Author: Anna

  • Proverbs 12:4

    “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.” — Proverbs 12:4

    This passage describe a two character of a wife. One who brings honor and one who brings shame. But when we take a closer look at the original Hebrew meaning of the word “excellent,” we discover something really interesting about how God describes a wife as “excellent”. The Hebrew word used here is ḥayil (חַיִל), a word that carries the meanings of strength, might, efficiency, wealth, and army. Interestingly, ḥayil is a masculine term often used in Scripture to describe warriors, armies, and men of great wealth.

    For instance, Gideon is called a “mighty man of valor” (ḥayil, Judges 6:12), and the same word is used to describe Pharaoh’s armies or forces in Exodus 14:9. It even refers to Boaz, who is described as a man of great wealth (ḥayil, Ruth 2:1). King David also uses the word ḥayil to describe power in 2 Samuel 22:33. Now we see that an excellent wife is described with the same word “ḥayil” meaning she is valiant, strong like an army, and full of wealth and power. She is the crown of her husband.

    This is very different from how society often defines a “virtuous woman.” In many cultures, a virtuous woman is expected to be weak, overly submissive, quiet, and without a voice or the right to question. But the Bible gives a very different picture. This kind of woman is strong, capable, and wise. She is described as a crown. And what does a crown symbolize? A crown represents honor, power, and authority. Her character lifts her husband up, just as a crown magnifies the stature of a king.

    Are you also aware of another powerful Hebrew word — ʿēzer (עֵזֶר) — used in Genesis 2:18 when God says, “I will make a helper suitable for him”? Unfortunately, the English word “helper” often sounds subservient, as though Eve was created simply to assist Adam like an assistant or servant. But ʿēzer is actually a military term, used throughout the Old Testament to describe God Himself as the defender and rescuer of His people. For example, Moses said that God is our help (ʿēzer), and Psalm 33:20 declares, “O God, You are my help (ʿēzer).” Far from implying weakness, ʿēzer carries the meaning of a strong ally, a warrior, helper, someone who protects, supports, and stands alongside, even to the point of self-sacrifice.

    Let me give you an example from the Bible of women who stood beside their husbands. One of my favorites in Women in the Bible “Noah’s Wife”. She wasn’t given any lines in Scripture, but her faith and actions spoke louder than words. Imagine standing beside your husband, assigned by God to build an ark because a flood was coming at a time when there had never been rain on the earth! Building this enormous ark took almost a hundred years. If you are a wife, you know that when your husband receives an assignment from the Lord, it isn’t always easy. There will be confusion, doubt, and opposition. Yet during Noah’s time, when no one had ever seen rain, his wife strengthened her husband and faithfully worked beside him. She was strong like an army, unwavering, determined, and steadfast. Just like a woman of valor. When Scripture mentions her as Noah’s wife, it doesn’t diminish her; it honors her. When God joins a husband and wife, He no longer sees them as two but as one. When Noah was praised, she was praised. His accomplishments were her accomplishments. Remember, when Adam failed, Eve was part of that story and when righteous men succeeded, their wives were often part of that victory.

    Now, let’s turn to the New Testament. Another example is Priscilla, the wife of Aquila. The Apostle Paul often praised Priscilla, even mentioning her name before her husband’s. That tells us how active and dedicated she was in serving the Lord. Priscilla and Aquila worked together in ministry and even had a church in their home. Have you ever wondered, if Priscilla had not been so active and faithful, would Aquila have become the great man of God and servant of God that he was? Her character, perseverance, and willingness to assist her husband in fulfilling God’s calling made her a true crown to him. Her strength, wisdom, and devotion were so evident that Paul himself recognized the honor and power of her life.

    So do you really think God would create a woman to help a man rule and take care of the entire earth who was weak and unable to stand beside her husband in such a great task? Would He design her to be illiterate and confined only to household duties while her husband sacrifices his life to fulfill God’s calling? Of course not! That image of womanhood is what the world expects but it is not what God designed.

    How can you ask God for a wife who is virtuous or excellent, a woman who will be your crown, if you haven’t renewed your mindset about God’s true design for women, instead of what the world has taught? After the fall, we entered a spiritual battle and the fight continues today. In a battle, a warrior needs someone strong and capable standing beside them, not someone weak and fearful. God created woman to be an ʿēzer a warrior helper. As a warrior, she must be steadfast, and courageous, standing side by side with her husband in the fight of faith. The battle is fierce, but she was created for it.

    If we desire to be virtuous and excellent women, we must understand that these two words describe a woman’s character. This kind of character is not something we are naturally born with. A virtuous woman is not self-made. She is shaped by God’s hand and molded through His Word and His Spirit. So how can we develop this kind of character? We must first seek God and spend time in His Word. It is God who teaches, corrects, and guides us to become women of godly character. As the Scripture says, “House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord” (Proverbs 19:14).
    Now we can understand that an excellent wife is trained by God and is truly a gift from Him.

    Unfortunately, not all wives are excellent or virtuous. The passage continues, “But she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones”. This kind of wife becomes to her husband like a cancer in his bones, causing deep pain and weariness from within. A woman without godly wisdom or self-control brings ridicule upon herself and sorrow upon her husband. Just as decaying bones bring constant agony, so a wife with corrupt or careless character brings distress and dishonor to her home. 

    A foolish woman who brings shame has never allowed the Lord to shape her character. She follows her own desires and emotions instead of submitting to God’s will. Her self becomes her lord.


    We also see examples in Scripture of women who brought shame and destruction because they turned away from God and His guidance. Shame first appeared in the Garden of Eden when Eve and Adam transgressed against the Lord. The Scripture says, “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked” (Genesis 3:7). Their disobedience brought shame, just as a woman today who continues in wrongdoing toward her husband brings shame instead of honor.

    Sarah also felt shame when she realized she had acted in unbelief by giving Hagar to Abraham, trying to fulfill God’s promise in her own way (Genesis 16:2–5). Yet even then, God sought her out. Remember when the Lord asked Abraham, “Where is Sarah thy wife?” (Genesis 18:9). Just as He sought Adam in the garden, God’s question revealed His mercy and desire to restore.

    Delilah brought shame, destruction, and sorrow into Samson’s life when she betrayed him for silver. The Scripture says, “And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him” (Judges 16:19).

    Job’s wife spoke foolishly in a time of sorrow, saying to her husband, “Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die” (Job 2:9). Imagine the weight of her words. Job was already in deep grief and pain, yet instead of offering comfort, she added to his sorrow. She became as “rottenness in his bones.” In that moment, a husband might feel regret and ask himself, “Why did I not choose a woman who understands God’s character, His sovereignty, and His purpose? a woman who truly loves the Lord?”

    Jezebel, the wife of Ahab, also led her husband into great wickedness. Scripture says, “But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up” (1 Kings 21:25,). She murdered the prophets of God, seized Naboth’s vineyard through deceit, and even caused the prophet Elijah to flee in fear. Jezebel became a snare to Ahab. She not only encouraged him to commit evil but also turned his heart away from the God of Israel, the one true and living God. Her life stands as a warning of how a woman without the fear of the Lord can bring destruction not only upon herself but also upon her husband and household.

    This passage reveals that choosing the wrong woman can make a man’s life miserable, destroy his reputation, and even bring him to ruin. Solomon himself experienced this and wrote, “And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her” (Ecclesiastes 7:26, KJV). A seductive or ungodly woman is like a trap, she draws a man away from God’s purpose and leads him into bondage.  

