The genuineness of our faith is far more valuable than all the riches of the world, for when it has stood the test of fire, it will bring all praise, honor and glory to our Father and Lord Jesus Christ. In this lifetime, this is what we strive for, and nothing should hold us back from preaching the gospel to wherever God leads us. We must fulfill the call of God while we still have breath in us until the coming of our Lord Jesus who will take us home to paradise. Who can fathom the glorious day or even begin to comprehend the beauty of our heavenly home? There should be great expectation and excitement for this day.
No matter what stage of life we are at, may nothing stand against God’s will, and may we fulfill His great purpose for ourselves, our family, church, community and workplace. Just as this nation was stirred up with revival through circuit riders of the past, who sacrificed their time, energy, safety and even their health in order to preach the gospel, let us follow in the footsteps of these circuit riders who did not fear discomfort, but ran into storm. The baton has been passed down to our generation, so let us take this torch and light the fire to wherever God is leading us. May God go before us and lead the way for His utmost glory!
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind, that you may prove what is God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will.” John 2:15 also says, “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.” Although this nation was built upon the truth of God, by man’s selfishness and greed, the truth became tainted. What was not understood or acceptable to man was discarded as false teaching, which is no different than Jesus’s day when the people could not accept Him as the promised Messiah, the Son of God. Time and again throughout the Scriptures God teaches us not to conform to this world but be set apart and be holy for He is holy. The sanctification process is not an easy one, and it takes great self-discipline. We must test all things against the Word of God, and purge what is false from our minds that our beliefs will not be swayed. We must always fix our eyes on Christ so that we do not fall.
It is written in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” Jesus has always been present even before the world was created. He is the second person of the Holy Trinity, and His name is “Word of God” (Revelation 19:13). Jesus is also named the Word in 1 John 5:7, and He is called the true God and eternal life in 1 John 5:20. The Scriptures provide sufficient evidence that Jesus is the Word, the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matt 16:16). Even if men destroy the Bible and burn them all up, Jesus will remain forever because He is the living Word, and nothing can take Him away from our hearts. Therefore, our faith will not be shaken because we put our trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Just as infants need the bodily nourishment of their mother’s milk for physical growth and development, as new believers in Christ and throughout maturity, we must desire the pure milk of God’s Word so that we will have a sure foundation and not be lacking in anything to do God’s will. We must soak in the richness of God’s Word, and “taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). Although there are many great Christian books to help us in our spiritual journey, new believers need to crave the pure spiritual milk of God’s Word because it is not tainted by other people’s beliefs, opinions and experiences. God’s Word must always be our first source, and then other sources can be used as confirmation. George Muller had read the Bible over 300 times by the time he was 92 years old, and early in his Christian walk, he had promised himself to read only the Bible over and over again. We also should follow in his example. Nothing can replace the Bible, and God gave it to us for the purpose of teaching us who He is and sufficiently train us in wisdom and righteousness that we may be more like Him and fulfill His will.
As we offer up every act of service to the Lord, we are also building up our eternal home filled with treasures in heaven. Spiritual sacrifices are far more valuable and precious than earthly treasures and cannot be bought with worldly riches. Those who serve the Almighty God and love Him with all their heart, mind, soul and strength, have much to look forward to when they sit in the presence of our Lord and Savior. Because we are called as a holy priesthood, we are to intercede for the people daily that God would have mercy and forgive their sins. Just as God had appointed prophets and judges throughout the Bible to be His voice, even today He calls on those who have ears to hear His voice. He wants His people to continue this great task of calling the people to repentance that their hearts be turned back to God in reverence and worship. We must take this torch to each of the believers that their hearts may be stirred up by the Spirit of God, and that they too would spark up a spirit of revival. For the Lord has said, “If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
We are special in God’s eyes, and He takes great delight in those children who obey His will and fulfill the purpose for which God created them. It is truly an honor to be in the elect as God’s chosen generation. With the calling it requires strict discipline to live as a holy nation to bring all praise to God and be careful of our conduct that those who spoke against us will one day glorify God. Those saints who have gone before us who tirelessly served God with all their heart, who never gave up even under the worst persecution, now sit at the right hand of God as their reward. History proves that their persecutors did soften their hearts and gave their lives to Christ because they witnessed a devoted faith walk that did not yield to the trials and temptations of this world. We are naturalized citizens of heaven. When unbelievers look at us, they hold us to a higher standard and will call us out on our sins and mistakes. We must overcome our weaknesses and always make sure that our conduct is honorable. In the end, God shall receive all the praise, honor and glory.
