Every time her son would showcase certain skills, she would check the milestone chart to keep track of his new skills and make sure that he is developing well. Any parent would also feel proud of his or her child’s development.

Just like a father, God is delighted to see His sons and daughters maturing in their faith. He also keeps track of our milestone beginning the day we were born in the kingdom of God—when we accepted Him as our Lord and Saviour.  He sees us through every moment of our lives. He rejoices with us in every victory.  He feels what we feel during our toughest moments. He sympathizes yet strengthens us as well.

He allows us to experience pains and failures so that our hearts would be strengthened. Every pain gives us an opportunity to grow. Every failure is a challenge. Both pain and failure can strengthen our knees in prayer. Tough times would enable us to be mature enough with our decision making.

Our attitude on things that happen to us would reflect if we are mature enough or still immature. If we are not maturing, we are not bringing glory to our heavenly father.

While infant’s physical growth is inevitable, spiritual growth needs a firm decision. As Christians, we have to keep on maturing. As it is unpleasant to see an infant remaining as an infant for years already, it is likewise absurd to see Christians not growing in faith. Many were stuck as a “baby” Christian. It’s no longer “cute”.

There are still many people who need to be given birth in the kingdom of God yet there are only few “fathers” who can take care of the newborn Christians. As there are more “newborns” than “fathers”, there are many “newborn Christians” who are spiritually sick, and sad to say, some do not survive in their faith and soon abandoned it.

We do not need to be casual with our growth. We need to understand clearly that God has given everything to us so we might live. As a Father, He provided all we need. He showed His love to us unconditionally by giving his son Jesus.

Make this your prayer today. “Lord, I am committing myself to You right now. I ask forgiveness if I have forgotten my journey onward to Christian maturity. Help me to grow spiritually and make me the person You want me to be.

Only God can. He is cautiously, wisely, and purposely masterminding all things according to His schedule and eternal design. He is the headmaster planner of our life, and he regulates it. In Him, we can be certain of the time to come because God is in full control of everything. The only key is: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and ALL these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6: 33).

Our confidence is not in our abilities, but in His omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. When we focus our eyes to God, He is faithful enough to provide a happy and satisfying life for us. He alone knows what to give you. What seems to be bewildering and enigmatic to us is perfectly rational and plain to our all- seeing, all-caring Father. Nothing bewitches Him by surprise. Nothing thwarts His plan. The very thing you have to do is to put Him first in all you do. Certainly, He will lead you to the profitable life you have ever hoped for.

There may be times where you might feel that His plans are dense, but that is the time that he wants you to trust in His marvelous plans and perfect timing. When you put Him first in your life, you can be of great confidence that he is doing something good for you, far beyond you can ever imagine.

You might find yourself in a difficult situation. But if you put your confidence in Him, and abide in Him, and trust Him with all your heart, you will be able to learn. You may come across unanticipated changes, but your fears and anxieties can be driven off as you learn to rest in his providential direction and provision. The Lord wants you to accomplish your every goal and give you your heart’s desire. If you open your heart to Him, He will impart to you His perfect plans. Once you enjoy seeking Him alone with all your heart, you will find strength in following every step that He reveals to you.

Whatever it is that you desire right now, be it a job promotion or a good car, a house loan or a lifetime partner- it will all be done to you. All you have to do is open up your heart to God and put him first and good life will follow you. God is a generous God. What you should really desire right now, right at this moment is for you to have a genuine relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ, and all these things shall be added to you. The Lord, as long as you focus your eyes on Him and seek Him first will ensure you a blessed life- a life beyond you can ever imagine, a prosperous life. He will gladly add all the things you have ever hoped for, whenever you devote yourself solely to Him. He is the God who can give you what you deserve more than what you desire. He is a God who can do all things for you. Just seek Him and His righteousness.

If you are curious to know what the heart of the Gospel of John is, then I encourage you to continue reading this article.

What is eternal life in Jesus? In the Gospel of John chapter 3 verses 1-2, Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Unlike other Pharisees and members of the Sanhedrin Council, Nicodemus remain humble in spite of his being powerful, successful, and a scholar. He was willing to learn from Jesus and spoke highly of him, calling Him Rabbi. Nicodemus wanted to go to heaven, and so he asked Jesus how. Jesus answered, “Truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

Jesus is an all-knowing God. He knows the hearts of men, so He knew there was hunger in the heart of Nicodemus, who asked, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he” (John 3:4)? Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

What is born of water and Spirit? John 3:7 says, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Jesus is saying after we are born physically, we must be born again, spiritually. John 3:7-8 says, “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

What is born again? Ephesians 5:26 says, “So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word.” “Her” refers to the church. “Water” refers to the Word of God. So, the Word of God will sanctify you. Titus 3:5 says, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.”