    What do we learn from these two types of wives, and what are we called to do? For every man and woman, it is very important to have an intimate relationship with Jesus first before entering into marriage. But if you are already married and find yourself here, searching the Scriptures and desiring to be transformed by God, know this, it is never too late.

    All of us, whether man or woman, have areas in our character that need change, that’s why we all need Jesus. We must continue to walk closely with the LORD Jesus, because while we walk with Him, He slowly transforms us from within. He heals our past traumas and wounds and removes all the junk that has built up in our hearts like unforgiveness, bitterness, and pride. Through His Spirit, He teaches us to understand His will and purpose for our lives.

    In time, as a woman allows God to refine her, she becomes ready for the man God has prepared for her. A woman who can truly become a crown to her husband instead of a cancer that destroys him. Everything we have learned and discussed about being women of strength and courage should lead us to use that character to help, serve, and assist our husbands. Our role is to stand beside them like a warrior in battle, offering strength and support, but not to take the lead. The same is true for men. Before God entrusts a woman to him, He must first heal, prepare, and align that man with His purpose. God designed us to complement, not compete; to help fulfill His purpose together, side by side.

  • I Peter‬ ‭3:1-2

    “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.” — I Peter‬ ‭3:1-2‬

    In this verse, the Apostle Peter is speaking specifically to married women, not to unmarried women. The word “submissive” comes from the Greek word hypotassō, which means to place under, to subject oneself, to obey, or to submit to another’s authority. The context of this submission is within marriage This instruction is directed toward wives in relation to their own husbands, not to men in general. The Bible does not call women to be subject to all men, but only to their husbands, the one they are united with in covenant before God.

    To grasp this word more deeply, we can look at how it’s used elsewhere in the Bible.

    When Jesus was a child, He was subject to His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:51). Even though He was the Son of God, He chose to obey them not because they were greater, but to fulfill righteousness and demonstrate perfect obedience. Likewise, children are called to honor and obey their parents because parents carry wisdom and experience that guide their children in the right path. This obedience is for protection and growth. Yet, Scripture also commands parents not to provoke their children to anger (Ephesians 6:4). God gives authority not for abuse, but for loving guidance and care.

    Peter uses hypotassō again when instructing believers to submit to governing authorities (1 Peter 2:13–14). Why? Because government, though imperfect, is established by God to maintain order on earth (Romans 13:1–2). Even when Christians faced persecution and injustice, Peter still encouraged submission not as blind obedience, but as a testimony of faith and trust in God’s sovereignty. To resist lawful authority brings consequences, but to submit with a right heart brings peace and honor to God.

    Peter also uses the word submission when addressing servants toward their masters (1 Peter 2:18). This is one of the most sensitive passages in Scripture, but Peter was not endorsing slavery. Instead, he was teaching believers how to live righteously in a fallen system without losing faith or dignity. We see an example in Hagar, when she fled from Sarah’s harsh treatment, the angel of the Lord told her to return and submit (Genesis 16:9). God did not ignore her suffering; He promised to bless her and her descendants. This shows that submission never goes unnoticed. God sees, judges, and vindicates in His perfect time. Likewise, the Bible commands masters to treat their servants justly, knowing that they too are subject to the Lord Jesus (Ephesians 6:9).

    Now we begin to understand why subjection is so important, not only because God commands wives to be in subjection to their own husbands, but because it is a principle for everyone. As 1 Corinthians 14:33 reminds us, “God is not the author of confusion but of peace.” Wherever there is divine order, there is harmony, righteousness, and peace.

    Wives are not commanded to submit to their husbands because they are less, inferior, or weak. Women are created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). There is no inferiority in God’s creation, after God created woman, He said that everything was very good. Yet after the fall (Genesis 3:16), the relationship between man and woman became strained. What was once harmony became a battle for control. That is why God said to Eve, “Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” This was not a command for domination, but an instruction for order within marriage, so that husband and wife could live together in harmony under God’s design.

    The New Testament reveals this truth even more clearly, showing us that marriage is a reflection of Christ and His Bride, the Church. Just as the Church submits to Christ, so wives are called to submit to their husbands. And just as Christ loved the Church and gave His life for her, so husbands are called to love their wives with the same sacrificial and unconditional love. Remember, God said that man was given authority to have dominion over the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:28). God’s intention for marriage was never for Adam or any man to dominate his wife, but to lead her, love her and protect her, just as Christ loves and protects His Church. When a wife submits to her husband, she is not merely yielding to a man, but honoring God’s design.

    Remember, when Eve stepped outside of that order and acted independently of her husband, the result was the destruction of God’s perfect design. Through her disobedience, sin entered the world. Later, Sarah’s lack of submission to God’s timing led her to give Hagar to Abraham, producing Ishmael and even today, the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac live in conflict. Rebecca took matters into her own hands by deceiving Isaac and teaching Jacob to deceive his own father  create division and strife between the brothers.

    These stories in Scripture remind us of a simple but serious truth: whenever we step outside of God’s order, chaos always follows. The command to live in submission wasn’t only given to believing husbands and wives. It applies even to those living among unbelievers. Apostle Peter continues in saying, “Even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.”

    In Peter’s time, many women had come to faith before their husbands. His instruction was meant to guide them on how to live righteously, even in a home where their spouse did not yet believe. Their godly character not their disputes was meant to draw their husbands toward believing to the LORD Jesus Christ.

    Many of us are not in submission to God anymore. We no longer prioritize reading His Word or spending time in prayer with Him. Because of our lack of knowledge of God’s Word, we end up being destroyed. How can we expect to make the right decisions in life without the guidance of God’s Word? The same applies to marriage. We are clearly instructed, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14). The moment we turn away from God’s Word, we open the door to disobedience and where there is disobedience, there will always be chaos, confusion, and destruction.

    Wives are commanded to be subject to their own husbands. But how can we claim that Christ has saved us if there is no transformation in our lives? You cannot win your husband to the Lord through constant conflict, disrespect, or disobedience. Those attitudes do not reflect the character of Jesus Christ. Instead, Peter teaches that a wife can win her husband “without a word” through her conduct by living with gentleness, purity, and a quiet spirit that honors God. And this kind of character isn’t just for wives, it’s for everyone who follows Christ. We are not called to be rude, wrathful, or impure, but to walk in humility, patience, and love.

    Paul echoes this same truth in 1 Corinthians 7:16, asking, “How do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband?” Yet he also makes it clear that if an unbelieving spouse chooses to leave, the believer is “not under bondage in such cases, for God has called us to peace.” And let’s be clear, submission does not mean enduring abuse or harm. God never calls anyone to stay in a place of physical or sexual abuse. That’s not peace! God is not the author of confusion. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Peace cannot coexist where sin and abuse are present. God’s commandments were given so that we could live in harmonious relationships where peace, love, and joy reign among one another. These commands were never meant to be twisted or used against their true purpose, but to protect us and to keep our relationships in His divine order. Above all, true submission begins with submission to God. When we surrender our hearts to His Word and walk daily in His Spirit, He fills us with wisdom and discernment to know what is right, what is safe, and what is pleasing to Him.

    Submission to our husbands is submission to God and His order.

