This is what the Lord says: “As when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes and people say, ‘Don’t destroy it, there is still a blessing in it,’ so will I do in behalf of my servants; I will not destroy them all. Isaiah 65:8 (NIV) REFERENCE Isaiah 65:1-10 (NIV) It is possible to still get fresh juice from a vine (cluster) of grapes that look like they are all rotten and should be destroyed. Knowing the likelihood of this happening, God here decided not to destroy the vine of grapes because there was still a blessing in it. In...

Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent…Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king’s household.”  II Kings 7:9 REFERENCE II Kings 7:3-11 The word ‘Evangelism’ is from the Greek word ‘Evangélio’ which means gospel – ‘GOOD NEWS!’ Evangelism is important because it is the heart of Jesus that the whole world hears the gospel and gets saved; but they cannot hear unless someone tells them. An unbeliever cannot do the job of reconciling the world back to God. Believers are the only ones...

Then the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?” II Samuel 9:3 REFERENCE II Samuel 9:1-13 “Lo Debar” was an ancient city east of Jordan. The name means ‘no pasture, no communication, or no word.’ It is a place of negativity, no advancement, and dryness. This had become Mephibosheth’s ‘reality,’ his residence until David sent for him. Mephibosheth was born a prince in the palace, but, through no fault of his, he suffered a great reversal of fortunes. He was forgotten, submerged in filth, dryness, lack,...

Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ He said, ‘I do not know, am I my brother’s keeper?’  Genesis 4:9 REFERENCE Genesis 4:3-9 God believes in interpersonal relationships, brotherliness, and friendships. He also believes in the family and marriage bonds in each of these relationships; they are responsibilities God has given us and He expects us to be accountable for how we take care of the other party and how we affect their lives for Christ. This kind of relationship is sacrificial and giving but not selfish; it looks for the good and benefit of the other,...

Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, ‘What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’  Matthew 26:40-41 REFERENCE Matthew 26:36-41 Jesus teaches here the essence of spending quality time with God – it is easy to enter into temptation when you don’t spend time watching and praying. Even though your born-again spirit always desires to do the right thing, without spending time with God, it will be too timid to steer the flesh off the...

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Mark 10: 47 REFERENCE Mark 10:46-52 In life, we often find ourselves in situations where all we crave for is something new and different from our present reality. This was the case with Blind Bartimaeus in today’s account. He had been a blind beggar for perhaps, his whole life. His life was predictable, totally dependent on people’s goodwill, and locked in the vice grip of monotony – same old story. Tired and frustrated with the...