We are not under law but under grace (Rom 6:14). However, even though we are free from the law of sin and death, not all things are beneficial, nor do they always edify. We are not to seek our own but each other’s well-being (1 Cor 10:23-24). God gave us liberty but not to use it for the lust of the flesh. We are to serve one another in love because we are God’s representatives (Gal 5:13). If we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, we will not be enslaved by the law because the fruit of the Spirit will reign in our bodies to fulfill God’s greatest command to love Him and to love one another. A life engulfed by self will lead to destruction, but a life filled with love for one another will reap prosperity. That is why God is the Triune God and the three work as one because they are a complete network. However, this network was meant to extend to all God’s people. We, the Church, are not separate entities but must be one with our Lord and one with each other. By doing good, we will silence the enemy and God will be glorified.
How easy it is for our flesh to lash out in anger or display all kinds of ungodly behavior when we do not keep ourselves in check with the Holy Spirit. Scripture encourages us to follow in Christ’s example who did not commit any sin even though He was unjustly accused and suffered at the hands of men when He did no wrong. Just as Jesus exercised self-control, we also must not stumble with our tongue because if we can control our tongue, we are able to bridle the whole body (James 3:2). “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt 12:34), so if we fill our heart with the Word, which are choice morsels for our soul, then we will speak and do what is good. We must be careful to remember that the tongue is a fire that can defile the whole body if we do not guard our hearts from the evil around us. As that old Sunday School song says, “O be careful little eyes what you see…little ears what you hear…little hands what you do…little feet where you walk.”
For a wife, to submit to her husband is representative of submitting herself to God. It’s easy to forget that in a fallen world where the focus is on feminism and girl power. However, women who demand their rights in a way that dishonors God, have become the exact opposite of a gentle and quiet spirit. There is no value in outward adornment other than praise from people. We must be circumcised in the heart, who worship God in the spirit, putting no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3). It is this spirit that is precious to God and pleasing to Him. As women this may sometimes be hard to comprehend, but we must trust God because this is His law and order, and He ordained the husband to be head over the wife and his family. By abiding in God’s law, the family achieves unity and a harmonious relationship with one another. As I have been reading the history book, “From Sea to Shining Sea,” John Marshall, the 4th Chief Justice, believed in a central federal government with the Constitution as the supreme law of the land that America should be a nation ruled by law. He believed this was very important because man is fallible and prone to sin. Without law, there would be utter chaos. That is why we as Christians and we as women must observe God’s law at all times. We must keep ourselves in check and keep our flesh under the control of the Holy Spirit so that as light-bearers, we can be an example to the world.
Prayer: “Lord, forgive me for not always submitting myself to my husband. Please help me to adorn myself with inner beauty with a gentle and quiet spirit.” In Jesus Name, Amen.
The husband’s role is the image of Christ and the Church. It is a binding union of love and sanctification. Of course, because of our fallen nature, if a husband is not constantly in the word to work out his salvation and putting it into practice, he will be controlled by his flesh. Since God has ordained him head over his wife, he also will be attacked by the enemy. For this reason, the wife must continuously pray for her husband that he would live as God created him and fulfill his calling. Both the husband and wife must always stay alert. God has given each their own role to complement one another to work in partnership with God and give Him all the glory. James 3:1 says that teachers of the Word will be judged more strictly. How much more then should the wife pray for her husband so that he will teach and practice the truth and be that example to the family.
Prayer: “Lord, forgive me for neglecting to pray for my husband daily. Please protect him and help him lead the family according to Your good and perfect will.” In Jesus Name, Amen.
