TangazaNeno

20/03/2026

Good morning

“Every member of the family should realize that a responsibility rests upon him individually to do his part in adding to the comfort, order, and regularity of the family. One should not work against another. All should unitedly engage in the good work of encouraging one another; they should exercise gentleness, forbearance, and patience; speak in low, calm tones, shunning confusion; and each doing his utmost to lighten the burdens of the mother. . . .

18/03/2026

44. URAFIKI WA YESU

[There's not a friend]

1.
Hakuna rafiki k**a Yesu, Hakuna, hakuna!
Tabibu mwingine wa rohoni, Hakuna hakuna!

Chorus:
Yesu ajua shida zetu; Daima ataongoza.
Hakuna rafiki k**a Yesu, Hakuna, Hakuna!

2.
Wakati ambapo hapo yeye, Hapana, hapana!
Wala giza kukutenga naye, Hakuna, hakuna!

3.
Aliyesahauliwa naye, Hakuna, hakuna!
Mkosaji asiyempenda, Hakuna, hakuna!

4.
Kipawa k**a mwokozi wetu, Hakuna, hakuna!
Ambaye atanyimwa wokovu Hakuna, hakuna!

17/03/2026

🎓🔥 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 — 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗜𝗦 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗠𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧!

Students from across campuses are gathering at Rongo University for a powerful, life-shaping experience!

𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲. 𝗙𝗢𝗖𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗗 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻.

In a world full of confusion, pressure, and distractions—this is your chance to get clarity, purpose, and spiritual direction.

Be inspired by life-transforming messages from:
✨ Pr. Samuel Misiani
✨ Pr. Nicodemus Onyango

📖 𝘒𝘦𝘺 𝘛𝘦𝘹𝘵: 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘴 2:6–7
🗓️ 𝟮𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

🔴 Streaming LIVE on &

💬 Don’t come alone—tag your campus crew
🔥 Represent your university
🙌 Come ready to be grounded, challenged, and sent!

17/03/2026

𝐻𝑦𝑚𝑛 595, 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑢𝑠

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑚 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑠, 𝑚𝑦 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑛 𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑟, 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑚 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑔𝑜𝑑𝑙𝑦 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑟; 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟'𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑤𝑒𝑡ℎ 𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟, 𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑝 𝑏𝑒 𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔.

13/03/2026

𝐒𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲

𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟏: 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭

𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭: “𝐵𝑢𝑡 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒, 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛” (𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟯:𝟭𝟰, 𝗡𝗞𝗝𝗩).

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Do you know the saying, “Don’t wish too much for things that belong to heaven. If you do, you won’t be useful to anyone on this earth”? There’s some truth to this saying. But Paul teaches us an idea in Colossians 3 that’s important: if we only want the things from this life, we won’t be of any good use to the Lord.
Paul teaches us important rules for everyday real life. These rules come from heaven. Only people who wake up from the dead with Jesus can understand these rules (Colossians 3:1). Paul’s advice will help make all our relationships better, and not just in the church.
Jesus said, “ ‘But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those people who hurt you. If you do this [love and pray], then you will be true sons of your Father in heaven. Your Father causes the sun to rise on good people and on bad people. Your Father sends rain to those [people] who do good and to those who do wrong’ ” (Matthew 5:44, 45).
Love our enemies? Is that too hard to do? Yes, for us humans. We must die to self before we can really live for God. So, we must think about heaven more than we do. Then our Father in heaven can use us to do good on this earth.
This week, we’ll learn how living with Jesus can make things better, now and in the future.

𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲: 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲-𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬
— Paul calls believers to seek the things that are above. Heavenly mindedness begins with a spiritual transformation. Through Christ's grace we die to sin and rise to a new life.

— Baptism symbolizes this union with Christ's death and resurrection. Being heavenly-minded does not come through human effort. It is the result of God's grace working in the heart. A new heart and new desires are given through the Holy Spirit.

— Believers are called to focus on Christ, who is in heaven. Our real life is hidden with Christ in God. Though unseen now, this life will be revealed when Christ appears. Spiritual life must be renewed daily.

