The fact that we do not freely talk about some realities of life does not mean that we are not confronted by them. This site focuses on the realities of life and the impact of the words of God on people's life; faith, marriages, hope, health, etc. Sometimes, the challenges of life cloud our vision and weaken our hope, but the words of God restores hope and guides us through the path of truth and freedom.
During the first day of the last week of the month, the preacher’s sermon emphasized the importance of reflecting on God’s faithfulness.
In the previous year, our hearts overflowed with petitions to God. Now, those requests seem distant, as many have been fulfilled, even those we hadn’t fully recollected. What we lack now may still be a response in disguise. Remembering God’s past faithfulness reassures us that He can act again this year. Our responsibility is to trust Him and patiently await His timing – Psalm 40:1.
Derek Kidner wrote as related by the preacher: “The past is full of God’s wondrous deeds. The future is full of God’s plans.”
Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered – Psalm 40:5
Sometimes, you ponder whether sharing the message of Christ with certain individuals is worthwhile, uncertain of its effectiveness.
However, during the Gala banquet and silent auction last night at Ellerslie Road Baptist Church, hearing powerful testimonies of transformed lives was profoundly impactful and uplifting.
Witnessing broken people who came across the gospel and silently striving for redemption and secretly relying on God in their struggles, even praying for their loved ones stuck in similar situations, was deeply touching and encouraging.
It’s a reminder that we may never fully understand God’s ways and what He is working on, as humans. He owns every life and will not cast away those who come to Him for help. So, we must continue sowing seeds of love and hope through the gospel, entrusting the growth and harvest to God.
A heartfelt thank you to faith-based Teen Challenge Canada for their dedicated efforts. Gratitude also extends to the Hathaway family, who facilitated my attendance. We grow by learning from others.
He changed Haman’s game of death and granted victory to His own. Nebuchadnezzar’s game of fire became a conference room for the three Hebrew men and the Son of God. Lions’ den became a habitation of peace and favour with Daniel. Red sea parted for the chosen to walk across. The powerful magnificent wall of Jericho did not need any missile launcher before crashing down, it was just the sound hallelujah. Rock suddenly spewed water to quench the thirst of His people, and on and on…
We successfully completed the first phase of our mission, reaching out to the homeless, especially in this winter. Some may have faced challenges or taken wrong turns in life, but regardless of the source of their struggles, everyone deserves love and kindness. No life is beyond transformation, as countless testimonies attest. After all, if God was to mark iniquity, who among us can stand?
As we were sandwiched among those our new friends in interaction, we shared the gifts we brought for them and also shared the love of Christ and messages of hope through God’s words. Certainly, there is no life that God can not change. Testimonies abound of several broken lives that got fixed by God.
It was a great day with some sense of fulfillment on that day of the outreach. Surely, the touch of kindness is medicinal and can not be underestimated. Even the dried trees that characterised this season of winter, though empty of their green fresh leaves, still look so beautiful that we couldn’t but posed for pictures around them. Seasons change, and hope exists for every soul. In one of the parables of Jesus, the street people were also invited to the great wedding:
Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. Matthew 22:9, 10
Ordinarily, the sight of the different locations was so disturbing and scary. But until we carefully break the barrier and draw closer, we would never know what love can do and achieve in the life of others. While embracing this, it’s crucial to remain cautious of our surroundings.
Sharing the message of hope
Life generally is complicated except the life in Christ. Although many strayed from this fact or just simply ignored the way of salvation, the door of mercy is still widely open to as many as willing to enter.
Why do we share this on social media? We were also inspired by what we saw others did. Hopefully, this account will also encourage someone to take on the responsibility or join the wagon.
Imagine a world without comfort, a world without sunshine and hope, a world packed only with human beings of various opinions and ideas, a world without a real Soldier to fall on, a world without Christ, empty of God and void of His mercy? Just take a moment to think about it.
Even though December 25th does not affirm the real birthday of Christ, the world will always stand still to acknowledge and reference the Savior of the world. Even if all “Merry Christmas” is turned to “Happy Holiday” greeting, the unbeatable landmark has been set to stand forever.
Whether Chrismas Day used to be a pagan day or not, it has been taken over to honor Isaiah 9:6. Absolutely, the prevailing impact of acknowledging Jesus as the world’s Savior remains significant, surpassing any other details. It’s the enduring message of Jesus’s birth being integral to saving the world that truly matters.
Right from birth had risen opposition upon opposition against Christ. Even a whole respected and powerful king declared a war against a little child whom he had never set his eyes upon but could feel the wave of His power, because that Baby was not just a baby but the Savior of the world. He is called “…Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” He is Emmanuel, God with us.
