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Our lives today is filled with distractions, temptations, and moral shortcomings. There is a call within us for repentance and transformation that remains as urgent as ever. This is a call from our consciousness or the righteousness within us that urges us to live a life not merely of faith and belief in Jesus but living a true Christian life inspired by Jesus’ teachings and learnings of true discipleship. Repentance and Transformation The Biblical Call to Repentance Repentance is not a one-time act but a lifelong posture of the heart. “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”   (Matthew 3:2) “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”   (Mark 1:15)   In both the above verses, John the Baptist and Jesus proclaim the same message of repentance and transformation. There seem to be a sense of urgency shown in the word ‘is near’ and ‘come near’ in both the verses. Jesus wants to show that the ‘Kingdom of God, is near, as close as your hand. It wasn’t a far off future event to come or happen as they must have imagined. The moment was now and immediate. To encounter and experience the Kingdom was now, so don’t let it pass away. Repent Repent and transform was the message of Jesus’ teachings but Jesus is saying that entering the ‘Kingdom of God’ will not happen for them in their present condition and way of living, they had to change their direction and way of living to experience the kingdom. So Jesus’ message for them and also us would mean that we just not have a feeling of regret or should feel sorry for our sins. It’s a good starting point to feel sorry for our sins but we need to expand it to our actions. We need not just a change of mind but also a change of our deeds and acts and it would mean that we do not repeat or live those sins again. We put an end to them all. Repentance would mean a change in direction, choosing righteousness over sinfulness. Repentance would not mean that it’s the only point or a rule to attain the Kingdom of God, it is beyond in how we are geared to be in God’s Kingdom. (all washed and cleansed in mind and spirit) We cannot come to the Kingdom of God unless we leave our sins and the sinful life. In the Holy Bible we find many instances when God had instructed the people through the prophets to repent for their sins. Joel 2:12-17 Isaiah 1:18 Jonah 3:5-10 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. (Acts 17:30) Why Repentance is Necessary A life of sin is not a life of a Christian. Sin is the reason of our going away from God, the reason of our separation with God. When we sin we choose the enemy, the evil one over God.   It was our sin for which Jesus accepted to die on the crucifix, and our committing sin is only piercing the nail still deep. To repent is to choose God and His will for our life. Repentance and transformation is finding freedom and recognizing that sin had held us in its cage (John 8:34) and the word in Jesus had become flesh to set us free (Galatians 5:1). Transformation: The Fruit of Repentance Repentance and transformation are at the core of every Christian discipleship. We might think we are not worthy like the chosen twelve by the Lord starting with Peter and the other apostles, but we as Christians are to live and honor the will and teachings of Jesus. So with repentance we have to have a life of transformation. The fruit of Repentance is a transformed life. It’s blessed to repent and be remorseful of one’s sins but it becomes virtuous when we live a transformed life, opposite to what we lived when in sin. When we live a life of repentance and transformation, it’s a complete reorientation of a life towards God. The life now seem worthy of breathing. Also transformation is the evidence of a life surrendered to Christ. If to repent for our sins is chosen, then its effect or fruits would be that the Holy Spirit will work to have a transformed self of a person. This is not a self-improvement process, it is a divine and supernatural occurrence where the power of the Holy Spirit brings a renewed heart, mind and a spirit that lives regenerated and holy. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!  (2 Corinthians 5:17) The old filled with the sin is dead and now the new in the spirit lives. Yes sin is old, and the new is spirit. Repentance and transformation also work in unison wherein repentance is not simply a human effort, it is a grace filled response to God’s invitation. Further transformation is the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, molding and shaping the believers to be like Christ thus a true Christian. Acts 3-19 Practical Steps for Repentance and Transformation How can we live out repentance and transformation in our modern times? 1.  Cultivate a Heart of Daily Repentance Begin each day with self-examination (Psalm 139:23-24). Seek God in all humbleness, accepting your weaknesses towards sin, Surrender yourself completely.   Keep your accounts of right and wrong with God very short and not live it for days inside you. Confess your sins and shortcomings every day. Tell God your sins and wrongdoings. Regret over them. Scriptures God speaks to us in the Scriptures. Find your support in the scriptures, when down because of your sins. There are words of comfort and repentance in the Holy Bible. E.g. Psalm 51 Build a Spiritual Wall Around You Let the mantle of God’s grace and protection

