This is the reckless and dangerous path of the wicked and ungodly men. Without repentance, sin becomes worse. The first level is to listen to the counsel of the ungodly. The second step is to enter and stand in the path of sinners. This is a decision and an action. Sin has now become a habit, a lifestyle. To sit in the seat of the scornful shows a settled situation. The backslider has found his place among those who reject God and the Bible. They not only hate God, but they mock the believers who try to follow Jesus.

“Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on. 16 For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness And drink the wine of violence” (PV 4:14-17). To live a godly life is a choice. There is a price to pay. To die to sin and reject evil is a daily choice. The believer obeys God’s Word and encourages others to do so. He does spiritual warfare against all evil. He is not careless with his testimony. He is committed to obey God’s Word. This is a warning about the company we keep. Your choice of friends, mentors, pastors, counsellors, is a mirror of your character. Be wise when making friends.

“Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits” (1Cor 15:33). This is a warning against deception. False teachers can deceive you with false doctrines and ungodly counsel. God cannot be deceived. But we can be deceived. Be vigilant about the influences you allow into your life, whether friendships, media, or other sources. Protect your heart. Seek friends that align with biblical values and encourage spiritual growth. “He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed” (PV 13:20). In the Bible, godly wisdom is a great achievement. Wisdom can be thought and can also be caught, as we walk closer to godly wise men. Elijah and Elisha, Paul and Timothy, these are godly relationships between mentors and students. Making friends with fools is dangerous. A fool is not only someone who is mentally incapable, but a man who rejects God’s Word. Following fools leads to spiritual and physical destruction.

Below are some examples of bad, ungodly relationships and marriages. God punished all of them. They died untimely and shameful death.

*Zimri (a Jew) and Cozbi (a Moabites) (Numbers 25). Phineas was zealous for the Lord and killed this ungodly couple. God blessed him!

*King Ahab and Jezebel – “But there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do wickedness in the sight of the LORD, because Jezebel his wife stirred him up” (1Kg 21:25). Revelation 2:18-29.

*Annanias and Saphira (Acts 5:1-11). Their sin was that they tried to deceive the Church pretending to be better than they are.

Ungodly relationships do not give glory to God. Both partners are selfish and wicked, helping one another to sin. The wife submits unto her husband as unto the devil. The husband loves his wife as devil loves sin. These are some ways you can detect if your marriage is ungodly:

*All major decisions are done by themselves and not by asking God to approve of lead. They decide to buy things, travel, how to spend money, how to spend their vacations etc, based on the time or the amount of money they have. In a godly relationship, major decisions are done with fasting, prayer, and waiting on God. Sometimes, telling a wise spiritual leader is necessary for confirmation.

*Your conversation is only about worldly things, material things, money, children etc. God’s Word is not the center of your conversations

*The husband and wife are careless with their relationship and with every work they do. Working without commitment is sin. Jesus is your Master only if you work with all your heart. “Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve” (Col 3:23,24; AMP).

What is the solution? Repent and come back to Jesus! Remember that “when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom 5:6). Fast and Pray! “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh” (Jude 1:20-23).

Consider what Christ could have done for the Church instead of laying down his life: He could have subjected us to criticism – churches are full of things to criticize. He could have pointed out our weaknesses, which are many. Or He could have outright condemned us – rightly dismissed us as an unworthy bride. But when Christ looks at us, the Church, He has only praise, commendation and encouragement. He never condemns us! He never accuses us. We are very weak and have many problems. We sin daily, but He never criticizes us. Some of you may say: but God hates sin. Yes! But when we the believers fall into sin, Jesus is our advocate in heaven. When He looks at us now, He does not see sinners or troublemakers. He sees His brothers and sisters, whom He carries to heaven on eagles’ wings. This is how Christ loves us. Not only that He died for our sins, but He has removed every condemnation, shame or guilt. This is how the husbands should love their wives. Embrace your wives, problems and all. Be like Jesus! Do like Jesus! Carry their pains and limitations on your bodies and quench them with love and prayers. This is how Christ loves the Church! Worship the Lord!

GOD’S TIME IS THE BEST

“Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You” (Jn 17:1). The first words Jesus utters in this prayer are these: “Father, the hour has come”. Here we see that Jesus was always conscious of the plan of salvation. He knew who He was and what was His work on earth. At the wedding of Cana, He said: “My hour has not yet come” (Jn 2:4). It seems that Mary wanted a more public miracle, so that people would see her Son’s glory. Jesus indeed did a miracle by changing the water into wine, but it was more discreet. He helped a humble family. He manifested His glory and many disciples trusted Him (Jn 2:11). But the full glory was yet to be revealed. Jesus says that now is that time! Thru His death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and the Father’s approval of His earthly work in the plan of salvation, His perfect glory will be revealed to all! His death on the Cross was necessary for sinful men to be saved. Man is not saved by the good life of Jesus, by His teachings or miracles that He performed. Man is saved by the death of Jesus. “The wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23). Therefore, Blood must be shed before sin can be atoned. Jesus died in place of sinful man. The Cross shows the Justice and the Love of God, at the same time. God is the Master planner, even in the timing of events. Lesson: The perfect time of salvation gives me faith that God is never too early and never too late even in my life!

GOD IS SOVEREIGN OVER TIME – GOD IS THE MASTER PLANNER IN THE TIMING OF EVENTS

God is eternal. He exists outside time. God lives in eternity. We live in time. God’s plans for His creation and for man’s salvation were made before the foundation of the word. God accomplishes His eternal plans within the framework of time, thru men who live on earth. Time is a big issue for us, but it is not the most important thing to God. God is not limited by time, but He works in us and thru us knowing that we have a limited time on earth. Eternal life is perfect. It cannot be improved upon. Promotion is an earthly concept.

God introduced Himself to Moses as I AM WHO I AM (Exo 3:14). “Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Psa 90:2). God is sovereign in everything, including the timing of events. Sometimes, it seems like God is passive, that nothing is happening. Suddenly, God moves and does something unexpected. It may look like God is late, but God always does the right thing, at the right time. His ways are different than our ways. He is always right. The perfect timing of events gives all the glory to God! We can trust God because He is in control. He is moving history for the good of his people. He is in control because He is the Creator. He saves because He is love. God has appointed a time for everything, including the incarnation. “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son…so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Gal. 4:5-6). Jesus came to earth as Man and died on the Cross at God’s time! Selah!

Because God is Omnipresent, Omnipotent, and Omniscient, God is sovereign. God is sovereign over time, all the time. The word ‘sovereign’ means having the highest power, ultimate authority, being completely independent from His creation. God has all the power, wisdom, and authority to do anything He chooses with His creation. He has the power to prevent any action. For anything to happen in the universe, God must “allow” it. All Christians agree with this doctrine. What they argue about is how much control God exercises over the wills of men. God created man and gave him the power to choose. God is holy. For sin to enter the world, it means that God allowed men to choose sin. But they must face the consequences. God can do anything. He can act and intervene in any situation, but He often chooses to act indirectly. He allows certain things for reasons of His own. But thru God’s perfect will or His permissive will, God receives His glory!

