Vita Plus Macau

𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃
📖 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝟏:𝟏 "𝐵𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑔𝑜𝑑𝑙𝑦, 𝑛𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑛𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑓𝑢𝑙."

♦ "𝐼𝑛 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝑤𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡,
𝑊𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡, 𝑤𝑒'𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑦 𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑."

In today's uncertain world, the pursuit of blessings has become a global quest. Contrary to false ideologies and superficial lifestyles, being blessed involves intense joy, happiness, and spiritual prosperity, not just financial gain or temporary pleasure. And it can be found only in the consistency with God's Word.

The Bible often states that God's will is to bless us (𝐉𝐞𝐫. 𝟐𝟗:𝟏𝟏, 𝐏𝐬. 𝟑𝟕:𝟒, 𝐉𝐦 𝟏:𝟏𝟕), but to receive those blessings, certain conditions must be met. For example, 𝐇𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝟏𝟏:𝟔 declares, "𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑚: 𝑓𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑡𝑜 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑘 ℎ𝑖𝑚." Jesus said in 𝐋𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝟔:𝟑𝟖𝐚, "𝐺𝑖𝑣𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑡 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢…"; 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟔:𝟑𝟑: "𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑘 𝑦𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑑𝑜𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑜𝑑, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠; 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢."

𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃 means happy or fortunate, it implies a state of well-being and prosperity. The true essence of blessedness is not about accumulating wealth or worldly success, but about aligning one's life with divine principles, walking in righteousness, and experiencing the fullness of God's grace.

As we delve into the timeless wisdom of 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝟏:𝟏, it sets the stage, painting a clear picture of the blessed born-again believer in Christ. Let us unpack the great truth penned in this scripture, unlocking the door to a life of enduring eternal joy, that we can be blessed not only once or twice, but 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐃 if we follow its counsel: "𝐵𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑔𝑜𝑑𝑙𝑦, 𝑛𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑛𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑓𝑢𝑙." – triply you will be blessed.

𝟏. 𝐁𝐲 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐨𝐝’𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥. “𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑛𝑔𝑜𝑑𝑙𝑦” Our manner of life is not shaped by worldly standards. Separation from the ungodly influences around us, Paul says in 𝟐 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟔:𝟏𝟕: "𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑦𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒, 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝑟𝑑, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔; 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑒𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢," We should walk in the wisdom of God’s Word rather than the counsel of the world (𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟑:𝟓-𝟔).

𝟐. 𝐁𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. “𝑛𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑠” Avoiding paths of sin and temptations, James says in 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝟒:𝟕, "…𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑙, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑦𝑜𝑢." The allure of sin is seductive, urging us to divert from the narrow path of righteousness. We don’t make associations with evil men, and we need God's word, which is essential for laying the path of righteousness. (𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝟏𝟏𝟗:𝟏𝟎𝟓).

𝟑. 𝐁𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐲. “𝑛𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑓𝑢𝑙.” In 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟓:𝟒𝟒, Jesus commanded us to love our enemies; we can extend compassion, even to those who ridicule us (𝐄𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟒:𝟑𝟐), but we have no fellowship with those who scorn God: 𝟐 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟔:𝟏𝟒 "𝐵𝑒 𝑦𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑢𝑛𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑦𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑢𝑛𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠: 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝 ℎ𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑢𝑛𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠? 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛 ℎ𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠?"

Brethren, true blessedness can only be found in God's Word. A person won’t embrace God's counsel, walk in righteousness, and refuse to engage with the scornful until they have passionately meditated on God's word. The Psalmist tells us more in 𝐯𝟐: "𝐵𝑢𝑡 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑤 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑂𝑅𝐷; 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑤 𝑑𝑜𝑡ℎ ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡." – That’s our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (𝐑𝐞𝐯 𝟏𝟗:𝟏𝟑); "𝑊ℎ𝑜𝑚 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑛, 𝑦𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒; 𝑖𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑚, 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑦𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝑛𝑜𝑡, 𝑦𝑒𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑦𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑗𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑗𝑜𝑦 𝑢𝑛𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑘𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑦:" (𝟏 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏:𝟖)

What does true blessedness mean to you? Are you seeking it in the transient pleasures of this world, or are you aligning your life with God's Word? May Our lives become a testimony to our Lord’s faithfulness, as we walk in the abundant joy and peace that surpasses all understanding (𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟒:𝟕).

𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝…
☝😊

𝐍𝐎 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐎𝐎 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐆𝐎𝐃
📖 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝟏𝟏𝟑:𝟕 "𝐻𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑢𝑝 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑢𝑠𝑡, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑦 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑢𝑛𝑔ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙;"

♦ "𝐼𝑛 𝐺𝑜𝑑'𝑠 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠, 𝑛𝑜 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑜𝑜 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙,
𝐻𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑙𝑦, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙."

𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟏𝟏𝟑 begins with the phrase “𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑦𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑂𝑅𝐷.” and ends the same. This is a song where the bottom line of its lyrics is to show how great our God is, and that He is worthy of all our praise. It deals with questions like “How big is the Lord?” or “How great is our God?” The answers are obvious, but they don’t convince everyone. The ancient Jewish people pondered these questions. Their nation was never big, their armies were never powerful enough to face the Philistines

Except for a young brave shepherd boy, David, who faces their enemy’s champion and confidently says, "𝑇ℎ𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑠𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑟, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑: 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝐼 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑂𝑅𝐷 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑠, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐼𝑠𝑟𝑎𝑒𝑙, 𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢 ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑑. 𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑂𝑅𝐷 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑; 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒; 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑃ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑤𝑙𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑖𝑟, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ; 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑎𝑦 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝐼𝑠𝑟𝑎𝑒𝑙." (𝟏 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝟏𝟕:𝟒𝟓-𝟒𝟔)

As David proclaimed, truly God exists! Yet even after decades, some people were convinced to believe in God and love to sing the song in 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟏𝟑𝟑:𝟒-𝟓: "𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑂𝑅𝐷 𝑖𝑠 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑠. 𝑊ℎ𝑜 𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑂𝑅𝐷 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝐺𝑜𝑑, 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑑𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ," Praise the Lord for His excellency, praise the Lord for His mercy, "𝑊ℎ𝑜 ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑡ℎ ℎ𝑖𝑚𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑛, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ! 𝐻𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑢𝑝 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑢𝑠𝑡, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑦 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑢𝑛𝑔ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑙;" (𝐯𝟔-𝟕). 𝐍𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝!

It is easy to feel unimportant in this world that is obsessed with impressiveness and fame, especially when one's accomplishments seem so great. To declare that God was the King of kings and the LORD of lords in a world where every home, town, and nation had its gods was an act of steadfast faith. But, the God-fearing people joyfully sang, "𝑊ℎ𝑜 𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑂𝑅𝐷 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝐺𝑜𝑑, 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑑𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑔ℎ, 𝑊ℎ𝑜 ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑡ℎ ℎ𝑖𝑚𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑛, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ!" (𝐯𝟓-𝟔). 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞!

In times of distress, it's natural to feel overwhelmed by our limitations. However, 𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟒𝟎:𝟐𝟗 assures us that "𝐻𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑛𝑜 𝑚𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ." A reminder that our weakness serves as a ground for God's miraculous interventions. He equips us to overcome our most difficult challenges.

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟏𝟓:𝟑𝟑 admonishes us, saying, "𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑑𝑜𝑚, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑖𝑠 ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦." Despite our aspirations for greatness, true elevation begins with a posture of humility before our Creator. When we surrender our pride and acknowledge our dependence on God, He exalts us in His perfect timing. (𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟐𝟑:𝟏𝟐)

In 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟏𝟕:𝟐𝟎, Jesus declares, "𝐼𝑓 𝑦𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑑, 𝑦𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑠𝑎𝑦 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛, 𝑅𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑡 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒; 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢." No matter how small it may seem. Just as a mustard seed grows into a mighty tree, our faith, when nurtured, has the potential to move mountains.

