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Showing posts from March, 2025

Yeah (Bleeping) Right

When people hear the story of Jonah, the first reaction is often skepticism. "You really believe a man was swallowed by a fish and lived to tell about it? Yeah, (bleeping) right." And I get it. It sounds impossible. But here’s the thing—I do believe it happened. I believe Jonah was literally swallowed by a great fish, just as the Bible says. But I also understand that there’s more to this story than just a miraculous event. Even if you can’t wrap your mind around the literal part, the illustration should still hit home. Because if you’ve ever been in a place so dark, so isolating, so full of regret that you thought you’d never make it out—you’ve been in the belly of the fish. And that’s what we’re talking about here. The Belly of the Fish: When Life Swallows You Whole Jonah ended up in the belly of the fish because he ran from his purpose. He knew what he was supposed to do, but he wanted no part of it. Instead of following God’s call, he got on a boat headed in the opposite...

The Target Audience of Heaven

The good news of the Kingdom is not reserved for the perfect, the powerful, or those who appear to have it all together. From the beginning, the message of Heaven has been directed toward those who need it most—the broken, the weary, the ones searching for something more. Jesus made it clear that He didn’t come for those who think they are already righteous, but for those who recognize their need for change. When He walked the earth, He sat with the outcasts, embraced the rejected, and spoke life into those the world had given up on. He told stories of invitations extended to the ones overlooked, the ones society deemed unworthy, the ones who had nothing to offer but their willingness to receive. The Kingdom of Heaven is open, and its invitation is personal. Jesus began His ministry with a simple yet profound message: "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17) The word repent doesn’t just mean to feel sorry for wrongdoing—it means to change one’s mind. A...

Born Again

Most people hear the phrase "born again" and think it means "getting saved" or "going to heaven." But what if it’s bigger than that? What if being born again is about seeing life differently, stepping into purpose, and becoming who you were always meant to be? Seeing the Kingdom: A New Way of Thinking When Jesus told Nicodemus, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3), He wasn’t talking about leaving this world and going to heaven. He was talking about perception —a new way of seeing and understanding life. To be born again is to wake up to reality —to see beyond the limits of what you’ve been taught, beyond fear, past survival mode, and into something greater. It’s about recognizing that you were created for more. Created with Purpose: The Original Design From the very beginning, God’s intention for humanity was clear. In Genesis 1:26-28 , He created mankind in His image and gave them five key assignments : Be fru...

Childlike Faith: Restoring a Simple, Relational Connection with God

In the chaos of life, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking our relationship with God is based on rituals and religious practices—things to check off a list, a set of expectations we need to meet. Unfortunately, this mindset can water down the powerful, personal connection that God desires with us. I believe the best description of the relationship we’re called into with God is childlike faith . Imagine the innocence, trust, and simplicity of a child—a child who doesn’t fret about complex religious rituals but simply looks to their parent for love, support, and connection. This kind of faith restores the purity and beauty of the relationship God originally intended with His children. Prayer: A Simple "Check-In" with God When I think of prayer, I often compare it to the times I’d call my mom when I was away from home. I didn’t call because I had to—though, yes, she expected me to! I called because I wanted her to know how I was doing and also to check in on how s...

With or Without Discipline

There’s a scripture that says, "A man without discipline is like a city broken down without walls." (Proverbs 25:28). Think about that—what happens to a city without walls? It’s vulnerable, exposed, and wide open for anything to come in and take over. And if we’re being honest, that’s exactly what happens in life when we lack discipline. Discipline isn’t just about willpower; it’s about protection. Without it, we get carried away—into addiction, bad habits, toxic relationships, financial ruin, or even prison. One bad decision leads to another until we find ourselves captive to something we never intended to serve. The Fall & The Struggle to Rebuild There’s a real-life process to getting back on track, and it mirrors the way Jerusalem had to be rebuilt after destruction. First, the walls were broken, leaving the city defenseless. Then the people were taken into captivity, and even when they were freed, the process of rebuilding was long, frustrating, and full of setbacks....

The Unholy Trinity

Throughout history, humanity has faced recurring struggles and temptations. They’re not random; they’re consistent and predictable, falling into three categories famously highlighted in 1 John 2:16: the lust of the flesh , the lust of the eyes , and the pride of life . These three forces — an unholy trinity of sorts — are at the root of almost every stumble. But what if we could master them? What if conquering these temptations could enable us to live with freedom, clarity, and strength? Let’s dive into what these mean and how they can be overcome. What Is the "Unholy Trinity"? 1. The Lust of the Flesh This represents the cravings of our bodies: the desire for comfort, indulgence, and pleasure. While our physical needs and desires are natural, the lust of the flesh seeks to overindulge them, pulling us into excess and addiction. It whispers that satisfaction lies in fleeting pleasures, distracting us from lasting joy and purpose. Example in Scripture: Eve in the Garden of E...