Category: Christianity & Church

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True Comfort in Times of Tragedy

light sun cloud japan

When Tragedy Strikes…

Recently a major traumatic event occurred in Seoul, South Korea. It’s sad and horrific to read the news and see the footage that has been released. It’s not just the recent event that happened a few weekends ago, but a tragedy that has affected people these past three years. Often in difficult times, many people usually become angry, hopeless, or wonder why these sorts of things happen. There’s so much pain and hurt in the world and it can be easy to forget what God has promised for believers. In these times, however, it’s important to remember that God is working to bring life to His creation once again. God’s promises in Revelation have to be completely fulfilled first. So, until that time happens, we must remain strong in our faith in God and His Word. In difficult times, I try to remember this passage from 1 Peter:

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

Some people, whether they’re religious or not, might not know who to turn to when tragedy strikes. Even as Christians, the devil works hard to make us doubt God and the Bible when we are experiencing difficulties, but we know God is greater than our fears and doubts. When times are hard, we can be strengthened by God’s Word. This video also is encouraging and reminds us that whenever we feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders, we can give it up to God. Whenever we are feeling down, we can pray.

I pray that the video reminds you that God wants to know our hearts. He wants to hear our fears and doubts so that He can wash them away with His Word. Many people do find comfort in reading the Bible, especially Psalms when they are hurting. Psalms 23 is often quoted, but here’s another passage that can be comforting.

Cast your burden on the LORD,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved.

Psalms 55:22

Let Us Pray

Also, as we read and study the Scriptures, we should always do so while praying. Prayer is how we communicate our feelings, desires, thoughts, etc. to God. We are encouraged to pray often in the Bible. Jesus often prayed to God, and he taught believers how to pray (Matthew 6). According to Psalms 141:2, it says that our prayers rise to God like incense – something that’s done with great reverence. So, we know just how important prayer is. The Apostle Paul reminds us that we should be constant in prayer.

pray without ceasing, 

1 Thessalonians 5:17

So, with that said, let’s pray for healing and comfort for those who are hurting whether in spirit or physically. And most of all, let us pray for others to come to know God’s Word and believe in it.

Dear Heavenly Father, Creator of all things,

I come before you with a humble and heavy heart.

Right now, there are many people who are hurting and grieving.

Please send your ministering angels to comfort and heal them.

Please help them know that You and Your Word are unchanging, and that You will fulfill all Your promises.

Lord, if they haven’t had the opportunity to hear your Word, please turn their hearts and minds to hear and believe. Grant them faith in your promises and even more faith when those promises are fulfilled.

I pray for that day when You and Your kingdom come and there is no more death, crying, mourning, and pain.

I pray that you do all this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ,

Amen.

Let Us Love One Another

Lastly, let us love one another. God showed us the greatest love by sending His son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and bring salvation. Christ also commanded his disciples, and believers today, to love others as he loved us. In Romans 13, we read that love is the fulfillment of the Law – in other words, when we love people, we don’t harm them spiritually or physically. Let us show God’s love to those who are hurting and comfort them in their time of need.

  • Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
  • 1 John 4:7-8

The greatest love we can show is not just physically caring for others, but also leading them to salvation – and that salvation isn’t some vague concept or good feeling, but the promise and fulfillment of eternal life in Revelation 21. At that time, there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. Can you imagine it? As we comfort those who are hurting, let us remind them that God will carry out all He has promised, and it will be done as He has said. 

The Lord of hosts has sworn:
“As I have planned,
so shall it be,
and as I have purposed,
so shall it stand,”

Isaiah 14:24

So, as we endure loss, trials, and tribulations because of the devil and sin (Hebrews 2:14-15), we can have hope and full assurance of faith in God’s words of promise. Just as Abraham had faith in God’s promise to him and kept it until it was fulfilled, we too should have faith in God’s promises for us today – the promises contained in Revelation – and endure these hard times knowing God and the kingdom of Heaven will come when all is said and done. Let us lead others to the Word and pray that they too have hope and true comfort knowing God will fulfill His Word. 

