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A Brand New You

2 Corinthians 5:17. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; The old has gone, the new has come!

Jesus did not come merely to change our behavior or improve our way of life. He did not come simply to adjust our circumstances or meet only our emotional and physical needs. Most certainly, He did not come to establish another religion filled with rituals and rules for us to follow.

Jesus came to give us something far greater—life itself. He came to give us a new birth. Why? Because we were spiritually dead—dead in our transgressions and sins (Ephesians 2:1). Our condition wasn’t one of weakness or confusion—it was one of death. We didn’t need improvement; we needed resurrection.

So Jesus went to the cross on our behalf. When He died, we died with Him. When He rose again, we were raised with Him into new life (Romans 6:1–10). Through His death and resurrection, He gave us something no religion, philosophy, or self-effort could ever offer: complete and eternal life in Him.

Because of what Jesus has done, when we believed in Him as the Christ, God placed us in Christ. This means we are now united with Him—joined to His life, His righteousness, His inheritance. God adopted us as His beloved children through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5). We have been born again—not just improved, but made new—into God’s family (1 John 5:1). And He gave us His Spirit, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15), a cry of intimacy and assurance.

Remember this: you have a brand-new identity. Nothing—not your mistakes, your weaknesses, your circumstances, or the opinions of others—can change who you are in Christ. Your name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can erase it. The Holy Spirit Himself testifies with your spirit that you are a child of God (Romans 8:16). God delights in you with joy and sings over you with gladness (Zephaniah 3:17). His eyes, burning with love and purpose, are always on you (Revelation 19:12).

Like a tender and attentive father, God bends down to listen when you pray (Psalm 116:2). He answers your prayers with wisdom and goodness (Luke 11:11–13). You are held firmly in His hands, and no one—not even you—can snatch you away (John 10:29). So never let the world, the devil, or your own insecurities define your worth. Your value comes from God. You matter to Him—deeply and eternally.

You now have a new freedom. You are no longer under the rule of your former father, the devil. You are no longer enslaved to the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). Through Christ, you are completely free. God sees you through the perfection of His Son—holy, blameless, and without fault (Ephesians 1:4). It is God who justifies you, so no accusation can stick. The enemy has no legal grounds to condemn you (Romans 8:33).

Therefore, stop dwelling on the past. It is finished (John 19:30). Every sin has been forgiven, every shame erased. Guilt no longer has a voice in your life. The victory Jesus won over sin is now yours. His righteousness is your permanent covering. Receive that truth. Claim that freedom. And walk in it, today and every day.

You also have a new purpose. Life is no longer about yourself, your plans, or your performance. The Holy Spirit now leads you to live for Christ—the One who died for you and rose again (2 Corinthians 5:15). Your highest aim is no longer success or comfort, but to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). You are Christ’s ambassador on this earth, sent with the message of reconciliation to a broken world (2 Corinthians 5:18–20).

By the power of the Holy Spirit, you are called to be His witness to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Through your life, God will bring light into dark places, healing to broken hearts, and freedom to those trapped under the power of the devil.

Prayer. Father, I thank You for making me brand new through Jesus Christ. Help me to let go of the old and fully embrace the new life You’ve given me. Lead me by Your Spirit to live in freedom, walk in truth, and fulfill the purpose You’ve prepared for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Why Is the Gospel So Good?

Romans 1:16-17. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. ¹⁷For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Why is the gospel so good? Because it is easy and light. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30). The gospel is not a heavy weight but a message of perfect rest. The Author of all joy gave the gospel to humanity, who had fallen into a state of constant unhappiness, frustration, and despair. The gospel is God’s answer to the deepest longings of the human heart.

The Son of God came into the world as the True King to destroy the works of the devil—the one who introduced sin, death, and misery to the world since the fall of Adam and Eve. As the True Priest, He offered His own blood to break the chains of sin and set us free from the law of sin and death. As the True Prophet, He opened a new and living way to God, tearing down the barrier between heaven and earth, and transferring us from the background of hell into the glorious kingdom of light.

His name is Jesus. Through His death and resurrection, He completed the work of the Christ. No religion, philosophy, or human effort could ever achieve what Jesus accomplished. He who was without sin became sin for us, so that we might be made righteous before God (2 Corinthians 5:21). He offers salvation freely to all who receive and believe in Him as the Christ, the Anointed One sent by God.

Why is the gospel so good? Because it is secure. When you received the gospel, God sealed you with the Holy Spirit, the promised Helper, as a guarantee of your eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:13–14). Your salvation is not based on your performance, but on Christ’s finished work. No power of hell, no force of darkness, and no failure of your own can take away what God has secured. You are His, forever.

Because you are in Christ, God hears your prayers and answers them. You are no longer a stranger or a beggar—you are a child of God, with full access to His throne. Do not be anxious or afraid. The Holy Spirit, who now lives in you, is leading you step by step in righteousness and truth. Though you may feel weak and unworthy, the Spirit within you is strong and perfect. He will strengthen you to stand firm in all situations. Nothing and no one can stand against you. Nothing can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:31–39).

