-
Because Of The Holy Spirit, We Will Experience Jesus In Unexpected Ways
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55 -56, NIV Stephen was accused and condemned before the Sanhedrin. People treated him as a threat. They felt furious the moment he finished explaining himself. He was in the middle of an interrogation, and when he was full of the Holy Spirit, he chose to look up to heaven. That’s when he saw the glory of God. In the midst of a difficult…
-
Go Back To The Secret Place
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6, NIV Jesus reminded us how we should pray. We need to go back to the secret place and talk to Him. It means that God wants to meet His children in a place where there’s no one else but His presence. In the secret place, it’s where you can pour out your heart and be honest to Him. It’s where you can cry and be vulnerable without feeling any shame. God will meet you there. He…
-
Keep Your Faith Even When You Are Accused Or Misunderstood
All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Acts 6:15, NIV Stephen was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit. He boldly testified about who Jesus is. He also performed miracles and wonders among the people. Because of this, opposition arose, and some members of the synagogue argued with him. He was brought before the Sanhedrin, and he heard false accusations from people who opposed his beliefs. They were looking intently at Stephen. And instead of seeing a terrified man, what they saw was a face of an angel. Perhaps Stephen was…
-
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…
-
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…
-
The Best Gift
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. Acts 3:6-8, NIV Peter saw a lame man outside the temple begging for some money. He caught his attention and boldly shared the words that would remind us what matters most in life. At this moment, the lame man was…
-
When It’s Hard To Imagine What The Bright Future That God Promised Looks Like
Have you ever experienced that painful moment when you can’t find hope? Have you ever gone through a certain season when your questions are louder than God’s voice? It’s the part of the journey wherein you just can’t seem to imagine what the bright future that God promised looks like. Because of the negative things that you experienced, you can no longer see the good things that God prepared. The pain turned into a huge wall that hinders you from seeing His wonderful blessings. They appeared like giants that you can’t seem to conquer. It’s exhausting, and at the same time, it’s killing you on the inside. If you happen…
-
One Day, You Will Learn To Love Yourself The Way God Loves You
You are loved. This is sometimes the kind of truth that is so hard to comprehend. You may feel like this is a big lie, but whether you believe it or not, YOU ARE LOVED. The negative situation in your life may tempt you to label yourself as useless, but in the eyes of God, you are valuable and important. You may not feel it right now because the pain is so real, but one day, He will teach you how to love yourself. God will show you what you mean to Him. He will lead you to opportunities where you will realize who He truly is in your life.…
-
What If What’s Waiting For You On The Other Side Is Not Death But Resurrection?
Have you ever felt that kind of fear that paralyzes you to take another step? Because of the negative things you experience and the pain you are carrying, you tend to withdraw and step back from what God commanded. There are questions in your head. You are doubting God’s presence and grace. You are wondering if what’s waiting for you is death or life. If you feel this way right now, this reminder is for you. Jesus’ disciples also felt scared when their Master wanted to return to where He was stoned and persecuted. In John 11:4-8, it says there: When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not…
-
Seeds Need To Be Buried So That One Day, It Will Bear Fruit
“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” John 12: 24, NIV Jesus reminded His disciples what it means to give up their lives for the sake of glorifying God. He used the imagery of a kernel being planted on the ground. It needs to die so that it may grow and produce more seeds. The same goes with our lives; there are times when we feel like we are buried on the ground, so dark, and it seems like there’s no hope left. It’s a hard season…
