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God is known by many names like Abba Father, Jesus, Lord, Almighty, Divine, Creator and more. Bible shades God with a new name, Love. Living our lives to experience our Creator as a God of love is to embrace in His presence and absorb our minds and spirit with His divinity. God of Love Understanding “God Of love” Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.        (1 John 4:8) Love as an emotion first came from God. It was God’s love for us humanity that He made us in His image and likeness and made us to rule over all His creations.  God’s love is clearly demonstrated to us when God gave Jesus, His only begotten son as a sacrifice to us humanity in atonement for our sins so that we be saved. Jesus death and sacrifice on the Cross for us exemplifies to us a God of love.    In the Bible we read of the many times when the human race had gone against the will of God and even believed in a false God, making God angry and He wanted to punish the humanity but each time God had mercy on us and forgive the human race to rebuild again the relationship between God and humanity. We see in… Noah’s Ark Sodom and Gomorrah 100 Bible Verses about God Will Destroy Earth By Fire The above is a proof of God of love when in relation with humanity. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.   1 John 4:16 The above words speaks of the nature of God that is love. God’s love can be glimpsed in the Old Testament in the Holy Bible through Covenants with figures like Abraham, Moses and David. And the ultimate Covenant of God’s love at the Mount Calvary where God of love, Jesus was crucified and Himself chose to die in ransom for our sins. We see the evolution of the understanding of divine love from the Old Testament to the New Testament. John 3 -16 Jesus truly a God Of love Jesus, God in the Holy trinity, talks, feels, smells, heard and everything about Him is love truly a God of love. The parables spoken of Jesus is of love and forgiveness. Forgiveness can happen only if the root is love. The parables… The Prodigal Son The story of the prodigal son is a picture of God’s love for us as His children. God’s love for us does not depend on our faithfulness; it is unconditional. He loved us while we were still sinners. Though we are demanding and do not remain faithful, God is still our faithful and loving Father. When we come to repent of our sins, He is willing to forgive us and welcomes us with open arms. The Parable of the lost sheep and the coin The Lost Sheep — speaks of the love of God the SON, (the Good Shepherd) Just as the good shepherd will risk His own life to save the sheep from the wolves, so did Jesus, God of love and His love for us was the reason He died on the Cross for us. The Lost Coin — speaks of the love of GOD, the HOLY SPIRIT Again when a sinner comes back to God as was lost and now found will be rejoiced in heaven as God love was unconditional towards him and his sinful deeds. It also shows how much God seeks humans to be saved to be with him.    Jesus’ various healing of the blind, the evil possessed, the lame, the bringing back to life of Lazarus, the twelve year old Jairus’ daughter being raised from death and the twelve year constant bleeding woman suffering and being healed are testimonies of a God of love, Jesus. Though a few were stories of their faith that healed them, but why is not the love of God seen in all the healing as it only shows God’s love for the humanity. Jesus, left the heavenly comforts to come to earth, live, heal, sacrifice and save us. All he did for His unconditional love for us. Jesus healing is just not to show the glory of God but also it showcases His love and mercy for us sinners. Jesus in the Bible, His ministry, healing and preaching is a sign of God’s love for us humans.His love is not just complete in display once He sacrifices Himself for us on the cross. It continues forever when he resurrects for us, showing us our resurrection also will be there as He has resurrected. Its Jesus love for us that He wants us to be with Him in eternity. Truly a God of love. Mark 2-17 God Of love And The Human Sufferings One thing that has perplexed humanity to question from time innumerable is why a God permits so much suffering on earth? Is it that after God had made us in His image and likeness, we chose to disobey God (Adam and Eve) making us break that spiritual umbilical cord that we had with God at the beginning. We now chose our freewill and as living on earth, we had our lives mixed with the doings of the evil one. But the disobedience of the first human beings is also why we have an earth. Also in the Bible we encounter how the holy and pious also had to suffer. The story of Job tells us of how he being closer to God still went through the worst but the only difference was in his response of trust and hope in a God of Love, he surely even in his hardships and trials trusted in God’s love. Jesus the son of God lived to suffer and die and be resurrected.   Reading from the bible can be highly inspiring and answering to this quest is about

