Beloved, no matter what season you are in, remember — our God never fails. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The pain may be deep, the road may seem dry, but God is still working behind the scenes.
He says in Isaiah 43:19, “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” That means even when it feels impossible, God specializes in impossibilities.
When Joseph was thrown into the pit, it seemed like the end — but it was only the beginning of his lifting. When Sarah thought her womb was dead, God turned barrenness into laughter (Genesis 21:6). And when all hope seemed lost, Jesus showed up after three days — proving that delay is not denial.
So, hold on to your faith! The same God who opened the Red Sea will open a path for you. The same God who turned mourning into dancing for David will restore your joy again.
🎵 “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
Let hope rise in your heart. Dry bones shall live again. The lost laughter will return. The broken heart will heal. The heavy burden will lift.
Keep trusting, keep believing — because your desert will soon blossom, your tears will turn to testimonies, and your waiting will not be wasted.
There are questions that pierce the soul deeper than a sword. They are not asked to obtain information, but to expose the true condition of the heart. One of such divine questions came from the lips of the resurrected Christ to His disciple, Simon Peter — “Lovest thou me more than these?”
This was not an ordinary question. It was a sincere assessment of devotion, a test of commitment, and a measure of consecration. Jesus was not asking Peter to prove His ability to preach, to perform miracles, or to lead others. He was asking the fundamental question of all Christian service — “Do you love Me above all else?”
A QUESTION AFTER FAILURE
Peter had walked with Jesus for years. He had listened to His teachings, witnessed His miracles, and even declared boldly, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Yet, when the heat of persecution arose, Peter denied the Master three times. And even after the resurrection, instead of waiting on divine instruction, Peter returned to his old profession — “I go a fishing.”
That single decision spoke volumes. It revealed the subtle power of distraction — that the cares of this life can tempt even the most devoted hearts to drift. After years of ministry, prayer, and miracles, Peter’s conviction was tested by comfort, familiarity, and discouragement.
So Jesus came with a question — not of condemnation, but of restoration. A question that penetrated through layers of guilt, failure, and fatigue: “Simon, lovest thou me more than these?”
THESE — WHAT ARE THEY?
“These” could mean many things — the fishing nets, the boat, the friends, the business, the success, or even the old life Peter once knew. Whatever “these” represented, Jesus was essentially asking:
“Do you love Me more than your comfort, your achievements, your ambitions, your possessions, and your own will?”
The same question echoes through time and reaches us today.
LET’S TALK ABOUT YOU
Once, you were on fire for the Lord. You loved His presence, sang with tears, prayed with passion, and served with joy. You influenced others to love Jesus, to evangelize, to live holy, and to walk in faith. But where are you now?
The zeal is gone. The altar is cold. The joy of salvation seems distant. The same lips that once sang “I surrender all” now say “I’m too busy.” The same heart that once burned with passion for the lost now burns for worldly pursuits.
Jesus is still asking, “Lovest thou Me more than these?” More than your job? More than your phone? More than your comfort and friends? More than the pleasures and treasures of this world?
A CALL BACK TO LOVE
True love for Christ is not measured by words, but by sacrifice. It is proven when we choose Him above everything else. Peter wept when he heard that question, and from that day forward, he never looked back. He became a pillar of the early church — a man transformed by love and consecration.
The same grace that restored Peter is reaching out to you today. Jesus is not angry with you; He is calling you back. He does not condemn you for your fall, but He invites you to rise again, rekindle your fire, and follow Him wholeheartedly.
A FINAL WORD
Everything this world offers — fame, pleasure, wealth, and comfort — is temporary, transient, and fleeting. But the love of Christ endures forever.
So the question remains — one that no one else can answer for you:
Do you truly love Jesus more than these? Do you love Him enough to leave behind whatever has taken His place in your heart? Do you love Him enough to return to your first love and walk again in consecration?
Hear His voice whisper once more — tender, piercing, and patient: “Lovest thou Me more than these?”
Now is the time to answer with repentance, with tears, and with action — “Yes, Lord, Thou knowest that I love Thee.”
And if that love is true, then follow Him — fully, faithfully, and forever.
