THE DANGER OF FALLING AWAY

 

As we meditate our scripture today from Hebrews 6 - we have read a warning to all Christians — not just Christians but to those who have served, enlightened, tasted the heavenly gift and experienced the power of God and have worked with the Holy Spirit — these are the Christians who have impressive experience working with the Lord — but fell away from the Lord.

It says it is impossible to go back to the Lord and be saved — this is BIG! 

(v4-5)  4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

We may have received gifts and used by the Lord in His works, we may have done things for the Lord like :

 Energetically evangelized (Matthew 23:15).

· Impressively prayed (Matthew 23:14).

· Made rigorous religious commitments (Matthew 23:16).

· Strictly and carefully tithed (Matthew 23:23).

· Practiced fasting regularly (Luke 18:12).

· Yet Jesus called them sons of Hell (Matthew 23:15).

Let us take a look at the example of Demas:

· Demas is called a fellow worker with Paul (Philemon 24).

· Yet Paul condemned Demas, at least hinting at apostasy (2 Timothy 4:10).

Judas is also a perfect example.

WHY IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO GO BACK? 

as explained in v6 it is now our choice to crucify Him again and to put Him to an open shame. So it will be hard for us to seek TRUE REPENTANCE.

(v6) 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

How do we know we are falling away?

V7-8 showed that we receive the same rain from heaven (same blessings/teachings) but what do we bear? do we bear WHEAT OR WEEDS?

7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briars, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

Let us reflect...

- God may have used us mightily, spoke to us and allowed us to experience is might and power — but where are we now? do we bear wheat or weeds now?

BUT GOD IS TRUE TO HIS PROMISE. He is a just God who will not forget all our works —  we only need to hold on to our faith and diligently continue on with Jesus — 

10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 

*** FOR HOW MANY TIMES I whined and told God I am tired and I want to stop serving Him —BUT I STILL KEEP ON SHOWING UP!

We are allowed to get tired and complain to the Lord but we need to keep on showing up and diligently obey with TRUE REPENTANCE. 

Let us keep on holding on to our faith remnants!

Amen.

SPIRITUAL MATURITY

 

In our reading today - we are warned of the danger of spiritual immaturity.  We are all have a tendency to become spiritually immature especially when we come to the point that we feel we don’t need to read the scripture anymore or we don’t need to learn anymore because we know everything already. 

In verses 13-14 it showed us the difference between the immature and the mature. 

“For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Hebrews 5:13-14

Paul in 1 corinthian 3 called the corinthian church babes because of their behaviour. 

They are gifted, they know the scriptures and always in the church but Paul called them immature because they stir up envy and strife and division to the church. 

We may be gifted but if we use it to glorify ourselves we are still immature. 

We may memorize the scripture but if we do not practice them we are immature. 

We may always be present in the church but if no one can rebuke or you don’t listen to corrections or if u do listen you dont change nor obey, still you are immature. 

Let us reflect: 

- what do I bring to my brethren and to the church? Is it peace or division? 

- i know the words but do i follow them? 

- do i allow my leaders to correct me and am i willing to learn?

- i have been in the ministry for a long time, am I a good example to my brethren or i still honor myself and what i want. 

Let us always be aware of how behave and how we obey the words of God. We cannot be judged by our heart but we can always be judged by our words and actions. Because out of the abundance of the heart our mouth speaks and our body acts.

Let us all strive to be spiritually mature. Help us o Holy spirit daily. 

Amen

THE GREAT SALVATION

 

As we reflect and meditate our daily scripture today, in Hebrews 2, we read a warning for the believers not to neglect the salvation that we have received from the Lord. 

This chapter was written for the believers / Christians who accepted Jesus as their Lord and savior. 

1 “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.”

 Verse 1 exhorted us to earnestly heed the things that we heard - we must truly understand the words of God and do it. Hearing and doing means earnestly heeding the word. Because if we don’t do what we have heard we might drift away from our faith. 

