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The message of grace that empowers you to stand as an overcome beleiver.

  1. قبل ٣ أيام

    A debt-free life | Apr. 19, 2026 | Pr Raph

    A debt-free life. We all know the crushing, suffocating weight of debt. When you owe someone something you cannot pay, it dictates how you live, how you sleep, and how you see your future. If you owe money to someone, their presence is uncomfortable. If you come across an opportunity to travel or enjoy a restaurant meal and, by chance, you meet that person, shame will control you. Debt is directly related to shame. God desires to remove all spiritual shame from the believer and replace it with “double honor.” Isaiah 61:7 7 Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion; instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot; therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion; they shall have everlasting joy. The root of shame goes back to the Garden of Eden. Eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (which represents living under the Law) opened humanity's eyes to their nakedness, producing shame. Shame produces feelings of inferiority, guilt, and ultimately, fear.  Shame prevents people from approaching God with boldness, stepping into leadership, or exercising faith to receive God's blessings. This shame immediately leads to fear and fear to shame.  I was talking to my niece Nataly, who is a sweet little girl, and she is afraid of dogs. We noticed that because yesterday we had my cousin’s dog around us for a family celebration. As people were trying to convince her that she did not need to be afraid of the dog, I noticed not only fear but also shame about that fear. It is a vicious cycle that pulls us down. But the ultimate fear and shame is the fear of facing God, which is expressed by the fear of death. The Bible teaches of the ultimate debt, the ultimate payment, and the absolute freedom that belongs to the born-again believer. The Problem of sin For centuries, humanity lived under a shadow of a debt it could not pay. We see the origin of this problem in Genesis 3. When Adam sinned, a fundamental fracture occurred in the human spirit.  Genesis 3:8-10 8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” Mankind was plunged into spiritual death. From that moment forward, iniquity—a bent toward self and away from God—began to grow like a terrible weed, wrapping itself around the human heart. From sin to iniquity.  The spiritual degradation from a single, isolated act of missing the mark (sin) to a deeply ingrained, habitual pattern of inner corruption and willful rebellion (iniquity). Imagine a car hitting a pothole. The tires stay functional, but the wheels suffer permanent damage. This impacts the suspension and handling, making the car bent and misaligned. The driver can still operate the vehicle but must remain alert to its tendency to drift sideways and veer outside the lanes. Constant vigilance is necessary because the car's usual straight path is compromised.  Iniquity is essentially the tragic downward shift from committing a bad action to developing a twisted, hardened character. From the fall in Genesis 3 to the problem of wickedness in Genesis 6. Genesis 6:5 5 The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. The problem of evil grew so dark that it created blindness to our own condition. The human heart became so saturated with darkness that, without divine intervention, humanity was completely blind to its own depravity and utterly incapable of fixing it. Jeremiah 17:9 'The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?’ The unregenerate human heart is not just broken; it is an active deceiver. It lies to us. It tells us we are good enough, strong enough, and righteous enough on our own. It masks our spiritual sickness with pride.  (Mark 2:17) 'And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”’ I am reminded of a story about a grandmother who absolutely refused to go to the doctor. She used to say that every time she went to the clinic, she would come back with a new disease. In her mind, the problem was not her aging, decaying body; the problem was the doctor and those pesky lab results. If she just avoided the doctor, she could pretend she was perfectly healthy. Isn't that the exact problem with the human heart? We run from the truth because we are terrified of the diagnosis. Many people refuse to allow the light of the Gospel to touch their lives because they know, deep down, it will reveal their true spiritual condition.  John 3:19-20 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. We are examining the issue of sin, which in theology is known as Hamartiology. This branch studies the doctrine of sin, derived from the Greek word hamartia, meaning "to miss the mark." It explores the origin, nature, extent, and consequences of sin. The Light is no longer a threat; it is a deliverance, it will bring relief.  That is when sanctification starts. It is simply the Holy Spirit continually shining the Light of Christ into our daily lives, not to condemn us, but to apply the healing power of His finished work to our minds and actions. Everything that has light grows and flourishes. I talked to the pool maintenance manager this week. I asked how I could get rid of the persistent algae growth in my pool. He said, until Florida continues to be the Sunshine State, you can’t get away from growing algae. Because the light brings life, not death.  The Mirror: Law For a long time, there was no written law. Sin was a deadly disease, but it had not yet been codified into a legal framework. Then, God gave the Law to Moses. Why? God gave the Law to reveal our desperate condition. Think of an MRI machine at a hospital. If you are sick, an MRI is incredibly useful because it provides a clear picture of the tumor. It reveals the exact nature of the problem. But an MRI machine has absolutely no power to cut the tumor out. It can only show you that you are dying. (Romans 5:20) 'Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,' The Law was never given to cure the disease of sin; it was given to diagnose it.  We all went from being simply infected with sin to being active, willful lawbreakers. Yet, in His infinite mercy, God ensured that wherever sin was exposed, His grace would flood. (Romans 3:20) 'For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.’ We see this when the rich young ruler came to Jesus. Jesus was using the law properly.  Matthew 19:16-22 16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The blindness was so great that, as it is still among the religious circles nowadays, the young man thought he was righteous because of his outward behavior. I believe age is also a factor. Remember, the first to leave the challenge to cast the first stone at the adulterous woman if they were without sin was an elderly man.  John 8:7-9 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus applied the true, heavy standard of the Law to the young man, revealing his absolute spiritual bankruptcy.  20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. The Law was not given to bring righteousness; it was given to destroy our self-righteousness so we would look for a Savior. (Romans 7:10) 'The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me.'  The Law was holy, righteous, and good, revealing God's perfect standard. However, because of the indwelling disease of iniquity, mankind was completely unable to keep it. Instead of bringing the Law diagnosed our fatal spiritual condition, provoked our sin into active transgression, and brought the legal penalty of death if used wrongly, it can be deadly. The law was meant to completely destroy any reliance on self-righteousness, pointing out that life can only be found in God's grace and the finished work of Jesus Christ.  Until Christ (Galatians 3:24) 'So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.' The Law turned our sin into literal transgressions; it gave the enemy a legal demand over humanity. Pastor John Warton wrote in his book about Job. Satan impugns the character of both Job and God by his accusation that Job only reveres God for the benefits he