Living our lives we feel amiss, our conscience pricks us, reminding us of our sinfulness. There is a belief of Jesus love for sinners that our Christian faith speaks of especially when in a state of despair and self-hate. The need is just to reach to the Lord and experience His love and forgiveness. Jesus Love For Sinners Why is Jesus Love for Sinners Essential To err is human and for us humans to sin is our trait. Nobody as he or she lives, is without a sin. This isn’t what we humans ought to be known for with our sinful lives, we are “called to be saints” as written in the Holy Bible. We have been “sanctified in Christ Jesus” says the Scriptures. Sanctified means we are set apart or declared holy.  This may not seem easy for us humans, we have not trained ourselves for being thus. If we cannot be a saint, we can at the least strive to live a life with the living nature of a saint. They can be simple minimalist forms of living, a life with a sense of holiness.  Jesus engagements with the sinners found in the Bible is a testimony of His deep empathy and mercy towards them.   The Holy Bible especially the New Testament has many an instances showing Jesus’ love for sinners. In the Bible the striking feature of Jesus ministry is His compassion for sinners as found in Luke 5:32. Jesus love for sinners found in the Bible is a story of conversion of sinners and His grace. Luke 5:32 Jesus Love for Sinners in the Bible Jesus Forgives And Heals the Paralysed Man From the Holy Bible, Mark 2: 1-12 Mark 2: 1-12 Jesus told the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven” Some teachers of the law were also present when Jesus forgive the sins of the paralytic man and healed him of his disability. Over here Jesus by forgiving the sins manifested Himself who He was. And as the teachers of law protested that only God could forgive sins, these same teachers were too blind in their minds to even recognize if what they said of only God forgiving sins, then here indeed was God who was forgiving the sins. Jesus judged not the man’s sins and also did not for a moment condemn him, but healed him because of the faith of this paralyzed man and his friends who got him down from the roof. A Sinful Woman washes Jesus feet From the Holy Bible, Luke 7: 36-50 Luke 7: 36-50 When a sinful woman bathed Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair, Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven” (Lk 7:48); Here again it’s the faith and the remorse of the woman who felt burdened by her sins that saved her and all her sins were forgiven by Jesus. Jesus connects a sinful heart that regrets, for the sins committed. Jesus showed mercy to the sinful woman and did not judge her like the others for her sinful life. By forgiving her sins, Jesus gave her a second chance, a new life to begin. Jesus by forgiving her sins had healed her soul and also the wounds of self-hate and inferiority she felt of herself. She was a renewed person now with a God loving spirit.   Woman caught in adultery From the Holy Bible, John 8 : 1-11 John 8: 1-11 Jesus instructed the condemners of the adulteress woman to cast the first stone at her if they had never committed a sin ever or weren’t still in sin, asking them not to judge her but judge thyself first. The adulteress woman was brought to be stoned, where was the Man? Maybe that’s what Jesus scribbled on the floor asking them, maybe Jesus also wrote the sins of all those who prepared to stone her, starting from the old to young thus the order of their departure. Jesus then told the woman that she is not condemned even by Jesus, meaning He has forgiven her sins but also told her to sin no more. Thus, Jesus Loves Sinners but not their sins. Jesus and the Good Thief From the Holy Bible, Luke 23 : 39-43 Luke 23: 39-43 There were two criminals hung on each side of Jesus, one criminal mocked Jesus but the other, a thief rebuked him for talking ill to Jesus and also realized his own sinful life as he was dying on the cross. His talking to the lord, as he hung on cross next to Jesus seemed like asking mercy for his sins from Jesus. Merciful Jesus granted him forgiveness with the words that you will be with me in paradise. The criminal thief became the good thief now with the grace and mercy of our lord Jesus. Jesus will not see our sins, he will see your faith and your hope in Him to be saved. Does Jesus Love For Sinners Means We Can Sin Jesus loves sinners but He hates sin. Thus on the night after the last supper and before he was arrested Jesus prayed at the garden at Gethsemane and here Jesus Christ underwent agony in this garden as He prayed and His sweat were like drops of blood falling to the ground. He experienced great anguish and prayed to be delivered from His impending suffering that were to follow, while also prayed that He would still accept the will of His Father and not His own will. Was Jesus afraid of the suffering, the passion that was to follow? NO… Jesus was not afraid of the passion, He surely was afraid… Afraid of that moment when He being without a stain of sin all His earthly life was going to take upon Himself all the sins of all the human generations that lived from the start of the earth, to the present and till the very end of the earth. He would bear all upon Himself. And the consequence

