The Road That Ends in Victory is FAITHFULNESS

In John 14:6-7 NLT says, “6 Jesus told him, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through Me. 7 If you had really known Me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him!”

In John 3:16-17 NLT says, “16 “For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.”

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Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples,

Pastor Elias Aguilar Busuego Jr PhD DTM

Founding Pastor – Home Fellowship Churches – https://homefellowshipchurches.org

trinityblessings@homefellowshipchurches.org is inviting you to scheduled Zoom meetings.

The Fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT

Podcast Episode: The Fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT – FAITHFULNESS #5

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, AND SELF-CONTROL. There is no law against these things.” [Galatians 5:22-23 NLT]

We need to understand that love is the first characteristic of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is well placed at the head of the list, for it permeates all the rest of the attributes. Somehow, if we live a life of love, the other virtues will attend us all the days of our lives. Love is the key that unlocks the entire fruit basket of Galatians 5:22-23, as well as permeating in the LOVE Chapter of the book in the Bible – New Testament – 1 Corinthians 13.

The Rider on the White Horse

In Revelation 19:11-16 NLT says, “11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for He judges fairly and wages a righteous war. 12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on His head were many crowns. A name was written on Him that no one understood except Himself. 13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and His title was the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. 16 On His robe at His thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.”

The name “Faithful and True” contrasts with the faithless and deceitful Babylon described in Chapter 18.

Although our Lord Jesus Christ is called “Faithful and True” (Revelation 19:11), “Word of God” (Revelation 19:13), and “King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16), this verse implies that no name can do Him justice. He is greater than any description or expression the human mind can devise.

In Revelation Chapter 19 Verse13 described the symbolism of our Lord Jesus Christ’s clothes being dipped in blood, in reference to the Scripture below:

In Revelation 7:13-14 NLT says, “13 Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, “Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?” 14 And I said to Him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.” Then He said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.”

“The great tribulation” has been explained in several ways. Some believe it refers to the suffering of believers through the ages; others believe that there is a specific time of intense tribulation yet to come. In either case, these believers come through their times of suffering by remaining loyal to God. Because they remain faithful, God will give them eternal life with Him (Revelation 7:17).

John’s vision shifts again. Heaven opens, and our Lord Jesus Christ appears – this time not as a Lamb but as a warrior on a white horse (symbolizing victory). Our Lord Jesus Christ came first as a Lamb to be a sacrifice for sin, but He will return as a conqueror and king to execute judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10). Our Lord Jesus Christ’s first coming brought forgiveness; His second will bring judgment. The battle lines have been drawn between God and evil, and the world is waiting for the King to ride onto the field. Amen!

War with Surrounding Nations

In 2 Chronicles 15:30 NLT says, “15 He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” 18 Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord. 19 Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout. 20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in His prophets, and you will succeed.” 21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising Him for His holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; His faithful love endures forever!”
22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. 23 The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. 24 So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped. 25 King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables – more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all! 26 On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today. 27 Then all the men returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, overjoyed that the Lord had given them victory over their enemies. 28 They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets, and they proceeded to the Temple of the Lord. 29 When all the surrounding kingdoms heard that the Lord Himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them. 30 So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.”

As the enemy bore down on Judah, God spoke through Jahaziel: “Do not be afraid! . . . For the battle is not yours, but God’s!” We may not fight an enemy army, but every day we battle temptation, pressure, and “rulers . . . of the unseen world” (Ephesians 6:12) who want us to rebel against God. Remember, as we as Born-Again Christian believers, we have God’s Spirit in us, the Holy Spirit. If we ask for God’s help when we face struggles, God will fight for us. And God always triumphs.

How do we let God fight for us? (1) Realize that the battle is not ours, but God’s; (2) Recognize human limitations and allow God’s strength to work through our fears and weaknesses; (3) Make sure we are pursuing God’s interests and not just our own selfish desires; (4) Ask God for help in our daily battles. Amen!

