Category: Today’s Word

Ephesians 2:1-10. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed 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. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

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What exactly is salvation? It is the solution to the problem of the past–freedom from sin that causes destruction: original sin, sins of the father, and the actual sins we committed motivated by our sinful nature that had come from original sin (Eph 2:1).

For our sins, a sinless person had to die (1 Pe 3:18). The Son of Man had to give His life as a ransom for us(Mk 10:45). Jesus, the True Priest, entered the Most Holy Place once for all with His own blood, not the blood of goats or young bulls. He entered there and made us free from sin forever (Heb 9:12).

That was the only way to liberate us from the law of sin and death. So, do not dwell on your past. Believe in the One who declared, “It is finished” (Jn 19:30). Enjoy peace with God that came through your True Priest.

Salvation is the solution to the problem of the present–freedom from the power of Satan (Eph 2:2). By rising again from the dead, Jesus the True King destroyed the one who has the power of death—the devil. He is the ruler of the evil forces above the earth, the same spirit that is now working in those who refuse to obey God.

When Jesus becomes your True King, you don’t have to follow the ways of this world. You will have victory against the world (1 Jn 5:4-5).

Give all your worries to Him because He cares for you. Do not let your enemy, the devil, plant the seed of unbelief in your heart. He goes around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Pet 5:7-8).

By the authority Jesus, your True King, has given you, stand against the devil, and he will run away from you (Jas 4:7).

Salvation is the solution to the problem of the future–being seated in heaven (Eph 2:6). Jesus the True Prophet opened a new and living way from hell to heaven for you.

You have crossed over from death to life (Jn 5:24). Your permanent address has been changed forever (Col 1:13). You moved into your permanent home in heaven.

Since the day you believed Jesus as your True Prophet, you have been living in the kingdom of God here on earth (Lk 17:21, Php 3:20). He has given you the keys to His kingdom so that you may unleash the power in the heavenly realms by prayer (Mt 16:19).

When you leave the earth, He will take you to the place He prepared to be with you forever. So, don’t be troubled. Trust in God and trust in Jesus, your True Prophet (Jn 14:1-3).

You have been saved by grace when you put your faith in Christ. Even that faith was given to you as a gift. You have not been saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about (Eph 2:8-9).

The evidence of God’s gift of salvation will fill your life and will not end in your generation. His kindness and the amazing richness of His grace to us who belong to Christ Jesus will clearly show for all time to come. God has prepared an important task for you to do—proclaiming the Good News that Jesus is the Christ!

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Prayer. Father, I thank You for settling all my past, present, and future problems. Help me experience the blessing of salvation in all circumstances. Use my life to proclaim to all nations Your kindness and grace to me who belong to Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1 Peter 3:18. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

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Most people are unaware of the reality of original sin (Romans 3:10, 23). Because of this, they remain under the control of Satan, who deceived Adam and Eve in the beginning (Genesis 3:1-6).

As a result, humanity lives under condemnation, bound by the spirit of Satan and trapped under the weight of curses. People are driven by idols, superstitions, and religion, experiencing constant failures, mental distress, and physical suffering (Matthew 8:16-17). Worse yet, they face eternal separation from God in hell (Luke 16:19-31, Revelation 14:1-9) and pass these generational curses to their descendants (Exodus 20:4).

This is why there must be only one Savior—one who has the power to defeat Satan. He must be without sin (Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 3:18), the promised “offspring of the woman,” untainted by original sin (Genesis 3:15). He must not be a descendant of Adam, requiring a virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14).

This Savior must possess both humanity and divinity (John 1:14). He had to take on human flesh because only a sinless person could die as a ransom for sinners (Genesis 2:17). Paul describes Him this way: “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8).

As proof of His divinity, He rose again from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-5), demonstrating power over the devil, who holds the power of death (Hebrews 2:14). This is why Thomas, upon seeing the resurrected Christ, declared, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).

Only one person in history meets these qualifications—Jesus Christ. Fully God and fully man, He alone has the power to overcome Satan and bring salvation to humanity. Only Jesus, who is God Himself, can break the chains of sin and death.

