understanding Archives - Page 2 of 8

October 12, 2022October 15, 2022

The Importance of Being Sealed

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.

October 5, 2022October 5, 2022

Even In Our Darkest Hour, Hope is Not Gone – Continue to Fight and Overcome!

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.

September 27, 2022October 5, 2022

Don’t Shoot the Messenger – The One Who Speaks on Behalf

“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.

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.

August 2, 2022August 2, 2022

Shepherding God’s Flock – The Role of a Pastor

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?

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).