Now, Nicodemus seems lost by the way he threw in questions about salvation. Nicodemus thought he was saved. He knew he was a good person, godly person and respected by many. He trusted in his own efforts and good deeds. He failed to understand the meaning of faith in Jesus and did not experience the Spirit of God in his life He asked Jesus, “How can these things be” (John 3:9)?

Curious to know if Nicodemus understood it all after his conversation with the Lord?  Did he change? Yes; he understood. In John 7:50-51, the Scripture tells us that Nicodemus defended Jesus against those who wanted to kill him. When Jesus died, Nicodemus helped give a decent burial (John 19:39-40).

What must I do to become born again? Coming to Jesus is a personal decision to make. It is actually the best decision we could ever make in this life. It’s a decision with willingness to change. When you receive the Spirit of God, your life is transformed. You can be born of the Spirit if you will accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Jesus took your place and paid for your sin by dying on the cross. Admit that you are a sinner and accept God’s gift of eternal life. It was God who took the initiative to send Jesus to die for us. John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world…” God knows your need. He knows that you cannot save yourself. He cares for you. He wants you to be born again. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John14:6). If you want to experience being born again, accept God’s solution.

- Matthew 25:31-46

Do you have an assurance that someday you will be with the Lord in heaven? Definitely there’s no absolute list of who will be included or who won’t be included in the kingdom of God. Fat bank accounts as well as empty wallets do not guarantee your entrance to God’s Kingdom. Though everyone has given the chance to enter the Kingdom of God, apparently not everyone will be allowed to enter God’s kingdom. Scripture says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

According to the book of Matthew, the Son of Man will come someday, and when that day comes, a judgment would be made in order to know who have acted according or against God’s laws. The will of God commonly comes through helping the sick, giving drink to the thirsty, food to the hungry, clothing to the naked and visiting the imprisoned. These behavioral patterns actually give meaning to how people should care for each other, thus also caring for God.

However, some people mistakenly help other people because they would want to be included in the Kingdom of God. Some even go the extent of organizing charitable institutions, thinking that the more they give to others, the bigger the chance to enter the Kingdom of God. But the question is – Are they really doing what God wanted them to do? Or are they doing those things just only to show that they are doing God’s will, neglecting the real essence of helping others? As according to this scripture, ‘whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ What you do to the hungry, the sick, poor, imprisoned, you are also doing to God because God actually identifies himself with the poor and the sufferings.

There’s nothing wrong with doing good to people whatever your motives are. At least people receive the help they need. If your motive of helping people is to get to heaven someday, then you’re wrong. All your efforts, your charities, even your good behavior is not the way to heaven, because there is only One way. Jesus is the Only way to heaven. He is God’s gift to us. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

When I think of God the Father’s special gift to us, I think of His plan of salvation. The Father was the one who came up with the idea. That’s why I often spend time worshipping Him in reverence and respect. Other times in my prayers, I think about God the Son and His special gift to us of grace. Jesus is the one who followed through on the Father’s plan of salvation. And my response?- gratitude that He’s my Savior and obedience to Him as Lord.

When I dwell on the Holy Spirit and His gift of strength and encouragement of heart, I remember that He’s the one who gives us assurance and joy.

Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. I am filled to the measure of all the fullness of God as I commune with each member of the Trinity. It’s a glorious way to experience a full communion with the Lord and thereby discover how wide, long, high, and deep is the love of Christ.

And when you receive that kind of love from God himself, how can you not share that fullness of God’s love to others? It’s meant to be shared. Blessings and love overflows if you are living in God’s love.

In this complicated way of life, God desires to fill you to the brim with the fullness of His love. Who would want to escape that kind of love, or ignore or deny it? And what Christian could ever dare doubt it? Christ died for you! What love!

–Ephesians 1:22-23

What is the body of Christ? The Scripture tells us that the body of Christ and the church are one and the same. Both terms represent those individuals who have been saved by receiving Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The term “church” refers to those who have been called out of the world into citizenship in the kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13). The term “body of Christ” has reference to the organic union between the Lord Jesus and the total company of believers that are joined to Him.

Every believer, at the time of conversion, becomes a member of the body of Christ. Also, at conversion, every believer is born again by the Holy Spirit who enters our hearts and makes our body the temple of God (Galatians 4:6; 1 Corinthians 6:19).Simultaneously, by the same spirit we are all baptized into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). Each one are included as an individual part of the many members of the body of Christ of which Jesus is the head.

Forty days after Jesus’ resurrection, He ascended bodily to be with the Father – but He did not leave us! His life and ministry is deposited in all those who join His plan of redemption for the human race through the church which is also called His body.

We all have a place in the body of Christ and we are all called to contribute to its growth and ministry. The Bible says, “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ” (Romans 12:4, 5).