Numerous individuals have traversed through history, their names fading into the past, empires ascending and collapsing. Yet, amidst this flux, there remains one constant—the One who offers redemption, hope, solace, liberation, authentic freedom, and everlasting joy to those He seeks to rescue. Countless melodies have echoed His saving grace, infusing hope into despair. Andrea Crouch, drawing from personal encounters, penned the song “Through It All,” encapsulating the essence of reliance on Jesus and God’s Word despite life’s trials.
How grateful we are for the love of God that made Him give “his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. I John 3:8
Even amidst the darkness that envelops the earth, we give thanks to God for the unwavering light of Christ, persistently shining and guiding us toward the essence of life.
It is a joy to the world indeed.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Just before He gave up the ghost, Christ declared: IT IS FINISHED! Father had painfully looked away from His pains as He singlehandedly carried the heavy load of men’s sin to the cross and till death. Heaven thundered in reaction to His demise, and the earth shook to its foundation at the death of the only begotten Son of God.
The veil of the temple was torn into two and access was granted unto everyone into the Holy of Holies. The enemy rejoiced at His death, thinking he won. Little did he know “that the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? Job 20:5.
And then, CHRIST AROSE!
The glory of the Lord filled the earth, and men were redeemed from the hand of their taskmaster. Joy was brought into the congregation of the righteous while confusion was thrown into the camps of the enemies.
The moment of a temporary feeling of victory by Satan eroded forever as the new era of salvation, deliverance, grace, and faith was established. That short-lived rejoicing of the hypocrites was flushed down the drain at the resurrection of Christ.
When Christ arose, He “spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it”, Colossians 2:15. He set the captive free and gave the power to the weak. Snares were broken, and the souls of men were liberated.
Christ ascended on high, led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men, Ephesians 4:8.
As the ancient of days, He once revealed Himself as “clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15His feet were like fine brass as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. Revelation 1:13-16.
At the resurrection, Christ’s work was done, salvation was given, deliverance awarded, hope renewed, and victory established. He arose that we may live. He arose to destroy the works of the devil. He arose to grant the grace to the feeble. He arose to give strength to the weak. He arose so that the dry bones may live again. He arose so that the sinking Peter could walk on the water. He arose to silence the accuser of the brethren. He arose to keep hope alive. He arose so His followers could have dominions over principalities and power. He arose that the glory of God may fill the temple. He arose so the world may know that with God, nothing shall be impossible. He arose so we can possess our healing and possessions. The way to true freedom and life was set and freely open to all. He said in His revelation:
“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore”, Revelation 1:18a.
The stone that was rejected now becomes the chief corner stone. Yes! Alive Forevermore! And according to His words, because He lives, so we shall live. A covenant has been made through His blood.
Exhortation
On Friday, shadows draped the earth, casting doubt and despair. Saturday dawned with a solemn hush, as if even time held its breath. In the quietude, hope flickered, faint but resilient. Then, with the dawn of Sunday, a symphony of light broke through the darkness, heralding a new beginning, a resurrection of faith and possibility. It was the day when despair surrendered to hope when silence yielded to song. In the heart of adversity, the promise of renewal emerged, illuminating the path forward with unwavering grace
A songwriter, John W. Peterson wrote:It Always Darkest Before the Dawn
Are you discouraged and are you blue Are clouds obscuring the sun from view? Keep trusting Jesus, though storms assail You have His promise He will not fail
CHORUS It’s always darkest before the dawn, Don’t be discouraged but carry on, He’ll not forsake you, the sun will break through It’s always darkest before the dawn.
He knows your heartache, He understands, Just put your problems in His great hands, No trouble meets you, but in His will, He’s not forgotten, He loves you still.
Of the 4200 religions in the world, only One died for the sins of the world. Jesus never fought to be recognized, yet He is known all over. He never physically touched every corner of the world, yet His Name is known, recognized, and accepted almost everywhere. He was not conquering people or lands by force so they could follow Him by force, yet many hearts, lives, and lands willingly accepted Him as they felt the impact of His sacrificial love.
This day of Christ’s crucifixion was a day of sacrifice, shame, humiliation, rejection, pain, and loneliness amidst the multitude. It was a day of death. As a lamb to be sacrificed, He did not struggle but offered Himself willingly.
Jesus knew it beforehand and still surrendered Himself to it.
Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. Matthew 20:18-19
History was made to date that Christ went through all these for the redemption of the souls of men. That is why Jesus Christ doesn’t cast anyone who comes to Him away but gives them the power to become transformed people; daughters and sons of God.
“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:4.
The door of mercy and salvation is still open to all.
“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.” Luke 23:33
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, “IT IS FINISHED: and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost. John 19:30
Thus, the reason for the “Good Friday” is about Jesus’ sacrificial death to buy us salvation from the eternal judgment.