Why is the gospel so good? Because it is powerful. With the gospel, God has given you spiritual authority—the authority to overcome all the power of the enemy. He has armed you with the name above every name: Jesus. You are not fighting for victory, but from victory. God has already guaranteed triumph in the battle “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

Whenever the devil comes to attack, he will fail—because he cannot defeat those who stand in the name of Jesus, the True King. You are not to fear the enemy; he is the one who should fear you. Stand firm. Resist the devil by submitting to God and holding fast to His Word. Do not let your guard down—stay on the offensive through prayer, worship, and the proclamation of truth.

Stay spiritually alert. Do not give up, and do not be discouraged. Victory is certain. The peace of God will soon crush Satan under your feet (Romans 16:20). Stand in the triumph of your King and declare His victory wherever you go.

Why is the gospel so good? Because it is effective. God has given you the greatest privilege—prayer. Through prayer, the Holy Spirit works powerfully in and through you. When you pray, the forces of darkness are pushed back, and the kingdom of Satan begins to collapse. God commands His angel armies to protect you and carry out His will.

Just as Elijah prayed and the heavens responded, your prayers are powerful and effective (James 5:16). Jesus said that whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19). Through your intercession, God brings healing to the sick, comfort to the brokenhearted, and salvation to the lost. He uses your life to proclaim the gospel—the good news that brings freedom and restoration to the nations.

Taste and see that the gospel is good. It is the greatest treasure, the most powerful truth, and the eternal hope for all mankind.

Prayer. Father, I thank You for the gospel. It is truly so good. Help me to experience the fullness of the gospel in every area of my life. Let its power be evident in my thoughts, words, and actions. Use me to proclaim this good news to the ends of the earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Why Does Sickness Leave When You Pray?

Matthew 8:14-17. When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. ¹⁵He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

¹⁶When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. ¹⁷This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

“He took up our infirmities
and bore our diseases.”

Today’s Word testifies that Jesus Christ bore all our diseases and carried all our sicknesses. He revealed the power of the gospel by healing the sick, demonstrating that true salvation encompasses the whole person—spirit, soul, and body.

After His resurrection, Jesus gave this promise to His disciples: “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well” (Mark 16:17–18).

Holding firmly to this covenant, the apostles and believers of the Early Church boldly ministered to the sick, healing them and proclaiming the gospel of Christ. Their healing ministry was not a separate act of mercy, but a direct manifestation of the authority of the risen Lord.

The world today is desperately in need of healing. This is not only about physical diseases, but deeper healing: healing from the condition of being under the power of the devil (Acts 10:38); healing from emotional and psychological wounds—crushed hearts and weary minds (Matthew 11:28); and healing from visible and invisible illnesses that torment the body (Acts 8:4–8). But why does healing take place when we pray in the name of Jesus?

First, we must confirm the promise of healing in Scripture. The Bible provides undeniable evidence of God’s will to heal. “All who touched Him were healed” (Mark 6:56). “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases” (Matthew 8:17). “By His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). God’s covenant of healing did not end with Christ’s ascension. It is an ongoing promise to those who believe.

Second, we must understand that some illnesses have spiritual roots beyond the reach of medicine. While many ailments are caused by fatigue, infections, aging, or poor lifestyle habits, Scripture reveals three profound spiritual causes of disease that cannot be solved by human effort.

Some illnesses are caused by sin. Original sin and generational sin can bring afflictions that affect even the third and fourth generations (Exodus 20:4–5). Actual sins, such as rebellion and idolatry, open the door to destruction and suffering (2 Samuel 12:15). The root of sin that entered through Adam brings death, decay, and sickness to all humanity (Genesis 3:16–19).

Other illnesses are the result of demonic activity. Jesus healed all who were under the power of the devil (Acts 10:38), showing that Satan’s schemes manifest in both physical and mental illness. Demon possession and oppression (Mark 5:2–15), as well as emotional and mental disturbances (Matthew 12:25–28; Ephesians 4:23–27), often reveal the enemy’s activity.

Still, there are instances when God allows illness for His greater purpose. Sometimes sickness is used to humble, discipline, or reveal God’s glory (John 9:1–3; 2 Corinthians 12:7; Daniel 8:27).

In such cases, incorrect treatments—especially those that ignore the spiritual aspect—can make the condition worse. Treatments based solely on medical care can only bring temporary physical relief. When the root problem is spiritual, human methods have their limits. Worse still are treatments based on superstition, religious rituals, or reliance on the power of evil spirits. These can bring even more serious consequences and spiritual bondage.

What, then, is the right order of healing? There must be spiritual healing first. As 3 John 1:2 says, true prosperity in health flows from a prosperous spirit. One must receive Jesus as the Christ (John 1:12). Only by being filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) can a person gain the strength to overcome sickness. One must also stop sinning and seek repentance (James 5:13–16) and purify one’s living environment from spiritual influences that oppose God (Matthew 12:25–29).

