Real love protects the innocent, refusing to ignore harm, standing for truth, and courageously defending the innocent from anything that would celebrate wrongdoing or threaten their God-given dignity and safety.
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” 1 Corinthians 13:6
Biblical love is not submissive, passive, soft or permissive. It does not justify, defend or excuse sin, minimize harm, or remain silent when others are injured, hurt or wounded. Love stands with truth, even when truth is painful, confining and uncomfortable. When we avoid difficult conversations under the banner of “love,” we misunderstand love itself. God’s love confronts in order to heal. Protecting children, setting boundaries, and reporting wrongdoing are acts of love rooted in truth and righteousness.
Thought to Ponder: Redefine love according to God’s Word, not comfort.
Journal Prompt: Where have I confused love with avoidance or silence?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, teach me to love like You love, boldly, truthfully, and faithfully. Give me the strength when I need it to act, the fortitude and tenacity to endure even when I think I can’t. In Jesus Name Amen.
Getting to Know Him
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And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Pip: A mountain village, a wandering stranger, a mother weaving a basket by the river — Drink of Jesus has been building a world where ancient scripture lands like it’s happening right…
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Division within the church is one of the enemy’s greatest tools because it weakens unity, damages witness, and distracts believers from the mission of Christ. I personally believe that all of the…
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Lone Tree Arts Center (LTAC) forged a partnership with Parkinson Association of the Rockies to develop a performative movement class. “In performative movement, you really take a look at the sequence: what…
Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
This verse reminds us that genuine faith is visible in both compassion and purity. True religion is not merely words, rituals, or appearances; it is love in action. God calls believers to care for the vulnerable, like orphans and widows, and to guard their hearts from the corruption of the world. When we serve those in need and pursue a life shaped by God’s holiness, our faith becomes a living testimony. Let your devotion to God be seen through kindness, generosity, and a life that reflects His character every day.
Getting to Know Him
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They have healed also the hurt of my people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ when there is no peace.
This verse warns about the danger of false reassurance. The leaders of Israel were telling people “peace, peace” when the nation was spiritually sick. Instead of addressing the deeper problem of sin and repentance, they offered comforting words that hid the truth. God desires healing that is real, not superficial. True peace comes when we honestly face our hearts and return to Him. This verse reminds us to seek truth, not easy answers. When we allow God to deal with the root of our struggles, He brings restoration that is lasting and genuine.
Getting to Know Him
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“Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.”Psalm 119:165
Offense is a stumbling block that robs peace and clarity. It often feels justified, but Scripture says peace, not reaction, is the fruit of loving God’s truth. When being offended controls us, it controls our responses, relationships, and joy. God invites us into a steadiness that cannot be easily shaken, even when others act wrongly.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, show me where offense has taken root in my heart. Help me to understand what is offending me. Help me release it. Lord,I choose Your peace over my reactions. Teach me to walk unoffended. In Jesus Name Amen.
Daily Action: Pause before reacting today. Choose silence or prayer instead of instant response.
Journal Prompt: What situations most easily offend me, and why?
Getting to Know Him:
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For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5
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“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy, and tell them, even the shepherds, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Shouldn’t the shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat. You clothe yourself with the wool. You kill the fatlings, but you don’t feed the sheep. You haven’t strengthened the diseased. You haven’t healed that which was sick. You haven’t bound up that which was broken. You haven’t brought back that which was driven away. You haven’t sought that which was lost, but you have ruled over them with force and with rigor. Ezekiel 34:2–4
God holds leaders to a higher standard because their choices affect many. Spiritual authority is never meant to shield wrongdoing but to guard those entrusted to their care. Ezekiel’s rebuke reminds us that neglecting protection is a form of failure before God. True shepherds intervene, confront, and act decisively to keep the flock safe. Leadership that prioritizes image over integrity abandons its calling. Faithful leadership reflects God’s heart by choosing protection over popularity.
Thoughts to Ponder Pray for leaders to act with courage and accountability.
Journal Prompt: How do I define faithful leadership according to Scripture rather than culture?
Closing Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, raise up shepherds who protect, guide, and lead with integrity. Lord give them Your heart, help them to see the way You see, and do and act the way You would. In Jesus Name Amen.
Getting to Know Him
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Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14
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Pip: A mountain village, a wandering stranger, a mother weaving a basket by the river — Drink of Jesus has been building a world where ancient scripture lands like it’s happening right…
“You Can’t Demand Respect While Showing None: The Leadership Failure Fueling Today’s Cultural Divide”
Everywhere you look, people are demanding respect, but fewer people seem willing to give it. Many older voices insist younger generations must honor them simply because of age or position, yet too often those same voices model criticism, ignorance, arrogance, or dismissal toward others. This contradiction has quietly shaped the culture we now live in. When respect is demanded but not demonstrated, trust collapses, resentment grows, and entire generations begin rejecting the very idea of honor. If we want to understand why society feels increasingly divided and hostile, we must first examine the example set by those who have expected respect the most.
