Posted by: missionventureministries | June 28, 2023

HOW TO DEVELOP PATIENCE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY – James 1:2-4

James 1 vs 2-4

Throughout the Bible, there are numerous teachings about patience and its importance in the life of a Christian. One of the most well-known passages about patience is found in James 1:2-4, which says: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” 

Patience is also listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, which says: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” 

As we see, patience is not just a personal attribute but is something that is produced in a person through the work of the Holy Spirit. It is a sign of spiritual growth and maturity in a Christian. It is a virtue that is important for the Christian to have. 

Even while our patience is tested, we must be mindful of the process of sanctification and how God is at work in our difficulties, to make us more like Jesus. 

At times we may encounter frustrating people and situations, and Scripture tells us to “put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity” (Colossians 3:12-14). 

We might feel like lashing out, but God wants us to stay calm and be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Scripture has a number of things to say about believers developing this important attribute. 

  • First, it is our calling. God urges us to be tolerant, kind, and bear each other’s burdens (Ephesians 4:2-3).
  • Second, the Lord has set an example for us as He demonstrated patience toward Peter’s actions, the crowd’s demands, and the Jewish leader’s false accusations.
  • And third, we should recognize how damaging impatience is. It can hurt others and close off dialogue. Responding calmly gives people room to confess wrongdoing, explain their attitude, and make changes. 

When we rely on the Holy Spirit, He empowers us to be patient through moments of waiting and provocation, without becoming agitated. A calm demeanor in times of adversity can be a powerful witness to the transforming work of God. 

Patience takes self-control, determination and faith to master, especially in the face of adversity. The journey towards becoming a patient person can be challenging, but it is one that is worth taking. 

As believers, we are called to follow the example of Christ, who exhibited patience throughout His life, even in the most trying moments. The Bible also provides us with teachings and guidance on how we can cultivate patience in our daily lives. 

Developing patience is crucial for Christians because it allows us to trust in God’s plan for our lives, even when we don’t understand it. Patience is not just about waiting, but it is also about how we wait. It involves a mindset of trust, hope, and perseverance. 

So why is patience so important in the Christian life? 

  • Patience strengthens our faith as we demonstrate our trust in God’s perfect timing and His plan for our lives. 
  • Patience allows us to overcome obstacles as we face any challenge with courage and hope. 
  • When we exercise patience, we demonstrate grace and understanding towards others, even when they may frustrate or disappoint us. 
  • Patience promotes peace and unity and helps us build stronger relationships with others. 

Developing patience takes time, effort, and practice. It involves being able to control our emotions, remain calm in difficult situations, and wait for things to happen in their determined time. 

When we are patient, we are able to understand and empathize with others, which in turn improve our communication and relationships. It also helps us to maintain a positive attitude and trust in God’s plan for our life, even when things don’t happen as planned. 

By taking a step back and remaining calm in challenging situations, we are able to think rationally and make better decisions. When we are patient with others, we are more willing to listen and understand their perspective, which can help us communicate more effectively. 

Remember, patience is not just about waiting for something to happen, but about trusting in God’s plan and timing. These verses can provide encouragement and peace during those difficult times in our life. 

“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” – Psalm 27:14 

“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31 

“The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” – Lamentations 3:25 

Therefore, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act.” – Psalm 37:5 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | June 21, 2023

GROWING IN FAITH THROUGH THE STORM – Isaiah 41:10

Isaiah 41 VS 10 Growing thru and after the storm

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10) 

Where is your faith when the storm comes? Jesus asked His disciples this question, reminding us that our faith is tested especially in difficult times. 

If there is ever a time when it seems as if panic would be legitimate, it’s when we are in a major storm and our boat is being swamped. And yet Jesus rebuked not only the storm, but also the disciples’ lack of faith! The fact is, storms often expose how we are not trusting in the Lord and often, a crisis shows us a side of ourselves we were blind to. The Lord uses it to reveal new areas where we need to learn to trust Him. We all must come to know our weakness so that we will rely on the Lord’s strength.

Most of us have been in a storm, are going through one, or will be in one in the near future. In Matthew 14:22-33 the disciples were in a huge storm in the middle of a relatively large lake. They were exhausted, scared and needed help. Right when the storm was at its peak the disciples see a figure in the distance and we know from Scripture that Jesus was walking on the sea towards their rescue. 

Jesus is walking towards our storm as well and will calm it also, but we must have faith and trust in Him. 

