Posted on

The Raw Power of Godly Encouragement

Oftentimes, people do not appreciate or value the gift of encouragement. It is such a wonderful tool that can open up a door for hope. All throughout the Bible, there are cases where encouragement acted as the deciding factor for success. If you learn the incredible power of godly encouragement, it will change your life for the good!

Encouragement in the Old Testament

First, let’s define godly encouragement. Godly encouragement is when someone (which can include yourself or God) motivates you and points out that there is hope regardless of the situation because God is with you.

Now, the first instance in which God introduces encouragement into His wonderful Word is in the story of Joshua. When Moses prepares Israel with a lengthy speech, he talks about how he is not to enter the promised land and so, God appointed Joshua to lead the children of Israel into the promised land. It is in these moments that God instructs Moses to encourage Joshua for the mission which Joshua has ahead of him.

Deuteronomy 1:38 World English Bible (WEB)
38 Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.

Joshua became responsible for leading a nation. I know you may have some pretty serious stuff going on in your life; but, leading an entire nation is quite the challenge! So, God wanted Moses and everyone to encourage Joshua which goes to show the importance of encouragement from God’s perspective. Now, keep in mind the Hebrew word for, “Encourage,” in this passage is, “Chazaq,” (I’ll be referencing this word later on).

This situation relates to you in that if you are expected to do something that seems nearly impossible, you need godly encouragement.

But, what if there’s no one to encourage you?

When There’s No One to Encourage You

God is so fair and so careful that He makes sure that His Word is sufficient for you. And so, God has provided us with an example of a person who did not need anyone to encourage him.

1 Samuel 30:6 King James Version (KJV)
6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

The snippet of scripture above reflects on the time when the Amalekites robbed all of David’s possessions and wives; God knows what they were planning to do with all they had stolen! David’s men turned against him as they became upset that the Amalekites stole all they owned.

So, what do you do when it seems as if the whole world’s against you! You do what David did; you encourage yourself in the Lord your God!

Sometimes, you cannot rely on other people to encourage you. It is a sad but true fact and God knows that. You must learn to encourage yourself. That’s what it takes to be a king. And David was in such a horrible situation.

I mean think about it; his own people were going to kill him and bad guys took all he had. David was in a very, very tough situation during the time of this scripture. But, he still trusted in God and encouraged himself. If you’re in a situation where the stakes are high and you don’t seem to have any hope, encourage yourself in the Lord your God just as David did.

So, in the course of the passage, we read that David sought God’s guidance and God strengthened David along with his army to take back what was stolen from them.

1 Samuel 30:18 King James Version (KJV)
18 And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives.

When you’re at wits’ end, you cannot encourage yourself in pride or selfish ambition, no, you must encourage yourself to trust the Lord your God just as David did. You must trust in Jesus who is the Lord your God. He is the God of David.

Also, as a side note, the fact that David married more than one person was never God’s ideal picture of marriage. But, God makes it clear in the New Testament that marriage is to be a holy covenant between two people.

Godly Encouragement and the Cross

Psalm 27:14 King James Version (KJV)
14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

The above scripture written by David through the inspiration of Holy Spirit says to wait on the Lord and to be of good courage.

Now, when it says to be of good courage, the Hebrew word within the scripture is, “Chazaq,” which is the same word that was used when God told Moses to encourage Joshua.

Thus, this psalm is telling us to simply wait upon the Lord; encourage yourself in what He’s done for you and He will strengthen your heart with the courage to face your situation. That is the key to godly encouragement. It unlocks the courage within yourself to face the Goliath in your life.

If you cannot encourage yourself, ask God to encourage you; ask God to strengthen you. God will answer you; he will not let the situation eat you up. If hell’s against you, then remind it that Jesus already bore hell for you.

Romans 15:5 World English Bible (WEB)
5 Now the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,

When you believe that Jesus died on the cross for you so that He could bear your sins, your shame, your loss, your suffering, and every hell centered thing in the planet belonging to you, He transferred His strength, peace, grace, and Holy Spirit to your spiritual account. If you have His loving Holy Spirit living within you, there ask Him as the God of encouragement to encourage you.

Even if you can’t encourage yourself, God will encourage you for Holy Spirit is also called the Comforter. He will strengthen your heart as David wrote in the Psalm.

John 14:26 King James Version (KJV)
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

In your time of distress, He’s there to comfort you because He loves you very dearly. And remember you have even better privileges than those in the Old Testament so enjoy your relationship with God.

Therefore, do not ever lose hope. Remember to ask God to strengthen your heart and so, encourage yourself in Him. Remind yourself that your God is big, that your God is the King of kings and the Lord of lords; remind yourself that He loves you and that He is always with you.

Joshua 1:9 World English Bible (WEB)
9 Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”

Posted on

The Weary’s Strength Amidst Adversity

There’re always times when life seems overwhelming. You might be sedulously climbing the corporate ladder in your workplace or someone who’s just become a parent, which are all good things, but, these things can be tiring or exhaustive, nonetheless. However, I hold good news for you, Jesus is the weary’s strength amidst adversity. If you can’t help but feel overwhelmed from life’s challenges, just let this post minister life-giving truth unto you.