Medical treatments should be pursued only after addressing the spiritual root. Mental and physical wellness follow spiritual wellness. What a person does after healing is also critical. One must live by faith, in gratitude, and with a life dedicated to witnessing the gospel.

If you are struggling with a serious illness, remember that your prayer is powerful and effective. Do not remain in anxiety, but enter into deep prayer, holding onto the gospel until all fear is driven out. Stop worrying, and start experiencing the presence of God. As Philippians 4:6–7 declares, the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. God will raise you as Christ’s witness to bring the message of healing to all nations.

Prayer. Father, I thank You for the promise of healing through Your Son, Jesus Christ. By the power of the gospel, heal my spirit, soul, mind, and body. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I may bring the message of healing to all nations. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer is a Spiritual Science!

Luke 11:11-13. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹²Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Do you receive answers to your prayers? How is your prayer different from that of unbelievers?

All religions have some form of prayer. How do the people of religion receive answers to their prayers? But how could the prayers offered to idols be answered?

The unbelievers receive answers to their prayers and what they asked for, but, in the end, they are bound to fail in life. The answers they receive come from an unexpected place: “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). The devil lies by granting what people wish for in their prayers.

People pray earnestly, but they do not realize they are engaging in a dangerous spiritual activity: “No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons” (1 Corinthians 10:20). This is how the leaders of cults and various religions possess supernatural power and deceive people: “Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (Matthew 24:11).

But when you pray, God will answer you in three ways. In most cases, God answers immediately with a yes. But God will say no if the things you have asked for may not be beneficial to you or unnecessary. Sometimes, God will tell you to wait for things better than what you asked for or His time. God desires to bless you in the best way possible.

Remember, you have the right to receive answers to your prayer. You are a child of God (John 1:12). God answers your prayer because of your identity and nothing else. But you must pray in Jesus’ name (John 14:14). You must restore fellowship with God by confessing your sins (Psalm 66:18). You must pray in faith (Luke 11:5-12). And you must pray with perseverance (Luke 18:1-8). Then God will answer to your mind and heart and give you wisdom and discernment (Philippians 4:6-7).

There are things you should keep in mind when you pray. Ask not “my will be done,” but “Your perfect will be done.”Not “by my plan,” but “by Your great plan.”Not “for my circumstance,” but “for Your hidden plans.” Do not pray with a heart of vengeance but with forgiveness and thanksgiving. Approach God’s throne with an attitude of submission to His will.

Prayer is a spiritual science. What does it mean? When you pray, the Holy Spirit will powerfully work in you and your life (Luke 11:13, Matthew 12:28). By the power of the Holy Spirit, the evil spirits will be bound (Matthew 12:28-29). And God’s angel army will be mobilized to accomplish His work (Hebrews 1:14, Revelation 8:3-5, Daniel 10:10-20).

Prayer moves the throne of our Triune God. Prayer shakes the foundation of heaven and earth. Prayer calls the power of the universe to destroy the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the devil. Prayer enables us to communicate with the future. That is why prayer changes everything.

God will also send people as answers to your prayer as He has done that to Abraham (Genesis 18:2-15); Elijah (1 Kings 19:5-7); Elisha (2 Kings 6:13-17); Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:1-10); Jesus’ disciples (Acts 1:10-11); the apostles (Acts 5:19-20); Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10:1-9); the Early Church (Acts 12:1-10); John (Revelation 1:1-20).

Most importantly, prayer is an awareness and enjoyment of the presence of God. When you realize you are living in the presence of the One who created the universe from nothing and loved you to the point He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die, you will stop worrying.

When you realize how much God cares for you, you will not want anything but Him. God will be your shield and very great reward. You will cherish your Father more than the answers to your prayers. Being alone with Him through prayer will give you the greatest joy. Enjoy the privilege of prayer He has given to you throughout the day.

Prayer. Father, I thank you for the blessing of living in Your presence. I desire to taste the joy and power of prayer throughout the day .In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now that I Am Saved, How Have I Changed?

1 Corinthians 2:10,14. But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹⁴The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

Many believers seek external changes in their lives as evidence of salvation. They are fooled by the things they can see without being able to see what God has freely given to them (1 Corinthians 2:12). But the spiritual blessings should come first: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” (3 John 1:2, NKJV).

They do not understand “the things that came from the Spirit of God.” They do not see real changes God has brought to their lives through Christ. As a result, they place condition before identity, doing before being, fruit before enjoyment, and evidence before promise. What are, then, the real changes we must see? What has been revealed to us by the Spirit of God? The gospel.

God did not spare His own Son to save us. He became man, shed His blood on the cross, rose again from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now lives in us, leading and empowering us through the Holy Spirit. This is the gospel.

However, most people do not understand what salvation means. They believe they can be saved just by being religious (John 3:1-10). Religion, however, is not the gospel because it is made by man. Even though people intend to do good works, their good deeds are not considered good at all in the sight of God, as “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6).

Some believe that by going to church, they can be saved. Simply attending church is worthless and only piles up more burdens and makes things worse (Matthew 12:43-45). Some believe that by being devout and zealous, they can meet the standard of salvation. Many people hold onto strong convictions or philosophies. But this leads to only emptiness and failures in life.