  2. ١٢ أبريل

    The wisdom of grace: From Crisis to the Next Level | Apr. 13, 2026 | Pr. Raph

    The wisdom of grace: From Crisis to the Next Level  A new light to see the crises.  We often find ourselves in situations where the answers of this world fall short. I mean, what is the use of a PhD if you have terminal cancer? What do to when you can’t pay the bills? Or when you actually have the means to pay all the bills, you can’t bring your children back home? When a truly impossible problem strikes, what do you see? What can make men go into a panic is meant to bring us to a new expectation of miracles. 1 Chronicles 12:32 32 And of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs; and all their kinsmen were under their The  People in the world claim to be wise, intelligent and educated, yet they lack the answers to face life’s challenges (Romans 1:22).  God has given His people wisdom and knowledge to help us maintain stability in an increasingly disoriented world, a world that seeks answers and solutions but simply cannot find them. Isaiah 33:5-6 5 The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness, 6 and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure. There are many mysteries in your life, such as: It can be really tough when you feel like you can’t fully understand or make your wife happy. Why is someone you love going through this condition? You might also find yourself asking, 'What’s going on with my business?' or feeling confused about why certain things are happening in your ministry.  But remember, you're not alone, and there are ways to find support and understanding during these challenging times.  The light from the church The place to find light is within the church. This is more than a general “tap on the back” or a wishful “everything is gonna be all right” type of comforting words. It is real wisdom and insight. A few weeks ago, a family talked to me on the verge of collapse. One single word, a thought of divine inspiration, was like a lifeline as they were completely out of the succumbing waters. That is the light that comes from the “ menorah”.  (Revelation 1:20) 'As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.' In biblical typology, the menorah represents the light of the Spirit within the Body of Christ.  Before entering the tabernacle, there was a door; and before passing through it, what lay outside was the natural light of the sun. However, when one entered the tabernacle, upon entering the Holy Place, there was no longer any sunlight, for it was covered with four curtains. The only light there was that of the seven golden lampstands, the menorah, the light of the church, where you and I are today. The light of the church provides a lifeline in moments of crisis where natural wisdom fails: it gives a mother the specific insight to speak to her child’s identity as a beloved of God rather than merely correcting external behavior; it offers an anxious businessman the revelation of God’s favor and supply to rest even when the market is failing; it provides a couple on the verge of collapse the supernatural power of reconciliation found in Christ’s forgiveness; it shields a believer from the cycle of addiction by unveiling their permanent righteousness in Christ; and it grants a suffering individual the assurance of healing through His wounds rather than their own merits.  The light of the Spirit within the Body of Christ transforms every human demand into a divine supply. The world may offer general answers, but the Lord’s answer is personal to you. Have you ever considered the various parts of the armor of God? Ephesians chapter 6 describes the helmet of salvation, the sandals of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. We also see the belt of truth. But one specific piece is the breastplate of righteousness. I believe Paul was observing a Roman soldier when he wrote that passage. He likely noticed that the breastplate had laces located on the soldier's back. This suggests that some of our spiritual protection—our steadfastness and endurance—is only possible when another brother or sister reminds us of God's righteousness in Christ Jesus. It is as if someone else must help clothe us with that breastplate. What a joy it is to be part of the Body of Christ! Here, in the church and in the community, you will not stumble. You have the light, you will endure and prevail, and your vital spiritual organs will be protected by the breastplate of righteousness. Personal wisdom Have you noticed how people like to turn their story template into everyone else’s? Many in the world try to turn their personal success stories into a standard for everyone else. However, our template for real life is not your story—it is His story. To one, the Lord may say, “Stop drinking milk,” but to another, He will say, “Drink more milk”.  They may be very intelligent, they may even be doctors, but above all, one must have the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:27-31 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” The world boasts in its own persistence, its calloused hands, and its resilient ability to strain against the current of a crisis. This is the exhaustion of the law, the system of the world, where progress is limited to the measure of human muscle. When we were placed "in Christ" by God's grace, Jesus became "wisdom from God, righteousness, sanctification and redemption” for us. God does not want you to row; He wants you to raise your sails and give the testimony of the Ruach—the Holy Spirit—blowing the wind of His unmerited favor into our lives.  When we stop relying on our own strength, the breath of His grace thrusts us ahead into our calling with a speed and ease that human effort could never achieve. Your testimony is not how hard you worked, but how far His wind has carried you. In the Crises, Pray together King Nebuchadnezzar was troubled by a mysterious, recurring dream that he could neither remember nor understand, leading him to issue an impossible ultimatum to his court. He demanded that his magicians and astrologers not only interpret the dream but describe the dream itself, decreeing that if they failed to reveal this hidden mystery, every wise man in the kingdom would be executed. This decree placed Daniel and his friends under an immediate sentence of death. The Bible tells us that Babylonian sages entered a state of absolute panic. It was a humanly insoluble problem—human effort reached its limit. But remember, that is the setting for God to manifest His supernatural power and promote His children through a divine revelation that no worldly intelligence could provide. Daniel gathers his friends—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—to pray and seek God's mercy regarding the mystery (Daniel 2:17-18) This is the first time we see Daniel and his three friends praying together.  Daniel 2:17-18 17 Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Daniel ("God is my Judge.") was named Belteshazzar ("May Bel protect his life”). Hananiah ("The Lord is Gracious”) was named Shadrach ("Command of Aku" (the moon god)). Mishael ("Who is like our God?”)was named Meshach ( "Who is like Aku?”)  Azariah ("The Lord has helped.”) was named Abednego ("Servant of Nego" or Nebo, the god of wisdom/learning). Daniel 2:19-21 Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven. 20 Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. 21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; Until then, prayers in the Bible were offered individually: Abraham, Noah and others prayed alone. This is the first mention of a united prayer in the Bible. When you are going through struggles, seek out people who share your faith to pray with you. When two Spirit-filled people come together, the anointing is activated. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, she was filled with the Holy Spirit. That is why we need gatherings like this. Your anointing will be activated because of the brothers and sisters around you. Prayer is powerful and changes circumstances! Are you unhappy with what is happening in your relationships or your marriage? Whatever it is, prayer changes things! Daniel knew this secret. Daniel asks the king for time. He needed to pray. He knew that prayer would transform the situation. Prayer changes your body, your relationships and your future!  Don’t set limits on God. The Bible says: James 4:2 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. God said to David: ‘Why are you taking another man’s wife? If my gifts are not enough, ask me, and I will give you more.’ I have given you your master’s house and wives, as well as Israel and Judah; if this was too little, I would

