Category: Today’s Word

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

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What fills your mind and heart 24 hours a day, seven days a week? What occupies your thoughts when no one is watching? What do you return to again and again in moments of pressure, disappointment, and uncertainty? The answer to these questions will largely determine the direction of your life and future.

If your heart is dominated by old scars, bitterness, anger, fear, and unbelief 24/7, those things will eventually shape your decisions, relationships, and outlook on life. Left unchecked, they will lead to discouragement and destruction. But if the Word of God’s grace fills your heart 24/7, you will find strength, wisdom, and victory regardless of your circumstances. God’s Word transforms the way we see and respond to life.

Our circumstances often reveal the true condition of our faith. When difficulties arise, what comes out of us exposes what has been stored within us. Actions rooted in unbelief bring confusion and destruction, while actions rooted in faith lead to life, salvation, and God’s guidance. God desires that we trust Him and His power in every situation, not merely when things are going well.

When we face crises, our standard must be God and His Word. The moment we begin to interpret our circumstances through our own understanding, emotions, or experiences, we will lose sight of God’s purpose and promises. Consider the Israelites standing before the Red Sea:

“As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord” (Exodus 14:10).

Why were they terrified? Because all they could see was Pharaoh’s army advancing toward them. Their eyes were fixed on the problem rather than on God. As fear filled their hearts, they began to blame Moses:

“Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” (Exodus 14:11-12).

Fear, discouragement, despair, blame, complaint, and unbelief became their response. Rather than remembering God’s covenant and mighty works, they returned to memories of their former bondage. Their hearts remained in Egypt even though their bodies had left.

Moses stood in the same situation. He saw the same sea, the same enemy, and the same danger. Yet he saw something that no one else saw—the sovereign hand of God at work. He spoke faith-filled words rooted in God’s covenant:

“Do not be afraid. Stand firm, and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:13-14).

Moses did not focus on the crisis before him but on the God who was with him. He believed that his life was in God’s hands. He trusted the God who had already demonstrated His power through the plagues in Egypt. Above all, he believed in God’s covenant and His promise to bring His people into the land He had prepared for them through the coming Messiah.

The crossing of the Red Sea became a dividing line between faith and unbelief. The people of unbelief complain, regret, and blame 24/7. The people of faith seek God’s purpose and experience His power 24/7.

The people of unbelief live in fear, anxiety, and constant uncertainty. The people of faith stand before God in quiet confidence and experience His peace regardless of their circumstances.

The people of unbelief look to the world for answers. The people of the covenant wait expectantly for what God is about to do, even in the midst of impossible situations.

This is why our faith in the gospel must be more than mere words or religious knowledge. The Apostle Paul said that the gospel came “not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction” (1 Thessalonians 1:5). Only this kind of faith can overcome the world: “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:5).

Our continual trust in our heavenly Father makes all the difference. Faith opens our spiritual eyes so that we may see our lives from God’s perspective rather than our own. Faith does not guarantee that everything will happen according to our desires. Rather, it enables us to seek God’s will and trust His wisdom in every situation.

Remember that nothing happens by accident in the life of one whom God has chosen. Even difficult circumstances are not wasted. God uses all things for His purpose. Paul testified, “What has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel” (Philippians 1:12). What seemed like setbacks became opportunities for God’s kingdom.

The same is true for you. God has brought specific people into your life so that they may encounter Christ through you. He has allowed certain situations so that the gospel may be proclaimed where Christ is not known. He is leading you into a life that increasingly exalts Christ in everything you do, say, and experience.

Therefore, enjoy God who dwells within you 24/7 (1 Corinthians 3:16). Enjoy God who is with us 24/7, Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14). Enjoy God who works all things together for your good 24/7 (Romans 8:28).

When you live in this reality, rejoicing becomes possible in every season. Prayer becomes natural. Thanksgiving becomes your response in all circumstances. This is the life of worship 24/7—a life centered not on changing circumstances but on the unchanging presence of God.

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Prayer. Father, thank You for being with me 24/7. Open my eyes to see every circumstance through Your Word and promises. Help me not to be controlled by fear, scars, or unbelief, but by faith in Your covenant. Teach me to enjoy Your presence, trust Your guidance, and experience Your power every day. May my life become a testimony that exalts Christ in all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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

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Jesus did not come merely to change our behavior or improve our way of life. He did not come simply to make our circumstances better or meet only our emotional and physical needs. Nor did He come to establish another religion for people to follow.

He came to make us new.

Jesus came to re-create us and give us new birth. To accomplish this, He went to the cross and died in our place. When He died, we died with Him. When He rose from the dead, we were raised with Him into a new life.

Because of what Christ has done, God placed us “in Christ” when we believed that Jesus is the Christ. Through Him, God adopted us into His family as His beloved children (Ephesians 1:5). He did not leave us in the family of the devil but rescued us and brought us into His own household.