Here are three encouraging verses that we can hold on to in the midst of our storm. 

  • He’s in the storm with you. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging… The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:1-3, 11). 
  • Take courage. “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:24). 
  • Have faith. “From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2). 

We need to ask God to teach us to have faith not only during the storms of our life but always. We need to learn to let Him be in control. 

If you are churning on the high seas, call out, take courage and keep His perspective. The Anchor of our soul is walking toward each one of us that is facing a storm, with rescue on His mind. 

The force of nature regularly demonstrate their power in our world and just as mankind is powerless against hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes and nature’s power; we must remember that there is the One who has power over all these forces, who is greater than we can imagine, and who will take care of us. 

On another night on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus gave His disciples a glimpse of His majestic glory as seen by the account of Mark 4:35-41 where He demonstrates His power over the natural world. 

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey Him!” 

Only the Lord of all creation (Colossians 1:16-17) could calm the storm with a word. Only the God of the universe could speak peace to the raging sea and that is what He can do for each one of us. 

Storms often hit our lives too. They rush in, often popping up quickly like that storm on the Sea of Galilee. We have little power to stop them but Jesus has the power to calm the storms in our life. 

When trouble comes, we may react much like the disciples in the storm, with fear and doubt. But we need to remember that He will always work for our ultimate spiritual good and for His own glory. 

Every trial is an opportunity for God to teach us more about Him and to reveal Himself to us in a new way. Each difficulty and struggle opens the door for God to display His power in our lives. We need to trust Him to do what only He can do because, He sees, cares and most of all He is able. 

Are you on the high seas without an anchor? Do you need Jesus to show up and bring stability, sanity, and clarity in your storm? Then, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | June 14, 2023

THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD – Lamentations 3:22-23

Lamentations 3 vs 22-23

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. (Lamentations 3:22-23) 

Jeremiah wrote these words through the guidance of the Holy Spirit after Jerusalem had fallen captive to Babylon and it was a time of deep grief and national mourning. The majority of this book is about lamenting, but inserted in the middle of these five chapters we find these two incredible verses of hope. 

Have you ever thought of how you woke up this morning? The answer might be the alarm clock, your spouse, your parents or maybe someone or something else? The reality is that the reason you were able to get out of bed was because of God’s faithfulness. 

Whenever we fall asleep, we drift into unconsciousness and God is the one who keeps our heart beating and fills our lungs with air while we rest. He watched over us and then opens our eyes so each one of us can enjoy a new day. The Lord is faithful, no matter how we feel when we wake up. 

For that reason, consider what a difference it would make in our day to day outlook if we focused on Him first thing in the morning and thanked Him for keeping us through the night. The words of Lamentations 3:22-23 would become a reality in our lives: “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” 

God is eternally faithful, reliable, steadfast, and unwavering because faithfulness is one of His inherent attributes. Faithfulness is an essential part of who He is (Psalm 89:8; Hebrews 13:8). In His faithfulness, God protects us from evil (2 Thessalonians 3:3), sets limits on our temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13), forgives us of our sins (1 John 1:9), and sanctifies us (1 Corinthians 1:9; Philippians 1:6). 

God’s faithfulness is based on His nature. It’s one of His attributes. Although we don’t always understand what He’s doing or why He allows certain circumstances in our lives, we can always rely upon who He is. Here are four characteristics of God that reassure us that He is faithful: 

HIS IMMUTABILITY: The Lord’s faithfulness is constant because He never changes. In contrast, our lives are filled with transitions, our plans are continually subject to adjustments, and our emotions at times make us feel as if we are on a rollercoaster. We experience changing seasons, much the way nature does. There are periods of productivity, contentment, and good health, but they may quickly shift to seasons of ineffectiveness, discontentment, or poor health. Through all of life’s many changes, we need the anchor of God’s unchanging faithfulness to encourage us. 

HIS OMNISCIENCE: We can find assurance in the fact that the Lord knows everything from start to finish. He understands all details and facets of what we are going through as well as the end results. He orchestrates each circumstance in our life to achieve His goals. And because He is faithful, we can know with certainty that He is working it all together for His glory and our good if we love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). 

HIS OMNIPOTENCE: God is all-powerful. We can rest assured that He is capable to meet every need and control every circumstance, regardless of the season of life in which we find ourselves. Although He may not remove the obstacles and hardships, He promises to strengthen us to walk through them with confidence when we trust Him. No authority in heaven or on earth can thwart His purposes (Job 42:2). 

