Category: Today’s Word

From Generational Curses to Generational Blessings

Matthew 27:25. All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

When Adam and Eve hid among the trees after disobeying God, the Lord called out to Adam, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:8–9). God didn’t ask, “What did you do?” or “How could you do this to Me?” or even “What will you do now?” The all-knowing God wasn’t looking for Adam’s physical location—He was calling out to Adam’s spiritual condition. Adam, once clothed in God’s glory, was now completely cut off (Romans 3:23), and God’s question was one of love, not condemnation.

Since that moment, all humanity has lost its true identity and fallen under the power of sin, hell, and Satan. As a result, people have followed after the idols of this world (Ephesians 2:2), suffered from mental and emotional affliction (Matthew 11:28–30), endured physical pain and sickness (Acts 8:4–8), and, tragically, faced eternal condemnation in hell (Luke 16:19–31). But mankind’s suffering doesn’t end with the individual. Scripture clearly teaches that disasters and curses extend to future generations (Exodus 20:3–6; Matthew 27:25).

The problem of spiritual inheritance is real. When parents live under the power of the devil, their spiritual problems—no matter how hidden—are inevitably passed down to their children. Just as physical DNA is passed on, so is spiritual DNA. Despite efforts to change or improve, unresolved spiritual, mental, and physical issues will eventually resurface in the lives of their descendants. This is a terrifying and sobering truth.

Jesus spoke of this directly: “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning… a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Generations become trapped in Satan’s deception and confined to the frames he has established. Without the gospel, they have no choice but to carry out his will. The Bible records tragic examples of generational suffering when the covenant was lost:

From Adam to Cain (Genesis 4:1–8),
From Noah to Ham to Canaan (Genesis 9:20–25),
From Canaan to Nimrod and the Tower of Babel (Genesis 10:8–12),
From Abraham to the generation that entered slavery in Egypt (Genesis 15:13),
From David to the son born from Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:15),
From Solomon to Rehoboam (1 Kings 11:1–43),
From the kings of Israel to the generation taken into Babylonian captivity (Jeremiah 25:1–14),
From those generations to the one living under Roman rule (Luke 2:1–2),
And finally, from the Jews who rejected Jesus at His trial to their children (Matthew 27:25).

All of this serves as a sobering warning to parents: we must hold tightly to the complete covenant of God—Christ, His Kingdom, and the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:1–8).

But thanks be to God, who sent His Son, Jesus Christ, not just for us, but for our future generations! Jesus, the True King, crushed Satan’s power over our children and their children. Jesus, the True Priest, removed every curse and disaster by His blood, securing freedom for generations to come. Jesus, the True Prophet, opened the new and living way to God so that future generations would not remain in the background of hell.

Through Christ, God has turned generational curses into generational blessings. His promise is sure: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household” (Acts 16:31). The blessings that come through the gospel will extend to a thousand generations (Exodus 20:6). Through your life, God will display the incomparable riches of His grace in the coming ages (Ephesians 2:7).

So continue to instill the covenant of the “offspring of the woman” (Genesis 3:15) in your children. Build the ark for your family as Noah did (Genesis 6:18). Sprinkle the blood of the Lamb over their lives (Exodus 3:18). Teach them to enjoy the mystery of Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14) and to confess the complete covenant: “Jesus is the Christ” (Matthew 16:16).

Imprint the Word deeply into their hearts, minds, and lives (Deuteronomy 6:4–9). Let the healing power of the gospel fill every area of their being. They will rise as a thousand and a mighty nation, shining the light of Christ to all peoples (Isaiah 60:22).

Prayer. Father, I thank You for breaking the power of generational curses through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Because of the incomparable riches of Your grace, I now have hope and a future—not only for myself but for my children and the generations to come. Help me to firmly plant the complete covenant in their hearts and lead them to the life of true freedom and blessing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

From Hell to Heaven

Luke 16:19-31.  “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 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.’

25 “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. 26 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.’

27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

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

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

31 “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.’”

Scripture makes it undeniably clear: hell is real. Jesus Himself mentioned hell numerous times throughout the Gospels, including in today’s Word. He described it as a place of eternal separation, torment, and judgment.

