Strive not to become a prisoner of the mighty
Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 3:1-7.
 
The Bible warned that in the last days dangerous times of great stress and trouble will prevail on earth. Today, difficulties that are hard to bear are everywhere throughout the globe. Inasmuch as we are in the last days, you need to realize that it is a dangerous and terrible time; with the majority of the populace of the world including the Christians going through hard times. The Bible corroborated this fact by saying, "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come." 2 Timothy 3:1. 
 
Do not be naive; there are difficult and terrifying times ahead; and people throughout the world will witness great stress; however, you must not succumb to the wiles of Satan to become a prisoner of the mighty. Your difficulties, or liberty is not an excuse for you to fall into the trap of Lucifer. Therefore, strive not to be among the prisoners of the mighty. 
 
The mindset of people across the world is changing; lesser people are relying on God instead of their skills, intelligence and prowess. Mankind now believes solely in their capabilities and power, instead of trusting God and putting their hope in Him: this behavior makes it easy for Satan and the hosts of hell to put them in spiritual captivity and hopeless situations. Nowadays people focus on realizing their ambitions, while turning a blind eye to everything else; including the statutes of the Lord. Numerous people are walking the path of unrighteousness, regardless of the consequences; in order to realize their ambitions. Time has come for you to do what is right if you don't want to be penalized.

People want success at all costs
Bible Reading: Job 21:14-15.
 
The desire and determination to achieve success at all costs is making people disregard the instructions of the Lord. Today, many people in the world do not desire the knowledge of the ways of the Lord, or take pleasure in obeying His instructions. Many people don't want to know the will of the Lord for their lives; because what is paramount in their hearts is their aspirations. The concern of the majority of the people in the world is to make their dreams become a reality, immaterial of the repercussions.
 
People are losing interest in the ways of the Lord at an alarming rate, and they don't want to be bothered with His teachings; because of the vanities of this world. The Book of Job described this nefarious behavior by saying, "Yet they say to God, ‘Depart From us, for we do not desire the knowledge of Your ways.'" Job 21:14. Are you one of the people who are saying that you want no part of the Lord and His ways? change before it is too late.
 
The willingness to strive to attain distinction without consideration for righteousness is widespread throughout the world. It is a common occurrence for people to compromise their faith because of their aspirations. The rate at which people are being taken captive by Lucifer is alarming, due to their desire for wealth, fame and power. It is an open secret that even the Christians are trading their hope of inheriting the Kingdom of God for hope of achieving earthly things. 
 
At this end time, Satan is waging war against Believers by using their earthly aspirations to cause their downfall before the Lord, and putting them in bondage. Obsession and addiction are rampant among the Beloved, and they are the weapons of choice that Satan is using to lure people away from the righteous path. It is time to raise awareness among the Christendom so that Believers will not preoccupy or fill their minds continually with vanities of this world. They must show interest in the work of God, instead of the materialistic thoughts that continually preoccupies and intrudes on their minds.
 
Believers must not exhibit any dependency on any contrary thing or activity, but rely solely on God. They must discard any craving that is against the commandments of God. They must not be addicted to anything, or allow anything in this world to enslave them: according to the scripture which says "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. Do not be addicted to anything, may it be your phone, or your computer, or your work, or food, or medications. You must flee from everything that is neither spiritually helpful nor beneficial. Never allow anything to gain control or have power over you. So, refrain from anything that can permit Satan to put you in perpetual prison/bondage. 

Your hope will not be dashed
Bible Reading: Proverbs 23:15-18
 
You must change and turn to God if you don't want your hope to be dashed. Many people in the world are trying to find rest and satisfaction in alliances apart from the true God. Countless people never get tired of seeking assistance from herbalists, palm readers and stargazers. Several people are not ready to sever their association with the idols and contrary spirits. Numerous Christians are pursuing the vanities of this world instead of seeking God. 
 
These people need to realize that without Jesus Christ there is nothing tangible they can achieve. The book of John corroborated this fact by saying "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" John 15:5. Do not forget that whatever you achieved without Jesus Christ during your lifetime is temporal, and it will not last.
 
Unless you remain with Christ, you can neither be delivered from your spiritual bondage nor your hopeless situation. It is time for people to consider their journeys and admit that looking for other gods is hopeless, because the obscene idols cannot give them strength: according to the scripture that says "You are wearied in the length of your way; yet you did not say, 'There is no hope'. You have found the life of your hand; therefore, you were not grieved" Isaiah 57:10. 
 
