Weekly Reflection

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).

Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid. And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

As I contemplated many things while grieving over the souls of humanity and observing how Satan has blinded many, Jesus reminded me of His warning in Matthew 7:13–15: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

How often do you find yourself questioning whether we are in the last days referenced in this scripture? In Matthew 24:3–14, Jesus urges us to be vigilant in response to a question about the signs of His coming at the end of the age. He predicts various forms of chaos that will occur in the world and instructs us not to be alarmed. In verse 12, Jesus says, “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” Despite the chaos, Jesus assures us that there will be those who “stand firm to the end and will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). I believe that 2 Timothy 3:1–5 continues Jesus’ warning in Matthew 24:10–11, where he says, “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”