Respect has been something that has been spoken of as something that should automatically be given to our older generations. While Scripture does encourage honoring elders (You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:32). If we read the bible we can see that biblical honor is closely connected with character, humility, and wisdom. A serious problem arises when individuals demand respect based solely on age or authority while consistently showing disrespect, harshness, or disregard for others. When we allow it, respect becomes something demanded rather than modeled, it loses its moral authority.
As we grow up we learn far more from what we observe than from what they are told. If older leaders, whether parents, elders, teachers, community figures, or church leaders, speak about honor while acting with impatience, arrogance, ignorance, or hypocrisy, the message becomes confusing. This contradiction breeds cynicism. Young people begin to associate “respect” with control rather than mutual dignity. Over time, they may reject the entire concept because they see it as unfair or one-sided. Why wouldn’t they?
This continual pattern has contributed to the broader cultural breakdown of civility. When respect is not demonstrated by those asking for it, society begins to treat respect as optional or transactional. Public discourse becomes harsher, authority is distrusted, and generational relationships fracture. What should have been a chain of wisdom passed down becomes a cycle of resentment.
Biblically, leadership and maturity are meant to be examples. Older believers are called to model patience, gentleness, and integrity so that younger people can see respect lived out in action:
“That older men should be temperate, sensible, sober minded, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance,and that older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good,that they may train the young wives to love their husbands, to love their children,to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God’s word may not be blasphemed.Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded.In all things show yourself an example of good works. In your teaching, show integrity, seriousness, and incorruptibility. Titus 2:2–7”
True authority grows from humility and consistency. When respect is both given and demonstrated, it restores trust and helps rebuild the moral fabric that healthy communities depend upon.
The truth is simple but uncomfortable: respect cannot be forced, demanded, or commanded into existence, it must be demonstrated. When those with age, authority, or influence fail to show humility, patience, and dignity toward others, they weaken the very standard they claim to defend. Over time, younger generations stop listening not because they hate wisdom, but because they rarely see true wisdom and respect practiced. If society is ever going to recover a culture of honor, it will not begin with louder demands for respect. It will begin when people, especially those in positions of maturity and leadership, choose to model the very respect they hope to receive. Real honor is not claimed; it is earned through consistent character.
A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination. Proverbs 18:11
Getting to Know Him
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A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34
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Pip: If you have ever wondered whether your brain and your soul could both use the same workout, Drink of Jesus may have found the overlap. Mara: This episode covers two territories:…
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3
Fear is a natural response when life feels uncertain, when the uncertainties and chaos become overwhelming. We can see that this verse gives us a better direction for our hearts: trust. David never pretended fear is absent; instead he chooses where to place it. Instead of letting fear control him, he places his confidence in God. Trust redirects our focus from the size of the problem to the power of the One who holds us. When anxiety rises, let it become a signal to turn toward God in prayer. Fear may visit, but it does not have to rule. In every uncertain moment, choose trust and rest in God’s faithful care. God invites us not to hide fear but to place it directly into His hands.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I bring my fear to You today. Teach me to trust You when fear rises. In Jesus Name Amen.
Thought to Ponder: Name your biggest fear out loud to God.
Journal Prompt: What fear am I carrying right now, and how have I been handling it?
Getting to Know Him:
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…...
For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:3
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Today Pip and Mara discuss Faith through fear and hurt. Sharing insight about the direction of Gods love. Pip: If you have ever wondered whether anything in the universe could outlast, outrun,…
Reading the Bible, What the Bible Says Reading the Bible is essential for every Christian because it is the primary way God reveals His character, truth, wisdom, and will to humanity. The…
Dear Heavenly Father, as I enter this day please give me the words that I need to share who you are and help me present your love to all that seriously need…
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:11
God’s word is a message of light, not concealment. The Bible calls believers to expose evil, not protect it through silence. When wrongdoing is hidden “for the sake of unity” or reputation, darkness becomes empowered and held up. God’s healing and justice begin with truth. Exposing harm is not divisive; it is redemptive. A church that walks in the light creates safety, accountability, and trust. Truth may be painful, but secrecy always destroys.
Thought to Ponder Commit and walk in truth, even when it feels too costly.
Journal Prompt: What fears tempt me to avoid bringing issues into the light?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, remove fear from my heart and help me walk in truth and obedience even if it seems scary, impossible, or useless. Lord, put a hedge of protection around me giving me the strength to move forward. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…...
Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this. Ecclesiastes 7:10
Daily Verse He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4 ESV Refuge: shelter or protection from…
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1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (Psalm 23)
We are reminded that God is not distant, He is our Shepherd. He leads, provides, protects, and restores. Even when life moves through dark valleys, we are never abandoned. God’s presence brings peace, not fear. This psalm invites us to trust His guidance daily, rest in His care, and believe that His goodness and mercy are not temporary blessings, but faithful companions that follow us all the days of our lives.
Thought to Ponder: Today, intentionally pause and acknowledge God as your Shepherd. When a worry arises, pray Psalm 23 aloud and choose to trust His guidance instead of rushing to control the outcome.
Journaling Prompt:
Where do you most need to trust God’s leading right now; green pastures, still waters, or a dark valley?
Closing Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You are my Shepherd. Lead me where You will, restore my soul, and calm my fears. Help me trust Your presence in every season. Thank You for Your goodness and mercy. In Jesus Name Amen.