Life is never lived without difficulties, finding faith in difficult times is the key to bringing calm to the troubled times. It’s the faith in Jesus that is at core of every Christian belief that God will be there for us always even when our earthly friends and relations cease to be with us. Finding Faith in Difficult Times What is Faith in Difficult Times? Life set of problems can come in volumes if measured as pages, there can be illnesses, relationship breakdowns, job losses, financial problems and more. One life can be like living an era and the mounting difficulties can make us detest the gift of life to live. The wise and the holy always advised as we read in the Holy Scriptures of finding faith in difficult times. How will faith affect or release the qualms of difficult times faced in a life? Is faith a medicine of cure or an app finding answers or solving the difficult times? So what is it or why is faith to be found when troubled or in difficult moments of life? Life challenges can make us test our faith. Is the faith giving me strength and resolve to face them all, and are these moments leaving us feeling lost and overwhelmed. If the difficulties have come to a life, the need to resolve these difficulties is upon the very person facing these difficulties. It might not be easy as said in words above to release or resolve the difficulties of life by oneself but as Christians being believers of Christ we believe in finding faith in difficult times. We ought to live our faith to deliver us of these difficult times.  And what is our faith as Christians? Our faith lets us believe that “Faith can move mountains” and also that “Our God is bigger than our difficulties” “You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.” (Matthew 17:20) “Your faith has healed you” were the words said by our Lord Jesus on many occasions when He healed persons in difficulties of sicknesses. So even Jesus acknowledged that “faith” first is the seed to resolving the difficulties in life. Finding faith in difficult times can fructify only if there is a faith that as Christians we believe in the divinity of Jesus. Our faith should guarantee us to believe that no difficulty is bigger or impossible for our God to resolve. We should be finding the faith in difficult times that has no limit or prescribed weight or measure. This faith is limitless and without boundaries, just a complete faith. Finding faith in difficult times begins with the wholehearted belief that my lord and my God, Jesus Christ loves me and will never abandon me. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  (John 14:18) That’s the promise from Jesus and this should be our faith that my God will be there always for me and more so in my moments of difficult times. The same faith in Jesus is the trigger that will help us in our difficult times and then indeed Jesus will be saying to us also, “your faith has saved you”. I will never leave you orphans Navigating Life Challenges with Faith in Difficult Times Life challenges can be like huge storms and we feel being drowned. Faith in difficult times can be our anchor, our savior. We need to practice the faith in deeds and action, all body mind and soul. There are ways to let us discipline our faith, it just cannot be merely words or in mind but we need to exercise and train our faith as this will profit us more and make us Christian soldiers of faith.        Praying Praying has power. Praying connects us to God. It builds a personal relationship with God for us. Prayer teaches us to trust in God. It teaches us to hope in God alone. Prayer will strengthen us to believe we are not alone, our savior Jesus is there with us. Prayer will make our faith strong. Finding faith in difficult times requires that when we are encountered with life turmoil’s we in faith go to God in prayers asking His intervention, asking Him to let the moment of agony and pain pass away and there is nothing impossible that God to whom we pray with hope to let go and destroy these earthly troubles and upsets.   Word of God Find God in the Scriptures. Holy Bible is centered on God and His will for us humanity. Word of God heals. Our faith is inspired and increased when we read the Word of God. Stories of people of faith in the Bible encourages and energizes us to believe and hope that just as God had saved them because of their faith, God will rescue us too in our moments of difficulties. Finding faith in difficult times can be bolstered by the hope that the Holy Bible brings. The word in the Bible are not just words or scriptures, they are indeed the spirit of God and it is always working.   So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)   When we read the word of God it should be with faith and belief. We should find and read verses that resonate with our current situation and difficulties like…   …”Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”         (Psalm 23)   “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by

