Category: Today’s Word

Acts 20:24. However, 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.

God has given every one of us a mission in life. A life without a mission eventually loses its meaning and direction. It becomes like a ship drifting without a destination—carried here and there by the waves of circumstances, filled with confusion, insecurity, emptiness, and regret.

Our life on earth is too short to spend on temporary things alone. We were created for something eternal. Knowing this, Paul confessed that he considered his own life worth nothing compared to completing the mission God had entrusted to him (Acts 20:24).

What, then, is the task that matters most to God?

The greatest purpose of our lives is to testify of the gospel of God’s grace—Jesus Christ—to those who do not know Him. Nothing in this world can give people the true answer they are desperately searching for. Wealth, success, pleasure, knowledge, and human effort cannot solve the fundamental problems of mankind.

Scripture reveals that all people are under the power of sin and Satan. As a result, mankind lives separated from God, trapped in spiritual darkness, fear, suffering, and eternal judgment. Jesus said that unbelievers live under the influence of the devil (John 8:44). People worship idols and things created by human hands instead of the Creator (Exodus 20:4–5).

Many are suffering mentally, emotionally, and spiritually under heavy burdens (Matthew 11:28), while others experience physical affliction and oppression (Acts 8:4–8). Without Christ, humanity remains condemned apart from God eternally (Luke 16:19–31), and even passes spiritual suffering and unbelief down to future generations (Matthew 27:25).

But God did not abandon mankind. He sent Jesus Christ as the only solution to sin, Satan, and hell. Through the cross and resurrection, Christ completely broke the power of the devil and opened the way for mankind to meet God again. Scripture declares that Jesus “went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil” (Acts 10:38).

Only the gospel has the power to truly save and heal people.

God has revealed this mystery of salvation to us through Christ. And now He has called us as ambassadors of Christ to carry His message of reconciliation to the world that is dying without the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:20). This is our primary mission in life.

God desires us to devote ourselves to the life movement that saves people from the power of Satan, sin, and hell. Even now, there are countless souls whom God has prepared for salvation (Acts 13:48). Therefore, His work of saving lives continues throughout the world today.

God desires you, your family, and your church to become part of this life movement. There is no greater calling or blessing than participating in the work that is eternal.

God already knows our weaknesses, failures, and limitations. Yet He looks at the center of our hearts. He desires to see whether we possess “godly sorrow” or merely “worldly sorrow” (2 Corinthians 7:10). He wants to know what truly breaks our hearts. Do we grieve over temporary losses alone, or do we grieve over the souls who are perishing without Christ? God desires us to pray for the things that break His heart.

Therefore, take hold of your God-given mission by following Christ. Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).

Continue to enjoy Christ daily—the blessing of the gospel. Enjoy the kingdom of God and experience the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promised (Acts 1:1–8). Pray for the unbelievers God has placed around you—your family members, relatives, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and the nations. Together with the church and fellow believers, restore the glory of God’s church and pray earnestly for the Lord to send workers into His harvest field (Matthew 9:38).

When your heart is set on God’s kingdom and His righteousness, God Himself will provide everything necessary for your mission. Jesus promised:

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

One day, when God’s appointed time is fulfilled, He will call you home after you complete the mission He entrusted to you. And on that day, may we hear the words of the Lord:

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:21).

Open your eyes to see the urgency of the gospel, evangelism, and world missions. Do not live merely for temporary success or comfort. Give your life wholly to God’s kingdom and His righteousness. The only life that will never be regretted is the life lived for what is eternal.

Prayer. Father, thank You for calling me to participate in Your eternal mission. Open my eyes to see the spiritual reality of this world and the urgency of the gospel. Fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I may boldly testify of Christ and save lives for Your glory. Help me not to live for temporary things, but to devote my life to Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Use my life, my family, and my church for the work of evangelism and missions until the day I stand before You. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

John 15:16. 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.

God’s way of saving the world has always been through the few people He called for His eternal purpose. Throughout every age, those who changed the world were people who heard God’s heavenly mandate and answered His calling by faith.