— Temptation remains, and believers can fall if they turn away. Therefore we must continually set our minds on heavenly things. The thoughts we choose shape the direction of our spiritual life.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 𝑢𝑠𝑢𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑑𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙- 𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ𝑙𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑛 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠?

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝐶ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑜𝑐𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑛, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝐻𝑖𝑚.

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲: 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬
— Paul calls believers to put to death earthly behaviors and desires. This command follows the truth that believers have been raised with Christ. Because we share Christ's new life, we have power to overcome

— Earthliness refers to sinful habits and desires rooted in the old life. Paul lists examples such as s*xual immorality, impurity, evil desires, and greed.

— These practices belong to the old life that must be left behind. God's wrath comes upon those who persist in such disobedience. Sin dishonors both the body and the Creator who made it.

— True change begins with a new life in Christ. Believers must actively reject sinful thoughts and actions. Victory over sin is possible only through Christ's power within us. Spiritual life grows when we focus on things above rather than earthly desires.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ𝑙𝑦 ℎ𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑠 𝑚𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑦?

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝐵𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡, 𝑦𝑜𝑢 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑎𝑤𝑎𝑦 𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡ℎ𝑙𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑛.

𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲: 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞
— Paul describes a clear change between the old life and the new life in Christ. Because believers are raised with Christ, their present life must be different from the past.

— The word "𝐧𝐨𝐰" emphasizes this 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Just as earthly sins were put to death, harmful attitudes must also be removed.

— Paul lists 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫, 𝐰𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐡, 𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐜𝐡, and 𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠. These behaviors belong to the "𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧," the life controlled by sin. The old man represents the 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 and 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠.

— Conversion means putting off this old life like removing worn-out clothes. Believers are then clothed with the "𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐦𝐚𝐧," a life shaped by Christ. This new life reflects the character of Jesus.

— Through Christ we are renewed in knowledge and undesrtanding. Growing in knowledge of Christ transforms the believer's character.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒?

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡'𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑟.

𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲: 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞
— After removing sinful habits, believers are called to develop Christlike character. Paul now describes the positive qualities of the new life in Christ. Believers are called God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved.

— Like Israel of old, they are chosen to reflect God's character. This calling carries the responsibility of showing God's goodness to others.

— Paul lists qualities that should mark the Christian life. These include 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, and 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. Believers are also called to bear with one another and forgive each other. Forgiveness must reflect the way Christ has forgiven us. Above all these virtues, believers are to put on love.

— Love unites all other qualities and binds them together in harmony. These virtues come only from a heart connected with Christ. Living this way blesses both the believer and those around them.

— Christlike character becomes a powerful witness to the gospel. A loving life often speaks louder than words about the truth of Christ.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡?

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡'𝑠 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡, 𝑖𝑡 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑠.

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲: 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞
— Paul emphasizes peace and harmony in the Christian community. The peace of Christ must rule in the heart, not be forced from outside.

— This inner peace is possible only when Christ is truly in control. Christ rules in our lives when His Word dwells richly within us. This happens through careful reading, learning, and obeying Scripture.

— Believers also teach and encourage one another through God's Word. Paul mentions psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. These songs communicate biblical truth and encourage Christian living.

— Godly music uplifts the heart and directs the mind toward Christ. Music has powerful influence on emotions, thoughts, and attitudes. When used wisely, it becomes a tool for worship and spiritual growth.

— Paul concludes that everything we do should honor the Lord Jesus. Our words, actions, and choices should reflect Christ's authority in our lives.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝐷𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑠, 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑦 𝑑𝑜 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐽𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑠?

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡'𝑠 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑑 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑠𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑎𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑜 ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑠 𝐻𝑖𝑚.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧:
“We need power to live a holy life. We think too much about life on this earth. We don’t think enough about the kingdom of heaven. . . . “Christians must try hard to become what God wants them to be. But they must not feel sad if they make mistakes. God promises to make us clean and holy. He gives us His love and forgiveness. He promises to give us Jesus’ strength to help us. Jesus gives us all the power we need to be clean and holy. All life starts with Jesus. . . . Jesus will help us. He sends us help from heaven. In all our efforts to come to God, we touch His living power.”
— 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐆. 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞, 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐴𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑠, p. 477-478.