Some people even believe they can be saved by memorizing and reciting Bible verses and religious chants or praying earnestly. All of these only produce temporary, external changes. In the end, they become weary and heavy-laden (Matthew 11:28-30).

What is then the state of being saved? This is an inner spiritual transformation. The Holy Spirit lives in you and governs your life. And there is life in the Holy Spirit: “Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:2).

You cannot enter the kingdom of God unless you are born again by water and the Spirit (John 3:3-5). The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, will not leave you nor can be cast out from you: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17).

When you understand the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, you will confirm your salvation (Romans 8:2), fully meet the righteous requirement of the law (Romans 8:4), and belong to Christ (Romans 8:9). You will also be able to discover God’s will, blessings, and grace (1 Corinthians 2:10-14).

You will realize that you are the temple of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). Nothing can destroy you. The Holy Spirit will correct you (Galatians 5:16-18), guide you through the Word (John 14:26), give you peace (John 14:27), answer your prayer (Romans 8:26), work out all things for your good according to His will (Romans 8:28).

Four fundamental changes happened to you who possess life, the Holy Spirit. Your identity has been changed from a child of Satan to a child of God (John 8:44, 1 John 3:2, John 5:24). Nothing can change who you are in Christ.

You have also changed from a slave to sin to a servant of God, completely set free from the power of sin (Romans 6:17, Romans 6:22). Let nothing fool you any longer. Live for the glory of God.

You have passed from death to life (Ephesians 2:1, Ephesians 2:5). God changed your permanent address from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. You have been set from the oppression of Satan to the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:2, Galatians 5:18). The Holy Spirit will never abandon you, but He will guide and sanctify you (John 14:16, 26; Galatians 5:16-18).

Remember, no one can destroy you who are in Christ. No one can snatch you from the hand of God. Let’s confirm this marvelous truth:

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31-39)

Abide in the love of God that is unconditional, infinite, constant, and irresistible. You will then see the fruit of the Spirit in your life (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy, peace (toward God); patience, kindness, goodness (toward others); faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (toward yourself).

When the people see you bringing good things out of the good stored up in your heart, they will see the light of the gospel and praise your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). Ask God to fill your mind with the mind of Christ. Always speak faith, hope, and love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Prayer. Father, open my eyes to see the things that came from Your Spirit. Help me understand the true changes since Jesus came into my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Why Don’t I Have Assurance?

1 John 5:11-13. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. ¹²Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. ¹³I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Many believers live with either incorrect assurance or no assurance at all. Instead of grounding their confidence in the Word of God, they build their assurance on their own thoughts, feelings, and personal standards. Others seek reassurance from people, circumstances, or recognition from the world. Yet any assurance built on something other than the One who alone gives true and ultimate assurance will eventually lead to confusion and insecurity.

When people do not possess the assurance that comes from God Himself, they begin to search for substitutes. They devote themselves to outward religion, strict legalism, moral effort, or upright living in an attempt to secure peace within their hearts. However, these efforts can never provide the certainty their souls truly need.

Because their foundation is unstable, they become easy targets for the enemy. Scripture warns believers to cast all their anxiety on God because He cares for them, and at the same time to remain alert and sober-minded, because the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:7–8).

When believers are not firmly assured of God’s perfect love, fear begins to dominate their hearts. Instead of resting in grace, they begin to live in anxiety about punishment or rejection. Scripture makes it clear that perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment, and the one who fears has not been made perfect in love (1 John 4:18). The question then arises: why do so many continue to live without this assurance?

First, many believers do not truly understand the new life that begins at salvation. A person who has been saved has become a child of God. This identity is not achieved through good works or moral effort but is given through faith in Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John declares that to all who receive Him and believe in His name, He gives the right to become children of God (John 1:12).

The moment a person accepts Jesus as Savior and Lord, a new relationship with God begins. Christ Himself comes to dwell within that person. Jesus declares that He stands at the door and knocks, and if anyone hears His voice and opens the door, He will come in and fellowship with that person (Revelation 3:20).

Christ dwells in the believer through the Holy Spirit. This indwelling does not depend on one’s ability, status, or spiritual maturity. The apostle Paul reminds believers that they themselves are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God dwells in them (1 Corinthians 3:16). Because of this new life, the believer’s identity has been permanently changed.

Nothing can destroy or reverse what God has done. The Spirit Himself testifies to the truth of Christ, for no one can confess that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3). Through Christ, believers are now living under the law of the Spirit of life, which has set them free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). This is the true life that God has given.

People do not clearly understand the spiritual condition of those who do not have Christ. Scripture plainly states that the one who has the Son has life, but the one who does not have the Son of God does not have life (1 John 5:11–12). Those who are without Christ remain in the same fallen condition as Adam and Eve after the fall, separated from God and from true life.

The Bible teaches that Satan actively influences the lives of unbelievers. Jesus Himself said that those who reject the truth follow the desires of their father, the devil (John 8:44). Even if unbelievers achieve wealth, success, or recognition, their hearts remain restless and burdened. That is why Jesus invites the weary and burdened to come to Him for rest (Matthew 11:28–29).

