Category: Spiritual Growth

God Is Not a Celestial Santa Claus or a Genie in a Bottle

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Many, when they think of Almighty God, view Him as some kind of celestial Santa Claus or a genie in a bottle—someone who exists to grant wishes if approached the “right” way. And when life does not unfold according to their desires, when prayers are not answered on their terms or in their timing, disappointment quickly turns into resentment. They begin to accuse God of not loving them, withdraw from prayer and fellowship, and eventually declare, “Christianity didn’t work for me.”

The truth is, many never came to Christ for the right reasons. They did not come in repentance, seeking deliverance from sin and reconciliation with God. Instead, they were sold a counterfeit gospel—the ever-prevalent health and wealth message that tickles the ears and flatters the flesh. This false gospel promises comfort without surrender, blessing without obedience, and salvation without sanctification. It appeals to a worldly mindset that believes it can live as it pleases while still doing “business” with God, as if the Creator were on the same level as His creation.

When expectations go unmet, some respond by punishing God—by withholding worship, abandoning church, and returning to their former way of life. They blame God and His Church, citing offenses, disappointments, or the failures of people. “No one visited me when I was sick. No one helped me. There are wicked people in the church.” And while these experiences may be painful and even real, they must be understood rightly.

God’s people are not perfect. The Church is not a museum of saints; it is a hospital for sinners. Every believer is a work in progress, being sanctified day by day until Christ returns. Jesus alone is perfect. People—saved or unsaved—will let you down. That reality should never be used as a reason to take offense at God or to reject His Church. The failures of people are not a reflection of God’s holiness, but of the broken world in which we live.

The Bible makes it clear that not everyone who goes to church goes for the right reasons. Satan himself goes to church; Scripture tells us he comes as an angel of light, seeking to deceive, to kill, steal, and destroy. Some people hide behind religion while harboring unrepentant sin. Others resist the work of the Holy Spirit, resulting in no spiritual growth, no transformation, and no sanctification. When such individuals act wickedly, it brings reproach upon the Church—but it does not negate the truth of the gospel.

This is why believers must remain spiritually alert. We are called to forgive quickly, walk in humility, and use the discernment God has given us. We must continually seek His wisdom and guidance, especially in these evil, wicked, and degenerate times. The chaos we see in the world is not random—it points to one undeniable truth: Jesus is coming back soon.

We do not go to church to get; we go to church to give—our worship, our gratitude, our obedience, and our lives. Church is not a consumer service, and God is not a vendor. He is the Holy One, the Creator of heaven and earth, before whom every knee will bow and every tongue will confess. Fellowship is not about what benefits me first, but about loving God above all and loving others as ourselves. When the focus becomes, “What did I receive?” rather than, “How did I honor God?” the heart has already drifted from true faith.

The Christian life was never promised to be easy, comfortable, or free from suffering. Scripture is clear: we are called to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Christ. Trials refine us; they do not disprove God’s love. Suffering does not mean abandonment—it often means discipline, growth, and deeper dependence on Him. The early church did not grow through comfort, wealth, and applause, but through persecution, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to Christ.

Blaming God or the church for unmet expectations only reveals that the foundation was never repentance and surrender, but self-interest. True faith does not ask, “What can God do for me?” but rather, “Lord, what would You have me do?” A relationship with God is not transactional; it is transformational. He is not here to serve our desires—we are here to serve His will.

The gospel is not about self-fulfillment; it is about salvation. Jesus did not come to make us rich, popular, or comfortable—He came to save sinners, to reconcile us to God, and to give us new hearts. Grace is not a license to continue in sin, but the power to walk in holiness. Those who truly encounter Christ are changed—not because life becomes easier, but because their allegiance has shifted from self to Savior.

So let us examine ourselves honestly. Are we following Christ for who He is, or for what we think He can give us? Are we worshipping God, or using Him? True Christianity perseveres when prayers seem unanswered, when people disappoint us, when the church feels imperfect, and when obedience costs something. Faith that only survives prosperity was never faith at all.

God is not mocked. He is worthy of reverence, obedience, humility, and awe. And when we finally understand that He owes us nothing—yet has given us everything in Christ—we will stop sulking, stop bargaining, stop blaming, and stop walking away. Instead, we will stand firm, forgive freely, discern wisely, and worship Him in spirit and in truth as we await the glorious return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In light of all this, let us pause and remember who God truly is.