After completing His work of salvation, Jesus ascended into heaven. He now works through the Holy Spirit and will remain with us until the end of the age (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:20). But He will return again, this time as the righteous Judge (Acts 1:11).

Is Christ enough for you? He will become enough when He is your Shepherd (Psalm 23:1) and your Master (John 2:1-10). If He is not, set aside everything else and seek to know the true worth of your Savior.

Is Christ complete for you? Does He hold the highest place in your life? Make Him your everything in all circumstances. Seek first what matters most to God—His kingdom and His righteousness—by devoting yourself to evangelism and missions (Matthew 6:33).

Is Christ everything to you? When He becomes your all, you will understand the purpose, direction, and future God has prepared for you. Your life will no longer be divided but will focus on only Christ, only the kingdom of God, and only the Holy Spirit.

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Prayer. Lord Jesus, thank You for humbling Yourself, leaving Your glory to take the form of a servant and be with me. You appeared in human flesh, obedient even to the point of death on a cross for my sins. You rose again, conquering death, curses, and Satan. So now, I lift Your name, the name above every name, and bow before You. I confess You as my Lord and Savior to the glory of God the Father. May I have the same attitude of humility and service that You demonstrated, that I, too, may serve others in Your name. Amen.

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

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Approximately one-third of the world’s population identifies as Christian. Yet, many who profess faith in Jesus do not fully understand why He is the only way of salvation. They see Jesus merely as a Savior who died for their sins and hope to enter heaven by repenting.

Because of this misunderstanding, many perceive Jesus as just the founder of Christianity. They follow Him with the expectation that He will solve their problems—finances, health, family, and success. Their prayers resemble unbelievers’ prayers, seeking worldly things rather than eternal truth. Without knowing their true purpose, they live like spiritual orphans, unknowingly enslaved to the devil.

The Bible declares: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning” (John 1:1-2). Jesus is the eternal Word. He was with God in the beginning, and all things were made through Him (John 1:3). In Him is life (John 1:4). The Word became flesh to be with us (John 1:14).

Jesus and the Father are one (John 10:30). To meet Jesus is to meet God, and to know Jesus is to know the Father (John 14:7). Even those in the Old Testament were saved by faith in the coming Messiah (John 8:56).

Jesus came to solve humanity’s fundamental problems: Satan, sin, and hell. He fulfilled the three offices of Christ: As the True King, He came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). As the True Priest, He paid the price for sin and broke its power (Mark 10:45). As the True Prophet, He opened the only way to God, freeing us from the background of hell (John 14:6).

Jesus is not the founder of a religion—He is the Christ, the Anointed One. Many religious leaders and founders have come and gone, but none fulfilled all the prophecies concerning the Messiah. Their graves remain, but Jesus’ tomb is empty! He rose again, defeating the devil and the power of death.

Jesus asks, “Who do you say I am?” (Matthew 16:15). Believing in Jesus religiously is not enough. You must believe Him as the Christ. He alone must remain in your life (Matthew 17:8). Only then will the power of Satan, sin, and hell be broken. Only then will the kingdom of God be established in you. Only then will the Holy Spirit work powerfully in your life.

If you confess that Jesus is the Christ, you are born of God (1 John 5:1). You have full authority as a child of the Most High God. No scheme of the enemy can prevail against you (Psalm 21:11). Through prayer, you can mobilize heaven’s armies and unleash the power of God’s kingdom. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, you will stand firm as Christ’s witness to the ends of the earth.

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Prayer. Father, I thank You for opening the only way back to You. I believe that Your Son, Jesus, is the way, the truth, and the life. Use my life to reveal the Way to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 3:20. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

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Unfortunately, many believers are caught in legalism. The law is God’s Word, but legalism is a form of idolatry. Giving tithes, for instance, is commanded in God’s Word, but giving tithes religiously, trying to earn God’s favor, is legalism.

Legalism is detestable to God (Isa 1:13-14). Also, placing compassionate attitudes, all forms of godliness, and religious zeal before the gospel—God’s only way of salvation—is common among many believers. However, Scripture states that one cannot be saved by keeping the law and doing good deeds.

