In John 15:5, Jesus paints a vivid picture of the Christian life: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” This truth speaks directly to the hearts of those who desire to bear fruit for God but find themselves frustrated or disappointed by their efforts.

The secret to bearing fruit is not striving harder or working smarter but abiding in Christ. Like a branch cannot bear fruit apart from the vine, we cannot produce anything of eternal value apart from Jesus. It is through the ongoing, unbroken fellowship with Him that His life flows through us, bringing forth fruit that endures.

John 10:27-29 presents one of the most comforting and empowering truths in Scripture: the eternal security of those who belong to Jesus. True Christians are described as those who listen to His voice and follow Him. This does not mean their obedience is always immediate or without struggle, but their hearts are inclined toward Him, and their lives bear the mark of a growing dependence on His leading.

Matthew 6:25 calls us to live in a way that defies human reasoning: “Take no thought for your life.” This command from Jesus challenges the core of our natural tendencies to worry, plan, and strive for security in earthly things. He reminds us that our primary focus must always be our relationship with Him. The cares of this world—whether financial pressures, social dynamics, or the uncertainties of tomorrow—will constantly encroach on our peace. Yet Jesus assures us that we have no reason to be anxious, for our heavenly Father knows our every need and will provide for us.

Philippians 3:13 reminds us of the clarity and focus needed in the Christian walk: "One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." The Apostle Paul, with his eyes fixed on the prize of Christ, refused to be ensnared by distractions or past failures. His singular focus inspires us to evaluate what may be diverting us from God's purpose in our lives.

The Christian life begins with God’s grace and continues to grow by that same grace. At salvation, God graciously forgives and justifies us, making us new creations in Christ (Ephesians 1:7). But His grace doesn’t stop there. The riches of His grace provide for our daily sanctification, shaping us into the image of Christ. Hebrews 13:9 emphasizes this: “It is good that the heart be established by grace.” This establishment is not about the new birth itself but the ongoing work of maturing and stabilizing our hearts in godliness.

Philippians 3:3 reminds us that true worship flows from the Spirit, rejoices in Christ, and utterly forsakes confidence in the flesh. The Christian life has no room for self-confidence, for reliance on our own abilities, strength, or wisdom leads only to frustration and defeat. As we grow in our walk with Christ, we begin to see the futility of our self-effort and embrace the sufficiency of Christ alone. Romans 7 beautifully captures this transformation—from the cry of "O wretched man that I am" to the victorious exclamation, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Rom. 7:24-25).

2 Chronicles 14 reveals the early reign of King Asa, a man who sought the Lord wholeheartedly. Asa led Judah to purge the land of idolatry, returning the people to a covenant relationship with God. His reign reminds us of a timeless truth: God is with those who are with Him. Asa experienced victory over a massive Cushite army, not because of his military strength but because he cried out to the Lord and relied on Him. Asa’s story, supported by Azariah’s prophecy in chapter 15, encourages God’s people to remain strong and steadfast, trusting that God will reward their faithfulness.

Ezekiel's vision in chapter 1 is a breathtaking glimpse into the glory, sovereignty, and holiness of God. The imagery is both majestic and overwhelming: a storm cloud with fire flashing within it, four living creatures with four faces and wings, and wheels full of eyes moving in perfect unison with the Spirit. Above it all is the Lord, enthroned in radiant light, surrounded by a brilliant rainbow—a reflection of His glory.

The book of Ezekiel invites us into a world of vivid imagery, divine judgment, and steadfast hope. Its central message is both simple and profound: God is sovereign over all nations and peoples, even when the world appears chaotic and out of control. Ezekiel ministered to exiles in Babylon during one of the most turbulent periods in Israel’s history, witnessing the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, which seemed to signal the end of God’s covenant promises. Yet, through Ezekiel, God revealed that His plans and purposes were far greater than human understanding.

Job 3 is a chapter saturated with sorrow, as Job expresses the depth of his anguish. He curses the day of his birth and laments his very existence, longing for darkness to erase him from history (Job 3:1–10). His cries are raw and unfiltered, showing the intensity of his pain. He questions the purpose of life when it leads to such unbearable suffering, asking repeatedly, “Why?” (Job 3:11–19).

In this chapter, Job joins the ranks of those who walk through the darkest valleys, including our Lord Jesus Christ. The darkness of creation’s reversal in Job’s lament reminds us of the ultimate darkness that fell at Gethsemane and on the cross (Mark 15:33–34). In Job’s anguish, we hear an echo of Jesus’ cry, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Like Job, Jesus bore unimaginable sorrow—but with the purpose of redeeming us from it.