Strength Amidst Success

As I briefly mentioned earlier, it is possible to feel stressed from the things which success brings. It is also plausible to be stressed out because of things like studying or working.

Galatians 6:9 World English Bible (WEB)
9 Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up.

These tasks and acts of discipline may requires a ton of effort, but, God encourages you through His Word to keep on going. Paul writes through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to not get tired of doing what is good because good things are headed your way if you continue on this path.

This scripture can also be applied in the sense of worshiping God, reading the Bible, or praying as they are all advantageous to your relationship with Holy Spirit, but very hard to follow through with consistency. Consistency is vital to all forms of discipline. If you cannot be consistent, it is very hard to reap benefits.

And if you’ve repeatedly failed while in pursuit of achieving a goal or sticking to a routine, I beseech you to ask God for the grace to do it.

Isaiah 40:29 World English Bible (WEB)
29 He gives power to the weak.
    He increases the strength of him who has no might.

He promises that He is the God who strengthen you. If you see your goal to be impossible, let God handle it; you just need to cast your cares upon the Lord.

Strength Amidst Calamity

As I mentioned earlier, adversity can come even when you’re enjoying the promised land. But, it can be all the more real when you’re in tough situations. An example of such a situation could be the challenge of paying your bills or dealing with health issues.

Adversity does not always come from God. Sickness, poverty, death, and whatever other thing which Jesus paid a price to destroy does not enter your life because God willed it, but, because this world is a fallen world.

However, there is a solution to the tough situations which adversity brings as God has prepared one solution for every mess.

Proverbs 25:25 World English Bible (WEB)
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
    so is good news from a far country.

The above proverb is so powerful. But, let’s take a step back to truly imagine what the Holy Spirit wants us to see.

What does water do to someone who is literally dying of thirst? Well, one thing is that it satisfies them and quenches their thirst. Another thing it does is that it saves them from dying.

In the same way, if you are dying inside from all the bad news that has entered your ears, good news is here to revive you. Furthermore, the word, “gospel,” means good news. Since Jesus is good news and His redemption work is the gospel, you just need to believe His good news for Him to empower you.

Romans 1:16 King James Version (KJV)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

When you believe the gospel of Christ, which is Jesus’ atonement work for you, there is no crisis that can stand in the way of God’s furious love. If you’re struggling with health issues, Jesus is your healing. If you’re struggling with paying the bills on time, Jesus is your prosperity.

You must believe through faith in what Jesus did for you on the cross. And if you’re too tired to stand upon the promises of God, let God strengthen you by just receiving His lovely grace.

He’s The Weary’s Strength Amidst Adversity

Isaiah 40:30-31 World English Bible (WEB)
30 Even the youths faint and get weary,
    and the young men utterly fall;
31     but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength.
    They will mount up with wings like eagles.
    They will run, and not be weary.
    They will walk, and not faint.

The bottom line of what I’m saying in this post is that Jesus is the weary’s strength amidst adversity. If you feel that you are weary, thank Jesus for renewing your strength. Just say it aloud if you have to get that principle into your head. Believe what God says.

When you follow this divine precept, you will start noticing God’s undying strength empowering you to live in victory. As I have said earlier, even when you’re tired of holding onto the promises of God through faith, you must lean upon His strength.

Therefore, if you have not yet accepted Christ into you heart, confess and believe that Jesus Christ is your Redeemer, your Savior, your Lord and your God. He will give you strength to do things beyond your wildest imagination for His glory. Finally, I leave you with these wonderful words from the mouth of Jesus.

Matthew 11:28-30 World English Bible (WEB)
28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Posted on

Death’s Defeater is Your Defender

Jesus is death's defeater

The most feared of humanity’s enemies is and always has been death. All people can relate to how death has robbed them of loved ones and how it can really traumatize. But, today, I am introducing someone who made death tremble 2000 years ago. His name is Jesus Christ; He’s your defender and death’s defeater. No human could have conquered death so God decided to do the job, Himself. And this post will remind you that you have nothing to fear, including death.

Death’s First Cameo Appearance

First, let’s start off with where death first makes its unwanted appearance in the narrative of man. Adam and Eve (first humans on Earth) now inhabited a fallen world, a consequence they brought upon themselves through mutinous disobedience despite God’s warning. They bore two sons, Cain and Abel. Cain was a man who grew vegetables and fruits whereas Abel cared for the animals.

Now, Cain grew jealous of Abel since Abel pleased God with his animal sacrifice while Cain’s vegetable offering did not please God. So, God warned Cain to not listen to sin, otherwise, it would get the better of him.

Genesis 4:6-7 World English Bible (WEB)
6 Yahweh said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen? 7 If you do well, won’t it be lifted up? If you don’t do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.”

But, instead of heeding to God’s voice and offering an animal sacrifice, Cain murdered his innocent brother, Abel. He let sin obtain its desire.

Genesis 4:8 World English Bible (WEB)
8 Cain said to Abel, his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him.