Our physical body consists of many parts: from toes, knees, shoulder, and head; from kidneys to fingers; and from bone marrow to eyeballs. Each and every part is definitely essential in order for our body to function properly. So is the body of Christ. There are many members, each with his own place and contribution, yet still only one body. Each of us differs with talents, abilities, and areas of ministry, but we are all necessary and important. Everyone has a gift. “And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability” (Matthew 25:15).

Jesus related the parable of the talents to convince each of us that we have gifts, talents, and abilities that are to be invested in His work.  He also would like us to know that our gifts are measured. “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (Ephesians 4:7). We were given gifts to serve. Our gifts and callings are for the purposes of serving others and building up the body of Christ.

Interested to know what is your calling? Finding your place in the body of Christ? Before you could know your calling, first take some time to evaluate your life and beliefs. If you’re not sure that you belong to the body of Christ, first submit yourself to God’s calling for salvation. He is now calling you to transfer from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God. You can do this by praying to Jesus and receive salvation through faith in what Jesus Christ has done. If you are ready to make this commitment, I encourage you to begin your relationship with Christ in prayer.

“Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe that you died for my sins. I am so sorry, please forgive my sins. Thank you for your love and forgiveness, for what you have done for me. I now receive your gift of salvation, and the right to become a child of God. Thank you Jesus.”

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:11, When I was a child, I talked like a child; I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. Jesus said in Matthew 11:25, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children. Who are the wise and the learned? These are the adults who think they have life figured out already. Matthew 18:1 tells us; At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” The question reveals that they do not have an idea of the kingdom of heaven. Somehow there was discomfort and agitation among the disciples because they sensed they were not part of the inner circle of Christ. In the disciple’s heart were envy, jealousy, and ambition. Somehow, they lost sight of the kingdom’s purpose. Instead of seeking places of service, they sought positions of advantage. That is how the adult mind works and how complicated adult’s hearts are. To answer the question, Jesus called a little child to stand among them and said, “Unless you turn to God from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 18:2-3). It is like another very famous verse, John 3:3, Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” This passage is an encounter with Jesus of Nicodemus – a good man, an adult, well advanced in years. He is a member of the Jewish ruling council, hence a wise man, a learned, scholarly, and highly respected religious authority. Shockingly, for someone in that position, he responded in a very predictable way (John 3:4), How can a man be born when he is old?…Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!

It is all about Childlike Faith. We must be teachable. Keep in mind that while we live, breathe, and remain in this world, we are in our spiritual formative years. Start with Childlike Conversations. This is about unceasing prayer and petition to your Father. He desires and delights in the prayers of His children – innocent, pure, no malice, charming, pleasurable, and talks without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). Ask like a child (1 John 3:21-22; James 4:2-3) by praying and having the right motive. Childlike Dependence. God’s got everything covered whether good or bad you know that He will work everything out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Childlike Curiosity. We must say, “I am not yet what I ought to be”. Seek Him to get to know Him more and understand His ways and thoughts. Childlike Humility. The Bible says that if you are to boast, boast in this thing: that you know Me (Matthew 5:3). Childlike Obedience. In Matthew 18:2, He called a little child and had him stand among them. The child did exactly as asked even though being placed in the midst of adults can be very scary. Childlike Trust. God is protective of His children. Childlike Surrender. We must say, “Father, not my will but Yours be done”. Childlike Contentment. Nothing that comes from the hand of God can be bad for us (1 Timothy 6:6-10). In everything give thanks.

Now that we know and understand what a childlike faith means, let us evaluate ourselves and ask, how must I change and have Childlike Faith? Let us not confuse wants with needs. In the Old Testament, God said, “Gather only as much as you need”. In the New Testament, God said, “Give us this day our daily bread”. Trust in God. Be A Child. He can give you a new life…a life that is joyous and everlasting.

Are you a planner?  Are you a list maker?  I think most home-makers have to-do lists longer than their jeans and organizers thicker than their book in Chemistry back in High School.  I know of a friend, whose list making became so addictive that she found herself making those lists during the preacher’s sermon on Sunday morning at our church.  Of course, it looked like she was just taking notes from the preaching, but she really wasn’t – she was planning out the coming week.

The pastor was preaching about spending more quality time with God, and she was scheduling a ten-minute devotional time for Him somewhere on Tuesday.  Whew!  Pretty sad, isn’t it?

One time, she was caught off-guard by her boss who thought that she was jotting down what he was saying in a conference when she was asked to review everything that was said in the floor.  All she has in her notepad is, again, that plan for the next week.  It was such an unforgettable experience for her – an embarrassing one.

But I have good news for you.  And that good friend of mine would agree with me that “there is life after lists.” She is now a recovering to-do list maker.  It was a gradual process.  She could readily recapitulate what was discussed in meetings and conferences.  And here it is; now she can actually sit through a sermon and truly focus on what God would like her to hear through the preacher.  And she found that freedom by trusting God in her daily concerns and activities. Sure, she still has reminder stick-on notes scattered around her house, but now she is not ruled by a list anymore.  She has learned that there is sweet rest and freedom in trusting God with each and every single day.