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…...
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. Galatians 6:7
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The mission of Jesus has never demanded that children be placed at risk. When protection is treated as optional, the church has confused faithfulness with negligence. The gospel is not advanced by endangering the innocent, it is betrayed.
Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression.
Source Unknown.
The mission of the church is clear: to proclaim the gospel and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18–20). However, the urgency to reach the lost must never come at the expense of our most vulnerable, the children entrusted to the church’s care. The bible emphasizes with unmistakable clarity: children are sacred, and any action that endangers them is a serious offense against God.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:6 illustrates the severity of this offense: “If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” He used imagery that is stark, emphasizing that harming a child spiritually or physically is not a minor mistake, it is a grave sin.
This is not the only time this principle is mentioned it is echoed throughout Scripture. In Psalm 82:3–4, God commands, “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Children, as the most vulnerable in a congregation, fall squarely within this command. Protecting them is not optional; it is a reflection of obedience to God.
The apostle Paul prioritizes the need for vigilance in 1 Corinthians 5:11–13, urging the church not to tolerate unrepentant sin among its members: “Do not associate with anyone who claims to be a believer but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.” Even though Paul’s focus is broader, the same principle applies when children are at risk: failure to confront harmful behavior is complicity. The safety of children is paramount, and the church must act decisively.
The Bible even stresses the daily discipline of leadership emphasizing accountability. Acts 20:28 prompts elders, *“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood.” Leadership is not meant to be ceremonial or symbolic, it comes with real responsibility for the protection and spiritual care of the flock. As a shepherd it is leadership’s responsibility to protect the flock from wolves and predators that mean harm. Children are among the most vulnerable members, and leaders who fail to safeguard them are failing to hold a central aspect of their calling.
Being astute and using practical measures are supported with biblical wisdom. Proverbs 22:3 states, “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” Proactivity when protecting children, through background checks, adult supervision, safety policies, common sense, and clear reporting procedures, is a biblical mandate. By ignoring risk it is not staying neutral; it runs the risk of exposing children to harm and the church to spiritual and moral failure.
Ultimately, the gospel is advanced through love, protection, and obedience, not through recklessness or negligence. Psalm 127:3 declares, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.” Our children are gifts, not tools for ministry or outreach experiments. Any church that compromises the safety of its children in the name of mission or growth is not following Christ faithfully.
The call for today’s church is clear: the mission to make disciples must be carried out in a way that never endangers the innocent. Making sure our children are protected is not a distraction from the gospel, it is a central expression of it. Faithfulness to Christ requires courage, vigilance, and unwavering commitment to the safety of those He treasures most.
Faithfulness requires unwavering courage. Leaders must shepherd well, families must remain vigilant, and the church must implement proactive safeguards. Ignoring risk, delaying action, or valuing reputation over protection is a failure of discipleship and leadership. They must listen to those in the Church as well to make sure they look into every accusation.
Finally, protecting children is not a side issue, something to put a pin in, it is central to living out the gospel. The church cannot claim to follow Christ while neglecting the vulnerable. True ministry reflects the heart of Jesus, who welcomed, defended, and valued children above all. A church that safeguards its children glorifies God, strengthens its witness, and ensures that the gospel reaches the world without compromise.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, You are our refuge and our defender. You see what is hidden, You know what is whispered, and nothing escapes Your sight. Today we come before You with humility and holy resolve, asking You to guard the children entrusted to our care.
Father, forgive us where fear, comfort, or reputation has silenced truth. Forgive us where we have delayed action instead of choosing righteousness. Cleanse Your church of negligence, compromise, and misplaced priorities. Restore in us a holy fear of the Lord that values obedience over appearance.
Lord Jesus, You welcomed children, blessed them, and warned sternly against those who would harm them. Let Your heart beat within Your church again. Raise up shepherds who protect, not predators who exploit. Give courage to leaders to act decisively, wisdom to parents to discern clearly, and boldness to the faithful to speak truth in love.
Holy Spirit, shine Your light into every dark corner. Expose what must be exposed. Heal those who have been wounded. Restore trust where it has been broken, and bring comfort to every child who has suffered in silence.
Make Your church a place of safety, purity, and refuge where the vulnerable are defended, the innocent are cherished, and the gospel is lived without compromise.
We declare that our children belong to You. We commit ourselves to protect them, to listen to them, and to stand guard over their lives with unwavering faithfulness. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…...
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The Church has been called to stand on truth His truth even when it is unpopular or resisted. Scripture: John 8:31–32; Ephesians 6:14 Examination: One of the first casualties when chaos and…
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Even when the world feels chaotic and unpredictable, Scripture reminds us that God remains sovereign and unshaken. Scripture: Psalm 2:1–4; Isaiah 46:9–10 Examination: Adversity, chaos and crisis has a way of making…
The Bible warns us that there will be a time when truth is not rejected because it is cruel, but because lies are packaged to sound compassionate. First, somebody told it, Then…
Jesus never separated love from truth. He protected the broken, confronted sin, and offered redemption. His love restored lives because it was rooted in obedience to the Father. Scripture: John 1:14 Currently…
Scripture commands believers that we need to test every spirit. Scripture: 1 John 4:1 Let’s be real; just because something sounds good doesn’t mean it is good. A lot of ideas today…
Faithful wounds are better than silent harm. The Bible calls believers to love boldly, not passively. Scripture: Proverbs 27:6 If we think about it, most of us don’t stay silent because we…
But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
Feeling exhausted doesn’t mean you’re weak, it means you’ve been carrying a lot. God has never expected you to rely only on your own strength. We are promised renewal for those who wait on Him. Waiting isn’t quitting; it’s trusting. When we slow down and lean into God, He replaces your burnout with endurance and your frustration with peace.
