Author: Anna

  • 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.

  • Romans 1:16

    “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” — Romans 1:16

    The believers in Rome faced intense persecution. Emperor Claudius had expelled the Jews from the city, including faithful Christians like Priscilla and Aquila. Later, under Nero, Christians were tortured, burned alive, crucified, and thrown to wild animals. To be a follower of Christ in Rome was to live under constant threat and public humiliation.

    The word translated “ashamed” in this verse means “disgraced” or “personally humiliated.” The Romans made believers feel exactly that way that they are disgraced and humiliated for their faith in Jesus. But Paul writes, “I am not ashamed.” Notice that he does not simply tell them not to be ashamed; he declares it personally. The believers in Rome knew what Paul had endured. They were aware of how he was persecuted, beaten, imprisoned, and misunderstood wherever he went. Yet none of that persecution stopped him, hindered him, or moved him away from what God had called him to do. Now, Paul was encouraging them and us, to remain steadfast in the same calling.

    Even today, we still experience disgraceful looks and humiliation because of our faith and convictions. This message still speaks powerfully to believers in every generation. When we preach repentance to someone who is not walking according to the righteousness of God but according to the ways of the world, they will often accuse us of judging them or hating them. When we proclaim that we are Christians, people may expect us to be like God Himself, never making mistakes, never getting angry, and never standing up for what is right.

    Some believers around the world are pressured to stay silent about their faith. They are even killed because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Others are afraid to speak about Him because they do not want to offend anyone, be misunderstood, or risk persecution.

    But Paul reminds us that our calling is not to be accepted by the world but to be faithful to Christ. Jesus Himself warned us about this in Luke 9:26,

    “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.”

    I know exactly what it feels like to be looked at as disgraced and humiliated because of my faith. There have been times when I chose not to say that I am a Christian because I did not want to be in uncomfortable situations. But I am always reminded of the words of Jesus, that if I am ashamed of Him, He will also be ashamed of me. I would rather be humiliated, disgraced, and uncomfortable in this world than have Jesus deny me before the Father.

    The book of Revelation also warns us that being ashamed of our faith is an act of cowardice. 

    “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” – Revelation 21:8 

    To be ashamed of Jesus is to walk in fear, and fear has no place in the kingdom of God. I would rather stand for Jesus and face rejection on earth than be rejected by Him for eternity.

    Then Paul continues by reminding them that the very message the world tries to make us feel ashamed of is actually the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. In spite of persecution, mockery, or hateful comments directed toward us, we should never stop witnessing, sharing, and preaching the gospel. The people in front of us are not the real enemy. 

    “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” – Ephesians‬ ‭6:12‬ ‭

    These people are being used by Satan to discourage us, but God calls us to stand firm and continue sharing the gospel, the only message that can save their souls and bring them salvation. Think about this: before we knew Jesus, we acted the same way, because we had not yet received the truth. But Jesus showed us mercy and grace, and He forgave all our sins. Therefore, we must do the same for others.

    Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” and He also said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). That love is not silent. We are called to preach and share the gospel despite opposition, because this is the greatest act of love we can show our neighbors. We do not want them to perish or go to hell, so we share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. It is the only power of God that can bring salvation to them and to us.

    When I think about heaven, I remember what Revelation 21:4 says:

    “And 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.”

    The kingdom of God, where we will spend all eternity with Jesus, cannot be compared to the hardships, struggles, challenges, difficulties, and pains we are facing right now.

    I want myself there, and I want my entire family there. I want my neighbors there. I want every broken soul I meet to know that they are invited. And I want you to be there too.

    That is why you and I should never be ashamed or discouraged from sharing Jesus. That is why you and I must keep speaking, even when it is hard. Because real love cannot stay silent, and real hope must be shared.

    Now go and share Jesus, Who is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes in Him.

  • Proverbs 18:22

    “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” — Proverbs 18:22

    The book of Proverbs is filled with God’s wisdom. Wisdom that helps us navigate life, make sound decisions, and walk in a way that benefits us today and prospers our future. 

    Before we focus on the phrase “he who finds,” let’s pause and understand first what “a wife” truly means.

    The first mention of the word wife in the Bible appears in Genesis 2:22:

    “Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.”