God told Abraham to “know certainly” about future things, that his descendants will be “strangers in a foreign land” and suffer as slaves. In the fourth generation they shall return to the Promised Land. There shall be an exodus after 400 years. They shall come back when the iniquity of the Amorites (the Canaanites) will be complete (Gen 15:13-16). These words refer to the time when Isreal went to Egypt and later became slaves there (Exo 12:40-42). The time of suffering in Egypt was to humble them so that God can later bless them. When they came out, they remembered God’s prophecy to Abraham. They worshipped God for His faithfulness, for the exact timing of deliverance. God waits for the sin of the Amorites to be complete. This shows the timing of God’s judgment. God is patient and kind. He desires that men should repent and not perish (2Pet 3:9). But if men refuse to repent, God judges them. Here we see that God uses His people to conquer the Promised Land as an act of judgment against the sinful Amorites.

God says: “For thus says the LORD, ‘When seventy years [of exile] have been completed for Babylon, I will visit (inspect) you and keep My good promise to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer 29:10,11; AMP). When God spoke this Word to Jeremiah, His people were in exile, refugees in Babylon. God punished them for rejecting His Word thru the prophets. The people were suffering there. God tells them that He has good plans for them. They should accept the just punishment, but they should look beyond it. God is sovereign. He alone knows the future because He designs the future. At the end of the punishment, once the people have humbled themselves, God will bless them with peace and well-being. God promises spiritual and physical prosperity. The future is better than the present. In Hebrew, the word “peace” is Shallom. It means peace, health, wealth, favor, and friends. God has promised thru Jeremiah that after 70 years of exile in Babylon, He will bring Isreal back to their land. Daniel read this prophecy and was encouraged by it (Dan 9:2,3). God’s came to pass. After exactly 70 years, using King Cyrus of Persia, God made a way for His people to come back to the Promised Land. Praise the Lord!

“Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. 21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding” (Dan 2:20, 21). God controls history. Men think that they choose their political rulers and kings, but God is sovereign. God gives prophetic words of rising and falling of kingdoms and empires. Everything happened according to God’s plan and purpose. This is a great comfort to know that no human ruler is stronger than God. Like Daniel, believers are called to be faithful and wise in their environments. This involves living out our faith with integrity and courage. That faithfulness honors God!

Lessons: All God’s promises are sure. His Word is forever faithful. God’s faithfulness is part of His character and gives Him all the glory. God is in charge of Time. God oversees the length of your suffering and the time of your deliverance. He alone knows the future and orchestrates events according to His divine plan. Trust in His sovereignty, even when circumstances seem difficult. God’s people may experience suffering and trials. Exercise hope, faith and patience in times of trials as you wait for the promised deliverance. Your personal trials are part of the bigger plan of salvation. It must end in praise, in greater testimonies, and to the glory of God! The way Isreal found hope in the promises of God we should also find hope in God’s Word concerning the future. We need faith and patience to experience the promised good hope of the future which is found in Christ alone! Remember that God’s time is the best! Selah!

About His second coming Jesus said: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only… 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matt 24:36, 42-44). His second coming is sure, but the time of the event is a secret. Jesus said that in His human nature, He does not know the time. The mighty angels live in God’s presence in heaven, but even them do not know the time of the second coming of Christ. Only God the Father, the planner of salvation, knows the time. That day will be like what happened during the time of Noah. People were living normal lives. But their wickedness has spread all over the world. They were ignorant of the danger. By faith, Noah built an ark to save his life and His family. Then suddenly, like a thief, Jesus came again. Lesson: be prepared!

TO EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON

“There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven… A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace… He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end” (Ecc 3:1, 8, 11; AMP).

God has a purpose in every season of life. The word “purpose” means that God is intentional and actively involved with us, during the different seasons of life. Seasons change but God never changes. We must trust God for His perfect timing even if it is not totally clear to us. Life has many Changes and Transitions. Seek to find God’s purpose in each season. When you are young, do not desire to be old. When you are old, do not want to be young. While love is a central Christian virtue, there is a time to hate evil. Our hatred is directed towards sin and not individuals. Because of sin, conflict is inevitable and part of human experience. Christians are called to navigate these times with patience, seeking God’s guidance and wisdom, striving for peace whenever possible in all seasons of life.

God has made everything beautiful in its time. In Hebrew, the word “beautiful” means something that is fitting, or appropriate. It means something that has a purpose. It is the right thing done is the right manner and at the right time. When God created everything, He said that “it was good”. The creation was beautiful. Sin damaged the beauty of creation but could not destroy it. Man was made after the image of God. That is why God has planted eternity in men’s hearts. This longing for eternal life is peculiar to men. The animals do not desire that. Salvation is by God’s grace and by faith in Jesus Christ. Once you become saved, you’re longing for eternity, by learning how to master time. This is God’s command: “make the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil” (Eph 5:15; AMP). Redeeming the time is beautiful. Only God knows all things. That is why as believers we live by faith. Even when we do not understand all things, we must trust God. That faith is beautiful. Trust in God’s perfect timing. Just as God made everything beautiful in its time, we must have faith that His plans for us are unfolding according to His divine schedule. Accept your limitations. Humble yourself. Also, cultivate a spiritual understanding of life and keep eternity in view. Learn to appreciate the beauty of creation. Give glory to God for all experiences, and in all seasons of life. Young or old, find joy in God!

REJOICE IN GOD

“For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (Rom 5:10,11). Apostle Paul proved that we are justified by Grace only, by faith only and by the shed Blood of Jesus on the Cross. Now, he adds that we are saved by the Life of Jesus. He refers to the eternal office of Jesus in heaven, as our Great High Priest, Intercessor, Advocate and Mediator of a better covenant. He says that reconciliation leads to our “rejoicing in God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. The end of salvation is always joy. All true believers rejoice in God. This rejoicing is done through the Lord Jesus Christ. The revelation of the relationship between the Person of God the Father and God the Son, and how they saved us, always leads to joy. A Christian who is always sad has a serious problem with understanding the Word of God. Joy is a fruit and a command from God! Rejoice!

The same word ‘rejoice’ also translated as ‘glory’ or ‘boasting’, appears in verse 2. What is the difference between “Rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God” and “rejoicing in God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:2,11). Rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God means that we have the assurance of salvation. We boast about our final salvation, knowing that we are already citizens of heaven, and one day we shall arrive there. This sure hope leads to us boasting of our place in heaven. But the second type of rejoicing is even greater than that. We rejoice not only of our hope in heaven, but we rejoice in God Himself, of knowing God. He is not only our Creator, but our everlasting Father, who sent His only begotten Son to die for us, so that we become His children. We boast of God, of His attributes. God is Love. He is the Faithful God, the only wise God. Heaven for us is more than a wonderful place with streets of gold. Heaven is heaven because it is God’s dwelling place. We want to go to heaven not so much to meet our family members who are already there, but especially to see God face to face and to worship Him forever! God is the source of the eternal glorious joy in the believer!

This is the first question in the Westminster Shorter Catechism: “Question: What is the purpose of man? Answer: The purpose of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever”. What does it mean to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever? We give glory to God by enjoying Him. How do we enjoy God? Think about things that you enjoy… For example, do you enjoy your marriage? Then you like to be seen with your spouse, you talk about your husband (your wife). Do you enjoy your job? You will talk about your job, your promotion, or the things you do in your office. It is the same with enjoying God. If you truly enjoy God, you will not stop talking about God. You glorify God by hating sin and living right. You are careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit. You reflect God’s glory by living a godly life. You become filled with the Holy Spirit. Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22). You become a mirror for the glory of God. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2Cor 3:18). You glorify God by preaching and teaching God’s Word. You live a life of Love, genuinely loving God and others.                      

