Hero of Faith: Ebed-Melech

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EBED-MELECH

You may never have heard of Ebed-melech. His story is found in the book of Jeremiah. He is known for rescuing Jeremiah from the pit. As a foreigner and a eunuch, his actions reveal profound courage, compassion, and faith in the God of Israel. The prophet Jeremiah had been thrown into a muddy cistern by hostile officials who viewed his prophecies of Jerusalem’s fall as treasonous. Left to sink in the mire, Jeremiah faced certain death amid the city’s famine.

“Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; Ebedmelech went forth out of the king’s house, and spake to the king, saying, My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.  Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die. So Ebedmelech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah. And Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so. So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.” (Jeremiah 38:7-13)

This rescue was no small feat. In a city gripped by fear and betrayal, Ebed-Melech stood alone as the one willing to defend God’s prophet when even the king wavered.

Before the final fall of Jerusalem, God sends a personal message to Ebedmelech through Jeremiah: “Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee.  But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid. For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey (prize) unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 39:15-18)

Ebedmelech trusted God, and God remembered his courage. By rescuing Jeremiah, he sided with God’s messenger against popular opposition. He didn’t lead an army; he just did what was right. Nothing more is said of him, but the scriptures record for all time this simple act of faith. Ebed-Melech’s story illustrates timeless truths: God notices those who trust Him. This outsider shone as a beacon of faith, reminding us that trusting God includes simple acts often while standing alone for what is right.

Agape

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Happy New Year: 2026 Bible Reading Plan

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BIBLE READING RESOLUTION

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

I asked a fellow one day if he knew why people read the Bible daily. He said that he didn’t really know why. It got me thinking about why we ought to read the Bible.

In a world filled with confusion, relativism, and aimless wandering, we desperately need to immerse ourselves in the Bible, God’s inspired Word. As Ephesians 5:17 urges, we must not live foolishly but understand the WILL OF THE LORD, which is revealed clearly through Scripture. John 17:17 declares that GOD’S WORD IS TRUTH ITSELF; the objective anchor in an age of shifting sand of public opinions, guarding us from deception. Moreover, 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to always BE READY TO GIVE A DEFENSE FOR THE HOPE WITHIN US, a readiness that comes only from knowing and internalizing biblical truth. Finally, recognizing that it is not in man to direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23), we turn to Psalm 119:105, where GOD’S WORD BECOMES A LAMP TO OUR FEET AND A LIGHT TO OUR PATH, illuminating our purpose and guiding us safely through life’s journey. Without regular reading of the Bible, we stumble in darkness; with it, we walk confidently in God’s eternal direction.

Get A Bookmark; it’s the easiest Bible Reading Plan.
A simple bookmark can be one of the most powerful tools for staying consistent in Bible reading, even without following a formal plan. Life is unpredictable with busy schedules, unexpected interruptions, and shifting priorities that can easily derail our good intentions to read Scripture daily. But a bookmark quietly solves this problem by marking exactly where we left off, so we know where to go when we pick back up the Bible again. No need to remember the last chapter or verse, no pressure to “catch up” on missed days, and no guilt over abandoning a rigid reading schedule. It allows us to resume right where we stopped, whether that was yesterday, or last week. This simple device keeps the habit alive, allowing steady progress through the Word over months and years. Over time, that humble bookmark becomes a faithful companion helping us build a lifelong rhythm of reading His Word; one verse, one chapter, one bookmark placement at a time.

I have found it most effective to set a time to read each day. In the early years I would read just before bed (a great strategy if you’re trying to avoid screen time at the end of the day). This helped me to go to sleep with God’s word on my heart. Now a days I read in the mornings (Monday – Friday) following a 5-day reading plan to read through the whole bible in one year. May God’s word be a blessing to you as you read in 2026.