Written by Kenny

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People Are Leaving the Church – But Why?

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AudioBlog #27 People are Leaving the Church – But Why? – RE:CONNECT

With more people than ever before seeking answers, meaning, and faith in the face of increasingly uncertain times, churches around the world are faced with dwindling numbers in their congregations. More and more, people are leaving the church. This does not, however, mean that they are turning their backs on God or giving up on finding meaning in faith Join Nikki and our team over at https://as-it-is-in-heaven.com to explore some of the reasons why this is happening, and why, if we understand the Bible, we might not be surprised! If you enjoy our content, please consider leaving a review on the podcast platform of your choice. It helps others who might also enjoy it to find it. As always, thank you so much for listening. We appreciate each one of you! RE:CONNECT WITH US Podbean: reconnect.podbean.com Spotify: spoti.fi/3GRHv9C Blog: as-it-is-in-heaven.com Instagram: @asitisinheaven_blog
  1. AudioBlog #27 People are Leaving the Church – But Why?
  2. AudioBlog #26 Seek Him While He Is Near
  3. #43 This, Then, Is How You Should Pray Part 2
  4. AudioBlog #25 You Have to See It to Believe It
  5. #42 This, Then, is How You Should Pray

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Be Careful of What You Eat (Don’t Eat Spiritual Junk Food)

jack o lantern and halloween candy

As Halloween grows ever closer, decorations are going up, costumes are being made (or bought), and candy is being prepared. As a child, trick-or-treating was the best activity. My friends or family and I would go around from house to house, asking the residents for candy. And as always, once everyone got back home, we’d dump our candy buckets and show off our winnings. Some candies would be traded or given away, and others would be kept and saved like it was gold.

Did you have any favorite Halloween candy? Maybe you like the jelly (gummy) worms, eyeballs, and other fun critters. Maybe you liked candy bars and caramels. Or maybe you were one of those weirdos who liked candy corn (just kidding about the weirdo part, you do you).

Text Description automatically generated with medium confidenceA pile of gummy candies Description automatically generated

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As We Put On Halloween Costumes, Let’s Also Put On Our New Selves

black witch hat on dried leaves

As Halloween approaches, I’m sure you’re busy deciding on what costume you’ll wear (like me), or perhaps you already know what you’ll be. Do these give you any ideas?
A person wearing a garment Description automatically generatedA group of women in clothing Description automatically generated with medium confidence

It’s fun to dress up as your favorite character from a movie, TV series, or book. Some people put a lot of work and effort into a good costume. And others go for a more cost-effective route. Halloween allows us to be someone else for a night – to put on a “new self” as it were. Do you know what else tells us to put on a new self? It’s the Bible.

Continue reading “As We Put On Halloween Costumes, Let’s Also Put On Our New Selves”
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The Importance of Being Sealed

close up photo of a stamp on a paper

Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”

Revelation 7:2-3

Have you ever signed your name on an official document (like a contract)? I’m sure you have if you’ve ever applied for a loan application, banking documents, or some other important slip of paper. When we sign our names on those types of documents, it’s different from autographing a friend’s high school yearbook or some photo. When we sign our names, we are certifying that we will abide by and keep whatever terms we’re agreeing to.

Continue reading “The Importance of Being Sealed”
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Even In Our Darkest Hour, Hope is Not Gone – Continue to Fight and Overcome!

green leafed plant on sand

Have you ever felt like the world is crashing around you? Like you just can’t go on any further?

I know there is a lot going on around us that makes us think nothing will get better, as if the enemy has already won. But don’t lose hope! As Christians who hope in heaven and eternal life, we must remember God’s promises written in the Bible. And what God has promised, He shall fulfill.

The LORD of hosts has sworn:
“As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand,”

Isaiah 14:24

Every word of God proves true;
He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Proverbs 30:5

Yet, we also know the devil is at work in the world, too, trying to keep God from fulfilling His plan (spoiler: he won’t win). Still, the devil has been ruling this world since the time of Adam and has 6,000 years of practice. He knows his time will come, so he’s trying to take us all down with him. So, what must we do? Shall we give up and let the devil win? No, we cannot.