  • Romans 1:4

    “And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.” — Romans 1:4

    Paul begins, before this passage, by saying that Jesus is the offspring of David according to the flesh. Paul emphasizes that Jesus came from a royal lineage the fulfillment of God’s covenant with King David that from his line would come One whose kingdom would reign forever (2 Samuel 7:12–13). Paul is declaring that Jesus is both fully human and fully God.

    Then Paul continues, “And declared to be the Son of God.” The word declared in Greek is “horizō,” meaning to ordain, determine, or appoint. Have you ever noticed this or asked the question, Why did Jesus have to be declared, ordained, or appointed to be the Son of God? Isn’t He already the eternal Son of God?

    There was no Son in heaven in the human sense before the incarnation. From the beginning, the Word of God existed eternally in the Father. John tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The Word was in the Father, His very expression, His divine self-revelation yet not yet revealed in human form as the Son, just as your word is not separate from you but comes out from within you.

    Then, in the fullness of time, that Word stepped into His own creation. The angel told Mary that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. The child conceived in her womb would be called the Son of God. In that moment, the invisible Word took on visible flesh. John wrote, “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.” This is where we begin to understand why Jesus was determined, declared, and appointed to be the Son of God, when He took on humanity. In taking on flesh, He humbled Himself, just as Paul said in Philippians, “though He was in the form of God, He made Himself of no reputation and was made in the likeness of men.” He was born of a woman, born under the law, so that He could redeem us who were under the law and make us sons and daughters of God (Galatians 4:4–5).

    Through His incarnation, the Word was revealed as the Son, God in human form so that we, through faith in Him, might become children of God. As John writes, “To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become the sons of God (John 1:12).” And Paul adds, “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:2).” This is one of the most important parts of God’s redemptive plan. He had to put on human flesh for a reason. First, the earth He gave to the sons of men for dominion and authority (Psalm 115:16). Second, without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22). God has no blood, but man does. This is also what we can understand in Colossians 1:18, when Paul says that Jesus is “the firstborn from the dead.” Why He is “firstborn from the dead”? Paul explains this in the book of Romans through Adam’s transgression, death came upon all men (Romans 5:12). Adam brought sin and death into the world, and because of that, we were all spiritually dead. In Luke 3:38, Adam himself is called “the son of God,” yet he died because he transgressed God’s command. His disobedience brought separation and death to all humanity.

    Then came Jesus, the second Adam who obeyed perfectly, even unto death mark a new beginning for mankind. He became “the firstborn from the dead.” This is where we begin to understand what Paul meant when he said, “Declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness.” For the Lord Jesus was not born of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (John 1:13). A body was prepared for Him by God Himself, as it is written, “Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me” (Hebrews 10:5). And Paul also declares, “The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven” (1 Corinthians 15:47). This is where we understand that God was preparing a holy body and a pure blood. A body not continuing the corrupted flesh of Adam who transgressed. He created a new, undefiled flesh, made from heaven, and placed it in the womb of Mary. That is why the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary because He was forming a body that would become the perfect sacrifice for sin, one that would satisfy God’s wrath against man’s transgressions. And this is where we truly understand the words of John the Baptist, who declared, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29). Jesus was like a Lamb that is pure, spotless, and holy prepared by God Himself to bear the sins of all mankind

    God not only prepared the body of Jesus to bear our sins, but He also declared Him to be the Son, so that through Him we all obtain sonship. “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8:29) Through Jesus Christ, we were adopted into the family of God, redeemed by His blood and accepted in His grace. “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself…” (Ephesians 1:5)

    Now we can fully understand more clearly what Paul meant when he said, “by the resurrection from the dead.” Because the power of the resurrection of the Lord destroyed the power of death, which is the wages of sin (Romans 6:23). When He rose, we rose with Him. As Paul said, As Paul said, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: [We are no longer counted under Adam’s lineage] old things are passed away [Paul refer to Adam’s transgression that brought sin and separation from God] behold, all things are become new [in Him we have obtained a new life, new nature, and restored fellowship with our Heavenly Father] (2 Corinthians 5:17).

    Jesus was declared to be the Son of God for you and me. The purpose of His sacrifice was not only to redeem us from sin, but to restore our rightful position as sons and daughters of God. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus brought us back into fellowship with our Abba Father, so that we might dwell with Him in His Kingdom forever.

    Now, because you are a child of God, you have direct access to the Father in every situation whether in need, in struggle, or in confusion. Everything you will ever need can only be found in Him, for God alone is our source, our provider, and our help. Do not be deceived into thinking you are far from God. Jesus has brought us near to the Father. We are no longer distant or separated. This right cannot be taken away from us, it is a gift, not of our works, but by the grace of God. (Ephesians 2:8)

    The only way to lose this fellowship is to reject or turn away from the truth, but for those who believe and remain in Him, our place as sons and daughters is secure forever.

  • Acts 23:11

    “But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.’” — Acts 23:11

    Paul had long desired to go to Jerusalem, even though many believers, filled with the Holy Spirit, warned him that trouble and imprisonment awaited him there. Yet, Paul’s heart was so determined. He was willing to face suffering if it meant fulfilling God’s purpose.

    When he arrived, James advised him to demonstrate that he was not teaching against the Law of Moses by taking part in a Nazarite vow at the temple. Paul agreed, showing his respect for Jewish customs and his desire to avoid unnecessary offense. But as he worshiped in the temple, some Jews from Asia recognized him and stirred up the crowd. They accused Paul of teaching against the Law and even claimed that he had brought a Gentile into the temple that something strictly forbidden by Jewish custom. This accusation was false, but it was enough to ignite a violent mob.

    The uproar grew so fierce that Roman soldiers had to intervene. They arrested Paul to protect him from being killed by the crowd. Even then, when he had given the chance, Paul asked to speak to the people. He shared his testimony how he once persecuted the brethren until the LORD Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus, changing his life forever.

    When the crowd became so violent that Paul was nearly torn to pieces, the tribune quickly ordered his soldiers to take him into the barracks for his own safety. After such a chaotic day, Paul found himself in a place of uncertainty and silence. Alone in that moment, he must have wondered if he would even survive the night. Then the Scripture says, “But the following night the Lord stood by him.”

    Have you ever wondered why the Lord didn’t appear to Paul that same night?Because Paul was still in a state of shock, his emotions overwhelmed, his mind in turmoil, and his body exhausted from the chaos. Sometimes when a situation that took our entire being by surprise, we find ourselves in that same place. Our hearts racing, our minds spinning, unable to even process what’s happening. By the following night when Paul may have been calmer but quiet enough to reflect, and to feel the full weight of uncertainty about his situation. Maybe he was wondering what would happen next, whether this was the end of his ministry. And it was in that quiet night, a place filled with uncertainty about what would come next, that the LORD Jesus “stood” by him as He promised to all His disciples,

    … lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” Matthew‬ ‭28:20‬ ‭

    We all face moments like this when life suddenly falls apart. Maybe it’s the unexpected loss of a loved one, a marriage that breaks down, a child diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, or the devastating news that your business is collapsing. Whatever the situation, it leaves us in a place filled with uncertainty and fear. But remember what happened to Paul. When he was perplexed and uncertain of what would happen next. Jesus stood by him to remind him that he was not alone. The battle belonged to the LORD. The King of kings and Lord of lords, the Almighty God, was standing with him. The very presence of the Lord was Paul’s assurance that God was with him despite the troubles he faced. Remember what Paul wrote in Romans:

    “If God is for us, who can be against us?” — Romans 8:31

    That same LORD Jesus who stood by Paul also stands with us today. In every storm, every heartbreak, and every moment of uncertainty, the Lord Jesus is always strengthening, comforting, and assuring us that His presence never leaves nor forsakes us.