When Jesus called His disciples, He did not call them because they were qualified, powerful, or extraordinary. He called them because He wanted them. In the same way, He has called you. You did not choose Him first, but He chose and appointed you (John 15:16).

This calling was part of God’s eternal plan hidden before the ages began: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).

God called you first to be with Him. Christianity is not merely following a religion or trying to become a better person. It is enjoying Immanuel—God with you. It is living every day with the living Christ who reigns over all things.

How does God reveal that He is with you? He confirms His Word in your life. He carries out the work of Christ over the powers of Satan, sin, and hell. He works powerfully through the Holy Spirit and places you as Christ’s witness.

Through Christ, the presence of the Triune God in you has become a reality. The kingdom of God has come upon you. Heaven’s authority and blessings are now yours through the gospel. When you truly believe and enjoy this covenant, you begin to experience every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.

Do not be deceived by your weaknesses, scars, or limitations. God has never used perfect people. He uses those who remain with Jesus. For example, Peter and John were ordinary men without worldly status or education, yet the people around them were amazed because they could not deny the evidence of God in their lives:

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished, and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

When you are with Jesus, God will open your eyes to see the spiritual reality behind the world. You will begin to understand why the gospel is not merely one message among many, but the only answer for mankind. The world suffers under sin, darkness, and separation from God, and only Christ can solve the fundamental problem of humanity.

Make this gospel your own, just as Paul did. The gospel must move beyond knowledge and become the confession of your life:

“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).

Do not be discouraged by your present circumstances, hardships, or limitations. God often reveals His greatest answers in the midst of weakness, confinement, and crisis. Jeremiah discovered this while imprisoned in the courtyard of the guard:

“While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him a second time: ‘This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know’” (Jeremiah 33:1–3).

Discover your prayer within your circumstances. Hold to God’s covenant and call upon Him. God is not limited by your reality. Even now, He is preparing answers, doors, and works that you cannot yet see.

Jesus did not call you only to receive grace. He also called you to be sent into the world to proclaim the gospel. Evangelism is simply telling others how God has been with you through Christ. It is sharing the life, hope, and salvation you have received through Him.

Many believers misunderstand evangelism. Some think it is only for specially gifted people or for those with theological training. But evangelism is the natural movement of the life of Christ within a believer. When the gospel becomes your life, sharing Christ becomes a natural part of who you are.

If the blood of Christ has truly saved you, then evangelism is simply introducing Jesus to those still living under the bondage of darkness. That is why evangelism is one of the greatest blessings and privileges God has given to His people. Satan fears evangelism because the gospel destroys the works of the devil and sets captives free. For this reason, he continually tries to discourage believers, distract the church, and silence the proclamation of the gospel.

The Early Church understood this spiritual reality. Even under persecution, they did not retreat or ask God merely to remove their hardships. Instead, they prayed for boldness to continue proclaiming the gospel: “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness” (Acts 4:29). As they prayed, the Holy Spirit filled them anew, and the gospel continued to spread with power throughout the world.

It is important to discover and enjoy the evangelism God has prepared for your life and situation. Begin by praying for doors to open for the gospel: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ” (Colossians 4:2–3).

Discover your evangelism the way the workers in Romans 16 did. Some supported financially. Some opened their homes. Some encouraged the church. Some protected God’s servants. Others traveled and preached. Yet all of them participated in world evangelization together.

Connect every person, every field, and every meeting in your life to evangelism. Live prepared to share the reason for the hope within you: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15).

Closely follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Do not force things according to your own timing. When God opens the door, proclaim the gospel with gentleness, wisdom, and respect.

God has also given you spiritual authority in the name of Jesus Christ because the whole world lies under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19). Through the authority of Christ, the powers of darkness are broken. In Jesus’ name, you will confront the spiritual forces that have captured people’s minds, families, cultures, and nations.

God will enable you to communicate the gospel across languages, cultures, and generations. He will expose the lies and deceptions of Satan and reveal Christ as the true answer for all people.

