Having Bible knowledge and understanding is great, however if the scriptures are not living and active in our lives, it is all in vain (Hebrews 4:12-13). The life application selections contain thoughts provoking, real life challenges that will prayerfully transform us to be more like Jesus in our spiritual journey. James 1:23-27 challenges us to not just merely listen or read the scriptures, it says “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” Do not miss your blessings my friends!
By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."
The Power That Saves
Have you ever taken time to consider why the Word of God continually reminds us that Jesus came to save us?
Why do we need the gospel to save us, and from whom?
My friend, when people seek to be saved, it is because they are trapped or in a situation where they are not safe. So why do we say we believe Jesus came to save us, yet fear talking about the one He came to save us from?
“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” — 1 John 3:8 (NIV)
My friends, unless you ask God to help you see the spiritual warfare raging for your soul, you will never understand the magnitude of Jesus Christ dying for you. Like a snake’s venom running through the body, the enemy’s work can destroy.
By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry
“God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you…”
Notice Paul’s words:
“God, whom I serve in my spirit…”
Paul’s ministry was not merely an occupation, a religious responsibility, or a public platform.
He served God from the depths of who he was.
And what was at the center of his service?
“…preaching the gospel of his Son.”
Jesus Christ was the center of Paul’s message.
By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry
GRATITUDE: WHAT IS YOUR LIFE TESTIFYING?
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."
Gratitude! How is your gratitude?
When we think about gratitude, we often think about being thankful for the things God has given us: our families, our health, our provision, another day of life. But Apostle Paul’s life challenges us to look even deeper.
Paul lived a life of complete surrender to Jesus Christ because he understood the grace and mercy he had been given, grace he knew he did not deserve.
Paul never forgot who he was before Jesus encountered him. He had persecuted the followers of Jesus, yet instead of receiving the judgment he deserved, Paul encountered the grace of Jesus Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NIV), Paul declared:
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect."
Paul’s gratitude was not simply expressed through his words. His gratitude showed in how he lived.
By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”
This Scripture continues to ring in my mind as I meditate on Romans 1:8, where Paul is praising the faith of the church in Rome, a faith that was being reported throughout the world.
My friends, do you believe that, together with the believers in your congregation and throughout the world we are God’s temple?
Notice, I did not ask, “Do you feel it?”
Feelings are fleeting, but knowing and believing should be evident in the lives of those who understand that they are God’s temple.
By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me."
My friends, studying Romans 1:1–7 has caused me to reflect on my own journey as a follower of Jesus.
How often do you stop and reflect on the grace of God in your life?
Paul makes a powerful statement: “By the grace of God I am what I am.”
To understand the weight of those words, we must remember who Paul was before grace transformed him.
By Annaika Dastine | Founder, Who Is This Jesus? Ministry
"I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith."
Deep-Seeded Love
Have you ever loved someone so deeply that your heart longed simply to be with them?
As I read Romans 1:10–14, I am deeply moved by Paul's love for the believers in Rome. Although he had never met many of them, they were continually on his heart. He prayed for them, longed to visit them, and desired to strengthen their faith.
What strikes me most is that Paul's desire was not centered on himself. He was not seeking recognition or building a following. His greatest longing was to encourage fellow believers and see the gospel continue to bear fruit.
Who Is This Jesus? Ministry, Inc. is a nonprofit organization based in North Carolina.