In Verse 2, the warning was given that we will be judge according to our transgression and disobedience. 

2 “For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward,”

If we consider our salvation as God’s way of rescuing us from hell, we will hold on unto it and treat it as the greatest gift of God for us. Anything that of great value is taken cared of and valued for life.

Therefore, if we neglect something, we probably do not consider it great. Yet our salvation is great, because:

· We are saved by a great Savior.

· We are saved at a great cost.

· We are saved from a great penalty.

The reason many neglect their salvation is because they never see it as salvation. They see it merely as receiving something, not as being rescued from something.

Verse 4 mentioned that God confirms our great salvation through signs and wonders and gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

“God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?”

Hebrews 2:4 

Let us reflect: 

- How do we value our salvation given to us by Jesus?

- how do we earnestly heed His Words and His Commandments? 

May the Holy Spirit lead us always to be grateful for our salvation not neglecting His words but doing it. 

Amen.

OVERCOMING UNBELIEF

 

As we meditate His Words today in Hebrews 3 — 

It is very clear that the book of Hebrews is written for us - believers. So let' us take heed. 

On the first part v1-6 shows the supremacy of Jesus over Moses - it made it clear that we only have one Jesus who dwells in Us and that there is no reason for unbelief. 

On the Last verses we were warned of the danger of unbelief — because it:

1. HARDENS our hearts (v12) — we tend not to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirt — God's commands and His instructions. 

2. HINDERS God's blessings (10-19) - we have no peace and we can never enter God's rest just like the Israelites who stayed in the wilderness for 40 years.

3. HALTS God's power (Mat 13:57-58) - unbelief stops us in doing God's works, therefore it stops us from witnessing miracles and wonders of the Lord. 

BUT we can always ask Jesus to HELP US WITH OUR UNBELIEF just like what the Father of the sick child did in Mark 9:24.

Also in this chapter we were given HELP  TO OVERCOME UNBELIEF:

1. Do not harden your heart (v8) LISTEN to the voice of the Holy SPirit and obey.

2. Know His ways (v10) MEDITATE HIS WORDS DAY AND NIGHT. Only in His words that we get to know Him well. 

3. Be partakers of Christ (V13-14) KEEP HIS WORKS - we must exhort each other daily and find the lost. 

LET US REFLECT:

- Do you experience the signs of unbelief? ( missed church activity, missed reading the words and missed fellowship)

- Is your heart not in the right place? is it in the world (flesh-family and work) or with Jesus?

*** It's not about how we start our faith  it's about enduring the battle.. finishing the task ... we will be judged according to HOW WE FINISH NOT HOW WE START. 

So kneel down and ask Jesus to help us with our unbelief just like the father of the sick child.

Amen.

‘Philippians 4 - ’LET IT BE KNOWN TO GOD’’

 

We are to REJOICE (Paul said it twice) and be GENTLE. The presence of these two is the absence of worry and vice versa. 

If we know that God is real and alive, why are we still worrying?

We are living in a world full of worries and anxiousness.

We are not exempted to this. Christians are the target of Satan

because they are not his. He is always giving reasons and lies

or deceitful words to have clouded minds and unstable hearts.

But the WORDS of the LORD said,

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness [gentleness in other versions]

be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;

When the spirit of worry attacks, what should we do?

Let it be known to God 

A second of worry should be lifted up to God right away. 

Pray, pray, pray but with thanksgiving. The word of God says,

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

The moment that worry attacks for any reason, we should respond in the name of Jesus. 

Absolutely, we do pray but is it with thanksgiving? When we

finish praying, why do we still worry? Do we pray with thanksgiving?

A prayer of thanksgiving removes all the worries away. It is

replacing worries and anxiousness with the joy of knowing that

God is working. It is recognizing His power. 

What happens when we pray with thanksgiving?

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The worries will be replaced with peace, that inner peace in God

which even ourselves couldn’t explain. The peace that worries

couldn't penetrate because it guards our hearts and minds through

the power of the name of Jesus. 

