DON’T be tempted by the prosperity gospel… a false gospel that promises worldly riches if we simply give enough money. This distorted teaching lures us into chasing material gain instead of seeking true fulfillment in a genuine walk of faith. While it’s easy to be enticed by the prospect of abundant blessings, God’s Word calls us to something deeper. We should never pursue profit at the cost of sacrificing sincere devotion to God. Keep your eyes on Jesus, remembering that the greatest treasure we could ever receive is already ours through His sacrifice on the cross. The Bible warns clearly about the dangers of craving wealth above all else. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10 (NIV), it says, “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” This passage reminds us that setting our hearts on riches can lead us astray. We become distracted by empty pursuits instead of seeking God’s kingdom first. James 4:3 (NIV) adds, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” That’s powerful. If our only desire is more money, we’re ignoring God’s desire for us to care for others with compassion. Why chase after temporary wealth when we could be investing our lives in love, service, and truth? Jesus Himself had very little in the way of possessions, yet He carried infinite love. In Luke 9:58 (NIV), we read, “Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.’” The Lord of all creation humbly walked among us without storing up earthly treasure. It’s a stark contrast to those who pressure congregations for financial gain to live lavishly. Proverbs 16:8 (NIV) teaches, “Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.” True righteousness doesn’t revolve around hoarding wealth; it’s about modeling Christ’s humility and generosity. We already hold the most precious gift possible: salvation through Jesus, who forgave our sins and opened the way to eternal life. John 11 illustrates a profound moment of Jesus’ power and mercy. Lazarus was dead, and his sisters were grieving. Jesus, full of compassion, took this moment to point everyone to the glory of God. He didn’t show up offering a prosperity package or demanding payment. Instead, He wept with those who mourned, then raised Lazarus from the grave, demonstrating that the true miracle is found in God’s authority over life and death. People who cling to the prosperity gospel might overlook that Jesus’ greatest gifts are spiritual and eternal, not merely financial. Christ’s heart was to renew souls, restore hope, and bring people into a deeper relationship with the Father. Our hearts should long for the same. It’s vital to examine ourselves. Are we more disturbed by the thought of missing out on riches or the risk of missing out on God’s call to care for others? Let’s not be swayed by smooth-talking leaders who guilt us into handing over money while neglecting genuine love and service. Instead, let’s focus on honoring Jesus by demonstrating kindness and godly character. Everything else pales in comparison to the joy of walking in His footsteps. May we stand firm against any teaching that cheapens the gospel, and instead boldly hold onto the truth that Christ alone is our reward. We should never forget that we are already blessed with peace, salvation, and the promise of everlasting life. Let’s stay alert, stay humble, and stay devoted to the Lord’s way. If we do this, we’ll discover the riches of God’s grace are far greater than any earthly treasure. Let’s keep our hearts grounded in faith, trusting Him for every need, and lifting up the name of Jesus above all else. Where our treasure is, there our hearts are too. Let’s make sure our hearts are in the right place. ✨ #Faith #Truth #Jesus #ChristianLiving #TrustGod #ProsperityGospel

After reading John 10, I’m so amazed by Jesus! One particular moment that really struck me is when Jesus refers to Psalm 82. In that psalm, we see God addressing rulers who received His word but twisted justice because they relied on their own standards. Jesus points to this passage to expose the hypocrisy of those accusing Him of blasphemy. They had the Law, they had the Word, yet they closed their hearts to the truth. In John 10:34-36 (NIV), it says: “Jesus answered them, ‘Is it not written in your Law, “I have said you are ‘gods’”? If he called them “gods,” to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, “I am God’s Son”?’” The original psalm (Psalm 82) describes these “gods” as judges who were supposed to uphold righteousness but failed miserably. The Word of God came to them, yet they refused to apply divine standards to their leadership. Similarly, many of the spiritual leaders in Jesus’ time diligently studied the Scriptures yet failed to see that the very Word of God stood right before their eyes. When Jesus revealed His divine identity, they were not only astonished but also fiercely opposed to accepting the truth He embodied. Jesus’ reference to being “set apart” by the Father does not suggest He was created. The gospel of John begins by declaring that Jesus is the eternal Word of God (John 1:1), and John 1:3 (NIV) boldly states, “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” From the start, we see that Jesus created everything, and thus cannot be a mere creation. When John 10 speaks of Jesus as being set apart, it points to the unique mission He was sent to accomplish—His role as the Messiah and the Savior of the world, not some subordinate created being. We must trust Jesus and embrace who He says He is. When we place our faith in Him, our lives transform. We become part of His flock, guided by His voice. We begin to care for others with genuine compassion and reject the self-serving attitudes that separate us from God’s love. By following Jesus, we experience a relationship with the true Word who has existed from the beginning and will reign forever. Heavenly Father, thank You for opening our hearts to Your Word. Help us to recognize Jesus as the eternal Son who has always been with You. Guide us to turn away from selfishness and live in the light of Your grace. May we honor You by following Christ’s example, loving others, and standing firm in the truth that He is the Son of God. In Jesus’ name, Amen. ✨ #JesusIsLord #TruthAndGrace #Psalm82 #John10 #FaithInAction #NIVQuotes #EternalWord #ChristianLiving #PraiseGod #BelieveAndLove #GoodShepherd #TrustGod #PrayerTime #Amen ✝️

Well, yesterday’s Sunday service left me feeling a bit disheartened. You know you’re at a snooty church when the vicar shares how he visited a town and dismissed it as a dump, only for the congregation to chuckle smugly, as if to say, “Thank goodness we don’t live there.” It saddens me that in my church, all people seem to discuss is where they live and what job they have. It's a place filled with shallow individuals who judge others based on social status and wealth. This attitude is far from Christian. In these moments, I find solace in the teachings of Jesus, who reminded us in Matthew 7:1 (NIV), "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." This verse speaks directly to the heart of the issue. It calls us to reflect on our attitudes and remember that our worth in God's eyes is not determined by our social standing or material wealth. As Christians, we are called to look beyond the superficial and embrace the core values of love, humility, and acceptance. To illustrate this, consider the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37. Here, Jesus tells of a man who, despite being from a despised group, showed genuine compassion and kindness to a stranger. This parable highlights that true Christian behavior transcends social boundaries and prejudices. Jesus asks us to "go and do likewise," encouraging us to act with love and mercy. Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) instructs us, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." By fostering a culture of acceptance and understanding, our church can become a beacon of hope and love in the community. We must strive to be a reflection of Christ’s love, embracing others regardless of their background or status. ❤️ Let us pray: Dear God, we ask for Your guidance in cultivating a heart of love and acceptance. Help us to look beyond the surface and see the true value in each person. May we be a reflection of Your grace, embracing humility and kindness in all we do. Amen. 🙏 #FaithInAction #LoveOneAnother #ChristianLiving #HumbleHearts #CommunityInChrist