Legalism and good deeds may appear to be paths to salvation, but neither can settle the fundamental problem of original sin. Ever since Adam and Eve broke God’s covenant, Satan has placed everyone under the law of sin and death, bringing curses and wrath. That is why our actions have no power over Satan, sin, and hell. Religious people often fail to understand this.

No one is righteous under the law, as no one can keep all of it (Rom 3:10-12). That is how Satan took control of the whole world. Death began to reign over everyone because of sin (Rom 6:23).

The purpose of the law is to reveal sin (Rom 5:13) and show us our sinful nature (Rom 3:20). God gave us the law to make us realize that we are sinners. The law was meant to be merely a guardian over us until Christ came (Gal 3:24). It was only a shadow of Christ to come (Heb 10:1).

Scripture is clear about the danger of legalism. The more one tries to keep the law to earn salvation, the worse their condition will become: “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind, our sins sweep us away” (Isa 64:6).

Attempting to keep the law and do good deeds without understanding original sin and the total depravity of human nature leads to self-righteousness and pride. It also causes one to judge or even condemn others for breaking the law.

No one can be made right with God by following the law (Rom 3:20). That is why God revealed to us righteousness apart from the law—that is, Christ (Rom 3:21). We are made right with God through faith in Christ, not through our efforts to follow the law. Christ is the end of the law so that everyone who believes in Him is made right with God (Rom 10:4).

Remember, because Christ lives in you, you are not under the law but under grace (Rom 6:15). So fight against legalism as Paul did (Rom 7:14-25). First, recognize the law of sin making you its prisoner. After realizing his sinful nature, Paul confessed, “What a miserable person I am! Who will save me from this body that brings me death?” (Rom 7:24).

But Paul did not dwell on guilt and shame. He recognized the power of the law of the Spirit of life working in him. Having confirmed this life-saving law through Christ, Paul declared, “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom 7:25).

And he boldly proclaimed, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (Rom 8:1-2).

Always remember that the blessing of salvation has been freely given to you through faith. Even faith itself is a gift from God (Eph 2:8). That is God’s grace. You have been saved not by your own efforts, so there is nothing to boast about (Eph 2:9).

So, celebrate your salvation throughout the day. Give thanks in all circumstances. Resolve to spend the rest of your life doing the good things God has planned for you—saving lives by the power of the gospel.

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Prayer. “Father, I thank You for the gift of salvation. I have not earned this, but You freely gave it to me through Your Son, Jesus. Help me abandon all my unbelief and legalistic attitudes. Let me not forget that I am under grace. I desire to live my life proclaiming the gospel of grace to all nations. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

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

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All religions seek to benefit humanity by addressing various problems and issues in the world. They also attempt to provide answers to life’s realities by offering guidelines for better living. Many emphasize self-awareness, morality, and ethics. However, no religion can resolve the problem of original sin.

Original sin is the fundamental issue that affects everyone, regardless of who they are, what they do, or what they possess. All religions fail to recognize the true source of mankind’s rebellion against God—the devil, who ‘has been sinning from the beginning.’ Sin and the devil are inseparable: ‘The one who does what is sinful is of the devil’ (1 Jn 3:8).

Sin is spiritual separation from God’s glory (Rom 3:23). It is a state of complete disconnection from the Creator of life—a place of death, curse, and hell. In this condition of sin, all people follow ‘the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient’ (Eph 2:2).

This is why repenting of one’s personal sins is not enough—one cannot repent of original sin or the sins of past generations. As a result, people remain under the curse of sin, “by nature deserving of wrath” (Eph 2:3), suffering spiritually, mentally, and physically.

All religions teach some form of repentance, but no act of repentance is powerful enough to erase original sin. It’s like a pirate aboard a ship—no matter how noble his actions may seem, everything he does ultimately contributes to piracy. No amount of repentance will change his fate as long as he remains on the ship. The only way to alter his destiny is to leave the ship altogether.