HIS OMNIPRESENCE: The Lord is always with us; as a result we never travel alone through life. No matter how long or short the journey might be, He is there and will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). All space and time are within His sight. No matter how far we may run, we are not beyond the reach of His love, mercy, and compassion. 

The Bible says that faithfulness is a gift from God. When we receive Christ as Lord, the Holy Spirit indwells us and brings the blessings of love, joy, peace and faithfulness (Galatians 5:22). The fullness of these blessings depends on walking with God and yielding to His Spirit. We should be faithful to read and abide by God’s Word and to seek the Lord in prayer (Psalm 1:1-2; Ephesians 6:18). 

We need to remember that when we experience trials, He promises to use them to produce endurance and proven character in our life (James 1:2-4). If we’re under spiritual attack, God “will strengthen and protect [us] from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3). In times of temptation, He promises to place limits upon it so we are not overwhelmed and to provide a way of escape so we can endure (1 Corinthians 10:13). Whatever situation we experience, the Lord works in our lives according to His will. 

Because God’s character is not affected by time, place, people, or circumstances, He is more trustworthy than the closest human friend. When our plans have failed and people have disappointed us, God is always there, and is the One we can count on every day of our life. 

Therefore, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3:3-4). 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | June 7, 2023

WHERE WILL YOU SPEND ETERNITY? – Hebrews 9:27

Eternity - Hebrews 9 vs 27

God does not promise anyone tomorrow, so preparing for eternity is vitally important. So why are so many people living for the temporary and so few preparing for eternity? 

We need to realize that the certainty of death is unavoidable and also what follows after death. God’s Word warns us that “it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Our appointment with death comes with an unavoidable judgment. Those whose sins were forgiven at the cross because they trusted in what Christ did for them will experience everlasting joy in heaven, while those who die denying the Messiah will experience the eternal fires of hell. This is why preparing for eternity is the most important issue to consider in this life. We can be wrong about a lot of things and still go on, but if we are wrong about eternity, we will pay for that mistake for infinity. 

Our life on this earth is so fleeting and temporary compared to the endless time of eternity (James 4:13-14). Yet very few consider their life with an eternal perspective. Instead, there are many who foolishly pursue a life of pleasure, prestige, and power with little regard for what awaits them after death. The Lord Jesus Christ addressed this foolishness when He said, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). 

We have all sinned against our God and Creator, who cannot let the guilty go unpunished (Romans 3:23; Exodus 34:7). He is majestic in holiness and righteousness, and justice are the foundation of His throne (Exodus 15:11; Psalm 97:2). 

He is a God of love and mercy and did not leave us in our hopeless and helpless condition. In His infinite wisdom, God devised the one and only way He could save sinners while upholding His holiness, righteousness and justice. As a demonstration of His love, He sent His only Son to die as a substitute for sinners (Romans 5:8). 

Jesus was crucified as the perfect sacrifice to satisfy divine justice for sinners. He bore man’s sins, suffered God’s wrath, died in man’s place and was raised on the third day to show divine justice was satisfied. God “made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ “died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). It is for this reason everyone who has trusted Christ as their sinless substitute can look to their physical death as a passage into His glorious presence (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). 

Now, those who have rejected the Lord Jesus Christ and His Gospel will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power (2 Thessalonians 1:9). Hell is a real place of fiery torment where sinners undergo the punishment they deserve for their sins. This eternal punishment is called the second death, where divine justice is carried out forever in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). 

This is the place where unrepentant sinners consciously suffer pain and thirst from an unquenchable fire, and the horror is so great they want to warn their loved ones on earth, but cannot (Luke 16:19-31; Mark 9:43). There is weeping and gnashing of teeth because the eternal state of God’s just punishment is irreversible; there is no second chance, no escape, no hope, no rest, and no relief (Luke 13:28; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). 

There are only two things in this life that are eternal; the souls of men and the Word of God. Everything else will be burned up by fire (2 Peter 3:10-12). All too soon this life will be over and only what is done for Christ will last. May God “teach us to number our days” (Psalm 90:12). Let us be mindful of the shortness of time, the nearness of death, and the pending doom of lost sinners. May God help us all to keep this eternal perspective firmly planted in our hearts and share the truth of God’s word with as many people as we can. 

