Posted by: missionventureministries | March 26, 2025

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TELL ABOUT LYING? – Proverbs 19:9

Proverbs 19:9 declares that “a false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish.” 

Lying is defined as “making an untrue statement with the intent to deceive,” and the Bible takes a strong stance against lying and liars, condemning dishonesty as a serious sin. 

Exaggerating or telling more lies to cover up the original lie is standard procedure for the habitual liar, and then the lies get progressively harder to remember and make further lying even more likely. 

We need to understand that throughout scripture, lying is portrayed as detestable to God and harmful to human relationships. Scripture states that God hates lying lips and considers them an abomination. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists “a lying tongue” and “a false witness who pours out lies” among the seven things that the Lord detests. 

Jesus characterizes Satan as “the father of lies” in John 8:44, establishing deceit as fundamentally opposed to God’s nature. 

The Bible takes a strong stance against lying and outlines several punishments for liars, both in this life and in the afterlife: In some biblical accounts, liars faced swift and severe punishment. For example, Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 were struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit. 

Lying is seen as a sin that separates individuals from God. Psalm 101:7 states, “No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.” 

The Word of God warns of severe consequences for those who practice lying as Revelation 21:8 states that all liars will be consigned to “the fiery lake of burning sulfur,” described as the second death. 

The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and the serious consequences of dishonesty, encouraging believers to put away lying and speak truth with their neighbors. Since, repeated lying can lead to a loss of credibility and reputation in personal and professional settings. The internal guilt and shame associated with lying can also lead to long-term emotional and psychological distress since lying can create a cycle where more lies are needed to cover up previous ones, leading to increased stress and anxiety. 

These consequences highlight the significant impact that lying can have on an individual’s personal well-being, social relationships, and overall quality of life. The immediate benefits of lying are often outweighed by these long-term negative effects, emphasizing the importance of honesty in everyday interactions. 

The consequences of lying highlight the Bible’s emphasis on truthfulness and integrity, showing that dishonesty can have immediate and significant impacts on one’s spiritual, personal, and social life. 

The Bible however, encourages believers to: 

  • Put off falsehood and speak truthfully (Ephesians 4:25). 
  • Recognize that truthful lips endure forever, while a lying tongue lasts only a moment (Proverbs 12:19). 
  • Understand that God delights in people who are trustworthy (Proverbs 12:22). 

While the Bible is clear about the sinfulness of lying, it also offers hope for redemption. 1 John 1:9 promises that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

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Posted by: missionventureministries | March 19, 2025

HAVE YOU REPENTED AND MADE A DECISION TO TRUST JESUS AS YOUR SAVIOR? – Acts 3:19

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. (Acts 3:19) 

We all will spend eternity somewhere, therefore, our destination is determined by whether we accept or reject Jesus’ offer of forgiveness. To some, eternity seems distant, so they feel that they can delay this decision. They falsely assume that they will just wait until they are closer to death and then they’ll ask Jesus to save them. 

The problem with this reasoning is lack of understanding. First, there’s no guarantee you’ll have any warning before death. Second, by spending a lifetime rejecting Christ’s offer, you run the risk of developing a hardened heart. Hebrews 3:13 says, “Encourage one another … so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Saying no to God frequently throughout your life may result in being unable to say yes when death comes knocking at the door. We must be careful not to abuse the grace of God as Hebrews 10:26-27 tells us: “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” 

God has told the sinful world, in no uncertain terms, to repent (Mark 6:12; Luke 24:47; Acts 3:19; 17:30). To repent means to change your mind from embrace of sin and rejection of Christ to rejection of sin and embrace of Christ. Those who refuse to repent and turn to Christ in faith will suffer eternal consequences. Given the fact of hell, mankind in his sin is in a dire situation. Why would anyone delay repentance? Yet many do, even while admitting their sin and claiming to see their need for salvation. 

There are several reasons not to delay repentance. First, the Bible’s command to repent is accompanied by an urgent appeal to do it now: Paul quotes Isaiah 49:8, which speaks of “the day of salvation.” Then He says not to delay: “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Repentance should take place as soon as God the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins. In other words, today is the day of salvation. “Today, if only you would hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Psalm 95:7-8). 

Another problem with delaying repentance is that no one knows the day he will die, and after death comes the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). The rich fool in Jesus’ parable (Luke 12:16-20) thought he had plenty of time to enjoy life, but God had news for him: “This very night your life will be demanded from you” (verse 20). We have today, we have the present moment, and therefore, we should use it wisely and not delay. 

Another reason to not delay repentance is that, every time we refuse to repent, we continue to sin and our hearts get harder (see Hebrews 3:7-8). Every time a person says “no” to what’s right, it becomes a little easier to say “no” the next time, too. There’s a gradual hardening of the heart, a searing of the conscience that can numb an unsaved person to the point of being past feeling. This is a dangerous spiritual condition to be in. 