This is why Paul asked some disciples in Ephesus, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Ac 19:2). In other words, “Did you receive life?” He explained, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance” (Ac 19:4), realizing that these disciples were only religious without truly knowing the gospel. Religion cannot give life. Without receiving life through Christ, a person remains in a state of death, no matter how religious they may be.

The more a person practices religion, the worse their condition becomes. Jesus illustrated this with the following example: “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 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” (Mt 12:43-45).

Religious life is an act of emptying oneself, sweeping clean, and putting things in order. However, this process ultimately invites even more evil spirits. People may notice external changes or experience supernatural powers as they delve deeper into religious practices, but in the end, their condition will worsen—they will be entirely seized by the devil. Their lives will become desolate, and they will end up living as slaves to the devil.

Religious leaders, sorcerers, and false prophets perform miracles and signs through the power of evil spirits, but their end is destruction, and their descendants will suffer from generational curses. The spirit they serve is the thief who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (Jn 10:10). Since Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14), they are deceived by evil spirits.

Thus, all religious efforts become a burden that Satan forces everyone to carry. There is no rest in religion—everything about it is heavy and difficult. That is why Jesus came as the True Prophet to give us rest from religion. He said, “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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”(Mt 11:28-30).

To set us free from the law of sin and death, Jesus, our True Priest, gave His own blood to obtain eternal redemption for us. Because of His sacrifice on the cross, we no longer need religion. And our True King rose from the dead, crushing the head of the one who introduced religion in the first place.

You have been set free from the power of religion through Christ. Do not remain trapped in a religious lifestyle. Instead, transform your religious nature into a life rooted in the gospel of grace. Experience rest, peace, and joy in Christ. And by the power of the gospel, save those still struggling in religion.

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Prayer. Father, I thank You for giving me the gospel, not a religion to follow. Transform my religious nature into a “gospel nature.” Help me to fully enjoy my freedom from religion in every circumstance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Genesis 3:1-6. Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

² The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, ³ but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

⁴ “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. ⁵ “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

⁶ When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

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The most tragic event in the history of humanity is the separation from God. This is called original sin. It is the state of life and spirit completely cut off from God and seized by the devil. As a result, all have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23), and spiritual death came upon everyone (Eph 2:1).

How did it happen? The devil, “the father of lies” (Jn 8:44), tempted the first man and woman to rebel against God by breaking God’s covenant with them (Gen 2:16-17). The devil offered something irresistible: “You will be like God” (Gen 3:5). Unfortunately, Adam and Eve took the bait, and that was the beginning of all the curses that came upon the entire human race.

Who is the devil, the one who carried out this terrible act? He is also known as the great dragon, the ancient serpent, or Satan, who has been leading the whole world astray (Rev 12:9). He was once one of the chosen Cherubs, spreading his wings over God’s throne. God placed him on His holy mountain, and he walked among the jewels that sparkled like fire (Eze 28:14).

According to Isaiah 14:12-14, Lucifer, the morning star, fell from the sky. All the nations on earth had bowed before him, but he was cut down. Why? He had always told himself, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” Does it sound familiar? That was the same lie the serpent told Adam and Eve (Gen 3:5).

Satan’s rebellion against God did not succeed. Having lost the war against Michael and his angels, he was cast down to the deep pit—Sheol, the place of death (Isa 14:15, Rev 12:9). He is filled with anger because he knows he doesn’t have much time. Before he is finally locked up in hell, he plans to cause as much destruction as possible, bringing suffering, disasters, calamities, and death (Gen 3:16-20).

Even now, people live under the power of the devil (Ac 10:38). When making choices, God is not there—only “I” exists (Gen 3:1-6). They are not interested in anything spiritual—only worldly things (Gen 6:1-5). Rather than considering God’s will, covenant, or plan, they are obsessed with what benefits them most and is more advantageous for their success (Gen 11:1-4).

This is why unbelievers are destined to live as children of the devil (Jn 8:44) and worship idols (Ex 20:4-5). As a result, they suffer mentally (Mt 11:28) and physically (Ac 8:4-8). When they finally leave the earth, they will be eternally condemned in hell (Lk 16:19-31) and leave generational curses to their children (Mt 27:25).