Brethren, no one is too small with God, "𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒." (𝐋𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝟏:𝟑𝟕); but the sad thing to know is that only a few were convinced that we have God. As we ponder 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝟏𝟏𝟑, it echoes our mandate to proclaim God’s word until all get heard (𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟐𝟖:𝟏𝟗-𝟐𝟎). As Jesus said, "𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑠𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑛, 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑦 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑓𝑦 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝐹𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑛."

As we navigate life's complexities, let us anchor our identities in the immutable truth of God that "𝐻𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑦 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡." (𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏:𝟏𝟕). Just as the Psalmist, are we convinced and confident enough to proclaim that God is so big that He cares for the poor and needy? that no one is too small with God?

May we trust in His ability to elevate us beyond our wildest dreams. Praise ye the Lord forever and ever.

𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝…
☝😊

𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆
📖 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝟔𝟗:𝟏-𝟐 "𝑆𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑒, 𝑂 𝐺𝑜𝑑; 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑙. 𝐼 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑚𝑖𝑟𝑒, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔: 𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑚𝑒."

♦ "𝐼𝑛 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟, 𝑤𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑦 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝐿𝑜𝑟𝑑,
𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑖𝑛 𝐻𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑤𝑒'𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑑."

𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟔𝟗 is a personal and emotional psalm by David, known for his honesty and transparency in expressing his feelings to God. He expresses distress, feeling overwhelmed by his enemies and drowning in trouble. He begins with a plea for deliverance, "𝑆𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑒, 𝑂 𝐺𝑜𝑑; 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑙. 𝐼 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑚𝑖𝑟𝑒, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔: 𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑠 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑚𝑒." Within this cry for help is a glimpse of hope—a plea to God who can rescue us from the depths of hopelessness.

David uses imagery to describe troubles and hardships that can turn God's beauty and order into chaos. Our sins and others' can disrupt our lives, making it feel like we are drowning. We all have experienced destructive threats to our own lives and the world through flooding of broken relationships, violence, division, and diseases.

The feeling of sinking, whether it be in financial struggles, broken relationships, or overwhelming stress, is a universal experience. In 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝟒𝟐:𝟕, the Psalmist compares his grief to "𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑝," implying an overwhelming stream of grief. However, he concludes with a statement of faith: "𝑌𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒." (𝐯𝟖). God's love and presence sustain us even when we are at our lowest sinking point.

In 𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟒𝟑:𝟐, we are reassured that: "𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝐼 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒; 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒: 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒, 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑; 𝑛𝑒𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑢𝑝𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒." for He is the Lord our God, the Holy One of Israel, our Saviour (𝐯𝟑).

Furthermore, this message of hope in the face of hardship is echoed throughout the New Testament. As Peter started to drown while approaching Jesus on the water in 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟏𝟒:𝟑𝟎–𝟑𝟏, he cried out, "𝐿𝑜𝑟𝑑, 𝑠𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑒." Jesus instantly reached out to grasp him and said, "𝑂 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑑𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑜𝑢𝑏𝑡?" Jesus is always there to encourage us and strengthen our faith, even in our moments of uncertainty and fear.

Furthermore, 𝐇𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝟒:𝟏𝟔 encourages us to come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. We need not fear sinking in despair, for we have a High Priest, Jesus Christ, who can understand our weaknesses and offer us the grace and strength we need to persevere (𝐇𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝟒:𝟏𝟓).

Brethren, When we are threatened by such chaos, we can cry to God for help. David prays in 𝐯𝟏𝟑: "𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑎𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑒, 𝑚𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒, 𝑂 𝐿𝑂𝑅𝐷, 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒: 𝑂 𝐺𝑜𝑑, 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑦 𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑦 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑒, 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑦 𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛." God's salvation is assured, even in the face of fear, as He promises to keep us safe from the raging waters of brokenness.

Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith (𝐇𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝟏𝟐:𝟐); He alone can lift us from the miry clay and set our feet upon a rock (𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝟒𝟎:𝟐).
𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠… 🎶🎼
𝑆𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑,
𝑆𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑜𝑑;
𝑆𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑤, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑜𝑛𝑔,
𝐼𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔.

May we find comfort in His promise: "𝐼 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒, 𝑛𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑒" (𝐇𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝟏𝟑:𝟓).

𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝…
☝😊

𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐘
📖 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝟏:𝟏 "𝐵𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑔𝑜𝑑𝑙𝑦, 𝑛𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑛𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑓𝑢𝑙."

♦ "𝐼𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒'𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑧𝑒, 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠,
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡'𝑠 𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒, 𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝐻𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒."

During a week-long shift at Grand Prix Macau, I started rushing to catch the AP1 bus to my work site in the morning, but I boarded the incorrect bus, which had the number AP1x. So I turned around and headed back the right way. No harm done. But walking through life in the wrong direction would be quite another matter.

We are faced with innumerable crossroads when we have to decide between the pull of worldly pleasures and the path of righteousness. The counsel of the worldly is all around us, bringing temporary joy but ultimately resulting in spiritual emptiness. However, the Bible serves as a compass of truth, pointing us in the direction of the abundance of life that is found in Christ and away from the pitfalls of sin.

It's easy to stray from the straight and narrow in a world full of temptations and diversion. We all experience the consequences of making unwise decisions and setting the wrong priorities, thus the idea of the "wrong way" strikes a deep in our lives. The examination begins with the first line of 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝟏:𝟏, "𝐵𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑔𝑜𝑑𝑙𝑦, 𝑛𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑠, 𝑛𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑛𝑓𝑢𝑙."

This verse paints a vivid picture of the dangers of drifting away from God's path, emphasizing the importance of discernment and commitment to His ways. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟒:𝟏𝟒-𝟏𝟓 urges us, "𝐸𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑑, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑜 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑙 𝑚𝑒𝑛. 𝐴𝑣𝑜𝑖𝑑 𝑖𝑡, 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑏𝑦 𝑖𝑡, 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑖𝑡, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦." Just as a traveler steers clear of unsafe terrain, we must exercise caution in our fellowships and decisions, lest we be led astray.

God forbids walking, standing, and sitting among the wicked as a means of choosing the wrong way in life. “But,” you might ask, “shouldn’t we befriend sinners, as Jesus did, out of God’s caring love?” Yes, of course. However, if we "walk in step" with the wicked, it signifies that we are following their path, not God's.

The consequences of ignoring this wisdom are dire, as depicted in 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟏𝟒:𝟏𝟐: "𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑎 𝑚𝑎𝑛, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ." The path of sin may appear enticing at first glance, promising pleasure, but ultimately leads to destruction. It Emphasizes the need to align our lives with God's will and reject its allure.

Yet, even when we falter and stray from the right way, God's grace abounds. 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟐𝟑:𝟑 assures us, "𝐻𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑦 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑙: ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒'𝑠 𝑠𝑎𝑘𝑒." Despite our shortcomings, as born-again believers in Christ, He is faithful to lead us back to Himself, offering forgiveness and restoration to all who repent.

How do we know we're on the right path? We need to read, study, and reflect on God's Word, taking it all to heart. As 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟏𝟏𝟗:𝟏𝟎𝟓 declares, "𝑇ℎ𝑦 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑦 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑚𝑦 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ." Only in God's Word, we can find the right way. Through diligent study and obedience to His commands, we align our lives with His perfect will, walking confidently in the assurance of His guidance and provision.