Please remember that no one knows what tomorrow will bring. Now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Our life is but a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away (James 4:14). Living with an eternal perspective will motivate Christians to faithfully share the Gospel of Christ with those who are on the broad road to destruction. One day we will all stand before our Judge and will have to give an account to Him. Therefore, the most important question we all must consider is this, “Am I ready to meet my Creator?” 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | May 31, 2023

THE DIVINITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT – Genesis 1:2

Genesis 1 vs 2

The Bible describes the Holy Spirit as a person who has been present with the Father and the Son since before time began. The Holy Spirit is connected to all of the things that God does in the Bible. 

  • The Spirit of God was present at and involved in creation “and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1:2).
  • The Holy Spirit moved the prophets of God with the words of God, “no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:21).
  • Jesus informed Nicodemus that to be “born again,” to become a Christian, one must be born “of the Spirit” (John 3:5). 

Jesus told His disciples that the Father would send the Helper, the Spirit of truth, after Christ went back to heaven. The Spirit would reside in the believer (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and speak through Christ’s disciples and would remind them of everything Jesus had said to them (John 14:25–26; 15:26–27; 16:7–15). 

Throughout the Bible, the Holy Spirit equips people for ministry, gives people specific insight and wisdom, teaches people how to interpret God’s Word, He communicates with the Father on people’s behalf, and empowers Christians to live according to God’s purpose. 

Jesus mentions all three persons ‘Father, Son, and Holy Spirit’ (Matthew 28:19). They belong to the Godhead while being distinct from each other within the Trinity. As God, the Holy Spirit can truly function as the Comforter and Counselor that Jesus promised He would be. 

The three members of the Trinity show up, together yet distinct, at Jesus’ baptism. As Jesus comes up from the water, the Spirit descends on Him like a dove while the voice of the Father is heard from heaven saying that He is pleased with His beloved Son (Mark 1:10–11). 

The Bible is clear that the Holy Spirit is, in fact, God, just as Jesus Christ is God and the Father is God. 

Scripture describes the Holy Spirit in personal terms, not as an impersonal force, when it says that: 

  • He teaches, guides, comforts and intercedes (John 14:26; Romans 8:14; John 14:26; Romans 8:26).
  • He possesses emotions, intellect and will (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Corinthians 2:10–14; 1 Corinthians 12:11)
  • He can be grieved (Ephesians 4:30).
  • He searches all things, even the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10).
  • He has fellowship with believers (2 Corinthians 13:14). 

Peter reveals lying to the Holy Spirit is lying to God. “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the proceeds of the land?” (Acts 5:3) and concluded by saying “you have not lied to men, but to God” (verse 4). 

We can also know that the Holy Spirit is God because He possesses the characteristics of God. For example, His omnipresence is seen in Psalm 139:7-8, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” 

Then in 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, we see the characteristic of omniscience in the Holy Spirit. “These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” 

In Zachariah 4:6 we see the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit. “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” 

And in Hebrews 9:14 we see His eternality. “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” 

As we see, the Holy Spirit possesses all the attributes of deity, omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence and eternality and He does works only God can do, such as creating, regenerating and sanctifying (Genesis 1:2; John 3:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:13). 

He is equally associated with the other members of the Trinity (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14). 

Today, the Holy Spirit plays a major role in the application of salvation to the individual. It is the Spirit who brings conviction to the unbeliever and causes him to see the truth of the gospel in a clear light (John 16:8–11). 

Those who respond to this conviction and place their faith in Jesus Christ receive eternal life and a new nature (John 3:3-7; Titus 3:5).  The Holy Spirit unites the believer with Christ and places him in the body of Christ, the church (1 Corinthians 12:13). He also unites the believer with Christ in His death, enabling him to live victoriously over sin (Romans 6:1-10). 

The Holy Spirit controls the believer who yields to God and submits himself to God’s Word (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 5:18; Colossians 3:16). And when these conditions are met, the believer lives in the power of the Spirit and produces the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 22-23). 

The Holy Spirit indwells the true believer permanently (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and while the child of God can sometimes fail and sin, the Spirit will never leave the true believer, (Ephesians 4:30). 

The Holy Spirit seals the believer (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30) and guarantees the security of the believer “until the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30), and He sovereignly bestows spiritual gifts and abilities for service to every believer (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4). 

He gives believers the power to share their faith. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). 

The Holy Spirit is dynamic and the more you allow Him to guide and direct your life, the more you will become like Christ and experience the love of your Father in heaven. 