Since the time of Adam, every human being has been born into the background of hell—destined for judgment and eternal separation from God. As the Bible states, “Just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). After living their entire lives under the weight of sin, the power of death, and the dominion of Satan, suffering spiritually, mentally, and physically, people are on the road to eternal fire.

This is the result of the fundamental problem of all mankind—Satan (Revelation 12:7–9), sin (Romans 3:23), and separation from God (Genesis 3:1–7). Hell is not merely a concept or a metaphor; it is a literal place prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41), a fiery lake of burning sulfur (Revelation 21:8). Anyone whose name is not found written in the Book of Life will be thrown into that lake (Revelation 20:15), where they will be tormented day and night, forever and ever (Revelation 20:10). Worst of all, hell is a place entirely void of God’s grace and mercy (Luke 16:24–26).

To save us from this dreadful end, Jesus had to experience the agony of hell on our behalf (Matthew 12:38–41; Romans 10:7; Ephesians 4:7–10). He went into the depths, but on the third day, He rose again—declaring total victory over death and hell!

When you believe in Jesus as your True King, God gives you authority over the powers of hell (Matthew 16:18). When you believe in Him as your True Priest, your sins are washed away and your robes made white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14), giving you the right to enter His eternal kingdom. When you receive Him as your True Prophet, He leads you into a new and living way that brings you directly to the throne of grace in heaven.

By grace, you are no longer a citizen of this world but of heaven (Philippians 3:20). Your name is written in the Book of Life (Luke 10:20), and you now have the promise of eternity with God. The mystery of the kingdom of heaven has been revealed to you (Matthew 13:11), so you may live in victory even now. Though we are sojourners in this world, we await the day we return to our true home—our eternal home in heaven.

You belong to heaven. God has rescued you from the dominion of darkness and brought you into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). So live each day enjoying every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:3–14). Ask that His will in heaven be done on earth (Matthew 6:10). Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Set your heart and mind on things above (Colossians 3:1–2). And store up for yourself treasures in heaven, where nothing can destroy them (Matthew 6:20).

Sadly, many live like the rich man in today’s passage—rejecting the Word of life because of the comforts and possessions they enjoy in this world. But to this end, God has entrusted you with a mission: to testify to the gospel of His grace (Acts 20:24). The Holy Spirit will empower you (Acts 1:8), and the Lord Jesus, who sits at the right hand of God, will work with and through you (Mark 16:20).

Prayer. Lord Jesus, I thank You for breaking the power of hell on my behalf. Thank You for bearing the agony of hell on the cross and rising again to proclaim eternal victory. Because of what You have done, Your victory is now my victory. Help me to experience the joy of heaven even here on earth, and give me boldness to proclaim the gospel to those still living in the shadow of hell. In Your mighty name I pray, Amen.

From Broken to Restored

Acts 8:4-8. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

Mankind’s problems of the spirit, soul, and mind inevitably lead to problems of the body. This is because all forms of physical suffering trace back to original sin (Genesis 3:16–19). From the moment of the Fall, pain, sickness, and death entered the human condition.

Living under the dominion of the devil results in all kinds of unexplainable and incurable diseases (Acts 8:4–8). The sins of our ancestors can impact future generations (Exodus 20:4–5; 2 Samuel 12:15), and personal sins can directly cause physical illness and suffering (2 Kings 5:27; 2 Chronicles 21:12–19; 1 Corinthians 5:5). While medical treatment may offer temporary relief, it cannot provide a fundamental solution to the root of these ailments.

Some physical and mental afflictions are even directly caused by demonic influence (Matthew 12:25–28; Mark 5:2–15; Mark 9:17; Luke 13:16; Ephesians 4:23–27). When people turn only to medicine, rituals, superstition, or even the power of evil spirits in their search for healing, their condition may worsen. True healing cannot come through human effort or false spirituality.

God has already given us the promise of healing and restoration through Christ:
“All who touched Him were healed” (Mark 6:56).
“He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases” (Matthew 8:17).
“By His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

What this world desperately needs is healing—healing from the bondage of the devil (Acts 10:38), healing from wounded hearts and weary minds (Matthew 11:28), and healing from every kind of physical affliction (Acts 8:4–8).