    Here, God Himself created the first wife. He took a rib from Adam and made Eve, a woman designed specifically for Adam. The Hebrew word for wife is ish-shah, the feminine form of ish, meaning man or husband. In Greek, the word for wife is gyne, from the root ginomai, which means “to come into being” or “to bring forth.” It is the same root word for gynecology, the study of women.

    From the very beginning, God created a woman with divine purpose. The very purpose of a woman is to be a man’s helper in fulfilling God’s work.

    “And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”” – Genesis‬ ‭2:18‬ ‭

    God knew that the task He had given Adam could not be completed alone. Adam needed a helper, to help him to accomplished the assignment. The word helper is not a lesser title. It describes function, not identity. God Himself is called our Helper many times in Scripture.

    Now, Apostle Paul and Apostle Peter becomes more specific about the role of a wife “helper” in their letters, they clearly explains how a godly woman should live and what her relationship with her husband should look like in the Lord.

    “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.” Ephesians‬ ‭5:22-24‬ ‭

    “that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” – ‭‭Titus‬ ‭2:4-5‬

    “Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” ‭‭I Timothy‬ ‭5:14‬ ‭

    “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. Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” I Peter‬ ‭3:1-4‬ ‭

    All the qualities that Paul and Peter mention in their letters should be what a man looks for in a woman. A woman who loves Jesus and is fully submitted to God already has the qualities of a wife before she is found. It is God who transforms her to become one, just as God created Eve before Adam even realized his need.

    God already knows the woman He is preparing for a man. She doesn’t suddenly become a wife after the wedding. She is already walking in that identity, because Jesus is her identity. She knows she was created with a purpose, to help her husband accomplish God’s will for their lives together. She understands that submission is not weakness or control, but God’s protection over her. She loves managing her household, knowing that her home is God’s house and must be cared for with love and excellence. She will bear children and raise them to know that they are part of God’s plan, to expand His kingdom on earth. She understands that her children are called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. She will not gossip or speak reproachfully about her family or anyone else, because she has been taught by Jesus that there is power in her tongue, the power of life and death. She chooses to speak life, not only to her family but to everyone around her.

    Now, we are ready to focus to the “he who finds,” The Hebrew word for “finds” in this verse is masa, which means not just to find but also to obtain. The word means more than just stumbling upon something. The idea of finding here means that someone is searching for something.

    “So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.” Genesis‬ ‭2:20‬

    Before Adam searched for a wife, he was already working, naming the animals, and walking in obedience to God in the Garden of Eden. Adam already knew his identity and had a clear understanding of his purpose, and that is why satan could not deceive him. Adam could not be deceived because he had an intimate fellowship with God.

    Before God gave a wife to Adam, He first taught him how to till and tend the Garden of Eden. God taught him the work that he needed to do. God made sure that Adam would not search for a wife out of loneliness or desperation, but because he needed help to fulfill God’s calling over his life. The same principle applies to us. Before you go out to look for a wife, you must first set yourself apart in the wilderness and seek the presence of God.

    Now that iniquity abounds and we are living in a chaotic and broken culture, many people carry trauma, pain, and deep wounds that need healing, restoration, and a renewed sense of purpose. All of this can only be found in Jesus.

    Imagine bringing all that brokenness into marriage. What do you think will happen? Disaster. It could lead to a painful and terrifying marriage. That is why you must first have an intimate fellowship with Jesus. Let Him heal you, transform your life, and reveal His calling over you.

    When you know who you are and what God has called you to do, you’ll recognize the woman who is meant to walk beside you.

    Our messy culture today is always centered on self-driven desires, even when it comes to marriage. We are the ones who decide who we want to be with, instead of turning to God and asking Him to prepare the woman who will become our wife.

    Because everything in the world is now so confused and corrupted, sex before marriage, “try before buying,” and relationships built only on pleasure. We have lost the true meaning of the union between a man and a woman. Marriage is not just about two people choosing each other; it is about God joining two lives together for His purpose. Isn’t it Jesus Himself who said, “What God has joined together…?(Matthew 19:6). That is why before you take that step, it is so important to be led by God to the woman He has appointed for you.

    I encourage you to study the story of Rebekah and Isaac. Their marriage are arranged by God through faith, prayer, and obedience.

    Before you search for a wife, love Jesus and live for Him alone.

    To understand “finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord,” to make this simple, think about this, How do you feel when you find a godly woman who is exactly what you prayed for, one who fits your needs, and both of you know your purpose? When both of you have been healed and transformed by Jesus. isn’t that a good thing?