To enjoy God means to recognize Him as your First Love. “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. 26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps 73:25,26). God is unique. Nobody compares with Him. He is the source of life, salvation, and all the good gifts we have. Heaven is God’s dwelling place, a realm that is separated from the earth. The believer declares that even on earth, he loves God above all other things. God is the ultimate source of fulfilment, joy and satisfaction. Search your heart and see: where do you try to find satisfaction in life? True contentment is found in God alone. Earthly desires can never fully satisfy the soul’s deepest longings. Invest in a deep relationship with God thru the study of God’s Word. Meditate upon His promises. Study the doctrines until you have a personal revelation of the truth. One of the greatest hindrances to joy is doubt in the doctrine of justification by faith and trust in Jesus Christ our Great High Priest. For as long as you depend on your good works to enter heaven, you will be anxious and cannot have the fulness of joy. Doubt is a joy killer. It is not enough to hear the pastor preaching a sermon. Study the doctrines by yourself until the light of God shines in your understanding. Selah!

COUNT THE STARS OF LOVE (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-6)

Faith is defined as a human response to a divine promise. Faith is an expectation, a quiet assurance that a person will do exactly as he said he would do. Abraham believed God’s promises. He is the Father of faith of all who believe!

God’s Word to Adam was that he can eat ‘freely’ from every tree in the Garden except one (Gen 2:16,17). The word ‘freely’ means ‘unconditionally’, without limitations or outside control. This reveals the goodness and generosity of God. He wants men to enjoy His blessings. When the devil asked Eve about eating for every tree in the garden, he omitted the word ‘freely’. When Eve answered him, she also omitted the word ‘freely’ (Gen 3:1,2). The devil insinuated that God is stingy with His blessings. He attacked the character of God as Lovingly kind and generous. Since then, the devil has tried to destroy our faith in a Generous God. Men think of God as someone who is always asking us to give to Him. That is a big lie, but many Christians think like that. Listen to the way the servant who received one talent spoke to his master: “Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours” (Matt 25:24,25). Once you believe that God is a taker and not a giver, doubt and fear to trust God will enter your heart. This is what happened to Abraham.

God comes and promises Abraham to protect Him, reward Him and give Him many children as the stars in the sky (Gen 15:1-6). Abraham addresses God as “Lord God”. This is a combination of two names of God: Jehovah Adonai. Jehovah is the personal name of God, the covenant keeping God, the One who promises and keeps His Word. The word Adonai means the Master of slaves. He takes complete responsibility over His people. He is the Lord! Jesus found us in the salve market and bought us with His Blood. We are now His bondslaves or servants. Adonai is our Lord! Jesus is Lord! The name Adonai requires our total submission to His will and His ways.

God has already promised Abraham that He will make him a blessing to all the nations on the earth (Gen 12:1-3). But because Abraham is old and has no child, he starts to doubt the promise. This shows how much we desire visible blessings and struggle to simply have faith in God’s Word. Even the elect struggle with doubts and fears. Like Adam, Abraham fell for the lie of the Devil. He asked God: “What will You give me… You have not given me…”. Faith believes in a Giving God! Doubt believes that God is stingy! Selah!

God confronts Abraham’s fear, doubt and self-pity and gives him a fresh Word about an old promise. In the olden days, if a man has no children, he will leave his wealth to a chosen and faithful servant he has adopted in his house. Abraham has found such a servant in Eliezer of Damascus. Abraham is disappointed that God did not give him a son. We know that children are God’s Reward for obedience and service (Psalm 127:3-5). Abraham feels that God has not rewarded him, has not compensated him, has not giving him his salary, according to His Word. But God tells him clearly that he will have his own son who will inherit his name and wealth. Isaac was conceived supernaturally and born to old parents. He is the son of promise. All people who have faith like Abraham are now his descendants. The total population today is about 8 billion. The descendants of Abraham include the Jews, the Muslims and the Christians. The Jews are about 16 million. Muslims are 1,8 Billion. The Christians are 2,3 Billion. We are not even counting all the people who have died. This shows that God’s promise to Abraham that His descendants will be like the stars in the sky, has come to pass. These are the stars of Love. God is faithful! Amen!

LESSONS

*God is a God of personal relationships, of revelation. He guides and teaches His children thru dreams, visions and especially by His Word.

*Reject all fears of the future. Fear is an enemy to faith. God protects His people. In times of fear, remember Jehovah God, your Shield!

*Reject self-pity! Pray that God will confirm the old promise given to you.

*Reject doubt! God will give you signs that He is the God of heaven and earth. Like Abraham, remove your eyes from yourself and your problems, and look up to the stars. Remember how small you are and how big God is! Your faith in God will be strengthen!

*God promises to be the Reward of His children. All blessings, spiritual and material, are found in a Person: the Lord Jesus Christ!

*Abram had God and wealth. But he was fixated on his lack. Be grateful for what you have before you pray for more!

*God’s Presence and Grace is enough for you!

*Come out of your tent of limitations! Look up, on the sky! Count the uncountable stars of Love!

*Abram asked for little! God had so much more to give to him! Stop limiting God!

*God rewards Faith as Righteousness, with the Presence of God and a fulfilled life! Salvation is by faith alone! Faith is not based on feelings! Many people say: ‘I don’t feel like I have faith…’, they say. But faith has nothing to do with feelings and takes no account of moods or physical conditions. Feelings come and go, rise and fall, but faith endures and perseveres, because it does not look to any human source for help. The object of faith is God alone and His Word. The Christian, who believes that the risen Christ now lives within his heart, confidently expects Christ to work through him. Christ will not necessarily be felt in an emotional way, but He is present. He makes your ordinary actions to produce extraordinary results. He takes common relationships and transforms them into uncommon accomplishments.

*Develop Faith and Patience! We must trust God’s promises and God’s timing to fulfill them. Patience is a virtue that we must learn. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Our faith rests in God’s Word and His faithfulness and not in our own understanding. Practicing faith and patience are both vital in Christian life. “Do not become sluggish but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Heb 6:12).

*God is the God of Promises! Abram was 75 years when God called him and promised him to make him a father of many nations! He was 86 when Ishamel was born and 100 years old (and Sarah was 90) when Isaac was born. Abram waited 25 years for the promise to come to pass!  A promise is a solemn declaration, a pledge, a vow, that a person will do something in the future. A Promise is a legally binding declaration that gives the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance, to hope for success or improvement in life. There are more than 8000 promises in the Bible. God expects us to trust Him, to believe His, no matter how long it takes before it is fulfilled. “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us” (2Cor 1:20). God has made many promises to Abraham, Moses, David and others. He had promised to send the Messiah. Jesus came to earth as Man. These promises are about spiritual and material blessings, salvation and eternal life. All these promises are found and are fulfilled in Christ alone. We can access these promises only thru faith in Christ. The unbelievers cannot trust God for His promises. Only believers can say ‘Amen’. Believers recognize God’s sovereignty and power, and they praise Him. The fulfilment of His promises is for the good of man and for the glory of God! Our legacy is not just about physical descendants but about spiritual impact. Focus on a life that honors God and influences others for His kingdom. The manifestation of miracles, agape love, and the resurrection power gives glory to The Lord Jesus Christ in the Church! Let the stars of love shine in the darkness! Worship the Lord!