True healing comes from God alone, who sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer in our place. Christ came to restore our broken relationship with God, to break the curse of sin and hell, and to destroy the work of the devil. He gave His life as a ransom for all (Mark 10:45).

In Acts 8, we see God’s healing power poured out in Samaria. When Philip proclaimed the Christ, impure spirits fled, diseases were healed, and long-standing bondages were broken. The people witnessed the power of God, and a new and living way to Him was opened. The result? Great joy filled the city (Acts 8:8).

That same healing power is available to you today. God has already laid all your problems on His Son (Isaiah 53:6). Jesus bore your pain and declared on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Believe this truth in every area of your life. Claim it in your body, your mind, your past, and your present. Healing begins when you realize that God has already dealt with the root of your problems through Christ.

God has promised to bring you health and healing, to restore you, to forgive you, and to reveal His abundance of peace and truth to all who see your life (Jeremiah 33:6–9). Even in the midst of physical hardships, seek God’s purpose just as Paul did. When Paul’s thorn in the flesh remained, God’s answer was clear: “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:7–9).

Through the gospel of healing, God desires not only to heal you, but to use you as an instrument of healing for others—for your family, your church, your community, your nation, and even the nations of the world.

Prayer. Lord, I thank You for healing me through Jesus Christ, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Help me to proclaim the message of Your healing to those still suffering under the power of the devil. Let Your healing grace flow through my life as a witness to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

From Chaos to Rest

Matthew 11:28-30. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Because of their eternal separation from God, people live weary, burdened, and restless lives. Nothing feels easy or light. Beneath the surface of every human soul lies a deep spiritual problem inherited from the beginning (Genesis 3:1–7). Though many believe they are in control of their own lives, they live under the illusion of self-rule, unaware that they are actually under the dominion of the devil (John 8:44).

In search of peace and fulfillment, people turn to possessions and pleasure, yet their souls remain empty and unsatisfied (Genesis 6:1–6). They chase after success, hoping it will bring meaning, only to find more confusion, regret, and spiritual fatigue (Genesis 11:1–9). In desperation, they bow to every form of idol—money, fame, relationships, and even self—breaking the very first commandment of God (Exodus 20:3–6). Trapped in the systems of this world, their entire lives are spent within the frameworks of darkness laid out in Acts 13, 16, and 19—systems of spiritual bondage, economic captivity, and cultural deception.

In the midst of this, their hearts are wounded and their past scars remain unhealed. These deep inner wounds distort their personalities, leading them to become obsessive, anxious, and bitter. Their minds become filled with poisonous thoughts—loneliness, sorrow, hatred, resentment, despair, and defeat. Obsession often becomes addiction. Addiction then overtakes their minds, leading to emotional and physical disorders such as depression, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, and more. The world is experiencing a global mental health crisis, and yet modern science, medicine, and psychology cannot identify or heal the root cause of humanity’s spiritual problems. While therapy and counseling may bring surface-level changes, they cannot offer a fundamental solution.

But Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Jesus, our True King, destroyed the authority of the evil one who placed the yoke of slavery upon us. Jesus, our True Priest, bore the cross to break the chains of sin, curses, and hell. Jesus, our True Prophet, opened a new and living way to the God of peace, giving us access to true rest.

Through the power of the gospel, God has made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:5). Through the living and active Word, God heals our spirits, souls, minds, and bodies (Hebrews 4:12). He has given us the privilege of 24/7 access to Him through prayer, restoring every part of our lives (Psalm 139:1–24).

All you need to do is come to the One who endured such opposition from sinners so that you will not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 12:3). Stop trying to carry the burdens of your life on your own. Jesus has already finished the work of the Christ. He is ready to give you rest. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you deeply (1 Peter 5:7).

Take His yoke upon you—it is easy and light. Refuse the heavy yoke of religion, self-effort, and worldly expectations. Do not let the devil deceive you any longer. You have been justified by faith and now have peace with God through Jesus Christ, your Savior and Lord (Romans 5:1). In every moment, declare your freedom from the yoke of sin, curses, and Satan. Live a life that proclaims the Good News of Christ’s rest to this restless world.