So let us give Him the praise, thanks, and reverence due to who He truly is—the Almighty God: holy, glorious, and wondrous to behold; the Creator of the entire universe. He is the One who holds our very breath in His hands, the One who has numbered our days, the One who knitted us together in our mother’s womb and ordained a plan and purpose for our lives before we ever drew our first breath. Let us lay aside false expectations, pride, and self-centered faith, and begin again—here, in humility, repentance, gratitude, and wholehearted worship of the one true and living God.

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**Photo by Elena Bash at Pexels

Going From Calling to Confirmation

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Life is often marked by seasons, and just like the natural world transitions from spring to summer to fall and winter, our lives are shaped by different stages of growth, challenge, and fulfillment (Gen 8:22). In the story of Joseph, we see how God uses these different seasons to develop us. 

Each season in Joseph’s life is represented by a coat, which marked a unique purpose and challenge for that time period. Here is what these different “coats” can teach us about God’s work in developing us.

The Four Coats of Joseph’s Journey

1. The Coat of Calling (Genesis 37:3)

When Joseph’s father gifts him a tunic, it marked a season of calling in Joseph’s life, where God began to reveal His plans and purpose. This was a good season—a time when Joseph received dreams from God. These dreams showed him as a leader, with his brothers and even the stars bowing before him.

Similarly, we experience a stage like this when God initially calls us. This coat represents the initial call in your life. It’s the season when God plants the seed of a promise, giving you glimpses of your potential and His plans. However, this season is not without its challenges. For Joseph, the very dreams that inspired him also caused jealousy and hatred among his brothers.

The coat of calling teaches us that the favor of God doesn’t exempt us from trials. Instead, it sets the stage for the growth and testing needed to fulfill the promise.

2. The Coat of Contradiction (Genesis 39:16)

The coat of contradiction came into play when Joseph’s brothers stripped him of his tunic. They dipped it in blood and sold him into slavery, sending him far from the dreams he once had. In Potiphar’s house, Joseph served faithfully, but while he was there, the challenges only grew. Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of sexual assault and Joseph was thrown into prison.

For many of us, this season represents the times when life seems to contradict the promises of God. Experiencing this season is difficult and confusing. At this point in the story, Joseph’s reality looked nothing like his dreams. He was no longer wearing the coat of calling but was instead enduring betrayal, false accusations, and injustice.

Despite the difficulty of this season, wearing this coat reminds us that the promises of God often lead us through times when our path doesn’t quite make sense to us. In these moments, hold onto the call God gave you, even when circumstances oppose it.

3. The Coat of Confinement (Genesis 41:14)

Further in the story, we see that Joseph is thrown into prison, where he learns to wear the coat of confinement. This was a hellish season filled with isolation and delay. Yet even here, God was with Joseph. The Bible says, “And the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison” (Gen 39:21).

In this season, Joseph’s faith was tested deeply. Despite being in prison, he used the gifts that God had given him to serve others. Even though his own dreams seemed forgotten, Joseph chose to serve faithfully.

The coat of confinement represents the times when you feel stuck, waiting for God’s promises to unfold. In this season of preparation, God is working on your character and faith. Remain patient and continue to serve others.

4. The Coat of Confirmation (Genesis 41:42)

Lastly, we see in Joseph’s story that it wasn’t until after he had endured many trials and confusing times that his season finally shifted. The Bible says that Pharaoh called him out of prison, and Joseph’s garments were changed once again. This time, Pharaoh placed a royal garment on him, signifying his rise to leadership. Genesis 41:42 says, “Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen.”

This coat represents the fulfillment of God’s promises. It is the season of confirmation, where everything God has spoken over your life begins to come to pass. Joseph’s journey became one that fulfilled the dream he had received years prior. In the end, we see that he forgave his brothers, stating, “What you meant for evil, God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20).

The coat of confirmation reminds us that God’s timing is perfect. The hardships and delays we face are all part of His plan to prepare us for the destiny He has for us.

Final Thoughts

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Remember that every season has a purpose. Whatever season you find yourself in, trust that God is at work. He is using every coat, every trial, and every triumph to develop you into the person He has called you to be.

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*** By Vladimir Savchuk at HungryGen / Photo by Keenan Constance at Pexels

Handling Disagreements in Marriage

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Key Quotes

“As the ‘head of the household,’ I believe the man should take it upon himself to lead by apologizing for his part first, even if he feels 99.9% of the blame is with his wife.”

