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God’s Faithfulness - Ezekiel 38

Based on Ezekiel 38 (New King James Version)

“Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops—many people are with you. ‘Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them. After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely. You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.’ ‘Thus says the Lord God: ‘On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan: You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’—to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land. Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’ ’ ’ ‘Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord God: On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it? Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army. You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.’ Thus says the Lord God: ‘Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days by My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for years in those days that I would bring you against them? And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,’ says the Lord God, ‘that My fury will show in My face. For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: ‘Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.’ I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains,’ says the Lord God. ‘Every man’s sword will be against his brother. And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.’ ’ ”

One of the greatest riches of the Word of God—and a primary way in which we perceive His divinity—lies in its multifaceted fulfillment throughout the ages. Many biblical passages do not pertain merely to a single, isolated event; rather, they may refer to various similar events unfolding across time and within distinct realms or dimensions—manifesting both literally and physically, as well as spiritually. This transcends mere metaphor; it constitutes an incredibly rich and profoundly dense substance—if, indeed, one could characterize it as such. The Word of God is infinitely rich, applicable not only to the present but extending even into the eternal future.

Having said this, we just read from one of the biblical prophecies concerning Armageddon—a place where God Himself will draw the nations of the earth against Israel, not to destroy Israel, but to bring about their end once and for all. Many of the nations mentioned in these prophecies exist today and are determined to wipe out Israel—such as Persia (or modern-day Iran), and others like Meshech and Tubal, as well as Rosh, as the original Hebrew text calls it—which corresponds to modern-day Russia. In short, many nations will come, bent on destroying Israel, just as they are today. But we must ask ourselves a question: Why is it God Himself who draws them in? There are two reasons. First, because God uses difficult circumstances to awaken His people (just as He does with all of us when our focus lies elsewhere, apart from Him). Regrettably, most people do not seek God during times of tranquility and peace; rather, it is when things become turbulent and desperate that we finally remember the Lord—or seek Him out. Blessed be the Lord, for He is not vindictive, but rather abounding in mercy. After all, who likes being sought out only after having been spurned—and simply because one has become a last resort? The second reason is that God draws these nations against Israel in order to bring about their destruction—justifiably so—thereby fulfilling His own promise to Israel, as it is written: “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you…” Genesis 12:3a. Thus, we can see very clearly that the reason why Iran—for example—is attacking Israel, just like all those who have joined in the attack, is that God desires to bring judgment upon them. The destruction of these groups and nations will come inevitably, sooner or later, because God continues to love Israel, even though many have not yet converted. And this brings us to the next point.

It is written: “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved…” Romans 11:25-26a. And the following prophecy should concern the world—and the cold and lukewarm Christians within the people of God: “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!” Matthew 24:32-33. There is less real Christianity in the gentile world today, and more conversion in Israel. The Times of Israel published an article where they cite their grave concern regarding the growing Jewish population converting to Christianity. The following was cited in an article written on May 2, 2021: Five years ago, there were fifteen thousand Jews in Israel who converted to Christianity. Today, missionaries boast that the number has doubled to thirty thousand. Experts in the counter missionary field are reporting the same alarming rate of Jews who are joining the church. The fig tree has begun to blossom; therefore, the end is already at the gates. God is a faithful God, and His Word—along with its fulfillment throughout the ages—bears witness to this. Therefore, whether you are Jew or Gentile, seek the Lord with all your heart so that you may enjoy His faithfulness eternally; for otherwise, you will only suffer His judgment and His wrath in the end. Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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Israel’s Importance - Jeremiah 16:14-15

Based on Jeremiah 16:14-15 (New King James Version)

“‘Therefore behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘that it shall no more be said, ‘The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’ but, ‘The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands where He had driven them.’ For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers.”

The Word of God should be of utmost importance to every Christian. What we have written in the Holy Bible—from Genesis to Revelation—is not merely words and letters on sheets of paper, or, as is seen today, data within a system made visible through a screen; rather, it is the Word of God, and as such, it is God Himself, for His Word is the foundation of all things. God would not be God were it not for His Word. And as the Apostle John wrote, inspired by the Holy Spirit: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” John 1:1-3. Thus, the Word of God—that which makes the entire deity of God possible—is Christ.

Now, what we read today is a prophecy that was fulfilled hundreds of years ago, and God used a Gentile king to fulfill His promise: King Cyrus. King Cyrus—or Cyrus the Great of Persia—was the one who brought an end to Israel's 70 years of captivity and allowed the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem in 538 BC. And not only that, but he also authorized and financed the reconstruction of the Second Temple and returned everything that King Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple. His decree enabled the restoration of Jewish religious life and the sovereignty of Israel.

Having said this, we must ask ourselves: Are the prophecies in the Word of God fulfilled only once, or applicable to only a single instance? And the answer—as history itself teaches us—is that this is not the case. In the year 70 AD, the people of Israel suffered another destruction—though this time, it would come at the hands of the Roman Empire. The Lord Himself foretold their fall and destruction—even the very manner in which they would be destroyed—just as it was written: “Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!’ And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’” Mark 13:1-2. This was fulfilled exactly, and the reason why not a single stone of the temple was left standing was that the Romans dismantled the walls to extract the gold and precious stones embedded within them. And why did God allow this? The Lord said: “For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Luke 19:43-44. Nothing good comes of it when the Lord grants the opportunity to know Him, yet He is rejected.

But would this mark the end of Israel—because they rejected the Messiah back then? Absolutely not. The world has witnessed one of the most significant miracles—not only for Israel, but for the entire world as well—serving as a sign that we are living in the end times. After centuries of Israel’s destruction and the literal dispersion of its people across the globe, God would fulfill this prophecy: “Then say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: ‘Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again.’” Ezekiel 37:21-22. This came to pass on May 14, 1948, and the United States immediately recognized it as an independent state and nation—on that very same day. This would mark the fulfillment of God's favor toward His people, while also starting the countdown to the end for the entire world.

What can we glean from all of this? That Israel remains God's chosen people, even though many of them have not yet recognized the Lord Jesus Christ as the Messiah—though this began to change some years ago, wherein we witness the fulfillment of this prophecy: “Then He spoke to them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.’” Luke 21:29-31. The fig tree is Israel, and there have already been many converts—Jews who have indeed accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and God—things that did not happen before. The fig tree is indeed blossoming. The Apostle Paul also stated this: “I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, ‘Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life’? But what does the divine response say to him? ‘I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.’ Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” Romans 11:1-5. Therefore—beholding the faithfulness of God Himself, performing miracles for His people Israel centuries later and even to this day—those of us who truly desire to honor God must be able to understand that we must continue to support Israel, for this promise endures: “Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:1-3. Therefore, anyone who desires God's blessing upon their life must bless Israel—no matter what they do or what may come to pass—for whoever curses them brings God's curse upon themselves. That is why the matter of taking away from Israel what God Himself gave them (their lands) is entirely contrary to God's will. This is not politics; this is the Word of God. And upon anyone who chooses to defy God, God's own wrath will fall—by their own choice (for we all have free will).

And so, regardless of whether a Jew believes in the Lord or not yet, it is not for anyone to judge them—and certainly not to harm them—on account of their unbelief. For one's own personal well-being, one must respect God's Word and allow Him to act as He sees fit, as the God and Lord that He is. This is what the Word says: “…‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.’” 1 Samuel 15:22. So, will you obey the Lord for your own good, or will you disobey Him and face consequences that are entirely avoidable? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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The Danger in Not Taking the Lord Seriously - Hosea 4

Based on Hosea 4 (New King James Version)

“Hear the word of the Lord, you children of Israel, for the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: ‘There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land. By swearing and lying, killing and stealing and committing adultery, they break all restraint, with bloodshed upon bloodshed. Therefore the land will mourn; and everyone who dwells there will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea will be taken away. ‘Now let no man contend, or rebuke another; for your people are like those who contend with the priest. Therefore you shall stumble in the day; the prophet also shall stumble with you in the night; and I will destroy your mother. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. ‘The more they increased, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame. They eat up the sin of My people; they set their heart on their iniquity. And it shall be: like people, like priest. So I will punish them for their ways, and reward them for their deeds. For they shall eat, but not have enough; they shall commit harlotry, but not increase; because they have ceased obeying the Lord. ‘Harlotry, wine, and new wine enslave the heart. My people ask counsel from their wooden idols, and their staff informs them. For the spirit of harlotry has caused them to stray, and they have played the harlot against their God. They offer sacrifices on the mountaintops, and burn incense on the hills, under oaks, poplars, and terebinths, because their shade is good. Therefore your daughters commit harlotry, and your brides commit adultery. ‘I will not punish your daughters when they commit harlotry, nor your brides when they commit adultery; for the men themselves go apart with harlots, and offer sacrifices with a ritual harlot. Therefore people who do not understand will be trampled. ‘Though you, Israel, play the harlot, let not Judah offend. Do not come up to Gilgal, nor go up to Beth Aven, nor swear an oath, saying, ‘As the Lord lives’—'for Israel is stubborn like a stubborn calf; now the Lord will let them forage like a lamb in open country. ‘Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone. Their drink is rebellion, they commit harlotry continually. Her rulers dearly love dishonor. The wind has wrapped her up in its wings, and they shall be ashamed because of their sacrifices.’”

