Month: March 2026

Luke 23:32-34 NKJV  

In the Old Testament are several scriptures that are key prophecies of   Jesus’ death by hanging on the cross. One of them is Psalm 22:7-8 which prophesies of the Messiah being mocked and humiliated and fulfilled this when passersby and soldiers mocked Jesus during His crucifixion (Matt. 27:39-43). 

Today’s scripture from The Gospel According to Saint Luke gives the account of Jesus’ crucifixion. Along with Jesus there were two criminals who were also led out to be put to death (v.32). Jesus and the criminals, one on His right hand and the other on His left, were crucified at the place called Calvary (v.33). Calvary is the place of a skull, called in Heb., Golgotha, a hill that looked like a skull. Then Jesus said, “Father,  forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots (v.34). 

As Jesus hung on the cross, suffering unimaginable pain, fulfilling His plan of redemption for the sins of all mankind, instead of focusing on His painful suffering, He modeled the act of forgiveness. He prayed, “Father, forgive them,” shows how great God’s love is for mankind and how believers are to live righteously. We are expected to show mercy for those who in ignorance mistreat us because Jesus said, “they do not know what they do.” It may hurt, but believers are to trust God in all things, asking Him for strength to not respond with an attitude of revenge but with love.

During Jesus’ crucifixion, Luke closed this verse stating that they divided His garments and cast lots” (v.34b), which fulfilled prophecy of Ps. 22:18.

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”

1 John 4:9-10 NKJV

There is no question as to how great God’s love is for mankind. In verse 9 Apostle John declares that God displayed His love for us by sending His only begotten Son into the world that we might be redeemed from the bondage of sin and Satan. This great love for the world was the motivator for God’s plan of salvation. Therefore, it is important for believers to have faith in God. It is through faith we have the blessed assurance of eternal life. 

According to John in verse 10, here’s what love is. It is not that we loved God, but it’s that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation, or the means by which our sins are forgiven. Not only did He send His only begotten Son for our sins, but Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. There should be no doubt about how great God’s love is for us; Romans 5:10 says: “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Rom. 5:10). What an awesome demonstration of love! Even though we were hostile to Him due to sin, He acted on our behalf. Because of His love and grace, He sought to bring us back in relationship with Him through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Today, let us give thanks that we no longer identity as His enemies but as children of God.  

Lift your voice and give God glory!

2 Corinthians 9:8-9 NKJV

Giving is an act of worship that brings blessings to those who receive and those who give. Therefore, believers should give willingly and generously for God loves a cheerful giver. 

In v.8 Paul said, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” Now we know that Providence is able to do whatsoever He wills. The beauty of it is, there is no limit to His generosity and overflowing blessings to all Christians who give with big hearts and open hands. He ensures that they have everything they need to do every good work and fulfill their purpose. As King David prepared to build the temple, he acknowledged that all things come from God (1 Chron. 29:14). So, what believers should do is be mindful of their relationship with God and the stewardship over all He has entrusted to them.

As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever” (v.9). Paul declares that it is written of God’s generosity and His righteousness, which is everlasting. In return His people are encouraged to imitate His character, generously giving in whatever manner is necessary to meet the needs of their community. This not only reflects God’s generosity but also His righteousness, indicating a heart of compassion and love that God will remember and will reward in eternity.

Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

1 John 4:7-10 NKJV

Throughout our lives, we will face many challenges, but God has given us love, a powerful force that can bring healing and well-being in our lives and frankly throughout our communities. So, believers are charged to know the importance of loving one another as Christ loved us. Here, Apostle John addressed his audience, his disciples as “Beloved,” saying, “let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (v.7). “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (v.8). To know God is to have an intimate relationship with Him – you are born again, His Holy Spirit lives in you.    

Love is who God is; therefore, it is central to being a child of God. It is not just an emotion; it is a choice that believers make every day to prove we are children of God and are called to love others, no matter who they are, from where they come, and etc. For sure if you do not love your neighbor, you do not know God because God is love. Children of God’s everyday interactions must reflect who they are in Christ.

John continued to provide us sure proof that there is no limit to God’s love for mankind: “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (v.9). “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (v.10). 

Lift your voice and give God glory!