Thanks, Ashley, for inspiring me to write this experience.
The years 2016 and 2017 were challenging years for both my family and I. We went through a situation that almost drenched our faith, especially me. In December of 2017, my family decided to fly to the State for a National Retreat (a yearly Christian program that the church organizes globally). We desperately needed some time with God as a family. We needed time to heal and the strength to move on. We planned to stay back in my sister-in-law’s place after the retreat for a holiday.
During the retreat, we lodged in a hotel that allowed us to focus on God throughout those 5-day programs (thanks to our pastors over there). The first 2 days of that retreat could be referred to as a period of weeping and crying. Every congressional song penetrated my soul and spirit like an arrow and launched me into ceaseless tears.
The remaining part of the program was a period of healing, renewal, and revival. Before this period, my spirit had suffered deep dryness and was almost dying of spiritual malnourishment. During the programs, it was like my thirsty heart was thrown into a pool of refreshing water, swimming like a fish in the ocean of hope and grace. I got so many insights from the words of God that I penned down accordingly. The ministers, the teachers, the choir presentations, etc., were fantastic. You could tell that they were operating under the power of prayers. There was no doubt the presence of God was in the place.
I started the retreat with tears and ended with rejoicing. God is forever faithful. It was like that retreat should not end. Anyway, we must go back home to face the world again. We returned to my sister-in-law’s place in Rhode Island.
The next day, after my family had gone to bed at night, l decided to stay back and go over my notes. I pulled out my Bible, my pen, and my notebook. As I started going over my jottings, I somehow dozed off. The next thing l saw was me in a place amidst some people. We were all busy doing one thing or the other. Suddenly, something happened, and the next thing was that people started flying in the air and disappearing. Immediately, l knew it was rapture taking place.
If there was any time l was ever sure of making it to heaven, it was that period. I started preparing myself for my turn. I began to feel something happening in my body… I was in that experience when I suddenly found myself still sitting on the bed with my notebook and my pen in my hands.
The fear mixed with confusion gripped my soul tightly and won’t let go for a moment. I quickly turned around to check my husband. Thank God he was there sleeping, like a baby. I climbed down the bed and went to check my children. They were all still there deep in sleep. I just needed confirmations that the rapture had not happened and I wasn’t left behind. My heart could not still stop pacing within me.
I reached out to my phone and started sending out random messages to those l knew were really children of God. I wasn’t getting instant response as it was already late, and there was a time difference issue, too. Eventually, I got some responses and finally got my relief; rapture had not taken place. It was too tormenting that night but relieving in the long run.
Bible is an ancient book that contains a lot of prophecies. Hundreds of those Biblical prophecies had come to pass, while some are still pending. Among other prophecies yet to be fulfilled is the prophecy about the rapture.
What is Rapture?
Rapture comes from the Latin word ‘rapio’ meaning ‘caught up’ or ‘carried off’. Simply put, it is catching up or carrying off of the believers in Christ; the wise virgins who have given their life to Christ. They live above sins and are diligently waiting for the rapture which could happen any moment.
‘For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.’
1Thessalonians 4: 16-18
The enemy is also aware of the rapture and would do anything possible to hinder any Christian from making it. Temptation, trial, tribulations, challenges, persecutions are out there to challenge believers waiting for the rapture. The stain of sins would disqualify any believer who yielded himself or herself to it. The Bible says without holiness no one shall see the Lord (Hebrew 12:14).
The temptation of life would post itself strategically to trap any believers in their careless moment. False prophets, the business-minded, celebrity pastors would be there to misdirect the ignorants to suit their purposes. Carnality and offenses might creep into the congregation of the people of God to drain grace out of the life of any vulnerable believers. These are the reasons believers can not afford to sleep off at this late hour but to watch and pray.
Regardless of the situations out there, we have confidence in God’s words that He who has begun a good work of salvation in us will bring it to completion. God’s grace is fully available to carry us through as His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses.
If you are believers, you can not go back now to those things which you have left behind. For all the bridges you burned, don’t try to find them; that songwriter warned in his song titled: ‘Don’t turn around to the things you left behind’. You must set your face like a flint and walk right unto the promised land. Don’t turn around to the things you left behind.
If you are still undecided about Christ, it is getting dangerous now. Jesus Christ is loving and patient. He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. His hands are wide open, waiting for you to jump in so He could catch you and embrace you in love. But He will not wait forever. There is no repentance after death.
Who is sufficient unto all these? Thank God, our sufficiency is of God. He will hold our hands and lead us on. My honest prayer is that God in His mercy will have mercy on every one of us and grant us daily grace that diligently awaits Christ coming in rapture.
LIVING WORDS OF LIFE 