People are desperately seeking a way out of the power of Satan, sin, and hell. They practice all kinds of philosophies or ways of life and choose religion as a last resort. However, religion has no life. It is the act of idolatry that God detests. Religion has no power over Satan, sin, or hell. The devil controls and works behind all religions.

The only way to escape from this fundamental problem is the gospel that Jesus is the Christ. Knowing that we cannot escape from the pit where we have been trapped as captives, God has given us the gospel first: “He [Christ] will crush your [Satan’s] head” (Gen 3:15).

Jesus finished the work of the Christ when He died on the cross and rose again from the dead. That is why anyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God (1 Jn 5:1). God will give them the right to become children of God (Jn 1:12). They will be eternally set free from the law of sin and death (Rom 8:2).

This gospel, which had been hidden for ages, has come to you! It is not something you earned, but it is the gift of God. By grace, God chose you before the creation of the world (Eph 1:4)—even before you did anything right or wrong!

So, enjoy rest, peace, and joy in Christ. Rely on the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in you. Live your life for the sake of the gospel—the life best lived!

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Prayer. Father, I thank You for settling all my problems—past, present, and future—through Christ. Help me enjoy the gospel in all circumstances and live my life for the sake of the gospel. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ephesians 2:1-3. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed 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. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

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The nations in the world are rapidly advancing. Modern technology affects every aspect of our lives, including our lifespan. Why, then, do people continue to wander in suffering? Why is the condition of human hearts and minds getting worse than ever before? Why are our young generations living in despair without knowing the purpose of life?

Scripture states why. Since the separation from God, the Everlasting Father, everyone has become a spiritual orphan, dead and lost in sin without knowing how to return to Him (Eph 2:1).

Under the power of the devil, the father of lies, everyone has been living as a spiritual beggar, living on the crumbs tossed by the world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air (Eph 2:2). Since birth, everyone is by nature deserving of wrath (Eph 2:3).

Our sins and transgressions continuously bring disasters and calamities to our lives. As a result, spiritual, mental, and physical afflictions have become a permanent part of our lives. We accept it as fate.

Nothing in the world can settle the fundamental problem of sin—original sin, sins of the father, and the actual sins we commit. No religions, no philosophies of the world, and none of our good deeds can set us free from the law of sin and death. This is the consequence of the spiritual separation caused by the devil (Gen 3:1-20).

Furthermore, having lost the Creator God, who deserves our praise and worship, humanity has idolized themselves, money, and pleasure (2 Tim 3:1-5). Deceived by the devil, people have become their own god (Gen 3:5).

People realize, often too late in the last days of their lives, that nothing in the world can satisfy their thirst and hunger. Without meeting God, there is no true happiness, rest, and peace (Mt 11:28-30). People wander their entire lives, searching for a map that may lead them back to God. But there is only one map given to us that will lead us back to our Father.

Jesus declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6). He is the True Prophet, the only way back to God. As our True King, He destroyed the power of the devil (1 Jn 3:8). As our True Priest, He ended all the curses of life of a spiritual orphan and adopted us as children of God (Rom 8:2). He is the Christ, the Son of the living God! He rose again from the dead and works powerfully in us through the Holy Spirit.

So, stop wandering because your search is over. Stop living like an orphan or a beggar. Jesus promised, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (Jn 14:18).

Jesus kept His promise by sending His Spirit to you when you received and believed Him as the Christ. The Holy Spirit came to be with you and will never leave you (Jn 14:16), teach you everything (Jn 14:26), and show you what is to come (Jn 16:13).

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Prayer. Father, I thank You for searching for me as I was searching for You in vain. I am so happy to know that I have been found in Christ. Use my life to share the gospel, the only map leading to You, with those still searching for the answer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” (Matthew 10:40-42)

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Jesus said this when He sent out His disciples to preach the gospel. Even if you offer a “cup of cold water to one of these little ones,” God will not forget it. Then how much more will God reward those who give the gospel of life to someone?

Scripture says that God has chosen evangelism as the means of salvation: “For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe” (1 Cor 1:21).