Let us reflect:

4 WH's

• What are your worries right now?

• What does God mean when He said, not to worry?

• What do you do in times of worries?

• What will happen if we pray with thanksgiving?

THE TRUE INTERCESSORS

 

THE TRUE INTERCESSORS

TRUE CHRISTIANS pray for one another. It is our unwritten covenant with the Lord to intercede for all who needs intercession. One way of sharing in Jesus’ works is to intercede for the lost, for the churches, leaders etc.

WE ARE ALL INTERCESSORS. WE INTERCEDE IN SILENCE.

Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8), and it is the highest calling for our lives. This is how the world knows we follow Jesus, if we love one another (John 13:25). What a special and specific way to love one another: by remembering each other in our prayers, and lifting one another up to Jesus. 

True intercessors intercede in their secret place – without letting the world know they are interceding. When we intercede, WE DO NOT ANNOUNCE IT!

WHY?

There are a few reasons not to —

-        This can come across as condescending, that you have a special connection with God and they are so blessed that you will be praying for them.

 

-        It’s also wrong if you’re using it to distinguish yourself from, and to diminish, someone whom you know is not a believer.

 

-        When you tell someone ‘I AM YOUR INTERCESSOR” it may not be intentional but you may be sending a message that every answered prayer you have or all your victories are all because of you.

We usually, as a church ask for intercession when we have to do something or the church is asked to intercede for someone. This kind of intercession glorifies the Lord not an individual person.

Abraham changed the mind of the Lord when he interceded for Sodom (Genesis 18:22)

Moses’ intercession for Israel (Exodus 32:9-14)

Sodom and Israel didn’t know that Abraham and Moses interceded for them.

 “Intercession is important for the church because we're called to love each other. And loving each other is laying down our lives., Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.’ (John 15:13 NIV). We lay our lives down in different ways, as we serve God and we serve people. One way we serve is in prayer. 

The most important parts of our bodies are hidden on the inside, such as: our brain, heart, lungs, liver, gut, blood, blood cells, etc. Everything that keeps our body alive and functioning is unseen—beneath the surface.

This is a parallel to the ministry of prayer and intercession. MOST WILL NOT SEE THE PRAYER AND INTERCESSION, yet it is the very thing holding together a healthy body and allowing the body to work and function how it should.

PRAYER WORKS BEHIND THE SCENES, giving life to the members who most need it; calling the lost sheep home, bringing wisdom and understanding, sustaining the weary from giving up, and keeping us connected to the head, which is Christ. Prayer is very important. It is the avenue for God’s blessing and power in the lives of his people. 

BE A TRUE INTERCESSOR WHO WORKS BEHIND THE SCENE.

Man will not see you because you will be out of his sight, beyond the second veil; but in the Kingdom of God your life will count for time and for eternity. 

 

Acts 2 - “WORTH THE WAIT”

 

“WORTH THE WAIT”

As we meditate Acts 2 today, God is teaching us that, 

“It takes a great vessel to receive a great blessing”

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Acts 2:4

How great was it they were waiting?

- The Holy Spirit that came from heaven (verses 2-3)

- The Holy spirit who manifest in power through tongues (of different languages)

- The holy spirit who empowered them and gave them boldness to preach the gospel to people from different nations (verses 5-12)

“And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?”

Acts 2:7-8 ESV

Truly, the greatest Gift of the Lord for us❤️

- Are we worthy to receive this gift?

We are NOT - but HE made us worthy. For whom should this GIFT be given but to man who needs the Holy Spirit. 

How great were the vessels then?

- They, who bore Christ in their hearts

- They who not only believe but love Christ

- They who keep the promise of God and never abandoned their faith in Christ as they wait for the promise.

- They who were not only able to wait but showed the right attitude and posture of waiting. 

- They, who were not but made worthy to receive the greatest gift because of their faith in Christ. 

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.”