LOVING THE WEAK

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom 5:6). God’s Love manifested openly when God the Father sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the Cross to save the sinners. Salvation in Christ was revealed when “we were without strength”. This describes the state of humanity. Sin weakens and kills. God designed the plan of salvation even before He created Adam and Eve. God alone knows the future. God knew that they would fall into sin. The plan of salvation is not an afterthought. It was designed by God even before the devil tempted Adam to disobey God. God the Son, Jesus Christ, has agreed to become Man and to die for sinful men. Jesus is called “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev 13:8). This plan of salvation is totally the product of Love.

What does it mean that Christ for those “without strength”? For about four thousand years, men lived in sin. God gave His Law thru Moses. The Law revealed what sin is, but the Law could not save men from sin because men were too weak to obey it. Men needed a Savior. God waited so long so that men will have enough time to try saving themselves. All the great philosophers tried their best to explain and defeat sin. The greatest were the Greek Philosophers. They knew that something is wrong with man. They described the sinful tendency of man to destroy himself. But they could find the cure for sin. At last, men declared defeat. They agreed that they could not save themselves. Men “were dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1). Men were spiritually dead. Their spirit was dead. Their minds were in darkness. “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1Cor 2:14). That is why they were powerless to help themselves.

What does it mean Christ died “in due time”? God the Father sent His Son into the world at a particular time. “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). 6 and raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph 2:4-9). The coming of Jesus to earth is an act of pure Love, Mercy and Grace. God sent His Son into this world at the right time. “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Gal 4:4,5). God’s work is still a mystery. “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end” (Ecc 3:11). At the time when Jesus was born, the world was in relative peace. The Roman Empire had control over the world at that time. “Pax Romana” was the period of about 200 years (1st and 2nd centuries, AD) when there was minimal military expansion, prosperity and peace. The Romans saw peace not just as absence of war, but as the rare situation when all opponents had been beaten down and lost their ability to resist. Ceasar Augustus persuaded the Romans that the prosperity they could achieve in the absence of war was better for the Empire than the potential wealth and honor acquired when fighting a risky war. Jesus was born during that time. The early church grew, and the Gospel spread faster because of the peace and prosperity in the Roman Empire. Lesson: God never makes mistakes! Trust His plan and the timing of events.

What does it mean that “Christ died for the ungodly”? This is the heart of the Gospel. If Jesus died for some good, religious people, that is easier to understand. But Jesus came to earth and died on the Cross to save the ungodly, the sinners, those who are wicked, who hate God, and are morally corrupt. This is the demonstration of Love at its best. No other religion or philosophy preaches Love as the source of salvation like the Bible. Just to compare: The word ‘love’ in the Quaran appears 93x. The word ‘love’ appears 759X in the Bible (NLT). The Gospel is the only hope for sinners, for the wicked and the lost. That is why it is the greatest good news to man.

Who are these ungodly people that Christ died for? The whole world was in sin. There was no one good, no one righteous, none seeking God. To be ungodly means to be the opposite of God. In the beginning God has made man after His image and likeness (Gen 1:26). Man is spirit, because God is Spirit. God honored man in a special way by creating him to resemble Him. Man was made the lord of creation. The glory of God was upon man. But when he sinned, that image was not lost, but it was badly damaged. Man lost the authority and dominion given to him by God. God’s glory on man faded away. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). Here we see that sin is universal. No matter the status in life, all men are born sinners, and all need a Savior. Sin is disobedience to God’s Law. All men ‘fall short’ of God’s standard of holiness. In Greek, ‘to fall short’ means ‘missing the mark’. Like an archer who shuts an arrow but misses the target. Sin reveals a weakness, a lack. Because he is a sinner, man cannot please God by his works. Man needs a Savior. Man cannot bring back the glory on himself. Christ came with the glory of the Father. He alone is full of God’s glory. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (Jn 1:14). It is only in Christ that man can find his lost glory. Man must repent from sin and totally surrender to Christ. There is no other way to be saved and go to heaven. Sin has damaged not only the image of God on man, but sin has destroyed his capacity to love. No sinner can love God with agape Love!

When the Bible says that Christ died for the ungodly, it does not mean that automatically all ungodly will go to heaven. All sinners must repent of sin and surrender their lives to Christ before they can benefit from the power of the Cross. Repentance means to humbly acknowledge your sin against God and man. It means to turn away from sin and turn towards God. It is a total change of mind, heart and will. It involves painful regret of offending God and breaking His Law and a commitment to change, with fruits to prove repentance. Practically, how does godly repentance manifest? First, you must take responsibility for your sins. You must confess your sins as the Prodigal son did, saying: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son” (Lk15:21).

For as long as you say: “God, I committed sin, but…” it means that you have not repented. Justifying or excusing your sin is not godly repentance. Secondly, you must accept the consequences of your actions and do what it takes to repair the damage done. Ask God and men to forgive you. Forgive yourself. Forgive others. Repentance is necessary to heal hearts and relationships. Selah!

“Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Ac 2:38,39). True repentance brings forgiveness of sins and peace with God. Then the forgiven sinner can receive the Holy Spirit. God’s Love will be poured in his heart by the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist said: “Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matt 3:8). Repentance must produce fruits. Repentance is not just a verbal declaration but must be accompanied by a change in behavior and actions that reflect a transformed heart. Repentance is not just a onetime event, but a lifestyle for all the children of God! Selah!

BLESSED IS HE WHO CARES FOR THE HELPLESS (PSALM 41)

“A Psalm of David. Blessed [by God’s grace and compassion] is he who considers the helpless; The LORD will save him in the day of trouble. The LORD will protect him and keep him alive; And he will be called blessed in the land; You do not hand him over to the desire of his enemies. The LORD will sustain and strengthen him on his sickbed; In his illness, You will restore him to health” (Ps 41:1-3; AMP).

Psalms were not written for times of peace, but for times of war, for times of troubles. This psalm is written by King David. It shows his deep relationship with God. David faces two formidable enemies: sickness and enemy attacks. From both revelation and experience, he knew not only God’s works, but God’s ways. To be blessed means to be happy and have God’s favor. God promises to protect, deliver and heal those who are compassionate towards the weak, helpless and needy. Sickness is evil. God’s presence is with us during sickness and all trials of life. The spiritual healing is first, before physical healing. Jesus forgave the paralyzed man before He healed his body (Mk 2:1-12). Sickness is an opportunity for seeking God, repentance, humility, and going back to Jesus, our first Love! It always ends in praise!

We must care for the needy, the poor, vulnerable, weak and helpless. This is God’s Law. Mercy and Love is expected from us. It is our responsibility to be kind and generous. Caring for the weak is not just a duty but a source of blessings. God will save those who care for the needy. This protection is both spiritual and physical, temporal and eternal. These blessings manifest ‘in the land’. This reveals God’s desire to settle His children in the Promised Land and in the spiritual land of the Kingdom of God. God is sovereign. He will not allow us to be put to shame. The enemies may fashion weapons against us, but they can never succeed. God always leads us to victory in Christ! This is a reminder that God sees our hearts and our actions. Compassion reflects God’s character to people. God blesses those who are generous, compassionate, kind, and loving. God promises rewards on earth and in heaven. Amen!