God requires faithfulness. When we are making difficult decisions, when our future is at stake, we can rest assured that God will guide us when we are faithful. Jehoshapath was faithful, and God worked in his life. Faithfulness, even in difficult times, brings victory.

Let’s stay faithful, and we will remain conquerors. Victory is the end reward of faithfulness. King Jehoshapath experienced this truth. He had been following the Lord for a long time. In fact, we read in 2 Chronicles 17:3 that “the Lord was with Jehoshapath because in his early years he walked in the ways his father David had followed.” Even as a young man, Jehoshaphat was faithful to God. In fact, his foundational beliefs set the stage for the later blessings from God. Jehoshaphat’s devotion to God began at an early age and the relationship lasted a lifetime.

Jehoshaphat’s soldiers were victorious. So, too, will we be victors and joy will be our shield and buckler. By relying on God, Jehoshaphat didn’t even have to fight his enemies. When he and his army approached the plain of battle, he saw that the work had already been done (see 2 Chronicles 20:24). The enemy was defeated. God had given the victory to those He knew to be faithful.

We can only be faithful if we have the love of God (Agape love) because faithfulness is love’s servant. It is also one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

The Message to the Churches/Fellowships

In Revelation 3:14-22 NLT says, “14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen – the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation: 15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me – gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. 20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with Me on My throne, just as I was victorious and sat with My Father on His throne. 22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches.”

Laodicea was the wealthiest of the seven cities, known for its banking industry, manufacture of wool, and a medical school that produced eye ointment. But the city had always had a problem with its water supply. At one time an aqueduct was built to bring water to the city from hot springs. But by the time the water reached the city, it was neither hot nor refreshingly cool – only lukewarm. The church had become as bland or soothing as the tepid or moderately warm water that came into the city.

In Revelation Chapter 3 Verses 15-16 describe that the lukewarm water makes a disgusting drink. The church in Laodicea had become lukewarm and thus distasteful and repugnant. The believers didn’t take a stand for anything; indifference had led to idleness. By neglecting to do anything for our Lord Jesus Christ, the church had become hardened and self-satisfied, and it was destroying itself. There is nothing more disgusting than a halfhearted, nominal Christian who is self-sufficient. Don’t settle for following God halfway. Let our Lord Jesus Christ fire up our faith and get us into the action. Amen!

In Verse 17 describes some believers assume that numerous material possessions are a sign of God’s spiritual blessing. Laodicea was a wealthy city, and the church was also wealthy. But what the Laodiceans could see and buy had become more valuable to them than what is unseen and eternal. Wealth, luxury, and ease can make people feel confident, satisfied, and complacent. But no matter how much we possess or how much money we make, we have nothing if we don’t have a vital relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. How does our current level of wealth affect our spiritual desire? Instead of centering our lives primarily on comfort and luxury, let’s find our true riches in our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

In Verse 18 describes that Laodicea was known for its great wealth; our Lord Jesus Christ told the Laodiceans to buy their gold from Him (real spiritual treasures). The city was proud of its cloth and dyeing industries; our Lord Jesus Christ told them to purchase white garments from Him (His righteousness). Laodicea prided itself on its precious eye ointment that healed many eye problems; our Lord Jesus Christ told them to get medicine from Him to heal their eyes so they could see the truth (John 9:39). Our Lord Jesus Christ was showing the Laodiceans that true value was not in material possessions but in a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and God.

Our possessions and achievements were valueless compared with the everlasting future of our Lord Jesus Christ’s Kingdom. There are a few trials we need to undergo before we achieve this destiny; that we are destined for the throne.