Also, the harder a person’s heart becomes, the more “force” God will have to apply to bring him to repentance. Tragically, there is a point of no return. God may eventually stop trying to bring the chronically rebellious to repentance and give them over to their own ways (Romans 1:28). We never know when this point of no return is, so the better part of wisdom is timely repentance. 

By delaying repentance, we are delaying certain blessings from God. At least three verses bring this to light:

  • “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19).
  • “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).
  • “Your wrongdoings have kept these [showers of blessing] away; your sins have deprived you of good” (Jeremiah 5:25).

So, in delaying repentance, we miss out on God’s blessings. 

It is true that God is gracious to us and that a person may be able to repent up until the day he dies. But we should not live presumptuously since we are not guaranteed tomorrow. 

By putting off a decision for Christ, you not only lose the immediate blessings of a deeply personal relationship with God now; you also risk future separation from Him for all eternity. Don’t wait! Come to Christ today: Acknowledge your sin, ask His forgiveness, and trust Him as your Savior. 

Remember that there was a time when the Lord shut the door of the ark, and the flood came and drowned everyone outside the ark (Genesis 7:16). There came a time when the wedding party began, and those who were not ready for the coming of the bridegroom were locked out (Matthew 25:1-13). 

And lastly please read Hebrews 3:7-19 where the Word of God warns us against unbelief. 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | March 12, 2025

WHO ARE THE 144,000 MENTIONED IN REVELATION 7 AND 14?

And I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:

 from the tribe of Judah, twelve thousand were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand, from the tribe of Gad twelve thousand, from the tribe of Asher twelve thousand, from the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand, from the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand, from the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, from the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, from the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, from the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, from the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, and from the tribe of Benjamin, twelve thousand were sealed. (Revelation 7:4–8) 

After chapter five in the book of Revelation, the church is no longer mentioned because all believers have been raptured. It is our belief that the church will not go through the tribulation. 

These Jewish believers and evangelists are the Firstfruits of Israel, which as a nation will be redeemed before Christ returns (Zechariah 12:10–13:1, 13:8–9; Romans 11:26). These 144,000 are a unique group of Jews that become believers in the Messiah and are selected by God to proclaim the gospel during the tribulation (Revelation 12:17; 14:1–5), to those left behind. 

These are 12,000 men from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Each of the 144,000 has a mark on their forehead representing ‘His Father’s name.’ This mark is God’s seal of protection against His divine judgment on the earth during the tribulation and against the wrath of the Antichrist. As a result of their ministry, a multitude from every nation will come to Christ and receive salvation. 

The term Israel in Revelation 7:4 must be interpreted in accordance with its normal Old and New Testament usage as a reference to the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Nor is there any exegetical reason not to interpret the numbers 144,000 and 12,000 literally. 

The backdrop to a proper understanding of the 144,000 during the tribulation is that God had originally chosen the Jews to be His witnesses. He appointed them to share the good news of God with all other people around the world (see Isaiah 42:6; 43:10). The Jews were to be God’s representatives to the Gentile peoples. Biblical history reveals that the Jews failed at this task, especially when they didn’t recognize Jesus as the divine Messiah. During the future tribulation, these 144,000 Jews, who become believers in Jesus the divine Messiah sometime following the rapture, will finally fulfill this mandate from God and be His witnesses all around the world. Their work will yield a mighty harvest of souls (see Revelation 7:9-14). 

These witnesses will be “sealed” (divinely protected) by God as they carry out their service for Him during the tribulation (Revelation 14:1-4; see also 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30). 

Some have wondered why the Old Testament tribes of Dan and Ephraim are omitted from this list of Jewish tribes. The Old Testament has some 20 variant lists of tribes, so no two lists of the 12 tribes of Israel must be identical. Most scholars today agree that Dan’s tribe was omitted because that tribe was guilty of idolatry on many occasions and, as a result, was largely obliterated (Leviticus 24:11; Judges 18:1, 30; see also 1 Kings 12:28-29).  To engage in unrepentant idolatry is to be cut off from God’s blessing. The tribe of Ephraim was also involved in idolatry and pagan worship (Judges 17; Hosea 4:17). This is probably why both tribes were omitted from Revelation 7. 

Others have wondered why the tribe of Levi was included in this list of Jewish tribes rather than maintaining its special status as a priestly tribe under the Mosaic Law. Levi is probably included here because the priestly functions of the tribe of Levi ceased with the coming of Christ, the ultimate high priest. Indeed, the Levitical priesthood was fulfilled in the person of Christ (Hebrews 7–10). With no further need for the services of the tribe of Levi as priests, God had no further reason for keeping this tribe distinct and separate from the others. This is probably why they were properly included in the tribal listing in the book of Revelation. 