BABY MOSES SAVED BY LOVE AND FAITH

“By faith Moses, after his birth, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful and divinely favored child; and they were not afraid of the king’s (Pharaoh’s) decree” (Heb 11:23; AMP). “Now Amram took for himself Jochebed, his father’s sister, as wife; and she bore him Aaron and Moses” (Exo 6:20).

This story happened when God’s people were suffering terribly. After Joseph died, they became slaves in Egypt. Their masters forced them to work ruthlessly. The word means ‘without pity’. This oppression was designed to reduce their numbers and to kill their spirit, their hope. Many died. But God was still with them. The presence of God manifested as great fruitfulness. Their hope did not die. More children were born to them during that difficult time. “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel” (Exo 1:12). Because of their great numbers, the Egyptians became afraid of their slaves. Pharaoh decided to reduce their number. He ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill every baby boy at birth but allow the girls to live. But the midwives disobeyed the king’s command. They feared God more than they feared man. God bless them for that. Disappointed with the midwives, Pharoah commanded that all the baby boys should be thrown into River Nile, to die. This law was an added sorrow for God’s people.

SLAVERY

Just imagine the life of a slave at that time. A slave is a human being who is owned by another human being. A slave lacks the most basic human rights. For example, a slave has no relatives. He belongs only to his master. If he is in trouble, no one can stand for him, to defend him. A slave is called ‘a socially dead person’. His owner takes all the fruit of his labor and controls his reproductive rights. A slave has no freedom of movement. Slaves were multiplied in different ways: they could be prisoners of war or kidnapped people. Poor people who owned money were sold as slaves. Some very poor parents sold their children as slaves. The number of slaves increased mostly by them having children. For slavery to exist, laws must be in place to protect it. Slavery exists when there is a shortage of labor, especially in the field of agriculture. Domestic slaves were also common. Most of the slaves were of a different race, religion or nationality than the owners. A slave was enslaved against his will. Slavery was practiced all over the world. Slaves were despised and regarded at the bottom of the social ladder. Throughout history slaves have been thought of as stupid, unteachable, lazy, liars, untrustworthy, prone to drunkenness, idle, licentious, and cowardly. Race was an important factor. For example, in Rome, where almost all the slaves and their owners were white, slaves were given freedom easier. In Africa, where both owners and slaves were black, freedom was also common. But in America, where the owners were white and the salves were black, the slaves suffered more. They were isolated and truly discriminated against. Slaves developed their own culture and religion as different from their masters. This culture helped the slaves to feel ‘free’ even during slavery.

Sin is a slave master. Sin is an addiction, a lifetime bondage. None can deliver from it except faith in Jesus! “Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (Jn 8:34-36).

Moses’ parents, Amram and Jochebed, were from the house of Levi. Both were slaves in Egypt. It must have been hard to work as slaves. They already had a daughter called Mariam and a son called Aaron. They now had a baby boy. They took a great risk to hide the baby for three months. This action proved great courage, faith and love. The parents refused to be intimidated by Pharoah. We see the hopelessness and oppression of slavery. But hope of freedom never died in the hearts of God’s people. For 400 years they dreamed that one day, a Savior would come to free them. He will take them away from Egypt and bring them into the Promised Land. When Moses was born, God answered their prayers. Everything was against Moses. The law was in force to kill every baby boy. All the Israelites were slaves. Moses was supposed to die. But he lived 120 years, becoming the Savior for God’s people. Jochebed prayed for a way out. We see here the natural love a mother has for her child. But in this case, it was more than a natural love. Jochebed saw that her baby boy was ‘beautiful’. This was not just a physical beauty. She saw the grace of God upon her child. She saw her baby as a destiny child. This sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is a manifestation of God’s Love in action. She became creative. She nursed her baby in hiding for 3 months. She then built a little basket from reeds found by the river. She covered the basked with pitch, just the way God told Noah to build the ark that saved his family. Jochebed surely explained everything to her little daughter, Mariam, how she wants to save her baby brother. Then Jochebed kissed her baby one last time, placed him in the ark, and laid it on the river. Miriam followed the basket to see what would happen. The basket was found by Pharoah’s daughter who heard the baby crying. When she saw the baby, his beautiful face touched her heart. She decided to adopt him. She called him Moses (from an Egyptian word meaning ‘drawn from the water’). Her compassion for this baby overcame the pride of her status or the fear of what her father would say. Miriam then asks the Egyptian princess if she can bring a Jewish mother to nurse the baby. She agreed. Moses’ mother comes to the palace and takes her baby back. This time, with the blessings of the royal family. She nursed Moses for about 3 years and brought him back to the palace. Moses grew in the palace as a prince of Egypt. The story just begins… At the right time, Moses becomes the Savior of Isreal. God’s plans can never fail! Praise the Lord!

LESSONS:

*God is the true hero of this story! All people in Genesis 2 are nameless. They each do God’s will. These wonderful people are anonymous. God’s Love shines like light in the darkness. He protects baby Moses until He is ready to use him. God is behind all actions. God never fails.

*God hears the prayers of the oppressed. In His time, he will deliver them!

*In case of conflict of interests, better obey God than man! Fear God! Do not fear man!

*True faith is bold, and love was creative. Jochebed made an ark like Noah’s ark to save her baby. She was not afraid of the king’s law. She loved the baby so much that she was willing to lay down her life to save her son. That is true Love!

*Faith surrenders to God. Once Jochebed fasted, and prayed for a miracle, she laid her baby in the ark and then let go of it. She trusted that God would take control. Her faith and hope were in God alone. She was not disappointed. God saved her baby and used him as a mighty man of God. Jochebed is like Hannah who gave Samuel to God. Lesson: There is a time to pray, a time to work, and there is a time to wait for God. This holy chain of pain-prayer-work-wait always ends in praise!

*Pray and prophesy over your children. Jochebed nursed her baby until he was about 3 years old. Moses grew knowing the love of his Jewish mother and the love of Jehovah God. This was the foundation for his success later in life. Teaching your child about God is the greatest gift you can give to him. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (PV22:6).

*Egypt is a type of the world. Pharoah is a type of the devil. Moses is a type of Jesus, the Savior. The exodus is a type of deliverance from the world when a sinner becomes saved. God alone knows the end from the beginning. He is sovereign overall. He revealed to Abraham that His people will be slaves and later landlords. “Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him. 13 Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. 14 And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete” (Gen 15:12-16). Selah!

Why did God send His people to Egypt, to save them thru Joseph and later to allow them to become slaves?

First, God disciplined them for their sin. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal6:7).

Their fathers sold Joseph as a slave. God is a God of justice. He promised to punish the children for the sins of their fathers, up to the fourth generation. This is God’s Law: “You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 10 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments” (Deut 5:9,10). The way God visits the sins of the fathers upon the children is by allowing the sinful patterns of the parents to manifest in their children. For example, if parents are liars, the children imitate them and lie too.