Self-denial is one of the most misunderstood, yet most powerful virtues in the Christian life. Simply defined, self-denial is the conscious act of refusing oneself anything—whether sinful or even seemingly lawful—that stands in the way of fully pleasing God. It is a discipline of saying “no” to the flesh, to pride, to worldly pleasures, and to fleeting gratifications in order to say “yes” to God.
Example of Self-Denial
Consider a young believer who refuses to cheat in an exam despite the pressure and opportunity. While others are enjoying the temporary advantage of malpractice, he chooses the narrow way of integrity. Another might refuse to indulge in sexual immorality even when it promises momentary excitement, simply because he values holiness above temporary thrills. These are acts of self-denial.
Biblical Anchoring
The Bible is clear: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Notice the word daily. Self-denial is not a one-time event but a continual walk. Paul explained the mystery when he said: “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27). This discipline is not weakness, but power—power over the self.
The Mystery Unveiled
Here lies the mystery: Every act of self-denial is an investment into eternity. By saying no to sin today, you are saying yes to eternal life tomorrow. By refusing to gratify the flesh, you attract God’s special attention. Heaven recognizes those who dare to deny themselves in a world that celebrates indulgence. Grace multiplies upon such lives, giving them unusual strength to overcome temptations.
Joseph’s story is a prime example (Genesis 39). He denied himself the forbidden pleasure offered by Potiphar’s wife, and though he suffered temporarily in prison, he eventually rose to the throne of Egypt. Self-denial opened the door for destiny.
Moses also exemplifies this mystery. Hebrews 11:24–25 says he “refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.” His denial of royal comfort secured his place as God’s great deliverer.
Why God Rewards Self-Denial
It proves love for Him. Choosing Him above pleasure is the highest proof of devotion.
It draws divine empowerment. Grace comes more abundantly to those who consistently deny the flesh.
It secures eternal reward. Christ Himself promised: “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25).
Conclusion
The mystery of self-denial is that in losing, you gain; in refusing, you receive; in dying to self, you live unto God. The world may mock such a life, but heaven celebrates it. Self-denial is not mere religious rigor—it is the pathway to intimacy with God, victory over sin, and eternal glory.
Patience is one of the most powerful virtues given to man by God. It is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), a mark of true spiritual maturity, and a priceless companion on the journey of faith and destiny. While the world around us is in a rush, seeking instant results and quick gratification, the Bible constantly reminds believers to “wait on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14). To wait is not to waste time; rather, it is to trust in God’s perfect timing, knowing that His promises never fail.
Patience: A Divine Command and Grace
The Scripture encourages us repeatedly to remain steadfast in patience. Romans 12:12 instructs, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Here we see patience not as passivity, but as an active posture of faith. It is waiting while believing, holding on even when everything around seems contrary.
James 1:3–4 further explains, “Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Without patience, growth is stunted, faith becomes shallow, and blessings are aborted prematurely. Patience builds character and makes us ready to handle the weight of glory that God has prepared for us.
The Beauty of Patience in the Journey of Grace
Calvary has provided immeasurable grace for salvation, healing, deliverance, and prosperity. However, these promises are not always manifested instantly. Hebrews 6:12 admonishes us: “That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Faith alone is not enough; it must be coupled with patience to unlock the treasures of grace.
Consider Abraham, who patiently waited for the promised son, Isaac. Though it took 25 years, God’s word never failed (Genesis 21:2). Joseph endured slavery, betrayal, and imprisonment for thirteen years, but his patience led him to the throne of Egypt (Genesis 41:41–43). Job’s endurance through suffering revealed the beauty of patience, for at the end, the Lord blessed him with twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10).
The beauty of patience is that it refines us, draws us closer to God, and aligns us with His eternal plan. Isaiah 40:31 declares: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Waiting births strength; impatience drains it.
Patience in Career and Destiny Pursuit
Beyond spiritual blessings, patience is essential in our earthly careers and destinies. Many give up on their dreams because the road seems long and success delayed. But Proverbs 21:5 assures us: “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” True greatness requires a steady heart, diligence, and patience.