  3. ٥ أبريل

    One Reason to Hope | Apr. 5, 2026 | Pr Raph

    One reason to trust Imagine you are a high-stakes investor, and you decide to put every single penny of your life savings, your children’s inheritance, and your very home into one single stock. If that company succeeds, you are a billionaire. If it fails, you lose everything. You are homeless. The Bible doesn't say Christianity is "mostly true" or "good for your morals." The Bible says it all hangs on one historical, verifiable, and undeniable hook: the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. If that didn't happen, we aren't just "mistaken"—we are fools. 1 Corinthians 15:12-17 12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. You are fleeing a forest fire, and the only way to safety is across a deep canyon spanned by a single, narrow wooden plank. You have to carry your entire family across. If a single knot in that wood snaps, everything you love is lost. That is the intensity of Resurrection Day. We aren't betting on a "feeling"; we are betting everything on the historical integrity of that one Plank. I know people who are very skeptical, to the point that if their mother says, “I love you," they begin researching to verify whether it's true or not.  However, some people are very syncretic. Very easily persuadable. When I visit India, people have no problem listening to about Jesus. He is just another one in the pantheon of many deities. Some believe in everything and anything and create their own definitions of good, evil, god, and demons. They are not seeking factual truth; instead, they construct their own version of truth. They know there is a truth, but they can’t say what it is or where it is. Perhaps you are an agnostic—someone who believes that nothing can be known about the existence or nature of God, or anything beyond material phenomena. You claim neither faith nor disbelief in God. You are uncertain and therefore never commit to a particular issue.  In all cases, whether non-believing or all-believing, you end up trapped in a reality that is fundamentally immoral, drunken, profane, and narcissistic, centered on self-absorption. That is ultimately a self-destructive life. So, whether you are barricaded behind intellectual pride or simply acknowledging a 'historical Christ' that you never let into your heart, the outcome is a life centered entirely on the self. There is no moral framework or ultimate accountability; therefore, like Paul said. 1 Corinthians 15:19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 1 Corinthians 15:32 […] If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” But maybe you don’t need to wait till tomorrow to die. Maybe you are dead now. You come home, and your kids hide themselves from you. You may be growing your business, but it is at the cost of your marriage. You may be legetimate a good mother that takes care of your child, but at the cost of your health and conscience. The cross, the grave and the church are the continuous proclamation of the truth of the gospel.  The good news is that Jesus can take all our mess and make a message. Can take our tests and failures and turn them into a testimony. If the grave is not empty, your parachute backpack is empty.  If you want to determine whether Christianity is true, and therefore whether every contrary worldview is false, you only need to answer 1 question: Did Jesus return from the dead, or did He not? That is the entire issue. Why? Because Jesus made transcendent, messianic, and divine claims about Himself. He claimed to be the Son of God.  John 10:30 I and the Father are one.” The audience understood exactly what He meant, because they picked up stones to kill Him, saying that He, a mere man, was claiming to be God. Anyone can claim to be the Son of God. But if someone claims to be the Son of God, dies, and 3 days later rises from the dead, that is powerful evidence that He was telling the truth. That is why the resurrection serves as the cornerstone of the Christian faith.  The E’s Easter. Execution Early Empty Eyewitnesses Execution Before there can be a resurrection, there must first be a death. There is virtually no dispute among scholars, including non-Christian historians, that Jesus died by crucifixion under Pontius Pilate. Journal of the American Medical Association published an article concluding that the historical and medical evidence clearly shows Jesus was dead even before the spear wound was inflicted.  We have not only multiple early New Testament sources, but also ancient non-biblical sources such as: Josephus: Flavius Josephus, a 1st-century Romano-Jewish historian, provides important non-biblical evidence for the crucifixion of Jesus in his work *Antiquities of the Jews* (c. 93 AD). He notes that Pontius Pilate condemned Jesus to the cross based on accusations from prominent Jewish leaders. Tacitus: a Roman historian and politician. He is widely regarded by modern scholars as one of the greatest Roman historians. Mara bar Serapion: "Mara son of Serapion", was a Stoic philosopher in the Roman province of Syria. He is only known from a letter he wrote in Aramaic to his son, who was named Serapion, in which he refers to the execution of "the wise king of the Jews.” The Jewish Talmud: It records the teachings, opinions and disagreements of thousands of rabbis and Torah scholars. The Babylonian Talmud contains limited, hostile references to a "Yeshu" (Jesus) who was hanged/crucified on Passover Eve for sorcery and leading Jews astray. Even skeptical scholars concede this. As atheist New Testament scholar Gerd Lüdemann said, Jesus’ death as a consequence of crucifixion is indisputable. His death on the cross can also reveal to you the Bible’s most important message. Maybe, like the centurion, you also can exclaim: Mark 15:39 39 …“Truly this man was the Son of God!” Once you do that, then John 3:16 can speak to your heart. John 3:16 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life But because the stone has been rolled away, your "policy of morality" is a useless forged document with no value at the bank of heaven.  So the first E is this: Jesus was executed. He truly died. Perhaps you have come here today leaning on your own understanding, perhaps even feeling a sense of pride in a hardened skepticism. But I must ask: is that intellectual distance actually a shield for your heart? Or maybe you are the person who readily acknowledges the 'Historical Jesus'—you’ve seen the evidence, you know the facts of the cross—yet that knowledge remains 'dead' because it has made no difference in how you live. 2. Early Accounts We have reports that Jesus rose from the dead that originated extremely early, virtually immediately after His death. This matters because legends take time to develop. Maybe you are the one who thinks that the resurrection is a legend that grew over 100 or 150 years. The early creed 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 1 Corinthians 15:3–8 is an early Christian creed stating that: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day. He appeared to eyewitnesses. This creed names specific witnesses, including skeptics and opponents whose lives were radically changed. But what I like about this creed is verse 8. It is actually an invitation for anyone at any time in history to also see the resurrection and be born again. John 3:3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Do you want to be born again? Press the reset button and start over. Receive a new nature and start a new walk of life. There is a way. May your eyes be open today so you can see the resurrected Christ.  It is way more than a mental ascential, but it is a complete change of mind and heart because you receive God.  So the second E is this: The resurrection proclamation is early—far too early to be dismissed as legend. This tradition was formulated within months of Jesus’ death, no time for a legend. As a reference for comparison, the earliest surviving detailed accounts about Alexander the Great were written about 300–450 years after his life. Legends typically develop over approximately two generations (about 60–100 years). This is because eyewitnesses no longer need to be present or influential at that point. What we are sharing here is not a fairy tale. It is not a development of a fictitious character like Superman or Spider-Man. This is history that can change your story. For the disciples’ conviction that they encountered the risen Jesus, we have numerous ancient sources inside and outside the New Testament. 3. Empty The third E stands for empty. Jesus’ body was placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, and th

