jesus

Grace fills the Emptiness

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“Father God, please guide me as I write this article based on Your Word. Help me to write this to glorify You, and let Your words bring clarity to those who seek You. May Your truth help people discern and embrace correct beliefs. I pray and seek everything in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Hi there my Brothers and Sisters in Christ! I once felt a deep emptiness in my life, caused by my own sins and mistakes. I tried to fill this void with various things, but nothing satisfied me. It was only when I turned to God and received His grace that I found true fulfillment. His forgiveness healed my heart, His love filled my soul, and His presence gave me a new purpose. The emptiness was replaced with a deep sense of peace and joy that only His grace can provide.

Diving in

In our journey through life, we often experience a deep sense of emptiness. This emptiness can come from various sources, but many times it is the result of sin. Sin separates us from God, creating a void in our hearts. However, the beautiful message of the Gospel is that God’s grace is greater than our sin. His grace fills our emptiness and restores our relationship with Him.

Understanding the Emptiness Emptiness can feel like a hole in our hearts, a longing for something more. When we sin, we turn away from God and try to fill this void with other things—success, possessions, relationships, or pleasures. But nothing can truly satisfy us except God’s love. As Saint Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

The Consequences of Sin Sin brings emptiness because it separates us from God, the source of all life and joy. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This separation leaves us feeling empty and unfulfilled. We might try to ignore it or cover it up, but the emptiness remains until we turn back to God.

The Gift of Grace The good news is that God’s grace is always available to us, no matter how far we have strayed. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” God’s grace is a free gift that fills our emptiness and brings us back into His loving presence.

How Grace Fills Our Emptiness

  1. Forgiveness and Redemption: Through His grace, God forgives our sins and redeems us. This forgiveness removes the guilt and shame that sin brings, filling us with peace and joy. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” When we receive His forgiveness, the emptiness caused by sin is replaced with a sense of wholeness.
  2. Restoration of Relationship: Grace restores our broken relationship with God. Sin creates a barrier between us and God, but His grace removes that barrier and draws us back to Him. Romans 5:10 explains, “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” This restored relationship fills the void in our hearts.
  3. New Life in Christ: God’s grace gives us a new life in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This new life is filled with purpose, meaning, and the joy of knowing and serving God. The emptiness is replaced with the fullness of life in Christ.
  4. Empowerment to Live Righteously: Grace not only forgives our past sins but also empowers us to live righteously. Titus 2:11-12 teaches, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age.” This empowerment helps us avoid the emptiness that sin brings and live in the fullness of God’s love.

Jesus is the Living Water

In the Gospel of John, Jesus describes Himself as the living water, a source that never runs dry. In John 4:13-14, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” This living water symbolizes the eternal satisfaction and fulfillment that only Jesus can provide. No matter how deep our emptiness or how parched our souls may feel, Jesus offers an abundant and unending supply of spiritual nourishment.

God’s capacity to fill our emptiness is limitless. Ephesians 3:20 reassures us that God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” This means that no matter how vast our emptiness or how overwhelming our needs, God’s grace and love are more than sufficient to fill and exceed them. Our human limitations and brokenness are no match for His infinite power and generosity. When we come to Him with our emptiness, He not only fills us but also overflows our lives with His blessings and love.

The promise of living water is a testament to God’s unwavering commitment to meet our deepest needs. In Isaiah 58:11, the prophet declares, “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” This imagery reinforces the truth that in Christ, we find a constant and reliable source of life and refreshment. No matter how desolate or empty we may feel, God’s presence and His provision through Jesus ensure that we are continually refreshed and restored.

Wrapping up

If you are feeling empty today, remember that God’s grace is available to you. No matter how deep the emptiness or how great the sin, His grace is greater. Turn to Him, confess your sins, and receive His forgiveness. Let His grace fill your emptiness and restore your relationship with Him. Embrace the new life that He offers and live in the fullness of His love.

I SAW JESUS IN MY DREAM!

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I DONT KNOW WHERE TO START OR HOW TO START. I WILL STILL TRY!

I SAW JESUS! I KNOW HE IS THE ONE, BEYOND ANY DOUBT, I KNOW ITS HIM, IT CANT BE ANYONE ELSE.