” As I have often told newly wedded brothers, spiritual leadership is primarily comprised of being the first person in the relationship to die to yourself. “

“Seeking God individually first, examining my own heart (and asking Him to search my heart and reveal whether there’s any offense there), eagerly resolved to make right anything He reveals to me, is the more productive and fruitful path to restoring my earthly relationship than belaboring various viewpoints and tactics in a discussion.”

Full Article

Disagreements in human relationships are inevitable, even among those who are sincere believers. As Christians, we believe there are certain things which we should never even consider in times of difficulty. For example, when we are upset, we will never even consider killing our opponent. It’s laughable to even think that’s a possibility. In the same way, in marriage, we do not even consider divorce to be an option in resolving our disagreements. Divorce should be as unthinkable an option among spouses in marriage as murder is unthinkable among friends in an argument. 

In addition to knowing what not to do, it’s important to know what TO do in tough times. We should seek for tools to resolve our conflicts in a healthy, constructive manner. 

In my own marriage, remembering the following two things has helped tremendously:

I must be the first to die to myself 

There’s almost never a circumstance where the blame is 100% on one party alone. Both parties own some portion of the responsibility for any disagreement. As the “head of the household,” I believe the man should take it upon himself to lead by apologizing for his part first, even if he feels 99.9% of the blame is with his wife. (It’s incredibly unlikely that this felt proportion reflects reality)

One thing I have learned is that I must not apologize hoping to trigger reciprocity. My goal should not be to get my wife to “apologize back,” but rather to genuinely confess and own up to my responsibility. Sure, I may wish my wife would apologize, but that is a fleshly desire. I need to die to my will and my own desires, and seek instead to only be responsible for and concerned about my own shortcomings in the matter in question.  

There’s a lot of talk about the husband being a “spiritual leader” in the Christian world today. As I have often told newly wedded brothers, spiritual leadership is primarily comprised of being the first person in the relationship to die to yourself. There are all sorts of worldly ideas pervading Christendom about what it means for the man to be the head: about commanding respect, being obeyed, being the ruler of the home, etc. These are all wrong notions. To learn what true spiritual leadership is, we must look to Jesus Christ as our spiritual Head, and the Husband of His Church. Looking to our own Head and seeing how He spiritually led His Church, we see Jesus’s spiritual leadership defined by denying His own will every day, dying to Himself, looking to His Father, depending on the Holy Spirit, carrying His cross, and coming up underneath us in service and love. He never demanded respect, or forced obedience, but rather set the example of humble submission and obedience to the will of God the Father. 

This is what we as men in the home should do as well: set the example of humble submission to God as our spiritual act of leadership. 

Seek restoration of my relationship with God first

One picture that has really helped me think about resolving conflicts/ disagreements in my own marriage is that of the hands playing a piano. These hands can be compared to the husband and wife in a marriage. Think of when a player’s hands play beautifully. They are coordinated not through efforts of their own, time spent together in a kangaroo pocket, etc, but rather simply because they’re both perfectly connected to the player’s head. 

In marriage, I used to think we needed to have lots of long talks to “get on the same page,” etc, which really only amounted to the hands “spending more time together;” it never actually put us in tune! I mistakenly thought that unity was a function of coordination and communication, but more coordination and communication did not result in more unity; often, my own efforts only resulted in greater disunity. 

When I saw that if the hands aren’t coordinated, it means one of them must disconnected from the player’s head, it all made sense! Disconnection is paralysis, and we can’t expect a pianist with a paralyzed hand to play beautifully. Likewise, in marriage, we don’t need to spend more time together as paralyzed members; we need to seek to be restored to perfect connection with our Head! 

Seeking God individually first, examining my own heart (and asking Him to search my heart and reveal whether there’s any offense there), eagerly resolved to make right anything He reveals to me, is the more productive and fruitful path to restoring my earthly relationship than belaboring various viewpoints and tactics in a discussion. 

As we have done this, we have found many disagreements completely fade away entirely, needing no further discussion. When we do desire further conversation, we can engage fruitfully as members that have been restored to health as fully functioning, healthy hands.  Brother Zac Poonen has used the picture of the cross to describe all of our human relationships (the horizontal beam) in the context of our relationship with God (the longer vertical beam), and this picture is definitely true in marriage: no horizontal can thrive with a broken vertical; and almost all broken horizontals are really because of a broken vertical beam. 