Call to Action: Pause today and intentionally bring your exhaustion to God.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I’m tired, and I need You. Please renew my strength and teach me to rely on You instead of myself. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…...
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Psalm 139:23-24
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Defend the vulnerable and stand up for those who cannot stand alone. God calls His people not to overlook injustice, but to actively protect the weak and rescue those in danger.
“Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy. Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 82:3–4
God consistently reveals His heart for those who cannot defend themselves. Children are not secondary to the mission of the church, they are central to God’s considerations. The Bible does not treat protection as optional compassion but as moral obedience. When the church overlooks warning signs or excuses harmful behavior, it contradicts God’s clear command to defend the vulnerable. True gospel ministry reflects God’s justice and care, not institutional convenience. Protecting children is not a distraction from ministry; it is an expression of it.
Application: Choose to see protection as biblical obedience, not an inconvenience.
Thought to Ponder Where might God be calling me to defend someone vulnerable more intentionally?
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, align my heart with Yours. Give me eyes to see the vulnerable and courage to act in love and truth. Give the strength to stand in the chaos and turmoil that these truths might cause. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…...
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30
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Good intentions do not excuse harmful outcomes. When churches prioritize growth, image, or outreach over safety, they step into dangerous territory. This is the blind spot Scripture repeatedly warns us against. The…
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1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he…
The mission of Jesus has never demanded that children be placed at risk. When protection is treated as optional, the church has confused faithfulness with negligence. The gospel is not advanced by…
More than a month after three Christian converts were hacked to death in Odisha state in eastern India, police continue to attribute the triple murder to a land dispute, even as relatives…
Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9
It’s easy to feel motivated when life is going well, but faith is tested when it’s not. This verse reminds us that doing the right thing doesn’t always feel rewarding right away. God sees every prayer, every act of obedience, and every moment you choose not to give up. Just because you don’t see results yet doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Growth first happens underground before it shows above the surface.
Call to Action: Today, choose not to quit, especially where you feel tired.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me stay faithful in the chaos, disorder and turmoil, even when I don’t see immediate results. Give me strength to keep going and trust You with the outcome. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…...
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:9
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But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint. Isaiah…
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Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up. Galatians 6:9 It’s easy to feel motivated when life is going well, but…
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The church was never called to retreat from darkness but to stand within it as salt and light. We don’t withdraw from the world; we shine faithfully in it, preserving truth and…
When the world is shaking and systems are failing, God reminds us that the Church is not an afterthought in crisis, but His chosen instrument for hope, truth, and redemption
When you were born, your mother brought you to church…When you were married, your wife brought you to church…When you die, your friends will bring you to church…Why not try coming to church on your own sometime?
Throughout history, when moments of crisis have arrived it has never stopped the work of God, they have revealed it. Because of extreme persecution it scattered the early church, but the gospel still spread. Empires rose and fell, but Christ’s Kingdom endured. Pandemics, wars, economic collapse, and moral confusion have come and gone, but the Church remains, not because of buildings, budgets, or cultural favor, but because Jesus Himself sustains it. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young. (Psalm 40:11)
Today, there are many believers that feel unsettled. The world seems louder, angrier, and more unstable than ever. Our trust in institutions is eroding. It seems like truth feels negotiable. Fear always travels faster than faith. In moments like these, it’s easy to ask, Where is God? But the Bible invites us to ask a better question: Where is the Church?
Jesus never promised His followers an easy and calm world, He promised His presence in a broken one. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Gates are defensive structures. This means that the Church was never meant to retreat and hide; it was meant to move forward with truth, love, and courage. Crisis does not weaken the Church, it should clarify its mission.
When the early church started it did not grow because it was comfortable. It grew because it was faithful. We see In Acts, that believers faced persecution, imprisonment, and martyrdom, yet they prayed boldly, shared generously, and loved sacrificially. Acts 8:1-8 confirms that when persecution scattered the believers, they “went everywhere preaching the word.” What the enemy used to try and silence them, God used to multiply them.
Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and lamented greatly over him. But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house and dragged both men and women off to prison. Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word.
Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip when they heard and saw the signs which he did. For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. There was great joy in that city. (Acts 8:1-8)
Ephesians 3:10 says that through the Church, “the manifold wisdom of God” is made known, even to spiritual powers. This means the Church is not merely here to react to the world’s chaos; it is here to reveal God’s wisdom in the middle of it. The Church is God’s plan to display hope where despair reigns, truth where lies dominate, and light where darkness presses the hardest.