  4. ٢٢ مارس

    Real Value | Mar. 22, 2026 | Pastor Raph

    Real Value - Reclaiming Your Time and Identity How often do we introduce ourselves by what we do? "I am a manager," "I am a teacher," or "I am a business owner.” We wrap our sense of security in the "walled cities" of our lives—our bank accounts, our professional titles, our social media profiles, and our abilities. If your identity is tied to the temporary, you will live in constant fear of losing it. Matthew 6:19-21 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Money is, in a very real sense, a reflection of your life energy. It is the direct exchange of the limited time you spent earning it. When you exchange your precious days just to chase money to buy things you do not need, you are essentially trading your life for vapor. Psalms 52:7 7 “See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!” This is how the world lives. The more he gets, the more he would get; the more you get, the more you want. A man caught in quicksand. He sees a heavy chest of gold coins sinking right next to him. Instead of reaching for the sturdy branch being held out by a rescuer on solid ground, he lunges for the chest, thinking its weight and "value" will give him something to hold onto. But the very thing he trusts for security is the weight that pulls him under faster. Who chooses to settle his emotions and security in his bank account rather than in the finished work of Jesus, always walks in anxiety, heaviness, and a sense of imminent affliction.  We must understand that money is neutral. Money itself does not have a moral character; rather, it reveals the character of the one who holds it. In the hands of wicked people, money becomes evil. However, for a believer, money is a tool that can be a blessing for many. It is a means of expressing generosity and fulfilling God's purposes on earth. Jesus became poor so that we might be rich, and when we tithe, we are not fulfilling a law to get a blessing, but sanctifying our finances to declare that God is our true provider and refuge. In that sense, "financial independence" is the process of reclaiming that precious time and giving it to the right master of your life.  You must be able to actually answer the question of who you are outside of your job or your “stuff". True faith sets us free from possessions to identity. A faith that frees you from the love of things. It is time to stop buying more stuff—things we really don’t need to impress people who don’t even care. We are called to identify ourselves with the God who provides us with everything we have. Deuteronomy 6:10-12 10 “And when the LORD your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—with great and good cities that you did not build, 11 and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant—and when you eat and are full, 12 then take care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. For us, the provision is already prepared before we even arrive.  When we identify with the God who allows us to reclaim our time and peace to serve the right Master. Jesus became poor to cancel our ultimate debt; we must walk in the reality that we are called to be lenders, not borrowers. Beyond the Prosperity Gospel 2 Corinthians 9:10-12 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. Why does God want to enrich us? So that we can be generous.  When? On every occasion.  And the result? Everybody is more grateful to God for the supply of resources, the heart to give, and the impact on those in need.  Blessed to be a blessing. The problem is the mistaken belief that we can manipulate God to make us wealthy instead of prosperous. This is often called the “prosperity gospel,” the mistaken belief that financial wealth and physical health are always for our selfish benefit. It is the mystical idea that positive affirmations and big donations are sure sources of wealth. This concept, on the other hand, affirms that the lack of wealth and wellness are signs of God’s disfavor. The focus is on doing whatever it takes, utilizing leverage, to obtain these blessings from God.  These pastors and prosperity-gospel teachers interpret Scripture like lawyers rather than as children of God. They believe they’ve caught God on a technicality that He cannot evade.  They have faith in a God of infinite blessing, but the channel is clogged with their desire to have more for themselves. They’ll give some of it, but they want so much that they won’t even notice what they give. The mentality of scarcity has been a problem in the church for centuries, but the prosperity gospel is a phenomenon where people take kingdom principles and manipulate them for their own gain. That is a wrong appropriation of the word “prosperity.” The goal there is only to be blessed with selfish wealth. But real prosperity makes a blessed person a blessing. Prosperity confirms his covenant.  We are God's people. Deuteronomy 8:17-18 Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ 18 You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.  Although we are not prosperity-gospel preachers, I can affirm with conviction that poverty is never God’s will for His people. Prosperity is. (2 Corinthians 8:9) 'For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.’ This is the "great exchange" of the New Covenant applied to finances. Jesus took the curse of our poverty so that we might legally inherit His riches.  Prosperity is not about greed; it is about the "indicative" of what Christ has already done, allowing you to live a debt-free life of purpose and generosity. That is why the "self-made" success is really dangerous. When we believe our "sweat"—the very symbol of the curse on Genesis—is the source of our provision, we connect our emotions to our skills and abilities and enter a state of high-stress self-maintenance. God is our Source. Acknowledging that makes us stewards of the "power" He provides to fulfill His purpose. We are so loved by our Heavenly Father. That is our ultimate identity. It is time to leave behind the weary race of defining ourselves by what we own. Aim for a Debt-free life In the next few months, as many of you are dealing with your taxes, aim to be debt-free.  Most of us would have to face our financial decisions of the past year, and that is a great opportunity to set new spending priorities. It can take a month. 6 months. A year or two. But it all starts with one step. The first step to getting out of debt is to stop going further into debt. Isaiah 55:2-3 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. 3 Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. First, identify what you are spending money on.  Then, learn to spend less.  That means learning priorities. The only way to find out where you are spending, and probably wasting, what you can't, is to keep a record of your expenses.  A simple piece of advice: use your debit cards to make it easy to record. Your bank keeps a record of all your expenses. Research shows that when people pay attention to the flow of money and "stuff" in their lives and become conscious of their spending, their consumption naturally drops by about 20% to 25%. Think like this: every cent is a unit of “my life.” That will force me to ask: "Is this purchase worth the hours of my life I spent to get it?"  This turns every financial transaction into a purposeful choice and reminds us of our true value.  The problem is that many people don't even remember what they spent money on. So, maybe it is only a matter of learning where and how you are spending. Many people, once they become aware of their spending, often react with surprise, saying, “Oh, I'm spending less”, and wonder how that change happened. The reason so many don’t want to be aware of their spending is that we often use stuff as a shield to avoid deep "gut-level emotional feelings,” using it as a psychological distraction or a substitute for addressing our actual human needs. Jesus said about that 2000 years ago.  Luke 8:14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. Instead of dealing with the existential truth that life on this side of heaven is unpredictable and precarious, they tell themselves, “While I can still buy that last gadget, life is good.” Many use the pursuit of “more" to avoid facing the fear of their own lack of control over the future. Research shows that happiness increases simply by shiftin

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    Out of the Precarious Zone | Mar. 08, 2026 | Pr Raph