    Then the Lord Jesus said, “Be of good cheer, Paul.” These were not new encouraging words. The Lord Jesus had spoken the same phrase several times before in a moment when hearts were troubled or afraid.

    He said, “Be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you,” to the man who was paralyzed and healed by His power (Matthew 9:2).

    He said, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid,” to His disciples when they were terrified, seeing Him walk on the sea (Matthew 14:27).

    And before His crucifixion, He said to them, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).

    How could Paul not be of good cheer when it was the Lord Himself who spoke those words? When Jesus says, “Be of good cheer,” it’s not merely a suggestion, it’s a comforting command backed by His divine authority. The very Word of God carries power to bring to pass what it declares. When the Lord speaks, it happens. So when Jesus told Paul to take courage, strength and peace filled his heart. The same voice that calmed the storm, healed the sick, and raised the dead now spoke directly to him. Absolutely, Paul was of good cheer, because the presence of God stood beside him and comfort him.

    No wonder all the disciples wrote about being joyful in suffering because in their moments of deepest pain, the presence of the Lord was closest to them. It was the Lord Himself who strengthened and comforted them. Even when they were thrown to lions, burned alive, pierced with swords, or murdered under the scorching sun, they did not waver in their faith. Just like Stephen, who saw the heavens opened and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, they faced death with peace and courage because the Lord Jesus was with them.

    Then the Lord Jesus said, “For as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” The Lord was assuring Paul that his mission was not over. Though danger surrounded him and death seemed near, Jesus made it clear that Paul would not die until he had fulfilled his purpose to preach the gospel in Rome, even before Caesar himself. This promise was not only a word of comfort but also a declaration of destiny. No scheme, persecution, or power of man could stop what God had ordained. Paul’s life was in the Lord’s hands, and his calling would be completed exactly as God had planned.

    Furthermore, we all know that Paul never truly had the opportunity to preach freely in Jerusalem, because as soon as the people learned of his conversion, they plotted to kill him (Acts 9:26-30). Yet the Lord Jesus knew how deeply Paul loved his own people. Paul’s desire was always to teach and preach to the Jews first before going to the Gentiles, as we read in Acts 13:46

    “Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, ‘It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.’”

    We all know as we read the writings of the Apostle Paul to the churches in Asia, that his main purpose in life was to testify to the gospel, for he knew that it is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16) Paul’s mission of preaching the gospel always began with the Jews and then extended to the Gentiles. This deep burden and desire to preach are clearly expressed in his letter to the Romans, where he wrote,

    “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.”— Romans 1:14-16

    We also know that Paul had long desired to visit the believers in Rome, though he had never yet been able to do so. At the time he wrote the Epistle to the Romans, Paul was in Corinth, near the end of his third missionary journey. He was preparing to travel to Jerusalem to deliver a collection for the poor saints there (Romans 15:25–26). Because of this upcoming trip and the dangers that awaited him, he had not yet been able to go to Rome in person. He expressed this longing in his letter, writing,

    “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established.” — Romans 1:11

    “For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.” — Romans‬ ‭15:22-24‬ ‭

    This is where we learn an important lesson that we must be mindful of what we pray for and truly understand what we are asking of God. Paul’s desire to go to Rome was fulfilled, but not in the way he might have imagined. He went there not as a free missionary, but as a prisoner. Yet for the Apostle Paul and for the rest of the disciples beatings, imprisonments, and persecutions were nothing new. Even before coming to Jerusalem, Paul had already declared to the brethren in Tyre,

    “For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” — Acts 21:13 (NKJV)

    Being a follower of Jesus comes with a cost. It does not promise a life of comfort or freedom from pain and struggle. In fact, Jesus Himself warned us that persecution would come, saying, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” — John 15:18

    As believers, we often face trials, rejection, and opposition not because we have done something wrong, but because we belong to Jesus. Yet even in the midst of these challenges, the Lord Jesus stands with us. His purpose for our lives will always prevail as long as we continue to walk closely with Him refusing to give up or turn away. Just like the Apostle Paul, whose faith never wavered since his conversion, we too must remain steadfast. Paul was fully determined to finish the task the Lord had given him, no matter the suffering he faced. His life reminds us that following Jesus is not about avoiding hardship, but about trusting that His presence and purpose will sustain us through it all. Amen

  • Joshua 9:14 

    “Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord.” — Joshua 9:14 

    The Israelites were continually triumphant in their battles, defeating their enemies across the land of Canaan with the help of God, who fought alongside them. After the fall of Ai, “the kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites” joined forces to fight against Israel (Joshua 9:1–2).

    However, not all the Hivites joined this alliance. The inhabitants of Gibeon, also Hivites, chose a different path. Knowing they could not stand against Israel’s God, they devised a clever deception (Joshua 9:3–15). They dressed in worn-out garments, carried old sacks and cracked wineskins, and brought moldy bread to make it appear as though they had traveled from a far country. Their goal was to trick Israel into making a peace treaty with them.

    When the Gibeonites met with Joshua and the leaders of Israel, the evidence seemed convincing. The Israelites saw their tattered clothing, examined their provisions, and even tasted the bread to confirm their story. Everything their senses perceived appeared genuine. But there was one thing they failed to do, they did not seek the presence and counsel of God.

    As a result, Israel was deceived into making a covenant they were not permitted to make, contrary to God’s instruction in Deuteronomy 7:1–2 (NKJV):

    ““When the Lord your God brings you into the land which you go to possess, and has cast out many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than you, and when the Lord your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them.”

    Yet when the truth came out, Joshua and the leaders honored their vow to the Gibeonites, understanding that faithfulness to one’s word was required by God. Deuteronomy 23:21 (NKJV) says,

    ““When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it; for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin to you.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭23:21‬ ‭

    The Gibeonites were spared but placed in servitude to Israel, serving as woodcutters and water carriers (Joshua 9:16–27).

    From this passage, we learn a valuable truth. The Israelites trusted solely in what their senses perceived and what their judgment concluded but not in what God could reveal. And we often do the same. We rely on tangible evidence, assuming our senses and reasoning are sufficient to make choices, enter agreements, or form opinions without pausing to seek God’s counsel. The Israelites’ oversight was not ignorance, but independence, the quiet assumption that they could handle the matter on their own.

    This kind of story should not be unfamiliar to us. How often do we fall into that same trap? Many believers today enter into relationships, partnerships, or major life decisions without first seeking God’s guidance. They are led by emotions, appearance, or logic. By what feels right, looks good, or seems reasonable. Yet later, they find themselves facing painful consequences they never expected.

    Have you ever wondered why we fall into this kind of trap over and over again? It’s because we have lost our sense of God’s presence. Let us look at the life of King David, who faced similar situations in his life. King David, “a man after God’s own heart,” never made a move without inquiring of the Lord. Whether in times of battle or personal struggle, he always sought God’s direction and depended fully on Him.