We cannot know God through anything we understand or do. That is why God has given us the good news that Jesus is the Christ. He has chosen us as His instrument to carry the gospel to all nations.

Jesus called us to save lives from eternal destruction—the greatest blessing of all: “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people” (Mt 4:19). All we have to do is follow Him.

He called us not because we were qualified but because He wanted us. He called us to be with us. He wanted to send us out to preach the gospel. To that end, He has given us the power to drive out demons (Mk 3:13-15).

But why did Jesus give us the authority to drive out demons? The whole world is under the control of the evil one (1 Jn 5:19). In Jesus’ name, we drive out demons that have taken over the people’s minds and today’s culture. He has given us the spiritual authority to trample on snakes and scorpions. He will deliver us from all harm. He wants us to bring His healing to those suffering from all kinds of illnesses (Mk 16:15-20).

Thus, we must consider the limited time available for individuals, the present age, and the world. Everything we see now will eventually end when the gospel is told worldwide and spread to every nation (Mt 24:14).

Jesus promised that we would be His witnesses in every part of the world (Ac 1:8). That was His last promise before ascending into heaven after the resurrection. Thus, evangelism must be of the utmost importance in our lives.

Unfortunately, many believers live lives that have nothing to do with evangelism. Some consider evangelism very difficult, and some think it is only for people with unique gifts and training.

But evangelism is a natural life movement for those given life. If the blood of Christ has saved you, evangelism is simply introducing Jesus to others living under the power of the devil (Ac 10:38).

That is why evangelism is one of the greatest blessings given to us. Satan fears evangelism and tries to keep us from proclaiming the gospel. If you know, believe, and confirm that Jesus is the Christ, evangelism will occur in your daily lives. If you are with Christ, enjoying life and power in Him, you won’t be able to help speaking about what you have seen and heard (Ac 4:20).

It is not about doing evangelism or not. The question is how close evangelism is to your lives. Throughout history, God’s time has always been the time of evangelism and missions—saving lives. So, tune your life’s schedule to God’s time of evangelism. That is what Jesus meant when He said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Mt 6:33).

The resurrected Lord has commanded us: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:18); “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”(Mk 16:15); “Feed my sheep” (Jn 21:19); “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Ac 1:8). He is inviting you to a life best lived—the life of the evangelist.

Living the life of the evangelist itself is a blessing. But God will not forget even the most minor thing you do for the sake of the gospel, like giving a cup of cold water. Jesus also promised,

“I can promise that everyone who has left their home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or farm for me and the gospel about me will get a hundred times more than they left. Here in this world, they will get more homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and farms. And with these things they will have persecutions. But in the world that is coming they will also get the reward of eternal life” (Mk 10:29-30).

Paul understood the blessing of evangelists which come from above: “worth of knowing Christ Jesus,” “to gain Christ and be found in him,” “to know the power of his resurrection,” “attaining to the resurrection from the dead,” “that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me,” “straining toward what is ahead,” “to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus,” “our citizenship is in heaven” (Php 3:1-21).

To Paul, the people he had saved by the power of the gospel were his greatest reward. Paul anticipated the crown he would be proud of—those who had come to Christ through him. They were his hope and joy (2 Thess 2:19-20).

So, resolve today: only Christ (Ac 1:1), only the kingdom of God (Ac 1:3), only the Holy Spirit, and only Christ’s witness (Ac 1:8). This is everything an evangelist needs to overcome the power of Satan and the world.

Do not be swayed by anything or anybody. Only those who believe Jesus is the Christ overcome the world (1 Jn 5:1-5). Do not be discouraged. The One with all authority in heaven and on earth lives in you. Jesus promised: “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Mt 28:16-20).

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Prayer. Father, I thank You for calling me as an evangelist for such a time as this. Fill me with Your strength so I may keep running hard toward the finish line to get the prize You have prepared for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’

But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’

He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.”

No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’

He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'” (Luke 16:19-31)

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Scripture states that the last day of everyone’s life, the end of this age, and the end of this planet will surely come. After that, everyone will face judgment (Heb 9:27). Today’s Word is a parable Jesus told to illustrate life after death.