Jesus has given His people authority “to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19). He will protect you, guide you, and deliver you according to His covenant. Through the gospel, God desires to bring healing and restoration to those suffering spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Jesus is calling you even now to follow Him with urgency. The world is searching for answers, and countless souls are living without the gospel. When you answer His calling, God will use your life to impact the world with the power of Christ just as He did through the disciples and the Early Church.

Nothing is more urgent than leading people to Christ. Nothing is more important than praying for evangelism disciples who will save the nations. Nothing is more fulfilling than participating in the Great Commission of our Lord for this generation and the generations to come.

You have been given the authority of Jesus’ name—the name above every name. Through Christ, you now approach God not as a stranger, but as His child. Heaven’s throne backs your prayers, and God’s angel armies surround and protect you.

God will bring healing, restoration, and life to the world through you. The Lord Himself will go before you: “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it” (Mark 16:20).

Wherever the gospel is proclaimed, God will work: “Pray that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored” (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

When you hear the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

May your answer also be: “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).

Prayer. Father, thank You for calling me by Your grace. Open my eyes to see the spiritual reality of this age and the absolute necessity of the gospel. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and use my life for evangelism and world salvation. Give me boldness to proclaim Christ wherever You send me. Here am I, Lord. Send me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Genesis 6:11-14. Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. ¹² God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. ¹³ So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. ¹⁴ So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out.

God directs the flow of every age by revealing His plans through His Word. Throughout history, whenever darkness covered the earth and people lost hold of the gospel, God raised up individuals who received His covenant and held onto it as their heavenly mandate.

When we receive God’s Word not merely as information, but as His covenant spoken personally to us, that Word becomes our heavenly mandate—the lifelong mission and direction given from heaven.

In the age of the Nephilim, when the earth was filled with corruption, violence, and spiritual darkness, Noah received such a heavenly mandate: “So God said to Noah, ‘Make yourself an ark’” (Genesis 6:14).

Noah realized that the problem of his age could not be solved through human effort, morality, or civilization. The only solution was the mystery of Christ, foreshadowed through the ark. Inside the ark was salvation; outside the ark was destruction.

For the next 120 years, Noah devoted his life to fulfilling that heavenly mandate despite mockery and unbelief from the world around him: “Noah did everything just as God commanded him” (Genesis 6:22).

At the age of eighty, after years in the wilderness of Midian, Moses heard a heavenly mandate at Mount Horeb:

“The Lord said, ‘I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians… So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt’” (Exodus 3:7–10).

That day, Moses discovered both the cause of Israel’s suffering and the only way to freedom from Satan, sin, and judgment—the blood of the Passover lamb (Exodus 3:18; First Corinthians 5:7). God revealed that deliverance would not come through military strength or political power, but through the covenant blood.

From that moment on, Moses’ life was no longer centered on himself. He lived entirely within the covenant journey God had given him. Because he held onto the heavenly mandate, no circumstance could ultimately become a problem. God split the Red Sea, provided manna in the wilderness, brought water from the rock, and continually confirmed His presence through miracles and signs.

Most importantly, God revealed the mystery of Christ through Moses: the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle, the sacrificial system, and the Three Festivals—all pointing to the coming Messiah and the work of salvation.

Likewise, on the road to Damascus, Paul received a heavenly mandate that completely changed the direction of his life. While he was on his way to persecute believers, the risen Christ intervened. Through Ananias, God declared:

“Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:15–16).

From that day forward, Paul never looked back. The heavenly mandate he received became the absolute reason for his life. No persecution, imprisonment, rejection, or hardship could stop him because he knew the purpose for which God had called him.

Years later, Paul continued to hold onto the same covenant: “After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. ‘After I have been there,’ he said, ‘I must visit Rome also’” (Acts 19:21).

Even when Paul stood before the Sanhedrin under intense opposition, the Lord personally reminded him of his heavenly mandate: “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11).

Later, while being carried to Rome through a violent storm at sea, God again confirmed His covenant through an angel: “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar” (Acts 27:24).