Scripture declares that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God (1 John 5:1). This means that you now have a completely new identity. Your failures cannot change it. Your weaknesses cannot erase it. The opinions of others cannot redefine it. Your name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can remove it.

The Holy Spirit Himself continually testifies that you are a child of God (Romans 8:16). God delights in you and rejoices over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). He watches over you with eyes like blazing fire (Revelation 19:12), never losing sight of your life or your future.

Like a loving Father, He bends down to listen to your prayers (Psalm 116:2). He gives the greatest gift to His children, the Holy Spirit, every time they cry out (Luke 11:11–13). Jesus promised that no one can snatch you out of the Father’s hand (John 10:29). Therefore, do not allow your circumstances, your emotions, your achievements, or your failures to define who you are. Do not be deceived by the lies of the world or the accusations of the devil. You are precious to God.

Because you belong to Christ, you now have a new freedom. You are no longer under the dominion of your former master, the devil. Through Christ, you have been completely set free from the law of sin and death by the law of the Spirit of life (Romans 8:2). The chains have been broken. The prison door has been opened.

God has already declared you holy and blameless in His sight through Christ (Ephesians 1:4). Since God Himself has justified you, no accusation can ultimately stand against you (Romans 8:33). Satan may accuse, and your conscience may condemn, but God’s verdict is greater than every voice that rises against you.

Therefore, stop dwelling on the past. It is finished. Jesus carried your sins to the cross and paid for them completely. Your guilt has been removed. Your shame has been covered. Your condemnation has been canceled. The record of your sins has been wiped away by His blood.

The victory that Christ won over sin, death, and Satan is now your victory. His righteousness has become your righteousness forever (2 Corinthians 5:21). Claim that freedom today. Walk in it. Enjoy it. Give thanks for it.

Not only do you have a new identity and a new freedom, but you also have a new purpose. The Holy Spirit empowers you to stop living merely for yourself and to begin living for Christ, who died and rose again for you (2 Corinthians 5:15). Your life is no longer centered on personal success, comfort, or recognition. It is centered on God’s kingdom and His eternal plan.

Seek Christ first. Seek the kingdom of God. Depend on the power of the Holy Spirit. As you do, you will experience the blessing of uniqueness. You will see what others cannot see. You will discover opportunities others overlook. You will go where others refuse to go and accomplish what others believe is impossible because God is working through you.

Through the re-creating power of the Holy Spirit, go to your family, workplace, school, community, and even to the ends of the earth as a witness of Christ (Acts 1:8). Wherever darkness reigns, bring the light of the gospel. Wherever people are bound, proclaim the freedom found in Christ. Wherever there is despair, reveal the hope of God’s kingdom.

May God use your life to transform today’s culture of darkness into a culture of light through the power of the gospel.

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Prayer. Father, thank You for making me a new creation in Christ. Help me to live according to my new identity, enjoy the freedom You have given me, and fulfill the purpose for which You saved me. May Your re-creating power be evident everywhere I go, bringing the light of Christ into places of darkness and turning a culture of darkness into a culture of light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Acts 11:19-21. Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. ²⁰ Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. ²¹ The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

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The Bible says that you have been uniquely created: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). You were created in the image of God with purpose and value that no one can take away.

The Bible also says that you have been uniquely blessed: “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground‘” (Genesis 1:28).

Before humanity accomplished anything, God blessed them. His desire was not merely for people to survive but to thrive, multiply, and reveal His glory throughout the earth.

You have also been uniquely chosen: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” (John 15:16).

Your salvation, calling, and mission did not begin with your decision. They began with God’s eternal plan. Long before you knew Him, He knew you, chose you, and prepared good works for you to accomplish.

And you have been uniquely sent: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.‘” (Matthew 28:18-20).

Every child of God has a mission. The Lord who sends us also promises to be with us wherever we go. Because the gospel God has revealed to you is unique, you will see what others cannot see, go where others will not go, and do what others cannot do.

Peter and John saw something that everyone else missed in the beggar sitting at the temple gate (Acts 3:1-12). While others saw a man who needed money, they saw a soul bound by a deeper problem. They recognized the spiritual reality behind his suffering and offered him what silver and gold could never provide—the name of Jesus Christ. Through the gospel, the man was saved, healed, and restored.

Philip saw God’s heart for Samaria (Acts 8:4-8). Most Jews wanted nothing to do with Samaritans. Yet Philip remembered the Lord’s covenant in Acts 1:8, where Jesus specifically mentioned Samaria, and he went where others refused to go. He proclaimed Christ in Samaria, and the city was transformed. Demons were driven out, many were healed, and “there was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:8).

Paul saw what others failed to see in Macedonia (Acts 16:6-10). Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he recognized an open door for the gospel and crossed into Europe. His life’s ambition was to “preach the gospel where Christ was not known” (Romans 15:20). He entered synagogues, cities, and regions that many avoided, explaining and proving that Jesus was the Christ (Acts 17:1; 18:4; 19:8).

