Romans 8:38-39
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The depth of God’s love is unfathomable. He wants everyone to experience deep, unshakeable confidence in His love and feel secure that no one can take that away from them.

Nothing can separate us from His love towards us. Death, life, angels, rulers, things present, things to come, powers, height, depth, nor anything else in all creation can separate us from God’s love.

His love is unconditional through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. When Christ died for us, He secured His people in life and in death. Even after we die, we can still experience His deep love for us. God’s love is eternal.

Always remember that nothing can separate you from the love of God.

Job 23:11
My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside.

When things were going wrong, Job held on to God and he didn’t turn aside nor fall into these worldly distractions, because he knew God was always faithful and that He would never turn him down.

Sometimes the trails and distractions that we face may not be like those of Job, but we all encounter them at some point of life. During those times, we need to be steadfast and walk in faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Instead of reasoning and trying to figure out the solution, trust in God and He will work it out for good. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Job kept on keeping on, even during the hard times he endured and came forth as Gold. Job 23:10 says, When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

Let us all press on with the enduring faith and come forth as Gold.

Matthew 7:24-27
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

In these last days, we need to be wise in listening and following His teachings, then we will be like a person who builds his house on solid rock. If we don’t follow and disobey God’s word, then we will be like a person who builds a house on sand which collapses when floods come down.

If we just listen and not follow it then we deceive ourselves. James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

When we follow Jesus, and obey His word, we won’t be shaken easily by our circumstances. It may be disappointing but we can overcome by His strength. Jesus said “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”(John 16:33)

Be the follower of His word and the house of righteous will stand until the end.

Ephesians 5:16
making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Each one of us are living our lives and spending the time that might not aligned with the Christian walk. If you look around, the present days are evil. And the enemy is working hard to get all your attention.

As Christians, we need to cease the time (carpe diem) and start preparing for the eternity. What is your life? James 4: 14 says, yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

The enemy is well prepared to take you down, so be watchful in prayer and meditation. 1 Peter 5:8 says, Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Let’s start making best use of our time and prepare for His return.

Luke 8:8
But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

In the parable of sower from Luke 8:5-8
5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8 But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.” When He had said these things He cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

The seed refers to the word of God. The wayside soil represents the those who hear the word of God but don’t understand it and are unwilling to receive it. The enemy comes and takes it away. It is removed even before it has been deeply rooted.

The rocky soil represents hearers who receive the word and enjoy it temporarily. When temptation or persecution comes, they wither away. They drift when the comfort is gone.

The thorny soil represents those who receive the word and live by it. But are constantly craving for worldly riches and get distracted by greed and power. They give in to the flesh easily.

The good soil represents the believers who walk in His word and live by the Spirit (Romans 8:6). They don’t wither when trails come, they constantly draw strength from the word and bear much fruit (Matt 7:20).

Let’s get planted in good ground and bear much fruit for His kingdom.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Without even thinking sometimes we just go after what makes us feel good and worthy, which is mostly worldly and gives temporary satisfaction. Per Matthew 6:33, when Jesus preached on the Mount, he said to seek first the kingdom of God, and all the other things will be added to you.

Our first and foremost thing to do is to seek the salvation which is inherent in the kingdom of God. We don’t know when the life will end. What we store on earth will be destroyed one day. Matthew 6:19 says “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;

The kingdom of God has eternal value which is greater than the riches of this world. That doesn’t mean that we abandon our lives, instead live the life that God gave us that leads towards His kingdom. Share the good news of salvation with unbelievers, live by His word and in obedience, and love God and one another.

Don’t go after the world but seek His kingdom FIRST!

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
 
As the New Year is upon us, it’s time to reflect and be thankful for all that He has done for the past year. And may be some of us have faced difficult situations or made bad choices. This is the perfect time where we reset and commit ourselves completely to the Lord’s plan.
 
When you come to Christ and leave old things behind, He will make you entirely new and fresh. We are raised up as new creation in Him. Don’t think of the past mistakes and condemn yourselves, instead walk in freedom knowing that the Lord has made you NEW.
 
Ephesians 4:24 says, to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. You are now New in Christ.
 
Let’s nail the old things to the cross and rise as New in Him.
 
Happy New Year!! God bless you all!!

John 1:4-5
In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

As we look at the Christmas lights, think of the true light of all mankind, Jesus! Not the light that fades away but the light which gives life to all of us.

The light that shines in the darkness and darkness has not overcome it. Without His light, we will be still in darkness. Whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

The light that shines eternally for me and you and shows us the path to righteousness. Open up, your hearts and minds, and receive His love and shine His light.

Shine so brightly like the Star of Bethlehem, so others can see that Christ is born in you.
 
Merry Christmas everyone!!

Matthew 25:40
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
 
This is a season of giving and receiving. We celebrate our savior’s birth by exchanging gifts and presents on Christmas day with our loved ones.
 
Have we thought about giving a present to Jesus? He already gave us more than we deserve.
 
We can give our time, of undivided attention to Him, which He treasures the most. Consider spending more time in prayer talking to Him and worshiping Him and adoring Him.
 
We can do also do lot of other things like feed the hungry, giving a drink to thirsty, welcome a stranger, cloth a homeless, visit the sick, and take care of imprisoned. In Matthew 25:40 says if you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.
 
This year, let’s give a present to Jesus by giving hope to others.

2 Corinthians 9:11
You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
 
God is more concerned about the condition of our heart than the number. He wants us to be generous in every area of our life, which creates the heart of thanksgiving (2 Corinthians 9:11). So, start giving Him your highest sincere praises, your genuine love, your unending dedicated service and your whole heart.
 
Start your thanksgiving by acknowledging Him and praising Him with a song and magnify Him only, and be enriched in every way. Psalm 69:30 says, I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
 
Remember all your life’s blessings and give thanks. When your heart is full of gratitude there is no space for complaints. Psalm 107:8-9 says, let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
 
Let’s have the heart of thanksgiving and always sing praises to Him.