Having this calling requires clarity. The Church has to remember what it is, and more importantly what it is not. The Church is not a means to control people, a social club, or a motivational platform. It is the Body of Christ, commissioned to unapologetically proclaim the gospel, make disciples, care for the broken, and stand for truth without compromise and without cruelty. When the Church forgets this, it loses its voice. When it remembers this, it becomes unstoppable.
So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God,being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)
Crisis can expose our foundations. It will reveal whether our faith is built on convenience or conviction. In times of ease, it’s easy to blend in. In times of pressure, the Church must decide whether or not it will reflect the current culture surrounding it or reflect Christ. Romans 12:2 calls believers not to be conformed to the world but transformed by the renewing of the mind. That renewal is not abstract, it shapes how we speak, love, serve, and stand firm.
In times of crisis, the Church is called to be more than a building or a program, it is called to be a living witness of hope. When everything is breaking apart, fear rises and certainty fades, the people of God are meant to stand steady, anchored in truth and united in love. Crisis has a habit of revealing what is real. It will strip away comfort and expose whether faith is shallow or rooted.
The Church should not mirror the panic and confusion of the world, instead it needs to model trust in God’s sovereignty and direction. Prayer becomes even more urgent, the Bible becomes essential, and the church family becomes vital. Through disaster, poverty, tribulation, and hardships, believers are reminded that the Church grew strongest not in ease, but when the pressure was on. When believers cared for one another, spoke truth boldly, and refused to compromise the gospel.
Through crisis it also helps refine the Church’s mission. It pushes the church outward, toward compassion, generosity, and courageous, unyielding service. The Church becomes the refuge for the overwhelmed and weary, a voice for truth, and an unquenchable light in the dark places. Rather than retreating, God’s people are invited to rise, serving faithfully, loving sacrificially, not backing down from the message of Jesus, and proclaiming hope that cannot be shaken.
Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
In every generation, crisis tests the true Church. And in every generation, God has proven Himself faithful, using uncertain times to strengthen His people and advance His purposes through unwavering faith and submissive hearts.
This four-week series will explore what it means to be the Church when the world is in turmoil. We will look at why the Church matters more than ever, how believers are called to be salt and light, how to love the world without becoming like it, and how to stand firm without becoming harsh. These are not theoretical ideas, they are survival skills for faithful discipleship.
Now is not the time for the Church to shrink back. Hebrews 10:39 reminds us that we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who believe and are saved. God has placed His people in this generation, in this moment, for a reason. We are not late. We are not unprepared. We are not forgotten. The same Spirit that empowered the early church dwells in us today.
The question before us is not whether the world is in crisis, it is whether the Church will rise to meet it with humility, courage, truth, and love. The darkness does not need more commentary. It needs light. And Jesus has already declared who that light is: “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).
God is calling His Church to remember who we are. Not spectators, not survivors, but witnesses. If fear has silenced your faith, if weariness has dulled your hope, or if compromise has replaced conviction, this is the moment to return to Christ’s true one and only mission. Ask God to renew your courage, refocus your purpose, and recommit your life to being part of His work in this generation.
Thoughts to Ponder
When you look at the current state of the world, do you respond more with fear or faith?
How do you personally view the role of the Church in times of cultural or moral crisis?
In what ways might God be calling you to step forward rather than pull back?
How can the church better reflect Christ to a hurting and divided world?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, You are the builder and foundation of the Church. In a world shaken by fear, chaos, confusion, skepticism, doubt, and division, anchor me in Your truth. Renew my courage where I am weary, my love where we have grown cold, and my faith where doubt has crept in. Teach me to stand firm without bitterness, to speak truth with grace, and to shine Your light in dark places. Use us, Your Church, for Your glory in this moment. I trust You, and I will follow You. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…...
Your life is moving in the direction of your heart, whether you realize it or not. What you allow in today will shape who you become tomorrow. Keep your heart with all…
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The credibility of our witness depends not only on what we believe, but on how we love. When love looks like Jesus, the world notices, not because we are perfect, but because we are different. In times of division and hostility, Christ calls His Church to love in ways that reflect Him.
Love is always easy when everyone agrees with you. It will come naturally when our relationships are comfortable and conversations feel safe. The Bible makes it clear that the love Jesus calls His followers to is not through measured convenience, it is revealed in difficulty. Chaos and crisis does not create love; it exposes what kind of love we truly carry.
In John 13:34–35, Jesus gives His disciples a new command: to love one another as He has loved them. His command does not come during a moment of peace, but instead it was right before the eve of betrayal, denial, and the cross. Jesus knew that fear, confusion, and division were about to test His followers. Love, He taught them, would be the unmistakable mark of those who belonged to Him.
The world’s culture has a version of love that is often conditional. It loves when they are affirmed, and will withdraw when challenged, and retaliates when wounded. Christlike love is different. Romans 12:9–18 shows us that love is sincere, it’s love that clings to what is good, honors others, seeks peace, and overcomes evil with good. True love does not ignore truth, but it refuses to surrender compassion. It does not compromise convictions, but it never abandons grace.
In times of extreme chaos and crisis, love becomes costly. There will be times when it means listening when it would be easier to argue. Sometimes it will mean showing patience when emotions run high. One of the hardest things sometimes will be refusing to dehumanize people who see the world differently, when they are pushing and doing things that do not make sense to us. Practicing this love does not mean that we agree with everything, it means understanding everyone is someone Christ died for.
