Tag: Jesus redeems and restores

  • Ephesians 5:17

    “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” – Ephesians 5:17

    Many of us ask, “Lord, what is Your will for me?” But Paul has already emphasized throughout Ephesians that the will of God is not hidden from us. It is not a mystery we have to solve but there is a process that all who believe must follow.

    We all know that the Lord Jesus gave us the power to become children of God to everyone who believes. How can we obtain this? All of the disciples fulfilled this same process.

    First and foremost, we must repent. This is the moment we change the way we think. We declare, “I am done living in darkness. I am out! I choose to do the will of God.” Without repentance, we cannot step into God’s will, because we do not have a willing heart to obey.

    Second, we must firmly grasp and hold onto the gospel, because the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus is our life and our hope. Through His sacrifice, He destroyed the enmity between us and the Father. And when you have access to the throne of God, who else do you need?

    This is the greatest will of God for us all, that we all believe in Jesus Christ and not perish, but be with God in everlasting life.

    Third, we must be baptized in water. This is where we declare our faith, the actions of what we believe. Water baptism is a cleansing process, proclaiming that all our uncleanness is washed away. We are buried with Christ and raised with Him, we are now a new creation in Christ. This is where we lay down our lives to Christ and become His.

    Just as Jesus, after His baptism, received the Holy Spirit, we too receive the gift of the Spirit.

    The Holy Spirit is the One who gives us wisdom and revelation to understand the will of God and to fulfill His purpose for our lives while we walk on this earth. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot know it, nor can we walk in it. That is why Paul’s constant prayer for believers was that they would be filled with the Spirit.

    The Holy Spirit is our Teacher, our Helper, our Comforter. He reveals the deep things of God, gives us strength to overcome the desires of the flesh, transforms us into the people God created us to be, and empowers us to accomplish the calling He has placed on our lives. He is also our seal, the guarantee that we belong to God and will inherit His promises. Above all, the Holy Spirit is the very presence of God within us. To have an intimate relationship and fellowship with the Holy Spirit is to walk with God Himself.

    So do not be foolish, know the Holy Spirit !!!

  • Hosea 6:6

    “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” – Hosea 6:6

    Jesus often used this verse to respond to the Pharisees’ criticism, whether it was for eating with tax collectors or allowing a weeping woman to anoint His feet.

    The Pharisees and scribes were teachers of the Law, often teaching in the synagogues. They were known for their strict observance of purity laws, tithing, and Sabbath rules. But they were not the same as the priests. Priests came from the tribe of Levi, chosen by God to perform priestly duties in the Temple. Pharisees, however, came mostly from non-priestly classes. Anyone could become one, like the Apostle Paul from the tribe of Benjamin.

    Over time, the Pharisees became bound to legalism; believing that being right with God came through keeping their own rituals and traditions. But this missed the pupose of the Law. God gave His commandments out of mercy, to teach us how to live before Him and love one another. Sacrifices and offerings were meant to be expressions of love for God and a way to reconcile with Him.

    That’s why church attendance, good works, or being raised in a Christian home doesn’t guarantee salvation. If our focus is on our own standards rather than what Jesus accomplished on the cross, we fall away from God’s grace.

    Because God, rich in mercy, sent Jesus as the propitiation for our sins, to satisfy His wrath and bring us back to Him.

    So today, lay down empty religion or your own standard how to be receive salvation. Come to Jesus with a repentant heart. Receive His grace. Pursue knowing Him personally and build a relationship with Jesus. Because He doesn’t just want your works. He wants your heart!

  • Hosea 6:1

    “Come, and let us return to the Lord; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.” – Hosea 6:1

    God is like our earthly father, disciplining us to correct our wrongs. I see His wrath as beautiful, because when He is angry, He removes us from the things that slowly destroy us.

    Israel was often cast out of the Promised Land—not because God didn’t love them, but because living there didn’t stop them from falling into sin. Sometimes, everything must be taken away for us to truly see who our Lord is, He is loves righteousness and hates sin.

    Have you ever had moments when things were taken away, and at first it hurt, but later you realized those very things were slowly destroying you?

    Sin destroys our lives, tears away our identity, ruins our purpose, and damages our future. But living in righteousness brings joy, peace, and harmony, within us and in our relationships with others.

    The most wonderful thing about God is that despite our rebellion, He is always ready to restore us. He heals our wounds and gives us a chance to live a brand-new life.

    So today, will you come and return to Jesus? Walk with Him, and let His presence slowly heal and restore you once again.