    Now that both of you are ready to work together and are willing to yield to God’s calling over your lives, you begin to become one instead of two. And anyone who walks with God will surely find favor.

  • Acts 20:28

    “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” — Acts 20:28

    The Apostle Paul is giving his farewell message to the elders of the church in Ephesus. Paul knew his time was very short and that he would not see them again. The Holy Spirit had already revealed that troubles and afflictions were waiting for him in Jerusalem, where he could be imprisoned or even killed, as we know eventually happened. Because of this, Paul wanted to remind and warn the elders one last time before he went home to be with the Lord Jesus.

    Knowing that his earthly ministry was coming to an end, Paul wanted to leave the elders in Ephesus with a final charge, to protect themselves and the people entrusted to them, those who were purchased by the blood of the Lord Jesus. He would no longer be there to remind or warn them. Once he went home to the Lord, they would carry the responsibility to lead, protect, and nurture God’s people.

    When Paul said, “Take heed to yourselves before to all the flock,” he emphasized the importance that self-checking must come first. For this is the only way you can guard your own salvation and the salvation of the people entrusted to you. He also warned this to Timothy:

    “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
    ‭‭I Timothy‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭

    If you hold a position in the church, entrusted by God with His people, I hope you see every person as a precious soul purchased by the blood of the Lord Jesus, just as the Apostle Peter reminds us:

    “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” I Peter‬ ‭1:18-19‬ ‭

    We often say that salvation is free, but is it truly free? It is indeed offered to us as a free gift, but for the Lord Jesus, the price of that salvation was His own blood shed on the Cross. Anyone who serves as a leader in the congregation must have a deep understanding of this truth. It is very crucial, because not all believers fully grasp its weight.

    Jesus said that a single precious soul is worth more than all the riches of the world combined:

    “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” — Matthew 16:26

    That’s how serious Paul’s message was. The people we lead are souls purchased with the very life of Christ. The elders were called and entrusted by God to care for His people, and they would be held accountable for how they fulfilled this calling.

    “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” Hebrews‬ ‭13:17‬ ‭

    To better understand the battles these leaders faced, we need to look at the background of Ephesus. Paul once said that he “fought with beasts in Ephesus” (1 Corinthians 15:32). The city of Ephesus was the capital of a Roman province in Asia. It was a center of trade and also of religion, known for the worship of the goddess Diana. There were many cults in this city that practiced various forms of idolatry and sexual immorality, often led by women.

    Much of the Ephesian industry was connected to this temple. Craftsmen made shrines and household idols of the goddess, which worshipers purchased to take with them on long journeys. Because of this, when Paul preached the gospel, many people turned away from these false idols and abandoned their idolatrous practices. This led to a great uproar among the craftsmen, whose livelihood was being threatened by the spread of Christianity (see Acts 19:23–41). The Ephesians were proud of their religious heritage and the legends surrounding their goddess, which made them fiercely resistant to the truth of the Gospel.

    When the gospel spread in Ephesus, many new believers who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them publicly as a sign of repentance and total surrender to Christ. This powerful act showed how deeply the gospel transformed their hearts and values. It also reveals that witchcraft and sorcery were common in this city.

    Now we understand that Ephesus was a center of paganism, and sexual immorality was widespread. Ritual prostitution and sexual practices were part of pagan worship and were tolerated in society. These were the forces the elders had to guard themselves against. If they became entangled in these sins, how could they help others find freedom?

    These are still the same struggles most Christians face today. The Apostle John reminds us,

    “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” 1 John 2:15

    Many believers battle with letting go of idols, whether it’s money, success, comfort, or pleasure. The challenges may look different on the outside, but the spiritual warfare remains the same.

    Before we lead others, we must first learn to watch over and guard our own souls. Jesus said,

    “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?” Luke 6:39.

    A distracted, weary, or unfaithful heart cannot guide others toward faithfulness. Before you were given a position, you were first called to follow Jesus and your main calling is to keep following Him while you lead others to do the same. Do not let ministry steal your intimate fellowship with Jesus, who loves you and gave His life for you.