Acts 2:1-2 ESV

Let us reflect: 

- Do we also have the faith and love for Jesus through serving Him?

- Do we keep His promises through being diligent in reading His words?

- Do we have the right attitude of waiting through earnest prayers or we complain as we wait?

For if God was able to give us the greatest gift - The Holy spirit. Then what else He cannot give? 

So whatever we ask in prayer, 

WAIT. . . . . . WAIT. . . . . . WAIT. . . . . 

“Great things are worth the wait”

and sometimes . . .

God is not making us wait. . . .

Instead, He is waiting for us to receive it with the proper posture and standing of the heart - Humility, so Him only we will praise. 

“It takes a great vessel to carry a great blessing🎁”

Acts 3 - Newness of Life in Christ

 

Newness of Life in Christ 

There's newness of life to all who encounters Christ. It is a testimony that each Christian have that testifies that God is real & that His words are true.

In Acts chapter 3,

a) from a man who cannot walk & lives his life sitting begging for money to a man who can now walk & praises God 

 Acts 3:9-10 

[9] When all the people saw him walking and praising God, [10] they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 

b) from an ordinary fisherman to now preaching Christ enabled with signs & wonders from God

 Acts 3:12 ,16 

[12] When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 

[16] By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see. 

When we also turned to God, our life has also been changed,

a) from having no hope of forgiveness to being wiped out of sin through Jesus (now having reconciliation and relationship with God as His children)

 Acts 3:19 

[19] Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 

b) from living a life of sin to a newness of heart able to turn away from old wicked ways  (now can live a new & different life from our old self)

 Acts 3:26 

[26] When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” 

God truly gave us a newness of life. We have seen Him at work in our lives from the day of our encounter & faith in Jesus until now. Let us continuously remain in Him for the true newness of life is only found in Christ.

 John 8:12 

[12] When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

JOhn 16 - OUR FAITHFUL GOD

 

This chapter shows God’s FAITHFULNESS to His disciples.

“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. “John 16:1-4 

Jesus giving warning to the disciples so to ready our hearts for whatever difficulties we will face in following Him. Yes, we will be killed, yes, we will be cast out - we will have fewer friends as we cannot join in the alcohol drinking session, in the night out club hopping, in the worldly sessions. Our weekday nights will be filled with bible study, evangelism training, city ministry, equipping, prayer meeting and fellowshipping. Our saturday night is for praise and worship practice. There is no more room to have parties til we drop. 

So you may feel unhappy, you may struggle from choosing if you want to enjoy outside of the church or learn more about Christ.   But God has chosen you and He doesnt want you to fall away. Stay. 

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7

God is so Faithful that He didn’t leave us without a reliever, a comforter, the HOLY SPIRIT. Because Jesus knows that we are weak, that we may be in trouble, that we are easily swayed and easy to be sorrowful, so He sends us our guide, our comforter, our companion - So let us not offend and grieve the Holy Spirit.

““A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.””

John 16:16 

Jesus upon seeing His disciples’ sorrow because of His leaving, He comforted them that He will visit them after His resurrection. God is so faithful that He doesnt want us to be sad. He didnt promise us to have an easy life, but He promise that He will remain in us and that He is in us. So in every situation, may we see Christ’s promise that He will be there and He is there, with us.  He will go the Father but He will return (His second coming) for us. He will go to the Father to prepare our place in heaven. How faithful Jesus is, that He wants us to be with Him in eternal life in heaven. So while Jesus is up there , let us be diligent in doing our work here on earth. Let us be in sync with the Father and Jesus’ vision for all mankind. 

“In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.”

John 16:23 

God's faithfulness is shown in this promise. How wonderful it is that He will grant all our prayers, whatever we ask in Jesus name. As His disciples, as His followers we have the priviledge to use Jesus’ name. Let us take this authority, let us grab this opportunity, let us ask in Jesus name. Let us use Jesus’ name in healing the sick, in casting out demons, in raising the dead and in every prayer and declarations we utter. 