Agape
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Evidence for our Faith: the Virgin Birth

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In the fullness of time, the royal heir of David’s eternal throne was born—not in a palace, but in Bethlehem’s humble manger; not by natural means, but of a virgin—as God had promised centuries before. These four ancient prophecies, among dozens more surrounding His birth, converged in one miraculous moment, declaring with unbreakable certainty: Jesus is the promised Messiah, and heaven’s King has come to earth.

Jesus’ birth was not natural, it was miraculous.

One of the most distinctive and controversial assertions of Christianity is that Jesus of Nazareth was born of a virgin. The New Testament presents this as the deliberate fulfillment of an ancient Hebrew prophecy spoken 700 years earlier. “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

New Testament Fulfillment Claims

Matthew’s Gospel opens with the clearest claim:

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’” (Matthew 1:22–23). Luke 1:26–35 independently records the announcement to Mary, emphasizing that Mary was a virgin (Luke 1:27, 34), and the child would be conceived by the Holy Spirit.

The claim that Jesus of Nazareth is the literal fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 (the virgin-born Immanuel) has profound, personal, and life-reorienting implications for anyone coming to Him. Here are some major takeaways:

God Keeps His Word, Perfectly and Literally: A prophecy given 700+ years earlier is fulfilled down to the detail of the virgin conception. This means every other promise God has made (about forgiveness, resurrection, judgment, eternal life, the restoration of all things) is equally reliable. You can stake your life on the Bible.

God Has Actually Entered the Human Story: “Immanuel” = “God with us.”

The virgin birth is not just a biological miracle; it is the miracle of the Incarnation. The eternal Son did not remain distant. He became one of us (flesh and blood) without ceasing to be God. The One who made the galaxies (John 1:3; Col 1:16) has come close enough to be held in a mother’s arms and, later, nailed to a cross for you.

Jesus Is Uniquely Qualified to Save: Because He is conceived by the Holy Spirit, He is the divine Son in human flesh (Luke 1:35). He can do what no mere prophet, priest, or good teacher can do; stand as the perfect mediator who is both sides of the covenant at once (Job 9:32-33). He can represent God to us and us to God.

Jesus Is Worthy of Worship, Not Just Admiration: Jesus is not merely a rabbi, moral genius, or martyr. He is the Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6) lying in a manger. The only fitting response is the response of the Magi; fall down and worship Him (Matthew 2:11).

History Has an Irreversible Turning Point: The virgin birth means the world is now divided into Before Christ and After Christ. The curse of Genesis 3:15 is being crushed by “the seed of the woman” has begun its defeat. The long exile of humanity from Eden is ending. Your life is not meaningless. You live on the fulfillment side of the greatest promise ever given.

You have a Future Hope: The same God who can raise the dead who brought life where no human seed existed can raise you with a glorified body when you die. The virgin womb and the empty tomb are bookends of the gospel.

In short, if the Bible is right (and it is) about the virgin-born Immanuel, then Jesus is exactly who He claimed to be. Therefore: Run to Him while there is time. Trust Him completely by obeying the Gospel—He can save to the uttermost. Worship Him exclusively—He is the Lord. Wait for Him expectantly—He is coming again.

Agape

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Evidence for our Faith: the Royal Birth

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The Royal Birth of the Humble King:

The New Testament opens with two royal genealogies for Jesus, boldly proclaiming Him as the long-awaited heir to David’s throne. Yet the circumstances of His birth could not be further from earthly expectations of royalty. Born not in a palace surrounded by courtiers, but in a stable and laid in an animal’s feeding trough; the conquering King of an eternal kingdom enters the world in poverty and lowliness.

Establishing the Royal Claim

Matthew 1:1–17 traces Jesus’ legal lineage through Joseph, His adoptive father, emphasizing His right to the throne of David: “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham… So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.” (Matthew 1:1, 17)

Matthew structures the list in three sets of fourteen, highlighting Davidic kingship and fulfillment of covenant promises.