As for the chronology of when these 144,000 Jewish evangelists as they emerge on the scene, it is our personal believe that this event occurs in the early part of the tribulation period, sometime after the rapture. Some Bible expositors suggest that the 144,000 must engage in their work of evangelism early in the tribulation, for the believers who are martyred in the fifth seal judgment (Revelation 6:9-11) since they are very probably among the fruit of their labors, and the seal judgments definitely occur in the first half of the tribulation period. 

It had been previously prophesied that Israel would repent and would turn back to God (Zechariah 12:10; Romans 11:25-27), and the 144,000 Jews seem to be a sort of “first fruits” of this prophecy (Revelation 14:4) of redeemed Israel. Their mission is to evangelize the post-church age world, especially the Jewish people and proclaim the gospel during the tribulation period. As a result of their ministry, millions – “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language” (Revelation 7:9), will come to faith in Christ. 

We see the 144,000 Jews mentioned again in Revelation 14:1 – Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. 

John’s attention was drawn to a new vision. His eyes were turned away from the beast and his image in Revelation 13 to the Lamb standing on Mount Zion accompanied by the 144,000. The phrase then I looked, is found seven times in Revelation (4:1; 5:11, 6:2, 6:5; 7:9; 14:1, 14:14) and each time it turns our attention to another important element in the vision given to John. As previously, the word “behold” is designed to arrest our attention to the remarkable things in this scene. 

We need to understand that what John here is actually looking at, is called a proleptic glance. What that means is he is looking ahead – actually to chapter 19 and 20; but he is writing it as if it has already happened as he is seeing these things happening. 

The Lamb was standing on Mount Zion is the first important fact that catches John’s eye. That the Lamb is standing on Mount Zion is in contrast to the dragon standing on the shifting sands of the seashore. Here is a contrast between stability and rest, and instability and unrest. 

The contrast is between the Lamb who wins by the sacrifice of Himself versus the dragon who attempts to gain control by his selfish and bloody outrage against humanity. Note that it is the Lamb portrayed here, not the Lion (5:5) because it is through His sacrifice that Christ becomes the Victor. 

Now about the meaning of Mount Zion; does it refer to the heavenly city, Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22-23) or to the earthly city of Jerusalem? John is dealing with the nation Israel and looking forward to the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth. Prophetically in Scripture, Zion came to symbolize the place where Messiah would come as the deliverer of Israel and where He would gather together His people (Psalm 48:1; Isaiah 24:23; Joel 2:32; Romans 11:26). 

Further, the group of 144,000 is the same as that of chapter 7 where they are to be sealed and kept safe through the Tribulation, protected from death to go into the millennial reign of Messiah without going into heaven. This is the implication of chapter 7. Thus, this is prophetic of Christ’s reign in Zion, earthly Jerusalem following the Tribulation. Note in this regard that the word “stood” is in the perfect tense which emphasizes completed action with abiding results. He has taken his stand and reigns. 

And with Him a hundred and forty-four thousand: Refers back to Revelation 7:4. There, John refers to 144,000 Jews given divine protection. The purpose of this short session is to demonstrate the faithfulness of God and that those sealed will be protected. 

Who had His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads: This is God’s seal and shows: 

  1. that they belong to God and not to the beast,
  2. that they have had the guarantee of God’s protection and security through the Tribulation, and
  3. that they are His servants. 

As chapter 7 by its context would indicate, they are the great evangelists of the Tribulation who proclaim the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Then note that in 14:4 we are told that these follow the Lamb. Perhaps there is an intended connection with those evangelized by the 144,000 in 7:9 for in 7:17 we read “for the Lamb … shall be their Shepherd and shall guide them …” Chapter 14 completes the drama started in chapter 7. In chapter 7 this whole company of God’s people are sealed (7:1-8), readied for the satanic onslaught, and then a company of those they undoubtedly led to Christ are seen as martyred saints in heaven serving before the throne of God (7:9). But here in chapter 14, all of the 144,000 are seen with the Lamb as victors in the earthly eschatological kingdom. The main emphasis is that here we see these still intact after the days of horrible Tribulation; they are preserved and standing triumphantly with the Lord on Mount Zion in the Millennium. 

NOTE: This shows that Satan’s attempt at total Jewish destruction will fail. This is the purpose of the first proclamation, and it will provide comfort to the Tribulation saints. 

These chosen Jews might become believers in Jesus in a way similar to that of the apostle Paul, himself a Jew, who had a Damascus-road encounter with the risen Christ (Acts 9:1-9). Interestingly, in 1 Corinthians 15:8, the apostle Paul refers to himself in his conversion to Christ as “one untimely born.” This same spiritual awakening might be awaiting the 144,000 Jewish evangelists when they come on the scene. 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | March 5, 2025

HOW TO IMITATE CHRIST’S LOVE FOR US – John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35) 

The most important ways we are to imitate our heavenly Father is by walking in love, as Jesus commanded His disciples just before going to the cross. 