    Then Paul said, “among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” This means, as I mentioned, that you were chosen and appointed by God. Sometimes, as leaders, we put ourselves down because the enemy whispers lies that we are not worthy. But listen to what the Lord Jesus says:

    “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” John‬ ‭15:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

    The position you were given, the Lord Himself chose and appointed you for it. Every time you question your worthiness or calling, you are, in a way, doubting God’s decision over your life. It’s like asking Him, “Are You sure?” But how can we question the One who is all-knowing? “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). Of course, He is sure. Of course, He knows you are able and perfectly fit for the calling He has given you. That’s why false humility can be dangerous, it belittles God’s confidence in His own choice.

    The Scriptures say, “Stand fast in the Lord” (Philippians 4:1), meaning stand firm and confident in what God has called you to do. “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). You are more than a conqueror through Him who loves you (Romans 8:37).This means your strength does not come from yourself—it comes from God. He is the One who appointed you, and He is also the One who will supply all your needs—not only your material needs, but your spiritual strength as well. As the Apostle Paul said,

    “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19.

    You will feel the heavy weight of responsibility, but do not forget the beauty in Paul’s words: “among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” This means you are not alone.

    “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” John‬ ‭14:16-18‬ ‭

    The Holy Spirit is with you, working together with you to care for God’s people. He is your Helper, your Teacher, and your Guide. Yield and submit to His leading with humility.

    Now I pray that the Lord gives you understanding of what you have read and reveals to you through the life of the elders in Ephesus. They eventually turned away from God—not because they lacked faith or works, but because they left their first love, as the Lord Jesus warned them:

    “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” — Revelation 2:4

    This warning speaks to all of us. If we desire to serve the body of Christ, we must first be bondservants of the Lord Jesus, serving with fervent love for Him. Let our desire for ministry never exceed our desire for Jesus Himself. Let our goal be to abide in Him every moment, not only when it is convenient.

    Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4). Through our union with the Lord Jesus, we will bear much fruit, not through our own strength, but through Him.

    I hope that you receive an understanding that you were appointed by the Lord Himself, not by man. That means you are able, because God never makes mistakes in His calling. Speaking negatively about yourself or the position God has entrusted to you is the same as doubting His
    sovereignty.

    Remember that the believers around you are purchased by the blood of Jesus and must be cared for with great love, and those who have not yet believed are still precious souls worth more than all the riches of the world.

    Do not be discouraged but be encouraged! The Holy Spirit is within you and always ready to work with you.

    “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians‬ ‭15:58‬ ‭

  • Psalm 90:12

    “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” — Psalm 90:12

    If I could go back in time and talk to my younger self, I would hand her this verse and say, “Meditate on this, it will change how you live.”

    This verse is a prayer written by Moses, one of the oldest Psalms in the Bible. Moses reflects on how brief and fragile human life truly is. He describes life as a sigh, here for a moment, then gone.

    When we’re young, we often think we have endless time ahead of us. We chase dreams, make plans, and assume the sky’s the limit. But that’s a lie. Life on this earth is short, and time is passing faster than we realize. The world we live in has an appointed end. One day, God will bring judgment, and this world will be replaced by a new heaven and a new earth.

    “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” II Peter‬ ‭3:10-13‬ ‭

    A promise reserved for those who believe and follow the LORD Jesus Christ.

    We are not meant to stay here forever. We are only pilgrims and strangers passing through this world with a divine purpose entrusted to us by God.

    When Moses prayed, “Teach us to number our days,” he wasn’t asking God to help him count the years. He was asking for wisdom to live with purpose. To “number our days” means to live with the awareness that time is sacred, and that each moment should align with God’s calling on our lives.

    If we don’t ask God for that understanding, we risk wasting our lives on things that don’t matter. We’ll chase distractions, comfort, and worldly desires that pull us away from what truly counts. But when we live with purpose, our priorities shift. The Apostle Paul gives us a clear picture of how short our lives are here on earth.

    “But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.” ‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭7:29-31‬ ‭

    Paul reminds us that time is short and that the things of this world are only temporary. He isn’t telling us to stop caring or to withdraw from life but to set our minds on things above. The relationships, emotions, and possessions we have are part of this world, but they shouldn’t be our highest priorities in life.

    Everything around us is fading, and only what is done for God will last. That’s why the Apostle Paul urges us to live with focus, urgency, and a heavenly perspective. When we truly understand that “the form of this world is passing away,” we begin to receive from God a heart of wisdom. Our way of thinking transforms, and it begins to reflect in how we live.