When believers respond with harshness, defensiveness, or contempt, the gospel becomes harder to hear. But when believers personify love with humility and courage, hearts soften, even if minds do not immediately change. We must resist the temptation to mirror the world’s anger. Instead, it must reflect Christ’s heart. Loving well in difficult times may be the most powerful testimony believers can offer.
My mouth will tell about your righteousness, and of your salvation all day, though I don’t know its full measure. I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord Yahweh. I will make mention of your righteousness, even of yours alone. God, you have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works. Yes, even when I am old and gray-haired, God, don’t forsake me, until I have declared your strength to the next generation, your might to everyone who is to come. Psalm 71:15-18
Christlike love will require self-examination. Crisis can amplify frustration, impatience, and fear. If we leave these emotions unchecked, we can quietly reshape how believers speak and act.Romans 12:9–18 challenges us to pause and ask: Is my love genuine? Am I seeking peace, or proving a point? Am I reflecting Christ, or simply reacting to pressure?
In a divided and hurting world, love that looks like Jesus stands out. It speaks truth without arrogance. It offers grace without compromise. It holds convictions firmly while holding people gently. This kind of love does not blend in, it shines.
Thoughts to Ponder
Who is God calling you to love more intentionally?
How can you show Christlike love without compromising truth?
What attitudes might need to change in your heart?
Choose today to let love, not fear or frustration, guide your responses.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, teach me to love like You love. Soften my heart and shape my words and actions to reflect Your grace. Help me to walk the path that You want me to take, make obvious so that I can walk confidently in it. Use my life to point others to You. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…...
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One of the first casualties when chaos and crisis hits is truth. Fear will overwhelmingly pressure people to compromise, stay silent, or soften convictions. When we get to know Jesus we’ll understand that He made it clear: truth is not optional, it is freeing.
Truth will become challenged the most when fear is at its highest. During times of crisis, people crave certainty, but they often reject the very truth that can anchor them. The Bible reminds us that truth is not merely an idea or opinion, it is revealed by God and embodied in Jesus Christ. When Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” He was not offering some catchy marketing slogan; He was offering and extending out a lifeline.
Fear pressures believers to soften their positions causing them to stay unnoticed, or try to become camouflage. It whispers that standing there and speaking truth will cost too much, our relationships, opportunities, approval, or peace. But when has fear ever been a reliable guide for faithful living. When fear leads, compromise always follows. When truth leads, freedom prospers.
The Church is called to be “girded with truth,” as described in Ephesians 6. A belt may seem like a small piece of armor, but it holds everything together. Without a good belt, the armor collapses. In the same way, if we neglect the truth, every other aspect our of Christian life weakens. Love becomes a sentimental momento. Grace becomes vague. Faith becomes fragile. Truth grounds everything.
Standing for truth does not mean being loud, harsh, or combative using it as a weapon. Jesus Himself was full of grace and truth. He never compromised what was right and truthful, and He never weaponized the truth to dominate others. His courage was calm, His conviction steady, His authority rooted in love. This is the model the Church needs to follow in times of crisis. Never using it as a baseball bat, but never compromising the truth. To him therefore who knows to do good and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.(James 4:17)
Fear will distort our view of opposition. It convinces us that disagreeing is dangerous and that when we come against resistance we are defeated. But Scripture tells a different story. The early Church faced hostility, imprisonment, and public pressure, but they prayed for strength, clarity and boldness, not safety. They understood that obedience mattered more than personnel comfort and that truth was worth the cost.
Speaking truth without love becomes destructive. Love without truth becomes deceptive. God calls His people to hold both together. When surrounded with a culture where truth is often redefined or dismissed, your truth, my truth, everyone’s truth, the Church must remain anchored, not arrogant, not angry, but assured. We do not need to embellish the truth. It does not need permission. It only needs faithful witnesses.
Fear does not always silence us loudly; sometimes it quiets us subtly. It shapes how we speak, or don’t speak. It determines which conversations we avoid and which convictions we keep private. Over time, silence born of fear can dull our spiritual courage.
God has not given His people a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) Courage is not the absence of fear, it is walking through it in spite of it. When we stand on the truth with humility and confidence, God uses our faithfulness in ways you may never fully see.
In times of crisis, the Church does not need to shout louder than the world, it needs to stand unyielding despite the world. When truth is lived consistently, spoken wisely, and rooted deeply in Christ it becomes a beacon of hope. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.(Romans 15:13)
Ask where fear may have influenced your faith. Invite the Holy Spirit to renew boldness, not the boldness of confrontation, but the boldness of conviction. The world does not need less truth. It needs truth without fear.
Thoughts to Ponder
Where have you felt pressure to stay silent about your faith?
How can you speak truth with both courage and grace?
What fears do you need to surrender to God?
Ask God for boldness that flows from love, not fear.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, ground me in Your truth. Remove fear from my heart and give me courage to stand faithfully for You. Teach me to speak with grace and conviction, give me the word I need to be Your example. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…...
