Weekly Reflection

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

In last week's devotional, I asked a question toward the end: Jesus is coming back, are you ready to face your Creator? This is not a question for just those who do not know Christ, it's also for me and anyone who professes to know Christ as their Lord and Savior (Matthew 12:43-45, 2 Peter 2:19-22). We should be alarmed by the fact that only a few will find the road to God, according to Jesus (Matthew 7:13-14). If you identify yourself as a Christian, have you thought about the possibility that our pride and confidence in our intellectual knowledge of God is our downfall that can cause us to miss the narrow road toward God's kingdom? Proverbs 28:26 says, "Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe." How does one walk in wisdom? We are bombarded with different energies all around us, spewing information into our minds from the moment we open our eyes until we close them at nighttime. That is why I have decided to believe and listen to the only man who lived on this earth and who also lives in heaven and understands the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Jesus Christ (Proverbs 9:10, John 3:13). Jesus said only in him can we find peace in this world. He went further to remind us that trouble is part of our existence in this world, and he tells us "But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Not only did he overcome the world He is coming back to complete his promise (Revelation 19:11-16).

Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Have you ever asked why did God planted the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the garden?  Let’s be real! Everyone who hears, reads, or listens to this part of God’s creation ponder on that question.  To understands God's mindset, you can't skip His last warning in verse 17: "…but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die" God does not practice trickery. From the beginning of creation, He gave us options. Unfortunately, many continue to choose death instead of life. In Genesis chapter 3, humans chose to listen to Satan's voice instead of God regarding the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The serpent was not Satan, but it had tendencies that invited the spirit of Satan to lead Eve and Adam astray. For many years, I have heard sermons suggesting that the woman was weaker, which is why Satan approached her first. As I read scripture and observed different species (female and male), I believe a unique transition occurred during the fall of humankind in the garden. Satan knew that if he could get through the stronger link, it would be easier to draw the weaker link to follow. Initially, God created men to represent His strength in authority. For example, God gave Adam instructions about what would happen if he ate from the tree and expected him to lead Eve. Eve was not yet created when God gave Adam these instructions; therefore, we can only assume Adam shared them with her because she repeated them to the serpent.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

God is a creator! As a young girl, I often wondered, "Who created God?" This question sparked my journey to understand His nature. In Genesis 1:2, we read, "Now the earth was formless and empty; darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Jesus further clarifies in John 4:24, stating, "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” Through my growing relationship with God in Jesus Christ, I’ve come to appreciate that God transcends human understanding. One essential truth is that God is both the beginning and the end. The Psalmist beautifully expresses this: "Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God" (Psalm 90:2). When we struggle to believe in God's existence, it often stems from our desire for a God that fits our limited human perspective. This quest for understanding is not new; it is echoed throughout scripture (see Isaiah 40; Romans 11:34-36; 1 Corinthians 2:11).

This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. So, God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.

This week, the world will welcome a new year—new to humankind but known by God. My prayer for you this new year is to seek refuge in Jesus Christ. I pray you choose joy, because if you seek happiness, Satan will lead you to disappointment.  Having Joy is a choice , despite your circumstances or the world around you, you remain hopeful and confident in knowing Jesus is in control and that you are merely transient on this earth. Jesus reminded us, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16: 33). Hebrews 11:1 must be our daily affirmation as we wait for Jesus to complete what He promised. Let us spread the truth of God’s prophecy in the hope that many will not be deceived and condemned. Let us not add to or take away from the Holy Word of God as we preach grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, reconciliation, judgment, condemnation, hell, and heaven, all of which are equally important as we share the gospel (Revelation 22:18–19).

But to as many as did receive Him, to those who put their trust in His person and power, He gave the right to become children of God, not because of bloodline, physical impulse or human intention, but because of God.

The Word became a human being and lived with us, and we saw His Sh’khinah, the Sh’khinah of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.

This week, as the Christmas lights shine around you and you engage in gatherings with family and friends, exchanging gifts, laughter, and fun, remember the true reason for the season. Remember Jesus, the Word of God who became flesh, and the power that God gave Him to save anyone who believes in Him. Remember that the gift does not depend on your “bloodline, physical impulse, or human intention, but because of God.” Remember that although salvation began with the Jews, they are no longer the sole focus, though some still believe them to be the chosen nation. God, through Jesus’ blood, has made all people the focus of salvation.

He was faithful to the one who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus has been found worthy of the greater honor than Moses, as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. Every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.

I have always loved the Christmas holiday. However, as I continue to grow in my relationship with Christ, God through the Holy Spirit has opened my eyes to see how I, just like most Christians, have fallen for the concept of baby Jesus instead of recognizing the power that entered the world to save our souls. Yeshua came to warn the world and provided us a way to God, but he will return not only to reward those who have found the narrow road but also to conquer and judge those who have chosen wickedness (Matthew 13:40–42, 25:41, etc.). I know that the Christmas holiday originated as a pagan celebration to worship natural planetary phenomena (Saturnalia for the winter solstice and Sol Invictus, the sun god, adopted by the Romans from the Persian solar god, Mithra) as gods. Another fact is that the Bible does not specify the exact date of Jesus’ birth. If you are like me, every day is Jesus’ birthday because every time someone dies to themselves and resurrects as a new creation, it symbolizes a new birth that continues to build the body of Christ (Galatians 2:20–21, Romans 6:4, John 11:25).