Strangers And Foreigners

Every one of those people died.
But they still had faith, even though
they had not received what they had
been promised. They were glad just to
see these things from far away, and they
agreed that they were only strangers
and foreigners on this earth.
Hebrews 11:13

We’ve gone to many places around the world and seen many wonderful things, but it doesn’t feel like home. Even coming back to our country, it seems like we are foreigners in a strange land. The desire to go to a better place, and to call it home festered in me. It seems that I am longing for God like water in a dry desert. There is something better waiting for all of us because this is just a fleeting moment.

Completely Burned

I will punish the people of Jerusalem
with fire. Some of them have escaped
one destruction, but soon they will be
completely burned. And when that
happens, you, Ezekiel, will know that
I am the Lord.
Ezekiel 15:7

Jerusalem was completely burned by war when God punished them. It is the same thing that will happen in our nation because of their disgusting sins. It says that even though some escaped the first punishment, but the next one they will not. Wicked people thought they had escaped the pandemic, but there will be earthquakes, and wars that will soon happen. When these things happen, people will know that He is God.

Rooftops

Luke 17:31
At that time no one on a rooftop should go down into the house to get anything. No one in a field should go back to the house for anything.

I saw the news about flooding in Germany, and recalled this verse. People were at the rooftops because of the terrible flooding that happened.

I also read about the terrible wildfires that are happening right now, and also recalled this verse. When you’re in the field, you can’t go back to your house for anything.

Vultures

Where there is a corpse,
there will always be buzzards.
Luke 17:37

Buzzards or vultures are predators. A predator is an animal that eats other animals — or people or companies who act like they do. Predators come in all sizes. They prey on anyone who is weaker than themselves. But, God protects His children. This verse is included when the Son of Man comes. It is a time of tribulation where there will be floods, and raging wildfires. We know it is happening today, and so be always ready.

Looks

We are careful not to judge people
by what they seem to be, though
we once judged Christ in that way.
2 Corinthians 5:16

There was nothing attractive about Jesus, says in the book of Isaiah. People judged him by what he seemed to be. Jesus was a lowly carpenter, with brothers and sisters they knew. Still, He healed the sick and preached the gospel. Jesus said, “Prophets are honored by everyone, except the people of their hometown and their own family.” And because the people did not have any faith, Jesus did not work many miracles there.

A Life Pleasing To God

Christ did die for all of us.
He died so we would no longer live
for ourselves, but for the one who
died and was raised to life for us.
2 Corinthians 5:15

Look, all God is asking for us is to live an upright life. Jesus died for us, and in return we should at least lead a godly life. It is also for our good! Jesus died so that we will not have to die like how he died, so that we would prosper and enjoy His kindness. Yes, there will be troubles and persecution, but who doesn’t experience problems? We all do. But, we fix our eyes on the prize of eternal life, the thing we haven’t seen. And so, we increase our faith to finish the task God has instilled in us for His glorious purpose.

Get Up Again

In times of trouble, God is with us,
and when we are knocked down,
we get up again.
2 Corinthians 4:9

We are lost, and we don’t know if we will ever recover again. Cheer up! The Lord your God will fight alongside you and help you win the battle (Deuteronomy 20:4). The war isn’t over, and we will get up again. If you look at world history, wars, plagues, and economic turmoil are a fact of life. Christians have this hope that someday, they will be free from this vicious cycle and live abundantly with God. That is God’s promise, and God keeps His word.

Maturity

Think like mature people and
be as innocent as tiny babies.
1 Corinthians 14:20

When I was in high school, all I did was play computer games. I don’t study, I eat fast, and exercise less. Then, when college came, I didn’t collect comics anymore, I studied early in the morning up until noon, and ate with friends. In 2021, I could smell birthday cakes burning. I don’t play computer games anymore, I usually paint, write, make music, and do chores around the house like washing dishes, sweeping the floor, etc. I guess getting older makes a person carry more responsibilities. You think more for others than of yourself.

Moving Mountains

What if I could prophesy and
understand all secrets and all
knowledge? And what if I had
faith that moved mountains?
I would be nothing, unless I
loved others.
1 Corinthians 13:2

A volcano in our province just had a small eruption yesterday, and I thank God it’s not a major one. I believe that it will not erupt the same way it happened years ago when all of the province was breathing ash. Praise God, most people survived it. Many people helped each other by giving food, water, shelter and clothes. Maybe, if we only have faith that will not move mountains.

OM-

Now I want you to know that
if you are led by God’s Spirit,
you will say that Jesus is Lord,
and you will never curse Jesus.
1 Corinthians 12:3

I usually hear this curse everywhere. If it wasn’t God’s name, it would be Jesus’ name. How can you pray to the Lord and ask for blessings, then with the same mouth you curse Him? Do not say the name of the Lord thy God in vain as written in the Ten Commandments. It’s sad to hear this “omg” from children, and having no respect for God. “God” is His name, and we should honor His name.