Without Christ, true peace cannot be found. Outward success cannot resolve the inner conflict and division that exist within the human heart. Jesus taught that a house divided against itself cannot stand (Matthew 12:25). Scripture also explains that unbelievers unknowingly follow the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit now at work in those who are disobedient (Ephesians 2:2–3).

As a result, many experience spiritual, emotional, and even physical suffering. The book of Acts records numerous instances of people tormented in their minds and bodies until the power of God set them free (Acts 8:4–8; Acts 16:16–18). Ultimately, without Christ, people face eternal separation from God, as illustrated in the account of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19–31).

Second, people also struggle with assurance because they do not fully understand the blessings they have received through salvation. Before coming to Christ, humanity was spiritually dead because of sin, living under condemnation and separated from God (Ephesians 2:1). But through Christ, believers have been completely freed from the curse and condemnation caused by sin. This includes the guilt of original sin, the inherited consequences of sin, and the personal sins committed in life.

Because of this, the apostle John confidently declares that the one who has the Son has life (1 John 5:12). Through salvation, believers are freed from the power of Satan that once influenced their lives (Ephesians 2:2). They are also delivered from the destiny of eternal condemnation and instead are raised up with Christ and seated with Him in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6). Furthermore, God intends to display the riches of His grace through the lives of believers for generations to come (Ephesians 2:7).

Third, many believers do not recognize the privileges that belong to them as children of God. Jesus spoke about these privileges when Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. In response, Jesus promised that He would build His church upon that confession and that the gates of Hades would not overcome it (Matthew 16:18).

Those who believe in Christ are given the privilege of proclaiming the gospel and participating in God’s work of building His church. They are also given authority to stand against the power of Satan. Scripture calls believers to resist the devil and assures them that he will flee (James 4:7). God Himself promises that the God of peace will soon crush Satan under the feet of His people (Romans 16:20).

Believers are also given the privilege of prayer. Through Christ, they can approach God with confidence and speak directly to Him. Jesus promised that He would give His followers the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and that whatever they bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever they loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 16:19). Prayer is therefore not merely a religious habit but a powerful connection with the throne of heaven. It is one of the greatest privileges granted to those who belong to God.

Finally, many believers lack assurance because they do not understand the way a child of God is meant to live. The Christian life is not sustained by human effort but by the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would teach believers and remind them of His truth (John 14:26–27). Because of this, believers are called to cast their anxieties on God and trust in His care (1 Peter 5:7). Instead of relying on their own strength, they must depend on the One who loved them and gave Himself for them.

The apostle Paul described this life of faith when he said that he had been crucified with Christ and no longer lived, but Christ lived in him. The life he now lived in the body, he lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved him and gave Himself for him (Galatians 2:20). Living by the Spirit also requires sincerity before God. Hidden motives and hypocrisy cannot deceive Him. The story of Ananias and Sapphira reminds believers of the seriousness of pretending to be spiritual while hiding deceit in the heart (Acts 5:1–10).

If a believer desires to be led by the Holy Spirit, Christ must remain the center of life. Anyone who is in Christ has become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Prayer must become a priority in daily life, as seen in the early church (Acts 16:13, 16). The believer’s life itself must become a testimony of the gospel as the Holy Spirit empowers them to be witnesses (Acts 1:8). As they walk in this life of faith, they can entrust even their long-standing problems to the care of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, believers should live each day with confidence in the truth of God’s Word. They can declare with assurance that they are children of God and possess eternal life. When they pray in the name of Jesus, they can trust that God hears and answers them. When trials or temptations arise, they can stand firm in the knowledge that Jesus Christ, their true King, has already overcome the world and now lives within them. When the enemy attempts to trap them with guilt or shame, they can boldly proclaim that their true Priest, Jesus Christ, has broken the power of sin and the curse through His death on the cross, setting them free from the law of sin and death.

With this confidence, continue moving forward in faith, holding firmly to the promise of Jesus Christ, who declared that He would be with you always, even to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20). In that promise lies the unshakable assurance that sustains the life of every child of God.

Prayer. Father, thank You for the assurance You have given through Your Word. Help me stand firmly on Your promises and not on my own thoughts or feelings. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I may live with confidence as Your child. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Why Is Jesus the Only Way for Us?

1 John 3:8. He who does what is sinful is of the devil because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

The world is driven by pluralism and liberal theology, which deny the uniqueness of Christ. They believe and preach the message that all religions are the same. But they do not know the essence of sin or original sin.

Original sin is the fundamental issue that touches everyone regardless of who they are and what they do. People are ignorant of the one who initiated mankind’s rebellion against God—the devil who “has been sinning from the beginning” (1 John 3:8).

Today’s Word clearly states that sin and the devil are inseparable. Sin is the displacement from the glory of God: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). It is the spiritual location completely cut off from the Creator of life. This is the place of eternal death, curse, and hell.

In this state of sin, everyone follows the “ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 2:2).