Background

I am in my late 30s, brought up in a Catholic home where the name of Jesus was not new to me. I came to know the Lord when I was 21. There have been times when I’ve been passionate about my faith and other times when I’ve been lukewarm. Even at my worst, God was with me. I’ve had a few supernatural experiences myself. Many theologians have counseled me, providing strong explanations for God’s existence. Despite this, I often heard a voice asking, “What if all that I know is not real?” This doubt would drag me back to square one. Although I defend God, inside, there was always the fear, “What if I am imagining all this?”

Stage

I had the worst day of my life on May 21, 2024. I was shattered, heartbroken, and contemplating suicide. I’m afraid of suicide because it is considered an unforgivable sin, and I didn’t want to go to Hell. You see, I am 99.99% sure that I believe in God, Heaven, and Hell. I was asking God to let me die in an accident because I didn’t want to continue living. I felt like a total failure. With a heavy heart, I went to sleep, exhausted both physically and emotionally.

Dream

In my dream, I was in Hell. It wasn’t a fiery place with scenes of torture as I had imagined. Instead, it was like a dark cave, poorly lit. The room was filled with 30 or 40 people, all destined to spend eternity there. I saw Jesus there. He was the most humane person I have ever seen. Until then, I had heard that Jesus would come as a light or a warrior with a sword. But here, He was gentle and not intimidating. He was slender with a dark complexion and a sharp, straight nose. His eyes were the definition of grace. Even though He was not intimidating, I couldn’t look into His eyes for more than a fraction of a second. I looked here and there but never managed to maintain eye contact with Him. I approached Him and asked, “Father, why are You here?” Although He is the Son of God, I have always called Jesus “Father.”

He replied, “To rescue us all!” His face showed genuine concern, very serious, very sad, with a desperation to save. I said, “You did it already 2,000 years ago,” referring to His crucifixion and resurrection. He said, “It’s happening now, happened before, and will continue to happen.” He mentioned the present first, then the past, and future. We are used to past, present, and future, so I didn’t understand why He said it in that order.

That’s all. Preachers have painted a very scary picture of Judgment Day and Hell. In fact, I am scared to read the book of Revelation.

Aftermath

There is a 99.99% chance that it was just a dream, but what it did to me was supernatural. More than anything, I have seen my Savior. The image I had of Him is completely gone except for the few details I mentioned. I am contemplating what happened. My 99.99% belief became 100%. I am completely convinced He is real. I had a core unaddressed issue: I needed an image of God to feel connected. I was told it was a sin to seek an image of God because He is too majestic. The portrait of Jesus I had seen in the Catholic church was the image of God I had earlier aligned with—a fair person with long hair and a beard, showing His hand and bleeding heart. But the Jesus I saw in my dream was nothing like that. I was excited to share it with my sister Jebi and her husband JS. When I shared, they were more excited than me. They encouraged me to pursue this. I believe with certainty that God brought them into my life when I needed them the most.

What It Did to Me

I can see Him when I pray with my eyes closed. I might forget everything about His appearance, but the grace in His eyes encourages me to pray and hold on to Him. I was confused about what would happen when I die—whether I would remain dead until Jesus’ second coming or be immediately taken to judgment and sent to Heaven or Hell. I believe I got answers for that. We see time from our perspective, but God’s timeline is beyond our understanding. JS explained Chronos and Kairos, which gave me a perspective I had in mind for a long time. It also made sense why Jesus described the present first. Listening to the song “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know” fills me with joy. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but God has filled me with joy that the enemy can never steal.

Revisiting the Dream(23/05/24)

I couldn’t get enough of the experience. I wanted to experience more of it. And I was hoping to see Jesus again yesterday 22/05/24. But he didn’t. There was a sense of emptiness that no one could fill. Infact I had dream so bad that I am ashamed to share. And it was a nightmare, Jesus woke me up before I committed a sin in my dream. I wanted to forget the yesterday. I couldn’t believe that I could have the Sweetest Dream one day and Have a Shameful Dream the next day. I still woke up with a comfort that God stopped me before I committed anything wrong. But this puts me back in square one. I was in my lowest. I played my favourite song. Jesus Loves me this I know. I started singing it to my hearts content. God encouraged me, I failed again so what? Count all your blessings. I was happy. Instead of focusing on bad, let my focus be on the Holy. 

Reorientation of my Focus on Jesus

I revisited my dream. I tried to understand more what it could mean. I felt like a curious kid. Why were we in hell, why me? Obviously I knew the reason. If we were already sent to hell, why Jesus came to rescue us? Does it mean there is still a way for us? And why He stressed so much on present. What it could mean. Does he mean, the present is more critical? I don’t have an answer yet.