In conclusion, Scripture indicates that the Holy Spirit is an equal and a true member of what is known as “the Godhead” that is made up of three equal persons living in perfect unity with each other. 

Believing this is vital to understanding the powerful role the Spirit plays in the lives of Christians and the way God is active in the world. Therefore, based on biblical evidence, we believe that the Holy Spirit is God in the same way that the Father is God and the Son is God. 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | May 24, 2023

HOW DOES GOD SEE THE BELIEVER – 1 Peter 2:9

1 Peter 2 vs 9

In 1 Peter 2:9, the apostle Peter describes believers in Jesus Christ with these remarkable words: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” 

Peter is listing all the blessings and privileges these suffering believers have received from God. He wants them to know how special they are because of their faith in Jesus. 

He’s reminding them of Deuteronomy 7:6, “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord, your God, has chosen you out of all the peoples on the earth to be His people, His treasured possession.”   

God said that through Abraham all nations on earth will be blessed. The blessing of Abraham finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the “Seed” of Abraham (Galatians 3:16) and the Redeemer of the world. This selection is the prophetic grace of God that’s available for all people to draw them to the Person of Jesus Christ. 

While Peter is writing to Jewish believers, those believers who are not Jewish in their ethnicity might wonder whether they are a royal priesthood, or whether that pertains only to the Jewish people. God introduces the idea of a royal priesthood, describing Israel as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6), and later John writes to the churches explaining that we, the church, are a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father (Revelation 1:6). 

The four living creatures echo this in Revelation 5:9-10, singing that God had redeemed people from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and they add that this ethnically diverse multitude is a kingdom of priests, similar to the royal priesthood concept that Peter references. 

Have you ever wondered how God sees you as His child? In today’s passage God tells us exactly how loved and cherished we are and it describes just four of the many ways our Father sees us: 

  1. A Chosen People. Believers in the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ are the people God has chosen to possess. 
  1. A Royal Priesthood. As believers, we are children of God and, therefore, part of a royal family. In other words, we are “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17).  
  1. A Holy Nation. The church, or body of Christ, is a group of people who are holy, which means “set apart” for the purposes of God. Our lives are never meaningless, because living for the Lord is the greatest purpose one can have. 
  1. God’s Special Possession. Believers are precious possessions of God; we belong to Him (Deuteronomy 14:2; Titus 2:14).

Those who are born again are different from the world around them because they are being transformed by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. They are also different because, having been born again by the Spirit of God and believing in Christ for salvation, they have received “the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). 

We are to be teachers of God’s commandments to the nations. We are to be the light to the world revealing the way to God. We are to be those who draw people to God, and not to be a hindrance to their acceptance of Jesus Christ. 

We are set apart as priesthood, so we are not to act like the world, but be imitators of Jesus. This does not mean that we are not interacting with the world. Often Christians get the idea that we need to stay away from the world because of its sinfulness. But we are called to access the world, while maintaining our holiness. We interact with the world and show them the way to God by teaching His truths. 

Christians are God’s special possessions who have obtained mercy because they have trusted in Him. Believers are part of God’s spiritual house and a holy nation; and as such, we must abstain from the passions of the flesh. 

Since we are God’s special possession we must proclaim the goodness of being God’s people. In being different and being set apart, we need to tell people what a blessing it is to live this way knowing that “you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4). Amen!

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Posted by: missionventureministries | May 17, 2023

THE DIVINITY OF JESUS CHRIST – John 1:14

John 1 vs 14 - Jesus Divinity

John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” and continues, “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). 

Jesus is God in the flesh and for that reason as God, Jesus could satisfy God’s wrath. As a man, Jesus had the capability of dying, and as the God-man, Jesus is the perfect Mediator between heaven and earth (1 Timothy 2:5). 

The key statement to focus on is that salvation is available only through faith in Jesus Christ. As Jesus proclaimed, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). 

In Colossians 1:15, Paul states that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, since “the Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being” (Hebrews 1:3). Those who have seen Jesus have seen the Father (John 14:9). 

Jesus is not only the perfect image or representation of God, but He is God as well “for it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him” (Colossians 1:19). The Son, being “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15) makes visible the One who is by nature invisible. The Son’s power, wisdom, and goodness fully and accurately reveal to us the character and perfections of God. 

God the Father bears witness of Jesus’ identity as well: “But about the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom” (Hebrews 1:8; cf. Psalm 45:6). 

