|
Prisoners of hope, return to God
Bible Reading: Zechariah 9:12-17 Prisoner is a person deprived of liberty, and kept under involuntary restraint, or confinement, or custody; while hope is to cherish a desire with anticipation: hope is to want something to happen or to be true. This means the prisoners of hope must return to God for their desires to be realized or become a reality. In the world today numerous people are deprived of freedom and held against their will in spiritual prisons, in a manner that makes their situation seem hopeless. Many Christians are in spiritual bondage thereby making them disappointed. Nowadays, the situation is so dire to the extent that it is eroding the faith of countless Christians. Satan and the forces of darkness are making the lives of many Beloved unbearable to the extent that they do not foresee productive results concerning the circumstances in their lives. Many people, who have an optimistic state of mind based on expectations, did not have positive outcomes: instead, they are disappointed because of the difficult situation that is prevalent in the world. What is rampant in the world today is disappointment instead of hope. The only way to counter these spiritual forces and the hosts of hell is to return to God. Therefore, return to God, your stronghold who will set you free from any form of spiritual captivity and restore your hope. Inasmuch as God has power over all His creations and none of His creation has power over Him, then He is abundantly able to give you liberty from the spiritual bondage that is destabilizing your journey. Do not succumb but resist Satan and his agents, because the determination of Lucifer is to make you deny God and betray His eternal covenant. Hence, it is time for you to return to Almighty God your Creator; so that He can rectify your destiny and restore your hope without any further delay. The bible confirmed this fact by saying, "Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you." Zechariah 9:12. It is time to return to God, your fortress and place of safety; so that He can give you back double what you lost. If you want double your former prosperity to be restored to you; return to your Maker, who is your stronghold of security and prosperity. God alone can offer you hope and reward you with twice what you had. Your Creator will be prompted to repay you two mercies for each of your woes; if you return to Him in humility. Do not hesitate to return to God; so that He can repay you twice over with blessing for all you have suffered during your lifetime.
0 Comments
Nowadays humans have an insatiable desire that is driving them towards destruction. People struggle just to have enough to feed themselves, but they are never satisfied. The insatiate desire of mankind is like a plague that is spreading across the globe. The labor of anyone is for self-preservation and enjoyment; however, gluttonous will not allow the soul of such a person to be at rest; immaterial of the age, sex and race of that individual. The purpose of all the hard work of humans is to provide necessities for themselves; but they are never satisfied.
The unquenchable desire of humans makes their wants to be unlimited. Though, every person works for his/her own self-interests, but his/her desires remain unsatisfied; according to the Bible passage which says, “All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied.” Ecclesiastes 6:7. Are you one of the people whose desire is insatiable? Beware else you may end up in Satan’s camp. The perception of humans is that once they amass wealth through their insatiable desire, they will be secured. What people do not realize is that their riches cannot save them on the day of the wrath of God. The riches that people have stockpiled will not save them; instead it will be the source of their sin. The insatiable appetites and the animalistic cravings of mankind for wealth will be their stumbling block that leads them into sin. Many people are tripping into money and falling into sin; because their money cannot deliver them on the Judgment Day. Your jewels cannot satisfy your insatiable desires; instead, it will make you to fall into sin. The Bible cautioned concerning this conduct by saying, “They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be like refuse; their silver and their gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord; they will not satisfy their souls, nor fill their stomachs, because it became their stumble block of iniquity.” Ezekiel 7:19. Inasmuch as your riches and jewels can neither save you nor satisfy your soul, why not seek God and inherit the kingdom of heaven. Beware and curb your insatiable desires that can make you end your journey in hell. Jesus Christ cautioned the soldiers not to extort money from anyone, or harass, or blackmail anyone, but they should be satisfied with their wages; in order to make heaven. Learn from the advise of Jesus Christ, so do not make false accusations, but restrain your insatiable desires and be content with whatever you have; according to the scripture which