Luke 3:23–38 presents a different line, widely understood as tracing through Mary, Jesus’ biological mother, going backward all the way to “Adam, the son of God.” Both converge at David, but they diverge after David: Matthew follows Solomon’s royal line (the kings of Judah), while Luke follows Nathan’s line (another son of David). Together, they establish: Legal royal succession through Joseph. Bloodline descent from David through Mary. Ultimate humanity as Son of Adam and Son of God (Luke 1:32–33). Jesus is the promised eternal King (2 Samuel 7:12–16; Isaiah 9:6–7). The genealogies declare His right to rule.

The Stark Contrast: Born in Poverty, Not a Palace

While Herod the Great ruled from opulent palaces with theaters, frescoes, and Roman luxury, the true King arrived in obscurity. “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). No royal announcement in Jerusalem. No midwives from the court. No cradle of gold. Just a feeding trough in Bethlehem, surrounded by animals, visited first by shepherds (the lowest class of society). This was no accident. It was prophetic fulfillment.

Recognized as the Conquering King of an Eternal Kingdom

Though He began in a manger, Jesus would be hailed as King: The Magi sought “the king of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2). On His final entry into Jerusalem, crowds shouted, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38), fulfilling Zechariah 9:9: “Behold, your king is coming to you… humble and mounted on a donkey.” His conquest was not by sword but by the cross. He defeated sin, death, and Satan, rising victorious to ascend to His eternal throne where He reigns now!

Revelation portrays the final reality: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)

Spencer

agape

Evidence for our Faith: Jesus, Right on Time

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The birth of Jesus Christ stands as one of history’s most profound events, not merely because of who He is, but because of when He came. The Old Testament, written centuries before His arrival, contains precise prophecies about the timing of the Messiah’s appearance. These predictions, fulfilled in Jesus, provide compelling evidence that He is the promised Christ. As Paul declares in Galatians 4:4, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.” These prophecies build unbreakable confidence in the Gospel today and obeying the gospel of the Kingdom of Christ is the right path because Jesus arrived precisely as foretold.

One of the most astonishing prophecies is Daniel’s 70 weeks (Daniel 9:24-27). Given around 538 BC, this vision outlines “seventy weeks” (or “sevens”) determined for the Jewish people to finish transgression, to make an end of sins, and anoint the Most Holy. Scholars widely interpret these as weeks of years; totaling 490 years. The prophecy begins “from the going forth of the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem” until “Messiah the Prince.”

The clearest timing prophecy appears in Daniel 9:24–27. Daniel wrote during the Babylonian exile, yet he predicted the coming of “Messiah the Prince” with astonishing precision. He spoke of “seventy weeks” (symbolic weeks of years) counting from the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem. Daniel declares that after the sixty-nine weeks, “shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself” (Daniel 9:26). This sets a specific window when the Messiah would appear and give His life as a sacrifice. History confirms that from the Persian decrees to rebuild Jerusalem to the first century AD fits Daniel’s prophetic timeline exactly; placing the arrival of the Messiah squarely at the time of Jesus of Nazareth. No other figure in history appears within that window fulfilling the works of the Messiah. That timing alone anchors our faith: God promised, and God delivered. Modern statisticians estimate 1 in 10^17 for Daniel’s Messianic prophecies alone.

Another key timing indicator is Genesis 49:10: “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes.” Jacob prophesied that Judah’s tribal authority would endure until the Messiah (“Shiloh,” meaning “He whose right it is”). Judah retained self-governance, including the right to execute capital punishment, until around AD 6-7, when Rome stripped the Sanhedrin of this power under Archelaus’ deposition. Jesus, from Judah’s line (Matthew 1:1-16; Luke 3:23-33), was crucified shortly after; precisely when the “scepter departed.” Had the Messiah come later, Judah would have lost its authority too soon.

The period between Malachi (c. 430 BC) and Jesus also aligns prophetically. After Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, a 400-year prophetic silence ensued; no major prophets arose in Israel. This “silence” heightened anticipation, as Malachi promised Elijah’s return before the great day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5-6). John the Baptist fulfilled this as the forerunner (Matthew 11:13-14; Luke 1:17), announcing Jesus. The silence ended exactly when the Messiah appeared.