In a world where love often feels conditional, temporary, and fragile, the love of God stands as a powerful contrast. God’s love is unshakable, unwavering, and eternal. But what does that mean for you today? How can you experience this divine love in your daily life? Let’s explore the depths of God’s love and how it transforms our hearts. Love of God Understanding the Love of God The phrase “Love of God” is not just a theological concept, it is at the heart and core of a Christian faith and belief. In Scriptures, it is the foundation upon which salvation rests for humanity. It’s the divine love that God is believed to have for all the people, and for every Christian it is often described as unconditional and sacrificial.  The Apostle John writes… Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love (1 John 4:8). This means that God’s love is not merely one of His attributes, it is His very nature. God’s love is unearned, unconditional, and unchanging. Unlike human love, which falters, fails, and fades, the love of God is constant and perfect. We find this love in our moments of brokenness and it calls and shapes us to a life that is transformed by grace. Further… God’s Love is Unconditional Human love can sometimes come with strings attached, but Love of God is different. The Bible tells us in Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This means that God loved you before you ever knew Him, before you ever did anything to deserve it—because His love isn’t based on merit, it’s based on His nature. What This Means for You: You don’t have to earn God’s love, it’s already yours. Your mistakes don’t disqualify you from His love. You can approach Him with confidence, knowing He accepts you as you are. God’s Love is Everlasting Unlike human relationships that can change over time, Love of God remains constant. Jeremiah 31:3 says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” God’s love is not swayed by circumstances or emotions. It is eternal, unchanging, and steadfast. What This Means for You: Even in your lowest moments, God’s love does not waver. When others may walk away, God remains faithful. You can find security and peace in His unwavering love. God’s Love is Transformational Experiencing God’s love changes us from the inside out. It will transform you and have you in parts if not fully, to be like Jesus in nature. 1 John 4:19 reminds us: “We love because He first loved us” What This Means for You: Love of God helps you forgive and extend grace to others. You can break free from fear, as 1 John 4:18 says, “Perfect love drives out fear.” You are empowered to live with purpose, knowing you are deeply valued by God. John 1-14 What the Bible Says About the Love of God In Bible, God is talking to us. The love of God is one of the most profound and central themes in the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells a story not merely of laws, miracles, or prophecy—but of love. Divine love. The love of God is the heartbeat of the gospel and the anchor of our faith. Old Testament: Love in Covenant and Compassion Though often perceived as a book of Judgment, the Old Testament is rich with expressions of love of God for the humanity.   The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Deuteronomy 7:7-8 God’s choice of Israel was rooted not in merit but in love. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him Psalm 103:11 New Testament: Jesus’ Love Incarnate The New Testament brings the love of God in all brightness through the person of Jesus Christ.   For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) This verse is the cornerstone of Christian faith, revealing that its only love of God that motivated Him sending His only Son in Jesus to die for our sins. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.   (Roman 5:8) Jesus chooses us and not judges us. His love reaches us in our worst state, not our best. Luke 15 The parables of the Prodigal Son, lost sheep, and lost coin all illustrate a love of God that searches, celebrates, and restores. Jesus just did not preach love, He embodied it. His compassion for those rejected, His forgiveness of sinners, and His sacrificial death all point to a love that is both holy and deeply personal. God In Modern Times The Love of God in Modern Times In an age of instant messaging, social media, and video calls, we are more connected than ever before. Yet, the modern living is filled within with many people feeling profoundly lonely and disconnected. Also people are facing economic pressures, mental health struggles, and relational disparities. In such times of modern living the love of God is not an abstract comfort, it’s a lifeline. While the world offers temporary fixes and quick distractions, Jesus addresses human concerns and heals them all in His love. Letting oneself being embraced in the love of God is also bringing to one’s life to be equipped in the armor and protection against these shortcomings of the modern living. Identity: Reminding ourselves that we are children of God, and