Paul’s covenant journey did not stop there. He continued to hold firmly to God’s vision throughout his life. Even when imprisoned, beaten, opposed, and misunderstood, he never lost sight of God’s promise concerning Rome (Acts 19:21; 23:11; 27:24). Eventually, he arrived in Rome and fulfilled the mission God had prepared for him:

“For two whole years, Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!” (Acts 28:30-31).

May God open our eyes to see what He wants us to see before others see it. May He stir our hearts to go wherever He sends us and to do whatever He calls us to do.

Even after Stephen’s martyrdom and the persecution that followed, many believers still did not understand God’s heart for the Gentiles. They scattered throughout various regions, but “none of them preached the word except to Jews only” (Acts 11:19).

Yet a few believers from Cyprus and Cyrene saw beyond traditional boundaries. They arrived in Antioch and “began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus” (Acts 11:20).

While others focused only on their own people, trapped by nationalism and prejudice, these believers saw God-ordained opportunities. God used ordinary believers who were willing to cross boundaries to reach people whom others had ignored.

The result was extraordinary: “The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord” (Acts 11:21). A church was born in Antioch—a church that would do what no other church had done before:

“Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers … While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off” (Ac 13:1-3)

The church in Antioch desired to do what the Holy Spirit wanted. Instead of holding on to their most gifted leaders, they obeyed God’s voice and sent them into the mission field. Humanly speaking, it may have seemed like a loss. Spiritually, however, it was the beginning of one of the greatest mission movements in history.

Wherever Paul and his mission team went, they witnessed the blessing of uniqueness—the advancing kingdom of God. They saw lives transformed, communities restored, and the gospel accomplish what no human effort could achieve.

In Philippi, a slave girl who had been tormented by an evil spirit was set free through the authority of Jesus Christ. A Roman jailer who had been moments away from taking his own life heard the gospel and was saved along with his entire household. Lydia opened her home, and a church was established there (Acts 16:13-40). What began as a small mission journey became the foundation of God’s work in Europe.

In Ephesus, Paul taught daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus, investing himself in raising disciples and proclaiming the Word of God. What appeared to be an ordinary teaching ministry became a movement that impacted an entire region. As the gospel spread, people turned away from idolatry, and lives were changed:

“This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord … the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power” (Acts 19:10, 20).

This is the blessing of uniqueness. When God’s people hold on to His covenant and follow His leading, they become channels through which His kingdom is revealed.

God has called you to enjoy the blessing of your uniqueness, which He prepared long ago. His plan for your life is not ordinary. He has placed you in your family, workplace, school, church, and mission field for a reason.

Do not settle for the temporary things of the world. Continue to enjoy Christ, the kingdom of God, and the filling of the Holy Spirit. These are the eternal blessings that no circumstance can take away.

Forget what lies behind and press on toward what God has prepared ahead. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow has not yet come. Today is the day God has given you. Today matters. Confirm the Word God has given you today, and hold on to it in prayer.

Because you are a precious child of God, His blessing of uniqueness is hidden within every circumstance, every meeting, every problem, every conflict, and every crisis. What may appear ordinary to others may be God’s prepared answer for you. Discover it. Experience it. Enjoy it. Then share it with others.

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Prayer. Father, open my eyes to see what You want me to see. Lead me to the places You want me to go and help me do the work You have prepared for me. Thank You for creating me with purpose, choosing me by Your grace, and giving me the blessing of uniqueness through the gospel. Help me to enjoy Christ, the kingdom of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit every day. May my life become a channel through which Your kingdom is revealed to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1 Corinthians 2:1-2. And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. ² For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

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Some say that the gospel is not inclusive. They struggle to accept the claim that there is only one way to God. In a world that values tolerance and pluralism, many prefer to believe that all religions are essentially the same—different paths leading to the same destination, all seeking salvation through good works, moral living, or spiritual effort.

Paul wrote this letter to the believers in Corinth, a city filled with competing philosophies, idol worship, and religious pluralism. The people of Corinth were accustomed to many gods and many ways of worship. Yet Paul’s message was unmistakably clear: there is only one Savior—Jesus Christ.

Paul was not an ignorant or narrow-minded man. He was one of the most educated scholars of his day, trained under the renowned teacher Gamaliel. He possessed exceptional knowledge, eloquence, and human wisdom. If anyone could have argued for a sophisticated religious system based on human achievement, it was Paul.

Yet everything changed when he encountered the risen Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. On his way to persecute those who followed “the Way,” Paul came face to face with the One he had rejected. From that moment on, he realized that all his accomplishments, credentials, and religious zeal were worthless compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8). He concluded that the only knowledge that truly mattered was the knowledge of Jesus Christ—His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.

What caused such a dramatic transformation?

By the grace of God, Paul came to understand the fundamental problem of the human race. He realized that humanity’s condition was far more serious than ignorance, poverty, injustice, or lack of education. Behind every problem stood the spiritual realities of Satan (Revelation 12:9), original sin (Romans 3:23), and separation from God (Genesis 3:1-6). No amount of human effort, religion, morality, or philosophy could solve these problems.