Old Testament prophecies such as Isaiah 9:6 announce the deity of Christ: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” 

In John 8:58 Jesus claims pre-existence which is an attribute of God: “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” In response to this statement, the Jews picked up stones to stone Jesus (John 8:59). In claiming pre-existence, Jesus applied a name for God to Himself, “I AM” (Exodus 3:14). The Jews rejected Jesus’ identity as God Incarnate, but they understood exactly what He was saying. 

Again in John 10:30 Jesus said, “I and the Father are one,” and again they tried to stone Him “for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God” (John 10:33). The Jews understood Jesus’ statement that He truly was claiming equality with God and they could not bear the truth. 

The true nature and identity of Jesus Christ has eternal significance and every person should answer the question Jesus asked His disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). 

This is what some of those who were close to Him said: 

  • Thomas declared to Jesus, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28), Jesus does not correct him.
  • Paul describes Jesus as “our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). And,
  • Peter says the same, calling Jesus “our God and Savior” (2 Peter 1:1). 

In John 14:9-10, Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in Me, who is doing His work.”

The Bible is clear about the divine nature of the Lord Jesus Christ as Philippians 2:5-7 also confirms it: “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men.”

Jesus is fully God and fully man and the fact of His incarnation is of utmost importance. He lived a human life but did not possess a sin nature as we do. He was tempted but never sinned (Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:15). Sin entered the world through Adam, and Adam’s sinful nature has been transferred to every baby born into the world (Romans 5:12), except for Jesus. Because Jesus did not have a human father, He did not inherit a sin nature; He possessed the divine nature from His Heavenly Father. 

Mary was the human body that nurtured Jesus until He was ready to be born since the placenta provides oxygen and nutrients to a growing baby. The mother’s and baby’s blood never mix, so Jesus’ blood was not only unique but was His own sinless blood that was shed for us on the cross.

Jesus’ divine nature made Him fit for the work of Redeemer; His human body allowed Him to shed the blood necessary to redeem us. No human being with a sin nature could pay such a debt. No one else could meet the requirements to become the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world (Matthew 26:28). 

If Jesus is not God, His death would have been insufficient to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Only God Himself could provide an infinite, eternally valuable sacrifice (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Because Jesus was God in the flesh, He alone could pay the debt we owed to God. His victory over death and the grave won the victory for everyone who puts their trust in Him (John 1:12; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 17). 

Jesus Christ has always existed as He personally states: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13). He is “the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God” (1 Timothy 1:17). He existed before the creation of the world and is the Creator, our source of life, and first in everything (Revelation 1:8). Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, the only One sufficient to reconcile sinners to God. “And He is God, the One who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen” (Romans 9:5). 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | May 10, 2023

A NEW CREATION IN CHRIST – 2 Corinthians 5:17

2 Corintians 5 vs 17

Upon salvation, a person becomes a new creation, holy and blameless in God’s sight. Some people however, think they can receive salvation and go on living as they did before. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 states: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 

It is important to realize that this new creation is not an addition to the old you but, rather, a completely new self. 

A person in Christ is a person forever changed. According to Ephesians 4:22-24 in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. 

Not only will sin lose its attraction for the believer, but there will also be an appreciation for God’s Word and a desire to reflect His righteousness more and more. If we don’t see evidence of these things in our life, what does that say about the state of our heart? 

To understand the new creation, John 1:13 tells us that this new birth was brought about by the will of God. We did not inherit the new nature from our parents or decide to re-create ourselves anew. Neither did God simply clean up our old nature; He created something entirely fresh and unique. Only the Creator could accomplish such a feat. 

Old things have passed away. The “old” refers to everything that is part of our old nature such as pride, love of sin, reliance on works, and our former opinions, habits and passions. Most significantly, what we loved has passed away, especially the supreme love of self and with it self-righteousness, self-promotion, and self-justification. The new creature looks toward Christ instead of inwardly toward self. The old things died and were nailed to the cross. 

Behold new things have come. Old things are replaced with new ones that are full of life and the glory of God. The newborn soul delights in the things of God and despises the things of the world and the flesh. 

Our new purposes, feelings, desires, and understandings are new and different. We see the world differently. The Bible is now a joy to read and study. There are new feelings toward people and a new love toward family and friends. 

The things we once loved, we now hate. The sin we once held onto, we now want to get rid of forever. We “put off the old man with his deeds” (Colossians 3:9), and put on the “new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). 

