Sin & Righteousness Archives - As It Is in Heaven

November 9, 2022November 9, 2022

True Comfort in Times of Tragedy

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

5 Great Bible Verses for Anxiety

The Battle Within – We Must Overcome Ourselves

People Are Leaving the Church – But Why?

Join Our Bible Study!

Are you interested in learning more about the Bible? Maybe you have lots of questions you want to ask, but don’t know where to go to ask them! If so, we’d love to help!

Consider signing up for our Bible Study where you’ll be connected with a teacher who will guide you through the basics and foundations of the Bible. They will also answer any questions you might have along the way!

You also can learn more about the study by clicking the link below!

Learn More

Check Out Our Other Content!

Make sure to follow us on Instagram for daily verses, prayers, and encouragement!

Do you spend most of your time on YouTube? Or maybe you like to listen to Podcasts in your free time? We’re there too! Check out our YouTube and Podcast channels also!

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

November 2, 2022

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

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).

October 31, 2022October 31, 2022

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

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?

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.

October 25, 2022October 25, 2022

Beware of Murderers in the Night – Halloween May Have Killers, But Let’s Not Become Spiritual Killers

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”
Matthew 5:21-22

With it being October, I also want to continue with the Halloween-themed topics: spirits, the dead rising again, and murderers, and how they relate to us spiritually according to the Bible.

September 21, 2022September 21, 2022

The True Sabbath Rest God Desires

red wooden lounge chair on brown boardwalk near body of water during daytime

When you think of the word, “Sabbath,” what comes to mind? For many believers, Sunday is the day in which they give service to God as a day of worship and rest. Today, many families may still run errands, get housework done, see friends or family, or do some other thing. But why is the Sabbath day a day of rest?

It goes back to what God had commanded the Israelites in the Old Testament.

September 12, 2022October 15, 2022

Idle Hands are the Devil’s Playthings

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.

August 22, 2022October 22, 2022

5 Bible Verses about Trusting God

photo of people reaching each other s hands

What is Trust?

Trust – it’s one of the most complicated things in the world when it comes to human relationships. This value is something built over time, it’s the foundation of human interaction. One wrong move and that trust you built with someone is broken and changed forever. Cheating, lying, and breaking promises are all key components to breaking your trust with someone. Does this sound familiar? Think about our relationship with God.

From the time of Adam, up until now, God’s chosen people have constantly broken their covenants (promises) with God and cheated on him with other gods repeatedly. In other words, God’s people strayed and gave their sacrifices and hearts to other gods. Yet each time His people betrayed, they were given more chances to fix what they had broken, but they never did. Yet in Revelation, God creates a new thing, a New Heaven and New Earth that become the people that will never betray Him and will live eternally by His side (Rv 21). So if we are living in a time when we have the chance to be trusted by God and become His people, then it’s important to ask why should we trust God?

A better question; why shouldn’t we trust Him?

August 17, 2022August 17, 2022

Jesus Was Blessed by God, and We Can Be, Too. Here’s How…

man in black long sleeved shirt and woman in black dress

#Blessed

I’m sure you’ve heard of “The Beatitudes” that Jesus spoke. The sermon on the mount is what most people initially think of when they picture Jesus preaching in their minds. They are wonderful teachings that instruct believers on how they should act in good times and bad. If you haven’t read them before, let’s read them now.

And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Matthew 5:2-12

In all of these verses, Jesus begins with “Blessed are…”. What does all this mean? How do we become those who are blessed? Let’s try to understand these on a deeper level by looking at Jesus, the one who gave us these teachings.

July 26, 2022July 26, 2022

“Come With Me If You Want to Live!” – Coming Out to Salvation

I love watching all kinds of movies – especially action, Sci-fi, and fantasy movies. One series that has continued for decades now is The Terminator series. In the second film of the franchise, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, an advanced cyborg from the future is sent back to the past to terminate a boy named, John Connor. John and his mother are protected by another cyborg who gives us this famous line:

Copyright Terminator 2: Judgment Day

These two characters are being hunted and will be destroyed (killed), but someone comes and saves them. Doesn’t this remind you of what happens in the Bible? A savior to appear when things seem like all hope is lost?

Previously, we’ve read about what it means to betray God and being destroyed because of that betrayal. Now, let’s learn and understand what God’s true purpose and desire for us as believers is.

July 17, 2022July 17, 2022

The Moment You Think You’re Safe, Think Again, or Destruction Will Come

Previously I wrote a post about what it means to betray God. Betraying God means leaving His Word, receiving false teachings after knowing the truth (like Adam eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil even though he knew not to), and death – both physically and spiritually (Rev. 20:15, 21:8).

Category: Sin & Righteousness