Secondly, becoming slaves in Egypt humbled God’s people. God’s grace was now given to them. “But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble” (Jam 4:6). God was preparing them to bless them, to become landlords in the Promised Land. Lesson: during hardships we discover our identity, responsibility and destiny in life. You must learn to pray and rejoice during times of trial and hardship. Do not seek the easy life. Seek God and the life He gives. Then other blessings shall be added to you!

The third reason why God’s people stayed in Egypt for 400 years was because the sin of the Amorites was not yet complete. Lesson: God observes our enemies too. Their sin must come to a maximum before God will intervene to save us and destroy them. God’s time is best!

*The Book of Exodus offers wonderful Hope to all generations. Every act of Love, faith and courage is important. Sacrifices made for love are rewarded by God! God shows His love thru others, even thru our enemies. God can use broken and weak people. God is faithful to all His promises. All people, even the slaves, have worth in God’s sight. In Exodus, we hear the sound of worship nobody can silence: Let My people go! In Christ alone there is hope, peace, joy, healing and deliverance from sin! Let your faith rise! The God that saved baby Moses is our God too! Nothing is impossible for our God! Have faith in God! Your pain is not forever! May your pain become prayer and praise! To the glory of God! Worship the Lord!

WE REJOICE IN HARDSHIPS, PERSEVERE, BUILD CHARACTER AND HOPE! (Rom 5:1-5; AMP)

The need to mature as Christians thru trials in life is the greatest practical theme in the Bible. Apostle Paul shows us how to apply the doctrine in daily living. He has told us that we are justified by faith, that we have peace, access to stand, and we should rejoice in the hope ahead. In other words, the true believer is sure of his place in heaven. He rejoices in his hope. Knowing and believing these doctrines produces joy. These are facts of the Christian foundation. This maturity comes thru this ‘knowing…’, which is the work of the Holy Spirit. Practically, the following are the effects of justification by grace and thru faith in the Lord Jesus Christ:

1-The first thing we see is that a Christian ‘rejoices in his hardships’. In Greek, the word rejoice means ‘to glory, to make noise, to joyfully boast about something’. This is not a quiet joy. It is vocal. This is a reminder that the Christian life is not easy. There are trials, sufferings, attacks, hardships, and tribulations. The world gets happy only when things go well. Unbelievers hate troubles. They see nothing good in them. But the believer rejoices in them. Why? Because he finds God even in times of troubles! The Christian does not pray for problems to come, but when they do come, he finds God’s purpose in them, and he rejoices. The word ‘hardships’ means ‘pressures’ of life. These are divided into two: The pressures of society and self-imposed pressures. In the first group, for example, teenagers, under peer pressure, want to go to university abroad; young women want to marry before they are thirty; the graduate wants a good job immediately; the married couple wants children immediately after the wedding. Self-imposed pressure is from within. None gives you stress. You give it yourself. You envy others and you want to be rich, famous and successful like them. You want the latest car like the rich… You want to be slim… But you are not realistic. You want things that may not be good for you. That pressure leads to frustration and depression. You need to humble yourself, pray to know God’s will for your life and stop comparing yourself with others. You are created unique by God. Forget others! Fulfill your own destiny. Do not add more stress to your life! Be free! Be yourself! Our Lord addressed this. He said: “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33). In Jesus’ name, rejoice and overcome your own world! Amen!

In His sermon on the mount, our Lord said that trials will come just because we belong to Him. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt 5:11,12). We see that the Chistian will be criticized, persecuted and insulted just because he belongs to Christ. This persecution coming from the secular and the religious world is to be expected. It is ‘normal’. Why is the Christian persecuted? First, it is because He has the Spirit of Christ in Him. As men hated Jesus, they will hate the Christian. The believer is unique. The world hates anyone who is different, who is special. Men cannot control the Christian. Therefore, they will insult him. The Christian believes in the God of heaven. He knows that one day he will go there. His faith in God and heaven keeps him strong through all situations. Worldly men hate heaven because they hate death. That is why they buy expensive clothes, cars and live like there is no tomorrow. The unbeliever does everything so that he forgets about death. But the Christian is different. He has a hope of glory which is stronger than his fear of death. The world finds that thinking strange and abuses him. Selah!

The false prophets and the cult leaders promise a life free from all problems. They say something like this: “Accept Jesus and you will never have any problems in life!” They give false hopes to people. This promise is not Biblical. Problems do indeed come. Life is not easy. In fact, because they experience persecutions, the Christians have more problems than the unbelievers. But the interesting thing is that believers make progress by faith even through hardship. By experience, they learn that all trials and temptations cannot quench their hope of glory. They discover that God remains the same before, during and after the storm. God’s Love never changes! Trials only confirm that Love!

We are told that believers are ‘persecuted for Jesus’ sake’. What does that mean? Persecution means to oppress, harass or insult someone because of his race, or religion. This is a fact: all true believers are persecuted. Apostle Paul said: “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2Tim 3:10-12). This persecution happens not because believers are troublemakers, difficult, or overzealous. They are not persecuted because they are kind or do noble deeds. Every religious unbeliever wants to do good deeds and to be praised by men. The Christians are persecuted just because they are different. They are holy like Jesus. By their words and deeds, believers remind people of Jesus. Their Love convict unbelievers. That is why they react. Who are the persecutors? The world is the main oppressor. Secondly, the religious unbelievers in the church also persecute the true believers. Selah!

How does a Christian react to provocation and persecution? First, he must always obey God’s Word! He must not pay back evil for evil. He must not retaliate. He must not seek vengeance. He must remain calm, loving, and ‘turn the other cheek’ (Matt 5:39). “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good” (Rom 12:21). He must pray for the strength to endure the attack, pray for divine wisdom on what to say. He must not react in anger. He must not become bitter or depressed because of the attacks. He must keep his peace. Amen!

The believer is able to rejoice that he is persecuted for Christ’s sake, being in the same category with the prophets of old. The apostles were imprisoned and beaten by the religious leaders because they preached in Jesus’ name. Yet, they rejoiced! “So, they left the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy [dignified by indignity] to suffer shame for [the sake of] His name” (Acts 5:41; AMP).

What does the Christian do when problems come? The first thing is to pray for more grace, strength, and divine wisdom. He knows that God is there for him always. This ‘knowing’ is deep and extremely strong. Faith in God is the power behind the Christian rejoicing and boasting of Jesus during the storm. The believer sees God in the center of all things, including the painful things. He sees trials as discipline coming from God the Father (Heb 12:5-11). He knows that God does not send trials to the unbelievers in the same way. God trains him as a son who must represent his Father. Trials are a training school for the Christian as an ambassador of Christ. The pain gives the Christian joy and adds proof that he is not an illegitimate son. The pain draws him closer to God and God reminds him how much He loves him. As he runs the Christian race, in the pain, he finds his gain. This positive effect of pain is to change the character. The believer discovers how deep God’s love is for him, especially during trials. The unbelievers behave differently. They do not draw closer to God. They become angry and bitter, blaming God during their pains. The trials expose them, by washing away their pretense of faith and peace. Lesson: this is a good test to know if you are a true believer or not. What is your reaction during the trials of life? When things are easy, anyone can claim to be a Christian going to heaven. But what do you do, or think, or say, during difficult times? Examine yourself! Selah!