Christ’s love is selfless. He “gave Himself up for us” (Ephesians 5:2). This began with His incarnation when He left the glories of heaven to take on human flesh and live on this fallen earth among sinful people. But His selfless love stooped even lower when He humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:6-8). 

Jesus gave Himself as an offering for our sin by dying in our place. Now everyone who believes in Him and trusts in His death as payment for sin receives a full pardon and a righteous standing before holy God. 

Although salvation is a free gift offered to us by God’s grace through faith, it cost the Savior more than we can imagine. On the cross, He became a sacrifice to God by bearing His Father’s wrath until every sin was fully punished. Because Jesus was the sinless Lamb of God, divine justice was fully satisfied, and His death became a fragrant aroma to His Father, signifying that atonement was complete and forgiveness of sins was accomplished. 

Our minds cannot fathom such infinite love, yet we are told to walk in love just as Christ did. How is this even possible? We live in a fallen world, face temptations, and struggle with sin. In our humanity and self-effort, we have no ability to love like Christ. However, when we become God’s beloved children, by accepting His love of forgiveness, His love can be expressed through us. He gives us a new nature, which is created in His likeness in righteousness, holiness, and truth (Ephesians 4:24). We also have Christ’s life flowing through us as we abide in Him (John 15:5), and the Holy Spirit dwelling within us produces the fruit of love in our heart. The entire Trinity is at work showering us with grace, which frees us to walk in love. 

Christ emptied Himself of His rights and privileges in order to give us what we desperately needed but could never achieve on our own – salvation. These same actions of selflessness, forgiveness, and sacrifice should become evident in our life as we walk in love like Jesus did. 

Being self-centered is part of the flesh nature we were born with, and the battle to overcome its sinful patterns continues after salvation. Our culture does us no favors because it promotes putting ourselves first and demanding our rights. However, Christ like love puts the interests and needs of others first and is willing to give up our rights. This is why Romans 14:13-15 says if we let our freedoms hurt a fellow believer, we are no longer walking according to love. 

The expression of forgiving love is perhaps the most difficult for us to understand, because in our mind, those who wrong us deserve only justice and vengeance. Therefore, we must remember that we likewise were unworthy of God’s pardon, yet Jesus died for us so we could be forgiven. Having received such great love, we have no right to withhold forgiveness from anyone else. 

Sometimes extending love to others is costly, especially if the person is unlovable or rude. This, in fact, is how we all appeared to God before salvation, yet He loved us while we were still in that condition. Christ laid down His life for us; should we not be willing to sacrifice lesser things like convenience, time, or personal preferences in our love for others? 

Christ like love begins in our mind as we come to know and believe the love that God has for us (1 John 4:16). If He hadn’t loved us first, we’d never be able to care for others (1 John 4:19). But His love now abides in us and, as we depend on Him, it flows through our life to touch those around us. Although the Lord Himself teaches us to love, we must become imitators of God and put His loving ways into practice each day until doing so becomes the habit in our life. 

Therefore, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

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Posted by: missionventureministries | February 26, 2025

THE BIBLE IS THE ACCURATE WORD OF GOD – 2 Peter 1:20-21

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20-21) 

One basic reason why so many people seem to have trouble understanding the Bible is that they try to interpret it to fit their private opinions. Peter’s opponents also denied the divine origin of Scripture. They claimed their writings came from personal visions, signs, and dreams. That prophecy came from themselves, from their own origin or source; however, Peter says that the apostolic writings originated from God and not from a human author. 

Verse 20 is part of a larger context where Peter is addressing the reliability and authority of Scripture. He is emphasizing that the prophecies in the Bible are not clever inventions or mere human guesses about future events. Rather, they are divinely inspired messages that came directly from God through human being. 

This understanding is further reinforced in 2 Peter 1:21, which explains that prophecy never had its origin in human will, but rather, prophets spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. It emphasizes the divine origin of biblical prophecy and, by extension, Scripture as a whole. It asserts that the prophecies found in the Bible are not the result of human interpretation, personal insight, or clever invention. Instead, it underscores that these prophetic messages came directly from God. 

It further clarifies that prophecy never originated from human will, but rather, prophets spoke from God as they were “carried along” or “moved” by the Holy Spirit. This metaphor of being “carried along” is likened to a boat driven by the wind, illustrating how the Holy Spirit guided the writers of Scripture. 

The Holy Spirit governed the human author as he was in the process of writing Scripture as the apostle Paul states in Galatians 1:12 where he said, “I did not receive [the gospel] from man nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.” The human author was aware of the content he wrote, but the Holy Spirit “revealed it” to him. The Holy Spirit thoroughly originates and oversees the writing of Scripture. 