Prayer. Father, I thank You for the true rest and peace that I have in Jesus Christ. Help me to guard this peace and not lose heart no matter the circumstance. I believe that You, the God of peace, will soon crush Satan under my feet. Let my life be a testimony of the freedom and rest found only in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

From Idolatry to Worshiping the Living God

Exodus 20:3-6. You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Mankind, created as spiritual beings to worship God and Him alone, fell from this original purpose and dignity. Instead of honoring their Creator, they were deceived by Satan and fell into his traps and frames, living as children of the devil and carrying out his desires (John 8:44). Though people knew God, they refused to glorify Him as God or give Him thanks. Their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Not one righteous thought remained (Romans 1:21).

Claiming to be wise, they became fools. Rather than honoring the eternal glory of God, they exchanged it for the worship of created things—images made to look like mortal man, birds, animals, and reptiles (Romans 1:22–23). Created to reign over all creation as God’s stewards (Genesis 1:28), they instead bowed down to what they were meant to govern.

Humanity began to live as their own god, led by their own thoughts and standards (Genesis 3:5). They gave their hearts to the world (Genesis 6:1–7), and even united in rebellion against God (Genesis 11:1–9). All the while, unaware, they were worshiping the devil himself (Matthew 4:8–9).

To fill the formlessness, emptiness, and darkness within, people turn to wealth, pleasure, and success. They chase after the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). Even people are idolized—not truly loved, but used and worshiped in self-centered ways.

What many do not realize is that these acts of idolatry are actually sacrifices made to demons, not to God. By engaging in them, they become participants with demons (1 Corinthians 10:20). The result is confusion, insecurity, fear, obsession, and disaster. That is why God, out of His mercy, warns us repeatedly about the deadly consequences of idolatry.

To save us from this evil and adulterous generation, God gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to set us free from the power of idols and the deception of the devil. Through His blood, Christ has cleansed our consciences from dead works, so that we may worship the living God in spirit and in truth (Hebrews 9:14).

God loves you with an everlasting love. He has drawn you to Himself with cords of mercy (Jeremiah 31:3). So do not love this world or the things it promises you, because nothing in this world can truly satisfy the hunger and thirst of your soul. Only Jesus can. He came so that you may have life—and have it abundantly (John 10:10). He wants you to experience His life and His power in every moment.

God has exalted Jesus to the highest place and given Him the name above every name (Philippians 2:9–10). He now holds all authority in heaven and on earth, and He is with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:16–20). So why not bow your knee and surrender to the name of Jesus, the only one worthy of your worship?

When you worship Jesus alone, He will use your life as a vessel to set others free from the bondage of idolatry around the world. Your life will become a light that leads others out of darkness and into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Prayer. Father, I thank You for setting me free from the power of idols in my life. Thank You for loving me with an everlasting love and drawing me back to Yourself. I now worship You and You alone. Fill me with Your power that I may stand as a witness of Christ in this generation bound by idolatry. Use my life to shine Your light in a world lost in darkness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

From a Child of the Devil to a Child of God

John 8:44. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

People are unhappy because of their broken spiritual identity. According to Scripture, all humanity is born spiritually dead, separated from God and trapped in the devil’s deception. We are enslaved by self-reliance and self-centeredness (Genesis 3), drawn to corruption and worldly pleasure (Genesis 6), and blinded by pride and the pursuit of success (Genesis 11).

Rather than loving God and worshiping Him alone, we have become lovers of ourselves, money, and achievement, only to find our hearts lost in formlessness, emptiness, and darkness. Beyond that, we are born into a system bound by the devil’s framework—held captive by the forces of politics and authority (Acts 13), enslaved to materialism and economy (Acts 16), and consumed by the culture of darkness (Acts 19). Instead of enjoying the abundant life God intended, we conform to the ways of the world, which ultimately lead to destruction.

Worst of all, Scripture reveals that every person is born as a child of the devil, having turned from God’s way to follow their own (John 8:44, Isaiah 53:6). From the beginning, Satan has lied to us—offering false happiness, empty promises, and counterfeit hope. Caught in his traps and confined by his frames, humanity lives a life that fulfills the enemy’s desires, not God’s. And what does the devil desire? Only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). No matter how hard we try or how much we accomplish, nothing within us can change our spiritual identity or our eternal destiny.