07/03/2026

05/03/2026

𝐒𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲

𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟎: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝒊𝒏 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭

𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭: “𝑆𝑜 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑛𝑜 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑗𝑢𝑑𝑔𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑖𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑑 𝑜𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑘, 𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑓𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑟 𝑎 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑚𝑜𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑎𝑏𝑏𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑠, 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑎 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑑𝑜𝑤 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡” (𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟮:𝟭𝟲, 𝟭𝟳, 𝗡𝗞𝗝𝗩).

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Do people ask you why you keep the Sabbath? Maybe they used this week’s memory verse as “proof” against keeping it. But Colossians 2:16, 17 isn’t about the 4th commandment. The verse is really about false teachings in the church. What were those false teachings?
First, the false teachings are the ideas of men, not Bible truth (Colossians 2:8).
Also, the false teachings involve keeping Jewish holidays and circumcision. Circumcision is when the tip of the male s*x parts is cut off to show that a man belonged to God. The false teachings also included Jewish rules about being clean and food rules (Colossians 2:16, 21).
The false teachers were religious people. They cared about Bible truth. But they didn’t understand the Good News about Jesus. This week, we’ll understand why. We also will learn why the memory verse is not talking about keeping the 7th day Sabbath.

𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝
— Job asked, “𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦? 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠?’. Paul answers: in Jesus. J𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐬 “𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞. 𝐇𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧” (Colossians 2:3, 1 Corinthians 1:30).

— If we have Jesus, we have everything. Jesus helps us to “𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐝’𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧” (Colossians 2:2). The Greek word “𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐥𝐞̄𝐭𝐡𝐨̄𝐬𝐢𝐧” means to “𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 or “𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠." Paul wants to help church members understand the dangers of false teachings. Paul also wants to help join together the church in Christian love. Paul believes that his letter will help do those things.

— Paul writes to encourage and strengthen believers in their faith. He desires that they be united in love. Unity in love leads to deeper spiritual understanding. Paul is confident that his message will strengthen them. He praises their good order and steadfast faith in Christ.

— "Order" refers to disciplined structure in worship and church life. Church organization has theological importance, not just administrative value. Proper order protects truth and guards against false teaching.

— Believers are to walk in Christ just as they received Him - by faith. They must be rooted in Him like a tree planted firmly in soil. They must be built up in Him like a strong, growing structure. Growth in Christ results in stability and gratitude. True wisdom is not found in human ideas but in Christ alone.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝐴𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑑, 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡, 𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑦 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ?

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑦 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑢𝑖𝑙𝑡 𝑢𝑝 𝑖𝑛 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝐻𝑖𝑚 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑠𝑑𝑜𝑚, 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔.

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲: 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭
— Colossians is all about how to 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞: “You received Christ Jesus as Lord." 𝐒𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐦. When we accept the truth, we accept a real Person (Jesus), and not just a set of teachings. At the same time, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬, 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬.

— Also, when we accept Jesus, we die to self. We give our lives completely to the living Jesus. Jesus is the Living Word. The Living Word cannot be sepa­rated from the Written Word (the Bible). For sure, we can know Jesus only from the Bible. The Bible teaches us how to live in Jesus. We allow Bible truth and the Holy Spirit to lead us in everything we do and in every choice we make.

— In Colossians 2:7, Paul uses a symbol that compares Christians to plants. Paul says, “𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧” Jesus. We become connected to Jesus when we accept Him as our Savior. We also follow His teachings. Then we “𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐦."

— Roots provide stability, nourishment, and protection from storms. A believer rooted in Christ becomes established and firm in faith. There are only two paths: living growth in Christ or lifeless imitation.

— Human traditions and philosophies can take believers captive. Although Christ sets us free, we can fall back into spiritual bo***ge. Accepting false teaching means shifting loyalty from Christ to human authority. Spiritual growth is ongoing and requires daily connection with Christ.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝐴𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠 𝑑𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡𝑜 𝑘𝑒𝑒𝑝 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑦 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒?