People do not understand the difference between religion and the gospel, between law and the gospel. They certainly do not see the reality of their own spiritual condition, trying to hide their long-standing spiritual problems and continual failures in life. And they do not acknowledge the reality of hell.

Worst yet, today’s churches, which have been entrusted with the gospel to save the world, conformed themselves to the pattern of this world and stopped teaching and proclaiming the message that Jesus is the only way to escape from the power of Satan, sin, and hell.

Unfortunately, most people cannot distinguish salvation from religion. They think that all religions are the same. Upright living and good deeds are the goals and means of all religions.

Christianity, however, is not a religion but life itself. Religion is created by mankind, but the gospel is given by God. Religion is about mankind searching for God, but the gospel is about God reaching out to mankind.

The standard of religion is mankind’s effort, but that of the gospel is a gift of God for salvation given to mankind by His grace: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

The method of religion is mankind’s achievement, but that of the gospel is faith in the One who has finished everything on the cross. Religion brings only external changes, but the gospel gives life: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

The people of religion try to cover themselves with the things of the world and their religious lifestyle, but the people of the gospel have nothing to hide and follow the path of honesty that is straight and true (Isaiah 26:7).

The people of religion will experience even more trouble than before: “Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation” (Matthew 12:45).

But the people of the gospel will enjoy peace: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:26-27).

In all circumstances, the people of the gospel will find rest: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).

Eventually, the people of religion will be led to destruction: “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things” (Philippians 3:19).

But the people of the gospel live in the kingdom of God here on earth and will go home to heaven to be with their king Jesus when they leave this life: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21).

Jesus clearly distinguished between the two when He said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate, broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Many will choose religion, and very few will choose the gospel.

Most people also do not realize the state of the unsaved. Original sin is the state of the unsaved (Romans 3:10, 23). This means that they are still in the hands of Satan, who appeared to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-6).

They remain in the state of condemnation, being held by the spirit of Satan, under the power of curses, driven by idols, superstition, and religion, facing continual failures in life, and suffering from all kinds of mental issues and physical problems (Matthew 8:16-17), eternally condemned in hell (Luke 16:19-31, Revelation 14:1-9), and bound to pass generational curses on to their children (Exodus 20:4).

This is why there has to be only one Savior. He must be the One who has the power to defeat Satan. He must be human, clothed in the flesh (John 1:1, 14). He must not be a descendant of Adam: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).

He must be without sin (Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 3:18). A sinless person must die to pay for the price of sin (Genesis 2:17). As the evidence of His divinity, He must rise again from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). This person is Jesus Christ. Only Jesus, who is God himself, could defeat Satan’s power and save mankind. And His power is evident even today (Acts 16:16-18).

What exactly is salvation? It is the solution to the problem of the past—freedom from sin that causes destruction (Ephesians 2:1), including original sin, sins of the father, and the actual sins we commit motivated by our sinful nature that came from original sin.

Salvation is the solution to the present problem—freedom from Satan’s power (Ephesians 2:2). Salvation is also the solution to the future problem—being seated in heaven (Ephesians 2:6).

God saved us so that His kindness to us who belong to Christ Jesus would clearly show for all time to come the amazing richness of His grace (Ephesians 2:7). This is the reality of the salvation we received.

If you experience the uniqueness of Christ in your life, you will see your True King crushing Satan under your feet wherever you go. You will see your True Priest destroying the power of curses from sin in people’s lives. You will also experience your True Prophet, saving lives from the background of hell.

God made you a witness of all these for all nations. So, discover answers only in the gospel. Experience a life best lived—the life of the evangelist. You will see a dramatic transformation in your life like Paul:

“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-10).

Prayer. Father, I thank You for the only way back to You, Christ Jesus, Your Son. The only power over Satan. The only Savior for my sin. Use my life today to proclaim the Good News that Jesus is the Christ, the only way for the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

How Can You Meet God?

John 14:6. Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Most people do not realize that they cannot meet God by any means. And yet, they believe they have something that will enable them to meet God, including religion, conviction, philosophy, and morality.

Even believers try to meet God in some way through their efforts. As a result, they fail to experience the essence of the gospel: God came to meet and be with us. That is why the believers ask for the things unbelievers do in prayer. They fail to enjoy the greatest blessing of all, Immanuel, which means God with us. Not only that, they fail to experience the most incredible power of all, the filling of the Holy Spirit, and the most incredible privilege of all, living as Christ’s witnesses.

No one can meet God because He is spirit (John 4:24). We cannot see Him with our physical eyes. God is not limited by anything. Anything we limit cannot be God, but it is an idol (1 Corinthians 10:20). God is all-present, all-knowing, and all-powerful. Salvation is meeting God (Isaiah 40:18-31).

Because we have a physical body, we cannot see God. Our spirit is limited by our own physical body, and the separation of the spirit from the body is called death. That is why we may be saved only while we are still in our physical body (Luke 16:19-31).