We believe there is a God but do we know Him. How well do we know God or how much we desire to know Him? For an exercise if you know a fellow person, your sibling or your spouse or a close friend really well (LETS CALL HIM, Darwin), Compare your knowing God to the way you know Darwin… So do you know about God as much as you know about Darwin? Know God Seek to know God When we seek to know God, we realize that God is not playing hide and seek with us, but desires to make Himself known to us. Because He loves us. His is an unconditional love for us each, individually. How do we know people? We speak to them, we hear them, and we keep communications. The same works with God. We need to rather seek Him to know Him. Prayers… Prayers What is this? That’s (way 1) to know God. In Prayers we communicate with God, we talk to Him, we hear Him…wait we never hear Him exclaimed Ryna, as she had said the same to her spiritual counsellor. It’s just one way converse from me, God never talks, and He is silent. He will talk replied the counsellor, have patience but practice first. Don’t you practice hard each day for years till you become a pro tennis player or practice hard a skill like singing or writing till you can write or sing amazingly? Prayers are the same for the humans and they are like human traits to be followed. There will come a time continued the counsellor when the silence of God will have sound for your ears. His words and whispers would be heard in His silence. It’s when God and human will communicate even when they are both silent. Its then the words of God will be heard by your spiritual heart and not your human ears. So find and know God in Prayers. Build your friendship and fellowship with God by spending time with Him. Prayers can be extended beyond your worshipping God   before the altar or in your room in solitude. Prayer can be talking to Jesus in your mind as you walk or travel to work, a mini converse of a few seconds when at work, college or at leisure. He is Omnipresent, time and space do not bound the maker of the very cosmic features.   Holy Bible… Holy Bible Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4   God speaks through the Bible, this is the book of promises for us humanity till the end of all times. Know God and feel His nature, His will for us, it’s all in the Holy Bible. If you eat food to survive each day, your spiritual survival also needs to be fed by the ‘Word of God’, food for your soul and conscience. Bible is the road map leading to the very presence of the divinity of Jesus.          Meditation and Contemplation … Meditation and Contemplation We were each born individually and not in groups thus there is to be a one to one with their Creator. Our life is for what? What is the purpose? What happens after death? Why should I know God, is it because He is my Creator? All these questions make us go deeper in contemplation trying to seek the answers and meaning from the Creator. Meditating and contemplating involves quieting the mind, focusing inward, and practicing mindfulness. This leads to a sense of peace and an awareness of the divine presence within oneself and around.         Knowing God as Christians Knowing God As Christians It was love alone that had Jesus die for our sins. He answered, “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10: 27 Not loving means not Knowing God. The very core of knowing and loving God is manifested in how they treat others in their daily lives, their family members, friends, work colleagues and even strangers. Being Christian is being like Christ, making one to see the image of Jesus in others, even if their behavior and act go against them. Serving the needy and the down trodden. Mother Teresa now known as Saint Teresa when served and nursed the sick and the homeless on the streets would often say that she would see ‘Jesus’ in them as she served them. Praise and Worship Praise and Worship… There is power in the name of Jesus’, yes that’s true and also is true that “praising God is twice praying”. Praise Him for He loves us un-conditionally, not holding back or judging us with our sins. Praising God, through singing, can be a more profound and complete act of prayer and worship. Christian Preachings and Teachings Spiritual Teachings… Listening to Spiritual teachings and faith discussions and podcast is a profound method to know God. Persons of deep faith find it evangelizing and making it known to others the will of God and to those with less faith, about Jesus, aiding them in their journey of knowing God. This can be a significant method of understanding the faith and God’s will from these anointed persons of faith.  Listening to Bible and faith based teachings on YouTube or podcast by faith scholars and preachers is a good way to know God and His will for our life.   “Know God Through Nature”  Observing the wonders of Nature, from a sunset to the detailed design of a flower, the changing weathers,  the beauty, and the Nature’s gift of our survival needs like food, water and air makes us awe and wonder of God’s majesty, beauty and power. Many a saints and seers of God have spoken of finding the presence of God in

