Return to your First Love!

Come, let us return to the One Who first loved us. Let us burn our idols, take celebrities down from the pedestals, and put away our fleshy desires. O, Repent! Let us wash our hands, clothe ourselves in righteousness, and ask the Lord to make our sins white as snow.

Come, let us be holy as our Father is holy. Let us love and serve as Christ did. Let us be guided by the Holy Spirit. Let us draw closer to God, abide in Him, and walk in His ways.

Come, let us return to the One Who first loved us.

Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Revelation 2:5

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God is never mocked!

Jesus will fix it!

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

1 Peter 5:10

There is always going to be trouble in our way, but no matter what we’re going through, God is still in control.

Our struggles might be weighing our shoulders down, but we don’t have to carry the weight of the world when we could give our burdens to Jesus, and He’ll fix it.

So, keep your eyes on Jesus, and hang on, for better days are coming.

Stepped, stepped in the furnace a long time ago
Shadrech, Meshach and Abendigo
No, they were not worried, oh, this I know
They knew that Jesus will fix it after while

Trouble in my way, I have to cry sometimes
Trouble in my way, I have to cry sometimes
I lay awake at night, but that’s alright
I know my Jesus will fix it after while

 

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Unrest in the city

Here, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.

Isaiah 42:18

O nation, it’s time to turn from your wicked ways!

Give ear to what the Word says.

How many more warnings do you need;

Before you take serious heed?

Until the door shuts in your face?

Until you lose the race?

Until your name, He doesn’t know?

Until the Book is close?

By then, it’ll be too late.

And you won’t be able to glance beyond the gate.

The time is NOW! Wake up!

Open your eyes!

To sin, corruption, and lies

Jesus is coming soon.

Today, Port-of-Spain was busy. There were gunshots, protests, fires, and arrests. The police came out to do their best to avoid a full-on riot that could’ve escalated into looting and more. As I write this, my heart clenches. It aches somewhat terribly for the prodigals and the non-believers that God is waiting to return home. This is no time to make friends with the world; this is the time to prepare to meet our Savior.

Time is at hand. And before things get better – our eventual Home with Christ – it’s going to get worse. The question is, are you ready to give up your life for the One that paid it all for us? 

Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.

Isaiah 42:20

What is the Bible?

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Why is the Bible so complicated to read? Who wrote the Bible? I’ve heard these questions time after time again. Some of us are too lazy to sit down and actually read and study the contents of the Bible, but we rather spend time reading unholy, lustful, over-sexual content that the Word warns about.  

The word “Bible” comes from the Greek and Latin words meaning “book”. 

The Bible is the Word of God, not mythology material. Mythology was inspired by it and not the other way around. It was written by men that were inspired by the Spirit of God and it contains 66 books that were approved by God (2 Peter 1:16). There are books of law, poetry, history, letters, gospel and prophecy. These inspired authors were kings, prophets, priests, farmers, doctors and shepherds. What diversity! 

It was written over 1,500 years ago by about 40 different authors. The Bible was the first known book to be translated and distributed in so many languages.

Although the Bible was complied and written so many years ago, it’s not to be treated as a classic for God’s Word will NEVER pass away (Matthew 24:35). The Bible tells of prophecies (all that was and yet to be fulfilled), salvation through Jesus Christ and of the coming eternal kingdom. 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Proverbs 9:10

The Bible is divided into two main parts: the Old and New Testament. In the OT, we see the establishment of Israel as a nation, and we’re promised salvation through One Man. It sets the stage for the coming Messiah. In the NT, we see that promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ. 

Themes such as hope, redemption and salvation are littered throughout. God created man – and woman – and placed him in Eden, the most perfect environment. He was stress free and worry free, but it didn’t stop him from rebelling against God. Because of this great sin, the Creator had no choice but to place the world under a curse. However, God had planned to restore humanity and creation to its former glory and His beautiful plan set off a chain of events from Genesis to Revelation. Despite what many people may think, the OT was never done away with. Spending time in the Word can help us to become better fruits on branches.

The Holy Bible is my guide to living in this cruel and corrupted world. I’ll just leave a few things I’ve learned about the Bible while reading/studying the Word:

^ I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

^ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

^ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33).

^ Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).

^ Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

In the comment section below, mention which person you identified with the most from the Bible or your favorite book.

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Who is God

Who is Jesus

Who is the Holy Spirit

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Who is the Holy Spirit?

So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

Zechariah 4:6 

Who or what is the Holy Spirit? Is the Spirit a personal Being? A separate entity? A part of God? To you, who or what is this Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit seems to be the least understood of God’s character. The scriptures personify the Holy Spirit at times, just as it also personifies wisdom, sin, and death. In John 16:7-15, the Holy Spirit is referred to as “He” for the Greek word for helper is a masculine noun and according to the Greek grammar rules, it requires a masculine pronoun. 

250 years after the last of the apostles had died, the Trinity became a thing thanks to Constantinople in AD 381 thus causing division among religions. However, we know how God feels about taking away and adding to His Word (Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy 12:32; Revelation 22:18). When it comes to the Holy Word, we’ve been led astray by men for we’re too lazy to sit and read/study the Word on our own. Besides, God promises that we’re never alone for we have a Helper to guide us (John 14:16;26). 

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:4

Throughout the Bible, Jesus speaks of the relationship between God the Father and Himself (Matthew 26:39; John 5:18-22). In visions of God’s throne, we read recordings of the Father and Christ being seen, but not the Holy Spirit (Daniel 7:9-14; Acts 7:55-56; Revelation 7:10). In Revelation 21, we see that “a new heaven and a new earth” is soon going to replace this corrupted earth. Verses 3 and 22 explicitly states that God and Christ will dwell with men, but there is no mention of the Holy Spirit. I believe that this is because we’ll constantly be in His presence. However, I’ll admit that I’ll have to do some more study and research in this area.

The Holy Spirit is a gift (Acts 10:45), it can be poured out (Acts 2:17, 33) and it can be quenched (1 Thessalonians 5:19). We are baptized with it (Matthew 3:11), we can partake of it (Hebrews 6:4), drink of it (John 7:37-39), and be filled with it (Ephesians 5:18). This Spirit is ONE Spirit for it’s not only the Spirit of God, but also of Christ (Romans 8:9; Philippians 1:19). This is the same Spirit that the Father imparts to true Christians through His Son the Christ (John 14:26; Titus 3:5-6) that enables them to be “partakers of the divine nature” (Peter 1:4). The Holy Spirit is represented by various symbols such as a dove (Matthew 3:16), oil (Psalm 45:7), God’s hands (Psalm 8:3) and wind (Acts 2:2). 

The Holy Spirit is God’s active force or divine power and it shouldn’t be misunderstood. The Spirit is there to guide, teach, and comfort us. It has attributes of a Person and IS treated as a Person. I’ll just leave a few things I’ve learned about the Holy Spirit while reading/studying the Word:

^ Jesus began His ministry “in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14-15).

^ We cannot gain a spiritual understanding on our own or through man; it is through God’s spirit within us that we gain spiritual wisdom and insight (John 14:26).

^ Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, the power through which the Father begot Jesus as His Son. In short, the Holy Spirit is God’s divine power (Matthew 1:20).

^ Paul wrote many books, but only in 2 Corinthians 13:14 is the Holy Spirit mentioned along with the Father and Christ.

^ The Holy Spirit is the Source behind the books of the Bible (2 Peter 1:20-21) for ALL scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16).

In the comment section below, leave your favorite scripture or story from the Bible about our Helper/Comforter!

COMING SOON: What is the Bible?

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Who is God

Who is Jesus

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Who is Jesus?

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Deuteronomy 6:4

Sit for a moment and reflect on what the words “Jesus Christ” mean to you? What emotion/s does your heart evoke when you think about Him? Are you filled with joy at the thought of His imminent return? Do you get a glimpse of God in Him?

Jesus was there. He was with God at the beginning (John 1:1-4), God loved Him before the creation of the world (John 17:24) and the New Testament reveals the God of the universe in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14). The words Jesus Christ are not a first and last name as some are led to believe; they’re actually a name and a title. The name Jesus means “the Lord saves” or “Jehovah-Savior” and Christ means “anointed one”; it was derived from the Greek word for Messiah. 