Who will go to heaven? The children of God. Who will then go to hell? Not the evil people but the children of the devil. We all are sinful by nature. However, the children of the devil will end up in hell. This is a terrifying truth.

If you believe Jesus as the Christ, you will go to heaven not because you do not have sins but because your sins have been settled by law (Rom 8:2). The unbelievers will spend eternity in hell not because they have many sins but because their sins have not been forgiven—the sins they committed, the sins of their fathers, and, worst of all, original sin.

When the unbelievers leave this earth, the devil and his angels will take them to hell, and they will be tormented with burning sulfur before the holy angels and the Lamb (Lk 16:23, Rev 14:9-11). However, when the children of God leave this earthly home, heaven’s gate will open, and the angel of the Lord will take them home to heaven (Lk 16:22).

The only standard of God’s judgment is Jesus Christ: “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1 Jn 5:11-12). Those who have eternal life will spend their eternity in heaven; those who don’t will end up in hell.

Many people have a misunderstanding regarding life after death. They believe they will be rewarded with life in heaven if they suffer like Lazarus, but if they live like the rich man in Today’s Word, they will be punished in hell.

That was not what Jesus taught in this parable. The truth is that anyone given life through Christ, even a beggar like Lazarus, will spend eternity in heaven. Anyone who does not have life, even if they may possess everything in the world, will end up in hell.

Some religions emphasize only the reality of life on earth, so they diligently work to build heaven on earth. However, Scripture does not teach this. Even some religious groups insist on a specific time or date for the Second Coming of our Lord. They entice people by performing miracles and signs and showing all kinds of false visions and dreams. Their followers drop everything to prepare for deliverance while their leaders accumulate wealth and power themselves!

Jesus was clear about His Second Coming: “So always be ready. You don’t know the day or the time when the Son of Man will come” (Mt 25:13). The gospel about the kingdom of God will be preached throughout the world. It will be spread to every nation. Then the end will come (Mt 24:14).

This is why we should continue to preach the gospel at all times. There is nothing to worry about if you are in Christ, enjoying and proclaiming the gospel in your daily life. The earlier Jesus returns, the better. Anytime will be just fine. Do not be deceived.

So, know and enjoy what God has freely given you in Christ. You have eternal life through Christ (Jn 20:31). You get to experience this life to the full (Jn 10:10). You have been given the right to become children of God (Jn 1:12). You have been saved from the power of Satan, sin, and hell (Rom 10:9-10).

Since the day you received and believed Jesus as the Christ, you have been living in heaven here on earth (Php 3:20). God has rescued you from the kingdom of darkness and brought you into the kingdom of His dear Son (Col 1:13). You are God’s chosen people, the King’s priests. You are a holy nation, people who belong to God (1 Pet 2:9).

The Holy Spirit lives in you, guiding and empowering your life. The forces of darkness will not stand against you. God’s army of angels will surround you wherever you go. You have full access to the things in heaven through prayer. You now have new directions in life—proclaiming the gospel to all nations.

Listen to the cry of the unbelievers. No one can escape from the fundamental problems they face. Scripture states that everyone is born with the fundamental problems of Satan (Rev 12:9), sin (Rom 3:23), and separation from God (Eph 2:1).

They are caught in the devil’s trap of self-reliance and self-centeredness (Gen 3:5), corruption and worldly pleasure (Gen 6:1-8), and pride and worldly success (Gen 11:1-9) their entire lives. They are also caged in the devil’s frame of powers (Ac 13:4-12), economy (Ac 16:16-24), and the culture of this dark world (Ac 19:8-41).

That is why every person is destined to live as a child of the devil (Jn 8:44), worshiping idols (Ex 20:4-5), suffering mentally (Mt 11:28) and physically (Ac 8:4-8), eternally condemned in hell (Lk 16:19-31), and, in the end, leaving generational curses to future generations (Mt 27:25).