    David’s heart carried the highest honor for God, and he was very sensitive to the presence of the Holy Spirit. Even when he had the opportunity to kill king Saul prepared and encouraged by his loyal servants, he refused, saying,

    “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed.” — 1 Samuel 24:6 

    The conviction of the Holy Spirit guided David to honor God’s will above his own desires. Even when he sinned, his prayer revealed what mattered most to him,

    “Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” — Psalm 51:11 

    David didn’t ask God to preserve his kingship, wealth, or family. His greatest concern was the presence of God that dwelt with him. This is the kind of heart we all need, a heart that fears being separated from God’s presence. David understood that the Holy Spirit was his connection to God. The Holy Spirit drew him closer to God, guided his decisions, and convicted his heart when he was tempted to sin that crushed God’s heart.

    Why don’t we have that same sensitivity today? Because many are spiritually dead.

    “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins” Ephesians‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭

    Our sins separate us from God. But Jesus Christ tore the veil that once separated us from the Father. Through His blood, we have been brought near again to God.

    So how do we restore that fellowship with the Father? The Word of God gives us the answer,

    “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.’” — Acts 2:38

    When we repent, believe in the LORD Jesus Christ and baptized our sins are forgiven, then we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now dwells in us, giving us life and restoring our spiritual sensitivity.

    “That the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” — Romans 8:11

     Jesus said, “We must be born again” — born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5–6). We all need to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit not only raise us from the dead, but He is also our connection to God, for He is God.

    As the apostle Paul wrote, “For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10). The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, not just some truth. He is our Teacher, our Guide, our Comforter, and our Helper. He convicts us when we are tempted to sin and strengthens us to walk in righteousness.

    He is everything we need in order not to be deceived by the world or by our own understanding. The Holy Spirit is the divine sense we need, the spiritual awareness that keeps us connected to God’s will, discerning His voice above every other.

    When we lack the awareness of God’s presence, we easily depend on our own understanding. We act without praying, speak without listening, and decide without seeking the Lord’s counsel. That’s when we fall into traps we could have avoided, not because God was silent, but because we weren’t sensitive to His Spirit.

  • Acts‬ ‭20:26-27

    “Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” – Acts‬ ‭20:26-27

    Apostle Paul was giving his final message to the elders in Ephesus as he prepared to go to Jerusalem. He already knew, through the testimony of the Holy Spirit, that imprisonment and hardships awaited him there. Paul knew that his time to depart and to be present with the Lord was drawing near. Paul was setting things in order, ensuring that the work of God would continue even after his departure.

    For us to understand what Paul means when he says, “I am innocent of the blood of all men,” we must look back to what God told Ezekiel. The Lord made Ezekiel a watchman on the wall, someone who stood alert, ready to warn the people when danger was approaching.

    ““So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.” – Ezekiel‬ ‭33:7-9‬ ‭

    If a watchman saw danger coming and said nothing, then he was guilty of what happened when the enemy attacked the city. But if the watchman did warn the people, and they still chose not to listen, then they were responsible for their own decision. The watchman’s responsibility was simply to deliver the message.

    In the same way, God appointed Ezekiel to be a watchman to hear His word and deliver it to the people. Ezekiel’s duty was to warn the wicked of God’s coming judgment and call them to turn from their sinful ways. If they refused to repent, they would die in their sins, but Ezekiel would not be held accountable for their decision. He would be innocent of their blood. However, if Ezekiel failed to warn them, he would be held responsible. God said He would require the blood of that person at Ezekiel’s hand.

    This is the same message Apostle Paul trying to convey to them when he declared that he was innocent of the blood of all men. He meant, “I have done what God entrusted me to do. I have warned you, for my responsibility is to declare everything that God has given me to speak. Your responsibility is to respond to what God has called you to do.” Paul faithfully carried out his duty and fulfilled his calling as a true watchman of the gospel.

    He explained this earlier in Acts when he said:

    “how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts‬ ‭20:20-21‬ ‭

    Now let’s look at what Paul says: “I testify to you this day.” Paul never held back from declaring or testifying to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to anyone whether Jew or Greek, including the believers in Ephesus. He boldly preached the gospel that has the power to save from the coming wrath of God, because he understood that the world we live in is already under judgment.

    Did not Jesus Himself say,

    “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” — John 3:18

    We are all guilty before God. From Adam until now, all have sinned and fallen short of His glory (Romans 3:23). Because of our sin, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (Romans 1:18). Yet there is only one way to escape that wrath and that through faith in Jesus Christ.

    For us to fully grasp what the Apostle Paul is communicating to the elders of Ephesus, we must see that it reflects the same message he faithfully proclaimed wherever he went. We can read an example of this in his preaching to the people of Athens.

    “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”” Acts‬ ‭17:30-31‬ ‭

    Here, Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and testified to them about the one true God, the Creator of heaven and earth, Who does not dwell in temples made with hands. He declared that God now commands all people everywhere to repent, because a day of judgment is coming. God will judge the world in righteousness by the Man [the Lord Jesus Christ] whom He has ordained [For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16)].

    We all know that there is no other way for any of us to enter the Kingdom of God. Jesus Himself preached this truth when He said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). And again, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Why? Because when Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price for our sins, a debt we could never pay ourselves. His death brought life to all who believe, which is why He also said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25). The Scripture declares, “Even when we were dead in trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:5). When Jesus died, He tore the veil, symbolizing that He removed the separation between us and the Father caused by sin. Now we can boldly come before God’s presence, and that is the greatest gift of all. We all receive reconciliation with the Father. When we have the Father, what else do we need. Our Father in heaven loves us so much, He will not withhold anything that draws us closer to Him: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

    Now we can better understand Paul’s words when he said, “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). The “whole counsel of God” means proclaiming the full truth of the gospel, the importance of repentance and the invitation to receive the salvation offered through the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the call to turn away from sin and turn to God through faith in Jesus Christ. It is the cry of a sincere and repentant heart that says,

    “Father, I am done living for this world that keeps dragging me into sin and destroying me inside. I am turning away from my old life and turning to You. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I may be broken, but I will trust You to make me whole.”

    Only God can transform our lives, only God can teach us how to live good because only God is good. If we want to learn how to live rightly, we must follow Jesus. If we want to know how to love, we must learn from God. And if we want to learn how to forgive, we must first receive forgiveness from Him. For we are all sinners in need of mercy.

    We are all called by God to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, “for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). You and I are responsible to testify and share this gospel. God has entrusted us, like watchmen, to blow the trumpet and warn others that the wrath of God is coming. Without Jesus, people face eternal separation from God in Hell. But remember our responsibility is to declare the gospel, not to enforce it. In Acts 17, after Paul preached the gospel in Athens, some people hesitated and mocked, but Paul did not force them. He simply departed, knowing he had done his part. Our job is to faithfully proclaim the call of God, and it is up to each person to respond to that call.

  • Acts 20:24 

    “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” – Acts 20:24 

    Apostle Paul was giving his final message to the elders in Ephesus as he prepared to go to Jerusalem. He already knew, through the testimony of the Holy Spirit, that imprisonment and hardships awaited him there. Paul knew that his time to depart and to be present with the Lord was drawing near. Paul was setting things in order, ensuring that the work of God would continue even after his departure.

    When Paul said, “But none of these things move me,” he was speaking about the hardships and trials he knew awaited him in Jerusalem. Paul understood that being a disciple of the Lord Jesus comes with a cost. Did not the Lord Jesus Himself say,

    “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you”  –
    John 15:18

    One of the greatest character traits I admire the most and that both you and I should imitate from Apostle Paul is his willingness to endure all hardships for the sake of the gospel. Paul never allowed persecution, pain, or suffering to silence his faith or weaken his commitment to the mission he was called to fulfill. Whether beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, or rejected, his focus remained steadfast.