Give us this day our daily bread… these words from the Lord’s Prayer is having us ask for spiritual and sustenance food from our Creator every day. Also we need to in our prayers be inviting, walking with Jesus daily, and thus bringing peace, purpose, and strength to our living days. Walking With Jesus Daily What Does It Mean to Walk with Jesus Daily? First in faith to walk with Jesus daily is more than a religious routine. It’s a relationship that shapes our thoughts, choices, and identity every single day. There goes the quote attributed to Jim Rohn, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with” So spending time daily with Jesus will surely bring in us a transformation to make us mirror that of Jesus.  In today’s fast-paced world, where our days are occupied with many a to-do list and the accompanying endless distractions, it can feel hard to stay spiritually inclined. We need to thus make a commitment that is highly powerful and transformative for every Christian by faith that is walking with Jesus daily.  Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.   (1 John 2:6) In our fast paced modern days, our Walking with Jesus wouldn’t be for the whole day but finding or walking into moments in breaks as the day passes is surely a good start or an immensely fruitful deed. Living these small connections of Jesus in thoughts would have Him live and walk with us just as He had with His disciples when He walked on Earth, it’s like your transporting rather time travelling in spirit to be with Jesus more 2000 years back amidst their loose and flowing garments, you there walking in your denims and tees, still not looking out of place as walking alongside Jesus is making you look serene and bright. Walking with Jesus daily is not that you need to be perfect, it’s about life finding progress in spirit and purpose. It’s not just you but even the “Son of God” desires to walk with you, guiding our steps, speaking to us heart-to-heart, and teaching us through life’s many a ups and downs and all that’s goes in between.  Walking with Jesus is not only when you’re down in life, depressed and broken. It’s an every day journey. But is it easy to walk this walk every day in a world that’s constantly pulling and pushing us in different directions? Yes it won’t be easy but we need to make a choice, inviting Jesus into every part of our life and moments. It’s about making an effort and a spiritual will saying, “Jesus, I want to follow you today, and everyday” Jesus in His love for us has promised us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  (Matthew 11:28) Living With The Lord Finding ways to walk with Jesus Daily? Walking with Jesus isn’t just what we hear in sermons in the Church, it’s a practical yet intimate, day to day relationship with the Son of God.   Letting Him into our ordinary routines It’s better that you think of Jesus and His words when you’re cooking than when in Church and praying and thinking what to cook for dinner… Invite Jesus in your ordinary moments, He is not confined to Sunday service and moments of troubles and your life persecutions. Walking Jesus into your daily moments will intently bless those moments turning them as special.     Talking to Jesus throughout the day. You must be too busy at work with lesser time to even eat at peace that doesn’t hold you back to talk to Jesus even of your modern work, technical and Ai jargons, don’t worry Jesus is not bound by time and space and confined to the Jerusalem days when He walked on Earth, He can give you not just mystic but also some tech and Ai savvy tips. So do the walking with Jesus daily in words too.   Trusting Jesus with your Un-certainties All troubles and pains of your life you will be sharing only with persons you can trust and hope for some aid. There’s nobody more trustworthy in your entire life then the divine Jesus whom you can trust with them all. He will find a way where there seem to be no way… goes the promise.   For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.    (Isaiah 43:19)     Listen and obey Him God is talking to us, in prayers in signs, through words from others. We need to listen to Him and obey God. Our wishes won’t be always God’s will and what is our good. To obey is to surrender to His will for our life.       Listening to Gods Words and Music How more to walk with Jesus Daily? Let’s be honest. Most of us don’t have hours to spare for spiritual retreat every morning or at day with our busy life. Jesus seeks not our hours but just heartfelt moments of intimacy and love. Here’s how you can walk with Jesus daily:   Start your day with the Lord. (Even it’s just for 2 minutes) Let your day begin with a short prayer or a bible verse, a protection prayer (Psalm 91). Talk to God, placing your day ahead at His feet, surrendering your fears, doubts, anxieties at His feet, and it doesn’t matter if all this you’re doing as you brush your teeth. A whispered “Good morning, Lord. Lead me today.” is better than being silent and lost in some other thoughts.   Bible App and Music As you get started for the day, skip the T.V news and rather opt for some holy songs or bible verses and devotion apps in the background

