STEPHEN JOHN

Praise the Lord! Yesterday, I read a very interesting and inspiring article about a top MNC executive's remarkable 22-kg weight loss journey, which began surprisingly with a job interview. It sparked a reflection in me – if we, as believers, possess the same level of determination, we can achieve wonders for God's glory. We need to take a break from our busy schedules and reflect on our contributions to God's kingdom. Do we have clear spiritual goals? Do we make a daily habit of walking with God, regardless of how occupied we are? His transformation began with a conversation during a job interview. Similarly, God sends us messages through various channels. But do we pay attention to His messages? We need to be active listeners, hearing God's voice through reading the Bible, prayers, in church, and in person, among other channels. Be like the good soil, allowing His words to sink in and be sown in you, thus beginning your journey with Him for His glory. If worl...

As we stand on the threshold of 2024, bidding farewell to 2023, let us reflect on the following verse: Psalm 7:17 KJV "I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: And will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high." The psalmist exalts and sings praises to the Lord, providing a beautiful conclusion to the year through contemplation of how the Lord has accompanied us throughout. Numerous miracles have graced our journey, for which we must offer our gratitude. Thank God for His protective hand that has guided us to the year's final day. Gratitude is to be extended for the gift of good health, and the blessings bestowed upon us are truly boundless. While many around the world celebrate with revelry, feasting, and merriment, this verse suggests an alternative—engaging in a divine appointment with the Lord. Sing hymns, raise joyful worship songs, and partake in the divine meal—the Holy Communion—while reflecting on His righteousness. Additionally, let ...

Eleven months in 2023 have passed, and we have entered the last month of the year. I can sense the joy of December everywhere — Christmas decorations and celebrations are happening across the globe. December is a special month; I won't delve into the debate of when Christ was born. God became flesh and shed His blood, which holds more importance for me. If it is remembered in December, so be it. I will keep Him in my thoughts throughout the year. Today is the second of December, and after my shower, I sat in the sun with the cool breeze and the Bible in my hand — such a wonderful experience. I planned to read the book of Matthew from the New Testament. I read chapter 1 yesterday, and today I am on chapter 2. When I read the verse that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, I had goosebumps. God was born — how amazing it is! Look at God’s love for all of us. Meditate on His love and spread it this season because He is the reason for the season! In the 11th verse of Matthew 1, wise men ent...

Today, the world is abuzz with discussions about AI (artificial intelligence). AI is being applied across various fields such as IT, healthcare, education, retail, marketing, agriculture, and entertainment. Many people are concerned about the potential impact on their jobs—will AI replace their roles? Will they be substituted by advanced systems and technologies? As children of God, there's no need to fret about AI, but you might wonder why you shouldn't be worried. The answer can be found in the Bible. Presently, I'm reading the book of Joshua from the Old Testament. On August 24th, I was immersed in the 8th chapter of Joshua, and in this chapter, a fascinating connection emerged: Ai. Although AI is a novel concept for the world, it's not new to the children of God. Ai existed during the time of Joshua, when an ancient Canaanite town was vanquished by the Israelites under their leader, Joshua (Joshua 7–8). Joshua's triumph over Ai in the Old Testament holds relevan...

As the sun gently illuminated the pages of the Holy Bible, I found myself engrossed in my daily portion of spiritual nourishment. Currently, I am reading the book of Deuteronomy, specifically chapter 14, which discusses the dietary laws. This chapter belongs to the fifth book of Moses in the Old Testament. The Lord, with meticulous attention, lays out what is permissible and what is not when it comes to food. God, through Moses, explicitly specifies the types of meat that can be eaten and those that should be avoided. However, as I read on, the Holy Spirit prompts me to pause and contemplate the relevance of these laws in our lives today. It occurs to me that these ancient dietary restrictions no longer apply to us, given the teachings of the New Testament. Recalling the verses (from Matthew 26, Luke 22, and John 6) where Jesus spoke of eating his flesh and drinking his blood, I am reminded of the spiritual feast that now unites us with Christ. This act of communion serves as a re...

Isaiah, consisting of 66 chapters, aligns with the number of books in the Bible, which some may interpret as symbolic. Today, when I was preaching from Isaiah 6:1, the mention of King Uzziah's death reminded me that earthly kings are transient, in contrast to the eternal reign of our King of Kings and Lord of Lords in heaven. Isaiah's vision of the Lord on the highest throne signifies that although earthly kings pass away, our divine King died and resurrected, worthy of our praise. While the Old Testament refers to God as Jehovah, Isaiah's vision of the Lord on the throne implies a connection to Jesus. Isaiah 6:2 emphasizes the Lord of Hosts and His holiness, further supporting this idea. Additionally, Isaiah 9 prophesies the birth of a baby, symbolizing the arrival of Jesus. Isaiah 53 vividly portrays the crucifixion and death of Jesus. It is awe-inspiring to consider how Isaiah witnessed the Lord on the throne, as a baby, and as the Son of Man on the cross, sacrificing Hi...

 "After a long and exhausting day at work, I hopped on the metro to head home, my mind filled with various thoughts. Suddenly, a profound realization washed over me, compelling me to engage in deep reflection. According to THE BOOK, there should be no other God before Him. This means that God should be our ultimate priority and Lord in every situation. However, if we're honest with ourselves, we often fail to put God first. Instead, we tend to turn to Him in times of negativity and hardship. When we succeed, we attribute it to our own hard work, but when we face failure, we often question God, blaming Him for our misfortunes. Sadly, we tend to prioritize God only when we need someone to blame. Even in our financial struggles, the idea of tithing may be the first thing we consider postponing. Once again, God takes a backseat in our lives. When we find ourselves overwhelmingly busy, the first thing we cut out is our time with God. And when people betray us, we blame God for ...