For a Christian, how to grow spiritually in Christ would mean becoming more like Christ in character, thoughts, and deeds. As believers of Christ we are called to accept Jesus as our Savior and follow and live His teachings in our lives, growing in faith every day and building a personal relationship with Him. How to Grow Spiritually in Christ Growing Spiritually In Christ Growing Spiritually in Christ is not being just a Christian following Church rituals and worships, it is an inner cleansing process whereby overcoming and purifying of all the vices and sins that is keeping the presence of Jesus afar. It is choosing to have a personal relationship with Christ. It is also a journey with the Lord that becomes spiritual in essence and a feel of blissfulness traverses now, all because of the presence of Christ in our lives. We as Christians can have the awareness and understanding of our faith but growing spiritually in Christ is much higher then all our human wisdoms and our being theologians and experts of the faith. It is good to have immense knowledge and being scholars of the Christian faith, but still it lacks behind or is weak when in compare to a person of mystic, growing spiritually in Christ. Even an ounce of Jesus’s presence in spirit is much more worthy and massive as compared to the weight in tons of knowledge of the faith and religious beliefs.   The living water that Jesus promised to the Samaritan woman at the well is still outpoured by the Lord even today. It’s the vessel of faith in spirit that we need to bring before the Lord to receive it.  How to grow spiritually in Christ is to know Jesus. Knowing Jesus, it’s a lifelong search. We will never know Him all, but again an ounce of knowing Jesus spiritually as mentioned earlier is enough to tread us in this walk of life. No one, even the highest saints or even heavenly angels can claim to have known Christ and His divinity completely. Thus just an ounce of knowing Jesus is enough. When we know Jesus then this life when we walk, we walk not alone, the Lord accompanies us. This makes the journey more blessed, as you grow spiritually in Christ, more and more is revealed each time that makes you seek and know more of the Lord. Thus contemplating and desiring to know more of Jesus and His teachings is what would mean how to grow spiritually in Christ.           Growing A Personal Relationship With God Building to Grow Spiritually in Jesus The basics of how to grow spiritually in Christ begins with inner transformation, obedience to the will of God and pure love for God. The ways to reach Christ are many and the attainments are spiritual blissfulness and bearing fruit of the spirit of the divinity in Christ.  How to grow spiritually in Christ would mean making ourselves find His presence,     Rooted in God’s Word   The foundation of spiritual growth is the Word of God,   2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.  (Psalm 1:2-3)   Find Jesus in the scriptures, He is all dissolved in the Words of the Bible. Regular Bible study and meditation help us grow in wisdom, faith, and obedience. It also reveals to us when we read the Bible, the will of God for our lives.         A Life of Prayers        2.  A Life of Prayers   Prayer is talking to Jesus one-on-one. When in prayer, the divine King of Kings, the Creator of the Universe, Jesus is in communion spiritually to one His conception, a mere human sinner in me.   Praying is growing spiritually in Christ and engaging in a loving fellowship, so as to be spiritually in oneness with the Creator in Christ. Jesus by example to us, often withdrew to pray, showing us the importance of maintaining a close relationship with the father. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:16)         FAITH MOVE MOUNTAINS           3.  Living the Faith     Foremost is the faith, faith in Christ and His teachings The teachings of Christ is not confined as holy for the Christian as a religion and for the Bible alone, it is a way of life that the Lord advocates us to follow and live every day in our lives.   How to grow spiritually in Christ, is to live like Christ and to exercise His teachings of love, forgiveness and service towards our fellow beings as we live our lives with others. Our relationship with our fellow beings as willed by Jesus for us, truly defines our being Christian in spirit.   37 And he said to him,  “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  38 This is the great and first commandment.  39 And ha second is like it: iYou shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39)           Be A Person Spiritually Close To Jesus How to Grow Spiritually in Christ: Learning from Persons of Faith Reading of Saints and persons of faith in Jesus can be inspiring in our journey of knowing just how to grow spiritually in Christ. They can be role models for us and also our guiding light of faith and hope in our moments of darkness and spiritual downfall. Jesus Christ calls all people to draw near to Him, and these individuals serve as extraordinary examples of what it means to live in close communion with Him. Through their faith, love, and sacrifice, they inspire us to seek a deeper relationship with Christ in our own lives. Whether through prayer, acts of charity, or humble service, each person has the opportunity to grow in holiness and walk more closely with Jesus every day.   Persons and Saints Spiritually Close to Jesus