In Verse 19 describes that God would discipline this lukewarm church unless it turned from its indifference toward Him. God’s purpose in discipline is not to punish but to bring people back to Him. Are we lukewarm in your devotion to God? God may discipline us to help us out of our uncaring attitude, but He uses only loving discipline. God can avoid God’s discipline by drawing near to Him again through confession, service, worship, and studying His Word. Just as the spark of love can be rekindled in marriage, so the Holy Spirit can reignite our zeal for God when we allow Him to work in our heart. Amen!

There was a second chance for this church; our Lord Jesus Christ offered them the opportunity to repent. His correction and discipline would come because of His love for the church (Proverbs 3:12). Our Lord Jesus Christ will spit out those who disobey (Revelation 3:16), but He will discipline those He loves. Because of such mercy, believers should willingly repent, realizing their need for our Lord Jesus Christ in every part of their lives and ministry. Then they will be effective for Him.

In Revelation Chapter 3 Verse 20 describes Laodicean church was complacent and rich. They felt self-satisfied, but they didn’t have our Lord Jesus Christ’s presence among them.

Our Lord Jesus Christ knocked at the door of our hearts, but we were so busy enjoying worldly pleasures that we didn’t notice that He was trying to enter. The pleasures of this world – money, security, material possessions – can be dangerous, because our temporary satisfaction makes us indifferent to God’s offer of lasting satisfaction. If we find ourselves feeling indifferent to church/fellowship, to God, or to the Bible, we have begun to shut God out of our lives. Let’s leave the door of our hearts constantly open to God, and we won’t need to worry about hearing His knock. Letting Him in is our only hope for lasting fulfillment. Amen!

Our Lord Jesus Christ knocks at the door of our heart because He wants to save us and have fellowship with us. He is patient and persistent in trying to get through to us – not breaking and entering, but knocking. He allows us to decide whether or not to open our life to Him.

Many have taken this verse as a help in evangelism, picturing our Lord Jesus Christ wanting to enter an individual’s heart. The context is actually Jesus Christ speaking to an entire church. The people in the church in Laodicea needed to accept our Lord Jesus Christ for the first time, for some of them had never made that commitment. Others needed to return to wholehearted faith in Him. Our Lord Jesus Christ is knocking on their door, desiring that the Laodicean church remember its need for Him and open the door. He would come in and share a meal with the believers, picturing table fellowship.

In Oriental fashion, this “eating” referred to the main meal of the day in which intimate friends would share together. Such a meal portrays the kind of fellowship that will exist in the coming Kingdom of the Messiah (Revelation 19:9; Isaiah 25:6-8; Luke 22:30). The church needed to repent of its self-sufficiency and compromise and return to our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Verse 21 describes that this promise that everyone who is victorious will sit with Jesus Christ on His throne refers to the heavenly Kingdom (see also Revelation 1:6, 9; 2:26-27). Believers’ reign with our Lord Jesus Christ is mentioned in several places in Scripture (see, for example, Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:28-30; Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:12). This promise is certain because our Lord Jesus Christ won that right for believers through His own victory on the Cross. Victorious over sin and death when He rose again, He sat with His Father on His throne (see Mark 16:19). Our Lord Jesus Christ promises that He will give all those who overcome the trials of their faith the right to rule with Him on His throne.

In Revelation Chapter 3 Verse 22 describes that at the end of each letter to these churches, the believers were urged to listen and understand what was written to them. Although a different message was addressed to each church, all the messages contain warnings and principles for everyone. Which letter speaks most directly to your church? Which has the greatest bearing on your own spiritual condition at this time? How will you respond?

Do you intentionally keep His life-changing presence and power on the other side of the door? We hope and pray that your answer is YES, and that will make a difference in your lives and others, too. Amen!

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

In Luke 16:19-31 NLT says, “19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. 22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. 24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ 25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ 27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ 29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ 30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ 31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’”

The Pharisees considered wealth to be a proof of a person’s righteousness. Our Lord Jesus Christ startled them with this story in which a diseased beggar is rewarded and a rich man is punished. The rich man did not go to hell because of his wealth but because he was selfish, refusing to feed Lazarus, take him in, or care for him. The rich man was hard-hearted in spite of his great blessings. The amount of money we have is not as important as the way we use it. What is your attitude toward your money and possessions? Do you hoard them selfishly, or do you use them to help others?