“I am the true vine

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:1;5

Jesus willingly and humbly came to earth to be sacrificed for our sins (Philippians 2:5-8). Had it not been for Him, we wouldn’t have had a chance at salvation, and we wouldn’t have had a chance to be a part of the God family (Hebrews 2:10). When Jesus came to fulfill the prophecies that were written before His arrival here on earth, many people had no idea Who He was (John 8:53). Sadly, it is the same situation today. Many of us still have no idea Who our Savior is. 

Jesus is the preexistent Word (John 8:23), Who later became Christ, and was sent to earth by the heavenly Father (John 3:17). He came here to do the will of His Father (John 4:34) and He now sits in glory and majesty with His Father (Hebrews 8:1; 12:2). He is the Mediator between God and mankind (1 Timothy 2:5). He is the reason why we can confidently approach God’s throne (Hebrews 4:14-16). He is the Son of Man (Matthew 16:13) and the Son of God (Matthew 16:16) and through Him, we can understand God for He reflects the Father (John 14:9; Hebrews 1:2-3).

I love talking about our Savior at any opportunity that presents itself. I’ll just leave a few things I’ve learned about Christ while reading/studying the Word:

^ Jesus is THE ONLY means in which mankind can approach the Father (John 14:6).

^ He is Eternal Truth and the Source of eternal life (John 6:50-51; 11:25-26).

^ Jesus not only died for our sins, so we could be reconciled to the Father, but He is our Creator given that “all things were created through Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:16).

^ Jesus was sent to earth by the heavenly Father (John 3:16-17; 34).

^ He is returning as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! (Revelation 19:16). Revelation 20:4-6 paints a clear picture of what the first 1,000 years reign with Christ looks like, but His reign will continue even past the Millennium as it’s a forever one (Isaiah 9:6-7). If you haven’t repented as yet, now is the time to do so for God doesn’t want you to be left out of His family.

In the comment section below, leave your favorite scripture or story from the Bible about our awesome amazing Creator!

COMING SOON: Who is the Holy Spirit?

Related

Who is God

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Devotional Nugget #13: When I am afraid…

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Psalm 56:3

Over the past few weeks, the Covid-19 has been shoved in our faces at full blast. Instead of trusting God, people have been constantly turning to the media for comfort and advice which only increased panicking, fear, and anxiety which eventually led people to panic buy hand sanitizer, Lysol, and toilet paper.

“We mustn’t give in to panic,”

Emmanuel Macron (Current French President)

No matter what we’re facing, God is our source of protection. When we allow fear to control us, it takes root and gives birth to darkness that then manifests within us. This is a powerful weapon that the enemy can use against us to render us helpless. But God is even greater and much more powerful! 

The Bible is filled with a lot of comforting scriptures to help us quell our fear. These are a few of my favorites:

Psalm 91                Isaiah 41:10             Psalm 23

Psalm 56:3             2 Timothy 1:7         Deuteronomy 31:6

You can choose to guard your heart and you can choose to not allow fear to control your life. Choose God and allow Him to reign in your fears. Use this time to draw closer to God and to allow peace to embrace you through the Holy Spirit. 

Application

Trust. Have faith. Eradicate fear. Pray. Justin Bieber said a lovely prayer after closing off an Instagram Live last Thursday by praying with his fans. I’ll leave it here:

“God, we thank You so much for this day. I thank You so much that You have everything in control. You know the beginning from the end and You’re not surprised by this whole thing that’s happening. God, we know that these things don’t come from You, that these things are unexplainable, but God, we trust You in these times, and we just ask God that You would make this go away as soon as possible, God. We just thank You so much for who You are, and we just ask that You would give us more answers. In Your name, we pray. Amen.”

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When I Am Afraid…

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:8

Fear is not a word that Christians should cling to. Unfortunately, we live in a world that forsakes God and feeds off the fear, so we tend to panic which solves absolutely nothing.

As soon as we feel the fear festering around us, we should quell it by directly putting our trust in God. He is a pillar of strength in these times, and He’ll carry us over that bridge and get us safely to the other side of the stormy waters. And if you don’t have the words to say? Just say Jesus for there is power in His holy Name!

When I am afraid, I will trust in you
In God whose word I praise.
In God I trust, when I am afraid.
In God I trust, in God whose word I praise

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