So, before your busy feet hit the floor each morning, simply come to God in prayer, “Dear Lord, I give this day to You.” Let our Lord and Master make our list.  And rest assured, His list is much easier to accomplish and indeed much more fulfilling.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me–watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
–  Matthew 11:28-30 TMSG

Indeed, he won’t lay anything heavy or burdensome on us.  He is willing to give us rest from our list-making – from the worries of our everyday life.  If we will just come to Him.  He said He’ll help you recover your life in a much easier way.  He is waiting for you.  Come, let Him make your lists.

God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

–Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT

Often times people feel security of salvation whenever they do good deeds.  It seems that they believe God could be flattered by church donations, alms to the poor, construction of church buildings and orphanages.  Well, nothing is wrong about these things or acts.  It is very helpful to the advancement of the gospel of the kingdom of God.  Yet, this does not guarantee that the soul of a person, no matter how good he is, will be saved.

Sometimes, these so called good deeds become bribe and the briber thinks God can be fooled.  Or sometimes, people innocently believe that doing such good things can bring one’s soul closer to God.  But Saint Paul teaches the church at Ephesus a different thing in this passage at Ephesians 2:8-9.

The salvation of our souls is a special favour – a gift from God himself the day we believed in him.  He taught that it is not a reward for all the good things that we had done.  This is so, that none of us can boast about it.

If salvation can be instantly available for those who are good, it will be unfair for those who could not afford to do good.  How can the poor be saved?  How can a street beggar donate to a church project?  How about those who are in jail?  Will the doors of salvation be permanently shut to them?  God would be unfair if so.

Do we still remember the thief at the side of Jesus during his crucifixion?   The Lord Jesus Christ promised that he will be with him in paradise that same day. He didn’t ask him his religious affiliation nor did he ask this thief of baptism or any good deed.  He simply honoured his humility to admit that he is a sinner and one who deserves death on the cross.  No other rituals were done that day of salvation from that thief.

Most of us are not as sinful as that thief, so to speak but seldom do we admit our being a sinner before God.  Many times, we concentrate on doing good things and doing religious stuff – things that we think will save our souls.

God loves us so much that he gave salvation to us as a gift.  We don’t have to pay for it or suffer first before we could avail it.  All we have to do is humble ourselves and admit our sins – big and small in our eyes and that’s it.  He is always willing to forgive us and cleanse us from our wickedness.  Plus, of course that special gift – salvation by his grace alone – without any need to suffer or exert any effort.  A very special gift!  Consider him in your life today.

God wants us to have a present-tense excitement, a right-around-the-corner anticipation of heaven. He wants us to believe that we have already come to the heavenly Jerusalem. He wants us to realize that we are already seated with Christ in heavenly places, “having our conversation in heaven”. As far as God is concerned, the coming of the Lord is at hand, ready to explode on the world’s stage at any moment.

The resurrection throbs with present-tense excitement when we learn to invest our days in eternity. When we sit close to self-scrutiny, when we examine our motives, words, and actions to make certain we are building for eternal glory, then heaven will seem as close as a heartbeat. The future, the distant, and the vague will appear as the present, the near, and the real. The kingdom of God is within you, Jesus said, and it increases our appetite for kingdom fulfillment at any day, any moment.

No doubt as Jesus expounded to His disciples the truths concerning the coming kingdom, those who were more ambitious coveted for themselves a privileged position in the new regime. Peter, on one occasion, wanted to know from Christ what his reward would be for having left all to follow Him (Mark 10:28). Again, the disciples while traveling were found arguing among themselves as to who was the greatest among them (Mark 9:34). It is evident from this, and other incidents in the lives of the disciples, that ambition for the coming kingdom was high on their list of priorities. James and his brother John are considered by many commentators to be the two most ambitious disciples. There is nothing wrong with ambition, provided it is linked to the right goals. Philippians 3:14-15 says, “I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.”

A lively hope of heaven will bring forward the things that most believers call invisible and distant. Such a hope will disclose to you the heavenly mansions, the happy courts, the adoring multitudes. It opens your ears to hear heavenly melodies, to catch the very words of angel’s anthems. I pray that each of us will see visions of heaven so that we might live today for eternal glory.

How grateful we ought to be for the love of Christ that gives us a privileged position in the coming God’s kingdom. Christ’s love sent Him to a shameful death on the cross more than 2,000 years ago because of our sins. Yes, our sins have been paid in full. Thank you Jesus! What love, what grace that bore my sin and nailed it to the three! No words can say nor tears express this joy He’s given me. Would you also like to receive Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord and begin your exciting journey heavenward, spending joyful days in eternity with Christ Jesus?