These timings were no coincidence. The Roman Empire (also a predicted kingdom Dan 2:44) provided roads and peace (Pax Romana) for Gospel spread; Greek language unified communication; Jewish synagogues worldwide prepared diaspora hearts. Jesus came in the “fullness of time;” politically, culturally, and spiritually ripe.

Today, this evidence strengthens faith. If God orchestrated history with such precision (down to years and events) then Jesus is undeniably the Christ. He fulfilled not just timing prophecies, but many, many more: born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), from David’s line (2 Samuel 7:12-16). His life, death, and resurrection confirm the Old Testament’s promises.

Believer, take heart: Obeying the Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ is sound because history proves Jesus arrived at the predicted moment. The same God who timed the Messiah’s birth can be trusted for eternal life.

Agape

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Evidence for our Faith: O Little Town of Bethlehem

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Jesus Was Born in the Exact Town God Named 700 Years Earlier

Imagine you’re trying to prove to a friend that the Bible isn’t just a religious book, but something that actually predicts the future with crazy detail. One of the strongest pieces of evidence is the prophecy about where the Messiah would be born. It’s not vague like a horoscope; it’s specific, and it came true in a way nobody could have staged.

About 700 years before Jesus was born, a prophet named Micah stood up and said something wild: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2)

Notice three things that make this jaw-dropping:

It names a tiny, no-name village. Bethlehem wasn’t Jerusalem, the capital. It wasn’t even a big town. In Micah’s day there were thousands of villages in Judah; picking Bethlehem is like saying “the Savior of the world will be born in Mayberry or some random small town nobody’s heard of.” There were maybe a couple hundred people living there. The odds of guessing the exact birthplace centuries ahead are ridiculous.

It says this Ruler existed “from of old, from everlasting.” That phrase in Hebrew literally means “from ancient days” or “from eternity.” In plain English: this isn’t just some future king who starts existing when he’s born; He already existed forever. Christians look at that and immediately think of John 1:1; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Same eternal person.

The prophecy says the promised Ruler will come out of Bethlehem. Not raised there, not crowned there; BORN THERE. Fast-forward 700 years. Mary and Joseph are living up north in Nazareth. Mary is nine months pregnant. There is zero reason for them to travel 90 miles south to Bethlehem. NONE. Except Caesar Augustus decides he wants a census and everybody has to go back to their ancestral hometown. Joseph’s family line goes back to King David… who is also from Bethlehem. So, a Roman emperor unknowingly forces a very pregnant woman to travel to the exact village Micah named centuries earlier. (Luke 2:1-7). God’s Son would be born in the precise delivery room He announced 700 years before.

Why is this one prophecy so powerful for our faith?

First, nobody could fake it. Joseph and Mary weren’t powerful people who could bribe officials or choose their birthplace. They were poor, ordinary, and obeying an inconvenient government order. The timing and location were completely out of their control.

Second, the Jewish leaders in Jesus’ day knew this prophecy very well. That’s why when the wise men showed up in Jerusalem asking, “Where is He who’s born King of the Jews?” the priests answered, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet” and quoted Micah 5:2 (Matthew 2:5-6). Even the people who rejected Jesus admitted the Messiah had to come from there.

Third, it shows Jesus is the Messiah promised of old. Seven centuries before it happened, God put the street address on record. Then His Son came into the world in that exact little town.

When you stack up details like this (tiny village named, eternal origin stated, Roman census forcing the trip), it’s not lucky guessing. It’s evidence that Someone outside of time knew the future and told us ahead of time so we’d recognize His Son when He showed up.

Bethlehem isn’t just a cute Christmas-card detail. It’s God saying, “I told you exactly where I was sending My Son; watch Me deliver.” And He did. That’s why this one prophecy still shuts down skeptics and strengthens believers two thousand years later. God kept His 700-year-old appointment to the very town He promised.

