Discouraging Words...🙏🌿🌼🕊

The Battle of Stalingrad during World War II was arguably the bloodiest battle in human history, with combined casualties estimated above 1.5 million. In 1942 the German army, with the Axis forces, had nearly captured the sprawling Russian city. But by 1943, after months of brutal house-to-house fighting, the Russian military defending Stalingrad managed to turn the tables and surround Hitler’s Sixth Army—the besiegers became the besieged.

In addition to a heavy bombing campaign, the Russians placed powerful loudspeakers within the listening range of German soldiers. A series of sound tactics were used to discourage the German troops. For example, they played the loud, monotonous ticking of a clock, followed by a voice saying, “A German dies every seven seconds on the Eastern Front.” The propaganda voice then intoned, “Stalingrad, mass grave of Hitler’s army!” and then creepy tango music would start blaring across the empty frozen wasteland. Demoralized and starved, 91,000 German soldiers eventually surrendered.

Samson, the mighty judge of Israel, surrendered the secret of his strength when Delilah pestered him over and over. Her words eventually broke him down until “his soul was vexed to death that he told her all his heart”. Discouraging words have a powerful force on our lives. We don’t even need to audibly hear them. They can bring us down just by thinking negative thoughts.

Wise Solomon penned, “The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and a good report makes the bones healthy” (Proverbs 15:30), and Paul encouraged, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just,...

—meditate on these things" 

Do not surrender to the enemy by listening to negative words or negative report (GOSSIP). 

Think and talk faith! Repeat the promises of God. Believe in the Bible and stand firm against discouraging words.

100% to God = 0% Compromise to the world! 

Happy and Joyful Sabbath as We are filled with this Hope that Burns within Our Heart!

We are United in Christ!  

Jesus is Coming Very Soon!  

PRAISE THE LORD!💖

Living In Name Only...🙏🌿🌼🕊

The church at Sardis was supposed to be filled with the Spirit, but while it had “a name that you are alive … you are dead.”

How was it dead? By not being fully alive spiritually! Many members of the Sardis church were apparently too comfortable with sin, too unfamiliar with repentance and reformation. If your daily life doesn’t reflect Christ’s life, doesn’t show His love to others, then what use is a pious display?

Merely going to church doesn’t make one a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you a Ford or a Subaru. Being a Christian involves more than attending worship services or putting a bumper sticker on your car. It involves a change of heart, a change of life, a change that can come only in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The question, as we shall see in subsequent verses about Sardis, is whether the church was united in seeking that power. Yes, the members had found the truth of Jesus as Messiah. But what were they doing with it? What impact was it having in their lives, in their families, in their community?

Lord Jesus, keep me mindful that being Your follower isn’t a “label” but a way of life. Keep me close to You, fill me with the Holy Spirit, and enable me to turn away from sin towards life!

100% to God = 0% Compromise to the world! 

Happy and Joyful Sabbath as We are filled with this Hope that Burns within Our Heart!

We are United in Christ!  

Jesus is Coming Very Soon!  

PRAISE THE LORD!💖

God Is Our Defender...🙏🌿🌼🕊

Today’s Word:

Have you ever wondered, Where is God when you feel attacked? Where is He when others plot against you?

In 2 Kings 6, the king of Aram planned to ambush Israel. But each time, God revealed his plans to Elisha, who warned the king of Israel. Frustrated, the king of Aram shifted his target to Elisha himself. He sent an army to surround Elisha, but God stepped in. God blinded the enemy, confusing and scattering them. Even when we can’t see God’s protection, He is working on our behalf. When the enemy surrounds us, God surrounds them.

Think of Esther and Mordecai. Haman plotted to kill them and even built gallows to hang Mordecai. But God saw every detail of Haman's scheme. In the end, the very gallows meant for Mordecai became Haman’s downfall (Esther 7:10). God turned Haman’s plans against him. Without lifting a finger in vengeance, Esther and Mordecai trusted God, and He defended them.

So when you feel attacked or vulnerable, remember: God sees all and knows all. Romans 12:19 says, “Do not take revenge…‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Instead of fighting back, focus on trusting God, doing good, and letting Him defend you.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, thank You for this beautiful and blessed day. Father, thank You for protecting me, even when I can’t see it. Help me trust You fully, knowing You are my Defender and my ONLY Judge. Teach me to release the need for revenge and to rest in Your care. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

100% to God = 0% Compromise to the world! 

Happy and Joyful Sabbath as We are filled with this Hope that Burns within Our Heart!

We are United in Christ!  

Jesus is Coming Very Soon!  

PRAISE THE LORD!💖

Taking Measure...🙏🌿🌼🕊

Creating the Panama Canal required sophisticated measurements that were limited at the turn of the century. John the Revelator was asked in vision to take measurements, not of a canal, but of “the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there” (Revelation 11:1). Why would John be asked to conduct these measurements? Like in Ezekiel’s vision, the restoration of God’s work was marked by taking careful measure. Have you measured your own heart to see where you stand with The Lord?

100% to God = 0% Compromise to the world! 

Happy and Joyful Sabbath as We are filled with this Hope that Burns within Our Heart!

We are United in Christ!  

Jesus is Coming Very Soon!  

PRAISE THE LORD!💖

Our Faith Falters...🙏🌿🌼🕊

Today's Word:

Have you ever made a promise to God, only to find yourself struggling to keep it? Have you ever declared your faith, yet faltered when the pressure came? Peter told Jesus he would never deny Him (Matthew 26:33-34), and the Israelites declared, "All that the Lord has said we will do" (Exodus 19:8). They meant it. So, what went wrong?

Peter missed the chance to build his spiritual muscles when he failed to stay up and pray with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:40-41). He relied on his own strength, and when the testing time came, he wasn’t ready. Isn’t it the same for us? When we depend on ourselves, we find ourselves weak and unprepared for the trials. 1 Corinthians 10:12 reminds us to take heed, for even when we think we stand strong, we are in danger of falling.

But here’s the beauty of God’s grace: He doesn’t discard us when we fail. Like the potter with the clay (Jeremiah 18:4), He keeps working with us, shaping and reshaping us according to His purpose. God knows our weaknesses and our future decisions, yet He always provides an opportunity for restoration. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (Isaiah 1:18). He is faithful and just to forgive our sins (1 John 1:9).

When we fail, God doesn’t turn His back. He offers us the chance to repent and grow from our mistakes, molding us into something new. Our failures are not the end—they are simply moments where we can learn to trust Him more.

Today's Prayer:

Father, thank You for this beautiful and blessed day. I ask for Your grace to help me stand strong in times of testing. When I fail, remind me that You are the Potter, reshaping me in Your love. Thank You for Your faithfulness and for never giving up on me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

100% to God = 0% Compromise to the world! 

Happy and Joyful Sabbath as We are filled with this Hope that Burns within Our Heart!

We are United in Christ!  

Jesus is Coming Very Soon!  

PRAISE THE LORD!💖