But thanks be to God! In His eternal love, He sent His Son Jesus as the Christ to bring us back to Himself. The price of our redemption was not silver or gold, but the life of Jesus poured out on the cross as a ransom. By His death, Jesus paid the penalty of sin. By His resurrection, He destroyed the power of the devil, who holds the power of death (Hebrews 2:14). Through faith in Jesus Christ and by believing in His name, God gives us the right to become His children (John 1:12). In that moment, our spiritual identity is forever changed.

You no longer belong to the devil. You no longer need to listen to his lies or carry out his desires. Through Christ, you have been completely set free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). You have been made new. Your position in Christ is eternally secure—God has sealed you with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of your salvation (Ephesians 1:13). Now, by the Spirit, you can cry out, “Abba, Father,” and the Spirit Himself testifies with your spirit that you are a child of God (Romans 8:15–16). Because of who you are in Christ, your heavenly Father hears you whenever you pray in Jesus’ name (Matthew 7:9–11).

So stop listening to the voice of the accuser. The devil has no claim on you. No one can bring any charge against those whom God has chosen—it is God who justifies (Romans 8:33). Do not be discouraged by your own weakness. Nothing in all creation can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37–39). Do not worry about your life. Your heavenly Father has a perfect plan for you—plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Do not let the world define your identity. Listen instead to what God says about you:

“The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in His love He will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

Abide in His love. Delight in His love. And proclaim His love by living as a witness of Christ to those who are still living as children of the devil. The world desperately needs the truth that set you free.

Prayer. Father, thank You for bringing me back to You through Christ Jesus, my Lord. Open my eyes to see the lost condition of those still separated from You and living under the power of the enemy. Strengthen me in the spiritual battle against the devil’s schemes. Empower me by Your Spirit to devote my life to saving others with the Gospel. Keep me from unbelief and protect me from the enemy’s deception. Let me stand firm in the truth of who I am in Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Framed by the Culture of This Dark World

Acts 19:8-10. Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 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.

In addition to erecting the strongholds of worldly power and economy, the devil has chosen the culture of this dark world to penetrate even deeper into our lives.

The temple of Artemis was in Ephesus, and she was worshiped throughout the province of Asia and beyond. The Ephesians took great pride in the magnificent structure they had built for their goddess. The culture of the city was filled with all kinds of evil activities associated with the temple, including exorcism, sorcery, prostitution, and idol making.

These practices were so deeply rooted in the culture of Ephesus that when the people heard the gospel, the total value of the scrolls they burned came to fifty thousand drachmas (Acts 19:19). Major trades and businesses in Ephesus depended heavily on its culture of idolatry.

Today, the devil’s frame of the culture of idolatry is broader, deeper, and stronger than ever. It has deeply penetrated virtually every area of our lives. We are constantly bombarded by cultural influences, often without realizing what we are consuming through modern media—books, music, movies, and more.

Like Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen in Ephesus, many authors, artists, and Hollywood producers—who themselves are living under curses—promote the devil’s agenda through their work. The ideology of the New Age Movement is one clear example. They are spreading the same message the devil first spoke: “You will be like God” (Genesis 3:5), denying our absolute need for dependence on God.

Through their creations, they exalt so-called “superheroes” like Nimrod (Genesis 10:8–12) and the Nephilim (Genesis 6:1–8), denying salvation through Christ alone. They also instill a false sense of success, as seen in the Tower of Babel narrative (Genesis 11:1–9). These messages are embedded in nearly every product of modern culture, and people—especially today’s youth—are unable to escape their influence, becoming increasingly sick spiritually, mentally, and physically.

Seeking temporary relief, many turn to various spiritual practices like yoga and transcendental meditation. But as Jesus warned, their final condition becomes worse than before (Matthew 12:43–45). What they do not realize is that Satan masquerades as an angel of light through today’s culture (2 Corinthians 11:14).

Satan’s cultural aggression goes even further. He has successfully infused religious elements into modern culture. Many nations designate spiritual and religious sites and artifacts as part of their cultural heritage, not realizing that, in doing so, they become participants with demons (1 Corinthians 10:20), turning idols into objects of admiration and even worship.