Question: My pastor said the law was given by God to keep Israel in a restored relationship with Him. That does not seem to coincide with what the Apostle Paul says in the Books of Romans and Galatians. What’s up?

Answer: Your pastor’s statement—that the law was intended to keep Israel in a restored relationship with God—reflects a common perspective, but it doesn’t align fully with Paul’s teaching in the New Testament. Paul consistently emphasizes that the law was never intended to restore or sustain a relationship with God. Instead, he teaches that the law served other purposes, such as revealing sin and pointing people to their need for Christ.

What does the Apostle Paul say is the purpose of the Old Testament law and why God put it into place?

Paul provides a detailed explanation of the purpose of the Old Testament law, particularly in Galatians 3:19-25 and Romans 7:7-13. He highlights that the law was not given as a means of salvation or righteousness but to fulfill specific purposes within God’s redemptive plan.

The trap of legalism is subtle but deeply harmful. While it may appear to be an earnest pursuit of godliness, legalism ultimately becomes a reliance on self-effort, leading to the flesh dominating our lives. Galatians 5:19-21 vividly outlines the works of the flesh, such as jealousy, selfish ambition, and dissension, which can arise even in those who genuinely desire to follow Christ. Why? Because legalism—the attempt to live for God by human strength—turns us inward to our own efforts, instead of outward to Christ and His Spirit within.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep... I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep."
— John 10:11, 14-15

The beauty of the Good Shepherd lies in His unwavering commitment to His sheep. Jesus doesn’t love from a distance or abandon the flock when trouble approaches. Instead, He steps into danger on behalf of His sheep, laying down His life so that they may live. His love is not only sacrificial but also deeply personal. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep individually, calls them by name, and leads them with care.

"Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him."
— Isaiah 51:2 (BSB)

In the East, rice farming offers a beautiful picture of growth and dependence. The journey of the rice begins in mud and water, where shoots grow closely together, entwined and dependent on their surroundings. But then comes the critical process of transplanting. The tender shoots are uprooted from their comfortable cluster and replanted, each in its own space, where they must dig deeper roots to thrive.

"If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you—you of little faith?"
—Matthew 6:30

Jesus’ words in Matthew 6 challenge us to look at the simplicity of life as God intended. He draws our attention to the grass of the field and the lilies, reminding us that they do not toil or spin to clothe themselves, yet they are arrayed in splendor by their Creator. Why, then, should we worry about our needs when our Heavenly Father promises to care for us?

"I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more"…For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
— Jeremiah 31:34; Ephesians 2:8-9

Grace is the thread that weaves the tapestry of our lives in Christ. It was grace that met us at the moment of salvation, forgiving our sins and declaring us righteous before a holy God. And it is grace that continues to work within us each day, shaping us to reflect Christ’s image as we walk in sanctification.

"If, when you do well and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God."
—1 Peter 2:20

Suffering often feels like a trial to escape, but for believers, it serves as a tool in the hands of a loving God. Through suffering, we are drawn into deeper need, and through that need, we discover God’s matchless comfort. The promise of 2 Corinthians 1:7 assures us that as we share in suffering, we also share in the abundant consolation He provides.

Imagine a goldsmith at work. Gold, precious as it is, does not shine in its raw state. It must first be placed in the furnace, where intense heat melts it and burns away impurities. The goldsmith watches the process intently, ensuring the temperature refines but does not destroy. Only when the gold reflects the goldsmith’s image does the refining process end.

In a culture captivated by the power of presentation and the allure of intellect, Paul’s approach to sharing the gospel was strikingly different. Rather than impressing the Corinthians with polished rhetoric or philosophical arguments, Paul depended entirely on the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim Christ crucified. This intentional simplicity ensured that the focus remained on God’s wisdom and not on human ability.

Paul’s message reminds us that the wisdom of God defies the expectations of the world. The rulers and influencers of Paul’s time failed to recognize it because God’s wisdom is not found through human intellect or ambition but is revealed by His Spirit to those who belong to Him.

In Mark 12, Jesus navigates a series of challenges designed to trap Him in His words. Each interaction reveals profound truths about God’s kingdom, human responsibility, and the impending culmination of Jesus’ mission. Let’s explore a central theme in this chapter: living as God’s image-bearers, marked by our devotion to Him and love for others.