At the same time, Paul discovered that the entire Old Testament pointed to one person—Jesus Christ. He was the offspring of the woman who would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). He was the true Ark through whom humanity could escape judgment (Genesis 6:14). He was the reason God called Abraham and promised blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:1-3). He was the ultimate sacrifice foreshadowed throughout the sacrificial system (Exodus 3:18). He was Immanuel, “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14).

For Paul, the Scriptures suddenly became clear. What had once been hidden was now revealed. Every promise, prophecy, sacrifice, and covenant pointed to Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ.

He also understood why, on the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah disappeared while Jesus remained (Matthew 17:1-8). The Law and the Prophets had fulfilled their purpose by pointing to Christ. Only Jesus remained because only Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Paul had finally found his True Prophet who reveals God, his True Priest who reconciles sinners to God, and his True King who defeats Satan and reigns forever.

Then Peter’s bold confession before the Sanhedrin made perfect sense: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Out of all the people, Paul could not forget Stephen. He had witnessed Stephen’s unwavering faith and had approved of his execution. Yet even as Stephen was being stoned to death, he remained confident in Christ. Looking back, Paul understood why Stephen was willing to die. Stephen had discovered something worth more than life itself—Jesus Christ (Acts 6:8-8:1).

Once Paul realized that Jesus was indeed the Christ, his life could never be the same. Everywhere he traveled, he reasoned with people from the Scriptures, “explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. ‘This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,’ he said” (Acts 17:3).

His message never changed. Whether speaking to Jews or Gentiles, scholars or laborers, rulers or prisoners, Paul proclaimed only one message: “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

More importantly, he lived what he preached: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Having discovered the One thing that truly mattered, Paul considered everything else secondary. His personal ambitions, comfort, reputation, and even his life itself became insignificant compared to the mission God had entrusted to him. As he testified:

“I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).

This does not mean that Christians no longer need food, shelter, relationships, work, or other blessings. Rather, it means that when we have Christ, we possess the source and substance of every true blessing. As Paul wrote, Christ is “the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3).

This is why Jesus gently corrected Martha when she was consumed with many concerns:

“‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her‘” (Luke 10:41-42).

The Lord desires to be the only One at the center of our lives, not because He needs anything from us, but because He knows what we truly need. He alone can satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart. Everything else can be lost, but what Christ gives can never be taken away.

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Prayer. Father, like Paul, I resolve to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Open my eyes to see that Christ is the fulfillment of all Your promises and the answer to every fundamental problem of life. May You be the center of my thoughts, my desires, and my purpose. Let the proclamation of the gospel become the reason I live. Help me treasure Christ above all things and faithfully testify to Your grace wherever You send me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daniel 6:10. Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day, he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

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Those who live a single-minded and wholehearted life continue to hold firmly to God’s covenant because they trust the future that God has prepared for them. Their faith is not determined by present circumstances but by God’s unchanging covenant. That is why Daniel continued to pray just as he had always done, even when he knew that the consequence of praying to God was death in the lions’ den.

When Judah fell before King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, Daniel understood the rightful reason for the destruction of God’s people—the complete loss of the gospel and covenant. Because he saw the root problem clearly, he resolved not to defile himself with the idols and culture of Babylon (Daniel 1:8). Daniel also realized why God had allowed him to be taken captive and placed in a position of influence within the Babylonian government. God had sent him there for the restoration of the gospel and the salvation of nations. He understood that God’s plan extended far beyond his personal success or comfort.

The same principle applies to us today. Unless we discover the reason for God’s calling and His purpose for our lives, we will remain trapped by the standards, fears, and values of the world. But when we realize God’s absolute plan, we gain the spiritual strength to save our families, workplaces, communities, and nations with the power of the gospel.

Daniel continually enjoyed his identity as a child of God in all circumstances. Whenever opportunities arose, he boldly exalted God before kings and rulers. When King Nebuchadnezzar demanded the interpretation of his mysterious dream, Daniel did not draw attention to himself. Instead, he declared, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:27-28). Daniel’s confidence came not from his own abilities but from his relationship with the living God.

He also exercised the authority God had given him. When King Belshazzar was terrified by the writing on the wall, Daniel courageously delivered God’s message without fear or compromise. He confronted the king’s pride and idolatry and announced God’s judgment upon Babylon (Daniel 5:22-28). That very night, God’s word was fulfilled, and the Babylonian kingdom came to an end (Daniel 5:30).

In the same way, God has entrusted His church with the authority to proclaim His message to the world. Before His ascension, Jesus declared, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-20). We have not been called merely to survive in this world but to shine the light of Christ in the midst of darkness.

May God open our eyes to see the world as He sees it—a world filled with spiritual darkness, idolatry, suffering, and people living under the deception and power of the enemy. May we realize why God has placed us in our families, churches, schools, workplaces, communities, nations, and generations. We have been called for such a time as this.