A heavenly mandate always comes from above. It begins with God’s heart to save the world. It is not centered on human ambition, personal success, or earthly recognition. God’s heavenly mandate is always connected to the restoration of the gospel: only Christ (Acts 1:1), only the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3), and only the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

When we receive this heavenly mandate and experience the power of the gospel in every circumstance, God leads us as witnesses of Christ to the ends of the earth. This is the fulfillment of His covenant and the purpose of our lives.

God still speaks today through His Word. He is still calling His people. The question is not whether God is speaking, but whether we are listening.

Discover your heavenly mandate. Hold onto God’s covenant for this age. Then your life, no matter how ordinary it may seem, will become part of God’s eternal plan to save the nations.

Prayer. Father, open my eyes to see the mystery of Christ throughout Your Word and open my ears to hear Your heavenly mandate for this age. Help me not to live for temporary things, but for Your eternal covenant. Lead me by the Holy Spirit so that my life may become a witness of Christ to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Acts 2:16-17. No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

Many believers strive to live upright and moral lives. That is certainly commendable. Yet what matters even more is living within the covenant of God. A person may appear religious outwardly and still miss the very reason God created and called them.

Without understanding what mattered most to God, the Jews, Pharisees, and religious leaders lived exactly like that, as Jesus said, “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).

They devoted themselves to religion, tradition, and external righteousness, yet they missed the essence of the gospel—the only way to meet God and receive true life: “Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit’” (John 3:5).

They had “a form of godliness,” but denied its power. In the end, they became lovers of themselves, lovers of money, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:1–5). Outward religion without the covenant always leads to spiritual emptiness.

What then is the covenant of God? It is Christ (Acts 1:1), the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3), and the filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). This is the covenant Jesus gave to His disciples before He ascended. It is not merely a doctrine to believe intellectually, but the direction, purpose, and power of our entire lives.

Even if you failed in the past, as long as you remain in this covenant, all is well. God does not work according to human conditions, but according to His covenant. Nothing is impossible within the covenant of God.

On the other hand, even if someone achieves great success in the world apart from the covenant, it can lead to dangerous consequences. Success without God often strengthens pride and spiritual bondage. True success is found only inside the covenant of God.

Why? Because there is power in the covenant. Without spiritual power, no one can overcome Satan, sin, or the world. This was the secret of the young church in Jerusalem (Acts 2:1–47). They were not powerful according to worldly standards, but they possessed the covenant of God and the filling of the Holy Spirit.

When a person experiences the mystery of the kingdom of God, nothing becomes impossible on earth: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19).

This is your present spiritual address—in the gospel, the absolute covenant of God. This is the privilege God gave you the moment you believed in Christ. No one can change your permanent identity and citizenship in Him.

Who were the people gathered in Mark’s upper room? They were people who saw the covenant of God. They placed their lives under the covenant of God. They lived to proclaim the covenant of God.

For this reason, they considered their lives worth nothing compared to the glory of the gospel. They gladly shared their possessions with those in need. They lived for the mission God had entrusted to them—to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.

They did not possess wealth, political influence, or worldly recognition. Many were ridiculed, rejected, and persecuted. Yet in the sight of God, their lives were truly successful because they lived for what was eternal.

Let us remember: living only for what to eat, what to drink, or what to wear will eventually leave a person with many regrets. But living for Christ, His kingdom, and the Holy Spirit leads to a life without regret (2 Corinthians 7:10).

When you come to Mark’s upper room again and again through prayer and worship, you will experience the blessing of the Passover—salvation; the blessing of Pentecost—power; and the blessing of Ingathering—the heavenly background and eternal inheritance. You will receive strength from above:

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:1-2).

You will witness God opening doors of evangelism to the nations. People from every background and culture will hear the wonders of God proclaimed through your life—the mystery of Christ revealed by the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:5–12). God called us to become witnesses who testify to His grace to the world.

Best of all, you will see the Word of God being fulfilled before your eyes (Acts 2:16–21). The Word of God is living and active. When the covenant takes root in your heart, the Word gains power, revives the soul, heals lives, and changes entire fields. As He promised, God will establish His church wherever the gospel is proclaimed, and prayer continues:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).