    Out of the Precarious Zone A researcher led a session with about 50 people in the room. They "circled up" to go around and have each person say something about their relationship with money. Every single person was in a state of fear regarding money. An 80-year-old person had millions of dollars but was still terrified in the same way a 20-year-old would be. A young person who was already $20,000 in debt and felt the same terror. Why? Because even if you have a high-paying or "significant" job, most people live continuously in the precarious zone, with no savings and nowhere to go. This is not right for the children of God. It is time to take control of our financial lives. To declare we are children of God, and the only Lord of our lives is Jesus, not money. Matthew 6:24 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. It is time to come to rest on the absolute sufficiency of God’s grace. We live in a world that constantly pressures us to build our kingdoms here on earth, to trust in our bank accounts.  Money is a lord, a master, and it is trying to rule your life, but it does not have to be. God’s will for His children is financial freedom. Financial Freedom. I define "financial freedom” today as the transition from being a "slave" to the economy to becoming the kind of person who owns their emotions regarding money. Individually and as the lead pastor of our church, we are facing one of the hardest time on our finances. For weeks, very few of the brothers have been able to participate with their tithes, which has created a financial disruption in our church. However, as we are in this hardship now, the Lord wants His children to remain firm in His promises and in a state of constant peace. Hebrews 13:5-6 "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'" The supply for the church's needs does not come from human effort or anxious people, but from the "limitless goodness" and the abundant overflow of God. Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." The Father knows our needs before we ask and provides from His self-sufficient spring of life. But in a time of shortage, we must face the fact that some of us have developed bad habits that must be confronted. The waste slavery A few weeks ago, a brother asked me about financial advice. He received an offer to purchase an asset. As always, “It was a lifetime opportunity, that promotion would never come back again, and so forth.” What he said was not needed at the time. He did not have the money, only a pledge of someone else that would pay for that purchase. And that is what I call “waste slavary”  That's when we spend money we haven’t earned to buy things we don’t need, trapping ourselves in a cycle of working just to pay off those debts. Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. The context here is the slavery of the law and the ceremonial codes. Christ’s finished work has completely and eternally liberated us from the fear of owing God something, that we are short of pleasing God because there is an “invoice open” between the Lord and us. But “ for freedom Christ has set us free.”  But this glorious freedom is meant to touch every area of our lives, including our finances. But we also need to be free from consumerism. Under that “slavery,” you are controlled by the economy rather than your God-given purpose. The economy and the "anxious process of more" to run your life. It is the "anxious process of more" dictating our lives. And that is also submitting to a heavy yoke once again. We are already complete and fully accepted in Christ; we do not need to find our identity or our comfort in an endless cycle of getting more. It is an illusion to think that acquiring more stuff would bring peace and status. Instead, it puts us in a pair of financial handcuffs. Many are perpetual servants to credit card companies, running endlessly on a treadmill of debt just to maintain a lifestyle they no longer have the time or energy to enjoy. A house with a clubhouse you don’t go to. A gym membership you don’t use. A boat you parked, paying storage fees with no use. An expensive bike that you don’t find time to ride. Today, you can be deeply satisfied by the love of our Heavenly Father so that you can step off the exhausting treadmill of “I need to buy more.”  We can stand firm in our freedom, live intentionally, rest in His grace, and use our resources generously for His eternal purpose. The righteous shall live by faith, and today I want to remind you about that. The Title deed (Hebrews 11:1) "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." ὑπόστασις –Hupóstasis — A title deed. A guarantee. The underlying substance. Faith is the spiritual title deed that guarantees our heavenly inheritance. That faith frees us from the love and fear of money. Many take the faith preaching to be about having more money to buy more stuff. However, true faith, as described in Hebrews chapter 11, frees us from attachment to and meaningless craving. The real value of money Money is, in a very real sense, a reflection of your life energy. It is the direct exchange of the limited time you spent earning it. When you exchange your precious days just to chase money to buy things you do not need, you are essentially trading your life for vapor. (Ecclesiastes 5:10) 'He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.’ In that sense, "financial independence" is the process of reclaiming that precious time and giving it to the right master of your life.  You must be able to actually answer the question of who you are outside of your job or your “stuff". True faith sets us free from possessions to identity. Hebrews 11:8-10 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. The Holy Spirit is making you grow in faith, so your heart can be free from attachment to this world. A faith that frees you from the love of things. Debt-free life It is time to stop buying more stuff—things we really don’t need to impress people who don’t even care. We are called to identify ourselves by what Christ has done and who we are according to the new covenant. We are God's people. Hebrews 11:16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. We are so loved by our Heavenly Father that we can confidently leave behind the weary race of defining ourselves by what we own. In the next few months, as many of you are dealing with your taxes, aim to be debt-free.  It can take a month. 6 months. A year or two. But it all starts with one step. The first step to getting out of debt is to stop getting yourself more into debt. That means spend less. The only way to find out where you are spending, and probably wasting, what you can't, is to keep a record of your expenses. Use your debit cards to make it easy. Your bank keeps a record of all your expenses. Research shows that when people pay attention to the flow of money and "stuff" in their lives and become conscious of their spending, their consumption naturally drops by about 20% to 25%. Think like this: every cent is a unit of “my life.” That will force me to ask: "Is this purchase worth the hours of my life I spent to get it?"  This turns every financial transaction into a purposeful choice and reminds us of our true value.  The problem is that many people don't even remember what they spent money on. So, maybe it is only a matter of learning where you are spending. Many people, once they become aware of their spending, often react with surprise, saying, "Oh, I'm spending less, and wonder how that change happened.”  The reason why many don’t want to be aware of their spending is that we often use stuff as a shield to avoid deep "gut-level emotional feelings” as a psychological distraction or a substitute for addressing our actual human needs. Luke 8:14 14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. Instead of dealing with the existential truth that life on this side of heaven is unpredictable and precarious, we tell ourselves, “While I can still buy that last gadget, life is good.”  Many use the pursuit of money to avoid facing the fear of their own lack of control over the future. But did you know that happiness increases simply by moving from "unconscious spending" to a state of awareness?  The key is simply to pay attention and ask yourself whether a purchase genuinely brings fulfillment. That is beyond happiness. Buy true happiness When the Holy Spirit opens your eyes, you will gladly cut up the credit cards. Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? So many of us confuse the worth of things with people

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    Implications of the New Covenant | Mar. 01 2026 | Pr Raph