To save man, God put on the physical body and came to this earth (John 1:14). He opened a new and living way to the Father (John 14:6). He is Jesus Christ. He is both God and man. He is without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). He is God who came to crush the head of the serpent, Satan (Genesis 3:15). He became a man to die for the sins of the world (John 1:29). He came to rescue us from the power of hell.

Receiving and believing Jesus as the Christ is the only way to meet God (John 1:12, Revelation 3:20). When we receive Jesus as the Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. This is called salvation (John 14:15, 26-27).

When Jesus comes into our lives, we are eternally set free from the power of Satan, sin, and hell. Not only that, God gives us the authority of Jesus’ name to bind the forces of darkness (Luke 10:19). We have been given the privilege of approaching His throne in prayer at any time (Hebrews 4:16). Whenever we pray in Jesus’ name, God mobilizes His angel armies to assist us (Hebrews 1:14) and works powerfully through the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

Unfortunately, many believers do not believe in this amazing spiritual reality, thus living like unbelievers. But for you, hold on to the evidence that God is with you. The Holy Spirit, who lives in you, will lead, sanctify, guide, and empower you by the Word of God (John 14:26-27).

The Word is living and active and able to heal your soul and spirit, heart and mind, and even your body (Hebrews 4:12). When you receive the Word, your spirit will be revived and strengthened (Psalm 119:25). When you confess your sins, acknowledging your weaknesses before God and declaring the finished of work of Christ Jesus, you will be guided by the Holy Spirit on the path of righteousness (Psalm 66:18, Galatians 5:16-18). When you enjoy prayer, seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness, you will experience the power of God displayed in your life (Matthew 6:33).

Remember, Satan will constantly try to keep you from experiencing the blessings God has given to you. That is why God commanded you to continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit, that is, with the Word concerning Christ (Ephesians 5:18).

When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, God will give you the power to overcome yourself, the world, and Satan (Acts 1:8). He will open the door so you may testify to the Way and the Truth and the Life.

Prayer. Father, I thank You for opening my eyes to see the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Help me not to rely on my own thoughts and my own ways. Help me confirm the evidence of Your presence in my life today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Why Can’t People Meet God?

Acts 4:12. Salvation is found in no one else for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

Many people say, “There is no God.” But Scripture says they are fools, their hearts are corrupt, and their actions are evil (Psalm 14:1). No matter what they think or say, the truth does not change. It is not that God does not exist, but that they have not met Him, the Creator of all things, including their very lives.

And yet, people do not know the reason for their unhappiness—the eternal separation from their Creator. They do not realize that life apart from God is subject to death, disasters, and calamities. Why, then, can’t people meet God?

They cannot find ways to return to Him. As a result of original sin, their spirits died (Ephesians 2:1). Spiritual death means that the Spirit of God is not with them (Genesis 2:7; Genesis 2:16-17). After the Fall, spiritual death came upon everyone, and Satan’s spirit began to control them (Genesis 3:1-6; 1 Corinthians 2:12).

People became ignorant of God’s will, and their knowledge and wisdom darkened (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). Nevertheless, people have been striving to meet God. Because God made only mankind a spiritual being, only people instinctively try to find God (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Some people think they can meet God if they are sincere and upright. Some people believe they can meet God by following a religion, so they diligently follow all the rules (Matthew 12:43-45). But people cannot meet God because they do not understand the fundamental problems of mankind: Satan, sin, and hell.

Finding a solution to a problem one does not know is impossible. As a corpse cannot move, a spiritually dead person’s efforts are useless. An unsaved person’s efforts only produce external changes. Even though their efforts may be noble or good, they are not worthy of salvation.

There is nothing on earth good enough to get to heaven. The person who has not received salvation cannot meet God. Without receiving salvation, people cannot know God. Without being born again, people cannot see God (John 3:3-5).

Salvation means freedom from the hand of Satan, coming out of the curse of sin, and escaping from the power of hell. No one can earn salvation by any means. Human efforts cannot give life to a spirit. No one on earth has the power to defeat Satan (Acts 4:12). Salvation is God’s grace:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast“ (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Knowing we have lost ways to return to Him, God came to meet with us instead. Jesus said, “I am the way” (John 14:6). Jesus opened a new and living way back to God by His death and resurrection, crushing the power of the devil who has been keeping us from meeting with God.

By sacrificing His own Son, God reconciled us to Himself. He did not want us to remain as His enemies. Because of what Christ has done on the cross, we now have peace with God through Christ (Romans 5:1). The Holy Spirit lives in us (John 14:16), leads us (John 14:26), and tells us what is yet to come (John 16:13).

God has also entrusted us with the task of bringing people into peace with Him. He gave us the message of reconciliation to tell people. So, we have been sent to speak for Christ. It is like God calling people through us. We speak for Christ when we deliver the message of reconciliation to the world. There is only one name to preach, Jesus the Christ, who had no sin, but God made Him become sin so that in Him we could be right with God (2 Corinthians 5:18-21).

Prayer. Father, I thank You for opening a new and living way to You through Christ and giving me the name above all names, Jesus. Fill me with the Holy Spirit, so I may continue to deliver the message of reconciliation to those living under the power of the devil. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Why Are People Unhappy?