The Holy Spirit so supernaturally directs Scripture writers that He enabled them to record Scripture with perfect accuracy without circumventing their intelligence, personal literary style, or personality. This understanding of inspiration implies that Scripture’s authority comes from God, not human wisdom or interpretation. 

The Holy Spirit actively participated in the writing process, ensuring God’s message was faithfully communicated. While human authors were involved, the ultimate source of Scripture is divine. The prophets, while remaining human, acted as vessels for God’s words, speaking divine messages as they were moved or inspired by the Holy Spirit. 

The verse underscores the divine origin and authority of Scripture, asserting that prophecies in the Bible are not clever human inventions or predictions, but rather the words of God Himself communicated through chosen individuals. This concept reinforces the reliability and trustworthiness of biblical prophecies, as they are understood to come from God’s perfect knowledge and will, rather than fallible human understanding. 

The phrase “carried along by the Holy Spirit” holds significant meaning regarding the divine origin and authority of biblical prophecy. As we see, this concept emphasizes several key points: 

Divine inspiration: The prophets did not speak or write based on their own will or imagination. Instead, they were divinely inspired, with God as the ultimate source of their messages. 

Supernatural guidance: The Holy Spirit actively guided the prophets, ensuring that the words they spoke were God’s words. This guidance is likened to a ship being driven by the wind, indicating the Spirit’s powerful influence. 

Trustworthiness of Scripture: This divine inspiration guarantees the reliability and authority of biblical prophecies. It assures believers that these words are not mere human inventions or clever predictions, but genuine revelations from God. 

Human involvement: While the prophets were “carried along,” they were not passive instruments. God used their individual personalities and contexts while ensuring the message remained His own. 

Distinction from false prophecy: This concept helps differentiate true, divinely inspired prophecy from false prophecies that originate from human will or deception. 

Confirmation of fulfilled prophecies: The divine origin of prophecy explains why specific prophecies were fulfilled, as they came from God’s perfect knowledge and will. 

This understanding of prophetic inspiration applies not only to Old Testament prophecies but also extends to the New Testament writings, emphasizing the Holy Spirit’s role in the entire biblical canon. 

The Bible does, of course, need to be correctly translated from Greek and Hebrew into English and other national languages, but that is all. God is able to say what He means, and He wants to communicate His authoritative Word to men and women of obedient hearts, who are willing to devote diligent study to all the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 5:12-14), obey them (James 1:22), and teach them to others (2 Timothy 2:2, 24-26) carefully, clearly, and graciously. 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | February 19, 2025

HOW TO INTRODUCE GOD AND JESUS TO YOU CHILD – Proverbs 22:6

The Bible tells us to: “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) 

God tells us that children are a blessing and a gift (Psalm 127:3). Their spirits are filled with innocence, joy, and laughter. Jesus actually tells us to be like children and to come to Him full of faith and trust (Matthew 18:2-5) 

Parents should be talking to their children about Jesus from birth, so that they will become accustomed to their Savior’s name. Once they start asking more about Him at about age three, we need to take simple steps to introduce Jesus to their lives. 

Since every child is different, it’s best to focus on the necessities of each one of them. There is a simple way however that will work with every child. 

  • Start off by praying with your child every night. When it’s time to put them to bed, thank God for the things your child is grateful for and help them with other things that they need to be praying for such as thanking Jesus for a warm bed, mammy and daddy and so forth. 
  • Have them also get used to praying before meals to show them that they need to thank the Lord for the food that God provides for us each day. 
  • Live a Christian life. Children unquestionably learn by observing their parents’ behavior. Therefore, show your child what it means to follow God’s instructions and be a true Christian. 
  • Obey the Ten Commandments and be supportive, kind, and honest in everything you do. This greatly increases the chances of your child growing up on the right path. 
  • Do not ever swear or use offensive language. Teach your child that when a person does so they are showing disrespect for God. 
  • Honor your word and your promises, even when things don’t go as planned. 
  • Respect and be kind to everyone. 
  • Watch Christian-themed movies, series and cartoons with them since Christian-themed films made for children are excellent for introducing religious values ​​to young people in an interesting and easy-to-understand way. 
  • Read Bible stories to them, if possible, from a children’s illustrated version of the Bible. Adam and Eve, Noah’s Arc, David and Goliath, and Zacchaeus are just a few, among countless, great examples. 
  • Spend activity times making Christian-themed crafts with them. 
  • Listen to children’s gospel music with your family. Children love to sing and dance! With that in mind, your child may be even more excited to learn about the love of God and Jesus after listening to Christian music. 
  • Take your child to Sunday school and when they get older involve them in AWANA or let them participate in children’s church camp. 
  • Ask your child what he or she knows about God and Jesus. Even young children (under the age of three) can have an idea of ​​who Jesus is. You might say something like, “Tell me a little about Jesus,” and then listen carefully to see how they understands the topic. 
  • During the Christmas season, talk about Christ with them and explain the significance of Jesus’ birth. 
  • As your child grows and matures, you can ask deeper questions and encourage him or her to ask you to give them an answer about what he or she doesn’t yet understand. Your child’s faith will grow stronger if you create an environment where they feel free to ask questions and have deeper conversations about the Word of God. 
  • Adapt the language to your child’s age by using simple truthful but interesting verbal communication. 
  • Be open, honest, and respectful when talking about faith with them. 