Please note that there is a difference between continuing to sin and continuing to live in sin. No one reaches sinless perfection in this life, but the redeemed Christian is being sanctified, made holy day by day, sinning less and hating it more each time he fails. Yes, we still sin, but against our better judgment and less and less frequently as we mature in our walk with Christ. 

Our new self hates the sin that still has a hold on us. The difference is that the new creation is no longer a slave to sin, as we formerly were. We are now freed from sin and it no longer has power over us (Romans 6:6-7). 

Now we are empowered by righteousness. We now have the choice to “let sin reign” or to count ourselves “dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11-12).

All things have become new illustrates the beginning of our transformation, our inward renewal and regeneration that will culminate in the fullness of our salvation to be experienced in eternity. Our Savior’s death and resurrection ushered in a foretaste of an entirely new world still to come: “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). Eventually, everything in creation will be made new (Romans 8:19–20; Isaiah 65:17–25). 

The Christian’s new self “is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Colossians 3:10). And through the inner working of the Holy Spirit, believers grow into the image of Christ “with ever-increasing glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). God promises to give us a new heart, by removing our “heart of stone” and replacing it with a “heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26). The changes begin in the heart but then spill out to our actions and behavior (Romans 12:2). 

Jesus promises that salvation cannot be lost (John 10:28), once a child of God, always a child of God. But it is possible to become apathetic about our identity in Christ. Does your lifestyle demonstrate that you are a “new creation?” What is your attitude toward sin and the pursuit of righteousness? Though none of us will live perfectly, the desire of our heart should be to move in the direction of our new self, which has been created in Christ’s likeness. 

Remember that once we are a new creation instead of living to please ourselves, we now live to please Christ, serve Him (2 Corinthians 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1), and look out for the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4; Galatians 6:2). 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | May 3, 2023

GREATER IS HE WHO IS IN YOU THAN HE WHO IS IN THE WORLD – 1 John 4:4

1 John 4 v 4

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.  (1 John 4:4) 

The believer has the Holy Spirit living in them, which is a resource for strength and makes victory possible. We need however to be strong and rely on the One who is in us instead of relying on ourselves or the enemies temptations. This means that we need to rely on the power given to us, so that we may fight the worldly enemy that is all around us, without fear. We need to be watchful since we have many spiritual enemies, but not one of them is greater than the Holy Spirit who lives in us. 

After speaking about false teachers in verses 1 through 3, John offers reassurance when he refers to his readers as “dear children,” using the same words he did in 1 John 2:12. He then offers three expressions of comfort concerning their life. 

First, John encourages them, “you are from God.” In other words, John saw them as true believers in whom God lived. 

Second, he adds that these believers have “overcome” these antichrists. John uses the concept of overcoming five times in his letter. Believers have overcome the evil one (1 John 2:13-14) and have overcome the world (1 John 5:4-5). 

Third, John reminds the reader that the power of Christ, who lives in the believer, is greater than the power that lives in the world. The Holy Spirit living in the Christian is far stronger than any attack by the Devil. This encouragement should empower believers not to fear Satan, but rather trust the Lord and obey His commands. By doing so, we can overcome the powers of darkness and walk with boldness in this life. 

The apostle John begins chapter 4 with an exhortation for believers to test the spirits of prophets or teachers: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). What a prophet or teacher proclaims reveals whether he is of God or a false prophet of the world. 

John tells us how to recognize a false prophet, “and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist” (verse 3). Anyone who teaches or proclaims falsehood about Jesus, such as denying His divinity, is a false prophet. These false prophets are actually speaking in the spirit of the antichrist on behalf of “the one who is in the world,” Satan. 

The word antichrist means “against Christ.” Satan is the ultimate spirit against Christ. He is the father of lies and is against truth (John 8:44). He is called “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11) and “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). He is “the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 2:2). 

Satan uses false prophets to lead people away from Christ by deceiving them with a false view of Jesus. Twisting who Jesus is perverts the gospel; it keeps people in the bondage of sin and in darkness. Yet Satan is far from being as powerful as God, and John reminds the believers that greater is He that is in believers than he that is in the world. 

The body of believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells within them (1 Corinthians 6:19). John encourages those in whom God lives: “You are from God” (1 John 4:4). They are not of the world. So, John reassures them that they have “overcome” those who teach false doctrine and who can rightly be called “antichrists.” 