Now, why am I talking about this? It is because you ought to know the mother of death. Death’s mother is Sin. Death entered this world when sin entered this world, and God is fully aware of this troubling fact.

James 1:15 King James Version (KJV)
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

So, lust or ungodly desire brings forth sin, then, sin brings forth death. You may ask why do people die of sickness or natural disaster if all death is a result of sin? But, even that traces its lineage back to the lust, the evil desire within Eve when she saw that the forbidden fruit was good to the eye. Once she committed the sin or great act of disobedience by eating that fruit with her husband, sin brought forth death into the world and that is why any person from their lineage can die from sickness or natural disasters.

But, where is the solution?

Death’s Defeater is Life, Himself

John 14:6 King James Version (KJV)
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Let me explain to you why He can free you from the fear which death brings. It is because of the cross, when the same story of Cain and Abel manifested itself once again in human history.

Cain hated the righteous Abel just as the people hated the righteous Jesus and so, they murdered Him. This time, when their lust was achieved by crucifying God in the flesh, Jesus bore the full brunt of sin. However, unlike Abel, He did not stay dead.

Matthew 28:5-6 World English Bible (WEB)
5 The angel answered the women, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who has been crucified. 6 He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where the Lord was lying.

When Jesus died on the cross, it was the people’s sin that brought forth His death. It was the sin of Adam (who represents man hence why his name literally means man), which Jesus suffered the punishment for by dying. Since Jesus was the second Adam (according to 1 Cor 15:26), and he obeyed Father God unlike the first Adam, He brought forth something more powerful than death. This power is life, this power is the resurrecting, life-giving power of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 World English Bible (WEB)
21 For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

This is why death does not hold the last laugh, rather, the last laugh belongs solely to Jesus as He is death’s defeater.

1 Corinthians 15:55 World English Bible (WEB)
55 “Death, where is your sting?
    Hades, where is your victory?”See Hosea 13:14

What This Means for You?

This means that death is already defeated. Since we believe Jesus defeated sin, we ought to be consistent and believe that He defeated death, too. You do not need to fear death, anymore.

Psalm 91:16 World English Bible (WEB)
16 I will satisfy him with long life,
    and show him my salvation.”

God made this promise to those who love Him. When you place your trust in Jesus, God will see you as if you love Him, even if your heart is not in that direction at the moment. And He says that He will satisfy you with long life.

Now, how long does that mean? Well, it means as long as it takes to satisfy you. Just use that life to seek Him and to know Him more intimately. Let Him show you His salvation, His work on the cross, and resurrection; then, you can enjoy the full benefits of His salvation.

In conclusion, do not fear death. Do not be anxious over death. Death should be anxious about you because Jesus conquered death and you’re His offspring. Remember the story of how Jesus brought Lazarus back to life. If Jesus brought people back from the dead, His power in you should not be restricted. I’ll leave you with what Jesus said to Martha when she reminded Jesus that there’s a stench in Lazarus’ grave.

John 11:40 King James Version (KJV)
40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

I wonder what resurrection miracles we’d see if we only believed that Jesus truly is death’s defeater.

Posted on

The God Who Lovingly Comforts His Own

The God Who Lovingly Comforts His Own

We’ve all had heartbreaks in various forms. These emotionally devastating situations such as the loss of a loved one or scenes of betrayal are capable of crippling people and making them feel helpless. Excessive sorrow kills motivation and crushes the heart. But, that is why you need someone to comfort you. And this is why I’m going to talk about the God who lovingly comforts His own.

The Devastating Fall

1 Peter 5:8 World English Bible (WEB)
8 Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Whatever devastation you’ve experienced, whatever grief seized your heart, do not let it be a foothold for the devil. The Bible clearly talks about a wicked spiritual being known as the devil who walks about, seeking someone to deceive.

He comes about like a lion, but he can only be like a lion, he’s a liar; he can only devour because people believe he’s the real deal. The lie he may be telling you is that there is no one but you facing this horrendous situation and that you’ve nothing to do but to be depressed and doomed.

The worst imaginable fall from glory is displayed in the case of Adam and Eve. God made them for His glory and He literally gave them Heaven on Earth. But, they listened to the voice of the devil in the form of a snake and gave the devil all their privileges.

Genesis 3:13 World English Bible (WEB)
13 Yahweh God said to the woman, “What have you done?”
The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

The devil’s deceit seized Adam and Eve of all their privileges so that things would never be the same for them.

Even If We’re Unfaithful, He’s faithful

There has never been such a devastation as terrible as Adam’s fall because that fall allowed sin, death, and suffering to enter the world. And yet, God could not help but manifest His goodness.

God is such a good Father that even if we don’t always stay true to Him, He will always stay faithful to us. So, let His faithfulness be your strength, let His goodness and tender love comfort you.

He had to sacrifice an animal so He could clothe Adam and Eve. He comforted them even after their biggest mistake and this is why I know He is the God who comforts His own.

Genesis 3:21 World English Bible (WEB)
21 Yahweh God made garments of animal skins for Adam and for his wife, and clothed them.