The experience of Mark’s upper room will transform you into a true witness for Christ. That is why Jesus commanded His disciples:

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:4–5).

Because the covenant of God is absolute, we can wait with confidence. We do not need to be anxious or shaken by circumstances. God works according to His perfect timetable. In every situation, He leaves behind undeniable evidence of His presence so that people may see that He is alive and at work in our lives.

Do not be mistaken. You are a person of the covenant. Do not be deceived by the voices of the world, temporary success, or outward appearances. Your true identity and citizenship are in heaven. God has called you, set you apart, and placed His eternal covenant within you. Therefore, continue to remain in Christ and hold firmly to the covenant no matter what happens.

Prayer. Father, fill me with Your Holy Spirit as I come to Mark’s upper room today. Let Your Word gain power within me and change everything according to Your will. Open doors for the gospel through my life, and make me the kind of witness for Christ You desire. Help me remain in Your absolute covenant and trust in Your perfect plan until the end. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Acts 1:3. 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.

Are you facing hardships or crises in your life? Are you discouraged by your present reality? Or are you suffering physically, emotionally, or spiritually?

Then come and meet Jesus on the Mount of Olives. There, He will open your eyes to see your problems from an entirely different perspective. You will begin to understand why God allowed those things in your life, and you will discover the mission He has prepared for you.

As you continue to meet the Lord on the Mount of Olives, you will experience the reality of the kingdom of God where you are, and your life will never remain the same.

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus continually sought to open the eyes of His disciples to the reality of God’s kingdom. On one occasion, He said:

“But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house” (Matthew 12:28–29).

Then, on the Mount of Olives before His ascension, Jesus spent forty days speaking about the kingdom of God. Why was this so important?

Because there is another kingdom at work in this world—a kingdom of darkness that brings curses, disasters, confusion, and destruction. Without experiencing the kingdom of God and discovering your mission within it, nothing can truly prepare you for the future.

Jesus knew that the fall of Israel was near and that the Jewish people would wander the earth for nearly two thousand years without a homeland. That is why He called His disciples to the Mount of Olives.

There, He explained why the gospel—that Jesus is the Christ—is the only answer to mankind’s fundamental problems (Acts 1:1). He taught them that living in the reality of God’s kingdom is the only way to overcome the world (Acts 1:3). And He commissioned them to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth through the promised power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

Today, God has also called us to stand in this age and block the disasters coming upon the world. That is why He has entrusted us with the gospel even in the midst of hardships and crises. Therefore, today’s problems are not truly problems. God still has hope and a future prepared for us (Jeremiah 29:11).

To prepare us for that future, God desires to change what has been imprinted, rooted, and established within us by replacing it with the blessings of the gospel.

Whenever God allows hardships in our lives, it is often because He is preparing to do something new and begin something new (Isaiah 43:19). He has an important mission for us to fulfill.

That is why the Mount of Olives became a place of healing, empowerment, and commission.

Whenever the scars and failures of your past begin to haunt you, meet Jesus on the Mount of Olives. He not only resolved all of them at the cross, but He will also use them to bless both you and others. There is nothing your True Priest Jesus cannot heal (Mark 10:45). There, you will begin to understand why certain things happened in your life.

Whenever you feel pressed on every side, meet Jesus on the Mount of Olives, the One who shattered the power of Satan through His resurrection from the dead (1 John 3:8). Nothing can stand against your True King Jesus. He will remind you of the spiritual authority and the keys of the kingdom of heaven He has entrusted to you (Matthew 16:18–19).

Whenever you lose focus and forget what matters most, meet Jesus on the Mount of Olives, the One who became the new and living way to the Father (John 14:6). Your True Prophet Jesus will remind you to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). He will fill you with the Holy Spirit so that you may testify to the gospel of God’s grace (Acts 20:24).

