UNIVERSAL LOVE OF GOD

"Discover the meaning behind His words, His divine purpose" One of the Most Powerful Prayers in the Bible – John 17:1-11a Explained Introduction The prayer of Jesus in John 17:1-11a is one of the most profound and powerful passages in the Bible. It is His final prayer before His betrayal and arrest, a moment filled with divine significance. This sacred passage reveals the true purpose of Christ’s mission on earth and the eternal life He offers to all who believe in Him. Understanding this prayer is crucial for deepening our faith and embracing God’s divine plan. The Prayer of Jesus – John 17:1-11a Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so that Your Son may glorify You, just as You have given Him authority over all people, so that He may grant eternal life to all You have entrusted to Him. Now, this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. I have glori...

Of Monks and Men Mount Athos, Greece -- Welcome to the Monastic Republic of Holy Mount Athos. Please set your calendar back a thousand years. Clocks here run on  Byzantine time, which starts at sunset. Dates are calculated according to the Julian calendar of the Roman Empire, which varies by 13 days from the modern Gregorian calendar you're used to. Some settlements are supplied solely by mule teams, and the flags of Byzantium still fly. Radio? Television? Newspapers? Paved roads? If they didn't exist in the year 972, you probably won't find them here. And if you're a woman, you'd better make other plans. Females have been strictly forbidden here for a thousand years. Not even female animals are permitted. Mount Athos is an Eastern Orthodox monastic republic and a surviving administrative unit of the Byzantine Empire -- a fully functioning mini-state with roads, settlements, and a capital city, all operating under a charter granted by the Byzantin...

"God First: The Source of Life, Faith, and Eternal Purpose" God First: The Breath of Life and the Foundation of Faith Understanding "God First" – The Essence of Our Existence Putting  God first  is not just a phrase; it is the very foundation of life itself. Scripture tells us,  "In Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28).  Every breath we take is a divine gift, and the moment it ceases, we return to dust (Genesis 3:19). Our earthly identity fades, and we are no longer recognized by our name, but simply as a "dead body." This reality should awaken us to the truth: our lives are sustained by God, and without Him, we are nothing. Why the World Misunderstands "God First" Despite the first and greatest commandment—**"You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3)—**many treat it as an afterthought. The world often prioritizes wealth, power, and self-interest over God, making Him a last resort instead of the...

When We Pray, We Talk to God; When We Read the Bible, God Talks to Us W hen We Pray, We Talk to God; When We Read the Bible, God Talks to Us Introduction Which is more important: obeying God’s commandments or continuously presenting our requests in prayer? To truly understand this, we must first acknowledge that while we bring our needs before God, He already knows them better than we do. Often, we are unaware of what is truly best for us—but God understands completely. Instead of focusing solely on our desires, our prayers should prioritize gratitude and reverence for His wisdom and guidance. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” — Philippians 4:6 (NIV) Obeying God’s Commandments : A Higher Priority than Petitions Many people, overwhelmed by life’s challenges, ask, “Why does God remain hidden? Why doesn’t He appear or speak to us?” While understandable, this question reflects a misundersta...

God, the Creator of the Universe, Through Jesus Christ The Creator of the Universe: God's Work Through Jesus Christ Introduction God is the Creator of the u niverse, and He brought everything into existence through Jesus Christ. The Bible, which is the infallible Word of God, testifies to this truth: "Through Him, all things were made; without Him, nothing was made that has been made." – John 1:3 (NIV) This profound truth underscores the foundation of our faith. Any teaching that deviates from the Word of God is not from Him but from Satan, whose ultimate goal is to deceive and destroy (John 10:10). By embracing God's truth, we secure our souls, while rejecting it leads to spiritual destruction. God Owns the World , But Satan Rules It Although God created and owns the world, the Bible tells us that Satan is "the prince of this world" (John 12:31, 2 Corinthians 4:4). This means that worldly influences, apart from Christ, are under the control of the enemy...

A Biblical Truth About God's Sovereignt y The Earth Belongs to God – A Call to Humility and Stewardship Introduction In a world where nations, leaders, and corporations lay claim to land, resources, and power, it is essential to remember one fundamental truth: The earth belongs to God. No human, government, or organization truly owns it. We are merely stewards, entrusted with God’s creation for a fleeting moment in time. Psalm 24:1 declares: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” This powerful verse reminds us that ownership of the earth is not in our hands but in God’s. It is He who created it, sustains it, and determines its future. Our role is not to dominate or exploit but to steward it wisely with humility and reverence. The Earth Is God's, Not Ours Our time on this earth is temporary. No matter how much wealth, power, or influence we accumulate, we cannot take it with us. Job 1:21 says: “Naked I came from my m...