To avoid confusion and ensure the message is properly directed, this passage was not written for the world at large—as is the case with much of the Bible—but rather for the people of God. Many Christians pass judgment on the world, speaking ill of those who are ignorant of God's Truth, and asserting that God will judge them. And while there is indeed some truth to this—that God will bring judgment upon the world—it does not necessarily fall upon those who are still unaware of His truth, but rather upon those who reject His call to salvation—those who have already been exposed to the Gospel. Yet, this particular passage does not even address that segment of the world; instead, it speaks to the people of God—or at least to those who claim to be His people—who are not living in accordance with the commands of His Word. God places a profound responsibility upon those who know the truth yet fail to obey it. Just like Adam and Eve, they had full knowledge of the Lord's instruction—not to eat from the forbidden tree—yet they ate anyway; and in doing so, they disobeyed and brought death into the world. Such individuals God will indeed judge.

Now, many believers think that we currently live in the dispensation of God's grace, and that this means there is no longer any judgment for them—because we are saved by grace. However, this is a grave error, for it contradicts everything that is written—that which was directly inspired by the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, everything in the Word of God points toward a judgment; and as such, God holds everyone who knows the Truth accountable.

Many might ask: "How will God judge me?" And we could very easily answer: based on His Word. From the moment a person decides for Christ, the first thing they must seek is His Word—to read it, study it, and obey it. Today, we live in a time when there is greater access to the Word of God than at any other point in history. It is estimated that approximately 7 billion copies have been distributed worldwide over the last 1,500 years. Furthermore, today we have the internet and free applications—freely accessible via our smartphones—allowing every person to hold the Word right in the palm of their hand. Therefore, no one has any excuse for lacking access.

So, what is the problem? The problem we face today is quite simple: most of God's people do not take the Lord seriously. Just as God's wrath was kindled against His people Israel in the past (as we read today), God is now reaching a point of wrath with His people today—unless, that is, you believe that everything currently unfolding is merely an accident, or solely the fault of those who are unfamiliar with the Gospel. This is what the Word says: “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence? Says the Lord of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’ ‘You offer defiled food on My altar, but say, ‘In what way have we defiled You?’ By saying, ‘The table of the Lord is contemptible.’ And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?’ Says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 1:6-8. How, then, can I say that the people of God are in a bad state? Realize that all the sins the Lord cites in the chapter of Hosea we read today are fully evident among God’s people right now; consequently, there is neither honor shown to the Heavenly Father, nor—much less—any fear of the Lord. The grave problem is that certain doctrines have been taught—and are, moreover, quite conveniently embraced—that place an excessive emphasis on God’s grace, God’s goodness, God’s mercy—in short, God’s love. This emphasis is such that they have attempted to transform God into a sort of benevolent figure who, no matter what you do, will forgive you, bless you, and—why not?—grant you eternal life, since, after all, we are saved "by grace and not by works." Therefore, neither sin, nor a lack of repentance, nor anything you do is deemed to matter, because God is love, and He is merciful, and He is faithful, yet, this idea is unbiblical. This is what the Word says: “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:26-31. So, for your own good, examine your life, and see what you are doing wrong, and repent with all your heart because: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. So, are you taking the Lord seriously, for your own good, or are you doing as you please without any fear for the Lord? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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There is no Room for Selfishness - Joshua 21:43 – 22:9

Based on Joshua 21:43 – 22:9 (New King James Version)

“So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. The Lord gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass. Then Joshua called the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, and said to them: ‘You have kept all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you. You have not left your brethren these many days, up to this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord your God. And now the Lord your God has given rest to your brethren, as He promised them; now therefore, return and go to your tents and to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you on the other side of the Jordan. But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.’ So Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went to their tents. Now to half the tribe of Manasseh Moses had given a possession in Bashan, but to the other half of it Joshua gave a possession among their brethren on this side of the Jordan, westward. And indeed, when Joshua sent them away to their tents, he blessed them, and spoke to them, saying, ‘Return with much riches to your tents, with very much livestock, with silver, with gold, with bronze, with iron, and with very much clothing. Divide the spoil of your enemies with your brethren.’ So the children of Reuben, the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel at Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go to the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, which they had obtained according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses.”

In the Christian, there must never be any form of selfishness. Moreover, if a person truly desires to attain eternal life—entry into the Kingdom of God—they cannot be a selfish person. To start, the only way we attain eternal life or gain entry into the Kingdom of God is solely by doing the will of God and not our will. There is no other way. This is what the Lord said: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. This is a fundamental biblical principle, and indeed, it should be the all of man. If a person loses sight of this, they will gain absolutely nothing, no matter what faith they profess to have. This, too, is written: “For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.” Romans 14:8-9. So, if a person does not seek to live for Christ and do the will of God, they are miserably wasting their time. They will achieve absolutely nothing. And quite frankly, they ought to seek to do something else—even though the only path to God, to eternal life, is found solely through the Lord Jesus Christ. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6. This may sound harsh, but it is the truth: If a person does not want to do God's will—let alone live for Him—what, then, will they do in heaven? What purpose would God have in allowing such a person into His kingdom—where they would have to do His will for all eternity—if they are not even interested in doing it here, which is such a short time by comparison?

Having said that, what, then, is God's will? This is what His Word says: “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40. When our love is focused on the Lord, He will always lead us to love our neighbor; and love is demonstrated only through deeds—not merely through words or good intentions. God Himself set the example for us by not simply saying that He loved us, but by demonstrating it through all His works: creation, and the entire universe—which He sustains in its place and causes to function through His very Being—things we do not even understand, and, worse yet, take for granted. He provides the rain and the light; He enables our hearts to beat and allows all our involuntary bodily functions—as science calls them—to operate, just as He provides the very air we breathe. God gives us all of this daily. And as if this were not enough, He demonstrated His love sacrificially by giving His Only Begotten Son—the Lord Jesus Christ—to die for our sins, so that, through faith in Him and obedience to Him, we might have eternal life. God did all of this, and continues to do so, solely by grace, for He is under no obligation whatsoever to us. This is what His Word says: In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:10-11. So, if we love God as He deserves, that would lead us to obey Him—which entails loving our neighbor.

We also see this principle in the following: “…Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’ He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep.’” John 21:15b-17. Note that every time the Lord asked him if he loved Him—and Peter replied—He commanded him to do good to His sheep or lambs; and the sheep and lambs represent the people who follow the Lord. But the Lord also commands this: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:43-45.

The sons of Reuben, the sons of Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh did not remain in their place to enjoy their possession; instead, they obeyed God and went with their brothers so that they, too, could obtain theirs. My advice would be this: Set aside all selfishness, for it will lead you only to ruin; instead, seek the Lord with sincerity, so that He may guide you toward that which is truly most worthwhile—eternal life with eternal reward. So, will you continue to live selfishly to satisfy your own desires, thereby condemning yourself eternally? Or will you seek to love the Lord and live for Him, allowing Him to be the one who rewards you eternally? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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We Need to Walk in the Spirit - Romans 8:1-14

Based on Romans 8:1-14 (New King James Version)

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

Through all of creation, we understand that God is a God of great intentionality—that everything He has made was brought into existence in accordance with His design and His thought, rather than by accident. We understand that His Word, too, was fashioned in this very same manner. While there may be many theories and ideas regarding the composition of the Bible—some perhaps accurate, others not—we accept—both through faith and by observing the perfect unity and harmony woven throughout its entirety, from Genesis to Revelation—that His Word is indeed the truth and our sole guide for drawing near to Him. It is for this reason that we must allow ourselves to be guided by it with such care, refraining from constructing doctrines by cherry-picking a verse here and a passage there; instead, we must derive our teachings from the fullness of the Scriptures.

In today's passage, we are taught that we must walk in the Spirit if we genuinely desire to possess new life in Christ—if we wish to reach heaven or obtain eternal life. Walking in the Spirit involves not merely a single prayer offered as a decision to follow Christ, but also living day by day with Him thereafter, striving to do the Father's will to the fullest extent possible. While there is indeed a specific moment when we must surrender ourselves to the Lord—and, of course, do so wholeheartedly—that is not the end; rather, it marks only the beginning of a long journey that must be traveled and completed while maintaining a genuine faith and a lifestyle that glorifies God. If this requirement is not met—regardless of the faith one professes to hold, or how fervently a person claims to believe in Christ—one will not gain entry into the Kingdom of God unless one walks in the Spirit as commanded by the Word. This is not a matter of opinion, but a fact taught by the very Word of God itself—just as we read today.

The Word of God is our instruction, and for this reason, it is given to us as a commandment—because it is necessary to do what He says. When we come to Christ and surrender our lives to Him, the Holy Spirit enters within us; however, this does not mean that everything is now complete, nor—as many suppose—that our lives are now set on rails, like a train, such that we need no longer worry about anything. That, too, is not the case. The matter of free will always remains, even after we have come to Christ, for everything is subject to love—and in love, there is neither obligation nor control. That is why the Word of God commands us to walk in the Spirit, for it is a decision. It is not something automatic. It is written: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16-25. Therefore, we do not merely live by the Spirit; we must also choose to walk in the Spirit to attain eternity.

Many believe that such a thing as predestination exists—and indeed, the Bible does speak of it—yet even within that framework, there remains room for free will. For instance, there has never been a person in history so chosen like John the Baptist. This is what the Word says concerning him: “And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” Luke 1:41-44. “Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?’ But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’” Matthew 3:13-17. So, John was filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb; he was the one who baptized the Son of God, and he also heard the testimony of the Father from the very heavens. But let us see what happened toward the end of his life: “And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’” Matthew 11:2-3. The time also came for John to decide: either to continue believing in the Lord or to give up. If John had to reach that moment of decision—whether to continue walking in faith in Christ or not—what does that say about you and me?