King David was anointed as a boy but had to patiently wait years before ascending the throne. His refusal to kill Saul, though he had opportunities, showed the maturity of a patient heart. His story proves that patience not only preserves destiny but also ensures that we receive blessings at the right time, in the right way.
The Doom of Impatience
History and Scripture are filled with examples of those who failed the test of patience and met doom. Esau despised his birthright, trading it for a bowl of stew, and lost his destiny forever (Genesis 25:29–34). King Saul could not wait for Samuel to arrive, so he offered a sacrifice unlawfully; that single act of impatience cost him the throne (1 Samuel 13:8–14). Even Moses, in a moment of impatience, struck the rock instead of speaking to it as God commanded, and thus was denied entry into the Promised Land (Numbers 20:10–12).
These examples warn us that impatience is not a minor weakness but a destiny destroyer. It blinds men to the bigger picture and tempts them into decisions they later regret deeply.
Conclusion
Beloved, patience is not weakness; it is strength under control. It is the silent beauty of faith that refuses to bow to discouragement or hurry God’s hand. If Calvary has already secured your salvation, breakthrough, and eternal inheritance, then you can afford to wait patiently, trusting that “He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).
But pause for a moment and ask: How many destinies have been ruined because of impatience? How many great men and women have fallen because they refused to wait for God’s timing? How many blessings have slipped away because someone could not endure a little longer? Will you be counted among those who lost it all because they could not wait, or among those who inherited the promises through faith and patience?
The choice is yours—embrace the beauty of patience, and you will surely see the glory of God in your life and career.
The apostle Paul, overwhelmed by the majesty of God, exclaimed: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” (Romans 11:33). This verse captures a timeless truth—no one in history, past or present, can know God exhaustively. God remains infinitely higher than mortal comprehension, revealing only what He pleases, so that men may worship Him, walk in His ways, and live for His glory.
Bible scholars often classify the attributes of God into two categories: communicable and incommunicable.
Communicable attributes are those qualities of God that He shares in measure with humanity, such as love, mercy, kindness, and justice.
Incommunicable attributes belong exclusively to God and are beyond human participation, such as His omnipotence, omnipresence, and eternality.
This distinction reminds us that although man is made in the image of God, he can never fully mirror the divine essence. The mystery of God is unsearchable, and the little He reveals of Himself is sufficient to guide us into worship and obedience.
God Is All in All for All People
Because God is unsearchable yet relatable through revelation, He stands as the all-sufficient One. The Scriptures declare that “in him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Let us reflect on some of His revealed attributes:
God is Love – He loves His creation without stress or struggle. Even when humanity strays, His arms remain open, desiring reconciliation. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).
God is Holy – His holiness demands separation from sin, yet He does not abandon the sinner. Instead, He calls all to repentance and holiness so fellowship can be restored. “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).
God is Spirit – Unlike idols of wood and stone, God transcends material existence. Therefore, worship acceptable to Him must flow from the heart, in spirit and truth. “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24).
God is a Consuming Fire – His presence purges evil and consumes wickedness. He protects His children by burning away every chaff of the enemy around them. “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” (Deuteronomy 4:24).
God is Eternal – Unlike man, He has no beginning and no end. His plans stand forever, and His promises are unshakable. “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90:2).
God is Sovereign – Nothing happens outside His will. He rules over nations, kings, and creation itself. “Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.” (Psalm 115:3).
Conclusion: Fill the Vacuum with God
Every human heart carries a vacuum that nothing in this world can satisfy—not wealth, not power, not pleasure. Only God Himself can fill it. To embrace Him is to receive His love, reflect His holiness, walk in His Spirit, and rest under His consuming power.
Today, the invitation is clear: allow the Love of God to warm your heart, the Holiness of God to shape your character, the Spirit of God to guide your worship, and the Sovereignty of God to direct your life. Live for Him, for He is the unsearchable, all-sufficient God who is all in all for all people.
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” – Psalm 122:1
The human heart is created to worship. Deep within every soul is a longing for God, a desire to commune with the One who made us. Yet, this desire must not remain idle – it must be stirred up with eagerness, joy, and reverence. Worship is not a burden but a privilege; it is not a ritual but a heartfelt encounter with the living God.