Praying Through Christian Struggles Jesus teachings resonate with modern living today as much it had in ancient times. Praying through Christian struggles is holding on to Jesus and asking His divine presence and words of wisdom to heal our days of struggles. Understanding Christian Struggles The modern times reflect digital devices, the gadgets and its noise, all characteristics of the cyber age that we live in. We may have advanced to call the present times as modern and tech driven with the amenities and progress as a way of life and beneficial but also are the modern times laced with Christian struggles if faithful in Christ.   Modern Lifestyles For a life lived in modern times will have its share of struggles. Life to live has become fast-paced in the present day when compared to a generation from the past. Struggles seed from the pressures that come to succeed in career and financially. The digital overloads only add to the burden. There’s a fine line that separates work-life balance as the working hours extend to answering work calls and follow ups even when office hours are done. Health in pink is become the colour red. Long working hours with unhealthy poor diet, rich in saturated and trans-fats and sugar and a diet that lacks vitamins and nutrients but is highly magnetic to potential health risks like diabetes, heart and all health issues.   All the above will affect mentally thus the peace of mind of the living being. There is a sense of urgency and a strained thought always racing to reach somewhere with multiple directions and destinations. There is a lack of true fulfillment and contentment, no inner peace and meaningful connections. A life seemed lived with a void, and there is always an inner search for restfulness, mind, body and soul. Modern Lifestyle & Its Effects Family Struggles The Christian struggles are being lived by us each day in our families as we are living our lives in contrast to the teachings of an ideal family as Christians.   Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.  (Proverbs 22:6)   Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)   With rising costs of living and job instability, many families struggle to make ends meet. Financial pressure can lead to anxiety, conflicts, and even broken relationships. Parents working multiple jobs and late working hours may find little time to bond with their children, weakening family ties. Further technology has disconnected family members at home as personal phones, devices for each family member and the excessive screen time has replaced meaningful family conversations and also social media has exposed children to harmful content and unrealistic expectations, leading to identity struggles. The Modern Christian families have less emotional and spiritual support running between them making each feel disconnected and isolated. The consequences being that there is anxiety, depression, loneliness and stress amongst family members. Family Struggles Loneliness and Disconnect Christian struggles is reflected in the way we live our lives. In an age of instant messaging, social media, and video calls, we are more connected than ever before. It’s the Ai age and all the advancements is only at the externals and the progress in techs has had an effect wherein further jobs have become insecure wherever the Ai has its part to play. There is a sense of real worry and insecurity with the future. Yet, the modern living is filled within with many people feeling profoundly lonely and disconnected. Technology has erased the distance of communication yet the heart to heart conversation between beings still seem miles away. Studies and reports show that people today, even in bustling cities, feel more isolated than were people of the previous generation. As Christians, God never wanted us to live a life in isolation and loneliness.   Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”    (Deuteronomy 31:6) Lonely and Disconnected “The Power of Praying: Essential Strength for Christian Struggles and Living” Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) Life struggles can seem daunting. But holding on to Christ and praying through Christian struggles can be an act of finding that realm of peace and protection. Prayers has always been in the past and even today in modern times remains a gift from God, a lifeline to reclaim peace, clarity, and courage thus we need to be often praying. What is praying? Praying is coming into the presence and companionship with God.   And what do you do when in His presence? You converse, you talk, and you chat with God. And what will you gain by praying? Resetting a machine in our modern age would mean restoring it to its original state thereby helping resolve software issues or performance problems. Prayer is a resetting of mind and soul. Praying through Christian struggles is resetting our lives, when helpless in resolving issues of life that have hurt us and disrupted our peace, we should pray asking Jesus to reset our state of mind to the peace and calmness that He, God has willed for us.   Praying is filling the void created by aloneness and an injured spirit caused when encountering other beings. It will build muscles of endurance to face life struggles. Praying reveals to you that your presence is not in solitary but there was God in the form of Jesus always walking besides you, it’s just that your being uninterested had never made you feel the presence of Jesus besides