    The Implications of the New Covenant Most pastors think that the book of Hebrews is not in touch with people’s reality in their practical lives. This could not be further from the truth. Hebrews 8: 10-12 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Honestly, much of the preaching and teachings often focus on self-help, leadership, management, and even food health. While informative, they rarely teach the true message of the New Testament.  Most people have heard little or nothing about the New Covenant; for many believers, it's just the name of a church, like 'New Covenant Church.' Now, we come to chapter eight of Hebrews. Here are the specific reflections regarding the content found in the provided teachings: Many pulpits today have been hijacked by psychology under the guise of spiritual help. While psychology has its place in universities and clinics, it is fundamentally incapable of solving the core human problem: death. \ A person does not need their personality adjusted or their self-esteem boosted; they need to be born again. Psychology cannot give life to the dead, but the Word of God can. Real transformation is not a psychological "re-wiring" done by man; it is a spiritual "upload" of God's desires directly into the heart by God Himself. Imagine a dog told to behave like a cat—meowing, jumping, eating. Self-help may try to teach it "cat-like" techniques. The dog might meow for hours, but eventually, its true nature surfaces because it remains a dog. Motivational speakers and coaches emphasize "keys" to success based on human willpower, discipline, and energy. This "performance-based" approach echoes the Old Covenant, placing man at the center with the message, "If you do your part, things will improve." The Gospel isn't about motivation but proclaiming what Christ has already accomplished. The New Covenant relies on God's "Better Promises" fulfilled in Christ, not on your motivation or resolutions. If you see someone drowning in the middle of the ocean, you don't throw them a book titled How to Swim in Five Easy Lessons.  That is what coaching and motivational preaching do—they give instructions to a person who is currently dying. Grace is the Savior diving in; coaching is just shouting from the dry land. Our message is not leadership principles, management, or self-help; it is the "present truth" of the New Covenant. Transformation is not cosmetic; it happens simply by beholding Christ through faith. (Hebrews 8:12) "For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” This is the ultimate "clause" of our contract. While the world tells you to "manage" your mistakes, God says He has deleted the record of them forever. We all receive spam or junk mail—unwanted, often inappropriate messages filled with immoral or shameful content. Many believers imagine that God is constantly receiving "emails" about their failures, their past mistakes, and their secret struggles. They think the "Accuser" has God’s direct personal email address and is flooding His inbox with "junk mail" about them, making God angry or disappointed. But under the New Covenant, God has changed His contact information. Jesus is the ultimate, unhackable Divine Firewall. In the New Covenant, you don't communicate with God through your own "server" of performance. You are in Christ. This means: Legally speaking, the "junk mail" of your past has been permanently deleted.  Because Christ mediates every communication, when God looks at His inbox regarding you, every "message" is "signed" by Jesus. Every communication God receives about you now carries the "righteousness of Christ". You never have to wonder if your prayer "went to junk." You can have the same confidence that Jesus had when He stood before the tomb of Lazarus. (John 11:41–42) 'So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me."' Because you are a child in the New Covenant, you can now be sure of your prayers. A new World View (Hebrews 8:6) “But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.” Many pastors overlook the book of Hebrews, thinking it only discusses doctrines. However, the more I study Hebrews, the more I realize that my behavior, fears, and emotions are largely shaped by my belief system. In essence, changing your beliefs can fundamentally transform your life. Many live in a 'mixture,” believing in Jesus (New Covenant) but still connecting with God through the rules of the Old Covenant. Galatians 2:16 6 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. The law exposes and highlights the problem, the sickness, and the inability, but it cannot fix it. Religion reveals the sickness, but it cannot heal us. The World operates under the law Why does it seem hard to believe in relying on the reality of the new covenant? Because we all came from a world system, a world view based on meritocracy.  Every system in the world is ultimately like this. Now you come to Grace. In here, the system is upside down. It dares to say. Romans 4:5) 'nd to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.’ (Romans 5:20) 'Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,' The way of the world, the self-help, the religious mode, can diagnose that you have a trauma, a family problem, a hurt from the past, but it does not enable you to forgive. It simply says you have a problem. But it does not give us the power to overcome the problem. But the world has a nature problem, not a behaviour problem. Sinners will never become saints because of a demand for change. To display the Ten Commandments in public schools doesn't change the hearts of the students.  Did you know that there was a recent wave of state-level legislation to get the Ten Commandments into public classrooms? First, it made headlines when Louisiana passed a mandate in 2024, which then created a domino effect in several other states. A poser, of at least 11 by 14 inches, must be displayed in every single public classroom, from kindergartens to state-funded universities. I would rather have John 3:16 in every school classroom. I'm not saying that the law has no right use. Actually, without the law, it would be unbearable to live in this world. Paul explains that to Timothy. 1 Timothy 1:8-10 8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, The law can enforce rules, impose restrictions, and set boundaries that help make our lives in this world manageable. However, ultimately, it does not alter the fundamental nature of things, nor does it transform a sinner into a saint. Currently, about 31 of the 54 African nations have penal codes that criminalize same-sex relationships. Penalties in these countries vary from fines and imprisonment to life imprisonment or, in some cases, the death penalty. Do you genuinely believe that a person struggling with sexual dysphoria, gender or identity crisis would suddenly say, "Now that the law forbids it, I won't be a homosexual'? No thief will become an honest man because of the law. It inhibits, but it does not change people’s hearts. Only the New Birth can change the behavioral code in the hearts of the sinner. That is actually the first clause of the New Covenant. new birth, a New heart. Hebrews 8:10 … I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  The only way is a new birth. We are of the opinion that the godly lost are approved. However, we have no expectation that those losses would transform people’s nature. The new birth is the solution. Before we were born-again believers, we were like caterpillars—bound to the earth, crawling in the dust, and spiritually blind. We bumped into every obstacle of sin, trying to follow the Law but only finding ourselves exhausted and trapped by our own nature. We were "dogs" trying to "meow," struggling to meet a standard we weren't designed for . But then, the Lord called us. Through the New Covenant, He initiated a divine, metabolic transformation from the inside out. By the power of the Holy Spirit, you have been turned into a beautiful butterfly. You have a new "flying lifestyle" in Christ Jesus. Now, you might notice other creatures that fly, like flies or mosquitoes. From a distance, they seem to be doing the same thing as you—they are in the air. But their natures are worlds apart. A fly is instinctively drawn to decay, carcasses, and stinking, rotting things. It thrives on what is dying.  You are drawn to the sweetness of the flowers. You were made

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    In the New | Feb 22, 2026 | Pr Raph