Tribulations are many and different. These can be persecution, insults, attacks of sickness, poverty, or loneliness. It does not mean that the Christian is happy when troubles come to him. He is sad like any other human being. But he does not stay sad!!! He prays and asks God for strength, guidance and wisdom. Please observe that ‘we rejoice IN our hardships.’ We do not just wait for the pain to go. In the midst of it all, during the hardships of life, we can truly thank God! We feel God’s presence. We know that we are not alone! We rejoice because God has a purpose for everything. We rejoice in the pain because the pain has come to push us closer to God. The believer knows that nothing happens to him is by accident. He knows that God is sovereign over all. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28). God’s promise never fails! Even now, give thanks to God!

Dear Christian, how can you rejoice during suffering? This is the answer: It is because you know your identity and purpose in Christ. You know who you are, to whom you belong. You know that Jesus died to save your soul, and He has promised to never leave you alone! This assurance of salvation and of heaven gives you courage to face any opposition. During attacks, you feel the presence of God with you. God’s Love covers you. You do not fear men or their wicked words. In life or death, you know that thru Christ you are always a winner.

Finally, what is the promised reward? The Bible does not describe it. But we know that in heaven we shall see Jesus, face to face. We shall have spiritual bodies like Jesus. We shall worship forever the Lamb upon the throne. We shall live in mansions in glory. Therefore, God’s presence is the greatest reward. That hope makes us exceedingly glad even when we suffer for the sake of Jesus! Hallelujah!

2-Secondly, we are told that “hardship produces patient endurance (perseverance)”. The word ‘produce’ means to manufacture. This is the spiritual production line of the Holy Spirit. The raw material becomes the expected product. The Christian rejoices in hardships because he has discovered the good effect pain has on him. One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is Patience. In Greek, ‘Patience’ means to persevere during hardship, with cheerful endurance as you wait for God to help you. It means to be steadfast (fixed in one direction, firm in purpose, not shaking from faith, being faithful, and loyal). It means not giving up, standing and trusting God. The opposite of steadfast means to shake and abandon your position, to bend, or to betray your friend. During trials, the Holy Spirit tests, purifies and strengthens your faith. Every believer testifies that hardship made him stronger in faith. This strength manifests only in the true believers. This is the testimony of all believers: “Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep and honor Your word [with loving obedience]” (Ps 119:67; AMP).

3-Thirdly, we are also told that “endurance proves character”. As the faith gets stronger, you learn to stand and persevere during the trial. You can see what God is doing thru the trial. The result is that you now rejoice even in the pain. This produces stability of character. This blessing can only happen as God does His great work in you in the fire. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (Jam 1:2-4). The natural man is impatient and restless. Even the baby Christian is impatient. All he wants is that the pain should go away. Patience and wisdom are twins. Led by the Holy Spirit, the trials of life build up character that is tried in the fire and proven to be genuine. In the Bible, the word Character always means proven moral character. The mature Christian has the scars to prove that God’s fire has purified, approved and established him. Thru hardships, we learn to Love an invisible but Loving Jesus!

These are some of the characteristics of a Christian who has a mature godly moral character:

*First, this man is a Lover! He loves God with all his heart. Secondly, he loves people as he loves himself. Love is the greatest proof that this man has a proven moral character. If you want to know who is genuine, then look for agape Love in his words and actions. Love is a Fruit of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that true believers are known by Love and unbelievers are known by wickedness (Matt 7:17).  

*The godly man is humble, submissive and teachable. He submits to God, to Christ and to the human authority given to him by God! He loves to serve others, to help them with their needs. “Through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Gal 5:13,14).

*This man pays the price to grow spiritually. He is not stagnant. He loves God’s Word, prayer, and church activities. For example, Apostle Paul, who is considered the greatest Christian who has ever lived, continue to pay the price for spiritual maturity. “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Phil 3:12).

*This godly man is responsible. He is hard working. He takes care of his household needs. He does not borrow except in emergency. “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1Tim 5:8). This man is worthy of trust. He does what is right and the things expected of him. He accepts the blame if anything goes wrong.

*He is generous with his resources. “The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself” (PV 11:25).

*He is kind, forgiving. “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4:32).

*He fears God. “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised” (PV 31:30)

*He is strong and courageous (Josh 1:6,7,9). He is not a coward!

*He speaks Truth in Love (Eph 4:15). He is a good communicator. He does not gossip or slander. He is an encourager.

There are some people in the Bible who have great moral character. For example, Joseph, King David, Daniel, Ruth, Esther, Mordecai, the wife in Proverbs 31, and others, were shining examples of godly behavior even in difficult or dangerous times. They were not born like that. They were all sinners saved by Grace. But they paid the price for spiritual maturity and godly character. Fame is what people see. It is who people think you are. But Character is who you really are, the things you do when no man is watching. Doing the right thing is never easy. But standing for what is right, doing good to people, is a test of our moral character. Iron is known for its strength. Nature is known for her beauty. In the same way, a godly man is known by his excellent character. It is built by constantly seeking God’s will in every decision in life. Children are 25% of the present population and 100% of the future. As parents, we must display and teach godly values to our children. Study a moral godly man! Look at the things he loves and at the things he hates. That will tell you the truth about that man!

4-Godly moral Character produces more hope! Hope is defined as the Joyful expectation of the future. It is only a man who loves God and people, who is humble, teachable and submissive, who pays the price to grow spiritually, who is hardworking, responsible, and generous that has hope for the future. After passing the fire of affliction, the Christian is now trustworthy, faithful, and emotionally stable. God can trust him with His resources. This maturity leads to greater hope. We started with hope, and we’ll end shall with hope. The Old Saints said that Hope is both the father and the child of spiritual maturity. The trials confirmed God’s Love in the believer and the hope of heaven. That is why the Christian, at the end of the period of hardship, is even stronger. This is the proven royal way of the Cross, the agape road!

Don’t forget the power of hope. When a doctor tells his patient that there is no hope, he means that death is his only option. Hopelessness is a terrible burden to carry. It is proven that even if you take everything from a man, if he still retains his hope, he will make it. These are some Feelings of hopelessness (despair): depression, anger, sleep disturbances, weight fluctuations, slow in thinking, in making decisions, feelings of guilt, inferiority complexes, thoughts of suicide and unexplained physical problems (weakness, body pains, stomach pains etc).

RUTH – A WOMAN OF NOBLE CHARACTER

“And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman…. A woman of excellence… a woman of noble character” (Ru 3:11; NKJ; AMP; NIV).

Ruth is called a woman of noble character. These are just some of the reasons why: she was a true believer in Jehovah God. She was possibly Naomi’s convert to Judaism. Ruth was a pagan before she married Naomi’s son. After her husband’s death, she continued to serve Naomi. For her, Naomi was not just her mother-in-law, but her mentor in Judaism. Ruth obeyed God’s word: “The one who is taught the word [of God] is to share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his spiritual and material support]” (Gal 6:6; AMP). Ruth was faithful to her mentor unto death. Love for God and for Naomi was the only explanation why Ruth left her country, her people, her family and her gods to follow and serve Naomi in Isreal. Love is the only reason why a person can go to this extreme of faithfulness and sacrifice.