God answered Daniel’s unwavering faith exactly as He promised. When Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den, God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions (Daniel 6:21-22). What seemed like certain destruction became an opportunity for God’s glory to be revealed. Daniel not only survived; he became the instrument through whom God testified to an entire empire.

As a result, King Darius himself proclaimed, “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel” (Daniel 6:26). Through one man’s faith, disasters were blocked, lives were saved, and the name of God was exalted throughout the world.

Therefore, do not be afraid of the world as you proclaim the gospel in your mission field. The same God who protected Daniel remains sovereign today. He is able to send His angels, surround His people with heavenly armies, and accomplish His purpose through those who trust in Him. Like Daniel, let us see the age of idolatry clearly and make a firm resolution before God to stand for the covenant regardless of the cost.

Daniel’s life was also marked by continual thanksgiving. Even when a death sentence had been issued against him, “three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before” (Dan. 6:10). Thanksgiving is possible only when we recognize God’s absolute sovereignty and trust His plan in every circumstance. It is one of the most profound expressions of faith and one of the most powerful weapons against Satan’s attacks (Romans 16:20).

Do not be shaken by circumstances. Turn every problem, conflict, and crisis into prayer. Daniel’s influence was so evident that even King Darius, a pagan ruler, recognized the source of his wisdom and strength, saying, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” (Dan. 6:16).

Do not allow fear, discouragement, or worldly pressures to hold you back. Hold firmly to God’s promise: “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).

Let us continue to teach and proclaim the good news that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 5:42). As we do, the Lord Himself will work with us and confirm His Word through the evidence of His presence and power (Mark 16:20). Like Daniel, may we live a single-minded life for Christ, a wholehearted life for the gospel, and a life that leaves behind an eternal testimony for the glory of God.

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Prayer. Father, help me to live a single-minded life for Christ and a wholehearted life for the gospel. Open my eyes to see Your absolute plan and give me the faith to follow it without compromise. Help me enjoy my identity and authority as Your child, turn every circumstance into prayer, and give thanks in all situations. May I boldly proclaim that Jesus is the Christ and shine as a witness of Your kingdom wherever You have placed me. Let Your presence, wisdom, and power be evident in my life so that many may come to know You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Joshua 14:6-15. Now the people of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. ⁷ I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, ⁸ but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. ⁹ So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.’

¹⁰ “Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! ¹¹ I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. ¹² Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”

¹³ Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. ¹⁴ So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. ¹⁵ (Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites.)

Then the land had rest from war.

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When you discover the true worth of the gospel, you will no longer live for temporary success, comfort, or recognition. You will live a wholehearted life for the sake of the gospel.

Like David, you will live with a God-given cause (1 Samuel 17:29). While everyone else saw Goliath as a giant to fear, David saw an opportunity to reveal the glory of God. A person who holds onto God’s covenant is not shaken by crises or opposition because he sees God’s greater purpose behind every situation.

Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you will refuse to bow before the idols of the age. Even in the face of death, they stood boldly by faith and confessed:
“But even if he does not… we will not serve your gods” (Daniel 3:18). True faith is not conditional. It does not depend on circumstances or visible answers. When the gospel becomes your absolute value, you gain spiritual boldness that overcomes the pressure of the world, even the fear of death.

Like Paul, you will consider your life worth nothing compared to the mission God has entrusted to you: “My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24). Paul’s life was centered completely on Christ and world evangelization. Nothing could stop him—not persecution, imprisonment, hunger, rejection, or even death.

When Paul was stoned in Lystra and left for dead, he miraculously rose up and went back into the city (Acts 14:19–22). Why? Because there were disciples there whom God had prepared, including a young disciple named Timothy (Acts 16:1). Paul understood that one disciple raised correctly could save future generations and an entire age.

This is the kind of life God has called you to live. Having discovered the greatest treasure in Christ, the Early Church lived with wholehearted devotion:

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God, and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Ac 2:46-47).

Like Caleb in Today’s Word, you are called to conquer the mission field God has given you. Because of one man of faith, “the land had rest from war.” When you hold onto God’s covenant, people around you will come to experience the true rest found only in Christ.

On the way to the promised land of Canaan, Moses sent twelve spies to explore the land (Numbers 13:1–33). Although they all saw the same land, ten spies returned with a negative report filled with fear and unbelief. They focused only on the giants, fortified cities, and impossible circumstances. Only Joshua and Caleb remembered God’s covenant.

The Israelites became deeply discouraged. In fear and despair, they wept, grumbled against Moses, and even talked about returning to Egypt. At that critical moment, Joshua and Caleb boldly proclaimed words of faith that would change the course of the nation (Numbers 14:1–9). God then gave this promise concerning Caleb:

“But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it” (Numbers 14:24).

Caleb held onto this covenant for forty-five years. Through every hardship, wilderness journey, battle, and delay, he never let go of God’s promise. This is true faith, a lifelong covenant journey.