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The church was never called to retreat from darkness but to stand within it as salt and light. We don’t withdraw from the world; we shine faithfully in it, preserving truth and pointing lives to Christ by how we live.
When everything around us starts to grow darker, chaos everywhere, the temptation to retreat grows stronger. It can cause people and believers to feel the pull to disengage; emotionally, spiritually, or socially, hoping to preserve peace. But Jesus prayed something very different for His followers, it was not disengagement.
In John 17:15-18, Jesus asked the Father not to remove believers from the world, but to protect them while they remain in it. This prayer defines the Church’s calling: faithful presence. We are sent into broken places not to blend in, but to shine. If we look at, my opinion, He asked the father to protect us for the onslaught and give us clarity in the chaos.
Jesus prays for His followers, not for escape from the world, but for protection within it. We are sent, not sheltered. Jesus asks the Father to guard us from evil while we live on mission, shaped by God’s truth. We are reminded that holiness and engagement are not opposites. As believers, we live set apart yet sent out. Stand firm in God’s Word, trust His protection, and embrace your calling to reflect Christ faithfully in a world that needs His light. No weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of Yahweh’s servants, and their righteousness is of me,” says Yahweh. (Isaiah 54:17)
Light only matters in darkness. Salt only preserves what is decaying. Crisis does not eliminate the Church’s mission, it intensifies it. When believers withdraw, the darkness only become darker. When believers remain faithful, hope spreads.
Having and being Gods faithful presence does not mean constant argument or cultural domination. It means consistent love, visible integrity, and unwavering commitment to truth. It looks like kindness without compromise and courage without cruelty.
In turbulent times, the church is called to stand firm, not disband in fear. The Bible reminds us that God has always talken care of His people through turbulence, opposition, uncertainty, and cultural upheaval. The prayers throughout the Psalms teach the church to cry out honestly while trusting God’s faithfulness. Over and over again the prophets would proclaimed hope when nations trembled. Jesus assured His followers that trials would come, but so would His peace.
When the church makes sure it is rooted in God’s Word, unified in love, and bold in truth, it becomes a refuge in the storms. Hard times are not a sign of defeat; it can be a moment of refining. God will use this pressure to purify His people, strengthen their witness, and remind them that their power does not come from circumstances, but from His unchanging presence and sovereign purpose. But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
Jesus knew His that those who follow Him would live in turbulent times. That is why He told us to be salt and light, opposite of the rot and darkness. The Church is God’s chosen means of bringing hope into chaos, not by running away trying to escape it, but by engaging it wisely.
Thoughts to Ponder
Where are you tempted to withdraw rather than remain faithful?
How can you be salt and light in your daily life this week?
What does faithful presence look like for you personally?
Commit today to remain present and faithful where God has placed you.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, help me live faithfully in the world without becoming like it. Give me courage, clarity, wisdom, and love to reflect You in every place You’ve sent me. In Jesus Name Amen
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…...
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Source Unknown.
Examination:
We’ve made it so easy to romanticize the early church, imagining peaceful gatherings and rapid growth without opposition. But if you read the Bible, it tells a whole different story. The Church was born into extreme political tension, overwhelming religious hostility, and social instability. At the very moment the Holy Spirit descended at Pentecost, opposition followed closely behind.
Acts 8:1-4 it records a sobering moment: persecution breaks out, believers scatter, and fear could have silenced the movement. Instead, Scripture says they “preached the word wherever they went.” Crisis did not destroy the Church; it mobilized it. What looked like disruption was actually divine deployment. What looked like devastating persecution became the means for spreading the gospel. Believers were scattered, but they did not fall silent; they carried the message everywhere they went. This passage reminds us that trials do not stop God’s work; they often accelerate it. When life disrupts your plans, trust God’s greater mission. He can turn pressure into purpose and suffering into seeds of faith that grow far beyond what you imagined.
This truth will challenge most modern assumptions. Many believers associate spiritual growth with simplicity, ease and blessing with comfort. But if we look, we can see that throughout history, God has often used hardship to sharpen His people and clarify their mission. Crisis strips away distractions and reveals what truly matters. The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers him out of them all. He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken. Psalm 34:17-20
The Church today faces different pressures, but the pattern remains the same. Cultural resistance, moral confusion, and spiritual apathy can either paralyze believers or propel them forward in faith. The difference lies in whether the Church remembers its identity.
The Church is not sustained by favorable conditions; it is sustained by the Spirit of God. When circumstances grow difficult, the Church does not disappear; it becomes more visible. God uses moments of shaking to awaken boldness, deepen community, and reignite purpose. What looks like defeat will become God’s strategy for growth. Instead of retreating in fear, we need to carry the gospel wherever they go.
If you feel discouraged by the state of the world, remember: this environment is not foreign to the gospel. It is familiar ground. God has always done some of His most powerful work in the hardest seasons. Discouragement often whispers that hardship has ended our usefulness, but God redeems disruption. When life scatters our plans, trust God’s purpose. Keep moving, keep speaking truth, keep obeying. God can turn pressure into progress, pain into purpose, and discouragement into bold, faithful witness.
Thoughts to Ponder
How do you usually respond to pressure, withdrawal, or faith?