Another thing I missed out to mention earlier. When I already know it was Jesus. I asked Him if he is… Before I completed, He said ‘I am’. Though I am convinced that my belief is true. I had a doubt. The Jesus in Bible always answers with a question. That wasn’t the case with me. He answered with simple answers. Why? Could it all be my imagination. I had this doubt and when I was writing this. The Holy Spirit reminded me this John 16:25-27 “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God.

JESUS IS THE KNOWN WAY TO GOD! 

The One and Only Offensive element for Christians

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“Father God, please guide me as I write this article based on Your Word. Help me to write this to glorify You, and let Your words bring clarity to those who seek You. May Your truth help people discern and embrace correct beliefs. I pray and seek everything in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Hi there fellow believers in Christ!

Diving In

The Armor of God, described in Ephesians 6:10-18, equips believers with divine protection against spiritual warfare. While most pieces of the armor are defensive, one stands out as an offensive weapon – the Sword of the Spirit. Let’s delve into the significance of this powerful weapon and how it empowers believers in their spiritual walk.

The Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God

The Sword of the Spirit is explicitly mentioned in Ephesians 6:17 as the “Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” This refers to the Holy Scriptures – the Bible – which serves as the foundation of our faith and a source of wisdom, guidance, and truth. By immersing ourselves in God’s Word, we become better equipped to face challenges and resist temptation.

Offensive Nature of the Sword of the Spirit

Unlike the other pieces of the Armor of God, the Sword of the Spirit is the only weapon designed for offensive use. When wielded effectively, it allows believers to actively engage in spiritual warfare, striking back against the enemy’s schemes and deceptions.

The Power of Truth

The Sword of the Spirit draws its power from the truth contained within the Word of God. By studying, memorizing, and applying Scripture in our daily lives, we can counter the lies of the enemy and protect ourselves from spiritual attacks. Jesus Himself demonstrated this when He resisted Satan’s temptations in the wilderness by quoting Scripture (Matthew 4:1-11).

Sharpening the Sword

To effectively wield the Sword of the Spirit, we must invest time and effort in studying God’s Word. This involves regular Bible reading, joining Bible studies or small groups, and actively applying the principles we learn to our lives. As we grow in our understanding of Scripture, our sword becomes sharper, and our offensive capabilities become more potent.

Wrapping It Up

The Sword of the Spirit is a vital component of the Armor of God, offering believers a powerful offensive weapon against spiritual forces. By embracing the truth of God’s Word and investing in our spiritual growth, we can unleash the transformative power of this divine weapon in our daily lives.

Story Time

In the bustling city, a sincere young Christian named Steve grappled with challenges in his spiritual journey. Although his love for God was deep, Steve often found himself feeling defeated and uncertain. He had heard of the Armor of God but had never paid much attention to it, believing that his devotion to the Lord would be enough to shield him from darkness.

One day, Steve encountered a charismatic speaker who infiltrated his church, manipulating the congregation by twisting Scripture to serve his agenda. The speaker frequently quoted Matthew 7:1, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged,” asserting that no one had the right to question his teachings or actions.

Feeling lost and confused, Steve sought counsel from an Elder Christian, who shared the significance of the Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God – and its vital role in the Armor of God. The elder emphasized that a profound understanding of Scripture would not only safeguard believers from deception but also empower them to stand firm against the enemy.

Invigorated by this newfound wisdom, Steve dove into studying the Bible with fervor. As he immersed himself in God’s Word, his understanding grew, and he began to recognize the speaker’s deceitful tactics. Steve discovered that while Matthew 7:1 warns against hypocritical judgment, it does not imply that Christians should never exercise discernment or hold others accountable for their actions.

One fateful day, the deceptive speaker tried to manipulate Steve, but he was no longer the vulnerable believer he once was. Armed with the Sword of the Spirit, Steve confronted the distorted interpretation with the truth of God’s Word. This encounter was a pivotal moment in Steve’s spiritual journey, as he recognized the power of knowing Scripture and the importance of the Armor of God.

Empowered by the Sword of the Spirit, Steve began assisting other congregation members in identifying and resisting the speaker’s deception. Through his trials and growth, Steve discovered his calling: to confront the enemy head-on, using the Word of God as his powerful weapon.