Continue reading “Even In Our Darkest Hour, Hope is Not Gone – Continue to Fight and Overcome!”
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Don’t Shoot the Messenger – The One Who Speaks on Behalf

black and gray microphone

“In the Name of Robert Baratheon, First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, and Ruler of the Realm…”

If you enjoy political, medieval period dramas, then surely, you’ve heard of or seen HBO’s Game of Thrones. It’s based on the book series by George R.R. Martin entitled, A Song of Ice and Fire. In that show, we see all kinds of twists and turns as four major families in the land of Westeros fight over control of the Iron Throne and rule the Seven Kingdoms.

Continue reading “Don’t Shoot the Messenger – The One Who Speaks on Behalf”
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Idle Hands are the Devil’s Playthings

person holding pen and notebook

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

2 Thessalonians 3:6, 10-12

“Idle hands are the Devil’s plaything”

I’m sure you’ve heard those words before – whether it was by a parent or teacher – they’re often told to children to keep them busy doing something. Usually, my parents would say that to my siblings and I to keep us out of trouble and make sure we get our schoolwork done. In the world, if you’re working in any profession, an idle worker is unwanted by any employer. If an employee is unproductive and idle, that company may lose money, clients, and eventually suffer. Idle doctors cannot give their patients the best care and neglect their duties. These are some examples we can see around us, but we must now look at what it means according to the Bible. 

In the Bible, that phrase takes on a new meaning.

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Shepherding God’s Flock – The Role of a Pastor

white sheep on farm

When you think of a pastor, what comes to mind? Perhaps you think of your own church pastor – someone who gives sermons on Sunday mornings. Maybe you think of televangelists that preach on TV. Perhaps you think of Catholic priests or some other denominational preacher. Maybe your pastor is very active in the community, organizing mission trips or leading Bible classes. Or maybe your pastor is making hospital visits or visiting shut-ins. Or maybe you might see pastors in a negative light due to past experiences or certain news reports you’ve read or heard. Regardless of if it’s positive or negative, there are many things a pastor does in the world, at least according to people’s own thoughts or feelings. But what is a pastor’s role according to the Bible?

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5 Great Bible Verses for Anxiety

5 bible verses for anxiety

Anxiety is a mental illness that causes frequent feelings of worry, unease, and nervousness. These feelings plague many of us in different ways. And not everyone who experiences anxiety is diagnosed; anxiety is a feeling many people experience from time to time. Maybe it’s your first day at a new school, or you are preparing for a job interview – that nervous feeling is all anxiety. 

Continue reading “5 Great Bible Verses for Anxiety”
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“Until Death Do Us Part” – And Then Some: The Marriage God and Jesus Desire for Us

marriage in the bible

Marriage is such an important life step for everyone who decides to take it. Two people decide to spend the rest of their lives together in a loving and life-long commitment. It’s a life-changing event where you are no longer by yourself; you have to think of your partner, too, when making certain decisions. When you enter university, you begin life as an adult and oftentimes parents or other people ask, “So when are you going to get married?”, especially as you grow older. And if you’re not married by a certain age, people may begin to wonder about you. I guess these days, that sort of pressure is lessened as more and more people are getting married later in life, or not at all. 

As a single man in my late-30s, who’s also the oldest child in my family, I’ve definitely been asked more than once about when I’m going to get married and “settle down”. When I look at all my friends and younger siblings who’ve gotten married, and some who’ve gotten divorced, it makes me wonder if I really want that. But I’m not here to disparage marriage in any way. In fact, I think it’s a beautiful thing because it’s also an important thing to God and Jesus. There’s a deeper spiritual meaning to it all, so let’s find out what the marriage God and Jesus desire for us today. 

Continue reading ““Until Death Do Us Part” – And Then Some: The Marriage God and Jesus Desire for Us”