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑦 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝐻𝑖𝑠 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑑, 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑡ℎ.

𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲: 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬
— Paul addresses confusion about what was "𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬." Some misuse this passage to claim God's moral law was abolished. The context shows Paul is speaking about the "𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦."

— He contrasts outward circumcision with circumcision of the heart. True conversion is an inner spiritual change, not a physical ritual. Baptism symbolizes dying with Christ and rising to new life. Through Christ, believers are forgiven and made spiritually alive.

— The "𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬" refers to 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬. These ordinances include 𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐬 that pointed forward to Christ. The ceremonial system created separation between Jews and Gentiles. Christ removed that barrier through His death.

— The cross fulfilled the symbolic system that pointed to Jesus. Paul does not teach that the Ten Commandments were abolished. Sin is still defined as breaking God's moral law.

— The cross removes condemnation, not obedience. What was nailed to the cross was the system that foreshadowed Christ, not God's eternal moral standard.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝐷𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑏𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔?

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑠, 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝐺𝑜𝑑'𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑎𝑤 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝐻𝑖𝑠 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑟.

𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲: 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞?
— Paul addresses pressure from Jewish-Christian believers on Gentile members. Some were insisting on observing certain Jewish ceremonial practices.

— Paul lists food, drink, festivals, new moons, and sabbaths. These refer to temple related ceremonial observances. The sequence mirrors Old Testament ceremonial calendar language. These practices were connected to sacrifices and symbolic worship.

— Paul reminds believers that these were shadows. A shadow points forward to something greater. Christ is the substance to which the ceremonies pointed. Once the reality comes, the shadow is no longer needed.

— The weekly seventh day Sabbath is not part of this ceremonial system. It was established at Creation, before sin and before the sanctuary system.

— Paul also warns against false humility and angel centered worship. True spiritual life comes from holding fast to Christ as Head. When Christ is central, spiritual growth and unity follow.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝐴𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑓𝑜𝑐𝑢𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑠, 𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑛 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝐻𝑖𝑚𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ?

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑚𝑙𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐻𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑑𝑜𝑤 - 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ.

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐞𝐧
— Paul warns believers not to return to ceremonial regulations. These practices belonged to the old covenant system. The ceremonial law pointed forward to Christ and was fulfilled at the cross. When the temple veil was torn, the system of symbols ended.

— Continuing those regulations would mean clinging to shadows. Our citizenship is in heaven, not in earthly religious systems. Some added human traditions to God's commands. These added rules became heavy burdens rather than spiritual help. Religious practices can appear wise and humble but lack real power.

— Outward discipline cannot transform the heart. Human commandments cannot produce true holiness. The danger is subtle pride - thinking strict observance makes us superior.

— Another danger is believing our actions add merit to salvation. Salvation is not based on ritual, regulation, or self-denial. Christ alone is the foundation of righteousness. What He accomplished for us at the cross is complete and sufficient. Spiritual growth flows from union with Christ, not from external rules.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝐴𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑟𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢, 𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑔𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑠?

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦 𝑜𝑛 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡'𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘, 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑜𝑛 ℎ𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑛 𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑡.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧:
“Christians will meet people who teach these things. The apostle Paul warned the Colossians church against these false teachers. People will say that the Bible teaches that we can communicate with the dead. But we must not accept these teachings. Christians must take a strong stand for Bible truth. We must keep our eyes on Jesus. We must reject all ideas that don’t agree with His teaching. We must think about Bible truth. We must believe that the Bible is the voice or words of God. When we read the Bible, God is talking to us. Then we will know and learn the wisdom which comes from God.”
— 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐆. 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞, 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐴𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑠, p. 475.

05/03/2026

336 - There Is a Fountain

1 There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins; And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains. Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains; And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.

2 The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day; And there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away. Wash all my sins away, wash all my sins away; And there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away.

3 Thou dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power Till all the ransomed church of God are saved, to sin no more. Are saved, to sin no more, are saved, to sin no more; Till all the ransomed church of God are saved, to sin no more.

4 E'er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply, Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die. And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die; Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.