The Holy Spirit is far stronger than Satan or any of his minions, the Spirit’s wisdom is greater than any of Satan’s schemes, and the Spirit’s protection is more than enough to thwart any of Satan’s attacks. Because, He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world, we have confidence in God and at the same time put no confidence in the flesh. The power we receive comes from the Holy Spirit as we obey the will of God. 

By these encouragements believers can have peace and rejoice because Jesus has “overcome the world” (John 16:33). Believers need not fear Satan; rather, they need to trust in the Lord and obey Him. By the living Spirit of God within them, believers can overcome the lies and temptations of the powers of darkness. Those who are of God can boldly say, “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.” 

As powerful as the spirit of the antichrist and the false prophets might be, we Christians have the upper hand. Therefore, to live a healthy spiritual life, it’s essential to recognize that power comes from the Holy Spirit who is in us. Our salvation is the work of God, as is every bit of our sanctification throughout the rest of earthly life. 

The apostle was able to have this attitude only because he sought the strength of Jesus, and the same is true for us. We can try to live the Christian life by our own efforts, but we won’t succeed. Jesus Himself told the disciples, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). 

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.”

Jeremiah 17:7 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | April 26, 2023

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO DELIGHT IN THE LORD? – Psalm 37:4

Psalm 37 vs 4

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 

The idea behind this verse and others like it is that, when we truly rejoice or “delight” in the eternal things of God, our desires will begin to parallel His and we will never go unfulfilled. 

What is your greatest desire? We often read this passage and assume that it means God will give us whatever we want. However, this Scripture reveals that we will have the desires of our heart if we desire fellowship with Him. 

To delight in the Lord means to take pleasure in discovering more about Him and in following Him, and as we do, the Holy Spirit aligns our heart’s desires with His, which places us in a position to experience His blessings. 

When we commit our way to God, we allow our thoughts, goals, and lifestyle to be shaped by His will and the things He loves. In other words, we acknowledge His right to determine whether our longing fits His plan. 

If we rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him, we can rely on Him to work out circumstances, even when the desire He’s given us seems impossible. When He is our first love, our heart becomes focused on making His glory known within our life. 

God wants to give us our heart’s desires in His time, meaning, when we’re aligned with His will. Consequently, as we learn to enjoy Him for who He is, our self-focused desires are replaced by His perfect will and purpose for us. 

When we learn to delight in the Lord, we are forever changed and discover unspeakable joy. 

The reason many supposed Christians do not delight in God is that they do not know Him very well, and the reason they do not know Him is that they do not spend time with Him. A true believer on the other hand, who trusts God, has the capability to find true delight in the Lord. 

Trust, obedience, patience, and humility can all be summed up in the phrase, “Delight yourself in the Lord.” We should be awestruck with the Lord and all that He is, rather than focusing on the things which the world seeks. 

We need to come to the realization that in delighting in the Lord, “He will give you the desires of your heart.” This doesn’t mean however, that He will give us anything our selfish heart desires. If we are delighting ourselves in the Lord, then our desires will be in line with His desires. The verse in Matthew 6:33 tells us similarly what the Old Testament says: “Seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness and all these things [your desires] will be added unto you.” Thus we see that finding delight in God is a key to a happy, satisfied life. 

This world can never satisfy our deepest longings, but if we choose to delight in God’s way, He will always provide above and beyond our expectations. Jesus said, “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” (John 4:14). 

When we look at this psalm in its entirety it is to encourage those who trust in God that the wicked will not win. If God’s people will continue to “trust in, submit to, and wait on” God, their “desire” for righteousness to prevail will be satisfied. 

  • Justice will be done. The wicked will be punished (Psalm 37:2, 13, 17, 35-36, 38).
  • The Lord will protect His children and give them strength in times of difficulty (Psalm 37:15-17, 24, 39-40).
  • The righteous will receive an eternal inheritance (Psalm 37:18, 29, 37).
  • The Lord will sustain them in times of need (Psalm 37:19).
  • The righteous will experience the Lord’s love and faithfulness (Psalm 37:28). 

When we patiently trust in God and submit ourselves to His care and protection, He will be faithful to sustain, protect, and provide. And we will see His justice carried out in His time. The wicked will not prevail. 

Therefore, rather than becoming incensed because of what the wicked do, it is far better to trust in God and continue to do good, because, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him” (Jeremiah 17:7). 

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