Moreover, God did not just stop there. Once Adam and Eve failed, He did not just comfort them and leave them to be. He gave Adam and Eve a hint of His future plan for the human race. He assured them that He is going to make things right even though He doesn’t have to.

When God sacrificed that animal so He could clothe His own, He hinted at how one day, He would sacrifice the Lamb of God to comfort and restore His children. That Lamb of God is none other than Jesus Christ who died on the cross and took your failures upon Himself so He could put hope in you.

2 Timothy 2:13 World English Bible (WEB)
13 If we are faithless,
    he remains faithful;
    for he can’t deny himself.”

The Spirit of God Who Comforts His Children

If you feel discouraged or devastated, there is one thing you must absolutely remember! It is that the spirit of Jesus is within you and He promises to comfort you.

John 14:16-17 King James Version (KJV)
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Jesus was talking to His disciples as He knew that He was going to be betrayed and handed over to be crucified, soon. He was preparing them so they would know why He’s doing what He’s doing.

He said that through His relationship with the Father, He will give us the Comforter. Jesus also calls the Comforter as the Spirit of truth. The Comforter is the spirit of Jesus and we know this because Jesus is the truth and he tells the disciples that He is with them and soon, He will be in them.

When you accept Jesus, His finished work on the cross, and His glorious resurrection, you allow His wonderful Spirit to reside in you. He is the God who comforts His own. If there’s no one to comfort you, remember, He is at your side and shall always be with you.

John 16:7 King James Version (KJV)
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Even if you are grieved over something which is your fault, God wants to comfort you and make all things work out for your good. From the very beginning till now, God has been comforting and guiding His children; if you want to experience His divine love and comforting grace, put your trust in Jesus.

Isaiah 51:3 World English Bible (WEB)
3 For Yahweh has comforted Zion.
    He has comforted all her waste places,
    and has made her wilderness like Eden,
    and her desert like the garden of Yahweh.
Joy and gladness will be found in them,
    thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

He will turn your disaster into a testimony, just trust Him.

Posted on

The Lord Who Cares for You

The Lord Who Cares for You

If there’s anything you get from this post, please, let it be the knowledge of how much God loves you. I am speaking to people from all walks of life because this knowledge is meant for everyone. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom trying her best to raise children, or a university student diligently studying in the hopes of academic success, you must know one thing. You must know that Jesus is the Lord who cares for you. If you find it hard to believe, let this post minister to your doubt. And for those who already believe in God’s love, let this post renew your mind.

The Nature of God

1 Peter 5:6-7 World English Bible (WEB)
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

Peter talks to the Church in the above verse about relying on the strength of God. Holy Spirit wants us to cast every worry, not on ourselves, but on Him. And the root of that divine desire is the fact that God cares for you. The reason why God wants you to let Him take care of the things which worry you is because He loves you.

The world might say there is no one who cares about you, except yourself and that you have to make your own way through life. However, this is not the truth; the fact of the matter is that God cares about you. He is the Lord who deeply cares for you. Even if the whole world was to hate you, you would not be outside of God’s unconditional love.

Romans 5:8 World English Bible (WEB)
8 But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God loves you whether you believe it or not. It is in His nature to love you. And it is for this reason that He died for you on the cross. When Jesus who is God in the flesh died on the cross two thousand years ago, He did it with reason. He did it because the perfect justice of God required punishment for our imperfection. Every small lie, vile thought, and evil intention laid on your spiritual record demanded a ferocious fine. And it is impossible for you to enter the presence of God with such a stained record. Someone needed to pay a heavy penalty for your mistakes.

But, on the cross of Calvary, Jesus Christ, the very embodiment of God’s love, paid to the justice of God so that He could endure your hell for your sake. And three days later, He resurrected victoriously conquering death once and for all. Thus, I urge you to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour if you have not already. I talk more about this divine exchange and its benefits in another post, too.

When you accept Jesus as your Saviour, you allow His work on the cross to save you. When you accept Him as your Lord, you allow Him to take full control over your life so He can bless you and guide you.

The King’s Only Weakness

Now, is it blasphemy to say that God holds a single weakness? I consider it not, for there is truth in such a claim. Let me explain.

1 Corinthians 1:24-25 World English Bible (WEB)
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God; 25 because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Paul writes that Christ is the power and wisdom of God. When you look at what the Messiah was sent to do, you can see how strong and wise He is. The mission was to reveal God’s love to the world. And Jesus accomplished that, He endured terror beyond imagination during the crucifixion process to save you. But, why was He willing to sacrifice Himself for you?

It was because He is the Lord who cares for you. His love for you is His only weakness. This is why Paul writes that the foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men. You can see God’s love for you as strength or as a weakness. It is a weakness in that it caused Him harm. It is a strength because His love for you saved you.

Either way, the point is that you are the weakness of God. His love is so great, so genuine, so sincere that it led Him to lay down His life for you. Whether you’re good or bad, smart or foolish, He loves you and He leaves it up to you if you want to accept Him.