Do not worry about anything. Take time each day to meet Jesus on the Mount of Olives again and again. There you will find grace, mercy, rest, and strength in your time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Meet with Him in the morning (Psalm 5:3), throughout the day (Ephesians 6:18), in the daytime (Psalm 23:1–6), and in the evening (Psalm 17:3). As you do, you will be revived, healed, and strengthened. God will reveal His mission for your day and for the rest of your life.

Start small, but stay focused: “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” (Acts 1:8).

There is only one method: the power of the Holy Spirit. There is only one destination: the ends of the earth.

About one hundred and twenty people began with something very small: “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers” (Acts 1:14).

That was all they could do, yet that simple act of faith and obedience changed the world.

So stop focusing on your weaknesses and present circumstances. Come to the Mount of Olives today.

Prayer. Lord Jesus, on the Mount of Olives, remind me of who I am and of all that You have given me to fulfill the mission of proclaiming the gospel to all nations. Fill me with the power of the Holy Spirit so that I may carry Your gospel to the ends of the earth. In Your mighty name, Amen.

John 19:30. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Without truly knowing who Christ is and why He came, many believers continue to live like unbelievers—still bound by guilt, shame, scars, and failures from the past.

Unable to enjoy the blessings of salvation, their hearts and minds become consumed by the things of the world: “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16).

Without understanding God’s plan for their lives, they struggle to overcome life’s problems and challenges. They wander aimlessly, unknowingly running errands for the world and for the devil, the enemy of God.

But Jesus declared on the cross, “It is finished.” What was finished? The power of Satan, curses, sin, and hell. How did He finish it? Through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead.

As the True King, Jesus destroyed the works of the devil. As the True Priest, He broke the power of the curse brought by original sin. As the True Prophet, He opened the way from the background of hell to the living God. That is why Jesus is the Christ—the complete and eternal solution to mankind’s fundamental problems.

Scripture says that everyone who believes Jesus is the Christ is born of God (1 John 5:1). You no longer have to live like an orphan. Through Jesus, your True Prophet, God has brought you home and restored your identity and authority as His child.

God has already blessed you with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ (Ephesians 1:3–14). In Him there is rest, peace, joy, hope, and abundance. Your Father delights in you.

So approach His throne with confidence and enjoy His presence. Because you are a child of God, you do not need to live in fear or anxiety about your life. Stop praying like a beggar. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

Are you still struggling with the wounds and sins of the past? Then meet Jesus, your True Priest, at Calvary—the One who loved you and gave Himself for you, the One who cut away your sinful nature through His sacrifice.

At Calvary, Jesus endured unspeakable suffering to set you free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2). He fulfilled every requirement of the law. Therefore, there is now no condemnation, guilt, or shame for those who are in Christ.

The blood of Christ changed everything. Through His blood, God canceled every charge against you and remembers your sins no more. Because Jesus died on the cross, you have become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). You have been justified, and God now sees you as holy and blameless.

Your old self was crucified with Christ. Therefore, do not live according to your feelings, failures, or human standards. Do not let anything hold you captive. Hold firmly to who God says you are.

In your spiritual battles, rely on Jesus, your True King, who destroyed the devil, the one who held the power of death (Hebrews 2:14). When you stand in this assurance, you will overcome the accuser by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of your testimony (Revelation 12:11).

The devil’s purpose is only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He deceives the whole world and continually accuses God’s people. Knowing his time is short, he seeks to spread as much fear, confusion, and destruction as possible.

Therefore, put on the full armor of God and stand firm in Christ. Do not be shaken. Continually apply the blood of the Lamb over yourself, your family, and your community in prayer.

God has already given you everything necessary to overcome the schemes of the devil: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God (Ephesians 6:10–17).

Always remain spiritually alert. Do not lower your guard. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7). Do not grow discouraged or weary, for the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet (Romans 16:20).

God has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. You are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Jesus Christ finished everything on the cross. Therefore, God calls you to forget the former things and no longer dwell on the past. He desires to begin new things in your life.

God is able to do the impossible—“making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18–19). He can turn even your scars, failures, and suffering into testimonies of His grace. He will fill you with His power and use your life to save others.

