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Right now on your journey of faith—whether you are trudging through the wilderness or finding rest in the land flowing with milk and honey—the Lord your God has never let you out of His sight. In Deuteronomy 2:7, Moses reminds the Israelites of God’s consistent care and provision for them throughout their time in the wilderness. “For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.” — Deuteronomy 2:7 There are three beautiful truths revealed to us in this verse. First, God not only guides us but also blesses the work of our hands. God reminds the Israelites that their efforts did not succeed by their own strength alone, but because He sustained and prospered them. This reminds us that God sees and blesses our efforts, and He walks with us and provides for us even when the destination feels far away. Second, God watches over us, even in times of suffering. Although the Israelites were punished to wander in the wilderness for their lack of faith, God never abandoned them—He walked with them every step of the way. When we encounter trials and tribulations that feel beyond us, we are reminded that there is nothing too great for the Lord. He knows our sufferings and invites us to rely on His power rather than our own. Third, God always provides so that we lack nothing we truly need. In the wilderness, God sent manna from Heaven, brought water from a rock, and appointed a leader to guide His people. Everything was and is planned out by God, and what we have—both seen and unseen—is ultimately provided by God. So today, let us reflect on how God has shown us His great mercy and steadfast love. Let us praise God for His faithfulness, and remember that even through suffering, He has never left us alone. 
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Though wind and rain may fall
I know the Lord is there beside me. When all hope seems to be lost He stands above the water where the waves toss. And though the tumultuous tides make me afraid when I turn my eyes to Him, I feel safe. For I know He can calm the storm with a single word so I hold out my hand for the Lord to guide me ashore. 2025.12.16 Teleios (meaning perfect), as Jesus uses the word, isn’t about being sinless — it’s about being whole. ‘Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ — Matthew 5:48 When Jesus tells us to be perfect, many people instinctively withdraw from His call. This is because the word feels heavy, unrealistic, and unachievable to most people. But what if Jesus’ definition of ‘perfect’ doesn’t mean being sinless or flawless at all? Teleios actually speaks of wholeness, maturity, and becoming who God designed us to be. So when Jesus calls us to be perfect, He’s inviting us to grow into full maturity — lacking nothing necessary for completeness — as we live out our God-given purpose. So the real question we should ask ourselves is, “How do we become whole in Christ?” In 1 John 4:12, 18, and Colossians 3:14, the Bible shows that teleios is tied to love made complete — love that reflects God’s own. In other words, to be whole in Christ, we must be mature and complete in love. So when Jesus calls us to be perfect, He reminds us of three truths: First, God’s love is perfect. It is complete, unconditional, and unwavering, extending even to those who oppose or reject Him. Second, we are called to grow into that mature, complete love — the kind that touches the hearts of others and draws them closer to God. Third, when our love is complete, it reflects God’s character. It heals, unites, and transforms people, showing the world God’s presence and goodness. Being perfect in Christ isn’t about being flawless — it’s about letting God’s love complete us so that we can love others as He does, fulfill the plan He has for us, and shine His light in the world. Now, you see that perfection isn’t impossible. It’s about becoming who God created us to be, step by step, rooted in His love. God is not far away. He is not a foreign being, distant and cold, but our Heavenly Father who knows us, loves us, and draws near to us. In Matthew 17:7, the disciples had just witnessed the glory of the transfiguration, with Jesus’ face shining like the sun, His clothes white as light, and the voice of God declaring Him to be His beloved Son. Overwhelmed with fear, the disciples fell to the ground. But Jesus didn’t leave them there. He came to them, touched them, and said, “Arise and do not be afraid.” This moment reveals the true nature of God. He is not far, distant, or cold. He willingly meets us in our infirmities, flaws, and weaknesses. His love reaches past our trembling and brings us peace in our most vulnerable moments. We may sometimes imagine God as a distant ruler, powerful, unapproachable, and shrouded in glory. But in truth, He is the One who bends down to meet us where we are. He is the One who places His hand on our shoulder and whispers, “Do not be afraid.” In every season—whether in awe, in doubt, in fear, or in weakness—God is near. And His nearness is not passive; it is active, personal, and full of compassion. The same Jesus who walked up the mountain with His disciples is the same Jesus who steps into our lives today, reaching out to lift us up. Let us worship Him not only as the Almighty, but as the God who draws near. Though the Bible was written thousands of years ago, it often feels as if God is speaking directly to us each time we read it. Its sharp words pierce our hearts, and moving messages touch our souls. Engaging with the Bible is an intimate experience that reveals more about our Savior, ourselves, and the world around us. There are three key reasons why reading the Bible is so important. First, God’s word is spiritual food. Without it, we will never feel fulfilled. Matthew 4:4 says, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Although bread may satisfy our physical hunger, only God can satisfy our souls. While worldly pleasures lead to more emptiness in our hearts, by consuming the word of God, we attain wisdom, guidance, and strength. If we internalize its teachings, we can transform our hearts and minds, aligning them with God’s will. Second, God’s word is a lamp. Without it, we are likely to stumble down the wrong path. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” This verse shows us that the Bible leads us on the righteous path. It reveals the steps to salvation and guides us through the sinful world. If we strive to live a life of holiness, God’s word instructs us how to live a life pleasing to Him. Third, God’s word is a mirror. Without it, we are unable to see our true selves. James 1:23-24 says, “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.” Just as a mirror reveals our appearance, the word of God reveals the state of our hearts. It reflects our spiritual condition and convicts us of our shortcomings. But awareness is not enough; we must strive to change. We must live out God’s word to walk in righteousness. As we read the Bible, we are blessed to experience God’s love poured out in our hearts. But if its length is intimidating, here are some tips to start! Read a little a day, take time to reflect on the passage, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us so that the words may touch us and that we can understand them correctly.  To abide means to stay, remain, or dwell. When Jesus says “Abide in Me, and I in you,” He is calling His followers to remain connected to Him, just as a branch must be connected to the vine to live and bear fruit. Here, Jesus pleads with His followers to maintain an ongoing, close relationship with Him. In John 15-17, Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure from the world. He knows that He will soon no longer be with them physically, but He wants them to continue walking with Him spiritually. The imagery of the vine and branches illustrates that just as a branch draws life, nourishment, and strength from the vine, we can only live fruitful, spiritually meaningful lives if we remain connected to Jesus. This verse demonstrates His immense love for us. Although Jesus was perfect, He spent His time on Earth preaching to us, sinners. It pained Him to leave us behind in this world because He knows that without Him, we are weak and vulnerable to sin. That is why Jesus urges us not to forsake Him, so that we can continue down the path of righteousness and abide in His love, strength, and presence. To abide in God means to live with Him at the center of our lives—continually connected, completely dependent, and committed to walking in His love and truth. If we yearn to abide in the Lord Jesus, we will seek Him daily through prayer, His word, and acts of obedience. Abiding in Him means staying rooted in Him regardless of life’s challenges. And as we abide in Him, He abides in us—empowering us to grow in faith, bear fruit, and live a life that brings glory to God.  As human beings, we all carry a deep desire to seek something greater than ourselves—a Creator who gives our lives meaning and purpose. Yet in our search for this higher being, we often encounter this fundamental question: How do we know if God is real? Believing in a God our eyes cannot see is not easy, but if we genuinely long to draw near to Him, the first step is to ask God to open our hearts. Only when we quiet ourselves and listen can we hear His gentle voice reminding us that faith is built on trust, not sight. While believing in the unseen can be challenging, True Jesus Church has biblical evidence affirming God’s existence. First, everything must come from something, and we believe that something is God. Genesis tells us God created the Heavens and the Earth. As Hebrews 3:4 says, “For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.” We believe God existed before time and space and that He created all things. Second, the physical world reveals His presence. Romans 1:19-20 states, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” The fine-tuning of the universe—the precision of life, gravity, space, and time—suggests that there is a Maker, God Himself. Third, our conscience reflects His moral law. Romans 2:14-15 explains that even the Gentiles, who did not receive the written commandments, still acted according to the law’s principles, with their conscience bearing witness. This sense of right and wrong demonstrates that we are made in God’s image, with His law inscribed on our hearts. Finally, we know God exists because we have experienced Him through receiving the Holy Spirit, the helper Jesus promised. The Holy Spirit confirms that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh, who came to die for our sins and rose again to give us new life. Because of His sacrifice, we are no longer bound by sin but set free by His grace. Our Lord Jesus is loving, merciful, wise, and just. Therefore, we love Him because He loved us first.  You’re the Only God that I love,
and the Only God that has loved me so. You’re my Heavenly Father above, and my Heavenly Father that I want to get to know. You’re the Creator of all things, and the Creator who has made the creatures on land and in the sea. You’re the Joy in my heart that makes me sing, and the Joy in my heart that makes me proclaim Christ as my King. God's love is beautiful like the springtime,
Deep and wide as the sea, Mighty as an eagle, His love cannot be beat. His mercy surpasses mountains. His love abounds eternally. He sent His son to save us. He died for you and me. The Prince of Peace was crowned with thorns. Our Savior was mocked and scorned. Betrayed by His own for some coins. To redeem us is why He was born. God’s love is everlasting, kind, merciful, and true, So don’t receive His grace in vain. For His gift to the world cost an unpayable price; Therefore, His matchless love I proclaim. When we have no one to turn to,
and there’s no place left to go, find our Father, Lord Jesus. He awaits the day we come home. And on that day He’ll welcome us, His arms wide open when we arrive. He’ll say that He has been waiting for His lost sheep to return to His side. Father, I am lonely and tired. I cannot find comfort in this world. I’m hungry and thirsty for something, something this world can’t afford. My child, I know of your burdens. I have a peace not of this world. In me you will never thirst nor hunger for my words will be your strength and sword. So come little one, abide in me for I have heard of your pleas. Obey my commands and follow me, then you shall find eternal peace. |