Therefore, it is necessary not only to come to faith in Christ but also to persevere in that until the end—walking in the Spirit, to continue changing and seeking to do the Father's will, seeking God's instruction and revelation through His Word, and always speaking with Him, as it says: “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17. So, are you walking in the Spirit, or are you still living however you please? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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Living for Christ - 1 Corinthians 7:17-40

Based on 1 Corinthians 7:17-40 (New King James Version)

“But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called. Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy. I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—that it is good for a man to remain as he is: Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you. But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away. But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction. But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better. A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment—and I think I also have the Spirit of God.”

The point that the Apostle Paul—inspired by the Holy Spirit—is explaining in this passage is a foundational one; it is the very thing that determines whether or not a person will truly gain entry into the Kingdom of God: the matter of living for Christ. Through everything he explains, the fundamental theme is this: living for the Lord, regardless of our circumstances or condition. This defines everything, and it reveals—more clearly than anything else—what the Gospel is truly about. What, then, is not part of the Gospel? The Gospel is not about finding a spouse, nor is it about having children. The Gospel is not about solving our problems—whether they be marital issues, difficulties with our children, or even health-related struggles. The Gospel is not about having friends. The Gospel is not about owning a house or possessions, nor about achieving financial security—and certainly not about "enjoying life," as many Christians seem to believe. The Gospel centers on the Cross of Christ; we must understand that Christ did not suffer in this world, nor did He die upon a cross, for the sake of any of these things—however good or necessary they may be in themselves. Rather, He allowed His body to be broken—and shed His blood for something far greater and more significant. And if we fail to grasp this point, we will not only live futile lives, but we will fail to gain entry into His Kingdom. Even if a person claims to believe in Christ, they will find no justification at the Great Judgment of God.

The first thing we must recognize is that the primary requirement for salvation—aside from repentance and conversion from all sins—is believing; but, above all, it is about making Jesus our Lord, as it is written: “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9. And what does it mean for Him to be the Lord of our lives? It means that we no longer belong to ourselves—that neither sin, nor Satan, nor even we ourselves hold dominion over our lives. When we accept Him as Lord, we are literally surrendering ourselves to Him to do His will. This is the entire purpose for which Christ died: to give us a second chance to fulfill the purpose for which we were created and made—to serve God. It is written: “For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.” Romans 14:8-9. In this life, there are only two sides—there are no neutrals; therefore, either you belong to God through the Lordship of Jesus, or you continue to belong to the enemy. But the Word says this for your consideration: “For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:20-23.

And finally, if a Christian seeks God solely to have their will done, to resolve their problems—or, worse yet, attempts to use God—then, no matter what they profess to believe, they are pursuing death, and that will be their end. It is written: “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. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” I John 2:15-17. In the end, each of us will give an account before the Lord—of what we did and how we lived this life; and at that moment, the Lord will determine what becomes of us in eternity: whether we will live forever in Him and with Him, or whether we will receive the greatest condemnation a being could ever face. This is what the Word says: “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-10. Therefore, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. So, do you live for the Lord—making everything you do here and now count toward your eternal future—or do you choose to continue living for yourself, thereby casting aside eternal life? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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Who Do You Believe Jesus Is? - Acts 17:1-15

Based on Acts 17:1-15 (New King James Version)

“Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.’ And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas. But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, ‘These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.’ And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there. So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.”

As we read, we were able to observe all the various things that took place in response to what the disciples preached. Some were saved, others refused to listen, and others incited an uproar and became a stumbling block to the Gospel. But what was it that provoked such a wide range of emotions and reactions? Was it because they spoke of a universal God? No. In reality, when God is the topic of conversation, people do not feel such strong aversion. Even unbelievers and agnostics are not particularly offended. Most people are accepting—or may even remain neutral—in their sentiments. So, what was it—and what is it—that causes so much trouble?

In the passage, we read that the disciples spoke—more precisely—of Christ Jesus; and they spoke of Him not as if speaking of a good man or a prophet, but as the God He is—the Almighty who was, who is, and who is to come. And the Lord mentioned several times that He would be a cause of division—among all kinds of people, even among family. This is what He said: “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:34-37. So, although He is the Prince of Peace—as Isaiah mentions—His very person does not always bring about peace, but rather grave trouble.

Now, why did this happen, and why does it still occur? Why is there so much controversy? For the vast majority of Jews, it is impossible to accept that the very Jesus who was born and walked this earth was the same God who existed from the beginning—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the fearsome and mighty God who performed great wonders through His servant Moses; the very One who revealed Himself as the "I AM." Many cannot accept that this God took on our human form, even though He performed great signs, wonders, and miracles—going so far as to raise the dead. Others could never accept Him—particularly among the most learned religious leaders—not because they were unable to accept who He truly was (and is), but because, incredibly enough, they envied Him. This is what the Word says: “Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?’ For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.” Matthew 27:17-18. So—whether out of envy, or because they cannot comprehend many things about Him (such as His birth), or because He took the form of a man, or because He died and they doubt His resurrection, or because some believe He never even existed—in one way or another, His person remains a subject of controversy.

The fact remains that, despite all the controversy the Lord provokes, everyone—without exception—must make a decision regarding what they believe about Him—without exception—because all will eventually have to acknowledge His majesty, reign, and authority: we, for the sake of eternal worship; and others, before receiving their eternal punishment—just like Satan himself. Yes, even Satan and all his minions will one day have to accept, kneel before, and confess God—the Lord Jesus Christ—as He truly is, just as it is written: “… For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romanos 14:10b-12. Those of us who desire salvation and eternal life must acknowledge the Lord, and treat Him as such until the end—not merely with words, but from the heart—so that we may be accepted before God the Father, as it is written: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. We must convince God with our heartfelt faith in the Lord—and with deeds—for it also says: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:9-10. And God will allow various things to happen to see if our faith is real and genuine—just as we see in the example of Abraham, the father of faith, as it says: “Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: ‘By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” Genesis 22:15-18. Abraham convinced God—and we must do the same—to convince the Father with this faith: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6. So, has the following happened in your life, and will you abide in this faith despite the passage of time and the circumstances: “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” Romans 10:9-10? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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The Practical Side to Following Christ - Mark 9:42-48

Based on Mark 9:42-48 (New King James Version)

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—where ‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—where ‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire— where ‘Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’”

We live in a society that desires everything almost instantly, and without any kind of effort or diligence. Nowadays, hardly anyone likes the idea of ​​working hard to achieve something—the notion that sacrifices must be made, and that things truly worth having require a great deal of time and dedication. Many no longer believe in hard work, sacrifice, or patience—nor in anything related to persistence and diligence. The vast majority seek instant gratification with the least possible effort; and unfortunately, this very same problem is evident even among the people of God.

In many places today, gospels or doctrines are being preached that portray following Christ as something excessively easy, and that reaching heaven should cost nothing. The Gospel itself is not difficult, but the act of walking with and following Christ is not easy. For instance, many teach that the only thing a person needs to do to get to heaven is to believe in Christ—and nothing else—without repentance, and without a life of walking in obedience; they claim that mere belief is sufficient to attain everything. Others teach that, since we cannot earn heaven through our works and because everything is by grace, a person is no longer required to do anything after accepting Christ, and that works are of no value whatsoever. Others teach that the Holy Spirit performs the entire work, and that the moment a person receives the Lord, everything will happen automatically, without the individual having to make any conscious effort or commitment. Furthermore, there are other teachings asserting that if one possesses sufficient faith, everything one sets out to achieve will succeed—that one will enjoy good health and an abundance of material possessions as well, simply because we are children of a King. Thus, there exist various other teachings that are the product of half-truths, designed to attract the masses—or to prevent people from leaving the church—so that the institution may remain financially viable.

We can clarify all of this through the true gospel—sound doctrine grounded entirely in the fullness of the Scriptures, rather than in mere convenience or things that gratify the flesh. The true gospel consists of: complete repentance and conversion from all sins; believing in and accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Lord; and following Christ as the Lord He ought to be in our lives—seeking to do His will, not our own—which leads us to the good works spoken of in the Word of God, works that are necessary to perform as an integral part of our obedience. Since this constitutes the complete gospel, it effectively rules out many of the other things currently being taught as truth. Having said this, we can now see the following.

The first thing we can observe in this passage is the existence of the principle of free will, and the necessity of submitting our own will to God’s commands. We read of many things presented as instruction—actions that must be taken—and we are told that these will be difficult tasks. The Lord also issues a warning: if we fail to do these things—or if we fail to avoid certain actions at all costs—we run the risk of failing to reach our eternal destination. The Lord does not state this merely once, but three times: if we are not diligent in our conduct, we will be denied entry into heaven and, instead, be cast into hell. He could not have stated it more clearly or emphatically. He begins by addressing the matter of not becoming a stumbling block to others. This leads us to understand that, by the exercise of our own free will, we must remain vigilant regarding our actions; we cannot live this life in a careless or irresponsible manner. He also declared that unless we are willing to sever ourselves from those parts of our bodies that lead us into sin, we will not enter the Kingdom. Now, this is not to be interpreted literally—as if we were required to physically sever a hand, cut off a foot, or gouge out an eye to avoid falling into sin. Rather, the point He is conveying is that you must make extremely difficult decisions to secure entry into the Kingdom—decisions to cease doing or practicing those things that would prevent you from inheriting eternal life. And these decisions will be difficult. That is the implication of this passage: it will cost you something. Based on your own free will, these are measures you must take—measures He helps you to understand, yet which you yourself must ultimately decide for. It is entirely possible that physically severing a part of your body would be an easier task than making the actual decisions you may be required to make to truly follow Christ. This is the truth: the salvation offered by the Lord is absolutely free—it is a gift of grace—but the act of following Christ does indeed come with a price.