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

John 16:33 

How faithful our God that before leaving He gave us assurance. Let us claim this with our renewed mind. We have peace in whatever circumstances we are in. We are victorious in whatever battle we are in. Because Jesus has overcome the world. With Him we are victorious. 

Let us pray: 

Heavenly Father, we praise and thank you for your words today. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you Holy Spirit for all the comfort and guidance, giving us truth and reminding us of Gods faithfulness. Thank you Jesus for your powerful name. Thank you for the authority to use your name. Thank you for the assurance of peace, thank you for the assurance of eternal life in heaven, thank you for all the favors, thank you for the victories because we have you Jesus. Amen.

- Sis Mayen -

‘’BIBLICAL LOVE LANGUAGE’’

As we meditate JOHN 12 today, God is showing us how we could express our Love for the Lord in verses 2-3. 

“So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”

John 12:2-3 ESV

• Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus were evidently close friends of Jesus (Luke 10:38-42)

• Jesus was with them even in difficult times, when Lazarus died but He raised him from the dead because He loved them (John 11:43-44). 

• Jesus loved them (John 11: 3,5,35,36)

3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

35 Jesus wept.

36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

We have seen how much Jesus loved His friends. He comforted, lifted up their down spirits and body (raised from the dead), visited their home, and conversed with them. 

As mutual friends, how do Martha, Mary, and Lazarus show their love towards JESUS?

3 BIBLICAL LOVE LANGUAGES

1. SERVICE

• Martha’s love language: Act of Service (John 12:2).

• Everytime Jesus visits them, Martha would automatically serve Jesus with food and with what He needs (see John 10:40).

• She was so grateful and so happy to serve Jesus. Though at times, she also felt troubled serving as a human being like us. But she was so grateful and so happy to serve Jesus.

Likewise, we have the love language like Martha when:

• We serve without double mindedness, without thinking if we can or cannot do it. 

• We serve without  thinking ‘’Me first’’, without even thinking to sit at the most comfortable or the best seat. 

• We serve Jesus through serving all He loves regardless of their situations and standing in life, great or small, we serve them equally like the tangible person, named Jesus. 

• We serve Jesus through doing even what we think is the least honorable/important task as long as it glorifies God. 

• We serve Jesus and all He loves with cheerfulness in our hearts without expectations of return. 

2. WORDS

• Lazarus’ love language: Words of Affirmations (John 12:2).

• In verse 2, it shows that Lazarus expressed His love for Jesus through words. As he’s the one reclining at the table facing Jesus and conversing with Him. 

• As to what they are talking about? It’s between close friends like them. 

Likewise, we have the love language like Lazarus when:

• When we keep the communication of God alive through prayer and hearing His words in daily devotion. 

• Before others know the story, Jesus was told first. 

• When our mouths are filled with positivity, and words of thanksgiving about everything.  

• We do not skip a day without giving praises of adoration to God. 

• Telling Him everyday that we love Him and make sure that He can feel the sincerity of our hearts. 

3. GIFTS

• Mary’s’ love language: Giving gifts (John 12:3).

• Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard. 

• Spikenard was one of the most expensive perfumes in Yeshua's day. A pound was said to cost an entire year's salary for the average worker.

• It’s Mary who showed how costly, precious, and valued the Lord is to her. 

Likewise, we have the love language like Mary when:

• When we love to give/it’s easy for us to give

• We always want to make Him feel special. 

• When intentionally give Him our precious time to come in worship. 

• When we give up the most valuable things that we have to offer to Him. 

• When we surrender our life as a gift for Christ. 

Reflections:

How about you? 

Do you love Jesus?

What is your love language to Jesus?

Have you desired all these three love languages?

• After all the love we have been receiving from the Lord, it’s time to give back. May we have these three love languages to God. May God also feel loved everyday. May He not only give but receive so much love from His children dearly loved by Him. 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

Mark 12:30