God’s will for our marriages is that they would demonstrate the wonder of His redeeming love for us, reconciling us to perfect unity with Himself (Ephesians 5:31-32). These are a couple of ways in which we can personally seek to reflect His love in the disagreements that threaten to divide our marriages

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**By Jeremy Utley © Copyright – Jeremy Utley. No changes whatsoever are to be made to the content of the article without written permission from the author at NCCF Church / Photo by Studio 31 at Pexels

A Seed Sown in Blood: God’s Harvest Will Come

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“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” — John 12:24

Praise be to God, His ways are not our ways. We cannot always see the tapestry He is weaving, but we trust His sovereign hand.

Think of a tapestry: from one side, it may look like tangled threads, messy and confusing. That’s life to us — tragedy, loss, unanswered questions. But God sees the other side, the complete design. Every thread, every knot, every act of faith fits perfectly into His eternal plan.

The world may see sacrifice as defeat. God sees it as a seed — planted, watered, and destined to bear fruit. What the enemy means for evil, God turns for good. What the world celebrates as loss, heaven declares as victory.

God Has Done This Before

This pattern is clear throughout Scripture and history. When Stephen was stoned, the enemies of Christ thought they had silenced him. Instead, his death became the spark that spread the gospel throughout Jerusalem and beyond. Even Saul, who approved Stephen’s killing, became Paul the apostle — carrying the message of Jesus Christ to the nations.

In 1956, Jim Elliot and four other missionaries gave their lives in Ecuador, speared by the Huaorani tribe they sought to reach. At first it looked like a tragedy, but it was a seed. Later, many from that tribe turned to Jesus Christ — including some who had taken part in the killings. Jim’s wife, Elisabeth Elliot, returned with forgiveness, and God used their sacrifice to bring an entire people to Himself.

Consider Dietrich Bonhoeffer, executed by the Nazis for standing firm in Jesus in the face of tyranny. His writings and courage still stir hearts worldwide, and his death became a seed of boldness for generations to stand firm in Christ.

Today, the persecuted church continues this pattern. In China, Iran, North Korea, Nigeria, and beyond, believers are imprisoned, beaten, and even killed for faith in Jesus Christ. Yet the gospel grows even in the most difficult circumstances. What seems like weakness or loss is transformed by God into multiplication — because Jesus Christ is Lord of life and death.

And in our own time, the life and witness of Charlie Kirk reminds us that even today, standing for truth and righteousness in a hostile world can plant seeds that God will grow. His life and sacrifice are part of this ongoing tapestry.

Above all, we look to Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate example. The cross looked like the end — the darkest day in history. The world mocked, and the disciples were discouraged. But three days later, the stone was rolled away, and Jesus rose in power. His blood was not spilled in vain — it purchased salvation for all who believe. Every martyr since has simply followed in His steps, pointing to His finished work.

The Harvest Is Coming

Church, let us not shrink back. Let us rise, emboldened. The seed has been planted, and the Spirit of Jesus is moving.

A generation that hardens itself against truth will be pierced to the heart, just as those who heard Peter on Pentecost. Out of this shaking, multitudes will come into the Shepherd’s fold — all to the glory of Jesus Christ.

Charlie’s life and the lives of all martyrs become a call — not of despair, but of awakening. God will answer. Watch and see: there will be a mighty harvest!

“All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You.” — Psalm 22:27

Encouragement for Everyday Believers

You do not need to be famous or a public figure to participate in God’s plan. Every act of faithfulness, every prayer, every stand for truth in love is a seed. You may not see it grow, but God is at work behind the scenes.

“Every act of obedience, even unseen, contributes to His eternal design.”

Psalm 90:12 reminds us: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” God’s timing is perfect — even when we do not understand it. Ecclesiastes 3:1 assures us: “There is a time for everything…”

Trust the tapestry. Trust the threads you cannot yet see.

A Word of Comfort

To those who grieve, may you be strengthened and given grace. May Jesus draw near to your broken hearts, comforting you in your loss.

Death is not the end for those who believe in Christ. The moment the body falls, the spirit is received into the arms of Jesus.

“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord — for those who trust in Him.” — 2 Corinthians 5:8

May we hold fast to the hope we have in Christ — the hope of resurrection, the hope of eternal life, and the hope that one day every tear will be wiped away. Their race is finished, their crown of life secured, their rest eternal.

Every martyr points us to the cross — where Jesus Himself conquered death. And through that victory, all who repent and believe in Him share in the same hope: everlasting life.