God gave a command a very long time ago and it is still valid today. This is what God said: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength. Always remember these commands I give you today. Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and walk along the road. Talk about them when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7) 

If you need help in introducing Jesus to your child, there are many Bible lessons and stories that you can share with them online, ours site being one of them. Walking with Yeshua (Jesus) – Bible Stories for Kids 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | February 12, 2025

WHY IS IT THAT SO MANY SO-CALLED CHRISTIANS DO NOT UNDERSTAND GOD’S GOSPEL? – 2 Corinthians 4:4

The apostle Paul wrote: “the god of this world (Satan) has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). 

Unbelievers are spiritually blind with a veil covering their heart. The only way the veil of blindness can be removed is by turning to the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:16). Until this happens, they are excluded from the life of God and remain darkened in their understanding because of the hardening of their heart and the ignorance that is in them (Ephesians 4:18). 

The devil, who is the god of this world, uses the evil influences of his world system to keep men occupied with idols. As the master deceiver, he has created many distractions that keep people from seeking the truth about God. “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world” (1 John 2:16). 

The world’s system of satanic lies and deception blinds people from the knowledge of God. The Bible soundly rebukes such people. “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (James 4:4). 

Satan does a masterful job of using religious pride to conceal God’s glorious Gospel of grace. This stubborn pride produces a fierce, unbending loyalty to an apostate church or a false religion. It is often seen in many religions when their followers are being evangelized. Many reject God’s gift of grace by saying, “I was born into this religion, and I will die believing what I was taught.” They need to know the truth that they were born a sinner and will die a sinner unless they repent and believe the Gospel (Mark 1:15). 

Sadly we should never underestimate the captivating power of religious indoctrination. Many religions begin teaching children from the time they can think that their religion is the only true religion. They grow up convinced that they belong to the “one true church or religion” and that their belief is the only one that is true. Such people are woefully deceived about their relationship with God. Tragically, millions go to their grave never knowing about God’s indescribable gift of salvation that comes only through Jesus Christ and nothing else. 

This prideful arrogance of self-righteousness and self-sufficiency is a great hindrance to recognizing the need for a Savior since personal pride blinds men from the seriousness of their sin. They refuse to acknowledge their need of a Savior and refuse to plead “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Such was the case of the self-righteous Pharisee who boasted in his good works before God but went home unjustified (Luke 18:10-14). 

People who do not know about God’s perfect standard of righteousness will seek to establish their own (Romans 10:1-3). Their only hope is to repent and believe Christ for His gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17), since this is man’s only passport to get into heaven (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

The greatest obstacle for many people learning the truth is their willful ignorance and stubborn belief that they already know the truth. Some religious people have a strong-minded determination to never consider opposing views on doctrinal issues. When confronted with the objective truth from God’s inspired, infallible, inerrant Word, they refuse to consider the possibility that they could be wrong. Tragically, they are “darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart” (Ephesians 4:18). 

Some reject the Gospel and choose to remain in a false religion because of an unwavering loyalty to their family. They do not want to offend their parents who might ostracize them or even remove them from their last will if they ever leave the family religion. This is one reason why Jesus said that a man’s enemies will be members of his own household and He will divide parents from children and believers from unbelievers (Matthew 10:34-37). 

The one who is misled is “the person without the Spirit who does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Only God can bring them to life through His mercy and grace (Ephesians 2:4-6), and only the truth of God’s Word can set them free from the snare of the devil (John 8:31-32). 

Clearly, there are many reasons why people reject God’s indescribable gift of eternal life. It is no wonder why the disciples asked our Lord, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:25-26). 

The Lord is the only one who can open stubborn hearts to receive the Gospel with joy (Acts 16:14). He is the only One who can shine in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). 

Knowing this, let us remember to pray to our Sovereign Lord for those who are perishing. Pray for God to grant them repentance and faith so they will trust Christ alone for salvation. Bear in mind that this life is short and eternity is forever, therefore, the most important question is where will you spend eternity? 