When you place God’s Word in your heart and make a resolution of faith in every season of life, God will surely fulfill His promises. He will give eternal answers through your life and allow your faith to be passed on to the next generation. Therefore, always choose faith. That was the decision Caleb made again and again throughout his life.

When Israel finally faced its last major battle against the Anakites, Caleb—now eighty-five years old—stepped forward in faith. Though advanced in age, his spirit had not weakened because he had spent his entire life holding onto God’s covenant.

Caleb trusted completely in the promise God had given him when he was forty years old. He understood the true reason for conquering Canaan. It was not merely about gaining territory or defeating enemies. It was about restoring the blood covenant of the promised Messiah and preparing the way for world evangelization. Caleb saw beyond the physical battle and held onto God’s eternal plan.

For this reason, he followed God wholeheartedly throughout his entire life. He witnessed the mighty works of God during the Exodus, at the Red Sea, in the wilderness, and at the Jordan River. Every event strengthened his faith in God’s covenant.

Even after Moses died and Joshua became the new leader, Caleb humbly submitted himself to God’s order and pledged his loyalty to Joshua (Joshua 1:16–18). He did not seek a position or personal gain. He simply believed that God would fulfill His promise and lead His people into the land of Canaan.

Caleb knew exactly what stood before him—the Anakites and their large fortified cities. Yet he looked beyond visible reality and held onto the greater reality of God’s presence and promise. Therefore, he boldly confessed: “The Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said” (Joshua 14:12).

His faith never wavered. Caleb was both humble and bold. He did not trust in his own strength but in the power of God who had called him. God responded to this man of faith by sustaining him with extraordinary strength throughout his life. Caleb testified:

“So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then” (Joshua 14:10–11).

God is searching for a remnant like Caleb today. There are still countless places where Christ is unknown and where people live without the gospel. Therefore, renew your faith in God once again and focus your life on what God desires most—saving lives.

God has already given you the ultimate cause for your life. He has also revealed the only way to save the world: Christ (Acts 1:1), the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3), and the filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

As you hold onto this covenant, God will use your life to transform your mission field, your church, and even this age. He will turn the culture of idols into the culture of the gospel. Through one person of wholehearted faith, God can bring rest, healing, and life to many.

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Prayer. Father, help me to live a single-minded life for Christ and a wholehearted life for the gospel. Like Caleb, help me to hold onto Your covenant without wavering until the very end. Strengthen my faith to overcome every circumstance and help me continue to walk as an evangelist who saves lives. May I enjoy the blessing of Your presence throughout the entire day and be used to change my mission field and this age for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Praise
Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Confession of Faith
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
…Maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord,
…Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
…Born of the Virgin Mary,
…Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
…Was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
…And is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty;
From there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy universal Church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body
And life everlasting. Amen.

Message
2026.05.23 Core
World Public Servants Missions Conference Lecture 3
「Hidden Missionary」(1 Kings 18:1-15)
Transcript …Video

2026.05.23 Scattered Disciples
World Public Servants Missions Conference Lecture 4
「Booking Public Servants of the 5000 Tribes」(Genesis 45:1-5)
Transcript …Video  (Also at the end of the Core message)

Prayer
7 Bartizans · 7 Journeys · 7 Guideposts

Philippians 3:12-14. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

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If Jesus is truly the answer to your life, you will desire to live a single-minded life like Paul, who discovered and experienced Christ (Philippians 3:1–21). You will no longer desire to be the master of your own life. Paul’s confession will become your confession of faith:

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

You will live for one thing alone: “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known” (Romans 15:20).

You will continue to do so whether the time is favorable or unfavorable. Your life will become evangelism: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2).

Knowing that Christ is complete and sufficient, the Early Church devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 1:14). They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they continued to testify about Christ (Acts 5:42).

Whenever the people of God followed His covenant single-mindedly, the work of salvation was revealed throughout the world. In Egypt, God displayed His power through Moses (Exodus 3:18). He fulfilled His covenant in Isaiah 7:14 through the remnant, such as Daniel and his three friends in Babylon, and Esther in Persia. The gospel was proclaimed in Rome through the confession that Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 16:16). They all became single-minded witnesses of God’s saving work.

By grace, God has given you the greatest treasure of all—His Son, Jesus Christ, who finished everything on the cross (John 19:30). In Christ, you have gained everything. When you discover what God has freely given you through the Holy Spirit, you cannot help but live for Him.

You will no longer be ashamed. Instead, you will take pride in Christ Jesus in everything you do. You will not envy the things of the world because you already possess everything in Christ. You will not compromise with the world because you have found the Truth. You will not be afraid of anything because Jesus Christ has overcome the world.

When God opens your eyes to see the world covered in darkness, you will realize what matters most: saving lives by shining the light of the gospel. You will see every circumstance as a God-given opportunity to testify about Christ. Even in hardships, you will rejoice and continue to give thanks, knowing that God is with you through the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

In your spiritual battles, remember your true spiritual address: the kingdom of heaven. God has rescued you from the dominion of darkness and brought you into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13).