Ruth was loving, humble, teachable, obedient, respectful, hard-working, and loyal. These are all evidence of a genuine moral character. But the greatest of her attributes is her dedication to Naomi, even to the point of death. This quality is rare to find. People betray one another. They find many reasons why they should divorce, or separate. Ruth did not perform miracles. She did not organize crusades. But in her own quiet life, she shines as light in darkness. Ruth teaches us that faith and hope in God is rewarded by God. Our past is not our final destination. Choosing and doing the right thing, loving with the extra mile passion is rewarded by God. All godly relationships are God’s gifts to mankind. Ruth did not know that a chapter in the Bible will be named after her and that million of people will read and be inspired by her faithfulness. God honored her. God uses the most unlikely people to do His will.  God cares for all people, no matter the nationality, skin color or level in society. Men and women are equal before God. None is unimportant before God. God uses little things and little people to achieve great things for His glory! Love and Faith make the difference. It pays to serve God and man. It pays to build up a godly testimony. God rewards that! “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD bestows grace and favor and honor; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Ps 84:11; AMP). The sun is a symbol of light and life. The shield is protection. God bestows Grace and Honor. God gives spiritual and natural blessings, earthly and heavenly rewards to those who are upright in character. God will not withdraw any good blessing from His children. This promise encourages believers to pay the price for spiritual maturity and godly character.

Ruth was declared to be kind by Naomi and Boaz. She loved Jehovah more than her natural family. She was determined to find and serve God. Not even Orpah’s going back or Naomi’s pleading changed her mind. Naomi failed the test of affliction. She blamed God for her troubles and became bitter. She was supposed to rejoice in her hardship, but she did not. Ruth passed the test of affliction. She did not become bitter. She served a backslider with a joyful heart. Ruth obeyed God’s promises that said: “God makes a home for the lonely; He leads the prisoners into prosperity, Only the stubborn and rebellious dwell in a parched land” (Ps 68:6; AMP). “And I will bless (do good for, benefit) those who bless you, And I will curse [that is, subject to My wrath and judgment] the one who curses (despises, dishonors, has contempt for) you. And in you all the families (nations) of the earth will be blessed” (Gen 12:3:AMP). Worship the Lord!

GRACE UPON GRACE

“For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift]” (Jn 1:16; AMP). In Greek, the word ‘fullness’ means completeness and overflow. Christ is 100% God and 100% Man. The Christian is a man who has received and continues to receive something from God. He receives willingly and actively. God thru Christ gives the believer the best heaven has. The Christian receives the Holy Spirit by faith and at different levels. This pouring of the Holy Spirit is by God’s Grace. It is an intimate relationship of giving and receiving. Christ’ gift increases gradually. It is grace upon grace. Grace is defined as the unmerited favor of God to the believer. It manifests as spiritual gift upon gift, and spiritual blessing upon blessing. This continuous increase in spiritual power and anointing never stops until the believer goes to heaven.

Grace is the generosity, the outpouring of Love. Grace is like a glass full of water. We drink and drink and it is still full. As children of God, we know and feel that we are loved, protected and blessed. Out of this overflow of Love, we love others. The Christians are different in their levels of revelation, authority, and power to testify for Jesus. All believers are citizens of God’s Kingdom, but not all are governors or judges with authority to open and shut doors. It is possible to be born-again and still not be baptized with the Holy Spirit. There is a price to pay to know and function in the realm of power, and love. May we be willing to mature!

LOVE IS STRONG AND COURAGEOUS (Deut 11:22-25; Joshua 1:1-9)

We are ready to crossover into a new year (2025). Let God’s Word guide us. Let the Holy Spirit direct us. We shall experience a higher level of fruitfulness and greater harvest. We re-visit the story of Joshua, taking the lead after God’s servant, Moses has died. This is a story of transition, from dreams to dreams come true. The people of God are ready to crossover. They’ve camped by River Jordan. God commands Joshua to arise and lead the people. God commands him to be strong and very courageous. He must devote Himself to study and apply God’s Word. God’s promises are ready to be fulfilled. Centuries ago, God promised that the Land of Canaan will be theirs. Because of disobedience, they’ve wasted many years. But they are now ready to enter the Promised Land. This is a destiny moment for Isreal.

Three times in this passage God commands Joshua to be ‘strong and very courageous’. This is not a suggestion. Obeying this command is rewarded with godly prosperity and success. Moses was a strong leader. Joshua also needs to be strong and very courageous as a leader because God’s people were not experienced warriors, and the Canaanites were strong enemies. To be ‘strong’ means emotionally firm and stable, but not totally hardened and not soft; he must not be easily moved emotionally, not yielding to manipulation or intimidation. The word ‘courageous’ means to be brave, fearless, having the mental and moral strength to deal with dangerous, unpleasant or difficult things without breaking down. God’s command was ‘to observe to do’ all God’s Law. This is an active, diligent and intentional obedience to God’s commands. According to God’s covenant, obedience to God’s Word brought blessings. Disobedience brought curses. Partial obedience is counted as disobedience. Joshua was not to turn to the right or to the left. It shows the need to go straight on God’s path of righteousness. Any deviation means failure or danger. Lesson: stay focused on the path God has prepared for us, and faithfully, to run the race to the end.

God has promised that obedience to His Word leads to prosperity. In Hebrew, the word ‘sakal’ means prosperity that comes from wisdom and understanding of God. It is not just wealth. It is the testimony of a mature believer who knows God and His Word. He hears from God. He applies God’s Word wisely in his life. This is how he becomes wealthy, spiritually and materially. This promise is not connected only with the Promised Land. Its blessings shall manifest in any place you go in this world. You become a source of prosperity in any place you live.

The Bible is the true and final authority in the life of the believer. We must study, meditate and proclaim God’s Word. This is the lifestyle of the believer. It affects his thinking, his emotions, his choices, his speech and his actions. The diligent study and application of God’s Word leads to prosperity. In Hebrew, it is the word ‘tsalach’. It means to advance, to make progress, or to have breakthrough. Good success means success connected with wisdom taken from the Word of God. This is a reminder that God’s Law is extremely important. It cannot be broken. Man cannot keep God’s Law perfectly. The only Man who ever obeyed God perfectly is Jesus Christ. He did not come to do away with the Law, but to fulfill it through His perfect obedience. In Him, we are justified by Grace and through Faith. His obedience becomes ours. In Christ, all the promises are yes and amen. God’s Word decrees that as believers, we will have a successful and prosperous life.

As we enter this new year, we too stand at the river. We’ve known thirst in the desert. We’ve also tasted the refreshing water of salvation. Now it is time to crossover and enter the Promised Land. The Lion of Judah looks us in the eye and says, “Come here.” The Promised Land is the fullness of the presence of God. Entering there is never casual. It is frightening because in that Land we are to live a whole new life that we have never known before. In the desert, even though we were thirsty, at least we felt some sort of control. But now, we are afraid of heaven because the promises are so, so big and the glory so, so bright! It is hard to have faith that our lives will change so much!

How did Joshua have the power to let go of the past and crossover into the Promised Land? What are the lessons for us? Joshua heard the voice of God. In all transitions we must hear from God. God speaks thru His Word and by His Spirit. Trying to move on without God is dangerous. God’s Word must be heard and obeyed. God promised to be with Joshua always. God’s presence is safety. God promised to fight and defeat all Joshua’s enemies. God’s presence of victory. It is hope! Learn to let go by giving God your desire for comfort, security and control. Let Him replace it with the reality of His presence. Now you are ready to cross over into the Promised Land! Worship the Lord!