The Bible says this: “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Corinthians 6:12. What does this mean? Since all things are permissible, this clearly illustrates the concept of free will—the fact that we possess the power to do whatever we desire, and that there is nothing to restrain or stop us. God Himself does not hinder us, nor does He refrain us from doing anything. Thus, while everything is permissible—or, in other words, I have the freedom to do whatever I please—not everything is beneficial or serves my best interest. So, while we are capable of doing anything, whether or not we should do a particular thing is an entirely different matter. Furthermore, we must not allow ourselves to be mastered by anything, but only by the Lord. We must have one Lord, not many. This is the true meaning of not allowing ourselves to be mastered by anything. This is what the Word says: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7. God clearly mentions here “sound mind” or “self-control”—which gives rise to free will—and about aligning our will to do His will. If everything in the Lord were on "autopilot," as some describe it, then He would not mention self-control. The passage also says that we must not have fear, which implies overcoming it through His power, and out of love for Him.

Ultimately, this is what the Word says: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2. All of this has to do with submitting our will to God—doing the things He commands us to do. Some of these things will be easy, while others may be very difficult. But, the point is that we must live for Christ and be willing to do whatever He desires of us—and also pay whatever price is necessary to demonstrate our love to Him, as He deserves. Everything is done out of love, after all; and while love can indeed be very difficult at times, nothing compares to the eternal love and hope we have in Christ Jesus. So, do you worship the Lord in spirit and in truth with your life? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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Different Experiences, but One Judgment - Acts 12:1-17

Based on Acts 12:1-17 (New King James Version)

“Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, ‘Arise quickly!’ And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, ‘Gird yourself and tie on your sandals’; and so he did. And he said to him, ‘Put on your garment and follow me.’ So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And when Peter had come to himself, he said, ‘Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.’”

Why would there be a difference between the way the Lord acted with James and with Peter? Why did the Lord allow one to be killed by the sword, James, but miraculously deliver Peter from death? What is the difference between the two? Both were apostles, chosen by the Lord Himself. Did James lack faith? Was James somehow less than Peter? Was James more of a sinner than Peter? Was Peter more spiritual than James, and that is why the Lord delivered him? Did Peter have more faith than James? Was there a greater purpose for Peter than for James? Were more people praying for Peter than for James, and was that what made the difference? As always, it is necessary to view all things through His Word, and especially something as relevant to our daily lives as this, because we do not all have the same experiences, the same opportunities, and even less so, the possibility of the same lifestyle. For truth to be true, it must be true everywhere and for all times. Truth is not subject to nations or eras, because Truth is God.

His Word is very clear that there are no great distinctions among us, in general. The only distinction between human beings before God is between those who choose to follow Christ and those who refuse or reject Him. And even in the dispensation of God's grace, the time we are living in today, the Bible says that God sees Jew and Gentile as similar, that there are no longer differences in the sense of separation. Do not misunderstand. The Jew is still the first whom God seeks to save, and the promise remains that whoever blesses them, God will bless, and whoever curses them, God will curse. But the idea that some are better than others does not exist in God's Word, because we are all sinners. Even those of us who have come to Christ are still greatly imperfect. We are forgiven, and that is the great difference with the rest of the world. And now, we are called to obey God's will, to do the things He commands. This is what we see, as an example, regarding whether there is a difference between one sinner and another: “There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." Luke 13:1-5. So, with this answer, the Lord makes it very clear that there is no difference between one sinner and another. Neither is better than the other. Therefore, we can easily dismiss the notion that one fared better because they were less sinful, and the other worse because they were more sinful. And, does God love one more than another? The answer is: absolutely not. God loves us all equally. The Bible itself says that: “For God so loved the world…” Without making distinctions between one person and another. He loves us all equally. The same sun rises on all of us. The same rain falls on all of us. And of course, the blood of Christ was shed for all equally.

So, what can we understand from what happened between James and Peter? The only thing that should matter to us personally is what we do for the Lord, whether things go well for us or not, humanly speaking, of course, because those who follow the Lord have the eternal hope in heaven. Those who decide to follow Christ, despite the circumstances, despite the difficulties, in whatever state they may be, must always keep in mind that there is indeed a final judgment, where all of us, without exception, will give an account before the Most High God, and we must place all that we are at His disposal, whether little or much, whether we live a short time or many years, whether we are rich or poor. This is what the Word says, for example: “And the Lord said, ‘Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.” Luke 12:42-48. This is what should concern us most and not making comparisons between us, but God will hold us accountable for what we did with our opportunities, resources, and time, whether we sought to do His will or live our own way. This is what Paul said: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14. There was no one with a clearer testimony of conversion and belonging to Christ than Paul, and if he said that he had not yet attained the promise, then what does that tell us? It is written: “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-10. So, are you more focused on your present circumstances, or are you more concerned that, no matter what happens, God will hold you accountable later, when all this is over? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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Do Not Disobey the Lord - 1 Kings 13

Based on 1 Kings 13 (New King James Version)

“And behold, a man of God went from Judah to Bethel by the word of the Lord, and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. Then he cried out against the altar by the word of the Lord, and said, ‘O altar, altar! Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and men’s bones shall be burned on you.’ ’And he gave a sign the same day, saying, ‘This is the sign which the Lord has spoken: Surely the altar shall split apart, and the ashes on it shall be poured out.’ So it came to pass when King Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, who cried out against the altar in Bethel, that he stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, ‘Arrest him!’ Then his hand, which he stretched out toward him, withered, so that he could not pull it back to himself. The altar also was split apart, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the Lord. Then the king answered and said to the man of God, ‘Please entreat the favor of the Lord your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.’ So the man of God entreated the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored to him, and became as before. Then the king said to the man of God, ‘Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.’ But the man of God said to the king, ‘If you were to give me half your house, I would not go in with you; nor would I eat bread nor drink water in this place. For so it was commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came.’ ’ So he went another way and did not return by the way he came to Bethel. Now an old prophet dwelt in Bethel, and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel; they also told their father the words which he had spoken to the king. And their father said to them, ‘Which way did he go?’ For his sons had seen which way the man of God went who came from Judah. Then he said to his sons, ‘Saddle the donkey for me.’ So they saddled the donkey for him; and he rode on it, and went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak. Then he said to him, ‘Are you the man of God who came from Judah?’ And he said, ‘I am.’ Then he said to him, ‘Come home with me and eat bread.’ And he said, ‘I cannot return with you nor go in with you; neither can I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place. For I have been told by the word of the Lord, ‘You shall not eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by going the way you came.’ ’ He said to him, ‘I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’ ’(He was lying to him.) So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house, and drank water. Now it happened, as they sat at the table, that the word of the Lord came to the prophet who had brought him back; and he cried out to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: ‘Because you have disobeyed the word of the Lord, and have not kept the commandment which the Lord your God commanded you, but you came back, ate bread, and drank water in the place of which the Lord said to you, ‘Eat no bread and drink no water,’ your corpse shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.’ ’ So it was, after he had eaten bread and after he had drunk, that he saddled the donkey for him, the prophet whom he had brought back. When he was gone, a lion met him on the road and killed him. And his corpse was thrown on the road, and the donkey stood by it. The lion also stood by the corpse. And there, men passed by and saw the corpse thrown on the road, and the lion standing by the corpse. Then they went and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. Now when the prophet who had brought him back from the way heard it, he said, ‘It is the man of God who was disobedient to the word of the Lord. Therefore the Lord has delivered him to the lion, which has torn him and killed him, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke to him.’ And he spoke to his sons, saying, ‘Saddle the donkey for me.’ So they saddled it. Then he went and found his corpse thrown on the road, and the donkey and the lion standing by the corpse. The lion had not eaten the corpse nor torn the donkey. And the prophet took up the corpse of the man of God, laid it on the donkey, and brought it back. So the old prophet came to the city to mourn, and to bury him. Then he laid the corpse in his own tomb; and they mourned over him, saying, ‘Alas, my brother!’ So it was, after he had buried him, that he spoke to his sons, saying, ‘When I am dead, then bury me in the tomb where the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones. For the saying which he cried out by the word of the Lord against the altar in Bethel, and against all the shrines on the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, will surely come to pass.’ After this event Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way, but again he made priests from every class of people for the high places; whoever wished, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places. And this thing was the sin of the house of Jeroboam, so as to exterminate and destroy it from the face of the earth.”

Today's passage is long, but necessary to understand the message: Do not disobey the Lord. Today we read about two people who disobeyed the Lord, and about a deceitful prophet who caused the man of God to stumble. The first we will look at is King Jeroboam. God specifically sent this man of God to the king because Jeroboam was knowingly sinning against God, and not only did he sin, but he also caused many among his people to sin against the Lord by disobeying basic principles of God, clear commands that the Lord had established. And because he persisted in his wickedness, Jeroboam and his entire family were cut off and wiped from the face of the earth.

The second is this man of God who had even witnessed a miracle from God. The Lord had clearly commanded him not to return to Bethel, nor to eat bread or drink water from there. And he allowed himself to be deceived by this old prophet, who was probably one of the corrupt ones appointed by King Jeroboam. One might ask, "Why did the Lord command him not to return to Bethel, and not to eat bread or drink water from there?” And the answer is: What does it matter? Whether it made sense or not, a long explanation or theological dissertation isn't necessary. The Lord simply told him not to do it. And unfortunately for him, he let himself be led astray by someone who had the title but didn't fear God, and it went badly for him.