The Beauty of Worship
Worship unveils the beauty of the Lord. The psalmist declared: “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4).
To behold His beauty is to experience His holiness, love, and majesty. When we gather in His presence, our hearts are lifted above the cares of this world. True worshipers are like David, whose soul thirsted for God: “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is” (Psalm 63:1).
The Joy of Fellowship
Worship is never meant to be a solitary pursuit alone. Though personal devotion is vital, God designed His children to worship together. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another” (Hebrews 10:25).
The temple of God is where believers’ voices blend in praise, where burdens are lifted, where encouragement flows, and where the Lord manifests His presence among His people. Jesus Himself affirmed: “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).
It is better to be in the house of God than anywhere else the world may offer. David knew this truth: “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” (Psalm 84:10).
An Eagerness to Worship
Eagerness to worship means cultivating hunger for God’s presence. It means planning and preparing our hearts for corporate worship. It means prioritizing God’s house above distractions. This eagerness transforms worship from a mere duty into a delight.
Worship is not about what we receive but about what we give: our love, our praise, our obedience. Yet, in the mystery of God’s grace, those who come to give always leave with more joy, strength, and peace than they imagined.
Beloved, let us not grow cold or casual about worship. Let us be eager, enthusiastic, and passionate about running to God’s temple. Let us echo the psalmist’s cry: “My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God” (Psalm 84:2).
Devotional Poem: A Heart Eager to Worship
O Lord, my soul runs swift to Thee, To bow in love, on bended knee. Thy house, Thy courts, my spirit craves, More dear than wealth the whole world saves.
One day with Thee exceeds all time, Thy presence sweet, Thy grace sublime. No throne of man, no earthly prize, Can match the light within Thine eyes.
So stir my heart, O King above, To worship Thee in holy love. My joy, my crown, my life, my song— To Thee, my Lord, I do belong.
This message calls believers to renew their eagerness for the house of God, to worship in beauty and truth, and to love Him with all their hearts.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8–9).
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10).
“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.” (Proverbs 25:2).
The Scriptures open our eyes to the mystery of God’s unfathomable wisdom, His divine sovereignty, and His transcendence over mortal understanding. God is infinite; man is finite. God sees the end from the beginning, while we barely see the step before us. Yet, one of the deepest mysteries that confronts believers is the silence of God.
The Perceived Silence of God
In moments of anguish, loss, or urgent need, heaven sometimes appears shut, and prayers seem to fall back like unheeded echoes. It is in these seasons that men are tempted to ask: “Where is God?” or “Why is He silent?” But God’s silence is not absence, neither is His delay denial. Silence is often God’s hidden language of wisdom.
The silence of God tests faith, purifies motives, and enlarges trust. It strips man of self-reliance and fastens his heart to the truth that God alone is sovereign. For when God seems silent, He is often speaking volumes in ways beyond human comprehension.
Biblical Witnesses to Divine Silence
Even the giants of faith—the custodians of God’s oracles—were not exempt from the mystery of God’s silence.
Abraham waited 25 years for the promise of Isaac, enduring seasons where God seemed far and promises looked faint.
Joseph, betrayed and sold into slavery, languished in prison for years, his prayers seemingly unheard—yet God was silently orchestrating his rise to power.
Moses groaned in Midian for 40 years of obscurity before God’s voice thundered from the burning bush.
Job, the righteous man of Uz, sat in ashes, overwhelmed by affliction, while God withheld answers until the whirlwind revealed His sovereignty.
David cried repeatedly, “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1). His laments reveal that even the man after God’s heart knew what it meant to wait in silence.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, tasted silence at its deepest on the cross: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). Yet that silence was the womb of salvation for the world.
Thus, silence is not abandonment—it is preparation for divine manifestation.
The Mystery of God’s Nature
Here lies the certainty: God is not man. Mortal men are bound by time, space, and weakness. God is eternal, limitless, and wise. We measure by minutes; He unfolds by eternity. We live in fragments; He works in wholeness.