says, “Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, ‘And what shall we do’ So He said to them, ‘Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.’” Luke 3:14. Hypocrisy will disqualify many Today, many people are pretending to have moral and religious beliefs that they do not actually possess. Countless people are claiming to have virtues and principles, while their conduct contradicts their claim. Many leaders are pretending to be better than the populace whereas their behaviors prove otherwise. If you are one of the people who expects the rest of the world to live up to your standard; while you yourself does not feel obliged to do the same; then you are a hypocrite. Jesus Christ made reference to the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the hypocrisy of humans which says, “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.’” Matthew 15:7-8. Are you one of those who praise God with their words, but they never really think about Him? Are you using God as a cover for teaching whatever suits your fancy? Change immediately in order to make heaven. If you are a preacher who likes to show-off, and you preach selectively; then you are a hypocrite. Anyone who focuses on minor matters and neglects the more important moral and spiritual provisions of the Law is a hypocrite. Any teacher who is teaching blessings and prosperity while he/she ignores repentance and the judgment of God is a hypocrite. The negligence of any preacher to preach about justice, mercy and fidelity is hypocrisy, and such a preacher cannot make heaven unless he/she repents. The Book of Matthew clarified this issue by saying, “Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the Law; justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.” Matthew 23:23. It must be noted that the hypocrites will not inherit the kingdom of heaven immaterial of their post, or position in the House of God. No hypocrite will worship before the heavenly throne of God, unless such a person quickly repents. You must abstain from every form of hypocrisy, if you want to come into the presence of God. The scripture testified to this fact by saying, “He also shall be my salvation, for a hypocrite could not come before Him.” Job 13:16. If you want to rule and reign eternally with your Savior, quit your hypocrisy. For this reason, unless your uprightness and moral essence surpass that of the hypocrites, you cannot make heaven. Do not be deceived; your righteousness and your right standing with God must be greater than that of the hypocrites, before you can enter the kingdom of heaven. You must obey God’s command better than the hypocrites, if you want to be admitted into the Glorious Home. Unless you do better than the hypocrites in the matters of right living, you cannot make heaven. The Bible corroborated this fact by saying, “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20. Are you obedient more than the hypocrites? Do you think you are more faithful to God than the hypocrites? Strive to make your virtue and decency surpass that of the hypocrites, in order to live eternally. Today, immorality is trending throughout the world and it is taking over every aspect of human’s life. People are glamorizing immorality on a daily basis to the extent that it is rare to find people who are morally and ethically sound. Both young and old people are making this vile conduct to look more exciting and attractive. Most of these people who are exalting, supporting, and encouraging immorality throughout the globe think they are smart by exercising a compelling charm which inspires devotion in the populace of the world.
The unprincipled people on earth are making unvirtuous conduct, and nefarious things to seem as the right lifestyle. This generation should beware of the wiles of Satan, and make sure that they do not accept or call what is wrong the right thing. It is time for humans to change their mindset from calling unscrupulous conduct good, or confess that dishonorable things are right. People need to change their perception, and declare that every form of immorality is wrong and it is unacceptable to God. People who failed to acknowledge God: Immorality is making humans not to accept or admit the existence of Almighty God the Creator of heaven and earth. Nowadays, people are not recognizing the fact that God is their Maker and it is important to serve Him faithfully; in order to inherit the kingdom of heaven. Countless people did not accept the validity or legitimacy of God as the Supreme Being who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent; while most of the Beloved who believed did not obey His commands. Inasmuch as people refuse to think about God or fear Him; God allows their useless minds to rule over them; that is why they do all sorts of indecent things. God abandoned the immoral people to their defective minds to do inappropriate things; because they did not think it was worthwhile to acknowledge God. The depraved minds of the wicked people are making them do things which are improper and repulsive; thinking they are doing the right things. Whoever