Brethren, in our quest for the right path, we must remember that Jesus Himself declared, "𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑦, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡ℎ, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒: 𝑛𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐹𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑏𝑦 𝑚𝑒" (𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏𝟒:𝟔). Only in Jesus do we find the right way, for He is the Word made flesh (𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏:𝟏𝟒). In Him, all the promises of God find their fulfillment, and through His sacrificial death and resurrection, we are reconciled to the Father. "𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑒𝑎, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝐴𝑚𝑒𝑛, 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑢𝑠." (𝟐 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏:𝟐𝟎)

May we continually abide in Christ, and may His love reflect in our lives that honor and glorify Him in all that we do, bringing lost people to His Right Way.

𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝…
☝😊

𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃
📖 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝟏𝟐𝟒:𝟐 "𝐼𝑓 𝑖𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑂𝑅𝐷 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑚𝑒𝑛 𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑢𝑝 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡 𝑢𝑠:"

♦ “𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒'𝑠 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑠 𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑑𝑒,
𝑊𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝐺𝑜𝑑'𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑤𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒?”

There are innumerable enemies, both seen and unseen, that we must encounter while facing the challenges of life. The psalmist portrays Israel's perilous times in 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟏𝟐𝟒, as they were attacked by foes whose wrath was close to devouring them. However, they took comfort in God's unfailing faithfulness during their difficulties. It speaks volumes for us to know that there is heavenly protection in a world full of uncertainty, which declares: "𝐼𝑓 𝑖𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑚𝑒𝑛 𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑢𝑝 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡 𝑢𝑠."

The Psalmist described Israel’s possible conditions if the Lord is not on their side, living without the Lord, the enemies would be “𝑠𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑑”, “𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑚𝑒𝑑”, and “𝑔𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟” their soul (𝐯𝟑-𝟓). But "𝐵𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑂𝑅𝐷, 𝑤ℎ𝑜 ℎ𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑢𝑠 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑡ℎ. 𝑂𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑙 𝑖𝑠 𝑒𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑤𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑠: 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑟𝑜𝑘𝑒𝑛, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑒𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑑." (𝐯𝟔-𝟕)

As in our current challenges, we would be consumed by the devouring enemy around us, but glory to God; we take shelter in the assurance that the Lord is ever present and always ready and able to deliver us from any harm. And we cannot deny that many times in our lives, we have His divine intervention on behalf of His children.

In 𝐄𝐱𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐬 𝟏𝟒:𝟏𝟑, Moses told the Israelites: "𝐹𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑦𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡, 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝑟𝑑." Even when confronted with insurmountable obstacles, the Lord's mighty hand splits the waters, paving a dry escape way from their enemy. Such miraculous interventions demonstrate God's faithfulness to rescue His children.

Furthermore, 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟗𝟏:𝟑's illustration of a bird escaping a fowler's snare by the psalmist emphasizes the Lord's watchful care for His beloved. Just as birds naturally seek refuge, God's people naturally find protection in the shelter of His presence. In difficult circumstances, let us remember 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟒𝟔:𝟏, which says, "𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ, 𝑎 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑒."

In the face of persecution and tribulation, the apostle Paul's testimony in 𝟐 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟒:𝟖-𝟗 serves as a reminder of God's sustaining grace: "𝑊𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑏𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒, 𝑦𝑒𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑; 𝑤𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑥𝑒𝑑, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑟; 𝑃𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑑, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛; 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑛, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑." Despite the adversities that raid us, we stand firm in the knowledge that the Lord fights on our behalf, shielding us from harm and granting us the strength to persevere.