Divine Promise of the Lord Who Cares for You

Romans 8:38-39 World English Bible (WEB)
38 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

There is no person or thing which can separate you from the love of Jesus. You may wonder why He loves you so much. But, perhaps He loves you because He created you, He designed you, He made you in His own likeness.

It is like a father who looks into His child’s eyes and realizes an instinctual affection for His child. It’s not as if the baby has done anything good or bad to earn the love of the father; the father’s love is independent of the child’s performance.

Isaiah 49:15 World English Bible (WEB)
15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child,
    that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Yes, these may forget,
    yet I will not forget you!

God makes a promise that likens His relationship with Israel which represents His covenant people to that of a mother and her nursing child. He points out how even if some mothers may forget their child, He will never forget us. He will always be the Lord who cares for you. His love’s guaranteed.

Therefore, remember how He loves you. If you, for even one second under the influence of situations doubt His love for you, remember what He did on the cross and remind yourself why He did it.

Posted on

Shattering the Stronghold of Addiction

No one ever starts doing something in the hopes of getting addicted. It just happens. To the addicted, addiction seems to be their life source, something which they cannot live without, but this extreme dependency is nothing less than a curse. If you are entangled in the webs of addiction, then let the Word of God shatter the stronghold of addiction in your life.

Addiction and the Soul

Your soul consists of your mind, will, and emotions. It is basically your human personality.

Psalm 94:18-19 World English Bible (WEB)
8 When I said, “My foot is slipping!”    Your loving kindness, Yahweh, held me up.19 In the multitude of my thoughts within me,    your comforts delight my soul.

This is why the Bible says to love God with all your soul, and as in the above verse, it says that God can comfort your soul. So, your soul is who you are as an emotional being.

1 Peter 2:11 World English Bible (WEB)
11 Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Now, addiction is a fleshly lust. It affects one’s body and is a deep, irresistible desire. The Bible says it is these types of desires which wage war against your soul.

You may be experiencing food addiction, drug addiction, alcohol addiction, or any other type of addiction, but they are all waging war against your soul! They are not for you, they are against you.

The Struggle With Addiction

Your mind may not want it; you may be saying to yourself, “Ah, how I wish I could stop this addiction, but I just can’t, it’s impossible.”

And so, it is clear that addiction does not care about your soul’s wishes it just strongly pulls a person to do something which is not good. This in part is because addiction is at heart, sin.

Romans 7:15-18 World English Bible (WEB)
15 For I don’t know what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do. 16 But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good. 17 So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good.

It is this inward struggle with sin that Paul is talking about. Although he was not addicted to a substance of any sort, he was struggling with the sinful nature that entices many people to fall into addiction’s grasp. He is writing through the Holy Spirit how even he, the apostle on fire for God, was not able to break apart from his sinful nature. But, he talks about the solution in the next chapter and that same solution applies to you if you struggle with addiction.

Shatter the Stronghold of Addiction

Romans 8:1 World English Bible (WEB)
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

This is the start of Paul’s next chapter in the Letter of Romans. He says when you walk according to the Spirit, you will not be condemned.

If you believe you are condemned as a slave to whatever addiction there may be, let me tell you, there’s hope for you. Paul was just talking in the previous chapter about how he consistently failed in a certain area of his life. But, now he writes, inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, that there is no condemnation for those who are in Jesus.

When you are in Jesus, you are not, “condemned,” to be an addict. No one can decide your fate except Jesus and He decided to free you. Therefore, accept what He has provided for you. Jesus already defeated the addiction that is trying to trick you into following it. Let God shatter the stronghold of addiction.

The King Who Conquered Temptation

You may say, “Andre, how would you know how addiction feels like, you don’t understand its grip on me!”

Yes, but, Jesus understands your situation. He was tempted for forty days! Yet, Jesus was tempted so that He could understand your pains. And even so, He never lost to temptation.

Matthew 4:2-4 World English Bible (WEB)
2 When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4 But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.’”Deuteronomy 8:3

Moreover, in those forty days, He fasted. He ate nothing. And it is in these moments that eating feels like an addiction. I am not saying that prior to this extreme temptation, Jesus was addicted to food. I am saying that He biologically like any other human being would desire to eat. But, the urges to eat must have been extremely difficult. So much so, that it is comparable to how an average person may struggle to abstain from substance addiction.

The devil tempted Him to eat, he reminded Jesus that He could turn a stone into a nice, puffy loaf of bread. Yet, Jesus resisted in obedience to the Father so you could experience the same victory over temptation!

Jesus said man shall live by every word that comes from God, so live based on what He says about you. Do not live based on the lies of the enemy. You can remind yourself that Jesus lives in you and He is the Word of God who is your source of Life.

Hebrews 4:15 World English Bible (WEB)
15 For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.

The Solution to Addiction

The moment you feel tempted, remind yourself, “Jesus already set me free, I am God’s dearly beloved child!” This is what you call resisting the devil. You are not giving up your identity to the lies of the enemy. No matter what tempts you, it cannot waver you from the solid identity you have in Jesus as the beloved child of God. As you submit to God, resisting the lies of the enemy, you allow God to shatter the stronghold of addiction in your life.