Thus, you are in the world, but not of the world (John 17:16). You are from above. You possess every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ (Ephesians 1:3–14). Not only that, God has made you the light of the world for all to see (Matthew 5:14–16; Acts 13:47).

Do not turn from the Word to the right or to the left (Joshua 1:7). Stay the course in faith and boldness (Philippians 1:14). Then God will heal you, your church, and your mission field.

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Prayer. Father, help me live a single-minded life for Christ and a wholehearted life for the gospel. Help me continue to walk by faith as an evangelist and enjoy the blessing of Your presence throughout the day. Strengthen me to stand firm in the covenant and shine the light of Christ wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Acts 1:1-8. In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach ² until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. ³ After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. ⁴ On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵ For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

⁶ Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

⁷ He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

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The covenant of God given to us is complete and lacks nothing. God’s plan is absolute, and no one can change it. Why is that so?

From the beginning of history, mankind has lived under fundamental problems that no human being can solve: Satan (John 8:44), sin (Romans 3:23), and the background of hell, separated from God (Genesis 3:1–20). No philosophy, effort, religion, morality, or human achievement has ever been able to resolve these problems completely.

And yet, even after believing in God, we often ask:
“What should I do?”
“Should I pray harder?”
“Should I read the Bible more?”
“Should I repent more?”
“Should I give more?”
“Should I worship more faithfully?”
“How should I live?”

But the more important questions are:
“Where am I?”
“Am I inside God’s covenant?”
“Where should I stand spiritually?”

What you do will not matter much if you are in the wrong place spiritually. But if you are within the complete covenant of God, you will eventually discover that your present circumstances are not the most important thing. What matters is whether God is with you and whether you are holding onto His covenant.

When you discover the rightful reasons for everything through the Word of God and see what is truly needed, you will see and hold onto what is absolute: Christ (Acts 1:1), the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3), and the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

This is why knowing God must become the utmost priority in our lives. The greatest blessing is not success, comfort, money, or recognition, but the Triune God being with us.

God the Father still speaks through His Word and fulfills it without fail.
God the Son, Jesus Christ, still breaks the power of sin, Satan, and hell.
God the Holy Spirit dwells within us, guides us, strengthens us, and works through us even now.

This is the spiritual reality we must first see.

Joseph experienced this complete covenant of God. Therefore, he remained at peace wherever he was. Whether in his father’s house in Canaan, as a slave in Potiphar’s house, as a prisoner in jail, or as a governor in Egypt’s palace, his circumstances never defined him. God’s presence did. Everywhere Joseph went, he experienced Immanuel and testified to the living God.

Likewise, your present circumstances are not the decisive issue as long as you remain in the complete covenant of God. When you enjoy the blessing of God being with you, you will begin to discover God’s absolute plan in every place, every event, every meeting, and every crisis.

Does doing well outwardly guarantee true success? Not necessarily.
Does struggling outwardly mean failure? Not necessarily.

If a person does not experience the spiritual blessings God has given in Christ, that person will eventually fail spiritually, no matter how successful life may appear outwardly. But if, like Joseph, a person enjoys the blessings within God’s complete covenant, that person will ultimately succeed in God’s eyes regardless of circumstances.

Throughout history, God continually gave, reminded, and restored His covenant through Christ because only Christ could solve mankind’s fundamental problems completely.

Only the True King could destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).
Only the True Priest could remove the curse and penalty of sin through His sacrifice (Mark 10:45).
Only the True Prophet could open the way to meet God once again (John 14:6).

Jesus Christ finished that work completely on the cross (John 19:30). Through His death and resurrection, He solved the problems of our past, present, and future once and for all (Ephesians 2:1–3). He completely set us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). Now He lives within us through the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16), continually working to reveal “the incomparable riches of His grace” for all eternity (Ephesians 2:7).

When you hold onto only Christ, you will begin to experience the kingdom of God in your daily life. Then you will realize that problems are not merely problems. They become opportunities to experience God’s power and the realities of heaven. Even what once seemed like a curse can become a blessing within God’s plan.

Like Joseph, you will one day confess: “God sent me ahead of you” (Genesis 45:5). You will realize that God allowed certain problems, conflicts, delays, and hardships while never once leaving your side.

God’s intention toward His children is never destruction, but hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). He desires to fellowship with us daily and let us enjoy spiritual feasts with Him (Revelation 3:20).

Remember this carefully: nothing happens by accident in the lives of God’s people. God knows every circumstance you face. He understands your pain, your future, your weaknesses, and your limitations better than anyone else. And He loves you more deeply than you can imagine.

Therefore, trust in the God whose thoughts and ways are higher than yours. Live by faith in Jesus Christ, who loved you and gave Himself for you. This is life in the kingdom of God.

Then what remains for us?