Brethren, just as the psalmist proclaimed, "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth" (𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟏𝟐𝟒:𝟖), so too do we declare our unwavering trust in the One who holds all things in His hands. The Lord Jesus does not promise that our Christian life is like a bed of roses, He said, “…𝐼𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑 𝑦𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑏𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑒𝑟; 𝐼 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑.” (𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏𝟔:𝟑𝟑), no wonder Peter reminds us to "𝐵𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑏𝑒𝑟, 𝑏𝑒 𝑣𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑡; 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑎𝑑𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑙, 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡, 𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑚 ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑦 𝑑𝑒𝑣𝑜𝑢𝑟:" (𝟏 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟓:𝟖)

We are not exempted from loneliness, but God will never leave us nor forsake us (𝐇𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝟏𝟑:𝟓); from poverty but God will supply all our needs (𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟒:𝟏𝟗); from sorrow and pain but God is willing to give us rest as we come to Him (𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟏𝟏:𝟐𝟖); “𝐼𝑓 𝑖𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑂𝑅𝐷 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒” our life would be miserable either side by side or to and fro. What kind of life could we have if the Lord was not on our side?

Today, we are called to testify like the Psalmist in 𝐯𝟖, that "𝑂𝑢𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑂𝑅𝐷, 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ." May our lives be a testimony to the faithfulness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, now and forever. May our lives be a testimony to the faithfulness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, now and forever.

𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝…
☝😊

𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆
📖 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝟏𝟎𝟕:𝟐 "𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑂𝑅𝐷 𝑠𝑎𝑦 𝑠𝑜, 𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑚 ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑚𝑦;"

♦ “𝐼𝑛 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒’𝑠 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑠, 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡’𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑢𝑛𝑓𝑢𝑟𝑙𝑠,
𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐻𝑖𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒, 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑠.”

In our chaotic world, when narratives conflict and voices strive for attention, the art of storytelling continues to provide comfort and connection. Humanity finds importance in the threads of storytelling—everyone enjoys telling their stories on various platforms such as social media, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. And, of all the stories that have endured throughout history, the most memorable is the story of their redemption.

Redeemed is defined as the act of being rescued, delivered from bo***ge, distress, penalty, liability, or from the possession of another (𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟖𝟐𝟖). It signifies the process by which God, through His grace and mercy, restores individuals from the bo***ge of sin into a renewed relationship with Him. Just as the psalmist declares in 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦 𝟏𝟎𝟕:𝟐, "𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑠𝑎𝑦 𝑠𝑜, 𝑤ℎ𝑜𝑚 ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑚𝑦."

Just as the psalmist proclaims, we are called to tell our redemption, to utter the marvelous deeds of the Almighty God in our lives. Our redemption stories, no matter how shattered or faulty, become testimonies to His faithfulness; and how God's love and power have brought about deliverance, turning captivity into freedom.

Consider the testimony of Joseph in Genesis. Despite being sold into slavery and imprisoned unjustly, he declared in 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝟓𝟎:𝟐𝟎, "𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑎𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑦𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑙 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡 𝑚𝑒; 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑡 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑, 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠, 𝑎𝑠 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑎𝑦, 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑝𝑒𝑜𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒." His story of betrayal was later elevated from the pit to the palace, serving as a reminder that even in the depths of adversity, God writes our stories from filthy into beauty, from prisoner to a deliverer, from broken into whole, God’s redemption is so amazing!

Likewise, the life of the Apostle Paul demonstrates the transformative power of God. Paul said in 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟖:𝟐𝟖, "𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑒 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑡𝑜𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝐺𝑜𝑑, 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑚 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑒." In his transformation from persecutor to evangelist, from blasphemer to preacher, and from church persecutor to church planter, God demonstrates changes in lives, creating a masterpiece of redemption.

Brethren, every sinner has a past and future, you have a story of how God found you and transformed you. Stories of failures and how God worked well in and through them. The Psalmist challenges us in 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝟏𝟎𝟕:𝟐 to tell our story of our redemption, knowing that God had already penned our story today, with chapters to fulfill. Are you willing to tell this story? Are you not ashamed of your story? or Are you hesitant to do this?