James 4:6-7 World English Bible (WEB)
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”Proverbs 3:34 7 Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

If you have not already accepted Jesus, know this: He wants you to be in a relationship with Him. When you believe in Jesus and what He did on the cross for you, there is no spiritual enemy or addiction which can condemn you. Rather, His Spirit will work in you.

Therefore, when you believe in Jesus, God’s Spirit is in you and if you think it is fate for you to fall into addiction, reject that mindset. Jesus already decided your fate and He says that your future is nothing but good, a future devoid of addiction. It is in your hands to yield yourself to His love as you submit to Him, and to stand firmly in the truth which Jesus called you to follow.

Posted on

Wisdom’s Blessing on the Righteous

It is such a wonderful thing to be wise. At some point in every person’s life, life-changing decisions must be made. And it is in these moments that wisdom plays a role.

Is Wisdom Needed?

Wisdom is needed because how we act is dependant on how we think. If one lives with a foolish mindset, it will lead to that person’s eventual destruction.

Proverbs 1:7 World English Bible (WEB)
7 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge;
    but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

No one wants to be foolish, so develop that desire for wisdom, to do what God wants you to do. The Bible says it is better to be wise than to be rich. That does not mean you should be poor, it just means that you should prioritize being wise.

Proverbs 3:13-14 World English Bible (WEB)
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
    the man who gets understanding.
14 For her good profit is better than getting silver,
    and her return is better than fine gold.

King Solomon prioritized wisdom and because of that God rewarded him with riches. So, in the same way, God wants you to seek His wisdom, and then prosperity will follow you.

God’s Answer to Wisdom Sought

Now that you want wisdom, how do you actually get wisdom?

Well, it’s pretty simple. Wisdom is attainable as a privilege of being a believer in Christ Jesus. Jesus is God in the flesh, and God knows EVERYTHING! There is no being to ever exist who can be smarter or wiser than God! This is why He is known as omniscient (all-knowing).

But, when you believe in Jesus, you are given the mind of Christ. It’s God’s mind in your spirit!

1 Corinthians 2:16 King James Version (KJV)
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

Remember, this is not to say you will be all-knowing, because God knows you cannot handle such wisdom, only God can handle that. But for the wisdom which you need, God will give it to you.

Jesus is generous, He gives you wisdom if you ask Him for it. If you want to know what’s the right thing to do in any situation, ask God for wisdom. If you are struggling with how to improve a certain area in your life, ask God for wisdom. Whenever you need wisdom, whether it be for school, your workplace, or anywhere else, ask God for the wisdom because He paid the price for it.

James 1:5 World English Bible (WEB)
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

The Redemption Work Behind the Wisdom

Not only does God give you wisdom when you ask Him for it, but He actually paid the price for you to have wisdom! It may be hard for you to wrap your mind around it but just look at what the Bible has to say.

Proverbs 9:4-5 World English Bible (WEB)
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
    As for him who is void of understanding, she says to him,
5 “Come, eat some of my bread,
    Drink some of the wine which I have mixed!

If you look at the entirety of the passage, you can see from the beginning of this chapter that the person of wisdom is talking. Wisdom is the one who says in verse 5 to eat the bread and drink of the wine.

Doesn’t that sound familiar to the Holy Communion. Jesus told us to eat bread which is His flesh and to drink wine which is His blood as the communion that reminds us of His sacrifice for us.

Matthew 26:26-28 World English Bible (WEB)
26 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it, 28 for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.

Why does the Spirit of Wisdom tell us to take the communion? It is because in order for you to attain wisdom, you must remember what Jesus did for you on that cross. He bore your diseases, your punishments and all the consequences which you deserved because He dearly loves you.

He preferred that He suffer what you deserved instead of you, no matter the hell it would bring. This is the heart of your Heavenly Father. And when you remember that, when you take the communion, asking God for wisdom, He will definitely answer your heart’s desire.

Cost of Foolishness Paid in Full

Moreover, there are times when we get angry with ourselves for the dumbest things we’ve done. If you regret past foolish mistakes or dumb decisions that have led to heavy consequences, I’m telling you today, that Jesus even paid the price for that!

You may be shocked, maybe even offended, but it’s the truth! Just because you didn’t use God-given wisdom in the past, doesn’t mean you are defined by those mistakes.

Proverbs 19:29 World English Bible (WEB)
29 Penalties are prepared for scoffers,
    and beatings for the backs of fools.

Furthermore, the Bible says that beatings should be prepared for the backs of fools, this is the punishment for foolishness. And yet… Jesus being the very wisdom of God, chose that punishment instead.

John 19:1 World English Bible (WEB)
19 So Pilate then took Jesus, and flogged him.

Jesus was scourged for your sake. If you believe you must go through the consequences of whatever dumb choice you made, think again, because that is not the will of God. Whether you failed miserably in a school test, or made a bad investment decision, God will make it all turn out for your good because He loves you.