The only thing left is to receive and enjoy the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised and go as Christ’s witnesses to the ends of the earth. Open your eyes to see the world covered in darkness, suffering, confusion, anxiety, and spiritual emptiness.

As children of God, we have received the anointing of Christ: With the anointing of the King, break the strongholds of Satan in the name of Jesus. With the anointing of the Priest, heal those suffering under sin, curses, and spiritual wounds. With the anointing of the Prophet, proclaim the way to meet God to those wandering without hope.

Let us restore the gospel of Christ everywhere we go (Acts 1:1). Let us continually enjoy the reality and blessings of God’s kingdom in our daily lives (Acts 1:3). And let us never stop proclaiming that Jesus is the Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

Discover the “ends of the earth” within your present field. Wherever God places you today—that is your mission field. We only have one life to live, and life is too short to spend on things that do not matter eternally. God’s greatest desire is to save this age through the gospel and pass the covenant to the next generation.

Thus, remain firmly inside the complete covenant of God. Enter deeply into prayer that enjoys Christ until no person, circumstance, conflict, or condition can shake you or become your problem anymore.

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Prayer. Father, help me hold firmly to what is absolute: Christ, the kingdom of God, and the filling of the Holy Spirit. Open my eyes to enjoy Your covenant in every circumstance and to discover Your absolute plan wherever I am. May I become a witness of Christ who saves others by the power of the gospel and fulfills Your mission to the ends of the earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Acts 2:41-47. Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. ⁴² They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³ Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. ⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

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You will discover what is most needed when you realize the rightful reasons behind your present circumstances and mission field.

Then, complaints and blame will disappear. Instead of being trapped by problems, conflicts, or crises, you will begin to see God’s plan within them. You will realize what truly matters in life and what God desires for you to do. That is when your life starts to gain direction, meaning, and eternal value.

When Moses’ mother, Jochebed, understood the rightful reason for Israel’s slavery under Egypt, she realized what was needed the most—not political power or human methods, but a spiritual leader who would restore the covenant of God to His people (Exodus 3:1–10). Because of that, she devoted herself to raising Moses in faith.

When Moses finally understood the rightful reasons for the failures and wilderness of his eighty years, he saw what the world needed the most—the restoration of the blood sacrifice and the covenant of deliverance (Exodus 3:18). His suffering was not meaningless. God had prepared him through it all.

When the young David saw the humiliating condition of God’s people before Dagon, the god of the Philistines, he discerned God’s heart and longed for the restoration of God’s glory through the temple (Acts 13:22). While others only saw Goliath, David saw the spiritual reality behind the crisis.

The same pattern continued throughout history. Elijah and Elisha lived in the age of Rimmon, the god of Aram. Hezekiah stood against Baal and Asherah in the age of Assyria. Daniel and his three friends faced Bel and Nebo in Babylon. The Early Church, Paul, and Timothy proclaimed Christ in the age of Zeus and the idols of Rome.

They all saw the rightful reasons for the disasters, darkness, and spiritual collapse of their times. At the same time, they realized what God desired most—the restoration of the gospel, His church, and His evangelists.

What the world needs most today has not changed.

People need the One who crushed the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15). The only way to escape the disasters that have come upon the world is to enter the Ark of Christ (Genesis 6:14). The only secure place on earth is under the blood of the Lamb (Exodus 12:13). True happiness is found only in being with God, Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14). The greatest blessing in life is to know and confess that Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 16:16).

This is the gospel we must restore right where we are.

Today, many churches have lost, distorted, diluted, or stopped proclaiming the true gospel that Jesus is the Christ. As a result, the church has become weak and powerless, scattered and influenced by the world. The precious people of God are treated as something common and worthless, like cheap clay jars made by a potter (Lamentations 4:1–2). This should grieve our hearts.

For this reason, God desires to restore the glory of His church by the power of the Holy Spirit, just as He did through the Early Church (Acts 2:1–47). He wants His church to embrace world missions, as the church in Antioch did (Acts 11:19–30). He wants His evangelists to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth, as the workers mentioned in Romans 16.

When you hold onto what is needed most, God will prepare predestined meetings and doors for evangelism.

God arranged Philip’s meeting with the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26–40). Through one meeting, God not only changed one man’s eternal destiny but also opened the door for the gospel to enter Africa.

God also orchestrated Paul’s meeting with Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:1–3). They became lifelong co-workers in the gospel, even risking their lives for Paul. Through their devotion, many Gentile churches were strengthened and established (Romans 16:3–4).

Do not spend your life only pursuing temporary things on earth. Discover what is needed most. Begin where you are, even if it seems small. Do not be discouraged by your circumstances, weaknesses, or the people around you. God will strengthen you and lead you to accomplish everything He desires through your life.

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Prayer. Father, help me realize again and again that the only true answer the world needs is the gospel. Open my eyes to see what is most needed in my mission field. Fill me with Your strength and the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that I may accomplish everything You desire through my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.