    “Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.” II Corinthians‬ ‭11:23-28‬

    The reason Apostle Paul was able to endure so much and remain faithful was because his mindset was fixed on the Kingdom of God, not the kingdom of this world. With this understanding, we can see why his life on earth was no longer dear to him. He said, “nor do I count my life dear to myself.” Apostle Paul lived with the conviction that his life no longer belonged to him, it belonged completely to Jesus Christ. As he declared, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” From the day he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul died to his old self. He no longer lived for his own desires or ambitions; his mind, heart, soul, and strength were completely poured out in service to the Lord Jesus.

    The world could no longer entice him because he knew that this present world is temporary and destined for judgment. He wrote to the Corinthians:

    “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” – ‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭4:5‬ ‭

    And while preaching in Athens, Paul boldly declared:

    “because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”” – Acts‬ ‭17:31‬ ‭

    Apostle Paul was already living with the kingdom of God in view, knowing that everything apart from Christ would one day perish. That’s why he considered it useless to pour his heart, mind, and strength into worldly things that do not last. His life was fully consumed by the eternal purpose of God.

    Didn’t he elaborate on this when he said that all the things he had accomplished, he counted them as rubbish or waste?

    “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” — Philippians 3:8

    Paul’s greatest desire was not fame, comfort, success, or anything this world could offer but everything that is found in Christ. He longed not only to have knowledge about Jesus but to obtain an excellent and personal knowledge of Him to truly know His Lord through intimate fellowship. Paul’s pursuit was not driven by earthly ambition but by a burning desire to draw closer to Christ in every way.

    “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” — Philippians 3:10 

    All his goals were centered on one pursuit: to know Jesus and to experience the power of His resurrection. He desired to share in the fellowship of His sufferings, to be conformed to His death, and ultimately to live fully for the glory of the One who redeemed him.

    Apostle Paul’s fervent love and affection for the Lord Jesus Christ were exceedingly deep, so consuming that it filled his entire being. Every thought, desire, and action flowed from his devotion to the LORD Jesus Christ. As Paul beautifully declared,

    “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” – Galatians‬ ‭2:20

    Now we can understand what Paul meant when he said, “so that I may finish my race with joy.” Despite all the hardships he had to face, Paul was determined to complete the course and fulfill the ministry God had entrusted to him with joy. Why? Because he never gave the world a chance to distract him from his calling. Nothing could turn his heart away from the purpose God placed before him.

    Paul was so determined to remain faithful that he kept his body and desires in full submission to the will of God. As he wrote:

    “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” — 1 Corinthians 9:27 

    And why did Paul have such joy? Because he knew that at the end of his race, he would see the Lord Jesus, the One he desired and loved the most. His heart longed for that glorious moment when he would finally stand before his Master, face to face, and hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Paul’s joy was the joy of a faithful servant filled with excitement and anticipation to be with his Lord, knowing that he had fulfilled his calling. This is what he meant when he said, “and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

    We all know that Apostle Paul finished the task that was given to him, as he reminded and encouraged Timothy with these powerful words,

    “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” II Timothy‬ ‭4:6-8‬ ‭

    Paul’s message to Timothy is also a message to you and me. Each of us has a task from God that we are called to accomplish. Just as Paul was faithful to finish the ministry entrusted to him, we too are called to fulfill what God has placed in our hands.

  • Romans 1:28

    “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.” — Romans 1:28

    If we study the culture of the Romans and Greeks, we can see how both civilizations were rich in arts, philosophy, and fables. Yet these very things led to their own corruption. Their creativity and intelligence were great gifts, but without reverence for the true God, their wisdom became foolish. They worshiped many gods, gods made in the image of man that is corruptible, emotional, and imperfect. And as they worshiped these corruptible gods, they themselves became corruptible in their actions. The idols they created reflected their desires. What they adored, they became.

    The Apostle Paul discussed this in Romans 1:24–27.

    In verse Romans 1:24, he describes how idolatry leads to impurity, when people exchange the glory of God for images of creation, they are “given up to uncleanness.”

    In verses Romans 1:26-27, Paul speaks of how this rebellion against God’s design leads to perverse conduct.  Paul did not say that only homosexuality is sin. Anyone who acts outside of God’s design is committing lawlessness and sinning against Him. He is is pointing us back to Genesis 1 and 2, where God purposefully designed and created male and female to be joined together in covenant and to reproduce. God’s design for sexuality was clear: one man and one woman, joined together in marriage, reflecting His creative purpose.

    Paul warns us of two things that God gave us up to: uncleanness and vile passions. Before we address the third one, we must understand that these two lead to the third, which is the most terrifying condition of any human being.

    Worshiping other gods is disobeying the first commandment,

    “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)

    We should never worship anything, not even ourselves. Only God deserves our worship.

    When God gave us up to vile passions, it falls under the second commandment, which includes all the rest ,

    “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39)

    “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” James‬ ‭2:10‬

    When our passions become perverted, when we treat others as objects of desire instead of people made in God’s image, we sin not only against them but against God Himself. Every act of sexual corruption or violence, every abuse of another’s dignity, is an assault on the image of God in that person. We were created by God and for God.

    But do we truly live for Him? We all sin against Him. When we worship idols, we sin;. When we corrupt ourselves and our neighbor, we dishonor God. We have no excuse.

    What’s truly terrifying today is how, even among Christians, some twist the Scriptures to justify what God has clearly called sin. We see debates about abortion, homosexuality, and other moral issues. They both claiming to be Christians but how can anyone claim to be part of the body of Christ while twisting Scripture to defend wrongdoing? Honestly, that terrifies me.

    It’s exactly what Paul says:

    “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge…” (Romans 1:28)

    The word “knowledge” here means exact, advanced, thorough knowledge. They refused to hold on to the true understanding of God and to grow in that knowledge. That’s why Paul says:

    “Who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.” (Romans 1:25)

    Then again, he speaks of those who

    exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.” (Romans 1:26)

    We no longer know the righteousness of God. How can a holy God, who said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5), and David says, “You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13), ever approve of taking a life He Himself purposed to be conceived? How can a holy God, whose hands knit us together in the womb, ever approve of us tearing apart what He has woven with love? 

    How can the same holy God, who designed man and woman to reproduce. Who gave command to a man and woman, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28) turn away from His own design? The union of man and woman was designed by God Himself, blessed by His word, and established for His purpose. To reject that design is to reject the wisdom (knowledge) of God.

    Do we truly know God?

    That is what we are seeing today, people taking God’s truth and twisting it to suit their desires. It’s frightening, because it shows how far the human heart can fall when it refuses correction. We do not truly acknowledge God anymore. We care more about what we think is right than what God says is right.

    And that’s why the Scripture says, “God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.” (Romans 1:28) Why did He do this?

    Read what God says in Ezekiel 6:9,

    “Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations where they are carried captive, because I was crushed by their adulterous heart which has departed from Me, and by their eyes which play the harlot after their idols; they will loathe themselves for the evils which they committed in all their abominations.”

