Why did God go through all of this? Purely because He loves us. He loved us without any performance from us. God doesn't love us more or less based on our actions, but on Jesus. This makes the gospel a stumbling block to some and an offense to others. He died so He could spend eternity with us!
Being a christian is not about improving your life or behaviour modification but exchanging it. What's the point of bathing a dead body or dressing it in new clothes? Jesus came to take our place so we could take His. He died so we may live. He was rejected so we could be accepted. Divine Exchange!
Truly, the good news is good news and even sounds too good to be true, but it's true. The second line of this news is: God came down, not because we asked Him to or even knew it was possible, but simply because He chose to. Many beautiful relationships have died out because no one took the first step to initiate or maintain them. But God did, in our case. God took the first step!
The Christian message is jaw-dropping and amazing, and it's almost too good to be true. To some, it even sounds blasphemous. The first line of the Good News, which has life and destination-changing implications, is: 'Without controversy, God became a man!' The uncreated Creator made Himself of no reputation and took the form of a servant. Will you believe this report?
This manna! What a reaction to a daily miracle the Israelites enjoyed. Unfortunately, we get familiar with the miracle we prayed for, fasted for, and were anxious for, all because we think there's one thing we lack that will make our lives complete, just like the manna we once did not have. Never lose sight of the manna you once prayed for.
The world is ruled by ideas that people were convinced about: The internet, democracy, education, etc. For us, our victory is based on how much of God's faithfulness we've convinced ourselves about - faith. The same conviction Peter needed to step out of the boat was the same he needed against the contrary winds.
Everything goes wrong when we take our eyes off Jesus. Keeping our eyes fixed on Him is what keeps us walking on water. The strategy is to stay focused on Him, not looking back or getting distracted. And when fear strikes, call on His name.
We will never experience the miraculous if we don't step out of the boat. The right time to step out is when Jesus calls us to. Often, natural circumstances won't look favorable. The preacher says, 'He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.' This is why many people never take the leap – we're waiting for the storms to subside before we act.
While everyone else on the boat was screaming and terrified, Peter wanted an encounter. While others have their cameras on 'speed dial' to take a picture of the next famous or successful person they meet, we should seek to engage them and learn from their wisdom. Peter knew that if Jesus could walk on water, he could too – if only Jesus told him to. Be like Peter!
When Jesus calls you to step out in faith, it doesn't mean the journey will be storm-free. Yet, many believers are surprised when challenges arise. We often mistakenly assume that God's will equals smooth sailing. Instead, it's about having the assurance of victory over life's storms. Jesus reminds us that trials will come, but we can be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. His presence guarantees our ultimate triumph, not the absence of challenges.
All we know about Jesus from age 12 to 30 is that he was growing. Growth is not optional; you must continually strive to know God better and become a superior version of yourself. Grow in your love for God and people. Paul's prayer for the Ephesian church highlights the importance of seeking a spirit of wisdom and revelation to know God better.
God has a differentiated approach in dealing with us. The goal is the same for all of us, but our training varies. For some, it may be in the wilderness and caves, and for others, it may be in pits and prisons. Peter attempted to compare himself with John, but was rebuked by Jesus and instructed to focus on following Him, not comparing himself.
Regardless of the immense joy a newborn brings when they come into the world, remaining a baby will ultimately bring great sorrow. This is because growth is a proof of life and an expectation. So it is with our walk with God. It's not about growing old, but growing up. Just as it is in the natural world, God relates to us based on our spiritual growth."
Unfortunately, many 'believers' don't truly believe in the inspired writings of scripture. We feel that scriptures are out of touch with our current realities, making them unrealistic to obey or believe in today's context. Some 'believers' are selective, choosing to believe only what makes sense to them, while being indifferent to the rest. As the prophet aptly said, 'Who shall believe our report?
There are times when our best strategy is simply to be still. Just like a patient on the operating table, the patient needs to remain still to avoid interrupting the surgeon's work. Similarly, in the midst of battles and challenging situations, our natural tendency may be to react impulsively. However, we need to find the strength to step back and allow God to do what He does best – work excellently in our lives.
We experience anxiety and discontentment when we try to play God in our lives, thinking we're in control and know what's best. But when we truly trust God and surrender our lives to Him, we'll be filled with consistent thanksgiving and peace. Prayer shifts from being about our own desires to aligning with God's will, which is far better than anything we could imagine.
Sonship is the foundation of prayer, not mere religious obligation. Our sonship is based purely on expressing faith in Jesus and what He did for us. It gives us the assurance that God not only hears but also answers, giving us unshakable peace and joy that transcends life's circumstances.
God answers prayers. The Bible is filled with countless testimonies of answered prayers for various requests. However, like the Israelites, we often fail to recognize when we're living in the midst of answered prayers. Prayer isn't a means to use God to fulfill our requests; rather, it's a platform for genuine fellowship with Him.
In movies, we mostly forget that there are more people behind the camera than infront of it. They contribute immensely to the production of the movie. We are just conscious of what we see, so God seems to be unconcerned and uninvolved in our lives. There is a lot more going on for our good behind the scenes.
Much of what profoundly impacts our lives happens unseen, beyond our immediate awareness. Similarly, God's work in our lives often unfolds behind the scenes, even when it feels like He's distant. We tend to overlook the subtle yet powerful ways God is at work, shaping our lives in profound ways. Job had little no idea what God was doing for him