This is just one reason why the Bible can be trusted. The its fulfillment of this prophecy is just one rock in the mountain of evidence for our faith.

Agape

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Gratitude Rejoices at Repentance

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Gratitude; Rejoicing in Restoration.
(Luke 15:25–32)

The music was already swelling when the elder brother approached the house. Rejoicing drifted through the air along with the scent of roasted calf. Inside, the father had opened the storeroom of joy. A son once dead was alive, once lost was found. Yet one voice refused to join in the chorus: the brother who had never left.

Ingratitude begins as a whisper: “I’ve been overlooked.” The elder son could not restrain himself. “This son of yours came, who has devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf!” (v. 30). Notice the language: this son of yours. In one breath, ingratitude severed the tie of brotherhood. The repentant prodigal became a stranger, and the elder brother became judge.

Restoration requires rejoicing with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15), but ingratitude demands a ledger: What have I received? What has he lost? The father’s answer should have been enough: “Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine” (v. 31). But ingratitude counts deficits.

He overlooked existing blessings the way a man starves beside a banquet. Every day he had walked the fields that were already his, and had eaten from tables never denied him. Yet ingratitude rewrote history: “these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid…” (v. 29). The lie is breathtaking. He had not been a slave but a son. He had not been denied but entrusted. Ingratitude turned sonship into servitude and generosity into grudge.

The elder brother’s complaint was not about goats or calves; it was about merit. I stayed. I worked. I deserved. The prodigal’s return exposed the elder’s idolatry. Bitterness judges repentance and finds it wanting (cf. Hebrews 12:15). The father’s feast became an offense because it celebrated restoration without recognition for himself.

Worst of all, his ingratitude led to a self-imposed separation from the repentant. The prodigal had come home repentant, rehearsing confession. The father had run, embraced, restored. But the elder brother refused to cross the threshold. His ingratitude built a wall where none existed. The repentant son was inside, clothed in the best robe, ring on his finger, sandals on his feet. The unrepentant brother stood outside, arms crossed, heart closed. The father left the rejoicing to plead with him; a heartbreaking moment of reversal. His prodigal son was inside, but his faithful son was now outside.

We never learn if the elder brother ever softened, we’re left to examine ourselves. When someone returns, when someone repents, when someone is restored, will we stand outside, cataloging slights? Or will we hear the music, remember the blessings, and join the rejoicing (Luke 15:7)?

Agape
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Gratitude: God expects it

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Gratitude; God expects it.

November’s cozy gatherings and pumpkin-spiced moments spark a flicker of gratitude in many of us. Yet, as Black Friday ads flood our screens and holiday shopping takes over, thankfulness often gets trampled under a scramble for deals. God’s Word, however, doesn’t limit gratitude to a single day like Thanksgiving. Scripture reveals that God expects His people to live with thankful hearts every day.

Gratitude refocuses our hearts toward His goodness. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul writes, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This is no suggestion; it’s God’s clear expectation.

A compelling example of His displeasure with ingratitude comes from Numbers 11:1-6, where the Israelites grumbled about their wilderness provisions, longing for Egypt’s food instead of praising God for their miraculous deliverance. Their complaints provoked God’s anger, and fire broke out in their camp as a consequence. This stark moment shows that ingratitude dismisses God’s provision, and brings on God’s anger.

Today, when we fixate on what we lack (especially amid our seasonal materialistic rush) we risk echoing the Israelites’ error. Ingratitude is among the conditions that invoke God’s anger, (Romans 1:21). Gratitude, as psychologist Robert Emmons notes in his studies, shifts our focus from scarcity to abundance, helping us see God’s hand in every detail, from daily bread to His unending grace. We don’t need science to tell us what scripture already reveals (Matt 6:25-34).