5 Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared, unworthy though I be, For me a blood-bought free reward, a golden harp for me! A golden harp for me! A golden harp for me! For me a blood-bought free reward, a golden harp for me!

6 There in a nobler, sweeter song, I'll sing Thy power to save, When this poor lisping, stammering tongue is ransomed from the the grave. Is ransomed from the grave, is ransomed from the grace; When this poor lisping, stammering tongue is ransomed from the the grave.

05/03/2026

God is Love

04/03/2026

Wende Nyasaye

NO. 63 LER WANG’ CHIENG’ ORIENY E GODE

1. Ler wang’ chieng’ orieny e gode, Orieny bende e wi nam;
Lerne neon kwonde lege Ka ma jamni kwayoe.
To ler moloyo ler wang’ chieng’ Nitie koro e chunya,
Nikech In kanyo, Jawarna; Ler nitie ka ma Intie.

Yaye lerno, maradieri chutho, Lerno mantie e chunya;
Ka Yesu odak e chunya Oriembo kuyo duto.

2. Abolo kuyona duto Kak’ iwito law moti;
Iseruaka gi mor mari, Ipong’o dhoga gi pak;
Ageno pinyruoth mar polo, Ma herani losola;
En e gi maparo pile, Chunya mor kuomi, Ruodha.

3. In Jawarna, iseng’iewoa, Ngimana duto mari;
Mond’ anyis pakni gi duong’ni Kuom kit wuodha e piny ka.
To ageno pinyruodh polo, Ma herani nong’iewona,
En e gi maparo pile, Chunya mor kuomi, Ruodha.

26/02/2026

𝐒𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲

𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝟗: 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞

𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭: “𝐹𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑚 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑢𝑠, 𝑤ℎ𝑜 𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑛𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑛; 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑖𝑛 ℎ𝑖𝑚” (𝟮 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟱:𝟮𝟭).

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: This week we will study what else Paul says about this topic in his letter to the Colossians. Jesus’ death on the cross helped God to accept us again. Sin separates us from God. But now, because of Jesus, God accepts us when we believe in His Son.
Our memory verse for this week is 2 Corinthians 5:21. This verse also teaches us the Bible truth that God accepts us because Jesus died for our sins. The Cross is a powerful symbol for God’s love. The Cross shows us that God’s love changes people’s lives when they hear the Good News and accept Jesus. Jesus gives us hope of everlasting life.

𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲: 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐖𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬
— Paul reminds believers that they were once alienated from God. Alienation means separation in relationship and hostility in mind. Sin made humanity enemies of God in attitude and action. Wicked works revealed a heart out of harmony with God's character.

— God took the initiative to reconcile us despite our condition. From Eden onward, God sought fallen humanity with a plan of redemption. Reconciliation was made possible only through Christ's death on the cross. The goal of Christ's sacrifice is to present believers holy and blameless before God.

— The gospel is simple and having three parts:
1. 𝑊𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑠𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠, 𝑠𝑜 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑢𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑤𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠.
2. 𝑇ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ, 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑖𝑠𝑚, 𝑤𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡 𝐻𝑖𝑠 𝑑𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑎𝑠 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑜𝑤𝑛. 𝐽𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑚𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝐺𝑜𝑑.
3. 𝑈𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑎 𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝐻𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛 𝑢𝑠.

— The Christian life flows from Christ living in and through the believer. These saving realities may occur together and are renewed daily through surrender. The cross remains the foundation of salvation and the source of reconciliation.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑒𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑡 ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑙𝑦, ℎ𝑜𝑤 𝑐𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑙𝑦 𝑑𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠?

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝑅𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛 𝑑𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑤𝑎𝑙, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒.

𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲: 𝑰𝒇 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡
— Paul calls believers to continue in the faith they have received. Yet the promise of hope is linked to perseverance. Salvation is not automatic but requires ongoing trust in Christ.

— To continue means to persist firmly and not turn aside. Faith must be practiced daily, not treated as a past decision only.

— Being "𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝" means having a 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐝'𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝. A grounded believer is rooted in truth and anchored in Christ's love. Being "𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭" means r𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. A steadfast believer refuses to shift away from the hope of the gospel.