Prayer. Lord Jesus, You declared on the cross that everything was finished. Help me stand firmly on this covenant and boldly proclaim the message of the cross to those living in darkness. In Your mighty name, Amen.

2026.05.16 Business Missions
The 237 Nations and the Bartizan of God’s Kingdom That Fulfills the Eternal Answers of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd RUTC (20)
– Bartizan of the 3-day Weekend Age 66 –
「The Start of the Businessperson Bartizan ① – Abraham’s Bartizan」
(Ge 13:18)

Father, I thank You that the gospel is the complete answer to my life, my future, and every problem. Help me not to fear tomorrow or hold on to temporary things, but to possess the eternal blessings of the throne, Immanuel, and Your everlasting Word.

Raise within me the bartizan, journey, and guidepost of the throne each day. Give me strength to see today’s suffering and crises as Your path to save the future and the nations. Like Joseph, David, Daniel, and the early church, may I hold firmly to Your covenant. Use me for world evangelization and to raise eternal masterpieces for Your glory.

Father, You said, “I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the nations.” I hold on to this covenant. May my offerings save the world, heal the sick, and raise up the Remnant. Bless me so that I may carry out the missions for 237 and the 5000 tribes.

Acts 2:42-47. 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.

How can we bring change and restoration to a world covered in darkness? It seems impossible given our present reality.

Joseph’s brothers could not see beyond life’s immediate necessities; yet Joseph rose above every adversity and ultimately saved the world. King Saul failed miserably in his twenty-five-year reign over Israel, but his son Jonathan refused to follow his father’s destructive path. Instead, Jonathan helped pave the way for his friend David to establish the kingdom of Israel, just as God had planned.

Ahaz drove Judah deep into idolatry, yet his son Hezekiah tore down the shrines and restored the temple. Manasseh was even worse, plunging the nation into deeper darkness than the Canaanites before them; yet his grandson Josiah sought the Lord from his youth, dismantled every false altar in the land, and led Israel in its greatest covenant renewal.

Daniel and his friends refused to surrender to the forces of idolatry, and in doing so, they saved Babylonia. Demonstrating God’s extraordinary power, Daniel accomplished what was unthinkable in those times: he successfully served four kings across two distinct world empires.

How did ordinary believers in the first century change the world amid persecution and hardship? Like those remnant who had gone before them, they lived wholeheartedly for the sake of the gospel: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).

They had discovered the greatest treasure of all: Christ. Even in their workplaces, they served the Lord without reservation: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23).

These words, written by Paul to enslaved people, point to something extraordinary — working for the Lord rather than for human masters is only possible through the transforming power of the gospel.

We have only one life to live. Therefore, let us make the most of every opportunity for the kingdom of God: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Let us live for the One who loved us and gave His life for us: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30).

This was the secret of King Hezekiah’s success: “This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered” (2 Chronicles 31:20–21).

Second, the early Christians lived single-mindedly for the sake of the gospel: “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 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” (Acts 2:44–46).

Because of the gospel, they were united. Because of the gospel, they shared their lives, not merely their possessions. They did this not out of religious obligation but with genuine sincerity and gratitude. Only the gospel produces this kind of single-minded devotion: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

Our Lord Jesus calls us to this single-minded life for our own sake: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” (Luke 9:23–25).

Only the narrow road leads to life (Matthew 7:14). He commands us to follow Him, because “godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). So, do not be confused or deceived by the world, for “everything done in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter 3:10). Stay the course and follow Him alone.

There is no time to waste; we are “a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14). In Christ, you have found the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). Go all-in for God’s purposes in the world.

The Lord Jesus Himself modeled this single-minded life: “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). That joy set before Him — was us.

Since his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul lived with single-minded focus for the sake of the gospel: “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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13–14).

Do not listen to the voice that promotes pluralism, legalism, humanism, and every kind of “hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world” (Colossians 2:8). Let us not “turn from it to the right or to the left” (Joshua 1:7). We have been given one destination: “the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Finally, the early Christians remained faithful to the end: “Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 5:42).