Gratitude in our worship will deepen our connection to God. Psalm 100:4 says, “enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” God expects gratitude because it acknowledges His sovereignty and faithfulness. When we thank Him daily, whether for an answered prayer or strength in trials, we are acknowledging His blessings in our lives (James 1:17). This counters the fleeting gratitude of social media posts that fade as holiday sales dominate. By making thankfulness a habit, we fulfill God’s desire for a people who recognize His goodness, drawing closer to Him in a world that often pulls us away.

Finally, a grateful heart is essential to being the light of the world that we are showing others, meeting His expectation for us to live as His light. Colossians 3:15-17 urges us to “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” and act “with gratitude.” Thankfulness fuels the brightness of our light and allows us to pierce the shadows of darkness, drawing others to Christ. When we’re grateful, we’re less likely to look like the word (in judgment or envy), and more likely to be a blessing to others. Gratitude strengthens our connection to those around us. In a season tempting us to value “things” over people, gratitude keeps us grounded in what matters.

God expects our gratitude every day, not just on Thanksgiving Day. Start now; thank Him for one thing each morning, big or small. Let’s glorify Him, avoiding the Israelites’ mistake, and let a thankful heart shine His love daily.

agape

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Jesus and Gratitude

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Jesus and a Heart of Gratitude

Gratitude has a way of softening the heart, doesn’t it? It shifts our gaze from what’s missing to what’s present, from worry to wonder. In the life of Jesus, we see a beautiful model of thankfulness, even in the midst of challenges. The example of our Lord helps us to pause, reflect, and give thanks in our own lives.

Picture the scene: thousands of people, hungry and weary, gathered on a hillside. Jesus holds just five loaves and two fish; hardly enough for a crowd. Yet, in John 6:11, we read that Jesus took the loaves, JESUS GAVE THANKS, and distributed them through the hands of his disciples, and the food multiplied to feed over 5,000 people. Before the miracle even happened, Jesus gave thanks. We don’t give thanks solely on what we see, but on faith in God’s goodness. This moment reminds us that giving thanks, even when resources seem scarce reminds us to trust in God.

In another scene at the Last Supper, Jesus shared a meal that would become a cornerstone of Christian faith. In Luke 22:17-19, He took the cup and bread, JESUS GAVE THANKS, and broke them, sharing with His disciples. This was a deeply human moment of connection. “And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:15). Jesus knew betrayal and suffering were near, yet JESUS GAVE THANKS for the elements that represent His Body and His Blood. His gratitude in that bittersweet moment teaches us to be grateful even when the road ahead feels heavy.

In one more scene in John 11:41-42, as Jesus stood before Lazarus’ tomb, He lifted His eyes and said, “Father, I THANK YOU that You have heard Me” (emphasis mine seb). Lazarus was still dead when Jesus spoke these words, but He thanked God with confidence that His prayer would be answered. Not only that, He gave thanks to God vocally for the benefit of those around. “And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 11:42; cf. James 1:6). Perhaps this is a lesson for me? To give thanks in the view and hearing of others rather than simply saying, “I’ll pray for you.” This bold gratitude shows a deep trust in God, even in the face of death. It’s a powerful reminder that thankfulness isn’t just for what’s already happened but for what God has promised to do.

Jesus’ life shows us that gratitude isn’t just a reaction to what is, but faith in God for what will be. Whether He was facing a hungry crowd, a sacred meal, or a moment of loss, JESUS GAVE THANKS, leaving us an example to follow. For us, this can be a daily practice. Start small: thank God for a warm meal, a kind word, or a quiet moment. Write down three things each day you’re grateful for, or pause to pray before a challenge, trusting God’s provision; and be thankful for the things that God has promised. He has promised to care for us (Heb 13:5,6; Matt 6:33). He has promised the forgiveness of sins (1John 1:9-2:2). He has promised a crown (2Tim 4:6-8).

Giving thanks can change our negative attitudes, drawing us closer to God and each other. Let’s follow Jesus’ example, choosing thankfulness not just when life feels abundant but in every season, knowing God is always near.