The Gospel

Charlie and all faithful servants would not want this moment to end without the message that defined their lives: Jesus Christ. His boldness did not come from politics or self, but from the Word of God and the person of Jesus Christ.

We are all sinners, separated from God by our rebellion and pride. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23

Sin earns death — not only physical death, but eternal separation from God. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 6:23

God, in His mercy, sent His Son Jesus to die in our place, to take the penalty we deserved. “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8

Jesus did not remain in the grave — He rose from the dead, defeating sin and death once for all.

To be saved, you must repent and trust in Him. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:9

That is the hope every martyr carried. That is why they stood fearless. They knew death was not the end, but the beginning of eternity with Jesus Christ.

A Call to Respond

If your heart is stirred, God is calling you today. Salvation comes through repentance — turning away from sin, which is anything we know is wrong or that separates us from God — and trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Repentance means acknowledging your sins, asking God to forgive them, and choosing to turn from them with His help. Trusting Jesus means believing His death on the cross paid for your sins, that He rose again, and that He is alive to guide, strengthen, and transform your life.

You can respond with a simple prayer, such as:

“Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins. I turn from all that I know is wrong and turn to You. I believe You died for me and rose again. I trust You as my Lord and Savior. Take my life, forgive me, and make me Yours forever. Amen.”

When you do this, you are forgiven, welcomed into God’s family, and given the Holy Spirit to guide you every day. Your old life begins to be transformed, and your eternal life with Christ begins.

“Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.” — Acts 3:19

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” — Romans 10:13

Stand. Believe. Live.

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**Photo by Mikhail Nilov at Pexels

5 Ways to Be Dressed Ready for Service

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The Bible often uses the imagery of clothing to describe the believer’s readiness to serve God. When Jesus told His disciples, “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning” (Luke 12:35), He was not talking about garments of fabric, but garments of the heart. To be “dressed” in the biblical sense means to be spiritually prepared, equipped, and vigilant—ready at all times to live for Christ and serve others.

1. The Call to Readiness

In the days of Jesus, servants who were “dressed for service” had their belts fastened and robes tucked in, prepared to work or travel at a moment’s notice. Likewise, believers are called to live with an attitude of expectancy, not distracted by worldly cares, but alert and watchful for the Lord’s return.

Readiness is not a passive waiting—it is active, faithful living. It means that at any given moment, our lives should reflect obedience, faith, and love.

2. The Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10–18)

The apostle Paul describes a spiritual uniform that equips the believer for service and battle against spiritual opposition:

Belt of Truth – Living with integrity and holding firmly to God’s truth.

Breastplate of Righteousness – Guarding our hearts by living in alignment with God’s commands.

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace – Ready to share the Good News wherever we go.

Shield of Faith – Trusting God in all circumstances, extinguishing doubts and lies.

Helmet of Salvation – Protecting our minds with the assurance of God’s saving work.

Sword of the Spirit – Applying God’s Word to discern truth and resist temptation.

Prayer – The lifeline that empowers and sustains all spiritual readiness.

3. Clothed in Christlike Character (Colossians 3:12–14)

Service to God is not just about defense against the enemy; it is also about reflecting Christ’s love to the world. Paul writes:

“Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience… And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

When we put on these virtues daily, we become living demonstrations of God’s kingdom—our service becomes both practical and spiritual.

4. Lamps Burning Bright

Jesus adds, “keep your lamps burning” (Luke 12:35), a picture of ongoing spiritual vitality. Just as a lamp requires oil to stay lit, our hearts require the continual filling of the Holy Spirit through prayer, worship, and God’s Word. A ready servant is one who is spiritually alive and shining brightly in a dark world.

5. Living the Prepared Life

To be dressed ready for service means:

Living with watchfulness for Christ’s return. Equipping yourself daily with God’s truth and righteousness. Walking in love, kindness, and humility. Staying spiritually alert through prayer and Scripture. Being available for God’s work at any time.

When our spiritual garments are in place, we are not only protected but also positioned to bless others and honor our Lord.

Conclusion

The Christian life is not a call to occasional acts of devotion but to a constant state of readiness. Whether in times of joy or hardship, the true servant of Christ is always dressed—spiritually armed, clothed in love, and fueled by the Spirit—ready to serve the Master until He comes.

“Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing so when he comes” (Luke 12:43).

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** Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko at Pexels