God is calling you to save them by the power of the gospel revealed in His Word—”Moses and the Prophets” (Lk 16:29). This is His heavenly mandate. When you hold on to it, you will see the actual condition of the world: millions of lives perishing without knowing Christ and, worst of all, the indifference of God’s people and church.

Living with a divine mandate is so critical that Jesus spent forty days talking to His disciples about the kingdom of God. Jesus promised the power of the Holy Spirit for you to carry out His heavenly mandate (Ac 1:8).

So, live today with the heavenly mandate God has given to you. This is the best life you will ever live.

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Prayer. Father, I thank You for preparing a place for me in heaven. For the rest of my life, I will live as an evangelist, proclaiming the gospel to those who have no hope for life after death. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:27-28)

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Millions of people are suffering from terminal illnesses, with only a few months to live. However, Scripture states that the days are numbered for all of us (Heb 9:27).

Scripture also teaches us that our spirits never die and last forever. When we leave this earth, our spirits continue into eternity. The question is whether we will spend eternity—in heaven or hell (Lk 16:19-30).

There is a right time for everything, and everything on earth will happen at the right time. There is a time to be born and die (Ecc 3:1-2). That is why today matters. Thus, we must realize how short our lives are to become wise (Ps 90:10-17). How we live today determines how we will die.

When you are in Christ and living your life in line with what God desires the most, you do not have to fear death (Ac 27:24-25). Your True King Jesus destroyed the enemy who holds the power of death (Heb 2:14).

However, Scripture is clear about judgment after death. The unbelievers living in the background of hell—without knowing Christ—will enter the judgment of destruction in the fire prepared for the devil and his angels (Mt 25:41). The believers living in the background of heaven through Christ will enter the judgment of rewards (Mt 10:40-42).

The unbelievers are destined to spend their eternity in hell, not because of their evil deeds, but because of their identity as the children of the devil (Jn 8:44). The believers are destined to spend their eternity in heaven, not because of their righteous acts, but because of their identity as the children of God (Jn 1:12). Everyone goes home, where they belong, whether it is hell or heaven.

To take away the sins of many that brought the curse of hell, Christ was offered as a sacrifice. He came to rescue us from the background of hell and bring us into His glorious kingdom.

Anyone who hears Christ’s promises and believes in the One who sent Him has eternal life. They will not be judged guilty. They have already left death and entered life (Jn 5:24).

Therefore, if you are in Christ, you already live in heaven, here on earth (Mt 17:21, Php 3:20). When your body finally fails, you simply change your address from earth to heaven. This is a marvelous assurance we have in Christ!

Discover the reasons for God’s calling. Jesus said, “Come, follow me, and I will make you a different kind of fisherman. You will bring in people, not fish” (Mt 4:19). Through your life, God desires to bring back to Him those whom He appointed for eternal life. You just need to follow Christ.

The Lord called you because He wanted you. He called you to be with you. He wanted to send you out to proclaim the good news that He is the Christ. To that end, He gave you the power to drive out demons (Mk 3:13-15).

No matter what happens in your life today, do not be discouraged. Jesus is alive and coming back again! He destroyed the devil’s work by His death and His resurrection.

He eternally set you free from the power of sin and death and obtained eternal redemption for you who believe in His name. You now have the confidence to approach the throne of God, asking for His grace and mercy (Heb 4:16).

God, who raised Jesus from the dead, has given you the eternal hope of resurrection. The resurrected Christ sits on the throne of God and lives in you through the Holy Spirit with all authority in heaven and on earth.

Jesus commands us to go and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:16-20), preach the message of healing to the sick (Mk 16:15-20), encourage and strengthen the believers (Lk 24:16-35), and save the next generation from today’s culture of darkness (Jn 21:15-18).

Life is too short to do anything other than what God desires most. Let us not waste our lives on the things of the world. Instead, let us continue to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do, evangelism and missions, until we meet Him face-to-face at our home in heaven.

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Prayer. Father, I thank You for the wisdom to number my days. Fill me with godly sorrow that leads to life. Help me live wisely, not like fools, making the most of every opportunity You’ve given me for doing good in these evil times. In Jesus’ name, Amen.