that thinks it is not important to have a true knowledge of God will be abandoned to his/her own worthless thinking to do offensive things that such a person should not do. People who are doing what ought not to be done are corrupt, and such individuals have debased minds; according to the Book of Romans which says, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.” Romans 1:28. Do you think it is foolish to acknowledge God? Are you a slave of your degenerated mind? Are you one of those who made life hell on earth with the unmentionable deeds they are performing? Seek God quickly; else you may end up in hell. Sexual immorality is rampant in the world: Sexual immorality is prevalent throughout the world, to the extent that it is flourishing in the Churches globally. In fact sexual immorality is thriving among the Christians and some are behaving worse than Gentiles. Scandalous sex that cannot be tolerated by the unbelievers is happening in the Churches at an alarming rate; so Christians must realize that their bodies are not intended for sexual immorality, but for the Lord. Humans are not supposed to do indecent things with their bodies; instead, they should use them for God who created them in His own image. Your body is not for sexual sin, but to serve the Lord, who will save, sanctify, and raise it again, because of the covenant of the cross; according to the scripture which says, “Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” 1 Corinthians 6:13. Inasmuch as the Lord cares about your physical body, stop using it for sexual promiscuity. Since sexual sin is never right; shun and give up all sexual looseness. It is important for you to abstain from sexual immorality in any form; whether in thought, or visual, or written, or deed. Do not be immoral in matters of sex; because it is a sin against your own body. Do not forget that there’s more to sex than mere skin on skin; because sex is as much spiritual mystery as physical fact; so, refrain from sexual immorality. You cannot live anyhow that pleases you without violating the sacredness of your body in sexual sin. The Bible testified to this fact by saying, “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside of the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18. Avoid sexual looseness like the plague, and do not defile your body, which is the temple of God. Since God wants you to be holy; keep away from sexual immorality. God desires that you abstain and shrink from all sexual vices through holy living. The will of your Creator is to dedicate your life to Him, and back away from sexual immorality. The Bible corroborated this fact by saying, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality.” 1 Thessalonians 6:18. You must purify yourself, in order to make heaven. Unfaithfulness brings disasters on the world: The Nations have sinned against God by committing unfaithfulness; so it is bringing disasters on the earthlings. Presently, catastrophic events are rampant in the world due to immorality, and it is affecting every living thing. Many Nations of the world are witnessing famine; while some Nations have drought, and the supply chains of many other countries are affected due to iniquity or wickedness. Numerous countries have sinned against God by living faithlessly, and it is bringing tragic events upon the world. As it is written, “Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off it supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it.” Ezekiel 14:13. It is time for mankind to be faithful to God; in order to forestall calamity in the world. Anyone who is twisting the word of God for gains is acting without thinking, like animals without reason. Such people are no better than senseless animals that live by their feelings that their corrupt deeds will destroy them. The false teachers who are bringing others down with their blasphemies will be brought down, and they will be losers in the end.
Do not be like the fake pastors who are trivializing the Word of God, and they are scoffing at things that they do not understand. The teachers always promise spiritual liberty, but they themselves are slaves of depravity and defilement. The so-called teachers that abound in the world are addicted to corruption; always portraying the instructions of the Lord as worthless or despicable. They always promise freedom from the fear of judgment of God; while they themselves are enslaved to sin and destruction. The scripture described them by saying, “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.” 2 Peter 2:19. Are you a slave of destructive habits? Do you think you can make heaven without doing the will of God? Do not be deceived; repent before it is too late. Today, many pastors in the world have departed from the righteous path, and they have caused countless people to stumble by their instructions.The priests have broken the covenant of priesthood, and they have failed to comply with the agreement they have with God. The teachings of numerous pastors have led people to do sinful things that make them unworthy of admittance into heaven.