    We start to reorganize our lives around His calling. We set ourselves apart from people and habits that don’t help us grow or fulfill our God-given purpose. We stop holding on too tightly to temporary things and instead start investing our time and energy in what matters for eternity.

    But if we allow distractions to take over, they can easily blur our sense of purpose. Before we know it, the years slip away. We look back and wonder how time moved so quickly and realize we haven’t even begun what God called us to do. We’ve wasted time that could have been used to serve God’s kingdom and accomplish far greater things for His glory.

    The Apostle Paul echoes this truth again in Ephesians 5:16, urging us to:

    “Redeem the time, because the days are evil.”

    In other words, make the most of every moment. The distractions of this world are designed to steal our focus and waste our time. Everything we pour ourselves into whether pleasure, wealth, or even family will eventually fade away. But what we do for God will last forever.

    Lastly, we must remember: tomorrow is not promised. That’s why the scripture says,

    “For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:2‬ ‭

    Today is the only moment we are truly given, it’s a present from God. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, and we are not promised another sunrise.
    As the Apostle James reminds us, 

    “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James‬ ‭4:14‬

    Tomorrow is not guaranteed. We don’t know what will happen in the next hour or even at the next sunrise. But one thing is certain that eternity is real. And every person must choose where they will spend it: in eternal separation from God in the lake of fire, or in eternal life through Jesus Christ.

    If you believe in the Lord Jesus with all your heart and surrender your life to Him, your salvation is secure. He died for your sins, rose again, and offers you forgiveness and eternal life not because of what you’ve done, but because of His mercy and love.

    And if you are already a believer, remember this: the Lord didn’t call you just to believe. He called you to follow Him. Faith is not meant to be stagnant. God wants you to walk with Him daily, to grow deeper in your relationship with Him, and to fulfill the purpose He has entrusted to you.

    Because one day, we will all stand before the Lord Jesus and give an account of how we lived.

    “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

    Let today be the day you choose to live to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, to make your days count, and to glorify God with the life He has given you.

  • John 15:5

    “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5

    LORD Jesus spoke these words to His disciples on the night before His crucifixion. It was part of His final conversation with them, the seventh and last of His “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John. Each “I Am” declaration reveals a deeper truth about who Jesus is and what He came to do. The LORD Jesus often uses familiar things from everyday life to help His disciples easily understand His message. The Jewish people were well acquainted with vineyards. Growing and cultivating grapes was a common part of their culture and livelihood. They knew that the vine is the one supporting and providing nourishment for the branches to bear fruit.

    Jesus used this image to help His disciples understand the importance of staying connected to Him. Just as the branches depend entirely on the vine for life, strength, and fruitfulness, we must also depend completely on Christ.

    The first six “I Am” statements reveal Jesus as the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Door, the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection and the Life, and the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Each of these reveals His divine purpose, to give us life by giving His own, so that through faith in Him we might have eternal life and be restored to the Father, becoming part of His Kingdom.

    Now, in this final “I Am” statement, Jesus says, “I am the Vine.” He is saying that our relationship with Him must be ongoing and alive. We have to dwell in Him and live for Him. We are still here on earth, working to fulfill His purpose and calling that He has assigned to each of us. Because the enemy is still active in this world, he continually tries to hinder us by throwing challenges, temptations, and distractions our way.

    Have you ever wondered why many Christians still struggle with sinning even after accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior? It is because, at times, we fail to stay connected to the Vine. When we drift away from daily fellowship with the Lord Jesus, our spiritual strength weakens.

    Prayer is one of the most powerful ways to overcome the desires of the flesh. It is through prayer that we crucify our fleshly nature and allow the Spirit of God to take control. Have you ever noticed that when you start praying, you suddenly begin to yawn, or feel sleepy and get distracted?The same with reading the Word of God? Prayer and the Word work together to crucify the desires of the flesh and strengthen our spirit. When we pray, we speak to God; when we read His Word, God speaks to us. 

    That is what Jesus meant when He said, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit.” We cannot bear good fruit if we are not connected to the Vine. As the Lord said, the Father is the vinedresser, meaning God is the One who tends, nourishes, and shapes our lives. He alone can produce good fruit in us, the nine fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We cannot bear these fruits on our own.

    So if you ever wonder why you are struggling, it may be because you are trying to do it in your own strength. We are not the source of our own growth; God is. Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” It was God who made the growth possible. As Jesus said, “For without Me you can do nothing.” Amen.