God The Father For Christians the concept of “God the Father” remains an integral part of their faith, worship and belief.  This simple phrase from the first words of the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father in heaven, expresses the very heart and belief of Christianity of a God who is not only the Creator and Sustainer, but also a loving, intimate, and a caring Father made us known by Jesus and later for Eternity. “God the Father” as Told by Jesus What does God mean to a Christian in faith? What is about God that every Christian seek Him as “Father” that is held as the core of their Christian belief. What is so essential that we not only call God as “Father” but build a relationship with God of a son or a daughter as a Christian?   For us Christians and persons of faith before Christianity as seen in the Old Testament glimpses of God’s Holiness, justice, love, and power was seen and lived, but it was only through Jesus that the full nature of God, the Father was made clear. As the apostle John declared, “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known.” (John 1:18)   The Bible reveals God as Father all throughout both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament God revealed Himself progressively throughout Scriptures as:   The Creator (Genesis 1:1) The Almighty Judge (Genesis 18:25) The Covenant Keeper (Exodus 6:7) The Holy One (Isaiah 6:3)   Amidst all this God was a mystery, the unknown One. God’s presence was veiled in a burning bush (Exodus 3), or the Holy of Holies (Leviticus 16:2). God’s holiness was so overwhelming that sinful humans could not approach God directly. Even Israelites sometimes misunderstood God, seeing Him as harsh and judgmental rather than loving. The sacrificial system of offering animals to God pointed to humanity’s need to appease God for atonement of their sins.    Though in the Old Testament, God is called Father a handful of times… Deuteronomy 32:6 Isaiah 63:16 But it was often in the context of His relationship with Israel. (Deuteronomy 32:6), here the image of God as Father conveys his power in creation, and covenant.   However, it’s in the New Testament, especially in the teachings of Jesus, where the fatherhood of God is brought for us clearly.   Firstly, Jesus addressed God as His ‘Father’ and also spoke of His own ‘Oneness’ with God … “…Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father (John 14:9) ‘I and the Father are one”  (John 10:30)   Unlike the believers in God around, Jesus showed that God is personal, familial, loving, and merciful. In a way Jesus corrected or revealed the true identity, nature and a relationship of God with mankind.   Not a harsh judge, but a loving Father Not a distant deity, but an involved Savior in a Father Not a God who demands works and sacrifice, but a Father who offers grace, mercy, and kinship.     How Jesus speaks about God as ‘His Father’?   “Our Father” Jesus refers to God as ‘Father’ over 150 times in the Gospels and also teaches His disciples “The Lord’s Prayer” wherein He advocates them to address God as “Father” and have a relationship with God marked by intimacy, trust and openness.   Adoption through Christ The New Testament presents believers as adopted children of God through faith in Christ (Romans 8:15), (John 1:12), further reinforcing God’s fatherhood not only of Israel, but all who believe in Him.   Provider and Sustainer Jesus says about His Father… “Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!”  (Matthew 6:8) “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom”  (Luke 12:32)   With the above verses, God is described as the generous provider that a ‘Father’ is.   Revelation of the “Father” by Jesus In the Scriptures we find a profound and perfect revelation of the ‘Father, by Jesus. Jesus said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9) Jesus is the exact representation of the ‘Father’ (Hebrews 1:3) For us believers Jesus had brought us closer to God, building us into a relationship with God of a ‘Father and Son’ and thus we can proudly call God as our ‘Father’. Father and Son Understanding “God the Father” through Jesus Jesus speaks to His disciples how He and God the Father are the same. So everything that Jesus is doing is doing what the Father wants Him to do as now Jesus and God the Father are the same. Jesus is thus giving us a glimpse of “God the Father” through Him, His life, when He, Jesus dwelt amongst us. Jesus shows us the very character of God… So Jesus’ actions and teachings meant that of God the Father. God is Compassionate and Merciful. It was His compassion and mercy for the suffering and those in sin that had Jesus heal the blind, devil-possessed, and the mute could now speak. He forgave the sinful woman in adultery, the physically paralyzed, the one who had denied Him in Peter, all who crucified Him, and many more. Jesus even illustrates to us the ‘Story of the Prodigal Son” wherein putting at display the very nature of God towards His Son of love, mercy, and forgiveness. By feeding the hungry and raising Lazarus and the widow’s only son from death, Jesus showed, God’s not indifferent in human sufferings. God is Near and Personal Jesus walked among ordinary people, many sinful persons like us. He ate with them, wept with them. Jesus as God was not a deity of the skies, He was “God with us” (Emmanuel). He was with concern for the people, (turning water into wine), proclaiming repentance so mankind could be saved and be in