Nowadays, many leaders of Christianity have stopped obeying the Lord; they have abandoned the way of the priests, and their teachings have messed up many lives. Do you think the pastors in your church have breached the agreement of chastity? The scripture confirmed this fact by saying, “But you have departed from the way; you have caused many to stumble at the law. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi 2:8. Many of the pastors have corrupted minds, and they are deprived of the truth; their perception is that godliness is a money-making business. The mindset of most of the pastors is that religion is a road to riches. Are you among those who think that serving God is a way to make profit? Do you think Christianity is a way to a fast buck? You are wrong; so change before it is too late. It is not enough for Christians to only believe in Jesus Christ, but they must be ready to suffer for Him. Inasmuch as God has generously granted the Beloved the privilege not only to trust in Christ, but also to suffer for His sake. Are you prepared to suffer on His behalf? Adhere to Jesus Christ and relying on Him is not sufficient, but make sure that your everyday life is worthy of the Gospel of Christ and you are prepared to suffer for His sake. There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ; there’s also suffering for him, and the suffering is as much as gift as the trusting in Jesus; according to the Book of Philippians which says, “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Philippians 1:29. Are you ready to utilize your privilege of suffering for Christ? It is better to accept the honor that God gave you to believe and suffer for Christ.
You must have been warned that you will suffer affliction for your faith and Christ’s sake. Your teacher or pastor must have told you previously that you will be persecuted before being glorified. The troubles should not come as any surprise to the Believers; because it is part of their calling to suffer for Christ. The Bible attested to this fact by saying, “For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.” 1 Thessalonians 3:4. Therefore, do not allow your suffering for Christ sake to make you renounce your faith or lead you astray. Whenever you suffer for Christ’s sake at the hand of your fellow countrymen, you are sharing the experience of the real Church of God, where the truth reigns. Your experiences of persecution are like those of the righteous people who refused to compromise. So, imitate the honest people who are prepared to suffer for Christ in order to be glorified; according to the scripture which says, “For you brethren, become imitators of the Churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans.” 1 Thessalonians 2:14. Therefore, endure whatever suffering that you are passing through for Christ’s sake because it won’t last. Hence, do not relent because of your suffering, but continue to forge forward with your propagation of the Gospel. Even if you have been outrageously treated in the past, summon the courage to proclaim boldly the Good News of God. You must not be discouraged by how people maltreated and insulted you because of your faith in Christ; instead, ask God to embolden you. Ask God to strengthen and assist you to be brave to overcome your suffering. You need to emulate Paul and others who continued to spread the Gospel despite the opposition and the abominable treatment they received at Philippi; according to the Bible passage which says, “But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the Gospel in much conflict.” 1 Thessalonians 2:2. Do not allow your suffering, or rough treatment to slow you down; instead be defiant to any opposition of the Gospel. The apostles were arrested and imprisoned; however the Lord sent an angel who set them free from imprisonment. The apostles were later arraigned before the council of elders. They were interrogated and beaten; so the apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of Christ’s name. The apostles were happy; because they were given the honor of suffering shame for Jesus’ name. The Bible chronicled this event by saying “So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” Acts 5:17-41. Are you ready to suffer dishonor for the sake of Jesus’ name? Do you think you are worthy to bear humiliation for Messiah’s name? You must be prepared to suffer with Christ, before you can be glorified.