As I said in the previous section, not only did Jesus, the wisest being to ever exist, suffer the beating which is reserved for fools, He bled and gave His body to be broken for you! He suffered the consequences of foolishness despite being innocent and wise as ever so you could be made wise and be freed from the guilt of your past foolishness.

The Wisest Choice You Could Ever Make

Furthermore, the wisest thing you could ever do, is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. He is kind, He is loving, and when you make a commitment to Him, you will have inner peace.

The Bible does not talk about good or bad people in terms of salvation. Rather, it talks about wise and foolish people. Since you are a wise person, do the wise thing and accept Jesus as the lover of your soul. Don’t let anything hold you back from accepting Jesus. He is gentle and He eagerly wants you to enter into a relationship with Him.

1 Corinthians 1:24 World English Bible (WEB)
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God;

Therefore, Jesus is the wisdom of God and He is more precious than silver or gold. So, enjoy a relationship with Him; taste and see that the Lord is good. If you lack wisdom in anything, recognize what Jesus paid for, and receive His divine wisdom!

Posted on

Hope for the Hopeless

“Miqveh.” That is the Hebrew which often translates as “hope” in English translations of the Old Testament. Hope is very important because without hope, it is very hard to continue life.

Hope in God

First of all, the Hebrew word for, “hope” in verses such as Ezra 10:12, where there is hope for Israel, or in verses such as the below verse, Jeremiah 17:13, is “Miqveh.”

Jeremiah 17:13 World English Bible (WEB)
13 Yahweh, the hope of Israel,
    all who forsake you will be disappointed.
Those who depart from me will be written in the earth,
    because they have forsaken Yahweh,
    the spring of living waters.

So, in Jeremiah 17:13, Yahweh, the miqveh of Israel would be how, “Miqveh,” is used in the verse.

In the context of these verses, hope is basically how God provides a future for Israel. For us, in the New Testament, hope is constant expectation of seeing God’s promises in your life.

Romans 4:18 World English Bible (WEB)
18 Besides hope, Abraham in hope believed, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, “So will your offspring be.”Genesis 15:5

Abraham was in a state of hope, which the New Testament believers should also rest in. He held to his constant expectation of what God promised Him, and that is what hope is. Whatever God says in your life, you have to hold onto, no matter how impossible it seems.

The Bible makes it clear that God promises healing, so hold onto that expectation of perfect health. God promises you in the Bible that you will not be in poverty, so stick to that expectation until you see your financial situation change for the good. If God promises you peace from the Word of God, then believe that He has put His unwavering peace in you.

Whatever God promises whether it is written or spoken, just expect it to happen, rest in the hope which Jesus attained for us.

Double Meaning

Now, why am I so keen on showing you the Hebrew word for hope in the Old Testament of the Bible?

It is because while I was investigating this Hebrew word for hope, Holy Spirit struck me with a fascinating revelation. “Miqveh,” not only means hope, it also means, “a collection of waters.”

Genesis 1:10 World English Bible (WEB)
10 God called the dry land “earth”, and the gathering together of the waters he called “seas”. God saw that it was good.

This Hebrew word is used in the first chapter of the Bible as is shown above. So, in the context of that verse, it would translate as “God called the dry land, ‘earth”, and the miqveh he called ‘seas.”

Why does God make the Hebrew word for hope the same word for a collection of waters?

It is because when God is your hope, you will never be left thirsty! If you root yourself in God, who is your hope, you will not wither away, you will be refreshed by His life. He will make sure that your thirst is quenched!

Life Changing Waters

John 4:14 King James Version (KJV)
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Jesus says in the New Testament that whoever drinks of the water which He provides will never be thirsty. When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, He puts fountains of living water in you! He puts His hope in you and He calls to you so that you may have a taste of this wonderful hope!

John 7:37-38 World English Bible (WEB)
37 Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! 38 He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.”

He does not want you to be in despair or to have no hope! Jesus wants you to be joyful and blessed. God loves you and that is why He made it so easy to come to Him.

So, accept Jesus and if you’ve already put your faith in Him, remember that He is your hope. He is the reason why you keep going even when life gets tough. Your hope can never die. No one can kill your hope; this is because your hope is not something, it is someone. And that someone is the living God who reigns eternally.

He put this hope in you, so that through you, even others can come to know Him and be saved.

Finally, let me close on this point. Jesus said whoever believes in Him, from within him/her will flow rivers of living water. When you come to realize what He paid for you, remember, He is in you. Let God work through and in your life; He is your hope. Therefore, never despair, but keep your eyes on Jesus!

Posted on

The Master Who Makes All Things New

Since the New Year started, much talk has been dedicated to resolutions and goals. It seems as if everyone wants a fresh start. And that’s good; we all desire a fresh start, whether it be with our goals, our relationships, or whatever else comes to mind. However, we also need a fresh start when it comes to our spiritual life.

Forgetting Your Mistakes

Now, I have good news for you; the moment you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, He provides you with a clean slate. And the greatest fresh start you could ever make is with Jesus. When you give your life to Jesus, God chooses to forget your past as He leads you through the future!