God is love and the whole world was established in love. God’s love is always in action, and we who are called by His name must follow in His example because loving God and loving one another are the greatest commandments. If we do well in these two things, we will inherit a blessing as it says in verse 9, and God’s ears will be open to our prayers (v. 12). There are many actions in just these two verses. Be united – focused on the same goal; be compassionate – caring for the needs of others; be loving and tender-hearted, gentle in all our behavior; be respectful – being careful not to criticize or insult that would tear someone down. Love builds up, encourages and expects nothing in return. If we follow the model of Jesus, people will be won over to Christ. We must always bless and not curse, not just for a reward but because the way we act is an outward expression of our love for God.
How can we be ready to give a defense of what we believe? There was a time when I was not yet a Christian and someone asked me why I went to church, and why I believed in God. Unfortunately, I had no solid answer for the defense of the gospel. Why? First of all, you must be saved and have a personal relationship with Christ. And second, you must be reading and meditating on God’s Words regularly, even daily if possible. His Word solidifies our faith and the Holy Spirit will remind us of all the Scriptures to testify of God’s truth and give a reason of why we believe the Bible, the Trinity, life after death, etc. It will naturally flow out of the abundance that is stored in our hearts. And we must defend our faith with meekness and fear; not because we fear man, but because we fear God and are careful not to misrepresent Him. Our holy speech and conduct will put to shame those who revile (insult, criticize) the gospel. We should not take their insults personally because they are rejecting Jesus. All we can do is continue to represent Christ as He is and pray for our enemies. We must pray that their hearts may be softened to believe in the Lord Jesus that their eyes may be opened to recognize their wretched, sinful state and realize they need a Savior.
If we continue to live in the flesh after being saved, then Christ’s suffering and death was in vain. Self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit; a gift that we received upon salvation and we are to exercise it daily. The typical American dream is to get a good education, graduate, earn a high salary, and climb the ladder of success and recognition. However, this model is not a one size fits all. Just as God made us each uniquely different, our lives will each be used differently by God. This may be nonsense for the unbeliever, but for the Christ-follower it is crucial to know the will of God to please Him. Everyone’s road map of their lives will not look the same. Life was never meant to be a joyride for the flesh, but we were created to worship and give glory to God. The desires of our sinful nature all lead to destruction. Wise is the person who recognizes this early on and does all he/she can to please God. The more we feed the flesh, our heart becomes cold and we become more like beasts. Let us remember what Christ did for us on the cross, and not be afraid to walk the path that is marked with suffering for the Gospel’s sake.
As we entered the 21st century, tragic events have taken place in our nation and throughout the world. 9/11 was a great warning to America of our spiritual condition. There has been a heavy onslaught of the enemy seeking to devour whoever he can deceive. This period of time is an urgent call to God’s children to rise up and pray. Our spirit must be watchful to understand the times. We must seek God with all our hearts and seek Him while He may be found. Just as the time of Noah, the people had many years to believe and enter the ark while the door was still open. When it started to rain, the doors were sealed shut by God Himself, and only Noah’s family was saved. Jesus compared the last days to the days of Noah. This is not a time when we should sit idle just waiting for things to happen. We must prepare, be alert at all times, and hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church. We need a fresh revelation from God to direct our steps in the way we should go. We must use the gifts that God has given to us as a ministry for one another.
I must admit, I have neglected to pray regularly. I know the Holy Spirit has been nudging my heart to set a regular prayer time, but I have been putting it off and allowing myself to get distracted with other things. However, the Lord has called me to start a prayer watch. Just as Israel has a prayer watch, and Korea has a prayer watch, America also needs a prayer watch in every state. God wants His intercessors to pray and cry out for His will to be done.
It’s sad to think how many people who claim to be Christians who believe they will go to heaven will actually never make it because they do not have a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. The believers will be judged first, and God will separate the wheat from the chaff. Those who said, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name, cast out demons in Your Name, and done many wonders in Your Name?” but Jesus will reply that He never knew them (Matt 7:22-23). Only those who do the Father’s will shall enter heaven’s gates.