For this reason, abstain from idolatry and immorality seek wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the Lord, so that your hope will be kept alive. If you want your future to be bright and your hope not to fade, then seek the wisdom of the Lord: according to the Book of Proverbs which says "So shall the knowledge of wisdom be soul; if you have found it, there is a prospect. And your hope will not be cut off" Proverbs 24:14. You must apply the wisdom of God to your journey, for your expectations to become a reality. The only way to keep your hope alive and have a secured future is to seek knowledge of heavenly wisdom.

Wisdom of God will keep your hope alive
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:18-20

​Wisdom of God alone can keep your hope alive; so, it is inevitable for you to find and obtain the heavenly wisdom that can sustain you in this world, and make you inherit the kingdom of heaven. It should be noted that without the wisdom of God, you cannot realize your good expectations, or please your Creator. Hence, seek the wisdom of God if you don't want your hope to be cut short; because the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
 
Time has come for people to realize that the wisdom of this world is absurd and stupidity before God. As it is written, "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their own craftiness'" 1 Corinthians 3:19. Do not forget that whatever the earthlings consider to be wisdom is nonsense in the sight of God. Smartness will disappoint you; because it is foolishness in the presence of God; therefore, always utilize the wisdom of God for you to be successful on earth and admitted into the kingdom of heaven. 
 
The conditionality for your hope to be alive is to fear the Lord and do not emulate those who live godless lives. Do not make the unbelievers your role model, or imitate the celebrities who are on the destructive path. You must not follow the steps of the famous and distinguished people who refused to acknowledge the Lord, or obey His commandments. For you to have a bright future, so that your hope will not be cut off; it is inevitable for you to return to God. 
 
If you are obedient to the Lord, then you will have hope for the future and your expectation will not be ruined. As it is written "Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; for surely there is a hereafter and your hope will not be cut off" Proverbs 23:17-18. Whatever your situation, you need to seek God; so that your hope will not fail, and you will be disappointed. By returning to God alone will make your hope to be restored, even if your condition seems humanly hopeless.

The captives of the mighty
Bible Reading: Isaiah 49:24-26
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Uncountable people in the world including the priests/pastors had been enslaved spiritually, though many of them do not realize that they are in spiritual captivity because of their celebrity status and financial independence. The mere fact that you are comfortable does not mean that you are not a prisoner of hope, most importantly the hope of inheriting the eternal kingdom of God. Though it may seem like an impossible task to humans to rescue victims from the throne of the darkness and the contrary spirits, but with God nothing is impossible. If you return to God you will have the assurance that you will be delivered: according to the words of the Lord which says "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of the righteous be delivered? But thus says the Lord: 'Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children'" Isaiah 49:24-25.
 
The only condition that will make God to rescue you from the unseen spirits is to return to Him. God will fight for you and save your household from your physical and spiritual enemies, if you fear Him and humble yourself before Him. If you want God to restore your captivity and hope you must be obedient. It is then that the promise of God which will make you to prosper and restore your fortunes will come to pass in your life: according to the Bible passage which says "Therefore thus says the Lord God: 'Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name'" Ezekiel 39:25. The choice is yours; it is either you return to God and have liberty, or continue in perpetual captivity. If you want God to restore your physical and spiritual captivity, reconcile and return to Him today.
 
Do not return to bondage, instead return to God; in as much as Jesus Christ our Lord due to His generosity had captured the terrestrial powers and principalities of our enemies who are taking us captives. As it is written "Therefore He says: 'When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.'" Ephesians 4:8. Do not allow the ascension of Christ to be in vain but meaningful in your life. What gift of the Holy Spirit did you receive from Jesus Christ? How are you using your gifts? Are you using your gifts to work for God or you bury them? Do you know that if you return to God, your gifts are potent enough to liberate you from your spiritual bondage and clutches of Satan?
 
The Christendom must realize that there will be a harvest of divine judgment when the Lord restores the captivity and fortunes of the believers: then He will judge the enemies who enslaved them, and the Christians who conspired, or participated in selling their brothers and sisters in the Lord to the throne of the darkness. God will severely judge those who obstructed or delayed His work in their lives by putting them in a hopeless situation: according to the scripture which says "Also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed to you, when I return the captives of My people" Hosea 6:11. You must never encourage, participate or conspire to put anyone in spiritual bondage. Do not be a wicked tool of Satan, but be a good weapon in the hand of the Lord.