Forgiving is one of the most profound yet beautiful virtue of a Christian life and faith teachings. It’s pillared as a Christian virtue and foundational for every Christian to live it, as it comes to us directly from the Lord, in “The Lord’s Prayer”  …And forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us. Forgiving Why Being Christian is Practicing Forgiveness Being Christian by faith is being like Christ not just in our beliefs and His teachings but also in the way that Christ lived. Jesus and His living should be a model and a way of living for every “true Christian”. If we just live as Christians without imbibing inside us and practicing the Lord’s teachings and virtues, we have our resembling in Christ only by namesake (Christians) and no real depth and discipleship of Jesus. When we implement Jesus’ teachings in our lives, we let Jesus live and walk in our lives. We not only believe Jesus’ teachings, we become all that is Jesus’ teachings. Why forgive?   But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Roman 5:8) It began first with Jesus as He absorbed the cost of our sins and endured it all upon Himself, our hatred, our selfishness, and our wrongdoings. He chose the cross to be His instrument of sacrifice in atonement for our sins. We all are inspired and rightfully believe Jesus as Thomas, the apostle when doubted and Jesus appearance had him rightfully proclaim… “My Lord and my God!”  (John 20:28) Yes that’s what Jesus is to each and every Christian. Being Christian is understanding the immense debt of our sins that is forgiven or taken over by Jesus upon Himself, and this should humble us every Christian and motivate us to extend the same grace to others. Remember what ‘God the Father’ said at the ‘Transfiguration of Jesus’ … “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Mark 9:7) Listen to Him, and what does God’s son says… “To forgive not seven but seventy times seven.” “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15) Also Jesus’ words when dying on the cross towards His oppressors and wrong-doers… “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Jesus did not only preach forgiveness, He practiced and lived it till the end when dying on the cross. A true Christian is the one who practices and lives the life and teachings of our dear beloved Jesus Christ. FORGIVENESS & JESUS Growing and Forgiving In Our Daily Living Matthew 18:21-22 Peter: “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus: “I tell you not seven times, but seventy-seven times”     Jesus in the above words is telling us that to forgive is to be endless times. To forgive is not optional, it is woven into the very fabric of the Christian faith. But knowing that forgiveness is important and at the core and actually practicing it in daily life are two different things. In our lives it is indeed a struggle for us each to forgive as we hold onto hurts, the painful conversations, or we avoid people who have offended us. We may say we have forgiven but our hearts remain bitter and bruised with un-forgiveness and the pain filled memories. How can I outgrow this resentment and pardon the wrongdoings by others towards me in my daily life? To begin with we need to grow in our understanding of what the Lord means about forgiveness, and the growth is not only in our understanding but a growth of our own oneself wherein we live a life of utmost peace and spiritual gratification. Forgiveness is hard. We should not pretend that the hurt didn’t happen or allow yourself to be mistreated again. We might be hurt but we need to have a heart that chooses to release someone from the debt of hurt they owe you and to hand the justice and the healing of oneself over to God. It’s a daily practice, its choosing to face it every day and still not be affected. What happens when you choose to forgive? Now Jesus is present in your forgiveness. His love is brought to life when we mend our ways by conversing with those who have hurt us. The compassionate eyes of Jesus is at sight when we look with compassion and forgiveness towards those who have hurt and betrayed us. The obedience towards Jesus words to forgive with passing time feels like freedom of mind and soul. A weight filled heart feels like it weighs like a feather now. Core remains that the unwillingness to forgive is a barrier in our relationship with God. We cannot have a clutched fist holding on to other people wrongs and asking God to forgive and release us from our own wrongdoings. We cannot receive grace and mercy with a closed fist. So asking God forgiveness for our own mistakes and wrongdoings, we will need to open our wrist (releasing people whom we’ve not forgiven) and bring those open palms now together in posture of prayer, asking God to forgive. When armored with this weapon of virtue that is forgiveness, we will grow spiritually finding ourselves living a true Christian discipleship of Christ.       God & Us The Daily Art of Forgiveness: Practical Steps to Free Your Heart Believing in forgiveness as an important Christian virtue and practicing it in our daily living can feel overwhelming and difficult. How to practice this profound theological truth not as a single grand gesture, but as a meaningful ongoing habit would mean our lifestyle be molded around the following.   Prayers Don’t rush to force a

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