Faithful Writing

Psalm 30:5 Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.   In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we often face countless challenges that weigh heavily upon our hearts. It may be a personal struggle, a difficult professional situation, or a global crisis piling on the strain. These challenges can be so overwhelming that they obscure the brightness of joy and pleasure in our lives.   Our faith, however, offers us a different perspective, one that is not dependent on external circumstances but anchored on the steadfastness of God's love. Today, let us delve deep into the scriptures, drawing solace from God’s word.   When we find ourselves unable to experience pleasure or joy, it is easy to fall into the trap of despair and hopelessness. In these moments, remember the Apostle Paul's words in Romans 5:3-4: " We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops str

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.   Let us address an issue often shrouded in silence, yet etched deeply into the souls of many among us. It is mental health, a subject of paramount importance, yet often relegated to the shadows in our conversations and dialogues.   Let us take this moment to embrace the words of Scripture in Psalms 34:18: " The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit ." In understanding mental health from a Christian viewpoint, we are called to recognise the deep compassion, love, and understanding that our Heavenly Father extends to those battling mental health issues.   We must first understand that mental health issues are not a sign of spiritual failure. They are not a reflection of one's lack of faith or spiritual weakness. Much like physical illnesses, they are conditions that affect the human condition, warranting our empath

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.   Today we shall explore a profound theme that has occupied the minds and hearts of humanity since the dawn of consciousness. It is the eternal dance of good and evil, the perpetual equilibrium between light and darkness, the ceaseless struggle between virtue and vice. This dichotomy is as old as existence itself, as intrinsic to our human nature as breathing.   The Holy Scriptures, our map to navigate this complex world, provide us with explicit instructions. They acknowledge both good and evil and admonish us to choose the path of righteousness. The Psalmist writes in Psalms (34:14) Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. This powerful verse indeed encapsulates the essence of our discussion today.   Yet, let us pause for a moment to ponder: Why does evil exist if God is good? The Bible conveys to us that evil entered our world through the misuse of free will. When Adam and Eve ate from t

2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness .   In our world we are often pressured to be perfect, to do everything right, to make no mistakes. We are taught that to err is to fail, and failure is something we should fear. However, brethren, this notion is not of God, but of the world.   God knows our flaws and that our spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). He is not asking us to be perfect, rather, He is asking us to rely on His perfect strength. Even in our weakness, God's grace is sufficient for us. We do not have to be perfect because God's power and perfection are already at work within us through the Holy Spirit.   I understand that many of us are challenged with fear and anxiety over making mistakes. This often leads us to be overly cautious and hypervigilant, constantly on high alert to avoid these perceived failures. However, Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28, " Come to me, all who labo

Joshua 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served.. or the gods of the.. land where you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.   Let us discuss a topic of utmost importance. A topic that affects our daily lives, our attitudes, our relationships, and ultimately, our place in the eternal kingdom of God. We shall meditate on the consequences of our choices, both positive and negative, and the implications they have for our lives.   Proverbs 16:9 tells us, " In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps ." It is, therefore, essential to understand the gravity of every decision we make, for even in our own plans, it is the Lord's will that prevails.   Life is a beautiful tapestry woven with threads of choices. Some threads shine with radiant colours, while others seem dull and sombre. However, it is the combination of all

John 10:17-18 I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have the power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.   I feel blessed and honoured to share with you a thought that might have passed your hearts at one point or another. This thought is about feeling personally responsible for Christ's death. Let us read together from the book of Romans, Chapter 5, Verse 8: " But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us ."   The depths of this scripture unveil to us the essence of Christ's death - a sacrifice made while we were yet sinners. It is natural then to feel a sense of responsibility, a heaviness in our hearts, for it was our sin that required such a noble sacrifice. But allow me to share with you another perspective, an encouraging way to perceive this reality.   Our journey of faith is not meant to be a burden of guilt, but a journey

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.   Today, I want to bring to light a subject that dwells in the shadowy corners of many hearts - the chronic fear surrounding salvation, rapture, hell, and demons. As your fellow-servant on this spiritual journey, it is my duty to guide you through the fog of apprehension into the clear light of God's love. Fear is a spirit, one that creeps into our hearts and minds, whispering lies of condemnation, doubt, and despair. It speaks in half-truths and illusions, causing us to view our Father's divine plan through a distorted lens.   Fear of salvation, rapture, hell, or demons is not from God. It is a tool used by the enemy to steal your joy, kill your faith, and destroy your identity in Christ. It is time we confront these fears with the truth of God's Word.   God's plan of salvation is not a terrifying judgement but a gift of grace. " For by grace you ha

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.   Today, we gather as a body of Christ, united in faith and love, to reflect upon a significant aspect of our spiritual journey - living by God's standards of abstinence and modesty. As we navigate our paths through the world, we are constantly met with conflicting standards, those of the world and those set forth by our Divine Creator. The world encourages indulgence, but God calls us to a life of self-control and restraint. The world promotes ostentatious display, but God desires a modest heart.   In 1 Peter 2:11, the apostle Peter writes, " Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul ." This verse vividly reminds us that our true home is not of this world, but in the heavenly realms with our Creator. We are merely temporary residents here, called to live a life of abstinence from sinful desires that conflict with our spir

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight .   Often, we find ourselves on the precipice of a dilemma, caught between trusting our fallible human understanding and the infallible wisdom of our Heavenly Father. It is a struggle, borne out of our inherent human nature, to take the reins of control rather than yield to the divine will of God. We are prone to trusting our impressions, our judgments, and our solutions. But let me remind you today, beloved, that our understanding is finite, and can be misguided.   The Bible cautions us, " The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). It is a gentle nudge, urging us to shift our gaze from our own fallible hearts and minds to the infallible wisdom of God. For He alone can guide us through life's complex maze with unfailing precision.   But ho

John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father Today let us reflect upon a crucial aspect of our spiritual journey – our struggle with self-autonomy. It is a journey where we seek control over our destiny, our decisions, and our life's path. But as we strive for this control, often we find ourselves in conflict with the divine plan God has set for us.   Paul, in his letter to the Romans, wrote, " I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do " (Romans 7:15). These words ring true for many of us. We grapple with our desires and our actions, sometimes feeling adrift in an ocean of confusion and strife, torn between the autonomy we crave and the submission God asks of us.   However, beloved, let us not drown in this sea of confusion. Instead, let us remember the Almighty is our lifeguard. Our Father in heaven is not a tyra