What distractions might God be removing in this season?
How could God use difficulty to strengthen your witness?
Ask God to help you see pressure not as punishment, but as preparation.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your Church was never dependent on comfort. Strengthen me to live faithfully even when it’s hard. Use this season to refine my faith and sharpen my purpose. In Jesus Name Amen.
Getting to Know Him
Do you want eternal life? Do you want to enter heaven through the only guide that can help you navigate your way there? To enter His home, get to know Him better, and make Him your Lord and Savior CLICK HERE…...
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There are separate opinions of who the Angels of the Seven Churches were I will provide the differing explanations A&B.
A Angels of the Seven Churches
It is evident from the contexts of the various Biblical passages in which the word “angel” appears, that the word does not always represent the same idea. In such passages as Dan_12:1 and Act_12:15 it would seem that the angel was generally regarded as a superhuman being whose duty it was to guard a nation or an individual. However, in Mal_2:7 and Mal_3:1 (Hebrew) the word is clearly used to represent men. In the New Testament also, there are passages, such as Jas_2:25 (Greek), in which the word seems to be applied to men. The seven angels of the seven churches (Rev_1:20) received seven letters, figurative letters, and therefore it would seem that the seven angels are also figurative and may refer to the seven bishops who presided over the seven churches of Asia. Or the angels may be regarded as the personifications of the churches.
BANGELS OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES
1. According to one set of opinions, these angels were men, and the majority of writers have held them to be (1) the presiding presbyters or bishops of their respective churches. But while this view is attractive and popular, the reasons against it are strong. Human officials could hardly be made responsible for their churches as these angels are. A bishop might be called an angel, i.e. a messenger, of God or of Christ (cf. Hag_1:13, Mal_2:7, 2Co_5:20), but would he be called ‘the angel of the church’? Above all, it is certain that at the early date to which the Apocalypse is now generally assigned a settled episcopate was unknown. (2) Others have supposed that the angels were congregational representatives, church messengers or deputies (which would be in harmony with the proper meaning of the word ‘angel’), or even the person who acted as ‘Reader’ to the assembled church (notice ‘he that readeth’ in Rev_1:3). But if the responsibility put upon the angels is too great for bishops, it is much too great for any lesser functionaries. Besides, the glory and dignity assigned to them as the stars of the churches (Rev_1:20) is inconsistent with a position like that of a mere Reader or deputy.
2. A good many have held that ‘angels’ is to be understood in its ordinary Scriptural application, not to men, but to celestial beings. In support of this are—(1) the fact that throughout the rest of the book the Gr. word, which is of very frequent occurrence, is invariably used in this sense; (2) our Lord’s utterance in Mat_18:10, which suggests a doctrine of angelic guardianship; (3) the fact that in Daniel, to which the Apocalypse is so closely related, the guardianship of angels is extended to nations (Dan_12:1). The objections, however, are serious. No definite Scriptural teaching can be adduced in favor of the idea that churches have their guardian-angels. Messages intended for churches would hardly be addressed to celestial beings. Moreover, it is scarcely conceivable that such beings would be identified with particular churches in all their infidelities and shortcomings and transgressions, as these angels are (see, e.g., Dan_3:1; Dan_3:15 ).
3. The most probable view, accordingly, is that the angels are personifications of their churches—not actual persons either on earth or in heaven, but ideal representatives. It is the church, of course, that receives the letter, the ‘Thou’ of address having manifestly a collective force, and it is to the church itself that the letter is sent (cf. Rev_1:11, where there is no mention of the angels). The idea of angels was suggested, no doubt, by the later Jewish beliefs on the subject, but it is used in a figurative manner which suits the whole figurative treatment, where the glorified Jesus walks among the golden candlesticks, and sends to the churches messages that are couched in highly metaphorical language. It might seem to be against this ideal view that the seven churches, as candlesticks, are definitely distinguished from the seven angels, as stars (Rev_1:12; Rev_1:16; Rev_1:20). But it is quite in keeping with the inevitable distinction between an actual and an ideal church that they should be thus contrasted as a lamp and a star.
Dear Heavenly Father; as we come together as a family in Christ and fellowship. I need your help to remind me of my frailties, helping me curb my ego so I can show the unreserved understanding You give me on a daily basis. In Jesus Name Amen
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for taking care of me when everything seemed so bad that I could not go on. You were there and always have been, thank you again. In Jesus Name Amen.
Do not be religious the bible forbids it! As we are new Christians or are looking for answers to all the questions to the universe it is hard and sometimes confusing. Over here this guy said to follow the books of law, but wait a second this other person said that you can do what ever you want, no she said it is entirely different. The tug of war that we feel sometimes can tear us apart and make so that we turn away from what is most important! God and what he has shared with us in the bible is what matters! Did you realize that when you go to a church you are not there for the people at the church but for the one that sent us there in the first place, the people at the church are there to share in the love that God has given each and every one of us (they are there for support). This tug of war is the gateway to a religious person! For me I will sit down and pray and ask God to show me what he wants for me it is different for everyone but still it is the same.
We are saved through Faith in Christ Romans 3: 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Galatians 2:16know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
Always remember: Galatians 3:10-13 10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.
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