As we navigate the complexities of our lives, may we heed the psalmist's call to shout out loud our redemption. Let us become narrators of grace, storytellers of mercy, and publishers of His gospel. For in our storytelling, we not only magnify our Savior but also extend an invitation for others to encounter His redemptive power.

Knowing that in human history, One Name is unmatched in His existence: Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. He said in 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏𝟒:𝟔, "...𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑦, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡ℎ, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒: 𝑛𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐹𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑏𝑦 𝑚𝑒." He is the foundation of our faith, the only hope of redemption, and the greatest story to tell that happened in history.

May all our testimonies be a reflection of the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and be a storyteller of His amazing wonderful works in our lives.

𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝…
☝😊

𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄
📖 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝟓𝟐:𝟖 "𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑎 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑜𝑑: 𝐼 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟."

♦ “𝐼𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑜𝑑, 𝑤𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑦,
𝑂𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑒, 𝑤𝑒’𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑎 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑒.”

In the secular world, the color green is often associated with concepts such as growth, prosperity, and the environment. It symbolizes health, abundance, and sustainability. While in the Bible, the color green carries both literal and symbolic significance. Literally, it describes God’s created vegetation as it was first mentioned in 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝟏:𝟑𝟎; and was lastly mentioned in 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝟗:𝟒, where the locusts from the bottomless pit were forbidden to harm vegetation.

Thus, the word “𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧” is significant in the bible, for it symbolizes God’s provision and protection for His people (𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝟐𝟑:𝟐 and the prosperity of the man who trusts the Lord (𝐉𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟏𝟕:𝟕-𝟖). Green in the Bible is not merely about earthly abundance but also about spiritual flourishing and steadfastness in God's promises.

Today's devotion in 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝟓𝟐:𝟖, the Psalmist confidently declares, "𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝑎 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑜𝑑: 𝐼 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟." He specifically compares himself to a green olive tree in the house of God, signifying stability, nourishment, and provision. Just as the green pasture for the sheep in 𝐏𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐬 𝟐𝟑 in God’s presence.

The olive tree, known for its stability in harsh conditions, shows our strength in life. Its abundant fruit reflects God's provision and equips a fruit-bearing Christian. 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟓:𝟐𝟐-𝟐𝟑 says, "𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑢𝑖𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒, 𝑗𝑜𝑦, 𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑒, 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑠𝑢𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ, 𝑚𝑒𝑒𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝑡𝑒𝑚𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒: 𝑎𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡 𝑠𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜 𝑙𝑎𝑤."

Its stability, rooted in the ground, is similar to a Christian's faith in God's Word. The olive tree symbolizes peace, as seen in the dove bringing an olive leaf to Noah after the flood (𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝟖:𝟏𝟏). As olive trees, we are called peacemakers, reflecting God's peace in a chaotic world.

Overall, the olive tree is a powerful symbol of God's stability, nourishment, provision, and peace. But for us to have that kind of confidence as the Psalmist, we need to examine our position today: Are you really in the house of God? Is there an intimate relationship between you and God?

Brethren, we can’t declare that we’re a 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞 if we’re not in the house of God, where spiritual nourishment, rooted and grounded in faith, and fruitful bearing Christian can only be possible if one has an intimate relationship with God. Without Him, we can do nothing; we are weak and powerless. We need to abide in Him.

Jesus declares in 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏𝟓:𝟓: "𝐼 𝑎𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑒, 𝑦𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠: 𝐻𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑚, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑓𝑟𝑢𝑖𝑡: 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑚𝑒 𝑦𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑑𝑜 𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔." As we reflect on the image of the green olive tree, let us remember that our true source of strength and provision is found in Jesus Christ alone. Apart from Him, we can do nothing, but with Him, we can flourish and bear fruit that glorifies His name.

𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝…
☝😊

𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
📖 𝐄𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟐:𝟖-𝟗 "𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑏𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ; 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠: 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑓𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑜𝑑: 𝑁𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑠, 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑜𝑎𝑠𝑡."