    In the New Covenant Hebrews 8: 10-12 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Let’s be honest with each other for a moment. Most of us live with a constant, low-grade fever of anxiety regarding our relationship with God. Many Christians have their spiritual life like a gym membership. We signed up with great intentions, but we haven't shown up in weeks, and every time we see the "gym" (the Bible or the Church), we just feel guilty. We feel like we are constantly failing a test we didn't study for. The problem with man-centered preaching is that it replaces the powerful news of what Christ has finished with a powerless moralistic "to-do" list for what you must finish, achieve, or improve. That turns the church into a classroom for self-improvement, a motivational and life-coach platform. But Jesus is way more than a Rabbi. Jesus is not a teacher giving you a "to-do" list. According to Hebrews, He is our legal representative in the highest court of the universe. We live from our identity, not for identity. Hebrews 8:11 (ESV) 11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. Today, you are here to learn what you already are. To know that you are approved by grace. I talked to my son Pedro in Brazil recently. He was raised in the United States, but he is a young Brazilian man. He is there now to practice his Portuguese and immerse himself in the culture. But here is the beautiful thing: he isn’t going to school to pass a test so he can become Brazilian. He is already approved; his citizenship is a settled fact. He is simply there to discover who he already is. Like my son Pedro, we are often challenged to speak a "new language" under the Grace of the New Covenant. But this language isn't foreign; it is actually our original "mother tongue". We are learning the culture of Heaven, but this isn't a new culture we are trying to adopt—it is the original culture we truly belong to. We aren't "faking it" until we make it; Living in Grace can be challenging because we have to unlearn the "accent" of the Law, but it is also deeply fun. It is not a demanding weight; it is a return to the original purpose of our real citizenship. Now, does this mean we just go out and live however we want? Does grace make us lazy? Absolutely not. But the motivation changes. We don’t obey to get God’s love; we obey because we already have it. Old Covenant: "Obey, and then you will be accepted.” New Covenant: "You are accepted, therefore, you will find yourself wanting to obey." Your exhortation today isn't to "try harder.” It’s to believe deeper. To act out of faith. And when we fail, don't run from God in shame; run to your High Priest. The New Covenant made the Old obsolete. Hebrews 8:13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. The law was a shadow of the reality found in Christ. The old system was divided into three categories. Some people think that Jesus fulfills only some portions of what is considered “the law.” But He brought it to an end by fulfilling it perfectly and completely. 1. The Ceremonial Law: These were the rituals, sacrifices, hygiene and purity, and priestly garments described in books like Leviticus. Because the priesthood has changed from the tribe of Levi to the order of Melchizedek, the entire ceremonial system has been changed and made obsolete. 2. The Judicial Law (Curses and Judgments): This was the system of penalties and "hereditary curses" for those who failed to keep the Law. God has sworn an oath that He will never be angry with you or rebuke you again on the basis of that covenant because He remembers your sins no more. We are disciplined but not for demotion, but for reward and inheritance. 3. The Moral Law (The Commandments): This refers to the 613 commandments, including the Decalogue (Ten Commandments), which defined righteousness.  This last one is what many preachers says it did not pass. The idea is that faith and grace are for "salvation," and the “moral laws” and our effort are for “sanctification.”  However, the good news is that Jesus lived a life of perfect, complete obedience to every requirement of the Law. In the New Covenant, God no longer demands righteousness from you based on your performance; instead, He imparts Christ's perfect righteousness to you as a gift, and by faith, you live it out. You don't work for righteousness; you live from the righteousness that has already been imparted to you. Grace is a Better System (Hebrews 8:6) “But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.” Many of us try to live in a “mixture." We believe in Jesus (New Covenant), but we still relate to God through the rules of the Old Covenant. The Old Covenant was meant to be like a mirror—it could show you that your face was dirty, but it didn't have the power to wash you. It was "faulty" (v. 7), not because God made a mistake, but because it was never intended to make one righteous. Romans 3:20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. The New Covenant is better because it relies on God’s faithfulness. Imagine you’re trying to cross a massive, turbulent river. The Old Covenant is like God giving you a perfect set of instructions for swimming. The instructions are flawless, but they don’t help because you’re a terrible swimmer. The New Covenant is God putting you on a massive, unsinkable ocean liner. You aren't crossing because of your swimming skills; you're crossing because the ship is designed to get you there. Jesus is the “guarantor." μεσίτης (mecí-tes). He didn't just sign the New Covenant; He is the New Covenant. If Jesus stands, you stand. Coming to the End of Yourself We are notoriously bad at keeping our own word. Let’s be honest: how many of you even remember your New Year’s resolutions for 2026? We are simply bad at keeping our part of a bargain. God wasn't surprised by this. In fact, He gave the Old Testament Law specifically so we would reach the end of our own strength. Consider the "arrogance" of Israel at the foot of Mount Sinai. Before God had even finished stating the standards of His Law, the people made a sweeping promise they had no power to keep. Exodus 19:8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD."  Before they had even heard the 613 commandments or the Ten Commandments, the people declared they were capable of fulfilling divine requirements. They were making a promise they fundamentally could not keep because they were unaware of their own inability and God's absolute holiness. (Exodus 24:3) 'Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the rules. And all the people answered with one voice and said, "All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do."' They were tragically unaware of how holy, clean, exalted, and righteous God truly is. They thought they could meet divine requirements with human effort. This is the same trap so many fall into today: we think we just need to "try harder," not realizing that our very nature is the problem. The Law doesn't cure the disease; it just reveals that you are terminally sick.  This is the "End of Self." Have you reached that point yet? Have you finally admitted that you cannot be "good enough" for an infinitely holy God? Grace only begins where your effort ends. Until you reach the end of yourself, you will never truly lean on the sufficiency of the New Covenant. Grace is The Finished and Ongoing Work We often think grace is for the start of the Christian life, and then "hard work" takes over to keep us there. That is a lie. Grace is what saves you, and grace is what keeps you.  Grace introduces you to a new dimension. The New Covenant. In the Old Covenant, the law was on stone tablets—external and cold. In the New Covenant, God does the work in us. This is sanctification. It isn't you trying really hard to be "holy"; it's the Holy Spirit applying the finished work of Christ to your heart, changing what you love so that you actually want what God wants. Think of it like a "heart transplant" rather than "heart surgery." God doesn't just patch up your old, rebellious desires; He gives you a new nature that beats in sync with His. The fundamental difference between the Old and New Covenants is the location of the Law. In the Old, it was on stone; in the New, it is "downloaded" into the heart. At the beginning of my adult life, I worked in a public school and helped with their Basic Computing course. The school had various old computers that it was suppose to be used in that course. The first thing you need to learn about computing language is that every computer requires an Operating System (OS) to function, but that OS is strictly limited by the machine’s hardware requirements. God did not simply give you a software update or a new "patch" for your old life. Until you are acomplete new machine, there is no way to walk and live out the new system. He knew that the Old Covenant was "faulty" because the old "hardware"—the fallen human heart—could not process the perfect requ