Jesus told Ananias that He will make clear to Saul/Paul how much he must suffer and endure for His name’s sake. The transformation of Saul to Paul meant he would be afflicted on the account of the name of the Lord that he had persecuted. Inasmuch as Paul is the Lord’s chosen instrument to bear His name before the Gentiles; Paul suffered greatly, but he endures till the end; so he was glorified. The Bible corroborated this fact by saying, “For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Acts 9:13-16. Your life will be transformed in this world and you will be glorified if you can suffer for Christ’s sake. For this reason, Paul gave up everything else, and counted them as garbage. Paul the apostle counted the worldly things as liabilities that are incomparable with the greatness of knowing and suffering for the sake of Christ Jesus. For Jesus Christ’s sake, Paul discarded everything else and counted all things a waste; so that he can have Christ. The Bible certified this fact by saying, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8. Are you ready to dump everything in the trash; so that you can focus on Christ? Are you prepared to shun worldliness; in order to win Jesus? If you consider everything in the world to be useless and garbage, why not fully embrace Jesus Christ and suffer for Him? Do you realize that counting everything as a loss is incomparable to progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Jesus Christ your Savior? Therefore, do whatever it takes; so that you will be fit for the kingdom of heaven for which you are suffering. Inasmuch as God is right and judges fairly; He has designed that you will be deemed qualify of His eternal kingdom, if you are obedient. It is left to you to strive to be considered worthy of the Glorious Home for which you are suffering. Without doubt, God intends to use your suffering for His glory to make you worthy of His heavenly kingdom. If you are righteous, all your trouble is a clear sign that God has decided to make you fit for His everlasting kingdom; according to the scripture which says, “Which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.” 2 Thessalonians 1:5. We pray that your suffering will not be in vain, in Jesus name. Amen. It is important for you to know how to live in humble circumstances when you are poor; and learn the secret of being happy at any time and in everything that happens. Be content with whatever you have, so that you will not fall into sin. Be pleased with whatever circumstance you find yourself in, and adapt with your situation which is for a brief period; so that you will not fall into temptation, or be shaken by your affliction. Do not be unsettled by your difficulties; because Christians have been destined for it. You must realize that you have to suffer for Christ’s sake; so do not be discouraged by your troubles.
Difficulties should not come as any surprise to you; since it is part of the Christianity calling; therefore, do not be shaken by your trials or persecution; according to the Bible passage which says, “That no one should be shaken by these afflictions, for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.” 1 Thessalonians 3:3. Do not be disturbed, or beguiled by your hardship; because they will soon pass away. Make sure that your afflictions do not lead you astray. We pray that you will be counted worthy of the glory of God, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen. The Lord Jesus Christ suffered first, before He was glorified. Jesus was focused, despite the fact that He was rejected by that generation. You too must first suffer for the glory of God, and be focused throughout the duration of your suffering; so that you will be admitted into the Glorious Kingdom of God. The Bible confirmed this fact by saying, “But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.” Luke 17:25. The scripture clearly predicted that it is inevitable for Christ to suffer before He will be glorified. Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer, and then enter His glory? Don’t you think you must follow the footsteps of Christ and suffer for the glory of God? The Book of Luke attested to this fact by saying, “Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter His glory?” Luke 24:26. For this reason, everyone that is heaven-bound is destined to suffer; in order to be glorified with Jesus Christ their Redeemer. Imitate Jesus Christ, by suffering for the glory of God.
Every soul who desires to be glorified must first be persecuted. If people mistreated Jesus Christ, they will mistreat you too. Inasmuch as the Messiah was harassed; you too will be harassed, if you want to be admitted into the kingdom of heaven. So, whenever people wrong you, continue to persevere in order to be glorified. Do not see your persecution as a strange thing, but endure, because it is the fate of the Beloved; according to the Bible passage which says, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” John 15:20. Are you ready to be persecuted for Christ’s sake? Anyone who shares in the suffering of Christ will also share in His glory. The only way to share out of Jesus’ spiritual blessing and inheritance is to suffer for His name’s sake. Sharing in the suffering of Christ will make you share in His glory; according to the Book of Romans which says, “And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Romans 8:17. Are you prepared to go through what Christ went through? Do you know that the conditionality to be glorified is to partake in Christ’s suffering? Do you realize that if you go through hard times with Jesus, you will also go through good times with Him? Hence, do not fear whatever that you are passing through for Christ’s sake; because you will be glorified at the end. Dismiss the dread of your challenges and endure your ordeals; then you will be rewarded with a glorious life. If you do not quit, but endure your trials, even if it costs you your life; you will be given a crown of life. As it is written, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10. It is inevitable for you to be faithful to God and endure to the point of death; in order to be glorified. |
Archives
March 2025
Categories |
RSS Feed