The Word of God says this: “…Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…” 1 Samuel 15:22b-23a. Everything is sin in this world, but God prioritizes some more than others, and these must be obeyed, whether understood or not. Not everything God commands will make sense to us, much less to our society, but we must simply obey for our own good. The only thing that brings eternal life to humankind is obedience to God. If God clearly commands something in His Word, don't be deceived by anyone who tells you otherwise, nor by your own opinion or needs, but obey for your own good. And if nothing bad happens to you immediately, it's not a sign of divine approval or weakness, but simply of His mercy, allowing for change. So, do you obey the Lord, or do you live in disobedience, thus bringing about your own future destruction? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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If You Look for the Truth, You Will Find It - Acts 8:26-40

Based on Acts 8:26-40 (New King James Version)

“Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, ‘Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ This is desert. So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go near and overtake this chariot.’ So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ And he said, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. The place in the Scripture which he read was this: ‘He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He opened not His mouth. In His humiliation His justice was taken away, and who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.’ So the eunuch answered Philip and said, ‘I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?’ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?’ Then Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.”

Is it difficult to find the Truth, especially if one is genuinely seeking it? The answer is no. In reality, the Truth is always around us, and we experience it at every moment and in different ways. All the things that our senses detect not only let us know, but proclaim, that there is an Almighty God. This is what the Word says: “Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:19-20. And it also says: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17. So, everything exists, is, and subsists thanks to the Person of God. Therefore, if you are breathing, and your heart is beating, and all your “involuntary” faculties and abilities, as science calls them, are functioning at this moment, it is because God, through His Person, makes it possible and allows it. This is a reality; therefore, it is the Truth.

So why do so many people supposedly fail to find the Truth? The problem isn't that they can't access the Truth, but rather that the vast majority of people aren't seeking it, despite what they claim. The reality is that most people are searching for other things, preoccupied with matters unrelated to the Truth. Most are simply focused on solving their present problems, achieving their goals, or, as many say, fulfilling their dreams, but none of that has anything to do with the Truth, or with God. And that's why almost no one ever reaches the Truth. Furthermore, the vast majority of so-called Christians seek God so God can serve them, to have God fulfill their will instead of them doing His. This is, unfortunately, a sad reality. And those who do this are only content with God when He grants their wishes on their terms. If God doesn't grant their wishes, they become angry with Him and even decide to abandon Him. Many will say they believe in Christ, but unfortunately, it's just words and nothing more, and they don't follow Him as the Lord He is. This is what the Word says: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:9-10. So, the problem isn't that arriving at the Truth is difficult, but rather that many, the vast majority, simply aren't seeking the Truth. And when the Truth is presented to them, they either reject it or try to manipulate it for their own purposes, but ultimately, they don't accept the Truth as it truly is. And the worst part is that they dare to speak ill of the Lord, as if it were God's fault that they are seeking answers in illusory things.

This, for example, is clarified in the Word of God: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8. So, if a person sincerely asks to find the Truth, God will provide the means for them to reach it, as He did with the eunuch we read about earlier. This man was seeking God, and he was searching in His Word, and the Lord saw such a hunger in him that He even sent Philip to clarify what was necessary for him to arrive at the Truth, which is the Lord. But we must also be careful, because this word is not only fulfilled for good and salvation, but it can also be fulfilled in other ways. If a person persists in asking for what is useless, in seeking what is not God, in calling out to everything that has nothing to do with God or is opposed to God, it is very possible that their wish will come true. We must understand that just as there is a God, there is also a devil. There is good and there is evil. And if a person persists in seeking evil, they will not see the Truth, they will not see good, but God will allow their desire to be fulfilled, and the devil will do his work. We must always keep in mind that the Lord is worthy, and as such, He does have grace toward us, but He also has limits. He is slow to anger and great in mercy, but that doesn't mean His anger will never come and that His mercy is unlimited. God's grace, as incredibly great as it is, has its limits. And the Lord will never violate a person's free will. Each person is ultimately free to decide their eternal future. This is what the Word says about free will: “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19. We all have this freedom, without exception. Neither God nor the devil can force anyone. We are all free to choose. And often, God, in His great mercy, does not allow our evil desires to be fulfilled, hoping that we will realize that nothing else matters, and that He is the only one who is worthwhile. The Lord is the only one who can free us from our sins and cleanse us from them all. The Lord is the only one who can give us life and eternal reward. Everything else, as the Word says, is only vanity. This is what the apostle John said about this world: “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:16-17. So, are you genuinely seeking the Lord, or are you still looking for things that are ultimately useless? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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The Things of God are Different to the Things of the World - Mark 10:35-45

Based on Mark 10:35-45 (New King James Version)

“Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, ‘Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.’ And He said to them, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ They said to Him, ‘Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’ They said to Him, ‘We are able.’ So Jesus said to them, ‘You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.’ And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, ‘You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

In general, we often fail to grasp, or are not sufficiently zealous, that there should be a separation between the things of God and the things of the world, or our own opinions (which will be explained later). We often allow ourselves to be swayed by worldly opinions when making decisions and conducting our own affairs, and even when managing things within ministries themselves—things that should be entirely dedicated to God, as His Word indicates. There should be no mixing of the things of God with the things of the world, because that brings together the holy with the profane.

In the Word, as we saw today, we saw very clearly that there are great differences between the two kingdoms. We already saw that the Lord explained to His disciples that whoever wants to be great in the kingdom of God, then they must serve, by following the example He Himself set. The Lord Jesus Christ came because God sent Him, and He came to serve to such an extent that He even became the sacrifice for our sins on the cross. On a related note, our soldiers and public servants risk their lives every day for the well-being of the people they serve; and many of them have also sacrificed their lives for the good of others, so that we could enjoy the many beautiful freedoms we enjoy today, as well as the relative security in which we can live. But despite the great value of this public and national service, the Son of God did far more, because He was perfect, holy, and He did it not for some people or nations, but for the whole world. All our sins were placed upon Him. This is how the Lord served humanity, in obedience and for the glory of God the Father. So, there is a big difference between God's way and the way of natural man.

The curious thing is that John and James themselves had this problem of mixing things up on more than one occasion. In the Gospel of Luke, we read the following: “Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, ‘Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?’ But He turned and rebuked them, and said, ‘You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.’ And they went to another village.” Luke 9:51-56. So, what was John and James's mistake in their way of thinking? The world always thinks of revenge, displays of power, and inflicting some kind of harm in response to evil. The Lord didn't need John and James to call down fire from heaven. The Lord, as the Almighty God He was (and is), could have done that and much more, but He chose not to. Instead, He proclaimed the grace of God. His mission in His earthly ministry as the God He was (and is) was not to consume His enemies as in the Old Testament, but to extend grace, to give opportunity for repentance and conversion so that there may be salvation. What we must keep in mind is that God's grace does have limits though. His grace is not a license to sin, as many take it today, and some see God's mercy and grace as signs of weakness or nonexistence. The Lord will again be that consuming fire in the coming judgment.

What else is so different about God and the things of the world (and here we enter into the explanation of our opinion, and how we must also avoid that)? It is very common to hear the advice: “let yourself be guided by your heart.” According to God, this is a grave error. We, not even as Christians, should never let ourselves be led by our hearts because our hearts, even though the Lord dwells in them, still have serious problems. The heart is ultimately the center of a person's being, and as such, it remains corrupted by sin, and that is why we must not let ourselves be led by it. This is what the Word says: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:9-10. And the Lord said this also: “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” Matthew 15:18-19. So, it's not good to let our hearts lead us because only bad decisions will result, and no bad decision brings good consequences, especially when it comes to the things of God.

So, what should we let ourselves be led by and use as the basis for everything in our lives if we want to be right in the eternal things of God? It is necessary to be born again in Christ so that the Holy Spirit can enter our lives. He is the One who should guide us, and not the world, and not even ourselves. The Lord said: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” John 16:13-14. And what does the Holy Spirit use to guide us? He uses the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. If you wish to do God's will and be right in the things of God, you must set aside worldly things and even your own ideas and embrace what God says, for your own good in this present world, and even more importantly, for your eternal future. So, do you follow God's ways or what seems right to you? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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The Problem with Being Unequally Yoked - Ezra 9:1-7

Based on Ezra 9:1-7 (New King James Version)

“When these things were done, the leaders came to me, saying, ‘The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, with respect to the abominations of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples of those lands. Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass.’ So when I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked out some of the hair of my head and beard, and sat down astonished. Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel assembled to me, because of the transgression of those who had been carried away captive, and I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice. At the evening sacrifice I arose from my fasting; and having torn my garment and my robe, I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God. And I said: ‘O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God; for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has grown up to the heavens. Since the days of our fathers to this day we have been very guilty, and for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plunder, and to humiliation, as it is this day.” 

We know we live in a world corrupted by sin. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, we have all inherited a world filled with death, destruction, disease, and various other problems, thanks to the sin that entered the world. If we want to pinpoint the root of all our evils, the blame does NOT lie with God, no matter how much some may want to blame Him. Mankind chose to sin against God willingly, based on free will, and since then, we have all followed suit. So, whether it is due to our own sin, the sins of others, or even environmental sin (because we live in a corrupted environment), sin is the root of all our evils. Today we read about one of the main reasons why the people of Israel became corrupt, and why God Himself delivered them into national destruction. As Ezra himself said, only a remnant survived, and this small group of people were either taken captive to Babylon to be servants or left in the land to cultivate it for the kingdom, also as servants. It is estimated that some 4,600 families were deported to Babylon during Nebuchadnezzar's conquest. A great nation was reduced to a small fraction largely because of being unequally yoked. Ezra himself explained in this passage that it was the sin the people committed of not only uniting with pagans but also following their abominations. And what were these abominations? The worship of strange and false gods, committing idolatry and everything associated with it, even sacrificing their own children by burning them alive on a stone altar. This was the serious problem with being unequally yoked or united with pagans.