  8. ١٥ فبراير

    Beyond the Shadow | Pr Raph | Feb 15, 2026

    Beyond the shadow, into real Light.  Only when you fully embrace the new covenant and put God’s salvation back over your performance and merit will you have complete peace to live a godly life with joy. In the everlasting covenant, your security does not rest on how perfectly you behave, but on how long Jesus lives and reigns – which means your salvation is held steady by an unchanging High Priest, not by a fragile human track record. Hebrews 7:16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. Hebrews 7:18-19 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. God’s will for you is not constant anxiety, but settled rest—because your salvation is held up by a living High Priest, and King of Peace. Melchizedek.  Hebrews 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. He is able to save to the uttermost The phrase "is able" is a present active indicative. That is a continuous, current power. This capacity to save is an active reality rooted in the indestructible life of Christ (Heb. 7.16) The term "uttermost" suggests that no part of the man’s salvation is left to chance or human effort; it is a total work. To save "to the uttermost" means that Christ’s work is exhaustive; it reaches into the depths of a man's past, covers his present, and secures eternity. We pray because Jesus prays perfectly for us. Think about it. How many of you ask for prayer for yourself, and you expect that your brother or sister’s prayer will help you go through life’s uncertainty? But Jesus continually intercedes for me so that I persevere to the end, and I will, because God always listens to Jesus’ prayer for me. The historical narrative of Ezekiel 22 depicts a landscape of total moral and social disintegration. Within this "bloody city," the God details a catalog of abominations—ranging from slanderous lies and sexual immorality to systemic injustice and murder. It is a dark scene in which every level of human leadership failed to preserve the land. However, the tragedy of the vacant breach in Ezekiel’s day serves as the perfect backdrop for the gospel of grace. When God sought a man to stand in the gap and found none, He was demonstrating the total insufficiency of the fallen man to mediate his own salvation or hold the hand of divine judgment through his own willpower. Ezekiel 22:30 "And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none." It points directly to the Messiah’s ultimate intercessory power, Jesus Christ. Where the first Adam failed, the Last Adam succeeded. The darkness of Ezekiel 22 only serves to magnify the brightness of the grace that now covers the believer. Isaiah 59:16 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. God provided for Himself the lamb. The righteous one prayed for us. While our "righteousness" is described as "filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6), God’s own righteousness serves as the sufficient support.  His holiness requires that sin be dealt with, and His mercy and love require that His people be redeemed. That makes the cross the point of intersection of perfect justice and complete love. Psalm 85:10 "Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Luke 22:31-32 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” The image that you must have of this sifting of wheat is in a threshing floor. The sifting process was a forceful separation of the valuable from the worthless. It involved intense agitation to break apart the plant and isolate the heavy, nutritious grain from the light, useless chaff. For Peter, this meant a period of testing designed to strip away everything superficial, leaving only a pure and resilient faith. The wind would blow away the useless straw and chaff.  Jesus did not pray that Peter would be spared from the test. But that his faith would not fail. Jesus wanted Peter to have a resilient Active Faith. Now the calling for intercessory prayer is a duty for all of us. As we approach the upcoming fast, I urge you to prepare your hearts for our 21-day prayer campaign.  While the Lord Jesus Christ provides a perfect and perpetual intercession that secures our standing. As overcomers, we must recognize that He has invited us to participate in His work through the ministry of prayer. It is time to pray The fact that He is the perfect High Priest does not render our prayers unnecessary; rather, it makes our prayers effective. We pray and fast to bring our wills into harmony with His and to exercise the spiritual authority bestowed upon the Church. Apostle Paul instructed Timothy like this: 1 Timothy 2:1–2 "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." Prayer is a privilegeand a duty for the man of God. By praying for our leaders, we cooperate with the Holy Spirit to build an environment where the gospel can be proclaimed without hindrance. Additionally, a specific posture and mindset are required: 1 Timothy 2:8 "I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling." The lifting of hands is a physical expression of a heart that is surrendered and a life that is set apart for His purposes. As we fast over these 21 days, we are disciplining the flesh. Romans 15:30 "I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf," 2 Corinthians 1:11 "You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many." While the High Priest intercedes for our invisible needs, we intercede for the temporal and visible needs of our brothers, our leaders, and our nation. James 5:16b “… The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." Let us enter this campaign with the confidence that we are heard. We do not fast to move God but to move ourselves into a deeper sense of His power. Secured to enter the New Covenant The conclusion of Hebrews 7 is that a born-again believer does not lose his salvation due to his own inconsistency; he would only lose it if Christ ceased to live. Since Christ can never die again, the believer can never be lost. Rest in this truth. Stop centering your sin and start centering the Man at the right hand of God, who sympathizes with your weaknesses and intercedes for your perseverance. The first thing to consider is that the Old Testament is only a very long illustration of Christ's reality.  Hebrews 8:5 5 They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” Imagine an architect who has designed a magnificent, hundred-story skyscraper. Before the first foundation is poured, he constructs a meticulously detailed scale model in his studio. This model is crafted according to a precise "pattern" that exists in the architect's mind and on his blueprints.  A man can look at the model and see the exact placement of the windows and the beauty of the facade. He can learn much about the building by studying the model. However, no man would ever attempt to move his family into the model. He would not try to find shelter or rest within its miniature rooms.  The model is merely a "copy and shadow.” The value of the model is found only in how accurately it reflects the "pattern" of the real building. The Lord Jesus Christ is the end of the law, having fulfilled every requirement to inaugurate a superior ministry as the Mediator of the New Covenant. While the law of the Lord is perfect, the Old Covenant system was found to be faulty because it depended upon the inconsistent obedience and willpower of man. Romans 3:20 "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin." In contrast, the New Covenant is firmly established upon better promises and the indestructible life of the Son of God, ensuring that you, as a believer in Christ, can be secure.  Hebrews 8:6 "But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises." What is a Covenant? A covenant is fundamentally distinct from a contract; whereas a contract contains a termination clause allowing for its dissolution, a covenant is an indissoluble bond that only death can conclude. The Old Covenant, though it contained the perfect law of God, was found to be faulty, so God established a superior New Covenant, enacted (made it law, the new norm, the new standard) on better promises. This is a formal legal term. It signifies that the New Covenant is not merely a divine preference; it is the established law of the New Testament. The better promises have been codified into a divine statute. Because these promises are enacted, the believer is secure in his standing. The grace he receives is not a violation of justice but the fulfillment of a new, superior legal standard—the new norm. In this new system, everythin

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