When God is silent, He is speaking.
God knows the end from the beginning.
God’s will, ways, and wisdom defy man’s will, wisdom, and ways.
This difference between the finite and the infinite compels humility. For the Potter is not answerable to the clay (Romans 9:20–21). His silence is not indifference, but divine strategy.
Lessons for Believers
Silence is a call to trust. Faith that only believes when God is speaking loudly is shallow; true faith clings even in the stillness.
Silence refines worship. In silence, we learn to seek God for who He is, not merely for what He does.
Silence is often preparation. Every divine silence in Scripture gave birth to a greater revelation.
Conclusion: A Call to Worship
Child of God, do not stumble at His silence. Heaven’s quietness is not heaven’s denial. The God who spoke the world into being also speaks through silence. When your prayers echo back without immediate response, remember: He is still God, and He is still good.
Therefore, worship Him in the waiting. Praise Him even in confusion. Thank Him though His ways differ from your ways. For His silence is not emptiness—it is fullness concealed. His delay is not neglect—it is divine timing unfolding.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5–6).
✨ Cling to Him, adore Him, and trust Him always—for the God who is silent today is the same God who will thunder tomorrow.
There is a mystery locked up in the solitary place—the place of quietness, separation, and prayer. Throughout the Scriptures, we see that the greatest encounters with God and the release of divine power happened when men and women withdrew from the noise of the crowd into the stillness of God’s presence. The solitary place is not merely about physical isolation but about spiritual concentration: the undivided pursuit of God.
Jesus and the Solitary Place
Though He is the Son of God, sent to redeem humanity, Jesus often withdrew to pray alone. “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed” (Mark 1:35). If Jesus, who was full of the Spirit without measure, considered it necessary to seek the Father in solitude, how much more do we need it? In the garden of Gethsemane, He again separated Himself to agonize in prayer before the Father, gaining strength for the cross.
The Apostles in the Upper Room
The disciples who later became apostles were not filled with the Holy Ghost until they tarried in a solitary place—the upper room. For many days, they prayed, worshipped, and waited. It was there the Spirit descended as tongues of fire (Acts 2). Without the discipline of waiting and seeking, the promise would not have been fulfilled.
Moses and the Burning Bush
Moses, while leading his sheep into the wilderness, found himself in a solitary place where he saw the burning bush (Exodus 3). It was there God called him, commissioned him, and empowered him to lead Israel out of bondage. Moses did not encounter God in Pharaoh’s palace or in the bustling city, but in the quietness of the desert.
Elijah on Mount Carmel and Beyond
Elijah, after declaring there would be no rain, resorted to solitary places for refuge and communion with God. At the brook Cherith, God fed him. On Mount Carmel, he bowed low, face between his knees, in solitary intercession until rain returned. Later, fleeing from Jezebel, he found himself in the wilderness and on Mount Horeb, where God spoke to him not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19).
Other Witnesses of the Solitary Place
Jacob was alone when he wrestled with God until daybreak and received a new name, Israel (Genesis 32:24).
Daniel withdrew three times daily to pray, even at the risk of death, and heaven consistently answered him (Daniel 6:10).
John the Baptist lived in the wilderness, and from that solitary place his prophetic voice shook nations (Luke 3:2).
Paul the Apostle spent years in Arabia after his conversion, separated unto God, before launching into his powerful ministry (Galatians 1:17).
The Mystery Revealed
The solitary place is where distractions fade, self dies, and heaven speaks. It is where weakness is exchanged for strength, fear for courage, and emptiness for fullness. The mystery of it is the undeniable power that flows out of hidden encounters with God. Public victories are born in private prayers.
How many times have you been alone to pray, meditate, agonize, and praise God without distraction? The spiritual life cannot survive on crowded noise. God still whispers in the stillness, and His presence still descends where hearts are desperate.
Conclusion
Don’t ignore the importance of the solitary place. If there is a man or woman who will pray, there is a God who answers. Our God is living and ever near. Withdraw, seek Him, and you will find that the mystery of the solitary place is not loneliness, but divine intimacy and power.