Agape
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God is not for CALVINISM

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God Is Not a Calvinist

The Bible presents a God of boundless love, genuine invitation, and impartial justice. Yet Calvinism (through its doctrines of unconditional election, limited atonement, and irresistible grace) paints a different portrait: a God who sovereignly chooses some for heaven and others for hell, apart from their response. This article examines nine biblical truths that directly contradict core Calvinist claims. God is not a Calvinist because…

1. He Teaches Man Is Free to CHOOSE

“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness… And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:14–15, ESV)

God does not mock His creatures with illusory commands. Joshua’s charge assumes real moral ability to choose between serving God or idols. Calvinism’s unconditional election denies this freedom, claiming the unelect cannot choose God. But Scripture places responsibility squarely on human shoulders.

2. He Desires ALL to Be Saved

“This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:3–4)

Paul roots evangelism in God’s universal salvific will. Calvinism redefines “all” as “all kinds of people” (i.e., the elect from every nation). But the Greek pantas anthrōpous means every human without exception. God’s desire conflicts with their decree that guarantees most will perish.

3. He LOVES the Whole World

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Calvinism limits Christ’s death to the elect. Yet “world” (kosmos) here is all-encompassing (every sinner, not a pre-selected subset). Salvation hinges on whoever believes, not whoever was chosen before time.

4. Jesus Is the Propitiation for the Whole World

“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:1–2)

John destroys limited atonement in one sentence. Christ’s blood satisfies God’s wrath for every sin of every person. The offer of forgiveness is universal and sufficient—though not universally applied (due to unbelief, not divine decree; see Romans 1:20-32).

5. Jesus Was Willing, but ISRAEL Was Not

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem… How often would I have gathered your children… and you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37)

Jesus’ lament exposes the myth of irresistible grace. Divine will (“I would”) clashes with human refusal (“you were not willing”). Grace woos, but does not compel. The same crowd that rejected Christ could have repented; if they had been willing.

6. He Is NOT Willing That Any Should Perish

“The Lord is… not willing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

Peter ties God’s patience to a universal hope for repentance. Calvinism inserts “any of the elect” and “all of the elect,” but the text says any and all—period. God delays judgment to give every sinner opportunity (2Peter 3:15).

7. He Warns Believers of the Possibility of Falling

“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12)

Calvinism’s perseverance of the saints teaches true believers cannot fall away. Yet Paul warns the Corinthian church—regenerate Christians—of real spiritual danger. Apostasy is possible; perseverance is commanded, not guaranteed. The Bible is full of warnings against apostasy.

8. He Says Baptism Saves

“Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience…” (1 Peter 3:21)

Calvinism often treats baptism as a mere symbol with no saving efficacy. Peter disagrees: baptism saves—not magically, but as the God-ordained moment of calling on the name of the Lord (cf. Acts 2:38; 22:16; Romans 10:13; Mark 16:16). It is the normative entry into Christ’s death and resurrection (Rom 6:3–4; Colossians 2:11-12).

9. He Teaches Babies Are Safe—We Do Not Inherit Adam’s Guilt

“The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father…” (Ezekiel 18:20)
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)

Calvinism’s total depravity includes inherited guilt—infants are “vipers in diapers,” born condemned. But:

  • David said of his dead infant, “I shall go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Sam 12:23)—implying the child was saved.
  • Jesus held up children as models of the kingdom, not objects of wrath.
  • Ezekiel rejects transgenerational punishment.

Sin’s consequence is death (Rom 5:12), but guilt is personal. Babies are safe until the age of accountability.

Conclusion: A God Worth Proclaiming

The God of Scripture loves every sinner, died for every sin, and pleads with every heart. He does not play favorites (Acts 10:34–35). He does not mock with insincere offers. He does not damn the innocent.

Calvinism’s God decrees reprobation before birth of certain individuals and spares selected individuals.


The Bible’s God says, “Choose this day… Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!” (Isa 45:22)

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