Finally, regarding the Pharisees’ attitude toward money (they “dearly loved” it, Luke 16:14), Our Lord Jesus Christ gave an illustration that vividly portrays the value of money in light of future judgment. This Lazarus should not be confused with the Lazarus whom our Lord Jesus Christ raised from the dead in John 11. Incidentally, this is the only person in any of our Lord Jesus Christ’s stories who is given a name. The rich man in this parable lived out the lifestyle afforded to the wealthy who lived in the Roman Empire. Splendid clothing, delicious food of all types, and days lived in luxury could be had by those with enough money.

In contrast, there is a poor diseased beggar. Ancient Rome had no middle class – there were the very rich and the very poor. Often the poor were reduced to begging in order to survive. This man, Lazarus, was sick, hungry, and abandoned, so he lay at the rich man’s door, longing for scraps from the rich man’s table. Leftovers were all he desired, and the rich man could easily have shared from his extravagance by sending a servant out with a plateful. But the rich man chose to spend his money on himself, refusing to share, probably not even taking notice of the poor man at his door. His wealth was not sinful, but his selfishness was. While he had everything he could possibly want, Lazarus lay hungry with even the dogs licking his open sores.

In Luke Chapter 16 Verses 22-23 describe that in time, both the rich man and Lazarus died, for death takes everyone regardless of social station or wealth. The rich man ended up in torment in the place of the dead, the destiny of those who have refused to believe. The “torment” is described in Luke 16:24 as “flames.” Added to the torment was the rich man’s ability to see paradise, with Abraham and Lazarus in peace and luxury. The role reversal is obvious – as Lazarus once lay in pain outside the door of the rich man’s house watching him feast, so here the rich man was in torment watching the joy far away in heaven.

In contrast, Lazarus must have been a God-fearing man, despite the fact that God had not allowed him an easy or pleasant lifetime on earth. When Lazarus died, the angels carried him to be with Abraham, another way of describing the Kingdom.
A theology of heaven and hell should not be based on our Lord Jesus Christ’s words here. Pressing the details too much will take us away from the main point of the illustration, which is to teach about the danger of pursuing wealth, as well as the finality of God’s judgment.

In Verses 24-25 describe that not only could the rich man in this story see into heaven’s bliss from his torment, but he could call out to those in paradise as well. He spoke to Father Abraham, a title any Jew would use for Abraham, the father of their nation (John 8:39). The request for Abraham to send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water shows that the rich man’s basic attitude had not changed. For all his deference to Abraham, he still thought of Lazarus as no more than a messenger who could be sent by Abraham to do the rich man a favor.

Abraham sent an answer, but not the one that the rich man wanted or even expected. The rich man may have thought there was a mistake. He had been rich, and if wealth was a sign of God’s blessing, why would he be in agony? Abraham explained that, during their time on earth, the rich man had everything, but Lazarus had nothing. While the rich man could have helped the poor within his reach (such as Lazarus), he chose only personal pleasure. The roles for eternity would be reversed.

Lazarus went from pain and hunger to comfort; the rich man went from pleasure and merriment to anguish. This would have unnerved the Pharisees who were listening to this parable. To them, wealth was a sign of God’s blessing, poverty a sign of God’s disfavor. So, they enjoyed their wealth and did not attempt to bridge the chasm that separated them from the “disfavored ones.” But our Lord Jesus Christ was explaining that another chasm would develop, and they would find themselves on the wrong side.

In Verse 26 describes that Abraham explained to the rich man that he couldn’t send Lazarus because between them and him was a great chasm and no one can cross over. The ultimate fates cannot be changed. God’s decision upon death is final. There is only one life on this earth, and that is the time of decision. People cannot wait until eternity to make their relationship right with God – it will be too late. The judgment will have been made on the basis of their choices, and it will be irreversible.