You may say, “Andre! Where in the Bible does it say that?! How could God forget, I thought he was all-knowing!”

Hebrews 8:12 World English Bible (WEB)
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness.
    I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34

It is not that the omniscient God of this universe has a light case of amnesia; it is that He chooses to not remember what you did wrong in the past. If you have struggled with anything in the past, in any moment prior to now, I am proclaiming to you that God wants to make a change in your life! The only one who will bring past mistakes to your mind is either you or the devil, but it’s never God who does that.

The Unstoppable Transformative Power of Grace

When Jesus died on the cross, He died as you. When Jesus rose again on the third day, He rose victorious and because of what He did, you are now seen by God as perfectly righteous, which I have written about in another post.

Romans 6:10-11 World English Bible (WEB)
10 For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God. 11 Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

If you have disobeyed God before, that old you has died on the cross and now you are alive as an obedient child of God. You may not “feel” obedient, you may not “feel” transformed, but our God does not see what you feel, He sees what your believe.

Hebrews 11:6 World English Bible (WEB)
6 Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.

Thus, put your faith in what Jesus did and see how He has made you a new creation and now, you do not need to “work” harder to be obedient to God; you just need to trust Him so that Jesus’ power of obedience works within you.

In God’s eyes, when you place your faith in Jesus, your old self dies. The part of you which was contrary to God no longer exists, but, the power which resurrected Jesus ensures that you live life to the fullest as a new creation in Christ Jesus.

New Creation in Christ Jesus

2 Corinthians 5:17 World English Bible (WEB)
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.

When you are in Jesus, when you let Jesus hold your life in His hands, you are an abosultely never-before seen creation. You are not dirty, you are not dumb, you are not any lie which has attached itself to your thinking through past experiences, you are God’s beloved new creation.

He activated your Spirit and now, you can live a life with Him. That is why He says, “Behold,” in the above scripture. He is telling you not to look at your old self, but to look at the new creation which He has made you to be because of Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14 King James Version (KJV)
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Even Paul, the one who was a persecutor in ancient times, the guy who killed and imprisoned Christians, made a fresh start with Jesus. He is the one who was speaking through the inspiration of Holy Spirit in the above verse. He made is clear that he decided to forget his past sins and to push on forward in his ministry appointed by God. God used him to do so many great things for His glory, to the point of Paul writing a lot of what we read in the New Testament.

Therefore, look at the mirror, and behold what a miracle God has done! You are no longer a thing of the past, but are a hope for the future and God will bless you so that you can be a blessing to others, as well.

Posted on

The Purpose of Christmas

Luke 2:8-10 World English Bible (WEB)
8 There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. 9 Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people.

The Appearance of Angels

This post will examine the birth of Jesus Christ which is why we celebrate Christmas. Now, the first people outside the family of Mary to hear about the birth of Jesus, were some shepherds. These shepherds were taking care of their sheep during the night, and the Bible says an angel appeared to them.

The Bible does not say that an angel flew to them or anything like that. It says, the angel stood in front of them. This means that even though you may not see it, there are angels around you.

In your life, there are angels who act as God’s bodyguards for you; however, you cannot see them at the moment. Nevertheless, the angel appeared to them and the shepherd boys became terrified. This may be why God does not show everything that happens behind the scenes, otherwise, we’d be scared like anything!

Now when the angel appeared to them, the Word of God says that he told them to fear not. God is always concerned about you. He does not want you to be scared of anything at all! In fact, I wrote an entire post where God’s heart is not for you to be anxious about anything.

Furthermore, as the angel began telling them of Jesus’ birth, he introduced Jesus as good news of great joy to all people.

Good News For Everyone

Did you know that Jesus is nothing but good news? And it is this very good news which is the purpose of Christmas! But God is so good that He includes a few extra words which are key to this passage. He says this good news is of great joy to all the people.

He is good news not only to Christians or Jews but to all people where Jesus can bless anyone with His saving power. If you believe in any other religion. Just ask God to save you from the situation or challenge you are facing and Jesus will show you His saving grace. Jesus is the truth, the way, and the life; when you give your life to Jesus, He will give you eternal life

Whether you are sick, or depressed, or in any sort of state which is bad, call upon the name of Jesus and He will answer you. When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, your life will be transformed by His goodness, you will have the peace which surpasses all understanding.

Psalm 34:8 King James Version (KJV)
8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Saviour of the World

When we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate how our Saviour was born. The angel introduced Jesus as the saviour of the world.

Luke 2:11 World English Bible (WEB)
11 For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Remember that Christ means “Messiah” or “Anointed One.” Moreover, when you look at the entirety of these wonderful words spoken by the angel, the Bible declares Jesus as the Lord who is anointed to save.

If you need saving in any sort of way, there is a saviour who loves you and is deeply concerned of your well-being. His name is Jesus and He is the reason why we celebrate Christmas. Ask Him, and you will definitely hear a response from Jesus, the God who took all your troubles on Himself when He was crucified, and then after three days, arose from the dead so that He is alive forevermore.