Back in American history when slavery was legal in the South, in Christian homes slaves were beaten for petty things in the same room where these families had prayer meetings and Bible study. They treated their slaves brutally while professing to do God’s will. There is no place in God’s Word that permits us to treat another human being with such injustice and cruelty. Love must supersede all our actions bringing glory to our Father, who is love. Judgment begins in the house of God first, so let us be careful to do what God commands. Let us fear God who has the power over life and death and depart from hypocrisy, compromise and apathy.
Before anyone even thinks of becoming a pastor or elder, he should read this verse and meditate on it often. Unfortunately, in my experience I have seen and heard many pastors who have abused their authority causing brokenness in the Church, causing division and deep wounds. To be a minister, it must be a calling from God, and there should be a sure conviction and confirmation that will remind the pastor why he came into the ministry in the first place. There are pastors who have left their calling because they could not overcome the hardship and suffering. I’m sure that in the midst of serving the flock, the pastor didn’t cultivate his own relationship with God, only to find himself broken, exhausted, discouraged, and so wounded himself. He had nothing left to give to his flock. However, this verse does not just apply to ministers. All Christians must cultivate a love relationship with the Lord regularly in order for us to survive in this world. Jesus is our truth, and He is the way and the life. We need Him daily so that we can be a light to those around us. You can only give as much as you are filled by the Holy Spirit. Seek Him daily with all your heart and pray continuously for the family of God that they will remain faithful to the end.
Satan’s schemes are to steal, kill and destroy. It is also to divide and conquer. He is the father of lies and he will cause division wherever he can. He knows how to wield his sword, but do we know how to utilize the spiritual armor of God to defend ourselves and cast the enemy out of our lives? We can clothe ourselves with the power of the Holy Spirit through His Word. His Word equips us for every good work in every season and to thwart the enemy’s schemes. It is Christ Jesus who reigns over our soul, not Satan, although he tries to deceive us. The time is so short. We see this happening by the massive outbreak of the corona virus in China that has spread all over the world. We need not fear death, but may God shield us from this deadly virus so that we can carry out His work. We fix our eyes on Jesus facing the storm and not being shaken. We should become the giants to trample that vile serpent. May we be filled with the mighty power of the Holy Spirit and His everlasting Word, so that we can stand firm.
Christianity is a life-long action. For this reason, God gave us His divine power to live life on earth filled with His Spirit that we would not be lacking in anything. Verse 8 says that if we abound in these godly traits, we will not be useless or unfruitful. Every branch that does not bear fruit, God takes away, but every branch that does bear fruit God prunes so that it will produce more (John 5:2). God is constantly at work refining our character so we can become more like Him. These Christian virtues of faith, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love must increase and be at work always in our lives. Just as it says in Philippians 2:12-13, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” for God’s good pleasure and for His glory.
The Apostle Peter preached the Good News and encouraged the body of Christ until his very last breath. He followed in the footsteps of Jesus and did not fear death. Instead, he looked forward to putting off his “tent” so that mortality would be swallowed up by eternal life (2 Cor 5:4). Peter’s hope was to dwell in the house made by God himself in eternity. This is the hope that we also have as Christians – to die is to gain (Philippians 1:21). Therefore, as long as we still have breath, let us praise the name of the Lord our God and preach the Good News to all nations until our Father in heaven takes us home. Let us also continue to teach and encourage the church body praying continually for them that they would stand firm to the end, and that their joy may be complete.
We see in these last days that so many in the church have fallen away from the truth, and Jesus is not their Lord and King. Unfortunately, many people are swayed by popular opinion and follow the wide path to destruction. However, as disciples of Christ we are to stay on the straight and narrow and put our trust in the Lord. Those who truly love Jesus will do what He commands, and they will seek to please Him. In Psalm 119:9-11 it teaches us the only way to cleanse our soul is by heeding God’s word and hiding it in our hearts. The heart is the treasure chest and when you open it, it should be filled with the precious metals and gems of God’s holy truth. At the appropriate time, the Holy Spirit will bring out those treasures one by one as we have need. We can always wear God’s treasures as reminders of God’s promises and His truth that can set us free. By His words alone we shall live.