— Paul warns against human ideas that replace Christ as the basis of salvation. The gospel alone provides true security and lasting hope. Christian stability comes from deep roots, not surface emotion. Perseverance shows that faith is living and active.

— The idea that salvation cannot be lost ignores the call to remain faithful. Choosing Christ daily keeps the heart aligned with Him.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑏𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑜 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑓𝑎𝑠𝑡?

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝐵𝑢𝑖𝑙𝑑 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑚𝑙𝑦 𝑜𝑛 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝐻𝑖𝑚.

𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲: 𝐆𝐨𝐝’𝐬 𝐄𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧
— Paul speaks of rejoicing in his sufferings for the sake of believers. His imprisonment limited his travel but did not limit God's purpose.

— Suffering for Christ is part of the Christian calling. Present trials are small compared to the future glory God promises. Paul viewed his hardships as service for the church's growth. Even in prison, God used Paul to write letters that bless the church today.

— God's work continues even when His servants are confined. The word Paul uses for stewardship points to God's ordered plan. This plan includes Paul's apostleship and the ministry of others.

— Prophets and apostles were instruments in fulfilling God's revealed word. Each servant plays a part in a larger divine purpose. Paul understood his role as one piece in God's eternal design.

— God weaves suffering, service, and faithfulness into His redemptive plan. Decisions made in faith may carry results far beyond what we see.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝑚𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝐺𝑜𝑑'𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒?

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐺𝑜𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑢𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑒𝑛.

𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲: 𝐌𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐝
— Paul speaks of a mystery once hidden but now revealed. This mystery is God's eternal plan of salvation. It was designed before the foundation of the world. Prophets anticipated it, and angels longed to understand it fully. For ages it remained partially veiled.

— Through Christ's life, death, and resurrection, it was made clear. The mystery includes redemption through Christ's blood. It reveals God's purpose to unite all things in Christ. Jews and Gentiles are brought together as equal heirs in one body.

— Salvation is not limited to one nation but offered to all. The heart of the mystery is "Christ in you." Christ dwells in believers through faith. His presence within is the hope of glory. Through union with Christ, believers share in heavenly realities even now.

— The gospel qualifies us to share in the inheritance of the saints. God's plan moves history toward complete unity in Christ. The mystery once hidden is now proclaimed openly through the gospel.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 "𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢" 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑑𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑘 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝐻𝑖𝑚?

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝑅𝑒𝑗𝑜𝑖𝑐𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑛 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑑, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛 𝑦𝑜𝑢.

𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐥
— Paul's central message was Christ and Him crucified. His goal was to present every believer mature in Christ. The word "𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞" is repeated to show that 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥. No person is excluded from the call to spiritual growth.

— Gospel ministry includes both teaching and warning. Teaching builds believers in sound doctrine and godly practice. Warning protects believers from deception and spiritual danger.

— Christian maturity is expected, just as growth is expected in a child. Spiritual growth moves believers toward completeness in Christ Maturity includes deeper understanding of God's law and character. True maturity comes through obedience shaped by love and truth.

— The gospel works powerfully within believers to shape Christlike character. Being "perfect in Christ" means being complete and fully dependent on Him.

— Christ's finished work at the cross is the foundation of this perfection. We stand complete in Him, and from that position we grow in holiness.

𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝐴𝑟𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑆𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑝𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒'𝑠 𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑝𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑤𝑡ℎ?

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
𝐻𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑓𝑎𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡'𝑠 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑤 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑙𝑦 𝑡𝑜𝑤𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑖𝑛 𝐻𝑖𝑚.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧:
“We have nothing holy in our hearts. We cannot keep God’s law. But Jesus made a way to save us. . . . You must give yourself to Him. Accept Him as your Savior. Your past may be filled with sin. But God will accept you as holy because of Jesus. God looks at us and sees only Jesus’ holy life. God accepts us as if we never sinned."
“So we have no reason to brag or feel pride in our hearts. Jesus is our only reason for hope. His holy life is His gift to us. His gift makes our hearts clean. Then His Spirit works in us to make us holy.”
— 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐆. 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐞, 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑝𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡, p. 62-63.