    Jesus is the source of everything we need, not only for our physical needs but also for our spiritual life. If He had not died for us on the cross, we would all be dead in our sins and lost forever.

    At the same time, just as a farmer needs to prune his plants so they can produce more fruit, God must also prune us. This process can be painful because it involves removing old habits, unhealthy relationships, or distractions that keep us from growing in faith and developing godly character. But once the pruning is done, new growth begins, and the fruits of the Spirit start to flourish in our lives.

    Today, abide in Jesus, and let Him grow in you. 

  • John 14:6

    “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” — John 14:6

    On the night before His betrayal and death, Jesus was preparing His disciples for what was about to happen. He had just told them that He was going away to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house. Thomas having a difficulty to grasp the words of Jesus asked, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

    “We do not know where You are going, ” was a great question. Jesus had been teaching about the Kingdom of God from the very beginning of His ministry. His first recorded message in Mark 1:15 declares,

    “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

    Jesus continued to reintroduce to His disciples the Kingdom of God by giving them many parables about the Kingdom so they could gain understanding about His Kingdom. Yet on the night before His crucifixion, after three whole years of walking with the Lord, they were still asking Him, “Lord, where are You going?”

    Think about that. Even the disciples, who were Jewish and had been taught the Scriptures from childhood, still struggled to fully understand Jesus’ words. It was not just because of a lack of faith. It was because everything Jesus spoke was spiritual. Jesus said, “

    “… the words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”
    ‭‭John‬ ‭6:63‬ ‭

    Why was this so important? Because every human being faces the same problem. We simply do not know God on our own. We have been completely separated from Him. Our sins and trespasses have made us spiritually dead, unable to see or understand the things of God apart from His revelation. That is why Jesus wants all of us to be born again, born of the Spirit, so that we can truly understand Him. Only the Holy Spirit can reveal the Word of God and guide us into all truth. It is the Holy Spirit who reveals to us the things of God, so that we may know what God has freely given us. Without the Holy Spirit, we can read or hear the Word, but we will not truly understand it.

    Then Thomas continued, “How do we know the way?” Another great question that led to an even greater answer. Jesus said, “I am the way.”

    Why? Because among all the religions in the world, they all teach that we must do good to reach God. But Jesus said,

    “So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” Mark‬ ‭10:18‬

    Think about that. Our thoughts, our intentions, and our actions are all under the bondage of sin. All we know is how to commit sin. It is our nature now because of the transgression of Adam, which caused us to be separated from God. We were born into sin, shaped by it, and surrounded by it. That is why we cannot live righteously on our own, because only God can teach us how to live right. That is why Jesus requires only one thing for salvation—to believe. When you truly believe in someone, you will follow what that person says or recommends. Belief always leads to action. We do not know the Kingdom of God, nor the way to it, and even more so, we do not know how to live a life that is pleasing to God. But Jesus laid down His life for us. He paid for our sins with His own blood. The Scripture says,

    “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”” Acts‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭

    Jesus is the only way because His death satisfied the wrath of God. His sacrifice not only gave us eternal life with Him but also restored our relationship with the Father. That is the truth!! that we are all sinners, in need of a Savior. And this is the very truth the enemy works so hard to hide, because he does not want you and me to enter the Kingdom of God.

    The presence of the Lord Jesus on Earth, when He walked with His disciples, was not only to bring light to the world but also to show us the way and reveal the truth that we are all separated from the Father because of our sins. Only He, the Lamb of God, was the body prepared by God Himself to satisfy His righteous wrath.

    The Scripture says, “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins” (Hebrews 9:22). Why did it have to be through a human body? Because it was humanity that committed sin. A life had to be given for life. Jesus offered His life so that we might receive life, and through Him, we can now obtain mercy from the Father.

    How do we receive this mercy? Not by our works, but through the precious blood of Jesus. The scripture says,

    “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16 

    If you think you can reach God by your own efforts, unfortunately, you never will. In the sight of God, without being washed and covered by the blood of Christ, we are totally separated from Him because of our sins.

    “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” – Isaiah 59:2 

    If you are looking for the way to enter the Kingdom of God, enter through Jesus. Didn’t He say, “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)?

    When you enter through Him, He will become your Good Shepherd who will never leave you nor forsake you. Jesus said, “The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (John 10:11), and He did it so that you could be with God for all eternity.