Archive for September, 2020


What is sin?

Sin is a transgression of the law of God. It is a vitiated state of human nature in which the self is estranged from God (Merriam-Webster).

We were all born as sinners and fall short of the glory of God (Ps. 51:5; Rom. 8:23). However, God loved us so much that he sent his only son to die for our sins; so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9). Do not let sins keep you away from God. Let God keep you away from sins. Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4).

Sins destroy your relationship with God and hinder your prayers from entering the throne room of God. If you cherish iniquity in your heart, the Lord will not listen (Ps. 66:18). This is because God is holy, and you also need to be holy (1 Pet. 1:16). The devil will stop at nothing to keep you in the bondage of sin, so that you do not have a relationship with God. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

When you are faced with struggles in life, it is sometimes difficult to not worry. This is especially true, if you have been facing ongoing struggles, and it seems like there is no end to them. You may get anxious, overwhelmed, and tired. At that point in your life, it is also hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Your heart and mind are two vulnerable areas that Satan will try to attack. Therefore, you are reminded in the scripture, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).”

To those of you who have spoken into my life. To the ones who have helped and supported me, as I endured and overcame various trials and tribulations. To the ones who did not run away and leave me while I was riding out my storm, but instead have consistently encouraged and prayed for me. And to the ones who have helped me created cherished memories.

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God - Philippians 1:3 - Verse Image
God bless you for being there when I needed you the most.

Luke 4:16-30 depicts the time where Jesus went back to Nazareth, the hometown where he was brought up. He went to the synagogue and began to read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor (v. 18-19).”

Jesus spoke graciously, and all who were listening, marveled at the words coming out of his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph’s son (v.22)?” Jesus knew what they were thinking, because they could not bring themselves to believe who God had called him to be. Therefore, Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown (v. 24).”

When they heard these things, all who were in the synagogue were filled with wrath. And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, he went away (v. 28-30).

Jesus went away unto others, who would have welcomed and received him, as he continued his ministry with his twelve disciples. This is so, because he could not do any mighty work in his hometown of Nazareth, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief (Mark 6:5). He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him (John 1:11).

Can you imagine the regret the Nazarenes must have experienced, when they heard how much Jesus’ fame had spread around the world, because of the mighty work that he was doing for God’s kingdom?

Jesus’ experience at Nazareth is typical today of people whom God has called to fulfill his purpose on this earth. People in your very own hometown, who may include family members and friends, may not want to recognize and respect you for the person God has called you to be. However, no matter how much they hate, criticize, or continue to be jealous of you, no one can prevent God from blessing and using you for his purpose and glory.

When God calls you, he anoints and equips you for his purpose; therefore, the devil and evil people cannot touch your anointing or do you any harm (Psalm 105:15). When people try to fight you; they are not fighting you, but they are fighting God, who has called, anointed, and equipped you for his purpose. With that being said, no one ever wins a fight with God.

If you need to leave Nazareth, in order to fulfill the purpose that God has called you for, by all means, leave! At the end of the day, you have an account to give to God (Romans 14:12).

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you (John 13:34).

Hate is an evil seed that the devil allows one to abhor in their heart. If that evil seed of hate is not eliminated, it continues to grow. This is what the devil wants, because hate will not get one into Heaven (1 Cor. 6:9). Moreover, having hate or other sins in one’s heart hinder your prayers and relationship with God (Ps. 66:18). Hate also causes too much pain in one’s heart, and this is not a healthy way to live.

Jesus is Love

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20).

Some people may hate others because they have harmed or caused hurt to them. This is very difficult to fathom when someone caused another person harm or hurt in any way. However, Jesus understands your hurt and pain. He had been through terrible hurt and pain from others for no apparent reasons. He was treated horribly and hung on a cross to die for our sins. But Jesus did not abhor hate for his persecutors. He instead asked God to forgive them (Luke 23:34).  

On the other hand, some people may hate others for no apparent reasons. It may be for the color of their skin, their sexual orientation, their religious beliefs, or because of jealousy of another person’s accomplishments.

Notwithstanding, it does not matter how one person feels about another. This does not give anyone an excuse to abhor hate in their heart for that person. God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).

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