They completed the ministry entrusted to them by the Lord (Colossians 4:17). Near the end of his life, Paul boldly declared, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). They never gave up because they had already seen and possessed the victory by faith.

People may scorn and ridicule those who carry the gospel from town to town (2 Chronicles 30:10). But we must continue to do what the Lord Jesus commanded: the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). Let us not stop praying. Let us post a guard day and night against the schemes of the enemy (Nehemiah 4:9).

We have our Lord’s ultimate promise: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

So let us press on — wholeheartedly and single-mindedly — for the sake of the gospel. That is how we will change the world.

Prayer. Lord Jesus, You are the resurrection and the life. Help me experience Your resurrection power in every circumstance. I desire to live a single-minded life for You, a wholehearted life for the gospel, and to continue walking in faith as Your witness. Help me enjoy the blessing of Your presence throughout each day. In Your mighty name, Amen.

Ephesians 6:10-18. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

¹³ Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Our Lord Jesus commanded us not merely to evangelize, but to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18–20). Thus, the only way to save the world is to equip the saints for the work of evangelism. Jesus transformed the world through the Twelve. No one can prevail in the spiritual battle against the enemy without first becoming a disciple devoted to evangelism and missions.

Who are the disciples? They are those who respond to the true gospel that Jesus is the Christ. They are people who hunger for the Word of God and burn with passion for evangelism. These are the people who consider their lives worth nothing to them if only they may finish the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace (Acts 20:24). They are armed with unwavering faith in Christ and are willing to stake their lives for the gospel, just as the disciples of the Early Church did.

We must first recognize the reality of the spiritual battle before us. Since we have passed from death to life and become children of God instead of children of the devil, we cannot avoid spiritual conflict with the enemy. Our Lord Jesus warned us of this reality:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:18–19).

Therefore, do not be surprised when hardships and persecution arise as you proclaim the gospel to this unbelieving generation. Darkness hates the light. The authority of “the prince of this world” was shattered when Jesus died on the cross and rose again from the dead. The resurrected Christ now draws all people to Himself through His people (John 12:31–32).

Knowing that his time is short, the devil seeks to spread destruction throughout the world (Revelation 12:12). He works through rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). Satan relentlessly attacks God’s people and His Church:

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Through deception, the devil has gained influence over the world: “And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).

He has established strongholds everywhere—religion, government, education, business, science and technology, media, and entertainment. He promotes arguments and pretensions that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:4–5).

False prophets, instruments of the enemy, are rising everywhere while pretending to be disciples of Christ. They distort the gospel of Christ, turning it into mere religion and throwing people into confusion (Galatians 1:7). They elevate legalism, myths, and religious practices above God’s way of salvation through Christ alone. Scripture declares concerning such people: “Let them be under God’s curse!” (Galatians 1:8).

Let us remember that God has called His Church to guard and proclaim the message of the cross. This is the reason for our existence on this earth. This is our life’s mission—to demolish Satan’s strongholds and “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Therefore, let us put on the full armor of God: the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God—and the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:10–17). Let us continue engaging in spiritual battle through prayer on all occasions (Ephesians 6:18).

Let us not become like those who cast aside the armor of God—Demas, who loved the world and abandoned his God-given mission (2 Timothy 4:10), or Hymenaeus and Alexander, who “have rejected these and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith” (1 Timothy 1:19–20). Tragically, they spent their lives serving the purposes of Satan rather than the kingdom of God.

Instead, in the midst of spiritual battle, let our hearts overflow with thanksgiving:

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58).

Let us not be deceived by what we see with our physical eyes. Instead, let us stand firmly upon the everlasting covenant of God found in His Word. We have only one life to live, so let us give ourselves fully to the Lord and His kingdom. The victory has already been secured through our Lord Jesus Christ, and all it takes to overcome the world is faith in Him:

“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 Jn 5:4-5).

Prayer. Father, help me stand firmly on Your eternal Word and not be shaken by the things of this world. Enable me to proclaim the message of the cross clearly and boldly. Use my life to restore the gospel and strengthen Your church in this generation and beyond. In Jesus’ name, Amen.