Now, is this sin still wrong in God's eyes today? Many Christians make the mistake of thinking that the Old Testament or the foundations of God's law no longer apply and that they were abolished through Christ. Being united with pagans or those not converted to the Lord is still sin in God's eyes. This is what the Word says: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’ ‘I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. And let's look at something else. There are many so-called believers who practice fornication and think they are not sinning against God, either because they have only one partner (as it's called today) or because they don't marry them, but this is also a serious mistake. The Word explains this: “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For ‘the two,’ He says, ‘shall become one flesh.’ But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:15-19. Whether a temporary or more permanent yoke, any yoke (because yokes are not only sexual, but also those formed when you form an intimacy with the world), with an unbeliever remains a serious sin against God, and it brings many spiritual and natural consequences.

Ezra refers to the fact that this evil was already present long ago among God's people, even among the ancient kings. The Word explains this: “But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites—from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.’ Solomon clung to these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon. And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. So the Lord became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the Lord God of Israel…” 1 Kings 11:1-9a. The problem couldn't be explained any more clearly.

What does God ultimately command? Should we hate the world, as many believers do today? No. This is what God says: “Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘If you return, then I will bring you back; you shall stand before Me; if you take out the precious from the vile, you shall be as My mouth. Let them return to you, but you must not return to them.” Jeremiah 15:19. God desires to save the world, and we must help in this endeavor, not by joining the world, but by helping the world come to Christ and experience a true conversion (because religious practices do not save). A true convert to Christ should only unite with, or form close relationships with, another Christian. Otherwise, they will bring many problems upon themselves. So, if you are a Christian, with whom do you share your intimacy: with what belongs to God or to the enemy? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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Mistaking God’s Mercy for Weakness or Non-Existence - Ezequiel 39:1-16

Based on Ezequiel 39:1-16 (New King James Version)

“And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal; and I will turn you around and lead you on, bringing you up from the far north, and bring you against the mountains of Israel. Then I will knock the bow out of your left hand, and cause the arrows to fall out of your right hand. You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you; I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. You shall fall on the open field; for I have spoken,’ says the Lord God. ‘And I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in security in the coastlands. Then they shall know that I am the Lord. So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel. Surely it is coming, and it shall be done,’ says the Lord God. ‘This is the day of which I have spoken. ‘Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and bucklers, the bows and arrows, the javelins and spears; and they will make fires with them for seven years. They will not take wood from the field nor cut down any from the forests, because they will make fires with the weapons; and they will plunder those who plundered them, and pillage those who pillaged them,’ says the Lord God. ‘It will come to pass in that day that I will give Gog a burial place there in Israel, the valley of those who pass by east of the sea; and it will obstruct travelers, because there they will bury Gog and all his multitude. Therefore they will call it the Valley of Hamon Gog. For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, in order to cleanse the land. Indeed all the people of the land will be burying, and they will gain renown for it on the day that I am glorified,’ says the Lord God. ‘They will set apart men regularly employed, with the help of a search party, to pass through the land and bury those bodies remaining on the ground, in order to cleanse it. At the end of seven months they will make a search. The search party will pass through the land; and when anyone sees a man’s bone, he shall set up a marker by it, till the buriers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon Gog. The name of the city will also be Hamonah. Thus they shall cleanse the land.’ ’ ”

Many would argue that this passage is referring to a great confrontation between God and man in the last days, a time when God Himself will gather the nations against Israel to defeat them horribly and shamefully. According to Scripture, Israel will not have to lift a finger to defend itself, but the Lord will perform wonders, or rather, unleash His wrath in terror upon His enemies. The Word also provides these details: “Then another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, ‘Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.’ So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trampled outside the city [Jerusalem], and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.” Revelation 14:17-20. To put the measurements of what God is describing here into perspective, the horses' bridles are in their mouths, which are connected to the reins. A horse's mouth is, on average, about four to five feet (or 1.5 meters) high; and a furlong (which is a Greek unit of length) is approximately 208 yards (or 180-190 meters) long, so 1,600 furlongs is about 189 miles (or 304 kilometers) long.  In other words, God's wrath will leave a sea of ​​blood 189 miles long and between 4-5 feet deep. This won't be a massacre; it will be something for which there truly is no word to describe it.

When will this horrible event take place? We don't know exactly, but as things are unfolding, it could happen one day in the not-too-distant future. According to everything that has already been fulfilled in Scripture, the Lord could come at any moment for His people. We are undoubtedly living in the last days. The things that most clearly indicate that we are in the final stages are: the wars that have occurred over the last two centuries (Matthew 24:6), the diseases and plagues that exist today, along with famine (Luke 21:11), the return of Israel to their land and their re-establishment in 1948 (Ezekiel 36:24), the moral decay of the world, calling good evil and evil good (Isaiah 5:20), and the great migrations of the world coupled with the unprecedented advancement of science, as it is written: “…many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Daniel 12:4b. And finally, corruption and apostasy within the universal church of God, where the Bible is altered with many unacceptable excuses, and where many things are taught and practiced that appear to be the truth but are not (2 Timothy 4:3-4). There should be no doubt that we are very close to the end.

Now, many will ask, "Why hasn't the end come yet?" And the answer is also found in the Word, as it is written: “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9. The great mercy and grace of God are what cause things to be delayed a little longer. He is the one deciding to postpone what is to come. If the world and everything in it have not yet been consumed, it is only because of His patience.

But what is happening with humanity today? Instead of thanking God for His great goodness and taking the opportunity to change, to turn back to Him as they should, today, the vast majority, and even many of those who call themselves God's people, take His great goodness, mercy, and patience as weakness, as inability, or even worse, as proof that He doesn't exist. For many people today, there is no God. They may say they believe in God, but deep down, in the depths of their minds and hearts, they don't. Because if they did believe, their lives would be completely different. Much of humanity, and even many supposed believers, live as if God does not exist, and therefore, as if there will never be a great judgment where we will all give an account. But the truth is that God does exist, and that God will indeed bring calamity upon humanity, sooner or later, for its continued rebellion. And He will not only bring physical destruction, but even more importantly, if people do not individually repent from their sins as they should and obey God, they will experience the greatest horror: condemnation to eternal hell, where the soul will suffer unspeakable and indescribable torment forever. For this is what the Word says, what the Lord Himself said: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. The most excellent advice I can give the whole world is to repent with all your heart of all your sins and obey the Lordship of Jesus Christ for forgiveness and eternal salvation, before it's too late. Our opinions are worthless, both here and, even more so, before the throne of Almighty God. The only thing that matters is what God thinks of us and our actions. So, will you take God's mercy seriously "in time" instead of wandering off into other things that will only lead to your eternal destruction? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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The Faith that Pleases God - Hebrews 11:8-22

Based on Hebrews 11:8-22 (New King James Version)

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called,’ concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.”

What kind of faith pleases God? To begin, we would need to define faith, and we could start by describing what faith is not, at least not the kind of faith that is divine, the faith that the Word of God speaks of. For example, faith is not about positive thinking. Faith has nothing to do with fulfilling our own will. Faith does not control God, nor is it a way to make God do something He does not want to do.  Likewise, divine faith never goes against His Word.  Understanding these things, we would realize that what many people think of as faith actually has nothing to do with what God teaches.  Most of the time, both love and faith are misunderstood and misinterpreted, making them out to be something completely different from what they truly are and what God intends for them to be.

The Bible teaches this concerning faith: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:1-3. Therefore, upon understanding what is written, we should be able to see more clearly that faith is not within itself a feeling, an idea, or a concept, but something that goes far beyond that. For example, the Word teaches us here that faith helps us understand that the entire universe was created through the Word of God. So, faith is more about being focused on a Person, on the person of God and His actions. Faith is the way we can intellectually grasp or reason, in some way, that the Invisible One is the one who created and made everything visible.  Therefore, faith is the vehicle that somehow connects God with humanity; it is what God has incorporated into human beings so that they have the capacity to go beyond the visible, in short, to have the ability to believe in God.

Now, this leads us to the next point, that faith within itself doesn't have much meaning on its own, but rather, it acquires its great value when we apply it to God. That's when faith truly becomes an unlimited power, where it takes on its true value, which makes all the difference in the world. I'll explain it this way: If a person places their faith in material things, then it actually becomes useless to them, because their trust is placed in something that is finite, corruptible, and limited. For example, what does a person gain by placing their faith in money? It's true that money has a certain value in this world and that it's necessary for many things. But what good is money in eternity? Can money erase sin? Can money give you eternal life? Can money fill the void in a person's heart? Can you buy heaven with money? No. In the same way, what do we gain by placing our faith in other people who are just as fallible and limited as we are? It's true that a relationship between people has great value, but, nevertheless, it has no power in the things that truly matter, in the eternal things. Everything that exists in this world will one day cease to be, even ourselves. Everything that is tainted in some way or another by sin has an expiration date. So, on whom is it truly worthwhile to place our faith? On God who is perfect, who loves us, and who reigns and lives forever and ever. And the Word says this: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6.

Therefore, the faith that pleases God is the one that is firmly established on Him and on everything He does, especially on His Word, which is responsible for all of creation. And we understand from the Bible that the Word is Christ, as it is written: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1-4. The Word (Christ) is the one who makes all things possible, from our daily existence to eternity, as it says: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:15-17. The Lord is ultimately the greatest thing that should nourish our faith, for He is the personification of God. And what did the Lord show us while He was on earth? He performed great and incredible miracles. He taught us about His kingdom and how to attain eternal life. He demonstrated God's great love through His actions, by giving His life as a ransom for us, dying on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for our salvation. And finally, He was resurrected from the dead on the third day and was seen ascending into heaven, to the right hand of God's throne. All of this was witnessed by the people of that time, and they bore witness to this reality. The Lord said: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-6. So, who else has done what the Lord has done? Who can promise us what only He can give? Nothing and no one are like Him. So, have you placed your faith in the Lord as the Bible teaches so that you can please God, or are you still placing your faith in something else, rendering your faith useless? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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God Will Bring Order - 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

Based on 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 (New King James Version)

“How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.”