Life is a journey filled with challenges, uncertainties, and trials that often test the very core of our faith. The realities of human struggle mirror the Christian journey: sometimes the path seems tough, other times it feels almost impossible to continue. Yet, Scripture reminds us, “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13). The promise of salvation and eternal reward is not for those who merely begin the race, but for those who, despite stumbling blocks, press on until the very end.
Just imagine for a moment if crowns, medals, or laurels were awarded without effort, without sweat, without scars. They would lose their meaning. The value of every crown lies in the pain, sacrifice, and perseverance it represents. Victory is meaningful only because there was first a battle. In the journey of faith, this principle holds true: even Christ Himself had to suffer before entering into His glory (Luke 24:26). The cross preceded the crown.
What are you facing today that makes you contemplate abandoning your Christian conviction? Is there any trial that is truly new to humanity? No. Scripture assures us that the challenges we endure are not without precedent. We are surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) — men and women who endured humiliation, persecution, betrayal, rejection, misunderstandings, physical suffering, and even death, yet held firmly to their faith. Their secret was not in denying the pain but in fixing their gaze beyond it — upward, toward the eternal crown.
Where is your gaze today? Is it on the turbulent sea like Peter, or on Christ who walks upon it? Is it on the size of Goliath, or on the faith of David that conquered him? Are you overwhelmed by the scars of service, or are you encouraged by the promise of the crown? Remember this: there can be no crown without a scar, no glory without groaning, no joy without endurance, and no peace without perseverance in seasons of restlessness.
Beloved, return to your duty post for the Lord. Serve deliberately and faithfully, even in the face of discouragement. Ignore distractions and fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. The crowns, medals, and trophies of eternal glory are reserved for those who endure. But if you are still entangled with the fleeting pleasures of this world, be reminded that “friendship with the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4). Satan is on a serious mission to destroy souls, but Christ has come to save.
Today, heed His call. Come to the Lord with repentance. Confess Him as Savior and Lord, and you shall be saved. Do not faint under trial; do not surrender your faith. A crown awaits. A medal of eternal victory is reserved. The Lord Himself will place upon the heads of the faithful a crown of righteousness, glory, and life. Therefore, endure — for the prize is worth it.
Mr. Adrian Cole was a man the world called “successful.” Born into humble beginnings, he fought his way to the top—earning multiple degrees, building a chain of thriving businesses, amassing great wealth, and holding high political office. His influence reached far beyond his city, and his name commanded respect wherever he went. People envied him, yet deep inside, Adrian carried a secret: he had no peace.
Nights were the worst. He would lie in his luxurious mansion, staring at the ceiling, wondering why life still felt empty. His cars, investments, and accolades could not silence the ache in his heart. He hosted grand parties, traveled to exotic countries, and mingled with the powerful, but the restlessness only grew.
One hot afternoon, as he drove through an old neighborhood, Adrian’s eyes caught sight of a frail man in worn clothes standing at a street corner, holding a small Bible. The man smiled warmly and waved at him. Curious—and for reasons he could not explain—Adrian pulled over.
The man, a poor evangelist named Samuel, spoke gently:
“Sir, you have gained much in this world, but have you gained eternal life? Jesus said, ‘What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul?’ (Mark 8:36).”
Those words pierced Adrian’s heart like an arrow. Samuel continued, sharing how Jesus died for sinners, rose again, and offers peace that no money can buy.
Tears welled up in Adrian’s eyes. Right there, by the roadside, he bowed his head and prayed:
“Lord Jesus, I am empty without You. Forgive me. I receive You as my Lord and Savior.”
At that moment, something extraordinary happened. A wave of indescribable peace swept over him. The burden in his heart lifted. For the first time in years, Adrian felt truly alive.
From that day forward, his priorities changed. He still managed his businesses and used his influence—but now with a mission to serve God and help others find the same peace he had discovered. People noticed a glow in his face, a calm in his voice, and a joy that no amount of wealth could explain.
Lesson: Real peace is not found in possessions, positions, or power—it is found in the Person of Jesus Christ. Adrian’s story proves the truth of John 14:27:
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