The rich man still thought Lazarus could be sent on messenger duty. If Lazarus could not come to help him, then he wanted Lazarus sent to warn his five brothers about the place of torment so they wouldn’t have to go there when they died. Abraham simply explained that they could read the words of Moses and the prophets (that is, the Old Testament) and there find the warnings about the place of torment. If those brothers hadn’t heeded the major message of God in his word, they would not heed a messenger.

In Verses 27-29 describe that the rich man still thought Lazarus could be sent on messenger duty. If Lazarus could not come to help him, then he wanted Lazarus sent to warn his five brothers about the place of torment so they wouldn’t have to go there when they died. Abraham simply explained that they could read the words of Moses and the prophets (that is, the Old Testament) and there find the warnings about the place of torment. If those brothers hadn’t heeded the major message of God in His word, they would not heed a messenger.

In Luke Chapter 16 Verses 30-31 describe that perhaps the rich man knew his brothers only too well. The suggestion that they read God’s word (or listen to it read in the synagogue) met with a no. It just wouldn’t happen – probably for the same reasons that the rich man himself never had heeded the warnings therein. So, the rich man begged that someone from the dead go back to them. Surely, then, they would turn from their sins. Abraham answered that if these brothers did not listen to Moses and the prophets, then they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead and appears to them.

Notice the irony in our Lord Jesus Christ’s statement; on His way to Jerusalem to die, He was fully aware that even when He had risen from the dead, most of the religious leaders would not accept Him. They were set in their ways, and neither Scripture nor God’s Son Himself would shake them loose.

A Call to Persevere

In Hebrews 10:19-25 NLT says “19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By His death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.!”

Through our Lord Jesus Christ’s death on our behalf, believers can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus Christ. Born-Again Christian believers have access to the heavenly sanctuary; that is, they have free access to God. Our Lord Jesus Christ now sits at God’s right hand as our High Priest in this heavenly sanctuary (see Hebrews 6:19-20; 8:1-2; 9:11-12, 24). The blood refers to our Lord Jesus Christ giving His life for us (see Hebrews 9:12, 14; 10:19, 29; 12:24; 13:12, 20). This encouragement for boldness is remarkable because, under the old covenant, the Most Holy Place was sealed from view by the sacred curtain. But our Lord Jesus Christ’s death in His human body opened up access to God. When our Lord Jesus Christ died on the Cross, the curtain in the Temple (which had replaced the Tabernacle) tore from top to bottom (Mark 15:38), thereby unveiling the glorious reality that believers now have free access to God. By means of His death, our Lord Jesus Christ opened the new, life-giving way. He truly was “the way” itself (John 14:6). Amen! Hallelujah!

In Hebrew 10:25, faithfulness in personal worship is the jewel in the soul of the believer. Here is the New Testament’s only specific challenge to attend local worship services on a regular basis. Faithfulness is all the more urgent, says the writer of Hebrews, because we can see the Day approaching. What day is the writer referring to? The day when our Lord comes for us. Then we shall behold Him face to face and the necessity for us to go to church to adore Him will be over.

The church/fellowship:  It’s always there – sometimes interesting, many times not. There’s virtue in attending church and/or fellowship, for there we meet with God and those who love Him. Why is this meeting time so special? Here are ten reasons for going to church and/or fellowship.