It is undeniable that God is a God of order, as the architect, builder, and Creator that He is. Everything has its place, its function, and its time. There is neither disorder nor confusion in God. And although this world is corrupted by sin, nevertheless, within that corruption, God still maintains order. This is what the Word says about creation and how God is revealed, both His power, His authority, and His order: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20. “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17.

The order that God has established, and which He also teaches through His Word, has a purpose, and it is primarily for our good, for the good of mankind, no matter much people may dislike God's order. God created everything, put it in its place, and keeps it there. For example, let's look at our galaxy, something much smaller than the universe, but gigantic to us. All the stars maintain their position just as God placed them one day, and all the planets remain in their established positions as He decreed. To give you an idea, our own science says that there are between 100 and 400 billion planets in our galaxy alone, in the Milky Way. How would it affect us if all those stars and planets took their own course and moved indefinitely from their positions? Today, our world has temperatures and seasons that allow us to survive, thanks to the way everything is arranged: the sun, the planets within our solar system, the careful revolution of our planet around the sun, as well as its rotation on its axis, which is invisible to the eye but immovable, so that we have day and night. All this majestic, glorious, and powerful precision exists thanks to God, and it continues faithfully to this day through His presence. So many things happen that are completely beyond our control, yet we can trust that they work flawlessly thanks to Him.

As we saw in our main passage today, the Lord teaches about order and structure within our congregations, and for what purpose? So that the church may be built up, and also so that the unbeliever, the one who does not know God, may come to know God through the church.  Ultimately, everything is for the good of humanity and for the glory of God. I will not delve into the dilemmas or controversies surrounding certain things mentioned, which the devil himself tries to distort to cause division and disorder, as the agent of sin and chaos that he is. What we should focus on most is that everything, especially within the Church, must be done decently and in order, because if everyone comes to church to show off, to demonstrate to others what they can do, that within itself is disorder, and that's where the problems begin, because it's no longer for edification, but rather to exalt the ego or to take advantage of others. The only clarification I will make is regarding women. The Apostle Paul speaks of women remaining silent at this time because women, in general, were causing a lot of disruption, as we can see in the passage, by making comments or asking questions in the church that distract others. What is the practical application of this? If someone is sharing the Word of God, both men and women should remain silent so that everyone can listen and be edified. This is not the time for conversations, questions, or anything that causes a disturbance. And both women and men were not made to be in competition with each for power, but rather, for mutual edification.

Now, God's order is not only for the local church, but also for every aspect of our lives: in our work or studies, in our family life, in our personal and intimate lives—God's order should be present in everything, if a person has come to Christ. Before we knew the Lord, our lives were completely out of His order.  Whether we like it or not, our reality before coming to Christ was a life of disorder. We were completely far removed from and strangers to the kingdom of God, to His promises, and of course, to the eternal life that is found only in Him.  All of us, without exception, were completely separated from God, as it is written: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. We become children of God only when we consciously receive, by our own choice, Christ as Lord, as it is written: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” John 1:12. So, when we come to Christ and accept Him as Lord (because this is a requirement for salvation), we must seek His guidance and ultimately do the Father's will, because this too is a requirement for entering His kingdom, as it is written: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. God desires that our lives be in order before Him, for our own good, for the good of our neighbor, and, of course, for His glory.

This is what we must understand. God will absolutely bring everything into His order, undeniably, in the end. Every being, even the devil and his hosts, will have to submit to His order, as it is written: “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11. The issue is this: We can either submit to the Lord's order now voluntarily for eternal life and reward, or God will submit you to His will in the end, but for judgment and eternal punishment afterward, when it's too late. The choice is yours. So, will you choose to seek to submit to the Lord in time? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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God’s Righteous Judgment - Isaiah 66:1-6

Based on Isaiah 66:1-6 (New King James Version)

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,’ says the Lord. ‘But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word. ‘He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man; he who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog’s neck; he who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine’s blood; he who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol. Just as they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delights in their abominations, so will I choose their delusions, and bring their fears on them; because, when I called, no one answered, when I spoke they did not hear; but they did evil before My eyes, and chose that in which I do not delight.’ Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at His word: ‘Your brethren who hated you, who cast you out for My name’s sake, said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified, that we may see your joy.’ But they shall be ashamed.’ The sound of noise from the city! A voice from the temple! The voice of the Lord, Who fully repays His enemies!”

The first thing we must consider when looking at this passage is: what, or rather, Who, is everything in the universe about? Who is the main character in all of history, in all of existence, in the past, in the present, and especially in the future? We are talking about God, and not a universal god as many believe, one that they say all religions lead to, but the Elohim, the plural God who created the heavens and the earth, of whom the Book of Genesis speaks: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, as the Apostle John also declares, as it is written: “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7. This God is unique, and He is the True God, the Almighty, who reigns forever and ever. We are not talking about just any being, but rather a triune being who possesses all power and authority throughout the entire universe. This is more than important to understand because, as the Being He is, His Word teaches us that He is also the Judge of the universe, who will judge every being in the not-too-distant future.

We understand through the Word of God that God is love, and that love is one of His most important characteristics, and one upon which we all depend.  That is why we were created, why we exist, and despite our utterly compromised state due to sin, He loved us so much that He has given us a way, a means to receive forgiveness and have eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ. But He is not only love, but also holy and a consuming fire when He exercises His judgment. And this is something far too important to overlook or ignore. We must keep in mind that even though He is love, He will not forget or set aside His holiness. It is impossible. And this holy character teaches us that a day will come when the mercy and grace that can be found in Him now will give way to His judgment in the future. This is one of the greatest misunderstandings within our Christian community, that many think God will set aside His judgment because He is love. There is a final judgment where everyone, every person, both the unbeliever and the Christian, will give an account before Him, where He will see what we did, whether we did His will or something else. And this is what the Word says: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Galatians 6:7-10.  We cannot deceive God, under any circumstances. Everything will be revealed then. Many supposed believers may try to deceive other people, as they do now, or even try to convince themselves that they won't have to give an account, but it will be impossible to ignore this perfect Being who sees all, knows all, and can do all. For the good of each person, it would be wise for those who deny this coming judgment to stop deceiving themselves and to stop mistakenly thinking that our opinion dictates reality and what is inevitable. This is what the Word of God says: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27. And this is also written: “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men…” 2 Corinthians 5:9-11a.

The Lord taught that religious hypocrisy will not be overlooked in the coming judgment. Many people may try to do religious things, or even supernatural things, but God will see through all of that and will only see our true selves. This is what the Lord said: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23. On the day of judgment, there will be much confusion, many surprises, and much sorrow, because those who pretend to be righteous will be completely exposed before God and His heavenly hosts. It is a serious problem if God sees your offerings, your sacrifices, and your works as abominable things, even though they may appear holy and righteous to those who are unaware of the truth that lies deep within a person’s heart. What will matter at that moment is what is evident to God. And as the Word says: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26. It doesn't matter if your works look good in the eyes of men. What matters is whether God sees your faith as genuine, based on the works it produces.

The Word teaches us very clearly that we will give an account of everything we have done, and of course, what we did with the knowledge of the Truth. Did it remain merely knowledge, or did something more happen? No one likes the idea of ​​being held accountable for their actions, but just because we don't like something doesn't mean it won't happen. This is what we read. “And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’” Acts 24:24-25. For your own good, follow this advice: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” 2 Corinthians 13:5. Ignoring or refusing to believe that there will be a judgment is foolishness, and you could lose everything if you don't take God's warning seriously. The stakes are too high. God will hold you accountable for what you did with the Gospel, with the knowledge of His Word, and ultimately, with Christ. So, are you living a genuine faith in Christ so that you can pass God's judgment, or are you still treating God and His Word lightly and irresponsibly? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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A Call to Repentance and Conversion - Deuteronomy 28:15-30

Based on Deuteronomy 28:15-30 (New King James Version)

“ ‘But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: ‘Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country. ‘Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. ‘Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks. ‘Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out. ‘The Lord will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Me. The Lord will make the plague cling to you until He has consumed you from the land which you are going to possess. The Lord will strike you with consumption, with fever, with inflammation, with severe burning fever, with the sword, with scorching, and with mildew; they shall pursue you until you perish. And your heavens which are over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you shall be iron. The Lord will change the rain of your land to powder and dust; from the heaven it shall come down on you until you are destroyed. ‘The Lord will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them; and you shall become troublesome to all the kingdoms of the earth. Your carcasses shall be food for all the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and no one shall frighten them away. The Lord will strike you with the boils of Egypt, with tumors, with the scab, and with the itch, from which you cannot be healed. The Lord will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of heart. And you shall grope at noonday, as a blind man gropes in darkness; you shall not prosper in your ways; you shall be only oppressed and plundered continually, and no one shall save you. ‘You shall betroth a wife, but another man shall lie with her; you shall build a house, but you shall not dwell in it; you shall plant a vineyard, but shall not gather its grapes.’ ”

One of the many undeniable truths in this life is that God's Word always comes to pass, in one way or another. The Lord himself said this: “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11. The mistake many believers make in interpreting this verse in Isaiah is that they think it means that if a person hears the Word of God, it will eventually bring about a change in that person, and they will be converted. But we know that absolutely every person, in one way or another, knows who God is, and knows what the cross of Christ means, and has been exposed to the Word of God many times, and yet, many have not been converted and are lost. If their interpretation were correct, evangelizing the world would be very easy. The truth is that the Word of God is fulfilled completely, for blessing and salvation, as well as for curse and destruction, depending on what each person chooses to do with the Truth of God.