Romans 3:23. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

How can you tell whether you enjoy the gospel to the fullest extent? Isn’t that why Jesus had to come? He said, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10). He came to make the gospel your gospel. He wants you to experience the true happiness found in the answer and power of the gospel 24/7.

But are you truly happy? What makes you happy? What makes you sad? What is the condition of your happiness? Does it have anything to do with your present circumstances? What do you do to maintain your happiness? Do you fear that you might lose it?

True happiness has nothing to do with the present reality of your life or the prospect of your future. It has everything to do with who you are—the you God made. In the beginning, God intended the fundamental happiness for mankind when He created them, that is, being with Him. He made mankind a spiritual being in His own image and blessed them to rule over His creation (Genesis 1:27-28). The true and only source of happiness, God Himself, was with them.

God breathed into us His breath of life (Genesis 2:17). This is the breath of life God commanded Ezekiel to call: This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army (Ezekiel 37:9-10).

The resurrected Christ breathed on them and said, Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:22). On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit breathed into His church: Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting (Acts 2:1). We were dead in our transgressions and sins, but God made us alive in Christ so that we may breathe again.

God placed the first man and woman in the position of true happiness in the Garden of Eden. So, their existence itself was happiness. As the trees must be rooted in the ground and the birds must fly in the air, they had to be with God to have, enjoy, and maintain happiness.

Why, then, are people unable to find true happiness? Many are suffering spiritually, emotionally, and physically, driven by the problems of family, health, finances, mental issues, and the future. In desperate pursuit of happiness, they turn to various religions and lifestyles, only to fall deeper into despair. Why?

Today’s Word states that people have been separated from God. They have fallen to a place completely cut off from the glory of God. The Bible calls this displacement sin, also called original sin. People are unhappy because of their position, not because of their problems. No one can be truly happy while they remain in this position.

No one is righteous (Romans 3:10). Everything people do does not come from faith, which Scripture calls sin (Romans 14:23). As a result, the entire human race fell into the state of sin and death, and all kinds of suffering followed, including serious mental issues such as depression (Matthew 11:28), worthless and unbalanced lifestyles (Matthew 12:25), physical illnesses (Acts 8:7-8, Matthew 8:16-17). All of these are the result of the spiritual problem stated in Scripture. People have turned to religions, superstitions, philosophy, and upright living to find good news.

Scripture tells us when this unhappiness began. It began with the first couple, Adam and Eve. The cause: unbelief and disobedience (Genesis 3:1-6). The consequence: eternal separation from God (Genesis 3:1-6), life under the power of sin and curses (Romans 3:23), life with the identity of children of the devil (John 8:44). Tragically, this unhappiness continues even now (Ephesians 2:1-2), continually increasing (Matthew 11:28-29). It worsens despite all human efforts to pursue true happiness (Matthew 12:43-45).

But why are people still unable to solve this problem? Scripture reveals the instigator of all these—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan (Revelation 12:9). He controls evil spirits and demons to bring disasters and calamities. When did he appear? The angel Lucifer became proud and rebelled against God (Ezekiel 28:14-19).

Then, there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against Lucifer (also known as the great dragon) and the angels who followed him. The dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. Since then, the devil has been leading the whole world astray ever since (Revelation 12:7-9). All he does is steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Eventually, however, he will be locked up in hell (Matthew 25:41).

If one remains separated from God, that person is destined to live as a child of the devil (John 8:44), worshiping idols (Exodus 20:4-5), suffering mentally (Matthew 11:28) and physically (Acts 8:4-8), eternally condemned in hell (Luke 16:19-31), and, in the end, leaving generational curses to future generations (Matthew 27:25). Nothing in this world can give you the true happiness you are looking for. The happiness in this world is only temporary and of the flesh, causing greater unhappiness.

Compelled by His great love for us, God sent the One with the position to solve all our problems. While we were still sinners, He died for us to move us into the position God had placed us in the first place (Romans 5:8). To that end, He destroyed what the devil had done to us. He completely removed the power of sin and death from us. His name is Jesus. His position: the Christ, the Anointed One.

When God raised Christ from the dead, He raised us from death along with Christ and seated us with Christ in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Restoring our position is called salvation. It was a gift of God to us when we believed Jesus as the Christ. It has been given to us by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8).

So do not let anything deceive you about your position in Christ, the most secure place in the universe. God is reminding you once again: Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord (Deuteronomy 33:29). Discover your true happiness only in the gospel: Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 1:1-4).

Prayer. Father, I thank You for the gospel: Jesus Christ our Lord. You have given me Christ, the kingdom of God, and the Holy Spirit. Through this gospel, I possess life, mission, and power from Your throne. Thank You for calling me so good, precious, and honored in Your sight and bringing me to a place of true happiness. Help me continue to remain in Your covenant, gospel 24, and enjoy Your covenant through prayer 24. Help me not to be deceived by the enemy and the voices of this world. May the fruit of the gospel—life, re-creation, and eternity—fill my mission field and the lives of those You have entrusted to me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.