• There is one place that constantly reminds us that heaven exists – it’s the church/fellowship.
• God’s house is a constant reminder to the nation that the nation ought to be more like God’s house.
• God’s house is a place of worship, and worship is the hassle-stopper.
• Those who constantly run without stopping for God eventually become all legs and no heart.
• Church/Fellowship is the place for teaching our children the life of faith. It is a place where they are ever in training to become tomorrow’s moral giants.
• There we live in a community of need – our brothers and sisters, like ourselves, have many needs. We can lift them up as they lift us.
• There is praise there, and praise keeps us from living in a world where despair is common.
• The Bible is read in church. Just to hear these living Words of God gives us the power to triumph over our momentary problems.
• The Gospel is preached there, and where the Gospel is preached, people come to our Lord Jesus Christ.
• Our Lord Jesus Christ is exalted there, and anywhere that Jesus Christ is exalted is a place where our own spirits soar.

Hebrews 10:25 is a call not just to worship, but to worship in a specific place, where altars are central, and where God can be expected to show up. However, our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19). So, we must worship God in Spirit and in Truth. Amen! Praise the Lord!

Now, let’s talk about “Prayer and “Salvation”.

Prayer is the key that unlocks and reveals faith. Effective prayer needs both an attitude of complete dependence and the action of asking. Prayer demonstrates complete reliance on God. Thus, there is no substitute for prayer, especially in situations that seem impossible.

So, let our hearts and minds in tune with God, in the power of God, the Holy Spirit. Let’s continuously and persistently pray for God’s perfect will be done. We as Born-Again Christians have been tried and cleansed, we have moved freely into a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ that is more powerful than it was before our trials. We are at home in the presence and fellowship of God, for we are heirs with our Lord Jesus Christ, more like Him that we could ever have dreamed possible. So, let’s continuously and persistently pray for God’s perfect will be done. Amen!

The principle is that no one has anything of value to bring to God in order to deserve salvation, mercy, justification, or even a second glance from God. The proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored. Acceptance before God cannot be achieved by good deeds, piety, or any amount of self-proclaimed righteousness.

Let’s never get over the effect of God’s saving transformation on people’s lives. People who were lost in sin, filled with anger and bitterness, give up their hatred and become approachable as we have studied and learned last time. That is, of course, why we minister to others. Those of us who minister are not people to whom (fruit of the Holy Spirit) love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control comes naturally. We are people who have been remodeled by grace. We thankfully leave our old natures far behind as we embrace the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, the first of the list > agape love of God, and in our treatment of others. Amen!

Sunday by Sunday as we come to worship, let me encourage our brothers – and sisters-in-Christ, and I want my readers and listeners to be both strong in the faith and sensitive to others’ needs. Because all, we as Born-Again Christian believers are strong in certain areas and weak in others. We constantly need to monitor the effects of our behavior on others.

In these FAITHFULLNESS Series of Podcast, we will learn the following PURPOSES of this fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT:

• To receive God’s blessings
• Get a habit of spiritual dependency
• To have a persistent commitment to the right
• No compromise
• The Road That Ends in Victory
• High Art of Persistence

On every Podcast, I always have three (3) questions we can answer from only these two (2) Sources: The Bible and the Guidance of the Holy Spirit. The following are:

First is about our > Observation: What do these passages or Scriptures say to you?

Second is about our own > Interpretation: What do these passages or Scriptures mean to you?

Third is about how we can apply > Application: How do the meaning of these passages or Scriptures apply to you or to your situation?

If you are not sure that you are Born-Again Christian believer or you have relatives, loved ones, friends, neighbors, and people in your circle of influence, please take a look and/or guide them to one of our ministries, “An Invitation to Meet Our Lord Jesus Christ” at https://homefellowshipchurches.org/an-invitation-to-meet-our-lord-jesus-christ/

Let’s give an opportunity for the lost souls to experience on being Born-Again Christian as explained by our Lord Jesus Christ in the book of John 3 in the New Testament of the Bible.

It is as simple as A, B, & C > Admit, Believe, & Confess. All Born-Again Christian believers prayed this simple prayer, we called “Sinner’s Prayer”

“Father God, I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ. I acknowledge and admit that I am a sinner and I need a Savior. I believe and have faith in Jesus Christ who was born of Virgin Mary, died on the Cross for the penalty of my sins, and rose again that I may have the eternal life. I confess and declare Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord of my life. Please comfort, guide, and help me Holy Spirit to live and grow in my spiritual life according to Your Words, purpose, and perfect will of God, in my Lord Jesus Christ name, Amen!”