Now, why is God's judgment manifesting itself increasingly severe upon the world? Because there is a great difference between the ignorance that once existed in humanity concerning the things of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the access people now have to His Word. God does have mercy on people's ignorance, but such ignorance of the truth has not existed for a long time. Instead of seeking the Lord, humanity has either done the opposite or are attempting to twist or manipulate the things of God to justify their sin.  Furthermore, many of the most wicked people maintain their sinful lifestyles while professing to believe in God, claiming that God made them the way they are. This is what the Word says: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20. Almost everyone knows who God is. Almost everyone knows who Jesus is and what He did on the cross. And the vast majority know that the Holy Bible is the Word of God. The entire world, in general, has been evangelized, but instead of conversion, as there was more of before, people have now turned more towards darkness, towards the delights and pleasures of this world, and ultimately, towards sin. And so, do we expect things to get better? Does humanity expect God to bless them for their rebellion, for their wickedness, and for supporting the abominations of sin? No, impossible. And God has nothing more to give to prove to the world who He is and the love He has shown. The only signs humanity will continue to see are those that come as part of God's judgment, unless they repent. And this leads us to the next point.

Such is the goodness of God, and the love of God, and His grace, that He continues to call for repentance and conversion, so that, even if the body is lost, the soul of man may be saved, and thus obtain eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ. These truths are taught to us in His Word: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9. A person will gain nothing with God if they do not admit their sin, and they must not only acknowledge sin, but also repent with all their heart. It is necessary that they turn from their wicked ways, that they allow God to work in their life to help them change, because we cannot do it alone. But repentance and conversion from sin, the decision itself, belongs to us. This is also what the Word says: “ ‘But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live. Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?’ says the Lord God, ‘and not that he should turn from his ways and live?’ ” Ezekiel 18:21-23. “…‘Thus you say, ‘If our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them, how can we then live?’ ’ Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die…?’ ” Ezekiel 33:10b-11a. God's mercy is at the door; and if a person genuinely seeks the Lord, they will find it.  However, if a person persists in their rebellion and wickedness, they will not see good, but will experience God's judgment both here, and worse, in eternity. This is what determines the outcome: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Galatians 6:7-8. And the Word says this: “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19. So, will you continue to pursue your own will, leading to your own judgment and eternal destruction, or will you repent and turn to the Lord with all your heart before it's too late? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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The Fruit that God Wants from Our Faith - Romans 5:1-11

Based on Romans 5:1-11 (New King James Version)

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”

Anyone might ask: Why is it necessary to go through trials and tribulations? Does God enjoy seeing us suffer, seeing us face difficulties? Why would a loving God allow pain, suffering, illness, and death? These questions don't have easy answers, but there are answers, and they are all found in God's Word. Now, receiving answers doesn't necessarily make things easier in the moment. The answer doesn't mean we will avoid all the evils that may occur in this world, but, as the Lord said: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32.

Now, what relief can knowing the truth bring in a world full of suffering and pain? Knowing the truth should create something greater than our present circumstances, something more powerful—faith. And if we grow in faith and practice it as needed, it will help us overcome the present and obtain what is truly worthwhile: eternal life and reward. Faith is what will help us overcome the present and look toward the future, to stop paying so much attention to what is corruptible and instead focus on the incorruptible, and not to concentrate so much on the temporal world but on the eternal.

Continuing, let's clearly understand who our enemy is. God is not our enemy; on the contrary, He is our greatest ally, who loves us incredibly. So, if God is not our enemy, then who is? The obvious answer would be the devil, but we have something even worse to face than the devil, and that is: sin, evil. Obviously, the devil and his forces are a serious problem, but our main enemy is sin. And what makes the devil so evil is that he is an agent of sin; he promotes sin and tries to introduce it into everything he can. Why? Because the enemy is all evil, all sin. When you understand the nature of something, then you understand what it is capable of. That is why God abhors evil and sin, as it is written: “You love righteousness and hate wickedness…” Psalm 45:7a.

So, if God is good, and He is above all, why would God allow something like sin and the devil to exist? Because God is love. And someone might ask, "What does love have to do with sin?" For love to be defined as such, there must be free will, the power to choose. It's impossible for true love to exist or be possible without free will, and for free will to have meaning, there must be distinct and opposing options. That is, there is God and there is a devil. There is justice and there is evil. There is good and there is evil. There is love and there is hate, and so on. Therefore, God, who is love, allows options opposed to Him to exist so that it can be proven whether we love Him or not. This is what God says in His Word: “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days…” Deuteronomy 30:19-20a. God allowed for there to be options to give validity to that free will. This is why He allowed sin to exist. God's desire was never for anyone to be with Him out of obligation, but rather out of their own free will.

The Apostle Paul explained that we must go through trials and tribulations, and that we should even rejoice in what these things produce in us, such as hope and patience. But, along with this, he tries to lead us to consider what God has done for us to enable us to endure difficulties, such as the fact that we receive free justification before God through the Lord Jesus Christ. And that God did what He did even when we were sinners, His enemies. This is what the Word says: “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:1-8. And it is written: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17.

So, what does the Lord ultimately desire as the fruit of our faith? What He has always wanted, which He gave as a commandment—not as an obligation, but so that we would understand that it is something indispensable. And that is to love Him above all things, in response to His love, His grace, His mercy, and His goodness. It is written: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. ‘And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:5-7. God's desire is that we not only come to love Him willingly, but also that we help others to love Him in the same way. He wants His love to be reciprocated by everyone, not out of obligation, but because we have rationally understood, through His truth, all that we owe Him. So, are you learning to reciprocate God's love as the fruit of your faith in Christ for eternal life and reward? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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The Word and the Light of the World - John 1:1-13

Based on John 1:1-13 (New King James Version)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

What good does it do us to know that the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, is the Word and the Light? If we not only learn these truths, but also, and even more importantly, allow them to become a living reality within us, we will receive more than we need; we will receive the infinite nature of God. The entire panorama of who God is would open to us, and we would gain the faith we so desperately need, obtaining answers that go beyond the everyday, beyond this temporary and imperfect world.

The Bible teaches us that this world is very imperfect and fleeting, that nothing in it will last, as it is written: “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:16-17. This is the first glimpse of God's light, which teaches us the reality of things. It is quite possible that we can understand this because we see it everywhere. Good times are few. There are more sadness and emptiness, even shortly after experiencing moments of joy. Everything passes, and everything becomes a memory. Human life in this world is like water slipping through our fingers. The vast majority live to acquire things they believe will bring them joy and satisfaction, but when they finally obtain them, the emptiness may return even stronger, greater, and deeper, because they realize that this life consists only of illusory vanities. I am not saying this to create a feeling of pessimism and sadness, but rather so that we may focus on what is truly worthwhile, on what we truly need.

What is the answer we need to be able to cope with this temporal reality? The first thing is to understand that the Son of God is the Word, who makes everything visible and invisible possible, from the infinity of the beginning, the present, and what remains eternally. God created everything through this eternal Word, and everything subsists and continues to exist thanks to this Word, both what is present and what is to come. This is what the Word says: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17. Therefore, if everything was made by and through Him, we can understand that if we have Him in our lives, within our being, we not only possess the eternal nature of God, but we will also become part of His nature. When God's nature becomes a part of us, then, through His grace, we obtain eternity—a beginning, but without end.

Now, what benefit do we gain from knowing and believing that Jesus is the Light? The Light of God has many meanings, but I believe the primary one is the light of understanding the things of God, from which true faith is born. Without the light of God, it is impossible to have faith. And without faith, it is impossible to please God. Before Christ came, the world was completely dark, even God's own people. Although they had received the law, which is holy and from God, Christ was the one who brought the light of God to the world. God performed the greatest miracle. He took on our human form and lived among us. God dwelt with humanity, and lived like us, and suffered like us, and even died like us. There is nothing greater in the universe, no more sublime act than that He humbled Himself not only to be with us, but to deal with our greatest evil, our sin. And He conquered death so that we might live forever. This is what we learn through the Light of God: who God is and who we are, and what God did to remedy our condition. Divine light is the knowledge and understanding of the divine, but it cannot merely just stay as knowledge and understanding. We need to understand it to such an extent that it becomes a reality within us. And this is what produces faith. And faith in God leads us to the fundamental truth, that we can become children of God. We are not born naturally as children of God. We are His creation, but we are not His children. The Word teaches us that there is only one way to become a child of God, and that happens as it is written: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” Therefore, the light of God's knowledge helps us understand our reality—that we do not belong to God—but it also gives us the answer to how to remedy our problem: that if we receive Him and believe in His name, then we become children of God.

Knowing the Word of God and the Light of God leads us to all truth so that we may live eternally. We will receive all things from God, and they will become a reality in us when we overcome the world and every temptation of the enemy through Christ, as it is written: “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 24:13. This is what makes possible the Word and the Light of God: the birth and growth of divine faith, the conviction and patience that endures all affliction, all temptation, and even all tribulation. Ultimately, the Word and the Light of God is what leads a person to fulfill God's supreme commandment for all eternity, as the following passage states: “Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to him, ‘‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:35-40. The only way a person can come to know the Word and the Light of God is as the Lord Himself taught: by being born of water and the Spirit, through repentance and conversion from all sin, and by receiving Jesus as the Lord of their life. So, do you know the Word and the Light of God intimately? Lord bless! John. God bless Israel!

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