    God was crushed because of our adulterous hearts, because we didn’t just commit adultery in the physical sense, we departed from Him spiritually. We turned our hearts away from God who loved us the most. God gave us up, not because He wanted to, but because we chose to depart from Him. He allowed us to follow the path we desired, even though it broke His heart. It wasn’t His will for us to be corrupted; it was our refusal to stay close to Him that led us there.

    The word “debased” comes from the Greek word adokimos, meaning “reprobate”. A mind destitute of sound judgment, unable to discern right from wrong. In the Greek text, this same word appears earlier in the verse “like.” (Greek: dokimazō) . The apostle Paul intentionally connects the two, “ As they did not approve or( test, examine, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not) to retain God in their knowledge, He gave them up to a “debased” or disapprove (Greek: adokimos) mind. This means that their state of mind was such that God could not approve of it. How could God approve of something that contradicts His own Word? His Word reveals His nature, His character, His statutes, and His judgments. To approve sin would be to deny Himself. And how can a holy God approve of anything that stands against His own holiness? He cannot, because God never changes.

    Futhermore. It does not suggest that they were made reprobate by any arbitrary decree, but rather that, as a consequence of their stubborn passions and determination to forget Him, God left them to a condition of mind that was evil and could not be approved. The Lord had already warned through the Psalmist,

    ““Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you! O Israel, if you will listen to Me! There shall be no foreign god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god. I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. “But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me. So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels.” Psalms‬ ‭81:8-12

    When we continously reject the knowledge of God, our reasoning becomes darkened. The apostle Paul also wrote,

    “having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” Ephesians‬ ‭4:18-19‬ ‭

    You know, this kind of condition the unwillingness to approve what God calls sin and still trying to justify it, is what Jesus said is the reason for divorce “the hardness of heart“.

    Jesus said:

    “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.” – Matthew 19:8,

    That same hardness of heart is what makes a person reprobate, to put it simply. The hardness of heart is the unwillingness to change, to humble oneself, or to obey what God says is right. How can a relationship be restored if one person refuses to put in the effort to repair it? to seek counsel, to attend therapy, to repent, and to make amends for the wrong actions? Without repentance and humility, reconciliation becomes impossible. This is why we must preach repentance!!

    Another ground for divorce that Jesus gave is sexual immorality. He said:

    “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” Matthew 19:9

    How can you stay with someone who continually does not value you or the relationship? Sexual immorality defiles the covenant. When a person treats intimacy carelessly, they are not taking God’s covenant seriously.

    That’s why the Israelites were punished, not merely because they sinned, but because they failed to keep the covenant they had agreed upon with God. He said,

    “They broke My covenant, though I was a husband to them.” Jeremiah 31:32

    Yet even after all this, God has not given up on us. He put on flesh and died for us on the cross to demonstrate His own love toward us, paying for our sins with His own life. He shed His blood on the cross as the propitiation for our sins, crying out for us to return to Him.

    Today is the day! Repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

    “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)

    Some say, “Once someone is saved, they are always saved.” That is true! because salvation is a gift.

    “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

    We did not earn this gift; we received it. But the danger comes when we turn away from that gift, when we stop walking in the faith we professed.

    So, my brethren, run the race! Overcome what needs to be overcome, because the Holy Spirit in you is greater than the spirit of this world.

    “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

    Who can separate us from the love of Christ?

    “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come… shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38–39)

    So keep running the race! I know it’s hard. The guilt that comes when we sin or disobey God that conviction is actually a good sign, because it shows your heart is still tender toward Him.

    When you fall, repent quickly. When you stumble, humble yourself before God.

    Our heart and flesh may fail, “But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

  • Romans 1:26-27

    “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” – Romans 1:26-27

    In this chapter, the apostle Paul is laying out a foundational argument in his letter to the Christians in Rome. He begins by introducing the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1–17), proclaiming that it is “the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes.” From there, he moves into an indictment of humanity’s condition apart from God (Romans 1:18–32).

    Paul was well aware of the moral climate of Rome. In the Greco-Roman world, same-sex acts were often practiced openly and even accepted culturally, especially among the elite. Yet Paul identifies such behavior as evidence of what happens when people abandon God’s design. Having become bored or unsatisfied with “the natural use,” they turned to what was “against nature” to fulfill the desires of their lust.

    Paul addresses how we have all fallen into idolatry. Whether Jew, Greek, or any other person, we come from different cultures and backgrounds but share the same human tendency: to turn away from God and worship created things rather than the Creator.

    Worshiping created things isn’t limited to bowing before statues or visiting temples. It can take many modern forms either worshiping ourselves, success, fame, pleasure, or addictions. The expressions may differ, but the root is the same: we give our hearts to things of this world instead of the One who created it.

    If you want to go deeper into this part of Romans, you can click the link where I’ve previously expounded on Romans 1:24.

    Now, let’s focus on what Paul says, “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions.” — Romans 1:26. Before we can understand the gravity of that statement, we must know what vile passions means.

    The Greek word translated “vile” is atimia, meaning shame, dishonor, or disgrace. The word “passions” comes from the Greek pathos, meaning affection, lust, or an emotion so strong that it overwhelms reason. When we put these two words together, Paul is describing shameful affection or disgraceful passions, desires that lead people to act in ways that are not pleasing in God’s sight. This happens when we are led purely by emotions or by what feels good, rather than by the truth of God’s Word. The scriptures reminds us that,

    ““The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Jeremiah‬ ‭17:9‬

    When feelings rule, corruption follows because we are led by the flesh, fleshy cannot pelase God because it only produce sins and the wages of sins id death. but life eternal to Jesus Christ.

    The second most frightening phrase in the Bible, for me, is when it says, “God gave them up.” To be given up by God is one of the most fearful conditions a person can ever experience. God is sovereign. He’s not a tyrant. He won’t force us to love Him. If we choose to walk away, He’ll let us.

    The first three chapters of the Bible, God declares His design for all of us. Then we fell in the third chapter. But the rest of the Bible is God pursuing us. From Genesis to Revelation, it’s not about man finding God,  it’s about God coming after us. Didn’t Jesus put on flesh for us? Didn’t He say, “The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost”? (Luke 19:10) When God steps back that’s the scariest place to be and says, “Have it your way.” Not because He stopped caring, but because we stopped listening. When God “gives up” on us, it means He allows us to go our own way, to follow our desires without His restraint or guidance.

    Why is this terrifying? Because God is the source of everything good. He is the source of life, righteousness, goodness, and moral order. He is also the source of love, joy, and peace. When we lose God, we lose all of that. Imagine living a single day without love, peace, or hope that’s what it means to be separated from Him. That’s why hell is not only a place of fire and torment; it is ultimately a place of separation from God. It’s the absence of His presence, His comfort, and His goodness. And that’s what sin does, it separates us from God. But praise God, He sent Jesus to bridge that separation. Through His death on the cross, He paid for our sins and made it possible for us to be restored to fellowship with the Father. Without what Jesus did on the cross, we could never come near to God again. But Scripture says,

    “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” — Ephesians 2:13

    Then Paul specifically describing what this practice looks like, “Even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another…” — Romans 1:26–27. Notice that Paul did not say that only homosexuality is sin. Anyone who acts outside of God’s design is committing lawlessness and sinning against Him. He is is pointing us back to Genesis 1 and 2, where God purposefully designed and created male and female to be joined together in covenant and to reproduce. God’s design for sexuality was clear: one man and one woman, joined together in marriage, reflecting His creative purpose.