Worse still, many churches around the world—places God had established for worship and prayer—have been turned into tourist attractions. Instead of creating a gospel culture that can heal and transform lives, the people of God are conforming to the pattern of this world (Romans 12:2). This is the reality we, the children of light, now face.

Scripture has already warned us through Paul about today’s culture:

“There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:1–4).

This perfectly describes the culture we live in today. That is why we must be deeply rooted in the Word—the gospel that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:14–17). Like Paul in Ephesus, we must “preach the Word” and be ready in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2).

Most importantly, we must raise up the next generation of disciples to transform this culture of darkness. Paul took the disciples with him and trained them for two years, until everyone in the province of Asia had heard the gospel (Acts 19:10). He changed the flow of culture in the entire region.

When you realize, believe, and confirm God’s covenant that Jesus is the Christ, God will use you like Moses, who conquered the culture of idols in Egypt, and Elijah, who defeated 850 false prophets of Baal and Asherah. God has already given you the spiritual blessing of king, priest, and prophet to proclaim His goodness to those living under the power of today’s dark culture (1 Peter 2:9).

You are Christ’s ambassador, entrusted with the message of reconciliation for all nations (2 Corinthians 5:20). Jesus said, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). God has made you to be a light for the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6). That is your identity. All you need to do is know who you are and stand in your mission field.

Wherever God sends you, the light of the gospel will shine through you into the culture of this dark world, bringing healing and restoration.

Prayer. Father, I thank You for saving me from Satan’s frame of the culture of this dark world. Help me not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of my mind through Your Word. Use my life to turn the culture of darkness into the culture of light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Framed by the Economy of This Dark World

Acts 16:16-24. Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.

19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”

22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

In Philippi, Paul and Silas witnessed the economy of darkness at work. A poor female slave had been suffering from demon possession, and her owners were making a great deal of money by exploiting her ability to tell fortunes through an evil spirit.

After pleading for help from Paul and his team for many days, she was finally set free from the power of the devil by believing in the name of Jesus Christ. She was healed by the power of the gospel that Paul proclaimed.

But this infuriated her owners. Why? Scripture states they “realized that their hope of making money was gone.” They had no interest in her well-being. Instead of thanking Paul and Silas for healing her, they falsely accused them and pressured the authorities to prosecute them.

It is likely that these owners had close ties with corrupt government officials. They stirred up the crowd to attack Paul and Silas, and eventually, the judge ordered that they be severely beaten, flogged, and imprisoned without even a trial.

What happened in Philippi is a clear picture of the economy of darkness operating in today’s world. Satan has constructed a system where people worship money (Matthew 6:24; Colossians 3:5) and become “lovers of money” (1 Timothy 6:10; 2 Timothy 3:1).

As a result, our economy is often driven by darkness, with people willing to make money at any cost—leading ultimately to destruction and disaster for our nations and the world.

The pornography industry, for example, already larger than Hollywood, is one of the fastest-growing industries globally, generating billions of dollars a year. With emerging technologies like virtual reality, it is projected to double in revenue. This industry is ushering the world down a destructive path, relentlessly targeting families—especially today’s younger generation.

Many countries, including the United States, have long lost the battle against illegal drugs. Worse yet, more nations are legalizing them, viewing drug industries as among the most profitable businesses in history.

There are many who benefit from keeping the flow of illegal drugs across our borders. Tragically, corrupt officials and greedy businesspeople, completely seized by the spirit of the devil, play a significant role in today’s economy of darkness, which is controlled by “the ruler of the kingdom of the air” (Ephesians 2:2).

But you are a child of God and belong to the Kingdom of Light. Through Christ, God has set you free from the devil’s frame of the economy of darkness. You possess everything in Christ (2 Corinthians 6:10). All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ (Colossians 2:2–3).

You are precious in God’s eyes, and you no longer need to worry about your life (Matthew 6:25–34). In Christ, there is abundance (2 Corinthians 9:8) and true contentment (Philippians 4:11–13).

Do not let the devil deceive you with worldly possessions. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap. They begin to desire many foolish and harmful things that ruin and destroy lives (1 Timothy 6:9).