Steve’s story serves as a powerful reminder for believers everywhere. In a world teeming with spiritual challenges, the Armor of God, particularly the Sword of the Spirit, equips us with the knowledge and strength to stand strong in our faith. As Steve’s experience illustrates, a deep understanding of God’s Word enables us to discern truth from falsehood, empowering us to resist the enemy’s deceptions and walk steadfastly in our faith.

Dreams, or Is it a Nightmare?

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 “Father God, please guide me as I write this article based on Your Word. Help me to write this to glorify You, and let Your words bring clarity to those who seek You. May Your truth help people discern and embrace correct beliefs. I pray and seek everything in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”

Hi there fellow believers in Christ! I like to recommend watching the sermon by Pastor Abilash from NLAG on Dreams rather than reading the blog. He had given extensive details and practical suggestions.

I have been experiencing nightmares for a while now. Up until recently, my understanding was that dreams are merely reflections of my own thoughts. Over a period of a few months, I had dreams in which I encountered people I had never met before, yet somehow recognized. There were also recurring patterns in my dreams, such as a constant feeling of terror due to something I had committed, a pervasive sense of shame, or overwhelming anxiety. I attributed these dreams to unresolved childhood trauma or forgotten events from my past.

I came across a recorded sermon by Pastor Abilash from NLAG, which provided a fresh perspective on dreams. In the sermon, he suggested that dreams could also be externally influenced, an intriguing idea that resonated with me. One piece of advice he shared was that during sleep, if one has a nightmare, calling upon the name of Jesus can break the nightmare. I contemplated this thought and, surprisingly, that very same night, I had a dream that put this advice to the test.

I found myself in a desert, confronted by a mysterious figure resembling a man, akin to a simple sketch by a three-year-old child. Though initially fearful, I felt protected by a shield I held. As more figures appeared, I grew confident in my defensive capabilities, even though I lacked offensive options. However, my confidence faltered when one of the figures managed to push its hands and head through my shield. In a moment of terror, I called out “Jesus,” and, just as Pastor Abilash had said, the dream abruptly ended. This experience was quite unusual for me, as I rarely remember two dreams in a single night. Perhaps the ending of the second dream allowed me to recall the previous one more vividly.
In another dream, I had a strong determination to fix a beloved pair of Woodland shoes. The tongue of one shoe had come loose due to poor stitching, and I had been meaning to repair it but kept putting it off. In the dream, I finally decided to address the issue, but as I attempted to fix it by taking it to shoe stitcher, I noticed all the stitches unraveled, and the pieces started falling apart. Despite this setback, I gathered the parts, put them in a cloth bag, and remained determined to find a way to fix the shoe and use it my heart’s content

Both of these dreams left me reflecting on the significance of spiritual guidance and the power of perseverance in overcoming the obstacles that confront us in our daily lives.
Diving In
Nightmares can be scary, leaving us feeling unsettled and disturbed. Sometimes, they’re caused by stress, anxiety, or past experiences. While the Bible doesn’t talk about nightmares specifically(or I am not aware of), it does offer guidance on facing fear and seeking comfort in God.
Nightmares and Fear
Nightmares can bring feelings of fear, worry, or dread. But the Bible tells us to trust in God, who is greater than any fear: “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me” (Psalm 23:4). When we face nightmares, we can remember that God is always with us, ready to provide comfort and strength.
God’s Comfort in Nightmares
If we call on God during frightening dreams, we can find peace in His presence. In the Bible, people often cried out to God when they were afraid or in danger, like when David said: “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4). By turning to God during nightmares, we invite His calming presence into our lives.
Jesus

Calling upon the name of Jesus will end any evil interferences. For a simpleton like me, there can’t be any more comfort. To do this, we must also be faithful, have at most faith in Christ’s Authority
Finding Hope in Nightmares
Though nightmares can be unpleasant, they can also give us a chance to reflect on our lives and grow in our faith. The Bible says: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance” (Romans 5:3). Nightmares may lead us to explore our emotions, connect with God, and seek healing for past hurts.
Nightmares and Prayer
Prayer is a powerful tool to cope with nightmares. We can pray for protection from scary dreams, for understanding their meanings, or for peace of mind. The Bible says: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6). Through prayer, we invite God’s love and guidance into our lives, finding comfort during difficult times.
Wrapping It Up
While nightmares can be frightening, they can also be an opportunity to lean on God and grow in faith. Remember to turn to God for comfort, pray for guidance, and trust that He is greater than any fear. By doing so, we can face nightmares with courage and hope, knowing that we are never alone.