♦ “𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑢𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡,
𝐼𝑛 𝐺𝑜𝑑’𝑠 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑑, 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑡ℎ 𝑏𝑒 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑔𝑢𝑖𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡.”

Misconception, in its broadest sense, refers to a mistaken belief or understanding. In studying the Bible, it can arise when individuals misinterpret or misapply biblical teachings, leading to tremendous errors, dangers, and potentially harmful spiritual practices. Too often, the truths given in God's Word are ignored and replaced by what individuals think is right, particularly regarding salvation. However, no one's opinion matters. What matters is "𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝."

In a world drowning in misconceptions, where truth often seems blurry by a fog of doubt and confusion, the grace of God is what the world needs today. Paul says in 𝐄𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟐:𝟖-𝟗: "𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑏𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ; 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠: 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑖𝑓𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑜𝑑: 𝑁𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑠, 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑜𝑎𝑠𝑡." This irrefutable truth is the foundation of Christian belief, yet it's often misunderstood by many, where the idea of salvation through grace alone can be challenging to grasp.

God's grace for us is the only way we can connect with Him. Grace began when God sacrificed an animal in the Garden of Eden to atone for Adam and Eve's sin. (𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝟑:𝟐𝟏). He could have executed them right away for their disobedience, but we witnessed God's grace and mercy upon them, and instead of destroying them, God's compassion poured out.

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 is God giving us what we don’t deserve (salvation, forgiveness, heaven); while 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 is God not giving us what we deserve (hell, separation from Him). Christianity is all about "𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡" through the grace of God. It is the most generous gift—an unexpected and undeserved salvation by grace through faith.

Paul emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, bestowed upon us not because of anything we have done, but because of His boundless grace. No amount of our good deeds can bridge the gap between our sinful nature and God's perfect holiness. 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟑:𝟐𝟑 reminds us, "𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑙𝑙 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑑, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑙𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑜𝑑."

Furthermore, Paul warns against boasting in our works. Our pride often leads us to believe that we can merit salvation through our achievements. Yet 𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝟑:𝟓 reinforces the truth that salvation is “𝑁𝑜𝑡 𝑏𝑦 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑤𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑦 ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑢𝑠…” This truth refutes all misconceptions and determines that we should rely exclusively on God's grace. A man cannot be saved by his work; it is Christ's finished work on the cross at Calvary.

However, misconceptions about grace abound. Some people erroneously believe that grace gives license to sin, assuming that since we're saved by grace, our actions no longer matter.
Yet, 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟔:𝟏-𝟐 refutes this opinion, asking, "𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑤𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑛, 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑦 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑? 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑖𝑑." Grace is not a license to indulge in sinful behavior!

Brethren, salvation is by grace alone through faith without works; grace and works cannot be together! 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏𝟏:𝟔 says, "𝐴𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑓 𝑏𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑡 𝑛𝑜 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑠: 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒. 𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑓 𝑖𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑠, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑡 𝑛𝑜 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒: 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘." Grace is what God does because He is gracious (Exodus 34:6). Good deeds will not bring people to heaven, but as born-again believers in Christ, we are doing good works “𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑤𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑝, 𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝐽𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑠 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑠…” (𝐄𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟐:𝟏𝟎)

Let’s acknowledge the depth of God's love and the richness of His salvation. As we navigate the complexities of faith and life, may God’s Word dwell in our hearts, guiding us away from any misconceptions, fixing our eyes upon the Lord Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (𝐇𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝟏𝟐:𝟐). In Him, we find the grace of our salvation (𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟑:𝟏𝟔); "𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑤 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑏𝑦 𝑀𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑠, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑡ℎ 𝑐𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑏𝑦 𝐽𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑠 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡." (𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟏:𝟏𝟕) Blessed be the Name of our Lord and Saviour forever.

𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐨𝐝…
☝😊