Trust in your heavenly Father, from whom all blessings flow. Be alert to the reality of the economy of darkness operating in your region. Like Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:1–3; Romans 16:3–4), understand the purpose behind the work God has entrusted to you. Learn how God’s economy works and how it can serve the mission of evangelism and world missions. It is time for us to arise and shine the light of Christ—to turn the economy of darkness into the economy of light.

Prayer. Father, I thank You for setting me free from Satan’s frame of the economy of darkness and for filling me with every blessing in Christ. So I declare that I lack nothing because You are my Shepherd. For the rest of my life, I desire to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Framed by the Powers of This Dark World

Acts 13:4-12.  The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.

6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”

Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

Only Scripture reveals the reality of the kingdom of darkness (Matthew 12:25–27; John 16:11). How did it begin? Having lost the war against Michael and his angels, Satan was hurled to the earth along with his angels (Revelation 12:7–9). Since then, he has been leading the whole world astray.

In defiance of God, the devil deceived mankind to side with him and succeeded in trapping the first man and woman by offering them something they could not resist: “You will be like God” (Genesis 3:5).

Mankind, who absolutely needs God and was created to remain in relationship with Him, fell into the lies of the enemy. Though created to love God alone, people have become “lovers of themselves,” “lovers of money,” and “lovers of pleasure” (2 Timothy 3:1–4).

As a result, everyone has been born spiritually dead, under the power of the devil, curse, and hell (Genesis 3:1–19). Nothing anyone could do could restore their relationship with God.

In the Age of the Nephilim (Genesis 6:1–9), mankind—originally created as a spiritual being—became flesh (Genesis 6:3), chasing after its own desires: eating, drinking, getting married, pursuing money and pleasure. People were created to enjoy physical blessings that flow from spiritual blessings, but they exchanged their eternal blessings for temporary possessions and pleasures. Marriage without God’s covenant led to families with spiritual problems, which in turn produced societies and nations with spiritual problems.

Satan has continued to lead the effort to challenge God’s authority by filling people’s hearts and minds with a burning desire to succeed at any cost, along with personal ambition, selfish motives, and endless goals in life (Genesis 11:1–9). To prevent further disaster caused by their spiritual rebellion, God scattered them across the earth.

It is therefore critical to see that Satan’s aggression toward mankind, which began in Genesis 3, 6, and 11, continues today. Satan has created a frame around us using world powers, economy, and culture.

Scripture says that Satan controls the minds of “the rulers, the authorities, and the powers of this dark world” (Ephesians 6:12). Without knowing God, our elected leaders and all those in authority live in the same state of Genesis 3, 6, and 11.

As a result, they pursue political gain at any cost, like Pontius Pilate (Matthew 27:24), engage in endless political rivalry like King Saul (1 Samuel 18:8–9), carry out ruthless violence like Nimrod (Genesis 10:8–12), and promote idolatry like King Ahab and Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 16:29–33).

This is why wars never cease on this earth. Some leaders are tormented by evil spirits (1 Samuel 16:14–16), and like the proconsul Sergius Paulus in the book of Acts, they rely on the counsel of sorcerers and false prophets, who try to distort the message of the cross.

Little do these leaders know that they are drawing their strength and wisdom from the devil himself. Completely blinded by “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4), they cannot see the truth—just like King Agrippa (Acts 26:1–32).

But thanks be to God, who sent His Son Jesus as the True King to set us free from Satan’s frame and the powers of this dark world. Unlike all earthly kings, conquerors, and heroes, Jesus came as the Prince of Peace: “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever” (Isaiah 9:7).

Having realized, believed, and confirmed that Jesus is the Christ, Paul preached the gospel that saved the proconsul’s life by overpowering the forces of darkness. Throughout his life, God placed Paul before kings and leaders to testify of Christ (Acts 19:21; Acts 23:11; Acts 24:1–27; Acts 25:1–12; Acts 26:1–32; Acts 27:24).

In the same way, as you remain in the covenant of God, He will place you at the “spiritual summit” so that you may save and heal leaders and nations through the power of the gospel. Remember, God made you a witness, a leader, and a commander for the people (Isaiah 55:4).