If you prayed this, “Sinner’s Prayer” sincerely in your heart, you are Born-Again Christian believer. However, you are a spiritual baby who needs to grow up. (See 1 Peter 2:2). You need to find a church or fellowship to grow spiritually. We are glad to establish or bring the fellowship to your own home if it is safer by appointment.

Now, let me pray for all of you:

Father God, we come into your presence in our Lord Jesus Christ name, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ for Your agape love and forgiveness you have done on the Cross of Calvary, and continue to intercede for us in prayer. Thank you, Holy Spirit as our Helper and Comforter. Thank you for the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, courage and strength. We cling, yield, plug-in and tune-in to you Holy Spirit to help us understand God’s Words, obey them, receive Your divine revelation, know the Truth that sets us free, and apply them in our lives, in our Lord Jesus Christ name, Amen!”

Let’s praise and worship God in Spirit and in Truth. Give all thanks to God for all answered prayers.

Please send your > Praise Reports (answered prayers) and New Prayer Requests via email to: trinityblessings@homefellowshipchurches.org. God bless you all and our families!

A Message to be Blessed:

A Call to Repentance and Be Blessed

In Malachi 3:7-15 AMPC says, “7 Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’ 8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it”, says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” [Malachi 2:2.] 11 “And I will rebuke the devourer (insects and plagues) for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine drop its fruits before the time in the field,” says the Lord of hosts. 12 “And all nations shall call you happy and blessed, for you shall be a land of delight”, says the Lord of hosts.

If the people would obey God, giving as they should, God would flood His people with blessings. There would be an overabundance of God’s blessing if He was given what He requested.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse – See 2 Chronicles 31:11; cf. 1 Chronicles 26:20; Nehemiah 10:38; 13:5, 12. If the temple storehouses were empty, it was the people’s fault. God had already blessed them with enough to give a little back to Him.

Instead of destroying our crops (blessings), God would make them come in greater abundance than we had ever imagined possible (Amos 4:9; Haggai 2:19; Zechariah 8:12). The devourer – probably referring to locusts, though the word here is general in meaning (Baldwin). In the Near East, locust swarms are known for their ability to damage huge tracts of agricultural land (see note on Joel 1:4).

A delightsome land – All of the blessings promised to Jacob would come to pass if the people would obey God (Deuteronomy 33:29; Zechariah 8:13). Their land would be a delight to all who saw it (Daniel 8:9).

The problem in Malachi 3:7-12 was the people’s departure from God as reflected by their neglect of tithes and offerings. Two annual tithes were required according to Israelite law – one for the Levites (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:21), and one to be used in worship at the annual feasts in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 14:22). A tithe was required every three years to provide for the needs of the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). There is debate as to whether this tithe for the poor was in addition to or served as a substitute for the tithe used in worship.

The New Testament pattern for tithing is proportionate giving – a person is to give “in relation to what you have earned” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Certainly a tithe should be given proportionate to one’s wealth, but not all proportionate giving is a tithe.

The anticipation of blessing for obedience to God’s command to tithe was based on the Mosaic covenant, which promised blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (Malachi 3:10; cf. Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Generally, God will meet the needs of His own people (Psalm 34:9-10; Philippians 4:19), but that is not an unconditional guarantee. There certainly were and are exceptions. Yet, where God chooses not to provide physically, He gives sufficient grace to go without (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The problem in Malachi 3:14-15 was that the people were guilty of arrogant words against God. They were saying, “There is no prophet who is serving God,” and “God is not concerned about justice.” God responded by showing that He did distinguish between the wicked and the righteous. The righteous would be blessed, and the wicked would be judged.