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When You Are Considered Worthy To Suffer Shame For God’s Name
So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. Acts 5:41, NASB The apostles of Jesus were interrogated before the council and high priest because they kept on sharing the word of God despite their warnings. Their faith was questioned, and their lives were threatened. But the most amazing part was they didn’t feel any disappointments or frustrations. Instead, they rejoiced with what they experienced. Because for them, it’s a great honor to be considered as worthy to suffer for Jesus. They took it as a privilege to go through difficulties for His name’s…
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We Just Need To Consistently Follow His Will Even If Sometimes, It Hurts
All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant. Psalms 25:10, NIV Have you ever tried following God and eventually experienced pain along the journey? Have you ever felt so disappointed because of the things that He allowed you to go through? There are just days when we feel like God is not present. And we also have this mindset that when He gives us His covenant, then the journey will be perfect. But in reality, there are always challenges and difficulties. That’s why we need to constantly remind ourselves about what David said, “All the ways of the Lord…
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It Is By Grace That We Have Been Saved
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV Salvation is not based on what we do or the sacrifices we made for God. It’s not about our own efforts or strength. But it’s all about grace and faith. This is the reason why we shouldn’t think that God will lead His children to Heaven because of the good things that they did. If this is the case, then someone would boast and count their efforts. It’s grace that will lead us to experience eternity…
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When The People Around Us Experience The Consequences Of Our Bad Decisions
“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.” Jonah 1:12, NIV Jonah was a prophet who once disobeyed God’s instruction. He was commanded to go to the city of Nineveh and preach against it. But Jonah ran away and went to another place. He tried to flee from the Lord by riding a boat. But then, God sent a great wind on the sea and a violent storm. The sailors were so afraid. And then, they cast lots to know who’s responsible for the calamity. And the…
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Let’s Not Focus On The Pain And The Bad Things That Happened
Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. Acts 5: 17-21, NIV When the apostles were arrested, God sent an angel to rescue them. After that, they were instructed to continue preaching…
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We are not Exempted
They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. Acts 5:18, NIV When Peter and John continued to preach the gospel after Jesus’ resurrection, the early church received the anointing of the Holy Spirit. They witnessed a lot of miracles. Their numbers increased, and they were given the chance to tangibly feel God’s presence. The glory of God was so evident. Even the apostles received supernatural boldness and strength to preach the gospel. But despite God’s presence, the apostles were still arrested and put in public jail. There were people who found their message disturbing. They were jealous, maybe because of the respect that the apostle had received…
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Overcome Evil with Good
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21, NIV Overcome evil by kindness. This may sound crazy in the eyes of this world, but it’s how God wants us to live. Imagine the people who broke your heart. You may want to do something that would make them realize the wrong things that they did, but contrary to what you want to happen, Paul reminds you to be kind to them. Bad things can never defeat the enemy. In fact, it could possibly strengthen them. You know what would stop them? It’s goodness. A dark heart can never defeat evil. It’s God’s righteousness and love…
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Repay Evil With Good
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. Romans 12:17,NIV “Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.” Sadly, this is usually what the world follows. You would rarely see people who would repay evil with good deeds. Repaying painful words with unforgiveness, heartbreaking deeds with bitterness and grudge, mistakes with disrespect. These are the common things you would experience. But here comes Paul, trying to remind us to do good despite the pain. IT’S NOT EASY. But it’s possible. It takes dying and surrender. And the more you do what is right in the eyes of God, the…
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Let’s Not Allow The Spirit Of Entitlement To Consume Our Hearts
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. Acts 4:32, NIV This is how the early church helped each other. They were one in heart and mind. No one was entitled to their riches or possessions. Instead, they chose to share what they had with those who were in need. They never hesitate to offer their blessings to their brothers and sisters. The Holy Spirit was with them, leading and guiding them. Perhaps it was God who gave them a heart of compassion and love. It’s the Spirit that opened their eyes…
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God’s Desire Is To Save The Lost
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10, NIV Jesus said these words after he visited the house of a chief tax collector named Zacchaeus. People were trying to criticize Him because He was with a sinner. But Jesus reminded them that He came to seek and save the lost. He made himself available for Zacchaeus. He knew that he needed His salvation and grace. He didn’t stop just because people were criticizing Him. At the end of the day, His heart’s desire is to save the lost and heal those who are sick. We are surrounded by many “Zacchaeus” in our lives…