So, like King David, cultivate spiritual strength and skills to stand as Christ’s witness to all nations (Psalm 78:70–72). Lift up your leaders and those in authority in prayer (1 Timothy 2:2), so that the gospel movement may continue with boldness and without hindrance.

Above all, enjoy God’s presence through His Word, and seek His plans through prayer in all circumstances. God’s peace will soon crush Satan under our feet (Romans 16:20).

Prayer. Father, thank You for saving me from Satan’s traps and frames. Today I celebrate my freedom in Christ. Use my life to set others free from Satan’s hand by the power of the gospel. Open the eyes of our leaders and those in authority to see the brokenness of this world and turn to You. In the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace, Amen.

Let the Tower Fall!

Genesis 11:1-9. Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.

3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”

8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

Even after the Flood, the work of Satan continued. Many nations came from the descendants of Noah and spread out over the earth. Tragically, people once again forgot the covenant God had established with them (Genesis 9:8–11).

Worse still, they began to challenge the authority of God. Nimrod (meaning “the rebel”), a great-grandson of Noah, became a “mighty warrior on the earth” and a “mighty hunter before the Lord” (Genesis 10:8–9), carrying out ruthless acts of violence in the presence of God.

Nimrod founded many kingdoms and cities, including Babel (or Babylon), in the land of Shinar (Genesis 10:10–12), where he led the effort to build a “tower that reaches to the heavens” (Genesis 11:4). Their goal was to make a name for themselves and remain united in defiance of God.

God did not allow the tower’s construction to continue, but the Tower of Babel movement Satan began through Nimrod has continued to this day. Satan lures people into pursuing worldly success at any cost, feeding their ambition, selfish motives, and endless goals in life. He promotes the unification of peoples, nations, and religions to carry out his own agenda, bringing as much destruction as possible to the world (Revelation 12:9). He is filled with fury because he knows his time is short (Revelation 12:12).

Tragically, many people take the “wide road” that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13). The devil’s temptation is real, attractive, and seemingly irresistible (Matthew 4:2–3; 4:5–6). Ultimately, the devil wants people to worship him (Matthew 4:8–9). He knows exactly what our old self desires.

Thanks be to God, who crucified our old self with Christ and united us with Him (Romans 6:5–6). God brought us into His kingdom, filled with righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). In Christ, God has given us the greatest success of all—being with Him.

When you believe the Good News that Jesus is the Christ, God gives you the right to become a child of God (John 1:12). That is why He answers your prayers. You will lack nothing (Psalm 23:1).

Since the day you believed, the Holy Spirit has come to live in you (1 Corinthians 3:16). That is why nothing can destroy you anymore. You now have a brand new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). God surrounds you with His angel armies (Hebrews 1:14). You will have ultimate victory over Satan (Romans 16:20).

God has given your life a new purpose and goal—proclaiming the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:18–20). God has freely given all these things to you with Christ. So you don’t have to be intimidated by anything. You don’t have to envy anything. You don’t have to compromise with anything in this world.

God sent His Son Jesus as the Christ so that you may escape from the destruction of Genesis 3 (worshiping yourself), Genesis 6 (following the ways of the world), and Genesis 11 (building your own Tower of Babel).

Let the gospel take deep root in your spirit, soul, mind, and body so that the Tower of Babel in your life may fall. Knowing that you have been given everything through Christ, stop building your own tower.

Instead, enjoy God’s presence through His Word (John 1:1). Hold firmly to God’s covenant and pray in all circumstances, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit. God will give you undeniable evidence of His presence, heal you, and place you where you will save lives.

May the Kingdom of God come upon you throughout the day. Let the Tower of Babel of today’s culture that rebels against God and His gospel fall in the name of Jesus Christ.

Prayer. Father, I thank You for this time of worship and prayer. Fill me with Your wisdom, which surpasses human understanding and the knowledge of this world. Fill me with Your wisdom so that no one may take me captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Help me cultivate spiritual strength to the point where I will not be intimidated by anything, I will not envy anything, and I will not compromise with anything. Help me enjoy Your presence and live the life of an evangelist throughout the day. May all the forces of darkness and unbelief in my life be broken down in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.