Remember that eternity is incomprehensible to the human mind since it is time without beginning or end; an infinite time, having no boundaries or limits; impossible to measure or calculate. Therefore, the decision you make in this life have never ending consequences, so think about it while you still have time. Once you take your last breath your verdict has been cast and can never be changed. 

For the truth of God’s Word on how to become or to know that you are a true born again Christian click on the following link: HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE A TRUE BORN AGAIN BELIEVER? – James 2:19

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Posted by: missionventureministries | February 5, 2025

GOD SAYS THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT YOU AND TEACH YOU – Psalm 32:8

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (Psalm 32:8) 

This verse conveys God’s promise to teach and guide believers in their life journey and assures that God will offer counsel and wisdom. It emphasizes God’s attentive and loving supervision, using the metaphor of His “eye” being on the believer. 

It is a reminder for believers to seek God’s wisdom rather than relying solely on their own understanding. It encourages a close relationship with God, where one is open to receiving divine instruction and counsel in navigating life’s challenges and decisions. 

To apply Psalm 32:8 to our daily lives let us consider the following practical steps: 

Start your day with prayer and meditation on God’s Word. Set aside time each morning to read Scripture and ask for God’s guidance, allowing Him to “instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.” 

Seek God’s wisdom in decision-making. Before making important choices, pause to pray and ask for divine counsel, trusting that God will “counsel you with His loving eye on you.” 

Develop a habit of listening for God’s voice throughout the day. Be attentive to His guidance through prayer, circumstances, and the wisdom of godly mentors. 

Apply biblical principles to your daily challenges. When facing difficulties, look to Scripture for guidance and practical wisdom on how to navigate them. 

Cultivate humility and openness to God’s direction. Start each day with a teachable spirit, ready to learn and follow God’s instructions. 

Trust in God’s loving supervision. Remember that God’s “eye is upon you,” watching over you with care and concern as you go about your day. 

Regularly reflect on how God has guided you. Take time to journal or share with others instances where you’ve experienced God’s instruction and counsel, reinforcing your trust in His guidance. 

Surround yourself with a community of believers who can offer godly advice and support as you seek to follow God’s path. 

By consistently implementing these practices, you can more fully experience and apply the promise of Psalm 32:8 in your daily life, allowing God to lead you along the best pathway for your life. And remember that by sharing Psalm 32:8 genuinely and compassionately with others, you can help them understand God’s commitment to guiding His children through life’s challenges. 

Therefore, never forget to: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | January 22, 2025

HOW TO SEEK THE LORD – Psalm 27:4-8

“One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.” Psalm 27:4 

This verse reflects David’s passionate relationship with God. Even when facing challenges his heart remained focused on seeking divine fellowship. His priority was on an intimate, continuous connection with the Lord. 

A close relationship with the Lord doesn’t happen accidentally. It requires continual, deliberate decisions to pursue Him. Intimacy can’t be achieved by reading a chapter or two of the Bible and praying indifferently. Seeking God is a lifetime commitment – day by day, year by year. 

Too many believers are satisfied to have a shallow, superficial relationship with the Lord. They’ll approach God for relief from suffering or fulfillment of other needs but are unwilling to sit quietly for an extended period of time just getting to know Him through prayer and His Word. Yet the most important pursuit in a believer’s life is building a relationship with God. To forfeit this great blessing is a tragedy. 

God doesn’t need anything from you, but He desires your loving devotion and intimate fellowship. Seeking the Lord cannot be something you hurry through or approach casually (Psalm 63:1). It will cost you time and effort, but the rewards are worth any sacrifice. 

So how do we accomplish this? 

Applying the longing expressed in Psalm 27:4 to daily life involves cultivating a deep desire for God’s presence and making it a priority in your everyday routine. 

Here are some practical ways to incorporate this spiritual aspiration: 

  • Begin each morning by setting aside time to “dwell in the house of the Lord” through prayer, meditation, or reading scripture. This helps establish a foundation of seeking God’s presence throughout your day. 
  • Practice mindfulness of God’s presence throughout your daily activities as you consciously focus your thoughts on God, acknowledging His presence in every moment. This can help you “gaze upon the beauty of the Lord” even during mundane tasks. 
  • Designate a quiet area in your home for prayer and reflection, symbolizing the “house of the Lord” in your own living space. 
  • Make a commitment to seek God above all else, echoing David’s “one thing” mentality. This might involve adjusting your schedule to prioritize time for spiritual practices. 
  • Develop a habit of ongoing conversation with God throughout your day, turning your thoughts to Him frequently. 
  • Regularly read and reflect on God’s Word to “inquire in His temple” and deepen your understanding of His character. 
  • Maintain a thankful attitude, consciously recognizing God’s blessings and beauty in your daily life. 
  • Participate in worship services and fellowship with other believers to experience God’s presence collectively. 
  • Train yourself to be aware of God’s presence in all circumstances and, 
  • Strive to keep God’s commandments in your daily decisions and interactions, as a way of abiding in His love. 