God delivers the just from the lawlessness and wickedness around them. Just as God saved Noah and his family from the flood of judgment, and Lot from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, God saves His righteous ones today. However, there will be no mercy for the wicked; they will not be spared from judgment. In Mark 13:35-37 it says that the Master of the house, our Lord Jesus, can come at any time and we should not be found sleeping (idle) but to be watching. We are to be active listeners of the Word of God, not being hearers only but doers. As the Lord directs us, we must do what He commands; only then are we truly His disciples. How can we call Him Lord if we don’t do what He tells us? Jesus must be our Lord and King – the Master of our soul.
It is a grave sin to become so depraved in the world to end up as a false teacher. The love of money pollutes the soul as well as greed, pride, and the desire for power and fame. To do ministry requires a pure heart and a willingness to serve in any capacity according to the gifts God has given you. In order to be great in God’s kingdom, you must be a servant of all just as Jesus did not come into the world “to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matt 20:28). He came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). If we remain humble and pure in heart by following the example of Jesus, then God will work through us mightily. However, if we are enticed by sin and do not repent of it immediately, there is great potential for us to become like the false teachers. We must heed God’s warning.
What a blessing it is to have God’s love story all written out for us in our own language! If God did not intend for the gospel to be preached in all nations, then it would have never been translated in so many languages. As of October 2019, the Bible in its entirety has been translated into 698 languages of the world. Just the New Testament alone and portions of the Old Testament Bible have been translated into over 1100 languages. As the Lord has spoken, this gospel shall be preached in all the world and then the end will come (Matt 24:14). God is amazing in all His works, and He has called our family to go throughout this nation to remind our friends and strangers of what God has spoken through the prophets and apostles. May the hearts of God’s holy people be stirred up and prepare the way of the Lord.
The Lord God in His infinite knowledge and understanding who sees yesterday, today and forever is waiting until the full number of souls are saved. He foreknew who would love and accept Him, and who would reject Him. God in His tender mercies and loving-kindness is withholding His judgment that all would come to repentance. This is all the reason why we must preach the gospel, ministering to the lost and be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever we go. The time is too short to waste. God is asking, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” and our answer should be, “Here I am! Send me” (Isaiah 6:8). For the Spirit of the Lord God is upon us and anointed us to preach the good news to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to set the captives free and release the bound up prisoners, to proclaim the year of God’s favor, but also His vengeance; to comfort those who mourn, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness (Isaiah 61:1-3). The time has come, and the time is now that God is sending us.
We know that God’s Word tells us the final judgment will take place and the earth will be destroyed by fire. Before this day comes, we as God’s holy priests must prepare the way for the Lord. We must live in holiness and godly conduct being God’s representatives on Earth, so that we would not become a false witness to God’s holy character. Our spirit can sense that the day of the Lord is near, and we must hasten the day by doing His will. The Lord is speaking and “what does the Lord require of us but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). This verse comes from God’s mandate to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 10:12-13 to fear God, to walk in His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord with all our heart and soul, and to keep His commands and statutes. The Lord has not changed. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. However, God’s people have changed for the worse, and He is calling out to us in His time of mercy to return to Him. We must repent turning from our wicked ways while the door is still open before the last trumpet call.
The mysteries of the Scriptures can only be revealed by the Holy Spirit. Head knowledge alone cannot sustain the life of a believer. The Holy Spirit breathes on us and opens our spiritual eyes to understand the heart of God and know His plans. Those who lack understanding tend to twist the truth to cater to their own needs and mislead others. However, we must not be deceived by falling prey to the false teachings. We must continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ so that we can stand firm and not be shaken by this world. In James 1:5, it says that we should ask God for wisdom who gives it generously, for this pleases Him that we would desire to know Him more. If we remain in Christ, we will be made complete not lacking anything.