    When Paul says they “exchanged the natural use for what is against nature,” he’s explaining that these acts go against God’s original design. In simple terms, any act outside of God’s design whether men with men, women with women, or even a man and a woman engaging in sexual activity outside of marriage is vile in God’s eyes, because it rejects His purpose and perverts His gift of intimacy. The acts may differ in form, but they all share one category, they are done outside of God’s purpose and design.

    You know what the bible defines sins, its says that anyone who committed sins, is committing against law.

    “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. ‭‭I John‬ ‭3:4‬ ‭

    What is lawlessness? It’s walking outside of God’s Word.

    In Genesis, God said that a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. That’s marriage. Then He said, “Be fruitful and multiply.” That’s God’s purpose, for man and woman to come together, united in covenant, and bring forth life. But look at what we’ve done with that design. We’ve twisted it. We don’t follow it anymore. Anything that goes against what God intended is sin, because sin goes against God’s law.

    Then Paul continues,

    “Burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” — Romans 1:27

    When we’re led by vile passions, when lust takes control, we burn in desire for things God never intended. That’s what happens when we stop letting His Word lead us and start following what feels good. Paul continues in Romans 8:5–8, where he sums up the works of the flesh that When we are led by the flesh, we can’t please God

    “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” — Romans 8:5–8

    You and I can twist Scripture to try to justify our choices or to validate what the world says is right, but that doesn’t change what God has already spoken. And when Jesus returns, no one will be able to twist His Word anymore. If sin were acceptable, then Jesus wouldn’t have needed to die but He did, to pay for our sins and destroy the power of sin once and for all.

    We can’t live by our vile passions and still claim to follow God’s truth. If we continue to live in rebellion and ignore His Word, it shows that we haven’t truly repented or understood the depth of His love. There comes a point when God may give us up to a debased mind and that’s a dangerous condition to have. (Romans 1:28) I’ll talk more about that in my next blog.

    If I ever get a chance to speak to any man who identifies himself as a woman, I have one question: What drives you to make that decision? Is it because you want to be a woman? Because you’re attracted to men? But do you truly know the purpose of God when He created man?

    Or if you identify yourself as a man but are biologically a woman, I’d ask the same question: Have you really asked God about His purpose for you?

    When Paul addresses men again toward the end of the passage, it’s because men carry a God-given responsibility of leadership and authority on the earth. God established that order in creation, You are the head of the woman. God gave you authority here on earth to rule and reign. You are created in the image and likeness of God. And the Bible says that woman is the glory of man.

    “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion…’” — Genesis 1:26

    “Man is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.” — 1 Corinthians 11:7

    When you say you want to be a woman, you are denying the design and purpose God gave you, same thing with a woman. You are telling Him, “I don’t like being in Your likeness or image. I don’t like Your authority and power. I believe satan is right and You are wrong.”

    God gave man authority to rule and reign with wisdom, humility, and love. That authority was never meant for domination but to represent Jesus character on earth. When a man rejects God’s design or distorts that authority, he loses sight of who he truly is.

    Do you know what you’re doing? You are letting Satan steal your true identity and your place here on earth. When God said you have dominion, that means you are meant to rule, to reign, to be a king and receive power. Yet you throw all that away and choose to corrupt yourself, just like satan. he corrupted himself. Remember, The enemy’s strategy has always been the same, to steal identity, to corrupt purpose, and to make us doubt what God said was good.

    If you are having identity issues, pray and call upon Jesus!, It’s scary to be in a position where God gives up on us. I find that terrifying myself. Ask Jesus to guide you and help you, just like He did for me. Only Jesus can transform us. You don’t have to come to Him perfect, no one is perfect. Just follow Him.

  • Romans 1:24

    “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves.” “who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” ‭‭— Romans‬ ‭1:24-25‬ ‭

    In ancient Rome, religion was polytheistic, meaning Romans worshipped many gods and goddesses such as Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and Neptune. When Christianity began to spread in the first century, it entered a culture filled with idol worship, temples, and statues. Over time, Roman Empire officially adopted Christianity, especially under Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, which led to what we now call Roman Catholicism. They adopted the faith of the disciples, but not everything from the old practices disappeared. For example, old Roman temples were turned into churches, and images that once showed pagan gods were later used to represent apostles or, most famously, Mary, who was modeled after Venus. This is where you see the tactics of the devil, if we can’t stop them, join them, then destroy and corrupt them from within.

    Paul is explaining the spiritual condition in Rome. He is addressing the religious practices of the Romans, not only that they served many gods, but also that many of their acts of worship involved sexual immorality. Paul warns them that if they continue to live like others who reject God, their hearts will become hardened. When people continually reject God’s truth, He allows them to follow their own sinful desires. It’s not that He stops loving them, but that He gives them the freedom they demand. We see this same pattern throughout the Bible, especially in the life of the Israelites.

    “And the Lord said to Moses: “Behold, you will rest with your fathers; and this people will rise and play the harlot with the gods of the foreigners of the land, where they go to be among them, and they will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them. Then My anger shall be aroused against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured. And many evils and troubles shall befall them, so that they will say in that day, ‘Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?’ And I will surely hide My face in that day because of all the evil which they have done, in that they have turned to other gods.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭31:16-18‬ ‭

    ““For Israel is stubborn Like a stubborn calf; Now the Lord will let them forage Like a lamb in open country. “Ephraim is joined to idols, Let him alone.” Hosea‬ ‭4:16-17‬ ‭

    Here you read that worshiping and bowing to any statues is an abomination to the Lord. It’s disobedience to the Commandments of God. This is where we see how the Israelites were severely punished by God, forsaken, and removed from the Promised Land because of these same sins. This is also where the Catholic Church went wrong. They can come up with their own excuses, but before God, I don’t think those excuses will work. These practices are part of their wrong doctrine, and some of their traditions have turned away from what God commanded.

    ““You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,…” Exodus‬ ‭20:3-5‬

    Paul is teaching the church in Rome about the truth of the gospel. He reminds us that God is righteous. Many people quote the book of Romans to preach the gospel, but Paul is clear that the gospel isn’t a free pass to keep living in sin. It’s the good news that pulls us out of bondage and calls us to live holy and righteous lives. God didn’t call us to be unclean. He called us to walk in His truth. But when we keep hardening our hearts and ignoring the Holy Spirit, God will eventually let us go to the idols we choose. An idol isn’t just a statue; it’s anything we put before God, anything we love more than Him. When we trade the truth of God for a lie, that lie becomes our god.

    The idols they created reflected their desires. What they adored, they became. The same principle applies to us today.

    When we worship money, we become greedy and self-centered, consumed by the desire to gain more.

    When we worship fame, we lose ourselves in the pursuit of attention and recognition, until we no longer know who we are.

    When we worship success, we chase achievements so fiercely that we lose what truly matters. Our family, integrity, and our relationship with God.

    The second verse that terrifies me the most, after Jesus says, “I never knew you,” is when the Bible says that God gives us up. Because that’s the end game. God is so loving that only the first two chapters of the Bible describe His perfect plan and purpose for us, and the rest of Scripture tells the story of God not giving up on us because of His great love. So when God finally gives up, it means we are done.

    That’s why today we should pray that God never gives up on us. Ask Him to open our eyes to the idols in our life , the idols that need to disappear since the moment we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Let Him be the only one who dwells and reigns in us until we can truly say, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Our entire being must be centered on Jesus.