By implementing these practices, you can nurture a lifestyle that reflects the deep longing expressed in Psalm 27:4, making the pursuit of God’s presence the central focus of your daily life. 

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Posted by: missionventureministries | January 15, 2025

HOW TO TEACH CHILDREN TO BE IMITATORS OF GOD – Ephesians 5:1-2

Ephesians 5 vs 1-2

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2 

This verse is basically saying: You are like children who learn proper behavior from your parents, so, watch what God does, and then do it also. 

Children watch, and by watching, children learn. No matter how often we may say, ‘Do as I say, not as I do’ the children around us will learn from the lessons implied in our behavior far more effectively than the words we use. And they’ll probably pick up a good dose of hypocrisy at the same time. 

When you think your kids are not listening, remember this: a parent’s example is a child’s textbook. From language to mannerisms, kids grow by trying to do what they see their parents doing. As our children watch how we spend our time, money, and talents, they learn what we value. 

So, how does the principle of imitation apply to the goal of raising kids who follow Christ? If our kids hear us pray, will they pray? What if they see us reading our Bibles and going to church, will they learn to cherish Christ as we do? Based on Scripture, parents can take heart knowing that God will use our hard work (Hebrews 6:10). When we share the truth of the gospel with our words and lives, God accomplishes what only He can do, which is to bear fruit in the lives of our children (Isaiah 55:10-11). 

Our children need God’s grace and the transforming power of the gospel. The question remains: what part do parents play in reaching not only a child’s behavior but of transforming their heart?  

Ephesians 5:1 speaks powerfully to parents, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.” As parents imitate our Father God, we proclaim His beloved Son to our children. Our children have the opportunity to see in everyday reactions the power and the wonder of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension. In the power of the Holy Spirit, our everyday life makes the invisible visible.  

Imitating God is the privilege and gift God gives His children. In Ephesians 4:32, God gives Christian parents 3 traits to imitate for God’s glory in their family:  

God’s kindness: When we see selfishness, rebellion, anger, envy and pride in our child, what should we do? We search for proven biblical methods to get them to change.

Many times God is graciously showing us our own faults through our kids and giving us also an opportunity to change. 

God’s kindness shows us the sin in our hearts that we too often fail to see. As we humbly repent, God readies us to lead our kids to see the struggles with sin in their hearts. As parents imitate God’s kindness, we show our children not only what their sin is, but why they struggle with sin. We help them see that God works from the inside out as He starts with our own heart. As much as we want our kids to behave, our aim is more than to simply change behavior since: 

God wants us also to imitate His compassion: As you imitate God and His tenderhearted authority, you can help your kids understand that God has made them for Himself. Watch for opportunities in everyday life to talk about your own relationship with your loving Father. Pray for the ability to share on your child’s level your own struggles and joys. Your words and actions can show your kids what it means to live and grow as God’s child forever.  

An lastly, God wants us to imitate His loving forgiveness: When kids are young, they squabble with siblings and friends. Tears and timeouts are common. When we tell them to apologize, after a quick “sorry,” they often run back to restart the game, as if nothing ever happened. With age, arguments intensify, forgiveness becomes harder and relationships suffer. They reason, “If someone hurts us, they deserve to be hurt.”

How can parents help their children learn to forgive? Start by asking yourself, “How does God treat me when I have said and done what is wrong, does God ignore when I sin? Does He separate Himself from me? How does He discipline me? Do I recognize His love even as He disciplines me? How does He draw me to repent? How does He restore me to a relationship with Himself? God our Father shows us perfectly what forgiveness looks like. When we least deserved His love, He sent His only Son, Jesus to die for us. Jesus paid the penalty for our selfish quarrels and grudge-holding hearts.  

God gives parents many opportunities to imitate His loving forgiveness. When you have sinned against your child, God gives you the opportunity to impress your kids with the truth of His amazing love. He calls you not to cover your sin but confess, openly and humbly, to your child. Let them know you regret your careless words and actions that caused their hurt. With all sincerity say, “I need to ask for your forgiveness.” 

Remember this: Why do we want to imitate God? Because we love Him and we want to obey His loving instructions to us. We don’t want our kids to simply change their behavior. We want them to know the joy of imitating God themselves. Even after we are new creatures in Christ, honest parents know that our continuous struggle with our fallen nature at times stains the image of God in us. The more we grow in Christ, the more we see that at times we do not reflect God’s image clearly. But as we continue to imitate our Heavenly Father, we confidently trust our children will see more of Him in us.  

As we imitate Christ and our children imitate us, they will reap the benefits of the fruit of the Spirit as they learn about God and His Son not only from what we say but from what we do. So keep in mind to be careful what you do, because little eyes are watching you. 

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